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
Russia open to 'terrorists' attending Syria peace talks
Russia said Tuesday it supports the inclusion of all opposition parties in Syrian peace talks, including representatives of two hard-line Islamic groups, as President Bashar Assad’s troops captured a village north of Syria’s largest city with the aid of Russian airstrikes.
U.S. Spots Russian Commandos in Syria
Russian special operations troops are working covertly in Syria to support an array of Iranian-backed fighters, including members of the international terrorist group Hezbollah, U.S. defense officials and counterterror experts say.
State admits Kerry downplayed Iran's $100 billion payday
The State Department admitted Tuesday that Iran will get about $100 billion in frozen assets under the Iran nuclear agreement, just weeks after Secretary of State John Kerry ridiculed that number as 'fictional.'
N. Korea satellite launch would violate U.N. sanctions
North Korea has announced an imminent satellite launch which is a major violation of United Nations sanctions. This launch comes on the heels of North Korea's recent fourth nuclear test which was also a major violation of the U.N. directive. The world body forbode North Korea from testing ballistic missile technology following its 2012 rocket launch.
Zika virus can be spread by sex, officials now say
The Zika virus, a disease that this week was declared a worldwide health emergency and is widely thought to cause birth defects, is now also known to be spreadable by sexual contact.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Olmert pleads guilty to obstruction of justice
Ex-prime minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday admitted to two counts of obstruction of justice as part of a plea deal after a years-long legal saga. The Jerusalem Magistrates Court judge convicted Olmert on both counts. It was the first time that Olmert admitted to wrongdoing in any of the cases against him.
Poll: Most Frenchmen believe Jews responsible for rise in anti-Semitism
Fully 60 percent of Frenchmen believe that Jews bear at least some responsibility for recent rises in anti-Semitism, according to a new poll by the Ipsos market research firm.
Inside the United States
Democrats foil GOP repeal of Obamacare
House Democrats sustained President Obama's veto of an Obamacare repeal Tuesday, defeating the GOP's deepest salvo yet against the health care law but delivering a rallying cry to conservative Republicans in a pivotal election year.
House OKs bill targeting Iran deal, which Obama vowed to veto
The US House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a Republican-led bill targeting the landmark nuclear agreement with Iran.
The Fed Wants to Test How Banks Would Handle Negative Rates
As interest rates turn negative around the world, the Federal Reserve is asking banks to consider the possibility of the same happening in the U.S.
D.C. might pay criminals for good behavior
The District of Columbia has moved forward on a plan to reward $4.9 million over four years to released criminals who do not become repeat offenders.
Christian News
Sudan: One of two pastors released
Sudanese authorities have released one of two pastors detained in December.
Nigeria: Pastors kidnapped
Two Nigerian pastors have been abducted this month in Kogi state, Nigeria.
Around the World
Russia open to 'terrorists' attending Syria peace talks
Russia said Tuesday it supports the inclusion of all opposition parties in Syrian peace talks, including representatives of two hard-line Islamic groups, as President Bashar Assad’s troops captured a village north of Syria’s largest city with the aid of Russian airstrikes.
U.S. Spots Russian Commandos in Syria
Russian special operations troops are working covertly in Syria to support an array of Iranian-backed fighters, including members of the international terrorist group Hezbollah, U.S. defense officials and counterterror experts say.
State admits Kerry downplayed Iran's $100 billion payday
The State Department admitted Tuesday that Iran will get about $100 billion in frozen assets under the Iran nuclear agreement, just weeks after Secretary of State John Kerry ridiculed that number as 'fictional.'
N. Korea satellite launch would violate U.N. sanctions
North Korea has announced an imminent satellite launch which is a major violation of United Nations sanctions. This launch comes on the heels of North Korea's recent fourth nuclear test which was also a major violation of the U.N. directive. The world body forbode North Korea from testing ballistic missile technology following its 2012 rocket launch.
