Almost half of the country lives in households that receive benefits, like Medicare.

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Nicklas Backstrom stood outside the Washington Capitals’ dressing room Thursday night at Verizon Center, leaning against a doorway in a charcoal gray suit. He caught up with his Swedish countrymen from that evening’s opponent, and occasionally cracked just the slightest smile. Read full article > >

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Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom has ‘day-to-day’ struggle with concussion

The Indian foreign secretary described his country’s relationship with the United States as one of growing comfort, depth and candor, if hardly perfect harmony.

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India Trumpets Ties With U.S. Amid Iran Oil Deal

Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad says his country will announce major nuclear achievements in the next few days.

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Iran to make nuclear announcement

BEIRUT — Two suicide bombers struck compounds housing security services in the Syrian city of Aleppo on Friday, reportedly killing 28 people and wounding 238 in the worst violence to hit the country’s relatively calm commercial capital since the uprising began last March. Read full article > >

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Bombers strike Syrian city of Aleppo as offensive continues in Homs

The Obama administration will free 10 states from the requirements of No Child Left Behind, responding to complaints from teachers and school administrators across the country that the nation’s main education law is outdated and punitive. Read full article > >

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Obama: 10 states to receive No Child Left Behind waivers

BEIJING — On the eve of Chinese Vice-President Xi Jinping’s official visit to Washington, the country’s vice foreign minister in charge of U.S. affairs said the two countries now suffered from a “trust deficit” that the trip might help resolve. Read full article > >

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China, U.S. clash on Syria, other global issues ahead of Xi Jinping visit

Syria’s opposition dismisses assurances that President Assad is committed to ending the violence sweeping the country.

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Syria: Assad assurances dismissed

The United States in Iraq, population 16,000, is a country within a country. It has a $6 billion budget, its own airline and three hospitals, and imports virtually all of its food. Its central fortress, otherwise known as the Baghdad embassy compound, is nearly as large as Vatican City. Read full article > >

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U.S. evaluating size of Baghdad embassy, officials say

In both style and substance, Sherry Rehman was born to be a Washington diplomat and hostess. She has a designer wardrobe, a chestnut coif and camera-ready makeup. She also has a BA from Smith, a CV full of democratic credentials and the articulate self-confidence of her country’s Westernized elite. Read full article > >

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Pakistan’s new envoy brings liberal charm but faces slim chance for diplomatic thaw

BERLIN — As Greek leaders argue about whether to accept the painful terms that come with another bailout for their country, the two people who control Europe’s purse strings have drawn ever closer together. Read full article > >

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Germany’s Merkel pledges campaign support for France’s Sarkozy

Former Cuban President Fidel Castro once again dominated his country's airwaves Monday during the televised presentation of an event for his new memoir, “Fidel Castro: Guerrilla of Time.”

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Cuba TV airs Castro book-release party

The United States withdrew all staff from its embassy in Syria on Monday, blaming President Bashar al-Assad for escalating violence and mayhem in the country.

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U.S. Embassy in Syria Closes as Violence Flares

Country singer Randy Travis was arrested early Monday morning on a charge of public intoxication after police discovered him sitting in a parked car outside a Texas church, seemingly drunk and holding an open bottle of wine. Read full article > >

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Randy Travis apologizes after public intoxication arrest

The actions include freezing all property of the Central Bank of Iran, other Iranian financial institutions and the Iranian government in this country.

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White House Moves to Tighten Sanctions on Iran