News headlines in January 2009, page 23
ETHIOPIA: Political Space Narrowing
- Inter Press Service

Bertukan Mideksa has a reputation in Ethiopia as a competent politician, but voters will not be able to cast ballots for her in the next national election. The revocation of her 2007 pardon has sent a chill through Ethiopia's opposition parties.
EUROPE: Trucks Get a Free Ride to Emit
- Inter Press Service

Carbon dioxide emissions from using Europe's road to transport goods will increase by more than 50 percent within the next two decades, a new study has predicted.
US-AFGHANISTAN: Bagram, Worse Than Guantanamo?
- Inter Press Service

While millions know that the administration of George W. Bush has left Barack Obama with the job of closing the U.S. prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, relatively few are aware that the new president will also face a similar but far larger dilemma 7,000 miles away.
bal: In a New Search for Alternative Energy
- Inter Press Service

The gas crisis has unleashed new interest in turning to alternative energy sources in the Balkans.
TURKEY: 'Plots' Not Very European
- Inter Press Service

In widespread sweeps, dozens of prominent personalities have been detained in Turkey -- among them retired generals, active officers, academics and journalists -- on suspicion of attempting to overthrow the Islamic-rooted government.
MIDEAST: Israelis Rain 'Phosphorous Bombs' Over Gaza
- Inter Press Service

'There is no doubt that Israel is using phosphorous bombs over Gaza. Israel is flagrantly violating the Fourth Geneva Convention,' says Raji Sourani, head of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR) in Gaza.
EASTERN EUROPE: Go with Putin, or Go Nuclear
- Inter Press Service

The gas crisis has placed environmental concerns on the backburner, and raised demands for nuclear production at plants once considered unsafe.
MIDEAST: Energy Security Guides China's Approach
- Inter Press Service

China’s pro-active stance in finding a settlement to the latest crisis in the Middle East -- a trouble spot which does not normally figure on Beijing’s list of top foreign policy priorities -- suggests heightened attention to energy security for the country’s power-hungry economy.
RIGHTS-SRI LANKA: 'Culture of Violence Getting Ingrained in Society'
- Inter Press Service

One of the worst legacies of the decades-old civil war in this island country is the culture of violence and impunity that many fear has become ingrained in Sri Lankan society -- once known for ‘serendipity’ and respect for Buddhist virtues.
POLITICS-THAILAND: In 'Thaksin Country' Ousted PM Has Loyalists
- Inter Press Service

For most of her adult life, Yard Sunee had to endure a reality that was worlds away from the conveniences that people in a modern metropolis like Bangkok take for granted -- like ready access to tap water.
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