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Quote of the day. "Our society has deteriorated to the point where people will take the battle right into the church. People see it as a soft target rather than see it as a place of reverence anymore." Jeffrey Hawkins, executive director of the Christian Security Network, a national organization focused on helping churches plan for emergencies. (Chicago Tribune)
Immigration. Panel to consider immigrants' effect on economy “With the national unemployment rate at a 25-year high, an almost unavoidable set of questions has become a focus of both sides in the nation's Immigration debate as the Obama administration plans to convene a bipartisan summit on the issue Monday.” Reid Declares Immigration a Priority for Senate “At a news conference with Hispanic leaders to tout Sonia Sotomayor's Supreme Court candidacy, Reid said a comprehensive immigration bill is 'going to happen this session, but I want it this year, if at all possible.'" New reason for Mexican immigration to U.S.: Drug violence “Mexican immigration to the United States has been almost entirely an economic issue for the past few decades. … Now, however, as violence on the border continues to increase, a new kind of immigrant to the United States is appearing: people seeking asylum to escape the drug-fueled brutality in Mexico.”
State budgets. Nightmares come true for the neediest “Faced with what he calculates to be a potential $24-billion budget deficit in the fiscal year starting July 1, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed cutting state supplemental payments for the elderly and disabled down to the minimum allowed by federal law.” Some prisons cutting meals to save cash “Georgia prisoners already didn't get lunch on the weekends, and the Department of Corrections recently eliminated the midday meal on Fridays too. Ohio may drop weekend breakfasts and offer brunch instead. Other states are cutting back on milk and fresh fruit.”
Abortion. Suspect predicts more antiabortion violence “The man charged in the slaying of a high-profile abortion doctor claimed from his jail cell Sunday that similar violence was planned around the nation for as long as the procedure remained legal, a threat that comes days after a federal investigation was launched into his possible accomplices.” Closed Clinic Leaves Abortion Protesters at a Loss “Over almost 20 years, a vocal, diverse constellation of anti-abortion forces has grown up in this conservative city with an intensity rarely seen elsewhere, converging around Dr. Tiller’s practice. With his death, its future suddenly seems uncertain, too.” Antiabortion Efforts Move to the State Level “Twelve women sat gloomily in a windowless conference room as Joseph Booker, M.D., recited the instructions required by the state of Mississippi before he can perform an abortion.”
Violence in churches. Recent violence in churches exposes lack of security, experts say “…experts say that as congregations offer shelter for victims of domestic violence, protest gun laws or take controversial stands on abortion, gay rights and the Middle East conflict, houses of worship have become battlegrounds and targets for attack.”
D-Day commemoration. Leaders' tribute to D-Day heroes “Allied leaders have been paying tribute to veterans of D-Day, as they mark the 65th anniversary of the landings at a series of events in Normandy.” Obama Hails D-Day Heroes at Normandy “President Obama led a solemn tribute on Saturday to the valiant Allied soldiers who stormed the beaches here 65 years ago and achieved the triumph of a generation that charted the course for the end of World War II.” Obama honors D-day heroes on 65th anniversary of invasion “Standing on the shores of the historic Omaha Beach landing, President Obama paid tribute Saturday to the thousands of servicemen who gave their lives in the D-day invasion 65 years ago and cast it as inspiration for the struggles of today.”
Climate change. Bonn: Tax on rich nations' ships and planes could fund climate aid “Britain and other rich countries could be asked to accept a levy on international flight tickets to raise billions of dollars to help the world's poorest nations adapt to climate change under an international global warming deal.”
Arms trade. Global weapons spending hits record $1.46tn “Though the U.S. accounts for more than half the total increase, China and Russia nearly tripled their military expenditure over the decade, with China now second only to the U.S. in the military expenditure league table.”
U.K. government. Europe Vote Deepens Gloom for Brown “After outmaneuvering what amounted to an attempted coup last week by members of his own cabinet, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, confronted disastrous European election results Monday that could amplify calls within his party for his ouster.” Gordon Brown loses another female minister after poll disaster “Gordon Brown was dealt a further blow in his fight for political survival today with the resignation of a junior minister who warned that the Prime Minister's determination to cling to power could destroy the Labour Party.”
Lebanon election. Lebanon confirms Hariri election win “Official results released a day after Lebanon's hotly-contested parliamentary election have confirmed the pro-Western coalition has held on to its majority.” March 14 bloc wins Lebanon vote “Official results have confirmed the victory of Lebanon's March 14 coalition over the opposition Hezbollah-led alliance in the country's parliamentary elections.” U.S.-Backed Alliance Appears to Win in Lebanon “If those results are confirmed, they would represent a significant and unexpected defeat for Hezbollah and its allies, Iran and Syria.”
Iran election. In Iran, disparate, powerful forces ally against Ahmadinejad “Powerful reformists and conservatives within Iran's elite have joined forces to wage an unprecedented behind-the-scenes campaign to unseat President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, worried that he is driving the country to the brink of collapse with populist economic policies and a confrontational stance toward the West.” A Relative Unknown Leads Election Challenge to Iran's Ahmadinejad “The main challenger to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Friday's presidential election is a relatively unknown candidate who says he joined the race to save Iran from his opponent's 'destructive' policies.” In Iran, Harsh Talk as Election Nears “The presidential campaign, now in its final week, has reached a level of passion and acrimony almost unheard-of in Iran.”
Iran nuclear program. Don’t discount Israel hit, Clinton warns Iran “Hillary Clinton refused yesterday to rule out a pre-emptive Israeli military strike on Iran. It was the first time that a senior member of the Obama Administration had openly discussed such a possibility.” Iran nuclear program advancing, U.N. agency says “The IAEA issues two reports. One says Tehran has boosted its supply and output of reactor- grade nuclear material, the other points to the discovery of unusual uranium particles in Syria's capital.” Obama seeks global uranium fuel bank “As part of a new strategy to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons, President Obama plans to seek the creation of the first-ever international supply of uranium that would allow nations to obtain fuel for civilian nuclear reactors but limit the capacity to make bombs.”
North Korea. N Korea finds U.S. reporters guilty “North Korea has sentenced two U.S. journalists to 12 years hard labor after finding them guilty of entering the country illegally, according to state media.” U.S. Weighs Intercepting North Korean Shipments “The Obama administration signaled Sunday that it was seeking a way to interdict, possibly with China’s help, North Korean sea and air shipments suspected of carrying weapons or nuclear technology.” U.S. warns N Korea over terror list “The U.S. is considering reinstating North Korea on its list of states viewed as sponsors of terrorism, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said.”
Afghanistan. Erratic Afghan Forces Pose Challenge to U.S. Goals “The Obama administration has put a priority on expanding the size and abilities of Afghanistan’s security forces, first to help fight an expanding war and eventually to allow the Pentagon to draw down its troops.”
Pakistan. Pakistani tribesmen, with government support, attack Taliban extremists “Pakistani tribesmen, enraged by a suicide bombing of a mosque in their district, organized a traditional militia and attacked Taliban extremists this weekend — an action that government officials welcomed and Western allies are likely to endorse.” Pakistan tribesmen battle Taliban “Hundreds of tribesmen continue an offensive against the Taliban following a deadly mosque bombing in north-west Pakistan.”
Opinion. Gordon the Unlucky (Paul Krugman) “If I were a member of the Obama administration’s economic team — a team whose top members were as enthusiastic about the wonders of modern finance as their British counterparts — I’d be looking across the Atlantic and muttering, 'There but for the disgrace of Bush v. Gore go I.'”
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