Quote of the Day. “The State Duma hasn’t yet ratified the protocol banning capital punishment because many in Russia support the death penalty. The society needs more time to ban the death penalty. But the government structures support a ban on capital punishment.” Mikhail Krotov, Russian President Medvedev’s envoy to the Constitutional Court, on a decision by the Constitutional Court that effectively outlawed the death penalty by continuing a moratorium until the nation fully bans executions. (AP/Boston Globe)
FAITH IN THE NEWS
US Christian leaders urge Obama, "build, don’t destroy" in Afghanistan “Over a dozen church leaders in the United States are urging a new strategy for Afghanistan on President Barack Obama, based on a "a humanitarian and development surge" rather than military might. In their "build, don’t destroy" theme, they have been backed by thousands of signatories.”
Christian Leaders Unite on Political Issues “Citing the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s call to civil disobedience, 145 evangelical, Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christian leaders have signed a declaration saying they will not cooperate with laws that they say could be used to compel their institutions to participate in abortions, or to bless or in any way recognize same-sex couples.”
Anglican Leader, in Rome, Optimistic on Ecumenical Strains “Speaking in Rome a month after the Vatican unveiled plans to facilitate the conversion of conservative Anglicans to Catholicism, the spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion offered a moderately hopeful assessment of ecumenical relations between the two churches.” Archbishop tells Pope: women priests here for good “The Archbishop of Canterbury yesterday made his most outspoken challenge to the Roman Catholic Church since the Pope invited disaffected Anglicans to switch to Rome.”
Faith Groups Urged to Act Together to Tackle Africa’s Water Crisis “Africa’s growing water crisis demands leadership and common action among faith groups, said the general secretary of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in a keynote address for the Third Summit of the Inter-Faith Action for Peace in Africa (IFAPA).”
NEWS AT HOME
Health Care. Senate girds for Saturday vote and long battle on health care “The Senate Thursday began what promises to be a bitter, lengthy battle over the future of health care in America, and taxes, abortion, affordability and federal deficits emerged as key flashpoints.” Reid, as Legislative Tactician, Takes Ownership of Health Care Overhaul “The majority leader’s deep personal involvement in assembling the overhaul of the health care system – now on the brink of a historic Senate debate – has, for better or worse, conferred ownership of the legislation on Mr. Reid, Democrat of Nevada.” Reid pushes for votes on health-care bill “Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid worked Thursday to nail down the votes needed to move to a final debate on health-care legislation, but a tepid assessment of the public insurance plan he crafted emerged as the latest potential obstacle to the passage of the far-reaching changes.”
Housing. U.S. Mortgage Delinquencies Reach a Record High “The economy and the stock market may be recovering from their swoon, but more homeowners than ever are having trouble making their monthly mortgage payments.” Problem mortgages hit new high at 14 percent “More than 14 percent of borrowers were in trouble on their mortgage during the third quarter, a new record, according to an industry survey released Thursday, which also suggests that the foreclosure rate is likely not to peak until next year as unemployment rates continue to rise.” Housing bust halts growing suburbs “The recession and housing collapse have halted four decades of double-digit growth for nearly half of the nation’s biggest rapidly expanding suburbs.”
Immigration. Immigration Officials to Audit 1,000 More Companies “Immigration enforcement officials said Thursday that they were expanding a program for auditing companies that might have hired illegal immigrants and had notified 1,000 companies this week that they would have to undergo such a review.” More Employers Face Immigration Audits “About 1,000 U.S. employers will be audited for immigration violations as the federal government escalates pressure on business owners to resist hiring illegal immigrants."
Nuclear Weapons. Panel Sees No Need for A-Bomb Upgrade “In a new report, a secretive federal panel has concluded that programs to extend the life of the nation’s aging nuclear arms are sufficient to guarantee their destructiveness for decades to come, obviating a need for a costly new generation of more reliable warheads.”
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
Rights of the Child. UN marks 20 years of Convention on Rights of the Child “The UN says the Convention on the Rights of the Child has transformed the way children are treated. But it says a billion children in the world still go without food, shelter or healthcare and that millions are facing lives of poverty and abuse.”
Climate Change. Industrialized Nations Unveil Plans to Rein in Emissions “With less than three weeks remaining before negotiators gather in Copenhagen to hammer out a global response to climate change, a rapid-fire succession of countries are unveiling national plans that serve as opening bids for reining in heat-trapping emissions.” £22bn emergency fund aims to cut rate of deforestation “The aim of the fund, which is backed by 35 countries, is to begin cutting the rate of deforestation immediately, without waiting for the United Nations to complete negotiations on its own scheme for saving rainforests.”
Afghanistan. Afghan President Hamid Karzai sworn in for second term “President Hamid Karzai set two ambitious goals in his inauguration speech Thursday: to have Afghan soldiers and police take full responsibility for security within the next five years and to root out the pervasive corruption that hobbled his first administration.” Karzai Sworn In for Second Term as President “Tainted by a flawed election and allegations of festering corruption in his government, President Hamid Karzai was inaugurated Thursday for a second term, promising to remedy the country’s problems and to have the Afghan Army assume full control of security within five years.” U.S. aims to hold Afghanistan’s Karzai to his pledges of reform “The United States is developing a set of benchmarks to ensure that Afghan President Hamid Karzai keeps a promise delivered at his inauguration to fight corruption and inefficiency.” Karzai’s pledge of Loya Jirga may be only partial solution to conflict “In his speech, President Karzai gave the British Government what it has been asking for when he promised a Loya Jirga grand council, designed to begin a wider process of engagement with the Taleban.”
Pakistan. Pakistani Politics Take on a Nationalist Tone “Anti-Americanism is peaking. Enemies of the state lurk around every corner, if the nationalist media is to be believed. President Asif Ali Zardari could hardly be more unpopular.” ‘US drone’ targets Pakistan hideout “At least eight people have been killed in a suspected US missile attack targeting al-Qaeda-linked fighters in Pakistan’s mountains on the Afghan border.”
Iran. U.S. Talks Tougher on Iran “The international spokesman for Iran’s main opposition movement called for President Barack Obama to increase his public support for Iranian democrats and significantly intensify financial pressure on Tehran’s elite military unit, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.” UN nuclear watchdog presses Iran “The head of the UN atomic watchdog has urged Iran to accept a deal over its nuclear programme by the end of the year, and "move beyond sanctions". IAEA head hopes Iran won’t miss chance “As representatives of six world powers met in Brussels on Friday to discuss possible measures against Teheran for its refusal to halt nuclear enrichment activities, the head of the UN nuclear watchdog agency said he hoped Iran would not miss the opportunity to resolve its dispute with the international community.”
OPINION
The Big Squander(Paul Krugman, New York Times) “For the job of fixing the broken economy is far from done – yet finishing the job has become nearly impossible now that the public has lost faith in the government’s efforts, viewing them as little more than handouts to the people who got us into this mess.”
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.
Quote of the Day. "Thanksgiving is coming, and many Americans are struggling to meet their basic food needs. Being thankful is not enough this year. Christians need to say thanks and seek justice for those at risk of hunger." Robert Parham of the Baptist Center for Ethics on this week’s USDA report that 17 million households — 14.6 percent of all homes in the United States — were "food insecure." (Associated Baptist Press)
FAITH IN THE NEWS
Global Evangelicals Not Divided on Climate Change “Unlike in the United States, there is little controversy among evangelicals around the world on whether climate change is real, said an evangelical representative at a press briefing on Capitol Hill.”
Lutherans second church to split over gays “Conservative members of America’s largest Lutheran denomination announced that they are splitting from the Chicago-based Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, making it the second mainline Protestant church to undergo a major schism over the issue of homosexuality and related matters of biblical authority.”
NEWS AT HOME
Health Care. Senate announces $848 billion health-care bill “Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid presented an $848 billion health-care overhaul package on Wednesday that would extend coverage to 31 million Americans and reform insurance practices while adding an array of tax increases, including a rise in payroll taxes for high earners.” Senate Health Plan Seeks to Add Coverage to 31 Million “Democratic leaders in the Senate on Wednesday unveiled their proposal for overhauling the health care system, outlining legislation that they said would cover most of the uninsured while reducing the federal budget deficit.” Reid rolls out Senate healthcare bill “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) on Wednesday unveiled his long-awaited plan for expanding medical coverage to millions more Americans over the next decade, setting the stage for a historic Senate debate on a healthcare overhaul.”
Financial Reform Ambitious bills could remake financial regulatory landscape “As lawmakers on Capitol Hill inch closer toward overhauling the nation’s fractured financial regulatory system, each hour of debate, each tweak of legal language, each tedious roll call carries the potential to generate colossal changes in the relationship between Washington and Wall Street.”
Unemployment. Jobless Benefits Will Expire Unless Congress Acts“About one million laid-off workers will see their unemployment benefits end in January unless Congress acts quickly to renew existing federally paid extensions.”
Immigration. Work site arrests of illegals fall dramatically “Criminal arrests, administrative arrests, indictments and convictions of illegal immigrants at work sites all fell by more than 50 percent from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2009.”
Housing. Fear of Double Dip in Housing “Just a few months after housing showed signs of leveling off, bad weather and uncertainty over the extension of a home-buyer tax credit sent new-home starts in October tumbling 10.6% from the previous month.”
9/11 Trial. Holder Defends Decision to Use U.S. Court for 9/11 Trial “Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. on Wednesday defended his decision to prosecute five men accused as co-conspirators in the Sept. 11 attacks in federal court in Manhattan, declaring that while he believes ‘we are at war,’ that the venue was the best place to pursue the case against them.” Obama and Holder defend plans to try Sept. 11 suspects “The Obama administration on Wednesday strongly defended its decision to try the alleged plotters of the Sept. 11 attacks in a civilian New York court, but faced criticism from Republican senators who called it a ‘perversion’ of justice that would risk freeing some of the world’s most notorious terrorists.”
Cuba Policy. Sides gear up for fight over U.S. ban on travel to Cuba “A battle over Cuba policy is escalating in Congress, with proponents saying they have their best chance in years of repealing the ban on U.S. tourist travel to the island.” Human Rights Watch calls Raul Castro no better than Fidel “Cuba’s government remains as repressive under Raul Castro as it was under his brother Fidel, according to the first in-depth report of the island’s human rights since the younger Castro took power.”
Afghanistan. Karzai sworn in as Afghanistan president “Hamid Karzai was sworn in today for a second-five year term as Afghanistan’s president, assuming leadership of a war-battered nation and a government that the West is demanding be cleansed of corruption.” Karzai pressed for reforms that could bring ‘end game’ to Afghanistan war “On the eve of Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s inauguration for a new term, top U.S. officials on Wednesday called on him to reform his government and stem corruption as President Obama suggested that the United States is seeking ‘an end game’ to its involvement here after eight years of war.” Obama Demands Results From Afghan Reforms “President Obama sent his top diplomat to Afghanistan on Wednesday to press President Hamid Karzai to deliver ‘measurable results’ on governance and corruption as the White House prepared specific new demands to accompany an American troop buildup.” Warlords are back in power “Warlords helped drive the Russians from Afghanistan, then shelled Kabul into ruins in a bloody civil war after the Soviets left. Now they are back in positions of power, in part because the U.S. relied on them in 2001 to help oust the Taliban after the Sept. 11 attacks.”
Iran. Minister Says Iran Won’t Ship Uranium Abroad “Iran’s foreign minister said this week that his government would not ship its stockpile of low-enriched uranium out of the country, making him the highest ranking official so far to declare that Iran would renege on a deal aimed at defusing a confrontation with the West over its nuclear program.” Nuclear fuel won’t go abroad, Iranian says “Iran’s foreign minister vowed Wednesday that his nation wouldn’t allow any of its enriched uranium supply out of the country, the most definitive statement so far on an international proposal to exchange the bulk of Iran’s nuclear material for fuel rods fitted for a Tehran medical reactor.” US ponders response to Iran snub "President Barack Obama says the US and its partners are discussing ‘a package of potential steps’ they could take if Iran snubs a uranium enrichment deal.”
North Korea. Obama urges North Korea to change “US President Barack Obama and his South Korean counterpart, Lee Myung-bak, have urged North Korea to return to international nuclear negotiations.” A ‘grand bargain’ for North Korea “President Obama met today with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, calling for North Korea to take ’serious steps’ to give up its nuclear weapons and committing himself to reviving a free-trade deal between Seoul and Washington that has stalled in the U.S. Congress.” This time, promises alone may not feed North Korea “For the Obama administration, North Korea has followed a familiar script. It has made trouble, exploding a nuclear device. It has made nice, inviting U.S. officials to visit. And it has made a mess of growing food, needing handouts from the rich countries it threatens.”
Mideast. Mideast Peace Talks Hang in Balance Over Abbas“Two weeks after the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, vowed not to run for re-election and hinted that he might resign, the Middle East peace process has sunk into a deep crisis amid urgent efforts to revive it.”
OPINION
Mr. Obama’s Task (Editorial, New York Times) “There is no doubt that the prospects for success in Afghanistan are so bleak right now because former President George W. Bush failed for seven long years to invest the necessary troops, resources or attention to the war. But it is now President Obama’s war, and the American people are waiting for him to explain his goals and his strategy.”
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.
Quote of the Day. “For us, it was very important to receive the support of the universities. We are impressed by the social conscience of the students in the United States.” Moises Alvarado, president of the union at a closed plant in Choloma, Honduras, after a succcessful campaign by United Students Against Sweatshops persuaded Russell Athletic to agree to reopen the plant and rehire 1,200 workers. (New York Times)
FAITH IN THE NEWS
Volunteers put Justice Revival spirit to work in projects across Dallas “About 50 parents, students, neighborhood leaders and church volunteers spent the chilly autumn morning laying sod, planting bushes and preparing a community garden. The effort Saturday was one of 10 projects across Dallas that wrapped up Justice Revival.”
Fort Hood shootings: US Muslims feel new heat “After the shootings at Fort Hood, Muslim communities across the US were swift to condemn the attack. But the incident has again raised image issues for Muslims, as well as questions about how to best counter radicalization.”
Hundreds line up to get food for Thanksgiving dinner “Hundreds of people waited hours in the cold outside the Bread of Life food pantry this morning in hopes of securing the makings of a Thanksgiving dinner.”
NEWS AT HOME
Health Care. Release of Reid’s health-care bill could come as early as Wednesday “Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid scrambled Tuesday to lock down votes behind a health-care bill that he may present as early as Wednesday.” 3 Democrats Could Block Health Bill in Senate “Senator Ben Nelson, Democrat of Nebraska, says he is not sure he is ready to help a Democratic health-care proposal clear even the most preliminary hurdle: gaining the 60 votes his party’s leaders need to open debate on the measure later this week. Two of his fellow Democrats, Senators Mary L. Landrieu of Louisiana and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, are proving tough sells as well.”
