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
Turkey's Erdogan calls to 'revitalize' relationship with EU amid coronavirus pandemic
Turkey has revived its bid for membership in the European Union (EU), calling to 'revitalize' their relationship and citing the coronavirus pandemic as a clear demonstration of the need for unity.
China ramping up COVID-19 disinformation campaign on Twitter, State Dept. says
China’s Communist Party and government are stepping up the use of Twitter to spread disinformation that Wuhan was not the origin of the coronavirus outbreak and that China is helping the world recover, the State Department said.
World Red Cross Day Overshadowed By Pandemic Concerns
The World Red Cross Day celebrating the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was overshadowed Friday by concerns that the coronavirus would spread to overcrowded refugee camps.
U.S.-led Forces Attack Islamic State in Syria
U.S.-led coalition forces have reportedly hit back against an Islamic State cell in Syria. They captured a midlevel leader linked to increasing attacks by the terror group in the Deir el-Zour countryside, the Voice of America (VOA) network said Thursday.
Freedom House: 'Hungary No Longer Democracy'
A leading democracy watchdog has suggested that Hungary has become the first non-democratic European Union member state, prompting an angry reaction from the government. Washington-based Freedom House also warned that Poland is heading towards the same direction.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Close to half of Israelis back annexation, less than a third think it’ll happen
Slightly fewer than half of Israelis back plans to annex parts of the West Bank, and even fewer people think the government will actually go through with its annexation plans, according to a survey released Sunday.
Pompeo to discuss coronavirus, Iran with Netanyahu and Gantz
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, is slated to visit Israel on Wednesday, the State Department officially announced on Friday.
Inside the United States
'Ignored': Barr accuses Mueller of not investigating Russian disinformation in Steele dossier
Attorney General William Barr accused special counsel Robert Mueller of failing to investigate evidence that British ex-spy Christopher Steele’s salacious and unverified dossier may have been compromised by a Russian disinformation campaign.
Encouraging Illegal Aliens To Remain In The US Is A Crime, Supreme Court Rules
The Supreme Court unanimously upheld a federal statute that forbids encouraging illegal aliens to remain in the U.S. unlawfully in a decision Thursday.
House Intelligence Committee releases long-awaited Russia investigation transcripts
The Democrat-led House Intelligence Committee released dozens of witness interview transcripts and related material from its investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
White House: US Jobless Rate Could Hit 25% Amid COVID-19
The official U.S. unemployment rate linked to the coronavirus pandemic is already at 14.7%, but top White House officials said Sunday they expect it could reach 25% before the world’s biggest economy begins to improve.
US Clinical Trial Launched to Assess Power of Prayer for COVID-19 Patients
A US clinical trial has been launched into whether multi-denominational prayer can help patients with COVID-19, the New York Post reports. Dr. Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, a cardiologist at the Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute, is leading a trial involving 1000 coronavirus patients who require intensive care because of the infection. The trial began on May 1 and is due to last four months.
Christian News
Dutch Pentecostal Preacher Ben Hoekendijk Dies At 81
Ben Hoekendijk, the Dutch evangelist who became the face of the Netherlands' post-war Pentecostal movement, has died. He was 81, friends confirmed to Worthy News. Hoekendijk, who was in frail health after suffering a stroke, died last week in his hometown of Harderwijk.
Violence during raid on Christian Church by police in China
Video footage of a violent police raid on a church in the Fujian province of China was posted by Christian watchdog group ChinaAid this week. Broadcast by Fox News, the 11-second video shows members of the Xingguang Church blocking police officers who were forcibly entering the premises and a member being dragged out of the door.
Christian School Director Killed and His Family Shot in Nigeria
Muslim Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria’s Plateau state shot a Christian school director in the head before shooting his wife in the back and his two children in the feet on May 5, sources told Morningstar News.
Turkey's Erdogan calls to 'revitalize' relationship with EU amid coronavirus pandemic
Turkey has revived its bid for membership in the European Union (EU), calling to 'revitalize' their relationship and citing the coronavirus pandemic as a clear demonstration of the need for unity.
China ramping up COVID-19 disinformation campaign on Twitter, State Dept. says
China’s Communist Party and government are stepping up the use of Twitter to spread disinformation that Wuhan was not the origin of the coronavirus outbreak and that China is helping the world recover, the State Department said.
