Charles Gasparino's The Sellout: The Fall of 2008 and the Global Financial System
The McCuistion Program Premieres on PBS in Las Vegas

In today’s news update we feature links to the job rate, Obama’s meeting with the Dalai Lama, and Toyota’s apologies for the recalls.

Jobless Rate Falls to 9.7%; U.S. Sheds 20,000 Job

The U.S. unemployment rate unexpectedly declined in January, but the economy continued to shed jobs and revisions painted a bleaker picture for 2009, casting doubt over the labor market’s strength.

The unemployment rate, calculated using a household survey, fell to 9.7% last month from an unrevised 10% in December, the Labor Department said Friday. Economists surveyed by Dow Jones Newswires had forecast the jobless rate would edge higher to 10.1%.

Toyota’s Chief Steps Forward to Apologize for Problems

NAGOYA, JAPAN — The president of Toyota apologized at a hastily arranged news conference Friday night for the quality problems that led to the recall of more than nine million cars worldwide.

Analysis: Obama-Dalai Lama meeting only option

WASHINGTON — Just a week after enraging China with an arms sale package for rival Taiwan, President Barack Obama risks more damage to this crucial relationship by agreeing to meet with the Dalai Lama in two weeks.

Charles Gasparino's The Sellout: The Fall of 2008 and the Global Financial System
The McCuistion Program Premieres on PBS in Las Vegas