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
ISIS urges supporters to attack the West amid Ukraine crisis
The Islamic State is encouraging supporters to take advantage of the war in Ukraine to launch a new "global offensive" against the West in revenge for the death of ISIS's leader earlier this year.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury pushes for conversion therapy ban, says being transgender is “sacred journey”
The former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Rowan Williams has signed a letter asking the UK government to include trans people in a ban on conversion therapy, attesting that being transgender is a “sacred journey of becoming whole,” CBN reports. The ban that is currently set to become UK law covers only people with same-sex attraction, not transgender persons.
Canadian think tank: law must change after houses of worship treated ‘unequally’ during pandemic
A Canadian think tank has published a policy brief calling for a change in Ontario law, after concluding that houses of worship in the province were unequally and arbitrarily subjected to greater restrictions than retail businesses were during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Philippines Struggles After Deadly Storm
The Philippines experienced an Easter overshadowed by the aftermath of tropical storm Megi, which authorities said killed at least 167 people and left 110 missing.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Hezbollah leader seeks $9 billion to destroy Israel
The head of Lebanon’s Shiite Islamist political party Hezbollah is declaring that it would take $9 billion to wipe the state of Israel from the face of the map.
PA’s Abbas ‘outraged’ as Hamas takes center stage in mediation efforts
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is enraged because Egypt, Qatar and other parties chose to hold direct contacts on ways of preventing further escalation with Israel in the aftermath of the recent tensions in Jerusalem and the West Bank, a senior official with the ruling Fatah faction said.
Israel: Scientists are planting date trees from 2,000-year old seed
Israeli scientists are growing fruit-bearing date trees using 2000-year-old ancient seeds from the Judean Desert and from Masada, Christian Headlines (CH) reports. Growing the trees and their fruit is part of a scientific experiment to determine how medicinal Israreli flora is, and to revive species that were available in Biblical times.
Inside the United States
ICE to release 600,000 illegal immigrants by September
ICE is getting ready to release as many as 600,000 illegal immigrants into communities before the end of September, the agency told a federal judge, giving an early estimate of the chaos the administration is predicting after it ends the Title 42 pandemic border shutdown.
Attorneys general coalition suing Biden administration over end of Title 42 grows to 21 states
Ten days after three attorneys general sued the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over its plan to terminate the immigration-related public health authority known as Title 42, their lawsuit now includes 21 states as plaintiffs.
16 AGs urge Biden to reinstate Keystone XL pipeline
Sixteen Republican attorneys general, led by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, have called on President Joe Biden to reinstate the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline after learning that his administration wants to increase oil imports from Canada.
Republican governors form 26-state border task force amid worsening crisis
More than half of U.S. governors have banded together in an effort to respond to rising illegal migration at the southern border absent meaningful help from the Biden administration.
Christian News
Nigeria: Radicalized Fulani murder 80 Christians; government does nothing about “slow extermination” of Christians
Fulani terrorists murdered at least 80 people in raids on predominantly Christian villages in Nigeria’s Plateau state on April 10, the Barnabas Fund reports. The attacks are a continuation of a 20-year-long campaign of slaughter against Nigerian Christians by Islamic terrorists, especially radicalized Fulani militants.
Iran Christian Convert Starts Prison Term
Iranian Christian convert Fariba Dalir has begun serving a two-year prison sentence for “acting against national security by establishing and leading an Evangelical Christian church,” an advocacy group confirmed.
ISIS urges supporters to attack the West amid Ukraine crisis
The Islamic State is encouraging supporters to take advantage of the war in Ukraine to launch a new "global offensive" against the West in revenge for the death of ISIS's leader earlier this year.
Former Archbishop of Canterbury pushes for conversion therapy ban, says being transgender is “sacred journey”
The former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Rowan Williams has signed a letter asking the UK government to include trans people in a ban on conversion therapy, attesting that being transgender is a “sacred journey of becoming whole,” CBN reports. The ban that is currently set to become UK law covers only people with same-sex attraction, not transgender persons.
Canadian think tank: law must change after houses of worship treated ‘unequally’ during pandemic
A Canadian think tank has published a policy brief calling for a change in Ontario law, after concluding that houses of worship in the province were unequally and arbitrarily subjected to greater restrictions than retail businesses were during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Philippines Struggles After Deadly Storm
The Philippines experienced an Easter overshadowed by the aftermath of tropical storm Megi, which authorities said killed at least 167 people and left 110 missing.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Hezbollah leader seeks $9 billion to destroy Israel
The head of Lebanon’s Shiite Islamist political party Hezbollah is declaring that it would take $9 billion to wipe the state of Israel from the face of the map.
