Covenant With Many

U.N. Security Council members rebuke U.S. policy shift on Israeli settlements - UPI.com
UPI reports: "The members of the U.N. Security Council strongly rebuked the United States for its announcement that it will no longer consider Israeli settlements to be illegal under international law. The members of the council Wednesday criticized the shift in U.S. policy as it threatens peace in the region by undermining the two-state solution at a time of recent hostility between Palestine and Israel."

Comment: To me it's a supernatural thing, how often the affairs of this small little country in the Middle East are the focus of the entire international community. 

Rumors of War - Kings of the East

Report: Chinese aircraft carrier could be deployed to 'protect' South China Sea 
UPI reports: "A Chinese aircraft carrier that recently entered the Taiwan Strait could be deployed to guard the South China Sea, Chinese state media said Monday. [...] Global Times said Monday the carrier is likely to be deployed to guard the South China Sea, where the country has been militarizing disputed islands."

Comment: The military progress China has made in just one generation is impressive.  I think they are on the verge of announcing their own Monroe Doctrine and declaring all of the South China Sea to be under their sovereign control. Will the U.S. risk WWIII to challenge that or accede to Chinese demands?

Nations in Distress - Roaring Seas

Venice declares emergency amid historic flood levels - UPI.com
UPI reports: "Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has declared a national state of emergency after flood levels in Venice reached six feet above sea level, its highest level in more than 50 years. [...] Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro blamed global warming for the rising water levels, which flooded the Veneto regional council chambers on Venice's Grand Canal during a meeting this week - incidentally, just after it rejected a measure to address climate change."

Comment: This is really a preview of what is to come for coastal cities all over the world. I don't think they are ready.

Wickedness Increases

At least 2 dead, 3 injured in shooting at Santa Clarita, Calif., high school
UPI reports: "A 16-year-old student opened fire at a Southern California high school Thursday, killing at least two students and injuring three others, local authorities said. The male suspect was hospitalized with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, Los Angeles County sheriff's Capt. Kent Wegener said. Authorities said the shooting happened at Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, about 40 miles north of downtown Los Angeles, shortly before classes began."

Comment: I wonder how many school shootings happened before they took God out of our schools? 

Pestilence

Outbreak of bubonic plague confirmed in China
UPI reports: "A deadly disease that once swept through Europe in the 14th century is being reported in rural north China. [...] Television networks KBS and JTBC reported Wednesday at least two patients with the bubonic plague have been hospitalized at Beijing's Chaoyang Hospital since Nov. 3. [...] Possible lack of government transparency has triggered rumors on Chinese social media that claim the patient count is higher, and some people are already dead, according to KBS."

Comment: Praying they will get this outbreak under control. It's pretty horrific to imagine the plague unrestrained in a country to size of China. 

Global Community

SpaceX faces competitors in race to build Internet-satellite constellation
UPI reports: "SpaceX isn't the only company trying to build a satellite constellation capable of providing global Internet coverage. Last winter, OneWeb launched six small satellites. Tests confirmed the mini constellation produces a serviceable signal, and the company expects to launch another 60 satellites in early 2020. OneWeb, which is targeting an initial constellation population of 650, and later 2,000, expects to begin offering service in the Arctic by the end of 2020 and global coverage in 2021."

Comment: The world is vastly more interconnected than at any time in history and that trend is only accelerating as internet access expands to include the most remote areas of the world.  The day when everyone on Earth can participate in a common culture is fast approaching.

Jerusalem Security

Islamic Jihad fires 50 rockets into Israel after senior leader killed
UPI reports: "Israeli security forces said Tuesday they killed a senior leader of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in a predawn attack on the Gaza Strip, inciting the militant group to fire about 50 rockets in retaliation. [...] Rocket alerts blared across southern and central Israel early Tuesday as the Islamic Jihad "indiscriminately" fired rockets at Israeli towns near Gaza in retaliation, the IDF said via Twitter."

Comment: It appears that the security situation in Israel is getting complicated as more pressure is brought to bear on the Islamic State. From what I've read, there is a huge arsenal of rockets under the control of Palestinian forces in Gaza and in Lebanon. Pray for Israel.

Gog Alliance - King of the North

In Libyan war, Russian mercenaries add deadlier firepower and modern tactics
The Washington Post reports: "Hundreds of Russian mercenaries, many highly trained and well-armed, are fighting alongside renegade Libyan commander Khalifa Hifter as he seeks to oust the country’s United Nations-backed government, according to Libyan military commanders and fighters, as well as U.S. military and other Western officials. [...] the arrival of these mercenaries comes at a time when Russia has been expanding its military and diplomatic reach across the Middle East, Africa and beyond, enjoying greater clout in places such as Syria where the United States is disengaging."

Comment: This news report reminds us of the ongoing and past involvement of Russia in Northern Africa. It's worth noting that the prophetic Gog Alliance includes Libya and North Africa and so it's very important to note those ongoing links with Russia.  We expect they will grow stronger over time.