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Uprising’s guest expert Courtney Morris, sitting in for Rahul Mahajan, assistant professor of African American and women’s Studies at Penn State University, analyzes today’s news headlines:

Israel’s Operation “Protective Edge” has escalated sharply, with more than 100 sites in Gaza being bombed overnight. Since the operation was formally launched a day and a half ago, about 450 sites have been targeted. So far 35 Palestinians have been reported killed while in their homes, 16 of them children. About 300 people have sustained injuries. Israel claims its attack is in response to more than 160 rocket attacks from the Gaza-based group Hamas. There have been no Israeli injuries or fatalities from the rockets. The Washington Post, speaking to a doctor in Gaza who is treating injuries, found that most of those being attacked are civilians. There are reports that Israel has called up 40,000 reservists and may be preparing for a ground invasion of Gaza. Click here for a Washington Post article about the story.

The world’s two most polluting countries, China and the United States, have announced they have signed eight pacts to curb climate change. The agreements were signed by officials from both countries ahead of a planned 2-day visit by top US officials to China, including Secretary of State John Kerry. Among the pacts signed is one designed to share information about so-called clean coal and carbon capture technologies which climate justice activists assert do not really exist. US and Chinese energy firms were part of the deals. Click here for a Guardian newspaper article about the story.

And finally, Ray Nagin, former mayor of New Orleans, is facing a sentencing hearing today over 20 counts of corruption charges for his conduct after Hurricane Katrina. Nagin was convicted of, among other things, “bribery, wire fraud, conspiracy, money laundering and tax evasion,” by a jury in February. He could face 20 years in prison, which is what federal prosecutors are requesting. The bribes Nagin was convicted of accepting total about half a million dollars. His lawyer is asking for leniency based on no prior criminal record. Click here for a Guardian newspaper article about the story.

UPDATE: Ray Nagin has just been sentenced to 10 years in prison.