Afghan Soldier Kills US Marine

An Afghan soldier has killed one US Marine and wounded another before being shot to death in return fire in southern Afghanistan in the latest in a series of attacks against foreigners blamed on government forces working with coalition troops. Yesterday's attack in Helmand province was among nearly 20 this year that have raised the level of mistrust between the US-led coalition and their Afghan partners as NATO gears up to hand over security to local forces ahead of a 2014 deadline for the withdrawal of combat troops. In another sign of deteriorating security, the US has abandoned plans to open a consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif after spending $80 million on the project. (More Afghanistan stories.)