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 Prepares Europe’s Biggest War Since 1945’
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that Europe is heading towards its most significant armed conflict since the end of World War Two. He made the comments as the West fears for an imminent full-scale Russian invasion into Ukraine, where a flare-up of fighting has been seen between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists.
Ethiopia Starts Hydropower Worrying Neighbors
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has launched electricity production from the country's mega-dam on the Blue Nile river, despite opposition from neighbors Egypt and Sudan.
Putin Oversees Nuclear Drills, US Says Russian Forces ‘Poised to Strike’ Ukraine
Russia’s strategic nuclear forces held exercises overseen by President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, and Washington accused Russian troops massed near Ukraine‘s border of advancing and being “poised to strike.”
Canada Freedom Convoy: Nearly 200 arrested as Ottawa police push new charges for protesters
Ottawa, Canada, police announced Sunday morning that so far 191 arrests have been made, warning that a law enforcement operation was continuing downtown to clear out trucks and anti-vaccine mandate demonstrators who have been protesting in the area for weeks.
Russia Extends Troop Deployment in Belarus Indefinitely Amid Stepped Up Fighting in Eastern Ukraine
Russia will extend its military deployment in Belarus indefinitely in response to renewed fighting in eastern Ukraine, the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced on Sunday – the day the joint maneuvers were supposedly to have ended.
USAF Sends F-35s, B-52s, F-15s to Europe as NATO Ministers Opt for More Deterrence
The U.S. Air Force sent F-35 fighters to Germany days after a B-52 Bomber Task Force arrived in England to reassure Allies amid increasing tensions in Eastern Europe. The deployments come as defense ministers from across the NATO alliance decided Feb. 16 to further strengthen deterrence and defense in response to Russia’s aggression on the Ukraine border.
Separatists Announce Mobilization Amid Fears Of Russian Invasion
Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine have ordered a total military mobilization amid mounting violence in the war-torn region.
Heavily Armed Canada Police Start Breaking COVID Protests
Canadian police detained protesters Friday to break the three-week “Freedom Convoy” by truckers and others angry over the country’s COVID-19 restrictions, including vaccine mandates.
US: ‘Up To 190,000 Russian Troops In, Near Ukraine’
The United States says Russia has likely amassed as many as 190,000 troops near and in Ukraine, suggesting a full-scale invasion remains possible.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli PM: Iran nuke deal will bring ‘more violent’ Mideast
Israel’s prime minister on Sunday criticized an emerging deal over Iran‘s nuclear program, saying it would be weaker than a previous agreement and would create a “more violent, more volatile Middle East.”
Israel to open to unvaccinated tourists starting March 1
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz announced Sunday a plan to ease certain COVID restrictions on travel and education, set to come into effect on March 1.
Inside the United States
Supreme Court to hear case over Trump-era ‘Remain in Mexico’ border policy
The Supreme Court said Friday it will take up a case involving the Biden administration’s attempt to end the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” border policy.
77 Percent of GOP Lawmakers Warn Biden About Securing Iran Nuclear Deal Without Congress’ Approval
More than 160 House Republicans have signed a letter to President Biden, signaling their intention to try to halt any deal made with Iran that is not approved by Congress.
Fence to be installed around Capitol building for potential Freedom Convoy protests
A fence will be placed around the Capitol building next week ahead of President Joe Biden's State of the Union address in advance of a potential "Freedom Convoy" trucker protest.
‘Russia Prepares Europe’s Biggest War Since 1945’
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has warned that Europe is heading towards its most significant armed conflict since the end of World War Two. He made the comments as the West fears for an imminent full-scale Russian invasion into Ukraine, where a flare-up of fighting has been seen between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists.
Ethiopia Starts Hydropower Worrying Neighbors
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has launched electricity production from the country's mega-dam on the Blue Nile river, despite opposition from neighbors Egypt and Sudan.
Putin Oversees Nuclear Drills, US Says Russian Forces ‘Poised to Strike’ Ukraine
Russia’s strategic nuclear forces held exercises overseen by President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, and Washington accused Russian troops massed near Ukraine‘s border of advancing and being “poised to strike.”
