Prophecy News Watch provided by Worthy Ministries

Around the World
Belarus Jails Opposition Leaders Amid Crackdown
Two leading figures of Belarus's growing protest movement have been given 10-day jail terms for organizing rallies against the authoritarian president.
Iran to let IAEA into 2 suspected nuke sites, one of them flagged by Netanyahu
Iran has agreed to allow inspectors into two sites where the country is suspected of having stored or used undeclared nuclear material, the UN atomic watchdog agency said Wednesday.
German economy plunges by record 9.7%
The German economy, Europe's largest, contracted by a record 9.7% in the second quarter as consumer spending, company investments and exports saw a steep decline due to the coronavirus pandemic.
China test-fires 'carrier-killer' missile as U.S. announces new sanctions
China on Wednesday conducted a flight test of an anti-ship ballistic missile into the South China Sea, just as the Trump administration was unveiling new sanctions on Chinese officials over militarization in the disputed waterway.
North, South Korea Brace for Strong Typhoon, Flights Halted
Hundreds of flights were canceled in South Korea while North Korea’s leader expressed concern about a possible loss of lives and crops as the countries braced for a fast-approaching typhoon forecast as one of the strongest to hit their peninsula this year.
Iraq, Jordan, Egypt Discuss Closer Ties
It was a highly touted summit, with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustapha Kadhimi reaching out to potential allies Egypt and Jordan in what appeared to be a bid to loosen Iran's grip on Iraqi politics. Pro-Iranian militias have been accused of interfering in Iraqi government decisions and attacking protesters who oppose them.
US Top Diplomat Pompeo Visits Bahrain, UAE
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he spoke Wednesday with officials in Bahrain about “the importance of Gulf unity and countering Iran’s malign influence in the region.”


Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli aircraft strike Hezbollah posts after shots fired at troops
Israeli aircraft bombed several Hezbollah observation posts along Israel’s northern border early Wednesday after shots were fired from Lebanon toward Israel Defense Force soldiers, the army said.

Inside the United States
Republicans place free exercise of faith at front of convention agenda
Speakers throughout the Republican National Convention are aggressively courting President Trump’s religious base by touting him as a defender of the free exercise of faith.
Hurricane Laura Strengthening and Is a Category 4; Catastrophic Strike Ahead Near Louisiana and Texas Border
Hurricane Laura is an extremely dangerous Category 4 storm and continues to strengthen as it heads for a destructive landfall near the Texas and Louisiana border Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. A catastrophic storm surge and damaging winds will batter the region and a threat of flooding rain and strong winds will extend well inland.
Portland protesters sue Trump over DHS deployment to quell riots
Portland protesters filed a lawsuit against President Trump and the Homeland Security Department on Wednesday, saying the deployment of additional federal officers to quell attacks on the federal courthouse was illegal and unconstitutional.
New Video: PP Officers Admit Under Oath to Using Partial-Birth Abortion to Harvest Baby Parts to Sell
In unsealed video testimony released Monday, Planned Parenthood officers admit under oath that some of their abortion doctors have changed abortions to harvest more usable fetal organs and tissues.
Republican resolution challenges legitimacy of Southern Southern Poverty Law Center to provide information on hate groups
The Republican National Committee (RNC) issued a resolution Monday stating that the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) legal advocacy group has no legitimacy to provide information to government agencies about organizations it identifies as ‘hate groups,’ the Epoch Times reports. The resolution describes the SPLC as “a far-left organization with an obvious bias.”
Top Kerry Aide, Key Conduit for Dossier, Once Worked for Russian Oligarch, as Did Steele
Jonathan Winer, a former top aide to Secretary of State John Kerry who was a key conduit for disseminating the discredited Steele dossier in the U.S. government, worked as a lobbyist for Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska in years preceding the Russiagate affair. This revelation raises new questions about Russian efforts to influence American foreign policy -- far afield from any Kremlin efforts to favor Donald Trump.

