Prophecy News Watch provided by Worthy Ministries
Prophecy News Watch is a service hosted by Worthy Ministries to provide Christians daily news from a Biblical, and yet Prophetic worldview. Our news is gathered by our Christian News Service, Worthy News. For more about our vision for how we assemble our daily headlines, please read, "What is Worthy News?"
Around the World
U.S., China set to sign massive purchases deal, easing trade war
The U.S.-China trade war is set to enter a new, quieter phase on Wednesday as U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He sign an initial trade deal that aims to vastly increase Chinese purchases of U.S. manufactured products, agricultural goods, energy, and services.
Britain, France, Germany formally accuse Iran of breaking nuclear deal
Britain, France, and Germany formally accused Iran on Tuesday of violating the terms of its 2015 agreement to curb its nuclear program, which eventually could lead to the reimposing of U.N. sanctions lifted under the deal.
French President seeks to address African terrorism
French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting several African leaders this week to discuss Islamic extremism that is spreading across the continent, seeming to give heed to a recent warning from a French philosopher that a Rwanda-style genocide is developing there.
Iran announces arrests in downing of Ukrainian jet
Iran announced that it would arrest several individuals involved with the downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet last week after widespread public discontent forced the regime to acknowledge that it had killed the 176 people on board by mistake.
Iran is closer ‘than ever before’ to regime collapse, says former Obama security advisor
Iran has had a turbulent past week, marked by more than a hundred Iranian deaths and dramatically increased tensions with the U.S. As it enters into the third day of protests fueled by popular anger over the government’s handling of a downed passenger jet, some observers argue this is the most vulnerable the Islamic Republic’s regime has been since its founding in 1979.
Iran social media posts call for fifth day of protests
Iranian social media postings urged citizens to take to the streets for a fifth day on Wednesday, after the admission by the authorities that they had accidentally brought down a passenger plane after days of denials stoked public outrage.
Boris Johnson rejects Scotland's request for 2nd independence referendum
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson rejected Scotland's demand for a second independence referendum, nearly six years after Scots voted to remain a part of the United Kingdom.
Philippines volcano spews lava half-mile high, threatens to erupt again as flights grounded
A volcanic eruption in the Philippines continues to spew lava half a mile into the sky, creating lightning bolts, and threatening to erupt again even as tens of thousands of people continue to flee the region and hundreds of flights have been canceled or delayed.
Lebanese protesters back in streets following brief lull
Following a brief lull, Lebanese protesters returned to the streets, blocking several roads around the capital, Beirut, and other areas of the country on Tuesday in renewed rallies against a ruling elite they say has failed to address the economy’s downward spiral.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
House Committee in Israeli parliament to convene to decide fate of Netanyahu
An Israeli parliamentary committee will convene to determine the political fate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, lawmakers decided Monday.
Netanyahu: Israel will not allow Iran to achieve nuclear weapons
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons and called on Western countries to impose “snapback sanctions” on Tehran.
IDF sees chance to halt Iranian entrenchment in region with Soleimani gone
Israeli Military Intelligence believes the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani represents a significant opportunity to counter Tehran’s growing aggressiveness in the region, The Times of Israel learned Tuesday.
Inside the United States
Trump plans to divert $7.2 billion from Pentagon for border wall construction
Lawmakers again expressed anger and frustration at the news that the White House again will be tapping the Pentagon’s budget to pay for President Trump’s long-promised border wall.
$1,163,090,000,000: Federal Spending Sets Record Through December
The federal government spent a record $1,163,090,000,000 in the first three months of fiscal 2020 (October through December), according to the Monthly Treasury Statement released Monday afternoon.
Judge delays ruling in House lawsuit over Trump tax returns
A federal judge on Tuesday stayed House Democrats’ lawsuit over their efforts to obtain President Trump’s tax returns from the IRS until a court decision is issued in a separate case.
Christian News
Al Shabaab strikes Kenya school, killing three Christian teachers
Al Shabaab extremists killed three Christian teachers in Kenya Monday, the attackers justifying the carnage by saying it was impermissible for 'infidels' to teach children.
