Secession

Bishop John-David Schofield's tone was urgent this month as he exhorted delegates from his Central California diocese to leave the Episcopal Church. For more than 20 years, Schofield said, he had watched in dismay as the national church strayed from Scripture and made controversial decisions about theology and sexuality, including the role of gays in the church. Now, he told delegates to his diocese's annual convention, it was time to act. "God's timing is essential!"

The Security Council on Wednesday ended its attempt to resolve the status of Kosovo because of Russian objections, leaving it to the European Union and NATO to foster the breakaway province's move toward independence without sparking new conflict in the Balkans. Kosovo's ethnic Albanian majority plans to declare independence from Serbia early next year, with the backing of the United States and most European nations.

One day after the Diocese of San Joaquin became the first in the country to break ties with the Episcopal Church, the Rev. Keith Axberg sought to reassure and cheer up his congregation, the only one in this city that is expected to remain with the national church. "There are things that are going to take time and much we don't know," said Axberg, rector of Holy Family Episcopal Church in northeast Fresno. "But our purpose is to gather here to worship God . . . and I'm thankful you are here."

Central California's Diocese of San Joaquin on Saturday became the first in the nation to secede from the Episcopal Church, taking the historic, risky step as part of a years-long struggle within the U.S. church and global Anglican Communion over homosexuality and biblical authority.

Lawmakers from Belgium's Dutch-speaking Flemish north and French-speaking Walloon south teamed up to block a bill that sought to split the country in a vote that may clear the way for a new government. Belgium has languished since June 10 elections without a Cabinet, and coalition talks have stalled over the Flemish side's unmet demands for more autonomy.

Backers of a plan to have a portion of Oxnard secede from the city have scheduled their next public meeting to explore forming Ventura County's 11th municipality. Boundaries for the proposed city of Channel Islands Beach have been expanded to include much of South Oxnard, effectively doubling the potential number of registered voters in the new coastal community to about 35,000.

On a green hillside here in Kosovo, schoolchildren paraded through rows of red tombstones marking the graves of 44 ethnic Albanians killed eight years ago by Serbian forces. The field trip was organized, their teacher said, so the children would remember the massacre, a turning point that brought the West to the rescue of Kosovo's Albanians. "It is important for us to remain united," Hafiz Mustafa, a whiskered, elderly survivor, lectured the students.

Scottish nationalists who are pushing for independence pulled ahead Friday to an unprecedented victory in the Scottish Parliament and said they would seek to form a coalition government committed "to all the people of this ancient and proud nation of Scotland." Amid chaotic vote counting that saw up to 100,000 ballots disqualified, the Scottish National Party gained 20 seats, leaving it with a total of 47 in the 129-seat assembly.

For weeks, Egyptians have been frantic with speculation: the dress, the diamond and, of course, the nickname. After Bennifer, Tomkat and Brangelina, "now there is ... Gaga?" mused one blogger. "Gaga" would be Gamal Mubarak, son of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and Khadija Gamal, daughter of a well-known business tycoon. The couple held a wedding reception Friday at this exclusive Red Sea resort.

It was on the low cliffs looming over the white-capped Firth of Forth here that Alexander III, the last of Scotland's Celtic kings, plunged from his horse to his death one inky night 721 years ago. England backed a successor, and ultimately invaded, touching off the wars of Scottish independence that inspired medieval verses about refusing to submit to "the bonds of slavery entwined" and opulently tragic films such as "Braveheart."