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President Bush's effort to channel more social service money to faith-based organizations has run into problems with some religious leaders. Several high profile spokesmen have said the president's initiative, while welcome, would pose too many risks of government interference in the work of religious charities. But today, a group of African-American ministers came to Washington to proclaim their willingness to work with White House and federal agencies under the program. NPR's Brian Naylor reports.

The Justice Department has reached an $88 million settlement with the victims of the racist church massacre in Charleston S.C. over the flawed background check which allowed the shooter to buy a gun.

African American poet Cornelius Eady has published seven poetry collections, and was recently nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. His latest, Brutal Imagination (Putnam) is a cycle of poems that revisits the Susan Smith child murder case through the voice of the imaginary black man she said carjacked and kidnapped her children. From New York, Tom Vitale reports.

The Supreme Court upheld the rejection of two congressional districts in North Carolina by a lower court. The lower court ruled the districts had been unlawfully drawn to diminish the voting power of African Americans and ordered them redrawn.

On the Argentine singer's new album, she's reached a zen place where the very texture of a tone becomes its own language.

Commentator Paul Raeburn examines an Exxon-Mobil project to drill oil in the Central African country of Chad. Proceeds are set to go to help the people of the struggling nation, and Raeburn says if the plan works, it could start a new trend for business endeavors with developing countries.

American drug companies say they are making AIDS drugs more affordable for African countries. This week there is word the government may also do more to help: the Bush administration is said to be considering giving up to $2 billion to African countries to battle the disease. Host Lisa Simeone speaks with NPR Health Correspondent Richard Knox.

NPR's Don Gonyea reports that President Bush was busy yesterday meeting with Japan's Prime Minister Mori, as well as with the White House Energy Taskforce, and a coalition of African-American ministers.

NPR's Pam Fessler reports on today's announcement by Commerce Secretary Donald Evans that there will be no adjustment of the census figures. Evans said the initial figures from the 2000 census will stand, a decision that dismayed Democrats and minority groups, particularly African-Americans. Democrats argue that more than three million people were missed by census takers, mostly in poor and urban communities. The decision not only affects the drawing of congressional and legislative district lines, but it could have an impact on financial assistance from the government.

AIDS activists protest in Washington, D.C., today. South African Ambassador Sheila Sisulu joins representatives from ACT UP, Oxfam, and Doctors Without Borders at a rally "to demand an end to 'medical apartheid'". The rally included a march to the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers Association.