Daily News Digest

Quote of the day.
"It may be happening, but Americans don''t like it. It is clear that a lot of Americans don''t think this is a good state of affairs." Frank Newport, Gallup''s editor in chief, on a new survey showing more than three in four of Americans say religion is losing its influence in the U.S.
(CNN Belief Blog)

Quote of the day.
"I think it''s easy for people to be mad at God for what''s happened. But what we''ve seen here is how God has protected and cared for so many people." Noah Hill, youth pastor at Southgate Baptist Church, in one of the areas hardest hit by the tornado in Moore, Okla.
(Chicago Tribune)

1. A nation ''still at war'' honors its dead.
President Obama on Monday paid homage to the nation’s military, especially troops serving in Afghanistan, using his traditional Memorial Day address at Arlington National Cemetery to exhort Americans to honor their “sacred obligation” to veterans and to remind the country that “our nation is still at war.”
(New York Times)

2. Conservative attempts to block immigration reform fails.
Unlike six years ago, the loudest voices of dissent were drowned out by a disciplined performance from a bipartisan group of eight senators who teamed up to fight off the most serious threats to the bill.
(Washington Post)

3. Racial diversity efforts ebb for elite careers.
Nearly a half-century after a Texan, President Lyndon B. Johnson, helped usher in the era of affirmative action, the Supreme Court is poised to rule as early as this week on whether the University of Texas can continue to consider race as one of many factors in its admissions policy.
(New York Times)

4. National and state parks suffering from budget cuts.
National and state parks will be open for business this summer, but it won''t be business as usual: Washington''s sledgehammer budget cuts and fewer state dollars will result in overflowing trash cans, closed visitor centers, and fewer Junior Ranger programs.
(McClatchy News)

5. Gun control supporters facing recall bids in Colo.
A handful of Democratic state lawmakers in Colorado face recall petition efforts in what looks to be the first wave of fallout over legislative votes to limit gun rights. 
(Associated Press)

6. Big U.S. weapons system designs compromised by Chinese hackers.
Designs for many of the nation’s most sensitive advanced weapons systems have been compromised by Chinese hackers, according to a report prepared for the Pentagon and to officials from government and the defense industry.
(Washington Post)

7. McCain visits Syria; EU agrees to relax arms ban.
Diplomatic pressure on Syrian President Bashar Assad escalated Monday, as a divided European Union agreed to relax a ban on weapons shipments to anti-Assad forces and U.S. Sen. John McCain met with insurgent commanders during a surprise visit to the country.
(Chicago Tribune/Los Angeles Times)

8. John Kerry unveils plan to boost Palestinian economy.
John Kerry revealed his long-awaited plan for peace in the Middle East on Sunday, hinging on a $4 billion (£2.6 billion) investment in the Palestinian private sector.
(Guardian)

9. Colombia, FARC rebels reach agreement on agrarian reform.
Colombia and the Marxist-led FARC rebels have reached agreement on the critical issue of agrarian reform, the two sides said on Sunday in a major step forward for the peace process aimed at ending their long war.
(Reuters)

10. Malnutrition hits school performance.
A quarter of the world''s children are at risk of underperforming at school because of chronic malnutrition, says U.K. charity Save the Children.
(BBC)

Quote of the day.
"Too many governments are abusing human rights in the name of immigration control — going well beyond legitimate border control measures. These measures not only affect people fleeing conflict. Millions of migrants are being driven into abusive situations, including forced labour and sexual abuse, because of anti-immigration policies which means they can be exploited with impunity." Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International, on AI’s annual report showing that theworld has become an increasingly dangerous place for refugees and migrants.
(BBC)

Quote of the day.
“That’s prime land. I’ve raised 294 bushels of corn an acre there before, with water and the Lord’s help. It’s over.” Ashley Yost, Haskell County, Kan., whose farm is on the southern High Plains Aquifer, which is now so low that crops can't be watered.
(New York Times)