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
Sweden Says it Can’t Meet All of Turkey’s Demands; NATO Entry Now Up to Ankara
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has called on Turkey to lift its block against Sweden’s accession to the transatlantic alliance, after Stockholm acknowledged it cannot meet Ankara’s demands.
U.S. Navy seizes over 2,100 Iranian assault rifles in Gulf of Oman bound for Yemen
The U.S. Navy said Tuesday that it seized over 2,100 assault rifles from a fishing vessel in the Gulf of Oman that it believes came from Iran and were meant for the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Monk Kidnapped By Islamists Elected Bishop
A Syriac Catholic monk and priest who was kidnapped in Syria by militants of the Islamic State (IS) group has been elected Archbishop of Homs, the Vatican confirmed Tuesday.
Peru: At least 17 dead amid protests calling for President Boularte to resign
At least 17 people have been killed in Peru amid clashes between supporters of former left-wing President Pedro Castillo, who was arrested for sedition and high treason in December, and government security forces backing new president Dina Boularte, BBC News
Iran sentences 3 more protestors to death for “waging war against God”
Ignoring Western condemnation of its actions, Iran’s judiciary has sentenced three more anti-government protesters to death on charges of “waging war on God,” Reuters reports. Iran’s Islamic extremist regime has already executed four people involved in nationwide protests triggered by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who had been arrested for not wearing her hijab correctly in September last year.
Brazil’s Ex-President Condemns Brasilia Attack
Brazil’s former president and conservative rightwing leader Jair Bolsonaro has condemned supporters who invaded and ransacked the government’s top institutions on Sunday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu: In a democracy there will be no call to civil riots
In a democratic country, the leaders of the opposition are not arrested, just as the government ministers are not called Nazis, the Jewish government isn't called the Third Reich and the citizens are not called to start a civil rebellion," PM Benjamin Netanyahu told President Herzog in a call on Tuesday, Maariv reported.
Israeli officials meet Abraham Accords counterparts in Abu Dhabi ahead of Negev Forum summit
Senior Israeli officials and their counterparts from Abraham Accords countries attended a two-day meeting in Abu Dhabi this week to prepare for the upcoming Negev Forum summit in Morocco later this year, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports. High-level delegations from Egypt and America, including US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, also participated in the meeting.
Inside the United States
Pentagon ditches COVID vaccine mandate for troops
The Pentagon is formally dropping a controversial COVID-19 vaccine mandate for troops, according to a memo from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
House Oversight Republicans Reveal Six Things ‘We Will Investigate’
Accompanied by the ominous sound of a bell tolling, a video by House Oversight Republicans lists six scandals the new House Republican majority will investigate in order to “get answers the American people deserve.”
Misplaced Classified Documents In President Biden’s Former Office On Iran, Ukraine, UK
Misplaced classified documents that were illegally held in U.S. President Joe Biden’s former office at a Washington think tank included materials about Iran, Ukraine, and Britain, several sources said.
Sweden Says it Can’t Meet All of Turkey’s Demands; NATO Entry Now Up to Ankara
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has called on Turkey to lift its block against Sweden’s accession to the transatlantic alliance, after Stockholm acknowledged it cannot meet Ankara’s demands.
U.S. Navy seizes over 2,100 Iranian assault rifles in Gulf of Oman bound for Yemen
The U.S. Navy said Tuesday that it seized over 2,100 assault rifles from a fishing vessel in the Gulf of Oman that it believes came from Iran and were meant for the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Monk Kidnapped By Islamists Elected Bishop
A Syriac Catholic monk and priest who was kidnapped in Syria by militants of the Islamic State (IS) group has been elected Archbishop of Homs, the Vatican confirmed Tuesday.
Peru: At least 17 dead amid protests calling for President Boularte to resign
At least 17 people have been killed in Peru amid clashes between supporters of former left-wing President Pedro Castillo, who was arrested for sedition and high treason in December, and government security forces backing new president Dina Boularte, BBC News
Iran sentences 3 more protestors to death for “waging war against God”
Ignoring Western condemnation of its actions, Iran’s judiciary has sentenced three more anti-government protesters to death on charges of “waging war on God,” Reuters reports. Iran’s Islamic extremist regime has already executed four people involved in nationwide protests triggered by the death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a young woman who had been arrested for not wearing her hijab correctly in September last year.
