The latest news on Obama in the Middle East, Air France Crash, Health Insurance, Republican Secretary of the Army, Supreme Court, Abortion, Plea in Soldier Killing, Death Penalty, Employed and Homeless, Afghanistan, Iraq, China, South Africa, and Select O | Sojourners

The latest news on Obama in the Middle East, Air France Crash, Health Insurance, Republican Secretary of the Army, Supreme Court, Abortion, Plea in Soldier Killing, Death Penalty, Employed and Homeless, Afghanistan, Iraq, China, South Africa, and Select O

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Quote of the day. "It's good to have some money in my pocket. I can buy my own meals every so often or get on the bus rather than doing so much walking. [But] It's not going to pay enough money for me to get out of homelessness." Eric Sheptock, currently homeless while working in a janitorial job. (Washington Times)

Obama in Middle East. Obama begins Middle East tour "Barack Obama has arrived in Saudi Arabia at the start of a mission to the Middle East where he will reach out to the Muslim world." Obama Has Much to Overcome in Middle East Speech "When President Obama delivers his address to the Middle East on Thursday from Cairo, he will face the legacy of names like Haditha, Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib, places that have become more symbol than geography over nearly a decade of perhaps the most traumatic chapter in America's relationship with the Muslim world." As Obama Begins Trip, Arabs Want Israeli Gesture "President Obama arrived here Wednesday afternoon, making his first visit to Saudi Arabia as he opened a five-day trip intended to improve relations between the United States and the Muslim world and push for progress in settling the Arab-Israeli conflict." Bin Laden attacks Obama policies "Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda, has accused Barack Obama, the U.S. president, of following the policy of his predecessor George Bush in 'antagonizing Muslims.'" Obama's policy / One friend for two peoples "For many years U.S. presidents came to the Middle East wearing two hats: one as an honest broker between Israel and the Arabs, another as Israel's protector against the Arabs."

Air France crash. Wreckage Confirmed as Air France Plane "Brazilian search planes located a three-mile path of wreckage in the Atlantic Ocean that officials said came from an Air France jetliner, dashing any lingering hopes for the survival of the 228 people aboard." Lost jet data 'may not be found' "French aviation officials have said they may never find the flight data recorders of an Air France jet that went missing over the Atlantic."

Health insurance. Obama Urges Quick Action on Insurance "President Obama affirmed his support for the creation of a government-sponsored health insurance plan, but he acknowledged that such a plan would sharply reduce the chances for Republican support." Q&A: Major changes loom for nation's health care system "With Congress working on a sweeping health-care overhaul, questions abound for consumers, including whether people might have to change their insurance or buy coverage if they don't have it. Here's a guide to the top issues."

Republican Secretary of the Army. Obama Taps Republican Lawmaker John McHugh to Be Army Secretary "President Obama announced his intention to nominate Rep. John M. McHugh (R-N.Y.) as secretary of the Army yesterday, saying his 16 years of service on the House Armed Services Committee 'uniquely qualifies him to help lead America's Army.'" Stealth war: Obama sabotages GOP "Tuesday's announcement of Rep. John McHugh (R-N.Y.) as President Barack Obama's nominee for Army secretary makes perfect sense from a policymaking standpoint.