Canada Freedom Convoy: Nearly 200 arrested as Ottawa police push new charges for protesters
Ottawa, Canada, police announced Sunday morning that so far 191 arrests have been made, warning that a law enforcement operation was continuing downtown to clear out trucks and anti-vaccine mandate demonstrators who have been protesting in the area for weeks.
Russia Extends Troop Deployment in Belarus Indefinitely Amid Stepped Up Fighting in Eastern Ukraine
Russia will extend its military deployment in Belarus indefinitely in response to renewed fighting in eastern Ukraine, the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced on Sunday – the day the joint maneuvers were supposedly to have ended.
USAF Sends F-35s, B-52s, F-15s to Europe as NATO Ministers Opt for More Deterrence
The U.S. Air Force sent F-35 fighters to Germany days after a B-52 Bomber Task Force arrived in England to reassure Allies amid increasing tensions in Eastern Europe. The deployments come as defense ministers from across the NATO alliance decided Feb. 16 to further strengthen deterrence and defense in response to Russia’s aggression on the Ukraine border.
Separatists Announce Mobilization Amid Fears Of Russian Invasion
Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine have ordered a total military mobilization amid mounting violence in the war-torn region.
Heavily Armed Canada Police Start Breaking COVID Protests
Canadian police detained protesters Friday to break the three-week “Freedom Convoy” by truckers and others angry over the country’s COVID-19 restrictions, including vaccine mandates.
US: ‘Up To 190,000 Russian Troops In, Near Ukraine’
The United States says Russia has likely amassed as many as 190,000 troops near and in Ukraine, suggesting a full-scale invasion remains possible.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli PM: Iran nuke deal will bring ‘more violent’ Mideast
Israel’s prime minister on Sunday criticized an emerging deal over Iran‘s nuclear program, saying it would be weaker than a previous agreement and would create a “more violent, more volatile Middle East.”
Israel to open to unvaccinated tourists starting March 1
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz announced Sunday a plan to ease certain COVID restrictions on travel and education, set to come into effect on March 1.
Inside the United States
Supreme Court to hear case over Trump-era ‘Remain in Mexico’ border policy
The Supreme Court said Friday it will take up a case involving the Biden administration’s attempt to end the Trump-era “Remain in Mexico” border policy.
77 Percent of GOP Lawmakers Warn Biden About Securing Iran Nuclear Deal Without Congress’ Approval
More than 160 House Republicans have signed a letter to President Biden, signaling their intention to try to halt any deal made with Iran that is not approved by Congress.
Fence to be installed around Capitol building for potential Freedom Convoy protests
A fence will be placed around the Capitol building next week ahead of President Joe Biden's State of the Union address in advance of a potential "Freedom Convoy" trucker protest.
Around the World
Shelling In Ukraine As Biden Warns Of Invasion
There were reports of shelling in war-torn eastern Ukraine Thursday as U.S. President Joe Biden warned that Russia is looking for an excuse to invade its neighbor.
Canadian police arrest leaders of ‘Freedom Convoy’
Police arrested two of the leaders of hundreds of truckers who clogged the streets of Canada‘s capital Thursday, standing their ground and defiantly blasted their horns as police threatened to break up the nearly three-week protest against the country’s COVID-19 restrictions.
UK urges Russia not to recognize breakaway regions as independent
Britain said a request by Russia's parliament that President Vladimir Putin should recognize the breakaway Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent showed "flagrant disregard" for Moscow's peace process commitments.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel’s COVID Green Pass system to end, Bennett confirms
Israel will not be extending the Green Pass regulations, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett confirmed on Thursday.
In 1st, Israeli Navy joins huge US-led exercise; Saudi Arabia, Pakistan participate
The Israeli Navy on Thursday wrapped up its participation in the US Navy’s massive IMX exercise, in which dozens of countries took part, including several with which Israel does not have formal ties.
