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 Millions of Iraq Reconstruction Aid Wasted, Inspector Says Rising sectarian violence has hindered Iraq reconstruction efforts, and millions of dollars were wasted, investigators said Wednesday. Stuart Bowen, the special investigator general for Iraq reconstruction, discusses the findings of his audit.

     

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 Kissinger, Albright Testify about Iraq before Senate Panel Former Secretaries of State Henry Kissinger and Madeleine Albright called for talks with Iraq's neighbors and increased autonomy for clashing Iraqi groups, testifying before a Senate panel Wednesday. The NewsHour reports on the hearings.

     

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 Astronomers Debate Pluto's Planetary Status Members of the International Astronomical Union voted in August to reclassify Pluto as a "dwarf planet." Many astronomers, however, are unhappy with the demotion -- they question its scientific validity and the way the decision was made.

     




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 FDA Overhauls Prescription Drug Oversight Program The Food and Drug Administration announced it is making more than a dozen changes to improve oversight of prescription drugs, including increased monitoring of drugs' safety after they are on the market. FDA Commissioner Dr. Andrew Von Eschenbach discusses the changes.

     

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 Archaeologists Find Workers' Village Near Stonehenge A team of archaeologists has uncovered the remains of a village they believe dates from the same time as -- and is located a mere two miles from -- Stonehenge, one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. A project director explains the implications.

     




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 Congress Continues Debate on Iraq Strategy Lawmakers continued to assess their options on Tuesday for a response to the president's new Iraq strategy. NewsHour correspondent Kwame Holman reports on the war policy debate in Congress.

     

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 President's Nominee Acknowledges Need for New Iraq Solution Navy Adm. William Fallon, tapped by President Bush to lead troops in the Middle East, said Tuesday that the United States needs a new strategic approach in Iraq as well as more progress from the Iraqi government. Two senators debate the significance of the admiral's testimony.

     

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 Judith Miller Testifies Against Former Source in Perjury Trial Judith Miller, the New York Times reporter who spent 85 days in jail protecting her source, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, in the CIA leak case, testified against Libby in his perjury trial on Tuesday. A Washington Post reporter explains the trial's latest developments.

     

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 Microsoft Releases Latest Windows Platform After more than five years and $6 billion in development, Microsoft's newest operating system, Vista, went on sale Tuesday. Two technology experts discuss Microsoft's software overhaul and the company's future.

     

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 At Least 200 Militants Killed in Battle near Najaf U.S.-backed Iraqi troops killed more than 200 insurgents from a religious cult in a weekend battle near the Shiite holy city of Najaf, Iraqi officials said Monday. A Los Angeles Times reporter in Baghdad discusses the fighting and its implications.

     

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 Campaigns Deny Claims of Internet Story A Web site created a stir by publishing a story claiming Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., had plans to use a purported Islamist upbringing of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., against him in her presidential campaign. Experts discuss the struggle to separate fact from fiction in the news.

     

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 Experts Offer Glimpse into Workings of Supreme Court The Supreme Court's responsibility as upholder of the Constitution at times puts it in the spotlight when controversy arises. Two authors of recent books Jeffrey Rosen and Jan Crawford Greenburg discuss the court's place in history and the makeup of the current bench.

     

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 New Iraq Military Team Faces Increasing Opposition Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Friday that a congressional resolution opposing President Bush's Iraq strategy will be detrimental to Lt. Gen. David Petraeus, the new chief military commander in Iraq. Two reporters discuss Gates' role in implementing the new Iraq plan.

     

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 Voice of America Adjusts to Changing Global Market As the Voice of America celebrates its 65th anniversary in February, the network has markedly different goals and audiences than at its inception. Jeffrey Brown reports on the evolution of the media outlet.

     

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 Congress Debates Iraq Resolution; Cheney Defends Policies Vice President Dick Cheney said the administration is committed to sending more troops to Iraq, even if Congress passes a resolution against the plan. Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss his remarks, reaction to the State of the Union address and other political events.

     

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 Deadly Car Bomb Targets Shiite Neighborhood Hours after Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki vowed to find militants in Baghdad Thursday, a car bomb shook the capital city and two rockets struck the Green Zone. New York Times reporter Damien Cave discusses the latest violence.

     

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 President Bush Promotes New Health Care Plan President Bush outlined new health care initiatives in his State of the Union address Tuesday, including creating new tax deductions on health insurance and giving states more flexibility in using federal funds. Two health care experts discuss the president's plan.

     




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 Jury Hears Testimony in Libby Perjury Trial Testimony began this week in the trial of I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, who is charged with perjury and obstruction of justice for lying to a grand jury about the leak of former CIA agent Valerie Plame's name to the media in 2003. A reporter discusses the trial.

