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
UN: Covid-19 Fuels Humanitarian Crises Worldwide
Top U.N. officials warned Wednesday that the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated discrimination and other human rights violations that can fuel conflict, and its indirect consequences are dwarfing the impact of the virus itself in the world’s most fragile countries.
Huge Fire Erupts Again In Devastated Beirut
A massive fire erupted at the Beirut port on Thursday, just weeks after a massive blast at the same site devastated the Lebanese capital.
Cyberattacks from China, Iran, Russia target U.S. presidential election
Microsoft said Thursday it's detected an increase in cyberattacks related to the November presidential election coming from China, Iran and Russia.
EU, U.K. in urgent meeting on lawbreaking British Brexit plan
Top European Union and British officials were holding an emergency meeting in London on Thursday over Britain’s plan to break part of the Brexit divorce agreement, a move the EU says would demolish any goodwill to reach a trade agreement.
Russia, China, Iran to hold massive joint military exercise
China, Russia, Iran and a handful of other nations will hold massive joint military drills later this month in what Beijing dubs a “comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in a new era.”
China’s Army is increasing military coercion and provocations in Asia
A National Defense University expert on China told a congressional hearing Wednesday that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army is increasing its level of military coercion in Asia as part of a strategy to extend China’s power and influence across the region, the Washington Times reports.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Kushner: Our plan is bid to save 2-state solution; Israel was eating up the land
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner said on Wednesday that the Trump administration’s peace plan is an attempt to “save the two-state solution” because it stops Israel from further expanding its presence in the West Bank.
Inside the United States
White House and Fauci Deny President Trump Downplayed Coronavirus
The White House and Anthony Fauci, America’s top infectious disease expert, have denied that U.S. President Donald Trump deliberately misled the public about the coronavirus after audiotapes revealed he wanted to downplay the pandemic.
Protests drive Black police chiefs off the job: 'These people get in the way of the narrative'
Two more high-profile Black police chiefs announced this week that they plan to step down amid protest unrest, spurring more questions about whether Black Lives Matter is hurting rather than helping Black Americans.
Soros Donor Network Steers Six Figures to Three New Super PACs Ahead of 2020 Election
A political action committee funded by George Soros's Democracy Alliance donor network steered six-figure sums to three new super PACs this summer, according to recent filings.
Mueller investigators 'accidentally' wiped over a dozen phones before turning over to I.G.'s office
Newly released records from the Department of Justice show that multiple high-ranking members of Robert Mueller's special investigation into the Russia conspiracy theory wiped their phones before handing them over to the DOJ's Office of the Inspector General.
Trump's updated Supreme Court list focuses heavily on religious liberty and abortion
President Trump's updated list of potential Supreme Court nominees places heavy emphasis in its selection on people who have been deeply involved in cases concerning religious liberty and abortion.
Portland mayor bans police use of tear gas to disperse crowds
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler banned the local police department from using tear gas even though the city has experienced ongoing protests and unrest for the past three months.
Church files lawsuit against Washington State: no church should be forced to offer insurance coverage for elective abortions
An Assemblies of God church in Seattle has launched a legal challenge against a state law which mandates the church must provide its employees with health insurance coverage for elective abortion if it also offers coverage for maternity care, CBN News reported Tuesday.
Christian News
Hindus, Buddhists Attack Sri Lanka Church, and Cemetery
Evangelical Christians in eastern Sri Lanka have expressed concerns about recent attacks by Hindu and Buddhist mobs opposing their faith.
Pakistan Sentences Christian To Death For Blasphemy
Christians have appealed for prayers after a Pakistani court sentenced a Christian man to death by hanging for sending “blasphemous” text messages.
Eritrea Releasing Dozens Of Christians From Tough Prisons
Eritrea has released dozens of Christians, many of whom spent a decade behind bars for their faith in Christ, well-informed rights activists say.
Evangelist Franklin Graham To Lead Washington Prayer March For ‘Healing of America’
Despite an ongoing coronavirus pandemic, U.S. evangelist Franklin Graham urged Americans Wednesday to join him in a prayer march in Washington, D.C. as the nation faces deadly riots and other turmoil.