New Survey Reveals Most Pastors Don't Connect World Events to Second Coming of Christ
US Protestant pastors are closely monitoring the recent events in the Middle East, but many don't believe it will influence the return of Christ.
U.S., China set to sign massive purchases deal, easing trade war
The U.S.-China trade war is set to enter a new, quieter phase on Wednesday as U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He sign an initial trade deal that aims to vastly increase Chinese purchases of U.S. manufactured products, agricultural goods, energy, and services.
Britain, France, Germany formally accuse Iran of breaking nuclear deal
Britain, France, and Germany formally accused Iran on Tuesday of violating the terms of its 2015 agreement to curb its nuclear program, which eventually could lead to the reimposing of U.N. sanctions lifted under the deal.
French President seeks to address African terrorism
French President Emmanuel Macron is hosting several African leaders this week to discuss Islamic extremism that is spreading across the continent, seeming to give heed to a recent warning from a French philosopher that a Rwanda-style genocide is developing there.
Iran announces arrests in downing of Ukrainian jet
Iran announced that it would arrest several individuals involved with the downing of a Ukrainian passenger jet last week after widespread public discontent forced the regime to acknowledge that it had killed the 176 people on board by mistake.
Iran is closer ‘than ever before’ to regime collapse, says former Obama security advisor
Iran has had a turbulent past week, marked by more than a hundred Iranian deaths and dramatically increased tensions with the U.S. As it enters into the third day of protests fueled by popular anger over the government’s handling of a downed passenger jet, some observers argue this is the most vulnerable the Islamic Republic’s regime has been since its founding in 1979.
Iran social media posts call for fifth day of protests
Iranian social media postings urged citizens to take to the streets for a fifth day on Wednesday, after the admission by the authorities that they had accidentally brought down a passenger plane after days of denials stoked public outrage.
Boris Johnson rejects Scotland's request for 2nd independence referendum
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson rejected Scotland's demand for a second independence referendum, nearly six years after Scots voted to remain a part of the United Kingdom.
Philippines volcano spews lava half-mile high, threatens to erupt again as flights grounded
A volcanic eruption in the Philippines continues to spew lava half a mile into the sky, creating lightning bolts, and threatening to erupt again even as tens of thousands of people continue to flee the region and hundreds of flights have been canceled or delayed.
Lebanese protesters back in streets following brief lull
Following a brief lull, Lebanese protesters returned to the streets, blocking several roads around the capital, Beirut, and other areas of the country on Tuesday in renewed rallies against a ruling elite they say has failed to address the economy’s downward spiral.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
House Committee in Israeli parliament to convene to decide fate of Netanyahu
An Israeli parliamentary committee will convene to determine the political fate of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, lawmakers decided Monday.
Netanyahu: Israel will not allow Iran to achieve nuclear weapons
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel will not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons and called on Western countries to impose “snapback sanctions” on Tehran.
IDF sees chance to halt Iranian entrenchment in region with Soleimani gone
Israeli Military Intelligence believes the killing of Iranian general Qassem Soleimani represents a significant opportunity to counter Tehran’s growing aggressiveness in the region, The Times of Israel learned Tuesday.
Inside the United States
Trump plans to divert $7.2 billion from Pentagon for border wall construction
Lawmakers again expressed anger and frustration at the news that the White House again will be tapping the Pentagon’s budget to pay for President Trump’s long-promised border wall.
$1,163,090,000,000: Federal Spending Sets Record Through December
The federal government spent a record $1,163,090,000,000 in the first three months of fiscal 2020 (October through December), according to the Monthly Treasury Statement released Monday afternoon.
Judge delays ruling in House lawsuit over Trump tax returns
A federal judge on Tuesday stayed House Democrats’ lawsuit over their efforts to obtain President Trump’s tax returns from the IRS until a court decision is issued in a separate case.
Christian News
Al Shabaab strikes Kenya school, killing three Christian teachers
Al Shabaab extremists killed three Christian teachers in Kenya Monday, the attackers justifying the carnage by saying it was impermissible for 'infidels' to teach children.
