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
Russia Speeding To Moon In Space Race
Russia sped up a space race Friday as it tried to reach the moon after nearly half a century ahead of an Indian spacecraft.
Russian Attack Kills 7, Including Family As Attacks Spread
Local authorities in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region have declared Monday an official day of mourning after a Russian attack killed seven people, including a 23-day-old baby girl, her 12-year-old brother, and their parents. “Today, the Kherson region shuddered from terrible news,” Governor Oleksandr Prokudin wrote on the social media network Telegram shortly after Sunday’s artillery strike.
Biden Admin, Iran Reach $6B Deal: ‘Largest Hostage Ransom Payment’ in US History
The Biden administration has agreed to pay Iran $6 billion for the release of five imprisoned Americans, but experts say this will only encourage Iran to seek more hostages as a "lucrative means of international extortion for Iran's supreme leader."
Iran close to testing nuclear weapons for first time – European intel
The Islamic Republic of Iran is close to possibly testing a nuclear weapons device and has sought to obtain illicit technology for its active atomic weapons program, according to a series of shocking European intelligence reports released in 2023.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu calls off vacation, holds IDF preparedness meeting
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a planned vacation in the Golan and called a meeting with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and the heads of the IDF on Sunday.
Iranian munitions storage facility destroyed in attack attributed to Israel
An Iranian depot located in Damascus, and containing munitions collected over time was targeted and completely destroyed, early on Sunday, according to the UK- based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The opposition group did not say if the attack was carried out by aircraft or came overland but did say that there was no knowledge of casualties.
Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister to visit U.S. over Saudi deal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly sending his Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer to Washington, next week, for talks with U.S. officials about a potential normalization deal with Saudi Arabia.
Inside the United States
Maui Wildfires Now Deadliest US Fire in Past Century
Wildfires have devastated parts of Maui in Hawaii this week, destroying a historic town and forcing evacuations. The National Weather Service said Hurricane Dora, which passed south of the island chain, was partly to blame for strong winds that initially drove the flames, knocking out power and grounding firefighting helicopters.
US to Invest $1.2 Billion on Facilities to Pull Carbon From Air
The U.S. government said Friday it will spend up to $1.2 billion for two pioneering facilities to vacuum carbon out of the air, a historic gamble on a still developing technology to combat global warming that is criticized by some experts.
‘Strong-arming’: Appeals court judges compare Biden social media pressure to mafia
Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod declared in court that the Biden administration's efforts to persuade social media companies to remove, throttle and suppress purported misinformation on COVID-19, Hunter Biden's laptop and elections reminded her of a mafia movie.
Illinois Supreme Court finds assault weapons ban constitutional
The Illinois State Supreme Court found a strict assault weapons ban passed after the Highland Park shooting to be constitutional in a ruling issued Friday.
U.S. suicides hit an all-time high last year
About 49,500 people took their own lives last year in the U.S., the highest number ever, according to new government data posted Thursday.
Christian News
Iran Detains Scores Of Christians Ahead Of Anniversary
Iran has detained scores of Christians ahead of the first anniversary of the death in custody of a young Kurdish woman, Christians said as more details on the crackdown emerged Friday.
Canadian Supreme Court refuses to hear appeals over worship restrictions on churches
The Supreme Court of Canada has declined to hear appeals from churches in Ontario and British Columbia that challenged pandemic restrictions on in-person worship. The churches had been fined hundreds of thousands of dollars for violating gathering limits.
Russia Speeding To Moon In Space Race
Russia sped up a space race Friday as it tried to reach the moon after nearly half a century ahead of an Indian spacecraft.
Russian Attack Kills 7, Including Family As Attacks Spread
Local authorities in Ukraine’s southern Kherson region have declared Monday an official day of mourning after a Russian attack killed seven people, including a 23-day-old baby girl, her 12-year-old brother, and their parents. “Today, the Kherson region shuddered from terrible news,” Governor Oleksandr Prokudin wrote on the social media network Telegram shortly after Sunday’s artillery strike.
Biden Admin, Iran Reach $6B Deal: ‘Largest Hostage Ransom Payment’ in US History
The Biden administration has agreed to pay Iran $6 billion for the release of five imprisoned Americans, but experts say this will only encourage Iran to seek more hostages as a "lucrative means of international extortion for Iran's supreme leader."
Iran close to testing nuclear weapons for first time – European intel
The Islamic Republic of Iran is close to possibly testing a nuclear weapons device and has sought to obtain illicit technology for its active atomic weapons program, according to a series of shocking European intelligence reports released in 2023.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu calls off vacation, holds IDF preparedness meeting
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled a planned vacation in the Golan and called a meeting with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and the heads of the IDF on Sunday.
