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
Chinese scientists say they’ve achieved a quantum computing breakthrough
Chinese scientists claim to have built a quantum computer that is able to perform certain computations nearly 100 trillion times faster than the world’s most advanced supercomputer, representing the first milestone in the country’s efforts to develop the technology.
Iran tells atomic watchdog it’s adding more centrifuges at underground site
Iran has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency that it plans to install several cascades, or clusters, of advanced uranium-enriching centrifuges at the Natanz plant in violation of its commitments under the nuclear deal, Reuters reported Friday.
EU, Britain Deadlocked Over Trade After Divorce
After Britain's exit from the European Union, or Brexit, the two sides now face deadlock over an important trade deal. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen instructed representatives to secure their annual $1 trillion in trade.
Russia Launching Coronavirus Vaccine Despite Controversy
Russia has become the first country to officially launch a massive immunization effort against the coronavirus, despite concerns about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. Russia provides the vaccine for free to people aged 18 to 60 who don't suffer from chronic illnesses and aren't pregnant or breastfeeding.
Britain Protects COVID Vaccine Maker From Prosecution
The British government has granted Pfizer a legal indemnity protecting it from being sued for possible side effects of its new coronavirus vaccine.
Iran parliament passes bill to increase uranium enrichment to weapons-grade level
Iranian parliament has passed a “double-urgency” bill to increase the level of uranium enrichment to weapons-grade, Jerusalem Online reports. The move follows the recent assassination of top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in Damavand, east of Tehran on November 27.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
61% of Israelis willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19
Some 61% of the Israeli public would be interested in being vaccinated for the coronavirus, a new survey has found. Some 18% would refuse to be vaccinated.
Direct conflict with Israel 'could make Iran regional superpower'
Hardline Iranian daily Kayhan on Sunday called on Tehran not to delay in exacting vengeance for the assassination of the country's nuclear mastermind last month.
‘Israel has tape of slain Iran nuke chief talking about building five warheads’
Israel intelligence managed to recruit an Iranian official close to the recently assassinated Mohsen Fakhrizadeh and recorded the nuclear scientist speaking about his efforts to produce “five warheads” on behalf of the Islamic Republic, according to a Friday report in the Yedioth Ahronoth daily.
Inside the United States
Alito moves up deadline for Pennsylvania officials to respond to lawsuit seeking to block Biden victory
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito changed a key deadline for Pennsylvania officials to respond to a lawsuit from Republicans seeking to flip the state election's result from Joe Biden to President Trump.
Judge orders Trump administration to restore DACA, accept new applicants
A federal judge on Friday ordered the Trump administration to fully restore the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as minors from deportation, scoring a key win for immigrant advocacy groups.
Trump calls for sweeping election reform, ID verification after irregularities in 2020
President Trump is calling for "landmark election reform," including mandatory signature verification for absentee ballots, after a November contest that his campaign says was rife with irregularities.
House Passes Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana
The House on Friday passed a bill to decriminalize marijuana on the federal level with a vote mostly along party lines of 228 to 164 with five Republicans and Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan - a Libertarian - voting with Democrats in favor of it.
Director of National Intelligence says he has given 'thousands of documents to John Durham'
Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said Thursday said that he has given thousands of documents to U.S. Attorney John Durham, but Ratcliffe noted that much of the material includes information that cannot be publicly released.
Christian News
India: Tribal animists attack and hospitalize Christians at child-dedication gathering
Twenty-one Christians were taken to hospital after a large gang of tribal animists attacked a church hall and adjoining home in Chhattisgarh state, India last week, Morning Star News reports. The attackers accused the believers of influencing and converting people to Christianity. Several Christian families have gone into hiding since the attack.
China: Owner of audio Bible company faces trial for conducting illegal business operations
The owner of a company that produces audio Bible players in China’s Guangdong province is due to appear in court on December 7 to answer charges of conducting “illegal business operations,” Morning Star News reports. Lai Jinqiang, owner of Shenzhen Cedar Electronics, faces trial after being arrested together with his six employees on July 22 last year.
Chinese scientists say they’ve achieved a quantum computing breakthrough
Chinese scientists claim to have built a quantum computer that is able to perform certain computations nearly 100 trillion times faster than the world’s most advanced supercomputer, representing the first milestone in the country’s efforts to develop the technology.