Climate Change Legislation. Senate to Put Off Climate Bill Until Spring "Senate Democratic leaders said Tuesday they would put off debate on a big climate-change bill until spring, in a sign of weakening political will to tackle a long-term environmental issue at a time of high unemployment and economic uncertainty.”
Foreign Policy. Obama ‘close’ to Afghan decision “President Barack Obama says he is ‘very close’ to deciding whether to send more troops to Afghanistan and will announce his decision within ’several weeks.’”Obama Says He Is Close to Afghan War Decision “Most important, he said, was that he was asking ‘what’s the end game on this thing, which I think is something that, unless you impose that kind of discipline, could end up leading to a multiyear occupation that won’t serve the interests of the United States.’”Poll finds guarded optimism on Obama’s Afghan plan“Most Americans say they think President Obama will come up with a successful strategy for Afghanistan, but few are ‘very confident’ that he will do so, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.”
Army Suicides. Suicides in Army on track to hit new high in ‘09 “Soldier suicides this year are almost sure to top last year’s grim totals, but a recent decline in the pace of such incidents could mean the Army is starting to make progress in stemming them, officials said Tuesday.” Army’s record suicide rate ‘horrible,’ says Gen. Chiarelli “Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli on Tuesday called the Army’s record suicide rate this year ‘horrible’ and said the problem of soldiers taking their own lives is the toughest he has faced in his 37 years in service.”
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
Climate Change. Poor women ‘bear climate burden’ “Women in developing countries will be the most vulnerable to climate change, a report from the UN Population Fund warns.”
Venezuela-Colombia. Chavez’s threats of war against Colombia should raise alarm bells “Reacting to a deal that gives the Pentagon use of seven bases in Colombia for flights to combat drug trafficking and insurgency, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said this month that his country should prepare for war with its neighbor.”
China-U.S. In China, Obama’s hosts show no signs of budging “He came bearing a long shopping list, including Chinese support for tougher sanctions on Iran and more flexibility by Beijing on currency exchange rates, but Obama was met with polite, yet stony, silences.” Obama’s China trip stands in stark contrast to those of past presidents President Obama has emerged from his first trip to China with no big breakthroughs on important issues, such as Iran’s nuclear program or China’s currency.”
Afghanistan. Brown Vows to Continue War Effort in Afghanistan “As President Obama moves closer to a decision on the United States military’s request for more troops in Afghanistan, the British government has made an unflinching commitment to continue its role as the second largest troop provider in the 43-nation coalition fighting the war.” As Karzai starts new term, doubts grow that he’ll finish “On the eve of Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s swearing-in for a second term, speculation is growing that he could be forced to step aside before he finishes his next five years in office.” Poverty and graft ‘fuel Afghan war’ “Corruption and poverty are fuelling the war in Afghanistan, a survey by British charity Oxfam and local organisations released a day before Hamid Karzai’s inauguration for a second presidential term has said.” Taleban ‘must be offered a route to peace’ “Britain is not fighting a war ‘without end’ in Afghanistan but Nato cannot risk leaving a vacuum for the Taleban, David Miliband said yesterday.”
Pakistan. Pakistani army shows off captured Taliban posts “A toy car booby-trapped with explosives, chemistry textbooks and handwritten case files from a Taliban court were among the debris left behind by fleeing Islamist militants in this remote village in the conflicted tribal region of South Waziristan.” Pakistani Successes May Sway U.S. Troop Decision “A month after the Pakistani military began its push into the Taliban stronghold of South Waziristan, militants appear to have been dispersed, not eliminated, with most simply fleeing.” Afghan, Pakistani Taliban diverge on goals “Both go by the name "Taliban," but militants in Afghanistan and Pakistan are increasingly diverging in their ultimate goal. The Pakistanis have joined al Qaeda’s campaign to attack Western targets and spread radical Islam while the Afghans want to rid their country of foreign troops but harbor no global ambitions.”
Ethiopia. Ethiopia tries to cover up a new famine “The UN warns that 6.2 million Ethiopians will need some sort of food aid in the coming months. The Government also seems highly sensitive to the idea that it needs help.”
Jerusalem. U.S. ‘dismayed’ at decision to okay 900 housing units in Gilo “The Jerusalem District Planning and Building Committee yesterday authorized the construction of 900 new housing units in East Jerusalem’s Gilo neighborhood, prompting an expression of ‘dismay’ from the White House.” Israel defends settlement expansion “The Israeli construction of 900 housing units in occupied East Jerusalem is part of a ‘routine building programme,’ an aide to the prime minister has said in reaction to US criticism.”
Iraq. Iraq VP vetoes new election law "One of Iraq’s two vice-presidents has vetoed part of the country’s new election law, putting the parliamentary polls scheduled for January in doubt."
Interview. Kerry: Afghan handoff may take 4-5 years “Kerry discussed these and other issues Tuesday with USA TODAY’s editorial board. The following Q&A is adapted from that session and edited for length and clarity.”
OPINION
Hunger in the United States(Editorial, New York Times) “Congress should make a priority of expanding federal nutrition programs that are aimed at helping millions of struggling families feed their children.”
Health reform’s false abortion debate (Ruth Marcus, Washington Post) “Let’s dispense with three fallacies swirling about the question of abortion coverage in health-care reform. Two are being peddled by antiabortion forces. One, perhaps the most relevant, is being pushed by the pro-choice side."
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.
Quote of the Day. “There used to be a lot of racial tension here, but everybody knows that we need each other to survive this recession. People now, they seem to be starting to care for one another.” Eugene Edwards, president of the Henry County (GA) branch of the NAACP, on blacks and whites finding each other in waiting rooms of the welfare office and at the food pantry. (New York Times)
FAITH IN THE NEWS
El Salvador honors 6 slain Jesuits "In a sign of the remarkable changes afoot in El Salvador, the government Monday bestowed the nation’s highest award on six Jesuit priests slain by the army exactly 20 years ago." Bishops remember Salvadoran Jesuits on anniversary of 1989 murders "The U.S. bishops added their collective voice to those of others in honoring the memory of the six Salvadoran Jesuit priests, their housekeeper and her daughter, all of whom were assassinated 20 years ago by a Salvadoran death squad."
Report: Americans Still Favor Faith-Based Programs "More than eight years after former President George W. Bush launched a program allowing churches and other religious organizations to receive federal funding to perform social services, 69 percent of Americans say they favor the initiative, the Pew Forum reported."
Bishops Assert Moral Duty in Health Care Debate "The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops defended their involvement in the health care debate, saying Monday that church leaders have a duty to the nation and God to raise moral concerns on any issue, including on abortion rights and coverage for the poor." Cardinal: lobbying health reform is duty "Cardinal Francis George, president of the U.S Conference of Catholic Bishops, defended the bishops’ decision to play an active role in shaping national health care legislation, saying Monday that the church must be the ‘leaven’ in the country’s political debate."
NEWS AT HOME
Hunger in the U.S. Hunger a growing problem in America, USDA reports "The nation’s economic crisis has catapulted the number of Americans who lack enough food to the highest level since the government has been keeping track, according to a new federal report, which shows that nearly 50 million people — including almost one child in four — struggled last year to get enough to eat." Hunger in U.S. at a 14-Year High "The number of Americans who lived in households that lacked consistent access to adequate food soared last year, to 49 million, the highest since the government began tracking what it calls ‘food insecurity’ 14 years ago, the Department of Agriculture reported Monday."
Unemployment. N.A.A.C.P. Prods Obama on Job Losses "With unemployment among blacks at more than 15 percent, the N.A.A.C.P. will join several other groups on Tuesday to call on President Obama to do more to create jobs."
Health Care. Poll finds deep divisions on health-care reform "As the Senate prepares to take up legislation aimed at overhauling the nation’s health-care system, President Obama and the Democrats are still struggling to win the battle for public opinion."
Mammogram Guidelines. Mammogram guidelines spark heated debate "A government panel’s recommendation Monday that women under the age of 50 do not need regular mammograms set off a furious debate about the importance of the routine screening tool, leaving many women confused about how best to protect their health."
International Criminal Court. U.S. to attend conference held by war crimes court "For the first time in nearly eight years, the United States will participate in a conference with members of the International Criminal Court, a decision that signals growing U.S. support for a war crimes tribunal the Bush administration once shunned."
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
U.S.-China. Hu and Obama pledge climate action "The presidents of China and the US have declared their determination to tackle climate change together, promising ’significant mitigation action’ but avoiding specifics in terms of emission cuts and other measures." In Beijing, Obama Pushes Need for ‘Strong Dialogue’ "President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China met in private off Tiananmen Square here on a frigid Tuesday morning to discuss issues like trade, climate change and the nuclear programs of Iran and North Korea, in a session that signaled the central role of China on the world stage."
Afganistan. Money talks in Afghanistan, says army counter-insurgency manual "Money can be more important than force. This is one of the messages from the British army in its first counter-insurgency warfare manual to be published for eight years." Afghanistan ‘not war without end’ "The foreign secretary also said in a Nato speech the UK was ‘ready, in the right conditions’ to send more troops ‘on the basis of an agreed strategy.’"
Iran. Inspectors Fear Iran Is Hiding Nuclear Plants "International inspectors who gained access to Iran’s newly revealed underground nuclear enrichment plant voiced strong suspicions in a report on Monday that the country was concealing other atomic facilities." U.N. seeks assurances that Iran has no other hidden nuclear sites "U.N. nuclear experts who last month were granted a first look at Iran’s newly disclosed uranium processing site have acknowledged in a confidential report that the visit raised questions about whether other secret installations exist in the country."U.S., Russia agree on dissatisfaction with Iran over nuclear program "Presenting a united front on Iran’s nuclear energy program, President Obama and Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev warned Sunday that they were losing patience with Tehran and wouldn’t wait much longer for it to accept a proposal to resolve the dispute."
Iraq. Attacks Threaten Fragile Security Gains in Cradle of Iraq Insurgency "With American forces in a period of transition, Iraqi politicians positioning themselves for the national elections, basic services still in shambles and rampant unemployment, Iraqi security officials say that Qaeda and other militants would like to exploit the moment and derail the fragile security gains."
Their Future Is Ours (Editorial, New York Times) "There are 16 million children in immigrant families in the United States, one of the fastest-growing segments of the population. It’s an old American story made new in the age of globalization, when waves of human displacement in recent decades have led to immigration on a scale not seen since Ellis Island. But a country that has been so good for so long at integrating new Americans is stumbling under the challenge."
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.
Quote of the Day. “We have an obligation to help them. They’re our sons. It doesn’t matter if they are here or there.” Javier Avendano, a farmer in Miahuatlán, Mexico, sends money when he can to his two sons — immigrants who wait tables in central Florida and have seen their hours cut back and their tips drop sharply. (New York Times)
G.M. Loss. G.M., Citing Progress, Reports Loss of $1.15 Billion “G.M. said it had $42.6 billion on hand at the end of September and would begin repaying loans to the U.S. and Canadian governments more than five years.”
Health-Care Reform. Drug Makers Raise Prices in Face of Health Care Reform “Critics say the industry is trying to establish a higher price base before Congress passes legislation that tries to curb drug spending in coming years.” Opponents of health-care effort look to fund a critical economic study “The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and an assortment of national business groups opposed to President Obama’s health-care reform effort are collecting money to finance an economic study that could be used to portray the legislation as a job killer and threat to the nation’s economy, according to an e-mail solicitation from a top Chamber official.” Immigration looms as sticking point in health-care legislation “The 31-year-old woman creeping gingerly into Adventist HealthCare’s free-standing emergency department in Germantown was obviously in pain, and physician Orlee Panitch quickly diagnosed the problem: gallstones.” House health bill includes Medicaid relief for states “Wedged in the House health-care bill is $23.5 billion that looks a lot more like new federal stimulus spending than anything to do with national health-care reform.”
Pakistan. U.S. Asks More From Pakistan in War “The Obama administration warned Pakistan that failing to expand its fight against the Taliban and Al Qaeda would undercut the new strategy and troop increase for Afghanistan.” Pakistan’s Zardari criticized over U.S. alliance, insurgency and shortages “President Asif Ali Zardari, who entered office 14 months ago on a wave of post-dictatorship goodwill and sympathy for his slain wife, Benazir Bhutto, now faces growing public anger and disillusionment over his remote presidency.”
Obama in China. Obama Pushes Rights With Chinese Students “At a town hall meeting, President Obama’s answers stood out as a stark snapshot of a his efforts to reach China’s youth while not offending its authorities.” China Is Sending More Students to U.S. “American universities are enrolling a new wave of Chinese undergraduates, according to the annual Open Doors report.” Obama reaches out to China in first visit “President Obama met a carefully screened audience of Chinese students in a town hall-style meeting on Monday, telling them that relations between the United States and China have often faced ‘tumultuous winds,’ but that the two countries have developed ‘deep and even dramatic ties.’"
CIT Group. CIT’s bankruptcy raises new questions about bailout “A year ago, the financial system was tottering and government officials arranged a $2.3 billion emergency cash infusion into CIT Group, a troubled lender to small businesses.”
Iraq. Thirteen Bodies Found Near Baghdad “Gunmen killed at least 13 people in a Sunni village west of Baghdad, dumping their bullet-riddled bodies in a cemetery, Iraqi security officials said Monday.”
Kevin Rudd. Australian Leader Apologizes for Child Migrants “Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issued an apology for child migrant programs that forcibly brought an estimated 150,000 British youngsters to the Commonwealth.”
U.N. Food Summit. Countries Agree on New Approach to Fight Hunger “World leaders at a food summit in Rome on Monday agreed on a new strategy to fight hunger, and pledged an increase to aid but did not meet levels sought by the U.N.” World leaders at UN summit vow to aid farmers in bid to help starving “World leaders at a United Nations food summit in Rome today agreed a strategy to help the world’s one billion starving people by increasing aid to farmers in developing countries – but failed to pledge the specific funds the UN had hoped for.”
Nicaragua. In Nicaragua, Opposition Sees an End Run “President Daniel Ortega has been among the most calculated in the region in stymieing opposition to his bid to maintain power.”
Patriarch Pavle. Patriarch Pavle, Serbian Church Leader, Dies at 95 “Patriarch Pavle called for peace and conciliation during the Balkan ethnic wars of the 1990s but failed to openly condemn extreme Serb nationalism.” Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Pavle dies “Patriarch Pavle, who headed the Serbian Orthodox Church during the breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s as Serbs warred with neighbors of other faiths, died on Sunday, a top church official said.”
Afghanistan. French and Afghan troops move to begin supply road in hostile area “Hundreds of French and Afghan troops on Sunday pushed into a hostile valley in eastern Afghanistan where militants launch quick attacks and then disappear into hillside villages. The mission: Secure the area for a planned bypass road around the Afghan capital to move supplies from neighboring Pakistan.”
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.
