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?"
Warning of a global crisis, Germany’s Angela Merkel pledges ‘every effort’ to avert a U.S. trade war
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Wednesday that the European Union will make every effort to avoid a trade war with the United States, and underlined her country’s commitment to raise defense spending gradually -- another point of contention with Washington.
Iran set up terrorist infrastructure in Europe, experts say
Iran has set up terrorist and intelligence infrastructure across Europe with aim of assassinating exiled Iranian dissidents and moderate Arab leaders, particularly those whose countries rival Iran in the Persian Gulf, intelligence experts told Israel Hayom Tuesday.
Turkey transfers some powers to President Erdogan
Turkey on Wednesday issued a decree that transfers some powers to the president, as the country moves to an executive presidential system following President Tayyip Erdogan's win in last month's presidential and parliamentary elections.
Over 40 countries at WTO object to US car tariff plan
Major US trading partners including the European Union, China and Japan voiced deep concern at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Tuesday (Jul 3) about possible US measures imposing additional duties on imported autos and parts.
Erdogan presses U.S. over F-35 jet sale
Fresh from a successful re-election campaign, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government is flexing its newfound clout in the fight on Capitol Hill over acquiring cutting-edge U.S. military hardware.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
PA: Law to deduct terrorists' salaries from tax money 'a declaration of war'
The Palestinian Authority strongly condemned the Knesset on Tuesday for passing into a law a bill proposal to deduct terrorists' salaries from roughly $130 million in monthly tax revenues Israel collects on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, defining the move as 'a declaration of war on the Palestinian people.'
Jared Kushner says US will soon present Trump's Israeli-Palestinian peace plan, with or without Abbas
Jared Kushner, a senior adviser to US President Donald Trump, said Washington would announce its Middle East peace plan soon, and press on with or without Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas.
4.1 magnitude earthquake shakes northern Israel
Residents of northern Israel were woken up with a bump on Wednesday morning as a 4.1 magnitude earthquake shook Haifa and the Galilee region shortly before 5:00 a.m.
Inside the United States
GOP to attack unfunded federal mandates next week
House Republicans will make a new push next week to rein in federal rules and regulations that can cost local governments companies millions of dollars each year -- 23 years after Republicans first sought to limit unfunded federal mandates.
Massachusetts passes 'red flag' gun control law
Legal Massachusetts gun owners who act violently or suicidal could lose the right to their firearms for a year under a bill signed into law Tuesday by Republican Gov. Charlie Baker.
Liberals Propose ‘Court Packing’ to Offset Trump Nominees
Liberals and others on the Left fearful of President Trump’s Supreme Court choices are now advocating an idea from the past: court packing.
Judge tosses suit alleging Trump campaign conspired with Russia in DNC hack
A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit alleging that President Donald Trump's campaign and former Trump adviser Roger Stone conspired with Russia and WikiLeaks to publish hacked Democratic National Committee emails during the 2016 presidential race.
California separatists to declare independence on July 4: 'Stand up against American occupation'
While other Americans celebrate the holiday with picnics and parades, California secessionists are taking Independence Day literally.
Judge again blocks Arkansas' attempt to ban pill abortions
A federal judge has again temporarily blocked Arkansas from becoming the first state to enforce a ban on pill-induced abortions.
Forecasters reverse course, predict below-average 2018 hurricane season
A team of meteorologists, who predicted an above-average 2018 Atlantic hurricane season in April, decreased their forecast on Tuesday.
Christian News
Episcopal Church Debates Whether to Make God Gender-Neutral in Book of Common Prayer
As the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church kicks off in Austin, Texas, on Wednesday, church officials are set to consider competing resolutions on whether their Book of Common Prayer, last revised in 1979, needs to be revised to send a strong message that God does not have a gender.
'Our Hopes Are High’: Iraqi Christian Leaders Thank U.S. For Rebuilding Communities Destroyed by ISIS
Iraqi Christian leaders are thanking the United States for providing life-saving aid following the Islamic State's reign of terror in the region.
Op-Ed: Canada’s top court rules that biblical Christian views are not part of ‘diversity’
In a ruling that is sure to send shock waves through the nation, Canada’s Supreme Court ruled 7-2 against Trinity Western University’s (TWU) Law School. In effect, what the court declared is that universities must choose between biblical standards and accreditation. Put another way, the court ruled that Christianity and higher education are incompatible. I am not exaggerating in the least.
