That would ease the strain on existing lines, making more room for freight trains and commuter services.

ECONOMIST: High-speed rail

To ease the strain, Hanjin (owned by the same group that is struggling to manage Korean Air) has sold much of its fleet and leased it back.

ECONOMIST: Shipping

The recent resignation of controversial finance minister "Red" Oskar Lafontaine may have helped ease the political strain, but the German government's grip on events seems decidedly less firm that under previous Chancellor Helmut Kohl.

BBC: By Political Correspondent Nick Assinder

And because of the drought, the federal government is offering several emergency programs to ease the financial strain on ranchers.

NPR: Fires Scorch Nebraska Cattle Industry