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6A Daily News – Friday, February 10, 2012 WORLD BRIEFING Leaving 'No Child' act behind WASHINGTON (AP) — It could be the begin- ning of the end for No Child Left Behind. The goal was lofty: Get all children up to par in math and reading by 2014. But the nation isn't getting there, and now some states are getting out. In a sign of what's to come, President Barack Obama on Thursday freed 10 states from some of the landmark law's toughest requirements. Those states, which had to com- mit to their own, federally approved plans, will now be free, for example, to judge students with meth- ods other than test scores. They also will be able to factor in subjects beyond reading and math. ''We can combine greater freedom with greater accountability,'' Obama said from the White House. Plenty more states are bound to take him up on the offer. While many educators and many governors cele- brated, congressional Republicans accused Obama of executive over- reach, and education and civil rights groups ques- tioned if schools would be getting a pass on aggres- sively helping poor and minority children — the kids the 2002 law was pri- marily designed to help. Euro ministers question Greek cuts BRUSSELS (AP) — Greece gave in to more painful spending and job cuts Thursday, only to have European ministers question whether they were enough to deliver a (euro) 130 billion bailout and stave off bankruptcy. Greece's new austerity plan, which makes sharp cuts to the minimum Hope for the End Bible Prophecy Seminars Tuesday-Wednesday-Friday-Saturday Sunday Evenings 7:00-8:00pm Friday's Topic "Babylon Rising" Please Join Us Seventh-day Adventist Church 720 South Jackson St. Red Bluff Showing Live Via Satellite wage and thousands of public-sector jobs, ignited fresh criticism from unions and the country's deputy labor minister, who resigned in protest after the deal was reached overnight following more than eight hours of talks. But finance ministers from the other 16 coun- tries that use the euro indicated that still more severe steps might be nec- essary. ''The agreement, as far as I understand, is not at a stage where it can be signed off,'' German Finance Minister Wolf- gang Schaeuble said as he arrived at the Brussels meeting. He said no deci- sion on the new bailout was expected by Thurs- day evening. A European official told The Associated Press he still saw 10 to 15 issues before the deal could be concluded, including doubts that Greece could lower its debt level down to 120 percent of its annu- al economic output by 2020 and a number of other requirements that the country would have to meet before it gets more aid. Greece is under immense pressure to reach a rescue deal. On March 20, it has to redeem (euro) 14.5 billion in bonds — money which it doesn't have. The coun- try's total debt is (euro) 350 billion — equivalent to 160 percent of its annu- al economic output — and unsustainable for a country in its fifth year of recession. $25 billion settlement reached with lenders WASHINGTON (AP) — A landmark $25 bil- lion settlement with the nation's top mortgage lenders was hailed by government officials Thursday as long-overdue relief for victims of fore- closure abuses. But con- sumer advocates coun- tered that far too few peo- ple will benefit. The deal will reduce loans for only a fraction of those Americans who owe more than their homes are worth. It will also send checks to others who were improperly foreclosed upon. But the amounts are modest. And few think the deal will do much to help Sweetheart Dinner Special Steak & Lobster Tail Complete Dinner including Dessert & Champagne Dinner Special available on Feb 10, 11, 12th & 14th 645 Antelope Blvd. #1 Reservations recommended in Frontier Village across from the fairgrounds. 527-1420 Complementary Champaign (21yrs or older) $ Sunday February 12th 11.00 adults • $8.00 Free 5-under 355 Gilmore Road, Red Bluff • 527-3421 Red Bluff Elks Open to Public. Please Join Us • 10am-2pm 6-16 years struggling homeowners keep their homes or to benefit those who have already lost theirs. About 11 million house- holds are underwater, meaning they owe more than their homes are worth. The settlement would help 1 million of them. Treat Your Special Valentine to our