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?"
Canada’s PM Demands Stop To Anti-Vaccine Protests
A tense stand-off continued Thursday after Canada's prime minister said ongoing mass protests by truckers against COVID-vaccine mandates must stop.
Britain Says Ukraine-Russia Crisis In “Most Dangerous Moment”
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Thursday that the Ukraine-Russia crisis is at its "most dangerous moment" while thousands of Russian troops engaged in sweeping maneuvers in Belarus near Ukraine. Johnson spoke after talks with the secretary-general of the NATO military alliance on his way to Poland.
U.S. State Department Issues New Advisory Urging Americans To Leave Ukraine
The U.S. State Department has issued a new advisory urging Americans in Ukraine to leave the country at the earliest possibility, strengthening earlier warnings that urged U.S. citizens to "consider" such action.
US deploys B-52 bombers to the UK
The U.S. Air Force deployed four B-52 Stratofortress nuclear bombers to the United Kingdom today.
NATO members heighten alarm over Russia invasion fears, send more troops east
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Thursday the Ukraine crisis has grown into “the most dangerous moment” for Europe in decades, while his top diplomat held icy talks with her Moscow counterpart who said the Kremlin won’t accept lectures from the West.
Blockades by virus protest convoys banned in Paris, Brussels
Authorities in Paris and Belgium on Thursday banned road blockades threatened by groups organizing online against COVID-19 restrictions, in part inspired by protesters in Canada.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Biblical plague explained? Israeli study suggests why locusts form massive swarms
Researchers at Tel Aviv University recently decided to address an ancient mystery: Why do locusts form destructive swarms?
German FM meets Bennett, Lapid, says Iran nuclear talks entering ‘final phase’
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met Thursday with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on her first official visit to Israel.
Inside the United States
Yiddish-language New Testaments delivered to Jewish communities in NY
An unnamed missionary organization has been delivering Yiddish-language New Testaments to Jewish communities in New York, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports. The Bibles were delivered anonymously but had phone numbers inside which apparently linked to the Jews for Jesus Messianic Jewish organization.
Texas abortions fell by 60% in first month under heartbeat law
Abortions in Texas declined by 60% in the first month after a law restricting the procedure went into effect, according to data released by the state's Health and Human Services.
Inflation climbs higher, worst numbers in 40 years
Prices of a range of goods and services have grown at the fastest rate in four decades, newly released inflation data show.
Christian News
USA: Christian nurse claims unfair dismissal after firing for refusal to dispense contraception
A Christian nurse practitioner in Texas filed a letter of complaint to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Tuesday, after a national drugstore chain terminated her employment for refusing to dispense contraception, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Syria: City of Idlib has lost most of its Christian population
The governorate of Idlib in Syria has been almost entirely emptied of its substantial Christian community in the wake of 10 years of catastrophic civil war, Christian Persecution (CP) reports. Unofficial statistics state that around 200 Christians have managed to cling on to the city, but some 10,000 have now left.
Indonesia: Local nurse is sharing the Gospel with patients
Advocacy and aid organization International Christian Concern (ICC) has shared that it has begun supporting a local specialty nurse in Indonesia who shares the Gospel with the patients she cares for in their homes.
Pastor Artur Pawlowski arrested before preaching at Canadian trucker convoy
Pastor Artur Pawlowski, who has butted heads with Canadian authorities throughout the pandemic, was arrested again just before he was set to address a group of Canadian truckers opposed to vaccine mandates.
Iran unveils new missile said to put Israel, US regional bases within range
Iran unveiled a new missile on Wednesday with a reported range that would allow it to reach both US bases in the region as well as targets inside its archfoe Israel.
Myanmar Army Kills Residents In Christian Area
Residents in a mainly Christian area of Myanmar’s eastern Kayah State were still searching for answers Wednesday after the ruling army allegedly killed and tortured up to eight civilians.
Hungarians Protest Trial Of Christian Finish Leaders
Hungarians will rally at Finland’s embassy in Budapest against the trial of two Finnish Christian leaders who may face jail for sharing Biblical views on homosexuality, organizers say.
Canadian truckers inspire anti-vaccine mandate protests in France
Inspired by the Freedom Convoy of Canadian truckers protesting their government's vaccine mandate, a group of protesters gathered together in France Wednesday for a "Convoi de la Liberté" of their own.
North Korea claims it can hit US, ‘shake the world’ with missile after month of increased testing
North Korea on Tuesday touted its military capabilities, including a missile it claimed could strike the U.S. and "shake the world."
