• The Israeli army has declared the area around Gaza a “closed military zone,” as Israeli aircraft attacked key Hamas symbols of power. The death toll is now up to more than 300. — New York Times
• How did the most sophisticated financial markets in the world come to the brink of collapse? The Washington Post examines the unequal relationship between Wall Street innovation and Washington regulation. — Washingtion Post



• Pakistani military chiefs told a visiting Chinese official that Pakistan and India should reduce tension caused by last month's militant attacks in Mumbai and resume a peace dialogue, today. — Reuters
• Somalia's President Abdullahi Yusuf has resigned. It's a move that only adds to the chaos in the country as Ethiopian troops withdraw. — BBC
• A rise of more than 39 percent was reported in murders of African-American teens since 2000 and 2001, according to a new study. — Wall Street Journal

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