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
Syria sees spike in Islamic State attacks, say religious liberty experts
A region of northeastern Syria that U.S. forces ceded to Turkey has seen a spike in Islamic State-backed attacks, researchers said Wednesday during a roundtable discussion on religious liberty.
U.S. jets intercept Russian nuclear-capable bombers off Alaska, NORAD says
U.S. fighter jets intercepted Russian bombers twice on Wednesday off the coast of Alaska, the North American Aerospace Defense Command said Wednesday. The intercepts come less than two weeks after U.S. bombers were met by Russian jets over the Black Sea.
Russia, China build case at U.N. to protect Iran from U.S. sanctions threat
Russia and China have started making the case at the United Nations against Washington’s claim that it can trigger a return of all sanctions on Iran at the Security Council, with Moscow invoking a 50-year-old international legal opinion to argue against the move.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel spy agency must stop virus phone tracking: committee
Israel's government must stop using its domestic security agency to tackle the novel coronavirus by tracking mobile phone data, the head of a parliamentary committee said Wednesday.
Palestinian Authority Submits Counter-Plan for Demilitarized Statehood Along 1967 Borders
Having rejected outright the Trump Peace Plan presented in January, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has now sent a counter-proposal for statehood to the diplomatic Quartet (UN, US, Russia and EU) that is mediating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Times of Israel reports.
Inside the United States
Fed vows to support U.S. economy's 'long road' to recovery after dire 2020
The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday signaled it plans years of extraordinary support for an economy facing a torturous slog back from the coronavirus pandemic, with policymakers projecting the economy to shrink 6.5% in 2020 and the unemployment rate to be 9.3% at year’s end.
Federal Reserve sees interest rate target near zero through 2022
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced that it will keep its interest rate target near zero.
Republican Senators Working on Police Reform Bill
US Senate Republicans announced on Tuesday that they are working on a bill to address police reform and racial injustice, Reuters reported. The move came after Congressional Democrats put forward police reform legislation on Monday.
Christian News
Washington Condemns Beheadings Christians And Other Religious Rights Abuses
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed concern Wednesday about ongoing beheadings and other abuses of Christians and other faith groups in several nations.
US Condemns China Over 'Repression' of Christians and other Minorities
The United States accused China's leadership on Wednesday of increasing repression of Christians and other minorities while forcing religious groups to adopt its communist ideology. In remarks obtained by Worthy News, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that "In China, state-sponsored repression against all religions continues to intensify."
Christian Boy Hacked To Death in India
Suspected Hindu nationalists hacked to death a Christian teenage boy in eastern India amid efforts to eradicate devoted Christians from the area, Worthy News learned Wednesday.
Muslim Fulani in North-Central Nigeria Slaughter Nine Christians, Including Women and Children
Muslim Fulani herdsmen hacked to death and shot nine Christians in Nigeria’s Kaduna state on June 3rd, Morning Star News (MSN) reported. Women and children were among those slain and seven other people were kidnapped at gunpoint during a Muslim Fulani assault on the predominantly Christian Tudun Doka village in Kajuru County. MSN sources said this latest Fulani attack occurred while the bodies of over 30 Christians murdered in previous invasions still lay in nearby villages: surviving residents had to flee and have not been able to bury their loved ones’ corpses.
Syria sees spike in Islamic State attacks, say religious liberty experts
A region of northeastern Syria that U.S. forces ceded to Turkey has seen a spike in Islamic State-backed attacks, researchers said Wednesday during a roundtable discussion on religious liberty.
U.S. jets intercept Russian nuclear-capable bombers off Alaska, NORAD says
U.S. fighter jets intercepted Russian bombers twice on Wednesday off the coast of Alaska, the North American Aerospace Defense Command said Wednesday. The intercepts come less than two weeks after U.S. bombers were met by Russian jets over the Black Sea.
Russia, China build case at U.N. to protect Iran from U.S. sanctions threat
Russia and China have started making the case at the United Nations against Washington’s claim that it can trigger a return of all sanctions on Iran at the Security Council, with Moscow invoking a 50-year-old international legal opinion to argue against the move.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel spy agency must stop virus phone tracking: committee
Israel's government must stop using its domestic security agency to tackle the novel coronavirus by tracking mobile phone data, the head of a parliamentary committee said Wednesday.
Palestinian Authority Submits Counter-Plan for Demilitarized Statehood Along 1967 Borders
Having rejected outright the Trump Peace Plan presented in January, the Palestinian Authority (PA) has now sent a counter-proposal for statehood to the diplomatic Quartet (UN, US, Russia and EU) that is mediating the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Times of Israel reports.
