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
Pentagon: US Nearly Doubled Military Personnel Stationed in Taiwan This Year
The United States has doubled its unofficial military presence in Taiwan over the past year in what specialists describe as the latest signal to China that Taiwan's future remains a priority.
US, EU, UK and Canada Announce New Belarus Sanctions
The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada have announced a new round of sanctions against Belarus officials and entities, citing the government’s “ongoing attacks on democracy, human rights, and international norms, and for their brutal repression of Belarusians both inside and outside the country,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
Germany To Ban Unvaccinated People From Many Venues
Germany’s outgoing chancellor said Thursday that vaccination could become mandatory in Germany, Europe’s largest economy, from February.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Mossad head vows no Iran nukes ‘ever,’ as credibility of military option scrutinized
The head of the Mossad spy agency said Thursday that a bad nuclear deal between world powers and Iran would be “intolerable” for Israel, vowing that the Islamic Republic will never acquire nuclear weapons.
Bennett to Blinken: US must immediately halt Iran talks over ‘nuclear blackmail’
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called on the United States on Thursday to immediately halt the ongoing negotiations in Vienna over Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
After outcry, government scraps Shin Bet phone tracking of Omicron carriers
The government will not move to extend a controversial surveillance program tracking the phones of people who contracted the Omicron coronavirus variant, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz announced Thursday.
Gantz: There may come a time when we will have no choice but to act on Iran
Israel has to do “everything it can” in order to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, if not “there may be a point when we will have no choice but to act,” Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Thursday.
Inside the United States
Funding bill passes House, future uncertain in Senate
The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a short-term funding bill Thursday, one day before the scheduled partial government shutdown.
Vaccination mandate extended to NYC religious, private school staffers
Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday extended his public school employee vaccination mandate to private and parochial schools.
Unemployment fraud during COVID cost more than triple total benefits paid in 2019
Unemployment fraud exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the U.S. Labor Department Inspector General's semiannual report to Congress.
Biden administration says COVID vaccine requirements for domestic flights not ‘off the table’
President Joe Biden unveiled a new set of executive actions to address the Omicron variant Thursday, though how serious the threat of the variant will be remains unclear.
Christian News
Algeria Prosecutes Protestants Over ‘Non-Muslim Rites’
The senior pastor of Algeria’s largest Protestant church is among those facing a court on charges such as “practicing non-Muslim rites without permission," sources said Thursday.
Nepal Jails Pastor For Evangelism
An evangelical pastor in Nepal received a two-year prison sentence for evangelism activities that violated the former Hindu kingdom’s anti-conversion laws, trial observers said Thursday.
Pentagon: US Nearly Doubled Military Personnel Stationed in Taiwan This Year
The United States has doubled its unofficial military presence in Taiwan over the past year in what specialists describe as the latest signal to China that Taiwan's future remains a priority.
US, EU, UK and Canada Announce New Belarus Sanctions
The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom and Canada have announced a new round of sanctions against Belarus officials and entities, citing the government’s “ongoing attacks on democracy, human rights, and international norms, and for their brutal repression of Belarusians both inside and outside the country,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.
Germany To Ban Unvaccinated People From Many Venues
Germany’s outgoing chancellor said Thursday that vaccination could become mandatory in Germany, Europe’s largest economy, from February.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Mossad head vows no Iran nukes ‘ever,’ as credibility of military option scrutinized
The head of the Mossad spy agency said Thursday that a bad nuclear deal between world powers and Iran would be “intolerable” for Israel, vowing that the Islamic Republic will never acquire nuclear weapons.
Bennett to Blinken: US must immediately halt Iran talks over ‘nuclear blackmail’
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett called on the United States on Thursday to immediately halt the ongoing negotiations in Vienna over Iran’s nuclear weapons program.
After outcry, government scraps Shin Bet phone tracking of Omicron carriers
The government will not move to extend a controversial surveillance program tracking the phones of people who contracted the Omicron coronavirus variant, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz announced Thursday.
Gantz: There may come a time when we will have no choice but to act on Iran
Israel has to do “everything it can” in order to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, if not “there may be a point when we will have no choice but to act,” Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Thursday.
