Today's Breaking News
Around the World
Russia warns of 'new world war' starting in Syria
Russia warned of "a new world war" starting in Syria on Thursday after a dramatic day in which Gulf states threatened to send in ground forces.
Russia proposes March 1 ceasefire in Syria; US wants it now
Russia has proposed a March 1 ceasefire in Syria, U.S. officials said Wednesday, but Washington believes Moscow is giving itself and the Syrian government three weeks to try to crush moderate rebel groups.
The world can't afford another financial crash – it could destroy capitalism as we know it
They bounce back after terrorist attacks, pick themselves up after earthquakes and cope with pandemics such as Zika. They can even handle years of economic uncertainty, stagnant wages and sky-high unemployment. But no developed nation today could possibly tolerate another wholesale banking crisis and proper, blood and guts recession.
CIA director says IS group has used, can make chem weapons
CIA director John Brennan has said that Islamic State fighters have used chemical weapons and have the capability to make small quantities of chlorine and mustard gas, CBS News reported.
Iran Mocks Capture of U.S. Sailors at Islamic Revolution Parade
Participants in a rally celebrating the anniversary of the 1979 Islamic Revolution recreated scenes of Iran's capture of 10 U.S. sailors last month.
New Video From Iranian State TV Appears to Show US Sailor Crying While Detained
New video broadcast on Iranian state TV today appears to show a U.S. sailor crying while briefly detained by Iran in early-January. He was one of 10 U.S. sailors aboard two small Navy vessels that strayed into Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf.
Gold surges to one-year high on fears of financial uncertainty
Gold surged nearly 4 percent on Thursday to its highest in a year as fears about financial instability, a lower dollar and U.S. Treasury yields persuaded investors to seek refuge in the precious metal.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
White House Rejects New Trade Bill Because It Is Too Pro-Israel
The White House has announced its partial opposition to a new bipartisan trade bill because of a portion of the legislation that would strengthen the U.S.-Israel economic relationship, according to a statement issued late Thursday.
Netanyahu: Situation not ripe for two-state solution
Israel has no choice in the current political reality but to continue its control of the West Bank, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday, asserting that the Palestinians have yet to meet the basic requirements outlined by the government for a final peace agreement between the two nations.
'Unique' Israeli bandage: The more you bleed, the quicker it works
A new Israeli-developed bandage aims to save lives in cases of severe bleedings, where conventional treatment procedures could fail to stop a deadly hemorrhage.
Israel says 'always watching' Iran's missile developments following announcement of missile upgrade
Israel did not respond on Wednesday to Iran's announcement it will unveil an upgrade this year of its Emad ballistic missile whose 1,700 km range puts Israel in its reach.
Emerging split within Hamas' military wing following member's execution
A split began to emerge in the ranks of Hamas' military wing in recent days after the group executed one of its own members, signaling growing tensions between the organization's local leadership in Gaza and its leadership abroad.

Inside the United States
FBI moves to end 40-day Oregon standoff
An occupy movement of ranchers and concerned citizens of an Oregon wildlife refuge may be coming to a close after a 40-day holdout.
Congress likely to give final OK to local Internet tax ban
State and local governments would be permanently barred from taxing access to the Internet under a bipartisan compromise that Congress is a step away from sending to President Barack Obama.
State Dept to release 550 Clinton emails over Presidents' Day weekend
The State Department will release 550 emails from Hillary Clinton's private server this weekend after pressure from a federal judge who earlier this week appeared visibly annoyed at its delayed efforts.
Supreme Court halts key Obama climate rule
The Supreme Court has put a stop to President Obama's plans to curb carbon emission while 29 states challenge the law in a lower court.

U.S. Politics
Clinton and Sanders Battle in Debate over Healthcare, Wall St Ties
Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders battled over healthcare and Wall Street in a debate on Thursday, with Clinton accusing Sanders of misleading Americans on his healthcare plan and making promises 'that cannot be kept.'
Kasich plans to sign Ohio bill slashing grants to Planned Parenthood
The Ohio legislature moved Wednesday to cut off $1.3 million in public health grants to Planned Parenthood in a closely watched vote that could have repercussions for the surging presidential campaign of Gov. John Kasich (R).
Republican Elites Land in South Carolina With No Plan to Stop Trump
Republican elites are 0-for-2 in presidential nominating contests this year, a rare and panic-inducing outcome for the party's leadership. Yet their preferred candidates continue to fight each other, and have begun the march to the next battlefield in South Carolina without a plan to stop Donald Trump.

Christian News
Iran-Backed Militias Lead Attacks on Christians in Baghdad
Radical militias with Iranian support are reportedly attacking Christian communities in Iraq, seizing property and sites of cultural interest.
Pope unleashes 'super confessors' to tackle special sins
Dubbed 'super confessors', for one year only they can absolve sins usually only pardoned by the pope himself.
Christians, Gays, Women Fleeing Asylum Centres Due To Persecution By Muslim Men
Christians, homosexuals and women are fleeing asylum centres in Germany in ever growing numbers due to acts of violence, intolerance and crime perpetrated by Muslim men.
Christians Now a Minority in UK, Top Clerics Say
Practicing Christians in the United Kingdom have now become a minority, just like the persecuted Roman Catholics after the reformation, according to two top clerics.