January 17 in the news.....
- Kenyans rejoiced on Wednesday after Barack Obama plunged into the U.S. presidential race, saying if the youthful senator from Illinois wins the White House he will not forget his roots. In fact Americans of Kenyan descent expect him to enact pro-marathon policies as a priority.
- Australian troops have fought an intense gun battle with insurgents after their armoured vehicles came under fire in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. The soldiers returned fire with more than 400 rounds after militia forces attacked their Australian light armoured vehicles (ASLAVs) during a routine patrol yesterday evening. No beer was hurt.
- A high-end antique dealer on the Upper East Side of New York City is suing four unnamed homeless people for $1 million on the grounds that they've driven away customers by loitering on the sidewalk. If the lawsuit goes the wrong way the homeless people are worried they'll lose everything.
