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
Russia deploys advanced stealth jets in Syria with warning aimed at Israel
Russia has deployed two of its most advanced and sophisticated stealth jets in Syria, in a power move likely to draw US criticism, as the Pentagon expressed its alarm earlier this month over recent close calls with Russian planes in the war-torn country.
Trump vows to continue ‘maximum pressure’ on North Korea, but keeps door open for talks
The White House responded cautiously to North Korea’s expression of interest in diplomatic talks with the U.S. Sunday, suggesting the Trump administration may be interested, but remains committed to 'achieving the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.'
Russia sets stage for U.N. veto of western bid to call out Iran
Russia has laid the groundwork for a likely veto on Monday of a British, U.S. and French bid for the United Nations Security Council to call out Iran over its weapons falling into the hands of Yemen’s Houthi group.
Iran says Damascus suburbs assault to continue as fighting rages
Iran said pro-Damascus forces would press ahead with attacks on an insurgent enclave near the Syrian capital, as ground fighting raged on there in defiance of a U.N. resolution demanding a 30-day truce across the country.
Magnitude-7.5 earthquake rattles Papua New Guinea
A large earthquake has struck the middle of Papua New Guinea.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu to invite Trump to inaugurate US embassy in Jerusalem in May
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to invite US President Donald Trump to Israel in May to inaugurate the US embassy, which Washington announced on Friday will be relocated to Jerusalem on Israel’s Independence Day, Hadashot TV news reported on Saturday.
Judge and lawyer Coordinated Ruling in Corruption Probe
A judge presiding over hearings in a major corruption case asked to be removed from her duties after Channel 10 exposed that she had coordinated rulings with a government lawyer working the hearing, the Justice ministry said Sunday.
Poll: Likud gaining strength despite Netanyahu graft allegations
A poll published Saturday showed the ruling Likud party gaining strength despite the graft allegations surrounding its leader, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and well placed to win elections should they be held today.
Oldest Hebrew mention of Jerusalem found on rare papyrus from 7th century BCE
A rare, ancient papyrus dating to the First Temple Period — 2,700 years ago — has been found to bear the oldest known mention of Jerusalem in Hebrew.

Inside the United States
CPAC celebration: Conservatives who doubted Trump now glad they were wrong
A CPAC/Washington Times poll of more than 1,100 attendees found that 93 percent of conservatives approve of the job Mr. Trump has done over his first year in office — up from 86 percent last year.
Democratic rebuttal to GOP House Intelligence memo released
The Democratic rebuttal memo to the Republican House Intelligence Committee memo on alleged government surveillance abuses was released Saturday afternoon after receiving a number of redactions.
At least 4 dead after reported tornadoes, flooding sweep through the South
Three reported tornadoes swept through the South overnight, while flooding and other severe weather also wrecked havoc on the region, resulting in at least four deaths.
Nunes Says Obama was in Cahoots with Russia
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes is blaming former President Obama for being in cahoots with Russia for eight years and setting the stage for orchestrating a conspiracy theory of collusion between Moscow and Donald Trump during the 2016 election.
RNC chair: Raising gun purchase age to 21 is 'on the table'
Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel believes that raising the age to purchase a gun from 18 to 21 is 'on the table' as Republicans toss out potential legislative ideas in response to last week's school shooting in Parkland, Fla.

Christian News
Church Leaders Close the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Tax Protest
The leaders of the major Christian sects in Jerusalem closed the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built on the traditional site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, for several hours on Sunday to protest an Israeli plan to tax their properties.
South Carolina church vandalized with satanic messages, derogatory comments about Billy Graham
Yet another church community in Greenville County went to Sunday service only to be welcomed by satanic messages spray painted on to the church walls, some of it involving Billy Graham.
Christian college wins battle with HHS over birth control mandate
A district court ruled that the federal government can’t force a small Christian college to provide reproductive services such as the morning-after pill in its healthcare plans because it violates the college's religious beliefs.
Around the World
Air strikes again hit Syria's Ghouta, U.N. considers ceasefire resolution
Warplanes pounded the last rebel enclave near Syria’s capital for a fifth day running on Thursday as the U.N. Security Council considered demanding a 30-day ceasefire across the country to allow emergency aid deliveries and medical evacuations.
Russia tests new stealth fighter over war-weary Syrian skies
Russia’s most advanced combat warplane, the Su-57 stealth fighter, appears to have begun trial missions over the war-weary Syrian skies.
Iran signals plan to build nuclear-powered ships
Tehran has told United Nations nuclear inspectors of its plan to build nuclear reactors for ships, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said on Thursday.
Trump administration to target North Korea with new sanctions on Friday
The Trump administration plans to announce on Friday what is being billed as the largest package of sanctions yet against North Korea to increase pressure on Pyongyang for its nuclear and ballistic missile tests, a senior administration official said.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF, US troops get ready for drill to simulate massive missile attack on Israel
The Israeli military on Thursday began its final preparations for a major air defense exercise with the United States, which is set to kick off at the beginning of next month, the army said.
U.N.: Hamas could lose control of Gaza to 'radicals'
'Radical groups,' among them Islamic Jihad, could wrest control of Gaza from Hamas, thereby opening the door for outside forces to control the Strip, UN Special Coordinator to the Middle East Peace Process Nickolay Mladenov warned in Jerusalem on Thursday.
Holding out an olive branch? U.S. lawmakers speak out after being detained on Temple Mount
U.S. Reps. Scott Tipton (R-Colo.) and David B. McKinley (R-W.Va.) no doubt anticipated an eye-opening experience when they visited the Temple Mount on Thursday as part of their current trip to Israel. So imagine their surprise when they were detained by Israel police after an Islamic Waqf official, which administers the Temple Mount, lodged a complaint against them.

