Prophecy News Watch - December 25, 2023
Around the World
Ukraine Christmas Overshadowed By Russian Attacks (Worthy News Radio)
Pope Francis has expressed his closeness to what he said are "our brothers and sisters suffering due to war," including the people of Ukraine which faced a turbulent Christmas, with Russian shelling and drone attacks reportedly claiming the lives of at least four people. The leader of more than a billion Catholics, who has been involved in peace diplomacy with both nations, but there was no evidence Sunday his efforts had been successful.
Iran Denies Planning Houthi Attacks
Iran has denied U.S. allegations that it is involved in planning attacks by Yemen's Tehran-aligned Houthi movement on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
Czech Republic Unites In Grief Over University Massacre (Worthy News Radio)
The Czech Republic plunged into a day of national mourning Saturday after a student killed 14 people and wounded 25 others at his Prague university in the worst mass shooting in the country’s, and Europe’s, recent history.
China Battles West Over Control Over World Minerals
China’s battle with the West over control of the world’s critical minerals rapidly escalated Friday after the Communist nation banned the export of production technology for rare earth metals.
UK: High Court Rules It Is Lawful to Bar Silent Prayer Vigils Inside Exclusion Zone Around Abortion Center
Britain’s High Court of Justice has ruled it is lawful to criminalize pro-life activity, including silent prayer vigils, inside a designated exclusion zone around an abortion clinic, the UK Christian Concern organization said in a press release.The ruling was handed down by Lord Justice Warby and Justice Thornton on Dec. 15, 2023.
Houthis Threaten To Strike More US Warships
American warships faced possible attacks Friday after Yemen's Houthis warned they would strike U.S. warships if Washington targeted the Iranian-backed militia.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
UN Security Council Passes Resolution to Increase Humanitarian Aid to Gaza; U.S. Abstains and Expresses Criticism of UN
Following a week of vote delays and intense negotiations to circumvent a United States veto, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) approved a resolution that called for the boosting of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and called for urgent steps "to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities."
Inside the United States
Michigan’s Capitol Faces ‘Satanic’ Christmas
The heart of government in the Midwestern U.S. state of Michigan was preparing for Christmas with a satanic display of The Satanic Temple (TST) group after a Christian beheaded its other satanic monument at the Iowa State Capitol.
Biden Approves $886 Billion Defense Bill and FISA Extension on Friday, Right Before Christmas
On Friday, President Biden approved the $886 billion defense bill, providing the military with its most substantial pay raise in years. The bill, however, also prolongs the government's authority to monitor phone and internet activities of non-U.S. residents abroad, a measure that has raised concerns among critics about potential implications for Americans.
SCOTUS Rejects Special Counsel’s Request to Decide Trump’s Immunity Claim, Handing Trump a Win
On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) declined the request from special counsel Jack Smith for an expedited review concerning a defense strategy in one of the two cases he is handling against Former President Donald Trump.
New Jersey: Pro-life Pregnancy Centers File Lawsuit to Block “Oppressive, Unjustified” Subpoena Issued by Democratic AG
An umbrella group of pro-life pregnancy centers has filed suit against New Jersey to block what it describes as a politically motivated “oppressive, unjustified” subpoena issued by the state’s Democratic Attorney General to produce detailed information on their business practices, the Washington Times reports. First Choice Women’s Resource Centers filed the suit in the District Court in response to a subpoena received from New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin.
Christian News
Vietnamese Christian Refugees Facing Arrest and Harassment in Thailand
Worryingly, Christian refugees from the Vietnamese Hmong and Montagnard minority groups are now facing arrests and harassment from officials in Thailand, where they have come seeking refuge from persecution in Vietnam, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Christian Colleges Have Increased Their Support for Abortion/Planned Parenthood Since 2021, Study Shows
A new study shows that Christian colleges in the United States have increased their support for abortion and for the major abortion provider Planned Parenthood by 10% since 2021, the Christian Post reports.
