North Korea Test-Fires Seventh Missile  —  Launch Comes After Controversial Long-Range Rocket Fails; U.N. Session Set After U.S., Japan Condemn Action  —  North Korea test-fired another missile today, at least its seventh such launch in 48 hours, Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi told reporters in Tokyo.

Enron founder Ken Lay dies  —  64-year-old former energy executive was awaiting sentencing for fraud.  —  NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Enron founder Kenneth Lay died early Wednesday in Aspen, Colo., a family spokeswoman said.  —  Lay, 64, was awaiting sentencing after being found guilty of conspiracy and fraud.

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.

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.

Criticism again coming from within Democrats' ranks  —  He has kinfolk in the Puget Sound area, displays a healthy interest in Northwest issues and takes as his model for public service longtime Sen. Henry Jackson, D-Wash.  —  Democratic Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut is …

STACLU pogrom is a resounding success  —  Nedd Kareiva  —  Scrabble Champion  —  Director, Stop the ACLU Coalition  —  Dear Mr. Kareiva,  —  Please allow me to be the first to thank you and the staff of Stop The ACLU for all you did to make the Indian River Pogrom such a resounding success.

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.

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.

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.