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
NATO Holding Largest Exercises In Decades As Europe Prepares For War
The NATO military alliance confirmed Thursday that 90,000 troops will participate in its largest exercise since the Cold War to test its ability for an armed conflict with adversaries like Russia.
Iraq Wants US-Led Coalition To Leave
Iraq’s prime minister reiterated Thursday that the current U.S.-led military coalition helping his nation fight Islamic State militants should leave after he earlier expressed outrage about a U.S. airstrike in his nation.
Pakistan Attacks Iran After Missile Strike, Killing Several Civilians
Nuclear-armed Pakistan and increasingly nuclear-capable Iran were dangerously moving toward all-out war Thursday as Pakistan responded to an Iranian missile attack killing at least nine people, several sources said.
China Building Mega Port in South America To Expand Its Silk Road Project
China is building a mega port in Peru to open its silk highway to South America, Reuters News Agency reported.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Hints It Is Attacking Iran
Israel’s prime minister hinted Thursday that Israel has begun attacking Iran to prevent it from further striking the Jewish nation and obtaining nuclear weapons.
Israel Braces For War Against Lebanon’s Hezbollah
Israel on Thursday was bracing for a massive armed confrontation with the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in neighboring Lebanon after warnings from the Israeli army’s chief of staff.
Inside the United States
Speaker to Biden: ‘Any Bill That Does Not … Secure The Border Is Not Acceptable’
President Joe Biden met with Congressional leaders on Wednesday to discuss funding for Ukraine and the U.S. border, among other issues, in a proposed national security supplemental bill.
US Bottled Water Contains Potentially Dangerous Nanoplastics, New Report Shows
While the US Food and Drugs Administration has said it is too early to raise the alarm over the issue, scientists at Columbia University have found that the average liter of bottled water contains over 240,000 potentially dangerous nanoplastics, DailyMail.com reports.
US Christians May Be Barred From Foster Parenting Under New Biden Administration Policy
The Biden administration has introduced a new child welfare policy that may prevent Christians and other persons of faith from becoming foster parents because of their views on LGBTQ issues. Announced by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in September, the policy would prohibit the placement of children with foster parents who refuse to support and affirm transgenderism for minors and/or who believe homosexuality is sinful.
Christian News
Pakistan: Police Refuse To Charge Muslim Who Tried to Rape Heavily Pregnant Christian Woman, Caused Her to Lose the Baby
Police in Punjab Province, Pakistan, have refused to file charges against a Muslim man who attempted to rape a heavily pregnant Christian co-worker and caused her to lose her unborn child in the process, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.
India: Tens of Thousands of Manipur Christians Displaced Amid Conflict
As India’s Manipur state continues to be wracked by over eight months of violence, tens of thousands of Christians from the Kuki-Zo tribal community have now been displaced and at least 80 community members, including women and children, have died due to desperately poor living conditions and lack of healthcare, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Belarus Monitors Priests, Religious Groups
Hundreds of priests in autocratically-ruled Belarus have been warned that state agencies are monitoring them and hundreds of religious communities.
China Detains Elder Of Famed Underground Church in New Crackdown
A Christian advocacy group has urged prayers for Christians facing persecution in China after a church elder of one of China’s largest underground churches was detained for questioning.
NATO Holding Largest Exercises In Decades As Europe Prepares For War
The NATO military alliance confirmed Thursday that 90,000 troops will participate in its largest exercise since the Cold War to test its ability for an armed conflict with adversaries like Russia.
Iraq Wants US-Led Coalition To Leave
Iraq’s prime minister reiterated Thursday that the current U.S.-led military coalition helping his nation fight Islamic State militants should leave after he earlier expressed outrage about a U.S. airstrike in his nation.
Pakistan Attacks Iran After Missile Strike, Killing Several Civilians
Nuclear-armed Pakistan and increasingly nuclear-capable Iran were dangerously moving toward all-out war Thursday as Pakistan responded to an Iranian missile attack killing at least nine people, several sources said.
China Building Mega Port in South America To Expand Its Silk Road Project
China is building a mega port in Peru to open its silk highway to South America, Reuters News Agency reported.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Hints It Is Attacking Iran
Israel’s prime minister hinted Thursday that Israel has begun attacking Iran to prevent it from further striking the Jewish nation and obtaining nuclear weapons.
Israel Braces For War Against Lebanon’s Hezbollah
Israel on Thursday was bracing for a massive armed confrontation with the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia in neighboring Lebanon after warnings from the Israeli army’s chief of staff.
Inside the United States
Speaker to Biden: ‘Any Bill That Does Not … Secure The Border Is Not Acceptable’
President Joe Biden met with Congressional leaders on Wednesday to discuss funding for Ukraine and the U.S. border, among other issues, in a proposed national security supplemental bill.
