Here is your R&D for January 27th:

Sudan and the Secession Referendum from This Day (Nigeria)
This article, courtesy of AllAfrica, breaks down the challenges that Southern Sudan will face now that it is on the path to becoming an independent country.

Berlusconi’s Worst Nightmare from Foreign Policy
This is an excellent article that can help extempers navigate the political problems facing Italy because of the sex scandal that has plagued Silvio Berlusconi’s government.

Color-coded threat system to be replaced in April from CNN
The Department of Homeland Security announced yesterday that it is going to scrap the color coded terror threat alert system in April.  The system has been the subject of jokes since it was first introduced nine years ago.

GOP invokes 1700s doctrine in health care fight from the Associated Press
Republican state legislatures across the country are attempting to fight the healthcare reform bill by nullifying it.  Scholars believe that such actions are unconstitutional because the U.S. Constitution says that federal laws are supreme.

Inspired by Tunisia and Egypt, Yemenis join in anti-government protests from the Washington Post
Yemen is now seeing political protests in the wake of political rancor in Tunisia and Egypt.  Although the protesters are seeking political freedom, the U.S. worries that it will topple friendly regimes in the war on terrorism.