Prophecy News Watch provided by Worthy Ministries
Prophecy News Watch is a service hosted by Worthy Ministries to provide Christians daily news from a Biblical, and yet Prophetic worldview. Our news is gathered by our Christian News Service, Worthy News. For more about our vision for how we assemble our daily headlines, please read, "What is Worthy News?"
Around the World
Iran exploited Syrian earthquake to smuggle weapons, military equipment
Tehran took advantage of the earthquake that devastated parts of Syria and Turkey in early February, killing tens of thousands, to smuggle weapons and military equipment, according to Reuters.
Efforts to forge Saudi ties said to be on ice as tensions with Palestinians spike
Saudi Arabia’s interest in establishing diplomatic relations with Israel has cooled in recent months amid ongoing violence in the West Bank and clashes at the flashpoint Temple Mount site, US media reported this week.
Mecca hit by “plague of locusts” during Ramadan rainfall
Social media was abuzz with videos showing an infestation of unidentified bugs at the Great Mosque, the holiest mosque in all of Islam. It is the focus of the hajj, the pilgrimage, which draws millions of Muslims a year to Saudi Arabia. The swarm went unreported on Al Arabiya and other Arab media. The bugs appeared after an unseasonal rain that fell four days ago during Umrah, a lesser pilgrimage festival.
Dutch Court Challenges “Obsessive” Sperm Donor With Hundreds Of Children
An “obsessive” sperm donor believed to have fathered more than 550 children in the Netherlands and around the world was challenged in a Dutch court Thursday to force him to stop donating.
French President Macron Defends Taiwan, US Remarks
French President Emmanuel Macron has defended challenging the U.S. superpower status and saying that France should not get caught up in escalating tensions between the United States and China.
Hungary Withdraws From Russian-Controlled Bank After US Sanctions
Hungary's nationalist government has decided to withdraw its representatives from the Russia-controlled International Investment Bank (IIB) and will quit it after the U.S. imposed sanctions late Wednesday and planned more punitive measures.
Ecuador Attackers Kill Nine Fishermen
Security forces in Ecuador are searching for some 30 gunmen who killed nine men working at the fishing port of Esmeraldas, officials said.
Biden “At Home” In Ireland
Saying "I'm at home," U.S. President Joe Biden addressed Ireland’s parliament Thursday, a day after he said that Northern Ireland must “not go back” to the violence that scarred it for years.
Saudi Arabia hosts delegations from Iran and Syria to discuss restoration of diplomatic ties
In a big show of thawing relations with both Iran and Syria, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday hosted delegations from the two countries intending to restore severed diplomatic ties with each of them, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
US Sanctions Individuals In Hungary
The United States lashed out at Hungary for its “eagerness” to have friendly ties with Moscow and imposed sanctions on three individuals of a Budapest-based Russian-controlled bank.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Iron Dome on alert in the north for final Friday of Ramadan, Iran’s Quds Day
Israel has readied its air defenses amid fears of a security flare-up on Friday when Palestinian worshipers will throng the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Ramadan prayers and Iran will commemorate its annual “Quds Day” with anti-Israel activities.
Inside the United States
FBI Detains Alleged Leaker Of US Intelligence Documents
Several sources confirmed that a 21-year-old U.S. Air Force National Guard employee has been arrested over the leak of hundreds of pages of U.S. classified military intelligence.
North Dakota passes laws banning transgender girls from playing on female sports teams
North Dakota has now passed two laws which prohibit transgender girls and women from playing on female sports teams in K-12 and at college level.
Christian News
New study reveals hidden portion of the Gospel of Matthew
A new study by the Austrian Academy of Sciences (AAS) has brought to light a previously hidden section of the Gospel of Matthew, Christian Today reports. The study and its findings have been published in the New Testament Studies journal.
India Supreme Court to hear case by Catholic Archbishop requesting disclosure of records of religious rights abuses
In a case brought by the Catholic Archbishop of Bangalore, India’s Supreme Court will on Friday consider harsh anti-conversion laws passed in numerous Indian states and consider the church leader’s request to compel the disclosure of records of religious violations in those states, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Iran exploited Syrian earthquake to smuggle weapons, military equipment
Tehran took advantage of the earthquake that devastated parts of Syria and Turkey in early February, killing tens of thousands, to smuggle weapons and military equipment, according to Reuters.
Efforts to forge Saudi ties said to be on ice as tensions with Palestinians spike
Saudi Arabia’s interest in establishing diplomatic relations with Israel has cooled in recent months amid ongoing violence in the West Bank and clashes at the flashpoint Temple Mount site, US media reported this week.
