Surprise midwest quake...Israel shuts West Bank and Gaza for Passover

WEST SALEM, Ill. (AP) An earthquake in southeastern Illinois rocked people awake across a massive swath of the Midwest this morning. The 5.4-magnitude temblor surprised residents unaccustomed to such seismic activity. No injuries or major damage are reported.

JERUSALEM (AP) The West Bank and Gaza have been closed off by Israel for the Jewish Passover holiday. Palestinians are banned from entering Israel, except for doctors and lawyers and in humanitarian cases. The security restriction continues until next weekend.

Washington (AP) Pope Benedict addresses the U.N. General Assembly in New York this morning. He'll likely touch on several broad themes, including a call for bedrock ethical and moral principles as a guiding force for all nations. The pope is midway through an America visit that has taken him also to Washington.

WASHINGTON (AP) A new AP-Yahoo poll suggests the bruising Democratic presidential campaign is hurting Hillary CLinton more than Barack Obama. Obama's positive ratings have climbed, while Clinton has been less able to change people's views of her. And when those views have shifted, it's hurt her more than helped.

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) The Olympic flame is under tight security at a luxury hotel in Thailand, the next leg of the global torch relay. Thousands of police and military have been ordered to secure tomorrow's torch relay in Bangkok to prevent disruptions by protesters of China's human rights record.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 04-18-08 0646CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list