• Hope for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in Gaza has increased with the news that Israel has agreed "on the principles" of a ceasefire proposal. Hamas said there were "positive signs but no agreement yet." — BBC [1]
• Lawmakers are pushing Barack Obama to embrace deficit-reduction goals while he promotes a spending and tax-cutting plan. Yesterday, Obama said he would "bring a long-overdue sense of responsibility and accountability to Washington" and called the need for budget reform "an absolute necessity." — AP [2]



• Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White says he's being unfairly blamed by members of the Senate for not seating Roland Burris. — Chicago Tribune [3]
• Barack Obama will announce his pick for "chief performance officer," a newly created position that will work on the federal budget and to reform government. — CNN [4]
• Pakistani leaders say India's suggestions that official agencies may have been involved in training November's Mumbai terrorists are pushing the region to war. — United Press International [5]
• HBO has landed the rights to the inaugural ceremony and will kick off coverage of Inauguration week with an exclusive telecast of a star-studded opening ceremony on Sunday, Jan. 18. It will offer the event free to cable and satellite subscribers. — Hollywood Reporter [6]

Source [7]