Quote of the Day. “You don’t steal from yourself.” Ataullah, a farmer in the Jurm Valley of Afghanistan, describing the success of his region’s method of using village councils and direct grants to avoid the corruption that has frustrated so many development efforts. (New York Times)
9/11 Suspect. Key 9/11 Suspect to Be Tried in New York “Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the self-described mastermind of the Sept. 11 attacks, and four other men accused in the plot will be prosecuted in federal court in New York City, the United States attorney general announced Friday.” Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to Be Sent to New York for Trial "Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and four others accused in the attacks will be put on criminal trial in New York, Attorney General Eric Holder is expected to announce later Friday.”
Euro-Zone. Euro Zone Officially Out of Recession “Even with the rebound, which appeared to be powered by German growth, the region’s outlook remained patchy.” Patchy Euro-Zone Recovery Reflects Imbalances “European economies are showing a two-speed recovery from the 2008-2009 economic recession, with industrial countries in the region’s economic core setting the pace.”
Gregory B. Craig. Craig Steps Down as White House Lawyer “The White House counsel, Gregory B. Craig, has told associates that he intends to step down from his post on Friday.” White House counsel poised to give up post “White House Counsel Gregory B. Craig is expected to announce his departure as early as Friday, people familiar with the situation said, ending an embattled tenure in which he struggled to lead the closure of the U.S. military detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.”
Fort Hood. Scarred, Fort Hood Survivors Move On “Those who lived through the violence at Fort Hood are struggling to live with scars and limps and frayed nerves.” Hasan is charged with 13 counts of murder in Fort Hood shootings “The White House pushed forward Thursday with a review to determine whether U.S. intelligence agencies adequately shared information about Maj. Nidal M. Hasan, and military prosecutors charged the Army psychiatrist with 13 counts of premeditated murder in last week’s rampage at Fort Hood, Tex.”
Obama in Tokyo. In Tokyo, Obama Makes Concession on Marine Base “In an effort to mend fences with Japan, President Obama agreed on Friday to reopen talks on the relocation of the Okinawa base.” Obama, Japan PM quotes at news conference “US President Barack Obama and Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama pledged on Friday to revitalize their strained security alliance as they adapt to a rapidly rising China.”
India. Rural India Gets Chance at Piece of Jobs Boom “Entrepreneurs are experimenting with moving outsourced jobs to corners of India that have been largely cut off from its extraordinary growth.”
Secretary Gates. Gates Condemns Leaks on U.S. Afghan Policy and Ft. Hood “The defense secretary said disclosing unauthorized information would be a career-ender in his department and said: ‘Everybody ought to just shut up.’”
Overdraft Penalties.New Rules Would Restrict Overdraft Fees on Debit Cards “The Federal Reserve will prohibit issuers of debit cards from charging overdraft fees in many instances without the cardholder’s permission.” Fed takes aim at overdraft penalties “The Federal Reserve will begin banning banks from charging many overdraft fees unless customers sign up for the service, an unprecedented move that comes as a wave of consumer reform sweeps Washington.”
Iran. Prosecutors tie Iran, U.S. assets “Federal prosecutors on Thursday moved to seize several U.S. assets allegedly controlled by entities linked to the government of Iran, including a mosque and Islamic school in Potomac, land in Prince William County and a Manhattan skyscraper.”
Palin. With early leak, Sarah Palin’s ‘Going Rogue’ is off and running “The rollout for former Alaska governor Sarah Palin’s highly anticipated and score-settling memoir began Thursday with all the orchestrated stagecraft, wild accusations, inconvenient leaks and media fascination that characterized her campaign as Sen. John McCain’s running mate during the 2008 presidential race.” Rolling Out Sarah Palin’s Side of the Story “The former vice presidential candidate has more to say about the clothes, the pregnancy and her troubles with John McCain’s campaign — including a very big legal bill.”
Swine Flu. New CDC estimates show what toll swine flu is taking in U.S. “About 22 million Americans have become ill with pandemic H1N1 influenza in the past six months and 3,900 have died, according to new estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
Climate Change. U.S. considers backing interim international climate agreement “Less than a month before negotiators will meet in Copenhagen with the lofty goal of crafting a deal to curb global greenhouse gas emissions, the Obama administration is considering endorsing a limited short-term climate pact and deferring more ambitious action until next year.”
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.
Job Summit.Obama Announces Jobs Summit “Before leaving for Asia, the president will disclose plans for a December event to highlight efforts to turn around the economy.” Obama to host jobs summit at White House “Forum, which will gather business executives, economists, financial experts and union leaders, comes amid worst job market in a generation.”
Lou Dobbs.Lou Dobbs Abruptly Quits CNN “Lou Dobbs, the CNN anchor whose views on immigration made him a lightning rod, is leaving the network.”
Afghanistan.U.S. Envoy Urges Caution on Forces for Afghanistan “The U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, Karl W. Eikenberry, expressed reservations about deploying additional troops, senior officials said.” Afghan war, Fort Hood shooting weighing on President Obama “War and tragedy are putting President Obama through the most wrenching period of his young administration. Visibly thinner, admittedly skipping meals, he is learning every day the challenges of a wartime presidency.” U.S. envoy resists troop increase, cites Karzai as problem “The U.S. ambassador in Kabul sent two classified cables to Washington in the past week expressing deep concerns about sending more U.S. troops to Afghanistan until President Hamid Karzai’s government demonstrates that it is willing to tackle the corruption and mismanagement that has fueled the Taliban’s rise, senior U.S. officials said.”
D.C. Archdiocese.Catholic Church gives D.C. ultimatum on same-sex marriage issue “The Catholic Archdiocese of Washington said Wednesday that it will be unable to continue the social service programs it runs for the District if the city doesn’t change a proposed same-sex marriage law, a threat that could affect tens of thousands of people the church helps with adoption, homelessness and health care.”
Medvedev. Medvedev Stresses Modernization in Address “President Dmitri A. Medvedev called on Russia to refocus its economy away from heavy industry toward information technology, telecommunications and space.”
Rep. Kennedy-Bishop. Rep. Kennedy and Bishop in Bitter Rift on Abortion “Representative Patrick J. Kennedy of Rhode Island and the Roman Catholic bishop of Providence are engaged in a heated battle over provisions of health care legislation.”
Immigration Reform. Our Towns: A Year After an Immigrant’s Death, Signs of Hope “In Patchogue, N.Y., where an Ecuadorean man was killed in 2008, politicians seem to want to be seen as on the side of reconciliation as opposed to confrontation.”
Select Op-Ed. Op-Ed Columnist: America’s Defining Choice “What’s the best way to spend $100 billion per year? Health reform or troops for Afghanistan? Simple, because lack of insurance kills far more Americans than the Taliban does.” (Nicholas Kristof, NYTimes)
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.
Quote of the Day. "There’s a level of responsibility that’s involved, like having a little baby. It compels you to extend yourself and not think only of yourself. I have to think about him first." Eric Jenkins, a New York state prison inmate, speaking of a puppy he’s working with through the “Puppies Behind Bars” program in which inmates train dogs to work with disabled veterans. (USA Today)
FAITH IN THE NEWS
Christian Coalition Goes Green, Supports Climate Change Legislation (Robert Parham, Ethics Daily) “When the Christian Coalition joins the National Wildlife Federation in urging the U.S. Senate to pass a bill that will address constructively climate change, one is tempted to think of the Hebrew prophet Isaiah’s vision of a time when the "wolf shall dwell with the lamb."
Cardinal praises vote for health reform with ban on abortion funding “Cardinal Francis E. George of Chicago, president of the U.S. bishops, praised the House for approving a reform bill that provides "adequate and affordable health care to all" and "voting overwhelmingly" for a prohibition on using federal money to pay for most abortions.”
In the Iraq war, Christians pushed to the brink “Iraq’s Christians have been targeted for kidnapping and forced to flee their homes. One advocate says that in a generation, Christians could be gone from the land they’ve lived in for 2,000 years.”
NEWS AT HOME
Veterans Day. Services remember world war dead “Ceremonies of commemoration are being held around the world to mark the 91st anniversary of the end of World War I.” Veterans eager to continue service at home “As the nation honors millions of veterans who served their country in numerous wars, those fresh from battle in Iraq and Afghanistan say they are ready for another tour of duty, but this time as a civic engagement in their home communities.”
Health Care. Reid Says Health Bill Will Be Done by Christmas “The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, said Tuesday that he expected to bring major health care legislation to the floor next week and to complete work on the bill before Christmas.” President Clinton urges Senate action on healthcare “With Senate leaders navigating a tricky path to move healthcare legislation forward, Democrats on Tuesday received a blunt warning from the president who tried in vain to provide universal coverage 15 years ago — and who suffered the political consequences of failure.”
Afghanistan Policy. Obama in Afghan troop level talks “US President Barack Obama is to discuss US policy in Afghanistan with his national security team, as speculation mounts over a decision on troop levels.” Top Obama Advisers Favor Adding Troops in Afghanistan “Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Adm. Mike Mullen, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton are coalescing around a proposal to send 30,000 or more additional American troops to Afghanistan.” Obama Receives New Afghan Option “President Barack Obama on Wednesday will consider a new compromise plan for adding troops to Afghanistan that would deploy 30,000 to 35,000 new forces, including as many as 10,000 military trainers, over the next year or more.” Obama, war council to review Afghanistan troop options “President Obama and his war council plan today to review four basic strategy options for Afghanistan that could increase the number of U.S. troops there by as many as 40,000 or fewer than 10,000.”
DC Sniper Executed. Muhammad is executed for sniper killing “John Allen Muhammad, the sniper who kept the Washington region paralyzed by fear for three weeks as he and a young accomplice gunned down people at random, was executed Tuesday night by lethal injection.” D.C.-area sniper John Allen Muhammad is executed “A defiant John Allen Muhammad, who terrified the Washington area in 2002 as he orchestrated a series of sniper shootings, including 10 murders, was executed by lethal injection Tuesday night.”
Financial Reform. Dodd’s reform plan takes aim at the Fed “The chairman of the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday unveiled a sweeping regulatory reform bill that would strip the Federal Reserve of nearly all of its power to oversee banks, setting up a possible clash with the Obama administration, which has argued for the central bank to play a pivotal role in addressing financial threats.” Senate Plan Would Expand Regulation of Risky Lending “The chairman of the Senate banking committee proposed a financial overhaul on Tuesday that included consolidating bank regulators, creating a consumer financial protection agency and imposing new restraints on exotic financial instruments and credit rating agencies.”
Climate Change. U.N. leader urges Senate to speed up climate effort “United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon met with Senate Republicans and Democrats on Tuesday and urged them to save international climate talks next month by speeding up work on a climate and energy bill.” Gloomy Energy Report Sets the Stage for Climate Talks “As the world heads for tough negotiations over a global climate deal next month, an influential forecasting agency said on Tuesday that current energy policies were not sustainable, and that a vast transformation of energy use was required to fend off the worst consequences of global warming.”
Unions. Survey Finds Deep Shift in the Makeup of Unions “A study has found that just one in 10 union members is in manufacturing, while women account for more than 45 percent of the unionized work force.”
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, Taliban leaving al-Qaeda behind “As violence rises in Afghanistan, the power balance between insurgent groups has shifted, with a weakened al-Qaeda relying increasingly on the emboldened Taliban for protection and the manpower to carry out deadly attacks, according to U.S. military and intelligence officials.” Taliban expands control of Nuristan “Taliban fighters are expanding their control of Afghanistan’s Nuristan province, an area they claim to have recaptured from US troops.”
Pakistan. US denies Pakistan nuclear report “The US government has rejected a report that Washington has a team ready to secure Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal due to fears that the country is unstable.”
Mideast. PM offers Obama additional gestures to get Abbas on board in peace talks “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu proposed additional Israeli gestures to the Palestinian Authority during his White House meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama Monday night, in an effort to persuade PA President Mahmoud Abbas to agree to resume talks with Israel.” Blair Hails Economic Steps in West Bank “Palestinians marked two significant economic breakthroughs on Tuesday, counterpoints to the growing crisis in peace negotiations with Israel: a second cellphone company opened, with a planned investment of hundreds of millions of dollars; and a long-closed crossing point from Israel opened to limited motor traffic.” Abbas leaves Palestinians facing bleak future “A President threatening to quit, his potential successor languishing in an Israeli jail and a peace process heading nowhere: rarely have prospects for the Palestinian people looked so bleak.”
Cuba. Cuba’s blogosphere has developed a sharper edge “Carefully, but with daring determination, some Cubans whose blogs once focused largely on the frustrations of daily life are moving toward sharp-edged commentaries and activities that some fear will eventually lead to a crackdown by the communist government.”
Honduras. U.S. Tries to Salvage Honduras Accord “Under fire from allies in Latin America and on Capitol Hill, the Obama administration moved Tuesday to try to salvage the American-brokered agreement that had been billed as paving the way for a peaceful end to the coup in Honduras.” Manuel Zelaya’s backers: Boycott Honduran election “A U.S.-brokered accord that was supposed to return ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya to power has collapsed. And his supporters, who have been organizing street protests against his successor, are down to their final card: calling on Hondurans to boycott upcoming elections.”
OPINION
Healing our troubled vets (Editorial, Los Angeles Times) “The public is kinder to its veterans today than it was during the Vietnam War, when soldiers risked their lives overseas only to face scorn from antiwar activists when they got home. Yet veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan may be having a harder time readjusting to civilian life than previous generations of warriors.”
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.
Quote of the Day. "Our stitching was perfection. So I never thought we’d lose our jobs to China. But we did. We did. Now what is everyone supposed to do?" Geraldine Ritch, 62, in western North Carolina, where the unemployment rate is now 15% as jobs have been shipped overseas. (Washington Post)
Church Leaders Recall Faith, Courage on Berlin Wall Anniversary “Church leaders paid tribute Monday to the faith and courage of ordinary men and women who helped unify Germany and end the Cold War on the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.”
Catholic Church Emerges as Key Player in Legislative Battle “Injecting itself aggressively into the health-care debate, the Roman Catholic Church in America has emerged as a major political force with the potential to upend a key piece of President Barack Obama’s agenda.”
Opinion: In strong support of the House health-care bill (David Gushee, Associated Baptist Press) “From a Christian perspective aiming to advance human dignity at every stage of life, the version of the health-care bill that passed in the House Nov. 7 was a remarkable public-policy victory.”
Glorious vision in Kenya’s sky melts away “Mt. Kenya’s ice cap was so stunning that some began revering it as God’s home. But most of the shining glacier has now disappeared, robbing communities of water and leading to a crisis of faith.”
NEWS AT HOME
Health Care & Abortion. Obama Seeks Revision of Plan’s Abortion Limits “President Obama suggested Monday that he was not comfortable with abortion restrictions inserted into the House version of major health care legislation, and he prodded Congress to revise them.” Abortion battle moves to the Senate “Liberals furious over a last-minute deal that secured passage of healthcare legislation in the House by restricting abortion coverage threatened Monday to derail the massive overhaul bill.” Coakley decries health care bill “Opening up a major fissure in the US Senate race, AG Martha Coakley said yesterday that she opposes the landmark health care bill approved by the House Saturday because it contains a provision restricting federal funding for abortion.”
