The latest news on the Economic Crisis, Global Economy, U.S. Economy, Bipartisanship, Volunteerism, White Extremists, Iraq, Zimbabwe, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iran, Nicaragua, Haiti, Pakistan, Gaza, and Select Features and Op-eds.

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Economic crisis. Early transition? Obama takes the lead in economic crisis "Barack Obama is taking a more active role in the economic crisis, leaking the name of his Treasury secretary Friday, in part to stem fears in the stock market; announcing a major stimulus package in his address Saturday, and on Sunday letting it be known that he'll announce his economic team on Monday." Democrats' Stimulus Plan May Reach $700 Billion "Facing an increasingly ominous economic outlook, President-elect Barack Obama and other Democrats are rapidly ratcheting up plans for a massive fiscal stimulus program that could total as much as $700 billion over the next two years."

Global economy. Darling cuts VAT in pre-Budget "Chancellor Alistair Darling has cut VAT from 17.5% to 15% for 13 months in his pre-Budget report in a bid to get consumers spending again." Recession here, PM ready to open wallet "Canada is slipping into recession and an 'unprecedented' fiscal stimulus is being considered, Prime Minister Stephen Harper warned on as he admitted he is both worried and surprised by the depth of the global financial crisis." Asia Pacific leaders vow action on economic downturn "Asia Pacific leaders making up half the global economy have vowed quick and decisive action to prevent a global depression on the last day of the Asia-Pacific Cooperation forum (APEC) summit in Peru."

U.S. economy. Demand for social services rises as funding falls "An ailing economy is threatening the success of welfare reforms that in the past decade moved millions of people off the public dole and into jobs." Housing Crisis Snares Elderly Who Can't Sell "The housing crisis has kept thousands of older Americans who need support and care from moving into retirement communities or assisted-living centers, effectively stranding them in their own homes." Job Centers See Crush of People in Need "They each play host to a web of federal programs for the needy or unemployed, offering training, job listings and, in most states, access to welfare programs like food stamps and unemployment insurance." Hard times and long lines for Southern Californians "Some sought a cart of groceries the week before Thanksgiving, others sought a way to keep from losing their homes in the new year. By the thousands, a diverse group of Southern Californians converged on two events Saturday aimed at helping families in hard economic times."

Bipartisanship. Initial Steps by Obama Suggest a Bipartisan Flair "In the third week of his transition to power, President-elect Barack Obama is working to build a cordial relationship with Republicans by seeking guidance on policy proposals, asking for advice on appointments and hoping to avoid perceptions of political arrogance given the wide margins of his victory." Obama Faces Fierce Fight to Keep Education Promises "As the new administration prepares to take over the Education Department, school experts say one of Obama's first -- and toughest -- jobs must be restoring the broad bipartisan support it took to pass the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act, which aims to boost the achievement of poor children."

Volunteerism. Youths propel a push toward volunteerism "By many accounts, the interest and participation in public service, volunteerism, and social entrepreneurship among youth -- from middle-schoolers to graduates with advanced degrees -- have risen dramatically over the last decade."

White extremists. White extremists lash out over election of first black president "The Ku Klux Klan is emerging from decades of disorganization and obscurity, and the turnaround is acutely evident -- more than 200 hate-related incidents have been reported since the Nov. 4 election."

Iraq. Iraq's Nouri Maliki may gain power with U.S. security agreement "An increasingly bold Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri Maliki has sanctioned politically charged arrests of prominent Sunnis, personally supervised military operations and moved to sideline rivals in recent months, actions that have evoked memories of the country's authoritarian past." Iraqi protesters burn George Bush effigy "At the spot where U.S. forces helped Iraqis topple a statue of Saddam Hussein in 2003, protesters tore down an effigy of President Bush and set it afire during a demonstration over plans to keep American troops in Iraq through 2011." In Mosul, a battle for Christians "A month after thousands of Christians fled this northern Iraqi city in terror, many of the refugees have returned home, but some fear a new wave of sectarian violence, church leaders say."

Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe power-sharing talks to resume "Talks to revive a power-sharing agreement between Zimbabwe's political parties will resume tomorrow, the South African president, Kgalema Motlanthe, announced this morning." 'Elders' push on with Zimbabwe work "Elder statesmen Kofi Annan and Jimmy Carter have been forced to run their mission to assess the deteriorating economic situation in Zimbabwe from neighboring South Africa after Robert Mugabe's government refused them entry." Send the troops into Zimbabwe, says Odinga "Raila Odinga, the Kenyan Prime Minister, broke ranks with African leaders yesterday and called for international peacekeepers to be sent to Zimbabwe."

Somalia. 'NOBODY IS WATCHING'-America's hidden war in Somalia "It is a standoff war in which the Pentagon lobs million-dollar cruise missiles into a famine-haunted African wasteland the size of Texas, hoping to kill lone terror suspects who might be dozing in candlelit huts. It is a covert war in which the CIA has recruited gangs of unsavory warlords to hunt down and kidnap Islamic militants