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
Japan floods: At least 100 dead in record rainfall
At least 100 people are thought to have died after record rainfall caused flooding and landslides in western Japan, a government spokesman says.
The secret story of how America lost the drug war with the Taliban
As Afghanistan edged ever closer to becoming a narco-state five years ago, a team of veteran U.S. officials in Kabul presented the Obama administration with a detailed plan to use U.S. courts to prosecute the Taliban commanders and allied drug lords who supplied more than 90 percent of the world’s heroin -- including a growing amount fueling the nascent opioid crisis in the United States.
A major factor behind the US-China trade war is winning at a $12 trillion technology -- 5G
Trade tensions between the U.S. and China escalated Friday after months of threats over billions of dollars of tariffs.
North Korea says denuclearization talks with Pompeo 'regrettable'
North Korea on Saturday accused the U.S. of undermining the spirit of last month’s summit between President Trump and Kim Jong Un after what it says were 'regrettable' talks with a delegation led by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Top UK official in charge of Brexit quits in fresh blow to May
Britain's most senior official in charge of negotiating the country's exit from the European Union resigned Sunday, two days after Prime Minister Theresa May announced she had finally united her quarrelsome government behind a plan for Brexit.
Looting follows protests in Haitian capital
Looters pillaged burned and vandalized shops in Haiti's capital Sunday following two days of violent protests over the government's attempt to raise fuel prices.
US Ambassador Says Russia Trying to Destabilize NATO, ‘Flip’ Turkey
Days before President Trump meets with NATO partners ahead of a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the U.S. ambassador to NATO warned Sunday that Moscow is attempting to destabilize the transatlantic alliance – among other things, by trying to draw away Turkey.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Syria says Israel struck Iran-operated airbase near Homs
Syria on Sunday accused Israel of targeting an air base in the central Homs province known to be operated by Iranian forces, claiming that its air defenses were activated in response to the attack and hit an Israeli jet.
Abbas: PA to continue paying salaries to families of prisoners, 'martyrs'
The Palestinians will not allow US President Donald Trump's yet-to-be-announced plan for peace in the Middle East to pass, and will continue paying salaries to families of Palestinian prisoners and 'martyrs,' Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Sunday.
Report: Trump team to use Gaza aid as pressure on PA to return to peace talks
The Trump administration is doubling down on its push for an international humanitarian aid package to the Gaza Strip, hoping that doing so will demonstrate its commitment to the Palestinians and politically pressure the Palestinian Authority to engage with its Mideast peace plan.
Report: Hamas increases training ahead of possible war with Israel
Hamas has increased its training in preparation for a possible conflict with Israel, defense officials warned on Sunday.
Amid talk of early-2019 elections, Netanyahu, Kahlon squabble at cabinet table
In a sign of rising political tensions amid widespread expectations that the country is entering an election year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon bickered with unusual intensity in front of fellow ministers in the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday.
Northern Israel experiences yet another earthquake
A 3.2 tremor was felt a little after 1pm on Thursday in the north of the country, the Geophysical Institute of Israel said.
Inside the United States
With second nomination, Trump gets rare chance to reshape Supreme Court
President Trump is set to announce his Supreme Court pick Monday, appointing a jurist who has the chance to set the highest court on a new trajectory and deliver decisions to which conservatives have been looking forward for generations.
Southern California sets all-time heat records amid broiling conditions
Many parts of Southern California hit new high-temperature marks Friday, with a few spots reaching the hottest readings ever recorded.
Worse than AIDS: Opioid epidemic is public health crisis CDC director fears most
The federal government’s top disease fighter, who built his career battling the emergence of HIV/AIDS in the 1980s, says the opioid epidemic will be even worse.
Christian News
UK: Government drops doctor who says gender given at birth
A doctor has been 'sacked' as a medical assessor for a government department after refusing to renounce his Christian belief that gender is determined at birth, the Sunday Telegraph can reveal.
Haiti Unrest Strands a Number of US Church and Volunteer Groups
Volunteer groups from several U.S. states were stranded in Haiti Sunday after violent protests over fuel prices canceled flights and made roads unsafe.
Japan floods: At least 100 dead in record rainfall
At least 100 people are thought to have died after record rainfall caused flooding and landslides in western Japan, a government spokesman says.