Credit Squeeze. A Squeeze on Customers Ahead of New Rules “Banks are struggling to make money in the credit card business these days, and consumers are paying the price. Interest rates are going up, credit lines are being cut and a variety of new fees are being imposed on even the best cardholders.”
Ft. Hood Shooting. U.S. Knew of Fort Hood Suspect’s Tie to Radical Cleric“Intelligence agencies intercepted communications last year and this year between the military psychiatrist accused of shooting to death 13 people at Fort Hood, Tex., and a radical cleric in Yemen known for his incendiary anti-American teachings.” Hasan e-mails to Islamic cleric did not result in FBI inquiry “Maj. Nidal M. Hasan corresponded by e-mail late last year and this year with a radical cleric in Yemen who has criticized the United States for waging war against Muslims, but the contact did not lead to an investigation, federal law enforcement officials said Monday.” Malik Hasan ‘tried to contact al-Qaeda’ “Evidence of a terrorist link to the Fort Hood massacre mounted yesterday with reports that US intelligence officials knew for months before the shooting that Major Nidal Malik Hasan had been trying to contact figures associated with al-Qaeda.”
Afghanistan Policy. AP sources: Obama near decision on deploying nearly 40,000 additional troops to Afghanistan “President Barack Obama is nearing a decision to add tens of thousands more forces to Afghanistan, though probably not quite the 40,000 sought by his top general there.” Democrats torn on Afghanistan, women’s rights “As President Obama considers the way forward in Afghanistan, factions within his party are increasingly torn between their strong wish to bring U.S. troops home and their equally passionate desire to protect Afghans – particularly Afghan women – from a return of the dark rule of the Taliban.”
Immigration. Undocumented students mobilize to win legal status “It’s been just more than two years since the last version of the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act failed to pass the Senate. Reintroduced in both chambers of Congress in March, the most recent incarnation of the DREAM Act would provide a path toward legal U.S. residency for students…” Border Arrests Decline Again “The number of people caught illegally entering the U.S. dropped by more than 23% during the past year, continuing a longer trend, federal data shows.The struggling U.S. economy and rising joblessness are major factors behind the decline.”
Power From Old Weapons. Power for U.S. From Russia’s Old Nuclear Weapons “What’s powering your home appliances? For about 10 percent of electricity in the United States, it’s fuel from dismantled nuclear bombs, including Russian ones.”
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
Mideast. Obama-Netanyahu talks see no result “The latest attempt by the US president to salvage the Middle East peace talks appears to have come to nothing after his meeting with Israel’s prime minister ended with only a brief statement from the White House.” US and Israeli leaders hold talks “President Barack Obama has met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House as the US struggles to revive the Middle East peace process.” Netanyahu in Washington: I’m ready to offer Palestinians major concessions “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for an immediate return to peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority yesterday, in his address to the United Jewish Communities General Assembly in Washington.” Future of Palestinian Authority Is in Question“The collapse of the Palestinian Authority, Israel’s negotiating partner, was raised as a possibility on Monday, as several aides to its president, Mahmoud Abbas, said that he intended to resign and forecast that others would follow.”
Afghanistan. Karzai hits back against critics “Afghanistan’s president has come out fighting against calls by the US to crack down on corruption, arguing that his government is not solely to blame and saying that the West is in his country only for its own ends.”
Korea. Obama will send U.S. diplomat to North Korea for direct talks “President Obama has agreed to send a senior U.S. diplomat to North Korea for the first direct talks with the government there in more than a year, hoping the mission will lead to the renewal of multi-nation negotiations designed to end its nuclear program.” Korean naval ships clash at sea “A South Korean warship has exchanged fire with a North Korean naval vessel, reports from both countries say.” North and South Korean ships exchange fire “A North Korean naval ship suffered heavy damage Tuesday during an exchange of gunfire between the two Koreas along a disputed sea border off their western coasts, officials said.”
Sudan-Darfur. Al-Bashir cancels Turkey OIC trip “The president of Sudan has cancelled a visit to Turkey amid an EU push to arrest him for war crimes charges.”
OPINION
A Word, Mr. President (Bob Herbert, New York Times) “Reforming the chaotic and unfair health care system in the U.S. is an important issue. But in terms of pressing national priorities, the most important are the need to find solutions to a catastrophic employment environment that is devastating American families and to end the folly of an 8-year-old war that is both extremely debilitating and ultimately unwinnable.”
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.
Quote of the Day. "This is not just a day of celebration for Germans. This is a day of celebration for the whole of Europe; this is a day of celebration for all those people who have more freedom." German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a ceremony in Berlin marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. (Associated Press)
FAITH IN THE NEWS
Murdered Jesuits honored 20 years after their deaths in El Salvador “Twenty years after they were killed at Central American University in San Salvador, along with their housekeeper and her daughter, six Jesuit priests are being honored by the Salvadoran government, the U.S. Congress and Jesuit institutions.”
Complications Grow for Muslims Serving Nation “Thousands of Muslims have served in the United States military – a legacy that some trace to the First World War. But in the years since Sept. 11, 2001, as the United States has become mired in two wars on Muslim lands, the service of Muslim-Americans is more necessary and more complicated than ever before.”
Couple’s book tackles evangelicals’ questions on climate change “Although the leaders of other religious groups have been calling on the world to take action to prevent climate change from spinning out of control, evangelical Christians remain divided on it.”
Guinness got it (Stephen Mansfield, USA Today) “The company’s 250-year legacy of God-inspired good provides myriad lessons for today. Among them: A benevolent corporate vision is good for business, for its employees and for the world.”
Why fundamentalism will fail (Harvey Cox, Boston Globe) “The expansion of religious fundamentalism in recent decades has been notable, as people around the world have sought certainty in the face of dizzying change … However, the truth is that for all its apparent strength, the fundamentalist sun is setting on all horizons.”
NEWS AT HOME
Health Care-House Passes Bill. Sweeping Health Care Plan Passes House“Handing President Obama a hard-fought victory, the House narrowly approved a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s health-care system on Saturday night, advancing legislation that Democrats said could stand as their defining social policy achievement.” House Democrats pass health-care bill “Hours after President Obama exhorted Democratic lawmakers to ‘answer the call of history,’ the House hit an unprecedented milestone on the path to health-care reform, approving a trillion-dollar package late Saturday that seeks to overhaul private insurance practices and guarantee comprehensive and affordable coverage to almost every American.” Historic healthcare overhaul passes House “The House of Representatives on Saturday approved the most sweeping healthcare legislation since the creation of Medicare 44 years ago, giving a boost to President Obama’s campaign to guarantee health coverage to almost all Americans.” Health bill compromises won over holdouts “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and her leadership team won a hard-fought victory on Obama’s most critical domestic policy agenda item by neutralizing the most potentially toxic political issue well in advance of the final vote, siding with centrists on their preferred version of the public option.” For healthcare bill, Pelosi had to leave Left Coast behind “In the final hours before the House approved the most sweeping healthcare legislation in 40 years, Speaker Nancy Pelosi demonstrated that she had the one indispensable quality required to produce a Democratic victory: a split personality.”
Health Care-Senate. Obama Presses Senate to Act Quickly on Its Health Bill“The White House, growing concerned that the Congressional timetable for passing a health care overhaul could slip into next year, is stepping up pressure on the Senate for quick action, with President Obama appearing Sunday in the Rose Garden to call on senators to ‘take up the baton and bring this effort to the finish line.’” Healthcare bill’s tough sell in the House signals tougher fight ahead “With the struggle over healthcare entering an even tougher phase, President Obama has hit both a milestone and a speed bump in his dual pursuit of a major overhaul of the nation’s medical system and a rebirth of progressivism in America.”
Health Care-Abortion. For Opponents of Abortion, a Victory in Health Care Vote “A restriction on abortion coverage, added late Saturday to the health care bill passed by the House, has energized abortion opponents with their biggest victory in years – emboldening them for a pitched battle in the Senate.” Some Democrats to fight abortion amendment in health bill “President Obama and Senate Democrats sought on Sunday to generate momentum from the House’s passage of health-care legislation, even as a new hurdle emerged: profound dismay among abortion-rights supporters over antiabortion provisions inserted into the House bill.” Abortion Was at Heart of Wrangling “To save the health care bill she had to give in to abortion opponents in her party and allow them to propose tight restrictions barring any insurance plan that is purchased with government subsidies from covering abortions.”
Military-Mental Health. Painful Stories Take a Toll on Military Therapists “Many of the patients who fill the day are bereft, angry, broken. Their experiences are gruesome, their distress lasting and the process of recovery exhausting. The repeated stories of battle and loss can leave the most professional therapist numb or angry.” Fort Hood tragedy rocks military as it grapples with mental health issues “Thursday’s attack at Ft. Hood — as well as two other recent incidents in which military personnel allegedly turned guns on their own — indicates an intractable problem not easily overcome.”
Afghanistan Policy. All Afghan War Options by Obama Aides Said to Call for More Troops “Advisers to President Obama are preparing three options for escalating the war effort in Afghanistan, all of them calling for more American troops, as he moves closer to a decision on the way forward in the eight-year-old war.” Allies ‘may abandon northern Helmand’ “A new strategy for Afghanistan that could lead to a British troop withdrawal from a former Taleban stronghold in northern Helmand province sparked immediate controversy yesterday.”
Nuclear Treaty. U.S. officials optimistic about new nuclear treaty with Russia “After months of negotiations with Russia, Obama administration officials are hopeful about a breakthrough — possibly this week — that would enable the two sides to sign a successor to their most extensive nuclear weapons treaty before it expires Dec. 5.”
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
Nelson Mandela. In Twilight at 91, Mandela Endures as South Africa’s Ideal “To many, he is still the ideal of a leader – warm, magnanimous, willing to own up to his failings – against which his political successors are measured and often found wanting. He is the founding father whose values continue to shape the nation.”
China Pledges Loans to Africa. China pledges $10bn in Africa loans “Addressing hundreds of Chinese and African businessmen at the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh on Sunday, Wen Jiabao, China’s premier, said he would also cancel debts of African countries.”
Iraq. Iraqi MPs pass delayed election law “Iraq’s parliament has approved a long-delayed law governing national elections scheduled to be held next January.” Iraq parliament passes election law “Iraq’s bickering politicians finally agreed on a new election law Sunday, paving the way for crucial national balloting to take place in January and for the drawdown of U.S. troops to proceed as scheduled.”
Iran. Iran may call for a nuclear fuel swap, Iranian TV reports “A state-owned Iranian television station quoted unnamed diplomats Sunday as saying Iran, in a possible compromise to a U.N.-backed proposal, is willing to send about 1,800 pounds of its enriched uranium abroad to be exchanged for fuel for a medical reactor.” Iran Said to Ignore Effort to Salvage a Nuclear Deal “The Obama administration, attempting to salvage a faltering nuclear deal with Iran, has told Iran’s leaders in back-channel messages that it is willing to allow the cuntry to send its stockpile of enriched uranium to any of several nations, including Turkey, for temporary safekeeping.”
Mideast. Ex-Israel minister in peace push “A former Israeli minister has unveiled a peace plan which offers a Palestinian state with temporary borders and the possibility of talks with Hamas.”
OPINION.
The Forever War of the Mind(Max Cleland, New York Times) “Wars are not over when the shooting stops. They live on in the lives of those who fight them. That is the curse of the soldier. He never forgets.”
Paranoia Strikes Deep(Paul Krugman, New York Times) “In California, the G.O.P. has essentially shrunk down to a rump party with no interest in actually governing – but that rump remains big enough to prevent anyone else from dealing with the state’s fiscal crisis. If this happens to America as a whole, as it all too easily could, the country could become effectively ungovernable in the midst of an ongoing economic disaster.”
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.
Quote of the Day. “Winning and losing is part of the game. From the time you start playing, you understand that at the end of the season only one can win and it’s not always going to be you. They won. Congratulations.” Jimmy Rollins of the Philadelphia Phillies on the World Series won by the New York Yankees. (New York Times)
FAITH IN THE NEWS
Virginia bishop urges mercy for convicted sniper set to be executed “As Virginia prepared to execute convicted sniper John Allen Muhammad, Bishop Paul S. Loverde of Arlington called for mercy and urged that Muhammad’s sentence be commuted to life in prison without possibility of parole.”
Climate Change Prompts Call for ‘Urgent’ Action Beyond Emissions Cuts “Some of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations have issued a joint statement pressing for urgent action amid changing climate conditions, saying that unless such action is taken, it will not be possible to ensure the food security of the growing world population.”
Burnt Offerings (Lauren Winner, Wall St. Journal) “Last week the joke was ignited—literally, at the Halloween book burning sponsored by Amazing Grace Baptist Church in Canton, N.C. The church’s Web site declared theburning to be ‘a great success.’ Works thrown into the flames included those by supposed heretics Billy Graham, Mother Teresa and emergent church guru Brian McLaren.”
NEWS AT HOME
Rampage kills 12, wounds 31 “The gunshots came out of the blue. An Army psychiatrist, trained to treat soldiers under stress, allegedly opened fire Thursday in a crowded medical building at Fort Hood, Tex.” Suspect Was ‘Mortified’ About Deployment to War “He had also more recently expressed deep concerns about being sent to Iraq or Afghanistan. Having counseled scores of returning soldiers with post-traumatic stress disorder, first at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington and more recently at Fort Hood, he knew all too well the terrifying realities of war, said a cousin, Nader Hasan." Fort Hood shooting suspect was to deploy to Iraq soon “He was trained by the military as a psychiatrist to help returning soldiers deal with the mental stress of combat, but by some reports, the horror stories he heard gradually began to change him too.” Fort Hood has felt the strain of repeated deployments "Fort Hood, the Texas military base that was the scene of a mass shooting Thursday, has been hard hit by the growing strain on the Army from multiple combat deployments — with its personnel suffering the highest number of suicides among Army installations since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003."
Health Care.Democrats say House vote on health overhaul set for Sat. could slip to Sun. or next week “A House leader says Democrats haven’t yet lined up enough votes to pass their health care overhaul bill and may push the vote set for Saturday back one day or more.” Abortion, immigration are factors in health-care reform vote “House Democratic leaders were struggling Thursday to contain uprisings on the hot-button issues of abortion and immigration that have left them little margin for error as they attempt to push through a massive health-care reform bill this weekend.” Seniors and doctors give key boost to healthcare bill “With a historic House vote on a $1-trillion healthcare bill barely 48 hours away, battle lines are hardening as lobbying groups for seniors and doctors endorse the legislation, while thousands of protesters swarmed Capitol Hill to oppose it.” House Democrats Seek Allies for Health Care Vote “House Democratic leaders worked furiously on Thursday to secure the final votes for weekend approval of a sweeping health care overhaul as President Obama threw his weight behind the lobbying effort and Republicans dug in against the health plan.”