Brazil’s Ex-President Condemns Brasilia Attack
Brazil’s former president and conservative rightwing leader Jair Bolsonaro has condemned supporters who invaded and ransacked the government’s top institutions on Sunday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu: In a democracy there will be no call to civil riots
In a democratic country, the leaders of the opposition are not arrested, just as the government ministers are not called Nazis, the Jewish government isn't called the Third Reich and the citizens are not called to start a civil rebellion," PM Benjamin Netanyahu told President Herzog in a call on Tuesday, Maariv reported.
Israeli officials meet Abraham Accords counterparts in Abu Dhabi ahead of Negev Forum summit
Senior Israeli officials and their counterparts from Abraham Accords countries attended a two-day meeting in Abu Dhabi this week to prepare for the upcoming Negev Forum summit in Morocco later this year, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports. High-level delegations from Egypt and America, including US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, also participated in the meeting.
Inside the United States
Pentagon ditches COVID vaccine mandate for troops
The Pentagon is formally dropping a controversial COVID-19 vaccine mandate for troops, according to a memo from Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
House Oversight Republicans Reveal Six Things ‘We Will Investigate’
Accompanied by the ominous sound of a bell tolling, a video by House Oversight Republicans lists six scandals the new House Republican majority will investigate in order to “get answers the American people deserve.”
Misplaced Classified Documents In President Biden’s Former Office On Iran, Ukraine, UK
Misplaced classified documents that were illegally held in U.S. President Joe Biden’s former office at a Washington think tank included materials about Iran, Ukraine, and Britain, several sources said.
Around the World
Australia hit by ‘one-in-100-year’ floods as hundreds airlifted to safety
A remote region in Australia's outback has been hit by "one-in-100-year" floods which have forced military aircraft to evacuate residents.
U.S. says return to 2015 Iran nuclear deal not at the top of the agenda
The U.S. State Department has admitted that the Biden administration maintains several backdoor methods of communication with the Iranian regime on multiple issues between the two countries, although it denies that a return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal is at the top of the agenda.
US approves over $3 billion in new military aid package for Ukraine
The US has approved a further $3.075bn military aid package for Ukraine to continue to resist the Russian invasion, Army-Technology reports. This latest assistance package is the largest America has designated for Ukraine to date.
Brazil Police Regaining Control Over Protests
Brazilian police began regaining control in the capital of Brasília Monday, where thousands of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro attacked government buildings, including Congress, the presidential palace, and the Supreme Court.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Rebukes U.N., Palestinian Authority for Emergency Session on Temple Mount
Last week, the United Nations Security Council met in an emergency session following the visit of a prominent minister in Benjamin Netanyahu's new government to Jerusalem's Temple Mount. Israeli leaders claim the emergency meeting was another attempt launched by Palestinians to blame Israel for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel Removing Palestinian Flags
Israeli-Palestinian tensions rose further Monday after Israel's new National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, instructed police to remove Palestinian flags from public spaces.
Inside the United States
Atheists refute claims abortion bans violate religious freedom
Atheist pro-life advocates are pushing back against lawsuits alleging that state abortion bans and restrictions violate religious freedom and promote a Christian definition of life, saying that the right to practice one's faith does not justify "human rights violations."
U.S. House to vote on rules that will constrain McCarthy’s power
The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on Monday on the rules that will govern it for the next two years, in a first test of newly elected Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy's ability to wrangle his caucus.
House to Vote on Bill Aimed at Slashing $72 Billion From IRS
The House is set to vote on a bill Monday night that would slash billions from the IRS, fulfilling newly elected GOP Speaker Kevin McCarthy's pledge to cut the agency's funding in an effort to prevent audits on Americans.
Pro-Life Pregnancy Center Begins Own Investigation to Find Terrorists Who Firebombed Facility Last Summer
A New York pro-life pregnancy center is launching its own private investigation to find the group of arsonists who firebombed their facility last June.
Christian News
Iran: Pastor re-arrested and imprisoned, no reason given
A pastor in Iran who is serving a six-year prison sentence on account of his religious activity was suddenly re-arrested on December 26 while on officially approved leave from his jail, Article 18 reports.
Uganda: Pastor in critical condition after poisoning by Muslim extremists
A pastor in western Uganda is still fighting for his life in hospital, weeks after he and a couple he had recently led to Christ were poisoned by local Islamic extremists, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Violent attacks by radicalized Islamists against Christians in Uganda are being increasingly reported, although Muslims are a minority group in the country, and Christianity is legal.
Post-pandemic attendance at worship services has significantly declined, report shows
A new report shows that, while religious identity among US adults has remained “mostly stable” since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Americans who regularly attend worship services has declined significantly, the Washington Times reports. The report was published by the American Enterprise Institute on Thursday.
