Around the World
‘Climate Concerns’ Overshadow 5th Anniversary Of Paris Deal Summit
The U.S. government stayed away from a weekend summit marking the fifth anniversary of the controversial Paris Agreement on climate change, where world leaders expressed worries about Earth’s future.
Leak: ‘China Communists Infiltrate Governments, Companies Worldwide’
A significant leak shows that at least nearly two million Chinese Communist Party (CCP) members work worldwide, including US government agencies and the biggest companies, Australian media reported Sunday.
Britain, EU Agree To Keep Talking Over Deal
London and Brussels have agreed to continue talks on a crucial trade deal to avoid Britain's turbulent exit from the European Union's orbit by the end of the month. The announcement followed difficult negotiations between the two sides to prevent a messy divorce on Sunday.
Iran Executes Journalist Who Inspired Daring Protests
Iran on Saturday executed a journalist who inspired nationwide economic protests for freedom in 2017 after luring him out of exile in Paris and kidnapping him.
Hungarian Socialist Party Leader Resigns Over Smuggling Scandal
In a setback for Hungary’s self-declared anti-corruption opposition, a high ranking diplomat resigned after he was allegedly caught smuggling cigarettes through Ukraine’s border.
Hungary Suing EU Over Rule Of Law Demands
Hungary warned Friday that it would launch a case at the European Union’s top court against the linking of EU funds to respect the rule of law.
EU, Britain Face Messy Divorce After Talks Breakdown
European leaders have warned that Britain's exit from the European Union will likely be without a crucial deal on $1 trillion in annual trade. Britain already quit the EU in January, but it remained in the EU single market and customs union during a transition period.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel normalizes ties with Bhutan
Israel established full diplomatic relations with Bhutan for the first time on Saturday night.
Palestinians ready to resume negotiations with Israel
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday that the Palestinians are prepared to resume talks with Israel and that fresh negotiations should be based on resolutions passed by the United Nations on the Arab-Israeli conflict, the Jerusalem Post reports. Abbas made the announcement during a visit to Ramallah by Spain’s Foreign Minister Arancha González.

Inside the United States
Tens of Thousands Rally in Washington to Demand Election Integrity
Tens of thousands of people converged on the U.S. Capitol and the Supreme Court on Dec. 12—waving American flags, wearing red, white, and blue, and blaring horns—to take part in rallies calling for greater transparency in the 2020 election.
U.S. Supreme Court Rejects Election Challenge
The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected a last-ditch effort to overturn the official results of the 2020 presidential election despite reported voter fraud.
Ban on federally funded abortions on chopping block next year
House Democrats, eyeing the arrival of President-elect Joe Biden in the White House next year, plan to ramp up efforts to repeal a law that bans abortions funded by taxpayers.
US Allows Emergency COVID-19 Vaccine in Bid to End Pandemic
The U.S. gave the final go-ahead Friday to the nation’s first COVID-19 vaccine, marking what could be the beginning of the end of an outbreak that has killed nearly 300,000 Americans, according to a person familiar with the decision but not authorized to discuss it publicly.
WSJ: Barr Kept Quiet About 2 Hunter Biden Probes for Months
Attorney General Bill Barr reportedly hid two federal probes involving Hunter Biden for months.
US Government deficit increased by 25.1% in first 2 months of budget year
The US government deficit in the first two months of the budget year increased by 25.1% more than it was at the same time last year, PBS reports. The rise reflects increased government spending to manage the COVID-19 pandemic against a related backdrop of decreased income from taxes. The budget year begins on October 1.

Christian News
Christians Spreading “Christmas Hope” At US Abortion Clinics
Christian activists say they are gathering at abortion clinics across the United States this month to sing Christmas carols and offer women seeking abortions a message of hope.
Ex-Jailed Pastor Warns US Christians Of Persecution
A U.S. pastor who spent two years in a Turkish prison for activities linked to his faith warns of upcoming persecution of Christians in the United States.
India: Hindu extremists lock Pastor in room and leave him to die as punishment for sharing the Gospel
A pastor in northeast India has been rescued after a gang of radical Hindus locked him in a room and left him to die because he was distributing Gospel tracts, Morning Star News reports. Pastor Shelton Vishwanathan was accosted by six men who knocked him unconscious and imprisoned him in a room in Bihar state’s Sheohar District on October 5.