Around the World
Taliban blindsides U.S. forces with surprise Afghan offensive
The Taliban is on the verge of dramatically expanding its control over southern and eastern Afghanistan in a surprise offensive that has caught Afghan and American forces off guard and thrown a vexing new wrench into the Trump administration’s strategy for ending the nearly 17-year-old war there.
Cash machines could be mass-hacked in global cyber attack, FBI warns
Banks have been warned of an imminent threat that their cash machines could be mass-hacked by cyber criminals.
Trump prevents F-35 transfer to Turkey
US President Donald Trump authorized the defense policy bill containing a clause delaying the transfer of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.
UN report: Up to 30,000 Islamic State members in Syria, Iraq
The Islamic State extremist group has up to 30,000 members roughly equally distributed between Syria and Iraq and its global network poses a rising threat — as does al-Qaeda, which is much stronger in places, a United Nations report says.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli-Palestinian support for two states at 20-year low, poll says
Support for a two-state resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is at the lowest point in two decades, according to new polling data released on Monday by two academicians.
Netanyahu said to have held recent secret meeting with al-Sisi
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a clandestine meeting in May with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, according to a foreign diplomatic source.

Inside the United States
Trump signs new defense policy bill that rebuilds military, boosts troop pay
President Trump signed a $716 billion defense bill Monday that authorizes hundreds of new planes, ships and tanks -- and delivers a substantial victory to the administration by watering down penalties on a Chinese telecom company.
Trump Admin Upholds Religious Freedom for Federal Contractors
The Trump administration has issued a directive that protects religious freedom as a defense for federal contractors in situations where they've been charged with job discrimination.
Peter Strzok, face of anti-Trump resistance in government, fired from FBI
FBI agent Peter Strzok became a face of anti-Trump resistance within the government. It’s now cost him his job.
Alabama Putting God Back in Schools with 'In God We Trust' Displays
Alabama public schools are hoping to bring God back into their schools by displaying the US motto 'In God We Trust' on school buildings.
Trump Admin Builds ‘More Lethal’ U.S. Military, Expands Force by Nearly 16,000
The Trump administration is working to grow the U.S. military into a 'more lethal and resilient force,' signing off on an increase of more than 15,600 troops across the military branches and a pay raise for soldiers, according to the White House.
W.Va. House votes to impeach 3 Supreme Court judges
West Virginia's House of Delegates voted to impeach three Supreme Court of Appeals judges Monday on allegations they wasted more than $3 million in taxpayer funds.

Christian News
China Shuts Down Six Churches, Forces Members to Leave by Bribing, Threatening Jobs
China's Communist Party forced six churches in Beijing to shut down after attempts to bribe members to leave failed, a new report has revealed.
Southern Baptist Convention Creates New Evangelism Group to Equip Pastors, Church Plants
The Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board has announced the creation of a new evangelism and leadership group meant to help pastors and church plants.
US Congress Urges India's Modi to Protect Christians, Condemn Attacks on Minorities
U.S. Congress members are calling on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold his party accountable and oppose violent attacks on Christians and other minorities.