US & World News, Thursday 1/17

US & World Summary --- O.J. Simpson Out Of Jail O.J. Simpson is out of a Las Vegas jail and headed back to his home in Florida. While setting him free, Judge Jackie Glass doubled Simpsons bond to 250-thousand-dollars. The move denied the district attorneys request to keep Simpson in jail until his trial this April on charges linked to an alleged armed robbery. The judge said the increase was justified because Simpson never paid any money to his bail bondsman toward his initial bond. The former Heisman trophy winner had been in the Clark County Detention Center since last Friday, after allegedly violating the terms of his bond agreement. --- Fed Chief To Testify Amid Growing Recession Fears (Washington, DC) -- Amid growing concerns over an economic recession, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is scheduled to testify before Congress later this morning. Bernanke will appear before the House Budget Committee to talk about the nations near-term economic outlook. Meantime, Democrats are sounding alarms about the state of the economy, and are stressing the need for an economic stimulus package. Yesterday, former Clinton Administration Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers said a recession is likely this year. --- No Settlement Yet On Las Vegas Hotel Caucus Sites (Las Vegas, NV) -- The Nevada caucus is scheduled for Saturday and theres still no settlement on the issue of whether the states Democratic Party can operate nine at-large presidential caucus sites on the Las Vegas Strip. According to the "Review-Journal," the state teachers union has filed a lawsuit, claiming the sites approved by the Democrats give an unfair advantage to Culinary Union members, who represent thousands of hotel workers on the Strip. That union endorses Barack Obama, while top officials of the teachers union are backing Hillary Clinton. --- Missing Marine Has "MacGyver" Skills It may be tougher to find a Marine charged with murder because of his adaptability skills. Thats according to a former colleague of Corporal Cesar Laurean. The Pennsylvania woman, who asked to remain anonymous, told CNN that Laurean is well trained and adaptable and that he can rig just about anything. She says the man the FBI is looking for in both the U.S. and Mexico has "MacGyver" type skills, is a strong, fast runner and can handle multiple weapons including an M-16. Laurean is accused of killing pregnant Lance Corporal Maria Lauterbach. --- Report: Abortions Hit Lowest Number Since 1976 There were fewer abortions in the U.S. in 2005 than in any year since 1976. Thats according to a new report by Planned Parenthoods Guttmacher Institute cited by the "Washington Post." The report says there were one-point-two-million abortions in the U.S. in 2005, but didnt identify reasons for the decline. The report also said abortion rates vary widely around the country, tending to be higher in the Northeast and lower in the South and Midwest. --- Scientists Create Worlds Darkest Substance Researchers have created the darkest substance known to man. According to the "Houston Chronicle," Rice University scientists have developed a carpet of carbon nanotubes that reflects only point-zero-four-five-percent of light shined upon it. The new substance is four times darker than the previously darkest substance, and over 100-times darker than the black paint of a Chevrolet Corvette. Even the lead researchers say they were surprised at the level of darkness they had developed. (Copyright 2008 by Newsroom Solutions) RNS-01-17-08 0744CST