Iran tells atomic watchdog it’s adding more centrifuges at underground site
Iran has informed the International Atomic Energy Agency that it plans to install several cascades, or clusters, of advanced uranium-enriching centrifuges at the Natanz plant in violation of its commitments under the nuclear deal, Reuters reported Friday.
EU, Britain Deadlocked Over Trade After Divorce
After Britain's exit from the European Union, or Brexit, the two sides now face deadlock over an important trade deal. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen instructed representatives to secure their annual $1 trillion in trade.
Russia Launching Coronavirus Vaccine Despite Controversy
Russia has become the first country to officially launch a massive immunization effort against the coronavirus, despite concerns about the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness. Russia provides the vaccine for free to people aged 18 to 60 who don't suffer from chronic illnesses and aren't pregnant or breastfeeding.
Britain Protects COVID Vaccine Maker From Prosecution
The British government has granted Pfizer a legal indemnity protecting it from being sued for possible side effects of its new coronavirus vaccine.
Iran parliament passes bill to increase uranium enrichment to weapons-grade level
Iranian parliament has passed a “double-urgency” bill to increase the level of uranium enrichment to weapons-grade, Jerusalem Online reports. The move follows the recent assassination of top Iranian nuclear scientist Mohsen Fakhrizadeh in Damavand, east of Tehran on November 27.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
61% of Israelis willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19
Some 61% of the Israeli public would be interested in being vaccinated for the coronavirus, a new survey has found. Some 18% would refuse to be vaccinated.
Direct conflict with Israel 'could make Iran regional superpower'
Hardline Iranian daily Kayhan on Sunday called on Tehran not to delay in exacting vengeance for the assassination of the country's nuclear mastermind last month.
‘Israel has tape of slain Iran nuke chief talking about building five warheads’
Israel intelligence managed to recruit an Iranian official close to the recently assassinated Mohsen Fakhrizadeh and recorded the nuclear scientist speaking about his efforts to produce “five warheads” on behalf of the Islamic Republic, according to a Friday report in the Yedioth Ahronoth daily.
Inside the United States
Alito moves up deadline for Pennsylvania officials to respond to lawsuit seeking to block Biden victory
Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito changed a key deadline for Pennsylvania officials to respond to a lawsuit from Republicans seeking to flip the state election's result from Joe Biden to President Trump.
Judge orders Trump administration to restore DACA, accept new applicants
A federal judge on Friday ordered the Trump administration to fully restore the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as minors from deportation, scoring a key win for immigrant advocacy groups.
Trump calls for sweeping election reform, ID verification after irregularities in 2020
President Trump is calling for "landmark election reform," including mandatory signature verification for absentee ballots, after a November contest that his campaign says was rife with irregularities.
House Passes Bill to Decriminalize Marijuana
The House on Friday passed a bill to decriminalize marijuana on the federal level with a vote mostly along party lines of 228 to 164 with five Republicans and Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan - a Libertarian - voting with Democrats in favor of it.
Director of National Intelligence says he has given 'thousands of documents to John Durham'
Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe said Thursday said that he has given thousands of documents to U.S. Attorney John Durham, but Ratcliffe noted that much of the material includes information that cannot be publicly released.
Christian News
India: Tribal animists attack and hospitalize Christians at child-dedication gathering
Twenty-one Christians were taken to hospital after a large gang of tribal animists attacked a church hall and adjoining home in Chhattisgarh state, India last week, Morning Star News reports. The attackers accused the believers of influencing and converting people to Christianity. Several Christian families have gone into hiding since the attack.
China: Owner of audio Bible company faces trial for conducting illegal business operations
The owner of a company that produces audio Bible players in China’s Guangdong province is due to appear in court on December 7 to answer charges of conducting “illegal business operations,” Morning Star News reports. Lai Jinqiang, owner of Shenzhen Cedar Electronics, faces trial after being arrested together with his six employees on July 22 last year.
Around the World
John Kerry reveals Biden's devotion to radical 'Great Reset' movement
In June, elites at important international institutions such as the World Economic Forum and the United Nations launched a far-reaching campaign to “reset” the global economy.