Inside the United States
Funding bill passes House, future uncertain in Senate
The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed a short-term funding bill Thursday, one day before the scheduled partial government shutdown.
Vaccination mandate extended to NYC religious, private school staffers
Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday extended his public school employee vaccination mandate to private and parochial schools.
Unemployment fraud during COVID cost more than triple total benefits paid in 2019
Unemployment fraud exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the U.S. Labor Department Inspector General's semiannual report to Congress.
Biden administration says COVID vaccine requirements for domestic flights not ‘off the table’
President Joe Biden unveiled a new set of executive actions to address the Omicron variant Thursday, though how serious the threat of the variant will be remains unclear.
Christian News
Algeria Prosecutes Protestants Over ‘Non-Muslim Rites’
The senior pastor of Algeria’s largest Protestant church is among those facing a court on charges such as “practicing non-Muslim rites without permission," sources said Thursday.
Nepal Jails Pastor For Evangelism
An evangelical pastor in Nepal received a two-year prison sentence for evangelism activities that violated the former Hindu kingdom’s anti-conversion laws, trial observers said Thursday.
Around the World
Lava from volcanic eruption threatens more homes on La Palma
A fresh river of lava from the volcano on Spain’s La Palma island threatened Wednesday to engulf a parish church that has so far survived the eruption that shows no signs of relenting after 10 weeks.
EU chief: It’s time to ‘think about’ mandatory COVID vaccination
It is time for the European Union to “think about mandatory vaccination” against COVID-19, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday, while stressing member state governments would decide.
COVID-19: Most Omicron cases are ‘mild’ and there’s no evidence to suggest vaccines may be less effective against the variant, says WHO official
Early indications suggest most Omicron coronavirus cases are "mild", an official at the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.
Russia Will Soon Have New Hypersonic Missile With Maximum Speed of Mach 9, Putin Says
Vladimir Putin said that the hypersonic weapon with maximum speed of Mach 9 will appear in Russia in the near future.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF Spokesperson: ‘When I Say We’re Accelerating Plans Against Iran, I Mean It’
The Israeli military has accelerated its readiness plans aimed at preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear threshold state and to stop its entrenchment in the northern arena, Israel Defense Forces’ spokesman Brig. Gen. Ran Kochav told the Israeli Reshet Bet radio network on Tuesday.
Israel’s coronavirus czar: We need to consider making vaccines mandatory
Coronavirus czar Salman Zarka said Wednesday that Israel should weigh introducing a national vaccine mandate compelling all citizens to get themselves inoculated against the coronavirus, a notion that mirrors legislation under consideration in several European countries.
Inside the United States
Nearly 10,000 service members requested religious waiver for COVID vaccine
Nearly 10,000 U.S. military personnel have applied for religious waivers to avoid the COVID-19 vaccine but so far not a single one has been approved, publicly available Pentagon data show. This potentially paves the way for thousands of service members to be booted from the force in the coming months.
US Supreme Court Poised to Limits Abortions
In a historic move, the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority indicated Wednesday they would allow states to ban abortion much earlier in pregnancy. The opinion could even overturn the nationwide abortion right that has existed for nearly half a century.
US President To Extend Mask Mandate
U.S. President Joe Biden will extend until mid-March a requirement that travelers wear masks on airplanes, trains, and buses and at airports and transit stations, several sources confirmed.
CDC reports slight increase in abortions following years of decrease
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported there was an increase of 1% - 3% in the number of abortions carried out between 2018- 2019, following an overall decrease in abortions between 2010-2019. The data was published last month in the CDC’s Abortion Surveillance report, which documents abortions and abortion-related deaths in the US.
Christian News
Central India Churches Forced To End Sunday Service
Authorities in central India have reportedly forced churches to cancel Sunday services amid a Hindu crackdown on Christian conversations.
Myanmar Military Burns Church After Killing Pastor
Christian aid workers said Wednesday that the church was burned down amid further shelling by Myanmar’s military in the west of the troubled Asian nation.
Chinese government continues harassment of Christians; “please pray”
China’s ruling Communist Party is continuing its harassment of Christians by raiding house churches and detaining congregants: last month several believers from Shanghai and Sichuan were taken to police stations for questioning, and one woman was charged and detained, International Christian Concern (ICC reports).
