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
EU Concerned About Iran’s Ambitions
The European Union has warned Iran that its decision to increase uranium enrichment could undermine efforts to keep a nuclear deal alive. The warning comes amid diplomatic efforts to bring the United States back on board under a new administration.
Pompeo: Al-Qaeda has new home base in Iran, threatening region, Abraham Accords
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday accused Iran of harboring al-Qaeda, saying the country has become a “home base” for the terror group.
Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan hold talks on reopening regional transportation routes
Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the Kremlin Monday, to discuss the reopening of transportation routes that were shut down amid the decades-long regional conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, the Associated Press reports. The meeting follows the November 10, 2020 peace deal brokered by Russia which ended 44 days of renewed hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Facebook shuts down “fake accounts” allegedly linked to Ugandan Ministry of Information
Facebook has closed the accounts of a network connected to Uganda’s Ministry of Information on the grounds that the network has been using fake accounts to promote Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) ahead of the country’s December 14 presidential elections, Voice of America (VOA) reports.
WHO team set to arrive in Wuhan to investigate origins of pandemic
A World Health Organization (WHO) team of international experts will fly from Singapore to Wuhan, China on Thursday in order to try and investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, Reuters reports. This mission has been relaunched following a setback last month when China denied entry to two investigators who were then forced to return home.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Syria says Israeli airstrikes hit sites near Iraq border
Israeli airstrikes after midnight Tuesday targeted a number of sites near the Iraqi border, Syrian media reported.
Report: IDF Dropped Warning Leaflets Addressed to Syrian Officer Ahead of Strike
One day after Syrian state media outlets reported Israeli airstrikes in the south of the country, a website aligned with Syrian opposition forces published an image of a warning leaflet ostensibly dropped by the Israeli Defense Forces.
Inside the United States
Supreme Court renews requirement for women to obtain abortion pills in person
The Supreme Court on Tuesday renewed a requirement for women to obtain abortion pills at medical facilities, following a request from the Trump administration.
McConnell said pleased with Trump impeachment as 3 Republicans vow to back move
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell — a crucial ally of US President Donald Trump over four years who defended him during his first impeachment — is pleased about new efforts to impeach him, the New York Times reported Tuesday as several House Republicans said they would vote to remove the president.
Pence rejects invoking 25th Amendment to oust Trump
US Vice President Mike Pence told House leaders Tuesday he does not support invoking the 25th Amendment process to remove Donald Trump, all but guaranteeing an impeachment vote against the besieged president.
Supreme Court Hears Case Over Christian Student Silenced From Sharing Faith at GA College Campus
The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving a Georgia college student who was silenced, more than once, from sharing his Christian faith with fellow students on campus.
US military leaders blast ‘insurrection’ at Capitol
The highest-ranking military general in the US, Mark Milly, along with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, released a statement on Tuesday condemning the violence in the Capitol on Wednesday.
New report shows a decrease in surgical abortion clinics, an increase in abortion pill distribution facilities
A new report by a leading pro-life organization shows there has been an over 35% decline in the number of surgical abortion clinics in the US since 2009, Christian Headlines reports. However, the report shows, the number of facilities where abortion-inducing pills are distributed went up during the same period.
EU Concerned About Iran’s Ambitions
The European Union has warned Iran that its decision to increase uranium enrichment could undermine efforts to keep a nuclear deal alive. The warning comes amid diplomatic efforts to bring the United States back on board under a new administration.
Pompeo: Al-Qaeda has new home base in Iran, threatening region, Abraham Accords
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday accused Iran of harboring al-Qaeda, saying the country has become a “home base” for the terror group.
Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan hold talks on reopening regional transportation routes
Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in the Kremlin Monday, to discuss the reopening of transportation routes that were shut down amid the decades-long regional conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh, the Associated Press reports. The meeting follows the November 10, 2020 peace deal brokered by Russia which ended 44 days of renewed hostilities between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Facebook shuts down “fake accounts” allegedly linked to Ugandan Ministry of Information
Facebook has closed the accounts of a network connected to Uganda’s Ministry of Information on the grounds that the network has been using fake accounts to promote Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) ahead of the country’s December 14 presidential elections, Voice of America (VOA) reports.
WHO team set to arrive in Wuhan to investigate origins of pandemic
A World Health Organization (WHO) team of international experts will fly from Singapore to Wuhan, China on Thursday in order to try and investigate the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, Reuters reports. This mission has been relaunched following a setback last month when China denied entry to two investigators who were then forced to return home.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Syria says Israeli airstrikes hit sites near Iraq border
Israeli airstrikes after midnight Tuesday targeted a number of sites near the Iraqi border, Syrian media reported.
