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President Obama and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta both talked this week about bringing the Afghan War to a close. But the U.S. will maintain at least several thousand troops in the country once combat comes to an end at the end of 2014. The U.S. will spend billions of dollars financing the Afghan security forces.

In Australia, McDonald's is nicknamed Macca. Executives of the burger chain are allowing some McDonald's restaurants there to change their signs to read "Macca's." But the change is only temporary, in honor of Australia Day later this month.

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez won't be back for Thursday's inauguration. He's too sick after undergoing surgery for cancer in Cuba. If, in the end, he doesn't return, Chavez has said his successor should be Nicolas Maduro, who went from bus driver to union leader to vice president.

The Investment bank Morgan Stanley has announced plans to shed 1,600 jobs — about half of those cuts will be made in the U.S. The move is a seen as aimed at cutting costs and boosting equity returns for the banks investors.

On Monday, Morning Edition explored crime rates in Chicago and how the murder rate went up in 2012. That was against national trends and even against Chicago's long-range decline in crime. We discussed police focus on "hot spots," and the dissolution of gangs. But listeners asked: What about gun bans?

President Obama will nominate his Chief of Staff Jack Lew to be the next Treasury Secretary. Lew is a budget expert who could hit the ground running as the treasury tries to cope with a looming debt ceiling, automatic spending cuts and the ongoing push for long-term deficit reduction.

Taiwan technology giant Foxconn said it is under investigation by Chinese authorities. It is also conducting its own probe into allegations that some of its managers had solicited bribes from suppliers.

House budget chief and former vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan unveils the House GOP budget plan Tuesday morning. On Wednesday, Senate Democrats will do the same. For more on the GOP plan, Renee Montagne speaks with NPR's Tamara Keith.

The Mass before the conclave, the homily, the procession of cardinals into the Sistine Chapel, and the command "extra omnes" ("everyone out" — except the Cardinals). Steve Inskeep speaks with NPR's Sylvia Poggioli about the papal conclave.

As the conclave to select a new pope gets under way at the Vatican, what do American Catholics want from the next pontiff? Renee Montagne speaks with Greg Smith of the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life about their most recent survey.