Word: backgrounders
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 2000-2009
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...fundamentalism. "There exists a socioeconomic and political atmosphere in the north [of Nigeria] that has created such kinds of conditions for these kinds of things." Sani says the phenomenon can be traced back five years to the country's northeast, when a group of young Muslims from a wealthy background launched what became known as Nigeria's Taliban movement, also known as Boko Haram. "These young men were not children of the poor," he says. "They came from privileged homes, they came from powerful homes, they came from homes of people that were holding high positions in government...
British intelligence and police officials also delved into Abdulmutallab's background on Saturday, trying to piece together clues about his activities and associations during his three years in London. Officers from the Metropolitan Police focused their attention on a seven-story mansion block in a well-to-do area of central London, conducting a search of a basement apartment owned by the Mutallab family near the university - reported to be worth $4 million - where the suspect, if he is indeed the son of the Nigerian banker, once lived. Home Secretary Alan Johnson didn't release any details of the search...
...first day I spent interviewing Caleb, I did everything I could to put him at ease. I laughed and joked and tried to be unintimidating. As we had lunch and walked around Georgetown, I asked him about his background and how he snagged a job with Karl Rove. We chatted about his semester abroad in Italy and his Texan upbringing. Easy question after easy question, nothing to scare...
...Some criticized what they called a stunt by the boy's step-grandmother of displaying to the press hand-painted posters purportedly written by the child that declared "I want to stay in Brazil forever." Others online commenters argued that another family without the name or legal background of the Lins e Silvas would have not secured such consistent triumphs in the appeals process...
...shed the executive powers claimed for the presidency by Musharraf and revert to its traditional, largely ceremonial role. Even within the government there is a slow, grinding power struggle between the President and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, who stands to benefit if Zardari recedes into the political background...