Week in Review

COURTING EVANGELICALS? Barack Obama announced Tuesday he would give taxpayers' money to faith-based organizations that provide social services if he's elected president. His proposal provoked criticism from conservatives who worry it involves government in religious groups' hiring decisions, and from liberals who see it as an effort to chip away at the religious right's support for the Republican Party.

MCCAIN-FEINGOLD: The Supreme Court ruled last week against a measure meant to even the financial playing field during House and Senate elections. The decision could open the door to new challenges against other campaign finance reform law.

COURTING LATINOS: In back-to-back appearances before 700 attendees at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials conference, John McCain and Barack Obama both affirmed their commitment to immigration reform. As the fastest growing minority in the United States, Latinos could tip the vote in some statesif they vote as a bloc.

FDA CRITICIZED: A new study reports that 85% of sunscreen products don't live up to their SPF promises or contain potentially dangerous chemicals. Out of the three top-selling sunscreen brands—Banana Boat, Coppertone and Neutrogena—only 1 of their 144 products provides adequate protection. But health experts say the benefits outweigh risk and still recommend sunscreen when outside.

QUICK & ACCURATE: It used to take months to determine if a person had tuberculosis. But waiting for test results could be deadly, especially with drug-resistant TB spreading rapidly. Now, according to the World Health Organization, there's a new test that makes the diagnosis in just days. It plans to roll out the test, called a line-probe assay, in four African countries this year.

ONGOING OUTBREAK: The Salmonella saintpaul outbreak that began in April is still going on. The federal government is expanding its search to other produce besides tomatoes for the source of the contamination.

ALZHEIMER'S RISK? High levels of HDL or "good" cholesterol may improve memory in middle-aged people, suggests a new British study. Diminishing memory in midlife often precedes Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, so researchers recommend doctors and patients monitor cholesterol levels.

NATIONAL GUARD: Towns along the northern Mississippi River have spent the last few weeks cleaning up and recovering from massive flooding. The river's crest heads south now as towns try valiantly—and in some cases, ineffectually—to protect their homes and businesses.

POLITICAL STALEMATE: The 53-nation African Union (AU) called for Zimbabwe's political leaders to form a unity government Tuesday. Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai rejected the resolution as Robert Mugabe began yet another term as president.

INTERNATIONAL INFLATION: The Federal Reserve System announced its plan to keep interest rates steady for the first time since it began lowering them last September. Analysts say this move indicates a switch of focus—from stimulating a recessionary economy to stemming spiraling inflation. The European Union, Mexico and India also plan to address their inflation with interest rate increases, which may boost the U.S. economy.

DEADLIEST MONTH: The Taliban increased pressure on Coalition forces in Afghanistan in June. For the second straight month, more American and Coalition soldiers died in Afghanistan than in Iraq.

SCHISM AVOIDED? Orthodox Anglicans, claiming they represent a majority of the 77 million Anglican Communion members, met last week to discuss the serious differences they have with the mainstream church. The differences have been fomenting since the church ordained a gay bishop in New Hampshire in 2003.