Richardson withdraws..."Unavoidable" invasion...Protest and support



Washington (AP) President-elect Barack Obama is losing one of the more prominent nominees to his incoming administration. Obama's transition office says New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson has withdrawn his nomination to be the next commerce secretary. A federal grand jury is investigating how a California firm that contributed to Richardson's political activities won a lucrative state contract.

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) Israel's prime minister is calling the Israeli military operation in Gaza "unavoidable." He says Israel could not continue to let its civilians be targeted by Hamas militant rockets. More than 500 people have died since the Israeli offensive began last weekend.

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) Israel's invasion of Gaza has sent thousands of protesters to the streets in cities from Damascus to Tehran today. In Lebanon, police had to use water hoses and tear gas to push about 250 demonstrators away from the U.S. Embassy.

WASHINGTON (AP) Words of support are what's coming from Washington about Israel's invasion of Gaza. Vice President Dick Cheney says Israeli officials have been telling him for months they didn't want to attack Gaza, but felt they would have "no choice" if Hamas militants didn't halt their rocket attacks on Israel. He spoke on CBS' "Face the Nation."


CHICAGO (AP) The man Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (blah-GOY'-uh-vich) has chosen to fill the state's vacant Senate seat says he's not ruling out going to court over it. Roland Burris tells WLS-TV in Chicago that he has nothing to do with the corruption investigation surrounding Blagojevich.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-04-09 1248CST | save this article / add to your favorites list