Trump’s Beef Deal… More Corruption?

The Hill wrote on September 4:

“President Trump said Friday that tariff-free imported beef will be coming from Brazil and Argentina, among other places, as his administration works to alleviate stubbornly high prices….

“Trump announced last month that the U.S. would be pausing tariffs on 300,000 metric tons of beef for 90 days to be sold at a 25 percent discount below market price. The president said it would lower costs for Americans while allowing for ranchers to build up their herds… The announcement was quickly criticized by the cattle industry and GOP lawmakers who said that lowering prices for Americans shouldn’t come at the cost of U.S. ranchers….

“The White House further defended the decision after a report that a Brazilian billionaire influenced it. The Wall Street Journal reported… that Trump met with Joesley Batista, who shares control of JBS, the world’s largest meatpacker, a day before the announcement. Batista and his brother Wesley Batista were fined in 2020 by the Justice Department over charges that they violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act by using funds obtained through a bribery scheme to expand operations in the U.S.”

Another White House cooperation with a corrupt businessman.

Unsafe Beef?

Forbes wrote on September 5:

“Brazilian beef exporters, who are usually subject to a 26.4% tariff, recently found themselves with a large backstock of beef after the European Union announced it would no longer accept imports from the country because it wasn’t meeting safety standards around the use of antibiotics…. Ranchers have called for the mandatory country-of-origin labeling on the lower-priced foreign beef entering the country, and are encouraging consumers to look for labels that say the product is American raised.

“… Argentine meat has made headlines after 30,000 pounds was allowed into Texas and Florida without being inspected by U.S. workers. China in August refused to accept a shipment of 22 tons of beef from Argentina because inspectors found evidence of chloramphenicol contamination. Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic strictly prohibited in food-producing animals under U.S. standards.

“Look for stickers that say ‘Product of USA’ or ‘Made in the USA.’ Those mean the product comes exclusively from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the United States. Other stickers to look out for will say ‘Born, Raised, and Harvested in the USA’ or ‘American Grassfed Association (AGA) Certified.’ If beef is imported or blended, the country of origin list will appear in small print near the nutrition label or ingredient list. Consumers can also check oval Department of Agriculture inspection stickers for an establishment number, which can be searched online to find the exact facility where the beef was processed.”

This would of course not tell you anything about the origin of the beef you are ordering and consuming at restaurants and fast food places.

Insane Gas Prices

CNN wrote on September 4:

“Americans will likely face the highest Labor Day gas prices on record this holiday weekend. It’s another blow to a ‘drill, baby, drill’ president who campaigned on affordable energy. President Donald Trump’s war with Iran isn’t just driving up prices at the gas pump. Diesel, a crucial fuel at the heart of the modern economy, hit an all-time high Friday. Jet fuel costs have skyrocketed, too, leading airlines to hike airfare and baggage fees while cutting less profitable flights….

“US refiners are running as hard as they can to make up for the loss of refining capacity elsewhere. Venezuela is unlikely to deliver a major increase in oil supplies for many years – perhaps not until 2035... Americans are paying an extra $97 billion since the Iran war started due to higher gas and diesel prices… That amounts to more than $740 per US household….

“Diesel has skyrocketed more than 60% so far this year, leaving it on track for the biggest annual increase on record… Gasoline gets more of the attention because of the consumer impact, but diesel powers trucks, tractors, trains, boats and construction vehicles at the heart of the modern economy.”

We can thank Donald Trump for all of that.

Hegseth’s Lie Detector Tests Backfire

Daily Mail wrote on September 5:

“At least 50 members of staff were subjected to lie detector tests in August to find out who the alleged rats were after multiple news outlets reported that the US military was running low on key weapons stockpiles amid the ongoing war in the Middle East. But that anti-leak mission has seemingly backfired on the White House – as news of the polygraph testing has now ironically leaked to the media...

“The move marks the first time the US has ever issued mass polygraph tests to top brass officials in the military.”

Polygraph tests are unreliable and not admitted in courts.

Europe to Repay US For Ukraine Aid?

The Kyiv Independent wrote on September 4:

“U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on Sept. 3 that he will ask European countries to repay Washington for ammunition and military aid given to Ukraine under former President Joe Biden. The demand comes amid Trump’s growing fury with European and NATO countries for their refusal to join the U.S. war against Iran, which has dragged on for six months…. ‘Hundreds of Billions of Dollars was given to Ukraine and NATO, free of charge, that Europe would have paid for… but we will be asking for that money, though somewhat belatedly.’

“In the post, Trump also lambasted media reports that the U.S. military was running low on missile stocks due to the war against Iran… ‘we have virtually unlimited amounts of Mid to High Grade Ammunition, far more than we could ever use for this, or for any other War (which is highly unlikely!), that could improbably take place,’ wrote the American Commander-in-Chief. ‌‌‌‌

”Responding to President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for more Patriot systems amid a critical air defense shortage…, Trump himself said on Aug. 7 that military aid had depleted U.S. stockpiles. ‘We want missiles too,’ Trump said. ‘Biden gave (Zelensky) $300 billion worth of ammunition.’

“It is not clear where Trump’s ‘$300 billion’ figure comes from — previously, Trump claimed Biden sent Ukraine $500 billion in aid, while Zelensky has said the total is around $100 billion… He has also previously demanded repayment from Ukraine for U.S. aid…

“Under the Trump administration, U.S. aid to Ukraine has ground to a halt, leaving Europe and NATO countries to shoulder the financial burden of supporting Kyiv amid Russia’s full-scale invasion.”

Clearly, Trump is speaking out of both sides of his mouth. It should be obvious that US stockpiles have been heavily depleted. Trump’s naïve assessment that another war with the US is highly unlikely will end up in a rude awakening… and maybe much sooner than many think. And when [not if] that happens, America might not have enough weapons to defend itself, while Americans will not even be willing to do so.

That Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met with Putin to discuss the war in Ukraine might be another alarming development. One wonders what further concessions the Americans have been willing to make to Putin. Kushner and especially Witkoff have not been good negotiators at all.

Putin Attack Inevitable?

The Sun wrote on September 7:

“A security source has warned that it is ‘inevitable’ that Putin will order retribution on Britain for its continued support of Ukraine.”

PBS wrote on September 8:

“Russian President Vladimir Putin assured U.S. President Donald Trump in a phone call Tuesday that Moscow doesn’t harbor aggressive intentions toward Europe… That claim runs counter to European authorities’ versions of recent incidents, such as the German government last week blaming Russia for an attempted attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport in August using a drone laden with explosives.”

One would have to be crazy to believe Putin’s assurances.

No Breakthrough… War to Continue

BBC News reported on September 6:

“Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he expects the war with Russia to continue into the winter, following talks with Donald Trump’s top envoys in Kyiv.

The discussions finished without an announcement of a major breakthrough, after Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner travelled to Ukraine for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion. The previous day, the pair had held talks with Vladimir Putin in Moscow…

“Zelensky emphasised that should the war continue into the winter – ‘which is what it looks like for now’ – Ukraine would need air defence and energy support. Ukraine has relied on American-made Patriot interceptors to combat Russian ballistic missiles, but the US has used many of its stockpiles during its war with Iran.”

…despite Trump’s laughable denial of this apparent fact.

USA No Longer Canada’s Friend?

National Post/MSN wrote on September 6:

“For as long as anyone can remember, Canada and the U.S. have arguably been the world’s closest of allies and friends… But as the trade war initiated by U.S. President Donald Trump drags on, getting uglier every day, a growing number of Canadians have a very different view of America: our ‘enemy.’… a strong plurality of Canadians (41 per cent) consider the U.S. an enemy country…

“More than half (51 per cent) of those 55 or older perceived the U.S. as an enemy, only 13 per cent of whom see it as neutral. Meanwhile, Quebecers were the Canadians most likely (49 per cent) see the U.S. in that light and the least likely to consider it an ally (17 per cent) or neutral (20 per cent), one of several times an ‘exclamation point’ appeared on some Quebec results….”

The relationship between Canada and the USA has never been worse.

USA Is Losing Everywhere!

Hedge Avenue wrote on September 9:

“Last week, in Tiananmen Square, China put on a chilling display of military power. Fighter jets, tanks, AI-guided drones — all paraded under the red flag, in front of Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, and more than two dozen world leaders… The world is realigning. China. Russia. India. They’re drawing closer. And Trump’s high-risk trade policies are pushing them into each other’s arms…

“The U.S. is becoming isolated and distrusted… And we’re drowning in debt – $21 billion a day added and growing.  And this Chinese parade – as symbolic as it was strategic – signals that the world may be entering a post-American financial era. One where the dollar no longer dominates… and U.S. influence is no longer guaranteed.

“Foreign alliances are being formed without us… economic blocks are shifting against us… our tariffs are backfiring and capital is fleeing the country… debt is exploding past $37 trillion with no plans to stop it.”

Trump—the Demolition Man

On September 5, Die Welt wrote:

“Donald Trump brings Sylvester Stallone to mind. In the film ‘Demolition Man’, the lawman unhesitatingly tears apart an entire city block. The US President is following a similar path. The difference: he employs political weapons—such as coercion and blackmail—from the outset. Trump treats America’s long-standing friends in Europe, Canada, and East Asia like enemies.

“Security guarantees are being dismantled, troops withdrawn; Trump wants to get his hands on Danish Greenland; he targets Canada as a potential ‘51st state’ and imposes 50 percent tariffs… Yet far more is at stake than mere money—it is a question of who defeats whom on the chessboard of power, very much in the spirit of Lenin… Trump cozies up to Russia, China, and North Korea… In Asia, Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea fear for their security and the once-reliable pledges made by the US. The same goes for the Europeans. Ukraine is fighting for its life while Trump takes it on a rollercoaster ride…

“He attacks Iran without regard for costs or consequences… The fact that the rest of the world is groaning under skyrocketing energy prices concerns this fantasist as little as the well-being of his own voters… America calls itself the ‘indispensable nation.’ For 80 years, it was. Under the showman Trump, the prospect is not ‘America First,’ but the looming threat of ‘America Alone.’”

A German perspective that is shared by most Germans.

Iceland Summons U.A. Ambassador

NBC News wrote on September 8:

“Iceland summoned the U.S. ambassador on Monday after President Donald Trump posted an image on social media showing the island and other countries covered by the American flag… The map showed the United States, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean covered by the U.S. flag, with the entire landmass labeled ‘United States of America.’ Trump posted the image on his Truth Social platform without explanation….

“Iceland last month voted against reopening E.U. membership talks in a referendum in which Trump’s designs on Greenland had featured as a backdrop.”

Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean should all take Trump to task for his irresponsible and ludicrous postings. Trump also claimed the Strait of Hormuz should be changed to Trump Strait, and the US state of New Mexico should be renamed as New America. And to top it all off, Trump claimed US ownership of the moon. Note the following detailed article, revealing further frightening and highly disconcerting Trump postings.

Trump’s Crazy Postings

MSN reported on September 6:

“President Donald Trump left countless onlookers aghast Sunday after publishing three dozen bizarre online posts in the span of two hours… ‘Something is very wrong with the president,’ wrote Tom Nichols, staff writer for The Atlantic, in a social media post on X Sunday. ‘And yet, still has the codes to our nuclear arsenal and is the single person who can order their use.’

“Among Trump’s bizarre online posts were images that appeared to be generated with artificial intelligence (AI) depicting him in hellish landscapes with threatening messages. One depicts Trump walking in Washington, D.C. alongside an army of robots and soldiers with red glowing eyes, and the message, ‘THEY WILL NEVER SLEEP AGAIN.’ Another depicts Trump sitting atop a black throne amid a hellish and war-torn landscape in front of giant humanoid robots. In another post, Trump suggested renaming the state of New Mexico to ‘New America,’ and in another, redrawing Iran’s borders to mirror the silhouette of Trump’s profile. One post, also likely generated with AI, depicts the destruction of Iran’s Kharg Island with the message, ‘Bye bye, Kharg.’

“Trump also shared an image of the moon that included the text, ‘THE MOON IS OURS,’ alongside an American flag. ‘This is not normal,’ wrote John Jackson, a political commentator… and former trial lawyer…. Trump also shared an AI-generated image depicting himself blowing up the earth, as well as an AI-generated image depicting himself buying stocks in the Oval Office, alongside the admission that he had ‘made Hundreds of Billions of Dollars on Stocks, and Many other type Holdings.’”

Whether this is meant to be serious or in jest, something is VERY WRONG with President Trump! Note the next articles as well.

Trump’s Ongoing Fabrications

The Huffington Post wrote on September 9:

“President Donald Trump on Tuesday raged at New York magazine after the publication questioned his recollection of his experience in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The president apparently took issue with an online story, ‘Trump Tells Weird Lie About Where He Was On 9/11,’ and lashed out by branding the outlet ‘Failing New York Magazine.’

“The article refers to a rambling speech Trump made Tuesday in Washington, D.C., where he reflected on the strength of New York City after the tragedy on Sept. 11, 2001. He offered an anecdote about how he was ‘down there right after this happened’ and that two ‘big, strong’ firefighters ‘lifted him’ to safety as they feared the nearby U.S. Steel Building was also at risk of collapse. In his remarks, Trump also renewed a claim that he took a construction crew with him to Lower Manhattan to help with ground zero clean-up efforts.

“New York magazine questioned Trump’s telling of the story and fact-checked his previous comments about his whereabouts on 9/11 and the days after. Trump did visit the site two days after the attacks, on Sept. 13, and conducted interviews, but many of the details of his claims are contested… New York magazine noted the then-real estate developer was at Trump Tower in Manhattan’s midtown on the day of the attacks — miles away from the twin towers and the U.S. Steel Building… [He contacted local Channel 9 news right after the attack and remarked that he now possessed the tallest building in Manhattan.]

“In his rebuttal Wednesday, Trump said he ‘was there, obviously not on the same day as the collapse, but shortly thereafter,’ and posted a clip in which he spoke to reporters by ground zero after the attacks.”

This reminds us of the fabricated stories President Biden used to tell.

Jens Spahn—the Proverbial Comeback Kid

Merkur wrote on September 5:

“Just weeks after stepping down, Spahn is set to resume a key role within the Union parliamentary group as a member of the powerful Budget Committee… the CDU politician is apparently slated to become the rapporteur for the Foreign Ministry’s budget there. News that is sparking resentment and sharp criticism among the opposition…

“‘Some things are so crazy that I honestly didn’t think they were possible,’ writes Green Party MP Paula Piechotta… ‘He has demonstrated in the past that he lacks a sufficient sense of responsibility when it comes to handling taxpayer money.’ The Green Party’s budget expert is referring to controversial mask purchases made early in the coronavirus pandemic during Spahn’s tenure as Health Minister. Furthermore, a conflict of interest exists: Spahn would be conflicted regarding any ongoing costs associated with the mask deals. The committee not only has the final say on the budget but also oversees the government and sanctions it in cases of misconduct.”

A clear conflict of interest, as he is not going to sanction himself for his misconduct. But in spite of his many scandals and downfalls, he always comes back.

The Saxony-Anhalt Dilemma

Die Tagesschau reported on September 6:

“The AfD has clearly won the state election in Saxony-Anhalt. According to ARD projections… it is polling at 44.0 percent—compared to the 20.8 percent it secured in the 2021 election. The AfD has thus achieved its best-ever result in a state and is set to become the strongest force in the state parliament. Trailing far behind is the CDU… at a historically low 17.4 percent… Projections place the SPD in third place with 9.2 percent… The Greens are at 8.9 percent… Next is the Left Party (‘Die Linke’) with 8.6 percent—its worst result to date in Saxony-Anhalt… The BSW [another left-leaning party] is at 5.1 percent and could, as things stand, enter the state parliament, while the [business-friendly] FDP is projected to fail to meet the threshold for seats with 2.5 percent…

“The AfD’s goal is to govern alone. To do so, the party does not need an absolute majority of the votes, but rather an absolute majority of the seats in the state parliament. Whether it achieves this depends on the number of parties represented in the parliament. As things stand, the AfD is falling short of its goal. No other path to participating in government is open to the AfD. All other parties certain to be represented in the state parliament reject any coalition or cooperation with the party…

“Currently, a coalition of the CDU, SPD, and FDP is governing in Magdeburg. Projections indicate that continuing this alliance is not possible… Should the AfD be unable to govern alone, one option would be a CDU-led minority government that would rely on the Left Party… However, there are strong reservations within the CDU—which has a formal resolution prohibiting cooperation with both the AfD and the Left Party—regarding this model… According to the state constitution, the new state parliament must [convene] no later than the 30th day after the election—that is, on October 6.”

Bild Online wrote on September 6:

“The expected political bombshell from the Right in the East has arrived! The decisive factor: the hostile mood in Saxony-Anhalt—against (almost) everything! Against Chancellor Merz… Against public service broadcasting. Against foreigners. Against transatlantic values. And even against West Germans…

“CDU Minister-President Schulze’s election campaign was disappointing. Lackluster, timid, and completely devoid of edge—Schulze came across as utterly colorless! In contrast, AfD lead candidate Siegmund mobilized the masses and clearly struck a chord with the people… The fact is: this electoral shockwave from the East will send significant ripples through Berlin. Tough times lie ahead for the black-red governing coalition.”

When Germans become hostile and angry…beware!

The World’s Reactions to the AfD Victory

Politico wrote on September 7:

“Tech billionaire Elon Musk applauded the German far right’s win in Saxony-Anhalt on Sunday, a result that sent shockwaves through the country’s political establishment and around Europe… Musk has championed the AfD for years, including during Germany’s 2025 federal election campaign…

“Italy’s right-wing Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini congratulated his ‘friend’ [Alice] Weidel… Austrian far-right leader Herbert Kickl said voters had torn down the political ‘firewall’ around the AfD, while Spain’s Vox leader Santiago Abascal wrote on X that the result was ‘a great hope for Germany and Europe.’ Hard-right Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe called the AfD ‘an inspiration.’ Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders also congratulated the party…

“While Musk and Europe’s right rejoiced, centrist and left-wing heavyweights around the continent sounded the alarm. French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs slammed the AfD as a ‘neo-Nazi, anti-European, pro-Putin’ political force whose program is ‘a betrayal of the European spirit’…

“Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez described the result as ‘a warning that the ultra-threat is gaining ground in Europe and the world’… Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk wrote on X that ‘only idiots or traitors’ in Poland could celebrate the result. French Europe Minister Benjamin Haddad called it ‘a grave moment in Europe,’ warning that ‘nationalism and xenophobia will never be a solution.’”

According to Die Welt, dated September 4, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) demanded the prohibition of the AfD. CSU leader Markus Soeder disagreed with Pistorius’ viewpoint. Reuters reported on September 9 that “US President Donald Trump hails what he calls a ‘really big’ victory by Germany’s far-right movement.” He closed the post with a call to “MGGA!!!” or “Make Germany Great Again.” Despite his party’s terrible defeat, Chancellor Merz stated that he would stay in office.

“Established” Parties Remain Asleep

On September 9, Bild Online published the following commentary by Marcel Sacha:

“Anyone who thought the parties of the so-called ‘political center’ had finally woken up after the election debacle in Saxony-Anhalt was bitterly disappointed on Wednesday. A spirit of renewal? New concepts? A genuine will to reform? A different approach to dealing with the AfD? All were missing. Instead, the same old game played out in the Bundestag as it has for years: once again, everyone focused almost exclusively on attacking the AfD.

“Starting with the Chancellor: Friedrich Merz reacted to their 44 percent victory in Saxony-Anhalt with the counter-argument—offered in all seriousness—that ’56 percent did not vote for you.’ A reminder: 83 percent of voters did not vote for his CDU—which polled 17 percent—last Sunday… Furthermore, the speakers from the other parties offered almost nothing but the same old anti-AfD platitudes…

“The sad part is that, once again, hardly any politicians from the Black-Red camp presented new concepts or ideas… The established parties obviously still haven’t grasped the fact that AfD-bashing won’t win back a single voter… Or to put it another way: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the definition of insanity.”

Bild Online added on September 9:

“The AfD is leading by a huge margin in East Germany… Nationwide, too, the AfD remains on a record-breaking trajectory.

“Why do AfD supporters vote for the party? For the largest group, the answer is clear: 34 percent say the deciding factor is the conviction that the AfD best represents the ‘interests of the German people.’ 22 percent cite dissatisfaction with the political system as a whole as their primary motive. Another 21 percent point to dissatisfaction with the federal government…

“Who do Germans trust to solve the problems? On this question, the AfD is narrowly in the lead with 13 percent. But the real bombshell lies in another figure: 55 percent do not trust any party to be best at solving Germany’s problems.”

And the Germans are right about that. NO party can provide real solutions.

Europe Withdraws Gold Reserves from the U.S.

Bild Online reported on September 5:

“Are the gold reserves of foreign nations stored in the U.S. still safe under U.S. President Donald Trump? The debate has been simmering for months, particularly in Europe. Now comes a bombshell: The Dutch central bank (DNB) announced that it has moved 86 tons of its gold reserves—previously held in vaults in New York and Ottawa—to London. Consequently, only 18.5 percent of the total Dutch ‘gold hoard,’ valued at around 75 billion euros, remains stored in the U.S….

“Princeton visiting professor Steven Strauss… argued that for decades, European nations had relied on the U.S. reputation as a ‘guarantor of the rule of law, property rights, and financial stability’ when storing their gold. Today, however, he increasingly views Trump’s America as a ‘rogue superpower’—a major power acting with less predictability and reliability….

“The debate is simmering in Germany as well. A total of 1,236 tons of German gold—currently valued at around 152 billion euros—remains stored in the Federal Reserve’s vault in Lower Manhattan, 24 meters underground… The Taxpayers’ Association, in particular, is applying pressure. ‘The Netherlands has proven with its actions that where there’s a will, there’s a way; we have long demanded that the gold belonging to the taxpayers be brought back to Germany,’ Vice President Michael Jäger told BILD. It continues: ‘The clock is ticking; the risk in the USA is rising by the day…’

“In addition to the Netherlands, other EU states have also transferred gold holdings from the USA to Europe. France sold off its entire stock of 129 tons held in New York and repurchased the same amount in Europe… The situation is most critical in Italy. Of all major EU nations, it holds the largest share of its gold reserves—43.3 percent—in the USA: 1,061.5 tons worth around 130 billion euros. One thing is clear: the Dutch move is now increasing the pressure, particularly on Germany and Italy, to reconsider storing their multi-billion-euro treasures in America.”

Europe’s trust in America’s reliability is completely gone.

Funding Shortfalls Hit British Armed Forces

United24 Media wrote on September 4:

“The British Armed Forces have suspended military exercises involving 90 or more personnel due to budget constraints at the Ministry of Defense, according to a report by The Sun. Units were instructed to stop collective training with immediate effect unless they are getting ready for deployment on active operations, leaving many troops with little to do…

“The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force have also been instructed to scale back training activities to save funds…”

Everyone is running out of money. Wars are not inexpensive.

“Britain Works Against Israel”

CNBC wrote on September 9:

“Britain’s foreign secretary Ed Miliband announced on Tuesday that Britain would ban imports from Israeli settlements built on the West Bank, adding that the U.K. government’s official view is that the ‘occupation [of the West Bank] is unlawful.’

“The move prompted an accusation from Israel that the British government was ‘systematically working against’ the country, and a ban on 12 U.K. lawmakers entering Israel. Britain has also been told to close its consulate in east Jerusalem within 30 days…”

France and Canada also announced sanctions on Israeli settlements on Tuesday.

Was Netanyahu Warned?

Mediaite wrote on September 8:

“Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was personally and explicitly warned that Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar was planning a major attack roughly 10 days before the October 7 massacre, but dismissed the threat and did not alert his security chiefs, according to a shocking new Haaretz report…

“United Arab Emirates President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan raised the alarm directly with Netanyahu during a 45-minute conversation… and reportedly warned that Sinwar was preparing a major operation. Netanyahu reportedly responded that he believed Hamas intended to operate in the West Bank and assured the Emirati leader that Israel was prepared for any scenario… Haaretz also reported that Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel separately contacted Netanyahu around the same period to warn that Hamas was planning ‘something unusual, a terrifying operation.’ The prime minister, however, insisted again that Israel was in control and reportedly mentioned neither call during an October 1 security discussion about Hamas and Gaza. The Prime Minister’s Office categorically denied the central allegation…”

It has been claimed before that Netanyahu had been warned, but did not react.

Kushner Blames Israeli Elections

CBS News reported on September 7:

“President Trump’s special envoy Jared Kushner directly linked the lack of progress on the rehabilitation of the war-torn Gaza Strip to upcoming Israeli elections. Israel will hold elections in late October, and polls show it is a tight race between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his opponents… ‘They just have a crazy election, and that makes them a little irrational in certain regards.’

“Kushner’s remarks are a rare and candid criticism of Netanyahu’s government by a senior Trump administration official over the conservative Israeli leader’s Gaza policy…. U.S. efforts to advance plans to disarm Gaza militant group Hamas and open the way for investment into rebuilding the devastated Palestinian enclave have stalled amid disagreements with Israel and Hamas about the proposed roadmap. Kushner… did not elaborate on how the Israeli government is impeding the Gaza peace plan.”

Kushner has not been successful as a negotiator.  NBC News chief foreign correspondent Richard Engel asked directly why his lacking track record should inspire ‘any confidence’ in his abilities to negotiate an end to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.” Engel also said, “You were involved in the Gaza negotiations, but Gaza remains a wasteland… Iran, you were involved in those negotiations. The war is still going on…  You’ve been involved in several rounds of negotiations in this conflict. It’s only getting more intense. So you’re relaunching negotiations now. What’s the likelihood they will succeed, when other negotiations you’ve been involved in have not?”

Kushner responded defensively, but without real clarity. He and Steve Witkoff [viewed as highly incompetent by many Europeans] have been failures, putting it mildly.

The Third Temple—Far-Fetched?

Israel365News wrote on September 7:

“Zehut chairman Moshe Feiglin… signed a joint Knesset list with Religious Zionism chairman Bezalel Smotrich, taking the No. 2 slot ahead of the October 27 election… Asked how the mosque on the Temple Mount would ever open up to make room for the Temple, Feiglin [answered]:

“‘The Zehut party will not build the Third Temple. Am Yisrael [the nation of Israel] will build the Third Temple. The Third Temple will not be built by some accidental majority, at midnight, in some Knesset committee. Am Yisrael will build it because an entirely new consciousness will descend and envelop all of us. I believe the Third Temple will be built ish echad b’lev echad — as one man, with one heart — when we all want it. This will no longer be a partisan matter…

“‘What about the mosque? I believe the Arabs will vacate it… I believe we will reach a point where the entire world will want to see the Temple built. In the consciousness we’re in right now, this sounds far-fetched, impossible. But we’ve seen how quickly things can change. Why will it happen? Because it is written in the Torah — just as it was written in the Torah — that we would return to our land after nearly two thousand years, and that was the most far-fetched thing in the world. The most far-fetched thing in the world, far more so than building the Temple. And that came true too. That came true too.’”

Shortsighted and Contradictory Pope

Life Site News wrote on September 3:

“Pope Leo XIV opened this week’s Wednesday General Audience by citing Pope John XXIII’s warning against the so-called ‘prophets of doom’ who believe our current time is worse than previous generations…

“Despite the pontiff endorsing his predecessor’s words, he has repeatedly suggested that our modern age is the worst it has been for the environment, noting his belief that the ‘world is burning’ due to ‘global warming.’”

There can be no doubt that the current time is much worse than previous generations… with the exception of the time during the days of Noah. Christ said so, and if He were not to return in our generation, no flesh would be saved alive… and we are NOT talking about global warming.

Another Stupid US Supreme Court Decision

The Huffington Post wrote on September 9:

“The U.S. Supreme Court has denied a Roman Catholic mother’s request to send her 5-year-old son to school in New York without him receiving state-required vaccines under the argument of religious exemption. The court on Tuesday issued a one-line order denying the woman’s emergency appeal ahead of the new school year.

“Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch said they would have granted the request. In 2019, New York eliminated its religious exemption to school vaccination requirements.”

At least there were, in this case, two sensible justices on the Supreme Court.

The Curse of AI

MSN/RNS wrote on September 6:

“[Elderly East Asian monk] Yang Mun… has more than 2.5 million followers on Instagram, where his videos draw millions of views and comments from people thanking him for his advice. His website describes him as a teacher of traditional Eastern wisdom. But the monk does not exist. Mun was generated using artificial intelligence…

“Yang Mun is not alone, Rabbi Goldman, an AI-generated Orthodox rabbi who dabbled in conspiracy theories, amassed more than 1.5 million Instagram followers before his account was removed.  Father Justin, created as an AI Catholic priest, answered questions about faith…”

Satan’s tool no doubt…

AI Could Kill Us All

AFP wrote on September 9:

“An artificial intelligence researcher who left OpenAI to join Anthropic has decided to leave the industry, accusing both US companies of ‘gambling with our lives’ in the race to develop AI models capable of self-improvement… ‘The people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade,’ he said in a post on X…. Superintelligence is the theoretical point when AI’s capabilities exceed human intelligence…. ‘Anthropic… does not yet have a plan to ensure an AI system that surpasses human capabilities would obey its creators.’”

For further information, please view our most recent StandingWatch program, titled, “How AI Could Destroy Us All.”

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 the contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing to worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

Iceland Rejected the EU

Politico wrote on August 30:

“By a narrow margin of 52.8 percent to 47.2 percent, Icelanders rejected new talks with the EU… In the end, Icelanders’ skepticism about taking even this small step toward the EU proved too strong… The warning that membership would mean losing control over fishing quotas and having to open Icelandic waters to foreign companies was a cornerstone of the No campaign, and one that many voters cited as their reason for rejecting it…

“In Brussels, the result will land as a disappointment. A move by Iceland toward membership would have sent a signal of European unity to the world — and, amid tensions between the U.S. and Europe and the growing sway of authoritarian powers led by Russia and China, such a signal would have been more than welcome…. Reykjavík and Brussels will remain closely tied all the same. Before the referendum, the government had signaled that, in the event of a No, it would seek to deepen cooperation by other means.”

Icelanders are understood to be descendants of the Israelite tribe of Benjamin… the proverbial Vikings.

The Guardian added on August 30:

“The vote was held in the shadow of repeated threats by Donald Trump to invade or acquire neighbouring Greenland.

“Although Iceland is a Nato member, supporters of EU membership said European solidarity would provide greater protection if Trump ever made similar threats towards the smaller, Arctic island.”

America’s Failed Negotiations With Canada

The Hill wrote on August 28:

“Washington went into last week’s trade talks with Canada looking for more than relief on dairy and alcohol. The administration wanted Ottawa to complete its F-35 purchase, buy American radar planes as part of joining President Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense project and grant the U.S. a right of first refusal on Canadian critical minerals. By Saturday morning, the talks had collapsed…. None of what Washington wanted on defense was ever going to be delivered by threat.

“Canada contracted for 88 aircraft, but Carney ordered the purchased review after Trump’s first tariff offensive last year. Washington wanted reassurance in these talks that Canada would finish the buy. It left without it… Trump wanted Canada to shoulder more of its own defense burden. He may get exactly that. What his administration hasn’t reckoned with is how much of that new Canadian money will still flow south, after a year of tactics that turned dependence on the United States into a political liability in Ottawa.”

The USA has scored an own goal… or maybe several.

Canadian Reluctance Regarding US Military

CBC wrote on August 29:

“The flareup in the Canada-U.S. tariff war has not only strengthened Ottawa’s resolve to boost military co-operation with Europe and Asia — it’s also hurting prospects of major military purchases from the United States… [There is] a growing reluctance toward potential acquisitions of U.S. military hardware.”

