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France was among nine European countries that saw their sovereign debt ratings cut Friday. The move could boost borrowing costs in Paris and undermine a plan to contain the European debt crisis. But the loss of France's AAA rating is also likely to play a role in President Nicolas Sarkozy's re-election bid.

Mormons around the world are getting this warning Sunday: Stop posthumous baptisms of "unauthorized groups, such as celebrities and Jewish Holocaust victims."

Sock monkeys, the red-mouthed, yarn-topped toys with a wide smile, were born during the Great Depression and handcrafted for the working class. Devotees of the little critters are still cherishing them at the annual festival dedicated to the Sock Monkey in Rockford, Ill.

The Supreme Court will take up the issue of racial preferences in college admissions next fall, and some fear the decision will leave universities with fewer options for increasing diversity on campus. Others say affirmative action is a crutch that is long past due for replacement.

In 1411, the count of Namur banned the use of stilts in the Belgian city. Over the past 600 years, the elevated footwear has been used for everything from putting up drywall to fishing and even jousting.

Much has been made of the unusual volatility of the GOP race this year, with candidates taking turns in the front-runner spot in Iowa. But with more outside money and a reliance on social media, the run-up to this election season's Iowa caucuses has been different in other ways as well.

His confirmation that he pays at a much lower rate than many much less well-off Americans, is likely to reignite a debate over whether the wealthy should be asked to pay a greater share of federal taxes.

In 2011, Chrysler recovered from bankruptcy by redefining itself as a better, more luxurious car company and paying off nearly $8 billion in bailout loans. To top it all off, Chrysler sales are up 25 percent this year, about twice the industry average.

Big banks announced around 60,000 job cuts in 2011. With businesses and consumers still focused on reducing debt, there isn't the same need for financial services as there was before, says one banking analyst. The outlook in the years ahead is for a smaller, more stable and less profitable industry.

Kinsey Wilson, an NPR senior vice president and general manager of NPR Digital Media, is becoming executive vice president and chief content officer. Margaret Low Smith, who has been acting senior vice president for news, is continuing in that role.