Sunday,  May 25, 2014 • Vol. 16--No. 311 • 20 of 26

(Continued from page 19)

• Martinez choked back tears as he spoke, then grew angrier as he talked about gun laws and lobbyists.
• "The talk about gun rights. What about Chris' right to live?" Martinez said. "When will enough people say: 'Stop this madness! We don't have to live like this! Too many people have died!"
• ___

Ukraine votes in presidential election seen as vital for overcoming turmoil, restoring order

• KIEV, Ukraine (AP) -- Ukraine's critical presidential election got underway Sunday under the wary scrutiny of a world eager for stability in a country rocked by a deadly uprising in the east. While there were no immediate reports of fighting, pro-Russia insurgents were trying to block voting by snatching ballot boxes and patrolling polling stations.
• The vote was taking place three months after the ouster of the country's pro-Russia leader, who was chased from power by months of protests triggered by his decision to reject a pact with the European Union and forge closer ties with Moscow.
• There were no immediate reports of clashes on Sunday after weeks of intense battles. But it also appeared little voting was taking place in the east: The regional administration in Donetsk said that only 426 out of 2,430 polling stations in the region were open Sunday, and none in the city of Donetsk, which has 1 million people.
• There was no voting in Luhansk, the center of the neighboring province, but some stations appeared to be open across the region, according to local officials.
• Polls have shown the 48-year old billionaire candy-maker Petro Poroshenko far ahead of the other 20 candidates, but short of the absolute majority needed to win in the first round, so a runoff set for June 15 is expected. Poroshenko's nearest challenger is Yulia Tymoshenko, the divisive and charismatic former prime minister.
• ___

Coup spokesman says democracy has caused 'losses' for Thailand as protests flare in Bangkok

• BANGKOK (AP) -- A spokesman for Thailand's coup leaders said Sunday that democracy had caused "losses" for the country, as the junta sought to combat growing international condemnation and hundreds of protesters angrily confronted soldiers in central Bangkok.
• Small protests have persisted since the army seized power on Thursday after

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