Report: IDF Dropped Warning Leaflets Addressed to Syrian Officer Ahead of Strike
One day after Syrian state media outlets reported Israeli airstrikes in the south of the country, a website aligned with Syrian opposition forces published an image of a warning leaflet ostensibly dropped by the Israeli Defense Forces.
Inside the United States
Supreme Court renews requirement for women to obtain abortion pills in person
The Supreme Court on Tuesday renewed a requirement for women to obtain abortion pills at medical facilities, following a request from the Trump administration.
McConnell said pleased with Trump impeachment as 3 Republicans vow to back move
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell — a crucial ally of US President Donald Trump over four years who defended him during his first impeachment — is pleased about new efforts to impeach him, the New York Times reported Tuesday as several House Republicans said they would vote to remove the president.
Pence rejects invoking 25th Amendment to oust Trump
US Vice President Mike Pence told House leaders Tuesday he does not support invoking the 25th Amendment process to remove Donald Trump, all but guaranteeing an impeachment vote against the besieged president.
Supreme Court Hears Case Over Christian Student Silenced From Sharing Faith at GA College Campus
The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case involving a Georgia college student who was silenced, more than once, from sharing his Christian faith with fellow students on campus.
US military leaders blast ‘insurrection’ at Capitol
The highest-ranking military general in the US, Mark Milly, along with the Joint Chiefs of Staff, released a statement on Tuesday condemning the violence in the Capitol on Wednesday.
New report shows a decrease in surgical abortion clinics, an increase in abortion pill distribution facilities
A new report by a leading pro-life organization shows there has been an over 35% decline in the number of surgical abortion clinics in the US since 2009, Christian Headlines reports. However, the report shows, the number of facilities where abortion-inducing pills are distributed went up during the same period.
Around the World
Iranian nuclear deal must be restored soon, UN atomic watchdog warns
The United Nations’ atomic watchdog chief stressed urgency Monday in reviving an Obama-era nuclear deal aimed at thwarting Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, a report says.
Pompeo, in Tuesday speech, to accuse Iran of al Qaeda links
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plans to use newly declassified U.S. intelligence on Tuesday to publicly accuse Iran of ties to al Qaeda, two people familiar with the matter said, as part of his last-minute offensive against Tehran before handing over to the incoming Biden administration.
Cuba re-added to U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism
The outgoing Trump administration, in one of its last foreign policy acts, is putting Cuba back on the official list of state sponsors of terrorism, reversing an Obama-era decision that aimed to normalize diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the communist island.
Some 80 Die In Indonesian Plane Crash and Landslides
Indonesia was dealing with the aftermath of two significant disasters, including a plane crash and two landslides in which at least nearly 80 people perished.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Germany, France call for 2-states at 67-line, prior to Biden presidency
The United States has an important role to play in relaunching an Israeli-Palestinian peace process that would create a two-state resolution to the conflict at the pre-1967 lines, the Munich Group said in advance of US President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20.
Israel announces highest budget deficit in its history
Israel’s Accountant General announced Monday that the country’s budget deficit for 2020 was $50.4 billion, the highest it has ever been and three times higher than it was in 2019, Ynet News reports. The record figure was largely anticipated in light of the economic devastation wrought during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Egypt, Germany, France, Jordan discuss Israeli-Palestinian talks ahead of Biden inauguration
The foreign ministers of Egypt, Germany, France, and Jordan met in Cairo Monday to discuss reviving Israeli-Palestinian peace talks as US President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office on January 20, the Times of Israel reports.
Inside the United States
As many as 15,000 National Guardsmen could be in U.S. capital for presidential inauguration
As many as 15,000 National Guard members could be deployed in Washington, D.C., for the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration events for Democrat Joe Biden.
Capitol Police chief sought DC National Guard help before riots – but was denied by supervisors: report
The U.S. Capitol Police chief who was in charge during last week’s deadly riots reportedly asked his supervisors ahead of time for permission to request that the D.C. National Guard be on standby if the situation spiraled out of control – but was denied.
Antifa marches through NYC as fears of political violence heighten
Dozens of Antifa protesters wearing helmets and carrying shields marched through New York City on Sunday calling for President Trump to be impeached as fears of political violence continue to heighten.
President Trump approves emergency declaration for DC ahead of inauguration
President Trump on Monday approved an emergency declaration for Washington D.C., and ordered federal assistance to complement the local response ahead of the inauguration as fears of potential violence continue to loom following last week's deadly riot inside the U.S. Capitol.
