Missile Strikes into Gaza

Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel

Around the world, grim images from the Gaza Strip made top news after Israel struck Hamas locations in retaliation for rocket attacks. The Gulf News of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, called it the "New Year Massacre" and printed a large photo of the dead and injured. Large photos filled the front pages of newspapers in Turkey. U.S. news organizations were more restrained in their choice of images.

In Israel, Yedioth Ahronoth, the largest newspaper, inset an image into a large photo and a printed a map. The Jerusalem Post, the country's oldest English-language newspaper, printed six related stories and used a main, two-line banner headline, "225 killed as Israel rains fire on Hamas in bid to end Kassams." Among its stories was an analysis: "Fighting Hamas in the shadow of 2006's mistakes/Have the lessons of the war against Hizbullah been learned?"

Elsewhere, the Province of Vancouver, British Columbia, called the attacks the "Deadliest Day in 60-Year Conflict." The Daily Telegraph of London said, "Biggest Israeli Air Strikes Yet Signal New Phase in Conflict."


An-Nahar, Beirut, Lebanon

Season's Greetings

If ever there were days to do something special with the front page, today -- Christmas -- is one of them. The holiday spirit was overflowing in Kansas, where The Topeka Capital-Journal, The Wichita Eagle and The Hutchinson News used full page photos or art to capture the spirit of the day. Said a note on the News: "Dear Friends, May this season's joy enrich you year-round."

Obama Report Top News in Illinois

Across Illinois, the investigation into the actions of Gov. Rod Blagojevich made top headlines again today. What prompted the headlines? An internal report by the Obama team that concluded White House Chief of Staff-designate Rahm Emanuel did not have improper discussions with the governor about filling Obama's U.S. Senate seat. In a staff-written report, the Chicago Tribune said in its lead story: "Internal review clears staffers/Emanuel role called innocent, appropriate." Some newspaper used an AP report and highlighted the news that President-elect Barack Obama met with investigators probing the corruption allegations against the governor. "Obama talked with investigators," the Springfield Journal-Register said. The state capital newspaper pictured Emanuel and added, "Transition team's internal probe finds no improper contacts with Blagojevich." Said the Northwest Herald in Crystal Lake, "Obama, aides met with Feds/Blagojevich investigators eyed transition team's role." The Daily Herald of suburban Chicago used two words: "No impropriety."

First Day of Winter

From sea to shining sea, the U.S. is caught under the influence of Old Man Winter. In the Northwest, "Region hunkers down for week of snow, cold," The Seattle Times said, noting "cold and snow ... have disrupted almost every aspect of life throughout the region for more than a week." The newspaper pictured travelers stranded at Sea-Tac Airport and residents dealing with gusty winds and blowing snow. The Web site of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer asked: "Will it ever stop?" while offering links to updates on the commute, closings, photos and vignettes. In a "My Seattle Pix" album, more than 200 snow photos were shared with the PI. "Hello, winter," said the Sun Journal in Lewiston, Maine. "White Christmas comes wrapped in Northeaster," the paper added. The Bangor Daily News' main headline said, "Strong nor'easter socks state with heavy snow, high winds." In a promotion to an inside story incorporated into its nameplate, the Daily News called snow "white gold" for state ski areas. What's your weather forecast, and how will it be included in your holiday coverage?

Detroit Reacts to News from Washington

Breaking news from Washington was welcomed in Detroit, as President Bush announced $17.4 billion in bridge loans for GM and Chrysler. The Free Press linked to 11 related stories and two opinion pieces from its home page. "Thank you, Mr. President," said the Tom Walsh business column. "Sigh of relief as Bush gets it, finally," said the headline on Stephen Henderson's blog. The Detroit News linked to an editorial, video, details of the plan and a cyber survey (Will the bailout plan work?). In other home page stories, the News printed a letter to Chrysler employees from CEO Bob Nardelli and reaction to the loans from GM's CEO Rick Wagner. Meanwhile, Detroit is being hit with a major snow storm that also is getting major play.

List in the News

On this the 10th anniversary of the impeachment of President Bill Clinton by the U.S. House of Representatives, the former president is again in the news. Clinton released a list of donations by foreign governments and other contributors to the William J. Clinton Foundation. Clinton agreed to make the list public after it became a potential stumbling block to his wife's appointment as Secretary of State. The Washington Post, New York Times and Los Angeles Times reported details of the list on Page One. "In Clinton List, A Veil is Lifted on Foundation," The New York Times said. Said the Los Angeles Times, "The Clinton Foundation's contributions include millions from Saudis and Indians." The Washington Post bulleted contributions on its front. What did your news organization do with the list?

Let It Snow, Let It Snow

The odds were good that the Las Vegas Review-Journal would do something creative with its front page after the area got up to 10 inches of snow, including a white coating along the Strip. The paper greeted the rare winter storm with a "Welcome to Las Vegas" photo. AME Greg Haas points out that "reporters rewrote the 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and it ran on the front page, with refers to the story inside." The rewrite began:

'Twas the week before Christmas, when all up the Strip
Not a sunbeam was shining, not even a bit.
The towers were shrouded in a gray, foggy cloud
As slushy snowflakes gently fell all about.
The tourists were bundled, their cheeks rosy red
While visions of jackpots danced in their heads.
Those hoping for sunshine could do nothing but mourn
As Las Vegas was hit with a rare winter storm.

But all good things seem to come to an end. On its Web site this afternoon, the Review-Journal predicts much of the snow will be gone by the end of the day.