The states of the South were very close to leaving the Union over the issue of slavery.

VOA: special.2009.07.09

But if any schools do have to close, then the hope is to keep children learning for example, through phone calls or over the Internet.

VOA: special.2009.08.13

She was to livewith her grandma, just over on Creekmore Avenue, which made me happy,'cause she was so close.

VOA: standard.other

On Thursday,a close aide to British Defense Secretary Bob Ainsworth resigned in protest over the war.

VOA: standard.2009.09.04

"He deals with a lot. He becomes frustrated in this one a little bit because he gets this close all the time and then gets told 'no' over and over again.

VOA: standard.2010.07.07

He noted the United States is in the process of moving millions of pieces of equipment from Iraq, and continues to close or turn over military bases to Iraqi government troops.

VOA: standard.2010.08.02

"The decision by the administration to back away from its missile defense commitment to the Czech Republic and Poland can only demonstrate to the rest of Europe that the United States is not prepared to stand behind its friends, that the United States views resetting its relationship with Russia more important than commitments made to close friends and allies, and that the administration is willing to let Russia have veto power over the disposition of our missile defense architecture,".

VOA: standard.2009.09.24