Around the World
Iranian-backed militia, Syria threaten to cut off rebels near Golan
On Monday elements of the Iranian-backed Liwa Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas and the Syrian regime’s Republican Guard were reported to be leading the Syrian regime’s offensive near the Golan, attempting to cut the Syrian rebels territory in half.
Experts see risks in US plan to dismantle NKorea's nukes
As Secretary of State Mike Pompeo prepares to travel this week to North Korea, experts cautioned that the Trump administration’s plan to dismantle the North’s nuclear weapons and missiles in a year is both unrealistic and risky.
Trump warns NATO leaders defense underspending could have consequences
US President Donald Trump has admonished several leaders of NATO allies for spending too little on the organization and has warned of possible unspecified consequences, the New York Times reported Tuesday.
Trump makes veiled WTO threat after EU warning on car tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump warned the World Trade Organization on Monday that 'we’ll be doing something' if the United States is not treated properly, just hours after the European Union said that U.S. automotive tariffs would hurt its own vehicle industry and prompt retaliation.
U.S. mulling labeling Revolutionary Guard a terror group
The Trump administration is weighing whether to label the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist group, part of an effort to use every possible tool in the box to pressure Tehran, CNN reported on Monday.
Iran calls for calm after water protests, clashes
Iran called for calm on Sunday after protests in a southern city over water shortages turned violent overnight with reports of police shooting at demonstrators who attacked banks and public buildings.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
U.N. expert: Israel moving closer to formal West Bank annexation
Israel has taken steps that could lead to the formal annexation of the West Bank, UN legal expert Michael Lynk said in advance of Monday’s United Nations Human Rights Council meeting on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Iranian general blames water woes on Israeli ‘cloud theft’
An Iranian general on Monday accused Israel of manipulating weather to prevent rain over the Islamic Republic, alleging his country was facing cloud 'theft,' before being contradicted by the nation’s weather chief.
Inside the United States
Trump interviews four candidates as Supreme Court fight heats up
President Trump interviewed four candidates Monday in his search for the next Supreme Court nominee, with two federal appeals court judges emerging as leading contenders for the nomination that could change the complexion of the high court for decades to come.
Judge rules DHS must consider detained asylum-seekers' parole on case-by-case basis
A federal judge in Washington, D.C. ruled Monday that the federal government must consider on a case-by-case basis whether asylum-seekers who have been detained represent a flight risk or credible danger to the public.
Feds widen investigation into Facebook's sharing of data with Cambridge Analytica: Report
The federal investigation looking into how Facebook shared user information with data firm Cambridge Analytica has widened to include three agencies, according to a new report.
Wind spreads California fire as other states battle blazes
A massive wildfire in rural Northern California has exploded in size and forced evacuations in hot, dry weather that is sweeping through several western states where blazes are threatening thousands of homes.
Judge: Rosenstein empowered Mueller to probe even ‘indirect’ or ‘potential’ Russian ties
Special counsel Robert Mueller was granted wide latitude by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein to pursue any alleged contact between Russia and the Trump campaign not matter how 'stale' it is, a judge said.
July 4 terror plot thwarted in Cleveland, suspect pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda, FBI says
A man who pledged allegiance to Al Qaeda sought to kill members of the military and conducted reconnaissance in downtown Cleveland for a planned attack on July 4 -- but the Independence Day plot was foiled after a months-long investigation, federal officials said Monday.
Christian News
Death Toll in Jos, Nigeria Attacks at 218, including Pastor, Wife and Son
An Assemblies of God Nigeria pastor, his wife and son were among at least 218 people killed in Muslim Fulani herdsmen attacks on predominantly Christian areas near Jos on June 23-25, a denominational leader said.
'It's All God': Tennessee Tent Revival in Its 3rd Month as More and More People Come to Christ
A spiritual revival continues to blaze in Northeastern Tennessee, entering its 12th week Monday with more than 200 people accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, according to the evangelist leading the services.
'Insanity': Rising Clean Rivers fee forces some D.C. churches to shut down
Nearly a decade after the District’s water authority levied a “Clean Rivers” surcharge to help clean up local waterways, faith community leaders say that ever-rising rates have forced them to cut back on services, lay off staff and — in at least 30 cases — move out or shut down completely.
What Jordan’s Evangelicals Think of Templeton Winner King Abdullah’s Interfaith Acclaim
For his lifelong commitment to religious peace, King Abdullah II of Jordan recently became the second Muslim ever to win the prestigious, $1.4 million Templeton Prize. And Jordan’s Christian minority is celebrating with him.
