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• -- KNAIDEL -- a small mass of leavened dough cooked by boiling or steaming. The winning word for 2013 was from German-derived Yiddish, a source of much amusement to champion Arvind Mahankali, 13, of Bayside Hills, N.Y., who finished third in 2012 and 2011 after misspelling German-derived words. This time, he had little trouble.
• -- CYANOPHYCEAN -- a blue-green alga. Runner-up Pranav Sivakumar, 13, of Tower Lakes, Ill., was bounced by this word, missing it by a single letter. He thought the final "a'' was an "i."
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Gay rights cases could trail Obama in Africa; high court's rulings appear likely during trip
• WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama's trip to Africa next month may result in a stark juxtaposition between the growing power of the gay rights movement in the U.S. and the criminalization of homosexuality throughout the African continent.
• Obama is scheduled to be in Africa in late June and early July -- the same period in which the Supreme Court is likely to issue highly anticipated rulings on a pair of gay marriage cases. The court does not say in advance when its rulings will be issued, but the gay marriage cases are expected to be among the last decisions announced before the justices begin their summer break at the end of June.
• Homosexuality is considered a criminal offense in many African nations, including Senegal and Tanzania, two of the countries Obama will visit. South Africa, the third country on the president's itinerary, has broad protections for homosexuals and is the only African country to legalize gay marriage.
• Gay rights activist Richard Socarides said Obama could use the rulings as a "teachable moment" if the justices move to expand rights for same-sex couples.
• "If the timing works out so that he's there, it may provide a perfect opportunity for him to speak out about the principles we value in our democracy and how we would hope that others follow it," said Socarides, who worked in the White House during the Clinton administration.
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Hezbollah's involvement in Syria draws retaliation by Syrian rebels against Lebanese
• HERMEL, Lebanon (AP) -- In Shiite towns and villages near the border with Syria, residents who support Hezbollah are bearing the brunt of the militant Leba (Continued on page 33)
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