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 announces withdrawal of troops from Ukainian border
Russia announced Thursday that thousands of troops deployed to its border with Ukraine will be withdrawn by May 1, Axios reports. Although Russia had said it was conducting military exercises at the border, the recent massive build-up of troops and military equipment, including fighter planes, had raised fears of an imminent Russian invasion of Ukraine.
China engaged in ‘breathtaking’ nuclear expansion, STRATCOM commander warns
China’s military is engaged in a “very rapid” expansion of nuclear forces, which threatens U.S. security and is complicating efforts to deter both Russia as well as China, the commander of the Strategic Command told Congress on Wednesday.
Russia is building its own space station
Russia has announced it has begun building a space station of its own, and has plans to withdraw from the International Space Station (ISS) in 2025, BBC News reports. The ISS was launched by the United States and Russia in 1998 and has been a showcase for international cooperation.
Hungary President Supporting COVID Orphans
Hungarian President János Áder and Anita Herczegh, the First Lady, have launched a foundation to help children orphaned by the coronavirus.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
IDF chief to make first US visit next week to discuss Iran, Hezbollah
IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kohavi will travel to the United States on Sunday to discuss the threat of Iran’s nuclear program and its entrenchment throughout the region, the military said Friday.
Top court rules no grounds to disqualify Netanyahu as PM ‘at this time’
The High Court of Justice on Thursday rejected a petition seeking Benjamin Netanyahu’s removal as prime minister over his ongoing criminal trial.
IDF probing why air defenses didn’t intercept Syrian anti-aircraft missile
The Israel Defense Forces launched an investigation to determine why its air defenses failed to intercept an errant surface-to-air missile fired from Syria that landed in southern Israel on Thursday morning.
US official: We’re updating Israel on Iran talks in Vienna despite differences
The US has been updating Israel on the progress of indirect negotiations with Iran over a possible return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and will continue a policy of transparency moving forward, a senior State Department official said Wednesday.

Inside the United States
Federal lawsuit: Florida’s ‘anti-rioting law’ is unconstitutional
The Lawyers Matter Task Force advocacy group filed a federal lawsuit in the US District Court in Orlando Wednesday, claiming Florida’s new “anti-rioting” legislation is unconstitutional on several levels, Fox News reports. The lawsuit names the Defendants as Gov. DeSantis, Attorney General Ashley Moody, and Orange County Sheriff John Mina.
US To Cut Emissions By Half By 2030
U.S.President Joe Biden says the United States will cut emissions by half by the end of the decade due to a transition to ‘green energy.’
Senate Republicans unveil $568 billion infrastructure counterproposal
Senate Republicans formally rolled out the framework for their $568 billion counterproposal to President Biden's $2.5 trillion infrastructure plan on Thursday.
House passes bill that would make D.C. the 51st state
The House of Representatives voted 216-208 on Thursday to pass a bill that would grant statehood to Washington, D.C.
Senate OKs bill to fight hate crimes against Asian Americans
The Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a bill that would help combat the rise of hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, a bipartisan denunciation of such violence during the coronavirus pandemic and a modest step toward legislating in a chamber where most of President Joe Biden’s agenda has stalled.
10 states sue Biden over ‘social cost’ executive order on climate change
Ten Republican-led states sued Thursday to block President Biden’s executive order that would require agencies to calculate the social cost of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide when enacting regulations.
Stocks drop after reports that Biden wants to double capital gains tax for wealthy
Stocks dropped Thursday amid reports that the Biden administration will propose a large hike of the capital gains tax in order to pay for his childcare and family spending plan.
Bill aims to declassify intel of any potential link of COVID origins to Wuhan Institute of Virology
Republican Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Mike Braun of Indiana have introduced legislation to declassify intelligence pertaining to any potential connections between the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the genesis of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Christian News
Two-thirds of world’s population live in countries which violate religious freedom
Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) has published a report showing that around 5.2 billion people live in countries where religious freedom is severely violated and restricted, International Christian Concern reports. These countries include China, India, and Pakistan, which have the world’s largest populations.
Court Postpones Appeal Of Algeria Pastor, Co-Worker Against Prison Sentence
Supporters of an Algerian pastor and his co-worker have urged prayers after an appeal hearing against a lengthy prison term related to their Christian work was postponed.
Eritrea Frees Dozens Of Christians But Many Still Jailed
Dozens of Christians detained in Eritrea for unauthorized worship have been released, but many other believers remain jailed, Christians said Friday.
Algeria Court Postpones Appeal Pastor, Co-Worker, Against Jail Sentence
Supporters of an Algerian pastor and his co-worker have urged prayers after an appeal hearing against a lengthy prison term related to their Christian work was postponed.

