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 Fed Cuts Rate Again in Latest Bid to Shore Up Economy The Federal Reserve cut a key interest rate by a quarter point Wednesday, bringing the federal funds rate down to its lowest level since late 2004. The move is intended to help address the ongoing housing slump and credit crunch. Analysts discuss the Fed's action and the economic strain on the American public.

     

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 Gas Tax Holiday Plan Provides Fodder for Campaigns Presidential hopefuls Sens. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and John McCain, R-Ariz., have raised the idea of suspending the federal gas tax for the summer. A tax policy expert explains whether a gas tax holiday is politically or economically feasible.

     

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 Afghan Forces Target Taliban in Kabul in Latest Bout of Unrest Afghan security forces engaged in a firefight with Taliban fighters in the capital city of Kabul Wednesday, blowing up a home and reportedly killing two militants and a woman and child inside. Two analysts assess the security situation in Afghanistan.

     

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 Obama Seeks to Quell Furor Over Former Pastor Sen. Barack Obama responded on Tuesday to Rev. Jeremiah Wright's recent media blitz in the run up to primary elections in North Carolina and Indiana. Veteran political reporters discuss the upcoming votes and the impact of the Wright controversy.

     

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 Iraqis Seek Refuge in U.S. After Working With American Forces Facing the threat of kidnapping, torture, and beheadings, Iraqi interpreters who have worked for U.S. forces are seeking refuge for themselves and their families in the United States. Lee Hochberg of Oregon Public Broadcasting reports on their search for safety.

     

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 Supply, Price of Food Increase Hardship for World's Poor Food shortages and price spikes have combined to wreak havoc within the world's poorest nations. Ray Suarez examines the causes and effects of the food crises and speaks with the Washington Post's Anthony Faiola about his recent trip to Mauritania.

     

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 Novelist Junot Diaz Weaves Cultures and Languages From the "Fuku" of the Dominican Republic to Klingon from Star Trek, the world of author Junot Diaz is a vibrant mix of cultures and languages. He discusses his influences and winning the Pulitzer Prize earlier this month for his novel, "The Brief Wondrous Life of Wao."

     

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 Ruling on Voter ID Law May Spur Tighter State Regulation The Supreme Court voted 6 to 3 Monday to uphold an Indiana law requiring voters to show photo identification at polling stations. The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle examines the impact of the Supreme Court decisions on voters and state regulations.

     

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 Wright Defends Sermons as Debate Over Race Continues Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Sen. Barack Obama's longtime pastor, defended the fiery sermons that have become an issue on the campaign trail Monday and criticized what he called an "attack on the black church." A panel of columnists and analysts discuss Wright's impact on the presidential race.

     

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 Mass. Health Care Plan Praised, But Struggles With Cost Massachusetts' universal coverage plan has helped thousands of the state's residents gain health care -- but critics remain wary of the high costs of the program, both expected and unexpected. Susan Dentzer reports on how the Bay State is faring in its reform efforts.

     




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 Three U.S. Soldiers Killed in Baghdad Rocket Attack Three U.S. soldiers were killed in a Baghdad rocket attack Monday, following a weekend in which U.S. forces killed 45 Shiite militia fighters during fierce battles in the Iraqi capital. New York Times reporter Michael Gordon updates the story from Baghdad.

     

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 Democrats' Attention Turns to N.C., Ind. Primaries Following Tuesday's Pennsylvania primary, Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton turned their focus to upcoming primaries in Indiana and North Carolina. Clinton seeks to keep her momentum going while Obama looks to clinch the Democratic nomination.

     

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 As Democrats Battle On, Shields and Brooks Size Up Tactics Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are turning their attention to Indiana and North Carolina as the battle for the Democratic nomination rolls on while GOP Sen. John McCain has sought to hone his political message on the campaign trail. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week's political news.

     

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 Pittsburgh Renews Itself With 'Green' Technologies Pittsburgh, once described as the nation's "dirtiest city," is working hard to reverse that image with new energy efficient initiatives. Paul Solman looks at how the Steel City has become reinvigorated by implementing new "green" energy technologies.

     

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 Senate Votes to Prevent Genetic Discrimination in the Workplace As research of preventative genetic testing increases, many fear the impact this information can have on employment and health-insurance practices -- leading the Senate to vote Thursday to ban genetic-based discrimination. An expert on genetics examines the issue.

