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France shut down Thursday as the country experienced a general strike. The action, called by eight of the country's biggest trade unions, is intended to protest the effects of the global recession, and to demand that the government make protecting employment its top priority.

The House has passed an $825 billion economic stimulus bill. However, no Republicans voted for the bill. They say it has too much spending and not enough tax cuts. It was a loss for bipartisanship but an early win for President Obama — just eight days into his presidency. The bill now goes to the Senate.

The Red Cross says hundreds of people have been killed in fighting between government forces and Tamil Tiger separatists in Sri Lanka.

John Updike has died after a battle with lung cancer. He was 76. Updike was born in Shillington, Pa., which became the model for his fictional town of Ollinger. In 1955, he joined the staff of the New Yorker and saw his first novel, The Poorhouse Fair, published four years later.

Several big names in corporate America announced layoffs Monday. Pfizer, Caterpillar, Sprint Nextel, Home Depot and Texas Instruments said they were cutting thousands of positions. So far this year, nearly 200,000 jobs have been eliminated.

The unforgettable "Go See Cal" jingle turned Cal Worthington into one of the nation's top car dealers. At 88, he's still appearing in ads with his "dog" Spot and strategizing about how to give the foundering industry a boost.

Former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on Monday rejected critics' charges that he allowed the Justice Department to become politicized under his watch, telling NPR that he believes history will favorably judge his tenure. But he acknowledged having made mistakes.

The impeachment trial of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich begins Monday in the state Senate. Instead of going to the state capital to defend himself against charges that he has abused the power of his office, Blagojevich will be making the rounds to TV studios in New York. He's trying to salvage what's left of his flagging political career.

It can be hard to escape winter chills. But cookbook author Nigella Lawson says she never complains about it — instead, it's a great excuse for her to indulge in warm and hearty comfort foods such as soups and stews. Besides, recipes for sweet corn chowder, chicken pot pie and other dishes can be easy.

Inauguration Day was so cold, musician Yo-Yo Ma and others recorded their performance two days earlier and played along during Tuesday's ceremony. It was feared the frigid temperatures would crack instruments and break strings. Ma discusses what happened.