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
Pope Prays For Iraq’s Persecuted Christians
Pope Francis has visited Iraq to reassure the nation’s dwindling Christian community of his prayers after years of Islamic attacks and persecution.
Iran Enriching Uranium With ‘More Advanced Centrifuges’ At Natanz
In a further move away from the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran has started enriching uranium with a third cascade, or cluster, of advanced IR-2m centrifuges at its underground plant at Natanz, Reuters reported on March 8, citing a report by the UN nuclear watchdog.
Hungary’s Ruling Party Leaves Largest European Group Amid Tensions
The ruling Fidesz party of Hungary's outspoken Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has left the largest center-right political group within the European Parliament after tensions over his perceived autocratic style.
Equatorial Guinea Blasts Kill Dozens
At least 20 people were killed and more than 500 injured when explosions at a military base rocked Equatorial Guinea’s largest city, authorities said.
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Married In Secret Amid Racism Claims
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry said Sunday they married in secret three days before their highly publicized royal wedding, as they felt “trapped” in the royal family.
Indonesia appoints evangelical Christian as national police chief
Indonesia has appointed an evangelical Christian as its new national police chief, thwarting opposition from Islamic groups in the predominantly Muslim country, the Christian Post reports. Commissioner General Listyo Sigit Prabowo was sworn in on January 27. and is the first Christian to hold this post in 50 years.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli jets escort American B-52s during flyby, in show of force to Iran
Israeli F-15 fighter jets escorted two American B-52 bombers through Israeli airspace on Sunday in a new show of force by the United States against Iran — with an Israeli element — amid rising tensions in the region.
Iran will “raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground” if Israel attacks nuclear program
Responding to Israel’s recent announcement that it will strike Iran’s nuclear program on its own if the world does nothing, Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said Sunday that his country would “raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground” if Israel should attack, the Times of Israel reports.
Israel Reopens Amid Controversy
Israel reopened most of its economy Sunday as it removed many of its coronavirus lockdown restrictions introduced a year ago, after a controversial vaccination campaign.
Inside the United States
Twelve states file lawsuit against Biden admin over executive order on ‘Climate Crisis’
A coalition of 12 states has lodged a lawsuit against the Biden administration over an executive order.
Pro-life Evangelicals for Biden: ‘We feel used and betrayed’
Pro-life Evangelicals for Biden has released an open letter expressing disapproval about the coronavirus relief package not including the Hyde Amendment.
Texas Gov. deploys National Guard to Mexico border in ‘Operation Lone Star,’ slams Biden policies
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the state’s Department of Public Safety will deploy the Texas National Guard to the United States-Mexico border as part of “Operation Lone Star” to prevent Mexican cartels and traffickers from smuggling people and drugs into the state.
SCOTUS dismisses “sanctuary city” cases at Biden’s request
Following a request from the Biden administration, the US Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed three pending cases that would have tested the Trump administration’s effort to withhold law-enforcement funding from so-called “sanctuary” cities.
Christian News
Nigerian pastor freed by Boko Haram hours before execution: ‘I thank God’
Boko Haram terrorists in Nigeria freed a Christian pastor on Wednesday evening who had been held captive since Christmas Eve, just hours before the ransom deadline expired and he was to be executed.
Oklahoma House passes bill to prevent forced closure of churches
The Oklahoma House of Representatives has passed a bill that would block state and local government officials from forcing houses of worship to close, even under circumstances like a pandemic, the Christian Post reports. House Bill 2648, the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act, passed by 80-18 votes in the House and now goes to the state Senate for consideration.
Pope Prays For Iraq’s Persecuted Christians
Pope Francis has visited Iraq to reassure the nation’s dwindling Christian community of his prayers after years of Islamic attacks and persecution.
Iran Enriching Uranium With ‘More Advanced Centrifuges’ At Natanz
In a further move away from the 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, Iran has started enriching uranium with a third cascade, or cluster, of advanced IR-2m centrifuges at its underground plant at Natanz, Reuters reported on March 8, citing a report by the UN nuclear watchdog.
Hungary’s Ruling Party Leaves Largest European Group Amid Tensions
The ruling Fidesz party of Hungary's outspoken Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has left the largest center-right political group within the European Parliament after tensions over his perceived autocratic style.
