Around the World
Trump and Putin see eye to eye on Iran leaving Syria
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin 'agreed in principle' during their latest meeting in Helsinki last month that Iranian forces should leave Syria, according to a report in Bloomberg.
U.S. readying more Turkey sanctions unless detained American pastor is released
Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin said Thursday that the United States is preparing more sanctions against Turkey if American pastor Andrew Brunson is not released from custody.
Russia says drone attacks on its Syria base have increased
Russian air defense assets in Syria have downed 45 drones targeting their main base in the country, its military said Thursday, after an attack by the Islamic State group on a Syrian army base a day earlier killed seven troops.
U.S. welcomes Saudi Arabia's pledge of $100 million for Syria
The United States on Thursday welcomed Saudi Arabia’s contribution of $100 million to help stabilize parts of Syria no longer held by Islamic State, which comes as the Trump administration looks to cut back on foreign aid.
Chinese bombers likely training for US strikes: Pentagon
Chinese bombers are likely training for strikes against US and allied targets in the Pacific, according to a new Pentagon report that also details how Beijing is transforming its ground forces to 'fight and win.'

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Abbas: We will thwart Trump's plan, Nation-State Law
US administration officials who purportedly claim to want to improve the living conditions of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are 'liars,' Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Wednesday.
Cyprus serving as Gaza’s port still in early stages
If the emerging cease-fire arrangement with Hamas includes some kind of port or shipping corridor from Cyprus to Gaza, as some reports have indicated, no one has yet cued in the Cypriots.

Inside the United States
Democrats shatter primary turnout records, bank on anti-Trump enthusiasm to deliver Congress
Democrats saw a surge in voter turnout in primaries in flyover country this month, leaving party leaders salivating over a potential enthusiasm gap they hope will deliver control of Congress and several major governorships in November.
Wall St. rallies on solid earnings, U.S.-China trade talks
U.S. stocks rebounded on Thursday with the Dow posting its biggest percentage gain in over four months, as positive earnings and waning trade jitters buoyed investor confidence.
'Violating Freedom': CA Lawmakers Vote Again to Stop Churches from Helping Gays
The California Senate has passed a bill that would inhibit the church's ability to teach on sexuality and anyone seeking counseling to change their same-sex attraction. It does that by outlawing sexual orientation change efforts.
Fueled by Swing With Independents, Plurality Supports Kavanaugh’s Confirmation to Supreme Court
A new Quinnipiac poll shows increased public support for Judge Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation to the Supreme Court, fueled by an eight-point swing in his favor by independents.
Drying Lake Mead could trigger federal water shortage by 2020
Nevada's Lake Mead, the largest reservoir in the West, could fall below a critical threshold in just two years if a new forecast by the Bureau of Reclamation is correct.

Christian News
Military Atheist Group Wants to Throw Air Force Commander 'Behind Prison Bars' for His Christian Faith
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) sent a formal complaint this week to Defense Secretary James Mattis calling for an investigation of Brig. Gen. E. John Teichert, a Christian and the newly installed commander of the 412 Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base in California.
The Satanic Temple Holds Rally Protesting Ten Commandments Monument
The Satanic Temple held a 'Rally for the First Amendment' at the Arkansas State Capitol Thursday and brought with them a statue known as Baphomet, a goat-headed figure associated with the group.
1,800 Soldiers Have Professed Faith in Christ at Missouri Army Base in Last 6 Months
Over 1,800 soldiers have made professions of faith in the last six months at an Army base in Missouri, a chaplain says.
‘There Are No Girls Left’: Syria’s Christian Villages Hollowed Out by ISIS
The number of Christians across the Middle East has been declining for decades as persecution and poverty have led to widespread migration. The Islamic State, also known as ISIS, considered Christians infidels and forced them to pay special taxes, accelerating the trend in Syria and Iraq.