     

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 Exhibit Reveals History of Slavery in New York City Although slavery was abolished in New York City in 1827, residents remained divided on the issue through the Civil War. NewsHour correspondent Gwen Ifill talks with historian James Horton about slavery's impact on the future of New York.

     

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 Congress Reacts to State of the Union Address President Bush delivered his annual State of the Union address on Tuesday, hoping to garner support for his new Iraq strategy and proposing new domestic initiatives. NewsHour reports on Congress' reaction and response one day after the address.

     

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 Senate Committee Votes to Oppose President's Iraq Strategy The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved Wednesday a non-binding resolution opposing President Bush's plan to send more troops to Iraq. Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., and Sen. Joseph Lieberman, ID-Conn., debate the resolution and Congress' role in shaping Iraq strategy.

     

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 President Bush Proposes New Energy Initiatives In his State of the Union address, President Bush called for new domestic initiatives aimed at decreasing gas consumption by expanding the role of alternative fuels. Three energy experts analyze the viability of the president's proposed energy reforms.

     

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 |  | TUESDAY, January 23, 2007

 President Bush Delivers State of the Union Address President Bush, facing historically low support in opinion polls, focused largely on domestic issues, urging Congress to renew education reforms and expand health insurance coverage. The president also called for patience in Iraq and a continued effort to combat terrorism. The following is the text of the president's address.

   

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 Analysts React to President's State of the Union Address Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks comment on the civility the new Democratic Congress extended President Bush during his 2007 State of the Union address and say the two sides may find common ground on immigration and other issues.

   

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 Analysts Assess Democratic Response to President Bush Columnists Mark Shields and David Brooks comment on Sen. Jim Webb's response to the president's speech, saying he forcefully argued that when the Democrats disagree with Mr. Bush they will confront him, especially on economic and foreign policy matters.

   

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 Pick for Iraq Commander Faces Senate Questioning Lt. Gen. David Petraeus, tapped by President Bush to take over U.S. military command in Iraq, underwent intense questioning before the Senate Armed Services Committee Tuesday. Two military experts discuss Petraeus and his mission in Iraq.

     

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 Senator Warner Recommends New Course in Iraq Sen. John Warner, R-Va., introduced legislation this week calling for a change to President Bush's plan to increase the troop presence in Iraq. Gwen Ifill speaks with the senator about Congress' plans to alter the administration's Iraq strategy.

     

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 Sen. Webb Offers the Democratic Response to the State of the Union In his response to President Bush's State of the Union address, Sen. James Webb, D-Va., outlines his party's response, stressing the need to help the middle class through fairer tax policies and criticizing the president's handling of the war in Iraq. The following is the full text of his remarks.

   

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 Sunni Insurgency Steps Up Attacks in Baghdad Car bombs and mortar attacks rocked Baghdad and north of the capital Monday, killing as many as 100 people and wounding dozens more, as Sunni insurgent violence surged against Shiites. NewsHour Correspondent Gwen Ifill talks with New York Times writer Marc Santora about the situation in Baghdad.

     

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 Number of 2008 Presidential Candidates Continues to Grow Three more candidates - New York Sen. Hillary Clinton, Kansas Sen. Sam Brownback and former Gov. Bill Richardson - formally launched their presidential campaigns last weekend, adding their names to an expanding list of candidates vying for the presidency in 2008. Two journalists discuss the rationale behind early announcements.

     

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 Presidential Campaigns Explore a New Medium Several presidential hopefuls, including New York Sen. Hillary Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, have used the Internet to announce their candidacy. A political media expert analyzes the impact that the Internet will have on campaigns for the 2008 presidency.

     

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 New Orleans Battles Rising Crime Rate The crime rate in New Orleans has continued to rise since the beginning of 2007, with 10 murders occurring in the last two weeks. NewsHour correspondent Betty Ann Bowser reports on the latest increase in violence and crime throughout the Big Easy.

     

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 | | Rebuilding the Gulf Coast |    | 
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 Supreme Court Strikes Down California Sentencing Rules The U.S. Supreme Court struck down California's sentencing guidelines Monday, preventing judges from increasing prison time for convicted criminals based on factors not considered by a jury. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal discusses the impact of the decision.

     

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 Security Forces Sweep Baghdad in Search of Insurgents The Iraqi government complained Friday when U.S. and Iraqi forces descended into a Baghdad mosque and detained a top aide to radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr. L.A. Times reporter Borzou Daragahi provides an update on attempts to stabilize the Iraqi capital.

