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Quote of the day. "Libraries are really the first responder in this economic crisis, and particularly for job seekers." Larra Clark, who managed a study for the American Library Association showing that libraries are filling up with people waiting to get online to fill out applications, write résumés or look for job openings. (USA Today)
Health care. Under fire, Obama shifts strategy "Aides to President Barack Obama are putting the final touches on a new strategy to help Democrats recover from a brutal August recess by specifying what Obama wants to see in a compromise health care deal and directly confronting other trouble spots," Conservative Democrats Expect a Health Deal "Even after the tough town-hall-style meetings, unrelenting Republican assaults and a steady stream of questions from anxious voters, interviews with more than a dozen Blue Dogs and their top aides indicate that many of the lawmakers still believe approval of some form of health care plan is achievable and far preferable to not acting at all." States most likely to win under healthcare overhaul are home to its biggest foes "Rural states have more uninsured and lower-income people who stand to benefit from legislation, but it's there where the effort faces the most vocal resistance. It's a factor that stymies legislators."
Health clinic. A Milwaukee Clinic Fills a Need but Faces Failure "Like many low-income neighborhoods, the north side of Milwaukee has seen a gradual depletion of its primary care doctors over the last two decades. One by one, they have retired or surrendered to financial reality, rarely to be replaced."
Unemployment. For the long-term unemployed, recovery talk rings hollow "These long-term jobless workers now make up more than a third of the nation's 14.5 million unemployed workers, and their plight has become a signature trait of this recession." Low-Wage Workers Are Often Cheated, Study Says "Low-wage workers are routinely denied proper overtime pay and are often paid less than the minimum wage, according to a new study based on a survey of workers in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago."
Food aid. Food Aid Grows in California's Agricultural Heart "The combined punch of drought, water restrictions and recession has created an ironic situation in California's Central Valley: Officials are handing out tons of food in the heart of one of the nation's most productive agricultural regions."
Child welfare. US fares poorly in child welfare survey "America has some of the industrial world's worst rates of infant mortality, teenage pregnancy and child poverty, even though it spends more per child than better-performing countries such as Switzerland, Japan and the Netherlands, a new survey indicates."
Faith news. Scholars study Kennedy letter to pope "Scholars generally agree that Kennedy's letter to Pope Benedict XVI, which had remained secret from the time of its delivery July 10 until the time it was read aloud at his burial Saturday, revealed a man eager to explain how he reconciled his public actions with his private beliefs, and hungry for the prayers and support of his church." Was an Anti-Abortion Bishop Too Outspoken? "On Aug. 31, Joseph Martino, the controversial bishop from Scranton, Pa., stunned longtime church watchers by announcing that he was resigning his post because of problems with insomnia and fatigue." Update of popular 'NIV' Bible due in 2011 "The scholars and publishers behind the world's leading English language evangelical Bible announced Tuesday that they would publish a updated translation in 2011." Obama hosts Ramadan dinner at White House "Showcasing the contributions of American Muslims he said represent "extraordinary dynamism and diversity," President Obama hosted a White House dinner Tuesday to celebrate the Islamic holy month of Ramadan."
Developing countries and energy. U.N. Reports on Developing Nations' Energy Needs "It will cost between $500 billion and $600 billion every year for the next 10 years to allow developing nations to grow using renewable energy resources, instead of relying on dirty fuels that worsen global warming, according to a United Nations report released Tuesday."
Afghanistan. Blast kills Afghan deputy spy chief "At least 23 people, including the deputy head of Afghanistan's intelligence service, have been killed in a suicide attack in the country's east." Taliban Surprising U.S. Forces With Improved Tactics "The Taliban has become a much more potent adversary in Afghanistan by improving its own tactics and finding gaps in the U.S. military playbook, according to senior American military officials who acknowledged that the enemy's resurgence this year has taken them by surprise." U.S. to boost combat force in Afghanistan "U.S. officials are planning to add as many as 14,000 combat troops to the American force in Afghanistan by sending home support units and replacing them with "trigger-pullers," Contractors Outnumber U.S. Troops in Afghanistan "Civilian contractors working for the Pentagon in Afghanistan not only outnumber the uniformed troops, according to a report by a Congressional research group, but also form the highest ratio of contractors to military personnel recorded in any war in the history of the United States."
Iran. ElBaradei hits back at critics "Mohamed ElBaradei, the outgoing head of the UN atomic watchdog, has called the nuclear threat from Iran "hyped" and said there was no evidence that Tehran will soon have nuclear weapons." Iran recalls envoys who backed 'rioters' "Iran is to recall a number of its ambassadors overseas who chose the wrong horse and gave their backing to "rioters" during the popular unrest which erupted after June's disputed election, it emerged today."
Sudan. Bishop warns of South Sudan war "One of Sudan's most senior church leaders has warned that violence in the south is threatening the peace deal that ended the 21-year civil war."
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