Keeping track of South Africa's young democracy

Reporting from Kabul and Istanbul -- Afghan officials today set an Aug. 20 date for the presidential election, starting the clock on a campaign that will be waged against the backdrop of an increasingly violent insurgency and rising domestic discontent. >>

The Aug. 20 date is later than originally scheduled, but the U.N. supports the move, given the violence in the country. President Karzai is considered the front-runner -- for now. >>

United Nations and Palestinian officials also urge Israel and Egypt to lift their blockade of Gaza to allow through materials needed for reconstruction after the Israeli assault. >>

The last of the U.S. drug agents leaves on President Evo Morales' orders. The U.S. and Bolivia are in a bitter dispute over the South American country's anti-drug efforts. >>

A man pulled over on a highway bridge, took his 4-year-old daughter out of the car and dropped her over the side to her death today in Australia's second-largest city, police said. >>

Emilio Gutierrez Soto had been held in a Texas facility for seven months. He fled Mexico because he said he feared for his life after writing critically of the military. >>

Supplies will be cut or reduced to homes in many areas of the capital this weekend, making a scarce resource even scarcer. 'We are running out of water,' an official said. >>

An official says the U.S. Embassy is working with the Iraqi government to 'address the implications of this decision.' The firm says it hasn't been officially informed of the ban. >>

North Korea: Regime says it's annulling all pacts with South / Switzerland: Turkish leader upbraids Israel's Peres / Zimbabwe: Transactions in foreign currencies OKd >>

The global economic slump is taking its toll in Japan, where full-time workers have long felt secure. But many employees are now part-timers and temps, and they are being cut. >>

The attack by Hindu extremists who say they are protecting traditional Indian culture shows a disconnect as some classes rapidly Westernize. But some observers see a political ploy as elections near. >>

George Mitchell arrives with a can-do attitude challenged by the no-way mentality of the feuding parties. >>

Andrew Warren was accused by two Algerian women of drugging and raping them in separate incidents, according to an affidavit. >>

According to news reports, trafficking chiefs in the state of Sinaloa agreed last month to curb their bloody rivalry. Killings there have declined sharply. >>

The early balloting for provincial councils will allow security forces to be available on the main day of voting, Saturday. >>

With 14,500 candidates running for 440 seats, it's a complicated, lengthy process. Soldiers, police and others were among those casting ballots in early voting. >>

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says Tehran welcomes Obama's call for change, but it wants Washington to apologize for past actions and end its support of Israel. >>

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When an Iraqi journalist hurled his shoes at George W. Bush last month at a Baghdad press conference, the attack spawned a flood of Web quips, political satire and street rallies across the Arab world. >>

The prestigious award for chefs is won by Geir Skeie of Midtaasen restaurant in Sandefjord, Norway. American Timothy Hollingsworth of the French Laundry in Yountville, Calif., places sixth. >>

The Justice Department is investigating allegations that the officer drugged and raped two Algerian women. >>

He says afterward that fighting extremists is the top priority in Afghanistan but that he would increase involvement of civilian U.S. agencies in governance, justice, agriculture and other fields. >>

Gene therapy seems to have cured eight of 10 children who had the potentially fatal "bubble boy disease," according to a study that followed their progress for about four years after treatment. >>

China: Detentions reported in Tibet / Israel: Rabbinate cuts ties with Vatican / Iceland: Lesbian named interim prime minister / Congo: Lubanga witness recants testimony >>

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao brought cautious optimism to the World Economic Forum on Wednesday, predicting that his country will achieve its target of 8% economic growth this year despite the global financial meltdown. >>

Liberia's president declared a state of emergency over an invasion of crop-eating caterpillars that has affected 350,000 people in the West African country. >>

A National Assembly melee that featured a chain saw has South Koreans wondering why violence is part of their political process. >>

The Communist Party doesn't have much of a chance in elections Saturday, but its candidates see an opportunity to woo voters unhappy with sectarian politics and wary of freewheeling capitalism. >>

Hours after an interview with the president is broadcast across the Arab world, special envoy George Mitchell begins a tour of the region. >>

The church says Bishop Richard Williamson's ideas have nothing to do with the pope's decision to return him to the fold. >>