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
U.S. Bombers Fly Near Iran Amid Nuclear Standoff
The United States sends a warning to Iran on Thursday with two American bomber aircraft flying over a swath of the Middle East, officials confirmed.
EU Reaches Deal On 1.8 Trillion Stimulus
European Union leaders agreed on a 1.8 trillion euro ($2.2 trillion) stimulus package after Hungary and Poland withdrew their veto. Both EU member states threatened to torpedo funds if payments were tied to rule-of-laws standards.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Morocco, Israel Start ‘Great Light of Peace’
Israel and Morocco agreed Thursday to normalize relations in a U.S. brokered accord that Israel’s prime minister described as “another great light of peace.”
Inside the United States
Pentagon weighs cutting most of its support to CIA's counterterrorism missions
In a surprising move, the Pentagon has told the Central Intelligence Agency that it is weighing an end to the majority of the military support it provides to the agency's counterterrorism missions, according to a former senior administration intelligence official.
U.S. Military Denies Blocking Biden To Meet Spy Agencies
The U.S. military has rushed to deny reports that it has blocked Joe Biden, who claimed victory in the presidential election, and his team from meeting with intelligence agencies.
U.S. Experts Approve Pfizer Vaccine Despite Side Effects
A U.S. government advisory panel on Thursday endorsed Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine, despite concerns about possible side effects.
127 Abortion Clinics have closed since 2015
The Abortion Care Network has reported that 127 US abortion clinics have closed since 2015, the Christian Post reports. The ACN report suggests most of these clinics closed because of financial constraints and pro-life laws.
California: Appeals court reverses lower court decision to uphold restrictions on church services
A court of appeals has told a lower court that, in light of recent US Supreme Court rulings, it must reconsider its decision to uphold California’s restrictions on in-person worship services, the Christian Post reported Wednesday. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found in favor of Chula Vista’s South Bay United Pentecostal Church, which had argued the pertinent COVID-19 restrictions were discriminatory against houses of worship.
Christian News
Canada court rules church cannot hold drive-in services during COVID-19 lockdown
A judge in Manitoba, Canada has told a church it is not allowed to hold even drive-in services during local COVID-19 lockdown orders, the Daily Wire reports. The current restrictions prohibit houses of worship from holding in-person services.
U.S. Bombers Fly Near Iran Amid Nuclear Standoff
The United States sends a warning to Iran on Thursday with two American bomber aircraft flying over a swath of the Middle East, officials confirmed.
EU Reaches Deal On 1.8 Trillion Stimulus
European Union leaders agreed on a 1.8 trillion euro ($2.2 trillion) stimulus package after Hungary and Poland withdrew their veto. Both EU member states threatened to torpedo funds if payments were tied to rule-of-laws standards.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Morocco, Israel Start ‘Great Light of Peace’
Israel and Morocco agreed Thursday to normalize relations in a U.S. brokered accord that Israel’s prime minister described as “another great light of peace.”
Inside the United States
Pentagon weighs cutting most of its support to CIA's counterterrorism missions
In a surprising move, the Pentagon has told the Central Intelligence Agency that it is weighing an end to the majority of the military support it provides to the agency's counterterrorism missions, according to a former senior administration intelligence official.
U.S. Military Denies Blocking Biden To Meet Spy Agencies
The U.S. military has rushed to deny reports that it has blocked Joe Biden, who claimed victory in the presidential election, and his team from meeting with intelligence agencies.
U.S. Experts Approve Pfizer Vaccine Despite Side Effects
A U.S. government advisory panel on Thursday endorsed Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine, despite concerns about possible side effects.
127 Abortion Clinics have closed since 2015
The Abortion Care Network has reported that 127 US abortion clinics have closed since 2015, the Christian Post reports. The ACN report suggests most of these clinics closed because of financial constraints and pro-life laws.
California: Appeals court reverses lower court decision to uphold restrictions on church services
A court of appeals has told a lower court that, in light of recent US Supreme Court rulings, it must reconsider its decision to uphold California’s restrictions on in-person worship services, the Christian Post reported Wednesday. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals found in favor of Chula Vista’s South Bay United Pentecostal Church, which had argued the pertinent COVID-19 restrictions were discriminatory against houses of worship.