The secret story of how America lost the drug war with the Taliban
As Afghanistan edged ever closer to becoming a narco-state five years ago, a team of veteran U.S. officials in Kabul presented the Obama administration with a detailed plan to use U.S. courts to prosecute the Taliban commanders and allied drug lords who supplied more than 90 percent of the world’s heroin -- including a growing amount fueling the nascent opioid crisis in the United States.
A major factor behind the US-China trade war is winning at a $12 trillion technology -- 5G
Trade tensions between the U.S. and China escalated Friday after months of threats over billions of dollars of tariffs.
North Korea says denuclearization talks with Pompeo 'regrettable'
North Korea on Saturday accused the U.S. of undermining the spirit of last month’s summit between President Trump and Kim Jong Un after what it says were 'regrettable' talks with a delegation led by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
Top UK official in charge of Brexit quits in fresh blow to May
Britain's most senior official in charge of negotiating the country's exit from the European Union resigned Sunday, two days after Prime Minister Theresa May announced she had finally united her quarrelsome government behind a plan for Brexit.
Looting follows protests in Haitian capital
Looters pillaged burned and vandalized shops in Haiti's capital Sunday following two days of violent protests over the government's attempt to raise fuel prices.
US Ambassador Says Russia Trying to Destabilize NATO, ‘Flip’ Turkey
Days before President Trump meets with NATO partners ahead of a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the U.S. ambassador to NATO warned Sunday that Moscow is attempting to destabilize the transatlantic alliance – among other things, by trying to draw away Turkey.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Syria says Israel struck Iran-operated airbase near Homs
Syria on Sunday accused Israel of targeting an air base in the central Homs province known to be operated by Iranian forces, claiming that its air defenses were activated in response to the attack and hit an Israeli jet.
Abbas: PA to continue paying salaries to families of prisoners, 'martyrs'
The Palestinians will not allow US President Donald Trump's yet-to-be-announced plan for peace in the Middle East to pass, and will continue paying salaries to families of Palestinian prisoners and 'martyrs,' Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Sunday.
Report: Trump team to use Gaza aid as pressure on PA to return to peace talks
The Trump administration is doubling down on its push for an international humanitarian aid package to the Gaza Strip, hoping that doing so will demonstrate its commitment to the Palestinians and politically pressure the Palestinian Authority to engage with its Mideast peace plan.
Report: Hamas increases training ahead of possible war with Israel
Hamas has increased its training in preparation for a possible conflict with Israel, defense officials warned on Sunday.
Amid talk of early-2019 elections, Netanyahu, Kahlon squabble at cabinet table
In a sign of rising political tensions amid widespread expectations that the country is entering an election year, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon bickered with unusual intensity in front of fellow ministers in the weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday.
Northern Israel experiences yet another earthquake
A 3.2 tremor was felt a little after 1pm on Thursday in the north of the country, the Geophysical Institute of Israel said.
Inside the United States
With second nomination, Trump gets rare chance to reshape Supreme Court
President Trump is set to announce his Supreme Court pick Monday, appointing a jurist who has the chance to set the highest court on a new trajectory and deliver decisions to which conservatives have been looking forward for generations.
Southern California sets all-time heat records amid broiling conditions
Many parts of Southern California hit new high-temperature marks Friday, with a few spots reaching the hottest readings ever recorded.
Worse than AIDS: Opioid epidemic is public health crisis CDC director fears most
The federal government’s top disease fighter, who built his career battling the emergence of HIV/AIDS in the 1980s, says the opioid epidemic will be even worse.
Christian News
UK: Government drops doctor who says gender given at birth
A doctor has been 'sacked' as a medical assessor for a government department after refusing to renounce his Christian belief that gender is determined at birth, the Sunday Telegraph can reveal.
Haiti Unrest Strands a Number of US Church and Volunteer Groups
Volunteer groups from several U.S. states were stranded in Haiti Sunday after violent protests over fuel prices canceled flights and made roads unsafe.
Around the World
Russia blocks Security Council statement on Syria
Russia on Thursday blocked the UN Security Council from adopting a statement on the situation in southwestern Syria, where rebels are under intense bombardment, diplomats said after an urgent meeting requested by Sweden and Kuwait.
Trump launches the opening salvo in US trade war with China as tariffs take effect
The U.S. tariffs on $34 billion worth of Chinese goods kicked in on Friday, taking the war of words between the nations into the real economic realm.
