PM Olmert declares Hizbullah attack 'act of war' by Lebanon  —  Seventeen days after IDF soldier Gilad Shalit was kidnapped in Gaza, a second front was opened on Israel's northern border Wednesday morning as Hizbullah, under cover of a barrage of Katyusha rockets and mortar shells, kidnapped two more army troops.

My role in the Plame leak probe  —  WASHINGTON — Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has informed my attorneys that, after 2-1/2 years, his investigation of the CIA leak case concerning matters directly relating to me has been concluded.  That frees me to reveal my role in the federal inquiry that …

Terror and Presidential Power: Bush Takes a Step Back  —  WASHINGTON, July 11 — From the outset, President Bush declared that the battle against Al Qaeda would be a war like no other, fought by new rules against new enemies not entitled to the old protections afforded to either prisoners of war or criminal defendants.

White House Lowers '06 Deficit Estimate  —  The Bush administration yesterday lowered its estimate of this year's federal budget deficit to $296 billion — a figure that prompted the White House to claim vindication for its tax cuts, and Democrats to issue new denunciations of the nation's fiscal problems.

Wave of Violence in Baghdad Puts 3-Day Death Toll Past 100  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 11 — More than 50 people were killed in Baghdad on Tuesday in violence that included a double suicide bombing near busy entrances to the fortified Green Zone, scattered shootings, mortar attacks …

Army to End Expansive, Exclusive Halliburton Deal  —  Logistics Contract to Be Open for Bidding  —  The Army is discontinuing a controversial multibillion-dollar deal with oil services giant Halliburton Co. to provide logistical support to U.S. troops worldwide, a decision that could cut deeply …

U.S. Terror Targets: Petting Zoo and Flea Market?  —  WASHINGTON, July 11 — It reads like a tally of terrorist targets that a child might have written: Old MacDonald's Petting Zoo, the Amish Country Popcorn factory, the Mule Day Parade, the Sweetwater Flea Market and an unspecified "Beach at End of a Street."

Lieberman's Real Problem  —  I am about to become a traitor to my class.  Among my estimable colleagues in the Washington commentariat, the idea that Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman is facing a serious challenge from a fellow Democrat over Lieberman's support for the Iraq war seems to evoke incredulity and exasperation.

Pink Floyd's Barrett dies aged 60  —  Syd Barrett, one of the original members of legendary rock group Pink Floyd, has died at the age of 60 from complications arising from diabetes.  —  The guitarist was the band's first creative force and an influential songwriter, penning their early hits.

Video: 50 year study says conservatives 'followers'  —  In an interview with MSNBC's Keith Olbermann, former Nixon counsel John Dean explained a largely unknown 50 year academic study.  The data shows that conservatives are much more likely to follow authoritarian leaders.

Dan Rather's Carry-On Baggage  —  Former CBS newsman Dan Rather says he'll have complete editorial control over the content of the weekly newsmagazine he will kick off for Mark Cuban's HDNet in October.  —  "News at its best is a wake-up call, not a lullaby, and I'm not in the lullaby business …