North Korea tests 7th missile amid furor  —  SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea test-fired another missile Wednesday, intensifying the furor ignited when the reclusive regime launched at least six missiles, including a long-range Taepodong, earlier in the day.

Security Cabinet approves deeper incursion into Gaza  —  The Security Cabinet called for prolonged and gradual military action in Gaza and the West Bank, at a meeting Wednesday morning to discuss the Shalit crisis and how to respond to Tuesday's rocket attack on Ashkelon.

Bush Signaling Shift in Stance on Immigration  —  WASHINGTON, July 4 — On the eve of nationwide hearings that could determine the fate of his immigration bill, President Bush is signaling a new willingness to negotiate with House Republicans in an effort to revise the stalled legislation before Election Day.

Lieberman Tries to Reassert Commitment to Democrats  —  WILLIMANTIC, Conn., July 4 — Senator Joseph I. Lieberman tried to reassert his commitment to the Democratic Party today, after announcing on Monday that he would run independently for reelection if he loses the state Democratic primary next month.

Global Warming's Real Inconvenient Truth  —  "Global warming may or may not be the great environmental crisis of the next century, but — regardless of whether it is or isn't — we won't do much about it.  We will (I am sure) argue ferociously over it and may even, as a nation, make some fairly solemn-sounding commitments to avoid it.

Former regime said at core of insurgency  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - The Iraqi government's list of the 41 most wanted fugitives suggests that former members of Saddam Hussein's regime form the backbone of the insurgency despite attention paid to the role of religious extremists such as al-Qaida in Iraq.

Judicial nominee asked about club  —  Just six months after quitting the all-male social club to which he belonged for 50 years, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy is questioning one of President Bush's nominees to the federal bench about his membership in an all-male dining club.

President Bush Thanks Military on Independence Day at Fort Bragg, North Carolina  —  THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all.  Thanks for the warm welcome.  (Laughter.)  It's a pleasure to be back here at Fort Bragg — "Home of our Airborne and Special Forces."  (Applause.)

In Ramadi, Fetid Quarters and Unrelenting Battles  —  RAMADI, Iraq, July 4 — The Government Center in the middle of this devastated town resembles a fortress on the wild edge of some frontier: it is sandbagged, barricaded, full of men ready to shoot, surrounded by rubble and enemies eager to get inside.

Iraq considers arming insurgents  —  BAGHDAD — Iraq's government is studying a request from some local insurgent leaders to supply them with weapons so they can turn on the heavily armed foreign fighters who were once their allies, according to two Iraqi lawmakers.

McCain panel's Abramoff report retribution for 2000, Norquist says  —  Conservative activist Grover Norquist says a Senate report connecting him with convicted felon Jack Abramoff is a personal attack from Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) that could hurt the senator's recent efforts to woo the right for a presidential bid.