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Saturday, August 29, 2026

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Looking for Red amongst the Orange and Blue.

(Scott Robertson / Alligator Staff) Fred Thompson (third from left), who is running on the Republican ticket for the 2008 presidential election, talks to a fan before the University of Tennessee game outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday. Fred Thompson, who formally announced his bid for the Republican ticket on Sept. 5, stopped in Gainesville during his campaign to accept an invitation to sit with UF President Bernie Machen in the president's box during the game.


Florida Alligator
University

Students fast for Ramadan, charity

Students of many faiths ended a day of fasting with prayer and food Thursday night at the O'Connell Center.They gathered to celebrate the first day of Ramadan, the holiest month of the Muslim religion, with a feast. Participants in the Fast-a-Thon abstained from eating between sunrise and sunset. Some also pledged donations to St. Francis House, a local homeless shelter.The fundraiser was organized by UF's Islam on Campus.The event began with a prayer in the front entrance. About 10 minutes were devoted to a prayer of standing, sitting and kneeling positions. Those who were not Muslims were invited to observe those in prayer before the meal.Rami Nashashibi, a Muslim activist from Chicago, spoke at the event.The sociologist and founder of the Inner City Muslim Action Network stressed the importance of fasting for all religions.


University

Foiled again!

(Jeremiah Stanley / Alligator) Valerie Burkett, an environmental engineering junior, performs a counter-attack on Courtney Stokes during fencing practice Wednesday evening in the Florida Gym. Both athletes began fencing their first year at UF.


University

Crazy About the Cosmos

(Jeremiah Stanley / Alligator) Freshman Jamie Whalen uses a telescope fitted with a protective filter that allows her to look at the sun Wednesday afternoon. The telescope was placed on the Reitz Union North Lawn by the Undergraduate Astrophysics Society as part of the Student Organization Fair.



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