Around the World
U.K., EU only harden their positions on Brexit as G-7 nears
The European Union and Britain, which are hurtling toward a costly, damaging no-deal split in a little over two months, kicked off a high-wire week of diplomacy Tuesday by entrenching themselves deeper in their irreconcilable positions.
Islamic State, Al-Qaeda Hunker Down to Rebuild in Weaker Nations
Islamic State has been battered in Iraq and Syria and declared defeated by President Donald Trump. But the terrorist group and its predecessor, al-Qaeda, are finding ample room to rebuild in other places with weak central governments, officials and analysts warn.
Pompeo Blasts Iran At UN Security Council Session On Middle East Security
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo specifically singled out Iran in a speech on August 20 at a UN Security Council session on Middle East peace and security challenges.
U.S. Peace Envoy Heads To Qatar, Afghanistan For New Talks
U.S. peace envoy Zalmay Khalilzad is heading to Qatar to resume talks with Taliban negotiators and to Kabul to meet with Afghan leaders, amid reports indicating a deal could be close to end the near 18-year war in Afghanistan.
US says anyone who 'touches' Iran tanker risks US sanctions
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says anyone who 'touches,' supports or allows an Iranian tanker carrying crude oil to dock risks U.S. sanctions.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu willing to stand up to Trump on peace plan, says official
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to go head to head with US President Donald Trump over his administration’s peace plan if it contains demands rejected by Israel’s government, a senior Israeli official said on Tuesday.
Israeli, US special forces practice ship takeovers amid high tensions in Gulf
Israeli and American naval special forces completed a large-scale exercise in the Mediterranean Sea last week simulating the takeover of a merchant ship carrying illegal weapons and contraband, as Iran and a US-led coalition square off on shipping routes in the nearby Persian Gulf.
Are airstrikes on Shi’ite militias in Iraq new front?
Four airstrikes against Iranian-backed Shi’ite militia bases in Iraq in the last month represent a new front that appears to be developing against these groups, however, they remain shrouded in mystery. On Tuesday, an explosion destroyed munition storage near Balad Airbase in Iraq.

Inside the United States
Trump looking at possible tax cuts amid economic jitters
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday his administration was considering potential tax cuts on wages as well as profits from asset sales, and sought to play down market anxieties that the world’s top economy could be heading for a recession.
Planned Parenthood drops out of Title X
Planned Parenthood will be forgoing as much as $60 million annually from a federal family planning program that will carry new anti-abortion rules.
U.S. Department of Labor: New Federal Rule ‘Helps To Ensure the Civil Rights of Religious Employers Are Protected’
A new federal rule from the U.S. Department of labor will allow religious organizations contracting with the government to maintain consistency between their hiring practices and their statements of faith without losing funding.
Judge Nixes Wisconsin Medicaid Ban for Sex Reassignments
A federal judge ruled Friday that Wisconsin cannot deny Medicaid coverage for sex-reassignment surgeries and other hormonal procedures, finding they are medically accepted and effective treatments.
Kentucky denies Planned Parenthood abortion license, says it broke law
The administration of Gov. Matt Bevin has refused to issue a license to Planned Parenthood to perform abortions at its Louisville clinic, claiming the reproductive health organization violated state law by temporarily providing abortions without a license almost four years ago.