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
2015 nuclear deal no longer sufficient for reality of Iran in 2022, IAEA chief says
The head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog warned Tuesday that the restrictions faced by his inspectors in Iran threaten to give the world only a “very blurred image” of Tehran’s program as it enriches uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels.
WHO Warns Omicron Could Overwhelm World
The chief of the World Health Organization says the new coronavirus variant Omicron could overwhelm hospitals worldwide.
Holland to have new coalition government after months of deadlock
The Netherlands is finally set to have a new governing coalition made up of four Dutch parties, including incumbent Prime Minister Mark Rutte's VVD party, after the March general election resulted in months of gridlocked negotiations between the country’s many political parties, DW reports. Rutte, who will become Europe’s longest-serving Prime Minister, led the country in a caretaker capacity during the intervening months since the election.
Belarus Jails Opposition Leader For Challenging President Lukashenko
A court in Belarus has sentenced an opposition leader who wanted to run against the country’s autocratic President Alexander Lukashenko in elections to 18 years imprisonment.
European Powers Warn Iran Nuclear Talks Nearing ‘End Of The Road’
Three European powers said on December 14 that talks with Iran to revive the 2015 nuclear deal are “rapidly reaching the end of the road,” while Tehran accused Western powers of playing a “blame game."
NASA craft ‘touches’ sun for 1st time, dives into atmosphere
A NASA spacecraft has officially “touched” the sun, plunging through the unexplored solar atmosphere known as the corona.
Iranian ‘Drone Armies’ Step Up Attacks on US as Nuclear Talks Languish, GOP Lawmakers Say
Iranian "drone armies" are behind a surge in attacks on U.S. positions and allies in Iraq, according to a group of Republican lawmakers who are demanding answers from the Biden administration about how it is working to counter these threats amid ongoing negotiations with Tehran over a revamped nuclear accord.
Saudis seek ‘serious’ approach to Iran nuclear program, suggest joining negotiations
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday called for an “effective and serious” approach to Iran’s ballistic and nuclear program, during a Gulf summit in Riyadh.
Putin makes repeated calls for ‘immediate’ NATO talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday stepped up private and public calls on Western leaders to end the eastward expansion of NATO. In phone conversations with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and then later with French President Emmanuel Macron, Putin called for "immediate" negotiations with NATO and the US.


Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel rules out fourth COVID-19 shot for now
Israel’s vaccination committee announced Sunday it will not be recommending a fourth Covid-19 shot to the general population, despite concerns about the new impact of the new Omicron variant, i24 News reports. Israel was the first country to introduce a third shot, even before the US Food and Drug Administration approved the measure.
Report: US tells Israel new tanker jets, key to Iran strike, not coming anytime soond
Israel has asked the United States to accelerate the delivery of refueling aircraft it had purchased that could be needed to attack Iranian nuclear sites, but was told by the Biden administration the first plane likely will not be delivered until 2024, according to a report Tuesday.
Israel may face severe water shortages in coming years, experts warn
Israel is set to suffer from severe water shortages in the coming years due to less precipitation brought by global warming and a rapidly increasing population, experts warn on Tuesday.
Israel moves to restrict access of unvaccinated to shopping malls
For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Israel will expand its Green Pass mandate to include shopping malls, restricting access to citizens who are not fully protected against the disease as fears of the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant mount.
After Israel reported to hit Syria chemical site, minister says WMDs unacceptable
Intelligence Minister Elazar Stern said Tuesday that Syria cannot be allowed to obtain chemical weapons, a day after a report claimed that Israel targeted chemical weapons facilities in the country.

Inside the United States
US Supreme Court Forces Christian Doctors To Take COVID Vaccines
Christian doctors and others refusing COVID-19 jabs are weighing their options after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to halt New York's vaccination obligation for health care workers.
Virginia hospital found in contempt of court for denying patient prescribed round of Ivermectin
A Virginia court on Monday found a hospital in the state in contempt of court for failing to comply with previous orders to provide prescribed Ivermectin to a COVID-19 patient.
As Army hits mandate deadline, services ponder next moves
The Pentagon reached a tipping point Wednesday as the deadline for soldiers in the U.S. Army, the largest military service, passed to get the COVID-19 vaccination. Troops who refuse the mandatory shots or aren’t in the process of receiving an accepted exemption will find themselves in an administrative limbo until they’re out of the military.
Senate Democrats pass debt-ceiling hike of $2.5 trillion just in time to avoid catastrophe — and without any Republicans
The Senate voted to raise the debt ceiling on Tuesday, advancing a crucial measure just before the US government risks defaulting on debt it has already incurred.
Home prices at 45-year high, pricing many buyers out of the market
Home prices are at a 45-year high, pricing many buyers out of an historic seller’s market, new data published by CoreLogic show.

