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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.

South Korea Condemns 'Merciless' Killing of Second Hostage by Taleban Foreign Ministry confirms insurgents shot and killed Shim Sung-min, 29, Tuesday Arabs Press Rice, Gates on Palestinian Issue US secretary of state, defense secretary on unusual joint Middle East mission to seek Arab help in stabilizing Iraq, reviving Israeli-Palestinian peace process US Military: Helicopter Forced to Land After Coming Under Fire in Baghdad Military says two crew members safely evacuated and given routine medical evaluation; incident under investigation Bush, Brown Conclude Camp David Talks Leaders stressed relations between two countries are strong, despite change at top of British government and strong public pressure in Britain to get out of Iraq US House of Representatives to Tighten Economic Sanctions on Iran Congress has been steadily ramping up pressure on Iran, with range of measures aimed at restricting investments, banning imports, and targeting country's uranium enrichment efforts Finalized UN Darfur Resolution Expected Tuesday Resolution will send up to 19,000 UN troops to help the undermanned, 7,000-troop African Union force in Sudan's war-torn region Mauritanian Refugees Welcome Invitation to Return Cautiously Refugees say they have long wanted to return, but question their safety in country still divided by color and class Popular Bollywood Star Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison Indian actor Sanjay Dutt sentenced for illegally acquiring arms from gangsters involved in serial bombings that rocked Mumbai in 1993 Southeast Asian Nations Propose Measures to Curb Currency Speculation Thai FM says countries that suffered during Asian economic crisis in late 1990s are still vulnerable to financial collapse Shelter for Abused Deaf Women Provides Needed Safe Haven First of its kind facility provides special accommodations for deaf victims of domestic violence