News Bits for Friday, September 4, 2009

A new Texas law will make millionaires of former prisoners who have been exonerated by DNA evidence. By the new law, $80,000 will be paid to the wrongly accused individuals for every year they were imprisoned. This makes a millionaire of Thomas McGowan, a man kept behind bars for 23 years for a robbery and rape he was later found not guilty of committing. He will receive a total of $1.8 million. The compensation exonerees receive is subject to federal taxes.

Finance Committee Chairman ready to move forward with health care bill

Max Baucus, a Montana Democrat and Finance Committee Chairman, is ready to move forward with the health care reform bill. The bill, which is being developed by negotiators, would reduce the cost of health care reform to less than $1 trillion over a decade's time.

AP publishes images of dying Marine; Gates strongly disproves

A vocal Defense Secretary Robert Gates expressed his strong disproval of the Associated Press' decision to show images o f a dying marine, calling the decision "appalling". The photograph was published even after the father of the Marine requested that the photos not be published. Associated Press stood by its decision to publish the images saying that they wished to communicate the horrors of war to their readers.

US angry that Israel to continue settlement building; delays Mideast peace talks

Just this week, Israel-Palestine peace talks resumed after months of non-communication. The United States insisted that the resumption of peace talks was contingent upon Israel's decision to halt new settlement building projects in the West Bank. Friday, Israel seemed to defy the United States when it announced its decision to continue its West Bank building projects. President Barack Obama's administration expressed its disproval in a statement that made it clear that the United States would not recognize Israel's new settlement projects as legitimate. The United States continues to encourage Israel to halt their settlement so that peace talks can continue. Saeb Erekat, Palestine's senior negotiator believes that Israel's decision will delay peace talks indefinitely.

Former soldier sentenced to 5 life terms for rape and murder

Steven Dale Green, a former United States soldier, has been convicted of rape and murder. Green (age 24) was found guilty of raping an Iraqi teen then murdering that teen and members of her family in March 2006. He has been sentenced to five consecutive life terms in prison.

Labor market will take long time to recover

Even if the economy is headed for recovery, the labor market will continue to lag. Unemployment data from the Department of Labor shows that nearly 15 million jobs have been lost as a result of the economic downturn. In order to see progress in the labor market, around 125,000 new jobs will have to surface each month in order to accommodate the 14.9 million unemployed people, new workers, and immigrants. This is likely to take an exceptionally long time to achieve.

US jet drops bomb in Afghanistan, over 70 killed by blast

At around 2:30 Friday morning, a United States jet released a 500 pound bomb on tanker trunks in Afghanistan killing over 70 rebels and civilians. The bomb was dropped in response to fears that the tanker trucks could be used as weapons in a suicide attack against German troops

North Korea: uranium enrichment program almost complete

In a Friday announcement, North Korea announced that its uranium enrichment program is near completion. This means that soon, the country could become a strong negotiator capable of using atomic weapons as leverage in negotiations with the United States. North Korea has already added bombs made from plutonium to its weaponry.

Danish study: thin thighs may be bad sign for heart health

A new Danish study reveals that curvy thighs are a positive health indicator. The study shows that individuals having thin thighs may be more likely to die sooner than individuals with fatter thighs. This study validates prior studies which associated the where one's body stores fat with health risks.

CA wildfire update

The expansive Los Angeles wildfire, which has consumed over 230 square miles, is coming under the control of firefighters. Sunday, two firefighters were killed after their truck fell off of a mountain street. The arsonist responsible for starting the blaze faces murder charges for the two firefighters.

E.L.F. responsible for tearing down 2 Seattle radio stations

Earth Liberation Front is thought to be behind the collapse of two Seattle radio stations. Early Friday morning the two radio states were brought down and a banner with the initials E.L.F. was found in the immediate area.

References

Texas DNA exonerees find prosperity after prison

Senate negotiator promises health care bill 'soon'

Gates: AP decision 'appalling'

Israeli plan for settlement building angers US

Ex-soldier gets 5 life sentences for Iraqi deaths

Meltdown 101: Unemployment by the numbers

NATO jets bomb fuel tankers; Afghans say 70 killed

North Korea says uranium program near completion

Thin thighs- maybe not your heart's desire

Firefighters gaining on Los Angeles-area wildfire

2 radio towers in Washington state toppled