Prophecy News Watch - July 3, 2018

Around the World
Iranian-backed militia, Syria threaten to cut off rebels near Golan
On Monday elements of the Iranian-backed Liwa Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas and the Syrian regime’s Republican Guard were reported to be leading the Syrian regime’s offensive near the Golan, attempting to cut the Syrian rebels territory in half.
Experts see risks in US plan to dismantle NKorea's nukes
As Secretary of State Mike Pompeo prepares to travel this week to North Korea, experts cautioned that the Trump administration’s plan to dismantle the North’s nuclear weapons and missiles in a year is both unrealistic and risky.
Trump warns NATO leaders defense underspending could have consequences
US President Donald Trump has admonished several leaders of NATO allies for spending too little on the organization and has warned of possible unspecified consequences, the New York Times reported Tuesday.
Trump makes veiled WTO threat after EU warning on car tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump warned the World Trade Organization on Monday that 'we’ll be doing something' if the United States is not treated properly, just hours after the European Union said that U.S. automotive tariffs would hurt its own vehicle industry and prompt retaliation.
U.S. mulling labeling Revolutionary Guard a terror group
The Trump administration is weighing whether to label the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist group, part of an effort to use every possible tool in the box to pressure Tehran, CNN reported on Monday.
Iran calls for calm after water protests, clashes
Iran called for calm on Sunday after protests in a southern city over water shortages turned violent overnight with reports of police shooting at demonstrators who attacked banks and public buildings.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
U.N. expert: Israel moving closer to formal West Bank annexation
Israel has taken steps that could lead to the formal annexation of the West Bank, UN legal expert Michael Lynk said in advance of Monday’s United Nations Human Rights Council meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Iranian general blames water woes on Israeli ‘cloud theft’
An Iranian general on Monday accused Israel of manipulating weather to prevent rain over the Islamic Republic, alleging his country was facing cloud 'theft,' before being contradicted by the nation’s weather chief.

Inside the United States
Trump interviews four candidates as Supreme Court fight heats up
President Trump interviewed four candidates Monday in his search for the next Supreme Court nominee, with two federal appeals court judges emerging as leading contenders for the nomination that could change the complexion of the high court for decades to come.
Judge rules DHS must consider detained asylum-seekers' parole on case-by-case basis
A federal judge in Washington, D.C. ruled Monday that the federal government must consider on a case-by-case basis whether asylum-seekers who have been detained represent a flight risk or credible danger to the public.
Feds widen investigation into Facebook's sharing of data with Cambridge Analytica: Report
The federal investigation looking into how Facebook shared user information with data firm Cambridge Analytica has widened to include three agencies, according to a new report.
Wind spreads California fire as other states battle blazes
A massive wildfire in rural Northern California has exploded in size and forced evacuations in hot, dry weather that is sweeping through several western states where blazes are threatening thousands of homes.
Judge: Rosenstein empowered Mueller to probe even ‘indirect’ or ‘potential’ Russian ties
Special counsel Robert Mueller was granted wide latitude by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to pursue any alleged contact between Russia and the Trump campaign not matter how 'stale' it is, a judge said.
July 4 terror plot thwarted in Cleveland, suspect pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda, FBI says
A man who pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda sought to kill members of the military and conducted reconnaissance in downtown Cleveland for a planned attack on July 4 -- but the Independence Day plot was foiled after a months-long investigation, federal officials said Monday.

Christian News
Death Toll in Jos, Nigeria Attacks at 218, including Pastor, Wife and Son
An Assemblies of God Nigeria pastor, his wife and son were among at least 218 people killed in Muslim Fulani herdsmen attacks on predominantly Christian areas near Jos on June 23-25, a denominational leader said.
'It's All God': Tennessee Tent Revival in Its 3rd Month as More and More People Come to Christ
A spiritual revival continues to blaze in Northeastern Tennessee, entering its 12th week Monday with more than 200 people accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, according to the evangelist leading the services.
'Insanity': Rising Clean Rivers fee forces some D.C. churches to shut down
Nearly a decade after the District’s water authority levied a “Clean Rivers” surcharge to help clean up local waterways, faith community leaders say that ever-rising rates have forced them to cut back on services, lay off staff and — in at least 30 cases — move out or shut down completely.
What Jordan’s Evangelicals Think of Templeton Winner King Abdullah’s Interfaith Acclaim
For his lifelong commitment to religious peace, King Abdullah II of Jordan recently became the second Muslim ever to win the prestigious, $1.4 million Templeton Prize. And Jordan’s Christian minority is celebrating with him.