Equatorial Guinea Blasts Kill Dozens
At least 20 people were killed and more than 500 injured when explosions at a military base rocked Equatorial Guinea’s largest city, authorities said.
Meghan Markle, Prince Harry Married In Secret Amid Racism Claims
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry said Sunday they married in secret three days before their highly publicized royal wedding, as they felt “trapped” in the royal family.
Indonesia appoints evangelical Christian as national police chief
Indonesia has appointed an evangelical Christian as its new national police chief, thwarting opposition from Islamic groups in the predominantly Muslim country, the Christian Post reports. Commissioner General Listyo Sigit Prabowo was sworn in on January 27. and is the first Christian to hold this post in 50 years.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli jets escort American B-52s during flyby, in show of force to Iran
Israeli F-15 fighter jets escorted two American B-52 bombers through Israeli airspace on Sunday in a new show of force by the United States against Iran — with an Israeli element — amid rising tensions in the region.
Iran will “raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground” if Israel attacks nuclear program
Responding to Israel’s recent announcement that it will strike Iran’s nuclear program on its own if the world does nothing, Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said Sunday that his country would “raze Tel Aviv and Haifa to the ground” if Israel should attack, the Times of Israel reports.
Israel Reopens Amid Controversy
Israel reopened most of its economy Sunday as it removed many of its coronavirus lockdown restrictions introduced a year ago, after a controversial vaccination campaign.
Inside the United States
Twelve states file lawsuit against Biden admin over executive order on ‘Climate Crisis’
A coalition of 12 states has lodged a lawsuit against the Biden administration over an executive order.
Pro-life Evangelicals for Biden: ‘We feel used and betrayed’
Pro-life Evangelicals for Biden has released an open letter expressing disapproval about the coronavirus relief package not including the Hyde Amendment.
Texas Gov. deploys National Guard to Mexico border in ‘Operation Lone Star,’ slams Biden policies
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the state’s Department of Public Safety will deploy the Texas National Guard to the United States-Mexico border as part of “Operation Lone Star” to prevent Mexican cartels and traffickers from smuggling people and drugs into the state.
SCOTUS dismisses “sanctuary city” cases at Biden’s request
Following a request from the Biden administration, the US Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed three pending cases that would have tested the Trump administration’s effort to withhold law-enforcement funding from so-called “sanctuary” cities.
Christian News
Nigerian pastor freed by Boko Haram hours before execution: ‘I thank God’
Boko Haram terrorists in Nigeria freed a Christian pastor on Wednesday evening who had been held captive since Christmas Eve, just hours before the ransom deadline expired and he was to be executed.
Oklahoma House passes bill to prevent forced closure of churches
The Oklahoma House of Representatives has passed a bill that would block state and local government officials from forcing houses of worship to close, even under circumstances like a pandemic, the Christian Post reports. House Bill 2648, the Oklahoma Religious Freedom Act, passed by 80-18 votes in the House and now goes to the state Senate for consideration.
Around the World
US: Russia blocks Syria chemical weapons use accountability
The United States accused Syrian President Bashar Assad and his close ally Russia on Thursday of trying to block all efforts to hold Damascus accountable for using chemical weapons during attacks on civilians.
North Korean nuclear activity detected, possibly extracting plutonium
North Korea could be at it again. New activity has been detected at the Yonbyong nuclear site north of Pyongyang.
New Zealand downgrades tsunami threat after 8.1-magnitude quake
Officials in New Zealand on Friday downgraded a tsunami warning after multiple powerful earthquakes struck off the coast earlier in the day.
Facebook trains A.I. to ‘see’ using 1 billion public Instagram photos
Pugs, Ferraris, mountains, brunches, beaches, and babies — Instagram is full of them. In fact, it’s become one of the largest image databases on the planet over the last decade and the company’s owner, Facebook, is using this treasure trove to teach machines what’s in a photo.
US urges ‘serious consequences’ for Syria’s Assad over chemical weapons use: envoy
The UN National Security Council must hold the regime of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad accountable for the use of chemical weapons, US envoy to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Thursday.
‘Space hurricane’ seen hovering above Earth for the first time ever
As if humanity didn’t have enough weather phenomena to worry about, scientists have discovered a “space hurricane” that occurred over the Earth's upper atmosphere for the first time.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Gantz: IDF updating military plans for potential strike on Iran nuclear sites
Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Thursday said the Israel Defense Forces is continuously updating its plans for a prospective military strike on Iranian nuclear sites.
