Around the World
Trump to cut troop levels in Afghanistan but stops short of full withdrawal
President Donald Trump will sharply reduce the number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500 by mid-January, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday, stopping short of a threatened full withdrawal from America’s longest war after fierce opposition from allies at home and abroad.
Iran warns of ‘crushing response’ after Trump said to mull strikes on nuke sites
Iran warned on Tuesday of a “crushing response” in the wake of reports US President Donald Trump convened top advisers last week to ask if he had options to strike Iranian nuclear sites during his final weeks in office.
How did Iran, al-Qaeda end up in bed together?
This would seem to be all the truer about the most radical and fanatical Sunnis, al-Qaeda, and their counterpart fanatical Shi’ites, the Iranian regime.
Hurricane Iota hits Nicaragua, sparks warning of flash floods and landslides in parts of Central America
A powerful Hurricane Iota made landfall on the coast of Nicaragua late Monday, sparking warnings of a life-threatening storm surge and flash flooding in a region recently battered by Hurricane Eta.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF launches airstrikes against Iranian Quds Force in Syria
The Israel Defense Forces attacked Iranian and Syrian targets in Syria early Wednesday morning in response to explosives troops uncovered on Israel’s border with Syria on Tuesday.
Over 50% of Israelis would not agree to be vaccinated against COVID-19
More than half of Israelis (52%) say they “think they would not” or are “convinced they would not” be vaccinated against the coronavirus if a vaccine becomes widely available, according to a new survey by the Israel Democracy Institute.

Inside the United States
Trump Fires DHS Cyber Official, Disputing His Evaluation of the 2020 Election
President Trump in a Tuesday evening tweet fired the head of the Department of Homeland Security division responsible for election security, drawing strong criticism from Democrats, and an unapologetic response from the targeted official himself.
Zuckerberg asked during Senate hearing whether Facebook coordinates censorship with Twitter, Google
Sen. Josh Hawley questioned Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday about whether the social media giant coordinates content moderation with fellow tech giants Google and Twitter.
US successfully conducts test to intercept missile via ship for first time
The United States successfully used a ship-fired missile to intercept an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, or ICBM, in a first-of-its-kind test, according to the Missile Defense Agency.
Dominion confirms Clinton Foundation donation, Pelosi staffer tie but disputes other claims
Election tech company Dominion Voting Systems is rebutting assorted claims of partisan bias and voting manipulation in the 2020 election, including rumors of a secret U.S. military raid on purported servers in Germany and ownership interests and other influence in the firm by prominent Democratic families. At the same time, Dominion has confirmed reports it made a donation to the Clinton Foundation and hired a former Nancy Pelosi staffer as a lobbyist.
Senate passes Anti-Doping bill
The US Senate passed an anti-doping bill Monday that would allow American officials to seek criminal charges against people involved in doping at international sports events in which US athletes, sponsors, or broadcasters are participants, DW reports. While the bill is expected to be signed by President Trump, The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has expressed its concerns that the bill does not apply to US professional and collegiate sports leagues: the original draft bill included these domestic leagues.

Christian News
UK Evangelicals unsettled as Church of England announces near-future “decision” on same-sex marriage doctrine
The Church of England (CofE) has promised a “decision-making” process on sexuality doctrine, which may result in its approval of same-sex marriage by 2022, CBN News reports. The CofE Evangelical Council has said it will engage with the process but has warned of the need for obedience to Scripture.
Cuban government authorities demolish Assemblies of God church building and block other churches from opening
Government officials in Cuba have demolished an Assemblies of God church building and are preventing other churches from opening again after COVID-19 measures were lifted, Morning Star News reported Sunday. The Cuban government claimed the building was demolished to lay piping for a cement plant, but such infrastructure would have required the destruction of local homes and the relocation of residents: none of this has happened.
Nigerian Bible Translators Asking for Help as Pandemic, Terrorist Attacks on Christians, and Economic Collapse Halt Work
Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that empowers mother-tongue Bible translators and partners with local churches in the advancement of Bible translation, reports that Nigerian Bible translators are asking for help after suspending Bible translation projects in 30 languages.
Hungary Warns Of Christian Persecution in Europe
Hungary’s anti-migration government has warned that surging Christian persecution must end worldwide, including in Europe, which faced several Islamic terror attacks.