| Senate Democrats yield to Obama, retreat on Burris (AP) [7 mins][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." | Israel bombs Gaza tunnels as peace moves gather pace (AFP) [37 mins] AFP - Israeli warplanes bombed suspected arms-smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza early Thursday, as diplomats worked to secure a ceasefire in an offensive that has killed 700 Palestinians. |