Deutsche Welle wrote on August 28:

“Canada’s deal to buy [88] US-made F-35 [stealth-]fighter jets took years to negotiate and is worth tens of billions of dollars. But amid the trade war between Canada and the United States, some are calling for Ottawa to ditch the deal…”

The Aluminum Debacle

CTV News wrote on August 26:

“Canada’s aluminum industry is not worried about U.S. tariffs continuing into the new year. While Canadian domestic producers will absorb the loss of U.S. business and find other customers, the U.S. will find it nearly impossible to replace its cheapest supplier…

“The U.S. depends on Canada for 75 per cent of its imported primary aluminum, covering 60 per cent of its yearly usage…”

What American short-sightedness and incompetence!

Quebec United Against Trump

The Independent wrote on September 1:

“Canada’s governing Liberals have secured victories in three special elections on Monday, providing a significant boost to Prime Minister Mark Carney… The Liberal Party claimed victory in Chicoutimi-Le Fjord in Quebec, Beaches-East York in Toronto, and North Vancouver-Capilano in British Columbia… The biggest shift occurred in Quebec… The local economy relies on aluminum production and dairy farming, key sectors affected by the trade conflict.

“Nelson Wiseman, a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Toronto, said Carney enjoys higher approval ratings in Quebec than anywhere else in Canada, noting that Trump’s remarks about annexation resonate deeply there. ‘Quebecers have the most to lose in an apocalyptic scenario where the U.S. absorbs Canada, and the status of the French language disappears,’ Wiseman said.”

Trump’s Silly Postings—Donald Ducks “Protect” “Lake America”

The Independent wrote on August 30:

“President Donald Trump on Saturday posted an apparently AI-generated video depicting an army of buff, bequiffed and heavily-armed ‘Donald Ducks’ patrolling the shores of  ‘Lake America.’

“Hours later, while he was at his Virginia golf course, the president posted another AI-generated video, this time showing himself knocking over a ‘Welcome to Lake Ontario’ sign and installing a ‘Welcome to Lake America’ one in its place…

“Set to the theme song from Hawaii Five-O, a 34-second clip shows a squadron of Canada geese marching near the Great Lake. The birds have human arms, carry assault rifles and sport the president’s signature blond pouf of hair. The geese then fire their weapons into the air as fireworks erupt over the skyline of a nearby city — which appears to resemble Toronto.”

These juvenile postings don’t help anyone… they might only contribute to the accelerating alienation.

Spineless Google [and Apple]

Fox News wrote on August 30:

“Google Maps has begun displaying ‘Lake America’ in place of Lake Ontario for users in the United States after President Donald Trump ordered the body of water renamed.

Google said the change began rolling out Saturday after the U.S. Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) formally updated the lake’s name from Lake Ontario to Lake America.

“‘Since we update Google Maps to reflect name changes in official government sources, which is GNIS for the U.S., people using Maps in the U.S. will see “Lake America,” those in Canada will continue to see “Lake Ontario,” and those outside of the U.S. and Canada will see both names,’ Google said.”

Have you ever heard such nonsense? And Apple followed suit as well. Google’s actions remind us of its spineless behavior under incompetent Joe Biden’s unconstitutional conduct of censoring those who opposed the government’s terrible fake announcements and appalling measures pertaining to the Corona pandemic, with which Google and others, such as Twitter, readily complied. We will continue to refer to the lake as Lake Ontario and the gulf as the Gulf of Mexico, and we will also continue to refer to Erdogan’s Turkey as such, while not using the ridiculously sounding name “Türkiye,” as requested by him.

Trump Threatens Britain Over Falkland Islands

The Independent wrote on August 30:

“The US is said to be considering an ultimatum…, threatening to withdraw its support for Britain’s sovereignty over the Falkland Islands if it does not increase defence spending…

“The UK government has responded by saying its position on the islands is ‘long-standing and unwavering’, and that they will remain a British Overseas Territory in line with the wishes of the Falkland islanders….

“America’s recent demand follows a threat in April, in which a leaked internal Pentagon email suggested that the US could review Britain’s claim to the Falklands as revenge for a lack of support in the Iran war.”

Based on biblical prophecy, the UK might very well lose the Falkland Islands.

Trump Trusts Putin???

The Sun wrote on August 29:

“VLADIMIR Putin has flexed his nuclear arsenal by launching an intercontinental ballistic missile in a chilling warning to the West. It came after CIA chief John Ratcliffe flew to Moscow and reportedly issued the Kremlin a stern warning not to attack Nato members…. But just days later Putin has defiantly engaged in more nuclear saber-rattling by firing a ballistic rocket at Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia….

“Trump has now insisted Putin wouldn’t attack any Nato territory whilst he was in charge. He said: ‘I’ve had good talks with him. He’s not going to be attacking a Nato territory.’

“The latest launch appears a symbolic move intended to convey Putin’s power…. It is known Putin was briefed in real time about Ratcliffe’s meetings but despite cancelling a key event at the last minute opted not to meet the CIA boss face-to-face. The mission to Moscow via Riga on Monday was seen as ‘so delicate’ that even some high-ranking White House staff were in the dark over it, reported the Wall Street Journal.”

As if Putin’s words amount to anything! Is Trump really that naïve? Do we ever learn from history? All of this reminds us of Hitler’s promises in 1938. As we may recall, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain traveled to Germany to stop a war over Czechoslovakia. He signed the Munich Agreement with Adolf Hitler, allowing Germany to take the Sudetenland (border areas of Czechoslovakia with German speakers). Chamberlain returned to London, waved a paper signed by Hitler and himself, and told cheering crowds it was “peace for our time.” The deal failed completely. Hitler broke the promise and invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia, then Poland in September 1939, which started World War II.

The Kings of the East Meet

CNA (Channel News Asia) wrote on August 31:

“Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping began talks on Monday (Aug 31) in Kyrgyzstan, where a dozen other heads of state also gathered for a two-day summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), which seeks to be a counterbalance to the West. Iran’s leader Masoud Pezeshkian, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, India’s Narendra Modi and Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif were also among those in Bishkek to attend the summit of the regional SCO bloc, which celebrates its 25-year anniversary…

“Putin and Xi have previously used SCO summits to promote their vision of a multipolar world and present a united front against the West…. Russia’s economy has become increasingly dependent on China during its 4.5-year invasion of Ukraine… Russia and Iran – among the most sanctioned states in the world – have massively deepened their military and economic ties since Moscow invaded Ukraine.”

The USA or Europe were not present.

North Korea’s Strong Warning to the USA

Africa Business Insider wrote on September 2:

“In a strongly-worded statement released by state media KCNA, North Korea accused the United States of maintaining an ‘invariable hostile policy to wantonly violate the sovereignty, political system and security interests of the DPRK’…

“Pyongyang has made it clear that its nuclear weapons are non-negotiable, describing them as ‘an absolute guarantee for defending its sovereignty.’”

Trump’s Venezuela Oil Deal

ABC News reported on August 29:

“President Donald Trump announced Friday that the U.S. and Venezuela have reached a ‘historic’ oil deal that he said would give the U.S. a majority control of billions of barrels of oil reserves in the Caribbean country and lower gas prices for Americans.

“In a social media post, Trump called it ‘THE BIGGEST OIL DEAL IN WORLD HISTORY’ and said it would provide majority U.S. control of more than 65 billion barrels of proven oil reserves in Venezuela… Venezuela is recognized as holding the largest proven oil reserves in the world.”

Technically, Venezuela is not a Caribbean country but is located on the northern coast of South America, not inside the Caribbean, but it has a long coastline along the Caribbean Sea.  It is geographically a South American country.

If Trump really thought that his deal was to lower the gas prices at the pump before the midterm elections, he would be woefully mistaken. Note the next articles.

Not For a Long While, If Ever…

Newsweek added on August 30:

“… several developments would need to occur before additional Venezuelan oil could translate into lower gasoline prices. First, substantial investment would be required to expand production… extracting and transporting the oil would take considerable time, meaning ‘changes to fuel prices won’t happen overnight or even in months.’…

“Second, global refining capacity would need to increase. Even if crude supplies rise, refineries must have the ability to process that oil into gasoline and diesel… refining capacity is already constrained, limiting the potential for lower crude prices to feed through to consumers.

“Previous analysis of global energy markets has also shown that gasoline prices tend to lag behind movements in crude oil prices because fuel must be refined, transported and distributed before reaching retail stations.”

Deal Won’t Lower Gas Prices

npr wrote on August 31:

“The idea that the U.S. government becomes a shareholder of this joint venture is extremely unusual… Unlike Saudi Arabia’s Saudi Aramco, or Mexico’s Pemex, the U.S. doesn’t own a national oil company… Other American oil company investors might want to take a portion of the U.S. government’s stake in this joint venture. But the deal may not appeal to international investors…

“Many of the larger oil fields being discussed in the deal are still largely undeveloped. That means it will take a minimum of a few years for those fields to produce anything… If this deal does have an impact on gas prices…, it will be far on the horizon…”

npr added on September 1:

“The White House on Monday said it’s partnering with North American Blue Energy Partners as part of President Donald Trump ‘s push to tap into Venezuela’s oil industry… As part of the deal, the U.S. is creating a private company as a joint venture with NABEP — a detail the White House had withheld for days. NABEP, owned by Venezuelan businessman Alejandro Betancourt, is already the second largest operator in Venezuela, behind Chevron… Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez is giving the company 100-year rights over 17 oil fields with proven reserves of 65 billion barrels…

“Former U.S. government energy advisers have cautioned that the deal comes with political risk, since future administrations in Venezuela or the United States could challenge the deal. Even if the agreement holds, analysts say it could take years to turn around Venezuela’s… energy sector.”

Trump’s Stolen Venezuelan Crude Oil

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on September 1:

“On August 29, President Trump went on social media and boasted about stealing Venezuelan oil. The theft, according to Trump, ‘more than doubles American oil reserves.’ He said there was ‘no cost’ to American taxpayers, although there will obviously be a huge cost to the people of Venezuela who will see little if any benefit from Trump’s plunder. Trump went so far as to claim the brazen theft will benefit the Venezuelan people. The profits are expected to enrich oil company executives and elites rather than ordinary citizens…

“The Financial Times reported there is no evidence of oil money returning to Venezuela, as claimed by Trump, and that Venezuela’s GDP in the first quarter was its lowest in five years. Oil makes up virtually a quarter of the country’s GDP…

“Swiss company Vitol is involved in shipping Venezuelan oil to Israel… Delcy Rodríguez, who became the president of Venezuela after Trump abducted Nicolás Maduro on bogus drug charges, restored relations with Israel in August…

“Donald Trump and his family have exploited their position to profit through cryptocurrency and related ventures… these schemes generated approximately $2.25 billion in realized profits from foreign payments and other alleged sources. Additionally, analysts have observed unusual trading activity that frequently spikes just before Trump makes significant public statements or announcements. This pattern was also evident before Trump announced a pause on tariffs, where traders were betting on stock market increases right before the announcement….”

Criticism From All Sides

Newsmax wrote on August 30:

“… the deal is drawing unusual criticism from both the political left and right, Venezuelan democracy advocates, and foreign-policy experts who question whether Washington is putting oil ahead of free elections… critics argue the administration is striking a potentially century-long bargain with essentially the same political apparatus built by Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro. Maduro was captured by U.S. forces in January, but interim President Delcy Rodríguez — Maduro’s longtime vice president and a central figure in the Chavista government — remains in power. That has alarmed Republicans representing large Venezuelan and Cuban communities….

“One of the harshest attacks came from Harvard economist Ricardo Hausmann, a former Venezuelan planning minister, who has long been a critic of the Chavez and Maduro regimes. Hausmann directly accused Secretary of State Marco Rubio of abandoning the country’s democratic opposition. Hausmann charged Rubio with using American power for ‘an asset grab, an unconstitutional deal with an illegitimate oppressive government, instead of using US leadership to re-establish constitutional rule and democracy first . . . He said Rodríguez lacks the legitimate authority to make such a long-term commitment and warned the agreement “will not stand” because the Venezuelan people will not support it, nor will any major U.S. oil company. ‘…

“European and international observers have raised broader questions of sovereignty and legality. The Guardian reported critics describing Washington’s approach as ‘predatory’ and unconstitutional.”

As Trump, Rubio, Hegseth and others have forsaken the opposition in Venezuela, so they have forsaken the opposition in Iran AND the Iranian people opposed to the murderous Mullah regime.

For further information and discussion on this controversial oil deal and what the White House might be hiding, please view our most recent StandingWatch program, “Trump’s Oil Deal with Venezuela—Another Fiasco.”

Trump Attacks Iran Again

The Sun wrote on August 30:

“DONALD Trump has reignited his war with Iran by launching strikes on the twisted regime for the first time in a month. US forces targeted Tehran’s rocket launchers in the Strait of Hormuz after reported intelligence that Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps were preparing to deploy sea mines in the crucial waterway…. Two Iranian rocket launchers were destroyed in the attacks, according to an anonymous US official.

“Iran said several of its fighters had been killed and badly wounded in the blasts…. The last US strikes on Iran came in late July as the war has reached a stalemate.

“Trump has changed tack in recent weeks, announcing crippling plans to launch a crushing ‘Operation Economic Outcast’ against Iran. The US has vowed to place crippling sanctions on any country propping up the regime… Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent… stopped short of naming specific countries or laying out a timeline. Bessent declined to answer whether the move would target China, which bought 80 per cent of Iran’s ship oil last year.”

Trump might be too afraid to include China in this, especially, since Xi Jinping is planning to visit him on September 24, 2026.

Hegseth in Trouble

Daily Mail wrote on August 29:

“Trump ruthlessly sidelines Pete Hegseth after Camp David showdown… as insiders mock war secretary’s humiliating inadequacy – and new cabinet golden boy gets promotion…”

Hegseth should have been fired a long time ago.

NBC News wrote on August 28:

“Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has told close friends and associates that he is considering a run for president in 2028…

“Hegseth and his wife, Jennifer, have floated the idea of a presidential run for the past few months…”

Hegseth for President? Mercy. When asked, Trump just said it’s too early to tell. For now, Hegseth has denied the reports… which may not mean much. So now we have JD Vance, Rubio and perhaps even Hegseth as possible contenders. And there might be more. And then there is still Donald J.(John) Trump!

Hegseth Disastrous From the Beginning

The Atlantic wrote on August 31:

“Making Pete Hegseth the secretary of defense was always a huge gamble. A television host with little background in national-security or defense affairs, who topped out as a major in the National Guard, he was nominated based on the same qualification shared by most of Donald Trump’s other appointees: loyalty. And now the price of that gamble is evident. The Pentagon is careening offtrack under a secretary of defense who is firing or forcing the resignations of officers and civilian officials, not because they are unqualified but because he believes they are insufficiently loyal to him, personally. The latest casualty of Hegseth’s ongoing purge is Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, who  resigned today after repeatedly clashing with the secretary of defense…

“Hegseth’s tenure has been disastrous on multiple scores. Instead of giving sound advice to the commander in chief and ensuring that America remains secure while the president fights a deeply unwise war of choice, he has been pursuing his political grievances… against the U.S. military. Hegseth seems to have a special animus toward the Army, an institution he claims ‘spit me out.’”

JD Vance and the End Time

The Huffington Post wrote on September 2:

“‘I have for my entire life been fascinated by end-times prophecy and theology,’ [JD Vance] said, and described reading about it in a Bible when he was 10 or 11 years old. Vance said he wouldn’t be shocked to learn that the Antichrist was ‘walking among us’ right now, nor would he be shocked to learn that we’re living in the end times at this moment….

“‘What I’m trying to focus on is doing as much of God’s work as possible right now, and if that leads to the end times, okay,’ he said. ‘And if that leads to, you know, us building a better world that thrives and survives for a very long time after I’m gone, that’s great, too… In fact, they are coming, it’s just a question of whether they’re coming thousands of years down the road or a few months down the road, and we’ve got a lot of work to do right now.’”

Doing God’s work in building a better world now? And the end times being thousands of years away? So much lack of biblical understanding!

Supreme Court: Ballroom Construction Can Continue

Newsmax wrote on August 31:

“The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for President Donald Trump to continue construction of his $400 million White House ballroom and accompanying military complex… The 5-4 ruling blocked a lower-court order that would have halted above-ground construction while a lawsuit challenging the project proceeds… The Supreme Court’s Monday ruling did not, however, finally resolve the underlying legal dispute.

“The court’s conservative majority said the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which brought the lawsuit, likely lacked the legal standing necessary to challenge the project… Chief Justice John Roberts broke with the court’s five-justice majority and joined the three liberal justices in dissent.

“Roberts wrote that the ballroom is ‘likely unlawful’ because Congress has constitutional authority over federal property in Washington, D.C., and has not expressly authorized construction of the new structure… The majority did not decide whether Trump ultimately has the authority to build the ballroom without congressional approval. That distinction leaves the broader legal fight unresolved even as construction proceeds.”

A typically cowardly decision by the majority. Instead of ruling on the merits, they allowed the continuance of the construction because of technical grounds. Embarrassing!

Crazy Season in California

The New York Post wrote on August 28:

“Each year in Sacramento brings a new crop of crazy bills… Gavin Newsom is trying to position himself ahead of a wide-open Democratic presidential primary that will begin the moment the polls close in the midterm elections on Nov. 3. Newsom needs to look as ‘progressive’ as possible, given the rise of socialism within his party….

“That’s why a bill like AB 2599 has a chance to become law. The bill would require any large company in California that can trace its roots back before 1965 to search through its records and disclose any possible connection to slavery.  California entered the Union as a ‘free’ state in 1850, meaning that it outlawed slavery from the outset. 

But under AB 2599, if any company that later did business in California had been involved in any remote way in the slave trade nearly 200 years ago, it would have to disclose that information on a state website — and face the inevitable backlash….

“A bill as pointless as AB 2599 falls into the same category of bills as AB 3121, which was passed at the height of the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. It set up a ‘task force’ to study reparations. Newsom duly signed it — and strung the committee along until, at the end, he declined to offer any cash to the descendants of former slaves. 

He did, however, sign AB 3089 in 2024, which offered a formal apology for slavery — which, again, California had never allowed.

“It remains to be seen what Newsom signs, and what he vetoes. But the number of absurd laws signed will be higher than usual. On slavery and AB 2599, for example, Newsom isn’t really thinking about California. He’s thinking about South Carolina, the first state to vote in the Democratic presidential primary, with a majority-black electorate that Newsom has struggled to reach.”

Newsom for President? Mercy! Note the next article.

Only Newsom’s Winery Gets a Settlement!

The New York Post wrote on August 28:

“California wineries have been scrambling to recover from the 2025 Pickett Fire, which caused an estimated $56 million in wine-grape losses across Napa Valley.

More than 30 winery and vineyard owners are seeking up to $90 million from Hundred Acre Winery and its owner, Jayson Woodbridge — but so far, only Newsom’s PlumpJack Group has reached a settlement [for an undisclosed amount]. PlumpJack was co-founded by Newsom, who built his wine and hospitality empire in part through connections to California’s wealthy Getty family….

“That, however, left some other vineyard owners suspicious and furious, as they wondered whether the connection to Newsom helped Plumpjack with getting its payout. ‘I don’t know what connections or motivations the defendant would have,’ John Cadieux, an attorney with a firm representing the 30 wineries and vineyards, told the Chronicle. ‘But certainly I’d imagine (Newsom’s connection) played a part.’… Ultimately, winery owners are slowly growing more pessimistic that they’ll get the same result that Plumpjack did.”

The answers should be obvious. This report fits with Newsom’s hypocritical conduct during the coronavirus pandemic.

Germany Takes on Trump

Deutsche Welle wrote on September 1:

“G 20 finance ministers and central bank heads gathered in Asheville, North Carolina for two days of talks. The session is being overshadowed by dissatisfaction over the White House welcoming Russia to the meeting but not some critical reporters, the war with Iran and its economic fallout… The US currently holds the rotating G20 presidency and so is hosting the session…

“‘Receiving the Russian finance minister here sends a troubling signal,’ German Finance Minister [and Vice Chancellor] Lars Klingbeil said. He said he and his European colleagues made clear that they would not appear in the traditional ‘family photo’ alongside the Russian media… Polish Finance Minister Andrzej Domanski told the Reuters news agency that he recognized the right of the G20 hosts to invite guests, but that he was unhappy to see Moscow represented. ‘We do not trust Russia. They lie constantly and you need to be really, really cautious while discussing with them,’ he said. ‘So for me it would be very difficult to have any kind of conversation with Russia.’

“As leaders gathered in Asheville, three giants of the US media landscape complained of either no or limited access to the meeting. The business-focused Bloomberg News said that its team was not allowed access, while the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times both complained that certain journalists who would typically cover such events were refused media credentials… Klingbeil was critical on the matter. ‘I believe the press has a completely legitimate interest in reporting openly and freely on this G20 summit,’ he said. ‘I consider it unacceptable for journalists or entire editorial teams to be excluded.’ 

“Klingbeil had also said in a German political podcast last week that he would bring a simple message to the US regarding what he called Donald Trump’s ‘irresponsible’ war in Iran— that it needed to come to an end…”

Russia Again Threatens Germany With Military Attack

ntv reported on September 2:

“Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, has threatened Germany with punishment over sanctions following the discovery of an explosive-laden drone at Leipzig-Halle Airport. ‘They deserve a direct strike against all German military production facilities,’ wrote the Kremlin politician—known for his harsh rhetoric—on Telegram. He was referring to defense plants working for Ukraine—and ‘certainly some other locations in Berlin as well’… Medvedev accused German authorities of fabricating the airport attack…

“The former Kremlin leader also threatened retaliation should Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy make good on his threat to target airports within Russia. Medvedev pointed out that European leaders—as financial backers of the Ukrainian government—frequently travel by train to Kyiv and other cities. Russia had also recently attacked railway infrastructure in Ukraine.”

Berlin blamed Russia for an incursion of explosive-laden drones last month in or near Leipzig and announced retaliatory measures. EU leaders and NATO supported Berlin in this. The Russia-friendly AfD party was skeptical.

Merz Lives in a Dream House

“Election victory for the far-right… AfD in Saxony-Anhalt next week would do serious damage to the eastern German state, according to Chancellor Friedrich Merz. ‘Should it come to that, this state would face significant problems,’ Merz told public broadcaster ARD in his annual summer interview. ‘I cannot imagine that international investors would want to be seen attending the first spades in the ground for new factories or businesses in Saxony-Anhalt alongside an AfD state premier,’ he said.

“According to the latest polls ahead of next Sunday’s vote, the AfD maintains a commanding lead with 40% — far ahead of Merz’s conservative CDU with 23%, the Left Party  (13%), the SPD (9%) and the Greens (6%)…. ‘We will do everything we can to prevent Saxony-Anhalt falling to extremists,’ he said, adding: ‘And that applies to the Left Party, too.’

“Merz said he would be appearing twice himself in Saxony-Anhalt over the coming week in order to convince undecided voters (which still make up a good 20% of the electorate, according to polls) not to vote for the far-right.

“Asked how the CDU intended to form a coalition government in Saxony-Anhalt with such low ratings and while refusing to work with either the AfD or the Left Party, Merz said: ‘We will look at that once we have the results.’”

Whatever the outcome will be, it could not be worse than the current situation in Germany. A coalition between the CDU, the SPD and the Greens would be a nightmare, even if it could be formed. To circumvent and ignore the AfD which appears to be receiving a majority of the votes, would raise uncomfortable questions as to the status of the democracy in Germany.

AfD Youth Wing Disagrees With Weidel

t-online reported on August 29:

“The AfD was founded as an anti-euro party. To this day, party leader Weidel remains opposed to the common currency. However, the party’s youth wing takes a different stance.

‘Generation Deutschland’ (GD) is distancing itself from the clear pro-exit stance regarding the euro held by its parent party, the AfD. GD leader Jean-Pascal Hohm told Bild: ‘We do not want a German exit from the euro; instead, we want to remedy the existing structural flaws of the euro system.’ … There is no talk of leaving the euro.”

China’s Robots Are Coming!

Focus reported on August 23:

“Humanoid robots broke numerous world records at the ‘World Humanoid Robot Games.’ On the opening day of the Olympic-style event in Beijing, for instance, Usain Bolt’s world record in the 100-meter sprint was beaten.

“According to the organizers, more than 2,000 humanoid robots participated in the event. In the 100-meter sprint, a humanoid robot clocked a time of 9.39 seconds, beating the human record of 9.58 seconds set by Jamaican athlete Usain Bolt in 2009. A humanoid robot cleared 2.88 meters in the standing high jump… The human record for a standing high jump is 1.90 meters, set by Swedish athlete Rune Almén. Both robots were created by the Beijing-based company X-Humanoid.”

The Guardian wrote on August 29:

“… the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing gripped the world this week… The five-day showcase staked out China’s claim to undisputed leadership in humanoid robotics as android martial artists landed knockout roundhouse kicks and robot teams marched into the arena heralded by flag-waving captains astride giant robotic dogs. The games’ blue-riband event, the 100m, did not disappoint… before slamming mindlessly into a padded wall in a blaze of sparks, flames and flying mechanical limbs….

“But the games were not intended to only entertain. Involving over 2,000 humanoids built by more than 660 mostly domestic tech companies, it was a propaganda flex of China’s robotics muscle just weeks before its president, Xi Jinping, lands in Washington DC for a summit with Donald Trump, where the superpowers’ race to tech supremacy will be high on the agenda. Only last month Trump banned imports of Chinese humanoids and four-legged robot dogs, citing cyber and national security concerns. 

“The event was also a billboard to boost global sales of Chinese robots as US rivals prepare their own launches, notably Elon Musk’s long-hyped Optimus humanoid which is reported to have finally gone into production this month. Last year China produced 12,800 humanoids, about 90% of the global total…

“‘Fascinating, and honestly, a little scary,’ said Arun Bothra, a senior police officer in India, which shares a tense border with China. ‘Watching robots run, play football and compete like humans is one thing. Seeing them on borders someday, carrying guns and making decisions, will be something else entirely.’ Or as another viewer concluded while watching a humanoid hoist a loaded barbell in the weightlifting contest: ‘Humanity is preparing its own end’.

“Of course China is not alone in pursuing robotic warfare. As the Beijing games progressed on Monday, Ukraine was staging a novel military parade in Kyiv made up entirely of robotic weaponry and defence equipment.”

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 the contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing to worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

Is the Gestapo of a Police State Coming?

tkp wrote on August 16:

“On Wednesday, the German cabinet passed a 700-page legislative package that massively expands the powers of the domestic intelligence agency (Office for the Protection of the Constitution) and the Federal Intelligence Service (BND)… Artificial intelligence is to analyze vast amounts of data—including footage from public and private video surveillance. Data retention periods are being extended, and controversial methods such as online searches, surveillance of private homes, and the creation of movement profiles are being expanded…

“The Society for Civil Rights (GFF) considers large parts of the package to be unconstitutional… The strict separation between the police and intelligence agencies was enforced by the Allies after World War II to prevent a recurrence of the Gestapo… The article argues that the abolition of this separation is directly linked to Germany’s return to an imperialist war policy: hundreds of billions of euros in additional military spending, the reintroduction of conscription, and the creation of a society ‘ready for war’ require a police state…

“There is reportedly no serious opposition among the parties in the Bundestag… WSWS author Peter Schwarz views the legislative package… as the deliberate preparation for a police state intended to suppress growing domestic opposition to rearmament and social cutbacks—with the tacit or open support of all parties in the Bundestag.”

These are dangerous developments, but they are prophesied to occur.

Calls For Spahn’s Complete Departure

Bild Online wrote on August 21:

“Pressure is mounting on Jens Spahn in his political home region: following his resignation as leader of the Union parliamentary group and his decision to step down as district chairman, some CDU officials are now openly demanding that he also relinquish his seat in the Bundestag.

‘Accusations of double standards have been raised; at the grassroots level, there is talk of anger, outrage, and party members leaving.’”

But observers feel that Spahn’s future is anything but certain.

Jewish Community Compares AfD to NSDAP

t-online reported on August 22:

“Shortly before several elections in East Germany, Reinhard Schramm, chairman of the Jewish community in Thuringia, has issued a warning regarding the AfD. Drawing a comparison with the NSDAP highlights parallels in the rise of both parties, Schramm wrote in a guest commentary for the Thüringische Landeszeitung newspaper. By downplaying Nazi crimes and attacking Germany’s culture of remembrance, the AfD is facilitating its own gradual ascent to power, Schramm argued. Eyewitnesses to Nazi terror are watching ‘with fear the development of today’s increasingly right-wing extremist AfD.’

“Charlotte Knobloch, a Holocaust survivor and former president of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, had previously drawn this comparison in Stern magazine. ‘The NSDAP, too, started small and tested the limits of what was possible,’ she said. That is exactly what is happening with the AfD. ‘In many areas, I no longer see any difference between it and the NSDAP before it came to power.’ She noted that she had witnessed many terrible parties—the NPD, the Republicans, the DVU—but none had been as dangerous as the AfD.”

NSDAP stands for Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei, which translates from German as the National Socialist German Workers’ Party. It was the official name of the Nazi Party, led by Adolf Hitler, which ruled Germany as a fascist dictatorship from 1933 to 1945.The similarities between the rise of the NSDAP and the AfD are obvious.

The AfD’s Short-Sighted Plans

t-online wrote on August 23:

“AfD leader Alice Weidel … predicted that the CDU would ‘never win another federal election’… In opinion polls, the AfD is leading the CDU and CSU by up to eight percentage points nationwide. The situation was exactly the reverse for the 2025 federal election. In states like Saxony-Anhalt, where elections are taking place in September, the gap between the AfD and the Union is even wider…

“The AfD politician reaffirmed her party’s intention—should it take power—to withdraw from the euro and from the Schengen Agreement, which provides for the principle of border-control-free movement across internal borders…”

On closer inspection, these are all plans that run counter to prophecy. The AfD would not succeed with them… at least not in the long run. Yet the AfD’s views and plans are constantly changing… much like the proverbial chameleon. Whether a charismatic political and military leader (a male) will arise out of the AfD or from somewhere else will remain to be seen.

The Most Dangerous School in Germany

Daily Mail wrote on August 23:

“A German school whose student body is made up almost entirely of migrants has been dubbed ‘the most dangerous in the country’. Karolina-Burger-Realschule, a secondary in the south-western state of Rhineland-Palatinate, has been at the centre of a national frenzy over the country’s relationship with migrants. 

“Around 90 per cent of the roughly 760 pupils there are migrants, while roughly 40 per cent of the residents in the town it is based in, Ludwigshafen, are also non-German… The school regularly sees brutal fights between students, wanton destruction of property and violent threats against teachers… The ongoing chaos is so bad that parents are desperate to pull their children out… Teachers at Karolina-Burger have been calling in sick to avoid the chaos. German newspaper Der Spiegel reported that a third of the school’s 53 teachers called in sick last week.”

And why is nothing done about this?

