CNN 2009-01-11

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I'm Asieh Namdar at the CNN.com newsroom in Atlanta. Here is a look at what's happening NOW IN THE NEWS.
 
There is no let-up in Israel's assault on Gaza and Hamas's rocket attacks into Israel. The fighting has entered a third week with mounting casualties on both sides. Israel says a Hamas commander in charge of launching rockets into Israel from Gaza City was killed by ground fire. Also during a three-hour lull¹ today, Israel dropped leaflets warning residents to evacuate² their homes. A United Nations spokesman says the pause in fighting was not long enough to resume aid deliveries into Gaza. The humanitarian⁴ situation there is described as "desperate". And Palestinian medical sources say at least 800 people have been killed in Gaza since the Israeli offensive began. Thirteen Israelis including 10 soldiers have also died.
 
A supertanker crew held for months by pirates is now on its way to safe waters. The pirates released the vessel⁵ after receiving a ransom⁶ payment that was dropped by parachute. Four of the pirates drowned after their skiff capsized in rough seas. Initial reports say pirates were asking for as much as 25 million to free the Saudi-owned ship and crew, but may have lowered their demands to around three million.
 
It's back to work for Indian government oil workers after a three-day strike that crippled Indian commerce. Some 45,000 oil workers walked off the job after the government refused their demands for higher pay. The labor⁷ standoff ended after days of intense government pressure, including threats of job loss and even arrest to strikers. Meantime, talks with a second group of nationwide strikers may soon be underway. The Indo-Asian News-Service says India's transport minister is ready to discuss demands from truckers. Many across India have parked their rigs, calling for reduction in diesel⁸ and tyre prices.
 
We're getting more details on President-elect Barack Obama's proposed economic stimulus⁹ plan. His economic team says the plan will create three and a half million jobs. The president-elect puts the cost of the package at a whopping 775 billion dollars, although Obama admits even his own economic advisors¹⁰ tell him there's a significant margin¹¹ of error in the projected job numbers. The president-elect warns the recession could last for years if nothing is done.
 
An honor today for former President Bush. President George H.W. Bush is getting a ship named after him. His son, the current president, spoke³ this morning about the honor. "..distinguished¹² man. I wanna thank you all for coming. Laura and I are thrilled to be here to help commission an awesome¹³ ship and to honor an awesome man, President George H.W. Bush." The former president says the work aboard the ship will be hard and thank the men and women who will be working aboard for their sacrifices.
 
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.