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CNN:
Israel strikes Beirut airport, blocks ports — BEIRUT, Lebanon (CNN) — Israeli aircraft bombed Beirut International Airport on Thursday before blocking naval traffic in Lebanese waters as Israel expanded its military campaign against Hezbollah guerrillas who kidnapped two Israeli soldiers.
Discussion:
The Mahablog, Informed Comment, Flopping Aces, Mere Rhetoric, Confederate Yankee, Middle Earth Journal and Daimnation!
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Jerusalem Post:
Hizbullah: Bomb Beirut, we'll hit Haifa — Hizbullah warned Israel Thursday afternoon that if the IDF attacked southern Beirut, where the organization's leadership is based, they would target Haifa. — "The Islamic resistance warns against targeting civilians and the infrastructure," a statement read on Hezbollah TV said.
Sam F. Ghattas / Associated Press:
Israeli warplanes attack Beirut airport — BEIRUT, Lebanon - Israel intensified its attacks against Lebanon on Thursday, blasting Beirut's international airport and the southern part of the country in its heaviest air campaign against its neighbor in 24 years. Nearly three dozen civilians were killed, officials said.
New York Times:
Israel's Two-Front Battle — Kidnapping Israeli soldiers to use as bargaining chips for the release of Arab prisoners is horrible behavior for groups that claim international recognition and political legitimacy, as Hamas and Hezbollah do. The same applies to lobbing rockets over Israel's borders …
Captain Ed / Captain's Quarters:
Is Lebanon The Right Target?
Is Lebanon The Right Target?
Discussion:
The Lebanese Bloggers, Euphoric Reality, All Things Beautiful, Israel Matzav, Atlas Shrugs, Mere Rhetoric and Hyscience
CNN:
Israel authorizes 'severe' response to abductions
Israel authorizes 'severe' response to abductions
Discussion:
The Lebanese Bloggers, Euphoric Reality, Rantings of a Sandmonkey, Kesher Talk, Hyscience and The Reaction
Rick Klein / Boston Globe:
Party shuns Vermont Democrats in race — Seeks to clear way for independent in US Senate bid — WASHINGTON — Vermont's Democratic Party is maneuvering to keep the Democratic candidates for the state's open US Senate seat off the November ballot, as party leaders seek to clear …
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Ynetnews:
Al-Aqsa leader: West Bank rocket war is on — Terror leader announces start of missile barrage nearing Israel's main population centers — While Israeli towns near the Gaza Strip have been contending with almost daily missile attacks, Palestinian rockets will now be launched regularly …
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Jonathan Weisman / Washington Post:
Battle Looms In Congress Over Military Tribunals — House Republicans signaled a coming clash with the Senate over the future of military tribunals yesterday when Armed Service Committee members indicated they were inclined to give the Bush administration largely what it wants in the conduct of terrorism trials.
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Jacob Weisberg / Slate:
Not so SWIFT — WHY THE TIMES SHOULDN'T HAVE PUBLISHED ITS STORY. — In the latest battle between the press and the White House, opinions have tended to break along predictable lines. The ACLU, most Democrats in Congress, and Frank Rich contend that the New York Times did the right thing …
Discussion:
BuzzMachine, Lawyers, Guns and Money, The Glittering Eye, Villainous Company, First Draft and Poynter Online
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Lois Romano / Washington Post:
Beyond the Poll Numbers, Voter Doubts About Clinton — Anna Shelley, a mother of three from Utah, says she is ready for a female president, and she is sure that Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has what it takes. — But Shelley, a Democrat, is not sure she could ever pull a lever for Clinton.
Phillip Robertson / Salon:
City of vengeance — A savage outbreak of retaliatory killings has pushed Iraq to the brink of civil war. In the first of three exclusive reports, our correspondent investigates the Mahdi Army's Baghdad death squads. — Editor's note: This is the first of three parts.
Amelia Gentleman / New York Times:
Mumbai Inquiry Focuses on Militants — NEW DELHI, July 12 — Senior police officials investigating Tuesday's murderous attacks on Mumbai's rail system said today that they were focusing on a Kashmiri militant group, Lashkar-e-Toiba, which has denied involvement in the attacks.
Discussion:
Rantingprofs, Blue Crab Boulevard, TAPPED, A Blog For All, varnam and The American Thinker
The Hill:
Cunningham to be honored — The U.S. Capitol Historical Society will hold a reception next week to honor a select group of lawmakers "for their hard work, service, time and the sacrifices made in upholding the office with which they were entrusted." — One of the people slated to receive …
Jon Tevlin / Minneapolis Star Tribune:
Couric's Twin Cities visit a well-oiled machine — The hugely popular media star held a closed-to-the-media "listening session," then attended a fundraiser for a local charity. — It was a well-orchestrated media event that excluded the media, a private invitation-only meeting in the brand …
Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Two polls say Reed dropping — The idea of a nationally watched race for lieutenant governor is silly enough. But the fact that the contest could turn on an argument over the minimum wage on an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean is downright incredible. — Two polls out today say that support …
Reuters:
Ken Lay's memorial attracts power elite — George H.W. Bush, James Baker among attendees at packed church for the Enron founder; reverend compares fallen energy titan to Jesus. — HOUSTON (Reuters) — Houston's political and business leaders, including former President George H.W. Bush …
Associated Press:
Under rulings, Georgia can't require voter photo IDs this year — ROME, Ga. (AP) — The same federal judge who threw out Georgia's voter ID law last year blocked the state Wednesday from enforcing its revised law during this year's elections. — The ruling came less than two hours …