The latest news on the U.S. Economy, Global Economy, Social Issues, Presidential Campaign Issues, Voting Rights, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, Syria, Sudan, and Iran.

Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail »

U.S. economy. Spending Stalls and Businesses Slash U.S. Jobs "As the financial crisis crimps demand for American goods and services, the workers who produce them are losing their jobs by the tens of thousands." More Needy Are Turning To Clergy for Funds, Faith "Across the Washington area, houses of worship and their clergy are finding themselves on the frontlines of the economic crisis -- preaching spiritual sustenance from the pulpit, counseling those in distress, holding financial and foreclosure workshops, and providing food and cash to those in need -- all the while looking nervously at their own bottom lines." Utility shutoffs hitting home "The equivalent of one among every 10 Ohio households has experienced a gas or electricity disconnection in the past year, according to the Ohio Consumers' Counsel. The actual number is 444,337, or 14 percent more shutoffs than last year." Bush administration has housed many homeless "'Housing first,' it's called. That's to distinguish it from traditional programs that require longtime street people to undergo months of treatment and counseling before they're deemed 'housing ready.' Instead, the Bush administration offers them rent-free apartments up front."

Global economy. Financial Meltdown Worsens Food Crisis "While the world's attention has been focused on rescuing investment banks and stock markets from collapse, the global food crisis has worsened, a casualty of the growing financial tumult." Economic crisis threatens to destabilize developing countries "The global economic crisis is destabilizing a growing number of developing countries, sharpening security risks in many regions at a time when the United States and its wealthy allies are preoccupied with their own problems."

Social issues. Democrats Carrying Anti-Abortion Banner Put More Congressional Races in Play "Mr. Bright is one of a dozen anti-abortion Democratic challengers the party has recruited to run for the House this year and has aggressively supported with millions of dollars and other resources in culturally conservative districts long unfriendly to the party." A Line in the Sand for Same-Sex Marriage Foes "Conservative religious leaders from across the country are pouring time, talent and millions of dollars into the state in support of Proposition 8, which would ban same-sex marriage."

Presidential campaign issues. Iraq Aside, Nominees Have Like Views on Use of Force "The well-advertised differences between John McCain and Barack Obama on the war in Iraq may obscure a consequential similarity between their hawkish views on the use of American military force in other places." McCain and Obama have distinct priorities on energy "If Barack Obama and John McCain agree on nothing else, they agree that one of the nation's most urgent challenges is curbing its dependence on foreign oil and addressing the energy-related problem of global warming. Yet beneath the talking points and sound bites, there are significant differences in how Obama and McCain would be likely to approach a problem that's haunted the nation for more than three decades -- differences that boil down to priorities."

Voting rights. More felons learning -- to their surprise -- that they can vote "At least a dozen states have changed their laws since 2003 to allow more felons who are no longer in prison to cast ballots, reversing a long-standing trend."

Pakistan. U.S. Takes to Air to Hit Militants Inside Pakistan "The White House has backed away from using American commandos for further ground raids into Pakistan after furious complaints from its government, relying instead on an intensifying campaign of airstrikes by the Central Intelligence Agency against militants in the Pakistani mountains."

Afghanistan. Push to negotiate with the Taliban will begin Monday "A major push to open negotiations with the Taliban on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border will begin Monday at a summit of leading political figures from the two countries, as the U.S.-backed governments in Kabul and Islamabad face a mounting threat from Islamic extremists." Taliban rule returning to Kandahar province "They mete out justice in their own courts, ban schools and even organize large religious gatherings, like one that drew thousands of people just outside Kandahar city recently." U.S. considers sending special ops to Afghanistan "In a sign that the U.S. military is scaling back its goals in Afghanistan, senior Pentagon officials are weighing controversial proposals to send additional teams of highly trained special operations forces to narrowly target the most violent insurgent bands in the country."

Iraq. U.S. threatens to halt services to Iraq without troop accord "The U.S. military has warned Iraq that it will shut down military operations and other vital services throughout the country on Jan. 1 if the Iraqi government doesn't agree to a new agreement on the status of U.S. forces or a renewed United Nations mandate for the American mission in Iraq."

Israel. As Israeli Elections Are Called, Livni Is Assessed "Tzipi Livni, the foreign minister of Israel and head of the centrist Kadima Party, officially asked President Shimon Peres to declare early elections, adding more uncertainty to her chances of becoming prime minister." Israel's Tzipi Livni fails to form coalition; early elections on track "Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni gave formal notice that she had failed to form a new coalition government, putting Israel on course for early elections and further clouding prospects for a peace deal with the Palestinians before President George W. Bush leaves office in January." Livni tells President Peres: Let the people choose their leader "Kadima party chair Tzipi Livni wants new elections held as soon as possible, and to that end, has instructed her party's faction chairman, MK Yoel Hasson, to submit legislation today for the immediate dissolution of the Knesset and for new elections in 90 days -- that is, on Jan. 27, 2009."

Syria. Eight reportedly killed in U.S. raid inside Syria "U.S. forces ferried by helicopter Sunday crossed five miles into Syria from Iraq and launched a commando raid that left at least eight people dead, Syrian news outlets and sources reported." Syria condemns 'U.S. village raid' "Syria has protested angrily to both the U.S. and Iraq after what it said was a U.S. helicopter raid inside its territory that killed eight civilians. Syria summoned U.S. and Iraqi envoys to condemn the 'aggressive act.'" Syria: U.S. applying 'law of the jungle' "Syria on Monday accused the United States of 'applying the law of the jungle,' the day after a U.S. military raid inside Syrian territory, which killed at least eight people."

Sudan. Hard-line Sudan politician may hold key to Darfur conflict "Presidential advisor Nafie Ali Nafie says atrocities were exaggerated and blames U.S. 'propaganda.' Still, experts say his clout and blunt style could lead to a breakthrough on Darfur."

Iran. Iranian President Ahmadinejad confirms he is suffering from exhaustion "President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Sunday he is suffering from exhaustion and two allies said he was suffering under the strain of his job, in a rare disclosure apparently designed to combat rumors the hardline leader is more seriously ill." Officials Counter Ahmadinejad Health Rumors "The talk about his health comes at a time of increased pressure on Mr. Ahmadinejad, primarily for what critics call his mishandling of the economy in Iran, which has led to an inflation rate of 30 percent."