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Senate Democrats have blocked legislation that would have raised the minimum wage. Though the federal minimum wage hasn't been raised in a decade, Democrats would not support the bill because it also would have permanently cut estate taxes.

Cuban President Fidel Castro has been a mentor to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. And their relationship has become critically important, as Venezuela now provides the Caribbean island nation with oil. The relationship gives Chavez a degree of influence in Cuba.

President Fidel Castro is recovering from intestinal surgery and in good spirits, according to Cuban authorities. News of the leader's health has been closely guarded since he was hospitalized.

Congressional Republicans, some facing tough re-election battles this November, have mixed reactions to the Bush administration's approach to current foreign policy challenges.

A massive heat wave continues to broil many parts of the United States, with temperatures topping 100 degrees for the third consecutive day in many places. And with high humidity and other factors, the heat index shows that the temperatures often feel even hotter.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wants Syria to use its influence to rein in Hezbollah. And Syria wants diplomatic engagement with the United States. But Rice isn't planning on talking directly to Damascus. She's counting on friendly regional governments to carry the U.S. message to Syria.

Ned Lamont is challenging Joe Lieberman in the Democratic primary for Senate in Connecticut. The race, which has drawn national attention, is largely seen as a referendum on incumbent Sen. Lieberman's position on the war in Iraq. Lieberman announced in June that he will run as a third-party candidate if he fails to win the nomination. Robert Siegel talks separately with Lieberman and Lamont.

Israeli troops welcome the cease-fire with Hezbollah guerrillas as a chance to rest. But the Israeli military remains ready to resume full operations if ordered to attack again. About 30,000 Israeli forces remained in Lebanon.

A fresh barrage of rockets slams into the northern Israeli city of Haifa, despite days of fierce fighting between Hezbollah guerrillas and Israeli troops along the Lebanon-Israel border. Much of the current fighting is centered in and around a major Hezbollah stronghold in southern Lebanon.

Director Spike Lee examines the collision of race and politics in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in his provocative new HBO documentary, When the Levees Broke, which has a special showing on Aug. 16 at the New Orleans Arena.