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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

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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Asia

North Korea Admits It Carried Out Nuclear Test

North Korea confirmed on Tuesday that it had successfully conducted a third nuclear test. It's an important step toward North Korea's goal of building a bomb small enough to be fitted on a missile that could reach United States.

North Korea Admits It Carried Out Nuclear Test

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The Papal Succession

Pope's Abdication Puts Church Into Uncharted Territory

Since Monday's announcement by Pope Benedict that he will step down, the world has been abuzz. Catholics and the rest of the world are grappling with the implications of the pope's stunning announcement that he will resign on Feb. 28.

Pope's Abdication Puts Church Into Uncharted Territory

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Opinion

What Difference Will More Women Make In Congress?

The 113th Congress is setting a new record, with 101 women this time around. Now there's lots of speculation about what difference — if any — a sizable group of women might make to our national legislature.

What Difference Will More Women Make In Congress?

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Middle East

Egyptian President Morsi Makes Power Grab

Mohammed Morsi has issued a constitutional decree that his critics say effectively returns Egypt back to one-man rule. Morsi went on state television to announce that any decree or law he issues cannot be challenged in court. He also sacked the chief prosecutor and ordered the retrial of people accused of attacking protesters during the overthrow of the previous regime of Hosni Mubarak.

Egyptian President Morsi Makes Power Grab

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Africa

Congolese Rebels Control Eastern City Of Goma

Tens of thousands of people have fled days of fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as a rebel militia took control of the key regional capital. U.N. peacekeepers apparently stood aside as the rebels entered the city, which is at the heart of the mineral rich east of the country. It has often been the focus of rebel attacks but this marks the first time in a decade the Congolese government has lost control of the city.

Congolese Rebels Control Eastern City Of Goma

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Middle East

Rocket, Missile Attacks Persist In Gaza Strip

There was hope Tuesday night that a ceasefire might be reached between Israel and Hamas. But that hasn't happened yet and the death toll continues to rise. The violence in Gaza continues between Hamas and Israel.

Rocket, Missile Attacks Persist In Gaza Strip

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Sports

BCS Football Standings: Notre Dame Is No. 1

It's been 24 years since Notre Dame won college football's national championship. After a wild weekend of upsets, the Fighting Irish are in prime position to battle for the title again.

BCS Football Standings: Notre Dame Is No. 1

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