     

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 Analysts Mull N. Korea's Link to Syrian Nuclear Site Following the CIA's release of information on Thursday linking Syria's supposed nuclear reactor site to North Korean technology, analysts review the evidence and discuss the future of relations between the U.S. and North Korea.

     

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 Leaders Struggle to Revive Israeli-Palestinian Talks Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with President Bush Thursday in a bid to provide a needed boost to U.S.-backed peace negotiations with Israel. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat and Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations Dan Gillerman discuss the state of the talks.

     

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 Government Curries Favor With Military News Analysts The Pentagon may influence the analysis of some retired military personnel who appear on television news programs, the New York Times recently reported. Media insiders discuss the details of this murky world of defense companies, the current administration and the war in Iraq.

     

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 CIA Presents New Evidence of Syria-N. Korea Nuclear Link CIA officials briefed House and Senate members Thursday on classified evidence, including a video, linking North Korea to a Syrian nuclear facility that Israel bombed in September 2007. A reporter discusses the details of the emerging story.

     

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 For Hayes, Pittsburgh and Poetry Are No Strangers Terrance Hayes is the author of three books of poetry and is a professor of Creative Writing at Carnegie Mellon University. He discusses life as a poet in Pittsburgh, "where no one is a stranger," and shares some of his work.

     




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 Petraeus Tapped to Head Mideast Central Command Defense Secretary Robert Gates nominated Wednesday Gen. David Petraeus to head the U.S. Central Command, which oversees operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Military experts analyze the change in role and what it means for U.S. military efforts in the region.

     

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 Democratic Party Faces Tough Choices as Race Pushes On Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama shifted their focus to Indiana and North Carolina Wednesday, after Clinton's victory in Pennsylvania on Tuesday ensured that their campaigns will go on. Four Democratic Party leaders assess the road ahead for the presidential nomination.

     

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 In Pittsburgh, Robots Help Rebuild Struggling Economy As Pittsburgh continues to rebuild itself after the loss of thousands of manufacturing jobs in the 1980s, a technology industry is emerging. Tom Bearden reports on how engineers in the city are developing robots for everything from elderly care to military operations.

     




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 As Food Prices Soar, U.N. Calls for International Help The head of the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization urged help Wednesday for countries affected by a global food crisis caused by sharp increases in the prices of rice and wheat. Experts discuss the causes and consequences of high food prices.

     

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 Voters Cast Ballots in Hard-fought Pa. Primary Democratic presidential candidates Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama made final pitches to Pennsylvanians Tuesday in the hopes to sway still-undecided voters as they headed to the polls. Political analysts examine the day in voting.

     

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 Shields and Brooks Consider Impact of Pa. Contest After weeks of heavy campaigning in Pennsylvania, Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama faced off in the Keystone state's Democratic primary Tuesday. Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks weigh the candidates' chances going into and coming out of Pennsylvania.

     

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 Leaders Defend NAFTA Policies at Trade Summit President Bush criticized the Democratic presidential candidates Tuesday for vowing to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement at a trade summit with Canadian and Mexican leaders in New Orleans. A reporter considers the prospects for trade negotiations.

     

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 Democrats Make Final Pa. Push; McCain Launches Tour Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama crisscrossed Pennsylvania Monday in a final attempt to sway Keystone state voters before Tuesday's Democratic primary, while presumptive GOP nominee Sen. John McCain spoke in Selma, Al., on the first day of his five-day tour of economically struggling communities.

     

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 Economy Weighs on Minds of Pittsburgh Voters As part of the Big Picture election series focusing on Pittsburgh, Ray Suarez examines how the economy and other issues are weighing on the minds of voters in Steel City as the region works to reinvent itself from an industrial-based economy.

     

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 Close Primary Reveals Split Among Pittsburgh Elected Officials Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama made a final push to court Pennsylvania voters Monday, a day before the state's primary contest. Two Pittsburgh city council members, who are split in their endorsements, discuss the city's political leanings.

     

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 Rural Pennsylvania May Help Swing Primary Vote In the battle for Pennsylvania votes, the central area of the state may prove influential to the outcome of Tuesday's Democratic primary. A political reporter and a pollster assess which way the votes in central Pennsylvania may swing.

