Australia Wants to Ban Children Under 16 From Social Media
The Guardian wrote on November 28:
“On Thursday, parliament’s upper house, the Senate, passed a bill by 34 votes to 19 banning children under 16 from social media platforms. But academics, politicians and advocacy groups have warned that the ban – as envisioned by the government – could backfire, driving teenagers to the dark web, or making them feel more isolated… Many worry that the process has been too rushed, and that, if users are asked to prove their age, it could lead to social media companies being handed valuable personal data. Even Elon Musk has weighed in. [‘Seems like a backdoor way to control access to the internet by all Australians.’]
“The [law] bans social media platforms from allowing users under 16 to access their services, threatening companies with fines of up to AU$50m (US$32m) if they fail to comply. However, it contains no details about how it will work, only that the companies will be expected to take reasonable steps to ensure users are aged 16 or over. The detail will come later, through the completion of a trial of age-assurance technology in mid-2025. The bill won’t come into force for another 12 months.
“The bill also does not specify to which companies the legislation would apply, though communications minister Michelle Rowland has said that Snapchat, TikTok, X, Instagram, Reddit and Facebook are likely to be part of the ban. YouTube will not be included because of its ‘significant’ educational purpose, she said.”
Big Brother is up and running…
Trump to Nominate Kash Patel as FBI Director
The Huffington Post wrote on December 1:
“Patel is likely to face deep skepticism during his confirmation hearings over… his claims that he would shut down the FBI’s Pennsylvania Avenue headquarters in the nation’s capital and send the thousands of employees who work there to ‘chase down criminals’ across the country…
“He’s talked about trying to rid the government of ‘conspirators’ against Trump and of going ‘after the people in the media who lied about American citizens who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections,’ whether criminally or civilly.”
This would be very interesting…
Trump’s Nominations
Daily Mail wrote on December 4;
“Trump’s pick to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration has withdrawn from consideration after MAGA outrage. Chad Chronister, the Sheriff of Hillborough County, Florida, sparked controversy for ordering the arrest of a pastor for holding church services in the height of the COVID pandemic. MAGA ally Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who was leading the charge to get him to step aside, said he simply ‘lost his mind.’ …
“Conservative Liz Wheeler called him a ‘COVID tyrant’ who ‘abused his power and is unfit to lead the DEA’ and urged him to withdraw.”
That Trump even nominated such a man is of great concern.
Joe Biden Pardons Hunter… A Story of Lies and Deceit
Deutsche Welle wrote on December 1:
“Joe Biden has pardoned his son Hunter after he was convicted on gun and tax-related federal charges, amid earlier promises against such a move. The pardon spares Hunter a possible prison sentence related to federal felony gun and tax convictions… Biden called his son’s conviction ‘a miscarriage of justice.’… In June, Biden ruled out a pardon or clemency for Hunter in an ABC News interview. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre doubled down on the promise as recently as November 8. ‘We’ve been asked that question multiple times. Our answer stands, which is no,’ she had said…
“Republican President elect Trump… described Biden’s decision as an ‘abuse and miscarriage of justice.’ ‘Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages, who have now been imprisoned for years?’ Trump said on his Truth Social platform, referring to rioters who were imprisoned after storming the US Capitol on January 6, 2021…
“‘Joe Biden is a liar and a hypocrite, all the way to the end,’ said Congresswoman Marjorie Taylore Greene on X… Congressman Andy Biggs said Biden would ‘go down as one of the most corrupt presidents in American history… Criticism even came from some of Biden’s own Democratic Party, such as Colorado Governor Jared Polis…”
California Governor Newsom wrote on December 3: “With everything the president and his family have been through, I completely understand the instinct to protect Hunter. But I took the president at his word. So by definition, I’m disappointed and can’t support the decision.”
Elon Musk has been one of the strongest critics so far.
NBC News added on December 1:
“The president issued a ‘full and unconditional pardon’ for any offenses Hunter Biden has ‘committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period from January 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024,’ according to the White House statement…
“The president has discussed pardoning his son with some of his closest aides at least since Hunter Biden’s conviction in June… it was decided at the time that he would publicly say he would not pardon his son even though doing so remained on the table…”
So this was carefully planned, and the American people were intentionally lied to…
The New York Post wrote on December 1:
“We always knew Joe Biden would pardon his troubled son Hunter, no matter how many times he promised he wouldn’t…. the president explained away all his lies to the American people by lying about his lying: ‘For my entire career I have followed a simple principle: just tell the American people the truth.’… Nobody believes the word of a Biden.”