     

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 Diplomatic Efforts Must Accompany Troop Surge, Hamilton Says Lee Hamilton, co-chair of the Iraq Study Group, testified before a House committee Friday that President Bush's proposed troop surge places too much emphasis on military action and depends too heavily on unreliable leadership within the country. NewsHour reports on Hamilton's testimony.

     

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 Congress Passes Reform Legislation, While Iraq Debate Deepens The administration announced key changes in its surveillance policy, the Senate passed a "historic" ethics reform bill, and the House finished its "100-hour agenda" this week. Political analysts David Brooks and Mark Shields discuss these developments and Iraq policy.

     

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 | | Modern Dancer Paul Taylor |    | 
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 Senate Questions Gonzales on Spy Policy Change The Senate Judiciary Committee grilled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales Thursday about the administration's decision to shift authority of its warrantless communication surveillance program to a secret court. Guests discuss the implications of the policy change.

     

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 Senator Clinton Calls for Cap on U.S. Troops in Iraq Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., has called for limiting the number of American troops in Iraq and tying funds for the country's security to the government's ability to quell violence. The senator discusses her views on the Iraq war.

     

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 House Passes a Number of Reforms in First 100 Hours of Session The House of Representatives passed an energy bill Thursday to close the first 100 legislative hours of the new congressional session, which included the passage of a number of bills promised by Democrats in their fall campaigns. A guest discusses the agenda, as well as what's next for this session.

     

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 Former Electricity Minister of Iraq Flees Country Iraq's former electricity minister, Aiham Alsammarae, fled to the United States after escaping a Baghdad police station where he was being held under charges of corruption. Alsammarae describes the charges, which he says were politically motivated, and the jailbreak.

     

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 Satirist Art Buchwald Passes Away at Age 81 Washington Post columnist Art Buchwald succumbed to kidney failure at home with his family late Wednesday, but was able to spend his last year enjoying life and writing about his experiences. Here are excerpts from a March 2006 NewsHour interview in which Buchwald discusses his philosophy of life.

     

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 Congress Voices Concern over President's New Iraq Strategy Democratic senators announced plans Tuesday to push a resolution opposing President Bush's decision to send more troops to Iraq. Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., and Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., discuss Congress' reaction to the initiative.

     

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 Ex-NATO Commander Calls for More Troops in Afghanistan The United States and Britain are considering deploying more troops to Afghanistan as other NATO countries have failed to send additional forces. Marine Corps Gen. James Jones, former top commander of NATO forces, discusses the possibility of increasing NATO troops.

     

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 | | Afghanistan and the War on Terror |    | 
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 Study Shows Drop in Cancer Deaths for Second Straight Year The American Cancer Society reported Wednesday that cancer deaths in the United States fell in 2004 for the second straight year due to better screening and fewer smokers. Dr. Harmon Eyre, chief medical officer of the American Cancer Society, explains the findings.

     




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 Essayist Reflects on Africa's Place in the Movie Theaters From "The African Queen" to "Hotel Rwanda," Africa has served as both a distant backdrop for story lines with diverse themes as well home to intricate characters who make difficult choices. Essayist Clarence Page reflects on the evolving stream of movies set in the continent.

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 President Owes Public More Information, Analysts Say While satisfied with President Bush's reasons as to why success in Iraq is crucial, the president still needs to convince those skeptical of the new strategy that it will work, political analysts David Brooks and Mark Shields say.

     

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 Libby Trial on Perjury, Obstruction Charges Set to Start Jury selection began Tuesday in the trial of Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby. Libby is accused of perjury and obstruction of justice in the investigation into the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity.

     

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 Iraqi Government Responds to President Bush's New Strategy As the first new U.S. troops move into Baghdad as part of President Bush's revamped Iraq strategy, the Iraqi government has raised questions about the plan. A former spokesman for the Iraqi government and a journalist discuss Baghdad's response.

     

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 Venezuela Takes More Steps Toward Socialist State President Hugo Chavez has promised to nationalize Venezuela's telecommunications and energy industries as part of a "socialist revolution." Analysts discuss the country's leftist politics and Chavez's role in promoting anti-U.S. ideology in Latin America.

     

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 Martin Luther King, Jr., Memorial Being Built on National Mall On Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday, NewsHour reports on the plans for a Washington memorial honoring the civil rights leader. Darryl Matthews, president of the group that originated the idea for the memorial, and Bonnie Fisher, a partner from the firm designing the memorial, discuss the plans.

     

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 Iraq War Veterans Respond To President's New Strategy President Bush's proposal to add more than 20,000 troops to the U.S. effort in Iraq has received mixed reactions from military experts and lawmakers. Two Iraq war veterans share their military views on the plans and whether more troops will achieve U.S. goals.

