The latest news on Ethics Inquiry, School Standards, Climate Change, Darfur, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Select op-eds.

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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)

FAITH IN THE NEWS

U.S. bishops launch grassroots effort to fight for Catholic concerns on health care “After attempting to persuade lawmakers to listen to Catholic concerns about health care reform, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has initiated a grassroots campaign to mobilize the faithful across the country.”

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.”

German Protestant Body Elects First Female Head “The Evangelical Church of Germany (EKD) elected its first female head Wednesday during a meeting of the Protestant body’s council in Ulm.”

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.