FBI warns of planned armed protests next week in all 50 US state capitals and DC
The FBI is warning of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington, DC, in the days leading up to US President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, stoking fears of more bloodshed after last week’s deadly siege at the US Capitol.
Democrats Start Removal President Trump
Congressional Democrats began their battle to force President Donald J. Trump from office after rioters last week stormed the US Capitol in a rampage that killed five people.
US Radical Leader Among Rioters In Capitol
The leader of a hardline leftist group has admitted he was among rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol housing Congress in violence that killed 5 people.
Christian News
Pakistan: Christian leader threatened with death for Facebook post criticizing Islam
A Christian lay leader in Pakistan was taken into police custody last month as hundreds of Muslims descended on his Lahore neighborhood threatening to kill him for sharing a post against Islam on his Facebook page, Morning Star News reports. The outraged mob also threatened to burn down homes in Raja Warris’ neighborhood in the Charar area of Lahore, causing Pakistani Christians in the community to flee for their lives.
Cameroon: Boko Haram sends young girl to blow herself up and kill 12 farmers
The Boko Haram Islamic terrorist group sent a young girl to murder 12 farmers in a “suicide” attack in the Mayo Tsanaga area of Northern Cameroon on January 8, 2021, International Christian Persecution (ICC) reports.
Iranian nuclear deal must be restored soon, UN atomic watchdog warns
The United Nations’ atomic watchdog chief stressed urgency Monday in reviving an Obama-era nuclear deal aimed at thwarting Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons, a report says.
Pompeo, in Tuesday speech, to accuse Iran of al Qaeda links
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo plans to use newly declassified U.S. intelligence on Tuesday to publicly accuse Iran of ties to al Qaeda, two people familiar with the matter said, as part of his last-minute offensive against Tehran before handing over to the incoming Biden administration.
Cuba re-added to U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism
The outgoing Trump administration, in one of its last foreign policy acts, is putting Cuba back on the official list of state sponsors of terrorism, reversing an Obama-era decision that aimed to normalize diplomatic relations between the U.S. and the communist island.
Some 80 Die In Indonesian Plane Crash and Landslides
Indonesia was dealing with the aftermath of two significant disasters, including a plane crash and two landslides in which at least nearly 80 people perished.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Germany, France call for 2-states at 67-line, prior to Biden presidency
The United States has an important role to play in relaunching an Israeli-Palestinian peace process that would create a two-state resolution to the conflict at the pre-1967 lines, the Munich Group said in advance of US President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on January 20.
Israel announces highest budget deficit in its history
Israel’s Accountant General announced Monday that the country’s budget deficit for 2020 was $50.4 billion, the highest it has ever been and three times higher than it was in 2019, Ynet News reports. The record figure was largely anticipated in light of the economic devastation wrought during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Egypt, Germany, France, Jordan discuss Israeli-Palestinian talks ahead of Biden inauguration
The foreign ministers of Egypt, Germany, France, and Jordan met in Cairo Monday to discuss reviving Israeli-Palestinian peace talks as US President-elect Joe Biden prepares to take office on January 20, the Times of Israel reports.
Inside the United States
As many as 15,000 National Guardsmen could be in U.S. capital for presidential inauguration
As many as 15,000 National Guard members could be deployed in Washington, D.C., for the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration events for Democrat Joe Biden.
Capitol Police chief sought DC National Guard help before riots – but was denied by supervisors: report
The U.S. Capitol Police chief who was in charge during last week’s deadly riots reportedly asked his supervisors ahead of time for permission to request that the D.C. National Guard be on standby if the situation spiraled out of control – but was denied.
Antifa marches through NYC as fears of political violence heighten
Dozens of Antifa protesters wearing helmets and carrying shields marched through New York City on Sunday calling for President Trump to be impeached as fears of political violence continue to heighten.
President Trump approves emergency declaration for DC ahead of inauguration
President Trump on Monday approved an emergency declaration for Washington D.C., and ordered federal assistance to complement the local response ahead of the inauguration as fears of potential violence continue to loom following last week's deadly riot inside the U.S. Capitol.
FBI warns of planned armed protests next week in all 50 US state capitals and DC
The FBI is warning of plans for armed protests at all 50 state capitals and in Washington, DC, in the days leading up to US President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration, stoking fears of more bloodshed after last week’s deadly siege at the US Capitol.
