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
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.
Around the World
Taiwan extends mandatory military service amid rising China threat
The mandatory military service in Taiwan has been extended, President Tsai Ing-wen announced on Tuesday.
Norway: Lesbian artist faces possible jail time for saying men cannot become pregnant
A lesbian artist in Norway is now facing a possible prison sentence for hate speech after posting on Facebook in October that men can neither become pregnant nor become lesbian, the Christian Post reports. Tonje Gjevjon has been outspoken in criticizing trans activists and Norwegian politicians for promoting “gender identity” policies at the expense of women’s rights.
Serbia Puts Army On High Alert Near Kosovo (Worthy News Radio)
Serbia says it has put the army on high alert near its border with Kosovo while inside Kosovo, Serbs have erected more roadblocks amid escalating tensions. The standoff comes as Serbia and Kosovo accuse each other of preparing for an armed confrontation.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
As fears for LGBTQ+ rights mount, Israel may appoint first-ever openly gay Knesset speaker
As Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu continues to dole out jobs to fellow lawmakers from his conservative Likud party ahead of the establishment of the new government, it seems increasingly likely that Amir Ohana will be named the next speaker of the Knesset, becoming the first openly gay person to hold the position.
Netanyahu government set for swearing-in Thursday, but hurdles remain
Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu will attempt to swear in his governing coalition of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties on Thursday, Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin said Monday, with the former premier looking to retake power before a deadline to get his unruly partners in line.
Biblical Siloam Pool next to Temple Mount to be fully excavated
The ancient pool of Siloam, first mentioned in the biblical book of Kings II, will be fully excavated and opened to the public, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Tuesday.
Inside the United States
House Ways and Means Committee to release Trump tax returns on Friday
The House Ways and Means Committee will release former President Donald Trump's tax returns on Friday, ending a years-long effort by Democrats to force the 45th president to release his personal finances.
Federal Judge Says San Francisco Can’t Clear Homeless Camps
A federal judge has temporarily banned San Francisco from clearing homeless encampments, saying the city violated its own policies by failing to offer other shelter.
Supreme Court temporarily halts termination of Title 42, will hear case in February
The Supreme Court temporarily halted the termination of Title 42 on Tuesday, allowing the Trump-era policy to remain in place until the justices hear a challenge from Republican-led states in February.
Christian News
Iran: Regime warns Chaldean and Assyrian Christians not to participate in anti-government protests
Christians belonging to the Chaldean Catholic Church and Assyrian Church of the East denominations in Iran have been threatened by state security forces not to join the ongoing nationwide anti-regime protests or even to post support for the uprising on social media, on pain of arrests and persecution, the Christian Post reports.
Algeria: Christian convert from Islam imprisoned for three years on account of his faith
An Algerian Christian man has now been sentenced to three years in prison on account of his faith after having been brought back from Tunisia against his will in 2021, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
India: Hindu extremists attack, displace Christians in pre-Christmas riots
Radicalized Hindu nationalists in India’s Chhattisgarh state carried out a series of violent riots earlier this month, attacking Christian communities in 20 villages during the run-up to Christmas, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Worthy Insights
2 New Minerals Discovered in Meteorite
Scientists have identified two minerals never before seen on Earth in a meteorite weighing 15.2 metric tonnes (33,510 pounds).
A startup says it’s begun releasing particles into the atmosphere, in an effort to tweak the climate
A startup claims it has launched weather balloons that may have released reflective sulfur particles in the stratosphere, potentially crossing a controversial barrier in the field of solar geoengineering.
Can artificial skin be used to help burn victims? Growing industry eyes ‘revolution’
Far from the humble sticking plaster, medical firms and researchers are seeking to create the “ultimate dressing” — artificial skin they hope will revolutionize the treatment of severe burns.
Taiwan extends mandatory military service amid rising China threat
The mandatory military service in Taiwan has been extended, President Tsai Ing-wen announced on Tuesday.
Norway: Lesbian artist faces possible jail time for saying men cannot become pregnant
A lesbian artist in Norway is now facing a possible prison sentence for hate speech after posting on Facebook in October that men can neither become pregnant nor become lesbian, the Christian Post reports. Tonje Gjevjon has been outspoken in criticizing trans activists and Norwegian politicians for promoting “gender identity” policies at the expense of women’s rights.
Serbia Puts Army On High Alert Near Kosovo (Worthy News Radio)
Serbia says it has put the army on high alert near its border with Kosovo while inside Kosovo, Serbs have erected more roadblocks amid escalating tensions. The standoff comes as Serbia and Kosovo accuse each other of preparing for an armed confrontation.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
As fears for LGBTQ+ rights mount, Israel may appoint first-ever openly gay Knesset speaker
As Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu continues to dole out jobs to fellow lawmakers from his conservative Likud party ahead of the establishment of the new government, it seems increasingly likely that Amir Ohana will be named the next speaker of the Knesset, becoming the first openly gay person to hold the position.
Netanyahu government set for swearing-in Thursday, but hurdles remain
Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu will attempt to swear in his governing coalition of far-right and ultra-Orthodox parties on Thursday, Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin said Monday, with the former premier looking to retake power before a deadline to get his unruly partners in line.
Biblical Siloam Pool next to Temple Mount to be fully excavated
The ancient pool of Siloam, first mentioned in the biblical book of Kings II, will be fully excavated and opened to the public, the Israel Antiquities Authority announced Tuesday.
Inside the United States
House Ways and Means Committee to release Trump tax returns on Friday
The House Ways and Means Committee will release former President Donald Trump's tax returns on Friday, ending a years-long effort by Democrats to force the 45th president to release his personal finances.
Federal Judge Says San Francisco Can’t Clear Homeless Camps
A federal judge has temporarily banned San Francisco from clearing homeless encampments, saying the city violated its own policies by failing to offer other shelter.
Supreme Court temporarily halts termination of Title 42, will hear case in February
The Supreme Court temporarily halted the termination of Title 42 on Tuesday, allowing the Trump-era policy to remain in place until the justices hear a challenge from Republican-led states in February.
Christian News
Iran: Regime warns Chaldean and Assyrian Christians not to participate in anti-government protests
Christians belonging to the Chaldean Catholic Church and Assyrian Church of the East denominations in Iran have been threatened by state security forces not to join the ongoing nationwide anti-regime protests or even to post support for the uprising on social media, on pain of arrests and persecution, the Christian Post reports.
Algeria: Christian convert from Islam imprisoned for three years on account of his faith
An Algerian Christian man has now been sentenced to three years in prison on account of his faith after having been brought back from Tunisia against his will in 2021, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
India: Hindu extremists attack, displace Christians in pre-Christmas riots
Radicalized Hindu nationalists in India’s Chhattisgarh state carried out a series of violent riots earlier this month, attacking Christian communities in 20 villages during the run-up to Christmas, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Worthy Insights
2 New Minerals Discovered in Meteorite
Scientists have identified two minerals never before seen on Earth in a meteorite weighing 15.2 metric tonnes (33,510 pounds).
A startup says it’s begun releasing particles into the atmosphere, in an effort to tweak the climate
A startup claims it has launched weather balloons that may have released reflective sulfur particles in the stratosphere, potentially crossing a controversial barrier in the field of solar geoengineering.
Can artificial skin be used to help burn victims? Growing industry eyes ‘revolution’
Far from the humble sticking plaster, medical firms and researchers are seeking to create the “ultimate dressing” — artificial skin they hope will revolutionize the treatment of severe burns.