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
Saudi-Led Coalition Intercepts Ballistic Rockets, Drones Launched by Yemen’s Houthis
The Saudi-led coalition said on Monday it intercepted and destroyed four ballistic rockets and seven drones laden with explosives launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis towards the kingdom.
Trump says U.S.-China relationship is ‘severely damaged,’ phase 2 trade deal not a priority
President Donald Trump said Friday that he isn’t thinking about a possible next stage of the U.S. trade deal with China, adding that the relationship between the two nations has been “severely damaged” by the coronavirus pandemic.
Chinese virologist accuses Beijing of coronavirus cover-up, flees Hong Kong: 'I know how they treat whistleblowers'
Hong Kong scientist Dr. Li-Meng Yan was stepping into uncharted territory. Hours before she boarded an April 28 Cathay Pacific flight to the United States, the respected doctor who specialized in virology and immunology at the Hong Kong School of Public Health had plotted her escape, packing her bag and sneaking past the censors and video cameras on campus.
Netherlands will eliminate gender from ID cards
The gender field will soon no longer appear in the Identification cards (IDs) of citizens, the government of the Netherlands has announced.
Poland's President Narrowly Re-Elected But Legal Challenges Expected
Poland's incumbent conservative President Andrzej Duda has narrowly beaten his liberal challenger Rafal Trzaskowski in Sunday's razor-blade tight presidential election. The National Electoral Commission said Duda won with 51.2 percent of the vote.
Bulgarians continue protests against government corruption
Thousands of protestors took to the streets of Sofia and at least 10 other Bulgarian towns for the fourth day Sunday in demonstrations against government corruption, VOA reports. During a march to Parliament in Sofia, more than 3,000 protestors called for the conservative government to resign with shouts of "Mafia!" The protests were triggered in support of socialist President Rumen Radev's, after prosecutors and heavily armed police raided presidential offices on Thursday, VOA reported.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Ultra-Orthodox hold 3rd straight night of protests in Jerusalem against lockdown
Ultra-Orthodox men and boys in Jerusalem staged protests against government lockdowns for the third evening in a row on Monday, with police arresting 16.
Inside the United States
Federal Reserve's $3 trillion virus rescue inflates market bubbles
The Federal Reserve's $3 trillion bid to stave off an economic crisis in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak is fuelling excesses across U.S. capital markets.
US Budget Deficit Hits All-Time High of $864 Billion in June
The U.S. government, faced with a surge in COVID-19 cases and their economic impact, said it incurred its biggest monthly deficit ever in June, an $864 billion figure that is more than the country usually has recorded annually throughout its history.
US reaches 10th billion-dollar weather disaster by end of June 2020
Halfway through 2020 and the billions of losses from weather disasters have added up for another year in a row.
Providers like Planned Parenthood cannot claim federal funding for advocating abortion overseas
The US Supreme Court has confirmed that abortion providers like International Planned Parenthood cannot expect taxpayers to fund their advocacy of abortion overseas, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) reported last week.
Christian News
Iraqi Christian community under threat of extinction
An international humanitarian aid organization has said Christians living in the formerly ISIS-controlled Nineveh Plains of Iraq are now in danger of extinction, the Christian Post reports. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) published a report this week in which it states that political and sectarian tensions are driving Christians out of the area.
Saudi-Led Coalition Intercepts Ballistic Rockets, Drones Launched by Yemen’s Houthis
The Saudi-led coalition said on Monday it intercepted and destroyed four ballistic rockets and seven drones laden with explosives launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis towards the kingdom.
Trump says U.S.-China relationship is ‘severely damaged,’ phase 2 trade deal not a priority
President Donald Trump said Friday that he isn’t thinking about a possible next stage of the U.S. trade deal with China, adding that the relationship between the two nations has been “severely damaged” by the coronavirus pandemic.
Chinese virologist accuses Beijing of coronavirus cover-up, flees Hong Kong: 'I know how they treat whistleblowers'
Hong Kong scientist Dr. Li-Meng Yan was stepping into uncharted territory. Hours before she boarded an April 28 Cathay Pacific flight to the United States, the respected doctor who specialized in virology and immunology at the Hong Kong School of Public Health had plotted her escape, packing her bag and sneaking past the censors and video cameras on campus.
Netherlands will eliminate gender from ID cards
The gender field will soon no longer appear in the Identification cards (IDs) of citizens, the government of the Netherlands has announced.
Poland's President Narrowly Re-Elected But Legal Challenges Expected
Poland's incumbent conservative President Andrzej Duda has narrowly beaten his liberal challenger Rafal Trzaskowski in Sunday's razor-blade tight presidential election. The National Electoral Commission said Duda won with 51.2 percent of the vote.
