Prophecy News Watch - February 22, 2022
Around the World
Canada’s House of Commons votes to extend Trudeau’s emergency powers
The Canadian House of Commons on Monday night voted 185 to 151 in favor of extending the emergency powers that police can invoke to quell any potential new blockades from protesters opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Russian President Orders Troops Into Ukraine Breakaway Regions; Invasion Beginning
A Russian invasion into neighboring Ukraine was underway Monday, with Russian President Vladimir Putin ordering troops to enter the country’s east to “maintain peace.”
Europe Edging To War As Russia Recognizes East Ukraine Breakaway Regions
Europe was edging closer to war on Monday after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized two separate eastern Ukraine regions and called the U.S.-led NATO military alliance an “existential threat to Russia.”
‘US, Russia Presidents To Meet Over Invasion Fears’
The United States and Russian presidents tentatively agreed to meet to prevent a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. But sustained shelling in the east and Moscow’s move to recognize two rebel-controlled republics raised doubts about when and if the meeting would occur.
Justin Trudeau: Emergency powers still needed after border blockades end
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday emergency powers are still needed despite the progress police have made in stamping out weeks-long paralyzing protests by truckers and others angry over Canada’s COVID-19 restrictions.
Boris Johnson scraps remaining COVID restrictions in England
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Monday that he is scrapping the last domestic coronavirus restrictions in England, including the requirement for people with COVID-19 to self-isolate, even as he acknowledged the potential for new and more deadly variants of the virus.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel said worried US sanctions on Russia could affect Syria operations
Israeli officials are worried that the imposition of US sanctions against Russia in response to a possible invasion of Ukraine could harm Israel’s security interests in Syria, according to a report Monday.
Israel successfully tests naval air defense system
Israel on Monday said it successfully tested a new naval air defense system, intercepting a series of threats in what officials called a key layer of protection against Iran and its proxies in the region.
Israel appoints first-ever Muslim Supreme Court justice
Israel’s Judicial Selection Committee announced Monday the appointment of four new justices to the Supreme Court, including the first-ever Muslim judge to sit in the country’s highest court.
US rejects Bennett’s criticism of Iran nuke talks: ‘We cannot make the same mistake’
The Biden administration on Monday rejected Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s criticisms of a revived 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
Inside the United States
U.S. Fed governor opens door to half-point rate hike in March
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said Monday that she was open to lifting interest rates by more than the traditional quarter-point at the central bank’s next meeting in March.
Pluto Return Marking Rise And Fall US?
Biblical conscious Americans may be forgiven for looking for signs in the stars these days as the United States is experiencing a cosmic rebirth.
LGBT Identification in U.S. Ticks Up to 7.1%
The percentage of U.S. adults who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or something other than heterosexual has increased to a new high of 7.1%, which is double the percentage from 2012, when Gallup first measured it.
Christian News
China: Female pastor sentenced to 8 years for refusing to join state-run church
A female Christian pastor in China has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment because she refused to join Three-Self Church, a Chinese Communist Party state-controlled body that regulates Protestant churches, UCA News reports.
India: Hindu extremists destroy churches
Hindu extremists on February 5 destroyed two church buildings in separate states in India, Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOM) reports. Persecution against Christians in India has intensified greatly since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014.
Cuba: Government gives no information on imprisoned pastor
Cuban authorities have still not responded to a written request by five United Nations advocates for information on Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo of the Monte de Sion Independent Church in Palma Soriano, who has been in prison since his July 2021 arrest during a peaceful protest against the communist government, Christian Headlines (CH) reports.
Chinese government is rewriting the Bible to reflect communist values
The government of China is working to rewrite the Bible to reflect communist views and deny the deity of Christ, Christian Headlines (CH) reports. The project is part of the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s imposition of a nationwide Sinicization policy.
Canada’s House of Commons votes to extend Trudeau’s emergency powers
The Canadian House of Commons on Monday night voted 185 to 151 in favor of extending the emergency powers that police can invoke to quell any potential new blockades from protesters opposing COVID-19 vaccine mandates.
Russian President Orders Troops Into Ukraine Breakaway Regions; Invasion Beginning
A Russian invasion into neighboring Ukraine was underway Monday, with Russian President Vladimir Putin ordering troops to enter the country’s east to “maintain peace.”
Europe Edging To War As Russia Recognizes East Ukraine Breakaway Regions
Europe was edging closer to war on Monday after Russian President Vladimir Putin recognized two separate eastern Ukraine regions and called the U.S.-led NATO military alliance an “existential threat to Russia.”
‘US, Russia Presidents To Meet Over Invasion Fears’
The United States and Russian presidents tentatively agreed to meet to prevent a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. But sustained shelling in the east and Moscow’s move to recognize two rebel-controlled republics raised doubts about when and if the meeting would occur.
Justin Trudeau: Emergency powers still needed after border blockades end
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday emergency powers are still needed despite the progress police have made in stamping out weeks-long paralyzing protests by truckers and others angry over Canada’s COVID-19 restrictions.
Boris Johnson scraps remaining COVID restrictions in England
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Monday that he is scrapping the last domestic coronavirus restrictions in England, including the requirement for people with COVID-19 to self-isolate, even as he acknowledged the potential for new and more deadly variants of the virus.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel said worried US sanctions on Russia could affect Syria operations
Israeli officials are worried that the imposition of US sanctions against Russia in response to a possible invasion of Ukraine could harm Israel’s security interests in Syria, according to a report Monday.
Israel successfully tests naval air defense system
Israel on Monday said it successfully tested a new naval air defense system, intercepting a series of threats in what officials called a key layer of protection against Iran and its proxies in the region.
Israel appoints first-ever Muslim Supreme Court justice
Israel’s Judicial Selection Committee announced Monday the appointment of four new justices to the Supreme Court, including the first-ever Muslim judge to sit in the country’s highest court.
US rejects Bennett’s criticism of Iran nuke talks: ‘We cannot make the same mistake’
The Biden administration on Monday rejected Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s criticisms of a revived 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
Inside the United States
U.S. Fed governor opens door to half-point rate hike in March
Federal Reserve Governor Michelle Bowman said Monday that she was open to lifting interest rates by more than the traditional quarter-point at the central bank’s next meeting in March.
Pluto Return Marking Rise And Fall US?
Biblical conscious Americans may be forgiven for looking for signs in the stars these days as the United States is experiencing a cosmic rebirth.
LGBT Identification in U.S. Ticks Up to 7.1%
The percentage of U.S. adults who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or something other than heterosexual has increased to a new high of 7.1%, which is double the percentage from 2012, when Gallup first measured it.
Christian News
China: Female pastor sentenced to 8 years for refusing to join state-run church
A female Christian pastor in China has been sentenced to eight years imprisonment because she refused to join Three-Self Church, a Chinese Communist Party state-controlled body that regulates Protestant churches, UCA News reports.
India: Hindu extremists destroy churches
Hindu extremists on February 5 destroyed two church buildings in separate states in India, Voice of the Martyrs Canada (VOM) reports. Persecution against Christians in India has intensified greatly since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in 2014.
Cuba: Government gives no information on imprisoned pastor
Cuban authorities have still not responded to a written request by five United Nations advocates for information on Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo of the Monte de Sion Independent Church in Palma Soriano, who has been in prison since his July 2021 arrest during a peaceful protest against the communist government, Christian Headlines (CH) reports.
Chinese government is rewriting the Bible to reflect communist values
The government of China is working to rewrite the Bible to reflect communist views and deny the deity of Christ, Christian Headlines (CH) reports. The project is part of the ruling Chinese Communist Party’s imposition of a nationwide Sinicization policy.