Iran to supply Hezbollah with surface-to-air missiles  —  LONDON (AFP) - Iran will supply Hezbollah with surface-to-air missile systems in the coming months, boosting the guerrillas' defences against Israeli aircraft, according to a report by specialist magazine Jane's Defence Weekly, citing unnamed Western diplomatic sources.

CT-SEN: Richard Goodstein: "Email Me The Last Good Story You Wrote About Joe Lieberman"  —  So I just reached D.C. lobbyist Richard Goodstein on his cellphone.  Goodstein the lobbyist confirmed that he is indeed the guy on the front-page of today's Record-Journal who appeared to be heckling Lamont in a diner.

Bush Starts 10-Day Texas Vacation  —  Shorter Summer Break Reflects Post-Katrina Criticism  —  President Bush arrived here Thursday evening to begin a 10-day stretch at his Prairie Chapel ranch, his longest planned period away from Washington during this summer vacation season.

Lautenberg: Lieberman won't go independent if he loses big in primary  —  The primary race that captivates political junkies these days is next Tuesday's contest between Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., and his challenger Ned Lamont.  It's being seen as a referendum on the war with Iraq …

Ambassador claims shortly before invasion, Bush didn't know there were two sects of Islam  —  [New to RAW STORY?  Be sure to check out our front page for all the latest-breaking news.  Latest: Raw acquires Republican campaign plan for summer recess...]  —  Former Ambassador …

Star's man in Havana caught by Castro  —  Star reporter in Havana gets a taste of official Cuba at its most oppressive  —  HAVANA—"Mr. Timothy, you must come with me.  There is a problem in your room."  —  I had just tucked into a pork sandwich at the hotel bar when the ominous voice from behind stopped me in mid-bite.

Iraqi Shiites chant 'Death to Israel'  —  BAGHDAD, Iraq - Hundreds of thousands of Shiites chanting "Death to Israel" and "Death to America" marched through the streets of Baghdad's biggest Shiite district Friday in a show of support for Hezbollah militants battling Israeli troops in Lebanon.

Senator Faults Bid to Classify Report on Iraq  —  The Republican chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee lashed out at the White House on Thursday, criticizing attempts by the Bush administration to keep secret parts of a report on the role Iraqi exiles played in building the case for war against Iraq.

Hagel: Begin Iraq withdrawal within 6 months  —  The United States needs to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq within the next six months, Sen. Chuck Hagel said Thursday, rather than ratcheting up its military commitment now.  —  With Iraq exploding in sectarian violence and …

Grazing Moose  —  The Moose offers some summer thoughts before taking a brief break from the blog.  —  A few years back the Moose broke with the Republican Party on a range of issues dealing with economic justice.  His reasons for leaving the GOP are explained  —  here.

A Bit of History for Global Warmers: Look at 1930  —  (CNSNews.com) - People sweltering from a heat wave in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. might find cold comfort in the fact that the temperatures of the past few days are not the hottest on record.  That "honor" belongs to a summer 76 years ago …