Same-sex couples plan San Francisco weddings

SAN FRANCISCO -- Gay and lesbian couples from across the country answered this city's Valentine's Day invitation to wed in an unprecedented spree of same-sex marriages that has challenged California law. Hundreds of people lined up Saturday outside city hall to secure marriage licenses -- and then take each other as "spouse for life" in brief vows that have given San Francisco's seat of government the feel of a Las Vegas wedding chapel. It was the third straight day that officials issued the licenses to hundreds of gay and lesbian couples.

Scientists ready rover for martian soil analysis

LOS ANGELES -- Scientists fixed a glitch that froze the robotic arm on the Mars rover Opportunity and then prepared the robot explorer to dig a narrow trench in the martian soil, NASA said Saturday. Scientists hoped the patch of soil, dubbed "Hematite Slope," would prove to be rich in the iron-bearing mineral, which typically forms in water. Opportunity's explorations had been delayed on Friday because the rover failed to properly stow its robotic arm. Engineers sent instructions to the rover that fixed the problem, the mission manager said Saturday.

Schwarzenegger losing favor over cigar smoking

SACRAMENTO -- Anti-tobacco groups on Saturday protested Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's efforts to return the smoke-filled room to California's political lexicon. To comply with the state's strict smoking laws, the cigar-loving Schwarzenegger is converting the Capitol's interior courtyard into an all-weather "smoking plaza" where he can entertain lawmakers and other power brokers. "It's a more positive environment where they can all be on an equal footing, as opposed to everyone going into the governor's office where he's behind his desk," Schwarzenegger spokeswoman Terri Carbaugh said.

-- From wire reports