Hezbollah Chief Boasts of Drones, Precision-Guided Missiles
The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah group revealed Wednesday that his militant group has been manufacturing military drones in Lebanon and has the technology to turn thousands of missiles in their possession into precision-guided munitions.
Abbas meets Pelosi to discuss ‘two-state solution’
Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas met on Thursday with US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for talks on reviving a two-state solution to the conflict, Abbas' office said, according to the AFP news agency.
Inside the United States
NYC facing spate of violent antisemitic attacks
Jews in New York City have suffered an intense spate of antisemitic attacks, including a violent attack on a school bus with Jewish children inside, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
Florida readies 15-week abortion ban ahead of Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade
Florida’s House of Representatives passed early Thursday a ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, as the U.S. Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of a similar Mississippi law.
Atheist group sues West Virginia school district over ‘mandated’ Christian assembly
A lawsuit seeking to stop a West Virginia school district from sponsoring in-school religious assemblies was filed Thursday by attorneys representing the Freedom From Religion Foundation and 11 parents and students at the school.
Senate avoids shutdown by funding government through March
The Senate on Thursday approved a stop-gap spending bill that will avoid a government shutdown until March.
FBI to form digital currency unit, Justice Dept taps new crypto czar
The U.S. Justice Department has tapped a seasoned computer crimes prosecutor to lead its new national cryptocurrency enforcement team and announced on Thursday that the FBI is launching a unit for blockchain analysis and virtual asset seizure.
Revealed: Clintonworld takeover of Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter filings reveal prominent Democratic lawyer Marc Elias and another longtime ally of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have taken on key roles in the charity amid scrutiny over its leadership and finances.
Christian News
Hungary, Brazil To Support Persecuted Christians
Hungary and Brazil have agreed to increase cooperation on protecting persecuted Christians as part of broader efforts to prevent massive migration.
Pakistan: Christian man killed by Muslim extremists, “the situation continues to get worse”
Another Christian man was murdered by radical Muslims in Pakistan this week, in the latest violent attack by Islamic extremists on believers in this country, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Uganda: Evangelist violently attacked by Muslim extremist relatives
Christian evangelist Malingumu Bruhan was violently attacked and nearly burned to death in Nawaikoke, Uganda earlier this month by Muslim relatives who accused him of being an infidel, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Christianity is legal in Uganda but believers have come under increasing attack by minority Muslim extremists, particularly in the eastern part of the country.
Detained Pastor Denied Bail In Canada
A prominent Poland-born pastor has been denied bail as Canadian authorities appear increasingly worried about his opposition to coronavirus restrictions.
Shelling In Ukraine As Biden Warns Of Invasion
There were reports of shelling in war-torn eastern Ukraine Thursday as U.S. President Joe Biden warned that Russia is looking for an excuse to invade its neighbor.
Canadian police arrest leaders of ‘Freedom Convoy’
Police arrested two of the leaders of hundreds of truckers who clogged the streets of Canada‘s capital Thursday, standing their ground and defiantly blasted their horns as police threatened to break up the nearly three-week protest against the country’s COVID-19 restrictions.
UK urges Russia not to recognize breakaway regions as independent
Britain said a request by Russia's parliament that President Vladimir Putin should recognize the breakaway Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk as independent showed "flagrant disregard" for Moscow's peace process commitments.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel’s COVID Green Pass system to end, Bennett confirms
Israel will not be extending the Green Pass regulations, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett confirmed on Thursday.
In 1st, Israeli Navy joins huge US-led exercise; Saudi Arabia, Pakistan participate
The Israeli Navy on Thursday wrapped up its participation in the US Navy’s massive IMX exercise, in which dozens of countries took part, including several with which Israel does not have formal ties.
Hezbollah Chief Boasts of Drones, Precision-Guided Missiles
The leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah group revealed Wednesday that his militant group has been manufacturing military drones in Lebanon and has the technology to turn thousands of missiles in their possession into precision-guided munitions.
Abbas meets Pelosi to discuss ‘two-state solution’
Palestinian Authority (PA) chairman Mahmoud Abbas met on Thursday with US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for talks on reviving a two-state solution to the conflict, Abbas' office said, according to the AFP news agency.
