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Israeli airstrikes on Gaza kill over 100 as militant rockets continue to fall on Israel

By WTOP Staff

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s prime minister is brushing off questions about a cease-fire in Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will end its offensive when its goals are realized. He says “the overriding goal is to restore the peace and quiet.” Israel says the offensive comes in response to weeks of rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.

Militant rockets struck Israel Friday from both Gaza and Lebanon. One rocket set a gas station in southern Israel ablaze Friday, wounding three people. But so far, there have been no deaths on the Israeli side, in large part because of a new rocket-defense system that has intercepted more than 125 incoming projectiles.

Meanwhile, the official Palestinian count of the dead in Gaza has passed 100, including dozens of civilians.

The U.N. high commissioner for human rights says the aerial assault may violate international laws prohibiting the targeting of civilians.

But Netanyahu maintains the Israeli airstrikes are aimed at military targets. He blames Hamas for causing civilian casualties by hiding in residential areas.

%@AP Links

250-r-15-(Sound of tear gas cannisters, fired from Israeli military jeep)–Sound of tear gas cannisters fired from Israeli military jeep. (11 Jul 2014)

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252-r-04-(Sound of siren, as ambulance is stopped by Israeli soldiers)–Sound of siren as ambulance is stopped by Israeli soldiers. (11 Jul 2014)

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251-r-11-(Sound of Israeli water cannon letting off blast, while Israeli soldiers fire stun grenades)–Sound of Israeli water cannon letting off blast while Israeli soldiers fire stun grenades. (11 Jul 2014)

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APPHOTO AXLP135: Israeli soldiers gather for a break on a mobile artillery unit at a position on the Israel-Gaza border, Friday, July 11, 2014. Gaza rocket fire struck a gas station and set it ablaze Friday in southern Israel, seriously wounding one person as rocket fire also came from Lebanon for the first time in the four-day-long offensive. Rocket fire by Palestinian militants continued from Gaza toward various locations in southern Israel. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) (11 Jul 2014)

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APPHOTO AXLP134: Smoke trails are seen after missiles are fired by Palestinian militants from Gaza City towards southern Israel, as seen from the Israel-Gaza border, Friday, July 11, 2014. Gaza rocket fire by Palestinian militants struck a gas station and set it ablaze Friday in southern Israel, seriously wounding one person as rocket fire also came from Lebanon for the first time in the four-day-long offensive. Rocket fire by Palestinian militants continued from Gaza toward various locations in southern Israel. (AP Photo/Lefteris Pitarakis) (11 Jul 2014)

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APPHOTO GAZ105: Palestinian relatives mourn over the body of Noor Alnajedy, 10, who was killed during an Israeli air strike on a building near his family house, at the main mosque during his funeral in Rafah refugee camp, southern Gaza Strip, Friday July 11, 2014. Israel launched the Gaza offensive to stop incessant rocket fire that erupted after three Israeli teenagers were kidnapped and killed in the West Bank and a Palestinian teenager was abducted and burned to death in an apparent reprisal attack. The military says it has hit more than 1,100 targets already, mostly what it identified as rocket-launching sites, bombarding the territory on average every five minutes. (AP Photo/Eyad Baba) (11 Jul 2014)

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APPHOTO GFX2872: Map shows towns hit with airstrikes or rocket attacks.; 2c x 3 inches; 96.3 mm x 76 mm; (11 Jul 2014)

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Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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