National and International News-Thursday, August 3rd

BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) - The prospects for Mideast peace aren't looking any brighter. Hezbollah's chief spokesman says his group won't agree to a cease-fire until all Israeli troops leave Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israeli police say five people have been killed today in rocket strikes in northern Israel.

LONDON (AP) - Even amid the rocket fire and the rhetoric, British Prime Minister Tony Blair says he hopes that within days there will be an agreement on a U-N resolution to end the Mideast fighting. He says it must bring about a lasting solution. And he describes as "rubbish" reports that his government is badly split on handling the crisis.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) - A bomb that killed 21 people today in an Afghan market struck near an area where NATO troops were on patrol. But none of the Canadian soldiers was reported hurt. Afghanistan's Interior Ministry says some of the victims in the market were children.

UNDATED (AP) - A New York grocer complains even the fan doesn't work, as the East enters another day of triple-digit heat and scattered blackouts in places. But the National Weather Service says the Midwest and East should see high temperatures dropping into the 80s, starting tomorrow.

MIAMI (AP) - National Weather Service forecasters say it's unlikely that Tropical Storm Chris will become a hurricane. But, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the Virgin Islands can still expect it to bring plenty of rain. Chris' sustained winds are nearly 40 miles-an-hour below hurricane force.