News and Prophecy Staff

In recent weeks, the German defense minister and the inspector general of the Bundeswehr published a strategic white paper on the future of the German military (German Foreign Policy, February 15, 2021). This new document highlights the increasing threat against Europe that Russia represents. It also highlights China’s rise as a military superpower and the need for Germany to balance that rise.

Recently in South Africa, criminals strapped an explosive device to an ATM technician and forced him to open the machines he was hauling so they could steal the money (Institute for Security Studies, February 18, 2021). Thankfully, the victim was released after the ordeal. Extortion efforts like this are being used with increasing frequency by cartels and gangs around the globe.

A new law under consideration in Denmark would require all sermons not given in the Danish language to be translated and submitted to the state (The Guardian, January 31, 2021).

Around the globe, more and more people are moving into cities. By 2050, the United Nations expects that nearly 70 percent of the world’s population will live in cities—up from 55 percent today (UN.org, May 16, 2018). Densely populated cities put increasing stress on aquifers, naturally occurring underground water reservoirs. As droughts continue and aquifers empty, the structure of the clay and sand in the aquifers changes and begins to collapse.

A month into Brexit and economists are forecasting that the break with the European Union will negatively impact British finances over the next two years. In fact, economists expect that the United Kingdom will be hit by financial costs four times greater than those experienced by the EU (The Guardian, February 11, 2021).