The latest news on the Recession, Governors, National Security Cabinet, Nominees, Abortion, President Bush Reflects, Cluster Bomb Ban, India-Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, South Africa, Congo, Zimbabwe, Canada, and Select Op-eds.

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Recession. Economic Signs Point to Longer, Deeper Recession "The U.S. economy entered a recession one year ago, a group of the nation's leading economists said yesterday, and new evidence that the downturn will be deep and prolonged sent the stock market plummeting." U.S. recession could last into 2010 "The economy's yearlong downturn, officially declared a recession Monday, could last well into next year or even beyond, challenging the government to devise new responses as traditional methods show limited results." Recession Began Last December, Economists Say "The United States economy officially sank into a recession last December, which means that the downturn is already longer than the average for all recessions since World War II, according to the committee of economists responsible for dating the nation's business cycles."

Governors. Governors to press Obama for help with budget shortfalls in economic recovery legislation "The nation's governors are meeting with President-elect Barack Obama to press their case for at least $40 billion to help pay for health care for the poor and disabled and even more for infrastructure projects like road and bridge repair." Democrats in House Plan a Package of Up to $500 Billion to Help States "House Democrats said that they would try to pass an economic recovery bill costing $400 billion to $500 billion next month as governors pressed Congress for money to build roads and bridges, provide health care to low-income people and develop alternative sources of energy."

National security cabinet. Obama Names National Security Team "President-elect Barack Obama's high-powered national security team, introduced at a Chicago news conference, faces the challenge of managing two wars and various ongoing foreign policy crises even as it helps the president-elect shape what he called 'a new beginning, a new dawn of American leadership' in the world." Obama stresses diplomacy with new national security team "Obama said his administration would restore U.S. standing in the world through alliance-building and international institutions, as well as by maintaining American military might." Appointments Begin a New Phase for Obama "President-elect Barack Obama put the rancor and even some of the rhetoric of the presidential campaign behind him as he welcomed his chief Democratic adversary into his cabinet and signaled flexibility in his plans to withdraw troops from Iraq."

Nominees. Nomination of Rice for U.N. Post Indicates a Shift Toward Multilateralism "As one of President-elect Barack Obama's closest campaign advisers and a fellow opponent of the war in Iraq, Susan E. Rice was regarded as a lock for a senior post in Washington after the election." Attorney general nominee inherits damaged department "Holder, who'd be the first black attorney general if confirmed by the Senate, would be taking the helm of a department that's still recovering from charges of cronyism and partisan politicking and debatable opinions about the legality of harsh interrogation techniques, electronic eavesdropping habeas corpus and the laws of war." Homeland security nominee is tough on immigration "Few people have been closer to the center of the debate over illegal immigration than Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, the top Democrat in a conservative state with little sympathy for illegal immigrants."

Abortion. Broader medical refusal rule may go far beyond abortion "The outgoing Bush administration is planning to announce a broad new 'right of conscience' rule permitting medical facilities, doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other healthcare workers to refuse to participate in any procedure they find morally objectionable, including abortion and possibly even artificial insemination and birth control."

President Bush reflects. Reflecting on His Tenure, Bush Shows New Candor "President Bush, who has long brushed aside questions about his legacy, is opening up a bit during his final weeks in office." President Bush regrets false Iraq intelligence "President Bush has acknowledged that he was 'unprepared for war' when he arrived in the White House at the start of an administration that would largely be defined by terror attacks at home and military conflict abroad."

Cluster bomb ban. Nations prepare to ban cluster bombs, which have killed civilians from Vietnam to Georgia "Although activists are hailing the cluster bombs convention as a landmark achievement, the refusal of the world's two largest producers of the munitions -- the United States and Russia - to sign on will limit its effect."

India-Pakistan. U.S., India Pressure Pakistan to Cooperate in Mumbai Probe "With tensions rising between India and Pakistan after the deadly attacks in Mumbai last week, the United States on Monday increased pressure on Pakistan to cooperate in the investigation." India pressures Pakistan to act on terrorism "Becoming more sure that militants based in Pakistan carried out the Mumbai attacks, India calls on its neighbor and rival to hand over 20 terrorism suspects and cooperate fully in the investigation." India demands Pakistan extraditions "The Indian government has presented Pakistan with a list of 20 fugitives it wants extradited as relations between the two nations deteriorate over the Mumbai terror attacks." India summons Pakistan envoy over attacks "India summoned the Pakistani High Commissioner in Delhi yesterday to demand 'strong action' against the Pakistani militants that it says were responsible for last week's attacks on Mumbai."

Afghanistan. Afghan Strategy Poses Stiff Challenge for Obama "One of the most difficult challenges President-elect Barack Obama's national security team faces is Mr. Obama's vow to send thousands of American troops to help defeat the Taliban in Afghanistan."

Iraq. U.S.-Iraqi accord shows Muqtada Sadr's diminished clout "The vote last week was a sign of how Sadr's clout has diminished since 2005, when his parliamentary bloc provided the boost needed to propel fellow Shiite Nouri Maliki into the prime minister's role." Two Bombings Kill at Least 30 Iraqis "Suicide bombings in Baghdad and Mosul took the lives of at least 32 Iraqis on Monday in carnage that recalled the levels of violence before the American troop buildup last year."

South Africa. S Africa unveils new AIDS fight "South Africa's new health minister has promised to increase the availability of treatment for HIV and AIDS, speaking at a rally to mark World AIDS Day."

Congo. Congo rebel leader threatens 'war' "General Laurent Nkunda, the Congolese rebel leader, has threatened war on the Congolese government unless direct talks are held."

Zimbabwe. Mugabe's grip on power under threat "Dozens of Zimbabwean soldiers rioted in Harare yesterday, attacking banks after they were unable to withdraw their near worthless pay, in a further sign that Robert Mugabe may be losing control over the forces that have kept him in power." Zimbabwe cholera spread continues "The spread of cholera in Zimbabwe has killed 473 people, the World Health Organization (WHO) office in Harare has said."

Canada. Opposition leaders sign accord to form coalition government "The three opposition leaders signed a historic accord Monday, agreeing to topple the government of Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the first opportunity, likely next Monday, and promising 'bold steps' on an economic stimulus package." One prime minister too many "Stephen Harper's beleaguered Conservative government girded yesterday for an all-out battle to stave off imminent defeat at the hands of a newly minted Liberal-NDP coalition, signaling it might even move to terminate the current session of Parliament to do so."

Opinion. GOPs path to victory still goes through God (Rod Dreher, USA Today) "The next generation of religious rightists now has a great opportunity to think creatively and act boldly to redefine and revive conservatism. We mustn't retreat into shrill, tired sloganeering, as the once-promising Sarah Palin did. We must engage earlier sources of traditional conservative thought, and rethink how our faith commitments can contribute to the common good."