We are now officially at the "big crisis" phase of the EU, and soon, we can expect the "big changes" to take place.
With just in one day worth of news one can see the severity of the crisis and the need for some big changes:
Police fired stun grenades and tear gas at protesters yesterday as tens of thousands poured into the streets of Athens as part of a nationwide strike to challenge a new round of austerity measures that are expected to cut wages, pensions and healthcare once again.
Greece has been told to implement a succession of spending cuts and structural reforms in an effort to bring down its massive debt in exchange a bailout of nearly €200bn (£160bn). But many experts warn that the measures are only making the recession deeper. One in two youths is out of a job while thousands of educated and skilled professionals are fleeing the country in search of opportunities abroad.
Anti-austerity groups planned a fresh demonstration on Wednesday evening in Madrid, a day after police fired rubber bullets at thousands of protesters who tried to form a human chain around the parliament building.Police arrested 35 protesters on Tuesday and 64 police and demonstrators were injured in the clashes.
With protesters stepping up anti-austerity demonstrations, Rajoy presents painful economic reforms and a tough 2013 budget on Thursday, aiming to persuade euro zone partners and investors that Spain is doing its deficit-cutting homework despite a recession and 25 percent unemployment.
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Europe's fragile financial calm was shattered Wednesday as investors worried that violent anti-austerity protests in Greece and Spain's debt troubles showed that the region still cannot get a grip on its financial crisis and stabilize its common currency, the euro.
Police fired tear gas at rioters hurling gasoline bombs and chunks of marble Wednesday during Greece's largest anti-austerity demonstration in six months — part of a 24-hour general strike that was a test for the nearly four-month old coalition government and the new spending cuts it plans to push through.
The brief but intense clashes by a couple of hundred rioters participating in the demonstration of more than 60,000 people came a day after anti-austerity protests rocked the Spanish capital, Madrid.
Spain's central bank warned Wednesday the country's economy continues to shrink "significantly," sending Spanish stock index tumbling and its borrowing costs rising.Across Europe, stock markets fell as well. Germany's DAX dropped 2 percent while the CAC-40 in France fell 2.4 percent and Britain's FTSE 100 slid 1.4 percent. The euro was also hit, down a further 0.3 percent at $1.2840.
However, the economic reality in Europe remained dire. Several countries have had to impose harsh new spending cuts, tax rises and economic reforms to meet European deficit targets and, in Greece's case, to continue getting vital aid. The austerity has hit the countries' populations with cut wages and axed services, and left their economies struggling through recessions as reduced government spendinghas undermined growth.
Spain is set to unveil the debt-ridden country's new budget Thursday, after thousands protested this week against expected government budget cuts.
But Spaniards have taken to the streets to demonstrate against austerity measures, and are expected to do so again after expected new cuts are unveiled.
Spain is facing an economic crisis, with unemployment near 25%, and the protesters accused the government and the opposition alike of trying to solve the country's financial woes on the backs of the people.
Tuesday's protest seems to have been the most violent in the capital this year, but it was only one of an estimated 1,900 demonstrations in Madrid in 2012, according to government figures.
“The honeymoon period for markets is over. There is a realization that central banks have laid their cards on the table now and not much more can be done to help growth,” said Justin Harper, market strategist at IG Markets in Singapore. “Looking at the hard cold facts, economies globally are still struggling to recover. While markets remain toppy, more sell-offs could be on the cards as investors fail to find a new catalyst to drive equities higher.”
The number of jobless in mainland France swelled to 3.011 million in August, 23,900 more than in July, Labour Ministry figures showed, the first time since 1999 that the figure has breached the three million mark.Some 4.494 million people, including some who are partially employed, have registered themselves as actively looking for work on the French mainland. This is 40,800 more than in July and a record since the ministry began collecting comparable data in 1991.
"These three million unemployed embody the failure of economic and social policies undertaken during the last few years," the ministry said in a statement.
Back To The Middle East:
Defense Minister Ehud Barak reiterated Thursday that Israel is ready for any challenge, but that it could not rely on anyone "but ourselves."
Speaking at the memorial service for the 1973 Yom Kippur War's victims, Barak stated: "The region around us is alight. However, the IDF and security forces are ready for any challenge, be it near or far."
Directing his comments at the bereaved families present at the ceremony, Barak added: "If necessary, we will fight and win every battle, even at painful costs."
Emphasizing the lessons of the Yom Kippur war, Barak stated: "The Yom Kippur War was a turning point in Israel's history."
This review by Joel Rosenberg is worth reading in full. There is also a video within this link which is worth watching:
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today called for the end of the “hegemonic” powers of the United States and Israel, whom he described as “the uncivilized Zionists.” He said the world would “soon” see new “global management” by the Twelfth Imam, also known as the “Mahdi,”
This was Ahmadinejad’s eighth and likely final annual address to the opening fall session of the United Nations General Assembly. He is expected to finish his second term in office in June 2013. In each of his past U.N. speeches, he prayed for the soon coming of the so-called Islamic messiah. This time he went much further, offering his most detailed explanation to date of his Shi’a Islamic eschatology (end times theology) and his understanding of the coming rule of the Twelfth Imam.