Australia hit by ‘one-in-100-year’ floods as hundreds airlifted to safety
A remote region in Australia's outback has been hit by "one-in-100-year" floods which have forced military aircraft to evacuate residents.
U.S. says return to 2015 Iran nuclear deal not at the top of the agenda
The U.S. State Department has admitted that the Biden administration maintains several backdoor methods of communication with the Iranian regime on multiple issues between the two countries, although it denies that a return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal is at the top of the agenda.
US approves over $3 billion in new military aid package for Ukraine
The US has approved a further $3.075bn military aid package for Ukraine to continue to resist the Russian invasion, Army-Technology reports. This latest assistance package is the largest America has designated for Ukraine to date.
Brazil Police Regaining Control Over Protests
Brazilian police began regaining control in the capital of Brasília Monday, where thousands of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro attacked government buildings, including Congress, the presidential palace, and the Supreme Court.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Rebukes U.N., Palestinian Authority for Emergency Session on Temple Mount
Last week, the United Nations Security Council met in an emergency session following the visit of a prominent minister in Benjamin Netanyahu's new government to Jerusalem's Temple Mount. Israeli leaders claim the emergency meeting was another attempt launched by Palestinians to blame Israel for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel Removing Palestinian Flags
Israeli-Palestinian tensions rose further Monday after Israel's new National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, instructed police to remove Palestinian flags from public spaces.
Inside the United States
Atheists refute claims abortion bans violate religious freedom
Atheist pro-life advocates are pushing back against lawsuits alleging that state abortion bans and restrictions violate religious freedom and promote a Christian definition of life, saying that the right to practice one's faith does not justify "human rights violations."
U.S. House to vote on rules that will constrain McCarthy’s power
The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on Monday on the rules that will govern it for the next two years, in a first test of newly elected Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy's ability to wrangle his caucus.
House to Vote on Bill Aimed at Slashing $72 Billion From IRS
The House is set to vote on a bill Monday night that would slash billions from the IRS, fulfilling newly elected GOP Speaker Kevin McCarthy's pledge to cut the agency's funding in an effort to prevent audits on Americans.
Pro-Life Pregnancy Center Begins Own Investigation to Find Terrorists Who Firebombed Facility Last Summer
A New York pro-life pregnancy center is launching its own private investigation to find the group of arsonists who firebombed their facility last June.
Christian News
Iran: Pastor re-arrested and imprisoned, no reason given
A pastor in Iran who is serving a six-year prison sentence on account of his religious activity was suddenly re-arrested on December 26 while on officially approved leave from his jail, Article 18 reports.
Uganda: Pastor in critical condition after poisoning by Muslim extremists
A pastor in western Uganda is still fighting for his life in hospital, weeks after he and a couple he had recently led to Christ were poisoned by local Islamic extremists, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Violent attacks by radicalized Islamists against Christians in Uganda are being increasingly reported, although Muslims are a minority group in the country, and Christianity is legal.
Post-pandemic attendance at worship services has significantly declined, report shows
A new report shows that, while religious identity among US adults has remained “mostly stable” since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Americans who regularly attend worship services has declined significantly, the Washington Times reports. The report was published by the American Enterprise Institute on Thursday.
Around the World
Kyiv Denies Russia Killed 600 Ukrainian Troops
Wartorn Ukraine denied Sunday that Russia killed hundreds of Ukrainian troops in an attack.
Supporters Ex-Brazil President Storm Congress
Thousands of supporters of Brazil's former rightwing President Jair Bolsonaro invaded the Supreme Court, the Congress building, and surrounded the presidential palace in Brasilia, the capital, several sources confirmed Sunday.
World On Edge As China Travels Despite COVID Fears
Authorities of several nations were on edge Sunday after China began marking “chun yun," the 40-day period of Lunar New Year travel, despite international concerns about the spread of COVID-19 infections.
Germany Prevents ‘Islamist-Motivated’ Attack; Iranian Detained
German authorities say an Iranian man has been detained in western Germany for allegedly plotting an "Islamist-motivated" chemical attack.
EU Condemns Iran Executions
The European Union has condemned Iran after executing two men for their involvement in anti-government protests sparked by the death of a 22-year-old Kurdish woman.
Ukraine Sees First Orthodox Christmas Under Shadow Of War (Worthy News Radio)
Church services have begun in Ukraine to mark the first Orthodox Christmas since Russia invaded the country last year. Believers gathered despite violations of an Orthodox Christmas truce announced by Moscow.
