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
Satellite image: Iran blast was near suspected missile site
An explosion that rattled Iran’s capital came from an area in its eastern mountains that analysts believe hides an underground tunnel system and missile production sites, satellite photographs showed Saturday.
Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan Agree On Controversial Dam To End Water Dispute
Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan want a deal next month on filling Ethiopia's giant new hydroelectric dam to end a decade-long dispute over water supplies. Their accord on the Blue Nile river dam announced over the weekend followed mediation by the African Union (AU), the cooperative body of 55 member states on the African continent.
Poland's President Facing Liberal Challenge In Sunday Poll
Poland's right-wing president, Andrzej Duda, was seeking a second five-year term in an election amid controversy. Sunday's poll was seen as a test whether voters share his plans of implementing a conservative agenda. His policies include judicial reforms that the European Union claims undermine democracy.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
9 Iran-backed fighters killed in 2nd raid in Syria in 24 hours — monitor
Airstrikes targeting positions of Iran-backed militias in eastern Syria killed nine fighters on Sunday in the second such raid in 24 hours, a war monitor said.
Israel War Planes Struck Targets In Gaza Strip Ahead Of "Annexation"
Tensions remained high Sunday after two Israeli warplanes struck targets in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military said it was a response to two rockets fired at Israeli territory from the coastal enclave, Worthy News learned.
Israel and United Arab Emirates to cooperate on COVID-19
Israel and the United Arab Emirates are set to join forces in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jerusalem Post reports. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the partnership in a statement on Thursday, saying the decision to cooperate had come after months of intense negotiation.
Inside the United States
Trump signs executive order protecting federal monuments
President Donald Trump on Friday said he signed an executive order protecting U.S. monuments like those toppled in recent weeks for having connections to racism or slavery.
Trump Administration Urges Supreme Court to Scrap Obamacare in Full
The Trump administration urged the Supreme Court to strike down the Affordable Care Act in its entirety in a new legal brief filed late Thursday night.
Trump’s Use of Military Funds for US-Mexico Border Wall Illegal, Federal Court Rules
A federal appeals court in California on Friday ruled that the Trump administration’s use of Pentagon funding to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border was illegal.
House passes bill to make Washington DC the 51st state
House Democrats passed a bill Friday to make Washington, D.C., the 51st U.S. state, a historic move unlikely to gain traction in the Republican-held Senate.
New York Leadership Ordered To End' Church Discrimination'
More devoted Christians could legally worship in the U.S. State of New York on Sunday after a federal judge told Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to stop discriminating churches while allowing "black lives matter" protests against police abuse.
Gun Permits Up 500% and Sales Skyrocket Amid Chicago Protests
As protests continue in Chicago, applications for Illinois firearms permits have been up 501% from June 1 to June 17 compared to 2019, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Satellite image: Iran blast was near suspected missile site
An explosion that rattled Iran’s capital came from an area in its eastern mountains that analysts believe hides an underground tunnel system and missile production sites, satellite photographs showed Saturday.
Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan Agree On Controversial Dam To End Water Dispute
Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan want a deal next month on filling Ethiopia's giant new hydroelectric dam to end a decade-long dispute over water supplies. Their accord on the Blue Nile river dam announced over the weekend followed mediation by the African Union (AU), the cooperative body of 55 member states on the African continent.
Poland's President Facing Liberal Challenge In Sunday Poll
Poland's right-wing president, Andrzej Duda, was seeking a second five-year term in an election amid controversy. Sunday's poll was seen as a test whether voters share his plans of implementing a conservative agenda. His policies include judicial reforms that the European Union claims undermine democracy.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
9 Iran-backed fighters killed in 2nd raid in Syria in 24 hours — monitor
Airstrikes targeting positions of Iran-backed militias in eastern Syria killed nine fighters on Sunday in the second such raid in 24 hours, a war monitor said.
Israel War Planes Struck Targets In Gaza Strip Ahead Of "Annexation"
Tensions remained high Sunday after two Israeli warplanes struck targets in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military said it was a response to two rockets fired at Israeli territory from the coastal enclave, Worthy News learned.
