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
Fresh Corona Unrest Erupts In Netherlands Injuring Several
More unrest has rocked the Netherlands and other countries in Europe, amid mounting anger against new lockdown rules that authorities say are needed to tackle rising COVID-19 cases.
WHO: ‘500,000 COVID Deaths In Europe Without Restrictions’
The World Health Organization (WHO) has effectively told Europe‘s leaders to maintain COVID restrictions even as people were injured in protests against these policies in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam.
UK to designate entire Hamas a terror group, outlaw support
The United Kingdom will designate Hamas as a terror organization on Friday and outlaw support for the group, with violators liable to face up to 10 years in prison, the British Embassy in Israel confirmed.
Putin: ‘Peculiar’ Western Countries Aren’t Taking Our Security ‘Red Lines’ Seriously
Rebuking Western nations for holding military exercises in the Black Sea and supplying Ukraine with lethal weapons, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday these countries –“to put it mildly” – are not taking Moscow’s warnings about crossing its “red lines” seriously.
Pentagon Chief in Mideast to Reaffirm US Support for Region
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin landed in Bahrain Friday at the start of a Middle East trip that will also take him to the United Arab Emirates.
Report: Iran struck Syrian base in retaliation for Israeli raids
A drone strike last month targeting a US military base in southern Syria represented Iranian retaliation for Israeli airstrikes in Syria, the New York Times reported Friday citing several American and Israeli officials speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Thousands protest dried-up river in Iran’s Isfahan as water crisis swells
Thousands of protesters converged on Isfahan in central Iran on Friday to voice their anger after the city’s lifeblood river dried up due to drought and diversion.
Dutch Police Shoot During COVID Protests; Several Injured
The Dutch port city of Rotterdam turned into a war zone Friday with police firing warning shots, injuring several people, following protests against coronavirus restrictions.
Austria Announces Full COVID Lockdown, Vaccination Order
Austria has announced a full lockdown starting Monday and will force all its citizens to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Gunman Kills One, Injures Others In Jerusalem’s Old City
Israel was on edge late Sunday after a suspected Palestinian militant opened fire in Jerusalem's Old City, killing one Israeli man and injuring at least four others, including a rabbi.
‘We Will Never Allow Iran to Go Nuclear,’ Israel’s Security Adviser Tells Bahrain Summit
Israeli national security advisor Eyal Hulata described Iran as the “most destabilizing force in the region” in remarks Sunday, warning of “unprecedented threats” facing the world if Iran succeeds in developing nuclear weapons.
IDF to target Hamas, Islamic Jihad rocket stockpiles before next Gaza conflict
The IDF is stepping up plans to strike rocket stockpiles in the Gaza Strip held by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, in a preemptive move meant to limit the terror groups’ ability to operate during the next round of conflict with Israel, according to a report from Walla News.
Israel to begin vaccinating children aged 5-11 on Tuesday, Bennett says
Israel Prime Minister Naftali Bennett announced on Friday that the country's vaccination campaign for children aged 5-11 will debut on Tuesday.

Inside the United States
Vehicle Rams US Christmas Parade, Dozens Injured
A vehicle rammed into a Christmas parade in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, killing and injuring multiple people on Sunday, prompting police to fire shots at the suspect, several sources confirmed.
FDA, CDC Authorize Pfizer, Moderna Boosters for All US Adults
A U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel Friday voted unanimously to make COVID-19 vaccine booster shots available to those 18 and older. The CDC also said those older than 50 should get a booster.
U.S. Teen Shooter Rittenhouse Cleared Of Homicide
U.S. teenager Kyle Rittenhouse who shot and killed two men during racial justice protests has been acquitted on all counts.

