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
Britain files for EU divorce, triggering 2 years to Brexit
Britain formally filed for divorce from the European Union Wednesday, walking out on a 44-year relationship, enacting the decision made by U.K. voters in a referendum nine months ago and launching both Britain and the bloc into uncharted territory. The EU official has received the letter from Britain, setting off the process.
Tension bedeviling Tillerson's Turkey talks
Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson faces what could be the most delicate and complicated diplomatic trip of his tenure so far when he meets Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara Thursday for bilateral talks on Syria, Iraq, the Kurds and Mr. Erdogan's obsession with U.S.-based Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen.
U.S. sees more civilian casualties as campaign against militants intensifies
Surging civilian casualties which have plagued American and coalition commanders in Iraq in recent days could multiply, as the U.S. and its allies head into the most grueling phase of the campaign to liberate Mosul from the Islamic State.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Prepare for battle: Israel, Hezbollah on the path to war
Are Israel and Hezbollah headed for war? That's the question many analysts are grappling with in the wake of recent escalations involving an Israeli strike inside Syria that targeted a weapons shipment meant for Hezbollah. It prompted Bashar Assad's launch of three SA-5 surface-to-air missiles, triggering the first known use of Israel's Arrow-2 missile defense system. The conflagration was noteworthy enough for several Israeli newspapers to describe it as 'the most serious incident' to occur between Israel and forces inside Syria in recent years.

Inside the United States
Obama's rule changes opened door for NSA intercepts of Americans to reach political hands
As his presidency drew to a close, Barack Obama's top aides routinely reviewed intelligence reports gleaned from the National Security Agency's incidental intercepts of Americans abroad, taking advantage of rules their boss relaxed starting in 2011 to help the government better fight terrorism, espionage by foreign enemies and hacking threats, Circa has learned.
Judge maintains broad block on Trump travel ban
A judge in Hawaii has extended a broad block on President Donald Trump's revised travel ban, turning aside pleas from the federal government to narrow or drop an earlier order forbidding the president from implementing key parts of his plan.
US Heroin Epidemic: Use Up 500% In Decade, Dependence Tripled
The number of Americans using heroin has increased five-fold in the last decade and dependence has more than tripled, research conducted at Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health indicated. The study of 43,000 users published Wednesday in JAMA Psychiatry found the increases were greatest among males, whites and those with low income and little education.
Undercover Journalists Now Face Felony Charges for Exposing Planned Parenthood
The two pro-life activists who exposed Planned Parenthood's practice of selling baby body parts are now being charged with 15 felonies for violating the privacy of health care providers.