Christian News
Muslim Fighters Kill, Kidnap Christians In Nigeria
Christians, including children, have been kidnapped and one person was killed and a church destroyed in the latest attacks by Muslim fighters in north-central Nigeria, an advocacy group said Wednesday.
Kentucky offers a $3 million high-tech virtual reality experience which takes visitors back to the time of Noah and the Ark
Visitors to the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky can now go back to the time of Noah and the Ark through a new high-tech $3 million virtual reality experience known as the 'Truth Traveler,' CBN News reports. Over a million people a year have visited the Ark Encounter, which features a massive stationary ship built according to Bible specifications.
Federal judge rules against Christian schools asking to reopen amid COVID-19 restrictions
A federal judge in Oregon ruled against three Christian schools last Thursday, deciding that current state COVID-19 restrictions on in-person learning are constitutional, the Christian Post reports. The schools claimed Gov. Kate Brown’s coronavirus executive order violates First Amendment rights of institutions to have in-person classes.
India Police Denies Christian Teenager Killed For Faith
Police in India’s eastern state of Odisha denied Wednesday that a Christian teenager was killed for his faith in Christ.

Around the World
Belarus Detains Opposition Leaders After Rally Against President
Authorities in Belarus have detained two leading opposition activists following the most massive rally so far against President Alexander Lukashenko.
UN security council rejects US call for sanctions against Iran
The president of the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday rejected the Trump administration’s demand to restore all U.N. sanctions on Iran, a move that drew an angry rebuke from the U.S. ambassador who accused opponents of supporting “terrorists.”

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
National Security Adviser to lead Israeli delegation to UAE next week
An official Israeli delegation led by National Security Adviser Meir Ben Shabbat is set to travel to Abu Dhabi next Monday, following the announcement of normalization between Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
Abbas: Normalization between Arabs, Israel won’t achieve peace
Normalization of relations between Israel and the Arab countries will not achieve peace and stability in the region, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said Tuesday.

Inside the United States
Evangelical University President Falwell Resigns Over Sex Scandal Allegations
The leading evangelical college in the United States, Liberty University, says it has accepted the resignation of its embattled president Jerry Falwell Jr. over alleged sexual relations that are not in line with the institute`s teaching.
New video shows sworn testimony of Planned Parenthood officials admitting to harvesting fetal tissue and organs
A newly unsealed video confirms Planned Parenthood staff altered abortions methods in order to remove fetuses whose organs were preserved intact and could be sold for profit, the Federalist reports. Released by the Center for Medical Progress (CMP) Monday, the video shows testimonies given under oath by Planned Parenthood officials describing the harvest of fetal organs and tissue. Federal law prohibits partial-birth abortions and the removal of live babies with intent to kill them during delivery for harvesting organs.
Tennessee school district causes concern by asking parents not to listen to their children’s virtual classes
A Tennessee school district has been criticized for asking parents to sign a form agreeing to stay out of earshot during their children’s online classes, on the grounds that parents might overhear confidential information, Fox News reports. Following significant pressure, Rutherford County Schools then changed course and now allows parents to be present, with teachers’ permission.
Hurricane Laura Could Make US Landfall as Category 3 Storm
The storm system known as Laura became a Category 1 hurricane Tuesday in the Gulf of Mexico and is expected to intensify as it hits warmer water, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in its latest forecast.
Hillary Clinton to Biden: Don't concede if the election is close
Hillary Clinton is predicting Donald Trump's reelection effort will be a messy affair, and the former Democratic candidate has some advice for Joe Biden: If the race is close, don't concede.
Police, Protesters, Clash for 2nd Night in Kenosha, Wisconsin Over Police Shooting
Police used tear gas to subdue protesters in the city of Kenosha, Wisconsin Monday as people took to the streets for the second straight night after the shooting of a Black man by police on Sunday.
Ohio Republicans draft articles of impeachment against GOP governor for coronavirus restrictions
Three Ohio Republican lawmakers are moving ahead with a bid to impeach the state's GOP governor regarding how he's handled the coronavirus pandemic.
'He’s taken on the swamp': Jim Jordan touts Trump's outsider achievements
Rep. Jim Jordan, a top Republican and one of President Trump’s staunchest allies in Congress, promoted Trump as a tough, outsider president who cares about people.

