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
North Korea declares new UN sanctions 'an act of war'
North Korea on Sunday called the latest U.N. sanctions to target the country 'an act of war' that violates its sovereignty, and said it is a 'pipe dream' for the United States to think it will give up its nuclear weapons.
Russia bars Putin challenger from election
Russian election officials on Monday barred opposition leader Alexei Navalny from running against President Vladimir Putin.
Nikki Haley announces $285 million cut to United Nations budget
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley announced Sunday that the United States had slashed the U.N.’s budget by more than $285 million for fiscal 2018.
Russian warships in UK waters keep Royal Navy busy over Christmas
The Royal Navy monitored a series of Russian warships around Britain over Christmas, as the Defence Secretary said Britain would not be intimidated.
Pope Francis laments ‘winds of war’ blowing around the world
Lamenting 'the winds of war' blowing around the world, Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message on Monday called for a two-state solution to find peace in the Middle East and prayed that confrontation can be overcome on the Korean Peninsula.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Syrian, Iranian backed forces advance in border area near northern Israel
Syrian army forces backed by Iranian-backed militias pushed deeper into the last rebel-held enclave near a strategic border area with Israel and Lebanon in a new expansion of Tehran's influence in the war-torn country.
Israel says 10 more countries in talks about moving embassies to Jerusalem
Following Guatemala’s announcement Monday that it would move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, at least 10 other countries are in talks to move their own missions, Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely said.
Top Hamas official says Palestinian unity deal collapsing
Hard-line Hamas Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar said on Thursday that the reconciliation deal with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction was collapsing, just 10 weeks after the agreement was reached.
Guatemala says it’s begun working on moving embassy to Jerusalem
Guatemala’s Foreign Ministry said Monday it had begun working on moving the country’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a day after President Jimmy Morales announced he would follow US President Donald Trump’s controversial lead on the holy city.
Inside the United States
California's monster Thomas fire becomes largest-ever wildfire in state history
Although a cold front and calmer winds have helped aid firefighters, the massive Thomas fire in Southern California now ranks as the state's largest-ever wildfire, Cal Fire said late Friday.
‘It’s time for us to rebuild our country’: Trump hopes to deal with Democrats on infrastructure
The White House on Sunday said President Trump wants to introduce an infrastructure package in January and reach for a deal with Democrats, a pivot toward bipartisanship after Republican-only efforts on health care and taxes produced mixed results this year.
Christian News
India Tightens Christmas Security After Christians Attacked
Christians and others in India celebrated Christmas despite fears of an anti-Christian backlash in some parts of the predominantly Hindu country.
North Korea declares new UN sanctions 'an act of war'
North Korea on Sunday called the latest U.N. sanctions to target the country 'an act of war' that violates its sovereignty, and said it is a 'pipe dream' for the United States to think it will give up its nuclear weapons.
Russia bars Putin challenger from election
Russian election officials on Monday barred opposition leader Alexei Navalny from running against President Vladimir Putin.
Nikki Haley announces $285 million cut to United Nations budget
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley announced Sunday that the United States had slashed the U.N.’s budget by more than $285 million for fiscal 2018.
Russian warships in UK waters keep Royal Navy busy over Christmas
The Royal Navy monitored a series of Russian warships around Britain over Christmas, as the Defence Secretary said Britain would not be intimidated.
Pope Francis laments ‘winds of war’ blowing around the world
Lamenting 'the winds of war' blowing around the world, Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message on Monday called for a two-state solution to find peace in the Middle East and prayed that confrontation can be overcome on the Korean Peninsula.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Syrian, Iranian backed forces advance in border area near northern Israel
Syrian army forces backed by Iranian-backed militias pushed deeper into the last rebel-held enclave near a strategic border area with Israel and Lebanon in a new expansion of Tehran's influence in the war-torn country.
Israel says 10 more countries in talks about moving embassies to Jerusalem
Following Guatemala’s announcement Monday that it would move its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, at least 10 other countries are in talks to move their own missions, Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovely said.
