Prophecy News Watch - September 20, 2023
Around the World
U.N. chief warns A.I. may lead world into ‘more danger than we can control’
World leaders should quickly consider creating a global organization akin to the International Atomic Energy Agency to address both the benefits and the dangers of artificial intelligence — specifically, those associated with the fast-emerging realm of “generative A.I.” capable of creating text, images and videos.
European Union suspends aid to Somalia after UN reports widespread theft
The European Union has temporarily halted its funding for the World Food Program (WFP) in Somalia after a United Nations investigation revealed widespread theft of aid intended for Somalis facing famine, Reuters reported. The European Commission received donations of over $1 billion last year, and gave around $7 million in aid to the WFP in Somalia.
Afghanistan: Taliban detain 18 members of international humanitarian aid NGO
The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has detained an American volunteer surgeon among 18 team members from the International Assistance Mission humanitarian aid NGO (IAM), Radio Free Europe (RFE) reports. The detainees were taken into custody over a period of 11 days, starting on September 3, with no explanation given for the move.
Ukraine To Sue Neighbors Over Grain Ban
Ukraine on Monday said it plans to sue neighbors Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia over bans on Ukrainian agricultural products.
Russia Defends Invasion Of Ukraine At UN Court
Russia has asked the United Nation’s top court to throw out a case challenging Moscow’s argument that it invaded Ukraine to prevent genocide.
India Expels Canada Diplomat Over Murder Row
India has expelled a senior Canadian diplomat after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested Delhi may have been involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Pro-Life Leaders, Lay People to Gather at First National Prayer Event for Unborn During ‘Ten Days of Awe’
Pro-life leaders in Israel will hold a first-ever "National Prayer for Life" event in central Israel this Friday during the "Ten Days of Awe" between the Jewish Feast of Trumpets holiday and the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, which begins Sunday evening.
Israelis Object as UNESCO Declares Biblical Jericho a ‘Palestinian Heritage Site’
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has declared ancient Jericho as a “Palestinian Heritage” site, and some say that eradicates the biblical connection to the city.
Saudi-backed EU venture aims to incentivize Israeli-Palestinian peace
Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the Arab League and other international partners will unveil an initiative Monday aimed at incentivizing Israel and the Palestinian Authority to strike a peace deal.
Wartime Pope Knew Of Holocaust, Letter Shows
Wartime Pope Pius XII knew details about the Nazi attempt to exterminate Jews in the Holocaust as early as 1942 but failed to speak out against the mass killings, according to a letter revealed Monday.
Inside the United States
US household income fell in 2022 for third straight year, Census data shows
American households' income fell last year as their cost of living jumped higher than it has in over four decades amid soaring inflation and marking the third straight annual decline since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
House fails to advance defense spending bill as government shutdown looms
The House voted against beginning debate on its annual defense appropriations bill, failing to overcome a key procedural hurdle to advance the must-pass legislation through the lower chamber by the end of this week.
US national debt hits $33T for first time in history
The national debt – which measures what the U.S. owes its creditors — hit $33.04 trillion as of Monday afternoon, according to new data published by the Treasury Department. By comparison, just four decades ago, the national debt hovered around $907 billion.
Biden admin unleashes 50-year mining, oil drilling ban across thousands of acres in New Mexico
The Biden administration proposed to block of thousands of acres from future oil drilling or mining in northern New Mexico in an effort to protect Native American lands.
Christian News
Iran: House-church pastor begins 10-year prison sentence for “disturbing” Islam
An Iranian-Armenian pastor began a 10-year prison sentence in Iran yesterday, after being found guilty of engaging in “propaganda contrary to and disturbing to the holy religion of Islam” through his leading of a house church in Tehran, the Article 18 religious freedom NGO reports.
Uganda: Evangelist murdered after leading Muslims to Christ
A 33-year old evangelist was beaten to death by Islamic extremists in eastern Uganda, right after he led Muslims to faith in Christ at a Gospel event on September 6, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. The killing was the latest of numerous acts of deadly violence committed against Christians in Uganda by Islamic extremists.
‘Revival Fires’ Reported Across US (Worthy News In-Depth)
U.S. Churches, universities, and the army say Christian “revival fires” have broken out across the United States, with many turning to faith in Christ Jesus and impromptu massive baptism services.
Nigeria: Campaign of brutal terror against Christians continues relentlessly
The slaughter and kidnapping of Christians in Nigeria by Islamic terrorists continues unabated: 15 Christians were murdered and 32 kidnapped in Kaduna State on Friday, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.
