Can Obama Keep Moderate Democrats from Bailing on His Budget?

First there was last winter’s $168 billion economic stimulus package, followed by a $300 billion fund in June to help distressed mortgage holders. Then came $350 billion for the banks , another $350 billion for the banks, $787 billion in economic stimulus and $410 billion in an earmark-packed spending package for fiscal 2009 that Congress passed on Tuesday. Dizzy

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Amid Pakistan Chaos, Musharraf Fancies a Comeback

When Pakistan’s civilian politicians united, last August, to force General-turned-President Pervez Musharraf from power, the moment was hailed as a democratic milestone in country long ruled by military men. But now, as the country’s two main political parties remain locked in an endless power struggle while Pakistan’s security and economic crises spiral dangerously out of control, Musharraf has stepped back into the public eye

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Army desertions hurting Mexico’s war on drugs

In the face of spiraling drug violence that has shaken the country, the Mexican army has taken a lead role in attempting to thwart the narcotraffickers. But its ability to do so has been hurt by a large number of desertions, government officials say. At present, some 40,000 forces are deployed throughout the nation against the traffickers, according to the secretary of defense

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Obama’s honeymoon with Americans still going strong

President Obama is halfway through his first 100 days in office and he’s still enjoying a honeymoon with the American public, according to an average of recent polls. Obama’s job approval rating stands at 61 percent in a new CNN poll of polls, which averaged seven national surveys conducted over the past two weeks

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Senate passes $410 billion spending bill

A massive spending bill that funds the U.S. government for the rest of the budget year passed the Senate on Tuesday despite complaints about nearly $8 billion in what critics called "pork-barrel" projects. Senators voted 62-35 to cut off debate on the $410 billion measure and passed it on a voice vote immediately afterward

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Obama wants to overhaul education system from ‘cradle to career’

President Obama began to flesh out the details of one of his signature campaign promises Tuesday, outlining his plan for a major overhaul of the country’s education system "from the cradle up through a career." “We have let our grades slip, our schools crumble, our teacher quality fall short and other nations outpace us,” Obama said in an address to the U.S.

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