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
Once-eased US economic sanctions against Iran back in effect
The first set of U.S. sanctions against Iran that had been eased under the landmark nuclear accord went back into effect early Tuesday under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, targeting financial transactions that involve U.S. dollars, Iran’s automotive sector, the purchase of commercial planes and metals including gold.
Trump reimposes Iran sanctions, says goal is ‘maximum pressure’
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to restore nuclear-related sanctions on Iran, increasing economic pressure on Tehran and renewing his criticism of what he called a 'horrible, one-sided' nuclear deal, the White House announced Monday.
DHS Reversal Reopens Asylum Cases for 87 Iranian Christians and Other Religious Minorities
The Department of Homeland Security has re-opened the asylum applications of a group of 87 Iranian Christians and other religious minorities who have been marooned in Austria for more than a year awaiting a final decision.
EU firms in Iran caught between US and Europe
European businesses that pull out of Iran because of US sanctions may end up being sued by EU states.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Syria Blames Mossad as Top Syrian Rocket Scientist Assassinated
Aziz Azbar, head of the Scientific Research and Studies Center in Masyaf, also known by its French acronym ‘CERS’, was killed in a car bombing incident alongside his driver on Saturday night in an alleged Mossad operation, a senior official from a Middle Eastern intelligence agency told the New York Times on Monday.
Inside the United States
Northern California blazes now largest in state history
Twin Northern California blazes fueled by dry vegetation and hot, windy weather grew Monday to become the largest wildfire in state history.
Lyme Disease Now Found in All 50 States
There's been a sharp spike in Lyme disease cases in the United States, and the tick-borne illness has now spread to all 50 states, a new report shows.
14,000 firefighters battling 18 major California blazes
Some 14,000 firefighters, including inmate volunteers, are battling 18 major blazes burning thousands of square miles throughout California with aircraft, assorted vehicles and picks and shovels.
Facebook in talks with banks to expand customer service
The Wall Street Journal had reported here that Facebook had asked banks to share detailed financial information about their customers, including card transactions and checking-account balances.
Hawaii's Big Island readies as Hurricane Hector approaches
Hawaii emergency officials who have been contending with Kilauea volcano's lava flow were preparing for a hurricane that was expected to pass to the south of the islands this week.
Christian News
Crosses Being Removed, Covered in Scottish Chapels Due to Offended Non-Christians at Funeral Services
A Scottish government report has revealed that Christian crosses are being removed inside chapels during funeral services so as to not be offensive to atheists and non-Christians.
Once-eased US economic sanctions against Iran back in effect
The first set of U.S. sanctions against Iran that had been eased under the landmark nuclear accord went back into effect early Tuesday under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, targeting financial transactions that involve U.S. dollars, Iran’s automotive sector, the purchase of commercial planes and metals including gold.
Trump reimposes Iran sanctions, says goal is ‘maximum pressure’
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to restore nuclear-related sanctions on Iran, increasing economic pressure on Tehran and renewing his criticism of what he called a 'horrible, one-sided' nuclear deal, the White House announced Monday.
DHS Reversal Reopens Asylum Cases for 87 Iranian Christians and Other Religious Minorities
The Department of Homeland Security has re-opened the asylum applications of a group of 87 Iranian Christians and other religious minorities who have been marooned in Austria for more than a year awaiting a final decision.
EU firms in Iran caught between US and Europe
European businesses that pull out of Iran because of US sanctions may end up being sued by EU states.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Syria Blames Mossad as Top Syrian Rocket Scientist Assassinated
Aziz Azbar, head of the Scientific Research and Studies Center in Masyaf, also known by its French acronym ‘CERS’, was killed in a car bombing incident alongside his driver on Saturday night in an alleged Mossad operation, a senior official from a Middle Eastern intelligence agency told the New York Times on Monday.
Inside the United States
Northern California blazes now largest in state history
Twin Northern California blazes fueled by dry vegetation and hot, windy weather grew Monday to become the largest wildfire in state history.
Lyme Disease Now Found in All 50 States
There's been a sharp spike in Lyme disease cases in the United States, and the tick-borne illness has now spread to all 50 states, a new report shows.
14,000 firefighters battling 18 major California blazes
Some 14,000 firefighters, including inmate volunteers, are battling 18 major blazes burning thousands of square miles throughout California with aircraft, assorted vehicles and picks and shovels.
Facebook in talks with banks to expand customer service
The Wall Street Journal had reported here that Facebook had asked banks to share detailed financial information about their customers, including card transactions and checking-account balances.
Hawaii's Big Island readies as Hurricane Hector approaches
Hawaii emergency officials who have been contending with Kilauea volcano's lava flow were preparing for a hurricane that was expected to pass to the south of the islands this week.
Christian News
Crosses Being Removed, Covered in Scottish Chapels Due to Offended Non-Christians at Funeral Services
A Scottish government report has revealed that Christian crosses are being removed inside chapels during funeral services so as to not be offensive to atheists and non-Christians.
Around the World
Yemen: US allies strike deals with al-Qaida in war on rebels
A military coalition led by Saudi Arabia and backed by the United States has cut secret deals with al-Qaida fighters, paying some to leave key cities and towns the militants had seized across Yemen and letting others retreat with weapons, equipment and wads of looted cash, an investigation by The Associated Press has found. Hundreds more were recruited to join the coalition itself.
Powerful Quake Hits Indonesia’s Lombok Island; at Least 39 Dead
A strong earthquake struck the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok on Sunday, killing at least 82 people and shaking neighboring Bali, one week after another quake on Lombok killed more than a dozen.
Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelan president, cuts speech short after attempted attack; explosives detonated
Drones armed with explosives detonated near Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as he gave a speech to hundreds of soldiers in Caracas on Saturday but the socialist leader was unharmed, according to the government.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
U.S. envoy Kushner calls UNRWA corrupt, inefficient, unhelpful for peace
Emails published by Foreign Policy magazine this week shed light on discussions within the Trump administration on phasing out support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, an organization that provides aid to descendants of refugees from 1940s Mandate Palestine.
Bedouin petition High Court claiming Jewish nation-state law is illegal
Two members of Israel’s Bedouin minority community, who served as officers in the IDF, filed a High Court of Justice petition Sunday against the controversial Jewish nation-state law.
Inside the United States
Massive California wildfire becomes fifth largest in state history
A massive, out-of-control Northern California wildfire that destroyed 68 homes and forced thousands to flee has become the fifth largest in state history, officials said on Sunday, as crews battled high temperatures and strong winds.
Hurricane Hector closing in on Hawaii and volcano
Forecasters are closely watching Hurricane Hector, a powerful category 4 storm that's about to cross into Central Pacific waters.
Alt-right demonstrators, counter-protesters clash in Berkeley
Fireworks boomed and smoke filled the air in downtown Berkeley on Sunday as hundreds of counter-protesters confronted several dozen far-right demonstrators, sparking a tense showdown that led to multiple arrests but no major injuries.
At least 40 shot, 5 dead in less than 24 hours in Chicago
At least 40 people were shot and five people killed over a bloody 24 hours in Chicago, police said Sunday.
Trump attorney Jay Sekulow blames 'bad information' for faulty statement on Trump Tower meeting
President Trump's attorney Jay Sekulow said that he had 'bad information' and made a "mistake" when he denied last summer that the president had any role in crafting a statement about Donald Trump Jr.'s June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower with a Russian lawyer offering dirt on Hillary Clinton.
Four arrested in Portland protest clash
Four people were arrested Saturday as hundreds of right-wing demonstrators faced off against self-described anti-fascist protesters in Portland, Ore., according to police.
Yemen: US allies strike deals with al-Qaida in war on rebels
A military coalition led by Saudi Arabia and backed by the United States has cut secret deals with al-Qaida fighters, paying some to leave key cities and towns the militants had seized across Yemen and letting others retreat with weapons, equipment and wads of looted cash, an investigation by The Associated Press has found. Hundreds more were recruited to join the coalition itself.
Powerful Quake Hits Indonesia’s Lombok Island; at Least 39 Dead
A strong earthquake struck the Indonesian tourist island of Lombok on Sunday, killing at least 82 people and shaking neighboring Bali, one week after another quake on Lombok killed more than a dozen.
Nicolas Maduro, Venezuelan president, cuts speech short after attempted attack; explosives detonated
Drones armed with explosives detonated near Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as he gave a speech to hundreds of soldiers in Caracas on Saturday but the socialist leader was unharmed, according to the government.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
U.S. envoy Kushner calls UNRWA corrupt, inefficient, unhelpful for peace
Emails published by Foreign Policy magazine this week shed light on discussions within the Trump administration on phasing out support for the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, an organization that provides aid to descendants of refugees from 1940s Mandate Palestine.
Bedouin petition High Court claiming Jewish nation-state law is illegal
Two members of Israel’s Bedouin minority community, who served as officers in the IDF, filed a High Court of Justice petition Sunday against the controversial Jewish nation-state law.
Inside the United States
Massive California wildfire becomes fifth largest in state history
A massive, out-of-control Northern California wildfire that destroyed 68 homes and forced thousands to flee has become the fifth largest in state history, officials said on Sunday, as crews battled high temperatures and strong winds.
