July 17, 2003

• Same-sex marriage in Canada: The federal government releases its draft bill to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples while protecting the rights of clergy not to perform marriages that run counter to their religious beliefs. The government will seek a reference from the Supreme Court of Canada to ensure the bill is constitutional.
• India declines a United States request to send an occupation force to Iraq. United States Envoy assures that Indo-US relations will not be hampered by the refusal.
• In a press conference in Belfast, journalist Seán Ó Muireagáin denies Israeli claims that suspected Real IRA activist. He states that he is not, and never has been, a member or supporter of the IRA. Israel repeats that the arrest of Ó Muireagáin was "unfortunate" but refuses to apologise. Israel's treatment of Ó Muireagáin is strongly criticised in Ireland. SDLP ex-minister Sean Farren states that Ó Muireagáin is "well known and respected" in Northern Ireland.
• Evangelist and former United States Presidential candidate Pat Robertson announces his "massive prayer offensive" dubbed "Operation Supreme Court Freedom", asking Americans to pray that at least three United States Supreme Court justices retire so that the court can be filled with conservative justices who will overturn Supreme Court rulings on school prayer, separation of church and state and sodomy.
• The Uniting Church in Australia votes to officially recognise and approve of homosexual clergy. (ABC (Australia) news report)