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
EU and Mexico Reach New Trade Agreement Ahead of Trump Presidency
The European Union and Mexico agreed on a new trade agreement on Friday just before President Trump assumes office on Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Numerous Killed In Indonesia Mall Fire
Eight bodies were found so far after a fire broke out at one of the oldest shopping malls in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, as rescuers intensified search efforts for still missing persons, officials said Saturday.
Iran, Russia Sign Pact On Military, Trade Cooperation
The world faced more security challenges Saturday after Russia and Iran signed a controversial 20-year “strategic partnership” that was due to worry Israel, Ukraine, and their Western allies.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
3 Hostages Reunite With Families, But More Work Ahead
Israelis across Israel celebrated Sunday the release of three women by Hamas, the first of nearly 100 hostages due to return home, dead or alive, following their abduction on October 7, 2023.
Hamas Releases Names Of Hostages As Ceasefire Was Supposed To Start
Hamas named the three hostages it planned to release Sunday, more than two hours after the ceasefire in Gaza was supposed to have begun. Israel had earlier made clear it would keep fighting until it received the names.
Israeli Security Cabinet Approves Hostage Deal, Set for Government Vote
Israel's Security Cabinet approved a hostage deal on Friday, where 33 Hamas captives will be released in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds serving life sentences.
Inside the United States
TikTok Restores U.S. Service Ater Trump Intervention
TikTok restored service to American users Sunday after temporarily shutting down in response to a Congressionally passed law upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court over its Chinese ownership.
Cruz Leads Effort to Repeal DOD COVID Vaccine Mandate, Protect Religious Freedom
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX, is leading an effort to reverse actions taken against military service members through a U.S. Department of Defense COVID-19 vaccine mandate, including protecting religious freedom.
Trump Rallies With Supporters Night Before Inauguration
Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, will be sworn in as its 47th at noon eastern Monday at an inauguration ceremony that was moved indoors because of anticipated freezing temperatures in Washington D.C..
TikTok Goes Dark In US Ahead Of Trump Inauguration
TikTok went dark in the United States on Sunday as the company's application, or app, was removed from prominent app stores, including those operated by tech giants Apple and Google, while its website told users that the short-form video platform was no longer available.
EU and Mexico Reach New Trade Agreement Ahead of Trump Presidency
The European Union and Mexico agreed on a new trade agreement on Friday just before President Trump assumes office on Monday, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Numerous Killed In Indonesia Mall Fire
Eight bodies were found so far after a fire broke out at one of the oldest shopping malls in Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, as rescuers intensified search efforts for still missing persons, officials said Saturday.
Iran, Russia Sign Pact On Military, Trade Cooperation
The world faced more security challenges Saturday after Russia and Iran signed a controversial 20-year “strategic partnership” that was due to worry Israel, Ukraine, and their Western allies.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
3 Hostages Reunite With Families, But More Work Ahead
Israelis across Israel celebrated Sunday the release of three women by Hamas, the first of nearly 100 hostages due to return home, dead or alive, following their abduction on October 7, 2023.
Hamas Releases Names Of Hostages As Ceasefire Was Supposed To Start
Hamas named the three hostages it planned to release Sunday, more than two hours after the ceasefire in Gaza was supposed to have begun. Israel had earlier made clear it would keep fighting until it received the names.
Israeli Security Cabinet Approves Hostage Deal, Set for Government Vote
Israel's Security Cabinet approved a hostage deal on Friday, where 33 Hamas captives will be released in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds serving life sentences.
Inside the United States
TikTok Restores U.S. Service Ater Trump Intervention
TikTok restored service to American users Sunday after temporarily shutting down in response to a Congressionally passed law upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court over its Chinese ownership.
Cruz Leads Effort to Repeal DOD COVID Vaccine Mandate, Protect Religious Freedom
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-TX, is leading an effort to reverse actions taken against military service members through a U.S. Department of Defense COVID-19 vaccine mandate, including protecting religious freedom.
Trump Rallies With Supporters Night Before Inauguration
Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States, will be sworn in as its 47th at noon eastern Monday at an inauguration ceremony that was moved indoors because of anticipated freezing temperatures in Washington D.C..
TikTok Goes Dark In US Ahead Of Trump Inauguration
TikTok went dark in the United States on Sunday as the company's application, or app, was removed from prominent app stores, including those operated by tech giants Apple and Google, while its website told users that the short-form video platform was no longer available.
Around the World
North Korea’s Troops Toughen Russia’s Offensive Against Ukraine (Worthy News In-Depth)
Once dismissed as “cannon fodder,” North Korean soldiers deployed in the Russian offensive against Ukraine are now being described by their Ukrainian adversaries as disciplined and formidable fighters.
US Imposes Another Fresh Round of Sanctions on Russia
Less than a week after imposing the broadest package of sanctions on Russia it had ever imposed, the US Biden administration on Wednesday added hundreds of fresh sanctions to intensify pressure on Moscow and assist Ukraine in defending against the ongoing Russian invasion, Reuters reports.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Iraqi and Yemeni Islamic Militants to Suspend Attacks on Israel Following Gaza Ceasefire A nnouncement
Responding to Wednesday’s announcement that the Israeli government has reached a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, the Iran-aligned Yemeni Houthi and Iraqi Nujaba Islamic jihadist movements announced they would suspend their attacks against Israel, Newsweek reports.
