News and Prophecy Staff

Last Friday, EU leaders met in Brussels to discuss an intergovernmental treaty that will enforce stricter financial laws among EU members.  Four nations initially rejected the treaty but with “a strong diplomatic push… the Czech Republic, Hungary and Sweden entered the fold later.”  Britain was the only one of the 27 EU nations to reject the treaty.

As of last Monday, the whooping cough (pertussis) outbreak in three Illinois counties included more than 500 diagnosed cases.  Public health officials say the actual number of cases is much higher, but that the 500 represent solely “medically diagnosed” cases.  In McHenry County alone there were 172 cases on Monday—up from just nine cases during the entirety of last year.  Officials do not know the exact reason for the outbreak.

In another groundbreaking announcement this week, the White House highlighted its “wide-ranging effort to use U.S. foreign aid to promote rights for gays and lesbians abroad, including combating attempts by foreign governments to criminalize homosexuality.”  Aid typically used to support and establish democratic governments, fight oppressive dictatorial regimes, and feed the hungry, will now be further diluted in order to support the rights of homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender individuals.  This broad-reaching edict will affect the following U.S.

Last week, Iranian protesters in Tehran stormed the British Embassy.  According to the Geneva Convention, host nations are responsible for the safety and protection of foreign diplomats on their soil, yet virtually no protection or intervention was provided by Iranian security forces.  In response, the British Foreign Secretary announced the immediate closure of the Embassy and withdrawal of embassy staff. Additionally, he expelled Iranian diplomats from Britain and closed Iran’s London Embassy.

“Mexico is being battered by its worst drought in seven decades, which has devastated farm life and is expected to continue into next year.  The lack of rainfall has affected almost 70 percent of the country,” with the northern states experiencing the most severe drought.  “The government has cut its forecast for corn production [the staple crop] two times in 2011,” and nearly half-a-million cattle have died in desert-like pastures.  The deputy director of Mexico’s National Water Commission has noted that since the dry season is now underway, the nation’s hopes lie with rainfall next June.