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
Tehran, Moscow at odds over plans to build up military near Damascus
Tehran and Moscow are said to be at loggerheads over the building of Iranian military installations being erected near the Syrian capital of Damascus.
China possibly gearing up to quash Hong Kong Protests
China has doubled its troop presence in the former British colony of Hong Kong.
Boris Johnson defends leaked Brexit plan after EU criticism
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defended his government’s proposals for an amended Brexit deal after extracts of the plan were reported by media outlets and criticized by the Republic of Ireland.
Al-Shabab Terrorists Launch Attack on US Military Base in Africa
The Islamic terrorist group Al-Shabab attacked a base housing U.S. military personnel with multiple car bombs in Somalia on Monday.
Trump sought Australia’s help investigating Russia probe origins
US President Donald Trump recently asked the Australian prime minister and other foreign leaders to help Attorney General William Barr with an investigation into the origins of the Russia probe that shadowed his administration for more than two years, the Justice Department said Monday.
Moscow vows to retaliate over new ‘anti-Russian’ US sanctions
Russia on Monday said it was 'bewildered' by fresh US sanctions and vowed to retaliate following what it called an 'anti-Russian attack.'
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Top Iranian Revolutionary Guards Commander Says Israel Surrounded on All Sides
A top commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, a designated terrorist organization, declared over the weekend that Israel doesn’t pose any threat to the Islamic Republic and has been surrounded to 'the east, west, north, and south.'
Iran’s top general says wiping Israel off map is an ‘achievable goal’
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander on Monday said that wiping Israel off the map is now an 'achievable goal' thanks to the country’s technological advances.
Inside the United States
Mitch McConnell: Senate would have 'no choice' but to take up impeachment after House
The odds of President Trump being convicted in the Republican-held Senate or even impeached by the Democratic-run House is a long shot, despite Washington being consumed by impeachment mania.
FBI report: U.S. crime rate, homicides down; rapes increase for 6th straight year
Violent crime overall in the United States has fallen by 4 percent, continuing a substantial decline since the 1990s, but the number of rapes have trended in the other direction, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said Monday in its annual assessment.
Intel Community Secretly Gutted Requirement Of First-Hand Whistleblower Knowledge
Between May 2018 and August 2019, the intelligence community secretly eliminated a requirement that whistleblowers provide direct, first-hand knowledge of alleged wrongdoings. This raises questions about the intelligence community’s behavior regarding the August submission of a whistleblower complaint against President Donald Trump. The new complaint document no longer requires potential whistleblowers who wish to have their concerns expedited to Congress to have direct, first-hand knowledge of the alleged wrongdoing that they are reporting.
Christian News
Christians in Algeria Hit with More Church Closures
Authorities today sealed shut a church building in Tigzirt, Algeria, two days after shutting another building serving two churches without prior notice, sources said.
University officials held 'personally liable' for discrimination against Christian student group
A federal court ruled University of Iowa officials must pay out of their own pockets for discriminating against a prominent Christian student group, calling the university's conduct 'ludicrous' and 'incredibly baffling' during a hearing last week.
Tehran, Moscow at odds over plans to build up military near Damascus
Tehran and Moscow are said to be at loggerheads over the building of Iranian military installations being erected near the Syrian capital of Damascus.
China possibly gearing up to quash Hong Kong Protests
China has doubled its troop presence in the former British colony of Hong Kong.
Boris Johnson defends leaked Brexit plan after EU criticism
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has defended his government’s proposals for an amended Brexit deal after extracts of the plan were reported by media outlets and criticized by the Republic of Ireland.
Al-Shabab Terrorists Launch Attack on US Military Base in Africa
The Islamic terrorist group Al-Shabab attacked a base housing U.S. military personnel with multiple car bombs in Somalia on Monday.
Trump sought Australia’s help investigating Russia probe origins
US President Donald Trump recently asked the Australian prime minister and other foreign leaders to help Attorney General William Barr with an investigation into the origins of the Russia probe that shadowed his administration for more than two years, the Justice Department said Monday.
Moscow vows to retaliate over new ‘anti-Russian’ US sanctions
Russia on Monday said it was 'bewildered' by fresh US sanctions and vowed to retaliate following what it called an 'anti-Russian attack.'
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Top Iranian Revolutionary Guards Commander Says Israel Surrounded on All Sides
A top commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, a designated terrorist organization, declared over the weekend that Israel doesn’t pose any threat to the Islamic Republic and has been surrounded to 'the east, west, north, and south.'
