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
Russian Envoy Briefs Iranian Regime on Trump-Putin Summit’s Syria Message
A top Russian envoy arrived in Tehran on Wednesday to brief Iranian leaders following this week’s summit in Helsinki between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
Trump says he holds Putin responsible for election hacking
President Trump said Wednesday that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is ultimately responsible for Moscow’s interference in the 2016 presidential election, and that he warned Mr. Putin 'we can’t have this' meddling in the future.
Trump urges Erdogan to free US pastor held in Turkey
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Twitter to free an American pastor held in Turkey for nearly two years on terror charges.
Nikki Haley Slams Human Rights Council as ‘Greatest Failure’ of the UN
U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said Wednesday the United Nations' Human Rights Council is the 'greatest failure' of the international organization given its continued support to dictatorial regimes and entrenched bias against Israel.
Race for Russian warship’s ‘5,500 boxes of gold’ - rumoured to be worth US$133 billion - after wreck found in waters off South Korean island
Divers off the South Korean island of Ulleungdo have discovered the fabled wreck of the Dmitrii Donskoi, a Russian warship that was sunk in 1905 and is rumored to still contain 5,500 boxes of gold bars and coins said to be worth US$133 billion.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel, Russia said to work on return to 1974 deal for Syrian border area
Israel and Russia have been in talks regarding the imminent return of Syrian regime forces to the border region on the Golan Heights, reportedly with a view to reestablishing demarcation lines drawn up in 1974.
Hamas accepts Egyptian proposal to end dispute with Fatah
Hamas has accepted an Egyptian proposal to reconcile with Fatah and is awaiting a response from its rival Palestinian faction, senior Hamas officials said on Wednesday.
Inside the United States
White House cheers House's $5 billion border wall bill
The White House on Wednesday backed a House spending bill that includes $5 billion to build a border wall, saying it will pay for another 200 miles of physical barrier on the border with Mexico.
Planned Parenthood Loses Legal Battle Over Trump's Title X Family Planning Rules
A federal judge has thrown out a legal challenge filed against the Trump administration by Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion groups challenging proposed changes to Title X grant funding for low-income family planning programs that critics say prioritize faith-based groups and organizations that promote sexual abstinence.
Challenge to Texas' fetus burial law could provide first abortion test for new Supreme Court
A federal judge in Texas is weighing whether the state can require a woman to bury or cremate her aborted fetus during a trial this week that pro-life and pro-choice activists predict could be the first abortion test for a newly configured Supreme Court next year.
California Supreme Court blocks measure to split the state into three
The California Supreme Court moved Wednesday to block a measure that would divide the state into three parts.
Christian News
Turkey Keeps American Pastor Behind Bars -- At Least for Three More Months
After nearly two years in a Turkish prison, hopes for the release of American pastor Andrew Brunson have been deferred. A Turkish court ordered 50-year-old pastor to remain bars until at least his next hearing on October 12.
Muslim refugees from Syria are coming to faith in Jesus, says ministry leader
A Christian ministry assisting Syrian refugees in Lebanon who have lost everything has said that many Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus Christ, which lifts them out of depression, even as they face great struggles.
Russian Envoy Briefs Iranian Regime on Trump-Putin Summit’s Syria Message
A top Russian envoy arrived in Tehran on Wednesday to brief Iranian leaders following this week’s summit in Helsinki between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
Trump says he holds Putin responsible for election hacking
President Trump said Wednesday that he believes Russian President Vladimir Putin is ultimately responsible for Moscow’s interference in the 2016 presidential election, and that he warned Mr. Putin 'we can’t have this' meddling in the future.
Trump urges Erdogan to free US pastor held in Turkey
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday urged Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Twitter to free an American pastor held in Turkey for nearly two years on terror charges.
Nikki Haley Slams Human Rights Council as ‘Greatest Failure’ of the UN
U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley said Wednesday the United Nations' Human Rights Council is the 'greatest failure' of the international organization given its continued support to dictatorial regimes and entrenched bias against Israel.
Race for Russian warship’s ‘5,500 boxes of gold’ - rumoured to be worth US$133 billion - after wreck found in waters off South Korean island
Divers off the South Korean island of Ulleungdo have discovered the fabled wreck of the Dmitrii Donskoi, a Russian warship that was sunk in 1905 and is rumored to still contain 5,500 boxes of gold bars and coins said to be worth US$133 billion.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel, Russia said to work on return to 1974 deal for Syrian border area
Israel and Russia have been in talks regarding the imminent return of Syrian regime forces to the border region on the Golan Heights, reportedly with a view to reestablishing demarcation lines drawn up in 1974.
