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.

Specter Prepping Bill to Sue Bush  —  WASHINGTON (AP) - A powerful Republican committee chairman who has led the fight against President Bush's signing statements said Monday he would have a bill ready by the end of the week allowing Congress to sue him in federal court.

Bush Job Approval at 37%  —  Similar to 37% average rating for all of June  —  PRINCETON, NJ — A new USA Today/Gallup poll finds 37% of Americans approving of the way Bush is handling his job as president and 59% disapproving.  Despite many extraordinary events dominating the news over the past weeks …

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 …

It's Disproportionate. . .  Just my luck.  I go away on vacation and it happens to be the week when George W. Bush's strategic view of the current world situation is revealed: Russia big.  China big, too.  World leaders boring.  Lady world leaders need neck rub.  Terrorism bad.

UN official accuses Hezbollah of 'cowardly blending' among civilians  —  LARNACA, Cyprus - The UN humanitarian chief accused Hezbollah late Monday of "cowardly blending" among Lebanese civilians and causing the deaths of hundreds during two weeks of cross-border violence with Israel.

Talks on WTO's Doha round collapse  —  U.S. presidential 'fast track' trade authority to expire in 2007.  —  GENEVA (Reuters) — Talks by major trade powers to save the World Trade Organization's Doha Round collapsed on Monday, leaving the future of negotiations on a global free trade deal in doubt.

For One Senate Candidate, the 'R' Is a 'Scarlet Letter'  —  The candidate, immersed in one of the most competitive Senate races in the country, sat down to lunch yesterday with reporters at a Capitol Hill steakhouse and shared his views about this year's political currents.

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 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 …

Top Iraqi's White House Visit Shows Gaps With U.S.  —  Iraqis buried their dead Monday from another suicide bombing.  Prime Minister Maliki has tried without success to end such violence.  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq, July 24 — When Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki visits the White House on Tuesday …