Debt crisis and Greek debt talks: as it happened, February 8, 2012
Wall Street slips into the red as S&P warns that the US could be downgraded again if it fails to create a "credible" fiscal plan, while Greek debt talks continue in Athens.

Spanish train offers lessons for California
Even in Europe's most extensive high-speed rail spot, it's not clear the trains cover operating costs. Officials there puzzle over the Golden State's plan to lay track first in the sparsely populated Central Valley.

Burlington schools may cut back Chinese language program
Zhihang Hao teaches his students the Chinese words for various facial features as he leads an introductory language class at Burlington High School. Senior Tram Lam (right), 17, responds to Hao’s prompting in Chinese.

Where have all the fish gone?
Australia leads the way in trying to protect the world's fish population. But stocks of jack mackerel, down 90 per cent in 20 years in the once-rich southern seas, point to a wider global calamity.

Owners Billed for Trash Cleanup on Vacant, Unfinished Sites, Charges Could Top $4 Million
Polk County has charged for trash service on undeveloped land, vacant lots and at least one empty subdivision, and the problems potentially number in the thousands. The amount improperly collected could top $4 million during the past seven years, according to a Ledger examination of public records.