Gaza groups ready to deal on cease-fire, release of Shalit  —  All groups in Gaza, including Hamas, would now accept a cease-fire deal with Israel which would include releasing Gilad Shalit, according to the Palestinian Agriculture Minister, who also heads the coordinating committee of Palestinian organizations there.

Democrats Lose if Lieberman is Defeated  —  The most interesting question about the possibility that Connecticut Democrats could deny Joseph Lieberman renomination is whether that would help or hurt the senator's political prospects.  Or, for that matter, the Democratic Party's.

CNN's Robertson Now Admits: Hezbollah 'Had Control' of His Anti-Israel Piece  —  Better late than never?  On CNN's Reliable Sources on Sunday, CNN's senior international correspondent Nic Robertson added all of the caveats and disclaimers that he should have included in his story last week …

Nations Reluctant to Commit Troops to Lebanon  —  PARIS, July 24 — Support is building quickly for an international military force to be placed in southern Lebanon, but there remains a small problem: where will the troops come from?  —  The United States has ruled out its soldiers participating …

The Boxer Meltdown  —  Maura and CTBob had quite the face off with Barbara Boxer today when they tried to dodge the public in an event only annnounced to the press at a local candy store normally closed on Mondays.  (You'll remember Maura from her encounter with Lieberman when the dog ate Joe Biden's train schedule.)

Can Blogging Derail Your Career?  —  7 Bloggers Discuss the Case of Juan Cole  —  With the debut of his Web log, Informed Comment, four years ago, Juan R.I. Cole became arguably the most visible commentator writing on the Middle East today.  A professor of modern Middle East and South Asian history …

U.S. Says It Knew of Pakistani Reactor Plan  —  Congress Learned of Nation's Nuclear Expansion From Independent Analysts  —  The Bush administration acknowledged yesterday that it had long known about Pakistan's plans to build a large plutonium-production reactor, but it said the White House …

Massive blackout continues in St. Louis  —  AP — _ ST. LOUIS (AP) _ Nearly a quarter-million homes and businesses still had no electricity Monday as the city struggled to recover from last week's devastating thunderstorms.  —  The blackout has kept air conditioners from cooling homes since Wednesday …

Peace prize winner 'could kill' Bush  —  NOBEL peace laureate Betty Williams displayed a flash of her feisty Irish spirit yesterday, lashing out at US President George W.Bush during a speech to hundreds of schoolchildren.  —  Campaigning on the rights of young people at the Earth Dialogues forum …

The Digital Brown Shirts  —  I don't know who Al Gore had in mind when he spoke of Nazi-like tactics being used against the media two years ago; it's usually best not to give examples when you're making things up.  When it comes to finding examples of the mythical digital Brown Shirt …

HILLARY GATHERS AN ARMY  —  INCLUDES 3G FOR STYLIST  —  July 24, 2006 — WASHINGTON - Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign army has increased its ranks to 50 staffers and more than 20 consultants, specialists in everything from fund-raising to speech-writing to hairstyling and makeup.

The New King of Big TV's Is Queen-Size  —  Will buying a TV set one day involve choosing between full, queen and king sizes?  —  Panasonic said last week that it would begin selling a 103-inch flat-panel plasma television in the United States in time for the holiday season.

Maybe Now We'll Get It  —  Maybe, as this terrible business in Lebanon unfolds, we'll finally get it:  —  Guerrillas like to hide behind civilians.  —  Muslim guerrillas take it a step further: "Civilians" are a weapon to them — as much a part of the fight as the AK-47 or RPG they carry.

Maryland Senate Candidate Arrested on Rape, Assault Charges  —  It looks like the crowded field for the Democratic nomination for Senator in Maryland just lost one candidate.  —  David Dickerson is one of 18 Dems seeking the nomination.  But he was arrested by Baltimore County police …

RUDY, THE FRONT-RUNNER  —  CRUISING AHEAD OF MCCAIN  —  July 24, 2006 — IT'S early in the game yet, but it's becoming undeniable: Rudy Giuliani will run for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 - as the clear front-runner.  —  For months, the media have treated their favored candidate …