Politics

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel casts her vote on the eurozone bailout fund at the Bundestag in Berlin on Thursday. German lawmakers approved new powers for the fund in a major step toward tackling the bloc's sprawling sovereign debt crisis. (Associated Press)

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Holding a banner that says "Down with America," Pakistani protesters burn a representation of the U.S. flag and an effigy of Navy Adm. Mike Mullen during an anti-American rally in Multan on Thursday. U.S. pressure on Pakistan to attack Afghan militants on its soil will not succeed, the prime minister said in response to Adm. Mullen's assertions that the army's spy agency is supporting insurgents. (Associated Press)

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Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican, speaks to reporters during a visit to Tripoli, Libya, on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2011. (AP Photo/Abdel Magid al-Fergany)

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**FILE** Republican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney addresses the Republican Leadership Conference in Mackinac Island, Mich., on Sept. 24, 2011. (Associated Press)

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**FILE** Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, the top Democrat on House Budget Committee, listens Sept. 8, 2011, as the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, often called the "supercommittee," holds its first organizational meeting on Capitol Hill. (Associated Press)

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**FILE** Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, is joined by fellow Democrat Sens. Mary Landrieu (left) of Lousiana and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan on Sept. 26 2011, following the short-term funding bill vote on Capitol Hill. (Associated Press)

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**FILE** U.S. Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. (left), U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke (second from left) and Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (right) talk after Biden's arrival at the Capital International Airport in Beijing on Aug. 17, 2011. (Associated Press)

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New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie indirectly attacked Texas Gov. Rick Perry, a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, on immigration in a speech Tuesday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. Mr. Christie has said he isn't a candidate for president in 2012. (Associated Press)

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"This would not have been possible unless we could bring all of our agencies together," said County Executive Rushern L. Baker. (Barbara L. Salisbury/The Washington Times)

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Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is scheduled to deliver the inaugural Desmond Tutu International Peace lecture in South Africa, but the government has yet to issue a visa for the Tibetan spiritual leader. (Associated Press)

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Rep. Michele Bachmann, Minnesota Republican, speaks at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

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President Obama, accompanied by Education Secretary Arne Duncan (left), delivers his back-to school speech on Sept. 28, 2011, at Benjamin Banneker Academic High School in D.C. (Associated Press)

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Terry E. Branstad (right) won the governor's race in Iowa in November. He's shown with his lieutenant governor running mate Kim Reynolds. The Republican Party holds a majority in the state House and is trying to pick up another seat in the state Senate this year. (Associated Press)

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A protesting taxi driver carries a Greek national flag in front of the transport ministry during a protest in Athens on Sept 28, 2011. About 2,000 striking taxi drivers gathered to protest against government plans to open up their licensed profession to more competition. (Associated Press)

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Jose Manuel Barroso (foreground), president of the executive European Commission, speaks to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday, Sept. 28, 2011. (AP Photo)

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** FILE ** In this Jan. 8, 2011, photo released by the Pima County Sheriff's Office shows shooting suspect Jared Lee Loughner. (AP Photo/Pima County Sheriff's Dept. via The Arizona Republic)

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"I don't think there's anything more important for a jobs measure than China trade," says Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat. The Senate has adjourned for the rest of the week. (Associated Press)

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Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is gambling on a favorable response about statehood from the U.N. (Associated Press)

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FOES OF AMERICA: Supporters of Sunni Tehreek, a Pakistani religious party, rally against the U.S. in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Pakistan lashed out at the U.S. for accusing the country's intelligence agency of supporting extremist attacks. (Associated Press)

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"I view the casino industry as a predatory business. It creates problems, it creates addictions. Slot machines are a technology that is designed with the sole purpose of addicting. It leads to crime, bankruptcy, homelessness, incarceration," said Rep. Ruth B. Balser, a Democrat who represents the city of Newton and other areas in Middlesex County. (Andrew Harnik/The Washington Times)