NPR 2009-01-05

New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson is withdrawing himself from consideration for the next Commerce Secretary. He has been investigated over involvement with a company that did business with his state. NPR’s Alison Keys reports.

The former presidential candidate says the pending 1 investigation 2 will show that he and his administration “have acted properly at all matters”.  Richardson says he dropped out of the nomination 3 process to avoid what he calls “an untenable delay in the face of the gravity of the nation’s economic situation”. There is a grand jury probe into how a company that contributed to Richardson won a lucrative 4 New Mexico state contract. President-elect Barack Obama says he accepted Richardson’s decision with deep regret and he says he’ll move quickly to fill the void left by Richardson’s withdrawal 5. Richardson says he will remain as New Mexico’s Governor and he told Mr. Obama he is eager to serve in the future. The President-elect says he looks forward to Richardson’s future service to the country and in the Obama’s administration. Alison Keys, NPR News, Washington.

Thousands of Israeli troops surround Gaza City, the largest urban center in Gaza, embattling Hamas gunmen in the first full day of ground fighting. The BBC’s Tim Franks is at the Israeli border with Gaza.

“This is as close as the Israeli army would allow journalists to Gaza about 2 kilometers from the border. But it is still close enough to see the flashes of explosions, bursting through the night sky to hear the thump 7 of artillery 8, such as that in the clatter 9 of distant gunfire and helicopters. The army has spent a day driving deeper into Gaza. There are now three major areas of conflicts, cutting swathes across the territory. Hamas is saying that close to the Jabaliya refugee camp, its fighters are engaged in a face-to-face battle with Israeli soldiers.” The BBC’s Tim Franks in southern Israel.

The US has blocked the United Nations Security Council from issuing a statement calling for an immediate 10 ceasefire. Vice 6 President Dick Cheney says Hamas ignored the last one, “You can't simply go back to the status quo ante, what it was a few weeks ago, where you had a ceasefire recognized by one side but not adhered to by the other. It’s got to be a sustainable, durable 11 proposition. And Hamas has to stop rocketing Israel. ” Cheney spoke 12 to CBS's "Face the Nation" earlier today. The Israeli attack has drawn 13 sharp international criticism as the number of civilian 14 death grows. Tens of thousands of people have attended demonstrations 15 in Europe and the Middle East.

Senate Majority leader Harry 16 Reid says the choice to replace Barack Obama in the Senate won’t be seated. Reid says the choice of Roland Burris to become Illinois' next Senator is tainted 17. That’s because Burris was chosen by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. He is accused of trying to sell Barack Obama’s open Senate seat.

You’re listening to NPR News from Washington.

President-elect Barack Obama and his family completed their move to Washington D.C. today. Mr. Obama’s two daughters begin school tomorrow. They will currently stay at a local hotel. They'll move into Blair House, the traditional home of President-elect on January 15th. They make their final move into the White House on Tuesday, January 20th, after Mr. Obama is sworn into office.

Florida lawmakers gather in special session tomorrow. They’ll consider budget cuts. Tax revenue was down because of the slumping 18 housing market. From member station WMFE in Orlando, Pat Duggins reports.

Members of the Florida House and Senate have to make up for a 2.3-billion-dollar tax shortfall. Republican Governor Charlie Christ is recommending a half billion dollars in budget cuts and over 300 million in borrowing. Sagging 19 tax revenue has been a long-going problem for the Sunshine State, which has cut spending three times over the past year. Cuts at the state level have passed along to local municipalities which depend on state taxes for part of their budgets. State officials are warning counties to expect their gas tax revenue to drop by five percent in 2009 and tourist tax to drop by 10 percent. Monday’s special session deals with plugging holes in the current spending plan. The legislature meets in March to deal with the next fiscal 20 budget. For NPR News, I’m Pat Duggins in Orlando.

Russia's state-controlled gas company says it will increase the price of natural gas it sells to Ukraine. Both countries are arguing over natural gas. Russia says Ukraine is stealing it and Ukraine says Russia won't negotiate honestly. Any price increase, and Ukraine says, should come with a hike in the money it gets for letting Russia use the pipelines 21 to begin with. Relations are strained between both countries over last summer’s Russian invasion of Georgia.