Trump’s Phone Conversation With Putin 

Deutsche Welle wrote on May 19: 

“US President Donald Trump says talks between Russia and Ukraine to end the war would start ‘immediately.’ In a post on his Truth Social, Trump said his call with Russian President Vladimir Putin went ‘very well.’… Putin described the conversation with Trump as ‘frank and meaningful.’…  

“Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has rejected Russian demands to withdraw Ukrainian forces from key regions in the east and south of the country claimed by Moscow… Russia has made it a condition for ending its war in Ukraine… [Zelenskyy] told reporters that he emphasized to US President Donald Trump that no decisions should be made about Ukraine without involving Kyiv… He spoke with Trump before and after the US president held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin.” 

The New York Post wrote on May 19:

“[Putin] doubled down Monday on not accepting a cease-fire… following a two-hour call with President Trump — saying that Moscow was not ready for peace until the ‘root cause’ of the ‘crisis’ is addressed.” 

Trump’s “happy spin” can’t ignore the fact that the phone call did not accomplish anything. He stressed that Russia wants to become trading partners with the US — and made no mention of secondary sanctions, which the Europeans are determined to impose (note article below). 

Victory for Putin 

Die Welt wrote on May 19: 

“Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with his US counterpart Donald Trump for two hours. There was no sign of Trump’s criticism of the Russians’ behavior in Ukraine. Putin can count the day a victory… For Putin, this means, on the one hand, he can continue fighting until a ceasefire is agreed upon – and with Trump’s tacit approval. Previously, some of Trump’s reactions to Russian attacks on residential buildings in Kyiv had caused irritation in Moscow. Now Moscow has nothing to justify itself for. 

“Trump failed to criticize the largest Russian drone attack on Ukraine since the war began on Sunday night. On the other hand, [Putin] can set conditions for the ceasefire alone… 

“The pressure on the Europeans is now increasing. The recently signaled transatlantic unity is over faster than it began.”

Bild Online wrote on May 19:

“If Putin’s statement is to be believed, the talks with Trump ended WITHOUT any concrete results. Russia is unwilling to fulfill Trump’s most important demand, an immediate 30-day ceasefire… That means: nothing will happen immediately. Putin will continue bombing Ukraine… This makes it clear: Putin once again turned down the most powerful man in the world.” 

As was to be expected, Trump lost again… while Putin was playing him like a fiddle. This was SO predictable. Note the following articles below which had been published prior to the phone conversation between Putin and Trump.

Putin Warns Trump 

The Daily Mail wrote on May 18: 

“Russian state TV aired a video of Vladimir Putin warning Donald Trump to stop trying to dictate the terms of a ceasefire with Ukraine. Putin stressed that he plans to finish what he started three years ago and warned that Trump should not push him into a US blueprint for stopping the war…. 

“Putin’s words were recorded in late March but broadcast today after Trump made clear he wants the Russian leader to concede a ceasefire… ‘We have enough strength and resources to bring what was started in 2022 to its logical conclusion with the result that Russia needs,’ Putin added.” 

This does not look like Putin is REALLY interested in a lasting peace agreement which can be secured and guaranteed. 

Trump Got It All Wrong 

The New York Post wrote on May 19:

“It was never going to be easy for President Trump to bring an end to the Ukraine war, but it’s even harder when he’s operating under an erroneous theory of the conflict. The man who instigated the war and who is the chief obstacle to peace is Vladimir Putin. Yet this enemy of the West, murderer of dissidents, and serial perpetrator of wars of territorial aggrandizement has never been subjected to the same US pressure campaign as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose fundamental offense is to be leading a country that his larger neighbor wants to subjugate… Putin, in contrast, has been at the receiving end of an all-carrots approach, and has reacted accordingly. 

“Pretty much whatever Putin does, Trump says someone else would do the same in his circumstances… 

“The play for the Kremlin is obvious here. It wants to keep inching ahead with territorial gains in the war, and if it continues to string along negotiations, has to hope that Trump tires of the whole thing and cuts off US aid to Ukraine. That would reward [Putin] with a very important diplomatic victory — a split between the US and Europe — and a chance to make major advances against an increasingly hard-pressed Ukraine…

“Whatever you think of the policy of NATO expansion, Ukraine didn’t invade Russia, and Putin has made it clear that Ukraine’s existence as its own independently governed nation is at the root of his war. So long as Putin believes that he’s winning and holds ‘all of the cards,’ there’s no reason for him to become more pliable… Putin has every reason to think he can persevere when the world’s superpower is inclined to blame the victim of his unprovoked aggression.” 

German Foreign Policy and the Dubious Trump 

Bild Online published the following commentary on May 15: 

“If Chancellor Friedrich Merz believed in Kyiv this weekend that the Europeans had Donald Trump (78) back on their side with the spontaneous call from Emmanuel Macron (47) and the prearranged statement, then he must now realize: No, Trump is continuing as before. 

“Trump’s statement today, after Russian dictator Vladimir Putin canceled the meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, is devastating. Trump isn’t even gently criticizing the Russian president; he even understands his cancellation. The Kremlin must be laughing its head off… 

“If Merz cannot announce tough sanctions together with the US (for example, on oil and gas)…, that would be his first major embarrassment as Chancellor… 

“But Vice Chancellor Klingbeil also has a problem. The CDU/CSU and SPD had announced that they did NOT want to discuss arms deliveries in order to keep Putin in the dark. Just a few days after Merz reiterated this position regarding Taurus cruise missiles… Klingbeil’s parliamentary group leader, Mattias Miersch, showed that he couldn’t care less about the Chancellor’s words. Miersch publicly stated that he was AGAINST Taurus deliveries… Why? So that Putin knows exactly, shortly before possible negotiations, that he can rely on the SPD?… 

“Foreign policy is already becoming the biggest test for Merz and Klingbeil.” 

New European Sanctions Against Russia

Express wrote on May 16:

“European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen criticized Vladimir Putin for his lack of presence at the peace talks with Ukraine on Thursday in Istanbul, Turkey, stating that it demonstrates Putin’s disinterest in peace. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had urged Putin to personally engage in peace talks with Zelensky regarding the ongoing three-year conflict, but Putin dispatched lower-level delegates instead, which many interpreted as an indication that Putin is indifferent to peace. Consequently, Zelensky also opted to send lower-ranking officials, with von der Leyen indicating that the EU is now compelled to impose further sanctions on Russia due to Putin’s actions….

“‘… [The] new package of sanctions… will include for example sanctions on Nord Stream 1 and Nord Stream 2. It will include working on listing more vessels of the Russian shadow fleet and also lowering the oil price cap, and it will include more sanctions on the financial sector in Russia,’ she detailed.” 

It will remain to be seen whether Europe is going to go through with this without the USA. 

New Sanctions 

Deutsche Welle wrote on May 20: 

“The EU on Tuesday approved its 17th round of sanctions on Russia, the bloc’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas announced at a meeting of foreign and defense ministers in Brussels. The new measures target the nearly 200 ships of Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet.’ These ships are used to help Russia evade oil sales restrictions, and are often dilapidated, uninsured, with unclear ownership. 

Kallas added that more Russia sanctions are ‘in the works… The longer Russia wages war, the tougher our response,’ she added. .. 

“Kaja Kallas… called for the United States to take ‘strong action’ against Russia if ceasefire talks do not come to fruition. ‘America said that if Russia doesn’t agree on an unconditional ceasefire, then there are going to be consequences. So, we want to see those consequences, also from the US side,’ Kallas said… 

“The UK on Tuesday said new sanctions would target Russia’s military, energy and financial sectors, coming as the EU also adopted a new raft of sanctions. The UK Foreign Office said the dual sanctions were part of ‘a coordinated effort to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.’”

Already: Merz in a Bind 

Focus wrote on May 16: 

“Politicians should always set the bar so high that they can just barely fit under it. For the tall Friedrich Merz, this advice, given half a century ago by Franz Josef Strauss, is difficult to follow. And Merz promptly broke in his first week in government – his own bar. 

“The resounding failure of the Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Istanbul after 90 minutes, the demonstrative departure of the delegations from the negotiating room, does not fit at all with the images of that conspiratorial gang of four a few days ago. They showed a standing Friedrich Merz in a light blue sweater, clearly briefing his counterparts from France, Poland, and Great Britain on his way to Kyiv about his actions in Ukraine. 

“A 30-day ceasefire as a prelude to serious peace negotiations was the demand of the united leading Europeans who had been working with the new Chancellor from Germany who should have been looked upon as a new leader… Merz remained vague. A tough chancellor would have sounded different… Merz suffered his first bitter foreign policy defeat. Annalena Baerbock couldn’t have done better, and Merz must realize that the international stage wasn’t waiting for this German.” 

Perhaps not for Merz… 

The Most Important American 

ntv wrote on May 18: 

“Trump is no longer the most important American in the world, that’s now Robert Francis Prevost. The headline in the New York Times sums it up. Pope Leo XIV has already won the sympathy of Trump’s critics – as a 100 percent antithesis to the US President… There were only doubts as to whether, after the Jesuit Bergoglio, it would be another person of a religious order, the first Augustinian ever in the history of the Church… 

“Of course, this Pope also carries the burdens of the Catholic Church: Half of humanity is women, but they have no say in his election or in his Church. Pope Leo XIV will also have to address the many cases of abuse by clergymen of their wards, minors, women, and men in the Church… 

“A harsher political antithesis to Trumpism is hard to imagine. The US President may have many Catholic voters, but he doesn’t have the Church…” 

The Pope’s Vision of the “Unity of Faith” 

Vatican News reported on May 19: 

“Speaking first to other Christian Churches and ecclesial communities, Pope Leo XIV took note of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, emphasizing that unity among Christians ‘can only be unity in faith.’…

“Turning to representatives of non-Christian religious traditions, Pope Leo XIV said our ‘common path’ can and must be understood to involve everyone, ‘in a spirit of human fraternity.’ 

The Council of Nicea decided dogmatically that God is a Trinity–  three co-equal and co-eternal Persons. All who disagreed were declared “anathema” (“cursed”) from  Christ and excluded from fellowship. Pope Leo’s somewhat inconsistent statements are interesting: “Unity among Christians can only be united in faith” seems to be saying what the Council of Nicea decreed with its consequences for “heretics,” while non-Christians seem to be given some time in reaching a “common path,” until the “unity of faith” must be encompassing them as well? 

Please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “Pope Leo’s Demand of ‘Unity in Faith!’” 

Trump’s Goals Are Crystal Clear 

Focus wrote on May 18:

“Trump’s policies are so consistent that the surprise in the liberal part of the West can only be explained by self-deception. Yet the US President’s goals are crystal clear. 

“The truly astonishing thing about Donald Trump’s policies is that they still astonish so many. The headlines express shock and disbelief whenever Trump once again shakes a cornerstone of the liberal world order – whether by endorsing Russia’s claim to Ukrainian territory, bringing up the forcible annexation of Greenland, or triggering economic chaos with tariff announcements.” 

Supreme Court Stops Trump 

CNBC wrote on May 16: 

“The Supreme Court on Friday granted a request by Venezuelan nationals seeking to block their removal from the United States under the Alien Enemies Act.  In a 7-2 decision, the court said the Trump administration had not given the detainees enough time or adequate resources to challenge their deportations. ‘Under these circumstances, notice roughly 24 hours before removal, devoid of information about how to exercise due process rights to contest that removal, surely does not pass muster,’ the ruling said. 

“The justices barred the removal of the men, who the Trump administration alleges are members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, pending a new decision from a lower federal appellate court… The justices did not rule on whether the Alien Enemies Act, which the Trump administration invoked in mid-April to deport the detainees, had been applied correctly. ‘To be clear, we decide today only that the detainees are entitled to more notice than was given on April 18,’ their ruling said… 

“Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented from the opinion.” 

Trump raged against the order. 

Suspending Habeas Corpus? 

The Ron Paul Institute published the following article by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano on May 15: 

“What if the writ of habeas corpus has been guaranteed to the British since 1215 and to Americans since 1789? What if this encompasses the right of every person who is confined by the government against his or her will to compel the jailer to justify the confinement before a neutral judge? 

“What if this right is personal and individual and applies to all persons at all times? What if the right can be exercised by anyone who is arrested… What if this right — to be free from an unjust confinement; to be free from arrest without trial — is one for which the Founders and the Framers fought the American Revolution? 

“What if habeas corpus is today recognized by all judges in the United States? What if judges actually stop court proceedings when a habeas corpus petition is received in order to hold a hearing and compel the government to lay out the evidence against the accused and justify his or her confinement, lest he or she spend one minute more behind bars than is lawful? 

“… What if even the most tyrannical and absolute of monarchs in Britain recognized and respected habeas corpus for their subjects in Britain?… 

“What if Madison recognized that in cases of invasion or rebellion, Congress might want to suspend habeas corpus until the rebellion or invasion subsided? What if Congress — in order to prevent frivolous or politically based suspensions of the right — defined invasion or rebellion as a state of affairs of such calamity that the federal courts are unable to conduct proceedings? 

“What if Abraham Lincoln suspended habeas corpus during the War Between the States in certain regions in the north so he could arrest his critics without trial? What if the Supreme Court ruled that under the plain meaning and recognized structure of the Constitution, only Congress — not the president — can suspend habeas corpus?… 

“What if Franklin D. Roosevelt did the same based on race during World War II and he claimed he did so based not on invasion or rebellion but on the fear of invasion or rebellion? What if — in one of its lowest moral rulings in history, at a time of anti-Japanese racial animosity in America — the court permitted the suspension? 

“What if subsequent Congresses and presidents and courts condemned this ruling and this suspension? What if Congress — 40 years later — compensated those still living and their offspring for these arrests without trial? 

“What if George W. Bush tried to suspend habeas corpus in the months following 9/11?… What if the Supreme Court ruled against him? What if Congress tried to implement arrest without trial and the Supreme Court ruled that there was no invasion or rebellion of such chaotic magnitude that the federal courts could not conduct proceedings, and so it invalidated the suspension of habeas corpus? 

“What if here we go again? What if the White House (Stephen Miller) announced last week that it—not Congress—is contemplating the suspension of habeas corpus, but only for certain persons?…” 

What if we never learn from history? 

Walmart Buckles… Somewhat 

Fox Business reported on May 18: 

“Walmart is going to absorb the cost of some tariffs, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday after speaking with the company’s CEO in the wake of President Donald Trump’s warning that the retail giant should ‘eat the tariffs.’… 

“On Thursday, [CEO Doug] McMillion said Walmart would do its best to keep prices down, but with the ‘magnitude’ of the tariffs, ‘even at the reduced levels announced this week, we aren’t able to absorb all the pressure given the reality of narrow retail margins.’” 

One wonders what was going on behind the scenes. 

Strong Accusations by Rand Paul Against Trump 

Politico wrote on May 18: 

“Sen. Rand Paul attacked the economic logic of President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff strategy on Sunday… 

“The Kentucky Republican said Trump’s sweeping tariffs on foreign trading partners are based on ‘an economic fallacy’ about trade deficits… 

“‘Well, tariffs are taxes, and when you put a tax on a business, it’s always passed through as a cost. So, there will be higher prices,’ Paul said…

“Courts have previously upheld the legality of tariffs when they’re based on congressional authority. However, Trump’s decision to impose tariffs by himself has raised legal questions about whether he is exceeding his delegated power. ‘Now, we do have a long history, though, of both parties abdicating their responsibility on tariffs and granting power to Congress, which brings up another constitutional question, can Congress delegate powers given to it under the Constitution to the president?’ Paul said.” 

Interesting legal questions indeed… 

Jeffrey Epstein Committed Suicide? Hardly! 

Financial Express wrote on May 20: 

“Hoping to finally move past convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s death, the FBI gave its verdict on the case. Declaring the sex offender’s 2019 death inside the notorious Metropolitan Correctional Centre a suicide, Deputy Director Dan Bongino (alongside FBI Director Kash Patel) that there was no evidence to prove any foul play being at work… [Epstein’s] brother, Mark Epstein, has since slammed the suicide verdict. Speaking to the Daily Mail, he fumed over Patel having ‘no idea what… he’s talking about,’ as he ‘wasn’t there, he didn’t see the body, he didn’t see the autopsy.’.. 

“He admitted that it would be a lot easier for him to move on as well if he accepted his brother’s death as suicide. Suggesting that there was a ‘long list of things’ that serve as bombshell evidence of Jeffrey Epstein having been murdered in his prison cell. And so, Mark is among the many who are cynical of the FBI’s declaration… Standing his ground, Mark alleged that there was good reason for people wanting his brother dead, especially for ‘what he knew, what he had on people.’ … 

“While Jeffrey’s file states that he was discovered hanging by a bedsheet, Mark Epstein said, ‘I don’t think that sheet could have held his weight, it would have torn.’.. In light of the two cameras trained on Epstein’s cell experiencing technical issues, Mark went on to say, ‘So, [former attorney general] Bill Barr came out and said he personally viewed the video and nobody went in or out of the tier [where Epstein was housed]. When I heard that I said this is cover up.’… Noting that 11 or 12 inmates were already on that tier, Mark said, ‘They would not have to go in or out of the tier to kill somebody in their cell. Supposedly cell doors were left locked.’ The Epstein brother laid emphasis on how easily someone could have gotten into ‘Jeff’s cell and killed him.’.. 

“Mark Epstein’s argument aligns with what forensic pathologist Michael Baden had to say about the case. The deceased billionaire’s family hired Baden after his death was initially ruled a suicide. According to the pathologist, homicide was more likely than suicide, as he focussed on fractures in Epstein’s thyroid cartilage and hyoid bone being indicative of strangulation.”

The suicide story seems to be a fabrication and a cover-up. Far too many famous people would be interested in putting this case to rest and burying what could otherwise come to light.

Starmer’s Betrayal of Britain 

The Sun wrote on May 19: 

“BRITAIN will pay money to Brussels for a ‘sellout’ deal that drags the country back under the control of European judges and grants French boats access to our fishing waters for 12 YEARS. The agreement signed by Sir Keir Starmer in London today reveals the UK will be tethered to the EU’s rulebook on trade standards… 

“Former PM Boris Johnson blasted: ‘Two-tier Keir is once again going back on his promises to the people of this country – by making us non-voting members of a two-tier European Union. ‘Under this appalling sell out of a deal the UK will have to accept EU law on a host of measures from food standards to emissions trading.’… 

“The deal will see Britain follow the EU’s food standards but only be involved in ‘early stages’ of setting the rules – with the European Court of Justice the ultimate arbiter… The text also shows British taxpayers will make an ‘appropriate financial contribution’ to the EU as the price of what critics are blasting as a ‘surrender’ deal… 

“Sir Keir has agreed to give EU nations full access to its fishing waters until June 2038. The 12-year concession undermines one of the primary promises of Brexit: regaining control over British waters. UK fishermen, who were gunning for greater independence have expressed outrage at the major policy surrender.” 

Further evidence for Britain’s downfall. 

Britain Surrenders to the EU

On May 18, The Sun published the following article by Chris Philp, Shadow Home Secretary: 

“Whenever Labour negotiates, Britain loses. Keir Starmer is shamefully giving away Chagos Islands and then pay to rent them back. The two-tier tax deal with India was deeply unfair to British businesses. And today, we will see him roll over once again at his EU surrender summit… While he now talks tough on immigration for the cameras, we all know behind closed doors he doesn’t believe a word of it… 

“Today is Starmer’s first step in a walk of shame back to the EU’s stranglehold so he can crack Britain’s borders even wider open… It would make it far easier for hordes of unemployed people to come to the UK at a time when Labour is driving unemployment through the roof…” 

… and that without a shot having been fired…

Nigel Farage Issues Damning Verdict 

Daily Express published the following article by Nigel Farage on May 19:

“So, it’s happened. The Brexit betrayal by Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour party is in full swing. In 2016 we voted to take back control of our fishing waters from the EU and give a much-needed lifeline to our fishing industry. Today, we learn that Sir Keir [Starmer] will grant European fishermen access to British waters for 12 years. It’s an abject surrender… What makes this so galling is that 12 years is essentially enough to give European boats permanent access to our waters. This is because during that time older fishermen will leave the industry, and there will be no younger ones joining, and likewise no investment in new boats. With no new investment, the UK will quickly become an island with no fishing industry to speak of.

“First, he targeted our farming industry with increased inheritance tax on family farms. Now, he’s undermining our fishing sector by granting unbridled access to EU competitors. Starmer’s track record consistently puts foreign interests ahead of those of the British people. A clear example is the Chagos Islands deal, which is projected to cost the taxpayer £50 billion over its lifetime…” 

Starmer’s and Germany’s Take

Deutsche Welle wrote on May 19:

“The EU and UK are working towards a level of cooperation not seen since Brexit, with new agreements on fisheries, trade and security… ‘This is the first UK-EU summit,’ Starmer told reporters on Monday. ‘It marks a new era in our relationship, and this deal is a win-win.’ 

“An agreement on fisheries allows EU fishermen to have access to British waters for an extended period of 12 years in exchange for the EU indefinitely easing red tape on food and drink imports and exports. The eased customs checks on food and plant products are expected to add ‘nearly 9 billion pounds’ ($12 billion/€10.7 billion) to the British economy by 2040, Starmer’s office said in a statement.  Downing Street also said a new defense and security pact with the EU deal ‘will pave the way’ for the UK defense industry ‘to participate’ in a €150 billion ($167-billion) defense fund being set up by the EU… 

“Since taking office in July 2024, Starmer has pushed for what he calls a ‘reset’ of ties with the EU… Von der Leyen called the new agreements a ‘success’ and ‘an historic moment.’ Since the UK formally left the EU in 2020 after the Brexit referendum in 2016, ties have mostly been governed under a ‘Trade and Cooperation Agreement’ negotiated by former conservative PM Boris Johnson and signed in December 2020. Starmer… had opposed Brexit…

“In its election manifesto last year, Labour promised that it wouldn’t rejoin the EU’s single market and customs union, and free movement of people and goods. In August 2024, Starmer said revamping agreements with the EU ‘does not mean reversing Brexit or re-entering the single market or the customs union.’” 

Starmer has said the deal does not mean that Britain joins the EU. Stamer and the Labour Party are clearly engaging in double-talk. Starmer’s ambitions and goals are clear, but he will not succeed. Britain will never again become a full-fledged voting member of the EU. However, Starmer’s conduct may lead to a further surrender of Britain and its ongoing prophesied downfall. 

To Take Control of ALL of Gaza

AFP wrote on May 19:

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that Israel will ‘take control’ of the whole of Gaza, as the military pressed a newly intensified campaign in the war-ravaged territory. After Israel announced it would let a ‘basic amount’ of food into the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu said it was necessary to prevent a famine for ‘diplomatic reasons.’… Last week President Donald Trump acknowledged that ‘a lot of people are starving,’ adding ‘we’re going to get that taken care of.’ In his inaugural mass, Pope Leo XIV [said], ‘In Gaza, the surviving children, families and elderly are reduced to starvation’… 

“But Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir argued against any resumption of aid, saying on X: ‘Mr Prime Minister, our hostages receive no humanitarian aid… The Prime Minister is making a serious mistake in this move, and he has no majority at all. Hamas must only be crushed, and not at the same time provided with oxygen for its survival,’ he said in a statement… 

“Since a two-month ceasefire collapsed in March as Israel resumed its offensive, negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States have failed to make a breakthrough. Netanyahu has opposed ending the war without Hamas’s total defeat, while Hamas has balked at handing over its weapons…

“Hamas’s October 2023 attack that triggered the war resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people on the Israeli side, mostly civilians… Hamas also took 251 hostages during the attack, 57 of whom remain in Gaza, including 34 the military says are dead. Gaza’s health ministry said Sunday at least 3,193 people have been killed since Israel resumed strikes March 18, taking the war’s overall toll to 53,339.”

A terrible situation all around. Trump’s Gaza “Riviera vision” becomes more and more a bad joke.

“Germany Can Still Rule the World” 

On May 17, the following article was authored by Johannes Koenraadt and published on linkin.bio: 

“… the Germans during the time of Otto von Bismarck were trying to unify all Muslims of the Middle East under the rule of the Turkish Ottoman Empire… Von Bismarck wanted… to attack colonial British interests in Egypt, Sudan, and Syria, by causing a revolt against the colonial rule. Germany could then seize control of the important trade routes of the Suez Canal and the Persian Gulf. Indeed, the surrounding territories such as Palestine, Iraq, Iran, and Syria were once allies of Germany during the world wars, even Turkey was an ally during World War I… 

“… American strategists also deeply fear… a German conquest of Russia… new German chancellor Friedrich Merz… vows to make the German army the strongest in Europe!

“During the Second World War, Germany was barely 1.5 times richer than Soviet Russia. Today, Germany is nearly 7 times richer than Putin’s Russia… Germany may indeed try to conquer Russia again… to ‘bring democracy’. With the EU’s help, by switching from Russian gas to gas from Qatar, the Muslim world might, for reasons of profit, even support the new German war machine…”

The Bible does indeed prophesy that Germany will enter into a collaboration treaty with Arab nations and Turkey to conquer Israel, and that a war will break out between Europe under German leadership and Russia and other Far Eastern nations. We are informed that the German leader will be disturbed by unsettling rumors from the Far East and will go out against those regions with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 

The “Report” Against the AfD 

On May 15, Nius published the following commentary by Julian Reichelt: 

“This horrific report [by the “Verfassungsschutz” or “Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution”] is not about the AfD. It’s about the fundamental right to freedom of expression and all of us. The AfD is merely being used as a pretext to criminalize and permanently make impossible completely legitimate expressions of criticism of power and government… We are witnessing the most dangerous and unscrupulous attack on freedom of expression in the history of the Federal Republic. The report should remain secret so that you don’t realize that it’s not really about the AfD, but about your most sacred fundamental right… 

“In order to keep this report secret, the old government lied to us in its final hours in office. The failed, authoritarian former Interior Minister Nancy Faeser claimed that secret sources had to be protected… Now, our research reveals: There are no sources at all in this report. The report consists exclusively of public statements that were copied and documented from social media and public speeches… 

“Every journalist who has read this report must have realized: If the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution gets away with it, freedom of expression will end for every citizen. The secret dossier is nothing less than a legal basis for the prosecution of any criticism of power… The Stasi would be proud of this Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, which naturally also wants to pursue comparisons to the GDR as delegitimization. Criticism of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution is, of course, also recorded by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and classified as right-wing extremist… 

“Criticism of Microsoft founder Bill Gates is classified by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution as anti-Semitism because Bill Gates supposedly ‘reads Jewish.’ This means: The secret service assumes that people are criticizing the political activist Bill Gates, who has financed Der Spiegel with millions, simply because they consider him a Jew, even though he is not.”

German Police Union: Tougher Border Checks Not Sustainable

Deutsche Welle reported on May 18: 

“Germany’s intensified border checks and the rejection of asylum seekers cannot continue for much longer…

“[Andreas] Rosskopf, chairman of the German Police Union (GdP) police union, [said] that the current measures were only sustainable because duty rosters had been adjusted, training sessions paused, and officers’ overtime leave canceled. ‘The police can only keep up these intensive checks for a few more weeks,’ Rosskopf said, noting that more than 1,000 riot police officers had been deployed in border areas for several days.

“Shortly after taking office earlier this month, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt ordered stricter border controls, allowing authorities to turn back migrants even if they seek asylum. According to Dobrindt, the number of people turned away has increased by nearly 50% since the changes were introduced….” 

What will the new German government do next? 

Pro-European Nicusor Dan Weins Romania‘s Election 

Newsmax wrote on May 18:

“Pro-European Union candidate Nicusor Dan has won Romania’s closely watched presidential runoff against a hard-right nationalist… A huge turnout Sunday played a key role in the tense election that many viewed as a geopolitical choice between East or West. 

“The race pitted front-runner George Simion, the 38-year-old leader of the hard-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, or AUR, against Dan, the incumbent mayor of Bucharest. It was held months after the cancelation of the previous election plunged Romania into its worst political crisis in decades… In the first-round vote on May 4, Simion won almost double the votes as Dan, and many local surveys had predicted he would secure the presidency.

“But in a swing that appeared to be a repudiation of Simion’s more skeptical approach to the EU, which Romania joined in 2007, Dan picked up almost 900,000 more votes to solidly defeat his opponent in the final round… 

“Romania’s political landscape was upended last year when a top court voided the previous election in which far-right outsider Calin Georgescu topped first-round polls, following allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference, which Moscow denied.” 

Romania has been accused of dictatorial methods and undue interference in the election process. 

WHY Does the Universe Exist? 

BBC wrote on May 20:

“Inside a laboratory nestled above the mist of the forests of South Dakota, scientists are searching for the answer to one of science’s biggest questions: why does our Universe exist?

They are in a race for the answer with a separate team of Japanese scientists – who are several years ahead… 

“The current theory of how the Universe came into being can’t explain the existence of the planets, stars and galaxies we see around us… 

“The scientists will travel 1,500 metres below the surface into three vast underground caverns…. ‘We are poised to build the detector that will change our understanding of the Universe with instruments that will be deployed by a collaboration of more than 1,400 scientists from 35 countries who are eager to answer the question of why we exist,’ [Dr Jaret Heise] says. When the Universe was created two kinds of particles were created: matter – from which stars, planets and everything around us are made – and, in equal amounts, antimatter, matter’s exact opposite.

Theoretically the two should have cancelled each other out, leaving nothing but a big burst of energy. And yet, here we – as matter – are… 

“Scientists believe that the answer to understanding why matter won – and we exist – lies in studying a particle called the neutrino and its antimatter opposite, the anti-neutrino. They will be firing beams of both kinds of particles from deep underground in Illinois to the detectors at South Dakota, 800 miles away. This is because as they travel, neutrinos and anti-neutrinos change ever so slightly. The scientists want to find out whether those changes are different for the neutrinos and anti-neutrinos. If they are, it could lead them to the answer of why matter and anti-matter don’t cancel each other out. 

“The Japanese-led team will be ready to turn on their neutrino beam in less than three years, several years earlier than the American project.  

Has one ever heard such total nonsense? Apart from this colossal waste of time and resources, it shows the absolute stupidity with which scientists are approaching the “mystery” of creation, even though the Bible has been giving the answers all along. But of course, scientists are too proud and far too “educated” to accept the simplicity of the Truth!

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

Pope Leo XIV… Up to the Task?

The Independent wrote on May 9:

“The first-ever American-born pope inherits a world in crisis… Leo XIV’s vision for the Catholic church is one of ‘peace and justice’ and ‘building bridges’ ready to receive, with open arms, ‘all who need our charity, our presence, dialogue, love.’… His urgent message of peace confronts vast suffering and death from brutal wars, simmering tensions among nuclear powers, a long shadow of abuse within a church he now leads, and humanitarian outrage from his home country following three months of chaos under Donald Trump’s administration…

“The papal conclave… selected Leo XIV despite allegations that he had mishandled sexual abuse cases involving priests in both Peru and the United States. Survivors of abuse are now demanding accountability from the new pope… Leo XIV — the ‘Latin Yankee,’ as he is known in Rome — follows the Jesuit legacy of Francis in South America.”

Leo XIV has been hailed by many, including his own brother, as a “second Francis.” But this may or may not be an accurate designation.

Pope Leo XIV… Not So Good News For Trump?

The New York Post wrote on May 8:

“Newly elected Pope Leo XIV spent years amplifying criticism of President Trump’s policies on social media — with the Catholic Church’s first American leader taking particular aim at the Republican’s hardline immigration stance… His final X post before being elected… was a retweet of a message from Philadelphia-based Catholic commentator Rocco Palmo, who on April 14 slammed Trump’s partnership with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele on deportation of illegal migrants… ‘Do you not see the suffering? Is your conscience not disturbed? How can you stay quiet?’ the tweet reads…

“Prevost was also an active participant in US political discussion during Trump’s first term — in 2017 retweeting a post from Palmo that said, ‘Calling refugee bans ‘a dark hour of US history,’ [Chicago Archbishop] Blase [Cupich] says “the world is watching as we abandon our commitment to American values”’. Also in January 2017, the new pope retweeted a message from Jesuit priest James Martin, who wrote, ‘We’re banning all Syrian refugees? The men, women and children who most need help? What an immoral nation we are becoming. Jesus weeps.’…

“The new pope expressed his opinion on other subjects as well. In October 2017, Prevost retweeted a call for new US gun control from Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) after a gunman murdered 60 people in Las Vegas…

“Trump congratulated the new pontiff on Truth Social and told reporters outside the West Wing that he was thrilled that an American will hold the post… ‘It is such an honor to realize that he is the first American Pope. What excitement, and what a Great Honor for our Country. I look forward to meeting Pope Leo XIV. It will be a very meaningful moment!’…”

Other Popes Leo…

CNN wrote on May 8:

“The first Pope Leo, who served in the fifth century (from 440 to 461), is known as ‘Leo the Great,’ and is remembered [in legend] for persuading Attila the Hun to halt his invasion and spare the Roman Empire from destruction… The name Leo derives from the Latin for ‘lion,’ suggesting strength and courage.”

It was also suggested that his name choice could represent a pope who wants to be strong during a time of crisis, with a profound respect for tradition and history.

There have been 14 popes with the name of Leo. Famous was Leo III. (795-816). He is notable for the coronation of Charlemagne as Emperor of the Romans on Christmas Day, 800 CE. [see below].

CBS News wrote on May 9:

“Leo I… wrote Leo’s Tome, a document that influenced the official doctrine defining Jesus Christ as both fully human and fully divine. [A totally false teaching.]…

“… the last pope to use the name Leo, Pope Leo XIII, who was the head of the Catholic Church between 1878 and 1903… is perhaps most famous for writing the Rerum Novarum… which translates to ‘On New Things,’ but the Latin meaning is also ‘On Revolutionary Changes.’…”

Why Did the Pope Pick Leo? Here’s Why the Name Is So Important in the Catholic Church

National Geographic wrote on May 9:

“Pope Leo I tangled with Attila the Hun and won…

“Elected in A.D. 795, Pope Leo III was the pope who crowned Charlamagne as the first Holy Roman emperor. ‘Many historians credit Charlemagne with spreading Christianity across these formerly pagan regions, bringing a common culture and homogeneity to disparate tribes.’ The ruler became defender of the Christian faith and, under him, the continent flourished.

“Pope Leo III’s decision to name the emperor as leader of the Church reaffirmed the relationship between the papacy and the Frankish rulers who would protect the Catholic Church against threats.

“Things came to a head after Constantinople closed all its Latin churches. In response, Pope Leo IX sent a delegation led by Hubert of Silva Candida to Constantinople ostensibly to settle the disagreement with Patriarch Michael Cerularius. Instead, Hubert placed an excommunication bull for the patriarch in the city on the altar at Hagia Sophia on July 16, 1054 A.D. Pope Leo IX had died by the time of the excommunication, but it was nonetheless a move that he had initiated. As a result, the Roman Catholic Church based in Rome and the Eastern Orthodox Church centered in Constantinople became two separate entities after this Great Schism…

“Another Pope Leo—Pope Leo X—also faced a divisive moment within Christendom. Pope Leo X… held the papal see from 1475 to 1521 A.D. During the last year of his pontificate, Pope Leo X excommunicated Martin Luther…”

Before and after the Great Schism, Bible prophecies focus on the development of the Catholic Church, headquartered in Rome.

Why the Name Leo XIV was Chosen?

Breitbart wrote on May 10:

“Speaking with the College of Cardinals on Saturday, [the new pope said:]

“‘I chose to take the name Leo XIV. There are different reasons for this, but mainly because Pope Leo XIII in his historic Encyclical Rerum Novarum addressed the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution… In our own day, the Church offers to everyone the treasury of her social teaching in response to another industrial revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labor…’”

It is doubtful that this was the main reason for the choice of the name Leo. Note the next article.

The Pope and the Latin Mass

The Federalist wrote on May 9:

“[I’m setting] aside the obvious fact that Pope Leo is far more conservative on issues like abortion and gay marriage than most MAGA influencers… Pope Leo appears to be far more traditional and liturgically orthodox than his predecessor. In particular, he seems to have a special devotion to the Traditional Latin Mass.

“This matters a great deal more than whether he has policy disagreements with Trump over things like immigration or gun control… Pope Francis was infamously hostile toward the Latin Mass despite its growing popularity around the world, especially among young people, converts, and Catholics committed to conforming their lives to the orthodox Catholic faith… In contrast, there are ample signs that Pope Leo will reverse course on the Latin Mass, lift restrictions on its celebration.

“… a restoration of the Latin Mass under Pope Leo would mean a return to doctrinal clarity and confidence, and a renewed papal resistance to the modernizing factions within the Catholic Church, such as the German prelates who for many years have been pushing for the ordination of women and communion for divorced-and-remarried Catholics. Above all, the restoration of the Latin Mass will all but guarantee that this pope will not push doctrinal boundaries the way Pope Francis did, and will return the Holy See to its traditional role of defending the Catholic faith and evangelizing the world.

“… In recent days multiple Catholic commentators have reported that Pope Leo, when he was Cardinal Prevost, privately celebrated the Latin Mass for years, including at the Vatican in recent years, where he had a special indult from Pope Francis to do so… the blessing Pope Leo gave the crowd from St. Peter’s Basilica was in Latin, using a formula that has not been used since Pope Pius XII in 1939. On Friday, Pope Leo celebrated the first Mass… in Latin…

“All Catholics should hope and pray for this, but so should all non-Catholics, whether Protestants or unbelievers, for the simple reason that… without a clear, strong voice in the Holy See defending the faith, our civilization will not long endure.”

The mother church with its daughter churches will become all-powerful again in these last days.

Where the New Pope MIGHT Stand…

Newsmax wrote on May 11:

“Based on a 2012 address to bishops, Leo would likely bring the church back in line.

“In that speech, Cardinal Robert Prevost accused the media of fostering ‘sympathy for beliefs and practices that are at odds with the Gospel.’ He cited the ‘homosexual lifestyle’ and ‘alternative families comprised of same-sex partners and their adopted children,’ according to the Post.

“Also, Prevost shot down a government initiative to promote gender ideology in schools while he was bishop of Chiclayo in northwestern Peru. ‘The promotion of gender ideology is confusing, because it seeks to create genders that don’t exist,’ he told media outlets at the time.

“On abortion, Prevost posted [a] photograph from a March For Life event in Chiclayo with the exhortation, ‘Let’s defend human life at all times!’ That includes a push against euthanasia…

“In regards to capital punishment, Prevost said in a 2015 post, ‘It’s time to end the death penalty.’

“The new Pope is aligned with the previous Pope on climate change. In November, Prevost said it is time to move ‘from words to action’ on the ‘environmental crisis,’ the Post reported…”

And then there are the issues of immigration and gun control…

Capitulation Day

The Guardian wrote on May 12:

“Donald Trump will inevitably claim Monday’s temporary truce in the US-China trade war as a victory, but financial markets seem to have read it for what it is – a capitulation. Stocks were up and bond yields were higher after the US treasury secretary Scott Bessent’s early morning press conference in Geneva…

“… tariffs on Chinese goods will be cut from 145% to 30% initially for a 90-day period. In return, China has cut its own tariffs on US imports to 10%, from the 125% it had imposed in retaliation against the White House. That still marks a big shift in the terms of trade between the two countries since before Trump came to power, but falls far short of what was in effect a trade embargo… In other words, the president has caved… the White House seems to have opted for tactical retreat…”

Mediaite added on May 12:

“In a series of posts to X early Monday, Fox Business Senior Correspondent Charles Gasparino delivered a blunt analysis of the drastic temporary tariff reduction by the U.S. and China and the 90-day pause before any further escalation.

“‘Both sides blinked,’ Gasparino wrote. He quickly followed up by adding, ‘I didn’t say we won…. Trump… was forced to back off… when you have to depend on [the markets] as we still do… you can’t go to trade war with the world without bad stuff happening.’”

What Is Trump Even Doing?

The Hill wrote on May 9:

“One of the most frustrating things about the Trump administration is that it offers too much nuttiness to process. Not long ago, the discovery that the president doesn’t know what the Declaration of Independence is would have consumed the country for months. Today, it barely registers because the Trump White House pumps out similar stories two or three times a week.  When you compare such stories to the trade war with China or President Trump’s claim that he doesn’t know whether he’s required to uphold the Constitution, it’s tempting to view Trump’s recent brainstorms on movie tariffs and reopening Alcatraz as mere distractions. That would be a mistake. They are evidence of something much darker than Steve Bannon’s call to ‘flood the zone with s…’

“Alcatraz was closed down in 1963 because it was too expensive to run and too expensive to renovate… Nor can it be ‘substantially enlarged’ because Alcatraz Island is only 22 acres. If you want a new prison for the worst of the worst, Alcatraz would be the last place you would choose. 

“About 20 minutes later, Trump decided he is going to impose a 100 percent tariff on foreign movies… The idea is unworkable and betrays no understanding of how movies are made. What, exactly, is a ‘foreign film?’ Many films are made in multiple locations both inside and outside the U.S. What about content made for television and streaming? And what would you impose a tariff on? The cost of shooting overseas? The movie’s budget? Ticket sales? 

“Apart from all the practical issues, any plan to impose a tax on foreign films is almost certainly an unconstitutional violation of the First Amendment. If it isn’t constitutional to impose a two percent tax on newspapers, it’s hard to see how it could be constitutional to impose a 100 percent tax on movies… as a content-based restriction based on the ‘messaging and propaganda’ in foreign films…”

And now, controversial and extremely right-wing conservative White House “adviser” Stephen Miller announced that the Trump administration is considering suspending “habeas corpus,” as we are being invaded by foreign enemies. Can anything become more weird?

Regarding the concept of “habeas corpus,” ctvnews wrote on May 10: “Habeas corpus is a legal principle that allows people who believe they are being unlawfully detained or imprisoned to petition for their release in court.”

Habeas corpus, meaning “you should have the body,” is a legal procedure to ensure that individuals are not unlawfully imprisoned. It is a legal order that requires a person to be brought before a judge to ensure their detention is lawful. It’s a check on government power, protecting against unlawful imprisonment. 

Money Struggles and Mental Health

Study Finds wrote on May 8:

“Americans are drowning in money worries, and it’s taking a serious toll on their mental health. A new survey reveals that 70% of Americans say their financial stress has hit an all-time high, with more than three-quarters feeling totally alone in their struggle to manage money pressures.

“Even worse, this financial strain is affecting people’s overall well-being, with 20% reporting worse mental health over the past year. The survey found that 40% of respondents have skipped work or school to focus on their mental health…”

But everything is getting better in the USA, right?

Fighting Big Pharma

The Associated Press wrote on May 12:

“President Donald Trump on Monday signed a sweeping executive order setting a 30-day deadline for drugmakers to electively [sic] lower the cost of prescription drugs in the U.S. or face new limits down the road over what the government will pay…

“It’s unclear what — if any — impact the Republican president’s executive order will have on millions of Americans who have private health insurance. The federal government has the most power to shape the price it pays for drugs covered by Medicare and Medicaid… The nation’s pharmaceutical lobby, which represents the top U.S. drugmakers, immediately pushed back against Trump’s order, calling it a ‘bad deal’ for American patients…”

Of course, Big Pharma would oppose this, as their incredible profit from overcharged drug prices might be somewhat diminished. As the article points out:

“Taxpayers spend hundreds of billions of dollars on prescription drugs, injectables, transfusions and other medications every year through Medicare, which covers nearly 70 million older Americans. Medicaid, which provides nearly-free health care for almost 80 million poor and disabled people in the U.S. also spends tens of billions of dollars each year for drugs.”

On average, drugs in the USA are approximately three times more expensive than the same drugs in Europe.

Many Afraid of World War III

Global News Canada wrote on May 6:

“Eighty years after VE-Day, which marked the formal Nazi surrender and the end of six years of war in Europe, many fear a third world war is imminent. New [polling] conducted in Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the U.S. shows that between 41 per cent and 55 per cent of respondents in each country think another world war is likely to occur within the next five to 10 years. Forty-five per cent of Americans hold the same view…

“If another world war happens…, the majority (68 to 76 per cent) believe the conflict would involve nuclear weapons. Moreover, 57 to 73 per cent think that a third world war would result in a higher casualty count than previous global conflicts…  25 to 44 per cent believe that if another world war were to occur in the next five to 10 years, it would result in the deaths of most of the world’s population… 72 per cent believe there is a likelihood that nuclear, biological, or chemical warfare could happen somewhere in the world.

“… most people felt their respective country’s militaries would not be sufficiently prepared to enter a war. ‘Only a minority of western Europeans believe their national militaries could effectively defend their countries in the event of a third world war, ranging from a low of 16 per cent in Italy to a high of 44 per cent in France,’ the survey says. ‘By contrast, 71 per cent of Americans have confidence that the armed forces could defend their country,’ YouGov found.

