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
Erdogan Defies the West to Make Turkey a Regional Power
When President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reopens Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia for prayers next week, it will be the crowning symbol of his mission to reassert Turkey’s role as a Muslim power on the global stage. Yet Turkey’s rarely seemed more alone.
US, India Discuss ‘Possibility’ of Free Trade Pact
The U.S. and India discussed the “possibility” of a free trade pact, India’s Commerce and Industry Ministry said in a statement Thursday, just days after India began free trade agreement talks with the European Union.
US, Gulf Nations Issue Sanctions on 6 Targets for Ties to Islamic State
The United States and six Gulf countries on Wednesday imposed sanctions on six targets Washington has accused of supporting Islamic State operations, including by funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to leaders of the group in Iraq and Syria.
In yet another blast in Iran, explosion hits power plant in Isfahan
An explosion was reported Sunday at a power station in the central Iranian province of Isfahan, the latest in a mysterious series of blasts and blazes that have occurred throughout the country.
EU Tensions Escalate Over 2 Trillion Budget and Coronavirus Aid
European Union negotiations on an unprecedented nearly two trillion euro budget and coronavirus recovery fund entered the third day amid warnings the summit could end without an agreement.
Russian Spies Try Stealing Coronavirus Vaccine Research
Western security services say Russian spies try to steal coronavirus research in several Western nations. Britain's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warned Friday that Russian hackers "almost certainly" operated as "part of Russian intelligence services."
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel approves next phase of massive gas pipeline to Europe
The government on Sunday approved the advancement of the Eastern Mediterranean gas pipeline project, a massive 6 million Euros ($7 billion) venture that will carry gas from Israel’s offshore oil fields to Europe, the news website The Marker reported.
Cyber-attacks against Israel’s water infrastructure
Israel’s Water Authority has confirmed that two cyber-attacks were carried out against the country’s water infrastructure in recent weeks, Ynet News reported Thursday. These attacks follow an alleged attack by Iran on Israel’s drinking water in April. In a statement, the water authority said no damage had been caused in the latest attacks.
Hamas admits a naval officer spied for Israel
A military spokesman for Palestinian terrorist organization, Hamas, has confirmed that one of its commanders had been a spy for Israel and had now defected to the Jewish state, Media Line reported Thursday. Hamas controls the Gaza Strip and is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Inside the United States
New document proves FBI totally debunked NY Times Trump-Russia story
One of the most glaringly bogus Trump-Russia stories by The New York Times in 2017 was picked apart inside the FBI at the time as containing over a dozen major inaccuracies, a newly disclosed document shows.
87-Year-Old Ruth Bader Ginsburg: ‘I Began a Course of Chemotherapy…to Treat a Recurrence of Cancer’
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who is 87 years old, released a statement today saying that for the past two months she has been undergoing chemotherapy to treat a recurrence of liver cancer.
CDC: 0.15% of COVID-19 Deaths in People 24 or Younger; 80.29% in People 65 and Older
Medical experts have long noted that the younger you are, the less likely you are to contract COVID-19 or suffer adverse symptoms, and the latest numbers posted by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention bear that out.
Christian News
Is COVID-19 Causing a Church Crisis? Almost Two-Thirds of US Churches Report Drop in Giving
America's churches could be facing a critical COVID-19 financial crisis.
Number of Christian Refugees Allowed in the US Has Drastically Declined Since 2015
Christians around the globe face growing persecution and many look to the United States for refuge. New numbers, however, show they're not getting near the protection compared to previous years and advocates are sounding the alarm.
Three California churches sue Gov. Newsom for ban on singing in places of worship
Three evangelical churches in California have sued Gov. Gavin Newsom for banning singing and chanting in places of worship but permitting such activities elsewhere.
Virginia drops criminal charges against pastor who held 16-person church service
Criminal charges against a Virginia pastor who held a Palm Sunday service in violation of coronavirus lockdown orders were dropped on Friday. He faced a $2,500 fine and possible jail time.
California beach revival attended by 1,000: ‘The church has left the building’
Days before California churches closed due to a surge in coronavirus cases, there was a massive evangelical Christian gathering on Huntington Beach near Los Angeles.
Fire Damages France's "Gothic Jewel" Cathedral in Nantes
Prosecutors in France say a fire that erupted in the Gothic cathedral of the western French city of Nantes started deliberately. Tourists and residents watched in horror Saturday as firefighters battled the blaze at the 15th-century St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral in the city's historical center.
Ongoing slaughter of Christians in Nigeria at “genocidal” level
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) human rights group has said the murder of Christians in Nigeria has reached “genocidal” levels, Christian Today reports. According to Intersociety, more than 1,200 Nigerian Christians were murdered by Muslim Fulani and Islamist militants in the first half of 2020 alone.
