Thursday 1/28/2010

1. Obama Puts People to Work on High-Speed Rail
   An $8 billion commitment to high-speed rail will save or create tens of thousands of jobs in the short-term, and could kick-start the largest infrastructure project in recent memory.
   Read original story in The Associated Press | Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010

2. Toyota Stops Sales of Eight Models
   Following some of the largest auto recalls in American history, Toyota will halt both sales and production of eight popular models.
   Read original story in The Baltimore Sun | Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010

3. Obama Plans Debt Panel Without Senate Backing
   Senators defeated an amendment to create a bipartisan deficit reduction panel, but it is expected that Obama will establish one through executive order during his SOTU speech tonight.
   Read original story in The New York Times | Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010

4. North and South Korea Exchange Fire
   North Korea fired artillery onto the land of South Korea, which responded by firing warning shots into the air. No casualties or damage have been reported.
   Read original story in The Guardian | Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010

5. Apple to Focus on Reinventing Content
   In today's invitation-only event, Apple will announce the new tablet, but the focus will be on a new platform for developing and distributing content.
   Read original story in WIRED | Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010

6. NBC Picks Up New Conan Show
   The most buzzed about pilot currently in development at NBC this season is Justice, a show from Conan O'Brien's Conaco production company.
   Read original story in The Hollywood Reporter | Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010

7. Oregonians Pass Tax on Wealthy
   Voters approved tax hikes to help close a growing hole in the state budget in a referendum watched closely around the country by those interested in the viability of targeted taxes.
   Read original story in The Los Angeles Times | Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010

8. U.S. Falls on Environmental Index
   The United States fell more than 20 places in just two years in the index that measures habitat preservation and environmental health among other things.
   Read original story in The New York Times | Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010

9. Concern for U.S. Hikers Detained in Iran
   A pair of Belgians who met the three Americans when they were picked up on suspicion of espionage released a statement of concern "about their well-being."
   Read original story in CNN | Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010

10. Peru Starts Airlifting Mudslide Survivors
    Heavy rains--the worst in 15 years--killed at least 10 and left nearly 2,000 stranded in the Andes yesterday.
    Read original story in Bloomberg | Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010

11. Building Collapses in India, Killing Four
    A building under construction in southern India collapsed last night and more than a dozen people are trapped in the debris.
    Read original story in BBC | Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010

12. "You Lie" Congressman Will Be on Best Behavior
    Joe Wilson, the congressman from South Carolina who interrupted President Obama during his last speech to Congress, says no more outbursts.
    Read original story in The Associated Press | Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2010