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
Hundreds of Thousands of Homeless After Blast Devastates Beirut
Hundreds of thousands of people, including many Christians were homeless in Beirut on Wednesday after an explosion killed at least 135 people and injured 5,000 others.
Dozens Injured As France Battles Blaze Amid Pandemic
France faced two battles Wednesday with firefighters struggling to contain wildfires and authorities warning of a new wave of coronavirus infections.
US Action Against IS Financier Shows Jihadists’ Cash Flow Continues from Turkey
The U.S. designation last week of a new Turkey-based member of the notorious Rawi Network for allegedly facilitating money transfers to the Islamic State (IS) in Syria has raised fresh concerns among observers that jihadists continue to use Turkey to fund their activities in Syria.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu warns Hezbollah amid high tensions along northern border
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday warned the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah and others, after Israeli forces said they thwarted an infiltration attempt from Syria by suspected militants.
Inside the United States
Facebook Removes President Trump Post Over Virus “Misinformation”
Social media giant Facebook confirmed Wednesday that it removed President Donald Trump’s post of a Fox News television interview in which he claimed that children are “almost immune” from COVID-19.
Trump signs law assigning $3 billion a year for conservation
Following overwhelming bipartisan Congressional support for the measure, on Tuesday President Donald Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act that will assign $3 billion a year to conservation, outdoor recreation, and maintenance of national parks and other public lands, USA News reports.
Minneapolis commission expected to approve proposal to replace police department with public safety department
A majority in a Minneapolis commission is expected to support a City Council proposal Wednesday to dismantle the city’s Police Department and replace it with a new “Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention,” the Washington Times reports. If the amendment proceeds to a ballot in November, voters will be given the last word. The proposal follows the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25.
Poll finds American parents are split along party lines on their views of COVID-19
A new Gallup poll has shown American parents are divided along party lines when it comes to their views on the coronavirus pandemic, its effect on their children and on whether schools should reopen, the Washington Times reports. Among its findings, the poll showed that 85% of parents who identify as Democrats and 29% who identify as Republicans are concerned their child might contract COVID-19.
Trump and Pence Endorse Absentee Ballots, But Warn Universal Mail-In Ballots Are a 'Disaster'
In separate appearances on Monday, President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence made it clear they support absentee voting, but not universal mail-in voting, where states "take millions of ballots and send them all over the place," in Trump's words.
Defund the police? 81% of Black Americans want the same or more law enforcement in their areas
Black Lives Matter wants to defund the police, but most Black Americans like their law-enforcement presence the way it is.
Yates Testifies She Would Not Have Approved Carter Page Surveillance if She Had Known About Errors
During testimony on Capitol Hill Wednesday former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates said if she had it to do all over again, she would not have signed a warrant application allowing the 2016 investigation into Russian election interference to go forward. That's because the application to surveil Trump aide Carter Page contained incorrect and incomplete information, something Yates says she did not know at the time.
Biden: ‘I’ll Send a Bill to Congress Creating a Clear Roadmap to Citizenship for…11 Million Undocumented People’
Former Vice President Joe Biden sent out a tweet on Tuesday night saying that on his first day as president—if he is elected—he will send a bill to Congress creating a “roadmap” to citizenship for 11 million illegal aliens he calls “Dreamers.”
Rioters vandalize, set fire at Portland Police Association office: police
Protesters-turned-rioters vandalized and broke into Portland’s Police Association office on Tuesday night, setting fires at the building and elsewhere nearby, police said Wednesday morning.
Eighteen of 20 board members tasked with oversight of Facebook fact-checking have ties to George Soros or his organization: Report
The vast majority of Facebook’s “independent oversight board” established with authority to allow or remove content from the platform have ties to liberal billionaire George Soros or groups he supports, according to a new report.
Christian News
Studio’s Christian Broadcaster Damaged In Beirut Blast
The only Arabic Christian broadcaster in Lebanon said Wednesday that it continued broadcasting despite suffering minor damages to its studios in Beirut, where a massive blast killed at least 135 people and injured 5,000 others.
Hundreds of Thousands of Homeless After Blast Devastates Beirut
Hundreds of thousands of people, including many Christians were homeless in Beirut on Wednesday after an explosion killed at least 135 people and injured 5,000 others.
