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
Europe Narrowly Avoids Nuclear Disaster, For Now
Ukraine’s president says Europe narrowly avoided a nuclear radiation disaster on Thursday as a Russian-occupied nuclear plant was disconnected from Ukraine's power grid
Iran-backed militants launch rocket attacks on US bases in Syria
In a continued series of recent back-and-forth attacks between the US and Iran-backed militants, three American service members were injured Wednesday during rocket attacks by Iran-backed groups on two US military bases in northeastern Syria, the Washington Times reports.
White House says Biden to use ‘whatever means necessary’ to deny Iran nuclear bomb
At least one US military service member in Syria suffered a minor injury and up to three suspected Iran-backed militants were killed on Wednesday, the US military said, in the second consecutive day of violence.
Four Iran-backed fighters killed in US strikes in Syria, Pentagon says
Four Iranian-backed militia members were killed in US strikes in Syria on Wednesday in response to attacks by the group in recent weeks, the US military said Thursday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Lapid indirectly criticizes Biden personally over Iran deal
As the US and other world powers make progress in reviving the shattered 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Iran nuclear deal, Israel’s Prime Minister Yair Lapid has criticized the deal in such a way as to indirectly blame US President Joe Biden for negotiating a deal that could see Iran becoming a nuclear state, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Mossad chief says looming Iran deal ‘based on lies,’ is ‘very bad for Israel’
Mossad chief David Barnea has called an emerging Iran nuclear deal between the Islamic Republic and world powers “a strategic disaster” for Israel, in recent meetings about the agreement.
Israel strikes targets in several Syrian towns
Airstrikes were allegedly carried out against a Hezbollah weapons storage near the city of Tartus.
Inside the United States
Texas: Judge blocks federal guidance claim that medical emergency care includes abortion
A District judge in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday blocked a federal government Guidance that claims emergency medical care includes abortion, even in states where abortion is banned, the Christian Post reports.
Idaho: Federal judge partially blocks state abortion ban
A federal judge in Idaho on Wednesday partially blocked the state’s “trigger” abortion ban by ruling that abortions may be carried out in emergency medical situations, the Independent reports. Created to be “triggered” into effect should Roe v Wade be overturned, Idaho’s ban on abortion was due to take effect on August 25.
8th Circuit blocks Arkansas’ ban on trans surgeries, puberty blockers for minors
An appeals court has upheld a temporary block on an Arkansas law aimed at banning the usage of puberty blockers and gender surgeries for minors suffering from gender dysphoria.
Gallup: Americans using less cash, foresee a ‘cashless’ future
Fewer Americans are using cash for purchases than five years ago and two-thirds foresee a cashless future in their lifetimes, according to a new Gallup poll released Thursday.
One of country’s strongest anti-abortion bills goes into effect in Oklahoma this week
One of the strongest anti-abortion bills in the country will go into effect laterthis week in Oklahoma.
Christian News
Iran Jails Christian Couple Over House Church
A frail man and his wife have been detained at Iran’s notorious Evin prison in Tehran, and Christians fear they will be locked up for years due to their involvement in a house church.
Islamists Behead Christians In Mozambique
Christian aid workers have confirmed that Islamist militants beheaded two Christian men during an attack on a minibus in northern Mozambique.
Evangelicals Pray For Ukraine As Rockets Take Toll
Two groups representing more than 600 million evangelical Christians urged prayers for an end to the war in Ukraine as territories still controlled by Kyiv observed Ukraine’s Independence Day.
Europe Narrowly Avoids Nuclear Disaster, For Now
Ukraine’s president says Europe narrowly avoided a nuclear radiation disaster on Thursday as a Russian-occupied nuclear plant was disconnected from Ukraine's power grid
Iran-backed militants launch rocket attacks on US bases in Syria
In a continued series of recent back-and-forth attacks between the US and Iran-backed militants, three American service members were injured Wednesday during rocket attacks by Iran-backed groups on two US military bases in northeastern Syria, the Washington Times reports.
White House says Biden to use ‘whatever means necessary’ to deny Iran nuclear bomb
At least one US military service member in Syria suffered a minor injury and up to three suspected Iran-backed militants were killed on Wednesday, the US military said, in the second consecutive day of violence.
