Prophecy News Watch - September 20, 2017
Around the World
Maria 'potentially most catastrophic hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in a century': Governor
As residents of Puerto Rico brace for Hurricane Maria -- which slammed into the Caribbean as a Category 5 storm Monday night -- Puerto Rico's governor is calling the storm 'the biggest and potentially most catastrophic hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in a century.'
At least 149 dead in Mexico after magnitude 7.1 earthquake
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake stunned central Mexico on Tuesday, killing at least 149 people as buildings collapsed in plumes of dust. Thousands fled into the streets in panic, and many stayed to help rescue trapped victims.
‘Flawed’ Iran nuke deal must be reworked, Tillerson says
The United States is looking for support from its allies to persuade Iran to re-open talks on the nuclear deal, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday, pointing to the fact that it will expire as its biggest problem.
Trump Invokes 'the Almighty God Who Made Us All' in UN Push for Freedom
President Trump took the America First message that carried him through the election to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
If threatened, U.S. will 'totally destroy' North Korea, Trump vows
U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his standoff with North Korea over its nuclear challenge on Tuesday, threatening to “totally destroy” the country of 26 million people and mocking its leader, Kim Jong Un, as a 'rocket man.'
The Moon Blocks 3 Planets, Star Today
Earth's nearest neighbor occulted, or covered up, Venus and the bright star Regulus in the sky this morning, and will swallow up Mars and Mercury this evening.
Putin displays massive firepower in Russian war games on border with Europe
Russia's big Zapad 2017 military exercises, believed to be the largest since the end of the Cold War, entered the news again on Tuesday after a video emerged appearing to show a Russian attack helicopter firing its rockets into a group of bystanders during drills.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu slams Iran deal in fiery UN speech, urges world to ‘fix it or nix it’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harshly condemned the Iran nuclear deal in a speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, warning that the accord will pave the way for Iran to obtain nuclear weapons if it is not scrapped or altered.
Contradicting IDF, US says it didn’t establish military base in Israel
The American military on Tuesday denied a claim made by the Israel Defense Forces that the United States had established its first base in Israel, saying the new buildings were instead a “living facility.”
Netanyahu Responds to UN ‘Absurdities’ Concerning Israel: ‘It’s Called the Bible. I Highly Recommend It’
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday attacked 'absurdities' in U.N. agencies’ treatment of Israel, invoking tennis legend John McEnroe, the Bible -- and penguins -- in a speech that was in turn deadly serious about Iran, upbeat about Israeli diplomatic breakthroughs, and thankful to the Trump administration for its outspoken support.
Israel Shoots Down Iranian-made Hezbollah Drone Over Syria Border
The Israel Defense Forces shot down an Iranian-made drone operated by Hezbollah on Tuesday afternoon after the drone entered the demilitarized zone along the border between Israel and Syria on the Golan Heights. The Israel Air Force’s aerial defense command fired a Patriot missile and destroyed the drone.
Inside the United States
Senate GOP Reaches Tentative Deal For 10 Year, $1.5 Trillion Tax Cut
Senate Republicans announced Tuesday that they have struck a tentative deal for sweeping tax reform, with tax cuts totaling $1.5 trillion over 10 years.
Report: Trump Strongly Supports Graham-Cassidy Obamacare Repeal Bill, Would Sign It
President Donald Trump is encouraging the Senate to pass a bill proposed by Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (La.) to repeal and replace Obamacare, and one administration official said Tuesday that Trump will sign the legislation if it makes it to his desk.
Paul Manafort spokesman: Wiretap report leaks are a 'felony'
Paul Manafort's spokesman condemned recent reports that his client had been surveilled by federal officials while serving in the Trump campaign and after the 2016 presidential election as well.
Christian News
Christian Father of Two in Pakistan Sentenced to Death for ‘Blaspheming’ Prophet of Islam
A Christian father of two in Pakistan has been sentenced to death for blaspheming Islam’s prophet in a phone text even though he is illiterate, sources said.
Senators push for churches to get disaster relief grants
Four Republican senators introduced a bill Monday that would allow churches to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance program grants, putting the houses of worship on the same playing field as non-religious nonprofits.