Politico wrote on December 2:
“[Biden’s pardon] insulates his son from ever facing federal charges over any crimes he possibly could have committed over the past decade. Experts on pardons said they could think of only one other person who has received a presidential pardon so sweeping in generations: Nixon, who was given a blanket pardon by Gerald Ford in 1974…
“Conservative commentators have engaged in… speculation that Hunter Biden could be charged with bribery, illegal lobbying or other crimes stemming from his foreign business activities… Trump will not be able to undo the pardon when he takes office. And its sweeping nature means the Trump Justice Department will not be able to reopen the long-running criminal probe of the president’s son…”
Even CNN admitted that Biden tarnished his legacy with his pardon of Hunter [even though Joe Biden’s legacy has long been “tarnished”]. CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig said: “… he lied to us for a long time. He said categorically, ‘I will not pardon my son.’” The Hill provided a list of times Joe Biden and his aides decisively answered “no” after being asked whether a pardon for Hunter was being considered. The Hill listed 10 occasions. Ten is the number of judgment in the Bible, suggesting that God will judge him and his aides for their repeated lies.
Germany’s New “Vision”
The Telegraph wrote on November 29:
“Germany will promote the inherent value of its ‘dominant culture’ and make migrants assimilate, an MP from the country’s government-in-waiting has said. In a clear shift from the Angela Merkel era, the centre-right Christian Democrats Union (CDU) has made the concept of ‘Leitkultur’ a key pillar of its manifesto ahead of snap elections in February… Leitkultur [is] fundamentally the principle that foreigners should adopt German cultural values and not vice versa…
“The phrase ‘Leitkultur’ was popularised by Friedrich Merz, the CDU leader, in a newspaper article 20 years ago in which he said that ‘immigrants who want to live here permanently must adapt to an established liberal German dominant culture’… At the time the concept caused friction in the CDU with many MPs calling it divisive and populist. Mrs Merkel, an arch-rival of Mr Merz, cut the phrase out of party debate and policymaking after she ousted him from the party leadership in 2002.
“German academics have puzzled over the phrase for years as it claims to define the elusive characteristics that bind German society together. CDU party officials stress it is not simply about beer gardens, pretzels and other German cultural habits, but ‘the basic values of our society’ and ‘what unites us’…
“Germany will start turning non-European refugees away from its border if the CDU wins the next election, due to ‘our special duty’ towards Ukraine… On the issue of support for Ukraine, the CDU has adopted a more hawkish stance than Chancellor Scholz. Mr Merz has said he is in favour of sending long-range German Taurus missiles to Kyiv if Vladimir Putin keeps bombing civilian areas… Under Mr Merz, the CDU has shifted further to the right in response to a major increase in irregular migration to Germany following the pandemic.”
What does this mean? Is the celebration of Christmas, Easter or Sunday part of the Leitkultur concept? What about the abrogation of the Sabbath and God’s annual Holy Days? What about supporting and fighting in war? A potentially dangerous concept indeed.
What Germany’s AfD Wants…
Bild wrote on November 30:
“The Saxon AfD is entering the federal election campaign with its co-federal chairman Tino Chrupalla… Merz is ‘more harmful than Merkel and Scholz’ and ‘a representative of foreign interests’ who wants to deliver Taurus to Ukraine. ‘This escalation with a nuclear power is just crazy. Whoever votes for Merz wants war,’ said Chrupalla.
“Instead, the AfD will implement what Merz is currently only promising: secure borders, reject [immigrants]. ‘We’re repairing Nordstream and with us, gas prices will be 5 cents again.’…
“Even before his speech there was standing applause for the honorary chairman of the AfD, Alexander Gauland… Gauland then took aim at the CDU. ‘It’s clear who we have to fight. It’s Mr. Merz’s CDU…‘“
The Westen wrote on December 1:
“Restrictions on abortion and withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement – these are just some of the demands that the AfD lists in its draft program for the federal election in February. The euro should also be under attack. Regarding the currency, the paper says that Germany must ‘end the wrong path of permanent rescue by reintroducing a national currency’. The party continues: ‘We consider Germany’s exit from the European Union and the establishment of a new European community to be necessary’… If necessary, the euro should be able to be retained parallel with a national currency.
