Here is your R&D for January 17th:
UK Government Plans Major Health Care Reform from the Associated Press (courtesy of ABC News)
British Prime Minister David Cameron promised significant changes to the British public healthcare system today. Cameron’s reforms will focus on reducing red tape and improving treatment options.
Conservatives form movement to draft Rep. Mike Pence for president from the Hill
Indiana Representative Mike Pence is seen as a potential 2012 presidential candidate by the Republican base and several Republican Congressmen are trying to persuade him to run by kicking off a “Draft Pence for President” movement.
Who could lead Palestinians better than Abbas? from Haaretz
As Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas begins what might be his last year in office, experts on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict are wondeirng who may replace him and how that may impact future peace talks.
Hariri indictments submitted by UN prosecutors from the UK Telegraph
United Nations investigators have handed over indictments for the 2005 car bombing of Rafik Hariri. A judge will now spend six weeks deciding whether to serve the indictments.
A muni meltdown? from the New York Post
The country’s municipalities are in dire straights and the municipal-bond market is in crisis. This crisis could lead to a second set of financial problems and create a double dip recession.