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
China Shuts Down US Consulate in Retaliatory Move
Chinese officials entered and took control of the U.S. Consulate in the city of Chengdu early on Monday, 72 hours after ordering its closure in retaliation for the U.S. decision to shut China’s consulate in Houston. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had called the mission in Houston a “hub of spying and intellectual property theft."
New poll shows global lack of confidence in government handling of COVID-19
A new survey has shown that citizens around the world are losing confidence in their governments over their handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Yahoo News reports. Publishing their report on Saturday, Kekst CNC communications consultancy said: "In most countries this month, support for national governments is falling." The survey came as officials reported over 280,000 daily new cases worldwide on both Thursday and Friday.
Ukraine, Pro-Russian Rebels Launch Tense Ceasefire
Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists began a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine on Monday as part of efforts to end their six-year conflict.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel, Hezbollah trade fire in 'security incident' near Lebanese border
The Israeli military confirmed on Monday there had been a "security incident" on the country's northern border with Lebanon and said its forces were engaged in "ongoing combat" with Hezbollah militants.
Inside the United States
CDC: COVID-Involved Deaths Increased in Weeks Ending July 4 and July 11--But Still 77.5% Below April Peak
After falling for ten straight weeks, COVID-involved deaths in the United States began rising again during the week that ended on July 4 and continued to rise in the week that ended on July 11, according to data published by the CDC.
George Soros contributes record $50M to back 2020 Democratic efforts
Liberal billionaire George Soros is breaking his own record by pouring more than $50 million into Democratic campaigns and causes just months before the November election.
Black Lives Matter's anti-police brutality crusade obscures violent, Marxist agenda
Beyond Black Lives Matter’s drive to eliminate police brutality is a far more extensive leftist ideology that would upend American economic and social life, according to an examination of BLM leaders’ writings and interviews.
Recent Supreme Court ruling being used to force hospital into performing transgender surgery
A recent US Supreme Court ruling has opened the door for a lawsuit that seeks to force a Catholic hospital to carry out transgender surgery, PJ Media reports. Brought by American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Maryland lawsuit is relying on the case of Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) to make its case. In Bostock, Justice Neil Gorsuch led the Court’s four liberals to redefine a person’s “sex” as including transgender identity and sexual orientation. At the time of this ruling, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito warned that Gorsuch’s decision would pave the way for the kind of case that has now been filed.
Christian News
71% of churches meeting for in-person worship, study finds
For most U.S. congregations, in-person worship has returned to mid-March levels despite a nationwide rise in coronavirus cases, a new report says.
More than a thousand gather for religious service on California beach after church closures
More than a thousand people gathered on a beach in California to hold a worship service while churches are closed over coronavirus concerns.
Barclays bank closes account of Christian Charity that help people overcome unwanted same-sex attraction
The leading British bank Barclays has closed the account of a Christian charity which tries to help people overcome unwanted same-sex attraction, Premier Christian News reports.
China Shuts Down US Consulate in Retaliatory Move
Chinese officials entered and took control of the U.S. Consulate in the city of Chengdu early on Monday, 72 hours after ordering its closure in retaliation for the U.S. decision to shut China’s consulate in Houston. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had called the mission in Houston a “hub of spying and intellectual property theft."
New poll shows global lack of confidence in government handling of COVID-19
A new survey has shown that citizens around the world are losing confidence in their governments over their handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Yahoo News reports. Publishing their report on Saturday, Kekst CNC communications consultancy said: "In most countries this month, support for national governments is falling." The survey came as officials reported over 280,000 daily new cases worldwide on both Thursday and Friday.
Ukraine, Pro-Russian Rebels Launch Tense Ceasefire
Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists began a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine on Monday as part of efforts to end their six-year conflict.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel, Hezbollah trade fire in 'security incident' near Lebanese border
The Israeli military confirmed on Monday there had been a "security incident" on the country's northern border with Lebanon and said its forces were engaged in "ongoing combat" with Hezbollah militants.
Inside the United States
CDC: COVID-Involved Deaths Increased in Weeks Ending July 4 and July 11--But Still 77.5% Below April Peak
After falling for ten straight weeks, COVID-involved deaths in the United States began rising again during the week that ended on July 4 and continued to rise in the week that ended on July 11, according to data published by the CDC.
George Soros contributes record $50M to back 2020 Democratic efforts
Liberal billionaire George Soros is breaking his own record by pouring more than $50 million into Democratic campaigns and causes just months before the November election.
