ߣߣÊÓƵ

Margaret Spellings has been appointed Education Secretary by President George W. Bush, replacing Rod Paige.

She was chief domestic policy adviser and has advised President Bush on education matters since he was Governor of Texas.

Ms Spellings, 46, has worked closely with Democrats on the No Child Left Behind Act and her appointment has been welcomed by Senator Edward Kennedy.

He called her a "capable, principled leader who has the ear of the President".