Four Iran-backed fighters killed in US strikes in Syria, Pentagon says
Four Iranian-backed militia members were killed in US strikes in Syria on Wednesday in response to attacks by the group in recent weeks, the US military said Thursday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Lapid indirectly criticizes Biden personally over Iran deal
As the US and other world powers make progress in reviving the shattered 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Iran nuclear deal, Israel’s Prime Minister Yair Lapid has criticized the deal in such a way as to indirectly blame US President Joe Biden for negotiating a deal that could see Iran becoming a nuclear state, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Mossad chief says looming Iran deal ‘based on lies,’ is ‘very bad for Israel’
Mossad chief David Barnea has called an emerging Iran nuclear deal between the Islamic Republic and world powers “a strategic disaster” for Israel, in recent meetings about the agreement.
Israel strikes targets in several Syrian towns
Airstrikes were allegedly carried out against a Hezbollah weapons storage near the city of Tartus.
Inside the United States
Texas: Judge blocks federal guidance claim that medical emergency care includes abortion
A District judge in Lubbock, Texas, on Tuesday blocked a federal government Guidance that claims emergency medical care includes abortion, even in states where abortion is banned, the Christian Post reports.
Idaho: Federal judge partially blocks state abortion ban
A federal judge in Idaho on Wednesday partially blocked the state’s “trigger” abortion ban by ruling that abortions may be carried out in emergency medical situations, the Independent reports. Created to be “triggered” into effect should Roe v Wade be overturned, Idaho’s ban on abortion was due to take effect on August 25.
8th Circuit blocks Arkansas’ ban on trans surgeries, puberty blockers for minors
An appeals court has upheld a temporary block on an Arkansas law aimed at banning the usage of puberty blockers and gender surgeries for minors suffering from gender dysphoria.
Gallup: Americans using less cash, foresee a ‘cashless’ future
Fewer Americans are using cash for purchases than five years ago and two-thirds foresee a cashless future in their lifetimes, according to a new Gallup poll released Thursday.
One of country’s strongest anti-abortion bills goes into effect in Oklahoma this week
One of the strongest anti-abortion bills in the country will go into effect laterthis week in Oklahoma.
Christian News
Iran Jails Christian Couple Over House Church
A frail man and his wife have been detained at Iran’s notorious Evin prison in Tehran, and Christians fear they will be locked up for years due to their involvement in a house church.
Islamists Behead Christians In Mozambique
Christian aid workers have confirmed that Islamist militants beheaded two Christian men during an attack on a minibus in northern Mozambique.
Evangelicals Pray For Ukraine As Rockets Take Toll
Two groups representing more than 600 million evangelical Christians urged prayers for an end to the war in Ukraine as territories still controlled by Kyiv observed Ukraine’s Independence Day.
Around the World
Against the odds, Biden inches closer to nuclear deal with Iran
The Biden administration on Wednesday inched closer to restarting a controversial nuclear deal with Iran, brushing aside stark warnings from key American ally Israel and sidestepping mounting evidence that Tehran and its proxies have not moderated their behavior on other fronts and remain intent on targeting U.S. troops, officials, allies and interests.
15 Killed As Russia Fires Rockets In Ukraine On Independence Day
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that at least 15 people were killed and dozens wounded in a Russian rocket strike on a Ukrainian railway station as his nation marked the 31st anniversary of its independence from the Moscow-ruled Soviet Union.
Biden Pledges Nearly $3 Billion To Ukraine In Largest U.S. Military Aid Package Yet
U.S. President Joe Biden has announced nearly $3 billion in new U.S. military aid for Kyiv as Ukraine marked its independence day six months after Russia invaded the country.
US carries out airstrikes on Iran-backed forces in Syria
The US military on Tuesday carried out a series of airstrikes on Iran-backed forces in Syria, emphasizing these were conducted solely to protect American troops in the region and not to escalate tensions, the Washington Examiner reports.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli warplanes entered Iranian airspace undetected
Israeli fighter planes have entered Iran’s airspace multiple times in recent months without being detected by either Iranian or Russian radar, the Jerusalem Post reports. The news that Israeli Air Force F-35 stealth planes had penetrated Iranian airspace in the last two months was reported by the Saudi media outlet Elaph.
