Top News Stories - July 2009:
Cash for Clunkers Program Unexpectedly Runs out of Money
The government program paying $4,500 for trading an older gas guzzler for a more efficient model is coming to an abrupt end because the program is out of money. Disappointed car buyers and dealers
Banks Paid Billions in Bonuses While Receiving Billions in Taxpayer Bailout
Nine U.S. banks paid out $32.6 billion in bonuses in 2008 while receiving $175 billion in taxpayer bailout money, according to a report by New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. The 22-page report said: "When the banks did well, their employees were paid well. When the banks did poorly, their employees were paid well. When the banks did very poorly, they were bailed out by taxpayers and their employees were still paid well." More on the Andrew Cuomo bailout report
Study: Organic Food No Healthier Than Other Foods
The world's largest study on organic food has concluded that organic is not healthier than other food. 50 years of research
U.S. officials: Osama Bin Laden's Son Killed by American Missile
The son of Osama bin Laden is believed to have been killed by an American Hellfire drone missile. Saad bin Laden was active in al-Qaida
Chinese Engineer Commits Suicide after Unbearable Interrogation
A Chinese engineer is reported to have been held in solitary confinement and undergone unbearable interrogation techniques after losing an iPhone prototype. Apple has had other problems with Chinese factories recently, such as employees not receiving legal wages. Chinese worker jumped from 12-story building
House Democrats Take Extraordinary Measures to Muzzle Republicans
House Democrats take extraordinary steps to stop debate on such issues as school vouchers, gay marriage and gun control. 12 bills totaling $1.2 trillion at stake
Report: California a Tough Place for the Homeless
The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty released a new report ranking how cities treat the homeless, based on a number of criteria. The worst ranked city was Los Angeles, with San Francisco coming in 7th and Berkley 10th worst.
California tough on homeless
Analysis: Barack Obama's Global Reach Limited
Barack Obama's global influence is not what was hoped for. Obama finding resistance
Federal Appeals Court: Pharmacists Must Dispense the Morning After Pill
Pharmacists are forced to dispense the Plan B morning after pill, even if it violates their religious beliefs, a federal appeals court has ruled. Washington State case
Europe's Free Government Health Care Suffering
Costs are skyrocketing and some have suffered and died unnecessarily. Government run health care woes
Mountain of Debt Easily Could Become the Next Full-Fledged Economic Crisis
Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke: "Unless we demonstrate a strong commitment to fiscal sustainability in the longer term, we will have neither financial stability nor healthy economic growth." Debt at $11.5 trillion and growing
Independent Scientists: Soviet Parts in North Korean Rocket
Scientists say North Korea may be using an old Soviet ballistic missile to boost a rocket capable of reaching the United States. North Korea Soviet technology
Senate Looks to Fine Americans $1,000 for Not Having Health Insurance
Lack of health care coverage could cost you $1,000 under the health care bill revealed by Senate Democrats. Fines will be collected by the Income tax system. Health care fine
U.S. judge Only Gets admonishment for Porn on Computer
Ninth Circuit chief judge Alex Kozinski was reprimanded by the Third Circuit's Judicial Council for having porn on his computer that was accessible to the public. Judge Alex Kozinski said: "Frankly, I don't know why I kept them. Some I thought were odd or funny or bizarre, but mostly I don't have a very good reason for holding onto them." Porn judge story