Free Republic

Initial claims for state unemployment benefits increased 10,000 to a seasonally adjusted 418,000, the Labor Department said. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast claims rising to 410,000. The prior week's figure was revised up to 408,000 from the previously reported 405,000.

KABUL, Afghanistan - Afghanistan (news - web sites)'s first direct presidential election was thrust into turmoil hours after it started Saturday when all 15 candidates challenging interim leader Hamid Karzai alleged fraud over the ink meant to ensure people voted only once and vowed to boycott the results. But electoral officials rejected their demand that the vote be called off, saying an apparent mix-up with the ink was not severe enough to halt the historic vote. They said they would rule on the legitimacy of the vote later. "The vote will continue because halting the vote at this stage is...