Prophecy News Watch provided by Worthy Ministries

Around the World
Turkey poised to send troops to Libya, ratcheting up tensions in E. Mediterranean
Turkey is preparing to send troops and advanced weapons to the embattled UN-backed Libyan government. The military muscle-flexing puts it at odds with Russia and several Arab states backing Libya's rival government.
Iraq's President refuses to back Iran-favored candidate for Prime Minister
The Iraqi President has threatened to resign instead of nominating an Iran-backed candidate for Prime Minister against the will of protestors.
Thousands in Asia Marvel at ‘Ring of Fire’ Solar Eclipse
People along a swath of southern Asia gazed at the sky in marvel on Thursday at a 'ring of fire' solar eclipse.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF Chief indicates upcoming "limited confrontation" between Israel and Iran
Israel may carry out a 'limited' war with Iran according to the Chief of the Israel Defense Forces, who spoke openly for the first time about Iranian entrenchment in Iraq as a problem for the Jewish state.
Netanyahu declares ‘huge victory,’ Sa’ar concedes, in Likud leadership contest
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared victory soon after midnight Thursday-Friday in the Likud leadership contest against rival Gideon Sa’ar, as a preliminary ballot count indicated the longtime party leader was headed for a landslide win.
New laser beam system developed to take down drones, burning balloons
Israeli security forces have unveiled a new laser-beam system designed to take down incendiary aerial devices that have burned countless acres of land over the past two years as well as drones infiltrating into Israeli airspace.

Inside the United States
Supreme Court to hear Louisiana abortion case in 2020
A case testing abortion access in Louisiana will come before the Supreme Court early next year, giving President Trump’s two appointees their first chance to leave a mark on the topic.
US cyber officials consider information warfare to counter Russian meddling in 2020
Cyber officials within the U.S. military have started to examine possible methods of information warfare that could be used to counter interference in elections.

Christian News
18 Christians killed by ISIS in Nigeria on Christmas Eve and Christmas
ISIS-affiliated terrorists in Nigeria killed 11 people, many assumed to be Christians, on Christmas day, following the slaying of 7 Christians in Borno State by the organization on Christmas eve.
Russian Christians reach out to Mongolia, where Christianity is resurrecting
Russian Christians are answering the call to take the gospel to Mongolia, one of the most sparsely populated and least-reached countries in the world, 26 years after the fall of communism left only 10 believers in the country.
Despite Intense Persecution and Death Threats, National Bible Translators Remain Committed to Translating the Scriptures
Wycliffe Associates, an international organization that empowers mother-tongue Bible translators and partners with local churches in the advancement of Bible translation, continues to receive requests for help from Christians living in highly volatile regions who are committed to bringing the translated Scriptures to their language groups.
Christian mother banished from home by Muslim husband in Uganda
A Christian mother in Uganda had to flee her home when her Muslim husband discovered she had been taking their 7-year-old child to church services after her recent conversion in May.
Boris Johnson Vows to Defend Christians in First Christmas Message Since Becoming PM
Boris Johnson has vowed to defend Christians around the world in his first Christmas message since becoming U.K prime minister.

Around the World
Iran to hold joint, four-day navy drill with Russia, China
Iran’s armed forces will hold a joint, four-day naval exercise with Russia and China in the northern part of the Indian Ocean, a spokesman said Wednesday.
Iran starts internet shutdown before possible new protests
Iran's authorities have restricted mobile internet access in several provinces, an Iranian news agency reported on Wednesday, a day before new protests were expected to kick-off following calls for the demonstrations on social media.
'It doesn't matter if it's Christmas': Hong Kong pro-democracy activists keep up protests
Hong Kong anti-government protesters marched through Christmas-decorated shopping centers on Wednesday, chanting pro-democracy slogans and forcing one mall to close early, as police fired tear gas to disperse crowds gathering on nearby streets.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF preparing for confrontation with Iran - Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi
The IDF is preparing for a limited confrontation with the Islamic Republic as Israel continues to act against Iranian entrenchment, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Aviv Kochavi warned on Wednesday.
Israel’s Christian population grows to 177,000 citizens
The Christian population of Israel currently stands at approximately 177,000 citizens, or 2% of the overall population, according to data published by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) ahead of Christmas.

Inside the United States
Nine earthquakes in less than 24 hours hit California on Christmas eve, early morning
A series of earthquakes on Christmas Eve and before dawn Christmas morning hit around California, and a much bigger 6.3 quake shook off Vancouver.
Congress Passes Biggest Retirement System Overhaul in 13 Years
Congress has passed a monumental retirement system overhaul package called the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019, the first significant retirement legislation in 13 years.

Around the World
Trump says US and China to hold signing ceremony for phase-one trade deal
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the US and China would hold a formal ceremony to ink an interim trade agreement to defuse a tit-for-tat dispute between the two sides.
Putin says Russia is leading world in hypersonic weapons
President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday that Russia has got a strong edge in designing new weapons and that it has become the only country in the world to deploy hypersonic weapons.
Top Iranian official: Israel ‘will regret’ attacks in Syria
A top Iranian official said that Israel 'will regret' its attacks in Syria, which have reportedly targeted Iranian resources and weapons shipments.
Huge leap in number of protestors killed in Iran last month
The US has confirmed the highest estimate yet for the number of protestors killed in Iranian demonstrations that began November 15, agreeing with Reuters' estimate that 1,500 people were killed.
Second circuit of Iran’s Arak reactor to be completed Monday
The second circuit of Iran’s Arak heavy-water reactor is slated to go online on Monday, bringing it another stage closer to being fully operational, the country’s semi-official Mehr news agency reported.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu and others envision "Israeli-Arab alliance"
Certain of Israel's Sunni Arab neighbors are experiencing a warming toward Israel as some are beginning to talk about a "new alliance" and a "new narrative" in the Middle East.
Likud challenger seeking to depose Netanyahu could mean a boost for Israeli conservatives
Likud member Gideon Sa'ar is challenging embattled Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Israel's conservative leadership primary on December 26 in what analysts say could mean a turn of the tide for the party.
Netanyahu sends Christmas greeting to Christians: ‘We have no better friends’
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday extended Christmas greetings to Christians in Israel and around the globe celebrating the holiday.

Inside the United States
Republicans fume over Dem threat of new impeachment articles: ‘Time to cut them off’
Republicans ratcheted up their accusations that Democrats are overplaying their impeachment hand after court filings from the House Judiciary Committee indicated the two articles of impeachment adopted last week may only be the beginning.
Pew Research Center study find American children most likely to live in single-parent homes
A new Pew Research Center study found that, of 130 countries, the US had the highest rate of children living in single-parent homes, beating out other developed nations like the UK, France, Germany, and Canada.

Christian News
Nigerian pastor kidnapped, yet no ransom demanded as officials continue to investigate
A pastor was kidnapped in Nigeria in Adamawa state last week, with no reason given by captors for the abduction, and no ransom demanded.
Wave of evangelical church closures in Russia belies Putin's pledge to help Christians
At least 3 evangelical churches have been closed in Russia over the last 6 months, in spite of President Vladimir Putin's pledge at a recent conference to "do everything" to protect Christians in the Middle East.
Rebels reopen half of closed Baptist churches in Burma
51 Baptist churches were allowed to reopen in Burma, where 100 were shut down in 2018 by armed ethnic Wa rebels.
Christians in Indonesia suffer wave of Islamic harassment
Indonesia has seen 40 anti-Christian attacks in the first 5 months of 2019, a two-thirds jump from last year, and a quadrupling of the rate from 10 years ago.