“A further point of the AfD, according to its basic program, is the reinstatement of compulsory military service for all young men between the ages of 18 and 25. But so that anti-militarist Eastern voters are not lost to the BSW [a popular left party], the party is now making concessions in its election program… The demand for a return to compulsory military service should suddenly be deleted from the program for the 2025 federal election.”
The euro will not end, but compulsory military service might very well be reintroduced. The concept of creating a new European community (perhaps consisting of ten nations or groups of nations?) is very interesting. Accusations against “war-monger” Merz are not only coming from the AfD. Note the next article.
Fear of War or Russian Roulette?
BR 24 wrote on December 1:
“Union Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz has accused the SPD and Chancellor Olaf Scholz of deliberately stoking fear of war in the Ukraine debate. ‘The mobilization of fear of war is the DNA of the SPD,’ wrote the CDU chairman…
“Merz wants to give the ‘nuclear power Russia’ an ultimatum with a view to possible deliveries of the Taurus cruise missile, said Scholz at a party conference in Berlin. ‘All I can say is, be careful: You don’t play Russian roulette with Germany’s security. When it comes to questions of war and peace, you need a cool head…’
“The Greens are also distancing themselves from Scholz’s Ukraine course.”
In addition, the CDU is now attacking the Green Party under Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck. Note the next article.
Spahn Wants Legal Changes in the Climate Sector
Focus wrote on November 29th:
“At an event organized by the heat pump industry, Union parliamentary group vice-president Jens Spahn confirmed that his party wants to withdraw the heating law and significantly reduce heating subsidies. Instead of relying solely on heat pumps, he advocates ‘green oil’. This is causing considerable uncertainty in the industry… Jens Spahn… explained with regard to the new traffic light rules: ‘There is no planning security for nonsense… The path of the last two years has no acceptance’… That’s why it’s necessary to ‘abolish the heating law à la Habeck’.
“In addition, Spahn announced cuts in financial support for climate-friendly heating… Ultimately, the support should be abolished completely, said the former health minister, who would also like to take over a ministry again in the next government… ‘The argument that we have to leave things as they are now because we need planning security doesn’t work for us,’ he said. Because the Union said from the beginning that it considered the change in the law to be wrong…
“Experts, however, consider Spahn’s proposal to make oil heating systems more climate-friendly in the future through the use of ‘green oil’ to be unrealistic because such fuels, which are made from plants or produced synthetically using green electricity, will be both scarce and expensive.
“At least one of Spahn’s demands met with unanimous approval from industry representatives, namely to reduce electricity prices by reducing electricity taxes and network fees…
Despite his lack of popularity, Spahn is someone to watch out for.
Germany and the Nordic Countries Prepare for Possible War
The Guardian wrote on November 29:
“Germany is developing an app to help people locate the nearest bunker in the event of attack. Sweden is distributing a 32-page pamphlet titled If Crisis or War Comes. Half a million Finns have already downloaded an emergency preparedness guide.
If the prospect of a broader conflict in Europe seems remote for many, some countries at least are taking it seriously – and, in the term used by Germany’s defence minister, Boris Pistorius, taking steps to get populations kriegstuechtig—war-capable… ‘We live in uncertain times. Armed conflicts are currently being waged in our corner of the world. Terrorism, cyber-attacks, and disinformation campaigns are being used to undermine and influence us,’ the Swedish pamphlet’s prologue says… it adds that collective resilience is essential and if Sweden is attacked, ‘everyone must do their part to defend Sweden’s independence – and our democracy … you are part of Sweden’s overall emergency preparedness’…
“Norway’s directorate for civil protection, DSB, has distributed ta similar booklet to the country’s 2.6 million households… The Norwegian pamphlet advises people, for example, to hold at least a week’s worth of non-perishable food including ‘crispbreads, canned pulses and beans, canned sandwich spreads, energy bars, dried fruit, chocolate, honey, biscuits and nuts’. Norway also advises residents to stock up on essential medicines – including iodine tablets, in case of a nuclear incident – and, like Sweden, recommends that people have several bank cards and keep a ready supply of cash at home.
