The Priesthood: An Italian newspaper quotes Pope Francis saying that two percent of priests are pedophiles. “The 2 percent of pedophiles are priests, and even bishops and cardinals,” the paper quotes the pope as saying. ” I find this state of things untenable and it is my intention to confront it with the severity it requires.”

The Vatican claims that the journalist who wrote the story did it from notes and memory and that the quotes are imprecise. It was written by Eugenio Scalfari, the 90-year-old founder of La Repubblica, and Italy’s most prominent atheist. He’s interviewed the pope before.

The story also discusses celibacy in the priesthood. Scalfari quotes the pope saying celibacy is “a problem” and that “there are solutions and I will find them.”

Israel: Israel sent ground troops briefly into Gaza to destroy what was described as a rocket-launching site. But the Israelis are suggesting a larger operation might follow. They dropped leaflets into northern Gaza warning residents to evacuate in advance of a possible ground campaign. In an area of 100,000 people, thousands are already reported to have left.

“We don’t know when the operation will end,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu his Cabinet. “It might take a long time.”

This comes despite a unanimous call by the 15-member UN Security Council for a ceasefire. At least 160 Palestinians have been killed in aerial attacks, but no Israelis have been killed by hundreds of rockets fired into the country.

Iraq: Gunmen stormed a Baghdad apartment complex known for prostitution last night, killing 20 women and six men. The attackers disappeared, demonstrating that they can act with impunity even within the government controlled capital as sectarian fighting goes on in nearly a third of the country.

The NY Times reports that at the same time a television station controlled by Sunni militants broadcast a message from a fugitive official of Saddam Hussein’s regime saying, “The liberation of Baghdad has become close or closer.” The paper reports that some intelligence officials believe that it may have been a signal for sleeper cells to begin fighting.

Bananistan: Secy. of State John Kerry says he struck a deal to audit every vote cast in the contested Afghan presidential election. “Every single ballot that was cast will be audited,” he said at a press conference. “All eight million of them.” Candidates Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah both are claiming they won, although Abdullah is credited with 13 percent fewer votes. He said the election was stolen and he might have a point. He had the most votes in the preliminary election and nearly had the 50 percent to win.

Kicked: Brazil’s hometown humiliation was completed yesterday as its soccer team was beaten by the Netherlands in the fight for third place in the World Cup. The score, 3-0, or as the internationals say, 3-Nil. Germany plays Argentina for the Cup this afternoon in Rio. The only greater woe for Brazil would be if their archrival Argentina were to win.

Bad Bet: Atlantic City, NJ is suffering a collapse of the casino business after three hotels announced their closure and the possibility that the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino might also shut if it can’t find a buyer. Atlantic City has lost 7,800 jobs since January and stands to lose 6,000 more. The resort city is in danger of returning to vacancy and blight. Atlantic City had a lock on gambling in the late 70s but now has competition from neighboring states. You don’t have to take a long drive anymore to lose your money in a smoky windowless room.

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