Zika virus can be spread by sex, officials now say
The Zika virus, a disease that this week was declared a worldwide health emergency and is widely thought to cause birth defects, is now also known to be spreadable by sexual contact.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Olmert pleads guilty to obstruction of justice
Ex-prime minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday admitted to two counts of obstruction of justice as part of a plea deal after a years-long legal saga. The Jerusalem Magistrates Court judge convicted Olmert on both counts. It was the first time that Olmert admitted to wrongdoing in any of the cases against him.
Poll: Most Frenchmen believe Jews responsible for rise in anti-Semitism
Fully 60 percent of Frenchmen believe that Jews bear at least some responsibility for recent rises in anti-Semitism, according to a new poll by the Ipsos market research firm.
Inside the United States
Democrats foil GOP repeal of Obamacare
House Democrats sustained President Obama's veto of an Obamacare repeal Tuesday, defeating the GOP's deepest salvo yet against the health care law but delivering a rallying cry to conservative Republicans in a pivotal election year.
House OKs bill targeting Iran deal, which Obama vowed to veto
The US House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a Republican-led bill targeting the landmark nuclear agreement with Iran.
The Fed Wants to Test How Banks Would Handle Negative Rates
As interest rates turn negative around the world, the Federal Reserve is asking banks to consider the possibility of the same happening in the U.S.
D.C. might pay criminals for good behavior
The District of Columbia has moved forward on a plan to reward $4.9 million over four years to released criminals who do not become repeat offenders.
Christian News
Sudan: One of two pastors released
Sudanese authorities have released one of two pastors detained in December.
Nigeria: Pastors kidnapped
Two Nigerian pastors have been abducted this month in Kogi state, Nigeria.
Today's Breaking News
Around the World
British scientists granted permission to genetically modify human embryos
British scientists have been granted permission to genetically modify human embryos by the fertility regulator.
Company Developing ‘Tech Tattoos’ So People Can Track Their Medical, Financial Info
Software company Chaotic Moon has developed a 'tech tattoo' that gets embedded into a person's arm and can track a person's financial and medical information.
Russia deploys frontline fighter jets to Syria amid Turkish tension
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Monday that Su-35 fighters have been deployed to Hemeimeem air base in Syria. The Su-35 is Russia's most advanced fighter that is fielded in significant numbers. NATO designates the aircraft as the SU-35S Flanker-E.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Leviathan signs first gas deal at $1.3 billion
In a vote of confidence for Israel's natural gas market, the consortium developing Israel's largest gas field Leviathan announced its first sale Sunday, for a whopping $1.3 billion.
Inside the United States
National debt hits $19 trillion
The national debt hit $19 trillion for the first time ever on Friday, and came in at $19.012 trillion.
Legal US pot sales soar to $5.4B in 2015: Report
Legal U.S. pot sales soared to $5.4 billion for 2015, up 17.4 percent from $4.6 billion in 2014, according to data released Monday by the ArcView Group, which tracks the cannabis markets.
U.S. Busts 'Massive' Hezbollah Drug, Money Laundering Scheme
U.S. and European authorities announced on Monday that they had busted a 'massive' drug and money-laundering scheme being operated by the Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah.
U.S. Politics
Values Voters Deliver Iowa for Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz won a major victory in Monday's Iowa caucuses. Polls showed him running behind Donald Trump, who attacked Cruz furiously, calling him a nasty person, a stooge of Goldman Sachs, and, heaven forbid, a Canadian. But Cruz persevered and beat Trump 28 to 24 percent, with Marco Rubio a close third at 23 percent. Cruz's path to the Republican nomination depended on him winning the Iowa caucuses. Well, he won them.
Martin O'Malley Quitting Democratic Race
Former Maryland Gov. Democrat Martin O'Malley is dropping out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday after a poor showing in the Iowa caucuses.
Mike Huckabee Quits GOP Campaign
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said Tuesday that he was quitting the race for the Republican presidential nomination after a dismal showing in the Iowa caucuses.
Ted Cruz Wins Iowa Caucus, Clinton Holds Narrow Lead Over Sanders
Republican Senator Ted Cruz beat billionaire Donald Trump in Iowa on Monday while Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders remained deadlocked in the first presidential nominating contests of the 2016 White House race.
Iowa Democratic Caucus Too Close to Call
Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) were locked in a virtual tie late Monday night, with the Iowa Democratic caucus too close to call.
