NEWS

Israel pulling out of Gaza; Hamas ceases fire
-January 19, 2009: With the death tolls over 1,000 people in Gaza over a 22-day period, Israeli troops started to pull out of the country. On Sunday, Hamas announced a one-sided cease-fire which apparently brought an end to the war. Subsequently, European and Arab leaders met in Egypt to discuss the rebuilding of Gaza. Hamas also demanded an opening of the Gaza border for a lasting truce.

President Obama’s Inauguration
-January 21, 2009: President elect, Barack Hussein Obama was sworn in as President of the United States on January 21, 2009. He had the first gay priest to present the oath that would be taken by Obama. The parade followed after his inaugural speech. There was supposedly 1.8 million to 2 million people at the inauguration.

US investigates Afghan deaths
-January 21, 2009: Two dozen civilians may have been killed in a coalition deployment in a report by the U.S. Naimatullha Hakimi, the chief deputy of the Kapisa police said that they had met with local officials and elders near the site of the operation and determined that 16 people were killed, only enemies. Afghan president, Hamid Karzai said that he had sent NATO headquarters a draft agreement that would Afghanistan more control over NATO deployments.

India test-fires nuclear missiles in province near Pakistan
-January 20, 2009: On January 20, 2009, nuclear-capable supersonic cruise missiles, fired by India were flying through the air near Pakistan. The test was carried out in the western desert state of Rajasthan, which borders Pakistan. Even though there have been conflicts between Indian and Islamabad, India’s defense minister, A.K. Antony said that they were not directed at any country and that the test was pre-planned. This missile has already been tested over a dozen times.