Black Lives Matter's anti-police brutality crusade obscures violent, Marxist agenda
Beyond Black Lives Matter’s drive to eliminate police brutality is a far more extensive leftist ideology that would upend American economic and social life, according to an examination of BLM leaders’ writings and interviews.
Recent Supreme Court ruling being used to force hospital into performing transgender surgery
A recent US Supreme Court ruling has opened the door for a lawsuit that seeks to force a Catholic hospital to carry out transgender surgery, PJ Media reports. Brought by American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Maryland lawsuit is relying on the case of Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) to make its case. In Bostock, Justice Neil Gorsuch led the Court’s four liberals to redefine a person’s “sex” as including transgender identity and sexual orientation. At the time of this ruling, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito warned that Gorsuch’s decision would pave the way for the kind of case that has now been filed.
Christian News
71% of churches meeting for in-person worship, study finds
For most U.S. congregations, in-person worship has returned to mid-March levels despite a nationwide rise in coronavirus cases, a new report says.
More than a thousand gather for religious service on California beach after church closures
More than a thousand people gathered on a beach in California to hold a worship service while churches are closed over coronavirus concerns.
Barclays bank closes account of Christian Charity that help people overcome unwanted same-sex attraction
The leading British bank Barclays has closed the account of a Christian charity which tries to help people overcome unwanted same-sex attraction, Premier Christian News reports.
Around the World
Iran moves mock US aircraft carrier to sea as tensions ratchet up
Iran has moved a mock aircraft carrier to the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid heightened tensions between Tehran and the US, satellite photographs released Monday show, likely signaling the Islamic Republic soon plans to use it for live-fire drills.
German Court Sentences Ex-Camp Guard Over Mass Murder
A German court has convicted a 93-year-old former Nazi SS concentration camp guard for complicity in the murder of thousands of prisoners. Bruno Dey was among the last World War Two-era Nazi suspects to face trial in Germany.
80 Journalists Resign From Hungary’s Leading News Site
Some 80 journalists have resigned from Hungary’s leading news website Index.hu amid mounting government pressure on independent and critical media.
Trump and Putin talk on phone about arms control and COVID-19 economic recovery
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone Thursday and discussed arms control and economic recovery in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Washington Times reports. Although this is the first time the two leaders have talked since allegations emerged that Russia had offered bounties for Afghan militants to kill US soldiers, neither the White House nor the Kremlin made mention of this issue in their statements about the call.
Europe On Edge Amid Rise Of Coronavirus Infections
Spain and several other European nations are taking new measures to halt an increase in reported coronavirus cases. The decisions come amid fresh warnings by authorities of a widespread "second wave" of infections.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF strikes Syrian army targets near border after munitions fired at Israel
Israeli attack helicopters on Friday night struck several military targets in southern Syria belonging to the Syrian military, in response to munitions fired at Israel earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces said.
Shin Bet said to have secretly tracked most Israelis’ phones for over 2.5 years
Long before the coronavirus outbreak, the Shin Bet security service was secretly tracking Israelis’ cellphones in a clandestine program to fight the Islamic State terror group that lasted for at least two and a half years, and may still be ongoing, according to a television report Sunday.
Intense Israeli protests against government
Following demonstrations in Tel Aviv, protestors took to the streets of Jerusalem this week to prevent the passing of a controversial law that would give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government powers to impose extensive COVID-19 restrictions on the population without parliamentary oversight until June 2021, CBN News reports.
Inside the United States
Supreme Court rules against Nevada church suing over restrictions during pandemic
The Supreme Court ruled against a Nevada church that was seeking to overturn the state's mandatory cap on attendance because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Federal Officers, Protesters Clash in Violent Weekend Across US
Protests took a violent turn in several U.S. cities over the weekend with demonstrators squaring off against federal agents outside a courthouse in Portland, Oregon, forcing police in Seattle to retreat into a station house and setting fire to vehicles in California and Virginia.
Federal judge denies Oregon attorney general's motion to restrain federal officers in Portland
A federal judge has denied the Oregon attorney general's motion to restrict federal law enforcement activities in Portland, Oregon.
Trump signs 4 executive orders to lower drug prices
President Donald Trump on Friday signed four executive orders he said will lead to "massive" reductions in prescription drug costs.
Christian News
California Christians take to the streets to minister the Gospel as indoor services are banned
While some California Christian leaders have filed lawsuits because state coronavirus measures ban indoor church services, others have seen their congregations grow dramatically in size as Gospel ministry has been forced out of buildings, CBN News reports.