“In Finland, an exhaustive online guide… offers residents information and advice on anything from water outages to wildfires, the collapse of the internet or ‘longer-term crises … such as military conflict’… Finland – which shares an 830-mile (1,340km) border with Russia – asks its citizens bluntly: ‘Would you survive 72 hours?’…
“Germany’s focus, meanwhile, is on ramping up the number of its bunkers and protective shelters after an official estimate that the nation of 84 million has fewer than 600 public shelters, together capable of holding just 480,000 people. Many cold war shelters have been dismantled owing to the belief they would no longer be needed, but Berlin has now launched a national bunker plan under the Federal Office for Population Protection… Experts predict an attack by Russia may be a possibility within the next five years and the search is now on for any structure that could be used if such an event occurred, including metro stations and basements of public offices, schools and town halls. German households have been urged to adapt their own cellars, garages or store rooms, or excavate old bunkers, while housebuilders will be legally obliged to include safe shelters in new homes – as Poland has already done.”
The Diplomat in Spain added on November 27:
“Operation Deutschland is a strategic plan developed by Berlin to prepare the country for the possibility of a large-scale conflict in Europe… In this [1,000-pages long] report Germany describes how it could help mobilize up to 800,000 NATO troops, including Americans, to Ukraine if the situation with Russia escalates. It is a preemptive measure in the face of a possible major conflict, such as a World War III… Germany plans how to allow up to 200,000 military vehicles to pass through its territory…
“Recent preparedness measures in Europe for a possible war conflict coincide with repeated warnings from incoming U.S. President-elect Donald Trump about the possibility of a global conflict. On several occasions, Trump has pointed out that the international situation is at a critical point, with three key players – Russia, North Korea and Iran – actively engaging in confrontations affecting U.S. allies…
“Europe is preparing for a war, which… is worrying because an ‘accident’ or a ‘miscalculation’ in this show of force by the two sides that we are witnessing in the Ukrainian war could start an unstoppable escalation that could end with the use of a nuclear weapon…”
Germany’s fear of war will lead to the awakening of the somewhat sleeping German giant—but woe unto the world when this happens.
French Government Collapsed
Breitbart wrote on December 2:
“The neo-liberal French government is likely headed toward collapse this week after Marine Le Pen’s National Rally confirmed that it would join with the left on a motion of no confidence [against] Prime Minister Michel Barnier [after he] attempted to push through financial austerity measures through without a vote in the parliament…
“While the left has been attempting to overthrow the government for months, claiming that it was the winner of the election… this time they were joined by the Le Pen faction, nearly guaranteeing a no confidence measure will succeed….
“The move threatens to throw the French political and financial systems into utter chaos. With French President Macron constitutionally prohibited from calling for fresh legislative elections until June of next year, the Élysée Palace will have limited options should Barnier’s government fall.”
The Guardian added on December 2:
“If the no-confidence motion is carried on Wednesday, Barnier will be forced to offer his resignation [after only two and a half months], but he and his ministers could remain in a caretaker administration until Macron announces a new government… France has been heading towards this political crisis since Macron called a snap election in June that left parliament divided into three roughly equal political factions – left, centre and far right – but none of which has an absolute majority…”
The Sun wrote on December 5:
“FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron is clinging onto power after another damaging political blow saw his government left in disarray. His government collapsed last night after a historic vote of confidence was passed against Prime Minister Michel Bartnier in the National Assembly. Macron is now on the hunt for his sixth PM during his stint as president but it comes amid calls for him to ultimately resign.
“The president has constantly vowed to serve out his term until 2027 despite his political rivals now calling for him to step down immediately.
“The latest polls out of Paris say the people feel they are entering a period of politics that is incapable of ever moving forwards under a Macron government… A staggering 64 per cent of respondents agreed Macron should step aside immediately.”
Deutsche Welle added:
“Barnier and his ministers remain in charge of daily business until the appointment of a new government…”
Subsequently, Deutsche Welle reported on December 5:
“French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation on Thursday, hours after Prime Minister Michel Barnier handed in his resignation following Wednesday’s vote of no-confidence. Macron rejected calls from the opposition to follow Barnier in stepping down, saying he would remain in office until the next presidential election in 2027. He vowed to ‘appoint a prime minister in the coming days’ saying that this person would be tasked with forming a ‘government of general interest’ in order to pass a budget.”
