Prophecy News Watch - December 19, 2017

Around the World
Assad Hopeful About Upcoming Russian-Sponsored Talks on Syria
yrian President Bashar al-Assad expressed regret for the stalemate of U.N.-brokered intra-Syrian talks in Geneva last week but says he expects better results during the Russian-sponsored Sochi peace process to be held in February.
Japan approves missile defense system amid NKorea threat
Japan's Cabinet has approved a plan to purchase a set of costly land-based U.S. missile combat systems to step up the country's defense capability amid escalating threats from North Korea.
U.S. blames North Korea for 'WannaCry' cyber attack
The Trump administration has publicly blamed North Korea for unleashing the so-called WannaCry cyber attack that crippled hospitals, banks and other companies across the globe earlier this year.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Turkey hopes to open embassy in East Jerusalem, says Erdogan
Turkey intends to open an embassy in East Jerusalem, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said, days after leading calls at a summit of Muslim leaders for the world to recognize it as the capital of a Palestinian state.
US vetoes UN call for withdrawal of Trump Jerusalem decision
The United States was further isolated on Monday over President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital when it blocked a United Nations Security Council call for the declaration to be withdrawn.
Israel strikes 40 Hamas targets over two weeks in response to rocket fire
Israeli jets struck six Hamas targets in the northern Gaza Strip on Sunday night, after rockets were fired into southern Israel earlier in the evening, one of which slightly damaged a home.
Parched Sea of Galilee to be replenished with desalinated water
With the Sea of Galilee dropping to dangerously low levels, Israel’s Water Authority will begin pumping desalinated water into the freshwater lake, Hadashot TV news reported Monday.
Mike Pence delays Middle East trip until after Senate tax reform vote
Vice President Mike Pence will postpone his trip to Egypt and Israel until after the Senate votes on the GOP's tax reform bill, according to a statement released by his team Monday.

Inside the United States
Trump rips 'chain migration,' $300B cost, 1 immigrant can bring in 120 more, 9.3M in decade
The Trump administration is expanding its war on liberal immigration practices, targeting so-called 'chain migration,' a costly loophole that allows a legal immigrant to bring in relatives even if they are unskilled and destined to go on welfare.
Trump to Boost U.S. Missile Defense to Combat Iranian, N. Korean WMD Threats
The Trump administration will designate domestic U.S. missile defense as a 'priority action' as part of its forthcoming National Security Strategy, or NSS, according to draft language viewed by the Washington Free Beacon that singles out Iranian and North Korean missile threats as a direct danger to the American homeland.
House GOP pushing $81B disaster relief for hurricanes, fires
House Republicans plan to unveil an $81 billion disaster aid package to help hurricane-ravaged communities and states hit by wildfires, almost double the amount requested by President Donald Trump last month.
Black Unemployment Rate Lowest in 17 Years
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics( BLS), the unemployment rate for black Americans is the lowest it has been since the year 2000, 17 years ago.
At least 3 dead from Amtrak train derailment in Washington state
At least three people died and dozens were injured after an Amtrak train on the inaugural run of a new route derailed in Washington state this morning, with part of the train careening off an overpass onto a heavily-trafficked highway below, a local official said.
Trump unveils national security strategy: 'America is going to win'
President Trump on Monday unveiled a national security strategy that enshrines his 'America First' approach into U.S. policy, stressing American strength and economic security and putting rivals like China and Russia on notice.
Eagle Scout Rescued and Prays with Amtrak Passengers Before 1st Responders Arrived
Dan Konzelman was driving with his girlfriend southbound on Interstate 5, south of Tacoma, Washington, Monday morning when, to his astonishment, he saw an Amtrak train go off an overpass ahead of him and crash onto the busy freeway.
New York Fed Forecasts 4.0% GDP Growth
The Trump economic boom is picking up steam as American heads into the final weeks of the president’s first year in office.

Christian News
Pakistan: mourners bury 11 killed in Quetta church suicide attack, as 50 injured
Pakistani Christian mourners today (Monday) are burying their dead only days before they should be celebrating Christ’s birth.
Neurosurgeon-Turned-Pastor Uses Name of Jesus to Stop Armed Robber Who Threatened to Kill Him at Bible Study
Dr. Julius Zant, a respected retired neurosurgeon-turned-pastor who was attacked by an armed man who threatened to kill him inside a Maryland church as he conducted a Bible study with his parishioners last Thursday, bravely fended off the robber by invoking the name of Jesus.