Ukraine Christmas Overshadowed By Russian Attacks (Worthy News Radio)
Pope Francis has expressed his closeness to what he said are "our brothers and sisters suffering due to war," including the people of Ukraine which faced a turbulent Christmas, with Russian shelling and drone attacks reportedly claiming the lives of at least four people. The leader of more than a billion Catholics, who has been involved in peace diplomacy with both nations, but there was no evidence Sunday his efforts had been successful.
Iran Denies Planning Houthi Attacks
Iran has denied U.S. allegations that it is involved in planning attacks by Yemen's Tehran-aligned Houthi movement on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
Czech Republic Unites In Grief Over University Massacre (Worthy News Radio)
The Czech Republic plunged into a day of national mourning Saturday after a student killed 14 people and wounded 25 others at his Prague university in the worst mass shooting in the country’s, and Europe’s, recent history.
China Battles West Over Control Over World Minerals
China’s battle with the West over control of the world’s critical minerals rapidly escalated Friday after the Communist nation banned the export of production technology for rare earth metals.
UK: High Court Rules It Is Lawful to Bar Silent Prayer Vigils Inside Exclusion Zone Around Abortion Center
Britain’s High Court of Justice has ruled it is lawful to criminalize pro-life activity, including silent prayer vigils, inside a designated exclusion zone around an abortion clinic, the UK Christian Concern organization said in a press release.The ruling was handed down by Lord Justice Warby and Justice Thornton on Dec. 15, 2023.
Houthis Threaten To Strike More US Warships
American warships faced possible attacks Friday after Yemen's Houthis warned they would strike U.S. warships if Washington targeted the Iranian-backed militia.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
UN Security Council Passes Resolution to Increase Humanitarian Aid to Gaza; U.S. Abstains and Expresses Criticism of UN
Following a week of vote delays and intense negotiations to circumvent a United States veto, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) approved a resolution that called for the boosting of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and called for urgent steps "to create the conditions for a sustainable cessation of hostilities."
Inside the United States
Michigan’s Capitol Faces ‘Satanic’ Christmas
The heart of government in the Midwestern U.S. state of Michigan was preparing for Christmas with a satanic display of The Satanic Temple (TST) group after a Christian beheaded its other satanic monument at the Iowa State Capitol.
Biden Approves $886 Billion Defense Bill and FISA Extension on Friday, Right Before Christmas
On Friday, President Biden approved the $886 billion defense bill, providing the military with its most substantial pay raise in years. The bill, however, also prolongs the government's authority to monitor phone and internet activities of non-U.S. residents abroad, a measure that has raised concerns among critics about potential implications for Americans.
SCOTUS Rejects Special Counsel’s Request to Decide Trump’s Immunity Claim, Handing Trump a Win
On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) declined the request from special counsel Jack Smith for an expedited review concerning a defense strategy in one of the two cases he is handling against Former President Donald Trump.
New Jersey: Pro-life Pregnancy Centers File Lawsuit to Block “Oppressive, Unjustified” Subpoena Issued by Democratic AG
An umbrella group of pro-life pregnancy centers has filed suit against New Jersey to block what it describes as a politically motivated “oppressive, unjustified” subpoena issued by the state’s Democratic Attorney General to produce detailed information on their business practices, the Washington Times reports. First Choice Women’s Resource Centers filed the suit in the District Court in response to a subpoena received from New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin.
Christian News
Vietnamese Christian Refugees Facing Arrest and Harassment in Thailand
Worryingly, Christian refugees from the Vietnamese Hmong and Montagnard minority groups are now facing arrests and harassment from officials in Thailand, where they have come seeking refuge from persecution in Vietnam, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Christian Colleges Have Increased Their Support for Abortion/Planned Parenthood Since 2021, Study Shows
A new study shows that Christian colleges in the United States have increased their support for abortion and for the major abortion provider Planned Parenthood by 10% since 2021, the Christian Post reports.