The Top 10 Stories of April 26, 2011

Sign up to receive our daily news summary via e-mail »

Quote of the day.
"My generation is significantly unrepresented in terms of public policy and decision making. As a woman today, it's very different living through raising children and balancing work and family. It's an opportunity to reach out to so many families." - Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz, mother, wife, Girl Scout leader, legislator, fundraiser, House vote counter, and about to become head of the Democratic National Committee.
(New York Times)

1. Churches and union rights.
The involvement of religious leaders highlighted the intersection between faith and the marketplace as policymakers debated union and spending issues woven into the fabric of American society.
(USA Today)

2. Recession also hits churches.
"For the past three years, houses of worship have experienced the same economic hardships as parishioners. Churches have seen the cost of electricity and gas rise -- and had more people and social service providers asking for their help. All the while, there have been fewer dollars on the collection plate to help foot the bill."
(Miami Herald)

3. Giffords to attend space shuttle launch.
"Doctors announced Monday that Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is not only 'medically able' to attend the Friday launch of the space shuttle Endeavour but that traveling to Florida would be an essential step in her recovery."
(Arizona Republic)

4. Supreme Court refuses immediate health-care appeal.
"The Supreme Court refused Monday to bypass the lower courts and take up an immediate challenge to the constitutionality of the national healthcare reform law and its requirement that all those who can afford it have medical insurance by 2014."
(Los Angeles Times)

5. States cut early childhood education.
"Total state funding for such programs declined by $30 million nationwide as states scrambled to make up for budget shortfalls, according to the National Institute for Early Education Research."
(Washington Post)

6. Will drones make war more likely?
"Debates are growing at home and abroad over the increasing use of remotely piloted, armed drones, with a new study by the British Defense Ministry questioning whether advances in their capabilities will lead future decision-makers to 'resort to war as a policy option far sooner than previously.'"
(Washington Post)

7. Syrian brutality escalates.
"The Syrian government's brutal crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrations has escalated dramatically, with tanks rolling on to the streets for the first time and troops reported to have opened fire in several towns and villages across the country."
(Guardian)

8. Battle raging in Libya.
"Muammar Gaddafi's forces have pounded Berber towns in Libya's western mountains with artillery, rebels and refugees said.