Attacks Could Erode Faction's Support  —  Pressure Building Against Shiite Militia  —  BEIRUT, July 13 — The radical Shiite movement Hezbollah and its leader, Hasan Nasrallah, hold an effective veto in Lebanese politics, and the group's military prowess has heartened its supporters at home and abroad in the Arab world.

Valerie Plame Wilson and Ambassador Joseph Wilson Initiate a Civil Action Against Vice President Cheney, Karl Rove, and Scooter Libby for Violations of their Constitutional and Other Legal Rights  —  WASHINGTON—(BUSINESS WIRE)—July 13, 2006—Former CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson and her husband …

House Rejects Changes to Voting Rights Act  —  WASHINGTON — The House voted Thursday to renew the 1965 Voting Rights Act, rejecting efforts by Southern conservatives to relax federal oversight of their states in a debate haunted by the ghosts of the civil rights movement.

Pak's ISI masterminded 11/7, says intelligence  —  Forty-eight hours after bombs ripped through Mumbai, the needle pointed to Pakistan.  Intelligence agencies on Thursday confirmed that Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) was the "mastermind" of the blasts that killed about 200 people.

Bush Would Let Secret Court Sift Wiretap Process  —  WASHINGTON, July 13 — After months of resistance, the White House agreed Thursday to allow a secret intelligence court to review the legality of the National Security Agency's program to conduct wiretaps without warrants on Americans suspected of having ties to terrorists.

Earning That Congressional Raise  —  Congress has just chopped a week off what already is a notoriously skimpy work calendar so that lawmakers will have extra campaign time at home this fall.  The Capitol will recess at the end of September, leaving a world of unfinished business.

Eight Israeli troops killed in heavy fighting sparked by Hizballah kidnap of two Israeli soldiers under heavy rocket-mortar fire early Wednesday.  Eleven civilians and soldiers injured  —  The names released: Master Sgt. Eyal Benin, 22, from Beersheba; Master Sgt. Shani Turjeman, 24 …

Iran Attacking Israel Is Really Attack on U.S.  —  If you ever wondered whether it was worth all the trouble to keep Iran from getting a nuke, look at the news today.  —  When Hezbollah attacks Israel — or attacks anybody — it is Iran that is really doing the attacking.

President Bush and German Chancellor Merkel Participate in Press Availability  —  President's Trip to Germany and Russia  —  CHANCELLOR MERKEL: (As translated.)  Ladies and gentlemen, I am delighted to be able to welcome the President of the United States here to Stralsund yet again.

Analysis: Israel at war  —  Two days of dizzying escalation, and there can be no illusions: Israel is at war.  —  A tactical failure by the IDF on the Gaza border barely two weeks ago prompted a drastic escalation on that front.  Wednesday's still-graver tactical blow in the North has now led …