Inside the United States
US Democrats Pass Controversial Voting Law
U.S. House Democrats voted for the most extensive overhaul of the nation’s election law in at least a generation despite unanimous Republican opposition and warnings is could undermine democracy.
Winter storms caused $155 billion in economic damages
Devastating coast-to-coast winter weather is estimated to have caused around $155 billion in economic damages, making it likely that February 2021 was the costliest in terms of weather impact in recent US history, UPI reports. The estimated economic damage costs for the entire 2020 Atlantic hurricane season were a comparatively small $60 billion to $65 billion.
House passes George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
The US House of Representatives passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act Wednesday, in an effort to increase police accountability and end practices that facilitate the use of excessive force against unarmed citizens, USA Today reports. Drafted by Democrats, the bill was first introduced in the last Congress after the death in police custody of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020.
$100 trillion in new debt over next 30 years: CBO
The government has opened the spending spigot over the last year to deal with the coronavirus crisis — but the Congressional Budget Office says unless something changes, Uncle Sam’s freewheeling ways will last long after the pandemic is over.
Mississippi Gov. Reeves tells Biden after ‘neanderthal’ jab we should trust, not ‘insult’ Americans
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeve is responding to President Biden's "neanderthal thinking" comment after he and Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott announced earlier this week that they are lifting their coronavirus mask orders, saying the president should "trust Americans, not insult them."
Number Of ‘Unaccompanied Minors’ Crossing Border On Pace To ‘Shatter’ Records
The number of unaccompanied minors jumping the United States-Mexico border seeking asylum has risen dramatically over the last several weeks and, according to the Domestic Policy Council, which briefed President Joe Biden on the situation Tuesday, that number is growing and is likely to exceed the record by a shocking 45%.
Christian News
Algeria Jails Pastor and Assistant For Evangelism
Algerian Christians have urged prayers for a pastor and his assistant who were jailed and fined for evangelizing in Algeria, an Islamic nation, Worthy News learned.
Islamic Militants Free Nigerian Pastor On Execution Day
Islamic militants have released a Nigerian pastor who they threatened to kill unless their demands were met, security sources said. Bulus Yikura of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN) was held captive since December 24, 2020.
2,000 More to Go: Wycliffe Bible Translators Keeps On Task During the Pandemic
Wycliffe Bible Translators says the COVID-19 pandemic displaced some of its staff but that the urgent work continues as 1.5 billion people still do not have the full Bible available in their language.
U.S. Supreme Court grants another victory for religious worship in California
The U.S. Supreme Court has sided once again with California houses of worship in their most recent request for an injunction against a county health order, pending appeal in the Ninth Circuit and disposition of a petition for a writ of cert.
Worthy Watch
‘God’s Will Is No Concern of This Congress’: NY Dem Jerry Nadler Rejects God During Debate Over Equality Act
ICC refuses to prosecute war crimes by Palestinian while actively pursuing Israeli leaders
New Report Urges Accelerated Use of Artificial Intelligence for National Security
US: Russia blocks Syria chemical weapons use accountability
The United States accused Syrian President Bashar Assad and his close ally Russia on Thursday of trying to block all efforts to hold Damascus accountable for using chemical weapons during attacks on civilians.
North Korean nuclear activity detected, possibly extracting plutonium
North Korea could be at it again. New activity has been detected at the Yonbyong nuclear site north of Pyongyang.
New Zealand downgrades tsunami threat after 8.1-magnitude quake
Officials in New Zealand on Friday downgraded a tsunami warning after multiple powerful earthquakes struck off the coast earlier in the day.
Facebook trains A.I. to ‘see’ using 1 billion public Instagram photos
Pugs, Ferraris, mountains, brunches, beaches, and babies — Instagram is full of them. In fact, it’s become one of the largest image databases on the planet over the last decade and the company’s owner, Facebook, is using this treasure trove to teach machines what’s in a photo.
US urges ‘serious consequences’ for Syria’s Assad over chemical weapons use: envoy
The UN National Security Council must hold the regime of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad accountable for the use of chemical weapons, US envoy to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said Thursday.
