In the World

UGANDA

Harsh antigay law draws West's rebuke

Human-rights groups and Western leaders condemned harsh antigay legislation signed into law Monday by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, calling it draconian, offensive, and an affront to basic rights.

But Ugandan officials and parliamentarians, including David Bahati, who introduced the law in parliament, celebrated the move.

Bahati posted a thank-you message to Museveni on his Facebook page: "If you are involved in the gay and lesbianism lifestyle you are liable to life imprisonment. Thanks to President Yoweri Museveni for protecting our families in Uganda."

Museveni ignored intense Western pressure and appeals from President Obama and South African Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu in signing the bill into law Monday.

- Los Angeles Times

VENEZUELA

Ally criticizes Maduro

Protests continued Monday across Venezuela amid growing reports of police repression and scarcities of basic goods, which provoked rare public criticism of President Nicolas Maduro by a political ally. Jose Vielma Mora, governor of western Tachira state, the scene of street violence and protests, told a radio interviewer Sunday night that the military had displayed "excess" in responding to the disturbances.

- Los Angeles Times

ITALY

Key confidence vote

Italian Premier Matteo Renzi won a crucial confidence vote in Parliament on his brand new government early Tuesday, managing to tamp down anger from among his own Democrats over his brash, quick rise to power. The vote in the Senate came hours after he argued that he could get his country back to work while the last three premiers failed. - AP