The latest news on Welfare Increase, Interest Rate Cut, Mortgage Aid, Cabinet, Cheney & Torture, Education, Families, U.S. Deserter, Death Penalty, Church & State, Afghanistan, U.K. Troops to Leave Iraq, Iraqi "Shoe Thrower," Zimbabwe, and Global Trade.

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Welfare increase. Welfare Rolls See First Increase in Years "For the first time since welfare was redefined a dozen years ago, weaning millions of poor Americans from monthly government checks, the deteriorating economy is causing a surge in welfare rolls in a growing number of states." As Economy Slides, More People Seek Assistance "Welfare dates to the Great Depression, when the federal government in 1935 created a program as part of the Social Security Act to provide financial support for poor children. In the early 1960s, welfare expanded into Aid to Families With Dependent Children to give cash assistance to parents, too."

Interest rate cut. Fed Cuts Key Rate to Record Low "The Federal Reserve yesterday exhausted its most fundamental tool for managing the economy, slashing short-term interest rates to nearly nothing and promising aggressive new tactics to arrest a deepening recession." Fed stuns the world with rate cut to 'virtually zero' "U.S. interest rates were cut to a historic low of virtually zero as America resorted to drastic action in its battle to stave off a crippling recession and deflation."

Mortgage aid. HUD Chief Calls Aid on Mortgages A Failure "Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Steve Preston said the centerpiece of the federal government's effort to help struggling homeowners has been a failure and he's blaming Congress."

Cabinet. Obama names Tom Vilsack, Ken Salazar to Cabinet "Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack was chosen for Agriculture secretary and Colorado Sen. Ken Salazar was named to head Interior." Exclusive: Vilsack sees Ag Sec nod as recognition of 'teamwork' "President-elect Barack Obama said today that Tom Vilsack brings an authentic appreciation for rural America and a forward-looking approach to agriculture in announcing the former Iowa governor as his choice for agriculture secretary."

Cheney & torture. Cheney was key in clearing CIA interrogation tactics "Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday that he was directly involved in approving severe interrogation methods used by the CIA, and that the prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, should remain open indefinitely."

Education. Obama's $10 Billion Promise Stirs Hope in Early Education "After years of what they call backhanded treatment by the Bush administration, whose focus has been on the testing of older children, many advocates are atremble with anticipation over Mr. Obama's espousal of early childhood education."

Families. Two-Parent Black Families Showing Gains "The number of black children being raised by two parents appears to be edging higher than at any time in a generation, at nearly 40 percent, according to newly released census data."

U.S. deserter. U.S. deserter faces deportation Christmas Eve "The War Resisters Support Campaign says Citizenship and Immigration Canada has told a U.S. deserter living in Nanaimo, B.C., that he must leave Canada by Dec. 24 or face removal by force. Cliff Cornell, originally from Arkansas, arrived in Canada in January, 2005."

Death penalty. In Georgia, Push to End Unanimity for Execution "Georgia legislators have began lining up to introduce bills eliminating the requirement that juries be unanimous for a death sentence. Hard-on-crime lawmakers have long favored easier rules on death sentencing, but the Nichols sentence has given new urgency to their cause."

Church & state. Archbishop - Disestablishment not 'end of world' "The Archbishop of Canterbury believes it would not be 'the end of the world' if the Church of England was disestablished. But he does not wholeheartedly back such a move, arguing that, ultimately, the advantages of establishment outweigh the disadvantages."

Afghanistan. More troops, more Afghan violence, short-term: NATO "A U.S. proposal to send more troops to southern Afghanistan will lead to a short-term rise in violence before stability can be brought to the region, the deputy commander of NATO forces in the country said on Wednesday."

U.K. troops to leave Iraq. U.K. troops to leave Iraq 'by July' "Gordon Brown and Iraqi prime minister Nouri Maliki say U.K. forces will have 'completed their tasks' and leave the country by the end of July next year."

Iraqi "shoe thrower." Protests rise over detention of 'shoe thrower' "The brother of Muntadhar al-Zeidi, who secured his place in infamy with his outburst at the President's press conference in Baghdad, claimed that the Shia journalist had been so badly beaten in custody that police were unable to produce him in court." U.S. troops confront Iraqis rallying in favor of shoe-thrower "U.S. troops in Fallujah reportedly fired over the heads of demonstrators rallying in favor of the Iraqi journalist who hurled his shoes at President Bush. The journalist appeared before an Iraqi investigative judge Wednesday and was told he'll face charges of attacking a head of state."

Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe neighbors' aid campaign "Southern African countries are launching an urgent campaign to help Zimbabwe fight cholera and overcome its acute food shortage." U.N. warns may have to cut food rations in Zimbabwe "The United Nations warned on Tuesday it may have to cut food rations to millions of hungry people in Zimbabwe despite a worsening cholera epidemic, due to a lack of funds."

Global trade. A global trade decline? "Global trade may shrink next year for the first time since 1982, a sign of new challenges as a downturn that began in the United States spreads abroad." Latin nations fight economic slump with stimulus "Facing an economic slowdown after years of brisk growth, Latin American nations from Mexico to Argentina have launched stimulus plans amid fears of recession, rising poverty and social unrest."