Inside the United States
Fed vows to support U.S. economy's 'long road' to recovery after dire 2020
The U.S. Federal Reserve on Wednesday signaled it plans years of extraordinary support for an economy facing a torturous slog back from the coronavirus pandemic, with policymakers projecting the economy to shrink 6.5% in 2020 and the unemployment rate to be 9.3% at year’s end.
Federal Reserve sees interest rate target near zero through 2022
The Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced that it will keep its interest rate target near zero.
Republican Senators Working on Police Reform Bill
US Senate Republicans announced on Tuesday that they are working on a bill to address police reform and racial injustice, Reuters reported. The move came after Congressional Democrats put forward police reform legislation on Monday.
Christian News
Washington Condemns Beheadings Christians And Other Religious Rights Abuses
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo expressed concern Wednesday about ongoing beheadings and other abuses of Christians and other faith groups in several nations.
US Condemns China Over 'Repression' of Christians and other Minorities
The United States accused China's leadership on Wednesday of increasing repression of Christians and other minorities while forcing religious groups to adopt its communist ideology. In remarks obtained by Worthy News, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that "In China, state-sponsored repression against all religions continues to intensify."
Christian Boy Hacked To Death in India
Suspected Hindu nationalists hacked to death a Christian teenage boy in eastern India amid efforts to eradicate devoted Christians from the area, Worthy News learned Wednesday.
Muslim Fulani in North-Central Nigeria Slaughter Nine Christians, Including Women and Children
Muslim Fulani herdsmen hacked to death and shot nine Christians in Nigeria’s Kaduna state on June 3rd, Morning Star News (MSN) reported. Women and children were among those slain and seven other people were kidnapped at gunpoint during a Muslim Fulani assault on the predominantly Christian Tudun Doka village in Kajuru County. MSN sources said this latest Fulani attack occurred while the bodies of over 30 Christians murdered in previous invasions still lay in nearby villages: surviving residents had to flee and have not been able to bury their loved ones’ corpses.
Around the World
Top WHO Experts Regrets Coronavirus Remarks During Vaccine Rush
A top expert at the World Health Organization (WHO) has walked away from her comments on the spread of the coronavirus amid concerns they could undermine government-imposed social distancing rules and other measures to halt the virus.
North Korea Cuts Communications With South As Nuclear Tensions Rise
North Korea said Tuesday it would cut off all communications with South Korea amid rising tensions between the two neighbors.
U.S and Russia Invite China to Join Nuclear Weapons Talks
The US and Russia have invited China to attend nuclear arms control talks this month, the Washington Times reports. The 2021 deadline for renewal of the US-Russia New START nuclear arms limitation treaty is fast approaching, and Russia is willing to extend for another five years. However, the US reportedly wants China to come to the negotiating table and join a trilateral treaty.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Palestinian official warns Abbas willing 'to let PA collapse' to foil Israel's sovereignty bid
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas plans to run his administration to the ground to prevent Israeli from pursuing its plan to apply sovereignty to large parts of Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, a senior Palestinian official told The New York Times on Monday.
Israeli Lawmakers Debate Controversial COVID-19 Bill
As Israel sees a spike in COVID-19 cases following the easing of lockdown restrictions, government leaders began to debate a controversial new bill Tuesday that would give the executive branch wide-ranging emergency powers to manage the virus outbreak, CBN News reported. The bill must first be approved by a special COVID-19 government committee before going on to the Ministerial Committee for Legislation and to the Knesset for approval.
Inside the United States
Barr says FBI was ‘spring-loaded’ to investigate Trump campaign, ignored ‘exculpatory evidence’
In an exclusive interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, Attorney General Bill Barr faulted the FBI for taking a “very aggressive” approach to investigating suspected Trump campaign ties to Russia and continuing to push forward even when, he says, their evidence was “falling apart.”
Minneapolis Votes to Dismantle Police Department and Find New Approach to Public Safety
A majority of Minneapolis City Council members voted Sunday to dismantle the city’s police department and replace it with a new model of public safety, the New York Times (NYT) reported. The move follows activists’ calls to “defund police” after the violent death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis law enforcement officers two weeks ago. As Republicans have expectedly described such calls as “appalling” and “outlandish,” Congressional Democrats have also distanced themselves from the calls, focussing instead on bringing a new bill addressing police reform.
Christian News
Casinos Are Open, But Churches Are Closed?