China Is Using Human Testing To Develop ‘Biologically Enhanced’ Soldiers, Top Intelligence Official Says
China has conducted human testing on members of its military in an effort to develop “biologically enhanced” soldiers, the head U.S. intelligence wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed Thursday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Hadassah research head raises questions about mRNA vaccine safety
Prof. Yossi Karko, director of the clinical research unit at Hadassah-University Medical Center, has warned that the data published by Moderna and Pfizer about their coronavirus vaccine candidates is limited.
Israel may get 4 million COVID shots this month, start vaccinating
Israel may receive up to four million doses of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine by the end of this month — enough for two million people — and the Health Ministry is preparing health maintenance organizations for the possibility of inoculating some 80,000 Israelis every day, Israeli TV networks reported Thursday.
Inside the United States
Biden Advisers: 'Close Churches, Ban Creationism In Education, Work'
A Democratic group advising self-declared U.S. President-elect Joe Biden suggests that the new administration will curtail religious freedom. It proposes banning limiting Christian worship and outlawing creationism in education or work, among other measures.
Kentucky AG files motion with SCOTUS to keep religious schools open
Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh is set to consider a joint request by the Kentucky Attorney General and a local Christian school to set aside Sunday’s federal appeals court ruling which upheld a state COVID-19 executive order banning in-person classes, Fox News reports.
Trump legal team: Georgia video footage depicts poll workers with 'suitcases filled with ballots'
President Trump's lawyers shared dramatic video footage during a hearing Thursday at the Georgia legislature that they say depicts mysterious briefcases full of ballots being counted in the state after most election workers had been sent home for the night.
California Republican mayor: Not wearing a mask in public is domestic terrorism
The Republican mayor of Lancaster City, California said last week that people who do not wear a mask in public should be arrested on the grounds they are committing domestic terrorism, Los Angeles Daily News reports. A sharp critic of LA County’s COVID-19 lockdown measures, Lancaster Mayor Rex Parris made his remarks at a Supervisors Board meeting amid leaders’ growing frustration about blanket shutdown orders they believe are harming local economies and violating civil liberties.
Supreme Court sides with churches against California on coronavirus restrictions
The Supreme Court on Thursday sided with churches against California's coronavirus gathering restrictions.
Ratcliffe: We can't declassify all of Russiagate's secrets
Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe says he shared thousands of documents with U.S. Attorney John Durham and is counting on the now-special counsel to get the truth out to the public about what he views to be massive wrongdoing by those who conducted the Trump-Russia investigation. But, the spy chief stressed, that doesn't mean all the documents given to the federal prosecutor should be declassified, as some Republicans, including President Trump, have discussed.
Biden to call for 100 days of mask-wearing, asks Fauci to stay on
Joe Biden said Thursday that he will ask Americans to commit to 100 days of wearing masks as one of his first acts as US president, stopping just short of the nationwide mandate he’s pushed before to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
House Prepares for Historic Vote on Marijuana Decriminalization
Nearly two dozen bills were discussed in the House Thursday, with lawmakers largely focusing on setting up rules for debate Friday on the federal decriminalization of marijuana.
Pelosi and McConnell resume talks as Congress rushes to strike a Covid stimulus deal
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke Thursday for the first time since at least the 2020 election as Congress scrambles to strike a coronavirus stimulus deal and prevent a government shutdown.
Defense Policy Board purged
After this column first disclosed the large number of pro-China officials and holdovers from the Obama administration sitting on the Pentagon’s Defense Policy Board, the board has been belatedly purged and new advisers will be named in the coming days.
Christian News
South Korea Charges US Pastor Over ‘Illegal’ Bible Balloons
An American pastor has appealed for prayers after Korean authorities launched criminal proceedings against him for sending Bible balloons across the border into North Korea.
Post-election survey: Vast majority of conservative Christians voted Trump
A new survey conducted after the 2020 presidential election has shown that 97% of politically active conservative Christians voted for Donald Trump, the Christian Post reports. The survey was launched by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University and was conducted from November 3 through November 16, 2020.
John Kerry reveals Biden's devotion to radical 'Great Reset' movement
In June, elites at important international institutions such as the World Economic Forum and the United Nations launched a far-reaching campaign to “reset” the global economy.
