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National

Wednesday

Bush Takes Blame for Iraq Info

President Bush for the first time says he is ultimately responsible for a now-discredited claim about Iraq's attempts to purchase uranium from Africa that appeared in his January State of the Union address. In the wide-ranging news conference, Bush also defends his economic policy and rejects the idea of same-sex marriages. Hear NPR's Don Gonyea.

Bush Takes Blame for Iraq Info

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Tuesday

The Presidential Yacht

A floating retreat, the USS Sequoia was one of the places U.S. presidents found to escape the rigors of office. Richard Nixon took his family there the day he announced his resignation. Now, NPR's Susan Stamberg reports, there's an effort to preserve the former presidential yacht. See historic and current photos of the Sequoia.

The Presidential Yacht

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Monday

Culture

Bob Hope Dies at 100

Bob Hope, master of the one-liner and world-famous comedian, dies of pneumonia at 100. A star in vaudeville, radio, television and film, Hope helped define the monologue. He was best known for entertaining U.S. troops at bases around the world. Pat Dowell has a remembrance.

Bob Hope Dies at 100

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Bob Graham's Goal

Sen. Bob Graham (D-FL) is seeking his party's presidential nomination. On paper, he appears to be an ideal candidate, with eight years experience as governor and 17 as senator, with vast experience in intelligence and national security issues. While popular in a critical state, he is in single digits in the polls. NPR's Political Correspondent Mara Liasson follows Sen. Graham on a campaign swing in New Hampshire.

Bob Graham's Goal

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Saturday

Lugar: Iraq Costs Underplayed

Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, questions the Bush administration's handling of post-war Iraq. Lugar suggests the administration has not been forthcoming with the Congress or the American people about the costs of rebuilding Iraq. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports.

Lugar: Iraq Costs Underplayed

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Friday

America's First Spaceman

Capt. Iven Kincheloe flew a rocket-powered plane to the edge of space in 1956. Had he not died in a later mission, the young Air Force pilot might have become one of the country's first astronauts. NPR's Bob Edwards profiles Kincheloe on Morning Edition. See footage of the historic flight.

America's First Spaceman

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Thursday

World

Troop-Rotation Plan in Iraq

Three U.S. soldiers are killed in northern Iraq when their convoy is hit by gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades. In Washington, military officials acknowledge open-ended deployments cause stress for soldiers and announce a long-awaited plan for replacing forces in Iraq with new troops. Hear NPR's Tom Gjelten.

Troop-Rotation Plan in Iraq

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Wednesday

World

Bush: Saddam's Regime 'Gone'

President Bush hails the deaths of Saddam Hussein's two sons, who were killed in a gun battle with U.S. forces Tuesday. Bush says their deaths are a sign that the former Iraqi leader's regime "is gone and will not be coming back." Hear NPR's Tom Gjelten.

Bush: Saddam's Regime 'Gone'

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Tuesday

World

Bremer to Brief Congress

U.S. civilian administrator Paul Bremer heads to Capitol Hill to brief members of Congress on U.S. efforts to rebuild Iraq. The meetings come as Republicans defend the Bush administration's record in Iraq. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist says more than 80 percent of the Iraqi population is living in a "more secure environment" than before the war. Hear NPR's David Welna.

Bremer to Brief Congress

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Lynch Receives Hero's Welcome

Pfc. Jessica Lynch returns home to a flag-waving welcome in Palestine, W.Va., and speaks to the media for the first time since her dramatic rescue in April. Lynch had been recuperating at an Army hospital in Washington, D.C., from injuries she received when her unit was ambushed in Iraq March 23. Hear Jeff Young of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Lynch Receives Hero's Welcome

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Monday

World

Bremer Defends Record in Iraq

A U.S. soldier and his Iraqi interpreter are killed in a grenade and small arms attack in Baghdad. The incident comes as U.S. civilian administrator Paul Bremer, in Washington to brief Bush administration officials, says U.S. forces are making progress against guerrilla-type resistance from remnants of Saddam Hussein's regime. NPR's Juan Williams talks to Bremer.

Bremer Defends Record in Iraq

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Saturday

Iraq Arms Claims Defended

The White House releases an eight-page section of a larger document outlining the basis for a now-discredited claim that Saddam Hussein's regime sought to purchase uranium from Africa in an effort to develop nuclear weapons. Hear NPR's Scott Simon and NPR's Tom Gjelten.

Iraq Arms Claims Defended

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Friday

Iraq Weapons Programs Report

The White House releases an intelligence assessment from October 2002. It concluded that left unchecked, Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq would have developed nuclear weapons by the end of the decade. But a footnote from the State Department raises doubts, calling reports suggesting Iraq had tried to purchase uranium from Africa "highly dubious." Hear NPR's Don Gonyea.

Iraq Weapons Programs Report

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Thursday

Pryor & Sununu

Host Bob Edwards catches up with freshmen Sens. Mark Pryor and John Sununu, six months into their first term in the United States Senate. It's Edwards' third visit with Pryor, a Democrat from Arkansas, and Sununu, a Republican from New Hampshire, since they were elected in November.

Pryor & Sununu

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