Alstom

In a sign that large fossil-fuel power plants may be falling out of favor, French engineering company Alstom on Monday announced plans to cut 4,000 jobs in the next 17 months. Alstom cited low demand for its coal and natural-gas plants. Its renewable-energy operations won't be affected by the cuts.

Japan Central Railway's $600 billion proposal for upgrading America's rail system is almost as slick as its 200-mph locomotives -- a package deal for the entire operation, providing everything from cars to signals, rails to maintenance.