PA’s Abbas ‘outraged’ as Hamas takes center stage in mediation efforts
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is enraged because Egypt, Qatar and other parties chose to hold direct contacts on ways of preventing further escalation with Israel in the aftermath of the recent tensions in Jerusalem and the West Bank, a senior official with the ruling Fatah faction said.
Israel: Scientists are planting date trees from 2,000-year old seed
Israeli scientists are growing fruit-bearing date trees using 2000-year-old ancient seeds from the Judean Desert and from Masada, Christian Headlines (CH) reports. Growing the trees and their fruit is part of a scientific experiment to determine how medicinal Israreli flora is, and to revive species that were available in Biblical times.
Inside the United States
ICE to release 600,000 illegal immigrants by September
ICE is getting ready to release as many as 600,000 illegal immigrants into communities before the end of September, the agency told a federal judge, giving an early estimate of the chaos the administration is predicting after it ends the Title 42 pandemic border shutdown.
Attorneys general coalition suing Biden administration over end of Title 42 grows to 21 states
Ten days after three attorneys general sued the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over its plan to terminate the immigration-related public health authority known as Title 42, their lawsuit now includes 21 states as plaintiffs.
16 AGs urge Biden to reinstate Keystone XL pipeline
Sixteen Republican attorneys general, led by Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, have called on President Joe Biden to reinstate the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline after learning that his administration wants to increase oil imports from Canada.
Republican governors form 26-state border task force amid worsening crisis
More than half of U.S. governors have banded together in an effort to respond to rising illegal migration at the southern border absent meaningful help from the Biden administration.
Christian News
Nigeria: Radicalized Fulani murder 80 Christians; government does nothing about “slow extermination” of Christians
Fulani terrorists murdered at least 80 people in raids on predominantly Christian villages in Nigeria’s Plateau state on April 10, the Barnabas Fund reports. The attacks are a continuation of a 20-year-long campaign of slaughter against Nigerian Christians by Islamic terrorists, especially radicalized Fulani militants.
Iran Christian Convert Starts Prison Term
Iranian Christian convert Fariba Dalir has begun serving a two-year prison sentence for “acting against national security by establishing and leading an Evangelical Christian church,” an advocacy group confirmed.
Around the World
Russian Missiles Hit West Ukraine, Several Killed
Ukrainian officials say Russian missiles have hit the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, killing at least seven people. Moscow’s troops apparently stepped up strikes on infrastructure across Ukraine in preparation for an expected all-out assault on the east.
South Africa Floods Kill 440 Raising Questions
South Africa on Monday tried to overcome storms that devastated the east coast city of Durban, triggering heavy floods and landslides, killing more than 440 people.
Biden to host ASEAN summit for Southeast Asian leaders
US President Joe Biden will host a Special Summit for leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Washington next month, the Washington Examiner reports.
Ukrainian Jews Face Passover In War
Amid the death and destruction of war, Ukrainian Jews have marked the Jewish people’s escape from slavery in Egypt as recorded in the Old Testament.
Hundreds of Syrian fighters sign up to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine
During a visit to Syria in 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin lavished praise on a Syrian general whose division played an instrumental role in defeating insurgents in the country's long-running civil war. The Russian leader told him his cooperation with Russian troops "will lead to great successes in the future."
US: Iran will have to offer ‘reciprocity’ if it wants to negotiate status of IRGC
The US appeared to reject the key Iranian demand that it delist the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in order for Tehran to return to compliance with the multilateral nuclear agreement the two sides reached in 2015.
Putin discusses Russia-Ukraine talks, Middle East with Palestinian leader Abbas
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, the Kremlin said on Monday.
Tehran Warns Israel on Making ‘Tiniest Move’ Against Iran
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Monday warned that Israel will be targeted by his country's armed forces if it makes “the tiniest move” against Iran.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Shooting Down Palestinian Rocket As Tensions Mount
Israeli fighter jets carried out airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip, targeting a “weapons manufacturing site” for Hamas, the Israeli military said.
Israel Downs Gaza Rocket, Admonishes Jordan as Jerusalem Tensions Simmer
Israel shot down a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip on Monday, the Israeli military said, the first such attack in months as tensions in Jerusalem drew angry pro-Palestinian rhetoric from Jordan and US mediation efforts.
UN Security Council to hold emergency consultation on Jerusalem unrest
The UN Security Council will convene an emergency closed-door session Tuesday to discuss recent unrest in Jerusalem, a UN diplomat said Monday.