The situation in France somehow mirrors the debacle in Germany.
France Won’t Arrest Netanyahu
JTA wrote on November 27:
“France has joined the nations who are signatories to the agreement that established the International Criminal Court pledging not to honor its warrants to arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant.
“The statement Wednesday by the French foreign ministry adds France to Argentina and Hungary as parties to the 1998 Rome Statute whose leaders have said they will not abide by the warrants… The French foreign ministry statement said the warrants were flawed because Israel was not a party to the agreement establishing the court…”
Macron also hinted that Netanyahu might have “immunity”.
Pope Francis’ Departure From Catholicism
Newsmax wrote on November 29:
“Pope Francis urged Catholic Church members to embrace cohabiting couples and divorced people while also promoting marriage and traditional family structures… Francis addressed the complexities faced by people living outside the traditional bounds of marriage. ‘The Church does not close the door to those who struggle on the path of faith, indeed, she throws the door wide open, because everyone “needs merciful and encouraging pastoral attention”’… the pope said Monday. ‘Everyone. Do not forget this word: everyone, everyone, everyone. Jesus said this when those invited to the wedding did not come, and Jesus says: “Go into the streets and bring everyone, everyone, everyone — But Lord, all the good ones, no? — No, everyone! Good and bad! Everyone, everyone.” Do not forget that word “everyone,” which is in a sense the vocation of the Church, mother of all.’
“Francis, with whom church conservatives have differed on certain issues, underscored the dual mission to uphold traditional values while also practicing unconditional love and acceptance…..”
It is amazing how Scriptures are being twisted, like Christ’s words to go into the streets and invite people to the wedding. No word about repentance and stopping their sinful lifestyle. Francis’ comments would equally apply to practicing homosexuals, transgender, drag queens and the LGBTQ+ community. What about pedophiles? Also, the concept of “unconditional love and acceptance” was clearly misapplied here.
What Jesus REALLY Looked Like
The Daily Mail wrote on December 1:
“… experts say that every image you’ve seen of Jesus is almost certainly inaccurate. Not only would Jesus definitely not have had flowing locks, he is also unlikely to have grown a long beard or even worn robes. Instead, historians believe that Jesus would have looked like any other unremarkable member of Judean society in the first century AD… he probably would have been strong and lean… Jesus comes from a family where manual labour is the norm, and he certainly gets exercise with all the walking around.’…
“Jesus was ethnically Judean and came from the region which is now modern-day Palestine. This means his hair and beard would have been black and curly rather than brown and straight. Likewise, it is extremely likely that Jesus would have worn his hair and beard quite short… Around the time of Jesus’ life in the first century AD,… being clean-shaven was extremely important to Romans but, as a Jew, Jesus probably did grow a well-kept beard…
“To have long hair and a long beard signalled something in ancient Judaism – that you were keeping a special vow and not drinking wine. Jesus was actually accused of drinking too much, so he was not keeping such a vow.’ In fact, some of the very first depictions we have of Jesus show him looking distinctly well-groomed. Paintings dating from the first half of the third century AD found the church in the ruined city of Dura-Europos in Syria show Jesus clean-shaven with hair cut well above his collar… In the first century AD… long hair on men was considered ‘rather unseemly’…
“The one thing that our modern images of Jesus get right is that everyone in Judea would have worn leather sandals during the time Jesus was alive…”
The modern Church of God has been saying these things for almost a century.
Ending the Ukraine War?
The New York Post wrote on November 29:
“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is willing to hand over territory to Russia in exchange for NATO protection if it means ending the war. ‘If we want to stop the hot stage of the war, we should take under [the] NATO umbrella the territory of Ukraine that we have under our control,’ Zelensky said through a translator in an interview with Sky News Friday. ‘That’s what we need to do fast, and then Ukraine can get back the other part of its territory diplomatically.’…
“Zelensky hinted that the ‘NATO umbrella’ would not be full membership — something Putin has long vehemently rejected — but could mean member states providing individual security guarantees to Ukraine… He said other countries have offered to broker a cease-fire agreement between the two countries but he seemed skeptical… ‘We need [NATO protection] very much, otherwise [Putin] will come back,’ he said. ‘Otherwise, how are we going to go to a ceasefire? So for us, it’s very dangerous.’…
“The Kremlin has made huge advances in Ukraine over the past week, taking 90 square miles in the long-bombarded Donetsk region, the fastest clip since the war began nearly three years ago. Putin had previously claimed the only path to peace would be for Ukraine to surrender all its territory that Russia has laid claim to and renounce its intention to join NATO.”
