(intense music)

- [Announcer] This is "CBN Newswatch".

- Hello, everyone, thankyou so much for joining us

for "CBN Newswatch" forDecember 18th, 2020.

I'm George Thomas.

Today,

a second coronavirus vaccine inching

toward widespread use.

The approval that could come within hours.

A warning about Iran and concern

about what the Bidenadministration will do next.

Is a nuclear deal on the way?

How a new campaign is bringing awareness

about the millions trappedin modern-day slavery.

And a starlight event that mayhave Biblical implications.

Those stories, and muchmore today on "Newswatch".

But we begin today on the news

of a second coronavirus vaccine.

It is one step closer to approval

after the US marked itsdeadliest 24 hours yet.

The Moderna vaccine justgot the green light,

and the final approvalcould come within hours.

CBN's White House correspondent,Ben Kennedy, reports.

- [Ben] More than 17 millionAmericans have COVID,

a record 247,000 newcases in 24 hours alone,

and more than 3,600 deaths.

This as an FDA advisorypanel voted 20 to zero

to recommend emergency useof the Moderna vaccine.

They did note some peopleshowed minor reactions,

but did not identify any safety concerns.

- Moderna certainlywill be available soon,

have the same level of efficacy,the same safety profile,

and virtually everythingthe same about them.

So it wouldn't make much difference,

which of those you take.

- [Ben] Pfizer's versionis already on the road,

being given at nearly 600locations cross-country.

Between the two vaccines,officials are expecting

some 20 million doses will be distributed

by the end of the year, butit's a war on two fronts.

The shutdowns due to the pandemic

continue to hurt the economy,

and millions of Americans are suffering.

Thursday's job report shows 885,000

applied for unemployment.

Lawmakers are working topass another round of relief.

A roughly $900 billion billhas bipartisan support.

It would provide $300 a weekin unemployment benefits

and a $600 direct stimuluspayment to most Americans.

It also includes eviction protection

and billions for small businessesand vaccine distribution.

On CBN's "Faith Nation",Chief Political Analyst

David Brody said SenateRepublicans are holding the line

on some Democrat priorities.

- What isn't included

is money for states and local governments,

nor protections against COVIDlawsuits for businesses.

Where does this leave the relief effort

in January with a new administration?

- Well, if you notice those twoparts that were not included

were things that Mitch McConnell

and Republicans did not wantin the bill, and guess what?

They're not gonna be in thebill because Mitch McConnell

and the Republicansstill control the Senate.

We'll see how it goes in January.

- [Ben] Ben Kennedy, CBN News.

- Thank you, Ben.

Several states, by theway, say they have been

told to expect far fewer dosesof Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine.

Now there is concernthat healthcare workers

and long-term care residentswill not have immediate access

to the medication.

Trump administration officials said

there is confusion over semantics,

and Pfizer says its productionlevel have not changed.

The first US doses wereadministered Monday.

Hundreds of thousands of people

have been vaccinated already.

That pace is expectedto increase next week.

Earlier this week,

US National SecurityAdvisor Robert O'Brien

met with Israeli PrimeMinister Benjamin Netanyahu.

During their joint statements,

Netanyahu took the opportunityto warn the world about Iran.

Take a listen.

- As long as Iran continues to subjugate

and threaten its neighbors,

as long as Iran continuescalling for Israel's destruction,

as long as Iran continuesto bankroll and equip

and train terrorist organizations

throughout the region and the world,

and as long as Iran persistsin its dangerous quest

for nuclear weapons andthe means to deliver them,

we shouldn't go back tobusiness as usual with Iran.

- That was Israeli Prime Minister

Benjamin Netanyahu withsome very strong words.

Many Middle East observersfelt the statement

from BB was directed in part

at a future Biden administration

that has pledged to renegotiatethe Iranian nuclear deal.

Most Israelis believedthe nuclear deal will pave

for the Islamic Republicto develop nuclear weapons.

Joining me now is Middle EastBureau Chief Chris Mitchell.

Chris, great to have youon the broadcast this week.

Listen, tell us whyNetanyahu would be making

such a statement at this time.

- Well, just a few weeksbefore a possible future

Biden administration, he wantsto send that signal to them,

both Biden and Kamala Harris.

They've been very clear about going

into the Iranian nucleardeal that was aggregated

by President Trump, about 2018.

They want to reenter it.

So this presents anight and day difference

from the Trump administrationfor Israel right now.

So Netanyahu is making itclear where Israel stands.

