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
Bali volcano: 150,000 people to evacuate erupting Mt Agung, airport closes for another day
About 150,000 people will leave their homes on the slopes of Mount Agung, Bali's Governor says, as the volcano's eruptions grow more powerful, while the island's main airport will close for another 24 hours due to ashfall.
Suicide attack targets area southeast of Baghdad
Two attackers shot several civilians on Monday in the Nahrawan area southeast of Baghdad before one blew himself up and the other was killed by security forces, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said, without providing official casualty figures.
Russia seeks two-day ceasefire in Damascus suburb; dozens killed by air strikes
Russia proposed a two-day ceasefire on Monday in the last major rebel stronghold near the Syrian capital Damascus, where warplanes killed at least 41 people in two days of air strikes as Russian-backed government forces tried to capture the area.
WHO: Plague outbreak in Madagascar is slowing
Madagascar’s 'unprecedented' outbreak of plague is slowing, but responders cannot afford to ease off the fight until the risk of transmission dies down in the spring, the World Health Organization said Monday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Iran-backed militia in Syria says it’s ‘fully prepared’ to battle Israel
The head of a large Iranian-backed Iraqi militia that has been fighting in Syria said his group was 'fully prepared' to fight Israel if Damascus asked it to.
Israel's Iron Dome system deployed on ships for first time
Israel's military has for the first time deployed its Iron Dome rocket defense system aboard a ship.
Rather than disarm, Hamas vows to attack Israel
Palestinian terror movement Hamas again refused to disarm on Monday ahead of a key reconciliation deadline, instead threatening to carry out attacks against Israel in the West Bank.
Inside the United States
Senate leaders eye changes to tax bill to win over GOP holdouts
Senate Republicans negotiated changes to their tax reform legislation Monday, with leadership working to alter the bill to win the support of their conference members and then quickly pass it later this week.
Grijalva’s secret deal with ex-staffer exposes Capitol Hill ‘hush fund’ to cover up bad behavior
Rep. Raul M. Grijalva quietly arranged a 'severance package' in 2015 for one of his top staffers who threatened a lawsuit claiming the Arizona Democrat was frequently drunk and created a hostile workplace environment, revealing yet another way that lawmakers can use taxpayer dollars to hide their misbehavior on Capitol Hill.
Supreme Court shoots down gun cases, upholds ban on assault weapons and open-carry
The Supreme Court announced Monday it had declined to hear two Second Amendment cases, leaving intact gun control laws in Maryland that restrict the types of weapons that can be bought, and in Florida that largely prevent gun owners from carrying their weapons in the open.
Christian News
European Christians March Against ‘Christianophobia’ After Court Rules to Remove Cross from Pope Statue
Some 350 Europeans rallied together to protest a French court's decision to remove the cross from Pope John Paul II's statue.
U.K. Raises Awareness of Persecuted Christians by Lighting Buildings up Red
On Nov. 22, the British Houses of Parliament and more than 30 churches and schools, mostly in the U.K., bathed their buildings in red light to bring attention to the worsening problem of Christian persecution around the world.
Bali volcano: 150,000 people to evacuate erupting Mt Agung, airport closes for another day
About 150,000 people will leave their homes on the slopes of Mount Agung, Bali's Governor says, as the volcano's eruptions grow more powerful, while the island's main airport will close for another 24 hours due to ashfall.
Suicide attack targets area southeast of Baghdad
Two attackers shot several civilians on Monday in the Nahrawan area southeast of Baghdad before one blew himself up and the other was killed by security forces, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said, without providing official casualty figures.
Russia seeks two-day ceasefire in Damascus suburb; dozens killed by air strikes
Russia proposed a two-day ceasefire on Monday in the last major rebel stronghold near the Syrian capital Damascus, where warplanes killed at least 41 people in two days of air strikes as Russian-backed government forces tried to capture the area.
WHO: Plague outbreak in Madagascar is slowing
Madagascar’s 'unprecedented' outbreak of plague is slowing, but responders cannot afford to ease off the fight until the risk of transmission dies down in the spring, the World Health Organization said Monday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Iran-backed militia in Syria says it’s ‘fully prepared’ to battle Israel
The head of a large Iranian-backed Iraqi militia that has been fighting in Syria said his group was 'fully prepared' to fight Israel if Damascus asked it to.
Israel's Iron Dome system deployed on ships for first time
Israel's military has for the first time deployed its Iron Dome rocket defense system aboard a ship.
Rather than disarm, Hamas vows to attack Israel
Palestinian terror movement Hamas again refused to disarm on Monday ahead of a key reconciliation deadline, instead threatening to carry out attacks against Israel in the West Bank.
