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?"
Today's Breaking News
Around the World
Bali volcano has 'quite big' chance of eruption; 120,000 flee
Indonesian officials said more than 120,000 people have evacuated Bali as authorities warned a volcano could erupt in a matter of hours.
Head of UN Watchdog Highlights Serious Gap in Iran Nuclear Deal Verification
As US President Donald Trump deliberates over whether to re-certify the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in two weeks time, new concerns about verification expressed by the head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog may yet tip the balance against his administration doing so.
Militants attack Kabul airport during Mattis visit, U.S. strike kills civilians
Suicide bombers and militants firing mortars attacked Kabul’s airport during a visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday, prompting a U.S. air strike that accidentally killed civilians, officials said.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Interpol approves Palestinian membership, angering Israel
International police agency Interpol voted Wednesday to include Palestine as a member state, in a new boost to Palestinian efforts for international recognition and influence amid long-stalled negotiations with Israel for full statehood.
Survey: 60% of Arab Israelis have positive view of state
A survey of Arab citizens of Israel has found more positive attitudes to the state and its institutions than was previously thought.
2 IS-backing Arab Israelis charged with plotting another Temple Mount shooting
Two residents of the Arab Israeli town of Umm al-Fahm were charged on Thursday with planning to carry out a shooting attack on the Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem, similar to the one that took place in July.
Inside the United States
Federal court strikes down abortion ultrasound law in Kentucky
A federal court struck down a law in Kentucky on Wednesday that requires women seeking an abortion to first undergo an ultrasound and hear a description of the embryo or fetus.
Trump vows another healthcare vote next year, eyes executive order
President Donald Trump, faced with the latest Republican failure to undo Obamacare, pledged on Wednesday to tackle it again next year, suggesting without evidence that he had the votes to pass reform and promising to work with Democrats in the meantime.
Trump border wall construction begins
Homeland Security said it began construction Tuesday on the prototypes for President Trump’s new border wall.
What every American needs to know about Puerto Rico’s hurricane disaster
Early on Wednesday, September 20, Hurricane Maria, a powerful Category 4 hurricane with 150 mph winds, made direct landfall on Puerto Rico, bisecting the entire island and drenching it with feet of rain. What’s happened since has been catastrophic for Puerto Rico.
Moore’s runoff victory in Alabama inspires anti-establishment Republicans
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was left licking his wounds following one of the roughest days of his lengthy political career Tuesday, having failed on a third Obamacare repeal push and then watching his chosen candidate lose a GOP primary runoff in Alabama.
America's STD Epidemic: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea & Syphilis Cases on the Rise
In Americans, cases of three common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) — chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis — have together reached an all-time high, according to a new report.
Around the World
Bali volcano has 'quite big' chance of eruption; 120,000 flee
Indonesian officials said more than 120,000 people have evacuated Bali as authorities warned a volcano could erupt in a matter of hours.
Head of UN Watchdog Highlights Serious Gap in Iran Nuclear Deal Verification
As US President Donald Trump deliberates over whether to re-certify the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in two weeks time, new concerns about verification expressed by the head of the UN’s nuclear watchdog may yet tip the balance against his administration doing so.
Militants attack Kabul airport during Mattis visit, U.S. strike kills civilians
Suicide bombers and militants firing mortars attacked Kabul’s airport during a visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis on Wednesday, prompting a U.S. air strike that accidentally killed civilians, officials said.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Interpol approves Palestinian membership, angering Israel
International police agency Interpol voted Wednesday to include Palestine as a member state, in a new boost to Palestinian efforts for international recognition and influence amid long-stalled negotiations with Israel for full statehood.
Survey: 60% of Arab Israelis have positive view of state
A survey of Arab citizens of Israel has found more positive attitudes to the state and its institutions than was previously thought.
2 IS-backing Arab Israelis charged with plotting another Temple Mount shooting
Two residents of the Arab Israeli town of Umm al-Fahm were charged on Thursday with planning to carry out a shooting attack on the Temple Mount compound in Jerusalem, similar to the one that took place in July.
Inside the United States
Federal court strikes down abortion ultrasound law in Kentucky
A federal court struck down a law in Kentucky on Wednesday that requires women seeking an abortion to first undergo an ultrasound and hear a description of the embryo or fetus.
Trump vows another healthcare vote next year, eyes executive order
President Donald Trump, faced with the latest Republican failure to undo Obamacare, pledged on Wednesday to tackle it again next year, suggesting without evidence that he had the votes to pass reform and promising to work with Democrats in the meantime.
Trump border wall construction begins
Homeland Security said it began construction Tuesday on the prototypes for President Trump’s new border wall.
What every American needs to know about Puerto Rico’s hurricane disaster
Early on Wednesday, September 20, Hurricane Maria, a powerful Category 4 hurricane with 150 mph winds, made direct landfall on Puerto Rico, bisecting the entire island and drenching it with feet of rain. What’s happened since has been catastrophic for Puerto Rico.
Moore’s runoff victory in Alabama inspires anti-establishment Republicans
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell was left licking his wounds following one of the roughest days of his lengthy political career Tuesday, having failed on a third Obamacare repeal push and then watching his chosen candidate lose a GOP primary runoff in Alabama.
America's STD Epidemic: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea & Syphilis Cases on the Rise
In Americans, cases of three common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) — chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis — have together reached an all-time high, according to a new report.
Around the World
Trump: military option for North Korea not preferred, but would be 'devastating'
President Donald Trump warned North Korea on Tuesday that any U.S. military option would be 'devastating' for Pyongyang, but said the use of force was not Washington’s first option to deal with the country’s ballistic and nuclear weapons program.
Emmanuel Macron says Britain could be part of reformed EU after Brexit
Emmanuel Macron has signaled Britain could be part of a reformed European Union after Brexit.
Iraqi Kurdish leader says 'yes' vote won independence referendum
Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani said on Tuesday that Kurds had voted “yes” to independence in a referendum held in defiance of the government in Baghdad and which had angered their neighbors and their U.S. allies.
Spain to deploy police to prevent Catalan independence vote
Police will be deployed at polling stations to prevent people from voting in the Catalan independence referendum, the Spanish government has confirmed.
Pentagon: 44 percent of Puerto Ricans lack clean drinking water
Puerto Rico’s electricity systems are badly damaged after Hurricane Maria, and nearly half the U.S. territory’s residents lack drinking water following the storm, the Defense Department reported Tuesday.
Iran points at US and warns of new nuclear arms race
Iran’s deputy foreign minister pointed at the United States in warning on Tuesday that a new nuclear arms race and new competition to modernize nuclear weapons are starting.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Turkey’s Erdogan threatens ties with Israel over support for Kurds
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said Israel should 'review' its support for Iraqi Kurdish independence, warning the Jewish state’s support for the bid could negatively affect diplomatic ties between Ankara and Jerusalem.
In unsubtle critique, Israel gifts UNESCO Arch of Titus replica
Israel handed a replica of a frieze from the Arch of Titus to the head of UNESCO, using the monument commemorating Rome’s victory over Jerusalem for a not-so-subtle critique of the organization’s resolutions that ignore Jewish links to the holy city.
Inside the United States
Senate GOP shelves Obamacare repeal
Senate leaders on Tuesday canceled plans to vote on an Obamacare repeal this week, marking a third straight failure for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and fellow Republicans who have been unable to fulfill their campaign promise.
Trump cuts Obama’s refugee target in half, takes more Christians than Muslims
President Trump, in just eight months in office, has succeeded in upending U.S. refugee policy, cutting by more than half the 110,000-refugee target that the Obama administration had bequeathed him and dramatically shifting the demographics of who is accepted.
Health insurers face key Obamacare deadline Wednesday
Insurers face a key deadline Wednesday to finalize contracts with states about how much they will charge customers who buy Obamacare plans.
Meeting with economists and blue-collar workers, Fed Chair Janet Yellen talks of economic uncertainty
In a speech Tuesday marked by large doses of both statistics and humility, Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet L. Yellen said that the economic outlook is highly uncertain, suggesting that the central bank will proceed slowly in raising interest rates and scaling back easy-money policies.
Moore Wins Alabama Senate Runoff Election Over Trump-Backed Candidate
Former Alabama Chief Supreme Court justice and conservative firebrand Roy Moore defeated Republican Sen. Luther Strange (Ala.) on Tuesday in Alabama's special primary runoff.
MSNBC Cuts Off Moore Victory Speech Because He’s Talking About God
MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell cut off the victory speech of Roger Moore on Tuesday night because he was talking about God.
Embarrassment as Washington Post corrects its 'scoop' about Obama, Facebook and Russia
The Washington Post has made a correction to an explosive cover story that undermines the entire premise of Monday’s front-page article headlined, 'Obama sought to prod Facebook on Russia role.'
Trump: military option for North Korea not preferred, but would be 'devastating'
President Donald Trump warned North Korea on Tuesday that any U.S. military option would be 'devastating' for Pyongyang, but said the use of force was not Washington’s first option to deal with the country’s ballistic and nuclear weapons program.
Emmanuel Macron says Britain could be part of reformed EU after Brexit
Emmanuel Macron has signaled Britain could be part of a reformed European Union after Brexit.
