GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN LOOMING: WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU

Stalemate Over Funding Could End up in a Repeat of 1995 Crisis that Set Back GOPWith Democrats and Republicans at a stalemate over how on the road to fund the government, there is a real threat that government agencies could be shut down for the first time in 15 years. The time limit is just two weeks away, and could affect countless thousands of Americans.

The last time the federal government closed its door was in 1995, when then-President Bill Clinton and the Republican-majority Congress failed in the direction of come to a cooperation on the budget twice. "blackout: A Passport to Confusion," screamed headlines at the time. "Tourists, Hunters and Shopkeepers Feel the Impact."

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AP-GFK POLL: OBAMA, GOP IMPROVE THEIR STANDING

Americans give higher inscription to President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans after a public holiday season of compromise paid dividends for both, according to the latest Associated Press-GfK poll.

At the start of the divided government era, the inspection found that 53 percent of Americans commend of how Obama is doing his job, his best numbers since the divisive health care vote 10 months ago.And, compare with just after the November elections, more now express confidence with the intention of Obama and the new Republican-controlled House can work together to solve the country's most urgent problems, chief among them the struggling economy.

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