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?"
Today's Breaking News
Around the World
Iran: If US imposes war, Israel, Gulf states will be destroyed
The election of Donald Trump has led to unease in the Middle East over threats to peace in the region and any war would lead to the destruction of Israel and the Gulf states, Iran’s Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan warned Sunday.
Russia Tests Nuclear-Capable Drone Sub
Russia conducted a test of a revolutionary nuclear-capable drone submarine that poses a major strategic threat to U.S. ports and harbors.
Fukushima radiation reaches United States shores for first time
For the first time since the nuclear disaster in 2011, radiation from Japan's Fukushima plant has reached the West Coast of the United States, according to a researcher.
Turkey bombing: 235 people detained in anti-terrorism raids
Turkey's police rounded up more than 200 members of a Kurdish political party on Monday as the country mourned the dozens killed in a bombing attack near an Istanbul soccer stadium, state media reported.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu says he hopes to work with Trump to undo Iran deal
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he believes US President-elect Donald Trump will be a good friend to Israel and hopes the two countries can work together to dismantle the international nuclear agreement with Iran.
In historic milestone, most advanced fighter jet in world to arrive in Israel
The most advanced fighter jet in the world arrives in Israel on Monday, in what is seen as a major milestone in Israeli air force history.
Lapid: We need to build a high wall and get the Palestinians out of our sight
Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid called Saturday for Israel to separate entirely from the Palestinians, as he presented himself as the sole viable alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
PA ministers secretly hope there won't be Palestinian state, deputy minister claims
There are ministers in the Palestinian Authority secretly hoping that a Palestinian state won’t be established, Deputy Minister of Regional Cooperation Ayoub Kara said on Sunday night.
Israel foiled chemical weapons' delivery to Hezbollah, defector says
Israel has foiled attempts to transfer a portion of Syrian President Bashar Assad's chemical weapons stockpile, which he had committed to destroying, to Hezbollah, according to a senior Hezbollah defector quoted over the weekend by the Kuwaiti newspaper Al Rai.
Inside the United States
Northeast Braces for Winter Storm That Hit Plains, Midwest
Millions of people were bracing Monday for a week of hazardous conditions from bitterly cold temperatures and a snowstorm that already caused travel chaos.
Reince Priebus named Trump's White House chief of staff
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus will serve as President-elect Donald Trump's chief of staff, Trump's transition organization announced on Sunday afternoon.
Trump confirms Gen. John Kelly as pick for DHS
President-elect Trump early Monday officially announced his plan to nominate retired Gen. John Kelly as the next leader of the Department of Homeland Security.
Terror-linked imam fighting to stay in U.S.
A terror-linked imam who previously was given permission to stay in the United States is facing a further battle, as an appeals court has returned the case to be re-evaluated.
Christian News
Coptic Church Bombing: 'Deadliest Attack' on Egyptian Christians
A bombing at a Coptic cathedral in Egypt has killed at least 25 people and wounded 49 others during Sunday mass.
Trump and Congressional Republicans Hope to Loosen the Muzzle on Churches
Early in his campaign Donald Trump sent a clear signal to evangelicals. 'One of the absolute first things I'm going to do is work on totally knocking out the Johnson Amendment,' Trump promised.
Church collapse in Nigeria reportedly kills at least 200
A church under construction on Nigeria's southern coast collapsed during services, killing at least 200 people, a hospital official said.
How Many Christians Are There In The World This Christmas Season? Christianity Still The Worlds Largest Religion In 2016
For most Christmas season means parties, gifts and some quality time with friends and family. The season is most important for Christians, who believe Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day. Christianity is the largest religion in the world and according to the Pew Research Center, is likely to remain so for the next four decades.
Even if IS ousted, Christians' return to Mosul unlikely
Authors of a report on minority groups in Iraq and Syria say the possible ouster of the radical Islamic State group from the Iraqi city of Mosul won't be enough alone to encourage to Christians who have long faced inter-communal tensions there to return from exile.
Turkey Jails US Pastor for 'Terrorism'
A Turkish judge sent Rev. Andrew Brunson to prison in Izmir today, 64 days after the US pastor and his wife, Norine, were detained on 7 Oct. under Interior Ministry deportation orders.
Around the World
Iran: If US imposes war, Israel, Gulf states will be destroyed
The election of Donald Trump has led to unease in the Middle East over threats to peace in the region and any war would lead to the destruction of Israel and the Gulf states, Iran’s Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan warned Sunday.
Russia Tests Nuclear-Capable Drone Sub
Russia conducted a test of a revolutionary nuclear-capable drone submarine that poses a major strategic threat to U.S. ports and harbors.