Christian News
Canada court rules church cannot hold drive-in services during COVID-19 lockdown
A judge in Manitoba, Canada has told a church it is not allowed to hold even drive-in services during local COVID-19 lockdown orders, the Daily Wire reports. The current restrictions prohibit houses of worship from holding in-person services.
Around the World
Hungary, Poland agree On EU Stimulus
Hungary and Poland have agreed on a compromise to unblock the European Union’s enormous stimulus package, including the coronavirus rescue fund, several sources told Worthy News.
EU Trade Talks Face 'Moment of Finality' on Weekend, UK Says
Britain's foreign minister said Thursday that negotiations on a trade deal with the European Union will reach a “moment of finality” this weekend, with both sides assessing chances of an agreement as slim.
UK, Canada Sign Trade Agreement
The United Kingdom on Wednesday signed a trade agreement with Canada, days before the end of the Brexit transition period, removing the risk of an estimated £42 million ($56.15 million) tariff burden on UK exports.
UN Chief urges Iran to stop violating nuclear deal
The Secretary-General of the United Nations is trying to persuade Iran to resume its obligations under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear arms deal, the Times of Israel reports. In a report to the Security Council published Tuesday, Antonio Guterres called on Iran to address concerns about its decision last year to begin, among other violations, the enrichment of uranium beyond the agreed limits.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Polls show Sa’ar at 15-18 seats, remaking map and possibly unseating Netanyahu
A day after he announced his departure from Likud and the formation of a new political party to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the country’s leadership, Gideon Sa’ar was off to an extraordinarily strong start Wednesday. Polls on Israel’s three major news networks forecast his nascent New Hope party getting between 15 and 18 seats if the country goes to elections — shaking up the political landscape and introducing several potential paths to coalitions that do not include Netanyahu, while seriously narrowing the premier’s path to leading the next government.
New parts of Herod’s palace unveiled, including 300-seat personal theater
Israeli authorities are set to unveil previously off-limits structures within King Herod’s palace-fortress Herodium, which the tyrannical Roman-era leader interred as his enormous burial plot.
Ministers approve draft of bill to enable adoption by same sex couples
Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn and Welfare Minister Itzik Shmuli on Wednesday approved the draft of a bill that will change a decades-old law permitting adoption only for heterosexual couples and allow same-sex couples to be equally eligible.
Knesset dispersal bill advances with March 16 election date
The Knesset House Committee decided on Wednesday by a ten-to-seven vote to advance the Knesset dispersal bill.
Inside the United States
Son of ‘President-Elect’ Biden Probed Over Tax Dealings
Pressure mounted Wednesday on Joe Biden, who claimed victory in the U.S. presidential election, as his son is being investigated for possible tax evasion.
Missouri, 16 other states file brief supporting Texas suit to delay presidential elector appointment
Missouri led a group of 17 states that Wednesday afternoon filed a brief with the Supreme Court supporting the Texas lawsuit aimed at delaying the appointment of presidential electors from Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Facebook hit with blockbuster antitrust lawsuits by FTC, 46 states
Facebook got slapped with a pair of blockbuster antitrust lawsuits on Wednesday, as government officials accused the Silicon Valley giant of systematically acquiring smaller rivals in order to prevent them from becoming competitive threats.
POLL: Less than half of Americans set to take a COVID-19 vaccine
A new poll finds that only about half of Americans are all in for taking a COVID-19 shot once a vaccine is approved.
YouTube to remove videos challenging 2020 election, but 'Russia collusion' videos left uncensored
Tech giant and Internet video pioneer YouTube this week announced that it will begin to remove videos challenging the results of the 2020 presidential election, a policy it plans to enforce even as numerous videos remain up challenging the outcome of the 2016 election in which Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton.
'A Direct Threat to Christian Education': LGBT Activist Group Calls for Biden to Target Christian Schools
A prominent LGBT rights group is trying to persuade former Vice President Joe Biden and his presumptive administration to adopt guidelines that could lead to the closing of private Christian colleges and universities.
Pro-Life Researchers Find Majority of 'Operation Warp Speed' Vaccines Not Produced with Abortion-Derived Cells
A pro-life research and education organization has published a new chart detailing whether the eight leading COVID-19 vaccine candidates supported by President Trump's "Operation Warp Speed" are produced or tested using cells derived from abortions.