'The Return' Movement Calls US Christians to Seek God's Kingdom First
Thousands of Christians plan to gather in Washington, DC on September 26 for an event called "The Return: National and Global Day of Prayer and Repentance."
UN: Covid-19 Fuels Humanitarian Crises Worldwide
Top U.N. officials warned Wednesday that the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated discrimination and other human rights violations that can fuel conflict, and its indirect consequences are dwarfing the impact of the virus itself in the world’s most fragile countries.
Huge Fire Erupts Again In Devastated Beirut
A massive fire erupted at the Beirut port on Thursday, just weeks after a massive blast at the same site devastated the Lebanese capital.
Cyberattacks from China, Iran, Russia target U.S. presidential election
Microsoft said Thursday it's detected an increase in cyberattacks related to the November presidential election coming from China, Iran and Russia.
EU, U.K. in urgent meeting on lawbreaking British Brexit plan
Top European Union and British officials were holding an emergency meeting in London on Thursday over Britain’s plan to break part of the Brexit divorce agreement, a move the EU says would demolish any goodwill to reach a trade agreement.
Russia, China, Iran to hold massive joint military exercise
China, Russia, Iran and a handful of other nations will hold massive joint military drills later this month in what Beijing dubs a “comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation in a new era.”
China’s Army is increasing military coercion and provocations in Asia
A National Defense University expert on China told a congressional hearing Wednesday that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army is increasing its level of military coercion in Asia as part of a strategy to extend China’s power and influence across the region, the Washington Times reports.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Kushner: Our plan is bid to save 2-state solution; Israel was eating up the land
Senior White House adviser Jared Kushner said on Wednesday that the Trump administration’s peace plan is an attempt to “save the two-state solution” because it stops Israel from further expanding its presence in the West Bank.
Inside the United States
White House and Fauci Deny President Trump Downplayed Coronavirus
The White House and Anthony Fauci, America’s top infectious disease expert, have denied that U.S. President Donald Trump deliberately misled the public about the coronavirus after audiotapes revealed he wanted to downplay the pandemic.
Protests drive Black police chiefs off the job: 'These people get in the way of the narrative'
Two more high-profile Black police chiefs announced this week that they plan to step down amid protest unrest, spurring more questions about whether Black Lives Matter is hurting rather than helping Black Americans.
Soros Donor Network Steers Six Figures to Three New Super PACs Ahead of 2020 Election
A political action committee funded by George Soros's Democracy Alliance donor network steered six-figure sums to three new super PACs this summer, according to recent filings.
Mueller investigators 'accidentally' wiped over a dozen phones before turning over to I.G.'s office
Newly released records from the Department of Justice show that multiple high-ranking members of Robert Mueller's special investigation into the Russia conspiracy theory wiped their phones before handing them over to the DOJ's Office of the Inspector General.
Trump's updated Supreme Court list focuses heavily on religious liberty and abortion
President Trump's updated list of potential Supreme Court nominees places heavy emphasis in its selection on people who have been deeply involved in cases concerning religious liberty and abortion.
Portland mayor bans police use of tear gas to disperse crowds
Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler banned the local police department from using tear gas even though the city has experienced ongoing protests and unrest for the past three months.
Church files lawsuit against Washington State: no church should be forced to offer insurance coverage for elective abortions
An Assemblies of God church in Seattle has launched a legal challenge against a state law which mandates the church must provide its employees with health insurance coverage for elective abortion if it also offers coverage for maternity care, CBN News reported Tuesday.
Christian News
Hindus, Buddhists Attack Sri Lanka Church, and Cemetery
Evangelical Christians in eastern Sri Lanka have expressed concerns about recent attacks by Hindu and Buddhist mobs opposing their faith.
Pakistan Sentences Christian To Death For Blasphemy
Christians have appealed for prayers after a Pakistani court sentenced a Christian man to death by hanging for sending “blasphemous” text messages.
