Faith leaders in the world's riches nation have told a hearing that it is time to stop the "poverty train" in the United States of America and rescue its 37 million citizens who are still living below the poverty line.

The social transformation of the world - alleviating poverty and disease, restoring human rights and religious freedom, bringing peace overcoming prejudice - can only come through spiritual revival, progressive evangelical Jim Wallis has said.

Peace and security in Iraq will not come from increased levels of US troops and more warring ‚Ä' it will be achieved only by diplomacy, political processes, reconciliation, and reconstruction, says leading Quaker agency the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC).