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 Launches Nuclear-Capable Missile Amid Calls For Asia-Style NATO
On Tuesday, North Korea published new footage of its recent intercontinental ballistic missile launch amid calls to speed up the creation of an Indo-Pacific version of the NATO military alliance.
Suriname’s Ex-President Bouterse Jailed For 15 Murders
An appeals court in Suriname on Wednesday upheld the conviction of former President Desi Bouterse and sentenced him to 20 years in prison for his role in the execution of 15 people in the former Dutch colony in December 1982.
Death Toll Rising In China’s Quake
The death toll from China’s worst earthquake in nine years rose to 131 early Wednesday, with some 1,000 people injured, officials said.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Says Ground Operation in Northern Gaza is Nearing End, Underground Terror City Discovered
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are reportedly close to completing their ground offensive in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, having significantly dismantled the presence of Hamas battalions in the region, according to IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.
Inside the United States
Illegal Immigrants Crossing the Border Surges Over Past 48 Hours
Over the past 48 hours, authorities have encountered close to 27,000 immigrants trying to illegally cross into the United States from Mexico, the Washington Examiner reported. To put this in perspective, the number of crossings observed in the past two days is equivalent to the total typically seen over an entire month during the Obama and Trump administrations.
America Sees 337% Increase In Antisemitic Incidents Since Oct.7, Report Shows
A major US antisemitism watchdog, the Anti-Defamation League has recorded a 337% increase in antisemitic incidents in America since the Oct.7 attack on Israel by the ISIS-like Hamas Palestinian jihadist group from Gaza, Israel365 News reports.
US Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers Provided Over $358.7 Million in Goods and Services Last Year
A new report shows that US pro-life pregnancy centers provided an estimated massive $358,725,517 million in goods and services last year to help financially vulnerable women continue their pregnancies instead of having an abortion, the Washington Times reports.
Christian News
Syria: Aleppo Christian Community Has Dramatically Decreased Since Civil War
As Syrians struggle to cope with the devastating consequences of a catastrophic civil war, the number of Christians in the previously formidable Syrian city of Aleppo has now decreased from around 250,000 to just 50,000, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
North Korea Launches Nuclear-Capable Missile Amid Calls For Asia-Style NATO
On Tuesday, North Korea published new footage of its recent intercontinental ballistic missile launch amid calls to speed up the creation of an Indo-Pacific version of the NATO military alliance.
Suriname’s Ex-President Bouterse Jailed For 15 Murders
An appeals court in Suriname on Wednesday upheld the conviction of former President Desi Bouterse and sentenced him to 20 years in prison for his role in the execution of 15 people in the former Dutch colony in December 1982.
Death Toll Rising In China’s Quake
The death toll from China’s worst earthquake in nine years rose to 131 early Wednesday, with some 1,000 people injured, officials said.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Says Ground Operation in Northern Gaza is Nearing End, Underground Terror City Discovered
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are reportedly close to completing their ground offensive in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, having significantly dismantled the presence of Hamas battalions in the region, according to IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.
Inside the United States
Illegal Immigrants Crossing the Border Surges Over Past 48 Hours
Over the past 48 hours, authorities have encountered close to 27,000 immigrants trying to illegally cross into the United States from Mexico, the Washington Examiner reported. To put this in perspective, the number of crossings observed in the past two days is equivalent to the total typically seen over an entire month during the Obama and Trump administrations.
America Sees 337% Increase In Antisemitic Incidents Since Oct.7, Report Shows
A major US antisemitism watchdog, the Anti-Defamation League has recorded a 337% increase in antisemitic incidents in America since the Oct.7 attack on Israel by the ISIS-like Hamas Palestinian jihadist group from Gaza, Israel365 News reports.
US Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers Provided Over $358.7 Million in Goods and Services Last Year
A new report shows that US pro-life pregnancy centers provided an estimated massive $358,725,517 million in goods and services last year to help financially vulnerable women continue their pregnancies instead of having an abortion, the Washington Times reports.
Christian News
Syria: Aleppo Christian Community Has Dramatically Decreased Since Civil War
As Syrians struggle to cope with the devastating consequences of a catastrophic civil war, the number of Christians in the previously formidable Syrian city of Aleppo has now decreased from around 250,000 to just 50,000, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Around the World
Iran Accused at UN of Illegal Missile and Drone Transfers, and High-Level Uranium Enrichment
Iran faced accusations from Western Powers of developing and testing ballistic missiles, sending hundreds of drones to Russia for use in its war with Ukraine, and enriching uranium to a 60 percent level unprecedented for a country without a declared nuclear weapons program. Each of these violates a UN resolution, the Associated Press reported.
Jordan Welcomes Re-Election of Egyptian President As Both Nations Face War
Jordan’s King Abdullah welcomed Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s re-election Tuesday at a time when both nations face war in their neighborhood.
Pentagon Announces 10 Nation Coalition to Counter Houthi Attacks on Strategic Corridor in Red Sea
On Monday, the United States announced the formation of a 10-nation coalition creating a new force aimed at suppressing missile and drone attacks from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on vessels navigating the Red Sea. This "multinational security initiative" includes participation from Britain, France, Bahrain, and Italy among other countries.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Close To War With Hezbollah In Lebanon
Israel came closer Wednesday to an all-out war with the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group, which it views as a terrorist organization backed by Iran, as hostilities escalated.
Evangelical IDF Soldier Falls Defending Israel Against Hamas in Gaza
vangelical IDF soldier falls defending Israel against Hamas in GazaA young German Evangelical Christian has been killed fighting Hamas in Gaza as a volunteer combat soldier with the Israeli Defense Forces, the Jerusalem Post reports. A member of the Maglan Special Forces unit of the IDF’s Nahal Brigade, 20 year-old Sgt.-Maj. Urija Bayer died on Sunday after being critically wounded in the southern Gaza Strip on December 14.
Inside the United States
Colorado Supreme Court Decision Disqualifies Trump from 2024 Presidential Ballot, Paving Way for Supreme Court Appeal
In a bombshell decision, the Colorado Supreme Court decided on Tuesday that former President Donald Trump is ineligible to be on the 2024 presidential primary ballot. The court has effectively barred Trump from pursuing the presidency due to his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, referencing the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, a measure dating back to the post-Civil War era.
Tennessee: Baby Swept Out of His Home in Deadly Tornado Found Unharmed in a Tree, “Pretty Much a Miracle”
In what has been described as a miracle, a baby in Clarksville, Tennessee, was found unharmed in a tree after a deadly tornado ripped through his home, tearing off the roof and sweeping him up out of his crib, ABC News reports. Although his home was completely destroyed, four-month-old Lord Moore suffered only a cut to his face in the tornado, which killed three people and injured dozens of others as it stormed through Clarksville on Dec. 9.
Texas Governor Signs Law Challenging Biden Immigration Policies, Empowering State Law Enforcement
Republican Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has signed a new bill granting police the authority to detain illegal immigrants. This legislation also empowers local judges to order their departure from the country. This move aims to combat the influx of illegal immigration that has overwhelmed the state since the onset of the Biden Administration, challenging the extent to which a state can enforce immigration laws.
Christian News
Prison Ministry Will Deliver Gifts and Gospel Message to 65,000 Prisoners Worldwide This Christmas
A US-based international prison ministry is set to hand-deliver a gift pack and the Gospel to 65,000 prisoners around the world this Christmas, CBN News reports. Good News Global will be delivering its “Hope Packs” to male and female prisoners across 16 US states and 18 other countries during the Christmas season.
YouVersion Bible App Has Been Downloaded Over 700 Million Times
Demonstrating the Bible’s timeless appeal across the millennia, the popular “YouVersion” free Bible app has been downloaded more than 700 million times in the US and worldwide since it was first developed 15 years ago, Religion News Service (RNS) reports.
Iran Accused at UN of Illegal Missile and Drone Transfers, and High-Level Uranium Enrichment
Iran faced accusations from Western Powers of developing and testing ballistic missiles, sending hundreds of drones to Russia for use in its war with Ukraine, and enriching uranium to a 60 percent level unprecedented for a country without a declared nuclear weapons program. Each of these violates a UN resolution, the Associated Press reported.
Jordan Welcomes Re-Election of Egyptian President As Both Nations Face War
Jordan’s King Abdullah welcomed Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s re-election Tuesday at a time when both nations face war in their neighborhood.
Pentagon Announces 10 Nation Coalition to Counter Houthi Attacks on Strategic Corridor in Red Sea
On Monday, the United States announced the formation of a 10-nation coalition creating a new force aimed at suppressing missile and drone attacks from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on vessels navigating the Red Sea. This "multinational security initiative" includes participation from Britain, France, Bahrain, and Italy among other countries.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Close To War With Hezbollah In Lebanon
Israel came closer Wednesday to an all-out war with the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group, which it views as a terrorist organization backed by Iran, as hostilities escalated.
Evangelical IDF Soldier Falls Defending Israel Against Hamas in Gaza
vangelical IDF soldier falls defending Israel against Hamas in GazaA young German Evangelical Christian has been killed fighting Hamas in Gaza as a volunteer combat soldier with the Israeli Defense Forces, the Jerusalem Post reports. A member of the Maglan Special Forces unit of the IDF’s Nahal Brigade, 20 year-old Sgt.-Maj. Urija Bayer died on Sunday after being critically wounded in the southern Gaza Strip on December 14.
Inside the United States
Colorado Supreme Court Decision Disqualifies Trump from 2024 Presidential Ballot, Paving Way for Supreme Court Appeal
In a bombshell decision, the Colorado Supreme Court decided on Tuesday that former President Donald Trump is ineligible to be on the 2024 presidential primary ballot. The court has effectively barred Trump from pursuing the presidency due to his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, referencing the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, a measure dating back to the post-Civil War era.
Tennessee: Baby Swept Out of His Home in Deadly Tornado Found Unharmed in a Tree, “Pretty Much a Miracle”
In what has been described as a miracle, a baby in Clarksville, Tennessee, was found unharmed in a tree after a deadly tornado ripped through his home, tearing off the roof and sweeping him up out of his crib, ABC News reports. Although his home was completely destroyed, four-month-old Lord Moore suffered only a cut to his face in the tornado, which killed three people and injured dozens of others as it stormed through Clarksville on Dec. 9.
Texas Governor Signs Law Challenging Biden Immigration Policies, Empowering State Law Enforcement
Republican Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has signed a new bill granting police the authority to detain illegal immigrants. This legislation also empowers local judges to order their departure from the country. This move aims to combat the influx of illegal immigration that has overwhelmed the state since the onset of the Biden Administration, challenging the extent to which a state can enforce immigration laws.
Christian News
Prison Ministry Will Deliver Gifts and Gospel Message to 65,000 Prisoners Worldwide This Christmas
A US-based international prison ministry is set to hand-deliver a gift pack and the Gospel to 65,000 prisoners around the world this Christmas, CBN News reports. Good News Global will be delivering its “Hope Packs” to male and female prisoners across 16 US states and 18 other countries during the Christmas season.
YouVersion Bible App Has Been Downloaded Over 700 Million Times
Demonstrating the Bible’s timeless appeal across the millennia, the popular “YouVersion” free Bible app has been downloaded more than 700 million times in the US and worldwide since it was first developed 15 years ago, Religion News Service (RNS) reports.
Around the World
Pentagon Urged to Provide Taiwan with ‘MacGyver’ Style Advanced Weapons Amid Chinese Threats
The head of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Party warned the Pentagon in a letter about the necessity of establishing a more robust deterrent to avert war. He emphasized the importance of innovative, "out of the box" strategies in arming the Taiwanese military to address the imminent threats posed by the Chinese government to the island.
Pope Says Priests Can Bless Same-Sex Couples
In a controversial move upsetting conservative clergy, Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples.
Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Disrupting Global Trade, Oil and Natural Gas Prices Surge
The continued attacks on shipping tankers near Yemen have prompted several shipping companies, along with oil giant British Petroleum, to halt using the Suez Canal in light of the recent attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi Rebels, causing oil and natural gas to spike.
Serbia’s President Claims Victory In Elections Amid Reported Irregularities
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's party has claimed victory in snap parliamentary elections despite concerns about his perceived autocratic style and reports of voting irregularities.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Syria: Israeli Missile Strikes Near Damascus
The Syrian defense ministry, in a statement relayed by state media, reported that Israeli air strikes targeting areas near Damascus resulted in injuries to two Syrian soldiers on Sunday.
Pope Condemns ‘Israel Attack’ On Gaza; Army Confirms Incident Church That Kills Two
Israel’s military has confirmed an "incident" at the last Catholic Church in Gaza after accusations from the Vatican that troops shot and killed two Christian women in what Pope Francis called an act of terrorism.
Israel Uncovers Largest Hamas Tunnel In Gaza, So Far
Israeli troops fighting against Hamas say they have uncovered the largest concrete and iron-girded tunnel so far to carry carloads of “terrorist fighters” from Gaza right up to the border.
Inside the United States
CBP Suspending Railroad Crossings at Two Key International Ports of Entry in Texas
On Sunday night, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced it was closing international railroad bridges at two major ports of entry in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, after a surge of over 4,000 people illegally entered over the last 48 hours.
Illinois: AG Agrees to Permanent Block on Law Which Targeted Pregnancy Centers, “Huge Win” for Pro-Life Groups
Following a lawsuit filed by the pro life umbrella group National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA), the Attorney General of Illinois has agreed to a permanent injunction nullifying a law which targeted pregnancy crisis centers to ban them from using alleged "misinformation, deceptive practices, or misrepresentation in order to interfere with access to abortion services or emergency contraception,” CBN News reports.
Security Questions Raised After Car Plows Into President Biden’s Motorcade
Questions were raised early Monday after a car hit a motorcade vehicle as U.S. president Joe Biden left his campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, late Sunday.
Indiana: Christian Parents Petition SCOTUS After State Removes Their Trans-Identified Child
The Christian parents of a trans-identified child in Indiana have filed a petition asking the US Supreme Court to intervene after the state’s Department of Child Services removed their son from their care after disagreements over his gender identity and welfare, the Christian Post (CP) reports. The petition argues for the protection of parental rights and free speech, and for the free exercise of religion.
Christian News
Indonesia: Elderly Christian Man Serving Second Prison Term for Blasphemy Against Islam
An elderly Christian man in West Java province, Indonesia is now serving a second prison term for blasphemy on the grounds he insulted the Muslim prophet Mohammed in social media posts that were critical of Islam, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Pentagon Urged to Provide Taiwan with ‘MacGyver’ Style Advanced Weapons Amid Chinese Threats
The head of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Party warned the Pentagon in a letter about the necessity of establishing a more robust deterrent to avert war. He emphasized the importance of innovative, "out of the box" strategies in arming the Taiwanese military to address the imminent threats posed by the Chinese government to the island.
Pope Says Priests Can Bless Same-Sex Couples
In a controversial move upsetting conservative clergy, Pope Francis has formally approved allowing priests to bless same-sex couples.
Yemen’s Houthi Rebels Disrupting Global Trade, Oil and Natural Gas Prices Surge
The continued attacks on shipping tankers near Yemen have prompted several shipping companies, along with oil giant British Petroleum, to halt using the Suez Canal in light of the recent attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi Rebels, causing oil and natural gas to spike.
Serbia’s President Claims Victory In Elections Amid Reported Irregularities
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic's party has claimed victory in snap parliamentary elections despite concerns about his perceived autocratic style and reports of voting irregularities.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Syria: Israeli Missile Strikes Near Damascus
The Syrian defense ministry, in a statement relayed by state media, reported that Israeli air strikes targeting areas near Damascus resulted in injuries to two Syrian soldiers on Sunday.
Pope Condemns ‘Israel Attack’ On Gaza; Army Confirms Incident Church That Kills Two
Israel’s military has confirmed an "incident" at the last Catholic Church in Gaza after accusations from the Vatican that troops shot and killed two Christian women in what Pope Francis called an act of terrorism.
Israel Uncovers Largest Hamas Tunnel In Gaza, So Far
Israeli troops fighting against Hamas say they have uncovered the largest concrete and iron-girded tunnel so far to carry carloads of “terrorist fighters” from Gaza right up to the border.
Inside the United States
CBP Suspending Railroad Crossings at Two Key International Ports of Entry in Texas
On Sunday night, U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced it was closing international railroad bridges at two major ports of entry in Eagle Pass and El Paso, Texas, after a surge of over 4,000 people illegally entered over the last 48 hours.
Illinois: AG Agrees to Permanent Block on Law Which Targeted Pregnancy Centers, “Huge Win” for Pro-Life Groups
Following a lawsuit filed by the pro life umbrella group National Institute of Family and Life Advocates (NIFLA), the Attorney General of Illinois has agreed to a permanent injunction nullifying a law which targeted pregnancy crisis centers to ban them from using alleged "misinformation, deceptive practices, or misrepresentation in order to interfere with access to abortion services or emergency contraception,” CBN News reports.
Security Questions Raised After Car Plows Into President Biden’s Motorcade
Questions were raised early Monday after a car hit a motorcade vehicle as U.S. president Joe Biden left his campaign headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, late Sunday.
Indiana: Christian Parents Petition SCOTUS After State Removes Their Trans-Identified Child
The Christian parents of a trans-identified child in Indiana have filed a petition asking the US Supreme Court to intervene after the state’s Department of Child Services removed their son from their care after disagreements over his gender identity and welfare, the Christian Post (CP) reports. The petition argues for the protection of parental rights and free speech, and for the free exercise of religion.
Christian News
Indonesia: Elderly Christian Man Serving Second Prison Term for Blasphemy Against Islam
An elderly Christian man in West Java province, Indonesia is now serving a second prison term for blasphemy on the grounds he insulted the Muslim prophet Mohammed in social media posts that were critical of Islam, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.