Prophecy News Watch - January 2, 2018

Around the World
As protests persist, Rouhani warns Iran will respond to ‘lawbreakers’
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Monday said his country would respond to 'rioters and lawbreakers,' a day after attempting to strike a conciliatory tone with protesters demonstrating against the regime across the country.
Gunman kills two Christians at alcohol store south of Cairo
A masked gunman shot dead two Christian brothers at their alcohol shop south of Cairo on Monday, security sources said.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
In late night vote, Knesset passes law to hinder East Jerusalem withdrawal
Lawmakers approved a bill in the early hours Tuesday that requires a special two-thirds majority vote in the Knesset to relinquish any part of Jerusalem to the Palestinians under a future peace accord.
Air force hits Hamas camp in Gaza after rocket fire
The Israeli Air Force hit a Hamas camp in the southern Gaza Strip early Tuesday in response to a rocket fired at Israel hours before, the army said.
Seal from First Temple Period found at Kotel supports biblical accounts
A rare, well-preserved piece of clay dating to the First Temple period with the Hebrew inscription 'governor of the city' was recently discovered during excavations by the Israel Antiquities Authority in the Western Wall Plaza in Jerusalem.

Inside the United States
Arctic Outbreak Setting Record Lows as Dangerously Cold Wind Chills Infiltrate Plains, Midwest and East
A reinforcing shot of bitter, Arctic air will soon prolong the long-lived cold outbreak across the Plains, Midwest, South and East into the end of this week, likely shattering more daily records and sending wind chills to dangerously cold levels.
House expands Russia probe to FBI, Justice use of unconfirmed dossier to snare Trump
The House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence has expanded its 2016 election investigation from a starting point of Russian interference to an end-game that focuses on federal law enforcement and how it conducted a drive to snare President Trump and his people.
California launches legal sale of cannabis for recreational use
California will launch the world’s largest regulated commercial market for recreational marijuana on Monday, as dozens of newly licensed stores catering to adults who enjoy the drug for its psychoactive effects open for business up and down the state.

Christian News
9,000 Jailed Christians Receive Sentence Reductions for Christmas in Indonesia
Indonesia reduced the sentences of over 9,000 Christian prisoners on Christmas day, including the sentence of a Christian governor jailed on blasphemy charges.