The latest news on Selma to Montgomery March, Health Care, Arkansas Senate Challenge, New Deal Jobs, Nuclear Review, Iran, Afghanistan, Colombia-Land Mines, Israel-Palestine Peace Talks, and Israeli-Palestinian Understanding.

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Quote of the Day. "At the moment, Haiti is flooded with help -- the whole humanitarian circus is here. Most came with no planning horizon and will soon leave. And then what? We'll try, but it won't be enough. In that respect, we'll be back to square one." Hans van Dillen, head of mission of the Dutch chapter of Doctors Without Borders, which has provided medical services in Haiti for much of the last 15 years, on the impending departure of medical personnel who came in the aftermath of the earthquake. (Los Angeles Times)

FAITH IN THE NEWS

Hundreds killed in Nigerian 'reprisal' attacks "Attackers wielding machetes killed hundreds of people as further religious violence hit Nigeria yesterday following pre-dawn clashes between Islamist pastoralists and Christian villagers." Religious violence kills over 200 in Nigeria "Rioters armed with machetes slaughtered more than 200 people overnight yesterday as religious violence flared anew between Christians and Muslims in central Nigeria, witnesses said. Hundreds of people fled their homes, fearing reprisal attacks."

Washington Bishop: Religion Is Fault Line in Many Conflicts "Bishop John Bryson Chane was among four religious 'principal leaders' at a March 1-3 summit hosted by the Washington National Cathedral to brainstorm on how Christian and Muslim leaders can promote peace and reconciliation worldwide."

UK Churches Campaign for Nuclear-Free World "The alliance includes the Church of England, the Church of Scotland, the Church in Wales, the Methodist Church, and the Baptist Union of Great Britain."

Religious prejudice simmers (Eboo Patel, USA Today) "My Muslim nephew is taunted as a 'towel head' and 'terrorist' at school. We should treat religious bigotry the same as we do racism."

NEWS AT HOME

Selma to Montgomery March. 45 years after march, some see ways to go "Hundreds of people converged on Selma on Sunday for the 45th commemoration of the bridge crossing. The marchers included foot soldiers who were there in 1965, civil rights leaders, members of Congress, and other dignitaries including Winnie Madikizela-Mandela of South Africa, Jesse Jackson, and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer."

Health Care. Obama's health care pitch to Democrats: Trust me "In private pitches to Democrats, President Barack Obama says he will persuade Congress to pass his health-care overhaul even if it kills him and even if he has to ask deeply distrustful lawmakers to trust him on a promise the White House doesn't have the power to keep." Healthcare overhaul comes down to Pelosi and Obama "Obama's signature ability to inspire fellow Democrats and Pelosi's well-honed ability to read their parochial needs will be tested as they tackle the job of finding the last stubborn votes for the health-care bill."

Arkansas Senate Challenge. Liberal activists channel anger into Ark. Senate race "Democratic activists flooding money into a primary challenge against Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) say the race isn't simply about defeating the incumbent. It is also about rebuking a Democratic-controlled Congress that they say isn't pursuing an aggressive, populist agenda."

New Deal Jobs. Nostalgia for New Deal Job Plan "The specter of a long period of high unemployment is reviving interest in an old idea: The Works Progress Administration, which put millions to work during the Great Depression.The United States Conference of Mayors is citing President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs as its members push for more infrastructure money to go directly to local governments."

Nuclear Review. Obama faces tough decision on nuclear weapons "Does he substantially advance his bold pledge to seek a world free of nuclear weapons by declaring that the 'sole purpose' of the U.S. arsenal is to deter other nations from using them? Or does he embrace a more modest option, supported by some senior military officials, that deterrence is the 'primary purpose'?"

NEWS AROUND THE WORLD

Iraq Election. Votes being counted in Iraq poll "Counting is under way in Iraq's elections, with preliminary results expected in several days." In Iraq, a day of votes, violence "On a day that began with the thundering explosion of insurgent mortar rounds and ended with outbursts of celebratory gunfire by hopeful political activists, millions of Iraqis voted Sunday to elect lawmakers who will rule this country for years as U.S. forces withdraw." Iraqis Defy Blasts in Strong Turnout for Pivotal Election "As Iraq tallied the votes from Sunday's nationwide elections to choose a new Parliament, the top American military commander in Iraq on Monday praised the Iraqi military's performance during the vote and said the United States would proceed with plans to withdraw troops from the country." Iraqi women seek to ensure their 'voices are heard' "Female candidates were all over Iraq these last few weeks -- shaking hands, making speeches, and handing out campaign literature. In a region of the world where some women are forbidden to drive or required to cover their hair in public, some analysts say Sunday's election was a model of democracy and inclusiveness for the Middle East."

Iran. U.S. Enriches Companies Defying Its Policy on Iran "The federal government has awarded more than $107 billion in contract payments, grants and other benefits over the past decade to foreign and multinational American companies while they were doing business in Iran, despite Washington's efforts to discourage investment there, records show."

Afghanistan. Karzai pledges to rebuild Marjah "Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan's president, has pledged to rebuild the southern Afghan town of Marjah following a Nato-led operation to take control of the area from the Taliban." Letting Women Reach Women in Afghan War "Next month they will begin work as members of the first full-time 'female engagement teams,' the military's name for four- and five-member units that will accompany men on patrols in Helmand Province to try to win over the rural Afghan women who are culturally off limits to outside men."

India-Women in Government. India women's bill sparks uproar "The Indian government has reintroduced a bill which would reserve a third of all seats in the national parliament and state legislatures for women. Law Minister Veerappa Moily tabled the bill amid loud protests from opponents."

Colombia-Land Mines. Land mines take a toll on Colombia's poor "Colombia may no longer lead the world in land mine victims, but the explosives placed by antigovernment rebels are still sowing tragedy, especially among the poor peasants and ex-combatants recruited to manually eradicate coca plants."

Israel-Palestine Peace Talks. Vice President Biden on goodwill trip to Israel "Vice President Joe Biden was due to arrive Monday in Israel on a mission to mend relations after a rocky first year for new administrations in both countries." PLO okays indirect Israel talks "The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) has endorsed US-mediated talks with Israel, after George Mitchell, the US envoy, met the Israeli prime minister to discuss getting those indirect negotiations started." Barak: Israel would rather hold direct talks with Palestinians "As U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden flew to Israel with the aim of kick-starting U.S.-mediated peace talks, Defense Minister Ehud Barak said Monday that he would rather be negotiating with the Palestinians face to face."

Israeli-Palestinian Understanding. Palestinian Sees Lesson Translating an Israeli's Work "In memory of a son killed in a terrorist attack, a Palestinian lawyer paid for an Arabic translation of the autobiography of Israel's most prominent author and dove, Amos Oz."

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.