Israel and United Arab Emirates to cooperate on COVID-19
Israel and the United Arab Emirates are set to join forces in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, the Jerusalem Post reports. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the partnership in a statement on Thursday, saying the decision to cooperate had come after months of intense negotiation.
Inside the United States
Trump signs executive order protecting federal monuments
President Donald Trump on Friday said he signed an executive order protecting U.S. monuments like those toppled in recent weeks for having connections to racism or slavery.
Trump Administration Urges Supreme Court to Scrap Obamacare in Full
The Trump administration urged the Supreme Court to strike down the Affordable Care Act in its entirety in a new legal brief filed late Thursday night.
Trump’s Use of Military Funds for US-Mexico Border Wall Illegal, Federal Court Rules
A federal appeals court in California on Friday ruled that the Trump administration’s use of Pentagon funding to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border was illegal.
House passes bill to make Washington DC the 51st state
House Democrats passed a bill Friday to make Washington, D.C., the 51st U.S. state, a historic move unlikely to gain traction in the Republican-held Senate.
New York Leadership Ordered To End' Church Discrimination'
More devoted Christians could legally worship in the U.S. State of New York on Sunday after a federal judge told Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio to stop discriminating churches while allowing "black lives matter" protests against police abuse.
Gun Permits Up 500% and Sales Skyrocket Amid Chicago Protests
As protests continue in Chicago, applications for Illinois firearms permits have been up 501% from June 1 to June 17 compared to 2019, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Around the World
Investors/lenders urged to help Africa as new study forecasts shrinking economies in 2020
According to a new study, many African nations struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic may find themselves defaulting on debt repayments, DW reports. Weak currencies, higher interest rates, and reduced oil prices could result in African governments losing an estimated US$45 billion in revenue this year alone, the study found.
North and South Korea Remember the 70th Anniversary Of Devastating War
North and South Korea on Thursday recalled the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War that left millions of soldiers and civilians dead, injured or missing, and ravaged much of the Korean Peninsula.
Russia Votes On Controversial Constitution Changes
Russia has begun a week-long vote on constitutional reforms that could allow President Vladimir Putin to rule until 2036.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Belgium votes today on whether to recognize a Palestinian state and on whether to threaten Israel with sanctions
Belgium’s Chamber of Representatives will vote today on whether to recognize a Palestinian state and on whether Israel should be threatened with economic sanctions if it unilaterally annexes parts of the West Bank, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Archaeologists find remains of Christian settlement in Galilee
The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has published a report on its finding an ancient Christian settlement in northern Israel in 2007, CBN News reported. Located in the Galilee area, the rural settlement was likely destroyed during the Persian conquest in 613 AD, the IAA report says.
Inside the United States
US House Passes Democratic Police Reform Bill as Impasse Deepens
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a sweeping Democratic police reform bill on Thursday, sending the measure to the Senate despite opposition from President Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress.
U.S. GDP fell at a 5% rate in the first quarter, and the worse is likely on the way
The U.S. economy shrank at a 5.0% rate in the first quarter with a much worse decline expected in the current three-month economic period because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump signs executive order to strengthen foster care, bolster faith-based partnerships
President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to strengthen the nation’s foster care system which calls on states and cities to work with faith-based and other charities at a time when organizations that uphold traditional views of marriage are facing increasing hostility from Democratic lawmakers and left-leaning groups.
Investors/lenders urged to help Africa as new study forecasts shrinking economies in 2020
According to a new study, many African nations struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic may find themselves defaulting on debt repayments, DW reports. Weak currencies, higher interest rates, and reduced oil prices could result in African governments losing an estimated US$45 billion in revenue this year alone, the study found.
North and South Korea Remember the 70th Anniversary Of Devastating War
North and South Korea on Thursday recalled the 70th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War that left millions of soldiers and civilians dead, injured or missing, and ravaged much of the Korean Peninsula.
