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Quote of the Day. "We want to find ways to help people live healthier lifestyles and eat more fruits and vegetables, and increase the economic prosperity for farmers." Deputy Agriculture Secretary Kathleen Merrigan on the increasing number of farmer’s markets in the U.S., up 70% in the last decade to 4,900 nationwide. (USA Today)

FAITH IN THE NEWS

Pope urges Czechs to regain values that inspired fight for freedom “Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the peaceful revolt that brought down the country’s communist regime, Pope Benedict XVI urged people in the Czech Republic to rediscover the spiritual and moral values that sustained their struggle for freedom.”

At Czech Mass, Pope Says Societies Must Have God “Pope Benedict XVI warned some 120,000 worshipers at a Mass here on Sunday of the dangers of a society without God, forging ahead with his fight against secularism on the second day of a three-day trip to the Czech Republic.”

Activists on left, right share faith but little else “A new report confirmed long-held assumptions about religious activists from the left and right. The only thing both sides seem to have in common: faith is a more important part of their lives than among the general public.”

NEWS AT HOME

Health Care. Reid the Quarterback May Call on Obama to Referee “As the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, Democrat of Nevada, takes on the delicate task of melding two competing versions of major health care legislation, aides say he will lean heavily on President Obama to arbitrate a number of contentious issues that still threaten to divide liberal and centrist Democrats and derail a final bill.” Liberals seek health-care access for illegals “Fearful that they’re losing ground on immigration and health care, a group of House Democrats is pushing back and arguing that any health care bill should extend to all legal immigrants and allow illegal immigrants some access.”

Abortion. A new push to define ‘person,’ and to outlaw abortion in the process “Some abortion foes think the rationale for Roe vs. Wade is vulnerable. They’re trying to amend state constitutions — including California’s — to define personhood from conception.”

Servicemembers’ Brain Injuries. Joint Chiefs chairman seeks brain-injury limit  “U.S. servicemembers who suffer up to three mild traumatic brain injuries or concussions during a deployment — typically from roadside bombs – could be pulled out of combat for the duration of their tour, according to a policy being pushed by Adm. Michael Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.”

NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

Iran. Iran tests long-range missiles “Iran has test-fired two long-range missiles which defence analysts say are capable of hitting Israel or US bases in the Gulf region.” Iran Tests Missiles On Eve Of Talks “Amid growing international pressure in advance of highly anticipated talks this week, Iran displayed its defiance of Western threats against its nuclear program by announcing Sunday that it had test-fired at least two short-range missiles.” U.S. Is Seeking a Range of Sanctions Against Iran “The Obama administration is scrambling to assemble a package of harsher economic sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program that could include a cutoff of investments to the country’s oil-and-gas industry and restrictions on many more Iranian banks than those currently blacklisted.” Defense Secretary Robert Gates says severe sanctions on Iran could work “Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Sunday that the severe sanctions the West is threatening against Iran could force a change in the Islamic Republic’s nuclear ambitions, especially since the country is already under severe economic distress.”

Afghanistan. NATO Officials Say They Will Back Afghan Effort to Turn Insurgents Against Taliban “The United States and NATO countries fighting in Afghanistan have told President Hamid Karzai’s government that they expect him to remain in office for another five-year term and will work with him on an expanded campaign to turn insurgent fighters against the Taliban and other militant groups.” White House Believes Karzai Will Be Re-elected “The Obama administration has told the government of Hamid Karzai that it believes he will be re-elected as president of Afghanistan for another five-year term, two administration officials said Sunday, even though the results from the disputed Aug. 20 vote are still under review because of evidence of widespread fraud.” Afghan report stirs Pakistan debate “Pakistan’s army and its intelligence service, the Directorate for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), have long been accused of supporting armed groups fighting in Afghanistan. But the latest warning has come from no less than the US forces’ commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal.” Stakes for Obama could not be higher  “Yet this much is now clear: a potential battle now looms between Barack Obama and his top generals over Afghanistan that could define, even destroy, his presidency.”

Honduras. Honduras Bars Diplomats as Political Crisis Grows “The de facto government of Honduras expelled four diplomats from the Organization of American States on Sunday and threatened to shut down the Brazilian Embassy, where the ousted president, Manuel Zelaya, has been holed up for a week.” Beleaguered Honduras curtails freedoms “The de facto government of Honduras suspended constitutional guarantees indefinitely late Sunday, outlawing public gatherings and making it easier for the army to make arrests.”

Mideast. Anger at Jerusalem shrine clash “Police used tear gas and stun grenades to disperse 150 Palestinian protesters who had thrown rocks at non-Muslims who entered the al-Aqsa mosque compound.”

OPINION

What Roe started (David P. Gushee, USA Today) “After the 1973 court ruling, the battle lines in this country’s culture wars were drawn, setting the stage for the demonization we’re witnessing today.” 

Poverty, arms and the environment (Ban Ki-moon, Washington Times) “The 64th opening of the General Assembly asks us to rise to an exceptional moment. We are facing many crises: food, energy, recession and pandemic flu, hitting all at once. If ever there was a time to act in a spirit of renewed multilateralism, a time to put the "united" back into the United Nations, it is now.”

Sojourners’ Daily Digest is a compilation of the top news related to our commitments of life and peace, economic and racial justice, and care of creation, with a special focus on news of the engagement of faith in public life.