Iran says Europe's offer to save nuclear deal insufficient
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Thursday that a European offer of economic measures to counter the effects of the United States abandoning the nuclear deal does not go far enough, reported state news agency IRNA.
Trump says U.S. tariffs could be applied to Chinese goods worth $500 billion
President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States may ultimately impose tariffs on more than a half-trillion dollars’ worth of Chinese goods as the world’s two largest economies hurtled toward the start of a trade war.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF reportedly boosts Iron Dome deployment in Gaza vicinity
The IDF has boosted deployment of Iron Dome missile defense batteries around the Gaza Strip, according to a report Thursday night.
Northern Israel experiences yet another earthquake
A 3.2 tremor was felt a little after 1pm on Thursday in the north of the country, the Geophysical Institute of Israel said.
Israel successfully tests missile defense systems
The Defense Ministry on Thursday said Israel’s missile defense systems had successfully completed a series of tests designed to 'counter emerging threats in the region.'
Inside the United States
Judge gives green light to California's sanctuary laws
A federal judge upheld the bulk of California’s sanctuary laws Thursday, delivering a major victory to immigrant rights advocates and blazing a path for states and localities to consider as they seek ways to resist President Trump’s immigration policy.
US job growth was likely solid in June despite trade risks
Employers in the United States are thought to have kept up their brisk pace of hiring in June, reflecting the durability of the second-longest U.S. economic expansion on record even in the face of a trade war with China.
California must consider earlier parole for sex offenders, judge rules
California must consider earlier parole for potentially thousands of sex offenders, maybe even those convicted of pimping children, a state judge said Friday.
Mueller Taps More Prosecutors to Help With Growing Trump Probe
Special Counsel Robert Mueller is tapping additional Justice Department resources for help with new legal battles as his year-old investigation of Russian interference with the 2016 election continues to expand.
Christian News
California Senate Stalls Vote on Controversial LGBT Bill
CBN News has learned that the controversial bill AB 2943 did not come up on the Senate floor for a vote before the California Legislature begins its month-long vacation recess.
Russia blocks Security Council statement on Syria
Russia on Thursday blocked the UN Security Council from adopting a statement on the situation in southwestern Syria, where rebels are under intense bombardment, diplomats said after an urgent meeting requested by Sweden and Kuwait.
Trump launches the opening salvo in US trade war with China as tariffs take effect
The U.S. tariffs on $34 billion worth of Chinese goods kicked in on Friday, taking the war of words between the nations into the real economic realm.
Iran says Europe's offer to save nuclear deal insufficient
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Thursday that a European offer of economic measures to counter the effects of the United States abandoning the nuclear deal does not go far enough, reported state news agency IRNA.
Trump says U.S. tariffs could be applied to Chinese goods worth $500 billion
President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States may ultimately impose tariffs on more than a half-trillion dollars’ worth of Chinese goods as the world’s two largest economies hurtled toward the start of a trade war.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF reportedly boosts Iron Dome deployment in Gaza vicinity
The IDF has boosted deployment of Iron Dome missile defense batteries around the Gaza Strip, according to a report Thursday night.
Northern Israel experiences yet another earthquake
A 3.2 tremor was felt a little after 1pm on Thursday in the north of the country, the Geophysical Institute of Israel said.
Israel successfully tests missile defense systems
The Defense Ministry on Thursday said Israel’s missile defense systems had successfully completed a series of tests designed to 'counter emerging threats in the region.'
Inside the United States
Judge gives green light to California's sanctuary laws
A federal judge upheld the bulk of California’s sanctuary laws Thursday, delivering a major victory to immigrant rights advocates and blazing a path for states and localities to consider as they seek ways to resist President Trump’s immigration policy.
US job growth was likely solid in June despite trade risks
Employers in the United States are thought to have kept up their brisk pace of hiring in June, reflecting the durability of the second-longest U.S. economic expansion on record even in the face of a trade war with China.
California must consider earlier parole for sex offenders, judge rules
California must consider earlier parole for potentially thousands of sex offenders, maybe even those convicted of pimping children, a state judge said Friday.
Mueller Taps More Prosecutors to Help With Growing Trump Probe
Special Counsel Robert Mueller is tapping additional Justice Department resources for help with new legal battles as his year-old investigation of Russian interference with the 2016 election continues to expand.