Russia Votes On Controversial Constitution Changes
Russia has begun a week-long vote on constitutional reforms that could allow President Vladimir Putin to rule until 2036.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Belgium votes today on whether to recognize a Palestinian state and on whether to threaten Israel with sanctions
Belgium’s Chamber of Representatives will vote today on whether to recognize a Palestinian state and on whether Israel should be threatened with economic sanctions if it unilaterally annexes parts of the West Bank, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Archaeologists find remains of Christian settlement in Galilee
The Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) has published a report on its finding an ancient Christian settlement in northern Israel in 2007, CBN News reported. Located in the Galilee area, the rural settlement was likely destroyed during the Persian conquest in 613 AD, the IAA report says.
Inside the United States
US House Passes Democratic Police Reform Bill as Impasse Deepens
The U.S. House of Representatives approved a sweeping Democratic police reform bill on Thursday, sending the measure to the Senate despite opposition from President Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress.
U.S. GDP fell at a 5% rate in the first quarter, and the worse is likely on the way
The U.S. economy shrank at a 5.0% rate in the first quarter with a much worse decline expected in the current three-month economic period because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump signs executive order to strengthen foster care, bolster faith-based partnerships
President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to strengthen the nation’s foster care system which calls on states and cities to work with faith-based and other charities at a time when organizations that uphold traditional views of marriage are facing increasing hostility from Democratic lawmakers and left-leaning groups.
Around the World
IMF Downgrades Global Economic Forecast
As governments around the world battle the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has published a further grim forecast, predicting a 4.9% contraction in global GDP (gross domestic product) for 2020, a lower figure than the 3% forecast in April, CNBC reports. The IMF also downgraded its GDP prediction for 2021, lowering it to 5.4% from the 5.8% forecast in April.
US-Russia Agree On Talks To Prevent News Arms Race
U.S. and Russian negotiators have agreed to continue talks on how to prevent a new nuclear arms race. Still, concerns remain over China's opposition to being included in the negotiations.
At a Time of Declining Popularity, Russia to Vote on Changes That Could Extend Putin’s Rule
Amid declining polls, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed a military parade on Wednesday, ahead of a vote that could pave the way for him to remain in office until 2036.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
At UN, Arab League head warns of ‘religious war’ if Israel annexes in West Bank
The United Nations, European Union countries, and the Arab League joined Wednesday in calling for Israel to abandon its plans to annex parts of the West Bank, as the Jewish state’s envoy to the international body insisted the step would not stand in the way of peace with the Palestinians.
Knesset advances bill to enable Shin Bet surveillance in coronavirus fight
The cabinet and the Knesset voted on Wednesday to advance legislation that would enable the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) to use its digital tools to track coronavirus patients. The bill passed a preliminary reading in the Knesset plenum by a vote of 44 to 33, but still must pass additional readings in a Knesset committee and the plenum next week in order to become law.
Former head of Military Intelligence: Iran could respond to Syria strikes
The former head of the IDF's Military Intelligence Directorate Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Yadlin warned on Wednesday that Iran could respond to overnight airstrikes in Syria that the Syrian regime has attributed to Israel.
Under Trump’s peace plan major Israeli archaeological sites would be located in future Palestinian state
According to a survey conducted for the Shiloh Policy Forum, US President Trump’s Mideast peace plan would place hundreds of Jewish archaeological sites inside a future Palestinian state, CBN News reports. Among the sites concerned are Shiloh and an ancient synagogue discovered in Shomron, the Biblical capital of the northern Kingdom of Israel.
Inside the United States
Governor of Tennessee set to sign heartbeat abortion bill
The governor of Tennessee has said he will sign a new bill that prohibits abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, Christian Headlines reported Monday. Sponsored by Gov. Bill Lee earlier this year, the bill also bans abortion on the grounds of sex, race, or a diagnosis of Down’s syndrome.
Sahara Dust Cloud Looms Over Cuba, Caribbean and Florida
A massive cloud of Saharan dust darkened much of Cuba on Wednesday and began to affect air quality in Florida, sparking warnings to people with respiratory illnesses to stay home.
