| Gaza fighting rages despite cease-fire proposal (AP) [13 mins][Dimra] AP - Israel resumed its Gaza offensive Wednesday, bombing heavily around suspected smuggling tunnels near the border with Egypt after a three-hour lull to allow in humanitarian aid. Hamas responded with a rocket barrage.Related stories: Gaza fighting rages despite cease-fire proposal Gaza fighting rages despite cease-fire proposal (Examiner) ~3 grouped stories | Senate Democrats yield to Obama, retreat on Burris (AP) [2 hrs][Lubbock, TX] AP - Senate Democrats beat a hasty retreat Wednesday from their rejection of Roland Burris as President-elect Barack Obama's successor, yielding to pressure from Obama himself and from senators irked that the standoff was draining attention and putting them in a bad light. Burris said with a smile he expected to join them "very shortly."Related stories: Senate Democrats yield to Obama, retreat on Burris ~2 grouped stories |