Christian News
India State Tables Anti-Conversion Law Amid Anti-Christian Violence
Christians were concerned Wednesday as the Hindu-led government of India’s southwestern state of Karnataka was to table a harsh anti-conversion law amid attacks against churches.
Myanmar: Burmese Army plants landmines in destroyed churches
The Burmese Army in Myanmar’s Chin state has now taken to planting landmines inside the ruins of churches it has destroyed, in order to deter Christians from returning to rebuild the communities the junta has driven them out from, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Since the February 1 military coup, the Tatmadaw has been murdering and displacing Myanmar Christians in its efforts to violently impose Buddhism.
Around the World
Danish Ex-Minister Jailed For Anti-Child Marriage Campaign
A former Danish immigration minister has been sentenced to prison for “illegally” separating young asylum-seeking couples as part of her self-declared campaign against child marriage.
Thousands Hiding For La Palma’s Volcano Gas
Tens of thousands of people on Spain’s troubled island of La Palma faced uncertainty Tuesday after authorities watched toxic gases from an ongoing volcano eruption.
Indonesia lifts tsunami alert after powerful 7.3 magnitude undersea quake
Indonesia lifted a tsunami alert Tuesday following a magnitude 7.3 undersea earthquake that struck off Flores Island, triggering panic in a region prone to fatal quakes but apparently causing no damage or casualties.
Australia, South Korea sign historic defense agreement
South Korea and Australia have signed a nearly $700 million defense deal on Monday during South Korean President Moon Jae-in's visit to the country. Under the agreement, South Korean defense company Hanwha will provide the Australian army with equipment like artillery weapons, supply vehicles and radar.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu: ‘A grave mistake’ if Israel updated US before striking Iranian sites
Opposition Leader Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday hit out at the government after a report said Israel consulted with the United States before carrying out attacks earlier this year on an Iranian nuclear facility and a missile base.
Israeli Archaeologists Find Synagogue in Galilee From Jesus’ Time
The discovery of a 2,000-year-old synagogue in the Galilee region is offering a new window into life during Jesus’ time.

Inside the United States
Bill that Biden says pays for itself actually adds $3 trillion to deficit, CBO warns
President Joe Biden's sweeping spending bill, the Build Back Better Act, would add $3 trillion to deficits over 10 years if made permanent, according to a new Congressional Budget Office cost analysis.

