Prophecy News Watch - February 17, 2026
Around the World
SpaceX Shuts Down Russian Starlink Access, Dealing Moscow Battlefield Blow
A decision by Elon Musk’s SpaceX to block Russia’s unauthorized use of Starlink may prove to be more than a tactical disruption — it could mark a turning point in the war. Ukrainian commanders and Western intelligence officials told the New York Post that the move has already dealt Moscow a significant operational setback, potentially accelerating conditions that could push the conflict toward its end.
Iran Launches Strait of Hormuz Naval Drills as U.S. Expands Carrier “Armada” Amid Nuclear Talks
Iran launched live-fire naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, signaling heightened military readiness in one of the world’s most strategically vital waterways as nuclear negotiations with the United States resumed in Europe.
Rubio Strongly Backs Orbán As U.S.–Hungary Ties Enter “Golden Era”
The United States and Hungary have concluded 17 agreements covering nuclear energy, oil, and natural gas cooperation as Budapest faces pressure to reduce its reliance on cheap Russian energy.
Outrage As Hong Kong Jails Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai To 20 Years Along With 8 Journalists (Worthy News In-Depth)
Christian rights activists have condemned Chinese and Hong Kong authorities after Catholic publisher and democracy advocate Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison under Hong Kong’s sweeping National Security Law.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu: Hamas Must Surrender All Weapons or Face Renewed War
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Sunday that Israel will not accept any arrangement allowing Hamas to retain weapons, warning that the terror group must fully disarm or face a renewed Israeli military campaign in Gaza.
Ancient Second Temple Workshop Uncovered on Mount Scopus After Antiquities Raid
A large Second Temple–era stone workshop that supplied Jerusalem’s Jewish population some 2,000 years ago has been uncovered on the eastern slopes of Mount Scopus, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced Monday.
Inside the United States
Senate Republicans Eye Talking Filibuster to Advance SAVE America Act
Senate Republicans say they have enough support within their 53-member conference to pass the SAVE America Act, but overcoming a Democratic blockade may require reviving the rarely used “talking filibuster.”
U.S. Airlifts First Microreactor in Nuclear Deployment Milestone
The U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense have transported a small nuclear reactor by military cargo aircraft for the first time, marking a significant milestone in President Donald Trump’s push to expand advanced nuclear energy across the country.
U.S. Orders MOP Bunker-Buster Bombs to Rebuild Stockpile
The United States has moved to replenish its stockpile of GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker-buster bombs, it was revealed this week, as tensions with Tehran remain elevated.
Trump Orders Federal Intervention After Massive Potomac River Sewage Spill
President Donald Trump on Monday directed federal authorities to step in and coordinate cleanup efforts following what he called a “massive ecological disaster” in the Potomac River after a major sewer line collapse in Maryland.
Christian News
Pentagon to Deploy 200 Troops to Nigeria Amid Escalating Terror Threat
The United States is preparing to deploy roughly 200 American troops to Nigeria in the coming weeks to assist in counterterrorism efforts, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
New Era for Biblical Scholarship as CSNTM Launches Comprehensive Digital Manuscript Collection
The Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts (CSNTM) has launched a new online Digital Manuscript Collection interface, marking what the organization describes as one of the most significant developments in its history.
Pakistan’s Punjab Bans Child Marriage Under 18 As Killing Of Christian Shopkeeper Raises Concerns
Christian rights campaigners have welcomed Friday’s landmark decision by Pakistan’s Punjab province to criminalize child marriage by setting 18 as the minimum legal age for marriage. However, the killing of a Pakistani Christian shopkeeper in the same province cast a shadow over the celebrations.
Worthy Insights
Holy Spirit Outpouring Breaks Out on FL Campus as Students Turn to Non-Stop Worship
An extraordinary move of the Holy Spirit that broke out at Florida's Southeastern University (SEU) a week ago is continuing. Some people have been comparing to the Asbury Awakening from 2023.
Hundreds Turn to Christ as Franklin Graham Reaches ‘the End of the World’ with the Gospel
Franklin Graham preached the Gospel this weekend at the world's southernmost city, and hundreds of souls placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior.