Christian News
Texas church bus crash: 13 killed, 2 injured in collision with pickup truck
At least 13 people were killed and two others injured in a head-on crash Wednesday between a church bus and pickup truck in southwest Texas, officials said.
Verdict Pending for Four Church of Iran Members
A verdict in the trial of four members of the Church of Iran denomination in Rasht is pending after local authorities decided to refer the case to Tehran.
More than 200 People Killed in Christian Areas of Nasarawa, Nigeria this Year, Group Says
Armed attacks by Muslim Fulani herdsmen on predominantly Christian communities in Nasarawa state this year have left more than 200 people dead and destroyed homes and farms, sources said.
Court Drops Charges of Kidnapping, 'Human Sacrifice' against Evangelist in Uganda
A judge in Uganda last week dropped charges aimed at stirring up Islamist opposition against an evangelist who provides refuge to converts from Islam, sources said.
Today's Breaking News
Around the World
Iran's Rouhani says Syrian peace talks to continue in Kazakhstan
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that Syrian peace talks sponsored by Tehran, Russia and Turkey would continue in Kazakhstan without specifying a date for the next round of negotiations.
Cyclone Debbie: Deadly storm batters Australia
A powerful cyclone has pummelled the north-east Australian coast, causing major damage, torrential rain and power cuts to tens of thousands of homes.
Putin meets Iran's Rouhani as ties deepen
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday was hosting his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani for talks that are being closely watched for signs of their next moves in Syria.
Iran: Russia Can Use Military Bases 'On Case by Case Basis'
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Reuters on Tuesday that Russia could use Iranian military bases to fight terrorists in Syria on a 'case by case basis.'
Quadriplegic man's arm and hand brought back to life by thought-control tech
A quadriplegic man has had his right arm and hand brought back to life with the help of thought-control technology.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Hamas Develops New 'High-Powered' Rocket Similar to Hezbollah Projectiles
amas has produced several dozen short-range rockets that can carry a relatively heavy explosive load, Army Radio reported Tuesday.
Prepare for battle: Israel, Hezbollah on the path to war
Are Israel and Hezbollah headed for war? That's the question many analysts are grappling with in the wake of recent escalations involving an Israeli strike inside Syria that targeted a weapons shipment meant for Hezbollah. It prompted Bashar Assad's launch of three SA-5 surface-to-air missiles, triggering the first known use of Israel's Arrow-2 missile defense system. The conflagration was noteworthy enough for several Israeli newspapers to describe it as 'the most serious incident' to occur between Israel and forces inside Syria in recent years.
Trump's peace envoy meets Abbas on return to region for fresh talks
US President Donald Trump sent his peace envoy back to the Middle East on Tuesday in a move seen as a sign that he intends to make a push for a peace deal.
Netanyahu: Trump Has Already Turned Words of Support for Israel into Actions
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made no mention of a two-state solution during a 10-minute speech broadcast live Monday to the AIPAC annual conference in Washington, a marked departure from his speech to the same group last year.
After Trump's difficult courtship last year, Pence ushers in the AIPAC honeymoon
Vice President Mike Pence arrived at the Verizon Center on Sunday -- speaking, as he said repeatedly, on behalf of the president -- to pledge an 'unbreakable' bond with Israel and a 'nonnegotiable' commitment to its security.
22 ultra-Orthodox men arrested for sex assaults on women, minors
Police on Monday arrested 22 suspects from ultra-Orthodox communities on suspicion they carried out dozens of sex crimes against women and minors over the past two years, but were sheltered from the law by community figures who preferred to deal with the matter in their own way.

Inside the United States
Trump says he expects a health care deal soon
President Donald Trump says he expects to make a deal on health care, even though his first attempt failed just a few days ago.
Trump signs order dismantling Obama-era climate policies
President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an order to undo Obama-era climate change regulations, keeping a campaign promise to support the coal industry and calling into question U.S. support for an international deal to fight global warming.
Senate braces for fallout over Supreme Court fight
Senators in both parties are gearing up for a showdown over Neil Gorsuch's Supreme Court nomination.
NYC vows to fight for sanctuary status
Municipal leaders nationwide vowed to defy any crackdown on sanctuary cities after a warning from Attorney General Jeff Sessions that they could lose federal money for refusing to cooperate with immigration authorities and suggested the government would come after grand money that has already been awarded if they don't comply.
LA mayor vows to fight Trump administration attempt to strip 'sanctuary city' funding
Responding to the latest warnings by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions that Department of Justice funds will be withheld from sanctuary cities, Mayor Eric Garcetti said Monday he will fight efforts by the Trump administration to take away federal funding needed for law enforcement in Los Angeles.
DC Mayor, Police Dept. reiterate District policy of not enforcing civil immigration laws
While announcing the arrest of a man suspected in the murder of a woman in D.C., Acting Metropolitan Police Chief Peter Newsham and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser held to their policy that the District would not enforce U.S. civil immigration laws.
GOP accuses Democrats of blocking closed FBI, NSA testimony on Russia
Republicans charged Tuesday that Democrats are blocking the House Intelligence Committee's investigation into Russia from moving forward by refusing to sign a letter that would officially invite FBI Director James Comey and NSA Director Adm. Mike Rogers back before the committee for closed-door testimony.
Angering Trump, the Freedom Caucus may have overplayed its hand
Republican leaders and rank-and-file members have been grappling with how to handle the House Freedom Caucus since most of them came to Washington in 2010's Tea Party wave. Now that they have defied President Trump, they're hoping he can finally make them fall into line.
California Bill Bans Churches from Enforcing Religious Beliefs
A new California bill could prevent faith-based organizations from enforcing their own ethical standards and codes.
Kushner to lead new WH office focused on using business ideas to fix gov't bureaucracy
Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law and senior adviser, will be tapped to lead a new White House office that will effort to use business solutions to fix 'government stagnation', a senior White House official told Fox News Sunday.

