Around the World
With new special envoy, Pompeo heading to N Korea amid 'deadlock' over denuclearization
Amid what North Korea calls a 'deadlock' in denuclearization talks, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will travel to Pyongyang next week, with the new Special Representative for North Korea, Steve Biegun, in tow.
No sign of progress as U.S.-China trade talks wrap up
Trade talks between the U.S. and China failed to produce any visible sign of progress, reducing the prospects of a deal soon, people closely tracking the talks said.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu says has not given up on U.S. recognition of control over Golan
Israel is not giving up trying to gain US recognition of its sovereignty over the Golan Heights, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday.
UN says it has run out of money for fuel, medicine in Gaza
The United Nations has run out of funding to pay for fuel needed for hospitals, water plants and other critical facilities in the Gaza Strip, the UN political chief said Wednesday.

Inside the United States
Hurricane Lane Drenches Hawaii: Flooding, Mudslides Reported on Big Island and Maui
Hurricane Lane, which has brought high winds and torrential rains to Hawaii, was downgraded to a Category 3 storm on Thursday afternoon, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said.
$675 billion Pentagon spending bill approved by the Senate
The Senate passed its version of a $675 billion appropriations bill Thursday to fund the Pentagon in fiscal 2019, setting up negotiations with the House on a final spending plan.
GOP blocks Rand Paul’s bid to defund Planned Parenthood
Republican leaders in the Senate stepped in Wednesday to block Sen. Rand Paul’s latest effort to defund Planned Parenthood, an issue popular with the GOP base that some say could help energize voters for the midterm elections.

Christian News
Judge Orders Return of Confiscated Church Property in Sudan
International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that a Khartoum-based court has ordered the authorities to immediately surrender church property belonging to the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SPEC). Authorities confiscated the property on February 11, 2018 when the church was demolished.
Church Will Brew and Sell Beer, Donate Proceeds to Planned Parenthood
The pastor of a California church says his congregation has plans to open a restaurant and brewery and then use the proceeds for Planned Parenthood and other charities.