   

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 Delegate-Rich Pa. Suburbs Prove to Be Major Battlegrounds Two Philadelphia congressmen explain how the delegate-rich Philadelphia suburbs may play a crucial role in determining the outcome of Tuesday's Pennsylvania primary, where polls show support is closely split between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

     

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 Pope Benedict Urges Respect for Human Rights at U.N. Pope Benedict XVI spoke Friday at the United Nations, saying respect for human rights should be the focus of international cooperation, but warning "multilateral consensus" is "subordinated to the decisions of a small number."

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 Earthquake Shakes Up American Midwest The Midwest awoke to a forceful magnitude 5.2 earthquake early Friday morning. The earthquake, centered in southern Illinois, damaged property but no injuries were reported. Ray Suarez talks to an expert about the rare Midwest quake.

     

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 Carter Meeting Sparks New Debate Over Engaging Hamas Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter met Friday with leaders from Hamas, a militant group labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S. and Israel. The meeting sparked renewed debate over whether any negotiations should include the Palestinian group.

     

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 Pittsburgh Media Adapts to Shifting News Landscape The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is preparing for the demands of covering the presidential primary campaign by focusing mainly on online reporting and adapting to a changing media landscape. Jeffrey Brown reports on the Post-Gazette's strategy.

     

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 Clinton, Obama Enter Final Stretch in Pa. Primary Fight For the first time in six weeks, Democratic voters will once again cast ballots in the hotly contested Pennsylvania primary Tuesday. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks consider the state of the campaign and assess the fallout from Wednesday's debate in Philadelphia.

     

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 Primary Looms as Candidates Sharpen Attacks Questions of character and recent controversies took center stage at Wednesday night's Democratic debate, where Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama sought to prove their electability and appeal to Pennsylvania primary voters. Political reporters assess the state of the race and fact check the candidates' statements.

     

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 Pope Benedict Says Church, American Society at a 'Crossroads' Pope Benedict XVI held mass before a crowd of some 45,000 worshipers at the Washington Nationals park Thursday, where he addressed the challenges facing American Catholics. A group of analysts and experts examine the pope's message to Americans.

     

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 High-tech School Prepares Students for Shifting Economy Paul Solman reports on a high school in California that pushes its students to focus on the future by preparing for jobs in the world of high technology -- while also helping the U.S. stay competitive in a global marketplace.

     

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 Supreme Court Votes 7-2 to Allow Lethal Injection The Supreme Court voted Wednesday to uphold Kentucky's use of lethal injection, allowing the continuation of executions on hold since September. The court also heard arguments on the legality of the death penalty for child rapists. Marcia Coyle discusses the cases.

     

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 Iran's Role in Iraq, Nuclear Ambitions Cloud U.S. Policy Six-nation talks over Iran's nuclear ambitions ended Wednesday in stalemate, though President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said he was open to continued talks. Amid allegations of an Iranian role in Iraqi violence, analysts consider the state of U.S.-Iranian relations.

     

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 Schwarzenegger Adviser Outlines U.S. Oil Addiction In the fourth installment of the NewsHour's Costly Crude series, environmentalist and adviser to California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger Terry Tamminen discusses the shrinking oil supply with Ray Suarez.

     

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 Papal Visit Prompts Reflection on U.S. Catholic Identity Pope Benedict XVI arrived in the U.S. Tuesday for his first official visit -- a trip aimed partly at rallying Catholics still struggling with the aftermath of a clergy sex abuse scandal. Experts on religion examine U.S. Catholicism and how Americans view the pope.

     

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 Merck Faces New Questions Over Vioxx Risks, Research Pharmaceutical company Merck knew in 2001 that its arthritis drug Vioxx could harm patients and used staffers to "ghostwrite" favorable research on the drug, articles in the Journal of the American Medical Association report. Susan Dentzer examines the charges.

     




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 Economy a Top Issue Ahead of Pennsylvania Primary As the Pennsylvania primary draws near, Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are crisscrossing the Keystone State in a bid for voter support in a state where a complex mix of issues -- from the economy to religion -- ranks high for voters. Political analysts from across Pennsylvania preview the contest.

     

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 Zimbabwe Court Deals Major Blow to Opposition Party On Monday, Zimbabwe's highest court refused to order the release of presidential election results -- dealing a blow to the opposition party, which says its leader defeated President Robert Mugabe in the vote. NPR's Ofeibea Quist-Arcton provides an update from Harare.

