World News Briefs -- August 21, 2009 (Evening)

Election workers count votes at a polling station in Kabul.
Photograph: Simon Lim/AFP/Getty Images

Counter-Claims Erupt As Afghan Vote Count Ends -- Yahoo News/AFP

KABUL (AFP) – The top contenders in the race to become Afghan president claimed they were heading for victory Friday in elections acclaimed by the West but undermined by complaints of ballot-stuffing and low turnout.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Iraqis can contain surge in terrorism, says Petraeus. Commander condemns Baghdad attacks, cites security lapse.

'Saudi Arabia planning nuclear plant'.

Hints of Iranian flexibility on nuclear issue.

Iran lawmakers warn of clash over new government.

Egypt unveils restoration of famous synagogue.

Ramadan to start on Saturday in Egypt.

ASIA

Karzai and rival claim victory in Afghan vote. More news here.

U.S. drone strike kills 12 in Pakistan.

North Korean team due in South Korea as tensions ease.

Taiwan leaders' typhoon blunders lampooned online.

Myanmar troops gain on rebels as villagers flee.

Election likely to reset Japan climate target.

U.S. military to stay in Philippines.

AFRICA

Fighting kills 22 in Somali capital Mogadishu.

Nigeria oil rights grab 'illegal'.

Kenya drought worsens hunger risk.

Congo’s militias lure former rebels from Burundi.

Ethiopian official says Somali militias use Ethiopia to attack rebels.

EUROPE

U.K. Govt distances itself from Lockerbie release.

Putin visits Siberia blast site.

Arctic Sea crew, hijackers interrogated in Moscow. Russian press allege Mossad connection to "Arctic Sea".

Suicide bombers kill 4 police officers in Chechnya.

Chechen rebels declare "economic war": website.

Swiss president apologizes over scandal involving Gadhafi’s son.

AMERICAS

Latin American politics grows more conservative.

Mexico decriminalizes small-scale drug possession.

Mexico probe over kidnap deaths.

Top Mexican drug dealers among dozens indicted in U.S., officials say.

FARC website taken offline.

Hurricane Bill weakens near Bermuda.

Russia to help Ecuador develop nuclear energy.

President Chávez asks Russia to work faster on aeronautic complex.

Colombia's Uribe's bid for third term advances.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Scots law is now 'laughing stock of the world'.

Behind Hamas' own war on terror.

Ex-DHS chief links politics to terror alerts.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Bernanke optimistic economy will grow again soon.

California unemployment hits post-World War II high.

Troubled mortgages hit record high.

U.S. economic data continue to chart bumpy road to recovery.

What rebound? Foreclosures rise as jobs and income drop.