“As for the source of the threat, most European countries cite Russia as the culprit, with 72 to 82 per cent of Western Europeans telling YouGov they see the superpower as a major or moderate threat to peace in Europe. Meanwhile, 69 per cent of Americans agreed.

“Since the beginning of U.S. President Donald Trump’s second term, attitudes towards Europe’s once-steadfast ally have shifted, with many now considering the country [the USA] a looming threat to peace… ‘With Donald Trump making threats against Greenland, Canada and Panama, as well as his stance on Ukraine, a majority of people in Spain (58 per cent), Germany (55 per cent) and France (53 per cent) see tensions between Europe and the U.S. as a major or moderate threat to continental peace,’ it says. ‘Meanwhile, Americans are less likely to say so, although a third (34 per cent) still agree with their western European counterparts,’ the polling continues.”

Nuclear War—a Frightening Scenario

The Telegraph wrote on May 10:

“The Arms Control Association, a US-based nonpartisan organisation, counts more than 12,100 nuclear weapons in the world today, 90 per cent of them held by the US and Russia. China, France, Britain, India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea hold the remainder.

“They are generally delivered by very fast ICBMs that fly into space and can reach targets less than half an hour after launch. Some carry multiple warheads that then independently plummet to different targets. They are almost impossible to intercept.

“While we tend to think of mushroom clouds over Hiroshima and Nagasaki and memories of GCSE physics – the banging together of lumps of uranium or plutonium until electrons start smashing apart atoms – most of the weapons in the nose cones of today’s missiles are different beasts entirely.

“These ‘thermonuclear’ weapons use a Hiroshima-style device only as the trigger for another device, nestled next to it in the same bomb casing, that contains isotopes of hydrogen that fuse into helium atoms. That is the same thing that happens in the centre of the sun, and it generates extraordinary amounts of energy.

“The Hiroshima bomb killed 66,000 people with 15 kilotons of power – the equivalent of 15,000 tons of conventional TNT high explosive going off at once. But the most powerful thermonuclear weapons ever exploded, the US Castle Bravo test in 1954 and the Soviet Tsar Bomba in 1961, released 15 and 50 megatons respectively. One megaton equals 1,000 kilotons. There is, Soviet scientists concluded after testing the Tsar Bomba, practically no upper limit to the destructive power of such devices…”

Is Trump Abandoning Netanyahu?

Israel Today wrote on May 9:

“Sources claim Trump is fed up with Netanyahu and tired of Israel standing in the way of his Middle East vision.

“If the Reuters report is accurate and Donald Trump is no longer making normalization with Israel a condition for the US supporting a civilian nuclear program in Saudi Arabia, this would prove what many fear: Trump has thrown Israel under the bus.

“But this report doesn’t come out of nowhere. It fits into a series of American moves that have shaken Israel in recent months—whether it’s the secret dialogue with Iran, the US announcement of an agreement with the Houthis that Israel only learned about through the media, the omission of Israel from Trump’s upcoming Middle East trip, the warm relations with Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at Israel’s expense, the planned withdrawal from Syria, and much more.

“… The US administration is frustrated with… the obstacles Jerusalem is creating for Washington’s vision for the Middle East—a vision that is supposed to earn Trump the Nobel Peace Prize.”

The White House responded by saying that reports about friction between Trump and Netanyahu are “preposterous.”

Will Israel Do It Alone?

Breitbart wrote on May 9:

“Netanyahu is reaching the point where he will attack Iran’s nuclear sides — and, ironically, it is President Donald Trump who is pushing him there. That might seem odd, given that Trump has been more supportive of Israel than any other U.S. president… Trump is now pursuing a new nuclear deal with Iran, and early reports suggest that it will have many, if not all, of the same features that made President Barack Obama’s Iran deal such a failure…

“Netanyahu recently said that no deal would be a better option than a bad deal. Meanwhile, Trump reportedly has grown frustrated with him, and is prepared to act without his cooperation. But the feeling is mutual. Netanyahu has been recalling, in public, the many times that Israel acted on its own, regardless of who was in the White House, to protect its interests. He is clearly setting the stage for Israel to strike Iran unilaterally….

“Moreover, the Trump administration has twice surprised the Netanyahu government in the past several weeks. First, as Netanyahu sat next to him in the White House last month, Trump announced that the U.S. would talk with Iran. Next, Trump announced a ceasefire with the Houthis — without Israel, which the Houthis vowed to continue attacking.

“Netanyahu does not want to risk his relationship with Trump… but he also does not want to go down in the in history as the leader who could have protected his country, but did not. (Especially after October 7.) The chance is growing that Israel will strike Iran on its own… do not be surprised when it happens.”

Trump in the Middle East

Reuters reported on May 13:

“The US agreed on Tuesday to sell Saudi Arabia an arms package worth nearly $142 billion, according to a White House fact sheet that called it ‘the largest defense cooperation agreement’ Washington has ever done.

“The agreement, signed during US President Donald Trump’s visit to the Saudi capital Riyadh, covers deals with more than a dozen US defense companies in areas including air and missile defense, air force and space advancement, maritime security and communications, the fact sheet said.”

In 2019, a congressional rebuke of Saudi Arabia followed the 2018 murder of Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, which weakened support for Riyadh in Washington after US intelligence agencies found that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) ordered the operation. MBS has never been held accountable, and the newly-found “friendship” between MBS and Trump is embarrassing, to say the very least.

Trump encouraged Saudi Arabia to sign the “Abraham Accords,” which have established by now formal ties between Israel and four Arab countries. Trump also encouraged Saudi Arabia to recognize the State of Israel. Saudi Arabia had stated that in order to do so, a Palestinian State must be recognized first. According to the Bible, Saudi Arabia will turn against Israel—and perhaps the USA—in an effort to destroy Israel. Trump also announced that Saudi Arabia will invest $600 billion in the USA.

Further, in a major policy shift, Trump declared in Riyadh that he will end sanctions against Syria under Syria’s new president Ahmed al-Sharaa (whom Trump met in Saudi Arabia), who has been called by Israel a jihadist, leading a “terror group from Idlib that took Damascus by force”. Sharaa was for years the leader of al Qaeda’s official wing in the Syrian conflict. He first joined al Qaeda in Iraq, where he spent five years in a U.S. prison. The United States removed a $10 million bounty on Sharaa’s head in December. Trump encouraged al-Sharaa to join the Abraham Accords recognizing Israel and said al-Sharaa would do so once his country has stabilized.

Trump’s policy shift came about after pleas from MBS and Turkey’s PM Erdogan.

Later, Trump flew to Qatar where he signed an agreement with Qatar to generate an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion. Trump also announced economic deals totaling more than $243.5 billion between the United States and Qatar, including a historic sale of Boeing aircraft and GE Aerospace engines to Qatar Airways.  

Fox News Host Mark Levin, a strong supporter of Trump, was not happy with his tour of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Levin blasted Saudi Arabia for playing a “significant role in the 9/11 slaughter of our people.” He also condemned Qatar for having “protected the leader of the 9/11 attack from the FBI, before he was able to launch his war on America that killed our people.”

Canada and Europe on Defense

The Canadian Press wrote on May 9:

“As U.S. President Donald Trump continues to cast doubt on the future of the NATO military alliance, Canada is looking to partner with the European Union on defence… European companies already invest fairly heavily and extensively in Canada, including on defence…

“Separately, Germany and Norway have proposed partnering with Canada to procure new submarines…

“… the EU wants to use the clout it enjoys due to the size of its market to set military procurement standards that would make it easier for European armies to work together…”

Russia and China vs. USA

NBC News wrote on May 9:

“Russia marked the 80th anniversary of the World War II victory over Nazi Germany on Friday with a parade attended by Chinese President Xi Jinping, as the two countries vowed to strengthen ties and ‘firmly’ counter U.S. influence… thousands of Russian troops marched on Red Square, with military units from China and 12 other countries also taking part…

“In a lengthy joint statement, Xi and Putin said they would deepen military and other ties and ‘strengthen coordination and jointly respond firmly to the United States’ policy of ‘dual containment’ against both countries.’”

The Kings of the East alliance is getting stronger.

The U.S. Is Unloved

Politico wrote on May 12:

“The world is more divided than ever, but there’s still something (nearly) everyone agrees on: The U.S. is unloved. A majority of people surveyed had an overall negative perception of the U.S… America’s reputation took a particularly massive hit in EU countries…

“Meanwhile, China kept improving its global standing, overtaking the U.S. for the first time and recording mostly positive perceptions in all regions except Europe. Russia, the reputation of which tanked in the wake of President Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, is still (slightly) more unpopular than the U.S. — though its image is also improving…

“Israel emerged as the country with the worst global reputation… especially in the Middle East and South Asia. Israel is unpopular even in European countries that have historically been its allies, such as Germany, signaling growing discomfort with its government’s conduct in Gaza and the West Bank….”

A Peace Deal Between Russia and Ukraine?

Fox News wrote on May 11:

“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy agreed to meet face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin… Putin initially proposed the Thursday meeting this weekend, and President Donald Trump prompted Zelenskyy to accept the offer… Ukraine and Russia are currently under a ceasefire marking the anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe…

“‘President Putin of Russia doesn’t want to have a Cease Fire Agreement with Ukraine, but rather wants to meet on Thursday, in Turkey, to negotiate a possible end to the BLOODBATH,’ Trump wrote on social media. ‘Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY. At least they will be able to determine whether or not a deal is possible, and if it is not, European leaders, and the U.S., will know where everything stands, and can proceed accordingly! I’m starting to doubt that Ukraine will make a deal with Putin, who’s too busy celebrating the Victory of World War ll, which could not have been won (not even close!) without the United States of America. HAVE THE MEETING, NOW!!!’ He added.

“Putin has thus far offered few, if any, concessions but is now saying talks should address the root causes of the war. He said he would speak to Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan later on Sunday about facilitating the negotiations…

“Putin’s proposal for direct talks came hours after European leaders [from Germany, France, UK and Poland] demanded on Saturday in Kyiv that the Russian president agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire or face new sanctions. But Putin dismissed attempts by some European powers to issue what he described as ‘ultimatums.’…”

The New York Post wrote on May 15:

“Instead of turning up himself, Putin sent his aide Vladimir Medinsky — his former culture minister… Though Zelensky was ready to meet with Putin for direct talks, he will now send Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to represent Kyiv in the talks with Medinsky.”

The four European leaders communicated with President Trump over cell phone, saying that their proposal for a 30-day ceasefire was “backed by” Trump, and that Russia would face “massive” sanctions if Moscow does not comply. Merz also stated Germany would continue “supporting Ukraine militarily as much as we can”; that “the measures we take together to end this war and what joint decisions we make to secure a possible peace in Ukraine are not matters for public discussion”; and that “Under my leadership, the debate about weapons deliveries, caliber, weapons systems and so on will be kept out of the public eye.” Is he just talking about his leadership of Germany, or his leadership of Europe?

Deutsche Welle wrote on May 15:

“German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Wednesday pledged to turn the Bundeswehr into ‘the strongest conventional army in Europe.’… ‘Our goal is a Germany and a Europe that are so strong together that we never have to use our weapons,’ Merz said… The chancellor said he believed that ‘anyone who seriously believes that Russia would be satisfied with a victory over Ukraine or with the annexation of parts of the country is mistaken.’”

No Return to EU

The Telegraph wrote on May 9:

“The EU has missed its chance to draw Britain back into its close commercial and regulatory orbit… Each British trade deal with another country or bloc closes the window further on a return to the EU single market and customs union. The agreements with India and the US follow rapidly on Britain’s accession to the East Asia-Latin America trade pact (CPTPP). A deal with the Gulf states is coming soon. These are large parts of the world economy.

“The magnetic pull of the EU can no longer compete with this greater force. All of the accumulating deals would have to be repudiated if Britain were ever again subsumed into the EU’s trading machinery as a satellite – i.e. a de facto EU member without voting rights. To do so would have exorbitant geopolitical consequences and costs. It is safe to say that the Rejoiner dream entered its final agony this week.”

Britain is not to become part of the EU again. However, the nature of the “deal” between the USA and the UK is highly disputed.

Trade “Deal” With UK Bad for USA

The Huffington Post wrote on May 8:

“President Donald Trump boasted on Thursday of a new trade agreement that, on average, triples the taxes Americans will have to pay on British imports…

“According to a chart used by Trump, the new trade deal with the United Kingdom will bring in $6 billion in ‘external revenue’… to describe payments collected by U.S. Customs… The new 10% rate for nearly all goods, which was announced last month for countries all over the world, is three times higher than the 3.4% average rate Americans have paid for goods from Britain and Northern Ireland.

“… In reality, foreign nations pay none of those tariffs. American importers do, predominantly manufacturers buying raw materials and retailers. Both pass along the import taxes in the form of higher prices paid by consumers… If all the tariff rates announced by Trump on his so-called ‘Liberation Day’ on April 2 go into effect, it will cost American importers and consumers an extra $2.4 trillion in new taxes over a decade.”

At the same time, voices in Britain say that the “deal” is bad for the UK.

Starmer Destroys UK Business

Express wrote on May 10:

“This week Keir Starmer has not asked what he can do for Britain, but what Britain can do for America. His attempt at a trade deal has sold our country short of the comprehensive agreement which is what we need. It is a rushed response to Donald Trump’s tariffs that leaves almost every business with worse trading arrangements than we had in January – and far worse off than when he got the job.

“Starmer is parading around like the emperor with no clothes… whilst the world averts its eyes at this sight of our embarrassing leader and his cabinet who understand nothing about business… The right deal with the US could start to repair some of the damage he caused by trash talking the economy, hiking taxes to record highs and the devastating trade union red tape about to be unleashed on business. A comprehensive US trade deal covering all sectors and eliminating tariffs on both sides is the closest he will find to a silver bullet…

“And it shouldn’t have been too hard. He just needs to pick up where we left off when we negotiated with President Trump in his first term… His Trade Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said that any agreement that didn’t get rid of tariffs would be a failure. By his own mark – Starmer has failed. Most products made in Britain will continue to face the 10% baseline tariff imposed in April…

“As a patriot, I want Keir Starmer to succeed in securing the real deal with America, but this deal just is not it…  With a proper deal, every single part of the UK would benefit from better business access, more investment, better jobs and higher wages…”

India-Pakistan Ceasefire?

Daily Mail wrote on May 10:

“Donald Trump says India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire just hours after both sides boasted of fresh military strikes. The two nuclear-armed neighbours had also traded drone attacks and artillery fire after a gun massacre last month that India blames on Pakistan.

“In a post on social media platform Truth Social, the US President wrote: ‘After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire…’”

Hours after the announcement, both India and Pakistan accused each other of having broken the ceasefire. It appears now that the ceasefire seems to hold.

Germany’s Fight Against “Far-Right Extremists” Continues Under New Government

Deutsche Welle wrote on May 14:

“A spokeswoman for Germany’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office said the founder of the ‘Reich Citizens’ subgroup ‘Kingdom of Germany,’ Peter Fitzek, had been taken into custody on Thursday. Fitzek and three other suspected ringleaders of the group, part of a conspiracy theorist movement that rejects the legitimacy of the modern German republic, were arrested.

“Police on Tuesday conducted raids on the properties of key members of the group in seven German states, making four arrests. The swoop came after [new] Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt banned what is currently the largest group of so-called Reich Citizens. He accused the ‘Kingdom of Germany’ of trying to establish a ‘counter-state’ within Germany [and building] up criminal economic structures…

“According to Dobrindt, the ‘Kingdom of Germany’ group, which reportedly has around 6,000 members, is the biggest association within the Reichsbuerger scene… [S]ome members… refuse demands made by legal authorities, such as fines and taxes. They have also been known to print their own passports and driver’s licenses… The Tuesday raids took place in Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia.”

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

Arresting a Judge 

On May 1, the Ron Paul Institute published the following article by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano: 

“Last week the FBI arrested a Wisconsin state judge as she was walking into the courthouse where she works. The feds had alerted the media — but not the judge — to this event, and they arrived and recorded the arrest. The standard and preferred practice when arresting a nonviolent person who is a public official with deep roots in the community is to invite the person to surrender with counsel. Instead, without notice, this judge was stopped on a public street, handcuffed behind her back — a technique reserved for the most dangerous or threatening individuals — and within minutes, the FBI Director himself had posted still photos of this event on his X account. 

“The feds were unhappy at the manner in which a criminal defendant before this judge was permitted to leave her courtroom. By leaving through a nonpublic exit, instead of through the doors where the feds were awaiting him, his departure frustrated the feds who apparently expected the judge to accommodate them. The technical charge against the judge is obstructing the administration of justice. The true charge was failing to aid the feds… That frustration boiled over outside a Wisconsin courthouse last week when the feds did what was surely unthinkable to Justice Scalia… 

“Judge Hannah Dugan was presiding over an arraignment for a non-incarcerated defendant when her court officers told her that the feds were in the courthouse hallway seeking to arrest the defendant in her courtroom, and the feds were growing impatient. When she asked to see their arrest warrant, they had none. Instead of an arrest warrant issued by a judge, as the Fourth Amendment requires, they presented an administrative warrant in which one federal agent authorizes another to arrest a person in a public place. 

“Judge Dugan shares the view of your author that… administrative warrants are blatantly unconstitutional, and she would not recognize it. The purpose of the [14^th] amendment is to ensure that only judges order arrests. When her business with the defendant in her courtroom was completed, she asked him to leave through the exit used by jurors, which was not accessible to the feds. She did not inform the defendant that the feds were looking for him…  A week later, Judge Dugan was arrested for obstruction of justice… if a judge tells a defendant to leave her courtroom from door A and not door B, because behind B are folks with a phony warrant, she cannot be prosecuted.

“This is bigger than Judge Dugan. We are witnessing an unprecedented assault on the separation of powers and the concept of federalism by a White House impatient with the constitutional process and largely indifferent to the role and function of the judiciary… If the feds succeed in intimidating judges and bending them to the presidential will, our liberties will have no protection.”

Alarming developments indeed which are being suppressed, for the most part, in the right-wing media by Trump supporters. Some still claim that the USA could never become a dictatorship. They are clearly wrong.

Trump Blocked in His Fight Against Prestigious Law Firms

The Associated Press wrote on May 2: 

 “A federal judge on Friday blocked a White House executive order triggering an elite law firm, dealing a setback to President Donald Trump’s campaign of retribution against the legal profession. U.S. District [Judge] Beryl Howel said the executive order against the firm of Perkins Coie amounted to ‘unconstitutional retaliation’ as she ordered that it be immediately nullified and that the Trump administration halt any enforcement of it. 

“‘No American President,’ Howell wrote in her 102-page order, ‘has ever before issued executive orders like the one at issue in this lawsuit targeting a prominent law firm with adverse actions to be executed by all Executive branch agencies but, in purpose and effect, this action draws from a playbook as old as Shakespeare, who penned the phrase: “The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.”’ 

“The ruling was [the] most definitive rejection to date of Trump’s spate of similarly worded executive orders against some of the country’s most elite law firms… by targeting perceived adversaries in hopes of extracting concessions from them and bending them to his will. Several of the firms singled out for sanction have either done legal work that Trump has opposed, or currently have or previously had associations with prosecutors who at one point investigated the president…

“The other law firms that have challenged orders against them —WilmerHale, Jenner & Block and Susman Godfrey — have succeeded in at least temporarily blocking the orders. But other major firms have sought to avert orders by preemptively reaching settlements that require them, among other things, to dedicate tens of millions of dollars in free legal services in support of causes the Trump administration says it supports.” 

Something like this is indeed unheard of in a free society. To say that those judges are “rogue” and “Anti-Trump” and should therefore be disregarded misses the point completely. 

Revoking Harvard’s Tax Exempt Status?

CBS News wrote on May 2: 

“President Trump said Friday that his administration will be rescinding Harvard University’s tax-exempt status, further escalating the ongoing feud with the Ivy League school… Mr. Trump did not provide further details about the effort to strip Harvard of its designation as a 501(c)(3) organization… 

“Roughly 2 million organizations have received tax-exempt status from the Internal Revenue Service, including charities like churches, environmental groups and universities. The designation means the groups are exempt from paying federal income taxes and the IRS considers donations to 501(c)(3) organizations to be tax-deductible.   

“Harvard president Alan Garber expressed doubt about the legality of revoking the status. ‘If the government goes through with a plan to revoke our tax exempt status, it would…be highly illegal, unless there is some reasoning that we have not been exposed to that would justify this dramatic move,’ Garber told the Wall Street Journal. Tax-exempt status, he said, enables universities to carry out their missions of education and research… 

“The tax code prohibits executive branch officials from asking an IRS employee to conduct or terminate an audit or investigation into a specific taxpayer…” 

It will be interesting to see on what basis Harvard’s tax-exempt status is supposed to be rescinded.

Trump to End Funding for NPR and PBS 

CNN wrote on May 2: 

“President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to end federal funding for America’s two biggest public broadcasters, which have faced a series of attacks from the White House and Republican lawmakers accusing them of biased reporting. The order instructs the CPB’s board to terminate direct funding for National Public Radio (NPR) and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) to the ‘maximum extent allowed by law and shall decline to provide future funding.’ It also orders the board to take steps to ‘minimize or eliminate’ indirect funding to NPR and PBS. 

“The corporation, however, is a private entity that is supposed to be protected from government interference, including executive orders from the president. The corporation is currently suing Trump because the White House tried to terminate three of its board members earlier this week. ‘CPB is not a federal executive agency subject to the President’s authority,’ the corporation’s CEO, Patricia Harrison, said in a statement. ‘Congress directly authorized and funded CPB to be a private nonprofit corporation wholly independent of the federal government.’ ‘The President’s blatantly unlawful Executive Order, issued in the middle of the night, threatens our ability to serve the American public with educational programming, as we have for the past 50-plus years,’ PBS CEO Paula Kerger said in a statement Friday morning… NPR joined PBS in suggesting it will consider legal action against the administration… 

“When Congress established the corporation in 1967, it specifically tried to insulate public media from political pressure. The law said the corporation is a private entity, not a federal agency, ‘to afford maximum protection from extraneous interference and control,’ and expressly forbids the government from exercising ‘any direction, supervision, or control over educational television or radio broadcasting.’ But Congress could choose to stop funding the corporation…” 

This case needs to be watched further as well. 

Free Speech Under Trump? 

American attorney and author Jacob G. Hornberger wrote the following article for the “Future of Freedom Foundation,” which was reprinted on May 3 by the Ron Paul Institute: 

“After riding a wave of criticism of Democrats for suppressing freedom of speech, President Trump has just put the quietus on Amazon, which had the audacity to contemplate including the price of Trump’s tariffs in its shopping carts. Upon hearing of Amazon’s plan, Trump went ballistic, calling Amazon’s plan a ‘hostile and political act.’ According to an article in Aljazeera, Trump telephoned Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to express his displeasure… Amazon quickly capitulated, announcing that it would not share the tariff information with its buyers… 

“What was wrong with what Amazon was contemplating? Nothing. Nothing at all. Amazon was simply going to inform Amazon buyers of the truth about what Trump’s tariffs were costing them. If that isn’t an exercise of freedom of speech, I don’t know what is.

“But Trump obviously does not want American buyers of goods and services to see how much money his tariffs are costing them… Convinced that Amazon’s plan to disclose the truth about the cost of his tariffs to American consumers was a ‘hostile’ act, Trump… immediately went on the attack… In the process, by striking a harsh and effective blow against the fundamental… right of freedom of speech, Trump was guilty of what he criticized Democrats for doing.” 

This is clearly an attack on free speech in an attempt to hide the truth of the negative effects of Trump’s tariffs from the American taxpayers. Warren Buffett said it’s “a big mistake to slap punitive tariffs on the rest of the world,” adding that trade and tariffs “can be an act of war.” Trump said it’s OK if tariffs lead to a short-term recession. Prices in US stores for necessities and other items are already skyrocketing. 

Amazon Buckled 

Newsmax wrote on May 5: 

“Trump last week contacted Amazon’s Jeff Bezos about a report that the retail giant was planning to list the impact of 145% tariffs on China as it pertained to certain purchases. Trump said Bezos and Amazon acquiesced… Further, Trump asserted that tariffs are not supposed to be passed on to consumers in the first place. ‘What people don’t understand is, and this is a lot, the country eats the tariff. The company eats the tariff. And it’s not passed along at all,’ Trump said. 

“However, some American retailers are warning to buy now with the possibility of rising prices in the future due to tariffs. Lingerie store Bare Necessities offered a ‘pre-tariff sale,’ adding, ‘save up to 30% before prices shift,’ CNBC reported.

“Luggage company Beis warned in a letter to consumers that the ‘tariff situation is a complete dumpster fire, and we’re all getting burned. Here’s the situation: Costs are up, and unfortunately, our prices will have to follow suit,’ according to the report.” 

Of course they will. Clearly, consumers will have to pay higher prices because of the tariffs. 

Fox News reported on May 5: 

“President Donald Trump defended his tariff policy in an interview with NBC News on Sunday, saying that he would reach out to CEOs like Jeff Bezos if he has disagreements over their response to tariffs or other issues.” 

Amazon denied that they had contemplated listing import charges on certain products. This is not believable as Trump himself said that he called Bezos who “took it off immediately.” 

100 Percent Tariffs for Foreign Films?

The Mirror US wrote on May 5: 

“Already reeling from the devastation of recent wildfires, Hollywood is now facing a fresh threat from Donald Trump – a 100 per cent tariff on films made outside the States. The move will come as a major blow to the UK movie industry, which was expected to help rescue American filmmakers following the deadly infernos… 

“Trump announced the proposed levy on his Truth Social platform, declaring foreign-made movies a ‘National Security threat’ and accusing other countries of using taxpayer-funded incentives to lure away American film productions. ‘WE WANT MOVIES MADE IN AMERICA, AGAIN!’ Trump wrote. ‘It is, in addition to everything else, messaging and propaganda!’ 

“…insiders say the move could be catastrophic… ‘We’ve lost soundstages, sets, and entire production schedules to the wildfires. And now we’re being told if we shoot overseas to stay on budget, we’ll be punished? It’s madness.’ 

“The policy, which lacked any detail, will authorise the US Department of Commerce and the US Trade Representative to begin imposing the punitive tariffs, in what Trump called an effort to revive a domestic film industry that he claims is ‘dying a very fast death.’ The US film production has already declined sharply… By contrast, countries like the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have seen production spending surge… Trump blamed this shift on a ‘concerted effort’ by foreign governments to undermine Hollywood, while offering no evidence. 

“His administration has yet to clarify whether the proposed tariffs would apply to US companies filming abroad, foreign films distributed in the States, or content produced for streaming platforms like Netflix… Complicating matters further, several upcoming blockbusters by American studios… were all filmed overseas and could be caught in the policy crossfire.’

“Trump’s pledge to revive the domestic film industry rings hollow for many in Hollywood, especially given the damage his broader economic policies have already inflicted… Ahead of his inauguration, Trump had appointed actors Jon Voight, Mel Gibson, and Sylvester Stallone as ‘Special Envoys’ tasked with revitalising Hollywood. But insiders say those appointments have amounted to little more than symbolic gestures as the industry faces tangible threats. ‘The wildfires are destroying our homes, and now the president wants to set the rest of our economy on fire,’ said a union rep for film workers in Burbank. ‘It’s hard to imagine a worse time to attack your own industry.’”

Trump’s fascination with ill-conceived and harmful tariffs is really shocking. 

Overriding the US Constitution? 

NBC News wrote on May 4: 

“President Donald Trump argued in an interview with NBC News’ ‘Meet the Press’ that fulfilling his ambitious campaign promise to rapidly carry out mass deportations may take precedence over giving immigrants the right to due process under the Constitution, as required by courts…. ‘I don’t know. I’m not, I’m not a lawyer. I don’t know,’ Trump [said.]… The Constitution’s Fifth Amendment says ‘no person’ shall be ‘deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law’; it does not say that person must be a U.S. citizen… 

“Trump suggested that such a process would slow him down too much. ‘I don’t know… we’d have to have a million or 2 million or 3 million trials,’ he said… ‘I was elected to get them the hell out of here, and the courts are holding me from doing it,’ he added.” 

Trump does not know whether he needs to uphold the constitution? Also, he just announced that he might want to reopen the notorious prison Alcatraz in California. 

Trump as Pope 

The New York Post wrote on May 3: 

“An AI-generated picture of President Trump dressed as the pope is breaking the internet — with some suggesting it’s ‘kind of beautiful,’ while others are bashing it as  ‘sacrilegious.’ The Trumped-up papal image was jokingly shared on the White House’s X account Friday and the president’s Truth Social has since topped tens of millions of views. The image shows Trump holding up his index finger as if about to preach ex cathedra — clad in the traditional bright white Catholic vestments with gold lining… [Trump as] a non-denominational Christian is ineligible to be pope unless he converts to Catholicism…

“But the New York State Catholic Conference and other members of the faith tore into the White House for the ‘offense and sacrilegious’ meme. ‘There is nothing clever or funny about this image, Mr. President,’ the Empire State Catholic Bishops blasted the president… ‘Do not mock us.’ ‘Mr. President…—please cease this offensive and sacrilegious behavior,’ pleaded former Vice President Mike Pence’s speechwriter Joshua Charles. 

“Eric Sammons, a Catholic and the editor-in-chief of Crisis magazine said he wasn’t offended. ‘It’s typical Trump humor, and I’ve learned not to take that too seriously,’ said Sammons. ‘I’m much more worried about how actual occupants of the Chair of St. Peter might demean the office.’… Vance, who is Catholic, defended the meme.  ‘As a general rule, I’m fine with people telling jokes and not fine with people starting stupid wars that kill thousands of my countrymen,’ he wrote on X.”

This did not go well. Note the next articles. 

Trump Playing God? 

Bild Online published the following scathing commentary by Franz Josef Wagner on May 4: 

“Dear Donald Trump, What devil possessed you to publish an AI-generated photo of yourself as Pope?… The most powerful man in the Western world considers himself infallible… He has enough followers in the Oval Office who admire him. When he signs hundreds of decrees with his grotesque signature, he feels omnipotent. He’s playing God. 

“The photo with the Pope’s miter on his head isn’t a photo to laugh at; it’s a photo to be frightened. A man in love with himself, surrounded by admirers. American bishops are now demanding that Trump apologize. A god like Trump will never apologize. We can only pray. Our Father, deliver us from Trump.” 

This reflects more and more German sentiments towards Trump and his government. 

Trump’s Closest Ally Turns on Him 

The Daily Mail wrote on May 2: 

“Firebrand Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene has issued a surprising statement critical of President Donald Trump. The Georgia congresswoman is known for her loyal support of the two-time president and her devout defense of his MAGA policy platform… On Friday, she issued a scathing statement putting distance in between her and the commander-in-chief… ‘I campaigned for no more foreign wars,’ Greene wrote. ‘And now we are supposedly on the verge of going to war with Iran.’… ‘Didn’t we learn our lesson when we went to war in Iraq and killed Saddam Hussein because of ‘weapons of mass destruction?’ Did we ever find any?’ Greene said.

“The Georgian also stressed her distaste for the White House’s recently announced rare Earth minerals deal with Ukraine, noting how the embattled nation has not committed to pay back the U.S. for the billions in aid and arms that have been provided to the Eastern European country. ‘Why on earth would we go over and occupy Ukraine and spend an untold amount of future American taxpayer dollars defending and mining their minerals as well as potentially putting American lives at risk and future war?’ Greene asked. ‘Why don’t we just mine our own rare earth minerals that are tied up on federal lands that the government confiscated years ago?’ she continued.  

“The Trump ally also expressed her displeasure that the COVID-19 vaccines still have FDA approval though the treatment ‘does not stop people from catching COVID.’ Greene also shared that she does not think the White House is doing enough to combat ‘the evil transgender assault against our children.’… The congresswoman also aired her concerns with the pace of election integrity reforms and the ‘rogue judicial system.’” 

Greene won’t remain the only close Trump ally who will be turning against him. Note the next articles. 

Karl Rove Attacks Trump 

The Daily Beast wrote on May 5: 

“In an unvarnished interview on Fox News, [Republican strategist and former White House aide Karl] Rove attacked the president… ‘We elected him for a variety of reasons that were important: inflation, the border, DEI, the military, respect for America,’ Rove said Sunday during an interview with Fox News. ‘[But] things like tweeting out a picture of you as the pope is deeply offensive to a great many people.’… 

“Rove also criticized Trump’s handling of the case of Garcia, the Maryland dad who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT mega-prison. Despite admitting the error, the Trump administration has refused to bring Abrego Garcia home and has claimed he’s a member of the criminal gang MS-13 without providing any evidence in court… Rove warned that the Abrego Garcia case had dragged on for weeks and was eating away at the president’s approval rating on immigration, even as Trump gets strong marks for border security…  ‘That shows discernment of the American people,’ he said. ‘Bring him back and do it the right way, and the American people will give you better credit.’… 

“Rove… warned Trump was ‘in very bad shape’ on the economy… ‘It’s inflation—the president is saying gas is $1.90. I just filled up my tank. It ain’t $1.90,’ he said… [In California, the very low end is above 4 dollars a gallon.] 

“He also blasted the president for his ‘offhand remarks’ on tariffs… in saying the comments sounded like they came straight from the mouth of the cold-hearted miser Ebenezer Scrooge from A Christmas Carol… ‘The ordinary American is like, ‘Wait a minute, I thought you were on my side. I didn’t think you were on the side of saying I need to do with less. You’ve got plenty of money, [but] I’ve got to make mine stretch as far as I can?’” 

Of course, Trump’s response came immediately. Note the next article.

Trump Attacks Conservative Critics 

Newsmax wrote on May 5: 

“President Donald Trump denounced two Fox News commentators… ‘I don’t need to have Karl Rove of FoxNews to tell me what to do. The guy’s a total Loser who’s been wrong about almost everything!” Trump wrote…  Trump also used Truth Social to criticize [FoxNews] host Howard Kurtz… ‘It is time for Howie Kurtz to retire!… The case Howie makes for me is so pathetic that it would be a lot better if he didn’t say anything…’ 

“The Wall Street Journal, which, like Fox News, is part of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire, also was a target of Trump… When a Journal reporter began asking the president a question, Trump asked him whom he was with. ‘Boy, you people treat us so bad. The Wall Street Journal has truly gone to hell. Go ahead, you’re a rotten newspaper,’ Trump said. ‘You hear me what I said? It’s a rotten newspaper.’ After the reporter asked his question concerning peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin over the war in Ukraine, Trump said, ‘I wouldn’t tell The Wall Street Journal because I’d be wasting my time.’” 

The Wall Street Journal is one of the most respected and established conservative newspapers in the Nation. 

Marco Rubio and JD Vance Blast Germany 

Newsweek wrote on May 2: 

“US. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tore into Germany on Friday after its domestic intelligence service designated the far-right Alternative for Germany party (AfD) as an extreme group.   Germany’s decision to label AfD as a ‘proven right-wing extremist endeavor’ makes it easier for the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), Germany’s spy agency, to conduct some types of surveillance of the group… 

“The AfD denies that it is an extremist party and has said its platform, which calls for mass deportations, criticizes Islam, and emphasizes nationalism and traditional Christian values, reflects the views of the German electorate… 

“‘Germany just gave its spy agency new powers to surveil the opposition. That’s not democracy—it’s tyranny in disguise,’ Rubio wrote on X… ‘What is truly extremist is not the popular AfD—which took second in the recent election—but rather the establishment’s deadly open border immigration policies that the AfD opposes,’ he wrote. ‘Germany should reverse course.’… 

“The AfD… has been backed by several Trump administration officials, including Vice President JD Vance and billionaire CEO Elon Musk…” 

Politico added on May 2: 

“… this is the first time in modern German history that a party with nationwide representation on the federal level has been classified as extremist… President Donald Trump and his inner circle have been largely supportive of the AfD. Its co-leader, Alice Weidel, was… invited to attend Trump’s inauguration.” 

The Hill wrote on May 2: 

“Vance, who met with AfD’s leader Alice Weidel in February ahead of the country’s elections, said the entity is the ‘most popular party in Germany, and by far the most representative of East Germany. Now the bureaucrats try to destroy it.’ 

“‘The West tore down the Berlin Wall together. And it has been rebuilt—not by the Soviets or the Russians, but by the German establishment,’ the vice president wrote Friday on X.” 

Rubio and Vance are not wrong with their remarks. But considering the present state of affairs in the USA, they are not well received in Germany. 

Is Rubio on an Anti-German Course? 

Die Welt wrote on May 4: 

“Not only is the US already an unpredictable and therefore difficult partner, the obsession with Germany in the Trump camp is growing and has now also engulfed Rubio, someone who was actually considered a traditional foreign policy expert…

“He skillfully portrayed himself as an iron defender of Trump’s policies with targeted TV appearances. He even threw his own principles overboard. Previously known as a Russia hawk, he refrained from criticizing the president when he humiliated his Ukrainian guest, Volodymyr Zelensky, in the Oval Office and unilaterally increased pressure on Kyiv. Instead, he jumped into the breach for Trump. 

“Rubio also defended his tightened migration policy. As a senator, he spoke out in favor of protecting refugees from the Maduro regime in Venezuela. These days, he wants nothing to do with that. This has elevated him to Trump’s inner circle. 

“This context gives his attack on Germany increased weight. Now, he’s following Vance and Musk’s course and forming a united front against Berlin in the White House. Merz and Wadephul’s first trips to the US are thus facing difficult prospects.”

It will be interesting to see whether Merz will really stand up to Trump, as he said he would . 

Germany Upholding Democracy? 

BBC wrote on May 2: 

“Germany’s Foreign Office has defended a decision to classify the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party as right-wing extremist, after sharp criticism from the White House… In an unusual move, the foreign office directly replied to Rubio on X, writing: ‘We have learnt from our history that right-wing extremism needs to be stopped.’ The intelligence agency that made the classification found AfD’s ‘prevailing understanding of people based on ethnicity and descent’ goes against Germany’s ‘free democratic order’… The agency, Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz (BfV), had already classed the AfD as right-wing extremist in three eastern states where its popularity is highest. Now, that designation has been extended to the entire party. 

“The AfD ‘aims to exclude certain population groups from equal participation in society’, it said in a statement. The agency said specifically that the party did not consider citizens ‘from predominantly Muslim countries’ as equal members of the German people.

“Joint party leaders Alice Weidel and Tino Chrupalla said the decision was ‘clearly politically motivated’ and a ‘severe blow to German democracy’. Beatrix von Storch, the party’s deputy parliamentary leader, told the BBC’s Newshour programme that the designation was ‘the way an authoritarian state, a dictatorship, would treat their parties’. 

“The new classification gives authorities greater powers to monitor the AfD using tactics like phone interception and undercover agents…” 

Germany’s “explanation” is unconvincing. Note the following articles. 

Merz Under Pressure 

The Guardian wrote on May 2: 

“… the move puts the incoming conservative-led government of Friedrich Merz under great pressure, as well as [Federal Minister of the Inferior and Community Nancy] Faeser’s Social Democrat colleagues, who will be the junior partners in the new coalition that gets to work next Tuesday. [Faeser will be out by then.]

“On the back of the decision, Merz will now be responsible – on top of the myriad other challenges in his in-tray – for deciding whether and how to ban the AfD, a decision that will involve the most precarious of political tightrope walks.

“Migration, Ukraine, Trump and an ailing economy are among the burgeoning issues that he will also have to tackle with urgency. The growing mood of dissatisfaction over these and other issues, exacerbated by the six months of political deadlock that followed the premature collapse of the previous government – which induced an added layer of nationwide ennui – has already caused the AfD to creep up in the polls… The ruling by the BfV is unlikely to put people off supporting the AfD.

“Finding a way to reduce the AfD has been at top of the agenda among all of the political parties since it emerged as a protest force of professors and academics in 2013… The challenge has only grown in importance, as the populists – morphing from anti-euro to anti-migrant over time – have grown their success at the ballot box…

“Merz’s party, the Christian Democratic Union, has been torn over how to deal with the AfD. Merz tacitly cooperated with the party earlier this year – despite insisting he would not – to push migration policies through parliament. And on the local level, his party and the AfD have cooperated on issues such as a ruling that the German flag should be hoisted in schools. 

“Jens Spahn, Merz’s close ally, recently prompted scorn by suggesting the AfD should be treated as a ‘normal opposition party’, arguing that excluding the party from parliamentary procedures only boosted its popularity…” 

The Fight Against the AfD

Breitbart wrote on May 5:

“Germany’s right-wing… Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has launched a lawsuit against the nation’s political police… The deadline for Germany’s political police force… to retract a decision to classify the Alternative for Germany (AfD) as ‘confirmed right-wing extremist’ or else face legal action passed on Monday morning. The AfD… said the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) declined to respond to their legal letter and so they were launching a lawsuit to challenge the decision in court. 

“The AfD had called the BfV classification ‘manifestly unlawful’ and said they’d filed for proceedings and for an urgent motion at the Cologne administrative court, the city where the BfV is based…  Crucially, the BfV classification means it can spy on the party, its politicians, and its members without restriction. Further, with this step, the discussion has progressed to banning Germany’s second most popular elected party altogether, all in the name of protecting democracy. Views are split on this, however…

“This timing, it is alleged, is not a matter of coincidence, with a claim aired by Germany’s Bild newspaper today that the old left-wing government rushed through the order to classify the AfD as extremist as one of their final acts before losing power. The new Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt, who is being sworn in on Tuesday, believed, per that report, the BfV decision wasn’t even properly reviewed before being promulgated, and that once he is in office this week, he intends to have it reviewed…

“While the AfD may not hope for much from Dobrindt’s review of the document by Interior Ministry experts, he at least… has said the bar for banning a party in Germany is high, and the AfD does not meet the standard because ‘[an] aggressive and militant nature’ is not present as a defining characteristic of the party, reports Die Welt. He said using lawfare to persecute the party would likely be counterproductive…

“Refuting this view, among others, is German politician Michel Friedman, who took to Die Welt on Monday to accuse anyone who still votes for AfD of making themselves an ‘accomplice’ who ‘must be held accountable’ for supporting ‘an anti-democratic party’.” 

Julien Michel Friedman is a controversial German author, former CDU politician and talk show host. From 2000 to 2003 Friedman was vice president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, and president of the European Jewish Congress from 2001 to 2003. From 1998 to 2003 he had his own show on German television.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban posted this on X on May 3: “What the hell is going on in Germany? You can count on us… Alice Weidel!” 

Attack on Freedom of Expression

Julian Reichert [former Bild Editor-in-Chief] wrote in Nius on May 5: 

“Nothing publicly known about AfD statements even remotely borders on (violent) anti-constitutionalism; much of it is frustrated colloquial German, as expressed by millions of people. Everything publicly known is clearly protected by freedom of expression. The real scandal here is that an intelligence agency is collecting countless statements and compiling them into a secret dossier that clearly fall under the fundamental right to freedom of expression… 

“What we are experiencing is the greatest attack on freedom of expression ever undertaken by a federal government. Anyone who participates in this would themselves be a case for the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution in a functioning system… You can strongly reject the choice of words (or not), but if this is supposed to be a case for the intelligence agency, we will soon have informants at the bars of this country again. What’s happening right now is a national crisis, a serious civil rights crisis. The state wants to end freedom of expression as it has existed for 75 years.”

Presently On Hold

Deutsche Welle wrote on May 8:

“The German domestic intelligence agency BfV has said it will not publicly refer to the AfD as a ‘confirmed right-wing extremist movement’ until a Cologne court rules on a bid by the AfD for an injunction against using the term. ‘The measures associated with the classification will also be suspended, ‘Reuters reported…

“The decision made by the BfV means it can avoid a potential court ruling prohibiting it from using the extremist label while the AfD’s injunction bid is litigated. This is likely to avoid giving the AfD politicians the opportunity to say they had forced the agency to retract its classification had such a ruling come from the court.

“The injunction is separate from the AfD’s appeal against the BfV’s decision, which will likely take a lot longer.”

Merz Elected Chancellor in Second Round of Voting

Deutsche Welle wrote on May 6: 

“German conservative leader Friedrich Merz has been elected chancellor in a second round of voting after a dramatic day in Germany’s lower house of parliament, the Bundestag. A total of 325 lawmakers voted in favor of Merz this time around, bringing him over the necessary 316 threshold. 

“Earlier, the 69-year-old became the first presumptive chancellor to fail in the first round of voting, a unique event in Germany. With 310 yes votes, he was six votes short of a chancellor majority. He becomes Germany’s tenth postwar chancellor and the Christian Democrats’ sixth holder of the post.” 

Merz Criticizes USA 

Focus wrote on May 7:

“Merz criticized the voices within the US government that supported the AfD in the federal election campaign and recently criticized the party’s classification as right-wing extremist by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. These were ‘absurd observations about the Federal Republic of Germany,’ Merz said. 

“‘I did not interfere in the American election campaign and take sides unilaterally for one side or the other.’ He therefore encouraged the American government to let domestic politics in Germany be domestic politics.” 

