Politico - While millions descend on Washington for the historic inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20, some Republicans see it as an occasion to get out of town.

OneWorld.net - UNITED NATIONS, Jan 1 (OneWorld.net) - Amid growing concerns about a possible humanitarian disaster, international aid organizations and human rights groups are urging the United Nations Security Council to take immediate action against the ongoing Israeli military aggression in Gaza that has resulted in nearly 400 deaths and injuries to over 1,000 people.

AP - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice says the United States is continuing to work with the international community to bring about a 'durable and sustainable' cease-fire in the Mideast.

AP - Portland became the nation's largest city with an openly gay mayor Thursday as a longtime City Hall insider took the oath of office.

AP - The Senate has adjourned for the year at last. But a new Senate will be back on Tuesday.

Politico - While millions descend on Washington for the historic Inauguration of Barack Obama on Jan. 20, some Republicans see it as an occasion to get out of town.

AP - Paul Hofmann, an Austrian who informed on his Nazi commanders in occupied Rome and later became a New York Times correspondent and author, has died, the newspaper reported Thursday. He was 96.

AP - President-elect Barack Obama's plan to jolt the economy by overhauling the nation's roads, bridges and transit systems has local officials clamoring for their share despite questions as to whether the program will actually work.

AP - Gov. Bill Ritter is expected to name Denver Public Schools Superintendent Michael Bennet to fill a Senate vacancy that will be created by the promotion of Sen. Ken Salazar to Interior secretary in the Obama administration, sources told The Associated Press.

Politico - The governor of Colorado will reportedly name a replacement for Ken Salazar tomorrow, without the sound and fury that's accompanied the New York and Illinois choices. The reported likely replacement: Denver Public Schools chief Michael Bennet.

AP - Danish police say they have arrested a man of Palestinian descent on suspicion of shooting and wounding two Israelis at a shopping mall.

AP - The U.S. Senate's sergeant at arms says he doesn't expect trouble when Roland Burris shows up to be sworn in as President-elect Barack Obama's successor on Tuesday.

Politico - A group of Democratic governors warned Friday that without as much as $1 trillion in federal assistance, many states will not be able to pay their bills in the next year.

AP - A woman and her two small daughters got more than their expected scenic tour through downtown Vienna on Thursday, when a team of unruly horses took them on a wild ride — leaving the coachman behind.

AP - President George W. Bush says the Hamas rocket attacks on Israel are an 'act of terror' and he won't accept another 'one-way' cease-fire in Gaza that permits more violence from the Palestinian militants.

AP - Taking advantage of low oil prices, the government is resuming purchases of crude oil for its emergency stockpile.

Politico - When the 111th Congress convenes Tuesday, Norm Coleman may be out of an office even though his Senate race remains far from settled.

Reuters - Michael Bennet, head of the Denver public school system, will be named to replace U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar, the Colorado Democrat who is leaving the Senate to become secretary of the interior in the Obama administration, a congressional source said on Friday.

AP - Harvard Law School Dean Elena Kagan is the leading candidate to be President-elect Barack Obama's representative at the Supreme Court, a person who had been briefed on the process said Friday.

Politico - Coloradans responded to the news Friday that Governor Bill Ritter had appointed Denver public schools superintendent Michael Bennet as their new senator with a collective 'huh?'