New Survey Reveals Most Pastors Don't Connect World Events to Second Coming of Christ
US Protestant pastors are closely monitoring the recent events in the Middle East, but many don't believe it will influence the return of Christ.
Around the World
Protests in Iran ignite following Ukrainian jet gaffe
Protests in Iran continued for a third day on Monday after the regime admitted over the weekend to accidentally downing a Ukrainian passenger jet carrying 176 people, killing everyone on board.
Iran state TV sees at least 2 news anchors quit: 'Forgive me for the 13 years I told you lies'
At least two Iranian journalists at a state-owned media outlet reportedly resigned from their jobs, and another left a while back, apologizing for "the 13 years I told you lies" to her supporters as Tehran grapples with the fallout from protests stemming from a cover-up of its accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner.
Philippines braces for possible volcano eruption
Clouds of ash and tremors from the Taal volcano near the capital of the Philippines forced thousands to flee Sunday as the government planned to evacuate hundreds more.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Top White House official says peace plan could be rolled out before March vote
A top White House official has said US President Donald Trump’s administration will not necessarily wait until after Israel’s March 2 elections to release its long-awaited peace plan.
Israel Develops New Lightweight Armor-Piercing Missile
Israel has developed a new lightweight armor-piercing missile that can be shoulder-mounted and used by infantry forces.
US Christian students come to Holy Land to connect to biblical and modern Israel
Five hundred college students streamed into a large party venue in southern Jerusalem with a panoramic view of the Old City. They noshed on mini shwarma sandwiches and cotton candy and danced with abandon to Israeli pop music — some creating a mosh pit near the DJ’s stage at the front of the hall.
Inside the United States
Federal budget deficit running 11.8% higher this year
The U.S. budget deficit through the first three months of this budget year is up 11.8 percent from the same period a year ago, putting the country on track to record its first $1 trillion deficit in eight years.
21 Saudi students to be sent home following Pensacola shooting
The US is sending home 21 Saudi students after a shooting at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida last month, Attorney General William Barr having concluded that the pilots-in-training acted on terroristic motivations.
Christian News
House church pastor imprisoned in China
A pastor in Hubei Province, China is facing up to 10 years in prison for fraud charges resulting from her refusal to comply with government regulations on religion, surpassing the sentence of persecuted house church pastor Wang Yi.
Same-sex marriage officially legal in Northern Ireland; Christian leaders express concern
Same-sex marriage is now legal in Northern Ireland, sparking concern among religious and conservative leaders in the Christian-majority country.
Protests in Iran ignite following Ukrainian jet gaffe
Protests in Iran continued for a third day on Monday after the regime admitted over the weekend to accidentally downing a Ukrainian passenger jet carrying 176 people, killing everyone on board.
Iran state TV sees at least 2 news anchors quit: 'Forgive me for the 13 years I told you lies'
At least two Iranian journalists at a state-owned media outlet reportedly resigned from their jobs, and another left a while back, apologizing for "the 13 years I told you lies" to her supporters as Tehran grapples with the fallout from protests stemming from a cover-up of its accidental downing of a Ukrainian airliner.
Philippines braces for possible volcano eruption
Clouds of ash and tremors from the Taal volcano near the capital of the Philippines forced thousands to flee Sunday as the government planned to evacuate hundreds more.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Top White House official says peace plan could be rolled out before March vote
A top White House official has said US President Donald Trump’s administration will not necessarily wait until after Israel’s March 2 elections to release its long-awaited peace plan.
Israel Develops New Lightweight Armor-Piercing Missile
Israel has developed a new lightweight armor-piercing missile that can be shoulder-mounted and used by infantry forces.
US Christian students come to Holy Land to connect to biblical and modern Israel
Five hundred college students streamed into a large party venue in southern Jerusalem with a panoramic view of the Old City. They noshed on mini shwarma sandwiches and cotton candy and danced with abandon to Israeli pop music — some creating a mosh pit near the DJ’s stage at the front of the hall.
Inside the United States
Federal budget deficit running 11.8% higher this year
The U.S. budget deficit through the first three months of this budget year is up 11.8 percent from the same period a year ago, putting the country on track to record its first $1 trillion deficit in eight years.
