AP Top News at 1:04 p.m. EST

Democrats Win House; Senate Now Tied WASHINGTON (AP)—Democrats won a cliffhanger race in Montana on Wednesday that brought them to the brink of control of the Senate, after Americans sick of scandal and weary of war ended the Republican majority in the House. With Democrats now assured of 50 Senate seats, the battle for outright control came down to Virginia, where the party's candidate, Jim Webb, held a small lead.

Pelosi Says Democrats Are Ready to Lead WASHINGTON (AP)—House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, set to become the first female speaker in history, said Wednesday she would be "the speaker of the House, not the speaker of the Democrats." Striking a tone of conciliation, she offered assurances that any effort to impeach President Bush "is off the table." But said American voters "spoke for change and they spoke for a new direction for all Americans."

Justices Have Pointed Abortion Discourse WASHINGTON (AP)—Supreme Court justices Wednesday sharply questioned attorneys on both sides of the legal battle over what opponents call partial-birth abortions as the high court weighed whether to uphold Congress's ban on the procedure. In an intense morning of arguments, lawyers for the Bush administration and supporters of abortion rights gave starkly contrasting views: A law passed by Congress labels it a gruesome and inhumane practice. Supporters argue that such abortions in the second trimester of pregnancy sometimes are the safest for women.

Hamas Leader Says Israel Truce Is Over BEIT HANOUN, Gaza Strip (AP)—Hamas' exiled leader, Khaled Mashaal, said on Wednesday that a 2005 truce with Israel was finished and appealed to all Palestinian factions to resume attacks. "There must be a roaring reaction so that we avenge all those victims," he said. Two Palestinian militant groups promised to step up suicide attacks in response. Hamas' military wing in Gaza urged Muslims worldwide to attack U.S. targets, a call disavowed by the Hamas-led Palestinian government.

In Va., Win Declared, Loss Not Conceded RICHMOND, Va. (AP)—Sen. George Allen's political career hung by a thread Wednesday, after Democrat Jim Webb claimed victory—though about 8,000 votes separated the two and a recount was virtually certain. "The votes are in and we won," Webb said. However, votes were still being counted. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, Webb had 1,170,766 votes, or 49.6 percent, to Allen's 1,162,719, or 49.3 percent.

Mortar Kills 8 at Baghdad Soccer Field BAGHDAD, Iraq (AP)—A pair of mortar rounds slammed into a soccer field while young men were playing a game in a Shiite district of Baghdad on Wednesday as more than 60 people were killed in attacks nationwide. U.S. forces also said they killed 14 suspected insurgents, detained 48 and rescued a kidnapped Iraqi policeman in a pair of raids outside Baghdad that began Tuesday.

Stocks Mixed After Democratic Wins NEW YORK (AP)—Stocks were narrowly mixed Wednesday after Democrats scored a huge victory in congressional elections, raising questions about how sympathetic the federal government will be toward business. Investors had largely expected Democrats to win control of the House of Representatives for the first time in a dozen years, but still undecided Senate races in Montana and Virginia that left the leadership of that house unclear created the type of uncertainty investors dislike.

Cosby, Woman Settle Lawsuit PHILADELPHIA (AP)—Bill Cosby settled a civil lawsuit filed by a woman who said the entertainer drugged and sexually assaulted her at his home outside Philadelphia. Terms of the settlement will remain confidential, according to a one-paragraph statement issued Wednesday by the woman's law firm.

Doctor: Paterno Cannot Coach From Field STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP)—Injured Penn State coach Joe Paterno cannot coach from the sideline Saturday against Temple, but may still run the team from the press box, a team doctor said Wednesday. Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli said the 79-year-old Paterno remained hospitalized and the coach would not return to practice this week.

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