Report: Putin sends letter to Bennett demanding handover of Old City property
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently sent a letter to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett urging Israel to hand over control of contested church property in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Ynet website reported Monday.
Thousands Gather for Traditional Priestly Blessing at Western Wall
Thousands of Jews flocked to the Western Wall on Monday for the priestly blessing in Jerusalem.
Inside the United States
Judge Rules Federal Transport Mask Mandate Unlawful
A U.S. judge in Florida said on Monday that a mask mandate on public transportation is unlawful, overturning a Biden administration effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Christian News
Nigeria: Christians slain in new Fulani attack, “Where is any action?”
The relentless slaughter of Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt by Fulani militants continues unchecked and, on April 11, the bodies of 17 Christians were found in the bush following a brutal attack on the community of Tior-Tyu in Benue state, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
India:36 Christians arrested after Hindu radicals lock 100 congregants in church
Radicalized Hindus in India’s Uttar Pradesh state on Thursday locked a congregation of 100 Christians in their church and then had 36 of them arrested and jailed on alleged forced conversion charges, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Egypt: Coptic Archbishop stabbed to death, declared a martyr
A Coptic Archbishop who was stabbed to death on a street in Egypt earlier this month has been declared a martyr by the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Alexandria, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Archbishop Arsanious Wadidw was dressed in clerical attire and clearly identifiable as a priest when he was murdered by a lone knifeman as he handed out Ramadan gifts in Alexandria’s Maharam Bek District on April 7.
Russian Missiles Hit West Ukraine, Several Killed
Ukrainian officials say Russian missiles have hit the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, killing at least seven people. Moscow’s troops apparently stepped up strikes on infrastructure across Ukraine in preparation for an expected all-out assault on the east.
South Africa Floods Kill 440 Raising Questions
South Africa on Monday tried to overcome storms that devastated the east coast city of Durban, triggering heavy floods and landslides, killing more than 440 people.
Biden to host ASEAN summit for Southeast Asian leaders
US President Joe Biden will host a Special Summit for leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Washington next month, the Washington Examiner reports.
Ukrainian Jews Face Passover In War
Amid the death and destruction of war, Ukrainian Jews have marked the Jewish people’s escape from slavery in Egypt as recorded in the Old Testament.
Hundreds of Syrian fighters sign up to fight alongside Russia in Ukraine
During a visit to Syria in 2017, Russian President Vladimir Putin lavished praise on a Syrian general whose division played an instrumental role in defeating insurgents in the country's long-running civil war. The Russian leader told him his cooperation with Russian troops "will lead to great successes in the future."
US: Iran will have to offer ‘reciprocity’ if it wants to negotiate status of IRGC
The US appeared to reject the key Iranian demand that it delist the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in order for Tehran to return to compliance with the multilateral nuclear agreement the two sides reached in 2015.
Putin discusses Russia-Ukraine talks, Middle East with Palestinian leader Abbas
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, the Kremlin said on Monday.
Tehran Warns Israel on Making ‘Tiniest Move’ Against Iran
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi Monday warned that Israel will be targeted by his country's armed forces if it makes “the tiniest move” against Iran.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Shooting Down Palestinian Rocket As Tensions Mount
Israeli fighter jets carried out airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip, targeting a “weapons manufacturing site” for Hamas, the Israeli military said.
Israel Downs Gaza Rocket, Admonishes Jordan as Jerusalem Tensions Simmer
Israel shot down a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip on Monday, the Israeli military said, the first such attack in months as tensions in Jerusalem drew angry pro-Palestinian rhetoric from Jordan and US mediation efforts.
UN Security Council to hold emergency consultation on Jerusalem unrest
The UN Security Council will convene an emergency closed-door session Tuesday to discuss recent unrest in Jerusalem, a UN diplomat said Monday.
Report: Putin sends letter to Bennett demanding handover of Old City property
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently sent a letter to Prime Minister Naftali Bennett urging Israel to hand over control of contested church property in the Old City of Jerusalem, the Ynet website reported Monday.
Thousands Gather for Traditional Priestly Blessing at Western Wall
Thousands of Jews flocked to the Western Wall on Monday for the priestly blessing in Jerusalem.
Inside the United States
Judge Rules Federal Transport Mask Mandate Unlawful
A U.S. judge in Florida said on Monday that a mask mandate on public transportation is unlawful, overturning a Biden administration effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
Christian News
Nigeria: Christians slain in new Fulani attack, “Where is any action?”
