Prophecy News Watch - February 12, 2018

Around the World
US secretary of state kicks off Mideast tour in Egypt
US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson flew into Egypt on Sunday at the start of a five-nation tour that coincides with heightened regional tension, as well as unease over the Trump administration’s Mideast policies.
Pence says U.S. open to talks with North Korea
Vice President Mike Pence said in an interview published Sunday the U.S. is ready to talk to North Korea.
Category 5 Tropical Cyclone Gita expected to hit Tonga
Officials in Tonga declared a state of emergency Sunday as a potential Category 5 cyclone makes its way toward the South Pacific island nation.
Opposition to same-sex marriage boosts presidential candidate in Costa Rica
A popular revolt against the imposition of same-sex marriage has transformed the political landscape of Costa Rica, propelling a once-obscure Christian evangelical singer to a first-place finish in presidential voting this month and putting the outspoken critic of gay marriage in a strong position to win the spring runoff.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel warns Iran, Syria ‘playing with fire’ as fighter jet crashes during airstrikes
The Israeli military shot down an Iranian drone launched from Syria into Israeli airspace early Saturday in what the military described as a 'severe and irregular violation of Israeli sovereignty.'
IDF reveals UAV launched from Iran-operated Syrian base
Photos published by the IDF Spokesperson's Unit on Saturday show the Syrian Tiyas Military Airbase from which the UAV that infiltrated Israel.
Putin's Phone Call With Netanyahu Blew Whistle on Further Israeli Strikes in Syria
Russian President Vladimir Putin blew the whistle to stop the confrontation between Israel and Iran in Syria and both sides accepted his decision. That’s the apparent conclusion to be reached from the chain of events this past weekend.
Hamas ready to respond to ‘any Zionist aggression’ after Israeli-Syrian tensions escalate
Hamas’s armed wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, announced on Saturday evening that it is prepared to respond to 'any Zionist aggression' in light of the escalated tensions between Israel and Syria. The spokesperson for the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades to Twitter to relay the message, according to Hamas’s English website.

Inside the United States
Trump's budget will propose cutting $3 trillion, set goal of reducing the debt rather than balancing the budget
President Trump’s second budget will cut $3 trillion in spending over the next 10 years, White House officials indicated Sunday night, but won’t be balanced.
Trump budget plan to seek funds for border wall, infrastructure, opioid treatment
President Donald Trump will unveil his second budget on Monday - seeking to make good on his promise to bolster military spending and requesting funds for infrastructure, construction of a wall along the border with Mexico and opioid treatment programs.
Congress’ budget deal affirms church access to FEMA disaster aid
Churches for decades have had to fend for themselves when hurricane winds ripped off the chapel roof while the nonprofit YMCA next door — because it’s not religious — pocketed Federal Emergency Management Agency payments to repair similar damage to its building.
Trump’s veto threats shape Senate debate on immigration
All eyes will be on President Trump this week as the Senate begins its immigration debate, with Republicans hoping the White House will play an active role in ruling out proposals he won’t accept, making it likelier he will get a bill he can sign.