World Red Cross Day Overshadowed By Pandemic Concerns
The World Red Cross Day celebrating the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement was overshadowed Friday by concerns that the coronavirus would spread to overcrowded refugee camps.
U.S.-led Forces Attack Islamic State in Syria
U.S.-led coalition forces have reportedly hit back against an Islamic State cell in Syria. They captured a midlevel leader linked to increasing attacks by the terror group in the Deir el-Zour countryside, the Voice of America (VOA) network said Thursday.
Freedom House: 'Hungary No Longer Democracy'
A leading democracy watchdog has suggested that Hungary has become the first non-democratic European Union member state, prompting an angry reaction from the government. Washington-based Freedom House also warned that Poland is heading towards the same direction.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Close to half of Israelis back annexation, less than a third think it’ll happen
Slightly fewer than half of Israelis back plans to annex parts of the West Bank, and even fewer people think the government will actually go through with its annexation plans, according to a survey released Sunday.
Pompeo to discuss coronavirus, Iran with Netanyahu and Gantz
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, is slated to visit Israel on Wednesday, the State Department officially announced on Friday.
Inside the United States
'Ignored': Barr accuses Mueller of not investigating Russian disinformation in Steele dossier
Attorney General William Barr accused special counsel Robert Mueller of failing to investigate evidence that British ex-spy Christopher Steele’s salacious and unverified dossier may have been compromised by a Russian disinformation campaign.
Encouraging Illegal Aliens To Remain In The US Is A Crime, Supreme Court Rules
The Supreme Court unanimously upheld a federal statute that forbids encouraging illegal aliens to remain in the U.S. unlawfully in a decision Thursday.
House Intelligence Committee releases long-awaited Russia investigation transcripts
The Democrat-led House Intelligence Committee released dozens of witness interview transcripts and related material from its investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
White House: US Jobless Rate Could Hit 25% Amid COVID-19
The official U.S. unemployment rate linked to the coronavirus pandemic is already at 14.7%, but top White House officials said Sunday they expect it could reach 25% before the world’s biggest economy begins to improve.
US Clinical Trial Launched to Assess Power of Prayer for COVID-19 Patients
A US clinical trial has been launched into whether multi-denominational prayer can help patients with COVID-19, the New York Post reports. Dr. Dhanunjaya Lakkireddy, a cardiologist at the Kansas City Heart Rhythm Institute, is leading a trial involving 1000 coronavirus patients who require intensive care because of the infection. The trial began on May 1 and is due to last four months.
Christian News
Dutch Pentecostal Preacher Ben Hoekendijk Dies At 81
Ben Hoekendijk, the Dutch evangelist who became the face of the Netherlands' post-war Pentecostal movement, has died. He was 81, friends confirmed to Worthy News. Hoekendijk, who was in frail health after suffering a stroke, died last week in his hometown of Harderwijk.
Violence during raid on Christian Church by police in China
Video footage of a violent police raid on a church in the Fujian province of China was posted by Christian watchdog group ChinaAid this week. Broadcast by Fox News, the 11-second video shows members of the Xingguang Church blocking police officers who were forcibly entering the premises and a member being dragged out of the door.
Christian School Director Killed and His Family Shot in Nigeria
Muslim Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria’s Plateau state shot a Christian school director in the head before shooting his wife in the back and his two children in the feet on May 5, sources told Morningstar News.
Around the World
Putin-Trump call focuses on coronavirus, arms control, oil
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed progress in combating the coronavirus pandemic along with arms control issues and oil prices in a phone call Thursday, the White House and the Kremlin said.
US moving Patriot anti-missile systems from Saudi Arabia as Iran tensions ease
The United States will be relocating four Patriot missile batteries from Saudi Arabia that were deployed amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Naikon, Group Tied to China's Military, Deploys Debilitating New Cyberattack Tool
On the morning of Jan. 3, an email was sent from the Indonesian Embassy in Australia to a member of the premier of Western Australia’s staff who worked on health and ecological issues. Attached was a Word document that aroused no immediate suspicions, since the intended recipient knew the supposed sender.
