Prophecy News Watch - April 20, 2018

Around the World
U.S. Personnel Embedded With Lebanese Forces, Raising Concern Of Hezbollah Penetration
A senior U.S. official disclosed this week that American personnel have been stationed in the Lebanese Armed Forces, or LAF, a contested fighting force that is closely aligned with the Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah, according to testimony this week that has caused alarm in Congress and with regional experts.
Russia: U.S. strikes remove moral hurdles for S-300 missiles for Assad - RIA
U.S. military strikes on Syria last week removed any moral obligation Russia had to withhold S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems from its ally Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday, according to RIA state news agency.
NAFTA 70-80 percent done, Mexican negotiator says
The renegotiations for the North American Free Trade Agreement are '70-80 percent' complete and discussions on remaining issues could be completed in the next two to three weeks, Mexico's top economic official said Thursday.
A Militant Linked to the 9/11 Attacks Has Been Captured by U.S.-Backed Forces in Syria
U.S.-backed forces in Syria have a militant linked to the September 11 terrorist attacks in their custody, according to the Pentagon.
Volcano in southern Japan erupts for 1st time in 250 years
A volcano in southern Japan has erupted for the first time in 250 years, and the authorities have set up a no-go zone around the mountain.
Bolton meets with Russia’s ambassador at the White House over election meddling, Syria
New White House national security adviser John Bolton held a surprise meeting with Russia’s ambassador at the White House Thursday amid high tensions between the two nations, telling Moscow’s diplomat that relations won’t improve until the Kremlin addresses Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and other crises.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Ahead of Border Protests, IDF Drops Leaflets Warning Gazans: 'Hamas Endangers Your Lives'
In preparation for the expected protests and riots along the border between Israel and Gaza, the IDF dropped leaflets in Gaza on Friday morning warning residents of the Gaza Strip against trying to use violence against Israeli civilians and soldiers, as well as to damage, cross or even come near the border fence.
Islamic Jihad threatens Israeli soldiers and generals in video
In a video published by Islamic Jihad on Thursday, the Islamic militant group threatens Israel’s Defence Forces ahead of Friday’s 'March of Return in Gaza.'
Romania to move Israel embassy to Jerusalem, says government
Romania has begun efforts to move its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem, ruling Social Democrat Party (PSD) leader Liviu Dragnea announced on Thursday.
In first, European Parliament condemns Hamas for terror, use of human shields
The European Parliament on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a resolution that denounces Hamas as a terrorist group that uses human shields, calls for Israel’s destruction and 'seems to aim at escalating tensions' at the Gaza-Israel border.

Inside the United States
New emails bolster GOP claims of FBI, DOJ 'coordination' on Clinton case response
Emails reviewed by Fox News from February 2016 suggest the FBI and DOJ worked together to craft a response to a key development in the Hillary Clinton email investigation, amid newly raised Republican concerns about a 'concerning level of coordination' between the two agencies during the probe.
Justice Dept. heads off subpoena, gives Comey memos to Congress
The Justice Department on Thursday sent Congress copies of the memos that former FBI Director James B. Comey wrote on his interactions with President Trump, moving to head off a looming subpoena from Capitol Hill.
6 Things You Need To Know About The Released Comey Memos
On Thursday, contemporaneous memos written by then-FBI director James Comey regarding meetings with President Trump were revealed to Congress…and within minutes, were leaked to the media. There wasn’t much in the memos we hadn’t already heard from Comey, of course.
Trump legal team in Russia probe gets Rudy Giuliani
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump since the early days of his campaign, is joining the team of lawyers representing the president in the special counsel’s Russia investigation.

Christian News
Pastor Jailed and Tortured for Preaching Shares Horrors Christian Prisoners Face in Vietnam
Evangelical pastor Nguyen Cong Chinh will always have the scar on top of his head to remind him of the years that he was imprisoned, beaten and tortured for daring to advocate on behalf of indigent people groups being denied human rights by Vietnam's communist government.
Stanford Study: The Most Religious Kids Do Best In School
Adolescents who practice religion regularly perform better in school than those adolescents who do not, finds a recent study performed by Dr. Ilana M. Horwitz at Stanford’s Graduate School of Education. Horwitz’s paper explores differences among the grade point averages (GPAs) of public school students based on their levels of religiosity.
New Jersey Supreme Court Rules Taxpayer Grants for Historic Houses of Worship Unconstitutional
The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the use of taxpayer dollars to fund church repair projects that support religious activities is unconstitutional, even for historic preservation.
Evangelical support for Trump at ‘all-time high’
A new poll from the Public Religion Research Institute has revealed that the approval numbers amongst Evangelicals in the United States have never been better.