TODAY'S TALKING POINTS 08-14-15

TODAY'S TALKING POINTS

Greece's parliament backed the terms of a draft bailout deal. Greek officials pulled another all nighter before agreeing on the third bailout for the country in five years. If parliament hadn't agreed on the deal, the country's banks could have lost emergency funding by the European Central Bank.

Enough members of parliament voted against the deal that Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras may face a vote of confidence on August 20 — the same day a massive debt payment is due. If he loses, he could be forced to resign.

Afghan officials sought peace with the Taliban. Afghanistan's presidentaccused Pakistan this week of not taking action against the extremist group's "suicide training camps and bomb making facilities," but Pakistan officials denied supporting the group and promised to encourage peace between the opposing sides. The effort comes in the wake of a string of violent Taliban attacks in Kabul.

Pakistan hosted the first peace talks between the two groups last month, but hope for peace seemed to die with former Taliban leader Mullah Omar.

Three more women raised sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby. Colleen Hughes, Eden Tirl and Linda Ridgeway Whitedeer spoke out at a press conference Wednesday. Among the graphic allegations, one woman claims that Cosby “blessed” her with his semen “as if it was holy water.” They join dozens of other women who have similarly accused the actor. Cosby is currently facing an Oct. 9 deposition relating to another alleged victim, Judy Huth.

Japan didn't quite apologize for WWII. The world was waiting for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to express regret on the 70th anniversary of the war's end. Abe said he had the "utmost grief" for Japan's actions, but stressed that future generations shouldn't have to say sorry for the past.

Connecticut's highest court dubbed the death penalty unconstitutional. The state legislature voted to abolish the death penalty in 2012, but the decision only applied to future inmates. Thursday’s move would remove 11 current convicts from death row. Connecticut will be the 20th state (paywall), including Washington, D.C., to ban the death penalty.

John Kerry will ceremoniously reopen the Cuban embassy. The U.S. flag will fly over the embassy Friday for the first time in 54 years, creating a visible symbol of the progress the former Cold War foes have made.