Prophecy News Watch - December 26, 2024

Around the World
Russia Hits Ukraine’s Infrastructure In Christmas Barrage Ignoring Vatican
Russia launched a large-scale missile attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, ignoring appeals from Pope Francis for a Christmas truce in the war-torn nation and around the world.
Dutch King Urges Jews Not To Leave After ‘Pogrom’ And Other Attacks
Dutch King Willem-Alexander urged the Dutch Jewish community on Christmas Day to remain in the Netherlands despite concerns about mounting antisemitism.
Azerbaijan Airlines Plane Crashes, Dozens Killed
An Embraer passenger plane flying from Azerbaijan to Russia crashed near the city of Aktau in Kazakhstan on Wednesday with 62 passengers and five crew on board, Kazakh authorities announced, saying that 32 people had survived.
Ex-Suriname President Bouterse Dies In Hiding After Conviction For Murders
Suriname’s ex-president Desi Bouterse, who was on the run after being convicted for political murders, has died, several Surinamese sources say. He was 79.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Houthis Target Israel with Missile and Drone Attacks
Israeli air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile fired by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels early Wednesday, marking the second consecutive night and fourth attack in a week targeting central Israel in an escalating near-nightly pattern. The same day, the Houthis also launched a drone that crashed in an open area near Ashkelon in southern Israel, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

Inside the United States
Bah, Humbug! Rand Paul Report Details ‘Waste’ in Federal Spending
Congress and federal agencies wasted more than $1 trillion of taxpayer money in 2024, according to an analysis published by U.S. Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY, who has long called for fiscal responsibility and the end of waste, fraud and abuse of taxpayer money.
Chinese Spies Arrested in California
People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Chinese Communist Party (CCP) operatives and spies continue to be arrested in the U.S. The latest include two Chinese spies in California and several arrested in Guam near a U.S. military installation on the same day as an historic live ballistic missile interception test.

Christian News
German Christians in Mourning Over Christmas Market Attack
Christian churches in Germany are mourning with the loved ones of those who lost their lives or suffered injuries during the terrorist attack on a Christmas market in the eastern German city of Magdeburg on Friday, Christian Daily International (CDI) reports.
Congo (DRC): 60 New Believers to Be Baptized in Christmas Day Service, “A Christmas Miracle”
A beacon of light and hope in a country devastated by war, dozens of newly Christian believers were to be baptized at a special Christmas Day service in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Christian Today (CT) reports.
Vietnam: Christians Arrested Ahead of Christmas, “Following Jesus Can Bring Intense Hostility”
Multiple ethnic Montagnard Christian leaders in Vietnam’s Central Highlands region were arrested on December 21 after they began preparing to celebrate Christmas and led congregations in unauthorized worship services, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Sudan: Abused Christian Mother Stands Firm in New Faith
A Sudanese refugee and Christian mother whose husband stabbed her for leaving Islam and putting her faith in Christ is reported to be standing firm in her new faith despite her family’s ongoing hostility and the challenge of living in a camp for displaced people, Morning Star News (MSN) reports.