Iran’s top general says wiping Israel off map is an ‘achievable goal’
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander on Monday said that wiping Israel off the map is now an 'achievable goal' thanks to the country’s technological advances.
Inside the United States
Mitch McConnell: Senate would have 'no choice' but to take up impeachment after House
The odds of President Trump being convicted in the Republican-held Senate or even impeached by the Democratic-run House is a long shot, despite Washington being consumed by impeachment mania.
FBI report: U.S. crime rate, homicides down; rapes increase for 6th straight year
Violent crime overall in the United States has fallen by 4 percent, continuing a substantial decline since the 1990s, but the number of rapes have trended in the other direction, the Federal Bureau of Investigation said Monday in its annual assessment.
Intel Community Secretly Gutted Requirement Of First-Hand Whistleblower Knowledge
Between May 2018 and August 2019, the intelligence community secretly eliminated a requirement that whistleblowers provide direct, first-hand knowledge of alleged wrongdoings. This raises questions about the intelligence community’s behavior regarding the August submission of a whistleblower complaint against President Donald Trump. The new complaint document no longer requires potential whistleblowers who wish to have their concerns expedited to Congress to have direct, first-hand knowledge of the alleged wrongdoing that they are reporting.
Christian News
Christians in Algeria Hit with More Church Closures
Authorities today sealed shut a church building in Tigzirt, Algeria, two days after shutting another building serving two churches without prior notice, sources said.
University officials held 'personally liable' for discrimination against Christian student group
A federal court ruled University of Iowa officials must pay out of their own pockets for discriminating against a prominent Christian student group, calling the university's conduct 'ludicrous' and 'incredibly baffling' during a hearing last week.
Around the World
Syria demands withdrawal of U.S., Turkish forces, warns of countermeasures
Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem on Saturday demanded an immediate withdrawal of all U.S. and Turkish troops from his country and warned that Syrian government forces had the right to take countermeasures if they refused.
NATO denies Russia request to bar missiles in Europe
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has rejected a request from Russian President Vladimir Putin to prohibit missile deployments in Europe, now that Moscow and the United States have left a 1988 nuclear treaty.
Rouhani claims Trump offered to drop sanctions in exchange for talks
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Friday that Trump had offered to drop all sanctions against the Islamic Republic in exchange for talks at the UN General Assembly, a claim Trump later vehemently denied.
Latest Hong Kong pro-democracy protests end early after violent turn
A pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong which reportedly had drawn hundreds of thousands ended early on Saturday after violence broke out, police said.
Hurricane Lorenzo briefly reaches Category 5 strength, becomes record-setting storm in far east Atlantic
The fifth hurricane of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season roared into the record books late Saturday when it became the strongest storm ever observed so far north and east in this part of the Atlantic Ocean.
Britain's Boris Johnson won't quit, vows to 'get Brexit done'
As the annual conference of Britain's ruling Conservative Party got underway on Sunday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed he would oversee the country's departure from the European Union next month.
Saudi prince: ‘Firm’ action needed against Iran to prevent devastating war
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince said in an interview aired Sunday that war with Iran would devastate the global economy and he prefers a non-military solution to tensions with his regional rival.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Nasrallah: We are prepared to enter 'occupied Palestine'
The leader of the Lebanese-based terror group Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, claimed over the weekend that his organization was in possession of a large amount of military intelligence on Israel and warned that his forces were prepared to enter 'occupied Palestine' at any time.
Attorney general agrees to spread Netanyahu indictment hearings over two weeks
Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit on Sunday informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s legal team that he had agreed to their request that a pre-indictment hearing in three graft cases against the premier be spread out over two weeks, instead of being held over two days this week.
Inside the United States
Federal judge rules against Trump administration on fast-track deportation policy
The Trump administration was dealt a blow late Friday by a federal judge after she ruled to block its move that would allow immigration officers to deport people who entered the U.S. illegally before they appear before judges.
'Historic' winter storm dumps 3 feet of snow, smashes records in West
One week after summer's end, a 'winter' storm began blasting parts of the West with up to 3 feet of snow, smashing records with low temperatures, heavy snow, strong winds and blizzard conditions forecast into Monday.
U.S. consumer spending slows in August; incomes rise
U.S. consumer spending barely rose in August, suggesting that the economy’s main growth engine was slowing after accelerating sharply in the second quarter.
