Today's Breaking News
Around the World
U.N. confirms Syria, Islamic State used chemical weapons
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces carried out at least two chemical attacks in Syria in the past two years and the Islamic State also used mustard gas as a weapon, the United Nations reported Wednesday.
Iran vessels make 'high speed intercept' of U.S. ship: U.S. official
Four of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) vessels "harassed" a U.S. warship on Tuesday near the Strait of Hormuz, a U.S. defense official said, amid Washington's concerns about Iran's posture in the Gulf and in the Syrian civil war.
Euro area banks see net profit fall 20 pct in first quarter - ECB
Euro area banks saw their profits fall by a fifth in the first three months of this year as they made less money from trading and most other business areas, European Central Bank data showed on Wednesday.
Terrorists Attack American University in Afghan Capital
Militants attacked the American University of Afghanistan on Wednesday, killing at least one person and wounding another 18, officials said.
Italy town destroyed by powerful earthquake was preparing for food festival
In three days, the rugged residents of the medieval Italian hill town of Amatrice had planned to hold one of their most joyful events of the year: the 50th edition of a food festival celebrating their beloved Amatriciana pasta dish, which is made from local ingredients.
Turkey invades Syria, targets ISIL-held border town ahead of Kurdish militia
Turkish tanks and special forces rolled across the border on Aug. 24 in an unprecedented operation to drive Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) out of the Syrian town of Jarabulus.
Iran keen to join China in rival to Panama Canal
Iran has expressed interest in joining forces with a Chinese company that plans to build a $50 billion canal across Nicaragua that links the Atlantic and Pacific and rivals the Panama Canal.
Italy quake toll rises to nearly 250 as rescuers struggle to find survivors
The death toll from a devastating earthquake in central Italy rose sharply to almost 250 people early on Thursday after rescue teams worked through the night to try to find survivors under the rubble of flattened towns.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
U.S. Warns Americans to Leave Gaza 'as soon as possible'
The United States on Tuesday called on Americans in the Gaza Strip to leave the coastal enclave “as soon as possible.”
Could Putin make peace between Israel, Palestinians?
Earlier this week, Russia's Vladimir Putin reportedly told Egypt's President Abdul Fattah Sisi that he would be willing to host direct talks between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Moscow.
Mideast Analyst: PA President Views New Israeli Defense Minister's 'Carrot-and-Stick' Plan as Threat to His Rule
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas feels threatened by the 'carrot-and-stick' plan forged by new Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman, a Mideast expert assessed on Tuesday.

Inside the United States
Crews battling 35 large, uncontained wildfires in the West
Thirty-five large, uncontained wildfires were burning in the West, and firefighters were making initial attacks on another 112 new blazes to prevent them from spreading.
Tornadoes slam central Indiana, demolishing homes
Several tornadoes plowed through central Indiana on Wednesday, demolishing numerous homes and a Starbucks cafe in the town of Kokomo and cutting off power to thousands of Indianapolis-area residents, but no serious injuries were reported.
Taxpayers to help foot bill with Obamacare premiums expected to spike
Obamacare's premiums will likely spike over the next year as health insurance companies grow more pessimistic about the law, the administration acknowledged Wednesday, but officials insisted consumers won't be stuck with the entire bill.

U.S. Politics
CNN Interview with Hillary Clinton about foundation turns testy
Hillary Clinton responded sharply Wednesday evening when she was pushed by CNN's Anderson Cooper to answer for a recent Associated Press report showing she met with dozens of Clinton Foundation donors when she served at the State Department.
Donald Trump's backslide on immigration angers base, does no good with Hispanics
Donald Trump was supposed to deliver a major address on immigration Thursday, laying out a plan that would win over swing voters while reassuring his base that he is serious about enforcing the law.
'Alt right' conservative movement embraces the Trump campaign
Hillary Clinton is set to launch a full-fledged attack Thursday on a newly evolving group that's embracing the Trump candidacy: the so-called 'alt right.'
Trump says government can 'work with' illegal immigrants
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump continued to insist Wednesday in a 'Hannity' town hall with Fox News' Sean Hannity that there will be 'no amnesty' for illegal immigrants, but suggested that he would be willing to 'work with them.'

Christian News
Pew: Americans giving up on God, miracles
Half of Americans who have left their church no longer believe in God, leading a surge of nearly one quarter of the nation who have no affiliation with any religion, according to a new survey.
Good Lord! Cop says Red Cross told him not to pray with flood victims
A law enforcement officer said he was asked to leave a Red Cross shelter in Lafayette, Louisiana after he prayed with several flood victims.
Mother of Iranian Christian Imprisoned for His Faith in Jesus Christ Begs Authorities to Release Her Son
The disabled mother of an Iranian Christian prisoner has asked authorities to release her son, who is being held in Rajaei-Shahr prison for his faith, explaining that because she is visually impaired she has not even been able to visit him.