Iranian munitions storage facility destroyed in attack attributed to Israel
An Iranian depot located in Damascus, and containing munitions collected over time was targeted and completely destroyed, early on Sunday, according to the UK- based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The opposition group did not say if the attack was carried out by aircraft or came overland but did say that there was no knowledge of casualties.
Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister to visit U.S. over Saudi deal
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly sending his Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer to Washington, next week, for talks with U.S. officials about a potential normalization deal with Saudi Arabia.
Inside the United States
Maui Wildfires Now Deadliest US Fire in Past Century
Wildfires have devastated parts of Maui in Hawaii this week, destroying a historic town and forcing evacuations. The National Weather Service said Hurricane Dora, which passed south of the island chain, was partly to blame for strong winds that initially drove the flames, knocking out power and grounding firefighting helicopters.
US to Invest $1.2 Billion on Facilities to Pull Carbon From Air
The U.S. government said Friday it will spend up to $1.2 billion for two pioneering facilities to vacuum carbon out of the air, a historic gamble on a still developing technology to combat global warming that is criticized by some experts.
‘Strong-arming’: Appeals court judges compare Biden social media pressure to mafia
Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod declared in court that the Biden administration's efforts to persuade social media companies to remove, throttle and suppress purported misinformation on COVID-19, Hunter Biden's laptop and elections reminded her of a mafia movie.
Illinois Supreme Court finds assault weapons ban constitutional
The Illinois State Supreme Court found a strict assault weapons ban passed after the Highland Park shooting to be constitutional in a ruling issued Friday.
U.S. suicides hit an all-time high last year
About 49,500 people took their own lives last year in the U.S., the highest number ever, according to new government data posted Thursday.
Christian News
Iran Detains Scores Of Christians Ahead Of Anniversary
Iran has detained scores of Christians ahead of the first anniversary of the death in custody of a young Kurdish woman, Christians said as more details on the crackdown emerged Friday.
Canadian Supreme Court refuses to hear appeals over worship restrictions on churches
The Supreme Court of Canada has declined to hear appeals from churches in Ontario and British Columbia that challenged pandemic restrictions on in-person worship. The churches had been fined hundreds of thousands of dollars for violating gathering limits.
Around the World
Iranian Quds Force chief visits Lebanon for talks with Hezbollah head Nasrallah
Chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, arrived in Beirut on Wednesday for a meeting with Hassan Nasrallah, head of the Lebanese Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group, i24News reports.
Poland Sending Additional 10,000 Troops To Belarus Border
Poland, a member of the U.S.-led NATO military alliance, said Thursday it would send an additional 10,000 troops to its border with Belarus after an “incursion” by Belarusian military helicopters.
Kim Jong Un fires top military brass, orders troops to prepare for ‘offensive’ war
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sacked his top general while calling for the military to boost weapons production and increase combat drills in preparation for an "offensive" war, state-run media reported Thursday.
Russian Rocket Kills Two In Ukraine As Deadly Blast Hits Russia
A Russian rocket attack near Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine killed two people, while inside Russia, one person died in a blast at a factory providing optical equipment to Russia's security forces, authorities said.
Brazil’s Amazon Summit Disagrees On Deforestation
Brazil’s Amazon Summit concluded Wednesday with a pledge to end the Amazon’s ongoing demise “from reaching a point of no return” but without a regional agreement on ending deforestation.
11 Killed In French Disabilities Home
French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday his thoughts are with victims and survivors after a massive fire raged through a vacation home for adults with disabilities killed 11 people.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Nearly 200 Israelis evacuated from north Ethiopia in rescue op
Over 200 Israelis and those entitled to immigration to the Jewish state were rescued from northern Ethiopia amid ongoing violence, a joint statement of the Prime Minister's Office and the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
Inside the United States
President Biden Declares Emergency Over Deadly Hawaii Wildfires; Christian Sites Damaged
U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday approved a “major disaster” declaration for the island state of Hawaii after dozens of people died here in massive wildfires and many were forced to dive into the ocean to escape the flames.
MA Gov Declares ‘Emergency’ Amid Migrant ‘Surge’, NYC Mayor at a ‘Breaking Point’
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) declared a state of emergency Tuesday, citing an influx of migrants seeking shelter at a time when the cost of housing continues to rise.
