Israel strike hits Palestinian PM's office  —  GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip - Israeli aircraft fired missiles at the Palestinian prime minister's office early Sunday, just hours after a Palestinian official said the soldier whose abduction sent Israeli troops into Gaza is alive and in stable condition.

Farm Program Pays $1.3 Billion to People Who Don't Farm  —  EL CAMPO, Tex. — Even though Donald R. Matthews put his sprawling new residence in the heart of rice country, he is no farmer.  He is a 67-year-old asphalt contractor who wanted to build a dream house for his wife of 40 years.

Kerry faces hard road in presidential bid  —  DES MOINES, Iowa - Seeking the presidency is harder the second time around.  As the race for 2008 builds, Democratic Sen. John Kerry has left little doubt about his intentions to try again after his narrow loss to President Bush in 2004.

Defiant Blair hits back at his critics  —  LONDON - British Prime Minister Tony Blair, struggling to keep his hold on power after months of questions about when he intends to resign, snapped back at critics Saturday with a defiant declaration that "this is the time to hold firm."

SUPERMAN AND THE AMERICAN WAY  —  I sat through about half of Superman Returns yesterday.  The movie was boring and gave me a headache.  But that's just me.  Guess I'm just one of those people who doesn't have the patience for Hollyweird escapism that pits softened not-so-superheroes against rootless, not-so-arch enemies.

Conservative pundits reveal murderous plot by the Travel Section of the NYT!  —  (updated below)  —  I learned today from Michelle Malkin, Powerline's John Hinderaker, Red State, and David Horowitz, among others, that The New York Times not only wants to help Al Qaeda launch terrorist attacks …

Woman of The Nation  —  Strident feminism can seem out of place — even tacky — in a world where women have come so demonstrably far.  With Katie Couric at the anchor desk, Condoleezza Rice leading the State Department and Hillary Clinton aiming for the top of the ticket, many of the young …

The Power of Hillary  —  "Hillary Clinton really is one of the weakest . . . nominees with whom the Democrats could be saddled."  —  "Democrats are worried sick about her chances."  —  "Just give someone else a chance, so we in the Democratic Party can elect a Democrat."  —  "She cannot possibly, possibly win."

Discontent over Iraq may cost Republicans control of Congress, poll says  —  WASHINGTON — President Bush's job approval rating is up slightly, but discontent over the Iraq war, especially among women, is continuing to boost Democratic prospects in the struggle for control of Congress, a Times/Bloomberg poll has found.

Lonely Victory for U.S. Navy Lawyer  —  Convinced that denying his Yemeni client Geneva Convention rights posed a dangerous precedent, the officer bucked military brass.  —  MIAMI — The U.S. Navy lawyer who challenged the Bush administration's efforts to try terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay …

At Guantanamo, Dying Is Not Permitted  —  A TIME Investigation: The Supreme Court handed the prisoners at Gitmo a victory, but authorities there continue to use harsh methods to break one of their most common methods of protest — the hunger strike  —  The prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba …

John Edwards courts tech crowd in Seattle  —  John Edwards, the former U.S. vice presidential candidate, sought common ground with bloggers and other hard-core techies in Seattle on Friday — conceding, among other things, that he's sometimes too polished for the unvarnished Internet age.

Ronnie Earle Gets Some Comeuppance  —  A federal judge issued a little-noticed ruling that spells trouble for Travis County DA Ronnie Earle and his obsession with Tom DeLay.  Dryly calling Earle's efforts "innovative", Judge Mike Lynch ruled that political groups broke no state laws …

In Memphis, Two Heads of Government Visit the Home of Rock 'n' Roll Royalty  —  MEMPHIS, June 30 — Plenty of awestruck Elvis impersonators have passed through the wrought-iron gates of Graceland.  Until Friday, none had the president of the United States in tow.

War of Words on Bank Story  —  Wall Street Journal Editorial Takes Times to Task  —  For the Wall Street Journal editorial page, there may be no more juicy target than the liberal press appearing to undermine the Bush administration's war on terror.  —  The White House and congressional Republicans …