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Talk 2 America is a new live weekly chat on VOANews.com. Join us Wednesday at 1800 UTC on T2A for an online discussion with author and journalist Alan Weisman about his book, The World Without Us, a hypothetical look at what would happen to earth if humans suddenly disappeared. Email questions in advance to chat@voanews.com, and you might receive a free copy of the book.

Death Toll Mounts as Pakistan Military Tries to Oust Terrorists From Mosque Military spokesman says troops now control most of complex Bush Officials Say They Are Not Discussing Changes to Iraq Strategy Officials say they are not contemplating curtailing current surge of US forces in Iraq Israel Offers to Open Peace Talks With Syria Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert repeats invitation to talks that collapsed seven years ago as Syria says it is ready for peace talks, but without preconditions US Willing to Give More Time for Kosovo Consensus Russia has said it will block any Kosovo plan in UN Security Council that does not have support of its political ally Serbia China Admits Executing Former Food Safety Chief Zheng Xiaoyu, was found guilty of corruption and dereliction of duty, sentenced to death in May for accepting $830,000 from pharmaceutical companies Sudan Misses Deadline to Withdraw Troops From South Analysts say news could be bad omen for lasting peace between Khartoum and southern rebels North Korea Talks to Resume Later This Month Six-party talks will be held in Beijing to discuss progress on ending North Korea's nuclear programs US Secretary of State Adds DRC to Africa, Mideast Trip Condoleezza Rice's stop in Democratic Republic of Congo will be highest-level US visit since former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright went there in 1997 Thai Court Orders Thaksin to Show Up for Corruption Trial Panel of Supreme Court judges agrees to hear first corruption case against former prime minister next month UCLA Performances Highlight World Entertainment This year's offerings feature US premiere of a British war drama and a musical group formed in refugee camps of Sierra Leone