Around the World
Putin to deploy new hypersonic missile system as arms race escalates
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday his army would deploy a new hypersonic nuclear-capable missile system next year, upping the ante in a high-tech arms race with the U.S.
Russia: Syrian government must take over eastern Syria
Russia’s Foreign Ministry says Moscow expects the Syrian government to take over the areas where the U.S. troops are currently deployed following their withdrawal.
EU's Oettinger sees chance British parliament votes for Brexit deal in January
European Commissioner Guenther Oettinger said on Thursday there is still a chance that Britain’s parliament will vote in favor of the Brexit agreement in January and that there was no public support for a disorderly Brexit or another referendum.
Iraqi militia head calls for expelling US forces
The head of a powerful Iraqi militia that enjoys backing from Iran is threatening to expel U.S. forces from Iraq after an unannounced visit by President Donald Trump to American troops stationed in the country.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Trump: We give Israel billions, it can defend itself in Syria
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he was not worried that pulling troops out of Syria could endanger Israel, citing vast American military aid to the Jewish state and saying it could defend itself.
Netanyahu vows to keep hitting Iran in Syria: 'We stand firmly on our red lines'
Brushing aside Russian criticism of a reported Israeli airstrike in Syria overnight, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday doubled down on Israel’s policy of attacking Iranian-linked targets in Syria.
Israel fires at Syrian missile after bombing of arms depots near Damascus
Israel’s air defense system - likely the Arrow - was activated late Tuesday night against a Syrian anti-aircraft missile, following an alleged Israeli air strike over the capital of Damascus. Media reports claimed that Israel struck weapon warehouses near the Syrian capital.
Hezbollah Tunnel Under Lebanon Border; Netanyahu Says Operation Northern Shield ‘Mostly Behind Us’
The IDF announced on Wednesday it had detected and destroyed a fifth tunnel dug by Hezbollah under the Israel-Lebanon border.
Livni calls on Center-Left to form bloc to take down Netanyahu
Opposition leader Tzipi Livni begged her fellow leaders of the Center-Left on Tuesday to act unselfishly in order to defeat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the April 9 general election, as two new parties were announced earlier in the day.

Inside the United States
Markets deliver historic Christmas Eve drop as Trump feuds with Fed
U.S. stocks fell sharply Monday, making it the worst Christmas Eve trading day ever.
Dow Jones soars more than 1,000 points in largest single-day increase
The Dow Jones Industrial Average soared more than 1,000 points Wednesday for its largest-ever single-day point increase, as stocks rebounded from a historically poor Christmas Eve.

Christian News
Six Christians Injured in Stoning of Christmas Service in Burma
Unidentified men last week stoned a house full of worshippers for an hour in a predominantly Buddhist village in Burma (Myanmar), injuring six people, sources said.