Unemployment. Unemployment rate jumps to 10.2 percent; highest since 1983 “More than one in 10 members of the American workforce were unable to get a job in October, the Labor Department said Friday, the first time in nearly three decades that the unemployment rate has soared into double digits.” Joblessness passes 10 percent; worst rate in a generation “The good news from the job numbers was that employers shed jobs in October at the slowest pace since near the beginning of the devastating recession that began in December 2007. The bad news offest it, however: the unemployment rate, now at 10.2 percent, is the worst it’s been since 1983."
Climate Change. Democrats Push Climate Bill Through Panel Without G.O.P. Debate “The move suggested that President Obama and Democratic supporters of the bill will have serious problems assembling the votes needed to enact it when it comes to the Senate floor.” Environmental groups debate new tack in climate-change fight "A curious debate has broken out among American environmental groups, as the Senate balkily starts to focus on the threat of climate change. Is this really the time to talk about the threat of climate change?”
Afghanistan. Obama faces competing demands on Afghanistan strategy “As President Obama struggles over a new military strategy for Afghanistan, his advisors are trying to satisfy sharply divergent demands: assuring Americans that any military buildup will be limited while convincing Pakistan and other wary allies that the U.S. presence is substantial and not about to end.” Brown warns Karzai on corruption “Gordon Brown has told Afghan President Hamid Karzai he will not put UK troops ‘in harm’s way for a government that does not stand up against corruption.’” Afghans killed in rocket attack "An investigation has been launched into the deaths of nine people in a rocket attack in Helmand province in southern Afghanistan." Reviews Raise Doubt on Training of Afghan Forces “A series of internal government reviews have presented the Obama administration with a dire portrait of Afghanistan’s military and police force, bringing into serious question an ambitious goal at the heart of the evolving American war strategy – to speed up their training and send many more Afghans to the fight.”
Iran. Foreign journalists held in Iran crackdown “Three journalists, one of them foreign, were arrested at mass demonstrations in Tehran on Wednesday by a regime determined to suppress all independent sources of information inside Iran.”
Mideast. Israel, U.S. voice concern over Abbas withdrawal “Israeli and American officials expressed concern over Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s announcement on Thursday that he will not be running for reelection in January.” Israeli concern over Abbas move “Several officials suggested that if carried through, the move could hamper efforts to secure Middle East peace.”
Pakistan. Key Pakistan Taliban town ‘falls’ “Pakistani forces have captured the strategically important town of Ladha from the Taliban in ongoing clashes in South Waziristan.”
Kenya. International Prosecutor to Seek Inquiry Into Kenya Violence “Members of the political elite in Kenya, a nation where top leaders have long escaped prosecution for corruption and other crimes, could now face an international investigation into the violence that shook the country after disputed elections last year.” ICC prosecutor plans Kenya probe “Luis Moreno-Ocampo has conducted preliminary investigations since February 2008 on the violence that broke out during the vote-counting process and turned into tribal feuds that resulted in the displacement of hundreds of thousands of people.”
Zimbabwe. Tsvangirai ends Zimbabwe boycott “Zimbabwe’s prime minister has ended his boycott of the country’s unity cabinet, saying he wants to give the body time to work out its difficulties.” Tsvangirai Calls Off Cabinet-Meetings Boycott “Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai of Zimbabwe announced at the conclusion of a gathering of southern African leaders late Thursday night that his party had called off its boycott of cabinet meetings with President Robert Mugabe, but it was unclear what Mr. Tsvangirai received in return for backing down.”
OPINION
Obama Faces His Anzio (Paul Krugman, New York Times) “If the Democrats lose badly in the midterms, the talking heads will say that Mr. Obama tried to do too much, this is a center-right nation, and so on. But the truth is that Mr. Obama put his agenda at risk by doing too little. The fateful decision, early this year, to go for economic half-measures may haunt Democrats for years to come.”
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.
Quote of the Day. "This decision sends a clear message to all governments that even in the fight against terrorism you can’t forsake the basic rights of our democracies." Armando Spataro, deputy public prosecutor in Milan, Italy, after an Italian court convicted 22 CIA operatives and a U.S. Air Force colonel on kidnapping charges for the U.S. government’s long-standing practice of covertly seizing terrorism suspects abroad without a warrant. (Washington Post)
FAITH IN THE NEWS
Ban Ki-moon Urges Faith Leaders to Impact Climate Deal “U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged religious leaders on Tuesday to push their governments to take bolder action on climate change at a key U.N. summit next month.”
Patriarch calls for sacrifice to save Earth “Preserving the planet is linked to saving the human soul, the leader of the world’s Orthodox Christians said Wednesday at the Brookings Institution.”
BMS World Mission writes prime minister about global warming “The urgent need for action on global climate change has caused a 217-year-old British Baptist missionary-sending organization to write what its leaders believe to be the group’s first-ever open letter to a prime minister.”
A City of Mixed Emotions Observes Calvin’s 500th “Though Calvin struck the roots of an incessant striving that fueled the city’s early capitalist economy, if he is remembered at all by Genevans it is as something of a dreary snoop who imposed on the city an unbendingly prudish morality that some say survives to this day in somewhat muted form.”
NEWS AT HOME
Health Care. House leaders prepare for rare Saturday vote on health-care bill “House leaders put in motion the machinery to hold a rare Saturday vote on the most far-reaching expansion of the health-care system in more than 40 years.” Abortion Deal in Health Bill Sets Off Haggling in Congress “House Democratic leaders struggled Wednesday to strike a deal that would restrict the use of federal money to pay for abortions under sweeping health care legislation headed for debate on the House floor this week.” Dems get health ready for House vote “Democratic House leaders are pushing for a final vote on a health care reform bill scheduled for Saturday with last-minute negotiations continuing over taxpayer-funded abortions and other contentious issues.”
Economic Aid. Senate extends home-buyer tax credit and jobless aid “Moving to shore up a still shaky economic recovery, the Senate unanimously agreed Wednesday to extend jobless benefits, continue the popular tax credit for first-time home buyers and offer a new tax break to homeowners who want to move up.”
Election Analysis. Democrats debate Obama agenda’s impact on Democratic Party “Democrats on Capitol Hill began a nervous debate Wednesday about the course President Obama has set for their party, with some questioning whether they should emphasize job creation over some of the more ambitious items on the president’s agenda.” As GOP celebrates victories, ideological battles between moderates and conservatives remain “A rebounding Republican Party is savoring victories in two states that President Obama won last year, but as it tries to build momentum toward what GOP Chairman Michael S. Steele called a "Republican renaissance," it faces troubling ideological fissures within its ranks over how best to reclaim power.” Energized G.O.P. Looking to Avoid an Intraparty Feud“Republicans emerged from Tuesday’s elections energized by victories in Virginia and New Jersey, but their leaders immediately began maneuvering to avoid a prolonged battle with conservative activists over what the party stands for and how to regain power.” Democrats to Use Election to Push Agenda in Congress “Blaming election setbacks on a drop in voter enthusiasm, Congressional Democrats said Wednesday that losses in governors’ races in Virginia and New Jersey – and a striking House win in New York – should give new urgency to their legislative agenda, including a sweeping health care overhaul.”
War Funding. Pentagon Expected to Request More War Funding “The nation’s top military officer said Wednesday that he expected the Pentagon to ask Congress in the next few months for emergency financing to support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, even though President Obama has pledged to end the Bush administration practice of paying for the conflicts with so-called supplemental funds that are outside the normal Defense Department budget.”
Kids’ Stress. How stressed are kids? More than we think “Worrying about school and about their family’s finances are causing the most stress for kids, according to the American Psychological Association, which for the first time included young people ages 8 to 17 in its annual Stress in America survey, released Tuesday.”
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
Climate Change. Barcelona climate talks beset by rich-poor stalemate “The gap between rich and poor countries over a global climate deal appears insurmountable at UN talks in Barcelona, with countries sticking to positions that are fundamentally as far apart as they were a month ago.”
Afghanistan-British Troop Deaths. Troop Deaths in Afghanistan Stir British Outcry “The deaths of five British soldiers at the hands of an Afghan policeman with whom they were working have unleashed an outcry in Britain and highlighted the vulnerability of Western troops as they carry out a key part of the counterinsurgency strategy to train more members of the Afghan Army and the police." Policeman who killed British troops ‘is back with Taliban’ “The gunman who killed five British soldiers in an attack in Afghanistan’s Helmand province was today back with Taliban fighters who greeted him with flowers, sources close to the Afghan security forces said.”
Afghanistan-U.N. Security fears force UN Afghan relocation “The UN says it will temporarily relocate 600 of its international foreign staff based in Afghanistan. The personnel would return to work once security had been boosted at unsecured accommodation used by the UN” Hundreds of U.N. staffers temporarily leaving Afghanistan “The United Nations is temporarily pulling hundreds of staff members out of Afghanistan while it reviews security arrangements in the wake of an attack by militants on a Kabul guesthouse last week that killed five U.N. employees.”
Iran. Clashes erupt as Iran marks anniversary of embassy siege “Thousands of Iranians took to the streets Wednesday to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, but the annual state-sponsored anti-American rally turned into another sign of the deep divisions persisting in this country.” Dissidents Mass in Tehran to Subvert an Anti-U.S. Rally “Iran’s beleaguered opposition movement struggled to reassert itself on Wednesday, as tens of thousands of protesters braved police beatings and clouds of tear gas on the sidelines of a major, government-sponsored anti-American rally.
Iraq. Iraq MPs in election law stalemate “Iraq’s parliament has met again but failed to agree on a new election law. The stalemate threatens to delay elections scheduled for January 16.” U.S. keeps a low profile ahead of Iraq elections “As Iraqi lawmakers repeatedly miss deadlines for writing the new law urgently needed for elections to go ahead in January — and for U.S. troops to go home — America’s diminishing role in the political process is very much in evidence.”
Honduras. Honduras de facto leader ‘to quit’ “The panel overseeing a deal to end the four month political crisis in Honduras has said that Roberto Micheletti, the country’s interim president, will stand down although it has not given details as to when.”
Mideast. Abbas ‘not to seek re-election’ “Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, has said he will not seek re-election when elections are held in January, Palestinian officials have said.” Obama administration missteps hamper Mideast efforts “President Obama came into office insisting that his administration would press hard and fast to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But after nine months, analysts and diplomats say, the administration’s efforts have faltered in part because of its own missteps.”
OPINION
Warnings from the angry middle (E.J. Dionne Jr., Washington Post) “Tuesday’s elections were a rebuke to the right wing and a warning to Democrats. They were also a timely reminder that President Obama needs to tune up his celebrated political organization and find a way to make Americans feel hopeful again.”
Trouble ahead for Democrats (David S. Broder, Washington Post) “A year after Barack Obama’s election stirred broad hopes for change among American voters, persistent high unemployment and the spectacle of continued gridlock in Washington threaten Democratic dominance of the political landscape.”
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.
Quote of the Day. "Nonviolence is our most powerful weapon. If they cannot accuse us of terrorism, they cannot stop us. The world will support us." Mohammed Khatib, secretary of the Bilin, West Bank, village council, referred to as “a modern-day Gandhi in a culture that enshrines the language of the gun.” (Los Angeles Times)
FAITH IN THE NEWS
Christian Prison Proposed in Small Ok. Town “A tiny town in Oklahoma is throwing its support behind a push to build a privately run, faith-based prison that would employ only Christians and attempt to rehabilitate inmates using biblical concepts.”
Court rules crucifixes violate freedoms “The European Court of Human Rights ruled Tuesday that the display of crucifixes in Italian public schools violates religious and education freedoms, prompting an angry reaction from the Vatican and government officials.”
NEWS AT HOME
Election Results. McDonnell handily sweeps Virginia GOP back to power “Virginians elected Republican Robert F. McDonnell the commonwealth’s 71st governor Tuesday, sweeping the GOP to power and emphatically halting a decade of Democratic advances in the critical swing state.” G.O.P. Wins Two Key Governors’ Races; Bloomberg Prevails in a Close Contest“Republicans swept contests for governor in New Jersey and Virginia on Tuesday as voters went to the polls filled with economic uncertainty, dealing President Obama a setback and building momentum for a Republican comeback attempt in next year’s midterm Congressional elections.” Conservative Loses Upstate House Race in Blow to Right “Democrats won a special election in New York State’s northernmost Congressional district Tuesday, a setback for national conservatives who heavily promoted a third candidate in what became an intense debate over the direction of the Republican Party.” Maine voters overturn state’s new same-sex marriage law “Maine voters delivered a potentially crushing blow to gay-rights advocates after a year when their cause seemed to be gaining momentum with legislative and legal victories in four states.”
Election Analysis. Gubernatorial contests serve as warning to Democrats “Off-year elections can be notoriously unreliable as predictors of the future, but as a window on how the political landscape may have changed in the year since President Obama won the White House, Tuesday’s Republican victories in Virginia and New Jersey delivered clear warnings for the Democrats.” A Year After Dousing, Republicans’ Hope Rekindled "The Republican victories in the races for New Jersey and Virginia governors put the party in a stronger position to turn back the political wave President Obama unleashed last year, setting the stage for Republicans to raise money, recruit candidates and ride the excitement of an energized base as the party heads into next year’s midterm elections.” GOP victories send message to Democrats “By seizing gubernatorial seats in Virginia and New Jersey, Republicans on Tuesday dispelled any notion of President Obama’s electoral invincibility, giving the GOP a lift and offering warning signs to Democrats ahead of the 2010 midterm elections.”
Health Care. Abortion language complicates Democratic health efforts “House Democratic leaders, while insisting that the finish line is in sight on their overhaul of the nation’s healthcare system, have hit a last-minute snag over the abortion issue.” Health Care Debate Focuses on Legal Immigrants “The debate over health care for illegal immigrants continues to percolate in Congress despite the Obama administration’s efforts to put it to rest, with lawmakers in both houses also wrangling over how much coverage to provide for immigrants who have settled in the country legally.” Some experts worry that cost controls in health-care reform are too cautious “Democrats in Congress are embracing the spirit of President Obama’s call to slow the runaway rise of health-care costs but are shying away from some of the most aggressive techniques for achieving that.” Senate moderates wield influence to seek changes to health-care reform “Moderate lawmakers are exerting their outsize influence in the divided Senate to secure changes to health-care reform legislation, potentially adding more delays to a bill that has already missed several announced deadlines.”
Climate Change. German Chancellor Merkel urges U.S. to act on climate change “German Chancellor Angela Merkel urged Congress and the Obama administration Tuesday to take bold steps to address global warming, even as Senate Democrats and Republicans feuded over whether to press ahead with a climate bill.” Tear down mental walls on climate, German chancellor says “German Chancellor Angela Merkel made an impassioned plea Tuesday to a joint session of Congress to work together on efforts to curb global warming and to help forge a binding climate-change deal at an international meeting next month.” Republicans walk out of Senate hearing on climate-change bill “The Republican members of the Environment and Public Works Committee are demanding a full Environmental Protection Agency analysis of the climate bill.” There will be no climate deal, says UN chief “According to Ban Ki Moon such an agreement will not be signed next month and the most likely outcome is voluntary targets, which countries could announce but then ignore.”