US Bottled Water Contains Potentially Dangerous Nanoplastics, New Report Shows
While the US Food and Drugs Administration has said it is too early to raise the alarm over the issue, scientists at Columbia University have found that the average liter of bottled water contains over 240,000 potentially dangerous nanoplastics, DailyMail.com reports.
US Christians May Be Barred From Foster Parenting Under New Biden Administration Policy
The Biden administration has introduced a new child welfare policy that may prevent Christians and other persons of faith from becoming foster parents because of their views on LGBTQ issues. Announced by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in September, the policy would prohibit the placement of children with foster parents who refuse to support and affirm transgenderism for minors and/or who believe homosexuality is sinful.
Christian News
Pakistan: Police Refuse To Charge Muslim Who Tried to Rape Heavily Pregnant Christian Woman, Caused Her to Lose the Baby
Police in Punjab Province, Pakistan, have refused to file charges against a Muslim man who attempted to rape a heavily pregnant Christian co-worker and caused her to lose her unborn child in the process, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.
India: Tens of Thousands of Manipur Christians Displaced Amid Conflict
As India’s Manipur state continues to be wracked by over eight months of violence, tens of thousands of Christians from the Kuki-Zo tribal community have now been displaced and at least 80 community members, including women and children, have died due to desperately poor living conditions and lack of healthcare, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Belarus Monitors Priests, Religious Groups
Hundreds of priests in autocratically-ruled Belarus have been warned that state agencies are monitoring them and hundreds of religious communities.
China Detains Elder Of Famed Underground Church in New Crackdown
A Christian advocacy group has urged prayers for Christians facing persecution in China after a church elder of one of China’s largest underground churches was detained for questioning.
Around the World
Britain, US Shooting Down Houthis Drones and Missiles
The United States and Britain confirmed Wednesday that their militaries shot down 21 drones and missiles over the Red Sea launched by Yemen’s Houthis in what London branded the “largest attack” yet by the Iran-backed group.
Hungary Condemns Genocide Court Case Against Israel
Hungary, one of Israel’s closest allies within the European Union, has condemned the “legal attack” launched against Israel for alleged “genocíde” at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands.
Ukraine’s President Rushes To Baltics To Boost Defenses
Ukraine’s president rushed to the Baltics on Wednesday to seek help as his nation faces a barrage of drone and missile attacks that have killed scores of people in recent days.
WEF: ‘AI Threat To Global Economy Bigger Than Climate Change’
The World Economic Forum (WEF) warned Wednesday that “false and misleading information” supercharged by artificial intelligence (AI) is a bigger risk to the global economy now than the reported “climate change.”
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel’s War Cabinet Meets Post-Blinken Visit: Debating ‘Day After’ Strategies
The Israeli war cabinet is set to deliberate a Qatari proposal that would involve the deportation of Hamas leaders and the release of all hostages captured by the terrorist organization in exchange for a full withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from Gaza according to Israeli Channel 13 which cited sources close to officials in Doha, Qatar.
Israel Faces Allegations of Genocide at the International Court of Justice
Israel is preparing for a significant legal battle at The Hague's International Court of Justice, where it faces charges from South Africa of perpetrating genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The case asserts that Israel's military campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip amounts to genocide. Israel has strongly refuted these allegations of genocide.
Inside the United States
Ohio House Votes To Override DeWine’s Transgender Surgery Veto
The Ohio House, dominated by Republicans, easily voted Wednesday afternoon to override Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a bill that bans transgender medical care on minors and requires single-sex athletic teams.
US: Pro-Life Coffee Company Donates Nearly $300,000 To Crisis Pregnancy Centers
A new US coffee company that was established to help vulnerable pregnant women keep their babies has already been able to donate $280,000 to pro-life pregnancy centers across the nation, CBN News reports. The work of pro life crisis pregnancy centers has become all the more imperative since the US Supreme Court in 2022 revoked the federal right to abortion and returned the issue to individual states to decide.
Christian News
Iran: Older Christian Woman To Begin 6-Year Prison Term For Leading a House Church
A 60 year-old Christian woman in Iran has been summoned to begin a six-year prison sentence for promoting “Zionist Christianity” through leading a house-church, Article 18, a London-based group that monitors persecution in Iran, reports.
India: Two Christians Arrested In Uttar Pradesh State For Praying At Home On New Year’s Eve
A Church leader and a fellow Christian man in India’s Uttar Pradesh state have been released on bail pending trial for praying with friends in the pastor’s home on New Year’s Eve, CBN News reports.
