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
Australia hit by ‘one-in-100-year’ floods as hundreds airlifted to safety
A remote region in Australia's outback has been hit by "one-in-100-year" floods which have forced military aircraft to evacuate residents.
U.S. says return to 2015 Iran nuclear deal not at the top of the agenda
The U.S. State Department has admitted that the Biden administration maintains several backdoor methods of communication with the Iranian regime on multiple issues between the two countries, although it denies that a return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal is at the top of the agenda.
US approves over $3 billion in new military aid package for Ukraine
The US has approved a further $3.075bn military aid package for Ukraine to continue to resist the Russian invasion, Army-Technology reports. This latest assistance package is the largest America has designated for Ukraine to date.
Brazil Police Regaining Control Over Protests
Brazilian police began regaining control in the capital of Brasília Monday, where thousands of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro attacked government buildings, including Congress, the presidential palace, and the Supreme Court.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Rebukes U.N., Palestinian Authority for Emergency Session on Temple Mount
Last week, the United Nations Security Council met in an emergency session following the visit of a prominent minister in Benjamin Netanyahu's new government to Jerusalem's Temple Mount. Israeli leaders claim the emergency meeting was another attempt launched by Palestinians to blame Israel for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel Removing Palestinian Flags
Israeli-Palestinian tensions rose further Monday after Israel's new National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, instructed police to remove Palestinian flags from public spaces.
Inside the United States
Atheists refute claims abortion bans violate religious freedom
Atheist pro-life advocates are pushing back against lawsuits alleging that state abortion bans and restrictions violate religious freedom and promote a Christian definition of life, saying that the right to practice one's faith does not justify "human rights violations."
U.S. House to vote on rules that will constrain McCarthy’s power
The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on Monday on the rules that will govern it for the next two years, in a first test of newly elected Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy's ability to wrangle his caucus.
House to Vote on Bill Aimed at Slashing $72 Billion From IRS
The House is set to vote on a bill Monday night that would slash billions from the IRS, fulfilling newly elected GOP Speaker Kevin McCarthy's pledge to cut the agency's funding in an effort to prevent audits on Americans.
Pro-Life Pregnancy Center Begins Own Investigation to Find Terrorists Who Firebombed Facility Last Summer
A New York pro-life pregnancy center is launching its own private investigation to find the group of arsonists who firebombed their facility last June.
Christian News
Iran: Pastor re-arrested and imprisoned, no reason given
A pastor in Iran who is serving a six-year prison sentence on account of his religious activity was suddenly re-arrested on December 26 while on officially approved leave from his jail, Article 18 reports.
Uganda: Pastor in critical condition after poisoning by Muslim extremists
A pastor in western Uganda is still fighting for his life in hospital, weeks after he and a couple he had recently led to Christ were poisoned by local Islamic extremists, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Violent attacks by radicalized Islamists against Christians in Uganda are being increasingly reported, although Muslims are a minority group in the country, and Christianity is legal.
Post-pandemic attendance at worship services has significantly declined, report shows
A new report shows that, while religious identity among US adults has remained “mostly stable” since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Americans who regularly attend worship services has declined significantly, the Washington Times reports. The report was published by the American Enterprise Institute on Thursday.
Australia hit by ‘one-in-100-year’ floods as hundreds airlifted to safety
A remote region in Australia's outback has been hit by "one-in-100-year" floods which have forced military aircraft to evacuate residents.
U.S. says return to 2015 Iran nuclear deal not at the top of the agenda
The U.S. State Department has admitted that the Biden administration maintains several backdoor methods of communication with the Iranian regime on multiple issues between the two countries, although it denies that a return to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal is at the top of the agenda.
US approves over $3 billion in new military aid package for Ukraine
The US has approved a further $3.075bn military aid package for Ukraine to continue to resist the Russian invasion, Army-Technology reports. This latest assistance package is the largest America has designated for Ukraine to date.
Brazil Police Regaining Control Over Protests
Brazilian police began regaining control in the capital of Brasília Monday, where thousands of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro attacked government buildings, including Congress, the presidential palace, and the Supreme Court.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Rebukes U.N., Palestinian Authority for Emergency Session on Temple Mount
Last week, the United Nations Security Council met in an emergency session following the visit of a prominent minister in Benjamin Netanyahu's new government to Jerusalem's Temple Mount. Israeli leaders claim the emergency meeting was another attempt launched by Palestinians to blame Israel for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Israel Removing Palestinian Flags
Israeli-Palestinian tensions rose further Monday after Israel's new National Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, instructed police to remove Palestinian flags from public spaces.
Inside the United States
Atheists refute claims abortion bans violate religious freedom
Atheist pro-life advocates are pushing back against lawsuits alleging that state abortion bans and restrictions violate religious freedom and promote a Christian definition of life, saying that the right to practice one's faith does not justify "human rights violations."
U.S. House to vote on rules that will constrain McCarthy’s power
The U.S. House of Representatives will vote on Monday on the rules that will govern it for the next two years, in a first test of newly elected Republican Speaker Kevin McCarthy's ability to wrangle his caucus.
House to Vote on Bill Aimed at Slashing $72 Billion From IRS
The House is set to vote on a bill Monday night that would slash billions from the IRS, fulfilling newly elected GOP Speaker Kevin McCarthy's pledge to cut the agency's funding in an effort to prevent audits on Americans.
Pro-Life Pregnancy Center Begins Own Investigation to Find Terrorists Who Firebombed Facility Last Summer
A New York pro-life pregnancy center is launching its own private investigation to find the group of arsonists who firebombed their facility last June.
Christian News
Iran: Pastor re-arrested and imprisoned, no reason given
A pastor in Iran who is serving a six-year prison sentence on account of his religious activity was suddenly re-arrested on December 26 while on officially approved leave from his jail, Article 18 reports.
Uganda: Pastor in critical condition after poisoning by Muslim extremists
A pastor in western Uganda is still fighting for his life in hospital, weeks after he and a couple he had recently led to Christ were poisoned by local Islamic extremists, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Violent attacks by radicalized Islamists against Christians in Uganda are being increasingly reported, although Muslims are a minority group in the country, and Christianity is legal.
Post-pandemic attendance at worship services has significantly declined, report shows
A new report shows that, while religious identity among US adults has remained “mostly stable” since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of Americans who regularly attend worship services has declined significantly, the Washington Times reports. The report was published by the American Enterprise Institute on Thursday.
Around the World
Kyiv Denies Russia Killed 600 Ukrainian Troops
Wartorn Ukraine denied Sunday that Russia killed hundreds of Ukrainian troops in an attack.
Supporters Ex-Brazil President Storm Congress
Thousands of supporters of Brazil's former rightwing President Jair Bolsonaro invaded the Supreme Court, the Congress building, and surrounded the presidential palace in Brasilia, the capital, several sources confirmed Sunday.
World On Edge As China Travels Despite COVID Fears
Authorities of several nations were on edge Sunday after China began marking “chun yun," the 40-day period of Lunar New Year travel, despite international concerns about the spread of COVID-19 infections.
Germany Prevents ‘Islamist-Motivated’ Attack; Iranian Detained
German authorities say an Iranian man has been detained in western Germany for allegedly plotting an "Islamist-motivated" chemical attack.
EU Condemns Iran Executions
The European Union has condemned Iran after executing two men for their involvement in anti-government protests sparked by the death of a 22-year-old Kurdish woman.
Ukraine Sees First Orthodox Christmas Under Shadow Of War (Worthy News Radio)
Church services have begun in Ukraine to mark the first Orthodox Christmas since Russia invaded the country last year. Believers gathered despite violations of an Orthodox Christmas truce announced by Moscow.
Russia’s Orthodox Christmas Truce Violated
Air raid alerts were heard across Ukraine hours after Russia declared a temporary ceasefire along the Ukrainian frontline to mark Orthodox Christmas.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
US, Israeli Air Forces Practice Joint Flights, Target Strikes in Latest Exercise
The American and Israeli air forces on Thursday wrapped up a drill simulating joint flights and target strikes.
Israeli Jews Support Christians after Church-Run Cemetery Desecrated
Dozens of Jewish Israelis paid a solidarity visit to a Christian cemetery in Jerusalem after it was desecrated, apparently by Orthodox Jews, earlier this week. The incident, which parallels an untold number of descecrations of Jewish graves in Christian countries, has many people in Israel calling for stricter punishment for hate crimes.
Inside the United States
House Speaker fight foreshadows larger debt ceiling battle on the horizon for GOP
The gridlock that paralyzed House Republicans over the past week in their quest to elect a new Speaker could be a foretaste of more to come, with party moderates and conservatives set to tangle in the months to come over raising the debt ceiling and reining in reckless government spending.