Fukushima radiation reaches United States shores for first time
For the first time since the nuclear disaster in 2011, radiation from Japan's Fukushima plant has reached the West Coast of the United States, according to a researcher.
Turkey bombing: 235 people detained in anti-terrorism raids
Turkey's police rounded up more than 200 members of a Kurdish political party on Monday as the country mourned the dozens killed in a bombing attack near an Istanbul soccer stadium, state media reported.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu says he hopes to work with Trump to undo Iran deal
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he believes US President-elect Donald Trump will be a good friend to Israel and hopes the two countries can work together to dismantle the international nuclear agreement with Iran.
In historic milestone, most advanced fighter jet in world to arrive in Israel
The most advanced fighter jet in the world arrives in Israel on Monday, in what is seen as a major milestone in Israeli air force history.
Lapid: We need to build a high wall and get the Palestinians out of our sight
Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid called Saturday for Israel to separate entirely from the Palestinians, as he presented himself as the sole viable alternative to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
PA ministers secretly hope there won't be Palestinian state, deputy minister claims
There are ministers in the Palestinian Authority secretly hoping that a Palestinian state won’t be established, Deputy Minister of Regional Cooperation Ayoub Kara said on Sunday night.
Israel foiled chemical weapons' delivery to Hezbollah, defector says
Israel has foiled attempts to transfer a portion of Syrian President Bashar Assad's chemical weapons stockpile, which he had committed to destroying, to Hezbollah, according to a senior Hezbollah defector quoted over the weekend by the Kuwaiti newspaper Al Rai.
Inside the United States
Northeast Braces for Winter Storm That Hit Plains, Midwest
Millions of people were bracing Monday for a week of hazardous conditions from bitterly cold temperatures and a snowstorm that already caused travel chaos.
Reince Priebus named Trump's White House chief of staff
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus will serve as President-elect Donald Trump's chief of staff, Trump's transition organization announced on Sunday afternoon.
Trump confirms Gen. John Kelly as pick for DHS
President-elect Trump early Monday officially announced his plan to nominate retired Gen. John Kelly as the next leader of the Department of Homeland Security.
Terror-linked imam fighting to stay in U.S.
A terror-linked imam who previously was given permission to stay in the United States is facing a further battle, as an appeals court has returned the case to be re-evaluated.
Christian News
Coptic Church Bombing: 'Deadliest Attack' on Egyptian Christians
A bombing at a Coptic cathedral in Egypt has killed at least 25 people and wounded 49 others during Sunday mass.
Trump and Congressional Republicans Hope to Loosen the Muzzle on Churches
Early in his campaign Donald Trump sent a clear signal to evangelicals. 'One of the absolute first things I'm going to do is work on totally knocking out the Johnson Amendment,' Trump promised.
Church collapse in Nigeria reportedly kills at least 200
A church under construction on Nigeria's southern coast collapsed during services, killing at least 200 people, a hospital official said.
How Many Christians Are There In The World This Christmas Season? Christianity Still The Worlds Largest Religion In 2016
For most Christmas season means parties, gifts and some quality time with friends and family. The season is most important for Christians, who believe Jesus Christ was born on Christmas Day. Christianity is the largest religion in the world and according to the Pew Research Center, is likely to remain so for the next four decades.
Even if IS ousted, Christians' return to Mosul unlikely
Authors of a report on minority groups in Iraq and Syria say the possible ouster of the radical Islamic State group from the Iraqi city of Mosul won't be enough alone to encourage to Christians who have long faced inter-communal tensions there to return from exile.
Turkey Jails US Pastor for 'Terrorism'
A Turkish judge sent Rev. Andrew Brunson to prison in Izmir today, 64 days after the US pastor and his wife, Norine, were detained on 7 Oct. under Interior Ministry deportation orders.
Today's Breaking News
Around the World
Russia: 'We Are Close' to Deal With US on Aleppo
Russia and the United States are close to reaching an understanding on Syria's Aleppo, the Interfax news agency quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying Thursday.
Death toll in Indonesia earthquake passes 100
The death toll in Indonesia's Aceh province passed 100 early Thursday as a massive search for missing people after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake Wednesday has been mounted in flattened parts of the area.
As Syrian troops gain ground, Aleppo rebels propose truce
Staring a punishing and brutal defeat in the face, several Syrian rebel factions on Wednesday proposed a five-day cease-fire in the eastern part of the city of Aleppo so the wounded, sick and other civilians can be evacuated.
