Short Takes

- Blagojevich Picks a Successor: For Barack Obama, that is. He's former Illinois AG Roland Burris.

- Senate Democrats Say No to the Burris appointment, but the Supremes say they can't not seat him.

- No Ceasefire in Gaza: Israel likely to reject plan.

- Minnesota Recount: It's still going on with Franken in the lead by 50 votes.

- Flying by Plants: Air New Zealand tested a biofuel from the jatropha plant on a Boeing 747.

- Where Have You Gone, J.D. Salinger? The author of The Catcher in the Rye turns 90 tomorrow and is still as reclusive as ever.