Full, uncertified Afghan vote tally shows Karzai at 54 percent; fraud probes pending

KABUL — Afghanistan’s election commission released preliminary vote totals Wednesday showing President Hamid Karzai with 54.6 percent of the vote in the first full results to be released since the country’s Aug. 20 election.

AP Interview: Abdullah says scale of fraud in Afghan election only now becoming clear

KABUL — The top challenger to President Hamid Karzai told The Associated Press on Thursday that the scale of cheating in Afghanistan’s Aug. 20 election is only now becoming clear, and that he expects enough fraudulent Karzai votes to be thrown out to trigger a runoff.

Karzai widens lead in Afghan election race, still short of majority needed to avoid run-off

KABUL — President Hamid Karzai widened his lead over his main challenger in election returns released Saturday, creeping toward the 50 percent mark that would enable him to avoid a run-off in the divisive presidential contest.

Afghanistan president accuses US envoy of poking too much

Afghan president clashes with US envoy

KABUL — President Hamid Karzai angrily accused the U.S. of pushing for a runoff in the Afghan presidential election during a heated meeting with the special envoy to the region, officials familiar with the encounter said Friday.

President Karzai leading in Afghan voter survey, but not by enough to avoid a run-off

KABUL —A U.S. government-funded survey of Afghan voters released Monday shows President Hamid Karzai with a substantial lead just 10 days before the country’s presidential election, but still short of the support needed to avoid a run-off.

Hoboken, NJ, mayor steps down following corruption arrest, had led city for 1 month

HOBOKEN, N.J. — Mayor Peter Cammarano III resigned Friday, one month after taking office and a week after vowing to fight federal corruption charges against him while remaining on the job.

GOP candidates in Virginia, New Jersey wary of potential campaign help from Palin

NEW YORK — Sarah Palin’s decision to step down as Alaska governor was driven in part by her wish to help Republican candidates across the country, associates say.

Tom Hanks voted back onto Academy Awards board; runoff election called to settle directors tie

LOS ANGELES — Tom Hanks is rejoining the board that oversees the Academy Awards.

Haiti president’s party picks up 5 Senate seats in run-off elections marred by low turnout

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — President Rene Preval’s party won five of 11 contests to fill open Senate seats, according to preliminary results released Monday by the provisional electoral council.

Many Haitians stay away from polls in Senate run-offs, ignoring efforts to improve turnout

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haitians fed up with chronic poverty and unresponsive leaders stayed away from Senate run-off elections Sunday, ignoring government efforts to improve on the paltry voter turnout that undercut the first round of voting in April.

Elected mayor of Detroit, NBA great Dave Bing promises to try to attract jobs to hard-hit city

DETROIT — Basketball legend Dave Bing, elected as Detroit’s third mayor in less than a year, promises swift and decisive action once he officially assumes the Motor City’s top post.

Election of new mayor in Tuesday’s runoff should restore some stability to Detroit City Hall

DETROIT — Voters head to the polls Tuesday to select their mayor for the next 7 1/2 months in a runoff election seen as key to restoring stability to Detroit amid a bleak fiscal situation.