Around the World
Hong Kong Protesters Chant 'Free the Martyrs,' Call for Release of Activists Charged with Rioting
Protesters in Hong Kong are calling for the release of forty-four activists imprisoned during the street demonstrations that have embroiled the former British colony for the last eight weeks.
Major non-NATO ally: Trump clears path for military partnership with Brazil
President Trump designated Brazil Wednesday night as a major non-NATO ally, paving the way for sharing military intelligence and privileged acquisition of military equipment.
U.S., China to keep talking on trade after little progress in Shanghai
U.S. and Chinese negotiators ended a brief round of trade talks on Wednesday with little sign of progress and agreed to meet again in September, prolonging an uneasy truce in a year-long trade war between the world’s two largest economies.
US imposes financial sanctions on Iran’s foreign minister
The United States on Wednesday imposed financial sanctions on Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, as part of its escalating campaign of pressure against the Islamic Republic.
Senate confirms Kelly Craft as US envoy to UN
The Senate has confirmed Kelly Craft to become the next US. envoy to the United Nations despite Democratic concerns about her inexperience and potential conflicts of interest.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Report: Israel believes Hamas, Iran agreed on Gaza front in case of northern war
Israeli intelligence officials believe Hamas and Iran have come to an agreement for the Gaza-based terror group to open a war front against Israel from the southern coastal Strip in the event of conflict breaking out with Iran’s allies on the Jewish state’s northern border, according to a report Wednesday.
Jared Kushner meets with Netanyahu in Israel as U.S. doubles down on peace plan
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met Wednesday evening with senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, who is on a tour of five Middle East countries before Washington decides on the next step following June’s economic workshop in Bahrain.
In A First Since 1980s, Israel Conducts Air Strikes Against Iran in Iraq
Israel conducted its first airstrikes in Iraqi territory since the 1980s, targeting Iranian missile shipments on July 19th and July 28th.
Senate bill calls for new U.S.-Israeli cybersecurity center
A pair of U.S. senators have introduced legislation aimed at creating a joint cybersecurity apparatus with Israel, which would join multiple information sectors to safeguard key infrastructure of both nations.
In future Gaza war, Israel said aiming to weaken Hamas — but not topple it
The Israeli military’s plan for a potential future conflict in the Gaza Strip is to hit Palestinian terror group Hamas hard, but not to attempt to defeat it entirely, leaving it weakened but still capable of controlling the Strip, military officials told Hebrew-language media on Wednesday at the conclusion of a large-scale drill.

Inside the United States
The Fed cuts interest rates for the first time since the financial recession
The Federal Reserve Opens a New Window. cut interest rates on Wednesday for the first time since the start of the financial recession more than a decade ago, hoping to preserve the 11-year economic Opens a New Window. expansion from growing global uncertainties and the possibility of an impending slowdown.
U.S. abortion rights groups sue over Missouri law
Prominent U.S. abortion rights groups Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit late on Tuesday in an effort to stop a new Missouri law that bans almost all terminations of pregnancies after eight weeks.
Abortion rate in Georgia declined sharply over past 25 years
The abortion rate of Georgia has been on the decline over the past quarter-century, decreasing by nearly 20 percent, according to a report by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Christian News
2 Indian Pastors Share Testimonies of Police Inaction Toward Christian Persecution
Christians in Bihar state, India are afraid to report attacks by Hindu militant organizations to the police, according to two pastors, one who had his hand and foot fractured when extremists attacked him.