Prophecy News Watch - December 13, 2023
Around the World
Russia Has Suffered Massive Losses, U.S. Intelligence Says
According to a newly declassified U.S. intelligence report presented to Congress, the conflict in Ukraine has severely impacted Russia's military capabilities. The report indicates that close to 90% of Russia's prewar army has been diminished due to casualties or injuries, and thousands of its battle tanks have been destroyed, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Russia Inaugurates New Nuclear Submarines
Russia’s president has inaugurated two new nuclear submarines after announcing he would run for re-election in March.
US To Use Sweden’s Bases Ahead Of NATO Membership
Sweden has signed a defense cooperation accord with Washington that will allow the United States to use all military bases in the Scandinavian country that seeks to join the NATO military alliance.
Missile Attack on Tanker in Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthi Rebels
The U.S. military reported on Tuesday morning that an anti-ship cruise missile hit a commercial ship on Monday evening. The missile was launched from a region in Yemen controlled by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. This incident is part of a series of recent attacks at an important maritime chokepoint in the Red Sea.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Under World Pressure To End War Against Hamas
Israel came under more world pressure Wednesday after the United Nations General Assembly and even its ally, the United States, criticized the Jewish nation’s military operations against Hamas in Gaza.
Netanyahu Declares: ‘Gaza Will Not Become Hamastan or Fatahstan’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed opposition to the United States' proposals to install a reformed Palestinian Authority in Gaza following the completion of Israel's military operation to remove Hamas from the Strip.
Inside the United States
Speaker Johnson Withdraws FISA Reform Legislation, Announces House Will Extend Authorization
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Tuesday that following the withdrawal of competing bills to reform and extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), Congress will opt for a temporary extension to adhere to its December 31 expiration date.
Supreme Court Responds to Special Counsel’s Request Regarding Trump’s Claim of Immunity
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court directed former President Donald Trump to submit a response to special counsel Jack Smith's request for an expedited decision regarding the defense's appeal to claim presidential immunity for the charges Trump faces regarding his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
Republican Impeachment Inquiry to be Voted on This Week
House Republican leadership announced Tuesday that they would bring the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden to the House floor, likely Wednesday, for an official vote.
U.S. Constructing ‘Virtual Border Wall’ with Advanced AI Technology
The U.S. government is constructing a 'virtual wall' on the southern border by deploying multiple sophisticated surveillance towers, with some employing artificial intelligence, as part of an effort to manage the nation's border, according to a report in Axios.
Christian News
China: Authorities Arrest Church Leaders, Try to Block Online Prayer
The long-persecuted Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) in China’s Sichuan Province has been subjected to further intense persecution from Chinese authorities who arrested and detained church leaders and sought to block an important online prayer meeting on 9 December 2023, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports.
Uganda: IS-Affiliated Terrorists Attack Christian Community, Hack Woman to Death, Kidnap Man
Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) incorporated into Islamic State are believed to have carried out an attack on a Christian community in western Uganda last week, in which they hacked a woman to death with an ax, severely injured her nephew, and kidnapped another man, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Kenya: Al-Shabaab Jihadists Continue slaughter of Christians in Lamu West
Less than two weeks after suspected al-Shabaab jihadists beheaded a 72-year-old Christian man in Kenya’s Lamu West County, terrorists kidnapped and murdered a 60-year-old Christian man in the same area on Dec. 5, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Myanmar: Military Junta Has Destroyed Over 70 churches, Arrested Dozens of Christians
Since overthrowing Myanmar’s democratically elected government and launching a fresh civil war in February 2021, the Burmese Tatmadaw military junta has destroyed 74 churches and arrested 42 Christians, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Russia Has Suffered Massive Losses, U.S. Intelligence Says
According to a newly declassified U.S. intelligence report presented to Congress, the conflict in Ukraine has severely impacted Russia's military capabilities. The report indicates that close to 90% of Russia's prewar army has been diminished due to casualties or injuries, and thousands of its battle tanks have been destroyed, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Russia Inaugurates New Nuclear Submarines
Russia’s president has inaugurated two new nuclear submarines after announcing he would run for re-election in March.
US To Use Sweden’s Bases Ahead Of NATO Membership
Sweden has signed a defense cooperation accord with Washington that will allow the United States to use all military bases in the Scandinavian country that seeks to join the NATO military alliance.
Missile Attack on Tanker in Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthi Rebels
The U.S. military reported on Tuesday morning that an anti-ship cruise missile hit a commercial ship on Monday evening. The missile was launched from a region in Yemen controlled by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. This incident is part of a series of recent attacks at an important maritime chokepoint in the Red Sea.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Under World Pressure To End War Against Hamas
Israel came under more world pressure Wednesday after the United Nations General Assembly and even its ally, the United States, criticized the Jewish nation’s military operations against Hamas in Gaza.
Netanyahu Declares: ‘Gaza Will Not Become Hamastan or Fatahstan’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed opposition to the United States' proposals to install a reformed Palestinian Authority in Gaza following the completion of Israel's military operation to remove Hamas from the Strip.
Inside the United States
Speaker Johnson Withdraws FISA Reform Legislation, Announces House Will Extend Authorization
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Tuesday that following the withdrawal of competing bills to reform and extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), Congress will opt for a temporary extension to adhere to its December 31 expiration date.
Supreme Court Responds to Special Counsel’s Request Regarding Trump’s Claim of Immunity
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court directed former President Donald Trump to submit a response to special counsel Jack Smith's request for an expedited decision regarding the defense's appeal to claim presidential immunity for the charges Trump faces regarding his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
Republican Impeachment Inquiry to be Voted on This Week
House Republican leadership announced Tuesday that they would bring the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden to the House floor, likely Wednesday, for an official vote.
U.S. Constructing ‘Virtual Border Wall’ with Advanced AI Technology
The U.S. government is constructing a 'virtual wall' on the southern border by deploying multiple sophisticated surveillance towers, with some employing artificial intelligence, as part of an effort to manage the nation's border, according to a report in Axios.
Christian News
China: Authorities Arrest Church Leaders, Try to Block Online Prayer
The long-persecuted Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) in China’s Sichuan Province has been subjected to further intense persecution from Chinese authorities who arrested and detained church leaders and sought to block an important online prayer meeting on 9 December 2023, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports.
Uganda: IS-Affiliated Terrorists Attack Christian Community, Hack Woman to Death, Kidnap Man
Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) incorporated into Islamic State are believed to have carried out an attack on a Christian community in western Uganda last week, in which they hacked a woman to death with an ax, severely injured her nephew, and kidnapped another man, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Kenya: Al-Shabaab Jihadists Continue slaughter of Christians in Lamu West
Less than two weeks after suspected al-Shabaab jihadists beheaded a 72-year-old Christian man in Kenya’s Lamu West County, terrorists kidnapped and murdered a 60-year-old Christian man in the same area on Dec. 5, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Myanmar: Military Junta Has Destroyed Over 70 churches, Arrested Dozens of Christians
Since overthrowing Myanmar’s democratically elected government and launching a fresh civil war in February 2021, the Burmese Tatmadaw military junta has destroyed 74 churches and arrested 42 Christians, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.