Afghans Release U.S. Contractor

American contractor David Gordon was released by Afghan officials on Friday after three U.S. congressmen intervened, alleging he was detained and beaten because of a dispute between Gordon's contracting firm and a Kabul firm. Gordon was held for 24 hours, denied more than just basic medical help, and told he would not be released unless his firm handed over $2.4 million. A glass was allegedly broken over his head and he was slashed and beaten before Afghan guards dragged him back to his cell, where he was left to bleed overnight.