Cover your head, the sky is falling … President-elect Barack Obama unveiled his economic team Monday, and said his recovery plan would include adding 2.5 million jobs through public works projects like repairing roads and schools, and adding so-called green jobs. Obama introduced Timothy Geithner as Treasury Secretary, Larry Summers as head of the National Economic Council, Christina Romer to lead the Council of Economic Advisers and Melody C. Barnes as director of the Domestic Policy Council.

And to attempt to provide more stability to the markets and jump-start lending, starting Tuesday, the Federal Reserve will commit up to $800 billion to finance commercial debt and support consumer and small-business loans.

Soon, Gitmo will have one fewer prisoner … Salim Hamdan, Osama bin Laden’s former driver, is heading back to Yemen, according to a senior defense official. He was convicted of aiding Al-Qaida in August, but was set to be free in January because of time served. Hamdan will serve the remainder of his sentence in Yemen.

When will the big names drop? President Bush released his first list of pardons, and the 14 people didn’t include any that were truly noteworthy [ed note—with the exception of high-profile rapper John Forte]. The people ranged from a tax-evader to small-time marijuana dealer. Bush has over 2,000 petitions for pardon to consider, and they include Marion Jones and Randy Cunningham, the former California congressman. Slate has an excellent list of the likelihood of the big names getting off.

Thai protestors make travel tougher this holiday season … members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy strung razor wire across the the major road to Thailand’s largest airport, and also shot a few handgun rounds at government supporters. The airport blockage was an attempt to incite a violent response from the government. Embattled Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has been in Peru attending the Asia-Pacific summit, and is returning to Thailand on Wednesday. A spokesperson said he would fly in to a different airport.

I believe I can fly … A daredevil promoting a company’s jet pack flew across a 1,500-foot-wide and 1,100-foot-deep canyon in Southern Colorado Monday without a parachute. It took stuntman Eric Scott 21 seconds to cross the canyon, traveling at 75 mph. Next up? Fight the Nazis.