President Barack Obama delivered his second inaugural address yesterday, during the public ceremony to kick off his second term as President. He was actually sworn in on Sunday, the 20th, beforehand. Interestingly enough, with two swearing ins for his second term, he joins Franklin D. Roosevelt as the only man to have taken the oath of office for President four times in his life.
In his address, Obama sounded more forceful than he often times has before as President. It tended to be on the philosophical side. Many are saying it was an excellent speech, and that it ranks amongst his finest moments. Some are even claiming that it was an answer to Reagan's inaugural address, with his repeatedly emphasizing the words "We the people", a counter to the individualistic ideology of Reagan and the Republicans who have echoed this individuality since. He continually sounded the bell on the theme that what is good for the many is more important than what benefits the few.
It also seems to suggest that he understands something entering this term in office that perhaps he had not understood when he entered his first term as a brand new President - that what he needs to prepare for is a constant battle with a hostile Congress. Obama was criticized by some people for not fighting back against constant, repeated attacks from Republicans in Congress. He seemed to be taking a more aggressive stance in yesterday's address.
At one point, interestingly enough, the President was walked away, when he turned around and looked out into the crowd one last time, just trying to take it all in. He understood that he was not going to get to see this again (at least not as the sitting President, anyway). This is it. So, he understands that now, the clock is ticking, and he has to work on his legacy. It should be interesting to see what the next four years will bring.
Around the World
Middle East
Syria - Violence continues in the nation torn by a civil war since the Arab Spring, as a group of Russians prepared to pull out of Syria for safety.
http://news.yahoo.com/activists-fighting-rages-russians-leave-syria-101949333.html
Israel - As today's election now looms, it is expected that Netanyahu will win another election for a third term.
http://news.yahoo.com/israels-netanyahu-appears-poised-third-term-060725331.html
Europe
European Community - This is not good news. A United Nations watchdog is claiming that the spillover from the recession in Europe, where numerous countries have been struggling severely and which led to global economic concerns, has reached 200 million jobless worldwide - a new record.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/jan/22/eurozone-crisis-live-global-jobless-hits-record
France & Germany - The two nations that had long been traditional rivals and warring enemies celebrated the 50th anniversary of an accord that reversed that and made the two nations allies, effectively. The Elysees Treaty of 1963 marked the beginning of economic and cultural cooperation, and a recognition of the greater importance of what the two countries have in common, rather than their differences.
http://news.yahoo.com/germany-france-celebrate-reconciliation-101232311.html
Russia - Bucking the trend of much of the rest of the world, Russia seems to be moving towards enforcing anti-gay legislation.
http://news.yahoo.com/russia-moves-enact-anti-gay-law-nationwide-125825051.html
Latin America & Caribbean
Mexico - Groups of armed men are organizing to "self-defense" groups in the southern state of Guerrero in an attempt to counter drug violence, protecting their villages and communities.
http://news.yahoo.com/mexico-self-defense-squads-battle-violence-082925460.html
Asia
India - After the furor that followed a gang rape late last year that shook the country to it's core that saw huge demonstrations that too often turned violent, many Indian women in the nation's capital city now are taking up self-defense, and carrying pepper spray. Others are leaving their work earlier than usual, or taking rides to work with other women.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/22/us-india-rape-security-idUSBRE90L09M20130122
China - Workers have revolted against a two-minute bathroom break policy in a Chinese factory, the Shanghai Shinmei Electric Company.
http://news.yahoo.com/chinese-workers-revolt-over-2-minute-toilet-breaks-081615186--finance.html
Africa
Mali - The number of French troops present in Mali now is at 1,000, as the war continues to rage there, as well as related violence in neighboring Algeria, where hostages lost their lives by Islamic militants.
The United Nations
A United Nations nuclear watchdog agency has moved talks with Iran to February 13th.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/01/22/us-nuclear-iran-iaea-idUSBRE90L0AH20130122
Sports
NFL
Well, apparently, the outcome of the Super Bowl has already been determined. At least it has, that is, according to a camel in Lacy, New Jersey, that has accurately predicted the winner of six of the last seven Super Bowls. Who did she pick to win? The Baltimore Ravens.
http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/clairvoyant-camel-predicts-baltimore-ravens-win-super-bowl-182832962--abc-news-topstories.html
NHL
The NHL kicked off action this past weekend, s play resumed for the strike shortened season. The Rangers and Flyers, two traditional powerhouse teams, are both off to poor starts, with each losing their first two games. The Los Angeles Kings, the defending Stanley Cup champions, lost their first game of the season, while the team that they defeated in the Cup finals, the New Jersey Devils, won their first game. Pittsburgh, not surprisingly, is off to a hot start by winning their first two games, which the Ottawa Senators, Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks, and Chicago Blackhawks also managed to do.
NBA
The big news that came out for the NBA just yesterday is that the Seattle Supersonics will soon be back in the NBA. The finalization of the sale of the Sacramento Kings to a Seattle-based ownership group would appear to mean that the organization will move to Seattle in time for next season. The move still would have to be approved by the league. They would play in Key Arena, before moving to the new, planned arena in the downtown area in 2015, according to sources. Also, evidently the team is targeting either R.C. Buford or Larry Bird to run the franchise.
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--sources--kings-to-play-in-seattle-next-season-060233410.html
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--seattle-owners-could-target-r-c--buford-or-larry-bird-to-run-franchise-073354007.html
France - Ligue 1 Standings
| Place | Team | Games Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Points | Goals For | Goals Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paris Saint-Germain | 21 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 42 | 37 | 12 |
| 2 | Lyon | 21 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 42 | 35 | 18 |
| 3 | Marseille | 21 | 13 | 2 | 6 | 41 | 28 | 25 |
| 4 | Nice | 21 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 35 | 33 | 26 |
| 5 | Rennes | 21 | 11 | 2 | 8 | 35 | 31 | 26 |
| 6 | Lorient | 21 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 34 | 35 | 33 |
| 7 | Bordeaux | 21 | 7 | 11 | 3 | 32 | 23 | 15 |
| 8 | St. Etienne | 21 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 31 | 27 | 16 |
| 9 | Toulouse | 21 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 30 | 29 | 23 |
| 10 | Lille | 21 | 7 | 9 | 5 | 30 | 26 | 22 |
| 11 | Valenciennes | 21 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 30 | 32 | 30 |
| 12 | Montpellier | 21 | 8 | 5 | 8 | 29 | 33 | 27 |
| 13 | Bastia | 21 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 25 | 28 | 44 |
| 14 | Brest | 21 | 7 | 3 | 11 | 24 | 22 | 29 |
| 15 | Sochaux | 21 | 6 | 4 | 11 | 22 | 21 | 30 |
| 16 | AC Ajaccio | 21 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 21 | 22 | 30 |
| 17 | Evian | 21 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 20 | 22 | 34 |
| 18 | Reims | 21 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 19 | 17 | 23 |
| 19 | Troyes | 21 | 2 | 7 | 12 | 13 | 23 | 42 |
| 20 | AS Nancy-Lorraine | 21 | 1 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 18 | 37 |
Tennis
Just breaking - Novak Djokovic just managed to defeat Tomas Berdych in the Men's quarterfinal. He is attempting to become the first man in the Open era to capture three straight Australian Open titles, and would have two more matches to go before clinching that goal.
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