Christian News
California Senate Stalls Vote on Controversial LGBT Bill
CBN News has learned that the controversial bill AB 2943 did not come up on the Senate floor for a vote before the California Legislature begins its month-long vacation recess.
Around the World
Warning of a global crisis, Germany’s Angela Merkel pledges ‘every effort’ to avert a U.S. trade war
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that the European Union will make every effort to avoid a trade war with the United States, and underlined her country’s commitment to raise defense spending gradually -- another point of contention with Washington.
Iran set up terrorist infrastructure in Europe, experts say
Iran has set up terrorist and intelligence infrastructure across Europe with aim of assassinating exiled Iranian dissidents and moderate Arab leaders, particularly those whose countries rival Iran in the Persian Gulf, intelligence experts told Israel Hayom Tuesday.
Turkey transfers some powers to President Erdogan
Turkey on Wednesday issued a decree that transfers some powers to the president, as the country moves to an executive presidential system following President Tayyip Erdogan's win in last month's presidential and parliamentary elections.
Over 40 countries at WTO object to US car tariff plan
Major US trading partners including the European Union, China and Japan voiced deep concern at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Tuesday (Jul 3) about possible US measures imposing additional duties on imported autos and parts.
Erdogan presses U.S. over F-35 jet sale
Fresh from a successful re-election campaign, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government is flexing its newfound clout in the fight on Capitol Hill over acquiring cutting-edge U.S. military hardware.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
PA: Law to deduct terrorists' salaries from tax money 'a declaration of war'
The Palestinian Authority strongly condemned the Knesset on Tuesday for passing into a law a bill proposal to deduct terrorists' salaries from roughly $130 million in monthly tax revenues Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, defining the move as 'a declaration of war on the Palestinian people.'
Jared Kushner says US will soon present Trump's Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, with or without Abbas
Jared Kushner, a senior adviser to US President Donald Trump, said Washington would announce its Middle East peace plan soon, and press on with or without Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.
4.1 magnitude earthquake shakes northern Israel
Residents of northern Israel were woken up with a bump on Wednesday morning as a 4.1 magnitude earthquake shook Haifa and the Galilee region shortly before 5:00 a.m.
Inside the United States
GOP to attack unfunded federal mandates next week
House Republicans will make a new push next week to rein in federal rules and regulations that can cost local governments companies millions of dollars each year -- 23 years after Republicans first sought to limit unfunded federal mandates.
Massachusetts passes 'red flag' gun control law
Legal Massachusetts gun owners who act violently or suicidal could lose the right to their firearms for a year under a bill signed into law Tuesday by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.
Liberals Propose ‘Court Packing’ to Offset Trump Nominees
Liberals and others on the Left fearful of President Trump’s Supreme Court choices are now advocating an idea from the past: court packing.
Judge tosses suit alleging Trump campaign conspired with Russia in DNC hack
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit alleging that President Donald Trump's campaign and former Trump adviser Roger Stone conspired with Russia and WikiLeaks to publish hacked Democratic National Committee emails during the 2016 presidential race.
California separatists to declare independence on July 4: 'Stand up against American occupation'
While other Americans celebrate the holiday with picnics and parades, California secessionists are taking Independence Day literally.
Judge again blocks Arkansas' attempt to ban pill abortions
A federal judge has again temporarily blocked Arkansas from becoming the first state to enforce a ban on pill-induced abortions.
Forecasters reverse course, predict below-average 2018 hurricane season
A team of meteorologists, who predicted an above-average 2018 Atlantic hurricane season in April, decreased their forecast on Tuesday.
Christian News
Episcopal Church Debates Whether to Make God Gender-Neutral in Book of Common Prayer
As the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church kicks off in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday, church officials are set to consider competing resolutions on whether their Book of Common Prayer, last revised in 1979, needs to be revised to send a strong message that God does not have a gender.
'Our Hopes Are High’: Iraqi Christian Leaders Thank U.S. For Rebuilding Communities Destroyed by ISIS
Iraqi Christian leaders are thanking the United States for providing life-saving aid following the Islamic State's reign of terror in the region.
Op-Ed: Canada’s top court rules that biblical Christian views are not part of ‘diversity’
In a ruling that is sure to send shock waves through the nation, Canada’s Supreme Court ruled 7-2 against Trinity Western University’s (TWU) Law School. In effect, what the court declared is that universities must choose between biblical standards and accreditation. Put another way, the court ruled that Christianity and higher education are incompatible. I am not exaggerating in the least.
