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The federal budget deficit has declined somewhat, according to new numbers released by the Congressional Budget Office. An increase in tax revenues caused the latest 2005 budget projections to cut the estimated deficit by $88 billion.

A Pentagon task force investigating possible religious intolerance at the U.S. Air Force Academy reports shortcomings, but no intentional discrimination based on religion. Cadets have complained of pressure to attend chapel and join prayer groups.

A combination drug may soon become the first prescription medicine approved specifically for African Americans. The medicine, called Bidl, treats heart failure. Trials show the drug works much better than conventional therapies, but some worry the results could perpetuate myths about racial differences. Hear NPR's Snigdha Prakash.

As President Bush considers ways to reform the Social Security system, he's said to be considering a plan that would reduce benefits for retirees. Many people on both sides of the Social Security debate believe the administration is seriously considering indexing benefits according to inflation rates rather than current prevailing wages. NPR's Jim Zarroli reports.

Iraqis have voted in large numbers in the country's first multi-party elections in more than half a century. A string of suicide bombings and mortar attacks, mostly in Baghdad, left at least 30 people dead and dozens wounded. NPR's Emily Harris reports.

One week after a tsunami killed tens of thousands in coastal areas of Indonesia's northern Aceh province, relief workers are only beginning to make headway. The scale of the disaster, and the need for aid, is staggering -- there are no vehicles to carrying needed supplies, and aid workers fear mass starvation if food supplies aren't distributed in the next several days. NPR's Adam Davidson reports.

Sen. John Kerry has called President Bush to concede the presidential race. Kerry is expected to make a public statement about 1 p.m. And the Republican Party has kept control of the House and Senate. In races for the Senate and House of Representatives, Republicans maintain their majorities and picked up seats in both the House and Senate. Hear NPR's Mara Liasson.

Author Susan Sontag died Tuesday in Manhattan, after a long struggle with cancer. Sontag was the author of many essays and 17 widely translated books. She wrote about photography and AIDS, film and choreography, Vietnam and the Sept. 11 attacks. Her novel In America won the National Book Award for fiction. Sontag was 71. Hear NPR's Kim Masters.

The doping scandal that erupted this week due to the revelations of Victor Conte of the BALCO company may have a serious effect on at least two major athletes, track star Marion Jones and baseball slugger Barry Bonds. Jones denies using any illegal substances, and Bonds says he never knowingly used banned drugs, but skepticism is growing. NPR's Tom Goldman reports.

Militants attack the U.S. Consulate in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, Monday, killing four security officers. Three of the attackers were also killed. A U.S. embassy spokesman says all Americans at the consulate are safe. Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep and Khaled al-Maeena, editor in chief of Arab News in Jiddah.