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 US Internal Revenue Service has told the United Church of Christ's national offices that it has opened an investigation into Barack Obama's address at the UCC's 2007 General Synod as the church engaging in "political activities."

US presidential candidates locked in often bitter struggles for their party nominations have been urged not to make religious capital out of politics and political capital out of religion as the campaign trail hots up.

A Jewish and a Christian leader in the United States have issued a joint statement to media and government calling for civility and honesty in public discourse - following what they describe as "recent political attacks using unattributed sources and based on a [presidential] candidate's childhood."