Putin’s Sinister Scheme

The Telegraph wrote on August 23:

“Russia has launched a fresh wave of attacks on European armaments factories under the guise of plausible deniability… The Kremlin is recruiting local gang members to sabotage defence manufacturers to test Nato’s resolve. The attacks appear carefully calculated to fall just short of triggering Article 5…

“This week, Latvia detained three of its own nationals on suspicion of an arson attack against a drone manufacturer in neighbouring Estonia. A building belonging to Milrem Robotics, a Tallinn-based firm that supplies weapons to Ukraine, was set ablaze on Aug 1…

“Since Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 there has been a steady stream of unexplained attacks across Europe. As well as the Estonian arson incident, there have been explosions at major arms manufacturers in Italy and Bulgaria this month alone. Earlier this year, a fire almost destroyed a Czech plant making drones and thermal optics for Ukraine…

“On August 10, a major explosion ripped through a plant belonging to EMCO, one of Bulgaria’s largest private arms manufacturers, which produces 155mm artillery ammunition for Ukraine… Three days later a similar blast rocked a munitions factory operated by KNDS Ammo Italy in Colleferro on the outskirts of Rome…

“Russia’s GRU military intelligence agency, known for its attacks on foreign soil using highly trained agents… cultivate sources within criminal gangs to act as intermediaries in the targeted country using online messaging apps such as Telegram. These middlemen then dish out tasks to local recruits, who are paid in cryptocurrency and often never know they are working for Russia…

“Italy and Germany… are often unwilling [to] blame Moscow over fears of an escalation… With each attack that goes unpunished, the Russians are gathering their own useful intelligence on just how far they can push Nato’s boundaries… With Putin preparing Russia to use force against Nato ‘within five years’, according to Mr Rutte, Western officials see this hybrid attack as a potential precursor…”

It sounds like being taken from Putin’s well-known playbook. And a Russian attack on NATO within the next five years sounds overly optimistic. Such an attack could happen much earlier.

Moscow Pulls Ambassador Out of Britain

Daily Mail wrote on August 21:

“More than 300 workers were urgently evacuated today at a Russian Amazon logistics hub as it was hit in a Ukrainian drone attack. It was the second Ozon online marketplace struck in two days as Vladimir Putin admitted Kyiv was damaging his economy with its latest onslaught…

“Meanwhile, Moscow has pulled its ambassador out of Britain after Putin claimed the concerted strikes on so-called ‘Russian Amazon’ Ozon and Wildberries facilities were helped on by ‘Western handlers’ like the UK…  diplomatic relations have effectively been downgraded between the two countries and fears have arisen of a total breakdown of communications between Moscow and London.

“Relations between the UK and Russia took a dive last week after it emerged that British drones had been used by Ukraine to strike targets deep in the Russian mainland, prompting the embassy to threaten ‘consequences’.”

Poland Braces For War With Russia

Fox News wrote on August 19:

“Polish Deputy Defense Minister Cezary Tomczyk said his country is actively preparing for the possibility of conflict… A European diplomat… backed Tomczyk and said Poland sees a pattern of escalating Russian pressure on multiple fronts… The diplomat pointed to what they described as Russian disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, sabotage efforts and repeated tests of Poland’s air defenses, as well as increasingly frequent nuclear rhetoric from Russian officials and propagandists.

“‘Altogether, it shows quite clearly that if Russia or Belarus saw any chance to attack Poland to destroy an obstacle to restoring the Soviet or Tsarist Russian empire in Eastern Europe, they would do it without hesitation,’ the diplomat said…. ‘But they — at least the imperialists who are the foundation of the Putin administration — would like to turn Poland, the Baltics and, of course, Ukraine back into their colonial part of Europe.’”

This assessment is right… once Russia gets the chance.

Ben-Gvir’s Ongoing Inhuman Demands

Israel 365 News wrote on August 20:

“National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced this week the start of construction on a dedicated execution facility for Palestinians sentenced to death under Israel’s new death penalty law, days after his comments calling for Israel to kill ‘30 to 40’ Gazans nightly drew condemnation from Germany… The facility will include a dedicated wing for prisoners sentenced to death, with gallows at its center, and observation booths allowing victims and their families to witness executions…

“Referring to a woman who had brought Braslavski food during his captivity, Ben-Gvir said she ‘needs a bullet in the head..’… German Chancellor Friedrich Merz ‘strongly condemns the inhumane remarks made by Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’ a German government spokesperson said Wednesday.”

The remarks are indeed a terrible testimony to man’s cruelty.

No Palestinian State

Washington Jewish Week wrote on August 20:

“In a meeting on Monday with Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law who advises the president on Middle East subjects, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made very clear, and in no uncertain terms, that he is against a Palestinian state…

“The discussions come as implementation of Trump’s 20-point plan remains stalled over the issue of Hamas’s disarmament. The Jewish state has maintained that the terror group must disarm fully before Israeli forces withdraw and large-scale reconstruction can begin…”

Kushner has not been a successful negotiator.

Turkey Crossed a Red Line

The Jerusalem Post wrote on August 20:

“Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter told The Jerusalem Post that Israel had received clear intelligence indicating that Turkey intended to significantly expand its military presence in Syria, a move Jerusalem viewed as crossing a red line… His comments came following Israel’s strike in Syria and subsequent criticism from both the Syrian and Turkish governments…

“‘It is clear to us that the Syrians do not want a confrontation with us,’ he said. ‘That is why we are telling the Turks not to create conflicts. There is more than one indication that the move planned by Turkey was imposed on the Syrians.’ … Leiter said the apparent disconnect was also evident in conflicting Turkish and Syrian statements following the strike. ‘While Syrian Foreign Minister Shaibani acknowledged that there had been a Turkish delegation in Syria several days before the strike, the Turks denied it.’”

PBS wrote on August 21:

“The Israeli military bombed an airbase in Syria, far from the Israeli border, sparking condemnation… from… the Trump administration. U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack accused Israel of an ‘unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability.’”

Turkey Issues Another Arrest Warrant Against Netanyahu

The Times of Israel wrote on August 21:

“Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government on Friday issued another arrest warrant for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amid spiking the two countries over an Israeli strike in Syria… Turkey’s Justice Minister Akin Gurlek said on X that his ministry had asked the interior ministry to issue Interpol red notice alerts for Netanyahu… A red notice is a request to police forces worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition…

“The Israeli statement reiterated past accusations by Jerusalem against Erdogan, calling him ‘an antisemitic dictator who has massacred Kurds, harbors Hamas terrorists, occupies half of Cyprus, and jails record numbers of journalists and politicians who oppose him.’..

“The Turkish announcement was the latest sign of the collapse of Israeli-Turkish relations since the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack and subsequent Gaza war. Turkey has hosted Hamas leaders, and Erdogan has praised the terror group and castigated Israel, ending trade and direct flights between the countries.”

To our knowledge, there is no arrest warrant for the antisemitic warmonger and mass murderer Erdogan.

Unprecedented National Debt

ABC News wrote on August 20:

“The United States’ gross national debt surpassed $40 trillion this week for the first time, meaning the nation’s financial hole has doubled in size in less than a decade…

“It’s been more than 20 years since the federal government’s last budget surplus, which occurred in 2001. Every year since then, the U.S. has spent more money than it has brought in, deepening the nation’s debt…”

Such irresponsible and incompetent corrupt conduct!

Trump Courts North Korea, While South Korea Fears for the Worst

npr wrote on August 21:

“President Trump posted on social media on Monday that he had ordered the drills [with South Korea] shortened because he thinks they are costly and send a hostile message to North Korea. He later said that he had reached out to Kim for a meeting and received a positive response. [Kim Jong Un’s sister] Kim Yo Jong, however, dismissed what appeared to be Trump’s latest overture. 

“Trump’s curtailing of the military drills has fueled South Korea’s unease about the future of the alliance with the U.S… South Koreans have been shocked by this week’s events, which have heightened their fears of being sidelined during a Trump-Kim summit. They fear that in order to seal a deal with Kim, Trump could withdraw U.S. troops from South Korea and lift economic sanctions on the North, while leaving their nuclear arms in place…

“But for Trump, Seoul has fallen short on his demands. In the same social media post on Monday, Trump also complained that South Korea had declined his request to join the U.S. in its operations against Iran.”

South Korea has every reason to be concerned about Trump’s conduct.

Pentagon Fires Stars and Stripes Editor-in-Chief and Others

Deutsche Welle wrote on August 22:

“The US Pentagon has sacked the editor, publisher and a reporter of military newspaper Stars and Stripes after they publicly objected to potential editorial interference, they said on Friday. The newspaper, which has been publishing since World War II, is partially funded by the Defense Department but has remained editorially independent. ‘According to the notice, I am being fired ‌for stating in ⁠a CBS ⁠interview that hypothetical censorship of news for service members would constitute a personal red line,’ Stars and Stripes Editor-in-Chief Erik Slavin said in a statement on Friday. Slavin received a notice of separation for insubordination, as did Publisher Max Lederer and Middle East reporter Lara Korte…

“In an email announcing his retirement, Lederer had said it was clear that the Pentagon had a new vision for the newspaper which differed from his own… Meanwhile, Korte said on social media she was being fired for insubordination ‘after I told a CBS reporter that I work for Stars and Stripes – not the Pentagon, not any administration, and not any policy maker… It’s a shame for the institution and service members, who swore to defend the Constitution and deserve the right to a free and independent press,’ she wrote…

“US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has been extremely critical of the media since taking office in 2025. Among the measures he took was drastically restricting press access to the Pentagon…   National Press Club President Mark Schoeff Jr. said, Slavin’s firing was ‘another brazen attempt by the Pentagon to dictate coverage of the military. Firing a newspaper editor after he publicly defended his newsroom’s editorial independence is deeply troubling, and it should concern every journalist and every member of the US military who depends on independent reporting…’”

In light of prior attempts to even deceive Trump about the state of affairs in the military, Hegseth’s conduct is clear. He does not want anyone reporting on his misrepresentations and lies, which do not reflect reality.

Trade War Between USA and Canada Has Begun

The New York Post wrote on August 22:

“A hefty new tariff on a wide range of products from Canada took effect early Saturday after last-minute negotiations to avert the duties collapsed…. The 50% tariff will apply to some $20 billion worth of Canadian products, including wine, hockey sticks, and cement. 

“Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney vowed swift retaliation after negotiations failed. ‘Canada will match those tariffs dollar for dollar to protect our workers and businesses,’ he said in a statement… ‘We have recognised from the beginning that America has changed, and that we will not return to our old relationship… Our government understood, before many, that America is altering all its trade relationships. Putting tariffs on its closest allies and charging for access to its vast market.’

“The prime minister blamed ‘last-minute changes in the US proposed terms’ that he described as ‘unfair, uneconomic, and called into question the reliability of any deal’ for the breakdown in talks.”

CTV News added on August 21:

“The Trump administration on Sunday warned that Canada would be ‘foolish’ to think it could win a trade war with the United States… Prime Minister Carney delivered his own address on the trade dispute in which he said Canada is at economic ‘war’ with the U.S… Carney was asked: ‘Why does it feel like, today, Mark Carney is going to war, trade war?’ ‘You’re at war when you get attacked. We got attacked,’ he responded… Carney said retaliatory tariffs, in response to Trump’s new levies, will come into force on Sept. 8…

“Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says he fully supports Prime Minister Mark Carney and the federal government’s decision to walk away from trade talks with the United States. Speaking Saturday afternoon, Kinew commended the prime minister for standing up for Canadians and that all premiers are united with Carney. ‘History will not be kind to Donald Trump. So we should never appease him and we should fight back, which is what Canada is doing today,’ said Kinew. ‘We can fight back against Donald Trump by buying from Canadian businesses, by supporting Canadian workers and most importantly, by living up to our Canadian values.’…

“B.C. Premier David Eby says a request from U.S. negotiators would have effectively reduced Canada to America’s 51st state. ‘The suggestion that Canada would not trade with other countries or reduce our trade with other countries because the Americans tell us to would reduce us to the economic equivalent of the 51st state,’ said Eby…”

What an incredible demand!

The Hill added on August 22:

“The prime minister has said these new policies are in ‘direct violation’ of the free trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada…. Canada and the U.S. have historically enjoyed a close relationship, but the Trump administration’s aggressive efforts to broker new trade agreements that favor the U.S. have placed these ties to the test. Trump has repeatedly suggested that the U.S. cede its northern neighbor as a ‘51st state’ and addressed Carney as the ‘future governor of Canada.’”

Trump repeatedly asked for a trade war with Canada. Now he has it, and he might very well lose this war as well.

Trade War Escalates

The New York Post wrote on August 25:

“President Trump floated the possibility of rebranding Lake Ontario as ‘Lake America,’ in a shot across the bow against Canada’s most populous province — whose premier threatened to cut off electricity and minerals to the US. ‘The United States is giving serious consideration to changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America in that we don’t expect to [be] doing much business with Ontario any longer,’ Trump declared on Truth Social Tuesday…

“One of the issues Carney claimed contributed to the breakdown in talks at the 11th hour last week was purported demands that Canada make changes, demanding Quebec use English instead of French. Trump denied that on Monday. ‘I would never interfere with Canadians speaking French!; Trump insisted on Truth Social. ‘In fact, I have never even thought of doing such a stupid thing. This lie was made up by a weak and ineffective Prime Minister in an attempt to gain political support, which he has totally lost, from the people of Quebec. I love French Canadians!’”

We wonder who is lying. For further information on this developing situation, please view our new StandingWatch program, titled, “America’s Foolish Trade War With Canada.”

Trump Allowed to Continue Ballroom Construction

NPR wrote on August 21:

“The Supreme Court ruled Friday that President Trump can — for now— move forward with construction of his ballroom on the site of the former East Wing of the White House without needing approval from Congress…. In a brief order, signed by Chief Justice John Roberts, the court stayed the lower court ruling to pause construction.

“In its brief filed earlier this week, the [National Trust for Historic Preservation] asserted that if the Supreme Court allowed construction to continue at this time, the court was effectively ending the case. ‘Rather than obtain permission from Congress, Petitioners have instead decided to try to outrun judicial review’ by accelerating construction. ‘It is clear that in Petitioners’ view, if the Court grants their stay application, this case is over—despite every court to have reviewed their project having found it to be patently unlawful, and no matter the fact that this Court has not reviewed those decisions on the merits,’ the brief states.  

“56% of Americans did not approve of Trump’s decision to tear down the East Wing and build the ballroom.”

And so, as one outlet wrote, Roberts dances with Trump in the new ballroom.

Our Shattered Empire

The Ron Paul Institute published the following article on August 20, which originally appeared on August 19 in the American Conservative:

“Almost daily we witness some spectacle illustrating the appalling corruption of our country’s leadership. The recent release of Anthony Fauci’s diary entries confirms long-held suspicions about the Covid-19 narrative, which we now know even Fauci himself did not fully believe. Think of the millions of lives ruined and harmed by that corruption… What else are our leaders still hiding about the worldwide disaster caused by Covid-related deceptions and manipulations? There has not yet been any meaningful examination of our medical profession, which largely acted as cowards during the pandemic, adhering to the bogus official narrative at the expense of the welfare of their patients.

“Our leadership has not even begun to scratch the surface of the horrors created by the many secret—and potentially illegal—biolabsscattered around the globe, supported by funds often hidden from voters under the guise of ‘national security.’ The Fauci crowd appears to have been deeply involved in that dark world…

“The current wars have exposed the shortcomings of our nearly trillion-dollar military and its multi-billion-dollar weapons systems… After years of being told we possess the ‘most powerful military’ in history, Americans are beginning to realize it is a fantasy…

“Our government classifies and redacts documents as a matter of course. Think of the billions of pages we are still not allowed to see… Many significant, history-changing events remain shrouded in secrecy. How is it that information is still being withheld about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy?… Most Americans suspect the official government narrative was false, yet officials continue to withhold information that might shed light on that crime. The same is true for the assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., our government’s willful abandonment of US prisoners of war in Vietnam, the September 11 attacks, and the late, disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein…

“Our political leadership’s frenzied efforts to hide the Epstein files make it look as though the ‘national security’ excuse is merely a convenient tool to obscure malfeasance, rape, blackmail, bribery, and plain old corruption…

“We watch with horror the chaos, death, and destruction currently being wreaked on the world—and on our own country—by our ‘exceptional nation.’… All this from a president who campaigned on an America First policy, an end to forever wars, and the promotion of peace. It looks like we were fooled again. Presidential candidate after presidential candidate promises peace, and we get war after war. The system is subverted by corruption…

“The American people, especially the younger generation, are beginning to recognize the corruption at the top of our country and the magnitude of the war lies…  Ours is not an ‘exceptional nation.’ It is not the ‘shining city on a hill.’… Not anymore. It is a declining empire with a declining military—one unable to protect its allies, yet still seeking to bully and harm any country that angers its corrupt elites.

“Our military defenses are so ineffective that Iran—a country one-fourth our size, with an economy smaller than our bloated military budget—can practically name its next round of targets knowing our mighty military can do little to stop them…”

This article shows clearly that if and when America is attacked by an outside military power, it will NOT be able to defend itself successfully.

Roman Catholic Idolatry

Daily Mail wrote on August 21:

“A 1,700-year-old skull was returned to a gold bust in an ancient Catholic ritual that saw one of the Vatican’s most powerful cardinals bow and kiss the relic. The remains belonged to Saint Agatha, a third-century Christian martyr and the patron saint of Catania, Sicily…. The ceremony commemorated the 900th anniversary of Saint Agatha’s relics being returned to Catania from Constantinople in 1126…

“Many non-Catholics deemed the ritual ‘idolatry’.. .Catholics view relics as tangible links to figures from the early Church and reminders of the courage they displayed. Believers may also pray beside them, asking the saint to intercede with God on their behalf.”

Just one of many examples of idolatry and blasphemy in the Catholic Church which run rampant.

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 the contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing to worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

Appalling Conditions on USS Abraham Lincoln

Stars and Stripes wrote on August 13:

“Family members and sailors say months at sea with no end in sight to a grueling Middle East deployment have intensified worries about mental health and the risk of self-harm aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln. Those concerns were brought directly to Navy leadership Thursday, when family members spoke to Acting Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao and other senior officials during intense town hall meetings… In one case, a spouse tearfully told officials that she received a message that same day from her husband saying ‘he hopes he doesn’t wake up tomorrow’… 

“The worries expressed at Thursday’s meetings echo those raised independently with Stars and Stripes by sailors and family members in recent weeks. Interviews with active-duty sailors and family members, along with dozens of public social media comments and posts by crew members, describe sailors struggling with exhaustion and declining morale, including reports of suicidal thoughts and at least one instance where a crew member was prevented from jumping overboard. The concerns come during an unusually demanding deployment… The aircraft carrier left San Diego in November for a Pacific deployment, was redirected to the Middle East and has now been deployed for more than eight months, including a record-breaking number of days at sea without a port stop. Its crew has spent much of that time supporting U.S. combat operations against Iran, and the deployment, which was anticipated to end in May, has been extended with no publicly announced return date….

“Family members and sailors say the roughly 5,000 service members aboard Lincoln have endured food and water shortages, disrupted mail service and long workdays with little time off…. Carriers generally pull into a port every 30 to 45 days to allow for replenishment, maintenance and crew rest… ‘Nothing to really look forward to at this point,’ [a] sailor said, adding that crew morale now is so low that sailors and Marines aboard Lincoln would be willing to forgo any upcoming stops in favor of returning home as soon as possible…”

While Secretary of State Pete Hegseth flatly denied the reports, saying they were “completely misrepresented,” President Trump downplayed or dismissed them, saying that the deployment was “not nearly long enough.” This happens when you start an unprovoked war in the Middle East with no clear goal or concept of duration in mind. These denials sound untrustworthy.

Trump’s Navy in Crisis

Daily Mail wrote on August 18:

“Donald Trump’s Navy is facing renewed scrutiny after a warship lost all power while deployed in the South China Sea, stranding sailors without drinkable water, food, air conditioning or working toilets for four days.

“A generator failure aboard the USS Benfold on July 24 left the destroyer without power… The Navy did not disclose the incident for nearly a month…”

Trump Attacks Fox News Anchor

TV Insider wrote on August 17:

“Fox News’ Shannon Bream appeared to get under Donald Trump’s skin on Sunday (August 16) as the president delivered not one but two lengthy rants against the anchor on Truth Social… ‘Watching FoxNews with Shannon Bream is always like watching the Worst of Fake News CNN,’ he wrote in the first of two unhinged rants….

“‘I don’t know Shannon, but she always seems to pick guests, charts, and “polls” that are negative, never talking about all of the incredible things that the Trump Administration has done,’ he continued before reeling off a list of supposed accomplishments and claimed that the U.S. is ‘more RESPECTED throughout the World than at any time in Memory’… adding, “Even Chris Wallace was better, and he was really bad.”

Trump lives in a dream world. 

Due to Trump, Tension Escalates in Strait of Hormuz

The New York Post wrote on August 15:

“President Trump posted an AI image of himself helping seize an Iranian-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Truth Social, in another online escalation as a US ally said Iran fired on another commercial vessel. ‘It’s Our Oil Tanker Now!’ Trump posted Friday night, hours after declaring on Long Island that ‘Pretty soon, I will be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States.’ 

“‘This strait will only be opened and closed under Iran’s command, and as long as you do not accept the reality of defeat and stop indulging in delusions, Iran will continue to enforce the blockade,’ Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi posted on X Saturday. The United Arab Emirates said Saturday that Iran had attacked another Abu Dhabi National Oil Company vessel transiting the strait, the third attack in a week.”

Some say Trump’s comments regarding declaring the Strait of Hormuz territory of the USA was a joke, but due to Trump’s ongoing provocations and his desire to invade other countries and areas, it would be foolish to dismiss his illegal threats as a joke. Note the following article.

Daily Mail added on August 18:

“The US President shared a map on Truth Social showing the narrow waterway with the words ‘NEW U.S. TERRITORY’ written across it. The bizarre image showed a large blue circle around the strait, which connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is one of the world’s most important shipping routes.”

Trump Threatens Oman 

The Daily Mail wrote on August 17:

“Donald Trump threatened to ‘bomb the s….’ out of Oman if it continues negotiations with Iran without American approval as the ceasefire with Tehran nears its expiration.

Oman, a major US defense ally in the Middle East, is negotiating with Iran over a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by placing the narrow waterway, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil passes, under joint control…

“Trump’s threats against his own ally come as the 60-day US-Iran ceasefire is set to expire today, raising fears of renewed fighting that could further destabilize the region and disrupt global oil supplies…”

With his wild rant against Oman, Trump proved again his frustration and his realization that he is unable to bring the war to an end. 

Using Nuclear Weapons Against Iran?

Vietnam.vn wrote on August 17:

“Former US Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene claims that officials in Washington are discussing the possibility of using nuclear weapons against Iran amid the escalating months-long conflict… According to Ms. Greene, the issue of nuclear weapons use was discussed in strategic planning meetings…

“Ms. Greene wrote: ‘They are discussing the use of nuclear weapons against Iran in strategic meetings. I’m not speculating, I know that. And that’s absolutely evil.’… Ms. Greene warned that such a move could trigger a ‘nuclear catastrophe’ and drag the world into a war on a much larger scale.”

Greenland Objects—Far From Receiving Approval

Euractiv wrote on August 11:

“US oil operator Greenland Energy will not obtain the approvals needed to begin drilling in eastern Greenland this year, local authorities said, contradicting the company’s public timetable. Nuuk, however, says the project remains far from receiving approval.

“‘In the current situation, I do not believe it is realistic for the company to carry out drilling work this autumn,’ Greenlandic Minister for Foreign Affairs and Natural Resources, Múte B. Egede, told local broadcaster KNR.”

It will remain to be seen how US oil operator Greenland Energy will react, given its close relationship with Donald Trump. 

Eritrea’s Strategic Importance

Deutsche Welle wrote on August 13:

“Amid growing tensions and security risks in the Horn of Africa, Eritrea, with its strategically important coastal points on the Red Sea, is emerging as an important player in the region… Yemen lies on the other side of the Red Sea, which makes Eritrea’s location particularly interesting… The only safe route in this area runs through Eritrea… The Houthi militia, propped up by Iran, have been attacking merchant ships in the Red Sea from the Yemeni coastline…

“Still, Eritrea continues to exert its influence as the Red Sea has emerged a crucial sea route for the world, and especially for the Gulf states — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates… A viable alternative, should the Strait of Hormuz remain repeatedly blocked, would be for these Gulf nations and their partners to find routes via Saudi ports located further up on the Red Sea…

“Meanwhile, Eritrea’s neighbors, particularly landlocked Ethiopia, are fighting hard to maintain access to the Red Sea as a trade route, Sayed added — in particular for oil exports from the Horn of Africa to the rest of the world, especially to Europe and the Americas.”

At one time, Ethiopia and Eritrea were one country until they separated in 1993. Biblically, the two powers might still be viewed as one country. The same may be true for India and Pakistan, which were one country in the past, until their separation in 1947. Other examples might be North and South Korea, which separated in 1953, or Germany and Austria, which seem to be “one country” according to the Bible.  

Israel Can’t Wait Forever

The Jerusalem Post wrote on August 16:

“The clock has been ticking for two months since the June ‘ceasefire’ between the US and Iran, and still the Islamic Republic is rearming. That should dominate Israel’s thinking about every day that passes without an agreement capable of restraining the Iranian regime…  Israeli defense officials have been shocked by the speed with which Iran is recovering from the damage inflicted during the war…

“Israel and the United States struck more than 2,600 missile and military-industrial targets during the roughly 40-day war, carrying out some 30,000 attacks, and it left Israeli officials believing the scale of the destruction had crippled Iran’s ability to restore its military industries at anything like their previous pace…. Now the Post has confirmed that Iran is producing new weapons at a much faster pace than Israeli planners anticipated…

“The ballistic missile threat remains unresolved, and the pressure campaign has yet to return Tehran to the negotiating table on terms that can give Israel confidence the danger is actually receding. The longer this goes on, the more it looks like the Americans are operating without a real, strategic plan… Every month gives Iranian engineers, commanders, and procurement networks more time to reopen facilities, replace machinery, uncover underground missile sites, disperse production, and replenish stocks…

“Israel cannot afford to wake up next year and discover that a threat believed to have been pushed back by years was delayed by only a matter of months… Israel is directly in the firing line. The United States is not. If we need to take matters into our own hands, then that should be our prerogative, whatever our working relationship with the US… Two months have already been spent trying to turn a ceasefire into something more permanent. Iran has spent those same two months recovering…  Israel cannot afford to give Iran any more time to rearm.”

The war with Iran was a catastrophic failure from the outset. 

Terrible Demands

Brussels Signal wrote on August 17:

“Israel’s Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for the Israeli army to carry out targeted assassinations in Gaza every night, arguing it should be ‘taking down 30 to 40 every night.’… 

“Ben-Gvir said the killings should not be confined to those posing an immediate threat, describing people in the enclave as unworthy of life and not even human.”

Trump to Americans: Accept Higher Gas Prices

Reuters wrote on August 15:

“Trump urged Americans to accept slightly higher gasoline prices while the conflict continues. He told a political rally in Garden City, New York, on Friday that paying ‘a tiny little bit more for your gasoline’ is worth the cost of ensuring ‘a very evil country’ could not have a nuclear ‌weapon, one of his stated rationales for the war.

“Throughout the conflict, the president has alternated between threats of escalation and assertions that a peace deal is imminent. In a trend that has sparked inflation and disappointed voters, the average U.S. price of a gallon of ⁠gasoline was about $4.08 on Friday, up 29% from a year earlier… Trump… campaigned for reelection on a promise to lower energy costs, and Democrats are seeking to make the war’s fallout an issue in November congressional elections….

“Only two vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Friday with no crude oil shipments ‌visible… Some ships may cross the strait undetected with their transponders off, ​but the figures are nowhere near the more than 130 ships that traversed it daily before the war. Vessels that dare ​navigate the strait without Iranian permission risk missile or drone strikes… Attacks by ‌Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen renewed concerns about a widening regional war… the Houthis fired six ballistic missiles at the Red Sea port of Mocha ​on Friday, killing four civilians…”

Americans are not going to accept higher gas prices for a war which should have never been started. In fact, Trump’s declaration for the goal of the war contradicts what JD Vance just said. Note the next article.

Top Goal of Iran War: Get Gas Prices Down

AFD wrote on August 14:

“The top US priority now in the Iran war is no longer its nuclear program but to bring gasoline prices down for American consumers, the vice president said Thursday… Preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon — consistently touted by President Donald Trump as his main reason for the war — now takes a back seat to getting oil flowing again freely through the strait, Vance told Will Cain on Fox News.

“Vance’s comments underscored the stark reality that the war now centers on control of the Strait of Hormuz, the critical fuel supply conduit that was open before Trump started the war along with Israel in late February… Republicans fear Trump and the war, which has caused gasoline prices to soar, will cost them their control of Congress.”

Trump reiterated again that his main goal is that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon. He said that he does not care about the midterm election (and by extension, gas prices). It does not look like Trump and Vance are on the same wavelength. This confusing picture is not very reassuring for American citizens. 

Trump’s Loyalty Test

The Daily Beast wrote on August 14:

“The Trump administration is quietly trying to force international partners to pass an ideological fealty test before deciding whether to pull back vital military protection.

A leaked document sent to alliance members… lays out a high-stakes questionnaire probing whether individual countries have ‘been publicly supportive’ of President Donald Trump’s foreign policy…

“Allies have balked at the private questionnaire, viewing it as a blatant attempt to pressure sovereign nations into political alignment in exchange for basic security guarantees…

“The questionnaire arrives partway through an administration review of its military presence in Europe, expected to wrap by December. That review process has left NATO allies bracing for deep cuts to U.S. troop levels and the military assets the U.S. would deploy in the event of an attack. The document touches on several major flashpoints that have divided Washington from its partners, including the U.S. war with Iran and the raid that captured Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro…

“ It specifically asks whether countries are buying from American defense firms and whether they have spoken out against new ‘made in Europe’ procurement policies, adding, ‘If not, would they be willing to do so?’”

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte attempted to downplay the rift, even stating foolishly that the questionnaire would bring NATO “closer together.” NATO, as we know it, is doomed, and Rutte’s hypocritical “diplomacy” won’t change that. 

No Referendum as Long as Trump Is in Office

CBC wrote on August 18:

“The Parti Québécois will not hold a referendum as long as U.S. President Donald Trump remains in power, party leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon announced Tuesday morning. In a news release, St-Pierre Plamondon said he wants to avoid having the issue ‘hijacked by the ups and downs of American politics.’ ‘An issue as crucial as the political future of Quebec requires conditions that allow for an informed and calm debate,’ the PQ leader said.

“He said the next government will be faced with ‘more than enough challenges’ without calling a referendum. ‘So I decided to completely defuse the argument that this would be the worst time to think about our future because of Trump, by ruling out the possibility of holding a referendum by the end of his second term,’ St-Pierre Plamondon explained. Trump’s second term is set to end on Jan. 20, 2029.

“St-Pierre Plamondon said that, if elected, he would still consult Quebecers on the issue of independence during his first mandate, but only after Trump leaves office. The announcement comes just over a week ahead of the official launch of the Quebec provincial election campaign. Voters are scheduled to head to the polls on Oct. 5.”

Will Putin Attack NATO?

The Sun wrote on August 13:

“With his back against the wall, Putin could choose to risk it all and attempt a World War Three-stoking attack on a Nato nation, according to longtime Kremlin critic and Brit banker Bill Browder. The gamble would aim to test who is truly on Ukraine‘s side and would be aimed at the US with Russia hoping they would avoid being drawn into a conflict despite Article 5 of the Nato treaty. One theory is Putin could grab a city in Poland or one of the three Baltic states – Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania  – all Nato nations which have strongly backed Ukraine during the war. A new US intelligence report even revealed this week that US officials fear Putin is plotting a small-scale land incursion to test the alliance.