21 Saudi students to be sent home following Pensacola shooting
The US is sending home 21 Saudi students after a shooting at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida last month, Attorney General William Barr having concluded that the pilots-in-training acted on terroristic motivations.
Christian News
House church pastor imprisoned in China
A pastor in Hubei Province, China is facing up to 10 years in prison for fraud charges resulting from her refusal to comply with government regulations on religion, surpassing the sentence of persecuted house church pastor Wang Yi.
Same-sex marriage officially legal in Northern Ireland; Christian leaders express concern
Same-sex marriage is now legal in Northern Ireland, sparking concern among religious and conservative leaders in the Christian-majority country.
Around the World
Iran admits downing of Ukrainian jet a 'mistake'
Iran conceded on Saturday to having made a 'disastrous mistake' in shooting down a Ukrainian airliner that was carrying 176 passengers, an allegation the regime initially denied.
Russia warship comes close to colliding with US ship in Middle East
An American Navy ship was approached by a Russian Navy ship in the north Arabian sea last Thursday when the Russian ship made an 'aggressive' maneuver, US officials said, Russian officials, responding by pointing the finger at the US.
Mark Esper: Iran 'probably and could have been' targeting 4 U.S. embassies
Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Sunday said Iran 'probably and could have been' planning to target the U.S. embassy in Baghdad and three other diplomatic facilities abroad in the days leading to the American strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
Rocket Attack Hits Military Base in Iraq, Pompeo Calls Them ‘Continued Violations’
Several people were wounded on Sunday in an attack on the Balad airbase in northern Iraq that houses U.S. personnel, according to the Iraqi military. The incident was decried by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hours later.
As protests restart in Iran, demonstrators refuse to trample US, Israeli flags
Protesters gathered on the streets of Iran Sunday for a second day of demonstrations against the regime, prompted by the Iranian leadership’s belated admission that it accidentally downed a Ukrainian airliner last week, killing all 176 people on board.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel reportedly attacks Syria-Iraq border, thwarts shipment of Iranian ballistic missiles
Israeli aircraft attacked a truck convoy near the Syria-Iraq border in an effort to thwart the delivery of weapon systems to pro-Iranian militias, Arab media reported overnight Thursday. Israel has not commented on the incident.
Rare, 2,000-year-old Jerusalem measuring table reveals Temple Mount market
After discovering a highly rare, 2,000-year-old measuring table that was once used to assess wine or olive oil containers in Jerusalem, experts believe they've pinpointed the location of a crucial ancient market near the Temple Mount.
Inside the United States
Record 158,803,000 Americans Employed; 1.85M Year-to-Year Increase
'As we begin this new year, our economy is booming,' President Trump told a rally in Toledo, Ohio Thursday night. 'Wages are soaring, workers are thriving, and America’s future has never looked brighter.'
2020 will see two supermoons and a blue moon close to elections
The year 2020 will see 13 full moons, two supermoons, and a blue moon in October around the same time as the US Presidential election.
Planned Parenthood performs record number of abortions
Planned Parenthood performed a record number of abortions in 2018 and 2019, according to new data released by the organization, even while the overall number of abortions that took place in the US fell.
Virginia gun proposal puts concealed carry agreements with other states in jeopardy
Virginia Democratic Del. Dan Helmer filed a bill Wednesday that would give the commonwealth’s attorney general, Mark Herring, discretion over which states’ carry permits Virginia would continue to recognize.
Gallup: Americans' Ideology, 37% Conservative, 24% Liberal, 35% Moderate
Polling data from 2019 show that America is 'center-right' politically, with 37% describing themselves as 'conservative,' 35% saying they are 'moderate,' and only 24% stating they are 'liberal.'
House Passes Three Bills To Advance 5G and Cyber Security in US
A package of bills designed to give the United States an advantage over China in the race to employ 5G, the fastest wireless networks available, were passed by the House on Wednesday.
Christian News
Muslim herdsmen kill a dozen more Christians in Nigeria
Muslim Fulani herdsmen killed 13 Christians in Plateau State, Nigeria on Wednesday, Jan. 8, adding to a body count that has seen scores of Christian farmers murdered by the pastoralists in the last few years.