The relentless slaughter of Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt by Fulani militants continues unchecked and, on April 11, the bodies of 17 Christians were found in the bush following a brutal attack on the community of Tior-Tyu in Benue state, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
India:36 Christians arrested after Hindu radicals lock 100 congregants in church
Radicalized Hindus in India’s Uttar Pradesh state on Thursday locked a congregation of 100 Christians in their church and then had 36 of them arrested and jailed on alleged forced conversion charges, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Egypt: Coptic Archbishop stabbed to death, declared a martyr
A Coptic Archbishop who was stabbed to death on a street in Egypt earlier this month has been declared a martyr by the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Alexandria, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Archbishop Arsanious Wadidw was dressed in clerical attire and clearly identifiable as a priest when he was murdered by a lone knifeman as he handed out Ramadan gifts in Alexandria’s Maharam Bek District on April 7.
Around the World
IAEA report: Iran’s new Natanz centrifuge plant to speed up enrichment
Iran has opened a centrifuge parts workshop at Natanz that will provide parts for its uranium enriching centrifuges, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed in a Thursday report, according to Reuters.
Iran says preliminary deal reached to release funds frozen abroad
Iran’s foreign minister said Wednesday that a preliminary deal had been reached with a foreign bank over frozen funds belonging to the Islamic Republic.
Russia warns nuclear expansion assured if Sweden and Finland join NATO
Nuclear expansion will inevitably make its way to the Baltics if Sweden and Finland join NATO, according to former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
Google Warns Publishers On Ukraine
Alphabet Inc's Google has warned publishers to keep its narrative on the Russian invasion of Ukraine or face financial sanctions.
Bankrupt Sri Lanka Asks Expats For Help
Sri Lanka has urged its citizens overseas to send home money after announcing a default on its $51 billion foreign debt amid anti-government protests.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli strikes launched at targets near Damascus for 2nd time this week, Syria says
Israeli jets carried out airstrikes near the Syrian capital Damascus on Thursday night for the second time in under a week, Syrian state media said.
Hamas calls for escalation against Israel
Leaders of the Hamas terror group which rules Gaza called for an escalation against Israel Wednesday, after Israeli counter-terrorism agents made arrests in the West Bank town of Silwad and after a Jewish extremist group called for sacrifices to be made on the flashpoint Temple Mount during the month of Ramadan, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
5 killed, 18 arrested in widespread IDF raids in Judea, Samaria
The IDF carried out extensive raids throughout Palestinian towns and cities in Judea and Samaria late Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning, arresting some 18 terror suspects and seizing weapons.
In ‘game changer,’ Israeli laser-based air defense shoots down drones
The Defense Ministry revealed Thursday that a laser air defense system it is developing successfully shot down drones, rockets, mortars, and anti-tank missiles in a first series of tests last month.
Inside the United States
Florida GOP Gov. DeSantis signs into law state’s 15-week abortion ban
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a 15-week abortion ban into law Thursday as the state joined a growing conservative push to restrict access ahead of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that could limit the procedure nationwide.
GOP lawmakers demand FDA publish COVID vaccine safety and efficacy data going forward
Two months after the CDC acknowledged hiding the vast majority of its COVID-19 data, partly to protect the reputation of vaccines, the FDA is under pressure to release its current and future safety and efficacy data on COVID vaccines and therapeutics.
New York Police Detain Subway Shooter
Police in New York City have detained a man for allegedly shooting 10 commuters in a rush-hour attack at a Brooklyn subway station.
Christian News
Vietnam Church Face Tense Easter After Raid
Devoted Christians in northwestern Vietnam faced a challenging Easter after government officials raided a Catholic Church service in the region.
Palestinian court releases evangelical pastor
A Palestinian court has released evangelical pastor Johnny Shahwan, who spent 40 days in jail for allegedly meeting with Israeli rabbi and politician Yehuda Glick, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Iran: Imprisoned pastor is granted 5-day home leave
A pastor in Iran who is serving a six-year prison sentence for ‘acting against national security by ‘promoting Zionist Christianity,’ has been granted a five-day furlough to be with his family, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports. Yousef Nadarkhani was released from Evin prison on 13 April, for reasons that are not clear.
Nigeria: Slaughter of Christians headed toward Genocide if nothing is done say NGOs
A new report by major Christian advocacy and international human rights organizations warns that the ongoing slaughter of many thousands of Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt at the hands of Fulani Muslim terrorists could increase to the level of genocide if it continues to be unchecked, International Christian Concern (ICC) report.