Hamas accepts Egyptian proposal to end dispute with Fatah
Hamas has accepted an Egyptian proposal to reconcile with Fatah and is awaiting a response from its rival Palestinian faction, senior Hamas officials said on Wednesday.
Inside the United States
White House cheers House's $5 billion border wall bill
The White House on Wednesday backed a House spending bill that includes $5 billion to build a border wall, saying it will pay for another 200 miles of physical barrier on the border with Mexico.
Planned Parenthood Loses Legal Battle Over Trump's Title X Family Planning Rules
A federal judge has thrown out a legal challenge filed against the Trump administration by Planned Parenthood and other pro-abortion groups challenging proposed changes to Title X grant funding for low-income family planning programs that critics say prioritize faith-based groups and organizations that promote sexual abstinence.
Challenge to Texas' fetus burial law could provide first abortion test for new Supreme Court
A federal judge in Texas is weighing whether the state can require a woman to bury or cremate her aborted fetus during a trial this week that pro-life and pro-choice activists predict could be the first abortion test for a newly configured Supreme Court next year.
California Supreme Court blocks measure to split the state into three
The California Supreme Court moved Wednesday to block a measure that would divide the state into three parts.
Christian News
Turkey Keeps American Pastor Behind Bars -- At Least for Three More Months
After nearly two years in a Turkish prison, hopes for the release of American pastor Andrew Brunson have been deferred. A Turkish court ordered 50-year-old pastor to remain bars until at least his next hearing on October 12.
Muslim refugees from Syria are coming to faith in Jesus, says ministry leader
A Christian ministry assisting Syrian refugees in Lebanon who have lost everything has said that many Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus Christ, which lifts them out of depression, even as they face great struggles.
Around the World
Trump: 'Not one' European country has been improved by mass immigration
President Trump doubled down on previous comments he made regarding mass migration to Europe, saying 'not one' European country has been improved by a massive influx of immigrants and refugees.
Trump backs off siding with Russia over US intelligence
Blistered by bipartisan condemnation of his embrace of a longtime U.S. enemy, President Donald Trump backed away from his public undermining of American intelligence agencies, saying he simply misspoke when he said he saw no reason to believe Russia had interfered in the 2016 U.S. election.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Army told to prepare for large-scale military operation in Gaza
Israel’s political leadership has reportedly instructed the army to prepare for a military offensive in the Gaza Strip, to be initiated if the launching of incendiary devices from the Hamas-run coastal enclave into Israeli territory continues.
IDF strikes Gaza terror cell launching incendiary balloons into Israel
An Israeli army drone struck a Palestinian cell launching incendiary balloons from the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday afternoon.
IDF using autonomous drone system to try to intercept Gaza kites, balloons
The Israeli military has begun using an autonomous drone system to counter the threat of incendiary kites and balloons in the Gaza Strip, Hadashot news reported Tuesday.
Inside the United States
MGM sues Las Vegas shooting victims in push to avoid liability
MGM Resorts International has sued hundreds of victims of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history in a bid to avoid liability for the gunfire that rained down from its Mandalay Bay casino-resort in Las Vegas.
Powell backs more rate hikes as economy growing 'considerably stronger'
The U.S. economy is running at a fast enough pace to justify continued interest rate increases, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Tuesday.
Special counsel Robert Mueller asks for immunity for five potential witnesses in Paul Manafort trial
Special counsel Robert Mueller is asking a judge to grant immunity from prosecution for five potential witnesses whose testimony Mueller wants to compel at the upcoming federal criminal trial of former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort, according to a court filing Tuesday.
Yosemite wildfire increases to 12,500 acres
A deadly wildfire burning along the western edge of California's Yosemite National Park increased in size on Tuesday as it continued to expand to the east and south.
Christian News
Authorities in Algeria Seal Shut Another Church Building
Church leaders didn’t get an explanation for why the seventh worship building to be closed in Algeria since November was sealed last week, but they suspect lack of registration was the pretext.
