cnn 2009-01-04
Download Audio Hi, everyone. I'm Asieh Namdar at the cnn. com newsroom in Atlanta. Here's a look at what's happening NOW IN THE NEWS.
An Israeli airstrike at a mosque in Gaza, the latest in a round of attacks kills at least nine people. The attack comes at the start of Israel's second week of air assaults. Today leaflets from Israeli defense forces litter the Gaza in skies, urging residents to leave their homes for their safety. Israeli tanks waiting at the border and a ground attack on the Palestinian territory could start anytime.
In the meantime, protests and demonstrations continue around the world over the conflict. This morning thousands came out of London to march for an end to the Israeli military action. The march eventually ending in Trafalgar Square follows a week of protest outside the Israeli Embassy. Several other events are planned today by different groups around the world.
President Bush says Hamas is to blame for instigating the violence in Gaza. In his weekly radio address, the president again accused militants of waging a campaign of violence against Israel. He went on to say, since Hamas's violent takeover, living conditions have worsened for Palestinians in Gaza.
The president-elect will have that crisis and several others to deal with after he takes over the White House. But first Barack Obama and his family have to move to Washington, they'll do that on Sunday. They won't be staying at the usual spot of transition, the Blair House. It's all booked up according to the Bush administration. Instead, the president-elect and the family will stay in the Hay-Adams Hotel just across the street. (www.hXen.com)
Celebrations for NASA today, the Mars rovers are spending their 5th year on the Red Planet. During their time, NASA says the rovers have made important discoveries about ancient Mars. The two rovers landed in January of 2004, lasting four years longer than planned, and they are still up and going.
And those are the headlines at this hour. For more on these stories and other news of the day, cnn is your source online, on TV or when you're on the go.