Erdogan Defies the West to Make Turkey a Regional Power
When President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reopens Istanbul’s Hagia Sophia for prayers next week, it will be the crowning symbol of his mission to reassert Turkey’s role as a Muslim power on the global stage. Yet Turkey’s rarely seemed more alone.
US, India Discuss ‘Possibility’ of Free Trade Pact
The U.S. and India discussed the “possibility” of a free trade pact, India’s Commerce and Industry Ministry said in a statement Thursday, just days after India began free trade agreement talks with the European Union.
US, Gulf Nations Issue Sanctions on 6 Targets for Ties to Islamic State
The United States and six Gulf countries on Wednesday imposed sanctions on six targets Washington has accused of supporting Islamic State operations, including by funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars to leaders of the group in Iraq and Syria.
In yet another blast in Iran, explosion hits power plant in Isfahan
An explosion was reported Sunday at a power station in the central Iranian province of Isfahan, the latest in a mysterious series of blasts and blazes that have occurred throughout the country.
EU Tensions Escalate Over 2 Trillion Budget and Coronavirus Aid
European Union negotiations on an unprecedented nearly two trillion euro budget and coronavirus recovery fund entered the third day amid warnings the summit could end without an agreement.
Russian Spies Try Stealing Coronavirus Vaccine Research
Western security services say Russian spies try to steal coronavirus research in several Western nations. Britain's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) warned Friday that Russian hackers "almost certainly" operated as "part of Russian intelligence services."
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel approves next phase of massive gas pipeline to Europe
The government on Sunday approved the advancement of the Eastern Mediterranean gas pipeline project, a massive 6 million Euros ($7 billion) venture that will carry gas from Israel’s offshore oil fields to Europe, the news website The Marker reported.
Cyber-attacks against Israel’s water infrastructure
Israel’s Water Authority has confirmed that two cyber-attacks were carried out against the country’s water infrastructure in recent weeks, Ynet News reported Thursday. These attacks follow an alleged attack by Iran on Israel’s drinking water in April. In a statement, the water authority said no damage had been caused in the latest attacks.
Hamas admits a naval officer spied for Israel
A military spokesman for Palestinian terrorist organization, Hamas, has confirmed that one of its commanders had been a spy for Israel and had now defected to the Jewish state, Media Line reported Thursday. Hamas controls the Gaza Strip and is an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Inside the United States
New document proves FBI totally debunked NY Times Trump-Russia story
One of the most glaringly bogus Trump-Russia stories by The New York Times in 2017 was picked apart inside the FBI at the time as containing over a dozen major inaccuracies, a newly disclosed document shows.
87-Year-Old Ruth Bader Ginsburg: ‘I Began a Course of Chemotherapy…to Treat a Recurrence of Cancer’
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who is 87 years old, released a statement today saying that for the past two months she has been undergoing chemotherapy to treat a recurrence of liver cancer.
CDC: 0.15% of COVID-19 Deaths in People 24 or Younger; 80.29% in People 65 and Older
Medical experts have long noted that the younger you are, the less likely you are to contract COVID-19 or suffer adverse symptoms, and the latest numbers posted by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention bear that out.
Christian News
Is COVID-19 Causing a Church Crisis? Almost Two-Thirds of US Churches Report Drop in Giving
America's churches could be facing a critical COVID-19 financial crisis.
Number of Christian Refugees Allowed in the US Has Drastically Declined Since 2015
Christians around the globe face growing persecution and many look to the United States for refuge. New numbers, however, show they're not getting near the protection compared to previous years and advocates are sounding the alarm.
Three California churches sue Gov. Newsom for ban on singing in places of worship
Three evangelical churches in California have sued Gov. Gavin Newsom for banning singing and chanting in places of worship but permitting such activities elsewhere.
Virginia drops criminal charges against pastor who held 16-person church service
Criminal charges against a Virginia pastor who held a Palm Sunday service in violation of coronavirus lockdown orders were dropped on Friday. He faced a $2,500 fine and possible jail time.
California beach revival attended by 1,000: ‘The church has left the building’
Days before California churches closed due to a surge in coronavirus cases, there was a massive evangelical Christian gathering on Huntington Beach near Los Angeles.
Fire Damages France's "Gothic Jewel" Cathedral in Nantes
Prosecutors in France say a fire that erupted in the Gothic cathedral of the western French city of Nantes started deliberately. Tourists and residents watched in horror Saturday as firefighters battled the blaze at the 15th-century St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral in the city's historical center.
Ongoing slaughter of Christians in Nigeria at “genocidal” level
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety) human rights group has said the murder of Christians in Nigeria has reached “genocidal” levels, Christian Today reports. According to Intersociety, more than 1,200 Nigerian Christians were murdered by Muslim Fulani and Islamist militants in the first half of 2020 alone.
