They also have 23 percent more mobility limitations, such as trouble climbing stairs or walking a block.

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The eastern block contains some countries in desperate trouble, like Hungary or Latvia, he noted, but also many others, like Poland, Slovakia or the Czech Republic, which are in much better shape.

ECONOMIST: European politics

But if Boehner's plan is for his party to act as an oppositional force -- trying to block, delay and prevent legislative action -- then the GOP could find itself in big trouble.

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