Dozens Injured As France Battles Blaze Amid Pandemic
France faced two battles Wednesday with firefighters struggling to contain wildfires and authorities warning of a new wave of coronavirus infections.
US Action Against IS Financier Shows Jihadists’ Cash Flow Continues from Turkey
The U.S. designation last week of a new Turkey-based member of the notorious Rawi Network for allegedly facilitating money transfers to the Islamic State (IS) in Syria has raised fresh concerns among observers that jihadists continue to use Turkey to fund their activities in Syria.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu warns Hezbollah amid high tensions along northern border
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday warned the Lebanese terror group Hezbollah and others, after Israeli forces said they thwarted an infiltration attempt from Syria by suspected militants.
Inside the United States
Facebook Removes President Trump Post Over Virus “Misinformation”
Social media giant Facebook confirmed Wednesday that it removed President Donald Trump’s post of a Fox News television interview in which he claimed that children are “almost immune” from COVID-19.
Trump signs law assigning $3 billion a year for conservation
Following overwhelming bipartisan Congressional support for the measure, on Tuesday President Donald Trump signed the Great American Outdoors Act that will assign $3 billion a year to conservation, outdoor recreation, and maintenance of national parks and other public lands, USA News reports.
Minneapolis commission expected to approve proposal to replace police department with public safety department
A majority in a Minneapolis commission is expected to support a City Council proposal Wednesday to dismantle the city’s Police Department and replace it with a new “Department of Community Safety and Violence Prevention,” the Washington Times reports. If the amendment proceeds to a ballot in November, voters will be given the last word. The proposal follows the death of George Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis on May 25.
Poll finds American parents are split along party lines on their views of COVID-19
A new Gallup poll has shown American parents are divided along party lines when it comes to their views on the coronavirus pandemic, its effect on their children and on whether schools should reopen, the Washington Times reports. Among its findings, the poll showed that 85% of parents who identify as Democrats and 29% who identify as Republicans are concerned their child might contract COVID-19.
Trump and Pence Endorse Absentee Ballots, But Warn Universal Mail-In Ballots Are a 'Disaster'
In separate appearances on Monday, President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence made it clear they support absentee voting, but not universal mail-in voting, where states "take millions of ballots and send them all over the place," in Trump's words.
Defund the police? 81% of Black Americans want the same or more law enforcement in their areas
Black Lives Matter wants to defund the police, but most Black Americans like their law-enforcement presence the way it is.
Yates Testifies She Would Not Have Approved Carter Page Surveillance if She Had Known About Errors
During testimony on Capitol Hill Wednesday former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates said if she had it to do all over again, she would not have signed a warrant application allowing the 2016 investigation into Russian election interference to go forward. That's because the application to surveil Trump aide Carter Page contained incorrect and incomplete information, something Yates says she did not know at the time.
Biden: ‘I’ll Send a Bill to Congress Creating a Clear Roadmap to Citizenship for…11 Million Undocumented People’
Former Vice President Joe Biden sent out a tweet on Tuesday night saying that on his first day as president—if he is elected—he will send a bill to Congress creating a “roadmap” to citizenship for 11 million illegal aliens he calls “Dreamers.”
Rioters vandalize, set fire at Portland Police Association office: police
Protesters-turned-rioters vandalized and broke into Portland’s Police Association office on Tuesday night, setting fires at the building and elsewhere nearby, police said Wednesday morning.
Eighteen of 20 board members tasked with oversight of Facebook fact-checking have ties to George Soros or his organization: Report
The vast majority of Facebook’s “independent oversight board” established with authority to allow or remove content from the platform have ties to liberal billionaire George Soros or groups he supports, according to a new report.
Christian News
Studio’s Christian Broadcaster Damaged In Beirut Blast
The only Arabic Christian broadcaster in Lebanon said Wednesday that it continued broadcasting despite suffering minor damages to its studios in Beirut, where a massive blast killed at least 135 people and injured 5,000 others.
Around the World
Lebanon Mourns As Blasts Kills Dozens, Injures Thousands
Lebanon’s prime minister has declared a national day of mourning after his nation’s worst explosion in years devastated Beirut killing scores of people and injuring thousands.