Around the World
Deadly Fight Erupts Between Azerbaijan, Armenia
Fresh fighting erupted Thursday on the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, dashing hopes of an end to the worst clashes between the neighbors in years.
Pro-Western Party Wins Troubled Vote In North Macedonia
A pro-Western party in North Macedonia is trying to form a coalition government after it claimed victory in somewhat historic but troubled elections. The Balkan nation's first national vote under a new state name faced a suspected hacking attack impacting the publishing of results.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Drafts Secret List of Hundreds of Officials Who May Stand Trial at International Court
Israel is drawing up a secret list of military and intelligence officials who might be subject to arrest abroad if the International Criminal Court in the Hague opens an investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes in the Palestinian territories.
Israel: New surge in COVID-19 cases may cause return to lockdown
Israeli officials are anticipating the likelihood of renewing a nationwide lockdown as the country had 1,575 new cases of COVID-19 Monday, the Times of Israel reports. With a population of fewer than nine million residents, Israel has now had over 43,000 cases, including over 23,000 currently active cases and 375 coronavirus related deaths.
Inside the United States
DHS accuses Portland officials of enabling ‘mob,’ posts timeline of damage by ‘violent anarchists’
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf on Thursday accused Portland politicians of enabling the 'mob' of protesters who have besieged the city for more than six weeks -- and posted a lengthy timeline of the damage caused by 'violent anarchists.'
Mortgage rates hit new record low
Mortgage rates dropped to a new record low last week as the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, with a conforming loan balance of up to $510,400, fell from 3.26% to 3.19% to, CNBC reported Wednesday. Points fell from 0.35 to 0.33 for loans with a 20% down payment: 63 basis points lower than the recent high in late March.
Trump signed secret authorization for CIA to conduct cyber attacks
In 2018 President Trump signed a secret authorization, known as a presidential finding, which granted the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) sweeping freedom to conduct covert cyber operations against Iran and others, Yahoo News reports.
Highest ever numbers of Americans buying guns
US gun sales began surging in March as COVID-19 cases, lockdowns and unemployment took hold, but reached record numbers with added worries about the civil unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd on May 25, Fox News reports.
Christian News
Chinese Christians Injured While Protesting Removal of Crosses
Christians in eastern China were recovering of their injuries Thursday after trying to prevent the removal of crosses from churches by Chinese government forces.
Alarming reduction in number of Christian refugees allowed into the US
As Christians around the world face increasingly intense persecution, the number of Christian refugees being allowed entry to the US has dropped by 90% since 2015, CBN News reports. This year the Trump administration set the total maximum number of Christian and non-Christian refugees to be allowed in at 18,000. Historically, the yearly average was 81,000.
Deadly Fight Erupts Between Azerbaijan, Armenia
Fresh fighting erupted Thursday on the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia, dashing hopes of an end to the worst clashes between the neighbors in years.
Pro-Western Party Wins Troubled Vote In North Macedonia
A pro-Western party in North Macedonia is trying to form a coalition government after it claimed victory in somewhat historic but troubled elections. The Balkan nation's first national vote under a new state name faced a suspected hacking attack impacting the publishing of results.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Drafts Secret List of Hundreds of Officials Who May Stand Trial at International Court
Israel is drawing up a secret list of military and intelligence officials who might be subject to arrest abroad if the International Criminal Court in the Hague opens an investigation into alleged Israeli war crimes in the Palestinian territories.
Israel: New surge in COVID-19 cases may cause return to lockdown
Israeli officials are anticipating the likelihood of renewing a nationwide lockdown as the country had 1,575 new cases of COVID-19 Monday, the Times of Israel reports. With a population of fewer than nine million residents, Israel has now had over 43,000 cases, including over 23,000 currently active cases and 375 coronavirus related deaths.
Inside the United States
DHS accuses Portland officials of enabling ‘mob,’ posts timeline of damage by ‘violent anarchists’
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf on Thursday accused Portland politicians of enabling the 'mob' of protesters who have besieged the city for more than six weeks -- and posted a lengthy timeline of the damage caused by 'violent anarchists.'
Mortgage rates hit new record low
Mortgage rates dropped to a new record low last week as the average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, with a conforming loan balance of up to $510,400, fell from 3.26% to 3.19% to, CNBC reported Wednesday. Points fell from 0.35 to 0.33 for loans with a 20% down payment: 63 basis points lower than the recent high in late March.
Trump signed secret authorization for CIA to conduct cyber attacks
In 2018 President Trump signed a secret authorization, known as a presidential finding, which granted the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) sweeping freedom to conduct covert cyber operations against Iran and others, Yahoo News reports.