Iraqi Kurdish leader says 'yes' vote won independence referendum
Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani said on Tuesday that Kurds had voted “yes” to independence in a referendum held in defiance of the government in Baghdad and which had angered their neighbors and their U.S. allies.
Spain to deploy police to prevent Catalan independence vote
Police will be deployed at polling stations to prevent people from voting in the Catalan independence referendum, the Spanish government has confirmed.
Pentagon: 44 percent of Puerto Ricans lack clean drinking water
Puerto Rico’s electricity systems are badly damaged after Hurricane Maria, and nearly half the U.S. territory’s residents lack drinking water following the storm, the Defense Department reported Tuesday.
Iran points at US and warns of new nuclear arms race
Iran’s deputy foreign minister pointed at the United States in warning on Tuesday that a new nuclear arms race and new competition to modernize nuclear weapons are starting.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Turkey’s Erdogan threatens ties with Israel over support for Kurds
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said Israel should 'review' its support for Iraqi Kurdish independence, warning the Jewish state’s support for the bid could negatively affect diplomatic ties between Ankara and Jerusalem.
In unsubtle critique, Israel gifts UNESCO Arch of Titus replica
Israel handed a replica of a frieze from the Arch of Titus to the head of UNESCO, using the monument commemorating Rome’s victory over Jerusalem for a not-so-subtle critique of the organization’s resolutions that ignore Jewish links to the holy city.
Inside the United States
Senate GOP shelves Obamacare repeal
Senate leaders on Tuesday canceled plans to vote on an Obamacare repeal this week, marking a third straight failure for Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and fellow Republicans who have been unable to fulfill their campaign promise.
Trump cuts Obama’s refugee target in half, takes more Christians than Muslims
President Trump, in just eight months in office, has succeeded in upending U.S. refugee policy, cutting by more than half the 110,000-refugee target that the Obama administration had bequeathed him and dramatically shifting the demographics of who is accepted.
Health insurers face key Obamacare deadline Wednesday
Insurers face a key deadline Wednesday to finalize contracts with states about how much they will charge customers who buy Obamacare plans.
Meeting with economists and blue-collar workers, Fed Chair Janet Yellen talks of economic uncertainty
In a speech Tuesday marked by large doses of both statistics and humility, Federal Reserve Chairwoman Janet L. Yellen said that the economic outlook is highly uncertain, suggesting that the central bank will proceed slowly in raising interest rates and scaling back easy-money policies.
Moore Wins Alabama Senate Runoff Election Over Trump-Backed Candidate
Former Alabama Chief Supreme Court justice and conservative firebrand Roy Moore defeated Republican Sen. Luther Strange (Ala.) on Tuesday in Alabama's special primary runoff.
MSNBC Cuts Off Moore Victory Speech Because He’s Talking About God
MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell cut off the victory speech of Roger Moore on Tuesday night because he was talking about God.
Embarrassment as Washington Post corrects its 'scoop' about Obama, Facebook and Russia
The Washington Post has made a correction to an explosive cover story that undermines the entire premise of Monday’s front-page article headlined, 'Obama sought to prod Facebook on Russia role.'
Around the World
North Korean official says Trump has ‘declared war,’ threatens to shoot down U.S. warplanes
A top North Korean official said Monday that President Trump has “declared war on our country,” and warned that Pyongyang could shoot down any U.S. warplanes flying nearby.
Hurricane Maria Caused as Much as $85 Billion in Insured Losses, AIR Worldwide Says
Hurricane Maria caused an estimated $40 billion to $85 billion in insured losses, mostly in Puerto Rico, catastrophe-modeling firm AIR Worldwide said Monday.
Water and some food scarce as Puerto Rico emerges from storm
Supermarkets are gradually re-opening in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico but the situation is far from normal and many customers are going home disappointed.
Iran's supposed missile launch was fake, US officials say
Iranian state television released video footage Friday claiming to show the launch of a new type of medium-range ballistic missile, a few hours after it was displayed during a military parade in Tehran.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Saudi Newspaper: 'No Lasting Peace Can Exclude Hamas and its Supporters'
Despite an all-time low in relations between the Riyadh government and the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas, a leading Saudi newspaper has offered a cautious welcome to the current reconciliation process between Hamas and its rival Fatah as they prepare for next week’s session of the Palestine National Council in Gaza — the first such meeting in three years.
3 Israelis killed, 1 seriously wounded in terror attack outside Jerusalem
Four Israelis were attacked Tuesday morning in the town of Har Adar outside Jerusalem. Three died of their injuries, while one is in serious condition.
Inside the United States
Obamacare repeal on the ropes as pivotal Republican rebuffs Trump
U.S. Senator Susan Collins rebuffed intense lobbying from fellow Republicans and the promise of money for her state in deciding on Monday to oppose - and likely doom - her party’s last-ditch effort to repeal Obamacare.