US Troop Size in Afghanistan Will Reduce to 4,000 'Very Soon', Trump Says
U.S. President Donald Trump has said the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan will be reduced to “anywhere from 4,000 to 5,000” troops by November this year.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Mulls Imposing Another Lockdown to Fight Virus
Israeli leaders are considering reinstating a full lockdown in August as the country continues to battle a second wave of the coronavirus.
Inside the United States
Hundreds of Domestic Terrorism Investigations Opened Since Start of George Floyd Protests, Official Says
The FBI has opened more than 300 domestic terrorism investigations since late May and arrested nearly 100 people in Portland, Oregon, a focal point of the George Floyd protests, a top federal prosecutor said on Tuesday.
White House, Democrats Aim to Have Coronavirus Aid Deal by End of Week
White House officials and top congressional Democrats plan to meet again Wednesday as they aim to agree on a new coronavirus aid package by the end of the week.
Americans' distrust in media at alarming levels, poll reveals
Americans’ distrust for the news media to tell the story straight has reached unprecedented levels, an alarming development for any functioning democracy, a new poll reveals.
Trump administration awarding $35 million in grants to help survivors of human trafficking
The Trump administration is awarding over $35 million in Justice Department grants to provide safe housing for survivors of human trafficking, AP News reports. An announcement is being made Tuesday at a White House event attended by survivors of human trafficking, organizations that support them, Attorney General William Barr and Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter, and special adviser.
Christian News
Virtual Bible Translation Workshops Keep Projects Moving Forward, Despite Travel Restrictions and Targeting by Authorities
Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that empowers mother-tongue Bible translators and partners with local churches in the advancement of Bible translation, has developed a virtual rendition of its MAST (Mobilized Assistance Supporting Translation) methodology.
Member of Anglican Church in Iran imprisoned for being hostile to the regime
A Christian convert in Iran has won an appeal against conviction for “insulting the sacred beliefs of Muslims,” but lost his appeal against two charges of inciting “propaganda against the state” and for “membership of a [“Zionist” evangelical] group hostile to the regime” respectively, the Christian Post reports. Ismaeil Maghrebinejad was arrested in January 2019 and sentenced by a civil court in January 2020 to a total of six years imprisonment on the original three charges.
Christians in Indian state of Haryana facing fears of proposed anti-conversion law
The Chief Minister of India’s Haryana state has announced he proposes to add a Freedom of Religion Act that would criminalize forced conversions, Persecution.org reports. Commonly referred to as anti-conversion laws, such legislation has already been enacted in eight other Indian states. The announcement on June 16 by Manohar Lal Khattar has reportedly caused serious concerns to Haryana Christians: radical Hindus have used this law in other states to justify attacks on Christians and their places of worship.
Lebanon Mourns As Blasts Kills Dozens, Injures Thousands
Lebanon’s prime minister has declared a national day of mourning after his nation’s worst explosion in years devastated Beirut killing scores of people and injuring thousands.
US Troop Size in Afghanistan Will Reduce to 4,000 'Very Soon', Trump Says
U.S. President Donald Trump has said the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan will be reduced to “anywhere from 4,000 to 5,000” troops by November this year.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Mulls Imposing Another Lockdown to Fight Virus
Israeli leaders are considering reinstating a full lockdown in August as the country continues to battle a second wave of the coronavirus.
Inside the United States
Hundreds of Domestic Terrorism Investigations Opened Since Start of George Floyd Protests, Official Says
The FBI has opened more than 300 domestic terrorism investigations since late May and arrested nearly 100 people in Portland, Oregon, a focal point of the George Floyd protests, a top federal prosecutor said on Tuesday.
White House, Democrats Aim to Have Coronavirus Aid Deal by End of Week
White House officials and top congressional Democrats plan to meet again Wednesday as they aim to agree on a new coronavirus aid package by the end of the week.
Americans' distrust in media at alarming levels, poll reveals
Americans’ distrust for the news media to tell the story straight has reached unprecedented levels, an alarming development for any functioning democracy, a new poll reveals.
Trump administration awarding $35 million in grants to help survivors of human trafficking
The Trump administration is awarding over $35 million in Justice Department grants to provide safe housing for survivors of human trafficking, AP News reports. An announcement is being made Tuesday at a White House event attended by survivors of human trafficking, organizations that support them, Attorney General William Barr and Ivanka Trump, the president’s daughter, and special adviser.