Highest ever numbers of Americans buying guns
US gun sales began surging in March as COVID-19 cases, lockdowns and unemployment took hold, but reached record numbers with added worries about the civil unrest that followed the killing of George Floyd on May 25, Fox News reports.
Christian News
Chinese Christians Injured While Protesting Removal of Crosses
Christians in eastern China were recovering of their injuries Thursday after trying to prevent the removal of crosses from churches by Chinese government forces.
Alarming reduction in number of Christian refugees allowed into the US
As Christians around the world face increasingly intense persecution, the number of Christian refugees being allowed entry to the US has dropped by 90% since 2015, CBN News reports. This year the Trump administration set the total maximum number of Christian and non-Christian refugees to be allowed in at 18,000. Historically, the yearly average was 81,000.
Around the World
Tensions Reignite Between Ethiopia and Egypt Over Nile Dam
New images captured in the last week by the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1 satellite suggest that Ethiopia may have started filling its massive Nile River dam, as tensions over the project continue.
EU, India move closer to free trade deal
India and the European Union have vowed to deepen trade ties on Wednesday, with the two sides agreeing to set up a high-level ministerial dialogue on trade and investment.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu takes fire from coalition partners, Treasury over virus handout plan
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new financial aid package for the economic crisis set off by the coronavirus pandemic came under fire on Wednesday after Netanyahu announced the proposal.
Palestinian Authority reportedly arrested Palestinians who expressed support for Israeli annexation
The Palestinian Authority arrested a number of Palestinians who expressed support for Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank, according to French News Agency AFP. However, Palestinian Authority officials have denied the reports are true.
Inside the United States
Trump Announces Takedown of Key MS-13 Leaders
President Donald Trump and Attorney General Bill Barr announced on Wednesday the takedown of key leadership of the MS-13 gang through the Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV), an initiative launched in August 2019 aimed at disrupting, dismantling, and ultimately, destroying MS-13.
Court Rules Part of Major Virginia Gun-Control Measure Unconstitutional
A Virginia judge on Tuesday dealt a blow to Virginia Democrats' gun-control agenda, blocking part of the new universal background check law that would have made it nearly impossible for adults under 21 to purchase a handgun.
Federal Judge Allows Women to Obtain Abortion Pill Without In-Person Doctor Visits
Women will now have access to an abortion pill by mail or delivery, even though they haven't seen a doctor.
Christian News
Maoist Rebels Murder Protestant Pastor in India
Indian church leaders have condemned the killing of a young Protestant missionary and pastor by suspected Maoist rebels in western India.
Christians Flee Turkish Bombardments In Iraq
Iraqi Christians want prayers for Christian and Kurdish families suffering from Turkish bombardments and incursions in Northern Iraq, aid workers say.
Tensions Reignite Between Ethiopia and Egypt Over Nile Dam
New images captured in the last week by the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1 satellite suggest that Ethiopia may have started filling its massive Nile River dam, as tensions over the project continue.
EU, India move closer to free trade deal
India and the European Union have vowed to deepen trade ties on Wednesday, with the two sides agreeing to set up a high-level ministerial dialogue on trade and investment.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu takes fire from coalition partners, Treasury over virus handout plan
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s new financial aid package for the economic crisis set off by the coronavirus pandemic came under fire on Wednesday after Netanyahu announced the proposal.
Palestinian Authority reportedly arrested Palestinians who expressed support for Israeli annexation
The Palestinian Authority arrested a number of Palestinians who expressed support for Israeli plans to annex parts of the West Bank, according to French News Agency AFP. However, Palestinian Authority officials have denied the reports are true.
Inside the United States
Trump Announces Takedown of Key MS-13 Leaders
President Donald Trump and Attorney General Bill Barr announced on Wednesday the takedown of key leadership of the MS-13 gang through the Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV), an initiative launched in August 2019 aimed at disrupting, dismantling, and ultimately, destroying MS-13.
Court Rules Part of Major Virginia Gun-Control Measure Unconstitutional
A Virginia judge on Tuesday dealt a blow to Virginia Democrats' gun-control agenda, blocking part of the new universal background check law that would have made it nearly impossible for adults under 21 to purchase a handgun.
Federal Judge Allows Women to Obtain Abortion Pill Without In-Person Doctor Visits
Women will now have access to an abortion pill by mail or delivery, even though they haven't seen a doctor.
Christian News
Maoist Rebels Murder Protestant Pastor in India
Indian church leaders have condemned the killing of a young Protestant missionary and pastor by suspected Maoist rebels in western India.
Christians Flee Turkish Bombardments In Iraq
Iraqi Christians want prayers for Christian and Kurdish families suffering from Turkish bombardments and incursions in Northern Iraq, aid workers say.