Eritrea Releasing Dozens Of Christians From Tough Prisons
Eritrea has released dozens of Christians, many of whom spent a decade behind bars for their faith in Christ, well-informed rights activists say.
Evangelist Franklin Graham To Lead Washington Prayer March For ‘Healing of America’
Despite an ongoing coronavirus pandemic, U.S. evangelist Franklin Graham urged Americans Wednesday to join him in a prayer march in Washington, D.C. as the nation faces deadly riots and other turmoil.
'The Return' Movement Calls US Christians to Seek God's Kingdom First
Thousands of Christians plan to gather in Washington, DC on September 26 for an event called "The Return: National and Global Day of Prayer and Repentance."
Around the World
Donald Trump Iraq, Afghanistan troop drawdown fulfills promise, fuels criticism
President Trump checked off a key campaign promise Wednesday with a major drawdown of U.S. troops in Iraq and an even greater reduction in Afghanistan coming soon, but skeptics say the moves reflect U.S. political imperatives and not the chaos and violence both countries are likely to face down the road.
U.S., Oman discuss ways to strengthen security, boost economic ties
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday spoke with Oman’s leader, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, about ways to enhance regional security and strengthen economic ties between the two countries, the White House said in a statement.
Iran and Turkey forming “strong foundation” for “cooperation”
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are working toward forming a “strong foundation” for future, high level “cooperation,” the leaders’ respective national media have reported. The Turkish and Iranian media reports followed a video conference the two leaders held on Tuesday, the Jerusalem Post said.
CENTCOM: US Will Cut Troop Levels in Afghanistan to 4,500
The U.S. military is reducing troops in Afghanistan from 8,600 to about 4,500 by early November, the head of U.S Central Command said Wednesday, hours after he announced the withdrawal of more service members from Iraq this month.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu bashes AG as justice officials said weighing if PM must step down
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, the state prosecution and police on Wednesday evening, questioning the conduct of law enforcement and calling for an independent probe, after a news report claimed law enforcement officials covered up a serious conflict of interest by one of the investigators into his cases so as not to derail the corruption investigations into the premier.
Arab League drops resolution condemning UAE-Israel deal
The Arab League rejected on Wednesday a Palestinian proposal condemning the normalization agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, a Palestinian diplomatic source said on Wednesday according to Middle East news agencies.
A pipeline built for Iran may turn Israel into a major crude oil transportation hub
Following the normalization agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, it is possible the UAE will make use of a crude oil pipeline originally built by Israel and pre-revolution Iran – and turn Israel into a major center for the transport of oil between regions, 246 Mag reports. In using the pipeline, the UAE could bypass transporting oil through the Suez Canal and save a great deal of money on shipping costs.
Inside the United States
AG Barr: 'Operation Legend Is Working. Crime Is Down, and Order Is Being Restored'
The Justice Department's Operation Legend, launched two months ago in Kansas City, is reducing what Attorney General William Barr called "the explosion of crime" in nine major cities where federal agents are assisting local law enforcement.
Trump announces list of potential Supreme Court nominees
President Trump unveiled a list of individuals he will potentially nominate for the Supreme Court, a move likely to rally evangelical voters and core conservatives in his base before the election.
CDC: U.S. COVID Deaths Declined Through August, After 4-Week Rise in July
COVID deaths for the week ending August 22 have returned to levels not seen since the end of June.
Biden Unveils Plan to Protect American Jobs
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is unveiling a plan Wednesday to try to protect American workers by raising taxes on companies that move jobs overseas.
Christian News
Slaughter of Christians in Nigeria continues
Muslim Fulani herdsmen are suspected of murdering three members of the Evangelical Church Winning All denomination in Nigeria’s Kaduna state early on Sunday morning, the Christian Post reports. Two church members were also abducted in the same attack and a further five were kidnapped in a separate attack on a nearby community the same day. The killings and abductions are the latest in ongoing murderous assaults by Islamic extremist terrorists on Christian communities in Nigeria.