Christian News
Even the Government Admits it: Cuban Churches are Experiencing a Revival
Cuba's churches may still be restricted, but that's not stopping a spiritual revival in the communist nation, one church leader says.
National Geographic Highlights Execution of Bible Translator
The National Geographic Channel takes a powerful look at human history in a new series called, 'Origins: The Journey of Humankind.'
Nigeria: Christians Denied Aid in Refugee Camps
Christians in Nigeria are facing trial upon trial. Not only were hundreds of thousands forced to flee their homes due to terrorist group Boko Haram, but many have been denied sanctuary and aid in displacement camps.
Muslim converts breathe new life into Europe's struggling Christian churches
Christianity is making a comeback in Europe - and it's mostly thanks to Muslims, say experts in Islam and faith leaders.
Today's Breaking News
Around the World
Erdogan says Turkey may hold referendum on EU accession bid
President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday Turkey may hold a second referendum on whether to continue with European Union accession talks, following a planned vote on April 16 that could give him sweeping new powers.
US-backed forces seize Syrian air base from ISIS
U.S.-backed Syrian Kurdish forces captured a strategically important air base from Islamic State (ISIS) militants in north Syria on Sunday in the first major victory for the group since the U.S. airlifted the forces behind enemy lines four days ago.
Iran strikes back at US with 'reciprocal' sanctions
Iran on Sunday sanctioned what it described as 15 American companies, alleging they support terrorism, repression and Israel's occupation of land Palestinians want for a future state, likely in retaliation for sanctions earlier announced by the U.S.
Biggest anti-Kremlin rally in years rocks Russia; opposition leader arrested
Russian authorities detained hundreds of anti-corruption protesters and arrested the nation's leading opposition figure Sunday, as the biggest demonstrations against the Kremlin since 2011 broke out in several cities around the nation.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Abbas to meet Putin in Moscow in May
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is set to fly to Moscow in May to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a month after his expected meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington in April.
Netanyahu: No deal yet with US on settlements
Discussions with Washington over guidelines to govern Israel's construction beyond the Green Line are continuing, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday, refuting various reports over the last few days about the contours of the agreement that indicated the US would demand Israel curtail settlement construction, especially beyond the security fence.
Dermer: For first time in decades, 'no daylight' between US and Israel
In a clearly intended rebuke to former US president Barack Obama, Israel's Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer told a packed crowd at the annual AIPAC policy conference that President Donald Trump's administration has brought a level of closeness between the two allies that has eluded his predecessors.
In letter to Trump, 191 House members urge support for two states
Almost 200 House members sent an open letter to President Donald Trump Friday asking him to reaffirm US support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
20,000 Expected for Pro-Israel Conference In Washington
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee or AIPAC kicks off its annual policy conference in Washington, DC Sunday. The event is both a celebration of the Jewish culture and a pointed effort to bring about changes in U.S. foreign policy.

Inside the United States
House GOP Abruptly Pulls Troubled Health Care Bill
In a humiliating setback, President Donald Trump and GOP leaders pulled their "Obamacare" repeal bill off the House floor Friday after it became clear the measure would fail badly.
Long, drawn out legal fight expected for Trump administration's refugee order
When a federal judge in Hawaii blocked President Trump's revised travel and refugee order from taking effect, he ruled that the president's own comments about the policy proved 'religious animus' was at the heart of the ban.
Trump blames Democrats for GOP health care bill failure, says ObamaCare is 'imploding
President Trump said Friday the White House 'learned a lot about loyalty and the vote-getting process' following the dramatic failure of a Republican-backed bill that would have made good on a campaign promise to repeal and replace ObamaCare.