And as you said, across the board,

Israelis believe that thenuclear deal is a danger to Iran,

and I would add, George,that for Benjamin Netanyahu,

this has almost been his life's mission

to prevent Iran fromgetting a nuclear weapon,

so he's gonna be very strong

about any future Biden administration

that he's gonna say, thisis not acceptable to Israel.

- And as you know, Chris,so much has changed

in the last four years sincethe Obama-Biden administration.

By the way, you also had an historic visit

by a joint Bahraini-Emirati delegation

this week in Jerusalem.

Why is that so significant?

- Well, you know, George, itreally ties into the Iranian

nuclear deal from ageopolitical point of view.

You know, the Bahrainis and the Emiratis,

including the Saudis, they alsosee Iran as a mortal enemy,

and so it's just naturalfor them to make a deal,

normalize relations with Israel right now.

And so I think that's sort of the impetus

of what's happening right now.

Also another issue is thefact that it's tourism.

You have maybe a hundred thousand tourists

that the tourism ministry here in Israel

is looking from the UAE alone.

Already you have Israelisfilling up flights from Tel-Aviv

to the UAE and Abu Dhabi.

It's just an incredible thing.

It's also thispeople-to-people relationship

that seems to be growing by the week.

- Israel, Chris continuesto deal with COVID.

What's the latest there, brother?

- Well, the next bigthing is tomorrow night,

Saturday night, Netanyahu,it's gonna be on live TV

here in Israel.

He's gonna be the firstone to get the vaccine.

Israel's president, ReuvenRivlin, will follow him.

It's almost like Vice PresidentPence is gonna be having

the vaccine as well.

Israel has bought millionsof doses of the vaccines

of Pfizer and Moderna.

They're looking at maybevaccinating 60,000 people per day.

They're looking at mass vaccinations

coming up in the next few weeks.

Right now, just like theUS, there's a rise in cases,

and Israel actually mightbe looking at another

lockdown right now.

- Okay, Chris, you're thehost of "Jerusalem Dateline".

Tell us what you haveon this week's edition.

- Well, several things, George.

We have a successful anti-missile test

between the US and Israel.

What they've done is they'veactually put their four layers,

the Arrow, the David'sSling, the Iron Dome,

the Arrow 2 and 3, allworking together as one,

and that's also a signal to Iran,

not to unleash Hezbollahor Hamas and attack Israel.

We also have a story aboutarcheological discovery

of oil lamps with bothJewish and Christian symbols

from about 1700 years ago,proving that both Jews

and Christians were livingside by side back then

and also reading the Biblein the land of the Bible.

We're gonna be readingfrom the book of Luke

in the Judean Wilderness.

- Sounds so exciting.

You can see more newsfrom the Middle East,

from Chris and his awesome team tonight

on the CBN News channel at 9:30 Eastern.

Vice President Mike Pence...

It looks like we are goingto take a break for a moment

and we'll be back right after this.

Stay with us, folks.

- [Announcer] Too often, wecarry baggage from our past.

You know what it's like.

It affects everythingand everyone in lives.

It's always there weighing us down

and keeping us fromachieving true happiness.

But do you know, God nevermeant for us to be trapped

in the past?

You can be free of your baggage.

Learn how God's forgivenessleads to changed lives

and new beginnings.

Call the 700 Club.

(upbeat music)

- [Efrem] I'm Efrem Graham,

and this is Studio 5.

Cruise with me as I discoverthe good things happening

in the world of music, sports,television, and movies.

- Fact that Ryan Coogler wasgoing to be directing the film,

I knew that somethingspecial was gonna happen.

- [Efrem] We'll chat withartists at the forefront

of entertainment andexplore the connection

between popular culture and faith.

- I asked my pastor, I said,

"Well, does that mean I'msupposed to be a preacher?"

He says, "No, you already have a pulpit."

- [Efrem] Watch Studio 5Wednesday night at 9:30.

(announcer speaking in foreign language)

- [Woman] This is our nature as a country.

- [Announcer] To makethe world a better place.

- Literally, we felt the earth shaking.

- [Announcer] The ChristianBroadcasting Network presents

"To Life: How Israeli Volunteersare Changing the World".

- This film needs to be seen by everyone.

- I was in tears.

- [Announcer] Now you canown the inspiring documentary

"To Life" on DVD.

- There is blood on our handsif we know and we walk away.

- I'm so grateful that this film was made.

- [Announcer] "To Life" can be yours

for a gift of $10 or more.