SpaceX Shuts Down Russian Starlink Access, Dealing Moscow Battlefield Blow
A decision by Elon Musk’s SpaceX to block Russia’s unauthorized use of Starlink may prove to be more than a tactical disruption — it could mark a turning point in the war. Ukrainian commanders and Western intelligence officials told the New York Post that the move has already dealt Moscow a significant operational setback, potentially accelerating conditions that could push the conflict toward its end.
Iran Launches Strait of Hormuz Naval Drills as U.S. Expands Carrier “Armada” Amid Nuclear Talks
Iran launched live-fire naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, signaling heightened military readiness in one of the world’s most strategically vital waterways as nuclear negotiations with the United States resumed in Europe.
Rubio Strongly Backs Orbán As U.S.–Hungary Ties Enter “Golden Era”
The United States and Hungary have concluded 17 agreements covering nuclear energy, oil, and natural gas cooperation as Budapest faces pressure to reduce its reliance on cheap Russian energy.
Outrage As Hong Kong Jails Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai To 20 Years Along With 8 Journalists (Worthy News In-Depth)
Christian rights activists have condemned Chinese and Hong Kong authorities after Catholic publisher and democracy advocate Jimmy Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison under Hong Kong’s sweeping National Security Law.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu: Hamas Must Surrender All Weapons or Face Renewed War
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared Sunday that Israel will not accept any arrangement allowing Hamas to retain weapons, warning that the terror group must fully disarm or face a renewed Israeli military campaign in Gaza.
Ancient Second Temple Workshop Uncovered on Mount Scopus After Antiquities Raid
A large Second Temple–era stone workshop that supplied Jerusalem’s Jewish population some 2,000 years ago has been uncovered on the eastern slopes of Mount Scopus, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announced Monday.
Inside the United States
Senate Republicans Eye Talking Filibuster to Advance SAVE America Act
Senate Republicans say they have enough support within their 53-member conference to pass the SAVE America Act, but overcoming a Democratic blockade may require reviving the rarely used “talking filibuster.”
U.S. Airlifts First Microreactor in Nuclear Deployment Milestone
The U.S. Departments of Energy and Defense have transported a small nuclear reactor by military cargo aircraft for the first time, marking a significant milestone in President Donald Trump’s push to expand advanced nuclear energy across the country.
U.S. Orders MOP Bunker-Buster Bombs to Rebuild Stockpile
The United States has moved to replenish its stockpile of GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bunker-buster bombs, it was revealed this week, as tensions with Tehran remain elevated.
Trump Orders Federal Intervention After Massive Potomac River Sewage Spill
President Donald Trump on Monday directed federal authorities to step in and coordinate cleanup efforts following what he called a “massive ecological disaster” in the Potomac River after a major sewer line collapse in Maryland.
Christian News
Pentagon to Deploy 200 Troops to Nigeria Amid Escalating Terror Threat
The United States is preparing to deploy roughly 200 American troops to Nigeria in the coming weeks to assist in counterterrorism efforts, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.
New Era for Biblical Scholarship as CSNTM Launches Comprehensive Digital Manuscript Collection
The Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts (CSNTM) has launched a new online Digital Manuscript Collection interface, marking what the organization describes as one of the most significant developments in its history.
Pakistan’s Punjab Bans Child Marriage Under 18 As Killing Of Christian Shopkeeper Raises Concerns
Christian rights campaigners have welcomed Friday’s landmark decision by Pakistan’s Punjab province to criminalize child marriage by setting 18 as the minimum legal age for marriage. However, the killing of a Pakistani Christian shopkeeper in the same province cast a shadow over the celebrations.
Worthy Insights
Holy Spirit Outpouring Breaks Out on FL Campus as Students Turn to Non-Stop Worship
An extraordinary move of the Holy Spirit that broke out at Florida's Southeastern University (SEU) a week ago is continuing. Some people have been comparing to the Asbury Awakening from 2023.
Hundreds Turn to Christ as Franklin Graham Reaches ‘the End of the World’ with the Gospel
Franklin Graham preached the Gospel this weekend at the world's southernmost city, and hundreds of souls placed their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior.