Prophecy News Watch - December 21, 2017

Around the World
Trump warns U.N. that cuts in U.S. foreign aid will follow anti-Jerusalem votes
President Trump dared the United Nations Wednesday to vote against his decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, saying 'we’ll save a lot' in foreign aid cuts for countries that cross his administration.
South Korea fires shots after another North Korea soldier defects
Shots were fired after a North Korean defector fled to the South on Thursday across the DMZ, the land border that divides the peninsula, South Korean military officials said.
EU says Brexit transition to end in December 2020
The Brexit transition period should end on 31 December 2020, with a clear view what sort of relationship the EU and UK will have afterwards, the EU Commission proposed on Wednesday (20 December).
Poland cries foul as EU triggers ‘nuclear option’ over judicial independence
The Polish government has accused the European commission of a politically motivated attack after the EU’s executive body triggered a process that could see the country stripped of voting rights in Brussels, over legal changes that the bloc claims threaten the independence of the judiciary.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
176 nations at UN call for Palestinian statehood
The General Assembly voted 176-7 on Tuesday to affirm the Palestinian right to self-determination, one day after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas pledged to renew his quest for state membership in the international body.
Hezbollah's young adherents emboldened after US announcement on Jerusalem
Ali is six, and yet already he fiercely chants 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel' at a rally alongside his family. It is a typical Beirut rally, organized by the Shia militia Hezbollah, to protest US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Inside the United States
Congress sends historic tax bill to Trump
House Republicans on Wednesday voted for the second time in two days to pass a major tax overhaul, sending the $1.5 trillion tax cut to President Trump, as promised, just before Christmas.
U.S. lawmakers seek temporary extension to internet spying program
Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives are working to build support to temporarily extend the National Security Agency’s expiring internet surveillance program by tucking it into a stop-gap funding measure, lawmakers said.
Companies trumpet bonuses, pay hikes after Congress passes tax bill
Multiple companies announced Wednesday they plan to reward employees with higher wages and bonuses due to the tax bill passed by the Republican-led Congress.

Christian News
Christmas High Alert: Churches Tightening Church Security in Pakistan, Egypt
This Christmas season Christians in Pakistan and Egypt are on high alert. They are asking their governments to help provide tightened security for worship services.