Call 1-800-700-7000 or log on to cbn.com.

- [Man] We know that everyminute counts to save life.

- It'll bless Israel.

It'll also bless allthe friends of Israel.

- [Announcer] Discover the untold story

of how Israeli volunteers

are making the world a better place.

Call 1-800-700-7000 or log on to cbn.com

to get your copy today.

- Welcome back, folks.

You're watching the CBN News Channel.

Vice President Mike Pence is stumping

for the two GOP Georgia senators

heading toward a runoffelection in just a few weeks.

Pence was at a rally in Columbuswhere supporters cheered

for incumbent Republican senators,

David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.

His goal to energize the baseto get them to the polls.

Both races are extremelyclose against Democrats,

Raphael Warnock, and JonOssoff, and a lot is at stake.

If the GOP loses these two seats,

the balance of power in Washington

will shift to the Democrats.

Pence highlighted major accomplishments,

giving the two senators credit.

Take a listen.

- This week, America witnessedthe beginning of the end

of the coronavirus pandemic.

We made history and thefirst coronavirus vaccine

is being ministered inevery state in the union.

(crowd cheering)

And David Perdue andKelly Loeffler were there

every single day, puttingthe health of Georgia first.

If his people who are called by his name

will humble themselves and pray and turn

then he'll do like he's always done

in the long and storiedhistory of America.

He'll hear from heavenand he'll heal this land.

- Yesterday, Pence urge the crowd to vote

despite doubts theyhave about the accuracy

of the November election,promising those who vote

via absentee will havetheir ballots counted

and that there will beincreased election security.

Our Mark Martin spoke withJason Yates of My Faith Votes

about their work in Georgia and overall

to get people to the polls

and vote according to their beliefs.

Here's that interview.

- Joining us now is JasonYates with My Faith Votes

to talk about the group's work in Georgia.

Welcome, Jason.

- Thanks so much, Mark.

- Your group believes thisrunoff is not only important

to Georgia, but the nation.

Besides determining control of the Senate,

why does it matter so much?

- It really mattersbecause when you look at

this point in history, thisis really the first time

that we have an election thatis really going to determine

in a special way theprojection of our nation.

And when you look at thedifferent platforms of the parties

and look at what's at stakeand what they stand for,

we just believe that froma faith-based perspective,

there's a lot at stake around our values,

around where we stand for abortion,

where we would take thingswith the Supreme Court,

and it matters.

And we don't believe eitherparty should necessarily

have full control of taking things

more from a power perspective.

But that's what we see at stake here.

And what's being threatened, really,

from different party platforms.

- Tell us about yourefforts there in Georgia.

- Yeah, we have a lotthat we have planned.

First, we have a greateffort of volunteers

from across the nation.

We have over 5,000volunteers that are doing

a number of things,

primarily writing handwrittenpostcard messages,

sending them to Georgia voters,encouraging them to vote,

and vote from a place that honors God

and honors our Biblical values.

We're doing that.

We are also doing a wholedigital marketing campaign

called It's Time To Choose,

choosing what's thedirection of our nation.

Where are we headed?

And what do they want to seehappen not only in Georgia,

but for the nation for years to come?

And finally, we are doinga media campaign on radio,

on TV, in the newspapers,with messages about

what's happening with this election

and what people need toknow in order to vote.

- Jason, there are people of faith

supporting both candidates.

How does faith overridepolitics in this case

and really where we are as a nation?

- Yeah, I think our faithcertainly has something essential

to contribute to politics.

We need to look at what arethe values that we stand for?

How do we think of life?

How do we think of our abilityto practice our religion?

How do we think about howthe government treats people

within its communities?

It's not easy decisions,

and sometimes binary choices are tough,

and so we are calling people to pray,

to really explore way candidates,

what they represent and howthey think about the issues.

Think biblically about those issues

and pray about those and thenmake the very best decision.

We know not everybody's gonnavote in the exact same way,

but I think if they are praying,thinking and then voting,

and voting from a Biblical world view,

we'll get God-honoring outcomes.

- All right, Jason Yateswith My Faith Votes.

Thanks for your time, Jason.

- Appreciate it, Mark, thanks.

(upbeat music)

- When I came to Regent University,

it's like the world opened up.

I felt like I needed to advance my career

and go back to school.

Regent was a perfect fit for me.

The Regent professors are world-class.

You are equipped.

The focus of the faculty ison each individual student,

whether it's online or in-person,

you become a part of Regent's family.

