Sri Lanka's civil war rages in the shadows There are no worshippers at Sri Lanka's holiest Christian shrine. The cherished statue of the Virgin Mary in the pale yellow church gazes out onto emptiness. The two villages nearby are abandoned. Everyone has fled for safety deep into rebel territory, disappearing into the black hole of Sri Lanka's civil war. 04 Oct 2008
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Today on the presidential campaign trail IN THE HEADLINES Republican lawmakers appeal to Alaska Supreme Court to block Palin Troopergate investigation ... Bush pivots quickly from bailout to fundraising for GOP candidates ... TV audience for Biden-Palin debate bests ratings for all but Carter-Reagan showdown 04 Oct 2008
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Tax breaks big and small sweeten financial bailout Millions of taxpayers, thousands of businesses and groups as diverse as solar power developers and natural disaster victims will see tax relief with the House vote Friday to approve and send to the president a $700 billion financial rescue plan. 03 Oct 2008
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Historic bailout bill passes Congress; Bush signs With the economy on the brink of meltdown and elections looming, a reluctant Congress abruptly reversed course and approved a historic $700 billion government bailout of the battered financial industry on Friday. President Bush swiftly signed it. 03 Oct 2008
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Today on the presidential campaign trail IN THE HEADLINES Obama says large job loss shows GOP policies not working; McCain says Obama's plan won't help ... Post debate, Palin hits the road with reinvigorated mission ... Obama, McCain help House pass contentious financial rescue plan ... Though polls favor Biden over Palin, McCain lauds his running mate's performance in debate ... Biden sends his son's Delaware guard unit off for Iraq with 'love and pride' 03 Oct 2008
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Venezuela state bank: Crisis having no effect Venezuela's state-owned banks will not be affected by the U.S. financial crisis, a top banking official said. The Venezuelan government's financial institutions are "well-protected," Banco del Tesoro president Cesar Giral said Thursday, according to the state-run Bolivarian News Agency. 03 Oct 2008
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Bailout not a panacea for housing market The federal government's $700 billion bailout of the financial industry could help homebuilders and mortgage lenders, but is unlikely to bring fast relief to anybody trying to buy or sell a house anytime soon. 03 Oct 2008
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What a pirouette _ 58 House members flip to 'yes' The bill got better--for some lawmakers. And back home, folks got scared after Monday's stock market plunge. Presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain stepped up the pressure, as did Capitol Hill bosses like House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. 03 Oct 2008
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Note to Main Street: Congress LOVES you Note to Main Street: Congress loves you. A cliche meltdown is happening on Capitol Hill as lawmakers try to explain to average Americans the mess they're in from the financial crisis. 03 Oct 2008
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Obama, McCain help House pass financial bill Presidential contenders Barack Obama and John McCain helped House leaders round up votes for Friday's passage of a $700 billion financial rescue plan, and Obama's role seemed particularly energetic, Democrats said. 03 Oct 2008
2.43%XLF 15.10 
10.30%QQQQ 31.32 
