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
Iranian parliament recognizes Jerusalem as 'capital of Palestine'
The Iranian parliament voted to approve a plan on Wednesday that would require the government of Iran to recognize Jerusalem as the permanent capital of the Palestinian people, Iranian news agency Fars reported.
US Imposes Sanctions Against Top North Korean Weapons Makers
The United States has imposed new sanctions on two of North Korea's key figures in its weapons program.
After Islamic State's defeat, a massive bill to rebuild Iraq
The Iraqi government estimates $100 billion is needed nationwide to rebuild cities and towns left in ruins by more than three years of war against the Islamic State group. Local leaders in Mosul, the biggest city held by IS, say that amount is needed to rehabilitate their city alone.
Blast rips through supermarket in Russia's St Petersburg, 10 hurt
A blast ripped through a supermarket in Russia’s St Petersburg on Wednesday evening, injuring at least 10 shoppers, investigators said.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Hezbollah, Syrian forces advance on rebels 7 miles from Israel
Hezbollah and Syrian army forces have reportedly launched an assault on a besieged Syrian rebels’ stronghold some 11 kilometers (6.8 miles) from Israel’s border, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel will not accept Iranian proxies on its frontier.
Israeli security officials warn situation in Gaza may lead to new military conflict
Senior Israeli security officials have told the Security Cabinet that the current situation in Gaza resembles the one that existed just before Operation Protective Edge in 2014, warning that it might lead to a new military conflict with Hamas.
Inside the United States
Brrr! After Record Snow, Bitter Cold Ahead for Northern US
Freezing temperatures and below-zero wind chills socked much of the northern United States on Wednesday, even setting a record in a Minnesota city so cold it's called the Icebox of the Nation, and will stay put for days to come as snow-hardened Erie digs out from a record snowfall.
U.S. holiday sales set to break records in surprise boon to retail
The U.S. holiday shopping season is on track to break sales records on the back of surging consumer confidence and increased use of mobile devices, presenting an unexpected boon for retailers and the delivery companies they rely on.
Christian News
Christians murdered in Nigeria's Kaduna state over Christmas
Fulani herdsmen have launched two attacks on Christian worshippers in Nigeria's Kaduna State in the Christmas period.
Atlanta Fire Chief Fired for Christian Beliefs Wins Victory in Court
Atlanta Fire Chief, Kelvin Cochran claims he was terminated due to his religious beliefs and that his First Amendment rights were violated. However, the City of Atlanta and Mayor Kasim Reed hold firm that Cochran 'was fired because he did not comply with the City’s pre-clearance rules for outside employment and for facilitating a massive public relations campaign against the Mayor and the City.'
Russia establishing permanent presence at two Syrian bases
Russia has begun forming a 'permanent presence' at two military bases in Syria, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said.
Russia Plans National Biometric Database Starting Next Year
Russia will get a country-wide biometric database for financial services starting next summer, the central bank said.
U.S. sanctions North Korean missile experts, Russia offers to mediate
The United States announced sanctions on two North Korean officials behind their country’s ballistic missile program on Tuesday, while Russia reiterated an offer to mediate to ease tensions between Washington and Pyongyang.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF warns Gaza tensions could erupt into new conflict — report
The Israel Defense Forces has reportedly warned senior government ministers the situation in the Gaza Strip is incendiary and could lead to a new round of violence with Hamas.
Hamas ‘Just Waiting for Abbas to Die,’ as Palestinian Unity Deal Falters
Hamas’ latest effort to join a Palestinian unity government is little more than a facade. Instead, the terror group’s top immediate objective is to seize control of Judea and Samaria and turn it into a second Gaza, according to the assessments of Israeli defense experts.
Inside the United States
U.S. appeals court rejects challenge to Trump voter fraud panel
A U.S. appeals court in Washington on Tuesday upheld a lower court’s decision to allow President Donald Trump’s commission investigating voter fraud to request data on voter rolls from U.S. states.
Trump administration set to unveil $1 trillion infrastructure proposal in 2018
The Trump administration is expected to unveil an infrastructure package in the new year, after putting the issue on the sidelines amid other GOP priorities in 2017.
NYC, SF, Philly sue Pentagon over gun-check system
Three cities -- New York City, San Francisco and Philadelphia -- sued the U.S. Department of Defense on Tuesday over what they say are failures in reporting information to the federal database on gun licensing and sales.
Federal agents found fetuses in body broker's warehouse
Federal agents discovered four preserved fetuses in the Detroit warehouse of a man who sold human body parts, confidential photographs reviewed by Reuters show.
Christian News
Texas Church Comes Together for Christmas, Remembers Victims
After facing tragedy less than two months ago, First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas remembered the victims of November's mass shooting in a special Christmas ceremony.
North Korea declares new UN sanctions 'an act of war'
North Korea on Sunday called the latest U.N. sanctions to target the country 'an act of war' that violates its sovereignty, and said it is a 'pipe dream' for the United States to think it will give up its nuclear weapons.
Russia bars Putin challenger from election
Russian election officials on Monday barred opposition leader Alexei Navalny from running against President Vladimir Putin.
Nikki Haley announces $285 million cut to United Nations budget
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley announced Sunday that the United States had slashed the U.N.’s budget by more than $285 million for fiscal 2018.
Russian warships in UK waters keep Royal Navy busy over Christmas
The Royal Navy monitored a series of Russian warships around Britain over Christmas, as the Defence Secretary said Britain would not be intimidated.
Pope Francis laments ‘winds of war’ blowing around the world
Lamenting 'the winds of war' blowing around the world, Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message on Monday called for a two-state solution to find peace in the Middle East and prayed that confrontation can be overcome on the Korean Peninsula.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Syrian, Iranian backed forces advance in border area near northern Israel
Syrian army forces backed by Iranian-backed militias pushed deeper into the last rebel-held enclave near a strategic border area with Israel and Lebanon in a new expansion of Tehran's influence in the war-torn country.
Israel says 10 more countries in talks about moving embassies to Jerusalem
Following Guatemala’s announcement Monday that it would move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, at least 10 other countries are in talks to move their own missions, Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely said.
Top Hamas official says Palestinian unity deal collapsing
Hard-line Hamas Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar said on Thursday that the reconciliation deal with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction was collapsing, just 10 weeks after the agreement was reached.
Guatemala says it’s begun working on moving embassy to Jerusalem
Guatemala’s Foreign Ministry said Monday it had begun working on moving the country’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a day after President Jimmy Morales announced he would follow US President Donald Trump’s controversial lead on the holy city.
Inside the United States
California's monster Thomas fire becomes largest-ever wildfire in state history
Although a cold front and calmer winds have helped aid firefighters, the massive Thomas fire in Southern California now ranks as the state's largest-ever wildfire, Cal Fire said late Friday.
‘It’s time for us to rebuild our country’: Trump hopes to deal with Democrats on infrastructure
The White House on Sunday said President Trump wants to introduce an infrastructure package in January and reach for a deal with Democrats, a pivot toward bipartisanship after Republican-only efforts on health care and taxes produced mixed results this year.
Christian News
India Tightens Christmas Security After Christians Attacked
Christians and others in India celebrated Christmas despite fears of an anti-Christian backlash in some parts of the predominantly Hindu country.