No Peace in Sight 

The Sun wrote on May 2 

“THE US has announced it will no longer act as the mediator to negotiate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine after Vladimir Putin refused to accept a full ceasefire. The State Department said the country is changing ‘the methodology of how we contribute’ to the talks and will no longer ‘fly around the world at the drop of a hat’ for meetings. 

“The shift comes just hours after Trump’s deputy JD Vance said the war in Ukraine is unlikely to end ‘any time soon’. He added: ‘It is going to be up to the Russians and Ukrainians now that each side knows what the other’s terms for peace are. It’s going to be up to them to come to an agreement and stop this brutal, brutal conflict.’… 

“The shift comes just two days after the US and Ukraine signed a historic minerals deal… The US also drafted a seven-point plan, which it hoped would draw a path to peace between Ukraine and Russia. However, the plan was rejected by Zelensky as it involved the US formally recognising Russian sovereignty over Crimea. Trump is said to be growing ‘increasingly frustrated’ with both Putin and Zelensky in his attempts to bring the Ukraine war to a close… Moscow dashed hopes of a peace deal by repeating demands that Ukraine must surrender and disarm…” 

Europe Rejects Trump Proposal 

Breitbart wrote on May 2: 

“The European Union’s high representative for foreign and security policy Kaja Kallas — almost the bloc’s Foreign Minister, except the budding super-state hasn’t quite got one yet — says the Union will never accept Russian occupation of any Ukrainian land, nor any loosening of sanctions on Russia… 

“The paper [Financial Times] paraphrased that she had said: ‘no EU country would accept recognition of Crimea as Russian, an element of the US proposal that is a major red line for Kyiv’, and directly quoting: ‘I can’t see that we are accepting these kind of things… we have said this over and over again… Crimea is Ukraine. 

Russia Blasts USA 

The New York Post wrote on May 1: 

“The Kremlin on Thursday blasted President Trump’s historic mineral rights deal with Ukraine… sarcastically praising the US leader for making a deal with a nation that will soon ‘disappear.’ ‘Trump has finally pressured the Kyiv regime to pay for US aid with mineral resources,’ Russian Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev [considered Russian President Vladimir Putin’s right-hand man] said on Telegram. ‘Now, the country that is about to disappear will have to use its national wealth to pay for military supplies.’

“Unlike military aid packages under the Biden administration, Ukraine would pay the United States for these weapons — benefiting both Kyiv’s defense and the US defense industry without the use of American taxpayer dollars. The deal holds that Washington and Kyiv will split all profits from licenses for new oil, gas and minerals mining in Ukraine in a mutual fund. While Kyiv will  contribute to the fund largely through mineral profits, the US has the option to contribute to the fund by letting Ukraine purchase weapons. Still, there are no requirements that the US must allow Ukraine to purchase weapons as part of the arrangement.” 

The Mineral Deal 

Deutsche Welle wrote on May 1: 

“Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Yulia Svyrydenko has said Ukraine would retain full ownership of all its mineral resources in the agreement with the United States… Svyrydenko… said the fund would be jointly managed by both countries, with Svyrydenko writing on X:  ‘It is the Ukrainian state that determines what and where to extract.’ 

“Meanwhile, Trump said on Wednesday evening on NewsNation that the deal, ‘in theory,’ means the US will get more from Ukraine than it contributed. ‘I wanted to be protected,’ he said, adding that he didn’t want to look ‘foolish; by not getting money back for US aid to Ukraine… 

“The Ukrainian parliament will still have to ratify the agreement before it can come into force.” 

Just a Matter of Time 

ntv wrote on May 4: 

“Despite his war of aggression against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin believes in reconciliation with his neighbors. ‘It seems to me that this is inevitable, despite the tragedy we are currently experiencing,’ said the Kremlin chief… on the 25th anniversary of his first presidency. ‘It’s a matter of time,’ Putin said… He [had] called the Ukrainians themselves part of the Russian people.” 

Some have questioned whether Putin wants to indeed restore the Soviet Union’s former “glory” by restoring Russia as an imperial power. Putin said on several occasions, at least as early as 2005 in his annual state of the nation address, that the collapse of the Soviet empire “was the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century”. He added: “As for the Russian people, it became a genuine tragedy. Tens of millions of our fellow citizens and countrymen found themselves beyond the fringes of Russian territory.” 

They should also remember Putin’s speech in June of 2022 in which he compared himself with Peter the Great. He said: 

“Peter the Great waged the Great Northern War for 21 years… On the face of it, he was at war with Sweden taking something away from it… He was not taking away anything, he was returning. This is how it was… When he founded the new capital, none of the European countries recognized this territory as part of Russia; everyone recognized it as part of Sweden… However, from time immemorial, the Slavs lived there along with the Finno-Ugric peoples, and this territory was under Russia’s control. The same is true of the western direction, Narva and his first campaigns. Why would he go there? He was returning and reinforcing, that is what he was doing… Clearly, it fell to our lot to return and reinforce as well…” 

US to Stop Bombing Houthis 

Politico wrote on May 6:

“The United States will stop strikes against Yemen’s Houthi group, President Donald Trump announced Tuesday, after a nearly-two-month bombing campaign. Trump… said the halt would start immediately. The Houthis approached the administration on Monday night indicating ‘they want to stop the fighting,’ he said. The military has struck at least 800 targets in Yemen and killed hundreds of Houthis since March, according to U.S. Central Command. 

“Trump framed the move as a handshake agreement to end the Pentagon’s bombing campaign in exchange for the Houthis no longer attacking American ships. It’s not a deal,’ he said. ‘They said, “Please don’t bomb us anymore and we’re not going to attack your ships.’”… But the arrangement is unlikely to calm tensions in the region if it’s limited to protecting American ships. Israel escalated strikes against the Houthis on Monday night…” 

The Houthis said that they would continue their fight in support of Gaza. The Jerusalem Post reported that Netanyahu was not informed about Trump’s announcement ahead of time. 

India at War With Pakistan 

The U.S. Sun wrote on May 7: 

“NUCLEAR war could break out “at any time” if India continues strikes, Pakistan’s defence chief has warned as his country teeters on the brink of a conflict with India. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif gave the stark warning in an interview with Pakistani TV channel Geo News as tensions between the two nuclear powers continue to reach boiling point… 

“Pakistan’s Prime Minister earlier blamed India for igniting an “inferno” in the region after bombing his country overnight and has now authorised his troops to fire missiles back…” 

First Canada, Now Australia 

The Wall Street Journal wrote on May 3: 

“Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was returned to power in an election Saturday, the latest left leaning leader to achieve a comeback victory as President Trump roils global markets and upends international affairs… The election is the latest snapshot of how voters are reacting to a shifting world order as President Trump targets countries with tariffs, pivots towards Russia and uses harsh rhetoric about Washington’s traditional allies. Polls show voters in Australia, Canada, and the U.K. view Washington more unfavorably since Trump took office. 

“Earlier this week, Canadians gave the left-leaning Liberal Party a fourth term in office, even though the party was trailing badly in the polls at the start of the year. Canadians embraced the tough-talking approach of Prime Minister Mark Carney, a former central banker, while shying away from the conservative candidate, Pierre Poilievre, who was viewed as being too similar to Trump.  

“A similar dynamic has played out in Australia… Dutton, a former police officer and defense minister, seesawed between embracing policies with a Trump-like flair and distancing himself from Trump-style rhetoric. He backtracked or clarified proposals to end working from home and slash the government workforce, two initiatives that have been supported by Trump in the U.S…. He also unveiled plans to further boost Australia’s military spending, aligning himself with Trump’s demand that U.S. allies to spend more on their militaries. But the strategy seemed to backfire in a country where Trump is very unpopular. Dutton lost his seat to the Labor candidate… 

“Albanese, though, had to be careful not to position himself as too anti-Trump given that the U.S. is Australia’s main military partner. He will now have to navigate thorny issues including trade talks… He also faces a delicate balancing act with China, which is Australia’s biggest trading partner but has been boosting its military…” 

“The Demons of the Holy See” 

AFP wrote on May 2: 

“Sexual predators, crooked financiers, spies and a spattering of murderers: while the Vatican may appear an earthly garden watched over by its beloved saints, it also has its demons… Today, clerical sexual abuse against minors and nuns is hands down the most serious crime facing the Catholic Church… 

“Ambition and money — even murder — are woven through the Vatican’s dark history. Since its origins 2,000 years ago, the Church of Rome has experienced ‘some truly scandalous periods in terms of morality’, a senior prelate told AFP… They are so numerous that only a few of the most emblematic need be mentioned. 

“In the 10th century Pope John XII is said to have turned the Lateran Palace in Rome into a harem. Five centuries later, the Borgia pope, Alexander VI, organised an orgy for his daughter’s wedding… 

“Fast forward a few centuries later, and money was again at the root of a major scandal over the Banco Ambrosiano-majority owned by the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), or the Vatican bank. It collapsed in 1982 amid accusations of money-laundering mafia money while its director, Roberto Calvi, was found hanging that same year from London’s Blackfriars Bridge. A commander of the Swiss Guards, Alois Estermann, also met with an unfortunate fate. In 1998, he and his wife were shot dead in their Vatican flat by one of his men, who then committed suicide…. 

“Whatever their nature, whatever their era, the depravities of past popes and their Curia collided with the ‘demanding’ moral teachings of the Church — with the result of ‘displacing’ some of them… Those consequences are sometimes drastic. Reformer Martin Luther, whose denounced the Church as ‘Babylon’ with its sale of indulgences, initiated the schism with Rome that began the Protestant Reformation.” 

Francis’ Final Miracle? 

The Daily Mail added on May 3: 

“Trump has posted an AI picture of himself as the Pope… The Republican, who is not Catholic, took to Truth Social to post the image, which shows him wearing a white papal hat, also referred to as a miter, while a large crucifix dangles from his neck. Trump had previously joked with reporters how he wouldn’t be against succeeding the late Catholic leader, adding: ‘I’d like to be Pope. That would be my number one choice.’ … Trump’s post has been met with outrage online with many branding the move as ‘a great disrespect’, urging the US President to remove the post immediately. … 

“During the Pontiff’s funeral, Zelensky and Trump spoke face to face for the first time since their disastrous White House clash earlier this year… The outcome was dubbed Pope Francis’ ‘final miracle’…  ‘It was also moving to see what they are now calling ‘Pope Francis’s miracle’ with Trump and Zelensky meeting, there’s so many things that happened today – it was just overwhelming,’ Professor Father Francesco Giordano told Sky News…   

“It comes as the cardinals of the Catholic Church held their ninth in a series of near-daily meetings at the Vatican ahead of the election of a new pope today. The closed-door ‘general congregations’ allow them to discuss the challenges the new pontiff will face before they are locked into the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday for the vote. Walking through crowds of pilgrims and journalists for the morning meeting, the so-called ‘Princes of the Church‘ gave little away – not even speculating how long the conclave would last… 

“On Wednesday, 133 of them will enter the Sistine Chapel and not leave until they have – after a series of secret ballots – given a two-thirds majority to Francis’ successor.”

Of course, this has nothing to do with a “miracle” caused by the dead pope. 

The New American Pope

Focus wrote on May 8:

“The American Robert Prevost has been elected [in the fourth round of voting] as the new Pope… He will be called Pope Leo XIV.”

Prevost is also a Peruvian citizen and lived for years in Peru, first as a missionary and then as an archbishop. He is the first American pope. He is described as a progressive on many social issues, but conservative on church doctrine; he opposes ordaining women as deacons, for example. Overall, many view him as a centrist.

JK Rowling Speaks Out… Again! 

Daily Mail wrote on May 4:

“[Harry Potter author] JK Rowling has posted an essay about signatories ‘motivated by fear’ after Harry Potter stars signed a pro-trans open letter [with over 2000 signatures, disagreeing with the UK Supreme Court’s ruling that under the Equality Act, ‘woman’ is defined by biological sex and that ‘the concept of sex is binary, a person is either a woman or a man’. The signatories state that ‘We believe the ruling undermines the lived reality and threatens the safety of trans, non-binary, and intersex people living in the UK.’] 

“Rowling took to social media this weekend to state that ‘nobody sane believes, or has ever believed, that humans can change sex, or that binary sex isn’t a material fact… 

“’I often wonder whether the signatories of such letters have to quieten their consciences before publicly boosting a movement intent on removing women’s and girls’ rights… and campaigns for the continued sterilisation of vulnerable and troubled kids…” 

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

Trump’s Appeasement Policy

Daily Mail wrote on April 24:

“It’s 11 years since I watched Russian troops stripped of military insignia seize Ukrainian army bases in Crimea, while their president, Vladimir Putin, publicly denied that any of his forces had crossed the border… Following the first annexation of European terrain since the Second World War, the 2.3 million Crimean citizens of Ukraine faced a terrible choice: flee their homes or submit to Russian servitude…

“By showing itself to be an unreliable ally, Washington not only leaves Nato seriously undermined but offers encouragement to China’s grotesque dictatorship in its determination to seize democratic Taiwan… Putin feels emboldened by Trump’s stance, especially given the US failure to approve fresh military aid for Ukraine.

“Britain, like the rest of Europe, can be under no illusions. The world has become more dangerous. Democracy is under threat. We can no longer rely on the US… Trump attempts to force an unjust peace on Ukraine...”

Especially Europe realizes that they cannot rely on the USA and they conclude that they must build up their own powerful and independent war machine.

“Trump’s Folly”

The Sun wrote on April 24:

“Despite his threats and ultimatums, Donald Trump surely knows that walking away from Ukraine would seriously weaken America’s global standing. It could also be as politically damaging as Joe Biden’s withdrawal from Afghanistan.

“The President would never allow Russia to seize Alaska. So why does he expect Ukrainians to give up huge swathes of land that they have lost tens of thousands of lives bravely defending? Including Crimea which allows Russia to maintain an iron grip on the region. And all without any promise of a US security guarantee or NATO protection?… Meanwhile, where is the pressure on Putin, the aggressor in this war…?

“Currently, it sends an unthinkable message to rogue dictators.  That America allows murderous invaders to win.”

Friend of a Murderer

On April 24, Bild Online published the following commentary by Franz Josef Wagner:

“The sky over Kyiv flickers reddish under the blows of Russian bombs… They are the fingerprints of a murderer. Trump wants to make peace with a murderer. You can’t make peace with a murderer… Trump must look at the pictures from Kyiv… They are all evidence of Putin’s character. You want to make peace with him. What will become of Ukraine then? A slave state… President Trump, don’t become a friend of a murderer.”

Empty Threats to a Dictator

The New York Post wrote on April 24:

“Remember when Joe Biden was facing off against Vladimir Putin? Questioned about the Russian leader’s threats, old Joe memorably said: ‘Don’t.’… On another occasion, a year into the war, Biden got really tough: ‘I don’t have time,’ he warned Putin..

“But today, President Trump continued Biden’s approach. His reaction to one of the biggest missile attacks in the past year was to tell Vladimir Putin, ‘STOP.’ As if Putin is listening.”

Russia’s “Concession”

Deutsche Welle wrote on April 25:

“The US has proposed a deal between Russia and Ukraine, in which the front would be frozen where it is, meaning Ukraine would cede 20% of its country. US President Trump said Russia had made a major concession by not seeking to conquer all of Ukraine.”

Why No Peace in Ukraine-Russia War?

The Sun wrote on April 25:

“EVERYONE says they want peace, so why is the war still raging in Ukraine? The short answer is simple: Peace means very different things to very different people. They have different goals and different motives. 

“Putin wants total conquest. And he wants to be remembered as a modern Tsar who restored Russia’s imperial greatness.

“Ukraine wants to survive, as a sovereign independent nation.

“Europe wants a chastened Russia and peace that lasts beyond six months.

“Trump just wants a deal — any deal at any price — with minerals thrown in for good measure. He wants to claim the glory and perhaps a Nobel Peace Prize for sorting out the carnage…

“The American position is clear from the terrible deal they want Kyiv to accept. Their… plan would freeze the war on the current front lines and force Ukraine to surrender almost all of its occupied territories — some 44,000 square miles — with almost nothing in return… Russia would hand back small pockets of territory… Moscow would also give up its ambitions to capture the… provinces that its troops have been unable to take by force. But crucially, for Ukraine, there are no security guarantees.

“That means there is nothing to stop Russia catching its breath, rearming and invading again a few months or years later. Does that sound unlikely? It is precisely what has happened already. Moscow seized Crimea and parts of Donbas in 2014. Peace deals known as Minsk I and Minsk II were signed in 2014 and 2015 respectively. But they both lacked guarantees… The world watched in horror — and in disbelief — as Moscow spouted brazen lies that they had no plans to invade. The rest, we could say, is history. More than a million troops have been killed and maimed since Putin ordered his full-scale invasion, as have tens of thousands of civilians. Some 20,000 Ukrainian children have been forcibly deported to Russia…

“But if the deal was not bad enough already, the crowning insult to Ukraine is that America would legally recognise Russia’s ownership of Crimea… Russia’s invasion of Crimea in 2014 was the precursor to the war they began in 2023. Legally, Crimea is unambiguously Ukrainian. It has been part of Ukraine since 1991 when the country gained its independence from the USSR.

But Russia claims it is theirs since Catherine the Great seized it from the Ottomon Empire in 1783…

“The American plan rewards Russian warmongering… Everyone says they want peace but Trump is the leader who has made it a priority… He deserves to be applauded for trying to end the war. That is a truly noble aim. But what he needs to realise is that how the war ends matters. Just like with his New York real estate, there are good deals and there are bad deals.”

Trump’s Interview: Give Up Crimea!

Time Magazine wrote on April 25:

“President Donald Trump sat down for an interview with TIME at the White House on April 22. Over the course of the interview, Trump discussed a wide range of issues.”

We are bringing you relevant experts regarding his comments on Ukraine, Greenland, Canada and Israel: 

“You said you would end the war in Ukraine on Day One.

“Well, I said that figuratively, and I said that as an exaggeration, because to make a point, and you know, it gets, of course, by the fake news [unintelligible]. Obviously, people know that when I said that, it was said in jest, but it was also said that it will be ended….

“Should Ukraine give up any hope of ever joining NATO?

“I don’t think they’ll ever be able to join NATO… that’s I think what caused the war to start was when they started talking about joining NATO. If that weren’t brought up, there would have been a much better chance that it wouldn’t have started. 

“Should Crimea go to the Russians? Should they get to keep Crimea? 

“Well, Crimea went to the Russians. It was handed to them by Barack Hussein Obama, and not by me. With that being said, will they be able to get it back? They’ve had their Russians. They’ve had their submarines there for long before any period that we’re talking about, for many years. The people speak largely Russian in Crimea…

“Would it be acceptable to you in a deal if Crimea and the four other regions that Russia has taken from Ukraine would be folded into Russia under a final accommodation?

“…Crimea will stay with Russia. And Zelensky understands that, and everybody understands that it’s been with them for a long time…

“You’ve talked about acquiring Greenland, taking control of  the Panama Canal, making Canada the 51st state. Maybe you’re trolling a little bit on that one…

“Actually, no, I’m not. 

“Well, do you want to grow the American empire?

“Well, it depends as an empire, it wasn’t, these are not things that we had before, so I’d view it a little bit differently if we had the right opportunity. Yeah, I think Greenland would be very well off if they I think it’s important for us for national security and even international security… But I’m really not trolling. Canada is an interesting case. We lose $200 to $250 billion a year supporting Canada… We’re taking care of their military. We’re taking care of every aspect of their lives, and we don’t need them to make cars for us. In fact, we don’t want them to make cars for us. We want to make our own cars. We don’t need their lumber. We don’t need their energy. We don’t need anything from Canada. And I say the only way this thing really works is for Canada to become a state. 

“You reportedly stopped Israel from attacking Iran’s nuclear sites.  

“… I didn’t stop them. But I didn’t make it comfortable for them, because I think we can make a deal without the attack. I hope we can. It’s possible we’ll have to attack because Iran will not have a nuclear weapon… I didn’t say no. Ultimately I was going to leave that choice to them, but I said I would much prefer a deal than bombs being dropped. 

“Are you worried Netanyahu will drag you into a war? 

“No… By the way, he may go into a war. But we’re not getting dragged in. 

The U.S. will stay out of it if Israel goes into it? 

“No, I didn’t say that. You asked if he’d drag me in, like I’d go in unwillingly. No, I may go in very willingly if we can’t get a deal. If we don’t make a deal, I’ll be leading the pack.”

Realistically, as we point out below, even Putin does not want to accept Trump’s peace plan, even though he would get everything he wants—for the time being—but Ukraine and Europe would not accept it. Conversely, Europe has now proposed a peace plan which Russia and the USA will clearly not accept. Under that plan, Ukraine would continue to attempt to become part of the EU; it would be recompensed with Russian frozen assets for the damage caused by Russia; Ukraine would receive security guarantees also from the USA; and no territorial commitments would be made towards Russia until a lasting peace agreement has been entered into.

Crimea Belongs to Ukraine

Daily Mail wrote on April 25:

“Ukraine has rejected ceding ground to Moscow, and says it will not accept Russian control of Crimea… recognizing occupied Ukrainian territory as Russian is a red line for his country.”

Deutsche Welle added on April 25: 

“Zelenskyy reiterated that Crimea ‘belongs’ to Ukraine, saying his ‘position [remains] unchanged.’… ‘only the Ukrainian people have the right to decide which territories are Ukrainian. The constitution of Ukraine says that all the temporarily occupied territories… belong to Ukraine, to the Ukrainian people,’ Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv.”

When in Rome…

The Associated Press wrote on April 26:

“Trump said Saturday that he doubts… Putin wants to end his war in Ukraine, expressing new skepticism that a peace deal can be reached soon… ‘There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days,’ Trump said in a social media post as he flew back to the United States after attending Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican, where he met briefly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy… It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through “Banking” or “Secondary Sanctions?” Too many people are dying!!!’ Trump wrote.”

Trump also wrote this on “Truth Social”:

“No matter what deal I make with respect to Russia/Ukraine, no matter how good it is, even if it’s the greatest deal ever made, The Failing New York Times will speak BADLY of it. (They) wrote that Ukraine should get back territory, including, I suppose, Crimea, and other ridiculous requests, in order to stop the killing that is worse than anything since World War II… it was Obama who made it possible for Russia to steal Crimea from Ukraine without even a shot being fired…”

Since Trump admits that Putin stole Crimea from Ukraine, why should he keep it? Why is the request to return these occupied territories to Ukraine a ridiculous request? How can the deal proposed by Trump possibly be characterized as a “good deal”? It is by far not only the New York Times which rejects Trump’s peace plan.

German Defense Minister Slams Trump’s Plan For Ukraine Peace

MSN wrote on April 28:

“Boris Pistorius, the German defence minister, expressed his concern over Donald Trump’s proposals regarding Ukraine. The SPD politician stated that the suggestions of the American president concerning handing over parts of Ukrainian territory to Russia are too far-reaching. ‘Ukraine on its own could have got a year ago what was included in that (Trump) proposal. It is akin to a capitulation,’ Pistorius said on ARD television.

“Pistorius assured that Germany will continue its military support for Ukraine, even if the United States decides to halt it. ‘If Ukraine falls, if Putin wins this war by taking Ukraine or a large part of it, it will be a maximum threat to NATO territory and neighbouring countries such as Moldova and Georgia,’ the minister warned.” 

Trump stated after his return from Rome that he thinks Zelensky will agree to giving Crimea to Russia. Zelensky repeated his position AFTER his talk with Trump that Crimea would not be given to Russia.

Tanks for Ukraine on Hold

abc.net.au reported on April 28:

“A fleet of retired tanks the Albanese government pledged to Ukraine last year remains stuck in Australia, with defence figures in part blaming resistance from the United States for their delayed transfer… after US President Donald Trump placed a temporary freeze on military assistance to the war-torn nation…

“… the process is facing further uncertainty because formal permission that must be given by the US before the M1A1 vehicles can be handed over to another nation has not yet been granted… There is also the concern that with a possible peace deal looming it would be embarrassing to have the tanks on board ships in the middle of the ocean.”

No Progress in Peace Negotiations – Just the Opposite!

The New York Post wrote on April 28:

“Russia shamelessly demanded that the US lift its sanctions and that Kyiv be ‘demilitarized’ and recognize that 20% of Ukraine belongs to the Vladimir Putin-led nation as it refused President Trump’s push for peace just days after his envoy returned to Moscow for yet another round of talks. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov insisted Monday that Russia will accept nothing less than total victory over Ukraine after Trump’s Special Envoy Steve Witkoff made no progress in ending the country’s three-year war when he met with Putin Friday… Lavrov rattled off a list of Ukrainian red-line items — and mentioned no willingness to make even the smallest concessions, such as the US-proposed return of a small, occupied portion of Kharkiv.

“Lavrov said ‘the international recognition of Crimea, Sevastopol, (Donetsk), (Luhansk), Kherson and Zapor(i)zh(ia) regions as part of Russia’ is an ‘imperative,’ insisting that not just the world — but also Kyiv itself — recognize 20% of Ukraine as sovereign Russian territory… That alone is a nonstarter. While Kyiv has shown a willingness to freeze the fighting lines where they are and acknowledge that Russia technically controls the occupied regions, its constitution outlaws the recognition of its land as belonging to any other nation.

“Since Witkoff began speaking with Russia roughly two months ago, Moscow has only upped its demands. For example, its desire to annex Ukraine’s Kherson and Zaporizhia oblasts was never part of Putin’s original goals of the war when his forces launched the full-scale invasion in 2021… George Barros of the Institute for the Study of War [said:] ‘the Kremlin is rejecting Trump’s proposals and articulating goals that require the war to go on or for Ukraine to surrender things for no reason. The only thing it is willing to negotiate are the terms of US capitulation and Ukrainian surrender.’ To that end, Lavrov also called for the West — including the US — to begin ‘lifting sanctions, withdrawing lawsuits and cancelling arrest warrants, as well as returning Russian assets subjected to the so-called freeze in the West.’

“The foreign minister also said Russia would not begin talks with Ukraine until Kyiv makes yet another change to its constitution—disavowing its citizens’ wishes to one day join NATO… Though Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Russia for its continued bombardment of Ukraine as he tries to reach a peace deal, the president has so far taken no punitive steps to attempt to force Moscow to back down from its untenable demands.”

Russia will not make any concessions. Trump’s naïve peace deal was dead from the outset. Please view our new StandingWatch program with the title, “Trump’s Peace Plan—A Failure!”

The Worst Pope in History?

The Ron Paul Institute and Newsmax published on April 24 and April 25 an article by Judge Andrew P. Napolitano:

“Catholics believe that he is the Vicar of Christ on earth. But Francis may have been the worst pope in history. He watered down Church teachings on marriage, sexuality and confession. He declined to judge right from wrong.

“He forbade the Mass that every canonized saint… attended and participated in since 1564. He has even claimed that all religions are equal and welcomed in the eyes of God — contrary to 2,000 years of express Church teaching. This is heresy.

“… He even questioned the concept of sin…”

Please view our StandingWatch program, “The Pope Is Dead… Now What?” 

Why Trump Attended Pope’s Funeral 

Daily Mail wrote on April 25:

“The president… told reporters on Air Force One he was attending the service partially because he won Catholic voters in the 2024 election. Trump won Catholics by more than 120,000 votes when he faced former Vice President Kamala Harris. 

“Trump himself identifies as a ‘non-denominational Christian.’ First lady Melania Trump is Catholic. The Trumps met Pope Francis during a visit to the Vatican in 2017 during the president’s first term. At the time, Melania… brought a pair of rosary beads for the pontiff to bless. She is the first Catholic first lady in the White House since Jacqueline Kennedy….

“President Trump and Pope Francis also had their differences. In 2015, Trump said Francis was too political, and the pontiff later suggested Trump wasn’t Christian over his ‘build a wall’ rhetoric.

Trump, responded that ‘for a religious leader to question a person’s faith is disgraceful.’”

Firing Powell?

The Editorial Board of the Wall Street Journal wrote on April 21, 2025: 

“If the White House wanted a test of how firing Jerome Powell would go over in the markets, it succeeded on Monday. U.S. stocks and the dollar plunged while yields on long-term Treasurys climbed after President Trump renewed his attacks on the Federal Reserve Chairman…

“Mr. Trump is furious that Mr. Powell has said publicly that tariffs will likely lead to higher inflation and slower growth… Markets fear Mr. Trump really might fire Mr. Powell, not that it would do the President any good… Mr. Trump can’t fire the regional Fed bank presidents on the committee, and all 12 voting members of the FOMC seem to agree with the Fed’s recent policy moves. A Powell replacement would also have a harder time establishing credibility with markets…

“Mr. Trump thinks he can bully everyone into submission… Markets know tariffs are taxes, and taxes are anti-growth. The Trump tariffs are the biggest economic policy mistake in decades, and extending the 2017 tax reform and deregulation may not compensate for all the damage…”

Subsequently, Trump bowed to pressure and stated that he would not fire Powell, and that such a suggestion was fake news. Really?

America’s Inhumane Immigration Policy 

The Guardian published the following article on April 24 about America’s detention camps, eerily reminiscent of Germany’s Nazi concentration camps in their early stages:

“The Texas-based legal non-profit Raices said it was aware of at least 100 families held at Karnes since early March, after the Trump administration restarted the practice known as ‘family detention’ – locking up children along with their parents. Those detained include families who had recently crossed into the US, as well as those swept up in cities across the country. Among the youngest detainees was a one-year-old child…

“Jade (13) and her family had fled a surge of violence in Colombia in 2022, and had managed to make a good life for themselves in Mississippi. But things changed this year as the Trump administration ramped up its immigration crackdown. Jade was afraid to go to school, worried that immigration agents could come find her there, or take her parents while she was away. Jason and Gabriela had trouble finding work – employers had become squeamish about hiring workers without a legal status… So they decided to leave (to go to Canada)… 

“At first, they encountered Canadian border agents and tried to explain they were seeking asylum. But those agents told them they’d be ineligible, and turned them over to US border officials… Agents handcuffed [Jason] and Gabriela, and drove them to Plattsburgh, New York and then Buffalo… [and then] sent [them] via commercial flight to Texas… 

“Jade was too young to remember the violence her family had left behind in Colombia, but Jason and Gabriela’s minds constantly flashed back to the threats and extortion they had faced… 

“[American] Officials had confiscated all their things, and the family was given second-hand clothes and towels to use. They were able to buy minutes to make phone calls, but it was expensive…

“Relief finally came when they were able to connect with lawyers from Raices, who have been working with several families held at the detention center. Jade, Jason and Gabriela were finally released on 25 March – after about three weeks in detention – and their lawyers are now helping them seek legal status to remain in the US… ‘The bottom line is that these individuals have final deportation orders from federal judges,’ said McLaughlin of the DHS. ‘This administration is not going to ignore the rule of law.’ Raices said that assertion is ‘objectively untrue’. Immigration judges are not the same as federal judges. And as a result of Donald Trump’s asylum ban at the southern border, ‘many families have not even appeared in front of immigration judges’, said Faisal Al-Juburi of Raices…

“The facility, which is run by the private prison company CoreCivic, is not a licensed childcare facility and thus a violation of the protections afforded children under the Flores Settlement Agreement, a decades-old consent decree that requires the government to hold children in the least restrictive setting and release them as quickly as possible… The Trump administration isn’t the first to detain families. For decades, Democratic and Republican administrations have held immigrant families in specialized facilities – and the practice has elicited widespread criticism from pediatricians and mental health experts, and lawsuits from human rights groups…

“The Bush administration had wanted to ramp up immigrant detention, and promoted family detention as an alternative to separating families and sending children to shelters while their parents were detained… In 2014, as families and unaccompanied children began increasingly arriving at the US southern border, the Obama administration contracted with private prison companies to open the Karnes and Dilley facilities, and the US family detention program grew to its largest since the internment of Japanese Americans in the 1940s… 

“Though the Biden administration stopped detaining families in 2021 – opting instead to track immigrant families via electronic monitoring and regular check-in appointments – it left in place most of the infrastructure to restart the practice. And earlier this year, the Trump administration did just that… Karnes, operated by the private contractor Geo Group, is more like a traditional adult prison… Families are allowed to be together during the day, but at night, mothers and children sleep together while fathers sleep in separate dorms. The South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, meanwhile, is more akin to an ‘internment camp’… Before it was a detention center, it was a migrant labor camp. But in the end, both centers are, ‘essentially, jails.’ 

“… Many of the families in detention now have been apprehended by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (Ice) officials in cities and towns across the US. Some were picked up at traffic stops, and others were arrested despite complying with orders to check in regularly with Ice…

“Now that she is back in Mississippi, Jade said… ‘I just told one friend, a good friend, and he said he wouldn’t tell anyone else.’ She doesn’t know how to explain to them what happened to her family, or how uncertain their lives still are. It’s not like she knows how much longer they’ll get to stay in Mississippi. It could take months or longer for lawyers to work out their immigration case. In the meantime, they remain afraid of being swept up in the administration’s immigration crackdown once again….” 

Trump’s administration has been assuring us that they would only go after illegal hardcore criminals. This is clearly not true. When you read about personal experiences like this, you get a better picture of how inhumane America’s immigration system is. 

Trump’s Fight With the Judges 

The left-wing New Republic (TNR) wrote on April 28: 

“The Trump administration is open to arresting Supreme Court judges, as White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told it on Monday morning. ‘You guys arrested a Milwaukee County Circuit judge for allegedly helping illegal immigrants get away,’ Fox News’s Peter Doocy asked Leavitt. ‘As you guys look at other judges, would you ever arrest somebody higher up on the judicial food chain, like a federal judge or even a Supreme Court justice?’ 

“‘…let’s be clear about what this judge did: She obstructed federal law enforcement who were looking for an illegal alien in her courthouse. She showed that illegal alien the door to evade law enforcement officials. That is a clear-cut case of obstruction,’ Leavitt replied. ‘And so anyone who is breaking the law or obstructing federal law enforcement officials from doing their jobs is putting theirselvses [sic] at risk of being prosecuted, absolutely.’ 

“The Department of Justice on Friday arrested Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan, on charges of obstruction after she allegedly ‘intentionally misdirected federal agents away’ from Eduardo Flores Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant. He was later arrested outside the courthouse. 

“The Trump administration is showing open and direct hostility toward the judicial branch, identifying any judge who dares to defy them as an ‘activist judge.’ The arrest of Judge Dugan, the numerous court orders ignored by the administration, the eight immigration judges who have now been fired or put on leave, and now, Leavitt’s alarming answer are all clear indications that Trump has no plans to reel back his abuse of executive power.” 

This fight between the Trump Administration and the court system will continue and become worse.

Trump’s (Dis-)Approval Rate

Express wrote on April 25:

“By the end of April, it will have been 100 days since Trump took office for his second term. During that time the world has witnessed unprecedented political and economic decisions over the past 100 days have sent stock markets plunging and governments everywhere rushing to react.

“Pew Research Center conducted the poll between April 7 – 13 and the only 40 per cent of young US adults approve of Trump’s latest plans while an overwhelming 59 per cent disapprove. Fox News also conducted a poll which showed Trump’s approval ratings with 44 per cent and disapproval of 55 per cent. That’s the lowest Fox has registered since the last six presidents at this point in their term… 

“It is also lower than the approval of Joe Biden (54 percent), Barack Obama (62 percent), and George W. Bush (63 percent) at the 100-day mark in their presidencies, and is down 5 points from Trump’s 49 percent approval in March.” 

Chaotic and Scary 

The New York Post wrote on April 25: 

“More than half of voters described President Trump’s second term in office as ‘chaotic’ and ‘scary’ in a new poll released Friday… 66% of registered US voters felt the term ‘chaotic’ described Trump’s second stint in the White House well, while 59% thought ‘scary’ was apt.

“Nearly half of Republican voters (47%) agreed that the president’s first three months back in power have been ‘chaotic,’ as did 75% of Independents… Only 35% approve of Trump’s handling of the Ukraine-Russia war, while 31% approve of the case involving Abrego Garcia. The president’s net approval rating was -21 points on both issues… Overall, 42% approved of Trump’s job in the Oval Office so far, while 54% disapproved.” 

Trump Blasts Sinking Poll Numbers 

The New York Post wrote on April 28: 

“President Trump on Monday blasted ‘unheard of’ polls showing low approval ratings on the eve of his 100th day in office — calling on the ‘fake news’ outlets behind them to be investigated for election fraud. The commander-in-chief took aim at the recent New York Times and ABC/Washington Post surveys that indicate sinking support, declaring that ‘they suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome… These people should be investigated for ELECTION FRAUD, and add in the FoxNews Pollster while you’re at it… They are Negative Criminals who apologize to their subscribers and readers after I WIN ELECTIONS BIG, much bigger than their polls showed I would win, loose [sic] a lot of credibility, and then go on cheating and lying for the next cycle, only worse,’ he seethed in the post… ‘THEY ARE SICK,’ he added…” 

Mediaite wrote on April 28: 

“Legendary GOP operative and Fox News contributor Karl Rove declared that President Donald Trump is in ‘very bad shape’ during a scathing segment over the weekend. Rove’s comments came after host Paul Gigot, editor of The Wall Street Journal‘s editorial page, observed that a new Fox News poll demonstrated that only 38% of Americans approve of Trump’s job performance on the economy and even fewer approve of his handling of inflation and tariffs and asked Rove to weigh in.” 

When something negative is reported about Trump, he blames that on fake news. After a while, that won’t be credible anymore for most people. His threat to investigate these “negative criminals” is not being received well. 

Axios wrote on April 29: 

“A majority of Americans say President Trump is a ‘dangerous dictator’ who poses a threat to democracy and believe he’s overstepped his authority… The wide-ranging poll released Tuesday, on Trump’s 100th day in office, is the latest sign of him losing support for his immigration and economic policies — the two issues that largely fueled his election… 

“Only four in 10 Americans expressed favorable views of Trump after his first 100 days in office, according to the survey by the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). And 52% agreed with the provocative statement that Trump ‘is a dangerous dictator whose power should be limited before he destroys American democracy,’ the survey said. That question provided a big warning sign for Trump: Most independents (56%) agreed that Trump is a ‘dangerous dictator,’ suggesting that middle-of-the-road voters who helped put him back in office are abandoning him… Two-thirds of Americans oppose new tariffs, or taxes, on imported goods from other countries.” 

Prosecutors Charge Vancouver Man For Attack on Filipino Festival 

Reuters wrote on April 28: 

“Canadian prosecutors have charged a 30-year-old Vancouver resident with murder for killing at least 11 people aged between 5 and 65 and injuring dozens after he rammed an SUV through a crowd at a Filipino community festival in the western Canadian city, police said on Sunday… More than 12 hours after the incident, police still did not have a motive for the attack at the festival, which took place without a dedicated police presence or heavy vehicle barriers…

“The festival, celebrated especially in the central Philippines, honors Datu Lapu-Lapu, a Filipino chieftain who defeated Spanish forces led by Ferdinand Magellan in the Battle of Mactan in 1521… The government of British Columbia officially recognized April 27 as Lapu-Lapu Day in 2023, acknowledging the cultural contributions of the Filipino-Canadian community, one of the largest immigrant groups in the province. The centerpiece of the festival is a multi-block street party featuring Filipino food and traditions, live performances and cultural displays.” 

Why were the police not better prepared for these kinds of events? This seems to be a colossal failure in many Western countries, including Germany where a similar event had taken place around Christmas time.  It has been stated that the man had previous mental health issues. The demonic influence should be clear. 

Canadians Humiliate Trump

The Mirror wrote on April 29:

“Donald Trump, the self-proclaimed titan of global deal-making and nationalist bravado, just got humiliated by the very country he loves to insult – Canada. With the election of Mark Carney as Prime Minister, the Canucks delivered a roaring rebuke not only to the US leader but to the hideous version of America he represents – arrogant, unstable, and dangerously delusional. Let’s be honest, this wasn’t just a Canadian election. It was a referendum on Trumpism and, by extension, the States.

“Canadians, America’s closest and most loyal ally, have had enough. Enough of the trade wars. Enough of being branded the ‘51st state.’ Enough of being treated like a doormat for Trump’s latest tantrum. What happened at the ballot box was less a Liberal Party recovery and more an international gut punch to a discredited figurehead. 

“Trump triggered this backlash himself. He kicked off a pointless trade war against Canada, wanting tariffs on steel, aluminum, and dairy… He smeared a peaceful, democratic neighbour as weak and subordinate, then expected diplomatic loyalty in return. He misread Canada completely…

“Canadians responded the only way a proud, sovereign nation could by using their votes to send a message so loud it echoed across the border. Former Bank of England governor Carney… inherited a Liberal Party floundering after Justin Trudeau’s missteps, down by more than 25 points and transformed it into a platform for national defiance.

“He stood up to Trump’s bullying and drew a line in the snow – Canada will not be anyone’s puppet. This rejection is far bigger than one man or one election. It marks a sobering turning point in the world’s relationship with the States. For decades, America was admired as the leader of the free world – a beacon of democracy, stability, and reason. Under Trump, it has become a punchline. An unstable, angry, nation-baiting circus that shouts about freedom while eroding it at home and abusing it abroad.

“The world is watching, and it is moving on. Nations like Canada are no longer looking to Washington for leadership. They’re building new alliances, strengthening regional partnerships, and investing in self-reliance to insulate themselves from the chaos of modern America. This is Trumpism’s true legacy – a smaller, meaner, more isolated States. The message from Canada couldn’t be clearer; if America wants to act like a belligerent, fading empire, it will be treated like one. Trump may still swagger at his rallies and scream about greatness, but his lies stop cold at the border. 

“Carney’s victory wasn’t just a political win. It was a polite, precise, and utterly devastating rejection of everything Trump – and, increasingly, America – stands for. And that rejection is only the beginning...” 

Sobering words, and prophetic indeed. Trump does not see that way, of course. In an interview with The Atlantic, which was published on April 28, he said:  “The first time, I had two things to do ‒ run the country and survive; I had all these crooked guys… And the second time, I run the country and the world.” 

But he is not running the world. And if he is not careful, he might not be running the USA for much longer, either, as his latest poll numbers may suggest. 

Germany’s Militarization

News.az quoted “prominent German political scientist and former advisor to the German government Alexander Rahr” on April 24: 

“Germany’s government currently has three key objectives in the area of militarization. First, it seeks to preserve the European security architecture established after the Cold War and, under no circumstances, allow Ukraine to return to Russia’s sphere of influence or be absorbed by it. Second, Germany aims to build its own European army and military-industrial complex—largely to reduce dependence on the United States, which may eventually withdraw from NATO. This also serves as preparation for a potential military confrontation with ‘imperial’ Russia. Third, militarization of the economy is viewed as a tool to reignite economic growth across the European Union… 

“Although only about 60% of the population supports militarization, Berlin is prepared to invest in it as a way to strengthen its leadership role in Europe. Most other EU countries lack such capacity—either because they are burdened by debt or do not see themselves as military leaders… There are certainly risks to democracy. Militarization of the economy, industry, and education can affect civil liberties. However, the German government is using the image of ‘aggressive Russia’ to tighten control over society and instill discipline in the population. This strategy may work: the generation that remembers the horrors of World War II is gone, and young Germans today are less afraid of war. In fact, many increasingly believe that Europe’s liberal values are worth defending by force… 

“European bureaucrats in Brussels are working to consolidate all EU governments around the goal of confronting ‘imperial Russia.’ Russia should prepare for the reality that most European countries will support a policy of military containment… Russia will never accept being surrounded by Western military bases and infrastructure. The West, in turn, will never recognize Russia’s right to a sphere of influence. This is a fundamental dividing line—one that, unfortunately, cannot be overcome through diplomacy.” 

Jens Spahn Wants to Become Chancellor 

Capital and Der Stern wrote on April 24: 

“Jens Spahn is to become the new leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag. Friedrich Merz is making a risky decision – and ignoring warnings… The former health minister just has to be elected. 

“Merz thus places Spahn at the central hub of the coalition. The parliamentary group leader organizes cooperation with the coalition partner, defends the chancellor in parliament, and organizes majorities and funding for government policy. In other words: Friedrich Merz is now dependent on Jens Spahn – more than anyone else. He needs his unconditional loyalty. ‘Of all people!’ groan some in the party. 

“There were and are doubts within the CDU about Jens Spahn’s loyalty. Influential CDU figures warned Friedrich Merz about Spahn until recently. He said he played too often on his own account, changing his political form depending on the mood… Spahn’s relationship with the SPD is also considered strained… Spahn is not trusted… 

“But perhaps Merz couldn’t get past him at all… In the coalition negotiations, the 44-year-old appeared in almost all important negotiating groups. He drew red lines, sometimes even towards the boss. ‘That’s not possible, Friedrich!’ Spahn is said to have retorted to Merz in a large gathering. It demonstrates his utmost self-confidence – and gives a foreshadowing of the future…

“Some in the party fear that with the election of the parliamentary group leader, the question of Friedrich Merz’s successor could arise sooner than the chancellor-designate would like. And not in four years… his own people and long-time associates believe he’s capable of it. This also explicitly includes those who long for a quick end to the CDU/CSU coalition and have long been eyeing the AfD… If the coalition fails, then I’m out. That’s what Merz recently said. Jens Spahn made clear… what he wants: to become chancellor. He will soon come a long way toward achieving this goal.” 