Warning: ‘War In Ukraine Threatens World Food Supplies’
War in Ukraine could have a disastrous impact on food supplies to Africa and the Middle East, impacting millions, including persecuted and impoverished Christians, Worthy News established Tuesday.
Madagascar Cyclone Kills 21, Leaves Homes and Lives in Ruins
Residents of a coastal town in Madagascar that was battered by Cyclone Batsirai over the weekend were left picking through the wreckage of their homes on Monday, collecting soaking wet clothing and anything else worth salvaging.
Canada ‘Freedom Convoy’: Ottawa police arrest 7, threaten charges for others caught bringing fuel to truckers
Canadian police announced Monday that seven people have been arrested and more than 100 have been issued tickets in connection to "demonstration-related enforcement" in Ottawa.
East Africa drought: UN warns of looming humanitarian crisis as millions in Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia face severe hunger
Millions of people are facing severe hunger in the Horn of Africa due to record droughts, the United Nations has warned.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel set to legalize cannabis
Justice Minister Gideon Saar on Wednesday published a draft list of proposed new temporary regulations that will decriminalize recreational cannabis use in Israel.
Anti-aircraft missile fired from Syria towards Israel, IDF attacks targets in Syria
Sirens were sounded in the Wadi Ara and Samaria areas overnight Tuesday, shortly after 1:00 a.m. Israel time.
Israel’s Future Submarines Seen as Key Development Towards Regional Naval Ascendency
The announcement on Jan. 20 by the Israeli Defense Ministry and Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems of the procurement of three new advanced submarines for the Israeli Navy marks a key milestone in the evolution of Israel’s fleet, which will consist of six submarines.
Inside the United States
Three quarters of Americans believe ‘Defund the Police’ caused violent crime wave, poll finds
Three out of four Americans say defunding police departments has contributed to the rise in violent crime across the country, according to a new poll.
Congress moves to ban members from trading stocks as Pelosi drops opposition
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democratic leaders have greenlighted a plan to craft legislation that would prohibit members of Congress from trading stock, after months of resistance to a ban by Pelosi, CNBC confirmed Wednesday.
Republican senators warn Biden they could block new Iran nuclear deal
As talks to revive the tattered 2015 nuclear deal restarted in Vienna Tuesday, US President Joe Biden was reminded of another obstacle, this time at home, to a smooth return to the agreement.
DHS issues terrorism advisory against ‘offenders’ who spread ‘misinformation’ about election fraud, COVID-19
The latest U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) terrorist advisory bulletin says Americans who express concerns about election fraud or COVID-19 restrictions could be potential threats to domestic security.
U.S. plans to roll out COVID-19 shots for children under 5 years in February
The U.S. government is planning to roll out COVID-19 shots for children under the age of 5 as soon as Feb. 21, according to a document from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
US Trade Deficit Skyrockets to All-Time High During Biden’s First Year in Office
The U.S. trade deficit of 2021 hit record levels, nearing $1 trillion. This comes despite the Biden administration’s promises to improve the economy and bolster American manufacturing.
Washington State: Bill to scale back life in prison draws fire from victims, prosecutors, GOP
Washington State Democrats have been taking steps for several years to reduce the prison population due to high operating costs and a strong belief in second chances.
Christian News
’Iran Christian Converts Face Islamic Lessons’ Prompting Prayers
Advocates defending Christian converts in Iran appealed for prayers Wednesday as authorities forced ex-Muslims to attend Islamic classes and abandon their faith in Christ.
Nigerian missionaries lead to Christ the men who wanted to kill them
A group of missionaries from the Afri-Mission and Evangelism Network (AMEN) in Abuja, Nigeria have told how, believing they were about to be murdered, they led to Christ the very men who had come to kill them, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Tonga Christians say God protected their nation from volcanic eruption more powerful than Hiroshima
Tongan Christians have publicly given thanks to God for saving their South Pacific island kingdom when a massive volcanic eruption, which NASA experts say was hundreds of times more powerful than the Hiroshima atomic bomb, poured over the tiny nation on January 15, Christianity Today (CT) reports. Given the intensity of the eruption and the potential for destruction, many say it is a miracle that the number of casualties was not exceedingly higher than three.
Bangladesh: 91 year-old Christian murdered in suspected revenge attack
A 91-year-old Christian villager was drugged and killed in southern Bangladesh last month, in what is believed to have been a revenge attack on his family for giving evidence in a rape case against a Muslim man, Asia News reports. The killing of Malkam D’Costa at his home in the village of Padrishibpur, Barisal triggered angry protests among local Bangladeshi Christians, who say they are persecuted as a minority faith group in their Islamic-majority country.
