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Quote of the day. “The president will drink Bud Light. As I understand it -- I have not heard this, I've read this, so I'll just repeat what I've read, that Professor Gates said he liked Red Stripe, and I believe Sergeant Crowley mentioned to the president that he liked Blue Moon. So we'll have the gamut covered tomorrow afternoon.” Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, on today’s “beer summit” at the White House. (White House press office)
Health care. House, Senate Negotiators Cut Costs of Health-Care Reform Bills “Key lawmakers on Wednesday moved to cut roughly $100 billion from the cost of health-care reform proposals as they sought to break weeks of gridlock on President Obama's signature legislative initiative before Congress departs for a month-long recess.” House Democrats End Impasse on Health Bill “Efforts to pass sweeping health care legislation took a big step forward on Wednesday as House Democratic leaders reached an agreement with fiscally conservative party members that would cut the bill’s cost and exempt many small businesses from having to provide health benefits to workers.” House Democrats make a healthcare deal “After weeks of fractious debate that threatened to derail President Obama's healthcare overhaul, House Democrats on Wednesday reached a critical if fragile agreement that appeared to pave the way for the chamber to vote on a package in September.”
Food pantries. Stimulus Law Bolsters Food Bank Offerings “Struggling to meet a demand for food that spiked with the unemployment rate, some food pantries have had to turn away people seeking help. Others are packing a little less food into each shopping bag they give out. But recently the nation’s food banks received a $100 million windfall of extra food, as part of the federal stimulus law.”
Conscientious objection. Quaker Sues U.S. for Recognition of Conscientious Objector Status “A Washington state Quaker filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday alleging that the U.S. government is discriminating against him because it will not recognize his status as a conscientious objector on military draft forms.”
Foreign aid & religion. In Fighting Radical Islam, Tricky Course for U.S. Aid “The role of religion in overseas assistance has long been highly sensitive for a country founded on the principle that state and religion should be separate. But as U.S. policymakers seek to curtail the influence of radical Islam, they are being increasingly hamstrung by legal barriers, some experts say.”
Responsibility to protect. U.S. Backs Implementing U.N. Doctrine Against Genocide “The Obama administration is supporting moves to implement a U.N. doctrine calling for collective military action to halt genocide. The next step is to see if the countries in favor of implementing the policy will act when a new genocide is brewing if all other diplomatic actions fail.”
Tanzania. Tanzania launches bank for women “Tanzania has launched a bank aimed specifically at women in what officials say will be an empowering move.”
Canada. Ignatieff hints at forcing fall election “Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff turned hawkish Wednesday and gave every indication that he wants to bring down the Harper government in the fall.”
Iran. Iran police beat mourners “Iranian riot police have used sticks and batons in an attempt to disperse hundreds of opposition supporters gathering to mourn protesters killed in unrest after a disputed presidential election.” Iran police halt mourning protest “Iranian police have arrested mourners who had gathered at a cemetery in Tehran for a memorial to those killed in post-election violence.”
Iraq. Defense Secretary Says U.S. May Be Able to Pull Troops From Iraq More Quickly “Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Wednesday that the relatively low levels of violence in Iraq and improved cooperation of late between U.S. and Iraqi forces have raised the possibility that commanders might be able to 'modestly accelerate' the reduction of U.S. forces this year.” Gates Sees Faster Iraq Troop Pullout “Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Wednesday that the United States might accelerate the withdrawal of its forces from Iraq even as fresh tension there underscored worries about instability after the American troops are gone.” Iraq in throes of environmental catastrophe, experts say “Iraq is in the throes of what some officials are calling an environmental catastrophe, and the increased frequency of dust storms is only the most visible manifestation.”
Afghanistan. U.S. shifting drones' focus to Taliban “U.S. military leaders have concluded that their war effort in Afghanistan has been too focused on hunting Al Qaeda, and have begun to shift Predator drone aircraft to the fight against the Taliban and other militants in order to prevent the country from slipping deeper into anarchy.” Taliban urge Afghan poll boycott “The Taliban have called on people in Afghanistan to boycott next month's presidential and provincial elections.”
India-Pakistan. India prime minister pushes for dialogue with Pakistan “Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday faced down critics who have charged his government with selling out to Pakistan, arguing that engagement is the best option provided it's accompanied by similar good-faith measures by Pakistan and a stronger Indian anti-terrorism capability.”
Pakistan. Pakistan 'rescues' child soldiers “Pakistani security forces have said they rescued dozens of children forcibly recruited by the Taliban as child soldiers in North West Frontier Province.” Pakistan Injects Precision Into Air War on Taliban “Pakistan’s Air Force is improving its ability to pinpoint and attack militant targets with precision weapons, adding a new dimension to the country’s fight against violent extremis.”
Nigeria. Nigeria forces storm sect mosque “Nigerian security forces have stormed a mosque where militants from an Islamic sect blamed for days of deadly violence have been hiding out.” Nigerian Islamists routed as army storms mosque “The Nigerian army claimed today that it has decisively overpowered a violent sect of radical Islamists who have murdered hundreds in the name of al-Qaeda.”
South Africa. Fed-up South Africans lash out at Zuma's government “Violent protests recently have erupted in about 20 South African townships, including Tokoza, with people looting supermarkets and shops, blocking roads and burning tires, vehicles and buildings to protest the lack of jobs, housing, water, sanitation and electricity.”
Honduras. Honduran Leader Backs Return of President “The head of Honduras’s de facto government, Roberto Micheletti, has expressed support for a compromise that would allow the ousted president of his country to return to power, according to officials in the de facto government and diplomats from the region.”
Chinese abortions. China's 13m abortions a year “At least 13 million abortions are carried out in China every year, mostly for single women, a state-run newspaper revealed today. The actual number is believed to be even higher since the figure only covers hospital terminations; and many more are known to be carried out in unregistered rural clinics.” China concerned about abortions “Authorities in China have highlighted inadequate knowledge of contraception and poor sex education as major factors in the high number of abortions there.”
Climate change. Global poll finds 73% want higher priority for climate change “A majority of peoples around the world want their governments to put action on climate change at the top of the political agenda, a new global public opinion poll suggests.”
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