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
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.
Ukraine Warns Against Apocalyptic Predictions Of Russian Invasion
Ukraine’s government urged its citizens on Sunday not to believe “apocalyptic predictions” after U.S. officials warned that Russia is nearly ready for an invasion that could claim 85,000 lives.
WHO director suggests ‘plausible endgame’ for pandemic in Europe
A major World Health Organization official this week said that Europe could be looking at a significant shift in the pandemic crisis as the Omicron surge continues to wane and high levels of vaccinations and natural immunity offer broad protection against the virus.
Russian forces at 70% of level needed for full Ukraine invasion, U.S. officials say
Russia has in place about 70% of the combat power it believes it would need for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and is sending more battalion tactical groups to the border with its neighbor, two U.S. officials said on Saturday.
US Troops Arrive in Poland to Reinforce Eastern Europe Allies Amid Russian Military Buildup
A few dozen elite U.S troops and equipment were seen landing Sunday in southeastern Poland near the border with Ukraine, following President Joe Biden’s orders to deploy 1,700 soldiers there amid fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Iran ‘society set to explode’ while Biden unfreezes $29 billion for regime
A hacktivist organization has revealed a highly sensitive Iran Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps document that asserts Iranian “society is in a state of explosion” because of the crippling sanctions imposed on the nation due to its illicit nuclear program.
Trucker protests: Ottawa mayor declares state of emergency over ‘serious danger’ as demonstrations spread
The mayor of Ottawa has declared a state of emergency in the Canadian capital over the “serious danger and threat” posed by truckers protesting against the Covid-19 vaccine mandate, as demonstrations continue to spread across the country.
Biden Administration Waives Sanctions On Iran As Nuclear Deal Deadline Looms
The Biden Administration has waived sanctions on Iran’s civilian nuclear program in a last-ditch effort to bring Tehran back into compliance with the 2015 nuclear deal, reversing the Trump administration’s decision to rescind it.
Trucker ‘Freedom Convoy’ sparks more controversy after GoFundMe refunds $10 million
A Canadian movement of truckers protesting the country’s vaccine mandate has inspired a similar protest in the U.S., with a convoy expected to arrive at the nation’s capital next month. That movement, though, sparked controversy beyond its protest this weekend after a run-in with the popular online fundraiser, GoFundMe.
Britain’s Crown Prince Thanks Queen For 70 Years Reign
Britain's crown prince paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II on her Platinum Jubilee for what he called her "remarkable achievement" of reaching 70 years on the throne.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
In phone call, Bennett and Biden discuss ‘steps to block Iranian nuclear program’
Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and US President Joe Biden held a rare phone call Sunday evening, discussing the Iranian nuclear threat, the campaign against the Islamic State, the Russian-Ukraine conflict and other security challenges.
Bennett: Pending Iran deal will ‘damage’ Israel’s ability to deal with nukes
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett warned on Sunday that the deal being negotiated with Iran in Vienna could “damage” Israel’s ability to deal with the country’s nuclear program.
Inside the United States
COVID cases continue sharp decline in nearly every state
SARS-CoV-2 cases are continuing a steep downward trend in nearly every state in the U.S., tracking with late predictions from numerous experts that the Omicron surge appears to have largely peaked.
Biden’s ‘Reproductive Healthcare Access Task Force’ criticized by pro-life groups
Pro-life advocates are criticizing the Biden administration’s move to establish a “reproductive healthcare access task force" after 2021 was record year for pro-life legislation at the state level.
55 federal agencies tracking religious objection requests amid concern from conservatives
As many as 55 federal departments and agencies have created 57 rule changes to keep track of employees or applicants who have sought exemptions of various kinds, including exemptions to COVID-19 vaccine mandates, a Christian conservative lobbying group reports.
CDC: 80.2% of Americans 5 and Older Have Had at Least One COVID-19 Shot
As of Thursday, 80.2 percent of Americans 5 years old and older have had at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine and 68 percent of Americans 5 and older have been fully vaccinated, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Mass Shooting Near Virginia Tech University; 1 Killed, Several Injured
One person was killed, and another four people were injured in an overnight shooting at a bar near Virginia Tech university in the U.S. state of Virginia, police say.
