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Almost $2 Million Available for Hynix Trade Workers

U.S. Department of Labor announces nearly $2 million grant to provide assistance to trade-affected workers in Oregon.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,891,738 grant to assist approximately 651 trade-affected workers of Hynix Semiconductor Manufacturing America Inc. in Eugene, Oregon.

Everyone Lives During U.S. Airways Crash in Hudson Bay (VIDEO)

The jet reportedly was taken out by a flock of birds. Passengers told reporters they could smell smoke and then the plane just started turning.

(NEW YORK) - A U.S. Airways jet has gone down in the Hudson River off New York City. More than 150 people are reported to be aboard the aircraft which amazingly, did not break up or catch fire during the crash into the water.

At this time, the plane is mostly above water and barges and rescue vessels are pulled up alongside to remove the passengers.

New York has been the scene of bitter cold winter weather and rescue experts say that is making the job of reaching the aircraft and retrieving the people more difficult.

World Record Holding Solar Car Will Cruise Through Oregon

The Solar car uses photovoltaics cells (solar cells) to convert sunlight into electricity, then stores the electricity in batteries that power an electric motor that drives the car.

(MULINO, Ore.) - Xof1, the power of one Solar Car Tour, recent world distance record holder is cruising through Oregon. Marcelo da Luz will be driving down the Cascade Highway 213 tomorrow, Friday Janusry 16th making a brief stop in Mulino.

Xof1 is a project to develop and build a solar car and set a new world record for distance. The catalyst for the project, Marcelo da Luz, was inspired to create xof1 after learning about the World Solar Challenge.

He says a number of people from various backgrounds have come together to make this project a reality, adding that the project provides an opportunity to make a positive contribution towards a cleaner future and promote new ideas.

Reporters Without Borders Urges Afghan Government to Prioritize Press Freedom

Reporters Without Borders also called for the rapid adoption of a proposed media law.

(KABUL, Afghanistan) - Addressing a news conference today in Kabul, Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Jean-François Julliard urged President Hamid Karzai and the rest of the Afghan government to make it one of their priorities to defend press freedom.

Accompanied by representatives of Afghan journalists’ organisations, Julliard gave the press conference on the penultimate day of a one-week fact-finding visit to Afghanistan at the head of a Reporters Without Borders delegation.

“The press freedom situation is getting worse in Afghanistan and it is the government’s duty to reverse this disturbing trend,” Julliard said.

Waterboarding Officially Declared as Torture by Holder

A federal official draws a new line in the sand.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The next U.S. Attorney General-nominee, Eric Holder Jr., stated clearly today that Waterboarding is torture. This unusual practice used on Guantanamo Bay detainees and other prisoners of the U.S. government during the Bush Administration, was highly criticized when it first came to light.

But Bush's team, with former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld leading the way, declared that this method of prisoner treatment was legal.

Holder's statement is a clear indication that President-elect Barack Obama will represent a radical departure from the last eight years. What Holder has achieved is something that the two previous attorney generals have deftly avoided.

Bipartisan Group of Senators Re-Introduce Legislation to Create Jobs through Infrastructure Investments

They say the “Build America Bonds” Act will get nation working to restore America’s aging roads, rail lines and bridges.

(WASHINGTON D.C.) - Encouraging much-needed job creation and investment in transportation construction and repair, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Roger Wicker, (R-Miss.) re-introduced today the bipartisan “Build America Bonds” Act (S. 238).

The funding from this one-time federal bonding program has the potential to create 2.5 million new jobs and shore up that nation’s aging roads, rail lines and bridges by funding projects in states across the nation.

“Creating jobs while reviving our roads and bridges, the 'Build America Bonds Act' will give every American an opportunity to invest in their country’s future,” said Wyden.

UN Secretary General Voices `Outrage` as Israeli`s Strike UN Again

Ban says the elements to end Gaza violence are in place.

(GAZA) - Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today he believed the elements for an end to the violence in Gaza, which has claimed over 1,000 lives and is now in its 20th day, are in place, even as he expressed “outrage” over the latest shelling of United Nations premises in the Strip.

“Today, the UN compound in Gaza has been shelled again,” Mr. Ban told a news conference in Tel Aviv with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni.

“I conveyed my strong protest and outrage to the Defense Minister and to the Foreign Minister, and demanded a full explanation.”

Psychological Health, Traumatic Brain Injury Outreach Center Opens

The center serves members, leaders and healthcare providers of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserve and all uniformed services, along with veterans of all the service.

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - The Department of Defense today announced the opening of a 24-hour outreach center to provide information and referrals to military service members, veterans, their families and others with questions about psychological health and traumatic brain injury.

"We're providing 24/7 support to assist callers with questions regarding psychological health and traumatic brain injury," said Brig. Gen. Loree K. Sutton, M.D., director of DCoE.

"Getting the best possible information and tools, hassle-free, will empower and strengthen warriors and their families to successfully manage what can be confusing and disturbing circumstances."

UN`s Mideast Ceasefire Mission Gets Underway as Gaza Death Toll Tops 1,000

The UN General Assembly is scheduled to discuss the conflict tomorrow.

(GAZA) - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon began an intensive mission today to try to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and King Abdullah of Jordan, as the reported death toll from Israel’s 19-day offensive against Hamas topped 1,000.

“My goal is an immediate end to the violence in Gaza – an end to Israel's military offensive and a halt to the rocket attacks by Hamas [cited by Israel as the reason for its attack]. It is intolerable that civilians bear the brunt of this conflict,” he told reporters after meeting Mr. Mubarak in Cairo, appealing to those who have influence with the parties to use all means to end the conflict and to find a durable solution.

UN Says All parties in Gaza Conflict Must be Held Accountable

Regarding the carnage in Gaza, the UN's John Holmes said constant care must be taken to spare the civilian population in the context of military operations.

(GAZA) - Citing the “dreadful beginning” of 2009 for civilians caught up in armed conflict, the top United Nations humanitarian official told the Security Council today that strict respect for international law by all parties to fighting was critical to end the suffering.


“Violations of international humanitarian law by one party to a conflict offer no justification for non-compliance by other parties,” Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes said, as he opened a debate in which some 50 speakers took the floor and which culminated in a statement by the Council’s President condemning violations against civilians during conflict and revising Council guidelines for consideration of the topic to reflect current conditions.