PARIS (AP) - As the U.S. pledges more than half a billion dollars in aid to the Palestinians, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is making clear she considers Hamas to blame for the deteriorating conditions in the Gaza Strip. The U.S. is giving $555 million to Palestinians next year, including 150 million to the moderate-led Palestinian government in the West Bank. No money will be given to the rival Hamas leadership in Gaza, which seized control of the seaside territory in June. The U.S. says it is stepping up food and medical aid to Gaza, which has been choked off...