Prophecy News Watch - January 16, 2026
Around the World
US Tightens Grip on Venezuelan Oil, Seizes Tanker as Opposition Leader Heads to White House
U.S. forces have seized another sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, underscoring the Trump administration’s tightening grip on Venezuela’s oil sector as opposition leader Maria Corina Machado prepares to meet President Donald Trump.
Iran Closes Airspace, U.S. Repositions Forces as Trump Weighs Response to Deadly Crackdown
Iran abruptly shut down its airspace to commercial traffic early Thursday and the United States began repositioning military forces and personnel across the Middle East as President Donald Trump weighs potential action against Tehran amid a deadly crackdown on nationwide protests, escalating threats to U.S. bases, mass evacuation warnings, and growing signs that Washington and its allies are preparing for a possible regional confrontation.
U.S. Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries Under Trump Administration Policy
The United States will indefinitely suspend immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries beginning January 21, the U.S. Department of State announced Wednesday, marking a significant expansion of the Trump administration’s immigration restrictions.
China Reconsiders Latin America Role After U.S. Ouster of Venezuela’s Maduro
China is reassessing its strategy in Latin America following the U.S.-led removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, a move that abruptly dismantled Beijing’s most important foothold in what it increasingly views as Washington’s backyard, according to an exclusive report by The Wall Street Journal.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Son of Shah: ‘Iran Will Recognize Israel’ After Ouster Islamic Rulers; Death Toll Protests Passes 2,500 (VIDEO)
Iran’s exiled crown prince pledged Thursday that a “free Iran” would immediately recognize Israel if protesters manage to topple the Islamic Republic’s regime.
Earthquake Rocks Southern Israel
A 4.2 magnitude earthquake rocked southern Israel early Thursday, including the Dead Sea and parts of the Negev area, and residents were urged to rush to safety, experts and officials said.
Inside the United States
Trump Warns He May Invoke Insurrection Act as Minnesota Protests Turn Violent, ICE Officers Attacked
President Donald Trump warned Thursday that he is prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act if Minnesota’s Democratic leadership fails to halt escalating violence against federal law-enforcement officers amid ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the state.
Hegseth Unveils Pentagon AI Acceleration Push at SpaceX, Vows to Tear Down Bureaucratic Barriers
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth vowed Monday to dismantle Pentagon bureaucracy slowing artificial intelligence development, unveiling a sweeping push to deliver AI capabilities to U.S. warfighters at speed during a speech at SpaceX's Starbase launch site in Texas.
Trump to NYT: ‘No Room for Antisemitism’ in GOP or MAGA Movement
U.S. President Donald Trump firmly rejected antisemitism within the Republican Party and the MAGA movement during a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times, declaring that individuals who espouse antisemitic views are neither welcome nor needed.
Christian News
Protestant Pastor Freed After Six Months in Nicaraguan Detention
A Protestant pastor held in incommunicado detention for almost six months in Nicaragua has been released, Christians confirmed Thursday.
US Tightens Grip on Venezuelan Oil, Seizes Tanker as Opposition Leader Heads to White House
U.S. forces have seized another sanctioned oil tanker in the Caribbean Sea, underscoring the Trump administration’s tightening grip on Venezuela’s oil sector as opposition leader Maria Corina Machado prepares to meet President Donald Trump.
Iran Closes Airspace, U.S. Repositions Forces as Trump Weighs Response to Deadly Crackdown
Iran abruptly shut down its airspace to commercial traffic early Thursday and the United States began repositioning military forces and personnel across the Middle East as President Donald Trump weighs potential action against Tehran amid a deadly crackdown on nationwide protests, escalating threats to U.S. bases, mass evacuation warnings, and growing signs that Washington and its allies are preparing for a possible regional confrontation.
U.S. Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries Under Trump Administration Policy
The United States will indefinitely suspend immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries beginning January 21, the U.S. Department of State announced Wednesday, marking a significant expansion of the Trump administration’s immigration restrictions.
China Reconsiders Latin America Role After U.S. Ouster of Venezuela’s Maduro
China is reassessing its strategy in Latin America following the U.S.-led removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, a move that abruptly dismantled Beijing’s most important foothold in what it increasingly views as Washington’s backyard, according to an exclusive report by The Wall Street Journal.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Son of Shah: ‘Iran Will Recognize Israel’ After Ouster Islamic Rulers; Death Toll Protests Passes 2,500 (VIDEO)
Iran’s exiled crown prince pledged Thursday that a “free Iran” would immediately recognize Israel if protesters manage to topple the Islamic Republic’s regime.
Earthquake Rocks Southern Israel
A 4.2 magnitude earthquake rocked southern Israel early Thursday, including the Dead Sea and parts of the Negev area, and residents were urged to rush to safety, experts and officials said.
Inside the United States
Trump Warns He May Invoke Insurrection Act as Minnesota Protests Turn Violent, ICE Officers Attacked
President Donald Trump warned Thursday that he is prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act if Minnesota’s Democratic leadership fails to halt escalating violence against federal law-enforcement officers amid ongoing Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the state.
Hegseth Unveils Pentagon AI Acceleration Push at SpaceX, Vows to Tear Down Bureaucratic Barriers
U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth vowed Monday to dismantle Pentagon bureaucracy slowing artificial intelligence development, unveiling a sweeping push to deliver AI capabilities to U.S. warfighters at speed during a speech at SpaceX's Starbase launch site in Texas.
Trump to NYT: ‘No Room for Antisemitism’ in GOP or MAGA Movement
U.S. President Donald Trump firmly rejected antisemitism within the Republican Party and the MAGA movement during a wide-ranging interview with The New York Times, declaring that individuals who espouse antisemitic views are neither welcome nor needed.
Christian News
Protestant Pastor Freed After Six Months in Nicaraguan Detention
A Protestant pastor held in incommunicado detention for almost six months in Nicaragua has been released, Christians confirmed Thursday.