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 Has Suffered Massive Losses, U.S. Intelligence Says
According to a newly declassified U.S. intelligence report presented to Congress, the conflict in Ukraine has severely impacted Russia's military capabilities. The report indicates that close to 90% of Russia's prewar army has been diminished due to casualties or injuries, and thousands of its battle tanks have been destroyed, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Russia Inaugurates New Nuclear Submarines
Russia’s president has inaugurated two new nuclear submarines after announcing he would run for re-election in March.
US To Use Sweden’s Bases Ahead Of NATO Membership
Sweden has signed a defense cooperation accord with Washington that will allow the United States to use all military bases in the Scandinavian country that seeks to join the NATO military alliance.
Missile Attack on Tanker in Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthi Rebels
The U.S. military reported on Tuesday morning that an anti-ship cruise missile hit a commercial ship on Monday evening. The missile was launched from a region in Yemen controlled by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. This incident is part of a series of recent attacks at an important maritime chokepoint in the Red Sea.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Under World Pressure To End War Against Hamas
Israel came under more world pressure Wednesday after the United Nations General Assembly and even its ally, the United States, criticized the Jewish nation’s military operations against Hamas in Gaza.
Netanyahu Declares: ‘Gaza Will Not Become Hamastan or Fatahstan’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed opposition to the United States' proposals to install a reformed Palestinian Authority in Gaza following the completion of Israel's military operation to remove Hamas from the Strip.

Inside the United States
Speaker Johnson Withdraws FISA Reform Legislation, Announces House Will Extend Authorization
House Speaker Mike Johnson announced on Tuesday that following the withdrawal of competing bills to reform and extend the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), Congress will opt for a temporary extension to adhere to its December 31 expiration date.
Supreme Court Responds to Special Counsel’s Request Regarding Trump’s Claim of Immunity
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court directed former President Donald Trump to submit a response to special counsel Jack Smith's request for an expedited decision regarding the defense's appeal to claim presidential immunity for the charges Trump faces regarding his alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
Republican Impeachment Inquiry to be Voted on This Week
House Republican leadership announced Tuesday that they would bring the impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden to the House floor, likely Wednesday, for an official vote.
U.S. Constructing ‘Virtual Border Wall’ with Advanced AI Technology
The U.S. government is constructing a 'virtual wall' on the southern border by deploying multiple sophisticated surveillance towers, with some employing artificial intelligence, as part of an effort to manage the nation's border, according to a report in Axios.

Christian News
China: Authorities Arrest Church Leaders, Try to Block Online Prayer
The long-persecuted Early Rain Covenant Church (ERCC) in China’s Sichuan Province has been subjected to further intense persecution from Chinese authorities who arrested and detained church leaders and sought to block an important online prayer meeting on 9 December 2023, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports.
Uganda: IS-Affiliated Terrorists Attack Christian Community, Hack Woman to Death, Kidnap Man
Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) incorporated into Islamic State are believed to have carried out an attack on a Christian community in western Uganda last week, in which they hacked a woman to death with an ax, severely injured her nephew, and kidnapped another man, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Kenya: Al-Shabaab Jihadists Continue slaughter of Christians in Lamu West
Less than two weeks after suspected al-Shabaab jihadists beheaded a 72-year-old Christian man in Kenya’s Lamu West County, terrorists kidnapped and murdered a 60-year-old Christian man in the same area on Dec. 5, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Myanmar: Military Junta Has Destroyed Over 70 churches, Arrested Dozens of Christians
Since overthrowing Myanmar’s democratically elected government and launching a fresh civil war in February 2021, the Burmese Tatmadaw military junta has destroyed 74 churches and arrested 42 Christians, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Around the World
France, Germany, and Italy Call for EU Sanctions on Hamas
The foreign ministers of Germany, France, and Italy have jointly written a letter to European Union Foreign Minister Josep Borrell, urging the prompt implementation of sanctions targeting Hamas and its supporters in response to the Middle East crisis.
Ukraine’s President In US As Western Support For War Diminishes
Ukraine’s president arrived in Washington on Monday to try to rescue a multi-billion dollar military aid package after already suffering setbacks with a vital member of the European Union.
Iran-Backed Terror Groups Target US Forces, Embassy
Iran-backed terror groups have stepped up attacks against American forces and diplomats in the Middle East over Washington's backing of Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza, U.S. officials say.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Preparing For War With Hezbollah
Israel has made clear it is preparing for war against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group after its military operations against Hamas in Gaza have ended.
Israel Condemns Russia’s Close Ties With Iran As Fears Grow Of Broader War
Israel’s prime minister has condemned Russia’s close cooperation with Iran, which publicly seeks the destruction of Israel, and Moscow’s refusal so far to condemn the Hamas massacres in the Jewish nation.
Intense Clashes Persist in Southern Gaza; Hamas Forces Near Collapse in Northern Gaza
Intense fighting continued in and around Khan Younis, a key Hamas stronghold in Southern Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) disclosed that an additional seven soldiers had been killed, bringing the total IDF fatalities in the Gaza offensive to 104.
Airstrikes in Syria Kill Four, Two Hezbollah Fighters
Alleged overnight airstrikes carried out by the Israeli military near Damascus resulted in the deaths of two Hezbollah fighters and two Syrians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. This incident adds to a series of such attacks occurring amid Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

Inside the United States
Congress to Debate Between Rival Bills Revamping U.S. National Surveillance Laws
On Tuesday, the House is set to vote on two distinct legislative proposals aimed at reforming the principal espionage capabilities of the federal government, as outlined under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.
Supreme Court Rejects Case Challenging Washington’s Ban on ‘Gay Conversion Therapy
On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a case challenging Washington state's prohibition of "conversion therapy" for minors, which aims to change their sexual orientation or gender identity thereby allowing the law to remain in effect. The case was brought forth by a Christian therapist who deemed the 2018 measure as a violation of his free speech rights.
New Legislation Would Revoke Tax-Exempt Status of Nonprofits Funding Hamas, Other Terrorists
Proposed new legislation would revoke the tax-exempt status of any nonprofit organization that is providing material support for terrorist groups.
One in Five US Young Adults Believe the Holocaust is a Myth, Poll Finds
A new poll conducted by YouGov/The Economist shows that one in five of US adults aged 18-29 years old believe the Holocaust is a myth, the Jerusalem Post reports. Published Thursday, the poll surveyed 1,500 adult US citizens on a number of questions about the Jewish people, Israel, and the Holocaust.
Iowa: The Satanic Temple Sets Up ‘Baphomet’ Display in State Capitol
Iowa authorities have allowed The Satanic Temple (TST) to set up a two-week public exhibition in the State Capitol featuring ram’s horns and a mannequin called Baphomet dressed in red clothes, Nexstar Media reports.

Christian News
India: Hindu Nationalists Attack Church, Two Christians Critically Injured, Others Wounded in Chhattisgarh State
Two Christians were critically injured, and several others wounded, when Hindu nationalists raided a church service in India’s Chhattisgarh state earlier this month, International Christian Concern reports.
Around the World
EU Agrees On World’s First Artificial Intelligence Rules, But AI Struggles
Artificial Intelligence (AI) struggled to explain Sunday all its limitations to users interested in the world’s first AI rules unveiled by the European Union.
World Leaders Condemn US Vetoing Gaza Truce As Clashes Kill More People
World leaders and United Nations officials condemned the United States on Saturday for vetoing a U.N. resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza that would have pressured Israel to end its declared intention to destroy Hamas, which it regards as a terrorist organization.
State Links German Citizenship To Israel’s Right To Exist (Worthy News In-Depth)
Germany’s eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt now requires individuals seeking German citizenship to confirm in writing that they “recognize Israel's right to exist and condemn any efforts directed against the existence of the State of Israel."
US Vetos UN Resolution Calling for Gaza Ceasefire
On Friday, the United States vetoed a UN resolution seeking an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, which the UN Secretary-General described as a "humanitarian nightmare."

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Carries Out ‘Extensive’ Airstrikes in Gaza
On Friday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that they had conducted airstrikes on over 450 targets in the Gaza Strip over the past day as ground operations intensified.
Israel Mourning Death Of Minister’s Son
Israel’s political establishment has plunged into mourning after the son of the country’s former army chief, Gadi Eisenkot, a minister in the country's war cabinet, was killed in Gaza.

Inside the United States
Texas erects more wire barriers along Rio Grande River as lawsuit continues
By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor (Worthy News) – As Texas’ lawsuit continues against the federal government over its right to defend its border, Texas National Guard soldiers continue to erect concertina wire barriers along the Rio Grande River. The Fifth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals recently handed Texas a temporary win in the lawsuit, staying its own court panel’s previous ruling, and blocking the federal government from taking down or destroying Texas’ barrier. In October, Texas sued the Biden administration after Border Patrol agents began bulldozing concertina wire barriers on Texas soil to allow foreign nationals to illegally enter Texas between ... Read more
California Faces Record $68 Billion Budget Shortfall
California is grappling with its largest-ever budget deficit of $68 billion in the upcoming fiscal year, attributed to a significant decline in revenues, the Legislative Analyst's Office announced on Thursday.
Hunter Biden Facing Potential Prison After Tax Indictment
The son of U.S. President Joe Biden faces a potential 17-year prison term after being indicted Thursday for evading at least $1.4 million in federal taxes while maintaining a luxurious lifestyle.