China: Pastor risks imprisonment to preach the Gospel
The pastor of a house church in China has said he will continue to preach the Gospel despite the risk that he could be imprisoned by the authorities for doing so, Christian Headlines (CH) reports.
Nigeria Christians On Edge As Militants Kill 12
Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region are on edge after suspected Fulani Islamists killed some 12 people at a cultural festival in the area’s Plateau State, Worthy News established.
IAEA report: Iran’s new Natanz centrifuge plant to speed up enrichment
Iran has opened a centrifuge parts workshop at Natanz that will provide parts for its uranium enriching centrifuges, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed in a Thursday report, according to Reuters.
Iran says preliminary deal reached to release funds frozen abroad
Iran’s foreign minister said Wednesday that a preliminary deal had been reached with a foreign bank over frozen funds belonging to the Islamic Republic.
Russia warns nuclear expansion assured if Sweden and Finland join NATO
Nuclear expansion will inevitably make its way to the Baltics if Sweden and Finland join NATO, according to former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
Google Warns Publishers On Ukraine
Alphabet Inc's Google has warned publishers to keep its narrative on the Russian invasion of Ukraine or face financial sanctions.
Bankrupt Sri Lanka Asks Expats For Help
Sri Lanka has urged its citizens overseas to send home money after announcing a default on its $51 billion foreign debt amid anti-government protests.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli strikes launched at targets near Damascus for 2nd time this week, Syria says
Israeli jets carried out airstrikes near the Syrian capital Damascus on Thursday night for the second time in under a week, Syrian state media said.
Hamas calls for escalation against Israel
Leaders of the Hamas terror group which rules Gaza called for an escalation against Israel Wednesday, after Israeli counter-terrorism agents made arrests in the West Bank town of Silwad and after a Jewish extremist group called for sacrifices to be made on the flashpoint Temple Mount during the month of Ramadan, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
5 killed, 18 arrested in widespread IDF raids in Judea, Samaria
The IDF carried out extensive raids throughout Palestinian towns and cities in Judea and Samaria late Wednesday evening and early Thursday morning, arresting some 18 terror suspects and seizing weapons.
In ‘game changer,’ Israeli laser-based air defense shoots down drones
The Defense Ministry revealed Thursday that a laser air defense system it is developing successfully shot down drones, rockets, mortars, and anti-tank missiles in a first series of tests last month.
Inside the United States
Florida GOP Gov. DeSantis signs into law state’s 15-week abortion ban
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a 15-week abortion ban into law Thursday as the state joined a growing conservative push to restrict access ahead of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that could limit the procedure nationwide.
GOP lawmakers demand FDA publish COVID vaccine safety and efficacy data going forward
Two months after the CDC acknowledged hiding the vast majority of its COVID-19 data, partly to protect the reputation of vaccines, the FDA is under pressure to release its current and future safety and efficacy data on COVID vaccines and therapeutics.
New York Police Detain Subway Shooter
Police in New York City have detained a man for allegedly shooting 10 commuters in a rush-hour attack at a Brooklyn subway station.
Christian News
Vietnam Church Face Tense Easter After Raid
Devoted Christians in northwestern Vietnam faced a challenging Easter after government officials raided a Catholic Church service in the region.
Palestinian court releases evangelical pastor
A Palestinian court has released evangelical pastor Johnny Shahwan, who spent 40 days in jail for allegedly meeting with Israeli rabbi and politician Yehuda Glick, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Iran: Imprisoned pastor is granted 5-day home leave
A pastor in Iran who is serving a six-year prison sentence for ‘acting against national security by ‘promoting Zionist Christianity,’ has been granted a five-day furlough to be with his family, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports. Yousef Nadarkhani was released from Evin prison on 13 April, for reasons that are not clear.
Nigeria: Slaughter of Christians headed toward Genocide if nothing is done say NGOs
A new report by major Christian advocacy and international human rights organizations warns that the ongoing slaughter of many thousands of Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt at the hands of Fulani Muslim terrorists could increase to the level of genocide if it continues to be unchecked, International Christian Concern (ICC) report.
China: Pastor risks imprisonment to preach the Gospel
The pastor of a house church in China has said he will continue to preach the Gospel despite the risk that he could be imprisoned by the authorities for doing so, Christian Headlines (CH) reports.
Nigeria Christians On Edge As Militants Kill 12
Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region are on edge after suspected Fulani Islamists killed some 12 people at a cultural festival in the area’s Plateau State, Worthy News established.