You carry with you not justthe content and the knowledge,

but the confidence to understand

that we can be significant in the world.

- [Announcer] Regent University.

Follow your path.

- Nigerian Christians are-- Christians in Iran-

- [Female Reporter] Beingslaughtered every day.

- [Male Reporter] Are routinely arrested.

- [Female Reporter]Can't believe Christians

continue to suffer.

- [Announcer] In timesof trial and affliction,

you need to know the truth.

- One of the fastest-growingChristian populations

in the world.

- [Announcer] Join WendyGriffith and George Thomas

for "Christian World News".

- [Female Reporter]Young people are the ones

who are open to the gospel.

- [Announcer] Powerfulstories of suffering and hope

that affect all Christians.

Watch "Christian WorldNews" Saturday at 5:00 PM.

- [Announcer] Get "Protect Your Sleep"

and discover how to improvethe quality of your life.

A free DVD or booklet

from the Christian Broadcasting Network.

- If you're not a great sleeper,

you can do things tomake yourself a sleeper.

If you're already a pretty good sleeper,

you can enhance yoursleep and be even better.

- [Announcer] Five leadingexperts help remove the obstacles

between you and restorative sleep.

- When you don't get arestful night's sleep,

you wake up with anaccumulation of stress.

- [Announcer] Call1-800-700-7000, or go to cbn.com

to get your free DVD or booklet today.

- Everything you do,

you do better with a good night's sleep.

- [Announcer] You'll discoverhow food affects your sleep,

how to put insomnia to rest,

explore effectiveremedies for sleep apnea,

and much more in "Protect Your Sleep".

Wake up to your best life

and get "Protect Your Sleep" today.

Call 1-800-700-7000 or go to cbn.com

to get your free DVD or booklet.

- Welcome back, folks.

You're watching the CBN News Channel.

A global campaign is bringing awareness

about the millions ofmen, women, and children

who are trapped in slavery.

It's called Can You See Me?

And the campaign uses videos,billboards and posters

depicting scenarios ofthe most common forms

of modern-day slavery.

Take a look.

(bell ringing)

(phone chiming)

(intense music)

(doors clanging)

(phone dings)

(text whooshes)

- [Boy] I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

- Joining me now is MollieThorsen, the US Advocacy Director

for A21, the group behindthe Can You See Me campaign.

Thank you so much for joiningus on the broadcast, Mollie.

More than 40 millionpeople are enslaved today

around the world, and oftenthere's this perception

that it doesn't happenin the United States,

that it happens only in other countries.

That's a myth, right?

- Exactly, and thank you guysso much for having us today.

The scenario you you just sawwas child online enticement.

The National Center forMissing and Exploited Children

had nearly over 500,000 reports

to the hotline this yearalone in the United States.

- [George] You have 1000billboards on major highways

around the country andposters in seven airports.

Mollie, what's the goal of the campaign?

- So this campaign was builtto bring this awareness.

Like you said, not many peopleknow that this is happening

in their nation, let alonetheir states and their towns.

So often human traffickingis thought of as this unseen

trauma, but really it'shidden in plain sight

everywhere you go.

So the idea of the campaignwas really to bring awareness,

distribute the hotline number,

which is attached to all of these ads

running throughout the nation,

and just bring awarenessto human trafficking

and that it really is happening here.

- Yeah, what are thesigns, Mollie, to look for

if a friend or loved one is caught

in a web of human trafficking?

- So that's a reallygood question, George.

There are so many differenttypes of human trafficking.

There's agricultural labor,there's domestic servitude,

there's child online enticement.

So each look very different.

I would encourageeveryone to go to a21.org

to look for the signs ofeach different scenario

but often cases, they'rein sex trafficking.

You can look for someonewho seems malnourished,

someone who's younger anddressed up to look older,

and someone who's really agitated

and maybe doesn't respondwhen you ask them questions.

- And sadly, business is boomingright now for traffickers,

despite the pandemic.

Research shows women andchildren are at greater risk

of violence and traffickingbecause of COVID, right?

And you just mentionedhundreds of thousands of people

have been calling thisa particular hotline

that you mentioned?

- Yes, exactly.

For children, especially withall of the online activity,

there's definitely anincrease in opportunity

for traffickers to contactthe vulnerable children

across the United States.

People are lonely right now.

so they're online and they'recommunicating with people

at a much higher rate than they ever have

and that really does bringa lot more opportunity

for traffickers topenetrate through the screen

and attack the vulnerable.

- Yeah, okay, terrific.