Democrats Start Removal President Trump
Congressional Democrats began their battle to force President Donald J. Trump from office after rioters last week stormed the US Capitol in a rampage that killed five people.
US Radical Leader Among Rioters In Capitol
The leader of a hardline leftist group has admitted he was among rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol housing Congress in violence that killed 5 people.
Christian News
Pakistan: Christian leader threatened with death for Facebook post criticizing Islam
A Christian lay leader in Pakistan was taken into police custody last month as hundreds of Muslims descended on his Lahore neighborhood threatening to kill him for sharing a post against Islam on his Facebook page, Morning Star News reports. The outraged mob also threatened to burn down homes in Raja Warris’ neighborhood in the Charar area of Lahore, causing Pakistani Christians in the community to flee for their lives.
Cameroon: Boko Haram sends young girl to blow herself up and kill 12 farmers
The Boko Haram Islamic terrorist group sent a young girl to murder 12 farmers in a “suicide” attack in the Mayo Tsanaga area of Northern Cameroon on January 8, 2021, International Christian Persecution (ICC) reports.
Around the World
Thousands of Refugees Stuck in Bitter Balkan Winter
The United Nations says thousands of migrants fleeing war, persecution, and poverty urgently need proper shelter and care in Bosnia-Herzegovina after weeks outdoors in the freezing cold. With authorities declining to open more adequate facilities, many are now sleeping in unheated tents or rough near the northern town of Bihac.
Iran threatens to start enriching uranium to 90 percent: report
Iran warned Thursday that the country could ramp up its uranium enrichment to 90 percent -- just around the weapons-grade level.
Indonesia Plane Carrying Dozens Plunges Into Sea
A passenger plane carrying dozens of passengers plunged into the Java Sea after leaving the Indonesian capital, investigators suggested.
China: New defense law increases military control of war powers, makes it easier to deploy against U.S.
China has amended a defense law to give increased control for its military to the Central Military Commission (CMC) which oversees the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and is chaired by President Xi Jinping, Anti-War reports. The Chinese military can now deploy much more quickly if it wants to challenge US warships that frequently patrol near the Chinese coast.
China builds 135 factories inside Xinjiang detention camps; Rights advocate says ‘stop producing and sourcing from Xinjiang’
A new report by Buzzfeed News reveals that among hundreds of detention camps recently built by China in Xinjiang, at least 135 compounds hold factories where prisoners can be forced to produce goods for export into major supply chains around the world. The report is based on government records, interviews, and hundreds of satellite images, Buzzfeed News said.
WHO Concerned About New COVID Variant
In a controversial move, the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to do more to curb the new COVID-19 variant. The WHO has expressed concern about the rapidly spreading mutation new of the novel coronavirus.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu: We will start vaccinating 170,000 people a day
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday, as a shipment of 700,000 Pfizer COVID vaccines arrived at Ben-Gurion International Airport, that the Pfizer vaccines would continue to arrive, with a "huge" shipment expected.
Netanyahu: Most Israelis will be able to get vaccinated by March
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that most Israelis will be able to get vaccinated by March, with a large shipment of the Pfizer vaccine expected to land in Israel as soon as next week.
Inside the United States
Pelosi push to oust Trump to start with 25th Amendment legislation, then impeachment
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi‘s effort to oust President Trump during his final week in office will be taking a two-pronged approach, first passing legislation trying to force the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment and then advancing to impeachment proceedings.
2 Seattle officers placed on leave in probe into Capitol mob
Seattle’s police chief says two city officers were apparently in Washington, D.C., Wednesday when a violent mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the nation’s Capitol and that an investigation will be launched to find out whether they committed criminal acts.
Justice Department files criminal charges against 13 individuals involved in breach of U.S. Capitol
The Justice Department has charged 13 individuals in federal court in the District of Columbia related to crimes committed on January 6 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., according to a Justice Department press release.
Parler Suspended From Amazon, Apple, Google; CEO Says It’s a ‘Coordinated Attack by the Tech Giants’
Parler, the conservative-leaning social media platform, will been suspended from Amazon's cloud hosting service starting Sunday evening over claims that users were "inciting violence" following last week's protests at the Capitol.
Twitter Bans Trump Amid Social Media Boycott
Social network giant Twitter has permanently banned U.S. President Donald J. Trump because the free world leader allegedly violated its policies by inciting violence.
Pelosi says she’s taken steps to prevent Trump from ‘using the nuclear codes’ and ‘ordering’ strike
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to her House colleagues on Friday detailing efforts to prevent President Trump from "using the nuclear codes" during his final days in office.
Policeman Defending Capitol Dies Of Injuries
A policeman injured while protecting the U.S. Capitol during the riots has died, officials confirmed.
Christian News
India: First Christians arrested and jailed under anti-conversion law in Uttar Pradesh state
The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has charged and jailed its first Christians under a new anti-conversion law, International Christian Concern reports. A Korean Christian and three Indian nationals in the Gautam Buddh Nagar District of Uttar Pradesh were arrested under the new Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Ordinance on December 19, 2020.
Thousands of Refugees Stuck in Bitter Balkan Winter
The United Nations says thousands of migrants fleeing war, persecution, and poverty urgently need proper shelter and care in Bosnia-Herzegovina after weeks outdoors in the freezing cold. With authorities declining to open more adequate facilities, many are now sleeping in unheated tents or rough near the northern town of Bihac.
Iran threatens to start enriching uranium to 90 percent: report
Iran warned Thursday that the country could ramp up its uranium enrichment to 90 percent -- just around the weapons-grade level.
Indonesia Plane Carrying Dozens Plunges Into Sea
A passenger plane carrying dozens of passengers plunged into the Java Sea after leaving the Indonesian capital, investigators suggested.
China: New defense law increases military control of war powers, makes it easier to deploy against U.S.
China has amended a defense law to give increased control for its military to the Central Military Commission (CMC) which oversees the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and is chaired by President Xi Jinping, Anti-War reports. The Chinese military can now deploy much more quickly if it wants to challenge US warships that frequently patrol near the Chinese coast.
China builds 135 factories inside Xinjiang detention camps; Rights advocate says ‘stop producing and sourcing from Xinjiang’
A new report by Buzzfeed News reveals that among hundreds of detention camps recently built by China in Xinjiang, at least 135 compounds hold factories where prisoners can be forced to produce goods for export into major supply chains around the world. The report is based on government records, interviews, and hundreds of satellite images, Buzzfeed News said.
WHO Concerned About New COVID Variant
In a controversial move, the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to do more to curb the new COVID-19 variant. The WHO has expressed concern about the rapidly spreading mutation new of the novel coronavirus.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu: We will start vaccinating 170,000 people a day
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday, as a shipment of 700,000 Pfizer COVID vaccines arrived at Ben-Gurion International Airport, that the Pfizer vaccines would continue to arrive, with a "huge" shipment expected.
Netanyahu: Most Israelis will be able to get vaccinated by March
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that most Israelis will be able to get vaccinated by March, with a large shipment of the Pfizer vaccine expected to land in Israel as soon as next week.
Inside the United States
Pelosi push to oust Trump to start with 25th Amendment legislation, then impeachment
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi‘s effort to oust President Trump during his final week in office will be taking a two-pronged approach, first passing legislation trying to force the Cabinet to invoke the 25th Amendment and then advancing to impeachment proceedings.
2 Seattle officers placed on leave in probe into Capitol mob
Seattle’s police chief says two city officers were apparently in Washington, D.C., Wednesday when a violent mob of President Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the nation’s Capitol and that an investigation will be launched to find out whether they committed criminal acts.
Justice Department files criminal charges against 13 individuals involved in breach of U.S. Capitol
The Justice Department has charged 13 individuals in federal court in the District of Columbia related to crimes committed on January 6 at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., according to a Justice Department press release.
Parler Suspended From Amazon, Apple, Google; CEO Says It’s a ‘Coordinated Attack by the Tech Giants’
Parler, the conservative-leaning social media platform, will been suspended from Amazon's cloud hosting service starting Sunday evening over claims that users were "inciting violence" following last week's protests at the Capitol.
Twitter Bans Trump Amid Social Media Boycott
Social network giant Twitter has permanently banned U.S. President Donald J. Trump because the free world leader allegedly violated its policies by inciting violence.
Pelosi says she’s taken steps to prevent Trump from ‘using the nuclear codes’ and ‘ordering’ strike
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sent a letter to her House colleagues on Friday detailing efforts to prevent President Trump from "using the nuclear codes" during his final days in office.
Policeman Defending Capitol Dies Of Injuries
A policeman injured while protecting the U.S. Capitol during the riots has died, officials confirmed.
Christian News
India: First Christians arrested and jailed under anti-conversion law in Uttar Pradesh state
The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has charged and jailed its first Christians under a new anti-conversion law, International Christian Concern reports. A Korean Christian and three Indian nationals in the Gautam Buddh Nagar District of Uttar Pradesh were arrested under the new Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Ordinance on December 19, 2020.