Prophecy News Watch - January 15, 2020

Around the World
U.S., China set to sign massive purchases deal, easing trade war
The U.S.-China trade war is set to enter a new, quieter phase on Wednesday as U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He sign an initial trade deal that aims to vastly increase Chinese purchases of U.S. manufactured products, agricultural goods, energy, and services.
Britain, France, Germany formally accuse Iran of breaking nuclear deal
Britain, France, and Germany formally accused Iran on Tuesday of violating the terms of its 2015 agreement to curb its nuclear program, which eventually could lead to the reimposing of U.N. sanctions lifted under the deal.
French President seeks to address African terrorism
French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting several African leaders this week to discuss Islamic extremism that is spreading across the continent, seeming to give heed to a recent warning from a French philosopher that a Rwanda-style genocide is developing there.
Iran announces arrests in downing of Ukrainian jet
Iran announced that it would arrest several individuals involved with the downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet last week after widespread public discontent forced the regime to acknowledge that it had killed the 176 people on board by mistake.
Iran is closer ‘than ever before’ to regime collapse, says former Obama security advisor
Iran has had a turbulent past week, marked by more than a hundred Iranian deaths and dramatically increased tensions with the U.S. As it enters into the third day of protests fueled by popular anger over the government’s handling of a downed passenger jet, some observers argue this is the most vulnerable the Islamic Republic’s regime has been since its founding in 1979.
Iran social media posts call for fifth day of protests
Iranian social media postings urged citizens to take to the streets for a fifth day on Wednesday, after the admission by the authorities that they had accidentally brought down a passenger plane after days of denials stoked public outrage.
Boris Johnson rejects Scotland's request for 2nd independence referendum
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson rejected Scotland's demand for a second independence referendum, nearly six years after Scots voted to remain a part of the United Kingdom.
Philippines volcano spews lava half-mile high, threatens to erupt again as flights grounded
A volcanic eruption in the Philippines continues to spew lava half a mile into the sky, creating lightning bolts, and threatening to erupt again even as tens of thousands of people continue to flee the region and hundreds of flights have been canceled or delayed.
Lebanese protesters back in streets following brief lull
Following a brief lull, Lebanese protesters returned to the streets, blocking several roads around the capital, Beirut, and other areas of the country on Tuesday in renewed rallies against a ruling elite they say has failed to address the economy’s downward spiral.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
House Committee in Israeli parliament to convene to decide fate of Netanyahu
An Israeli parliamentary committee will convene to determine the political fate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, lawmakers decided Monday.
Netanyahu: Israel will not allow Iran to achieve nuclear weapons
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons and called on Western countries to impose “snapback sanctions” on Tehran.
IDF sees chance to halt Iranian entrenchment in region with Soleimani gone
Israeli Military Intelligence believes the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani represents a significant opportunity to counter Tehran’s growing aggressiveness in the region, The Times of Israel learned Tuesday.

Inside the United States
Trump plans to divert $7.2 billion from Pentagon for border wall construction
Lawmakers again expressed anger and frustration at the news that the White House again will be tapping the Pentagon’s budget to pay for President Trump’s long-promised border wall.
$1,163,090,000,000: Federal Spending Sets Record Through December
The federal government spent a record $1,163,090,000,000 in the first three months of fiscal 2020 (October through December), according to the Monthly Treasury Statement released Monday afternoon.
Judge delays ruling in House lawsuit over Trump tax returns
A federal judge on Tuesday stayed House Democrats’ lawsuit over their efforts to obtain President Trump’s tax returns from the IRS until a court decision is issued in a separate case.

Christian News
Al Shabaab strikes Kenya school, killing three Christian teachers
Al Shabaab extremists killed three Christian teachers in Kenya Monday, the attackers justifying the carnage by saying it was impermissible for 'infidels' to teach children.
New Survey Reveals Most Pastors Don't Connect World Events to Second Coming of Christ
US Protestant pastors are closely monitoring the recent events in the Middle East, but many don't believe it will influence the return of Christ.