CHICAGO (AP) President-elect Barack Obama is calling his intended replacement in the Senate "a fine man." But Obama says he still supports Senate Democrats who say they won't seat any appointee made by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. The governor is accused of attempting to seek favors for filling the Obama seat.

UNITED NATIONS (AP) Both Israel and Hamas are under strong international pressure from key world powers to quit fighting. The U.S., the U.N., the European Union, and Russia are all urging an immediate cease-fire. Israeli officials say they're considering a 48-hour suspension.

NEW YORK (AP) Among the famous allegedly duped by financial adviser Bernard Madoff (MAY'-dawf) are actors Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick. A publicist says they're still trying to figure out how much they've lost. Thousands of investors, from large hedge funds to individual investors to charities, lost money in what prosecutors say was a Ponzi scheme.

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) The New York Times is facing a defamation suit from a Washington lobbyist. Vicki Iseman says a Times' article in February gave the false impression she had an affair with Sen.

John McCain in 1999. The newspaper says it stands by its story, which included denials from McCain and Iseman.

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) Spokane, Washington, is struggling to deal with as much snow as it gets in a typical winter. The snow total so far this season is nearly 60 inches, including 8 since Sunday. In Michigan, some 11,000 customers remain without power.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 12-30-08 1855CST | save this article / add to your favorites list