News Bits

- Russian Premier, er, we mean President Putin using Soviet-style measures to suppress political opposition? The evidence just keeps on rolling in...
- Yesterday, British forces formally handed the province of Basra to the Iraqi government. This is the ninth province transferred to Iraqi control by American-led forces since July 2006.
- The week-long U.N. climate-change conference, held in Bali, ended last Friday. A ranking has been released showing which countries have the most proactive greenhouse gas emissions policies in the works. Mexico was ranked fourth. The U.S. came in second to last, beating out only Saudi Arabia.
- Important discovery may hold promise for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.
- Reuters does a nice little summary on the new "non-iTunes" music services launched throughout 2007.
- Mind-blowing study: Health food is more expensive than junk food.
- Evidently, the important changes at the Texas Youth Commission, which were promised by Governor Rick Perry, are "minute."
Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.