Hawaii wildfires kill 36 as ‘apocalypse’ hits resort city
At least 36 people have died after wildfires, fanned by winds from a faraway hurricane, devastated much of the resort city Lahaina on Hawaii's Maui island, Maui County said in a statement late on Wednesday. Multiple neighborhoods were burnt to the ground as the western side of the island was nearly cut off, with only one highway open and thousands needing to evacuate. Officials reported widespread devastation to Lahaina, its harbor and surrounding areas as some people fled into the ocean to escape the smoke and flames.
Christian News
Indonesia: East Jakarta church threatened with closure by Islamic authorities
Although Indonesia's Constitution specifically protects religious freedom, a church in East Jakarta has come under pressure to close, after Islamic government authorities threatened to permanently deny the congregation a permit to meet and worship in their own building, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Iranian Quds Force chief visits Lebanon for talks with Hezbollah head Nasrallah
Chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps' Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, arrived in Beirut on Wednesday for a meeting with Hassan Nasrallah, head of the Lebanese Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group, i24News reports.
Poland Sending Additional 10,000 Troops To Belarus Border
Poland, a member of the U.S.-led NATO military alliance, said Thursday it would send an additional 10,000 troops to its border with Belarus after an “incursion” by Belarusian military helicopters.
Kim Jong Un fires top military brass, orders troops to prepare for ‘offensive’ war
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sacked his top general while calling for the military to boost weapons production and increase combat drills in preparation for an "offensive" war, state-run media reported Thursday.
Russian Rocket Kills Two In Ukraine As Deadly Blast Hits Russia
A Russian rocket attack near Europe’s largest nuclear power plant in Ukraine killed two people, while inside Russia, one person died in a blast at a factory providing optical equipment to Russia's security forces, authorities said.
Brazil’s Amazon Summit Disagrees On Deforestation
Brazil’s Amazon Summit concluded Wednesday with a pledge to end the Amazon’s ongoing demise “from reaching a point of no return” but without a regional agreement on ending deforestation.
11 Killed In French Disabilities Home
French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday his thoughts are with victims and survivors after a massive fire raged through a vacation home for adults with disabilities killed 11 people.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Nearly 200 Israelis evacuated from north Ethiopia in rescue op
Over 200 Israelis and those entitled to immigration to the Jewish state were rescued from northern Ethiopia amid ongoing violence, a joint statement of the Prime Minister's Office and the Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
Inside the United States
President Biden Declares Emergency Over Deadly Hawaii Wildfires; Christian Sites Damaged
U.S. President Joe Biden on Thursday approved a “major disaster” declaration for the island state of Hawaii after dozens of people died here in massive wildfires and many were forced to dive into the ocean to escape the flames.
MA Gov Declares ‘Emergency’ Amid Migrant ‘Surge’, NYC Mayor at a ‘Breaking Point’
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) declared a state of emergency Tuesday, citing an influx of migrants seeking shelter at a time when the cost of housing continues to rise.
Hawaii wildfires kill 36 as ‘apocalypse’ hits resort city
At least 36 people have died after wildfires, fanned by winds from a faraway hurricane, devastated much of the resort city Lahaina on Hawaii's Maui island, Maui County said in a statement late on Wednesday. Multiple neighborhoods were burnt to the ground as the western side of the island was nearly cut off, with only one highway open and thousands needing to evacuate. Officials reported widespread devastation to Lahaina, its harbor and surrounding areas as some people fled into the ocean to escape the smoke and flames.
Christian News
Indonesia: East Jakarta church threatened with closure by Islamic authorities
Although Indonesia's Constitution specifically protects religious freedom, a church in East Jakarta has come under pressure to close, after Islamic government authorities threatened to permanently deny the congregation a permit to meet and worship in their own building, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Around the World
Myanmar: UN investigators find evidence of “dramatic increase” in war crimes by military
The United Nations’ Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) reported Tuesday that its investigators have found a “dramatic increase” in war crimes in Myanmar, including mass executions, sexual violence, and widespread destruction of residential areas, i24News reports.
Western allies concerned at Ukraine’s slow progress in counter offensive against Russia
While Ukraine’s allies have not given up hope of a final victory against Russia, senior Western officials have expressed pessimism about the country’s ability to take back control of major Russian-occupied territories, i24News reports.
France Detains Police Officers Over Killing
French authorities said Tuesday they had detained five police officers over the death of a young man during riots across France earlier this summer.
UN says deal reached with Syria to reopen main border crossing from Turkey
The United Nations announced late Tuesday that an agreement had been reached with Syria to reopen the main border crossing from Turkey to its rebel-held northwest for six months.