     

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 President Bush's Iraq Speech Overshadows New Congress President Bush's plan to increase the size of the U.S. military effort in Iraq came during Congress' first week under new leadership. Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the impact of the new strategy and the early progress of the new Congress.

     

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 House Passes Bill Forcing Medicare to Negotiate Drug Prices The House passed legislation Friday to force the government to negotiate lower drug prices for Medicare patients, but President Bush is expected to veto the measure. Two Medicare experts discuss the bill and the government's role in bringing down drug costs.

     

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 Newly Unveiled Iraq Proposal Draws Criticism President Bush's proposal to add more troops to the ongoing effort in Iraq has been met with mixed reaction throughout Washington. NewsHour Correspondent Kwame Holman reports on the responses to the President's speech Wednesday and the new Iraq strategy.

     

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 Senators Debate President's New Iraq Strategy President Bush unveiled a new Iraq plan on Wednesday night, which includes an increase in U.S. military presence by more than 20,000 troops. Senators Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., and Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., debate the president's proposal and how Congress should respond.

     

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 Plan to Increase Troop Numbers Comes Under Broad Scrutiny The proposed influx of more than 20,000 American troops in Iraq will change the composition of the U.S.-led operation. Middle East experts Zbigniew Brzezinski and Walter Russell Mead survey the current situation and discuss the implications of increasing troop numbers.

     

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 |  | WEDNESDAY, January 10, 2007

 Shields and Brooks React to President Bush's Speech In an address to the entire country, President Bush announced his plan to increase the U.S. military presence in Iraq by more than 20,000 troops. Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks give their intial impressions of the President's speech.

   

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 U.S. Troops Clash With Insurgents in Baghdad A day after a deadly skirmish between U.S. soldiers and Iraqi insurgents in downtown Baghdad, Iraqi militants were arrested in conjunction with the firefight. The New York Times' Baghdad Bureau Chief John Burns reports on the violence and security situation in the Iraq capital.

     

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 President Bush Prepares for Speech on Evolving Iraq Policy The administration is preparing to announce changes to its Iraq plan, including a increase in U.S. military presence by 20,000 troops. Analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks talk about the evolving U.S. policy in Iraq in advance of President Bush's address to the nation.

     

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 Apple Introduces Highly Anticipated iPhone On Tuesday, Apple Inc. CEO Steve Jobs unveiled the company's latest product, the much-anticipated iPhone, at the annual MacWorld conference in San Francisco. A business journalist talks about smartphone technology and Apple's future as a whole.

     

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 Senators Discuss New Iraq Military Strategy President Bush unveiled a new Iraq stragey that emphasizes security by increasing the number of U.S. troops in the region. Senator Jim Webb, D-Va., and Senatory John Thune, R-S.D., discuss the ramifications of the President's new plan.

   

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 Retired Generals Analyze President's Iraq Plan Retired army Lieutenant General William Odom, who worked on the pacification program during the Vietnam War, and retired Marine Corps Lieutenant General Bernard Trainor, who had two combat tours in Vietnam and one in Korea, analyze the President's new policy and the chances for success in Iraq.

   

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 Shields and Brooks Weigh Chances for Success in Iraq President Bush's speech announcing a troop influx in Iraq has been met with skepticism by critics. Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the probability for this new Iraq strategy's success.

   

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 U.S. Launches Airstrikes in Southern Somalia The United States has launched airstrikes against suspected al-Qaida forces in southern Somalia, the first acknowledged American military action inside the country since 1994. Two regional experts assess the U.S. operation and targets.

     

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 House Hopes to Enact 9/11 Commission Recommendations The House is pushing for legislation to enact the 9/11 commission's recommendations, including distributing homeland security funding and inspecting air and ship cargo. NewsHour correspondent Kwame Holman reports on the congressional activity.

     

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 Airplane Production Evolves with New Technology When Boeing unveiled its latest jet, the 787 Dreamliner, there was no actual airplane -- it was a virtual rollout. The NewsHour reports on how virtual technologies are changing the airplane manufacturing process.

     




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 Schwarzenegger Proposes Universal Health Care in California California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed a universal health care program that would extend coverage to the state's uninsured population. A California health official and NewsHour correspondent Susan Dentzer discuss the implications of the proposed plan.

     




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 Ski Therapy Helps Healing Process for War Veterans After returning stateside from the Iraqi battlefield, wounded soldiers are turning to alternative forms of therapy to rehabilitate themselves. NewsHour correspondent Tom Bearden reports on a Colorado ski week aimed at healing wounded Iraq war veterans.