Mecca hit by “plague of locusts” during Ramadan rainfall
Social media was abuzz with videos showing an infestation of unidentified bugs at the Great Mosque, the holiest mosque in all of Islam. It is the focus of the hajj, the pilgrimage, which draws millions of Muslims a year to Saudi Arabia. The swarm went unreported on Al Arabiya and other Arab media. The bugs appeared after an unseasonal rain that fell four days ago during Umrah, a lesser pilgrimage festival.
Dutch Court Challenges “Obsessive” Sperm Donor With Hundreds Of Children
An “obsessive” sperm donor believed to have fathered more than 550 children in the Netherlands and around the world was challenged in a Dutch court Thursday to force him to stop donating.
French President Macron Defends Taiwan, US Remarks
French President Emmanuel Macron has defended challenging the U.S. superpower status and saying that France should not get caught up in escalating tensions between the United States and China.
Hungary Withdraws From Russian-Controlled Bank After US Sanctions
Hungary's nationalist government has decided to withdraw its representatives from the Russia-controlled International Investment Bank (IIB) and will quit it after the U.S. imposed sanctions late Wednesday and planned more punitive measures.
Ecuador Attackers Kill Nine Fishermen
Security forces in Ecuador are searching for some 30 gunmen who killed nine men working at the fishing port of Esmeraldas, officials said.
Biden “At Home” In Ireland
Saying "I'm at home," U.S. President Joe Biden addressed Ireland’s parliament Thursday, a day after he said that Northern Ireland must “not go back” to the violence that scarred it for years.
Saudi Arabia hosts delegations from Iran and Syria to discuss restoration of diplomatic ties
In a big show of thawing relations with both Iran and Syria, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday hosted delegations from the two countries intending to restore severed diplomatic ties with each of them, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
US Sanctions Individuals In Hungary
The United States lashed out at Hungary for its “eagerness” to have friendly ties with Moscow and imposed sanctions on three individuals of a Budapest-based Russian-controlled bank.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Iron Dome on alert in the north for final Friday of Ramadan, Iran’s Quds Day
Israel has readied its air defenses amid fears of a security flare-up on Friday when Palestinian worshipers will throng the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Ramadan prayers and Iran will commemorate its annual “Quds Day” with anti-Israel activities.
Inside the United States
FBI Detains Alleged Leaker Of US Intelligence Documents
Several sources confirmed that a 21-year-old U.S. Air Force National Guard employee has been arrested over the leak of hundreds of pages of U.S. classified military intelligence.
North Dakota passes laws banning transgender girls from playing on female sports teams
North Dakota has now passed two laws which prohibit transgender girls and women from playing on female sports teams in K-12 and at college level.
Christian News
New study reveals hidden portion of the Gospel of Matthew
A new study by the Austrian Academy of Sciences (AAS) has brought to light a previously hidden section of the Gospel of Matthew, Christian Today reports. The study and its findings have been published in the New Testament Studies journal.
India Supreme Court to hear case by Catholic Archbishop requesting disclosure of records of religious rights abuses
In a case brought by the Catholic Archbishop of Bangalore, India’s Supreme Court will on Friday consider harsh anti-conversion laws passed in numerous Indian states and consider the church leader’s request to compel the disclosure of records of religious violations in those states, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Around the World
Kyiv Outraged Over Videos Claiming Beheaded Ukrainian Soldiers (Worthy News Radio)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed outrage over videos on social media showing Ukrainian soldiers beheaded by Russian troops.
Hundreds Of Migrants Await Rescue At Sea
Hundreds of migrants feeling war, persecution, and poverty were still awaiting to be rescued Wednesday off the coast of southern Italy, more than two days after activists raised the alarm.
Pentagon: ‘Special US, NATO Forces In Ukraine’
More details have emerged about Western special forces inside Ukraine after Worthy News initially reported that troops from the NATO military alliance were in the wartorn nation.
BRICS Nations Dumping Dollar As New World Currency Nears
The U.S. dollar was rapidly losing its status as the world’s reserve currency Tuesday after five leading emerging economies, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS), agreed to work on a new global currency, Worthy News monitored.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Officials fear Hamas to cast Jerusalem tension as victory ahead of crucial date
Security forces are bracing for expected further escalation on the Temple Mount, with the IDF, Israel Police and the Shin Bet security agency on high alert ahead of the last Friday of Ramadan this week, when the annual anti-Israel "Quds Day" is observed across the Arab world.
