The latest news on Health Care, Afghanistan, Mideast, Iran, and Honduras.

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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.”

Orthodox Christian leader Bartholomew in Washington “An unusual environmental lobbyist will be making the rounds this week on Capitol Hill: the spiritual leader of the Orthodox Church.”

Churches working to ensure everyone is counted in 2010 US census “Churches have a crucial role to play in ensuring that everyone is counted on Census Day 2010, April 1.”

NEWS AT HOME

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.”

Global Warming. Global warming could create 150 million 'climate refugees' by 2050 “Global warming will force up to 150 million 'climate refugees' to move to other countries in the next 40 years, a new report from the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) warns.”

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.