Morning Briefing

Analysis: Possible Shutdown, Health Care Quagmire Awaiting Congress

Vatican calls on Catholics and Buddhists to work together to promote nonviolence

Congo bishops fault politicians for failed mediation

Rome — Lay Scholars Highlight Problems With 'Amoris Laetitia,' Crisis in the Church: Speakers respectfully but firmly criticized contentious parts of the papal document on the family.

France

French election: Emmanuel Macron and Marine Le Pen to fight for presidency

Michael Sean Winters says France says 'non' to Le Pen's ugly politics

Stocks across Europe move upward after French presidential poll: As relief rallies go, this may be as good as they come.

US capital punishment

Little Rock, Arkansas — Arkansas prepares for first double execution in U.S. since 2000; inmates want executions halted due to poor health: NCR Bertelsen intern Kristen Whitney Daniels has been following the Arkansas death penalty cases closely. Here's a list of her stories.

Asia

Good Shepherd Sisters empower women to escape Thailand's sex tourism trade

Talitha Kum Thailand educates teens on the threat of human trafficking

Filipino priest backs working with rebels on environment

US politics and religion

Obama re-emerges in Chicago, where roots run deep

Andrea Picciotti-Bayer tells president Trump: Global religious freedom needs US ambassador to lead. Position not yet filled.

ICYMI: Senior Judge John Noonan Jr., judicial scholar and religious historian who wrote about religious freedom, abortion and contraception, died April 17 at age 90.

Start your day inspired with daily scripture reflections. Join NCR's sister publication, Celebration, for Daily Bread, a series of short reflections written by four authors who meet regularly to share the readings.

Or reflect on Pencil Preaching by Pat Marrin. Every morning Pat Marrin breaks open the Word with a pencil sketch and a short meditation.