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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.

Initial Afghan Election Results Show Incumbent President with Slight Lead Independent Election Commission says President Hamid Karzai has 40.6 percent while top challenger Abdullah Abdullah has 38.7 percent; tallies released cover only 10 percent of total Bomb Blast Kills 30 in Southern Afghanistan Officials and witnesses say blast took place late Tuesday, was followed by heavy gunfire on streets Al-Qaida Claims Responsibility for Baghdad Blasts Iraqi officials alleged Syria link Second Term for US Fed Chairman President says Ben Bernanke helped prevent deeper recession or depression Israeli Forces Kill at Least 2 Palestinians in Raid on Gaza Tunnel Palestinian officials say at least three people died, several others wounded in attack in south of Gaza Strip US Criticizes Gadhafi Plan to Pitch Tent Near New York for UN Meeting Obama administration is already upset over warm welcome Libyan government gave last week to man convicted of 1988 Pan Am airliner bombing over Scotland Humanitarian Situation in N. Yemen Worsening UN says up to 119,000 people have been displaced as a result of continuing fighting between Yemeni government forces and al Houthi rebels Politicians in Guinea Oppose Military Ruler Running for President Military chief Army Captain Moussa Camara says politicians are running scared, even before he has formally announced his candidacy Somalia Reels From Worst Humanitarian Crisis in 18 Years UN report blames conflict, drought, hyperinflation and warns situation could get worse Australia, Vietnam, Japan Join Forces to Fight Swine Flu Infectious disease specialists addressing international seminar in Sydney