Prophecy News Watch - December 13, 2019

Around the World
Trump Signs Off on Trade Deal With China to Avert December Tariffs
President Donald Trump signed off on a so-called phase-one trade deal with China, averting the Dec. 15 introduction of a new wave of U.S. tariffs on about $160 billion of consumer goods from the Asian nation, according to people familiar with the matter.
UK Exit Polls Point to Conclusive Win for Conservatives, Worst Labour Showing in Decades
The Conservative Party looks in line for a decisive win in Thursday’s British general election – the third in less than five years – with exit polls suggesting it would take 368 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons, 42 more than the minimum needed for a majority government.
China to buy $50 billion in U.S. farm products in return for tariff concessions-U.S. sources
The White House has agreed to suspend some tariffs on Chinese goods and reduce others in return for Beijing’s pledge to hike purchases of U.S. farm products in 2020, sources said on Thursday, taking a step towards de-escalating the trade war between the world’s two biggest economies.
EU welcomes clear UK Conservative victory as clarity over Brexit
European diplomats on Thursday welcomed the clarity an apparently decisive election victory for the Conservative Party gave to Britain’s stalled withdrawal from the EU, but said it would be challenging to agree a trade deal by the end of 2020.
Iran 'identified defused' huge cyberattack by a foreign government
The Iranian telecommunications minister said Wednesday that Iran had foiled a large-scale cyberattack on its critical infrastructure by a highly sophisticated state-level team of hackers.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Blue and White opens 3-seat lead over Likud in first poll of new elections
The Blue and White party is building a lead over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud, according to a pre-election poll released Thursday, but neither would receive enough support together with their allies to break Israel’s months-long political stalemate.
Israel Knesset disbands, third elections called
Israel's 22nd Knesset disbanded Wednesday at midnight, slating the country for third elections in under a year, and positioning neither Netanyahu nor Gantz for the 61-seat majority necessary to form a ruling coalition.
Israeli seeks to muster million-man march against Israel's political elite
An Israeli social media influencer is planning a million-man march on Israel's Supreme Court before new elections in Spring 2020, which, if successful, will be the largest demonstration of the popular will in the nation's history.

Inside the United States
Congressional negotiators reach tentative $1.3 trillion federal spending deal
Top congressional negotiators said Thursday they had reached a deal in principle to approve $1.3 trillion in federal spending for 2020, probably averting a government shutdown next week.
House Republicans and Democrats Spend Marathon Session Arguing Over Articles of Impeachment
House Democrats say President Trump should be impeached because one, he abused his power, and two, he obstructed Congress.
Pentagon Tests Long-banned Ballistic Missile over Pacific
The Pentagon on Thursday flight-tested a missile that had been banned under a treaty that the United States and Russia abandoned last summer. Some U.S. arms control advocates said the test risks an unnecessary arms race with Moscow.

Christian News
Christians arrested in India's Madhya Pradesh state for false charges of forced conversion
In the past 7 days, 8 Christians were attacked in India and charged with forced religious conversions, radicals landing them in prison under an oft-misused law against religious coercion.
Undercover cops raid Christian wedding in Pakistan
Four policemen disguised as civilians attacked a Christian wedding in Punjab province, Pakistan, damaging homes, hurling abusive slurs at women guests, and registering a case against the Christians involved.
Gaza Christians barred from visiting Bethlehem, Jerusalem on Christmas
Christians in the Gaza Strip will not be allowed to visit holy cities such as Bethlehem and Jerusalem to celebrate Christmas this year, Israeli authorities said on Thursday.