UK officials have sought to play down low voter turnout in Afghanistan’s elections amid reports just 150 people cast their ballots in an area where four British troops died securing it from the Taliban. British media claimed that early estimates of ballots in the former Taliban stronghold of Babaji in Helmand province indicated few exercised their voting rights, despite the efforts of Operation Panther’s Claw, a five-week offensive against militants in the region. The claims have fueled debate in Britain over the country’s continued military role in Afghanistan as the country’s death toll since operations began in 2001 pushes past the 200 mark.
Tag Archives: a-small-number
Ezra Nawi: Jewish Pacifist Facing Jail for Aiding Arabs
A plumber by trade, Ezra Nawi is a Jewish member of a small band of Israeli peace activists who put themselves on the line week in and week out by traveling to the stony hills outside Hebron to help Palestinians defend their land against right-wing Jewish settlers. And he has the lumps to show for it
Historic moment in Iraq marked by little fanfare, mixed feelings
Tuesday marks the long-anticipated deadline for American troops to pull out of Iraqi towns and cities, but on Monday, there will be no long lines of tanks rolling out of Baghdad or thousands of troops marching out of other cities.
UK lawmakers elect new speaker after expenses anger
British lawmakers Monday elected a new Speaker of the House of Commons Monday after scandal forced the previous speaker to resign last month.
Dozens dead in Iraq suicide blast
A suicide car bomber exploded at a crowded outdoor market in southern Iraq, killing at least 28 people and wounding 45 others Wednesday, officials said. Police officials did not elaborate on why the officers, based just north of London, were under investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. According to Scotland Yard Tuesday, a fellow officer came forward with information which “raised concerns about the conduct of a small number of officers on Enfield borough” in connection to the arrests of five people in November.
London police officers accused of water torture
The conduct of six suspended London Metropolitan police officers is under investigation, Scotland Yard confirmed, amid British media reports that they allegedly tortured drug suspects.
Woman tried to evict husband, disappeared
Two years ago this month, Lisa Stebic disappeared in the middle of a contentious marital separation, leaving two children behind.