Around the World
Iran says it will not surrender even if it is bombed
Iran will not surrender to U.S. pressure and will not abandon its goals even if it is bombed, President Hassan Rouhani said on Thursday, stepping up the war of words between the Islamic Republic and the United States.
Trump Special Envoy for Syria Outlines Path to Victory in ‘Awful’ Syrian War
US State Department Special Representative for Syria James Jeffrey testified Wednesday before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on the Trump Administration’s Syria strategy moving forward following possible chlorine gas attacks by the Assad regime against rebel targets Sunday.
Iran building new crossing on Syria border that would let it smuggle weapons, oil, experts say
New satellite images indicate Iran is building a border crossing at the Syrian-Iraqi border, which would open up a coveted land route from Iran to Lebanon, according to Western intelligence sources.
India's Modi begins talks for new cabinet after big election win
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold talks on Friday to form a new cabinet to tackle a stuttering economy and other challenges facing his second term after winning a big majority.
UK's May hangs on after Brexit gambit backfires
Prime Minister Theresa May was clinging to power on Thursday after her final Brexit gambit backfired, overshadowing a European election that has shown a United Kingdom still riven over its divorce from the EU.
Khamenei: Iran’s youth ‘will witness demise of Israel, American civilization’
Iran’s supreme leader on Wednesday told a group of hard-line students they would witness the 'demise' of Israel and American civilization, amid mounting tensions with the US.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel braces for fresh fire flare-up as temperatures set to skyrocket
Firefighters were bracing Friday for a fresh outbreak of wildfires, with temperatures expected to soar across the country a day after hot and dry conditions caused a rash of brushfires that consumed buildings and forced thousands from their homes.

Inside the United States
Trump orders declassification of intelligence in Russia probe origins investigation
President Trump ordered the declassification Thursday night of certain intelligence to aid Attorney General William Barr in his investigation of the origins of government spying on the Trump presidential campaign in 2016.
Democrats declare 'war' on GOP over abortion bills
Democrats declared 'war' Thursday against Republican-led states approving new abortion restrictions, and announced legislation to codify abortion rights in federal law.
Booker Goes Big for Abortion: 2020 Candidate Announces 'White House Office of Reproductive Freedom'
Democrats are doubling down on their efforts to keep abortion access front-and-center after numerous states like Georgia and Alabama recently passed laws to restrict abortion.
U.S. farmers to receive $14.5 billion in direct trade aid payments
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Thursday that farmers will receive $14.5 billion in direct payments as part of a $16 billion aid package designed to offset the financial pain from trade disputes with China and other nations.

Christian News
Christians Abducted from Choir Practice as Nigerian Herdsmen Violence Continues Unabated
Seventeen people were abducted by Islamic Herdsmen militias in Dankande Village of Nigeria’s Kaduna State Sunday in a perpetuation of violence against Christians that has seen five similar incursions in the last few months.
Southern Baptists Down to Lowest in 30 Years
A boost in giving--up to $11.8 billion total--and major church growth in Texas was not enough to fend off more than a decade of declines among the Southern Baptist Convention last year.