Newsmax added on November 29:
“Zelenskyy’s new position could be a direct result of President-elect Donald Trump’s victory earlier this month… ‘I want to work with him directly because there are different voices from people around him. And that’s why we need not to [allow] anybody around to destroy our communication,’ he said…”
Ultimately, this entire war was good for nothing. Russia and Ukraine will unite, and Europe will be the big loser.
The Price of Defeat
Report 24 wrote on November 30:
“The reality is bleak. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte bluntly admitted to Fox News what many have known for a long time: Ukraine is simply not in a position to negotiate favorable peace conditions. The Russian steamroller continues to roll, while Washington [actually, Ukraine] is already discussing lowering the draft age in Ukraine to 18…
“The whole thing is made particularly spicy by the appearance of the eternal war drummer Boris Johnson… [He] is now once again calling for NATO troops for Ukraine. His recent threat that Great Britain could intervene militarily on its own sounds like a desperate call for the good old days of the empire…
“Joe Biden greenlights long-range missiles under NATO coordination – as if more weapons ever brought peace. The bitter truth is: What we are experiencing here is the end of an illusion. The question is no longer whether Ukraine can win, but what the price of defeat will be.”
Trump Demands Release of Hostages, Or…
Newsmax wrote on December 2:
“President-elect Donald Trump said there would be ‘hell to pay’ in the Middle East if hostages held in the Gaza Strip were not released before his Jan. 20 inauguration. ‘Everybody is talking about the hostages who are being held so violently, inhumanely, and against the will of the entire World, in the Middle East – But it’s all talk, and no action!’ Trump wrote Monday in a Truth Social post.
“‘Please let this TRUTH serve to represent that if the hostages are not released prior to January 20, 2025, the date that I proudly assume Office as President of the United States, there will be ALL HELL TO PAY in the Middle East, and for those in charge who perpetrated these atrocities against Humanity. Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America. RELEASE THE HOSTAGES NOW!’
“Trump’s post came on the same day Israel Defense Forces confirmed that Cpt. Omer Maxim Neutra, 21, was killed during Iranian-backed Hamas’ terrorist attack on Oct. 7, 2023, and his body was being held hostage in the Gaza Strip.”
Strong Earthquake Hits California
ABC News reported on December 5:
“A 7.0 magnitude earthquake was reported off the coast of Northern California on Thursday… The epicenter of the ‘strong’ quake was off the coast near Petrolia, in Humboldt County… Also, a tsunami warning that had been issued for coastal areas in California and Oregon, including San Francisco, was canceled just before noon local time…
“Police in Berkeley, California, had issued an evacuation order for parts of the city ‘due to a tsunami coming to West Berkeley.’ The order was subsequently lifted after the tsunami warning was canceled… More than 30 aftershocks have been reported in the region, including a 4.3 magnitude earthquake near Petrolia…”
It was stated that it has been more than 30 years since an earthquake of this size hit California.
Ongoing War in Syria
The Guardian wrote on December 1:
“Syrian and Russian airstrikes have pummelled areas of northern Syria as Iran’s top diplomat arrived in Damascus in a show of support for Bashar al-Assad’s regime after Islamist insurgents made a sudden advance and seized control of Aleppo. As the regime attempted to repel the strongest challenge to its authority in years, state media in Damascus shared images of airstrikes across opposition-controlled areas, claiming they were targeting enemy command centres and positions. Syria’s military said they struck close to a stadium in Aleppo in a joint operation with Russia.
“An earlier airstrike killed 12 people when it hit a site close to a hospital in central Aleppo, Syria’s second city and a former industrial powerhouse that was the scene of some of the fiercest fighting in the country’s bloody civil war…
“The regime in Damascus has long relied on foreign support, notably during the 2016 battle to retake control of Aleppo, in which Russian air power proved decisive. The Syrian government has also relied heavily on Iranian forces on the ground including members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. Israel has rapidly scaled up airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria over the past year amid increasing regional confrontations with Tehran and its proxies.