Hungary Rejects Treaty On Violence Against Women
Rights group Amnesty International has condemned the Hungarian parliament's rejection of an international treaty to combat violence against women amid a coronavirus pandemic. "This decision is extremely dangerous," said David Vig, Amnesty's Hungary director. "It comes at a time when reported domestic violence incidents in Hungary have doubled since the start of the [new coronavirus] COVID-19 lockdown" to halt the virus outbreak.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
US promise of Israeli sovereignty in Judea, Samaria enrages Palestinians
Comments by U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman on Wednesday to Israel Hayom sparked mixed reactions even among Israel’s Right. Not surprisingly, Palestinian leaders were furious.
Israel demands major changes in UN peacekeeping in Lebanon
Israel’s U.N. ambassador said Wednesday that his government is demanding major changes in the way the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon operates on the ground and has support from the United States.
Inside the United States
Nearly 3.2 million new jobless claims across U.S. drives tally during outbreak to 33.5 million
Even as a handful of states have made tentative steps back to normalcy in recent days, new jobless claims continue to flood in across all 50 states, driving the number of unemployment claims to 33.5 million over the past seven weeks.
US Lawmakers Fail to Check Trump on War-Making Power With Iran
The U.S. Senate failed to override a White House veto Thursday, bringing an end to a four-month congressional effort to limit presidential power to unilaterally take the United States into war.
US Justice Department dropping Michael Flynn’s criminal case
The US Justice Department on Thursday said it was dropping the criminal case against President Donald Trump’s first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, abandoning a prosecution that became a rallying cry for the president and his supporters in attacking the FBI’s Trump-Russia investigation.
Biden says insurance companies should treat genital reconstruction surgery as necessary
The presumptive Democrat presidential nominee Joe Biden has stated insurance companies should treat genital reconstruction surgery as a medical necessity for transgender people, the Washington Examiner reports.
U.S. Supreme Court Hears Nuns In Contraceptives Case
The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether nuns could be forced to facilitate abortion-causing drugs and other contraceptives such as sterilizations. Its first liberty case began Wednesday involving the Little Sisters of the Poor organization, which has been supporting the poor and dying since 1839.
Christian News
America’s Unique Bond with Israel on This National Day of Prayer
Today, May 7th is the National Day of Prayer in the United States, a tradition that began as early as 1775. In 2019, President Donald Trump proclaimed “Our Nation's honored tradition of prayer has sustained us and strengthened our trust that God will continue to watch over and accompany us through the best of times and the darkest hours. May we as Americans never forget the power of prayer and the greatness of our Creator. On this National Day of Prayer, let each of us, according to our own faiths, call upon God for His guidance and express our gratitude for the love and grace He bestows on us and our country.”
Federal Judge upholds California ban on church service gatherings
California Gov. Newsom’s executive order banning in-person church services during the COVID-19 pandemic has been upheld by a federal judge, the Washington Examiner reports. The Cross Culture Christian Center near Sacramento had filed a lawsuit stating the governor’s lockdown order violated their First Amendment right to free assembly.
Samaritan’s Purse among volunteer health workers required to pay New York income tax for helping during pandemic
Having been asked to come to New York City to help with the COVID-19 crisis, disaster relief organization Samaritan’s Purse (SP) has been told it must pay state taxes for the time it spent running its free-of-charge field hospital in Central Park.
Putin-Trump call focuses on coronavirus, arms control, oil
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed progress in combating the coronavirus pandemic along with arms control issues and oil prices in a phone call Thursday, the White House and the Kremlin said.
US moving Patriot anti-missile systems from Saudi Arabia as Iran tensions ease
The United States will be relocating four Patriot missile batteries from Saudi Arabia that were deployed amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran.
Naikon, Group Tied to China's Military, Deploys Debilitating New Cyberattack Tool
On the morning of Jan. 3, an email was sent from the Indonesian Embassy in Australia to a member of the premier of Western Australia’s staff who worked on health and ecological issues. Attached was a Word document that aroused no immediate suspicions, since the intended recipient knew the supposed sender.
