Haitians leery of 2nd election round amid political violence
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Election officials flew street banners and sent text messages to encourage a big turnout for Haiti’s hotly anticipated Senate run-offs, but very few in the capital city were voting Sunday.
Eleven vacant seats in the 30-member Senate are on the line. With them are President Rene Preval’s hopes of overpowering uncooperative legislators and pushing through internationally backed economic reforms and constitutional amendments that would give his successors more power.
By early Sunday afternoon, one person was reported killed during a skirmish between rival parties in the western Grand Anse region, and three partisans were injured in the southern city of Jacmel, according to Frantz Lerebours, Haitian national police spokesman.
Many Haitians said they are wary of voting following weeks of political clashes, some deadly, and they’re fed up with what they see as an ineffective government that has done nothing about the country’s dire poverty.
Afghan firefight presents big challenge for American troops
NOW ZAD, Afghanistan — Missiles, machine guns and strafing runs from fighter jets destroyed much of a Taliban compound, but the insurgents had a final surprise for a pair of U.S. Marines who pushed into the smoldering building just before nightfall.
As the two men walked up an alley, the Taliban opened fire from less than 15 yards, sending bullets and tracer fire crackling inches past them. They fled under covering fire from their comrades, who hurled grenades at the enemy position before sprinting to their armored vehicles.
“This was the first time we pushed this far. I guess they don’t like us coming into their back door,” said Staff Sgt. Luke Medlin, who was sweeping the alley for booby traps as Marine Gunner John Daly covered him from behind when the Taliban struck.
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