An agreement between Israel and the Palestinians to resume direct peace talks is imminent, US officials said today.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice articulates Bush Administration aspirations for the promotion of democracy in the lead-up to Egyptian elections, writes Anne Gearan in Cairo.

A flotilla of boats resumed searching today for flotsam and bodies from the charter jet of French tourists that crashed into the Red Sea, killing all 148 people aboard.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair flew into Basra today for a surprise visit to British troops in Iraq.