Last week, hundreds of people poured through the doors of Nevada casinos, which reopened after being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, it is illegal for churches in Nevada to meet with more than 50 people.
New Jersey governor lifts church restrictions after violating shutdown order to protest
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy lifted restrictions on church services and protests Tuesday, a day after he violated his own stay-at-home order to join a demonstration against racial injustice.
Top WHO Experts Regrets Coronavirus Remarks During Vaccine Rush
A top expert at the World Health Organization (WHO) has walked away from her comments on the spread of the coronavirus amid concerns they could undermine government-imposed social distancing rules and other measures to halt the virus.
North Korea Cuts Communications With South As Nuclear Tensions Rise
North Korea said Tuesday it would cut off all communications with South Korea amid rising tensions between the two neighbors.
U.S and Russia Invite China to Join Nuclear Weapons Talks
The US and Russia have invited China to attend nuclear arms control talks this month, the Washington Times reports. The 2021 deadline for renewal of the US-Russia New START nuclear arms limitation treaty is fast approaching, and Russia is willing to extend for another five years. However, the US reportedly wants China to come to the negotiating table and join a trilateral treaty.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Palestinian official warns Abbas willing 'to let PA collapse' to foil Israel's sovereignty bid
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas plans to run his administration to the ground to prevent Israeli from pursuing its plan to apply sovereignty to large parts of Judea and Samaria and the Jordan Valley, a senior Palestinian official told The New York Times on Monday.
Israeli Lawmakers Debate Controversial COVID-19 Bill
As Israel sees a spike in COVID-19 cases following the easing of lockdown restrictions, government leaders began to debate a controversial new bill Tuesday that would give the executive branch wide-ranging emergency powers to manage the virus outbreak, CBN News reported. The bill must first be approved by a special COVID-19 government committee before going on to the Ministerial Committee for Legislation and to the Knesset for approval.
Inside the United States
Barr says FBI was ‘spring-loaded’ to investigate Trump campaign, ignored ‘exculpatory evidence’
In an exclusive interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, Attorney General Bill Barr faulted the FBI for taking a “very aggressive” approach to investigating suspected Trump campaign ties to Russia and continuing to push forward even when, he says, their evidence was “falling apart.”
Minneapolis Votes to Dismantle Police Department and Find New Approach to Public Safety
A majority of Minneapolis City Council members voted Sunday to dismantle the city’s police department and replace it with a new model of public safety, the New York Times (NYT) reported. The move follows activists’ calls to “defund police” after the violent death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis law enforcement officers two weeks ago. As Republicans have expectedly described such calls as “appalling” and “outlandish,” Congressional Democrats have also distanced themselves from the calls, focussing instead on bringing a new bill addressing police reform.
Christian News
Casinos Are Open, But Churches Are Closed?
Last week, hundreds of people poured through the doors of Nevada casinos, which reopened after being closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, it is illegal for churches in Nevada to meet with more than 50 people.
New Jersey governor lifts church restrictions after violating shutdown order to protest
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy lifted restrictions on church services and protests Tuesday, a day after he violated his own stay-at-home order to join a demonstration against racial injustice.
Around the World
Pandemic driving broadest economic collapse in 150 years, World Bank says
The coronavirus pandemic inflicted a “swift and massive shock” that has caused the broadest collapse of the global economy since 1870 despite unprecedented government support, the World Bank said Monday.
'Very rare': WHO says coronavirus seldom spreads through asymptomatic carriers
People with asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 are not the driving force behind the spread of the coronavirus, according to the World Health Organization.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu vows all settlements will be annexed July 1, but other lands may wait
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told settler leaders on Sunday that he still intends to annex all West Bank settlements on the July 1 date that is the earliest allowed by his coalition deals, but he acknowledged that annexing other lands allocated to Israel under the Trump peace plan will likely take more time, several participants in the meeting told The Times of Israel.
Former Dubai Police Chief: Arab Nations Should Normalize Ties with Israel
A former police chief of Dubai has controversially called for all Arab states to normalize relations with Israel. On Twitter this weekend, Khalfan Tamim said: "Israel wants long-term peace and security. I support that.” Moreover, Tamim said: "From the moment that the Gulf States normalize their ties with Israel, Qatar's job as a proxy state for terror organizations will end,” Israel Hayom reported.
Inside the United States
President Trump Condemns Democrats For 'Defunding' Police In New Package
U.S. President Donald Trump has condemned alleged plans by Democrats to dismantle and defund the police at a time when the nation faces riots following the death of George Floyd, the unarmed black man who died in police custody.