Christian News
Virtual Bible Translation Workshops Keep Projects Moving Forward, Despite Travel Restrictions and Targeting by Authorities
Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that empowers mother-tongue Bible translators and partners with local churches in the advancement of Bible translation, has developed a virtual rendition of its MAST (Mobilized Assistance Supporting Translation) methodology.
Member of Anglican Church in Iran imprisoned for being hostile to the regime
A Christian convert in Iran has won an appeal against conviction for “insulting the sacred beliefs of Muslims,” but lost his appeal against two charges of inciting “propaganda against the state” and for “membership of a [“Zionist” evangelical] group hostile to the regime” respectively, the Christian Post reports. Ismaeil Maghrebinejad was arrested in January 2019 and sentenced by a civil court in January 2020 to a total of six years imprisonment on the original three charges.
Christians in Indian state of Haryana facing fears of proposed anti-conversion law
The Chief Minister of India’s Haryana state has announced he proposes to add a Freedom of Religion Act that would criminalize forced conversions, Persecution.org reports. Commonly referred to as anti-conversion laws, such legislation has already been enacted in eight other Indian states. The announcement on June 16 by Manohar Lal Khattar has reportedly caused serious concerns to Haryana Christians: radical Hindus have used this law in other states to justify attacks on Christians and their places of worship.
Around the World
North Korea has 'probably' developed nuclear devices to fit ballistic missiles, U.N. report says
North Korea is pressing on with its nuclear weapons program and several countries believe it has “probably developed miniaturized nuclear devices to fit into the warheads of its ballistic missiles,” according to a confidential U.N. report.
Locust Swarms Invade Southern Russia, Cause Colossal Damage
Locust swarms have invaded Russia's southern regions causing colossal damage to the local agriculture.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli court upholds block on Palestinian Authority payments to terrorists
The Tel-Aviv District Court ruled in favor of an Israeli government crack-down on Palestinian Authority (PA) payments to convicted terrorists in prison, Israel Hayom reported.
15 said killed in mystery airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias in Syria
At least 15 people were killed in a mystery air attack on a base used by Iranian forces and Iranian-backed militias, a war monitor group focused on Syria said Tuesday.
IDF strikes Syrian military targets in response to attempted border attack
The Israeli military conducted a series of airstrikes on Syrian military targets late Monday night in response to an attempted attack on the border in the Golan Heights the night before, the Israel Defense Forces said.
Likud minister: If Gantz fails to back budget, we’ll form alternative government
Regional Cooperation Minister Ofir Akunis warned Monday that if the Blue and White party does not back a single-year budget as pushed by his Likud party, the latter will seek to replace the unity coalition with an alternative government of 61 MKs.
Netanyahu: West Bank annexation ‘not off the table’; issue ‘is in Washington’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday told his Likud faction meeting that Israel’s planned annexation of West Bank land is not off the table, but is being held up by the US administration.
Inside the United States
Isaias strengthens to hurricane and is expected to drive damaging winds and rain up East Coast
Hurricane Isaias has regained strength and is now set to barrel up the entire East Coast, bringing with it wind and the potential for flooding.
2 protesters arrested after allegedly writing ‘Black Pre-Born Lives Matter’ in chalk on sidewalk
Two anti-abortion protesters were arrested on Saturday outside a Washington, D.C., Planned Parenthood facility after police said they chalked “Black Pre-Born Lives Matter” on the sidewalk outside the facility, a report said.
CDC: COVID-Involved Deaths Drop 8.29% for Week Ending July 18
The most recent death certificates submitted to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that COVID-involved deaths in this country declined in the second half of July.
Christian News
China's Government 'Bans Believing in God' Amid Church Crackdown
China's Communist leadership has ordered devoted Christians not to believe in God, well-informed activists, and local believers say. "Attacks on house churches have intensified across China. Police and government officials raid places of worship and intimidate congregations," added Shen Xiang, who writes for Bitter Winter, a respected religious rights magazine on China.
Uganda Christians murdered for preaching the Gospel to Muslims
Reports emerged this week that Islamic extremists in eastern Uganda have murdered a pastor and a church member for preaching the Gospel to Muslims, the Christian Post reported Saturday. Pastor Peter Kyakulaga and parishioner Tuule Mumbya of Church of Christ were beaten and drowned in a lake in Lugonyola village in the Gadumire Sub-County of Kaliro District on June 22. Church leaders have reportedly asked the local Christian community not to retaliate, but to be in prayer instead, the Christian Post said.
