No Progress in Brexit Talks

The EUObserver wrote on August 7:

“The EU’s budget commissioner has warned that the UK would have to pay into the EU’s coffers until at least 2020, even after it has left the bloc in March 2019. Guenther Oettinger told the German newspaper Bild on Monday (7 August) that Britain is obligated to honour commitments it has made to the EU’s long-term programmes…

“The commissioner’s comments come as the Sunday Telegraph reported that the government in London is ready to pay €40 billion if the EU agrees to negotiate the financial settlement as part of the deal on future relations – including a trade deal… The 40 billion sum was dismissed by Downing Street sources, speaking to the Guardian. Several Conservative MPs questioned the need to pay at all…

“The EU’s chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, told EU ambassadors earlier that the lack of a UK position on the financial settlement is one of the main obstacles to any progress in the Brexit talks… Earlier figures of between €60 billion and €100 billion have circulated in the media.”

The relationship between continental Europe and the UK will deteriorate further and further, and in the end, any “results” of the Brexit negotiations will turn out to be very disadvantageous for the UK.

MPs Call for an Autocratic European Army

Express wrote on August 6:

“Euro MPs have drawn up terrifying plans for a complete EU army, navy and air force which could be deployed by Brussels without consulting member state parliaments. They say Brussels needs ‘autonomous’ military capabilities which would have their own budget, be under the direct command of eurocrats and wear the EU ensign into battle. The document, which has no official weight and is likely to be rejected by member states, will nonetheless unnerve some politicians who fear the bloc is creeping towards ever greater militarisation.

“EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini has repeatedly insisted eurocrats are not creating their own army, but critics say a raft of recent defence reforms are preparing the ground for precisely that. The vision put forward by ALDE, which is dominated by eurofederalists, will almost certainly be deemed wildly unrealistic but even a significantly watered down version would mark a radical shift in the role of the EU.

“Committed europhiles have been pressing for more EU military integration for decades but with Britain – a longstanding opponent to such an approach – leaving the bloc there is a sense some of their ambitions will now come to pass. Linking to the document, Mr Verhofstadt tweeted: ‘The Internal & external threats Europe faces call for a major leap towards full-fledge European Defence Union, NOW!’…”

The Bible prophesies that such a European army WILL in fact be created; and member states will give their FULL authority and power to a charismatic political and military leader.

French President Macron—Jupiter of the Roman Gods

Breitbart and The Associated Press wrote on August 6:

“Less than three months after his election, France’s energetic and image-conscious president has seen his popularity drop… The reversal might not affect the visible international profile he has cut since taking office, but it could hurt Macron’s ability to secure his ambitious domestic agenda…

“The French media have started calling Macron ‘Jupiter,’ a reference to the mythological king of the Roman gods and what is perceived as the president’s superior attitude… Macron’s image also has taken a hit during his standoff with the French military chief over budget cuts. Gen. Pierre De Villiers resigned and was quickly replaced, but some saw last month’s public dispute as evidence of the president’s authoritarian tendencies…”

Even though his declining popularity in France (so is President Trump’s popularity rapidly declining in the USA), the reference to Macron as Jupiter, king of the Roman gods, is quite revealing.

Germany’s Schulz Against America’s Trump

On August 3, Der Spiegel Online conducted an interview with Martin Schulz, the former president of the European Parliament who wants to unseat Angela Merkel as chancellor in September. We are bringing you the following excerpts:

“DER SPIEGEL: Before the U.S. election, you told us that as president of the United States, Donald Trump would be ‘not only a problem for the EU, but also for the entire world’…

“Schulz: It has actually been far worse… the merciless nepotism with which he conducts politics, in which he places himself and his family above the law, I wouldn’t have considered that possible… When it comes to a U.S. president, I consider the reduction of politics to a tweet to be truly dangerous. Trump is a risk to his country and the entire world.

“DER SPIEGEL: How would you deal with Trump if you became chancellor?

“Schulz: Fifteen years ago to the day, Gerhard Schröder showed how it is done by giving an unequivocal ‘no’ to a U.S. president on his war of aggression against Iraq that violated international law. At the end of the day, men like Donald Trump need to be given that which they themselves dispense: clear messages. I would confront him as clearly and explicitly as possible. It is not only the right, but also the duty, of the leader of a German government to do that…”

Schulz, who has been referred to in the press as the “German Trump,” would clearly be much more aggressive towards Trump than Merkel. It will be interesting to see what will transpire in September. While Schulz is an advocate for a strong united Europe and a powerful united European defense force, he is against spending much more money on the German army.  

The Local reported on August 9:

“Six weeks before Germany’s national election in which Merkel will seek a fourth term, her main rival Martin Schulz is lagging behind in the polls. In the most recent survey at the end of July…, Schulz sank to his lowest level of support since being nominated as the Social Democrats’ (SPD) chancellor candidate. Just 21 percent of respondents said that hypothetically speaking, they would choose Schulz if they were able to vote directly for him. This was compared to 52 percent who said the same for Merkel.”

Merkel’s Fight with Russia’s Hackers and Fake Media

Time wrote on August 8:

“With German elections scheduled for Sept. 24, the Chancellor knows that her bid for a fourth term in office may be subject to the same dirty tricks employed in the U.S. presidential race. As Europe’s most powerful leader and its most determined critic of the Kremlin, Merkel has long been a target of Russian influence campaigns. Troves of emails were stolen from her political allies in 2015 by the same Russian hackers who later targeted the U.S. presidential race…

“Her concern is not just the Russian media outlets that spread disinformation… It is also the automated algorithms, known as bots, that help false reports go viral much faster than politicians or fact-checkers can debunk them…

“Russia and Germany have emerged as the most determined players in the scramble to adapt to this terrain and, where possible, to reshape it. The German vote will be an early test: either the campaign will unfold in the same atmosphere of hacks, leaks and disinformation that marred the U.S. elections last fall, or they will progress in typically German fashion, orderly and somewhat boring, under the rules that Merkel’s government is trying to rewrite on the fly…

“In an analysis of Russia’s influence operation in Germany published in June, the Digital Forensics Lab of the Atlantic Council, a non-partisan think tank based in Washington, found News Front to be one of the Kremlin’s three main propaganda outlets in Germany, alongside Sputnik and RT. Taken together, these three operations have a sizeable audience in Germany, with nearly half a million followers on Facebook, enough to rival some of the country’s leading publications…”

The Germans will not take kindly any Russian interference in their parliamentary election. On the other hand, the gullible belief by some, if not many Germans in Russian propaganda is shocking.

Turkey Threatens Germany

Express wrote on August 5:

“Warmongering rhetoric is being spewed by Turkey towards Europe after a newspaper close to the Turkish regime declared the country could overrun Germany in three days… the move is the latest in a political spat between Ankara and Berlin… The paper said: ‘Germany is abandoned by its citizens. If we start in the morning, we can have our evening prayer in [Germany’s] Bellevue Castle.’…

“In April [Mr Erdogan]… called the EU ‘a continent that is rotting in every which way’. And he also made reference to going to war with the EU, saying in another interview: ‘If you continue to behave like this, not a single European will be able to securely take a step on a road anywhere in the world by tomorrow.’…

“Recently Berlin issued new travel warnings for tourists visiting the country, and foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel said he could no longer guarantee investment in Turkey…”

At a very minimum, these developments will increase the negative attitudes of many Germans towards foreigners and especially Turks.

ISIS Trains Terrorists in Syria and Elsewhere to Attack European Cities

The Sun wrote on August 7:

“A secret unit behind the Paris and Brussels atrocities is training ISIS jihadis to launch murderous attacks in Britain, a member of the terror group has claimed. The ISIS fighter said European fanatics are put through a gruelling seven-month training camp before being smuggled out of Syria on a deadly mission to bring carnage to the West. Would-be suicide bombers are coached in bomb making, put through harsh physical endurance tests and drilled in fanatical ideology as they prepare to blow themselves up…

“British and European jihadis who cannot travel to Syria are given online instruction by the ISIS ‘external operations unit’ in how to carry out mass casualty atrocities, he said. One such attack by a ‘sleeper cell’ in Britain is said to have been foiled before the terrorists could put their plan into action. The captured jihadi’s account appears to tally with US and British intelligence reports that an ISIS external operations unit was behind the linked Paris and Brussels attacks that killed more than 160 people…

“He claimed the unit was still operational and using a smuggling route via Turkey as recently as February, despite huge losses of territory to Kurdish and Syrian government forces… He estimated 50 fanatics from countries including Germany, France, Belgium and Britain had completed the special training program. He said: ‘They will make more suicide attacks in Europe… They also want to carry out attacks in Lebanon.’

“Last week… a sinister list of 173 fanatics poised to strike in Europe had been found in a former ISIS stronghold in Mosul, Iraq.”

The threat from ISIS and other terrorist groups is real, and Europe will be forced to respond militarily.

Iran and North Korea

The Jewish Press wrote on August 7:

“In a resolution drafted by the United States after negotiations with China, the United Nations Security Council on Saturday unanimously approved new sanctions on North Korea. The sanctions include a ban on exports worth more than $1 billion [The resolution bans North Korea from exporting coal, seafood, lead, lead ore, iron, and iron ore and prohibits countries from starting new joint ventures with North Korea, according to The Week.] … But six rounds of sanctions already imposed by the UNSC have done nothing to halt the DPRK’s drive to improve its nuclear and missile capabilities.

“Moreover, the Jerusalem-based Begin-Sadat Center (BESA) pointed out… that economic sanctions against North Korea will not be enough to convince Pyongyang to give up its nuclear and missile capabilities. Korean and Asian affairs expert Dr. Alon Levkowitz wrote that state leaders who suggest sanctions against North Korea will convince Pyongyang to give up its nuclear and missile program are ‘succumbing either to wishful thinking or false assumptions about North Korea.’

“Among others, China has been one of the major actors to selectively impose sanctions against Pyongyang, he contended, adding that some sanctions can be bypassed, particularly those dealing with the nuclear and missile industry. In many cases, Iranian companies were able to do the same, Levkowitz noted, simply by ‘changing their names or working with new middlemen. North Korea uses the same tactics with the help of Chinese middlemen whom it pays for the service.’

“The bottom line, he wrote, is that sanctions are not effective. And soon North Korea will have the capability to launch a nuclear missile. ‘It will become more difficult to constrain it through sanctions, particularly as long as China and Russia fail to implement them…’

“Iran’s newly inaugurated President Hassan Rouhani… welcomed North Korean officials to Tehran on Wednesday in time for… the opening of the new North Korean embassy. The newly-built DPRK embassy was ‘built to boost exchanges, contacts and cooperation between the two countries for world peace and security and international justice,’ according to the KCNA (Korean Central News Agency)… Iranian vice-minister Ebrahim Rahimpour said in his speech, ‘The Iranian people, who remember the DPRK’s sincere help and solidarity to Iran when it was in hard times, will fully support the struggle of the Korean people at all times.’…

“‘There could be very problematic cooperation going on because of the past history and because it makes strategic sense, especial for Iran now,’ Emily Landau told CNBC this weekend. Landau is a senior research fellow at the Israel Institute for National Security Studies think tank affiliated with Tel Aviv University… ‘For North Korea… [it’s] all about who can pay in hard cash. That’s what makes North Korea a very dangerous source of nuclear technology, components and know-how.’”

Reuters reported on August 7:

“North Korea denounced the United Nations’ latest sanctions [and] reiterated Pyongyang’s previous stance that it will never place its nuclear program on the negotiating table as long as the United States maintains a hostile policy against the North…”

North Korea, in collaboration with Iran, and the clandestine support of China and Russia, remains a threat to the West and especially the USA. Short of military actions, the USA does not seem to have any viable options, but a war with North Korea might prove devastating for the region and may set in motion a cataclysm of terrible repercussions. But military action and a preemptive strike are apparently measures which the USA might be contemplating. Note the next article.

Trump’s Apocalyptic Warning to North Korea

AFP wrote on August 8:

“US President Donald Trump issued an apocalyptic warning to North Korea on Tuesday, saying it faces ‘fire and fury’ over its missile program, hours after US media reported Pyongyang has successfully miniaturized a nuclear warhead.”

The Wall Street Journal elaborated on August 8:

“President Donald Trump on Tuesday demanded North Korea not ‘make any more threats’ to the U.S., saying the U.S. would respond ‘with fire and fury like the world has never seen.’… Mr. Trump’s remarks came in response to provocative statements from Pyongyang in recent days, including a threat to use nuclear weapons against the U.S. if militarily provoked, and a vow never to negotiate on its nuclear and missile weapons programs… If the U.S. attacks North Korea, the country ‘is ready to teach the U.S. a severe lesson with its nuclear strategic force,’ the country said in a statement… Other countries weren’t being threatened unless they joined the U.S. in a military attack, it said.”

Breitbart added on August 8:

“A grim milestone appears to be passing, as both U.S. and Japanese intelligence analysts believe North Korea has developed the technology to miniaturize nuclear warheads and fit them inside long-range [intercontinental ballistic] missiles, years ahead of schedule.

“Japan’s annual defense review, released on Tuesday morning, described the threat from North Korea’s nuclear missile program as ‘acute.’… The Washington Post reported on Tuesday afternoon that U.S. analysts at the Defense Intelligence Agency reached similar conclusions about North Korea’s capabilities… The DIA report also raised the official estimate of North Korea’s nuclear inventory considerably, from the handful of bombs hypothesized by most earlier analyses to almost 60 nuclear devices…

“A new poll from the Chicago Council on Global Affairs released on Monday found 90 percent of Americans ‘reject the idea that North Korea should be allowed to produce nuclear weapons,’ 75 percent see the North Korean nuclear program as a ‘critical threat facing the United States,’ and 62 percent would support using American troops to defend South Korea from a North Korean attack.”

These percentages are frightening.

The Sun added on August 9:

“Donald Trump has said that the US nuclear arsenal is ‘more powerful than ever before’ in a fresh warning to North Korea after… Kim Jong-un threatened to unleash ‘enveloping fire’ around its Guam airbase.

“Trump today tweeted: ‘My first order as President was to renovate and modernize our nuclear arsenal. It is now far stronger and more powerful than ever before. Hopefully we will never have to use this power, but there will never be a time that we are not the most powerful nation in the world!’…”

However, the Bible says that time will come soon when the USA is no longer the most powerful nation on earth—and the “pride of your power” will be broken!

Trump’s Sole Power to Order a Nuclear Strike

The Week wrote on August 9:

“President Trump is headed toward a conflict with North Korea that he likely doesn’t understand… Trump drew a red line. North Korea crossed it hours later when it said in a statement that it would effectively burn the U.S. territory of Guam to the ground… Now Trump surrogates and allies on television are spinning military action as inevitable…

“It seems what Trump loves most about the military… is the fact that they’ve taken the pressure off of him when it comes to actual decision making. But there is one decision they can’t take away: whether or not to go to war. And though that power technically lies with Congress, it’s been so eroded over the decades that Trump wouldn’t be stopped from personally directing the military to attack North Korea. And, of course, the president alone has the power to order a nuclear strike.

“Given what we know about how the president governs and receives information he is given by aides, the possibility for an uninformed and rash act of war with North Korea is high, higher perhaps than with almost any other president in history…”

Fear of Nuclear War in Light of 72^nd Anniversary of Nagasaki

Fox News wrote on August 9:

“President Trump’s warning of coming ‘fire and fury’ was meant to send ‘a strong message’ to North Korean despot Kim Jong Un, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said on Wednesday… Tillerson’s comments come as Japan is marking the 72nd anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki amid threats of a new bombing in the region resulting from the growing tension between the U.S. and North Korea.

“Nagasaki Mayor Tomihisa Taue said the fear of another bomb attack is not in the distant future and urged nuclear states to abandon their weapons. He criticized Japan’s national government, being under the U.S. nuclear umbrella, for not contributing to the U.N. nuclear arms ban treaty…

“The U.S. launched the world’s first atomic attack with a bomb dropped Aug. 6, 1945, that killed 140,000 people in Hiroshima. The bombing of Nagasaki three days later killed 70,000 more…”

Frightening Perversion of Biblical Teaching

The Huffington Post wrote on August 8:

“A right-wing pastor who serves on Donald Trump’s evangelical advisory board claims God has given the president ‘full power’ to launch an attack on North Korea. Robert Jeffress, head of the First Baptist Dallas megachurch, told CBN on Tuesday that a biblical passage in Romans allows rulers to use ‘whatever means necessary ― including war ― to stop evil.’…

“While the New Testament is full of pacifist teachings, Jeffress told The Washington Post that those instructions are aimed at Christians. The government, he said, has another set of rules laid out in Romans 13… Jeffress told the Post ‘that gives the government the authority to do whatever, whether it’s assassination, capital punishment or evil punishment, to quell the actions of evildoers like Kim Jong Un.’…”

This perspective is appalling, but not surprising, given the fact that orthodox Christianity has perverted true biblical teaching in many respects. For more information, please read our free booklet, “Should YOU Fight in War?” Please also view our StandingWatch program, “Obeying Trump to Launch Nuclear Strike?”

China’s Betrayal

Reuters reported on August 10:

“If North Korea launches an attack that threatens the United States then China should stay neutral, but if the United States attacks first and tries to overthrow North Korea’s government China will stop them, a Chinese state-run newspaper said on Friday.”

Pacific Daily News added on August 10:

“If North Korea fires missiles toward Guam, they would take about 14 minutes to reach the island, said Guam Homeland Security spokeswoman Jenna Gaminde.”

Israel and Jordan

Deutsche Welle wrote on August 7:

“King Abdullah II has flown to the West Bank to meet with Palestinian President Abbas for the first time in five years…

“Abdullah’s visit comes amid rising Jordanian-Israeli tensions and is seen as a message to Tel Aviv that the Jordanian monarch is aligning with Palestinians on key issues – particularly concerning a contested Jerusalem holy site. A crisis erupted last month at the Al Aqsa mosque compound when Israel installed metal detectors at Muslim entrances following the killing of two Israeli policemen…

“Jordan has been the custodian of Jerusalem’s… holy sites since the 1920s… “

The Times of Israel wrote on August 7:

“Abdullah did not meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during the trip, which was seen as the latest in a series of diplomatic measures meant to underline Amman’s unhappiness with Israel…

“Recent weeks… have seen Palestinian officials openly criticizing the White House for its handling of the Temple Mount tensions, and its inability to curb Israeli settlement construction and back the long-accepted two-state solution to the conflict…

“Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki told journalists after the two-hour meeting between Abdullah and Abbas that ‘… [it] was agreed to form a joint crisis team, which will continue to assess the past phase and its lessons, and to assess any challenges we may face at the Al-Aqsa Mosque’…”

The challenges or conflicts at the Temple Mount will continue.

Israel after Netanyahu?

The New York Times wrote on August 8:

“For the past eight years, Mr. Netanyahu has dominated the Israeli political scene and become nearly synonymous with the state on the world stage. Long called ‘the magician’ for his survival skills, he has quashed rivals from right and left despite never enjoying particular popularity in the street. Yet Mr. Netanyahu, the longest-serving prime minister since Israel’s first, David Ben-Gurion, suddenly appears not so invincible after all…

“Mr. Netanyahu has fought off swirling scandals for much of his public life, but experts say that Friday’s signing of a state’s witness agreement by Ari Harow, who served as Mr. Netanyahu’s chief of staff and directed his 2015 re-election campaign, could be a game changer. Mr. Harow was offered a light sentence in an unrelated matter in return for information about Mr. Netanyahu in what the police have called Case 1000 and Case 2000.

“In Case 1000, investigators are looking at whether Mr. Netanyahu offered favors in return for gifts of expensive cigars, pink Champagne and other goods from wealthy friends… Case 2000 involves back-room dealings with a local newspaper magnate… Mr. Netanyahu has vehemently denied any wrongdoing…

“There is, as yet, no clear contender to replace Mr. Netanyahu, who is serving his third consecutive term and fourth overall. An Israel without Mr. Netanyahu at the helm would, in any case, be an unfamiliar place for its inhabitants, the Middle East and the world… A departure would leave Israel, its allies and its enemies in uncharted terrain…”

JTA wrote on August 9 about further investigations against Mr. Netanyahu’s family and close associates:

“Here’s some info on Cases 3000 and 4000, targeting Netanyahu’s associates, plus another scandal involving his wife and another his son… ‘Case 3000’ involves alleged corruption in the sale of German submarines to Israel. Police have accused businessman Michael Ganor of bribing government officials to become the negotiating agent for ThyssenKrupp, the German company that built the subs. In addition, Netanyahu’s personal lawyer, David Shimron, was simultaneously acting as Ganor’s representative during the negotiations over the sale.

“In ‘Case 4000,’ the director-general of Israel’s Communications Ministry, Shlomo Filber, is accused of illicitly allowing Bezeq, the national telephone company, to buy shares of YES, a satellite cable provider. Filber was appointed by Netanyahu, who also serves as communications minister.

“Meanwhile, Sara Netanyahu is likely to be indicted for misusing public funds at the couple’s official residences. The Israeli first lady is accused of using government money to pay for private chefs at family events, a caregiver for her father and weekend electrical work at the couple’s home in the tony coastal town of Caesarea…

“Finally Molad, a left-wing Israeli think tank, has sued Yair Netanyahu for libel. Yair, the eldest son of the Netanyahus at 26, wrote a Facebook post last week calling the group a ‘radical, anti-Zionist organization funded by the Fund for Israel’s Destruction’…

“So what does this all mean for the prime minister…? It depends on two factors: Whether he is indicted, and whether that creates enough pressure to force him to resign… A poll by Israel’s Channel 10 found that 66 percent of Israelis believe Netanyahu should resign if indicted. There is intrigue within Netanyahu’s Likud party as well…

“Nine years ago, facing multiple corruption scandals, centrist Prime Minister Ehud Olmert resigned even before police recommended an indictment. But stepping down didn’t help him, as Olmert was sentenced to prison in 2015 and served 16 months before going free in July. Nor did resigning help Olmert’s Kadima party. His successor, Tzipi Livni, lost the subsequent election in 2009 — to Benjamin Netanyahu.”

Whether or not Mr. Netanyahu will be removed from office or resign is an interesting question—even with the somewhat and so far weak charges against him. He is a staunch advocate for his nation, and his knowledge of history relative to the Jewish people places him in a role that just may be for establishing the third Temple… even though he has so far publically denied any ambition to change the status quo regarding the Temple Mount. But this could change very quickly.

Global Stock Market Crash Coming?

Express wrote on August 7:

“Barry James said the global market was ‘upside down’ and in the ‘latter stages’ of an economic meltdown. In a flashing red warning, share valuations have soared to their second-highest ever level, suggesting that many stock investments are over-bought and could be in bubble territory. The only other time indicators were at this level was before the dot com crash at the turn of the millennium.

“Mr James, president of the James Advantage Fund, said although there were currently good signs, there were vital concerns for the future… Stock markets in both the United States and Britain have continually topped their highest ever levels in recent months. But experts are now worried that history is about to repeat itself.

“If companies are in good health and profits are growing, soaring share prices may be justified. But one method of assessing share values… suggests that stocks are very expensive. Another measure of stock health also suggests the picture may not be as rosy as soaring indices suggest. Dividend cover for UK’s largest listed companies, a measure of how sustainable share payouts are, is at its lowest level since 2009…”

The worldwide economy, and especially the economy in the USA and the UK, is very fragile. A complete global crash in the not-too-distant future is not impossible.

The Death of Glen Campbell and the Demon of Alcoholism and Cocaine

Bloomberg and Newsmax wrote on August 8:

“[Famous American country and pop singer Glen Campbell (81)] died Tuesday… No cause was given. Campbell and his wife [Kimberly] disclosed in June 2011 that he had Alzheimer’s disease…

“His failed marriages, plus a turbulent romance with Tanya Tucker, offered hints at a troubled private life that included abuse of alcohol and what he called ‘my personal demon,’ cocaine. He said in his autobiography that the ‘self-imposed mental and spiritual bondage’ of his life was in stark contrast to ‘my public image of the clean-cut, all-American boy next door.’ He kicked his destructive habits in the late 1980s, crediting his evangelical Christian faith and the support of his fourth wife, the former Kimberly Woollen.

“A 2003 drunk-driving arrest in Phoenix produced a widely published, unflattering mug shot and a painful reminder for Campbell of the price of addiction. He spent a few days in the Maricopa County Jail and a month in rehabilitation at the Betty Ford Center in Rancho Mirage, California…

“Campbell had five children from his first three marriages, all of which ended in divorce… His fourth marriage to Kimberly…  produced three children, all musicians who accompanied their father on his farewell tour…”

Alcoholism and drug addiction can destroy a person. Please view our two sermons on the topic, titled “Alcoholism in the Bible” and “What Does the Bible Say about Smoking”?

“Lucifer”—Uncommon Heat Wave in Europe

The New York Times wrote on August 6:

“The long hot spell gripping parts of Europe this past week is uncommon. People looking for relief from the heat in countries like France, Spain and Italy grappled for just the right name for the phenomenon — and settled on ‘Lucifer.’ The waves of heat sent temperatures soaring to record highs for several days, caused at least two deaths, kindled wildfires and drove tempers through the roof…

“High temperatures this summer have brought punishing heat to regions in the United States like the Pacific Northwest — where generations had shunned air-conditioning — reaching as high as 104 in Seattle and 107 in Portland, Ore. In parts of Asia, like Pakistan, a blast of scorching weather this year also had people there reaching for comparisons to hell on earth…

“Sun-kissed Italy has become sun-cursed. With temperatures in recent days regularly rising north of 100 degrees, a nationwide drought leaving rivers and mouths dry and countryside kindling and arsonists combining to ignite the landscape, Italians are, well, boiling. Farmers are lamenting more than $1 billion in revenue lost to drought and singed fields… About half of Spain was placed under an emergency alert over the weekend because of the heat wave, as forecasts predicted temperatures of up to 111 degrees Fahrenheit (44 degrees Celsius). In the southern city of Córdoba, the temperature reached almost 113 degrees on Friday afternoon…

“The French Riviera was not spared either, especially inland. In Puget-Théniers, a village about 25 miles northwest of Nice in the Alpes-Maritimes Department, the national weather forecaster registered a record high of 104 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday… Temperatures were forecast to reach 108 degrees in parts of mainland Greece over the weekend… Scorching temperatures also caused dramatic weather breakdowns, including strong storms that brought a whirlwind, as well as hail the size of tennis balls, injuring dozens of people across the country [of Poland]…

“Of course, there were some parts of Europe… that have escaped the blistering heat. ‘There is no heat in Germany. It is a cool 68F in Berlin, and even chillier in Munich. Parts of Austria are being flooded, so there is no heat in the German-speaking world’… ‘No sweltering in Moscow. Been the coldest summer for years. Today was considered “hot,” but temp only rose to low 70s. Much the same in Baltics…’”

In general, the Bible predicts unprecedented rising temperatures and excruciating heat waves. The terms “Lucifer” and “hell on earth” might give us a clue as to why these conditions will occur.

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.

Terror Attack in Hamburg, Germany

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 29:

“Police have searched a refugee shelter where a man who stabbed Hamburg shoppers, killing one of them, had stayed. Authorities said the suspect, from the United Arab Emirates, is mentally unstable and a known Islamist. City-state Interior Minister Any Grote on Saturday thanked bystanders who caught the fleeing knife assailant near the supermarket in Hamburg’s Barmbek district in scant minutes before police arrived. The attacker, a rejected asylum seeker, who earlier on Friday had inquired at a city office for foreigners on whether expulsion papers had arrived, had become radicalized… The suspect had no criminal record in Germany, with the exception of an alleged shoplifting incident in April that was dropped as a ‘slight’ matter… the assailant had first purchased bread at a branch of the German supermarket chain Edeka. He briefly boarded a bus, but got off, and returned to the supermarket’s entrance, according to Henning.

“He ripped the brand new knife, with a 20 centimeter (8 inch) blade, from its wrapping and ‘brutally’ attacked two men, including a 50-year-old man who died… Among those injured was a 19-year-old and two persons on bicycles, she added. A 50-year-old woman and four men aged between 19 and 64 were also all injured, as well as a 35-year-old man who chased and overpowered the suspect. The attacker, who was arrested by police, was said to have shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ (God is the Greatest) during the rampage… Hamburg Mayor Olaf Scholz said the attack had been motivated by ‘hate.’ It appeared that the suspect was facing deportation but this had not proceeded because necessary papers were lacking, Scholz said… Scholz added that the case showed ‘all the more urgently that these legal and practical barriers to deportation must be removed.’

“… The website of the Spiegel news magazine said the individual was named Ahmad A., who had arrived in Germany seeking asylum and had contact with the Islamist scene, as well as a history of drug use and mental health problems. Germany has been on high alert over the possibility of another Islamist attack since Anis Amri drove a truck into a crowd at a Berlin Christmas market in December last year, killing 12 people and injuring 48 others. Like the alleged Hamburg attacker, Amri was a failed asylum seeker who could not be deported for lack of documents. The similarity between the cases risks reopening wounds over Chancellor Angela Merkel’s decision to allow more than a million migrants into Germany since 2015.”

Violence in Constance, Germany

Regarding a separate incident in Germany, Deutsche Welle reported on July 30:

“A discotheque shooting in Constance in southwestern Germany has left two people dead, including a patron, say police. The attacker died after a subsequent shootout. Police have ruled out terrorism.  A terrorist motive was ruled out by a police spokesman, who said the incident appeared to have been a crime of passion by a sole perpetrator.

“Three other persons inside the venue had been injured as well as a police officer hurt during the later shootout. [The police] declined to confirm multiple reports that the dead suspect was an Iraqi who had long lived in Constance and was not an asylum seeker.”

The fact that attacks in Germany by foreigners hit the news could have some influence on the parliamentary elections in September; especially if Angela Merkel does not take a strong stance regarding the migrant crisis.

Incredible Neglect and Incompetency

The website of kgw.com in Portland, Oregon, reported on July 29:

“A man accused of breaking into a 65-year-old woman’s home, sexually assaulting her and stealing her car was arrested after allegedly assaulting another woman and running from police… According to court documents filed in March 2017, Martinez has a history of illegal entry into the United States. He has been a transient in the Portland area for more than a year and has been deported 20 times. Martinez has at least five probation violations for re-entering the United States. His most recent removal was in November 2016, according to the March court documents.

“Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) lodged an immigration detainer against Martinez, asking authorities to notify them before releasing Martinez to allow ICE to take him into custody. The Department of Homeland Security said… the authorities did not notify ICE…

“Prior to the July 24 arrest, Martinez’s criminal record shows a felony conviction for burglary and three misdemeanor convictions for battery, theft, and obstructing a public officer… The new charges Martinez is facing include first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery (two counts), second-degree assault, first-degree sex abuse, first-degree sodomy and first-degree burglary. Martinez threatened to kill the woman while he sexually assaulted her, according to the probable cause affidavit. Before he left, he punched her in the head several times and slammed her head onto a wood floor… Police said the suspect, Martinez, was armed with a knife and he assaulted the woman.”

This whole immigration system is indeed broken. THESE are the individuals the ICE should be most concerned about.

Trump’s Distorted View of Loyalty

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 29:

“One week after the resignation of Donald Trump’s spokesman Sean Spicer and the appointment of Anthony Scaramucci as the president’s chief communicator, White House chief of staff Reince Priebus is also out the door… Two other embattled officials, Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Chief Strategist Steve Bannon have survived the week, but it is unclear for how long. Both Sessions… and Bannon… are portrayed as not loyal enough to the president by Trump himself and by the new key player in the White House, Scaramucci.

“…To appoint [John] Kelly, the former Homeland Security secretary, as his chief of staff, is a huge gamble… The president’s much bigger gamble, however, is severing the already frayed ties with the Republican Party. Spicer and Priebus, both creatures of the GOP, played a key role in trying to align Trump’s agenda with Congressional Republicans. That this did not work well was evident…

“Firing Sessions or special counsel Robert Mueller – a move that has reportedly been considered by Trump and that would effectively end the Russia probe that has been vexing him – could be one step too far even for this president… Trump’s distorted view of loyalty essentially means fealty and can come only from family and people who are close to him personally…”

Subsequently, President Trump fired Anthony Scaramucci after only ten days in office. The White House is in turmoil, as the next article shows as well.

“Anthony Scaramucci Not the Problem—Trump Is”

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 31:

“Even for the Trump administration the reign of chaos that has engulfed the White House in the past few days is unprecedented… the removal of President Trump’s press secretary Sean Spicer, his chief of staff Reince Priebus and his newly minted communications director within days of each other is in reality too serious to poke fun at…

“The incessant intrigue that has been the one constant in Trump’s White House has left it completely rudderless and chaotic in a time of numerous domestic and international challenges…  And while the political and professional inexperience of many key Trump aides certainly has helped to create it, it is not the main reason for the inability of this White House to get the Trump presidency on track. The main reason, make no mistake, why this White House has been largely dysfunctional until now, is the president himself. That’s because President Trump not only handpicked most of the staff himself, often against the advice of experienced observers, but also that he appears to think that a cut-throat culture that mercilessly pits individuals and factions inside the White House against each other, will produce a good outcome. It doesn’t…

“Coupled with Trump’s penchant to stir up trouble via Twitter and his – let’s call it...unusual – way of looking at current events – it amounts to making the White House and by extension his administration ungovernable… The latest case in point came this morning when Trump ended a tweet pronouncing ‘No chaos in the White House’ only hours before Scaramucci’s exit…”

President Trump would be well advised to read our Current Events sections for a better understanding as to what is really happening in the USA and around the world.

Bible Studies in the White House

Israel National News reported on August 2:

“… senior cabinet members are holding weekly sessions dedicated solely to Bible (both Old and New Testament) study. Ralph Drollinger, a retired NBA player, who has taught weekly Bible lessons in the Senate and the House of Representatives and initiated religious studies in the US House of Representatives of about 40 American states, recently began a weekly class of about 12 members of the Cabinet.

“The lessons include Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Attorney General Jeff Sessions, and Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price, and is chaired by Vice President Mike Pence. The meetings are headed by Vice President Mike Pence, whose passion for Bible study is well known…”

“US President Donald Trump is not known to be particularity devout, having once called the Bible only his second favorite book, after the bestseller which he penned, ‘The Art of the Deal.’ He did win large amounts of evangelical support however, carrying 80% of the vote, the most since George W. Bush took 78% in 2004.”

The big question is: Will their Bible studies conducted by a retired NBA player influence and help them to make right and godly decisions?

Trump’s Disasterous Threats re Health Care

Newsmax wrote on July 29:

“President Donald Trump threatened on Saturday to end government payments to health insurers if Congress does not pass a new healthcare bill… ‘If a new HealthCare Bill is not approved quickly, BAILOUTS for Insurance Companies and BAILOUTS for Members of Congress will end very soon!’ The tweet came a day after Senate Republicans failed to muster enough votes to repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act, President Barack Obama’s signature healthcare bill commonly known as Obamacare.

“The first part of Trump’s tweet appeared to be referring to the approximately $8 billion in cost-sharing reduction subsidies the federal government pays to insurers to lower the price of health coverage for low-income Americans…

“Many insurers have been waiting for an answer from Trump or lawmakers on whether they will continue to fund the annual government subsidies. Without assurances, many insurers plan to raise rates an additional 20 percent by an Aug. 16 deadline for premium prices.

“With Republican efforts to dismantle Obamacare in disarray, hundreds of U.S. counties are at risk of losing access to private health coverage in 2018 as insurers consider pulling out of those markets…

“Regardless of the stance of congressional lawmakers, the healthcare law has frayed edges as some Americans are forced to pay exorbitant rates in order to have health insurance, while the burden of funding has not diminished to subsidize those who qualify. Some are left without a choice or only one choice at all and CNBC predicts health insurers will likely pull out completely from 49 counties in the nation in 2018…”

The disastrous Obamacare, coupled with the incompetence of the Trump Administration and the bickering and disunited House and Senate will lead to the suffering of millions of Americans. Far from making America great again, America is facing an abyss of disastrous proportions.

Mueller Impanels Grand Jury in Russia Probe

The Wall Street Journal reported on August 3:

“Special Counsel Robert Mueller has impaneled a grand jury in Washington to investigate Russia’s interference in the 2016 elections…

“Grand juries are powerful investigative tools that allow prosecutors to subpoena documents, put witnesses under oath and seek indictments, if there is evidence of a crime…

Thomas Zeno, a federal prosecutor for 29 years before becoming a lawyer at the Squire Patton Boggs law firm, said the grand jury is ‘confirmation that this is a very vigorous investigation going on.’…

“According to a January report from the U.S. intelligence community, the highest levels of the Russian government were involved in directing the electoral interference. Its tactics included hacking state election systems; infiltrating and leaking information from party committees and political strategists; and disseminating through social media and other outlets negative stories about Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and positive ones about Mr. Trump, the report said…”

North Korea’s New Missile Launch Threatening American and European Cities

Reuters wrote on July 29:

“North Korea fired a missile on Friday that experts said was capable of striking Los Angeles and other American cities, and the United States and South Korea responded by staging a joint missile exercise…

“The unusual late-night launch added to exasperation in Washington, Seoul and Tokyo over Pyongyang’s continuing development of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) to deliver them. North Korean President Kim Jong Un’s military had already raised alarms early this month with its first ICBM launch.”

“Had it been fired at a standard trajectory, the rocket could have reached Los Angeles, Denver and Chicago and would have even had New York and Boston within its sights, according to analysts… Although Kim Jong-un hasn’t expressed a strong desire to attack mainland Europe, the new analysis would suggest London, Paris, Berlin and Rome are all within range although the missiles would have to soar above land as opposed to the Pacific… The French Foreign Ministry condemned the launch and called for ‘strong and additional sanctions’ by the United Nations and European Union.”

“The United States was considering ‘military response options’ on Friday night after North Korea carried out its second test of an intercontinental ballistic missile in a month… Washington,  which has branded North Korea the ‘most urgent and dangerous threat to peace,’ condemned the launch as reckless. ‘By threatening the world, these weapons and tests further isolate North Korea, weaken its economy, and deprive its people,’ Donald Trump said in a statement. ‘The United States will take all necessary steps to ensure the security of the American homeland and protect our allies in the region.’

“South Korea said it was ready to take its own steps to deal with the threat… US and South Korean military officials were discussing military options last night. Donald Trump’s administration has said that the period of ‘strategic patience’ towards North Korea is over. US officials have also expressed growing frustration with Beijing for not doing more to pressure its neighbour to rein in its military ambitions. Britain and Australia this week joined the US in calling for China to exert more pressure on Pyongyang. However, China says it has little leverage over leaders in Pyongyang…”

Newsmax wrote on July 29:

“President Donald Trump slammed China Saturday for doing ‘nothing for us with North Korea’ in light of Pyongyang’s latest missile test, vowing that ‘we will no longer allow this to continue.’”

The New York Times wrote on July 29:

“The United States agreed to start negotiations to allow South Korea to build more powerful ballistic missiles in order to counter North Korea’s fast-advancing missile technologies, the office of the South’s president said on Saturday… Earlier on Saturday, Mr. Moon also ordered his government to cooperate with the United States to install an advanced American missile defense battery… But China has adamantly opposed installing the Thaad missile defense system in South Korea…”

The situation with North Korea has indeed reached a stage of unprecedented dangers.

