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Join Talk 2 America Wednesday, 1 August, at 18:00 UTC for a live chat with author Lawrence Otis Graham, who will give some historical perspective as Senator Barack Obama campaigns to become the nation's first African-American U.S. president. Graham will discuss his book, "The Senator and the Socialite: The True Story of America's First Black Dynasty", which tells how former slave Blanche Bruce rose in 1874 to become a wealthy U.S. Senator, laying the ground work for future black politicians in America. Send questions in advance to chat@voanews.com - and you may get a free copy of the book.

Afghan Elders Join in Talks For Release of South Korean Hostages Taleban spokesman says hostages still alive, but many in poor health Investigation Begins in Fatal Bombing Near Pakistan's Red Mosque Suicide bomb attack killed at least 13 people, wounded more than 50 others Friday US Legislation Sends Messages to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan US Congress approved legislation to implement most recommendations of commission that investigated 2001 US terrorist attacks Indian Officials Satisfied With Nuclear Pact With US Agreement permits US to provide assistance and fuel for energy-deficient India's civilian nuclear power program Gorbachev Says Russia Reversing Democratic Freedoms, US Acting Unilaterally Former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev accuses United States of complicating global politics following end of Cold War Serb Official in Washington Urges US to Reconsider Position on Kosovo Foreign Minister Vuk Jeremic met Friday with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other high-level US officials in Washington UN Condemns Gross Human Rights Violations in Sudan It says murder, rape, forced displacement, recruitment of child soldiers and attacks against civil population continue with total impunity Bulawayo, Zimbabwe Runs Out of Staple Food There has been no maize meal in Southern Zimbabwe for the last week neither in supermarkets nor black markets In San Francisco, Ban Ki-Moon Offers UN Vision Secretary-general responds to critics who complain of UN's slow and sometimes inefficient bureaucracy, and its lack of transparency Five US Teens Honored for 'Global Action' Students took on projects ranging from sanitizing drinking water to fighting spread of HIV/AIDS