Iran moves mock US aircraft carrier to sea as tensions ratchet up
Iran has moved a mock aircraft carrier to the strategic Strait of Hormuz amid heightened tensions between Tehran and the US, satellite photographs released Monday show, likely signaling the Islamic Republic soon plans to use it for live-fire drills.
German Court Sentences Ex-Camp Guard Over Mass Murder
A German court has convicted a 93-year-old former Nazi SS concentration camp guard for complicity in the murder of thousands of prisoners. Bruno Dey was among the last World War Two-era Nazi suspects to face trial in Germany.
80 Journalists Resign From Hungary’s Leading News Site
Some 80 journalists have resigned from Hungary’s leading news website Index.hu amid mounting government pressure on independent and critical media.
Trump and Putin talk on phone about arms control and COVID-19 economic recovery
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone Thursday and discussed arms control and economic recovery in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Washington Times reports. Although this is the first time the two leaders have talked since allegations emerged that Russia had offered bounties for Afghan militants to kill US soldiers, neither the White House nor the Kremlin made mention of this issue in their statements about the call.
Europe On Edge Amid Rise Of Coronavirus Infections
Spain and several other European nations are taking new measures to halt an increase in reported coronavirus cases. The decisions come amid fresh warnings by authorities of a widespread "second wave" of infections.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF strikes Syrian army targets near border after munitions fired at Israel
Israeli attack helicopters on Friday night struck several military targets in southern Syria belonging to the Syrian military, in response to munitions fired at Israel earlier in the day, the Israel Defense Forces said.
Shin Bet said to have secretly tracked most Israelis’ phones for over 2.5 years
Long before the coronavirus outbreak, the Shin Bet security service was secretly tracking Israelis’ cellphones in a clandestine program to fight the Islamic State terror group that lasted for at least two and a half years, and may still be ongoing, according to a television report Sunday.
Intense Israeli protests against government
Following demonstrations in Tel Aviv, protestors took to the streets of Jerusalem this week to prevent the passing of a controversial law that would give Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government powers to impose extensive COVID-19 restrictions on the population without parliamentary oversight until June 2021, CBN News reports.
Inside the United States
Supreme Court rules against Nevada church suing over restrictions during pandemic
The Supreme Court ruled against a Nevada church that was seeking to overturn the state's mandatory cap on attendance because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Federal Officers, Protesters Clash in Violent Weekend Across US
Protests took a violent turn in several U.S. cities over the weekend with demonstrators squaring off against federal agents outside a courthouse in Portland, Oregon, forcing police in Seattle to retreat into a station house and setting fire to vehicles in California and Virginia.
Federal judge denies Oregon attorney general's motion to restrain federal officers in Portland
A federal judge has denied the Oregon attorney general's motion to restrict federal law enforcement activities in Portland, Oregon.
Trump signs 4 executive orders to lower drug prices
President Donald Trump on Friday signed four executive orders he said will lead to "massive" reductions in prescription drug costs.
Christian News
California Christians take to the streets to minister the Gospel as indoor services are banned
While some California Christian leaders have filed lawsuits because state coronavirus measures ban indoor church services, others have seen their congregations grow dramatically in size as Gospel ministry has been forced out of buildings, CBN News reports.
Around the World
China orders US to close Chengdu consulate as spying spat worsens
China on Friday ordered the United States to close its consulate in the western city of Chengdu, in retaliation for the closure of China's Houston consulate earlier this week.
The US and UK find commonality on China
China was among a range of topics discussed by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London Tuesday, VOA News reports. Pompeo arrived for talks only days after Johnson finally decided to exclude Chinese tech giant Huawei from developing the UK’s 5G phone network, a move Washington has been exhorting for some time.
US-Canada border to remain closed for another month
Because of the number of COVID-19 cases in the US, American and Canadian officials have agreed to keep the border between the two nations closed to all except commercial and essential traffic for another month. Two recent surveys have shown that a large majority of Canadians support the continued closure of the border, VOA News reported Tuesday.
Trump, Putin discuss arms control, Iran nukes in phone call
President Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday about arms control and recovering their economies from the coronavirus pandemic.
German States Ask Congress Not to Remove U.S. Troops
The leaders of four German states wrote to Congress asking for a halt to Washington's troop withdrawal plan from the country, Reuters reported Sunday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Sends Troops to Lebanon Border Amid Threat of Hezbollah Attack
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday beefed up defenses on the country's northern border with Lebanon in anticipation of a potential attack after Hezbollah accused Israel of killing one of its fighters during an alleged air raid in Syria on Monday.