Hurricane Hector closing in on Hawaii and volcano
Forecasters are closely watching Hurricane Hector, a powerful category 4 storm that's about to cross into Central Pacific waters.
Alt-right demonstrators, counter-protesters clash in Berkeley
Fireworks boomed and smoke filled the air in downtown Berkeley on Sunday as hundreds of counter-protesters confronted several dozen far-right demonstrators, sparking a tense showdown that led to multiple arrests but no major injuries.
At least 40 shot, 5 dead in less than 24 hours in Chicago
At least 40 people were shot and five people killed over a bloody 24 hours in Chicago, police said Sunday.
Trump attorney Jay Sekulow blames 'bad information' for faulty statement on Trump Tower meeting
President Trump's attorney Jay Sekulow said that he had 'bad information' and made a "mistake" when he denied last summer that the president had any role in crafting a statement about Donald Trump Jr.'s June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower with a Russian lawyer offering dirt on Hillary Clinton.
Four arrested in Portland protest clash
Four people were arrested Saturday as hundreds of right-wing demonstrators faced off against self-described anti-fascist protesters in Portland, Ore., according to police.
Around the World
Iran gearing up for major drill threatening to shut Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard forces are gearing up to stage a major exercise in the Persian Gulf, perhaps within the next 48 hours that could be aimed at demonstrating their ability to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, according to a CNN report citing two US officials 'directly familiar with the latest US assessment of IRGC troop movements.'
U.S. Issues New Warning to Europe: End Business With Iran or Face Harsh Sanctions
Congress and the Trump administration are issuing a stern warning to European partners: End all business ties with the Iranian regime or face harsh new sanctions in the coming months, a move that could impact international financial markets and U.S. banks tied to foreign monetary institutions, according to multiple senior U.S. officials who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon about diplomatic efforts to pressure Europe on Iran.
Pope changes Catholic Church teaching on death penalty, declares it 'inadmissible'
Pope Francis changed the Catholic Church's stance on the death penalty in a new policy published Thursday, saying it is 'inadmissible' because it 'attacks' the inherent dignity of all humans.
Syria claims to down ‘hostile target’ during airstrike near Damascus
Syria said late Thursday that its air defenses destroyed an unspecified enemy target during an attempted airstrike west of Damascus, as residents reported a series of loud explosions around the Syrian capital.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
White House bolstering Mideast team ahead of peace plan rollout
US officials say the Trump administration is staffing up a Middle East policy team at the White House in anticipation of unveiling its long awaited but largely mysterious Israeli-Palestinian peace plan.
Netanyahu warns that Israel will stop any Iranian attempt to close Red Sea
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran on Wednesday that Israel, together with an 'international coalition,' would not allow the Islamic Republic to close a key regional waterway.
Israeli airstrike kills 7 ISIS terrorists on Syrian border
An Israeli airstrike on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights border has eliminated seven terrorists, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said Thursday.
After talks in Cairo, Hamas leaders head to Gaza for 'consultations'
Senior Hamas officials who held talks with Egyptian intelligence officials in Cairo over the past three days were scheduled to arrive in the Gaza Strip Thursday to meet with party leaders, sources close to the Islamist movement said.
Annual Pride Parade takes over Jerusalem
In a rainbow of color and diversity, an estimated 35,000 people took to the capital’s streets Thursday for the 17th-annual Jerusalem March for Pride and Tolerance, with numerous groups, organizations and public officials participating in the parade.
Inside the United States
Republicans to press ahead with Kavanaugh conformation despite National Archives delay
The National Archives says it will take months to process the records Republicans have asked to see from Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh’s previous government work, throwing a curveball at the GOP, which had hoped to review the documents, hold hearings and confirm him to the Supreme Court before October.
Remains received from North Korea 'consistent' with being US service members, Pentagon says
The human remains returned to the U.S. by North Korea last week are 'consistent with being Americans,' according to an official who saw the contents of the 55 boxes.
Worst red tide bloom in over a decade kills hundreds of marine mammals along Florida's west coast
The ongoing toxic algae bloom is considered to be the longest red tide outbreak for the Gulf of Mexico in over a decade, and officials say it will most likely last until 2019.
Apple makes history by becoming first US company to reach $1 trillion market value
Apple, the popular technology stock owned by millions of Americans through funds in their 401(k)s, has become the first publicly traded U.S. company to hit a market value of $1 trillion.
Fired-up liberals send $1 billion to candidates, causes ahead of midterms
The online fundraising platform ActBlue this week surged past the $1 billion mark in contributions to Democratic candidates and causes in this election cycle.