Idaho Supreme Court upholds state’s near-total abortion ban
The Idaho Supreme Court on Friday upheld the state's abortion ban, which restricts access to the procedure except in cases of rape, incest, or a threat to the life of the mother.
US economy added 223,000 jobs in December, lowest monthly increase in two years
The Labor Department said Friday the U.S. economy added 223,000 jobs in December – the lowest monthly increase in two years.
Kevin Mc Carthy Elected House Speaker After Turbulent Voting
Republican Kevin McCarthy of California won the election early Saturday as the U.S. House of Representatives speaker in a historic five-day battle after making concessions to legislators who questioned his conservative credentials.
Kyiv Denies Russia Killed 600 Ukrainian Troops
Wartorn Ukraine denied Sunday that Russia killed hundreds of Ukrainian troops in an attack.
Supporters Ex-Brazil President Storm Congress
Thousands of supporters of Brazil's former rightwing President Jair Bolsonaro invaded the Supreme Court, the Congress building, and surrounded the presidential palace in Brasilia, the capital, several sources confirmed Sunday.
World On Edge As China Travels Despite COVID Fears
Authorities of several nations were on edge Sunday after China began marking “chun yun," the 40-day period of Lunar New Year travel, despite international concerns about the spread of COVID-19 infections.
Germany Prevents ‘Islamist-Motivated’ Attack; Iranian Detained
German authorities say an Iranian man has been detained in western Germany for allegedly plotting an "Islamist-motivated" chemical attack.
EU Condemns Iran Executions
The European Union has condemned Iran after executing two men for their involvement in anti-government protests sparked by the death of a 22-year-old Kurdish woman.
Ukraine Sees First Orthodox Christmas Under Shadow Of War (Worthy News Radio)
Church services have begun in Ukraine to mark the first Orthodox Christmas since Russia invaded the country last year. Believers gathered despite violations of an Orthodox Christmas truce announced by Moscow.
Russia’s Orthodox Christmas Truce Violated
Air raid alerts were heard across Ukraine hours after Russia declared a temporary ceasefire along the Ukrainian frontline to mark Orthodox Christmas.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
US, Israeli Air Forces Practice Joint Flights, Target Strikes in Latest Exercise
The American and Israeli air forces on Thursday wrapped up a drill simulating joint flights and target strikes.
Israeli Jews Support Christians after Church-Run Cemetery Desecrated
Dozens of Jewish Israelis paid a solidarity visit to a Christian cemetery in Jerusalem after it was desecrated, apparently by Orthodox Jews, earlier this week. The incident, which parallels an untold number of descecrations of Jewish graves in Christian countries, has many people in Israel calling for stricter punishment for hate crimes.
Inside the United States
House Speaker fight foreshadows larger debt ceiling battle on the horizon for GOP
The gridlock that paralyzed House Republicans over the past week in their quest to elect a new Speaker could be a foretaste of more to come, with party moderates and conservatives set to tangle in the months to come over raising the debt ceiling and reining in reckless government spending.
Idaho Supreme Court upholds state’s near-total abortion ban
The Idaho Supreme Court on Friday upheld the state's abortion ban, which restricts access to the procedure except in cases of rape, incest, or a threat to the life of the mother.
US economy added 223,000 jobs in December, lowest monthly increase in two years
The Labor Department said Friday the U.S. economy added 223,000 jobs in December – the lowest monthly increase in two years.
Kevin Mc Carthy Elected House Speaker After Turbulent Voting
Republican Kevin McCarthy of California won the election early Saturday as the U.S. House of Representatives speaker in a historic five-day battle after making concessions to legislators who questioned his conservative credentials.
Around the World
Ukraine Rejects Russia’s Call For Orthodox Christmas Truce
Ukraine on Thursday rejected Russian calls for an Orthodox Christmas cease-fire, the first such truce since war broke out in January.
EU Restricts Chinese Travel Over COVID Fears
Diplomatic tensions were rising Thursday after the European Union “strongly" urged its 27 member states to insist on “negative COVID tests” from Chinese arrivals before they travel.