The Week wrote on August 2:

“The State Department announced Wednesday that starting Sept. 1, U.S. passport holders will be banned from traveling to North Korea, and urged Americans already in the country to leave before then… The ban makes passports invalid for travel to, in, or through North Korea, and will be in place for one year, unless the secretary of state extends or revokes it. Humanitarian workers and journalists will be able to apply for exceptions to the ban.”

Iran’s and North Korea’s Friendship Leading to Nuclear War?

Breitbart wrote on July 28:

“The only thing more difficult than attempting to stop one rogue nation from acquiring nuclear weapons is attempting to stop two rogue nations collaborating to do so.

“As we explore our options in shutting down North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs, we must recognize we are also dealing with Iran’s programs, which have piggybacked upon Pyongyang’s. Ever since Iran’s war with Iraq (1980-1988), during which North Korea began providing Tehran with SCUD missiles, both countries nurtured a relationship that would allow them eventually to gain membership into the nuclear arms club. In recent years, the evolution of this relationship has allowed Iran to step into the shoes of North Korea’s former and longtime best friend, China. It is also why China has been unresponsive to U.S. calls to reel Pyongyang in…

“Tehran’s mullahs have not hesitated to use Pyongyang over the past several years as a test case for American resolve. As such resolve has been non-existent, Iran came to recognize it could move forward simultaneously and in coordination with Pyongyang. Having developed this close working relationship, Iranian observers began showing up at North Korean military tests. It was also this relationship that led to North Korean technicians working secretly to build a nuclear facility in Syria. Its development was closely monitored by Israel which, after the U.S. refused to take action to stop construction, destroyed it in an air attack in September 2007… a North Korea capable of striking the US with nuclear weapons will result in nuclear conflict…”

These are frightening thoughts. Is there anything that America can do to avoid a nuclear conflict with North Korea and Iran?

Ready to Obey a Trump Nuclear Strike Order

ABC News reported on July 27:

“The U.S. Pacific Fleet commander said Thursday he would launch a nuclear strike against China next week if President Donald Trump ordered it, and warned against the military ever shifting its allegiance from its commander in chief. Adm. Scott Swift was responding to a hypothetical question at an Australian National University security conference following a major joint U.S.- Australian military exercise off the Australian coast…

“Asked by an academic in the audience whether he would make a nuclear attack on China next week if Trump ordered it, Swift replied: ‘The answer would be: Yes… Every member of the U.S. military has sworn an oath to defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic and to obey the officers and the president of the United States as commander and chief appointed over us…’”

This is the same flawed reasoning which was employed by German officers for obeying Hitler’s orders. Note our new StandingWatch program, “Obeying Trump to Launch Nuclear Strike?”.

Russia’s Retaliation Against the USA

The Guardian wrote on July 31:

“When it comes to diplomatic expulsions… the Russian move is so severe that… it is likely to paralyse the work of US diplomats in Russia… [Russia demands] that the Americans reduce their presence in Russia —the Moscow embassy, as well as consulates in St Petersburg, Ekaterinburg and Vladivostok – to a total of 455 people… Putin said on Sunday evening that the Russian order meant that 755 employees would have to ‘cease their work’…

“The cuts will be a huge challenge for the incoming US ambassador Jon Huntsman, who – if he is confirmed by the Senate – is expected to arrive in the Russian capital at the end of the summer…”

President Trump Signs Russia Sanctions Law

The EUObserver wrote on August 2:

“US leader Donald Trump has signed into life new Russia sanctions that put EU firms… at risk of fines. The president said in a note published the same day (2 August) that the sanctions bill was ‘significantly flawed’ because it undermined his ‘exclusive constitutional authority’ on foreign relations… The law… stops Trump, who is under suspicion of colluding with Russia to sway last year’s US election, from undoing Russia sanctions without a Congressional review… The bill was earlier backed by a huge majority in Congress meaning that Trump’s veto would likely have been overturned had he chosen to wield it…

“The EU has… threatened to react, with the European Commission having said last week that it would act within ‘days’ of the sanctions becoming law. Its options, as set out in a leaked internal memo, included trying to circumscribe US jurisdiction or imposing counter-sanctions on US firms.  Germany and Austria have also threatened retaliation because the fines could hit Austrian firm OMV and German firms Uniper and Wintershal, as well as French firm Engie and Anglo-Dutch firm Shell, for their role in Nord Stream II, Russia’s planned gas pipeline to Germany…”

Reuters added on August 2:

“New sanctions on Russia which U.S. President Donald Trump has signed into law are tantamount to a ‘full-scale trade war,’ Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Wednesday. Medvedev also said in a Facebook post that the sanctions showed the Trump administration was utterly powerless. ‘The hope that our relations with the new American administration would improve is finished,’ he wrote.”

The Washington Post wrote on July 29:

“Russia is now Washington’s greatest political foe… The Russian establishment has been angry with the West before but rarely so filled with contempt.

“Predictions for autumn are frank: economic war… One idea voiced by the Kremlin is to expand cooperation with Europe, and possibly with China, to counterbalance U.S. power. European leaders have expressed anger over the planned U.S. sanctions, saying they could backfire, dealing a blow to transatlantic efforts to curb Russian aggression against Ukraine and sparking a trade war between Europe and the United States…

“Meanwhile, dialogue between the countries is minimal… The impasse is total. Conflict is assured.”

Wherever America turns, it is facing conflict. God has clearly withdrawn His blessings from the USA.

Trump Helps King of Jordan in Opposition to Israel

The Jerusalem Post wrote on July 30:

“US President Donald Trump and Jordan’s King Abdullah II spoke by phone on Friday to discuss the Temple Mount crisis, with the king expressing his appreciation of Trump’s support and ‘the important role that the US administration played to help contain the Aksa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif crisis.’ ‘His Majesty also stressed the importance of intensifying coordination to avoid the recurrence of such crises and preserve the historical and legal status quo at al-Aksa Mosque/Al Haram Al Sharif,’ Amman said in a statement.

“The president’s son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner, spoke on the phone with Abdullah last weekend as the crisis was at its peak – when Israel was standing its ground on the implementation of new security measures on the holy plateau, as riots were raging in the streets and spreading to Arab capitals. Those measures have since been rescinded… President Trump also emphasized Jordan’s important role in regional security… Abdullah said, had a historical, political and legal role to play in stopping the ‘Judaization of holy sites.’ It was important, he said, for all parties to work together to ensure that the status quo on the Temple Mount was respected.

“Aside from the Temple Mount, Abdullah has had harsh words with regard to the July 23 incident in which an Israeli security guard at the embassy in Amman, killed a Jordanian teenager who attacked him with a screwdriver… Abdullah said Saturday that his government would work to ensure that justice was served. Two days earlier, he demanded that Israel put the security guard on trial. He was particularly upset that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had embraced the guard as a hero after his return to Israel… Protesters gathered near the Israeli Embassy in Amman on Friday to protest the incident, with scores chanting ‘Death to Israel‘ and calling for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and scrapping of an unpopular peace treaty with Israel.”

The Trump administration’s “involvement” in the Middle East leads to a more and more adversarial position against Israel.

Lebanese Descendants of Canaanites?

Israel National News reported on July 29:

“A new genetic study proves the modern-day Lebanese are descendants of the ancient Canaanites (Phoenicians)… The Canaanites’ genetic material was found to be 93% similar to that of 99 modern Lebanese… In addition, the Bronze Age inhabitants of Sidon, a major Canaanite city-state in modern-day Lebanon, have the same genetic profile as people living 300 to 800 years earlier in present-day Jordan…

“Researcher Dr. Marc Haber of the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute said, “The present-day Lebanese are likely to be direct descendants of the Canaanites, but they have in addition a small proportion of Eurasian ancestry that may have arrived via conquests by distant populations such as the Assyrians, Persians, or Macedonians.’ … When Lebanon was founded in 1929, the Christians said, ‘We are Phoenician.’ The Muslims didn’t accept that and they said, ‘No, we are Arab.’… Ancient Canaan occupied all of modern-day Lebanon.”

We are presenting this article for the reader’s information, without taking a definitive position on it. It is also believed that some Canaanites migrated to America and became known as belonging to some of the American Indians tribes.

Europe Retaliates Against UK

The Daily Mail wrote on August 1:

“British holidaymakers faced further travel misery today as security staff at Barcelona airport took industrial action causing long queues [with up to four hours waiting time] and missed flights. Staff at the El Prat airport were working to rule and deliberately taking the maximum of ten minutes to pass each passenger through security. The industrial action during peak holiday season has caused around 1,000 people to miss flights at the airport in the past few days, airline bosses said….

“Airports popular with British tourists, including Paris, Madrid and Lisbon, have seen queues stretching hundreds of yards as the stricter checks are imposed on entry and exit… British and Irish passengers have already faced long delays at other airports in Spain and around Europe because of tough new border controls.

“Last month the new EU controls – coupled with a lack of staff – caused Brits to miss flights out of Palma airport in Majorca. Passengers have been warned to expect queues of ‘hundreds of meters’ at airports including Madrid, Palma, Lisbon, Lyons, Paris Orly and Milan. The new rules, requiring checks on passengers from non-Schengen countries including the UK and Ireland, were introduced following terror attacks in Paris and Brussels.”

The Telegraph added on August 2:

“Ministers have been accused of ignoring warning over the passport chaos causing misery to British airline passengers as the busiest week of the holiday season approaches… The delays continued on Wednesday with some flights half-empty as a result, and there were separate problems for British Airways passengers flying out of the UK because of fresh problems with its check-in computers. Airlines UK, the industry body for British-registered carriers, said it had written to the Department of Transport in May warning ministers of trouble ahead. But it was only on Wednesday that Lord Callanan, the aviation minister, called his counterparts in the worst-affected countries to demand action.”

The State’s Dictatorial Oppression of Parents’ Rights

The website of undergroundjournalist.com wrote on July 29:

“It’s a case where a family in the U.K. was told their son was terminally ill and there was nothing that could be done to save his life; that was, until doctors in the U.S. thought they could save him with experimental treatment. Charlie’s parents wanted to do everything to save their baby so they raised the money to be able to bring him to the U.S. for that treatment. And that’s when things got ugly. The government told Charlie’s parents that they couldn’t take their own child from the U.K. to seek experimental treatment elsewhere.

“The case was brought to court and the courts refused to order the child be released into his parents’ custody, thus preventing him from receiving any of the care which was offered… What’s most disturbing about this case is that the State believes they know better than parents on what’s best for their own child. What’s even more disturbing is those on the left believe the same thing…

“In a piece for The Guardian entitled ‘Despite Charlie Gard’s Tragic Story, We Must Respect The Process Of Our Courts,’ UCL health professor, Ian Kennedy, expressed sympathy for the plight of Charlie, but ultimately justified it on the basis that ‘children do not belong to their parents.’… In other words, parents have no actual rights to make decisions for their children if the State doesn’t agree with those decisions…”

This is a horrible position for the British state and the courts to take, which is usually employed by hostile dictatorships.

“Saint Nicholas Back in Italy”

Zenit wrote on July 28:

“Today, Friday, July 28, 2017, a mixed Italian-Vatican delegation will bring back from St. Petersburg to Bari the relic of Saint Nicholas, Bishop of Mira, which has been exhibited for the veneration of Russian faithful since last May 21… Saint Nicholas is invoked by the faithful of different Christian Churches and denominations as Defender of the weakest and persecuted, and as Protector of girls, of sailors and of children. The universality of his devotion transforms the Paleo-Christian Saint into a true and proper ‘bridge between East and West,’ said Dominican Hyacinthe Destivelle, official of the Vatican Dicastery…

“Saint Nicholas is very popular in Russia… a good… third of churches are under his patronage and in all rooms there is his icon before which protection of the family is requested…

“For his part, the Archbishop of Bari-Bitonto, Monsignor Francesco Cacucci, who is also part of the delegation, welcomed an ‘ecumenism of the people‘ as being particularly significant. In his address on the arrival of the relic, the Russian Orthodox Patriarch of Moscow and All Russians, Cyril I spoke, in fact, about ‘an intervention open to Christian unity.’

“Saint Nicholas of Mira was born to a Christian family at Patara in Lycia around the year 270. Remaining an orphan after the plague, the future Saint, heir of a large patrimony, dedicated his fortune to good works. He was one of the 318 Bishops that condemned Arianism during the First Council of Nicea (325). After his death, perfumed oil or essence gushed from his tomb… After the fall of Mira to the Seljuk Turks, in 1087 an expedition of Bari businessmen took the Saint’s relics from his tomb and brought them to Puglia.”

The entire concept of Saint Nicholas, being the modern Santa Claus, is a hoax and an invention. It is doubtful whether a Saint Nicholas ever existed. We say the following in our free booklet, “Don’t Keep Christmas”:

“According to legend, there was a Catholic priest who allegedly gave gifts to children in December. This priest was supposedly the Bishop of Myra, and he was called ‘Nicholas.’ He reportedly died on December 6, 326 AD.  This is the ‘official’ explanation, as to why the ‘day of St. Nicholas’ is celebrated today on December 6. Many historians doubt, however, that there is any legitimacy to this legend. They even question whether such a priest ever existed.

“One record that was published under Pope Paul VI in 1969 raises doubts whether Nicholas was a saint or whether he was only a ‘legendary’ hero, if he even lived at all. Since 1969, the Catholic Church has left it to its followers to decide for themselves whether or not to worship Nicholas as a saint.

“On the other hand, it is a historical fact that pagans did worship a pagan god that shows great similarities with the modern Santa Claus. This pagan deity was the old Germanic god ‘Wodan.’ He was called ‘Odin’ in Scandinavia.  Wodan or Odin was a sun god. According to pagan belief, he gave his life for the world by ‘hanging on a tree’ or a cross for nine nights, after which he was ‘pierced by a spear.’

“… Earl W. Count, B.D., Ph.D., Professor of Anthropology, states in ‘4000 Years of Christmas,’ on pp. 11 and 54: ‘We do not really know when the Christ Child… was born; or the time and place when Christmas was first celebrated; or exactly how it was that, over the centuries, a bishop-saint of Asia Minor and a pagan god of the Germans merged to become Santa Claus… Of most interest to us, however, is the fact that Wodan [or Odin] has become – Santa Claus, or, as he is better called, St. Nicholas.’…

“In pagan legends… Santa Claus or St. Nicholas is accompanied by a servant, called ‘Knecht Ruprecht.’ In ‘The Pageantry of Christmas,’ published by the editors of Life magazine, we are told on page 62: ‘Knecht Ruprecht, the assistant to St. Nicholas, … was as capable of punishing as he was of rewarding, and the horns on his head reveal his demonic origin… He was also known as Black Peter.’”

Legends seldom die, and so the “Christian” world celebrates and idolizes Santa Claus, erroneously thinking that they are thereby honoring and worshipping a mysterious “saint.” Whatever the “relics” are which have been transferred from Russia to Italy, the collaboration between the two big “Christian” churches should remind us of the description of Babylon the Great in Revelation 17.

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.

Violence on the Temple Mount

The Guardian wrote on July 23:

“Israelis and Palestinians braced for further confrontations in Jerusalem as death toll rises in wake of new security crackdown. Amid a mounting toll of deaths and injuries in the crisis, Israelis and Palestinians are braced for weeks of confrontation, as both sides appeared to dig in to their position… Israel has also began installing sophisticated security cameras at one of the entrances to the compound housing the al-Aqsa mosque, known to Muslims as the Haram al-Sharif and revered by Jews as the Temple Mount…

“The issue exploded into more serious violence on Friday, after days of night-time clashes after the metal detectors installation, which followed the attack on 14 July that killed two Israeli policemen at the entrance to the site by three Israeli Arabs who Israel says smuggled weapons into the compound.

“In clashes that have grown in intensity since mass protests on Friday, four Palestinians have been killed in confrontations with Israeli security forces, while a family of three Israeli settlers was stabbed to death by a Palestinian who entered their home in the West Bank citing the issues around the al-Aqsa mosque as his motive.

“The sheer scale of the risks involved was made clear on Sunday morning when the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas – who has long threatened to end security cooperation with Israel – cancelled a planned security meeting after announcing he was cutting all contacts…”

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 24:

“The death toll stemming from the Temple Mount crisis is continuing to grow. As both sides look for a solution, the conflict is taking on an increasingly religious dimension that could be difficult to control.

“Israel’s security cabinet early on Tuesday decided to remove metal detectors at the entrance to a sensitive Jerusalem holy site, after the new security measures unleashed a deadly round of unrest. A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said it would replace the metal detectors with ‘a security inspection based on advanced technologies and other means.’… ‘What is happening is the beginning of the judaization of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, which has been planned since the founding of Israel in 1948,’ wrote the popular Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds. For this reason the newspaper sees a connection between the current incidents and the visit to the Temple Mount by former Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon in September 2000 – a move viewed by many Palestinians as a religious provocation…

“The crisis has led to an uproar in other parts of the world…”

Israel National News wrote on July 23:

“‘The Temple Mount is in our hands,’ [an Israeli governmental official] said, quoting the soldiers who liberated Jerusalem’s Old City during the Six Day War. ‘We will not cede sovereignty. The State of Israel is responsible for preserving law and order on the Temple Mount.’… Cabinet members authorized Israel Police to make any decisions necessary ‘to ensure safe and free access to holy places, while ensuring public safety and order’ on the Temple Mount.”

Israel will not give up sovereignty over the Temple Mount. In fact, very soon, a Temple will be built on the Temple Mount and sacrifices will be given there, which will set the region on fire.

More Violence in the Middle East

On July 21, Euronews published an article by Joschka Fischer, former German Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor:

“With the retaking of Mosul in northern Iraq, the so called Islamic State (ISIL) could soon be a thing of the past. But the defeat of ISIL and the demise of its self-proclaimed Iraqi-Syrian caliphate won’t bring peace to the Middle East, or even an end to the Syrian tragedy. Rather, it is likely to open a new chapter in the region’s bloody and chaotic history – one no less dangerous than the previous chapters since the fall of the Ottoman Empire at the end of World War I…

“Western powers are hardly blameless for the Middle East’s woes. Any mention of the Sykes-Picot Agreement, by which Great Britain and France partitioned the post-Ottoman territories, still incites such rage in the Arab world that it seems as if the plan, devised in secret in 1916, had been conceived only yesterday. Nor should we forget Czarist Russia’s role in the region. Following World War II, its successor, the Soviet Union, and its Cold War rival, the United States, began their multiple interventions.

“Indeed, the US may be the most significant contributor to today’s regional turmoil… America’s involvement in Afghanistan, too, has had profound repercussions for the Middle East. The US-backed insurgency of the 1980s, launched under the banner of jihad against the occupying Soviet Union, transformed two close American allies – Pakistan and Saudi Arabia – into strategic threats. This became clear on September 11, 2001, when it emerged that 15 of the 19 attackers sent by al-Qaeda were Saudi citizens. And it was Pakistan that created the Taliban, which provided al-Qaeda a haven for hatching its plots against the US and the West.

“The success of the first Gulf War, launched in January 1991 by President George H.W. Bush, was fatally undermined 12 years later by his son, President George W. Bush, whose own Gulf War caused a regional catastrophe that continues to this day. Whereas the senior Bush had pursued the limited objectives of liberating Kuwait and didn’t seek regime change in Iraq, his son’s aims were far more ambitious.

“The idea was to topple Saddam Hussein and bring about a democratic Iraq, which would catalyze comprehensive change throughout the Middle East and transform it into a democratic and pro-Western region. Within the younger Bush’s administration, imperial idealism prevailed over hardheaded realism, resulting in sustained destabilization of the Middle East as a whole and helping to place Iran in a position to expand its influence.

“After the Islamic State’s demise, the next chapter in the history of the Middle East will be determined by open, direct confrontation between Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran for regional predominance. So far, this long-smoldering conflict has been pursued under cover and mostly by proxies. The two global powers active in the region have already clearly positioned themselves in this conflict, with the US siding with Saudi Arabia and Russia with Iran… And with Saudi Arabia and four Sunni allies imposing isolation on Qatar, in part owing to the Qatari’s’ close relations with Iran, this conflict has reached its first potential tipping point at the very center of the region, the Persian Gulf.

“Any direct military confrontation with Iran would, of course, set the region ablaze, greatly surpassing all previous Middle East wars. Moreover, with the fires in Syria still smoldering, and Iraq weakened by the sectarian struggle for power there, ISIS or some successor incarnation is likely to remain active. Another destabilizing factor is the reopening of the ‘Kurdish question.’ The Kurds – a people without a state – … want to use their new political and military clout to make progress toward autonomy, or even an independent state… the next chapter in the region’s history promises to be anything but peaceful… the US… cannot win a land war in the Middle East, despite its vastly superior military power. President Barack Obama sought to withdraw US forces from the region, which proved difficult to achieve both politically and militarily. That’s why he ruled out military intervention – even from the air – in the Syrian civil war, leaving a vacuum that Russia quickly filled, with all of the known consequences.

“Obama’s successor, Donald Trump… clearly faces a steep learning curve when it comes to the Middle East – a region that won’t wait for him to master it. There is no reason to be optimistic.”

Indeed, the Middle East is entering a phase of unparalleled violence and war, which the Bible describes as the “great tribulation.”

ISIS in the Philippines

USA Today wrote on July 25:

“The Islamic State, also known as ISIS, views the drawn-out battle as a major win at a time when it is being driven out of its base in Iraq and Syria, bringing greater attention to the Philippines and Southeast Asia as a new beachhead for extremists… While residents [in Mindanao] blame the extremists for the violence and chaos, many are also growing impatient with the military and its heavy airstrikes…

“The Philippine congress voted Saturday to extend martial law on Mindanao until the end of the year. President Rodrigo Duterte had declared martial law for 60 days when the fighting began…

“As ISIS loses ground in the Middle East, militants from around this region are moving their operations to Southeast Asia — primarily the Philippines, said Sidney Jones, director of Jakarta-based Institute for Policy Analysis of Conflict. ‘The idea that the Philippines is now the destination of choice rather than Syria has sunk in,’ she said. ‘That’s definite now.’

“Jones warned that the Philippine military is treading a thin line by using excessive force, because of its long history of taking a harsh stance against extremist groups in Mindanao. ‘One theme that was used to bring people on board to the ISIS message is the brutality of the security services,’ she said. ‘This was before even the airstrikes. So I think there’s got to be a serious re-think of how the Duterte administration responds to extremism. Because if they’re not careful, they’re going to be building a new generation of extremists, not eradicating the generation that’s there now.’”

Hawaii to Roll Out Plan on how to Deal with North Korean Nuke

The Star Advertiser reported on July 20:

“The public education and information campaign will emphasize steps to be taken on short notice, according to state officials, because a North Korean ICBM would arrive in just 20 minutes, leaving just 12 to 15 minutes to warn the populace… The plan… will include school students drilling for evacuation…

“The tourism industry is not at all happy with the arrival of the campaign, which it fears could spook tourists… But state officials say they want to get out ahead of North Korea’s goose-stepping march toward greater nuclear capability — even if it would be suicide for leader Kim Jong Un to launch missiles at the United States…”

With North Korea’s mad leader, anything seems to be imaginable. Note the next article.

North Korea and Iran vs. USA

Fox News reported on July 26:

“Two enemies of America are poised for upcoming rocket launches… with another North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile launch expected… and Iran on the verge of sending its own vehicle into space. Iran’s Simorgh space-launch vehicle is believed to be carrying a satellite, marking the second time in more than a year that Tehran has attempted to put an operational satellite into orbit…

“North Korea and Iran have long been accused of sharing missile technology… U.S. officials are skeptical, however, that North Korea and Iran are coordinating their rocket and missile launches.

“While Iran insists its space program is for peaceful purposes, officials have long said any components used to put a satellite into orbit can also be used for building an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of hitting the United States…”

New US Sanctions Against Russia Are Raising Concerns

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 26:

“The US House of Representatives on Tuesday overwhelmingly endorsed  [a] bill that places restrictions on President Donald Trump from loosening sanctions on Russia, a measure that could tie his hands as he seeks a reset in relations with Moscow. Lawmakers voted 419-3 to pass the legislation, which also imposes a new round of sanctions on Russia, Iran and North Korea. The legislation must now go to the Senate, where it is likely to pass before being sent to the president’s desk, possibly as early as August.

“The bill is a rare case of Republicans allying with Democrats against their own president, whose administration has been plagued by investigations into alleged Russian meddling in the 2016 election and possible collusion between the Trump campaign and the Kremlin. A key feature of the bill is a requirement for the president to seek permission from Congress before removing sanctions on Russia – an attempt to block any unilateral move to lift sanctions. The Trump administration is against the bill… Trump has not said whether he would veto the bill…

“Russia has warned against the new sanctions and their impact on relations with the US, but has said it would wait until the final wording of the bill is clear… Russia could retaliate against the United States by escalating or playing a spoiler role in any number of areas, ranging from Ukraine and Syria to Afghanistan and North Korea…

“The Russian bill has also raised concern with the European Union because it could result in fines and other measures against companies involved in the Russian Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project… It would also limit the access of European energy firms to US banks… The sanctions have particularly unnerved Germany and Austria, home of large energy companies that could be negatively impacted by the new bill. On Wednesday, German Foreign Ministry warned that Berlin ‘could not accept’ the US using sanctions against Russia as a tool of industrial policy…

“EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker warned of far-reaching consequences for transatlantic ties. ‘If our concerns are not taken into account sufficiently, we stand ready to act appropriately within a matter of days,’ he said in a statement… ‘America first cannot mean that Europe’s interests come last.’ Juncker added that the EU was  ‘raising its concerns via all diplomatic channels with the US and its counterparts.’”

Even though sanctions against Russia’s activities are highly appropriate, economic interests in Europe seem to be more important.

Chemical and Biological Weapons in the Hands of Terrorists

The Sun wrote on July 23:

“Black Death could once again wipe out millions in Britain if terrorists sprayed an antibiotic resistant form above a city… The plague killed a third of Europe’s population in the Middle Ages – but scientists and governments fear it could return. It comes after research papers were found hidden at Mosul University after the fall of ISIS detailing experimentation using chemical weapons on human beings… with ISIS imploding in Iraq and Syria it is feared the death cult could step-up any clandestine development and wreak revenge on the West.

“World Health Organisation researchers estimated releasing a 50 kg aerosol cloud of plague bacteria over a city the size of London and its surrounding areas could cause at least 300,000 to become infected with 72,000 perishing from the nightmarish disease. Meanwhile the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US believe plague is a major concern along with anthrax, smallpox, and viral fevers like Ebola and Marburg… health writer Eric Boodman writes: ‘After all, the bacteria were being used as weapons long before anyone even knew to call them bacteria. Plague-infected corpses were catapulted over walls. Venetians plotted to distill deadly liquid from swollen lymph nodes. Japanese planes sprinkled a rainfall of infected fleas. If those with nefarious motives and technical expertise wanted to weaponize the bacteria today, they could.”

This is a frightening scenario. The Bible shows that biological and chemical weapons will be used in addition to nuclear weapons, threatening the very survival of mankind.

Merkel’s Re-Election Not Assured

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 23:

“Social Democratic (SPD) candidate Martin Schulz… took aim at what is perhaps Merkel’s Achilles heel: her policy toward migrants from Muslim countries. ‘In 2015 more than 1 million refugees came to Germany, mostly without government monitoring,’ Schulz told Bild. ‘The chancellor opened our border with Austria for humanitarian reasons but unfortunately without consulting our partners in Europe. If we don’t act now, that situation could repeat itself.’

“Merkel has promised German voters that there will be no repeat of what happened two years ago when hundreds of thousands of people, many fleeing war-torn Syria, arrived in Germany. Numbers of migrants lessened last year but could well be set to rise again as people try to escape political uncertainty and economic hardship of places like Nigeria and Eritrea…

“Well over 70,000 migrants made the extremely risky Mediterranean crossing to Italy in the first half of this year, representing an increase over 2016 of more than 25 percent. Italy has asked other EU states for help in dealing with the new arrivals, but it has so far been rebuffed…

“At the height of the refugee crisis in 2015 and early 2016, Merkel and her conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) fell to historic lows in public opinion polls, with more than 80 percent of those asked saying they believed her government didn’t have control over the situation. Merkel and her party have since recovered and currently lead Schulz and the SPD by around 15 percentage points in opinion surveys…

“The greater threat could come from the right, where Merkel is considerably more liberal than the vast majority of conservatives in Germany and the rest of Europe…

“CSU chairman Horst Seehofer couldn’t resist calling out the chancellor on the issue. In an interview with Welt newspaper, Seehofer said ‘everybody knows’ that the ‘waves of migration will continue.’ Seehofer predicted that Merkel’s decision to open Germany’s borders would cost the CDU-CSU an absolute majority in September’s election and claimed that conservatives throughout Germany were coming round to the CSU’s position…

“The connection between refugee policy and the AfD cannot be dismissed. Germany’s right-wing populists made a quantum leap in the polls… All of this suggests that the upturn in the number of migrants to Germany this summer would benefit the AfD at the polls and possibly have an effect on Angela Merkel’s attempt to win a fourth term as chancellor….”

It will be interesting to see what will happen in September. From a prophetic standpoint, both Angela Merkel’s re-election and Martin Schulz’ election could lead to meaningful developments.

Senate Votes to Begin Debate on Repealing Obamacare

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 25:

“The United States Senate has voted to begin the process of repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare… The vote to begin the repeal process was deadlocked at 50-50, with all senate Democrats voting against the measure. Vice President Mike Pence cast the tie-breaking vote to push the debate towards a bill forward. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska were the only two Republican senators who did not vote yes on the measure…

“Republican senator John McCain of Arizona returned to an ovation as he cast his ‘yes’ vote after being diagnosed with cancer  last week…  ‘I know many of you will have to see the bill changed substantially to support it,’ McCain said, adding that he would not vote for the Republican health care plan ‘as it is today.’”

No Democrat voted for the measure. The future debate on Obamacare vs. Trumpcare will be interesting. To just repeal Obamacare without replacing it, which has been advocated by some, seems to be a ridiculous proposition. 

The New York Times reported on July 25:

“The Senate voted narrowly on Tuesday to begin debate on a bill to repeal major provisions of the Affordable Care Act, but hours later, Republican leaders suffered a setback when their most comprehensive plan to replace President Barack Obama’s health law fell far short of the votes it needed. The Tuesday night tally needed to reach 60 votes to overcome a parliamentary objection. Instead, it fell 43-57. The fact that the comprehensive replacement plan came up well short of even 50 votes was an ominous sign for Republican leaders still seeking a formula to pass final health care legislation….”

It is hoped that ALL Americans will finally be given an affordable and meaningful health-care bill, without the corrupt political bickering and self-serving special interest groups we are all used to. But this would be a miracle.

No Transgender People in the Military

The New York Times reported on July 25:

“President Trump announced on Wednesday that the United States will not ‘accept or allow’ transgender people in the United States military, saying American forces ‘must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory’ and could not afford to accommodate them…’ After consultation with my generals and military experts, please be advised that the United States government will not accept or allow transgender individuals to serve in any capacity in the U.S. military,’ Mr. Trump wrote. ‘Our military must be focused on decisive and overwhelming victory and cannot be burdened with the tremendous medical costs and disruption that transgender in the military would entail.’

“The sweeping policy decision reverses the gradual transformation of the military under President Barack Obama, whose administration announced last year that transgender people could serve openly in the military. Mr. Obama’s defense secretary, Ashton B. Carter, also opened all combat roles to women and appointed the first openly gay Army secretary…”

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 25:

“The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a non-profit and non-partisan rights advocacy organization, immediately launched a counter-series of Tweets… The Democratic leader in the Senate Nancy Pelosi (California) described Trump’s ban as ‘vile and hateful’ and a policy that would ‘weaken our military and the nation it defends.’… she also highlighted that on this same date in 1948, then US-President Harry Truman signed an executive order desegregating the US military – a ground-breaking move that helped usher in a era of civil rights legislation. ‘President Trump has shown his conduct is driven…by raw prejudice,’ the senator wrote…

“Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the Republican’s most senior woman in the House, also spoke out against Trump’s ban announcement. The Florida representative has a transgender son and has been a long-term Republican supporter of same-sex marriage…”

How individuals claiming to obey God and His Word can support the practice of transgender, homosexuality and same-sex marriages is hard to understand. Based on the Bible, President Trump’s decision is correct.

Why Russia Is Afraid of the Jehovah’s Witnesses

Business Insider wrote on July 23:

“Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the Trinity. For most Christians, God is a union of three persons… Instead, Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus is distinct from God – not united as one person with him. The ‘Holy Spirit’ then refers to God’s active power. Such doctrines distinguish Jehovah’s Witnesses from mainline Christian denominations, all of which hold that God is ‘triune’ in nature…

“Their biblical interpretations and missionary work certainly have critics. But it is the political neutrality of the group that has attracted the most suspicion. Jehovah’s Witnesses accept the legitimate authority of government in many matters. For example, they pay taxes… But they do not vote in elections, serve in the military or salute the flag. Such acts, they believe, compromise their primary loyalty to God… Jehovah’s Witnesses have no political affiliations, and they renounce violence. However, they make an easy target for governments looking for internal enemies, as they refuse to bow down to government symbols. Many nationalists call them ‘enemies of the state.’ As a result, they have often suffered persecution throughout history in many parts of the world.

“Jehovah’s Witnesses were jailed as draft evaders in the US during both world wars. In a Supreme Court ruling in 1940, school districts were allowed to expel Jehovah’s Witnesses who refused to salute the American flag…  In Nazi Germany, Jehovah’s Witnesses were killed in concentration camps; a purple triangle was used by the Nazis to mark them. In the 1960s and ‘70’s, scores of African Jehovah’s Witnesses were slaughtered… for refusing to support dictator Hastings Banda. Many Witnesses fled to neighboring Mozambique, where they were held in internment camps.

“Now it is Russia. The Russian Supreme Court maintains that the country needs to be protected from disloyal religious fanatics. But given their commitment to God above all things, Jehovah’s Witnesses see themselves as being persecuted by those who value loyalty to country over any other principle… Many Jehovah’s Witnesses [pointed out that] April 20, the day the Russian Supreme Court first ruled against them, is also the birthday of Adolf  Hitler.  Their memories of persecution have not faded with time.”

Many of the “peculiar” teachings of the Jehovah’s Witnesses, which are mentioned in this article, are also held by many Sabbath-keeping Churches of God, which denounce violence and refuse to serve in the military or to vote in governmental elections. To be clear, the Jehovah’s Witnesses deny the divinity of Christ, which the Churches of God uphold, but both do not believe in the Holy Spirit being a Person. It should be clearly seen that totalitarian governments such as Russia will direct their persecution against those Church of God groups as well.

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.

Threat from North Korea

Deutsche Welle reported on July 15:

“Thermal images of North Korea’s main nuclear plant suggest that Pyongyang has reprocessed more weapons-grade plutonium than previously thought. The information, which comes from 38 North, a Washington-based think tank connected to Johns Hopkins University, likely means that the North can expand its nuclear weapons stockpile more rapidly than has been estimated up to now…

“Experts at 38 North estimated in April that North Korea could have as many as 20 nuclear bombs and could produce one more each month.”

North Koreans Work as Slave Laborers in Russia, China and Elsewhere

Fox News wrote on July 14:

“Brutal North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is shipping tens of thousands of impoverished citizens to Russia for the hard currency his cash-strapped regime desperately needs… Alarmed human rights groups say the North Korea workers in Russia are little more than slaves, subjected to everything from cruel and violent acts to ruthless exploitation at the hands of corrupt officials, while being forced to turn over large chunks of their pay to the North Korean government… A report issued earlier this year… estimates that about 50,000 North Korean laborers are working low-paying jobs in Russia. They send at least $120 million every year to the regime in Pyongyang…

“The U.S. State Department issued a report on human trafficking last month that concluded that North Korean workers in Russia had been subjected to ‘exploitative labor conditions characteristic of trafficking cases such as withholding of identity documents, non-payment for services rendered, physical abuse, lack of safety measures, or extremely poor living conditions.’…

“North Korean laborers work in other countries besides Russia. China uses large numbers of them, and Qatar has North Korean laborers helping build its World Cup stadium…”

We have not yet heard the last word from North Korea and its collaboration with countries such as Russia and China.

Speeding Towards World War Three

Express wrote on July 17:

“A joint US and Australian operation has seen the launch of a multi-million pound hypersonic missile capable of travelling at almost 13,000 kmh. The successful launch from a remote rocket range near Woomera, in South Australia, helped staunch fears that China and Russia were racing ahead in a new hypersonic arms race, and concerns over increasingly hostile missile tests by North Korea.

“The incredible speed would theoretically take a hypersonic glider from London to Australia in a little over one hour…

“Just weeks ago, in May, members of US Congress raised concerns that the US was trailing behind Russia and China in the development of hypersonic weapons capabilities… Some experts fear once the technology is perfected, other nations will use them for nuclear warheads, and then the US will be forced to follow suit…

“There are fears [North Korea] could now even have the capability to fire a missile that could reach the US, potentially sparking World War 3…”

Attacks on German Tourists in Egypt

Deutsche Welle reported on July 15:

“A knife attack at the popular Red Sea resort of Hurghada in Egypt has left two German citizens dead and four other holidaymakers wounded… the alleged attacker, a 28-year-old university graduate from the Nile Delta province of Kafr el-Sheikh, shouted during the attack: ‘Stay away, I don’t want Egyptians.’ Although there has been no claim of responsibility yet, a source close to the investigation has told dpa news agency that the alleged attacker ‘communicated with [the self-proclaimed “Islamic State” (IS) group] via internet and was given the task of attacking foreign tourists on Hurghada beaches’ by the extremist militia.

“The attack is likely to affect Egypt’s tourism industry, which has already been suffering in the wake of the 2011 uprising against former President Hosni Mubarak and subsequent years of political turmoil. Terrorist attacks in the Sinai Peninsula have weakened the sector even more, such as the Russian airline blast in 2015 that killed 224 passengers or the recent ‘Islamic state’ (IS) attack which killed more than 20 Egyptian soldiers near the city of Rafah…

“Many countries, including Germany, have issued travel warnings to Egypt in general and the Sinai Peninsula in particular. According to Israel’s Counter-Terrorism Bureau, there is ‘a very concrete threat’ of a terrorist attack in Sinai – the highest among five threat levels. The German Foreign Ministry stresses the ‘risk of terrorist attacks’ as well as abduction in the country, adding that traveling to Egypt including the tourism hotspots of the Red Sea should be done ‘with caution.’”

Ultimately, Egypt will be invaded by a European army under German control.

Violence on the Temple Mount

The Times of Israel wrote on July 14:

“Two police officers were killed in the shooting, which took place just outside the Temple Mount. The terrorists, three Arab Israelis, fled back to the holy site where they were shot dead after an exchange of fire with police…”

In a related article, The Times of Israel wrote on July 14:

“The trio, aged 19, 20 and 30, managed to stay under the radar of Israeli intelligence. They were able to strike without warning, and once again to fatally jar the exposed nerves of Israelis as regards the country’s Arab citizens… As Israelis, they carried blue identity cards, and were able to gain free access to the Temple Mount… In the Arab sector… weapons are readily available — either stolen from the IDF, or home produced.