Christian News
Prosecuted Pentecostal Pastor and Wife Flee Iran
A prominent Pentecostal pastor and his wife have fled Iran after their appeal against a 15-year combined prison sentence for Christian activities failed, rights activists and family confirmed late Tuesday.
Thousands Of Christians Fearful As India Faces 12th Anniversary Of Deadly Attacks
The 12th anniversary of one of India`s deadliest attacks against Christians is marked by concerns that thousands have not yet returned to their homes for fear of reprisals. Additionally, authorities are declining to investigate hundreds of cases, religious rights investigators told Worthy News.
New poll finds most pastors are concerned about young people in their church
A new study shows that 85% of pastors are very worried that youth and young adults in their church are spending too much time watching screens on electronic devices, CBN News reported Monday. The poll was released by the Barna Group, and aimed to examine how pastors should disciple young people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 86% of churches that responded said they were concerned about their young people having increased online access, but have no strategy to manage the situation.

Around the World
Germany: ‘Russian Dissident Navalny Likely Poisoned’
A prominent German hospital treating Russian dissident and fierce Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny says tests indicate that he was poisoned.
Erdogan Converts Another Historic Church into a Mosque
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reconverted another historic Byzantine church into a mosque on Friday just weeks after opening the iconic Hagia Sophia to Muslim worship.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu and Putin discuss UAE deal, Israeli air strikes in Syria
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday, with the two discussing cooperation on combating the coronavirus pandemic and regional issues, a statement from the Kremlin said.
Pompeo: We’ll honor Israel’s military edge, but are reviewing arms sales to UAE
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized on Monday that America was committed to maintaining Israel’s military superiority in the region while appearing to hint at an impending deal by which the Trump administration would provide the United Arab Emirates with advanced fighter jets.
3,200-year-old fort, site of epic battles in biblical era, found in south Israel
A 3,200-year-old Canaanite citadel where epic battles were fought during biblical times has been unearthed near the southern Israeli city of Kiryat Gat, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced Sunday.

Inside the United States
Renominated Trump Defends God In Pledge of Allegiance
U.S. President Donald Trump pledged Monday that God remains in the Pledge of Allegiance after the Republican Party nominated him for a second term in the White House.
Jesus 2020 Campaign
As the Republicans and Democrats gear up for November’s presidential election, thousands of Americans are opting out of the partisan mud-sling and are putting up “Jesus 2020” signs in their yards, Fox News reports.
2 of Californias largest wildfires ever continue burning simultaneously as death toll climbs
"California is battling two of the largest fires in our history and has seen nearly 600 new fires in the last week caused by dry lightning strikes. These are unprecedented times and conditions, but California is strong -- we will get through this,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a weekend press release.
Wisconsin Governor Deploys National Guard after Police Shooting of Black Man
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers is deploying the National Guard to the city of Kenosha to prevent violence after the police shooting of a Black man.
Trump’s second-term plan includes stopping ‘endless’ wars, boosting military support
President Donald Trump released a 50-point second-term agenda on Sunday which vows to maintain American military might and “wipe out” terrorist groups overseas but also to stop the country’s involvement in “endless wars.”
Franklin Graham to Pray at RNC, Draws Attention to 'Absence of God' During Democrats' Convention
Evangelist Franklin Graham, the president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) and Samaritan's Purse, a Christian relief organization, is scheduled to pray at the Republican National Convention (RNC) on Thursday.
Democratic Platform: ‘We Will…Guarantee Transgender Students’ Access to Facilities Based on Their Gender Identity’
The platform approved by the Democratic National Convention last week says that the party will seek to “guarantee transgender students’ access to facilities based on their gender identity.”

Christian News
“Nigeria: A Killing Field of Defenseless Christians” – a further 11 people were slaughtered last week
The International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law has published a report called “Nigeria: A Killing Field of Defenseless Christians,” in which it estimates that some 11,500 Christians have been murdered in Nigeria since 2015 by Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram and highway bandits. Muslim Fulani herdsmen killed a further 11 Christians in the state of Kaduna last week, CBN News reports.
Frightened people contact former transgender drug dealer asking for prayer during COVID-19 crisis
Nichol Collins had been a drug dealer and was living a transgender lifestyle for 20 years when she had a transformative encounter with Jesus Christ, became a Christian, and began praying for people both inside and outside the LGBTQ community, CBN News reports. Having been in ministry in recent years, Ms Collins began getting an increased number of calls from people needing spiritual help during the COVID-19 crisis.