Lung specialist tells Senate committee that Ivermectin anti-parasite medicine is “wonder drug” for COVID-19
A lung specialist at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee has pleaded with a Senate committee to review his study of an anti-parasite drug which he says has produced dramatically positive results in treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients, CNS News reports.
Judge directs stinging rebuke at LA County for outdoor dining ban
A Superior Court judge has said it is “just shocking” that LA County had not “seriously” considered the impact of outdoor dining on the COVID-19 pandemic before banning it indefinitely on November 25, the LA Times reports. Restricting the ban to just three weeks, LA County Superior Court Judge James Chalfant ruled Tuesday that county officials must carry out a risk-benefit analysis if they want to extend the order beyond December 16.
Christian News
Nigeria added to US blacklist of countries which allow religious freedom violations
The United States added Nigeria to a blacklist of countries that violate religious liberties Monday, DW reports. Joining Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and China, Nigeria is now listed as a country “of concern” “under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998."
Hungary, Poland agree On EU Stimulus
Hungary and Poland have agreed on a compromise to unblock the European Union’s enormous stimulus package, including the coronavirus rescue fund, several sources told Worthy News.
EU Trade Talks Face 'Moment of Finality' on Weekend, UK Says
Britain's foreign minister said Thursday that negotiations on a trade deal with the European Union will reach a “moment of finality” this weekend, with both sides assessing chances of an agreement as slim.
UK, Canada Sign Trade Agreement
The United Kingdom on Wednesday signed a trade agreement with Canada, days before the end of the Brexit transition period, removing the risk of an estimated £42 million ($56.15 million) tariff burden on UK exports.
UN Chief urges Iran to stop violating nuclear deal
The Secretary-General of the United Nations is trying to persuade Iran to resume its obligations under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear arms deal, the Times of Israel reports. In a report to the Security Council published Tuesday, Antonio Guterres called on Iran to address concerns about its decision last year to begin, among other violations, the enrichment of uranium beyond the agreed limits.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Polls show Sa’ar at 15-18 seats, remaking map and possibly unseating Netanyahu
A day after he announced his departure from Likud and the formation of a new political party to challenge Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the country’s leadership, Gideon Sa’ar was off to an extraordinarily strong start Wednesday. Polls on Israel’s three major news networks forecast his nascent New Hope party getting between 15 and 18 seats if the country goes to elections — shaking up the political landscape and introducing several potential paths to coalitions that do not include Netanyahu, while seriously narrowing the premier’s path to leading the next government.
New parts of Herod’s palace unveiled, including 300-seat personal theater
Israeli authorities are set to unveil previously off-limits structures within King Herod’s palace-fortress Herodium, which the tyrannical Roman-era leader interred as his enormous burial plot.
Ministers approve draft of bill to enable adoption by same sex couples
Justice Minister Avi Nissenkorn and Welfare Minister Itzik Shmuli on Wednesday approved the draft of a bill that will change a decades-old law permitting adoption only for heterosexual couples and allow same-sex couples to be equally eligible.
Knesset dispersal bill advances with March 16 election date
The Knesset House Committee decided on Wednesday by a ten-to-seven vote to advance the Knesset dispersal bill.
Inside the United States
Son of ‘President-Elect’ Biden Probed Over Tax Dealings
Pressure mounted Wednesday on Joe Biden, who claimed victory in the U.S. presidential election, as his son is being investigated for possible tax evasion.
Missouri, 16 other states file brief supporting Texas suit to delay presidential elector appointment
Missouri led a group of 17 states that Wednesday afternoon filed a brief with the Supreme Court supporting the Texas lawsuit aimed at delaying the appointment of presidential electors from Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Facebook hit with blockbuster antitrust lawsuits by FTC, 46 states
Facebook got slapped with a pair of blockbuster antitrust lawsuits on Wednesday, as government officials accused the Silicon Valley giant of systematically acquiring smaller rivals in order to prevent them from becoming competitive threats.
POLL: Less than half of Americans set to take a COVID-19 vaccine
A new poll finds that only about half of Americans are all in for taking a COVID-19 shot once a vaccine is approved.
