Prophecy News Watch - January 1, 2018
Around the World
Trump redoubles support of Iran protests, saying the 'world is watching'
President Trump on Saturday again expressed his support for Iran’s growing anti-government protests, saying oppressive regimes 'cannot endure forever” and that “the world is watching.'
Assad may have retaken the Syrian Golan, but Iran is pulling the strings
The evacuation of several hundred Syrian rebels from the Beit Jinn area on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights over the weekend puts Israel in an old-new position on the border. Assad’s army is once again at the fences, just like it was from 1967 to 2011.
Iran unrest ‘start of a big movement,’ says Nobelist Iranian
The unrest in Iran is just “the beginning of a big movement” that could be more widespread than the demonstrations of 2009, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Iranian lawyer Shirin Ebadi said in an interview Sunday.
January will bring two supermoons, a blue moon, and a total lunar eclipse
Visible supermoons—full moons that appear when the moon is at its closest orbital point to Earth—aren’t very rare. Having three in a row certainly is.
Iran warns against ‘illegal gatherings’ as fresh protest reported in Tehran
The Iranian government warned people against further protests on Saturday after two days of demonstrations sparked by anger over an array of economic problems even as a fresh demonstration was reported at the University of Tehran.
2 protesters killed in Iran as government tries to thwart activists with social media crackdown
Two demonstrators were reportedly killed overnight as the Iranian government struggled to contain anti-government protests spreading throughout the country.
Putin tells Assad Russia will help defend Syrian sovereignty
Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Syrian counterpart Bashar Assad in a new year’s greeting that Russia will continue supporting Syria’s efforts to defend its sovereignty, the Kremlin said on Saturday.
France sets up tax dept to investigate Jews
The secret department has 20 Hebrew-speaking employees, and is hiring five more to investigate tax evasion.
Sen. Graham: U.S. can deal 'fatal blows' to Iran, North Korea in 2018
Current and former U.S. officials said President Donald Trump's response to Iranian protests could have long-term effects on nuclear tensions with North Korea.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu's party approves resolution to annex West Bank, open settlements
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party approved on Sunday evening a proposal requiring party members to act to annex Judea and Samaria.
Hamas calls US ambassador 'racist,' says all ties should be cut with DC
The Palestinians should cut all ties with the United States because of 'racist' and 'ignorant' comments US Ambassador David Friedman made to The Jerusalem Post last week, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said on Saturday.
Thousands of Palestinians take part in anti-Trump protests
Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets of Gaza and the occupied West Bank for the fourth Friday in a row in protests against U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Palestine recalls U.S. envoy following Trump Jerusalem decision
Palestine recalled its envoy to the United States after President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Inside the United States
Trump declares war on slavery, human trafficking
On Nov. 1, American Urban Radio Network’s White House correspondent April Ryan asked Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders if President Trump believes slavery was wrong.
White House, Congress prepare for talks on spending, immigration
The White House said on Friday it was set to kick off talks next week with Republican and Democratic congressional leaders on immigration policy, government spending and other issues that need to be wrapped up early in the new year.
5 deputies shot, 1 fatally, near Denver; suspect shot and killed, authorities say
Authorities in Colorado have identified a sheriff’s deputy who was slain in an early morning shooting near Denver.
Christian News
Persecution Trends Report Lists Top Countries of Concern for 2018
A group which monitors Christian persecution around the world has released a new report listing countries where attacks and restrictions on Christians are likely to increase. These include China, India and Nigeria.
Trump redoubles support of Iran protests, saying the 'world is watching'
President Trump on Saturday again expressed his support for Iran’s growing anti-government protests, saying oppressive regimes 'cannot endure forever” and that “the world is watching.'
Assad may have retaken the Syrian Golan, but Iran is pulling the strings
The evacuation of several hundred Syrian rebels from the Beit Jinn area on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights over the weekend puts Israel in an old-new position on the border. Assad’s army is once again at the fences, just like it was from 1967 to 2011.
Iran unrest ‘start of a big movement,’ says Nobelist Iranian
The unrest in Iran is just “the beginning of a big movement” that could be more widespread than the demonstrations of 2009, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Iranian lawyer Shirin Ebadi said in an interview Sunday.
January will bring two supermoons, a blue moon, and a total lunar eclipse
Visible supermoons—full moons that appear when the moon is at its closest orbital point to Earth—aren’t very rare. Having three in a row certainly is.
Iran warns against ‘illegal gatherings’ as fresh protest reported in Tehran
The Iranian government warned people against further protests on Saturday after two days of demonstrations sparked by anger over an array of economic problems even as a fresh demonstration was reported at the University of Tehran.
2 protesters killed in Iran as government tries to thwart activists with social media crackdown
Two demonstrators were reportedly killed overnight as the Iranian government struggled to contain anti-government protests spreading throughout the country.
Putin tells Assad Russia will help defend Syrian sovereignty
Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Syrian counterpart Bashar Assad in a new year’s greeting that Russia will continue supporting Syria’s efforts to defend its sovereignty, the Kremlin said on Saturday.
France sets up tax dept to investigate Jews
The secret department has 20 Hebrew-speaking employees, and is hiring five more to investigate tax evasion.
Sen. Graham: U.S. can deal 'fatal blows' to Iran, North Korea in 2018
Current and former U.S. officials said President Donald Trump's response to Iranian protests could have long-term effects on nuclear tensions with North Korea.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu's party approves resolution to annex West Bank, open settlements
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing Likud party approved on Sunday evening a proposal requiring party members to act to annex Judea and Samaria.
Hamas calls US ambassador 'racist,' says all ties should be cut with DC
The Palestinians should cut all ties with the United States because of 'racist' and 'ignorant' comments US Ambassador David Friedman made to The Jerusalem Post last week, Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said on Saturday.
Thousands of Palestinians take part in anti-Trump protests
Thousands of Palestinians took to the streets of Gaza and the occupied West Bank for the fourth Friday in a row in protests against U.S. President Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
Palestine recalls U.S. envoy following Trump Jerusalem decision
Palestine recalled its envoy to the United States after President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Inside the United States
Trump declares war on slavery, human trafficking
On Nov. 1, American Urban Radio Network’s White House correspondent April Ryan asked Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders if President Trump believes slavery was wrong.
White House, Congress prepare for talks on spending, immigration
The White House said on Friday it was set to kick off talks next week with Republican and Democratic congressional leaders on immigration policy, government spending and other issues that need to be wrapped up early in the new year.
5 deputies shot, 1 fatally, near Denver; suspect shot and killed, authorities say
Authorities in Colorado have identified a sheriff’s deputy who was slain in an early morning shooting near Denver.
Christian News
Persecution Trends Report Lists Top Countries of Concern for 2018
A group which monitors Christian persecution around the world has released a new report listing countries where attacks and restrictions on Christians are likely to increase. These include China, India and Nigeria.