‘Space hurricane’ seen hovering above Earth for the first time ever
As if humanity didn’t have enough weather phenomena to worry about, scientists have discovered a “space hurricane” that occurred over the Earth's upper atmosphere for the first time.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Gantz: IDF updating military plans for potential strike on Iran nuclear sites
Defense Minister Benny Gantz on Thursday said the Israel Defense Forces is continuously updating its plans for a prospective military strike on Iranian nuclear sites.
Inside the United States
US Democrats Pass Controversial Voting Law
U.S. House Democrats voted for the most extensive overhaul of the nation’s election law in at least a generation despite unanimous Republican opposition and warnings is could undermine democracy.
Winter storms caused $155 billion in economic damages
Devastating coast-to-coast winter weather is estimated to have caused around $155 billion in economic damages, making it likely that February 2021 was the costliest in terms of weather impact in recent US history, UPI reports. The estimated economic damage costs for the entire 2020 Atlantic hurricane season were a comparatively small $60 billion to $65 billion.
House passes George Floyd Justice in Policing Act
The US House of Representatives passed the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act Wednesday, in an effort to increase police accountability and end practices that facilitate the use of excessive force against unarmed citizens, USA Today reports. Drafted by Democrats, the bill was first introduced in the last Congress after the death in police custody of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020.
$100 trillion in new debt over next 30 years: CBO
The government has opened the spending spigot over the last year to deal with the coronavirus crisis — but the Congressional Budget Office says unless something changes, Uncle Sam’s freewheeling ways will last long after the pandemic is over.
Mississippi Gov. Reeves tells Biden after ‘neanderthal’ jab we should trust, not ‘insult’ Americans
Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeve is responding to President Biden's "neanderthal thinking" comment after he and Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott announced earlier this week that they are lifting their coronavirus mask orders, saying the president should "trust Americans, not insult them."
Number Of ‘Unaccompanied Minors’ Crossing Border On Pace To ‘Shatter’ Records
The number of unaccompanied minors jumping the United States-Mexico border seeking asylum has risen dramatically over the last several weeks and, according to the Domestic Policy Council, which briefed President Joe Biden on the situation Tuesday, that number is growing and is likely to exceed the record by a shocking 45%.
Christian News
Algeria Jails Pastor and Assistant For Evangelism
Algerian Christians have urged prayers for a pastor and his assistant who were jailed and fined for evangelizing in Algeria, an Islamic nation, Worthy News learned.
Islamic Militants Free Nigerian Pastor On Execution Day
Islamic militants have released a Nigerian pastor who they threatened to kill unless their demands were met, security sources said. Bulus Yikura of the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria (EYN) was held captive since December 24, 2020.
2,000 More to Go: Wycliffe Bible Translators Keeps On Task During the Pandemic
Wycliffe Bible Translators says the COVID-19 pandemic displaced some of its staff but that the urgent work continues as 1.5 billion people still do not have the full Bible available in their language.
U.S. Supreme Court grants another victory for religious worship in California
The U.S. Supreme Court has sided once again with California houses of worship in their most recent request for an injunction against a county health order, pending appeal in the Ninth Circuit and disposition of a petition for a writ of cert.
Worthy Watch
‘God’s Will Is No Concern of This Congress’: NY Dem Jerry Nadler Rejects God During Debate Over Equality Act
ICC refuses to prosecute war crimes by Palestinian while actively pursuing Israeli leaders
New Report Urges Accelerated Use of Artificial Intelligence for National Security
Around the World
Airbase hosting U.S. troops targeted in rocket attack
American civilian contractor, who has not been named, died of a ‘cardiac episode’ Wednesday after a barrage of rockets hit an Iraqi airbase hosting US troops, the Washington Times reports. At least 10 rockets were reportedly fired on the Ain al-Asad military airbase at 7.20 local time; no US troops were injured.
France, allies to push on with protest at IAEA over Iran’s activities
France and its Western allies plan to lodge a protest with the United Nations' nuclear watchdog to criticize Iran's decision to curb cooperation with the agency, the French foreign minister said on Tuesday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel has identified ship that caused oil spill
Israel has identified the ship that recently caused a massive Mediterranean oil spill that has been described as the worst environmental disaster to affect Israeli beaches in decades, the Times of Israel reports. No details about the ship were given.
Biden admin: International Criminal Court ‘unfairly’ targeting Israel
The Biden administration opposes and is disappointed with the decision by the International Criminal Court to pursue an investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes in the Palestinian territories, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Wednesday.
