The Israeli military said Hamas militants positioned in a U.N. school in northern Gaza fired mortars shells at Israeli forces today, prompting Israeli forces to return fire, according to its initial investigation. Three artillery shells believed to have been fired by the Israeli forces struck near the perimeter of the school in Jabalya, killing at least 30 people and wounding 55, according to a U.N. official.
German billionaire Adolf Merckle, one of the richest men in the world, committed suicide Monday after his business empire got into trouble in the wake of the international financial crisis, Merckle's family said Tuesday in a statement.
Roland Burris was denied entry to the Senate chambers today as he tried to claim the seat once held by President-elect Barack Obama. Burris said the secretary of the Senate rejected his credentials, and therefore he would not be allowed access to the floor. An attorney for Burris said the rejection was unlawful.