Thursday September 13, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

President Bush addresses the nation on Iraq.

President Bush after his speech to the nation on Thursday night on the military and political situation in Iraq. The President indicated that the surge campaign has been largely successful in reducing sectarian killings. As a consequence, President Bush proposed a gradual troop reductions and pledged to bring home 5,700 soldiers from Iraq by Christmas. The President recognized that the Iraqi government "has not met its own legislative benchmarks" but stressed that U.S. must not abandon Iraq while it is "fighting for its survival." The President's address occurred a few hours after the killing of Sheik Abu Risha, a key Sunni ally of the US forces in Anbar province of western Iraq. A CNN poll released just before the address showed an approval rating of 36 percent for The President.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Thursday October 11, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

Billy Crystal honored with Mark Twain Award

A variety of celebrities including comedians Robin Williams, Danny Devito and Jimmy Fallon turned out to honor colleague Billy Crystal, who received the 2007 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center.

Robin Williams

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Thursday October 11, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

Billy Crystal honored with Mark Twain Award

A variety of celebrities including comedians Robin Williams, Danny Devito and Jimmy Fallon turned out to honor colleague Billy Crystal, who received the 2007 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center.

Billy Crystal

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Monday December 10, 2007, Washington, DC

Actress and human rights activist Mia Farrow stands up for Darfur

Actress Mia Farrow speaks on behalf of the "Save Darfur Coalition" to mark International Human Rights Day.The event featured a "Dream for Darfur Torch Relay" gathering several former Olympic Gold Medal Winner such as Joey Cheek, Olympic Gold Medal Winner (speed skating), and co-founder of Team Darfur; Nikki Stone, Olympic Gold Medal Winner (aerial skiing); Vince Poscente, Olympic Gold Medal Winner (speed skiing).

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Wednesday October 17, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

Dominique Strauss-Kahn

Dominique Strauss-Kahn before his interview with Stephanie Antoine from France 24. Dominique Strauss-Kahn is the newly appointed Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He will take office on November 1, 2007.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Wednesday January 2, 2008, Washington, DC, USA

Beckham's MLS debut no match for DC United

David Beckham's Major League Soccer (MLS) debut with the LA Galaxy at Washington, DC's RFK Stadium opened with a flurry of camera flashes and wild cheers from an enthusiastic crowd. The sell-out game saw the Galaxy lose 0-1 against DC United, with Beckham only entering the game as a substitute for the last 20 minutes, owing to an ongoing ankle injury.

David Beckham

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Friday October 5, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

Republican candidates address 'Americans for Prosperity Foundation' summit

The Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFP) holds its "Defending the American Dream" summit. AFP is dedicated to reducing government spending. Several 2008 Republican presidential candidates were invited to speak at the event.

Ron Paul delivers remarks.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Monday September 10, 2007, Washington ,Dc, DC, USA

Petraeus weathers second day of Iraq war testimony

The top U.S. commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus endured a second day of testimony regarding progress in the embattled country, coming under fire from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Testifying before Congress for along with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker, Petraeus insisted that progress was being made under the Bush administration's recent troop surge and cautioned against a premature pullout.

General David Petraeus.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Tuesday September 11, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

Senator Clinton listens General Petraeus testimony on Iraq war

The top U.S. commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus endured a second day of testimony regarding progress in the embattled country, coming under fire from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Testifying before Congress for along with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker, Petraeus insisted that progress was being made under the Bush administration's recent troop surge and cautioned against a premature pullout.

Hillary Clinton

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Tuesday September 11, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

Senator Obama listens to General Petraeus' testimony on Iraq war

The top U.S. commander in Iraq, General David Petraeus endured a second day of testimony regarding progress in the embattled country, coming under fire from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Testifying before Congress for along with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker, Petraeus insisted that progress was being made under the Bush administration's recent troop surge and cautioned against a premature pullout.

Barack Obama

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Monday September 17, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

Democratic candidates address service employees union members

Five of the leading 2008 Democratic presidential candidates addressed a gathering of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in Washington, DC. Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), John Edwards, and Bill Richardson addressed a crowd consisting of the group's most politically active members during the SEIU's Member Political Action Conference (MPAC).

Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks from a podium.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Thursday November 15, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

President Bush attends Federalist Society's Gala

President Bush criticized sharply the Senate's confirmation review of his judicial nominees during a speech at the Federalist Society's Gala 25th anniversary dinner in presence of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas - who himself experienced a long and difficult confirmation process for the Supreme Court in 1991 - . He deplored that the confirmation process becomes too often a "search and destroy" mission tarnishing the reputation of the nominees and undermining the credibility of judiciary institutions.

President Bush

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Thursday November 15, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

Bush attends Federalist Society gala

President George W. Bush criticized sharply the Senate's confirmation review of his judicial nominees during a speech at the Federalist Society's Gala 25th anniversary dinner in presence of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, who experienced a long and difficult confirmation process for the Supreme Court in 1991. He deplored that the confirmation process becomes too often a "search and destroy" mission tarnishing the reputation of the nominees and undermining the credibility of judiciary institutions.

George W. Bush behind lectern with seal of the President of the United States America

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Wednesday January 2, 2008, Washington, DC, USA

Paulson, Jackson and Bernanke defend response to housing slump

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke testify at a hearing of the House Financial Services Committee regarding legislative and regulatory options for minimizing and mitigating mortgage foreclosures.

Henry Paulson

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Friday September 21, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

2008 Republican Presidential Candidates speaks at NRA Conference

Republican Presidential Candidates spoke about guns' related issues at the National Rifle Association (NRA) conference on "Celebration of American Values". Senator John McCain had his speech interrupted by anti-war protesters shouting "Bring the troops home!". Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani distanced himself from the lawsuit he filed against gun manufacturers in 2000. He mentioned that his views on gun control have evolved in part due to the Sept. 11 attacks, and that he now opposed new gun limits.