Der Tagesspiegel wrote on April 25: 

“Spahn wants to become Chancellor… with whomever.” 

Der Freitag wrote on April 25: 

“Germany’s most dangerous politician? Jens Spahn is making the AfD capable of forming alliances… Jens Spahn… has long been speaking the language of the far-right. The firewall to the AfD is shaky.” 

Chaos in Spain 

The Sun wrote on April 29: 

“Panic-stricken shoppers across Spain and even Portugal are clearing supermarket shelves and leaving grocery stores empty amid chaos… Roads… were left snarled up with traffic as lights and signals went blank… Some hospitals cancelled all surgeries for Monday amid fears for patient safety in the region’s most severe blackout for years… Spain’s train service came to a complete stop, leaving huge crowds stranded at stations, and Madrid’s underground network was evacuated… Air traffic was slashed to ‘half capacity’ as flights were cancelled from a number of airports – with Lisbon cancelling all arrivals for hours… 

“Portugal’s national grid operator, REN, said it believes a ‘rare atmospheric event’ could be behind the outage… Many had raised fears that a ‘Russian cyberattack’ is behind the chaos, following previous similar plots against Europe… An outage of this scale is extremely rare and has caused mayhem for millions, including Brits on their holidays.” 

No Power in Spain, Portugal and Parts of France 

SKY News wrote on April 28: 

“We rarely think about how essential and reliable electricity grids are until they fail. Now, millions of people across Spain, Portugal and parts of France are likely thinking of little else… Much of Spain and Portugal’s electricity transmission system collapsed in seconds, including major cities Lisbon, Madrid, Barcelona and Seville. It’s likely the outage will surpass Europe’s largest blackout to date, when 56 million people in Italy and Switzerland lost power for up to 12 hours in 2023… 

“Portugal’s grid operator has blamed a ‘rare atmospheric phenomenon’ that caused ‘anomalous oscillations’ in high voltage power lines in Spain… But it’s unlikely whatever caused the outage was a single, localised event.  

“A major power line going down can cause a large outage (as it did in 2021 when an interconnector between France and Spain failed, leaving a million people without power for a few hours in 2021). But it’s unlikely to cause a system-wide failure of the kind we’re seeing now…” 

If it can happen in Spain, Portugal or France, it can happen everywhere. 

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

The Pope Is Dead…

AFP and Barron’s wrote on April 21:

“Pope Francis, who died on Monday aged 88, aroused both fervour and fury within the Church… Here are the main disputes, which set ultra-conservatives within the Catholic Church against the pope. 

“Francis in 2021 signed a decree limiting the use of the Latin Mass, reversing a more flexible edict from 2007 by his predecessor Benedict XVI. The decision provoked incomprehension and anger among part of the clergy and Catholics attached to the so-called ‘Tridentine’ Mass — which is conducted entirely in Latin with the priest facing the altar, like the congregation. Some went so far as to accuse him of preventing them from practicing their faith.

“Pope Francis attracted the wrath of several cardinals, the red-hatted prelates who are supposedly his closest collaborators, but also next in command in the hierarchy of the Church. In 2017, Francis spoke out against unnamed ‘traitors’ who were holding back his institutional reforms. The bad blood was aired in public in 2023, when an Italian journalist named then-recently deceased Australian Cardinal George Pell as the author of an anonymous note attacking Francis. In the note, Pell — previously a close advisor to Francis — described the papacy as a ‘disaster in many respects’ and slammed ‘serious failures’ of diplomacy, particularly regarding the Ukraine war.

“The same year, German Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, former prefect of the powerful Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, published a book in which he railed against Francis’s governance.

He denounced an influential ‘coterie’ around Francis, and criticised the pope’s ‘doctrinal confusion’.

“Francis had a particularly conflictual relationship with Georg Gaenswein, private secretary to his predecessor Benedict XVI. After Benedict’s death in 2022, Gaenswein said Francis had ‘broken’ the retired pope’s heart by limiting the use of the Latin Mass. Francis hit back, saying he regretted that Benedict’s death had been ‘instrumentalized’ by ‘people without ethics, who act for partisan ends’.

“In a rare move in 2023, Francis ousted US Bishop Joseph Strickland, one of his fiercest enemies, who had accused the pope of being lax on abortion and too open towards homosexuals and divorcees. In 2024, it was the turn of ultra-conservative Italian bishop Carlo Maria Vigano, who accused Francis of ‘heresy’ and ‘tyrannical’ behaviour. Vigano, a former ambassador of the Holy See to the United States, was excommunicated — expelled outright — for rejecting the authority of Francis, head of the world’s nearly 1.4 billion Catholics.

“In 2023, the Vatican published a document which paved the way for blessings for same-sex couples, provoking an outcry in the conservative Catholic world, particularly in Africa and the United States. The wave of criticism forced the Vatican to make a ‘clarification’ to defend itself from any doctrinal error, while acknowledging it may be ‘imprudent’ to apply it in certain countries. ‘In their opposition to blessings for same-sex couples, the African bishops are criticising what they call European moral decadence or European Catholicism. They include the pope in that,’ Francois Mabille, director of the Geopolitical Observatory of Religion, told AFP in February 2025.

“The Argentine also irritated far-right Catholics with his calls for migrants to be given welcome in the Old Continent, with some warning Europe could lose its Christian identity.”

He also spoke against Trump’s immigration policy and especially the American-Mexican border, and he seemingly advocated open borders, while at the same time closed access for most immigrants to the Vatican State. He also locked down Vatican City during the coronavirus crisis. “His greatest test came in 2018 when he botched a notorious case of clergy sexual abuse in Chile, and the scandal that festered under his predecessors erupted anew” (The Associated Press, April 21).

He died on “Easter Monday,” apparently of a stroke. It will be interesting to see whether the liberals (referred to in the press as the “reform-oriented group”) or the conservatives (the “traditionalists”) win in electing the new pope by about 120 cardinals. The shenanigans behind the scenes were portrayed quite remarkably in the recent award-winning movie, “Conclave.”  Of course, many critics have attacked and rejected the movie. However, the movie might even be harmless in comparison to what really might be going on behind closed doors. Ultimately, the candidate will emerge who is supposed to enhance the development of biblical prophecy. 

Francis’ Anti-Israel Legacy 

Israel 365 News wrote on April 21: 

“[According to] Cardinal Kevin Farrell, ‘… we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God’… Francis was the first pope from the Society of Jesus (the Jesuit Order), the first from the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, and the first pope born or raised outside Europe since the 8th-century Syrian pope Gregory III. Following Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation on 28 February 2013, a papal conclave elected Bergoglio as his successor on 13 March.

“The pope frequently omitted Judaism when discussing other religions. This was clearly expressed in 2021 when Francis became the first pope to visit Iraq. While there, he hosted an inter-religious prayer service at a ziggurat. The structure is an ancient Mesopotamian site built in the 21st century BCE, built on the purported site of the city of Ur, the birthplace of Biblical Abraham. The prayer event was named ‘Prayer for the sons and daughters of Abraham.’  No Jews were invited to the event… 

“In 2019, Francis and Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, signed a statement about Jerusalem, referring to Israel’s capital as Al-Quds Acharif, the Arabic name for Jerusalem… 

“Pope Francis’ anti-Israel/pro-Palestinian agenda has led him into bizarre theological territory that diverges from traditional Catholicism…

“Pope Francis called for an investigation into claims that Israel is carrying out a ‘genocide’ in Gaza… The Vatican supports a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians that would establish an unprecedented militarized Palestinian state inside Israel’s borders that has been ethnically cleansed of Jews, with its capital in an exclusively Muslim Jerusalem… In 2015, just a few days after the Vatican officially recognized the Palestinian state, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas was granted an audience in the Apostolic Palace. After the meeting, Francis gave Abbas a special medallion, representing the angel of peace ‘destroying the bad spirit of war.’ The Pope explained to Abbas that the gift was appropriate since ‘you are an angel of peace.’”

It will be interesting to see whether Pope Francis’ distorted ideas will be adopted or rejected by the new pope.

The Prophecy of the Popes

Daily Mail wrote on April 21, 2025:

“The 12th-century ‘Prophecy of the Popes’ — reportedly uncovered in the Vatican’s secret archives — claims to predict the identity of Francis’ successor and even foretells the return of Christ.

“The document [starts] with Celestine II in 1143 and [ends] with ‘Peter the Roman’ in 2027… Fanning the flames is the eerie fact that there are currently nine frontrunners to succeed Pope Francis — and three of them are named Peter. 

“The renewed interest has also reignited fears about one of the prophecy’s more chilling predictions: that Judgment Day is near… According to the final entry surrounding Peter the Roman, the ‘last pope’ will preside over the Church during a time of great turmoil, culminating in the destruction of Rome and the end of the papacy. ‘In the final persecution of the Holy Roman Church there will reign Peter the Roman, who will feed his flock amid many tribulations, after which the seven-hilled city will be destroyed and the dreadful Judge will judge the people. The End,’ the last passage of the book reads…

“Although some scholars have claimed the text is a 16th century forgery, Malachy allegedly wrote Prophecy of the Popes in 1139 after receiving a vision during a visit to Rome…”

If the text is not a forgery, but legit, it would have been written under demonic influence, which can be seen, amongst other things, by the wording “dreadful Judge,” in appliance to Jesus.  We know, of course, that Christ could not possibly come back in 2027; and we also know that demons, even though they may know future events, are lying spirits; so one never knows when they lie or when they tell the truth.

Europe Mainly Catholic

Breitbart wrote on April 21: 

“Much of Europe has, historically, been Catholic and remains officially so… In Paris, the bells of the recently restored Notre Dame rung out 88 times for the Pope’s 88 years of age, and the Eiffel Tower will not be illuminated this evening. In churches throughout Catholic Austria, bells will ring simultaneously for ten minutes this afternoon and football matches planned for today across Italy are cancelled in mourning…

“In a statement Catholic-faith politician Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni said: ‘Pope Francis has returned to the Father’s house… We bid farewell to the Holy Father with hearts full of sorrow, but we know that he is now in the peace of the Lord.’…

“In the United Kingdom Buckingham Palace published a statement from King Charles III [stating] ‘our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased’ by knowing the Pope was able to celebrate Easter before his passing…’”

There is not much difference between the (unbiblical) faith and practices of the Catholic Church and of the Church of England.

Trump’s Fight With (German) Tourists Continues

Newsweek wrote on April 21:

“Two German teenage girls were detained and deported from the United States after arriving in Hawaii without a hotel reservation. The case highlights how minor oversights can trigger severe immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s aggressive border policies.

“International travelers face increased scrutiny under the Trump administration’s stringent immigration policies. This case exemplifies how minor oversights can lead to severe consequences, raising concerns about the treatment of tourists and the potential detrimental effect on international travel to the U.S…

“Maria Lepère and Charlotte Pohl, both recent high school graduates from Rostock, Germany, embarked on a world tour, visiting countries like Thailand and New Zealand… Their journey took an unexpected turn when they arrived in Hawaii without pre-booked accommodations. Immigration officials, suspecting potential unauthorized work intentions due to the lack of hotel reservations, detained them. They arrived in Honolulu on March 18, planning to spend five weeks exploring the islands before continuing to California and then Costa Rica following their graduation. The duo spent several days in a detention facility before being deported, despite holding valid travel documents (through ESTA) and having no prior infractions…

“The teens said they were questioned for several hours at Honolulu Airport before allegedly being subjected to full-body scans and strip searches… They were then dressed in green prison uniforms and placed in a holding cell alongside long-term detainees, some reportedly facing serious criminal charges…

“This incident is not isolated, as reports indicate a rise in detentions of European tourists under the current U.S. administration, including the recent detention of three German nationals by border authorities under Trump’s watch. Meanwhile, Germany has issued travel advisories warning its citizens about the threat of deportation under Trump’s rule. The Foreign Ministry said that neither approval through the U.S. ESTA system nor a U.S. visa means people will be granted entry every time.

“The German Foreign Office is monitoring the situation and may engage in diplomatic discussions with U.S. counterparts to address the treatment of German nationals. Travelers are urged to meticulously plan their trips, including securing accommodations in advance, to mitigate the risk of detention or deportation.”

This is SO crazy and SO alarming!!!

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Rules Against Trump

The Hill wrote on April 17:

“The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday declined to lift a judge’s order that the Trump administration ‘facilitate’ the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia…  The 4th Circuit declined to put Xinis’s ruling on hold just one day after the administration filed the appeal, a swift order that came without waiting for Abrego Garcia’s lawyers to file their response… ‘we shall not micromanage the efforts of a fine district judge attempting to implement the Supreme Court’s recent decision,’ U.S. Circuit Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson wrote for the unanimous three-judge panel…

“‘The government is asserting a right to stash away residents of this country in foreign prisons without the semblance of due process that is the foundation of our constitutional order,’ he continued. ‘Further, it claims in essence that because it has rid itself of custody that there is nothing that can be done. This should be shocking not only to judges, but to the intuitive sense of liberty that Americans far removed from courthouses still hold dear.’

“Wilkinson, an appointee of former President Reagan, was joined on the panel by U.S. Circuit Judge Robert King, who is an appointee of former President Clinton, and U.S. Circuit Judge Stephanie Thacker, who is an appointee of former President Obama.” 

The Alien Enemies Act of 1798

npr wrote on April 19:

“The act has only been invoked three previous times in U.S. history, most recently during World War II to hold Japanese-American civilians in internment camps. The Trump administration contended it gave them power to swiftly remove immigrants they identified as members of the gang, regardless of their immigration status…” 

What does the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 actually say? Here is the wording: 

“Whenever there is a declared war between the United States and any foreign nation or government, or any invasion or predatory incursion is perpetrated, attempted, or threatened against the territory of the United States by any foreign nation or government, and the President makes public proclamation of the event, all natives, citizens, denizens, or subjects of the hostile nation or government, being of the age of fourteen years and upward, who shall be within the United States and not actually naturalized, shall be liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as alien enemies. 

“The President is authorized in any such event, by his proclamation thereof, or other public act, to direct the conduct to be observed on the part of the United States, toward the aliens who become so liable; the manner and degree of the restraint to which they shall be subject and in what cases, and upon what security their residence shall be permitted, and to provide for the removal of those who, not being permitted to reside within the United States, refuse or neglect to depart therefrom; and to establish any other regulations which are found necessary in the premises and for the public safety.” 

Clash Between Trump and the Courts

npr wrote on April 21: 

“In the early hours of Saturday, the U.S. Supreme Court seemed to signal it is losing its patience with the Trump administration. On April 7, the high court clearly said that if the government intends to deport a foreign-born resident, it must notify the individual ‘within a reasonable period of time’ so that the individual has the ability to challenge the removal in court prior to deportation. In the nearly two weeks that followed, however, the Trump administration dragged its feet, avoiding meaningful compliance with the court’s order. Then late Friday afternoon, on Good Friday, the court had a new deportation case on its docket, one that suggested the Trump administration was violating the terms of the earlier order. Racing to the Supreme Court, lawyers for the ACLU told the court that dozens of Venezuelan detainees were about to be deported. They said that the men were notified, in papers written in English, which they didn’t understand, that they were eligible to be deported under the Alien Enemies Act. And, the ACLU said, the men were being loaded on to buses that presumably were going to take them to the airport for deportation. 

“This time the high court acted swiftly, releasing a one-paragraph order so quickly that the court did not even wait for the two dissenters to file their opinion explaining their disagreement. That was not the only extraordinary feature of the court’s order. Although couched in legal terms, the order reeked of mistrust for the government. ‘The government is directed not to remove any member of the putative class [of detainees] from the United States until further order of this court,’ the justices said.

“The court went on to note that the detainees’ case is pending before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and that pending the outcome in that most conservative court, the solicitor general ‘is invited to file a response’ to the still pending application for review by this court ‘as soon as possible.’ In other words, the court was saying to the administration, whether you win in the Fifth Circuit or not, this isn’t over yet…

“Today, with many Republicans terrified of crossing Trump, it is not clear that Donald Trump could do anything to lose his GOP support in Congress. But in a clash with the Supreme Court, he could lose a lot. So too could the court, because it has few tools to actually make a president do something. And if a president succeeds in defying the court, the whole system of government, and of checks and balances, would be in peril. So, are we in a constitutional crisis?…

“But at some point in the not too distant future, the high court may have to confront the president head on… Chief Justice John Roberts, at his confirmation hearing 20 years ago, opined that ‘judges have to have the courage to make the unpopular decisions when they have to,’ including striking down as unconstitutional acts of the executive. ‘That is the judicial oath,’ he said. But he likely never imagined a president as insistently recalcitrant as Trump.”

Trump’s Attack Becomes More Desperate 

Newsmax wrote on April 20:

“President Donald Trump called the opposition [to his immigration procedures, especially in regard to Garcia] ‘despicable,’ ‘un-American,’ and premised on a ‘blatant and dangerous lie.’… ‘Those lying to the American People on behalf of violent criminals have to be held responsible by the Agencies and the Courts.’… 

“Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., criticized Trump and his administration Sunday for talking about sending American citizen criminals to foreign prisons. Kennedy was asked… if he thought the law allowed sending U.S. citizens who were criminals to foreign prisons. ‘No, Ma’am. Nor does it, nor should it, nor should it be considered appropriate or moral. We have our own laws,’ he said. ‘We shouldn’t send prisoners to foreign countries in my judgment.’

“Trump has said he wants to deport some violent criminals who are U.S. citizens to Salvadoran prisons, a move experts said would violate U.S. law.”

Trump’s lack of support for some of his actions seems to bother him very much. 

Supreme Court to Weigh In on Trump’s Plans to Restrict Birthright Citizenship 

USA Today wrote on April 17: 

“The Supreme Court on Thursday said it would weigh in on the Trump administration’s request that it be allowed to broadly enforce its new restrictions on birthright citizenship while the policy is being litigated. The court said it will hear oral arguments on May 15. 

“The [14^th] amendment states that all ‘persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.’ The Trump administration maintains that right was intended to help formerly enslaved people after the Emancipation Proclamation and doesn’t cover children of people who entered the country without proper authorization… 

“Twenty Republican attorneys general backed Trump’s Supreme Court appeal, as did gun rights groups. Attorneys for immigrant rights groups… said Trump’s order violates the plain text of the Constitution, common law history, Supreme Court precedent and more than a century of consistent practice.” 

Losing Faith in the USA 

npr wrote on April 21: 

For decades, the U.S. financial system has been regarded as one of the most stable and powerful in the world. Now, there are fears that something unprecedented may be happening as a result of President Trump’s tariffs: Investors everywhere may be losing their faith in the United States… 

“Stocks, U.S. government bonds, and the dollar are all taking a hit at the same time…” 

US Weapons Left Behind in Afghanistan 

BBC News wrote on April 17: 

“Half a million weapons obtained by the Taliban in Afghanistan have been lost, sold or smuggled to militant groups… with the UN believing that some have fallen into the hands of al-Qaeda affiliates. 

“The Taliban took control of around one million weapons and pieces of military equipment – which had mostly been funded by the US… As the Taliban advanced through Afghanistan in 2021, many Afghan soldiers surrendered or fled, abandoning their weapons and vehicles. Some equipment was simply left behind by US forces… 

“This is very much a political issue, and US President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that he will reclaim weapons from Afghanistan. He said that $85bn (£66bn) of advanced weaponry was left there. ‘Afghanistan is one of the biggest sellers of military equipment in the world, you know why? They’re selling the equipment that we left,’ Trump said during his first cabinet meeting of the new administration. ‘I want to look into this. If we need to pay them, that’s fine, but we want our military equipment back.’… 

“Whether Trump will take any action remains to be seen, but, in the meantime, concerns about the spread of weapons in the region and access by militant groups remain unresolved.” 

Meloni in Washington 

Die Welt wrote on April 18: 

“Donald Trump… has alarmed the European Union. And prompted it to undertake previously unthinkable efforts. The EU is now supposed to become a serious global political force… Germany, France, Poland, and Great Britain as the driving forces of a post-Carolingian Europe – this quartet gives hope. But that’s not enough. Because at least one important state is missing from the new alliance: Italy. The country has been almost written off north of the Alps… But that’s unfair. And short-sighted. 

“Unfair because it ignorantly disregards Italy’s historical significance for the formation of Europe. And because Italy was an important founding nation of the European unification process. The contemptuous treatment of Italy is short-sighted because the largest EU state on the Mediterranean coast plays a significant role in the EU’s migration policy.” 

“Italy is needed. Like Donald Trump, Giorgia Meloni is also a nationalist. This is one of the reasons why they are close. Meloni, who wants to play a prominent European role, has been striving to mediate between the EU and the US since Trump’s election as US president… 

“When she was received by the US president at the White House on Thursday evening as the first European head of government, she vigorously countered Trump’s disparaging remarks about President Volodymyr Zelensky with her conviction that Ukraine still deserves Western support. She did, however, agree with Trump in her disdain for all things woke and, like Trump, sees migration as a warning sign for the West.

“The meeting with Trump has not (yet) produced any tangible results. There was a lot of smiling and laughing. But Giorgia Meloni seems wise enough not to allow herself to be expelled from the EU community, even by a fiercely flattering Trump.” 

Italy is indeed an indispensable part of Europe. Not so Great Britain.

Trump’s Peace Proposals

Bild Online published an analysis by Bild deputy editor Paul Ronzheimer on April 24:

“Above all, there is one feeling that characterizes political Kyiv these days: disbelief. The behavior of US President Trump, his threats and insults against the Ukrainian President Zelenskyy – we had almost become accustomed to all of this. But for a long time, no one wanted to believe that Trump really seemed willing to give Russian President Vladimir Putin everything he wanted. But after Trump’s peace plan was confirmed, everything changed…

“It has long been clear to Ukraine: They cannot rely on the US. The other question is: Can Ukraine rely on Europe?…

“Trump has repeatedly announced that he no longer wants to deliver. He wants the deal now. Come what may… It’s not just about the recognition of Crimea, but also about the regions Russia is fighting over in the east and south…

“In fact, that’s Zelensky’s problem: He not only has to negotiate with the US and Russia, but also achieve a result that would be acceptable to the Ukrainian people. Putin, on the other hand, is making maximum demands because he assumes that time is on his side. The calculation: The US will withdraw, stop delivering – and Europe cannot provide what Ukraine needs. The result would be a situation that is even worse for Ukraine than it already is. An absolute dilemma…”

Ultimately, Russia and Ukraine will unite.

Boris Johnson Explodes at Donald Trump

Express wrote on April 24:

“The former Prime Minister has raged against Washington over the treatment of Ukraine in peace proposals… claiming they reward Vladimir Putin in five key ways… Mr Johnson wrote: ‘Putin indiscriminately butchers more Ukrainian civilians, killing and injuring 100 in Kyiv including children. And what is his reward under the latest peace proposals?’

“The former Conservative leader then listed the five ‘rewards’ he believed President Putin was getting from the current US deal.

“He wrote: ‘1, The right to keep sovereign Ukrainian territory he has taken by violence and in breach of international law, 2, The right to control Ukraine’s destiny by forbidding Nato membership, 3, The lifting of sanctions against Russia, 4, An economic partnership with America, 5, The chance to rebuild his armed forces for the next attack in a few short years’ time.’

“Mr Johnson, 60, added: ‘As for Ukraine – what do they get after three years of heroic resistance against a brutal and unprovoked invasion? What is their reward for the appalling sacrifices they have made – for the sake, as they have endlessly been told, of freedom and democracy around the world? Apart from the right to share their natural resources with the United States they get nothing. What is there in this deal that can realistically stop a third Russian invasion? Nothing…’

“It comes as President Trump launched an extraordinary attack on the Ukrainian wartime leader after the latter said Ukraine was not prepared to recognise Russian control of the Crimea, a part of Ukraine annexed by the Kremlin in 2014…”Subsequently, in response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine on Thursday, Trump wrote: “I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!”

Turkey Greatest Danger to Israel 

The Atlantic wrote on April 19: 

“Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, its would-be sultan, dismantles the country’s secular democracy… While Erdoğan consolidates power at home and prepares to project it abroad, he has set the stage for a clash with Israel. Indeed, Turkey has quickly emerged as perhaps the greatest danger to the Jewish state in the Middle East, escalating the threat of a conflict he won’t be able to avoid… 

“Erdoğan’s grand designs appear to include establishing himself as the Muslim world’s principal champion of anti-Zionism. The president has routinely hosted Hamas leaders for official visits and has referred to the architects of the October 7 attack as a ‘liberation group.’…  In turning against Israel and in favor of Hamas, Erdoğan is riding a wave of anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism that has been rising in Turkey since at least the 1980s, especially on the secular left… 

“The Turkish president has intensified a long-held desire in his country to gain greater distance from the United States and NATO…” 

Merz’s Coalition Deal: ‘Betrayal’ of Germany? 

The Week (UK) wrote on April 20: 

“When the incoming chancellor, Friedrich Merz, won the election in February,  he promised to be bold and brave: to tighten our borders, unshackle our low-growth economy, bolster our defences, and wean us off our dependence on the United States. Last week… the CDU leader unveiled his coalition deal with the SPD – and it was full of the same tired old policies: no military conscription; no social and tax reform; no major migration measures… With war raging in Europe, the far-right on the rise, and the US intent on destroying the global economic order, we need our leaders to be courageous. Instead, we have a ‘coalition of the timid.’… 

“It had barely begun, but the honeymoon is definitely over for Merz… His approval ratings have plunged ten points since the election. The world needs Germany’s new leader to succeed… The stakes are incredibly high… With liberalism, freedom and democracy under threat, it’s a time for ‘giants’ – yet sadly we have no Helmut Kohl, no Gerhard Schröder, no Merkel. All of them have experience of governing during international crises. Our incoming chancellor and his coalition partners do not…” 

Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg Suddenly in Favor of Conscription 

ZDF Heute wrote on April 18: 

“[Former Defense Minister] Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg… spoke out… in favor of reintroducing conscription: ‘I was a supporter of conscription and I still am today, if it is properly implemented. We can and should return to that point…’ As Defense Minister, he was responsible for the suspension of conscription in 2011… ‘We were faced with the decision: Can we still fulfill our alliance obligations (…) or can we afford a non-functional conscription?’ 

“We were dealing with a conscription period of ‘only six months’. In six months, you barely learn to distinguish a combine harvester from a tank. At that time, we only recruited 16 percent of young men. We had to fear that conscription would be completely abolished by the Federal Constitutional Court… At the same time, there is a… need to bring a Bundeswehr that has been run down for decades to a level (…) that allows it to act in some form both in the European context and in a tense NATO context…'” 

Spahn on the Rise 

Bild Online wrote on April 20: 

“BILD reported that Merz wants to appoint former Health Minister Jens Spahn as parliamentary group leader. Only the final go-ahead from CSU leader Markus Söder (58) is still missing. According to BILD information, the appointment could officially be made as early as the end of April at the CDU party conference. Or shortly before Merz’s swearing-in as Chancellor on May 6th… 

“The Spahn appointment is causing a stir in the party and parliamentary group – and it is also causing resentment among some… Critics cite the debate Spahn sparked about how to deal with the AfD as an example. He believes: It needs to become more normal… Added to this is the fear of many in the parliamentary group about Spahn’s past as Corona Health Minister, and long-simmering scandals surrounding mask deals… 

“Conservative CSU MPs, who appreciate Spahn’s course on migration policy, for example, are not the only ones satisfied with Spahn’s solution at the parliamentary group’s leadership. According to BILD, a ‘young group’ in the parliamentary group supports Spahn… Merz has already decided on Spahn, as BILD reported. The SPD, but especially the Greens, are barraging criticism of the appointment. The soon-to-be opposition party is targeting Spahn…” 

Die Welt wrote on April 15:

“Jens Spahn (CDU) has sharply criticized the charter flights planned by the outgoing federal government for people from Afghanistan to Germany. ‘I find this fundamentally wrong and presumptuous,’ said Spahn… The caretaker government ‘doesn’t even have a majority in parliament,’ complained the CDU politician. ‘Our coalition agreement states very clearly: The reception programs should end…’ 

“The CDU and SPD agree ‘that these flights must be stopped… We don’t want any more flights from Afghanistan to Germany, but rather fly criminals and threats back to Afghanistan,’ Spahn emphasized.” 

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

Happy Easter From Donald Trump

Newsmax wrote on April 13:

“President Donald Trump hails ‘Holy Week, 2025’ with a message celebrating Jesus’ resurrection and salvation of sins… ‘Beginning with Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and culminating in the Paschal Triduum, which begins on Holy Thursday with the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, followed by Good Friday, and reaching its pinnacle in the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night… we acknowledge that the glory of Easter Sunday cannot come without the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross… On Easter morning, the stone is rolled away, the tomb is empty, and light prevails over darkness — signaling that death does not have the final word.

“This Holy Week, my Administration renews its promise to defend the Christian faith in our schools, military, workplaces, hospitals, and halls of government. We will never waver in safeguarding the right to religious liberty, upholding the dignity of life, and protecting God in our public square… This week, we pray for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our beloved Nation. We pray that America will remain a beacon of faith, hope, and freedom for the entire world, and we pray to achieve a future that reflects the truth, beauty, and goodness of Christ’s eternal kingdom in Heaven….”

This shows how deeply false Christianity is rooted in the USA, from the very top down. Christ kept the Passover—not the “Lord’s Supper”—on Tuesday evening; He was crucified on Wednesday—not Friday—and He was resurrected Saturday evening before sunset; not Sunday morning. Christ will establish His Kingdom on earth, and He will rule on earth, and we will rule under Him on earth, not in heaven.

Happy Passover From Donald Trump

Breitbart wrote on April 12:

“President Donald Trump issued a Passover message to Jewish families in the United States and to people in Israel, telling them to ‘have a blessed’ Passover holiday. In a video posted to X by the White House account, Trump explained that the story of Exodus ‘is a reminder not only of the enduring strength of the Jewish people,’ but that it also served as an important reminder to put faith ‘in Almighty God no matter what the circumstance’ is…

“‘To all the Jewish families gathering with friends and loved ones this week, have a blessed Passover and may God continue to watch over the Jewish people, the State of Israel, and the United States of America.’”

This year, Passover was held Friday evening, after sunset. The Jews kept it one day too late, on Saturday evening. The story of Exodus does not relate just to the Jews, but to the entire nation of Israel, consisting of twelve tribes—the Jews derived from Judah and are just one tribe of Israel. Many Jews are indeed living in the State of Israel, and many modern descendants of the ancient House of Israel can be found today in the USA. Hence, Trump’s wish that God may watch over the Jewish people, the State of Israel and the USA is quite remarkable from that perspective.

US-China Trade War Escalates

The Associated Press wrote on April 11:

“China announced countermeasures by raising tariffs on U.S. goods from 84% to 125% starting Saturday… Trump’s universal tariffs on China total 145%. When Trump announced Wednesday that China faced 125% tariffs, he did not include a 20% tariff on China tied to its role in fentanyl production… Beijing last week suspended sorghum, poultry and bonemeal imports from some American companies, and put more export controls on rare earth minerals, critical for various technologies…

“Given the size of the two economies, experts fear global economic turmoil…”

The New York Post wrote on April 11:

“US stocks fell on Friday as China struck back at President Trump’s latest tariff with a total 125% tax — further escalating trade tensions between the two nations.”

Can Trump Win the Trade War With China? 

The Telegraph wrote on April 11:

“China has just shown it can defeat America in a trade war. Donald Trump has almost certainly started a battle he cannot win. Free trade is a win-win, so the escalating tariff war between the US and China will be a lose-lose for both parties. Nonetheless, China is more likely to come out on top…

“For a start, the official data suggest that China’s economy grew by about 5 per cent last year. The true figure may well be lower, but a sharp drop in trade with the US alone is unlikely to tip China into recession. Moreover, there are several ways in which Beijing could limit the damage.

“One is simply to reroute more exports to the US via third countries. The US will of course be alert to this and attempt to tighten up the ‘rules of origin’ which determine the tax due on each shipment. But it will be almost impossible to enforce a regime with so many different rates on different goods coming from different countries.

“Beijing could also refocus on selling to other markets. Officials in the EU have already raised concern about the prospect of a flood of cheap imports, as Asian producers divert goods that can no longer sell in the US…

“China’s public debt is relatively low – a little above 60 per cent of GDP – and there is plenty of room for it to rise further. China’s inflation is also relatively low. Consumer prices actually fell by 0.1 per cent year-on-year in March…

“The flipside of China’s huge trade surplus is that US businesses and consumers have come to rely on relatively cheap manufactured goods from China, as well as the rest of Asia. These supplies cannot easily be replaced. Indeed, it would be practically impossible to replicate Asia’s low-cost manufacturing model in Ohio, even if this were desirable. Basic economics tells us that the US will always run deficits in goods with countries such as China, and Vietnam…

“The scope for US fiscal and monetary policy to offset a trade shock is more limited too, partly because the public finances are in an even worse state. Some hope that the new tariffs might raise as much as US$700 billion a year for the US Treasury. But this assumes that these tariffs will do little harm to trade, to the wider economy, or to revenues from other taxes. In reality, most of the economic burden of higher US tariffs will be borne by US taxpayers.

“Another flipside of the large US trade deficits is that other countries have accumulated large holdings of US assets. In particular, China is the second largest foreign holder of Treasury securities, after Japan… The upshot is that President Trump has started a war that he almost certainly cannot win…”

The Daily Beast added on April 11:

“China has announced it will tax U.S. products at 125 percent but it won’t go any higher… ‘Given that American goods are no longer marketable in China under the current tariff rates, if the U.S. further raises tariffs on Chinese exports, China will disregard such measures,’ the Ministry of Finance said in a statement.

“The Commerce Ministry said in a separate statement that the numbers no longer had any ‘economic significance’ and were just a ‘tool of bullying and coercion’ that had turned the U.S. into a ‘joke.’… Although it has ruled out new tit-for-tat tariffs, China has taken other measure to strike at U.S. interests. On Wednesday, it cautioned citizens not to travel to the U.S. and warned Chinese students not to study in ‘certain U.S. states,’ according to Bloomberg. On Thursday, it limited the number of U.S. films that can play in Chinese theaters.”

Huge Trump Tariff U-Turn Will Exempt iPhones and Laptops

The Daily Mail reported on April 12:

“President Donald Trump has spared iPhone, laptops and other electronics from his brutal China tariffs in [a] surprise move. The moves gives the likes of Apple and Samsung a major win while Americans dodge massive price hikes. The list of spared items includes smartphones, laptop computers, hard drives, memory chips, and processors – all tech essentials that are rarely made in the United States. [Also, solar cells, memory cards and flat-panel TV displays have all been exempted.]

“Experts say it would take years to ramp up domestic production, if it happens at all. More than 80 percent of all Apple products are made in China — including a staggering 80 percent of iPads and over half of all Mac computers… In the days following Trump’s tariff announcement, Apple saw $640 billion wiped from its market value. But it is not clear if the tariff timeout is permanent…

“Analysts warn that relocating iPhone production to the U.S. would be a monumental task, both logistically and financially. Bank of America Securities analyst Wamsi Mohan estimates that producing the iPhone 16 Pro Max domestically could increase its price by 91 percent, pushing it from $1,199 to approximately $2,300. Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives suggests the cost could soar even higher, potentially reaching $3,500 per unit. 

“In response to the escalating tariffs, Apple has taken swift action to mitigate potential disruptions. The company chartered flights to expedite the shipment of approximately 1.5 million iPhones from India to the U.S., aiming to preempt the impact of the tariffs.”

Do Trump and his administration really know what they are doing? It appears not. Note the next article:

No Exemptions for Electronics

On April 13, The Daily Mail introduced an article with the following headline: “Trump says there will be NO tariff exemptions in dramatic reversal that’ll hit Americans hard.”

The article continued:

“The post on Sunday came after Trump appeared to spare electronics like iPhones and laptops momentarily from his sweeping tariffs, but the prospect of an exemption was short lived. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified on Sunday those products will be part of the tariffs that are still to come…” 

Trump even said that he did not exempt electronics like iPhones or laptops. This is clearly false. On Monday, April 14, he said he is considering a short-term tariff exemption for auto companies. This is getting more and more ridiculous.

Worse Than a Recession

Daily Mail wrote on April 14:

“A hedge fund manager who predicted the 2008 financial crisis warned that a fate even more dire than another recession may be on the horizon… Ray Dalio, the billionaire founder of the world’s largest hedge fund Bridgewater Associates, has expressed deep concern over the American economy in light of Donald Trump’s tariff decisions sending the stock market into a frenzy…. Dalio has spoken extensively on the possibility of America’s economic demise, pointing out that there are other risk factors than the foreign tariffs situation.

“He wrote: ‘Don’t get me wrong, while these tariff announcements are very important developments and we all know that President Trump caused them… [People] are also mostly overlooking the vastly more important forces that are driving just about everything, including the tariffs.’

“One of the key dilemmas he discussed is that ‘monetary/economic order is breaking down‘ because America is in an extreme amount of debt. ‘Also, it should be obvious that the US government debt level and the rate at which the government debt is being added to is unsustainable,’ he asserted.”

Tariff Surcharge

Fox Business wrote on April 12:

“American consumers are noticing a new line on their shopping receipts — a tariff surcharge. The surcharges have been popping up across several industries, impacting nearly everything from prices of clothing to automobile manufacturing.

“Some companies are charging flat fees, while others charge a percentage of the total cost of a given purchase…” 

Investor Confidence Shaken in US Dollar

Business Insider wrote on April 11:

“The euro is increasingly gaining strength against the US dollar. At the end of the week, it rose to $1.13, its highest level in three years… Donald Trump is risking the dollar’s role as the world’s reserve currency, says Deutsche Bank. The euro is becoming an alternative. The consequences would be dramatic. With Trump’s election victory, the US dollar initially appreciated… Economists even expected the euro to fall to parity with the dollar for the first time in ten years, i.e., to one dollar for one euro.

“But… when Trump announced his major tariff package on almost all products and almost all countries in the world at the beginning of April, the mood changed… The dollar lost value. When Trump suddenly suspended most tariffs for 90 days, stocks recovered some of their losses. But the dollar continued to lose value, even faster… This is due to a loss of confidence. The reason is less doubt about the strength of the US economy, but rather about the reliability of US policy and institutions… The globally respected foreign exchange experts at Deutsche Bank Research in London have been warning for days of a dramatic and, above all, lasting dollar crisis…

“On the other hand, Germany’s recent decisions to increase spending on defense and infrastructure have been highly acclaimed internationally and received a very positive response… The euro is increasingly seen as a genuine alternative to the US dollar…

“If the dollar loses its function as a safe haven, this would have enormous consequences for the US’s financial viability. The world’s largest economy has a unique situation: The US is the only country in the world that can afford a gigantic double deficit in both its national budget and its foreign trade. The reason is the exceptional position of the dollar. It ensures that the US receives a steady flow of the new capital it needs…

“The more the dollar loses this role, the smaller the budget deficit the US can still afford without becoming unbalanced… The US’s double deficit [requires] sustained financing from foreign investors. For the US, it will therefore be crucial how foreign investors assess the reliability and risks in the US…

“Statements such as the US claims to ownership of Greenland have already contributed to the destabilization of the dollar…”

We have proclaimed for decades that ultimately, the Euro will become the strongest currency in the world. 

US Economy to Lose Billions as Foreign Tourists Stay Away 

Economic Times wrote on April 14:

“The US economy is set to lose billions of dollars in revenue in 2025 from a pullback in foreign tourism and boycotts of American products, adding to a growing list of headwinds keeping recession risk elevated. Arrivals of non-citizens to the US by plane dropped almost 10% in March from a year earlier… Goldman Sachs Group Inc. estimates in a worst-case scenario, the hit this year from reduced travel and boycotts could total 0.3% of gross domestic product, which would amount to almost $90 billion.

“… many potential visitors are now rethinking their vacation plans amid increased hostility at the border, rising geopolitical frictions and global economic uncertainty… stories of harsh detentions at US airports, ensnaring travelers from countries like France and Germany, started making headlines. Canadians, meanwhile – the largest group of foreign tourists in the US – are choosing to stay put as Trump ramps up attacks on the country’s economy and sovereignty… Canadian flight reservations to the US are down 70% through September versus the same period last year…” 

US Tariffs Stifle German and European Economy

t-online wrote on April 15:

“The US government’s tariff policy caused economic expectations among German financial experts to collapse in April. The ZEW research institute’s sentiment barometer fell by 65.6 points compared to the previous month, to minus 14.0 points… It is the sharpest decline in expectations since the start of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in 2022….

“‘The erratic upheaval in US trade policy is causing expectations for Germany to collapse,’ commented ZEW President Achim Wambach…. ‘[It] has led to a massive increase in global uncertainty.’… ‘The US tariffs will become a heavy burden for the German economy,’ commented Thomas Gitzel, Chief Economist at VP Bank…. In the eurozone as a whole, expectations also collapsed. They fell by 58.3 points to minus 18.5 points. The assessment of the economic situation worsened by 5.7 points to minus 50.9 points.”

Germany’s and Europe’s anger with the US is growing… 

Misunderstanding Regarding Ukraine Comments?

The Times reported on April 12 on X:

“EXCLUSIVE: President Trump’s envoy to Ukraine [Keith Kellog] has said the country could be partitioned ‘almost like Berlin after World War Two’ as part of a peace deal.”

Kellog responded on X:

“The Times article misrepresents what I said. I was speaking of a post-cease fire resiliency force in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty. In discussions of partitioning, I was referencing areas or zones of responsibility for an allied force (without US troops). I was NOT referring to a partitioning of Ukraine.”

It still sounds like partition.

News on the Russia-Ukraine War

Focus wrote on April 14:

“In a meeting with El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, Trump told reporters on Monday that ‘three people are responsible’ for the ‘millions of deaths’ in Ukraine, adding: ‘Let’s say (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is number one, but let’s say (former US President Joe) Biden, who had no idea what the hell he was doing, is number two, and Zelensky is number three.’ Trump also again falsely accused Zelensky of starting Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. ‘When you start a war, you gotta know that you can win the war, right? You don’t start a war with someone who’s 20 times your size and then hope people give you some missiles’…

“The potential next German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz (CDU), has provoked sharp criticism in Moscow with comments about the possible destruction of the Russian bridge to the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea. ‘Think twice, Nazi!’ wrote the deputy head of the Russian National Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, on the X platform. The former president was responding to Merz’s comments on the ARD program ‘Caren Miosga.’ In them, the CDU leader not only remained open to the delivery of the Taurus cruise missile to Ukraine. He also stated that the destruction of the Crimean bridge could benefit Ukraine.”

As for the alleged peace talks between Putin and Trump, everything seems to have come to a standstill.

Preparing For the Third Temple

Israel 365 News wrote on April 15:

“Every year before Passover, the Temple movements organize a full-dress practice of the Passover offering, which usually includes an actual lamb slaughtering. The practice is intended to work out any practical details involved in the Temple ritual and to raise awareness of the need to revive the Temple service. A lamb was slaughtered in advance and its proper use in the Temple service was demonstrated.

“This year, the reenactment included, for the first time, musical accompaniment by a corps of Levites. Young Kohanim (Jews descended from Aaron the High Priest) played a prominent role in the reenactment as part of their training for the Third Temple… the police have been increasingly supportive of the reenactment.” 

U.S. Troops to Deploy Near Panama Canal

Tico Times wrote on April 11:

“U.S. troops will be allowed to deploy in areas adjacent to the Panama Canal, according to an agreement signed between the two nations—a significant concession to President Donald Trump, who has been determined to regain control of the strategic interoceanic waterway. The Panamanian government insists these are not military bases…

“Since returning to power in January, Trump has threatened to ‘reclaim’ the maritime route built by the United States, arguing it is under ‘Chinese influence.’ ‘We’re taking back the canal. China has had too much influence (…) together with Panama, we’re kicking them out, sir,’ Hegseth told Trump on Thursday in Washington, briefing him on the agreement and the results of his visit. The three-year agreement, which can be extended, stipulates that the facilities remain the property of the Panamanian state and will be used jointly by the security forces of both countries.

“While visiting Lima on Thursday, Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino stated he rejected the Pentagon’s attempts to include terms like ‘permanent military presence,’ ‘military bases,’ and ‘territorial concessions’ in the agreement. ‘That is simply unacceptable,’ Mulino said, noting that he sent back ‘four versions’ of the agreement drafted by the U.S. Department of Defense for this reason.

