Here are five of the most important news stories this week, as well as relevant links to the full articles and videos here on theTrumpet.com.

Facing U.S. Tariffs, China Embraces German Business

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met in Berlin on July 9 to reinforce their economic and diplomatic ties as both nations face strenuous pressure from United States tariffs.

“To ease the pressure from the U.S.,” wrote Geopolitical Futures, “Chinese leaders are looking far and wide for help from some friends.” China hopes that Europe, which is also being hit with American tariffs, will side with China against the U.S.

Although Europe does not trust China and fears its increasing global influence, the burgeoning trade war is forcing these unlikely partners closer together, as Bible prophecy indicates.

Iran Threatens to Block the Strait of Hormuz

On July 2, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani threatened to shut down the crucial Strait of Hormuz passageway in response to United States President Donald Trump’s attempt to block Iran’s oil exports. That threat was echoed and clarified by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Cmdr. Mohammed Ali Jafari when he said, “We will make the enemy understand that either all can use the Strait of Hormuz or no one.”

Threatening to close the strait gives Iran so much leverage that experts call it Iran’s “nuclear option.” It’s an option packed with explosive potential and sobering prophetic ramifications.

The Return of Ethiopia’s Navy

On July 9, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki signed the Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship, officially signaling the historic thaw in relations between the former rivals.

Among other things, the two nations are now planning joint development of ports on Eritrea’s Red Sea shore—a coastline Ethiopia lost when Eritrea declared independence in 1991. “We should build our naval force capacity in the future,” the Ethiopian prime minister was quoted as saying.

What else does the future hold for Ethiopia?

Americans Battle Over President Trump’s Supreme Court Nominee

On July 9, U.S. President Trump nominated federal appeals court Judge Brett Kavanaugh to replace retiring Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court, setting off a firestorm of aggressive opposition against his pick.

Kavanaugh believes in obeying the Constitution. He has made few legal decisions regarding abortion. But he being adamantly opposed and demonized based on the idea that he might possibly play a role in making it harder for women to kill their unborn children. This is a serious indictment of America’s moral condition.

Japan Suffers Worst Floods in 35 Years

Japan has received a historic amount of rainfall since the start of the month that has led to the worst flooding in the country since 1983. The floods and accompanying landslides have killed more than 200 people and forced the evacuation of more than 2 million people. Tens of thousands of homes no longer have electricity and running water.

The Japan Meteorological Agency said that the heavy rainfall was set off by the combination of humid air coming in from the Pacific and dense clouds left behind by the typhoon, as Japan’s active rainy season commences. “We’ve never experienced this kind of rain before,” one agency official said at a press conference. “This is a situation of extreme danger.”

If a God of love can prevent such weather dangers, as He promises to do in the Bible, why then does He allow them to devastate millions of people? The answer to this question is as critical as it is encouraging.

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