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
Brazil’s Controversial Lula Sworn In President
Brazil’s controversial leftist leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, was sworn in as president shortly after his predecessor left for the United States amid rising tensions.
Former Pope Benedict XVI Dies At 95
Former Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned as pontiff citing poor health, has died at his Vatican residence, aged 95, the Vatican said Saturday. He died almost a decade after he stood down.
Hezbollah’s Nasrallah suffers second stroke, hospitalized in Beirut – report
Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah was rushed to intensive care after suffering a stroke, according to reports from Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
Vaccine-Evasive Omicron Subvariant on the Rise
The COVID-19 omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 is quickly becoming the dominant strain in the United States. In the past week, it has doubled its spread. Now 41% of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. consist of it.
Scientists Discover 100,000 Viruses Never Seen Before
Scientists have identified more than 100,000 RNA viruses that have never been seen before, a new study has revealed.
Iran holds military exercises near strategically vital Strait of Hormuz
Iran said Friday it has kicked off annual military drills Friday in the critical Strait of Hormuz even as Tehran continues its crackdown on anti-government protests that have spread throughout the country.
Belarus blames Ukraine of firing missile as war escalates (Worthy News Radio)
Belarus has accused neighboring Ukraine of firing an air defense missile into Belarusian territory. The incident raised concerns as Belarus is a close ally of Russia, which invaded Ukraine earlier this year.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Iran bombs mock Israeli navy base in military exercise
Iranian forces holding military drills in the Straits of Hormuz successfully targeted a mock-up of an Israeli base Saturday, according to Iranian media accounts.
Netanyahu pans ‘despicable’ UN vote, says Jews cannot be occupiers in their own land
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the United Nations General Assembly Saturday for a resolution passed the previous day to refer Israel’s “occupation… of Palestinian territory” to the International Court of Justice, accusing the global body of “distorting historical facts” and declaring that the Jewish people cannot be “an occupier” in its own land.
Inside the United States
Ex-President Trump Under Pressure Over Tax Returns
Former U.S. President Donald Trump faced more hurdles on his attempted path to re-election Saturday after Democrats in Congress released thousands of pages of what they view as controversial tax returns.
Violent crime soars in 2022; blame pinned on too few cops, lax prosecutors, more brutal society
Homicide rates dipped in 2022, but violent crimes such as rape, robbery and assault remained dramatically higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic, The Washington Times found in a review of data from police departments across the country.
Abortion doctors can’t be charged under Arizona law, court rules
An Arizona court has ruled that abortion doctors cannot be prosecuted under a pre-statehood law that criminalizes nearly all abortions yet was barred from being enforced for decades.
Earthquake rocks Northern California weeks after different strong quake
A 5.4 magnitude earthquake rocked Humboldt County, California, nearly two weeks after another strong quake hit the same area.
Christian News
Afghanistan Christians Fear Imminent Death
Minority Christians in Afghanistan enter 2023 amid fears that the ruling Taliban group will increase enforcement of “Sharia,” or Islamic, law.
Kirk Cameron’s Christian story hour draws overflow crowd after disagreement with host library
Christian actor Kirk Cameron's debut story hour for his Christian story book drew an overflow crowd to the Indianapolis Public Library.
Nigeria Islamists Burn Homes After Killing Christians
Christians in several parts of Nigeria were reeling Thursday from new attacks by Islamic fighters who reportedly torched homes and killed Christians, including a pregnant woman.
Christian Families Expelled From India Town
Some 13 Christian families in India’s central state of Chhattisgarh spent Christmas outside their homes after being beaten and expelled from a village for refusing to deny their faith in Christ, several sources said.
‘Nigerian Woman Still In Jail For Condemning Christian’s Death’
Christians have appealed for prayers and advocacy on behalf of Rhoda Ya'u Jatau, a woman detained in Nigeria since May for posting protests against the killing of a Christian student on social media.
Brazil’s Controversial Lula Sworn In President
Brazil’s controversial leftist leader Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, was sworn in as president shortly after his predecessor left for the United States amid rising tensions.
Former Pope Benedict XVI Dies At 95
Former Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned as pontiff citing poor health, has died at his Vatican residence, aged 95, the Vatican said Saturday. He died almost a decade after he stood down.
Hezbollah’s Nasrallah suffers second stroke, hospitalized in Beirut – report
Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah was rushed to intensive care after suffering a stroke, according to reports from Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.
Vaccine-Evasive Omicron Subvariant on the Rise
The COVID-19 omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 is quickly becoming the dominant strain in the United States. In the past week, it has doubled its spread. Now 41% of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. consist of it.
Scientists Discover 100,000 Viruses Never Seen Before
Scientists have identified more than 100,000 RNA viruses that have never been seen before, a new study has revealed.
Iran holds military exercises near strategically vital Strait of Hormuz
Iran said Friday it has kicked off annual military drills Friday in the critical Strait of Hormuz even as Tehran continues its crackdown on anti-government protests that have spread throughout the country.
Belarus blames Ukraine of firing missile as war escalates (Worthy News Radio)
Belarus has accused neighboring Ukraine of firing an air defense missile into Belarusian territory. The incident raised concerns as Belarus is a close ally of Russia, which invaded Ukraine earlier this year.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Iran bombs mock Israeli navy base in military exercise
Iranian forces holding military drills in the Straits of Hormuz successfully targeted a mock-up of an Israeli base Saturday, according to Iranian media accounts.
Netanyahu pans ‘despicable’ UN vote, says Jews cannot be occupiers in their own land
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the United Nations General Assembly Saturday for a resolution passed the previous day to refer Israel’s “occupation… of Palestinian territory” to the International Court of Justice, accusing the global body of “distorting historical facts” and declaring that the Jewish people cannot be “an occupier” in its own land.
Inside the United States
Ex-President Trump Under Pressure Over Tax Returns
Former U.S. President Donald Trump faced more hurdles on his attempted path to re-election Saturday after Democrats in Congress released thousands of pages of what they view as controversial tax returns.
Violent crime soars in 2022; blame pinned on too few cops, lax prosecutors, more brutal society
Homicide rates dipped in 2022, but violent crimes such as rape, robbery and assault remained dramatically higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic, The Washington Times found in a review of data from police departments across the country.
Abortion doctors can’t be charged under Arizona law, court rules
An Arizona court has ruled that abortion doctors cannot be prosecuted under a pre-statehood law that criminalizes nearly all abortions yet was barred from being enforced for decades.
Earthquake rocks Northern California weeks after different strong quake
A 5.4 magnitude earthquake rocked Humboldt County, California, nearly two weeks after another strong quake hit the same area.
Christian News
Afghanistan Christians Fear Imminent Death
Minority Christians in Afghanistan enter 2023 amid fears that the ruling Taliban group will increase enforcement of “Sharia,” or Islamic, law.
Kirk Cameron’s Christian story hour draws overflow crowd after disagreement with host library
Christian actor Kirk Cameron's debut story hour for his Christian story book drew an overflow crowd to the Indianapolis Public Library.
Nigeria Islamists Burn Homes After Killing Christians
Christians in several parts of Nigeria were reeling Thursday from new attacks by Islamic fighters who reportedly torched homes and killed Christians, including a pregnant woman.
Christian Families Expelled From India Town
Some 13 Christian families in India’s central state of Chhattisgarh spent Christmas outside their homes after being beaten and expelled from a village for refusing to deny their faith in Christ, several sources said.
‘Nigerian Woman Still In Jail For Condemning Christian’s Death’
Christians have appealed for prayers and advocacy on behalf of Rhoda Ya'u Jatau, a woman detained in Nigeria since May for posting protests against the killing of a Christian student on social media.
Around the World
120 Russian Missiles Fired On Ukraine From Sea, Land
One of Russia’s most extensive bombardments since the war began, was underway in Ukraine on Thursday with missiles fired from the sea and land, injuring several people, authorities said.
Kosovo Serbs To Remove Roadblocks (Worthy News Radio)
osovo's minority Serbs, who blocked roads in the north for 19 days, agreed to remove their barricades from Thursday after bowing to pressure from the United States and European Union to end the worst ethnic tensions in years. Yet distrust remained in the region where Serbia had put its armed forces on high alert ahead of Orthodox Christmas.
Iran’s military begins drill near Strait of Hormuz amid mounting tensions with West
Iran’s army began military exercises Thursday in strategic southern regions east of the Strait of Hormuz, state news agency IRNA reported.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel’s Netanyahu Returns As Premier With Rightwing Cabinet
Benjamin Netanyahu returned as prime minister with the most right-wing government in Israel’s history during a turbulent session of the Knesset, the parliament.
Israel: New right-wing government announces top priority is Jewish settlement expansion in West Bank
In a move that will be widely condemned, Israel’s new right-wing coalition government announced Wednesday that its top priority is to expand Jewish settlements in the disputed areas of the Golan Heights, the West Bank, and east Jerusalem, DW reports.