Christian News
Yazidis and Christians face existential threat in northeast Syria following Turkish intervention and US pull back of troops
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) heard last week that President Donald Trump’s partial withdrawal of American troops from northeast Syria in 2019 created a vacuum in which Turkey and Turkish-backed militia have been able to threaten local vulnerable civilian populations including Christians and Yazidis. Condemning Turkey’s latest airstrikes and ground operations in the region, the USCIRF called for the US government to “utilize all diplomatic and economic leverage to protect vulnerable religious minorities in northern Iraq — as well as neighboring northeastern Syria — from Turkey’s indiscriminate military operations,” the Christian Post reported.
IMF Downgrades Global Economic Forecast
As governments around the world battle the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has published a further grim forecast, predicting a 4.9% contraction in global GDP (gross domestic product) for 2020, a lower figure than the 3% forecast in April, CNBC reports. The IMF also downgraded its GDP prediction for 2021, lowering it to 5.4% from the 5.8% forecast in April.
US-Russia Agree On Talks To Prevent News Arms Race
U.S. and Russian negotiators have agreed to continue talks on how to prevent a new nuclear arms race. Still, concerns remain over China's opposition to being included in the negotiations.
At a Time of Declining Popularity, Russia to Vote on Changes That Could Extend Putin’s Rule
Amid declining polls, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed a military parade on Wednesday, ahead of a vote that could pave the way for him to remain in office until 2036.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
At UN, Arab League head warns of ‘religious war’ if Israel annexes in West Bank
The United Nations, European Union countries, and the Arab League joined Wednesday in calling for Israel to abandon its plans to annex parts of the West Bank, as the Jewish state’s envoy to the international body insisted the step would not stand in the way of peace with the Palestinians.
Knesset advances bill to enable Shin Bet surveillance in coronavirus fight
The cabinet and the Knesset voted on Wednesday to advance legislation that would enable the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) to use its digital tools to track coronavirus patients. The bill passed a preliminary reading in the Knesset plenum by a vote of 44 to 33, but still must pass additional readings in a Knesset committee and the plenum next week in order to become law.
Former head of Military Intelligence: Iran could respond to Syria strikes
The former head of the IDF's Military Intelligence Directorate Maj. Gen. (res.) Amos Yadlin warned on Wednesday that Iran could respond to overnight airstrikes in Syria that the Syrian regime has attributed to Israel.
Under Trump’s peace plan major Israeli archaeological sites would be located in future Palestinian state
According to a survey conducted for the Shiloh Policy Forum, US President Trump’s Mideast peace plan would place hundreds of Jewish archaeological sites inside a future Palestinian state, CBN News reports. Among the sites concerned are Shiloh and an ancient synagogue discovered in Shomron, the Biblical capital of the northern Kingdom of Israel.
Inside the United States
Governor of Tennessee set to sign heartbeat abortion bill
The governor of Tennessee has said he will sign a new bill that prohibits abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, Christian Headlines reported Monday. Sponsored by Gov. Bill Lee earlier this year, the bill also bans abortion on the grounds of sex, race, or a diagnosis of Down’s syndrome.
Sahara Dust Cloud Looms Over Cuba, Caribbean and Florida
A massive cloud of Saharan dust darkened much of Cuba on Wednesday and began to affect air quality in Florida, sparking warnings to people with respiratory illnesses to stay home.
Christian News
Yazidis and Christians face existential threat in northeast Syria following Turkish intervention and US pull back of troops
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) heard last week that President Donald Trump’s partial withdrawal of American troops from northeast Syria in 2019 created a vacuum in which Turkey and Turkish-backed militia have been able to threaten local vulnerable civilian populations including Christians and Yazidis. Condemning Turkey’s latest airstrikes and ground operations in the region, the USCIRF called for the US government to “utilize all diplomatic and economic leverage to protect vulnerable religious minorities in northern Iraq — as well as neighboring northeastern Syria — from Turkey’s indiscriminate military operations,” the Christian Post reported.