Israel Uncovers Major Archaeological Find from the Times of King Hezekiah, Manasseh
Just a few miles away from Jerusalem’s Old City, archaeologists have unearthed an administrative storage center from the time of Kings Hezekiah and Manasseh about 2,700 years ago.
Inside the United States
Declassified FBI documents show briefing to Trump and Flynn used as pretext to investigate campaign
Declassified FBI documents show the counterintelligence briefing the bureau gave to Donald Trump and his national security team during the 2016 campaign was used as a pretext to gather investigative evidence on the Trump campaign and retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn.
Judge Issues Restraining Order Against Federal Agents in Portland
A judge has issued a restraining order against federal agents deployed in Portland, Oregon, who U.S. President Donald Trump said he sent to protect federal property against anti-police and anti-racism protesters.
Trump cancels Jacksonville, Florida, convention
President Trump has called off the Florida portion of the 2020 Republican National Convention.
Police: Crowd smashes windows, sets fires in Seattle
A group of about 150 people broke windows, stole from businesses and and started a pair of fires in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood Wednesday night, authorities said.
Christian News
Revival in Iran as thousands of Muslims turn to Christ
Thousands of Iranian Muslims have left Islam and have put their faith in Jesus Christ since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Iran in March, CBN News reports.
Americans’ Bible engagement dramatically declining amid COVID-19: survey
The coronavirus pandemic has affected Americans’ Bible engagement, with the number of U.S. adults who read Scripture declining drastically amid the outbreak, a recent study found.
China orders US to close Chengdu consulate as spying spat worsens
China on Friday ordered the United States to close its consulate in the western city of Chengdu, in retaliation for the closure of China's Houston consulate earlier this week.
The US and UK find commonality on China
China was among a range of topics discussed by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in London Tuesday, VOA News reports. Pompeo arrived for talks only days after Johnson finally decided to exclude Chinese tech giant Huawei from developing the UK’s 5G phone network, a move Washington has been exhorting for some time.
US-Canada border to remain closed for another month
Because of the number of COVID-19 cases in the US, American and Canadian officials have agreed to keep the border between the two nations closed to all except commercial and essential traffic for another month. Two recent surveys have shown that a large majority of Canadians support the continued closure of the border, VOA News reported Tuesday.
Trump, Putin discuss arms control, Iran nukes in phone call
President Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday about arms control and recovering their economies from the coronavirus pandemic.
German States Ask Congress Not to Remove U.S. Troops
The leaders of four German states wrote to Congress asking for a halt to Washington's troop withdrawal plan from the country, Reuters reported Sunday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Sends Troops to Lebanon Border Amid Threat of Hezbollah Attack
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Thursday beefed up defenses on the country's northern border with Lebanon in anticipation of a potential attack after Hezbollah accused Israel of killing one of its fighters during an alleged air raid in Syria on Monday.
Israel Uncovers Major Archaeological Find from the Times of King Hezekiah, Manasseh
Just a few miles away from Jerusalem’s Old City, archaeologists have unearthed an administrative storage center from the time of Kings Hezekiah and Manasseh about 2,700 years ago.
Inside the United States
Declassified FBI documents show briefing to Trump and Flynn used as pretext to investigate campaign
Declassified FBI documents show the counterintelligence briefing the bureau gave to Donald Trump and his national security team during the 2016 campaign was used as a pretext to gather investigative evidence on the Trump campaign and retired Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn.
Judge Issues Restraining Order Against Federal Agents in Portland
A judge has issued a restraining order against federal agents deployed in Portland, Oregon, who U.S. President Donald Trump said he sent to protect federal property against anti-police and anti-racism protesters.
Trump cancels Jacksonville, Florida, convention
President Trump has called off the Florida portion of the 2020 Republican National Convention.
Police: Crowd smashes windows, sets fires in Seattle
A group of about 150 people broke windows, stole from businesses and and started a pair of fires in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood Wednesday night, authorities said.
Christian News
Revival in Iran as thousands of Muslims turn to Christ
Thousands of Iranian Muslims have left Islam and have put their faith in Jesus Christ since the COVID-19 pandemic hit Iran in March, CBN News reports.
Americans’ Bible engagement dramatically declining amid COVID-19: survey
The coronavirus pandemic has affected Americans’ Bible engagement, with the number of U.S. adults who read Scripture declining drastically amid the outbreak, a recent study found.