Lieberman Cuts Into Lamont's Lead  —  U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, fighting for his political survival, appears to be cutting into anti-war challenger Ned Lamont's lead the day before Connecticut's Democratic primary election, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released Monday.

Hezbollah backs decision to deploy Lebanese army in south  —  Lebanon will deploy its army in the south of the country after the Israel Defense Forces' withdrawal from the area, the Lebanese cabinet agreed Monday night, in a decision supported by all the ministers present …

Lieberman Campaign Website Hacked?  —  At www.joe2006.com, the following message appears:  —  "This Account Is Under Construction"  —  According to Lieberman's campaign communications director, Marion Steinfels, "Yep, we've been hacked."  —  "There's a coordinated effort to overloaded …

A BRIDGE TOO WEIRD  —  The story of the day is Reuters photographer Adnan Hajj.  As I wrote earlier today, I think the most important issue here is not the faking of photographs, but the staging of photographs.  In that connection, reader Cathy Brooks has done a tremendous job of analyzing Hajj's photos.

Republicans' Best Hope?  Stop Imitating Democrats: Kevin Hassett  —  Aug. 7 (Bloomberg) — The political mood in Washington changed dramatically last week.  —  Republicans moped around town like has-beens, mumbling that defeat in November is looking more and more likely.

BUCK$ FOR BLOG: SOFTBANK PUTS $5M IN HUFF POST  —  A group led by venture capital firm Softbank is investing $5 million in the Huffington Post, an online news site and political blog owned by the pundit Arianna Huffington, The Post has learned.  —  The investment comes a little over a year …

Sexual lyrics prompt teens to have sex  —  CHICAGO - Teens whose iPods are full of music with raunchy, sexual lyrics start having sex sooner than those who prefer other songs, a study found.  —  Whether it's hip-hop, rap, pop or rock, much of popular music aimed at teens contains sexual overtones.

Shaking the Dead  —  Not a PhotoShop, but quite obviously staged for Reuters cameraman Ali Hashisho's benefit, adding drama to the already dramatic picture of a hand protruding from the rubble.  Pay special attention to the section of concrete-reinforcing iron rebar just over the victim's hand.

New Registration Rules Stir Voter Debate in Ohio  —  Brittnay Wanzo, left, signs her name for Tai Smith, a voter registration worker, in Cleveland on July 21.  Ms. Smith registered 15 voters that day.  —  CLEVELAND — For Tony Minor, the pastor of the Community of Faith Assembly in a run …

Iraq PM criticizes U.S. on Shiite militia attack  —  Violence kills at least 30 across the country; gunbattles erupt in Baghdad  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - Iraq's prime minister sharply criticized a U.S.-Iraqi attack Monday on a Shiite militia stronghold in Baghdad, breaking with his American partners …

The believer  —  As the longtime head of the Human Genome Project, Francis Collins is one of America's most visible scientists.  He holds impeccable scientific credentials — a medical degree as well as a Ph.D. in physics — and has established a distinguished track record as a gene hunter.

Court told US troops gang-raped Iraqi girl  —  BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A U.S. military court in Baghdad heard graphic testimony on Monday of how three U.S. soldiers took turns raping a 14-year-old Iraqi girl before murdering her and her family.  —  At the hearing into whether four U.S. soldiers …

Counterinsurgency, by the Book  —  AS we all know, war has changed.  In the 21st century it is dominated by irregular and unconventional ways of fighting.  Al Qaeda demonstrated this on 9/11, and the bloody wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are only further corroboration.

VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: Just once, let them fight till someone loses  —  War is horrible.  It kills and maims and orphans the innocent along with the combatants, who themselves are not always there willingly.  It is to be avoided whenever possible.  —  (For instance, Lincoln had no right to invade the South …