The decision of the Iraqi prime minister, Nuri al-Maliki, more or less to endorse Mr Obama's timetable for withdrawing American troops from Iraq sent shock waves through Washington, DC, discombobulating the White House and driving the McCain campaign into panic.

ECONOMIST: Lexington

In the US, trains are largely impractical as an alternative to flying or driving, with a few notable exceptions like the Northeast corridor (NYC, DC, Boston and Philadelphia).

FORBES: Don't Fly - Why Trains Are the Best Way to Travel Overseas