Expensive spade work will be required to develop areas such as mortgage lending in Poland, Romania and Bulgaria, where there is currently no business at all.

ECONOMIST: East European banks

During 2006-2010, UNESCO, USAID, and National Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (NACTE) have jointly supported the spade work for standardization and accreditation of teacher education in Pakistan, under STEP (Strengthening Teacher Education in Pakistan) Project.

UNESCO: EDUCATION

And I think the vote tally today is likely to sharp their sense that Majority Leader Bill Frist, who's seeking their support for White House bid, has not done kind of the spade work in his caucus that was needed for a better outcome.

NPR: Gay Marriage Amendment Fails in U.S. Senate

Halting the fighting will involve some diplomatic spade-work drawing in a number of external actors - Egypt certainly, probably the United States and maybe even Turkey as well.

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