"Passenger rail service, especially services at higher and high speeds, will require new safety rules, constant public capital investment and operating subsidies, and balance with freight rail service and the rest of the national transportation system -- and currently only some of these elements are in place, " according to a GAO report.

CNN: Is the U.S. turning a corner on high-speed rail?

It is also the only major country that continues to maintain a health-care system with substantial elements of competitive supply, pricing freedom, patient choice, and diversity in approaching complex and uncertain medical problems.

WSJ: Christopher DeMuth: A Referendum on ObamaCare and Liberty

He suggested that security professionals instead explore ideas like "hardware-based security, " which would allow only privileged users to gain access to certain elements of a server's memory.

FORBES: Made For Hacking

The UK has acknowledged that there are some extremist elements fighting alongside more moderate opposition forces, but it says only a political transition can bring long-term stability to Syria.

BBC: Cameron and Putin discuss Syria conflict at Sochi talks

On Thursday, the U.S. military made clear that it is unwilling to say the cease-fire is over, with a spokesman saying the military still believes only rogue Shiite elements are responsible.

NPR: Fighting Between Iraqi Forces, Militias Continues

Rocks laid down at the time - some 65.5 million years ago - show a thin layer abundant in rare elements like Iridium, spherules and shocked Quartz that could only have come from a meteorite impact.

BBC: Closing the 'three metre gap'

"It is a merger only in name as they are not combining large elements of their cost bases, " said one London-based analyst.

BBC: NEWS | Business | Air France seals takeover of KLM