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Voters in Afghanistan went to the polls 20 August for the nation's second presidential election since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. The election has been 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 about the election, including blogging from Kabul, from our special report, Afghan Elections: Challenges of Voting During Wartime.

Dueling Claims of Victory in Afghan Presidential Election Campaigns of both incumbent President Hamid Karzai and his top challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, both declaring first-round victory US Federal Reserve Chief: Global Economy on the Mend Ben Bernanke tells world's top central bankers economic activity appears to be leveling out after contracting sharply over past year Israel, Palestinians Trade Blame for Stalled Peace Talks Blame comes after US President Obama's call to resume peace talks Intense Fighting in Somali Capital Kills 22 40 also reported wounded after Islamist insurgents attacked government troops, African Union peacekeepers, prompting intense clashes Dozens of Migrants Missing in Attempt to Reach Italy Border police rescue five African migrants who were adrift for days in rubber dinghy in Mediterranean waters between Libya and Italy India Begins Trials to Select Air Force Combat Jets Six manufacturers in race to win one of world's biggest defense contracts - worth billions of dollars Nobel Economist Says Asia's Economies in 'Remarkable' Recovery Joseph Stiglitz says Asia's economies in good position to reduce dependence on exporting goods to US, Europe UN Launches 'Call To Action' to Help Poor Countries Tackle Swine Flu Agencies say pandemic likely to have more severe impact on populations in countries which have weak health systems Drunk Driving Increasing Concern Worldwide Nearly 12,000 people die on road every year in US because a driver has been drinking Jim Powers' Mosaic Tiles Bring Art to New York Streets For over two decades Jim Powers has been tiling street corners in New York City's Greenwich Village as way to preserve history, share his art with public