The latest news on Faith and Politics, Financial Crisis, Hero of the Day, Voting Rights, Death Penalty, Afghanistan, Iraq, South Africa, and Select Op-eds.

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Faith and politics. Poll shows shift in 'God Gap' that helps Obama "The 'God Gap' isn't dead, but it's dying -- and that's helping Barack Obama, says a groundbreaking new study that delved into young voters' attitudes toward religion and politics." Gains for Obama among people of faith "A new survey on faith and American politics shows Democratic nominee Barack Obama making inroads among some believers and moving ahead of Republican John McCain among Roman Catholics, largely because of young Catholics' support." Click here for some key findings from the poll

Financial crisis. Global Rate Cuts Fail to Contain Crisis "The world's central banks launched a dramatic bid Wednesday to contain the financial crisis, simultaneously cutting interest rates in 21 countries. The move sent markets fluctuating as pessimism about the world economy continued to deepen." U.S. May Take Ownership Stake in Banks"Having tried without success to unlock frozen credit markets, the Treasury Department is considering taking ownership stakes in many United States banks to try to restore confidence in the financial system." Fed's rate cut doesn't stop markets' fall. Will anything? "For the second consecutive day, the Federal Reserve took bold action in hopes of staving off a global financial collapse. And again U.S. financial markets fell - for the sixth straight day." U.S. could copy British bank bailout plan "The Bush administration is considering following Gordon Brown's example and using hundreds of billions of dollars of bailout money to take ownership stakes in ailing U.S. banks." Financial crisis could put crimp in defense spending plans "But military officials and experts are worrying that America may have to start reining in defense spending as the country faces huge bailout costs, an aging baby boomer population and growing health care expenses."

Hero of the day. Sheriff: I will stop enforcing evictions "As the nationwide mortgage crisis puts the squeeze on homeowners, the Cook County sheriff's office is on pace to evict more people than ever from foreclosed homes. At least it was until Wednesday, when Sheriff Tom Dart announced he wouldn't do it anymore." Sheriff willing to face contempt charges, but judge wants to talk first "By suspending foreclosure evictions, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart stuck his finger in the eye of Cook County judges who order evictions and banks that want to clear out foreclosed homes and put them back on the market."

Voting rights. States' Actions to Block Voters Appear Illegal "Tens of thousands of eligible voters in at least six swing states have been removed from the rolls or have been blocked from registering in ways that appear to violate federal law, according to a review of state records and Social Security data by The New York Times." Polling places lack resources, civil rights group says "Polling places in six battleground states, including many with large minority populations, could be overwhelmed on Election Day because officials have not allocated enough voting stations, machines and poll workers, a study released today by a civil rights group warns."

Death penalty. World is moving towards banning death penalty "The world is moving closer to the final abolition of the death penalty, according to the latest figures published to coincide with World Day against the Death Penalty today."

Afghanistan. U.S. Study is Said to Warn of Crisis in Afghanistan "A draft report by U.S. intelligence agencies casts serious doubt on the ability of the Afghan government to stem the Taliban's rise." U.S. Urgently Reviews Policy On Afghanistan "The White House has launched an urgent review of Afghanistan policy, fast-tracked for completion in the next several weeks, amid growing concern that the administration lacks a comprehensive strategy for the foundering war there and as intelligence officials warn of a rapidly worsening situation on the ground." Gates urges leaders in southeastern Europe to shift military efforts to Afghanistan "Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Wednesday urged southeastern European leaders to shift their military efforts from Iraq to Afghanistan, where their forces are more urgently needed." Study of Afghan war may not reveal total costs "Canada's historic study into the cost of the Afghanistan war is expected to reveal that misleading accounting and a lack of transparency within the federal government will effectively obscure the real bill for the six-year mission and most other major projects."

Iraq. Gen. Petraeus sounds cautious note on progress in Iraq "Petraeus' cautious view, a hallmark of his command, contrasts with the suggestions of imminent victory from those around him and has set the U.S. course for nearly two years." Iraq peace process must be international effort, U.S. panel is told "Members of a team that worked to produce a framework for political reconciliation in Iraq told a congressional yesterday that the United States must involve the international community in further peace negotiations and allow Iraqis to take the central role in the process." Use of 'Sticky IEDs' Rising in Iraq "Iraqi insurgents are increasingly using magnetically attached bombs known as 'sticky IEDs' to assassinate mid- and low-level Iraqi officials, Iraqi and U.S. officials said."

South Africa. South Africa ruling party is threatened with split "A senior ally of ousted South African President Thabo Mbeki announced that he and other unhappy members of the ruling African National Congress were "serving divorce papers" and, barring unexpected concessions, would form a new party." Mbeki Loyalist Assails ANC "South Africa's former defense minister launched a scathing attack against the ruling African National Congress and suggested that hundreds of members loyal to ousted president Thabo Mbeki were on the verge of forming a breakaway party." ANC split is 'good for democracy' "The leader of South Africa's official opposition, Helen Zille, says she would welcome a split in the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party.