Politics

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**FILE** House Speaker John Boehner (center), Ohio Republican, speaks Jan. 23, 2013, during a news conference on Capitol Hill to discuss the debt limit. The House overwhelmingly passed a bill earlier in the day to permit the government to borrow enough money to avoid a first-time default for at least four months, defusing a looming crisis setting up a springtime debate over taxes, spending and the deficit. From left are Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Washington Republican; Dave Camp, Michigan Republican and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman; and House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Virginia Republican. (Associated Press)

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"Technology produced by A123 and funded by U.S. taxpayers should not simply be shipped off to China so that the military applications" can be reproduced abroad, said Sen. Chuck Grassley. (Associated Press)

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The Democratic National Convention that renominated President Obama was helped out by a North Carolina energy firm. Watchdog groups say the $10 million loan presents conflict-of-interest issues. (Associated Press)

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Sen. Robert Menendez, New Jersey Democrat, said he traveled on a plane owned by Dr. Melgen but denied that he engaged with prostitutes. (Associated Press)

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The grading system is a way to get parents "more engaged in the process," says Delegate Thomas A. Greason, Loudouhn Republican. (Associated Press)

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William "Mo" Cowan smiles Jan. 30, 2013, during a news conference at the Statehouse in Boston where he was selected to fill John F. Kerry's seat on an interim basis in the Senate. Kerry was confirmed by the Senate the previous day to be the nation's next secretary of state. (Associated Press

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associated press Egyptian riot police gird for clashes with protesters in Cairo on Wednesday. Political violence has left more than 60 dead in the past week, and the head of the armed forces warned of the potential for political chaos.

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Elders meet with the mayor and the governor of Gao in Gao city, Mali, on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in an effort to avoid vengeance attacks following the arrival of French and Chadian troops in the area, ending 10 months of sharia law. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

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Sen. John F. Kerry, Massachusetts Democrat, gives his farewell speech as senator on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, on the floor of the U.S. Senate on Capitol Hill in Washington. Mr. Kerry's last day as senator is Friday as he prepares to become the nation's next secretary of state. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Massachusetts Democrat, is at right. (AP Photo/C-SPAN2)