Friday, April 30, 2004

My Way News: "EU Expands From 15 to 25 Member Nations"
The Pain of Integrating EU’s Rookie States
One World and Radio Netherlands report, "For the ten countries that join the European Union (EU) on Saturday, membership may be a question of money, but experts on European affairs argue that, membership is also a question of money for old members because the EU is not rooted in a vision of a “federal Europe”.

Thursday, April 29, 2004

Mineral brew grows 'cells': A mixture of simple chemicals produces fungus-like structure.
From the journal Nature. The spiritual descendants of Miller and Urey, who claimed that a lightning bolt in a reducing atmosphere produced the first amino acids, are back. They are now claiming that various mixtures of sodium and copper salts can produce a self-replicating, fungus-like structure. Only problem is, they also start with starch, which as any reader knows is a product of life and is not a product of any non-living process. This is the equivalent of Satan claiming that he can produce life, and starting with a handful of dirt--whereupon God says, "Not so fast. Get your own dirt." Furthermore, I searched that recipe carefully for any compound containing phosphorus or nitrogen, and found none. (Starch is a polysaccharide; it contains carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen--and nothing else.)

But less-discerning minds won't catch the omission, and the professional "scientists" will claim to have found a far simpler recipe for life than the irreducibly complex cell that Michael Behe identified as the base unit of life. In other words, God will send strong delusion on people, in order that they might believe a lie. [II Thess. 2:11]

Wednesday, April 28, 2004

My Way News: "U.S. Warplane Fires on Fallujah Targets"
UN Nuclear Inspections Chief to Visit Israel
VoA reports, "Visit aimed at establishing a nuclear weapons-free zone in Middle East."

NYT: Europe-Russia Pact to Cover New Union Nations
The New York Times reports, "The European Union and Russia agreed to extend their economic and political relationship to the union's 10 new members."

MENL: Russia Develops New S-300 Missile
Middle East Newsline reports, "Russia has developed an anti-missile interceptor for marketing to Middle East clients."
VOA: Iranians Captivated by UFO Sighting
Berlin Conference to Discuss Rising Anti-Semitism
VOA reports, "Secretary of State Colin Powell joins foreign ministers, senior officials from more than 50 countries for conference aimed at combating resurgence of anti-Semitism in Europe."
WorldNetDaily: Dutch ban Islam book
The book, titled De Weg van de Muslim (The Way of the Muslim), openly advocates:
  • Executing homosexuals by throwing them off the roof of a tall building and, if they don't die on impact, stoning them to death after they land.
  • Recognizing the husband as the sole authority in the home and empowering him to beat his wife.
  • The mutilation of female genitals.
  • That a woman who tells a lie be dealt a hundred blows.
  • That a husband has the positive duty to force his wife to have sexual intercourse with him.

In response, two Dutch officials have banned the book, and several parliamentarians want to prosecute the officials of the mosque that the book came from.

Clearly, tolerance of other religions has its limits. Can you doubt that the three-cornered war among Christians, Muslims, and secularists will inevitably escalate? Do not be so sure, however, that Muslims will win this war. A wave of anti-religious secularism could sweep the USA, as euthanasia now threatens to do--and after they have suppressed the Muslims, they will turn their attention against the Christians, saying that we are no better than the Muslims. And in their lead, perhaps, will be the Beast from the Sea and the False Prophet [Revelation 13].

Tuesday, April 27, 2004

AP: Sectarian Violence Spreads in Indonesia
"Snipers spread terror across this provincial capital Tuesday in a third day of bloodshed that intensified fears the region could plunge back into a Muslim-Christian war that killed 9,000 people three years ago."
AP: U.S. Aircraft Hammer Fallujah After Dark
"Multiple explosions shook Fallujah after dark Tuesday, and large plumes of smoke billowed into the sky as fighting erupted for the second straight night. An American AC-130 gunship hammered targets in the city."
CNN: SARS: China ups the ante
"Chinese health officials are keeping more than 600 people under observation, as they try to contain a cluster of confirmed and suspected SARS cases in Beijing and the eastern province of Anhui."