“They selected the most resonant site, on the most resonant day of the week: The Temple Mount complex, on the day of Friday prayers… They knew that a shooting attack at the most incendiary spot in the Middle East would be likely to prompt a major escalation. They anticipated that a shooting spree at the Temple Mount compound, which would end with their deaths too, would gain massive media coverage — and knew that previous such incidents had set in motion a still more bloody chain of events… Friday’s trio… intended to set the Middle East ablaze.”

Jerusalem’s Holy Site Reopened… but Concerns Persist

Fox News and The Associated Press reported on July 16:

“Hundreds of Muslim worshippers visited a Jerusalem holy site Sunday after Israel reopened the compound following a rare closure in response to a deadly shooting last week that raised concerns about wider unrest. For the first time in decades, Israel closed the site — known to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary and to Jews as the Temple Mount — on Friday…

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that following consultations with security officials the site would be reopened Sunday afternoon with increased security measures that included metal detectors at the entrance gates and additional security cameras… Israel did not coordinate the changes with Jordan, which serves as the custodian of the Muslim-administered site… Jordan’s stance is that anything installed at the site must be approved by the Waqf, or Muslim administration, and cannot change the status quo… The Palestinian Minister of Jerusalem Adnan Husseini called for the security arrangements to return to how they were before the deadly attack, saying it ‘shouldn’t be an excuse for making changes.’…

“Gaza’s Hamas rulers called the act a ‘religious war’ and urged Palestinians to carry out more attacks… In the past two years, Palestinians have killed 45 Israelis, two visiting Americans and a British tourist in stabbings, shootings and car-ramming attacks. During that period, Israeli forces have killed more than 255 Palestinians, most of them said by Israel to be attackers while others were killed in clashes with Israeli forces…”

With hate-filled Arabs as Israel’s enemies, there will never be any peace in the Middle East prior to Christ’s return.

Now… Temple Mount Closed to Jewish Visitors

JTA wrote on July 19:

“Police closed the Temple Mount to Jewish visitors after a group of Jews began praying at the site in violation of the rules there. Jerusalem District Commander Yoram Halevy ordered the closure on Wednesday over the Jewish group’s ‘violating the rules of conduct that apply to the holy site,’ according to Israel Police. The Jewish visitors brought prayer books to the site, Haaretz reported. One was warned not to use the book, and after a second took out one, the group was expelled…”

Jerusalem—Israel’s Undivided Capital

Israel National News reported on July 19:

“A law which would limit the government’s ability to divide the capital in any future final status agreement with the Palestinian Authority was approved in its first vote Wednesday afternoon. The Jerusalem Law… would require a supermajority of two-thirds of the entire Knesset, or 80 MKs, to approve any partition of the city…

“Jerusalem Affairs Minister Zeev Elkin praised Wednesday’s vote, saying the law would protect ‘Jerusalem’s status as the united capital of Israel, and make it very difficult for anyone in the future who would dare to divide it.’”

Jordanian Parliament Praises Terrorists

Times of Israel reported on July 16:

“The Jordanian parliament on Sunday praised the terrorists who carried out a shooting attack at the Temple Mount that killed two Israeli police officers, less than a day after King Abdullah II condemned the attack. The parliament also criticized Israel for closing the Temple Mount, known to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif (Noble Sanctuary)…

“‘May the mercy of Allah be upon our martyrs who sowed and watered the pure land,’ said Parliament Speaker Atef Tarawneh. ‘We will raise our heads through the sacrifice of the young Palestinians who are still fighting in the name of the nation.’…

“Tarawneh blamed Israel for the attack, claiming that the ‘occupation’ of Jerusalem and the West Bank justified the killing. ‘The damage caused by the Israeli occupation to the holiest sites in Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa are the reason for the continued resistance, we will not bow to oppression or tyranny,’ he said. ‘Israel’s continued and serious crimes that it commits are the reason for lighting the fire of revenge in the hearts of the generation who still receive hatred of the occupation as their inheritance.’

“The parliament… called on the international community to force Israel to end the ‘occupation and protect Palestinian rights.’ The parliament stood as a prayer was recited for the souls of the ‘martyrs’ who carried out the terror attack.”

This is such abominable conduct by the Jordanian Parliament.

Cease Fire in Syria–Netanyahu Opposes Trump

The Times of Israel wrote on July 16:

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said he opposes the deal brokered by the United States and Russia that led to an open-ended ceasefire in southern Syria, saying it does not sufficiently address Iranian military ambitions in the area.

“Placing himself at odds with US President Donald Trump on the issue, Netanyahu told journalists in Paris that the agreement perpetuates Iranian plans to set up a disruptive long-term presence on Israel’s northern border, something he has repeatedly vowed that the Jewish state won’t tolerate… ‘Israel is aware of Iran’s expansionist goals in Syria,’ a statement from Netanyahu’s office said… The prime minister said that while the plan aims to keep Iran 20 kilometers (12 miles) away from the Israeli border, it did not address Iran’s plans to cement its presence in Syria, which, he said, included the establishment of a naval and air force bases…

“Also on Sunday, a senior Israeli official strongly condemned the deal, calling it ‘very bad’ and saying it did not take into account Israeli security concerns, the Haaretz daily reported…

“Ceasefires have repeatedly collapsed in Syria’s six-year-old civil war, and it’s not clear if this one will last… Israel has repeatedly said it will not allow Iran to set up a permanent presence in Syria. Israel has carried out a number of airstrikes in Syria against suspected shipments of ‘game-changing’ weapons bound for Hezbollah…”

Israel against most of the rest of the world?

“Russian Supreme Court Upholds Ban on Jehovah’s Witnesses”

The Associated Press and Newsmax reported on July 17:

“Russia’s Supreme Court has rejected an appeal of its nationwide ban on the Jehovah’s Witnesses religious denomination. The court’s appeals chamber has upheld the April approval of the Russian Justice Ministry’s call to halt Jehovah’s Witnesses activities and to declare it an extremist organization.

“The rejection of the religious group’s appeal allows Russia to liquidate the 395 Jehovah’s Witnesses congregations and seize their property. The group claims about 170,000 adherents in Russia.

“Jehovah’s Witnesses spokesman David Semonian said in a statement that ‘it’s very concerning that despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, powerful elements within Russia continue to frame our organization as extremist.’ Viktor Zhenkov, a Russian attorney for the group, said Monday’s ruling would be appealed to the European Court of Human Rights…”

It is expected that the Russian government will ignore any verdict in favor of the Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Religious Freedom Ended in Russia

BBC News wrote on July 17:

 “The group’s Russia spokesman, Yaroslav Sivulsky, said that ‘religious freedom in Russia is over’. ‘There were no real facts of any extremism on part of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It’s all about bad literature and intolerance. Now anyone who studies the Bible can be jailed,’ he said, quoted by Newsweek magazine.

“One pamphlet distributed by the group quoted the novelist Leo Tolstoy as describing the doctrine of the Russian Orthodox Church as superstition and sorcery… Human rights group Sova has argued that an ‘official repressive campaign’ has been conducted against the movement for years and many of their members have been physically attacked.”

Newsmax wrote on July 18:

“Religious life in Russia is dominated by the Orthodox Church, which exerts considerable political influence and enjoys the support of President Vladimir Putin. Some Orthodox scholars view Jehovah’s Witnesses as a ‘totalitarian sect’.”

It seems rather obvious that the Russian Orthodox Church, in collaboration with Vladimir Putin, had their hands in this persecution. Russia’s abominable decision is met with little opposition from “Christian” countries all over the world, as traditional “Christian” churches do not consider the Jehovah’s Witnesses as a mainstream Christian denomination. Western leaders seem to be suspiciously silent on the matter. A shocking testimony of cowardice, if not worse. Please view our new StandingWatch program, “Is Russia a Threat to the West?”.

Russia—a Threat to the West

Newsweek wrote on July 15:

“Russia’s support for the Syrian government in its war against jihadists and other insurgents has given Moscow a newfound military foothold in the Mediterranean… For years, Russia and NATO have been engaged in an international arms race, the likes of which have not been seen since the Cold War, and each side accuses the other of pushing the limits of peace among the world’s leading military powers. By coming to the rescue of an old ally in the Middle East, Russia may have secured a new, strategic entrance to the heavily contested theater of Europe…

“Russia… is looking west. It’s contributed extensive naval resources, including 15 warships from its Black Sea Fleet, toward developing a Permanent Mediterranean Task Force as of July 5. The ships are based out of the coastal Syrian city of Tartous, where Moscow secured permission from Damascus to establish a naval base for nearly the next half a century. Russian warships and a submarine in the Mediterranean have already fired advanced, supersonic Kalibr cruise missiles against ISIS positions in Syria. The same nuclear-capable weapons could soon easily be in range of NATO targets as well, if they aren’t already.

“It may not end with Syria, either. Russia’s special forces have already reportedly been spotted in Egypt, potentially courting Libyan military leader Khalifa Hifter, who has become increasingly influential politically over his war-torn nation. Yemen… could also serve as a venue for Russian military ventures where the U.S. and its allies have significantly struggled to achieve their own objectives. As Russia and NATO’s rivalry plays out in the Baltics and other parts of Europe, the latter may find itself caught off guard by an expanding Russian sphere of influence reminiscent of Moscow’s Soviet legacy…”

Europe will not be caught off guard but is keenly aware of the situation. Finding itself in the middle between two competing military world powers, it sees no other alternative than to become a mighty military power itself.

“Little Russia: Ukraine Separatists Proclaim New State”

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 18:

“Rebel forces in eastern Ukraine on Tuesday announced that they plan to hold a referendum calling for the creation of a new state known as Malorossiya, which translates as ‘Little Russia.’… rebel leader Alexander Zakharchenko said that the new state would aspire to include not only the areas under insurgent control, but also the rest of Ukraine… while the capital would be moved from Kiev to the insurgent bastion of Donetsk. Kiev would be reduced to a ‘historical and cultural center.’

“The self-proclaimed authorities in Donetsk have repeatedly expressed their intentions to join Russia. The Kremlin, however, has stopped short of annexing the area and denies to have propped up rebel groups with military support, despite overwhelming evidence suggesting otherwise…

“The German government decried the proposal for a new state as ‘completely unacceptable.’…

“The 2015 Minsk accord,  a ceasefire deal brokered by Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France, has hit a wall with clashes continuing along the frontlines. All sides have called for a restart in talks but progress continues to stall. Ukraine’s envoy for negotiations with the rebels, Yevgen Marchuk, told local media that Tuesday’s announcement ‘could block the negotiations entirely.'”

Euractiv and Reuters reported on July 18:

“Three former rebel leaders told Reuters in May that a top aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin decides how the pro-Moscow administration of eastern Ukraine is run and who gets what jobs there, challenging Kremlin denials that it calls the shots in the region.”

The big question is: Will Russia intervene militarily in Ukraine? Many observers believe so.

Finland Prepares for Russian Invasion

Express wrote on July 16:

“AN UNDERGROUND city is being prepared for habitation in case Russia invades Europe during a military exercise… Nato allies fear President Vladimir Putin’s true intentions leading to ‘serious doubts Moscow is revealing the true extent of its military exercises’. It has now been revealed Finnish soldiers are carrying out training to deal with a mass evacuation.

“A Helsinki City Planning document states the tunnels, which date back to the 60s will be ready when needed. It states: ‘The Underground Master Plan contains 40 new areas reserved as rock resources and 100 new space allocations for future rock construction… Approximately 9 million cubic metres, consisting of about 400 separate facilities or tunnels, have already been built under the city…’

“Much of the underground network is open to the public, and contains facilities such as swimming pools, ice hockey rinks and car parks. In June Finland agreed protocols which meant it would call on NATO to help defend it in the event of an invasion.”

A European Finance Minister and the German Engine

Euronews reported on July 13:

“Germany’s Angela Merkel has opened the door to having a Eurozone finance minister. She made the comment during a joint press conference on Thursday with French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris after a joint Franco-German cabinet meeting… The two leaders announced plans to build a joint fighter jet, with a roadmap planned for mid-2018, as part of a drive to cement their countries’ cooperation and strengthen the European Union… Singling out cyber-security the two leaders vowed to deepen European integration on defence, counter-terrorism and immigration…

“The German Chancellor was questioned about Macron’s ideas for greater integration in the Eurozone… On his proposal for a single finance minister, parliament and budget, Merkel said she agreed in principle… Both leaders showed they were keen to revive the traditional German ‘engine’ within the EU…”

Grandparents and Other Close Relatives Must Be Exempt from Trump’s Travel Ban

The Week wrote on July 14:

“The Supreme Court last month ruled that the Trump administration could start enforcing the [travel] ban [against certain Muslim countries]… but not against people with ‘a credible claim of a bona fide relationship’ with someone in the U.S. The administration said it would make exceptions for spouses, parents, parents-in-law, children, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, fiancés, and siblings of people already in the country.

“U.S. District Judge Derrick Watson [from Hawaii] said in his decision that the list was too narrow, and that grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, and other close relatives should be added. ‘Common sense, for instance, dictates that close family members be defined to include grandparents,’ he wrote. ‘Indeed, grandparents are the epitome of close family members. The government’s definition excludes them. That simply cannot be.'”

The judge is right, of course, but more importantly, the entire Muslim travel ban is deeply disturbing and morally wrong, as it includes refugees who are threatened with death in their radical home countries. Terrible memories of America’s objectionable indifference towards Jewish refugees in World War II come to mind, thereby having become culpable, to an extent, for the murder of millions of Jews by Nazi criminals. Is America repeating now its past mistakes?

Another Setback for Proposed GOP Healthcare Law

The Wall Street Journal wrote on July 16:

“Republicans’ push to pass a sweeping new health-care law experienced another setback, as Senate leaders announced they would delay a long-promised vote after Sen. John McCain underwent an unexpected surgery Friday.

“President Donald Trump and GOP leaders in Congress were hoping the Senate would vote this week on a plan to overturn parts of the 2010 Affordable Care Act and make other changes to the health system, including deep cuts to the Medicaid program. But Saturday’s announcement that Mr. McCain was recovering from a surgery to remove a blood clot from above his left eye put those plans in doubt, leaving Republican leaders short of the votes they need to move ahead with the bill.

“Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) can’t afford more than two defections among the 52 GOP senators… Two senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Rand Paul of Kentucky, have said they can’t support the bill, but for different reasons. Others have yet to commit—meaning just one more defection would derail the bill. Mr. McCain’s absence means GOP leaders are short of the votes this week for a procedural motion vote to begin consideration of the bill…

“Ms. Collins… said that eight to 10 Republicans had ‘deep concerns’ about the bill… Some GOP senators with a high profile in their states are weighing whether to be guided by the appeals for party unity if the health-care bill is unpopular among their constituents…

“Mr. Trump has at times advocated forcefully for the health-care legislation, even though he vowed repeatedly during the campaign that there would be no changes to the Medicaid program. He made an aggressive push when the House struggled with similar divisions and found itself initially unable to pass a bill earlier this year. He is now seeking to maintain a policy-oriented focus amid new allegations almost daily about Russian interference in the 2016 election… The difficulty for many Republicans is that supporting the bill or opposing it both carry political risk.”

Repeal Dead—Obamacare Remains Law of the Land

The Associated Press wrote on July 17:

“The latest GOP effort to repeal and replace ‘Obamacare’ was fatally wounded in the Senate Monday night when two more Republican senators announced their opposition to legislation strongly backed by President Donald Trump. The announcements from Sens. Mike Lee of Utah and Jerry Moran of Kansas left the Republican Party’s long-promised efforts to get rid of President Barack Obama’s health care legislation reeling. Next steps, if any, were not immediately clear…

“McConnell is now at least two votes short in the closely divided Senate and may have to go back to the drawing board or even begin to negotiate with Democrats, a prospect he’s threatened but resisted so far… It was the second straight failure for McConnell, who had to cancel a vote on an earlier version of the bill last month when defeat became inevitable.

“Trump had kept his distance from the Senate process, but Monday night’s development was a major blow for him, too, as the president failed to rally support for what has been the GOP’s trademark issue for seven years…”

Newsmax added on July 17:

“That dooms one of the GOP’s top priorities to a humiliating, self-inflicted defeat…”

The Washington Post wrote on July 18:

“Hours after GOP leaders abandoned a bill to overhaul the law known as Obamacare, their fallback plan — a proposal to repeal major parts of the law without replacing them — quickly collapsed. A trio of moderate Republicans quashed the idea, saying it would irresponsibly snatch insurance coverage from millions of Americans… Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)… said he would nonetheless schedule a vote ‘early next week’ on the repeal plan. But he appeared to acknowledge that it seemed doomed…

“Trump told reporters… that he now plans to ‘let Obamacare fail…’ That way, he said, his party would bear no political responsibility for the system’s collapse…”

What a mess. A “political” success seems to be much more important to far too many involved players than an uncompromising willingness to stand up for what is right and true and fair and godly.

“Setback for Trump Agenda Leaves Dollar Stranded”

Reuters wrote on July 17:

“The dollar fell to a 10-month low on Tuesday, bearing the brunt of a selloff triggered by another setback to U.S. President Donald Trump’s agenda and scaled-back expectations for another rate hike at Federal Reserve this year. The announcement overnight that two Republican senators would not support the latest version of the healthcare bill… fed into a belief that Trump’s tax cuts and spending plans will come to nought…

“‘The reform momentum of the Trump administration has received another blow,’ said strategists at Morgan Stanley led by Hans Redeker, in a note to clients… ‘Clearly anything that comes along at the moment just corroborates the market’s negative attitude on the dollar,’ said Neil Mellor, senior FX strategist with Bank of New York Mellon in London.”

“Trump Certifying Iran Deal for 2nd Time Despite Slamming It”

JTA wrote on July 18:

“The Trump administration again recertified the Iran nuclear deal and pledged to strengthen its enforcement. The decision to recertify the deal Monday followed delays caused by President Donald Trump, who said during campaigning for the presidency that the agreement reached in 2015 by the Obama administration was the worst he had ever seen. The deal must be recertified every 90 days.

“Trump advisers… persuaded him to recertify… administration officials said they would toughen enforcement of the deal. A similar pledge was made at the last recertification three months ago; what tougher enforcement means precisely is not clear….”

Newsmax wrote on July 17:

“Former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. John Bolton wrote in The Hill that Trump is making a mistake by certifying the deal, as the evidence is clear Iran is violating the agreement… Bolton also said, since there is no chance of changing the Iranian deal, because Teheran would never agree to that, the U.S. should withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.”

Candidate Trump declared it was a disastrous and dangerous agreement and promised time and again that he would annul the deal.

Most Americans Reject Donald Trump

The Daily Mail wrote on July 17:

“Seven out of 10 Americans believe Donald Trump’s behavior in office has been ‘unpresidential,’ and his Twitter binges aren’t swinging things in his favor. That stunning number is coupled with an astonishingly low 36 per cent overall approval rating, the worst recorded in 70 years. And more than half of Americans – 57 per cent – say the more they hear about Trump, the less they like him.”

Donald Trump Won’t Visit Britain Unless the People Like Him

The Sun wrote on July 16:

“[The] US President warns he will not visit until he can guarantee a good reception and pleas with Theresa May to help influence public… And he warned he won’t set foot here until the public start liking him.

“The US President made his shameless plea in a private conversation with Theresa May to plan his state visit — now postponed until next year. Two million people signed a petition calling for Mr Trump’s proposed trip to be axed. A transcript of the chat, seen by senior diplomats, reveals his touchiness.

“Mr Trump says: ‘I haven’t had great coverage out there lately, Theresa.’

“She replies awkwardly: ‘Well, you know what the British press are like.’

“He replies: ‘I still want to come, but I’m in no rush. So, if you can fix it for me, it would make things a lot easier. When I know I’m going to get a better reception, I’ll come and not before.’

“A source said: ‘He seemed to think the PM would be able to smooth the path for him to get a warm welcome. But she tried to explain she has no power to dictate how newspapers and media might decide to cover his visit. After all, we are not North Korea. He said he would not agree [to] a date until people support him coming.’”

“Downing Street would not comment.”

We have no comments, either.

Coming—Armies of Super-Humans?

Express wrote on July 15:

“ARMIES of SUPER-SOLDIERS were a step closer to reality today after China announced it was genetically engineering hyper-muscular SUPER-DOGS…

“Now the Chinese success has led to fears the same technology could be used to create weaponised super-humans – typifed in Marvel Comics by Captain America and his foes… An army of super-humans has been a staple of science fiction and superhero comics for decades – but the super-dog technology brings it closer to reality.”

This may not be as far-fetched as it may seem at first sight.

Vatican Accuses American Evangelicals and Roman Catholics of Being Close to Islamist Fundamentalism  

The Associated Press and NBC News reported on July 15:

“A close confidant of Pope Francis, writing Thursday in a Vatican-approved magazine, has condemned those within American presidential administrations who espouse the ideology of ‘Christian fundamentalism’ — naming White House chief strategist Steve Bannon as a proponent of such ‘apocalyptic geopolitics.’ In a damning article, the Rev. Antonio Spadaro, editor of the influential Jesuit journal La Civilità Cattolica, also took aim at conservative religious support for President Donald Trump, accusing activists of promoting a ‘xenophobic and Islamophobic vision that wants walls and purifying deportations.’…

“In a story entitled, ‘Evangelical Fundamentalism and Catholic Integralism: A Surprising Ecumenism,’ Spadaro criticized the way some American evangelicals and their Roman Catholic supporters mix religion and politics, saying they demonized opponents and promoted a ‘theocratic type of state.’ He added that their vision was ‘not too far apart’ from Islamic fundamentalism.

“The article — which was co-written by a Presbyterian pastor, the Rev. Marcelo Figueroa, who is editor of the Argentine edition of the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano — was published just days after evangelical leaders met Trump in the Oval Office and laid their hands on him in prayer… Last month the head of the Vatican’s Academy of Sciences said Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris accords would be a ‘slap in the face for the Vatican.’

“Articles in La Civilità Cattolica are read by the Vatican Secretariat of State before they are published. Under Francis, who is a Jesuit, the publication has become something of an ‘authoritative’ outlet for the Vatican, although it is not an official mouthpiece of the papacy… The political alliance between Catholics and American Protestants that is at the heart of Spadaro’s article emerged in the late 20th century… Spadaro said this relationship has ‘gradually radicalized,’ dividing the world into only good and evil and promoting division and hatred.

“The reverend specifically criticized the Catholic American media organization ChurchMilitant.com. Spadaro said the media outlet framed the presidential election as a ‘spiritual war’ and Trump’s ascent to the presidency as ‘a divine election.’…”

The Bible shows that a military and religious Europe will attack the USA. The condemnation of religious fundamentalism in the USA—including Evangelicals and American Catholics—must be seen in this light as well.

Catholic Church on the Verge of Capsizing?

Breitbart wrote on July 16:

“The Catholic Church is a boat ‘on the verge of capsizing,’ said Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI in a personal message for the funeral Mass of his close friend, Cardinal Joachim Meisner on Saturday. Given his inability to travel, the usually silent retired Pope delivered the message in writing, and had it read aloud in the Cologne Cathedral…In the text, Benedict said that Cardinal Meisner… ‘learned to let go and to live out of a deep conviction that the Lord does not abandon His Church, even when the boat has taken on so much water as to be on the verge of capsizing.’

“Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI turned 90 years old on Easter Sunday, after which he gave a rare birthday speech inside the Vatican expressing his thanksgiving to God for the gift of life… Benedict… retired as pope on Feb. 28, 2013, the first pontiff to do so in 600 years…”

One wonders what role, if any, former Pope Benedict might still play or may be playing on the world scene.

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 G-20 Summit—What Is It?

The Telegraph wrote on July 8:

“The G20 is made up of the world’s leading industrialised and emerging economies. The Group of 20 accounts for 85 per cent of world GDP and two-thirds of its population. Much of the summit’s most important business takes place on the sidelines and in informal meetings… UK, US, Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, Italy, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Australia, South Africa, South Korea, Japan, China, India, Brazil, Argentina and Russia are… part of the club. A representative from the EU is also involved…

“The first G20 summit of world leaders was held in Washington in 2008, hosted by President George W. Bush, as countries coordinated a response to the global financial meltdown… Many believe the G20’s failure to deliver on many past pledges raises questions about the credibility of future promises.”

During the latest summit, not too many unanimous promises were made in the first place, due to the resistance of the USA, as the next articles will show.

G-20 Summit—Disagreements between USA and the Rest of the World

Der Spiegel Online wrote on July 8:

“German Chancellor Angela Merkel didn’t mince words on Saturday when talking about the results of the G-20 summit in Hamburg… She said that the disagreement with the U.S. was clearly stated in the [summit’s closing] declaration. She also said she doesn’t share the belief of some that the U.S. will ultimately return to the Paris climate agreement… adding that the closing declaration clearly enunciates the dissent between the U.S. and the other 19 members of the G-20…”

Remarkable Scale of Disharmony

The Mercury News wrote on July 8:

“President Donald Trump and other world leaders on Saturday emerged from two days of talks unable to resolve key differences on core issues such as climate change and globalization, slapping an exclamation point on a divisive summit that left other nations fearing for the future of global alliances in the Trump era. The scale of disharmony was remarkable… European leaders said that a chasm has opened between the United States and the rest of the world…

“The divisions were most bitter on climate change, where 19 leaders formed a unified front against Trump. But even in areas of nominal compromise, such as trade, top European leaders said they have little faith that an agreement forged today could hold tomorrow.”

The Distance Has Widened

AFP wrote on July 8:

“… the distance between the US leader and America’s long-standing partners has widened with his climate-sceptic opinions and ‘America First’ policy. The growing rift has turned this year’s G20 summit… into one of the stormiest in the forum’s history.”

The relationship between the USA under President Trump and Europe is deteriorating. Very soon, a strong leader will arise in Europe to stand up to American nationalism and protectionism, while introducing European nationalism in response. The results will be catastrophic for the entire world.

Europe—We Could Respond to Trump with Arms within Days

The Washington Post wrote on July 7:

“The growing international isolation of the United States under President Trump was starkly apparent Friday as the leaders of major world economies mounted a nearly united opposition front against Washington on issues ranging from climate to free trade… there were tough clashes with the United States and even talk of a possible transatlantic trade war…

“In one of the most consequential decisions of his young administration, Trump could… impose the restrictions on steel, a move that could affect trade with more than a dozen major countries. ‘We will respond with countermeasures if need be, hoping that this is not actually necessary,” European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told reporters, adding figuratively: ‘We are prepared to take up arms if need be.’ Juncker warned that Europe would respond in days, not months, if Trump announces the restrictions.

“The comments made for a remarkable display of disharmony as the gathering got underway. They also were a reflection of how European officials not only do not fear Trump but also see much to gain from opposing him. Trump is deeply unpopular in Europe, and politicians here can get a boost when they emphasize their differences…”

Even though Juncker’s comments might have been figurative now, they will become brutal reality in the near future.

Trump Mocked over Cyber Unit With Russia Plan

The Week wrote on July 9:

“President Trump sent out a string of tweets Sunday morning reflecting on the G-20 summit and specifically his first face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He recounted ‘strongly press[ing] President Putin twice about Russian meddling in our election’ before arguing ‘it is time to move forward in working constructively with Russia’ by ‘forming an impenetrable Cyber Security unit’ with Moscow to prevent election hacking…

“Following his morning tweet, Trump was mocked by Democrats and Republicans alike, including Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who said on Meet the Press it was ‘not the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard – but it’s pretty close,’ and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who told CNN’s State of the Union he thought the U.S. ‘might as well mail our ballot boxes to Moscow.’ [Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) tweeted that working ‘with Putin on a “Cyber Security Unit” is akin to partnering with Assad on a “Chemical Weapons Unit”‘.] After dealing with jokes at his expense all day, Trump broached the topic again on Sunday night, this time backtracking from what he said 13 hours earlier [stating that it might not happen or may not work].”

President Trump had to realize very quickly that his cozying up to Vladimir Putin is deeply unpopular in the USA, including among many of his supporters.

Trump Loses Badly Against Putin

The EUObserver wrote on July 11:

“The meeting between US president Donald Trump and Russian president Vladimir Putin at the G20 summit, which took place on 7-8 July in Hamburg, confirmed the expected naivete of the American president… The fact that Trump and Putin discussed the Russian meddling into the US presidential election, and that Trump accepted Putin’s claims at face value that Russia was not involved is sad and naive.

“This is doubly so as all US security and intelligence agencies repeatedly confirm the exact opposite of what their Denier-in-Chief publicly tweets, while his inner circle is being investigated because of their Russian connections.

“I did not know whether to laugh or cry when Trump and Putin announced they wanted to set up a cyber security unit, so that election-tampering cybercrimes were ‘under control’. The image this idea brought to my mind was of creating an anti-burglary working group with a burglar who had just cleared out your house.

“But at least this farce will not create any real damage – except turning the US administration into a laughing stock and damaging the US’ global image – as the message from Trump is clear: Feel free to attack us, nothing will happen to you if you deny it nicely and with a smile.

“The real damage was done a bit later in the meeting, when Trump agreed to Putin’s ‘demand’ that the two countries will not interfere in each other’s affairs. Donald Trump has thus equated Russian election manipulations and repeated attacks on the US democratic system with a long-standing cornerstone of US policy, to support democracy and the rule of law around the world – especially in places where there is little of both.

“The Kremlin is undoubtedly excited about this result, as it allows it to claim that the growing civil unrest in Russia was caused by American meddling in Russian domestic affairs and not by the ever worsening economic and political situation in Russia. But many authoritarian politicians in Central Europe will be excited too, as they have built their career on fear-mongering and fighting an imaginary enemy labelled interchangeably as Washington, Brussels or Berlin.

“After Trump shot down free trade from the agenda, limited US involvement around the world, and refused to fight climate change he chose to kill the US support for democracy-building in countries where simply asking for a free election may land you in jail. And he did not even get anything in return for this enormous concession to Putin…

“There are far too many red flags raised by the Trump administration.

“To name only a few: making deals with Russia on Syria while cutting Europe out of the discussion; dithering about the validity of Nato’s mutual defence clause (Article 5) and transatlantic defence cooperation; closing the US to international trade and trying to dismantle the Paris agreement on climate change.

“All this means we need to work together, not only as the European Union, but also by engaging with other European countries to make sure they are not left behind… A few years ago I would not have expected myself to say that the EU is the leader of the West… [Trump] has done what Vladimir Putin’s threats have failed to do – unite us and make us focus on the future as we push forward in closer integration, defence and security cooperation, as well as forging trade deals that strengthen our economies.”

Again, we find that Europeans want to take their fate in their own hands, while deeply distrusting America’s reliability and Donald Trump’s competency.

Violence in Germany— Debacle for Merkel?

AFP wrote on July 8:

“The violent clashes in Hamburg meant that US First Lady Melania Trump was unable to join fellow leaders’ spouses on a tour of Hamburg harbour, while the car tyres of the Canadian delegation were slashed. Militants torched cars, smashed windows and broke up paving slabs to throw stones at riot police who resorted to water cannon and tear gas as helicopters buzzed overhead…

“… the influential Bild daily slammed Merkel in a stinging editorial, calling the summit a ‘debacle’ for the chancellor ahead of elections in September. ‘Of course the police did all it could. But the street belonged to the mob. The feeling of general security that the state must guarantee has ceased to exist in Hamburg over the last 48 hours,’ Bild thundered.”

AFP wrote on July 10:

“Nearly 500 police officers were injured in clashes with protesters during the G20 summit… after fresh riots broke out overnight. Violence continued to rage after G20 leaders returned home Saturday, with far-left protesters setting fire to a number of vehicles into the early morning hours, police said. Demonstrators gathered after the close of the summit in the Schanzen district, a stronghold for radicals which was the site of multiple confrontations since Thursday. Armed with glass bottles and targeting vehicles, many of which they set on fire, the rioters were pushed back by officers, using water cannon and tear gas…

“Earlier President Frank-Walter Steinmeier surveyed the damage and visited wounded officers in hospital with Hamburg Mayor Olaf Scholz, saying he was ‘shocked and dismayed’ by the ‘will to destroy shown by demonstrators against police and private citizens’ property’.

“… The explosion of violence at the meeting had sparked pointed questions over how Hamburg could descend into ‘mob rule’ and why Chancellor Angela Merkel chose a hotbed of leftist militancy as the venue. Hamburg, a vibrant port city, is a citadel of anti-capitalist radicals and authorities had long been bracing for possible violence on the sidelines of the summit.

“… The German police officers’ union GdP on Friday hit out at so-called black bloc anarchists, accusing them of ‘hijacking peaceful demonstrations by tens of thousands of people to deliberately attack’ police.”

The debate will continue, and it might have some influence on the September election.

Praying for the President

The Daily Mail wrote on July 12:

“Evangelical pastor Rodney Howard-Browne led a prayer circle alongside his wife Adonica in the White House [laying their hands on Donald Trump’s back] and then shared the image on Facebook…

“Mr Howard-Browne… wrote: ‘Yesterday I was asked by Pastor [and Trump’s “spiritual advisor”] Paula White-Cain to pray over our 45th President – what a humbling moment standing in the Oval Office – laying hands and praying for our President – Supernatural Wisdom, Guidance and Protection – who could ever even imagine – wow – we are going to see another great spiritual awakening.’

“Mr Howard-Browne’s teachings on the concept of ‘holy laughter‘ – an outpouring of joy caused by the Holy Spirit – helped to inspire the Toronto Blessing, which many believe to be an instance of mass blessing which took place in 1994.

“President Trump put his Christian faith at the front and center of his campaign for the presidency, and made a particular point of appealing to evangelicals… It was Trump’s positioning of himself as a defender of the faith – at one point vowing ‘to protect Christianity’ – that saw him ultimately defeat Ted Cruz to become the Republican nominee.

“And this latest image attracted a lot of support on social media.

“Writing on the Facebook post, Melinda S. Wiley wrote: ‘Thank you Jesus! Cover Your President Lord! Anoint him and fill him with the Holy Spirit for Your will to be done! Hallelujah! Thank you Abba!’

“Tammie Rogers added: ‘Praise God fill him Jesus with your spirit keep your hands on him. It’s time we have a president that puts America first and belief in the almighty God the one that can change everything…’

“But not everyone was convinced by the show of faith.

“Kenneth Averell said: ‘Lord help us all. How anyone sees Trump as the savior of the evangelicals is beyond me. Doesn’t have a Christian bone in his body. Doesn’t attend church. Multiple divorces. Adultery. Literally about every single commandment he’s broken. We’re all sinners, but c’mon, the evangelical right is choosing this guy to lead their ‘spiritual awakening’?”

IF there is a “spiritual awakening” in America, it most certainly will not be an awakening to the God of the Bible and His commandments. What we are observing is a belief in a totally false version of true Christianity with all its wrong doctrines and practices—taught by the fallen woman, Babylon the Great.

Category 5 Hurricane… White House in Chaos

The Washington Post wrote on July 11:

“The White House has been thrust into chaos after days of ever-worsening revelations about a meeting between Donald Trump Jr. and a lawyer characterized as representing the Russian government, as the president fumes against his enemies and senior aides circle each other with suspicion…  President Trump — who has been hidden from public view since returning last weekend from a divisive international summit — is enraged that the Russia cloud still hangs over his presidency and is exasperated that his eldest son and namesake has become engulfed by it…

“The disclosure that Trump Jr. met with a Russian attorney, believing he would receive incriminating information about Hillary Clinton as part of the Kremlin’s effort to boost his father’s candidacy, has set back the administration’s faltering agenda and rattled the senior leadership team. Even supporters of Trump Jr. who believe he faces no legal repercussions privately acknowledged Tuesday that the story is a public relations disaster — for him as well as for the White House. One outside ally called it a ‘Category 5 hurricane’… Even Vice President Pence sought to distance himself from the controversy, with his spokesman noting that Trump Jr.’s meeting occurred before Pence joined the ticket…”

Deutsche Welle added on July 11:

“In a televised interview on Tuesday, US President Donald Trump’s eldest son denied a meeting with a Russian lawyer during the 2016 election campaign had yielded potentially explosive information about Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton… Hours earlier, Trump Jr. released an email thread [but only after he had been informed that the New York Times had the full story and was about to publish it] that showed him discussing an offer to receive damaging material on Clinton…

“… The emails are the first documentary evidence disclosed showing that a Trump family member was willing to accept a meeting with a Russian government source in order to help Trump score favorably in the 2016 election. The private meeting, first reported by the New York Times, is just one of the many threads in a deepening scandal surrounding Trump’s road to the White House. Several Congressional and FBI investigations are looking into whether Trump’s entourage colluded with Moscow to influence the outcome of last November’s presidential vote…”

Then-campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, also attended the meeting. 

The Week added on July 13:

“Last month, President Trump’s attorneys were told about the email chain from June 2016 between Donald Trump Jr. and Rob Goldstone setting up a meeting for Trump Jr. with a Kremlin-connected attorney…

“… on Wednesday, Trump told Reuters he first heard about it ‘two or three days ago.’… Yahoo News reports Trump’s chief lawyer in the Russia investigation, Marc Kasowitz, and Alan Garten, executive vice president and chief legal officer of the Trump Organization, found out about the emails in the third week of June, after they were discovered by Kushner’s lawyers.”

No Connection with the Kremlin?

The gatewaypundit wrote on July 11:

“More information leaked out today on Russian attorney Natalia Veselnitskaya. [She] told NBC News on Monday she was not with the Kremlin as was reported by The New York Times… The law firm where Veselnitskaya is listed as managing partner, Kamerton Consulting, is based in a Moscow suburb… Her office in Moscow may be a shell. There is no working phone, email or website…

“Natalia Veselnitskaya was sitting with Obama’s Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul during a Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, 8 days after cold-contacting Trump Jr. in Trump Tower.”

Der Spiegel Online wrote on July 12 that her strong ties and close connections with Russian governmental agencies pose questions.

“Criminally Stupid”

The New York Post Editorial Board wrote on July 11:

“Democrats and the media are frothing to find something criminal in it all, with the most unhinged talking treason. What it clearly was, was criminally stupid.”

The Huffington Post wrote on July 12:

“Donald Trump Jr. has defended his meeting with a Kremlin-linked lawyer by saying he didn’t get anything out of it, but Fox News commentator Charles Krauthammer isn’t buying it… ‘If you get a call to go to a certain place in the middle of the night to pick up stolen goods and it turns out the stolen goods don’t show up but the cops show up,’ he added, ‘I think you’re going to have a very weak story saying, “Well, I got swindled here.”… ‘This is a foreign power, and not just any foreign power, an adversary foreign power.’”

Whether legally relevant or not, the mistakes and misjudgments by some within the Trump clan are truly amazing.