Inside the United States
NYC facing spate of violent antisemitic attacks
Jews in New York City have suffered an intense spate of antisemitic attacks, including a violent attack on a school bus with Jewish children inside, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
Florida readies 15-week abortion ban ahead of Supreme Court ruling on Roe v. Wade
Florida’s House of Representatives passed early Thursday a ban on abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, as the U.S. Supreme Court considers the constitutionality of a similar Mississippi law.
Atheist group sues West Virginia school district over ‘mandated’ Christian assembly
A lawsuit seeking to stop a West Virginia school district from sponsoring in-school religious assemblies was filed Thursday by attorneys representing the Freedom From Religion Foundation and 11 parents and students at the school.
Senate avoids shutdown by funding government through March
The Senate on Thursday approved a stop-gap spending bill that will avoid a government shutdown until March.
FBI to form digital currency unit, Justice Dept taps new crypto czar
The U.S. Justice Department has tapped a seasoned computer crimes prosecutor to lead its new national cryptocurrency enforcement team and announced on Thursday that the FBI is launching a unit for blockchain analysis and virtual asset seizure.
Revealed: Clintonworld takeover of Black Lives Matter
Black Lives Matter filings reveal prominent Democratic lawyer Marc Elias and another longtime ally of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have taken on key roles in the charity amid scrutiny over its leadership and finances.
Christian News
Hungary, Brazil To Support Persecuted Christians
Hungary and Brazil have agreed to increase cooperation on protecting persecuted Christians as part of broader efforts to prevent massive migration.
Pakistan: Christian man killed by Muslim extremists, “the situation continues to get worse”
Another Christian man was murdered by radical Muslims in Pakistan this week, in the latest violent attack by Islamic extremists on believers in this country, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.
Uganda: Evangelist violently attacked by Muslim extremist relatives
Christian evangelist Malingumu Bruhan was violently attacked and nearly burned to death in Nawaikoke, Uganda earlier this month by Muslim relatives who accused him of being an infidel, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Christianity is legal in Uganda but believers have come under increasing attack by minority Muslim extremists, particularly in the eastern part of the country.
Detained Pastor Denied Bail In Canada
A prominent Poland-born pastor has been denied bail as Canadian authorities appear increasingly worried about his opposition to coronavirus restrictions.
Around the World
US, Britain Doubt Pullback Russian Troops
The United States and Britain have accused Russia of lying about moving troops from Ukraine’s borders, saying Moscow is mobilizing for war.
Furious Hungary and Poland To Lose Billions After EU Court Ruling
Hungary and Poland have condemned the European Union’s top court for approving a mechanism under which they lose billions of euros in aid over rule of law concerns.
Ukraine cyberattack: Russia blamed for ‘largest’ disruption of its kind in country’s history
Ukrainian officials investigating Tuesday’s cyberattacks that brought down websites belonging to its Ministry of Defense, army and popular banks are now calling the incident the "largest" of its kind in the history of the country – and suspect Russia is the culprit.
Sixteen governors, two Canadian premiers make plea to reinstate vaccine exemptions for truckers
Two Canadian premiers and 16 American governors asked President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday to reinstate the vaccine and quarantine exemptions for cross border truck drivers.
Iran’s top negotiator says nuclear deal ‘closer than ever’
Iran’s top negotiator in Vienna said Wednesday that world powers are “closer than ever” to reaching an agreement to revive a multilateral nuclear accord, as the US said it was in the “very final stages” of indirect talks with the Islamic Republic.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel said to target army base near Damascus used by Iranian forces
Israeli missiles fired from the Golan Heights struck targets south of Damascus late Wednesday night, according to Syrian state media.
Two earthquakes rattle northern Israel in a matter of hours
Two minor earthquakes were felt in northern Israel over the span of a few hours, joining a string of tremors to hit the area over the past month.