Christian News
Uganda: Evangelist beaten and left to die by Islamic extremists
Ugandan evangelist Charles Kamya was beaten unconscious and left for dead in Kampala, Uganda last week by Islamic extremists enraged at his preaching the Gospel, Morning Star News (MSN) reports. Although Muslims are a small minority in Uganda, Christians have come under increasing attack by Islamic extremists there.
Worthy Watch
Covid Protests Around the World
Biden Sends Thousands Of US Troops To Eastern Europe (Worthy News In-Depth)
U.S. President Joe Biden decided Wednesday that thousands of additional U.S. troops would be sent to Eastern Europe amid fears of an imminent Russian invasion into Ukraine.
Austria Imposes Vaccine Mandate
Tensions are rising in Austria, which this week became Europe’s first country to introduce a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for adults.
Ukrainians Divided Over Russian Invasion Threat
With as many as 127,000 Russian troops nearby, people in the Ukrainian border city of Kharkiv have mixed feelings about the threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Islamic State leader Abu Ibrahim al-Qurayshi killed in Syria, US says
The leader of the Islamic State (IS) is dead following a US raid in northern Syria that also killed a senior deputy of the terror group, US officials say.
U.S. sending warship, jets to help protect Arab allies from missile and drone attacks by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels
he United States will send a warship and fighter jets to help defend the United Arab Emirates, officials said on Wednesday, after a series of missile attacks by Yemeni rebels left three dead in the wealthy Gulf state. The deployment, to "assist the UAE against the current threat," follows a phone call between Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the U.S. Embassy in the UAE said.
US-led raid in Syria targets jihadist, many civilian casualties-residents
A US-led coalition raid on Thursday targeted a suspected al Qaeda-affiliated jihadist in the northern Syrian town of Atmeh, resulting in several civilian casualties, said residents and sources with the rebels fighting against the Syrian government.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Gantz’s Bahrain visit signals to Iran the alliance against it is growing and public
The signing of a security memorandum of understanding between Israel and Bahrain on Thursday comes amid growing threats from Iran against the two countries and as the United States shifts its focus away from the region and toward the brewing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Israeli study offers strongest proof yet of vitamin D’s power to fight COVID
Israel scientists say they have gathered the most convincing evidence to date that increased vitamin D levels can help COVID-19 patients reduce the risk of serious illness or death.
Inside the United States
Nearly 250,000 in U.S. Without Power as Winter Storm Batters States
As a menacing winter storm pummels much of the U.S., roughly 250,000 people are without power, according to poweroutage.us.
House GOP task force takes on FBI surveillance abuses, intrusions on Americans’ freedoms
House Republicans want to hold U.S. intelligence agencies accountable after recent episodes that look like politically motivated use of power from the Trump-Russia probe to recent raids on Project Veritas.
New York governor approves congressional map that could flip three seats to Democrats
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed off on a new congressional map Thursday that analysts believe is more favorable to Democrats than the prior map.
Multiple Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) receive bomb threats
More than six Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across multiple state received bomb threats on Monday and Tuesday, triggering shelter-in-place orders, lockdowns and class cancellations before the all clear was given, NPR reports.
Christian News
India: Christians pray and fast for unity as persecution intensifies
As persecution against Christians in India intensifies, many Indian believers spent Sunday 30 January, the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's assassination in 1948, in prayer and fasting for peace and unity in their country, Christian Today (CT) reports.
Cuba: Head of Protestant denomination placed under house arrest
Cuba’s communist government has placed the President of the Christian Reformed Church of Cuba under house arrest on apparently trumped-up charges of receiving illegal goods, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports.
‘New York Church Pastor Killed By Son’
Members of a New York City church are grieving and praying after a 40-year-old man was charged with killing his mother, who was also the pastor.