Targeting Hamas, Hezbollah aerial threats, IDF boosts ‘sling’ system on borders
As the Hezbollah and Hamas terror groups step up their aerial aggression against Israel, using drones and other UAVs in attack and surveillance attempts against the Jewish State, the IDF is expanding its use of the so-called “Sling” system on its borders.
Inside the United States
White House to Jim Jordan, James Comer: Sorry, but you have to restart your oversight requests
The Biden White House launched its first major broadside in response to incoming House Republicans likely to spearhead aggressive oversight of the administration.
Biden signs $1.7 trillion spending bill into law
President Biden on Thursday signed into law Congress’ $1.7 trillion spending bill to fund federal agencies through September.
Biden admin proposes reversing ‘conscience’ protections for healthcare workers over abortion
The Department of Health and Human Service has proposed rescinding Trump-era protections for healthcare workers that barred funding to facilities that required them to perform services contrary to their conscientious objections.
Christian News
China Frees Church Elder, But Online Gathering Interrupted
A Christian leader has been released after spending four years in a Chinese prison for his involvement in a banned church, but concerns remain about other jailed church members, Worthy News learned Thursday.
Nigeria: Fulani herdsmen hack six Christian farmers to death in Benue state
In a years-long spate of deadly attacks, six more Christian farmers in Nigeria’s Benue state were murdered by Fulani Islamic terrorist herdsmen in recent weeks, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.
120 Russian Missiles Fired On Ukraine From Sea, Land
One of Russia’s most extensive bombardments since the war began, was underway in Ukraine on Thursday with missiles fired from the sea and land, injuring several people, authorities said.
Kosovo Serbs To Remove Roadblocks (Worthy News Radio)
osovo's minority Serbs, who blocked roads in the north for 19 days, agreed to remove their barricades from Thursday after bowing to pressure from the United States and European Union to end the worst ethnic tensions in years. Yet distrust remained in the region where Serbia had put its armed forces on high alert ahead of Orthodox Christmas.
Iran’s military begins drill near Strait of Hormuz amid mounting tensions with West
Iran’s army began military exercises Thursday in strategic southern regions east of the Strait of Hormuz, state news agency IRNA reported.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel’s Netanyahu Returns As Premier With Rightwing Cabinet
Benjamin Netanyahu returned as prime minister with the most right-wing government in Israel’s history during a turbulent session of the Knesset, the parliament.
Israel: New right-wing government announces top priority is Jewish settlement expansion in West Bank
In a move that will be widely condemned, Israel’s new right-wing coalition government announced Wednesday that its top priority is to expand Jewish settlements in the disputed areas of the Golan Heights, the West Bank, and east Jerusalem, DW reports.
Targeting Hamas, Hezbollah aerial threats, IDF boosts ‘sling’ system on borders
As the Hezbollah and Hamas terror groups step up their aerial aggression against Israel, using drones and other UAVs in attack and surveillance attempts against the Jewish State, the IDF is expanding its use of the so-called “Sling” system on its borders.
Inside the United States
White House to Jim Jordan, James Comer: Sorry, but you have to restart your oversight requests
The Biden White House launched its first major broadside in response to incoming House Republicans likely to spearhead aggressive oversight of the administration.
Biden signs $1.7 trillion spending bill into law
President Biden on Thursday signed into law Congress’ $1.7 trillion spending bill to fund federal agencies through September.
Biden admin proposes reversing ‘conscience’ protections for healthcare workers over abortion
The Department of Health and Human Service has proposed rescinding Trump-era protections for healthcare workers that barred funding to facilities that required them to perform services contrary to their conscientious objections.
Christian News
China Frees Church Elder, But Online Gathering Interrupted
A Christian leader has been released after spending four years in a Chinese prison for his involvement in a banned church, but concerns remain about other jailed church members, Worthy News learned Thursday.
Nigeria: Fulani herdsmen hack six Christian farmers to death in Benue state
In a years-long spate of deadly attacks, six more Christian farmers in Nigeria’s Benue state were murdered by Fulani Islamic terrorist herdsmen in recent weeks, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.
Around the World
Residents Flee As Russia Attacks Ukraine’s Kherson City (Worthy News Radio)
Russian forces have stepped up mortar and artillery attacks on Kherson city in southern Ukraine, forcing civilians to flee the recently liberated town.
Every planet in the solar system to be visible in rare “planet parade” Wednesday
The planets of the solar system will be lined up in the sky Wednesday night in an astronomical phenomenon, visible from Earth, known as a "planet parade."