How Donald Trump Jr. Changed His Story

The Associated Press wrote on July 12:

“President Donald Trump… dismissed the ongoing Russia investigation as the ‘greatest Witch Hunt in political history.’…

“Trump Jr.’s account of the meeting, its nature and purpose has evolved over the past several days… On Saturday, in his initial description of the encounter, Trump Jr. said it was a ‘short introductory meeting’ focused on the disbanded program that had allowed American adoptions of Russian children.

“A day later, Trump Jr. changed his account, acknowledging that he was told beforehand that Veselnitskaya might have information ‘helpful’ to the Trump campaign, and was told by her during the meeting that she had something about Clinton. In his most recent description of what occurred, on Tuesday, Trump Jr. said he had believed the information he would hear about Clinton would be political opposition research.”

FBI Nominee Wray Disputes ‘Witch Hunt’ Label for Russia Probe

Bloomberg News reported on July 12:

“Christopher Wray pledged ‘strict independence’ if confirmed to head the FBI, as senators focused on his ability to pursue investigations independently amid revelations about a meeting the president’s son held with a Russian lawyer during last year’s campaign… Pushing back on President Donald Trump’s repeated dismissals of the federal Russia probe now led by special counsel Robert Mueller, Wray said, ‘I do not consider Director Mueller to be on a witch hunt.’”

Revised GOP Health Bill Immediately in Danger of Failing

The Week wrote on July 13:

“Senate Republicans on Thursday released a revised draft of their plan to repeal and replace ObamaCare, and its chances of passage already look slim. The new bill puts an additional $70 billion toward covering out-of-pocket costs and $45 billion toward battling the opioid epidemic; adds a provision that would allow people to use health savings accounts to pay their premiums; and enables insurers to provide lower-premium plans that provide less coverage as long as they offer at least one plan that follows ObamaCare standards.

“Cuts to Medicaid remain largely intact. Republican leadership is eyeing a vote next week, but Sens. Susan Collins (Maine), Rob Portman (Ohio), and Rand Paul (Ky.) have already indicated their opposition, enough to defeat the bill.”

Recapture of Iraq’s Mosul from “Islamic State”

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 10:

“Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Monday formally announced victory over the ‘Islamic State’ (IS) militants who have held the city of Mosul for three years… US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called the liberation of Mosul after a nearly nine-month offensive a ‘critical milestone’ in the fight against the extremist group… The US president later also issued a statement saying that ‘the victory in Mosul’ signaled that IS’ ‘days in Iraq and Syria are numbered.’

“But Iraq’s prime minister warned that the work of creating stability in Mosul and clearing smaller IS cells still remained…

“Many of those who have fled the city are unlikely to be able to return any time soon, the UN says, as the city has been extensively damaged in fighting. The Iraqi government has said that in the Old City, some 65 percent of buildings have been severely damaged, while destruction in western neighborhoods such as Zanjili is even greater. IS still controls areas south and west of Mosul, and is expected to wage an insurgency from its nearby strongholds…”

ISIS is by no means defeated, and it is feared that radical and demon-inspired ISIS terrorists and sympathizers will continue to murder innocent people in cowardly attacks around the world.

Germany Starts to Withdraw Troops from Turkey

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 9:

“Germany has started to withdraw troops from a Turkish air base where they have been supporting international operations against the so-called ‘Islamic State.’… A German defense ministry spokesman said on Sunday that the withdrawal… was the next step in one of several bilateral disputes between Germany and Turkey…

“German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday that a bilateral meeting with Turkish President Erdogan had revealed ‘deep differences’ between the two NATO allies… According to German news magazine Der Spiegel, two supply airplanes will be transferred to an air base near al Azraq in Jordan…”

The relationship between Germany and Turkey will not be getting any better, as long as dictator Erdogan is in power, and Turkey has no chance of obtaining membership in the EU. A transfer of German troops and equipment to Jordan is quite remarkable, as al Azraq is much closer to Jerusalem than the current base in Turkey.

Hebron Belongs to Israel

The Times of Israel wrote on July 9, 2017:

“Raging over a decision by a UN body to declare Hebron’s Tomb of the Patriarchs a part of endangered Palestinian heritage, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday recited Biblical verses [Genesis 23:16-19] meant to prove the millennia-old Jewish connection to the West Bank site.

“… the United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organization (UNESCO) voted to list Hebron’s Old City, home to the shrine holy as the burial place of Abraham and other biblical patriarchs and matriarchs, as an endangered Palestinian world heritage site…”

The Associated Press added on July 7:

“Hebron is part of the West Bank, a territory captured by Israel in the 1967 Mideast war. The international community considers it to be occupied. Palestinians claim the West Bank is an integral part of a future independent state, a position that is widely backed internationally… In the meantime, Israel has built dozens of settlements in the West Bank housing about 400,000 Israelis. The Palestinians – and most of the world – consider these to be illegal obstacles to peace…

“Hebron is especially contentious. Several hundred ultranationalist settlers live in heavily guarded enclaves in the city, amid about 170,000 Palestinians. There is frequent friction between the two populations… Many of the Palestinians involved in the current wave of attacks that began in 2005 came from Hebron…”

There will be no peace between Israel and its neighbors until Christ returns. Current and future negotiations and talks will fail and Europe will try to impose “peace” in the Middle East with military means, but this will fail too.

Turmoil over Germany’s Sale of Submarines to Israel

JTA wrote on July 12:

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s personal attorney in a corruption investigation into the purchase of German submarines was placed under house arrest. Police questioned David Shimron, 65, who is also a cousin and friend of Netanyahu, on Monday and placed him under house arrest for three days…

“Police suspect a series of crimes was committed surrounding the purchase of three submarines from the German company ThyssenKrupp, including bribery, fraud, tax evasion and money laundering. Germany has authorized the sale of the submarines to Israel, though with a clause that allows the deal to be canceled over the results of the investigation…

“Former Defense Minister Moshe Yaalon… said Netanyahu will be indicted in the affair. Yaalon, who served as defense minister in 2015 at the time of the deal, was opposed to the purchase. ‘Too many issues are under investigation,’ Yaalon said, also referring to investigations regarding gifts from businessmen overseas and an alleged deal with the editor of a major Israeli newspaper for favorable coverage…”

Are there any honest politicians out there? See the next article.

Corruption in Brazil

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 12:

“The presiding federal judge in Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s corruption trial told Brazilian media… that the ex-president will be facing a nine-and-a-half-year jail term for corruption and money laundering. He was accused of receiving a three-story beachfront  apartment in the Atlantic coast municipality of Guaruja in exchange for helping the OAS construction company obtain lucrative government contracts with the state oil company Petrobas… On multiple occassions, Lula has expressed his desire to run for president in 2018…

“Lula is one of the most prominent Brazilian politicians among the 179 individuals who faced charges in operation ‘Car Wash’ (Lava Jato), an extensive corruption probe that uncovered widespread bribery among Brazil’s elites. The investigation revealed that politicians received billions in kickbacks from construction firms… Former presidents Henrique Cardoso and Dilma Rousseff, who was impeached in relation to the Petrobas scandal, remain under investigation.”

Crazy Canadian Ruling

Israel National News wrote on July 10:

“John Alabi, 53, is a Christian and a landlord who lives in the Toronto area and is being ordered to pay a fine of $12,000 by the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal because he failed to remove his shoes when he entered the apartment he was renting to a Muslim couple… His crime, according to the tribunal, is religious discrimination.

“The tenants were planning to move out of his rental home, and he says he gave the couple the required 24-hour’s notice that he would be showing the apartment to another tenant. They told him not to come while they were praying, and to text first. He agreed. But when they stopped answering his text messages, he showed up at the apartment.

“The Muslim tenants waited eight months before filing their grievance with the human rights tribunal, where they receive free representation, the Toronto Sun reported… The tribunal agreed he harassed them and failed in his duty to accommodate their religious needs – and awarded them $6,000 each – plus interest…”

We agree that this is a case of religious discrimination… by the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal against a Christian.

Pope: Distorted World View by USA, Russia and Others

CNS wrote on July 8:

“Pope Francis told the Italian newspaper La Repubblica on Thursday that the United States of America and Russia, China, North Korea and Bashar al Assad’s Syria-have ‘a distorted vision of the world’…  ‘The danger concerns immigration,’ the pope continued… In the same interview, according to La Repubblica, Pope Francis said that Europe must take on a ‘federal structure.’”

If the Pope means by federal structure that Europe should become ONE entity under a federal head, then this is exactly what will happen.

Eradicated Diseases Can Easily Be Brought Back

Yahoo News reported on July 10:

“Only a few hundred years ago the world’s most feared disease was smallpox. Smallpox killed millions, and no one was safe. But thanks to a global campaign to eradicate the disease… smallpox no longer exists. No one has suffered from smallpox since 1978…

“But all that it would take to change that might be a bit of cash and some DNA. A group of researchers at the University of Alberta managed to recreate a relative of smallpox called horsepox,  another extinct virus. The team purchased DNA fragments from a commercial DNA company and combined them to create a fully-functioning horsepox genome, which they used to create more copies of the virus.

“The entire process took around half a year and cost the team about $100,000, meaning that it may be possible for another small lab to replicate the work. That team could recreate any pox virus-including the deadly smallpox-with minimal effort. There are even fears that terrorists or a rogue nation could resurrect smallpox for use as a biological weapon.

“If that does happen, it could be disastrous… it’s a bit worrying to realize that no matter how thoroughly we eradicate a disease, all it takes to bring it back again is a little money.”

This is indeed frightening, as the Bible predicts that diseases which were meant to have been eradicated, such as the Plague or the Black Death, will return.

Temperature Adjustments by Scientists to Support Global Warming

The Daily Caller wrote on July 5:

“A new study found adjustments made to global surface temperature readings by scientists in recent years ‘are totally inconsistent with published and credible U.S. and other temperature data.’ ‘Thus, it is impossible to conclude from the three published [global average surface temperature (GAST)] data sets that recent years have been the warmest ever – despite current claims of record setting warming,’ according to a study published June 27 by two scientists and a veteran statistician…

“Climate scientists often apply adjustments to surface temperature thermometers to account for ‘biases’ in the data. The new study doesn’t question the adjustments themselves but notes nearly all of them increase the warming trend…”

We find again that “scientific” research and results are highly overrated.

Coffee Drinkers Live Longer and Have Lower Risks of Disease

On July 10, the San Diego Union Tribune published the following article:

“Coffee drinkers live longer, according to two large-scale studies released Monday that add to extensive research indicating coffee consumption is associated with better health. The studies examined the health histories of hundreds of thousands of people who were tracked over many years. They found that coffee-drinking reduced the risk of various diseases among people from several ethnicities, and this effect was seen in drinkers of regular or decaffeinated coffee. And the more coffee consumed, the greater the benefit.

“These are observational studies, not controlled clinical trials. So while they demonstrate an association, they don’t prove cause and effect. But at the least, researchers said the latest evidence reinforces a large body of previous reports indicating there’s no harm from coffee — and that it might very well benefit people’s health…

“Funded by the National Cancer Institute, [one California study] examined coffee-drinking habits among more than 180,000 whites, African-Americans, Latinos, Japanese-Americans and native Hawaiians. They were followed for an average of 16 years. [Another European study, which was funded by the European Commission Directorate-General for Health and Consumers and International Agency for Research on Cancer] examined coffee-drinking among more than 520,000 adults from 10 European countries.

“The [California] study… found those drinking one cup of coffee daily had a 12 percent lower risk of death from heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, respiratory and kidney disease. For those drinking 3 cups a day, the risk reduction rose to 18 percent…

“The [European] study… likewise found a lower death risk from various ailments, including digestive, circulatory and liver disease…

“The coffee tree is believed to have originated in Ethiopia. The beans were originally eaten for energy before the art of brewing the beverage was discovered. About 1,000 years ago, its use was first described in writing by Avicenna, the medieval Persian physician/philosopher. Coffee’s use spread throughout the Moslem world in the next few centuries. The first coffee houses opened in Istanbul and other parts of the Ottoman Empire. It gradually became popular in Europe, and gained predominance in the nascent United States as a patriotic alternative to drinking tea…”

Coffee drinkers have known these results for a long time—in spite of those “experts” who have been claiming that coffee is hazardous to your health.

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.

Independence Day in July Around the World

The newsletter of 123greetings wrote on July 2:

“While Canada celebrates its 150th anniversary of Confederation on 1st of July in the biggest Canada Day party in Ottawa over the entire long weekend, the United States of America is gearing up for Fourth of July jubilations. It is the day it attained its independence from Great Britain in 1776… Many other countries are celebrating Independence day in July which includes Venezuela, Somalia, Slovakia, Rwanda, Peru, Maldives, Liberia, Belgium, Bahamas [and] Argentina…”

It is interesting that all these “Independence days” are celebrated in July.

Israel’s Plot on the Temple Mount?

Israel National News wrote on June 27:

“Dr. Najah Bakirat, director of the Koran Academy at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, called on Muslims to save the northern and eastern parts of the Temple Mount from Jewish visitors and to prevent the ‘occupation’ from implementing its ‘destructive’ plans…

“According to Bakirat, there is an Israeli plan to build a synagogue and to open the ‘Gate of Mercy’ on the eastern side of the Temple Mount, which has been closed since the days of Saladin in 1187 CE…. He also said that Israel is interested in separating the northern part of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a name he used to describe the entire Temple Mount, and erect a synagogue there. In order to thwart the plan, he urged Muslims… to build on the site…

“The Palestinian Authority and radical Palestinian Arab Islamists… maintain that the two Holy Temples never existed. They claim the site as a solely Muslim and Palestinian Arab site.”

Whether or not Bakirat’s statements are nothing more than invented propaganda, ultimately, Israel WILL build a Third Temple on the Temple Mount. The claim that the first two Temples never existed is provocative ridiculous nonsense.

Israel No Sovereignty over Old Jerusalem?

Israel National News wrote on July 4:

“UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee passed a resolution condemning Israel for its policies in the Old City of Jerusalem Tuesday. Ten member states voted in favor of the resolution, three voted against it, and three states abstained. The resolution refers to Israel ‘the occupying power’ in its capital and denies Israel’s claims to the Old City and eastern Jerusalem.”

Since Israel considers Jerusalem as its undivided capital, tensions in the region are bound to continue.

A Red Heifer in 2018?

Israel National News wrote on June 28:

“Raise a Red Heifer in Israel Project Update: Good News: Expecting Potential Red Heifers in 2018.

“Yitzchak Reuven shares an update on the Temple Institute’s Raise a Red Heifer in Israel project with the exciting news that five red angus cows are currently carrying potential red heifer candidates. This good news of course coincides with this week’s Torah reading of Chukat, in which the laws of the Red Heifer are presented.”

Although the Bible nowhere prescribes the existence and use of a red heifer as a prerequisite for the building of the Third Temple, many orthodox Jews believe that a red heifer is to be used first to “clean” the area of the Temple Mount. While many Jews reject this idea, it is interesting to see whether such a red heifer will be born.

UK Threatens to Close Jewish School for Not Teaching LGBT Agenda

Israel National News wrote on June 28:

“A private [Jewish] school with 212 students in northern London is in danger of being ordered to close after it failed its third inspection since February 2016 last month. The school, which teaches… girls ages three to eight, was reported as not giving students ‘a full understanding of fundamental British values’ because they do not teach the LGBT agenda…

“According to [the government,] the girls ‘are not taught explicitly about issues such as sexual orientation. This restricts the pupils’ spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development and does not promote the equality of opportunity in ways that take account of differing lifestyles.’…”

This policy of “understanding of British values” is shameful and abominable in God’s eyes, as is the concept explained in our next article.

Same-Sex Marriages Legal in Germany

The Independent wrote on June 30:

“Germany’s parliament has voted to legalise same-sex marriage by 393 votes to 226, despite Angela Merkel opposing the move… ‘For me, marriage in German law is marriage between a man and a woman and that is why I did not vote in favour of this bill today,’ she told reporters moments after the historic vote…

“Hundreds of members of the Bundestag rose to their feet in a spontaneous standing ovation…

“Ms Merkel, herself married twice, has always been unequivocal with her personal opposition to marriage equality, citing German law, her values as an evangelical Christian and those of her party, which describes its foundations as the ‘Christian understanding between people and their accountability before God’…

“The Netherlands was the first European country to legalise same-sex marriage, back in 2001, followed by countries including Belgium, Spain, Canada, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Iceland, Denmark, France and the UK…”

Please watch our new sermon, “Lot in Sodom.”

New German Law: “Delete Hate Speech or Pay Up”

The New York Times wrote on June 30:

“Social media companies operating in Germany face fines of as much as $57 million if they do not delete illegal, racist or slanderous comments and posts within 24 hours under a law passed on Friday…

“Technology companies and free speech advocates argue that there is a fine line between policy makers’ views on hate speech and what is considered legitimate freedom of expression…

“The law will take effect in October, less than a month after nationwide elections, and will apply to social media sites with more than two million users in Germany. It will require companies including Facebook, Twitter and Google, which owns YouTube, to remove any content that is illegal in Germany — such as Nazi symbols or Holocaust denial — within 24 hours of it being brought to their attention. The law allows for up to seven days for the companies to decide on content that has been flagged as offensive, but that may not be clearly defamatory or inciting violence. Companies that persistently fail to address complaints by taking too long to delete illegal content face fines that start at 5 million euros, or $5.7 million, and could rise to as much as €50 million…

“Germany… has some of the most stringent anti-hate speech laws in the Western world… The standoff between tech companies and politicians is most acute in Europe, where freedom of expression rights are less comprehensive than in the United States…”

These are VERY dangerous developments. Who is to decide as to what constitutes hate speech? Is one engaging in hate speech when quoting biblical passages condemning homosexuality? Some hateful proponents of “anti-hate” speech laws would think so.

Germany and France to Lead Europe

The EUReporter wrote on June 27:

“France and Germany will take the lead on post-Brexit reforms starting this year, the European Union’s second-in-command [Dutchman Frans Timmermans] said… Timmermans said Russia’s resurgence has… played a role in galvanising Europe, as did U.S. President Donald Trump’s withdrawal from a global deal on fighting climate change, and his vague stance on European security guarantees under NATO…

“The unity of the remaining 27 EU states is widely seen as crucial for the unprecedented Brexit talks…”

The evolving European power bloc will indeed be led by Germany, with the help of France and other core nations. Euro News added on July 3: “Fears the US will withdraw its security umbrella from Europe could push countries to develop their own nuclear weapons, according to a group that monitors global arsenals.”

Austria Uses Armored Vehicles to Prevent Migrants Stuck in Italy from Entering Austria

The Telegraph wrote on July 4:

“Austria has deployed armoured vehicles close to its border with Italy and will send up to 750 soldiers to block any migrants trying to head north… The move reflects deep concern in Vienna and elsewhere in Europe over the huge number of asylum seekers who continue to cross the Mediterranean from Libya – so far this year more than 85,000 have been rescued and brought to Italy…

“There are concerns that when Austria holds an election in October, the far-Right Freedom Party could do well unless the government can seize the initiative on migration and border security. With France and Switzerland closing their borders to migrants since last year, the tens of thousands in Italy have nowhere to go… Italy says it can no longer be expected to deal single-handedly with the vast number of asylum seekers… The Italian government has warned that after years of taking in hundreds of thousands of migrants, the country is now at breaking point…”

Sadly, because of perceived political “needs,” the individual lives of victims are being overlooked.

Britain Withdraws from London Fisheries Convention

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 2:

“Britain on Sunday said it would withdraw from the London Fisheries Convention, which allows some other European countries to fish within an area between 6 and 12 nautical miles (11 and 22 km) of its coastline… However, withdrawing from the convention will mean that UK vessels will also no longer be permitted to fish in the area 6 to 12 nautical miles off the coast of the other countries covered by the agreement: Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland and the Netherlands…

“The signing of the London Fisheries Convention pre-dates Britain’s EU membership, and would thus still be in force after the country leaves the EU unless it starts the withdrawal period now…

“Fishing rights were the subject of heated debate in the run-up to the June 2016 Brexit referendum…”

It is highly debatable whether Britain’s withdrawal from the Fisheries Convention will be to Britain’s advantage or disadvantage. In the end, Britain is doomed to fall.

Trade Deal Between Europe and Japan?

Reuters reported on July 1:

“Japan and the European Union are on the cusp of a wide-ranging free trade agreement that could help blunt the forces of protectionism sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies… Clinching a deal would offer Japan and Europe an important political victory and could raise questions about the U.S. government’s influence on the agenda for the global economy…

“European officials have been pushing for a reduction in Japanese tariffs on cheese and agriculture imports that are as high as 30 percent in return for phasing out tariffs on Japanese autos and auto parts… Japan and the EU have been negotiating a trade deal since 2013. The talks have taken on a greater sense of urgency since Trump walked away [from] the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), leaving the other 11 members of the Pacific Rim trading bloc, including Japan, in limbo.”

As America withdraws from the world scene, the vacuum will be filled by other powers. Note the next article.

Deutsche Welle reported on July 6:

“EU and Japanese officials have reached [an] agreement ‘in principle’ on a free trade deal. Both the EU and Japan have stressed that the pact is a rejection of the kind of protectionism US President Donald Trump advocates.”

The Washington Post added on June 6:

“Leaders from Japan and the European Union on Thursday announced their agreement on the broad strokes of a trade deal that will cover nearly 30 percent of the global economy, 10 percent of the world’s population and 40 percent of global trade.”

Making America Weak Again and Again

The Guardian wrote on July 2:

“This is the Trump paradox, five months into his presidency: the more he tries to assert US leadership, the less of a leadership role he plays. For someone who campaigned on the promise to make America great again, the reality of government has been an exercise in looking weak again and again… The scandals and investigations engulfing him are more profound and numerous than anything since Watergate…

“The Trump effect in the Middle East represents the kind of unpredictability that threatens to destabilize further a region already in turmoil. By improving relations with some allies, Trump has worsened relations with others. Along the way, he has jeopardized American national security interests…

“Instead of promoting American leadership, Trump is leaving a vacuum in Europe that is being filled by the German-French alliance. With Britain busy with its own Brexit chaos, that leaves Trump and the US with fewer friends and less influence…

“But the pace and the depth of Trump’s decline is astonishing… The first six months do not bode well for Trump or America’s fortunes. If this is Trump’s idea of a stronger America, his foreign foes have less to worry about than his friends.”

Sadly, this analysis is very true. America’s allies feel compelled to look elsewhere for leadership, stability, national security, strength and economic growth.

US Import Restrictions May Lead to Global Trade War

The Guardian wrote on July 1:

“Chinese and European diplomats have warned Donald Trump against reported plans to restrict imports of steel and aluminum – a strategy that risks triggering a global trade war. By invoking a rarely used law from the cold war era, the US president could limit imports of goods deemed critical to national defence and satisfy the ‘America first’ elements of his support base…

“Trump… told a meeting of top officials at the White House on Monday that he wants to impose tariffs [on China and other countries] as high as 20% on the metal, as well as potentially on other imports such as aluminum, semiconductors, paper and washing machines…”

The World Looks Past the USA

CNN wrote on July 4:

“… increasingly, top foreign policymakers from Germany to Iraq and Canada to Asia are contemplating a period when US leadership that many took for granted may be less evident in global affairs…

“It’s not just uncertainty about American global strategy that is convincing some allied leaders to look past the United States. Trump’s unpopularity makes it much more difficult for them politically to support him…”

Bloomberg added on July 3:

“When world leaders meet in Hamburg on Friday [for the G-20 summit] , China and Germany will move in to usurp the U.S.’s role. The two industrial powerhouses of Asia and Europe are being nudged into an informal alliance to pick up the leadership baton that the U.S. is accused of having dropped since President Donald Trump’s inauguration earlier this year… Trump risks finding himself alone against a united front of European allies, neighbors such as Canada and Mexico, and America’s former Cold War foes…”

Very soon, America will find itself completely alone in the world.

War With North Korea?

Newsmax wrote on July 5:

“United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley on Wednesday said North Korea’s intercontinental ballistic missile launch was ‘quickly closing off the possibility of a diplomatic solution’ and vowed that the U.S. would use ‘our considerable military forces … if we must.’… Haley called Pyongyang’s missile launch on Tuesday ‘a clear and sharp military escalation…

“North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un said Tuesday that Pyongyang had successfully tested an ICBM that rose more than 1,741 miles and traveled 578 miles from the launch site… CNN reported Wednesday that U.S. intelligence officials believed that the two-stage missile had never been seen before and had the capacity to reach Alaska…

“President Donald Trump also ripped China for continuing to trade with Pyongyang…”

War with North Korea is not beyond the realm of possibilities. But it would not be an easy and speedy task for America.

Donald Trump in Europe

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 6:

“If Donald Trump chose Warsaw for his first major European visit because he presumed there wouldn’t be protesters in the streets, Warsaw didn’t disappoint him… Trump didn’t let Warsaw down, either… ‘In the Polish people, we see the soul of Europe,’ he told them… ‘A strong Europe is a blessing for the West and for the world,’ the US president said.”

That Poland should be the soul of Europe is difficult to comprehend, and a strong Europe will decisively NOT be a blessing for the USA and the UK. On the other hand, “President Trump reaffirmed Article 5 of NATO, the alliance’s principle that an attack on one NATO nation is an attack on all of them, while calling out NATO nations for not spending enough on defense” (CNN, July 6).

 In Hamburg, ahead of the G-20 summit, which begins Friday, about 8,000 protesters clashed with the police.

The Week stated on July 6, “More than 20,000 officers will work during the summit, as 100,000 protesters are expected to march in Hamburg throughout the event.”

“Dollar Posts Biggest Quarterly Drop in Nearly Seven Years”

Reuters reported on July 1:

“The U.S. dollar… posted its biggest quarterly decline against a basket of rival currencies in nearly seven years… [amidst] doubts that U.S. President Donald Trump could enact his pro-growth agenda…

“The euro accelerated more than 7 percent against the greenback for its biggest quarterly percentage gain since the third quarter of 2010…”

The American economy is by no means as strong as the Trump Administration wants us to believe.

Republicans Stuck… Facing a Train Wreck

The Associated Press wrote on July 1:

“Republicans are stuck on health care, can’t pass a budget, and hopes for a big, bipartisan infrastructure package are fizzling. Overhauling the tax code looks more and more like a distant dream. The GOP-led Congress has yet to salt away a single major legislative accomplishment for President Donald Trump — and a summer of drift may lead to a logistical nightmare this fall… [It] is looking more and more like it’ll be a train wreck.

“… 20 GOP moderates signaled a revolt on the budget… announcing their opposition to an emerging plan to force cuts to government agencies and benefit programs such as food stamps…

“So it’s not just the Senate effort to repeal and replace Democrat Barack Obama’s health care law that’s foundering. The annual congressional budget measure — a prerequisite to this fall’s hoped-for tax effort — is languishing as well, as are the 12 annual spending bills that typically consume weeks of House floor time each summer.

“…are several other problems that need to be taken care of, including increasing the nation’s borrowing authority, preventing a government shutdown, and lifting budget ‘caps’ that are hobbling efforts to beef up the military. Unlike health care, the debt limit and a deal to fix the spending caps… can only be resolved with Democratic help. However… there’s no political pay-off, other than forestalling disaster.

“First, Congress is off on vacation to return in July for a three-week session. Then comes the traditional month-long August recess. After Labor Day comes a four-week sprint to October and the deadline to avert a government shutdown with a temporary spending bill — and to forestall a disastrous default on U.S. obligations by lifting the debt limit, which is a politically toxic vote for many Republicans…”

A grim and unpleasant picture indeed. The Bible tells us that America is destined to experience a complete and utter downfall in these end times.

US Child Protective Services (CPS) and Foster Care Homes Accused of Outrageous Conduct on a Large Scale

The Huffington Post wrote on June 24:

“CPS agencies need children in their foster care to meet their federal mandates. The federal funding is distributed to local communities, meaning the more children in the foster care system, the higher the paychecks for those involved. These funds extend to foster parents, teachers, attorneys, doctors, judges, therapists, caseworkers and coaches, as well as to several sub-agencies…

“64 percent of children are abused in foster care; people close to this industry believe the true number is closer to 87 percent… 80 percent of all foster care children are given sedation drugs… which entitles foster parents and all involved to larger payments… it is [a] CPS caseworker that decides what foster children be prescribed medication, not a doctor or therapist… caseworkers… benefit from legal immunity, meaning they cannot be held accountable for poor judgment or bad decisions that may lead to a missing child, child abuse or even a child’s death while in foster care…

“It takes one anonymous caller with a false allegation to have a child removed from a home. A caseworker may claim that a ‘parent has a history of mental illness’ or ‘a history of substance abuse,’ without referring to an incident, naming a doctor, referring to specialized diagnoses, or supplying medical records… in CPS courts parents are guilty until proven innocent, meaning a false allegation can lead to one’s children immediately being taken away, without a Hearing or Session.

“The majority of these parents are accused of ‘Abandonment,’ which covers a broad spectrum of situations, from parents working long hours at a minimum wage job, to a single mother with a terminal illness and even soldiers called to duty. And often, once the caseworker has placed the children in foster care and it is discovered that said allegations were false, caseworkers will look for other reasons to keep the children in CPS custody because of economic interests. Again, these allegations can lead to any child being placed into CPS/State Custody permanently…”

Since many outrageous examples of CPS misconduct were reported in the past, CPS agencies have earned a terrible reputation of incompetency, and much worse. But these facts, as described in this article, are of such despicable proportions that one must wonder why nothing is being done to correct these atrocities and perhaps dissolve CPS.

Myths of Transgender Ideology Exposed

The Daily Signal wrote on July 3:

“Twin studies prove no one is born ‘trapped in the body of the wrong sex.’… the idea that ‘feminized’ or ‘masculinized’ brains can be trapped in the wrong body from before birth… is a myth that has no basis in science… 75 to 95 percent of pre-pubertal children who were distressed by their biological sex eventually outgrew that distress. The vast majority came to accept their biological sex by late adolescence after passing naturally through puberty…

“There is an obvious self-fulfilling effect in helping children impersonate the opposite sex both biologically and socially. This is far from benign, since taking puberty blockers at age 12 or younger, followed by cross-sex hormones, sterilizes a child… the risks of cross-sex hormones include, but are not limited to, cardiac disease, high blood pressure, blood clots, strokes, diabetes, and cancers…

“Advocates… allege that suicide is the direct and inevitable consequence of withholding social affirmation and biological alterations from a gender-dysphoric child… there is no evidence that harassment and discrimination, let alone lack of affirmation, are the primary cause of suicide among any minority group… Over 90 percent of people who commit suicide have a diagnosed mental disorder… Adults who undergo sex reassignment… have a suicide rate nearly 20 times greater than that of the general population…

“… professionals are using the myth that people are born transgender to justify engaging in massive, uncontrolled, and unconsented experimentation on children who have a psychological condition that would otherwise resolve after puberty in the vast majority of cases. Today’s institutions that promote transition affirmation are pushing children to impersonate the opposite sex, sending many of them down the path of puberty blockers, sterilization, the removal of healthy body parts, and untold psychological damage. These harms constitute nothing less than institutionalized child abuse.”

The false transgender ideology is extremely harmful to children and parents. Note the next article as well.

Becoming Transgender Through Pills and Drugs?

The Telegraph wrote on July 2:

“A fifth of male fish are now transgender because of chemicals… being flushed down household drains… Male river fish are displaying feminised traits and even producing eggs, the study found. Some have reduced sperm quality…

“The chemicals causing these effects include ingredients in the contraceptive pill, by-products of cleaning agents, plastics and cosmetics… More than 200 chemicals from sewage plants have been identified with oestrogen-like effects and drugs such as antidepressants are also altering fish’s natural behavior…”

If chemicals have these effects on fish, causing transgender, maybe they have similar effects on humans.

Pride Parade on Day of Atonement

JTA wrote on July 4:

“North Carolina’s Jewish community is expressing disappointment and anger over the scheduling of the state’s annual Pride parade and festival on Yom Kippur. The NC Pride event in Durham has been held on the last Saturday of September for the past 17 years, according to organizers. This year, Saturday Sept. 30 is Yom Kippur…

“Several Jewish groups have marched in the parade in recent years… The conflict comes on the heels of an incident at the Chicago Dyke march in which three Jewish women were asked to leave over their Jewish Pride flags, which include a Star of David in the center of a rainbow flag.”

Jewish groups don’t seem to have a problem with participating in Pride Parades, even on the weekly Sabbath… but they only object to the Pride Parade on Yom Kippur. It was also reported in the press that on July 3, Oregon became the first state in the US to allow residents to mark their gender as “not specified” on applications for driver’s licenses, learner’s permits and identity cards. Other states will surely follow Oregon’s “lead.” The Oregon Transportation Commissioner stated that “It’s fitting that this is before us during Pride Week in Oregon and Pride Month around the country.”

Turmoil in the Catholic Church

The Associated Press wrote on July 1:

“Pope Francis declined Saturday to renew the mandate of the Vatican’s conservative doctrine chief… Cardinal Gerhard Mueller’s five-year term ends this weekend and he turns 70 in December. The normal retirement age for bishops is 75.  Francis could have kept him on, but declined to do so. The two have clashed over the pope’s openness to allowing civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion. Mueller has insisted they cannot, given church teaching on the indissolubility of marriage. [Church teaching holds that unless these Catholics receive an annulment, or a church decree that their first marriage was invalid, they are committing adultery and cannot receive Communion unless they abstain from sex.] The Jesuit pope tapped the No. 2 in the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Jesuit Monsignor Luis Ladaria Ferrer, to succeed Mueller.

“It was the second major shakeup this week, after Francis granted another Vatican hardliner, Cardinal George Pell, a leave of absence to return to his native Australia to face trial on sexual assault charges. Mueller and Pell were two most powerful cardinals in the Vatican, after the Vatican secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and their absences will likely create a power vacuum for the conservative wing in the Holy See hierarchy.

“Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI had tapped Mueller, his fellow German countryman, to lead the congregation in 2012. Benedict had taken a hard line against clerical sex abuse during his time as prefect of the congregation himself, and later as pope, defrocking hundreds of priests accused of raping and molesting children. It was also Benedict who insisted that bishops around the world send all cases of credibly accused priests to the congregation for processing, since bishops had for decades moved pedophiles around from parish to parish rather than sanction or report them to police…”

It will be interesting to see whether the conservative or the liberal wings will prevail in the Catholic Church.  What is happening in the Catholic Church mirrors to an extent what can be observed in some of the Sabbath-keeping Church of God organizations.

Gay Orgy in the Vatican

The Daily Mail wrote on July 5:

“Vatican police have broken up a gay orgy at the home of the secretary to one of Pope Francis’s key advisers… The flat belonged to the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is in charge of tackling clerical sexual abuse.”

The Black Death Is Alive

The website of npr wrote on June 29:

“Once known as the Black Death… the plague swept Europe 700 years ago, killing a third of the population — an estimated 25 million. It wiped out millions in China and Hong Kong in the late 1800s before people…

“Centuries later, the plague periodically pops up in countries across the globe — though at minor levels compared to its medieval heyday. In 2015, the World Health Organization recorded 320 cases across the globe, including 77 deaths. A flea-dwelling bacterium, Yersinia pestis, causes the scourge… the disease likely hitched a ride to the U.S. in 1900 on flea-infested rats, which had boarded steamships in Asia. Since then, infected fleas have taken up residence on [coyotes and] rodents including chipmunks, squirrels and prairie dogs across the southwest. New Mexico and neighboring states are nearly plague-perfect settings, with their buffet of possible rodent hosts…

“The plague can persist in rodent populations, especially wild ones, for a long time without affecting humans. But it can re-emerge… Once a rodent is infected, the illness can spread to wild carnivores that eat it, or to cats, dogs and people that come within flea-jump range… prairie dogs are particularly vulnerable to plague. If a whole colony gets the illness, the bacterium amplifies… As their rodent hosts die off, fleas will seek a new one… Sometimes, that new host can transport the fleas a few miles away and spread them to other animals. Cats and dogs can catch fleas while exploring outdoors, or they can drag infected rodents directly into the home. Sick cats, which are more susceptible to the disease than dogs, can also pass the infection to humans directly…

“In places with poor access to health care, the illness can be deadly on a larger scale…”

The Bible prophesies that in the future terrible disease epidemics, including the plague, will be responsible for the death of many people. Note our free booklet, “Biblical Prophecy—From Now Until Forever.”

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.

Coming–Violent Civil War in the USA?

The Week wrote on June 23:

“The most telling aspect of a crazed partisan’s 50-round assault on Republican lawmakers last week was that it was not all that surprising. Horrifying, yes. Shocking, no. Mass shootings have become as commonplace in this country as wildfires; partisan hatred has reached a fever pitch unseen since the 1960s, and perhaps the 1850s. Millions of people despise the other political tribe with a visceral passion, and the other tribe loathes them right back.

“Two decades ago… just 21 percent of Republicans and 17 percent of Democrats gave the other party a ‘very unfavorable’ rating. By last year, that contempt rating had shot up to 58 percent and 55 percent, respectively. More troubling still: 45 percent of Republicans and 41 percent of Democrats view the other party as ‘a threat to the nation’s well-being.’ Combine apocalyptic panic with the most polarizing presidency in modern times, frequent and increasingly violent conflicts between far-left and far-right protesters, and 300 million or so firearms, and you’ve got a nation whose RPM needle is climbing into the red zone.

“… Democrats and Republicans are self-segregating into geographic, cultural, and media ghettos of like-minded souls, making it easier to demonize those who are outside the wall…”

Obama Administration’s Inaction on Russia’s Meddling in US Elections

The Week wrote on June 23:

“On Friday, The Washington Post published an extraordinary, comprehensive report of the Obama administration’s action and inaction in the face of mounting evidence that Russia had severely affected the U.S. presidential election last year. ‘It is the hardest thing about my entire time in government to defend,’ one senior Obama administration official confessed. ‘I feel like we sort of choked.’

“The administration’s response is depicted as frustratingly hesitant, even as the severity of Russia’s actions became impossible to ignore. ‘Obama’s approach often seemed reducible to a single imperative: Don’t make things worse,’ the Post writes. Additionally, ‘the assumption that [Hillary] Clinton would win contributed to the lack of urgency.’ While Obama eventually took steps to ready an attack against Russia’s cyber-infrastructure, it falls on ‘President Trump to decide whether to use the capability.'”

The Senate’s Proposed Health Care Bill

The Huffington Post wrote on June 22:

“Senate Republicans released their draft health care bill Thursday, unveiling a proposed rollback of Medicaid expansion and funding while ensuring hefty tax cuts for the wealthy and health care companies. Among other things, the bill reduces the number of middle-income people eligible to get tax credits for private health insurance, eliminates the individual and employer mandates, and bans Planned Parenthood from receiving any federal funding for one year.

“The Senate’s bill is similar to the one the House passed last month. The Senate bill would cut Medicaid more than the House measure, allow insurers to charge older people higher rates [up to five times what they charge younger people] and permit states to waive rules guaranteeing insurance covers a basic set of benefits [for health care products and services]. The Senate bill does not include some of the particularly harsh aspects of the House legislation, including a provision that would let states end protections for people with pre-existing conditions [Insurance companies cannot deny coverage or charge higher rates for people with preexisting conditions, based on patients’ health or medical histories].”

