Washington  - Just days before inauguration, president-elect Barack Obama and the new Congress have taken their first steps on the long road to restoring the struggling US economy.

Democratic legislators, who hold majorities in both houses of Congress, offered the first detailed look Thursday into an 825- billion-dollar economic stimulus package, a key plank of Obama's plan to save or create as many as 3 million jobs.

Washington  - President-elect Barack Obama's early handling of the conflict in the Gaza Strip will serve as his first opportunity to set a fresh tone for US foreign policy in the Middle East.

Unless Egyptian brokered negotations - which are progressing - produce a ceasefire by the time Obama takes office on Tuesday, he will inherit more than three weeks of fighting between Israel and Hamas militants in a conflict that has threatened to undo the already shaky peace process.

Los Angeles  - The list of celebrities appearing in president-elect Barack Obama's inauguration festivities in Washington keeps getting longer.

The Presidential Inauguration Committee on Thursday announced a list of more than 20 performers such as Jack Johnson, Sheryl Crow, Marc Anthony and Maroon 5 who will appear at some of the 10 official balls on the evening after the noon-time swearing in.

Washington  - The US Senate is expected to vote later Thursday on whether to release the second half of a 700-billion- dollar bail-out package passed last year to keep the finance industry afloat.

The vote in the 100-member upper house is seen as a key test for president-elect Barack Obama, who is to take office on Tuesday. Both Democrats and Republicans have expressed hesitancy about releasing the remaining 350 billion dollars of the controversial programme aimed at halting a further economic slide.

London  - A waxwork of US president-elect Barack Obama was unveiled Thursday at Madame Tussauds waxwork museum in London, where US citizens will have free entry on inauguration day next Tuesday.

Obama's wax likeness has him standing, arms crossed, in a recreation of the White House's Oval Office, complete with the desk and the carpet embossed with the presidential seal of office.

Liz Edwards of Madame Tussauds said it had not been easy to create the figure, as studio artists had to rely on photographs and research.

New York, Jan 15 : Planning to become the historic witness of both the swearing-in of Barack Obama and his inaugural parade? Well, then you are in for disappointment, for no matter how hard you try you won't be able to attend both the events.

The January 20 inauguration day events are expected to attract crowds of more than two million.

District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty and security officials have revealed that those watching the noontime oath-taking from the National Mall will not be allowed to walk north to Pennsylvania Avenue for the 2:30 p. m. parade.