Inside the United States
Cuomo addresses misconduct allegations, says won’t resign, ‘never touched anyone inappropriately’
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday apologized amid a recent series of allegations of inappropriate behavior, saying he "never touched anyone inappropriately" while also saying he will not resign.
Supreme Court ruling on Arizona election case likely to shape states’ rights
The Supreme Court on Tuesday delved into the Democratic Party’s lawsuit to ease Arizona’s restrictions on ballot harvesting and other election conduct, putting the high court at the center of a growing battle over how Americans vote.
FBI employees mentioned in IG report on Trump-Russia probe were referred to DOJ ‘disciplinary arm’
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray said on Tuesday that every FBI employee referenced in a scathing Justice Department Inspector General report on the origins of the infamous Trump-Russia probe has been referred for discipline.
Christian News
Increasing persecution in China: Police raid 20-year-old house church
Amid rapidly intensifying persecution against Christians in China, police in Chongqing city raided the 20-year-old Living Fountain house church Sunday, confiscating computers and arresting two brothers, International Christian Concern reports.
Eritrea releases Christian prisoners but is accused of attacking churches
Eritrea has released a further 21 Christian prisoners, but Eritrean forces are accused of attacking churches in neighboring Ethiopia, Christian Today reported Tuesday. Despite these accusations, rights advocates believe the Eritrean release of Christian prisoners may constitute an effort to seek favor with Ethiopia’s Protestant prime minister: Eritrea has freed a total of 171 Christian prisoners since August last year.
Worthy Watch
Mississippi Judge Orders New Election After Finding nearly 80 Percent of Absentee Ballots Fraudulent
Airbase hosting U.S. troops targeted in rocket attack
American civilian contractor, who has not been named, died of a ‘cardiac episode’ Wednesday after a barrage of rockets hit an Iraqi airbase hosting US troops, the Washington Times reports. At least 10 rockets were reportedly fired on the Ain al-Asad military airbase at 7.20 local time; no US troops were injured.
France, allies to push on with protest at IAEA over Iran’s activities
France and its Western allies plan to lodge a protest with the United Nations' nuclear watchdog to criticize Iran's decision to curb cooperation with the agency, the French foreign minister said on Tuesday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel has identified ship that caused oil spill
Israel has identified the ship that recently caused a massive Mediterranean oil spill that has been described as the worst environmental disaster to affect Israeli beaches in decades, the Times of Israel reports. No details about the ship were given.
Biden admin: International Criminal Court ‘unfairly’ targeting Israel
The Biden administration opposes and is disappointed with the decision by the International Criminal Court to pursue an investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes in the Palestinian territories, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said on Wednesday.
Inside the United States
Cuomo addresses misconduct allegations, says won’t resign, ‘never touched anyone inappropriately’
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday apologized amid a recent series of allegations of inappropriate behavior, saying he "never touched anyone inappropriately" while also saying he will not resign.
Supreme Court ruling on Arizona election case likely to shape states’ rights
The Supreme Court on Tuesday delved into the Democratic Party’s lawsuit to ease Arizona’s restrictions on ballot harvesting and other election conduct, putting the high court at the center of a growing battle over how Americans vote.
FBI employees mentioned in IG report on Trump-Russia probe were referred to DOJ ‘disciplinary arm’
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray said on Tuesday that every FBI employee referenced in a scathing Justice Department Inspector General report on the origins of the infamous Trump-Russia probe has been referred for discipline.
Christian News
Increasing persecution in China: Police raid 20-year-old house church
Amid rapidly intensifying persecution against Christians in China, police in Chongqing city raided the 20-year-old Living Fountain house church Sunday, confiscating computers and arresting two brothers, International Christian Concern reports.
Eritrea releases Christian prisoners but is accused of attacking churches
Eritrea has released a further 21 Christian prisoners, but Eritrean forces are accused of attacking churches in neighboring Ethiopia, Christian Today reported Tuesday. Despite these accusations, rights advocates believe the Eritrean release of Christian prisoners may constitute an effort to seek favor with Ethiopia’s Protestant prime minister: Eritrea has freed a total of 171 Christian prisoners since August last year.
Worthy Watch
Mississippi Judge Orders New Election After Finding nearly 80 Percent of Absentee Ballots Fraudulent