The Democratic-dominated Congress convenes Tuesday to confront perhaps the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and to grapple with a hugely ambitious agenda set by President-elect Barack Obama. (www.newsvine.com)

Lawmakers are returning to Rhode Island's Statehouse amid a budget crisis, a recession and soaring unemployment. (www.boston.com)

By GERALD F. SEIB It's taken as an article of faith in the Middle East that every crisis also creates an opening for diplomacy.Video: Notebook: Gaza CBSFighting flares outside Gaza City BBC News (news.google.com)

TOKYO (Reuters) - Toyota Motor Corp, reeling from its worst U.S. sales decline in more than a quarter of a century, will shut all its factories in Japan for 11 days as the global economic slump hits demand and company profits. (feeds.reuters.com)

President Michelle Bachelet on Monday announced a $4 billion plan to help Chile fight the global economic crisis and create as many as 100,000 jobs. (www.newsvine.com)

The United Nations said Monday there is an "increasingly alarming" humanitarian crisis in Gaza, directly contradicting Israeli denials that its offensive caused the growing problem. (www.newsvine.com)

The beds are all busy at Al-Shifa Hospital; the courtyard's a crowded waiting room; the morgue is full. (CBS) (CBS) As the invasion of Gaza by Israeli troops continues, conditions in Gaza are getting worse by the day.Gaza hospital overwhelmed by dead, wounded The Associated PressAid agencies say Gaza needs food, medicine -- and body bags Reute... (news.google.com)

By Paula Wolfson For the first time since the start of the Israeli military offensive in Gaza, US President George Bush has gone before television cameras to talk about the Mideast crisis.Video: Israel Pounds Gaza, Vows to Continue Campaign AssociatedPressIsraelis push deep into Gaza City International Herald Tribune (news.google.com)

The party of Kenya's Prime Minister Raila Odinga holds crisis talks amid complaints it is being sidelined by the president. (news.bbc.co.uk)