Inside the United States
Senate leaders eye changes to tax bill to win over GOP holdouts
Senate Republicans negotiated changes to their tax reform legislation Monday, with leadership working to alter the bill to win the support of their conference members and then quickly pass it later this week.
Grijalva’s secret deal with ex-staffer exposes Capitol Hill ‘hush fund’ to cover up bad behavior
Rep. Raul M. Grijalva quietly arranged a 'severance package' in 2015 for one of his top staffers who threatened a lawsuit claiming the Arizona Democrat was frequently drunk and created a hostile workplace environment, revealing yet another way that lawmakers can use taxpayer dollars to hide their misbehavior on Capitol Hill.
Supreme Court shoots down gun cases, upholds ban on assault weapons and open-carry
The Supreme Court announced Monday it had declined to hear two Second Amendment cases, leaving intact gun control laws in Maryland that restrict the types of weapons that can be bought, and in Florida that largely prevent gun owners from carrying their weapons in the open.
Christian News
European Christians March Against ‘Christianophobia’ After Court Rules to Remove Cross from Pope Statue
Some 350 Europeans rallied together to protest a French court's decision to remove the cross from Pope John Paul II's statue.
U.K. Raises Awareness of Persecuted Christians by Lighting Buildings up Red
On Nov. 22, the British Houses of Parliament and more than 30 churches and schools, mostly in the U.K., bathed their buildings in red light to bring attention to the worsening problem of Christian persecution around the world.
Around the World
Egypt reeling from attack on mosque in Sinai that killed 305
Egypt was reeling Sunday from the horrific militant attack on a mosque in northern Sinai that killed 305 people two days earlier — the deadliest assault by Islamic extremists in its modern history and a grim milestone in a long-running fight against the insurgency led by an Islamic State affiliate.
Indonesia raises alert to highest level 4 on Bali volcano
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency said on Monday it had raised the alert to the highest level four on Bali's Mount Agung volcano and warned residents in a 8-10 km (5-6 miles) radius around the volcano to evacuate immediately.
Iran promises to send warships to Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean
Iran's new naval commander has vowed to send warships to America's backyard.
Mexico volcano erupts shooting ash and smoke into the air
A volcano in Mexico has erupted, spewing smoke and ash more than two miles into the air.
Saudi prince vows new Islamic alliance 'will wipe out terrorists from earth'
Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince vowed to 'pursue terrorists until they are wiped from the face of the earth' as officials from 40 Muslim countries gathered Sunday in the first meeting of an Islamic counter-terrorism alliance.
Russian President Putin signs 'foreign agent' media law
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that allows the government to list any foreign media operating in the country as a foreign agent.
Iran warns it would increase missile range if threatened by Europe
The deputy head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned Europe that if it threatens Tehran, the Guards will increase the range of missiles to above 2,000 kilometers, the Fars news agency reported on Saturday.
UK has 10 days to make Brexit progress
The UK has ten days to make progress in Brexit negotiations for the EU leaders to unlock the next phase of talks on trade and future relations.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Iran army chief vows next war will see 'eradication' of Israel
Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, the chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), issued new threats against Israel on Thursday, vowing that any future conflict will be the Jewish state's last.
Iran's Syria Bases Near Israel Have Apocalyptic Intent
The locations of some of Iran’s military installations in Syria, including some within 30 miles of Israeli territory in the Golan Heights, may be motivated more by Tehran’s desire to provoke an Islamic end-of-the-world cataclysm than for strategic value, contends an expert on Shiite religious dogma.
Inside the United States
Analysis: Senate Tax Plan Will Reduce Taxes for Most Taxpayers, Gives Biggest Cuts to Moderate-Income Families
The Senate's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will reduce taxes for most households and will give the biggest cuts to those with moderate incomes and those with children, according to an analysis from the Tax Foundation.
FBI failed to warn US targets of Russian hackers
The FBI failed to notify scores of US officials that Russian hackers were trying to break into their personal Gmail accounts despite having evidence for at least a year that the targets were in the Kremlin’s crosshairs, The Associated Press has found.
FBI receives record-breaking 200,000 gun checks on Black Friday
The FBI received more than 200,000 background check requests for gun purchases on Black Friday, the bureau reported.
Christian News
Iran: Christian convert loses appeal against 10-year sentence for ‘missionary activities’
An Iranian convert to Christianity has had his 10-year prison sentence upheld after losing his appeal.
Church vandalism won't be probed as bias crime after arrest
Prosecutors say several acts of vandalism committed at five predominantly black churches in northern New Jersey are no longer being investigated as possible bias crimes.
Church of Sweden Opts for Gender Neutral Terms, Drops ‘He’ When Referring to God
The Church of Sweden is making a few changes when it comes to how clergy refer to God the Father.