Donald Trump Iraq, Afghanistan troop drawdown fulfills promise, fuels criticism
President Trump checked off a key campaign promise Wednesday with a major drawdown of U.S. troops in Iraq and an even greater reduction in Afghanistan coming soon, but skeptics say the moves reflect U.S. political imperatives and not the chaos and violence both countries are likely to face down the road.
U.S., Oman discuss ways to strengthen security, boost economic ties
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday spoke with Oman’s leader, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said, about ways to enhance regional security and strengthen economic ties between the two countries, the White House said in a statement.
Iran and Turkey forming “strong foundation” for “cooperation”
Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are working toward forming a “strong foundation” for future, high level “cooperation,” the leaders’ respective national media have reported. The Turkish and Iranian media reports followed a video conference the two leaders held on Tuesday, the Jerusalem Post said.
CENTCOM: US Will Cut Troop Levels in Afghanistan to 4,500
The U.S. military is reducing troops in Afghanistan from 8,600 to about 4,500 by early November, the head of U.S Central Command said Wednesday, hours after he announced the withdrawal of more service members from Iraq this month.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu bashes AG as justice officials said weighing if PM must step down
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu lashed Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, the state prosecution and police on Wednesday evening, questioning the conduct of law enforcement and calling for an independent probe, after a news report claimed law enforcement officials covered up a serious conflict of interest by one of the investigators into his cases so as not to derail the corruption investigations into the premier.
Arab League drops resolution condemning UAE-Israel deal
The Arab League rejected on Wednesday a Palestinian proposal condemning the normalization agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, a Palestinian diplomatic source said on Wednesday according to Middle East news agencies.
A pipeline built for Iran may turn Israel into a major crude oil transportation hub
Following the normalization agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, it is possible the UAE will make use of a crude oil pipeline originally built by Israel and pre-revolution Iran – and turn Israel into a major center for the transport of oil between regions, 246 Mag reports. In using the pipeline, the UAE could bypass transporting oil through the Suez Canal and save a great deal of money on shipping costs.
Inside the United States
AG Barr: 'Operation Legend Is Working. Crime Is Down, and Order Is Being Restored'
The Justice Department's Operation Legend, launched two months ago in Kansas City, is reducing what Attorney General William Barr called "the explosion of crime" in nine major cities where federal agents are assisting local law enforcement.
Trump announces list of potential Supreme Court nominees
President Trump unveiled a list of individuals he will potentially nominate for the Supreme Court, a move likely to rally evangelical voters and core conservatives in his base before the election.
CDC: U.S. COVID Deaths Declined Through August, After 4-Week Rise in July
COVID deaths for the week ending August 22 have returned to levels not seen since the end of June.
Biden Unveils Plan to Protect American Jobs
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden is unveiling a plan Wednesday to try to protect American workers by raising taxes on companies that move jobs overseas.
Christian News
Slaughter of Christians in Nigeria continues
Muslim Fulani herdsmen are suspected of murdering three members of the Evangelical Church Winning All denomination in Nigeria’s Kaduna state early on Sunday morning, the Christian Post reports. Two church members were also abducted in the same attack and a further five were kidnapped in a separate attack on a nearby community the same day. The killings and abductions are the latest in ongoing murderous assaults by Islamic extremist terrorists on Christian communities in Nigeria.
Around the World
Iran building new centrifuge production site, state TV says
Iran said Tuesday it is building a sophisticated new building near its underground Natanz nuclear site, state TV reported.
Sudan floods: Nile water level threatens ancient pyramids
The authorities in Sudan are trying to protect the country's ancient pyramids from flooding as heavy rains have caused the nearby River Nile to reach record-breaking levels.
Trump to announce drawdown of troops from Iraq, Afghanistan
President Trump will announce a further drawdown of U.S. troops from Iraq on Wednesday, and a withdrawal of more troops from Afghanistan in the coming days, a senior administration official said Tuesday night.