Inside the United States
Biden Rule Requiring Christian Groups to Embrace Gender Ideology Faces Lawsuit
A new Biden administration rule requiring Christian and other religious groups to comply on transgender ideology is facing a legal challenge.
U.S. House Passes Measure to Deport Noncitizen Sex Crime Offenders
The U.S. House on Thursday passed a bill that would lead to the deportation of foreign nationals in the U.S. illegally who commit sex crimes or domestic violence.
Republicans Pledge Remain in Mexico Policy Will Return Under Trump
Border-focused Republicans are eagerly awaiting the next Trump administration, and with it, the return of Remain in Mexico, an immigration policy that makes migrants who illegally cross the border to claim asylum wait in Mexico for their court date, rather than being released into the U.S. under parole.
Republicans to Introduce Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Act
Republican lawmakers are set to introduce legislation requiring doctors to provide the same medical assistance to babies born alive following an abortion as they would to a baby of the same gestational age in other circumstances.
Christian News
Nigeria: New Islamic Terror Group Begins Killing Christians
A new Islamic terror group that is considered even more dangerous than Boko Haram, ISWAP and the radicalized Fulani militants has begun murdering Christians in northern Nigeria, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Islamic terror groups intent on imposing their extreme version of Sharia law and governance have murdered tens of thousands of Christians in northern Nigeria since jihadism took hold in the region in 2009.
Sudan Christians Banned From Christmas Feast Amid Deadly Clashes
Christians in Sudan say believers displaced by war have been prevented from celebrating Christmas in a park where they had taken refuge.
‘380 Million Christians Persecuted Worldwide’
At least 380 million Christians — one in seven worldwide — faced high levels of persecution and discrimination in 2024, an increase of 15 million from the year before, investigators said Wednesday.
North Korea’s Troops Toughen Russia’s Offensive Against Ukraine (Worthy News In-Depth)
Once dismissed as “cannon fodder,” North Korean soldiers deployed in the Russian offensive against Ukraine are now being described by their Ukrainian adversaries as disciplined and formidable fighters.
US Imposes Another Fresh Round of Sanctions on Russia
Less than a week after imposing the broadest package of sanctions on Russia it had ever imposed, the US Biden administration on Wednesday added hundreds of fresh sanctions to intensify pressure on Moscow and assist Ukraine in defending against the ongoing Russian invasion, Reuters reports.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Iraqi and Yemeni Islamic Militants to Suspend Attacks on Israel Following Gaza Ceasefire A nnouncement
Responding to Wednesday’s announcement that the Israeli government has reached a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, the Iran-aligned Yemeni Houthi and Iraqi Nujaba Islamic jihadist movements announced they would suspend their attacks against Israel, Newsweek reports.
Inside the United States
Biden Rule Requiring Christian Groups to Embrace Gender Ideology Faces Lawsuit
A new Biden administration rule requiring Christian and other religious groups to comply on transgender ideology is facing a legal challenge.
U.S. House Passes Measure to Deport Noncitizen Sex Crime Offenders
The U.S. House on Thursday passed a bill that would lead to the deportation of foreign nationals in the U.S. illegally who commit sex crimes or domestic violence.
Republicans Pledge Remain in Mexico Policy Will Return Under Trump
Border-focused Republicans are eagerly awaiting the next Trump administration, and with it, the return of Remain in Mexico, an immigration policy that makes migrants who illegally cross the border to claim asylum wait in Mexico for their court date, rather than being released into the U.S. under parole.
Republicans to Introduce Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Act
Republican lawmakers are set to introduce legislation requiring doctors to provide the same medical assistance to babies born alive following an abortion as they would to a baby of the same gestational age in other circumstances.
Christian News
Nigeria: New Islamic Terror Group Begins Killing Christians
A new Islamic terror group that is considered even more dangerous than Boko Haram, ISWAP and the radicalized Fulani militants has begun murdering Christians in northern Nigeria, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. Islamic terror groups intent on imposing their extreme version of Sharia law and governance have murdered tens of thousands of Christians in northern Nigeria since jihadism took hold in the region in 2009.
Sudan Christians Banned From Christmas Feast Amid Deadly Clashes
Christians in Sudan say believers displaced by war have been prevented from celebrating Christmas in a park where they had taken refuge.
‘380 Million Christians Persecuted Worldwide’
At least 380 million Christians — one in seven worldwide — faced high levels of persecution and discrimination in 2024, an increase of 15 million from the year before, investigators said Wednesday.
Around the World
Russia Launches Missiles Drones At Ukraine
Russia launched missiles and drones at Ukrainian energy facilities on Wednesday, one day after Kyiv claimed it carried out its most significant aerial attack of the war on Russian army factories and energy hubs hundreds of kilometers (miles) from the frontline.