     

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 Programs Seek to Aid Low-Paid, Working Women Millions of women in the United States work long hours at jobs that do not pay enough to support their families. Elizabeth Brackett reports on several programs set up to help these working women.

     

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 Clinton, Obama Battle in Pa.; McCain Talks Housing Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton continued to campaign heavily in Pennsylvania ahead of its April 22 primary, while presumptive GOP nominee John McCain further outlined his economic proposals at a campaign stop in New York.

     

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 In Wake of Iraq Report, Troop Levels Stir Debate This week, Gen. David Petraeus and Amb. Ryan Crocker spoke to Congressional panels about the current situation in Iraq and President Bush backed shorter Iraq troop tours. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the week in the news.

     

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 Rising Food Prices Felt Around the World Soaring food prices and recent jumps in the price of rice -- a critical food in the developing world -- have impacted communities and aid organizations across the globe. Independent Television News reports on the increased price of rice.

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 Lawmakers Remain Split Over Help for Homeowners Amid the subprime mortgage crisis and subsequent economic downturn, Republican and Democratic legislators alike have called for the government to do more to aid struggling homeowners. However, the amount and kind of such aid is the subject of fierce debate. A reporter details the legislative battle over housing aid.

     

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 Shorter Iraq Tours Aim to Ease Strain on Troops President Bush supported Gen. David Petraeus' call to halt future troop drawdowns in Iraq Thursday but also announced that the Army will return to 12-month deployments to help ease the burden on troops. Military experts debate the impact on the U.S. military and its capabilities.

     

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 FAA Audits Deal New Blow to Airline Industry, Travelers American Airlines canceled some 900 flights Thursday for a third day of deep-reaching schedule changes due to a new round of tighter FAA safety inspections. An airline safety expert and an FAA representative examine the impact on the airline industry and on passengers.

     

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 Tracking Oil's Journey From the Pipeline to the Pump The price of oil fell slightly Thursday after reaching a record high a day earlier. In the second installment of our series on the consequences of the high price of oil, Lisa Margonelli, a fellow with the New America Foundation, discusses her book "Oil on the Brain: Adventures from the Pump to the Pipeline."

     

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 Mary Jo Bang Examines Grief's Poetic Form, the Elegy Mary Jo Bang is professor of English and director of the Creative Writing Program at Washington University. Her fifth book, "Elegy," which won of the National Book Critics Circle Award, examines the pain and grief following the death of her son. She shares two poems from the collection.

     




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 House Members Discuss Petraeus, Crocker Iraq Hearing Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, and Ambassador Ryan Crocker briefed Congress for a second day Wednesday, discussing the situation in Iraq with lawmakers in the House. Two House members reflect on the hearings and the road ahead for Iraq policy.

     

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 Olympic Torch Relay Puts Chinese Policies in Focus China is facing increasing scrutiny for many of its policies as the Summer Games in Beijing draw closer -- and protesters have seized the Olympic torch's current global tour as a platform to voice opposition to China's rule of Tibet, among other issues. Two analysts discuss the protests.

     

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 Economics Writer Examines Oil's Shifting Market Position In the first in a series of NewsHour interviews on oil's standing in the rapidly changing world economy, author Vijay Vaitheeswaran discusses the causes and effects of the recent rise in oil prices and how energy technologies will impact future business practices.

     

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 Hearings Rekindle Debate on Military Progress in Iraq Gen. David Petraeus recommended a halt to future troop withdrawals to "preserve the still-fragile security gains" in Iraq during Senate hearings Tuesday with U.S. Ambassador to Baghdad Ryan Crocker. Military experts analyze what the testimony reveals about Iraq's security and progress.

     

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 President Bush, Congress Clash Over Colombia Trade Deal President Bush announced Monday that he would send a free trade agreement between the U.S. and Colombia to Congress for approval. While the White House urged swift action, Democrats raised concerns over anti-union violence in Colombia and the deal's impact on U.S. jobs. Lawmakers discuss the measure.

     

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 In Tuition Aid Rules, Immigration Debate Meets Reality As the immigration debate continues to evolve, some states are denying children of undocumented immigrants government grants and tuition loans offered to low-income students to help pay for college. Lee Hochberg reports on how undocumented students are coping.

