UPDATED 5:11 p.m. — Craig insists 'I am not gay,' police say he sought information for lawyer  —  Sen. Larry Craig insisted today "I am not gay" and lashed out at the Idaho Statesman for a "witchhunt" that led him to plead guilty to a disorderly conduct charge — a plea he hoped would make the charge go away.

Obstacles Keep Iraqi Refugees From U.S.  —  Despite a stepped-up commitment from the United States to take in Iraqis who are in danger because they worked for the American government and military, very few are signing up to go, resettlement officials say.  —  The reason, Iraqis say …

Bush Wants $50 Billion More for Iraq War  —  Planned Request Signals Confidence That Congress Won't Prevail on Pullout  —  President Bush plans to ask Congress next month for up to $50 billion in additional funding for the war in Iraq, a White House official said yesterday …

Big Dem fundraiser wanted on swindling charges  —  The Los Angeles Times reports on this website tonight and in Wednesday's print editions that a major Democratic Party fundraiser named Norman Hsu is wanted by authorities for skipping out on an agreement to serve up to three years in prison …

US 'seizes Iranian group in Iraq'  —  Seven Iranians working for the Iranian Electricity Ministry have been arrested by US forces in Baghdad, the Iranian embassy says.  —  A spokesman told the BBC the embassy had contacted the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and would send a formal protest letter in the morning.

London editor prays for nuclear attack on Israel  —  The editor of an Arabic daily newspaper published in London said in an interview on Lebanese television that he would dance in Trafalgar Square if Iranian missiles hit Israel.  —  Talking about Iran's nuclear capability on ANB Lebanese television …

Summertime - and after Katrina, life still ain't easy  —  Two years after hurricane, frustration grows at sluggish rebuilding of New Orleans  —  The King of New Orleans, Fats Domino, is one of the few optimistic people in the still devastated city.  "Everybody is doing the best they can.

A Scandal-Scarred G.O.P. Asks, 'What Next?'  —  Scott Reed, a Republican strategist, was at a dinner in Philadelphia on Monday night when his cellphone and Internet pager began beeping like crazy.  Only later did he learn why.  His party was buzzing with news of a sex scandal involving a Republican United States senator — again.

Just a Couple of Questions About the Larry Craig Scandal  —  I'd rather have strep throat than think too hard about Idaho politics.  That is, until a scandal like this Larry Craig mess happens.  And then general desire to not think about politics is overcome by incessant media attention …

Republicans Plan to Penalize States on Primaries  —  The Republican National Committee plans to penalize at least four states holding early primaries, including New Hampshire and Florida, by refusing to seat at least half their delegates at the party's national convention in 2008, a party official said Tuesday.

Hezbollah to file lawsuits against Israel for damage caused in war  —  Hezbollah is planning to file a host of lawsuits against Israel over the damages it caused during the Second Lebanon War.  Lebanese individuals with dual citizenship will file the suits in the countries where they hold citizenship.

Eight South Korean hostages freed  —  SEOUL, South Korea (CNN) — Taliban militants released eight South Korean hostages in Afghanistan after more than a month of captivity.  —  Earlier on Wednesday three women, identified as Ahn Hye-jin, 31, Lee Jung-ran, 33, and 34-year-old Han Ji-young …

Why We Need a Draft: A Marine's Lament  —  He was in the firefights of Fallujah.  He saw gaps in America's arsenal that he believes can only be filled when America's elite puts its sons on the battlefield.  A plea for selective service.  —  "Maybe we would have only lost those three instead of 13 …