Israeli bombings...Afghan police killed...Goodbye '08

GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) Diplomatic pressure is doing little to stop Israeli military action as the New Year begins. Jets bombarded the Palestinian parliament building in Gaza early today and Navy ships fired on Hamas positions along the coastline. The fighting has been going on for six days now, despite diplomatic efforts by leaders in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East.

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) The Taliban claims it had inside help in setting up an ambush against a group of Afghan police. An Afghan official says 20 officers and one of the policemen's mother were killed while eating lunch. A Taliban official claims that one of the policemen was a Taliban sympathizer. There's no way to confirm the claim.

BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) Several witnesses at a Bangkok, Thailand nightclub say a fireworks display during the New Year's countdown set off a fire that killed at least 61 people. Officials are still investigating the cause of the fire that left more than 200 people hurt. One witness says he saw people being crushed as others were clamoring to get out.

NEW YORK (AP) Two-thousand-eight has made way for 2009 across most of the U.S. There were plenty of revelers eager to see off a year weighed down by financial crisis. Hundreds of thousands crowded into a frigid Times Square in New York to watch the ball drop.

CHICAGO (AP) Roland Burris is taking his fight for a U.S.

Senate seat into the court of public opinion. He did a series of interviews yesterday claiming his appointment by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (blah-GOY'-uh-vich) shouldn't be tainted by the corruption scandal that has engulfed the state executive. Burris has also asked the Illinois Supreme Court to force his appointment to be certified.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 01-01-09 0343CST | save this article / add to your favorites list