Inside the United States
Federal Court Calls Air Force ‘Abysmal’ for Violating Religious Rights, Blocks Mandatory Vax Order for Now
A second federal court in two weeks has granted a preliminary injunction against the Department of Defense (DOD) on behalf of U.S. military service members seeking a religious exemption to the DOD's mandatory COVID-19 vaccine order.
GOP-Controlled Arizona Senate Passes 15-Week Abortion Ban
Republicans who control the Arizona Senate voted Tuesday to outlaw abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, moving to put a new ban in place ahead of a highly anticipated U.S. Supreme Court decision that could bring seismic changes to abortion availability in the United States.
Christian News
China: Prosecutor recommends 15 years imprisonment for Bible seller
A prosecutor in China’s Inner Mongolia has suggested a 15-year prison sentence be given to the first of four Christian defendants arrested for selling Bibles last year, International Christian Concern (ICC). China banned the online sale of Bibles in 2018, and many Bible sellers have been arrested.
Texas: Public university changes discrimination policy to accomodate Christians
A public university in Texas has officially changed its policies to allow Christian student clubs to require that their leaders be practicing believers, Just the News (JN) reports. The University of Houston-Clear Lake made the changes after the Ratio Christi Christian student club filed suit asserting that the school had denied its recognition because it requires leaders to be Christians.
US, Britain Doubt Pullback Russian Troops
The United States and Britain have accused Russia of lying about moving troops from Ukraine’s borders, saying Moscow is mobilizing for war.
Furious Hungary and Poland To Lose Billions After EU Court Ruling
Hungary and Poland have condemned the European Union’s top court for approving a mechanism under which they lose billions of euros in aid over rule of law concerns.
Ukraine cyberattack: Russia blamed for ‘largest’ disruption of its kind in country’s history
Ukrainian officials investigating Tuesday’s cyberattacks that brought down websites belonging to its Ministry of Defense, army and popular banks are now calling the incident the "largest" of its kind in the history of the country – and suspect Russia is the culprit.
Sixteen governors, two Canadian premiers make plea to reinstate vaccine exemptions for truckers
Two Canadian premiers and 16 American governors asked President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday to reinstate the vaccine and quarantine exemptions for cross border truck drivers.
Iran’s top negotiator says nuclear deal ‘closer than ever’
Iran’s top negotiator in Vienna said Wednesday that world powers are “closer than ever” to reaching an agreement to revive a multilateral nuclear accord, as the US said it was in the “very final stages” of indirect talks with the Islamic Republic.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel said to target army base near Damascus used by Iranian forces
Israeli missiles fired from the Golan Heights struck targets south of Damascus late Wednesday night, according to Syrian state media.
Two earthquakes rattle northern Israel in a matter of hours
Two minor earthquakes were felt in northern Israel over the span of a few hours, joining a string of tremors to hit the area over the past month.
Inside the United States
Federal Court Calls Air Force ‘Abysmal’ for Violating Religious Rights, Blocks Mandatory Vax Order for Now
A second federal court in two weeks has granted a preliminary injunction against the Department of Defense (DOD) on behalf of U.S. military service members seeking a religious exemption to the DOD's mandatory COVID-19 vaccine order.
GOP-Controlled Arizona Senate Passes 15-Week Abortion Ban
Republicans who control the Arizona Senate voted Tuesday to outlaw abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy, moving to put a new ban in place ahead of a highly anticipated U.S. Supreme Court decision that could bring seismic changes to abortion availability in the United States.
Christian News
China: Prosecutor recommends 15 years imprisonment for Bible seller
A prosecutor in China’s Inner Mongolia has suggested a 15-year prison sentence be given to the first of four Christian defendants arrested for selling Bibles last year, International Christian Concern (ICC). China banned the online sale of Bibles in 2018, and many Bible sellers have been arrested.
Texas: Public university changes discrimination policy to accomodate Christians
A public university in Texas has officially changed its policies to allow Christian student clubs to require that their leaders be practicing believers, Just the News (JN) reports. The University of Houston-Clear Lake made the changes after the Ratio Christi Christian student club filed suit asserting that the school had denied its recognition because it requires leaders to be Christians.