Why Disasters and Catastrophes?
Disasters made 2011 the most expensive year ever. With the beginning of 2012, more birds die a mysterious death; devastating volcanic eruptions threaten Germany; and it is now 5 minutes to midnight on the Doomsday Clock, with midnight symbolizing humanity's destruction. With all that bad news, it there any good news? Indeed, there is, but not in the way most people think.
StandingWatch Radio
StandingWatch is now broadcasting on the Radio! Listen to the programs right here.
See the schedule and the complete list of programs.
Current Events
This Week in the News
We begin with a sobering reminder of how the Holocaust became reality at a now infamous gathering at Wannsee, a villa in a suburb of Berlin, at which the plans of fifteen men altered the course of history. We report on the "monumental shift" in Egyptian politics as the Muslim Brotherhood gains decisive control. We follow with a report on the shocking violence of bomb attacks in Kano, Nigeria, by a self-proclaimed radical Islamist group called Boko Haram. We note the continuing emergence of Islamic influence in Egypt, Nigeria, Iraq and Syria. Iran's cat and mouse game with the West remains a brooding story. We note the Croatian vote to join the EU, while German Chancellor Angela Merkel calls for greater power for the EU and end with reports from both Britain and Los Angeles--further marking the downfall of the British and American people.
...WANNSEE Remembered
J-Wire published the following on January 21, 2012:
"On January 20, 1942, the Nazi leadership gathered in a villa on the outskirts of Berlin and adopted the 'Final Solution to the Jewish Question.' The Wannsee Conference, as this became known, from the suburb where the meeting was held, formalized...
In Nigeria, Islamists Attack!
On January 21, 2012, BBC News wrote the following update concerning Nigerian violence:
"Co-ordinated attacks by Islamist militants in the northern Nigerian city of Kano on Friday killed about 150 people, witnesses and reports say.
"Hospitals are struggling to deal with the numbers of...
U.S. Threatens to Close Embassy in Syria
Reported in the washingtonpost.com edtion on January 20, 2012:
"The Obama administration is preparing to evacuate American personnel and close the U.S. embassy in Damascus, Syria, by the end of this month unless the embattled government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad provides additional...
Croatia Wants In!
The New York Times wrote on January 22, 2012:
"Croats voted by a two-to-one margin on Sunday to join the European Union, signaling that the bloc retains its allure despite the debt crisis engulfing the euro currency that many of its members use.
"The state referendum commission said...
Abortion Adverts in Britain
MailOnline reported on January 21, 2012:
"Private clinics that carry out abortions for profit are to get the go-ahead to promote their services with TV and radio adverts.
"Advertising watchdogs will trigger a storm of controversy by announcing the decision on Monday after years...
In Egypt, Islamists Win!
From The Guardian, January 21, 2012:
"The final results in Egypt's first parliamentary elections since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak have confirmed an overwhelming victory for Islamist parties.
"The Muslim Brotherhood, which was banned under Mubarak's regime, won the biggest share of...
Iraq Becoming A Police State
The washingtonpost.com wrote on January 22, 2012:
"Iraq 'cracked down harshly' on freedom of expression and assembly in 2011 by intimidating, beating and detaining activists and journalists, Human Rights Watch said Sunday in announcing its World Report 2012.
"'Iraq is quickly slipping...
More Sanctions Against Iran!
Voice of America wrote on January 23, 2012:
"The European Union has imposed an oil embargo on Iran, effective July 1 - taking away 20 percent of Iran’s current oil sales. The embargo is intended to increase pressure on Iran’s government to allow inspections to ensure its nuclear program is only...
More Power to the EU
The euobserver.com reported on January 26, 2012:
"German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said transferring more powers to EU institutions rather than increasing the size of the eurozone's future bail-out fund is the way to overcome the euro crisis.
"'We have said right from the start that...
Now It's a Law!
Time.com wrote on January 25, 2012:
"Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed into law this week an ordinance requiring porn actors to wear condoms while performing.
"The law will take effect 41 days after it is posted by the city clerk, which could happen before the end of the week,...
