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
Tehran Not Open to Negotiating, Despite Economic Straits
US President Trump’s 'maximum pressure policy' against Iran does not seem to be persuading the Islamic Republic to come to the negotiating table.
Turkey Seeks Redress from Russia as Syrian Government Closes in on Last Rebel Stronghold
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow Tuesday to protest what he says is a violation of a 2017 de-escalation agreement by Syria.
Russia Is Trying to Sell Turkey Its Own Stealthy New Fighter After U.S. Revoked Access to F-35
President Vladimir Putin showed off Russia’s latest stealth warplane to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who’s been barred from buying a new U.S. fighter jet in a dispute with Donald Trump over the purchase of a Russian missile system.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu Expands Israeli Air Campaign Against Iran to Lebanon and Iraq
Israel widened its air campaign against Iran-backed targets across the Middle East over the weekend, pitting itself against Lebanese and Iraqi leaders who have hosted the proxies.
Egypt said to warn Hamas: End rocket fire, avoid Iran-led fight against Israel
Egypt has warned Hamas it will stop mediating truce negotiations with Israel if the Palestinian terror group does not put a lid on rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, the Al-Arabiya news site reported Tuesday.
Report: Alleged Israeli strike in Beirut targeted precision missile infrastructure
The alleged Israeli drone strike on a Hezbollah media center in Beirut over the weekend destroyed precision missile infrastructure set up by the Iran-backed Shiite terrorist group, the British Times reported Tuesday.
Inside the United States
Federal judge partially blocks Missouri abortion ban
A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked an eight-week abortion ban from taking effect in Missouri but will allow another part of the law to move forward that bans abortion on the basis of race, sex, or disability.
CA Christians Say Resolution Condemns Religious Leaders Who Oppose LGBTQ Lifestyles
California lawmakers held a hearing Tuesday on a controversial resolution that some say condemns religious leaders who oppose homosexuality.
Christian News
House Church in Yunnan Raided by the Authorities
House churches across China continue to be harassed by the government during their activities. On August 11, a house church in Yunnan province was raided by the authorities during service. Churchgoers’ cell phones were confiscated and names of members recorded, before they were asked to sign a statement promising that they would never come to this church again.
Muslim Herders Take Christians Hostage and Force Churches to Pay Huge Sums for Their Release, Says Nigerian Pastor
Three Christians have been kidnapped and held for ransom in Kaduna State, Nigeria, since the beginning of August, exposing a tactic employed by Muslim Fulani Herdsmen many say are carrying out genocide against the country’s Christians.
New hope rises from Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley
Heart for Lebanon helps these new believers become disciple-makers. “We have around 600 people in our Bible studies each month [and] we’re running about 300 in our worship services each week, plus Sunday schools,” Atema says.
'Kill them all': Iowa professor resigns after his comments about evangelicals revealed
A professor has resigned from his position over social media posts, where he expressed support for the extreme-left antifa and his hatred for evangelical Christians.
Tehran Not Open to Negotiating, Despite Economic Straits
US President Trump’s 'maximum pressure policy' against Iran does not seem to be persuading the Islamic Republic to come to the negotiating table.
Turkey Seeks Redress from Russia as Syrian Government Closes in on Last Rebel Stronghold
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow Tuesday to protest what he says is a violation of a 2017 de-escalation agreement by Syria.
Russia Is Trying to Sell Turkey Its Own Stealthy New Fighter After U.S. Revoked Access to F-35
President Vladimir Putin showed off Russia’s latest stealth warplane to his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who’s been barred from buying a new U.S. fighter jet in a dispute with Donald Trump over the purchase of a Russian missile system.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu Expands Israeli Air Campaign Against Iran to Lebanon and Iraq
Israel widened its air campaign against Iran-backed targets across the Middle East over the weekend, pitting itself against Lebanese and Iraqi leaders who have hosted the proxies.