Worthy Watch
NBC Deceptively Edits 911 Call And Body Cam Video Of Police Shooting To Conceal Teen Wielding Knife
Around the World
Thousands Rally Against Detention Of Kremlin Critic Navalny
Thousands have rallied across Russia against the detention of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny amid concerns about his health. More than 1,000 people were reportedly arrested after defying a ban on demonstrations.
China builds pier for aircraft carrier in Africa
China has built a pier large enough to hold an aircraft carrier close to its only naval base in Africa, USNI reported Tuesday. Recently completed, the pier is in the state of Djibouti, and is near the Bab el Mandeb entrance to the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden.
Satellite photos show increased Russian military build-up near Ukraine
Satellite photos show that Russia has deployed warplanes to Crimea and bases near Ukraine, bolstering its readiness for military action and political intimidation, the Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.
IAEA: Iran has installed extra advanced centrifuges in Natanz
Iran has installed extra advanced centrifuges at its underground uranium enrichment plant at Natanz and plans to add even more, a report by the UN atomic watchdog on Wednesday showed, according to Reuters.
Important disagreements between US and Iran in nuclear talks persist
Important disagreements between the United States and Iran persist after the latest round of indirect nuclear talks in Vienna this week, with the negotiations still far from conclusion and the outcome uncertain, a senior State Department official said on Wednesday.
Iran, Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia top 2020 global executioners list
Apart from China and despite a worldwide drop in death sentences, countries in the Middle East remained among the world’s leading executioners last year, Amnesty International said Wednesday.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel hits back after Dimona nuclear reactor rocket alert
The Israeli military said early Thursday that a missile was fired from neighboring Syria, and that it had struck Syrian missile batteries in retaliation. Earlier, air raid sirens were heard in Israel’s Dimona town, which has a nuclear reactor, indicating a possible incoming attack.
Bennett: If Netanyahu can’t build coalition, I’ll try to form a unity government
With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s efforts to form a coalition still in dire straits Wednesday, he and Yamina party chief Naftali Bennett held dueling press conferences in which they accused each other of putting their own personal interests above the needs of the country, and of misleading the public.
Sudan abolishes boycott of Israel
Sudan on Tuesday repealed its 1958 law that imposed a boycott of Israel and cut ties between the two countries, Christian Headlines reports. The move follows the Sudan-Israel agreement to normalize diplomatic relations and end the state of belligerence between them. Sudan’s citizens will now be allowed to visit Israel, where around 6,000 Sudanese live.

Inside the United States
Montana Democratic Party challenges new state Voting ID laws
The Democratic Party in Montana has filed suit challenging state voting laws that end election day voter registration and require college students to produce proof of residency besides student ID to register and vote, the Washington Times reports. In filing suit against Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen, the party argues the laws place an unnecessary and unconstitutional burden on the right to vote for Native Americans, the elderly, the disabled, and students.
U.S. warns hackers actively exploiting remote access software used by federal agencies
A number of U.S. government agencies have been compromised by hackers exploiting both known and newly found software flaws, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency warned Tuesday.
US Postal Service running secret program that tracks people’s social media and flags government agencies: Report
The United States Postal Service is apparently tracking social media posts as part of a clandestine program searching for “inflammatory” messages.
White House backs D.C. statehood in official statement, final House vote set for this week
The White House is officially backing a congressional effort to make Washington, D.C., the country's 51 state, saying residents of the nation's capital not having full representation is Congress is an "affront to the democratic values."

Christian News
Report: ‘Growing Persecution of Christians in North America, Europe’
Devoted Christians in Europe and North America are increasingly among those being persecuted for their faith in Christ, a rights report shows.
Saudi Christian Convert Facing Jail For Helping Sister Escape Islamic Nation
A former Muslim who became Christian in Saudi Arabia faced a court and possible jail Thursday for helping his sister, a fellow believer, to escape the Islamic nation, Worthy News learned.