Violent crime, homicides in U.S. on rise: FBI
Violent crime rose by 4.1 percent and homicides by 8.6 percent in 2016, according to FBI crime data released Monday, marking a second straight year of increases.
Christian News
Franklin Graham Launches Prayer Crusades for Hurricane Harvey Victims
Texans are still reeling from the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, but Franklin Graham believes it's time for revival.
Mob Violence Terrorizes Small Christian Village in Egypt
International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on September 14, a Muslim mob in the village of Tawa in Minya attacked the local Coptic Christian community. Homes, businesses, and cars were destroyed and three Copts suffered minor injuries. These attacks were in retaliation against a Facebook post which was widely shared among Christians. The author, a 22-year-old Christian resident of Tawa named Bassem, had written the post in May following the deadly attack by Islamic extremists against a caravan of Coptic Christians traveling to the Monastery of St. Samuel the Confessor.
China intensifies crackdown on churches with new plans to force registration with government
An organization with ties to the Chinese Communist Party has unveiled new plans on how the government can enforce its restrictions on churches, including forced registration with state-run Christian institutions.
Heroic Usher's Hope Following Deadly Tennessee Church Shooting
The 22-year-old church usher who is being credited with tackling a gunman who opened fire at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch, Tennessee, say's he is not a hero.
Nashville church usher praised for confronting accused gunman in deadly shooting
Church members praised an usher who confronted the gunman in a deadly shooting at a Tennessee church.
North Korean official says Trump has ‘declared war,’ threatens to shoot down U.S. warplanes
A top North Korean official said Monday that President Trump has “declared war on our country,” and warned that Pyongyang could shoot down any U.S. warplanes flying nearby.
Hurricane Maria Caused as Much as $85 Billion in Insured Losses, AIR Worldwide Says
Hurricane Maria caused an estimated $40 billion to $85 billion in insured losses, mostly in Puerto Rico, catastrophe-modeling firm AIR Worldwide said Monday.
Water and some food scarce as Puerto Rico emerges from storm
Supermarkets are gradually re-opening in hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico but the situation is far from normal and many customers are going home disappointed.
Iran's supposed missile launch was fake, US officials say
Iranian state television released video footage Friday claiming to show the launch of a new type of medium-range ballistic missile, a few hours after it was displayed during a military parade in Tehran.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Saudi Newspaper: 'No Lasting Peace Can Exclude Hamas and its Supporters'
Despite an all-time low in relations between the Riyadh government and the Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas, a leading Saudi newspaper has offered a cautious welcome to the current reconciliation process between Hamas and its rival Fatah as they prepare for next week’s session of the Palestine National Council in Gaza — the first such meeting in three years.
3 Israelis killed, 1 seriously wounded in terror attack outside Jerusalem
Four Israelis were attacked Tuesday morning in the town of Har Adar outside Jerusalem. Three died of their injuries, while one is in serious condition.
Inside the United States
Obamacare repeal on the ropes as pivotal Republican rebuffs Trump
U.S. Senator Susan Collins rebuffed intense lobbying from fellow Republicans and the promise of money for her state in deciding on Monday to oppose - and likely doom - her party’s last-ditch effort to repeal Obamacare.
Violent crime, homicides in U.S. on rise: FBI
Violent crime rose by 4.1 percent and homicides by 8.6 percent in 2016, according to FBI crime data released Monday, marking a second straight year of increases.
Christian News
Franklin Graham Launches Prayer Crusades for Hurricane Harvey Victims
Texans are still reeling from the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey, but Franklin Graham believes it's time for revival.
Mob Violence Terrorizes Small Christian Village in Egypt
International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on September 14, a Muslim mob in the village of Tawa in Minya attacked the local Coptic Christian community. Homes, businesses, and cars were destroyed and three Copts suffered minor injuries. These attacks were in retaliation against a Facebook post which was widely shared among Christians. The author, a 22-year-old Christian resident of Tawa named Bassem, had written the post in May following the deadly attack by Islamic extremists against a caravan of Coptic Christians traveling to the Monastery of St. Samuel the Confessor.
China intensifies crackdown on churches with new plans to force registration with government
An organization with ties to the Chinese Communist Party has unveiled new plans on how the government can enforce its restrictions on churches, including forced registration with state-run Christian institutions.
Heroic Usher's Hope Following Deadly Tennessee Church Shooting
The 22-year-old church usher who is being credited with tackling a gunman who opened fire at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch, Tennessee, say's he is not a hero.
Nashville church usher praised for confronting accused gunman in deadly shooting
Church members praised an usher who confronted the gunman in a deadly shooting at a Tennessee church.