Egypt said to warn Hamas: End rocket fire, avoid Iran-led fight against Israel
Egypt has warned Hamas it will stop mediating truce negotiations with Israel if the Palestinian terror group does not put a lid on rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, the Al-Arabiya news site reported Tuesday.
Report: Alleged Israeli strike in Beirut targeted precision missile infrastructure
The alleged Israeli drone strike on a Hezbollah media center in Beirut over the weekend destroyed precision missile infrastructure set up by the Iran-backed Shiite terrorist group, the British Times reported Tuesday.
Inside the United States
Federal judge partially blocks Missouri abortion ban
A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked an eight-week abortion ban from taking effect in Missouri but will allow another part of the law to move forward that bans abortion on the basis of race, sex, or disability.
CA Christians Say Resolution Condemns Religious Leaders Who Oppose LGBTQ Lifestyles
California lawmakers held a hearing Tuesday on a controversial resolution that some say condemns religious leaders who oppose homosexuality.
Christian News
House Church in Yunnan Raided by the Authorities
House churches across China continue to be harassed by the government during their activities. On August 11, a house church in Yunnan province was raided by the authorities during service. Churchgoers’ cell phones were confiscated and names of members recorded, before they were asked to sign a statement promising that they would never come to this church again.
Muslim Herders Take Christians Hostage and Force Churches to Pay Huge Sums for Their Release, Says Nigerian Pastor
Three Christians have been kidnapped and held for ransom in Kaduna State, Nigeria, since the beginning of August, exposing a tactic employed by Muslim Fulani Herdsmen many say are carrying out genocide against the country’s Christians.
New hope rises from Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley
Heart for Lebanon helps these new believers become disciple-makers. “We have around 600 people in our Bible studies each month [and] we’re running about 300 in our worship services each week, plus Sunday schools,” Atema says.
'Kill them all': Iowa professor resigns after his comments about evangelicals revealed
A professor has resigned from his position over social media posts, where he expressed support for the extreme-left antifa and his hatred for evangelical Christians.
Around the World
Russia's Putin, Turkey's Erdogan To Hold Talks In Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in the Moscow regional town of Zhukovsky on August 27 for talks expected to focus on the situation in Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib.
NASA Satellite Data Confirms Amazon Fires Are Average for this time of year
In the Amazon rainforest, fire season has arrived. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured these images of several fires burning in the states of Rondônia, Amazonas, Pará, and Mato Grosso on August 11 and August 13, 2019.
Syrian Forces Take Control of Northern Hama Province for First Time Since 2012
Syrian state media report that government forces now control all of northern Hama province for the first time since 2012 and that they have encircled a Turkish military monitoring post in the town of Morek. Turkish President Erdogan says that he will discuss the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin when they meet next week.
French, US officials strike draft compromise on French digital tax
French and US negotiators have reached a compromise agreement on France's digital tax, a levy which prompted US President Donald Trump to threaten a separate tax on French wine imports, a source close to the negotiations said.
Russia to resume S-400 missile deliveries to Turkey this week
Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Monday that Russia would resume the delivery of its S-400 missile defense system to Turkey this week.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu Expands Israeli Air Campaign Against Iran to Lebanon and Iraq
Israel widened its air campaign against Iran-backed targets across the Middle East over the weekend, pitting itself against Lebanese and Iraqi leaders who have hosted the proxies.
Trump Says Peace Plan To Arrive Before Israeli Elections, Details Shrouded In Mystery
Amidst conflicting reports about its details, President Trump said Monday that his administration's plan for Middle East peace would be presented before new Israeli elections in September.
As war fears skyrocket, Netanyahu orders rare security briefing for rival Gantz
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday ordered his top defense aides to brief chief political rival Benny Gantz of the Blue and White party on security developments, an extremely rare move reflecting threats of war on multiple fronts.
Inside the United States
Christians cannot be forced to make gay wedding videos, rules US appeals court
An appeals court has ruled in favor of Christian filmmakers who had been told by Minnesota officials that they could not refuse to make videos for same-sex weddings on the grounds of religious objections.