Unemployment. Policies sought to add jobs without piling on the deficit “With the nation’s unemployment rate at its highest point in 26 years and projected to rise, the Obama administration is intensifying its search for policies that can stoke job creation without adding significantly to the nation’s crippling budget deficit.”
Premature Births. Premature Births Are Fueling Higher Rates of Infant Mortality in U.S., Report Says “High rates of premature birth are the main reason the United States has higher infant mortality than do many other rich countries, government researchers reported Tuesday in their first detailed analysis of a longstanding problem.”
Homeless Veterans. Shinseki cites plight, plan to help homeless veterans “The Department of Veterans Affairs laid out Tuesday an ambitious five-year goal of curbing the number of homeless veterans, pledging $3.2 billion to an issue that is more rapidly affecting those who served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars than by any from past conflicts.”
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
Burma. Aung San Suu Kyi meets senior US diplomat in Burma “Barack Obama’s policy of engagement with Burma made modest progress today after the detained democracy leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, made a rare exit from the home that has been her prison for much of the past 14 years to meet senior US officials.”
Afghanistan. PM says Taliban shot UK soldiers “The Taliban have said they carried out the fatal shooting of five British soldiers in Afghanistan, Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told the Commons.” Abdullah: Karzai victory ‘illegal’ “Abdullah Abdullah, the Afghan presidential candidate who quit the runoff vote, has described as ‘illegal’ his rival Hamid Karzai’s re-election as the country’s president.” U.S. officials fear Karzai can’t keep anti-corruption pledge “President Hamid Karzai vowed Tuesday that he’d clean up his government in his second five-year term, but U.S. officials are worried that the Afghan leader will have to award key posts to ethnic warlords and regional power barons who’re linked to drug trafficking in exchange for their help in his re-election.”
Iran. Unrest as Iran marks embassy siege “Security forces have clashed with opposition protesters as thousands of Iranians gathered on the streets of the capital, Tehran, to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1979 takeover of the US embassy.” Iran’s anti-government protestors clash with security forces “Iran’s capital erupted in chaos and violence as anti-government protestors and security forces clashed on the 30th anniversary of the seizing of the U.S. Embassy by radical students.” Iran’s supreme leader warns against negotiating with U.S. “Iran’s supreme leader, spurning what he described as several personal overtures from President Obama, warned Tuesday that negotiating with the United States would be ‘naive and perverted’ and that Iranian politicians should not be ‘deceived’ into starting such talks.”
Mideast. U.S. hope dims for high-level Israeli-Palestinian talks over state “The Obama administration has concluded that an early resumption of high-level negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians over a Palestinian state is unlikely in the near future — an acknowledgment that it has fallen short, for now, on one of its major initial foreign policy goals.” Hamas tested rocket with a longer range, Israel says “Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip have test-fired a rocket with a 37-mile range, Israel’s military intelligence chief said Tuesday, giving them the capacity to reach deeper into Israel and strike Tel Aviv’s southern suburbs and possibly its international airport.” Israel seizes ship ‘carrying weapons for Hezbollah’ “Israeli naval special forces today seized a civilian cargo ship near Cyprus which they said was carrying weapons, including rockets, destined for the Hezbollah militant group.”
Darfur. Saved from the death squads: Darfuris given asylum in UK “Hundreds of Darfuris fleeing persecution in Sudan will be given protection in Britain after a government U-turn on its handling of asylum claims brought by refugees from the troubled African state.”
OPINION
A Job Too Big for One Man (Orlando Patterson, New York Times) “The uniqueness of Mr. Obama provides both obstacles and opportunities. My students have found that many young inner city blacks, while they admire him, find him too remote from their lives to be a role model. His policies, if properly carried out, might very well improve their chances in life, but in the end he is more likely to influence the racial attitudes of middle-class blacks and younger white Americans. This is all we can reasonably expect. It will take far more than a single presidency to fully end America’s long struggle with race.”
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.
Quote of the Day. "It was pointed out that the name of the NAACP is the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. That confuses folks sometimes. As they say, colored people come in all colors. No one should be denied the right to vote in this country – period." Benjamin Todd Jealous, national president of the NAACP, speaking to a mostly white NAACP chapter in the Maine State Prison. (Washington Post)
FAITH IN THE NEWS
Healthcare provision seeks to embrace prayer treatments “Backed by some of the most powerful members of the Senate, a little-noticed provision in the healthcare overhaul bill would require insurers to consider covering Christian Science prayer treatments as medical expenses.”
Health Care. Some Democrats concerned over abortion provision in health bill “While House leaders are moving toward a vote on health-care legislation by the end of the week, enough Democrats are threatening to oppose the measure over the issue of abortion to create a question about its passage.” Almost done: just the 2 toughest issues to go before the House votes on health care “Just a few unsolved problems – and one final sales job – stand between House Democratic leaders and a landmark vote on President Barack Obama’s promised remake of the nation’s health care system. Unfortunately for the Democrats, the unresolved issues are among the most vexing out there: abortion and immigration.” Democrats Say House Bill Cuts Premiums for Many “As the House moved toward climactic votes on legislation to remake the health care system, the Congressional Budget Office said Monday that middle-income families might be required to pay 15 percent to 18 percent of their income on insurance premiums and co-payments under the proposal.”
Immigration. Supreme Court seeks White House views on hiring undocumented immigrants “On Monday, the court asked the administration for its views in a challenge to an Arizona law that punishes companies for hiring illegal immigrants. Other states with large immigrant populations will watch the next steps closely, because their own laws and ballot measures could be on the line.”
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
Malaria Vaccine. Africa trial for malaria vaccine “Scientists in Africa have begun trials of a malaria vaccine which, if successful, could save millions of lives on the continent and around the world Developed through two decades of research, the Mosquirix vaccine – also known as RDS,S – is being tested in Africa’s biggest ever clinical trial, spanning seven nations, and involving some 16,000 children.”
Afghanistan. Karzai vows ‘inclusive’ government “Hamid Karzai, who won re-election as Afghan president after his rival withdrew from a runoff vote, has vowed that his government will represent all his countrymen.” Karzai is wild card for U.S. strategy in Afghanistan “As the dust settles from Afghanistan’s election, President Hamid Karzai’s emergence as the victor by default cements the central dilemma facing President Obama as he decides whether to escalate the U.S. involvement in the war there.” Obama Warns Karzai to Focus on Tackling Corruption“President Obama on Monday admonished President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan that he must take on what American officials have said he avoided during his first term: the rampant corruption and drug trade that have fueled the resurgence of the Taliban.”
Mideast. Clinton qualifies praise for Israel on West Bank growth “Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton tried to soothe Arab uneasiness Monday over weekend statements she made praising the Israeli government’s offer to ‘restrain’ growth in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, saying it ‘falls far short’ of the Obama administration’s hopes and is ‘not enough.’" Clinton Denies Easing Pressure on Israel “Struggling to stem protests from the Arab world, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Monday reiterated that the Obama administration still wanted Israel to freeze construction of Jewish settlements, even if it regarded Israel’s compromise offer as “unprecedented.””
Iran. US will not alter Iran nuclear deal “The United States has said that a nuclear fuel plan offered to Iran will not be changed after Tehran called for the UN-brokered deal to be reviewed.” Iran’s Politics Stand in the Way of a Nuclear Deal “Iran’s leadership has once again equivocated after agreeing to a deal that would ease its nuclear standoff with the West. But this time, that may be as much a product of the nation’s smoldering political crisis as it is a negotiating tactic, political analysts and Iran experts said.” Iran students carry on protests “Largely absent from international media reports and discounted by Western policymakers more focused on Iran’s nuclear program, the protest movement that erupted after Ahmadinejad’s disputed June 12 reelection has continued to smolder, mostly on college campuses.”
Honduras. Honduras politicians study deal “The leadership of the Honduran Congress is set to start considering an accord that might lead to the return to power of ousted President Manual Zelaya.”
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.
Quote of the Day. “After all, I’m a soldier, I’m an NCO, I’m a problem solver. What’s it going to look like if I can’t get things straight in my head?” Vivienne Pacquette, retired noncommissioned officer who served two tours in Iraq, explaining why women with post-traumatic stress disorder often choose isolation over embarrassment. (New York Times)
FAITH IN THE NEWS
Orthodox head brings ‘green’ views to D.C. “Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual head of the world’s 250 million to 300 million Orthodox Christians, arrived in Washington on Sunday night bearing the standard as the world’s foremost religious leader on environmental issues.”
Ministry Aims to End L.A. Homelessness by 2019 “A Christian ministry launched an ambitious initiative this week to cut homelessness on Los Angeles’ infamous Skid Row by 90 percent within three years, and completely end homelessness in the nation’s second largest city within 10 years.”
Science, faith used to be allies (Mark I. Pinsky, USA Today) “What is sometimes obscured by the clamor is that there was once an era in American history when science and religion were considered symbiotic allies, rather than the rancorous adversaries they too often are today.”
Internet full of believers “The World Wide Web has become the hottest place to build a church. A growing number of congregations are creating Internet offshoots that go far beyond streaming weekly services. “
Hate crimes law no threat to religious liberty (Mary Sanchez, Kansas City Star) “The clergy is nervous – the hellfire-and-brimstone cultural conservative clergy, anyway. Congress’s recent vote to finally include sexual orientation in hate crimes legislation has caused near hysterics in some religious communities.”
NEWS AT HOME
Health Care. Obama Strategy on Health Care Legislation Appears to Be Paying Off “After months of plodding work by five Congressional committees and weeks of back-room bargaining by Democratic leaders, President Obama’s arms-length strategy on health care appears to be paying dividends, with the House and the Senate poised to take up legislation to insure nearly all Americans.” Health insurance mandate alarms some “Among some libertarians and conservatives, the most troubling aspect of the pending healthcare reform bills is the prospect of a federal requirement that Americans buy insurance.” States likely to shape health reform “The debate over whether to let states opt out of any government-run health insurance plan overlooks a key facet of the health-care measures being assembled in Congress: When Washington is done, the shape of any new health-care system is likely to be finalized in Lansing and Boise and Baton Rouge.”
Climate Change. Senate climate bill faces challenges “The climate-change bill that has been moving slowly through the Senate will face a stark political reality when it emerges for committee debate on Tuesday: With Democrats deeply divided on the issue, unless some Republican lawmakers risk the backlash for signing on to the legislation, there is almost no hope for passage.”
Civil Rights. Martin Luther King’s daughter Bernice takes up mantle as US civil rights leader “Now Bernice King, the youngest child of Martin Luther King, has a new mission: to revitalise the civil rights organisation co-founded by her father as the first woman to lead the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.”
Politics.G.O.P. Moderate, Pressed by Right, Abandons Race “A moderate Republican whose candidacy for an upstate New York Congressional seat had set off a storm of national conservative opposition abruptly withdrew on Saturday, emboldening the right at a time when the Republican Party is enmeshed in a debate over how to rebuild itself.”
Feature – Foreign Policy. Shared interests define Obama’s world “President Obama is applying the same tools to international diplomacy that he once used as a community organizer on Chicago’s South Side, constructing appeals to shared interests and attempting to bring the government’s conduct in line with its ideals.”
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
Afghanistan. Karzai declared elected president “Hamid Karzai has been declared the elected president of Afghanistan by poll officials, after they scrapped the planned second round of the vote.” Karzai declared Afghan poll winner “Hamid Karzai, the incumbent president, has been declared the winner of Afghanistan’s presidential election.” Ban Ki-moon pledges to stand by next Afghan government “After meeting Karzai and his main rival in the disputed August election, Abdullah Abdullah, Ban urged Afghanistan’s election authority to decide quickly on whether to press ahead with a second round on Saturday.” Out of Race, Karzai Rival Is Harsh Critic of Election“Afghanistan’s last presidential challenger, Abdullah Abdullah, dropped out of the race on Sunday, accusing the government of profound corruption and electoral fraud even as the Obama administration rallied around President Hamid Karzai.”
Pakistan. Pakistan takes Taliban stronghold “Pakistan’s army says it has captured a key Taliban stronghold in South Waziristan, as a bomb kills at least 30 in Rawalpindi.”
Iraq. Scattering of Attacks in Iraq “A week after the deadliest attack in Iraq in more than two years, a scattering of smaller bomb attacks around the country on Sunday raised fears of a sustained escalation in violence as American forces withdraw.”
Iran. Iranian guards warn over protest “Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have warned opposition groups not to hold protest rallies as the country marks 30 years since the seizure of the US embassy.” Opposition in Iran Urges Continuing Challenge “As Iran prepares for a major commemorative rally on Wednesday, the leaders of the opposition movement called over the weekend for a renewed challenge to the government, setting the stage for a possible showdown between protesters and the police.” Iran wants review of nuclear plan “Iran said today that it has not rejected a U.N.-backed plan aimed at limiting the country’s ability to make nuclear weapons, and it called for a technical panel to review the plan.”
Mideast. Top U.S. officials: Mideast peace talks have hit impasse “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet with U.S. special envoy George Mitchell again Monday afternoon in an attempt to find a way to allow the Palestinians to return to the negotiating table. Senior U.S. officials admit that the talks have reached an impasse.”
Latin America Arms Sales. Weapons sales are on the rise in Latin America “Whether it’s called an ‘arms race’ or a ‘coincidental modernization’ of existing stocks, a wave of weapons purchases by Latin American nations is causing neighbors to watch each other with growing mistrust and fear.”
OPINION
Abortion foes seek to use health plan to curb access (Editorial, USA Today) “Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., is leading an effort to change that bill and ban abortion coverage in any government-run ‘public option’ or in any private policy purchased through the new medical insurance exchanges. That goes too far. It would mark a broad new expansion in the effort to restrict access to abortion.”
Add abortion restrictions (Rep. Bart Stupak, (D-MI), Opposing view, USA Today) “House Democratic leaders introduced their health care plan last week with language, known as the Capps amendment, that would mandate public funding for abortion. The Capps amendment is being sold as a compromise that maintains the status quo on the issue of federal funding for abortion. That is simply not the case.”
Hearts, minds and health care (By E.J. Dionne Jr., Washington Post) “The next health-care fight has already started. It’s the battle to define the bill that President Obama will eventually sign as a victory for consumers, taxpayers and the common good.”
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.
Quote of the Day. “You get a real sense of the gravity when you see the faces of those who are there to greet their loved ones. You can see the genuine anguish on their faces. It’s hard not to be overwhelmed by what you see.” Robert Gibbs, the White House press secretary, accompanying President Obama to Dover, Delaware, to meet with the families of war casualties. (New York Times)
Tackling climate change a ‘moral imperative, say UK faith leaders “Leaders from the largest faith communities, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, the Chief Rabbi, Sir Jonathan Sacks and the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Vincent Nichols, have joined representatives of faith based organisations across the UK to call for ‘urgent measures’ to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the run-up to Copenhagen.”