Christian News
Egyptian Christian students stand trial for insulting Islam
An Egyptian lawyer says three Coptic Christian students face charges of insulting Islam and will stand trial this week after appearing in a video mocking Muslim prayers.
Pastor of China's Largest Megachurch Jailed for Protesting Demolition of Church Crosses
Pastor Gu 'Joseph' Yuese of Hangzhou's Chongyi Church, the largest government-sanctioned church in China, has reportedly been sent to jail for protesting forced removal of church crosses.
Around the World
British scientists granted permission to genetically modify human embryos
British scientists have been granted permission to genetically modify human embryos by the fertility regulator.
Company Developing ‘Tech Tattoos’ So People Can Track Their Medical, Financial Info
Software company Chaotic Moon has developed a 'tech tattoo' that gets embedded into a person's arm and can track a person's financial and medical information.
Russia deploys frontline fighter jets to Syria amid Turkish tension
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said Monday that Su-35 fighters have been deployed to Hemeimeem air base in Syria. The Su-35 is Russia's most advanced fighter that is fielded in significant numbers. NATO designates the aircraft as the SU-35S Flanker-E.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Leviathan signs first gas deal at $1.3 billion
In a vote of confidence for Israel's natural gas market, the consortium developing Israel's largest gas field Leviathan announced its first sale Sunday, for a whopping $1.3 billion.
Inside the United States
National debt hits $19 trillion
The national debt hit $19 trillion for the first time ever on Friday, and came in at $19.012 trillion.
Legal US pot sales soar to $5.4B in 2015: Report
Legal U.S. pot sales soared to $5.4 billion for 2015, up 17.4 percent from $4.6 billion in 2014, according to data released Monday by the ArcView Group, which tracks the cannabis markets.
U.S. Busts 'Massive' Hezbollah Drug, Money Laundering Scheme
U.S. and European authorities announced on Monday that they had busted a 'massive' drug and money-laundering scheme being operated by the Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah.
U.S. Politics
Values Voters Deliver Iowa for Ted Cruz
Ted Cruz won a major victory in Monday's Iowa caucuses. Polls showed him running behind Donald Trump, who attacked Cruz furiously, calling him a nasty person, a stooge of Goldman Sachs, and, heaven forbid, a Canadian. But Cruz persevered and beat Trump 28 to 24 percent, with Marco Rubio a close third at 23 percent. Cruz's path to the Republican nomination depended on him winning the Iowa caucuses. Well, he won them.
Martin O'Malley Quitting Democratic Race
Former Maryland Gov. Democrat Martin O'Malley is dropping out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination Tuesday after a poor showing in the Iowa caucuses.
Mike Huckabee Quits GOP Campaign
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said Tuesday that he was quitting the race for the Republican presidential nomination after a dismal showing in the Iowa caucuses.
Ted Cruz Wins Iowa Caucus, Clinton Holds Narrow Lead Over Sanders
Republican Senator Ted Cruz beat billionaire Donald Trump in Iowa on Monday while Democrats Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders remained deadlocked in the first presidential nominating contests of the 2016 White House race.
Iowa Democratic Caucus Too Close to Call
Hillary Clinton and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) were locked in a virtual tie late Monday night, with the Iowa Democratic caucus too close to call.
Christian News
Egyptian Christian students stand trial for insulting Islam
An Egyptian lawyer says three Coptic Christian students face charges of insulting Islam and will stand trial this week after appearing in a video mocking Muslim prayers.
Pastor of China's Largest Megachurch Jailed for Protesting Demolition of Church Crosses
Pastor Gu 'Joseph' Yuese of Hangzhou's Chongyi Church, the largest government-sanctioned church in China, has reportedly been sent to jail for protesting forced removal of church crosses.
Today's Breaking News
Around the World
ISIS claims bombings that kill dozens, as Kerry pushes 'peaceful' Syria
Hours after an ISIS-claimed triple bombing killed at least 45 in Damascus, Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday addressed the ongoing Syrian conflict, speaking starkly about a humanitarian crisis in which starving villagers have been forced to eat grass and leaves, but also hopefully of creating a 'peaceful, pluralistic Syria.'
