Afghan presidential race kicks off

Afghanistan's presidential race opened today. A field of eleven candidates has a very brief two months to campaign, amid serious security issues. In an omionous turn, two aides of frontunner Abdullah Abdullah were shot dead in Herat on Saturday.

Background:

Killings rattle Afghan voters [AFP]

Campaign stirs violence, hope [Reuters]

Karzai orders help for child suicide bomber, family [UPI]