“… Amid the tensions, Mulino’s government revealed that the United States removed a phrase recognizing Panama’s ‘inalienable sovereignty over the canal’ from the English version of a joint statement. On Thursday, Panama requested Washington revise the statement to include it…”

This fight is far from over. But the USA won’t take back the Panama Canal.

White House vs. Associated Press

The New York Post wrote on April 8:

“A federal judge ruled Tuesday the White House has to allow the Associated Press to take part in presidential pool coverage, including restoring access to Air Force One and other areas where only certain journalists are allowed to enter to speak to President Trump. DC US District Judge Trevor McFadden— nominated to the federal bench by Trump in 2017 — promptly stayed his own order for five days, giving the administration until Sunday to appeal to a higher court before the ruling takes effect.

“The White House implemented the ban after the AP refused to use the term ‘Gulf of America’ in its coverage after the president renamed the Gulf of Mexico upon taking office Jan. 20… But the court ruled Tuesday that although the White House is not mandated to provide access to every event, it does have the responsibility to allow journalists the same access as similar outlets — even if they disagree with their views…

“Trump’s administration isn’t the first to face accusations of discriminating against outlets based on their content. The Biden White House… [banned] The Post for seven months straight — following bombshell reporting… detailing his involvement in his son and brother’s foreign business relationships. Biden aides at times claimed there was simply no space available — while leaving up to two dozen press seats empty.”  

The Associated Press wrote on April 9:

“The government filed a notice of appeal early Wednesday afternoon on behalf of the three officials sued by the AP — White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, White House chief of staff Susan Wiles and deputy chief of staff Taylor Budowich. The one-page notice of appeal gave no other details.”

Discrimination everywhere… As of Monday, April 14, AP was still barred… in violation of the court order.

Trump’s Censorship

Fox News reported on April 16:

“The Associated Press and Reuters released sharply critical statements of the Trump White House this week in response to news that it was cutting traditional wire service slots in the rotating pool. ‘We are deeply disappointed that the administration has chosen to restrict the access of all wire services, whose fast and accurate White House coverage informs billions of people every single day, rather than reinstate The Associated Press to the wire pool,’ AP spokesperson Lauren Easton said, according to reports. ‘The wire services represent thousands of news organizations across the U.S. and the world over,’ Easton added. ‘Our coverage is used by local newspapers and television stations in all 50 states to inform their communities. The administration’s actions continue to disregard the fundamental American freedom to speak without government control or retaliation. This is a grave disservice to the American people.’

“Wire services are outlets like the AP, Reuters and Agence France-Presse that provide news reports to news outlet subscribers. It is common to see AP and other wire service stories reprinted in other publications… In its report about the decision, the AP said it was ‘the latest attempt by the new administration to control coverage of its activities.’ 

“Reuters was also harshly critical of the change. ‘Reuters news coverage reaches billions of people each day, mostly through the thousands of news organizations around the world that subscribe to Reuters services. It is essential to democracy that the public have access to independent, impartial and accurate news about their government. Any steps by the U.S. government to limit access to the President threatens that principle, both for the public and the world’s media,’ a spokesperson told Fox News Digital on Wednesday…

“‘We deeply regret the decision to remove that permanent level of scrutiny and accountability,’ Bloomberg editor-in-chief John Micklethwait said, according to The New York Times…”

Lawyers to Be Intimidated

Detroit Free Press wrote on April 7:

“A lawyer’s spring break trip to the Dominican Republic with his family ended on a troubling note at Detroit Metro Airport on Sunday: He was detained by federal agents, questioned about his clients, and asked to give up his cellphone, he says. But Dearborn attorney Amir Makled [an American citizen], who is representing a pro-Palestinian demonstrator who was arrested at the University of Michigan last year, stood his ground. He didn’t give up his phone…

“What followed was a 90-minute, back-and-forth verbal tussle between Makled and two federal agents, who, he said, ultimately released him without taking his phone, but looked at his contacts list instead. For the 38-year-old civil rights and criminal defense attorney, it was a daunting experience that he says highlights a troubling phenomenon that’s occurring across the United States: Lawyers are getting targeted for handling issues the administration of President Donald Trump disagrees with.

“Makled’s airport experience comes in the wake of a memo that President Donald Trump issued to the U.S. Justice Department last month, in which he directed the agency to seek sanctions against attorneys, alleging they are helping fuel ‘rampant fraud and meritless claims’ in the immigration system.” 

The Justice Department was clearly weaponized under Biden… now it seems to be weaponized under Trump.

“Immigration Judge: US Can Deport Pro-Palestinian Columbia Student Khalil”

Reuters reported on April 11:

“A U.S. immigration judge in Louisiana ruled on Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration can proceed with its deportation case against Columbia University graduate student and Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who was arrested in New York City last month…

“Khalil, a prominent figure in the pro-Palestinian student protest movement that has roiled Columbia’s New York City campus, was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, holds Algerian citizenship and became a U.S. lawful permanent resident last year. Khalil’s wife, Noor Abdalla, is a U.S. citizen.

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined last month that Khalil should be removed because his presence in the United States has ‘potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences,’ citing a 1952 law called the Immigration and Nationality Act. Khalil and his lawyers have said the Trump administration was targeting him for speech that is protected under the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment including the right to criticize American foreign policy…

“Rubio wrote that Khalil should be removed for his role in ‘antisemitic protests and disruptive activities, which fosters a hostile environment for Jewish students in the United States.’ Rubio’s letter did not accuse Khalil of breaking any laws, but he said that the State Department can revoke the legal status of immigrants even when their beliefs, associations or statements are ‘otherwise lawful.’ 

“Baher Azmy, the legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights and one of Khalil’s attorneys, told a press briefing on Thursday that Rubio’s letter ‘is a sort of tacky, Soviet-style diktat that’s equal parts empty and chilling.’ Khalil has said criticism of the U.S. government’s support of Israel’s military occupation of Palestinian territories is being wrongly conflated with antisemitism…

“The American immigration court system is run and its judges are appointed by the U.S. Justice Department, separate from the government’s judicial branch.”

Politico added on April 12:

“Immigration Judge Jamee E. Comans said at the conclusion of a hearing in Jena that the government’s contention that Khalil’s presence in the United States posed ‘potentially serious foreign policy consequences’ was enough to satisfy requirements for his deportation.

“Comans said the government had ‘established by clear and convincing evidence that he is removable.’ Lawyers for Khalil are expected to appeal… Federal judges in New York and New Jersey have ordered the government not to deport Khalil while his case plays out in court.”

One can most certainly agree with the outcome of the case in removing a non-American citizen who supports Hamas and preaches hatred against Jews. What is troublesome is the rationale that the Justice Department can, in its discretion, revoke the legal status of any lawful immigrant, including green card holders, even when their beliefs, associations or statements are “otherwise lawful.”

Arrests at Churches and Schools

The Associated Press wrote on April 11:

“A federal judge on Friday sided with the Trump administration in allowing immigration agents to conduct enforcement operations at houses of worship…

“In February, a federal judge in Maryland ruled against the Trump administration in a similar case brought by a coalition of Quakers and other religious groups. U.S. District Judge Theodore Chang’s order in that case was limited to those plaintiffs. A judge in Colorado sided with the administration in another lawsuit over the reversal of a similar policy that had limited immigration arrests at schools.”

The prospect of immigration agents invading churches and schools to carry out arrests is frightening. Only imagine federal agents storming into classrooms during school hours or churches during worship services to arrest immigrants in attendance. Terrible pictures of Germany’s dark past come to mind.

Supreme Court: Garcia Must Be Returned from El Salvador Prison

The Associated Press wrote on April 10:

“The Supreme Court on Thursday said the Trump administration must work to bring back a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to prison in El Salvador, rejecting the administration’s emergency appeal… U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis had ordered Abrego Garcia, now being held in a notorious Salvadoran prison, returned to the United States by midnight Monday. ‘The order properly requires the Government to “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador,’ the court said [unanimously] in an unsigned order with no noted dissents… 

“In Thursday’s case, Chief Justice John Roberts had already pushed back Xinis’ deadline. The justices also said that her order must now be clarified to make sure it doesn’t intrude into executive branch power over foreign affairs, since Abrego Garcia is being held abroad. The court said the Trump administration should also be prepared to share what steps it has taken to try to get him back — and what more it could potentially do…” 

The case was sent back to U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis. Notice what happened next.

Justice Department Keeps Stonewalling 

Politico wrote on April 11:

“An exasperated federal judge commanded the Trump administration Friday to begin providing ‘daily updates’ on whether it is doing anything to comply with her order to return a Maryland man — illegally deported to El Salvador last month — back to the United States. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis scolded the administration for refusing to provide even ‘basic’ details about Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s location, despite her demand for an update by Friday morning… 

“‘I’m asking a very simple question. Where is he?’ Xinis asked Justice Department attorneys at a court hearing. ‘I do not have that information,’ replied Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign. The administration’s stonewalling, which Xinis described as ‘extremely troubling,’ raised the specter that it is defying the order that the judge issued last week and that the Supreme Court largely upheld on Thursday…

“The Trump administration has acknowledged that immigration officials wrongly deported Abrego Garcia to El Salvador on March 15, in violation of a 2019 immigration court order that barred his deportation to that country because of a credible fear of persecution by a local gang. He was taken with other deportees to a notorious anti-terrorism prison in El Salvador.”

In the meantime, Trump said the USA will abide by the Supreme Court’s order. But this did not last long (note next article).The government represented that Garcia is still in El Salvador’s prison but it is up to El Salvador whether or not they will release him. This is such a mess… all caused unnecessarily by overzealous federal officials and the subsequent stonewalling by the Justice Department.

Professor Laurence Tribe Warns!

Breitbart wrote on April 16:

“Left-wing commentator and Harvard Law professor emeritus Laurence Tribe [said] Tuesday: ‘… I have been in school for 50 years studying the constitution, teaching about it. It doesn’t enforce itself. It takes human beings… to take it seriously…’

“He added, ‘It’s not just immigrants, they’re important, but it’s all of us. If the United States government can do what Trump claims and that is just grab people off the street, make claims about them that you never present to a judge, whisk them away to a prison colony in El Salvador, a place notorious for torturing people, for getting them to perform slave labor, if that can happen to Kilmar Abrego Garcia it can happen to anybody… Very few people are standing up…’”

Tribe is very correct in this. He also helped the Worldwide Church of God under Herbert W. Armstrong when it was unlawfully and unconstitutionally invaded and illegally taken over by the Attorney General of the State of California in 1979. 

Garcia has been referred to as an illegal alien; a member of the MS-13 gang; a convicted criminal and a terrorist. None of these accusations are correct or supported by the evidence. Garcia has never been convicted of any crime. There is no credible evidence that he was a member of the MS-13 gang or a terrorist. He was legally allowed to be in the U.S. because a federal immigration judge granted him a legal protective order in 2019 to prevent his removal to El Salvador. Though he entered the U.S. illegally as a teen, the immigration judge’s ruling in late 2019 allowed him to stay in the country legally. However, all these questions should have been decided by the court; not by the government which, in violation of the 2019 protective order, just took him and deported him to El Salvador.

Bad and Deeply Distressing Show of Trump and Bukele 

Daily Mail wrote on April 14: 

“President Donald Trump welcomed El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele to the White House. (Bukele describes himself as the “world’s coolest dictator.”) Trump and… Bukele… defended keeping [Garcia] in a notorious megaprison after the Supreme Court ordered his return to the U.S. Bukele argued he couldn’t return… Garcia… who was mistakenly deported along with dozens of other migrants on March 15, to America… Trump indicated he was open to sending Americans convicted of violent crimes to the notorious El Salvadorian megaprison…”

This is getting worse and worse… 

The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Rules Against Trump

The Hill wrote on April 17:

“The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday declined to lift a judge’s order that the Trump administration ‘facilitate’ the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia…  The 4th Circuit declined to put Xinis’s ruling on hold just one day after the administration filed the appeal, a swift order that came without waiting for Abrego Garcia’s lawyers to file their response… ‘we shall not micromanage the efforts of a fine district judge attempting to implement the Supreme Court’s recent decision,’ U.S. Circuit Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson wrote for the unanimous three-judge panel…

“‘The government is asserting a right to stash away residents of this country in foreign prisons without the semblance of due process that is the foundation of our constitutional order,’ he continued. ‘Further, it claims in essence that because it has rid itself of custody that there is nothing that can be done. This should be shocking not only to judges, but to the intuitive sense of liberty that Americans far removed from courthouses still hold dear.’

“Wilkinson, an appointee of former President Reagan, was joined on the panel by U.S. Circuit Judge Robert King, who is an appointee of former President Clinton, and U.S. Circuit Judge Stephanie Thacker, who is an appointee of former President Obama.” 

This seems to be the correct decision, under the circumstances.

Kennedy Backpedals

CNN wrote on April 12:

“Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this week made his strongest endorsement yet of the measles vaccine amid an ongoing outbreak that has killed three and infected more than 600 people across the US. But his recent push for people to get vaccinated for measles stands in stark contrast to Kennedy’s years of work against measles vaccines, including suing the state of New York for its vaccine mandates, and making numerous claims that the shot is dangerous and unnecessary.

“Kennedy’s comments on X last Sunday that the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, ‘is the most effective way to prevent the spread of measles’ set off vaccine critics who saw the statement as a betrayal of the health secretary’s longtime views on vaccine safety…. Kennedy followed up this Thursday with a Fox News interview, where he told host Martha MacCallum that it is ‘very hard to tell’ whether measles deaths this year could have been averted with vaccinations.”

What double talk! Is there anyone left in the political arena whom you can believe?

PETA Thanks Trump

Breitbart wrote on April 14:

“Animal rights nonprofit group PETA is praising the Trump administration for its work to end animal testing within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)… FDA Commissioner Martin A. Makary said drug manufacturers have performed ‘additional animal testing of drugs’ for which they already have had human data ‘for too long.’…

“PETA, which has blasted health officials such as Dr. Anthony Fauci for past animal testing, released a positive statement in response… ‘All animal use, including failed vaccine and other testing on monkeys at the federally-funded primate centers, must end… PETA thanks the Trump administration for modernizing the FDA and helping spare tens of thousands of animals each year from being killed in expensive and archaic laboratory tests,’ the group wrote.”

This is good news that those cruel and inhumane animal “experiments” are to be stopped… hopefully very soon.  

Articles set forth below show German and European perspectives which we may or may not share, but they reflect an unparalleled development of hostility between the USA and the EU and especially Germany, which has been prophesied to occur in these last days.

A Person Is Either a Man or a Woman

npr wrote on April 16:

“Britain’s Supreme Court has ruled that the legal definition of a woman is someone born biologically female. Wednesday’s ruling is the culmination of a long-running legal battle that began in Scotland in 2018. But it has big implications for transgender people across the United Kingdom — at a time when similar legal challenges are underway in the United States after President Trump banned transgender people from military service.

“The court’s five judges issued an 88-page judgment. In it, they say the “concept of sex is binary, a person is either a woman or a man.”

BBC News added on April 16:

“Harry Potter author JK Rowling posted on social media: ‘It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they’ve protected the rights of women and girls across the UK.’” 

Many years and huge legal costs could have been avoided if they had only read Genesis 2:21-25. Ignoring God’s Word was a very expensive and time-consuming exercise where the answer was there all the time in Genesis, chapter 2.

Enemies Everywhere

Focus wrote on April 12:

“We [Germans] are now enemies of the American people. Rapists. Looters. Criminals. That’s what Donald Trump called us on ‘Liberation Day’…

“The president has the Europeans in particular in his sights. Of all those who rip off the American people, they are the worst. Sneaky, devious, and never at a loss for an excuse when confronted. Tariffs are not enough to hold them accountable for the injustice they have suffered.

“On Monday, Trump demanded reparations. For every VW, every BMW, and every Mercedes that rolls on American roads, compensation must be paid… ‘There will be no talks as long as they don’t pay us a lot of money on an annual basis, for the present, but also for the past.’

“If you declare the whole world an enemy, you only have enemies everywhere. That’s inevitable….

“If I were an American, I would be a bit quieter on my next visit to Europe. My advice: whisper when ordering in a restaurant. And in a hotel, pretend you got the address wrong. Or adopt an accent that makes you look British. If there is a need, an Australian will work too…

“The USA dominates the entertainment industry, the oil industry, and the financial industry. In the tech world, its dominance is so overwhelming that practically no cell phone or computer can function without its help. Of the 25 most valuable companies in the world, 23 are from the United States. But on US television, Trump’s Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller is declaring, with a voice trembling with indignation, that not a single American car can be seen on German roads.

“American steaks are supposedly nowhere to be found because American meat is ‘beautiful’ and European meat is ‘weak’… This insight comes from the new Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick. I have no idea when the man was last in Germany. I’d be happy to invite Lutnick to inspect the meat counter at Simmel, the Edeka supermarket around the corner from me. US prime beef can be found there in almost every degree of maturity and cut: Tomahawk, T-bone, or ribeye…

“160 million US citizens have invested their money in the stock market. A friend from Washington told me on the phone that the past few days had cost him $50,000. He’s not alone in his loss…

“It’s going to be lonely. Bookings from Canada have plummeted by 70 percent. Others will also consider whether they want to take the risk of traveling to the US. You don’t know if you’ll even get in – or out again... The only people here who are bravely supporting Trump are the people of the AfD. The AfD still believes Trump is one of their own…”

“The US President Detests the Europeans”

ntv wrote on April 12:

“Three members of the European Parliament traveled to Washington to save transatlantic relations: Bernd Lange, Chairman of the Trade Committee, David McAllister, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and Brando Benifei, Chairman of the parliamentary delegation to the US. There, they spoke with high-ranking Republicans to explore how they could still convince US President Donald Trump to cooperate with the Europeans – especially on economic policy.

“A difficult undertaking, given that Trump had repeatedly expressed his disgust with Brussels… ‘Trump hates the EU and its institutions. That’s clear. During my visit to Washington, it became clear: Republicans also hate the European Union,’ says Lange. 

“Not ideal conditions for an amicable agreement. Trump would much rather negotiate with individual European states… ‘But if the 27 EU member states stand together, then we are 450 million compared to 330 million Americans,’ says McAllister…

“No matter how emotionally driven Trump’s actions may be, the EU should never make the mistake of allowing itself to be intimidated by him, as Trump sees this as weakness, says Lange… McAllister agrees: ‘Trump is only impressed by those who show strength and also appear confident.’…”

Tesla a Flop?

t-online wrote on April 12:

“Even in the Republican-dominated US state of Montana, Tesla seems to be met with nothing but hostility: As former Defense Minister Karl Theodor zu Guttenberg… reported, he was repeatedly heckled during his test drive of the Cybertruck… The former CSU politician and current lobbyist attributes these reactions to the unpopularity of Tesla CEO Elon Musk… The driving experience in the Cybertruck does not seem to have compensated Guttenberg for this experience: The vehicle itself is an ‘unbelievably hideous pickup monster.’

“This image problem is also reflected in the company’s business figures. Tesla recorded a 13 percent decline in sales in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year… The latest Tesla model is also increasingly being criticized. The Cybertruck is said to be struggling with significant quality issues. By the end of February, only around 46,100 vehicles were produced – significantly less than the original annual target of 250,000 units. Forbes magazine calls the model the biggest flop in the auto industry in decades.”

“Poor Germany: ‘Coalition Agreement Is Friedrich Merz’s Capitulation Document.'”

The Austrian magazine Report 24 wrote on April 12:

“The coalition agreement reads in places like a left-wing election platform for a surveillance state – from mandatory digital ID and electronic patient records to a ‘ban on lying’ and the automated transfer of data from online platforms to law enforcement agencies, everything that enables total control and persecution of citizens is represented. Meanwhile, all of the Union’s relevant election promises have been scrapped… The AfD views the agreement as a capitulation document. Initial polls show it is now the strongest party in Germany.

“Below you can read the statement by the chairmen of the AfD parliamentary group in the German Bundestag, Alice Weidel, and Tino Chrupalla:

“‘This coalition agreement is Friedrich Merz’s capitulation document. The paper bears throughout the hallmarks of the election loser, the SPD, peppered with nods to the Greens, who will always be at the table in this cabinet.

“‘It is a “business as usual” document that offers no solutions to the major future issues facing our country. There is no departure in sight from the electric car-based planned economy that is ruining our key industry. Energy remains expensive because nuclear energy and cheap gas remain taboo topics. 

“‘Apart from platitudes and announcements, nothing of the boastfully promised “migration turnaround” can be found in the paper… The coalition partners praise themselves for not raising taxes. But they promised tax cuts… But when it comes to debts at the expense of our children and grandchildren, they summon the defeated Bundestag and amend the Basic Law…”

What the AfD is stating here is, sadly, not far off.

Attack on Germany’s “Freedom of Expression” 

Focus wrote on April 12: 

“Journalist David Bendels was sentenced to probation for distributing a distorted image of Nancy Faeser on X… Faeser [currently still the lame-duck Federal Minister of the Interior] had posed with a sign reading ‘We remember’ on the occasion of a memorial day. Bendels, in turn, had replaced the lettering with ‘I hate freedom of expression.’ The court thus considered the offense of defamation under Section 188, Paragraph 2 of the Criminal Code [defaming politicians] to have been fulfilled.

“However, this cannot be said, says FOCUS columnist Jan Fleischhauer. Faeser ‘disregarded press freedom in Germany like no other,’ he said… After all, she tried to ‘shut down a right-wing magazine that didn’t suit her.’ Even during the coronavirus pandemic, as Minister of the Constitution, she had a questionable attitude toward the right to demonstrate. ‘She recommended to citizens they could just stay at home. Why do we even have to take to the streets for these lateral thinker (“Querdenker”) demonstrations? Demonstrating at home would be nice too…’ 

“The fact that the public prosecutor’s office took action in this case at all was due to Faeser’s insistence. ‘In the end, that means: She will go down in history as the Federal Minister of the Interior who took government-critical images on X more seriously than the marches of hardcore anti-Semites on German streets shouting ‘Death to Israel.’ Strangely, she didn’t take action.”

“‘…if satirical images are considered hate and incitement…then freedom of expression is in jeopardy.'” 

It surely is. 

Focus wrote on April 11: 

“Was someone smoking something under their robe? That, at least, would be an explanation… Unfortunately, it’s not a slip-up. In Germany, cases are increasing in which judges and public prosecutors demonstrate an astonishing, indeed astonishingly disturbed, attitude toward freedom of expression.”

Unbelievable Verdict Against an Anti-Coronavirus Protester

Report 24 wrote on April 15: 

“… on the evening of May 1, 2021, a group of around 50 people [gathered] in Tuttlingen… Their goal: to protest against the excessive coronavirus measures. Dressed in black, some with white makeup on their faces, carrying torches and some with flags, the group moved… toward the city center. But… the police [obstructed] their way because the gathering had not been registered… The woman, now 59, had also participated in the demonstration…

“The Tuttlingen District Court had already sentenced her to eight months’ probation. But she rejected the verdict and appealed. She was charged with disturbing the peace, violating the ban on assembly and wearing masks, and carrying a ‘weapon’—a torch. The Rottweil Regional Court has now re-set the sentence: a €7,500 Fine… The verdict is final.

“The verdict shows that the judiciary takes tough action, even years later, when rules are broken – especially when the ‘perpetrators’ are government critics. But given the realization that the measures were excessive and in some cases unconstitutional, the punishment could only further fuel anger against the state. Citizens are demanding an investigation – instead, they are receiving such verdicts. On social media, users are expressing incomprehension.

“It cannot be ruled out that [in] Germany, people will soon end up in prison again because of their political views, even if their statements have nothing to do with incitement. Harsh criticism of the government can nowadays be considered lèse majesté [offense against the dignity of a ruling head of state] … and punished…”

Germany again on the way towards a dictatorship?  

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

Trump Gives In

The conservative German paper, Die Welt, wrote on April 9:

“US President Donald Trump is defusing the trade war and suspending certain tariffs for 90 days. Except for China. The People’s Republic is to pay even higher rates in the future… Because Beijing showed a ‘lack of respect,’ according to Trump, he increased the tariff on the country from 104 to 125 percent [The White House said that in reality, the new tariffs on China are 145 percent]…

“With this, Trump has done what he and his staff have vehemently ruled out in recent days: giving in. As recently as Tuesday, his spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt insisted that the president was definitely not considering the issue of pausing the tariffs. But Trump had no other choice….

“The fact that the entire global economy was threatening to slide into the abyss in the meantime didn’t bother him. ‘Stay cool,’ he wrote on Truth Social on Wednesday morning, in view of the stock prices that had been plummeting for days… But in the days since, it became clear that this calculation would not work… In the afternoon, Trump confirmed that the bond market had partly influenced his decision… Financial markets reacted with great relief to Trump’s withdrawal on Wednesday. Just seconds after Trump’s announcement, prices skyrocketed…

“But there is no lasting all-clear in the trade war…”

Indeed. On Thursday, the US stock markets again recorded significant losses.

Conservative Fox Moderator and Business Senior Correspondent Charles Gasparini said on April 9 in Fox News’ “America Reports”:

“I mean, let’s be clear what happened, who capitulated here, and why? And, you know, I don’t want to say this, because I am a patriot, I’m an American, but it is the White House who capitulated based on everything I hear, and all of my sources. And the reason why is because of the bond market and what happened last night… 

“Japan was dumping bonds because they believed this was not a great place to do business. That forced their hands. Now, what you can say, I think, legitimately here is, Trump decided to take the win… but make no mistake about it, Peter Navarro was talking, as of yesterday, about not taking the win, and now they did. And it’s all because of the bond market… he had no choice, he had no choice. Unfortunately, no choice….  the gun was at his head. What happened last night was very bad.”

 The “Daily Beast” added on April 9:

“Fox hosts John Roberts and Sandra Smith tried to highlight Trump’s ‘art of the deal’ mantra when discussing the pause, which came after Trump and his administration vowed to keep the tariffs in place as countries approached him to negotiate. But in multiple appearances on Wednesday, Fox Business correspondent Charles Gasparino had to force his Fox colleagues to face the music….

‘To tell you right now that Donald Trump outsmarted the world,’ Gasparino said. ‘Trust me, I’m an American, I support my president, but that’s not really what happened here.’

“Gasparino highlighted how, despite the administration’s claims that 75 countries have approached the White House to negotiate, it hadn’t actually struck any deals… And they paused it anyway.’”

 Of course, without Trump’s “tariffs war,” there would not even be an incentive for all these countries to try to strike a deal. But even if they are “forced” to do this, they won’t love the USA because of that. Especially in light of his comment that they are all kissing his…

The conservative German magazine Focus wrote on April 10:

Trump Is Playing Monopoly

“It’s economically fascinating what Donald Trump is doing to the world right now. He’s reducing everyone to mere pawns. It’s not about approving of it, but one has to think about what’s happening here… Trump has achieved several things with his tweet [of the 90-day tariff pause]: The ten percent tariffs for the United States are being received as a relief, and the stock markets [were] cheering. He’s also passing the buck to China because China doesn’t respect global markets. What a move.

“Trump… realized that they can’t take on China and the entire world at the same time. That’s why they’ve decided to prioritize the trade war with China…

“What few see clearly: Trump is playing Monopoly with the world… The power of Trump’s words is currently gigantic. His words are worth billions on the markets… And no one should believe that everything will be okay now… A trade war is not off the table – and the markets hate uncertainty.

“But how things continue is in one man’s hands. Only one man.”

We are setting forth below the prior developments leading up to the events on April 9.

China Heats Up Trade War With Trump Tariffs Retaliation 

The New York Post wrote on April 4: 

“Wall Street faces another brutal beating on Friday as stocks plunged after China unveiled stiff retaliatory taxes… threatening a global trade war. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down nearly 1,000 points shortly after the opening bell — a day after suffering a 1,679 drop, its worst session since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020… The White House urged investors to stick behind Trump’s policies. ‘To anyone on Wall Street this morning, I would say trust in President Trump,’ press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in an interview on CNN… ‘this is indeed a national emergency… and it’s about time we have a president who actually does something about it.’ 

“China’s finance ministry on Friday said it will impose a 34% levy on all US imports starting on April 10 — the day after Trump’s reciprocal tariff totaling 54% goes into effect The White House had already hit Chinese exports with a 20% levy earlier this year before Trump announced he was hiking that duty by 34% on Wednesday…

“Bank stocks in the United States dropped further on Friday… Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup all fell around 5% each…” 

China Panicking? 

Deutsche Welle reported on April 4; 

“President Trump continued to post on social media, this time taking a crack at China after it announced it would impose 34% retaliatory tariffs against the US in response to the 34% tariffs Trump announced earlier in the week. ‘China played it wrong, they panicked — the one thing they cannot afford to do!’ he wrote, again in all caps, on his social media platform. In another all-caps post, he wrote his polices would ‘never change.’” 

Daily Mail wrote on April 8: 

“Donald Trump is threatening a 104 percent tariff on China after the country refused to lift its retaliatory tariff on the U.S… China blasted Trump’s tariffs as ‘blackmail’ and vowed to ‘fight to the end.’”

After it was announced on Tuesday that the USA will begin collecting steep levies on imported goods from China, starting Wednesday, stocks fell again worldwide. This marks the third day with colossal losses. This trend seemed to continue on Day 4. 

CNBC wrote on April 9: 

“China has pushed back again on U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff policies by hiking its levies on U.S. imports to [84 %]… starting April 10… “

Japan Faces National Crisis 

Deutsche Wele also stated on April 4; 

“Tokyo’s stock market looks set to be suffering its worst week in years after the announcement of sweeping tariffs [24%] by the Trump administration. Japan is one of the US’ major trade partners as well as a historically important ally in the Pacific region, however, this was not enough to spare it from Trump’s ‘Liberation Day’ tariff announcement on Thursday… 

“Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba described the tariffs as a ‘national crisis.’”

 Tariffs Against Israel!

JTA wrote on April 2: 

“The United States will impose 17% tariffs on goods imported from Israel under a sweeping new tariffs system… Many imports from the United States have not been taxed under a 1985 free trade agreement. Attempting to avert Trump’s targeting, the Israeli government on Tuesday abolished all tariffs on U.S. goods. It was not immediately clear whether Trump would adjust the tariffs on Israeli goods as a result…

“The decision could raise prices on consumer goods including kosher food and Judaica that are produced in Israel. Israel is also a major exporter of technology, precious stones and medical supplies, sending products valued at more than $22 billion to the United States in 2024.

“Trump argues that the tariffs are needed to reclaim money and respect that other countries have taken from the United States. His critics, including most mainstream economists, say they will wreak havoc on the global economy and translate largely into higher prices for U.S. consumers.”

His tariffs against Israel (!) are really short-sighted, to say the very least.

JTA wrote on April 8:

“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu finished his visit to Washington, D.C., without any public commitment by President Donald Trump to roll back the 17% tariff he is imposing on Israeli goods. Asked during a press conference with Netanyahu on Monday whether he planned to adjust the tariff, Trump demurred. ‘Maybe not,’ Trump said… 

“And, after weeks during which the Gaza takeover proposal appeared to have receded, Trump brought it back… ‘It’s an incredible piece of important real estate… having a peace force like the United States there controlling and owning the Gaza Strip would be a good thing.’”

It’s Going to Be Expensive For Germany and the EU 

Bild Online wrote on April 3:

“US President Donald Trump’s tariff plans threaten to be expensive for Germany. According to calculations by the employer-friendly Cologne Institute for Economic Research (IW), the damage could total around €200 billion over Trump’s four-year term in office… For the European Union, the damage could amount to around €750 billion.

“…Emmanuel Macron [is calling] for investments in the US to be suspended for the time being… Macron described the US tariffs as ‘brutal and useless’… Europe must act ‘reactively, united, and organized’…” 

“In response to Trump’s tariffs, Canada is imposing 25 percent import duties on certain US vehicles… [Canada’s prime minister said:] “The US is ‘no longer a friendly partner,’ Canada will defend its interests.”

Worst Economic Error in a Century

The Economist wrote on April 3:

“Donald Trump has committed the most profound, harmful and unnecessary economic error in the modern era. Almost everything he said—on history, economics and the technicalities of trade—was utterly deluded.”

Terminate the Trump Tariffs Before It’s Too Late

Fox News published the following article by Republican Governor from Kentucky, Rand Paul, dated April 4:

“If you think eggs are expensive, just wait until the new tariffs hit cars. Goldman Sachs estimates tariffs on imported vehicles could raise prices by $5,000 to $15,000. That’s because tariffs are taxes on foreign imports that are paid by American consumers. These tariffs apply to almost every conceivable product. As a result, energy will be more expensive, and gas prices in some parts of the country could see as much as a 70-cent increase in the cost per gallon. According to the National Association of Home Builders, the building of a single-family home could become up to $10,000 more expensive because of the tariffs. With the tariffs on aluminum, even beer and hard seltzer are likely to increase in price.

“Unfortunately, these tax increases are on top of the taxes you have already paid when tariffs were imposed during the first Trump administration. The Tax Foundation calculated that tariffs between 2018 and 2023 imposed an additional $1,753 in costs on American families. Now that the tariffs apply to even more products, the tax increases are poised to be even higher this time. The Peterson Institute predicts tariffs could annually cost families $1,200 a year, while Yale’s Budget Lab estimates the tariffs would cost the average American family $4,200 annually… 

“Recently, the Secretary of Agriculture indicated the administration was preparing programs to mitigate ‘economic catastrophes’ for farmers harmed by tariffs—a clear admission that tariffs hurt Americans. The first Trump administration authorized $28 billion in farmer bailouts to offset financial losses caused by tariffs…

“Republicans would be wise to rediscover their principles and oppose new and high taxes.  The truth is that tariffs are taxes. They don’t punish foreign governments; they punish American families. When we tax imports, we raise the price of everything from groceries to smartphones, washing machines, and every other conceivable product… It’s time to terminate the tariffs.”

In the Long Run, We Are All Dead

The Huffington Post wrote on April 3:

“[Republican Senator John Kennedy from Louisiana] wasn’t concerned enough about President Donald Trump’s steep international tariffs to vote against them Wednesday… but did scold staunch supporters of the policy with a dire warning to multiple outlets. ‘In the long run, we’re all dead,’ he said…. ‘Short run matters, too. Nobody knows what the impact of these tariffs is going to be on the economy…’

“[He] added that he’s heard both favorable and disastrous assessments on the tariffs from economists in Washington, D.C., but said even ‘late-night psychic hotlines’ are more accurate in their predictions — and slammed blind supporters of the policy….” 

Ted Cruz Warns 

t-online wrote on April 5:

“The tariffs imposed by Donald Trump could have serious consequences for the Republicans, according to Republican Senator Ted Cruz. ‘If we enter a recession—especially a severe one—then 2026 would most likely be a political bloodbath’ [In one and a half years, during the midterm elections, a third of the Senate and the entire House of Representatives will be up for reelection]… In his view, an economic downturn threatens a loss of the majority in the House of Representatives—possibly even in the Senate…

“Cruz declared that because of the tariff package, this week could go down in history as ‘the most consequential in all four years’ of Trump’s second term. There is ‘the potential for positive developments’ but also ‘enormous risks’… He himself is ‘not a fan of tariffs.'”

J.D. Vance was also against them four years ago. Now he’s suddenly in favor of them. On the other hand, Bernie Sanders was for tariffs in the past. Now he is against them.

U.S. Stock Market Has Wiped Out $9.6 Trillion Since Inauguration Day 

Market Watch wrote on April 4: 

“U.S. stocks have had a rough go of it since President Donald Trump was sworn into office for his second term in January… 

“Since Jan. 17, the Friday before Inauguration Day, the U.S. stock market has seen $9.6 trillion in value erased, according to data from FactSet and Dow Jones Market Data. Of those losses, $5 trillion has been erased just over the past two days — the largest two-day loss on record.”

Global Recession Likely 

Daily Mail wrote on April 4: 

“Nearly £175 billion has been wiped off the UK stock market in just a week – hammering the pensions and savings of millions. As the market meltdown triggered by Donald Trump’s trade war accelerated, the FTSE 100 suffered its sharpest drop since the outbreak of the pandemic…

“As global markets took a £4.4 trillion hit this week, Wall Street giant JP Morgan warned: ‘There will be blood.’ The investment bank said the chances of a global recession have spiked… to 60 per cent…”

Trump: “It’s Going Very Well.”

Daily Mail wrote on April 4:

“Wall Street had its worst day since the height of the Covid crash after President Donald Trump’s tariffs sparked fears of a US and global recession. Trump seems unfazed. Asked about tumbling stocks on Thursday as he boarded Air Force One to attend a golf dinner in Miami — as the Dow Jones was down 1,400 points — Trump said: ‘I think it is going very well.’…

“Trillions of dollars was wiped off the value of US stocks — a blow that will also hit ordinary Americans whose retirement savings, including 401(K) are tied to the market…

“On Thursday morning,  Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick dismissed the possibility of exemptions for certain countries under the new US tariffs… Lutnick also warned that other nations would be making a mistake if they retaliated with their own tariffs against the U.S…” 

Daily Mail added on April 4:

“Wall Street has had its worst two-day wipeout in history – with $6.6 trillion wiped off the value of US stocks (marking the biggest two-day loss of shareholder value ever recorded). After plunging yesterday, stocks crashed again on Friday as it looks increasingly likely that President Donald Trump’s tariffs will cause a global recession (If it does, stock prices will likely come down even more than they have already)… So far there have been few, if any, winners in financial markets from the trade war.”

Musk Against Tariffs

The New York Post wrote on April 6:

“Elon Musk appeared to split from the Trump administration on tariffs overnight — as he lashed out at trade adviser Peter Navarro and said he hoped for a ‘zero tariff situation’ between the US and Europe… The Tesla and SpaceX guru made very public swipes Saturday against Navarro, who is widely seen as one of the top architects of Trump’s tariff regime…

“Navarro hit back at Musk, chiding that [he “doesn’t understand” the situation and that “he sells cars” and that] he’s merely “protecting his own interests as any business person would do.”

NBC News added on April 6:

“‘I hope it is agreed that both Europe and the United States should move, ideally, in my view, to a zero-tariff situation, effectively creating a free trade zone between Europe and North America,” Musk  [said]… ‘So that has certainly been my advice to the president.’”

The New York Post wrote on April 8:

“Billionaire Elon Musk escalated his attacks against Navarro on Tuesday… ‘Navarro is truly a moron. What he says here is demonstrably false,’ Musk wrote on X, adding in a subsequent post… ‘Tesla has the most American-made cars. Navarro is dumber than a sack of bricks.’… 

“Musk has refrained from criticizing Trump directly, but his dissatisfaction with the tariffs has been apparent… As the stark market has nosedived amid the onslaught of tariffs, Musk’s personal net worth has also sunk nearly $50 billion over the past two weeks.”

German Economics Minister Robert Habeck, on Musk’s proposal, said: This idea is ridiculous and utter nonsense. 

EU Retaliates 

ntv wrote on April 8: 

“US President Donald Trump has rejected an EU proposal to reduce tariffs on industrial goods to zero as insufficient. Asked whether the proposal was sufficient for Trump to reconsider the tariffs, he replied: ‘No, it is not.’”

CNBC wrote on April 9:

“The European Union on Wednesday voted to approve its first set of retaliatory measures to counter tariffs imposed by the U.S…. duties [will] start being collected from April 15…. the tariffs target a wide range of goods, including poultry, grains, clothing and metals.”

Due to Trump’s turnaround, the EU has put any retaliatory tariffs on hold.

Stock Market Crash Continues

Focus wrote on April 7: 

“The stock market crash continues at an accelerated pace at the start of the week. Following the slump in Asia [Bild Online: “Stocks in Hong Kong plunged 13.2 percent – the worst day since 1997“], the DAX [Germany’s leading index] followed suit in the morning, and the US stock markets in the afternoon… The White House dismissed the CNBC report that Trump was considering a tariff pause with China as ‘fake news.’ Subsequently, the stock markets collapsed again completely.” 

Trump Undeterred 

The Associated Press responded on April 7: 

“Trump faces mounting pressure in the financial markets and from business leaders to backtrack on his tariff ambitions, yet he has shown no signs of reversing course or finding a message to calm panicked markets. The White House said Monday that Trump would veto a Senate bill that would mandate congressional approval for new tariffs…” 

The Case of the Man Mistakenly Deported to El Salvador Prison

The Associated Press wrote on April 4: 

“A federal judge [Paula Xinis] on Friday ordered the Trump administration to arrange for the return of a Maryland man to the United States after he was mistakenly deported to a notorious El Salvador prison. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement expelled Kilmar Abrego Garcia last month…

“The White House has cast Kilmar Abrego Garcia, 29, as an MS 13 gang member and assert that U.S. courts lack jurisdiction over the matter because the Salvadoran national is no longer in the U.S. Abrego Garcia’s attorneys have countered that there is no evidence he was in MS-13. The allegation is based on a confidential informant’s claim in 2019 that Abrego Garcia was a member of a chapter in New York, where he has never lived. 

“Abrego Garcia’s mistaken deportation, described by the White House as an ‘administrative error,’ has outraged many…  Abrego Garcia had a permit from the Department of Homeland Security to legally work in the U.S., his attorney Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg said… In 2019, a U.S. immigration judge granted him protection from deportation to El Salvador because he was likely to face gang persecution. He was released and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement did not appeal the decision or try to deport him to another country. 

“Abrego Garcia later married Vasquez Sura [a US citizen]. The couple are parents to their son [a five-year-old son with disabilities] and her two children from a previous relationship.”

Newsweek reported that the judge ordering Garcia’s return “had seen no evidence he was a member of the MS-13 gang.” She said the case involved “an issue of ‘outright illegality’ on the government’s part” and ordered the return “no later than 11.59 p.m. on Monday, April 7th.” 

Deutsche Welle added: 

“The US government’s lawyer said that while there’s ‘no dispute’ that the man should not have been deported, the administration argued it has no legal authority to bring him back to the US.

“The Salvadorian man’s lawyers rejected this claim. ‘They put him there, they can bring him back,’ a member of his legal team said in a statement. Judge Xinis agreed. ‘Why can’t the US get [him] back?’ she asked. 

“The lawyer representing the US government saying he had asked the administration that question but had not received an answer that he found satisfactory. The ruling was the latest legal setback for the Trump administration’s deportation policies…” 

npr added: 

“‘From the moment he was seized, it was unconstitutional,’ Judge Xinis said during the hearing. ‘If there isn’t a document, a warrant, a statement of probable cause, then there is no basis to have seized him in the first place. That’s how I’m looking at it,’ the judge said… ‘In a court of law when someone is accused of membership in such a violent and predatory organization, it comes in the form of an indictment, a complaint, a criminal proceeding that then has robust process, so we can assess facts…’” 

It was claimed by JD Vance and others that Garcia “was a convicted MS-13 gang member.” According to Austin American Statesman, dated April 3, “Court records and interviews with legal experts agree that Abrego-Garcia has never been convicted of a crime in the U.S., gang-related or otherwise… Vance appears to be referring to two denials of bond requests in which immigration courts used allegations [by a confidential informant in 2019, mentioned above] that Abrego-Garcia was in a gang as a reason for their denial. Abrego-Garcia’s team denies that he’s a gang member and — he has never been put on trial for or convicted of criminal charges.’

Austin American-Statesman concluded in regard to Vance’s statement: “We rate the statement False.”

Judge Paula Xinis is clearly correct, and her order seems to be the only fair, acceptable and legal order in this deeply distressing case. Still, Chief Justice Roberts, in a hard-to understand decision, paused the deadline for the return of Garcia to give the parties more time to address their view points in writing. In the meantime, Garcia, who might very well be innocent, stays in the notorious prison in El Salvador.

Justice Department Places Immigration Attorney on Leave 

MSN wrote on April 6: 

“The Justice Department suspended a veteran lawyer after he said in court that officials mistakenly deported a man to prison in his home country of El Salvador and conceded that he did not know the legal basis for the expulsion. Erez Reuveni had worked at the Justice Department for nearly 15 years, most recently as the acting deputy director of the Office of Immigration Litigation…” 

ABC News added on April 6: 

“‘At my direction, every Department of Justice attorney is required to zealously advocate on behalf of the United States,’ Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement on Saturday. ‘Any attorney who fails to abide by this direction will face consequences.’… August Flentje, who was Reuveni’s supervisor, was placed on administrative leave Saturday by officials at Main Justice for ‘failure to supervise a subordinate’…”

So, what was Reuveni supposed to do in order to “zealously advocate on behalf of the United States”? Lie to the court? 

US Supreme Court Decides For Trump in Immigration Case 

npr wrote on April 8: 

“The U.S. Supreme Court [allowed] the administration to continue deporting what it says are Venezuelan gang members. The vote was 5-to-4, with conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett joining the three liberals in dissent. At issue in the case was the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a controversial law invoked only three times in U.S. history, always during wartime, which allows for the detention and deportation of foreign nationals from countries actively invading the United States. The Trump administration argued that the law applied to Venezuelan gang members who were deemed to be invading the nation [by arguing that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua is a ‘hybrid criminal state.’]

