News in terror hot spots appears to aid Obama  —  Barack Obama's long-awaited and much-hyped trip overseas, in large part intended to overcome a perception that he's not up to the job of commander-in-chief, seems to have come at the perfect time as recent events in Afghanistan, Iraq and Iran have played into his message.

Detainee's Trial in Military System Begins Today  —  GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — Nearly seven years after President Bush declared an “extraordinary emergency” that empowered him to bring terrorists before military judges, Osama bin Laden's former driver is scheduled to go on trial Monday …

Dobson shifts positions, may endorse McCain  —  Conservative Christian leader James Dobson has softened his stance against Republican presidential hopeful John McCain, saying he could reverse his position and endorse the Arizona senator despite serious misgivings.

The Long Run: After 2000, McCain Learned to Work Levers of Power  —  Once better known for criticizing the Senate than for influencing it, John McCain has evolved into perhaps the chamber's most influential member.

Barack Obama's Butterfly Effect  —  Today on CBS's Face the Nation, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in Afghanistan, told the paparazzi-pursued correspondent Lara Logan that “the objective of this trip was to have substantive discussions with people like President Karzai or Prime Minister Maliki …

Influx of Voters Likely to Test New Machines  —  With millions of new voters heading to the polls this November and many states introducing new voting technologies, election officials and voting monitors say they fear the combination is likely to create long lines, stressed-out poll workers and late tallies on Election Day.

Their Fair Share  —  Washington is teeing up “the rich” for a big tax hike next year, as a way to make them “pay their fair share.”  Well, the latest IRS data have arrived on who paid what share of income taxes in 2006, and it's going to be hard for the rich to pay any more than they already do.

No Substitute for Victory  —  I'll go out on a limb and say that Barack Obama will be well received when he speaks in Berlin on July 24.  —  O.K., it's not exactly a limb.  A recent poll shows that the German public prefers Obama to John McCain by 67 percent to 6 percent.  —  But there is angst in Germany.

In Iraq, and Under the Spotlight  —  I asked one of the Republican Party's smartest, most candid heavy hitters last week whether John McCain really has a chance to defeat Barack Obama in this season of Republican discontent.  “No, if the campaign is about McCain,” he replied.  “Yes, if it's about Obama.”

Slaying suspect once found sanctuary in S.F.  —  The man charged with killing a father and two sons on a San Francisco street last month was one of the youths who benefited from the city's long-standing practice of shielding illegal immigrant juveniles who committed felonies from possible deportation, The Chronicle has learned.

President Bush lobbyist Stephen Payne in ‘bribes’ row quits  —  Cash for access at the White House is under scrutiny by Congress  —  An American government adviser and lobbyist, caught offering access to top White House figures in exchange for a $250,000 (£126,000) …

Rice calls Iran's nuclear position ‘small talk’  —  The secretary of state, speaking in Ireland, says Iran faces sanctions if it does not comply with international demands.  —  TEHRAN — U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice today dismissed Iran's recent response to a proposed solution …

Gordon Brown aide a victim of honeytrap operation by Chinese agents  —  A top aide to Gordon Brown has been a suspected victim of a “honeytrap” operation by Chinese intelligence agents.  —  The aide, a senior Downing Street adviser who was with the prime minister on a trip to China earlier this year …