Beliefnet Co-Founder Steps Down for FCC Post “The co-founder, editor-in-chief and president of Beliefnet announced Wednesday that he will step down from his various posts in the company to head a government media commission.”
NEWS AT HOME
Health Care. House Democrats announce health-care bill “After six months of dealmaking, House Democratic leaders introduced a health-care reform bill Thursday that would expand coverage to almost all Americans and overhaul the insurance industry while asking the wealthiest taxpayers to pay much of the tab.” Buoyant Democrats Unveil Health Care Legislation “House Democrats on Thursday unveiled their bill to remake the health care system and said they had the votes to pass it. But Republicans said gimmicks had been used to hide the measure’s long-term costs.” Health plan gains support in House “House Democrats on Thursday closed in on the votes they need to pass sweeping healthcare legislation, as party leaders introduced a 1,990-page bill designed to guarantee near-universal coverage for the first time in the nation’s history.”
Ethics Inquiry. Dozens in Congress under ethics inquiry “House ethics investigators have been scrutinizing the activities of more than 30 lawmakers and several aides in inquiries about issues including defense lobbying and corporate influence peddling, according to a confidential House ethics committee report prepared in July.” Ethics Inquiries Into Lawmakers Surface via Security Breach “The House ethics committee announced Thursday that it would begin full investigations into two House members, Maxine Waters and Laura Richardson, but a security breach threatened to make public the names of many other members facing ethics inquiries.”
School Standards. Federal Researchers Find Lower Standards in Schools “A new federal study shows that nearly a third of the states lowered their academic proficiency standards in recent years, a step that helps schools stay ahead of sanctions under the No Child Left Behind law.” Some States Drop Testing Bar “The research, issued by the U.S. Department of Education, called into question the rigor of tests that states select to comply with student-improvement mandates of the federal No Child Left Behind law. It also cast doubt on claims of educational progress made by many states.”
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
Climate Change. Will U.S. go empty-handed to world climate talks? “Without a new law requiring cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, the U.S. could end up going empty-handed to the international climate talks in December.” EU edges closer to deal on climate change fund “European leaders were edging towards agreement today on a massive international fund for developing countries to combat climate change after an appeal for them to show leadership from Ban Ki Moon, the UN General-Secretary.” EU push for climate funding unity “EU leaders are trying to break an impasse over funding to help poor countries combat global warming on the last day of their Brussels summit.”
Honduras. Honduras rivals resolve deadlock “The interim leader of Honduras says he is ready to sign a pact to end its crisis which could include the return of ousted President Manuel Zelaya.” Zelaya to return as Honduras President “The interim government of Honduras has yielded to international pressure and agreed to allow the return to power of Manuel Zelaya, the ousted President who was toppled in a military coup four months ago.”
Darfur. Africa backs Darfur crimes court “African leaders have agreed to establish a new court to bring justice to the Sudanese region of Darfur.”
Pakistan. Clinton Challenges Pakistanis on Al Qaeda “Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, on a visit meant to improve relations with Pakistan, strongly suggested Thursday that some Pakistani officials bore responsibility for allowing terrorists from Al Qaeda to operate from safe havens along this country’s frontier.” Clinton rebukes Pakistan on hunt for al-Qaeda leaders “Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton expressed doubt Thursday over Pakistan’s failure to locate top al-Qaeda leaders in the eight years since they escaped over the border from Afghanistan.” Clinton faces Pakistani anger at drone attacks “Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton today came face-to-face with Pakistani anger over U.S. aerial drone attacks in tribal areas along the Afghan border, a strategy that U.S. officials say has succeeded in killing key terrorist leaders.” Pakistan strikes deep into al-Qa’ida territory “After a sweep of a militant stronghold in the lawless tribal region of South Waziristan, the Pakistani army has recovered passports purportedly belonging to two leading al-Qa’ida figures, including a member of the notorious Hamburg cell that orchestrated September 11.”
Iran. Iran’s conditions push nuclear deal close to collapse “Hopes of a diplomatic breakthrough over Iran’s nuclear programme were dwindling tonight after Tehran demanded changes to a uranium exchange deal that European diplomats described as ‘unacceptable’.” Iran ’seeks change to nuclear deal’ “Iran has handed over its response to a draft deal brokered by the UN’s nuclear watchdog under which the country would ship abroad most of its low-enriched uranium.” Iran Rejects Deal to Ship Out Uranium, Officials Report “Iran told the United Nations nuclear watchdog on Thursday that it would not accept a plan its negotiators agreed to last week to send its stockpile of uranium out of the country.” Iran counters U.N. on uranium plan “Iran on Thursday appeared to reject a key element of a U.N.-backed proposal aimed at quickly reducing its stockpile of enriched uranium, offering an informal oral counteroffer that diplomats said fell far short of a tentative deal reached earlier this month.”
Afghanistan. Asian powers urge Afghan commitment “The foreign ministers of India, China and Russia have urged the world to remain engaged in Afghanistan, with Moscow advocating a greater role for regional powers in stabilising the Central Asian nation.” UN to boost Afghanistan security “The UN Security Council has backed a call by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon for more protection for UN staff and facilities in Afghanistan.” Support Grows for Pursuit of Peace Deals With the Taliban “The idea of talking to the Taliban — a strategy advocated by Afghan officials — has become increasingly seductive as the Western death toll in the conflict mounts.”
OPINION
What we can achieve in Afghanistan (Robert B. Zoellick, Washington Post) “This is one of the most difficult environments in which we work. Yet we have seen real, measurable progress: in the health sector, education, community development, microfinance and telecommunications.”
The Defining Moment (Paul Krugman, New York Times) “For this is the moment of truth. The political environment is as favorable for reform as it’s likely to get. The legislation on the table isn’t perfect, but it’s as good as anyone could reasonably have expected. History is about to be made – and everyone has to decide which side they’re on.”
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.
Quote of the Day. “I could never admit to something I didn’t do. I realized that if I was going to die in prison because of saying I’m innocent, well that was what was going to happen.” Dewey Bozella, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., released from prison after 26 years, when his conviction was overturned. (New York Times)
FAITH IN THE NEWS
Mayor Deprives Rival of Black Clergy’s Support “In his quest for a third term, Mr. Bloomberg has deprived Mr. Thompson of what many once regarded as his political birthright: the blessings of the city’s most powerful black ministers, who together preach to tens of thousands of congregants each week.”
NEWS AT HOME
Health Care. House health-care reform bill includes public option, Medicaid expansion “House Speaker Nancy Pelosi will unveil a health-care reform bill on Thursday that includes a government insurance option and a historic expansion of Medicaid, although sticking points in the legislation involving abortion and immigration remain unresolved.” Pelosi Backs Off Having Set Rates for Public Option “Under pressure from moderate-to-conservative members of the House Democratic caucus, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has decided to propose a government-run insurance plan that would negotiate rates with doctors and hospitals, rather than using prices set by the government.” House Compromises on Public Option “House Democrats signaled that the health-care bill will include a government insurance plan that would negotiate payment rates with hospitals and doctors instead of having them tied to Medicare rates.” Health care bills would limit out-of-pocket costs“Consumers would be spared having to pay huge medical bills under Democratic health care legislation that’s moving through Congress, as lawmakers agree on the need to put limits on how much people would pay out of their own pockets.”
President Salutes War Dead.Obama breaks from Bush by saluting coffins of 18 Americans killed in Afghanistan “President Obama publicly rejected the cloak of secrecy surrounding the return of US military dead late last night when he met the coffins of 18 Americans killed in Afghanistan in a solemn, unannounced ceremony.”
Hate Crimes. Obama signs bill expanding hate protection to gays “When a gay Wyoming college student was slain in 1998, congressional Democrats pledged to broaden the definition of federal hate crimes by the end of that year to include attacks based on sexual orientation.” Obama signs first major federal gay-rights law“President Barack Obama on Wednesday signed the first major piece of federal gay rights legislation, a milestone that activists compared to the passage of 1960s civil-rights legislation empowering blacks.”
Cuba Embargo. U.N. condemns Cuba embargo by U.S. “The United States found itself up against virtually the entire world Wednesday as country after country at the United Nations denounced the nearly 50-year-old trade embargo against Cuba, which the island government says is as strong as ever under President Barack Obama.”
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
Chile. Chilean Leader’s Legacy Is Upended Traditions and Balanced Books “With only five months until she leaves office, Ms. Bachelet is increasingly likely to be remembered as one of her country’s most popular leaders. Polls this month show her public approval to be above 70 percent, and in recent weeks she has recorded the highest levels since Chile went from dictatorship to democracy in 1990.”
Afghanistan. Afghan attack puts aid programs at risk “The deaths of five U.N. employees in a Taliban assault on a Kabul guesthouse Wednesday is forcing the world body and humanitarian agencies to reevaluate the way they operate in Afghanistan, officials said, putting at risk programs aimed at helping millions of people and stabilizing the war-torn country.” Attack in Afghan Capital Illustrates Taliban’s Reach “As if to emphasize the ease and precision with which they could hit their targets inside the capital, the siege was accompanied by a minor rocket attack on the presidential palace and was followed two hours later by a rocket attack on the Serena Hotel.” Obama seeks Afghanistan data to determine U.S. troop levels “President Obama has asked senior officials for a province-by-province analysis of Afghanistan to determine which regions are being managed effectively by local leaders and which require international help, information that his advisers say will guide his decision on how many additional U.S. troops to send to the battle.”
Pakistan. Pakistan mourns bomb victims “The first funerals have been held for some of the 105 victims of a massive car bomb attack that tore through a crowded market in the Pakistani city of Peshawar.” U.S. Speeds Aid to Pakistan to Fight Taliban "Even as the Pakistani government plays down the American role in its military operations in Taliban-controlled areas along the border with Afghanistan, the United States has quietly rushed hundreds of millions of dollars in arms, equipment and sophisticated sensors to Pakistani forces in recent months.”
Improvised Bombs Spread. Makeshift Bombs Spread Beyond Afghanistan, Iraq“American military officers are expressing concern over the spreading use of makeshift bombs beyond the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan to other countries in the region, as well as in East Asia and South America.”
Iraq. Deep Corruption Rattles Iraq’s Fragile State “As Iraqi officials work to assign blame for the deadly attacks on the heart of the government on Sunday, concern is rising that a greater security threat may come from within the system in the form of corruption, from the top leadership of ministries down to soldiers who man checkpoints.”
Iran. Iran ‘reply’ on nuclear fuel deal “The UN’s nuclear watchdog says it is hopeful an agreement with Iran can be reached after Tehran’s response to a new offer on uranium refinement." Iran ready to co-operate with nuclear agency – Ahmadinejad “The Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, today said his country was ready to co-operate with the international community over its nuclear programme but insisted it would not give up its atomic ambitions.” House panel approves bill to punish Iran “A House committee, seeking to pressure Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions, approved a bill Wednesday aimed at punishing Tehran by cutting off its access to gasoline and other refined petroleum products.”
Darfur. Mbeki unveils Darfur peace plans “Hybrid courts with Sudanese and foreign judges should investigate violence in Sudan’s Darfur region, a report by ex-South Africa leader Thabo Mbeki says.”
Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe deports UN rights expert “Manfred Nowak, the UN special rapporteur on torture, has been deported from Zimbabwe a day after being detained by security officials on arrival in Harare.” Anger at Zimbabwe UN envoy snub “The UN’s torture investigator has made an angry return to South Africa after being refused entry to Zimbabwe.”
OPINION
More Schools, Not Troops(Nicholas D. Kristof, New York Times) “Dispatching more troops to Afghanistan would be a monumental bet and probably a bad one, most likely a waste of lives and resources that might simply empower the Taliban. In particular, one of the most compelling arguments against more troops rests on this stunning trade-off: For the cost of a single additional soldier stationed in Afghanistan for one year, we could build roughly 20 schools there.”
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.
Quote of the Day. “I liken myself to the old woman who lives in a shoe. The seams are tearing, and people are just popping out all over.” Mary L. Fifield, the president of a Boston community college, on the surge in enrollments at community colleges, including a large number of recent high school graduates who can’t afford four-year colleges due to the recession. (New York Times)
FAITH IN THE NEWS
Annual religious-freedom report cites concerns in familiar, new places “An independent government panel that monitors global religious-freedom conditions thanked the State Department for its latest comprehensive report on the subject Oct. 26, but said the administration could move more boldly to protect freedom of conscience in some places.”
Jewish Leaders Welcome New Catholic Statement on Conversion “Jewish leaders are welcoming a revised statement from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that rejects suggestions that interfaith dialogue could lead to the conversion and baptism of Jews.”
NEWS AT HOME
Health Care. Reid hopes to sway enough senators on ‘public option’ “Shy of a safe majority even with the provision that states may opt out of a government health plan, the Senate leader offers possible concessions and favors to Democrats and Republicans on the fence.” Democrats Divided Over Reid Proposal for Public Option “Senate Democrats voiced deep disagreements on Tuesday over the idea of a government-run health insurance plan, suggesting that the decision by the majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, to include a public plan in major health care legislation had failed, at least initially, to unite his caucus.” Centrists unsure about Reid’s public option “Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid’s risky decision to bring to the chamber’s floor a health-care bill containing a government insurance plan was met with skepticism by moderate Democrats, who said they still do not know whether they could support a public option on a final vote.”
Climate Change. White House Steps Up Climate Efforts “The Obama administration and some Senate Democrats expressed fresh urgency on Tuesday about the need to address climate change and refashion the nation’s energy economy.” Economics of climate change move to the fore “For a decade or more, the political battle over climate change has been fought largely over the validity of the science of global warming. But Tuesday, as the Environment and Public Works Committee opened its first hearing on a Senate climate change bill, those concerns took a rear seat to a different issue: the potential economic impact of climate change.”
Economy. Congress fears risk of economic relapse“Fear that the economy might fall back into recession is compelling Congress to extend unemployment benefits and incentives for homebuying that lawmakers hope will help sustain growth.” Unemployed hope Congress extends benefits once again “The Senate is expected to act this week on extending the benefits for 14 weeks, with an additional six weeks for states whose unemployment rate is above 8.5 percent.” Homeless students: Increasingly, families taking shelter anywhere they can “School district officials said the boy is one of a record number of area students living in motels, campgrounds, shelters, cars and, yes, storage facilities.”
Bankers.Bankers face activists’ anger in the streets of Chicago “Some 5,000 union members and community activists marched through downtown Chicago Tuesday, expressing public frustration with the banking industry – namely, what demonstrators charge is a lack of transparency and accountability regarding $350 billion in federal bailout money.”
Legal Aid. Civil Gideon’ Trumpets Legal Discord “A new California law that gives poor residents the right to an attorney in civil matters such as child custody and foreclosure is being hailed as a model that could transform the nation’s legal landscape.”