“In an unsigned opinion Monday night, the court’s conservative majority didn’t rule on that question. But it gave the Trump administration all it needed to continue with the deportations, with one caveat. It said that from here on in, the alleged gang members need to be given notice of deportation, and the opportunity to contest the deportation. The court, however, said there is only one way to do that. And that is by challenging their detentions on a case-by-case basis… In practice it means that an imprisoned individual has the right to challenge his detention or deportation, but only for himself, and only, the court said, in the places where deportees were being detained. In this case, the named plaintiffs were being held in Texas, a state, where, as the dissenters observed, judges are not likely to be sympathetic.” 

Breitbart added on April 7: 

“While the ruling from the Supreme Court is a win for President Donald Trump and his administration, it was described as ‘narrow and focused on the proper venue for the cases, rather than on the administration’s use of a centuries-old law to justify its decision’ to deport suspected illegal alien gang members, according to the New York Times. Per the outlet, in a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court justices found that ‘the migrants had improperly challenged their deportations in Washington, D.C.,’ when they should have challenged them in Texas, ‘where they were being held.’

“The justices did not address the question of whether the Trump administration improperly categorized the Venezuelans as deportable under the Alien Enemies Act…”

pbs agreed, adding on April 8: 

“The Supreme Court’s ruling did not address the constitutionality of the act or the migrants’ claim that they don’t fall within the category of people who can be deported under the law.”

Still, this very ambiguous decision raises more questions than it answers.

Persecution of Germans in the USA? 

Die Welt wrote on April 4: 

“In the USA, the number of cases of foreign nationals being detained upon entry is increasing. Even a Green Card no longer seems to protect the holder from US authorities, as the case of Fabian Schmidt shows… 

“According to his relatives, a German citizen living in the USA has been in US deportation detention for four weeks. Fabian Schmidt, who lives in the state of New Hampshire, was detained at the Boston airport upon entry on March 7 and is now in a detention center in the state of Rhode Island… 

“The background to the case is unclear. According to his mother, Schmidt has been living in the USA since 2007 and, with his so-called Green Card, has unlimited residency, which largely equates him with US citizens. He accuses the authorities of mistreating him. Among other things, he was shouted at during questioning at the airport and forced to undress. He became ill while in custody and was taken to a hospital, where he was confined to a bed… He shared a deportation prison with criminals who had ‘committed heinous crimes’… 

“The background to the US authorities’ actions could be an old drug offense. According to his mother, Schmidt’s questioning repeatedly revolved around a cannabis offense from almost ten years ago. The case was dismissed. 

“In recent months, there have been several other cases, including those involving German citizens, who were arrested upon entering the US. In some cases, the victims were held in deportation centers for days or weeks.” 

Many feel that this is perhaps Trump’s revenge against Germans and Europeans for allegedly mistreating the US in economic matters. 

Trump’s Popularity in the Rocks 

On April 3, Bild Online published the following commentary by Franz Josef Wagner in his daily column, entitled “Dear Trump-America”: 

“… as if in a religious ceremony, your president raises the plaque of punitive tariffs. This happened in the Rose Garden of the White House. In front of him are men and women on folding chairs, all silent with reverent faces. The high priest speaks.

“What an America Trump has created after 70 days in office. A student who wrote a critical article is arrested on the street, professors are considered enemies. 

“If I were French, I would demand the Statue of Liberty back. The French gave it to the Americans in 1886. Because America was a land of open arms. The statue stands on Liberty Island, the island of freedom. 

“We see Trump with his still peroxide-blonde hair. He is an old angel. Which makes one despair: Why isn’t the other, good America standing up? Hemingway would have stood up, Gary Cooper. In the White House Rose Garden, a proven liar is acting like the master of the world. Wake up, my old America.”

A Third Term?

npr wrote on March 31: 

“President Trump has once again floated the idea of testing the Constitution’s presidential term limits by seeking a third term… The 22^nd Amendment prohibits a person from being elected U.S. president more than twice… But some legal experts point to plausible strategies for attempting end runs around the 22nd Amendment under unusual scenarios… 

“Republican Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee introduced a joint resolution to propose a change to the Constitution so that a person could be elected president three times if they had not been previously elected to two consecutive terms… 

“A 1999 Minnesota Law Review article called ‘The Twice and Future President’ explains that a twice-elected president could become vice president and then — if the current president were to be removed from office, resign or die — return as commander-in-chief. The federal government sanctioned record of interpretations of the Constitution also points to the possibility of a former two-term president serving as speaker of the House of Representatives or as another federal officer who could become president… 

“All of these hypothetical situations get around a key word in the 22nd Amendment’s restriction — ‘elected.’ Bruce Peabody, one of the law review article’s co-authors, who is now a professor of government and politics at Fairleigh Dickinson University, says Congress chose that term after considering proposals that would have made a twice-elected president not eligible to ‘hold’ the office again…Their word choice, however, has given rise to what Brian Kalt — a law professor at Michigan State University who wrote about a hypothetical two-term president getting nominated to run for vice president in Constitutional Cliffhangers: A Legal Guide for Presidents and Their Enemies — calls a loophole in the 22nd Amendment’s two-term limit… 

“… a lawyer could try to argue that being a ‘natural born’ citizen, at least 35 years old and a resident within the U.S. for at least 14 years are the only presidential eligibility requirements specified in the Constitution, says Stephen Gillers, a professor emeritus at New York University School of Law, who proposed in 2004 that Clinton run for vice president… 

“A more straightforward possibility that some constitutional scholars have not ruled out is Trump running for a third term as president regardless of what the 22nd Amendment says… Any attempt at a third Trump administration would likely spark lawsuits that end up before the U.S. Supreme Court. And in this polarized political environment, it’s difficult to predict how the court’s conservative supermajority would rule, says Aziz Huq, a constitutional law professor at the University of Chicago Law School… ‘The court has ways of ducking the 22nd Amendment question. And if the court ducks the question, then it would be up to other actors — whether in the states, for example, in the process of nominations and primary votes or Congress at the moment at which it determines who won the Electoral College — to decide on whether the 22nd Amendment had the force of law,’ Huq says.”

But all of this may be moot, if Trump has something else in mind. Note the next article. 

What Could Trump’s Plan Be? 

ntv wrote on April 4: 

“US President Trump’s course contradicts all experience and expert opinions. But what if it’s just part of a completely different plan? Then it would suddenly make a lot of sense… 

“Donald Trump’s tariff war is absurd to the point of being self-destructive in every respect. In every respect except one… Trump’s tariffs will drive up prices for everyone. People will become poorer, they will be able to buy less. Only if they absolutely have to will, they accept the higher prices that come with the tariffs… 

“Will it prevent those affected from expressing their displeasure at the ballot box? Not in the long run, at least not the swing voters who voted for Trump last time. In short: Economically and politically, what Donald Trump is doing right now makes absolutely no sense… 

“But what if one questions the most self-evident of all premises: that there will ever be free and fair elections in the US again? Elections in which anyone could express their displeasure with Trump? What if part of the plan is to cancel upcoming elections until further notice under one pretext or another – so that Donald Trump no longer has to consider the voters? 

“Then everything he does suddenly makes a lot more sense. And to become accustomed to a state that is far removed from democracy and even democratic is already underway. It is no coincidence that Trump has so far ruled almost exclusively by presidential decree, and both houses of parliament are not consulted, decide nothing, and have no say. It is no coincidence that Trump bases large parts of his decrees on formal legal grounds, declaring thematic or regional emergencies or states of emergency, including tariffs… 

“And escalation could mean: instigating a war on the borders of the United States that could allow him to declare elections impossible or illegal until further notice… that would be a fabricated war, a fabricated reason. But Donald Trump also fabricated the reasons for his tariff war. For example, he accused Canada of flooding vast quantities of fentanyl into the US. In fact, a blatant lie. Regardless. Many kings needed a war to remain king for as long as possible.” 

Trump said before, the 2024 elections would be the last ones. 

Putin the Laughing Third 

t-online wrote on April 6: 

“So far, Putin has been playing [with] the US President… not much has happened so far, and Trump is left empty-handed… 

“Putin is currently the laughing third. On the one hand, there are no tariffs on his war-torn economy, but last year Russia exported goods worth a total of three billion dollars to the US. A large portion of this was fertilizer and metals. On the other hand, if Trump’s economic policy leads the United States into a recession, the debate will erupt again by summer at the latest as to whether the Americans even want to spend any more money on supporting Ukraine.” 

When China Takes Taiwan

Daily Mail wrote on April 5: 

“A successful Chinese invasion and annexation of Taiwan presupposes one of two seismic events – a total defeat of the US military in the Indo-Pacific theatre, or Washington abruptly abandoning a decades-long security partnership with Taipei.  

“Both scenarios would be catastrophic for America, and by extension, Western interests in the highly strategic region… an American defeat, or refusal to uphold its security commitments to Taiwan in the face of a Chinese attack, would dispel any notion that the US remains the world’s dominant political and military power. National populations in Japan and South Korea, let alone Philippines, Indonesia and elsewhere would likely shift their opinion in favour of China due to the massive shift in power this would entail…” 

EU Wants to Fight Musk 

Breitbart wrote on April 4: 

“EU regulators are gearing up to impose massive fines exceeding $1 billion on Elon Musk’s X for alleged violations of a landmark law aimed at censoring online discussions… 

“The decision to impose such hefty fines comes as EU regulators weigh the risks of further antagonizing Musk and U.S. President Donald Trump amid ongoing trans-Atlantic disputes concerning trade, tariffs, and the war in Ukraine. The fine, expected to be announced this summer, would be the first issued under the Digital Services Act, a law designed to compel social media companies to censor their services… Musk has been critical of European policies and is expected to contest any regulation… 

“The law has become a point of contention in the trans-Atlantic debate about free speech, with U.S. Vice President JD Vance comparing EU regulation to digital censorship… The European Union’s aggressive stance on regulating American tech giants is not limited to X. Regulators are also expected to announce penalties against Meta and Apple for violating the Digital Markets Act…” 

Europe’s Lust For War Explodes 

Report 24 wrote on April 4, 2025: 

“Europe appears to be losing its mind. A new wave of war obsession has swept the continent’s political elites, driving them into a dangerous frenzy reminiscent of the darkest chapters of the 20th century… 

“The European leadership has spiraled into a militaristic hysteria that lacks any strategic rationality. Instead of diplomacy and a prudent security architecture, politicians are opting for rearmament at any cost – a course that not only plunders state coffers but also undermines the continent’s democratic foundations. Germany, in particular, stands out: Here, terms like ‘belligerence’ are thrown around as if the lessons of history have been forgotten… 

“Politicians and self-proclaimed ‘military experts’ are outdoing each other in belligerent tones. Last week, Germans were told on television that the coming summer would be their last in peace – after which a Russian attack [would occur], disguised as maneuvers in Belarus… The term ‘Kriegstüchtigkeit’ – the ability to be good at war – is being used excessively by German officials. A retired brigadier general recently had to point out that this represents a dangerous departure from the previous concept of ‘defensive capability’… At the same time, calls are being made for the reintroduction of conscription – including for women – accompanied by complaints that German youth are too effeminate for combat… 

“The consequences of this course are already being felt – and they are hitting citizens hard. In Germany, the Bundestag is loosening the debt brake in the Basic Law to finance rearmament… On March 6, the EU member states approved a loan of 150 billion euros for defense purposes, even though the EU Treaty expressly prohibits military spending. The member states are to raise a further 650 billion…” 

Austria’s Borders Are Closed 

Report 24 wrote on April 5: 

“There is an invisible divide in the European Union: Hungary and Slovakia, two countries that often politically oppose the Brussels mainstream, are repeatedly exposed to pressure. Now Austria has introduced border controls with both neighbors – officially because of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). But the timing and the political situation raise questions: Is this a protection against an animal disease or a means of disciplining dissenters?… 

“Since March 2025, Hungary and Slovakia have reported outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagious animal disease. Austria reacted promptly: from April 5, 2025, 24 smaller border crossings were closed… But the measures – including mobile controls and a ban on imports of animals and meat – coincide with political tensions, such as Hungary’s and Slovakia’s stance on aid to Ukraine. Critics are asking why the disease, after decades of absence, is flaring up now in ‘unadapted’ countries…

“Media like Heute (April 2, 2025) report that the closure of border crossings should apply until May 20, 2025, while large crossings like Nickelsdorf will remain open but will be controlled… [The] FPÖ criticizes: ‘This is reminiscent of Corona panic’ (April 3, 2025)…

“The EU preaches open borders, but resorts to controls when it is opportune. Austria’s measures, supported by the armed forces (April 4, 2025), risk exacerbating tensions with its eastern neighbors…” 

Hungary’s and Slovakia’s Foot-and-Mouth Disease 

EuroNews wrote on April 6: 

The foot-and-mouth disease… which poses no danger to humans, mostly affects cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals like swine, sheep and goats. Infected animals experience fever and mouth blisters as part of the symptoms of the disease. Outbreaks often lead to trade restrictions and culls of some livestock.” 

Express added on April 6: 

“Human contraction is very rare and usually occurs through direct contact with infected animals, and there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission.” 

CDU vs. AfD 

Bild Online wrote on April 6: 

“In our current Sunday poll, the CDU/CSU and AfD are tied for the first time at 24 percent! And I can’t find anyone who disagrees when I say: The far-right squad of Weidel, Chrupalla, and Höcke will soon overtake the Merz and Söder CDU/CSU…  

“Donald Trump is implementing his dangerous and destructive campaign promises against the rest of the world. Friedrich Merz is abandoning his campaign promises even before he takes office. I wish it were the other way around: Merz would keep his promises and Trump wouldn’t.” 

Further Calls for Conscription 

ntv wrote on April 6: 

“The president of the German Reservist Association, Patrick Sensburg, is… calling for a mass army for the Bundeswehr… ‘[This] would require 300,000 to 350,000 soldiers… Without conscription, we would fail to achieve our self-imposed goals and would lose a war… 

“‘Anyone who fails to credibly convey the Bundeswehr’s [situation that] it only has three days of ammunition or too few soldiers will not achieve a deterrent effect…”

Coalition Agreement in Place in Germany 

Die Welt wrote on April 9: 

“A key relief measure for war refugees from Ukraine is to be reversed. They will no longer receive citizen’s allowance in the future… The coalition partners want to introduce a new, initially voluntary military service model. The conditions for military registration and monitoring should be created this year.” 

Now: AfD Most Supported Party in Germany

Breitbart wrote on April 10:

“The… Alternative for Germany (AfD) has topped a national poll for the first time in the party’s history, as support for the incoming government continues to slide.

“According to the Ipsos survey, 25 per cent of the public now back the populist anti-mass migration party [AfD], an increase of three points over last month. Conversely, the formerly Merkel-led establishment ‘conservative’ Union (CDU) saw its support fall by five points over the past month to 24 per cent…

“The lengthy coalition negotiations, which finally concluded on Wednesday, have not only seen support for the Union decline but also clearly shaken public confidence in Merz… The EU-US Forum think tank commented: ‘After getting power, the CDU abandoned the very promises that got them elected. Now, the AfD is leading in Germany for the first time ever — and it’s no coincidence. The people want their country back.’”

Scandalous Judgment in Germany Censoring Free Speech 

Breitbart wrote on April 9: 

“Germany has been accused of violating basic Western values yet again, as a news editor in Germany faces a hefty fine and a seven month prison sentence for posting a meme mocking the government’s ‘hatred’ of free speech. 

“The Bamberg district court in Bavaria sentenced Deutschland-Kurier editor David Bendels this week to seven months in prison on probation and a fine of nearly sixty per cent of his annual income, or 210 ‘daily rates’, for posting an image on social media of Interior Minister Nancy Faeser holding an altered sign. The common meme tactic of changing the words on signs held by politicians for satirical purposes was used to make Faeser’s sign read: ‘I hate freedom of speech’. 

“Bendels was initially convicted in November, and the ruling was confirmed on Monday, finding that he had committed ‘defamation directed against people in political life,’ Die Welt reported on Tuesday… 

“The ruling has… been criticised by opposition political figures [and legal experts], with the influential regional leader of the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Thuringia, Björn Höcke saying: ‘German politicians… made Germany a laughingstock of the world. They armor themselves and attack freedom of speech again and again, ending our constitutional democracy. We have been warned by Donald Trump and Elon Musk: The enemies of freedom are found within the EU-governments!’…” 

Robots Are Coming… 

Archive Today wrote on April 4: 

“Artificial intelligence is already driving cars, writing essays and even writing computer code. Now, humanoids, machines built to look like humans and powered by A.I., are poised to move into our homes… 

“Investors have poured $7.2 billion into more than 50 start-ups since 2015… The humanoid frenzy reached a new peak last year, when investments topped $1.6 billion. And that did not include the billions that Elon Musk and Tesla, his electric car company, are pumping into Optimus, a humanoid they began building in 2021.” 

Indy 100 wrote on April 2: 

“Elon Musk is no stranger to a wild idea, but his latest remarks have sparked concern – as he thinks robots could soon outnumber humans… Tela vows to produce 10,000 of the [humanoid] robots by the end of 2025, having launched the first version in 2021. ‘Long-term, I think there will be more… the ratio of humanoid robots will be more than one to one. There might be two humanoid robots or more, maybe 10, for every one human’, Musk said in a video confirming their mass production would be coming. ‘Which means there will be well in excess of 10 billion humanoid robots’… 

“Optimus is described as ‘a general-purpose robotic assistant designed to perform tasks that are repetitive, dangerous, or undesirable for humans. Powered by advanced AI, it can walk, climb stairs, lift and carry objects, as well as manipulate items autonomously… Everything we’ve developed for our cars — the batteries, power electronics, advanced motors, gearboxes, the software, AI inference computer — it all actually applies to a humanoid robot.’ 

“He’s previously disclosed that soon, ordinary people will be able to own their own Optimus, starting at $20,000-$30,000….” 

The military will undoubtedly be interested in having humanoid robots at their disposal which carry out “dangerous” tasks. The prophecy that 200 million “of the army of the horsemen” will attack from the Far East comes to mind (Revelation 9:16). Commentaries suggest that the riders on those “horses” are evidently not merely human hosts. 

The Stars… and Time Travel Into the Past? 

Daily Mail wrote on April 5: 

“When you look up at the stars, you’re looking at suns from other solar systems, most of which have their own set of planets orbiting around them. The most distant stars are located billions of light years away – meaning the light from them has been travelling for billions of years to reach our eyes… So when we see a star in the sky, we are actually seeing a snapshot of what it looked like thousands of years ago, not how it is now.  

“Essentially, by looking up at the stars we are transporting ourselves thousands of years into the distant past. And it may seem unbelievable, but because a star’s light has been travelling for such a long time, by the time it reaches us that star may not even exist anymore…

“Stars are giant balls of hot gas – mostly hydrogen, with some helium and small amounts of other elements. Every star has its own life cycle, ranging from a few million to trillions of years.   Astronomers estimate that the universe could contain up to one septillion stars (a one followed by 24 zeros). Our Milky Way alone contains more than 100 billion, including our most well-studied star, the sun.  

“Just like we can only see objects because light has reflected off them, we can only see stars because light has traveled from them, through the vast galaxy and into our eyes… As an example, a bright star called Deneb can be seen in the constellation of Cygnus, a prominent cross-shaped constellation in the northern sky. Deneb is an estimated 2,600 light years away, meaning its light has travelled for 2,600 years to reach us. When light from Deneb started its journey, it was the 6th century BC – around the same time the Roman monarchy was overthrown and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon were built.  

“Another star system visible to the naked eye, Eta Carinae (made up of two stars in orbit around each other), which is 7,500 light years away… Earendel, the farthest star ever detected, is 28 billion light years away – although due to a quirk of our ever-expanding universe its light has travelled for 13 billion years to reach us.  Detected by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2022, Earendel is ‘surely long gone’, because a star’s typical lifetime is much less than this…”

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

USA Might Not Defend Europe 

The Mirror wrote on March 30: 

“A confidential Pentagon document suggests the United States may not come to Europe’s aid in the event of a Russian attack. The leaked internal memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is said to prioritise deterring China’s ambitions over Taiwan and bolstering defense measures on U.S. soil…. 

“The memo outlines Hegseth’s stance that America is unlikely to offer significant support to Europe against Russian aggression. It highlights an expectation for NATO allies to assume the primary role in defending their territory. The United States, the guidance suggests, will provide nuclear deterrence against Russia but will only commit forces that are not essential for homeland security or missions related to China. 

“The document underscores the importance of increased defense contributions from European nations, stating that this ‘will also ensure NATO can reliably deter or defeat Russian aggression even if deterrence fails and the United States is already engaged in, or must withhold forces to deter, a primary conflict in another region.’ 

“The latest memo aligns the Pentagon’s strategy with President Trump’s global security concerns, particularly highlighting undefined threats from the ‘near abroad’. In the document, Trump insists that U.S. forces must be ‘ready to defend American interests wherever they might be threatened in our hemisphere, from Greenland, to the Panama Canal, to Cape Horn.’” 

Trump: “We’ll Get Greenland, 100 Percent!” 

Daily Mail wrote on March 28: 

“‘We need Greenland,’ Trump said in the Oval Office. ‘Very importantly, for international security, we have to have Greenland. It’s not a question of, “Do you think we can do without it?” We can’t.’… ‘If you look at Greenland right now, if you look at the waterways, you have Chinese and Russian ships all over the place, and we’re not going to be able to do that. We’re not relying on Denmark or anybody else to take care of that situation.’ 

“He added: ‘And we’re not talking about peace for the United States. We’re talking about world peace. We’re talking about international security. And right now you look at it, you have warships all over the place going through, right along Greenland.’ He said the United States was ‘not going to let that happen.’” 

The Associated Press wrote on March 30: 

“‘We’ll get Greenland. Yeah, 100%,’ Trump told NBC News in an interview. He added there is a ‘good possibility that we could do it without military force’ but ‘I don’t take anything off the table’ … Trump also said ‘I don’t care’… what message it would send to Russian President Vladimir Putin…

“The reaction by members of Greenland’s parliament and residents has rendered that unlikely, with anger erupting over the Trump administration’s attempts to annex the vast Arctic island. .. And Greenlandic lawmakers on Thursday agreed to form a new government, banding together to resist Trump’s overtures.” 

Vance in Greenland 

The U.S. Sun wrote on March 28: 

“Vance said that Denmark has failed to secure the region as it was 30,40 years ago… ‘Our European allies have not kept up with the pace in military spending, and Denmark has failed to keep our troops and its own people safe… It is far better to come under the US security umbrella than the Danish security umbrella…’ 

“The VP then added that America needs to lead in the Arctic region security and protect its interests. But he failed to rule out military force to take over Greenland… [even though he said he did not think military force was ever going to be necessary]. 

“Trump says Europe needs to understand his interest in Greenland. He said that Greenland is ‘very important for the peace of the world.’ Trump added: ‘I think the European Union understands it, and if they don’t – we’re going to have to explain it.’” 

Newsmax added on March 28: “Vance said the U.S. has ‘no option’ but to take a significant position to ensure the security of Greenland.” 

Denmark Rejects Vance’s Tone 

Deutsche Welle wrote on March 29: 

“Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen expressed his dissatisfaction over the ‘tone’ of US Vice President JD Vance’s comments that Copenhagen had not done enough for Greenland. ‘We are open to criticisms, but let me be completely honest, we do not appreciate the tone in which it’s being delivered,’ Rasmussen said on X. ‘This is not how you speak to your close allies…’ 

“Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also hit back at Vance in a statement, as she referred to Danish combat deployments alongside US troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. ‘For many years, we have stood by the Americans in very difficult situations,’ Frederiksen said. ‘The vice president’s reference to Denmark is not accurate.’” 

Greenland’s new Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen contradicted Trump, saying: “The US will not get Greenland.”

Trump Prepares for Major Escalation in Tariffs War 

Newsmax wrote on March 29: 

“President Donald Trump is urging senior advisers to take a more aggressive stance on tariffs as the administration prepares for a major escalation in its global trade war… 

“Despite calls from allies on Wall Street and Capitol Hill to adopt a more measured approach, Trump has been pushing for sweeping trade actions aimed at reshaping the U.S. economy… Trump has expressed regret over not implementing broader tariffs during his first term and has blamed advisers for persuading him to pull back…” 

Do Tariffs Work?

Express wrote on March 29:

“US stocks on Wall Street fell on Friday amid growing concerns among consumers and investors about… Trump [who] said the latest tariffs would come into effect on April 2, with charges on businesses importing vehicles starting over the next days. Taxes on spare parts are set to start in May or later…

“Trump’s new tariffs could potentially hit every single American with an extra $2000 (£1545) in annual costs… Mexico is the top supplier of cars to the US, followed by South Korea, Japan, Canada and Germany.” 

Trump Threatens U.S. Automakers 

Newsmax wrote on March 28: 

“President Donald Trump told the CEOs of some of the most prominent car manufacturers they better not raise their prices due to tariffs, The Wall Street Journal reported. Trump said the White House would look unfavorably on the move, causing some of them to fear they would face retribution if they increased prices, sources told the Journal… 

“Automakers and industry suppliers have said they will have to raise prices due to tariffs and that bringing back manufacturing to the U.S. could take years, the Journal reported… Vehicle prices could rise 11% to 12% to offset the tariffs, Morgan Stanley analysts said… 

“An executive at one of the automakers told the Journal they were baffled by the desire to both impose tariffs — but also tell car companies they couldn’t raise prices. ‘The math would tell you that’s going to cost us multibillions of dollars,’ an auto executive said. ‘So who pays for that?’” 

These tariffs HURT America. It’s not just the cars manufactured overseas… it also includes auto parts, many of which are being imported to US automakers to be used in manufacturing cars in the USA. Obviously, automakers will have to raise prices to survive… meaning, the consumers suffer from these tariffs. 

Trump Denies Threatening U.S. Automakers 

The Huffington Post wrote on March 30: 

“In an interview with NBC News,… the president also pushed back against reporting in The Wall Street Journal, that he had pressured CEOs not to raise prices. ‘No, I never said that. I couldn’t care less if they raise prices, because people are going to start buying American-made cars.’ 

“If the cost of tariffs are fully passed to consumers, the average price on imported vehicles could spike by $12,500…” 

The New York Post added on March 30: 

“A Trump aide later clarified that the president’s comments brushing aside price hikes were specific to foreign-made vehicles… 

“‘Absolutely, they’re permanent, sure,’ [Trump] added…‘The world has been ripping off the United States for the last 40 years and more. And all we’re doing is being fair, and frankly, I’m being very generous.’ Still, Trump indicated that there may be some wiggle room, particularly on the timeframe for implementing the tariffs ‘only if people are willing to give us something of great value,’ adding that ‘otherwise, there’s no room for negotiation.’” 

Even so. The American people won’t be happy to hear that Trump does not care whether US automakers will raise prices, because of his planned 25% tariffs on auto imports. 

Biggest Tax Rise to Crush Economy 

The Telegraph wrote on March 31: 

“Trump is plotting the biggest tax rise in global history. 

“… the White House appears to be planning steep new tariffs, imposed on all of the US’s trading partners. On Fox News, Peter Navarro, one of the key backers of the tariff policy, suggested that levies on auto imports should raise $100 billion a year for the federal government. More significantly, he estimated that across the board tariffs would collect $600 billion annually.. 

“Some of the burden might be absorbed by foreign companies…  By far most likely, however, is that much of the increased cost will be passed onto consumers in the form of higher prices. Either they will be forced to pay more for imported goods, or prices may rise in general because US companies have less of an incentive to improve productivity thanks to the protections afforded by that tariff wall. 

“… the president is imposing tariffs, while at the same time talking vaguely about taxes that might or might not be reduced at some point in the future. That is not even close to an acceptable way to run the administration. So Trump is about to impose a huge tax rise, and the blunt truth is that like any other tax rise it will crush the American economy.” 

Trump’s New Tariffs on Liberation Day 

The Associated Press wrote on April 2: 

“President Donald Trump declared on Wednesday a 10% baseline tax on imports from all countries and higher tariff rates on dozens of nations that run trade surpluses with the United States, threatening to upend much of the architecture of the global economy and, critics say, risking broader trade wars. 

“Trump held up a chart while speaking at the White House, showing the United States would charge a 34% tax on imports from China, a 20% tax on imports from the European Union, 25% on South Korea, 24% on Japan and 32% on Taiwan. 

“The president described a global trade system that the United States helped to build after World War II, saying ‘our country has been looted, pillaged, raped, plundered’ by other nations.

Trump declared a national economic emergency to launch the tariffs, expected to produce hundreds of billions in annual revenues. 

“He has promised that factory jobs will return back to the United States as a result of the taxes, but his policies risk a sudden economic slowdown as consumers and businesses could face sharp price hikes on autos, clothes and other goods. ‘Taxpayers have been ripped off for more than 50 years,’ Trump said in remarks at the White House. ‘But it is not going to happen anymore.’… 

“The president’s higher rates would hit foreign entities that sell more goods to the United States than they buy, meaning the tariffs could stay in place for some time as the administration expects other nations to lower their tariffs and other barriers to trade that it says have led to a $1.2 trillion trade imbalance last year.”

The New York Post added on April 2: 

“The new 10% baseline [tax]… will take effect Saturday. Specific reciprocal duties will take effect April 9 — including a 20% duty on the European Union, 24% on Japan and 17% on Israel… The tariffs announcement coincided with the Wednesday adoption of 25% tariffs on most Canadian and Mexican goods, as well as a 25% tariff on all foreign made cars and auto parts to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.” 

Focus wrote on April 2: 

“It is the most aggressive and momentous step in the US President’s trade policy to date. This hits the European Union hard and is likely to have a significant impact on the global economy. A trade war with the European Union now seems inevitable.” 

“Putin Calls to Remove Zelenskyy, ‘Finish Off’ Ukrainian Troops” 

AFP wrote on March 28: 

“Russian President Vladimir Putin called Friday for a ‘transitional administration’ to be put in place in Ukraine and vowed his army would ‘finish off’ Ukrainian troops, in hardline remarks as President Donald Trump pushes for a ceasefire… The renewed call to essentially topple Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy was the latest demonstration of Putin’s long-standing desire to install a more Moscow-friendly regime in Kyiv… 

“In the first days of the offensive, Putin issued a public call for Ukraine’s generals to topple Zelenskyy, whom Putin has repeatedly denigrated, without providing any evidence, as a neo-Nazi and drug addict. Moscow has also repeatedly questioned Zelenskyy’s ‘legitimacy’ as Ukrainian president, after his initial five-year mandate ended in May 2024. Under Ukrainian law, elections are suspended during times of major military conflict, and Zelenskyy’s domestic opponents have all said elections should not be held until after the conflict. Putin, in power for 25 years and repeatedly elected in votes with no competition, has throughout the conflict accused Ukraine of not being a democracy. 

“Putin also called for his troops to press their advantage on the battlefield and step up their attacks, even as he says Moscow has halted its strikes on Ukrainian energy targets. ‘I was saying not so long ago: “We will finish them off.” There are reasons to believe that we will finish them off,’ Putin said. ‘We are gradually, not as fast as some would like, but nevertheless persistently and confidently moving toward achieving all the goals stated at the beginning of the special operation,’ the Kremlin leader added, using his term for the offensive… 

“Ukraine’s state oil and gas operator, Naftogaz, said that Russia attacked its facilities overnight and Zelenskyy on Thursday called on Washington to ‘react’ to the ongoing strikes. Russia’s defense ministry accused Ukraine of firing rockets and more than a dozen drones at its energy infrastructure over the past 24 hours. The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia had launched 163 drones at the country in its latest aerial attack, with regional officials reporting fires at infrastructure and agricultural sites in the south of the country… 

“Zelenskyy met in Paris on Thursday with Ukraine’s key European backers in a bid to strike a unified position of support against Trump’s overhaul of U.S. policy on Ukraine. But he said after the talks he had ‘many questions’ and ‘few answers’ over discussions led by France and Britain on a possible European troop deployment as part of any wider ceasefire or peace deal.” 

Russia Threatens With Bloodbath 

Breitbart wrote on March 28: 

“Coalition of the willing leaders are meeting in Paris to discuss supporting Ukraine but Moscow continues its bid to undermine these attempts, accusing France and Britain of provoking ‘direct military confrontation’ between NATO and the Russian Federation. Governments of over 30 nations and entities… [discussed] sustaining military and economic support for Ukraine. Also on the table is the suggestion of security guarantees for Ukraine and even, as frequently discussed by the United Kingdom and France, the possibility of European peacekeepers in Ukraine to monitor any agreement achieved by the Trump talks… 

“Russia, meanwhile, which clearly would not benefit from a ceasefire being guaranteed by NATO troops on Ukrainian soil… has long agitated against such notions… with the spokesman for the Russian Foreign Minister Maria Zakharova warning of bloody violence if Europe tries…” 

Attempts to End the War Futile?

The New York Post published the following opinion piece on March 28: 

“With every passing day, the Trump administration’s effort to bring about an end to the war in Ukraine through a real estate-like deal, swapping land for peace, looks increasingly futile. No amount of flattery or concessions to Russia can change the fact that… Putin is not interested simply in establishing control over some contested territories, supposedly populated by Russian speakers. 

“He wants to end Ukraine’s existence as an independent nation.. it should not be difficult for President Trump to see that he is dealing with an untrustworthy, bad-faith actor who must be stopped and deterred — not accommodated or befriended. Yet, accommodation seems to be a preferred route for many in the administration… 

“Russian authorities have abducted between 20,000 and 35,000 Ukrainian children to Russia, changing their names and dates of birth, indoctrinating them, and recruiting teenage boys into the Russian military… He is interested in turning Ukraine into an integral part of Russia, or its appendage — an obedient Belarus-like statelet under an autocratic pro-Kremlin leadership. Hence the insistence, unfortunately embraced by some in the US administration, on an early election or a replacement of…  Zelensky with a ‘transitional administration,’ as Putin put it on Friday.” 

Trump Angry With Putin 

NBC News wrote on March 30: 

“President Donald Trump said he was ‘very angry’ and ‘pissed off’ when Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized [the] credibility of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s leadership, adding that the comments [and the ceasefire talks] were ‘not going in the right location… If Russia and I are unable to make a deal on stopping the bloodshed in Ukraine, and if I think it was Russia’s fault — which it might not be — but if I think it was Russia’s fault, I am going to put secondary tariffs on oil, on all oil coming out of Russia… That would be that if you buy oil from Russia, you can’t do business in the United States… ‘There will be a 25% tariff on all oil, a 25- to 50-point tariff on all oil’… noting that the tariffs on Russia would come within a month without a ceasefire deal. Trump said Putin knows he is angry, but noted that he has ‘a very good relationship with him’ and ‘the anger dissipates quickly … if he does the right thing.’…” 

The New York Post added on March 30: 

“Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has since accused Trump of seeking an ‘illusory peace’ with Putin, warning the president that bowing to Moscow’s demands only ‘shreds America’s credibility, leaves Ukraine under threat, weakens our alliances and emboldens our enemies.’” 

Putin wants to unify Russia and Ukraine. To him, Ukrainians are Russians. No US brokered ceasefire or peace treaty will defeat his goals. 

Hillary Clinton Speaks Out 

Politico wrote on March 28: 

“Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has an assessment of her one-time presidential rival’s administration’s handling of sensitive information…  ‘It’s not the hypocrisy that bothers me; it’s the stupidity. We’re all shocked — shocked! — that President Trump and his team don’t actually care about protecting classified information or federal record retention laws,’ she wrote… 

“‘What’s much worse is that top Trump administration officials put our troops in jeopardy by sharing military plans on a commercial messaging app and unwittingly invited a journalist into the chat. That’s dangerous. And it’s just dumb.’” 

It would be advisable for hypocritical Hillary Clinton to be very quiet, giving her criminal history of illegally destroying thousands of emails on her server, including classified ones.

The War on Due Process 

The Rutherford Institute wrote on March 27: 

“The war on due process is here. No trials. No hearings. No rights. Just indefinite detention and secret deportations. This is the fate that awaits every one of us, not just immigrants (legal or otherwise), if the government’s war on the Constitution remains unchecked. 

“More than two decades after the U.S. government in its post-9/11 frenzy transported individuals, some of whom had not been charged let alone convicted of a crime, to CIA black sites (secret detention centers located outside the U.S. authorized to torture detainees) as a means of sidestepping legal protocols, the Trump Administration is using extraordinary rendition to make those on its so-called ‘enemies list’ disappear. 

“The first round of arrests and deportations to a mega-prison in El Salvador supposedly targeted members of the infamous Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Carried out with little evidence and without court hearings or due process, these roundups reportedly may also have swept up individuals with no apparent connection to gang activity apart from common tattoos (firearms, trains, dice, roses, tigers and jaguars) and other circumstantial evidence. 

“In a particularly Kafkaesque explanation for why some of the Venezuelan migrants who have no criminal records were targeted for arrest and deportation, government lawyers argued in court that that their lack of a criminal record is in itself cause for concern… 

“The most egregious of these incidents involve college students, scientists and doctors, all of them legal permanent residents of the U.S. who, while never having been charged with a crime, are accused of threatening national security by taking part in anti-war protests over the growing death toll in Gaza as a result of the Israeli-Hamas war, or sympathizing with the Palestinians, or being associated with someone who might sympathize with the Palestinians. 

“When merely exercising one’s right to criticize the government in word, deed or thought is equated to an act of domestic terrorism, we are all in trouble… American citizens could very well be next in line for this kind of treatment… suddenly, everything that challenges the government’s authority becomes a national security threat and every dispute a national emergency… Make no mistake: while immigrants, illegal and legal alike, have largely been the first victims of the Trump administration’s efforts to circumvent the Constitution in order to make them disappear, it’s our very freedoms that are being made to disappear… 

“What good are rights if the president is empowered to nullify them whenever he wants? For that matter, what good is a government that betrays its own citizens? History has shown us that when governments operate without checks and balances, tyranny follows. The question is not whether mass arrests and indefinite detentions could be expanded to American citizens—it’s how long before they are… if we accept that a president can unilaterally decide who is a threat without oversight, then we have already lost the freedoms that define us as a nation.” 

Frightening.. but most certainly not impossible… 

Supreme Court to Intervene in AEA Matter? 

The Guardian wrote on March 28: 

“The Trump administration on Friday asked the US supreme court to intervene to allow the government to continue to deport immigrants using the obscure Alien Enemies Act. The request came one day after a federal appeals court upheld a Washington DC federal judge’s temporary block on immigrant expulsions via a wartime act that allows the administration to bypass normal due process, for example by allowing people a court hearing before shipping them out of the US. 

“Friday’s emergency request claims that the federal court’s order temporarily blocking the removal of Venezuelans forces the US to ‘harbor individuals whom national-security officials have identified as members of a foreign terrorist organization bent upon grievously harming Americans’. 

“Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act has spurred a legal battle between the executive and judiciary branches of the US federal government. ‘We will urge the supreme court to preserve the status quo to give the courts time to hear this case, so that more individuals are not sent off to a notorious foreign prison without any process, based on an unprecedented and unlawful use of a wartime authority,’ said Lee Gelernt in a statement on Friday afternoon. Gelernt is the deputy director of the ACLU’s immigrants’ rights project and lead counsel in the case… 

“On 15 March, Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act, a wartime statute allowing the government to expel foreign nationals considered to be enemies to the US. When invoking the act, Trump, without proof, claimed that the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua had ‘infiltrated’ the US at the behest of the Venezuelan government. A US intelligence document accessed by the New York Times contradicts Trump’s claim about the Venezuelan government’s ties to the gang… Family members of many of the deported Venezuelan migrants deny the alleged gang ties…” 

Normally, the US Supreme Court does not get involved in hearing a case which only involves, at that state, temporary procedures, such as TROs or preliminary injunctions. But in this case, it could be different. And then the question arises, what will the court do? Just based on the known facts and analyzing the law, the court would have to rule against the Trump administration. But we will see.

More Venezuelan Gang Members Deported to El Salvador 

Fox News wrote on March 31: 

“The U.S. military transferred a group of 17 alleged members of Tren de Aragua to El Salvador from Guantanamo Bay on Sunday night… All the individuals transferred were either citizens of Venezuela or El Salvador. Some have criminal charges pending, while most have been convicted… These removals were done via Title 8, not the Alien Enemies Act, and all the individuals had deportation orders or final orders of removal… meaning the Trump administration did not violate a federal judge’s order halting the deportations… 

“El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele…  addressed the recent transfer in a statement on X, saying the 17 individuals are ‘confirmed murderers and high-profile offenders, including six child rapists.’” 

What Green-Card and Visa Holders Should Know Before Traveling Abroad 

npr wrote on March 29: 

“Traveling or returning to the U.S. from abroad has become increasingly risky for some — even for people with valid visas and green cards… Earlier this month, for example, Brown University urged its international staff and students to postpone any plans to travel outside the U.S. ‘out of an abundance of caution.’ Canada, along with several countries in Europe, including Denmark, Ireland and Germany, have also updated their travel guidance  for the U.S., urging their citizens to strictly adhere to U.S. entry rules or risk detention. 

“In a statement to NPR, Hilton Beckham, assistant commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), said, ‘Green card holders who have not broken any U.S. laws, committed application fraud, or failed to apply for a re-entry permit after a long period of travel have nothing to fear about entering and exiting the country.’ 

“In a recent case earlier this month, 34-year-old electrical engineer Fabian Schmidt, a green-card holder originally from Germany, was taken to immigration detention from Logan International Airport in Boston over a decade-old misdemeanor charge for marijuana possession… 

“CBP officers can ask travelers to unlock their cell phones, give laptop passwords or hand over digital cameras. U.S. citizens and green-card holders can’t be turned away simply because they refuse, but visa holders can… 

“If a traveler’s electronic device gets confiscated, the ACLU suggests asking for the officers’ names, badge numbers and which agency they work for. It also advises that travelers should call the agency to request a receipt documenting that a personal item was taken away. According to the ACLU, travelers who are asked to undergo further inspection at the airport are not entitled to an attorney… it’s still useful to have an immigration attorney’s contact information on hand… [or] to have a friend who can be quickly reached if there’s trouble entering the U.S. 

“So if it looks like you’re going to be questioned by the border people, you can text a friend [if even allowed to do this] saying, ‘I’m being pulled into secondary inspection, contact my immigration lawyer,’ ” 

Only Four Permits in LA 

Fox News wrote on March 28: 

“Los Angeles has only approved four permits to rebuild homes destroyed or damaged during the January wildfires in the wealthy enclave of Pacific Palisades that charred some 7,000 homes… Three of the permits were for one to repair a damaged home and two for full rebuilds… The first permit was issued on March 5, less than two months after the Palisades fire swept through the Pacific Palisades and the surrounding area… 

“The first few permits issued have been touted by Mayor Karen Bass as a milestone in the city’s recovery, but local leaders and residents have criticized the slow permitting process…” 

On or about January 24, 2025, Trump told Bass to waive all building restrictions and let those affected by the fires begin to rebuild within 10 days. Bass seemed to agree to this in front of the cameras. She obviously lied. 

Trump Threatens Iran 

NBC News wrote on March 30: 

“Trump threatened ‘bombing’ and ‘secondary tariffs’ on Iran if the country did not make a deal with the U.S. to ensure it did not develop a nuclear weapon… ‘It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.’… “ 

Fox News added on March 30: 

“Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian… noted that in Iran’s response [rejecting direct negotiations with the U.S], indirect negotiations with the Trump administration were still possible…. Fox News Digital has previously reported that European intelligence agencies believe Iran is working toward testing an atomic weapon, and sought illicit technology for its nuclear weapons program.” 

America’s and Europe’s Shameful Deafening Silence 

Bloomberg wrote on March 28: 

“Ekrem Imamoglu, the Turkish opposition figure whose detention this month triggered mass protests and a market selloff, criticized Western leaders for their muted response to his arrest. In a piece published in The New York Times on Friday morning, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s main political rival accused the US and Europe of prioritizing geopolitical interests over democratic values. ‘Their silence is deafening,’ Imamoglu wrote of world governments. ‘Washington merely expressed ‘concerns regarding recent arrests and protests’ in Turkey. With few exceptions, European leaders have failed to offer a strong response.’… 

“Erdogan doubts leaders in places such as France and Germany want a dispute over Turkey’s democracy. US President Donald Trump, for his part, called Erdogan a ‘good leader’ this week. Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul, said the lack of international condemnation of Erdogan is helping ensure Turkey’s shift toward authoritarianism…. 

“Germany’s outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz said last week that Imamoglu’s detention was ‘depressing,’ but other European leaders have largely refrained from issuing similar statements. The UK government hasn’t commented on the deportation of a BBC journalist on Thursday. 

