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Global Focus

January 20, 2009
Nouse

1. GAZA STRIP
Hamas have announced a week-long ceasefire in order to allow the Israeli troops to withdraw from the Gaza Strip. The conflict, which has lasted for three weeks, saw Israeli troops enter Gaza in a move that Israel said was to prevent Hamas rocket fire against Israelis. The conflict, which has aroused international condemnation of Israel’s actions, has so far claimed over 1000 lives. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is serious, and the ceasefire is not expected to last.

2. KHARTOUM, SUDAN
Hassan al-Turabi, an Islamist leader, has been arrested by the Sudanese government after calling for the arrest of president Omar al-Bashir for his involvement in the Darfur conflict. The incident has put pressure on the International Criminal Court to try Bashir on the charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

3. KIEV, UKRAINE
Russia has resumed gas flow through the Ukraine following a contractual dispute depriving 18 European countries of energy. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko has agreed to pay the much higher European prices demanded by the Kremlin .

4. ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN
The Pakistani government has detained more than 120 people allegedly involved in the Mumbai attacks of December 2008. Interior Ministry Chief Rehman Malik said the move showed Pakistan was serious about fighting terrorism but has called for more information to prosecute the detainees.

5. ATHENS, GREECE
Unrest continues in Athens as far-left insurgents target police indiscriminately. Riots continue in response to the recent killing of Alexandros Grigoropoulos by a member of the special guard for which they blame the government and seek revenge.

6. LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
Controversial plans to build a third runway at Heathrow are to be approved. MP for Hayes and Harlington John McDonnell, which will be directly affected by the expansion, was banned from the Commons for five days for picking up the mace in protest following the annoucement.

7. KILINOCHCHI, SRI LANKA
Sri Lanka’s military have captured the de facto capital Kilinochchi from the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in what has been described by president Mahinda Rajapaksa as “an unparalleled victory” for government forces. Kilinochchi has been a Tamil stronghold for a decade.

8. WASHINGTON DC, US
Barack Obama is inaugurated today as President of the United States, the world’s most powerful office. George W. Bush offically leaves office with the lowest approval ratings of any President since Nixon. Obama suffered early setbacks over Cabinet selections, with the Commerce Secretary elect standing down following a scandal.

9. SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
Opposition MPs physically stopped a vote on bills passed regarding an increase of freedoms and the economy. The governmnet tried to pass the measures during their final days in office, but were met with fierce opposition. Over 1000 police were called in.

10. MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
Mexico is considering outlawing the sale of toy guns in order to try and curb child aggression. The government fears that children are more likely to become criminals if they have access to plastic guns at an early age. Mexico’s gun-related death toll topped 5,300 last year.

11. TOKYO, JAPAN
Two rival yakuza gangs are preparing to fight for control of the city centre. The gangs are becoming more ruthless in the recession as they see their profits from legitimate enterprises thinning. Police say the gangs are armed with hand grenades and mines and are very dangerous.

12. BEIJING, CHINA
Authorities in China have begun a crackdown on websites containing pornographic images or references. The measure will last a month, and 277 websites were closed within the first 11 days. The crackdown comes in the year when China overtakes the US in internet users to become the world leader. 19 websites including Google have been named and criticised by the government for lack of censure.

13. NEW YORK, USA
An Airbus A320 made an emergency landing in the Hudson River following a double-engine failure after it collided with a flock of geese after take-off. All 155 passengers survived the crash; the pilot has been praised for his skill and quick-thinking.

14. PARIS, FRANCE
French Justice Minister Rachida Dati sparked controversy when she returned to work just five days after a Caesarean at the age of 43. The father of the baby girl is not known. Despite controversy, she remians popular with the French public.