North Korea: Letter to advocacy group offers rare insight into life for Christians
Offering a rare glimpse into the life of Christians in secretive, isolated North Korea, advocacy group Open Doors UK recently shared a letter from an underground church leader who was exiled to do hard labor in a remote village without the possibility of returning home, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. North Korea is one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians: Open Doors describes the level of persecution there as “extreme.”
India: Police officer believed to have burned down church in Chhattisgarh state
Christians from India’s Koya tribal community in Kistaram village, Chhattisgarh state believe the head of their local police station is responsible for burning down their church in the early hours of 5 February, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports.
Alberta caves to Canada trucker protests, ends vaccine passports
A Canadian province has conceded to nationwide demonstrations by the nation’s truckers and will abolish vaccine passports immediately and end most COVID-related restrictions by month’s end.
Kidnappers Free Nigerian Priest, Cook Killed
Nigerian priest Joseph Danjuma Shekari was free Tuesday after suspected Islamic gunmen briefly abducted him from his parish house in northern Nigeria, church sources said.
Around the World
US Threatens Shutting Russian Pipeline
U.S. President Joe Biden vowed to shut down a key Russian natural gas pipeline to Germany if Moscow invades Ukraine, despite Berlin not yet publicly agreeing to obey.
Taiwan Fears Russian Invasion In Ukraine
Taiwan has condemned the cozy relationship between China and Russia amid concerns the U.S. may be unable to protect the island as its attention focuses on avoiding war in Europe.
EU says Iran nuclear talks set to resume on Tuesday in Vienna
Talks to revive Iran’s tattered 2015 nuclear deal with world powers are resuming on Tuesday after breaking off for a bit over a week for diplomats to return home for consultations.
U.S. approves $100 million sale for Taiwan missile upgrades
The United States has approved a possible $100 million sale of equipment and services to Taiwan to "sustain, maintain, and improve" the Patriot missile defense system used by the self-ruled island claimed by China, the Pentagon said on Monday.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israeli Scientists Engineer 3D Human Spinal Cord Implants to Help Paralyzed Patients Walk
Israeli scientists from Tel Aviv University say they have engineered 3D human spinal cord implants to treat paralysis, which if successful in clinical trials in human patients could help people stand up and walk again.
Spyware reportedly used on Netanyahu’s son, journalists
Further revelations have emerged about the controversial Pegasus spyware developed by the Israeli NSO Group.
Massive scope of police Pegasus scandal rattles Israeli politics
Israeli officials from across the political spectrum were outraged to learn Monday of the scope of the Israel Police's use of Pegasus, NSO Group's now-infamous surveillance technology, which reportedly extended to dozens of civilians, ranging from politicians and government functionaries to social activists and journalists.
Inside the United States
Supreme Court allows Alabama to use Republican-drawn congressional map
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Monday to allow the state of Alabama to use a Republican-drawn congressional map after a lower court ruled that the map violates the Voting Rights Act.
As Pence and Trump Spar Over Election, Rubio Slams January 6th Committee as ‘Complete Partisan Scam’
More than a year after protestors invaded the U.S. Capitol, Republicans are still dealing with the events of January 6, 2021.
‘God-Given Rights’: Truck Drivers Plan Big California-to-DC Convoy to Protest COVID Mandates
Truck drivers across the world have been inspired by Canada's "Freedom Convoy," and now thousands more are taking a stand against vaccine mandates and other COVID demands that they are being forced to comply with.
Biden’s Iran Envoy To Give Classified Briefing to Congress After GOP Pressure
Biden administration Iran envoy Robert Malley is scheduled to brief House lawmakers for the first time in a classified setting on Tuesday following a pressure campaign from Republican foreign policy leaders, according to a copy of the hearing invitation obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.
Christian News
Report: Global religious population growing faster than non-religious
A new report by Lifeway Research has shown that the population of religious people is growing at a faster rate than the population of non-religious people, the Christian Post (CP) reports. In particular, the report showed that the number of Christians worldwide increased 1.17% from 2000 to 2022.
Michigan: Christian high school student sues after suspension for sharing views on homosexuality
A Christian high school student has filed a federal lawsuit against his Michigan school after he was suspended for sharing his religious beliefs about homosexuality with a student both on and off school property, CBN reports.
China: Pastor subject to government harassment since release from prison
Chinese government authorities in Zhejiang province are continuing to harass and threaten a house church pastor who was released from a prison sentence in December 2015, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. China ranks 17 on the US Open Door Watch List 2022 of top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.