Worthy Watch
White House Condemns Columbus Police Shooting Of Teenager With A Knife As Racist
Around the World
Chad President Déby Dies In Clashes With Rebels
Chad's longtime President Idriss Déby Itno has died in clashes with rebels in the north of the country, the military confirmed Tuesday.
Rouhani: 60%-70% of issues resolved in Vienna nuclear talks
High-level talks in Vienna aimed at bringing the United States back into the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran have already resolved 60-70 percent of the key issues, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was quoted by state media as saying Tuesday.
Top Iran official: Power fully restored at Natanz, enrichment renewed
Power has been restored in Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility and uranium enrichment activities there have been renewed after a blast at the site earlier this month, the head of the country’s atomic agency said Tuesday.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu gives up on forming a government
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is no longer seeking a government that relies on the outside support of the Ra’am Party (United Arab List), he said Tuesday at a press conference in the Prime Minister’s Office in Jerusalem.
Gantz Warns Hezbollah of Suffering ‘Heavy Consequences’ if It ‘Challenges’ Israel
Israel’s Defense Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz paid a visit to the country’s Northern Command on Tuesday, saying “Hezbollah is making attempts to challenge us, but if it acts it will suffer serious consequences.”
US Lawmakers Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Boost Cooperation with Israel in Fighting Cyberattacks
As cybersecurity threats continue to rise, US senators have introduced legislation to boost technology cooperation with Israel and secure funding for up to $30 million to help thwart future malicious attacks.
Bloc of Anti-Bibi Parties Win Control of Israel’s Parliament in Major Blow to Netanyahu
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suffered a major blow on Monday and lost control of the Knesset after his opponents defeated him in a key parliamentary vote.
Iran fears Israeli spy ring operating from within the country: media report
As the shadow war between Iran and Israel appears to be escalating, recent attacks in the Islamic Republic foreshadow an underground network might be active inside Iran, the New York Times reported on Tuesday.

Inside the United States
Jury: ‘Ex-Police Officer Guilty In Killing George Floyd’
Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin has been found guilty of killing Black suspect George Floyd.
Arizona governor declares state of emergency and surges National Guard to border
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey declared a state of emergency on Tuesday and surged the National Guard to the United States-Mexico border as unprecedented numbers of migrants continue to enter the country.
New version of Idaho ‘fetal heartbeat’ abortion ban advances
A Senate panel on Tuesday advanced a measure that would outlaw nearly all abortions in conservative Idaho by banning them once a fetal heartbeat can be detected.
Poll: Majority of Americans oppose expanding the U.S. Supreme Court
Democrats enthralled their base and alarmed Republicans with the recent announcement of a new push to add four justices to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the latest polling suggests the majority of Americans don’t favor expanding the highest court in the land.
Ex-Vice President Walter Mondale Dies At 93
Former U.S. Vice-President Walter F. Mondale, who current President Joe Biden called his “dear friend and mentor," has died. He passed away Monday in Minneapolis at age 93, his family said. No cause was cited.

Christian News
China Police Attack And Close Evangelical House Church
An evangelical house church in China’s coastal province of Hubei faces uncertainty after security forces stormed its worship place, confiscated most properties, and detained the landowner, Worthy News learned.
Myanmar Christians fear for their lives following coup
Afraid for their lives in the wake of the February coup, some Myanmar Christians have fled their homes to hide and live in the jungle, Christian Today reports. The Myanmar military junta has now taken to raiding churches, as well as homes, offices, and businesses.
ISIS execute Coptic Christian in Egypt
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has published a video showing their execution of 62-year-old Coptic Christian Nabil Habshi, who was abducted by the terror group in Egypt in November last year, International Christian Concern reports. The video was published on April 17, and the family believes the killing took place in March or early this month.
Another historic church plundered in Turkey
Another historic church was recently looted by treasure hunters in Turkey, International Christian Concern reported Saturday. The Byzantine-era Greek church in the north-coastal city of Samsun is just the latest in a growing long list of foreign religious sites that have been plundered and vandalized in Turkey.
Survey: Most Christans feel encouraged and inspired after church worship services
A new poll released this month shows that a large majority of Christians who attend church worship services are encouraged by the experience, Christian Headlines reports.
‘Medical Apartheid’: 1,200 UK Christian Leaders Warn Vaccine Passports Will Lead to ‘Surveillance State’
More than 1,200 leaders of churches in the United Kingdom have asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson not to establish so-called vaccine passports.

Worthy Watch
The Remarkable Story Of An Abortion Survivor Who Became An Activist