Boko Haram burns kids alive in Nigeria, 86 dead
A survivor hidden in a tree says he watched Boko Haram extremists firebomb huts and heard the screams of children burning to death, among 86 people officials say died in the latest attack by Nigeria's homegrown Islamic extremists.
Russian fighter came within 15 feet of U.S. Air Force jet
A Russian fighter jet came within 15 feet of a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance plane over the Black Sea this week in what the Pentagon is calling an 'unsafe' incident, U.S. officials say.
At least 60 killed in terror attack at Shi'ite holy site in Syria
At least 60 people were killed and dozens wounded on Sunday in a terror attack at a southern district of Damascus where Syria's holiest Shi'ite shrine is located.
Iranian leader gives out medals for detention of US sailors
Iran's supreme leader on Sunday awarded 'medals of conquest' to five naval commanders of Iran's Revolutionary Guards for their arrest earlier this month of 10 US sailors whose two vessels strayed into Iranian waters.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
After long fight, activists cheer mixed-gender Western Wall plan
Activists and members of liberal streams of Judaism celebrated a 'historic' compromise officially allowing mixed-gender non-Orthodox Jewish prayer at the Western Wall Sunday, even as ultra-Orthodox and religious nationalist lawmakers came out strongly against the move.
3 soldiers wounded by PA gunman at West Bank checkpoint
Three Israeli soldiers were wounded on Sunday when a member of the Palestinian Authority security forces opened fire at an IDF checkpoint near Beit El in the West Bank. He was shot dead by forces at the scene.
Israeli Archaeologists Uncover Ancient Inscriptions in Jesus' Language
Israeli archeologists unearthed Greek and Aramaic inscriptions in northern Israel, suggesting a Jewish presence in the land dating back to the first century.
Netanyahu threatens to eclipse 2014 war to destroy Gaza tunnels
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded Sunday to critics charging his government was failing to deal with newly dug tunnels under the Israel-Hamas frontier, threatening to blow up the underground passages if need be.
Inside the United States
Obama Pledges $4 Billion to Computer Science in US Schools
President Obama today pledged $4 billion in funding for computer science education in the nation's schools.
The US Mosque Obama Has Chosen For His First Presidential Visit Has Deep Extremist Ties
The Baltimore mosque President Obama has chosen as the first U.S.-based mosque to visit during his presidency has deep ties to extremist elements, including to the Muslim Brotherhood.
U.S. Politics
Donald Trump sweep in Iowa, N.H. would vex Republican establishment
If things break right here — a big if — billionaire businessman Donald Trump is well-positioned to become the first Republican presidential candidate in almost a half-century to string together wins in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary — a feat that would give him momentum in the race and likely lead to an all-hands-on-deck moment for the establishment wing of the party.
State Dept. declares 22 Clinton emails 'top secret'
The State Department said Friday it is withholding 22 emails from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's email account for containing 'top secret' material, and another 18 messages she exchanged with President Obama, saying those are privileged communications.
Bible prominent in final Cruz pitches to voters
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is infusing his closing argument to Iowans with Biblical references as his campaign visits some of the state's conservative strongholds.
Christian News
Expansion of Christian Church in the Birthplace of Confucius Creates Controversy in China
Confucius's hometown, Qufu, knows how to market its most famous native son. Visitors to the city in eastern China's Shandong province can savor Confucian cuisine, worship at a Confucius temple and follow the family tree of the Kong clan, which claims an unbroken lineage going back some 80 generations to the Great Sage himself. The tourist boom has only intensified as China's communist leadership embraces homegrown traditions once derided as feudal relics by the party's revolutionary elders.
Franklin Graham Says He's Trying to Help Both Saeed and Naghmeh Abedini in Difficulty
The Rev. Franklin Graham says that beside Saeed and Naghmeh Abedini themselves, only God knows the details surrounding the issues between them.