     

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 U.S. Prepares to Increase Troop Numbers in Iraq President Bush is expected to reveal an Iraq strategy Wednesday that may include a temporary increase of 20,000 troops to the U.S.-led military operation. Four lawmakers debate the prospect of sending additional troops.

     

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 Amniotic Fluid Yields New Type of Stem Cell Stem cells drawn from amniotic fluid can be used to develop muscle, bone, nerve and other cells in the laboratory, researchers have found. Study author Dr. Anthony Atala explains.

     




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 Second Clergyman Resigns over Communist Ties After Warsaw-based Archbishop Stanislaw Wielgus resigned over the weekend, a second Roman Catholic clergyman stepped down Monday after allegations of a collaboration with Polish communist secret police. A professor and a reporter discuss the resignations.

     

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 Artist Marden's Abstract Paintings Evolve over 50 Years Artist Brice Marden's abstract works have evolved over the past 50 years, from minimalist monochrome single-panel paintings in the 1960s to elaborate calligraphy in the 1980s. Jeffrey Brown reports on Marden's life, work and latest exhibition.

     

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 House Passes Lobbying Reforms The House on its first day of the new session passed changes to ethics guidelines, including banning gifts and meals paid for by lobbyists and limiting travel paid for by outside groups. Guests discuss the legislation's chances of success.

     

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 Democrats Set Ambitious Fiscal Agenda for 110th Congress The Democrat-controlled Congress, whose goals include raising the minimum wage and reducing corruption, was sworn in Thursday. House Ways and Means Committee chair Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., discusses plans for fiscal reform and Iraq. Republican Conference Chairman Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla., addresses hopes for cooperation.

     

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 Democrats Hold Thin Majority in Senate as Congress Starts The Democrats held a razor-thin majority of 50-49 Thursday as the 110th Senate convened, while Sen. Tim Johnson is still in critical but stable condition after heart surgery in December. The NewsHour reports on the Senate's opening day and the change of power.

     

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 Former Lawmakers Discuss Challenges for New Congress With Democrats in control of Congress for the first time in 12 years -- a comfortable majority in the House but a thin lead in the Senate -- former Republican and Democrat lawmakers sort through the political lexicon and discuss what's ahead.

     

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 Iraqi Official Arrested for Recording Saddam's Execution The Iraqi official believed to have recorded Saddam Hussein's execution on a cell phone camera was arrested Wednesday. The recording revealed witnesses taunting the former dictator during his last moments. A reporter discusses the recording's effect in Iraq.

     

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 African Countries Plead for International Aid in Somalia Ethiopian and Somali leaders are calling for international peacekeepers to help stabilize Somalia. Meanwhile, Kenya bolstered border security to keep fleeing Islamists from entering the country. Experts discuss what comes next for Somalia and the region.

     

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 Young People Express Views on Religion, Politics Forty-four percent of young American adults agree that religion is a very important part of their lives, according to a study by the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life. Judy Woodruff reports on Generation Next's changing attitudes toward faith and politics.

     

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 Former President Ford Laid to Rest Former President Ford's body arrived in Grand Rapids, Mich., Tuesday following a state funeral held at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. Political analysts reflect on the life of the former president.

     

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 Nancy Pelosi Becomes First Female House Speaker As Democratic Rep. Nancy Pelosi becomes the first female speaker of the House, the NewsHour traces her journey from homemaker to big-time fundraiser to one of the most powerful women in Washington.

     

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 Analysts Assess Upcoming Congress, Democratic Agenda Democrats are hoping to push an ambitious agenda during Congress' first 100 hours. Political analysts Mark Shields and David Brooks discuss the upcoming congressional session and House Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi's plan.

     

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 Saddam's Execution Provokes Political Debate The execution of Saddam Hussein over the weekend provoked a strong reaction from both his supporters and detractors. Two regional experts assess where the hanging of the former dictator leaves Iraqi politics and society.

   

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 U.S. Military Death Toll in Iraq Reaches 3,000 The U.S. military death toll reached 3,000 troops with the death of a soldier from Texas on the last day of 2006. After a statistical profile of those killed, the NewsHour looks at how families of the fallen are dealing with their losses.

   

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 Solemn Ceremonies Mark Passing of a President President Bush joined thousands of others who paid their final respects to former President Gerald Ford, whose body laid in state in the Capitol rotunda. The NewsHour reports on the ceremonies and remembrances, including Tuesday's state funeral in Washington, D.C.

   

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 New Media Develops Rapidly New media products and programming developed rapidly in the past year. Jeffrey Brown takes a look at the largest media stories of 2006, including the rise of YouTube and the ongoing struggles in the newspaper business.

   

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