In a related article, The Huffington Post wrote:

“Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) slammed Senate Republicans’ bill to repeal Obamacare as a ‘barbaric’ plan that means thousands will die so the wealthy can get billions of dollars in tax breaks… ‘If you throw 23 million people off of health insurance, if you cut Medicaid by over $800 billion dollars, there is no question but that thousands of Americans will die… The purpose of this whole legislation… is to provide $500 billion in tax breaks for the top 2 percent, for the insurance companies, for the drug companies and other major corporations.’…

“Sanders acknowledged that premiums, deductibles and copays are currently ‘too high’ under the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare… But he added that prices are rising because the Trump administration is ‘sabotaging’ Obamacare, and the system will not be improved by ejecting millions who rely on it, including children. ‘I don’t care what your political view is,’ Sanders said. ‘I don’t think there are many Americans who think that we [should] give unbelievably large tax breaks to billionaires, and then tell disabled kids or people who are in nursing homes today … that we’re going to punish them to give tax breaks to billionaires. Man, that is not what this country is supposed to be about.'”

More Opposition to Healthcare Bill

The Associated Press reported on June 24:

“Nevada Republican Dean Heller became the fifth GOP senator to declare his opposition to [the proposed 142-page Senate Health care bill]… more than enough to sink the measure and deliver a stinging rebuke to President Donald Trump unless some of them can be brought aboard… Facing unanimous Democratic opposition, [the Senate Republicans] can afford to lose just two of the 52 GOP senators and still prevail.

“Besides the five who’ve announced outright opposition, several other GOP senators — conservatives and moderates — have declined to commit to the new overhaul…

“Heller, facing a competitive re-election battle next year, said he was opposing the legislation because of the cuts it would make in Medicaid. The federal-state program provides health care to the poor, disabled and many nursing home patients… The Senate legislation would phase out extra federal money Nevada and 30 other states receive for expanding Medicaid to additional low earners. It would also slap annual spending caps on the overall Medicaid program, which since its inception in 1965 has provided states with unlimited money to cover eligible costs…

“Trump has spoken favorably about both the House-passed bill and the Senate version unveiled this week, though he declared several times as he ramped up his campaign for the presidency that he would not cut Medicaid…”

Vote on Senate Health Care Bill Delayed

Newsmax added on June 28:

“Tuesday’s decision to delay the vote… came amid deep GOP discontent with the proposed legislation… Five Republican senators indicated they would not proceed to a debate on the proposed legislation… Senate Majority Leader… McConnell’s decision to delay the vote took some of his Republican colleagues by surprise… McConnell told Republican senators his goal is to revise the bill and hold a vote soon after the July 4 recess…  But Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine said: ‘Tinkering isn’t going to work, from my perspective. There would have to be a major overhaul of the bill … to win my support.’”

A new NPR/“PBS NewsHour”/Marist poll, which was released on June 28 suggests that the proposed Senate health care bill is extremely unfavorable with the vast majority of the American people. Only 17 percent supported the bill, while more than half of respondents said they disapprove of the legislation, and 24 percent said they hadn’t heard enough about it to have an opinion.

Four Million People Would Lose Health Insurance in 2018 under Proposed Senate Health Care Bill

Newsmax reported on June 26:

“Four million people will lose their employer-provided healthcare coverage next year under the Senate’s repeal-and-replace Obamacare proposal – twice as many predicted to lose their work coverage under a House plan [according to the Congressional Budget Office’s scoring of the Senate bill]… According to the report released Monday, 15 million more people would become uninsured next year. The CBO projected 22 million people will lose coverage over the course of 10 years…”

With a typical response, the White House rejected the CBO’s unfavorable predictions.

US Supreme Court Allows Limited Version of Trump’s Travel Ban to Take Effect

The Washington Post wrote on June 26:

“The Supreme Court agreed on Monday to allow a limited version of President Trump’s ban on travelers from six mostly Muslim countries to take effect, and will consider in the fall [in October] the president’s broad powers in immigration matters in a case that raised fundamental issues of national security and religious discrimination.

“The court made an important exception: it said the ban ‘may not be enforced against foreign nationals who have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States.’ The court also said in the ruling that it would consider whether the case will be moot by the time it hears it; the ban is supposed to be a temporary one while the government reviews its vetting procedures.

“The action means that the administration may impose a 90-day ban on travelers from Libya, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen and a 120-day ban on all refugees entering the United States, with the exceptions noted by the court. Trump said last week the ban would go into effect 72 hours after receiving an approval from the courts…”

In clarifying the requirement of a bona fide relationship, the Huffington Post added on June 26:

“The court’s order… said that a ‘close familial relationship is required’ for individuals who wish to live with or visit a family member. When the relationship is with an entity like a university, it must be ‘formal, documented, and formed in the ordinary course…

“As an example, they said, students and lecturers would have a formal relationship, as would someone who accepted employment with an American company. But it would not apply to someone who ‘enters into a relationship simply to avoid’ the executive order. For example, the order said, ‘a nonprofit group devoted to immigration issues may not contact foreign nationals from the designated countries, add them to client lists, and then secure their entry by claiming injury from their exclusion.’”

The New York Times provided further information on June 26:

“The court, in effect, said that foreigners with ties or relationships in the United States would not be prohibited from entering the country. But, those applying for visas who had never been here, or had no family, business or other ties could be prohibited… The court said the distinction should be easy to administer…

“Justice Clarence Thomas, joined by Justices Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Neil M. Gorsuch, dissented from part of the court’s opinion. They said they would have revived the travel ban in its entirety while the court considered the case. ‘I fear that the court’s remedy will prove unworkable,’ Justice Thomas wrote.”

JTA wrote on June 26:

“HIAS — formerly known as the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society… called the announcement ‘mixed news’… the group’s CEO and president, Mark Hetfield… criticized the fact that those without such [bona fide] ties [including refugees] could now be barred from entering the United States… ‘Certainly in the case of refugees, this order will have a tragic toll on those who have fled for their lives and played by our rules to find refuge in the United States.’ HIAS was founded in the 1880s as a resource for newly arrived Jewish immigrants.”

The 16-page decision by the US Supreme Court states that generally, the President has the right to prohibit certain people from entering the USA, and it quoted a decision to the effect that an unadmitted and nonresident alien has no constitutional right of entry to this country. The Supreme Court also said that in the case of a refugee lacking a bona fide relationship with a particular person, “the balance tips in favor of the Government’s compelling need to provide for the Nation’s security.” With this highly questionable rationale, thousands upon thousands of Jews were barred from entering the United States prior to and during World War II and were murdered in Nazi Germany’s concentration camps.

The decision failed to address the legal argument that the travel ban could very well be construed as a Muslim travel ban, given the President’s and his advisors’ own words and descriptions of the ban, which could be unconstitutional for that reason alone.

The Supreme Court’s decision, and the US immigration law on which it is based, are bound to create strong dissent within the USA and all over the world, as the decision would allow the President to prevent anyone, lacking a “bona fide relationship,” from entering the USA, including tourists as well as refugees fleeing for their lives. This could include persons from France and Germany, as he once threatened. It is high time the USA wakes up and notices what is happening.

Who Can Come In

Bloomberg wrote on June‎ ‎28‎, ‎2017:

“The Trump administration issued guidelines to U.S. embassies and consulates on how to enforce new restrictions on travel to the U.S. by refugees and migrants from six countries [which went] into effect as of 8 p.m. eastern time Thursday…

“A diplomatic cable outlining the guidelines defines close family that would be allowed U.S. entry as a parent (including parent-in-law), spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in- law, daughter-in-law, sibling, whether whole or half and including step relationships…

“But it doesn’t include grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-laws and sisters-in-law, fiancés and any other extended family members, the person said…

“Existing visas will be respected, but new applicants from the countries must prove a relationship with a parent, spouse, child, sibling or close in-law already in the U.S…

“Implementing the ban requires providing clear guidance for thousands of customs and consular officials, as well as airlines and other travel companies around the world seeking to avoid the confusion and chaos generated by Trump’s initial attempt to enforce his policy in January.”

Please note our new StandingWatch program, “Limited Version of Trump’s Muslim Travel Ban Takes Effect”.

“The TSA Is Going to Look Through Your Books but Promises Not to Notice what You’re Reading”

On June 25, the Drudge Report linked to the following article by The Week, dated on June 1:

“The TSA began a new screening policy for paper products at airport checkpoints in Missouri last month, and now the agency’s branch in Sacramento, California, is testing out more invasive searches for books and food items.

“In the new system, passengers are required to take all reading material and food out of their carry-on luggage and place it in a separate bin. TSA screeners can ‘fan’ through travelers’ books to see if anything is hidden in the pages, but agency officials insist they will not pay attention to the content. Critics have long argued passengers selected for extra screening are not chosen as randomly as the TSA claims, and book content — particularly of a political or religious nature — could re-ignite that debate. ‘It’s always been a series of insults,’ said Julie Sze, University of California, Davis, professor who experienced the test procedure at Sacramento. ‘Books, magazines, food, those are like my three treasured things. It feels personal on a whole different level.’

“Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said Sunday he will likely expand the new searches nationwide and may also ban laptop carry-ons for all international flights in and out of the United States.”

The continuing intrusive conduct of TSA is very time-consuming, annoying and bothersome for travelers, to say the least. Why TSA would need to look at books or magazines to find hidden material, which would clearly show up through normal screening of the carry-on luggage, is beyond anybody’s imagination. The same goes for the ridiculous and unintelligent plan to ban laptop carry-ons.

The Associated Press reported on June 28:

“The Homeland Security Department is set to announce new security for international flights bound to the United States. Industry and U.S. officials briefed on the announcement said airports and airlines around the world will be required to implement the measures. If they don’t, their passengers may be barred from carrying laptops and other large electronics in passenger cabins…”

“Donald Trump’s Deputies Quietly Push Transgender Ideology Onto Schools”

Breitbart wrote on June 23:

“An internal memo in the Department of Education says officials will investigate schoolteachers who do not comply with children’s demands to be called by the opposite-sex pronoun, for example, ‘her’ instead of ‘him.’ The instruction was part of a jargon-filled memo dated June 6, and signed by Candice Jackson, the Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in the U.S. Education Department, which provides instructions to staff concerning ‘complaints involving transgender students.’…

“In February, the Trump administration reversed former President Barack Obama’s guidance that allowed gender-confused students to use the bathrooms and showers of whichever gender they prefer – without restrictions – rather than those corresponding to their biological sex… However… Trump’s new policy… has not formally rejected the transgender ideology. The ideology claims that a person’s legal sex — and their pronouns — are determined by their flexible choice of ‘gender identity,’ not their actual biology… even if the parents oppose…

“The OCR memo also underscores the potential dangers inherent in school vouchers and other financial mechanisms that use taxpayer funding to facilitate school choice. Federal oversight, as seen in the OCR memo, could be extended to these schools as well…”

American Ambassador Meddling in Romanian Affairs on Same-Sex Marriage

Breitbart reported on June 24:

“The Obama-appointed ambassador to Romania, Hans Klemm, has stoked a national debate on the role of U.S. diplomacy abroad by openly advocating same-sex marriage… Last month, Klemm attended a widely publicized Gay Pride march in Bucharest on May 20 to show his support for the LGBT agenda in a country where same-sex marriage is still illegal…

“Last fall, Klemm explained in an interview with a Romanian news agency why he publicly pushes for gay marriage. While acknowledging that it is a ‘sensitive subject,’ Klemm claimed that the U.S. Supreme Court had ‘resolved the legal problem over gay marriage, stating that it is unconstitutional and illegal to deny civil marriage to same-sex couples… Therefore, the U.S. should support gay marriage everywhere in the world,’ Klemm stated.

“Klemm’s overt advocacy of gay marriage has met with backlash in the conservative country, and the ambassador has been criticized for abusing his position to meddle in the internal affairs of the nation…

“It remains to be seen whether President Trump will encourage officials from the State Department to continue to actively agitate for the LGBT agenda abroad, or whether he will instead encourage restraint and greater respect for national sovereignty, faith, and traditions.”

It is highly inappropriate for any ambassador to meddle in the internal affairs of the nation where he resides—and especially when advocating something which the Bible clearly condemns.

President Trump’s Awful Reputation Worldwide

Flipboard wrote on June 25:

“A new poll from the Pew Research Center has found that Donald Trump’s presidency is strongly and negatively impacting how the rest of the world views the United States. At the end of Barack Obama’s term, 64 percent of global respondents said they were confident in the U.S. president, compared to 22 percent now. Seventy-four percent of those surveyed said they have no confidence in Trump. Compared to the final years of Obama’s presidency, Trump received higher ratings in just two of the 37 countries surveyed – Russia and Israel… ‘The sharp decline in how much global public’s trust the U.S. president on the world stage is especially pronounced among some of America’s closest allies in Europe and Asia, as well as neighboring Mexico and Canada,’ the report states.

“The negative perceptions of the U.S. president appear to be impacting U.S. favorability ratings in general. Sixty-four percent of those surveyed had favorable views of the U.S. at the end of the Obama presidency, compared to 49 percent now…

“Arrogant, intolerant and dangerous — these are all traits that a sizeable majority of global respondents said describe the U.S. president. On the other hand, 55 percent see him as a strong leader, while 39 percent say that he is charismatic. Only about one in four people stated that they found Trump ‘well-qualified to be president’  and ‘caring about ordinary people.’

“The survey asked about five of the Trump administration’s signature policy proposals — withdrawing from the Iran deal, restricting travelers from some Muslim-majority countries, withdrawing from climate change and trade agreements, and building a wall along the border with Mexico. It found that all of these positions are unpopular globally…

“Poll results in Mexico show some of the most dramatic drops in confidence for the U.S. president — from 49 percent under Obama to 5 percent under Trump…”

Trump’s Deeply Offensive Tweet Condemned

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 29:

“US President Donald Trump has attracted criticism from within his own partyfor a Twitter tirade against female journalist Mika Brzezinski. Republicans said the comments were ‘beneath the office’ of president. Trump unleashed his attack on Thursday, apparently in response to comments by television host Mika Brzezinski on the left-leaning network MSNBC.

“Ironically, it came after Brzezinski had attacked Trump for his ‘bullying’ Twitter tirades. During the ‘Morning Joe’ show, Brzezinski said that if an executive at NBC, MSNBC’s parent company, ‘started tweeting wildly about people’s appearances, bullying people… that person would be thrown out. There would be concerns that the person who runs the company is out of his mind.’

“Trump’s response was aimed at both Mika Brzezinski and her co-host Joe Scarborough. Trump hurled a rapid-fire series of insults in just one Tweet, accusing Brzezinski of having a ‘low IQ,’ being ‘crazy’ and ‘bleeding badly from a face-lift’ while on a visit to his Mar-a-Lago golf resort. Trump called Scarborough a ‘psycho.’

“Many senior Republicans sought to distance themselves from the tweets. ‘Obviously I don’t see that as an appropriate comment,’ said Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. ‘The president’s tweets today don’t help our political or national discourse and do not provide a positive role model for our national dialogue,’ said Republican Senator James Lankford.

“One of Trump’s more frequent Republican critics, Senator Ben Sasse of Nebraska, urged the president to restrain himself. ‘Please just stop. This isn’t normal and it’s beneath the dignity of your office.’ Longtime Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said the tweets were ‘beneath the office’ of president and that they represent ‘what is wrong with American politics.’

“There were also responses on Twitter, including one from Jeb Bush, Trump’s rival for the White House nomination last year. However, White House spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended the president, saying he was ‘pushing back against people who have attacked him day after day after day. Where is the outrage on that?’…

“In addition to his attacks on the mainstream media, Trump has singled out individual journalists before, including a notorious invective against former Fox News and current NBC journalist Megyn Kelly. The president has also made numerous statements about women that have been widely criticized as inappropriate, misogynist, sexist, and offensive to women.”

“Merkel’s Husband’s Plans for Melania Trump”

Bild Online wrote on June 26:

“Prof. Joachim Sauer (68), husband of Chancellor Angela Merkel (62, CDU) [and a quantum chemist,] wants to raise awareness of the dangers of climate change for Donald Trump’s wife Melania (47) and daughter Ivanka (35) at the G20 summit (from July 7 to July 8, 2017).

“As is well-known, US President Donald Trump (71) is not yet too convinced that climate change exists at all. This might be the reason why Sauer has included a visit to the German Climate Computing Centre (DKRZ) in the so-called partner programme… The Centre features superfast high-end computers. Researchers investigate and simulate what climate change might mean for our future and that of the Earth.”

No More Teaching of Evolution in Turkey’s High Schools

The New York Times wrote on June 23:

“Turkey has removed the concept of evolution from its high school curriculum… Starting in September, a chapter on evolution will no longer appear in ninth graders’ textbooks because it is considered too ‘controversial’ an idea, an official announced this week. ‘Our students don’t have the necessary scientific background and information-based context needed to comprehend’ the debate about evolution, said the official…

“‘The last crumbs of secular scientific education have been removed,’ said Feray Aytekin Aydogan, the head of Egitim-Sen, a union of secular-minded teachers… Removing evolution from the curriculum, Ms. Aydogan said, puts Turkey in the same league as ultraconservative Saudi Arabia, where the concept is briefly mentioned in the curriculum but strongly criticized.”

Whatever the motives are behind Turkey’s decision not to teach evolution in high school, we applaud this decision as the evolution theory is clearly false and completely unscientific.

Newsweek added on June 23:

“[The] Evolutionary theory is contentious in some majority-Muslim countries, where creationism—a belief that a divine being created human beings as they exist in their current state—holds sway. A 2011 survey of 23 countries found that Saudi Arabia, a conservative Islamic kingdom, led the way in terms of creationism, with 75 percent of respondents saying they did not believe in evolution. Turkey was second, with 60 percent of respondents saying they were creationists.

“But creationism is also a widely-held belief in some Western or traditionally Christian countries, including the United States. A 2014 poll found that 42 percent of Americans believed that God created humans in their present form around 10,000 years ago.”

Actually, God created humans “in their present form” about 6,000 years ago.

A New Noah’s Ark Exhibit

The Times of Israel wrote on June 26:

“Noah’s seaborne menagerie [carried] enough animals, birds and insects to repopulate the earth after the great flood waters receded. And for those wondering what the floating fauna looked like, a new exhibit at the Morgan Library & Museum called ‘Noah’s Beasts: Sculpted Animals from Ancient Mesopotamia’ suggests that they were strikingly similar to the kinds of animals still found in the contemporary Middle East.

“The show explores the story of the great deluge through actual animal depictions dating back to 3300 BCE. But it also connects past to present: All of the sculptures on display… still roam the world today… On display through August 27, the exhibit offers a glimpse into the way people who lived thousands of years ago interpreted a story that is found in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim traditions…

“An Assyriologist named George Smith earned worldwide fame when, in 1872, while an assistant at the British Museum, he translated a tablet from seventh century BCE inscribed with a story of a long ago flood. The story etched into that stone, now known as ‘The Epic of Gilgamesh,’ was quite similar to the story told in the Book of Genesis.

“But the inspiration for the show came from… an even older cuneiform tablet containing the story known as the ‘Epic of Atrahasis,’… the earliest Akkadian version of the iconic flood story… Discovered in 1898, the tablet dates from the reign of the Babylonian King Ammisaduqa, who ruled between 1646 and 1626 BCE… archaeologists have unearthed evidence for devastating floods, most notably at Ur, located in present-day Iraq…”

It is interesting that the exhibit portrays animals which are strikingly similar to “modern” animals, which is biblically correct. Many exhibits of Noah’s Ark (especially those sponsored by “Creationists” who believe that the earth is only 6,000 years old) include pre-Adamic extinct animals, even though this would not be in accordance with the Bible.

Ridiculous Ultimatum for Qatar

Express wrote on June 24:

“Qatar… was given [an] ultimatum amid fears the diplomatic crisis in the region could further deepen, having so far failed to respond to a list [of] 13 demands brought by four Arab nations… The escalating crisis has been exacerbated by the sudden promotion of Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to crown prince of Saudi Arabia by his ageing father King Salman. Some officials in Riyhadh believe the 31-year-old is too impulsive, temperamental and aggressive to one day rule the oil-rich nation.

“As defence minister, Prince Mohammed led the country into the war in Yemen, considered a disaster by many and resulting in the deaths of countless civilians.  With greater power and influence, observers are worried the headstrong prince will take an even more robust approach towards Qatar if it fails to heed the warnings.”

As The Times of Israel reported on June 23, some of the 13 demands include:

“Curb diplomatic ties with Iran and close its diplomatic missions there. Expel members of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard from Qatar and cut off any joint military cooperation with Iran… Shut down Al-Jazeera and its affiliate stations. Shut down news outlets that Qatar funds, directly and indirectly, including Arabi21, Rassd, Al Araby Al-Jadeed and Middle East Eye. Immediately terminate the Turkish military presence currently in Qatar and end any joint military cooperation with Turkey inside of Qatar…

“Revoke Qatari citizenship for existing nationals where such citizenship violates those [foreign] countries’ laws. Stop all contacts with the political opposition in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Egypt and Bahrain. Hand over all files detailing Qatar’s prior contacts with and support for those opposition groups. Pay reparations and compensation for loss of life and other, financial losses caused by Qatar’s policies in recent years. The sum will be determined in coordination with Qatar.

“Align itself with the other Gulf and Arab countries militarily, politically, socially and economically, as well as on economic matters… Agree to all the demands within 10 days of it being submitted to Qatar, or the list becomes invalid…”

As could be expected, Qatar has already rejected these outlandish and ridiculous demands, and Turkey slammed them as violating international law.

Top US Senator to Block Arms Sales to Gulf States over Qatar Crisis

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 26:

“The chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee [Republican Senator Bob Corker] said Monday he would block US arms sales to Saudi Arabia and other members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) until a diplomatic spat with Qatar is resolved… The senior senator’s threat adds pressure on GCC members to settle the crisis, triggered on June 6 when Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates imposed a blockade on Qatar and cut diplomatic ties.

“Under US law, the State Department must notify Congress 30 days before any major arms sale. Congress can then block the arms sale, or if it does nothing the sale goes through. Corker’s office said in a statement that major arms sales are also subject to ‘preliminary approval’ by the chairman and vice-chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee before the 30-stay congressional review process…”

Bombing Near Mecca

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 24:

“Regional rivals [Iran and Qatar] sent Saudi Arabia their support after police foiled a suicide bomber near Islam’s holiest site (Mecca) during Ramadan – an event that drew more than 1 million people this year… Police said they engaged in a shootout at the three-storey house with the suicide bomber, who blew himself up and caused the building to collapse. He died in the explosion and police arrested five other people…

“The Interior Ministry said the thwarted ‘terrorist plan’ would have violated ‘all sanctities by targeting the security of the Grand Mosque, the holiest place on Earth.’… Since late 2014, the kingdom has faced periodic bombings and shootings claimed by the ‘Islamic State.’ Saudi officials said three terror groups had planned Friday’s attack against the Grand Mosque: two based in Mecca and a third in the nearby city of Jeddah.”

One can only imagine what would have happened if that attack had been successful.

Liberal Islam?

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 24:

“It was described as a ‘world event in the heart of Berlin.’ And judging by the overwhelming response both at home and abroad to the opening of the determinately ‘liberal mosque’ in a Protestant church in Berlin’s Moabit district, this assessment is justified.

“… Seyran Ates, a German-Turkish lawyer and women’s rights activist, presented her reform project to the public: an integrative mosque for everyone. The Ibn Rushd-Goethe Mosque welcomes all Muslims, irrespective of denomination and sexual orientation.

“Furthermore, this house of worship – the only one of its kind in Germany – has explicitly abolished the segregation of the sexes during prayer. Men and women can pray alongside one another. A man and a woman led the first Friday prayers together. And – an important point, given the heated Islam debates in this country – the ‘female imam’ did not wear a headscarf!

‘The fact that reactions from predominantly Muslim countries to the opening of the Ibn Rushd Goethe Mosque have been both hostile and particularly forceful is not really any great surprise – not, at least, if one is aware of the repressive realities in these countries. This is true, too, of Egypt and Turkey, where protests against the Berlin mosque were particularly fierce…”

These forms of “liberal Islam” will not find any acceptance by the governments of Muslim countries. Shiite and Sunni countries even have a hard time cooperating with each other… a combined and unified “liberal” form of Islam, which to a large extent violates the clear dictates of the Koran, would be a total impossibility. Note the next article.

“Turkey Says Liberal German Mosque ‘Incompatible’ with Islam”

The Local wrote on June 22:

“Turkey’s religious affairs agency has expressed distaste over a new mosque in Berlin where men and women mingle freely, saying it was incompatible with the principles of Islam. Diyanet, which oversees religious activity in Turkey… said that the mosque ‘neglects’ the basic principles of Islam and was ‘incompatible with the worship, knowledge and methodology’ accumulated since the faith was founded by the Prophet Mohammed 14 centuries ago…

“Diyanet has influence over Muslim worship among the Turkish diaspora through the Ditib organisation controlled by Ankara that manages some 900 mosques or religious communities in Germany. Diyanet sends clerics to work in its mosques.

“Earlier this year, a furore erupted when German police raided the homes of four Turkish Muslim clerics working for Ditib suspected of spying for the government… Diyanet later said it had recalled six clerics from Germany for exceeding their authority but lashed out at German police for raiding the homes of the preachers.”

Further Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia

Newsweek wrote on June 23:

“A Crimean member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses has been ordered to prove he has renounced his faith or else take up arms for the occupying Russian army. The move follows Russia’s banning of the Christian denomination in April and its annexation of the Ukrainian territory of Crimea in 2014.

“One of the central tenets of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ faith is an opposition to serving in the military. Previously in Russia, members have been allowed to undertake alternative civilian service. But that has changed since the country’s Supreme Court upheld a ruling from the justice ministry that they violated an anti-extremism law, liquidating all 395 of its local religious chapters and rendering the faith of 175,000 of its members illegal.

“There have since been multiple reports of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia being denied alternative civilian service… As well as violating the individual’s religious liberty, the order [to take up arms in Crimea] … flouts international humanitarian law. A United Nations resolution passed last December recognized Russia as an occupying force in Crimea.

“The Geneva Conventions states, ‘The Occupying Power may not compel protected persons to serve in its armed or auxiliary forces. No pressure or propaganda which aims at securing voluntary enlistment is permitted.’ Despite that, Russia has continued to conscript Crimeans into military service…

“The treatment of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia since the Supreme Court decision has already come under the microscope. As well as being denied alternative civilian service, there have been reports of meetings being disrupted by police and, in one instance, a Danish member being arrested. He now faces up to 10 years in prison.

“An appeal against the Supreme Court’s decision will be heard on July 17…”

Russia’s mean-spirited actions against political and religious minorities are appalling. The world stands idly by while Putin’s brutal dictatorship widens beyond restrictions.

“Netanyahu Under Fire after Reneging on Western Wall Deal”—No Mixed Gender Prayers at Western Wall

AFP wrote on June 26:

“Israel’s shelving of a deal to allow mixed-gender prayers at the Western Wall echoed far beyond religion Monday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused of abandoning reform efforts for political gain. Netanyahu’s cabinet voted Sunday to back out of the hard-won deal, provoking a flood of criticism and warnings it could damage Israel’s relationship with the United States’ influential Jewish community.

“That followed pressure from ultra-Orthodox Jewish parties who are part of Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition and follow a strict interpretation of religious rules. Such parties have often played a kingmaker role in Israeli politics and have opposed years of efforts by more liberal Jews to win equal rights for women at the Western Wall, one of the holiest sites in Judaism.

“Women and men currently pray in separate areas at the site in Jerusalem’s Old City, where religious affairs are overseen by Israel’s ultra-Orthodox establishment. A compromise reached more than a year ago would have created a third space near the wall, open to both women and men. Sunday’s cabinet vote froze the deal — effectively cancelling it — despite the government having earlier endorsed it.

“In a sign of the tensions the decision provoked, the Jewish Agency, a quasi-governmental organisation that helped mediate the deal, heavily criticised the move and cancelled an event with Netanyahu scheduled for Monday evening in response. Yair Lapid, an opposition figure and leader of the centrist Yesh Atid party, said the decision meant Israel was ‘the only democracy in the world without equality for Jews.’…

“[Netanyahu’s] coalition, seen as the most right-wing in Israel’s history, holds 66 seats in the 120-seat Knesset, or parliament. Ultra-Orthodox parties control 13 of the coalition’s seats. Some 10 percent of Israel’s population are considered ultra-Orthodox.

“The Western Wall, located in Jerusalem’s Old City, is venerated by Jews as a remnant of a wall supporting the Second Temple complex, which was destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD…

“Sunday’s move to back out of the deal prompted anger among Jewish movements in the United States, home to more than five million Jews, most of whom are not Orthodox… It is a sensitive issue for Israel, which relies on the United States as its most important ally, providing it with strong diplomatic support and more than $3 billion (2.7 billion euros) per year in defence aid. Many Israelis see support from Jewish communities in the United States and worldwide as essential… But for Israel’s ultra-Orthodox establishment, changes such as mixed prayer betray Jewish tradition…”

These developments are interesting in that we read in Zechariah 14:14 that ultimately, Jews will fight “against” Jerusalem, as the passage should read (Revised Standard Version; New Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible; Luther Bible; compare our booklet, “The Book of Zechariah—Prophecies for Today!,” page 83-84.). Also, we find a reference to gender separation in Jerusalem for the end time (“in that day”) in Zechariah 12:10-14.

Australians Forsake Christianity

The website of abc.net.au reported on June 27:

“Australians are ditching religion in unprecedented numbers. About one third of Australians said they had no religion. That’s a huge shift from 50 years ago, when the vast majority of Australians were Christian. While Australians are turning away from the Christian religions, there’s been a massive growth in Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam…

“About one million Australians were born in China or India — and these two countries are the biggest sources of migration to Australia… England and New Zealand are still the most popular countries of birth, but there’s no real growth in migrants from these two countries. English is still the main language for three quarters of Australians, but there are 301 other different languages spoken in homes across the country…

“A record number of same-sex couples — nearly 47,000 — were counted in the census. The number of male and female same-sex couples is roughly equal…”

BuzzFeed wrote on June 26:

“For the first time ever, ‘no religion’ has overtaken any single religious denomination, toppling Catholicism as the number one religious affiliation for Australians… Christianity is still the most common religion (52% of Australians identified as any of the Christian denominations) but has been declining in popularity in Australia for the past 50 years – in 1966, 88% of Australians identified as Christian and by 1991 it was 74%. Catholicism is the largest Christian grouping, accounting for almost a quarter (22.6%) of the Australian population…”

Martin Schulz—an Unlikely Comeback?

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 25:

“Amidst more bad news in opinion polls, Social Democratic chancellor candidate Martin Schulz went on the attack at the party conference in Dortmund. But does he have the policies and charisma to make up a huge deficit?…

“Opinion polls released this weekend put the SPD at 23 to 24 percent… The election is only 90 days away, which means that Schulz and the SPD need to start mounting an unlikely comeback…

“The 61-year-old SPD candidate, a former EU parliament president who spent 13 years working in Brussels and only rejoined German national politics last year, began by attacking the conservatives and Merkel… Schulz drew some of his most enthusiastic applause when he criticized Merkel’s statement, largely interpreted to express the growing distance from the Donald Trump-led US, that the times when Germany could ‘rely on others’ were ‘to a degree over.’ Schulz called that statement non-specific and hedged… The implication was that the SPD would stand up to Trump in a way Merkel would not…

“There may be something to the Social Democrats’ criticism of Merkel, but German voters seem to like the chancellor the way she is. Moreover, her most controversial policy, the one on which she is most vulnerable, is her welcoming stance toward refugees, and that is not a position the SPD can or would want to attack.”

As AFP reported on June 25, Martin Schulz “also laid down gay marriage as a condition for any future coalition involving the SPD… The SPD’s call for gay marriage comes just a week after the Greens set a similar condition, while Merkel’s CDU has so far refused to allow same gender couples to wed.”

Humanly speaking, it does not appear that Martin Schulz has any chance of beating Angela Merkel. But ultimately, the person will be “elected” who will be most equipped of bringing about end-time prophetic events, especially involving Germany and Europe.

Coming: Same-Sex Marriages in Germany

Deutsche Welle wrote on  June 27:

“Gay marriage could become a reality in Germany almost overnight after Chancellor Merkel made certain concessions. However, the issue is also being used as a political bargaining ahead of the September 24 elections. German Chancellor Angela Merkel removed the previous requirement of party whip control on the issue of voting on gay marriage in Germany’s lower house of parliament, the Bundestag. In other words, members of the Bundestag will be allowed to vote on the issue on the basis of their own conscience and not be required to toe the party line of their political affiliation.

“The chancellor herself worded the vote as a ‘question of conscience’ during a TV interview the previous evening. The vote… could likely see gay marriage become a reality in Germany before the September 24 elections…

“At present, gay and lesbian couples can opt to have a civil partnership, which afford many of the same benefits and protections as traditional marriage, but lacks equity between gay and straight couples in some key areas such as adoption rights…

“The CDU’s sister-party, the Bavaria-based CSU, meanwhile also agreed that its parliamentarians should vote according to the conscience, even this meant a departure from the party’s view that ‘marriage for all’ was not in line with the party’s views. The party said that marriage between a man and a woman should enjoy special protections while stressing that same-sex relationships made valuable contributions ‘to our society,’ which were recognized with the special provision of civil partnerships.

“Rather than genuine concern for gay and lesbian couples, the vote on gay marriage appears to be used as a bargaining chip between the two major parties, Merkel’s CDU and her current coalition partner, the SPD, headed by Martin Schulz. It appears that Schulz is hoping to gain votes by pushing the decision through the Bundestag less than three months ahead of the general elections…

“All of Merkel’s potential coalition allies favor same-sex marriage, with some saying that it’s a precondition for a coalition: Both the Free Democrats and the Greens are in support of the notion. Merkel is likely to need [the] to support of both parties if she wants to lead a coalition without the SPD.

“Same-sex marriage is already legal in 14 EU states, including France, Spain, Portugal, the UK and the Benelux countries…

“… homosexuality in politics has also become much more commonplace. Many homosexuals occupy important government posts and live openly in same-sex relationships. That is a far cry from 2004, when Guido Westerwelle became the first top-tier German politician to come out as gay. Then again, Westerwelle, who passed away last year, was not a member of either of the Union parties, but rather a member of the liberal FDP.”

A vote in the German Parliament on the issue of same-sex marriages has been set for Friday. It is expected that the vote will pass overwhelmingly in favor of same-sex marriages.

Merkel’s Vision of France-German Led Europe

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 29:

“Germany is reorienting itself away from the US and the UK and toward France. Chancellor Merkel made that abundantly clear in a major speech to parliament about the EU’s future and next week’s G20 summit in Hamburg.

“Germany and France will take a greater role in leading the European Union, and Europe must take a greater role in leading the world. That would be one way of summarizing Angela Merkel’s speech to the German parliament on Thursday.

“Merkel looked ahead to the G20 summit of the world’s leading nations that will take place in the northern German city of Hamburg on July 7 and 8. The chancellor stressed the need for Europe to present a common front against Donald Trump, particularly over the Paris Agreement on climate protection… The chancellor also took aim at Trump’s national chauvinism… Merkel acknowledged that it would be difficult to talk with Trump on issues like terrorism, protectionism and climate change in Hamburg…

“Merkel underscored the theme of European solidarity by meeting in Berlin after her speech with the leaders of the other EU countries taking part in the G20 summit as well as the presidents of the European Commission and the European Council. The Chancellor said that the EU wanted to send a ‘message of unity and determination.’…

“SPD parliamentary chairman Thomas Oppermann… questioned whether the chancellor would truly stand up to the US president at a G20 summit that promises to be far more confrontational than such past meetings… ‘Donald Trump divides the west,’ Oppermann said. ‘It is necessary for us to take an unambiguous stand. In Hamburg, we must show the American president that he stands alone on climate change…’”

“The East-West Divide in the EU Deepens”

Deutsche Welle reported on June 24:

“While the German and French leaders celebrated the close ties between their countries during this week’s EU summit, divisions between western and eastern European leaders grew…

“Merkel described the mood of the two-day summit, which ended on Friday, as ‘optimistic and dynamic.’ Such words are more easily uttered in the knowledge that economies in almost all member states… are starting to grow again. The eurozone has just completed its best quarter in almost six years…

“The EU also wants to take the lead in maintaining free trade around the world, which member states see threatened by the protectionist tendencies of US President Donald Trump. But, as French President Macron said, the EU is not ‘naïve’ either. Openness also necessitates fairness. European governments find it unfair that some countries seemingly flood the European market with dumping prices, or that companies from third states buy European firms while at the same time blocking European takeovers in theirs. The main culprit in both instances is China…

“But the generally positive mood that has come on the heels of the Brexit depression did not brighten every topic of discussion – such as that of immigration. Macron, who is seen by many as Europe’s new hope, began the conference by angering eastern European countries that have refused to accept refugees from the bloc’s main countries of arrival, Italy and Greece… Although he did not name names, those he was referring to, such as Hungary, felt attacked… Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, on the other hand, stood by Macron…

“In an effort to smooth over differences, Macron also met separately with heads of government from the so-called Visegrad Group: Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Nothing, however, came of the meeting. After the summit, Merkel said that all members were ‘very, very much in agreement’ on the issue of fighting the root causes of migration and the control of Europe’s exterior borders. She resignedly added: ‘Unfortunately, we made no progress on the question of distribution’…

“In his joint press conference with Merkel, Macron added: ‘The current refugee crisis is not a temporary, but rather a long-term challenge, which can be resolved only through long-term stabilization in Africa and the Middle East and through ambitious European development policies.’…

“The summit made clear that Emmanuel Macron’s election has given a jolt of energy to the French-German duo that will perhaps be able to drive new European projects. But at the same time, it also highlighted the threat that the divide between new EU member states from the east and old ones from the west could grow ever deeper.”

We should take note of several issues addressed in the article. First, a possible “divide” between some EU members gives fuel to the concept of a Europe with two speeds, or a core Europe, consisting of ten nations or groups of nations, which will emerge from the current EU. In addition, the comment that long-term stabilization in the Middle East is needed reminds us of the biblical prophecy of Europe’s future military intervention in the Middle East.

Deal Reached between Theresa May and Northern Ireland’s DUP

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 26:

“Theresa May and leaders of Northern Ireland’s Democratic Unionist Party have reached a deal… May entered into talks with the DUP, a right-wing regional party that won 10 seats in June’s elections, to try to shore up her government after her Conservatives lost their majority in the House of Commons earlier in June. With the support of the 10 DUP lawmakers, May would have the numbers she needs to put down a likely series of legislative challenges from her Tories’ main rival, Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour Party and allied opposition factions.

“… Under the deal, the smaller party will support the Tories in all fiscal matters and confidence votes, as well as Brexit talks and national security. The faction’s backing will be case-by-case on other issues… The Tories and DUP also said that they would ‘consider options to support’ British reserve troops on Northern Ireland’s soil… On several issues, notably abortion rights and same-sex marriage, the two factions do not hold common ground.”