Turkey has begun forcing foreign Christians to leave
Foreign Christians are being told to leave Turkey and others have been barred from re-entering the country, Morning Star News reported Sunday. Rights advocates have said the Turkish government seems to be purposefully aiming such actions against Protestant Christians.
California churches rally against Newsom coronavirus restrictions
California churches this weekend rallied against Gov. Gavin Newsom's worship restrictions as many pastors continue to disregard state-imposed bans on singing and indoor services.
North Korea has 'probably' developed nuclear devices to fit ballistic missiles, U.N. report says
North Korea is pressing on with its nuclear weapons program and several countries believe it has “probably developed miniaturized nuclear devices to fit into the warheads of its ballistic missiles,” according to a confidential U.N. report.
Locust Swarms Invade Southern Russia, Cause Colossal Damage
Locust swarms have invaded Russia's southern regions causing colossal damage to the local agriculture.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli court upholds block on Palestinian Authority payments to terrorists
The Tel-Aviv District Court ruled in favor of an Israeli government crack-down on Palestinian Authority (PA) payments to convicted terrorists in prison, Israel Hayom reported.
15 said killed in mystery airstrikes on Iranian-backed militias in Syria
At least 15 people were killed in a mystery air attack on a base used by Iranian forces and Iranian-backed militias, a war monitor group focused on Syria said Tuesday.
IDF strikes Syrian military targets in response to attempted border attack
The Israeli military conducted a series of airstrikes on Syrian military targets late Monday night in response to an attempted attack on the border in the Golan Heights the night before, the Israel Defense Forces said.
Likud minister: If Gantz fails to back budget, we’ll form alternative government
Regional Cooperation Minister Ofir Akunis warned Monday that if the Blue and White party does not back a single-year budget as pushed by his Likud party, the latter will seek to replace the unity coalition with an alternative government of 61 MKs.
Netanyahu: West Bank annexation ‘not off the table’; issue ‘is in Washington’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday told his Likud faction meeting that Israel’s planned annexation of West Bank land is not off the table, but is being held up by the US administration.
Inside the United States
Isaias strengthens to hurricane and is expected to drive damaging winds and rain up East Coast
Hurricane Isaias has regained strength and is now set to barrel up the entire East Coast, bringing with it wind and the potential for flooding.
2 protesters arrested after allegedly writing ‘Black Pre-Born Lives Matter’ in chalk on sidewalk
Two anti-abortion protesters were arrested on Saturday outside a Washington, D.C., Planned Parenthood facility after police said they chalked “Black Pre-Born Lives Matter” on the sidewalk outside the facility, a report said.
CDC: COVID-Involved Deaths Drop 8.29% for Week Ending July 18
The most recent death certificates submitted to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that COVID-involved deaths in this country declined in the second half of July.
Christian News
China's Government 'Bans Believing in God' Amid Church Crackdown
China's Communist leadership has ordered devoted Christians not to believe in God, well-informed activists, and local believers say. "Attacks on house churches have intensified across China. Police and government officials raid places of worship and intimidate congregations," added Shen Xiang, who writes for Bitter Winter, a respected religious rights magazine on China.
Uganda Christians murdered for preaching the Gospel to Muslims
Reports emerged this week that Islamic extremists in eastern Uganda have murdered a pastor and a church member for preaching the Gospel to Muslims, the Christian Post reported Saturday. Pastor Peter Kyakulaga and parishioner Tuule Mumbya of Church of Christ were beaten and drowned in a lake in Lugonyola village in the Gadumire Sub-County of Kaliro District on June 22. Church leaders have reportedly asked the local Christian community not to retaliate, but to be in prayer instead, the Christian Post said.
Turkey has begun forcing foreign Christians to leave
Foreign Christians are being told to leave Turkey and others have been barred from re-entering the country, Morning Star News reported Sunday. Rights advocates have said the Turkish government seems to be purposefully aiming such actions against Protestant Christians.
California churches rally against Newsom coronavirus restrictions
California churches this weekend rallied against Gov. Gavin Newsom's worship restrictions as many pastors continue to disregard state-imposed bans on singing and indoor services.