Iowa Gov. Branstad is Trump's pick for ambassador to China
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, the incoming Trump administration's pick for ambassador to China, has long promoted his state's abundant agricultural products to China, but he would be thrust into the middle of increasing talk of a trade war with the United States' largest trading partner.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Hezbollah alleges IAF struck major airfield near Damascus
Arab media alleged Wednesday that Israeli fighter jets struck a major airfield near Damascus. According to reports, the Mezzeh Military Airport was hit around 4 a.m. The reports have not been corroborated by any official government or military source in Israel.
Germany Tells Israel Not to Legalize West Bank Settlements
Germany urged Israel in unusually strong language on Wednesday to scrap legislation that would legalize Israeli settlement homes built on private Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, saying this would break international law.
Netanyahu accepts Paris invite to meet Abbas, if France drops conference
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday accepted French President FranГ§ois Hollande's invitation to meet with him and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris later this month, as long as there is no international conference.
Inside the United States
Federal judge halts recount, sealing Trump's Michigan win
A federal judge who ordered Michigan to begin its recount effectively ended it on Wednesday, tying his decision to a state court ruling that found Green Party candidate Jill Stein had no legal standing to request another look at ballots.
U.S. Senate joins House to pass sweeping new health bill
The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to support sweeping legislation that will reshape the way the Food and Drug Administration approves new medicines.
Trump's EPA Pick Spooks Liberals and the Environmental Lobby
Liberals and the environmental left have gone into a tizzy over the selection of Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt as Donald Trump's pick to head of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Trump Renews Vow to 'Destroy Terrorists, Make America Safe Again'
During the latest stop on Donald Trump's 'thank you' tour, the president-elect reiterated his promise to make America safe and secure again.
Trump stacks top defense posts with retired generals, raising eyebrows
He's not yet finished picking, but President-elect Donald Trump already has named three retired generals to top posts, raising questions as to why there will be so much military brass in cabinet-level jobs.
Christian News
Anti-Discrimination Laws Are Being 'Weaponized' Against Christians, UK Report Warns
A new report on the erosion of religious liberties, such as those seen in several high-profile court cases concerning Christians in the U.K., warns that anti-discrimination laws are being used as a 'weapon,' and could end up suppressing the freedoms of many people in society.
Pearl Harbor attack cited as evangelism catalyst
As Americans commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, some Christians also are remembering a series of evangelistic harvests that emerged from the death and destruction.
Around the World
Russia: 'We Are Close' to Deal With US on Aleppo
Russia and the United States are close to reaching an understanding on Syria's Aleppo, the Interfax news agency quoted Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov as saying Thursday.
Death toll in Indonesia earthquake passes 100
The death toll in Indonesia's Aceh province passed 100 early Thursday as a massive search for missing people after a 6.5-magnitude earthquake Wednesday has been mounted in flattened parts of the area.
As Syrian troops gain ground, Aleppo rebels propose truce
Staring a punishing and brutal defeat in the face, several Syrian rebel factions on Wednesday proposed a five-day cease-fire in the eastern part of the city of Aleppo so the wounded, sick and other civilians can be evacuated.
Iowa Gov. Branstad is Trump's pick for ambassador to China
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, the incoming Trump administration's pick for ambassador to China, has long promoted his state's abundant agricultural products to China, but he would be thrust into the middle of increasing talk of a trade war with the United States' largest trading partner.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Hezbollah alleges IAF struck major airfield near Damascus
Arab media alleged Wednesday that Israeli fighter jets struck a major airfield near Damascus. According to reports, the Mezzeh Military Airport was hit around 4 a.m. The reports have not been corroborated by any official government or military source in Israel.
Germany Tells Israel Not to Legalize West Bank Settlements
Germany urged Israel in unusually strong language on Wednesday to scrap legislation that would legalize Israeli settlement homes built on private Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank, saying this would break international law.
Netanyahu accepts Paris invite to meet Abbas, if France drops conference
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday accepted French President FranГ§ois Hollande's invitation to meet with him and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Paris later this month, as long as there is no international conference.
Inside the United States
Federal judge halts recount, sealing Trump's Michigan win
A federal judge who ordered Michigan to begin its recount effectively ended it on Wednesday, tying his decision to a state court ruling that found Green Party candidate Jill Stein had no legal standing to request another look at ballots.
U.S. Senate joins House to pass sweeping new health bill
The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly on Wednesday to support sweeping legislation that will reshape the way the Food and Drug Administration approves new medicines.