Top Hamas official says Palestinian unity deal collapsing
Hard-line Hamas Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar said on Thursday that the reconciliation deal with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction was collapsing, just 10 weeks after the agreement was reached.
Guatemala says it’s begun working on moving embassy to Jerusalem
Guatemala’s Foreign Ministry said Monday it had begun working on moving the country’s embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, a day after President Jimmy Morales announced he would follow US President Donald Trump’s controversial lead on the holy city.
Inside the United States
California's monster Thomas fire becomes largest-ever wildfire in state history
Although a cold front and calmer winds have helped aid firefighters, the massive Thomas fire in Southern California now ranks as the state's largest-ever wildfire, Cal Fire said late Friday.
‘It’s time for us to rebuild our country’: Trump hopes to deal with Democrats on infrastructure
The White House on Sunday said President Trump wants to introduce an infrastructure package in January and reach for a deal with Democrats, a pivot toward bipartisanship after Republican-only efforts on health care and taxes produced mixed results this year.
Christian News
India Tightens Christmas Security After Christians Attacked
Christians and others in India celebrated Christmas despite fears of an anti-Christian backlash in some parts of the predominantly Hindu country.
Around the World
After ISIS campaign, Iran-backed fighters in Iraq vow to drive out US troops
Now that they’ve helped vanquish the Islamic State from much of Iraq, a battle-hardened militia with close ties to Iran may be training its sights on the remaining U.S.-led coalition troops scattered across the country.
Catalan separatists win election in rebuke to Spain and EU
Catalonia’s separatists look set to regain power in the wealthy Spanish region after local elections on Thursday, deepening the nation’s political crisis in a sharp rebuke to Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and European Union leaders who backed him.
Putin, Merkel discuss situation in eastern Ukraine
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to explain Russia's decision to withdraw its military observers from a joint group monitoring the truce in eastern Ukraine.
ISIS Threatens Holiday Terror Attacks
Islamic State terrorists are threatening Christmas and New Year's attacks in major cities across the US and Europe.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
In a New Challenge to Israel, Syria's Assad Sets His Sights on Golan Border Area
The Assad regime is gearing up to expand the area it controls in southern Syria, near the border with Israel.
Hamas calls on Arabs to drive Israeli, US ambassadors out of Arab states
Palestinians resumed violently rioting on Wednesday as they continued to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's Dec. 6 declaration recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Inside the United States
Trump first president to protect electric grid from EMP, cyberattacks
President Trump became the first national leader to call for protecting the U.S electric and communications grid against an electromagnetic attack like one practiced in North Korea.
Year One List: 81 major Trump achievements, 11 Obama legacy items repealed
With the passage of the GOP tax bill this week, the Trump administration has scored 81 major achievements in its first year, making good on campaign promises to provide significant tax cuts, boost U.S. energy production, and restore respect to the United States, according to the White House.
Senate passes short-term spending bill with help from Democrats to avoid shutdown
The Senate on Thursday passed a short-term government funding bill for President Trump's signature, ending yet another threat of a government shutdown and leaving Congress with a new January deadline to come up with a major spending deal.
White House: Trump wants lawmakers to pass Obamacare stabilization bills in January
President Donald Trump wants lawmakers to pass two bipartisan bills early next year that would shore up the Affordable Care Act, the White House said on Wednesday.
How Obama manipulated sensitive secret intelligence for political gain
For years, a clandestine U.S. intelligence team had tracked a man they knew was high in the leadership of al Qaeda -- an operative some believed had a hand in plotting the gruesome 2009 suicide attack in Afghanistan that killed seven CIA officers.
Judge: State Can't Force CA Baker to Make Cakes for Same-Sex Weddings
The state of California attempted to shut down a baker after its Christian owner refused to make cakes for same-sex weddings, saying it went against her religious beliefs.
Second U.S. judge blocks Trump administration birth control rules
A second U.S. judge on Thursday blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from enforcing new rules that undermine an Obamacare requirement for employers to provide insurance that covers women’s birth control.
U.S. economy grew at solid 3.2 percent rate in the third quarter
The U.S. economy grew at a solid 3.2 percent annual rate from July through September, slightly slower than previously estimated but still enough to give the country the best back-to-back quarterly growth rates in three years.
