Prophecy News Watch - July 18, 2025
Around the World
U.S. Officials Confirm Fordow Nuclear Facility ‘Obliterated,’ While Questions Remain Over Isfahan and Natanz
A new U.S. intelligence assessment reveals that last month's airstrikes against Iran's nuclear infrastructure largely succeeded in destroying the heavily fortified Fordow enrichment facility, while only partially damaging two other sites--Isfahan and Natanz--raising concerns over Iran's ability to resume uranium enrichment within months.
Lightning Strikes Kill in U.S. and Europe Amid Extreme Weather
A series of deadly lightning strikes has claimed lives in the United States and Europe, officials said Thursday, underscoring the dangers of ongoing extreme weather across the Northern Hemisphere.
Iraq Mall Fire Kills Scores Of People
The governor of eastern Iraq’s Wasit province has declared three days of mourning after more than 60 people, including women and children, were killed when a fire destroyed a newly opened shopping mall.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Defends Syrian Druze Amid Sweida Bloodbath; Erdogan Condemns Strikes as ‘Terrorism’
Israel has launched a forceful military intervention in southern Syria aimed at protecting the embattled Druze minority, after more than 500 people were killed in four days of bloody conflict in the province of As-Suwayda. The fighting, sparked by sectarian tensions between Druze militias, Bedouin tribal fighters, and Syrian regime forces, was intensified by alleged atrocities against Druze civilians--prompting Israel to act.
Netanyahu Government Teeters as Shas Ministers Resign over Ultra-Orthodox Draft Dispute, Coalition Reduced to 60 Seats
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition plunged into deeper crisis Wednesday as the ultra-Orthodox Shas party announced its ministers were resigning from the government in protest of the failure to pass legislation exempting yeshiva students from military service. The move, while not an official departure from the coalition, further weakens Netanyahu's grip on power, reducing his effective support in the Knesset to just 60 out of 120 members.
Tensions Rise as U.S. Ambassador Huckabee Blasts Israeli Interior Ministry Over Christian Visa Denials
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has issued a sharply worded letter to Israel's Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, accusing his office of systematically denying visas to Christian groups seeking to visit the Holy Land. The letter, first reported by Channel 12, conveys Huckabee's "profound disappointment" and warns of diplomatic fallout if the issue is not resolved swiftly.
Trump Presses Netanyahu After Israeli Strike on Catholic Church in Gaza Kills Three
U.S. President Donald Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday following a deadly Israeli military strike that hit Gaza's only Roman Catholic church, killing three civilians and wounding several others.
Inside the United States
Senate Slashes $9 Billion in Wasteful Spending, Targeting Foreign Aid and Public Broadcasting in Trump-Backed Rescissions Bill
In a major conservative victory for fiscal responsibility, the U.S. Senate passed a $9 billion rescissions package early Thursday morning, aimed at cutting waste, fraud, and partisan excess from federal spending. The bill, endorsed by President Donald Trump and crafted by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), claws back billions in taxpayer funds from controversial foreign-aid initiatives and public broadcasting outlets long criticized for their liberal bias.
SBA Reverses Biden Ban That Prohibited Faith Organizations Receiving Disaster Relief
The Small Business Administration has established a Center for Faith as well as eliminated the Biden regulation that banned faith organizations from receiving disaster relief.
Illegal Border Crossings Drop To Lowest Level On Record In June, Just Over 25,000
Illegal border crossings dropped to their lowest level in recorded U.S. history in June.
Trump Under Pressure Over Epstein Files Condemns Supporters
In an unprecedented move, U.S. President Donald J. Trump has lashed out against his own supporters who criticize his reluctance to open files related to late American financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Christian News
Concerns Mount Over Six Americans Detained in South Korea for Bible Launch
Concerns are mounting over the fate of six Americans detained in South Korea for attempting to send 1,600 bottles filled with Bibles, rice, $1 bills, and USB drives toward North Korea by sea.
Evangelical Christians Killed In Nigeria
Evangelical Christians in Nigeria’s northwestern Kaduna state were grieving Wednesday after mainly Muslim Fulani herdsmen reportedly killed five believers and injured three others during a church gathering.