Trump's EPA Pick Spooks Liberals and the Environmental Lobby
Liberals and the environmental left have gone into a tizzy over the selection of Oklahoma attorney general Scott Pruitt as Donald Trump's pick to head of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Trump Renews Vow to 'Destroy Terrorists, Make America Safe Again'
During the latest stop on Donald Trump's 'thank you' tour, the president-elect reiterated his promise to make America safe and secure again.
Trump stacks top defense posts with retired generals, raising eyebrows
He's not yet finished picking, but President-elect Donald Trump already has named three retired generals to top posts, raising questions as to why there will be so much military brass in cabinet-level jobs.
Christian News
Anti-Discrimination Laws Are Being 'Weaponized' Against Christians, UK Report Warns
A new report on the erosion of religious liberties, such as those seen in several high-profile court cases concerning Christians in the U.K., warns that anti-discrimination laws are being used as a 'weapon,' and could end up suppressing the freedoms of many people in society.
Pearl Harbor attack cited as evangelism catalyst
As Americans commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, some Christians also are remembering a series of evangelistic harvests that emerged from the death and destruction.
Today's Breaking News
Around the World
Syrian army on verge of major victory in Aleppo
The Syrian army and its allies made key gains in the embattled city of Aleppo late on Tuesday. President Bashar al-Assad's forces pushed into rebel-held areas of the Old City, essentially driving opposition forces out of their last urban stronghold.
At least 54 killed in Indonesia earthquake
A strong undersea earthquake rocked Indonesia’s Aceh province early Wednesday, killing at least 54 people.
Could the European Union fall apart?
It has been a dreadful year for the European Union. It has just got a lot worse. Next year could transform a looming existential threat into a terminal reality. The end of a joint 60-year project to transform the politics of an entire continent is now a distinct possibility.
Iran's new theme park for children provides uniforms, war games against U.S., Israel
Roller coasters are for the offspring of the 'Great Satan'. Iran's Islamic Republic prefers its kids instead to be 'revolutionaries' who, as early as 8-years-old, are aware of the nation's enemies and how to fight them.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli map reveals thousands of Hezbollah positions along border
The Israeli military on Tuesday posted a map of southern Lebanon to Twitter, on which it marked Hezbollah positions, infrastructure and armaments along a section of the Israeli border.
Israel blamed for strikes on Hezbollah sites near Damascus
Hezbollah sites near the Syrian capital, Damascus, were targeted Tuesday night by airstrikes, killing and injuring a number of fighters in the Shiite militia group, according to Syrian news reports.
Obama: Diplomacy that produced Iran deal needed for Mideast peace
US President Barack Obama touted the effectiveness of the nuclear deal with Iran Tuesday in his final address on national security, and said such feats of diplomacy could be a model by which to achieve Mideast peace.
Comptroller report says Israel has failed to prepare for rocket threat
Israel faces major deficiencies in its preparations for protection against rocket and missile threats posed by Hamas and Hezbollah, State Comptroller Yosef Shapira said in a report released on Tuesday.
Biblical sheep in Israel for first time in millennia
The sheep have landed. After three years of high-level negotiations between the Israeli and Canadian governments, 119 heritage sheep, which trace their lineage back 5,000 years to the Middle East, began arriving in Israel on November 30. It is the first time that the breed, called Jacob's sheep, has been represented in Israel since biblical times.
Netanyahu: Submarines needed to ensure Israel can destroy those threatening it
Israel's military must be strong enough to be able to annihilate anyone who threatens to annihilate the Jewish state, and for that reason is arming itself with weapons such as the F-35 stealth fighters and submarines, the prime minister said on Tuesday.
Inside the United States
Trump Mulls Releasing 'Hidden' Details of Iranian Nuclear Deal
President-elect Donald Trump may release details of the Iranian nuclear deal the Obama administration kept hidden from the public, The Daily Beast reported on Monday.
Trump introduces Mattis as defense secretary nominee at N.C. victory rally
President-elect Donald Trump brought his victory tour to North Carolina Tuesday night, introducing his nominee for Secretary of Defense not far from the country's biggest military base, Fort Bragg.
Japanese tech billionaire Masayoshi Son meets Trump, pledges $50 billion for US
Japanese tech billionaire Masayoshi Son said on Tuesday in New York that he would invest $50 billion in new startups in the United States, and create 50,000 new jobs.
Michigan court shoots down recount request, but it's not over yet
The Michigan Court of Appeals ordered the state's Board of State Canvassers on Tuesday to 'reject the Nov. 30, 2016 petition of former presidential candidate Jill Stein that precipitated the current recount process.' At about the same time, a higher court seemed to be saying, let the recounts roll.