“Bill told The Sun: ‘Putin has reached a stalemate in his war with Ukraine. It’s been going on for more than four years, and he’s unable to gain more territory. He’s losing between 1,000 to 1,500 troops a day. His oil refineries and warehouses of online retailers are being bombed by the Ukrainians. And the Ukrainians are developing more and more sophisticated weapons so they’ve reached a stalemate – and, of course, he’s short on money.’ 

“Russia’s faltering economy is one of the biggest issues hampering the war, he says…. ‘If he were to attack a Nato country, he might do that with the expectation that Trump doesn’t get involved. And then he’s got this situation where you have Nato without America. Bill says the Kremlin could turn Trump’s refusal to support Europe into a weapon of their own. They could demand countries stop funding Ukraine and supplying weapons or risk war with Russia. ‘That may be Putin’s best way to win this war with Ukraine as if Ukraine doesn’t get European funding, they will lose the war,’ Bill added.”

Some of these thoughts are quite interesting. We know that ultimately, Russia and Ukraine will be together against Europe. 

Russia on German Soil?

On August 16, Die Welt wrote:

“Russia is increasingly becoming a threat to Europe: the explosive-laden drone at Leipzig Airport, the impact of a Russian missile in Poland, a drone crash in Romania, and repeated airspace violations in the Baltic states. For former US Secretary of Defense and ex-CIA chief Leon Panetta, these are warning signs that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin is systematically testing Europe’s lines of defense…

“Panetta is no longer willing to rule out even a nightmare scenario: Russian military actions taking place on German soil as well… ‘Putin reacts to weakness, and if he senses it in NATO and the US, he will continue to provoke and strike,’ Panetta warns.”

Ultimately, Russia WILL attack Europe and Germany, but not yet.

Putin’s Drones on NATO’s Doorsteps

The Sun wrote on August 18:

“AN ‘apocalyptic’ war is looming over Europe as Russia lines its borders with new drone bases capable of striking Nato and Kremlin warships stalk the seas, experts warn. Desperate Vladimir Putin is rapidly expanding Russia’s drone network and developing new warfare tactics as he prepares to take on the West…

“Images showed enough storage at one base for more than 1,000 drones to be kept on site at one time… Turkey, Romania, eastern Poland and the Baltic Republics, Lativa, Lithuania and Estonia are all under threat.”

A Three-Front War?

The Atlantic wrote on August 17:

“Western military planners do not seem eager to talk about their nightmare scenario, much less prepare for it. But they tend to agree on how it would begin: a coordinated, near-simultaneous attack on opposite sides of the planet, in which Russia targets a NATO member in Eastern Europe while China makes its move against Taiwan. The U.S. military would need to react on two fronts at once—three if it remains at war in the Middle East…

“About a year ago, General Alexus Grynkewich, the top NATO commander in Europe, issued a rare public warning about the risk of a two-front war against Russia and China, and he called on European allies to help the U.S. prepare. But when I asked a range of military experts and strategists what the West would do in such a situation, the responses rang surprisingly hollow. Most of them expressed bewilderment and a bit of shame about how little has been done in recent years to study this risk in detail.”

FBI Failed to Investigate Epstein

California Post wrote on August 14:

“Playboy founder Hugh Hefner repeatedly called the FBI to report Jeffrey Epstein for sexual abuse in 2005, after a Playboy Playmate [Christiansen]… told him she was raped and trafficked by the disgraced financier, according to new details in a lawsuit… The revelations are part of an amended complaint filed in May in the US District Court for the Southern District of Florida by Epstein victims who charge the FBI failed to act on multiple reports about his sexual abuse as early as 1996.

“‘The fact that the FBI is trying to utilize procedural technicalities to try to avert accountability and responsibility for its failures to properly investigate Jeffrey Epstein for over 20 years should be deeply concerning to all,’ Jordan Merson, lawyer for the victims, told The Post… Christiansen… was only contacted by the FBI in October 2020, after Epstein’s death, to follow up on the information provided 15 years earlier…

“The FBI tried to get the lawsuit thrown out in June, saying it was ‘not required to investigate every complaint’ it received.”

The Epstein scandal is not a fake, but very real. The lack of US government investigations into Epstein is deeply disturbing. The idea that Epstein committed suicide is likewise absurd.

California’s “Rolling Resistance” Madness

The New York Post wrote on August 18:

“The California Energy Commission unanimously approved new rules Monday that will phase out the sale of replacement tires that don’t meet the state’s energy- efficiency standards— potentially wiping out a huge chunk of the tires currently available to California drivers… The rules target a tire’s ‘rolling resistance’ — how much energy it takes to keep a tire moving down the road. Lower resistance means cars use less gas or electricity.

“The first phase begins in 2029, when replacement tires will have to meet a maximum rolling-resistance level of 9.1 newtons per kilonewton. That threshold drops to 7.2 in 2033….

“Goodyear’s Bret Gladfelty told the commission the rules could drive up costs and said technical and legal questions remain unresolved. While the commission estimates phase-two rules would add an average of about $6.50 per tire, Gladfelty warned that actual increases could reach several hundred dollars. He also told KCRA that the rules could eliminate an estimated 70% of the tires currently sold in California by 2033.”

 No wonder California is going down.

Scientists Use AI to Create New Viruses

The Jerusalem Post wrote on August 18:

“Researchers at Stanford University used artificial intelligence to create 16 functional viruses not found in nature earlier this month… [Researchers are] using EVO 2, a generative AI model… that generates new DNA sequences.

“… many have also expressed concern over the potential dangers of using artificial intelligence to create viruses. EVO 2 is open source, meaning anyone can download the AI and design new genomes themselves….

“In a paper written in response to King and Hie, scientists from John Hopkins University’s Center, Thomas Inglesby and Moritz Hanke for Health Security warned that while the Stanford researchers limited the AI’s training data it would not be difficult for a different user to discover a way around the limitations, opening the possibilities for viruses designed to infect humans, animals, or plants in ways we cannot yet counter.”

Another Frankenstein monster in the making… 

Covid Lockdowns to Delay Natural Immunity 

Life Site News wrote on August 14:

“Jeffrey Tucker, a prominent critic of COVID-19 lockdown policies from the earliest days, stated categorically that the purpose of the stringent measures was not to protect people’s health; it was to delay the onset of natural immunity so that the experimental ‘vaccine’ which was still in development would be hailed as the heroic solution to the virus…. ‘I was told by top FDA, NIH officials that a major reason for social distancing, lockdowns, masking, plexiglass, stay at home orders, and everything else was to delay the onset of natural immunity, to delay rising seroprevalence levels, to delay endemicity, until after the shots were online,’ said Tucker…. 

“‘It was to keep us from gaining a natural capacity to resist the virus so that they could wait until the injection came along so the injection could be deployed and experimented upon us and thereby get all the credit for having solved the issue,’ he explained… Multiple sources have confirmed this without a shadow of a doubt in their mind that that was the real purpose of the school closures, the business shutdowns, stay-at-home orders, the travel restrictions, everything – to delay the point at which we would have essentially solved the problem through natural exposure and immune upgrades.’”

Tucker stated that it sounds like a “wild conspiracy theory. But it’s the truth.” Frankly, in light of what has transpired, it sounds VERY believable. 

Fauci and Lauterbach

On July 28, the Berliner Zeitung published an article with the following headline and introduction:

“Fauci’s secret diary: ‘Important Zoom meeting with Karl Lauterbach.’ Secret vaccine coordination… Karl Lauterbach appears in the diary of immunologist Anthony Fauci.”

The article goes on to state:

“In the recently released secret diary of US coronavirus chief Anthony Fauci, an interested reader from Germany might be surprised to come across a familiar name: Former Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach had ‘by now become something of a friend’ to Anthony Fauci, the American immunologist wrote in his diary on December 8, 2022…. Lauterbach features quite prominently in Fauci’s notes… Lauterbach frequently sought the advice of the ‘Corona Pope’ [regarding the vaccination campaigns].”

This is by no means “surprising.” It has long been known that Lauterbach followed Fauci’s “wisdom” in his disastrous vaccination measures and his often unlawful efforts to combat the coronavirus. Consequently, Lauterbach should also be held accountable.

Applications For Conscientious Objection More Than Double

Kettner-Edelmetalle wrote on August 13:

“The figures are clear—and uncomfortable for the federal government. By July 31, 2026, the Federal Office of Family Affairs and Civil Society Functions in Cologne had received 8,302 applications for conscientious objection. That is more than twice as many in seven months as in the entire year of 2025, when the agency recorded 3,879 applications. This surge was evidently triggered by the new military service system that came into effect on January 1, 2026. Since then, every young German has received mail from the Bundeswehr shortly after their 18th birthday…

“Anyone who attributes these figures merely to the youth’s desire for an easy life is oversimplifying the issue. From our editorial team’s perspective, this mountain of applications reveals one thing above all: a profound loss of trust in the political leadership… The debate surrounding conscription assessments and conscientious objection is a symptom of broader uncertainty. The security situation, national debt, energy prices, migration…”

The “Firewall” Only Benefits the AfD

Die Welt wrote on August 18:

“A report by the British magazine ‘The Economist’ ahead of the state election in Saxony-Anhalt [on September 6] states that the ‘firewall’ has primarily benefited the AfD…

“The ‘Economist’s assessment prior to the election: Friedrich Merz—now Chancellor—had pledged in 2018 to cut the AfD’s support in half. Since then, however, support for the party has doubled, while the CDU is approaching record lows. ‘Irregular migration has dropped sharply, yet the AfD has simply shifted further to the right.’ It now rails against ‘culturally alien workers’…

“‘The Economist’ identifies the AfD itself as the greatest beneficiary of the firewall. AfD Bundestag member Torben Braga told the publication that the firewall protects his party from having to grapple with very difficult questions—a view the magazine explicitly shares. Political scientist Christian Stecker of Darmstadt adds that, behind the firewall, the AfD can promise anything; it shields the party from the disappointment that comes with the responsibility of governing in a democracy.

“The magazine outlines tricky scenarios for election day on September 6: If the AfD narrowly misses an absolute majority, the CDU would likely need the support of all other parties, including The Left… If the AfD remained excluded from power despite holding twice as many seats as the CDU, it would not just be its supporters asking whether German democracy is functioning, ‘The Economist’ continues…

“The magazine sees no clear path forward for the right way to deal with the AfD… Some things will collapse, new things will emerge—and we do not know what it will all look like in the end.”

Does the AfD Want to Abolish Christmas?

Focus wrote on August 13:

“State Minister for Culture Wolfram Weimer sharply criticizes the AfD and its understanding of German culture in an interview. He points out that some within the party even want to abolish Christmas.

“‘What the AfD understands by “German thinking” is particularly alarming. I see a blatant, narrow-minded nationalism there, a resurgence of the mindset from dark times…. At the last AfD party conference, there was this motion… from the state capital to abolish Christian holidays and introduce Germanic holidays instead. They seriously propose celebrating the Yule festival and the winter solstice instead.’”

Hitler tried to do that, too. Read our free booklet, “Europe in Prophecy.”

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 the contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing to worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

Fox Moderators Critical of Trump’s Iran War

The Guardian wrote on August 1:

“Throughout his two presidencies, Donald Trump has leaned on reliable support from the conservative opinion wing of his favorite cable news channel, Fox News. But, like a broad swathe of the American public, several traditionally supportive commentators on the channel have recently expressed concerns about whether the war on Iran is succeeding, suggesting that Trump is on increasingly dicey footing in the conservative media world he relies on for backing.

“While he isn’t close to losing the support of hosts such as Sean Hannity or Jesse Watters, Trump has received scrutiny from one of the network’s top personalities, Laura Ingraham, who has regularly questioned whether the US has achieved the tactical wins it has claimed in Iran. He has also faced reliable skepticism from one of the network’s most prominent commentators about the armed forces, Johnny ‘Joey’ Jones, a contributor and retired Marine Corps staff sergeant who lost both his legs in combat in Afghanistan…

“That’s not to mention the network’s military commentators, such as retired Lt Gen Keith Kellogg, who said on Fox on Wednesday that Trump needs to ‘change’ his strategy…  ‘Bombing is not going to get the job done.’…

“Brit Hume, a Fox News analyst, connected the quagmire to Trump’s political promises to voters. ‘He promised to keep us out of endless wars or unsatisfactory wars, and now he’s in one, and it’s not at all clear how it’s gonna end…’ In June, John Roberts, a Fox News anchor, said he was ‘a little puzzled’ about Trump’s Iran negotiation strategy. Even Watters, a reliable Trump booster, seemed skeptical about his ever-changing timelines for reaching a deal with Iran to end the war. ‘He keeps saying: “We’re very close. We’re days away.” And I don’t know what that means. We’ve heard that for a very long time,’ he said in June.

“Hosts on the network’s business channel have also regularly questioned the rising price of oil and the impact on American consumers, particularly ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.”

Trump’s Ballroom on Hold

The Associated Press wrote on August 7:

“A divided federal appeals court ruled Friday that President Donald Trump’s administration must stop construction of the $400 million White House ballroom because Congress has not approved the project, a decision he blasted as ‘unjust’ while vowing to appeal it to the nation’s highest court….

“Friday’s ruling marked the second time this week that the Trump administration has made headlines for construction plans that have been called into question. An assessment by the National Park Service found that a 250-foot-tall (76-meter-tall) triumphal arch that Trump has proposed building could compromise the historical significance of dozens of sites near its planned location on a traffic circle between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington National Cemetery….

“After the lower court earlier this year ordered a halt to aboveground construction, the president argued that permission from Congress was unnecessary because public money was not being used to pay for it. Trump has said he has raised hundreds of millions of dollars from corporations and wealthy people, including himself, to cover the construction costs. But the Trump administration had requested $1 billion for the ballroom, which Congress refused in May…”

It is more than doubtful that the Supreme Court will side with Trump on this issue, but one never knows.

Birthright Citizenship—Trump Tries It Again…

Newsweek wrote on August 7:

“President Donald Trump on Thursday signed executive orders aimed at narrowing access to birthright citizenship, marking a renewed effort after the Supreme Court struck down a broader administration policy earlier this year. The move follows the Supreme Court’s June 30 rejection of Trump’s earlier executive order seeking to deny automatic citizenship to some children born in the United States to noncitizen parents.

“The orders target what the administration describes as ‘birth tourism’and seek to deny automatic citizenship in a limited number of circumstances that officials argue fall within longstanding exceptions to the 14th Amendment. The White House said the measures expand the definition of people ineligible for birthright citizenship and strengthen restrictions aimed at curbing so-called birth tourism. Administration officials argued the new orders fall outside the scope of the Supreme Court’s June ruling because they apply only to categories that they contend are not covered by birthright citizenship protections.

“The order directs federal agencies not to recognize U.S. citizenship for certain people born in the United States when neither parent is a U.S. citizen and one of several conditions applies… A separate executive order directs the State Department and Department of Homeland Security to take additional steps aimed at curbing birth tourism… Officials contend that some cases involving birth tourism involve fraudulent entry or misrepresentation by parents seeking U.S. citizenship for a child… The order defines birth tourism as a foreign national entering the United States on a nonimmigrant visa for the purpose of giving birth on American soil, or assisting another foreign national in doing so. The order authorizes federal agencies to deny visas or travel authorizations to people seeking to engage in birth tourism, revoke existing travel documents, permanently bar entry, and pursue action against individuals or organizations involved in facilitating such schemes….

“The American Civil Liberties Union, which successfully challenged Trump’s previous birthright citizenship order, said the new measures were unlikely to survive judicial scrutiny. ‘The Supreme Court already decided this issue: Birthright citizenship is guaranteed by the Constitution. No additional executive order can change the meaning of the Constitution,’ Cody Wofsy, deputy director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project, said in a statement. Critics have argued that the 14th Amendment broadly guarantees citizenship to nearly everyone born on U.S. soil and that attempts to narrow that protection through executive action are unconstitutional. Civil rights groups and immigration advocates have long maintained that changes to birthright citizenship would require legislation or a constitutional amendment rather than executive action. Trump said Thursday that he believed the new actions were constitutional.

“The new orders come after the Supreme Court dealt a major blow to Trump’s broader effort to restrict birthright citizenship through executive action. In June, the court ruled that children born in the United States are generally citizens at birth, reaffirming a longstanding interpretation of the 14th Amendment’s Citizenship Clause while leaving intact certain historical exceptions. The decision preserved the legal framework established by the court’s landmark 1898 ruling in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which held that a child born in the U.S. to immigrant parents was an American citizen.

“Trump and his allies have argued that the Citizenship Clause has been interpreted too broadly and have pointed to what they describe as abuses of the system through birth tourism. Following the ruling, Trump called on Congress to pursue legislation addressing the issue, writing on Truth Social that lawmakers should ‘start TODAY’ on efforts to end birthright citizenship.”

In that Trump asked Congress to act, he admitted that he does not have the authority to unilaterally act via executive order. His “belief” that the new orders are constitutional is meaningless because Trump is not even a lawyer… what does he know about the Constitution? He admitted in the past that he does NOT understand the Constitution, in that he does not know whether he has to uphold it.

Hypocritical Moves

Newsweek wrote on August 12:

“Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose parents were not United States citizens when he was born in the U.S., announced Wednesday that the State Department has revoked more than 600 visas as part of a new crackdown on so-called ‘birth tourism’ networks…

“The announcement places Rubio, the son of Cuban immigrants who were later naturalized, at the forefront of one of the administration’s most aggressive efforts yet to curb what officials describe as the exploitation of citizenship laws. Born in Miami in 1971, around 15 years after his parents arrived in the U.S., Rubio became a U.S. citizen under the same constitutional principle now at the center of a heated political debate. When his presidential eligibility was challenged in 2016, his lawyers argued that his U.S. birth made him a natural-born citizen under English common law, Supreme Court precedent, and the Fourteenth Amendment tradition.

“That argument is in line with what has long been the legal understanding of birthright citizenship, but conflicts with a broader theory pushed in an executive order by President Donald Trump in 2025 to make parental citizenship or permanent residence necessary for American citizenship to be granted to newborns… Traveling to the United States while pregnant is not, by itself, illegal. The legal issue is the traveler’s primary purpose and whether she truthfully represents that purpose.”

Fauci in Contempt of Congress

NPR wrote on August 7:

“The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee yesterday voted along party lines to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress. The decision comes after Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right to avoid self-incrimination during a hearing on the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Justice Department will decide whether to pursue potential criminal prosecution of Fauci. Prosecutions are rare, but two former Trump advisers — Steve Bannon and Peter Navarro — were imprisoned on contempt of Congress charges during President Joe Biden’s administration.”

One will have to see whether Fauci will ever be held accountable for his conduct. Sadly, the chances are rather slim.

Opening of Strait of Hormuz… At What Cost?

NPR wrote on August 7:

“Iran’s parliament is considering an agreement with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal would ban ships connected to the U.S., Israel and other ‘hostile countries’ from the key waterway until Iran receives compensation for war damages. Commercial vessels passing through the strait would be subject to fees of up to 7% of cargo value and a 20% fine for noncompliance. On Wednesday, Iran said it was finalizing a shipping route agreement with Oman, a U.S. ally. The Trump administration disputes Iran’s characterization of the agreement, maintaining that the U.S. currently controls the strait through its naval blockade of Iran. Oman has not commented…

“The stalemate has raised concerns from observers that the U.S. may have to accept terms worse than the previous status quo, which was free movement through the Strait. Current negotiations are also focused on the waterway reopening rather than issues like uranium enrichment, which Trump originally cited as justification for the war.”

Newsmax wrote on August 8:

“Iran’s top national security official said Saturday the Strait of Hormuz will not fully reopen unless the United States meets a sweeping list of demands, including lifting sanctions and its naval blockade, withdrawing U.S. military forces from around Iran, and paying compensation for damage caused by the war…

“The conditions cast new uncertainty over efforts to restore commercial traffic through the critical waterway…”

US in Control of Hormuz?

The Jerusalem Post wrote on August 11:

“US President Donald Trump said on Monday that the United States controls the Strait of Hormuz and had swept the strategic oil waterway for Iranian mines… Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to six that day, compared with a 10-day average of about 11 vessels, shipping data showed, amid fading hopes of a peace deal between the US and Iran.

“Four commodity vessels, including two empty oil product tankers, entered the waterway… Two vessels – a small tanker laden with liquefied petroleum gas and another carrying residual fuels – exited the Strait… In pre-war days, about 130 to 140 ships typically transited the strait.”

Trump’s declarations are not believed or shared by Gulf States. They are also not realistic. See the next article.

Gulf States Accept a New Normal in Hormuz: Iran Is in Control

The Wall Street Journal wrote on August 10:

“Persian Gulf energy producers are concluding that Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz will become permanent, disrupting their oil and gas exports and global energy supplies indefinitely.

“The problem is they worry the alternative—going back to war—would be worse.”

Trump Concerned About Low Weapons Stockpile

The Jerusalem Post wrote on August 9:

“Russia and China could feel emboldened to begin a hot conflict with America due to the US’s rapidly depleting weapons supply, senior officials and defense experts told the New York Times on Saturday….

“The… low stockpile levels have been a driving factor in Trump’s latest decisions in his campaign against Iran. The president reportedly chose not to go through with a major bombing campaign he threatened last month due to the low level of munitions.”

The attack will not come from Russia and China, but from Europe.

Trump in Big Trouble

Daily Mail wrote on August 10:

“Donald Trump’s strategy to defeat Iran is facing more roadblocks as the US weapons stockpile and cash to fund the military operation runs dry. Further complicating the path to peace, Tehran is refusing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz until Washington pays war reparations, lifts sanctions, and ends its naval blockade. Meanwhile, War Secretary Pete Hegseth has failed to sell skeptical senators on Trump’s record $1.5 trillion defense budget. The chamber left town for its five-week summer recess without advancing it, or the separate war funding the Pentagon says it urgently needs…

“Iran’s demands amount to a message that the regime does not plan to submit to Trump in the near future. Tehran wants US forces out of the region and a compensation check for the damage, terms Washington has consistently ruled out… Nearly every condition Tehran listed on Saturday already appears in the memorandum of understanding Trump signed on June 17, an agreement that collapsed when American strikes resumed and the blockade was reimposed on July 14.”

Trump really does not seem to know what he is doing. The next article proves this.

Trump’s Empty Boasts of “Victory”

The Jerusalem Post wrote on August 5:

“[Trump] has declared ‘total and complete victory, 100%’ in Iran in several versions, at least 32 times… Yet the war, now in its sixth month, sputters on and on – along with the president’s other empty boasts. Just this week, after more threats to obliterate the ancient Persian civilization with ‘the biggest attack since WWII,’ he suddenly called the attack off ‘for the Future benefit of the world.’ He apparently didn’t even inform his Israeli partner, who reportedly learned of the decision the same way the rest of the world did: in a post on Trump’s Truth Social account.

“It looked like another case of what has come to be known as TACO, Trump Chickens Out Again. This is not the first – nor likely the last – time he warns of apocalyptic strikes only to back down at the last minute. The Iranians, along with America’s adversaries and allies, see it as a sign of weakness…

“On June 25, 2025, he declared Iran’s nuclear capacity had been ‘completely and totally obliterated.’ However, seven months later, re-obliteration was his rationale for starting a war of choice in partnership with Israel. He did not cite any imminent threat to justify the February 28 surprise attack… Trump apparently had no clear strategy, no support base, or exit plan for his war. Allies were not briefed in advance… Control of the Strait of Hormuz is potentially worth tens of billions of dollars annually in transit fees for Iran and power over a major portion of the world’s resources.”

Iran is not going to give up this lucrative power. It seems America is ruled by incapable “children” (compare Isaiah 3:4, 12).

Iran’s Goal

The Guardian wrote on August 7:

“Tehran has set out a protracted negotiating timetable designed to keep Donald Trump embroiled in the Iran conflict until the midterm elections, in the hope of inflicting the same ruinous blow on his presidency as Jimmy Carter suffered over the 1979-81 US embassy hostage crisis…

“But the focus on the midterms became more obvious this week when the deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, told the official IRNA news agency that after agreeing a route for commercial shipping through the strait of Hormuz, it would take two to four months to reach the second phase of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme…

“If Tehran gets its way on this timetable, Trump will be going to the polls with no Iranian commitment on nuclear weapons, only a hefty economic bill for a failed war…”

And so, Trump started a war with Iran which he could not win. Note the next article.

Trump Caught in the Iran Trap

Bild Online reported on August 8:

“In addition to mounting pressure regarding the Iran war, US President Donald Trump (80) is now also facing the consequences of weaknesses in his own economy! The monthly US labor market report (the ‘Jobs Report’) took both experts and the administration by surprise: instead of the job boom Trump had promised, 23,000 jobs were lost in July. Furthermore, the figures for May and June were revised downward by a combined total of 103,000 jobs. While the unemployment rate did fall to 4.1 percent, it did so for the wrong reason: 264,000 people gave up looking for work and dropped out of the labor market.

“Trump thus finds himself in the midst of a dual crisis: regarding the Iran conflict, Tehran is increasingly dictating the terms of negotiations over a potential reopening of the oil shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. Now, grim news from the domestic economy has been added to the mix—traditionally one of the key factors in how citizens evaluate a presidency…

“The Iran war has not only driven up gasoline prices; transport and energy costs are rising too—bringing with them the risk of further price hikes. Trump’s trade conflicts are having a similar effect: he recently imposed new import tariffs of 10 to 12.5 percent on goods from 60 countries. Higher import costs can burden companies and push consumer prices even higher. At the same time, Trump is betting heavily on the expansion of artificial intelligence. Yet, public concern is growing that AI could act as a ‘job killer,’ replacing millions of positions. Moreover, the drastic decline in immigration and increased deportations are exacerbating labor shortages in certain sectors—such as agriculture, construction, and the hospitality industry.

“… Trump’s popularity has recently fallen to record lows, primarily due to the unpopular Iran war. US political science professor Scott Erb views the new job figures as ‘a real weakness in the US economy.’ Trump, by contrast, seeks to ‘sugarcoat’ the situation and focuses on issues ‘that miss the mark regarding the concerns of many voters’… Consequently, Trump could cause massive damage to the Republicans in the congressional [midterm] election campaign.”

“America’s Era Is Coming to an End”

t-online wrote on August 8:

“America’s global power is clearly waning. Entangled in a war trap in the Middle East; humiliated by Tehran’s militias and by the imperialist Putin in Eastern Europe; burdened by massive debt and depleted weapons arsenals; and barely able to curb China’s aggressive rise in Asia—the former ‘world policeman’ now shuffles through the global arena in a rumpled uniform and with a battered sheriff’s badge. Thirty-five years after the collapse of the Warsaw Pact, the era of American supremacy is drawing to a close. Donald Trump’s constant threats against everyone and everything are the most glaring sign of this diminishing influence. Those who lose their authority shout all the louder…

“Less obvious to European observers is the dynamic unfolding within the US itself. Yet it appears no less dramatic than the developments in foreign policy. The balance of power is shifting rapidly—both within Trump’s administration and between the Republican and Democratic parties—compounded by the most profound technological revolution since industrialization 150 years ago: Artificial Intelligence is transforming the entire economic landscape, and only the digital economy is saving the US from a severe recession…”

Cuba Regime Overthrow?

The Telegraph wrote on August 8:

“Regime change in Cuba would look more like Iran than Venezuela, American spy agencies have warned… The Cubans who would take power…  are from hard-line factions, like their Iranian counterparts… It is unclear who the White House would prefer to lead Cuba, and there is a lack of practical options.

“This week, the Cuban ambassador to Britain declared that the Cuban people would fight to the death against any US military intervention….”

Greenland Warns Trump

Firstpost wrote on August 9:

“Greenland issued a ‘strong warning’ after an American oil company connected to US President Donald Trump started preparing to sink wells in the Arctic region without any permission from local authorities. The firm’s project is coming at a time when the American leader has renewed his threats to claim the vast Arctic territory. The Greenlandic authorities began to express concern when drilling materials were brought ashore in recent days on the island’s eastern coast. The move has prompted Greenland’s government to issue a ‘strong warning’ that no approval had been granted to land the kit.

“‘All future logistical matters must be advised and approved by the mineral resources authority – before they are carried out,’ the government said in a statement. However, two days later, Trump made a menacing post on Truth Social, showing himself looming over a Greenlandic village [The AI-generated image showed a giant Trump, looming over the island, with the words, “Hello, Greenland!”]

“The company in question is Greenland Energy, which is based in Texas and was set up last year. They have claimed that $1 trillion of crude may lie beneath the Jameson Land region. Hence, the firm announced plans to spend $60 million drilling two wells to find out. However, it is pertinent to note that the Greenland authorities stopped issuing new oil licences in 2021 on environmental grounds. But despite this, a UK company called 80 Mile had secured exploration rights in Jameson Land. Greenland Energy’s corporate filings say it will take a majority stake in the project in exchange for funding the exploration, though it still needs government permission to proceed.

“The American firm is retained by Phil McGraw, popularly known as Dr Phil, a prominent rightwing former chat show host who served on Trump’s religious freedom commission… It has also appointed the director, a US Navy veteran who is working on Golden Dome, the missile defence plan for which Trump says controlling Greenland is “vital”. Larry Swets, Greenland Energy’s chair and a big shareholder, appears to enjoy access to Trump’s circle….

“The Greenland government’s statement… said it ‘would not be proportionate’ to demand the equipment be removed. An application for permission remained under processing, it added…”

UPI added on August 8:

“Trump has, for years, been adamant in his desire to annex Greenland. He has claimed the United States needs it ‘for defense.’  In January, he told European leaders that one of the reasons he renewed his push to own the territory was because he did not win the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump has been rebuffed by officials in both Denmark and Greenland.”

Spain’s Humanitarian Disaster

Sue Reid wrote the following article, which was published by Daily Mail on August 7:

“… a deceitful narrative is being peddled by politicians, including our own new Prime Minister, that this crisis is over. The truth is it’s only just beginning.

“This week, to my horror, I have witnessed a migration catastrophe unfolding in Ceuta, with a multitude of children, some only 11 or 12, at the heart of it. For make no mistake, between 2,000 and 4,000 young north African and sub-Saharan boys have not budged an inch since arriving – and have no intention of doing so. They have become pawns in a migration disaster sparked by families sending their children to find a better life in Europe, spurred too by an avalanche of social media messages flooding Africa that encourage the young to up sticks and leave via Ceuta, which is seen as a gateway to Madrid, Berlin or London….

“Outside the main police station, I watched hundreds of children on Wednesday and Thursday sitting pathetically in rows on the street as they waited in the vain hope that the Spanish authorities would give them the paperwork necessary to allow them to board ferries to mainland Spain… This is a humanitarian disaster unfolding in real time, which also threatens the national security of Europe. Spanish intelligence services say ISIS jihadis from across war-torn Africa have been caught among the tens of thousands who seized the chance to enter Ceuta.”

The Jerusalem Post wrote on August 7:

“Spain’s leftist government expects to transfer some migrant minors from overcrowded reception centers in the North African enclave of Ceuta to the mainland within weeks… 1,342 minors had been registered so far and more staff would be drafted in to help the effort. [Youth Minister Sira Rego] acknowledged the ‘painful images’ of children sleeping rough on Ceuta’s streets…

“Ceuta’s local government head Juan Jesus Vivas said the modest local facilities could host up to 90 children, and were now saturated by roughly 1,100 unaccompanied minors who arrived before the border rush…”

Drone Incidents Raise Security Concerns Across Europe

AFP and Reuters wrote on August 8:

“In Germany, a spokesperson for the armed forces said on Saturday that two drones were spotted at about 10pm (20:00 GMT) on Thursday at a military base in Mechernich in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, 35km (22 miles) from the Belgian border…

“German media reported that the Bundeswehr armed forces site in Mechernich has a high-security underground storage facility for equipment and spare parts for military hardware. It is also a base for personnel responsible for the maintenance of US Patriot air defences.