“Since Imamoglu’s arrest, Turkish authorities have detained nearly 1,900 people, including students and activists, and have cracked down on media coverage. Local news channels, online broadcasters, and YouTubers are the target of penalties and investigations. Imamoglu’s lawyer was also detained, state-run Anadolu reported on Friday.” 

The deafening silence of the USA and Europe is indeed shameful. To call dictator and brutal autocrat Erdogan a good leader is astonishing. 

Erdogan Calls For Destruction of Israel 

Fox News wrote on March 31: 

“The Jerusalem Post reported that Erdoğan said [during a prayer service to mark the end of Ramadan]: ‘May Allah, for the sake of his name “Al-Qahhar,” destroy and devastate Zionist Israel.’ His call for the annihilation of the Jewish state has drawn fierce condemnation, particularly from Israeli officials. 

“In response to his remarks, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated on X, ‘The dictator Erdogan revealed his antisemitic face,’ adding that ‘Erdogan is dangerous to the region, as well as to his own people, as has been proven in recent days,’ Sa’ar referred to the widespread protests in Turkey and added, ‘Let’s hope NATO members understand how dangerous he is, and not before it’s too late.’: 

FDD added on March 31: 

“Erdogan… also prayed for ‘mercy upon the martyrs’ of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and a ‘speedy recovery’ for their wounded terrorists.” 

Israel Strikes Beirut 

Deutsche Welle reported on March 28: 

“Israel carried out a strike on Beirut, the Lebanese capital, for the first time since the ceasefire that ended the Israel-Hezbollah war in November. The attack on Friday targeted a building in Beirut’s southern suburbs and was in response to rocket fire from its northern neighbor, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. The IDF said it wanted to destroy a drone storage facility belonging to the Iran-backed armed group Hezbollah… Israel also bombarded Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon on Friday, the Israeli military said. 

“Speaking alongside Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who was visiting Paris, French President Emmanuel Macron said the strike on Beirut was ‘unacceptable,’ adding that such attacks ‘play into the hands of Hezbollah.’… Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, however, said the Lebanese government bore direct responsibility for the attack and warned, ‘If there is no quiet in Kiryat Shmona and the Galilee communities, there will be no quiet in Beirut either.’” 

The Many Challenges of the Trump Administration

The Jerusalem Post wrote on March 30: 

“… the Trump doctrine of getting deals in Gaza, Ukraine, and Iran all face hurdles. In addition, the decision to use force against the Houthis could be a test for what comes next. If the Houthis are not deterred, then will Iran be deterred?… the US airstrikes have not yet prevented Houthi attacks on Israel… 

“… This is why April is so important for the Trump doctrine in the region. The bombing campaign on the Houthis, the Gaza ceasefire, the Iran talks, and the Russia talks are all up in the air. The administration is juggling many things. Some of these deals are connected. Iran backs Russia. Iran backs Hamas. Iran and Qatar have an amicable relationship. Qatar hosts Hamas. Russia has not condemned October 7… 

“The US also has forces at Tanf Garrison in Syria near the Jordan-Iraq border. This means the US has an interest in the new Syrian government. The new government in Damascus also has ramifications for Lebanon… Israel has made it clear it will not tolerate any threats from Lebanon or Syria. Israel has stepped up bombing in both Lebanon and Syria. Turkey wants to back the new Syrian government. Some people think this sets up a potential clash between Israel and Turkey. The Trump administration will not want that to happen. This means that there is much to discuss regarding Syria…” 

“The Deification of Donald Trump” 

Following this headline, Die Welt wrote on March 27: 

“Donald Trump has only been in office for two months, and several politicians are demanding special tributes: his portrait on Mount Rushmore, on the $100 bill, and on a new banknote. A well-known airport is also to be renamed. This has never happened before in US history…”

A Third Term for Trump? 

The New York Post wrote on March 31: 

“President Trump said he’s ‘not joking’ about serving a third term in the White House — and thinks there’s a loophole to make it happen… Trump claimed that ‘there are methods which you could do it,’ including having Vice President JD Vance, 40, run for president with Trump as his vice president. Vance would then resign to allow Trump to regain the top job. ‘But there are others too,’ Trump said, without elaboration… 

“Trump explained he’s interested in serving as president until 2033 because ‘I like working.’… Trump, the second president in US history to serve non-consecutive terms, is set to be the oldest-ever commander-in-chief when he completes his second term in January 2029 at age 82 years and seven months — beating out former President Joe Biden, who left office in January at age 82 years and two months. He would be nearing age 87 at the end of a hypothetical third term… 

“A small handful of leaders have led major Western democracies well into old age. West Germany’s Chancellor Konrad Adenauer was 87 when he resigned in 1963 — after 14 years in power — and is historically well regarded for his accomplishments in rebuilding his country from the aftermath of World War II….” 

JD Vance Vindicated: Scandalous Judgment Against Le Pen 

Breitbart wrote on March 31: 

“Vice President JD Vance was correct in warning of attacks on democracy and liberty in Europe, supporters claimed, as populist National Rally leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running in the French presidential election. Just weeks after JD Vance left globalists stunned in Europe after excoriating them for undermining freedom of speech and the democratic will of their citizens, many have claimed that he was proven right on Monday as a Paris court banned the leading populist candidate to replace President Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 election. 

“The court found National Rally leader and three-time former presidential candidate Marine Le Pen guilty of embezzlement for allegedly using public funds for her party in the European Parliament on political activities in France. In addition to sentencing Le Pen to four years in prison, which will likely be served in some form of house arrest [with an electronic tag], and a 100,000 euro fine, the court controversially agreed with prosecutors to ban her from running in any election for five years.

“The ruling even banned her from seeking political office during the appeal process, meaning Le Pen may be blocked from the 2027 presidential election, which she currently stands as the undisputed frontrunner… 

“Following the ruling to ban Le Pen from running in the upcoming presidential election, which came just weeks after a court in Romania blocked populist frontrunner Călin Georgescu from running in the presidential election in the EU nation, Vance’s remarks were pointed to as being prophetic. 

“Donald Trump Jr. said: ‘France is sending Le Pen to jail and barring her from running?! Are they just trying to prove JD Vance was right about everything?’ 

“Human Events Senior Editor Jack Posobiec said Vice President Vance had ‘predicted’ the encroachment against democratic values in Europe, adding that his address in Munich ‘was the most important political speech of the 21st century’. The Bruges Group, a leading Eurosceptic think tank in Britain, remarked: ‘Events in France today confirm that JD Vance was right in everything he said at the Munich Security Conference. The democratic backsliding and open lawfare in the EU threatens freedom in Europe.’” 

Judgment Decried 

Breitbart wrote on March 31: 

“Political allies have decried the ruling, accusing the court of interfering in the French democratic process and depriving citizens of the right to choose their own leader. The former leader of the Republicains, who sided with Le Pen’s party in last year’s legislative elections, Eric Ciotti said that ‘the democratic destiny of our nation confiscated by an unworthy judicial cabal. This is not a simple malfunction, it is a system of power capture that systematically excludes any candidate too far to the right who is capable of winning.’ 

“Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose party sits in coalition with Le Pen’s National Rally in the European Parliament, said in a statement of solidarity: ‘I am Marine!’ in a reference to the ‘Je Suis Charlie’ slogan following the terror attack on the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. 

“Italian Deputy PM and longtime ally Matteo Salvini said: ‘Those who fear the judgment of voters often seek reassurance from the courts. In Paris, they have condemned Marine Le Pen and would like to remove her from political life. A bad situation that is also being observed in other countries such as Romania. What is happening against Marine Le Pen is a declaration of war from Brussels, at a time when the belligerent impulses of Von der Leyen and Macron are terrifying. We are not intimidated, we are not stopped: full speed ahead, my friend!’ 

“Le Pen’s deputy and likely successor, Jordan Bardella, said: ‘Today, it is not only Marine Le Pen who is being unjustly condemned: it is French democracy that is being executed.’” 

Politico added on March 31: 

“‘I am shocked by the incredible tough verdict against Marine Le Pen,’ fumed Dutch far-right chief Wilders, whose party won a national election in November 2023, helping tilt the Netherlands to the right. ‘I support and believe in her for the full 100% and I trust she will win the appeal and become President of France.’ 

“In Spain, far-right Vox party chief Santiago Abascal said: ‘They will not succeed in silencing the voice of the French people.’ 

“Reform UK party leader Nigel Farage said Le Pen has been ‘cancelled’ on what he describes as ‘a very trumped-up charge’…” 

The Guardian added on March 31: 

“In the US… Musk, a close adviser to the US president, said: ‘When the radical left can’t win via democratic vote, they abuse the legal system to jail their opponents. This is their standard playbook throughout the world.’ He added: ‘This will backfire, like the legal attacks against President Trump.’ 

“Trump himself said the conviction and ban from running for office was a ‘very big deal’ adding, ‘that sounds like this country, that sounds very much like this country,’ in an apparent reference to legal cases that he himself faced before he took office.” 

“Millions of Bees Are Mysteriously Dying – and Now Donald Trump Is Coming Along” 

Following this headline, Focus wrote on March 28: 

“Researchers in the US are alarmed: Millions of honeybees are dying for no apparent reason. But the discovery mission is stalling – President Trump has fired the researchers. The consequences for agriculture are fatal. 

“It is a sad record currently being reported from the US: More than two-thirds of the bee population in the US died over the winter. Those most affected are commercial beekeepers, whose livelihoods depend on bees… 

“The fact that up to one-fifth of a bee colony dies over the winter months is actually normal – and important to keep the colony alive. But the sheer number of entire hives that have now died shocks even experienced observers… 

“A classic symptom of this disorder is that the foragers, which provide food for the queen bee and her larvae, simply don’t return to the hive and disappear… The cause of the deaths is unknown… 

“European honey bees are vital not only here, but also in the USA: They pollinate more than half of the cultivated fruits such as apples, berries, melons, cherries, and pumpkins – thus keeping the plants alive… The honey harvest is also suffering massive losses due to the bee deaths. According to the research project’s estimates, the damage this winter alone amounted to around $139 million, and the price of honey in the USA rose by about five percent. Bad news for Americans, who have already had to endure sharply rising food prices recently.” 

Devastating Earthquake in Myanmar 

npr wrote on March 30: 

“Emergency aid has streamed into Southeast Asia in the two days since a massive earthquake struck Myanmar and Thailand. Relief efforts are focused on Myanmar, where the estimated death toll rose to (at least 1,700) by Sunday afternoon (with at least 300 people having been reported missing). 

“The number of dead from Friday’s 7.7 magnitude quake (followed minutes later by a 6.7-magnitude aftershock) is expected to increase, while the number of injured was at 3,408… The earthquake’s epicenter was near Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city with 1.5 million people. In neighboring Thailand, the death toll rose to (18). 

“While food, medicine and other vital supplies have reached Myanmar, a report issued Saturday by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said rescue efforts have been hampered by a severe shortage of medical supplies including trauma kits, blood bags, anesthetics, assistive devices, essential medicine and tents to house health workers. ‘We fear it may be weeks before we understand the full extent of destruction caused by this earthquake,’ said Mohammed Riyas, the IRC’s Myanmar director.” 

The Guardian added on March 30: 

“Red Cross officials have warned that Myanmar faces a humanitarian crisis… ‘What we’re seeing here in Myanmar is a level of devastation that hasn’t been seen over a century in Asia,’ the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) wrote…” 

Deutsche Welle added on March 30:

“Myanmar’s shadow National Unity Government, which coordinates the popular struggle against the ruling military, announced a unilateral partial ceasefire to facilitate earthquake relief efforts.”

Myanmar was formerly known as Burma. On January 4, 1948, Burma achieved independence from Britain. It has historically maintained a non-aligned foreign policy, but in recent years, it has deepened its relationships with Russia and China. Russia is a key ally, providing military support, including fighter jets used against ethnic minority groups allied with pro-democracy forces. 

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

America’s Immigration Policy 

Politico wrote on March 20: 

“The French government said Thursday that a French academic was refused entry onto U.S. soil over comments he had expressed against policies enacted by U.S. President Donald Trump. 

“France’s Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste said that ‘he had learned with concern that a French academic who was going to a conference in Houston was denied entry before being deported’ back to Europe, according to a ministry statement seen by POLITICO. ‘This measure was apparently taken by the American authorities because the researcher’s phone contained conversations with colleagues and friends in which he expressed a personal opinion on the Trump administration’s research policy,’ he said…

“The news comes as the Trump administration has recently accused Europe of curtailing free speech, with Vice President JD Vance launching a blistering attack against the continent last month, saying in Munich: ‘I believe deeply that there is no security if you are afraid of the voices, the opinions and the conscience that guide your very own people.’… This week, Germany updated its travel advice to the U.S. warning that tougher immigration enforcement could land travelers in detention or see them face deportation.” 

Immigration Abuses? 

The Associated Press wrote on March 21: 

“Lennon Tyler and her German fiancé often took road trips to Mexico when he vacationed in the United States since it was only a day’s drive from her home in Las Vegas, one of the perks of their long-distance relationship. But things went terribly wrong when they drove back from Tijuana last month. U.S. border agents handcuffed Tyler, a U.S. citizen, and chained her to a bench, while her fiancé, Lucas Sielaff, was accused of violating the rules of his 90-day U.S. tourist permit, the couple said. Authorities later handcuffed and shackled Sielaff and sent him to a crowded U.S. immigration detention center. He spent 16 days locked up before being allowed to fly home to Germany… there have been other incidents of tourists like Sielaff being stopped at U.S. border crossings and held for weeks at U.S. immigration detention facilities before being allowed to fly home at their own expense. 

“They include another German tourist who was stopped at the Tijuana crossing on Jan. 25. Jessica Brösche spent over six weeks locked up, including over a week in solitary confinement, a friend said. On the Canadian border, a backpacker from Wales spent nearly three weeks at a detention center before flying home this week. And a Canadian woman on a work visa detained at the Tijuana border spent 12 days in detention before returning home last weekend… 

“Pedro Rios, director of the American Friends Service Committee’s US-Mexico border program, a nonprofit that aids migrants, said in the 22 years he has worked on the border he’s never seen travelers from Western Europe and Canada, longtime U.S. allies, locked up like this…. Sielaff… was finally told to get a direct flight to Germany… In a frantic call from Sielaff, Tyler bought it for $2,744. He flew back March 5… ‘Nobody is safe there anymore to come to America as a tourist,’ he said.” 

The Street added on March 19: 

“German national Fabian Schmidt is currently being held at a Rhode Island detention center since being stopped at Boston Logan International Airport on March 7… Schmidt had a valid green card and has been living in the U.S. since 2008…  he was ‘violently interrogated’ for hours, stripped naked and put in a cold shower by two officials questioning his intentions upon entering the U.S.” 

This is unheard of. And great cause for concern! Note the next article.

Green Card Holders Concerned 

CNN wrote on March 22: 

“About 12.8 million green card holders live in the United States…  ‘Who’s next?’ David Leopold, an immigration attorney in Ohio and former president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association… told reporters… ‘Is it a climate activist? It is a gender-rights activist? Is it trans activists? Is it somebody who is concerned about health care? Is it somebody who just simply opposes Donald Trump?’… 

“For immigration attorney Charles Kuck, it’s a telling sign of the times. The last time he received so many calls from concerned legal residents, he says, was after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks… green card holders [are] not to stay outside the US longer than six months. If they do… it’s possible for the US government ‘to allege that they have abandoned their residency.’… anybody who’s got blemishes on their record, a conviction, even misdemeanor convictions… should not travel unless they’ve talked to counsel.’…” 

Despite what Trump might be saying, his attacks on “aliens” are clearly NOT limited to “illegal” aliens. Sadly, this development was to be expected. 

More Aggressive Tactics 

The New York Times reported on March 21: 

“U.S. border officials are using more aggressive tactics at ports of entry as the administration scrutinizes green card and visa holders who have expressed opposition to its policies… The Trump administration has opened a new phase in its immigration agenda, one that goes well beyond the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants… 

“Customs agents have wide latitude to search cellphones or computers of travelers crossing into the United States..” 

Also note the next provocative article. 

“Perilous Times for Personal Liberty” 

Judge Andrew P. Napolitano [frequent commentator on Fox News and Newsmax] wrote the following on March 20 in the Ron Paul Institute: 

“The history of human freedom is long, tortuous, and not gratifying. It consists essentially in governments trampling the laws enacted to restrain them… Thomas Jefferson argued that in the long march of history, personal liberty shrinks and state power grows… 

“All of this history and theory came into sharp focus in the past two weeks when the feds arrested a Syrian graduate student in his student housing at Columbia University in New York City and shipped him to an immigration jail in Louisiana. He is married to a native-born American, they are expecting a child in April, and he is a permanent resident alien. 

“Last week, the federal government arrested a Lebanese physician at Logan Airport in Boston. She is a professor of medicine at Brown University, and she, too, is a permanent resident alien. The student was charged with immigration violations. The physician was summarily deported to Paris and then to her native Lebanon. 

“The charging documents filed against the student allege no crime or personal misbehavior, point to no statutory violations, and offer no evidence of the student’s danger to persons or property or the government. The papers claim that Secretary of State Marco Rubio believes that this student’s presence on the Columbia campus — given his outspoken support for a Palestinian state, the existence of which has been the public policy of the U.S. for generations — is a material impediment to the execution of American foreign policy…. 

“In the case of the physician (no charges were filed either). The feds shipped her to Paris before the hearing could be held. In the case of the Columbia student, the feds shipped him to Louisiana, in defiance of the constitutional requirement that all persons be tried in the judicial district — in this case, New York City — in which the facts in their case took place… 

“In the government’s zealous enforcement of the nation’s immigration laws, it has become lawless. Every person who works for the government has taken an oath of fidelity to the Constitution. It is obvious that the feds do not take their oaths seriously. It is also obvious that the feds are breaking the laws we have hired them to enforce. When government becomes the lawbreaker, it becomes a law unto itself — and human freedom is trampled by brute force…” 

New Allegations Against Khalil 

The New York Post wrote on March 24: 

“Lawyers for the Department of Justice lodged new accusations against the anti-Israel campus protest leader [Mahmoud Khalil] in court papers over the weekend, arguing that they should be grounds for his deportation. Khalil — a green-card holder… allegedly fraudulently applied to change his immigration status without disclosing his ‘membership in certain organizations,’ the feds said. 

“Among those organizations was the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, known as UNRWA, a relief agency that was infamously stripped of tens of millions of dollars in federal funding after an explosive report that some of its members took part in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Khalil was a political affairs officer with UNRWA from June through November 2023. 

“The DOJ also alleges that Khalil did not reveal he was working at the Syria Office in the British Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon, when he applied for his visa, or that he was a member of Columbia University Apartheid Divest — an anti-Israel group that set off protests at the Ivy League school… the feds said in the filing from Sunday that the fact he allegedly lied on his application provided an ‘independent basis’ to deport him, overriding free speech rights… 

“Khalil was initially charged under an obscure law that allows the secretary of state to launch a deportation case against someone who is considered a threat to US foreign policy goals. That charge still stands, along with the new allegations made against him last week…” 

The question is, why are these “additional” grounds only stated now? 

Why the AEA Is Deemed to Be Unlawful 

The National Immigration Law Center wrote on March 17, 2025: 

“The Trump administration over the weekend unlawfully deported over 100 Venezuelans with zero due process under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 (AEA)… the AEA is a wartime authority that only allows the executive branch to detain and deport immigrants that are citizens of foreign nations or governments the United States is at war with, and the United States is not currently at war with Venezuela or any other country… 

“[The AEA was] not only to justify the internment of [US citizens] of Japanese descent [during World War II], but also for detentions and deportations of Japanese, Austro-Hungarian, German, and Italian immigrants without due process. The law has only been used three times in U.S. history—the War of 1812, World War I, and World War II…” 

The problems with this law should be obvious. 

Unquestioned Authority? 

Fox News wrote on March 24: 

“Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett [stated that the] Judge halting Trump’s use of [the] Alien Enemies Act is ‘brazenly ignoring’ Supreme Court precedent.”

It is Jarrett’s position that Trump‘s decision to apply the AEA is within his sole power and cannot be reviewed by the courts. The rebuttal that the USA is not at war with another government and that therefore the AEA is not applicable is answered by the White House, saying that the USA is at war with Venezuelan gangs. But this is not what the law provides. Note the next article. 

What the Alien Enemies Act Really Says 

Breitbart wrote on March 24: 

“Judge James Boasberg’s decision did not challenge the 1798 law itself but argued that migrants can claim they are not covered by the president’s application of the Alien Enemies Act to Venezuelan members of the Tren de Aragua criminal gang: ‘… Because the named Plaintiffs dispute that they are members of Tren de Aragua, they may not be deported until a court has been able to decide the merits of their challenge… 

“The 1798 law is one of the many sections in U.S. immigration law that have fallen into disuse because their original purposes were no longer relevant… The law says… ‘Whenever there is a declared war between the United States and any foreign nation or government, or any invasion or predatory incursion is perpetrated, attempted, or threatened against the territory of the United States by any foreign nation or government, and the President makes public proclamation of the event, all natives, citizens, denizens, or subjects of the hostile nation or government, being of the age of fourteen years and upward, who shall be within the United States and not actually naturalized, shall be liable to be apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as alien enemies. 

“The President is authorized in any such event, by his proclamation thereof, or other public act, to direct the conduct to be observed on the part of the United States, toward the aliens who become so liable; the manner and degree of the restraint to which they shall be subject and in what cases, and upon what security their residence shall be permitted, and to provide for the removal of those who, not being permitted to reside within the United States, refuse or neglect to depart therefrom; and to establish any other regulations which are found necessary in the premises and for the public safety.’” 

No war against Venezuela (a foreign nation or government) has been declared. 

Collateral Damage? 

Newsweek wrote on March 20: 

“One of the Venezuelan migrants deported to El Salvador last weekend was mistakenly identified as a gang member because of his tattoos, including one closely resembling the Real Madrid  soccer club logo, his attorney has said… Linette Tobin said her client, Jerce Reyes Barrios, 36, had fled his home country after he was tortured for taking part in anti-regime demonstrations last year… 

“Agents also searched his social media profile, finding him making a hand gesture which they allege is proof of gang membership, Tobin said. ‘In fact, the gesture is a common one that means “I Love You” in sign language and is commonly used as a rock-and-roll symbol,’ the attorney said… 

“‘Counsel and family have lost all contact with him and have no information regarding his whereabouts or condition,’ Tobin’s court filing says… Lee Gelernt, lead counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union, [wrote] in a statement…  ‘The Trump administration’s intent to use a wartime authority for immigration enforcement [the AEA, see below] is as unprecedented as it is lawless…’ 

A Lie or Illegal Action? 

The Hill wrote on March 22: 

“Trump on Friday deflected when asked if he signed the order to invoke the Alien Enemies Act… to deport Venezuelan migrants… ‘I don’t know when it was signed, because I didn’t sign it,’ Trump told reporters before departing the White House on Friday. ‘Other people handled it.’ 

“… The 4-page proclamation to invoke the 1789 law appears to have been signed by the president, according to a copy filed in the Federal Register… 

“Hours after Trump’s remarks to reporters, the White House released a statement to CNN, saying that the president ‘was obviously referring to the original Alien Enemies Act that was signed back in 1798.’ ‘The recent Executive Order was personally signed by President Trump invoking the Alien Enemies Act that designated Tren de Aragua as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in order to apprehend and deport these heinous criminals,’ they wrote. 

“The White House statement, however, seems to contradict what Trump told journalists earlier…” 

It clearly did. The White House’s “explanation” is ludicrous and juvenile. But why is this important? Read the next article. 

Mediaite wrote on March 21:

“CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig found the explanation to be ‘ridiculous.’… ‘if Donald Trump did not actually sign that proclamation, it’s a big problem because the law specifically requires a proclamation by the president. The law says… the president has to make a public proclamation of the event. So, if he was telling the truth, if in fact, he did not sign this thing, everything that followed – the deportation of these individuals – was all illegal, was all null and void. That’s why they’re trying to walk it back…’” 

What the Court of Appeals Thinks 

Newsmax wrote on March 24: 

“President Donald Trump sent two planeloads of Venezuelan migrants to a prison in El Salvador on March 15 after invoking an obscure wartime law known as the 1798 Alien Enemies Act (AEA). James Boasberg, chief judge of the US District Court in Washington, issued a restraining order that same day temporarily barring the Trump administration from carrying out any further deportation flights under the AEA. The Justice Department is seeking to have the order lifted and a three-judge US Court of Appeals panel heard oral arguments in the closely watched case on Monday… 

“Judge Patricia Millett… said the lower court judge was not disputing Trump’s presidential authority only the denial of individual court hearings to the deportees… Judge Justin Walker, a Trump appointee, also suggested that court hearings were warranted but appeared more receptive to the arguments that the judge’s order impinged on presidential powers. The third judge on the panel is an appointee of former Republican president George H.W. Bush….” 

Subsequently, the Court of Appeals decided against Trump. The vote was 2:1.

Britain Issues Warning for Tourist Traveling to the USA 

The Daily Mail wrote on March 24: 

“Tourists planning trips to the US are being warned [by the Britain’s foreign office] of increasingly tough questioning at border control that could see them barred from entry or even detained…

US border officials have been using more aggressive methods with holidaymakers and legal immigrants, with the Trump administration calling it ‘enhanced vetting’… 

“There has been suspicion in some cases that people have been turned away for expressing anti-Trump views… Germany’s travel advisory warns that false information, past criminal records, or even minor overstays on previous trips could lead to arrest, deportation, or detention – with no legal recourse….  

“The rise in tourists being detained was green-lighted by President Trump as part of his ‘Securing Our Borders’ executive order…

“Hilton Beckham, Assistant Commissioner of Public Affairs for the US Customs and Border Protection, told MailOnline: ‘If individuals violate the terms of a lawful immigration status and attempt to re-enter the country, officers will take appropriate action… ‘If an individual has material discovered on their electronic media that raises flags during an inspection, it can result in further analysis. Claims that such decisions are politically motivated are completely unfounded.’” 

Really? 

And Now Cubans in Florida 

Miami Herald wrote on March 21: 

“Federal authorities in South Florida have recently detained at least 18 Cubans during scheduled immigration appointments…  It’s Cubans with I-220As… whom ICE has detained at regular check-ins in the agency’s field office in Miramar… 

“Wilfredo Allen, a Miami-based immigration attorney, represents an asylum seeker who was among the recently detained Cubans. The cases he’s learned of are mostly women. He said it’s the first time he’s seeing Cubans with I-220As with pending immigration cases or green card applications and no criminal histories end up in ICE custody… 

“Lawyers note that for South Florida’s Cuban community, many of whom supported Trump’s presidential campaign, the rapid immigration enforcement changes may come as a surprise….” 

Trump complained that people under the “catch-and-release” program did not follow through and “disappeared.” Now we have people who show up for their scheduled immigration appointments and are being detained. Why don’t we hear from the likes of Rubio and Cruz, American-Cuban politicians, in support of these Cuban detainees? 

Further Restrictions?

MSNBC wrote on March 24: 

“Donald Trump’s administration wants to review the social media accounts of immigrants seeking long-term residency in the United States, potentially allowing the White House to bar critics from making the country their home… This new proposal would expand that policy to people who apply for naturalization, permanent residency or asylum,” 

Welt Online added on March 24 that this new policy would affect annually 3.5 million people, most of whom have been living legally in the USA for years or decades. It is feared that it would target those who have been critical of Trump. 

Hegseth, Vance and Miller Attack Europe 

ntv wrote on March 25: 

“In a chat group, elements of the Trump administration are discussing attacks on the Houthis. Several of those involved, however, see the responsibility for defending the Houthis’ sea routes as lying with the Europeans – and want to demand something in return. Leading figures in the US administration have also expressed their criticism of European states in their debates surrounding attacks on Houthis’ positions in Yemen. ‘I just hate bailing Europe out again,’ wrote US Vice President J.D. Vance in a Signal group… Vance stated that he considered the attacks a mistake, saying that 3 percent of U.S. trade moves through the Suez Canal, while 40 percent of European trade moves through the canal. ‘There is a real risk that the public doesn’t understand this or why it’s necessary.’ 

“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth agreed with Vance. ‘I fully share your loathing of European free-loading. It’s pathetic,’ said the former Fox News host in the chat group with a total of 18 members. Among them were Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz. The US government has repeatedly argued in the past that Europeans benefit excessively from the US Navy’s protection of international shipping routes. 

“Presidential Advisor Stephen Miller also called for consideration of what Europeans are to provide in return for US deployment in Yemen. ‘We need to make it clear to Egypt and Europe soon what we expect in return,’ said Miller. ‘We also need to figure out how to enforce such a requirement. For example, if Europe doesn’t renumerate, then what? If the US successfully restores freedom of navigation at great cost there needs to be some further economic gain extracted in return,’ the presidential adviser wrote.” 

Trump added to the criticism, stating that the EU “have been ‘freeloading’ and have been ‘terrible’ to the US on trade… ‘They have abused us.’” (Express, dated March 25). 

None of this will make the USA more popular in Europe. Also, note the next article about the terrible events during the chat group, alluded to in the article. 

The Chat-Group Fiasco 

The Editorial Board of the New York Post wrote on March 25: 

“It looks like Team Trump has decided to try to whistle right past the ‘Operation Overshare’ fiasco, and may well pull it off — but not cost-free. President Donald Trump is standing up for national security adviser Mike Waltz after he (or maybe his staff) mistakenly added Atlantic editor Jeffrey Goldberg to a group chat on Signal into which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later dropped sensitive details of the anti-Houthi bombing campaign. The stunning security breach had ‘no impact at all,’ [Trump] announced Tuesday morning, and ‘Michael Waltz has learned a lesson.’ 

“… what lesson is that? Hegseth, meanwhile opted for denial: ‘Nobody was texting war plans.’ Actually… Goldberg has the screenshots to prove they were, and the National Security Council has authenticated them.  Never mind the desperate efforts of social media warriors to pretend they’re fake (in a pathetic echo of how the left defended Hunter Biden on his laptop), or the even sadder ‘seven-dimensional chess’ fans who argue that the leak was somehow deliberate.   

“The White House, and Waltz especially, handed the left a loaded bazooka. Now of all times, as the admin faces major fights on everything from the border to campus Jew-hate to the economy… But you can only play the ‘diminish, deny and delay’ game so many times before it becomes your new brand… Trump was elected in good part because Americans were sick to death of the last administration’s endless cavalcade of lame, easily disproved lies… Yes, we get that stepping up to own failures is hard. But it just got that much harder for Americans to trust the administration on national security issues going forward. 

“At the very least, we pray (Trump) is privately knocking hard on every head involved in this mess — and warning that heads will roll if there’s anything like a next time. The American people need to know Trump is still fighting for them, not lying to them.” 

Can you imagine what the reaction of conservatives would have been if something like that would have happened under Biden? But now, there is deafening silence from many of them—with a few notable exceptions.

Stephen Miller Out of Control 

Daily Beast wrote on March 17: 

“During [a Fox News] interview with The Story host Martha MacCallum on Monday, [Stephen] Miller was asked about MSNBC pundit Andrew Weissmann’s argument that the president should not be allowed to invoke an 18th-century law to deport migrants because it was intended for wartime use. Instead of addressing the point, Miller launched into a tirade. ‘First of all, Andrew Weissmann is an absolute moron,’ Miller fumed. ‘… and he is a fool, and he’s a degenerate. Andrew Weissmann has devoted his career to putting innocent Americans in jail, taking away their civil liberties.’… 

“Forgetting the original question, Miller fixated on Weissmann’s record as a former prosecutor who worked on Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election… As MacCallum attempted to regain control of the conversation, Miller—a key architect of Trump’s hardline immigration policies—continued railing against Weissmann and defending Trump’s legally questionable use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport Venezuelan migrants over the weekend. 

“‘You can call Weissmann names, and he can call you names, and that’s what’s great about living in America,’ MacCallum interjected with an exasperated smirk, only for Miller to cut her off again. ‘This is a tip for Weissmann!’ Miller yelled. ‘I will defend American lives working for President Trump, and Andrew Weissmann can defend illegal alien rapists, terrorists, and predators! I’ve chosen my side!’ 

“It’s the second time in a month that a TV anchor has grappled with an out-of-control Miller. Last month, CNN host Brianna Keilar had to ask a hysterical Miller to ‘calm down’ in a live interview after he blew up while trying to defend Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).” 

Miller has been described as “one of the most powerful people in government” (Wikipedia). On April 1, 2024, The Guardian described Miller as an “anti-immigration extremist” and “white nationalist.” He was the “chief architect of the Muslim Ban” and “cruel family separation policies,” according to Sylviagarcia.house.gov, dated November 15, 2019. David Glosser, a retired neuropsychologist and Miller’s uncle on his mother’s side, wrote that Miller, “a product of chain migration,” “has become the architect of immigration policies that repudiate the very foundation of our family’s life in this country” (compare Vox, dated August 13, 2018), 

Laura Ingraham Challenges Trump Over Canada 

National Post wrote on March 19, 2025: 

“In a wide-ranging interview Tuesday evening on the Fox program The Ingraham Angle, U.S. President Donald Trump told host Laura Ingraham what he thought about Canada and some of its politicians. It wasn’t good. ‘Here’s my problem with Canada,’ he said at one point. ‘Canada was meant to be the 51st state, because we subsidized Canada by $200 billion a year…’ 

‘When Ingraham interjected that it seemed he was being tougher on Canada than on some of America’s biggest adversaries, he replied: ‘Only because it’s meant to be our 51st state.’… 

“Trump then brought up what he called ‘a very big deficit with Canada,’ and he and Ingraham sparred over whether it was $60 billion (her take) or ‘much more’ (his) before she muttered: ‘I don’t think so.’” 

It has been reported that some moderators on Fox News have become more and more critical of Trump’s actions. Others are 100% supportive, whatever the actions may be, as is virtually the entire Newsmax network or certain outlets like Breitbart. 

“Trump Hangs Sword of Damocles Over the American Legal System” 

Politico wrote on March 22: 

“President Donald Trump is doubling down on his threats against the American legal system, directing Attorney General Pam Bondi to take action against lawyers and law firms that go against him. Trump’s administration has taken an increasingly adversarial stance toward the legal system, including both judges who have ruled against his policies and lawyers and firms that he has viewed as wronging him… 

“The memo circulated late Friday… marks an escalation of Trump’s crackdown on law firms he believes have crossed him, now threatening the full power of the Department of Justice to punish them. ‘Lawyers and law firms that engage in actions that violate the laws of the United States or rules governing attorney conduct must be efficiently and effectively held accountable,’ the memo reads. In it, Trump directs Bondi to seek sanctions against lawyers and law firms that ‘engage in frivolous, unreasonable, and vexatious litigation against the United States.’… 

“This enforcement will also be retroactive, as the memo instructs Bondi to look back at the conduct of lawyers or law firms over the last eight years for misconduct. Trump has already attacked federal judges who have ruled against him on key cases like deportations of migrants. He called for the impeachment of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg — the chief judge of the federal district court of Washington, D.C. — after he issued a halt on deportations of immigrants to El Salvador.” 

US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts rejected Trump’s “suggestion” and responded by saying: “For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose.” 

Boasberg had been appointed in 2014 by Roberts for a seven-year term on the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. He had been appointed by George W. Bush to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and served from 2002 to 2011, and was later nominated by Barack Obama for the US District Court for the District of Columbia. He ordered the release of over 14,000 emails from Hillary Clinton, and he rejected the release of Donald Trump’s personal tax returns. He is hardly a “troublemaker and agitator” and a “radical left lunatic of a judge,” as he was defamed by Trump.   

When it comes to frivolous lawsuits or unethical conduct, these are to be handled within the court system and by the respective Bar Associations. The Executive has no business getting involved. 

Third Term for Trump? 

Bild Online wrote on March 21: 

“Donald Trump (78) is currently transforming America and the world in a crash course. And already speculation is rife about an even longer future in the White House. The US President could attempt a third term. At least, that’s what former advisor Steve Bannon (71) believes. ‘I firmly believe that President Trump will run again in 2028 and win,’ the ultra-conservative activist told US broadcaster Newsnation. He added: ‘A man like this only comes along once in a century, and we are lucky to have him!’ 

“According to the Constitution, only a maximum of two four-year terms are permitted in the US – and Trump already led the country from 2017 to 2021. According to the law, he must therefore step down at the end of his second presidency on January 20, 2029. That doesn’t stop him or some of his fans and mouthpieces from adding fuel to the fire to pour forth rising speculation. When Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin (64) visited him for Saint Patrick’s Day on Monday, Trump again hinted in the Oval Office: ‘We’ll do this three more times,’ he said, referring to the traditional annual visits to the White House.

“And then, with a grin: ‘At least…’ That sounded as if he would like to stay longer. Then the Republican teased the journalists in the room: ‘They always go crazy when I say something like that,’ he explained the punchline to the guest.

“It wasn’t Trump’s first ambiguous remark on this topic. There’s already unrest in his MAGA movement as well. They are already working on possible solutions, said [Bannen] cryptically. ‘We’re working on it! Let’s find out what term-limit really means,’ he said… They want to examine whether the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1952, also applies in the case of two non-consecutive terms. But not when they are interrupted, as in Trump’s case. 

“World War II President Franklin D. Roosevelt served for 12 years (1933–1945), even serving a fourth term before his death. After that, however, limits were added to the Constitution. Debates about a possible even longer Trump era are a red flag for America’s Democrats and liberals. Bannon, however, is convinced that Trump would easily win the next election again. Trump, of course, would be 82 at the time of his inauguration – and 86 when he leaves office. However, that’s the same age constellation as with his predecessor Joe Biden (82), who then threw in the towel.” 

The way things are going, will the USA even survive the next FOUR years, let alone eight years? 

Greenland Had It 

The New York Post wrote on March 24: 

“Greenland’s Prime Minister Mute B. Egede… has slammed the planned US visit to the island as ‘very aggressive’ as the international crisis over President Trump’s desire to annex the territory continues to bubble over. ‘The very aggressive American pressure against Greenlandic society is now so serious that the level cannot be raised any higher,’ [he said]… ‘Until recently, we could trust the Americans, who were our allies and friends, and with whom we enjoyed working closely … But that time is over.’… 

“Egede, the left-wing leader of the island, who has expressed a desire for his territory to declare independence from Denmark, took aim at the planned visit led by second lady Usha Vance along with White House national security adviser Mike Waltz and Energy Secretary Chris Wright. The delegation plans to visit from Thursday to Saturday, visit a US military base and watch a dogsled race.” 

Subsequently, Deutsche Welle wrote on March 26: 

“Denmark on Wednesday welcomed a White House decision to limit the scope of a planned visit to Greenland by the United States Vice President JD Vance and his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance. JD Vance said Tuesday that he would be accompanying his wife on her three-day trip to the autonomous Danish territory… Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenland’s outgoing Prime Minister Mute Egede… slammed the US delegation’s plans to visit the Arctic island without being invited… 

“The US Second Lady had been due to view historical sites, learn about Greenland’s heritage, and watch the Avannaata Qimussersu, the Arctic territory’s national dogsled race. ‘I think it’s very positive that the Americans have cancelled their visit among Greenlandic society. They will only visit their own base, Pituffik, and we have nothing against that,’ Denmark’s Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen told Danish public broadcaster DR. ‘The cars (from the US advance security detail) that were delivered a few days ago are in the process of being sent back home…” 

Erdogan’s Dictatorship Continues 

Deutsche Welle wrote on March 24: 

“Protesters have demonstrated for five consecutive nights after authorities arrested leading opposition figure Ekrem Imamoglu. Turkey’s Interior Ministry have said at least 1,100 people have been detained so far in connection with the demonstrations.  

“Amid the unrest, the opposition CHP party held a symbolic primary to select Imamoglu as its presidential candidate in the next elections set for 2028. Meanwhile, around a dozen journalists were reportedly detained for covering protests across the country. 

“Imamoglu has been seen as the main threat to… Erdogan’s two decades of rule as president and, earlier, prime minister… 

“[He has been the] mayor of Istanbul since 2019… on March 19, Imamoglu was arrested on corruption charges and suspicion of terrorism. The terrorism charges have since been dismissed, but a court has ruled he must remain in pre-trial detention… 

“Germany is following the events in Turkey with ‘great concern,’ the outgoing government said on Monday. ‘The arrest and suspension of the mayor of Istanbul is totally unacceptable,’ said Steffen Hebestreit, a spokesperson for outgoing chancellor Olaf Scholz… Hebestreit added that ‘the latest developments are a bad sign for democracy in Turkey,’ as well as for the development of relations between Turkey and the EU.” 

What “democracy” in Turkey? It was also reported that the foreign policy spokesman of the Union parliamentary group, Jürgen Hardt (CDU), and the Green Party politician Max Lucks have sharply criticized the Turkish government’s measures and called for consequences in German-Turkish relations. 

USA to Become Member of Commonwealth? 

Daily Mail wrote on March 21: 

“President Donald Trump on Friday indicated he would accept an offer from King Charles to join the British Commonwealth, strengthening America’s ties to the United Kingdom. ‘I Love King Charles. Sounds good to me!’ Trump wrote on his Truth Social account. Trump was responding to [a report] that the King would make a ‘secret’ offer to the president for the U.S. to become the next ‘associate member’ of the Commonwealth. 

“The Commonwealth, whose nations have a total population of more than 2.7billion, is one of the world’s oldest political associations of states. [The Commonwealth dates back to the first half of the 20th century.] It is made up of 56 member states, the vast majority of which are former territories of the British Empire. They are connected through their use of the English language and historical-cultural ties. Membership is voluntary and the group is mostly ceremonial. King Charles III is the head of the commonwealth.  

“The move will be widely seen as a huge boost for the ‘special relationship’ between the US and UK. It comes at a time when America’s relationship with the European Union has plummeted to an all-time low… The Commonwealth proposal was originally floated in Trump’s first term, during the reign [and with the blessing] of Queen Elizabeth… [When the Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) first wrote to Trump in 2017, the letter was delivered by current Reform leader Nigel Farage. This was during the tumultuous time when the UK was making plans to leave the EU. ] 

“The invitation to join the Commonwealth could also cool the tension around Canada. Trump has repeatedly said he wants to make Canada the 51st state. The country is part of the Commonwealth. The talk of turning has created enormous tensions and put the King in an awkward position. Canada is one of the 15 countries of which he is head of state… Canada is looking to the King as their head of state, and head of the Commonwealth, to speak up for them and ward off Trump.” 

Terminally Ill 

The Sun wrote on March 21: 

“Our economy is on its knees, last ­summer’s G7-leading growth wiped out, our debt soaring far beyond forecasts, public services collapsing and even our roads crumbling beneath our wheels, apparently never to be fixed. Ever-increasing numbers of illegal immigrants pour off small boats and saunter in unchecked. 

“And now our No1 airport, Europe’s busiest, is shut down by an explosion and fire at an ageing substation. Some 1,350 flights are axed and 200,000 ­passengers stranded worldwide. It may not have been sabotage by Putin, at whom Keir Starmer has been rattling his sabre. But the Kremlin certainly now knows how easily a few agents could bring our once-mighty country to a shuddering halt and inflict untold further damage on our economy… Whatever its cause, yesterday’s mayhem is a sign of a country in deep trouble….” 

Embarrassing and sad indeed. The Daily Mail reported on March 21 that an “experienced electrical engineer today blamed the catastrophic failure of a [very old] ‘oil-filled transformer’.” 

Germany Can Borrow as Much as It Wants for the Military 

Deutsche Welle wrote on March 21: 

“Germany’s second chamber of parliament, the Bundesrat, on Friday, voted in favor of a massive spending package that is set to pour billions of euros into defense, infrastructure and climate protection. Earlier this week, German lawmakers approved a historic amendment to the constitution [in effect abrogating the “debt brake”] that will allow unprecedented levels of government spending… 

“The amendment was backed in the Bundesrat with 53 out of 69 votes in favor, passing the 46-vote threshold. Brandenburg, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia, and Rhineland-Palatinate abstained, with abstentions counted as opposition votes… 

“Merz… [was] calling into question Washington’s commitment to European security. ‘My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the USA,’ Merz said. 

“Bavaria’s conservative premier Markus Söder told the Bundesrat on Friday that ‘we must do everything we can to ensure that Germany once again becomes one of the strongest armies in Europe and can protect itself… The threat from the east, from Moscow, is still present, while the support from the West is no longer what we were once accustomed to,’ he said… ‘the relationship of trust in the United States of America has, at least for me and for many others, been deeply shaken. The Germans are worried,’ Söder added.” 

But the Germans are not happy with Merz and his coalition talks either, let alone his blatant misrepresentations during his campaign. 

Europe to Take Over NATO? 

The Financial Times wrote on March 21: 

“Europe’s biggest military powers are drawing up plans to take on greater responsibilities for the continent’s defence from the US, including a pitch to the Trump administration for a managed transfer over the next five to 10 years. The discussions are an attempt to avoid the chaos of a unilateral US withdrawal from Nato, a fear sparked by President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to weaken or walk away from the transatlantic alliance that has protected Europe for almost eight decades. 

