Burris expect to be Senator...Obama juggling...Presidents' lunch



Washington (AP) Roland Burris says he expects he'll be a U.S.

senator soon. The man Gov. Rod Blagojevich (blah-GOY'-uh-vich) appointed to Illinois' vacant seat met with Senate Democratic leaders this morning. Majority Leader Harry Reid said the Senate is waiting for a court ruling in Illinois before moving ahead.

WASHINGTON (AP) President-elect Barack Obama says he's going to have to do some juggling when it comes to the economy. He says his recovery plan will end up adding to the nation's trillion dollar-plus deficit, at least in the short-term. He also says reforming massive entitlement programs like Social Security will be a "central part" of getting the deficit under control.

WASHINGTON (AP) President George W. Bush says he and his living predecessors all want President-elect Barack Obama to succeed. Saying the office "transcends the individual," Bush hosted his father, along with Bill CLinton, Jimmy Carter and Obama, to lunch at the White House today. As the group gathered for a photo session in the Oval Office, Obama called it an "extraordinary" opportunity to get some advice.

GAZA CITY, Gaza (AP) Israel is sending an envoy to Cairo to discuss a cease-fire proposal for Gaza, as it continues its offensive in the territory. Israel says any truce must guarantee an end to militant rocket fire and prevent Hamas from rearming. Hamas want Gaza's blockaded border crossing to be opened.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) The U.S. military says coalition troops killed 32 insurgents in a battle in eastern Afghanistan. It says the troops were raiding a Taliban bomb-making cell yesterday, when scores of militants opened fire from rooftops and alleyways.

The military says they destroyed two weapons stockpiles and roadside bomb-making materials.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-07-09 1346CST | save this article / add to your favorites list