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In his new book, Food Matters, Mark Bittman writes about the environmental impact of industrial farming — and how individuals can make a difference by cutting down on the amount of animal products they consume.

By most countries' standards, China's economy is flourishing. It grew almost 7 percent in the last quarter and 9 percent for 2008. Still, that was a slowdown, snapping a five-year streak of double-digit growth. China is the world's third-largest economy after the United States and Japan.

President Barack Obama is freezing all pending federal rules changes left by the Bush administration. He also froze salaries for White House staffers who make more than $100,000 a year. And because of some bungled wording during Tuesday's swearing-in ceremony, Chief Justice John Roberts re-administered the oath to Obama Wednesday.

President Obama's pick for Treasury secretary, Timothy Geithner, began his confirmation hearing with an apology Wednesday. He told members of the Senate Finance Committee the tax questions that delayed his confirmation were the result of his own careless mistakes. But he added the mistakes were unintentional. The panel is expected to vote Thursday on his nomination.

Caroline Kennedy has ended her bid to win appointment to the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Hillary Clinton and once held by her late uncle, Bobby Kennedy. In a statement released early Thursday, Kennedy says she told New York Gov. David Patterson she is withdrawing for personal reasons. She was considered a favorite for the New York Senate seat, though she has never held elective office.

President-elect Barack Obama scored an early legislative victory on Capitol Hill Thursday. After intense lobbying by Obama and top economic aides, the Senate voted to release the second half of the $700 billion financial rescue package. When Obama takes office on Tuesday, he will have $350 billion available to battle the financial crisis.

Attorney General-designate Eric Holder says "waterboarding is torture." He spoke about it at his confirmation hearing Thursday. The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to hear from other witnesses Friday.

Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee will question Attorney General nominee Eric Holder at his confirmation hearing Thursday. Holder has strong support in the Senate, but some Republicans on the panel say they will ask him about aspects of his private legal practice and some of his decisions while serving as deputy and acting attorney general under President Clinton.

The Senate is set to vote Thursday on whether to release the second half of the $700 billion financial rescue package. While most Democrats are on board to approve the funds, many Republicans say the bill lacks transparency and accountability. President-elect Barack Obama's economic team went to Capitol Hill Wednesday to try to win them over.

President-elect Barack Obama's choice for secretary of Housing and Urban Development got a friendly welcome at his Senate confirmation hearing Tuesday. Shaun Donovan said his top priority at HUD will be to address the foreclosure crisis, which he said has led to some 2 million families losing their homes last year.