“A drone was also discovered late on Tuesday at Leipzig/Halle Airport – a civilian freight and NATO logistics hub – near several Ukrainian Antonov An-124 cargo transporters, according to German media reports. The drone incidents across the continent have revived concerns about Moscow’s war on Ukraine entangling neighbouring NATO states.

“They have also intensified debate about whether strategically important members of the military alliance such as Germany are ready to cope with new security threats. German government officials have not blamed any foreign countries publicly for this week’s drone incursions, but some politicians have accused Russia, which has been at war with Ukraine since its military invasion in 2022. NATO and European Union officials have blamed Russia for previous drone sightings.

“Last month, after a suspected Russian drone was spotted over NATO member Romania’s airspace, the European Commission said it showed Russia’s war had ‘crossed yet another line.’ NATO chief Mark Rutte has said Moscow’s ‘reckless behaviour is a danger to us all’. The US ambassador to NATO, Matthew Whitaker, has pledged that the alliance will ‘defend every inch’ of its territory.

“Russia has rejected the allegations. On Friday, the Russian embassy in Berlin dismissed the discovery in Leipzig as a ‘fabricated provocation’, saying it was another example of accusations against Russia without evidence.”

Ultimately, rumors from the north and the east will cause a revived Europe to attack Russia and China.

Netanyahu Rejects US Peace Plan for Gaza

Fox News wrote on August 9:

Israel is rejecting a 15-point Gaza proposal put forward by the Board of Peace, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday, declaring that Israeli forces will not withdraw from the enclave until Hamas fully gives up its weapons… ‘When I say Hamas is disarmed, that means the heavy weapons, the less heavy weapons, all the weapons,’ he added…

“He also reiterated his opposition to the establishment of a Palestinian state in either Gaza or the West Bank. ‘As long as I am prime minister, there will be no Palestinian state, not in Gaza and not in Judea and Samaria,’ Netanyahu said. ‘Neither “Fatahstan” nor “Hamastan.”’”

Israel to Take Over Al-Aqsa?

The Guardian wrote on August 4 and August 5:

“Jordan is convening an emergency meeting of foreign ministers from the Arab and Islamic world over what it says is an ‘imminent’ threat of an Israeli takeover of the most important Muslim site in Jerusalem…

“The… Jordanian warning… follow[s] an escalating pattern of government-backed incursions by Jewish religious extremists on the compound around al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock, in violation of a status quo treaty overseen by Jordan’s Hashemite monarchy, by which only Muslims can pray at the site. On 23 July, more than 2,000 Israelis from the religious right… prayed and performed rituals all around the compound in what Jordanian officials said was the worst violation in modern history.

“Amman has also been alarmed at a recent recruitment drive for religious Jews for a special Temple Mount police unit, and is braced for more direct challenges to traditional Jordanian custodianship by extremist Israeli leaders in the major Jewish holidays in September. This year, those holidays will come amid an intense election campaign, in which the far-right coalition of the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, will be fighting for survival. ‘This is… a dangerous threat that we’re trying to counter in every tool that we have possible,’ Jordan’s foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, told the Guardian. ‘We warn that tampering with the status quo … could trigger a religious conflict that will reverberate beyond Palestine and Jordan into the whole Muslim world.’”

Anything Could Happen?

Deutsche Welle wrote on August 8, 2026:

“Reports from Jerusalem suggest that Israeli authorities are taking over one of Islam’s holiest sites, the Al-Aqsa Mosque. If they do, experts say anything could happen, from war to terrorism to ending diplomatic ties.

“The statement issued after this week’s meeting in Jordan was blunt about what might happen next. Israeli infringements on one of Islam’s holiest sites, the Al-Aqsa Mosque in east Jerusalem, could lead to ‘a religious conflict with repercussions that will extend beyond the region and threaten regional and international peace and security,’ the foreign ministers of 10 countries belonging to the Arab League said after Wednesday’s emergency meeting in Amman, Jordan. The statement was also signed by ministers from Indonesia, Pakistan, Turkey, and Malaysia.

“Jordan’s foreign minister called the meeting because of mounting evidence that the Israeli government is surreptitiously changing a decades-old agreement meant to ensure intercommunal peace at the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, an area of great religious significance to Muslims, Jews, and Christians… Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a response, saying the statement was inaccurate…

“This is not the first time that the governments of Muslim-majority countries and activists in Jerusalem have issued such warnings. For decades, Jewish fringe groups, often referred to as the Temple Mount movement, have demanded that they be allowed to pray at the site. The most extremist of these groups say they want to demolish the mosque and construct a new Jewish temple. At first they were mostly ignored… But [as one observer stated]… that ‘radical fringe’ has become more mainstream. ‘Over time, the Temple Mount movements, backed by more than 100 rabbis associated with the settler movement in the West Bank, became more visible, more vocal and more provocative…’

“‘This crisis has been decades in the making… [another observer said]. There’s been an effort from religious extremists to destroy the Al-Aqsa Mosque since at least the 1980s, when plots to do that were uncovered. But those groups and those ideologies have gained more representation within the Israeli [parliament] Knesset today.’”

ABNA wrote on August 8:

“Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has called for greater unity among Muslim countries in response to regional developments and Israeli policies, describing the recent defence agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Türkiye as a step toward broader cooperation across the Muslim world…

“As if also said that, particularly in light of developments involving Israel, Muslim countries should stand together…”

But it’s much more than just cooperation between Muslim nations. See the next article.

Lulling Israel Into Sleep

Israel Hayom wrote on August 10:

“A disturbing secret proposal emerged during talks between countries in the Middle East: Officials in one country advised another to sign an agreement with Israel as a tactical move aimed at ‘lulling’ Israel into a false sense of security while using the time to prepare for a larger military confrontation against it, Kan 11 reported Monday, citing knowledgeable sources.

“According to the report, the discussions between the two sides took place in recent months. During the talks, officials proposed that their counterparts show flexibility toward Israel and work to advance an agreement with it, but not with the intention of treating it as a long-term arrangement.

“Instead, according to the report, the proposal was to use the period covered by the agreement to ‘lull’ Israel while simultaneously preparing for war against it. Once conditions were considered ripe, the agreement could be broken and a confrontation launched. The identities of the countries involved in the discussions cannot be published.

“The revelation raises questions about how Israel assesses the intentions of countries in the region, particularly against the backdrop of efforts to advance normalization agreements. Kan 11 raised the question of whether Israel could once again find itself fundamentally misreading the other side’s intentions, as it did in the period preceding Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack, and whether an apparent willingness to move closer to Israel could, at least in some cases, serve as cover for preparations for a future confrontation…

“On Friday, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, a trilateral defense pact stipulating that an armed attack against any one of the three countries would be considered an attack against all of them. The agreement was signed in Mecca on Aug. 7 by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.”

Israel will NOT enjoy peace and friendship with Arab nations.

Robot Dogs on the Moon?

The Independent wrote on August 10:

“Chinese scientists are mulling the use of robot dogs to guard the country’s future bases on the Moon, alongside wheeled and other humanoid robots built for finding resources on the lunar surface…

“China plans to build an International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) near the Moon’s south pole in collaboration with Russia and other international partners, and says it wants to land astronauts on the Moon by 2030….

The idea is that these human astronauts will then collaborate with the robots on the Moon.

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 the contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing to worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

USA Gives Up Leadership of NATO Command in Germany

Politico wrote on July 31:

“The Pentagon is giving up leadership of a U.S.-led NATO command in Germany that coordinates military aid to Ukraine, the latest sign of a broader American withdrawal from its closest allies.

“… the removal of U.S. leadership from a pivotal program on the continent reinforces the extent to which America is distancing itself from European partners… The move will mean the U.S. no longer helps shape what Ukraine’s future military will look like.”

Trump’s Gibberish on Ukraine

The Huffington Post wrote on July 31:

“President Donald Trump on Friday offered a 645-word string of incoherent non-sequiturs to explain whether he is honoring a previous commitment to let Ukraine build its own Patriot anti-missile interceptor factory to defend itself against Russian attacks. ‘We have not agreed to that. We’re talking about it. But it’s a hard thing to give away that kind of technology. And I don’t think this would ever happen, but, you know, you give that technology, they can someday turn on you. You know, that is possible. You look at war, it’s happened a couple of times over the years, right,’ Trump said, answering a reporter’s question about whether he was now reneging on his pledge from just three weeks ago…

“In his answer, he twice mentioned Tomahawks, a completely different missile that was not asked about. At the end, even after an attempted follow-up…, [it] was unclear what Trump meant… Ukrainian officials, meanwhile, said they were proceeding based on the commitment made earlier this month, which was reaffirmed at the Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday, and further affirmed in a phone call between Zelenskyy and Vice President JD Vance on Friday morning…

“Trump publicly announced at the NATO summit in Ankara… that Ukraine would be granted a license to manufacture interceptors for its Patriot anti-missile system, which are currently scarce because so many have been used in Trump’s war against Iran… Questions about Trump’s commitment to that pledge, though, arose after his interview with the Financial Times on Thursday, during which he said the following about the Patriot license: ‘It’s a very extraordinary weapon, and we have to be a little bit careful of who we license to.’”

Violation of Polish Airspace by Russia

ZDF Heute reported on July 31:

“While Ukraine is attacking new targets in Russia and even in the Caspian Sea, Russian attacks are continuing as well: the most recent target was western Ukraine, during which a presumably Russian cruise missile struck Polish territory. Such a missile—potentially highly dangerous and precise—flew approximately 95 kilometers across the Ukrainian border without being intercepted.

“Military and security expert Nico Lange explains the potential consequences of these airspace violations in Poland for NATO… For Lange, the impact in Poland is alarming for several reasons… the cruise missile flew 95 kilometers without being stopped by Polish or NATO air defenses… ‘With actions like this, Russia is testing whether air defenses are functioning at 100 percent capacity.’ Yet no one managed to shoot down the missile…”

USA Has Used Up Virtually All Essential Missiles

Fox News wrote on August 4:

“The Army has used ‘virtually all’ of its inventories of Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) and Precision Strike Missiles (PrSM) during the five-month conflict with Iran, Reuters, citing people familiar with internal U.S. military data, reported Tuesday. Officials fear the drawdown could complicate the military’s ability to respond to future crises involving adversaries such as China and Russia, according to the report.

“The White House disputed any suggestion the U.S. military lacks the weapons needed to carry out its missions…. If accurate, the report underscores a longstanding Pentagon concern: America’s most sophisticated precision weapons can be expended in months but often take years to replace. Reuters also reported that the conflict significantly reduced inventories of Patriot and THAAD missile interceptors, along with Tomahawk cruise missiles, though the Pentagon has maintained the U.S. military retains the capabilities needed to carry out operations worldwide…

“Independent analysts have also warned that months of combat have strained U.S. inventories of high-end munitions. The Center for Strategic and International Studies estimated last week that the U.S. had expended roughly 65% of its Patriot interceptor stockpile and that inventories of THAAD interceptors had fallen by at least 38% since the start of the Iran conflict…”

Russia Exposes NATO Weapons Gap 

Fox News wrote on July 28:

“Days after NATO allies committed tens of billions of dollars to new air and missile defenses, the alliance’s top transformation commander warned that the West must fundamentally redesign its weapons and industrial base to withstand attacks at the scale now being demonstrated in Ukraine and the Middle East. ‘Today, the math is not in favor of the West,’ Adm. Pierre Vandier, NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), told Fox News Digital…  The summit produced commitments to acquire 900 Patriot missiles and invest more than $40 billion in counter-drone capabilities throughout five years.  But Vandier argued that simply buying more of the West’s existing weapons will not solve the underlying problem… ‘There is no way to produce 50,000 Patriots a year,’ Vandier said. ‘We don’t have the supply chain, and it’s not worth doing that given the cost of the weapon.’…

“Trump announced at the summit that the United States would grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot interceptors, potentially allowing Kyiv to build more of the weapons it urgently needs to defend against Russian ballistic missiles. [Apparently, Trump later went back on that promise; see above-quoted article.] But asked whether the announcement changed his assessment that Patriots alone could not protect Europe throughout the next five years, Vandier pointed to a deeper obstacle: Western weapons were designed around an industrial base that no longer exists…

“We are at a moment where some stuff will be redesigned under pressure to be mass-produced… For NATO now, it’s a question of speed of adaptation… The Pandora’s box is open again,’ Vandier said…”

How China Won the Iran War

On August 3, Paul Krugman wrote in his newsletter:

“Make America Great Again?… Donald Trump has weakened us with astonishing speed… The disintegration of U.S. power was well underway before Trump started his war on Iran, but the pace of decline has accelerated sharply since the magnitude of our defeat started becoming apparent…

“China hasn’t been a direct combatant in the third Gulf war, and its support for Iran has, until recently, been discreet… China has been a serious geopolitical rival to the United States for some time. China’s manufacturing sector overtook the US in 2010, and the gap has continued to grow… Even before the bombing of Iran began, some observers worried about the state of the U.S. military… the war has really put the nail in the coffin of the U.S.-centered alliance system….

“Trumpian tariff policy, by itself, was an announcement to the world that agreements with the U.S. government are worthless. Add to this the demands that Canada become the 51^st state, that Denmark hand over Greenland…, and America had thoroughly lost the trust of its former friends even before the Iran war…. Trump launched a war that, in addition to creating death and destruction, cut off much of the world’s oil supply without so much as consulting other nations. Once the war began, America proved both incapable of imposing its will on Iran and unable either to open the Strait of Hormuz or to protect regional allies…

“The end of U.S. leadership and China’s growing geopolitical ascendancy are bad things. China is a corrupt autocracy, with little respect for human rights and none at all for democratic values.”

Spain Invaded by Migrants?

Daily Mail wrote on July 31:

“Morocco has been accused of facilitating the mass influx of around 60,000 migrants into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Around 60,000 people swam from Morocco into the Spanish city located on the northern coast of North Africa on Thursday.  The Spanish territory, which shares a land border with the North African country, was overrun as tens of thousands of migrants arrived in just 24 hours…

“Spain’s Supreme Court recently ruled that migrants who are stopped at sea attempting to reach Melilla or Ceuta, both Spanish enclaves, could not be summarily sent back to Morocco. Amid the chaos, Italy has suspended its EU border-free Schengen arrangements with the Mediterranean country… Italy does not have a land border with Spain; however, the move will affect those travelling by plane or boat between the two countries… Meanwhile, the Italian interior ministry also said it had agreed with Paris to tighten controls along the Franco-Italian border… Finland backed calls for the Mediterranean country to be booted out of the Schengen area, which allows passport-free travel between 29 European countries.  

“The chaos in Ceuta also spread to Spain’s second North African enclave of Melilla overnight…

“Spain’s socialist government stands out in Europe for its pro-migrant stance, and has recently launched a programme to provide legal status for some 500,000 undocumented migrants, triggering an influx of applications double that number…”

Euractiv wrote on July 31:

“Pedro Sánchez found himself increasingly isolated in Europe on Friday evening as leaders turned the Ceuta migration crisis into a test of Spain’s credibility at controlling the bloc’s borders… Calls from EU national leaders to suspend Spain from Schengen came thick and fast… The move to suspend cooperation on Schengen with Spain is highly legally questionable, and was never truly on the table…

“Even leaders who stopped short of endorsing Meloni’s call adopted a tougher tone. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk urged Madrid to emulate Poland’s hardline approach at its Belarusian border, saying Spain ‘must follow our example if Schengen is to survive.’

“Paris struck a more conciliatory tone than several European counterparts by stressing that it stood ‘ready to assist’ Madrid if requested…

“But socialist leader António Costa, who chairs the European Council, appeared determined not to leave Sánchez isolated. The EU leader delivered a very different message late on Friday, commending Spain for its ‘firm’ response and sending an explicit message of ‘solidarity’ to Sánchez.”

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 31:

“Spain’s government said that… 48,300 migrants had returned to Morocco… The figures would mean that most of the 60,000 migrants estimated to have breached the border into Ceuta have already left.”

Don’t Believe the Spin

The Telegraph wrote on August 4:

“[When] Spain’s prime minister, declared shortly afterwards that ‘practically all’ of them had returned to Morocco, relief quickly gave way to mockery – even though almost nobody had bothered to verify Madrid’s claims… German liberal weekly Die Zeit denounced what it called ‘fact-free Spain-bashing’ and went further still: ‘The new arrivals were returned quickly and without bureaucracy…’  It would be comforting if that were true. It is not….

“The facts on the ground told a different story. The area around Ceuta’s hopelessly overcrowded reception centre remained in a state of emergency on Sunday evening. There was violence. Residents told a local news outlet that people had tried to break into their homes.

“Meanwhile, two local media organisations reported that migrants had reached the Spanish mainland – less than 12 miles away and therefore inside the Schengen area – in speedboats and on jet skis. Both said the vessels had departed from Ceuta. Were migrants who had only just entered Ceuta illegally already being smuggled onward to mainland Europe? Or had the boats in fact set off from Morocco? That remains unclear. What is clear is that the crisis is not over…

“… allowing thousands of people simply to swim around a border fence that barely reaches into the sea — or to walk around it without anyone stopping them — is not an unavoidable tragedy. It is a display of abject weakness….

“The events in Ceuta have exposed an uncomfortable truth. Whether Ceuta, Melilla, the Canary Islands or the Spanish towns along the Strait of Gibraltar become the next centre of Europe’s migration crisis is determined less by Spain or Brussels than by Morocco.”

Morocco to Occupy Ceuta and Melilla?

Politico wrote on August 5:

“The ease with which tens of thousands of migrants penetrated the border has ramped up a sense of vulnerability to hybrid attack. And that alarm has only been amplified by a fear that traditional NATO allies in the U.S. and the EU are no longer fully dependable because of their political feuds with Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Buoyed by an increasingly warm relationship with U.S. President Donald Trump, Rabat is seizing the moment and doubling down on its claims to Ceuta and Melilla, which it sees as occupied territory, in Morocco’s state-aligned press…

“Ceuta and Melilla are among the few remaining vestiges of the vast Spanish Empire. They have been under Madrid’s rule since 1668 and 1497, respectively, and are fully-integrated parts of Spain — and the European Union. But since gaining independence from France in 1956, Morocco has consistently claimed sovereignty over both settlements, which it characterizes as “colonies” that are “occupied” by Spain…

“Morocco and the United States have become [close] since 2020. That year, Trump took the landmark step of recognizing Rabat’s claim to the disputed territory of Western Sahara in exchange for the normalization of relations between Morocco and Israel. Last week, Trump reaffirmed that recognition in a statement issued by the U.S. embassy in Rabat at the same moment as the migrants surged into Ceuta.”

Hamas to Give Up Weapons?

Thomson/Reuters wrote on July 31:

“U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday a deal he announced ‌to bring peace to Gaza was ‘a great breakthrough’ despite signs from both Hamas and Israel that significant hurdles remained before a deal can be implemented. The comment came a day after what Trump called a ‘major milestone’ towards ending the war in Gaza that he said would see the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups…

“A senior Hamas official involved in the negotiation told Reuters that implementation of the deal would depend on Israel first meeting its commitments under an ​agreement reached last year that bound it to a phased end to military operations and withdrawal of its forces from Gaza. An Israeli official said Israel’s position remained ⁠that ‘there will be no withdrawalwhatsoever of the ⁠IDF from the current yellow line unless Hamas undergoes a genuine disarmament…’

“Trump, who met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on Tuesday, said Israel was ‘very happy’ about the deal… An Israeli political source said on Thursday the issue of Gaza did not come up during Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump…

“Former Canadian ambassador to Israel Jon Allen is ‘highly skeptical’ about the deal announced by U.S. President Donald Trump, saying the president has made many promises, but significant controversy remains over the outcome…”

Axios wrote on July 31:

“… the deal requires Hamas and Israel to complete a complicated series of reciprocal and independently verified steps over roughly seven to eight months. Israeli officials remain deeply skeptical that Hamas will surrender its weapons, while comments from a senior Hamas official suggest the sequencing of disarmament and Israel’s withdrawal could still be contested.”

The Augsburger Allgemeine wrote on July 31:

“Disarm Hamas? The sooner, the better. However, matters are not as simple as Donald Trump imagines. Hamas and Hezbollah in Lebanon are terrorist organizations with which one does not negotiate as one would with normal governments. Their business model is fear—and no one is afraid of unarmed terrorists.

“Any pledge to voluntarily lay down arms could therefore mean the exact opposite: in Lebanon, Hezbollah has repeatedly promised to disarm, yet its arsenals remain stocked with thousands of rockets because the Lebanese military is too weak to take on the terrorist militia. And in the Gaza Strip, Hamas has so far used every ceasefire and every phase of negotiations to replenish its weapons stockpiles…

“Trump has no answer to the most important questions anyway: Who is actually supposed to disarm Hamas—an international intervention force that is frequently discussed but does not yet exist? Or the Israeli army, to which Hamas is unlikely to voluntarily submit? The Palestinian transitional administration tasked with organizing the disarmament exists only on paper so far. And who guarantees that its ranks won’t include Hamas activists or covert sympathizers?

“Trump’s optimism is all well and good. But if Hamas makes Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza a condition for its disarmament, the US President must not fall for the ruse… the Israeli army can only withdraw once Hamas has been disarmed.”

This is another pipedream.

God Is Ordered to Reveal the Messiah and Have Him Build the Third Temple?

Israel365News wrote on July 29:

“The nascent Sanhedrin issued a formal ruling this week, asking the Holy One… to remove hostile forces from the Jewish people and the Land of Israel, reveal the Mashiach (Messiah), rebuild the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple), and restore prophecy to Israel. The written ruling… follows a session the court’s members described as several hours long, during which two of the judges argued against moving forward before ultimately joining the majority.

“The Sanhedrin operates on the premise that a rabbinical court has the standing to issue a psak, a binding halachic ruling, and that, in matters concerning the fate of the Jewish people, a court above is bound to follow the ruling of a court below…

“The document closes by repeating the formula that just as the court below has ruled, the court above should rule the same, ‘and so may it stand’…”

Israel365News wrote on July 30:

“A reconstituted Sanhedrin has issued a ruling asking Heaven to reveal the Mashiach and rebuild the Temple. But the classical sources draw a sharp line the court has crossed… Nowhere… does the court receive authority to issue a psak (binding ruling) that obligates Heaven to bring the Mashiach or to rebuild the Temple….

“The King Mashiach arises, restores the Davidic monarchy, rebuilds the Temple, and gathers the dispersed. A candidate is presumed to be the Mashiach when he studies Torah, strengthens Israel in observance, and fights the wars of God; he is confirmed only when he succeeds in building the Temple and gathering the exiles…

“The resolutions… present the revelation of the Mashiach, the clearing of obstacles, and the return of prophecy as outcomes the court can decree, and Heaven is expected to implement.

“What would have fallen inside the court’s proper authority is a ruling directed at the people themselves… A court today could call the nation to coordinated teshuva (repentance); to fasting and prayer in that same representative spirit; to concrete acts of preparation for the Temple service; to the removal of internal corruption through established legal and communal means; and to the strengthening of Torah observance… But it does not follow that a human court can decree the arrival of the Mashiach and bind Heaven to perform it…”

It is the same argument which is advanced by the Catholic Church that whatever that church binds on earth, God must bind in heaven. However, the exact opposite is true. Note our Q&A about the power to bind and loose in Matthew 16:19. https://www.eternalgod.org/question-and-answer-70/

Holy See Supported Fauci

LifeSiteNews wrote on July 31:

“On May 6, 2021, while the entire world was still under the yoke of the health dictatorship, the Holy See hosted… a conference titled ‘Exploring the Mind, Body & Soul. Unite to Prevent & Unite to Cure.’ Opening the proceedings was not a theologian, not a pastor, not a defender of natural law. It was Anthony Fauci. Beside him, Deepak Chopra, Chelsea Clinton… and, in the program, the top executives of Pfizer and Moderna.

“The same Holy See that should have raised its voice against the lie, against mass experimentation, against the suspension of fundamental rights, actively collaborated with the architects of what has been—and remains—one of the greatest operations of social control and health fraud in contemporary history: a true crime against humanity.

They cannot say they did not know.

“They cannot say they were not warned… The May 2021 event was not a ‘simple conference.’ It was a public demonstration of complicity. The Holy See did not limit itself to silence: it offered its moral authority and its image to those who, in the name of ‘health,’ imposed limitations on fundamental freedoms, discrimination, blackmail, and above all experimental serums that have caused the deaths of millions of people…”

Persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia

Newsmax wrote on July 31:

“A court ‌in the Russian capital has confiscated 123 real estate assets which belonged to the Jehovah’s Witnesses and ‌transferred them to ​the Russian state, Moscow’s court service said on ⁠Friday.

“It said the property ​assets had previously been registered as belonging ⁠to the Swedish branch of Jehovah’s Witnesses and included 63 residential ‌and commercial properties ​with a total area ‌of over 11,000 square ‌meters and 60 plots of land with a total area of ⁠5.6 hectares ‌situated across ⁠the country. A Russian court banned ⁠Jehovah’s ⁠Witnesses as an ‘extremist organization’ in 2017, a ‌move that the European Court of Human Rights ruled in ‌2022 ​was itself ‌unlawful. Many Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia have since been ​jailed after being convicted of ‘extremist activity.’”

And the West watches and does nothing…

Banning the AfD Without a Ban…

Nius wrote on July 30:

“In Lower Saxony, several AfD candidates were barred from running for district administrator or mayor. Local election committees determined in each case that the candidates lacked the necessary commitment to the constitutional order. The decision was justified by the claim that mere membership in the AfD state branch—which the Office for the Protection of the Constitution has classified as ‘right-wing extremist’ in Lower Saxony—was sufficient grounds…

“For Lower Saxony’s Interior Minister Daniela Behrens, AfD membership aloneis an indication that candidates lack commitment to the constitutional order… There had been no such procedure previously. Never before had members been barred from an election simply for belonging to a radical party. The Greens were radical—and the Left Party remains so today—and both were long under the scrutiny of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution. If the same criteria applied to them as to the AfD, several state branches of the Left Party, or even the party as a whole, would have to be classified as ‘left-wing extremist’ and their candidates barred from elections. That does not happen…

“The SPD, CDU/CSU, and the Greens—who oversee the domestic intelligence agencies at both the state and federal levels—regularly call for a ban on the AfD but do not petition the Federal Constitutional Court for one. They know there are insufficient grounds for such a ban, as the AfD does not aim to abolish parliamentary democracy.

“So, the AfD’s opponents are abandoning the path of the rule of law and trying a different approach. For years, AfD representatives in parliaments have faced systematic discrimination and been denied offices to which they are entitled. The plan from Lower Saxony takes this conduct to a new extreme: now, there is an attempt to bar candidates from the hated party from elections altogether. They are forced to sue, yet the courts do not issue rulings until after the election—an election in which the plaintiffs were not permitted to run.

“The SPD-led state government in Lower Saxony has planned, and is now executing, a quiet, covert coup. It is undermining electoral rights and seeking to render votes for the AfD ineffective. It claims to be protecting democracy from extremists; in reality, the government itself has become an extremist force intent on manipulating democratic elections. It aims to effectively ban the AfD without a formal ban—by keeping it off the ballot—a move that is demonstrably unconstitutional.”

The government’s actions are clearly wrong… and illegal. And they will backfire badly.

Commemorating July 20, 1944

The Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reported on July 29:

“On July 20—the anniversary of the failed 1944 assassination attempt on Adolf Hitler—Cologne-based writer Navid Kermani spoke in Berlin about the significance of conscience…

“‘July 20 stands for the necessity of resistance when the fulfillment of duty constitutes a crime… Should a future federal government seek to lead you into a war that is as blatantly contrary to international law and as politically disastrous as the recent war waged by the United States and Israel against Iran, it will be your duty to refuse the order… the threat to annihilate an entire civilization, or a declared attack on a country’s civilian infrastructure, constitute such an obvious wrong that one need be neither a lawyer nor consult one’s own conscience to recognize it…

“‘When the federal government, of all bodies, distinguishes itself by treating international law as a secondary matter—or when a German Chancellor, of all Western leaders, is the only one to defend the American President’s threat to annihilate an entire civilization—this is devastating not only for our reputation, upon which we rely economically as an export nation. No, the trivialization of international law by the highest authorities also sends a disastrous signal for our democracy. For if the rule of law erodes in our foreign relations, it will not be long before it is held in contempt at home as well…’”

“‘As someone who is not only German, the disregard shown for our constitutional state perhaps angers me even more than it does most of you. For as the child of Iranian parents, I am also a citizen of a state that, earlier this year, allegedly shot dead some thirty thousand demonstrators in the span of two days… Imagine delivering this same speech in the country where I was born: I likely wouldn’t even survive it.

“‘Dear recruits, young as you are, there is a possibility that war could return to Germany during the course of your military careers… From a historical perspective, it is unlikely that your entire lives will unfold during a time of peace. With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, one of the current front lines has moved close to Germany… Please always bear this in mind, every single second: No matter how viciously the enemy behaves from your perspective, he remains a human being just like you. For if you view the enemy as an animal, as a mere blip on a monitor, or as a monster—simply to make it easier to kill him—then you will transform yourselves into an animal, an AI, or a monster.

“‘I have never held a weapon in my hands, but as a reporter, I have witnessed enough wars up close to know how quickly people become brutalized. There is no war—not yesterday’s, not today’s, not tomorrow’s—in which the fighting cannot suddenly devolve into bloodlust, sadism, and sexual violence…’”

In fact, there is no war which is justified in the eyes of God.

Is Spahn Making a Comeback?

The Frankfurter Allgemeine wrote on August 1:

“Judging by comments from the CDU/CSU parliamentary group and party leadership, nothing stands in the way of a comeback for Jens Spahn. Markus Söder was the first to show leniency: ‘I believe Jens Spahn’s journey is not yet over.’ Steffen Bilger, the new minister, echoed this sentiment: ‘I very much hope he remains in politics—and, of course, as a member of our parliamentary group.’

“Many fellow party members evidently share this view. Just days after the outcry over Spahn’s surrogacy scandal had reached a fever pitch, they were praising his strengths and achievements—albeit anonymously… After all, the CDU doesn’t exactly have an abundance of Spahns…

“When Spahn returns to the parliamentary group after the summer recess, he will surely be asked: Will you follow Friedrich Merz’s example? Merz tried something new and waited more than ten years. If Spahn wants to become Chancellor, he will have to do things differently.”

Söder also said: “After all, someone with such talent and political drive will certainly take on a leading role again at some point.”

FIFA and Infantino Give Up

Reuters wrote on July 31:

“FIFA’s plan to sell a piece of its business empire to outside investors has collapsed following an open revolt by soccer officials worldwide and a major rift among top FIFA executives… The deal, in which FIFA had aimed to raise up to $4.2 billion by selling a roughly 20% stake in the group, valuing the new arm at $20 billion, is no longer active…

“The proposal, which came out on Tuesday, was met with immediate resistance led by European soccer ruling body UEFA… On Thursday, UEFA’s 55 member nations voted unanimously to boycott all FIFA tournaments…

“Carlos Cordeiro, a senior advisor to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, quit on Friday in protest at the plan and FIFA’s Chief Operating Officer Kevin Lamour said staff were ‘deceived’ by Infantino…

“Thrive Eternal, a fund run by Thrive Capital, founded by Joshua Kushner, was expected to lead the proposed investor group, FIFA said. Joshua is the brother of Jaared Kushner,  U.S. President Donald Trump’s son-in-law…”

The New York Post wrote on July 31:

“Infantino gave FIFA’s 211 member nations until Sept. 19 to back the deal, dangling payouts of up to $40 million each. Critics called it a bribe with a deadline. But FIFA and its bankers badly misread the mood in Europe, where the sport’s richest clubs and leagues bring in most of the game’s revenue….”