Google Fined Almost 3 Billion Dollars by the EU

Bloomberg wrote on June 27:

“Google was fined 2.42 billion euros ($2.7 billion) by the EU on Tuesday, wrapping up a seven-year probe into complaints that it abuses its power as the world’s biggest search engine to muscle out smaller shopping search rivals. It’s one of three investigations targeting Alphabet Inc.’s Google in Europe with final results of a probe into the company’s Android mobile-phone software and online advertising service yet to come. Publishers are also seeking a probe into claims that Google unfairly uses their content, causing them to lose lucrative advertising revenue…”

 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.

German Minister Sees Hope of ‘Soft’ Brexit—But That Won’t Happen

The Associated Press wrote on June 18, 2017:

“German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel told Sunday’s Welt am Sonntag newspaper that ‘maybe there is now a chance to achieve a so-called “soft Brexit.”’ But he said staying in the single market would require Britain to accept EU workers’ freedom of movement. It also would have to accept the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice…

“For many Brexit advocates, those conditions would be impossible to accept…

“[Gabriel] criticized May’s Conservatives, saying that they ‘played with the emotions of citizens in Britain, told fake news about Europe and left people unclear about what consequences this would all have.’ Referring to the ‘difficult, even impossible situation’ created by the indecisive election, he added: ‘Here, those who created such chaos would have long since gone.’ ‘We will negotiate fairly,’ Gabriel was quoted as saying. ‘And fair means that we want to keep the British as close as possible to the EU — but never at the price that we divide the remaining 27 EU states.’”

On June 12, BBC explained the distinction between “hard Brexit” and “soft Brexit,” as follows:

“… they generally refer to the closeness of the UK’s relationship with the EU, post-Brexit. So at one extreme, ‘hard’ (or ‘clean’) Brexit could involve quitting without a deal in place. This would mean no compromise on issues like the free movement of people, leaving the EU single market and trading with the EU as if it were any other country outside Europe… the UK and EU would probably apply tariffs and other trade restrictions on each other. At the other end of the scale, a ‘soft’ Brexit could involve keeping close ties with the EU, possibly through some form of membership of the European Union single market, in return for a degree of free movement.”

It appears that Mr. Gabriel was referring to “soft Brexit” in this way, suggesting that Britain might stay as a member of the EU single market (but not as a member of the EU). It is not foreseeable that such a soft Brexit will occur. The Brexit HAD to happen to fulfill biblical prophecy. And with the Brexit will come an ongoing deteriorating relationship between Europe and the UK.

In this light, the Telegraph wrote on June 18:

“The Chancellor has dismissed speculation the UK could pursue a soft Brexit and remain part of the EU’s customs union and the single market. There have been rumours that Philip Hammond, who backed the remain camp during last year’s EU referendum, will use Theresa May’s weakened authority… to water-down [May’s] Brexit stance. Last week in Luxembourg, he failed to confirm that Britain would depart the single market despite being asked twice by reporters whether the country would stay or go.

“However, the chancellor has now moved to quash speculation that he would push Mrs May to abandon her plan for a hard Brexit… ‘We’re leaving the EU, and because we’re leaving the EU we will be leaving the single market and by, the way, we’ll be leaving the customs union,’ Mr Hammond told the [BBC]…”

Brexit’s First Day of “Negotiation”

Express wrote on June 19:

“Michel Barnier tonight warned Britain he is in no mood to make concessions during the Brexit talks, saying the UK would have to pay the ‘substantial consequences’ of its decision to leave the EU. The usually cool-headed Frenchman showed flashes of anger as he was asked what concessions he had been prepared to make to his British counterpart David Davis during a frantic opening day of talks [on June 19].

“In response Mr Barnier, who is the EU’s chief negotiator, launched into a furious tirade against the Brexit decision… His outburst came at the end of an evening press conference… he warned the UK against expecting some kind of special status outside the EU, saying it would be in the same position as any other third country looking for ties with Brussels… His forceful defence of the EU’s unshakeable negotiating position provided an early demonstration of the monumental task facing Mr Davis…”

The Local added on June 22:

“German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Thursday that the EU’s future took priority over Brexit talks, in a rebuke to British Prime Minister Theresa May’s plans to bring the negotiations up at a Brussels summit. ‘For me, the future of the (remaining) 27 member states comes before the exit negotiations with Great Britain’ said Merkel, Europe’s most influential leader, as she arrived for the two-day meeting.”

The Queen’s Speech

Breitbart wrote on June 21:

“Queen Elizabeth II has announced the Government’s two-year legislative programme, with Brexit at its heart. Many contentious policies… to have been dropped…  Instead, the speech put efforts to secure the ‘best possible deal as we leave the European Union’…

“Whilst the Government hopes to establish a ‘deep and special partnership with European allies’, it appears to have committed to leaving the EU’s Customs Union and Single Market, in order to pursue an ‘independent trade policy’…

“Potentially controversial plans to make Britain ‘the safest place to be online’ with a new ‘digital charter’ were also confirmed, with concerns that heavy regulation of the Internet will undermine personal freedom and expression…

“Curiously, whilst a state visit by the Spanish royal family was announced, there was no mention of one for U.S. President Donald Trump, previously thought to have been all but a done deal following the prime minister’s own visit to Washington, D.C…”

The Death of Former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl

The Guardian wrote on June 17:

“Helmut Kohl, who died on Friday aged 87, was one of a trio of dominant western conservative politicians – along with Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher – whose determined ideological and practical opposition to the Soviet Union helped lead in the closing months of 1989 to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent end of the cold war that had gripped Europe since 1945.

“But despite his reputation as a hardliner and his achievement as Germany’s longest-serving chancellor since Bismarck, Kohl… freely admitted… that he did not foresee the sudden Soviet implosion and was as surprised as anyone when it happened.

“The days when Europe was divided between east and west are hard to picture now. But a visitor to West Berlin in December 1988 was confronted by a grim reality…  watchtowers manned by armed East German border guards, snow falling on barbed-wire coils suspended over the river Spree, the forbidding no-man’s land of Checkpoint Charlie, and the burned-out Reichstag building silhouetted against an icy black sky…

“Kohl rose to the occasion presented by East Germany’s collapse with a purposeful single-mindedness that shocked and alarmed many in the west, not least Margaret Thatcher. Kohl took literally the injunction in the West German constitution to restore the country’s unity… In a series of bold and rapid moves in 1990, he travelled to Moscow to seek President Mikhail Gorbachev’s acquiescence in German reunification, signed a fast-track economic and social union treaty with the East German leaders who had ousted Erich Honecker’s Communists, and with the help of his able foreign minister, Hans-Dietrich Genscher, won the backing of the US.

“Kohl had luck on his side, too…

“For her part, Thatcher remained opposed to reunification throughout, fearing that a resurgent, reviving Germany would once again dominate Europe. She was comprehensively out-manoeuvred by Kohl. But 25 years later, it could be said that Thatcher’s premonition has proved accurate… Reunification, ratified in September 1990, turned out to be an enormously costly business for both Germanys. The eastern states were poor, persecuted and polluted, while the taxes levied in western Germany to pay for the project, and accompanying westwards migration of jobless Ossis (East Germans), caused deep resentment in some sections of German society.

“The fact that Germany has ultimately proved able to afford this epic act of national reconstruction is attributable, in part at least, to Kohl’s other signal political achievement: the Maastricht Treaty of 1992 that brought the European Union into existence and paved the way for the creation of the euro currency. Whatever else they may have done, the EU and the euro (replacing the former, less politically integrated European Economic Community) gave Germany the markets and the means to produce a second German industrial and manufacturing miracle.

“In this ambitious vision for a united Europe, Kohl found a willing partner [in] François Mitterrand, France’s Socialist president. Both men remembered the bad old times. Both reasoned that Europe would only be safe and secure if its two leading powers and its most frequent antagonists, France and Germany, worked in tandem. For Kohl, such cooperation was at one with his instinct for peaceful reconciliation. Early in his second term as chancellor, in 1984, he shook hands with Mitterrand on the first world war battlefield at Verdun, as if to finally bring down the curtain on two world wars.

“In the same year he became the first German leader to address the Knesset in Israel. At the same time, he was not afraid to confront strength with strength, in facing down the totalitarianism of the Soviet Union. West Germany played a full part in the controversial 1980s US deployment of intermediate-range cruise and Pershing nuclear-tipped missiles in Europe, under the banner of Nato…

“And it was Kohl who was happy to play host to Reagan, the hawkish US leader, and sit with him on a platform near the Brandenburg Gate in divided Berlin in 1987 when Reagan issued his challenge: ‘Mr Gorbachev, tear down this wall!’

“Kohl served as chancellor continuously from 1982 to 1998. He retired from public life in 2002. His later years were marred by a scandal over CDU party financing and the suicide, in 2001, of his popular wife, Hannelore. Until he suffered the first of a series of serious illnesses, he continued to air his views, and was sharply critical of Merkel’s pro-austerity policies in response to the global financial crisis. Kohl’s verdict was terse: ‘Die macht mir mein Europa kaputt’ (‘She’s destroying the Europe I built.’).”

World Leaders Mourn Loss of Helmut Kohl

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 17:

“World leaders are paying tribute to former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl… The EU’s Jean-Claude Juncker said flags would fly at half-staff in Brussels to honor a ‘great European’ … as a tribute to the man who ‘filled the European house with life.’

“Former US President George H. W. Bush…  described Kohl as ‘a true friend of freedom,’ saying that he considered him ‘one of the greatest leaders in post-war Europe.’… Gorbachev, the last leader of the USSR, said Kohl was an ‘outstanding person’ whose impact on world history would stand the test of time…

“German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel… lauded [Kohl’s] legacy of helping Europe grow closer… German Chancellor Angela Merkel… described her mentor as a ‘stroke of luck’ for Germany… Russian President Vladimir Putin [described Kohl as] ‘one of the patriarchs of European and global politics.’

“French President Emmanuel Macron [praised] Kohl for paving the road to [a] ‘united Germany and German-French friendship’… [German] President Steinmeier said Kohl ‘was deeply convinced that Europe was our destiny’…

“Merkel’s Social Democratic challenger in this year’s German federal election, Martin Schulz, said that…’Helmut Kohl was the chancellor of German reunification… Kohl’s vision of a European Germany… is a legacy to the German nation and to all of Europe.’…

“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Kohl as a ‘friend of Israel’ who was ‘fully committed’ to the security of the Jewish state. British Prime Minister Theresa May called the German politician ‘a giant of European history.’…

“US President Donald Trump hailed the former German chancellor as a ‘friend and ally of the United States’…”

Helmut Kohl was the man of the hour for his time, bringing about German and European unification with a new currency, the euro. There was no “luck” involved, but this HAD to happen, and we can clearly see God’s hand in this to bring about the fulfillment of prophecy—the final revival of the ancient Roman Empire in continental Europe, under German leadership.

Massive Victory of Macron’s Party

AFP wrote on June 18:

“French President Emmanuel Macron’s centrist party won a massive [absolute] majority in parliamentary elections on Sunday, dominating the country’s traditional forces in a dramatic re-drawing of the political map… [giving] Macron one of France’s biggest post-war majorities, strengthening his hand in implementing his program of business-friendly reforms.

“… Just months ago, Macron was given little chance of becoming president, never mind controlling parliament, but he and the movement he founded 16 months ago have tapped into widespread desire for wholesale change. His party dominated France’s traditional parties, the right-wing Republicans and Socialists, but also the far-right National Front (FN) of Marine Le Pen — whom he defeated in the presidential run-off — which fell far short of its target…

“Despite the zest for political renewal, the vote failed to generate much excitement. Official statistics showed turnout at a near 60-year low, revealing a high degree of election fatigue after four votes in under two months.”

Mr. Macron is another interesting “surprise” figure who became president with a big majority in parliament for a reason… to help bring about stronger military EU unification and a Europe with two speeds.

Make Europe Great Again

Newsweek wrote on June 16:

“French President Emmanuel Macron and Donald Trump don’t have many obvious parallels… But… Macron’s… plans for European trade have a distinctly protectionist flavor. You might even say he wants to ‘make Europe great again’ and ‘put Europe first.’… Macron is seeking… a Europe that ‘concentrates on major challenges and dares to defend its interests and values in the world.’

“Macron’s proposals include a ‘buy European act’ that would make it harder for non-EU companies to get public contracts in Europe…”

“German Defense Commissioner Vows: ‘In the End There Will Be a European Army’”

Breitbart wrote on June 20:

“As negotiations between Britain and the EU over Brexit get underway, a senior German politician has declared that a ‘European Army’ is inevitable. Hans-Peter Bartels, the parliamentary commissioner for the Armed Forces, insisted: ‘In the end, there will be a European Army.’ Bartel alleged the age-old system of national armies accountable to national governments was ‘disorganised, technically fragmented and duplicate structures unnecessarily’.

“He added: ‘Every step in the right direction [towards an EU army] is important.’ Bartel’s comments follow European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announcing a European Defence Action Plan, amongst other measures to deepen EU military integration…”

Indeed, a mighty and powerful European army is inevitable, as it is clearly prophesied to occur in the near future.

Germany and Austria Blast New US Sanctions on Russia

AFP wrote on June 16:

“Germany on Friday lashed out at Washington over new sanctions against Russia… The new penalties, approved by the US Senate on Thursday, include a paragraph that threatens to penalise European companies that push ahead with energy export programmes with Russia. Those include the Nord Stream 2 pipeline which would pump Russian gas under the Baltic Sea directly to Germany.

“‘It is strange that in the sanctioning of Russia’s behaviour, with regards to the US elections for instance, that the European economy should become a target of American sanctions. That must not happen,’ said Chancellor Angela Merkel’s spokesman Steffen Seibert. He added that Merkel shared the concerns raised by Germany’s Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel and Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern who charged in a joint statement Thursday that the measure brings a ‘completely new and entirely negative quality to European-US relations’.

“In a hard-hitting statement, the German and Austrian said they ‘cannot accept the threat of extra-territorial sanctions against European companies that participate in the expansion of European energy supplies’, adding that this would ‘violate international law.’”

“They accused Washington of using the sanctions to squeeze Russian gas supplies out of Europe in favour of US energy exports… ‘Political sanctions should not be mixed up with economic interests,’ they warned, stressing that ‘Europe’s energy supply is Europe’s business and not that of the United States’. ‘We decide who delivers energy to us and how, according to rules of openness and economic competitiveness,’ said Gabriel and Kern.

“The bill as originally introduced was exclusively about slapping new sanctions on Iran. But lawmakers attached a bipartisan amendment on Russia to it early this week. The addition came with the White House deeply embroiled in crisis over whether Trump’s campaign team colluded with a Russian effort to sway the 2016 election…”

Insofar as a criminal investigation against Mr. Trump regarding obstruction of justice is concerned, there have been conflicting reports. After the Washington Post reported that Mr. Trump was under investigation, Mr. Trump admitted the same on Twitter, but subsequently one of his personal attorneys denied the same in several rambling and quite hostile TV interviews. However, in the course of the interviews, he kept contradicting himself, by first admitting that an investigation had begun, and then subsequently denying it, while finally saying that he had not been “informed” that an investigation was being conducted. In addition, ABC claimed that special prosecutor Robert Mueller had not yet started a full-scale investigation, but that he had begun some preliminary planning. Both the Washington Post and ABC backed up their stories through “anonymous sources.”

Much more importantly, not a week or maybe even a day goes by when disagreements don’t surface between Europe, under Germany leadership, and the USA under Mr. Trump. As we have been pointing out, Mr. Trump came to power, not as an accident, but because of God’s hand… to contribute to the fulfillment of the biblical prophecy of destroying the USA from the outside and domestically.

Syrian War Could Escalate

The Hill wrote on June 20:

“The United States is inching closer to involvement in the Syrian civil war after U.S. forces shot down a Syrian fighter jet on Sunday… it carries the potential for further escalation — particularly with Russia threatening to target U.S. aircraft that fly into parts of Syria. It was the first time the United States has shot down a Syrian plane, and the first time a U.S. military jet has shot down any manned aircraft since 1999.

“On Monday, Russia responded by saying its surface-to-air missile systems in Syria would begin to track [and shoot down] manned and unmanned aircraft from the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition if they go west of the Euphrates River… Robert Ford, a former U.S. ambassador to Syria, said there is real danger to the U.S. as tensions flare.

“… experts worry about the U.S. military attacking pro-Assad forces without a larger Syria strategy from President Trump.”

Why is America Meddling in Syria?

The Week wrote on June 20:

“Open conflict between Russia and the United States is heating up in Syria…

“An all-out nuclear exchange between the United States and Russia is one of the few things that could threaten human extinction. Hundreds of millions, perhaps billions, would be killed in the immediate attack, blowing the world economic system apart, and beginning what would probably be several years of nuclear winter, devastating agriculture. People might survive in remote locations — perhaps Australia and New Zealand — but it’s not at all guaranteed in such an extreme scenario. It would be the worst disaster in history, by several orders of magnitude…

“Ultimately a nuclear conflict would be the worst imaginable strategic outcome for both nations…

“So what are we doing in Syria to justify ratcheting up tensions with Russia?… In Syria there is not only no strategic threat, there is not even a realistic American objective of any kind…

“Remarkably, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson does seem to grasp the need for diplomacy, with the construction of a new diplomatic framework for handling tensions with Russia… But there is little sign Trump is even capable of paying attention to such things…

“In any event, it’s worth emphasizing that not only is America pouring money and lives down the drain in Syria for virtually no reason, we are also increasing the chance of extremely risky confrontation with Russia — during the presidency of the most inept person ever to hold the office. (The mind reels at the idea of this president attempting to navigate a serious diplomatic crisis.)

“If Congress had any sense at all, they would be asserting their constitutional duty to oversee the use of military force — remember there has never been any congressional authorization of Syrian intervention— and liberals would be a bit more careful with anti-Russia diatribes.”

We know from biblical prophecy that no nuclear war will take place between Russia and the USA… but tragically, the USA and the UK WILL become targets of nuclear attacks, leading to their total destruction—and that from a power very few seem to be able to acknowledge and identify.

More American Confusion over Qatar

The Guardian wrote on June 20:

“The US state department has issued a stinging rebuke to Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies saying they had failed to come up with a justification for the embargo they imposed on Qatar earlier this month.

“The public and blunt criticism of Riyadh and the United Arab Emirates marked a sharp about-turn from Donald Trump’s wholehearted backing for the embargo, and his accusations of terrorist funding against Qatar. It follows an increasing pattern in which the state and defence departments have pursued policies abroad that are far removed from Trump’s rhetoric.

“‘Now that it has been more than two weeks since the embargo started, we are mystified that the Gulf states have not released to the Qataris, nor to the public, the details about the claims they are making toward Qatar,’ Heather Nauert, the state department spokeswoman said. ‘The more that time goes by, the more doubt is raised about the actions taken by Saudi Arabia and the UAE,’ she added. ‘At this point, we are left with one simple question: were the actions really about their concerns regarding Qatar’s alleged support for terrorism? Or were they about the long-simmering grievances between and among the GCC [Gulf Cooperation Council] countries?’

“Trump was feted by Saudi Arabia when he made Riyadh the destination of his first trip abroad as president, on 20 May. Riyadh declared its embargo on Qatar just over two weeks later and Trump made repeated statements in support of the move, appearing to take at face value Riyadh’s justification that it was to punish Doha for its backing of terrorist groups. In a tweet on June 6, Trump even appeared to claim credit for the blockade, suggesting it showed that his trip to Riyadh was ‘paying off.’ ‘The nation of Qatar, unfortunately, has historically been a funder of terrorism at a very high level,’ Trump said in the Rose Garden three days later. ‘We have to stop the funding of terrorism.’

“But last week, the defence secretary, James Mattis, signed an arms deal in which the US sold Qatar 36 F-15 fighter planes, worth $12bn…

“The Gulf dispute is just one of several issues on which the state and defence departments appear to follow a different tack from the president. The divergence is particularly evident in matters connected to Russia. Tillerson and Mattis, supported by most congressional Republicans, have insisted sanctions on Russia for its military intervention in Ukraine and annexation of Crimea, remain in place until the Kremlin withdraws its forces. Trump has quietly sought to have the sanctions lifted.”

The Trump Administration manifests a picture of total and utterly hopeless confusion, inconsistency and apparent in-fighting in high places. America’s allies must be bewildered, and America’s enemies must be cheering.

“Trump Betraying All His Health Care Promises BIGGEST SCANDAL of All”

Vox wrote on June 16:

“Candidate Trump… was going to protect Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security from cuts and replace the Affordable Care Act with a ‘terrific’ new system that would ‘cover everyone’ and offer the lower premiums and deductibles the American people wanted… The only problem is that it’s all lies. Trump’s health care plan doesn’t protect Medicaid, it loots it to finance hundreds of billions of dollars in tax cuts. The new ‘flexibility’ it gives to states will ensure that the most vulnerable are the most hurt. In addition to slashing the Medicaid rolls by millions, the Trump health care plan will see millions more lose coverage, and the remainder will face higher premiums for plans that cover less…

“The centerpiece of the Trump-endorsed American Health Care Act… is a $600 billion tax cut. Families with incomes below $208,500 per year will see their taxes fall by an average of $0 per year, receiving none of that money. But members of the top 0.1 percent of the income distribution — households with an annual income of more than $3.75 million — will see their taxes fall by an average of $165,090 per year…

“Specifically, under the House bill, about 14 million more people would be uninsured in 2018, according to the Congressional Budget Office, increasing to 23 million in 2026. On the regulatory side, one-sixth of Americans live in states that CBO expects to pursue broad waivers from Obamacare regulations prohibiting insurers from charging sick people more than healthy people and requiring certain services to be covered. The analysts predict that the individual insurance markets in those states would start to destabilize after 2020, as insurance becomes unaffordable for people with high medical costs…

“The savage cuts to Medicaid — reducing enrollment by a staggering 14 million — are particularly cruel in light of Trump’s explicit promise not to do this. But what’s truly shocking is that the Trump administration thinks this isn’t enough. His budget proposal for the next fiscal year includes even more Medicaid cuts that, paired with AHCA, would cut the program nearly in half.

“To make things even more disturbing and outrageous, not only is Trump breaking his promise on this score, his administration is simply in an ongoing process of lying about it….

“Voters ought to consider the credibility of Trump’s other promises in light of his willingness to promise not to cut Medicaid… Already his administration has piloted a thin edge of the wedge by proposing large cuts in Social Security Disability Insurance and claiming that’s consistent with his pledge to avoid Social Security cuts on the theory that Social Security Disability Insurance isn’t really part of Social Security (a theory that would come as news to the Social Security Administration)… Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) is already laying the groundwork for a big Medicare-cut-bill that he believes he can get Trump to sign. After all, if Trump sold out his promises on Medicaid and Social Security, why wouldn’t he sell out the Medicare promises too?

“… on health care [Trump] is mounting a… campaign of political deception. He knows that the American people are, rightly, dissatisfied with the fact that the Affordable Care Act left most of us with premiums and deductibles that are higher than we’d like and has fallen short of its promise of universal coverage. He would like us to believe that his health care initiatives would alleviate or solve these problems, when in reality they will do the opposite — sucking money out of the provision of health care and using it to finance a large tax cut for affluent families.

“And as far as political deception campaigns go, Trump’s health care lies are breathtaking in score… But at the same time, Trump has succeeded in persuading the media and the political system to process these highly public lies as a kind of banal non-story… Trump’s decision to build his approach to one-sixth of the economy on a foundation of enormous lies is a huge scandal.”

It makes your blood boil when you read about the horrendous corruption of America’s political system; the continuing bold and blatant lies of the leadership; and the indifferent and willfully ignorant media. God abhors lying, and those who are guilty of it will have to pay a costly price. Continued lying is one of many reasons why God will proceed soon to punish the USA in unparalleled ways.

Confusion over GOP Health-Care Draft and President Trump’s Mixed Signals

The Washington Post wrote on June 20:

“After weeks of secret deliberations, Senate Republicans are in the final stages of a sweeping rewrite of the nation’s health-care laws amid growing frustration among the rank and file over how to fulfill the party’s top campaign promise over the past seven years. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Tuesday that GOP leaders will produce a ‘discussion draft’ on Thursday and hinted that a final vote could come next week… McConnell’s strategy for achieving that goal — writing a bill with a handful of aides behind closed doors — has come at a cost that reached new heights on Tuesday: anger among Republicans who feel shut out of the process…

“Trump has sent mixed signals to Capitol Hill and has played a more hands-off role in Senate deliberations than he did in the House. While the president has pushed for swift action on health care and celebrated the passage of the House bill in May, he also ‘wants a bill that has heart in it,’ press secretary Sean Spicer said at the White House on Tuesday. And at a private meeting with senators recently, Trump called the version that passed the House ‘mean’…”

Incredible! The House bill which Mr. Trump publicly applauded and celebrated was criticized by him as being mean and without heart, which in fact it is. And it appears that the contemplated Senate bill will be even meaner…

Senate GOP Bill in Jeopardy Upon Arrival

Newsmax reported on June 22, after, as the Washington Post put it, “Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell introduced draft text — crafted behind closed doors among a small circle of lawmakers and aides — of the Senate GOP bill in a private meeting with Republican senators on Thursday morning”:

“Four Republican senators [Ted Cruz, Ron Johnson, Mike Lee and Rand Paul] say they are not ready to vote for the GOP health care bill, putting the measure in jeopardy… The four say there are provisions that are an improvement to the current health care system. But they add that the measure fails to accomplish what they have promised to their constituents, ‘to repeal Obamacare and lower their health care costs.’

“GOP leaders hope to vote on the bill next week and can only afford two defections from the 52 Senate Republicans.”

However, it must be said that some of their “concerns” might make the Senate bill even much worse…

“California May Have Just Boosted Trump’s Chances of Winning in 2020”

CNBC wrote on June 19:

“The Golden State has decided to take its opposition to President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration beyond defending sanctuary city policies. The Democrat-dominated state legislature has just approved nearly $50 million for a program that will provide legal services and representation for illegal immigrants… this is how you get 8 years of President Trump instead of just 4… California isn’t likely to go from blue to red in the next election over this. But as the rest of the country learns about how far Democrats and liberals are willing to go in using other people’s money to support illegal immigration, there’s likely to be a significant push back.

“You wouldn’t know this just by listening to Democratic politicians and the mainstream media, but illegal immigration is unpopular with most American voters. A recent Gallup Poll showed that 59 percent of Americans (79 percent of Republicans and 48 percent of Democrats), ‘worry’ a great deal’ or a ‘fair amount’ about illegal immigration. This level of worry has remained steady over the last 17 years that Gallup has polled on the issue.

“… For all the talk about how President Trump takes major political gambles, it’s hard to call his move to deport more illegal immigrants a gamble in a country where a rare 59 percent majority continues to consider illegal immigration a real and serious problem… One of the great disconnects in 2016 was the fact that so many experts thought candidate Donald Trump’s focus on illegal immigration was political suicide. Instead, it’s clear it was a major boost on the way to his election.

“Now, California has given him and his supporters a new punching bag that should resonate in the red and swing states across the country. The tin ear of the left has struck again, and once again it’s a self-inflicted wound.”

Whether or not the California move on supporting illegal immigration would be a decisive factor in 2020, we strongly feel that Donald Trump will not be replaced during his term in office (whether for four or eight years).

Fronleichnam—“The Body of Christ”— Another Wrong and Damaging Catholic Festival

The Local wrote on June 15:

“Thursday (June 15)  is yet another public holiday in the Catholic states of southern and western Germany. The celebration of Fronleichnam (Corpus Christi) is one of the more obscure… Catholic celebrations…

“The word comes from the Middle High German vronlicham meaning ‘the body of God.’ In English the festival is known by the Latin name Corpus Christi, which also means body of Christ. On Fronleichnam, Catholics celebrate the belief that Jesus remains with us in the flesh through the bread and wine consumed during communion… Catholics believe that Jesus created the sacrament of the Eucharist when he told his disciples that the bread ‘is my flesh’ and the wine ‘is my blood.’ The first Fronleichnam procession was held in the year 1270…

“Fronleichnam is always celebrated on the second Thursday after Whitsun… In Fritzlar in north Hesse, the celebrations start on Wednesday night with the so-called Katzenkoppschießen. During this ceremony, the eight bells of the town cathedral are rung and a canon is fired, a ritual that is repeated three times. In Cologne, there is a procession involving over 100 ships, while in Bamberg 18 men carry a huge cross through the town.

“… the processions have often had a subversive element. The extrovert and bombastic character was meant to show Protestants how great it is to be a Catholic. Luther, for his part, described the holiday as ‘the most damaging of all festivals.’”

Luther had a point, even though celebrations of Christmas and Easter are equally damaging. The whole concept of “Fronleichnam” is wrong and totally unbiblical that “Jesus remains with us in the flesh through the bread and wine consumed during communion.” When Christ said that this IS my body and this IS My blood, He meant that the bread and the wine SYMBOLIZED His broken body and His shed blood. Only those who are properly baptized are to participate in the ceremony ONCE a year… during the annual Passover. Christ was offered only ONCE… to believe that the bread and the wine change into His body and blood would mean that Christ is being sacrificed continually. Also, we are clearly forbidden to eat blood. So, Fronleichnam is celebrated at a wrong time and for the wrong reasons. It is altogether unbiblical and contrary to biblical truth.

For more information, please read our free booklet, “The Meaning of God’s Spring Holy Days.”

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.

Theresa May’s Election Debacle

The Associated Press wrote on June 9:

“Having called an early election in hopes of getting an increased majority that could have strengthened her hand in Britain’s exit talks with the EU, [Theresa] May instead saw her majority evaporate completely — leaving her fortunes hanging by a thread and dark clouds over the Brexit negotiations just 10 days before they are due to start…

“May’s snap election call was the second time that a Conservative gamble on the issue of Britain’s relations with Europe backfired. Her predecessor, David Cameron, first asked British voters to decide in 2016 whether to leave the EU. Cameron, gambling that Britons wouldn’t want to sever their network of ties with the continent, had promised the Brexit referendum during a 2015 election campaign that gave Conservatives a surprise Parliamentary majority. When voters stunned him and Europe by voting to leave, he resigned, leaving May to deal with the mess…

“May… was criticized for a lackluster campaigning style and for a plan to force elderly people to pay more for their care, a proposal her opponents dubbed the ‘dementia tax.’… Then, attacks in Manchester and London that killed a total of 30 people brought the campaign to a halt — twice. They sent a wave of anxiety through Britain and forced May to defend the government’s record on fighting terrorism…”

Theresa May’s debacle might have negative consequences for Britain regarding its power to negotiate successfully in the upcoming Brexit talks. Note the next articles.

Consequences for Brexit

Express wrote on June 9:

“European Council President Mr Tusk… tweeted: ‘We don’t know when Brexit talks start. We know when they must end.’ … Manfred Weber, MEP and chairman of the European People’s Party group, wrote: ‘… EU is united, UK is deeply split…’ [Tusk also wrote:] ‘The timeframe set by Article 50 of the Treaty leaves us with no time to lose,’… referring to a deadline of March 2019 when Britain will no longer be a member of the bloc, whether or not a deal is reached to avoid legal uncertainties.”

The Guardian wrote on June 11:

“Theresa May is to be told the EU will take a year to draft a new mandate for its chief negotiator, Michel Barnier, effectively killing the Brexit negotiations, if she insists on discussing a future trade relationship at the same time as the UK’s divorce bill…

“The EU’s 27 leaders formally agreed to give Barnier a narrow set of tasks at a summit in April and they have no intention of rethinking the so-called phased approach when they meet May at a European summit on 22-23 June…

“The threat to take a year out of the already dwindling window for negotiations under article 50 of the Lisbon treaty illustrates the intense frustration felt in Brussels.”

A one-year delay in negotiations or their total abandonment would not change the fact that Britain will no longer be a member of the EU by March 2019. But Britain would clearly end up on the losing side. Note the next article.

The Clock Is Ticking

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 12:

“When Prime Minister Theresa May triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty in March, thus beginning the formal process of Britain’s exit from the European Union, she did not realize she would soon be fighting for her political life. Article 50, which was not designed to make things easy for the country exiting the EU, sets a strict two-year timeline for talks, giving Britain until March 2019 to conclude discussions…

“Talks had been expected to begin on June 19. ‘There is absolutely no doubt that the UK government enters these negotiations tremendously diminished, and the absence of a clear mandate risks further destabilizing what was already likely to be a difficult, complex process,’ Sophie Gaston, head of international projects at the think tank Demos, told DW. ‘Triggering Article 50 before an election was grossly arrogant and has left the country in a highly vulnerable position. We can delay the start date for talks as long as we wish, but the clock will not stop ticking on their end date.’…

“‘The damage that will be caused by Brexit will be more directly caused by May’s sequence of bad decisions than by the actual referendum result,’ lawyer and legal commentator David Allen Green told DW. ‘The UK is now three months into the Article 50 process and it seems we are in a worse position because of May’s frolic of a general election than when the UK made the notification.’”

“British Employers Unprepared for Immigration Changes after Brexit”

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 12:

“Roughly half of employers in the UK looked unprepared for the government’s planned changes to immigration rules after Brexit… About 30 percent of respondents said they expected freedom of movement to continue for citizens from the European Union and the European Economic Area (EEA) as long as job offers were available. Another 17 percent thought there would be no change at all to the current rules, with the Resolution Foundation calling such views ‘totally unrealistic,’ given that Prime Minister Theresa May had pledged to cut immigration to the tens of thousands, regardless of businesses’ demand for foreign labor.

“Forty-six percent of companies employing nationals from the EU or EEA said they did not expect any decline in their numbers, even though official data had already shown a sharp drop in net migration. ‘There’s a stark gap between what businesses want and expect from our post-Brexit immigration system and what the government has pledged to deliver,’ policy analyst Stephen Clarke said in a statement.”

“London May Lose Euro Clearing Business”

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 13:

“The EU is scheduled to unveil new rules for the financial sector that could result in a huge slice of London’s banking business leaving after Brexit. It would be a severe blow to London’s role as a financial hub… the new rules could deny post-Brexit London the right to host financial market clearing houses that deal in euros, the eurozone’s single currency. Clearing houses are a key part of London’s financial operations, with trillions of euros being handled every year.

“The issue of whether the euro clearing business can remain in the British capital is set to be one of the most contentious issues when the UK negotiates its future trade relationship with the EU.

“Brussels said last month it was exploring several options including the possibility of Britain keeping its euro clearing, while accepting strict EU oversight. But experts fear that this oversight might be so tough that many clearing houses would still want to relocate to EU member countries. The London Stock Exchange has bitterly objected to any such relocation activities. ‘It’s going to be complete chaos,’ LSE Chief Executive Xavier Rolet told reporters…

“Rolet argued a forced relocation of euro clearing to the EU would require a near doubling of the $83 billion (74 billion euros) that finance companies set aside for contract defaults. European financial experts say this figure is exaggerated…”

The end-result of the Brexit will be an economic downfall for the UK.

Civil War in May’s Party

The Daily Mail wrote on June 9:

“Furious Tory MPs last night threatened to oust Theresa May within six months after her disastrous election campaign. The party was plunged into civil war after the Prime Minister lost her Commons majority, with MPs aghast at her campaign tactics that resulted in the Tories blowing a 20-point lead over Labour. They demanded the resignation of Mrs May’s closest aides, and amid reports the PM had to be talked out of resigning early yesterday, some ministers said she would be forced from office in months…

“In a defiant statement on the steps of No 10 yesterday, Mrs May vowed to ‘get to work’ on delivering Brexit… However, the tone of Mrs May’s statement only enraged Tory MPs further as she failed to mention the MPs who had lost their seats, or show any contrition for a result that plunges the country – and Brexit negotiations – into turmoil.

“After critics said she was ‘in denial’, Mrs May later made a statement in which she apologised to Tory MPs who lost their seats and promised to ‘reflect’ on the result.”

Many feel that Theresa May will not survive this debacle for long.

Party Uncomfortable with DUP Alliance

Bloomberg reported on June 10:

“Anger in her ranks is palpable, with some prominent [members] uncomfortable with the plan to form a parliamentary alliance with the Democratic Unionist Party, [a pro-British Protestant group] which opposes gay marriage and abortion. Ruth Davidson, the leader of the Scottish Conservatives, who is a lesbian, expressed those doubts publicly on Friday evening after speaking to May…

“Conservatives [are left] with 317 seats in Parliament out of 650, meaning they’re likely to need the DUP’s 10 votes to win a confidence motion… In return, the DUP is likely to ask for more money to be spent on Northern Ireland, and other specific concessions.

“In the meantime, European Union leaders are showing May little sympathy with Brexit negotiations due to start in nine days. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she saw no reason to grant the U.K. a grace period…”

Note too that British voters elected a record number of 45 LGBTQ candidates to parliament — 7 percent of its 650 members, according to the Washington Post, dated June 11.

Warnings against a Deal with DUP

The Daily Mail wrote on June 10:

“It had previously been thought that the party once run by the late Ian Paisley would only enter into a confidence and supply deal with the Tories – an agreement which would see the two parties agreeing support on a law-by-law basis…

“The DUP is the leading unionist party in Northern Ireland and it is supposed to share power with republican Sinn Fein but bitter feuds have left the devolved assembly suspended. Westminster is supposed to act as an honest broker between the parties… Sinn Fein is already suspicious of Tory neutrality because of the party’s traditional closeness to the DUP and any form of coalition will chill relations further. The deal will raise the prospect of a long-term collapse in Northern Ireland devolution. The current row was triggered by DUP leader Arlene Foster refusing to resign as First Minister over a green energy funding scandal.

“Jonathan Powell, a key adviser to Tony Blair when he brokered peace in Northern Ireland, warned yesterday: ‘Even John Major didn’t resort to relying on DUP… This could undo 20 years of work in Northern Ireland.’”

This makes it indeed very difficult for Britain to be a neutral broker in Northern Ireland’s internal fight. Deutsche Welle added on June 15: “The EU’s Michel Barnier and UK’s David Davis have agreed to meet next week to start talks on Britain’s departure from the bloc. Theresa May has still not sealed a deal for the DUP to support her minority government.”

Macron’s Overwhelming Victory

Reuters reported on June 11:

“French President Emmanuel Macron’s party and its allies have won the biggest share of the vote in the first round of legislative elections on Sunday… Macron’s Republic on the Move party (LREM) and its allies [won] over 30 percent of the vote… a result that pollsters say could deliver him as much as three quarters of lower house seats when the second round results [which will take place next Sunday] come in [putting his party and ally Modem on track to take between 415 and 455 seats in the 577-seat National Assembly].

“The results are another blow to the country’s mainstream Socialist and conservative parties already reeling from Macron’s election in May, which blew apart the left-right divide that has shaped French politics for the past century.

“Macron professes to be neither right nor left. His one-year-old Republic on the Move (LREM) party fielded more than 400 candidates, bringing together seasoned veterans and political novices…

“[The] results… give France’s youngest leader since Napoleon a powerful mandate with which to make good on his campaign pledges to revive France’s fortunes by cleaning up politics and easing regulations that investors say hobble the euro zone’s No.2 economy.”