Bulgarians continue protests against government corruption
Thousands of protestors took to the streets of Sofia and at least 10 other Bulgarian towns for the fourth day Sunday in demonstrations against government corruption, VOA reports. During a march to Parliament in Sofia, more than 3,000 protestors called for the conservative government to resign with shouts of "Mafia!" The protests were triggered in support of socialist President Rumen Radev's, after prosecutors and heavily armed police raided presidential offices on Thursday, VOA reported.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Ultra-Orthodox hold 3rd straight night of protests in Jerusalem against lockdown
Ultra-Orthodox men and boys in Jerusalem staged protests against government lockdowns for the third evening in a row on Monday, with police arresting 16.
Inside the United States
Federal Reserve's $3 trillion virus rescue inflates market bubbles
The Federal Reserve's $3 trillion bid to stave off an economic crisis in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak is fuelling excesses across U.S. capital markets.
US Budget Deficit Hits All-Time High of $864 Billion in June
The U.S. government, faced with a surge in COVID-19 cases and their economic impact, said it incurred its biggest monthly deficit ever in June, an $864 billion figure that is more than the country usually has recorded annually throughout its history.
US reaches 10th billion-dollar weather disaster by end of June 2020
Halfway through 2020 and the billions of losses from weather disasters have added up for another year in a row.
Providers like Planned Parenthood cannot claim federal funding for advocating abortion overseas
The US Supreme Court has confirmed that abortion providers like International Planned Parenthood cannot expect taxpayers to fund their advocacy of abortion overseas, the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) reported last week.
Christian News
Iraqi Christian community under threat of extinction
An international humanitarian aid organization has said Christians living in the formerly ISIS-controlled Nineveh Plains of Iraq are now in danger of extinction, the Christian Post reports. Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) published a report this week in which it states that political and sectarian tensions are driving Christians out of the area.
Around the World
More explosions in Iran
Further explosions were reported Thursday night at yet another sensitive site in Iran, the Jerusalem Post reports. The latest in a series of blasts at industrial and infrastructural areas in Iran, Thursday’s explosions reportedly took place at an Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRG) missile depot west of Tehran.
Anti-migration Hungary Reimposes Coronavirus Measures on Selected Foreigners
Hungary’s fiercely anti-migration government warned Sunday it would reimpose far-reaching coronavirus restrictions on people arriving from nations with a moderate or high number of coronavirus infections. The measures include mandatory two-week quarantines or bans and other limitations.
Poland Voters Elect President As Country Seeks Direction
People in Poland went to the polls Sunday in what commentators called a razor-blade-close presidential election runoff amid a coronavirus pandemic. Voters were deciding whether to give another chance to the current conservative President Andrzej Duda, or to make the liberal mayor of Warsaw the next head-of-state.
Sober Ceremony Marks 25th Anniversary of Srebrenica Massacre
Bosnia-Herzegovina commemorated over the weekend the 25th anniversary of Europe's worst atrocity since World War Two. Some 8,000 Muslim men and boys were shot end killed by invading Serb forces in and around the Bosnian town of Srebrenica in one of the darkest episodes of the 1992-1995 Bosnian war.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Third intifada will closely follow annexation, top PA official warns
Israel can expect a third intifada if it moves ahead with annexation of parts of the West Bank, an advisor to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has said.
Hamas naval commander, suspected ‘collaborator,’ flees Gaza to Israel
A senior naval commander in the armed wing of the Hamas terror group, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, fled the Gaza Strip to Israel after suspicions arose that he was working for Israel as a so-called “collaborator,” according to unsourced reports in the Palestinian media.
Inside the United States
'Safe for democracy': Democrats bring 'Defund' movement to Capitol Police
Democrats from Seattle to New York are working to cut their police budgets, but not on Capitol Hill, where the House — controlled by Democrats — is moving ahead with a budget that freezes but doesn’t trim any funding for the U.S. Capitol Police.
Trump denies Minnesota governor's request for $500M to repair damage from riots
President Trump has denied a request from Minnesota’s governor for money to rebuild parts of Minneapolis that were destroyed during the riots following the death of George Floyd.
Christian News
Turkey Court: ‘Istanbul’s Main Former Cathedral Turned Into Mosque’
Turkey’s top administrative court decided Friday that the Byzantine Empire’s main cathedral, which eventually became a museum, can be converted back into a mosque. Christian leaders condemned Friday’s ruling.
