The Vatican on Wednesday asked Israel to ban a gay parade in Jerusalem today, saying the march in the city considered holy to Jews, Muslims and Christians would offend the faithful. "The Holy See has reiterated on many occasions that the right to freedom of expression ... is subject to just limits, in particular when the exercise of this right would offend the religious sentiments of believers," the Vatican said. "It is clear that the gay parade scheduled to take place in Jerusalem will prove offensive to the great majority of Jews, Muslims and Christians, given the sacred character of the city of Jerusalem," it said.
■ United States
Cosby settles assault suit
Comedian Bill Cosby has settled a lawsuit brought by a woman who claimed he sexually assaulted her, Cosby's publicist said on Wednesday. Andrea Constand said in the suit the attack occurred at Cosby's home in early 2004, when he allegedly drugged her and then assaulted her. "Ms. Constand and Mr. Cosby have resolved their differences, and therefore the litigation has been dismissed," Cosby's publicist David Brokaw said in a statement. Constand's suit alleged at least 10 other women had also been assaulted by the comedian. Prosecutors declined to file criminal charges against Cosby, saying there was insufficient evidence.
■ Germany
Prisoner on the roof
A convicted sex offender broke free from guards on Wednesday and made his way to the edge of his prison's roof, refusing to come down. The man, identified only as Mario M., 36, stood in the wind for hours on a corner of the flat roof talking with police psychologists who had been hoisted to within a few meters on a crane platform. Mario M. was in the prison yard with two other prisoners and two guards when he suddenly bolted, climbing the facade of the building authorities said. He was not known to have made any demands. Mario M. went on trial on Monday on charges that earlier this year he kidnapped a 13-year-old girl held her captive for more than a month and repeatedly raped her.
■ United States
Voters back death penalty
Residents of Wisconsin have voted to support restoring the death penalty, one of only 12 US states that do not have capital punishment, opponents of the measure said on Wednesday. The non-binding referendum, which took place during Tuesday's US legislative elections, asked voters if the ultimate penalty should be enacted to punish murderers whose conviction is supported by DNA evidence. The measure was backed by about 55 percent of voters, according to US media. For capital punishment to return to Wisconsin, where the last execution took place in 1853, it would have to be approved by the state legislature and the governor.
■ Portugal
Priest beer offer for captors
A priest held hostage for 19 hours by prisoners trying to escape from a jail wants to "celebrate life" over a beer with his former captors. Julio Lemos, who was grabbed and kept at knife-point by two prisoners at the jail where he held mass over the weekend, said he forgave the prisoners. His two captors are both serving prison sentences for manslaughter. The hostage drama ended as police overpowered the prisoners on their way out of the jail with the priest to an escape car.
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