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The Pentagon is expected to replace Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez as the top U.S. commander in Iraq. President Bush called Sanchez "exemplary," and officials say his transfer is part of a long-planned reorganization. Nevertheless, the move leaves the impression in some quarters that the administration is not satisfied with Sanchez's performance in Iraq. NPR's Michele Kelemen reports.

The highway bill signed by President Bush Wednesday is nearly $30 billion richer than what Bush proposed -- and it tops the figure he said he'd veto. The president has said he expects to cut the federal budget deficit in half by 2009, warning that Congress must control spending.

An Iraqi nuclear scientist who spent years in the Abu Ghraib prison under Saddam Hussein has emerged as a top U.N. choice to become prime minister in Iraq's interim government, an Iraqi official says. A moderate Shiite, Hussain al-Shahristani is known for his management skills and has no formal ties to any Iraqi political party. Hear NPR's Eric Westervelt.

The House of Representatives will be under new management in 2007, but leadership posts within each party are undecided. Maryland's Steny Hoyer wants to be Majority Leader, but Nancy Pelosi backing Rep. John Murtha. Republican Speaker, Dennis Hastert, says he won't run for a leadership post, creating room at the top for the new minority party.

The All Songs Considered and Tiny Desk host shares his favorite recordings of the year.

Lana Del Rey balanced bleak beauty with real insight, Young Thug's So Much Fun culminated his influence and Bon Iver offered an album just in time for autumn.

Billy Gibbons, Frank Beard and Dusty Hill return to a classic sound on their first album in nine years, La Futura.

The co-host for NPR Music's All Songs Considered shares the albums he returned to the most in 2013.

Also: Statue of Liberty reopens; Bolivia's president blasts "North American empire;" South Korea proposes talks with the North; Mandela's grandson ends battle over kin's graves; Boston Celtics hire Butler's Brad Stevens to be coach.

Also: Man arrested with firebombs in Seattle had maps of area colleges; at George Zimmerman's trial, mothers disagree about whose voice is on key recording; NBA's Dwight Howard opts to sign with the Houson Rockets.