Collecting of Details on Travelers Documented  —  U.S. Effort More Extensive Than Previously Known  —  The U.S. government is collecting electronic records on the travel habits of millions of Americans who fly, drive or take cruises abroad, retaining data on the persons with whom they travel …

Romney silent on Blackwater shooting  —  Mitt Romney has remained mum on the alleged killing of 11 Iraqis by a company where one of his top advisers serves as vice chairman, even as the case has led to an uproar in Baghdad and Washington.  Barack Obama, John McCain and other politicians …

Spitzer Grants Illegal Immigrants Easier Access to Driver's Licenses  —  New York State, home to more than 500,000 illegal immigrants, will issue driver's licenses without regard to immigration status under a policy change announced yesterday by Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

Bush: Kids' health care will get vetoed  —  WASHINGTON - President Bush again called Democrats "irresponsible" on Saturday for pushing an expansion he opposes to a children's health insurance program.  —  "Democrats in Congress have decided to pass a bill they know will be vetoed," …

BAD CALL BY RUDE RUDY  —  PUTS NRA CROWD ON HOLD FOR JUDI  —  Hold on, it's Judi.  —  That's the stunning line Rudy Giuliani told an already-skeptical crowd of gun enthusiasts yesterday when he abruptly interrupted his speech - to take a call from his wife.

Romney: Giuliani will need family support  —  MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. — Mitt Romney used a press conference here to take a veiled but unmistakable shot at Rudy Giuliani's messy personal life, saying that the eventual Republican nominee would need to have a united front from their family to defeat Hillary Clinton.

Pope in 'freedom' blast at Islam  —  The Pope has again risked provoking the wrath of the Islamic world, by criticising its treatment of Christians.  —  Benedict XVI attacked Muslim nations where Christians are either persecuted or given the status of second-class citizens under the Shariah Islamic law.

Romney Falls Flat — Bombs, Even.  —  Romney hit some of the themes he needs to — he spoke on being a "Change Republican" and emphasized family values in particular.  He also pointed out his support for the Federal Marriage Amendment, which, with Thompson's rejection of it, makes him unique among the major Republican candidates.

Bush Family Table Talk  —  "America's Grandma," Barbara Bush, is at it again.  No, she is no longer advising us that half-drowned African American's who survived Katrina should be comfortable in their distress because they are accustomed to living in squalor, today she is offering up advice …

A Rather Controversial Ending  —  Dan Rather's $70 million lawsuit alleges there was more to his CBS departure than meets the eye.  But former colleagues aren't convinced.  —  In parts, it reads like a political thriller, with a cast of "right-wing" hit men out to force a powerful journalist to heel.

Israeli Raid on Syria Fuels Debate on Weapons  —  American concerns about ties between Syria and North Korea have long focused on a partnership involving missiles and missile technology.  Even many hawks within the Bush administration have expressed doubts that the Syrians have the money …

SoCal investors sue Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu  —  SANTA ANA, Calif.—A Laguna Beach investment firm filed a lawsuit against Democratic fundraiser Norman Hsu on Friday, claiming he defrauded investors out of at least $23 million and required them to donate to Democratic candidates.

Finding Her Passion on Capitol Hill  —  LAURIE RUBINER strides into an empty conference room at Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton's Midtown headquarters clutching a teensy silver Blackberry and a cellphone — obligatory equipment, she says with a minor grimace, explaining that she is a closet technophobe.

In 2008, Bush v. Gore Redux?  —  Right now it's just a petition drive on its way to becoming a ballot initiative in California.  But you should think of it as a tropical depression that could develop into a major storm that blows away the Democrats' chances of winning the White House next year.