But what should form the basic structure to which all must sign up?

ECONOMIST: What kind of Europe?

Although the federal government's support for basic research so far shows no sign of waning, academics wonder how durable that commitment will prove now that, post cold war, national security has become less of a reason to invest in science.

ECONOMIST: The knowledge factory

Apple has integrated Facebook (and Twitter) to some degree into the iPhone, mainly by making it possible to sign into the services as part of its basic settings and to share almost any content to them easily.

WSJ: Facebook Home Review: Facebook Gets a Lock on Phones

But according to US government statistics, Afghanistan's dismal rate of infant mortality, a basic indicator of a country's development, has shown no sign of improvement.

NPR: With Vote Looming, Afghans Look for Progress

The basic subscription will continue to be free but executives will then be able to sign up for premium networking benefits, also at a cost.

CNN: Net-working: Can cyberspace help?

And we have now just enshrined, as soon as I sign this bill, the core principle that everybody should have some basic security when it comes to their health care. (Applause.) And it is an extraordinary achievement that has happened because of all of you and all the advocates all across the country.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Signs Health Reform Into Law

In another growing sign of interest in educational developments around the world, the Council on Basic Education has taken the lead on a major international effort using student work to illustrate teaching practices in nine nations, assist countries in benchmarking their own teaching against that of other countries, and share effective teaching techniques across national borders.

UNESCO: II Part Analytic Section

Current accounting rules allow retailers that sign certain long-term leases to omit the leased property from their balance sheets. (The basic rule is that omission is acceptable if the lease term is less than 75% of the useful life of the building.) But the Financial Accounting Standards Board may change that next year.

FORBES: Retailers