U.N. chief warns A.I. may lead world into ‘more danger than we can control’
World leaders should quickly consider creating a global organization akin to the International Atomic Energy Agency to address both the benefits and the dangers of artificial intelligence — specifically, those associated with the fast-emerging realm of “generative A.I.” capable of creating text, images and videos.
European Union suspends aid to Somalia after UN reports widespread theft
The European Union has temporarily halted its funding for the World Food Program (WFP) in Somalia after a United Nations investigation revealed widespread theft of aid intended for Somalis facing famine, Reuters reported. The European Commission received donations of over $1 billion last year, and gave around $7 million in aid to the WFP in Somalia.
Afghanistan: Taliban detain 18 members of international humanitarian aid NGO
The Taliban regime in Afghanistan has detained an American volunteer surgeon among 18 team members from the International Assistance Mission humanitarian aid NGO (IAM), Radio Free Europe (RFE) reports. The detainees were taken into custody over a period of 11 days, starting on September 3, with no explanation given for the move.
Ukraine To Sue Neighbors Over Grain Ban
Ukraine on Monday said it plans to sue neighbors Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia over bans on Ukrainian agricultural products.
Russia Defends Invasion Of Ukraine At UN Court
Russia has asked the United Nation’s top court to throw out a case challenging Moscow’s argument that it invaded Ukraine to prevent genocide.
India Expels Canada Diplomat Over Murder Row
India has expelled a senior Canadian diplomat after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested Delhi may have been involved in the murder of a Sikh separatist leader.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Pro-Life Leaders, Lay People to Gather at First National Prayer Event for Unborn During ‘Ten Days of Awe’
Pro-life leaders in Israel will hold a first-ever "National Prayer for Life" event in central Israel this Friday during the "Ten Days of Awe" between the Jewish Feast of Trumpets holiday and the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, which begins Sunday evening.
Israelis Object as UNESCO Declares Biblical Jericho a ‘Palestinian Heritage Site’
UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has declared ancient Jericho as a “Palestinian Heritage” site, and some say that eradicates the biblical connection to the city.
Saudi-backed EU venture aims to incentivize Israeli-Palestinian peace
Saudi Arabia, the European Union, the Arab League and other international partners will unveil an initiative Monday aimed at incentivizing Israel and the Palestinian Authority to strike a peace deal.
Wartime Pope Knew Of Holocaust, Letter Shows
Wartime Pope Pius XII knew details about the Nazi attempt to exterminate Jews in the Holocaust as early as 1942 but failed to speak out against the mass killings, according to a letter revealed Monday.
Inside the United States
US household income fell in 2022 for third straight year, Census data shows
American households' income fell last year as their cost of living jumped higher than it has in over four decades amid soaring inflation and marking the third straight annual decline since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
House fails to advance defense spending bill as government shutdown looms
The House voted against beginning debate on its annual defense appropriations bill, failing to overcome a key procedural hurdle to advance the must-pass legislation through the lower chamber by the end of this week.
US national debt hits $33T for first time in history
The national debt – which measures what the U.S. owes its creditors — hit $33.04 trillion as of Monday afternoon, according to new data published by the Treasury Department. By comparison, just four decades ago, the national debt hovered around $907 billion.
Biden admin unleashes 50-year mining, oil drilling ban across thousands of acres in New Mexico
The Biden administration proposed to block of thousands of acres from future oil drilling or mining in northern New Mexico in an effort to protect Native American lands.
Christian News
Iran: House-church pastor begins 10-year prison sentence for “disturbing” Islam
An Iranian-Armenian pastor began a 10-year prison sentence in Iran yesterday, after being found guilty of engaging in “propaganda contrary to and disturbing to the holy religion of Islam” through his leading of a house church in Tehran, the Article 18 religious freedom NGO reports.
Uganda: Evangelist murdered after leading Muslims to Christ
A 33-year old evangelist was beaten to death by Islamic extremists in eastern Uganda, right after he led Muslims to faith in Christ at a Gospel event on September 6, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. The killing was the latest of numerous acts of deadly violence committed against Christians in Uganda by Islamic extremists.
‘Revival Fires’ Reported Across US (Worthy News In-Depth)
U.S. Churches, universities, and the army say Christian “revival fires” have broken out across the United States, with many turning to faith in Christ Jesus and impromptu massive baptism services.
Nigeria: Campaign of brutal terror against Christians continues relentlessly
The slaughter and kidnapping of Christians in Nigeria by Islamic terrorists continues unabated: 15 Christians were murdered and 32 kidnapped in Kaduna State on Friday, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.