Tag Archives: president

Man carries assault rifle to Obama protest — and it’s legal

A man toting an assault rifle was among a dozen protesters carrying weapons while demonstrating outside President Barack Obama’s speech to veterans on Monday, but no laws were broken. It was the second instance in recent days in which unconcealed weapons have appeared near presidential events Video from the protest in Phoenix, Arizona, shows the man standing with other protesters, with the rifle slung over his right shoulder. Phoenix police said authorities monitored about a dozen people carrying weapons while peacefully demonstrating.

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Justices grant Georgia inmate’s request to delay execution

The Supreme Court has granted a condemned Georgia inmate’s request that his execution be delayed as he attempts to prove his innocence. The inmate, Troy Davis, has gained international support for his long-standing claim that he did not murder a Savannah police officer nearly two decades ago. Justice John Paul Stevens on Monday ordered a federal judge to “receive testimony and make findings of fact as to whether evidence that could not have been obtained at trial clearly establishes petitioner’s innocence.” Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer supported the decision

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Iran releases French woman, officials say

Iran has released a French academic from prison, though it’s not clear when Clotilde Reiss can return home, French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s office announced Sunday. Reiss, 24, is the second French woman facing charges as part of mass trials in Iran who was released on bond.

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Karzai, rivals debate as Afghan elections near

Afghan President Hamid Karzai, heavily criticized last month for skipping a candidates’ debate, met two of his political rivals in a nationally televised debate Sunday night, just four days ahead of the war-torn country’s presidential elections.

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Taiwan president takes blame for typhoon response

Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou said Sunday he accepts responsibility for the government’s slow response after Typhoon Morakot slammed into the island killing at more than 120 people and unleashing floods, mudslides and misery. Ma, who has faced heavy criticism from victims of the disaster, ruled out resignation, insisting his government did its best in the face of difficulties, however he pledged an investigation into any irregularities. “Certainly, I will take full responsibility whatever the blame is because, after all, I am the president of this country,” Ma told CNN, saying heavy rains grounded rescue helicopters in the first few days after the storm hit, delaying relief.

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The Don Quixote of Afghanistan: A Long Shot’s Quest

When he’s not canvassing the Afghan backcountry in his beat-up Toyota mini-bus, Ramazan Bashardost, 48, arrives at his presidential campaign headquarters — a gray tent — at 5:30 each morning. It sits across the street from the Afghan parliament and is open to the public, without the gun-wielding bodyguards that surround other high-profile candidates.

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The Obamas: Stopping Traffic in Yellowstone

For a brief, clattering moment on Saturday morning, Bald Eagles nesting along Yellowstone National Park’s Firehole River Saturday had to share their sky with three Marine helicopters ferrying the First Family down to Old Faithful. The Obamas had lunch and views of the famous geyser, most likely oblivious to the ripple effect caused by extensive security measures for their visit on the Park’s busy, fee-free weekend. On the narrow two-lane highway between Old Faithful and Midway Geyser Basin, however, motor traffic came to a standstill, eventually backing up vehicles for nearly two miles.

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