Russia’s Orthodox Christmas Truce Violated
Air raid alerts were heard across Ukraine hours after Russia declared a temporary ceasefire along the Ukrainian frontline to mark Orthodox Christmas.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
US, Israeli Air Forces Practice Joint Flights, Target Strikes in Latest Exercise
The American and Israeli air forces on Thursday wrapped up a drill simulating joint flights and target strikes.
Israeli Jews Support Christians after Church-Run Cemetery Desecrated
Dozens of Jewish Israelis paid a solidarity visit to a Christian cemetery in Jerusalem after it was desecrated, apparently by Orthodox Jews, earlier this week. The incident, which parallels an untold number of descecrations of Jewish graves in Christian countries, has many people in Israel calling for stricter punishment for hate crimes.
Inside the United States
House Speaker fight foreshadows larger debt ceiling battle on the horizon for GOP
The gridlock that paralyzed House Republicans over the past week in their quest to elect a new Speaker could be a foretaste of more to come, with party moderates and conservatives set to tangle in the months to come over raising the debt ceiling and reining in reckless government spending.
Idaho Supreme Court upholds state’s near-total abortion ban
The Idaho Supreme Court on Friday upheld the state's abortion ban, which restricts access to the procedure except in cases of rape, incest, or a threat to the life of the mother.
US economy added 223,000 jobs in December, lowest monthly increase in two years
The Labor Department said Friday the U.S. economy added 223,000 jobs in December – the lowest monthly increase in two years.
Kevin Mc Carthy Elected House Speaker After Turbulent Voting
Republican Kevin McCarthy of California won the election early Saturday as the U.S. House of Representatives speaker in a historic five-day battle after making concessions to legislators who questioned his conservative credentials.
Kyiv Denies Russia Killed 600 Ukrainian Troops
Wartorn Ukraine denied Sunday that Russia killed hundreds of Ukrainian troops in an attack.
Supporters Ex-Brazil President Storm Congress
Thousands of supporters of Brazil's former rightwing President Jair Bolsonaro invaded the Supreme Court, the Congress building, and surrounded the presidential palace in Brasilia, the capital, several sources confirmed Sunday.
World On Edge As China Travels Despite COVID Fears
Authorities of several nations were on edge Sunday after China began marking “chun yun," the 40-day period of Lunar New Year travel, despite international concerns about the spread of COVID-19 infections.
Germany Prevents ‘Islamist-Motivated’ Attack; Iranian Detained
German authorities say an Iranian man has been detained in western Germany for allegedly plotting an "Islamist-motivated" chemical attack.
EU Condemns Iran Executions
The European Union has condemned Iran after executing two men for their involvement in anti-government protests sparked by the death of a 22-year-old Kurdish woman.
Ukraine Sees First Orthodox Christmas Under Shadow Of War (Worthy News Radio)
Church services have begun in Ukraine to mark the first Orthodox Christmas since Russia invaded the country last year. Believers gathered despite violations of an Orthodox Christmas truce announced by Moscow.
Russia’s Orthodox Christmas Truce Violated
Air raid alerts were heard across Ukraine hours after Russia declared a temporary ceasefire along the Ukrainian frontline to mark Orthodox Christmas.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
US, Israeli Air Forces Practice Joint Flights, Target Strikes in Latest Exercise
The American and Israeli air forces on Thursday wrapped up a drill simulating joint flights and target strikes.
Israeli Jews Support Christians after Church-Run Cemetery Desecrated
Dozens of Jewish Israelis paid a solidarity visit to a Christian cemetery in Jerusalem after it was desecrated, apparently by Orthodox Jews, earlier this week. The incident, which parallels an untold number of descecrations of Jewish graves in Christian countries, has many people in Israel calling for stricter punishment for hate crimes.
Inside the United States
House Speaker fight foreshadows larger debt ceiling battle on the horizon for GOP
The gridlock that paralyzed House Republicans over the past week in their quest to elect a new Speaker could be a foretaste of more to come, with party moderates and conservatives set to tangle in the months to come over raising the debt ceiling and reining in reckless government spending.
Idaho Supreme Court upholds state’s near-total abortion ban
The Idaho Supreme Court on Friday upheld the state's abortion ban, which restricts access to the procedure except in cases of rape, incest, or a threat to the life of the mother.
US economy added 223,000 jobs in December, lowest monthly increase in two years
The Labor Department said Friday the U.S. economy added 223,000 jobs in December – the lowest monthly increase in two years.
Kevin Mc Carthy Elected House Speaker After Turbulent Voting
Republican Kevin McCarthy of California won the election early Saturday as the U.S. House of Representatives speaker in a historic five-day battle after making concessions to legislators who questioned his conservative credentials.