Around the World
U.S. proposes arms control talks with Russia as Cold War-era weapons pact nears collapse
President Trump’s senior arms control adviser told reporters Thursday that the U.S. has proposed holding discussions with Russia next week as a landmark bilateral weapons agreement between nuclear powers teeters on collapse.
Iran’s nuclear chief: We bought spares for nuke equipment we agreed to destroy
Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, has detailed how Iran quietly purchased replacement parts for its Arak nuclear reactor while it was conducting negotiations for an international agreement under which it knew it would be required to destroy the original components.
U.S. sanctions hit Iran-backed airlines, fighters in Syria
The United States on Thursday targeted two Iran-backed foreign fighter militias in Syria and two airlines that help send weapons to Syria in fresh sanctions as Washington prepares for a military withdrawal from the war-torn country.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Russia calls on Israel to 'rule out practice' of striking Syria
Russia called on Israel to 'rule out' the 'practice' of carrying out airstrikes in Syrian territories, Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told a press briefing on Wednesday.
After Hamas rejects Qatari aid, Israel girds for violent surge on Gaza border
The Israeli military was gearing up Friday for renewed violence on the Gaza border, a day after Hamas rejected millions in Qatari aid money, ratcheting up tensions on the volatile frontier.
Russia tells Israel: No more 'arbitrary' airstrikes in Syria
Russia is demanding that Israel end its 'arbitrary' airstrikes on targets in Syria, two days after the Israeli Air Force struck a series of Iranian military and intelligence targets in response to a rocket strike on the Golan Heights.

Inside the United States
Senate rejects dueling proposals to end the shutdown
The Senate blocked two proposals on Thursday to reopen the government, but amid the ongoing stalemate, there’s some hope that Washington might be inching closer toward ending a shutdown now on its 34th day.
White House preparing emergency declaration to nab $7B for border barrier
President Trump's staff is preparing an executive order-like mandate that would declare a national emergency at the southern border and make available $7 billion of federal money to enhance security at the U.S.-Mexico border, according to a report published Thursday evening.

Christian News
Former Christian Governor Imprisoned for Blasphemy Is Finally Free
A Christian politician was set free in Indonesia Thursday after serving nearly two years in prison for blasphemy.