Prophecy News Watch - December 25, 2018

Around the World
Turkey vows no slowdown in fight against IS after U.S. pullout from Syria
Turkey vowed on Monday that the fight against Islamic State would not be slowed by the U.S. withdrawal from Syria, where Ankara-backed rebels reinforced their positions around the potential flashpoint town of Manbij.
Mount Etna erupts in Sicily amid dozens of tremors
Europe's most active volcano, Mount Etna in Sicily, erupted on Monday, with officials reporting more than 130 earthquakes of up to 4.3 in magnitude.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel going to the polls: Early Knesset elections to be held April 9
Israel is returning to the polls: The heads of the factions in the coalition decided at a special meeting held Monday afternoon that general elections will take place on April 9, 2019. The Knesset will likely be dissolved on Wednesday.
Snap elections may put Trump’s peace plan on back-burner until summer
Israel’s early election will significantly delay the publication of the US administration’s much-awaited proposal for Israeli-Palestinian peace, experts said Monday, as the White House keeps the plan on the back-burner for fear of influencing the vote.

Inside the United States
Markets deliver historic Christmas Eve drop as Trump feuds with Fed
U.S. stocks fell sharply Monday, making it the worst Christmas Eve trading day ever.

Christian News
Ugandan Christians live in fear of minority Muslims on quest for conversions
Christians in eastern Uganda are among those in their faith who face the most serious dangers in the world, according to World Watch Monitor, a group that tracks persecutions of Christians. The charity counted at least two incidents of Muslims killing Christians as well as vandalism of at least two churches.
Tight security at Pakistan's churches this Christmas as Asia Bibi remains in hiding
Security has been ramped up at churches across Pakistan where tensions are still simmering over the recent acquittal of Christian woman Asia Bibi.