Ukraine Launches Largest Aerial Strike on Russian Territory to Date
In its biggest aerial strike against Russia to date, Ukraine fired six US-made ATACMS ballistic missiles and UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles, and launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russian territory overnight on Tuesday, Reuters reports.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Negotatiators From Israel, Hamas Reach Ceasefire
Negotiators from Israel and Hamas have agreed to a cease-fire and hostage release in Gaza, officials said on Wednesday, in the hope of ending the 15-month-war that has killed thousands.
Biden Praises Ceasefire Deal Between Hamas And Israel
After 15 long months of bloodshed in Gaza sparked by the Hamas massacre of 1,200 people in Israel, a hostage and ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel was reached Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden said.
Iran Accuses Israel of Placing Explosives in Iranian Centrifuge
Iran’s Vice-President for Strategic Affairs, Mohammad Javad ZarMif, has accused Israel of planting explosives in Iranian centrifuge equipment, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
Inside the United States
Both Sides Raise Concern of Weaponized Justice Department at Bondi Hearing
Accusations of weaponizing the U.S. Department of Justice were hurled by Republicans and Democrats during the confirmation hearing of Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi Wednesday.
Rubio: U.S. Foreign Policy Must Serve National Interests
Safety, strength and prosperity will be the key objectives of the U.S. Department of State under the second Trump administration, Secretary of State nominee Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said during his confirmation hearing Wednesday.
Republicans Introduce Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act
Republicans in the U.S. Senate and House introduced the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which President-elect Donald Trump has said he will sign.
Christian News
Africa: Most Deadliest Region for Christians
Africa remains the deadliest region for Christians, with Nigeria ranking as the country where a Christian is most likely to be killed for his or her faith, according to a new report by the Global Christian Relief (GCR) charity and advocacy group.
YouVersion Bible App Saw Nearly 800,000 Installations on First Sunday of 2025
The hugely popular YouVersion Bible App was installed nearly 800,000 times on January 5 this year alone, the Christian Post reports. Launched in 2008 by the US-based Life.Church ministry, YouVersion is available in 2,100 languages and has been installed on 850 million devices worldwide.
Colombia: Christian Leaders and Family Killed in “Premeditated, Targeted Assassinations”
Two protestant Christian church leaders and three Christian family members were recently assassinated in two premeditated incidents in Colombia, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports.
Russia Launches Missiles Drones At Ukraine
Russia launched missiles and drones at Ukrainian energy facilities on Wednesday, one day after Kyiv claimed it carried out its most significant aerial attack of the war on Russian army factories and energy hubs hundreds of kilometers (miles) from the frontline.
Ukraine Launches Largest Aerial Strike on Russian Territory to Date
In its biggest aerial strike against Russia to date, Ukraine fired six US-made ATACMS ballistic missiles and UK-made Storm Shadow cruise missiles, and launched one of its largest drone attacks on Russian territory overnight on Tuesday, Reuters reports.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Negotatiators From Israel, Hamas Reach Ceasefire
Negotiators from Israel and Hamas have agreed to a cease-fire and hostage release in Gaza, officials said on Wednesday, in the hope of ending the 15-month-war that has killed thousands.
Biden Praises Ceasefire Deal Between Hamas And Israel
After 15 long months of bloodshed in Gaza sparked by the Hamas massacre of 1,200 people in Israel, a hostage and ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel was reached Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden said.
Iran Accuses Israel of Placing Explosives in Iranian Centrifuge
Iran’s Vice-President for Strategic Affairs, Mohammad Javad ZarMif, has accused Israel of planting explosives in Iranian centrifuge equipment, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
Inside the United States
Both Sides Raise Concern of Weaponized Justice Department at Bondi Hearing
Accusations of weaponizing the U.S. Department of Justice were hurled by Republicans and Democrats during the confirmation hearing of Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi Wednesday.
Rubio: U.S. Foreign Policy Must Serve National Interests
Safety, strength and prosperity will be the key objectives of the U.S. Department of State under the second Trump administration, Secretary of State nominee Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., said during his confirmation hearing Wednesday.
Republicans Introduce Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act
Republicans in the U.S. Senate and House introduced the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, which President-elect Donald Trump has said he will sign.
Christian News
Africa: Most Deadliest Region for Christians
Africa remains the deadliest region for Christians, with Nigeria ranking as the country where a Christian is most likely to be killed for his or her faith, according to a new report by the Global Christian Relief (GCR) charity and advocacy group.
YouVersion Bible App Saw Nearly 800,000 Installations on First Sunday of 2025
The hugely popular YouVersion Bible App was installed nearly 800,000 times on January 5 this year alone, the Christian Post reports. Launched in 2008 by the US-based Life.Church ministry, YouVersion is available in 2,100 languages and has been installed on 850 million devices worldwide.
Colombia: Christian Leaders and Family Killed in “Premeditated, Targeted Assassinations”
Two protestant Christian church leaders and three Christian family members were recently assassinated in two premeditated incidents in Colombia, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports.