Today's Breaking News
Around the World
Britain files for EU divorce, triggering 2 years to Brexit
Britain formally filed for divorce from the European Union Wednesday, walking out on a 44-year relationship, enacting the decision made by U.K. voters in a referendum nine months ago and launching both Britain and the bloc into uncharted territory. The EU official has received the letter from Britain, setting off the process.
Tension bedeviling Tillerson's Turkey talks
Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson faces what could be the most delicate and complicated diplomatic trip of his tenure so far when he meets Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara Thursday for bilateral talks on Syria, Iraq, the Kurds and Mr. Erdogan's obsession with U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen.
U.S. sees more civilian casualties as campaign against militants intensifies
Surging civilian casualties which have plagued American and coalition commanders in Iraq in recent days could multiply, as the U.S. and its allies head into the most grueling phase of the campaign to liberate Mosul from the Islamic State.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Prepare for battle: Israel, Hezbollah on the path to war
Are Israel and Hezbollah headed for war? That's the question many analysts are grappling with in the wake of recent escalations involving an Israeli strike inside Syria that targeted a weapons shipment meant for Hezbollah. It prompted Bashar Assad's launch of three SA-5 surface-to-air missiles, triggering the first known use of Israel's Arrow-2 missile defense system. The conflagration was noteworthy enough for several Israeli newspapers to describe it as 'the most serious incident' to occur between Israel and forces inside Syria in recent years.

Inside the United States
Obama's rule changes opened door for NSA intercepts of Americans to reach political hands
As his presidency drew to a close, Barack Obama's top aides routinely reviewed intelligence reports gleaned from the National Security Agency's incidental intercepts of Americans abroad, taking advantage of rules their boss relaxed starting in 2011 to help the government better fight terrorism, espionage by foreign enemies and hacking threats, Circa has learned.
Judge maintains broad block on Trump travel ban
A judge in Hawaii has extended a broad block on President Donald Trump's revised travel ban, turning aside pleas from the federal government to narrow or drop an earlier order forbidding the president from implementing key parts of his plan.
US Heroin Epidemic: Use Up 500% In Decade, Dependence Tripled
The number of Americans using heroin has increased five-fold in the last decade and dependence has more than tripled, research conducted at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health indicated. The study of 43,000 users published Wednesday in JAMA Psychiatry found the increases were greatest among males, whites and those with low income and little education.
Undercover Journalists Now Face Felony Charges for Exposing Planned Parenthood
The two pro-life activists who exposed Planned Parenthood's practice of selling baby body parts are now being charged with 15 felonies for violating the privacy of health care providers.

Christian News
Texas church bus crash: 13 killed, 2 injured in collision with pickup truck
At least 13 people were killed and two others injured in a head-on crash Wednesday between a church bus and pickup truck in southwest Texas, officials said.
Verdict Pending for Four Church of Iran Members
A verdict in the trial of four members of the Church of Iran denomination in Rasht is pending after local authorities decided to refer the case to Tehran.
More than 200 People Killed in Christian Areas of Nasarawa, Nigeria this Year, Group Says
Armed attacks by Muslim Fulani herdsmen on predominantly Christian communities in Nasarawa state this year have left more than 200 people dead and destroyed homes and farms, sources said.
Court Drops Charges of Kidnapping, 'Human Sacrifice' against Evangelist in Uganda
A judge in Uganda last week dropped charges aimed at stirring up Islamist opposition against an evangelist who provides refuge to converts from Islam, sources said.