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Top athletes at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships won a spot at the Beijing Olympics over the weekend in Nashville, Tenn. Next month's Games come amid the raging pandemic and political opposition.

President Bush made an unnanounced visit to Baghdad on Tuesday for a face-to-face meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and top members of the newly installed Iraqi Cabinet. Madeleine Brand discusses the presidential trip and the latest news from Iraq with Jamie Tarabay, reporting from Baghdad.

The Iraqi government announces an investigation into the abuse and torture of more than 170 prisoners held at a Ministry of Interior detention center in Baghdad. Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari said one of his top deputies has been appointed to conduct the probe.

Mike Heidingsfield spent 13 months in Iraq as the top civilian commander in charge of training Iraqi police. He tells Linda Werteimer that Iraqi police are now a more visible presence, but that makes them targets for insurgents, too.

As Iraqis prepare for parliamentary elections, U.S. and Iraqi army commanders are gearing up for a massive security operation on polling day, Dec. 15. The top U.S. military commander in Iraq traveled around the country this week, focusing on election security.

The Blueprint 3 is the latest release by rapper Jay-Z; it's the second sequel to one of his best-known releases, 2001's The Blueprint. It's also Jay-Z's 11th solo album in 13 years, making him one of hip-hop's most prolific artists. Reviewer Oliver Wang suggests that, even this far into his career, the rapper is still finding ways to stay on top.

On top of the humanitarian crisis, Ukrainians worry about Russian destruction of cultural heritage sites. In Lviv, they're wrapping statues in fireproof material to protect them from Russian bombs.

"Coming back out and getting the chance to race again was just the perfect thing to do, actually," Shiffrin said. She had failed to finish qualifying runs in two events earlier this week.

The Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in the "Bridgegate" case. The high court's ruling on the New Jersey scandal could prove more consequential if criminal convictions are thrown out.

As her memoir, Living History, tops the best-seller lists, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton stops by NPR to answer questions about her political ambitions, President Bush and her husband, former President Bill Clinton. Listen to Senior Correspondent Juan Williams' interview with the former first lady on Thursday's Morning Edition. Hear the full interview online.