YouTube to remove videos challenging 2020 election, but 'Russia collusion' videos left uncensored
Tech giant and Internet video pioneer YouTube this week announced that it will begin to remove videos challenging the results of the 2020 presidential election, a policy it plans to enforce even as numerous videos remain up challenging the outcome of the 2016 election in which Donald Trump beat Hillary Clinton.
'A Direct Threat to Christian Education': LGBT Activist Group Calls for Biden to Target Christian Schools
A prominent LGBT rights group is trying to persuade former Vice President Joe Biden and his presumptive administration to adopt guidelines that could lead to the closing of private Christian colleges and universities.
Pro-Life Researchers Find Majority of 'Operation Warp Speed' Vaccines Not Produced with Abortion-Derived Cells
A pro-life research and education organization has published a new chart detailing whether the eight leading COVID-19 vaccine candidates supported by President Trump's "Operation Warp Speed" are produced or tested using cells derived from abortions.
Lung specialist tells Senate committee that Ivermectin anti-parasite medicine is “wonder drug” for COVID-19
A lung specialist at Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center in Milwaukee has pleaded with a Senate committee to review his study of an anti-parasite drug which he says has produced dramatically positive results in treating hospitalized COVID-19 patients, CNS News reports.
Judge directs stinging rebuke at LA County for outdoor dining ban
A Superior Court judge has said it is “just shocking” that LA County had not “seriously” considered the impact of outdoor dining on the COVID-19 pandemic before banning it indefinitely on November 25, the LA Times reports. Restricting the ban to just three weeks, LA County Superior Court Judge James Chalfant ruled Tuesday that county officials must carry out a risk-benefit analysis if they want to extend the order beyond December 16.
Christian News
Nigeria added to US blacklist of countries which allow religious freedom violations
The United States added Nigeria to a blacklist of countries that violate religious liberties Monday, DW reports. Joining Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and China, Nigeria is now listed as a country “of concern” “under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998."
Around the World
British Grandmother First Person To Receive COVID-19 Jab
A British grandmother has become the world’s first person to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 injection as part of a controversial global vaccination program.
President Macron says France will do business with Egypt while disagreeing with President el-Sissi’s crackdown on critics
French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that France will continue to make economic and defense deals with Egypt, despite Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi’s heaviest crackdown on dissent in the Arab country’s modern history, the Washington Times reports. While he gave this assurance during the Egyptian leader’s two-day state visit to France, Macron emphasized that he and el-Sissi have “disagreements” on human rights issues.
Over 1,000 Chinese researchers leave US amid crackdown on technology theft
The United States Department of Justice has announced that over 1,000 Chinese researchers have left America amid a US national security crackdown on alleged technology theft, Sky News reported Thursday. The researchers are believed to be connected to China's People's Liberation Army.
Brexit negotiations at a stalemate as Britain, EU free-trade deal teetering on collapse
Britain and the European Union warned Tuesday that talks on a post-Brexit free-trade deal are teetering on the brink of collapse, with just over three weeks until an economic rupture that will cause upheaval for businesses on both sides of the English Channel.
Norway Expands Transgender 'Hate Speech' Law to Include Private Comments in One's Own Home
Norway's government has now barred its citizens from speaking against transgender people even in their own homes.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Gideon Sa’ar quits Likud, ‘a tool for Netanyahu’s interests,’ to lead ‘New Hope’
Likud MK Gideon Sa’ar, long seen as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief rival within Likud, on Tuesday announced he was quitting Likud and will form his own right-wing party, to be called “New Hope,” and run for the premiership in the next election.
Inside the United States
Texas files lawsuit directly to Supreme Court challenging election results in four states
In a novel legal strike, the state of Texas has asked the Supreme Court to invalidate the election results in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, arguing officials in those four battleground states violated the Constitution by making changes to how ballots were cast and counted without legislative approval.
House overwhelmingly approves defense bill over Trump veto threat
The House voted overwhelmingly to pass a critical defense bill that President Trump has threatened to veto because it lacks new language that would punish social media firms.
In newly surfaced July interview, Fauci warns that widely used COVID tests may pick up 'dead' virus
In a newly resurfaced video from July, Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared to acknowledge that large numbers of positive COVID-19 cases may arise from oversensitive tests that pick up mere fragments of the virus rather than active, viable infections.