No More Confidence in Infantino

The Associated Press wrote on August 1:

“UEFA says it has lost confidence in FIFA President Gianni Infantino…

“Successfully stopping Gianni Infantino’s FIFA plan to sell World Cup profits to private investors was the first half of a high-stakes game in global soccer politics.

The second half kicked off Saturday with what seemed a clear aim of ending Infantino’s decade-long presidency. ‘No option should be off the table,’ said European soccer body UEFA, whose president Aleksander Čeferin has led the fight against Infantino in a seismic week for FIFA. ‘The current FIFA leadership has not only lost UEFA’s confidence but also that of many other members of the football family.’

“Later Saturday, the governing body for North and Central American and Caribbean soccer (CONCACAF) called for accountability, saying: ‘A (World Cup) proposal of this magnitude does not reach that stage by accident. It is a symptom of leadership that has stopped putting football first. This recent unilateral and egregious act of poor governance and leadership follows a pattern of missteps and similar behavior. A full review of this leadership must now take place.’…

“Asia’s soccer body joined Europe and North America in opposing [Infantino’s scheme].”

Trump Knew Nothing

Daily Mail wrote on August 1:

“Gianni Infantino’s humiliating downfall is almost complete after his friend and ally Donald Trump denied all knowledge of the FIFA president’s disastrous plot to try and sell off the World Cup to private investors…

“When asked ‘did Mr Infantino speak to you about his proposal to sell a stake in the World Cup?’ Trump brutally first replied: ‘Who?’ After the question was repeated, the president then added: ‘No, I didn’t speak to him.’”

Really?

Gianni Infantino Begs Trump to Save His Job

The New York Post wrote on August 3:

“FIFA President Gianni Infantino wants the Trump administration to help keep him in office and has scheduled private talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio Monday amid growing pressure to resign over his scheme to sell off the World Cup to Josh Kushner’s private equity firm… ‘He wanted to get online with the secretary and talk about how soccer can be a form of soft power for America,’ said one insider briefed on the matter. ‘But we all know that it is about job protection. It is not about anything else at this point.’ A second source said the Swiss-Italian sports suit felt ‘isolated’ by the avalanche of negative media coverage.

“The State Department denied the call was taking place… Sources also say that Infantino, 56, has repeatedly tried and failed to reach Trump, 80, by phone since his plan to sell off the game’s commercial assets to private investors collapsed on Friday.”

Of course, this is all being denied by the White House. Subsequent reports state that allegedly, a scheduled phone call with Rubio was postponed.

Trump’s Botched Up Pool—He Can’t Let Go!

ABC News wrote on August 1:

“The Justice Department moved to dismiss [without prejudice] the criminal case against Olympian David Hearn, who was alleged to have vandalized the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting pool, acknowledging the damage to the pool ‘was the result of flawed installation by the contractor.’ Hearn pleaded not guilty to a felony destruction of property charge earlier this month after the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro accused him of allegedly ‘forcefully and violently’ ripping up parts of the pool floor. Pirro’s office said in a filing Friday seeking to drop the case that it only learned of evidence pointing to ‘a rushed and flawed installation process’ after Hearn had been indicted by a grand jury.

“The filing stated Pirro herself visited the Reflecting Pool on July 17 after it had been fully drained and became aware of significant damage throughout the pool area, which spurred the DOJ to request all documents from the U.S. Interior Department about how the pool was lined. Those documents indicated a flawed installation by the contractor, Atlantic Industrial Coatings, ‘with repeated failures of the lining during the installation process, and extensive peeling of the lining throughout the Reflecting Pool’ and a rush to complete the renovation project before the America 250 celebration on July 4… The filing includes an email sent on June 11 by a National Park Service engineer to others in the Department of the Interior describing their ‘concern’ that overspray of the new pool coating along the perimeter of the pool could lead to a one-to-two-foot strip ‘that is vulnerable to peeling.’ That was the area along the perimeter that Hearn was alleged to have pulled up…

“On Saturday, the president chastised Pirro in a social media post for dropping the charges, though he acknowledged there may have ‘been some contractor difficulty’ with the project. ‘I disagree 100% with Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, on the Reflecting Pool. I don’t know what she was thinking? To me, it was a pure case of VANDALISM,’ he wrote…”

It obviously wasn’t; otherwise, the case would not have been dismissed. But now, Trump is threatening Pirro with termination.

AI Tried to Trick Humans Into Poisoning Code

Politico wrote on August 4:

“A leading artificial intelligence model from Anthropic created fake online personas and tried to deceive human coders into abetting a cyberattack during a recent safety evaluation… AISI determined that Mythos 5 and GPT 5.6 took ‘autonomous, unsanctioned action on the live internet, targeting real people and organizations’…

“In another sign of worrying behavior AISI uncovered in its investigation, multiple AI agents it was testing — including GPT-5.6 — appeared to communicate with one another about how to solve the cyber evaluation. ‘One agent left public messages on GitHub offering collaboration with other agents working on the same challenge,’ AISI wrote, in what it described as an example of ‘unexpected collaboration’ between different autonomous AI agents.”

When will we understand how dangerous and destructive AI is?

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 the contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing to worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

The Aachen Peace Prize… a Disgrace

The Aachener Zeitung wrote on July 27:

“Martin Schulz [will] deliver the laudatory speech for Aachen Peace Prize recipients.

“On September 1, the Cologne-based initiative ‘Palestinians and Jews for Peace,’ as well as ‘Unidos MN’ and the team behind the queer sex shop ‘The Smitten Kitten’ from the USA, will be honored in Aachen. A prominent SPD politician from the region will deliver the keynote address.

“Martin Schulz—an SPD politician from Würselen and former President of the European Parliament—will deliver the laudatory speech for the designated recipients of the 2026 Aachen Peace Prize. The Aachen Peace Prize Association made this announcement recently. The award ceremony will take place on Tuesday, September 1, starting at 7 p.m. at the Aula Carolina, Pontstraße 7.”

An American gay sex shop is receiving the Aachen Peace Prize, and the former President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, is delivering the laudatory speech. Truly, Sodom and Gomorrah playing out right before our eyes.

The Churches’ Hypocrisy Regarding the AfD

Nius wrote on July 24:

“The churches do not want people to vote for the AfD. Consequently, two Catholic dioceses have launched a campaign titled ‘With Heart and Conviction for Democracy and Charity.’ The aim is to keep the AfD’s vote share low in the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state election.

“The dioceses have no quarrel with socialists, proponents of wealth redistribution, or advocates of expropriation. It is only the AfD that the Berlin and Hamburg dioceses are showing the red card. Once again, it is evident: the ‘church-tax church’ is blind in its left eye. It has taken a partisan stance in the undemocratic defensive struggle against the Right. In this regard, one can rely on the church-tax churches: the spiritual realm recedes to the extent that the political realm gains ground…

“Let us be clear: the Diocese of Berlin does not want AfD supporters present at anti-AfD events. It implies that nearly 30 percent of Germans are incapable of reasoned argument and capable only of hateful agitation. This is as stupid as it is vile. Yet, they are still happy to collect church taxes from this very demographic. The Archdiocese of Hamburg is also alarmed. Its territory extends into Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, where the AfD is heading toward an election victory. Domradio reports on the efforts to prevent precisely that…

“On Instagram, the Archdiocese of Hamburg states that the campaign’s goal is ‘to encourage people to reflect on their voting decision and to make it responsibly and guided by values.’ This, too, amounts to berating voters. According to this logic, the only voter who decides reflectively, responsibly, and based on values ​​is one who does not cast their vote for the AfD.”

Syncretism in the Catholic Church

LifeSiteNews wrote on July 23:

“The Archdiocese of Los Angeles allowed the performance of a ‘Misa Azteca’ (‘Aztec Mass’) concert, which featured pagan Aztec music, dances, and poetry in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels last month… Joseph Julián González, the composer of the ‘Misa Azteca,’ claimed that the Mass composition was born out of his devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe and recalled how he felt inspired to write it after the ‘Kyrie’ from the High Mass played to an Aztec dance rhythm popped in his head, believing this was ‘divine inspiration.’”

It might have been some kind of “inspiration,” but it was most certainly not “divine.”

Incredibly, the article claimed:

“While the Catholic Church has always sought to bring people of all cultures together, it has also always condemned the concept of syncretism, or the blending of pagan and other non-Catholic rituals, such as Aztec dances, with Catholic practices.”

This statement is 100% wrong, and the ignorance of the writer is mind-boggling. The Catholic church has ALWAYS welcomed syncretism as a way of bringing pagans into the church’s fold.

The article at least admits that much:

“Despite the Church’s clear teaching, syncretism has become common in many Catholic churches across the globe in recent decades.”

As mentioned, the Church has no teaching against syncretism; just the opposite is true.

US Walks Out on France

The Associated Press wrote on July 27:

“U.S. diplomats walked out as their French counterparts were speaking at the United Nations on Monday after America’s close European ally criticized the Trump administration’s human rights record. The surprise move during a U.N. Security Council meeting on Ukraine followed U.S. opposition to giving U.N. human rights chief Volker Tuerk another four-year term. The reappointment on Friday got overwhelming support, including from France.

“The U.S. walkout reflects not only the more strained relations between President Donald Trump and his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, but also wider tensions between the U.S. and Europe…

“What sparked the walkout was a social media post Friday from France’s U.N. Mission in Geneva criticizing U.S. opposition to a second term for the U.N. rights chief. The General Assembly voted 144-10 with 13 abstentions in support of Türk, with the U.S. among the ‘no’ votes. ‘The US used to be a beacon of human rights. Not anymore. Today, it stands alongside North Korea, Nicaragua, Mali & Russia, isolated. And the world no longer listens to it,’ the French Mission tweeted.

“Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., in responding on X, accused France of coddling ‘some of the worst human rights abusers’ and voting ‘for someone who has been lecturing, free, sovereign democracies like the United States, the UK, and Israel, while cozying up to the world’s worst oppressors.’”

And so does Trump, counting dictators such as Erdogan, Xi Jinping, Putin, Kim Jong Un, Mohammed bin Salman (Saudi Arabia), Al Thani (Qatar) and other autocrats as his friends.

Shocking Allegations by Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich

LifeSiteNews wrote on July 24:

“Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich stated Tuesday that Israel has ‘no interest’ entering the ongoing U.S.-Iran confrontation… Israel has chosen to stay out of this renewed bombing campaign despite the U.S. State Department publicly acknowledging the Trump administration had initiated its unprovoked attacks on Iran ‘at the request’ of Israel. Since military hostilities reignited earlier this month, Iranian missiles and drones have struck U.S.-linked targets in several Arab countries but have not hit Israel itself so far.

“Smotrich stressed that Israel’s long-term objective remains weakening the Iranian regime in order to topple its government, a goal he noted does not likely align with U.S. priorities… He argued that undermining Iran’s economy, harming the civilian population, represents the most effective strategy. ‘Currently, inflation in Iran is at 85 percent, food inflation of over 134 percent in a total of four months, and the Iranian rial is trading at an exchange rate of 1.9 million to the dollar – and it’s going up,’ he celebrated.

“While Israel has avoided direct strikes on Iran, reports indicate it is actively supporting the U.S. effort through intelligence sharing and other assistance…

“Smotrich embraces the most radical forms of Zionism that support the deadly suppression or expelling of the native Palestinian people from their lands to create an ever expanding ‘Greater Israel.’ This planned expanse includes not only the internationally recognized Palestinian territories… but [also] parts of Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia… Smotrich has described thwarting any future Palestinian State as ‘my life’s mission.’… On Gaza, Smotrich… asserted in 2024 that it would be ‘right and moral’ to starve the entire population (including 1 million children) in Gaza ‘to death.’

“Currently in Gaza, the Israeli army continues to violate the signed ‘ceasefire’ agreement from last October, expanding its military occupation to around 70% of the territory and attacking the virtually defenseless population almost daily, killing 1,180 (at least 247 children, 191 women) in this timeframe and wounding 3,810.

“Since October 2023, Israel has dropped the equivalent of at least 13 atomic bombs on Gaza, directly killed at least 73,293 Palestinians, including approximately 22,000 children at a confirmed minimum, with at least 173,960 people injured, including over 10,000 children who have lost at least one leg. An additional 10,000 Palestinians are missing and presumed dead and buried under the rubble….”

If these reports and numbers are only remotely correct, the world’s anger with Israel can be understood. Note the next article.

Israel365News wrote on July 24:

“A majority of Americans continue to back Israel over Hamas, but a new Harvard CAPS/Harris poll finds that voters under 25 favor Hamas by a wide margin, and most Democrats say Israel should not be formally defined as a Jewish state.”

The Insanity of Gender Segregation in Israel

Deutsche Welle reported on July 18:

“Bnei Brak, a predominantly ultra-Orthodox city in Israel, plans to introduce separate pedestrian routes for men and women. But fierce criticism appears to have put the project on hold… According to local reports, the Bnei Brak municipality had already started widening sidewalks, erecting barriers and putting up signs that are intended to physically separate male and female pedestrians from one another in the city just east of Tel Aviv. It would have made Bnei Brak the first city in Israel with gender-segregated streets…. Less conservative Israelis fear Bnei Brak could set a precedent that will further strengthen Orthodox hard-liners in society. 

“Gender segregation is not unusual in Judaism. Orthodox synagogues have separate areas for men and women and conservative practitioners won’t touch members of the opposite sex, even in greeting. At holiday ceremonies and weddings, Orthodox Jewish men and women typically sit in separate areas….

“The proposed gender segregation on Bnei Brak’s streets originates from the latter issue. That neighborhood is home to banquet halls usually booked for weddings, and local rabbis want guests to be able to arrive already separated by gender….

“Previous attempts to impose gender segregation have been struck down by the country’s Supreme Court. A 2011 ruling said there could be no mandatory segregation on public buses, even those serving predominantly conservative neighborhoods, and that there must be no pressure on women to sit at the back of the bus….

“On Thursday, the Knesset approved a law that essentially permits universities and colleges to offer segregated master’s and doctoral degree programs…. Local universities protested the law ahead of the vote because, they argued, it could undermine academic standards in the fields like medicine and health and actually make it more difficult for women to access highly specialized professions…

“The vote on segregating university courses was one of the last in the current session of the Israeli parliament. The Knesset has been dissolved in order to pave the way for the general election on October 27.”

This is SO crazy and incomprehensible! Even though the Bible seems to indicate that at the time of Christ’s return, gender segregation still exists in synagogues, it does NOT approve of such practice.

Another Red Heifer?

Israel365News wrote on July 23:

“… the National Red Heifer Institute is announcing the birth of a second red heifer [in the herd of Shai Givon, a farmer with the Institute]… Asked how two red heifers could be born so close together, Givon said he sees the timing as more than coincidence…. [it] ‘gives the strong sense that God is pressing us to accelerate the path toward building the Temple. The real question is whether we want to.’…

“The question now, Ben Tzvi said, is whether the Jewish people want the Temple built, and what each person is doing to advance that process speedily in our days. Yehuda Ben Tzvi [is] one of the Institute’s leaders…”

A red heifer is not biblically necessary for the building of the Temple.

Dubious USA-Saudi-Arabia Nuclear Deal

NBC News wrote on July 23:

“President Donald Trump said Thursday that a nuclear deal between the United States and Saudi Arabia requires the kingdom to normalize relations with Israel— a significant condition not previously mentioned as the deal was announced… Trump added that the deal ‘is totally subject to Saudi Arabia joining the very respected and successful Abraham Accords.’..

“An agreement to normalize ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia had previously been a U.S. requirement for any deal allowing the Gulf kingdom to enrich uranium, but Saudi leaders have long insisted that would not be possible without meaningful progress toward a Palestinian state…

“There was no mention of the Abraham Accords when the Energy Department announced the deal on X on Wednesday… The oil-rich kingdom did not mention Trump’s stipulations in its own release about the agreement.. Nuclear enrichment is part of the process of both civil nuclear power generation and, at higher grades of enrichment, the development of nuclear weapons.”

Deluded LGBT Activists

Daily Mail wrote on July 28:

“Across most of the Muslim world, being gay is not a picnic. In Afghanistan , the Taliban imposes the death penalty on anyone convicted of same-sex relations, including public stonings.

“Saudi Arabia and Iran have also executed large numbers of gay people in recent years, including by public stoning – while several other countries, among them tourist favourites such as Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, all keep the death penalty for homosexuality on their statute books.

“When Isis controlled parts of Iraq and Syria during the 2010s, the authorities murdered gay men by throwing them off tall buildings. In Gaza, today, Hamas tortures and executes gay people for ‘moral violations’. (Yet Israel, anathema to many Left-wingers, hosts some of the largest and safest gay pride parades in the world.)…

“So it might seem odd that huge numbers of ‘LGBT’ campaigners have in recent years become bizarrely obsessed with Islam… Last weekend’s atrocity in Berlin should be the moment the ‘LGBTQ’ lobby, and the wider Left, recognise their true enemy: radical Islam, and the issues the West now faces having imported millions of people from distant lands who – to put it mildly – hold different opinions on sexual liberalism.”

Where Is Venezuela’s Money?

The Financial Times wrote on July 23:

“The Trump administration has collected more than $13bn in revenues from Venezuelan oil sales this year, according to FT calculations, but has said almost nothing about what has happened to the money… six months after the US seized control of the funds, economists say the evidence of a recovery in Venezuela is relatively muted — a potential sign that the US has not sent all the revenues back to Caracas.

“Washington has given diverging accounts of what it is doing with the money, ranging from an executive order describing its own role as ‘custodial’ to President Donald Trump saying the US was ‘making a lot of money’ from Venezuelan oil. US lawmakers from both parties are starting to pressure the administration to explain where it has gone and what it is doing to prevent corruption around its allocation….

“Shortly after the January raid, President Trump said the revenues ‘will be controlled by me.’” 

“The fate of Venezuela’s oil money has become even more pressing in the aftermath of the two devastating earthquakes on June 24. The UN estimates the cost of damage to buildings and infrastructure alone will be $37bn.”

Fishy indeed…

US Bans Foreign-Made Humanoid Robots

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 29:

“The United States has announced a ban on the import of foreign-made humanoid and quadruped robots in a move which will likely exclude Chinese manufacturers from the US market and could strain tensions between Washington and Beijing…

“Currently…, US robot exports remain in their hundreds while Unitree and AGIBOT, two of China’s biggest advanced robotics companies, each shipped more than 5,000 humanoid robots in 2025 alone. Beyond the industrial market effects, the FCC ban could also have diplomatic consequences…

“The US has already banned imports of Chinese-made drones and is considering restrictions on Chinese open-source artificial intelligence (AI) models, citing cybersecurity concerns including espionage, surveillance and data collection.”

More Threats, Violence and Attacks

Fox News wrote on July 26:

“Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said Sunday that Tehran would maintain its support for Hezbollah as a strategic policy in a letter to the terror group’s secretary-general, while declaring there was no path forward except ‘jihad and resistance.’…

“Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi accused Ukraine of attacking an Iranian commercial vessel and killing a sailor, warning Sunday that the incident “cannot go unanswered.”

Newsmax wrote on July 29:

“Iran launched a barrage of missiles at American forces in the Middle East early Wednesday as the U.S. partnered with Saudi Arabia to strike Tehran-backed militias in neighboring Iraq, killing at least 20 fighters.

“The flare-up on multiple fronts… raised the risk of a return to all-out war. It also underscored the difficulty of winding down a five-month conflict that has jolted the world economy and is unpopular among Americans. The fighting was also likely to add to concerns that the U.S. is further drawing down already diminished stockpiles of sophisticated munitions needed to defend its bases and allies…. The renewed hostilities sent oil prices spiking…”

Trump’s reaction was telling, but his threats become more and more empty hyperbole. The New York Post wrote on July 29:

“President Trump vowed Wednesday to ‘beat the f–king s–t out of’ Iran in response to a surprise missile attack by the Islamic Republic targeting US troops stationed in Jordan… Still, despite the plans for additional retaliation, Trump added that negotiations with Iran will continue.”  

A North America Air Filter Barrier?

Daily Mail wrote on July 26:

“President Donald Trump has doubled down on his threat to build an air filter barrier between the United States and Canada… The president on Monday imposed a 50 percent tariff on Canada over wildfire smoke which has been choking US cities.

“A Trump administration official said the US president had also requested that his aides look into additional tariffs on Canada after accusing the country of ‘coming in and poisoning our air.’”

Punitive Tariffs on Lettuce?

Bild Online reported on July 25:

“US President Donald Trump (80) has announced high tariffs against Mexico due to a wave of diarrhea in the US. US health authorities traced the illnesses in nine states to a parasite found in lettuce from Mexico…

“However, the cause of the illnesses has not been conclusively proven. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to suspect chopped iceberg lettuce from a Mexican supplier as the source of the parasite—even though test results have not yet confirmed this.”

More Tariffs

In the latest attempt to circumvent Congress, Trump imposed new tariffs of 10% to 12.5% on goods from more than 80 countries, including China, Canada, and the 27 European Union member states. The trumped-up, crazy justification is a violation of forced labor laws—something which Trump never even dreamed of before. And is Trump imposing those tariffs because of humanitarian reasons to force those countries to abide by these alleged labor law violations? Of course not!

The Guardian wrote on July 23 that the new tariffs are most likely illegal, and if they are challenged in court, they will be overturned. It also said:

“The New York Federal Reserve estimated that 90% of the economic burden imposed by tariffs was passed on to US consumers and businesses…  72% of Americans believe tariffs have had a negative impact on consumers, including 64% of Republican voters.”

How the IRS Persecutes Innocent Americans

The Washington Times wrote on July 24:

“A 76-year-old Tennessee farmer, Wilson Perry Kirby, mistakenly received a $20,000 refund from the IRS in 2022, and when he tried to return it, the IRS wouldn’t let him. So he hired a tax expert to take care of the matter. But that didn’t work, either. Instead, the IRS charged him interest and took his entire 2025 tax refund amount as payment — as payment for the $20,000 the IRS mistakenly sent him in 2022 and subsequently refused to take back… This is why Americans hate the IRS…..

“Someone within the IRS knew Kirby’s accountant tried to return the $20,000. Yet someone within the IRS — more likely, a group of somebodies — made the decision to refuse the return of money; refused to acknowledge the bureaucratic error; and instead, chose to criminally, wickedly, deceptively seize Kirby’s 2025 refund monies. Someone within the IRS offices knew the IRS had made a mistake, but rather than fix the mistake, decided to persecute an innocent American individual. This isn’t just a bureaucratic nightmare.

“This is a jail-able offense.”

“Someone within the IRS needs to pay the consequences for this persecution, and those consequences should include fines, fees, firing and imprisonment.”

The entire IRS needs to be fired. It is a nuisance and completely incompetent. Some prominent politicians have asked for the abolishment of the IRS—with good reasons—but have not been successful at all.

The National Enquirer added on July 23:

“Kirby’s exhausted every avenue for help. ‘I’ve tried the president, governor, mayor. They don’t mind asking you to vote for them, but when you need help you can’t get ahold of nobody,’ he said… the IRS letters never stopped. A notice sent in early July demanded he pay up to $4,300 in interest on money he says he never spent, threatening property seizure if he didn’t comply. The agency had already confiscated his $1,800 refund earlier this year.”

The Daily Mail wrote on July 23:

“Honest widower, 76, alerted IRS after they accidentally sent him $20k refund he wasn’t owed… now its idiot staff are ruining his finances and threatening to seize his farm…”

The arrogance of the IRS is abominable. According to some reports, there are literally thousands upon thousands of cases pending which are being mishandled by the IRS, where taxpayers are deprived of money they are entitled to. But a reckoning of such misconduct will come!

How to Get Away With Murder in the US

The Rutherford Institute wrote on July 22:

“Having burned through billions of dollars and depleted critical munitions stockpiles, the Pentagon is running out of money… Once again, the government is looking to the American people for a taxpayer-funded bailout—this time to the tune of $67 billion (caused largely by the Iran war). Nor is the $67 billion emergency infusion the end of it. Trump’s fiscal year 2027 budget calls for an unprecedented $1.5 trillion in national-defense spending—a staggering increase…

“The Iran war is not merely another example of government waste, although the cost is already staggering… This is government without accountability… American service members are dying in a war that is not making America safer, no matter what Trump insists to the contrary…

“Under Trump, the buck stops nowhere. No one in power pays a personal price. No one admits fault. No one resigns. No one is prosecuted. No one is held accountable. Likewise, in the American Police State, those in power are protected. Those without power bear the consequences. And the machinery of government moves on without accountability… that is how the American Police State gets away with murder.”

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 the contents or accuracy of the selected articles, but they are published for the purpose of pointing to worldwide developments in the light of biblical end-time prophecy and godly instruction. Our own comments are provided in italics.

PM Andy Burnham Attacks Margaret Thatcher

Fox News wrote on July 18:

“Britain’s… Prime Minister Andy Burnham [who was sworn in on Monday]  used his first speech as Labour leader Friday to condemn the economic model established in the 1980s by Margaret Thatcher and promise greater public control of essential services… [He] said that Britain had taken ‘a series of wrong turns in the 1980s,’ when political power was centralized and economic power was transferred to private companies. … Burnham’s speech offered the clearest indication yet that the former Greater Manchester mayor intends to move the party… toward greater state ownership, expanded council and social housing, giving more power to regional government and increased state involvement in essential services…

“Although he did not explicitly advocate returning Britain to the 1970s or refer to the late Lady Thatcher by name, free-market critics portrayed his attack on her reforms as an effort to revive the state-dominated economic policies that preceded her government…. The ideological shift presents an immediate political gamble. Burnham must unite Labour’s competing factions, reassure financial markets and respond to Reform UK’s growing challenge — all while taking office without winning a national election.”

The Telegraph wrote on July 20:

“Burnham’s attack on Thatcher ignores the rot she inherited, and the transformation delivered. [The new] Labour leader’s premise is profoundly misleading, and a familiar Left-leaning narrative…”

Attacking Thatcher will not fly too well for many Brits.

Trump Praises Burnham!

The Sun wrote on July 19:

“DONALD Trump has branded the UK a ‘poverty-stricken disaster’as he praised Andy Burnham over reported plans to open new North Sea oil drilling… In a Truth Social post the US president said: ‘The People of Aberdeen, in Scotland, are dancing in the streets because the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has stated that he will be opening up, all the way, the invaluable North Sea Oil!’

“Trump described drilling the North Sea as ‘one of the Greatest Sources of quality Oil on Earth’. The commander-in-chief also said the drilling would be an economic boost for Brits. He added: ‘Britain pays Norway Billions of Dollars a year to buy its Oil, which they get from a less valuable part of the North Sea. How ridiculous is that!’..

“Going ahead with drilling would also go against Labour’s 2024 manifesto, under Sir Keir Starmer, which pledged not to issue new licences but to honour existing ones.”

Church of England Debates Israel

The Jerusalem Post wrote on July 13:

“The Church of England’s General Synod on Monday voted overwhelmingly in favor of a motion to ‘hear’ a Palestinian Christian text that describes the State of Israel as ‘a colonial enterprise built on racism.’

“The General Synod is the national assembly and legislative body of the Church of England. It is the only body alongside the UK Parliament empowered to pass national laws for England, and is responsible for setting church budgets and shaping doctrine…

“The Synod ran out of time before the motion could be put to a vote. It will return to the agenda at the next Synod in November. The debate itself, however, showcased multiple conflicting perspectives…”

Fighting With No End

Fortune wrote on July 18:

“Iran just crossed Trump’s red line for resuming all-out war as fighting continues to escalate with no end in sight.”

The President of Iran has stated that total war has begun.

Trump’s Useless Attacks

Politico wrote on July 22:

“Trump’s air war in Iran may be reaching its limits. President Donald Trump is trying to put more pressure on Tehran — but the regime isn’t budging, so far, and there’s no clear endgame for the war.”

Politico explained that air wars have never led to a successful conclusion of a war.

Hiding True Numbers of Wounded US Soldiers

Daily Mail wrote on July 20:

“Dozens of US troops were wounded in three Iranian strikes in Jordan that the Pentagon kept quiet in the week before Friday’s attack that killed two American soldiers and left one missing. [Another American soldier was killed in northern Iraq on Saturday during the controlled detonation of an unexploded Iranian drone.]

“The attacks damaged multiple American helicopters and were never publicly disclosed,… US Central Command (CENTCOM) said last week it was retaliating against Iranian attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, never mentioning the strikes on American troops in Jordan. The discrepancy exposes the tension between what the Pentagon says it must keep secret to protect operational security and its obligation to keep the public informed about the war. 

“CENTCOM is not required to release information about injured troops. … Spokesman Sean Parnell dismissed claims of a cover-up as ‘baseless and malicious’’. Trump’s confrontation with Iran is spiraling toward a far wider conflict as American deaths climb…”

All the American propaganda cannot hide the fact that the war spins out of control and HAS BEEN LOST! According to Iran, the USA has lost 40 soldiers and 400 helicopters in the war.

What Americans Should Not Know

The Jerusalem Post wrote on July 20:

“The Trump administration has… failed to report the cost of weapons used against Iran, and how the regime has retained and rebuilt its current missile capabilities… Last month, wounded US soldiers also told CBS that their injuries were more severe than had been designated by US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth…  

“Sergeant First Class Cory Hicks was one of the dozens hurt in the strike in Kuwait that killed six soldiers. He suffered severe shrapnel wounds and underwent emergency surgeries in Kuwait. A US Army official had told his wife that his injuries were ‘minor,’ he told CBS. CBS cited Hicks as saying that he ‘absolutely’ believed that the Pentagon has tried to downplay the incident.”

Cost of War

ABC News wrote on July 21:

“Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told congressmembers on Capitol Hill that the war in Iran has cost the U.S. $37.5 billion so far.”

Hegseth is currently asking for a historic $1.5 trillion defense budget. He said that without those funds, “we face critical shortfalls.”

The Houthis Block the Bab el-Mandeb Strait

CNBC wrote on July 20:

“Houthi militants in Yemen on Monday declared a maritime embargo against Saudi Arabia effective immediately, threatening to exacerbate the oil supply disruption triggered by Iran’s attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz.

“The Houthis have repeatedly threatened to close the Bab el-Mandeb Strait during the U.S.-Iran war. The strait is a choke point for commercial ship traffic that connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and global markets.

“The Saudis have diverted millions of barrels of oil per day through a pipeline to an export terminal on the Red Sea. Those exports have acted as a crucial relief valve for global oil markets during the U.S.-Iran war….”

Reuters added on July 20:

“Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis said on Monday they were imposing a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, a move that opens a new front against the United States in its war on Iran and widens the threat to global energy supplies and trade beyond the Gulf…

“The full closure of the Bab el-Mandeb strait would reduce global oil supply by 7% as it would leave most of Saudi oil exports unable to leave the region. The disruption would add to the massive cut to global oil flows from the war in the Gulf, which has already reduced shipments by 10% of global supply.”