U.S. Officials Confirm Fordow Nuclear Facility ‘Obliterated,’ While Questions Remain Over Isfahan and Natanz
A new U.S. intelligence assessment reveals that last month's airstrikes against Iran's nuclear infrastructure largely succeeded in destroying the heavily fortified Fordow enrichment facility, while only partially damaging two other sites--Isfahan and Natanz--raising concerns over Iran's ability to resume uranium enrichment within months.
Lightning Strikes Kill in U.S. and Europe Amid Extreme Weather
A series of deadly lightning strikes has claimed lives in the United States and Europe, officials said Thursday, underscoring the dangers of ongoing extreme weather across the Northern Hemisphere.
Iraq Mall Fire Kills Scores Of People
The governor of eastern Iraq’s Wasit province has declared three days of mourning after more than 60 people, including women and children, were killed when a fire destroyed a newly opened shopping mall.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Defends Syrian Druze Amid Sweida Bloodbath; Erdogan Condemns Strikes as ‘Terrorism’
Israel has launched a forceful military intervention in southern Syria aimed at protecting the embattled Druze minority, after more than 500 people were killed in four days of bloody conflict in the province of As-Suwayda. The fighting, sparked by sectarian tensions between Druze militias, Bedouin tribal fighters, and Syrian regime forces, was intensified by alleged atrocities against Druze civilians--prompting Israel to act.
Netanyahu Government Teeters as Shas Ministers Resign over Ultra-Orthodox Draft Dispute, Coalition Reduced to 60 Seats
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition plunged into deeper crisis Wednesday as the ultra-Orthodox Shas party announced its ministers were resigning from the government in protest of the failure to pass legislation exempting yeshiva students from military service. The move, while not an official departure from the coalition, further weakens Netanyahu's grip on power, reducing his effective support in the Knesset to just 60 out of 120 members.
Tensions Rise as U.S. Ambassador Huckabee Blasts Israeli Interior Ministry Over Christian Visa Denials
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has issued a sharply worded letter to Israel's Interior Minister Moshe Arbel, accusing his office of systematically denying visas to Christian groups seeking to visit the Holy Land. The letter, first reported by Channel 12, conveys Huckabee's "profound disappointment" and warns of diplomatic fallout if the issue is not resolved swiftly.
Trump Presses Netanyahu After Israeli Strike on Catholic Church in Gaza Kills Three
U.S. President Donald Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday following a deadly Israeli military strike that hit Gaza's only Roman Catholic church, killing three civilians and wounding several others.
Inside the United States
Senate Slashes $9 Billion in Wasteful Spending, Targeting Foreign Aid and Public Broadcasting in Trump-Backed Rescissions Bill
In a major conservative victory for fiscal responsibility, the U.S. Senate passed a $9 billion rescissions package early Thursday morning, aimed at cutting waste, fraud, and partisan excess from federal spending. The bill, endorsed by President Donald Trump and crafted by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), claws back billions in taxpayer funds from controversial foreign-aid initiatives and public broadcasting outlets long criticized for their liberal bias.
SBA Reverses Biden Ban That Prohibited Faith Organizations Receiving Disaster Relief
The Small Business Administration has established a Center for Faith as well as eliminated the Biden regulation that banned faith organizations from receiving disaster relief.
Illegal Border Crossings Drop To Lowest Level On Record In June, Just Over 25,000
Illegal border crossings dropped to their lowest level in recorded U.S. history in June.
Trump Under Pressure Over Epstein Files Condemns Supporters
In an unprecedented move, U.S. President Donald J. Trump has lashed out against his own supporters who criticize his reluctance to open files related to late American financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Christian News
Concerns Mount Over Six Americans Detained in South Korea for Bible Launch
Concerns are mounting over the fate of six Americans detained in South Korea for attempting to send 1,600 bottles filled with Bibles, rice, $1 bills, and USB drives toward North Korea by sea.
Evangelical Christians Killed In Nigeria
Evangelical Christians in Nigeria’s northwestern Kaduna state were grieving Wednesday after mainly Muslim Fulani herdsmen reportedly killed five believers and injured three others during a church gathering.