Maria 'potentially most catastrophic hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in a century': Governor
As residents of Puerto Rico brace for Hurricane Maria -- which slammed into the Caribbean as a Category 5 storm Monday night -- Puerto Rico's governor is calling the storm 'the biggest and potentially most catastrophic hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in a century.'
At least 149 dead in Mexico after magnitude 7.1 earthquake
A magnitude 7.1 earthquake stunned central Mexico on Tuesday, killing at least 149 people as buildings collapsed in plumes of dust. Thousands fled into the streets in panic, and many stayed to help rescue trapped victims.
‘Flawed’ Iran nuke deal must be reworked, Tillerson says
The United States is looking for support from its allies to persuade Iran to re-open talks on the nuclear deal, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday, pointing to the fact that it will expire as its biggest problem.
Trump Invokes 'the Almighty God Who Made Us All' in UN Push for Freedom
President Trump took the America First message that carried him through the election to the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.
If threatened, U.S. will 'totally destroy' North Korea, Trump vows
U.S. President Donald Trump escalated his standoff with North Korea over its nuclear challenge on Tuesday, threatening to “totally destroy” the country of 26 million people and mocking its leader, Kim Jong Un, as a 'rocket man.'
The Moon Blocks 3 Planets, Star Today
Earth's nearest neighbor occulted, or covered up, Venus and the bright star Regulus in the sky this morning, and will swallow up Mars and Mercury this evening.
Putin displays massive firepower in Russian war games on border with Europe
Russia's big Zapad 2017 military exercises, believed to be the largest since the end of the Cold War, entered the news again on Tuesday after a video emerged appearing to show a Russian attack helicopter firing its rockets into a group of bystanders during drills.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu slams Iran deal in fiery UN speech, urges world to ‘fix it or nix it’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harshly condemned the Iran nuclear deal in a speech at the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, warning that the accord will pave the way for Iran to obtain nuclear weapons if it is not scrapped or altered.
Contradicting IDF, US says it didn’t establish military base in Israel
The American military on Tuesday denied a claim made by the Israel Defense Forces that the United States had established its first base in Israel, saying the new buildings were instead a “living facility.”
Netanyahu Responds to UN ‘Absurdities’ Concerning Israel: ‘It’s Called the Bible. I Highly Recommend It’
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Tuesday attacked 'absurdities' in U.N. agencies’ treatment of Israel, invoking tennis legend John McEnroe, the Bible -- and penguins -- in a speech that was in turn deadly serious about Iran, upbeat about Israeli diplomatic breakthroughs, and thankful to the Trump administration for its outspoken support.
Israel Shoots Down Iranian-made Hezbollah Drone Over Syria Border
The Israel Defense Forces shot down an Iranian-made drone operated by Hezbollah on Tuesday afternoon after the drone entered the demilitarized zone along the border between Israel and Syria on the Golan Heights. The Israel Air Force’s aerial defense command fired a Patriot missile and destroyed the drone.
Inside the United States
Senate GOP Reaches Tentative Deal For 10 Year, $1.5 Trillion Tax Cut
Senate Republicans announced Tuesday that they have struck a tentative deal for sweeping tax reform, with tax cuts totaling $1.5 trillion over 10 years.
Report: Trump Strongly Supports Graham-Cassidy Obamacare Repeal Bill, Would Sign It
President Donald Trump is encouraging the Senate to pass a bill proposed by Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and Bill Cassidy (La.) to repeal and replace Obamacare, and one administration official said Tuesday that Trump will sign the legislation if it makes it to his desk.
Paul Manafort spokesman: Wiretap report leaks are a 'felony'
Paul Manafort's spokesman condemned recent reports that his client had been surveilled by federal officials while serving in the Trump campaign and after the 2016 presidential election as well.
Christian News
Christian Father of Two in Pakistan Sentenced to Death for ‘Blaspheming’ Prophet of Islam
A Christian father of two in Pakistan has been sentenced to death for blaspheming Islam’s prophet in a phone text even though he is illiterate, sources said.
Senators push for churches to get disaster relief grants
Four Republican senators introduced a bill Monday that would allow churches to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance program grants, putting the houses of worship on the same playing field as non-religious nonprofits.