Inside the United States
Unredacted memo reveals why DOJ didn’t prosecute Trump
An unredacted, internal Department of Justice memo shows the rationale of its leadership in deciding not to prosecute then-President Donald Trump on obstruction of justice charges following the Mueller report's publication.
Court orders Kenosha to follow Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling banning absentee ballot drop boxes
The Kenosha County Circuit Court ordered that the city of Kenosha, Wis., stop using unmanned absentee ballot drop boxes following the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision that the boxes are illegal.
Biden announces cancellation of student debt
President Biden responded to pressure from progressives on Wednesday by canceling $10,000 in student debt for borrowers who earn less than $125,000 per year and $20,000 in debt for those who received Pell Grants.
Christian News
Church in Afghanistan is growing amid harsh conditions
The house church movement in Afghanistan is slowly growing, despite a surrounding environment of brutal tribalism and Islamic extremist violence that forces evangelism and worship to be carried out in secret, Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) reports.
China: House churches raided, leaders taken away
Chinese authorities raided four house churches this month, taking their leaders away for questioning on false allegations, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Nigeria: Secular High Court upholds death penalty for blasphemy
In a move that has caused severe consternation among rights groups, the secular High Court in Nigeria’s Kano state has upheld a recent death sentence given by a Sharia court to a man accused of blasphemy, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Controversially, Kano is one of 12 northern Nigerian states whose legal system operates under both the secular Nigerian penal code and the Islamic Sharia law.
Young Children Of Late Deacon Killed In Sudan
Sudanese Christians are mourning after suspected Muslim militants killed the three young children of a deceased Catholic Church deacon in Sudan’s Central Darfur region, Worthy News established late Tuesday.
DRC: 17 Christians murdered by Islamic State-affiliated terrorists
Seventeen Christians were murdered in the Democratic Republic of Congo in a spate of recent targeted attacks by Islamic terrorists, Christian Today reports. Although Christians make up 95% of the population in DRC, the rebel Islamic State-affiliated Alliance for Democratic Forces (ADF) carries out brutal attacks on believers.
Pakistan: Couple escape to Europe after years on death row for blasphemy
A couple who spent seven years on death row in Pakistan for alleged blasphemy have been helped to escape the threat of further Islamic extremist violence and have found refuge in Europe, Christian Today (CT) reports.
Against the odds, Biden inches closer to nuclear deal with Iran
The Biden administration on Wednesday inched closer to restarting a controversial nuclear deal with Iran, brushing aside stark warnings from key American ally Israel and sidestepping mounting evidence that Tehran and its proxies have not moderated their behavior on other fronts and remain intent on targeting U.S. troops, officials, allies and interests.
15 Killed As Russia Fires Rockets In Ukraine On Independence Day
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday that at least 15 people were killed and dozens wounded in a Russian rocket strike on a Ukrainian railway station as his nation marked the 31st anniversary of its independence from the Moscow-ruled Soviet Union.
Biden Pledges Nearly $3 Billion To Ukraine In Largest U.S. Military Aid Package Yet
U.S. President Joe Biden has announced nearly $3 billion in new U.S. military aid for Kyiv as Ukraine marked its independence day six months after Russia invaded the country.
US carries out airstrikes on Iran-backed forces in Syria
The US military on Tuesday carried out a series of airstrikes on Iran-backed forces in Syria, emphasizing these were conducted solely to protect American troops in the region and not to escalate tensions, the Washington Examiner reports.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli warplanes entered Iranian airspace undetected
Israeli fighter planes have entered Iran’s airspace multiple times in recent months without being detected by either Iranian or Russian radar, the Jerusalem Post reports. The news that Israeli Air Force F-35 stealth planes had penetrated Iranian airspace in the last two months was reported by the Saudi media outlet Elaph.
Inside the United States
Unredacted memo reveals why DOJ didn’t prosecute Trump
An unredacted, internal Department of Justice memo shows the rationale of its leadership in deciding not to prosecute then-President Donald Trump on obstruction of justice charges following the Mueller report's publication.
