A look at Afghanistan's parliamentary elections

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan is holding parliamentary elections on Saturday despite deep security concerns and ongoing fighting in as many as 20 out of the country's 34 provinces. An official from the Interior Ministry said the number of security forces was increased to 70,000 from 50,000 across...

Macedonia lawmakers green light process for name change

SKOPJE, Macedonia (AP) — Lawmakers in Macedonia on Friday backed a landmark proposal to amend the constitution, allowing the country to change its name and join NATO. The session was delayed for more than 10 hours amid a heated confrontation. Parliament eventually voted in favor of the proposal — a...

Stakes high in Afghan election as US seeks peace pact

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The stakes in Saturday's parliamentary elections in Afghanistan have never been higher, coming just two days after the Taliban assassinated two top provincial officials in an audacious attack on a security conference attended by the top U.S. military commander in the country. The...

A look at Afghanistan's parliamentary elections on Saturday

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Afghanistan is holding parliamentary elections on Saturday despite deep security concerns and ongoing fighting in as many as 20 out of the country's 34 provinces. The vote comes amid a particularly vicious campaign by the Taliban and the Islamic State group, which have been...

Taliban attack kills top Afghan officials, US general unhurt

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A high-level meeting on security plans for Afghanistan's parliamentary elections had just concluded when an elite Afghan guard turned his gun on the departing delegation Thursday, killing the powerful Kandahar police chief but missing the top U.S. commander in the country, Gen....

The Latest: UN Security Council condemns Afghan attacks

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The Latest on the situation in Afghanistan ahead of the country's parliamentary election on Saturday (all times local): 7 a.m. The U.N. Security Council has condemned several recent attacks in Afghanistan ahead of Saturday's parliamentary elections. On Thursday, an elite guard...

Kosovo lawmakers agree to consider creating national army

PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Lawmakers in Kosovo have agreed to consider whether to transform the country's security forces into a regular army. The 120-seat parliament voted Thursday to accept the government's proposals and refer them to commissions for debate before bringing forward legislation. Not everyone...

TV: Afghan guards open fire during security meeting in Kandahar, killing police chief; NATO says American troops wounded

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — TV: Afghan guards open fire during security meeting in Kandahar, killing police chief; NATO says American troops wounded.

Greek foreign minister resigns over Macedonia deal dispute

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece's foreign minister resigned Wednesday following a disagreement with the defense minister over the handling of a deal for Greece to drop its objections to neighboring Macedonia joining NATO if the small country's name is changed. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras accepted Foreign...

Slovakia to send soldiers to Iraq to train security forces

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — Slovakia's defense ministry says the country will keep its military presence in Iraq after the government approved a plan to deploy up to 42 soldiers there next year to help train Iraqi security forces as part of a NATO mission. The ministry says the soldiers and military police...