Around the World
2021: 3 Supermoons, 2 Blood Moons And A Sunrise ‘Ring Of Fire’ Eclipse
Sky watchers have a lot to look forward to in 2021, with three “supermoons,” one blue moon, and two lunar eclipses all taking place during the new year.
Iran to enrich uranium to 20% as anniversary of Soleimani killing approaches
Iran announced a day before the one-year anniversary of Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani’s death that it is planning to enrich uranium to 20% in an apparent violation of the nuclear deal.
Russian pipeline bypassing Ukraine advances
A major new Russian pipeline designed to bypass Ukraine to supply southeastern Europe got a major symbolic boost on New Year’s Day as Serbian President Alexandar Vucic officially proclaimed the first nearly 250 miles of the Balkan Stream natural gas pipeline to be open for business.
Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan resume Nile dam talks
The three African nations at the center of a spat over the controversial building of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam resumed talks on Sunday, officials said.
Russia Rushes Vaccines As COVID-Cases Spread
Russia says over 800,000 people have been vaccinated with its new jab against the coronavirus. More than 1.5 million vaccine doses were dispatched across the country as the nation increases its vaccination drive over the New Year period despite controversy about its Sputnik V vaccine.
Young Journalist Killed In Afghanistan
A young Afghan journalist has been shot dead in western Afghanistan, the fifth media professional to be killed within two months in the war-ravaged nation, officials confirmed Saturday.
Bosnian Army Offering Tents For Desperate Refugees
There was a glimmer of hope Saturday for some 1,000 freezing people stuck in a burned-out refugee camp in Bosnia after the army began placing tents to fend freezing winter weather.
More Fatal Plane Crashes Despite Drop in Flights
More people were killed in plane crashes last year than in 2019 despite a massive drop in fights due to the coronavirus pandemic, a Dutch aviation consultancy firm says.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel ships 2nd of two Iron Dome batteries to US, hopes to sell more
Israel shipped the second of two Iron Dome missile defense systems to the US Army over the weekend, with hopes to sell more batteries to the Americans in the future, the Defense Ministry said Sunday.
Abbas announces agreement with Hamas to hold elections
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced on Saturday that he had reached agreement with the rival Hamas movement to hold presidential and parliamentary elections. Hamas did not immediately comment on Abbas’s announcement.

Inside the United States
Cruz to lead group of GOP senators in challenge to Electoral College certification
Sen. Ted Cruz is leading a delegation of Republican senators who are planning to challenge the Electoral College certification and demand an emergency audit.
US bans anonymous shell companies, passing ‘historic’ anti-corruption legislation
The United States banned anonymous shell companies through the defense bill vetoed by President Trump last month but passed in Congress on Friday.
U.S. Congress Overrides Trump‘s Defense Veto
The U.S. Congress has overturned President Donald J. Trump’s veto of a defense policy bill, a first by legislators since he took office nearly four years ago.

Christian News
Islamist Militants Kill Dozens In Niger
Suspected Islamist militants have killed scores of people in simultaneous attacks on two villages in Niger, near the border with Mali, security officials said.
China Jails Christian Journalist For COVID-19 Investigations
China faces international pressure for sentencing an independent Christian journalist to four-year imprisonment over her coverage of the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan city. Zhang Zhan, 37, reportedly saw it as "God's will' to be among the few people whose firsthand accounts from crowded hospitals and empty streets painted a more gloomy picture of the COVID-19 epicenter than the official narrative.
Nigeria Gunmen Release Bishop But Violence Continues
A prominent Catholic bishop in Nigeria, kidnapped on December 27, has been released unharmed in an “answer to prayers,” his church said Saturday.
Uganda: Female pastor raped by Islamic extremists for preaching the Gospel
Islamic extremists in Uganda raped a female church pastor last month, claiming they were “teaching her a lesson” for converting Muslims to Christianity, Morning Star News reports. The Pastor, who was not named for her protection, was attacked in Kapyani in the Kibuku District of eastern Uganda on December 21. Although Ugandan law allows freedom of religion, and Muslims are a small minority in the country, radical Islamic persecution of Christians is ongoing.