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
Russia again successfully tests ship-based hypersonic missile — which will likely be ready for combat by 2022
Russia has conducted another successful test of its ship-based hypersonic missile, a weapon the United States is currently unable to defend against, according to two people with direct knowledge of a U.S. intelligence report.
Powerful earthquake strikes off Russia's far east, no tsunami threat
A major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 struck off Russia’s sparsely populated far east on Thursday, but officials said the threat of a tsunami had passed and no damage was reported.
UN to vote Friday to approve advance monitors for Yemen truce
The United Nations Security Council is due to vote on Friday to endorse a ceasefire agreed by the warring parties in Yemen's Hodeidah region and authorize an advance U.N. team to begin monitoring the deal, diplomats said.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel to step up fight against Iranian proxies after U.S. steps out of Syria
Israel moved quickly Thursday to fill the coming power vacuum after President Trump said U.S. troops were being withdrawn from Syria, vowing to ramp up its own military campaign against Iranian-backed proxy groups in the country — a clear sign that the war between Jerusalem and Tehran will continue with or without U.S. involvement.
Inside the United States
House passes stopgap bill with funding for border wall in bid to avert a shutdown
Under pressure from conservatives, President Trump said Thursday he would veto a stopgap spending bill unless Congress added money for his border wall -- dooming a bipartisan compromise worked on in the Senate, and putting the government careening toward a partial shutdown.
President Trump signs $867B farm bill without food stamp program cuts
President Donald Trump has signed a massive $867 billion farm bill that reauthorizes agriculture and conservation programs without any cuts to the food stamp program.
Nation of Islam defends federal funding for prison lectures as a 'blessing' to prisoners
he Nation of Islam defiantly defended its government-funded work teaching religion to federal prisoners on Thursday, calling the program 'a great benefit and blessing to the American Penal System.'
Mattis quits at Pentagon over policy clashes with Trump
Jim Mattis has resigned on principle as Pentagon chief after President Trump decided to slash U.S. troop presence in Syria and Afghanistan, citing in a letter the need for 'a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned' with the president's.
U.S. population grew at its slowest pace in over 80 years
The U.S. population grew in the past year at its slowest rate in over eight decades, with growth in the South and West continuing to outpace the Northeast and Midwest, according to figures the Census Bureau released Wednesday.
Christian News
Spike in Arrests of Christians in Iran Especially Severe this Christmas Season, Sources Say
Arrests of Christians in Iran usually spike as Christmas approaches, but this year has been especially severe, sources said.
Three Underground Churches Shut Down in China Since September
In China, Rongguilli Church, Early Rain Covenant Church, and Zion Church have all been victims in recent months of President Xi Jinping’s attempts to control the spread of underground Christianity.
Russia again successfully tests ship-based hypersonic missile — which will likely be ready for combat by 2022
Russia has conducted another successful test of its ship-based hypersonic missile, a weapon the United States is currently unable to defend against, according to two people with direct knowledge of a U.S. intelligence report.
Powerful earthquake strikes off Russia's far east, no tsunami threat
A major earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 struck off Russia’s sparsely populated far east on Thursday, but officials said the threat of a tsunami had passed and no damage was reported.
UN to vote Friday to approve advance monitors for Yemen truce
The United Nations Security Council is due to vote on Friday to endorse a ceasefire agreed by the warring parties in Yemen's Hodeidah region and authorize an advance U.N. team to begin monitoring the deal, diplomats said.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel to step up fight against Iranian proxies after U.S. steps out of Syria
Israel moved quickly Thursday to fill the coming power vacuum after President Trump said U.S. troops were being withdrawn from Syria, vowing to ramp up its own military campaign against Iranian-backed proxy groups in the country — a clear sign that the war between Jerusalem and Tehran will continue with or without U.S. involvement.
Inside the United States
House passes stopgap bill with funding for border wall in bid to avert a shutdown
Under pressure from conservatives, President Trump said Thursday he would veto a stopgap spending bill unless Congress added money for his border wall -- dooming a bipartisan compromise worked on in the Senate, and putting the government careening toward a partial shutdown.
President Trump signs $867B farm bill without food stamp program cuts
President Donald Trump has signed a massive $867 billion farm bill that reauthorizes agriculture and conservation programs without any cuts to the food stamp program.
Nation of Islam defends federal funding for prison lectures as a 'blessing' to prisoners
he Nation of Islam defiantly defended its government-funded work teaching religion to federal prisoners on Thursday, calling the program 'a great benefit and blessing to the American Penal System.'
Mattis quits at Pentagon over policy clashes with Trump
Jim Mattis has resigned on principle as Pentagon chief after President Trump decided to slash U.S. troop presence in Syria and Afghanistan, citing in a letter the need for 'a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned' with the president's.
U.S. population grew at its slowest pace in over 80 years
The U.S. population grew in the past year at its slowest rate in over eight decades, with growth in the South and West continuing to outpace the Northeast and Midwest, according to figures the Census Bureau released Wednesday.
Christian News
Spike in Arrests of Christians in Iran Especially Severe this Christmas Season, Sources Say
Arrests of Christians in Iran usually spike as Christmas approaches, but this year has been especially severe, sources said.
Three Underground Churches Shut Down in China Since September
In China, Rongguilli Church, Early Rain Covenant Church, and Zion Church have all been victims in recent months of President Xi Jinping’s attempts to control the spread of underground Christianity.
Around the World
UK ministers focused on getting Brexit deal through parliament, May says
British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday that her cabinet’s focus was on building support for her Brexit deal after different ministers floated contrasting back-up plans should her Brexit deal fail to pass in parliament next month.
France in talks with U.S. over timeframe, mode of Syria withdrawal
France and allies fighting Islamic State are discussing with the United States the timeframe and conditions for the withdrawal of American troops from Syria, but Washington must consider the stability of the region to avoid a new humanitarian crisis.
Scientists investigate upsurge in polio-like illness in children
Health authorities in England are investigating an increase in cases of a rare polio-like illness in children, an outbreak of which has been puzzling doctors in the United States.
France says Islamic State not defeated, troops to remain in Syria
France will keep troops in northern Syria for now because Islamic State militants have not been wiped out, contrary to the U.S. view, and has started talks with the United States on the conditions and calendar of its withdrawal, officials said.
UN: Hezbollah tunnels on Israel-Lebanon border violate truce
The UN peacekeeping force on the Israel-Lebanon border said Monday that two of four tunnels allegedly dug by Hezbollah crossed the demarcation line between the two countries in violation of a UN resolution that ended the 2006 war.
Trump slaps new sanctions on 15 Russian agents, firms for election meddling and 'malign' activities
The Treasury Department imposed fresh sanctions Wednesday against 15 Russian agents and companies for interfering in the U.S. presidential election in 2016 and carrying out a nerve-agent attack in England.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel says will study US pullout from Syria, ensure its own security
Israel will study the US decision to pull its forces from Syria and will ensure its own security, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday.
Inside the United States
Federal Reserve raises rates, over Trump protests, but signals it will slow rate hikes in 2019
Federal Reserve officials voted Wednesday to raise the central bank’s interest rate target, the fourth such rate increase of the year, but also signaled that they will slow the pace of rate hikes in 2019.
Senate passes bill to fund government, averts federal shutdown
Republicans backed down in their border security fight Wednesday and settled instead for a stopgap spending bill that would keep the government running through early February, avoiding a government shutdown and leaving the big fights for the new Congress.
UK ministers focused on getting Brexit deal through parliament, May says
British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Thursday that her cabinet’s focus was on building support for her Brexit deal after different ministers floated contrasting back-up plans should her Brexit deal fail to pass in parliament next month.
France in talks with U.S. over timeframe, mode of Syria withdrawal
France and allies fighting Islamic State are discussing with the United States the timeframe and conditions for the withdrawal of American troops from Syria, but Washington must consider the stability of the region to avoid a new humanitarian crisis.
Scientists investigate upsurge in polio-like illness in children
Health authorities in England are investigating an increase in cases of a rare polio-like illness in children, an outbreak of which has been puzzling doctors in the United States.
France says Islamic State not defeated, troops to remain in Syria
France will keep troops in northern Syria for now because Islamic State militants have not been wiped out, contrary to the U.S. view, and has started talks with the United States on the conditions and calendar of its withdrawal, officials said.
UN: Hezbollah tunnels on Israel-Lebanon border violate truce
The UN peacekeeping force on the Israel-Lebanon border said Monday that two of four tunnels allegedly dug by Hezbollah crossed the demarcation line between the two countries in violation of a UN resolution that ended the 2006 war.
Trump slaps new sanctions on 15 Russian agents, firms for election meddling and 'malign' activities
The Treasury Department imposed fresh sanctions Wednesday against 15 Russian agents and companies for interfering in the U.S. presidential election in 2016 and carrying out a nerve-agent attack in England.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel says will study US pullout from Syria, ensure its own security
Israel will study the US decision to pull its forces from Syria and will ensure its own security, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday.
Inside the United States
Federal Reserve raises rates, over Trump protests, but signals it will slow rate hikes in 2019
Federal Reserve officials voted Wednesday to raise the central bank’s interest rate target, the fourth such rate increase of the year, but also signaled that they will slow the pace of rate hikes in 2019.
Senate passes bill to fund government, averts federal shutdown
Republicans backed down in their border security fight Wednesday and settled instead for a stopgap spending bill that would keep the government running through early February, avoiding a government shutdown and leaving the big fights for the new Congress.
Around the World
US proposes sale of Patriot missile system to Turkey
The State Department says the U.S. has proposed the sale of a $3.5 billion Patriot missile system to Turkey.
U.S., China face off again at World Trade Organization
China and the United States have traded barbs again at the World Trade Organization, with the U.S. ambassador accusing China of theft of technology and an envoy from Beijing retorting that the U.S. was "finger-pointing."
'Thousands' of EU diplomatic cables hacked, says report
Hackers allegedly linked to China were able to access thousands of sensitive EU diplomatic cables for more than three years, according to a New York Times report.
Cashless revolution 'happening too fast' as millions of consumers face exclusion from shops and restaurants
Britain is going cashless too quickly, a report has warned, meaning elderly and disabled consumers face being excluded from shops and restaurants.
Russia says it won't let US see missile at heart of nuclear dispute
Russia said on Wednesday it would not let the United States inspect a new nuclear-capable cruise missile at the heart of a dispute between Washington and Moscow that risks unravelling a landmark arms control treaty.
EU reaches deal with Italy on budget
The European Commission says it has reached an agreement with Italy to avert legal action over the country’s budget plans, which the EU’s executive arm had warned could break euro currency rules.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Nikki Haley in farewell talk: U.N. 'hopelessly biased' on Israel
Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, described the world body as 'hopelessly biased' against Israel on Tuesday in her last address to the monthly Security Council meeting in New York.
Israel joins the race to become a quantum superpower
Israel is aiming to ensure its military superiority with an investment in quantum technology.
Inside the United States
U.S. Military Preparing for a Full Withdrawal of Its Forces From Northeastern Syria
In an abrupt reversal, the U.S. military is preparing to withdraw its forces from northeastern Syria, people familiar with the matter said Wednesday, a move that throws the American strategy in the Middle East into turmoil.
Senate approves historic, bipartisan prison sentencing reform bill
The Senate Tuesday approved an historic and bipartisan reform of the criminal justice system that aims to reduce the sentences of nonviolent offenders and cut recidivism rates by helping prisoners productively rejoin society.
Nation of Islam receiving federal cash to teach prisoners
The Nation of Islam and its leaders have received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the U.S. government since 2008 to teach religious study programs for federal prison inmates, according to records reviewed by the Washington Examiner.
Judges dismiss 83 ethics complaints against Kavanaugh
A panel of federal judges has dismissed more than 80 ethics complaints against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, because lower courts can't investigate a high court jurist.
Christian News
World's First Christian Airline to Cater to Churches, Missionaries, and Charge No Luggage Fees
An aviation ministry located in Texas is set to become to the world's first Christian airline.
US proposes sale of Patriot missile system to Turkey
The State Department says the U.S. has proposed the sale of a $3.5 billion Patriot missile system to Turkey.
U.S., China face off again at World Trade Organization
China and the United States have traded barbs again at the World Trade Organization, with the U.S. ambassador accusing China of theft of technology and an envoy from Beijing retorting that the U.S. was "finger-pointing."
'Thousands' of EU diplomatic cables hacked, says report
Hackers allegedly linked to China were able to access thousands of sensitive EU diplomatic cables for more than three years, according to a New York Times report.
Cashless revolution 'happening too fast' as millions of consumers face exclusion from shops and restaurants
Britain is going cashless too quickly, a report has warned, meaning elderly and disabled consumers face being excluded from shops and restaurants.
Russia says it won't let US see missile at heart of nuclear dispute
Russia said on Wednesday it would not let the United States inspect a new nuclear-capable cruise missile at the heart of a dispute between Washington and Moscow that risks unravelling a landmark arms control treaty.
EU reaches deal with Italy on budget
The European Commission says it has reached an agreement with Italy to avert legal action over the country’s budget plans, which the EU’s executive arm had warned could break euro currency rules.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Nikki Haley in farewell talk: U.N. 'hopelessly biased' on Israel
Nikki Haley, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, described the world body as 'hopelessly biased' against Israel on Tuesday in her last address to the monthly Security Council meeting in New York.
Israel joins the race to become a quantum superpower
Israel is aiming to ensure its military superiority with an investment in quantum technology.
Inside the United States
U.S. Military Preparing for a Full Withdrawal of Its Forces From Northeastern Syria
In an abrupt reversal, the U.S. military is preparing to withdraw its forces from northeastern Syria, people familiar with the matter said Wednesday, a move that throws the American strategy in the Middle East into turmoil.
Senate approves historic, bipartisan prison sentencing reform bill
The Senate Tuesday approved an historic and bipartisan reform of the criminal justice system that aims to reduce the sentences of nonviolent offenders and cut recidivism rates by helping prisoners productively rejoin society.
Nation of Islam receiving federal cash to teach prisoners
The Nation of Islam and its leaders have received hundreds of thousands of dollars from the U.S. government since 2008 to teach religious study programs for federal prison inmates, according to records reviewed by the Washington Examiner.
Judges dismiss 83 ethics complaints against Kavanaugh
A panel of federal judges has dismissed more than 80 ethics complaints against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, because lower courts can't investigate a high court jurist.
Christian News
World's First Christian Airline to Cater to Churches, Missionaries, and Charge No Luggage Fees
An aviation ministry located in Texas is set to become to the world's first Christian airline.