Opposing groups protest outside abortion doctor’s clinic

A woman walked slowly toward the door of the abortion clinic when a nearby protester screamed, "Don’t kill your baby!" But the shouts on this day were drowned out by women’s rights groups who gathered at the Abortion & Contraception Clinic of Nebraska in Bellevue, just south of Omaha. “Welcome! Welcome! This clinic stays open,” abortion supporters chanted in unison, their voices rising every time anti-abortion activists tried to shout at patients arriving at the clinic.

Share

"Where Memory and Hope Converge": The Funeral of Edward M. Kennedy

“The greatest expectations were placed upon Ted Kennedy’s shoulders because of who he was,” observed President Barack Obama in his eulogy, “but he surpassed them all because of who he became.” Thus did a sitting President honor the man who never became one, acknowledging that power is wielded in many ways. It was fitting that, in a church famous for its healing miracles, the funeral service was a celebration of private love, for the scarred and broken family he held together; of personal strength in the face of “a string of events that would have broken a lesser man”; and of a public life spent in merry battle. “While his causes became deeply personal, his disagreements never did,” Obama declared.

Share

Karzai widens lead in Afghanistan vote count

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has taken a wider lead in the race for the country’s top office, according to vote tallies released Saturday. The incumbent has 940,558 votes, with his nearest rival, Abdullah Abdullah, garnering 638,924 votes. Ramazan Bashardost was running third with 277,404 votes, said Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission

Share

Reports: North Korea releases South Korean fishing boat

A South Korean fishing boat and its four crew members were heading home Saturday after being held for a month in North Korea, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency reported. The Yeonan-ho and its crew were handed over to a South Korean patrol boat waiting at the sea border Saturday evening, Yonhap reported, citing South Korean maritime police. North Korean officials captured the vessel and its crew July 30 after the boat strayed deep into North Korean territorial waters, North’s Korean Central News Agency reported at the time

Share

Taiwan’s President Allows Dalai Lama Visit

If you’re in a mess, say yes. That may be what Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou was thinking when he gave his official nod to the controversial visit of the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s leader-in-exile, to Taiwan next week. Ma has been facing his lowest approval ratings — around 20% — since he took office more than a year ago

Share

Suicide bomber strikes Baghdad police station; 9 killed

Nine police officers were killed and 11 wounded in a suicide bombing north of Baghdad on Saturday, local officials told CNN. The senator’s funeral is scheduled for Saturday at Boston’s Our Lady of Perpetual Help Basilica in Boston’s Mission Hill section. Dozens of Kennedy’s fellow senators are scheduled to attend as well as three former presidents — Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W

Share

Ted Kennedy’s family, friends prepare for memorial

Sen. Edward Kennedy’s close friends and family prepared for a memorial service at the JFK Presidential Library on Friday as mourners from all walks of life continued their own personal farewells. Numerous political heavyweights are expected to speak at the “celebration of life” service, including Vice President Joe Biden, Connecticut Sen.

Share