Trump national security team says Russia behind effort to meddle in U.S. elections
U.S. President Donald Trump’s national security team said on Thursday that Russia is behind 'pervasive' attempts to interfere in upcoming U.S. elections, in a rejection of denials of meddling that Russian President Vladimir Putin made directly to Trump.
Christian News
Assault on Christian Leader in Nepal Reflects Growing Threat
Pastor Sagar Baizu, 46, had finished one meeting and had an hour before the next one, so he decided to stop at a café on a major thoroughfare in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, on July 19.
Iran gearing up for major drill threatening to shut Strait of Hormuz
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard forces are gearing up to stage a major exercise in the Persian Gulf, perhaps within the next 48 hours that could be aimed at demonstrating their ability to shut down the Strait of Hormuz, according to a CNN report citing two US officials 'directly familiar with the latest US assessment of IRGC troop movements.'
U.S. Issues New Warning to Europe: End Business With Iran or Face Harsh Sanctions
Congress and the Trump administration are issuing a stern warning to European partners: End all business ties with the Iranian regime or face harsh new sanctions in the coming months, a move that could impact international financial markets and U.S. banks tied to foreign monetary institutions, according to multiple senior U.S. officials who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon about diplomatic efforts to pressure Europe on Iran.
Pope changes Catholic Church teaching on death penalty, declares it 'inadmissible'
Pope Francis changed the Catholic Church's stance on the death penalty in a new policy published Thursday, saying it is 'inadmissible' because it 'attacks' the inherent dignity of all humans.
Syria claims to down ‘hostile target’ during airstrike near Damascus
Syria said late Thursday that its air defenses destroyed an unspecified enemy target during an attempted airstrike west of Damascus, as residents reported a series of loud explosions around the Syrian capital.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
White House bolstering Mideast team ahead of peace plan rollout
US officials say the Trump administration is staffing up a Middle East policy team at the White House in anticipation of unveiling its long awaited but largely mysterious Israeli-Palestinian peace plan.
Netanyahu warns that Israel will stop any Iranian attempt to close Red Sea
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned Iran on Wednesday that Israel, together with an 'international coalition,' would not allow the Islamic Republic to close a key regional waterway.
Israeli airstrike kills 7 ISIS terrorists on Syrian border
An Israeli airstrike on the Syrian side of the Golan Heights border has eliminated seven terrorists, the IDF Spokesperson's Unit said Thursday.
After talks in Cairo, Hamas leaders head to Gaza for 'consultations'
Senior Hamas officials who held talks with Egyptian intelligence officials in Cairo over the past three days were scheduled to arrive in the Gaza Strip Thursday to meet with party leaders, sources close to the Islamist movement said.
Annual Pride Parade takes over Jerusalem
In a rainbow of color and diversity, an estimated 35,000 people took to the capital’s streets Thursday for the 17th-annual Jerusalem March for Pride and Tolerance, with numerous groups, organizations and public officials participating in the parade.
Inside the United States
Republicans to press ahead with Kavanaugh conformation despite National Archives delay
The National Archives says it will take months to process the records Republicans have asked to see from Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh’s previous government work, throwing a curveball at the GOP, which had hoped to review the documents, hold hearings and confirm him to the Supreme Court before October.
Remains received from North Korea 'consistent' with being US service members, Pentagon says
The human remains returned to the U.S. by North Korea last week are 'consistent with being Americans,' according to an official who saw the contents of the 55 boxes.
Worst red tide bloom in over a decade kills hundreds of marine mammals along Florida's west coast
The ongoing toxic algae bloom is considered to be the longest red tide outbreak for the Gulf of Mexico in over a decade, and officials say it will most likely last until 2019.
Apple makes history by becoming first US company to reach $1 trillion market value
Apple, the popular technology stock owned by millions of Americans through funds in their 401(k)s, has become the first publicly traded U.S. company to hit a market value of $1 trillion.
Fired-up liberals send $1 billion to candidates, causes ahead of midterms
The online fundraising platform ActBlue this week surged past the $1 billion mark in contributions to Democratic candidates and causes in this election cycle.
Trump national security team says Russia behind effort to meddle in U.S. elections
U.S. President Donald Trump’s national security team said on Thursday that Russia is behind 'pervasive' attempts to interfere in upcoming U.S. elections, in a rejection of denials of meddling that Russian President Vladimir Putin made directly to Trump.
Christian News
Assault on Christian Leader in Nepal Reflects Growing Threat
Pastor Sagar Baizu, 46, had finished one meeting and had an hour before the next one, so he decided to stop at a café on a major thoroughfare in Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, on July 19.