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Voters in Afghanistan go to the polls 20 August for the nation's second presidential election since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. The election is being held in the midst of a war that involves more than 100,000 U.S. and foreign troops battling a Taliban insurgency that controls vast parts of the country. Follow the news leading up to the election and the voting from our special report, Afghan Elections: Challenges of Voting During Wartime.

Taliban Escalate Attacks on Kabul Two Days Before Presidential Election Eight people dead, including two Afghan staff members of UN and at least one foreign soldier; more than 50 other people wounded Pakistan Arrests Top Taliban Aide Arrest comes nearly two weeks after suspected US missile strike is believed to have killed the top commander of the Pakistani Taliban, Baitullah Mehsud Obama, Mubarak Optimistic about Mideast Peace Process US President Barack Obama and his visiting Egyptian counterpart, Hosni Mubarak, express optimism over possibility of moving forward on Israeli-Palestinian peace process Nobel Laureate Former S. Korean President Kim Dae-jung Dies at 85 Mr. Kim sought Democracy, reconciliation with North Taiwanese Official Resigns Over Typhoon Response Resignation came as President Ma Ying-jeou promised changes to improve government's response to disasters Burma Hails US Senator's Visit as Success 'New Light of Myanmar' newspaper says in commentary that visit was 'first step towards marching to 1,000 mile destination' Russian President, Economists Offer Gloomy Forecasts Mr. Medvedev says Russia can no longer afford to continue doing business as usual, but some observers are skeptical country will take steps necessary to sustain economic growth UN Launches Multi-Million Dollar Gaza Ramadan Appeal Seven months after Israeli military incursions in Gaza, UNRWA says very little has been done to revive livelihoods of refugees and to rebuild homes, other facilities that were destroyed or damaged Israel Freezes New Settlement Projects in West Bank Israel makes concession to US in bid to ease simmering dispute over Jewish settlements Sale of Polish Shipyards Apparently Falls Through No payment received by Poland for two troubled shipyards by midnight Monday deadline Athletes Compete for 4 Gold Medals on 5th Day of World Athletics Championships Lopez Lomong tells VOA Sports that he is really looking forward to race for gold in 1,500 meter final