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Jeb Bush deliberating on presidential bid
WASHINGTON – Jeb Bush says all the speculation about whether he’ll run for president in 2016 is actually getting him more attention than if he had already entered the race.
The former Republican governor of Florida said that’s not by design, and he’ll make his decision before year’s end.
He told Fox News Channel in an interview airing Sunday the state of politics is “crazy right now.”
Bush says one factor in his decision will be whether he can deliver an optimistic, hopeful message without getting drawn into a political “mud fight.” He says the other main factor in his decision will be whether it’s OK with his family if he ran.
Pro-Russians storm Ukrainian buildings
KIEV, Ukraine – Crowds of pro-Russian demonstrators stormed government buildings Sunday in several major cities in eastern Ukraine, where secessionist sentiment has sparked frequent protests since Ukraine’s Russia-friendly president was ousted in February.
In Donetsk, 50 miles west of the Russian border, a large group of people, including many in masks carrying sticks and stones, surged into the provincial government building and smashed windows.
A gathering of several hundred, many of them waving Russian flags, then listened to speeches delivered from a balcony emblazoned with a banner reading “Donetsk Republic.” Activists in the building said they want to see a referendum for the Donetsk province to join Russia.
An AP photographer reported seeing people bringing car tires to be used as barricades against any presumed attempt by authorities to retake the building.
Eastern Ukraine was the heartland of support for Viktor Yanukovych, the president who fled to Russia in February after months of protests. About half of the region’s residents are ethnic Russians, many of whom believe Ukraine’s acting authorities are Ukrainian nationalists who will oppress Russians.
Afghan election hailed amid Taliban threats
KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghans and the international community hailed its presidential election as a triumph of democracy over violence Sunday, despite complaints about ballot shortages and sporadic fraud after millions of people braved a Taliban threat to vote for a new president. But some cautioned against declaring a premature defeat of the Islamic militants.
Securing the vote was a test for Afghan government forces as they prepare to take full responsibility for their own security and the U.S. and allied forces end their combat mission at the end of this year. The consensus was they largely passed, though there was sporadic violence.
A roadside bomb hit a pickup truck transporting ballot boxes Sunday in the northern province of Kunduz, killing three people, officials said. But the major attacks that had been feared did not materialize.
Associated Press
