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NPR's Tom Gjelten reports on President Bush's decision to stick with last year's defense budget, offered by President Clinton. Mr. Bush says his administration needs time for a thorough review of defense needs, but critics maintain that the president is breaking his campaign pledge to rebuild the U.S. military.

NPR's Don Gonyea reports that President Bush sends his tax-cut plan to Congress today. Yesterday he met with some of the "tax families" he introduced on the campaign trail as potential beneficiaries of his plan. The administration warns that if the government surplus is not turned into a tax cut, it will be spent.

NPR's Anne Garrels reports on the growth of Russia's middle class. Though the middle class in Russia is a much smaller percentage of the population than in most Western nations, more and more Russians seem to have disposable income to spend on restaurant meals, services, non-essential household items and travel.

NPR's Mike Shuster reports from Jerusalem on the Israeli election for prime minister that will be held tomorrow. Prime Minister Ehud Barak and his challenger, right-wing party leader Ariel Sharon, wrapped up their campaigns yesterday. The latest polls show Barak trailing Sharon by 20 points.

Scott Horsley, of member station KPBS in San Diego, reports that California Gov. Gray Davis meets today with representatives of that state's struggling utility companies, in the hope of solving the serious financial problems the utilities face. Critics say that the state should not bail out the utilities while their parent companies remain solvent.

David Sommerstein reports on a controversy brewing in Canada's literary community. A high school student was suspended from his school and held in juvenile dentention after he wrote a fictional story with a violent ending. Some high profile Canadian authors have come to the student's defense, others support the school.

NPR's Peter Kenyon reports that the President's tax-cut proposals will be coming to Capitol Hill tomorrow. Mr. Bush is urging lawmakers to hold the line at one-point-six-trillion dollars. But business interests are also trying to jump aboard the bandwagon, which could make the final package much bigger.

Republican vice presidential candidate Dick Cheney may have boosted his public standing last night in his debate with Democratic counterpart Joe Lieberman. Cheney was cordial and confident and livelier than his reputation. NPR's Peter Kenyon was with the former defense secretary last night and today and filed this report.

Kate Seelye in Beirut reports the U.N. Secretary General is expected in Lebanon soon to discuss efforts to arrange the release of 3 Israeli soldiers, captured by Hizbollah guerrillas during a border clash last Saturday. Hizbollah wants to swap the Israelis for Arab prisoners held in Israel, but the exact terms of the exchange are far from clear.

NPR's Alison Richards reports on the trouble with Olestra. The fat substitute gives consumers the pleasures of fried foods without the gain, but there's sometimes a catch: it can cause abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Still, recent tests suggest the side effects could be less than originally thought. (