Egypt reeling from attack on mosque in Sinai that killed 305
Egypt was reeling Sunday from the horrific militant attack on a mosque in northern Sinai that killed 305 people two days earlier — the deadliest assault by Islamic extremists in its modern history and a grim milestone in a long-running fight against the insurgency led by an Islamic State affiliate.
Indonesia raises alert to highest level 4 on Bali volcano
Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency said on Monday it had raised the alert to the highest level four on Bali's Mount Agung volcano and warned residents in a 8-10 km (5-6 miles) radius around the volcano to evacuate immediately.
Iran promises to send warships to Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean
Iran's new naval commander has vowed to send warships to America's backyard.
Mexico volcano erupts shooting ash and smoke into the air
A volcano in Mexico has erupted, spewing smoke and ash more than two miles into the air.
Saudi prince vows new Islamic alliance 'will wipe out terrorists from earth'
Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince vowed to 'pursue terrorists until they are wiped from the face of the earth' as officials from 40 Muslim countries gathered Sunday in the first meeting of an Islamic counter-terrorism alliance.
Russian President Putin signs 'foreign agent' media law
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that allows the government to list any foreign media operating in the country as a foreign agent.
Iran warns it would increase missile range if threatened by Europe
The deputy head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned Europe that if it threatens Tehran, the Guards will increase the range of missiles to above 2,000 kilometers, the Fars news agency reported on Saturday.
UK has 10 days to make Brexit progress
The UK has ten days to make progress in Brexit negotiations for the EU leaders to unlock the next phase of talks on trade and future relations.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Iran army chief vows next war will see 'eradication' of Israel
Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, the chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), issued new threats against Israel on Thursday, vowing that any future conflict will be the Jewish state's last.
Iran's Syria Bases Near Israel Have Apocalyptic Intent
The locations of some of Iran’s military installations in Syria, including some within 30 miles of Israeli territory in the Golan Heights, may be motivated more by Tehran’s desire to provoke an Islamic end-of-the-world cataclysm than for strategic value, contends an expert on Shiite religious dogma.
Inside the United States
Analysis: Senate Tax Plan Will Reduce Taxes for Most Taxpayers, Gives Biggest Cuts to Moderate-Income Families
The Senate's Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will reduce taxes for most households and will give the biggest cuts to those with moderate incomes and those with children, according to an analysis from the Tax Foundation.
FBI failed to warn US targets of Russian hackers
The FBI failed to notify scores of US officials that Russian hackers were trying to break into their personal Gmail accounts despite having evidence for at least a year that the targets were in the Kremlin’s crosshairs, The Associated Press has found.
FBI receives record-breaking 200,000 gun checks on Black Friday
The FBI received more than 200,000 background check requests for gun purchases on Black Friday, the bureau reported.
Christian News
Iran: Christian convert loses appeal against 10-year sentence for ‘missionary activities’
An Iranian convert to Christianity has had his 10-year prison sentence upheld after losing his appeal.
Church vandalism won't be probed as bias crime after arrest
Prosecutors say several acts of vandalism committed at five predominantly black churches in northern New Jersey are no longer being investigated as possible bias crimes.
Church of Sweden Opts for Gender Neutral Terms, Drops ‘He’ When Referring to God
The Church of Sweden is making a few changes when it comes to how clergy refer to God the Father.
Around the World
Putin holds summit with Turkey, Iran to discuss Syria peace deal
Russian President Vladimir Putin is in talks with leaders of Turkey and Iran to end the civil war in Syria that has been raging since 2011.
Iran’s plans in Syria hint at goal of establishing powerful Shiite ‘Red Crescent’
Iran’s top military officer signed agreements in Syria last month that will keep Iranian forces there indefinitely with a pledge to help the Bashar Assad regime rebuild damaged military bases, according to the main opposition group to Tehran’s Islamic rulers.
Russia declares ‘death’ of body probing Syria chemical attacks
Russia’s UN ambassador said Wednesday the expert body that has determined responsibility for chemical weapons attacks in Syria 'is dead' — but Moscow is ready to discuss 'a new mechanism.'
U.S. pressed Saudis to ease Yemen blockade
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson asked Saudi Arabia to ease its blockade of Yemen, two sources said, just days before the Saudi-led military coalition announced on Wednesday it would let aid flow through the Yemeni port of Hodeidah and allow U.N. flights to the capital.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel may ‘target’ Iran activity in Syria, Netanyahu said to tell Macron
Israel sees Iranian activity in Syria as “a target” for its forces, and may carry out strikes against Iranian objectives if security needs require it, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told French President Emmanuel Macron in a phone call this week.
Israel thwarts attempt to smuggle tons of explosive material into Gaza
An attempt to smuggle tons of explosive material into the Gaza Strip has been thwarted by the Israeli Ministry of Defense's Crossing Authority, it was announced on Wednesday.
