Around the World
British PM Johnson calls for December 12 election to break Brexit deadlock
Prime Minister Boris Johnson called on Thursday for a general election on Dec. 12 to break Britain’s Brexit impasse, conceding for the first time he will not meet his 'do or die' deadline to leave the European Union next week.
EU might grant Brexit extension on Friday, but with no date set yet: official
European Union governments may agree in principle on Friday to Britain’s request for an extension of the Brexit deadline, but keep the length of the delay open until next week, senior EU official said.
Pentagon Plans To Bolster Forces In Northeast Syria To Protect Oil Fields From Islamic State
The Pentagon says it will bolster the U.S. military presence in a northeastern region of Syria to prevent potentially resurgent Islamic State (IS) extremists from seizing the oil fields.
Russia Will Test Its Ability to Disconnect from the Internet
Russia will test its internal RuNet network to see whether the country can function without the global internet, the Russian government announced Monday. The tests will begin after Nov. 1, recur at least annually, and possibly more frequently. It’s the latest move in a series of technical and policy steps intended to allow the Russian government to cut its citizens off from the rest of the world.
Air Force F-15Es arrive in United Arab Emirates
The F-15Es arrived at Al Dhafra Air Base on deployment from the 494th Fighter Squadron, stationed at Royal Air Force Lakenheath in Britain, to support ongoing Middle East operations.
US Seeking to Mediate Feud Over Nile Dam
The Trump administration has invited the foreign ministers of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan to Washington to discuss a giant hydropower dam project on Ethiopia's Blue Nile, the focus of an escalating feud between Addis Ababa and Cairo over water resources.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF Chief of Staff Warns of Potential Security Deterioration in Both North and South
The IDF released its new five-year plan of operations on Thursday, with its chief of staff warning, 'The situation is fragile in the north and south — and may deteriorate into a confrontation.'
France finally allows access to ancient tombs in Jerusalem
France is poised to reopen a contested archaeological site in east Jerusalem following successful talks with Israel, Israel Hayom has learned.

Inside the United States
U.S. Justice Dept. review of origins of Russia probe now a criminal investigation: source
A U.S. Justice Department review of the origins of the probe into Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election is now a criminal investigation, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
Bernie Sanders unveils plan to legalize marijuana nationwide
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders unveiled a plan Thursday to legalize marijuana nationwide, reverse marijuana convictions and regulate the marijuana industry.
9th Circuit Blocks Trump’s Religious Exemption to Abortion, Contraceptive Mandate
The Trump administration lacked the authority to grant religious employers like Little Sisters of the Poor exemptions from the Obamacare abortion/contraception mandate, an appeals court ruled Tuesday.
876 Pro-Abortion Clinics Have Lost Federal Funding under Trump Pro-Life Rule
Nearly 900 clinics that either perform abortions or promote them have lost federal funding under a new Trump administration rule that prevents family planning clinics receiving taxpayer money from promoting or referring for abortion, according to a new report.
Texas state agencies investigating 7-y-o boy's gender transition case; Judge rules dad will have a say
The governor of Texas is intervening in a custody case amid controversy over a decision of a Dallas jury allowing a mother to proceed with gender transitioning against the wishes of his father.
Senate Republicans push resolution assailing Trump impeachment process
Republicans on Thursday pressed their campaign to discredit the Democratic-led impeachment inquiry against U.S. President Donald Trump by introducing a U.S. Senate resolution that called the process unfair but said nothing about Trump’s conduct in his dealings with Ukraine.