Emmanuel Macron’s victory is indeed interesting in the light of the European unification process, given the fact that Mr. Macron and Mrs. Merkel are strong supporters of a powerful Europe. Note the next article.

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 12:

“LREM’s win is one of the largest parliamentary majorities in the history of France’s Fifth Republic, allowing Macron to implement a range of reforms he promised ahead of the presidential election a month ago.

“Macron had called for a reform of the European Union, including a strengthening of the Eurozone through a common budget, as well as introducing ‘new executive powers’ in the euro region, a ‘Euro chamber’ and a ‘Euro commissioner.’ …”

Coming… a Most Powerful EU Army

The Daily Star wrote on June 13:

“THE EU is developing a massive army capable of going toe-to-toe with Vladimir Putin in eastern Europe… European nations are working together to finance plans for a combined fighter jet force as the dawn of a new EU super-army draws closer. French aviation giant Airbus has been commissioned to build the deadly new fighters by the governments of Germany and Spain – with France also looking likely to take part.

“Airbus’ military division head Fernando Alonso said: ‘We have to work together in Europe. There is no more space for two or three different systems. The time is ripe for making and implementing a decision on common defence.’”

We hear more and more about Europe’s determination to establish a powerful army. Some still question this or feel this will take a long time. However, the Bible says that it will happen very suddenly and it will be surprising to many.

The Netherlands Still Without a Government

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 13:

“Almost three months after the federal election, the Netherlands still can’t form a coalition government… Four parties were attempting to form a coalition on Monday evening, but discussions ran aground…

“Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Liberal VVD party won the most seats in the March 15 election, and was negotiating with leaders from the centre-right CDA, progressive D66 and ecologist leftwing GroenLinks to form a four-party coalition. Geert Wilders’ anti-Islam, anti-EU Freedom Party came second in the election, but most major parties had vowed not to work with him… Wilders seized on the disagreement, saying that only with the help of his party would the Netherlands get a strict immigration policy…”

The Netherlands—descendant of the biblical tribe of Zebulon—are an interesting phenomenon. Traditionally on bad terms with Germany, it will remain to be seen whether they will end up as a part of the core European nations.

Who Is Lying—Mr. Trump or Mr. Comey?

The Guardian wrote on June 9:

“Who is lying – Trump or Comey? What is clear is that the members of the Senate intelligence committee appear unanimous in their agreement that it must be Trump. Not one senator hazarded as much as a single question challenging Comey’s veracity… a bipartisan group of senators made clear their belief that the president was lying.

“The conclusion follows not simply from Trump’s long and durable history of mendacity. To believe the president’s statement, we must conclude not only that Comey perjured himself on Thursday but that the former director is a liar of exceptional premeditation and forethought. We must conclude that Comey dashed out of a [private] meeting with the president [after Trump allegedly asked everyone else to leave] to fabricate a false contemporaneous account of that meeting [during which Trump allegedly said to Comey that he “hoped” he would let Flynn go] which he then maliciously shared with other senior officials.

“We must additionally believe that Comey is not simply a liar but also a traitor, who has been conspiring to bring down the recently elected president of the United States. Bizarre as this sounds, it is precisely what the president’s statement claims…

“[It has been] suggested that no one has ever been convicted of obstruction of justice for expressing ‘hope’… The eighth circuit court of appeals has upheld a conviction in precisely such a case…”

The Huffington Post reported on June 10 that a new Huffpost/YouGov poll found that “by a 20-point margin, 46 percent to 26 percent, Americans say Comey is more honest and trustworthy than Trump, with the remainder unsure.”

Troubling Facts Emerge

Business Insider wrote on June 10:

“Trump’s defenders make much of the fact that Comey said he wasn’t under investigation for collusion. But they ignore the likelihood that Trump is now under investigation by Special Counsel Robert Mueller for obstruction of justice — and for good reason: He all but confessed to the crime. As former Watergate prosecutor Philip Allen Lacovara writes: ‘Any experienced prosecutor would see these facts as establishing a prima facie case of obstruction of justice.’…

“The only thing standing between Trump and impeachment is the new partisanship of the Republican majority on Capitol Hill. But if Democrats win the 2018 midterm elections, we are likely to see the most serious impeachment proceedings since Watergate.”

Even though impeachment proceedings might be initiated, they will not lead to President Trump’s stepping down from office… he was placed in his position to fulfill his purpose, and he will stay in office until it has been fulfilled… leading to the complete downfall of the United States.

President Trump Under Criminal Investigation?

The Times of Israel reported on June 15:

“US President Donald Trump on Thursday denounced reports that the special counsel appointed to investigate Russian influence in the 2016 presidential campaign is now examining whether he tried to obstruct justice…  ‘They made up a phony collusion with the Russians story, found zero proof, so now they go for obstruction of justice on the phony story. Nice,’ the president tweeted just before 4 a.m….

“An hour later Trump tweeted… ‘You are witnessing the single greatest WITCH HUNT in American political history – led by some very bad and conflicted people!… ‘

“In a pivotal shift in the investigation that has riveted Americans like no other for decades, senior intelligence officials have agreed to be interviewed by investigators working for the special counsel, Robert Mueller, the [Washington] Post said.

“It quoted five people briefed on the requests and said those who have agreed to be interviewed are Daniel Coats, the director of national intelligence, Admiral Mike Rogers, the head of the National Security Agency, and his recently departed deputy, Richard Ledgett…

“Trump’s personal lawyer Marc Kasowitz, who issued a statement which did not deny the story, but did say that the FBI was behind it, calling the leak ‘outrageous, inexcusable and illegal.’…

“Quoting officials, the newspaper said one event of interest to Mueller is an exchange on March 22, when Coats told associates that Trump had asked him to intervene with Comey to get him to back off the focus on Trump’s former national security advisor Mike Flynn as part of the FBI probe of the Russia affair.

“A few days after the March 22 meeting, Trump spoke separately with Coats and Rogers and asked them to issue public statements to the effect that there was no evidence of coordination between his campaign and Russia. The Post said both men refused the president’s request…”

The irony is that if President Trump had not fired Mr. Comey, there would not be, in all likelihood, any criminal investigation. In addition, to imply that special prosecutor Robert Mueller is part of a witch hunt and belongs to the category of “very bad people” is not the wisest of all comments.

Attorney General Sessions “Testifies” –Sort of…

Bloomberg wrote on June 14:

“Anyone hoping for a big revelation from Attorney General Jeff Sessions yesterday would have been disappointed. Sessions, who reportedly had fallen out of favor with Trump in recent weeks, staunchly refused to answer senators’ questions about his exchanges with the president during a hearing about Russian election interference and the James Comey firing. That prompted Democrats to accuse him of stonewalling without any legal justification.”

Jeff Sessions “stonewalling” and his refusal to answer any “sensitive” questions should have been obvious to everyone. Jeff Sessions did not cite any legal justification for his assertion of any privilege, and in fact, there does not seem to exist one (He only cited an unnamed DOJ “policy,” which would of course have no legal relevance). He did not plead “executive privilege,” because only the President can do this, and Mr. Sessions admitted that the President had not done so. But then, he alleged that since the President could raise it in the future, Mr. Sessions would not answer any questions pertaining to talks between him and the President. A rather strange legal conclusion by the highest legal official in the USA!

In addition, Bild Online wrote: “The most common phrase which Sessions used was, ‘I do not remember.’” Mr. Sessions also “vehemently rejected the suggestion he colluded with Russia… branding the accusations an ‘appalling and detestable lie.’… Sessions may be under a further cloud after Comey suggested the attorney general may have failed to take appropriate steps to protect the FBI chief from political pressure from Trump’s White House” (The Times of Israel/AFP, dated June 13).

Jeff Sessions admitted that a private meeting between President Trump and Mr. Comey took place after everyone had left the room. But he did not adequately explain why—after Mr. Sessions had recused himself–Deputy Attorney General Rosenstein’s letter and Mr. Session’s letter of recommendation to fire Mr. Comey (containing evaluations which have been strongly disputed by the FBI and the acting FBI director) played any role in President Trump’s previous decision to fire Mr. Comey anyhow over the “Russian thing.”

Deutsche Welle added on June 14:

“[Sessions] submitted himself to probing questions by senators about Russia’s influence on the US federal election or the reasons behind the dismissal of former FBI director, James Comey. The attorney general did not disclose any information that could damage Trump. During the hearing, Sessions suffered from attacks of amnesia; or he refused to give evidence when things got too risky… transparency comes across differently. Sessions’ testimony did not instill any confidence – neither in him, nor in this administration…

“So the ghost of potentially too close contact between Trump and Russia will continue to haunt the corridors of Congress… Jeff Sessions defended the president’s decisions and his process of decision-making. One day he might regret this.”

US Recession Coming?

Agora Financial wrote on June 14:

“Last December, the Fed began a cycle of rate increases every three months. The Fed is eager to raise interest rates so it has room to cut them again whenever the next recession or financial shock hits.

“But these increases now appear to be pushing a fragile economy over the edge — perhaps causing the very recession the Fed was preparing to fight…”

Trump Afraid of Visiting the UK?

The Daily Mail wrote on June 11:

“President Donald Trump has said he has called off state visits to the UK over large scale protests he is likely to face from the British public. The commander-in-chief is understood to have called Prime Minister Theresa May to tell her that he didn’t want to visit the UK if there were going to be demonstrations against him – meaning his visit could be indefinitely postponed. But Mrs May’s office denied there had been any changes to the planned visit and refused to comment on the reports around the phone call – even though it is possible she will not be Prime Minister by the time the scheduled visit occurs [the trip was tentatively planned, but not yet scheduled for October]…

“Trump’s relationship with the British public has been highly strained for years… Last week Theresa May told Trump she was ‘disappointed’ at his decision to take the US out of the Paris climate change agreement, although she did not join other European leaders in signing a joint statement condemning the action… The animosity felt towards Trump by the British people is likely to be a thorn in the president’s side. An Anglophile who has long boasted of his British heritage – his mother, Mary-Anne Trump, was born in Tong, Scotland – Trump longs for acceptance from the country.

“At the start of the year he sent the UK government a list of demands for his then-expected visit. They included having the Queen join him for a game of golf on the nine-hole course at her castle in Balmoral, Scotland… His PR team had hoped to replicate a photograph similar to the 1982 image of Ronald Reagan and the Queen riding horses together. He also wanted dinner at Blenheim Palace – Winston Churchill’s birthplace – in Oxfordshire, England, and tea at Buckingham Palace in London…”

Even though Theresa May’s office refused to comment on the report and the White House flatly denied its accuracy, the source claimed to be present in Downing Street when the call came through and The New York Times confirmed at least some details of the report from American officials. This means, somebody is lying.

“Trump Finally Finds Place to Stay in Hamburg for G20 Summit”

The Local wrote on June 9:

“US President Donald Trump reportedly struggled at first to find a place to stay on his first official visit to Germany. But the Hamburg city government has come to his rescue, German media report. Is it just that there wasn’t any space left in the inn?

“With 6,000 delegates set to attend the G20 summit in Hamburg in July, plus security personnel and several thousand journalists, there is high demand for rooms in the port city. So maybe this is the reason that the swanky Four Seasons Hotel told Trump back in April that they couldn’t offer him a room for the event, despite having hosted former Secretary of State John Kerry in December…

“Rumour had it that the US President’s team had been unable to find him suitable accommodation in the port city, deciding instead to book him a room in Berlin and fly him to Hamburg for the summit on each of the two days. But Bild reported on Friday that the White House has now secured a roof over the President’s well-coiffed head. The Hamburg city government has offered Trump a villa it uses as a guest house, according to the tabloid. US Secret Service teams are set to visit the location next week with German colleagues to assess its security. A river that passes in front of the building is likely to be closed to boats.”

Very suspicious. President Trump is just not liked at all in Germany, and the feeling seems to be mutual.

Another Court Ruling Against Trump’s Travel Ban

CNN wrote on June 12:

“Another federal court has ruled against President Donald Trump’s revised executive order limiting travel from six predominately Muslim countries — and like other courts, used his tweets against him… ‘We conclude that the President, in issuing the Executive Order, exceeded the scope of the authority delegated to him by Congress,’ the three judges… wrote… The judges cited Trump’s latest tweets in the travel ban saga. ‘That’s right, we need a TRAVEL BAN for certain DANGEROUS countries, not some politically correct term that won’t help us protect our people!’ Trump tweeted on June 5.

“They also cited White House press secretary Sean Spicer’s confirmation that the President’s tweets are ‘considered official statements by the President of the United States’… Monday’s ruling will no doubt be appealed to the Supreme Court, which is already considering a similar case from the Fourth US Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia…”

The Associated Press added:

“US President Donald Trump says the latest federal court ruling against his proposed travel ban comes at a ‘dangerous time.’ The president tweets: ‘well, as predicted, the 9th Circuit did it again – Ruled against the TRAVEL BAN at such a dangerous time in the history of our country. S.C.’ It was not immediately clear what “S.C.” refers to in his tweet.”

Unwisely, from a legal standpoint, President Trump used again the words “Travel Ban,” even though the White House spokespersons and his lawyers had represented that it was not a travel ban.

America’s Inconsistent Messages on Qatar

The Huffington Post wrote on June 9:

“Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called on Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates to end their blockade of Qatar on Friday. He then went over to the Rose Garden at the White House, where President Donald Trump completely contradicted his messaging, choosing to lambast Qatar for funding terrorists…

“Tillerson seemed to be doing damage control Friday, which was all upended when his boss approached the podium later in the day… Trump appeared to offer support for the blockade on Twitter beginning Tuesday, saying ‘So good to see the Saudi Arabia visit with the King and 50 countries already paying off.’ He reportedly [according to MSNBC] ‘may not have known’ Qatar is home to the United States’ largest military base in the Middle East.”

President Trump’s position on Qatar remains a mystery, as it clearly does not serve American interests.

Iran to the Rescue?

Deutsche Welle reported on June 11:

“Iran has sent cargo planes laden with vegetables and fruits to Qatar as the Gulf country faces a food shortage… Five Iranian cargo planes arrived in Doha on Sunday with food supplies as sanctions placed by the neighboring Gulf states have started to hurt Qatar. ‘So far five planes carrying … vegetables have been sent to Qatar, each carrying around 90 tones of cargo, while another plane will be sent today,’ Iran Air spokesman Shahrokh Noushabadi said. ‘We will continue deliveries as long as there is demand’ from Qatar, Noushabadi added…

“The Iranian Tasnim news agency quoted a government official as saying that three ships loaded with 350 tones of food items were also set to leave for Qatar. Qatar, a tiny nation of 2.5 million people, was importing 80 percent of its food requirements from bigger Gulf Arab neighbors before the diplomatic standoff.

“The Arab countries have blocked their air, land and sea routes with Qatar, which is affecting its air traffic and imports. To ease stress on Qatar, Iran opened its airspace to about 100 more Qatari flights, which has increased Iranian air traffic by 17 percent.”

When a vacuum is created, it is filled somehow. In addition, Turkey has also voiced strong support for “the leadership of Qatar… sending a clear signal to Saudi Arabia [and the USA] that Qatar is not alone” (Deutsche Welle, June 12). In addition, “The Saudi-Qatari standoff poses a great diplomatic challenge to Pakistani authorities as they enjoy close economic and geopolitical ties with both Riyadh and Doha” (Deutsche Welle, June 12).

AFP added on June 13:

“Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slams the economic and political isolation of Qatar as inhumane and contrary to Islamic values… ‘Taking action to isolate a country in all areas is inhumane and un-Islamic,’ Erdogan says in televised comments to his party in Ankara… Erdogan adds he will hold three-way phone talks on the crisis later today with French President Emmanuel Macron and Qatar’s emir…”

Turkey’s stance on the matter is very interesting, as it clearly conflicts with the Trump administration’s undefined and confusing policy.

How confusing and inconsistent the American policy is, can be seen when considering this note by Deutsche Welle, dated June 15:  

“The US and Qatari defense ministers have met in Washington, signing off on a fighter jet deal worth billions. This follows four regional rivals severing ties with US ally Qatar, a move Donald Trump initially lauded.”

Newsmax commented on June 15: “President Donald Trump authorized a $12 billion arms deal with Qatar days after he accused the country of sponsoring terrorism.”

Merkel in Mexico

AFP wrote on June 10:

“President Enrique Pena Nieto told German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Friday he wants a significant increase in trade with the European Union, vowing to complete a new trade deal by year’s end. Pena Nieto’s Mexican government has been actively seeking new trade opportunities since US President Donald Trump came to office with a threat to curb Mexico’s privileged access to American markets… Merkel praised Mexico’s ‘strong commitment to free trade,’ in a veiled jab at Trump’s attacks on globalization.

“Both Merkel and Pena Nieto have been on the receiving end of some of Trump’s most fiery attacks on trade. The US president has triggered the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico, which he says has resulted in American jobs flooding south across the border. Last month he also lashed out at what he called the United States’ massive trade deficit with Germany, and accused the country of failing to pay its way in the Nato alliance.

“Mexico and Germany did $17.8 billion in trade last year, and are keen to expand the relationship. Major German automakers such as Volkswagen and Audi have opened large plants here, helping make Mexico the seventh-largest auto producer in the world. Germany’s foreign direct investment here totaled $2.4 billion last year, more than any other country except the United States and Spain.

“Merkel, who is traveling with a large business delegation, was in Argentina – another Latin American powerhouse – on Thursday and Friday morning.”

Reuters added on June 10:

“German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday that putting up walls will not solve problems that countries are seeing due to immigration. Speaking in Mexico City alongside Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto, Merkel said the history showed only when empires have gotten on well with their neighbors have migration pressures been resolved in a way that ensured stability.”

While trade agreements between America and its partners are placed on hold, other powerful economic agreements are reached between America’s “allies,” to the exclusion of America.

Merkel Praises German Army

The Associated Press reported on June 10:

“German Chancellor Angela Merkel is praising the country’s army as ‘indispensable’ amid friction between military and government over the handling of a series of scandals in the Bundeswehr. It is under scrutiny over allegations of abuse, the discovery of suspected far-right extremists in its ranks and questions over its ability to fulfil its missions. In a pre-recorded video Saturday, Merkel said ‘there were events recently that deserved to be criticized.’ But she insisted that ‘the vast majority of soldiers are performing an invaluable service.’

“Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen angered some in the military with her sweeping criticism while investigations into alleged wrongdoing were still underway. German weekly Der Spiegel reported Friday that the army filed a criminal complaint against an officer who jokingly called for a military putsch.”

These comments are somewhat interesting in light of the fact that Germany’s army will indeed become indispensable and invaluable for the EU army in the making.

Germany to Lead

The website of ecfr.eu wrote recently:

“Under the cover of business as usual, a silent revolution is taking place in German attitudes to Europe. The habitual reluctance of post-war Germans to assume responsibility, to express their preferences and to lead in their neighbourhood, is giving way to an acceptance of Germany’s special role in Europe. This new attitude is more functionalist than triumphalist, but it is underpinned by considerable confidence…”

Bloomberg added on June 14:

“Merkel may not like to hear it, but in the age of Donald Trump, Germany is re-emerging as an alternative global power in Europe and beyond.”

Germany, with the help of France, will in fact become the leading nation of Europe.

Violence in the Philippines

The Associated Press wrote on June 10:

“Thirteen Philippine marines were killed in fierce fighting with Muslim militants who have laid siege to a southern city for nearly three weeks in the biggest single-day loss for government forces… A U.S. Navy aircraft provided surveillance for the local troops as the battle raged in Marawi on Friday, confirming the involvement of the U.S. military in helping quell the urban insurrection at the request of the Philippine government…

“Philippine marines were conducting a house-to-house search for militants allied with the Islamic State group who are still occupying parts of Marawi… Philippine military officials say the violence has left at least 138 militants and 58 government troops dead. At least 21 civilians have been killed… Hundreds of thousands of people have fled the city, parts of which were reduced to rubble by fighting and government airstrikes in an attempt to dislodge the rebels…

“Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has declared martial law in the Mindanao region, the southern third of the Philippines and home to a decades-long Muslim separatist rebellion. Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, the designated administrator of martial law, has ordered the arrest of nearly 200 militants, politicians and other suspected civilian backers of the unprecedented uprising in Marawi, the mosque-studded heartland of Islamic faith in the south of the predominantly Roman Catholic nation…”

Reuters reported on June 11:

“President Rodrigo Duterte said on Sunday he did not seek support from Washington to end the siege of a southern Philippines town by Islamist militants, a day after the United States said it was providing assistance at the request of the government. Duterte told a news conference… that he had ‘never approached America’ for help.

“The cooperation between the longtime allies in the battle is significant because Duterte, who came to power a year ago, has taken a hostile stance towards Washington and has vowed to eject U.S. military trainers and advisers from his country. It is unclear whether the pro-American military went over Duterte’s head in seeking U.S. help…”

Time will tell how long the cooperation between the USA and the Philippines will continue—if it even exists today. In the long run, such cooperation will cease completely, as the USA will become totally isolated and utterly forsaken by all of its allies.

“Temple Mount Briefly Closed to Muslim Entrance Following Attack”

The Jewish Press wrote on June 11:

“On Sunday morning, a group of Jews touring on the Temple Mount were attacked by a Muslim stone-thrower from the direction of the mosques. One of the men was lightly injured in the leg, but did not require evacuation for medical treatment…

“In response to the stoning attack, the police, following the Jerusalem District Commander[‘s] new instructions… closed the entrance to the Temple Mount to Muslim worshipers. In the past, following Islamic attacks on the Temple Mount, the Jewish visitors are usually rushed off the Temple Mount, and often enough, no further Jewish visits are allowed for the day.

“This represents a very interesting change in policy.”

Jordan Won’t Ban “Wonder Woman”

JTA wrote on June 14:

“Jordan decided not to ban the film ‘Wonder Woman’ from the country’s movie theaters… The movie will be rolled out throughout Jordan over the next month…

“But at least one movie theater in Amman has apologized for showing the movie and canceled future screenings over the fact that the star, Gal Gadot, is Jewish…

“Israel and Jordan signed a peace agreement in 1994. The Jordanian commission’s review of the ‘Wonder Woman’ came after Lebanon banned the film as part of its boycott of all things Israeli. Lebanon remains technically at war with Israel.

“A Tunisian court last week banned the screening of the film while the country’s cultural review commission decides whether or not the movie should be permanently banned over Gadot’s Israeli military service.”

Israeli Support for Gay Marriage at an All-Time High

JTA wrote on June 9:

“… public support for allowing gay couples to marry in Israel has reached an all-time high… 76 percent support last year, and just 53 percent in 2009… 92 percent of secular Jews and 100 percent of voters for the left-wing Meretz and center left Zionist Union parties said they support same-sex marriage, compared to zero percent of haredi Orthodox Jews and a 65 percent of voters for the pro-settlement Jewish Home party…

“Even among religious Zionists, who generally vote right wing, a plurality — 47 percent — backed gay marriage… The state recognizes gay marriages and civil unions performed abroad… there are some 284,000 gay people in the country, who cannot marry due to the lack of civil marriage or state recognition for gay marriage.”

This is a sad report on “God’s chosen people,” as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob condemns same-sex marriages in the strongest terms. Note the next article.

Tel Aviv’s Gay Pride Parade

The Times of Israel reported on June 10:

“Over 200,000 people from Israel and abroad attended Tel Aviv’s Gay Pride Parade on Friday… The parade is the region’s biggest as Israel stands in sharp contrast to much of its neighbors. Across the rest of the Middle East, gay and lesbian relationships are mostly taboo… Same-sex relations are punishable by death in Iran, Sudan and elsewhere…

“About 10 floats took part in the beachside procession, one of them depicting an ancient warship built by staff at the British embassy in Tel Aviv, the embassy website said. Britain’s ambassador to Israel is David Quarrey, an openly gay man… ‘Tel Aviv, which has already been acknowledged as the world’s “most gay-friendly city” will continue to be a light-house city – spreading the values of freedom, tolerance and democracy to the world,’ said Tel Aviv-Jaffa Mayor Ron Huldai…

“The Tel Aviv municipality places a large emphasis on Pride Week, since it is a huge draw for international tourists. More than 30,000 came to Israel for pride week last year. Eitan Schwartz, CEO of Tel Aviv Global — part of the mayor’s office — said, ‘Gay tourism is one of the pillars of our economy’…

“The theme of the parade this year was ‘Bisexual Visibility,’ making it one of the largest parades in the world celebrating bisexuality…”

We should be able to see more and more why God is very angry with the Jewish people. For further information, please read our free booklet, “The Fall and Rise of the Jewish People.” Please also note the next article.

Smoking on the Rise in Israel

JTA wrote on June 7:

“Israel has one of the highest life expectancies in the world — 82.5 years, on average. But a surprising increase in smoking rates may threaten that status… Israel’s Health Ministry recorded the biggest single-year setback in more than a decade, with the rate rising to 22.5 percent in 2016 from 19.7 percent the previous year…

“Health professionals and anti-smoking activists have long been sounding the alarm about smoking in the Jewish state… And while numerous factors are likely in play, many have accused the government of not taking the threat seriously enough.

“Smoking is one of the leading causes of death in Israel, and has been shown to kill up to half of smokers… approximately 8,000 Israelis die each year for reasons linked to smoking, among them 800 non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke inhalation. The Jewish state’s new smoking rate is comparatively high — ranking 28 out of 35 European countries… Europe has the highest rate of any region of the world… About 15 percent of Americans smoked in 2015…

“Although e-cigarettes are not tobacco products, they often contain nicotine and other chemicals that could pose health risks to users… tobacco companies spend more than 60 million shekels ($17 million) a year on marketing, while the ministry only spend 500,000 shekels ($140,000) on anti-smoking advertising… The price of a pack of cigarettes is now between 22 and 35 shekels (about $6 to $10). But a growing number of Israelis have started smoking loose tobacco, which costs about 43 percent less than buying the same amount of tobacco in a pack…

“Yehuda Glick, a Knesset member for the ruling Likud party…  is working on a bill to reduce smoking among Israelis under the age of 21, since many young Israelis begin smoking in high school or during their army service… Although Israel last year enacted a ban on smoking at educational institutions…, it needs to be better enforced. The Health Ministry found that 24.8 percent of males and 14.9 percent of females were smoking by the time they began their mandatory military service after high school… by the time they were discharged from the army, 40 percent of men and 32 percent of women smoked — a 42 percent increase over the course of service.”

This is another troubling development in Israel and all over the world. Smoking IS a killer. Those who smoke are engaging in slow suicide. Note the next article.

Smoking by Pregnant Women Dangerous for Unborn Baby

 The Daily Mail wrote on May 29:

“A potent mix of chemicals found in cigarette smoke destroys the livers of unborn children… The findings are yet further damning evidence of just how dangerous smoking is for pregnant women…

“Dangers include: Increased risk of complications in pregnancy and birth; Less likely to have a healthier pregnancy and a healthier baby; Increased risk of stillbirth; Baby more likely to be born too early… Baby more likely to be born underweight; Increased risk of cot death.

“Each year, smoking during pregnancy in the UK causes an estimated: 2,200 premature births; 5,000 miscarriages; 300 stillbirths…

“Expectant women are encouraged to give up tobacco use due to the known links it has to a range of medical conditions… But it is not illegal for a pregnant woman to harm her unborn child by smoking and drinking… More than ten per cent of British women smoke while pregnant and this figure is as high as 27 per cent in some northern cities such as Blackpool.”

How irresponsible of a mother to jeopardize the life of her baby in such a way.

Parents Charged for Murder for Refusing Medical Treatment for their Child

Slate wrote on June 9:

“Two members of an Oregon sect that believes in faith healing have been charged with murder in the death of their premature infant daughter… [The mother] gave birth to twin girls at her grandparents’ home in March. The birth was attended by three midwives, church members, and family members. But when one of the twins… struggled to breathe, no one called 911. A church elder contacted the city’s medical examiner only after the baby died.

“The [parents] are members of a Christian sect called the Followers of Christ Church, which has a history of infant deaths. Adherents reject traditional medical care in favor of prayer, and believe that if a person dies, the death was God’s will… The church [is] influenced by Pentecostalism…”

We say the following in our free booklet, “Sickness and Healing – What the Bible Tells Us”:

 “… the law in most countries prescribes that, as a parent, you are to seek medical help for your sick child. If you fail to do so, the government might take your child away from you, or, if the child should die, you may face charges of involuntary manslaughter, or worse… This is not to say that parents are not to teach their children the necessity of having faith in God when they are sick. They are, in fact, supposed to encourage them to ask God for healing by asking the elders of the church to anoint them with oil and to pray over them. We are only addressing here those parents who, because of conscientious reasons, would refuse to consult and work with doctors and get medical help. Even though parents are to teach their children to place their faith in GOD for healing, they should not withhold medical help from them, if it is due (compare Proverbs 3:27).”

Daily Aspirin Far More Dangerous Than Thought

The Telegraph wrote on June 13:

“Taking a daily aspirin is far more dangerous than was thought, causing more than 3,000 deaths a year, a major study suggests.  Millions of pensioners should reconsider taking pills which are taken by almost half of elderly people to ward off heart attacks and strokes, researchers said. The study by Oxford University found that those over the age of 75 who take the blood-thinning pills are ten times more likely than younger patients to suffer disabling or fatal bleeds.

“Researchers said patients of this age who have already suffered heart attacks or stroke should still take the daily tablet, but should also take an extra drug to reduce the risk of bleeding. And they said millions more pensioners who take aspirin daily ‘as a health choice’ to cut their risks of heart disease should consider weaning themselves off the drugs. Doctors stressed that no-one should come off the pills quickly, or without consulting their doctor, as doing so would create an immediate risk of heart attacks…

“It has long been known that the pills carry a risk of gastro-intestinal bleeding. But the new study, published in The Lancet, suggests the danger increases far more sharply with age than was thought… Dr Tim Chico, consultant cardiologist, University of Sheffield, said the risks of aspirin were often underestimated. ‘Although bleeding is a well-recognised side effect of aspirin, this drug is still seen by many people as harmless, perhaps because of how easily it can be bought over the counter,’ he said. ‘Prescription of any drug is a balance between the benefits of the medication against its risks, and aspirin is no different,’ he said. “

It goes without saying that one should be careful with and be knowledgeable about the risks and side-effects, before taking ANY medications.

Sessions Asks Congress to Let Him Prosecute Medical Marijuana Providers

The Washington Post wrote on June 13:

“Attorney General Jeff Sessions is asking congressional leaders to undo federal medical marijuana protections that have been in place since 2014, according to a May letter that became public Monday. The protections, known as the Rohrabacher-Farr amendment, prohibit the Justice Department from using federal funds to prevent certain states ‘from implementing their own State laws that authorize the use, distribution, possession or cultivation of medical marijuana.’ In his letter… Sessions argued that the amendment would ‘inhibit [the Justice Department’s] authority to enforce the Controlled Substances Act.’ He continues:  ‘I believe it would be unwise for Congress to restrict the discretion of the Department to fund particular prosecutions, particularly in the midst of an historic drug epidemic and potentially long-term uptick in violent crime. The Department must be in a position to use all laws available to combat the transnational drug organizations and dangerous drug traffickers who threaten American lives.’

 “Sessions’s citing of a ‘historic drug epidemic’ to justify a crackdown on medical marijuana is at odds with what researchers know about current drug use and abuse in the United States. The epidemic Sessions refers to involves deadly opiate drugs, not marijuana. A growing body of research (acknowledged by the National Institute on Drug Abuse) has shown that opiate deaths and overdoses actually decrease in states with medical marijuana laws on the books. That research strongly suggests that cracking down on medical marijuana laws, as Sessions requested, could perversely make the opiate epidemic even worse.

“… In a Senate drug hearing in April 2016, Sessions was vocal in opposition of marijuana legalization…

“The Rohrabacher-Farr amendment has significant bipartisan support in Congress. Medical marijuana is incredibly popular with voters overall. A Quinnipiac poll conducted in April found it was supported by 94 percent of the public. Nearly three-quarters of voters said they disapprove of the government enforcing federal marijuana laws in states that have legalized it either medically or recreationally. Through a spokesman, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R.-Calif.) said that ‘Mr. Sessions stands athwart an overwhelming majority of Americans and even, sadly, against veterans and other suffering Americans who we now know conclusively are helped dramatically by medical marijuana.’…

“The letter, along with a signing statement from President Trump indicating some skepticism of medical marijuana protections, ‘should make everyone openly question whether candidate Trump’s rhetoric and the White House’s words on his support for medical marijuana was actually a lie to the American public on an issue that garners broad, bipartisan support,’ said Hudak of the Brookings Institution.”

It seems like the Trump administration wants to pursue bullheadedly what they want to do, irrespective of the wishes of the vast majority of American citizens who voted them into office. How long can this continue until there will be a violent uprising and an open revolt in America? More and more observers already speak of civil war in the USA, which, at this point, is still rather peaceful, apart from some mindless violent attacks by crazy people, criminals and fanatics. But this can change quickly. Again, we emphasize in this context that no Christian should have any part in violence, or in the incitement of violence. Please read our free booklet, “Should You Fight in War?”

Soon… Driverless Cars Pose Huge Security Concerns

The New York Times wrote on June 7:

“It started about seven years ago. Iran’s top nuclear scientists were being assassinated in a string of similar attacks: Assailants on motorcycles were pulling up to their moving cars, attaching magnetic bombs and detonating them after the motorcyclists had fled the scene. In another seven years, security experts warn, assassins won’t need motorcycles or magnetic bombs. All they’ll need is a laptop and code to send driverless cars careering off a bridge, colliding with a driverless truck or coming to an unexpected stop in the middle of fast-moving traffic…

“Those fears came into focus two years ago when two ‘white hat’ hackers — researchers who look for computer vulnerabilities to spot problems and fix them, rather than to commit a crime or cause problems — successfully gained access to a Jeep Cherokee from their computer miles away. They rendered their crash-test dummy (in this case a nervous reporter) powerless over his vehicle and disabling his transmission in the middle of a highway. The hackers… discovered an electronic route from the Jeep’s entertainment system to its dashboard. From there, they had control of the vehicle’s steering, brakes and transmission — everything they needed to paralyze their crash test dummy in the middle of a highway… the research… came at a steep price for Jeep’s manufacturer, Fiat Chrysler, which was forced to recall 1.4 million of its vehicles as a result of the hacking experiment…”

It seems that America is just being threatened from many different directions. Note the next article.

America’s Fight against Drones

Flipboard wrote on June 10:

“A US Air Force F-15 jet fighter has shot down a large, armed drone that attacked pro-US forces near At Tanf, a strategic town in southeastern Syria near the border with Iraq. The aerial clash on June 8, 2017 was the first time that an American warplane had engaged an armed enemy drone in the sky—and could be a preview of dangers to come as more and more rogue states acquire cheap, sophisticated, armed robotic aircraft…

“Iranian and similar Chinese-made drones are popular with poor and rogue states across Africa and the Middle East. Syria, Iraq and Nigeria [as well as pro-Syrian government militias and Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group that has intervened in Syria on behalf of the government] all operate missile-armed Iranian- or Chinese-made UAVs… the Islamic State has bought quadcopter-style commercial drones, fitted them with hand-grenade-size bombs and sent them on bombing runs against its opponents in Iraq and Syria.

“… most US fighter pilots do not routinely train to shoot down slow-flying drones, which by virtue of their small size and lightweight construction can be difficult to detect—especially if they’re flying low over rough terrain…”

“Massive Asteroids in Popular Meteor Shower Pose Major Threat”

CNet wrote on June 9:

“If a newly discovered group of asteroids makes its way to Earth, the biggest of the fireballs could make a destructive entrance, astronomers warn… A team of Czech astronomers analyzed 144 fireballs seen during the last hyperactive Taurid shower in 2015 and concluded a ‘new branch’ of the Taurids exists that the Earth drifts through every few years.

“While great for shooting-star fans, the bad news is this newfound orbital structure contains at least two asteroids that are nearly 1,000 feet (300 meters) across, and probably more big ones that haven’t been spotted yet…

“If an asteroid 1,000 feet across were to make impact anywhere near a major population center, the results would be catastrophic, to say the least.”

Express added on June 11:

“NASA has announced that it has discovered 10 new ‘potentially hazardous’ space rocks close to Earth that could put life on this planet at risk… On top of the 10 ‘potentially hazardous’ objects, Nasa says that they have identified 97 other space rocks and seen an unexplained spike in comet activity.”

The danger from asteroids should not be under-estimated. Our free booklet, “Evolution—a Fairy Tale for Adults?” describes in detail the devastating effects of asteroids—in the past and in the future.

“You Must Obey Your Pope”

Zenit wrote on June 13:

“When Pope Benedict XVI appointed Msgr. Peter Ebere Okpaleke as the diocese’ [Nigeria’s Diocese of Ahiara’s] bishop in 2012, lay people and priests of the diocese rejected their new bishop because, unlike his predecessor, Msgr. Victor Chikwe, part of the Mbaise ethnic group, which makes up the majority of the diocese, he comes from the Ibero ethnic group, which makes up the majority in southeast Nigeria…

“Pope Francis’… said, ‘I ask that every priest or ecclesiastic incardinated in the Diocese of Ahiara, whether he resides there or works elsewhere, even abroad, write a letter addressed to me in which he asks for forgiveness; all must write individually and personally… In the letter, one must clearly manifest total obedience to the Pope, and whoever writes must be willing to accept the Bishop whom the Pope sends and has appointed.’ The letter, Francis explained, must be sent within 30 days, from today to July 9th, 2017. Whoever does not do this,’ the Pope warned, ‘will be ipso facto suspended a divinis and will lose his current office.’”

The Pope’s claim for unquestioned (godly) authority will become stronger in the future.

The (False) Mystery of the Trinity

Zenit wrote on June 11, quoting from several Catholic rites:

“The Mystery of the Trinity is a great mystery which surpasses our minds but speaks deeply to our heart because it is, in its essence, nothing but the explication of the profound expression of Saint John: ‘God is love’ (1 Jn 4:8,16). If God is love, he cannot be loneliness in himself. In order to have a love affair, it must be at least two…

“This mystery of love is concrete… when… we make the sign of the cross. By marking this holy sign, almost without being fully aware, we call upon the One and Triune God, saying, ‘In the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost’…

“The entire Christian life is accompanied by the Trinity… In fact, we are baptized (= immersed) in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit… Not only Baptism, but all the other Sacraments of the Church are conferred with the sign of the Cross and in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. In fact, we have been confirmed with the anointing in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. In the Sacrament of Penance, we are forgiven for our sins in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Again, in this name the bride and groom are united in marriage… In the Eucharist [communion], the Triune God… is fully involved with our human condition…

“In the priestly ordination, the new priests are consecrated in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit… In illness and in the last hour, when the priest will anoint us, he will recommend the soul in the name of the Father who created us, of the Son who has redeemed us, and of the Holy Spirit who has sanctified us.

“In this way, all of our Christian existence is under the irradiation of the Trinity…”

When reading this, one becomes aware how shocking this false concept of the Trinity is, and how it permeates the entire belief system (both in theory and in practice) of Catholics and Protestants alike. However, God is NOT a Trinity. This false idea has been adopted from pagan philosophies, and so is the sign of the cross. It is true that God consists of TWO Persons—the Father and the Son—while the Holy Spirit is NOT a person, but the power of God emanating from the Father and the Son. For more information, please read our free booklets, “Is God a Trinity?”; “God is a Family”; and “Baptism—a Requirement for Salvation?”

