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Wednesday is the deadline in Washington State to get a ban on same-sex marriage onto the fall ballot. The legislature legalized gay marriage earlier this year. One of the biggest proponents of the repeal is the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle. It wants all of its parishes to actively campaign against same-sex marriage, but some are refusing.

The Vatican this week strongly criticized a book on sexual ethics by Sister Margaret Farley, a prominent American Catholic theologian. The rebuke from the Vatican comes as leaders of an organization of American nuns are in their own dispute with Rome. John Allen, of the National Catholic Reporter, talks to David Greene about the disputes.

The tenor's musical tastes aren't confined to Puccini, Bizet and Strauss. His new, self-titled album gives him a chance to put his mark on everything from American spirituals to Top 40 hits.

The rare daytime astronomical event, in which Venus can be seen as a tiny black dot crossing the sun, won't happen again until 2117. Andrea Wulf, author of Chasing Venus, explains how 18th-century astronomers used the event to calculate the distance between the Earth and the sun.

The neuroscience major-turned songwriter is bringing her unique mix of pop ballads, soulful belting and dance arrangements to North America for a new tour.

The Fish That Ate the Whale tells the story of Sam Zemurray, a Jewish immigrant who came to the U.S. as a teenager and became one of the biggest players in the banana business. "He's like the American dream in the shape of a single life," says author Rich Cohen.

Head of the European Central Bank Mario Draghi says the financial crisis has exposed the inadequacy of the euro monetary union. The head of the European Central Bank says flaws in the system need to be fixed.

In congressional campaigns, the incumbent tends to have an advantage. But because of redistricting and a young challenger with impressive fundraising totals, the race in California's 9th district is highly competitive.

The U.S. and several governments worldwide have expelled Syrian diplomats in a coordinated protest against last weekend's massacre of more than 100 civilians in the village of Houla. The diplomatic fallout has spread to California, where Syrian Consul General Hazem Chehabi announced his resignation from the post. For more on his decision, Renee Montagne talks to Chehabi.

Dorothy Flood, now 75, has vivid memories of not being allowed in a train dining car as a young black girl. Now, an organization that grants wishes to seniors has sent Flood on an all-expenses paid trip through the Rocky Mountains, in a gourmet dining car.