Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper accused the government of rushing out the plans to avoid further bad headlines over this week's Budget.

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If Sunderland are to build on this vital victory and avoid further dalliances with relegation this attacking trio will be vital.

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But there are concerns that banks are keeping these no-hope companies alive in order to avoid taking further, potentially significant losses - and this, in turn, could be holding them back from new lending, which is needed to boost the economy.

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Attorney Michael Rebell, who represents the parents, said he hoped the state would drop the penalty, especially in light of Cuomo's announcement this week that, to avoid further cuts, he would empower Education Commissioner John King to impose an evaluation system June 1 if the city and union don't agree on one by then.

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Dr Bill O'Neill, Scottish secretary of the BMA, said consent had not always been sought in the past but often this was because of a "genuine desire" to avoid further distress to families.

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This will no doubt be negotiated further as our political leaders try to avoid the fiscal cliff.

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To avoid such an outcome, he would be well advised at this juncture to reject any further dilution of the terms of the draft Security Council resolution.

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European authorities need to avoid a further sovereign credit rating downgrade of Greece, which would put it in default, as this would make Greek bonds no longer good enough to be held as collateral by the European Central Bank.

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