Obama, who illegally invaded Libya, lectures Congress on constitutional war powers
President Obama, who invaded Libya in 2011 without even asking for congressional approval, took the occasion on Tuesday -- in his final 45 days in office -- to lecture Washington about constitutional and democratic conduct of war.
Christian News
Christians Win Nepal's First Anti-Evangelism Case
A court in Nepal has dropped a case against eight Christians, the first religious freedom dispute since the country's new constitution was implemented last year.
Around the World
Syrian army on verge of major victory in Aleppo
The Syrian army and its allies made key gains in the embattled city of Aleppo late on Tuesday. President Bashar al-Assad's forces pushed into rebel-held areas of the Old City, essentially driving opposition forces out of their last urban stronghold.
At least 54 killed in Indonesia earthquake
A strong undersea earthquake rocked Indonesia’s Aceh province early Wednesday, killing at least 54 people.
Could the European Union fall apart?
It has been a dreadful year for the European Union. It has just got a lot worse. Next year could transform a looming existential threat into a terminal reality. The end of a joint 60-year project to transform the politics of an entire continent is now a distinct possibility.
Iran's new theme park for children provides uniforms, war games against U.S., Israel
Roller coasters are for the offspring of the 'Great Satan'. Iran's Islamic Republic prefers its kids instead to be 'revolutionaries' who, as early as 8-years-old, are aware of the nation's enemies and how to fight them.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli map reveals thousands of Hezbollah positions along border
The Israeli military on Tuesday posted a map of southern Lebanon to Twitter, on which it marked Hezbollah positions, infrastructure and armaments along a section of the Israeli border.
Israel blamed for strikes on Hezbollah sites near Damascus
Hezbollah sites near the Syrian capital, Damascus, were targeted Tuesday night by airstrikes, killing and injuring a number of fighters in the Shiite militia group, according to Syrian news reports.
Obama: Diplomacy that produced Iran deal needed for Mideast peace
US President Barack Obama touted the effectiveness of the nuclear deal with Iran Tuesday in his final address on national security, and said such feats of diplomacy could be a model by which to achieve Mideast peace.
Comptroller report says Israel has failed to prepare for rocket threat
Israel faces major deficiencies in its preparations for protection against rocket and missile threats posed by Hamas and Hezbollah, State Comptroller Yosef Shapira said in a report released on Tuesday.
Biblical sheep in Israel for first time in millennia
The sheep have landed. After three years of high-level negotiations between the Israeli and Canadian governments, 119 heritage sheep, which trace their lineage back 5,000 years to the Middle East, began arriving in Israel on November 30. It is the first time that the breed, called Jacob's sheep, has been represented in Israel since biblical times.
Netanyahu: Submarines needed to ensure Israel can destroy those threatening it
Israel's military must be strong enough to be able to annihilate anyone who threatens to annihilate the Jewish state, and for that reason is arming itself with weapons such as the F-35 stealth fighters and submarines, the prime minister said on Tuesday.
Inside the United States
Trump Mulls Releasing 'Hidden' Details of Iranian Nuclear Deal
President-elect Donald Trump may release details of the Iranian nuclear deal the Obama administration kept hidden from the public, The Daily Beast reported on Monday.
Trump introduces Mattis as defense secretary nominee at N.C. victory rally
President-elect Donald Trump brought his victory tour to North Carolina Tuesday night, introducing his nominee for Secretary of Defense not far from the country's biggest military base, Fort Bragg.
Japanese tech billionaire Masayoshi Son meets Trump, pledges $50 billion for US
Japanese tech billionaire Masayoshi Son said on Tuesday in New York that he would invest $50 billion in new startups in the United States, and create 50,000 new jobs.
Michigan court shoots down recount request, but it's not over yet
The Michigan Court of Appeals ordered the state's Board of State Canvassers on Tuesday to 'reject the Nov. 30, 2016 petition of former presidential candidate Jill Stein that precipitated the current recount process.' At about the same time, a higher court seemed to be saying, let the recounts roll.
Obama, who illegally invaded Libya, lectures Congress on constitutional war powers
President Obama, who invaded Libya in 2011 without even asking for congressional approval, took the occasion on Tuesday -- in his final 45 days in office -- to lecture Washington about constitutional and democratic conduct of war.
Christian News
Christians Win Nepal's First Anti-Evangelism Case
A court in Nepal has dropped a case against eight Christians, the first religious freedom dispute since the country's new constitution was implemented last year.