Pa. budget settled
Legislative leaders were able to reach a budget deal for the state of Pennsylvania on Friday, Sept. 18. Governor Ed Rendell assisted on coming up with a state plan, but would not go into a large amount of detail as to what the contract stated. It is said that the deal would limit spending by one percent, but would not raise income or sales tax. Pennsylvania was the last state to figure out its annual spending plan.
Dhabi government donates to pediatrics
The government of Abu Dhabi donated $150 million to the Children’s National Medical Center in hopes to improve surgery for children. At what will be called the Sheik Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovations, they plan to advance genetic research to personalize surgeries and pain management. Over a five year payment plan they will dedicate $40 million to the improvement of research facilities, $60 million to research and programs, $25 million for surgical institute endowment and another $25 million for any other needs. The rest of the money will go to doctor’s salaries and new operating theaters.
Body of Yale graduate student found
After the body of a Yale graduate student was found in a local basement lab, students enrolled at the university felt unsafe and troubled knowing that the killer was unidentified. There was a sigh of relief throughout the campus when Yale animal lab technician Raymond Clark III was arrested a day after the body was discovered. Although he has yet to be convicted of the crime, it provides a sense of peace to the community knowing that there is a suspect behind bars during the intense investigation. He is currently being held on a $3 million bail.
Afghanistan election controversy continues
The Afghanistan election controversy involving President Hamid Karzai is causing clamor as the Taliban begins to fire speculation on his administration. With an order to recount 10 percent of the ballots, it’s unsure if Karzai is the real winner. The Afghans are beginning to question the government as the Taliban fires away asking how things could go so wrong with an election monitored by tens of thousands of international troops and observers. However, Karzai and supporters are blaming the international media and foreign diplomats for exaggerating the reports of fraud.
Obama expects job opportunities to increase throughout the following year
The economic crisis that has plagued the United States over the past number of months continues to limit the number of jobs that are available to individuals that are in need of one. President Obama believes that within the next year, more job opportunities will expand and help to ease some stress that the recession has caused. During an interview with CNN, Obama said that despite creating jobs throughout the remainder of 2009, there will still not be enough available to make up for the losses in employment over the past year. President Obama is solely focused on the production of jobs that will provide families with readily available tools to support their children.
