Red Cross defends helping Taliban treat casualties
The International Committee of the Red Cross is defending its practice of providing medical training and basic medical supplies to the Taliban in Afghanistan – saying it is in line with the ICRC’s mandate not to discriminate between different sides in a conflict. FULL POST
British soldier killed in Helmand
A U.K. soldier was killed Wednesday in Afghanistan's Helmand Province, Britain's Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
The solder was assigned to the 4th Regiment Royal Artillery, part of 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles Battle Group, according to the statement. He was serving as part of Combined Forces Nahr-e Saraj South in Helmand Province when he died from a gunshot wound sustained during small-arms fire engagement with militants. FULL POST
Blast near NATO base in Kandahar
A remote controlled car bomb detonated near a NATO base in Kandahar city Wednesday, destroying dozens of motorcycles and 11 cars, a provincial government spokesman said. There were no report of injuries.
Crackdown on alcohol, nightlife in Kabul?
A culture clash in Kabul. The Afghan government appears to be taking a harder line toward alcohol consumption. Afghan police last month raided restaurants popular with Westerners, seizing alcohol, even detaining foreign waitresses. Is it a symbol of increasing anti-Western sentiment or something far less sinister?
