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chances for taking control of the Senate -- Pennsylvania topped their list -- as Democrats remained cautiously optimistic that they'd retain their narrow majority after Tuesday's suspense-filled elections.
• In the final days of a caustic campaign marked by negative ads, more than $1 billion in spending and the direct impact of a close White House race between President Barack Obama and Republican Mitt Romney, Democrats who were once considered a sure-fire bet to lose the Senate were upbeat about flipping Republican seats in Maine and Massachusetts and holding most of the 23 seats they're defending this year.
• GOP candidates' statements on rape and abortion proved to be self-inflicted political wounds that could cost the party Indiana and undermined its chances of taking down a vulnerable Democrat in Missouri. Incumbent Democrats considered in jeopardy at the start of the election cycle managed to counter a barrage of outside spending and were on track to keep their seats in Michigan and Florida.
• Democrats hold a 53-47 Senate edge but Republicans are defending only 10 seats Tuesday. Retirements in 10 states proved the most vexing for both parties.
• Democrats were counting on holding the open seat in Hawaii, were unsure whether former Sen. Bob Kerrey's late surge would work in Nebraska and considered Virginia, Wisconsin and North Dakota toss-ups. New Mexico leaned Democratic but was a bit uncertain after the national parties left the two candidates -- Democratic Rep. Martin Heinrich and former GOP Rep. Heather Wilson -- to fend for themselves.
• ___

• CAIRO (AP) -- Egypt's Coptic Church has picked a new pope in an elaborate ceremony believed to invoke the will of God, in which a blindfolded altar boy drew the name from a crystal chalice.
• Bishop Tawadros, an aide to the acting pope, was drawn and named as the new patriarch.
• ___

• NEW YORK (AP) -- It's a question that's rankled and bewildered many in the

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