Christians Forced Out of Nepal; Persecution Intensifies
Nepali Christians are facing new pressures from their government after authorities deported a Christian couple for evangelizing Hindus.
Pastor Brunson Faces Outlandish Charges in Turkish Court
On Wednesday American pastor Andrew Brunson -- unjustly detained in a Turkish prison for almost 20 months -- will appear in court. Turkish judges refused to release him after his previous two hearings on April 16 and May 7.
Trump: 'Not one' European country has been improved by mass immigration
President Trump doubled down on previous comments he made regarding mass migration to Europe, saying 'not one' European country has been improved by a massive influx of immigrants and refugees.
Trump backs off siding with Russia over US intelligence
Blistered by bipartisan condemnation of his embrace of a longtime U.S. enemy, President Donald Trump backed away from his public undermining of American intelligence agencies, saying he simply misspoke when he said he saw no reason to believe Russia had interfered in the 2016 U.S. election.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Army told to prepare for large-scale military operation in Gaza
Israel’s political leadership has reportedly instructed the army to prepare for a military offensive in the Gaza Strip, to be initiated if the launching of incendiary devices from the Hamas-run coastal enclave into Israeli territory continues.
IDF strikes Gaza terror cell launching incendiary balloons into Israel
An Israeli army drone struck a Palestinian cell launching incendiary balloons from the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday afternoon.
IDF using autonomous drone system to try to intercept Gaza kites, balloons
The Israeli military has begun using an autonomous drone system to counter the threat of incendiary kites and balloons in the Gaza Strip, Hadashot news reported Tuesday.
Inside the United States
MGM sues Las Vegas shooting victims in push to avoid liability
MGM Resorts International has sued hundreds of victims of the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history in a bid to avoid liability for the gunfire that rained down from its Mandalay Bay casino-resort in Las Vegas.
Powell backs more rate hikes as economy growing 'considerably stronger'
The U.S. economy is running at a fast enough pace to justify continued interest rate increases, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said Tuesday.
Special counsel Robert Mueller asks for immunity for five potential witnesses in Paul Manafort trial
Special counsel Robert Mueller is asking a judge to grant immunity from prosecution for five potential witnesses whose testimony Mueller wants to compel at the upcoming federal criminal trial of former Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort, according to a court filing Tuesday.
Yosemite wildfire increases to 12,500 acres
A deadly wildfire burning along the western edge of California's Yosemite National Park increased in size on Tuesday as it continued to expand to the east and south.
Christian News
Authorities in Algeria Seal Shut Another Church Building
Church leaders didn’t get an explanation for why the seventh worship building to be closed in Algeria since November was sealed last week, but they suspect lack of registration was the pretext.
Christians Forced Out of Nepal; Persecution Intensifies
Nepali Christians are facing new pressures from their government after authorities deported a Christian couple for evangelizing Hindus.
Pastor Brunson Faces Outlandish Charges in Turkish Court
On Wednesday American pastor Andrew Brunson -- unjustly detained in a Turkish prison for almost 20 months -- will appear in court. Turkish judges refused to release him after his previous two hearings on April 16 and May 7.
Around the World
EU to sign its biggest free trade deal with Japan
The European Union and Japan will sign one of the world's biggest free trade deals later on Tuesday.
Khamenei lashes ‘satanic’ US peace plan, vows to destroy ‘fabricated’ Israel
The head of Iran’s theocratic regime, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, took to Twitter on Monday to denounce the Trump administration’s expected peace plan as a “satanic and vicious plot” and promise that the 'fabricated Zionist regime will be eradicated.'
Trump says Iran in turmoil since US withdrew from nuke deal
US President Donald Trump asserted Monday that Iran was being roiled by nationwide riots since he pulled out of an international nuclear deal and that Washington supports the protesters.
US Open to Direct Talks With Taliban, Officials Say
The United States is open to holding direct talks with the Taliban to encourage negotiations between the militant group and the Afghan government to end 17 years of war, U.S. officials said Monday.
Trump sides with Putin over U.S. intel
President Trump on Monday stood beside Russian President Vladimir Putin and rejected the findings of U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies that Moscow interfered in the 2016 election, drawing bipartisan blowback from lawmakers dismayed by his performance on the world stage.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Trump says meeting with Putin was ‘really good’ for Israel
US President Donald Trump on Monday said his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday was good for Israel, seemingly referring to efforts to remove Iran-backed fighters from Syria’s Golan border.
