News

“Australia is surveying the devastation wrought by Cyclone Debbie, which has flooded vast tracts ‘almost the size of Texas’ and left at least three dead” (BBC, April 2, 2017). The aftermath and flooding, as well as the current crop destruction, is estimated to reach AU $1 billion. Tens of thousands have been forced to evacuate their homes, thousands are still without power, and this week, as rivers crest, areas of central Queensland could suffer the worst flooding in 60 years (ibid.).

“The European Commission has put its ‘full support’ behind giving Spain a veto on the economic future of Gibraltar” (EU Observer, April 3, 2017). But “the head of Gibraltar’s government has unequivocally stated that his territory will remain British despite Brexit” (Deutsche Welle, April 3, 2017).

Nothing has divided Britain more over the past 40 years than the question of its place in Europe. It joined the nascent EU in 1973 for economic reasons—with the assurance that there was no political dimension involved.

But after the Maastricht Treaty of 1992 revealed the political ambitions of the EU, establishing itself as a political entity in its own right, a growing proportion of the British complained they had never been truthfully consulted about the organisation they were now part of—one that was headed toward “ever closer union” and some kind of federated superstate.

California is a beautiful state, but the crime, traffic and pollution are hardly reflective of Christ’s coming reign. However, a recent event can give us insight into the coming Kingdom of God. “Southern California’s deserts are bursting with color after this winter’s heavy rains brought drought relief to the area. It’s known as a ‘super bloom,’ and one of this caliber hasn’t happened in California’s typically arid deserts in 12 years” (The Weather Channel, March 17, 2017).