ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A gay Minnesota lawmaker leading the push to legalize same-sex weddings in the state told colleagues Thursday that gay couples "contribute to the same Minnesota system as everyone else" and deserve the right to be married.

DENVER (AP) — Even as Masai Ujiri accepted the NBA's executive of the year trophy from club President Josh Kroenke on Thursday, the Denver Nuggets general manager said he would have given it up gladly in exchange for a deep playoff run.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is teaming up with Australia and the U.K. in an effort to expose tax cheats from around the world.

CLEVELAND (AP) — Ariel Castro was ordered held on $8 million bail Thursday as prosecutors laid out more of their case against the man accused of imprisoning three young women, saying he lured them into his car, beat them repeatedly over a decade and used them "in whatever self-gratifying, self-serving way he saw fit."

NEW YORK (AP) — Eli Roth says one of the best things about his new movie "Aftershock" is that it creates a "real, new business model" that could help independent films hold their own against studio blockbusters.

WASHINGTON (AP) — House and Senate Republican leaders told President Barack Obama Thursday that they will refuse to nominate candidates to serve on an advisory board that is to play a role in holding down Medicare costs under the new health care act.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The International Monetary Fund said Thursday that Egypt's financial situation is deteriorating and the lending agency won't move ahead with a $4.8 billion loan until receiving updated economic information and reform plans from President Mohammed Morsi's government.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — More than 20 months after the bodies of a retired Irish police officer and his girlfriend were found in a Philippines bedroom littered with bullet casings, authorities seeking the extradition of a former U.S. Marine say they have linked him to guns used in the killings and recovered blood-splattered jeans he tried to have burned.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Roger Corman's campy B movies, children's shows like "Sesame Street" and "Inspector Gadget," and inspirational monologues by celebrities — these are among the offerings on 30 channels that will soon require a paid monthly subscription on YouTube.

MADRID (AP) — Second-ranked Roger Federer lost to Kei Nishikori 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 in the third round of the Madrid Open on Thursday, leaving Rafael Nadal as the clear title favorite.

A look at the political power structure in Iran.

BIRJAND, Iran (AP) — When many struggling families in this eastern Iranian city take stock of outgoing President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's legacy, it's not about the oratory full of bluster and menace or his tussles with Iran's ruling clerics that are known to much of the world.

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Roberto Castro made a debut he won't soon forget in The Players Championship, opening with a 9-under 63 Thursday to tie the course record at the TPC Sawgrass and build a three-shot lead over Rory McIlroy and other early starters.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Rental companies would be barred from leasing or selling vehicles to consumers that are under a manufacturer's recall until the defect is fixed under a bill introduced Thursday by a bipartisan group of senators.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A makeup artist who worked with Michael Jackson for nearly 30 years says the singer struggled with sleep and required a doctor's care to deal with pain while touring.

By Sonia Oxley MANCHESTER, England (Reuters) - Alex Ferguson's influence at Manchester United will continue past his retirement after the Premier League champions followed his advice and appointed David Moyes as their next manager on Thursday. Everton boss Moyes, who announced earlier he would be leaving the club after 11 years in charge, was the hot favourite to take over from his fellow Scot at United and has signed a six-year contract from July 1. ...

CLEVELAND (AP) — Major League Baseball says the umpires were wrong.

ATLANTA (AP) — Mourners, including some well-known musical artists, are gathering for the funeral of former Kris Kross rapper Chris Kelly in Atlanta.

NEW YORK (AP) — McDonald's says it's cutting the Angus burger from its menu.

LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP) — Slovenia's government announced Thursday an austerity plan designed to raise 540 million euros ($707 million) in new taxes as part of an effort to balance the budget and avoid seeking an international bailout.