Around the World
U.S., North Korea to hold talks this week after nuclear standoff
The United States and North Korea plan to hold high-level talks in Washington as soon as this week to discuss a second summit of their leaders, following a prolonged stalemate in nuclear talks, South Korean media said on Tuesday.
US Senate to take up Russia sanctions measure Tuesday
The U.S. Senate will begin voting on Tuesday on a resolution criticizing the Trump administration's decision to ease sanctions on companies linked to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska, a measure that is unlikely to pass given the Republican majority in the chamber.
Trump threatens to 'devastate Turkey economically' if it attacks Kurds in Syria
President Donald Trump threatened Turkey with devastating sanctions if America's NATO ally attacked Kurds following a U.S. troop withdrawal from Syria.
May Faces Worst Government Defeat in 95 Years in Key Brexit Vote
Prime Minister Theresa May is set to see her Brexit deal rejected in the biggest Parliamentary defeat for a British government in 95 years after her last minute pleas for support appeared to fall on deaf ears. The battle now is over not whether May loses, but how badly.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli strike in Syria targeted Hezbollah, Iranian commanders
The Israeli strike on Iranian warehouses in Damascus on Friday was timed to target a meeting of Hezbollah and Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders who were meeting with Syrian military leaders, the Kuwaiti newspaper Al-Jadira reported Monday.
Abbas asks UN for protective force against Israel prior to chairing G77
The United Nations must provide the Palestinians with an international protection force, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said in New York on Monday, a day before taking over the chairmanship of the Group of 77, the largest bloc of United Nation member states.

Inside the United States
Trump's full court press fails to sway voters on border wall, earns him credit for shutdown
President Trump’s prime-time plea to Americans to support his plans for a border wall fell flat, and the public increasingly blames him for the government shutdown.
Dems pressure GOP with two new bills to end the shutdown
House Democrats on Monday stepped up the pressure on Republicans to vote for legislation that at least temporarily funds partially closed government agencies, even if it excludes President Trump’s demand for wall funding.
Second U.S. judge blocks Trump administration birth control rules
A federal judge in Pennsylvania on Monday blocked the Trump administration from enforcing new rules allowing employers to obtain exemptions from an Obamacare requirement that they provide health insurance that covers women’s birth control.
AG nominee Bill Barr says Robert Mueller will be allowed to complete his probe
Attorney General nominee William P. Barr will promise senators Tuesday that if he is confirmed, he will ll allow special counsel Robert Mueller to finish his probe, now in its 20th month, into Russian election meddling.

Christian News
World Council of Churches trainees use antisemitic rhetoric, advocate BDS
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is training volunteers to promote boycotts of Israel and engage in antisemitic rhetoric, with funding from several Western governments and the EU, as well as support from the United Nations, a new report by research institute NGO Monitor has found.