Russia’s Putin Facing More Embarrassment After Deadly Strike (Worthy News Radio)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin faced more embarrassment Wednesday after one of his senior generals admitted that the unauthorized use of mobile phones caused one of Ukraine's deadliest attacks against Russian troops.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Oman parliament votes to criminalize normal relations with Israel
Dashing hopes that Oman will become the next Arab state to normalize relations with Israel, the Omani parliament on Friday went so far as to criminalize relations or interactions with “the Zionist entity,” the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
Israel: Increased number of IDF soldiers killed or committed suicide in 2022
An increased number of soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces were killed in uniform or died by suicide in 2022 compared to the previous year, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Survey shows 40% of Israeli Americans will settle in the US
A new survey by the Israeli American Council (IAC) shows that 40% of Israeli-Americans plan to settle in the US and not return to live in Israel, the Jerusalem Post reports. According to the IAC, there are currently 800,000 Israeli citizens and their families living in the US.
Jordanian lawmaker threatens suicide bombings in defense of Al Aqsa mosque following Ben-Gvir visit
Outraged that Israel's new National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount in Jerusalem this week, Jordanian lawmaker Yanal Abd al-Salam Nour al-Din al-Fraihat stated the following day that his countrymen would become "suicide bombers" in defense of Palestine and the Al Aqsa Mosque, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
Inside the United States
South Carolina Supreme Court strikes down ‘heartbeat’ abortion ban
The South Carolina Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a ban on abortion after cardiac activity is detected - typically around six weeks - ruling the restriction enacted by the Deep South state violates a state constitutional right to privacy.
McCarthy appeals to holdouts as House sits in limbo
The House sat in limbo for a third day while Republicans scrapped over the speaker’s gavel, but a deal that would end the gridlock has been offered, according to allies of Rep.-elect Kevin McCarthy and sources close to the talks.
Christian News
Iran Detains Christian Converts, Prayers Urged
Iranian Christians requested prayers Thursday for Iranian Pastor Abdolreza (Matthias) Haghnejad and his wife, Anahita (Anna) Khademi, after their detention in northern Iran.
Ukraine Rejects Russia’s Call For Orthodox Christmas Truce
Ukraine on Thursday rejected Russian calls for an Orthodox Christmas cease-fire, the first such truce since war broke out in January.
EU Restricts Chinese Travel Over COVID Fears
Diplomatic tensions were rising Thursday after the European Union “strongly" urged its 27 member states to insist on “negative COVID tests” from Chinese arrivals before they travel.
Russia’s Putin Facing More Embarrassment After Deadly Strike (Worthy News Radio)
Russia's President Vladimir Putin faced more embarrassment Wednesday after one of his senior generals admitted that the unauthorized use of mobile phones caused one of Ukraine's deadliest attacks against Russian troops.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Oman parliament votes to criminalize normal relations with Israel
Dashing hopes that Oman will become the next Arab state to normalize relations with Israel, the Omani parliament on Friday went so far as to criminalize relations or interactions with “the Zionist entity,” the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
Israel: Increased number of IDF soldiers killed or committed suicide in 2022
An increased number of soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces were killed in uniform or died by suicide in 2022 compared to the previous year, the Jerusalem Post reports.
Survey shows 40% of Israeli Americans will settle in the US
A new survey by the Israeli American Council (IAC) shows that 40% of Israeli-Americans plan to settle in the US and not return to live in Israel, the Jerusalem Post reports. According to the IAC, there are currently 800,000 Israeli citizens and their families living in the US.
Jordanian lawmaker threatens suicide bombings in defense of Al Aqsa mosque following Ben-Gvir visit
Outraged that Israel's new National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visited the Temple Mount in Jerusalem this week, Jordanian lawmaker Yanal Abd al-Salam Nour al-Din al-Fraihat stated the following day that his countrymen would become "suicide bombers" in defense of Palestine and the Al Aqsa Mosque, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
Inside the United States
South Carolina Supreme Court strikes down ‘heartbeat’ abortion ban
The South Carolina Supreme Court on Thursday struck down a ban on abortion after cardiac activity is detected - typically around six weeks - ruling the restriction enacted by the Deep South state violates a state constitutional right to privacy.
McCarthy appeals to holdouts as House sits in limbo
The House sat in limbo for a third day while Republicans scrapped over the speaker’s gavel, but a deal that would end the gridlock has been offered, according to allies of Rep.-elect Kevin McCarthy and sources close to the talks.
Christian News
Iran Detains Christian Converts, Prayers Urged
Iranian Christians requested prayers Thursday for Iranian Pastor Abdolreza (Matthias) Haghnejad and his wife, Anahita (Anna) Khademi, after their detention in northern Iran.