Israeli troops are distributing a flyer in the Gaza town of Beit Hanun warning residents to flee before the Israeli military begins an incursion into the northern section of the Gaza Strip. The raid will include “precision fire” from land and air forces meant to pressure the Palestinian population. The incursion is in response to a rocket attack by Palestinians that produced no casualties.

Also in the Middle East, Israeli warplanes buzzed over the summer residence of Syrian President Bashar Assad in order to press the leader to secure the release of an Israeli soldier held in Palestine by Hamas. Israel insists that connections exist between the Syrian government and Hamas whereby the president could help to free Israeli Cpl. Gilad Shalit, who was taken hostage Sunday.

American Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has joined diplomatic talks with Iran meant to negotiate a halt to that country’s enrichment of uranium. An international proposal currently before Iranian diplomats promises economic and other incentives to Iran for stopping enrichment.

Flooding across the northeastern U.S. has led to flood warnings or watches in eight states. Over 200,000 people have been ordered to evacuate in Pennsylvania alone. Nine people have been confirmed dead in the floods.

The Senate confirmed Goldman Sachs CEO Henry Paulson for appointment as Treasury Secretary today in a voice vote.

And finally, on a really depressing note, hundreds of explosive devices from two national laboratories cannot be accounted for, according to an Energy Department audit. The department’s inspector general says the oversight errors increase both the chance that workers in the facilities could be injured and the risk of device theft.