News and Prophecy Staff

In response to the growing threat of an Israeli military attack, Iran is planning a massive defense drill in October, involving their air defenses, army and revolutionary guard (Reuters, September 1, 2012).  “Today our systems are prepared in a serious way for modern air threats,” noted Iran’s air defense commander (ibid.).  An Iranian naval commander said that Iran now sees Israel and the U.S.

Recently, a series of earthquakes struck California and El Salvador—adding to a worldwide number of earthquakes in various places.    Imperial County, California, experienced many tremors ranging from 2.0 to 5.5 in magnitude.  “By 5 p.m., the USGS had recorded about 300 earthquakes, and the count continued to rise throughout the evening” (LA Times, August 26, 2012).   Although earthquakes are common in the region, so many at one time is unusual.

Considerable research supporting male circumcision has surfaced over the last decade.  As a result, The American Academy of Pediatrics just reversed its 13-year stance.

Egypt is becoming more independent from the United States.  “The Muslim Brotherhood’s election platform called for a reworked relationship with Washington based on ‘independence of decision’ and an end to ‘subordination’” (CNS News, August 22, 2012).

The polarizing debate of whether or not the Australian states should “go it alone” on the issue of homosexual marriage rose to the fore last week as rallies were held in most major cities by those who want to change the definition of marriage.  State premiers from South Australia and Tasmania along with the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory (where the country’s federal government is located) threw their weight behind efforts to legislate and legalize homosexual marriage.