Prophecy News Watch - September 18, 2018

Around the World
U.S.-backed Syrian forces launch offensive on last ISIS bastion
A major offensive launched by U.S.-backed Syrian forces in the country's east will likely lead to the downfall of Islamic State’s last major stronghold, but will not spell the end of the extremist group, analysts believe.
Trump imposes tariffs on $200B more of Chinese goods
The Trump administration will impose tariffs on $200 billion more in Chinese goods starting next week, escalating a trade war between the world’s two biggest economies and potentially raising prices on goods ranging from handbags to bicycle tires.
Putin-Erdogan deal on Syria demilitarized zone heads off showdown, pending bloodbath
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that he had struck a deal with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to table a planned offensive against the Syrian rebel stronghold of Idlib, a last-minute agreement that led all sides of the 7-year-old conflict to breathe a sigh of relief despite a host of unanswered questions about whether the so-called demilitarized zone will hold.
Europe's New Copyright Law Could Change the Web Worldwide
The European Parliament passed sweeping copyright legislation Wednesday that, much like its privacy regulations, could have impact far beyond Europe.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Russian Plane Mistakenly Shot Down by Syria Anti-Aircraft Artillery During Israeli Strike
During an alleged Israeli airstrike within Syria, Russia claims one of its military aircraft disappeared with 14 people on board.
Hours after Syria strike, Netanyahu says Israel enforcing ‘red lines’
Hours after an alleged Israeli airstrike on the Damascus airport in Syria, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed the country’s policy of employing military action to prevent weapons transfers to the enemies that pose an immediate threat.

Inside the United States
Carolina Brace for More Flooding As Florence Moves Inland
North and South Carolina continue to recover after Florence dumped over 20 inches of rain in some areas, which claimed the lives of at least 31 people.
Trump directs FBI, DOJ to declassify Russia-related documents, James Comey texts, and more
President Trump on Monday ordered the Justice Department and FBI to immediately declassify key documents related to the FBI’s investigation on Russian actions during the 2016 presidential election -- including text messages from former FBI Director James Comey and other top officials.
Showdown between Kavanaugh, accuser scheduled for next week
Republicans are forging ahead with plans for a Senate hearing they had hoped to avoid on a woman’s claims that Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when both were high schoolers, hoping to salvage his endangered Supreme Court nomination with a risky, nationally televised showdown between the judge and his accuser.

Christian News
Kenya: Al-Shabaab Executed Two Christian Bus Passengers
On September 14, seven al-Shabaab terrorists stopped a bus heading to Garrissa. They made the passengers get off of the bus and then forced them to show their identification cards. This is done because Christians and Islamic names are often very evident in countries like Kenya. They then separated three individuals that they believed were not Muslims. They forced them to recite the Islamic Shahada, which is the Islamic statement of Faith. When two of the people could not recite it, they were tied and executed on the spot, according to International Christian Concern.