Around the World
Holocaust Survivors Receive Coronavirus Vaccines Amid Tensions
Hundreds of Holocaust survivors in Austria and Slovakia have received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine despite concerns about possible side effects and amid mounting antisemitism.
Russian parliament OKs New START nuclear treaty extension
The lower house of Russian parliament on Wednesday quickly approved the extension of the last remaining nuclear arms control pact days before it’s due to expire.
Iran Will Take Steps Next Month to Curb Short-Notice IAEA Inspections: Official
Iran threatened on Tuesday to block short-notice inspections of its nuclear facilities, demanding Washington reverse economic sanctions before it returns to compliance with a nuclear deal that President Joe Biden aims to restore.
US B-52 bomber flies over Gulf again in message to Iran
A US B-52 heavy bomber flew over the Persian Gulf, the US military said on Wednesday, in the sixth such flight since November 2020 -- and the third this year.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli Military Chief Orders New Plans to Strike Iran’s Nuclear Program
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi announced on Tuesday the IDF is preparing military plans to hit Iran’s nuclear program in the upcoming year.
IDF chief’s message to Biden: If necessary, Israel will act alone
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi's speech at the annual INSS conference on Tuesday might have been in Hebrew, but what he said was aimed at speakers of both English and Farsi.

Inside the United States
Fed holds rates near zero amid fresh signs US economic recovery is slowing
The Federal Reserve said during its first meeting of the year on Wednesday that it would leave interest rates near zero and reaffirmed its commitment to other easing policies amid fresh signs the U.S. economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic is slowing.
Homeland Security issues domestic terrorism alert due to ‘violent extremists’
The Department of Homeland Security issued a domestic terrorism alert cautioning the public of potential attacks from "violent extremists."
Biden Creates Commission To Study Supreme Court Reform
President Joe Biden’s administration is creating a commission to study Supreme Court reform, Politico reported Wednesday.
New Gallup Poll: 11% of Americans satisfied with country’s direction
A new Gallup poll taken before the Jan. 20 inauguration of President Joe Biden shows 11% of Americans are satisfied with the condition of the US. Reporting its poll results, Gallup specifies it found Republicans’ satisfaction with the US tied with Independents’ at 14%, compared to Democrats’ level of 5%.
Virginia court rules state election board cannot accept late ballots without postmarks
A County election official has won a permanent injunction against Virginia accepting late ballots with no postmark, the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) reported Monday. The case had been brought by PILF on behalf of Thomas Reed, a local electoral board member.

Christian News
Report lists countries were Christians are most persecuted
The Open Doors persecution watchdog has published its 2021 list of countries where it is most dangerous for Christians to practice their faith, Christianity Today reports. Published this month, the list is based on grassroots reports from Open Door workers between November 1, 2019, and October 31, 2020.

Worthy Watch
Faith Under Fire: Gingrich warns U.S. religious liberty in gravest peril since Revolutionary War
GameStop Making Waves on Wall Street
Social Influencer Being Charged for a Meme!