Inside the United States
Trump threatens to pull immigration agents out of California due to ‘sanctuary’ status
President Trump voiced frustration Thursday with California’s status as a statewide sanctuary for illegal immigrants, including gang members, and said he’s considering pulling federal immigration enforcement agents out of the state as a response.
Jobless claims plunge to 222,000, second-lowest mark in decades
New applications for unemployment benefits dropped 7,000 to 222,000 in the second full week of February, the Department of Labor reported Thursday, the second-lowest mark of the recovery and a good sign for the economy.
Special counsel Robert Mueller unveils new charges against Paul Manafort, Rick Gates
A federal grand jury in Virginia has approved a new 32-count indictment charging ex-Trump campaign chief Paul Manafort and aid Rick Gates with federal tax and bank fraud allegations.
Not A Single Lawyer Known To Work For Mueller Is A Republican
None of the 16 publicly-confirmed lawyers on special counsel Robert Mueller’s team are registered Republicans, The Daily Caller News Foundation has found.

Christian News
Church Building Demolished in Zanzibar, Tanzania
A congregation on Tanzania’s semi-autonomous island of Zanzibar has been without a place to worship this year after local authorities demolished their church building, the pastor said.
Billy Graham will lie in honor in the US Capitol Rotunda
The Rev. Billy Graham's body will lie in honor in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda next week, the first time a private citizen has been accorded such recognition since civil rights hero Rosa Parks in 2005.
Around the World
Secret Obama-Era Deal With Iran Derails Key Sanctions on Iran’s Propaganda Network
The Trump administration waived key sanctions on Iran's main propaganda network last month, causing outrage among Iranian dissidents and administration insiders who tracked the effort to a little known Obama-era side deal with Iran that bars these sanctions from being implemented, according to multiple sources who spoke to the Washington Free Beacon.
Venezuela evangelical candidate pushes Christian values in midst of crisis
A Venezuelan evangelical pastor who is running for president said on Wednesday that religious leaders have earned the right to enter politics in Latin America due to the failure of politicians in the region, where Protestant candidates are on the rise.
Nigerian army rescues 80 schoolgirls abducted by Boko Haram
The Nigerian army rescued about 80 girls abducted by Boko Haram militants in a raid at a school on Wednesday.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Abbas, Haley Trade Barbs Over Trump’s Israel Stand at UN
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called President Donald Trump’s decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem a 'dangerous' development in a speech before the United Nations, then walked out before U.S. envoy Nikki Haley retorted that 'we will not chase after you.'
Israel, Iran on collision course over Syria
Iran and Israel are on a collision course over Tehran’s expanding footprint in Syria, raising the odds of a direct clash between the region’s two military heavyweights that could quickly draw in other combatants.
‘The Netanyahu age is over’: Opposition preps for early election
The Zionist Union and Meretz took moves on Wednesday to prepare for an early election, in light of the breakneck developments in corruption scandals involving Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Israel thwarted 'Islamic State' plot to blow up plane from Australia: Netanyahu
In a speech to US Jewish leaders in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday his country's elite military intelligence unit had prevented the bombing of an 'Australian airliner.'

Inside the United States
Colorado Democrats defeat Columbine survivor’s bill allowing concealed carry in schools
Colorado Democrats defeated a bill Wednesday to remove restrictions on concealed-carry in K-12 public schools, a measure introduced by a Columbine survivor aimed at providing another line of defense against mass shootings.
Students Across US Stage Walkouts to Protest Gun Violence
In a wave of demonstrations reaching from Arizona to Maine, students at dozens of U.S. high schools walked out of class on Wednesday to protest gun violence and honor the victims of last week’s deadly shooting in Florida.
Parkland Shooting: Deputies will carry rifles on school grounds, Broward sheriff says
A week after the massacre at a Florida high school that left 17 people dead, the sheriff in charge of investigating the shooting has ordered deputies to carry rifles on school grounds 'from this point forward.'

Christian News
Billy Graham Dies at 99
Billy Graham died Wednesday at the age of 99. The world renowned evangelist, who has been listed on Gallup's most admired list 61 times since 1955 — more than any other person — passed away peacefully at his home in Montreat, North Carolina, after struggling with various health problems linked to his advanced age.
For decades Graham offered counsel and comfort to presidents
He was rebuffed, then embraced, by Harry Truman. Confided in — and deeply hurt by — Richard Nixon. A source of reassurance for George H.W. Bush on the eve of war. The spark that finally turned George W. Bush toward sobriety.
US Evangelical Leaders and Megachurch Pastors Visit Jerusalem, Pray in Magdala
More than a dozen evangelical leaders and megachurch pastors from the United States have come together in the biblical city of Jerusalem this week to meet with political, religious and business leaders and to experience parts of Israel they have never seen before.