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
Iran says it is rolling out 1,000 additional centrifuges
Having just announced it plans to enrich uranium at a level far above that allowed by the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, the Iranian regime said Tuesday that it is installing 1,000 additional centrifuges and increasing its supply of yellowcake, a uranium concentrate powder used for enrichment.
Hong Kong police arrest dozens of pro-democracy activists for “subversion”
Acting under a national security law imposed by China last year, Hong Kong police arrested 53 pro-democracy activists Wednesday, citing “subversion” for participation in unofficial election primaries, the Associated Press reports. Former Hong Kong lawmakers were among those arrested.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Alleged Israeli airstrike reported in southern Syria
An alleged Israeli airstrike targeted locations in southern Syria as explosions were heard in the skies over Damascus on Wednesday night, according to Syrian state media SANA.
Israeli company helps provide clean water to Palestinians in Gaza Strip
A Jewish-Israeli businessman is helping Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to access clean water, the Times of Israel reports. Through his Israel-based company Watergen, Mikhail Mirilashvili has provided atmospheric water generators to Gaza in an effort to relieve the chronic drinking-water crisis there.

Inside the United States
Reports: ‘Cabinet Members Discuss Removing Trump’
Cabinet members and allies are reportedly discussing removing U.S. President Donald J. Trump from office after angry crowds stormed the Capitol housing Congress.
‘Leftist Antifa Among Mob Storming US Capitol’
Facial recognition experts and backers of American President Donald J. Trump said members of the hardline leftist Antifa movement infiltrated protestors who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.
U.S. Resumes Debate About Biden’s Declared Victory After Deadly Violence
U.S. Senate resumed debating a Republican challenge against Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential election victory, hours after mobs claiming to be “pro-Trump” stormed the Capitol complex.
Woman Killed In U.S. Capitol Served in Military
The woman who was shot and killed inside the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. has been identified as a female Air Force veteran and supporter of President Donald J. Trump.
Woman Dies As Mob Storms US Congress Over Election Fraud
Declared President-elect Joe Biden urged President Donald J. Trump to “end this siege” after a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C. to protest alleged election fraud.
U.S. President Denies Pence Will Confirm Election Defeat
U.S. President Donald J. Trump condemned reports that the Vice President would confirm his declared defeat in the recent presidential election.
Second Georgia runoff race called for Ossoff; Democrats will control Senate
Georgia Democratic Senate candidate Jon Ossoff has won the second of the state's two runoff elections against Republican David Perdue, the Associated Press predicted on Wednesday, handing Democrats control over the U.S Senate during at least the first two years of Joe Biden's presidency.
Trump Executive Order: ‘Violence Spurred by Antifa … Is Dangerous to Human Life and the Fabric of Our Nation’
In a Jan. 5 executive order, President Donald J. Trump directed the State Department and the Justice Department to assess whether the left-wing Antifa organization should be classified as a "terrorist organization," and to consider listing Antifa as "aliens who are members of an identified criminal organization."
Around the World
Portugal: ‘Woman Dies After COVID-19 Vaccine’ Amid Global Concerns (Worthy News Investigation)
Portugal's authorities investigate the death of a Portuguese health worker who received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against the novel coronavirus following similar reported incidents in other countries.
Iran confirms it has begun enriching uranium to 20% in breach of nuclear pact
Iran confirmed Tuesday that it was now enriching uranium to 20 percent purity, well beyond the threshold set by its 2015 nuclear deal with major powers, sparking international concern.
Iran launches massive ‘drone combat wargames’
The Iranian military on Tuesday launched a massive series of “drone combat wargames” and boasted that its new generation of aircraft — including ominous “suicide drones” — will give Tehran a battlefield edge over its enemies.
East Africa braces for a return of the locusts
The first wave of the pests emerged at the end of 2019, numbering in hundreds of billions, multiplying by a factor of 20 per generation, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The second generation in March and April numbered in the trillions. A plague that spread like wildfire — up to now.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar resume diplomatic relations through US-brokered deal
Saudi Arabia restored its severed ties with Qatar on Tuesday, as the two countries signed a US-brokered agreement to end their dispute and resolve the Gulf crisis that broke out three years ago, Axios reports. A Saudi-led coalition cut diplomatic relations with Qatar in 2017 on the grounds of alleged Qatari support for Iran and terrorist organizations.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel: New Hope, Yamina trail behind Likud in new poll
If Israel was to hold another election today, Likud, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, would remain at the top as the largest party, with right-wing rivals trailing behind, a new poll revealed Tuesday.

Inside the United States
Thousands of Protestors Arrive in DC, Still Contending the Presidential Election Outcome Could Change
As Congress plans for Wednesday’s certification joint session, thousands of demonstrators have come to Washington to protest what they call a stolen election. Part of this effort included a Jericho March, circling the Capitol building seven times.
More than 100 state legislators ask Pence to delay certification of electoral votes by 10 days
More than 100 state legislators from contested battleground states have asked Vice President Mike Pence to delay by 10 days the congressional certification of the elections in their states so they can have more time to investigate irregularities and illegalities.
Arkansas Loses Bid to Reinstate Anti-Abortion Laws at Eighth Circuit
The Eighth Circuit on Tuesday blocked Arkansas’ persistent efforts to usher in some of the nation’s most restrictive abortion measures, striking down a pair of laws barring the procedure after 18 weeks of pregnancy and on the basis of a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome.
US Navy prepares to deploy largest type of underwater drone allowed
On December 23, 2020, the US Navy issued a request for proposals (RFP) for the development of the largest type of underwater drone the Navy can deploy, the Eurasian Times reports. Named “Snakehead,” this type of Large Displacement Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (LDUUV) will be launched from nuclear submarines to conduct electronic warfare (EW) as well as carry out intelligence, surveillance, and anti-mine missions.

Christian News
Church Asks Ninth Circuit to Lift California’s Ban on Indoor Worship
A Ninth Circuit judge Monday expressed concern that California’s effort to curb Covid-19 transmission by banning all indoor religious gatherings could extend into the summer months or beyond if the pandemic worsens, further restricting people’s constitutional right to practice their religion.
China: A Pastor and five women arrested following house church raid by government officials
A house church in China's Taiyuan city was raided by forty government officials who arrested the pastor and five female members of the congregation at the same time, Christian Headlines reported Monday. While the five women were released some hours after the raid, Pastor An Yankui, whose home the church meets in, was detained for 15 days.
Wycliffe Associates Providing Technology That Helps Keeps Bible Translators and Their Work Safe in High-Risk Areas
In regions where Christians risk intense persecution and even death because of their faith, Wycliffe Associates is helping believers translate the Bible for their language communities through its Tablets for National Translators initiative.
Around the World
South Korea, U.S. Demand Iran Release Tanker Seized In Strait Of Hormuz
South Korea and the United States have demanded the release of a South Korean-flagged oil tanker seized by Iranian authorities in the Strait of Hormuz.
Boris Johnson announces coronavirus lockdown, cases continue to rise
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ordered a national lockdown through mid-February in an effort to combat a variant of the coronavirus that is continuing to rapidly spread in the region.
British Court Halts U.S. Extradition Of Wikileaks Founder Julian Assange
A British court says the founder of whistleblower news site Wikileaks, Julian Assange, cannot be extradited to the United States where he is wanted for revealing state secrets. The London judge cited concerns over Assange's mental health and risk of suicide.
US Aircraft Carrier to remain in Persian Gulf because of “recent threats” by Iran
The Pentagon announced Sunday that the US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz will stay in the Persian Gulf because of “recent threats” by Iran, the Times of Israel reported. The announcement came after reports that the vessel would be returning to the US after having patrolled the Gulf since the end of November.
Explosion in Lebanon injures at least 10 people
At least 10 people were injured when an explosion erupted in a warehouse holding gas canisters in Lebanon Sunday, France24 reports. The wounded were rushed to the hospital by Lebanese Red Cross rescuers who had been sent to the site of the explosion near Lebanon’s border with Syria.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Defense minister urges purchase of a third squadron of F-35s
Defense Minister Benny Gantz said Monday that Israel should purchase a third squadron of the advanced F-35 strike aircraft from the US and that he has already brought up the topic with the Washington officials.
Health Ministry releases demo of COVID-19 green passport app
A demo of the proposed design for the green passport app was presented today by coronavirus commissioner Prof. Nachman Ash at a meeting of the Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee on Monday.
Former Mossad chiefs: Iran unlikely to avenge Soleimani assassination until after Biden inauguration
Two former Mossad directors and a former Israeli National Security Council director have each stated that Iran will likely wait until after American President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated on January 20 to seek revenge for the US assassination of Quds Force Chief Qasem Soleimani a year ago, the Jerusalem Post reported Sunday.

Inside the United States
State senators in Georgia want VP Pence to postpone Jan. 6 electoral vote counting
Some Georgia state senators have signed on to a letter requesting that Vice President Mike Pence postpone the count of electoral votes slated to occur this week on Jan. 6.
Pelosi Re-elected US House Speaker
Representative Nancy Pelosi was elected speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Sunday for her fourth term, with a narrower Democratic majority in the chamber and challenges ahead.

Christian News
German Police Raid Church Service Amid Europe Crackdown
German police stormed a church service as pressure mounts on Europe's devoted Christians to stop gathering or accept government rules amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Texas Church Shooting Kills Pastor, Injures Two
A devoted Christian community in the U.S. state of Texas was left grieving after their pastor was killed and two others injured Sunday.