The latest news on Compassion Forum, McCain & faith, Young evangelicals, Papal visit to US, Superrich keep spending, Death penalty, Food crisis, Iraq, Iran, Lebanon, Darfur, Kenya, Colombia, and Opinion.

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Compassion Forum. Democrats Wrangle Over Words and Beliefs "A candidate forum devoted to issues of faith and justice became another flash point for Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to spar in their intensifying nominating fight," Clinton, Obama discuss faith "In a forum devoted to a subject rare on the campaign trail, the two White House hopefuls talked about the presence of God in their lives and how often they read the Bible, as well as divisive issues such as abortion, abstinence, and human rights within the context of faith." 'Bitter' remarks cloud faith, values forum "Making back-to-back appearances Sunday night in a televised forum on faith and values, the Democratic rivals continued the escalating fight over a recent comment in which Obama said, among other things, that embittered small-town voters "cling to guns or religion." Clinton, Obama spar on 'bitter' comments regarding voters "Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, at a televised forum on faith and politics last night, said Sen. Barack Obama's remark about "bitter" small-town voters clinging to religion and guns raised legitimate concerns about his character and that it was an appropriate campaign issue."

McCain & faith. McCain keeps his faith out of politics "Don't expect any public testimonies of faith from presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, who is not demonstrative about his religion but who embraces a Baptist faith that is based on salvation."

Young evangelicals. In key shift, evangelicals play the field "Call them the young and the restless: A new wave of white evangelical Christian voters is in play in this presidential contest. And their votes, which may be key in November, are up for grabs as perhaps never before."

Papal visit to US. A vibrant, if unorthodox, U.S. flock awaits pope's visit "In his first pilgrimage to the United States as pope, Benedict XVI will minister to a Roman Catholic Church that is both troubled and alive with faith." In U.S., an Uncertain Church Awaits the Pope "when the pope arrives in the United States on Tuesday, he will find an American church in which many Catholics are eager not only for his spiritual guidance, but also for his acknowledgment that their church is going through a time of pain and uncertainty." Pope's U.S. visit seen as pivotal "Though the sexual abuse scandal dominated headlines and damaged the church, it also underscored greater challenges that have been simmering for 40 years."

Superrich keep spending. Despite Tough Times, Ultrarich Keep Spending "businesses that cater to the superrich report that clients - many of them traders and private equity investors whose work is tied to Wall Street - are still splurging on multimillion-dollar Manhattan apartments, custom-built yachts, contemporary art and lavish parties."

Death penalty. Texas musicians take on death penalty "25 years after the death penalty was reinstated in Texas -- and after 405 executions -- a group of homegrown artists and entertainers say it's time to take another look at capital punishment."

Food crisis. Grocery bills spark deadly riots, trigger inflation "The rising frustrations over increasing food costs fueled in part by escalating gasoline prices and globalization have led to street demonstrations in at least a half-dozen countries," World Bank Chief Calls for Immediate Action on Deepening Global Food Crisis "The president of the World Bank yesterday urged immediate action to deal with sharply rising food prices, which have caused hunger and violence in several countries." French push for EU food response "France is urging EU countries to come up with a global initiative on food security in the wake of violence linked to price rises in basic foodstuffs."

Iraq . Iraq security forces fire 1,300 deserters "Iraqi officials said Sunday that they had fired about 1,300 soldiers and police officers who refused to fight Shiite Muslim militias during the recent government crackdown," Iraq Dismisses 1,300 After Basra Offensive "Maj. Gen. Abdul-Karim Khalaf, an Interior Ministry spokesman, said 500 soldiers and 421 policemen were fired in Basra, including 37 senior police officers up to the rank of brigadier general."

Iran. U.S. sees Iran's Beirut strategy in Iraq gambit "As Iran's involvement has moved to the forefront of the Bush administration's concerns about Iraq in recent weeks, Crocker has increasingly compared Iran's strategy there to its tactics in Lebanon," Iran Fighting Proxy War in Iraq, U.S. Envoy Says"The remarks by the ambassador, Ryan C. Crocker, reflected the sharper criticism of Iran by President Bush and his top deputies over the past week, as administration officials have sought to trace many of their troubles in Iraq to Iran."

Lebanon. Hizbullah militants regroup amid war jitters "In south Lebanon, where the 2006 summertime war between Israel and militant Shiite Hizbullah was played out, villages are abuzz with talk of another devastating conflict between the two archfoes."

Darfur. Rebels' Border War Prolongs Darfur's Misery "The crisis continues to draw closer to outright confrontation between Chad and Sudan. Political analysts, diplomats and even the combatants acknowledge that both sides are supporting and arming rebellions on each other's soil."

Kenya. Unity Cabinet Formed in Kenya, Ending Deadlock "President Mwai Kibaki announced a new - and enormous - national unity cabinet here on Sunday, ending weeks of anxious deadlock that had threatened to plunge Kenya back into violence." Kenya unveils coalition cabinet "President Mwai Kibaki named opposition leader Raila Odinga as the new prime minister, after the pair agreed the deal on Saturday in secret talks."

Colombia . Union Killings Peril Trade Pact With Colombia"Now those killings are emerging as a pressing issue in Washington as Democrats and Republicans battle over a trade deal with Colombia, the Bush administration's top ally in Latin America."

People of faith seek new dialogue on immigration (Jim Wallis, San Francisco Chronicle) "The church has a unique role to lift up the moral and human aspects of immigration reform. We believe that immigrants are children of God, entitled to dignity and respect."

SAVE Act perpetuates, rather than reforms, our immigration policy (Samuel Rodriguez Jr., San Francisco Chronicle) "Expressions of hatred and xenophobia toward immigrants, at an all-time high, are producing widespread fear in the Latino community. Unfortunately, the echo of a hate-filled climate is now making its way through Congress."