Opposition Leader Urges End To Deals With Belarus President Amid Kidnappings and Expulsions
An opposition leader says an increasing number of critical activists opposing Belarusian President Alexander Lukanhesko are detained, kidnapped, and sometimes expelled from the country. The statement by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya comes amid dramatic scenes at the borders of the former Soviet republic.
Thousands Protest Hungarian Government “Takeover” of Universities
A tense calm returned to Budapest on Monday after thousands of Hungarians protested against what they view as a nationalist government takeover of public education.
Hungary Unveils Statue Of Late President Bush
Hungary says it will unveil a statue of late U.S. President George W. Bush in Budapest to mark the 30th anniversary of the collapse of communist dictatorship in Central and Eastern Europe. In 1989, Bush became the first U.S. president to visit Hungary while in office. He died in 2018 at the age of 94.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel, UAE to sign deal at White House ceremony next Tuesday
Israel and the United Arab Emirates will sign their historic deal normalizing relations at a White House ceremony on September 15, a senior White House official confirmed to The Times of Israel on Tuesday.
Palestinian leaders: Disabled access to Tomb of Patriarchs is 'war crime'
Palestinian leaders have described plans by Israel to install wheelchair access at the Tomb of the Patriarchs as “tantamount to igniting a religious war in the region and in the world,” and a "war crime," and have called for a third intifada in response. The changes will make the site more accessible for Jews and Muslims alike.
Inside the United States
Trump extends Gulf of Mexico drilling ban for 10 years, expands it to Florida’s Atlantic coast
Most expected President Donald Trump on Tuesday to tout his record in allocating the full federal $200 million annual commitment to the 40-year, $10.5 billion Everglades restoration plan for only the second time since Congress approved it in 2000.
Mark Meadows: 'Additional documents' spell 'trouble' for ex-officials in Durham investigation
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said he has seen "additional" documents that are pertinent to U.S. Attorney John Durham's criminal inquiry into the Russia investigation.
One thousand Georgia residents caught double-voting in primary may face charges
The 1,000 residents of Georgia who were caught double-voting may face prosecution.
FISA court scolds FBI for 'widespread violations' of privacy rules
Under Director Chris Wray, the FBI continues to engage in "widespread violations" of rules protecting Americans' privacy while searching through national security surveillance data, the chief judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court has concluded.
New study shows rioting took place in 48 out 50 major US cities this summer
A new Princeton University study shows there have been riots associated with the Black Lives Matter movement in 48 out of 50 major US cities, and 74 out of 100 of the largest US cities by population, since the police killing of George Floyd on May 25. The study titled “Demonstrations and Political Violence in America,” also found that in over 93% of all demonstrations connected to the BLM movement during the same period, protestors did not engage in violence or destruction of property.
Christian News
Christian ministry holds 'worship protest' in street after Seattle barricades park
Seattle shut down a park on Labor Day to stop a Christian prayer rally, so the Sean Feucht Ministries moved the event to the streets, renaming it a “worship protest.”
At least 500 Christians murdered in last two months in Ethiopia
At least 500 Christians have been slaughtered, and thousands traumatized and displaced, in the last two months in Ethiopia’s Oromia state, the Christian Post reports. It is believed that those responsible for the recent door-to-door attacks and killings are members of a youth movement of Muslim men from the ethnic Oromo population.
Growth of Christianity in Iran: number of believers approaching 1 million
A new survey on the growth of Christianity in Iran suggests there could soon be 1 million Iranian Christians living in the Islamic Republic, CBN News reports. Carried out by the non-profit Group for Analyzing and Measuring Attitudes in Iran (GAMAAN), the survey questioned 50,000 Iranians, 90% of whom live in the country. The survey showed that 1.5% of respondents identified as Christian.
Iran building new centrifuge production site, state TV says
Iran said Tuesday it is building a sophisticated new building near its underground Natanz nuclear site, state TV reported.
Sudan floods: Nile water level threatens ancient pyramids
The authorities in Sudan are trying to protect the country's ancient pyramids from flooding as heavy rains have caused the nearby River Nile to reach record-breaking levels.
