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 Election Marks Uncertain Milepost in Russian Democracy After eight years of firm rule, Russian President Vladimir Putin is bound by law to give up his position. But Sunday's election, in which his hand-picked successor is expected to cruise to victory, is being derided by some as simply a continuation of his rule. Simon Marks reports from Moscow.

     

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 Campaigning Intensifies as Clinton's 'Firewall' Draws Near Hillary Clinton's campaign has staked her future in this race on the results of Texas's and Ohio's March 4 primaries. As rival Barack Obama has risen to match her in the polls in both states, both sides have intensified their efforts. Kwame Holman reports on the state of the Democratic campaign trail.

     

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 Ohio Officials Explain Their Support for Clinton, Obama New polls indicate Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama now running neck-and-neck in the former Clinton stronghold of Ohio. Two state officials discuss which candidate they support and why.

     

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 With Texas and Ohio on Horizon, Shields and Brooks Assess the Race Amid worsening economic reports and tightening poll numbers, the primary race between Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton entered a critical weekend ahead of primary votes in Texas and Ohio. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks provide their take on the week.

     

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 Congress Divided on Economic Relief, Housing Measures President Bush played down the possibility of recession Thursday, while Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke explained to Congress the difficulties of balancing rising inflation with a slowing economy. Two senators debate proposals to aid the economy, including a supplemental stimulus package and a bid to expand home foreclosure relief.

     

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 Candidates Talk Policy to Texas, Ohio Voters Sens. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and John McCain, R-Ariz., made appeals Thursday to Texas and Ohio voters before their March 4 primary contests. Talk on the stump focused on health care, economy and Iraq war policy. Kwame Holman recaps the day's campaigning.

     

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 Generational Lines Reveal a Split in Texas Family's Vote Sen. Barack Obama is gaining support in Texas -- a state where Sen. Hillary Clinton once had a stronghold -- especially among young, Latino voters. Gewn Ifill reports on the divide between father and son Texas legislators over their choice for the Democratic nomination.

     

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 Political Deal in Kenya Raises Hopes for End to Violence Rival leaders in Kenya agreed to a coalition government deal Thursday that would create a new prime minister role to rule with the president, raising hopes for an end to two months of post-election violence. The U.S. secretary of state for African affairs discusses the plan and the prospects for peace.

     

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 'Juno' Raises Questions About Teen Pregnancy "Juno" -- a popular film about a teenage girl who gets pregnant and gives her baby away -- won the 2008 Oscar for best original screenplay. Essayist Anne Taylor Fleming reflects on how teen pregnancy is portrayed in popular media.

   

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 Democrats Focus on NAFTA, Tactics in Ohio Debate Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama traded barbs over campaign tactics and NAFTA -- an issue central to many Ohio voters -- in Tuesday night's debate. On Wednesday, Sen. John McCain highlighted the policy differences between himself and his Democratic rivals.

     

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 Clinton Looks to Ohio, Texas for Rebound in Tough Race Sen. Hillary Clinton told the NewsHour Wednesday that she remains optimistic about her chances in next week's Texas and Ohio primaries as she battles Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination. Clinton details her campaign outlook and the prospects for a general election race against presumptive GOP nominee John McCain.

     

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 Justices Consider Exxon's Valdez Damages Challenge The Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in Exxon's appeal of a civil suit that awarded $2.5 billion in punitive damages to victims of the 1989 Exxon Valdez shipwreck and oil spill in Alaska. The National Law Journal's Marcia Coyle recaps the case.

     

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 Editor Reflects on Buckley's Conservative Legacy William F. Buckley, Jr. -- a commentator and author credited with helping found the modern American conservative movement -- died Wednesday at age 82. Paul Gigot, the Wall Street Journal's editorial page editor, reflects on Buckley's legacy.

     

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 Obama Gains Dodd Endorsement; McCain Targets Dems Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., picked up the endorsement of Conn. Sen. Chris Dodd Tuesday, ahead of an Ohio debate with Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y. Presumptive GOP nominee Sen. John McCain, meanwhile, targeted his Democratic rivals on the campaign trail.

     

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 Diversity, Economy, Immigration Shape Race in Texas The tight race between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama has both candidates vying for votes in the delegate-rich states of Texas and Ohio on March 4, while GOP front-runner Sen. John McCain will try to expand his lead. Texas political journalists discuss what may sway voters in their state.

     

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 N.Y. Philharmonic Strikes Accord in N. Korea with Concert The New York Philharmonic performed in North Korea Tuesday, the first major U.S. cultural organization -- and the largest contingent of Americans -- to visit the isolationist country in more than 50 years. Experts evaluate the event and its historical context.

     

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 Study Finds American Religious Affiliations Are Fluid A new study on religion in the United States released Tuesday found that more than a quarter of adult Americans have left the faith of their childhood and a growing number of people are unaffiliated. Analysts examine the role of faith in America.

     

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 Election Renews Focus on Definition of Race With a popular African-American presidential candidate and the increasing influence of Hispanic voters, the 2008 presidential election has brought new attention to minority groups in the U.S. Essayist Clarence Page of the Chicago Tribune reflects on how we define race.

   

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 Senators Weigh U.S. Policy in South Asia after Visit Sens. Joseph Biden, D-Del., and Chuck Hagel, R- Neb., recently traveled to Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Turkey in an effort to review the state of security and U.S. diplomacy in the critical regions. The lawmakers assess U.S. relations in South Asia and the recent Turkish incursion into northern Iraq.

     

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 New Cuban Leadership Intensifies Speculation on Reforms Raul Castro was confirmed as Cuba's president Sunday, after last week's announcement that his ailing brother, Fidel Castro, would step down after decades in power. Two experts on Cuba discuss the prospects for reforms in the country and relations with the United States.

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