UK Appeals Court: Christian adoption agency cannot refuse placements with same-sex couples when it works on behalf of local government authorities
A UK Appeals Court has ruled that, while it is working with government authorities, a Christian adoption and foster care agency cannot refuse to place children with same-sex couples, the Christian Post reports. The Court ruled Tuesday that the Cornerstone Adoption and Fostering Service can recruit carers who identify as evangelical, provided it does not legally require them to be heterosexual.
Eritrea Detains Dozens Of Christians
Dozens of Christians have been detained in Eritrea in the latest government crackdown on devoted believers, advocacy representatives said Friday.
Turkey Expels Foreign Christians In Crackdown
Turkey is expelling foreign Christians as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks to increase support from conservative Islamic leaders, rights investigators told Worthy News.
Christians arrested in Iran
At least 12 Christians are understood to have been arrested by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRG) in what is believed to have been a coordinated round-up last week, the Christian Post reports. Announced by Article 18, a UK-based human rights non-profit organization, the arrests were said to have taken place in the cities of Tehran, Karaj and Malayer on June 30 and July 1.
More explosions in Iran
Further explosions were reported Thursday night at yet another sensitive site in Iran, the Jerusalem Post reports. The latest in a series of blasts at industrial and infrastructural areas in Iran, Thursday’s explosions reportedly took place at an Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRG) missile depot west of Tehran.
Anti-migration Hungary Reimposes Coronavirus Measures on Selected Foreigners
Hungary’s fiercely anti-migration government warned Sunday it would reimpose far-reaching coronavirus restrictions on people arriving from nations with a moderate or high number of coronavirus infections. The measures include mandatory two-week quarantines or bans and other limitations.
Poland Voters Elect President As Country Seeks Direction
People in Poland went to the polls Sunday in what commentators called a razor-blade-close presidential election runoff amid a coronavirus pandemic. Voters were deciding whether to give another chance to the current conservative President Andrzej Duda, or to make the liberal mayor of Warsaw the next head-of-state.
Sober Ceremony Marks 25th Anniversary of Srebrenica Massacre
Bosnia-Herzegovina commemorated over the weekend the 25th anniversary of Europe's worst atrocity since World War Two. Some 8,000 Muslim men and boys were shot end killed by invading Serb forces in and around the Bosnian town of Srebrenica in one of the darkest episodes of the 1992-1995 Bosnian war.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Third intifada will closely follow annexation, top PA official warns
Israel can expect a third intifada if it moves ahead with annexation of parts of the West Bank, an advisor to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has said.
Hamas naval commander, suspected ‘collaborator,’ flees Gaza to Israel
A senior naval commander in the armed wing of the Hamas terror group, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, fled the Gaza Strip to Israel after suspicions arose that he was working for Israel as a so-called “collaborator,” according to unsourced reports in the Palestinian media.
Inside the United States
'Safe for democracy': Democrats bring 'Defund' movement to Capitol Police
Democrats from Seattle to New York are working to cut their police budgets, but not on Capitol Hill, where the House — controlled by Democrats — is moving ahead with a budget that freezes but doesn’t trim any funding for the U.S. Capitol Police.
Trump denies Minnesota governor's request for $500M to repair damage from riots
President Trump has denied a request from Minnesota’s governor for money to rebuild parts of Minneapolis that were destroyed during the riots following the death of George Floyd.
Christian News
Turkey Court: ‘Istanbul’s Main Former Cathedral Turned Into Mosque’
Turkey’s top administrative court decided Friday that the Byzantine Empire’s main cathedral, which eventually became a museum, can be converted back into a mosque. Christian leaders condemned Friday’s ruling.
UK Appeals Court: Christian adoption agency cannot refuse placements with same-sex couples when it works on behalf of local government authorities
A UK Appeals Court has ruled that, while it is working with government authorities, a Christian adoption and foster care agency cannot refuse to place children with same-sex couples, the Christian Post reports. The Court ruled Tuesday that the Cornerstone Adoption and Fostering Service can recruit carers who identify as evangelical, provided it does not legally require them to be heterosexual.
Eritrea Detains Dozens Of Christians
Dozens of Christians have been detained in Eritrea in the latest government crackdown on devoted believers, advocacy representatives said Friday.
Turkey Expels Foreign Christians In Crackdown
Turkey is expelling foreign Christians as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan seeks to increase support from conservative Islamic leaders, rights investigators told Worthy News.
Christians arrested in Iran
At least 12 Christians are understood to have been arrested by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard (IRG) in what is believed to have been a coordinated round-up last week, the Christian Post reports. Announced by Article 18, a UK-based human rights non-profit organization, the arrests were said to have taken place in the cities of Tehran, Karaj and Malayer on June 30 and July 1.