“God Almighty has promised us a man of kindness, a man who loves people and loves absolute justice, a man who is a perfect human being and is named Imam Al-Mahdi, a man who will come in the company of Jesus Christ, peace be upon Him, and the righteous,” he said. Calling the Mahdi “the Ultimate Savior,” Ahmadinejad said his arrival on earth “will mark a new beginning, a rebirth and a resurrection. It will be the beginning of peace, lasting security and genuine life.”
Ahmadinejad said the coming reign of the Twelfth Imam on earth “will bring about an eternally bright future for mankind, not by force or waging wars but through thought awakening and developing kindness in everyone.” The Iranian leader did not offer a specific timetable, but he did say the “sweet scent” of the Mahdi’s global reign “will soon reach all the territories in Asia, Europe, Africa and the U.S.”
Few world leaders are taking Ahmadinejad’s eschatology seriously. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, understands it. I’ve discussed it with him personally. Indeed, it is why he and his senior advisers in Jerusalem are seriously contemplating preemptive military action, to keep nuclear weapons out of the hands of Ahmadinejad and men like him who are members of an apocalyptic, genocidal death cult determined to bring about a nuclear holocaust and the End of Days.
Also see:
12 comments:
When they are saying "peace and security"...
My heading is spinning from the headlines. Nice job of pulling it together as usual Scott.
I wish if the stock market was going to crash it would do it before the election. That is the carnal man in still concerned about an election that I need to leave in God's hands.
Praying for Benjamin Netanyahu's speech today. May God bless him, protect and grant him extra wisdom and courage.
Wonder about Ahmadinejad's speech. He mentions a group of 10 nations as part of this new world , he mentions the arival of the mahdi who will bring peace through words. The extreme muslim people wear headbands and or wrist bands about Allah. Muslims wants everyone to worship their God, they behead people. Is there a chance that instead of the antichrist coming out of the REU that when this "Mahdi" seems to return, that he could be the antichrist? and the one that supposivly is JC..The false one, be the false prophet? It would make sense that they would pretend to bring peace to Israel, the world and then turn on them and the remaining world and force them to worship their God?
Not sure I put into words what I am trying to ask, but what are your thoughts about that?
believer in Christ as Lord and Savior.
What a wonderful blog! Many thanks for keeping us informed and updated on prophetic news. God Bless!
Has anyone ever heard Bibi give the God of Israel credit for all the blessings Israel has up til now? Is he strong on his faith or more on his country's resources to account for it? Just wondering how dedicated Netanyahu is to the power he can depend on, being from God alone?
Hi Little Brother Dylan, :)
The Scripture you reference is speaking to the Tribulation Jewish People, not current times before the Rapture. :)
God Bless!
Hi Brother WV, :)
Still Praying your doing well dear Brother! Whew, things are indeed getting tense to say the least!
Praying with you Brother, greatly, in agreement for Benjamin Netanyahu. AMEN!
God Bless You!
Scott are you going to update us on the un speech today?
Hart
Look up :)
Thanks Mrs. C much appreciated...
The two things I most often look at on end time stage setting are economic turmoil leading to Revelation 6 and ME war related to Ezekiel 39 and Isaiah 17... and it seems we are in overdrive on both fronts. It amazing.
Remember when Russia invaded Georgia back a few years ago. We all got excited then as it paved a path straight to Israel from the north. It seems Russia is doing war games on their border again.
Crazy but exciting times in which we live.
Maranatha!
Scott i was referring to Netanyahus speech. i was. hoping for quotes and your comments on Netanyahus speech.
HART
I was just messin with ya! :)
(I had just finished posting that and you had just posted your comment - I couldn't resist)
Anyway, I've been thinking about this all day - several thoughts
- Was he forcing the US to respond and 'formally' declare its intentions in public? (ie, come off the fence) - one reason I say this is based on an article I'm getting ready to post
- Was he telegraphing his last - 'drop dead' date for the world (and the US) to know exactly when he'll respond to Iran? (ie, no later than spring)
- OR - and I hope this isn't he case - is he hedging hos bets that Romney will bet elected and then he can use the US to help out, which some feel is critical to this operation.
- I think this speech represents one small (but very important) piece of this puzzle. Don't forget, he isn't even necessarily saying that he will wait till spring to take action, he is just saying that they can't wait LONGER than spring to take action.
I'm also a little confused, because the "red line" a month or so ago was when Iran had the capability to move everything underground, which I thought was by the end of '12. That aspect wasn't even mentioned. I found that interesting and perplexing
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