Around the World
ISIS claims bombings that kill dozens, as Kerry pushes 'peaceful' Syria
Hours after an ISIS-claimed triple bombing killed at least 45 in Damascus, Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday addressed the ongoing Syrian conflict, speaking starkly about a humanitarian crisis in which starving villagers have been forced to eat grass and leaves, but also hopefully of creating a 'peaceful, pluralistic Syria.'
Boko Haram burns kids alive in Nigeria, 86 dead
A survivor hidden in a tree says he watched Boko Haram extremists firebomb huts and heard the screams of children burning to death, among 86 people officials say died in the latest attack by Nigeria's homegrown Islamic extremists.
Russian fighter came within 15 feet of U.S. Air Force jet
A Russian fighter jet came within 15 feet of a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance plane over the Black Sea this week in what the Pentagon is calling an 'unsafe' incident, U.S. officials say.
At least 60 killed in terror attack at Shi'ite holy site in Syria
At least 60 people were killed and dozens wounded on Sunday in a terror attack at a southern district of Damascus where Syria's holiest Shi'ite shrine is located.
Iranian leader gives out medals for detention of US sailors
Iran's supreme leader on Sunday awarded 'medals of conquest' to five naval commanders of Iran's Revolutionary Guards for their arrest earlier this month of 10 US sailors whose two vessels strayed into Iranian waters.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
After long fight, activists cheer mixed-gender Western Wall plan
Activists and members of liberal streams of Judaism celebrated a 'historic' compromise officially allowing mixed-gender non-Orthodox Jewish prayer at the Western Wall Sunday, even as ultra-Orthodox and religious nationalist lawmakers came out strongly against the move.
3 soldiers wounded by PA gunman at West Bank checkpoint
Three Israeli soldiers were wounded on Sunday when a member of the Palestinian Authority security forces opened fire at an IDF checkpoint near Beit El in the West Bank. He was shot dead by forces at the scene.
Israeli Archaeologists Uncover Ancient Inscriptions in Jesus' Language
Israeli archeologists unearthed Greek and Aramaic inscriptions in northern Israel, suggesting a Jewish presence in the land dating back to the first century.
Netanyahu threatens to eclipse 2014 war to destroy Gaza tunnels
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded Sunday to critics charging his government was failing to deal with newly dug tunnels under the Israel-Hamas frontier, threatening to blow up the underground passages if need be.
Inside the United States
Obama Pledges $4 Billion to Computer Science in US Schools
President Obama today pledged $4 billion in funding for computer science education in the nation's schools.
The US Mosque Obama Has Chosen For His First Presidential Visit Has Deep Extremist Ties
The Baltimore mosque President Obama has chosen as the first U.S.-based mosque to visit during his presidency has deep ties to extremist elements, including to the Muslim Brotherhood.
U.S. Politics
Donald Trump sweep in Iowa, N.H. would vex Republican establishment
If things break right here — a big if — billionaire businessman Donald Trump is well-positioned to become the first Republican presidential candidate in almost a half-century to string together wins in the Iowa caucuses and New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary — a feat that would give him momentum in the race and likely lead to an all-hands-on-deck moment for the establishment wing of the party.
State Dept. declares 22 Clinton emails 'top secret'
The State Department said Friday it is withholding 22 emails from former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's email account for containing 'top secret' material, and another 18 messages she exchanged with President Obama, saying those are privileged communications.
Bible prominent in final Cruz pitches to voters
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is infusing his closing argument to Iowans with Biblical references as his campaign visits some of the state's conservative strongholds.
Christian News
Expansion of Christian Church in the Birthplace of Confucius Creates Controversy in China
Confucius's hometown, Qufu, knows how to market its most famous native son. Visitors to the city in eastern China's Shandong province can savor Confucian cuisine, worship at a Confucius temple and follow the family tree of the Kong clan, which claims an unbroken lineage going back some 80 generations to the Great Sage himself. The tourist boom has only intensified as China's communist leadership embraces homegrown traditions once derided as feudal relics by the party's revolutionary elders.
Franklin Graham Says He's Trying to Help Both Saeed and Naghmeh Abedini in Difficulty
The Rev. Franklin Graham says that beside Saeed and Naghmeh Abedini themselves, only God knows the details surrounding the issues between them.