A Democrat has become the second Muslim to be elected to the US Congress. Indiana Democrat Andre Carson will replace his late grandmother in representing that state's 7th district. Carson is a convert to Islam.

Talk of the efficacy or otherwise of the surge is a smokescreen, says Simon Barrow. There is no long-term military solution to Iraq’s nightmare. But viable alternatives are being sought within civil society.

The United States Congress should redirect the $720 million a day the US is currently spending on the Iraq war to programmes that reduce poverty at home, urged the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), responding to Census Bureau data released yesterday.

The Bible and the Qur'an will share the spotlight with the usual menu of political debate and rancour when the US Congress reconvenes tomorrow (4 January 2007)- writes Chris Herlinger for Ecumenicl News International.

The National Council of Churches USA has said that the recommendations of the Iraq Study Group "generally resonate" with church leaders' recommendations, and has urged President Bush and the United States Congress "to understand the opportunity presented by this report."