WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Robert Novak, a conservative political columnist known as the “Prince of Darkness” and who unleashed a political firestorm by publishing the name of an undercover CIA operative, died on Tuesday. He was 78.

TEHRAN (Reuters) - A senior Iranian official said Tehran was ready for negotiations with the West on its disputed nuclear program based on mutual respect and without preconditions, state television reported on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama, looking to jump-start the stalled Middle East peace process, will hold talks Tuesday with Egyptian leader Hosni Mubarak, who Washington hopes can help to get things moving.

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Opposition leader Mirhossein Mousavi accused “establishment agents” of raping and abusing detainees imprisoned after Iran’s June presidential vote and urged the powerful clerics to do their duty and speak out.

KABUL (Reuters) - A suicide car bomber killed at least seven people in an attack on a Western military convoy in the Afghan capital on Tuesday and a Taliban rocket hit the presidential palace grounds two days before tense elections.

MIAMI (Reuters) - Hurricane Bill, the first hurricane of the 2009 Atlantic season, revved up quickly on Monday as it headed toward Bermuda, while the remnants of Tropical Storm Ana dissipated without threatening the U.S. Gulf oil patch.

Aug. 18 - Two British women accused of making false robbery claims in order to receive an insurance settlement face trial in Rio de Janeiro.

Aug. 18 - As voters in Afghanistan prepare to cast ballots, foreign forces are hoping to secure the vote in what one General describes as “not an ideal situation to conduct an election.”

The Chicago Sun-Times columnist dies at 78; was central figure in CIA leak case.

Aug 18 - Zambia’s former president was cleared of corruption charges on Monday (Aug 17) in what has been considered to be a landmark case.