Prophecy News Watch - August 5, 2019

Around the World
US and Russia end weapons pact, sparking fears of new arms race
The United States plans to test a new missile in coming weeks that would have been prohibited under a landmark, 32-year-old arms control treaty that the U.S. and Russia ripped up on Friday.
Iran says will take ‘third step’ to reduce nuclear deal commitments
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday announced that the Islamic Republic intends to take a 'third step' to reduce its commitments under the 2015 nuclear agreement, according to parliamentary news agency ICANA cited by Reuters.
Iran Seizes Third Foreign Ship in Less Than Month
Iran seized a foreign oil tanker and its seven crew members in the Persian Gulf last week, state media reported Sunday, the third time the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has detained a ship in less than a month.
Scientists are making human-monkey hybrids in China
In a controversial first, a team of researchers have been creating embryos that are part human and part monkey, reports the Spanish daily El País.
China Media to Hong Kong Protesters: Beijing’s Patience Wearing Thin
Thousands of protesters took to Hong Kong’s streets Sunday, a day after violent clashes between anti-government protesters and police, and as China’s official news agency warned Beijing will not let the situation in the Asian financial hub continue.
US Defense Secretary Wants INF-range Missiles in Asia
U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper says he wants to see American ground-based intermediate-range conventional missiles deployed to Asia.
Turkey to launch offensive in Kurdish-controlled area in northern Syria
Turkey will carry out a military operation in a Kurdish-controlled area east of the Euphrates in northern Syria, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday, its third offensive to dislodge Kurdish militia fighters close to its border.
Russian police detain over 800 in opposition crackdown in Moscow
Russian police forcibly detained over 800 people attending a protest in Moscow on Saturday to demand free elections, including prominent activist Lyubov Sobol, after authorities warned the demonstration was illegal.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Egypt: Sinai will never be part of Trump administration's peace plan
The Sinai Peninsula will never be part of the 'opportunity of the century' peace proposal drawn by the Trump administration, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi told White House envoy Jared Kushner in talks on Thursday, Arab media reported.
Netanyahu is 'only nominee for PM,' Likud candidates pledge
With less than two months to go before Israelis vote in the 22nd Knesset, allies of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday that all Likud candidates should sign a pledge to support him as the next prime minister.

Inside the United States
Trump promises action on gun violence after two mass shootings
President Trump said Sunday he will announce steps to stop gun violence, as top Democrats raced to blame him for fomenting two mass shootings this weekend in Texas and Ohio with a toxic stew of violence and white nationalism, and pressed him for quick action on gun control.
Trump Wants All Troops Out Of Afghanistan By 2020 U.S. Election: Reports
U.S. President Donald Trump has told aides that he wants to pull all U.S. troops out of Afghanistan before the presidential election in November 2020, U.S. news agencies are reporting, citing unnamed current and former administration officials.
America’s second-deadliest weekend: El Paso and Dayton death toll reaches 29
The two mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio that occurred within 24 hours of each other killed at least 29 people and wounded many more, making them some of the deadliest in U.S. history.

Christian News
Wycliffe Associates Partners with Persecuted Christians to Bring Momentum to Bible Translation
Wycliffe Associates is working to accelerate Bible translation in Indonesia, the largest Muslim nation in the world. Christians there face daily persecution, and many are still without the Bible in their language.