Daystar TV Founder ‘Dies Of Covid’
Marcus D. Lamb, the co-founder and CEO of the Christian Daystar Television Network, officially died of COVID-19, but his wife defended his televised anti-vaccination views. He was 64.
Lava from volcanic eruption threatens more homes on La Palma
A fresh river of lava from the volcano on Spain’s La Palma island threatened Wednesday to engulf a parish church that has so far survived the eruption that shows no signs of relenting after 10 weeks.
EU chief: It’s time to ‘think about’ mandatory COVID vaccination
It is time for the European Union to “think about mandatory vaccination” against COVID-19, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said Wednesday, while stressing member state governments would decide.
COVID-19: Most Omicron cases are ‘mild’ and there’s no evidence to suggest vaccines may be less effective against the variant, says WHO official
Early indications suggest most Omicron coronavirus cases are "mild", an official at the World Health Organization (WHO) has said.
Russia Will Soon Have New Hypersonic Missile With Maximum Speed of Mach 9, Putin Says
Vladimir Putin said that the hypersonic weapon with maximum speed of Mach 9 will appear in Russia in the near future.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF Spokesperson: ‘When I Say We’re Accelerating Plans Against Iran, I Mean It’
The Israeli military has accelerated its readiness plans aimed at preventing Iran from becoming a nuclear threshold state and to stop its entrenchment in the northern arena, Israel Defense Forces’ spokesman Brig. Gen. Ran Kochav told the Israeli Reshet Bet radio network on Tuesday.
Israel’s coronavirus czar: We need to consider making vaccines mandatory
Coronavirus czar Salman Zarka said Wednesday that Israel should weigh introducing a national vaccine mandate compelling all citizens to get themselves inoculated against the coronavirus, a notion that mirrors legislation under consideration in several European countries.
Inside the United States
Nearly 10,000 service members requested religious waiver for COVID vaccine
Nearly 10,000 U.S. military personnel have applied for religious waivers to avoid the COVID-19 vaccine but so far not a single one has been approved, publicly available Pentagon data show. This potentially paves the way for thousands of service members to be booted from the force in the coming months.
US Supreme Court Poised to Limits Abortions
In a historic move, the U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority indicated Wednesday they would allow states to ban abortion much earlier in pregnancy. The opinion could even overturn the nationwide abortion right that has existed for nearly half a century.
US President To Extend Mask Mandate
U.S. President Joe Biden will extend until mid-March a requirement that travelers wear masks on airplanes, trains, and buses and at airports and transit stations, several sources confirmed.
CDC reports slight increase in abortions following years of decrease
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported there was an increase of 1% - 3% in the number of abortions carried out between 2018- 2019, following an overall decrease in abortions between 2010-2019. The data was published last month in the CDC’s Abortion Surveillance report, which documents abortions and abortion-related deaths in the US.
Christian News
Central India Churches Forced To End Sunday Service
Authorities in central India have reportedly forced churches to cancel Sunday services amid a Hindu crackdown on Christian conversations.
Myanmar Military Burns Church After Killing Pastor
Christian aid workers said Wednesday that the church was burned down amid further shelling by Myanmar’s military in the west of the troubled Asian nation.
Chinese government continues harassment of Christians; “please pray”
China’s ruling Communist Party is continuing its harassment of Christians by raiding house churches and detaining congregants: last month several believers from Shanghai and Sichuan were taken to police stations for questioning, and one woman was charged and detained, International Christian Concern (ICC reports).
Daystar TV Founder ‘Dies Of Covid’
Marcus D. Lamb, the co-founder and CEO of the Christian Daystar Television Network, officially died of COVID-19, but his wife defended his televised anti-vaccination views. He was 64.
Around the World
Europeans See ‘Problem’ if Iran Is Not Serious in Nuclear Talks This Week
Iran must show seriousness this week about reviving a 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, European diplomats said on Tuesday, saying otherwise they had a “problem” and it remained unclear if Tehran would resume talks where they left off in June.
US-China hypersonic weapons ‘arms race’ is underway, Air Force chief says
The U.S. Air Force affirmed Tuesday that a hypersonic weapons "arms race" is well underway between the United States and China.
