‘Friendly fire’ may be cause of death
The U.S. military on Saturday said it was investigating the death of a soldier in eastern Afghanistan as a possible “friendly fire incident.”
The Defense Department said Pfc. Justin R. Davis, 19, of Gaithersburg, Md., died on June 25 in eastern Kunar province when he came in contact with indirect fire – a term used for mortar shelling – while on patrol during combat operations.
“The circumstances of the soldier’s death are under investigation as a possible friendly fire incident,” the statement said.
Coalition troops have been operating in eastern Afghanistan to battle insurgents active along the Pakistan border.
London
Sailors march in gay pride parade
As usual, the Village People’s “In the Navy” rang out during London’s annual gay pride parade on Saturday.
For 22 of the marchers, it was true.
Wearing crisp navy blue jackets with gold striped cuffs, shining medals and ivory shirts, 22 Royal Navy personnel marched openly in uniform for the first time in the annual pride parade through central London.
“To be quite honest, it’s a dream come true,” said Petty Officer Karen Surtees, a navy medic based in Gibraltar. “I’m so excited about it, I felt ill this morning. We can express who we are, what we are and wear our uniforms in pride today.”
The British government lifted a ban on gays serving in the country’s armed forces in 2000 after the European Court of Human Rights ruled that the restriction was a violation of human rights.
Since then, soldiers and Royal Air Force personnel have marched officially in pride parades, but Saturday’s outing was a naval first.
La Paz, Bolivia
Socialists hoping for win at polls
Bolivia’s first Indian president, Evo Morales, is hoping for a big win by his socialist backers in elections today to choose an assembly to rewrite the constitution.
Morales is pushing for a radical overhaul of government and the economy. He has promised to “recreate Bolivia” with the document that would empower the majority Indian population.
Bolivians will elect 255 delegates to the assembly, which will begin its work Aug. 6. They have up to a year to retool the constitution. Two-thirds of the body must approve the changes, which then must be endorsed in a nationwide referendum.