Today's Breaking News
Around the World
ISIS claims bombings that kill dozens, as Kerry pushes 'peaceful' Syria
Hours after an ISIS-claimed triple bombing killed at least 45 in Damascus, Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday addressed the ongoing Syrian conflict, speaking starkly about a humanitarian crisis in which starving villagers have been forced to eat grass and leaves, but also hopefully of creating a 'peaceful, pluralistic Syria.'
Boko Haram burns kids alive in Nigeria, 86 dead
A survivor hidden in a tree says he watched Boko Haram extremists firebomb huts and heard the screams of children burning to death, among 86 people officials say died in the latest attack by Nigeria's homegrown Islamic extremists.
Russian fighter came within 15 feet of U.S. Air Force jet
A Russian fighter jet came within 15 feet of a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance plane over the Black Sea this week in what the Pentagon is calling an 'unsafe' incident, U.S. officials say.
At least 60 killed in terror attack at Shi'ite holy site in Syria
At least 60 people were killed and dozens wounded on Sunday in a terror attack at a southern district of Damascus where Syria's holiest Shi'ite shrine is located.
Iranian leader gives out medals for detention of US sailors
Iran's supreme leader on Sunday awarded 'medals of conquest' to five naval commanders of Iran's Revolutionary Guards for their arrest earlier this month of 10 US sailors whose two vessels strayed into Iranian waters.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
After long fight, activists cheer mixed-gender Western Wall plan
Activists and members of liberal streams of Judaism celebrated a 'historic' compromise officially allowing mixed-gender non-Orthodox Jewish prayer at the Western Wall Sunday, even as ultra-Orthodox and religious nationalist lawmakers came out strongly against the move.
3 soldiers wounded by PA gunman at West Bank checkpoint
Three Israeli soldiers were wounded on Sunday when a member of the Palestinian Authority security forces opened fire at an IDF checkpoint near Beit El in the West Bank. He was shot dead by forces at the scene.
Israeli Archaeologists Uncover Ancient Inscriptions in Jesus' Language
Israeli archeologists unearthed Greek and Aramaic inscriptions in northern Israel, suggesting a Jewish presence in the land dating back to the first century.
Netanyahu threatens to eclipse 2014 war to destroy Gaza tunnels
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded Sunday to critics charging his government was failing to deal with newly dug tunnels under the Israel-Hamas frontier, threatening to blow up the underground passages if need be.

Inside the United States
Obama Pledges $4 Billion to Computer Science in US Schools
President Obama today pledged $4 billion in funding for computer science education in the nation's schools.
The US Mosque Obama Has Chosen For His First Presidential Visit Has Deep Extremist Ties
The Baltimore mosque President Obama has chosen as the first U.S.-based mosque to visit during his presidency has deep ties to extremist elements, including to the Muslim Brotherhood.

U.S. Politics
Donald Trump sweep in Iowa, N.H. would vex Republican establishment
If things break right here — a big if — billionaire businessman Donald Trump is well-positioned to become the first Republican presidential candidate in almost a half-century to string together wins in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary — a feat that would give him momentum in the race and likely lead to an all-hands-on-deck moment for the establishment wing of the party.
State Dept. declares 22 Clinton emails 'top secret'
The State Department said Friday it is withholding 22 emails from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's email account for containing 'top secret' material, and another 18 messages she exchanged with President Obama, saying those are privileged communications.
Bible prominent in final Cruz pitches to voters
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is infusing his closing argument to Iowans with Biblical references as his campaign visits some of the state's conservative strongholds.

Christian News
Expansion of Christian Church in the Birthplace of Confucius Creates Controversy in China
Confucius's hometown, Qufu, knows how to market its most famous native son. Visitors to the city in eastern China's Shandong province can savor Confucian cuisine, worship at a Confucius temple and follow the family tree of the Kong clan, which claims an unbroken lineage going back some 80 generations to the Great Sage himself. The tourist boom has only intensified as China's communist leadership embraces homegrown traditions once derided as feudal relics by the party's revolutionary elders.
Franklin Graham Says He's Trying to Help Both Saeed and Naghmeh Abedini in Difficulty
The Rev. Franklin Graham says that beside Saeed and Naghmeh Abedini themselves, only God knows the details surrounding the issues between them.