Trump to announce drawdown of troops from Iraq, Afghanistan
President Trump will announce a further drawdown of U.S. troops from Iraq on Wednesday, and a withdrawal of more troops from Afghanistan in the coming days, a senior administration official said Tuesday night.
Opposition Leader Urges End To Deals With Belarus President Amid Kidnappings and Expulsions
An opposition leader says an increasing number of critical activists opposing Belarusian President Alexander Lukanhesko are detained, kidnapped, and sometimes expelled from the country. The statement by Svetlana Tikhanovskaya comes amid dramatic scenes at the borders of the former Soviet republic.
Thousands Protest Hungarian Government “Takeover” of Universities
A tense calm returned to Budapest on Monday after thousands of Hungarians protested against what they view as a nationalist government takeover of public education.
Hungary Unveils Statue Of Late President Bush
Hungary says it will unveil a statue of late U.S. President George W. Bush in Budapest to mark the 30th anniversary of the collapse of communist dictatorship in Central and Eastern Europe. In 1989, Bush became the first U.S. president to visit Hungary while in office. He died in 2018 at the age of 94.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel, UAE to sign deal at White House ceremony next Tuesday
Israel and the United Arab Emirates will sign their historic deal normalizing relations at a White House ceremony on September 15, a senior White House official confirmed to The Times of Israel on Tuesday.
Palestinian leaders: Disabled access to Tomb of Patriarchs is 'war crime'
Palestinian leaders have described plans by Israel to install wheelchair access at the Tomb of the Patriarchs as “tantamount to igniting a religious war in the region and in the world,” and a "war crime," and have called for a third intifada in response. The changes will make the site more accessible for Jews and Muslims alike.
Inside the United States
Trump extends Gulf of Mexico drilling ban for 10 years, expands it to Florida’s Atlantic coast
Most expected President Donald Trump on Tuesday to tout his record in allocating the full federal $200 million annual commitment to the 40-year, $10.5 billion Everglades restoration plan for only the second time since Congress approved it in 2000.
Mark Meadows: 'Additional documents' spell 'trouble' for ex-officials in Durham investigation
White House chief of staff Mark Meadows said he has seen "additional" documents that are pertinent to U.S. Attorney John Durham's criminal inquiry into the Russia investigation.
One thousand Georgia residents caught double-voting in primary may face charges
The 1,000 residents of Georgia who were caught double-voting may face prosecution.
FISA court scolds FBI for 'widespread violations' of privacy rules
Under Director Chris Wray, the FBI continues to engage in "widespread violations" of rules protecting Americans' privacy while searching through national security surveillance data, the chief judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court has concluded.
New study shows rioting took place in 48 out 50 major US cities this summer
A new Princeton University study shows there have been riots associated with the Black Lives Matter movement in 48 out of 50 major US cities, and 74 out of 100 of the largest US cities by population, since the police killing of George Floyd on May 25. The study titled “Demonstrations and Political Violence in America,” also found that in over 93% of all demonstrations connected to the BLM movement during the same period, protestors did not engage in violence or destruction of property.
Christian News
Christian ministry holds 'worship protest' in street after Seattle barricades park
Seattle shut down a park on Labor Day to stop a Christian prayer rally, so the Sean Feucht Ministries moved the event to the streets, renaming it a “worship protest.”
At least 500 Christians murdered in last two months in Ethiopia
At least 500 Christians have been slaughtered, and thousands traumatized and displaced, in the last two months in Ethiopia’s Oromia state, the Christian Post reports. It is believed that those responsible for the recent door-to-door attacks and killings are members of a youth movement of Muslim men from the ethnic Oromo population.
Growth of Christianity in Iran: number of believers approaching 1 million
A new survey on the growth of Christianity in Iran suggests there could soon be 1 million Iranian Christians living in the Islamic Republic, CBN News reports. Carried out by the non-profit Group for Analyzing and Measuring Attitudes in Iran (GAMAAN), the survey questioned 50,000 Iranians, 90% of whom live in the country. The survey showed that 1.5% of respondents identified as Christian.