Monday, April 26, 2004

CNN: Deadly violence hits Ambon
"Clashes between Christians and Muslims in the Indonesian city of Ambon has left at least 14 people dead and more than 100 injured, many with knife wounds. Hundreds of extra troops and police have been rushed to the strife torn region in a bid to contain the violence."
VOA: Britain Tests National ID Card to Reduce Terror Threat

Thursday, April 22, 2004

Jerusalem Post: Muslim worshipers restricted at Temple Mount for 3rd week.
MSNBC: EU pushes for early Quartet meeting.
AFP and Yahoo News are reporting that Powell urges Congress to delay biometric passports deadline for friendly nations, for your Mark (Rev 13:16-18) files on ID tech.
I'm changing my posting style just a bit, I just don't have the time I used to, so I'll be posting quick links without explanation or commentary. If you have a question about a particular post, about what Bible prophecy it relates to or what the context is, please leave a comment and I will reply when time allows. Other team members are free to follow their own established style or change it as they see fit.
NewsMax.com : Losing the Next War - Chinese Space War Heats Up
AP: China Reports 2 Suspected Cases of SARS
AP: Paper: Shanghai Net Cafes to Be Monitored

Sunday, April 18, 2004

MEMRI: Arab Press Reactions to the Madrid Bombings
Reaction is mixed. Some Arabs decry terrorism and try to distance themselves and Islam from it. Other Arabs rejoice in terrorism. Still others said that the Jews planted the bombs. And so it goes, as once again Jerusalem proves a stumbling block to the nations [Zechariah 12].

Saturday, April 17, 2004

Israel Missile Strike Kills Hamas Leader
AP reports, "Israel assassinated Hamas leader Abdel Aziz Rantisi in a missile strike on his car Saturday, part of its declared campaign to wipe out the Islamic militant group's leadership ahead of a planned Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip...Rantisi was one of the most hard-line members of the militant movement, which rejects all compromise with Israel and calls for the destruction of the Jewish state."
Arafat Condemns Bush Position on Mideast
AP reports, "Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on Saturday condemned U.S. support for Israel's position on two of the thorniest issues in the Mideast conflict, saying no one can negotiate away the Palestinians' rights." :: For your files on Rumors of War (Matthew 24:6) and Covenant With Many (Daniel 9:26). :: Right, is it unexpected that Arafat would condemn U.S. support for Israel?

Thursday, April 15, 2004

Paying for drinks with wave of the hand
WND reports, "Club-goers in Spain get implanted chips for ID, payment purposes." :: Submitted for your Mark of the Beast (Rev 13:16-18) files on ID tech and commerce tech trends.
Mideast quartet backs Gaza withdrawal
AFP and Yahoo News report, "Israel's plans for unilateral withdrawal from the Gaza Strip met with a cautious welcome from sponsors of the Middle East peace process, but Washington's surprise policy shift drew Arab outrage and sparked fears worldwide of further violence. The European Union and Russia, which along with the United States and the United Nations form the diplomatic 'quartet' backing the peace process, supported the unilateral withdrawal from Gaza." :: Submitted for your Covenant With Many (Daniel 9:27) files on Mideast peace plans.

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

Bush Endorses Israel's Plan on West Bank
AP reports, "In a historic policy shift, President Bush on Thursday endorsed Israel's plan to hold on to part of the West Bank in any final peace settlement with the Palestinians." :: CWM, Dan 9:27.
The Missing Moon of Sedna
NASA Science News reports, "Astronomers examining Hubble Space Telescope images of distant Sedna say the planetoid is even more mysterious than they first thought." :: Luke 21:11
San Andreas May Be on Cusp of More Quakes
AP reports, "The notorious San Andreas fault may be on the cusp of producing a flurry of earthquakes that could rattle Southern California with a strong temblor every few decades or less, a geologist said Wednesday." :: Matt 24:7.

