Today's Breaking News
Around the World
Sarin gas confirmed as weapon in Syria attack
The global chemical weapons watchdog has concluded that sarin gas was used in an attack in Syria in April which killed more than 90 people.
Germany to pass same-sex marriage law
Germany is expected to legalize same-sex marriage on Friday, joining many other western democracies in granting gay and lesbian couples full rights, including adoption.
German court: Sharia police may patrol streets
A court in Germany has authorized a group of self-appointed Sharia police to continue enforcing Islamic law in the city of Wuppertal. The law they were cleared of vioilating outlaws uniforms that are threatening, such as those of Hitler's brownshirts.
With bank sanctions and arms sales, US hardens line on China
The Trump administration hardened its approach to China on Thursday, blacklisting a small Chinese bank over dealings with North Korea while approving more than a billion dollars in military sales to Taiwan.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
U.S. lawmakers approve more defense aid for Israel
The House Appropriations Committee and the House and Senate Armed Services Committees on Thursday advanced U.S.-Israel missile defense assistance and cooperation in the 2018 defense appropriations and authorizations bills.
PLO to UN: 'Hamas and PFLP are not terrorist organizations'
'Hamas and the PFLP are not terrorist organizations,' Saeb Erekat, secretary- general of the PLO, said on Thursday at the 'UN Forum Marking 50 Years of Occupation.'

Inside the United States
Russia probe pile-on: No fewer than 9 teams investigating collusion, meddling
The expansive investigation into Russian meddling and possible collusion with Trump associates has grown so vast that no fewer than nine congressional committees and federal agencies are now examining some offshoot of the controversy.
Trump's tweets unnerve Republican allies
President Trump unified Washington Thursday -- in opposition to a pair of tweets he wrote in which he criticized a female MSNBC anchor and said she had undergone plastic surgery.
Judge blocks California's high-capacity magazine ban
A federal judge on Thursday blocked a California law set to take effect Saturday that would have barred gun owners from possessing high-capacity ammunition magazines.
House Committee Takes Surprise Action to Repeal Post-9/11 AUMF
The House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment on Thursday that would repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force.
CBO: Income Taxes Up 9.5% Next Year; But Debt Climbs More Than $1 Trillion
Unless current laws are changed, federal individual income tax collections will increase by 9.5 percent in fiscal 2018, which begins on Oct. 1, according to data released today by the Congressional Budget Office.
Numbers don't lie: Media bias against Trump is entrenched, vicious, persistent
Pollsters have confirmed for many months that there is a clear media bias against President Trump. They also reveal that the American public is growing weary of the endless negative coverage, which masks authentic progress the president and his administration have made. Citizens are ready for some good news. And the press? Not so much. Outrage and Trump bashing have been good for ratings and readership. But tirades also allow journalists to vent about a president who pushes back against their criticism, in what they deem an 'unpresidential' way.

Christian News
Eritrea: 160 Christians Arrested in Government Crackdown
Human rights groups have reported that the number of Christians arrested in the Eastern African nation of Eritrea since the government began its most recent crackdown against Christians in May has reached at least 160.
Why Younger Christians are Favoring Same-Sex Marriage
Support for same-sex marriage is at an all time high - even among white evangelicals and it's due to a generational shift, according to a new study from Pew Research Center.
Protesters decry Christian persecution outside Qatari Embassy in Washington
Demonstrators protested Wednesday against terrorism and the persecution of Christians outside the Qatari Embassy in Washington.