Cars Are King, from Detroit to Beijing
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Cars Are King, from Detroit to Beijing

The Detroit Auto Show is going green, or so automakers want us to believe. But the Earth may not be able to sustain a polluting industry that's expanding fast in China, India, Brazil and Russia. We hear what's in store for the American market and the rest of the world. Also, Fed Chief Ben Bernanke wants an economic stimulus package, and the latest dispute over Nevada's presidential caucuses: should they be held in casinos?


Banner image: A model unveils the Kylin car from Changfeng Motor of China during press preview days 14 January 2008 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Photo: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images

Making News

Fed Chief Wants a Stimulus Package ()

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke told Congress today it is "critically important" for an economic stimulus package to take effect quickly in order to ward off a recession. Tom Petruno reports on business for the Los Angeles Times.

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Main Topic

Cars, Cars and More Cars ()

The Detroit Auto Show used to be all about size, speed, style and America's domination of the world market. This year even China's in on the action, marketing strategies you might call unorthodox, while more familiar players push plug-in hybrids, clean diesel and cars that run on industrial waste. Toyota is competing with GM to go green, but has to admit that the auto industry will always be bad for the environment. What's next for American drivers? Can the world sustain the expanding automobile economy?

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Reporter's Notebook

Nevada Prepares to Caucus in the Casinos ()

After Nevada's Culinary Workers endorsed Barack Obama, the Teachers Union filed suit to stop Saturday's caucuses from being held in casinos. It's not because of the gambling, which is Nevada's biggest industry. The teachers union, which claimed that the newly created precincts favored some voters over others, has ties to Clinton. But today, US District Court Judge James Mahan ruled that state Democrats had a right to set their own caucus rules. David Damore is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Guests:
  • David Damore: Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Nevada Las Vegas

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