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Linda Wertheimer As NPR's senior national correspondent, Linda Wertheimer travels the country and the globe for NPR News, bringing her unique insights and wealth of experience to bear on the day's top news stories.
Linda Wertheimer
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Linda Wertheimer

National

Pentagon Announces 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Changes

The Pentagon announced changes that will make it more difficult for the military to kick out gay service members. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he is raising the bar for what constitutes "credible" information to start an inquiry.

Pentagon Announces 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Changes

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Tracking The Overhaul

Senate GOP Forces Health Care Bill Back To House

Senate Republicans found minor glitches in a health care bill that will force the measure back to the House. Democrats aren't ruling out the possibility of more flaws.

Senate GOP Forces Health Care Bill Back To House

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Immigration Advocates Press For Changes

Thousands of people marched on the National Mall Sunday, demanding action on another one of President Obama's 2008 campaign promises: a comprehensive rewrite of the nation's immigration laws. The marchers want a path to citizenship for those in the country illegally.

Immigration Advocates Press For Changes

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Health Care

Obama Signs Historic Health Care Legislation

President Obama on Tuesday signed the health care overhaul into law. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on Sunday. At the White House, Obama said the law will enshrine a "core principle": that everyone should have access to affordable health care.

Obama Signs Historic Health Care Legislation

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NCAA, Woods Dominate Weekend Of Sports

This weekend the NCAA men's basketball tournament featured upsets and excitement. And if that wasn't enough, the world of golf provided a few headlines in the form of Tiger Woods interviews.

NCAA, Woods Dominate Weekend Of Sports

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Middle East

Clinton To Address AIPAC Conference

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is scheduled Monday to address a convention of AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby. Her speech comes with the U.S. and Israeli governments at loggerheads over Israeli plans to build new housing in disputed East Jerusalem.

Clinton To Address AIPAC Conference

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Politics

Obama Lauds Health Care Vote

President Obama said Sunday lawmakers answered the call of history by passing a health care bill. He also noted the enormous pressures brought to bear on lawmakers who may face political consequences this fall, as voters express doubts about the bill.

Obama Lauds Health Care Vote

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Iraq

Iraqi Election Results Drag, Could Slow U.S. Plans

It's been almost two weeks since millions of Iraqis went to the polls to elect a new parliament. There are still no confirmed results — other than it's a tight race. Once the results are in, formation of a new government also is expected to take a long time. And that could complicate the U.S. plan to withdraw 45,000 troops by August.

Iraqi Election Results Drag, Could Slow U.S. Plans

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Iraq

Astrologist Fills In Iraq's Election Results Void

Only about 30 percent of votes are counted from last week's parliamentary elections in Iraq. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki holds a strong lead from declared results in Baghdad. But there are no results yet from the next two biggest cities: Mosul and Basra. One popular TV astrologist says he has done complete astrological charts for several candidates.

Astrologist Fills In Iraq's Election Results Void

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Analysis

House May Vote On Health Care Overhaul This Week

After months of wrangling, lawmakers in the House are expected to bring a final version of health care overhaul to the floor this week. The expectation is that the bill will be approved soon. Republicans have promised to make passage as difficult as possible.

House May Vote On Health Care Overhaul This Week

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Health

Has The Swine Flu Pandemic Peaked?

The World Health Organization meets next Tuesday to decide if the H1N1 flu pandemic has officially peaked. Cases of pandemic flu have been decreasing. However, a third wave of the flu had been predicted. Thursday the WHO decided to include the pandemic virus in next fall's seasonal flu vaccine.

Has The Swine Flu Pandemic Peaked?

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Election 2010

Reid Tripped Up By Deteriorating Political Landscape

Democrats in the U.S. Senate have been dealing with a deteriorating political landscape for several months now, and the challenges keep increasing. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who's responsible for reviving the president's agenda in the Senate, is worried about holding his majority together in this fall's elections. On top of that, he's got his own re-election to think about in November.

Reid Tripped Up By Deteriorating Political Landscape

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Election 2010

Bayh's Retirement Creates A Problem For Democrats

Senator Evan Bayh's, a centrist two-term Democrat from Indiana, announced he was retiring Monday. Bahy raised lots of money and was considered a favorite to win re-election in November. But he said bitter partisanship in Washington spurred him to drop out of the race. Republicans now have a solid chance to pick up another Senate seat.

Bayh's Retirement Creates A Problem For Democrats

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World

CIA-Pakistan Raid Captures Top Taliban Commander

The Taliban's top military commander has been captured in Pakistan in a joint raid by the Pakistani and U.S. spy agencies. Reports say Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was captured in Karachi. The Taliban denied that the arrest took place, though a U.S. official in Islamabad confirmed the capture to the Associated Press.

CIA-Pakistan Raid Captures Top Taliban Commander

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In Japan, Toyota's President Answers To Criticism

Toyota had a news conference Friday in Japan to discuss quality control issues in its vehicles. The automaker has faced intense pressure in the U.S. from government officials and consumers to prove that it can fix the accelerator problems in eight Toyota models. Now it's dealing with problems in some of its Prius models.

In Japan, Toyota's President Answers To Criticism

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