Inside the United States
Biden administration mulls expanding online surveillance after missing leak: Report
The Biden administration is considering expanding its social media and chatroom monitoring protocols after classified documents were circulated online for weeks without notice, according to a report Wednesday.
Legal abortion fell by 6% after Roe was overturned, report finds
The number of women receiving legal abortions fell by more than 6% in the six months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, according to a new report.
Idaho passes first-of-its-kind “abortion trafficking” legislation
Idaho has passed a first-of-its-kind “abortion trafficking” law that criminalizes adults who help an underage girl to get an abortion without the consent of her parent or legal guardian, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Oklahoma school board unanimously rejects application for publicly-funded Catholic charter school
A school board appointed by Republican officials in Oklahoma has unanimously rejected an application by the Catholic Church to establish the first tax-payer funded religious charter school in the US, Reuters reports.
Christian News
Burkina Faso: 44 killed in terror attacks, “believers have been targeted and killed in villages”
Amid ongoing murderous campaigns of terror in Burkina Faso, Islamic jihadists slaughtered 44 civilians in the villages of Kourakou and Tondobi villages between April 6-7, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Indonesia Pledges To Facilitate Church After Outcry
Indonesia’s government says it will facilitate a place of worship for Protestant Christians in West Java after the forced closure of their church by authorities provoked an international outcry.
Kyiv Outraged Over Videos Claiming Beheaded Ukrainian Soldiers (Worthy News Radio)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed outrage over videos on social media showing Ukrainian soldiers beheaded by Russian troops.
Hundreds Of Migrants Await Rescue At Sea
Hundreds of migrants feeling war, persecution, and poverty were still awaiting to be rescued Wednesday off the coast of southern Italy, more than two days after activists raised the alarm.
Pentagon: ‘Special US, NATO Forces In Ukraine’
More details have emerged about Western special forces inside Ukraine after Worthy News initially reported that troops from the NATO military alliance were in the wartorn nation.
BRICS Nations Dumping Dollar As New World Currency Nears
The U.S. dollar was rapidly losing its status as the world’s reserve currency Tuesday after five leading emerging economies, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS), agreed to work on a new global currency, Worthy News monitored.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Officials fear Hamas to cast Jerusalem tension as victory ahead of crucial date
Security forces are bracing for expected further escalation on the Temple Mount, with the IDF, Israel Police and the Shin Bet security agency on high alert ahead of the last Friday of Ramadan this week, when the annual anti-Israel "Quds Day" is observed across the Arab world.
Inside the United States
Biden administration mulls expanding online surveillance after missing leak: Report
The Biden administration is considering expanding its social media and chatroom monitoring protocols after classified documents were circulated online for weeks without notice, according to a report Wednesday.
Legal abortion fell by 6% after Roe was overturned, report finds
The number of women receiving legal abortions fell by more than 6% in the six months after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, according to a new report.
Idaho passes first-of-its-kind “abortion trafficking” legislation
Idaho has passed a first-of-its-kind “abortion trafficking” law that criminalizes adults who help an underage girl to get an abortion without the consent of her parent or legal guardian, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Oklahoma school board unanimously rejects application for publicly-funded Catholic charter school
A school board appointed by Republican officials in Oklahoma has unanimously rejected an application by the Catholic Church to establish the first tax-payer funded religious charter school in the US, Reuters reports.
Christian News
Burkina Faso: 44 killed in terror attacks, “believers have been targeted and killed in villages”
Amid ongoing murderous campaigns of terror in Burkina Faso, Islamic jihadists slaughtered 44 civilians in the villages of Kourakou and Tondobi villages between April 6-7, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Indonesia Pledges To Facilitate Church After Outcry
Indonesia’s government says it will facilitate a place of worship for Protestant Christians in West Java after the forced closure of their church by authorities provoked an international outcry.
Around the World
Hungary Extends Energy Deals With Russia
Hungary’s foreign minister has sealed deals with Russia on expanding nuclear energy, natural gas, and oil supplies despite Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Saudi officials travel to Yemen to try and end crushing civil war
As part of an effort to end the devastating civil war in Yemen, a delegation of Saudi Arabian officials on Sunday traveled to the Yemeni capital city of Sanaa to try and negotiate a peace deal with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels who have taken over the city, AFP reports.
China completes 3 days of military drills simulating blockades around Taiwan
China announced Monday it “successfully completed” a three-day military exercise during which it practiced installing naval and aerial blockades around Taiwan, i24 News reports. The drill began on Saturday, causing some consternation amid ongoing fears that China is edging toward an invasion of self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of the Chinese mainland.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu Vows to Restore Security ‘On All Fronts’ After Terror Attacks, Rocket Fire
Israel’s embattled prime minister pledged on Monday evening to restore security after a turbulent few days saw violent clashes on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, deadly acts of terrorism, and cross-border rocket fire including the biggest barrage from Lebanon since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.
