Around the World
U.S., China resume trade talks in Beijing after 'productive working dinner'
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Friday he had a 'productive working dinner' the previous night in Beijing, kicking off a day of talks aimed at resolving the bitter trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies.
U.S. senators introduce bill to stop transfer of F-35 fighters to Turkey
Four U.S. senators on Thursday introduced a bipartisan bill to prohibit the transfer of F-35 fighter aircraft to Turkey until the U.S. government certifies that Ankara will not take delivery of a Russian S-400 air defense system, a statement on the move said.
Report: US approves sale of nuclear power technology to Saudi Arabia
The US has approved the sale of nuclear power technology to Saudi Arabia, the Reuters news agency reported on Thursday.
Venezuela blocks Guaido from office as the opposition scoffs
Venezuela’s opposition leader Juan Guaido will be barred from public office for 15 years, the government comptroller said on Thursday, as it seeks to crack down on the U.S.-backed rival to President Nicolas Maduro.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu: Israel’s preparing for a broad campaign in Gaza
Israel prepared for a broad military campaign in Gaza Thursday, as Egypt worked behind the scenes to ensure that Palestinians marking the one year anniversary of the Great March of Return this weekend do not spark a new IDF-Hamas war.
Israel said to warn Hamas any error could lead to war, as IDF preps for violence
As the Israeli military continued its preparations for a possible outbreak of violence at protests along the Gaza border planned for Saturday, an Egyptian delegation reportedly told Hamas that any mistake it makes could lead to war.
US redrawing official maps to include Golan as part of Israel
The Trump administration is preparing to update all US government maps to include the Golan Heights as part of Israel, after the president formally recognized Israeli sovereignty over the territory.

Inside the United States
U.S. lawmakers introduce bill to stop NSA's mass data collection
Republican and Democratic U.S. lawmakers introduced a bill on Thursday that would end the collection of Americans’ phone records by the National Security Agency in an effort to undo a widely criticized security measure passed in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.
House votes to condemn Trump's transgender military ban
The House passed a resolution formally condemning the Trump administration’s transgender military ban in a 238-185 vote on Thursday.
House investigating voter irregularities in Kansas, Texas
Congressional investigations over voter irregularities expanded Thursday with Democratic lawmakers requesting information from state officials in Kansas and Texas.
Judge deals blow to 'Trumpcare' plans
A federal judge has struck down a rule letting individuals and small businesses pool together to buy health insurance, threatening a program encouraged by the Trump administration that was created as an escape hatch from high Obamacare premiums.

Christian News
U.K. Home Office Takes a Second Look at Iranian Christian Man’s Application for Asylum After Tweets Expose Anti-Christian Bias
The U.K. Home Office has decided to take another look at an Iranian Christian man’s application for asylum, which it initially rejected based on his claim that Christianity was a “peaceful” religion.
Joni Eareckson Tada Hospitalized For ‘Observation and Medical Oversight’ in Second Bout with Cancer
Joni Eareckson Tada’s ministry said prayer support would be “deeply appreciated” yesterday after the inspirational Christian sufferer was hospitalized due to complications from her second cancer diagnosis.
Mississippi Man Pleads Guilty in 'Vote Trump' Church Arson
A member of a black church in Mississippi has pleaded guilty to burning the church, which was also spray painted with 'Vote Trump,' a week before the 2016 presidential election.