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NASA Feud Threatens U.S. Edge in Space
After dominating space for a half century, the U.S. is mired in a political fight that threatens its leadership role and ambitions for manned exploration.
- Vote: Should NASA rely on private companies?
- China Sets Ambitious Space Goals

Bernanke Sees Little Inflation Threat
Fed Chief Bernanke pointed to a sharp and widely dispersed slowdown in inflation in recent months and indicated he saw little threat of it picking up any time soon.
- Bernanke Pressures China on Yuan
- Vote: Is Fed outlook changing?
- Inflation Worries Moderate
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Parties Spar Over Fannie, Freddie Collapse
A congressional hearing exposed different views between Republicans and Democrats over how the U.S. should support affordable housing when it revamps Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and the broader mortgage market.
- Readers React: "Where is all the money going?'
- Remaking the Mortgage Market
Politics Show in Spanish to Debut
A new television show in Spanish will join the Sunday-morning punditry parade this weekend as NBC Universal's Telemundo tries to engage the growing Hispanic market ahead of the midterm elections.
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FCC Chairman Criticized Over Broadband Plans
Genachowski said his agency has the authority to push ahead with its plans to expand broadband Internet access, as senators from both parties criticized his recently released National Broadband Plan.
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Revenue Picture Brightens for States
The declines in tax receipts that have hit states over the past year are slowing, but they face budget gaps for at least the next two years—in large part because federal aid is going away.
SEIU's Stern Announces Retirement
Andy Stern, the controversial head of the Service Employees International Union, announced his retirement from the union, ending a volatile chapter in organized labor.
Holder: U.S. Hopes to Capture Bin Laden
Attorney General Holder said the U.S. would like to capture and interrogate Osama bin Laden, but he still expects the al Qaeda leader won't be taken alive.
Appeals by Mines Delayed Sanctions
Four dozen coal mines, including the Massey Energy mine in West Virginia where 29 miners were killed, escaped tougher enforcement for months while safety citations were being appealed.
Bill Pushes to Cancel Haiti's Debt
Congress is sending President Barack Obama legislation calling for the U.S. to take the lead in relieving earthquake-shattered Haiti of millions of dollars in debt.
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Crist Avoids Discussing Senate Run
Florida Gov. Charlie Crist sidestepped a question about whether he would abandon his GOP primary bid for U.S. Senate and instead appear on the ballot with no party affiliation.
- Wash Wire: A Path to Running as an Independent?
- Previously: Crist Advisers Push Independent Bid
Key Document Released in Blagojevich Case
A judge ordered the release of a document outlining the evidence federal prosecutors plan to present at the former Illinois governor's corruption trial.
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House Moves to Stop Caller-ID Scams
The House passed a bill that would make it illegal falsify the name and number appearing on caller ID with the intent of deceiving and harming the person who answered the phone.
CIA Names New Deputy as Veteran Steps Down
CIA deputy director Stephen Kappes, who has spearheaded sensitive talks with Pakistan and Yemen, is retiring as 30-year veteran Michael Morell is set to take the No. 2 post.
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Jobless-Benefits Bill Hits Snag
Senate Democrats faced a temporary delay in their attempts to move forward with an extension of jobless benefits and health-care subsidies for the unemployed.
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U.S. Asserts Right to Return Cyber Attacks
The U.S. should counter computer-based attacks swiftly and strongly and act to thwart or disable a threat even when the attacker's identity is unknown, the director of the National Security Agency told Congress.
Congress Urges Baseball to Ban Smokeless Tobacco
Stern Leaving SEIU Amid Turmoil
Arizona Clears Strict Immigration Bill
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Florida Democrat Wins House Race
Congress to Examine Mine Disaster
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Number of Households Getting Mortgage Relief Levels Off
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Suit Accuses Census of Hiring Bias
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Pataki Isn't Joining N.Y. Senate Race
More Life Insurance Was Sought on Woman
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White House Moves to Placate Critics of its NASA Plan
Modified Crops Get Vote of Approval
Three Killed in Navy Plane Crash
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U.S. Bribery Lawyer to Join Paul Weiss
U.K. Election Turns to U.S. for Style
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HUD Secretary: Housing Efforts Paying Off

Health

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Licenses Drive Gene Debate
In a report likely to intensify the controversy over gene patents, Duke researchers concluded that exclusive licensing of gene-based diagnostic tests may deprive many patients of the benefits of genetic discoveries.
Politics
Obama Revs Up Fund Raising
Obama is entering the political season in earnest, hoping to energize voters, raise truckloads of cash and stave off potentially dramatic Democratic losses in the fall.
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Obama Courts Rivals on Finance Bill
The White House is trying to splinter GOP opposition to its financial-regulation bill by courting individual senators, including Scott Brown, who broke ranks to move legislation extending jobless benefits.
S.F. Bay Area
New Suburbs Are a Flight Away
Some professionals are moving to Portland and Seattle in search of affordable, vibrant communities while keeping their jobs in the San Francisco region.
- Vote: How often do you work from home?
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Empty Storefronts Blot Union Square
Storefront vacancies in San Francisco's Union Square have reached their highest point in nearly six years. Yet smaller retailers are finding it difficult to land a long-term lease in the tony shopping district.
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Thomas Keller on Running a Culinary Empire
Thomas Keller discusses celebrity chefs, his favorite places to eat and the differences between running restaurants in various parts of the U.S. (hint: high-end diners have a lot in common).

World News

China Quake Kills Hundreds
At least 589 people were killed and thousands injured when a severe earthquake struck a poor and predominantly Tibetan community in a remote part of China.
Iceland Volcano Halts Flights
France, U.S. Clash Over Extradition

Politics & Campaign

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Pelosi: Concerns Over Bailouts 'Almost Laughable'
Top lawmakers from both parties continued to bicker over the proposed financial-regulatory overhaul, with Speaker Pelosi calling Republican concerns "almost laughable."
Palin, Tea Party Fans Rally in Boston
Stimulus Helped 2.5 Million Jobs in Quarter

Columns

The numbers guy
By Carl Bialik
Not All Differences in Earnings Are Created Equal
Reply to all
By Peter Jeffrey
Were You Kind to the Lawyers?

Capital journal
By Gerald F. Seib
Nuclear Security's New Agenda
Remembrances
By Staff
Shipyard Worker Ignited Democratic Push

Photo Journal

Pictures of the Day
In today's photos, admiring floating art in Milan, commemorating Hugo Chavez's return to power, swinging from a rope for Lord Shiva in India and more.
First Lady Visits Haiti, Mexico
Michelle Obama is on her first official, solo foreign trip as first lady, launching what aides call an international agenda invoking her considerable star power to engage the world's youth.
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The Gospel Heads North
Faced with falling membership, Baptists debate an expansion from their southern base.
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Not All Pay Gaps Are Created Equal
Do women really earn that much less than men? It depends on how you interpret the numbers.
- Vote: What is the best explanation for the gap between men's and women's income?
A Census of the Census
April 1 is National Census Day, marking the final stretch before forms are due April 12. The effort to count every head in America employs 3.8 million people, and will cost $14.5 billion. Which states have the best track record for returning forms? Which age group is most frequently left out? Plus, more on the census schedule, form and past results.

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