Christian News
Christian Geologist Says Discovery Of Fossilized Tree Stumps Confirms Biblical Account Of Great Flood
A Christian geologist has claimed that a recent discovery of fossilized tree stumps in Antarctica confirms the Bible’s account of the Great Flood in Genesis.
After ISIS campaign, Iran-backed fighters in Iraq vow to drive out US troops
Now that they’ve helped vanquish the Islamic State from much of Iraq, a battle-hardened militia with close ties to Iran may be training its sights on the remaining U.S.-led coalition troops scattered across the country.
Catalan separatists win election in rebuke to Spain and EU
Catalonia’s separatists look set to regain power in the wealthy Spanish region after local elections on Thursday, deepening the nation’s political crisis in a sharp rebuke to Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and European Union leaders who backed him.
Putin, Merkel discuss situation in eastern Ukraine
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken to German Chancellor Angela Merkel to explain Russia's decision to withdraw its military observers from a joint group monitoring the truce in eastern Ukraine.
ISIS Threatens Holiday Terror Attacks
Islamic State terrorists are threatening Christmas and New Year's attacks in major cities across the US and Europe.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
In a New Challenge to Israel, Syria's Assad Sets His Sights on Golan Border Area
The Assad regime is gearing up to expand the area it controls in southern Syria, near the border with Israel.
Hamas calls on Arabs to drive Israeli, US ambassadors out of Arab states
Palestinians resumed violently rioting on Wednesday as they continued to protest against U.S. President Donald Trump's Dec. 6 declaration recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Inside the United States
Trump first president to protect electric grid from EMP, cyberattacks
President Trump became the first national leader to call for protecting the U.S electric and communications grid against an electromagnetic attack like one practiced in North Korea.
Year One List: 81 major Trump achievements, 11 Obama legacy items repealed
With the passage of the GOP tax bill this week, the Trump administration has scored 81 major achievements in its first year, making good on campaign promises to provide significant tax cuts, boost U.S. energy production, and restore respect to the United States, according to the White House.
Senate passes short-term spending bill with help from Democrats to avoid shutdown
The Senate on Thursday passed a short-term government funding bill for President Trump's signature, ending yet another threat of a government shutdown and leaving Congress with a new January deadline to come up with a major spending deal.
White House: Trump wants lawmakers to pass Obamacare stabilization bills in January
President Donald Trump wants lawmakers to pass two bipartisan bills early next year that would shore up the Affordable Care Act, the White House said on Wednesday.
How Obama manipulated sensitive secret intelligence for political gain
For years, a clandestine U.S. intelligence team had tracked a man they knew was high in the leadership of al Qaeda -- an operative some believed had a hand in plotting the gruesome 2009 suicide attack in Afghanistan that killed seven CIA officers.
Judge: State Can't Force CA Baker to Make Cakes for Same-Sex Weddings
The state of California attempted to shut down a baker after its Christian owner refused to make cakes for same-sex weddings, saying it went against her religious beliefs.
Second U.S. judge blocks Trump administration birth control rules
A second U.S. judge on Thursday blocked President Donald Trump’s administration from enforcing new rules that undermine an Obamacare requirement for employers to provide insurance that covers women’s birth control.
U.S. economy grew at solid 3.2 percent rate in the third quarter
The U.S. economy grew at a solid 3.2 percent annual rate from July through September, slightly slower than previously estimated but still enough to give the country the best back-to-back quarterly growth rates in three years.
Christian News
Christian Geologist Says Discovery Of Fossilized Tree Stumps Confirms Biblical Account Of Great Flood
A Christian geologist has claimed that a recent discovery of fossilized tree stumps in Antarctica confirms the Bible’s account of the Great Flood in Genesis.
Around the World
Trump warns U.N. that cuts in U.S. foreign aid will follow anti-Jerusalem votes
President Trump dared the United Nations Wednesday to vote against his decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, saying 'we’ll save a lot' in foreign aid cuts for countries that cross his administration.
