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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

Middle East

Syrians React To U.S. Providing Military Aid To Rebels

The Obama administration has decided to provide more assistance to the Syrian opposition after officials became confident the Syrian regime was using chemical weapons against rebel forces.

Syrians React To U.S. Providing Military Aid To Rebels

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Hidden Brain

Are American Attitudes Toward Privacy Changing?

The ongoing national debate over surveillance prompts us to take a closer look at the way Americans think about their privacy. Several scientific studies show that what Americans say they want in terms of privacy does not match the way they behave.

Are American Attitudes Toward Privacy Changing?

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Law

Feds Buckle On Emergency Contraception Age Restrictions

The administration had been trying to appeal a judge's ruling to make the morning-after birth control pill available over the counter with no age restrictions. The Justice Department said it would obey the order — sort of. The FDA may soon approve the over-the-counter sale of Plan B One Step without a prescription.

Feds Buckle On Emergency Contraception Age Restrictions

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National Security

'Guardian' Reveals Source Of NSA Leaks

The Guardian newspaper says the insider who blew the whistle on the NSA's probing of major U.S. Internet and telecom companies is a 29-year-old analyst who's been working for the agency under a government contract. His name is Edward Snowden.

'Guardian' Reveals Source Of NSA Leaks

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National Security

Intelligence Community Mines Phone Records, Internet Data

Over the past two days, there have been revelations about the way the National Security Agency is gathering information for intelligence. While details of both programs are still coming out, the data collection practice appears to be legal. But it could be the beginning of something new in the intelligence community. And that is, the use of data to find patterns analysts might have missed.

Intelligence Community Mines Phone Records, Internet Data

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National Security

NSA Collects Verizon Customers' Records

The National Security Agency is collecting the phone records of millions of Americans for three months. The news was first reported by the Guardian newspaper. The request for the records was placed with a special intelligence court days after the Boston bombings.

NSA Collects Verizon Customers' Records

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National

National Security Adviser Donilon Resigns; Rice To Take Over

The White House announced Wednesday that Tom Donilon is resigning as President Obama's national security adviser. He will be replaced by Susan Rice, the current U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

National Security Adviser Donilon Resigns; Rice To Take Over

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Middle East

Violent Protests Persist In Turkish Cities

It was another night of violent protests in Turkey. Police clashed with tens of thousands of protesters in Istanbul, Ankara and other cities, capping a weekend of unrest that has seen more than 1,000 people injured. The violence prompted the White House to issue a statement Sunday calling on Turkey's security forces to "exercise restraint."

Violent Protests Persist In Turkish Cities

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Middle East

Talks On Iran's Nuclear Program To Resume In April

Two days of talks on Iran's nuclear program ended in Kazakhstan Tuesday. Although there were no dramatic breakthroughs, officials reported there was enough movement to return to the table in April to try to resolve concerns and questions about the program.

Talks On Iran's Nuclear Program To Resume In April

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Space

1 Week Later: Following Up On Destructive Meteorite

A flaming meteor streaked through the skies over Russia last Friday. It exploded with the force of 20 atomic bombs over the Siberian city of Chelyabinsk. A thousand people were injured; most of them were watching it and were cut when the shock wave shattered windows.

1 Week Later: Following Up On Destructive Meteorite

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The Sequester: Cuts And Consequences

Obama Again Calls For Balanced Plan For Cuts

President Obama spoke Tuesday about the impacts of deep spending cuts scheduled to take effect March 1. With a group of first responders in uniform standing behind him in the White House, he said if Congress doesn't stop the cuts, responders won't be able to help communities respond to disasters.

Obama Again Calls For Balanced Plan For Cuts

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Hidden Brain

Is The Call For Universal Pre-Kindergarten Warranted?

Enthusiasm for universal Pre-K education is at an all-time high, and President Obama wants to massively increase the ranks of young children in schools and early learning centers. Some studies have shown significant and long-lasting benefits of early stimulation for children.

Is The Call For Universal Pre-Kindergarten Warranted?

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Politics

Hagel Nomination Blocked At Least Temporarily

Chuck Hagel will have to wait at least another 10 days to find out if the Senate will confirm him as the next secretary of defense. That's because Senate Democrats failed to muster the 60 vote supermajority needed to break a GOP filibuster of the former Nebraska Republican senator's nomination.

Hagel Nomination Blocked At Least Temporarily

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