Hungary Rejects Treaty On Violence Against Women
Rights group Amnesty International has condemned the Hungarian parliament's rejection of an international treaty to combat violence against women amid a coronavirus pandemic. "This decision is extremely dangerous," said David Vig, Amnesty's Hungary director. "It comes at a time when reported domestic violence incidents in Hungary have doubled since the start of the [new coronavirus] COVID-19 lockdown" to halt the virus outbreak.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
US promise of Israeli sovereignty in Judea, Samaria enrages Palestinians
Comments by U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman on Wednesday to Israel Hayom sparked mixed reactions even among Israel’s Right. Not surprisingly, Palestinian leaders were furious.
Israel demands major changes in UN peacekeeping in Lebanon
Israel’s U.N. ambassador said Wednesday that his government is demanding major changes in the way the U.N. peacekeeping mission in southern Lebanon operates on the ground and has support from the United States.
Inside the United States
Nearly 3.2 million new jobless claims across U.S. drives tally during outbreak to 33.5 million
Even as a handful of states have made tentative steps back to normalcy in recent days, new jobless claims continue to flood in across all 50 states, driving the number of unemployment claims to 33.5 million over the past seven weeks.
US Lawmakers Fail to Check Trump on War-Making Power With Iran
The U.S. Senate failed to override a White House veto Thursday, bringing an end to a four-month congressional effort to limit presidential power to unilaterally take the United States into war.
US Justice Department dropping Michael Flynn’s criminal case
The US Justice Department on Thursday said it was dropping the criminal case against President Donald Trump’s first national security adviser, Michael Flynn, abandoning a prosecution that became a rallying cry for the president and his supporters in attacking the FBI’s Trump-Russia investigation.
Biden says insurance companies should treat genital reconstruction surgery as necessary
The presumptive Democrat presidential nominee Joe Biden has stated insurance companies should treat genital reconstruction surgery as a medical necessity for transgender people, the Washington Examiner reports.
U.S. Supreme Court Hears Nuns In Contraceptives Case
The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether nuns could be forced to facilitate abortion-causing drugs and other contraceptives such as sterilizations. Its first liberty case began Wednesday involving the Little Sisters of the Poor organization, which has been supporting the poor and dying since 1839.
Christian News
America’s Unique Bond with Israel on This National Day of Prayer
Today, May 7th is the National Day of Prayer in the United States, a tradition that began as early as 1775. In 2019, President Donald Trump proclaimed “Our Nation's honored tradition of prayer has sustained us and strengthened our trust that God will continue to watch over and accompany us through the best of times and the darkest hours. May we as Americans never forget the power of prayer and the greatness of our Creator. On this National Day of Prayer, let each of us, according to our own faiths, call upon God for His guidance and express our gratitude for the love and grace He bestows on us and our country.”
Federal Judge upholds California ban on church service gatherings
California Gov. Newsom’s executive order banning in-person church services during the COVID-19 pandemic has been upheld by a federal judge, the Washington Examiner reports. The Cross Culture Christian Center near Sacramento had filed a lawsuit stating the governor’s lockdown order violated their First Amendment right to free assembly.
Samaritan’s Purse among volunteer health workers required to pay New York income tax for helping during pandemic
Having been asked to come to New York City to help with the COVID-19 crisis, disaster relief organization Samaritan’s Purse (SP) has been told it must pay state taxes for the time it spent running its free-of-charge field hospital in Central Park.
Around the World
UN experts say South Sudan peace deal is at risk
UN experts are concerned South Sudan’s peace deal is at risk because unity government partners are arguing about security and resources instead of implementing the terms of the 2018 agreement, VOA News reports. A panel of experts on South Sudan reported to the UN Security Council last week that “selective and incomplete implementation” of agreed security arrangements threatened peace and stability in the country.
World Rushing To Find Vaccine After $8 Billion Pledge
Donors have pledged 7.4 billion euros ($8 billion) for developing a vaccine against the new coronavirus disease COVID-19. But after the online-meeting with world leaders, banks and organizations, officials warned more money might be necessary.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Strikes attributed to Israel hit Iran-linked defense labs, Shiite militia bases
Airstrikes presumed to be Israeli targeted Iran-linked arms warehouses east of Aleppo in northern Syria and militia bases in Deir Ezzor in the east of the country late Monday night, a Syrian war monitor said.
High Court dismisses petitions against Netanyahu-led government
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's indictment on corruption charges does not disqualify him from forming a government, Israel's top court ruled unanimously on Wednesday, paving the way for the veteran leader to remain in power.
