Today's Breaking News
Around the World
Iraqi forces launch large-scale push to retake western Mosul from ISIS
U.S.-backed Iraqi forces launched a large-scale military operation on Sunday to retake the western half of Mosul and dislodge Islamic State militants. It is the latest phase in a 4-month-old offensive to retake Iraq's second largest city.
Pence backs NATO; Russian official touts a new world order
Vice President Mike Pence said the US would be unwavering in its commitment to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, but demanded that Europe step up its military spending, marking one of the Trump administration's most full-throated efforts yet to reassure nervous partners.
Hezbollah might have game-changing naval missiles
Western intelligence agencies have expressed 'grave concerns' that Hezbollah has been able to obtain strategic naval weapons that could change the balance of power in the Middle East.
Iran Announces New Military Drills Despite U.S. Warnings
Iran says its elite Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) will conduct massive military drills next week in eastern and northeastern parts of the country.
South China Sea: US carrier group begins 'routine' patrols
US aircraft carrier the USS Carl Vinson has started what it calls 'routine operations' in the South China Sea, with a fleet of supporting warships.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli leader says 'new day' in relations with U.S.
Israel's leader says President Donald Trump told him it was a 'new day' in Israeli-American relations.
Praising Trump, Saudi FM urges progress toward Israeli-Arab peace
Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said he is optimistic that Arabs and Israelis can reach a peace deal in 2017.
Netanyahu rebuffed secret peace offer, ex-US officials claim
Israel's prime minister turned down a regional peace initiative last year that was brokered by then-American Secretary of State John Kerry, former U.S. officials confirmed Sunday, in apparent contradiction to his stated goal of involving regional Arab powers in resolving Israel's conflict with the Palestinians.

Inside the United States
New, more powerful storm takes aim at California
Still reeling from a recent storm that flooded highways, caused widespread power outages and led to several deaths, California officials and residents on Sunday braced for a new storm expected to be bigger and pack a more powerful punch.
Supreme Court to hear Missouri religious liberty case in late spring
The Supreme Court on Friday scheduled oral arguments for April in a crucial religious liberty case concerning state funding.
House intelligence chair claims top Obama official leaking to media on Trump
The House Intelligence Chair Devin Nunes on Sunday accused Obama-era officials, who are working for President Trump until his administration is staffed up, of illegally leaking intelligence and other reports to the media in an attempt to hurt the Republican leader.
U.S. House votes to overturn Obama regulation forcing states to fund Planned Parenthood
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 230 to 188 today to overturn former President Obama's 'eleventh hour' HHS rule forcing states to give Title X money to organizations that commit abortions.

Christian News
China Deports 32 South Korean Missionaries Amid Crackdown on Evangelism
The communist government of China has arrested four South Korean Christian missionaries and expelled at least 32 more after carrying out a series of police raids on churches, according to reports.
Hillsong to Open Church in Israel
Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church, Brian Houston, took to Instagram this week to announce the ministry will be opening a new campus in Tel Aviv.