World Scene

• EU religious crackdown proposed: In a bid to prevent more terror attacks, the EU Parliament’s Special Committee on Terrorism has published a draft report calling for the closure of places of worship that “do not adhere to EU values”, screening of chaplains, removal of offending literature and launching of an internet platform through which citizens can report ‘extremist content’ found online. Read more here.
  
• Ireland follows up abortion referendum with radical bill: Politicians are now considering two bills that would allow abortion-on-demand, funded by taxpayers, and including buffer zones around abortion facilities to block pro-life vigils. Read more here.
  
• Surveys find US and UK teens less promiscuous: Findings from both sides of the Atlantic show that teenagers are increasingly less likely to be having sex. The British research showed that teens are more likely to be spending time with their families or online. Read more here and here.
  
• The ‘colourful darkness’ of Pride: A new report analysing last year’s Swedish Pride festival exposes the underlying values of the LGBTQ+ movement, including its promotion of violence, drugs and prostitution. Read more here.

Israel & Middle East

• Troublesome week on Israel’s Syrian frontier: A Syrian fighter jet entered Israeli airspace on Tuesday and was shot down, prompting threats from the Assad regime. Read more here and here. Several unmanned aerial vehicles from Syria have been intercepted in Israel in recent weeks. On Wednesday two Islamic State rockets fired from Syria landed in the Sea of Galilee – it is not confirmed whether this was accidental or deliberate. Read more here.
  
• Israel rescues Syrian White Helmets: Over the weekend, the IDF successfully evacuated 90 members of the voluntary humanitarian group White Helmets, along with their families – some 800 people – from a precarious position in Syria to Jordan. This mission had international support and is considered unprecedented. Read more here and here.
  
• Gaza violence persists: Following months of protests, rocket fire and incendiary kite-flying that is still destroying thousands of acres of Israeli land, last Friday Hamas terrorists shot and killed an IDF soldier, prompted an Israel Air Force attack on 60 targets inside the Strip. On Wednesday another IDF soldier was wounded, prompting further retaliatory strikes and an exchange of rocket fire. The escalation is ongoing - see here and here.

Upcoming Events

• Foundations 10 (Devon): 29 October-2 November. Theme: Further into the Lion’s Den. Join David Andrew and Steve Maltz for Hebraic teaching and worship at the Sidholme Hotel, Sidmouth. From £280pp. Click here to find out more and for booking information.

Recommended Sources

At Prophecy Today UK we are aware that the world is moving very quickly and it is difficult to keep up with all the latest developments – especially when the material circulated by our mainstream media is increasingly far from reality and definitely not devoted to a biblical perspective!

Though we are not a news service, we want to help keep you informed by passing on updates and reports as we are led. This will be a selective, not an exhaustive, round-up, which we hope will be helpful for your prayers. Click here to browse our News archive.

We also recommend the following news services for regular updates from a Christian perspective:

• Christian Concern (UK)
• Christian Institute (UK)
• JNN News (Barry and Batya Segal, Israel)
• Worthy News (Israel)
• Family Watch International
• Barnabas Fund
• Kehila News (Israel)