JEFFREY BROWN: Millions around the world marked Christmas today, amid economic turmoil and ongoing wars.
In London, Queen Elizabeth II urged the British people to show courage in tough times. At the Vatican, in his annual address to the world, Pope Benedict called for solidarity over selfishness. He singled out political crises in Zimbabwe and Congo, among others, as thousands listened in St. Peter's Square.
POPE BENEDICT XVI (through translator): This life, which brings transformation and renewal, is besot by the people of Zimbabwe in Africa, trapped for too long in a political and social crisis, which, sadly, keeps worsening, as well as the men and women of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
JEFFREY BROWN: Meanwhile, it was another Christmas overseas for thousands of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. Traditional services at Camp Victory in Baghdad drew large crowds of troops. Later, there was a holiday dinner.
P.O. FIRST CLASS MOSES ROGERS, U.S. Navy: Even this far out, I still celebrate my holiday season with song. There's the decorations. There's the spirit. There's the love. There's the joy. And we don't really feel like I'm anywhere else until I step outside.
JEFFREY BROWN: There was also one American fatality today. The military announced that a soldier was killed in a rocket or mortar attack near the northern city of Mosul.
Hundreds of holiday travelers finally made it onto flights today at the major airports in Chicago. At O'Hare International, some slept on cots or even the floor on Christmas Eve, stranded by winter storms. Today, despite long lines, there were no cancellations or delays.
In the west, deep snow closed an 80-mile stretch of Interstate 80 in California's Sierra Nevada. And Washington state Gov. Christine Gregoire declared an emergency in the face of record snowfall.
Palestinian militants in Gaza fired another 20 rockets and mortar shells into southern Israel today. The barrage was less intense than yesterday's, and no one was hurt.
But Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni warned her government will not take much more. In Cairo, she urged Egyptian officials to help restore a cease-fire with Hamas, which controls Gaza.
TZIPI LIVNI, foreign minister, Israel: Enough is enough. And while we are working with the pragmatic leaders trying to change the situation on the ground in the West Bank, we cannot tolerate a situation in which Hamas continues to target Israel, Israel's citizens. And this situation is going to be changed.
JEFFREY BROWN: The Egyptian foreign minister appealed for both Israel and Hamas to show caution before the situation escalates.
AHMED ABU EL GEET, foreign minister, Egypt: Right now, we see that missiles are being fired. And right now we see Israeli incursions or on the verge of incursion into Gaza. What we are asking them both, to restrain themselves, and then we see how to build back or to come back to that period of quiet.
JEFFREY BROWN: For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert urged the people of Gaza to turn against Hamas. He warned of a devastating response if the rocket fire does not stop.
Pakistan warned India today against any military strike in reprisal for the Mumbai attacks. The Pakistani foreign minister said his government would be "compelled to respond." At the same time, the prime minister called for international pressure on India. The Indian government has said it does not want war, but it has not ruled out military action.
Singer, dancer and actress Eartha Kitt died today in New York. She had colon cancer. Starting in the 1950s, her career spanned Broadway, film and television. Here she is performing "Santa Baby" at the National Christmas Tree Lighting in 2006.
EARTHA KITT, entertainer (singing): Santa baby, slip a sable under the tree for me. I've been an awful good girl, Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight.
JEFFREY BROWN: Over the years, Eartha Kitt won two Emmys and was nominated for two Tony Awards and a Grammy. She was 81 years old.
And British playwright and Nobel laureate Harold Pinter died Wednesday in London. He had cancer of the esophagus. Pinter wrote some 30 plays, including "The Caretaker" and "The Homecoming."
He was widely regarded as among the most influential playwrights of his generation. Later, he became an outspoken critic of the Iraq war. In his 2005 Nobel lecture, he called the war "blatant state terrorism." Harold Pinter was 78 years old.
