Prophecy News Watch - December 13, 2016

Today's Breaking News
Around the World
UN: Syria pro-regime forces executed 82 civilians in Aleppo
Syria's pro-government forces killed at least 82 civilians as they entered the last remaining strongholds of the rebels in eastern Aleppo, the UN human rights office said Tuesday, citing reports.
'Meltdown of humanity' in Aleppo as Assad troops close in
Residents and aid workers trapped in Aleppo are describing desperate conditions and a 'complete meltdown of humanity' as the Syrian army is about to regain full control of the city.
US, Japan and S. Korea pledge firm response to North Korea for nuclear missile tests
Nuclear envoys from the US, South Korea, and Japan agreed on Tuesday to work closely together to impose sanctions against North Korea for its nuclear missile tests.
Is Brexit trigger reversible? Irish court case planned
A crowdfunded legal challenge to determine whether Britain's divorce from the European Union can be reversed once it has been triggered will be submitted to the Irish High Court before Christmas, the lawyer behind the move said on Monday.
Iran to build nuclear marine propulsion after US 'violation' of deal
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani ordered on Tuesday the head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran to start planning the development of nuclear marine propulsion in reaction to what he called the United States' violation of the nuclear deal.
EU, Cuba sign agreement to normalize relations
While the United States insists on maintaining its trade embargo on Cuba, despite starting to normalize relations, the European Union took a much larger leap toward normal interaction on Monday.
Why some of Europe's least religious countries are shaped by politicians' Christian faith
Not much has united Britain, France and Germany in recent months. There is one striking attribute, however, that they share: the influence of religious beliefs on the politics of these nations.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Trump aide on moving US Embassy to Jerusalem: 'A top priority'
Though he has refrained from making many public statements on the matter since his election, US President-elect Donald Trump's senior aide Kellyanne Conway reiterated his plan to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Netanyahu touts 'longer, stronger' defense arm as F-35s make historic landing
The first two of fifty new F-35 fighter jets purchased by Israel touched down at Nevatim air base on Monday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu touting Israel's 'longer, stronger' arm of defense as the first US ally to receive Lockheed Martin's most advanced and expensive plane.
Lapid questions PM's Iran deal strategy: 'May be too late'
Leading Israeli opposition politician and Yesh Atid Leader Yair Lapid questioned on Monday Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's goal of dismantling the international community's nuclear deal with Iran.
Israel bombs suspected Islamic State militant hideout in Syria
The Israeli military says it has carried out an air strike in Syria on a building used by Islamic State militants to attack Israeli forces.

Inside the United States
One in six U.S. adults takes a psychiatric drug, study says
One in six U.S. adults takes a psychiatric medication to cope with conditions such as depression, anxiety and insomnia, a new study finds.
Trump to name Exxon Mobil CEO Tillerson as U.S. secretary of state
President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he intends to nominate ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State.
McConnell, Warning of 'Dangerous' Debt, Wants Tax Cut Offsets
President-elect Donald Trump's race to enact the biggest tax cuts since the 1980s went under a caution flag Monday as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell warned he considers current levels of U.S. debt 'dangerous' and said he wants any tax overhaul to avoid adding to the deficit.
The Cyber Threat: Congress Should Investigate Failed Obama Cyber Policies Along With Russian Hacking
President Obama, under pressure from Congress, has directed U.S. intelligence agencies to conduct a deep-dive inquiry into Russian cyber attacks and their impact on the 2016 presidential election and to provide the results before Inauguration Day.
Top U.S. spy agency has not embraced CIA assessment on Russia hacking - sources
The overseers of the U.S. intelligence community have not embraced a CIA assessment that Russian cyber attacks were aimed at helping Republican President-elect Donald Trump win the 2016 election, three American officials said on Monday.
U.S. preps for 'dangerously' cold temperatures
Another round of unspeakably cold air, courtesy of the Polar Vortex, is ready for an assault on much of the central and eastern U.S. by midweek. It will bring 'dangerously' cold temperatures and howling winds to millions of Americans.

Christian News
$16 Billion Given to Evangelical Ministries in 2015, Nearly 10% Increase From 2014: Study
Donations to evangelical Christian organizations in the United States continue to increase, according to the latest numbers provided by a national financial standards association representing evangelical groups that qualify for tax-exempt, nonprofit status and receive tax-deductible contributions.
Iran: church retreat centre confiscated for 'being funded by CIA'
The Iranian government has assumed control of a church-owned retreat centre, accusing the church of being funded by the US government and the CIA.
Azerbaijani Christians fined over 'illegal' prayer meeting
Two Azerbaijani church leaders have been fined fined 1,500 Azerbaijani Manats ($850) each for holding an 'illegal' prayer meeting.
'We Are in a Lot of Pain.' Egypt in Mourning after Deadly Cairo Church Attack
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi declared a three-day mourning period after terrorists carried out one of the worst attacks in recent history against a Christian Coptic church in Cairo. The death toll rose to 25, with nearly 50 wounded.