The latest news on unemployment, budget cuts, abortion, immigration, torture, homelessness, green jobs, Pope in the Middle East, nuclear arms control, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Sudan

Unemployment. “Although it is the highest jobless rate since September 1983, the pace of job losses slowed appreciably last month compared with February and March, another sign that the severe economic slump might be starting to ease.”

Abortion. “President Obama called for overturning a decade-old ban on publicly funded abortions in the District as part of his budget proposal Thursday, but did not overturn the national ban on federal funding, thus angering advocacy groups on both sides of the volatile issue.”

Sudan. “Sudan's government says it will invite new aid groups to work in Darfur and allow those still operating there to expand their activities.”