US VP Pence to address Knesset next month
Vice President of the US Mike Pence is set to give a speech in the Knesset next month, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein’s office confirmed Wednesday.
Inside the United States
Nearly $1 Million Tax Dollars Paid By U.S. Treasury This Year to Settle Sexual Harassment Suits Against Congressmen
Republicans and Democrats in Washington are vying to appear the more outraged by sexual harassment on Capitol Hill. Don't be fooled. Groping, suggestive remarks and quid pro quos are business as usual on the Hill, thanks to a cover-up scheme devised by Congress itself using taxpayer dollars. The real scandal is that we the people pay the settlement costs and legal fees when members of Congress get caught with their pants down.
U.S. judge strikes down Texas measure to limit second-trimester abortions
A U.S. district judge on Wednesday struck down parts of a Texas law that would ban the most common type of second-trimester abortions in the state, after plaintiffs argued the procedure was safe, legal and necessary for women’s health.
Abortions in the United States Hit an All-Time Low, More Babies Saved From Abortion Than Ever
Abortion numbers fell again in 2014, sinking to their lowest in more than four decades, according to a new Centers for Disease Control report.
Sanctuary cities cooperate after Sessions threatens to withhold grant funding
The Justice Department is battling in the courts to preserve President Trump’s anti-sanctuary city agenda, but it’s already notched some successes just by raising the issue.
Seattle’s income tax on the wealthy is illegal, judge rules
Seattle’s income tax on wealthy households failed its first legal test Wednesday, with a King County Superior Court ruling that the measure is illegal.
Putin holds summit with Turkey, Iran to discuss Syria peace deal
Russian President Vladimir Putin is in talks with leaders of Turkey and Iran to end the civil war in Syria that has been raging since 2011.
Iran’s plans in Syria hint at goal of establishing powerful Shiite ‘Red Crescent’
Iran’s top military officer signed agreements in Syria last month that will keep Iranian forces there indefinitely with a pledge to help the Bashar Assad regime rebuild damaged military bases, according to the main opposition group to Tehran’s Islamic rulers.
Russia declares ‘death’ of body probing Syria chemical attacks
Russia’s UN ambassador said Wednesday the expert body that has determined responsibility for chemical weapons attacks in Syria 'is dead' — but Moscow is ready to discuss 'a new mechanism.'
U.S. pressed Saudis to ease Yemen blockade
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson asked Saudi Arabia to ease its blockade of Yemen, two sources said, just days before the Saudi-led military coalition announced on Wednesday it would let aid flow through the Yemeni port of Hodeidah and allow U.N. flights to the capital.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel may ‘target’ Iran activity in Syria, Netanyahu said to tell Macron
Israel sees Iranian activity in Syria as “a target” for its forces, and may carry out strikes against Iranian objectives if security needs require it, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly told French President Emmanuel Macron in a phone call this week.
Israel thwarts attempt to smuggle tons of explosive material into Gaza
An attempt to smuggle tons of explosive material into the Gaza Strip has been thwarted by the Israeli Ministry of Defense's Crossing Authority, it was announced on Wednesday.
US VP Pence to address Knesset next month
Vice President of the US Mike Pence is set to give a speech in the Knesset next month, Knesset Speaker Yuli Edelstein’s office confirmed Wednesday.
Inside the United States
Nearly $1 Million Tax Dollars Paid By U.S. Treasury This Year to Settle Sexual Harassment Suits Against Congressmen
Republicans and Democrats in Washington are vying to appear the more outraged by sexual harassment on Capitol Hill. Don't be fooled. Groping, suggestive remarks and quid pro quos are business as usual on the Hill, thanks to a cover-up scheme devised by Congress itself using taxpayer dollars. The real scandal is that we the people pay the settlement costs and legal fees when members of Congress get caught with their pants down.
U.S. judge strikes down Texas measure to limit second-trimester abortions
A U.S. district judge on Wednesday struck down parts of a Texas law that would ban the most common type of second-trimester abortions in the state, after plaintiffs argued the procedure was safe, legal and necessary for women’s health.
Abortions in the United States Hit an All-Time Low, More Babies Saved From Abortion Than Ever
Abortion numbers fell again in 2014, sinking to their lowest in more than four decades, according to a new Centers for Disease Control report.
Sanctuary cities cooperate after Sessions threatens to withhold grant funding
The Justice Department is battling in the courts to preserve President Trump’s anti-sanctuary city agenda, but it’s already notched some successes just by raising the issue.
Seattle’s income tax on the wealthy is illegal, judge rules
Seattle’s income tax on wealthy households failed its first legal test Wednesday, with a King County Superior Court ruling that the measure is illegal.