South Korea fires shots after another North Korea soldier defects
Shots were fired after a North Korean defector fled to the South on Thursday across the DMZ, the land border that divides the peninsula, South Korean military officials said.
EU says Brexit transition to end in December 2020
The Brexit transition period should end on 31 December 2020, with a clear view what sort of relationship the EU and UK will have afterwards, the EU Commission proposed on Wednesday (20 December).
Poland cries foul as EU triggers ‘nuclear option’ over judicial independence
The Polish government has accused the European commission of a politically motivated attack after the EU’s executive body triggered a process that could see the country stripped of voting rights in Brussels, over legal changes that the bloc claims threaten the independence of the judiciary.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
176 nations at UN call for Palestinian statehood
The General Assembly voted 176-7 on Tuesday to affirm the Palestinian right to self-determination, one day after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas pledged to renew his quest for state membership in the international body.
Hezbollah's young adherents emboldened after US announcement on Jerusalem
Ali is six, and yet already he fiercely chants 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel' at a rally alongside his family. It is a typical Beirut rally, organized by the Shia militia Hezbollah, to protest US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Inside the United States
Congress sends historic tax bill to Trump
House Republicans on Wednesday voted for the second time in two days to pass a major tax overhaul, sending the $1.5 trillion tax cut to President Trump, as promised, just before Christmas.
U.S. lawmakers seek temporary extension to internet spying program
Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives are working to build support to temporarily extend the National Security Agency’s expiring internet surveillance program by tucking it into a stop-gap funding measure, lawmakers said.
Companies trumpet bonuses, pay hikes after Congress passes tax bill
Multiple companies announced Wednesday they plan to reward employees with higher wages and bonuses due to the tax bill passed by the Republican-led Congress.
Christian News
Christmas High Alert: Churches Tightening Church Security in Pakistan, Egypt
This Christmas season Christians in Pakistan and Egypt are on high alert. They are asking their governments to help provide tightened security for worship services.
Trump warns U.N. that cuts in U.S. foreign aid will follow anti-Jerusalem votes
President Trump dared the United Nations Wednesday to vote against his decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, saying 'we’ll save a lot' in foreign aid cuts for countries that cross his administration.
South Korea fires shots after another North Korea soldier defects
Shots were fired after a North Korean defector fled to the South on Thursday across the DMZ, the land border that divides the peninsula, South Korean military officials said.
EU says Brexit transition to end in December 2020
The Brexit transition period should end on 31 December 2020, with a clear view what sort of relationship the EU and UK will have afterwards, the EU Commission proposed on Wednesday (20 December).
Poland cries foul as EU triggers ‘nuclear option’ over judicial independence
The Polish government has accused the European commission of a politically motivated attack after the EU’s executive body triggered a process that could see the country stripped of voting rights in Brussels, over legal changes that the bloc claims threaten the independence of the judiciary.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
176 nations at UN call for Palestinian statehood
The General Assembly voted 176-7 on Tuesday to affirm the Palestinian right to self-determination, one day after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas pledged to renew his quest for state membership in the international body.
Hezbollah's young adherents emboldened after US announcement on Jerusalem
Ali is six, and yet already he fiercely chants 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel' at a rally alongside his family. It is a typical Beirut rally, organized by the Shia militia Hezbollah, to protest US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Inside the United States
Congress sends historic tax bill to Trump
House Republicans on Wednesday voted for the second time in two days to pass a major tax overhaul, sending the $1.5 trillion tax cut to President Trump, as promised, just before Christmas.
U.S. lawmakers seek temporary extension to internet spying program
Republican leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives are working to build support to temporarily extend the National Security Agency’s expiring internet surveillance program by tucking it into a stop-gap funding measure, lawmakers said.
Companies trumpet bonuses, pay hikes after Congress passes tax bill
Multiple companies announced Wednesday they plan to reward employees with higher wages and bonuses due to the tax bill passed by the Republican-led Congress.
Christian News
Christmas High Alert: Churches Tightening Church Security in Pakistan, Egypt
This Christmas season Christians in Pakistan and Egypt are on high alert. They are asking their governments to help provide tightened security for worship services.