Prophecy News Watch - December 28, 2022

Around the World
Taiwan extends mandatory military service amid rising China threat
The mandatory military service in Taiwan has been extended, President Tsai Ing-wen announced on Tuesday.
Norway: Lesbian artist faces possible jail time for saying men cannot become pregnant
A lesbian artist in Norway is now facing a possible prison sentence for hate speech after posting on Facebook in October that men can neither become pregnant nor become lesbian, the Christian Post reports. Tonje Gjevjon has been outspoken in criticizing trans activists and Norwegian politicians for promoting “gender identity” policies at the expense of women’s rights.
Serbia Puts Army On High Alert Near Kosovo (Worthy News Radio)
Serbia says it has put the army on high alert near its border with Kosovo while inside Kosovo, Serbs have erected more roadblocks amid escalating tensions. The standoff comes as Serbia and Kosovo accuse each other of preparing for an armed confrontation.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
As fears for LGBTQ+ rights mount, Israel may appoint first-ever openly gay Knesset speaker
As Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu continues to dole out jobs to fellow lawmakers from his conservative Likud party ahead of the establishment of the new government, it seems increasingly likely that Amir Ohana will be named the next speaker of the Knesset, becoming the first openly gay person to hold the position.
Netanyahu government set for swearing-in Thursday, but hurdles remain
Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu will attempt to swear in his governing coalition of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties on Thursday, Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin said Monday, with the former premier looking to retake power before a deadline to get his unruly partners in line.
Biblical Siloam Pool next to Temple Mount to be fully excavated
The ancient pool of Siloam, first mentioned in the biblical book of Kings II, will be fully excavated and opened to the public, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Tuesday.

Inside the United States
House Ways and Means Committee to release Trump tax returns on Friday
The House Ways and Means Committee will release former President Donald Trump's tax returns on Friday, ending a years-long effort by Democrats to force the 45th president to release his personal finances.
Federal Judge Says San Francisco Can’t Clear Homeless Camps
A federal judge has temporarily banned San Francisco from clearing homeless encampments, saying the city violated its own policies by failing to offer other shelter.
Supreme Court temporarily halts termination of Title 42, will hear case in February
The Supreme Court temporarily halted the termination of Title 42 on Tuesday, allowing the Trump-era policy to remain in place until the justices hear a challenge from Republican-led states in February.

Christian News
Iran: Regime warns Chaldean and Assyrian Christians not to participate in anti-government protests
Christians belonging to the Chaldean Catholic Church and Assyrian Church of the East denominations in Iran have been threatened by state security forces not to join the ongoing nationwide anti-regime protests or even to post support for the uprising on social media, on pain of arrests and persecution, the Christian Post reports.
Algeria: Christian convert from Islam imprisoned for three years on account of his faith
An Algerian Christian man has now been sentenced to three years in prison on account of his faith after having been brought back from Tunisia against his will in 2021, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
India: Hindu extremists attack, displace Christians in pre-Christmas riots
Radicalized Hindu nationalists in India’s Chhattisgarh state carried out a series of violent riots earlier this month, attacking Christian communities in 20 villages during the run-up to Christmas, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

Worthy Insights
2 New Minerals Discovered in Meteorite
Scientists have identified two minerals never before seen on Earth in a meteorite weighing 15.2 metric tonnes (33,510 pounds).
A startup says it’s begun releasing particles into the atmosphere, in an effort to tweak the climate
A startup claims it has launched weather balloons that may have released reflective sulfur particles in the stratosphere, potentially crossing a controversial barrier in the field of solar geoengineering.
Can artificial skin be used to help burn victims? Growing industry eyes ‘revolution’
Far from the humble sticking plaster, medical firms and researchers are seeking to create the “ultimate dressing” — artificial skin they hope will revolutionize the treatment of severe burns.