Single Households. Single households surge in D.C. area “Living alone is on its way to becoming the new norm in parts of the Washington area, as the proportion of households headed by married couples has declined and one-person households have jumped.”
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
Japan. Japan’s A-bomb cities urge Obama to visit "The mayors of the two cities, devastated by American atomic bombs in 1945, invited Mr Obama after he gave a speech in April calling for a world free of nuclear weapons. Hopes were also raised when he won the Nobel Peace Prize."
Afghanistan. Eight U.S. soldiers killed by roadside bombs in Afghanistan “October became the deadliest month for U.S. troops in the eight-year-old war in Afghanistan when two bombs killed eight soldiers and an interpreter in separate attacks Tuesday.” Afghanistan attack kills 6 U.N. workers “Militants armed with automatic rifles, grenades and suicide vests attacked a guesthouse in central Kabul at dawn today, killing at least five U.N employees, including an American.” U.S. to Protect Populous Afghan Areas, Officials Say “President Obama’s advisers are focusing on a strategy for Afghanistan aimed at protecting about 10 top population centers, administration officials said Tuesday, describing an approach that would stop short of an all-out assault on the Taliban while still seeking to nurture long-term stability.” Obama redefines White House relationship with top field commander “President Obama does not have the one-on-one relationship with Gen. McChrystal that President Bush did with Gen. Petraeus, but rather a more traditional one along the chain of command.”
Drone Attacks. US warned on drone attacks “The US has been warned that its use of drones to target suspected terrorists in Afghanistan and Pakistan may violate international law.”
Pakistan. Carnage as car bomb hits Peshawar “At least 91 people are killed by a car bomb in Peshawar, north-west Pakistan, in the deadliest such attack this year.” Clinton vows to support Pakistan “Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, has pledged Washington’s support for Pakistan in its fight against ‘brutal extremist groups.’”
Iran. Iran nuclear sanctions ‘unlikely’ “President Dmitry Medvedev’s adviser Sergei Prikhodko said sanctions on Iran ‘are unlikely in the near future,’ Russian news agencies reported.”
Iraq. Legislators in Iraq Block a Deal on Election Law “The country’s political parties failed to agree on election laws on Tuesday, despite a proposed deal put together by the nation’s top political figures the day before.” Iraq seeks approval for nuclear plant “An Iraqi minister says Baghdad has contacted the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), based in Vienna, to seek its approval to relaunch a peaceful nuclear programme.”
African Union. AU agrees displaced persons pact “African Union members could soon be obliged to help and protect millions of citizens uprooted by conflict and natural disasters, after the body agreed a convention on internally displaced people.”
OPINION
Democracy with a dose of moral clarity (Michael Gerson, Washington Post) “Sandel is best at what he calls bringing ‘moral clarity to the alternatives we confront as democratic citizens.’ In this cause, he outlines three attempts to define the meaning of justice, each with large public consequences.”
Don’t Build Up(Thomas L. Friedman, New York Times) “It is crunch time on Afghanistan, so here’s my vote: We need to be thinking about how to reduce our footprint and our goals there in a responsible way, not dig in deeper.”
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.
Quote of the Day. “When the starting gun sounded on the clean energy race, the United States stumbled.” U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, encouraging lawmakers on Capitol Hill to craft an ambitious climate change bill. (New York Times)
FAITH IN THE NEWS
Clinton discourages anti-defamation laws to protect religion “Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton criticized on Monday an attempt by Islamic countries to prohibit defamation of religions, saying such policies would restrict free speech.”
Archbishop warns of possible genocide in El Salvador “Archbishop Jose Luis Escobar Alas of San Salvador expressed concern this week over the increase in violence in El Salvador and the likelihood that the government will employ military personnel to put an end to it.”
NEWS AT HOME
Health Care. Reid says health-insurance bill will include opt-out public option “Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid announced Monday that he will include a government-backed insurance plan in the chamber’s health-care reform legislation, a key concession to liberals who have threatened to oppose a bill without such a public option.” Public Option Push in Senate Comes With Escape Hatch“His proposal came with an escape hatch: A state could refuse to participate in the public insurance plan by adopting a law to opt out.” Senate to add ‘public option’ to healthcare bill “In a dramatic sign of Democrats’ growing confidence that they have the votes to pass a far-reaching healthcare overhaul, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Monday that the bill he intended to send to the Senate floor next month would include a "public option."
Trafficking. FBI, police rescue 52 children in series of prostitution raids “The raids are the latest in a long-running effort, Operation Cross Country, aimed at child prostitution rings around the country. Almost 1,600 agents and officers took part in the raids, which led to federal and state charges against a total of 691 suspects.”
Runaways.For Runaways on the Street, Sex Buys Survival "Most of the estimated 1.6 million children who run away each year return home within a week. But for those who do not, the desperate struggle to survive often means selling their bodies.”
Climate Change. Obama says momentum growing for climate change legislation “President Obama declared today that a ‘consensus is building’ around climate change legislation and characterized opponents as preoccupied with the past instead of a ‘clean energy future.’" Administration Steps Up Efforts on Climate Bill “The White House and its allies in the Senate intensified their campaign Tuesday, in the face of some determined opposition, to advance a bill that its supporters say will reduce global warming while making the United States more secure.”
Newspapers Decline. The accelerating decline of newspapers “U.S. newspaper circulation has hit its lowest level in seven decades, as papers across the country lost 10.6 percent of their paying readers from April through September, compared with a year earlier.” U.S. Newspaper Circulation Falls 10% “The two-decade erosion in newspaper circulation is looking more like an avalanche, with figures released Monday showing weekday sales down more than 10 percent since last year, depressed by rising Internet readership, price increases, the recession and papers intentionally shedding unprofitable circulation.”
Global Health Funds. Bill and Melinda Gates to Lobby for Global Health Funds "Bill and Melinda Gates will make an unusual personal appeal to Washington officials Tuesday night, asking them to continue funding global health initiatives despite the recession and to commit to nearly halve the number of child deaths worldwide by 2025."
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
Afghanistan. Afghan bombs kill eight US troops “Eight US soldiers have been killed in bomb attacks in southern Afghanistan, say Nato-led forces.” Obama defends deliberate approach on troop levels for Afghanistan war “President Obama fired back Monday at critics who accuse him of taking too long to review war strategy in Afghanistan, telling an audience of military personnel he will not rush his decision on whether to send additional troops there.” Push for Afghanistan troop increase continues on deadly day “On a day when 14 U.S. servicemen and drug agents were killed in helicopter crashes in Afghanistan, the largest such toll in more than four years, momentum continued to build to send more troops to the war zone.” Kerry Calls for Patient Strategy in Afghanistan “Calling for a broad, patient war strategy, John Kerry, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Monday that Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the American military commander in Afghanistan, was trying to do too much in a relatively short time.” U.S. official resigns over Afghan war “When Matthew Hoh joined the Foreign Service early this year, he was exactly the kind of smart civil-military hybrid the administration was looking for to help expand its development efforts in Afghanistan.”
Iran. Iran ‘to accept UN nuclear deal’ “Iran will accept a UN draft deal on its nuclear programme if ‘very important changes’ are made, Iranian state media report.” Iran reportedly seeks to amend deal on overseas enrichment of its uranium “Iran will respond to an American-backed International Atomic Energy Agency proposal within 48 hours but its counteroffer will include ‘important adjustments,’ said Iran’s state-controlled Al Alam, citing unnamed sources.” Iran’s top officials appear split over sending uranium abroad “High-ranking Iranian officials appear divided over a draft proposal with the United States and other countries that would transfer the bulk of the Islamic republic’s enriched uranium stockpile out of the country.”
Pakistan. Pakistan advances in Taliban area “Pakistan’s security forces are continuing their push into Taliban strongholds in the South Waziristan region, military officials say.” Pressure From U.S. Strains Ties With Pakistan “The Obama administration is putting pressure on Pakistan to eliminate Taliban and Qaeda militants from the country’s tribal areas, but the push is straining the delicate relations between the allies.”
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.
Quote of the Day. “I’m just tired of it all, and I don’t want to be in my house anymore. One month there is money, and the next month there is none. One day, she is taking it out on me and hitting me, and the next day she is ignoring me. It’s more stable out here.” Betty Snyder, 14, explaining why she has joined the growing number of teenage runaways caused by the recession now living on the streets. (New York Times)
FAITH IN THE NEWS
Crunch time nears for health reform, but hurdles remain for Catholics “The push is on to get a health reform bill through Congress, and some longtime Catholic supporters of a more accessible and affordable American health system are hoping they are not going to have to push back.”
Kennedy spars with church on abortion “The late Senator Edward M. Kennedy seemed to mend his differences with the Catholic Church just before his death. But less than two months later, his youngest son has plunged into a firestorm of controversy with the church.”
A charity event that always hits its stride “This is the 40th anniversary of Crop Hunger Walk, a national interfaith program sponsored by Church World Service and viewed by many as the granddaddy of charity walks.”
Pope calls for peace and reconciliation in Africa “Pope Benedict XVI ended a three-week Vatican meeting on Africa on Sunday with a call for peace and reconciliation among all people on the continent, regardless of ethnic and religious differences.”
Our Indivisible Environment (Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Wall St Journal) “Is this an issue for Caesar or for God? We believe it must be approached in both its political and spiritual dimensions. Climate change will only be overcome when all of us –scientists and politicians, theologians and economists, specialists and lay citizens — cooperate for the common good.”
NEWS AT HOME
Health Care. Next phase in health-care debate: The art of the deal “With a growing sense that Democrats may have the votes to pass health-care reform, many participants are now attempting to shape the components of landmark legislation rather than to defeat it.” Democrats Are Optimistic That Public Option Will Be Approved “Several Democratic senators voiced optimism on Sunday that Congress would pass a health care bill containing at least the germ of a government-run insurance program.” Senate on Verge of Health Bill “Top Senate Democrats are close to finalizing their health bill and could unveil a measure as soon as early this week that would include stiffer penalties on employers who fail to provide health coverage.”
Financial Institutions. Trying to Rein In ‘Too Big to Fail’ Institutions “Congress and the Obama administration are about to take up one of the most fundamental issues stemming from the near collapse of the financial system last year – how to deal with institutions that are so big that the government has no choice but to rescue them when they get in trouble.”
Prisons. Arizona May Put State Prisons in Private Hands “State officials will soon seek bids from private companies for 9 of the state’s 10 prison complexes that house roughly 40,000 inmates, including the 127 here on death row. It is the first effort by a state to put its entire prison system under private control.”
NEWS AROUND THE WORLD
Climate Change. Fleeing drought in the Horn of Africa “Africa is already home to one-third of the 42 million people worldwide uprooted by ethnic slaughter, despots and war. But experts say climate change is quietly driving Africa’s displacement crisis to new heights.” Rainforest treaty ‘fatally flawed’ “A vital safeguard to protect the world’s rainforests from being cut down has been dropped from a global deforestation treaty due to be signed at the climate summit in Copenhagen in December.”
Iraq. Baghdad bomb fatalities pass 150 “Iraqi officials have raised the death toll from Sunday’s bombings in Baghdad to 155 and they say another 500 people were wounded in the explosions.” Bombings rock Iraq’s political landscape “Twin car bombs that devastated three government buildings and killed 132 people Sunday underlined a new strategy in Iraq’s contest for power ahead of January elections: spectacular blows aimed at destroying faith in Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s ability to secure the country as the United States withdraws.” Bombings in Iraq, Deadliest Since 2007, Raise Security Issue“Two synchronized suicide car bombings struck at the heart of the Iraqi government here on Sunday, severely damaging the Justice Ministry and provincial council complexes, leaving a scene of carnage that raised new questions about the government’s ability to secure its most vital operations.” World leaders condemn Iraq attacks “World leaders have joined their Iraqi counterparts in condemning Sunday’s double bombing in Baghdad – the deadliest attack in Iraq in two years – and offered their condolences to the Iraqi people.”
Afghanistan. US military says 14 Americans killed in separate helicopter crashes in Afghanistan “A helicopter crash and separate collision involving two other choppers killed 14 Americans on Monday in one of the deadliest days for U.S. troops in the war in Afghanistan.” Karzai holds head high as nation turns to runoff “According to his aides and political confidants, Karzai has rebounded from the evident humiliation of that moment and now sees himself as a statesman who helped save Afghan democracy.” Afghan Rivals Rule Out Power-Sharing Deal “President Hamid Karzai and his top rival for the office said over the weekend that they had ruled out a power-sharing deal before the runoff election.” NATO Ministers Endorse Wider Afghan Effort “Defense ministers from NATO on Friday endorsed the ambitious counterinsurgency strategy for Afghanistan proposed by Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, giving new impetus to his recommendation to pour more troops into the eight-year-old war.”
Israel-Palestine. Israeli police, Palestinian protesters clash “Israeli police stormed the grounds of Al Aqsa mosque Sunday, using clubs and stun grenades to subdue hundreds of stone-throwing Palestinians in the worst clashes in a month of unrest in and around Jerusalem’s Old City.” After two weeks of quiet, violence flares again on Temple Mount “Yesterday’s disturbances appear to have been sparked, as in the past, by printed announcements by Jewish groups seeking to gain access to the Temple Mount to pray.”
Iran. Top Iran official says West’s nuclear plan a coverup for theft “The powerful speaker of Iran’s parliament Saturday derided a Western-backed proposal to transfer the bulk of the country’s enriched-uranium stockpile abroad as a trick meant to rob Iran of its nuclear fuel.” Both Iran and West Fear a Trap on Uranium Deal “Just before international inspectors on Sunday were guided for the first time into an Iranian nuclear enrichment plant whose existence was a state secret until recently, the speaker of Iran’s Parliament warned his countrymen to beware of American efforts to ‘cheat’ Iran out of the nuclear fuel that has become the country’s currency in reasserting its power.” UN nuclear team visits Iran site "A team from the UN’s nuclear watchdog has inspected a controversial Iranian uranium enrichment plant near the town of Qom."
Pakistan. Pakistan captures Taliban stronghold "Pakistan notched up the first major success of its Waziristan campaign yesterday with the capture of Kotkai, home to the Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud, a week after it launched a sweeping assault on the militants’ heavily protected mountain fortress." Pakistan villagers take up guns, sticks against Taliban “With most of Swat back in the hands of the government after a military operation that drove the Taliban into hiding, thousands of Pakistanis in towns like Kanju have been banding together to form lashkars, or tribal militias, to help keep trouble from coming back.”
India. Dalit women find their voice through a newspaper “Khabar Lahariya, or ‘News Waves,’ is India’s first newspaper written, read and run by tribal women and those from the Dalit, or so-called untouchable, caste.”
OPINION
The Minefield at Home (Michael Jernigan, New York Times) “Those of us with post-traumatic stress disorder – I’m one of them – feel like strangers here, carrying around a burden many people are unaware of or just can’t understand. The possibilities for misunderstandings, collisions and alienation are great."
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.