Pompeo said planning Israel visit next week to meet with Netanyahu, Gantz
S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit Israel next week and meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party chief Benny Gantz, several Hebrew media outlets reported Wednesday.
Israel Claims Potential COVID-19 Treatment
Israel says its leading biological research laboratory has made a “significant breakthrough” toward a possible treatment for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inside the United States
National debt surpasses $25 trillion amid coronavirus pandemic
On Wednesday, the national debt soared above $25 trillion as Congress continues to approve massive spending projects to alleviate consequences resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
House to vote on massive new round of economic aid 'as early as next week'
A top Democrat said Wednesday the House could return next week to pass a major economic aid bill aimed at providing more than $1 trillion in local aid, bonus pay for front-line workers, and a bailout of U.S. Postal Service debt.
Trump vetoes resolution limiting war powers against Iran
President Trump condemned Democrats after vetoing a resolution that would have limited his ability to use military action against Iran without congressional approval.
High Number of Background Checks for Firearms Purchase in April
The FBI recorded 2.9 million background checks for the purchase of firearms in the month of April, the Washington Examiner reported. Under US federal law, all gun distributors must run background checks with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to ascertain buyers have no criminal record preventing them from owning a gun.
Christian News
Israel Threatens To Ban Evangelical TV Channel
Israel's government has threatened to close down an evangelical television channel broadcasting in Hebrew if it violates laws on proselytizing and missionary activities. Tuesday's announcement came after global network GOD TV launched Shelanu ("Ours") to spread "the gospel of Jesus Christ into the homes and lives and hearts of the Jewish people."
UN experts say South Sudan peace deal is at risk
UN experts are concerned South Sudan’s peace deal is at risk because unity government partners are arguing about security and resources instead of implementing the terms of the 2018 agreement, VOA News reports. A panel of experts on South Sudan reported to the UN Security Council last week that “selective and incomplete implementation” of agreed security arrangements threatened peace and stability in the country.
World Rushing To Find Vaccine After $8 Billion Pledge
Donors have pledged 7.4 billion euros ($8 billion) for developing a vaccine against the new coronavirus disease COVID-19. But after the online-meeting with world leaders, banks and organizations, officials warned more money might be necessary.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Strikes attributed to Israel hit Iran-linked defense labs, Shiite militia bases
Airstrikes presumed to be Israeli targeted Iran-linked arms warehouses east of Aleppo in northern Syria and militia bases in Deir Ezzor in the east of the country late Monday night, a Syrian war monitor said.
High Court dismisses petitions against Netanyahu-led government
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's indictment on corruption charges does not disqualify him from forming a government, Israel's top court ruled unanimously on Wednesday, paving the way for the veteran leader to remain in power.
Pompeo said planning Israel visit next week to meet with Netanyahu, Gantz
S Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit Israel next week and meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Blue and White party chief Benny Gantz, several Hebrew media outlets reported Wednesday.
Israel Claims Potential COVID-19 Treatment
Israel says its leading biological research laboratory has made a “significant breakthrough” toward a possible treatment for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Inside the United States
National debt surpasses $25 trillion amid coronavirus pandemic
On Wednesday, the national debt soared above $25 trillion as Congress continues to approve massive spending projects to alleviate consequences resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.
House to vote on massive new round of economic aid 'as early as next week'
A top Democrat said Wednesday the House could return next week to pass a major economic aid bill aimed at providing more than $1 trillion in local aid, bonus pay for front-line workers, and a bailout of U.S. Postal Service debt.
Trump vetoes resolution limiting war powers against Iran
President Trump condemned Democrats after vetoing a resolution that would have limited his ability to use military action against Iran without congressional approval.
High Number of Background Checks for Firearms Purchase in April
The FBI recorded 2.9 million background checks for the purchase of firearms in the month of April, the Washington Examiner reported. Under US federal law, all gun distributors must run background checks with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to ascertain buyers have no criminal record preventing them from owning a gun.
Christian News
Israel Threatens To Ban Evangelical TV Channel
Israel's government has threatened to close down an evangelical television channel broadcasting in Hebrew if it violates laws on proselytizing and missionary activities. Tuesday's announcement came after global network GOD TV launched Shelanu ("Ours") to spread "the gospel of Jesus Christ into the homes and lives and hearts of the Jewish people."