Christian News
China Detains Presbyterian Church Members
Chinese authorities have detained several members of the independent Presbyterianism Early Rain Qingcaodi Church in southwest China on “baseless fraud” charges, Christians say.
Two Of 17 Kidnapped Foreign Missionaries Released In Haiti
Two people of 17 foreign missionaries kidnapped last month by a feared gang in Haiti have been released, Worthy News learned.
Around the World
Chinese military now set for invasion of Taiwan, says Hill commission
China‘s military now is capable of a full-scale invasion of Taiwan and has added new missiles and amphibious ships to the People’s Liberation Army for an attack on the island democracy, according to the latest annual report of a congressional China commission.
Europe imposes lockdown restrictions as fourth wave of coronavirus surges
Across Europe, sweeping COVID-19 restrictions are being imposed in a bid to tackle a fourth wave of the virus currently surging across the continent.
Putin accuses NATO of ignoring Russian ‘warnings about red lines’
Russian President Vladimir Putin accused NATO of ignoring Russian “red lines” in Ukraine and Eastern Europe, a habit that he blamed for raising the risk of a new crisis “tomorrow.”
UN atomic agency: Iran is steadily increasing stockpile of enriched uranium
The United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency reported Wednesday that Iran now has an estimated 17.7 kilograms (39 pounds) of uranium enriched at up to 60% fissile purity, a level that can easily be refined to make atomic weapons, The Associated Press (AP) reports.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Mideast Quartet expresses concern over West Bank violence, PA financial crisis
The so-called Quartet of Middle East mediators urged Israel and the Palestinians on Thursday to address an array of challenges — ongoing violence in the West Bank, the advancement of new settlement units in Palestinian territories, and “the untenable fiscal crisis within the Palestinian Authority.”
Eyeing northern threats, IDF puts over a billion shekels into training for 2022
The Israel Defense Forces has been on a training spree over the past month, holding several large exercises for its Ground Forces in the Northern Command, with plans to continue doing so into next year, following two years of relative stagnation due to a combination of the coronavirus pandemic and the lack of a national budget.
Bennett thanks Erdogan for releasing Israeli couple, in first-ever call between them
In his first-ever phone call with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett thanked the Turkish leader on Thursday for his “personal involvement” in bringing about the release of an Israeli couple arrested and held for over a week in Istanbul.
Gantz’s house cleaner, an ex-bank robber, accused of trying to spy on him for Iran
An Israeli man who worked as a house cleaner for Defense Minister Benny Gantz was arrested earlier this month for allegedly offering to spy on the minister on behalf of Iran, the Shin Bet security service said Thursday.
Palestinians fear ‘civil war’ amid growing anarchy
Charges that the Palestinian Authority was not doing enough to enforce law and order, amid increased scenes of anarchy and violence in some parts of the West Bank, emerged Wednesday.

Inside the United States
Yellen Warns Dec. 15 New Estimated Date for U.S. Debt Default Unless Congress Acts
In just about a month's time, the United States could be unable to pay its bills, according to a new warning from Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.
Christian florist pays gay couple denied wedding services $5,000, withdraws SCOTUS appeal
A Christian florist in Washington state is ending an eight-year legal battle to protect her religious beliefs and "artistic freedoms" from compulsion to participate in a same-sex wedding.
Oklahoma Guard commander defends rejecting vaccine mandate as Pentagon warns troops who refuse
The Oklahoma National Guard’s commanding general Wednesday defended his directive countermanding federal requirements that all U.S. military personnel be vaccinated against the coronavirus, telling troops in a private town hall event that he was following orders from the state’s Republican governor and meant no disrespect to his superiors at the Pentagon.
Two Iranian hackers charged with stealing voter data, intimidating GOP lawmakers and Dem voters
Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment Thursday in New York accusing two Iranian hackers of successfully hacking into a state computer election system, stealing voter registration data and using it to carry out a cyber-intimidation campaign that targeted GOP members of Congress, Trump campaign officials and Democrat voters in the November 2020 election.
FDA Says It Needs Until Year 2076 To Reveal Data Pertaining To Pfizer Vaccine Approval
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested Monday for the courts to give them until 2076 to review and fully release the documents pertaining to the approval of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
CBO says Democrat social spending bill to grow deficit by $367 billion, undercutting Biden claim
The Congressional Budget Office estimated on Thursday that President Biden's Build Back Better Act will increase the nation's deficit by $367 billion.
Florida legislature approves bill to limit COVID-19 vaccine mandates
Florida Senate Republicans on Wednesday succeeded in passing a bill to limit COVID-19 vaccine mandates for public and private employers in the state, the Hill reports. Senate Bill 1 has now been sent to Governor Ron DeSantis, who is expected to sign it into law.