China Is Using Human Testing To Develop ‘Biologically Enhanced’ Soldiers, Top Intelligence Official Says
China has conducted human testing on members of its military in an effort to develop “biologically enhanced” soldiers, the head U.S. intelligence wrote in a Wall Street Journal op-ed Thursday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Hadassah research head raises questions about mRNA vaccine safety
Prof. Yossi Karko, director of the clinical research unit at Hadassah-University Medical Center, has warned that the data published by Moderna and Pfizer about their coronavirus vaccine candidates is limited.
Israel may get 4 million COVID shots this month, start vaccinating
Israel may receive up to four million doses of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine by the end of this month — enough for two million people — and the Health Ministry is preparing health maintenance organizations for the possibility of inoculating some 80,000 Israelis every day, Israeli TV networks reported Thursday.
Inside the United States
Biden Advisers: 'Close Churches, Ban Creationism In Education, Work'
A Democratic group advising self-declared U.S. President-elect Joe Biden suggests that the new administration will curtail religious freedom. It proposes banning limiting Christian worship and outlawing creationism in education or work, among other measures.
Kentucky AG files motion with SCOTUS to keep religious schools open
Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh is set to consider a joint request by the Kentucky Attorney General and a local Christian school to set aside Sunday’s federal appeals court ruling which upheld a state COVID-19 executive order banning in-person classes, Fox News reports.
Trump legal team: Georgia video footage depicts poll workers with 'suitcases filled with ballots'
President Trump's lawyers shared dramatic video footage during a hearing Thursday at the Georgia legislature that they say depicts mysterious briefcases full of ballots being counted in the state after most election workers had been sent home for the night.
California Republican mayor: Not wearing a mask in public is domestic terrorism
The Republican mayor of Lancaster City, California said last week that people who do not wear a mask in public should be arrested on the grounds they are committing domestic terrorism, Los Angeles Daily News reports. A sharp critic of LA County’s COVID-19 lockdown measures, Lancaster Mayor Rex Parris made his remarks at a Supervisors Board meeting amid leaders’ growing frustration about blanket shutdown orders they believe are harming local economies and violating civil liberties.
Supreme Court sides with churches against California on coronavirus restrictions
The Supreme Court on Thursday sided with churches against California's coronavirus gathering restrictions.
Ratcliffe: We can't declassify all of Russiagate's secrets
Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe says he shared thousands of documents with U.S. Attorney John Durham and is counting on the now-special counsel to get the truth out to the public about what he views to be massive wrongdoing by those who conducted the Trump-Russia investigation. But, the spy chief stressed, that doesn't mean all the documents given to the federal prosecutor should be declassified, as some Republicans, including President Trump, have discussed.
Biden to call for 100 days of mask-wearing, asks Fauci to stay on
Joe Biden said Thursday that he will ask Americans to commit to 100 days of wearing masks as one of his first acts as US president, stopping just short of the nationwide mandate he’s pushed before to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
House Prepares for Historic Vote on Marijuana Decriminalization
Nearly two dozen bills were discussed in the House Thursday, with lawmakers largely focusing on setting up rules for debate Friday on the federal decriminalization of marijuana.
Pelosi and McConnell resume talks as Congress rushes to strike a Covid stimulus deal
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell spoke Thursday for the first time since at least the 2020 election as Congress scrambles to strike a coronavirus stimulus deal and prevent a government shutdown.
Defense Policy Board purged
After this column first disclosed the large number of pro-China officials and holdovers from the Obama administration sitting on the Pentagon’s Defense Policy Board, the board has been belatedly purged and new advisers will be named in the coming days.
Christian News
South Korea Charges US Pastor Over ‘Illegal’ Bible Balloons
An American pastor has appealed for prayers after Korean authorities launched criminal proceedings against him for sending Bible balloons across the border into North Korea.
Post-election survey: Vast majority of conservative Christians voted Trump
A new survey conducted after the 2020 presidential election has shown that 97% of politically active conservative Christians voted for Donald Trump, the Christian Post reports. The survey was launched by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University and was conducted from November 3 through November 16, 2020.