Taliban Deploys Hundreds of Suicide-Bombers in Faceoff With Iran
The Taliban has deployed hundreds of suicide bombers to Afghanistan's border with Iran amid an intensifying dispute over water access, Bloomberg reported.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli scientists grow tiny beating heart model from stem cells
A team of Israeli scientists announced on August 7 that they have succeeded in creating a tiny beating heart model grown from stem cells in a lab, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports. Researchers believe that the availability of human organoids such as this model heart can help scientists understand human physiology and lead to medical breakthroughs in fighting disease.
U.S., Saudi agree on broad contours of a deal to normalize Israel ties, report
U.S. and Saudi Arabia have agreed on the broad contours of a deal for Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel in exchange for concessions to the Palestinians, U.S. security guarantees and help in advancing a civilian nuclear program. the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
Inside the United States
FBI Kills Elderly Man Who Threatened Biden Online
An elderly armed man, described as “frail” by neighbors, has been shot and killed by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after making online against U.S. President Joe Biden, officials said.
Christian News
Poll: Nearly 70% of Protestant pastors say their congregations have increasing fear
A new survey by Lifeway Research shows that 69% of US Protestant pastors believe their congregations are subject to a growing sense of fear about the future of America and the world. However, this year’s percentage is lower than the 74% of Protestant pastors who responded to the same question in 2014.
US nurse and daughter freed after kidnapping in Haiti
U.S. nurse Alix Dorsainvil and her young daughter are free after being kidnapped and held hostage in Haiti, the Christian charity that she works for announced Wednesday.
Man charged for silently praying near abortion clinic in England, critics call it a ‘thoughtcrime’
Authorities in Bournemouth, England, have criminally charged a British army veteran for praying silently while standing in a buffer zone outside an abortion clinic, his attorneys said Friday.
Myanmar: UN investigators find evidence of “dramatic increase” in war crimes by military
The United Nations’ Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar (IIMM) reported Tuesday that its investigators have found a “dramatic increase” in war crimes in Myanmar, including mass executions, sexual violence, and widespread destruction of residential areas, i24News reports.
Western allies concerned at Ukraine’s slow progress in counter offensive against Russia
While Ukraine’s allies have not given up hope of a final victory against Russia, senior Western officials have expressed pessimism about the country’s ability to take back control of major Russian-occupied territories, i24News reports.
France Detains Police Officers Over Killing
French authorities said Tuesday they had detained five police officers over the death of a young man during riots across France earlier this summer.
UN says deal reached with Syria to reopen main border crossing from Turkey
The United Nations announced late Tuesday that an agreement had been reached with Syria to reopen the main border crossing from Turkey to its rebel-held northwest for six months.
Taliban Deploys Hundreds of Suicide-Bombers in Faceoff With Iran
The Taliban has deployed hundreds of suicide bombers to Afghanistan's border with Iran amid an intensifying dispute over water access, Bloomberg reported.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli scientists grow tiny beating heart model from stem cells
A team of Israeli scientists announced on August 7 that they have succeeded in creating a tiny beating heart model grown from stem cells in a lab, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports. Researchers believe that the availability of human organoids such as this model heart can help scientists understand human physiology and lead to medical breakthroughs in fighting disease.
U.S., Saudi agree on broad contours of a deal to normalize Israel ties, report
U.S. and Saudi Arabia have agreed on the broad contours of a deal for Saudi Arabia to recognize Israel in exchange for concessions to the Palestinians, U.S. security guarantees and help in advancing a civilian nuclear program. the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
Inside the United States
FBI Kills Elderly Man Who Threatened Biden Online
An elderly armed man, described as “frail” by neighbors, has been shot and killed by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after making online against U.S. President Joe Biden, officials said.
Christian News
Poll: Nearly 70% of Protestant pastors say their congregations have increasing fear
A new survey by Lifeway Research shows that 69% of US Protestant pastors believe their congregations are subject to a growing sense of fear about the future of America and the world. However, this year’s percentage is lower than the 74% of Protestant pastors who responded to the same question in 2014.
US nurse and daughter freed after kidnapping in Haiti
U.S. nurse Alix Dorsainvil and her young daughter are free after being kidnapped and held hostage in Haiti, the Christian charity that she works for announced Wednesday.
Man charged for silently praying near abortion clinic in England, critics call it a ‘thoughtcrime’
Authorities in Bournemouth, England, have criminally charged a British army veteran for praying silently while standing in a buffer zone outside an abortion clinic, his attorneys said Friday.