Warning of a global crisis, Germany’s Angela Merkel pledges ‘every effort’ to avert a U.S. trade war
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that the European Union will make every effort to avoid a trade war with the United States, and underlined her country’s commitment to raise defense spending gradually -- another point of contention with Washington.
Iran set up terrorist infrastructure in Europe, experts say
Iran has set up terrorist and intelligence infrastructure across Europe with aim of assassinating exiled Iranian dissidents and moderate Arab leaders, particularly those whose countries rival Iran in the Persian Gulf, intelligence experts told Israel Hayom Tuesday.
Turkey transfers some powers to President Erdogan
Turkey on Wednesday issued a decree that transfers some powers to the president, as the country moves to an executive presidential system following President Tayyip Erdogan's win in last month's presidential and parliamentary elections.
Over 40 countries at WTO object to US car tariff plan
Major US trading partners including the European Union, China and Japan voiced deep concern at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Tuesday (Jul 3) about possible US measures imposing additional duties on imported autos and parts.
Erdogan presses U.S. over F-35 jet sale
Fresh from a successful re-election campaign, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government is flexing its newfound clout in the fight on Capitol Hill over acquiring cutting-edge U.S. military hardware.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
PA: Law to deduct terrorists' salaries from tax money 'a declaration of war'
The Palestinian Authority strongly condemned the Knesset on Tuesday for passing into a law a bill proposal to deduct terrorists' salaries from roughly $130 million in monthly tax revenues Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, defining the move as 'a declaration of war on the Palestinian people.'
Jared Kushner says US will soon present Trump's Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, with or without Abbas
Jared Kushner, a senior adviser to US President Donald Trump, said Washington would announce its Middle East peace plan soon, and press on with or without Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.
4.1 magnitude earthquake shakes northern Israel
Residents of northern Israel were woken up with a bump on Wednesday morning as a 4.1 magnitude earthquake shook Haifa and the Galilee region shortly before 5:00 a.m.
Inside the United States
GOP to attack unfunded federal mandates next week
House Republicans will make a new push next week to rein in federal rules and regulations that can cost local governments companies millions of dollars each year -- 23 years after Republicans first sought to limit unfunded federal mandates.
Massachusetts passes 'red flag' gun control law
Legal Massachusetts gun owners who act violently or suicidal could lose the right to their firearms for a year under a bill signed into law Tuesday by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.
Liberals Propose ‘Court Packing’ to Offset Trump Nominees
Liberals and others on the Left fearful of President Trump’s Supreme Court choices are now advocating an idea from the past: court packing.
Judge tosses suit alleging Trump campaign conspired with Russia in DNC hack
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit alleging that President Donald Trump's campaign and former Trump adviser Roger Stone conspired with Russia and WikiLeaks to publish hacked Democratic National Committee emails during the 2016 presidential race.
California separatists to declare independence on July 4: 'Stand up against American occupation'
While other Americans celebrate the holiday with picnics and parades, California secessionists are taking Independence Day literally.
Judge again blocks Arkansas' attempt to ban pill abortions
A federal judge has again temporarily blocked Arkansas from becoming the first state to enforce a ban on pill-induced abortions.
Forecasters reverse course, predict below-average 2018 hurricane season
A team of meteorologists, who predicted an above-average 2018 Atlantic hurricane season in April, decreased their forecast on Tuesday.
Christian News
Episcopal Church Debates Whether to Make God Gender-Neutral in Book of Common Prayer
As the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church kicks off in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday, church officials are set to consider competing resolutions on whether their Book of Common Prayer, last revised in 1979, needs to be revised to send a strong message that God does not have a gender.
'Our Hopes Are High’: Iraqi Christian Leaders Thank U.S. For Rebuilding Communities Destroyed by ISIS
Iraqi Christian leaders are thanking the United States for providing life-saving aid following the Islamic State's reign of terror in the region.
Op-Ed: Canada’s top court rules that biblical Christian views are not part of ‘diversity’
In a ruling that is sure to send shock waves through the nation, Canada’s Supreme Court ruled 7-2 against Trinity Western University’s (TWU) Law School. In effect, what the court declared is that universities must choose between biblical standards and accreditation. Put another way, the court ruled that Christianity and higher education are incompatible. I am not exaggerating in the least.