The dangerous life of Kandahar's mayor
Kandahar, Afghanistan — For the mayor of Kandahar, public service at the helm of Afghanistan's second-largest city carries a grave risk. His last two deputies were assassinated, and Ghulam Hayder Hamidi survived a roadside bomb 15 months ago.
"There was one guy standing there, the blood was dripping from his fingers," Hamidi told NATO Television. "I walked to my office, the car was completely gone."
Two people died and six were wounded in the attack, according to NATO.
But some of the mayor's duties are like those of any other mayor. He frets about cleaning up garbage and keeping the sidewalks clear. "These shopkeepers occupy the sidewalks completely," he said. "The traffic problems will happen and who's responsible? I am." FULL POST
Officials report blast near military base in eastern Afghanistan
A suicide bomb blast in eastern Afghanistan killed two NATO troops and injured 18 others, NATO and Afghan officials said Sunday.
Rohulla Samon, spokesman for the governor of Paktia province, said the blast occurred around 1:30 p.m. Three foreigners and 13 Afghan civilians were among those injured, he said. FULL POST
Water program helps Afghan farmers
TV Link Europe's Paul Anderson heads to northern Afghanistan, where a water program is helping the rural poor.