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 Tangle with Europe Leads the Continent to Find Partners Elsewhere”

The Washington Post wrote in June 2:

“A day after President Trump pulled out of a key climate agreement… an international realignment was already taking shape on Friday, as European and Chinese officials signed a raft of agreements to bind themselves tightly together.

“The pullout left the United States a global outlier and, many European leaders and experts said, a severely diminished force in the world… ‘Anti-Americanism will bloom,’ said Tomas Valasek, a former Slovak ambassador to NATO who is now the head of the Carnegie Europe think tank. ‘It will be much harder to politically explain to the European publics that we would cooperate with the U.S. president, because Donald Trump has made himself so unpopular now.’…

“In other arenas, such as defense, Europeans… are scrambling to achieve self-sufficiency now that they doubt the validity of U.S. guarantees… ‘We have just witnessed President Trump putting an end to European-American relations,’ said François Heisbourg, a French defense expert who advised Macron during his campaign.”

EU-US Trade Agreement Put on Ice

The Guardian wrote on June 5:

“The prospect of a revived EU-US trade deal is in ‘deep freeze’, according to Brussels sources… [Neither] Donald Trump nor European officials raised the possible resumption of talks during the US president’s visit to Brussels last month, EU sources said. Documents relating to the transatlantic trade and investment partnership, known as TTIP, had now been locked in a filing cabinet and the code to open it had been lost, one diplomat joked…

“Talks over TTIP stalled last year amid opposition from within the EU, including sceptical comments from France’s then trade minister and the German vice-chancellor, Sigmar Gabriel… a meeting between Trump, the European commission president, Jean-Claude Juncker, and the European council president, Donald Tusk, two weeks ago offered the EU scant evidence of any such willingness, according to EU sources…  the completion of an EU-Japan trade deal was nevertheless imminent, and would provide significant economic gains.”

Another piece of evidence showing how the economic relationship between the US and Europe is deteriorating, while Europe is looking elsewhere for trading partners.

Trump Has a Point—Europe Lagging Behind in Defense Spending

The Wall Street Journal wrote on June 3:

“U.S. President Donald Trump last month irked European leaders when he berated them at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s new headquarters for insufficient defense spending and what he called unpaid military bills. Current and former European officials were quick to point out that NATO members don’t owe dues to the U.S., but they acknowledged Mr. Trump wasn’t wrong: Europe lacks the capabilities to defend itself…

“U.S. military spending far exceeds Europe’s, and American conventional forces are generally better trained and equipped than their European counterparts. The U.S. defense budget, $680 billion by NATO calculations, dwarfs the alliance’s European members, which spend a total of $242 billion…

“German officials acknowledge their force has become hollow and vow to rebuild it—a decision they stress was made before Mr. Trump’s election. Chancellor Angela Merkel pushed through parliament a military budget increase of 8% for this year, to €37 billion ($42 billion). According to the German government, that represents 1.2% of the country’s gross domestic product. Ms. Merkel says she is committed to NATO’s 2% goal…

“At last month’s NATO summit where Mr. Trump lambasted Europeans, several leaders said they would publicly advocate higher military spending for the sake of their own national security, not American demands. But they also privately told Mr. Trump they agreed with him, according to diplomats…”

President Trump’s criticism of Europe’s willingness to spend more on their own defense will have the result that indeed more efforts will be made to build up a powerful European army… but this is not good news for the USA. Many, especially in the USA, seem to be unable to realize that Europe can and will become a mighty military bloc which will turn out to be hostile toward the USA. In addition, to show Europe’s tremendous economic role, the EUObserver wrote on June 2 that “The Luxembourg-based European Investment Bank… is owned by EU member states and has discretely grown into the largest multilateral borrower and lender in the world, with capital of €275 billion.”

Europe’s New Defense Fund

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 7:

“The European Commission on Wednesday launched a new defense fund aimed at helping EU member states to jointly develop and acquire better military capabilities. The EU will provide 500 million euros ($560 million) in 2019 and 2020 for defense development and acquisition. That figure is expected to double to 1 billion euros by 2020. An additional 90 million euros will be made available for research in 2018 and 2019. By next year, the European Commission said it will propose increasing research funding to 500 million euros per year to make the EU ‘one of the biggest defense research investors in Europe.‘…

“European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said on Wednesday that the EU defense fund marks a new chapter in defense cooperation within the bloc. ‘For too long we have relied too much on the military power of others,’ he said. ‘We must now seize the moment to take charge of our own security…’

“Up to 100 billion euros is lost each year by EU member states due to duplication, according to Brussels. EU analysis has shown that the bloc has 37 types of armored personnel carriers and 12 types of tanker aircraft, much higher than the nine and four, respectively, maintained by the United States.

“With the rise of terrorist attacks claimed by the self-styled ‘Islamic State’ militant group on European soil and Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014, European nations have sought to tackle growing security concerns. Trump’s failure to reaffirm Article 5 of the NATO treaty, which reinforces collective defense, has effectively provided an additional momentum to the European Commission’s bold plans for greater defense cooperation across the bloc. ‘We are committed to strengthening security and defense work, enhancing our strategic role, our ability to act as a security provider worldwide and our capacity to act autonomously when and where necessary,’ Mogherini said.”

On June 7, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung quoted the EU Commission as saying that “Europe can become a ‘military power.'”

The Bible prophesies that Europe WILL become a mighty military power.

Terrorist Attack in France

Reuters reported on June 7:

“France created a new counter-terrorism task force on Wednesday, bringing together all the intelligence services, to coordinate the response to attacks, a day after an Algerian student assaulted police officers outside Notre Dame cathedral… The performance of France’s intelligence services has come under close scrutiny since the November 2015 attacks on Paris, when militant gunmen and suicide bombers struck entertainment venues across the capital, killing 130 people. In total, more than 230 people have been killed in a wave of attacks in France either claimed by or inspired by Islamic State over the past two-and-a-half years.

“In Tuesday’s attack, a 40-year-old Algerian student armed with a hammer and kitchen knives shouted ‘this is for Syria’ as he struck at and wounded a policeman, before being shot by police officers. A source close to the investigation named the assailant as Algerian-born Farid Ikken, a PhD student of communications registered since 2014 at a university in the eastern city of Metz. The source said that a video in which Ikken pledged allegiance to Islamic State had been found in his flat in Cergy-Pontoise, northwest of Paris, during a police raid on Tuesday evening, after the attack…

“One academic who taught Ikken, a strong linguist who spoke French, English, Arabic and Swedish, described his student as an individual who at times felt lonely… [but that] he was pro-West and very much a supporter of democratic values [and that] there was never any outward sign of excessive adherence to Islam…”

Again, one wonders whether attackers like these have always been secret Islamists; have been secretly radicalized; or whether dark spiritual forces have influenced them.

America Isolated and Its Decline Cemented

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 1:

” [In] pulling out of the Paris Agreement, Trump has also gone against fossil fuel firms, hundreds of major businesses and investors, a large number of Republicans and half of his own cabinet. With the move, Trump has catered to a small but vocal extreme-right constituency – one that is overrepresented among his cabinet and advisors. In essence, he’s sealed his own fate as isolated – and cemented the decline of the US…

“Other nations – most notably China, European Union countries and India – are already taking the lead in showing the way to a clean energy future… The US will be left behind; it will be disadvantaged economically in the long run. Pulling the US out of the Paris Agreement makes America weak. And diplomatic fallout will be extensive…”

California, Washington State and New York Align against Donald Trump

The website of governor.wa.gov announced on June 1:

“In response to President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., and Washington State Governor Jay Inslee today announced the formation of the United States Climate Alliance, a coalition that will convene U.S. states committed to upholding the Paris Climate Agreement and taking aggressive action on climate change…

“New York, California and Washington [represent] over one-fifth of U.S. Gross Domestic Product [or 6.2 Trillion Dollars of the U.S. economy] … Together, New York, California and Washington represent approximately 68 million people – nearly one-in-five Americans – and the states account for at least 10 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. Washington will continue to work closely together with other states  to help fill the void left by the federal government…”

Deutsche Welle added in June 6:

“Several other states quickly followed suit, most notably Massachusetts and Vermont, which have Republican governors. Many other states are expected to support the alliance in the coming days. According to the Financial Times, the [US] states that have so far agreed to the deal would together represent the world’s third largest economy, just behind China and the US and ahead of Japan. The states have been joined by the leaders of tech giants like Amazon, Google, Apple, Facebook, and Microsoft, as well as representatives from industries such as Nestle, Nike, Unilever and Starbucks.

“In addition, the leaders of many major US cities… have joined the alliance. Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Houston have signed up and, significantly, Pittsburgh Mayor William Peduto is also a signatory. When announcing his plan to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, Trump said ‘I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris.’ The remark drew umbrage from Peduto, not the least because Pittsburgh voters chose Hillary Clinton by an overwhelming 80 percent margin in 2016…

“Despite Trump’s determination to withdraw, the earliest possible date for Washington to walk out is November 4, 2020 – one day after the next US federal election.”

So, was the President’s declaration to withdraw from the Paris accord nothing more than an attempt to cater to his base?

Trump Nominates Christopher A. Wray as Next FBI Director

The Huffington Post wrote on June 7:

“President Donald Trump will nominate Christopher A. Wray to be the next director of the FBI, he announced on Wednesday. Wray served as assistant attorney general under President George W. Bush from 2003 to 2005. The Yale Law School graduate now works as an attorney in private practice. Wray represented New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) in the wake of the ‘Bridgegate’ scandal…

“Trump’s critics on both sides of the aisle… praised the president’s decision to tap Wray…

“Wray co-signed a letter of support for then-deputy attorney general nominee Sally Yates. Trump fired Yates after she refused to defend his Muslim immigration ban. Yates has also said she raised concerns that then-national security adviser Michael Flynn was ‘compromised’ by the Russians, but that the White House ignored her warnings…

“Wray was reportedly among the Justice Department officials who threatened to resign after Alberto Gonzales and Andrew Card, then working at the White House, tried to force a bedridden Attorney General John Ashcroft to sign off on a warrantless domestic surveillance effort in 2004. [Former FBI Director James] Comey was serving as acting attorney general at the time, and refused to sign off on the program over concerns about its legality. Comey’s story of his confrontation with the White House officials at Ashcroft’s hospital bedside was some of the most compelling congressional testimony in modern history. Or it was, at least ― that could change when Comey testifies this week…”

Mr. Wray’s’ profile makes at least very interesting reading. If Mr. Wray is confirmed by the Senate, will a new battle ensue between President Trump and FBI director Christopher Wray?

Former FBI Director James Comey Testifies before Senate Intelligence Committee

Deutsche Welle reported on June 8:

“‘It’s my judgment that I was fired because of the Russia investigation,’ Comey told the lawmakers at the open section of the hearing. ‘I was fired in some way to change, or the endeavor was to change, the way the Russia investigation was being conducted,’ he added. [Comey said that Trump admitted that much, and that he takes the words of the President at their face value.] Comey also said that there was ‘no doubt’ in his mind that the Russian government tried to influence the 2016 election in the US through hacking, but added that he did not believe any of the votes were altered…

“Comey said that he decided to take notes after meeting Trump for the first time due to several factors, one of them being that he was ‘honestly concerned that [Trump] might lie about the nature of our meeting.’ Acknowledging reports of their interviews being recorded, Comey commented… ‘I hope there are tapes.’… Comey said it was ‘very disturbing’ to hear Trump tell him ‘I hope you can let this go’ on the probe into Flynn. ‘I took it as a direction […] This is what he wants me to do,’ he told the lawmakers…

“Comey also said that he purposefully leaked his notes on Trump [through a law professor to the New York Times] hoping that the media coverage would prompt the authorities to name a special prosecutor. US lawmaker subsequently appointed another ex-FBI head, Robert Mueller, as a special counsel to look into the alleged ties with Russia…

“He also commented on the one-on-one dinner in January this year, when Trump allegedly asked him if he was interested in staying on as head of the FBI for the full term. Comey said ‘common sense’ told him that Trump was looking to get something in exchange for him keeping his FBI job…

“Commenting on his firing, the ex-FBI head… accused the administration of trying to defame him by saying that the FBI was in ‘disarray’ and that Comey lost the trust of his top officials. ‘Those were lies, plain and simple,’ he told the Committee… Comey also openly disputed Trump’s account of their meetings, including the White House dinner. Previously, Trump had told the US media that Comey wanted to have dinner with him. The reason, according to Trump, was that Comey wanted to stay on as FBI chief. He said the statement was ‘untrue,’ adding that he never initiated the dinner where Trump allegedly asked him for his loyalty…

“However, Comey refused to say whether he believed that Trump engaged into obstruction of justice, saying it was ‘Bob Mueller’s job to sort that out’…”

James Comey also confirmed that President Trump himself was not under investigation while Comey was at the helm of the FBI, and testified that Trump did not ask him to end the Russia investigation. At the same time, he testified that Trump asked him to “lift the cloud” of investigation by declaring publicly the president was not the target of the FBI probe. Comey refused to do so, as he feared that he might have to publicly “clarify” the record in the future, if Trump would become part of a criminal investigation.

James Comey came across as a very sincere and honest witness. His credibility even increased when he admitted that he was not Captain Courageous and did not stand up to Donald Trump as he should or could have done on several occasions. He related the incident when Mr. Trump asked everybody to leave the room, including the Vice President, the Attorney General and others, to talk to Comey alone. At that moment, Comey said he became very disturbed and resolved to pay very close attention to every word Trump would be saying. On that occasion, Trump told him he “hoped” that Comey could end the investigation against former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn.

Comey’s credibility was further enhanced because of his critical comments about Democrats when they were in charge. Comey stated that when he was investigating Democrats, he was pressured by Democrats to shape his investigation.

The Washington Post wrote: “It suggests that no side was immune to meddling in the FBI’s independent investigations. Comey testified that when he was investigating Hillary Clinton’s emails during the 2016 presidential campaign, Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch (a President Barack Obama appointee) ‘directed me not to call it an investigation but instead to call it a matter.’ That, plus Lynch’s private tarmac meeting with former president Bill Clinton ahead of the FBI’s impending decision on whether Clinton may have criminally mishandled classified information, raised Comey’s ethics radar and persuaded him to announce the FBI’s findings ahead of schedule.”

One of the most awkward and embarrassing moments during the Committee’s hearing came when Senator John McCain questioned Comey, misspeaking himself several times by referring to Trump as Comey, and trying to draw a non-existing parallel between the investigation against Hillary Clinton and the Russian investigation. Although Comey tried to patiently explain to McCain the obvious difference between the investigation of Hillary Clinton’s handling of her emails and the Russian investigation, McCain kept insisting that Comey had used a double standard. The New York Post commented: “Viewers went wild on Twitter, with some speculating about the 80-year-old’s health.”

After the hearing, President Trump’s private lawyer stumbled through a prepared statement, denying that Trump had ever asked or suggested to Comey to stop any investigation against Flynn and that he never demanded a loyalty declaration from Comey, and he was threatening him with legal action because of leaking “privileged communication” to the press. Subsequently, legal scholars explained that Comey’s memos do not constitute privileged communication (no executive privilege had ever been asserted), and in any event, due to Trump’s public declarations regarding his meetings with Comey and the reasons for his termination, any existing privilege would have been waived.

The Russian investigation will continue for months, if not years, and it must be said that Comey’s testimony was damaging to the President. His statement that Comey’s testimony vindicated him must be described as wishful thinking. Even before Comey’s testimony, Trump’s approval rate in the USA has sunk to an all-time low.

Battle Over Fishing Rights in UK Waters

Express wrote on June 2

“British fishermen have campaigned for the UK’s Brexit negotiators to return Britain’s territorial waters to them and block European firms from operating there… As Britain leaves the EU, it will likely also leave the political project’s Common Fisheries Policy, which allows member states’ fisherman to operate and compete fairly across the shared waters.

“Lorient’s fishermen [in France]  will be watching the Brexit talks closely, which kick off 11 days after Britain’s June 8 General Election, hoping Brussels can manage to negotiate them access to British waters… Mr Macron said: ‘… the interests of fishermen will be taken into account in a serious way as an industry that is among the most essential economic activities to our country, which we must defend.’…

“Ukip’s fisheries spokesman Mike Hookem issued a hands-off warning to the French, insisting bullies in Brussels cannot force the UK to give up its fishing rights. He said: ‘… unless Theresa May barters away our fishing grounds, we have the right under the UN’s UNCLOSE legislation to establish a 200-mile exclusive economic zone and stop EU boats fishing in our waters…  the French realise the value of fishing and that is why they are so keen to protect their right to fish British waters…'”

Leo Varadkar Next Prime Minister of Ireland

The Guardian wrote on June 2:

“Leo Varadkar’s victory in the Fine Gael leadership contest on Friday, which took place after outgoing PM Enda Kenny announced his resignation last month, marks another significant step forward for equality in the country, after 2015’s gay marriage referendum. As well as becoming Ireland’s first gay prime minister, Varadkar, 38, will also become the country’s youngest leader, and the first from an ethnic minority background. His position will be confirmed later this month when parliament resumes after a break…

“Although Varadkar’s centre-right politics are clearly conservative, he portrays the image of a new, progressive Ireland, symbolised best in May 2015 when the Republic voted overwhelmingly in favour of gay marriage…

“LGBT groups in Ireland welcomed the domestic focus on Varadkar’s ideology. ‘I think it’s really significant that both his party and the media in Ireland focused on his policies, rather than him simply being a gay man who wants to lead the country,’ said Brian Finnegan, the editor of Gay Community News in Dublin. ‘It is a sign of how much Ireland has changed and moved on that no one really cares if he is gay here. Irish politicians were among the last sectors of our society to come out of the closet but now at least we’ve got one gay man and a lesbian, Catherine Zappone, both in the cabinet. That would have been unthinkable perhaps even 10 years ago.’

“Varadkar, a doctor educated at Trinity College Dublin, entered Irish politics in 2004… In 2014, he became Ireland’s minister for health and, after Fine Gael suffered losses in last year’s general election, he entered a minority coalition as minister for social protection. In the 2015 interview with RTE radio when he came out [declaring to be gay], Vradkar said: ‘It is part of my character, I suppose.'”

To be the first openly gay prime minister in a totally Catholic country is an interesting phenomenon.

Trump Heavily Criticized for His Tweets on London Terror Attacks

CNN wrote on June 4:

“US President Donald Trump appeared to misconstrue a statement while launching an attack on Twitter of London Mayor Sadiq Khan in the wake of the terror attacks which killed at least seven people. Trump, writing on Twitter Sunday, said: ‘At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack and Mayor of London says there is “no reason to be alarmed!”‘ But when Khan said in a statement that there was no cause for alarm, he was referring specifically to a visible increase in police activity on the streets of London in the wake of the attack. ‘Londoners will see an increased police presence today and over the course of the next few days. There’s no reason to be alarmed,’ he said…

“Trump’s tweets have been heavily criticized by a number of British politicians, who are currently preparing for the country’s general election which is scheduled to take place on Thursday. Conservative politician Penny Mordaunt tweeted the transcript of Khan’s interview and said: ‘I’m standing with resilient London and him.’ Labour politician David Lammy said Trump’s tweet was ‘cheap, nasty and unbecoming of a national leader.’… Trump was also fiercely criticized by Brendon Cox, the husband of former British lawmaker Jo Cox, who was murdered by a right-wing fanatic in November 2016. ‘You represent the worst of your country...’ Cox wrote on Twitter…

“Trump’s tweets came the day after he touted his so-called travel ban in the wake of the London terror attacks, while also pledging assistance to Britain. Without referring explicitly to London, Trump wrote on his personal account: ‘We need to be smart, vigilant and tough. We need the courts to give us back our rights. We need the Travel Ban as an extra level of safety!’ Eight minutes later, he tweeted, ‘Whatever the United States can do to help out in London and the U. K., we will be there – WE ARE WITH YOU. GOD BLESS!’

“Cecillia Wang, the deputy legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union, quickly accused Trump of exploiting the situation…

“Trump’s travel ban — which, among other things, would temporarily block entry into the US from six Muslim-majority countries — has been blocked by a number of federal court decisions. On Thursday, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to allow the ban to go into…effect while the court considers its legality.”

The Telegraph wrote on June 4: “Donald Trump’s ugly tweets on London are a step too far – even for him.”

The Week wrote on June 6: “Trump had also spent Monday morning tweeting aggressively about his travel ban, prompting The Wall Street Journal editorial board to write Tuesday that ‘some people with a propensity for self-destructive behavior can’t seem to help themselves, President Trump apparently among them.’”

And the Fights Go On…

AFP wrote on June 5:

“President Donald Trump seized on the London terror attack to demand the US ban on travelers from some Muslim countries be reinstated Monday, sparking a diplomatic row with Britain and jeopardizing his legal defense of the measure in the process. In the wake of Saturday’s deadly attack, Trump renewed calls for a travel crackdown, while attacking London’s Muslim mayor, the media, Democrats, judges and opponents who accuse him of playing the politics of fear…

“The ‘special relationship’ with Britain became the latest casualty of that hardline stance Monday. With the seven victims of Saturday’s attack not yet buried, Trump repeatedly criticized London Mayor Sadiq Khan, whom he accused of playing down the terror threat… British officials — many of whom call London home — were incandescent with rage.

“Prime Minister Theresa May, who is under growing pressure to denounce Trump ahead of Thursday’s election, came to Khan’s defense… May had already faced pressure to criticize Trump or even withdraw his invitation for a state visit after he pulled out of a global climate deal and edged away from collective security arrangements under NATO…

“In the United States, many veteran diplomats and officials decried Trump’s remarks… The White House later tried to play down Trump’s tweets.

“Trump also found himself in hot water over his tough-talking tweets defending his ban on travelers from several Muslim countries, which is currently stalled in the federal courts. The White House has struggled to prevent the measures from being permanently struck down, insisting it is not a ‘ban’ and does not target Muslims — which would almost certainly be unconstitutional.

“Trump did not mince words. ‘People, the lawyers and the courts can call it whatever they want, but I am calling it what we need and what it is, a TRAVEL BAN!’ he tweeted. ‘In any event we are EXTREME VETTING people coming into the US in order to help keep our country safe. The courts are slow and political!’ he said, attacking the judiciary in a way that is rare in American politics.

“The husband of senior Trump aide Kellyanne Conway was among those who warned those remarks may pose legal problems for the administration at the Supreme Court. ‘These tweets… certainly won’t help’ get five votes on the Supreme Court.

“In a rare move on Friday, the Supreme Court expedited consideration of the case, ordering the American Civil Liberties Union — which represents the plaintiffs — to respond by June 12 to the Trump administration’s petition for court consideration. Once it receives the response, the high court could quickly rule on whether to take up the case.

“Trump called Monday for a ‘much tougher version’ of his travel ban and an ‘expedited’ hearing for the measure before the Supreme Court. Trump issued his initial travel ban by executive order in January, but that measure — which banned entry to nationals from seven countries for 90 days and suspended the nation’s refugee program for 120 days — was quickly halted by the courts. He then issued a second version, but that too was put on ice.”

President Trump might shoot himself in the foot with his tweets, ignoring the advice of counsel admonishing him NOT to continue tweeting his opinions which will undoubtedly be used against him in court.

Incredible! TSA May Ban Laptops from Cabins on DOMESTIC Flights

Baltimore.cbslocal wrote on June 7:

“[Perceived threats] prompted a ban on laptop and computer pads from airplane cabins flying from seven African and Middle Eastern countries this past spring. It could spread to domestic flights. ‘The Department of Homeland Security is currently considering the possible expansion of that laptop ban,’ says Lisa Farbstein, a TSA spokesperson. ‘No decision has been made.’’

Will this illogical craziness never stop?

US Senate Much Tougher than Trump on Jerusalem?

The Times of Israel wrote ion June 6:

“The US Senate unanimously passed a resolution on Monday that commemorates the 50th anniversary of the reunification of Jerusalem. Co-sponsored by 17 senators, including Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R) and Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D), the text calls on the legislative body to recognize the half a century landmark since Israel captured the eastern part of the city during the 1967 Six Day War. ‘Jerusalem should remain the undivided capital of Israel in which the rights of every ethnic and religious group are protected,’ the resolution states, adding that ‘there has been a continuous Jewish presence in Jerusalem for 3 millennia.’

“It also says that ‘Jerusalem is a holy city and the home for people of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian faiths”’ and advocates a two-state outcome based on direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians…

“Senators advanced this measure just after US President Donald Trump formally deferred — at least for now — his campaign pledge to move the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognize the city as Israel’s capital… The Senate Resolution ‘reaffirms the Jerusalem Embassy Act’ — the law mandating the move — and ‘calls upon the President and all United States officials to abide by its provisions.’…

“Schumer, the Democratic Senate leader and one of the most prominent Jewish members of Congress, released a statement introducing the measure that implored the US to recognize Jerusalem as the Jewish state’s capital…  Such language also runs in stark contrast to a UNESCO resolution last month — titled ‘Occupied Palestine’ — that suggested Israel has no sovereign claim to Jerusalem.”

One has to ask the following questions; Why didn’t Mr. Schumer and his Democratic colleagues stand up to President Obama when he signed the waiver 16 times, preventing the US embassy from moving to Jerusalem? And how can a two-state outcome be achieved with Jerusalem as the undivided capital of the Jewish state when the Palestinians demand eastern Jerusalem to become the capital of their state? Sadly, the resolution seems to be nothing else than an anti-Trump balloon of hot air.

Arab Nations Isolate Qatar… Did the USA Create a Frankenstein Monster?

The New York Times wrote on June 5:

“On Monday… [Qatar’s] powerful neighbor Saudi Arabia, Egypt and at least three other Arab nations severed all ties with the country, escalating their accusations that the Qatari monarchy supported Sunni Islamist terrorism and Iranian designs on the region.

“Those Arab nations… surprised many by cutting off land, air and sea travel to and from Qatar. All but Egypt, which has 250,000 people working there, ordered their citizens to leave Qatar.

“The move created an immediate crisis for Qatar, whose only land border is with Saudi Arabia and which imports about 40 percent of its food from the Saudis. Residents said that people were stocking up on food and cash…

“Some analysts saw the sudden escalation as a sign that Saudi Arabia and its allies had been emboldened by the recent visit from President Trump, in which he publicly embraced the Saudis as a leading partner in fighting terrorism and countering Iran’s influence… But it could also end up hurting American efforts to build broader coalitions in the region, and weaken an ally that has provided a vital base for the American military in its campaign against the Islamic State.

“How, for example, could the American-led air campaign include warplanes from Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates if those governments will no longer allow their military representatives to be based at, or even to visit, a major United States command center [in Qatar]? Beyond the military difficulties, several multinational corporations have operations in the feuding nations… Qatar is hosting the 2022 World Cup, for instance, and is building facilities for the tournament that are part of an ambitious construction boom, including creating branches of major international museums and universities. About 80 percent of Qatar’s residents are foreign workers, including white-collar professionals and construction and service workers…”

Deutsche Welle added on June 5:

“The decisions plunged Qatar into chaos and ignited the biggest diplomatic crisis in the Gulf since the 1991 war against Iraq… Qatar… responded to the Arab states’ decision, suspending all flights to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Bahrain until further notice…”

Qatar is one of the richest countries in the world. At this point, Jordan and Kuwait did not join in the boycott. Qatar has tried to please both sides, thereby antagonizing everybody. While it has good relations with Iran and brokered deal with it, it hosts the largest American air base in the region and is helping to fight the Iranian-linked Houthi rebels in Yemen and supports insurgents fighting Assad of Syria. It is felt by observers that President Trump has given the Saudis carte-blanche authority to do what they want with Qatar.

Trump Takes Credit for Saudi Move Against Qatar–Sowing Confusion Again

The New York Times wrote on June 6:

“President Trump thrust himself into a bitter Persian Gulf dispute on Tuesday, taking credit for Saudi Arabia’s move to isolate its smaller neighbor, Qatar, and rattling his national security staff by upending a critical American strategic relationship. In a series of tweets, Mr. Trump said his call for an end to the financing of radical groups had prompted Saudi Arabia and four other countries to act this week against Qatar, a tiny, energy-rich emirate that is arguably America’s most important military outpost in the Middle East.

“… Qatar has long been accused of funneling money to the Muslim Brotherhood — which has officially forsworn violence but is still accused of terrorism by some countries — as well as to radical groups in Syria, Libya and other Arab nations. But it is also home to two major American command posts, including a $60 million center from which the United States and its allies conduct their air war on Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.

“Those contradictory roles may explain the mixed signals the administration sent after Saudi Arabia’s unexpected move. Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis initially tried on Monday to smooth over the rift, with Mr. Tillerson offering to play peacemaker and Mr. Mattis insisting it would have no effect on the campaign against the Islamic State. Less than 12 hours later, however, Mr. Trump discarded that approach by putting his thumb on the scale firmly in Saudi Arabia’s favor. His tweets… sowed confusion about America’s strategy and its intentions toward a key military partner…

“Mr. Spicer denied that the president was taking sides… Qatar’s ambassador… expressed surprise at Mr. Trump’s tweets… Pentagon officials said they, too, were taken aback by Mr. Trump’s tweets, particularly given the American military’s deep ties to Qatar… Mr. Trump’s tweets also appeared to contradict the American ambassador to Qatar, Dana Shell Smith, who this week retweeted a post of hers saying Qatar had made ‘real progress’ in curbing financial support for terrorists…”

Why President Trump would take credit for the Gulf states’ rift with Qatar is beyond anyone’s guess, given the fact that this poses an extremely unpleasant situation for the USA and its military base stationed there. Surely, Mr. Trump must realize this.

Germany Warns of Middle East Powder Keg

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 7:

“Germany’s foreign minister warned against deepening conflict in the Middle East… Sigmar Gabriel said ‘a deep dispute between neighbors is the last thing that is needed’ in a region already beset by crises and the threat of greater military conflict.

“Gabriel earlier told the ‘Handelsblatt’ newspaper he was concerned about escalating tensions and the US’ strategy of ‘pure confrontation’ with Iran, including arms sales to Saudi Arabia… ‘Such a Trumpification of relations with one another is particularly dangerous in a region that is already rife with crises,’ he said, in apparent reference to US President Donald Trump’s divisive and confusing statements… ‘The Middle East is a political and military powder keg.’…

“German Foreign Ministry spokesman Martin Schäfer said in a separate news conference on Wednesday that Trump’s stance differed from Berlin, while what he was hearing from the State Department was closer to the German line.”

UAE Threatens 15-Year Jail Term for Anyone Showing Sympathy Toward Qatar

Haaretz wrote on June 7:

“The United Arab Emirates has banned people from publishing expressions of sympathy toward Qatar and will punish offenders with a jail term of up to 15 years, the UAE-based newspaper Gulf News and pan-Arab channel Al-Arabiya reported on Wednesday.

“‘Strict and firm action will be taken against anyone who shows sympathy or any form of bias towards Qatar, or against anyone who objects to the position of the United Arab Emirates, whether it be through the means of social media, or any type of written, visual or verbal form,’ Gulf News quoted UAE Attorney-General Hamad Saif al-Shamsi as saying. On top of a possible jail term, offenders would also be hit with a fine of at least 500,000 dirhams, the newspaper said, citing a statement to Arabic-language media.”

Is this the UAE’s version of true democracy and freedom of speech and expression?

Terror Attacks in Iran

Reuters wrote on June 7:

“Suicide bombers and gunmen attacked Iran’s parliament and the Mausoleum of Ayatollah Khomeini in Tehran on Wednesday morning, killing at least 12 people in a twin assault at the heart of the Islamic Republic… Islamic State claimed responsibility…

“The rare attacks were the first claimed by the hardline Sunni Muslim militant group inside in the tightly controlled Shi’ite Muslim country. Islamic State has regularly threatened Iran, one of the powers leading the fight against the militants’ forces in neighboring Iraq and, beyond that, Syria…

“Islamic State has lambasted ‘heretic’ Shi’ite Iran for helping the Syrian and Iraqi governments battle Islamic State, which considers Shi’ites to be infidels…”

According to The Week, dated June 7, Iran accused Saudi Arabia of orchestrating the devastating twin attacks in Tehran.

Lebanon and Jordan Are Becoming Ridiculous

The Times of Israel wrote on June 6:

“Jordan is considering banning the film ‘Wonder Woman’ because star Gal Gadot served in the Israel Defense Forces. Jordan’s Communications Commission is currently reviewing the film to determine whether it meets the country’s standards and laws, the Israeli news website Ynet reported.

“The review comes in the wake of Lebanon’s decision to ban the film as part of its total boycott of all things Israeli. Lebanon is officially at war with Israel and bans Israeli products. ‘We remind the Jordanians of their obligation to boycott the film, and we refuse to be partners to the crimes of the Zionists and to increase their profits from this film. The Arab audience will not be involved in projects that represent Zionism and the Israeli army,’ said a statement from one of the Jordanian campaigns against normalization with Israel, according to Ynet.

“Israel and Jordan signed a peace agreement in 1994. Gadot, 32, does not shy away from touting her Israeli heritage… The film, which opened in the United States on Friday, took in an estimated $103.1 million over the weekend and $223 million worldwide.”

How can we ever expect a peace agreement between Israel and its Arab neighbors with these kinds of hostile and rather childish attitudes?

Germany Planning of Moving Troops to Jordan

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 6:

“In light of Turkey’s decision to block a lawmakers’ visit, [Vice-Chancellor] Sigmar Gabriel said that Germany would soon start the process of finding another location for its troops… Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said the troops… would be moved to a base in Jordan. ‘It is unacceptable that our deputies cannot visit the troops,’ she said. ‘We are ready for a transfer,’ she said, adding that a ‘comparable alternative’ had been identified at the Azraq air base in Jordan and that King Abdullah supported the move…”

On Wednesday, Germany’s cabinet recommended pulling troops from Turkey. Stationing them in Jordan would be an interesting move, given the fact that Jordan (biblical Ammon and Moab) will be spared from attacks by the future king of the North (Daniel 11:41). Also, Jordan is much closer to Jerusalem than Turkey. The airline distance from Jordan to Jerusalem is a little bit over 150 kilometers, while the airline distance from Turkey to Jerusalem is over 1,000 kilometers.

Why the German Chancellor Could Slip Up in Election 

Express wrote on June 1:

“Angela Merkel (CDU) could be in for a fight with Martin Schulz to win the next election [in September] despite the German Chancellor leading in the polls…

“Ms Merkel is up against Martin Schulz’s German Social Democratic Party (SPD)… And she is on course to defeat her rival according to a recent poll for German broadcaster ARD… The poll found that 49 per cent of respondents would vote for the current Chancellor… But while the CDU/CSU is out in front, nothing is safe in the 2017 race, according to one German publication.

“Online Focus warns that the 2005 ‘Bundestag’ elections show Ms Merkel cannot take the polls for granted. During the 2005 election, the Chancellor was out in front – but the situation quickly changed. The publication said: ‘The election campaign of 2005 offers many parallels to that of 2017… On the evening of the election, however, came the surprise: the SPD almost won. Gerhard Schroeder’s SPD was only one percentage point behind the Union…’

“Mr Schulz, 61, former European Parliament President was promoted to the SPD’s party’s leadership in March, and this has given the party a huge boost. Ms Merkel has a habit of clinging to power by adopting the policies of her opponents if she sees that they are popular. Mr Schulz, for example, has taken a hard line approach to Britain’s Brexit – and wants to help Brussels negotiate the rights of EU citizens over British ones… It’s yet to be seen whether Ms Merkel will begin to take a tougher approach on Brexit by adopting Mr Schulz’s policy in a bid to win over voters…

“Online Focus suggests that the race is still wide open and anyone can win. It added: ‘Forsa’s CEO, Manfred Güllner thinks… shifts are possible… if something unforeseen happens or the electoral participation continues to rise.’”

Bild added on June 3:

“The SPD is climbing… Candidate Martin Schulz (61) gained two points, reaching 27 percent. Previously, the SPD had lost 8 points in two months. The advantage of the CDU/CSU ist still very drastic, reaching 38 percent.“

One will have to wait and see what God has in mind.

“Pope at General Audience: Our Father in Heaven Needs Us”

Zenit wrote on June 7:

“Whether or not we ever feel that we can be without God, Pope Francis has reminded, that God cannot, however, be without us… this is a great mystery!’… Because we are God’s adoptive sons and daughters in the Holy Spirit, the Jesuit Pontiff reminded, ‘we share in the intimate relationship between Jesus and the Father…'”

Many years ago, this very question was raised and analyzed in the Church of God, as some felt the same way as the Pope… that God needs us. However, it was clearly emphasized that God does NOT need us. It is true that God WANTS us to be in His Family, but when we fail, He could even raise up children from stones (Matthew 3:9). The idea that God needs us and CANNOT BE without us gives us an unhealthy feeling of self-importance which can be very dangerous to our spiritual survival. Also, true Christians are not God’s “adoptive” children, but Spirit-begotten TRUE children of God, having received God’s very nature through the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit. God is not just adopting children; He is reproducing Himself through His children, like physical parents reproduce themselves through their children. That is why our intimate relationship with the Father and our elder brother, Jesus Christ, is so much more meaningful.

“Botched Vaccine Campaign Kills 15 Children in South Sudan”

Deutsche Welle wrote on June 2:

“Children in rural South Sudan died as a result of a bungled vaccination campaign to combat measles… An investigation into the deaths… found that the children died as a result of ‘the administration of a contaminated vaccine.’

“Around 300 children up to 5-years-old were treated during the four-day campaign which saw the local team using a single reconstitution syringe to mix multiple vaccine vials. The UNICEF-supplied vaccines were also kept in a building with inadequate refrigeration.

“Another 32 children suffered from fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, but were able to recover from their symptoms…

“The risk of measles remains high in South Sudan due to an ongoing military conflict that has killed tens of thousands and seen almost 2 million people flee the country. According to the UN, the country has suffered from measles outbreaks caused by a backlog of unvaccinated children.”

Some doubt that the account is accurate and feel that the cause for the tragic death of the children lies in the vaccines themselves, and not in any contamination or wrong administration.

Addiction to Legal Drugs

Express wrote on June 7:

“People seeking help for over the counter and prescribed drugs is on the rise. More worrying still, over the counter drug addiction will soon be more prevalent than for heroin… These [prescribed drugs] include codeine, and Benzodiazepines (also known as Benzo’s)…

“Eytan Alexander, founder of UKAT, said: ‘People believe that if they’re prescribed a drug or if they can buy it in their local corner shop, then they’re not an addict… [People] remain completely unaware that they have an addiction problem to Codeine or Benzo drugs, because they get them from their doctor, making it completely legal… most addicts are forced into continuing to take Codeine or Diazepam, for example, simply to cope with the horrific side effects of going cold turkey… It’s currently a hugely vicious cycle…  When in treatment it can take twice as long for a person with an addiction to pharmaceutical drugs to come “clean” compared to with heroin addiction.’”

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.