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
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.
Around the World
Trump signs law authorizing China sanctions over Hong Kong crackdown
President Trump signed legislation Tuesday sanctioning Chinese officials and entities for China’s “repressive actions” against the people of Hong Kong, and issued an executive order ending the territory’s preferential treatment by the U.S.
U.S. plans to restrict Mexico, Canada border crossings until late August
The Trump administration is planning to extend restrictions barring non-essential travel across the Mexican and Canadian borders until at least late August as coronavirus cases and deaths continue to spike in the U.S. and Mexico, according to three people familiar with the plans.
Two More Explosions at Sensitive Sites in Iran
Iran saw two further explosions at sensitive sites Sunday, with fire at a petrochemical plant in the Khuzestan province and a blast in a building believed to hold gas cylinders in Tehran, Fox News reported. These incidents were the latest in a series of sometimes deadly, mysterious explosions that have been taking place at military or infrastructural sites since June 26.
EU states have yet to agree on coronavirus economic stimulus package
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said a further summit of European Union member states may be required if Friday’s planned meeting fails to produce agreement on an economic stimulus package to help the bloc recover financially from COVID-19, the Washington Times reports.
France: 'Over Eight Billion To Coronavirus-Fighting Health Workers'
The French government and unions have signed an agreement to give over eight billion euros in pay rises for the nation's troubled health workers. France's recently appointed Prime Minister Jean Castex said the move was overdue amid the devastating coronavirus pandemic in the European Union member state.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu aide said to admit US in no mood for annexation, so PM won’t go ahead
Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin has acknowledged in private conversations that no attention is currently being given in Washington to Israeli plans to annex up to 30 percent of the West Bank, according to a Tuesday Army Radio report.
Hebrew U. scientist: Drug could eradicate COVID-19 from lungs in days
Researchers at Israel’s Hebrew University of Jerusalem and New York’s Mount Sinai Medical Center believe they could potentially downgrade COVID-19’s severity into nothing worse than a common cold.
Inside the United States
CDC: COVID-19 Deaths for Week Ending June 27 Down 91.9% From Mid-April Peak
In the week that ended on June 27, there were 1,363 deaths in the United States involving COVID-19, which was a 91.9 percent drop from the peak of 16,895 COVID-involved deaths reported for the week that ended on April 18, according to the provisional COVID-19 death counts published by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Soros foundation to give $220 million to Black groups advocating racial justice
Open Society, the foundation founded by liberal billionaire philanthropist George Soros, is set to donate $220 million to racial justice groups in the wake of awareness stoked by civil unrest around the issue of police brutality.
Goya Foods Pledges More Than Million Pounds of Food, Faces Boycott
Goya Foods is a minority-owned company that sells various food products in the US and many Latin countries. In fact, it is the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the USA, and the CEO pledged to donate a million cans of chickpeas and a million pounds of food during these troubled times. Yet, Goya Foods is facing a boycott.
Federal court permanently blocks Georgia ‘heartbeat’ abortion bill
A federal court has permanently barred the state of Georgia from implementing a 2019 bill that would have prohibited abortion once a heartbeat was detected, Fox News reports. U.S. District Judge Steve Jones had temporarily blocked the bill in October, but ruled Monday that House Bill 481 is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced.
Christian News
Christians Rejoice As Sudan Scraps Death Sentence For Leaving Islam
Christian converts in Sudan are rejoicing after the transitional government scrapped legislation that made leaving Islam punishable by death, Worthy News learned.
Trump signs law authorizing China sanctions over Hong Kong crackdown
President Trump signed legislation Tuesday sanctioning Chinese officials and entities for China’s “repressive actions” against the people of Hong Kong, and issued an executive order ending the territory’s preferential treatment by the U.S.
U.S. plans to restrict Mexico, Canada border crossings until late August
The Trump administration is planning to extend restrictions barring non-essential travel across the Mexican and Canadian borders until at least late August as coronavirus cases and deaths continue to spike in the U.S. and Mexico, according to three people familiar with the plans.
Two More Explosions at Sensitive Sites in Iran
Iran saw two further explosions at sensitive sites Sunday, with fire at a petrochemical plant in the Khuzestan province and a blast in a building believed to hold gas cylinders in Tehran, Fox News reported. These incidents were the latest in a series of sometimes deadly, mysterious explosions that have been taking place at military or infrastructural sites since June 26.
EU states have yet to agree on coronavirus economic stimulus package
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said a further summit of European Union member states may be required if Friday’s planned meeting fails to produce agreement on an economic stimulus package to help the bloc recover financially from COVID-19, the Washington Times reports.
France: 'Over Eight Billion To Coronavirus-Fighting Health Workers'
The French government and unions have signed an agreement to give over eight billion euros in pay rises for the nation's troubled health workers. France's recently appointed Prime Minister Jean Castex said the move was overdue amid the devastating coronavirus pandemic in the European Union member state.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu aide said to admit US in no mood for annexation, so PM won’t go ahead
Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin has acknowledged in private conversations that no attention is currently being given in Washington to Israeli plans to annex up to 30 percent of the West Bank, according to a Tuesday Army Radio report.
Hebrew U. scientist: Drug could eradicate COVID-19 from lungs in days
Researchers at Israel’s Hebrew University of Jerusalem and New York’s Mount Sinai Medical Center believe they could potentially downgrade COVID-19’s severity into nothing worse than a common cold.
Inside the United States
CDC: COVID-19 Deaths for Week Ending June 27 Down 91.9% From Mid-April Peak
In the week that ended on June 27, there were 1,363 deaths in the United States involving COVID-19, which was a 91.9 percent drop from the peak of 16,895 COVID-involved deaths reported for the week that ended on April 18, according to the provisional COVID-19 death counts published by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Soros foundation to give $220 million to Black groups advocating racial justice
Open Society, the foundation founded by liberal billionaire philanthropist George Soros, is set to donate $220 million to racial justice groups in the wake of awareness stoked by civil unrest around the issue of police brutality.
Goya Foods Pledges More Than Million Pounds of Food, Faces Boycott
Goya Foods is a minority-owned company that sells various food products in the US and many Latin countries. In fact, it is the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the USA, and the CEO pledged to donate a million cans of chickpeas and a million pounds of food during these troubled times. Yet, Goya Foods is facing a boycott.
Federal court permanently blocks Georgia ‘heartbeat’ abortion bill
A federal court has permanently barred the state of Georgia from implementing a 2019 bill that would have prohibited abortion once a heartbeat was detected, Fox News reports. U.S. District Judge Steve Jones had temporarily blocked the bill in October, but ruled Monday that House Bill 481 is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced.
Christian News
Christians Rejoice As Sudan Scraps Death Sentence For Leaving Islam
Christian converts in Sudan are rejoicing after the transitional government scrapped legislation that made leaving Islam punishable by death, Worthy News learned.