Christian News
Hundreds Turn To Christ Despite Myanmar Military Crackdown
At least hundreds of people have turned to faith in Christ since Myanmar’s military staged a coup and ousted elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, an advocacy group said Thursday.
Uganda Convert Killed For Christian Faith
Christians in eastern Uganda have been plunged into mourning after a Christian convert was killed for leaving Islam, several sources said.
Iran persecution: Two believers jailed for “promoting Christianity”
Following unsuccessful appeals, on November 11 two Christian converts from Islam were summoned to prison in Iran to serve one-year sentences they received in February for “promoting Christianity,” Christian Persecution reports.

Worthy Watch
LGBTQ+ Pride Group Stages ‘Drag Show’ in Georgia Church
Op-Ed: NY Times Editoral states Firing James Comey May have been Trump’s Best move as President
Around the World
US Intends to Move Forward on F-35 Sale to UAE, US Official Says
The United States intends to move forward with the sale of 50 F-35 stealth fighters jets to the United Arab Emirates but there must be a clear understanding of “Emirati obligations,” a US official said on Tuesday as progress on the sale slows.
Ukraine says Russia amassed 100K troops near border, Blinken raises ‘real concerns’ of invasion
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed that Russia amassed nearly 100,000 troops near his country’s border as concerns over an invasion continue to mount.
New IAEA report says Iran has boosted stockpile of highly enriched uranium
Iran has increased its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, defying commitments made under the 2015 nuclear deal, the United Nations nuclear watchdog said in its latest report.
Hungary’s Youngsters Forced To Watch Pro-Government Film (Worthy News In-Depth)
Hungary's government is going the extra mile to spread its propaganda ahead of elections next year: It's forcing students to watch a government-friendly film about a former prime minister lied and still plays a vital role in the opposition.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Touring northern, southern borders, US envoy pledges Iron Dome replenishment
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield toured Israel’s northern and southern borders on Tuesday, with IDF officials briefing the envoy on the diverse array of security challenges posed by Iran’s influence in the region.

Inside the United States
OSHA suspends enforcement of COVID-19 vaccine mandate for businesses
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is suspending enforcement of the Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for large private businesses after a federal appeals court upheld a stay on it last week.
Vials labeled ‘smallpox’ found by lab worker cleaning freezer in Pennsylvania
Vials labeled as smallpox were discovered at a Pennsylvania lab, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.
HHS memo shows department moving to undo Trump-era action aimed at better protecting religious liberty
The Health and Human Services Department (HHS) is considering revoking authority the former Trump administration delegated for the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) to prevent violations of religious liberty – prompting concerns about conscience protections under Secretary Xavier Becerra.
Texas abortion ban stays in force as justices mull outcome
More than two weeks have passed since the Supreme Court‘s extraordinarily rushed arguments over Texas’ unique abortion law without any word from the justices.
Americans want ‘fair shake’ for faith-based groups, protection for vaccine refusers, survey suggests
Most Americans say that religious groups providing community services should qualify for government funding alongside their secular counterparts, according to the 2021 Religious Freedom Index survey released Wednesday.
Feds estimate 100,000 Americans in 12-month period died of an overdose, setting record
An estimated 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in a recent, 12-month period, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Wednesday.
Los Angeles approves strict Covid vaccination mandate
Los Angeles leaders on Wednesday approved one of the nation’s strictest vaccine mandates — a sweeping measure that would require the shots for everyone entering bars, restaurants, nail salons, gyms or even a Lakers game.

Christian News
Poll: Large number of US pastors in poor health; considered quitting ministry in the last year
A new poll shows that only 35% of Protestant pastors consider themselves to be in good mental, spiritual and physical health, and 38% of Protestant pastors said they were so stressed they had considered quitting full-time ministry in the last 11 months, the Barna research group reports.
Uganda: Islamists murder pastor who refused to close church
Islamic terrorists murdered a Christian pastor in eastern Uganda last month, after he refused to close his church located near a mosque, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.
Isolated Christians Turn To Satellite TV
A global Christian broadcaster says “isolated Christians” in the Middle East and North Africa use visual and digital technology to keep their faith alive amid mounting persecution.