NPR 2008-12-29(在线收听

Israel says it will not halt its air offensive in the Gaza Strip until rocket attacks into southern Israel have been neutralized. Israel's UN ambassador Gabriela Shalev says Hamas left Israel with no choice but to take military action to stop the attacks that have been occurring since a ceasefire ended. "We had no choice but to go on a military operation and the only party to blame is the Hamas. " But Hamas is accusing Israel of triggering new violence in Gaza.

Israeli air attacks today struck at a central prison and a network of smuggling tunnels. Crowds of people in Gaza eager to escape the conflict pushed through a border wall into Egypt as guards there tried to push them back.

Iran's supreme leader's calling on Muslims around the world to defend Palestinians in the Gaza Strip against Israeli attacks. Iran does not recognize the Israeli state. Roxana Saberi reports from Tehran.

Iran state-run television is reporting that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said all Muslims must defend what he called the defenseless people of Gaza in any way possible. He said whoever is killed in this defense will be considered a martyr. Khamenei criticized what he called the silence of some Arab leaders toward the deadly attacks on the Gaza Strip. He also declared Monday a day of public mourning. Several protests were held in Teheran on Sunday including one by Iranian lawmakers chanting death to Israel. Teheran is a staunch supporter of the Palestinian Hamas. But it says it gives the group only moral and financial support, not weapons. For NPR News, I'm Roxana Saberi in Tehran.

Areas in the Midwest are bracing for flooding today and tornado watches have been posted in parts of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois and Kansas. Winds gusting to 60 miles an hour downed power lines in Michigan today, knocking out electricity to more than 300, 000 homes and businesses. NPR's Cheryl Corley has more.

Warmer temperatures after a week of heavy snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures in the Midwest cause the National Weather Service to post flood warnings in sections of several Midwestern states. Meteorologist Charles Mart says even though the ground has been able to absorb much of the snow and rain runoff, it's still a time to be cautious near rivers. He says there are signs and barricades in place in many areas where there is a chance for trouble. "Obeys the signs; they're there for a reason. The emergency managers have been out; they've been checking the roads. So if there is barricade out just turn around and find an alternate route." The Weather Service says there are still strong winds and blowing snow in some areas of Michigan and winter storm warnings continue for central and northern Idaho and western Montana along with flood warnings on the coast of Oregon. Cheryl Corley, NPR News.

The lieutenant governor of Illinois says he thinks state lawmakers will impeach and remove Governor Rod Blagojevich from office within two months. Blagojevich is facing federal corruption charges. He insists he's innocent.

This is NPR News from Washington.

A truck bomber in Afghanistan today targeted grade school children who were attending their final day of classes for the year. The SUV swerved toward the children before exploding, killing 14 of them and two other people. More than 50 people were wounded. Afghanistan's president as well as UN officials strongly condemned the attack.

A suicide bombing outside a polling station in Pakistan killed at least 30 people today, several of them children. Authorities say the bomber pretended to need help with his car drawing a crowd to the vehicle and then he detonated the blast.

The military officers who seized power in Guinea are saying that all generals from the former regime are being demoted. The country's new military leader has yet to convince the international community that the take-over was the best way forward for the country. More from NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton.

Captain Moussa Dadis Camara has won over many Guineans with his pledges to eradicate corruption and chart a better future for the mineral-rich but impoverished West African nation. He warned that anyone caught looting the public purse would be punished with those who misappropriated state assets judged before the people. Guinea's new military leader also told those present from civil society, politics, the unions and the clergy that he was open to their best ideas. After regional and international condemnation of the coup, Camara's charm offensive will be reserved for foreign diplomats Tuesday at a meeting postponed from Saturday. The president of neighboring Senegal has urged the world to recognize Guinea's new regime, saying the soldiers deserve support. Ofeibea Quist-Arcton, NPR News, Dakar.

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