Around the World
US and Taliban "draft" framework for Afghanistan peace deal
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said Monday the Taliban should 'enter serious talks' with his government, as both the Taliban and Washington's top envoy touted significant progress during unprecedented negotiations in Qatar last week.
Iran: We won't negotiate over our missile program
Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qassemi stressed Monday that the country would never negotiate over its missile program, saying that the country will continue to boost its deterrence power 'to protect national security.'
Brexit: Britain faces 'accidental' no-deal, EU warns
Britain risks an accidental crash-out of the EU, warned the deputy to EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier on Monday. In some of her toughest remarks, Sabine Weyand slammed Prime Minister Theresa May's handling of the divorce talks.
Trump warns Europeans not to try to evade Iran sanctions
The Trump administration is closely eyeing efforts in Europe to set up an alternative money payment channel to ease doing business with Iran and avoid running afoul of sanctions the US has levied on the Islamic Republic.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Rivlin predicts Iran will ‘worsen its attacks on Israel’s north’
President Reuven Rivlin said Monday that he believes Iran will step up its attacks on the north of Israel in retaliation for IAF air strikes on Iranian facilities in Syria.
Abbas to reshuffle government, appoint new PM
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has decided to shake up his government, Palestinian officials say.
U.N. signs agreement with Qatar for one-time $20 million grant for Gaza
The United Nations and Qatar signed a memorandum of understanding Sunday night for a one-time grant of $20 million for humanitarian projects in Gaza, which the world body has in the past described as mired in a state of 'constant humanitarian crisis.'

Inside the United States
CBO report: Deficit to hit $897 billion in 2019, $1 trillion by 2022
The federal deficit will rise to $897 billion this year but isn't expected to surpass $1 trillion for another three years, the Congressional Budget Office said in a report Monday.
Shutdown costs pegged at $3 billion as government reopens
The U.S. economy was expected to lose $3 billion from the partial federal government shutdown over President Donald Trump’s demand for border wall funding, congressional researchers said on Monday as 800,000 federal employees returned to work after 35 days without pay.
Senate advances bill that allows states to penalize companies boycotting Israel
After weeks of a shutdown-inspired filibuster, some Senate Democrats relented Monday and joined Republicans to advance a bill to give state and local governments a green light to penalize companies that boycott Israel.
Houston police: Two suspects dead after shooting that left five officers injured
Two suspects are dead after a shooting on Monday that injured five Houston police officers, including four who were hit by gunfire as they attempted to serve a search warrant at a home where drug selling was suspected, the police chief said.
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
Brazil Investigates If US Missionary Encroached on Isolated Amazon Tribe
An American missionary in Brazil is under investigation and possibly faces charges of genocide for entering protected lands inhabited by an isolated tribe in the Amazon.