“The UK, France, Germany and the Nordics are among the countries engaged in the informal but structured discussions… Their aim is to come up with a plan to shift the financial and military burden to European capitals and present it to the US ahead of Nato’s annual leaders’ summit in The Hague in June. The proposal would include firm commitments on increasing European defence spending and building up military capabilities, in an effort to convince Trump to agree to a gradual handover that would allow the US to focus more on Asia.” 

Germany among those to take over Nato? 

Putin Wants Ukrainians to Become Russians 

Atlantic Council wrote on March 20: 

“Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered Ukrainians living under Russian occupation to ‘legalize’ their status by September 10 or face deportation. In other words, those who have not yet done so must apply for Russian passports or risk being expelled from their homes as foreigners. This March 20 presidential decree is the latest step in a campaign to pressure Ukrainians into accepting Russian citizenship as the Kremlin seeks to strengthen its grip over areas of Ukraine currently under Russian control. 

“Kremlin officials say they have distributed around 3.5 million Russian passports in Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine since the onset of the full-scale invasion just over three years ago. Residents are reportedly being forced to apply for Russian passports in order to access basic services such as healthcare and state pensions, while those without Russian documentation face the possibility of harassment and detention… 

“Moscow’s efforts to erase Ukrainian identity begin in the classroom. In schools throughout the occupied regions, Ukrainian children are being taught a new Kremlin-approved curriculum that praises Russian imperialism and glorifies the ongoing invasion of Ukraine while demonizing the entire concept of a separate and independent Ukrainian state. Any parents who dare to resist risk losing custody of their children. 

“The Kremlin is also accused of kidnapping tens of thousands of Ukrainian children from occupied regions and deporting them to Russia, where they are subjected to ideological indoctrination to rob them of their Ukrainian roots and impose an imperial Russian identity…” 

Note the following comments which were already published by The Strategist on March 1, 2024: 

“Putin repeatedly states that there is no such country as Ukraine and that Ukrainians and Russians are one people sharing the same historical and spiritual space, speaking the same language, and believing in the same Orthodox faith. Before he died in 2008, Alexander Solzhenitsyn proclaimed that Russia (Great Russians), Belarus (White Russians) and Ukraine (Little Russians) should be recreated as a unified Slavic country.” 

Further proof that Putin will not turn over any of the occupied regions to Ukraine. Trump’s peace plan is evaporating with alarming speed. It had never been  a realistic chance for success. 

Ceasefire in the Black Sea? 

Daily Mail wrote on March 25: 

“Russia and Ukraine have agreed to an effective maritime ceasefire, as well as a halt on strikes on energy infrastructure… Both parties agreed separately to avoid military strikes on vessels, the issue touted by the Trump administration as being of primary importance to allow for unhindered commercial shipping in the region… Ukrainian president Zelensky, speaking to reporters in Kyiv, lamented the concession of helping restore Russia’s access to the world market, branding it a ‘weakening of the position and a weakening on sanctions’…” 

The Sun wrote on March 26:

“While Zelensky said the ceasefire is effective immediately, Putin appears to be delaying the truce until more sanctions are lifted… Moscow said the deal would ‘come into force’ after the ‘lifting of sanctions restrictions’ on the Russian Agricultural Bank and other ‘financial institutions involved in international trade of food’, and only after they are reconnected to the SWIFT international payment system… 

“Human rights campaigner Sir Bill Browder warned against easing sanctions on Russia following the announcement of a ceasefire in the Black Sea. He said: ‘This is missing the point completely. Russia can continue to pound civilian targets like hospitals, schools and apartment buildings… And by getting this concession, it saves Russia’s oil refineries which are one of the key engines of funding for their war… There’s absolutely nothing to celebrate here.’” 

Putin Is Ripping Trump Off 

Bild Online wrote on March 26: 

“Moscow continues to block the 30-day ceasefire demanded by US President Donald Trump. Instead, Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin conceded to two minor agreements: a halt to attacks on energy facilities and in the Black Sea… Both agreements could primarily benefit the Russians without bringing peace any closer. 

“For years, Russia has been unable to defend its oil refineries and depots from Ukrainian drone attacks. The Russian attacks on Ukrainian power plants were painful, but not as effective as hoped… ‘Russia had already been defeated in the western Black Sea, and Ukraine had fought its way back to re-opening the trade routes from Odessa,’ writes defense expert Nico Lange… 

“The fact is: The sanctions against the Kremlin regime are to be eased. The Black Sea deal is a ‘victory for Putin,’ analyzes the British newspaper ‘The Times.’ What’s more: ‘It appears that Russia will benefit far more than Ukraine from the announcement of a maritime ceasefire and a possible ban on attacks on energy facilities.’ This is why the Russian propaganda press is also celebrating. The newspaper ‘Moskovski Komsomolez’ states: ‘The bottom line is: (…) Ukraine has not received a respite – there will be no ceasefire; attacks on energy infrastructure will be suspended for 30 days. (…) So, for now, it looks like this: Russia remains steadfast, and the military special operation (Russian term for the war, ed.) continues.’ 

“At least Trump also seems to realize that Russia’s peace intentions may not be entirely sincere. In an interview with ‘Newsmax,’ he said that the Kremlin may be delaying the negotiations…” 

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

Putin Won’t Accept 

Fox News wrote on March 14: 

“Zelenskyy is correct – peace in Ukraine is a long way off. Putin is highly unlikely to accept President Trump’s current peace plan… 

“Trump demands that his staff accomplish things at record speeds, or ‘in Trump time’…  But with all due respect to President Trump and his accomplishments, the Russia-Ukraine situation is extremely complex. Russia has a very different strategic culture from Western culture. And Putin is an entirely different kind of animal from anyone Trump has dealt with before… [Putin] wants to end the war but only on his terms, which, if accepted by the U.S., would humiliate Washington.  

“On March 6th, Putin publicly ruled out making any concessions on Ukraine… Putin believes he can call the shots. Unconscionable Russian (and Ukrainian) losses notwithstanding, Russia is capable of dragging this war out for years. Indeed, Putin has been developing his strategy ever since he became president, a quarter of a century ago… This is why the Russians largely dismissed Trump’s threat of ‘large-scale’ sanctions. ‘To speak with Russia from the position of strength and to threaten with sanctions is a road to nowhere,’ said State Duma Representative from the Crimea Region Yuri Nesterenko. Additional sanctions are highly unlikely to change Putin’s decision calculus… 

“Putin has indicated multiple times that a temporary break in fighting was out of the question as he doesn’t want to give a strategic pause to Ukraine, Europe or the U.S., to rearm… Russia, being on a wartime footing, now produces more weapons in three months than the entire NATO alliance in one year… Putin also increased Russia’s armed forces above the constitutionally allowable size, to ensure that Russia can fight till the last Ukrainian… 

“Putin ruled out negotiating with Zelenskyy, having told state Rossiya 1 TV that ‘he [Zelenskyy] has no right to sign anything,’ having called the Ukrainian leader ‘illegitimate.’ Indeed, Zelenskyy’s presidential term expired in May. The Ukrainian parliament, at the end of February, rebuffed U.S. calls for elections by passing a resolution that ruled out elections during wartime, citing martial law, in compliance with the Ukrainian constitution…” 

Unstable From the Start 

The Mirror wrote on March 13: 

“Vladimir Putin has said Ukrainian troops involved in a counter-offensive will have to ‘surrender or die’ before he agrees to a ceasefire… Putin also recalled his visit to Kursk yesterday, where Russian troops are attempting to repel a Ukrainian counteroffensive in their own territory. He said ‘the situation is fully under our control, and the group that invaded our territory has been fully isolated’. The Russian leader added that Ukrainian troops can no longer leave the area, and they will have to ‘surrender or die’. He identified the fighting in the region as one of the issues preventing a deal being reached… 

“One defence and security analyst told the Mirror that he does not believe the US be able to persuade Russia to change its position – and that the West should prepare for war with Russia… Michael Clarke said: ‘… The Kremlin also has an agenda to weaken Europe in all ways possible and thinks it is on a roll now so there will be a sense of military momentum behind what Russia plans next.’ He said any ceasefire that is reached would be an ‘unstable truce from the start’…” 

“Putin Is Playing Trump (Again)” 

Politico wrote on March 14: 

“U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the ball was in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s court. But it was an easier ball for the Russian leader to play than many thought… It was classic Putin… There was no firm Russian nyet to stoke the U.S. leader’s anger, rather a teacher’s applause for Trump’s idea and effort. The temporary truce was ‘correct’ and ‘we support it,’ the Russian leader said, but, alas, there were many sticking points…

“It was all drawn from the playbook that he and his lugubrious Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov have used time and again: Obfuscate, delay, muddle, throw in some whataboutism, be sorrowfully unctuous, but make sure to dangle a carrot… so far, the play seems to be going as planned. For Trump, Putin’s response was ‘very promising.’… The carrot is working, and he can slow Trump’s eagerness for a deal… 

“Trump’s options for forcing Putin into doing anything aren’t great. Earlier this week, he threatened to apply economic pressure on Russia if Putin didn’t agree to a ceasefire… But Russia’s already been sanctioned every which way since it launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago…” 

Trump Repeats Putin’s Lie 

Bild Online wrote on March 14: 

“Ukrainians are threatened with a massacre in Kursk, Putin claims – and Trump is portraying himself online as their savior. But the whole story is nonsense… Putin claimed in Moscow: ‘A 30-day ceasefire is beneficial for Ukraine, as all its military personnel are blocked in the Kursk region.’ Putin added, verbatim: ‘It is becoming increasingly impossible for the Ukrainian military to escape the encirclement.’ 

“Complete nonsense! Except for small groups of Ukrainian soldiers (about 25 men in total), thousands of Ukrainians have managed to withdraw from Kursk toward the Ukrainian region of Sumy… Even the maps of Russian war bloggers clearly show that there are NO ‘encircled,’ ‘surrounded,’ ‘encircled,’ or ‘blockaded’ Ukrainian units in Kursk… 

“Hard to believe: The day after the baseless claim, US President Donald Trump repeated Putin’s propaganda. ‘Thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military,’ Trump said on the network ‘Truth Social.’ He asked Putin to ‘spare their lives’ to prevent a ‘horrific massacre.’ ‘This would be a horrific massacre, the likes of which hasn’t been seen since World War II,’ Trump wrote – completely beside the point.”

Putin, a mass murderer, liar and former KGB agent and spy, knows how to play his cards to his advantage. 

Trump-Putin Phone Call 

Deutsche Welle wrote on March 18 and March 19: 

“Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President  Donald Trump agreed in a phone call that Russia and Ukraine stop attacking each other’s energy infrastructure for 30 days…  ‘It was emphasized that the key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and working towards its resolution by political and diplomatic means should be a complete cessation of foreign military assistance and the provision of intelligence information to Kyiv,’ the Kremlin said… 

“‘We’ve seen that attacks on civilian infrastructure have not eased at all in the first night after this supposedly ground-breaking, great phone call’ between Putin and US President Donald Trump, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in a TV interview, adding that ‘Putin is playing a game.’ The German minister also described as ‘unacceptable’ the Kremlin’s insistence that a ‘key condition’ for peace would be a complete halt to Western military and intelligence support for Ukraine’s embattled military…. 

“Germany is set to deliver additional military supplies to Ukraine this year… The package includes €3 billion ($3.3 billion) in aid for 2025 and a further €8.3 billion for the years 2026 to 2029.  A spokesman for Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said the equipment would consist of Iris-T air defense systems, guided missiles, surveillance radars, drones, combat vehicles and light weapons.” 

The Sun wrote on March 18 and 19: 

“Putin’s red lines remain intact and he has not shifted from his original goals of a Nato rollback in Eastern Europe or a demilitarised Ukraine… The Russian said… that he would not agree to a full ceasefire until all military aid to Ukraine from the US and its allies stopped… 

“German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron have vowed to keep arming Ukraine, directly pushing back against Vladimir Putin’s demand for a ‘complete cessation’ of Western military support… 

“IT is a sign of how badly Donald Trump has been played that Putin’s only concession to Kyiv was not to murder prisoners of war. [Putin] rejected calls for full 30-day ceasefire. He rejected calls to end all air strikes and attacks in the Black Sea…” 

The New York Post Editorial Board wrote on March 19: 

“Putin’s publicly ruling out a ceasefire unless he first gets a total halt on all foreign military aid and intelligence-sharing to Ukraine… 

“46% of Americans think Washington isn’t doing enough to help Ukraine, the highest level of support Ukraine’s enjoyed here since the war began — up 16 points since December and 21 since October. Meanwhile, the share who think we’re doing too much has plunged from 37% in December to 30%. And a majority, 53%, actually want to help Ukraine reclaim territory it’s lost to Russia, even if it prolongs the conflict — vs. 45% who want to end it quickly and let Russia keep land it’s stolen. 

“Trump is right to try to end the war, but getting to peace will require strength — including, if Putin keeps playing games, strengthening Ukraine. Remember, Russia itself is running out of manpower and materiel.” 

Trump Strikes Houthi Terrorists, Warns Iran 

The Associated Press wrote on March 14: 

“President Donald Trump said he ordered a series of airstrikes on the Houthi-held areas in Yemen on Saturday, promising to use ‘overwhelming lethal force’ until the Iran-backed rebels cease their attacks on shipping along a vital maritime corridor… He also warned Iran to stop supporting the rebel group, promising to hold the country ‘fully accountable’ for the actions of its proxy… 

“A U.S. official said this was the beginning of air strikes on Houthi targets that are expected to continue.” 

Trump and Sudani Kill ISIS Terrorists 

Politico wrote on March 15: 

“A joint Iraq-U.S. operation killed a leader of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, according to Washington and Baghdad. Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay’i, also known as Abu Khadija, was responsible for Islamic State operations, logistics and planning and directed ‘a significant portion of finance for the group’s global organization,’ the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said… Friday. He was killed alongside one other IS operative in a ‘precision airstrike’ in Iraq’s western Al Anbar province, CENTCOM said. 

“Iraq’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said Khadija was considered ‘one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world.’… 

“Islamic State seized large swathes Syria and northern Iraq in 2014… [It] has remained active… U.S. commander General Michael Erik Kurilla said Khadija was ‘one of the most important ISIS members in the entire global ISIS organization.’” 

America First—An Impossibility 

Focus wrote on March 12: 

“Perhaps Trump has fallen so in love with the idea of a Fortress America that fends off foreign people (migrants) and goods (imports) alike that he is willing to test the robustness of the financial and labor markets in his first year in office… 

“Perhaps later, when historians, rather than psychologists, have passed judgment, we will realize: America First was not an option in an interconnected world, but an impossibility.” 

Needed—a European Army 

Indianetwork News wrote on March 14: 

“The European rearmament is ‘a first necessary step’ [towards a European Army]… the former president of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, [said]… 

“‘When Russia attacked Ukraine I told myself if we had had a common army, it would not have done it ‘… [We need] one in which ‘there is a common [only or single] command in which everyone participates.’” 

Europe WILL have a common army, and IT will attack Russia and other Far Eastern nations, but they will retaliate. 

Germany War-Ready? 

Deutsche Welle reported on March 14: 

“The conservative CDU/CSU bloc… and the SPD have agreed in principle with the Greens on plans for a massive increase in state borrowing ahead of a parliamentary vote next week. The debt reform plan, put forward jointly by the conservatives and the SPD, would exempt defense spending from the country’s constitutionally enshrined debt brake… ‘It is a clear message to our partners and friends, but also to our opponents, to the enemies of our freedom: we are capable of defending ourselves and we are now fully prepared to defend ourselves,’ [Merz] said… ‘There will be no shortage of financial resources to defend freedom and peace on our continent… Germany is making its major contribution to the defense of freedom and peace in Europe.’ 

“Meanwhile, Social Democrat co-leader Lars Klingbeil said a major government borrowing and investment push was a ‘powerful boost’ for Europe’s largest economy. ‘We have laid the foundation for Germany to get back on its feet and protect itself,’ Klingbeil said…” 

Suddenly, all leading politicians are united in their view that Germany must become war-ready. Note the following articles. 

Guttenberg Paints a Bleak Picture of German Foreign Policy 

Die Deutsche Handwerkszeitung (“The German Crafts Newspaper”) wrote on March 14:

“Former Federal Minister of Economics Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg has… sharply criticized German foreign policy over the past decades. ‘We have settled into a state of dependence,’ he said. The country has been in a ‘deep sleep.’ The dependence on the US for defense, previously on Russia for energy supplies, and on China for trade is worrying. These interdependencies have put Germany in a dangerous situation. ‘The law of the strongest prevails again,’ Guttenberg emphasized, referring to Washington, Moscow, and Beijing. 

“He made it clear that Europe can no longer rely on US protection. ‘The world after Donald Trump’s reign will never be the same.'” 

In this context, please view our recent StandingWatch program, titled, “Politicians Demand What We Have Told You For Decades!” 

Schulz: America No Longer Wants to Be a Partner! 

Forum wrote on March 14: 

“The formation of a new federal government is under enormous pressure. The Trump administration’s policies demand swift and decisive reactions from Europeans. They, in turn, expect a strong role from Germany. Martin Schulz, [former President of the European Parliament], demands: We should accept the fight… 

“‘The Federal Republic of Germany must assume a leading role in the European Union… I believe we must soberly acknowledge that the United States of America, under the leadership of this President, no longer wants to be a partner of the Europeans. The US views Europe as enemy territory… The 450 million people on this continent, even if we are not all rich, represent the richest region in the world with the greatest purchasing power. We don’t need to hide from the United States of America, quite the opposite…” 

Germany Must Lead! 

Vorwaerts wrote on March 13: 

“[European Council President] António Costa… made it clear: ‘We need Germany with its determined investments in our common defense…’ Because the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has shown how urgently it is necessary to build a European defense… 

“SPD Chairman Lars Klingbeil [said:] ‘The West as we knew it is finished, at the latest with the re-election of Donald Trump’… This is also why Europe is needed more than ever… ‘This can only succeed if we finally make Europe strong,’ Klingbeil demanded. At the same time, Europe is more fragile than it has been for a long time. ‘Europe is at a crossroads; either we pull ourselves together and move forward together, or Europe dies… Peace in Europe is in danger today,’ Klingbeil said. To defend it, Germany has a leadership role to play. ‘We must be prepared to take on this leadership role,’ he demanded.” 

“Germany’s Bundestag Votes in Favor of Reforming ‘Debt Brake’” 

Deutsche Welle wrote on March 18: 

“The multibillion-euro package loosens borrowing limits and allows new investments in defense, infrastructure and climate… The legislation now goes to the upper house of parliament, the Bundesrat, where a vote is scheduled for Friday… 

“DW’s political correspondent Michaela Kuefner has said a vote in favor of the changes would give chancellor-in-waiting Friedrich Merz a free hand when it comes to defense spending. ‘It means he would have the money to do what he says he wants to do, which is for Germany to take more of a leading role in Europe… spending more on European defense… He effectively has a blank check when it comes to defense spending which is fully exempt from the debt brake… 

“AFD co-leader Tino Chrupalla has accused the conservative CDU/CSU and center-left Social Democrats of a ‘spectacle’ in bringing the vote on the debt brake before the outgoing Bundestag. The package has been brought to the old parliament rather than the newly elected one, due to hold its first session on March 25, because parties that were unlikely to agree to the change have just over one-third of the seats in the new chamber….”

NPR added on March 18: 

“The package will exempt from the debt rules spending on defense and security, including intelligence agencies and assistance to Ukraine, worth more than 1% of GDP. It also foresees a 500 billion-euro ($544 billion) fund, financed by borrowing, to pour funding into Germany’s infrastructure over the next 12 years and help restore the stagnant economy — Europe’s biggest — to growth. At the Greens’ insistence, 100 billion euros from the investment fund will go into climate-related spending.” 

The French-German Engine Is Running Again… Thanks to Trump 

Politico wrote on March 19: 

“French President Emmanuel Macron has finally found the kindred German spirit he’s spent years looking for — and he has Donald Trump to thank… France is delighting at the prospect of a German leader [Merz] who, even before taking office, is moving with urgency to clear a path for his country to invest billions of euros in infrastructure and arms… 

“Merz and Macron were probably always going to get along well. Both are former creatures of the corporate world, though Merz’s career in the private sector — which included stints at white shoe law firm Mayer Brown and on the board of investment firm BlackRock — was much longer than Macron’s time as a banker at Rothschild & Co.. But without Trump, it’s not clear that the two leaders would’ve gotten off on such good footing.” 

Britain to Become a “Second-Tier” European Nation? 

Daily Mail wrote on March 13: 

“Britain is on course to becoming a ‘second tier’ European nation like Spain or Italy due to economic decline and a weak military that undermines its usefulness to allies, an expert has warned.

“Research professor Dr Azeem Ibrahim OBE concluded in a damning new report that the U.K. has been paralysed by low investment, high tax and misguided policies that could see it lose its standing as a top-tier middle power at current growth rates… ‘Britain no longer has the industrial base to logistically sustain a war with a near-peer like Russia for more than two months,’ he wrote in The Henry Jackson Society’s latest report, Strategic Prosperity: The Case for Economic Growth as a National Security Priority. 

“The report assesses… that [Poland’s] military will soon surpass the U.K.’s along lines of both manpower and equipment on the current trajectory… Britain’s usefulness to its allies is now ‘falling behind even second-tier European powers’, [Ibrahim] warned… 

“The former advisor to the 2021 Integrated Defence and Security Review noted in the report that in spite of the ‘weakening’ of the institutions once ‘secured’ by the U.S., Britain is responding by harming the last vestiges of its military might and economic power. The U.K., he said, ‘seems to be making increasingly expensive gestures’ like the £9bn handover of the strategic Chagos Islands and opening talks on reparations for Caribbean Slavery….”

The former glory of the British Empire has long passed, but the Bible says that Britain (Ephraim) does not realize it. 

Portugal Rejects F-35 Jets Due to U.S. Unpredictability 

BulgarianMilitary.com wrote on March 14: 

“Portugal has slammed the lid on any flicker of hope that it might one day strap into [America’s] Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Lightning II… Defense Minister Nuno Melo laid down the law: the fifth-generation jet isn’t in Portugal’s future, and Donald Trump’s fresh stint in the White House is a glaring reason why… it’s a blaring alarm about how a NATO ally is weighing U.S. trustworthiness in an era that’s starting to feel like a geopolitical rollercoaster… 

“As of March 2025, 14 NATO nations are either flying or waiting on F-35s, locking it in as the alliance’s top bird. For Lockheed Martin, every potential customer is a lifeline. Foreign sales keep the factory humming in Fort Worth, Texas… Portugal was never a sure bet, but it’s hard ‘no’ prick the bubble of F-35 inevitability just the same… The White House has sold the F-35 as a unifier, a way to stitch NATO together with shared tech and tight-knit ops. Portugal’s rejection, even of a what-if buy, frays that story at the edges… 

“European rigs like the Eurofighter Typhoon or Dassault Rafale keep popping up in the rumor mill, offering a clean break from U.S. strings. The Typhoon, flown by Germany, Spain, and the UK, packs a multirole punch and slots into NATO’s playbook, though its price tag rivals the F-35’s… The stakes reach way beyond Portugal’s hangars. Its Atlantic perch makes it a keystone in NATO’s western wall, especially as Russian subs and surface ships poke around more often, testing the edges of allied waters. 

“The F-35’s stealth cloak and sensor suite would’ve handed Lisbon a razor-sharp edge in that cat-and-mouse game—something its aging F-16s can’t even fake… If other small NATO players—say, Slovakia or Romania—start sniffing around non-American kit, the ripples could swell into a tide…” 

Another American ally turning against the USA.

Acquiring Greenland?

The Hill wrote on March 13: 

“President Trump on Thursday expressed confidence the United States would annex Greenland, even suggesting the head of the NATO alliance could be a key player in facilitating the acquisition. ‘I think it will happen,’ Trump told reporters in the Oval Office during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte… ‘You know, Mark, we need that for international security,’ Trump said, gesturing to Rutte. 

“Rutte agreed that Greenland and the Arctic Circle are critical for security reasons, noting that China and Russia have a growing presence in the region. But he said any discussion about Trump’s attempts to acquire Greenland were outside of his purview. ‘I don’t want to drag NATO in that,’ Rutte said.” 

Daily Mail wrote on March 14: 

“Greenland’s Prime Minister has declared ‘enough is enough’ in response to President Donald Trump’s threat to dispatch soldiers to annex the island… [Trump said:] ‘We have a couple of bases on Greenland already and we have quite a few soldiers. May be you will see more and more soldiers go there,’ he threatened… 

“In early January, after he was elected but before inauguration, Trump indicated he was willing to use force on both Greenland and Panama…”

Reclaiming the Panama Canal? 

Express wrote on March 13: 

“Donald Trump has reportedly ordered the US military to come up with plans to increase the number of troops in Panama as part of his mission to ‘reclaim’ the canal. US Southern Command, responsible for security cooperation and operations in Central America, has drafted ideas such as working with the Panamanian military and US troops taking the canal by force…  The likelihood of military force depends on the level of partnership agreed upon by the Panamanian military… 

“The US president said last week that ‘to further enhance our national security, my administration will be reclaiming the Panama Canal, and we’ve already started doing it’. While it remains unclear what ‘reclaiming’ means,… US Southern Command chief Admiral Alvin Holsey sent draft strategies to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth this week ahead of his visit to Panama next month. [It was] stressed that military action in Panama would only be considered if the country does not allow Mr Trump to ‘reclaim’ the canal.” 

Conquering Canada?

NBC News wrote on March 14: 

“Speaking with reporters in the Oval Office, Trump… riffed about how Canada shouldn’t exist as a sovereign country before getting to what has increasingly become a fixation: wholesale annexation of Canada as a U.S. state… ‘If you look at a map, they drew an artificial line right through it, between Canada and the U.S. Just a straight, artificial line. Somebody did it a long time ago, many many decades ago. Makes no sense… why should we subsidize another country for $200 billion?… we don’t need their lumber, we don’t need their energy. We have more than they do. We don’t need anything. We don’t need their cars. I’d much rather make the cars here. And there’s not a thing that we need. Now, there will be a little disruption, but it won’t be very long. But they need us. We really don’t need them. And we have to do this. I’m sorry.’ 

“Trump has been unapologetic in his quest to conquer the Canadians… Few think he’s joking…, and the Canadians have stopped laughing. A source with direct knowledge of the discussions told NBC News that Trump is heavily focused on Canada in conversations with aides, who believe he is completely serious about making the country the 51st state — even with Trudeau out of power and a new prime minister in place… 

“The president made clear in a phone call with Trudeau last month that he wants to revise the boundary between the two nations set by a 1908 border treaty… The president has also mentioned renegotiating agreements that dictate how the Great Lakes and Columbia River are governed… Trump wants to control the Northwest Passage, a maritime path that begins west of Greenland and cuts through Northern Canada to the Arctic Ocean…” 

All of this causes America’s “friends” to become extremely alarmed. 

A New Travel Ban?

Newsmax wrote on March 14: 

“The Trump administration is considering a three-tiered travel ban targeting 43 countries, including 11 that would be hit with an outright ban on all travel to the United States, The New York Times reported Friday. 

“Iran, Libya, North Korea, and Venezuela are among the ‘red’ list countries whose citizens would be barred from entering the U.S., according to the Times. 

“Another 10 countries on the ‘orange’ list, including Russia and Pakistan, would be slapped with sharp restrictions on visas; the rest of the countries, the ‘yellow’ list, would require 60 days to address concerns, according to the report. 

“The restrictions being considered are broader than the travel ban Trump implemented in January 2017 on seven majority-Muslim countries, all of which are on the ‘red’ list this time around save for Iraq, which is not targeted for any ban or restriction, according to the Times. 

“The State Department compiled the list of 43 countries several weeks ago and changes by the White House are likely, the Times reported. Those likely to be banned on the ‘orange’ list include people on tourist visas while business travelers might be allowed in, according to the report. Regardless, any person on the ‘orange’ list would be subjected to a mandatory, in-person interview to receive a visa, the Times reported. 

“Other ‘red’ list countries include Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen, according to the report. 

“The other ‘orange’ list countries include Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Sierra Leone, South Sudan and Turkmenistan, the Times reported. 

“The ‘yellow’ list is composed of Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Vanuatu, and Zimbabwe, according to the report.” 

Although not yet final, these preparations create further animosity towards the USA. 

Deporting Green Card Holders? 

ABC News wrote on March 13: 

“The detaining of Mahmoud Khali, the Columbia University student and Palestinian activist who possessed a green card, has raised questions about the deportation risks faced by lawful permanent residents amid the Trump administration’s escalating crackdown on immigration. President Donald Trump’s administration, which has alleged that Khalil was a supporter of Hamas,  has said it has the authority to deport Khalil under the Immigration and Nationality Act. ‘Secretary [Marco] Rubio reserves the right to revoke the visa of Mahmoud Khalil under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Secretary of State has the right to revoke a green card or a visa for individuals who are adversarial to the foreign policy and national security interests of the United States of America,’ White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a press conference this week. Khalil… is married to an American citizen who is eight months pregnant… 

“Under the Immigration Nationality Act,… the government can charge a green card holder as being deportable without being convicted of a crime if there are reasonable grounds to believe they engaged in certain criminal or terrorist activities… But experts and immigration attorneys… said the statute does not give the secretary of state the power to deport green card holders like Khalil without going through a procedure… After the federal government invokes the statute, individuals like Khalil are entitled to argue their case before an immigration judge. Khalil is set to appear before an immigration judge later this month in Louisiana… 

“Experts told ABC News there are a number of reasons why an individual could lose their green card, including marriage fraud, immigration fraud, violent crimes and other offenses. Andrew Nietor, an immigration attorney, told ABC News said that while there are cases where the government invokes the Immigration and Nationality Act for certain green card holders with criminal convictions, he said he has never seen a case like Khalil’s…” 

Voice of America added on March 13: 

“In immigration court, the burden of proof is on the government; it must show the person violated immigration laws. In a case like Khalil’s, ICE attorneys will ask for deportation, but they will have to prove he is a threat to national security.” 

Unconstitutional? 

Zeteo added on March 13: 

“Yes, a green card holder (or lawful permanent resident) can be deported. The most common way is if they committed a crime. But in Khalil’s case, he has not been charged with any crime. Instead, Secretary of State Marco Rubio personally signed off on targeting Khalil using a narrow, little-used authority from the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), Under the provision – section 237(a)(4)(C)(i) – an immigrant who is not a citizen or US national, but ‘whose presence or activities in the United States the Secretary of State has reasonable ground to believe would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States is deportable.’ 

“While the provision has an exception for conduct deemed ‘lawful’ in the US (such as free speech), the exception has an exception: if the secretary of state ‘personally determines that the alien’s admission would compromise a compelling United States foreign policy interest.’ That personal determination seems to be driving Rubio’s insistence that the Trump administration can deport legal permanent residents whom it deems to be ‘pro-Hamas.’… 

“It’s worth mentioning that the Jewish publication Forward called the INA a ‘McCarthy-era antisemitic law’ that was widely viewed at the time of its passage in 1952 as a way to target ‘Eastern European Jewish Holocaust survivors suspected of being Soviet agents.’… 

“The Department of Homeland Security on Saturday accused Khalil of leading ‘activities aligned to Hamas’ and said authorities detained Khalil ‘in support of President Trump’s executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism.’ The Trump administration has not provided any specific evidence on which it is basing its determination. Khalil’s legal team has rejected the Trump administration’s claim that Khalil supported a terrorist organization… 

“It’s worth noting, however, that a district court in 1996 did find that the provision was ‘unconstitutionally vague,’ said Lindsay Nash, an associate professor at Cardozo School of Law and co-director of the Kathryn O. Greenberg Immigration Justice Clinic. According to Nash, the judge, who was none other than Donald Trump’s sister, Maryanne Trump Barry, essentially said that ‘providing the secretary of state [the ability] to determine deportability’ deprives the court of the role it would ‘normally have in reviewing these types of determinations.’ The law, the court said, also doesn’t give non-citizens a way to know what is prohibited, and it violated procedural due process because ‘it provides no opportunity to be heard on the charges against you before you’re determined to be deportable,’ Nash told Zeteo. Ultimately, the court found the provision was an ‘unconstitutional delegation of legislative power to the executive.’ However, that ruling was thrown out by an appeals court, which did not comment on the constitutionality of the provision but rather said the district court did not have jurisdiction in the case. 

“Courts have previously found that green card holders, who are lawful permanent residents, are protected by the Constitution, including First Amendment rights. ‘Technically, the text of the First Amendment does not distinguish between citizens and non-citizens – so all persons in the US should be entitled to First Amendment protections,’ [attorney] McKanders told Zeteo. 

“For now, Khalil remains detained in an ICE facility in Louisiana. A federal judge in New York has ordered the government not to deport Khalil while a challenge to his detention is pending… Separately, Khalil is scheduled to appear before an immigration judge in Louisiana on March 27…”

We most certainly do not condone the—at times violent—antisemitic activities and anti-Israel protests of the students at Columbia University. But this case has much broader application than just the person of Khalil. It does already have a chilling effect on green card holders and creates an uncertainty as to their rights and privileges. In this regard, the following [incorrect] comments by JD Vance are of great concern. 

JD Vance Off-Base… Again! 

India Today wrote on March 13: 

“US Vice President JD Vance has said that green card holders in the United States do not have an indefinite right to stay in the country and can be deported at the administration’s discretion… Vance said that the decision is ultimately about whom the American public wants to include in the national community… Vance stressed that if the US President or the Secretary of State decides that a person should not be in the country, ‘they have no legal right to stay here. It is as simple as that’. 

“When asked about more deportations similar to that of … Khalil,  Vance said the US would certainly see some people get deported if the country determines that it is not in the best interest to have them.”

In light of the foregoing articles, the issue is not that simple. Vance, who is also an attorney, is clearly off base, legally, with his comments. 

Germany Monitors USA 

Deutsche Welle wrote on March 17: 

“Germany is ‘monitoring’ how its citizens are treated when traveling to the United States, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Monday. The announcement comes after the recent detention of three Germans in separate incidents. Two have been deported, but one person is still being detained. Foreign Ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer said Germany was trying to assess ‘whether this represents a change in American immigration policy or whether these are isolated cases.’… 

“Fabian Schmidt, the German still in detention, was arrested at Logan Airport in Boston last week after returning from Luxembourg. He is being held at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in Rhode Island. Schmidt is an electrical engineer who has been living in the US since 2007. It’s unclear why Schmidt, a US Green Card holder, was detained… 

“Tourists from EU countries such as Germany typically have visa-free access to the United States for up to 90 days. Two German tourists said they tried to enter the US legally but were detained and eventually sent back home. 

“Lucas Sielaff, a 25-year-old German, was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials on February 18 as he and his US fiancée were crossing the border from Mexico, according to Der Spiegel. He spent two weeks in detention after his entry permit was canceled at the Mexican border. 

“Jessica Brösche, a 29-year-old tattoo artist from Berlin, was also taken into custody at the Mexican border as she tried to cross with a US friend in late January, the magazine said. Brösche originally planned to stay in LA until mid-February, according to her Instagram profile. She was also returned to Germany last week. Both were held at the Otay Mesa Detention Center, a prison in San Diego, California, before being sent back to Germany… 

“Tourists from other Western countries have reportedly also been detained by US immigration authorities recently. It appears to be a result of the strict immigration policies implemented by President Donald Trump.” 

Subsequently, a fourth case involving a German citizen, as well as cases involving British citizens, have been reported. These are hardly isolated cases. A Canadian actress was also detained after she tried to enter the USA from Mexico legally with filled-out documentation.  All those detained report on the inhumane, horrible and filthy conditions in those detention centers. 

Musk in Trouble Again 

Indy100.com wrote on March 14: 

“Elon Musk has sparked backlash after the billionaire reposted on his social media platform X… a post which declared that Hitler ‘didn’t murder millions of people,’ but rather it was public sector employees. 

“The post in full read, ‘Stalin, Mao, and Hitler didn’t murder millions of people. Their public sector workers did.’ It appears Musk has since taken down the repost…” 

What a ridiculous post. Utter appalling nonsense. 

The Daily Beast added on March 14: 

“Six million Jews were systematically killed as a result of Hitler’s maniacal quest for what he saw as racial purity during his reign as Germany’s Führer between 1933 and 1945… Stalin, who led the Soviet Union from 1924 until his death in 1953, had nearly a million of his own citizens murdered and millions more are thought to have perished in forced labor camps, famine, and massacres under his regime. ‘Chairman’ Mao Zedong founded the People’s Republic of China and led the country from 1949 until his death in 1976. During that time, tens of millions died as a result of maltreatment, starvation, and Communist Party purges.” 

China Preparing for Taiwan Invasion? 

The New York Post wrote on March 14: 

“Photos emerged Friday that apparently show China’s newly constructed and behemoth naval vessels that experts have reportedly suggested would fit right into a strategy for an invasion of the coveted island of Taiwan. Naval News first reported months ago that China was building at least five unique, massive barges outfitted with a long road-bridge extending 393-feet from their bow that could be used to land tanks on a shore… vessels fitting that description [are pictured] in Guangzhou Shipyard in southern China upriver of the coastal Hong Kong. 

“‘Any invasion of Taiwan from the mainland would require a large number of ships to transport personnel and equipment across the Strait quickly, particularly land assets like armored vehicles,’ Dr. Emma Salisbury, Sea Power Research Fellow at the Council of Geostrategy, told Naval News. This extended reach capability of the ships means that China could choose from a wider range of targets for landing their ships than previously considered and would no longer be reliant on Taiwanese ports for landing military vehicles, according to Naval News.” 

Naval News had already written on January 10: 

“The traditional view is that there are only a small number of beaches on the main island of Taiwan which are suitable for amphibious landings. And these could be heavily defended. [China] could seize fishing villages or a port for larger scale landings. But the view has been that any attempt to take the islands by force would mean landing in predictable places. These new barges change that. 

“The extreme reach of the Bailey Bridges means that [China] could land at sites previously considered unsuitable. They can land across rocky, or soft, beaches, delivering the tanks directly to firmer ground or a coastal road. This allows China to pick new landing sites and complicate attempts to organize defences. Instead of relying on Taiwanese ports, China can now sail its own mobile port across the straits.” 

The article referred to China as “PRC—the People’s Republic of China.” We replaced this with “China” in brackets. PRC is as much a misnomer as the reference to the former DDR—the “German Democratic Republic.” In both cases, we are or were speaking of total dictatorships. 

Return to the Temple Mount? 

Israel 365 News wrote on March 12: 

“Right-wing Ministers and MKs addressed a letter today (Monday) to members of the US Senate, calling on them to promote a declaration in Congress to ‘recognize the eternal and inalienable right of the Jewish people to the Temple Mount.’ The letter was signed by Minister of Communications Shlomo Karhi and Minister of Culture and Sports Miki Zohar from the Likud and several MKs from the Likud, Religious Zionism, and Otzma Yehudit factions. ‘This is the place where our Temples stood, which were destroyed by the Babylonian and Roman empires about 2,500 and 1,900 years ago,’ it said. 

“The initiative is being led by a group of temple activists led by Beyadenu – Returning to the Temple, following the victory of Donald Trump and the Republicans in the US elections… Yosef Rabin, Chairman of Shofar in Zion, said, ‘With Trump’s return to power, we have a historic opportunity to correct the international narrative on the Temple Mount and rectify the grave injustice perpetrated against the Jewish people. The denial of the Jewish people’s religious and national rights to the Temple Mount must end… We are facing a modern-day Cyrus moment, and it is our duty to seize it. We must declare loudly: there is no Zionism without Mount Zion—this is a fight for the soul of the land.’” 

“Tom Nissani, CEO of Beyadenu – Returning to the Temple Mount, one of the initiators of the letter, said, ‘This important letter calls for the adoption of an important and natural call that will come from our friend overseas that recognizes and confirms the exclusive right of the people of Israel to their holiest place, the Temple Mount… The American administration supports full Israeli sovereignty over the Temple Mount.’” 

The “modern-day Cyrus moment” is of course not limited to just having access to the Temple Mount. As we all know, Cyrus allowed the Jews to build the Second Temple. 

Israel Attacks Gaza 

Newsmax wrote on March 17: 

“Israel launched a wave of airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, saying it was striking dozens of Hamas targets in its heaviest assault in the territory since a ceasefire took effect in January… Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the strikes because of a lack of progress in ongoing talks to extend the ceasefire. Officials said the operation was open-ended and was expected to expand. ‘Israel will, from now on, act against Hamas with increasing military strength,’ Netanyahu’s office said… 

“The surprise overnight attack… raised questions about the fate of the roughly two dozen Israeli hostages held by Hamas who are believed to still be alive… Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, said the ‘gates of hell will open in Gaza’ if the hostages aren’t released. ‘We will not stop fighting until all of our hostages are home and we have achieved all of the war goals,’ he said.” 

Itamar Ben-Gvir Returns 

Newsmax wrote on March 19: 

“Itamar Ben-Gvir on Wednesday returned to Israel’s government as national security minister after it carried out a wave of heavy strikes that killed over 400 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. 

“Ben-Gvir had left Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition in January to protest the ceasefire with Hamas, which was shattered by Israel’s bombardment Tuesday… Ben-Gvir supports the full resumption of the war with the aim of annihilating Hamas, depopulating Gaza through what he refers to as the voluntary migration of Palestinians and rebuilding Jewish settlements there.” 

In August of 2024, Ben-Gvir famously proclaimed that “he would build a Jewish synagogue at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem if he could.” In this context, it was mentioned that “the campaign to build a ‘Third Temple’ on Al-Aqsa is growing in Israel” and that “Hamas… called on Arab and Islamic countries ‘to take responsibility for protecting the holy sites’” (Aljazeera, dated August 26, 2024).   

Ludicrous Decision Against Starbucks 

The New York Post wrote on March 15, 2025: 

“Starbucks will have to fork over $50 million to a man whose genitals were severely burned after a hot tea spilled in his lap at a California drive-through. Delivery driver Michael Garcia underwent skin grafts and other procedures after the fateful spill of the piping hot, venti-sized Starbucks beverage, which immediately fell onto his crotch area after he bought it on Feb. 8, 2020…  a Los Angeles County jury decided in his favor, finding an employee of the Seattle-based coffee chain had not wedged the scalding hot drink into a takeout tray well enough before handing it over to him… 

“In July of 2023, a South Florida jury awarded $800,000 in damages to the family of then-4-year-old Olivia Caraballo for the second-degree burns she suffered when a hot Happy Meal Chicken McNugget fell in her lap in 2019.” 

CNN reported on March 14 that “damages included physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, inconvenience, grief, disfigurement, physical impairment, anxiety and emotional distress… The lawsuit is reminiscent of a famous 1994 lawsuit against McDonald’s in which a woman spilled hot coffee on her lap and suffered third-degree burns. The plaintiff in that case… was originally awarded nearly $3 million.” 

This decision against Starbucks, as well as the previous decision against McDonald’s and, to a lesser degree, the Happy Meal Chicken McNugget, will go into the annals of history as some of the most ludicrous ones in the 20th and 21st centuries. Our legal system, based in part on a questionable and manipulative jury system with emotionally charged and quite biased jurors, is SO broken!!! 

“What Happens in Our Brain When We Die?” 

Die Welt wrote on March 13: 

“What do people experience in the last seconds of their lives? Current research shows: Shortly before death, there is a renewed surge of intense neuronal activity in the brain… 

“Neuropsychologist Dr. Christian Hoppe of the University Hospital of Bonn explains that medical death is defined by the irreversible loss of all brain functions. Nevertheless, studies show that the brain can once again be exceptionally active in the final moments. Experiments with dying patients have shown that some brain regions emit particularly intense electrical impulses—particularly those responsible for conscious experience. 

“This high-frequency activity could indicate that the brain is still processing experiences in the last seconds of life. It’s even possible that a form of consciousness could exist shortly before the final extinction. Many people report near-death experiences—such as seeing a light at the end of a tunnel or the feeling of leaving one’s own body. Researchers suspect that these phenomena are due to neurological processes. For example, stimulation of the visual cortex can cause people to perceive a point of light—a possible explanation for the often-described ‘light at the end of the tunnel.’ 

“The feeling of out-of-body experience—seeing oneself from above or being outside one’s own body—can also be artificially induced by targeted stimuli in the brain or through virtual reality. These experiments suggest that near-death experiences are not supernatural but have neurological causes.”

These are really interesting comments. We know, of course, that a person does not keep on living when he dies.

Acknowledgement and Disclaimer:

These Current Events are compiled and commented on by Norbert Link. We gratefully acknowledge the many contributions of news articles from our readership. The publication of articles in this section is not to be viewed as an endorsement or approval as to contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing at worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.