Nancy Pelosi: Abortion Bans ‘Ignore Basic Morality’
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) said in an address delivered Thursday night at the 50th anniversary dinner of NARAL Pro-Choice America that abortion bans being sought by Republicans around the country 'ignore basic morality.'
Christian News
Congress hears testimonies about situation of Christians in India
Human rights groups and groups that monitor persecution worldwide presented statistics to congress Wednesday testifying to the deterioration of the situation for Christians in India.
Underground church growing, Islam dying, inside Iran
A new documentary claims the 'fastest-growing church' in the world is sprouting up in the unexpected soil of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Michigan Faith-Based Adoption Agencies Win Big in Court, Allowed to Keep Following Their Religion
A district judge in Michigan has ruled that a faith-based adoption agency can continue to practice its religious beliefs and still partner with the state in connecting foster children with families who want to adopt them.
New allegations that Assad is behind attacks on Christians undercuts 'protector' narrative
Despite public domestic Christian support for Syrian President Bashar Assad, some members of minority Christian groups argue he manipulates and threatens them.
Syria demands withdrawal of U.S., Turkish forces, warns of countermeasures
Syria’s Foreign Minister Walid al-Moualem on Saturday demanded an immediate withdrawal of all U.S. and Turkish troops from his country and warned that Syrian government forces had the right to take countermeasures if they refused.
NATO denies Russia request to bar missiles in Europe
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization has rejected a request from Russian President Vladimir Putin to prohibit missile deployments in Europe, now that Moscow and the United States have left a 1988 nuclear treaty.
Rouhani claims Trump offered to drop sanctions in exchange for talks
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said Friday that Trump had offered to drop all sanctions against the Islamic Republic in exchange for talks at the UN General Assembly, a claim Trump later vehemently denied.
Latest Hong Kong pro-democracy protests end early after violent turn
A pro-democracy protest in Hong Kong which reportedly had drawn hundreds of thousands ended early on Saturday after violence broke out, police said.
Hurricane Lorenzo briefly reaches Category 5 strength, becomes record-setting storm in far east Atlantic
The fifth hurricane of the 2019 Atlantic hurricane season roared into the record books late Saturday when it became the strongest storm ever observed so far north and east in this part of the Atlantic Ocean.
Britain's Boris Johnson won't quit, vows to 'get Brexit done'
As the annual conference of Britain's ruling Conservative Party got underway on Sunday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed he would oversee the country's departure from the European Union next month.
Saudi prince: ‘Firm’ action needed against Iran to prevent devastating war
Saudi Arabia’s crown prince said in an interview aired Sunday that war with Iran would devastate the global economy and he prefers a non-military solution to tensions with his regional rival.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Nasrallah: We are prepared to enter 'occupied Palestine'
The leader of the Lebanese-based terror group Hezbollah, Hassan Nasrallah, claimed over the weekend that his organization was in possession of a large amount of military intelligence on Israel and warned that his forces were prepared to enter 'occupied Palestine' at any time.
Attorney general agrees to spread Netanyahu indictment hearings over two weeks
Attorney-General Avichai Mandelblit on Sunday informed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s legal team that he had agreed to their request that a pre-indictment hearing in three graft cases against the premier be spread out over two weeks, instead of being held over two days this week.
Inside the United States
Federal judge rules against Trump administration on fast-track deportation policy
The Trump administration was dealt a blow late Friday by a federal judge after she ruled to block its move that would allow immigration officers to deport people who entered the U.S. illegally before they appear before judges.
'Historic' winter storm dumps 3 feet of snow, smashes records in West
One week after summer's end, a 'winter' storm began blasting parts of the West with up to 3 feet of snow, smashing records with low temperatures, heavy snow, strong winds and blizzard conditions forecast into Monday.
U.S. consumer spending slows in August; incomes rise
U.S. consumer spending barely rose in August, suggesting that the economy’s main growth engine was slowing after accelerating sharply in the second quarter.
Nancy Pelosi: Abortion Bans ‘Ignore Basic Morality’
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D.-Calif.) said in an address delivered Thursday night at the 50th anniversary dinner of NARAL Pro-Choice America that abortion bans being sought by Republicans around the country 'ignore basic morality.'