Putin warns West: Moscow has ‘red line’ about Ukraine, NATO
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday sternly warned NATO against deploying its troops and weapons to Ukraine, saying it represents a red line for Russia and would trigger a strong response.
Barbados Ditches Britain’s Queen And Becomes Republic
After nearly 400 years, Barbados severed its last remaining colonial bonds by ditching Britain's Queen Elizabeth as head of state and forging a new republic.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Uncovered Ancient Town In Israel A ‘Voice Of Fall Temple’
Israel’s authority regulating excavation has called a discovered ancient town “a direct voice” from the fall of Jerusalem’s Temple.
US envoy to Security Council: Settlement building has ‘reached a critical juncture’
United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Security Council Tuesday that Israel’s settlement building in the West Bank “has reached a critical juncture” while also admonishing the top UN body for its “overwhelming focus” on the Jewish state.
Inside the United States
US School Shooting Leaves 3 Dead, 8 Injured
Three students were killed and eight people wounded after a 15-year-old opened fire in his Michigan high school at a time when the United States is still reeling from terror.
CNN Suspends Anchor Cuomo For Helping Brother Facing Sexual Harassment Charges
The U.S. Cable News Network (CNN) suspended one of its top anchors Tuesday for helping his brother and ex-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo face charges of sexual harassment.
Unvaccinated US National Guardsmen To Lose Status As Travelers Face COVID Restrictions
The strict vaccination policies of U.S. President Joe Biden reached the military Tuesday with the defense secretary effectively telling National Guard members refusing a COVID jab to resign.
Federal judge blocks Biden’s healthcare worker vaccine mandate
A federal judge in Louisiana granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday to stop President Joe Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers.
U.S. judge imposes injunction against federal contractor vaccination mandate in three states
A U.S. District Judge in Kentucky ordered a preliminary injunction Tuesday that prevents the enforcement of President Joe Biden’s federal contractor COVID-19 vaccination mandate in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.
Landmark Abortion Case Goes Before US Supreme Court
Activists and concerned citizens on both sides of America’s generations-old battle over abortion have mobilized as a closely watched court case that could alter reproductive rights nationwide reaches a critical phase.
Federal Judge Blocks Biden’s Vaccine Mandate for Healthcare Workers in 10 States
The Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers has just been temporarily blocked for hospitals that receive federal funding within 10 states.
Christian News
Nigeria: Christians in Zamfara state warned to close churches or be attacked
An unnamed group has contacted Christians in Nigeria’s Zamfara state, telling them to close their churches or risk being subjected to “ferocious attacks,” International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. As Islamic militants continue to slaughter and terrorize thousands of Nigeria’s Christians, the country has been ranked number one in the world for believers murdered on account of their faith.
Nepal: Pastor imprisoned for two years for proselytizing
A court in Nepal has sentenced Christian pastor Keshav Acharya to two years imprisonment for violating a harsh law against proselytizing, International Christian Concern reports.
Myanmar: Burmese army continues to destroy churches
Ignoring calls to stop its attacks on houses of worship, the Burmese Army (Tatmadaw) in late November burned down a Baptist church and a Catholic church as part of an ongoing effort to destroy the Christian-majority town of Thantlang in Myanmar’s Chin state, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
“We forgive you:” Widow and children tell drunk driver who killed pastor
The widow and children of Minnesota church leader Verlyn Strenge used a November 24 court hearing at Clearwater County Courthouse to publicly extend forgiveness to David Nelson, the man who killed the pastor in a drunk-driving incident in Bagel, Minnesota last year, Inforum reports. Judge Eric Schieferdecker said he had never seen anything like it in his courtroom; prosecutor County Attorney Katy Lorsbach was brought to tears.
Daystar founder Marcus Lamb dies of complications from COVID-19 at 64
Daystar Television Network announced that its founder and president, Marcus Lamb, died Tuesday of complications from COVID-19. He was 64.
Europeans See ‘Problem’ if Iran Is Not Serious in Nuclear Talks This Week
Iran must show seriousness this week about reviving a 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, European diplomats said on Tuesday, saying otherwise they had a “problem” and it remained unclear if Tehran would resume talks where they left off in June.