Christian Persecution Watchdog Launches First-Ever Global Database Tracking Religious Violence
The US-based Global Christian Relief (GCR) persecution monitoring group has launched the first-ever database tracking incidents of violent religious persecution worldwide, the Christian Post (CP) reports. Intended to be used by anyone advocating or reporting on behalf of the persecuted church, the GCR’s Violent Incidents Database is available to the public.
Britain, US Shooting Down Houthis Drones and Missiles
The United States and Britain confirmed Wednesday that their militaries shot down 21 drones and missiles over the Red Sea launched by Yemen’s Houthis in what London branded the “largest attack” yet by the Iran-backed group.
Hungary Condemns Genocide Court Case Against Israel
Hungary, one of Israel’s closest allies within the European Union, has condemned the “legal attack” launched against Israel for alleged “genocíde” at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands.
Ukraine’s President Rushes To Baltics To Boost Defenses
Ukraine’s president rushed to the Baltics on Wednesday to seek help as his nation faces a barrage of drone and missile attacks that have killed scores of people in recent days.
WEF: ‘AI Threat To Global Economy Bigger Than Climate Change’
The World Economic Forum (WEF) warned Wednesday that “false and misleading information” supercharged by artificial intelligence (AI) is a bigger risk to the global economy now than the reported “climate change.”
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel’s War Cabinet Meets Post-Blinken Visit: Debating ‘Day After’ Strategies
The Israeli war cabinet is set to deliberate a Qatari proposal that would involve the deportation of Hamas leaders and the release of all hostages captured by the terrorist organization in exchange for a full withdrawal of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) from Gaza according to Israeli Channel 13 which cited sources close to officials in Doha, Qatar.
Israel Faces Allegations of Genocide at the International Court of Justice
Israel is preparing for a significant legal battle at The Hague's International Court of Justice, where it faces charges from South Africa of perpetrating genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The case asserts that Israel's military campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip amounts to genocide. Israel has strongly refuted these allegations of genocide.
Inside the United States
Ohio House Votes To Override DeWine’s Transgender Surgery Veto
The Ohio House, dominated by Republicans, easily voted Wednesday afternoon to override Republican Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a bill that bans transgender medical care on minors and requires single-sex athletic teams.
US: Pro-Life Coffee Company Donates Nearly $300,000 To Crisis Pregnancy Centers
A new US coffee company that was established to help vulnerable pregnant women keep their babies has already been able to donate $280,000 to pro-life pregnancy centers across the nation, CBN News reports. The work of pro life crisis pregnancy centers has become all the more imperative since the US Supreme Court in 2022 revoked the federal right to abortion and returned the issue to individual states to decide.
Christian News
Iran: Older Christian Woman To Begin 6-Year Prison Term For Leading a House Church
A 60 year-old Christian woman in Iran has been summoned to begin a six-year prison sentence for promoting “Zionist Christianity” through leading a house-church, Article 18, a London-based group that monitors persecution in Iran, reports.
India: Two Christians Arrested In Uttar Pradesh State For Praying At Home On New Year’s Eve
A Church leader and a fellow Christian man in India’s Uttar Pradesh state have been released on bail pending trial for praying with friends in the pastor’s home on New Year’s Eve, CBN News reports.
Christian Persecution Watchdog Launches First-Ever Global Database Tracking Religious Violence
The US-based Global Christian Relief (GCR) persecution monitoring group has launched the first-ever database tracking incidents of violent religious persecution worldwide, the Christian Post (CP) reports. Intended to be used by anyone advocating or reporting on behalf of the persecuted church, the GCR’s Violent Incidents Database is available to the public.
Around the World
European Central Bank Says Digital Currency Will Compliment Cash
Marking the 25th anniversary of the euro, the European Union's unified currency, Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), highlighted that the development of their Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) is not intended to replace traditional cash, but rather to complement it.
Gunshots Interrupt Live Broadcast Of Ecuador TV
Gunfire interrupted a live television program in violence-torn Ecuador Tuesday as armed men stormed a studio shortly after gangsters vowed a “war” against the president’s plans to reclaim control from “narcoterrorists.”
Denmark Passes Controversial Law That Criminalizes Blasphemy
Denmark has amended its penal code, making it a criminal offense to commit blasphemy, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. The law appears in section 110 of Denmark’s penal code and was passed by the Danish parliament in December 2023.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Dismantles Hamas ‘Military Framework’ in Northern Gaza, IDF Begins Re-Deployment
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the successful dismantlement of Hamas's military infrastructure in the northern region of the Gaza Strip over the past weekend. Following this operation, they have initiated the withdrawal of thousands of their troops from the northern areas of Gaza and continue to "intensify and continue" its military operation in the southern Gaza Strip.