U.S. has plan to dismantle North Korea nuclear program within a year: Bolton
White House national security adviser John Bolton said on Sunday he believed the bulk of North Korea’s weapons programs could be dismantled within a year, as the United States and North Korea resumed working-level talks.
Syrian rebels resume peace talks with Russians after Jordan mediates
Talks between the Syrian opposition and Russian negotiators to reach a ceasefire in a rebel-held town in southwestern Syria have resumed after mediation by Jordan that has been seeking a ceasefire, an opposition spokesman said.
EU reportedly warns of new tariffs worth $300 billion if Trump targets automakers
The United States could get a new round of retaliatory tariffs worth as much as $300 billion, if it moves ahead with new duties on European cars, the Financial Times reported.
US to strictly enforce secondary sanctions on Iran, Trump says
The White House will strictly enforce the upcoming secondary sanctions on companies that do business with Iran, President Trump reaffirmed on Sunday.
Trump Allies Giuliani and Gingrich Cite Soviet Collapse in Foreseeing End to Iranian Regime
Addressing an Iranian opposition group’s rally in Paris on Saturday, two close political allies of President Trump pointed to the collapse of the Soviet Union in predicting the downfall of the Islamic regime in Tehran.
'Looking forward to it': Trump says he can succeed where others failed with Putin summit
The odds for success are slim and the political risk will be huge for President Trump when he sits down with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Finland next month, but the dealmaker in chief is relishing his turn to go toe-to-toe with the former KBG colonel.
Saudi king said will boost oil output if needed: White House
The leader of Saudi Arabia promised President Donald Trump that he can raise oil production if needed and the country has 2 million barrels per day of spare capacity, the White House said on Saturday, rowing back on an earlier Trump tweet that appeared to suggest the Saudis had agreed to boost output by that amount.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Palestinians planning mass protests against Trump’s peace plan
Palestinian activists in the West Bank said over the weekend they have received a green light from the Palestinian Authority to organize protests against US President Donald Trump’s yet-to-be-unveiled plan for peace in the Middle East.
Golan Heights: Israel Deploys Tanks And Artillery In Warning To Assad's Syria
Israel beefed up its tank and artillery deployment on the Golan Heights frontier with Syria on Sunday, cautioning Damascus' forces to keep a distance as they sweep rebel-held areas over the border.
Qatari official: Israel, Hamas in indirect talks on Gaza crisis
The Qatari Ambassador to Gaza Mohammed Al-Emadi confirmed on Sunday evening for the first time that Israel is holding indirect discussions with the Hamas terror group in an effort to formulate a solution to the humanitarian crisis in the strip that will include infrastructure projects.
Palestinians: Calling Jerusalem Israel’s capital is ‘incitement’
The Palestinians consider statements such as 'Jerusalem is the capital of Israel' and 'Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish people' as a form of 'incitement,' according to a report released on Sunday by the PLO Department of Culture and Information.
Inside the United States
Trump: 'Big week' ahead with a focus on picking a Supreme Court nominee
President Trump predicts a "big week" ahead, declaring in a tweet Sunday he will be focused on deciding who he will nominate to succeed retiring Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy.
Supreme Court Ruling Protecting Pregnancy Centers Dismantles 'Conversion Therapy' Bans, Lawyer Says
The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of pro-life crisis pregnancy centers should encourage those resisting bans on counseling services for individuals dealing with unwanted sexual struggles and gender confusion, according to a family advocate's analysis of Clarence Thomas' opinion.
Poll: 59% fear violence from Trump haters, 31% predict civil war
The division in the United States that has escalated into the organized harassment of presidential aides has six in 10 worried about the violence from anti-Trump advocates and nearly a third fearing it will end in civil war.
Fast-spreading California wildfire forces evacuations in Yolo County
A fast-growing wildfire that broke out over the weekend in Northern California, fueled by parched lands and high winds, prompted evacuations on Sunday and sent ash spewing over a wide area of the region, officials said.
5,500 Women Hospitalized Every Year After Suffering Complications From Abortion: Study
A new study released earlier this month has found that an average of 5,500 women are sent to emergency rooms each year in the United States because of complications related to abortion procedures.
Christian News
Evangelical leaders downplay potential Roe v. Wade reversal
For evangelical Christian leaders like Jerry Falwell Jr., this is their political holy grail.