Mollie, thank you so muchfor coming on the broadcast.

Mollie, the US Advocacy Director for A21,

the group behind theCan You See Me campaign,

a very, very important campaign.

Thanks so much for allyou do on behalf of those

who do not have a voice, okay?

You're welcome.

- Folks, coming up, a Christmasstar lighting up the sky.

What scientists are saying

about the Biblical star of Bethlehem.

That story in a moment.

You don't wanna miss it.

Stay with us.

(upbeat music)

- [Announcer] Christians around the world

are standing with the Israelis, but why?

In CBN's free magazine "Friendsof Israel", you'll discover

why Christians are supporting

the Jewish state, how Israelis fulfilling prophecy

as a light to the nations,

and ways you can prayfor the people of Israel.

Israel needs the supportof friends like you.

Call now or go to cbn.com

to get your free copyof "Friends of Israel".

(upbeat music)

- Heavenly father, we dothank you for the work

of your spirit, LordGod, with this movement

of getting the Bible.

- Yes.

- Lord, into public school.

- [Announcer] Watch the Prayer Link,

Tuesday nights at 6:30.

- If you're tired and exhausted all day,

you can't think clearly, andyou really just need a cup

or even a pot of coffeeto get through your day,

then join me, Dr. JoshAxe, for this new series

where I'm gonna teach youhow to transform your diet

and use essential oils and supplements

to get a better night's sleep.

- [Announcer] Get "Protect Your Sleep"

and live your best life,

with innovative informationfrom five leading sleep experts.

- If you're not a great sleeper,

you can do things to makeyourself a great sleeper.

If you're already a pretty good sleeper,

you can enhance yoursleep and be even better.

- [Announcer] Discover asleep-enhancing bedtime routine,

how to put insomnia to rest.

Learn how to relieve pain

that disturbs sleep, and much more

in "Protect Your Sleep".

- Everything you do,

you do better with a good night's sleep.

- [Announcer] Wake up to your best life.

Call 1-800-700-7000 to getyour free DVD or booklet

of "Protect Your Sleep" today.

- Don't miss out on this brand new series.

- Welcome back to the broadcast.

Mark your calendars for December 21st.

A rare cosmic event willlight up the night sky.

Some are calling it the Christmas Star

but star experts say, hmm, not so fast.

Wendy Griffith has more.

- [Wendy] December 21stis the winter solstice,

the darkest night of the year.

And in 2020 Saturn and Jupiter,the two largest planets

in our solar system, will nearly kiss,

the closest the two planetshave aligned in 800 years.

The phenomenon has many talkingand even singing about it.

♪ And the Christmas star appears ♪

♪ First time in 800 years ♪

♪ You'll see it next Monday night ♪

♪ We get that's a bright sight ♪

- Seriously, Jupiter andSaturn are gonna align

by less than a 10th of adegree in the night sky

on December 21st.

Last time it happened was March 4th, 1226.

It's the Christmas Star.

- [Wendy] Star of Bethlehemexpert, Rick Larson,

says while that's true you'dhave to go all the way back

to the Middle Ages tosee a closer convergence,

it's not going to resemblethe Christmas Star

that led the men to the baby Jesus.

- What's happening on December 21, simply,

as beautiful as it is, it'snot the Star of Bethlehem.

The Star of Bethlehem is aconjunction of Jupiter and Venus.

The conjunction, which justmeans the coming together

visually, was so closethat they basically stacked

like a figure eight, andso they didn't obscure

one another's brightness,and the result was

the brightest star anyonealive had ever seen.

- The Bible speaks ofthe star the wise men saw

in Matthew chapter two.

"And lo, the star, whichthey saw in the East,

went before them till it came and stood

over where the young child was.

When they saw the star,

they rejoiced with exceeding great joy."

Many Christians believethe Star of Bethlehem

was a miraculous sign tomark the birth of Jesus.

And while the 2020 starmay not be as bright,

the fact that such a rarecosmic event is happening

so close to Christmas in a year like 2020

is giving many hopethat the God of miracles

is still shining his light from above.

Wendy Griffith, CBN News.

- Thank you so much, folks.

This is it for thisedition of "CBN Newswatch".

Remember, you can findmore of our news programs

on the CBN News Channel anytimeor online at cbsnews.com.

Also tell us what you thinkabout the stories you've seen

by emailing newswatch@cbn.comor you can reach out to us

on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

From all of us here from the headquarters

of the Christian BroadcastingNetwork, goodbye.

Have a great weekend, ciao.