Texas pastor whose daughter was killed in mass shooting is running for state Senate
A Texas pastor whose teenage daughter was among those killed during a mass shooting in his church in 2017 says he'll run for the state Senate next year.
Christian News
Christian group challenges California's donor disclosure for nonprofits
A Christian legal center appealed to the Supreme Court Monday, challenging California’s law that forces nonprofits to disclose donors to the state attorney general’s office.
Russia's Putin, Turkey's Erdogan To Hold Talks In Moscow
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet with his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in the Moscow regional town of Zhukovsky on August 27 for talks expected to focus on the situation in Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib.
NASA Satellite Data Confirms Amazon Fires Are Average for this time of year
In the Amazon rainforest, fire season has arrived. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Aqua satellite captured these images of several fires burning in the states of Rondônia, Amazonas, Pará, and Mato Grosso on August 11 and August 13, 2019.
Syrian Forces Take Control of Northern Hama Province for First Time Since 2012
Syrian state media report that government forces now control all of northern Hama province for the first time since 2012 and that they have encircled a Turkish military monitoring post in the town of Morek. Turkish President Erdogan says that he will discuss the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin when they meet next week.
French, US officials strike draft compromise on French digital tax
French and US negotiators have reached a compromise agreement on France's digital tax, a levy which prompted US President Donald Trump to threaten a separate tax on French wine imports, a source close to the negotiations said.
Russia to resume S-400 missile deliveries to Turkey this week
Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Monday that Russia would resume the delivery of its S-400 missile defense system to Turkey this week.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Netanyahu Expands Israeli Air Campaign Against Iran to Lebanon and Iraq
Israel widened its air campaign against Iran-backed targets across the Middle East over the weekend, pitting itself against Lebanese and Iraqi leaders who have hosted the proxies.
Trump Says Peace Plan To Arrive Before Israeli Elections, Details Shrouded In Mystery
Amidst conflicting reports about its details, President Trump said Monday that his administration's plan for Middle East peace would be presented before new Israeli elections in September.
As war fears skyrocket, Netanyahu orders rare security briefing for rival Gantz
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday ordered his top defense aides to brief chief political rival Benny Gantz of the Blue and White party on security developments, an extremely rare move reflecting threats of war on multiple fronts.
Inside the United States
Christians cannot be forced to make gay wedding videos, rules US appeals court
An appeals court has ruled in favor of Christian filmmakers who had been told by Minnesota officials that they could not refuse to make videos for same-sex weddings on the grounds of religious objections.
Texas pastor whose daughter was killed in mass shooting is running for state Senate
A Texas pastor whose teenage daughter was among those killed during a mass shooting in his church in 2017 says he'll run for the state Senate next year.
Christian News
Christian group challenges California's donor disclosure for nonprofits
A Christian legal center appealed to the Supreme Court Monday, challenging California’s law that forces nonprofits to disclose donors to the state attorney general’s office.
Around the World
China announces it seeks 'calm' end to trade war, as markets tank and currency hits 11-year flatline
China signaled on Monday it was now seeking a 'calm' end to its ongoing trade war with the U.S., as Asian markets crumbled and China's currency plummeted to an 11-year low following the latest tariffs on $550 billion in Chinese goods announced last Friday by the Trump administration.
Britain sends another warship to Gulf amid heightened tensions in region
A third British warship is heading to the Gulf, the Royal Navy announced Saturday, amid heightened tensions in the region.
Top Iranian general warns Israel that strikes will bring end to ‘Zionist regime’
A top Iranian general, blamed by Israel for masterminding a preempted bid to launch drone attacks from Syria, warned Israel on Sunday that its strikes against Iran would not be tolerated much longer.
Russia floating nuclear power station sets sail across Arctic
Russia has launched a pioneering floating nuclear power station, which will sail 5,000km (3,000 miles) from the Arctic port of Murmansk to Chukotka in the far east.
