Schools and businesses are closed today near Israel's southern border as the conflict intensifies along the Gaza Strip. Security officials in that country are warning residents to seek shelter in underground bomb shelters when the sirens warning of an attack occur.
CIA Director David Petraeus will appear before a Congressional Committee on Friday to testify about the deadly Benghazi attack that took the life of U.S. Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other diplomatic officials.
The United States Coast Guard has conducted overflights of the grounded 78-foot tug Polar Wind and barge Unimak Trader since lifting its crew from the vessel on Wednesday.
Violence in Iraq continues as more bombs are set off in that country.