Court orders Kenosha to follow Wisconsin Supreme Court ruling banning absentee ballot drop boxes
The Kenosha County Circuit Court ordered that the city of Kenosha, Wis., stop using unmanned absentee ballot drop boxes following the Wisconsin Supreme Court's decision that the boxes are illegal.
Biden announces cancellation of student debt
President Biden responded to pressure from progressives on Wednesday by canceling $10,000 in student debt for borrowers who earn less than $125,000 per year and $20,000 in debt for those who received Pell Grants.
Christian News
Church in Afghanistan is growing amid harsh conditions
The house church movement in Afghanistan is slowly growing, despite a surrounding environment of brutal tribalism and Islamic extremist violence that forces evangelism and worship to be carried out in secret, Voice of the Martyrs (VOM) reports.
China: House churches raided, leaders taken away
Chinese authorities raided four house churches this month, taking their leaders away for questioning on false allegations, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Nigeria: Secular High Court upholds death penalty for blasphemy
In a move that has caused severe consternation among rights groups, the secular High Court in Nigeria’s Kano state has upheld a recent death sentence given by a Sharia court to a man accused of blasphemy, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Controversially, Kano is one of 12 northern Nigerian states whose legal system operates under both the secular Nigerian penal code and the Islamic Sharia law.
Young Children Of Late Deacon Killed In Sudan
Sudanese Christians are mourning after suspected Muslim militants killed the three young children of a deceased Catholic Church deacon in Sudan’s Central Darfur region, Worthy News established late Tuesday.
DRC: 17 Christians murdered by Islamic State-affiliated terrorists
Seventeen Christians were murdered in the Democratic Republic of Congo in a spate of recent targeted attacks by Islamic terrorists, Christian Today reports. Although Christians make up 95% of the population in DRC, the rebel Islamic State-affiliated Alliance for Democratic Forces (ADF) carries out brutal attacks on believers.
Pakistan: Couple escape to Europe after years on death row for blasphemy
A couple who spent seven years on death row in Pakistan for alleged blasphemy have been helped to escape the threat of further Islamic extremist violence and have found refuge in Europe, Christian Today (CT) reports.
Around the World
UN General Assembly moves closer to adopting resolution declaring abortion a ‘human right’
Delegates at the United Nations General Assembly are finalizing negotiations on a resolution that would require all U.N. agencies to declare abortion a human right, reportedly due to pressure from the European Union and the Biden administration.
Drought inflicting ‘severe impacts’ on EU energy production, as Putin tightens squeeze on gas
Ongoing drought is wreaking damage on the European Union's energy generation, its drought agency warned today, just as the bloc braces for power blackouts in winter as Russia squeezes its gas supply.
Nuclear deal moves closer as US says Iran has ‘finally crossed the Rubicon’
Iran has dropped some of its main demands on resurrecting a deal to rein in Tehran's nuclear program, including its insistence that international inspectors close some probes of its atomic program, bringing the possibility of an agreement closer, a senior US official told Reuters on Monday.
Iran suffers another blow as IRGC officer killed in Syria
A high-ranking officer in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps was killed Monday morning during a military operation in Syria, Iranian media outlets reported.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Lavrov condemns ‘dangerous’ Israeli strikes in Syria, as relations with Russia sour
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday condemned “dangerous” Israeli missile strikes in Syria, underscoring the growing chill in Moscow-Jerusalem relations, which have been increasingly strained since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Gantz heads to US, vowing Israel will do ‘everything it can’ to sway Iran deal
As the resurrection of the Iran nuclear deal appears to be imminent, Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced Tuesday that he will travel to the United States for a series of meetings with American defense officials later this week.
Inside the United States
California county saw 70% of criminal suspects released on $0 bail commit new crimes: DA
A California district attorney has found that more than 70% of criminal suspects released on $0 bail between 2020 and 2021 in his county committed new crimes.
‘Once in a Thousand Years’: Dallas Deluged by Massive Rainfall, Flooding
It's being called a "once in a thousand years event" – a slow-moving storm system dumping historic amounts of rain on areas that haven't seen substantial rainfall all summer.
Nearly 2 million students have left public schools since 2020: report
Approximately 2 million students have left public schools since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent lockdowns led to mandated school closures and students being educated online, according to a recently released report.