Friday, April 09, 2004

Baghdad and Parts of Central Iraq Chaotic
AP reports, "A U.S. AC-130 gunship raked targets in Fallujah on Friday night after hundreds of women and children fled the besieged city during a pause in the Marine offensive. On the anniversary of the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, Baghdad and parts of central Iraq were chaotic." :: Submitted for your files on War (Matthew 24:6).
Palestinian Youth Rush Temple Mount
The Washington Times reports, "Israeli police Friday blocked scores of Palestinian youths from storming Jerusalem's Temple Mount." :: Submitted for your files on the Temple Mount/Holy Place (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15 & 2 Thessalonians 2:4).

Thursday, April 08, 2004

Fierce Fighting Rages in Iraq, Foreigners Kidnapped
Reuters and Yahoo News report, "U.S.-led troops fought fierce battles with Sunni and Shi'ite rebels Thursday and a spate of kidnappings snared foreigners as Iraq descended into bloody chaos not seen since Saddam Hussein's fall a year ago." :: For your War (Matthew 24:6) files.

Wednesday, April 07, 2004

U.S. Fights On Shi'ite, Sunni Fronts
Middle Eeast News Line reports, "The U.S. military faces a two-front insurgency war in Iraq. U.S. and coalition troops have been fighting Sunni and Shi'ite militias in central and southern Iraq in the most intense battles since the war in April 2003. Over the last two days, about a dozen U.S. marines have been killed in clashes in such cities as Faluja, Karbala, Nasseriya and Ramadi." :: For your War (Matthew 24:6) files.

Tuesday, April 06, 2004

12 Marines, 66 Iraqis Killed in Battles
AP reports, "Insurgents and rebellious Shiites mounted a string of attacks across Iraq's Shiite south and U.S. Marines launched a major assault on the turbulent Sunni city of Fallujah on Tuesday. Up to a dozen Marines, two more coalition soldiers and at least 66 Iraqis were reported killed." :: Submitted for your War (Matthew 24:6) files.

Monday, April 05, 2004

Concern over biometric passports
BBC News reports, "Civil rights campaigners have voiced concerns over plans to implement a global biometric identity system for air travellers." :: Submitted for your Mark of the Beast (Rev 13:16-18) files on biometrics and trends in ID technology.
Gibson's 'The Passion' a Hit Among Arabs
AP reports, "The Quran...says Jesus's crucifixion never happened. Such are the contradictions that are welling up as the Arab world deals with "The Passion," even as the film draws large audiences in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and other Arab countries that have approved it for screening." :: Submitted for your files on the Gospel Preached to All Nations (Matthew 24:14).

Saturday, April 03, 2004

Passport Safety, Privacy Face Off
Wired News reports, "Future passports may include digital mug shots and RFID tags full of sensitive personal information. While government agencies like the idea of tamper-resistant documents, privacy advocates see an attempt to impose a global ID system." :: Submitted for your Mark of the Beast (Rev 13:16-18) files on ID tech, biometrics, RFID chips and national ID cards. Yes, this report has it all.

Friday, April 02, 2004

Police Storm Disputed Jerusalem Holy Site
AP reports, "Hundreds of Israeli police in riot gear stormed a disputed holy site Friday, firing tear gas, stun grenades and plastic bullets to disperse Muslim worshippers throwing stones and shoes at them. After the initial clashes, thousands of Palestinians barricaded themselves in two mosques in the walled compound for about two hours, before police agreed to let them leave without threat of arrest."

Thursday, April 01, 2004

UFO blasts sky like 50,000 spotlights
World Net Daily reports, "Was it a brilliant meteor that flashed across Australia? 'Suddenly there was this flash, it's the only way I can describe it - it was so bright it was a white flash and it lit everything up. It was like somebody had turned on 50,000 spotlights.' That's how Elsa Nelms described the bright light in the Australian outback around 7 p.m. local time last night, as a huge fireball reportedly crashed to Earth somewhere in the state of Queensland." :: Submitted for your files on Signs and Wonders in the Heavens (Luke 21:11).
Eastern Temple Mount Wall In Danger of Collapse
The Jerusalem Post reports, "The eastern wall of Jerusalem's Temple Mount is in danger of immediate collapse because of damaged caused by a freak winter earthquake that rattled the region." :: Submitted for your files on the Temple Mount (Daniel 9:27, Matthew 24:15 & 2 Thessalonians 2:4).