US-China hypersonic weapons ‘arms race’ is underway, Air Force chief says
The U.S. Air Force affirmed Tuesday that a hypersonic weapons "arms race" is well underway between the United States and China.
Putin warns West: Moscow has ‘red line’ about Ukraine, NATO
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday sternly warned NATO against deploying its troops and weapons to Ukraine, saying it represents a red line for Russia and would trigger a strong response.
Barbados Ditches Britain’s Queen And Becomes Republic
After nearly 400 years, Barbados severed its last remaining colonial bonds by ditching Britain's Queen Elizabeth as head of state and forging a new republic.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Uncovered Ancient Town In Israel A ‘Voice Of Fall Temple’
Israel’s authority regulating excavation has called a discovered ancient town “a direct voice” from the fall of Jerusalem’s Temple.
US envoy to Security Council: Settlement building has ‘reached a critical juncture’
United States Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the Security Council Tuesday that Israel’s settlement building in the West Bank “has reached a critical juncture” while also admonishing the top UN body for its “overwhelming focus” on the Jewish state.
Inside the United States
US School Shooting Leaves 3 Dead, 8 Injured
Three students were killed and eight people wounded after a 15-year-old opened fire in his Michigan high school at a time when the United States is still reeling from terror.
CNN Suspends Anchor Cuomo For Helping Brother Facing Sexual Harassment Charges
The U.S. Cable News Network (CNN) suspended one of its top anchors Tuesday for helping his brother and ex-New York Governor Andrew Cuomo face charges of sexual harassment.
Unvaccinated US National Guardsmen To Lose Status As Travelers Face COVID Restrictions
The strict vaccination policies of U.S. President Joe Biden reached the military Tuesday with the defense secretary effectively telling National Guard members refusing a COVID jab to resign.
Federal judge blocks Biden’s healthcare worker vaccine mandate
A federal judge in Louisiana granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday to stop President Joe Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers.
U.S. judge imposes injunction against federal contractor vaccination mandate in three states
A U.S. District Judge in Kentucky ordered a preliminary injunction Tuesday that prevents the enforcement of President Joe Biden’s federal contractor COVID-19 vaccination mandate in Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.
Landmark Abortion Case Goes Before US Supreme Court
Activists and concerned citizens on both sides of America’s generations-old battle over abortion have mobilized as a closely watched court case that could alter reproductive rights nationwide reaches a critical phase.
Federal Judge Blocks Biden’s Vaccine Mandate for Healthcare Workers in 10 States
The Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers has just been temporarily blocked for hospitals that receive federal funding within 10 states.
Christian News
Nigeria: Christians in Zamfara state warned to close churches or be attacked
An unnamed group has contacted Christians in Nigeria’s Zamfara state, telling them to close their churches or risk being subjected to “ferocious attacks,” International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. As Islamic militants continue to slaughter and terrorize thousands of Nigeria’s Christians, the country has been ranked number one in the world for believers murdered on account of their faith.
Nepal: Pastor imprisoned for two years for proselytizing
A court in Nepal has sentenced Christian pastor Keshav Acharya to two years imprisonment for violating a harsh law against proselytizing, International Christian Concern reports.
Myanmar: Burmese army continues to destroy churches
Ignoring calls to stop its attacks on houses of worship, the Burmese Army (Tatmadaw) in late November burned down a Baptist church and a Catholic church as part of an ongoing effort to destroy the Christian-majority town of Thantlang in Myanmar’s Chin state, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
“We forgive you:” Widow and children tell drunk driver who killed pastor
The widow and children of Minnesota church leader Verlyn Strenge used a November 24 court hearing at Clearwater County Courthouse to publicly extend forgiveness to David Nelson, the man who killed the pastor in a drunk-driving incident in Bagel, Minnesota last year, Inforum reports. Judge Eric Schieferdecker said he had never seen anything like it in his courtroom; prosecutor County Attorney Katy Lorsbach was brought to tears.
Daystar founder Marcus Lamb dies of complications from COVID-19 at 64
Daystar Television Network announced that its founder and president, Marcus Lamb, died Tuesday of complications from COVID-19. He was 64.