The latest news on the Mortgage Plan, Iraq-US troops, Anglican women bishops, Immigration, Veterans and alcoholism, G-8 and Zimbawbwe, G-8 and Global Warming, Iran and Israel, and select op-eds.

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Mortgage plan. Mortgage rescue plan draws Senate support "A mortgage rescue plan to save hundreds of thousands of homeowners from foreclosure drew overwhelming Senate support, inching toward passage despite Republican objections." Senate clears way for housing rescue vote "The U.S. Senate moved closer on Monday to passing election-year legislation meant to save hundreds of thousands of troubled homeowners from foreclosure."

Immigration. Hispanic group to grill McCain, Obama today "A leading Hispanic organization is demanding assurances from the two major presidential candidates that they'll push for comprehensive immigration revisions and dramatically increase Hispanic representation in the federal government." Gov. Blunt signs legislation enforcing immigration laws "A two-year effort to curb illegal immigration in Missouri came to fruition Monday as Gov. Matt Blunt signed legislation designed to catch illegal workers and punish their employers." Advocates Speak Up for Illegal Day Laborers Cheated of Wages "Although few immigrant day laborers realize it, they have the same right as any worker to sue employers for unpaid back wages, even if they are here illegally."

Veterans & alcoholism. After the Battle, Fighting the Bottle at Home "A growing body of evidence that alcohol abuse is rising among veterans of combat in Afghanistan and Iraq, many of them trying to deaden the repercussions of war and disorientation of home."

Anglican women bishops. Church vote opens door to female bishops "The Church of England was thrown into turmoil last night over the issue of women bishops, as it rejected proposals that would have accommodated clergy strongly opposed to the historic change." Anglicans in Britain Vote to Allow Women as Bishops "The governing body of the Anglican Church in Britain voted on Monday to approve the appointment of women as bishops, a step that appeared to risk a schism in the church in its historic homeland"

G-8 & Zimbabwe. Bush Pushes Hard Line on Zimbabwe at G-8 "As world leaders convened in this resort town in northern Japan for three days of talks on issues including climate change and rising food and energy prices, the agenda quickly shifted to the political crisis in Zimbabwe, exposing a split between Western and African leaders." Bush Facing Rebuffs On Key Issues at G-8 "President Bush has worked hard over the past few years to cultivate good relations with many world leaders, but as a summit of the Group of Eight industrialized nations got underway, he was once again discovering the limitations of those efforts." Zimbabwe sanctions could lead to civil war, Mbeki warns "South Africa's president, Thabo Mbeki, was given a fierce grilling by G8 leaders yesterday at a private meeting at which they told him that they did not believe his mediation efforts in Zimbabwe were succeeding."

G-8 & global warming. G-8 grapples with global warming "Leaders of the Group of 8 wealthy nations got to the heart of their summit today, holding informal talks to see whether they could find common ground for an eventual accord on cutting greenhouse gas emissions." G8 aims to halve greenhouse gases "World leaders say they will aim to set a global target of cutting carbon emissions by at least 50% by 2050 in an effort to tackle global warming."

Iraq-US troops. Iraq wants US pullout timetable "Iraq's prime minister has for the first time publicly called for a US troop withdrawal timetable. Nuri al-Maliki said on Monday that a military agreement the two countries are negotiating should include provisions for the withdrawal of American troops." Maliki Suggests U.S. Troop Timetable "Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has for the first time suggested establishing a timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, a step that the Bush administration has long opposed."

Iran-Israel. Iran in warning to US and Israel "Iran will strike Israel and the US navy in the Gulf if it is attacked over its nuclear program, a senior Iranian official has warned."The first US shot on Iran would set the United States' vital interests in the world on fire," Fearing "proxy" rockets, Israel engages Iran allies "A flurry of indirect talks between Israel and its closest enemies--Syria, Lebanon's Hezbollah and Palestinian Hamas--may not bring peace, but it could help the Israelis contain a future war with arch-foe Iran." U.S. analyst: Pentagon made clear Israel has no "green light" to strike Iran "A senior U.S. strategic analyst says the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, sent Israel an unequivocal message stating that Israel does not have a 'green light' from the U.S. to attack Iranian nuclear facilities."

Opinion. The Wrong Partnership for Iraq (Bill Delahunt and Rosa DeLauro, The Washington Post) "The June 15 editorial ' A Partnership With Iraq' criticized Democrats in Congress for opposing the proposed long-term military agreement between the United States and Iraq that would replace the U.N. mandate under which U.S. forces are fighting. The editorial called the agreement a way of 'countering Iran's attempt to dominate the Middle East.' We have examined this issue for many months and believe that The Post's position is badly misguided."