Executions in Iran Soar in 2022 Amid Increased Repression, Says Human Rights Group
Executions carried out by the Iranian regime soared by 88 percent in 2022 compared with the previous year, a new report from an Iranian human rights organization has revealed.
Russian, Syrian, Turkish defense ministers meet in Moscow for first talks since 2011
The defense ministers of Russia, Turkey, and Syria met in Moscow on Wednesday, the first such talks since a war broke out in Syria, the Russian defense ministry said.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli Minister Sees Possible Attack on Iran “In Two or Three Years”
Israel could attack Iranian nuclear sites in two or three years, its defense minister said on Wednesday, in unusually explicit comments about a possible timeline.
Secret document reveals: EU will help Arabs take over Area C
A document drafted by the European Commission in Eastern Jerusalem calls for helping the Palestinian Authority actively take control of land in Area C, which is supposed to be under full Israeli control under the Oslo Accords.
Knesset speaker announces that Netanyahu can form government
The incoming coalition will hold a special Knesset plenum on Thursday to ratify the new government, Knesset speaker and Likud MK Yariv Levin officially announced on Monday.
Inside the United States
Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas bused nearly 16,000 migrants to sanctuary cities
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday said his state has bused nearly 16,000 migrants to sanctuary cities since the start of the relocation program in April.
Christian News
World largely silent as thousands of African Christians were butchered this year
The world and the Church were largely silent as almost 6,000 Christians around the globe were murdered by Islamic jihadists in 2022, most of them in Africa, Israeli journalist Hananya Naftali reports for the Christian Post.
Worthy Watch
Making pig livers humanlike in quest to ease organ shortage
The ghostly form floating in a large jar had been the robust reddish-brown of a healthy organ just hours before. Now it’s semitranslucent, white tubes like branches on a tree showing through.
Worthy Insights
Woolly Mammoth Hybrids Could Be Roaming Earth in Just Five Years
Over four billion species are estimated to have walked this planet over the last 3.5 billion years. Ninety-nine percent of them are now gone. But today's researchers are hoping to reintroduce these lost species—or at least something very similar to them—within the next five years.
Residents Flee As Russia Attacks Ukraine’s Kherson City (Worthy News Radio)
Russian forces have stepped up mortar and artillery attacks on Kherson city in southern Ukraine, forcing civilians to flee the recently liberated town.
Every planet in the solar system to be visible in rare “planet parade” Wednesday
The planets of the solar system will be lined up in the sky Wednesday night in an astronomical phenomenon, visible from Earth, known as a "planet parade."
Executions in Iran Soar in 2022 Amid Increased Repression, Says Human Rights Group
Executions carried out by the Iranian regime soared by 88 percent in 2022 compared with the previous year, a new report from an Iranian human rights organization has revealed.
Russian, Syrian, Turkish defense ministers meet in Moscow for first talks since 2011
The defense ministers of Russia, Turkey, and Syria met in Moscow on Wednesday, the first such talks since a war broke out in Syria, the Russian defense ministry said.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli Minister Sees Possible Attack on Iran “In Two or Three Years”
Israel could attack Iranian nuclear sites in two or three years, its defense minister said on Wednesday, in unusually explicit comments about a possible timeline.
Secret document reveals: EU will help Arabs take over Area C
A document drafted by the European Commission in Eastern Jerusalem calls for helping the Palestinian Authority actively take control of land in Area C, which is supposed to be under full Israeli control under the Oslo Accords.
Knesset speaker announces that Netanyahu can form government
The incoming coalition will hold a special Knesset plenum on Thursday to ratify the new government, Knesset speaker and Likud MK Yariv Levin officially announced on Monday.
Inside the United States
Gov. Greg Abbott says Texas bused nearly 16,000 migrants to sanctuary cities
Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday said his state has bused nearly 16,000 migrants to sanctuary cities since the start of the relocation program in April.
Christian News
World largely silent as thousands of African Christians were butchered this year
The world and the Church were largely silent as almost 6,000 Christians around the globe were murdered by Islamic jihadists in 2022, most of them in Africa, Israeli journalist Hananya Naftali reports for the Christian Post.
Worthy Watch
Making pig livers humanlike in quest to ease organ shortage
The ghostly form floating in a large jar had been the robust reddish-brown of a healthy organ just hours before. Now it’s semitranslucent, white tubes like branches on a tree showing through.
Worthy Insights
Woolly Mammoth Hybrids Could Be Roaming Earth in Just Five Years
Over four billion species are estimated to have walked this planet over the last 3.5 billion years. Ninety-nine percent of them are now gone. But today's researchers are hoping to reintroduce these lost species—or at least something very similar to them—within the next five years.