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Sunday December 30, 2007, Washington, DC

Senator Joe Lieberman and Senator McCain at the US Senate

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Monday September 17, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

Democratic candidates address service employees union members

Five of the leading 2008 Democratic presidential candidates addressed a gathering of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in Washington, DC. Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), John Edwards, and Bill Richardson addressed a crowd consisting of the group's most politically active members during the SEIU's Member Political Action Conference (MPAC).

John Edwards (C) greets supporters in the crowd.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Thursday September 13, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

President Bush addresses the nation on Iraq.

President Bush after his speech to the nation on Thursday night on the military and political situation in Iraq. The President indicated that the surge campaign has been largely successful in reducing sectarian killings. As a consequence, President Bush proposed a gradual troop reductions and pledged to bring home 5,700 soldiers from Iraq by Christmas. The President recognized that the Iraqi government "has not met its own legislative benchmarks" but stressed that U.S. must not abandon Iraq while it is "fighting for its survival." The President's address occurred a few hours after the killing of Sheik Abu Risha, a key Sunni ally of the US forces in Anbar province of western Iraq. A CNN poll released just before the address showed an approval rating of 36 percent for The President.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Friday September 21, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

Mike huckabee at NRA convention

Republican Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee spoke about guns related issues at the National Rifle Association (NRA) conference on "Celebration of American Values".

Mike Huckabee at NRA convention

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Wednesday October 10, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

Bush calls for release of Cuban political prisoners

President George W. Bush delivers remarks in the White House Rose Garden on the occasion of Hispanic Heritage Month. During the event - which was highlighted by a performance by Cuban bassist and bandleader Israel "Cachao" Lopez ñ Bush pulled Yamile Llanes Labrada on stage and called on Cuba to release her husband, Luis Garcia Paneque, as well as all political prisoners.

George W. Bush extends his hand to Yamile Yanes Labrada.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Wednesday January 2, 2008, Washington, DC, USA

Soldiers receive Purple Hearts at Walter Reed ceremony

U.S. soldiers injured while serving in Iraq were awarded Purple Heart medals during a ceremony at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

Sergeant Scott Gentry (C) delivers remarks after receiving a Purple Heart medal from General Tucker (L). Gentry's wife Sandra and Son Paul look on at right.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Saturday September 23, 2006, Washington, DC

A soldier just back from Iraq kisses the shoulder of his wife on their wedding day

Due to the over-extension of the military force, Private First Class Edward Scherz had to spend several additional months in Iraq before coming back home to marry his fiancee, Denise Brown, 7 months pregnant.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Friday December 28, 2007, Busia, Kenya

Life in Western Kenya

Between 1997 and 2007, the poor western districts of Western Kenya next to the border of Uganda, have experienced a decade of political stability along with economic development and improved access to education and health care. However, Following the announcement of the results for the Kenya General Election on Sunday, 30th December 2007, this region suffered an eruption of violence resulting in loss of lives, injuries, looting, destruction of property and displacement of thousands of people

A class listening to a lecture about AIDS organized by the NGO "Innovation for Poverty Action"

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Friday December 28, 2007, Busia, Kenya

Life in Western Kenya

Between 1997 and 2007, the poor western districts of Western Kenya next to the border of Uganda, have experienced a decade of political stability along with economic development and improved access to education and health care. However, Following the announcement of the results for the Kenya General Election on Sunday, 30th December 2007, this region suffered an eruption of violence resulting in loss of lives, injuries, looting, destruction of property and displacement of thousands of people

Children bringing water from a spring sanitized by the NGO "Innovation for Poverty Action"

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Wednesday November 7, 2007, Washington, DC, USA

French President Nicolas Sarkozy addresses joint session of U.S. Congress

French President Nicolas Sarkozy was welcomed with cheers and applause during an address delivered before a joint session of the U.S. Congress. Sarkozy, hoping to smoothe over several years of strained U.S.-Franco reltaions, spoke of his admiration for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and love of the American Dream as well as a variety of 20th century icons - from Elvis Presley to Ernest Hemingway.

Nicolas Sarkozy addresses a joint session of the U.S. Congress.

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Tuesday September 4, 2007, Small Village Next To Cuzco, Peru

Sunrise over the land of the Incas.

Early Morning in a small village in the Sacred Valley of the Incas

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Monday September 3, 2007, Small Village Next To Cuzco, Peru

Small business in the region of Cuzco.

Women selling foods to local bus travelers

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Saturday May 5, 2007, Busia, Kenya

Life in Western Kenya

Between 1997 and 2007, the poor western districts of Western Kenya next to the border of Uganda, have experienced a decade of political stability along with economic development and improved access to education and health care. However, Following the announcement of the results for the Kenya General Election on Sunday, 30th December 2007, this region suffered an eruption of violence resulting in loss of lives, injuries, looting, destruction of property and displacement of thousands of people

A Kenyan taxi driver takes a meditating break in the Savannah next to Busia

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris

Wednesday May 2, 2007, Busia, Kenya

Life in Western Kenya

Between 1997 and 2007, the poor western districts of Western Kenya next to the border of Uganda, have experienced a decade of political stability along with economic development and improved access to education and health care. However, Following the announcement of the results for the Kenya General Election on Sunday, 30th December 2007, this region suffered an eruption of violence resulting in loss of lives, injuries, looting, destruction of property and displacement of thousands of people

A Muslim women walking in the streets of Busia

Credit: Aude Guerrucci / Polaris