U.S. Supreme Court Forcing Christians To Hire Transgenders?
The U.S. Supreme Court will effectively decide whether Christian and conservative employers can be forced to hire transgender people and gays. Its case centers around a late funeral director who, in 2013, lost her job after telling her boss she would transition from male to female.
WH: Trump ‘Appalled’ by Democrats’ Call to Defund the Police
Efforts by Democrats to dismantle and defund the police department represents a “rolling back” of the “protective layers that protect Americans in their homes and places of business,” White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said on Monday.
Economy entered recession in February, economists say
The National Bureau of Economic Research announced Monday that a recession began in February of this year, marking the end of the longest period of economic growth in history.
Federal Budget Deficit Nears $2 Trillion For Fiscal Year
Uncle Sam has added $1.2 trillion to the budget deficit over the last two months, according to the latest numbers Monday that detail how the government has used cash to try to combat the coronavirus pandemic and its economic catastrophe.
Christian News
Islamic Militants Murder at Least 58 in Attacks Targeting Christians in Burkina Faso
Targeting Christians, Islamic militants in Burkina Faso murdered at least 58 people in attacks carried out on May 29 and 30, the Christian Post reported. Burkina Faso has been besieged with armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State for more than four years.
Southern Baptist Convention Sees Sharp Decline in Membership
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has suffered its most serious decline in membership for over 100 years, Christianity Today reports. According to the SBC’s 2019 Annual Church profile published by Thursday, the denomination saw a loss of 288,000 church members last year.
Pandemic driving broadest economic collapse in 150 years, World Bank says
The coronavirus pandemic inflicted a “swift and massive shock” that has caused the broadest collapse of the global economy since 1870 despite unprecedented government support, the World Bank said Monday.
'Very rare': WHO says coronavirus seldom spreads through asymptomatic carriers
People with asymptomatic cases of COVID-19 are not the driving force behind the spread of the coronavirus, according to the World Health Organization.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu vows all settlements will be annexed July 1, but other lands may wait
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told settler leaders on Sunday that he still intends to annex all West Bank settlements on the July 1 date that is the earliest allowed by his coalition deals, but he acknowledged that annexing other lands allocated to Israel under the Trump peace plan will likely take more time, several participants in the meeting told The Times of Israel.
Former Dubai Police Chief: Arab Nations Should Normalize Ties with Israel
A former police chief of Dubai has controversially called for all Arab states to normalize relations with Israel. On Twitter this weekend, Khalfan Tamim said: "Israel wants long-term peace and security. I support that.” Moreover, Tamim said: "From the moment that the Gulf States normalize their ties with Israel, Qatar's job as a proxy state for terror organizations will end,” Israel Hayom reported.
Inside the United States
President Trump Condemns Democrats For 'Defunding' Police In New Package
U.S. President Donald Trump has condemned alleged plans by Democrats to dismantle and defund the police at a time when the nation faces riots following the death of George Floyd, the unarmed black man who died in police custody.
U.S. Supreme Court Forcing Christians To Hire Transgenders?
The U.S. Supreme Court will effectively decide whether Christian and conservative employers can be forced to hire transgender people and gays. Its case centers around a late funeral director who, in 2013, lost her job after telling her boss she would transition from male to female.
WH: Trump ‘Appalled’ by Democrats’ Call to Defund the Police
Efforts by Democrats to dismantle and defund the police department represents a “rolling back” of the “protective layers that protect Americans in their homes and places of business,” White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany said on Monday.
Economy entered recession in February, economists say
The National Bureau of Economic Research announced Monday that a recession began in February of this year, marking the end of the longest period of economic growth in history.
Federal Budget Deficit Nears $2 Trillion For Fiscal Year
Uncle Sam has added $1.2 trillion to the budget deficit over the last two months, according to the latest numbers Monday that detail how the government has used cash to try to combat the coronavirus pandemic and its economic catastrophe.
Christian News
Islamic Militants Murder at Least 58 in Attacks Targeting Christians in Burkina Faso
Targeting Christians, Islamic militants in Burkina Faso murdered at least 58 people in attacks carried out on May 29 and 30, the Christian Post reported. Burkina Faso has been besieged with armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State for more than four years.
Southern Baptist Convention Sees Sharp Decline in Membership
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) has suffered its most serious decline in membership for over 100 years, Christianity Today reports. According to the SBC’s 2019 Annual Church profile published by Thursday, the denomination saw a loss of 288,000 church members last year.