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Economic stimulus. Congress Passes Stimulus Package "With the final vote coming late in the night, Congress approved a $787 billion stimulus package that aims to spur millions of jobs through massive new investments in energy, transportation, education and health-care projects, while reviving social safety-net programs that have been shrinking for nearly three decades" For Social Programs, Long-Awaited Boost "The economic stimulus package dramatically ramps up spending for a broad array of social programs for needy Americans in a way not seen since the launch of the Great Society programs." Stimulus struggle hints at a party showdown "The month long struggle over the stimulus plan left behind a smoking battlefield of partisanship, but it also set the stage for a political collision on a scale seldom seen in Washington -- a showdown on a succession of even more divisive issues that could shadow the future of the two major parties." Obama Scores Early Victory of Historic Proportions "Twenty-four days into his presidency, Barack Obama recorded last night a legislative achievement of the sort that few of his predecessors achieved at any point in their tenure."
Housing. Will $50 billion fix housing? It may be a down payment "President Barack Obama on Wednesday will roll out a plan to attack the trigger of the current global financial crisis: rising U.S. mortgage delinquency and foreclosure rates."
Unemployment. Rise in Jobless Poses Threat to Stability Worldwide "Worldwide job losses from the recession that started in the United States in December 2007 could hit a staggering 50 million by the end of 2009, according to the International Labor Organization, a United Nations agency." Iraq's young jobless threaten stability, report says "More than a fourth of Iraq's young men are out of work, a situation that is likely to worsen and threatens the country's long-term stability, according to a dismal economic forecast Sunday from U.N. and nongovernmental agencies."
Immigration. U.S. Military Will Offer Path to Citizenship "Stretched thin in Afghanistan and Iraq, the American military will begin recruiting skilled immigrants who are living in this country with temporary visas, offering them the chance to become United States citizens in as little as six months." Lawmakers Want Look at Sheriff in Arizona "Members of Congress asked the Justice and Homeland Security Departments on Friday to investigate accusations that the sheriff who presides over the Phoenix metropolitan area has engaged in a pattern of racial profiling and other abuses against Latino residents."
Boston pastors. Truce and reconciliation "After years of disputes and infighting, black clergy from across Boston gathered late Thursday night in Codman Square to start what one minister called their own "cease-fire."
Israel. Israeli Election Reflects Resurgence of the Right "Israel's election this week left doubts over who will become prime minister, but a clear majority of voters supported parties that regard military force, rather than peace talks, as the best way to safeguard the country." ANALYSIS / For Livni and Netanyahu, rotating government could be the only option "Benjamin Netanyahu and Tzipi Livni are like two card players at the table, neither with a good hand, each staring the other down. They know that neither of them has good cards. But they have to keep playing because their egos hold sway, and because they are in no hurry." Olmert Confirms Papal Visit to Israel "Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Sunday that Pope Benedict XVI would visit Israel in May, confirming what would be the third trip to the country by a pontiff since its founding in 1948."
Venezuela. Chávez Decisively Wins Bid to End Term Limits "President Hugo Chávez handily won a referendum on Sunday that will end presidential term limits, allowing him to run for re-election indefinitely and injecting fresh vibrancy into his socialist-inspired revolution." Venezuela passes amendment to end term limits "Putting aside concerns over a worsening economy, rising crime and increasing social polarization, Venezuelan voters gave President Hugo Chavez a resounding victory Sunday on a constitutional amendment that will allow him to run for reelection indefinitely."
Afghanistan. Afghan delegation to join U.S.-led review of war on terror in region "An Afghan delegation will join a U.S.-led policy review of the war on terror in the region, in a step announced Sunday by Afghan President Hamid Karzai and U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke that could help ease worsening tensions between the two countries." U.S. Envoy Reaches Out to Iran in Afghan Visit "President Obama's top envoy to Afghanistan declared Sunday that Iran should play a vital role helping stabilize the war-torn country." Is the U.S. repeating Soviet mistakes in Afghanistan? "Some Afghan experts are worried that the United States and its NATO allies are making some of the same mistakes that helped the Taliban's forerunners defeat the Soviet Union after a decade-long occupation that bled the Kremlin treasury, demoralized Moscow's military and contributed to the Soviet Union's collapse."
Zimbabwe. A Resuscitation of Hope in Zimbabwe "During this country's slow slide from economic dynamo to economic disaster, Zimbabweans' optimism has ebbed and flowed with each election, negotiation and protest, sustaining a minimum level of hope that some observers say has kept the nation from civil war. Now, many Zimbabweans are dreaming again: Could the new unity government spark a turnaround?" Zimbabwe politician faces terror charge "The Movement for Democratic Change said Roy Bennett, who it nominated as a deputy minister of agriculture in the coalition government, is the victim of a "malicious political vendetta" by hardliners within the military intent on scuppering the power-sharing deal." Mugabe henchmen aim to sabotage partnership "Zimbabwe's fledgeling power-sharing Government staggered into its fifth day yesterday as fears grew that a shadowy cabal of President Mugabe's top security bosses are edging towards a military coup."
Editorial. Faith-Based Fudging (New York Times) "President Obama fulfilled one campaign promise and violated another recently with an executive order revamping the White House office for religion-based and neighborhood programs."
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