Deadly Iran War Continues and Spreads…

Daily Mail wrote on July 17:

“Iran has told its citizens to turn off their air conditioning during peak hours as the country’s power grid came under strain amid US strikes… Donald Trump ordered the US military to hit Iranian bridges throughout coastal cities along the Strait of Hormuz… Trump has threatened to broaden the campaign to Iran’s power plants and bridges unless Tehran returns to talks…

“The conflict spiraled last night as Iran targeted Kuwait’s drinking water and power plants with drones and missiles after Trump caused widespread chaos throughout Iran with devastating attacks on their bridges and airports.

“Kuwait is an oil-rich desert nation where everyday life depends on desalination plants, which produce about 90 percent of the country’s drinking water by converting seawater from the Gulf… Kuwait’s government has urged residents to ration electricity to ease strain on the national grid during the height of summer, as soaring temperatures push demand to its annual peak…

“The renewed fighting has been deadly, killing at least 30 people since last week, while oil prices have spiked sharply.”

This is total insanity. Ungodly men do NOT know the way of peace.

Trump’s Illegal Threats

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 22:

“US President Donald Trump has issued a social media post threatening that the US will start striking Iranian infrastructure in response to future attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. ‘From this point forward, any time the Islamic Republic of Iran shoots at a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, whether it be by Missile, Rocket, Drone, or any other device or weapon, the United States will bomb and destroy ONE BRIDGE OR POWER PLANT, including those located next to, or in, the Capital City of Tehran,’ Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. 

“Targeting key civilian infrastructure, such as power generation systems or bridges, is deemed a war crime in international humanitarian law, as is deliberately targeting civilian or commercial shipping.”

Oil Prices Have Rocketed

Daily Mail wrote on July 22:

“Oil prices have rocketed to their highest level in more than a month after Marco Rubio warned the US would keep striking Iranfor as long as it throttles the Strait of Hormuz… Energy markets were being squeezed on three fronts as chaos hit the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Black Sea.

“At least two oil tankers bound for the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint in the Red Sea turned back overnight after Iran-backed Houthi rebels threatened to blockade Saudi Arabia, choking a route that handled 12 percent of global oil flows before the war. Ukrainian attacks on Russian shipping have meanwhile disrupted a third artery, with a key Black Sea terminal halting deliveries of Kazakh oil after strikes on tankers.”

This world is doomed.

“Trump Reality Check Reveals Devastating Record of Damage”

Focus wrote on July 22:

“In a democracy, those in power should do what they say. Donald Trump has violated this principle, as a reality check shows. The US President’s record of damage is devastating… He has violated the supreme principle of democracy—telling the people what you think and doing what you say—in five key areas…

“His promise sounded alluring: ‘From this day forward, our country will flourish again and be respected throughout the world,’ he had promised at the start of his second term… A year and a half later, Trump is a man without friends. He has fallen out with his immediate neighbors—Mexicans and Canadians. He has snubbed his NATO partners to such an extent that some are no longer willing to share their intelligence with the Pentagon… There is no longer a ‘Trump camp’ in Europe that he could rely on. His last friend, Viktor Orbán in Hungary, was voted out of office. The ‘Trump perfume’ no longer seemed alluring, but rather repulsive—like the secretions of a polecat…

“In his inaugural address, he promised: ‘I will instruct all members of my cabinet to fight record-high inflation and rapidly lower costs and prices’… Since that statement, inflation has risen from three percent to a peak of 4.2 percent in May 2026, and currently stands at 3.5 percent… prices… in Trump’s USA [continue] to rise unabated. For instance, the price of ground meat has risen by 24 percent since he took office. Orange juice: up nine percent. Gasoline: up 31 percent. Electricity: up six percent. Milk: up 7.5 percent…

“[Another statement:] ‘Jobs and factories will come roaring back to our country.’… Industrial jobs shrank from 19.6 million in June 1979 to 12.6 million in June 2026—a decline of 36 percent. This process was not reversed during his second term but continued. Another 75,000 blue-collar jobs were lost…

“At the ‘Liberation Day’ event in the White House Rose Garden, Trump was still confident: ‘It is up to us to prosper, using trillions of dollars to cut our taxes and pay down our national debt. And it will all happen very quickly.’… The only thing that happened quickly during his second term was the accumulation of debt. During his second term, he drove the debt level up from the $36 trillion seen in the final year of Joe Biden’s presidency to a [projected] $45 trillion in 2029… [For] the first time in over a century, the USA no longer holds a triple-A rating from any of the major agencies. Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase—the world’s most powerful banker—said earlier this week that he could not currently recommend buying long-term US government bonds. Yet, reluctance to buy drives up interest rate premiums—and with them, US debt…

“In his inaugural address, he promised: ‘We will measure our success not only by the battles we win, but also by the wars we end—and perhaps most importantly: by the wars we are not drawn into in the first place.’… After 547 days in office, the conclusion is clear: Trump has caused explosions and clashes in every direction. Above all, the war against Iran that he initiated and the threats issued against the civilian population will… be remembered… There are no signs of a quick end to the war—and thus a normalization of energy prices.

“Bottom line: American democracy cannot be satisfied with this record of damage. While the president provides a daily spectacle for the media, he is not delivering to his citizens what he promised them…”

And so, Trump has already completely destroyed American democracy.

Trump’s Address a Wasted Opportunity

The New York Post Editorial Board wrote on July 17:

“Election security is a legitimate issue, but President Donald Trump’s primetime speech on the issue was a dud that won’t even help pass the SAVE Act that aims to address the problem. And even most Americans who share his concerns would’ve preferred to hear more about the economy or the war. Trump himself didn’t seem to have his heart in it. His points didn’t always hit home, either: The Chinese have gathered more than 200 million voter files? OK, but what can they do with the info? It ‘includes names, addresses, phone numbers, political party preferences,’ the president reports. But much of that is available in the phone book, and more can be purchased from a host of sources. And if he’s that upset about it, shouldn’t he be raising hell with his Xi Jinping?

“Our electoral system has major vulnerabilities: States like California have gone bananas regarding how they distribute, collect and count ballots; many fail to prune their rolls of people who’ve died or moved away. But there’s still no hard evidence of voter fraud extensive enough to make a difference in any election, barring a very few extremely local races.

“We too favor tighter election protocols, voter-ID laws and other provisions of the SAVE Act, but Republicans don’t have the votes to get it through the Senate and they won’t get them anytime soon. Most important: Election security is nowhere near the top of the list of America’s priorities right now.

“The public’s attention, even to our president, is a limited commodity. A major address demands a major issue, and rehashing horror stories about changes to Michigan voter-registration rules in 2020 ain’t it. In less than four months, Americans will decide what the last two years of Trump’s presidency are going to be about: Growing the economy and creating peace — or impeachment, investigation and socialism.

“If you don’t put that choice front-and-center, Mr. President, the GOP won’t win even if they’re the safest elections ever.”

It seems Trump is totally out of touch with reality and the concerns of the American people. It is hard to see how Republicans could win the midterm elections.

Trump Starts New Trade War With Canada

NPR wrote on July 21:

“President Donald Trump on Monday imposed 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods, declaring that Canada has unfairly discriminated against American autos, alcohol and dairy products. The move could unleash a new wave of economic chaos, with risks of higher inflation and further fraying of relations between two nations that had been closely woven together before Trump’s return to the White House. The administration official previewing the action said that Canada was one of the only nations other than China that retaliated against Trump’s previous tariffs and must be held accountable….

“The new tariffs carry serious political and economic risks for Trump ahead of the November midterm elections for control of Congress. His ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs last year in April provoked a financial market meltdown over concerns about inflation and a recession, prompting him to walk back the rates for a period of negotiation. The Supreme Court ruled this February that Trump had lacked the legal authority to impose the tariffs by declaring an economic emergency, causing the administration to find alternative ways to raise import taxes based on a series of legal authorities…

“The president maintains that the costs created by tariffs will cause manufacturing to relocate to the U.S., though there is little evidence of that in the economic data. The new 50% tariffs would exclude energy products, potash, fish and critical minerals, but they would include goods that had previously been protected from import taxes by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA. That 2020 trade pact was not renewed by the U.S.”

Total stupidity… Donald Trump… the modern King Midas In Reverse! Trump has now announced that higher tariffs will also be enforced against 60 countries, including members of the EU.

Trump’s Dangerous Arrangements With Saudi Arabia

The Associated Press wrote on July 22:

“President  Donald Trump has approved an agreement with Saudi Arabia that could potentially provide the kingdom with uranium enrichment capability for its civilian nuclear program… The deal is expected to last 30 years and is also expected to involve U.S. firms in developing the program. The deal could allow for the building of a uranium enrichment facility in Saudi Arabia… But the deal, which is expected to be submitted to Congress for review, could face headwinds among lawmakers who fear that helping the Saudis fulfill their long-standing desire to enrich their own uranium would open new rounds of nuclear proliferation and competition.”

The New York Times wrote on July 22:

“The agreement will require review by Congress, which under the Atomic Energy Act has the power to vote a resolution of disapproval. But as a practical matter, the agreement would likely pass, because Congress would have to assemble a veto-proof [two-thirds] majority to override Mr. Trump’s initiative.

“Nonetheless, debate over the accord is likely to be fierce. To get the deal done with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country’s 40-year-old de facto leader, Mr. Trump had to agree to terms that may limit international inspectors from going to any sites in the country that they think could be a pathway to diverting fuel to weapons projects..

“Prince Mohammed has vowed he would build nuclear weapons if Iran does so, even insisting in one interview he would do so ‘without a doubt.’”

Saudi Arabia will become a fierce enemy of Israel… and possibly the USA. Following the uproar, Trump suddenly announced for the first time that Saudi-Arabia has to first improve its relationship with Israel and become a member of the Abraham Accords. This will not happen.

Jens Spahn’s Controversy and Hypocrisy

Deutsche Welle reported on July 17:

“Conservative politician Jens Spahn and his husband have announced that they have become parents with the help of a surrogate mother in the US… The news has sparked a political debate because such a procedure would be prohibited in Germany.

“A surrogate mother makes her body available to carry a baby to term and is typically paid for doing so. Spahn’s party, the center-right CDU… is staunchly opposed to making this legal in Germany. As recently as February 2026, the party passed a resolution reiterating this at their federal party convention. ‘In light of ethical, legal and practical concerns regarding surrogacy, the CDU of Germany reaffirms its demand that surrogacy — including altruistic models — remain prohibited in Germany in order to prevent abuse, exploitation and health risks,’ read the resolution.

“Jens Spahn, Germany’s former federal Health Minister and currently leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag, was present at the convention. At the time, a surrogate mother based in the US, was already pregnant with the child of Daniel Funke, Spahn’s husband.

“Spahn and his husband don’t have to fear legal consequences. Surrogacy is not prohibited in the US. In Germany, only the doctors and intermediaries involved would be liable to prosecution. It is not illegal in Germany to raise a child who was born abroad to a surrogate mother.

“Throughout his career, Spahn has consistently expressed criticism of surrogacy. In 2015, he told GQ magazine: ‘As a gay man and a Christian, I personally find it very difficult to come to terms with the idea of a “rented womb.”’… In 2020, the opposition neoliberal FDP… sought to initiate a debate on liberalizing Germany’s surrogacy laws, when Spahn was health minister. He opposed the move, citing the CDU’s familiar arguments, but also arguing that surrogacy could lead to ‘particular difficulties in the child’s sense of identity.’ Now, he stands accused of double standards…

“The 46-year-old has weathered plenty of scandals in the past. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he was responsible for the overpriced purchase of protective masks, which later led to legal disputes with suppliers worth billions. Although the scandal continues to haunt Spahn to this day, he has remained politically influential.”

Spahn—the “I-First” Man!

Bild Online published the following commentary on July 16:

“There is nothing right about it when one of the leading politicians and power brokers of the Chancellor’s party circumvents German law while abroad—law that he himself—most recently as Health Minister in 2020—actively denied to all Germans: surrogacy…

“For Jens Spahn, it is about Jens Spahn. HE is fulfilling HIS dream by circumventing—legally, yes—HIS German law. Why? Because he can—and because he can afford it. Spahn’s message of hypocrisy: ‘The law applies to you. I circumvent it—I.'”

Did Spahn learn this kind of arrogance from Trump?

Spahn No Longer Tenable

On July 16, Nius published the following commentary:

“Morality ends where double standards begin… As the most powerful Union politician in the legislature, Spahn has become untenable in his office due to this maneuver. This is not a case of accidental drunk driving or a speeding violation; rather, it is a blatant disregard for the law that makes his conduct—and his continued tenure in this post—completely unacceptable…”

Jens Spahn’s End?

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 18:

“Jens Spahn, the parliamentary leader of the ruling conservative bloc in the Bundestag [the CDU], stepped down on Saturday amid a controversy surrounding his decision to have a child via surrogacy…

“This is not the first time Spahn has faced controversy. As Germany’s COVID-era health minister, Spahn was investigated for alleged misuse of public money. However, state prosecutors dropped their investigation into his COVID-era dealings in March. Spahn was seen as a rising star in the conservative bloc, having been re-elected leader of the parliamentary group with 85% of the vote in May.”

However, Spahn was never liked by many in his own party, nor by the nation as a whole. He survived numerous scandals. To count him out now would be clearly premature.

ntv wrote on July 19:

“Spahn acted exactly as one would expect from someone like him: he confirmed judgments and prejudices about career politicians—ranging from dishonesty to hypocrisy and double standards. Instead of informing his party early on that he—and his husband—were becoming fathers with the help of an American woman, he allowed the CDU to reaffirm its opposition to surrogacy at the party conference in February. It was outrageous to leave his own party looking so foolish. Yet Spahn clung to the CDU/CSU parliamentary group leadership even as anger within the CDU erupted with unprecedented intensity. Not even the deputy chair of a local chapter with a handful of members came to his public defense—he is completely discredited.

“Spahn’s behavior demonstrated a level of selfishness and arrogance that was bound to shock the party. His resignation did not stem primarily from an acknowledgment of his questionable conduct, but rather from immense pressure coming from all levels of the CDU. Reportedly, Spahn was still intent on retaining the parliamentary group leadership as late as Saturday morning. It was CDU Chairman and Chancellor Friedrich Merz who persuaded him to resign…”

Spahn: Germany’s Most Unpopular Politician

Nius reported on July 20:

“Even more unpopular than the Chancellor: Following the surrogacy scandal involving Jens Spahn, the CDU politician has slipped to last place in the INSA politician rankings… In the survey, 62 percent expressed a negative view of Spahn; Friedrich Merz received the same score. The Sauerland native leads Spahn only in terms of approval ratings: 15 percent expressed a positive view of the Chancellor, compared to just ten percent for Spahn…

“The top rankings, however, remain unchanged. Germany’s most popular politician remains—undisputed—SPD Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. He is followed in second and third place by the new Minister-President of Baden-Württemberg, Cem Özdemir, and North Rhine-Westphalia Minister-President Hendrik Wüst… the popularity of AfD leader Alice Weidel continues to rise. She has swapped places with Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder, moving from fifth to fourth.”

Spahn’s Successor… Not Without Controversy

ntv reported on July 22:

“Thorsten Frei, Head of the Chancellery, is set to succeed Jens Spahn—who has stepped down—as leader of the Union parliamentary group. CDU and CSU leaders Friedrich Merz and Markus Söder officially nominated the 52-year-old today. All 208 MPs were subsequently informed via text message. They will decide on the appointment during a special session next Wednesday.”

Bild Online wrote on July 22:

“The Magdeburg-based Volksstimme views the nomination of Thorsten Frei (52, CDU) as the new leader of the Union parliamentary group critically. In a commentary, the newspaper writes that Frei—during his time as Minister of the Chancellery—was ‘dangerously close to being the wrong person for the job.’ The Baden-Württemberg native is held responsible for too many communication and coordination mishaps within the federal government. The Volksstimme explains Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s (70, CDU) decision to back Frei primarily by citing his loyalty. Unlike Jens Spahn (46, CDU), Frei is considered an ‘unreservedly loyal confidant of Merz.’ This is precisely what makes him the Chancellor’s preferred candidate. The newspaper emphasizes that this personnel decision cannot be seen as a major breakthrough or a liberating move for the government….

“According to the Handelsblatt, the nomination of Thorsten Frei (52, CDU) as the new leader of the Union parliamentary group is viewed with reservations in some quarters of the Union. In a commentary, the Düsseldorf-based business newspaper writes that, for some Union MPs, his close proximity to Chancellor Friedrich Merz (70) is now seen ‘not as an asset, but as a liability’….

“Journalist Ulf Poschardt (59) of the daily newspaper Die Welt… has criticized the nomination of Thorsten Frei (52) as the new leader of the Union parliamentary group. Writing on X, Poschardt stated that with this personnel decision, the Union is adhering to a ‘status quo logic’ when a ‘revolutionary logic’ is actually what is needed. Commenting on the agreement reached by CDU leader Friedrich Merz (70) and CSU leader Markus Söder (59) to appoint Frei as Spahn’s successor, Poschardt concluded: ‘The Union is beyond help.’”

It truly is. But what (or who) will come next?

How Trump Destroyed World Cup Soccer

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 20:

“‘Trump cast a shadow over the entire tournament, weaponizing it for domestic political purposes, regardless of whether he showed up at matches in person,’ Jules Boykoff, a professor in the Politics and Government Department at Pacific University in the US state of Oregon, told DW…. Such unprecedented and direct political intervention… drew scorn and fury from most of the rest of the world — with politicians, football federations, fans and coaches all piling on to criticize. But that won’t bother Trump, Boykoff said.

“‘Based on his actions, Trump does not appear to care much about what the rest of the world thinks of him. His anti-immigration policies stained the World Cup and undercut FIFA’s slogan that ‘Football Unites the World.’ Trump used the tournament to further fracture the world while stoking his base’s worst instincts ahead of the midterm elections,’ he said.”

Trump only cares about himself.

Trump’s Incredible Arrogance

Die Welt wrote on July 20:

“Then, finally, the big moment after 104 matches at the XXL World Cup: Trump and [FIFA President Gianni] Infantino [Trump’s “buddy”] presented the trophy to Spain’s captain, Rodri. Infantino stepped away from the stage, intending to leave the spotlight to the Spaniards. But he hadn’t reckoned with the US President—Trump simply stayed put. Infantino tried to get the 80-year-old to follow him, but without success. So, the FIFA President hurried back to Trump and positioned himself a meter away from the action. Trump spoke briefly with Rodri and then moved aside—by a mere meter. Yet, as the captain hoisted the trophy high, the US President was still standing right there in the huddle of players. In doing so, he ensured his presence in the World Cup victory photos.

“Trump and Infantino were booed by large sections of the crowd.”

The booing was more than justified. Ironically, the Spanish football federation and FIFA excluded Donald Trump from the official World Cup celebration pictures shared on social media.

Corrupt FIFA over Falkland

BBC wrote on July 17:

“The White House has defended the Argentinian football team’s right to free speech after they controversially waved a banner in support of their country’s territorial claim to the Falkland Islands while celebrating their World Cup win against England… The Falklands, a British overseas territory in the south-west Atlantic Ocean, remains the subject of a sovereignty dispute between the UK and Argentina. Players for Argentina held a banner after Wednesday’s semi-final match reading ‘Las Malvinas son Argentinas’, which translates as ‘The Falklands are Argentine’.Speaking to reporters on Friday, Giuliani referenced free speech protections in the US Constitution, saying: ‘We believe in our First Amendment rights here in the United States of America’ [Really? So, why were Iranian soccer players not allowed to say anything critical of the USA or in support of Iran?]…

“For its part, the government of the Falkland Islands said it was ‘disappointed but not surprised’ about the banner and it hopes Fifa will ‘sanction all behaviour of this nature in line with its own rules’… Argentina players also sang chants which referenced the Falklands …

“A brief but bitter war arose between Britain and Argentina over the territory in 1982. A British military task force ejected Argentine forces, who had landed on the Falklands to stake a territorial claim. The 74-day conflict led to the deaths of 255 British military personnel, three islanders and 649 Argentine soldiers.”

Giuliani and the White House are such hypocrites. FIFA’s own rules state (not that they are necessarily being adhered to by FIFA):

“FIFA’s regulations strictly prohibit all political, religious, and personal statements, slogans, or imagery during official matches. Governed primarily by the IFAB Laws of the Game and FIFA’s Stadium Code of Conduct, players and teams can face sanctions—including fines and suspensions—for breaching these neutrality mandates.”

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.

Lindsey Graham Dies Suddenly

Daily Mail wrote on July 12:

“Firebrand US Senator Lindsey Graham has died at the age of 71 after a ‘brief and sudden illness’ [which has not been explained so far]… Emergency services responded to a ‘cardiac arrest’ at Graham’s home… on Saturday night… He has been a close ally of President Trump, a longtime hawk on Iran and an ardent supporter of Israel. … Graham also cheered on Trump’s decision to strike nuclear sites last year and had been a supporter of the latest conflict that started a few months ago…

“Graham never married and is survived by his younger sister Darline Graham Nordone and other relatives. For decades, his status as a long-term bachelor fueled rumors about his sexuality. But in 2018 interview with TMZ, he firmly denied being gay. …

“Graham’s sudden death comes as other prominent Republicans have faced health issues.  Kentucky Republican Senator Mitch McConnell was hospitalized weeks ago for undisclosed health reasons.”

Deutsche Welle added on July 12:

“The exiled son of Iran’s former Shah, Reza Pahlavi, said of Graham: ‘When friends were seldom found, he stood alongside the people of Iran in their struggle against tyranny.’ Graham was also an advocate for the Kurdish people [whom Trump betrayed], particularly in their fight against the ‘Islamic State.’” 

With their bare majority, the Republicans can’t afford to lose any more members in Congress.

Medical Examination To Follow

The Associated Press wrote on July 12:

“The Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia’s preliminary findings are that Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham died of aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to a statement released by his office on Sunday. That is when the aorta is damaged or develops a leak.

“The statement also said that the death certificate will be pending until all the toxicological and microscopic testing are finalized. At that point, the death certificate will be updated to reflect the cause of death and appropriately classify the manner of death.”

Whether a “medical examination” will put numerous rumors surrounding the strange and sudden death of Graham to rest remains doubtful. Note the next article.

Was Lindsey Graham Murdered?

First Post wrote on July 12:

“The sudden and unexpected death of veteran US Senator Lindsey Graham has sparked a flood of online conspiracy theories, with Iran and Russia becoming the focus… Graham’s recent Ukraine visit, his push for fresh sanctions on Russia, his long-standing advocacy of a hardline policy against Iran and reports of recent threats from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have prompted social media users and commentators to question whether there is more to the story.

“While the Russian angle dominates Eastern European discourse, a second, equally virulent wave of conspiracy theories points squarely at Iran. Graham was arguably the most vociferous anti-Iran hawk on Capitol Hill. He spent decades advocating for the total isolation of Tehran, consistently pushed for military action to dismantle its ballistic missile and nuclear programmes, and loudly cheered the Trump administration’s strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.Iranian state television announced Graham’s death in openly celebratory language, describing him as a ‘warmongering and anti-Iranian U.S. senator’ and congratulating Iran on his passing…

“The timeline preceding Graham’s death serves as the primary fuel for the unfolding Kremlin-centered theories. Just hours before his fatal medical emergency, Graham had returned from a high-profile visit to Kyiv—his tenth trip to Ukraine since the 2022 full-scale invasion. Days earlier, Graham had announced progress with the Trump administration on a sanctions package targeting Russia, reinforcing his reputation as one of Congress’s most vocal critics of Moscow.”

That Graham’s death is extremely suspicious is without doubt. Examiners have never been [purposefully?] too successful in explaining suspicious deaths—for instance, the death of Marilyn Monroe or Jeffrey Epstein; and the masterminds behind the murders of John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King. And there are so many other countless suspicious, undisclosed or unresolved deaths and killings.

Suspicions Galore

The Daily Mail added on July 14:

“Trove of horrifying evidence that proves why America must NOT dismiss suspicions about Lindsey Graham’s shock death: Putin expert reveals exactly how Russian agents could have done it…”

NBC News added on July 14:

“President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he is aware of conspiracy theories circulating about the sudden death of his friend and ally, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., but declared ‘the FBI is wasting their time’ investigating the matter… Trump said he was aware that Graham’s father had also died of heart complications at a relatively young age.”

Sorry to say, but when Trump is adamant that there was no foul play involved, then there might very well have been. The mass media is jumping on the bandwagon of “no evidence” for foul play… which is suspicious all by itself.

No Peace in the Middle East

JNS wrote on July 9:

“Israel ‘did not ask anyone for permission to enter Lebanon, and we do not need permission to remain in Lebanon,’ Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday, hours after US President Donald Trump said he believed Jerusalem would withdraw from the country. ‘It is our right and our duty to protect the residents of the Galilee and the citizens of Israel from the threats posed by the jihadist Hezbollah terrorist organization, which seeks to destroy the State of Israel,’ Katz said in a Hebrew-language statement…

“As he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘have made clear, we will continue to remain in the security zone in Lebanon and operate from it as long as necessary until Hezbollah is disarmed throughout Lebanon and the threat to the residents of northern Israel is removed,’ Katz vowed. Trump, speaking to reporters alongside Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at a press conference in Ankara on Wednesday, said he had discussed an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon with Netanyahu. ‘I talked to Bibi [Netanyahu] about that. I think they’re going to. I think they want to. I don’t think it’s a question,’ the US president said. ‘We have a deal with Israel and Lebanon, and yeah, they’ll leave.’

“The June 26 framework of understandings between Jerusalem and Beirut conditions an Israeli redeployment on Hezbollah being removed from Southern Lebanon.”

Israel and Hezbollah are not part of that “agreement.” How can anyone trust Trump’s “declarations”?

Dangerous Erdogan

The Jerusalem Post wrote on July 13:

“Netanyahu went on American television networks to lobby publicly against an administration policy still under consideration. If Iran’s decline is creating a regional vacuum, Israel fears Turkey is positioning itself to fill it, and that American F-35s, coupled with Trump’s embrace of Erdogan, might help it do so….

“Trump has repeatedly emphasized his close relationship with Erdogan. Indeed, he has gone even further, portraying himself as the man who prevented Turkey from entering the recent war against Iran on the opposite side. ‘He could have gone into the war,’ Trump said. ‘He didn’t because of me.”’…

“Why the president would want to sell state-of-the-art weaponry to a leader who he himself said had contemplated joining a war against the United States and Israel is almost beside the point. …

“Turkey’s ambitions are hardly viewed with alarm only in Jerusalem. For Greece, Ankara’s increasingly assertive posture is reflected in repeated airspace violations over the Aegean and long-running disputes over maritime boundaries. For Cyprus, it is embodied in Turkey’s continued occupation of half of the island. For Armenians, opposition to a stronger Turkey is rooted in the national trauma of the Armenian Genocide and Ankara’s continued refusal to acknowledge it.”

The Bible contains terrible predictions for the future of Turkey and maybe for Erdogan himself… because of their gruesome hostility towards Israel.

American-Israeli Failed Coup to Bring Former Iranian President Back to Power

The Daily Mail wrote on July 13:

“Former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been put under house arrest by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps after intelligence authorities uncovered his secret dealings with Israel… For years, Israel conducted a covert operation aimed at grooming Ahmadinejad as an intelligence asset who, when the time came, could be installed as Iran’s new leader, American and Iranian sources [said].  Israel even secretly transferred money to Ahmadinejad for housing and travel, while operatives met him abroad on several occasions. The discovery of the secret relationship is shocking given that Ahmadinejad was known for accelerating Tehran’s nuclear programme, calling regularly for the destruction of Israel and denying the Holocaust…

“The ambition was to set in motion the toppling of the current regime, and to install Ahmadinejad as leader, who had been living under strict surveillance in Tehran. But the grand plan failed. On February 28, Ahmadinejad’s compound was struck by an Israeli airstrike aiming towards the building of his bodyguards and his armoured vehicle. Following the strike, a black Peugeot car arrived, picked up Ahmadinejad, and took him away at high speed from the dramatic scene, according to four senior Iranian officials. The vehicle was driven by agents of Mossad, Israel’s foreign intelligence service, who whisked Ahmadinejad away to a secret safe house in Iran, American and Iranian officials said. But the former Iranian president was discontented with the chaotic rescue operation, and apparently appeared disillusioned about Mossad’s plan to return him to power…

“A second element involved training Iranian Kurdish opposition forces located in northern Iraq, arming them with weapons, and ordering them to cross into western Iran, where they would hold territory and eventually move toward the capital Tehran. This effort never came to fruition… The regime-change mission involved a ‘sequence of special operations, very, very unique, that was supposed to happen,’ Tamir Hayman, a former head of intelligence for the Israeli Defence Forces, told the PBS talk show ‘Firing Line’ in May. ‘And Ahmadinejad was part of that sequence.’…

“Ahmadinejad’s 2024 trip to the university in Budapest and a second one the following year were part of a yearslong Israeli initiative to install him as Iran’s new leader. He was such a priority for Israel that the country’s then-Mossad chief, David Barnea, even flew to the Hungarian capital in 2024 to talk with Ahmadinejad personally… Soon afterward, they said, Mossad contacted the CIA to confirm that it had been in discussions with Ahmadinejad… Ahmadinejad began writing public letters in 2017 to Trump and later to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The US president lavished praise on both figures.”

Deutsche Welle added on July 16:

“Haaretz also wrote that the operation involved much more than Ahmadinejad and included infiltration plans inside Iran, contacts with minority groups and that there was also discussion of a broader destabilization strategy… The details have not been independently verified and remain unconfirmed. However, Ahmadinejad’s office has reportedly rejected the claims, describing them as ‘absurd’ and ‘completely false.’”

What an idiotic plot that would have been. It would show again the degree of incompetence prompting Israel and the USA to attack Iran with their “goal” of “regime change.”

Trump’s Middle East Trap

Bild Online wrote on July 11:

“Trump wants to extricate himself from the [Iran] war—but he cannot. Yet almost every tactic has already been employed: a twelve-week air war alongside war partner Israel. Then a ceasefire. Afterward, a mutual declaration of intent to hold peace talks… even an easing of sanctions… At first, he praised the new leadership under Khamenei’s son Mojtaba (56) as ‘rational’; more recently, he reviled them as ‘scum’—liars whose word is worthless. In between: wild threats…

“Americans call wars that get bogged down a ‘quagmire’—the most famous examples being Vietnam and, later, the Iraq War. Trump’s Iran offensive is already shaping up to be just such a mess…

“Now, he must also solve a problem that did not exist before the war: The battle for the oil route through the Strait of Hormuz—now apparently blocked again—looms once more! Following Iranian attacks, only two tankers managed to make the passage on Thursday morning. Furthermore, the Iran War complicates Trump’s entire Middle East policy…

“Domestic pressure is mounting: The unpopular war is driving up prices… Trump’s fellow Republicans are increasingly standing up to him. Former US military intelligence officer Michael Pregent warns BILD: ‘The greatest danger is that, in the end, this war will have been fought for nothing.’”

Who can still doubt the incompetence of Trump and his spineless or incapable “advisers” regarding the Iran War?

Iran War Without End

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 12:

“Iran reacted to the latest round of US strikes on its territory by saying they have ‘rendered futile’ the diplomatic efforts of the past few months.

“According to a foreign ministry statement cited by the AFP news agency, the US military strikes ‘has caused the return of insecurity to the Strait of Hormuz and disruption of international commercial shipping.’”

Trump declared the Strait was open again—a blatant misrepresentation.

More Idle Threats

Politico wrote on July 11:

“U.S. President Donald Trump said that the American military stood ready to ‘completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran’ in response to threats to his life….”