Grave of martyred pastor destroyed in Iran
The grave of an Assemblies of God pastor from Mashad, Iran--the same town in which Soleimani replacement Brig. Gen. Esmail Qaani rose through the ranks--was destroyed this past December by the Iranian regime.
Iran admits downing of Ukrainian jet a 'mistake'
Iran conceded on Saturday to having made a 'disastrous mistake' in shooting down a Ukrainian airliner that was carrying 176 passengers, an allegation the regime initially denied.
Russia warship comes close to colliding with US ship in Middle East
An American Navy ship was approached by a Russian Navy ship in the north Arabian sea last Thursday when the Russian ship made an 'aggressive' maneuver, US officials said, Russian officials, responding by pointing the finger at the US.
Mark Esper: Iran 'probably and could have been' targeting 4 U.S. embassies
Defense Secretary Mark Esper on Sunday said Iran 'probably and could have been' planning to target the U.S. embassy in Baghdad and three other diplomatic facilities abroad in the days leading to the American strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
Rocket Attack Hits Military Base in Iraq, Pompeo Calls Them ‘Continued Violations’
Several people were wounded on Sunday in an attack on the Balad airbase in northern Iraq that houses U.S. personnel, according to the Iraqi military. The incident was decried by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo hours later.
As protests restart in Iran, demonstrators refuse to trample US, Israeli flags
Protesters gathered on the streets of Iran Sunday for a second day of demonstrations against the regime, prompted by the Iranian leadership’s belated admission that it accidentally downed a Ukrainian airliner last week, killing all 176 people on board.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel reportedly attacks Syria-Iraq border, thwarts shipment of Iranian ballistic missiles
Israeli aircraft attacked a truck convoy near the Syria-Iraq border in an effort to thwart the delivery of weapon systems to pro-Iranian militias, Arab media reported overnight Thursday. Israel has not commented on the incident.
Rare, 2,000-year-old Jerusalem measuring table reveals Temple Mount market
After discovering a highly rare, 2,000-year-old measuring table that was once used to assess wine or olive oil containers in Jerusalem, experts believe they've pinpointed the location of a crucial ancient market near the Temple Mount.
Inside the United States
Record 158,803,000 Americans Employed; 1.85M Year-to-Year Increase
'As we begin this new year, our economy is booming,' President Trump told a rally in Toledo, Ohio Thursday night. 'Wages are soaring, workers are thriving, and America’s future has never looked brighter.'
2020 will see two supermoons and a blue moon close to elections
The year 2020 will see 13 full moons, two supermoons, and a blue moon in October around the same time as the US Presidential election.
Planned Parenthood performs record number of abortions
Planned Parenthood performed a record number of abortions in 2018 and 2019, according to new data released by the organization, even while the overall number of abortions that took place in the US fell.
Virginia gun proposal puts concealed carry agreements with other states in jeopardy
Virginia Democratic Del. Dan Helmer filed a bill Wednesday that would give the commonwealth’s attorney general, Mark Herring, discretion over which states’ carry permits Virginia would continue to recognize.
Gallup: Americans' Ideology, 37% Conservative, 24% Liberal, 35% Moderate
Polling data from 2019 show that America is 'center-right' politically, with 37% describing themselves as 'conservative,' 35% saying they are 'moderate,' and only 24% stating they are 'liberal.'
House Passes Three Bills To Advance 5G and Cyber Security in US
A package of bills designed to give the United States an advantage over China in the race to employ 5G, the fastest wireless networks available, were passed by the House on Wednesday.
Christian News
Muslim herdsmen kill a dozen more Christians in Nigeria
Muslim Fulani herdsmen killed 13 Christians in Plateau State, Nigeria on Wednesday, Jan. 8, adding to a body count that has seen scores of Christian farmers murdered by the pastoralists in the last few years.
Grave of martyred pastor destroyed in Iran
The grave of an Assemblies of God pastor from Mashad, Iran--the same town in which Soleimani replacement Brig. Gen. Esmail Qaani rose through the ranks--was destroyed this past December by the Iranian regime.