Saudi Arabia Says ‘Absolutely’ Open to Normalization Deal With Israel
Following the war in Gaza, the Saudi ambassador to the United Kingdom revealed in a BBC interview on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia is interested in pursuing a normalization deal with Israel coupled with the establishment of a Palestinian State.
Israel Sees Growing Number Of Christians As Population Set To Surpass 10 Million
The population of Israel is expected to pass 10 million in 2024, including a growing number of Christians, Israel365 News reports. Statistics provided by the Central Bureau of Statistics show that Israel had some 9.842 million citizens at the end of 2023, representing an increase of 1.9% from the year before.
Inside the United States
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Has Prostate Cancer But ‘Prognosis Is Excellent,’ Doctors Say
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has prostate cancer, and his recent secretive hospitalization was for surgery and later to treat a urinary tract infection linked to that operation, but his “prognosis is excellent,” doctors said Tuesday.
US Supreme Court Allows Idaho’s Near-Total Abortion Ban To Proceed Amid Ongoing Legal Battle
The US Supreme Court on Friday ruled that Idaho can implement an abortion ban that could criminalize doctors who perform the procedure in emergency situations, even before a final ruling is given on whether the state’s legislation conflicts with federal law, the Christian Post reports.
Christian News
Nigeria’s Synagogue Church Denies Widespread Abuse By Founder (Worthy News In-Depth)
The Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN), one of the world's largest Christian evangelical churches, denied Tuesday that its late founder was involved in widespread abuse and torture.
Nigeria: Fulani Terrorists Slaughter 41 Christians, Kidnap More In Kaduna State
Suspected Fulani Islamic jihadists slaughtered 41 Christians and kidnapped numerous others in Nigeria’s Kaduna state on Jan. 3, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.
European Central Bank Says Digital Currency Will Compliment Cash
Marking the 25th anniversary of the euro, the European Union's unified currency, Christine Lagarde, President of the European Central Bank (ECB), highlighted that the development of their Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) is not intended to replace traditional cash, but rather to complement it.
Gunshots Interrupt Live Broadcast Of Ecuador TV
Gunfire interrupted a live television program in violence-torn Ecuador Tuesday as armed men stormed a studio shortly after gangsters vowed a “war” against the president’s plans to reclaim control from “narcoterrorists.”
Denmark Passes Controversial Law That Criminalizes Blasphemy
Denmark has amended its penal code, making it a criminal offense to commit blasphemy, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. The law appears in section 110 of Denmark’s penal code and was passed by the Danish parliament in December 2023.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Dismantles Hamas ‘Military Framework’ in Northern Gaza, IDF Begins Re-Deployment
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced the successful dismantlement of Hamas's military infrastructure in the northern region of the Gaza Strip over the past weekend. Following this operation, they have initiated the withdrawal of thousands of their troops from the northern areas of Gaza and continue to "intensify and continue" its military operation in the southern Gaza Strip.
Saudi Arabia Says ‘Absolutely’ Open to Normalization Deal With Israel
Following the war in Gaza, the Saudi ambassador to the United Kingdom revealed in a BBC interview on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia is interested in pursuing a normalization deal with Israel coupled with the establishment of a Palestinian State.
Israel Sees Growing Number Of Christians As Population Set To Surpass 10 Million
The population of Israel is expected to pass 10 million in 2024, including a growing number of Christians, Israel365 News reports. Statistics provided by the Central Bureau of Statistics show that Israel had some 9.842 million citizens at the end of 2023, representing an increase of 1.9% from the year before.
Inside the United States
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin Has Prostate Cancer But ‘Prognosis Is Excellent,’ Doctors Say
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has prostate cancer, and his recent secretive hospitalization was for surgery and later to treat a urinary tract infection linked to that operation, but his “prognosis is excellent,” doctors said Tuesday.
US Supreme Court Allows Idaho’s Near-Total Abortion Ban To Proceed Amid Ongoing Legal Battle
The US Supreme Court on Friday ruled that Idaho can implement an abortion ban that could criminalize doctors who perform the procedure in emergency situations, even before a final ruling is given on whether the state’s legislation conflicts with federal law, the Christian Post reports.
Christian News
Nigeria’s Synagogue Church Denies Widespread Abuse By Founder (Worthy News In-Depth)
The Synagogue Church of all Nations (SCOAN), one of the world's largest Christian evangelical churches, denied Tuesday that its late founder was involved in widespread abuse and torture.
Nigeria: Fulani Terrorists Slaughter 41 Christians, Kidnap More In Kaduna State
Suspected Fulani Islamic jihadists slaughtered 41 Christians and kidnapped numerous others in Nigeria’s Kaduna state on Jan. 3, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.