Around the World
Pompeo warns of potential restriction of Chinese TikTok app; US users may be ceding info to 'Chinese Communists'
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday the Trump administration is considering restricting United States' users' access to the Chinese social media application TikTok over concerns it is potentially being used by the Beijing government as a means to surveil and propagandize people.
Iranian and Syrian regimes sign military agreement
Syria’s dictator Bashar Assad has signed a military cooperation agreement with Iran’s Islamic extremist regime, Algemeiner reports. The deal was concluded Wednesday, reportedly as part of an effort to increase Syria’s air defenses against “pressures by America.”
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Jordan, Egypt, Germany and France warn against annexation
Any changes to Israel’s eastern border would impact relations between Israel and Egypt, Jordan, France and Germany, the countries’ foreign ministers said on Tuesday.
Inside the United States
7-2 SCOTUS: President Trump is Not 'Absolutely Immune From State Criminal Subpoena Seeking His Private Papers'
The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that "no citizen, not even the President, is categorically above the common duty to produce evidence when called upon in a criminal proceeding.
Supreme Court Rules Swath of Oklahoma Is Native American Land
Nearly half of Oklahoma remains a Native American reservation, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday, in a case that could have major consequences for how some crimes are prosecuted in the state.
Supreme Court says religious institutions have right to choose employees
The US Supreme Court reaffirmed Wednesday that religious schools and institutions have a First Amendment right to choose their own staff.
Christian News
650 Cases Out of 3 Million: The NY Times Falsely Accuses Churches as 'Major Source' of COVID-19
After finding 40 churches connected to around 650 cases of the coronavirus, The New York Times is calling Sunday worship services “a major source” of COVID-19 cases.
Man Killed In India For Not Rejecting Christ
New details emerged Thursday of a young Christian man who was reportedly murdered in eastern India for refusing to abandon his faith in Christ.
Christian ministries among religious organizations receiving $6 billion in pandemic aid for small businesses
Churches and Christian non-profits were among religious organizations that received at least $6 billion in COVID relief loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) run by the Small Business Administration (SBA), Ministry Watch reports. In order to receive PPP funds, applicants must claim: “Current economic uncertainty makes this loan request necessary to support the ongoing operations of the Applicant.” PPP beneficiaries in the religious organization category also included mosques, synagogues and other houses of worship.
Pompeo warns of potential restriction of Chinese TikTok app; US users may be ceding info to 'Chinese Communists'
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Monday the Trump administration is considering restricting United States' users' access to the Chinese social media application TikTok over concerns it is potentially being used by the Beijing government as a means to surveil and propagandize people.
Iranian and Syrian regimes sign military agreement
Syria’s dictator Bashar Assad has signed a military cooperation agreement with Iran’s Islamic extremist regime, Algemeiner reports. The deal was concluded Wednesday, reportedly as part of an effort to increase Syria’s air defenses against “pressures by America.”
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Jordan, Egypt, Germany and France warn against annexation
Any changes to Israel’s eastern border would impact relations between Israel and Egypt, Jordan, France and Germany, the countries’ foreign ministers said on Tuesday.
Inside the United States
7-2 SCOTUS: President Trump is Not 'Absolutely Immune From State Criminal Subpoena Seeking His Private Papers'
The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that "no citizen, not even the President, is categorically above the common duty to produce evidence when called upon in a criminal proceeding.
Supreme Court Rules Swath of Oklahoma Is Native American Land
Nearly half of Oklahoma remains a Native American reservation, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday, in a case that could have major consequences for how some crimes are prosecuted in the state.
Supreme Court says religious institutions have right to choose employees
The US Supreme Court reaffirmed Wednesday that religious schools and institutions have a First Amendment right to choose their own staff.
Christian News
650 Cases Out of 3 Million: The NY Times Falsely Accuses Churches as 'Major Source' of COVID-19
After finding 40 churches connected to around 650 cases of the coronavirus, The New York Times is calling Sunday worship services “a major source” of COVID-19 cases.
Man Killed In India For Not Rejecting Christ
New details emerged Thursday of a young Christian man who was reportedly murdered in eastern India for refusing to abandon his faith in Christ.
Christian ministries among religious organizations receiving $6 billion in pandemic aid for small businesses
Churches and Christian non-profits were among religious organizations that received at least $6 billion in COVID relief loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) run by the Small Business Administration (SBA), Ministry Watch reports. In order to receive PPP funds, applicants must claim: “Current economic uncertainty makes this loan request necessary to support the ongoing operations of the Applicant.” PPP beneficiaries in the religious organization category also included mosques, synagogues and other houses of worship.