Christian News
Russian Christian School Attack Injures Eight
As many as eight people were injured after a Russian teenager tried to blow himself up in an apparent suicide attack outside a Christian school and a monastery, officials said Monday.
Nigerian Herdsmen Burn Christian Homes After Killing Pastor; Pregnant Woman Injured
Islamic Fulani herdsmen in northern Nigeria wounded a pregnant woman and set homes on fire over the weekend after killing a pastor in attacks on Christian villages, Christians confirmed Monday.
Nigeria killing field for Christians: Islamic terrorists murder abducted pastor after collecting ransom
Islamic terrorists in Nigeria’s Kaduna murdered Reverend Dauda Bature of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA) last month, despite receiving the ransom they demanded after abducting him, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. As rights groups continue to raise the alarm about a potential Christian genocide in Nigeria, the US Commission on Religious Freedom warned in its 2021 annual report that the country is becoming a “killing field for Christians.”
Report shows 70% increase in hate crimes against Christians in Europe
A new study shows that hate crimes against Protestants and Catholics increased by 70% in Europe last year, the Christian Post (CP) reports. The Observatory on Intolerance Against Christians in Europe (OIDAC) presented its report amid concerns about an ongoing decline in religious, parental, and conscience freedoms for European Christians.
Nigeria: Fulani militants continue violence against Christians; “we are traumatized by the incessant attacks on our people”
A church elder was murdered, a pregnant woman wounded, and a home burned down in continued attacks against Christians in northern Nigeria by radicalized Fulani Islamic herdsmen earlier this month, Morning Star News reports. Nigeria had the highest number of Christians murdered for their faith last year, and ranks number one in the world for the number of Christians abducted by Islamic terrorists.
India: Hindu nationalist burn down Christian home
Hindu nationalists in Central India last month burned down the home of a Christian family that had been persecuted for years because of their faith, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Around the World
New study suggests natural immunity is more protective over time than COVID-19 vaccine
According to a new study out of Israel, the immunity individuals experience after recovering from COVID-19 is better than the protection experienced by individuals following an immunization against the virus.
Iran Preparing For Rocket Launch As Nuclear Talks Falter
There were signs Monday that Iran prepared for a space launch amid tense talks over its tattered nuclear deal with world powers.
G7 Warn Russia To Stay Out Of Ukraine
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Sunday that "the world's largest economies are united" in warning Russia that an invasion of Ukraine would have "massive" — though largely undisclosed — consequences. She commented at the Group of Seven (G7) foreign ministers meeting in Liverpool, England.
Britain Court Approves Extradition Julian Assange To U.S.
A British appellate court has approved the extradition of WikiLeaks website founder Julian Assange to the United States, where he is wanted in espionage charges.
Britain Warns Russia Of “Severe Consequences” If It Invades Ukraine
Britain's foreign secretary warns Russia it will face "severe economic consequences" if the country invades Ukraine. Liz Truss commented ahead of the Group of Seven (G7) wealthiest economies' foreign ministers' meeting, focusing on the military tensions.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Gantz: I told the US I’ve ordered the IDF to prepare a strike against Iran
Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Friday that he notified US officials during meetings this week in Washington that he had instructed the Israel Defense Forces to prepare for a strike against Iran.
Israel consulted with US before covert strikes on Iran missile, nuke sites
Israel consulted with the United States before carrying out covert strikes on an Iranian nuclear facility and a missile base earlier this year, the New York Times reported Saturday, as tensions rise between the two allies over Washington’s desire to make a deal with Tehran.
Iran warns of ‘heavy price’ over reported US-Israeli military drill plans
A top Iranian military official warned on Saturday of a "heavy price for aggressors," state media said, after a report of US and Israeli plans for possible military drills to prepare for strikes against Iran's nuclear sites if diplomacy fails.

Inside the United States
$565,135,000,000: Federal Tax Collections Set Record Through November
The federal government collected a record $565,135,000,000 in total taxes through the first two months of fiscal 2022 (October and November), according to the Monthly Treasury Statement.
Powerful tornadoes kill more than 80 as storms rip across six US states
Dozens of devastating tornadoes roared through six US states overnight, leaving more than 80 people dead and dozens missing Saturday in what President Joe Biden said was likely to be “one of the largest” storm outbreaks in American history.
Four states enlist National Guard to help battle health care staffing crisis
Four states – Indiana, Maine, New Hampshire and New York – are deploying the National Guard to battle the COVID-19 healthcare staffing shortage.
Biden to meet Manchin to persuade him on $1.9 trillion social spending bill
President Biden will meet with West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin next week to talk him into supporting the administration’s $1.9 trillion social spending bill.
US Preacher Graham Praying As Tornadoes Kill Scores Of People
American evangelist Franklin Graham urged prayers for residents in Kentucky, Arkansas, Illinois, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Missouri, where scores died in the worst tornadoes in years.
Tornadoes Kill Dozens In US
The worst swarm of tornadoes in years devastated Kentucky and five other U.S. states, killing at least scores of people and leaving a trail of destruction, authorities said.
US Supreme Court Keeps Texas Abortion Law But Clinics Can Sue
The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that Texas's ban on most abortions after six weeks can stay in place, but abortion providers may sue to stop the state’s law.
US Inflation Highest In Nearly 40 Years
Under U.S. President Joe Biden’s watch, prices spiked a whopping 6.8 percent in November, compared with the same time last year, the fastest increase of inflation this nation saw in 39 years, the Federal Reserve revealed.

Christian News
Evangelical ministry asks Supreme Court to hear defamation case against Southern Poverty Law Center
An evangelical Christian ministry is asking the Supreme Court to take up its 4-year-old defamation lawsuit against the Southern Poverty Law Center, arguing that the “actual malice” standard established in the court’s landmark New York Times v. Sullivan case should be tossed.