News and Prophecy Staff

In December, the new Queen James Version (QJV) of the Holy Bible was published in the U.S. and made available for sale (Australian Women’s Weekly, December 18, 2012). Its cover shows a rainbow cross (depicting gay pride) and its purpose is to edit Bible verses that condemn homosexuality, so homophobic interpretations become impossible (ibid.).

As the United States shifts its foreign policy focus from the Middle East to Asia, Russia and China are strengthening their relationship to defend against the perceived U.S. military threat. The U.S. and Australia signed a pact stationing 2,500 U.S. Marines in Australia to boost their Pacific strength against a more aggressive China (New York Times, April 4, 2012).

This week, Prime Minister David Cameron “promised Britons a vote on quitting the European Union, rattling London’s biggest allies and some investors by raising the prospect of uncertainty and upheaval” (Reuters, January 23, 2013). Mr. Cameron promised a vote by the end of 2017, pending his reelection, stating “It is time for the British people to have their say. It is time for us to settle this question about Britain and Europe” (ibid.).

The Muslim Brotherhood holds a historical hatred for Israel. Following his election, Mohammed Morsi (a member of the Brotherhood) promised to respect a long-standing peace treaty with Israel. However, the future of this treaty is questionable after an advisor to Mr. Morsi stated in an interview that within a decade, “There will be no such thing as Israel” (Israel National News, January 2, 2013).

“The French government has announced a plan to combat religious groups that are judged ‘potentially violent’ including both militant Muslims and traditionalist Catholics.”  According to the Interior Minister, “the government will protect the French tradition of secularity in government by fighting religious extremism which he called ‘an offense to the Republic.’”  He stated that his office “will try to determine ‘when it’s suitable to intervene to treat what has become a religious pathology’” (