Prophecy News Watch provided by Worthy Ministries

Around the World
Russian Scientist Joins He Jiankui in Gene Editing Embryos
A Russian scientist will move ahead with gene editing babies, following in the footsteps of a Chinese scientist who attracted widespread condemnation in the scientific community for doing so in November 2018.
U.S. cyberattack strikes Iran's military computers
The U.S. launched a sweeping cyberattack against the Iranian military last week in direct response to Iran’s downing of an American surveillance drone, U.S. officials told the Associated Press over the weekend, confirming that President Trump personally approved the retaliatory measures.
U.S. warns Iran not to 'mistake restraint for a lack of resolve,' military strike still an option
Top White House officials on Sunday warned that Iran should not mistake U.S. discretion for weakness after President Trump called off airstrikes last week in retaliation for Tehran’s downing of an American drone, and officials confirmed over the weekend that the Pentagon already struck back with cyberattacks on Iranian military systems.
Iranian hackers step up cyber efforts, impersonate email from president’s office
Iran has increased its offensive cyberattacks against the US government and critical infrastructure as tensions have grown between the two nations, cybersecurity firms say.
Trump says US to hit Iran with ‘major’ new sanctions Monday
US President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States would impose 'major' new sanctions on Iran in two days — a move sure to exacerbate tensions with the Islamic republic inflamed by the downing of a US spy plane.
Blow to Turkey's Erdogan as opposition wins big in Istanbul
Turkey's main opposition claimed a decisive victory on Sunday in Istanbul's re-run election, dealing one of the biggest blows to President Tayyip Erdogan during his 16 years in power and promising a new beginning in the country's largest city.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
White House finally unveils ‘Peace to Prosperity’ economic plan for Palestinians
ays before the US-sponsored Bahrain conference, the White House released its proposal to boost the Palestinian economy by offering a $50 billion aid package that can only be implemented through an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.
Arab League renews pledge to give Palestinians $100 million in monthly aid
The Arab League Sunday reaffirmed a pledge to pay $100 million a month to the Palestinian Authority, a day after Washington unveiled its Middle East peace plan.
IDF said to increase alert amid Iran tensions
The IDF has reportedly stepped up its alert status amid concerns that Iran could try and harm Israel as tensions between Tehran and Washington spiral, Channel 12 reported Sunday.

Inside the United States
2020 Democrats defend abortion rights at Planned Parenthood forum
Twenty Democratic presidential candidates attending a Planned Parenthood forum on Saturday vowed to defend abortion rights under nearly any circumstance while largely ignoring nuances around the issue that have already roiled their party heading into the 2020 election.
Rhode Island governor signs late-term abortion bill minutes after passage
A Rhode Island late-term abortion bill appeared to be finished after legislators voted it down last month in committee, but it turns out the Reproductive Privacy Act wasn’t going anywhere.
Evangelicals go all in for Trump reelection
Faith leaders and anti-abortion groups are ramping up their efforts to reelect President Trump, rewarding a president who has become an unlikely hero of the Christian right because of his commitment to socially conservative causes.
Wisconsin School Board Member Censured for Mentioning Jesus
A Wisconsin school board member is under fire from the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation, which has filed a complaint for his mention of Jesus at Appleton North High School’s graduation ceremony on June 6th.

Christian News
Trump May Have Accidentally Imposed 'Bible Tax' Through Sanctions On China, Say Christian Publishers
Representatives for major American Bible publishers met with the U.S. International Trade Commission on Tuesday and Wednesday, hoping to apprise the Trump administration of potential effects on Bible manufacture in the US-China trade war.
Alabama megachurch could soon have its own police force
An Alabama megachurch is slated to have its own police force by the fall after Republican Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill into a law that allows it to do just that.

Around the World
Pentagon releases map disputing claim US drone violated Iranian airspace; Iran’s version is very different
The Pentagon released a map Thursday indicating that the U.S. drone shot down by Iran was over international waters and not over Iran, contrary to what Iranian officials maintain.
Trump said to okay strikes against Iran, then suddenly cancel them
The US military made preparations Thursday night for limited strikes on Iran in retaliation for the downing of a US surveillance drone, but approval was abruptly withdrawn before the attacks were launched, a US official said.
Iran Shot Down a $176 Million U.S. Drone. Here's What to Know About the RQ-4 Global Hawk
In technical terms, the drone that Iran shot down was a U.S. Navy Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS-D) aircraft, which is a Navy version of the Air Force’s high-flying RQ-4A Global Hawk. In simple terms, it is an unmanned aircraft that is intended for surveillance at sea.
Mexico first to ratify new North American trade agreement
Mexico has become the first country to ratify the new trilateral trade deal pushed by U.S. President Donald Trump as a replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
In first test of army chief’s new strategy, IDF simulates war with Hezbollah
The Israeli military this week conducted a massive exercise simulating war against the Hezbollah terror group — its largest drill in two years — in a first test of army chief Aviv Kohavi’s new strategy for the Israel Defense Forces.
Iran crisis steals attention from Trump's Israel-Palestinian peace plans
Talk of war with Iran is drowning out President Donald Trump’s efforts to bring peace to another part of the Middle East.
Israeli Soldiers, Archaeologists Discover Watchtower from Biblical King Hezekiah’s Time
A 2700- year-old watchtower from the time of biblical King Hezekiah was recently discovered at a military base in southern Israel by an excavation that included members of the Israeli Paratroopers Brigade and recruits from commando units working alongside the Israel Antiquities Authority. The actual location of the site cannot be revealed for security purposes.

