Prophecy News Watch - February 23, 2021

Around the World
US wants to ‘strengthen’ Iran nuclear deal
The United States and its partners will work to "lengthen and strengthen" the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, Secretary of State Antony Blinken pledged at a UN-backed disarmament conference in Geneva on Monday.
Khamenei: If we wanted nukes, nobody, including ‘Zionist clown,’ could stop us
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayotallah Ali Khamenei claimed Monday that his country has no interest in a nuclear weapon, but said that if it wanted one, no one — including Israel — could prevent it.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
US’s Blinken Stresses Two-State Solution to Palestinian Conflict in Call With Israeli Minister
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told his Israeli counterpart on Monday that a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was best for the future of Israel, the US State Department said.
World Council of Churches leader threatens Israel and supporters; says blood with be sought for brutalized Palestinians
In a scathing attack on Israel and its supporters, Rev. Frank Chikane, a leader of the World Council of Churches (WCC) told activists on a zoom call this month that “blood will be sought” from people who “support Israel to brutalize Palestinians,” Algemeiner reports. The list of participants to the February 6 call included highly influential activists such as Naim Ateek, founder of Sabeel, anti-Zionist authors Gary Burge and Don Wagner, Brian Grieves formerly a staffer with the Episcopal Church and Tom Getman, formerly of World Vision.

Inside the United States
Rise in Migrant Children Tests Biden Border Strategy
The Biden administration is looking for ways to stave off a fresh humanitarian crisis at the southern border as the number of unaccompanied children arriving to seek asylum is beginning to rise again, this time amid a global pandemic, according to government officials and others familiar with the conversations.
President Biden delivered remarks as coronavirus fatalities in the U.S. have now surpassed 500,000
President Joe Biden delivered remarks from the White House on Monday evening as the nation has now surpassed the grim milestone of half a million COVID-19 fatalities and continues to grapple with the ongoing coronavirus crisis.
U.S. Says It Won’t ‘Lash Out’ After Blaming Iran For Rocket Attack On U.S. Embassy In Baghdad
A State Department spokesman has said the United States will hold Iran "responsible" for a rocket barrage on February 22 that targeted the U.S. Embassy in the Iraqi capital.
Planned Parenthood abortions reached record level in 2019 as gov’t funding rose: annual report
Planned Parenthood performed the highest number of abortions in over a decade in 2019, received a record amount of government funding and saw net assets increase compared to the previous year, the organization's latest annual report shows.
Arkansas Senate approves bill banning nearly all abortions
The Arkansas Senate on Monday approved a measure banning nearly all abortions in the state, despite objections to the ban not including exceptions for rape or incest.
House Democrats push TV carriers to stop hosting Fox, OAN, and Newsmax, citing ‘misinformation’
Two House Democrats on Monday questioned 12 television and content providers about why they carry Fox News, One America News Network, and Newsmax, blaming the right-leaning outlets for spreading misinformation and conspiracy theories.
US Supreme Court agrees to decide on legality of Trump restriction on abortion referrals
The US Supreme Court agreed Monday to consider the legality of a 2019 Trump adminstration regulation that bars health clinics from receiving federal funding through Title X of the 1970 Public Health Services Act if they provide abortion referrals, Reuters reports.
Homeland Security plans to gut immigration enforcement arm
The Biden administration might not need to abolish ICE. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has floated a plan to reorganize the federal deportation agency to the point where it’s not doing much arresting and deporting from inside the country anymore.
Supreme Court tosses Pennsylvania election challenges in blow to Trump supporters
The Supreme Court on Monday threw out several of the remaining election challenges raised after former President Donald Trump's loss to President Biden.
Supreme Court Will Not Halt Trump Tax Record Turnover
In a significant defeat for former President Donald Trump, the Supreme Court on Monday declined to step in to halt the turnover of his tax records to a New York prosecutor.

Christian News
Canada Pastor remains in police custody after refusing to stop holding COVID-19 defiant services
A Canadian pastor is in police custody in Edmonton, Canada, after he refused to stop holding church services in defiance of local COVID-19 regulations, Christianity Today reports. Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church handed himself in to police on Tuesday last week, and twice refused bail conditions that he stop holding services that defy regulations.
Pakistan: Persecution against Christians included murder and forced marriage in second half of 2020
Murder and forced marriage are included in at least 38 documented incidents of persecution against Pakistan’s Christian population in the second half of 2020, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Leading Rights Activist Faith McDonell Advocacy Director At GKI Global Amid Massive Persecution (Worthy News Focus)
Leading Christian rights activist, broadcaster, and author Faith McDonnell, has become director of advocacy at the U.S.-based Katartismos Global (KGI Global) charity. The group says it "exists to equip the Church for mission and ministry" by supporting persecuted Christians and other believers in need.

Worthy Watch
‘Citizens Deserve Better’: Justice Clarence Thomas Dissents In PA Election Case
Is Censorship on the way? As Big Tech collaborates …
Merrick Garland Says Antifa Attacks May Not Be Domestic Terrorism
Trump Tried to Warn Us, Now It Looks Like China Will Use Our Dependence on This Resource to Push Biden Around
Sky News Australia Says “Biden is Struggling with Dementia”