Around the World
Congressional Report: China is expanding military to project global power
A major congressional report has concluded that China is fast expanding its military such that in the next 10 years it will be capable of prosecuting wars in distant countries around the world, the Washington Times reports. In its annual report published Tuesday, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission concluded that the Chinese government is working to turn the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) into “a global expeditionary force in a matter of decades.”
Trump admin orders Baghdad embassy drawdown due to Iranian Gen. Soleimani killing anniversary
The Trump administration ordered a drawdown of diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq until some time in January due to risks of a potential attack, according to a new report.
Co-founder Hungary's Ruling Party Resigns Over Gay Sex Scandal
European legislator József Szájer, who co-authored Hungary's new constitution banning gay marriage, has resigned after reportedly attending a gay sex party in Brussels.
Iran government votes in favor of suspending U.N. inspections of country's nuclear facilities
Iranian officials have taken a major step to suspend U.N. inspections of the country's nuclear facilities.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Knesset advances motion to disband, moving toward 4th elections in 2 years
The Knesset on Wednesday passed a bill to dissolve, setting the stage for the fourth round of national elections in two years as Defense Minister Benny Gantz and his Blue and White party broke from the coalition and voted in favor of the measure.
Inside the United States
CDC reports lowest numbers of abortions since Roe v Wade (1973)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have published a report showing the number of abortions across the United States has declined by 50% since 1980, CBN News reports.
Trump: Section 230 is a 'serious threat to our national security & election integrity'
President Trump is amplifying pressure to revise a section of the Communications Decency Act that has shielded tech companies from liabilities they would incur if they were considered publishers.
Christian News
Islamic terrorists slaughtered 20 Christians in Democratic Republic of Congo
Terrorists belonging to the Islamic State-linked Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) are believed to be responsible for the deaths of 20 Christians who were murdered in North Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between November 20 and November 25, Morning Star News reports. The number of jihadist attacks on civilians has increased since the DRC army launched a large-scale offensive in October 2019.
Islamic Militants Massacre Christian Farmers in Nigeria
Funeral services were underway in northeast Nigeria on Monday after more than 100 people were killed in suspected Islamic attacks over the weekend.
Congressional Report: China is expanding military to project global power
A major congressional report has concluded that China is fast expanding its military such that in the next 10 years it will be capable of prosecuting wars in distant countries around the world, the Washington Times reports. In its annual report published Tuesday, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission concluded that the Chinese government is working to turn the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) into “a global expeditionary force in a matter of decades.”
Trump admin orders Baghdad embassy drawdown due to Iranian Gen. Soleimani killing anniversary
The Trump administration ordered a drawdown of diplomats at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq until some time in January due to risks of a potential attack, according to a new report.
Co-founder Hungary's Ruling Party Resigns Over Gay Sex Scandal
European legislator József Szájer, who co-authored Hungary's new constitution banning gay marriage, has resigned after reportedly attending a gay sex party in Brussels.
Iran government votes in favor of suspending U.N. inspections of country's nuclear facilities
Iranian officials have taken a major step to suspend U.N. inspections of the country's nuclear facilities.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Knesset advances motion to disband, moving toward 4th elections in 2 years
The Knesset on Wednesday passed a bill to dissolve, setting the stage for the fourth round of national elections in two years as Defense Minister Benny Gantz and his Blue and White party broke from the coalition and voted in favor of the measure.
Inside the United States
CDC reports lowest numbers of abortions since Roe v Wade (1973)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have published a report showing the number of abortions across the United States has declined by 50% since 1980, CBN News reports.
Trump: Section 230 is a 'serious threat to our national security & election integrity'
President Trump is amplifying pressure to revise a section of the Communications Decency Act that has shielded tech companies from liabilities they would incur if they were considered publishers.
Christian News
Islamic terrorists slaughtered 20 Christians in Democratic Republic of Congo
Terrorists belonging to the Islamic State-linked Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) are believed to be responsible for the deaths of 20 Christians who were murdered in North Kivu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between November 20 and November 25, Morning Star News reports. The number of jihadist attacks on civilians has increased since the DRC army launched a large-scale offensive in October 2019.
Islamic Militants Massacre Christian Farmers in Nigeria
Funeral services were underway in northeast Nigeria on Monday after more than 100 people were killed in suspected Islamic attacks over the weekend.