US new home sales plunge for sixth straight month to lowest level since 2016
Sales of new U.S. homes plunged more than expected in July to the lowest level in six years as rising mortgage rates and the relentless increase in home values slowed activity by edging prospective homebuyers out of the market.
Christian News
Evangelist Burnt To Death In India
n independent Christian evangelist was burnt to death by his family and local villagers in the Bankura district of India’s eastern state of West Bengal, Christians confirmed Tuesday.
China: Evangelical pastor sentenced to imprisonment for holding worship services
A court in China has sentenced a popular evangelical pastor to 15 months imprisonment for holding “illegal” worship services at his house church, Bitter Winter reports.
31 United Methodist conservative churches want to leave denomination immediately over LGBTQ issues
Thirty-one North Carolina United Methodist Church (UMC) congregations that oppose the denomination’s stance on LGBTQ issues have threatened legal action if they are prevented from exiting the UMC immediately and without having to follow a 2019 approved disaffiliation plan which some churches say is onerous, Religion News Service (RNS) reports.
UN General Assembly moves closer to adopting resolution declaring abortion a ‘human right’
Delegates at the United Nations General Assembly are finalizing negotiations on a resolution that would require all U.N. agencies to declare abortion a human right, reportedly due to pressure from the European Union and the Biden administration.
Drought inflicting ‘severe impacts’ on EU energy production, as Putin tightens squeeze on gas
Ongoing drought is wreaking damage on the European Union's energy generation, its drought agency warned today, just as the bloc braces for power blackouts in winter as Russia squeezes its gas supply.
Nuclear deal moves closer as US says Iran has ‘finally crossed the Rubicon’
Iran has dropped some of its main demands on resurrecting a deal to rein in Tehran's nuclear program, including its insistence that international inspectors close some probes of its atomic program, bringing the possibility of an agreement closer, a senior US official told Reuters on Monday.
Iran suffers another blow as IRGC officer killed in Syria
A high-ranking officer in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps was killed Monday morning during a military operation in Syria, Iranian media outlets reported.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Lavrov condemns ‘dangerous’ Israeli strikes in Syria, as relations with Russia sour
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday condemned “dangerous” Israeli missile strikes in Syria, underscoring the growing chill in Moscow-Jerusalem relations, which have been increasingly strained since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Gantz heads to US, vowing Israel will do ‘everything it can’ to sway Iran deal
As the resurrection of the Iran nuclear deal appears to be imminent, Defense Minister Benny Gantz announced Tuesday that he will travel to the United States for a series of meetings with American defense officials later this week.
Inside the United States
California county saw 70% of criminal suspects released on $0 bail commit new crimes: DA
A California district attorney has found that more than 70% of criminal suspects released on $0 bail between 2020 and 2021 in his county committed new crimes.
‘Once in a Thousand Years’: Dallas Deluged by Massive Rainfall, Flooding
It's being called a "once in a thousand years event" – a slow-moving storm system dumping historic amounts of rain on areas that haven't seen substantial rainfall all summer.
Nearly 2 million students have left public schools since 2020: report
Approximately 2 million students have left public schools since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and subsequent lockdowns led to mandated school closures and students being educated online, according to a recently released report.
US new home sales plunge for sixth straight month to lowest level since 2016
Sales of new U.S. homes plunged more than expected in July to the lowest level in six years as rising mortgage rates and the relentless increase in home values slowed activity by edging prospective homebuyers out of the market.
Christian News
Evangelist Burnt To Death In India
n independent Christian evangelist was burnt to death by his family and local villagers in the Bankura district of India’s eastern state of West Bengal, Christians confirmed Tuesday.
China: Evangelical pastor sentenced to imprisonment for holding worship services
A court in China has sentenced a popular evangelical pastor to 15 months imprisonment for holding “illegal” worship services at his house church, Bitter Winter reports.
31 United Methodist conservative churches want to leave denomination immediately over LGBTQ issues
Thirty-one North Carolina United Methodist Church (UMC) congregations that oppose the denomination’s stance on LGBTQ issues have threatened legal action if they are prevented from exiting the UMC immediately and without having to follow a 2019 approved disaffiliation plan which some churches say is onerous, Religion News Service (RNS) reports.