     

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 Americans Reflect on Evolution of King's Legacy On the evening of April 4, 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on the balcony of a Memphis hotel, leaving the civil rights movement he led to forge its own path. A panel of analysts discuss King's complex legacy and how U.S. race relations have evolved since his death.

     

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 FAA Inspectors Claim Agency Was Lax on Safety Enforcement Veteran Federal Aviation Administration inspectors told a House committee Thursday that safety violations by Southwest Airlines were ignored by their supervisors due to the "cozy" relationship between FAA officials and the airline. An analyst examines federal oversight of commercial airlines.

     

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 Leaders Struggle to Bolster New Orleans Schools In the latest in a series of reports on urban school reform, John Merrow reports on how the schools chief in New Orleans plans to deal with some of the most troubled schools in a city still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.

     

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 | | Rebuilding the Gulf Coast |    | 
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 Bernanke Says Bear Stearns Rescue Was 'Necessary' Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke defended the agency's rescue of Bear Stearns in a Senate hearing Thursday, saying the move was necessary to prevent further impact on the general economy. Financial experts weigh the Fed's response to recent economic turmoil.

     

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 Dems Drawn-out Primary Creates Concerns for General Election With Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama locked in a hard-fought -- and lengthy -- battle for delegates, the race for the Democratic nomination is pushing forward. Presidential historians discuss what past elections show about the impact of protracted primary races.

     

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 Washington, D.C., Schools Chief Faces Tough Choices In the latest in a series of reports on school reform in Washington, D.C., and New Orleans, John Merrow checks in with D.C. schools chief Michelle Rhee, who has had to make difficult -- and controversial -- decisions regarding school closures and staff cuts.

     

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 Senate Leaders Reach Tentative Deal on Housing Relief Momentum grew Wednesday for a Senate bill aimed at easing the slumping housing market and helping families threatened by foreclosure after lawmakers reached a tentative deal on a scaled-back version of the legislation. The architects of the compromise, Senators Chris Dodd, D-Conn., and Richard Shelby, R-Ala., discuss the bill.

     

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 Reporter Describes Mugabe's Tenuous Hold on Power In the wake of a decisive defeat in Zimbabwe's parliamentary elections on Saturday, President Robert Mugabe faces an uncertain future after 28 years in power. Charlayne Hunter-Gault reports on the situation from neighboring South Africa.

     

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 Memo Outlines Justification for Harsh Interrogation The Pentagon Tuesday disclosed a 2003 memo, since rescinded, that outlined the justifications for using harsh interrogation techniques against terror suspects and said President Bush's wartime authority trumps any ban on torture.

   

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 |  | TUESDAY, April 1, 2008

 Extended Interview: Former HUD Chief Alphonso Jackson As part of a NewsHour series on post-Hurricane Katrina housing in New Orleans, Betty Ann Bowser interviewed former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Alphonso Jackson about options for displaced public housing residents.

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 Extended Interview: Historian Arnold Hirsch As part of a series on post-Katrina housing in New Orleans, NewsHour correspondent Betty Ann Bowser interviewed University of New Orleans history professor Arnold Hirsch about the history of public housing in New Orleans and the rest of the United States.

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 Extended Interview: Cynthia Hedge-Morrell As part of a series on post-Hurricane Katrina housing in New Orleans, NewsHour correspondent Betty Ann Bowser interviewed New Orleans City Council member Cynthia Hedge-Morrell about the council's decision to tear down damaged public housing projects after the hurricane.

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 | | Rebuilding the Gulf Coast |    | 
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 Amid Iraq's Uneasy Calm, Maliki and Sadr Vie for Influence Over the weekend, Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr ordered his militia to stand down after days of battles with Iraqi and U.S. forces in Basra and parts of Baghdad -- a move some see as a blow to the authority of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. Now, both sides are calculating what, if anything, was won or lost in the fighting.

     

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 In New Orleans, Reinventing the Idea of Public Housing As New Orleans recovers from Hurricane Katrina, public housing units set for demolition will be replaced by "neighborhood-style" communities that will be available to residents with a mix of income levels -- a plan that has raised some debate in the storm-ravaged area.

     

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 Campaigns Push to Connect With Voters on Economic Reform Plans The Bush administration announced plans to overhaul U.S. financial regulatory structure Monday, the latest in a stream of stories on economic woes. Representatives from the Clinton, McCain and Obama campaigns discuss their candidates' views on the ailing economy.

     

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