Trump dangles 'very big' trade deal in front of Brexit Britain
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday said he and President Donald Trump were 'gung-ho' about a post-Brexit trade deal but cautioned the United States would be tough negotiators and that he would not rush talks.
N. Korea says it tested new super-large multiple rocket launcher
North Korea said Sunday that it successfully tested a 'new' super-large multiple rocket launch system the previous day under the guidance of leader Kim Jong-un.
Trump says US and Japan have agreed 'in principle' to trade deal
President Trump on Sunday said that a trade deal with Japan has been reached 'in principle.'
From Persian Gulf to Israel, a drone war takes flight in Mideast
From the vast deserts of Saudi Arabia to the crowded neighborhoods of Beirut, a drone war has taken flight across the wider Middle East, raising the stakes in the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.
Million hectares lost in Bolivia fires as Amazon continues to burn
Fires have ripped through at least a million hectares - approximately 3,800 square miles - in Bolivia.
Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates Vow to Back Yemen War Effort
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates pledged Monday to keep their floundering coalition war against Yemen’s Houthi rebels together after an Emirati troop pullout and the rise of the southern separatists they supported.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Thwarts "Killer Drone" Attack
Israeli aircraft on Saturday night struck Iranian forces near Damascus that had been planning to launch 'killer drones' at targets in Israel, the IDF said in a statement.
Pompeo speaks with Netanyahu on Iran, backs Israel’s preemptive raid
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about Israel’s latest strikes in Syria, the top US diplomat’s office said on Sunday.
Hezbollah chief threatens Israel with reprisal: ‘Wait for us at the border’
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Sunday threatened Israel with a reprisal attack after two of its members were killed in an Israeli strike in Syria, and two UAVs crashed in and around the terror group’s Beirut offices in an incident also blamed on the Jewish state.
Hezbollah vows 'appropriate' response after drone incident in Beirut
Hezbollah will retaliate to an alleged overnight Israeli provocation in Beirut by Sunday afternoon, sources close to the Shiite terrorist group told the Lebanese media hours after the incident, but the threat was later walked back by Hezbollah.
3 rockets fired at Israel from Gaza as tensions soar; Iron Dome intercepts 2
Terrorists in the Gaza Strip fired three rockets at southern Israel on Sunday night, sending thousands of residents rushing to bomb shelters.
IAF drones strike PFLP position in Lebanon, near Syrian border - report
Israeli Air Force drones attacked a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) position in Qousaya, located in the Beqaa Valley of Lebanon, close to the border with Syria on Sunday night, according to Lebanese media reports.
IDF strikes office of high-profile Hamas commander in response to Gaza rockets
Israeli military said Monday they’ve struck two Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip, including an office belonging to a high-profile military commander in the terror group’s military wing, in response to rockets being fired at southern Israel during a mass event.
Inside the United States
Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella strain confirmed as 'superbugs' continue to worry experts
A strain of Salmonella Newport in some beef in the United States and in some soft cheeses in Mexico has been found to be resistant to antibiotic treatment, according to a release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published Friday.
Trump says US businesses are 'ordered' to find alternatives to China trade
President Trump on Friday directed all U.S. businesses to immediately find alternative sources for any goods they were importing from China. The comments came in response to China's announcement earlier in the day that it was enacting additional tariffs on $75 billion worth of U.S. goods.
U.S. abortion rights groups fight new Missouri law in court
Opponents of a new law in Missouri restricting most abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy will ask a federal judge on Monday to stop the law from taking effect this week.
China announces it seeks 'calm' end to trade war, as markets tank and currency hits 11-year flatline
China signaled on Monday it was now seeking a 'calm' end to its ongoing trade war with the U.S., as Asian markets crumbled and China's currency plummeted to an 11-year low following the latest tariffs on $550 billion in Chinese goods announced last Friday by the Trump administration.
Britain sends another warship to Gulf amid heightened tensions in region
A third British warship is heading to the Gulf, the Royal Navy announced Saturday, amid heightened tensions in the region.