Inside the United States
U.S. appeals court lets Trump abortion referral 'gag rule' go into effect
A federal appeals court on Thursday cleared the way for the Trump administration to enforce a controversial rule barring clinics that receive federal funds for family planning services from referring patients to abortion providers.
'Peace Cross' Remains Standing After Landmark Religious Freedom Decision
A 40-foot cross memorializing fallen soldiers in World War I have been spared destruction after the Supreme Court ruled Thursday that its religious dimension did not violate the establishment clause of the First Amendment.
Government meeting opens with 'Hail Satan' prayer
A Satanic Temple member who won the right to open a regional Alaska government meeting declared 'Hail Satan' during her first invocation, prompting about a dozen officials and attendees to walk out.
Marijuana use by U.S. teens has increased tenfold since 1990s
As society relaxes its rules around marijuana, U.S. teens seem to be responding by using the drug in much bigger numbers than a generation ago, new research shows.
Defying Trump, GOP-led Senate votes to block Saudi arms sales
The Republican-led Senate voted Thursday to block $8.1 billion in US arms sales to Saudi Arabia and other Arab allies, as legislators outraged with the kingdom delivered a symbolic rebuke to President Donald Trump.

Christian News
Christian Pakistani Girls Continue to Face Kidnappings, Abuse at the Hands of Muslim Men
A Christian Pakistani girl was kidnapped and raped by five Muslims before being returned to her father a day later in a traumatized condition, ucanews.com reports.
Ethiopian Evangelical Church Faces Closure Due To Inexplicable Noise Pollution Complaint
An evangelical Protestant Church in Ethiopia received an eviction letter on May 15th citing noise complaints from local residents after operating peaceably for 10 years, according to World Watch Monitor.
ISIS Bomb Plot Against Pittsburgh Church Foiled by FBI
A 21-year-old Syrian refugee from Pittsburgh was arrested on a federal complaint Wednesday, after discussions with undercover FBI officials uncovered a plot to bomb a North Pittsburgh church in the name of ISIS.

Around the World
Iran shoots down US drone amid rising tensions in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have shot down a US 'spy' drone in the southern province of Hormozgan, which is on the Gulf, the Guards' news website Sepah News said on Thursday.
Russia and China Oppose 'Unilateral' Moves By US On Iran
Russia and China are concocting a plan to circumvent US sanctions on Iran.
Migratory birds may be spreading superbugs, researchers warn
Urban wildlife such as birds and bats may be spreading superbugs around the cities of developing nations because of poor management of human and animal waste, researchers have warned.
Parents take school to court for teaching their 6-y-o girl gender fluidity, causing her distress
An Ontario couple has filed a complaint in the provincial Human Rights court against the school system after their six-year-old daughter was taught gender fluidity in class and started worrying she might not be female.
US Must Prevent Establishment of Iranian ‘Land Bridge’ to Mediterranean, New Think Tank Paper Urges
Iran is seeking to build a 'land bridge' to extend the reach of its influence all the way to the Mediterranean Sea, and 'disrupting' this corridor should be a priority of the United States, a paper published on Tuesday by the Washington, DC-based Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) think tank said.
New U.S. deployment includes more Patriot missile defenses
The latest deployment of 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East, which was announced on Monday, will include a Patriot missile battalion, manned and unmanned surveillance aircraft and 'other deterrence capabilities,' the Pentagon said on Wednesday.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli laser system to protect NATO tanker transport aircraft
A laser system designed by Israel's Elbit Systems to protect aircraft against infrared missiles will be implemented in NATO's Multinational Multi Role Tanker Transport Fleet (MMF) starting in 2020, the company announced this week.
Israeli Minister Sees US-Mediated Lebanese Sea Border Talks in Weeks
Israel expects US-mediated talks with Lebanon on setting their maritime border to be launched within a month, Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steintiz said on Wednesday.
Israel unveils portable Iron Dome at Paris air show
Israeli aerospace company Rafael has unveiled a portable Iron Dome missile defense battery this week, promising deployed troops the same protection the original system provided for civilian populations.

Inside the United States
Fed wary of economic clouds, but leaves interest rates unchanged for now
The Federal Reserve is holding its benchmark interest rate steady, although policymakers indicate a willingness to loosen the monetary reins if U.S. economic growth sags.
U.S. Senate To Vote On Bill To Block Trump’s Sale of Weapons To Saudi Arabia, Others
The U.S. Senate will vote on June 20 on legislation seeking to block $8 billion in arms sales to Saudi Arabia and other Arab allies, as lawmakers' anger with Riyadh increases.
A swarm of 1,000 earthquakes hit Southern California — how nervous should we be?
The seismic storm that unleashed more than 1,000 small earthquakes in San Bernardino and Riverside counties these last three weeks elicited what has become a typical reaction in quake country.
Female Student Athletes File Federal Complaint After Transgender Runner Dominates Girls’ Track Meets
On Monday, three female high school athletes filed a federal discrimination complaint against Connecticut’s policy regarding transgender athletes. The girls claim they were racing at a disadvantage against their transgender opponent, a male who identifies as a female, impacting the final results of the race.

Christian News
President Trump to Address Huge Evangelical Conference Next Week
A senior White House official tells CBN News that President Trump will speak to thousands of conservative Christians next Wednesday, June 26, at the Faith and Freedom Coalition's Road to Majority Conference in Washington, DC.