Around the World
US envoy to Iran says more sanctions coming, urges Biden to maintain leverage
The Trump administration plans to tighten sanctions on Tehran during its final months in power, the top US envoy on Iran said on Wednesday, as he urged President-elect Joe Biden to use the leverage to press for a deal that reduces the regional and nuclear threats posed by the Islamic Republic.
Brexit: Next days 'decisive' for hopes of deal, says EU's Ursula von der Leyen
The coming days in the Brexit negotiations will be "decisive" as to whether Britain and the EU are able to agree on a free trade deal, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli military prepares for possibility Trump will strike Iran
The Israel Defense Forces have in recent weeks been instructed to prepare for the possibility that the U.S. will conduct a military strike against Iran before President Trump leaves office, senior Israeli officials tell me.
Netanyahu announces he plans to visit Bahrain
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday that he is planning to make his first official visit to Bahrain in the near future, the Jerusalem Post reports. Like Sudan and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain has recently signed a US-brokered normalization agreement with Israel.

Inside the United States
Rudy Giuliani: Trump team has a 'mountain' of evidence, and you ain't seen nothing yet
The Trump legal team has a "mountain" of evidence showing voting fraud that the public has yet to see and could tilt the election away from President-elect Joe Biden, according to Rudy Giuliani.
U.S. President Trump Pardons Ex-Advisor Flynn
U.S. President Donald J. Trump has pardoned Michael Flynn, his first national security advisor, who pleaded guilty to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about his contacts with Russian officials.
Third-quarter GDP unchanged at 33.1% annual rate as pandemic weighs on future growth
The Commerce Department on Wednesday reported that third-quarter GDP growth was unchanged at 33.1%, which confirms the record-breaking expansion that occurred last quarter.
Seattle City Council votes to cut police budget by 18%
In what has been described as one of the largest cuts to big-city police forces this year, Seattle City Council voted 8-1 Monday to cut its police department (SPD) budget by some $30 million dollars, around 18%, Fox News reports. The council also agreed to recruit 100 new police officers in 2021, but millions of dollars will reportedly be allocated away from the SPD and reassigned to community alternatives.
Unexplained metal monolith discovered in remote area of Utah
Authorities in Utah have discovered an unexplained metal monolith installed in the ground in a remote red rock area of the state, The Hill reports. The Utah Department of Public Safety (UDPS) stated Monday that the discovery was made during a count of bighorn sheep in a southeastern part of the state on November 18.

Christian News
Christian Broadcaster: ‘U.S. Churches Face Similar Persecution As In Algeria’
The U.S president of an influential Christian broadcaster warned Wednesday that American churches could face similar persecution as denominations in Algeria.