Netanyahu bars Jewish visitors from Temple Mount for last 10 days of Ramadan
Jewish visitors will be barred from the Temple Mount from Wednesday until the end of Ramadan in ten days’ time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Tuesday, after a series of security consultations on the issue amid widespread violence linked to tensions at the holy site.
Israel has the “right to defend itself” against aggression, US government says
Following a barrage of rockets directed at Israeli towns from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, the United States government said Thursday that Israel has a right to defend itself against sustained attacks from Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants and the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah terror group, the Times of Israel reports.
Inside the United States
Biden administration officials were involved in Mar-a-Lago raid despite claiming otherwise: report
The Biden administration involved itself in the raid of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home despite reports that its officials were "stunned" to find out about the news on social media, according to the group America First Legal, which obtained internal government documents related to the raid through a Freedom of Information Act request.
US Bank Lending Slumps by Most on Record in Final Weeks of March
US bank lending contracted by the most on record in the last two weeks of March, indicating a tightening of credit conditions in the wake of several high-profile bank collapses that risks damaging the economy.
Leak of US classified documents online is “very serious risk to national security” and could lead to loss of life, Pentagon says
The Pentagon said Monday that the recent leak of classified US Defense Department documents for circulation online presents an ongoing “very serious risk to national security” and could potentially lead to the loss of life, CNS News reports.
Christian News
Attacks on churches surged in first quarter of 2023, report finds
Attacks on churches escalated in the first quarter of 2023 consistent with a years-long trend of rising vandalism, arson and shootings, none worse this year than the deadly rampage at the Covenant School in Nashville.
Hungary Extends Energy Deals With Russia
Hungary’s foreign minister has sealed deals with Russia on expanding nuclear energy, natural gas, and oil supplies despite Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Saudi officials travel to Yemen to try and end crushing civil war
As part of an effort to end the devastating civil war in Yemen, a delegation of Saudi Arabian officials on Sunday traveled to the Yemeni capital city of Sanaa to try and negotiate a peace deal with the Iran-backed Houthi rebels who have taken over the city, AFP reports.
China completes 3 days of military drills simulating blockades around Taiwan
China announced Monday it “successfully completed” a three-day military exercise during which it practiced installing naval and aerial blockades around Taiwan, i24 News reports. The drill began on Saturday, causing some consternation amid ongoing fears that China is edging toward an invasion of self-ruled Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of the Chinese mainland.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu Vows to Restore Security ‘On All Fronts’ After Terror Attacks, Rocket Fire
Israel’s embattled prime minister pledged on Monday evening to restore security after a turbulent few days saw violent clashes on Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, deadly acts of terrorism, and cross-border rocket fire including the biggest barrage from Lebanon since the 2006 Israel-Hezbollah war.
Netanyahu bars Jewish visitors from Temple Mount for last 10 days of Ramadan
Jewish visitors will be barred from the Temple Mount from Wednesday until the end of Ramadan in ten days’ time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Tuesday, after a series of security consultations on the issue amid widespread violence linked to tensions at the holy site.
Israel has the “right to defend itself” against aggression, US government says
Following a barrage of rockets directed at Israeli towns from the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, the United States government said Thursday that Israel has a right to defend itself against sustained attacks from Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants and the Iran-backed Lebanese Hezbollah terror group, the Times of Israel reports.
Inside the United States
Biden administration officials were involved in Mar-a-Lago raid despite claiming otherwise: report
The Biden administration involved itself in the raid of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago home despite reports that its officials were "stunned" to find out about the news on social media, according to the group America First Legal, which obtained internal government documents related to the raid through a Freedom of Information Act request.
US Bank Lending Slumps by Most on Record in Final Weeks of March
US bank lending contracted by the most on record in the last two weeks of March, indicating a tightening of credit conditions in the wake of several high-profile bank collapses that risks damaging the economy.
Leak of US classified documents online is “very serious risk to national security” and could lead to loss of life, Pentagon says
The Pentagon said Monday that the recent leak of classified US Defense Department documents for circulation online presents an ongoing “very serious risk to national security” and could potentially lead to the loss of life, CNS News reports.
Christian News
Attacks on churches surged in first quarter of 2023, report finds
Attacks on churches escalated in the first quarter of 2023 consistent with a years-long trend of rising vandalism, arson and shootings, none worse this year than the deadly rampage at the Covenant School in Nashville.