Hamas plans to attack Israel with 'exploding drones'
Hamas has been diverting resources intended for civilian development in Gaza to enhance its military capabilities, including a growing drone program.
Inside the United States
Texas fetal tissue burial law on trial at U.S. court
A court hearing on a Texas law requiring the burial or cremation of aborted fetal tissue opened on Monday with the state arguing the requirement was a matter of dignity, while abortion providers called it unnecessary and aimed at impeding clinic operations.
National Guard deployment led to more than 10,000 arrests of illegal immigrants, says CBP
The National Guard's deployment to the southwest border in mid-April has led to 10,805 'deportable alien arrests' of people who illegally entered the United States from Mexico, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman said Monday.
U.S. judge suspends deportations of reunited immigrant families
A federal judge temporarily barred the U.S. government on Monday from the rapid deportation of immigrant parents reunited with their children, while a court considers the impact on children’s rights to seek asylum.
Christian News
Islamist Violence against Christians in Uganda Injures Pastors, Stops Church Services
In further anti-Christian hostilities in eastern Uganda, Muslims knocked a pastor unconscious at a debate and Islamist threats in another village put a halt to worship services.
Indian Christians Suffer Fifteen Attacks in Fourteen Days
International Christian Concern (ICC) has documented at least 15 separate anti-Christian incidents across India in the past 14 days. These incidents include physical assaults, a church demolition, forced conversions, false accusations of forced conversions, and social boycotts.
EU to sign its biggest free trade deal with Japan
The European Union and Japan will sign one of the world's biggest free trade deals later on Tuesday.
Khamenei lashes ‘satanic’ US peace plan, vows to destroy ‘fabricated’ Israel
The head of Iran’s theocratic regime, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, took to Twitter on Monday to denounce the Trump administration’s expected peace plan as a “satanic and vicious plot” and promise that the 'fabricated Zionist regime will be eradicated.'
Trump says Iran in turmoil since US withdrew from nuke deal
US President Donald Trump asserted Monday that Iran was being roiled by nationwide riots since he pulled out of an international nuclear deal and that Washington supports the protesters.
US Open to Direct Talks With Taliban, Officials Say
The United States is open to holding direct talks with the Taliban to encourage negotiations between the militant group and the Afghan government to end 17 years of war, U.S. officials said Monday.
Trump sides with Putin over U.S. intel
President Trump on Monday stood beside Russian President Vladimir Putin and rejected the findings of U.S. intelligence and law enforcement agencies that Moscow interfered in the 2016 election, drawing bipartisan blowback from lawmakers dismayed by his performance on the world stage.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Trump says meeting with Putin was ‘really good’ for Israel
US President Donald Trump on Monday said his summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin Monday was good for Israel, seemingly referring to efforts to remove Iran-backed fighters from Syria’s Golan border.
Hamas plans to attack Israel with 'exploding drones'
Hamas has been diverting resources intended for civilian development in Gaza to enhance its military capabilities, including a growing drone program.
Inside the United States
Texas fetal tissue burial law on trial at U.S. court
A court hearing on a Texas law requiring the burial or cremation of aborted fetal tissue opened on Monday with the state arguing the requirement was a matter of dignity, while abortion providers called it unnecessary and aimed at impeding clinic operations.
National Guard deployment led to more than 10,000 arrests of illegal immigrants, says CBP
The National Guard's deployment to the southwest border in mid-April has led to 10,805 'deportable alien arrests' of people who illegally entered the United States from Mexico, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman said Monday.
U.S. judge suspends deportations of reunited immigrant families
A federal judge temporarily barred the U.S. government on Monday from the rapid deportation of immigrant parents reunited with their children, while a court considers the impact on children’s rights to seek asylum.
Christian News
Islamist Violence against Christians in Uganda Injures Pastors, Stops Church Services
In further anti-Christian hostilities in eastern Uganda, Muslims knocked a pastor unconscious at a debate and Islamist threats in another village put a halt to worship services.
Indian Christians Suffer Fifteen Attacks in Fourteen Days
International Christian Concern (ICC) has documented at least 15 separate anti-Christian incidents across India in the past 14 days. These incidents include physical assaults, a church demolition, forced conversions, false accusations of forced conversions, and social boycotts.