Here is your R&D for February 18th:
Union battle echoes beyond Wisconsin: ‘We’re fighting for our very existence’ from the Christian Science Monitor
Wisconsin’s bid to break public employee unions is being watched by other states who want to enact similar measures to balance state budgets. For their part, unions are not going down without a fight.
Dangers in U.S.-Pakistan Rift from the Council on Foreign Relations
U.S. Embassy employee Raymond Davis, who confessed to killing to Pakistani men in self-defense, is at the center of a spat between the U.S. and Pakistani government. Pakistan wants Davis to stand trial, but the U.S. claims that he has diplomatic immunity.
House, Senate may not agree on government funding bill before money runs out from the Washington Post
Speaker John Boehner has ruled out passing a temporary funding resolution to keep the government operating unless it has spending cuts, thereby laying the groundwork for a government shutdown by March 4th if the House and Senate cannot agree on a budget.
Some streak: Belgium marks 250 days with no government from the Guardian
Belgium has gone without a government for 250 days because political parties have been unable to form a workable coalition since last June. Protests have occurred to try to force the parties to cooperate, but it does not appear that those parties are listening.
Air-raid warnings from the Economist
Beijing officials are taking steps to make it harder for unskilled workers to set up residence in the Chinese capital, believing that such measures need to be taken to relieve congestion on roadways and in public facilities.