by Norbert Link
In this issue, we begin with reports on developments in Germany and the ongoing Brexit negotiations; remarkable European advancements towards a “European mega-army”(please view in this regard our new StandingWatch program, “Europe’s New Defense Pact… Blessing or Curse?”), and frightening prospects for European customers of failing banks. We address the military coup in Zimbabwe; the powder keg in the Middle East and especially the escalating and extremely volatile situation pertaining to Lebanon, Iran and Saudi Arabia; as well as a powerful earthquake at the border between Iran and Iraq; and we speak on President Trump’s travel to China, Russia and the Philippines and his encounter with the leaders of these countries, while emphasizing an agreement between Trump and Putin which might prove to be extremely dangerous for Israel; and we focus on noteworthy and disconcerting events in Poland.
We continue with the upheaval in the Roman Catholic Church and Pope Francis’ clear “response” to some of his conservative critics, as well as reactions by the US bishops.
In the last portion of this section, we address a variety of “social” issues, including a decision by Germany’s constitutional court regarding intersex people; the German military’s approach towards transgender service members and the dangers of transgenderism; Australia’s approval of gay marriages; an attempt to abolish Obama’s individual mandate in America’s healthcare law; America’s huge production of missiles and “kill vehicles”; the debate on whether or not to carry concealed weapons in worship services; and the history and sad transformation of the American Veterans Day.
We conclude with reports on a possible return of the Black Death; scientific experiments to grow miniature versions of human brains in animals; and remarkable explanations for the extinction of the dinosaurs.
Throughout this section, we have underlined pertinent statements in the quoted articles, for the convenience and quick overview of the reader.