Trump signs order prioritizing US in coronavirus vaccine distribution
President Trump signed an executive order Tuesday aimed at prioritizing shipment of the coronavirus vaccine to Americans over other countries as the United States inches closer to authorizing the first shots.
Christian News
Nigeria added to US blacklist of countries which allow religious freedom violations
The United States added Nigeria to a blacklist of countries that violate religious liberties Monday, DW reports. Joining Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and China, Nigeria is now listed as a country “of concern” “under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998."
Swiss court pauses ban on religious services in Geneva
Switzerland’s Constitutional Chamber has ordered the suspension of a COVID-19 ban on religious gatherings in the Canton of Geneva, enabling churches in the region to resume in-person services again, Christian Post reports. The court will make a final ruling on the ban in due course but has reportedly indicated that the likelihood it will permanently strike down the ban is “high.”
British Grandmother First Person To Receive COVID-19 Jab
A British grandmother has become the world’s first person to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 injection as part of a controversial global vaccination program.
President Macron says France will do business with Egypt while disagreeing with President el-Sissi’s crackdown on critics
French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that France will continue to make economic and defense deals with Egypt, despite Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi’s heaviest crackdown on dissent in the Arab country’s modern history, the Washington Times reports. While he gave this assurance during the Egyptian leader’s two-day state visit to France, Macron emphasized that he and el-Sissi have “disagreements” on human rights issues.
Over 1,000 Chinese researchers leave US amid crackdown on technology theft
The United States Department of Justice has announced that over 1,000 Chinese researchers have left America amid a US national security crackdown on alleged technology theft, Sky News reported Thursday. The researchers are believed to be connected to China's People's Liberation Army.
Brexit negotiations at a stalemate as Britain, EU free-trade deal teetering on collapse
Britain and the European Union warned Tuesday that talks on a post-Brexit free-trade deal are teetering on the brink of collapse, with just over three weeks until an economic rupture that will cause upheaval for businesses on both sides of the English Channel.
Norway Expands Transgender 'Hate Speech' Law to Include Private Comments in One's Own Home
Norway's government has now barred its citizens from speaking against transgender people even in their own homes.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Gideon Sa’ar quits Likud, ‘a tool for Netanyahu’s interests,’ to lead ‘New Hope’
Likud MK Gideon Sa’ar, long seen as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s chief rival within Likud, on Tuesday announced he was quitting Likud and will form his own right-wing party, to be called “New Hope,” and run for the premiership in the next election.
Inside the United States
Texas files lawsuit directly to Supreme Court challenging election results in four states
In a novel legal strike, the state of Texas has asked the Supreme Court to invalidate the election results in Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Georgia, arguing officials in those four battleground states violated the Constitution by making changes to how ballots were cast and counted without legislative approval.
House overwhelmingly approves defense bill over Trump veto threat
The House voted overwhelmingly to pass a critical defense bill that President Trump has threatened to veto because it lacks new language that would punish social media firms.
In newly surfaced July interview, Fauci warns that widely used COVID tests may pick up 'dead' virus
In a newly resurfaced video from July, Dr. Anthony Fauci appeared to acknowledge that large numbers of positive COVID-19 cases may arise from oversensitive tests that pick up mere fragments of the virus rather than active, viable infections.
Trump signs order prioritizing US in coronavirus vaccine distribution
President Trump signed an executive order Tuesday aimed at prioritizing shipment of the coronavirus vaccine to Americans over other countries as the United States inches closer to authorizing the first shots.
Christian News
Nigeria added to US blacklist of countries which allow religious freedom violations
The United States added Nigeria to a blacklist of countries that violate religious liberties Monday, DW reports. Joining Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and China, Nigeria is now listed as a country “of concern” “under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998."
Swiss court pauses ban on religious services in Geneva
Switzerland’s Constitutional Chamber has ordered the suspension of a COVID-19 ban on religious gatherings in the Canton of Geneva, enabling churches in the region to resume in-person services again, Christian Post reports. The court will make a final ruling on the ban in due course but has reportedly indicated that the likelihood it will permanently strike down the ban is “high.”