“Assad crushed a popular uprising that rose up against him in 2011, before the conflict spilled over into a bloody civil war that has fractured his control of the country and left him heavily dependent on backing from Tehran and Moscow. The Syrian leader also employed airstrikes, siege tactics and chemical weapons against his own people during fierce battles to regain control of territory….
“Across northern Syria, Turkish-backed Syrian rebel groups and Kurdish militias moved to claim territory rapidly evacuated by forces loyal to Damascus, as Syrian government forces retreated from areas they had held for almost a decade… video showed Turkish-backed Syrian rebel forces taking control of the base and weaponry there, including an Iranian-made drone…”
The Daily Mail added on December 1:
“Arab leaders, including Jordan’s King Abdullah II and United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, expressed their solidarity with Damascus in calls with Mr Assad.”
Big News Network wrote on December 3:
“Beijing is willing to aid Damascus to prevent the situation from deteriorating further, [China’s] Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian has said… ‘China is deeply concerned over the situation in northwestern Syria, and supports its effort to uphold national security and stability,’ Lin told a press briefing on Monday. ‘As Syria’s friend, China is willing to make an active effort to avoid further deterioration of the situation in Syria,’ the official said.
“A number of other nations, including Russia, Iran, Iraq and Egypt, have expressed support for Damascus over the past few days… Moscow has slammed the militants’ offensive as a ‘direct violation of Syria’s sovereignty,’ and mobilized air force units stationed in the country to aid the Syrian army. Tehran has urged Islamic countries to unite in helping Syria defeat the militants, placing the blame for the escalation on Israel and the US.”
The Los Angeles Times wrote on December 4:
“Over the past seven days, the rebels — long considered a fractured, hopelessly compromised force — have routed Syrian army troops from their bases and positions, making gains in Idlib, Aleppo and Hama provinces. The offensive represents the most serious threat since 2019 to Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad and his backers in Iran and Russia… The clashes have brought back to attention a civil war that has largely fallen out of the headlines despite never really ending.”
The Bible reveals that ultimately, Damascus will be destroyed and many Syrians will go into captivity.
South Korea in Crisis
Daily Mail wrote on December 3:
“South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol sensationally declared emergency martial law today, accusing his political opposition of subverting parliament and railing against ‘pro-North Korea, anti-state forces’ in his country. The shocking late-night address triggered chaos on the streets in Seoul where hordes of angry citizens clashed with riot cops and security forces outside the National Assembly.
“In an announcement which has stunned the world, South Korea’s military proclaimed that under martial law, parliament and other political gatherings that could cause ‘social confusion’ would be suspended and anyone found to violate the regulations could be arrested without a warrant. Yoon vowed ‘to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces plundering the happiness of our people and to protect the constitutional order.’…
“South Korea’s Constitution says the president can declare martial law when it is considered necessary to cope with a military threat or to maintain public safety and order by mobilising military forces… When martial law is declared by the president, they must notify the National Assembly of the decision which can then take a vote on whether martial law should be upheld. The president must comply when the National Assembly – where the opposition party currently holds a majority – requests the lifting of martial law by a majority vote of members. The National Assembly, with 190 of its 300 members present, has already passed a resolution demanding the martial law be lifted… But in yet another twist in the night, South Korea’s military announced that martial law will remain in place until it is lifted by Yoon himself…”
Breitbart added on December 3:
“‘If the President does not abide by the results of the motion passed at the National Assembly it is clear treason and an illegal act,’ legislator Cho Kuk declared, adding that Yoon’s impeachment will now be on the table. Cho asked prosecutors to arrest President Yoon and his defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, immediately.”
CNN wrote on December 3:
“Yoon Suk Yeol’s cabinet has reversed a martial law order in the country, just hours after he issued the surprise decree that plunged Seoul into political uncertainty and sparked fierce backlash from lawmakers across the political spectrum.”
Deutsche Welle wrote on December 5:
“South Korean prosecutors said on Thursday that they have opened an official investigation in President Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempt to put the country under martial law. Interior Minister Lee Sang-min and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun are also part of the probe.
“Police said the president was under investigation for ‘insurrection’ and Kim, who had already resigned following the incident, has been placed under a travel ban and forbidden from leaving South Korea….”
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.