The only way Trump could “completely decimate and destroy all areas of Iran” would be through the use of nuclear weapons. He apparently considered this possibility before but was fortunately “dissuaded” from carrying it out.

Now Trump Wants to Charge Ships?

Politico wrote on July 13:

“President Donald Trump on Monday said the U.S. will take over the Strait of Hormuz — and will be reimbursed ‘at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped’ for overseeing one of the world’s most critical oil passageways that has been at the center of the U.S.’s re-escalating war with Iran. ‘We will become guardians of the strait,’ Trump said during an interview with ‘Fox & Friends’ on Monday morning…

“Trump followed his Fox News interview with a Truth Social post that said the U.S. will reimpose a blockade on Iran. All other countries will have fair and open use of the Strait,’ he said, but added that ‘as a matter of FAIRNESS, [the U.S.] will be reimbursed, at the rate of 20% on all cargo shipped, for any and all costs necessary to do the job of providing safety and security to this very volatile section of the World.’”

Crazy. Note the next article.

The Associated Press wrote on July 13:

“The International Maritime Organization, the United Nations agency which oversees safety and security measures in international shipping, said… ‘There is no legal basis through which to introduce mandatory tolls simply to transit through a strait…’”

But Trump’s threats did not endure for long.

Trump’s Ever-Changing Threats

Bild Online wrote on July 14:

“The escalating conflict between the US and Iran is keeping the economy on edge. On Monday, the US President caused a stir in the Gulf states when he announced plans to impose a kind of 20 percent toll on ships in the Strait of Hormuz. By Tuesday afternoon, however, he had backed away from this idea. A ‘total blockade’ of Iranian ships was to remain in place, though; the country’s ‘deceitful, violent, and malicious leadership’ left him no other choice… After ‘very productive talks’ with leaders in the Middle East, he decided to replace the levy with trade and investment agreements that the Gulf states would conclude with the US…”

Is there anything one can rely on when Trump makes an “announcement”? Trump’s threats seem simply ridiculous.

The War That Never Ended

Politico wrote on July 13:

“President Donald Trump formally notified lawmakers this weekend that the nation is once again at war with Iran, giving his administration another 60-day clock to use the military in the region without congressional approval… Trump had previously notified lawmakers in May that the war launched in February had ‘terminated,’ thereby negating a 60-day legal deadline under which military operations must halt without congressional authorization.”

The prior notification was clearly misleading. The war had never ceased.

Cuba Invasion Next?

CBS News wrote on July 15:

“As the U.S.-Iran war restarts following the collapse of the weeks-long ceasefire, senior Pentagon officials are also quietly eyeing another flashpoint much closer to home: Cuba. 

“Military planners have in recent weeks examined a range of options for possible action against the island, including an Army-led air assault involving thousands of U.S. soldiers to be carried out by the 101st Airborne Division, the only unit trained for such a task… Cuba has presented new security challenges… Cuba [has]  acquired attack drones of unknown origin.”

Trump’s Toothless Pledge to Help Ukraine

Newsmax republished on July 10 the following article by The Associated Press:

“President Donald Trump’s pledge to give Ukraine a license to produce Patriot air-defense systems could mark a major breakthrough for Kyiv, but experts and Ukrainian officials warn that turning the idea into real weapons would likely take years.

“[Trump’s “pledge”] left open a crucial question: What exactly would Ukraine be allowed to produce?… Trump’s wording was ambiguous because he referred broadly to producing ‘Patriots,’ without specifying whether he meant missiles, launchers, radar systems, command centers or components…

“Even if Ukraine received complete component kits from abroad…, it would likely need at least 18 to 24 months to launch its first pilot production line, followed by more time to complete the first weapons…”

Trump’s declaration that there was “love in the room” during the NATO summit sounded good, even though extremely silly and doubtful… but in any event, there was really nothing substantive behind it.

Russia’s Lack of Trust in the West

The Times of India wrote on July 10:

“Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow no longer trusts Western calls for negotiations, arguing that previous agreements and security guarantees related to the Ukraine conflict were not honored.

“Speaking at a public event, Lavrov claimed Russia’s ‘reserve of goodwill and hope’ toward the West has been exhausted, citing failed diplomatic efforts in 2014, 2015, 2019, and 2022.”

Border Controls Between Gibraltar and Spain to Be Abolished

Focus reported on July 15:

“Every workday, thousands of Spanish commuters cross the border into Gibraltar—a process that has often resulted in long wait times. This is set to change starting July 15: under a post-Brexit agreement between the EU and the United Kingdom, the border is being largely removed after 118 years, significantly easing freedom of movement between Spain and Gibraltar…

“For the region, this is considered a historic step, primarily due to Gibraltar’s economic importance. While Gibraltar ranks among the wealthiest territories in the world, the adjacent Spanish region is characterized by high unemployment.

“However, the new agreement brings not only opportunities but also new rules. Gibraltar will align itself more closely with the EU Customs Union and the Schengen Area. Consequently, goods in Gibraltar will have to comply with EU regulations. In addition, new taxes are being introduced, including a transaction tax that replaces the previous import duties.”

And so, the United Kingdom will ultimately lose Gibraltar—one of its last sea gateways—to Spain and the EU.

Germany’s Path Into the Abyss

Die Tagesschau reported on July 9:

“Germany will purchase US ‘Tomahawk’ intermediate-range weapons and station them in Germany. An agreement to this effect was reached with the US side at the NATO summit in Ankara, said Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) in his government policy statement to the Bundestag… ‘And at the same time, we will work on developing our own European systems and stationing them in Europe,’ said Merz.

“The cruise missiles have a range of 2,500 kilometers—meaning they could fly from Germany deep into Russian territory. Moscow is 1,600 kilometers from Berlin as the crow flies. European NATO states do not yet possess their own intermediate-range weapons…

“[Merz’s] goal is ‘an economically strong, socially just Germany capable of defending itself both internally and externally…’ The Chancellor explained that the answers offered by radical parties—whether from the left or the right—do not shape the future. ‘They divide our country and, should they assume political responsibility in Germany, would lead it into the abyss.’”

Many feel that Merz has already led Germany into the abyss.

American Mass Murders

Life News wrote on July 9:

“More than 66 million babies have been killed in abortions in the United States since the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision… The Roe ruling alone is responsible for more than 64 million deaths through mid-2022, with the overall figure surpassing 65 million by early 2025 and estimates now placing it at approximately 66 million.

“In June 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe in the Dobbs decision, returning authority over abortion to the states [a move supported by Trump]. Many states promptly enacted protections for unborn children. These measures led to abortion center closures in pro-life states and initial drops in abortions there. The abortion industry responded by shifting resources to pushing women to travel across state lines for abortions and by expanding access to dangerous chemical abortion pills through telemedicine and mail delivery…

“The cumulative death toll from abortion since Roe now stands at an estimated 66 million babies. It’s a heartbreaking figure that shows abortion is genocide.”

It is indeed genocide, and America will pay dearly for it.

Trump Insists Terrible ICE Policy Must Continue

The Guardian wrote on July 15:

“The White House overturned a one-day old homeland security department (DHS) memo that said they would be halting traffic stops in the wake of recent stops that left two men killed in the space of a week on Wednesday morning… On Tuesday, federal officers across the US had been told to temporarily stop pulling drivers over. That directive came after ICE agents fatally shot Lorenzo Salgado Araujo in Houston on 7 July and Joan Sebastián Durán Guerrero in Maine on Monday. Both men were unarmed, neither was the intended target of the operation that killed him, and in both cases the agents involved wore no body camera to record what had happened.

“The president’s Wednesday declaration made no mention of either killing… The whiplash from the post initially rebuked his own homeland security department, which had just spent a day trying to contain the fallout from back-to-back killings…. Civil rights groups have called both shootings extrajudicial killings…. None of that appears to have registered with the Trump, who instead said that attempt to hold ICE accountable should be blamed on ‘Radical Left Dumocrats.’”

And so, human life does not seem to have any more value in America, and the killing of innocent people will continue.

Swiss New Military Law—Godless and Respectless

SWI (Swissinfo.ch) wrote on July 10:

“The requirement for priests and monks to serve in the Swiss army from June 1 has angered Swiss Churches. The three main national Churches and the Network of Evangelical Churches have expressed their discontent and demanded action in a letter to the government…

“Religious communities are particularly incensed that the government no longer considers pastoral care, and therefore the spiritual support of the population, as essential. ‘This is simply incomprehensible,’ the Churches wrote… Alain de Raemy, head of military affairs at the Swiss Bishops’ Conference and auxiliary bishop currently in charge of the diocese of Lugano, describes the government’s decision as ‘a lack of respect for the population.’

“[The] army added: ‘The increasing secularisation of society means that fewer and fewer people feel connected to the Church’s offerings.’ According to the authorities, pastoral care is no longer even ‘an activity essential to maintaining social life’...

“According to the army, nine clergymen have already been recalled since the change in the law. The Swiss Evangelical Network said five additional requests for exemption are expected to be rejected soon. An army spokesperson stated that, in addition to pastors, members of religious orders and monasteries are also affected.”

The godless spirit of war is engulfing the world.

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 World Against Trump

The Guardian wrote on July 6:

“Fifa’s willingness to bow to the wishes of Donald Trump by lifting the suspension of the USA striker Florian Balogun for the host side’s World Cup last-16 game against Belgium was criticised strongly on Monday, with European politicians, football associations and the governing body Uefa condemning the decision. In an unprecedented intervention in the middle of a tournament, Uefa accused Fifa of crossing ‘a red line’ by making an ‘incomprehensible and unjustifiable’ decision to rescind Balogun’s automatic one-match ban, which it claimed undermined ‘the integrity of the game and the credibility of the competition’… the US president made three calls to Fifa urging an intervention after the 25-year-old was sent off…

“In a move that will reignite a long-simmering conflict with Fifa, Uefa claimed that the world governing body had ignored its own rulebook for political reasons… The Royal Belgian Football Association expressed its own ‘astonishment’ at the decision, with the national team manager, Rudi Garcia, comparing it to an April Fools’ Day joke. The RBFA has also received strong support from some of its European counterparts. The German Football Association questioned whether the outcome was the result of political interference, and said that Fifa’s credibility was at stake….

“… the England head coach, Thomas Tuchel, criticised the decision following his side’s thrilling 3-2 win against Mexico that secured their place in the last 16, where they will meet Norway in Miami on Saturday. Tuchel said: ‘Where does it end now?…’”

The new designated German coach Juergen Klopp also condemned FIFA’s decision and Trump’s involvement in the strongest terms, saying these two people (Trump and controversial FIFA president Gianni Infantino), “who know nothing about soccer,” should stay out of the game and leave it to us.

Although, objectively speaking, Balogun’s foul did not warrant a red card, Trump’s interference and the about-face by his sycophant Infantino are truly outrageous. Naturally, all of this once again damages the global reputation of the USA—Trump and FIFA lost all respect long ago anyway—as well as that of the American soccer team. Trump even admitted that he did not even know what a red card was.

Europe Must Oust Infantino—and Trump Is Intolerable

Bild Online wrote on July 6:

“It is a scandal the likes of which football has never seen! US President Donald Trump calls FIFA boss Gianni Infantino (a Swiss, Italian, and Lebanese national) and ensures that the suspension of US star Balogun—imposed following a controversial red card—is lifted so he can play in the World Cup again. There is a massive global outcry. The values ​​of the game are being trampled upon. The time for standing by and watching the FIFA boss’s shameless conduct must end now…

“The uprising must… be led by the powerful Europeans. The nations that send 60 to 70 percent of the stars to the tournament—Germany…, England, France, and Spain—along with UEFA, must join forces. Condemn Infantino’s machinations. NOW!… It is time to send a clear signal. And since Infantino is unlikely to leave voluntarily—being far too obsessed with power—UEFA should at least threaten to leave FIFA, and, if necessary, show strength and actually go through with it.

“We must not stand by and watch as the football we all love so much is taken away from us for good! The very thought of Trump and Infantino presenting the World Cup trophy after the final on July 19 is already unbearable.”

In another article, dated July 6, Bild Online commented:

“Have you lost your mind, Mr. President? Please stay out of this! As a football fan, I’m used to a lot by now—World Cups in rogue states, transfer fees completely divorced from reality. But the fact that the most powerful man in the world is now apparently interfering in the World Cup as if it were a video game really takes the cake… Is politics going to step in from now on whenever football matches don’t go the way people want?… Six months before the World Cup, Trump received a peace prize from Infantino that had been cooked up on the spur of the moment. And now, another gift between cronies?”

Wars have started over far less.

“Belgium Avenges the Football World”

Bild Online wrote on July 7:

“The football world was watching this World Cup match very closely! Belgium knocks out the last World Cup host, winning the Round of 16 match against the USA 4–1 and advancing to the quarter-finals against European champions Spain on July 10…

“For the Belgians, this success is a source of special satisfaction—the Europeans are avenging the football world!… Substitute Romelu Lukaku scores the 4–1 goal from ten meters out…—sealing the victory of retribution!”

Trump’s ridiculous stunt achieved nothing—except to once again turn the world against him. But given his incredible arrogance, he seems completely indifferent to that. Perhaps he even enjoys it. In any case, Belgium’s well-deserved victory is a case of poetic justice.

China vs. Germany

Kyiv Post wrote on July 5:

“Chinese and Russian military forces will hold joint naval and air exercises in Chinese territory this July, marking further military cooperation between the two nations, Bloomberg reported… The announcement of the Joint Sea-2026 exercises comes shortly after Germany summoned the Chinese ambassador for urgent diplomatic talks on Friday, July 3. The meeting was prompted by reports that Chinese military facilities secretly trained Russian soldiers last year.

“The German Foreign Ministry confirmed it had requested the meeting following Reuters’ revelations that the training had been personally approved by Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov… ‘Anything that enables Russia to continue its war of aggression against Ukraine also threatens our security,’ a German foreign ministry source told Reuters. ‘China’s decisive and growing support for Russia’s brutal war of aggression directly impacts our security.’

“The Chinese embassy in Germany denied the allegations, labeling them ‘entirely unfounded.’”

China, Russia, North Korea, India, Pakistan and other Far Eastern countries, including Ukraine, will form the biblical “Kings of the East.”

European Censorship and Suppression

EU News wrote on July 2:

“The Court of Justice of the European Union has clarified that the ban on disseminating content from the Russia Today (RT) channelalso applies to those who operate a website that is freely accessible to the public and funded solely by users’ voluntary contributions. The ruling stems from criminal proceedings brought in Germany against three individuals accused of repeatedly publishing videos from the RT Germany channel on a freely accessible website…

“Across the EU, ‘operators’ are not permitted to broadcast RT content following the restrictive measures adopted in the context of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine… [The Judge was] clarifying that the concept of ‘operator’ encompasses any person responsible, directly or indirectly, for making prohibited content available, even in the context of an unpaid activity. This classification does not depend on either the scope or the duration of the dissemination.

“Only this interpretation, the Court emphasises, makes it possible to prevent the spread of Russian propaganda and to protect public order and the security of the Union…”

The criminal prohibition also includes the dissemination of written articles of RT in Europe. It reminds us of the book-burning mania of the Nazis prior to and during World War II. And even citing from a RT article is prohibited if it is cited as stemming from a “valid or objective news source.”

And who is protecting us from German or European or American propaganda?

How to Keep Trump on Board of NATO?

Deutsche Welle wrote on July 4:

“NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte is working to keep the alliance united and Donald Trump engaged. But disputes over burden sharing, US military commitments, and the Iran war are creating a major test for NATO unity…

“Just days before a crucial NATO summit kicks off in Ankara on July 7, Rutte was doing what has become one of, if not his most, important tasks: keeping Donald Trump on board. The summit will bring together the leaders of NATO’s 32 allied countries at a moment of growing uncertainty amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and Russia’s ongoing war with the Ukraine.

“As the US reviews its military posture in Europe, many European governments are worried about how committed Trump remains to the security alliance.

“An important part of the Ankara summit will also be to secure further support for Ukraine, including potential new billion-dollar funding pledges to strengthen the country’s defense and security.

“According to news agency AFP, NATO’s European members and Canada will pledge to give Ukraine 70 billion euros ($80 billion) in military aid both this year and next at the upcoming Ankara summit. But tensions persist among European allies about sharing the burden.”

Unpredictable!

Politico wrote on July 8:

“President Donald Trump spent his first hours at the NATO summit publicly bashing the alliance and reciting a list of grievances that had allies fearing the worst. Then he went behind closed doors and changed his tune… The president was far more positive on Wednesday, when he gave a final 30-minute speech… The shift was a notable about-face for a president who has threatened repeatedly to leave the alliance — and came after European leaders heaped praise on Trump for helping ensure allies boosted their defense spending. But those in attendance weren’t clear what specifically changed his stance….

“His remarks represented a sharp turn from his condemnations on Tuesday and Wednesday when he lambasted NATO for failing to help with the Iran war and bristled at Spain’s refusal to spend more on defense. Trump went so far as to call for the U.S. and other countries to cut ties with Spain….

“The turnaround also underscores why European leaders remain on tenterhooks around the president, who relishes his own unpredictability. America’s carefully crafted diplomatic statements are increasingly a relic and what Trump says at one meeting may not represent his views at the next… But the tension is far from settled…”

No Future for NATO

ntv wrote on July 4:

“For the former Green Foreign Minister [Joschka Fischer], the transatlantic alliance is on the verge of collapse… and, in that event, he advocates for a European alliance with its own nuclear umbrella… Fischer said the only alternative is… the Europeanization of NATO…

“However, he spoke out emphatically against a national German nuclear umbrella: ‘For historical reasons, that would be very counterproductive.’… It is only because of the US presence that no one has had to worry until now about the potential resurgence of aggressive German nationalism. ‘Without the US, the situation changes. That is why we are already facing a potential loss of trust in Germany,’ the former foreign minister warned.

“In this context, Fischer criticized the German government’s communication—such as the announcement that the Bundeswehr should become Europe’s strongest conventional army. ‘I have doubts about whether that needs to be trumpeted so loudly. We must take our neighbors’ concerns seriously. We need a sense of our history and an understanding of the reactions it triggers in others.’ What is needed, he said, is sensitive communication—something he does not currently see coming from the German government.”

Germany has never been known for sensitive communication.

Germany a Major Military Power

Caliber wrote on July 6:

“Former NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has welcomed Germany’s growing defence role within the alliance, saying the country is on its way to becoming a major military power…Stoltenberg also cautioned against taking NATO’s long-term future for granted, saying the alliance’s continued existence cannot be guaranteed…

“Stoltenberg said European NATO countries have begun investing more heavily in defence, pointing to Germany as a notable example…”

Insane Rearmament Spending

Cryptobriefing wrote on July 6:

“Europe just decided it’s done relying on American security guarantees. The continent’s response: borrow an almost incomprehensible amount of money and start building weapons.

“The ReArm Europe initiative, unveiled on March 4, 2025 by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, aims to mobilize nearly €800 billion across EU member states to strengthen defense capabilities through 2030. Germany, the economic engine of the continent, is at the center of this shift, reforming its constitutionally enshrined debt brake to unlock potentially €400 billion in additional defense spending.

“The €800 billion figure isn’t Germany alone borrowing that sum. It’s a pan-European mobilization effort combining national budgets, joint procurement programs, and EU-level borrowing. Of that total, roughly €150 billion will be borrowed directly at the EU level to support member states’ needs for air defense systems, missiles, and drones…

“The obvious winners are European defense contractors. Companies involved in missile production, drone manufacturing, air defense systems, and military technology are positioned to absorb a massive wave of procurement spending.”

With these weapons, millions upon millions of people will be killed.

USA Too Close to Turkey?

Israel Today wrote on July 6:

“Concerns grow in Jerusalem that Donald Trump may grant Turkey military concessions, thereby weakening Israel’s strategic position in the Middle East... The unusually harsh statement by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan that Israel has become ‘a burden humanity can no longer bear’ is no longer being viewed in Jerusalem as merely another verbal exchange between Israel and Turkey. Rather, Israel sees it as part of a broader escalation in relations…

“Israel’s foreign policy and security establishment understands that the decisive question is no longer what Erdoğan or his foreign minister says, but what concessions Trump may grant Turkey as part of his efforts to draw Ankara closer to Washington once again.”

Trump’s Crazy Commitments Towards Turkey

ABC News wrote on July 7:

“President Donald Trump, during the first day of the NATO Summit in Ankara on Tuesday, said he will consider allowing Turkey to buy American F-35 fighter jets — despite possessing Russian-made air defense systems, which his first administration sanctioned the country for six years ago…

“In a 2020 release, Trump’s former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said those systems ‘would endanger the security of U.S. military technology and personnel and provide substantial funds to Russia’s defense sector, as well as Russian access to the Turkish armed forces and defense industry.’…

“Trump later said the U.S. had an ‘obligation’ to maintain the engines of planes Turkey has bought because Turkey, he said, has been ‘more helpful’ on Iran than other NATO countries. Trump again lashed out at other NATO allies for their reluctance to join U.S. military operations in reopening and patrolling of the critical Strait of Hormuz. ‘I was very disappointed with NATO,’ Trump said. ‘And frankly, if it weren’t held in Turkey, where my friend happens to be a very strong leader, a very strong person, it’s possible that I wouldn’t have attended… Italy turned us down, and Germany turned us down and France turned us down… They’ve [The Turks have] been extraordinary in many ways with respect to our relationship, including trying to end the war with Iran, or whatever you call it, it’s not even a war, it’s a military operation, it’s a denuclearization, that’s really what it is, of Iran…”

What absolute nonsense. Not a war with Iran? And Trump’s good friend Erdogan—an Antisemite, mass murderer and autocrat—helped the USA? Turkey will turn against the USA and Israel. Trump is building a Frankenstein monster.

Erdogan—the Leader of the Muslim World?

Politico wrote on July 7:

“Erdoğan remains an uncomfortable peacekeeper for much of NATO. At home, he has spent the last year methodically dismantling what remains of Turkey’s political opposition…  and deploying riot police to storm the headquarters of the country’s main opposition party…. He also maintains an open line of communication with Moscow even as European allies demand a harder line on Russia. Europe doesn’t love any of it… What appalls Europe about Erdoğan doesn’t appear to bother Trump,…

“… he is more than the president of Turkey. He is the leader of the Muslim world. He is the key interlocutor between North and South, East and West, the inheritor not of Ataturk but of the Ottoman sultans,’ said one former senior administration official who served in both the first Trump and Biden administrations… ‘This is a role history and destiny have granted him, and no one else in the world has this kind of presentational ability.’”

Trump’s and Netanyahu’s Lost Iran War

Former British diplomat Alastair Crooke of the Strategic Culture Foundation wrote on July 6, 2026:

“The prediction of a popular uprising in Iran has proved to have been a strategic mistake of such bearing that per contra, it catalysed a stronger, more defiant and assertive Republic…. now we have civil war inside the White House over Iran – Vance vs Rubio… For now, the oil coming out of the Persian Gulf is not heading to the U.S…. even were tankers to head to the U.S. now, the U.S. would still face a serious deficit of sour crude until 23 August at the earliest, given the 42 days voyage time to the U.S….

“The expected triumph of Israel over the Middle East has failed. The connected revolutionary war on Russia and the siege of China are faltering also…

“… some in Israel – including senior military figures – are already lamenting Israel’s assassination of the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, on 28 February 2026 – ‘At least we knew where we stood with Khamenei’, a senior Israeli military source told Ben Caspit. ‘[Khamenei] had red lines, he had a strategy, and he was sober to some extent. There was a certain stability to the Iranian madness. The current leadership is much less stable, far more extreme and unpredictable. They are intoxicated by power and hubris, convinced that they defeated both America and Israel.’”

Hezbollah Will Not Be Disarmed

The Ron Paul Institute wrote on July 3:

“Mint Press News posted there is a possibility US ground troops will be sent to Lebanon to tackle the impossible task of eliminating Hezbollah… In addition, The Washington Post reported on June 30 the US military has a plan to put ‘troops on the ground’ in Lebanon to assist the Lebanese military and Israel disarm Hezbollah….

“Hezbollah cannot be permanently dismantled without regime change in Iran and dismantling its domestic financial system and political power… In the Lebanese general election of 2022, Hezbollah secured fifteen seats in the Parliament… Hezbollah is the most prominent of Lebanon’s political movements, and has long been the most powerful in the country…

‘On June 30, Hezbollah reiterated its opposition to the framework agreement. Senior official Mahmoud Qamati characterized the accord as ‘stillborn,’ cautioning that the resistance movement ‘will not permit its implementation’ and will ‘oppose it using all available means… Despite a stillborn or deadlocked framework, France and Italy are preparing to deploy an international coalition force to southern Lebanon, supported by the United States… The U.S. and the EU are funneling millions of dollars into the Lebanese military, with the EU recently adopting a EUR 100 million assistance measure to help the state restore its authority…

“Israel, the United States, France, and Italy will not be able to disarm Hezbollah…”

And Europe supports the Lebanese army. The conflict between the USA, Israel and Europe is getting stronger.

Iran’s New Leadership: Younger, Savvier, Ruthless and Even More Hard-Line

Reddit wrote on July 24:

“After surviving months of strikes by the U.S. and Israel, the Iranian regime has emerged emboldened… Iran ‘might be weaker when it comes to its economic situation, its industries, some of its strategic capabilities,’ said Raz Zimmt, head of Iran research at the Institute for National Security Studies in Israel. ‘But the bottom line is that we are facing a new, bolder, self-confident Iran.’

“Even those perceived as moderates by the Trump administration were shaped by years spent in security agencies or war zones. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, speaker of the Iranian parliament and a main representative in peace talks with the United States, served as an IRGC commander during the Iran-Iraq war.

“By contrast, Iranian leaders with civilian backgrounds largely have been sidelined as part of the war-driven shake-up, officials and experts said. They include President Masoud Pezeshkian and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who previously led talks with the United States but has seen his position and influence diminished. The swift consolidation of power by loyalists contradicts claims by President Donald Trump that the war accomplished ‘regime change’ and empowered pragmatists willing to acquiesce to U.S. demands.”

Trump lost this war big time. Note the next article.

One of the Worst Foreign Policy Moves

Ron Paul wrote on the Ron Paul Institute on July 6:

“President Trump was reportedly ‘shocked’ to see many thousands of Iranians in the street mourning at the funeral of the country’s late leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, over the weekend… ‘I thought they hated him,’ Trump said of the murdered religious leader of Iran. Not only did the Iranian people not rise up to replace their leadership with one friendly to Washington, but the society seems to have become even more cohesive and patriotic….

“In Soccer when you kick the ball into your own goal, it is referred to as an ‘own-goal.’ That is what President Trump achieved with his attack on Iran on February 28th. In fact, it was not just one ‘own-goal,’ but a series of them. The blunder will likely go down in American history as one of the worst foreign policy moves in our history.”

Peace Deal Over

The Huffington Post wrote on July 8:

“Just weeks after admitting he agreed to a peace deal with Iran to avoid a global economic calamity, President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the deal was ‘over’ and disparaged the same leaders he recently praised as moderate and reasonable as ‘scum’ who could not be trusted…

“His comments came after the U.S. military announced another round of attacks on Iranian targets around the Persian Gulf, which were in response to Iranian attacks on oil and natural gas tankers trying to pass through the Strait of Hormuz using a channel not approved by Iran.”

How Trump Unites the Catholic Church

New Lines Magazine wrote on July 3:

“For the first time, a sitting U.S. president publicly questioned the legitimacy of a pope’s election. And Pope Leo XIV refuses to back down from confronting him. The conflict between perhaps the two most famous Americans on the planet has no historical precedent, not least because Leo XIV is the first American pope. ‘It is an event that evokes the historical clashes between the papacy and the empire,’ Giovanni Maria Vian, historian and former editor of L’Osservatore Romano, the Holy See’s daily newspaper, told New Lines. He described the confrontation between the pope and the U.S. president as ‘unprecedented’ …

“Half a year ago, shortly before the first anniversary of Leo’s papacy, a senior Vatican diplomat was summoned to the Pentagon. This was not a courtesy call. Some sources inside the Holy See described the meeting as a confrontation: U.S. defense officials allegedly warned that Washington had the military power to act as it pleased and that the church had better take its side. That meeting marked the beginning of a rupture without precedent in the modern era. President Donald Trump has since questioned the legitimacy of the pope’s election, posted an AI-generated image of himself as Jesus, and declared he is ‘not a fan of Pope Leo.’ Leo, for his part, has said he has ‘no fear of the Trump administration’ and has continued to speak out….

“The relationship between the U.S. and the Holy See is at its lowest point since it was formalized in 1984. But what Trump does not seem to understand is that his outbursts are proving remarkably helpful in achieving one of the key objectives that led to Leo’s election. The new pope after Francis was expected to have two priorities: to prevent a world war and to reunite the Catholic community. Leo was elected in part to calm the disputes between conservative U.S. cardinals and the Vatican. It is no coincidence that his election came above all at the behest of American cardinals anxious to restore Vatican finances….

“Trump’s insults are helping Leo to effect reconciliation within the deeply fractured American Catholic Church…. Since the day Trump accused Leo of being ‘terrible for foreign policy,’ America’s bishops have rallied around Leo in ways they never did with Francis.” 

And so, Trump is inadvertently fulfilling biblical prophecy once again, without having any clue that he does.

America’s Marriage Laws

Israel 365 News wrote on May 5:

“Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce got married Friday night at Madison Square Garden, and the man who sealed the deal was not a priest, not a judge, not a chaplain flown in from a Manhattan cathedral. It was Adam Sandler, star of Billy Madison and The Waterboy, presiding over one of the most-watched weddings of the decade with all the rabbinic authority…

“Here is the part that ought to make headlines of its own. According to the state of New York, Sandler did not need a seminary degree, a house of worship, or a single day of religious training to legally marry two of the most famous people on the planet. Any adult can apply for a One-Day Marriage Officiant License in New York State and stand at the altar, no questions asked. Sandler filled out a form. That is the entire ordination process….

“… the ease with which American law hands out marriage authority for an afternoon says everything about how far the modern wedding has drifted from the Bible’s own definition of the institution.”

Sandler, a Jew, officiated over a “Christian” wedding.

Adding Trump to Mount Rushmore?

Daily Mail wrote on July 4:

“Donald Trump has long boasted that his record is deserving enough to be added to Mount Rushmore, but the President seems more convinced now than ever as he drops hints about his inclusion on the historic monument…

“Trump shared an AI-generated video depicting a gold-plated engraving of Mount Rushmore with his face added to the far right of the monument, alongside Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt…. The Trump administration also heavily hinted at Trump’s addition to the monument, handing out cookies on Air Force One showing his face etched in the mountain alongside Lincoln.”

What record? Trump’s haughtiness and pride are truly remarkable.

Repeating One of America’s Ugliest Chapters?

NPR wrote on July 4:

“President Donald Trump ushered in the 250th anniversary of American independence on Friday with soaring rhetoric about American exceptionalism before veering into a darkly political speech with warnings about a sinister threat of communism that evoked one of the country’s ugliest chapters. ‘Communism is a mortal threat to American liberty,’ he said from Mount Rushmore. ‘It is the greatest threat to our country, including World War I, World War II, Pearl Harbor or even 9/11.’…

“Trump’s language evoked the Red Scare of the 1950s, when alleged communists were persecuted and blacklisted from jobs across America, from Washington to Hollywood….”

This was indeed one of the darkest chapters in America’s history, and Trump’s revoking ofthis ugly and inhumane conduct is indeed a deeply alarming development.

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.