Morning Briefing

Davan Maharaj, editor-in-chief of the Los Angeles Times, says "President Trump's supporters have called it 'a big nothingburger' and 'a big yawn,' but it's the big story that won’t go away." It, of course is Russian ties to the Trump machine.

• Shifting stories about meetings with Russians continue to dog Trump's family and associates
• Email to Donald Trump Jr. could be a smoking gun, as Russia connections deepen
• Russian Lawyer Who Met With Trump Jr.: I Didn’t Have Clinton Info They Wanted

At a Church of England synod debate on clergy well-being, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby says being a pastor is an "insatiably demanding" job: Being parish priest was my most stressful job

Meanwhile, more news from the home front:

• The Republican Party's quest to repeal Obamacare is on the verge of collapse (with video)
• Fact-checking McConnell's claim that the Senate GOP health bill would not 'cause anyone currently on Medicaid to come off it'
• Commentary: Health care fixes both Republicans and Democrats could stomach
• Senate Democrats seek new allies in effort to scuttle Obamacare overhaul: Republican governors

Q & A with Sr. Mary Dorothea Sondgeroth, winner of Catholic Health Association Lifetime Achievement Award for her 35 years of service in Jackson, Mississippi

India's holy Ganges begins as a crystal-clear river high in the icy Himalayas but pollution and excessive usage transform it into toxic sludge on its journey through burgeoning cities, industrial hubs and past millions of devotees. Dying "Mother Ganga": India's holy river succumbs to pollution

An annual survey by the Pew Research Center on Americans’ views of national institutions found these startling results: A majority (58 percent) of Republicans say higher education has a negative impact on the country’s direction. The implications are astounding.

National Black Catholic Congress XII: Powerful speeches conveyed both the collective pain of the black Catholic community and the call to action to bridge racial divides.

NCR Editorial: What the Pell incident tells us: On abuse, church has changed, but not enough

U.N. agreement approved by 122 nations says the use or threat of using nuclear weapons violates international law, as does the "undertaking to develop, test, produce, manufacture, acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices."

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.