News and Prophecy Staff

In a recent meeting in Beijing, the presidents of China and Russia, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, “pledged a ‘new era’ of partnership between the two most powerful rivals of the United States, which they cast as an aggressive Cold War hegemon sowing chaos across the world” (Reuters, May 17, 2024).

In Washington County, Maryland, a suburb of Washington, D.C., the school board recently decided that parents cannot opt their young children out of elementary school lessons focusing on LGBTQ+ themes. Concerned parents sued the school district, requesting the right to prevent their children from being forced to participate in the lessons on the basis of their religious beliefs. Interestingly, the three sets of parents bringing the lawsuit were Muslim, Jewish, and Christian.

As the end of the age draws closer, real life seems to blur with science fiction. Today’s realities are becoming scenes out of a dystopian movie or political espionage novel. The last two decades have witnessed monumental advances in the field of genetics. Scientists are learning how to turn genes on and off and how to program organisms in the language of genetics. In their work, some scientists buy and sell the genetic sequences of various bacteria and viruses.

For forty years, the United Methodist Church (UMC) has banned the ordination of homosexual clergy. However, in April, the church overwhelmingly voted to overturn the ban by a landslide vote, 692 to 51 (BBC, May 2, 2024). As one UMC clergy member proudly observed following the vote, “With the approvals and acceptance of the things today...

With the Arctic on its northern border, Canada is looking into options to protect “the longest coastline in the world” (The Canadian Press, April 10, 2024). The Canadian defense strategy that originally called for conventionally powered submarines has led to further discussions centering on nuclear-powered submarines.