Christian News
Congress hears testimonies about situation of Christians in India
Human rights groups and groups that monitor persecution worldwide presented statistics to congress Wednesday testifying to the deterioration of the situation for Christians in India.
Underground church growing, Islam dying, inside Iran
A new documentary claims the 'fastest-growing church' in the world is sprouting up in the unexpected soil of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Michigan Faith-Based Adoption Agencies Win Big in Court, Allowed to Keep Following Their Religion
A district judge in Michigan has ruled that a faith-based adoption agency can continue to practice its religious beliefs and still partner with the state in connecting foster children with families who want to adopt them.
New allegations that Assad is behind attacks on Christians undercuts 'protector' narrative
Despite public domestic Christian support for Syrian President Bashar Assad, some members of minority Christian groups argue he manipulates and threatens them.
Around the World
US deploys air defense systems, troops to Saudi Arabia
The US is sending a Patriot missile battery and four ground-based radar systems to Saudi Arabia, the Pentagon said Thursday, in what officials describe as the first steps to help the kingdom protect itself against Iranian attacks.
Egypt braces as actor calls for millions to take to the streets against Sisi's rule
Egypt’s government is bracing for a repeat of last Friday’s protests when hundreds of people took to the streets in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and other cities, to demand the overthrow of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Syrian Forces Again Used Chemical Weapons, US Says
Syrian forces used chemical weapons during an attack in Latakia province in May, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday.
Russia to Expand Its Hmeimim Airbase in Syria, Reports Say
Russia is expanding its Hmeimim airbase in Syria and rebuilding a second landing strip to allow the facility to serve more aircraft, Russian news agencies cited an unnamed Defense Ministry official as saying on Thursday.
Abortion decriminalised in Sydney after Australian lawmakers overturn 119-year-old law
Legislators in Australia's most populous state voted on Thursday to decriminalize abortion after a fractious debate that threatened to divide the conservative government of New South Wales.
Erdogan says Turkey will continue oil, natural gas trade with Iran
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday it was impossible for Turkey to stop buying oil and natural gas from Iran, despite the threat of U.S. sanctions, and added that trade between the two countries would continue, according to broadcaster NTV.
Iran Breaches Nuclear Deal, UN Watchdog Says
The U.N. nuclear monitoring agency says Iran has begun using advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium, a violation of a landmark agreement with world powers.
UK tanker leaves Iranian port after being seized in July
The British-flagged Stena Impero tanker left Iran’s Bandar Abbas port on Friday after being detained since July by Iranian forces and was heading toward international waters.
Hong Kong braces for weekend of mass protests ahead of China’s National Day
Hong Kong braces for another weekend of mass protests.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Likud, Blue and White accept Rivlin compromise as basis for talks
Coalition negotiating teams from Likud and Blue and White will officially begin talks on forming a new government on Friday morning, amid low expectations on both sides.
Israel President Rivlin improvises as Gantz refuses to share power with Netanyahu
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has proposed a novel form of government to mitigate the power-sharing dispute between Benjamin Netanyahu and rival Benny Gantz.
Netanyahu says he wants his pre-indictment hearing broadcast live
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday urged Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to allow his pre-indictment hearing next week in a series of corruption cases to be broadcast live.
Abbas promises to continue paying families of martyrs, receives applause at U.N. General Assembly
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday in his speech at the U.N. General Assembly that despite Israel's demands, the Palestinian Authority will continue to pay salaries to terrorists.
'Iran could fire cruise missiles at Israel from Iraq'
The IDF's intelligence branch thinks that Iran could fire missiles at Israel like the ones it sent flying at a Saudi oil field last week, the head of Military Intelligence's Research Division, Brig. Gen. Dror Shalom, told Israel Hayom in a special Rosh Hashanah interview.
Inside the United States
Intel chief rejects Ukraine cover-up
An intelligence community whistleblower said Ukrainian officials emerged from a July phone call with President Trump convinced they needed to investigate former Vice President Joseph R. Biden and the Democratic Party in order to get on Mr. Trump’s good side, according to documents made public Thursday.
US Economy Grew at Modest 2% Rate in Second Quarter
The U.S. economy grew at a modest 2% annual rate in the second quarter, a pace sharply lower than the 3%-plus growth rates seen over the past year. Many analysts believe growth will slow further in coming quarters as global weakness and rising trade tensions exert a toll.
