Arab nations demand cease-fire....State Dept. weighs in...Senate vacancies

UNITED NATIONS (AP) The United States has blocked approval of a U.N. Security Council statement calling for an immediate cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel. An American diplomat says the U.S. saw no prospect of Hamas abiding by it. Arab nations wanted the council to adopt the statement.

Washington (AP) A State Department official says the Bush administration is working toward a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. Spokesman Sean McCormack says "it's obvious the cease-fire should take place as soon as possible" but that it cannot allow Hamas to continue to launch rockets out of Gaza.

CHICAGO (AP) A spokesman for Rod Blagojevich (blah-GOY'-uh-vich) says the Illinois governor believes Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid may have a "a horse in the race" for the state's vacant Senate seat. He says Reid phoned the governor early last month to discuss the seat and that there could be a conflict of interest in his opposition to seating Roland Burris, the man selected by the governor.

DENVER (AP) Denver's public schools superintendent is Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter's choice to fill Ken Salazar's Senate seat. The move surprised many Republicans and Democrats, who considered Michael Bennet a dark horse candidate. Salazar is President-elect Barack Obama's choice for interior secretary.

PLAINSBORO, N.J. (AP) New Jersey authorities say a woman drowned trying to retrieve her grandson's dog from a frozen pond.

Authorities say Janet Howard was walking the German Shepherd when it wandered onto the ice. The dog somehow reached the shore and ran home.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-03-09 2250CST | save this article / add to your favorites list