The latest news on Iraq - US deaths hit 4,000, Terrorism, Immigration, Economy, Faith & politics, Darfur, Israel-Palestine, Pakistan, Tibet, Opinion, and On this day in history.

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Iraq - US deaths hit 4,000. U.S. logs 4,000th GI death "Four U.S. soldiers were killed when a bomb hit their vehicle in southern Baghdad late Sunday, bringing the number of U.S. personnel killed in the Iraq war to 4,000." U.S. Deaths in Iraq War Reach 4,000; Green Zone Is Shelled "Earlier, mortar and rocket attacks pounded the Green Zone, the heavily fortified U.S.-Iraqi military and government complex, on a day when more than 60 people were killed in violence across the country." U.S. toll in Iraq hits 4,000 as four soldiers killed "Sunday's violence, in which dozens were killed, underscored the fragility of Iraq's security. There has been an increase in attacks since January, although U.S. military commanders say overall levels of violence are down 60 percent since last June." Iraq war shows limits of US power "Iraq and Afghanistan have stretched the US armed forces almost to breaking point. America after the invasion of Iraq is no longer the superpower it was before."

Terrorism. Qaida No. 2 Urges Attacks on Israel, US "Al-Qaida deputy leader Ayman al-Zawahri called on Muslims in a new audiotape to strike Jewish and American targets in revenge for Israel's recent offensive in the Gaza Strip." Terrorism money is still flowing "The United States vowed to smother funding, but a lack of cooperation -- global and domestic -- along with other problems have hobbled the effort."

Immigration. Immigration issue rerouted to state level as national interest wanes "Illegal immigration, a hot-button populist issue that many experts had expected to top the nation's political concerns this year, has largely vanished from the presidential campaign" After deportation, migrants determined to return "as the Salvadorans' stories show, the policy is up against the economic reality of life in developing countries. The three say they went to the USA to escape poverty and crime. Now that the deportation flight has left them back in their homeland, they say the same things may spur them to try again." Stalwart Service for U.S. in Iraq Is Not Enough to Gain Green Card "During his nearly four years as a translator for U.S. forces in Iraq, Saman Kareem Ahmad was known for his bravery and hard work. … Last month, however, the U.S. government turned down Ahmad's application for permanent residence, known as a green card."

Economy. Rise in gas prices wrecks family budgets "The skyrocketing price of gasoline is now the joker in the family budgeting deck." Rising Health Costs Cut Into Wages "Recent history has not been kind to working-class Americans, who were down on the economy long before the word recession was uttered. The main reason: spiraling health-care costs have been whacking away at their wages." "Pay day" loans exacerbate housing crisis "As hundreds of thousands of American home owners fall behind on their mortgage payments, more people are turning to short-term loans with sky-high interest rates just to get by."

Faith & politics. This time, evangelicals aren't just GOP bloc "The Christian political landscape is changing. Evangelicals are emphasizing broader political issues, the old leadership of the religious right is dying, and the young don't care as deeply about divisive issues such as gay marriage." In politics, Lord's sword can cut 2 ways "The 2008 brand of faith-based presidential politics has prompted some political elders to suggest it may be time to reel in political debate steeped in religion."

Darfur. Peacekeeping in Darfur Hits More Obstacles"As Darfur smolders in the aftermath of a new government offensive, a long-sought peacekeeping force, expected to be the world's largest, is in danger of failing even as it begins its mission because of bureaucratic delays, stonewalling by Sudan's government and reluctance from troop-contributing countries to send peacekeeping forces into an active conflict."

Israel-Palestine. Cheney Meets Israelis and Palestinians to Promote Peace "Vice President Dick Cheney met Sunday with Israeli and Palestinian leaders here and in the West Bank city of Ramallah in what American officials described as an effort to promote the peace process." Cheney backs Palestinian state "The US vice president has said that a Palestinian state is "long overdue" but has warned Palestinian attacks on Israel "kill the legitimate hopes" of its establishment." Fatah and Hamas agree to keep reconciliation contacts alive "Hamas and Fatah yesterday agreed to continue their attempts to reach a reconciliation, signing a joint statement to that effect in the Yemenite capital of Sanaa,"

Pakistan. Bhutto loyalist is named Pakistan prime minister"Yousaf Raza Gilani, a party stalwart from southern Punjab, is to become new prime minister." Bhutto's party picks a consensus-builder to be Pakistan's next premier "Parliament is to vote Monday on the new prime minister, who will take over command of the government from U.S.-backed President Pervez Musharraf." Musharraf is quickly losing his grip on Pakistan "In naming its candidate for prime minister, the party of Benazir Bhutto has taken a further step toward sidelining Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf."

Tibet. Dalai Lama must balance politics, spiritual role "Thrust inescapably into the eye of the international storm currently raging over Tibet, the Dalai Lama enjoys unique status as both the spiritual and political leader of Tibetans worldwide. That status, however, also poses him unique challenges."

Opinion.

At Easter, remember why you believe (Rich Nathan, Columbus Dispatch) "This Easter, millions of pastors across our planet will proclaim to their 21st-century congregations that Jesus was raised from the dead and is alive today, more than 2,000 years after his birth."

The Next President's Plan - Advisers to the three leading candidates describe their ideas for turning around the economy. (Washington Post)

Hillary Clinton - Barack Obama - John McCain

On this day in history.

1980 - Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador assassinated while saying Mass. "Those who surrender to the service of the poor through love of Christ will live like the grain of wheat that dies…The harvest comes because of the grain that dies…We know that every effort to improve society, above all when society is so full of injustice and sin, is an effort that God blesses, that God wants, that God demands of us."