Senate passes stopgap funding bill to avert shutdown
The Senate on Thursday easily passed a stopgap bill to avert an end-of-month shutdown, even as lawmakers signaled bigger spending fights ahead over President Trump’s desired U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Christian News
New online resource explores British Library’s collection of ancient sacred texts
The British Library, the largest national library in the world by number of items cataloged, has made available its collection of 250 of the most rare and ancient religious texts online, many available to the public for the first time.
US deploys air defense systems, troops to Saudi Arabia
The US is sending a Patriot missile battery and four ground-based radar systems to Saudi Arabia, the Pentagon said Thursday, in what officials describe as the first steps to help the kingdom protect itself against Iranian attacks.
Egypt braces as actor calls for millions to take to the streets against Sisi's rule
Egypt’s government is bracing for a repeat of last Friday’s protests when hundreds of people took to the streets in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and other cities, to demand the overthrow of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Syrian Forces Again Used Chemical Weapons, US Says
Syrian forces used chemical weapons during an attack in Latakia province in May, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday.
Russia to Expand Its Hmeimim Airbase in Syria, Reports Say
Russia is expanding its Hmeimim airbase in Syria and rebuilding a second landing strip to allow the facility to serve more aircraft, Russian news agencies cited an unnamed Defense Ministry official as saying on Thursday.
Abortion decriminalised in Sydney after Australian lawmakers overturn 119-year-old law
Legislators in Australia's most populous state voted on Thursday to decriminalize abortion after a fractious debate that threatened to divide the conservative government of New South Wales.
Erdogan says Turkey will continue oil, natural gas trade with Iran
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday it was impossible for Turkey to stop buying oil and natural gas from Iran, despite the threat of U.S. sanctions, and added that trade between the two countries would continue, according to broadcaster NTV.
Iran Breaches Nuclear Deal, UN Watchdog Says
The U.N. nuclear monitoring agency says Iran has begun using advanced centrifuges to enrich uranium, a violation of a landmark agreement with world powers.
UK tanker leaves Iranian port after being seized in July
The British-flagged Stena Impero tanker left Iran’s Bandar Abbas port on Friday after being detained since July by Iranian forces and was heading toward international waters.
Hong Kong braces for weekend of mass protests ahead of China’s National Day
Hong Kong braces for another weekend of mass protests.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Likud, Blue and White accept Rivlin compromise as basis for talks
Coalition negotiating teams from Likud and Blue and White will officially begin talks on forming a new government on Friday morning, amid low expectations on both sides.
Israel President Rivlin improvises as Gantz refuses to share power with Netanyahu
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin has proposed a novel form of government to mitigate the power-sharing dispute between Benjamin Netanyahu and rival Benny Gantz.
Netanyahu says he wants his pre-indictment hearing broadcast live
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday urged Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit to allow his pre-indictment hearing next week in a series of corruption cases to be broadcast live.
Abbas promises to continue paying families of martyrs, receives applause at U.N. General Assembly
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Thursday in his speech at the U.N. General Assembly that despite Israel's demands, the Palestinian Authority will continue to pay salaries to terrorists.
'Iran could fire cruise missiles at Israel from Iraq'
The IDF's intelligence branch thinks that Iran could fire missiles at Israel like the ones it sent flying at a Saudi oil field last week, the head of Military Intelligence's Research Division, Brig. Gen. Dror Shalom, told Israel Hayom in a special Rosh Hashanah interview.
Inside the United States
Intel chief rejects Ukraine cover-up
An intelligence community whistleblower said Ukrainian officials emerged from a July phone call with President Trump convinced they needed to investigate former Vice President Joseph R. Biden and the Democratic Party in order to get on Mr. Trump’s good side, according to documents made public Thursday.
US Economy Grew at Modest 2% Rate in Second Quarter
The U.S. economy grew at a modest 2% annual rate in the second quarter, a pace sharply lower than the 3%-plus growth rates seen over the past year. Many analysts believe growth will slow further in coming quarters as global weakness and rising trade tensions exert a toll.
Senate passes stopgap funding bill to avert shutdown
The Senate on Thursday easily passed a stopgap bill to avert an end-of-month shutdown, even as lawmakers signaled bigger spending fights ahead over President Trump’s desired U.S.-Mexico border wall.
Christian News
New online resource explores British Library’s collection of ancient sacred texts
The British Library, the largest national library in the world by number of items cataloged, has made available its collection of 250 of the most rare and ancient religious texts online, many available to the public for the first time.