Top Iranian general warns Israel that strikes will bring end to ‘Zionist regime’
A top Iranian general, blamed by Israel for masterminding a preempted bid to launch drone attacks from Syria, warned Israel on Sunday that its strikes against Iran would not be tolerated much longer.
Russia floating nuclear power station sets sail across Arctic
Russia has launched a pioneering floating nuclear power station, which will sail 5,000km (3,000 miles) from the Arctic port of Murmansk to Chukotka in the far east.
Trump dangles 'very big' trade deal in front of Brexit Britain
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday said he and President Donald Trump were 'gung-ho' about a post-Brexit trade deal but cautioned the United States would be tough negotiators and that he would not rush talks.
N. Korea says it tested new super-large multiple rocket launcher
North Korea said Sunday that it successfully tested a 'new' super-large multiple rocket launch system the previous day under the guidance of leader Kim Jong-un.
Trump says US and Japan have agreed 'in principle' to trade deal
President Trump on Sunday said that a trade deal with Japan has been reached 'in principle.'
From Persian Gulf to Israel, a drone war takes flight in Mideast
From the vast deserts of Saudi Arabia to the crowded neighborhoods of Beirut, a drone war has taken flight across the wider Middle East, raising the stakes in the ongoing tensions between the US and Iran.
Million hectares lost in Bolivia fires as Amazon continues to burn
Fires have ripped through at least a million hectares - approximately 3,800 square miles - in Bolivia.
Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates Vow to Back Yemen War Effort
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates pledged Monday to keep their floundering coalition war against Yemen’s Houthi rebels together after an Emirati troop pullout and the rise of the southern separatists they supported.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Thwarts "Killer Drone" Attack
Israeli aircraft on Saturday night struck Iranian forces near Damascus that had been planning to launch 'killer drones' at targets in Israel, the IDF said in a statement.
Pompeo speaks with Netanyahu on Iran, backs Israel’s preemptive raid
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about Israel’s latest strikes in Syria, the top US diplomat’s office said on Sunday.
Hezbollah chief threatens Israel with reprisal: ‘Wait for us at the border’
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah on Sunday threatened Israel with a reprisal attack after two of its members were killed in an Israeli strike in Syria, and two UAVs crashed in and around the terror group’s Beirut offices in an incident also blamed on the Jewish state.
Hezbollah vows 'appropriate' response after drone incident in Beirut
Hezbollah will retaliate to an alleged overnight Israeli provocation in Beirut by Sunday afternoon, sources close to the Shiite terrorist group told the Lebanese media hours after the incident, but the threat was later walked back by Hezbollah.
3 rockets fired at Israel from Gaza as tensions soar; Iron Dome intercepts 2
Terrorists in the Gaza Strip fired three rockets at southern Israel on Sunday night, sending thousands of residents rushing to bomb shelters.
IAF drones strike PFLP position in Lebanon, near Syrian border - report
Israeli Air Force drones attacked a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) position in Qousaya, located in the Beqaa Valley of Lebanon, close to the border with Syria on Sunday night, according to Lebanese media reports.
IDF strikes office of high-profile Hamas commander in response to Gaza rockets
Israeli military said Monday they’ve struck two Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip, including an office belonging to a high-profile military commander in the terror group’s military wing, in response to rockets being fired at southern Israel during a mass event.
Inside the United States
Antibiotic-resistant Salmonella strain confirmed as 'superbugs' continue to worry experts
A strain of Salmonella Newport in some beef in the United States and in some soft cheeses in Mexico has been found to be resistant to antibiotic treatment, according to a release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published Friday.
Trump says US businesses are 'ordered' to find alternatives to China trade
President Trump on Friday directed all U.S. businesses to immediately find alternative sources for any goods they were importing from China. The comments came in response to China's announcement earlier in the day that it was enacting additional tariffs on $75 billion worth of U.S. goods.
U.S. abortion rights groups fight new Missouri law in court
Opponents of a new law in Missouri restricting most abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy will ask a federal judge on Monday to stop the law from taking effect this week.