World News and Trends

An Overview of Conditions Around the World

1998: The world's most disastrous year

Last year was the most naturally disastrous on record, with extensive natural catastrophes occurring three times as often as in the 1960s, according to the reinsurance company Munich Re.

A representative of the company, which has monitored the frequency and scope of natural disasters for a quarter century and advises the insurance industry, stated: "Comparing the figures for the 1960s and the past ten years, we have established that the number of great natural catastrophes was three times larger. The cost to the world's economies, after adjusting for inflation, is nine times higher and for the insurance industry three times as much."

In 1998 an estimated 50,000 people died in more than 700 natural disasters around the world—an increase of about 100 catastrophes over 1995, the previous worst year for natural disasters. Windstorms and floods accounted for 85 percent of financial losses. Most of the disasters struck poor and uninsured areas, so insurance-industry losses were only $15 billion. However, that figure was more than three times the industry payouts for 1997.

These worldwide disasters should remind us of Jesus Christ's prophecy of a time of unprecedented worldwide trouble, including widespread catastrophes such as "famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places," before His return (Source: The Times [London]; Matthew 24:6-8, 21-22.)

The dangers of binge drinking

We try to fool ourselves. We may think we drink little alcohol. But the truth is that more and more people are indulging in occasional binge drinking—consuming large amounts of alcohol in one bout—with potentially disastrous effects.

Alcohol has enjoyed a positive press in recent years, which has misled people into thinking that the occasional binge will not harm their health. Nothing could be further from the truth. Consider a Finnish study published in the British Medical Journal. "It discovered that men who binge on beer (defined as six or more bottles in a session) have a much higher risk of early death regardless of their total average consumption. Other risks are also increased."

Generally speaking, most people can benefit from a moderate amount of wine as a complement to a meal. We read in several passages in the Bible that under the right conditions alcohol can be beneficial to our health and general mental well-being. For instance, the apostle Paul told Timothy to drink a little wine to aid his digestion and ameliorate his frequent illnesses.

Yet Scripture also warns against drunkenness. That same apostle also said not to overindulge in wine, and several proverbs warn against the debilitating effects of overdrinking and alcoholism. Binge drinking fits the latter category. (Sources: The Independent [London]; 1 Timothy 5:23; Ephesians 5:18.)

More British and American unmarried couples

The U.S. Census Bureau reports that four million American households consist of unmarried couples living together. In 1970 the ratio was one unmarried couple for every 100 households. In 1997 that number was eight. Further research shows that up to 50 percent of American women in their early 30s have lived with a man outside of marriage bonds.

The climate in Britain is similar. Author Paul Johnson has lamented: "The powers-that-be in our confused society seem to be ganging up together in a direct assault on the institution of marriage. A majority of the Anglican bishops, a body of men always inclined to side with sin if it's fashionable, say that cohabiting couples are just as worthy in God's eyes as unmarried ones." For instance, the bishop of Hereford has urged Christian people to recognize the reality of this social change, and his view is held by many.

But Paul Johnson minces no words in his conclusion: "For those who lay down the moral, or immoral, laws to us today nearly all come from stable backgrounds themselves. That is what got them the positions they hold. That is what makes their advocacy of the liberal—perhaps one should say libertine—approach so irresponsible and cruel. It is to deny to others, who are still children or yet unborn, the advantages we take for granted."

Across the Atlantic, nationally syndicated columnist William Murchison observes: "A sad likelihood is that many of today's cohabiters fear and shrink from commitment. Since 1960, the culture has worked overtime pitching instant gratification to the customers ... Well, yes, marriage restricts and restrains; it does so in order to liberate. Cohabiters confuse license with true freedom, which flourishes only in a structured environment where rights and duties play off each other, endlessly and elegantly" (Sources: The Los Angeles Times; The Daily Mail [London]; The Washington Times.)

Killer germs for sale

A team of reporters for the respected Sunday Times has uncovered laboratories around the world willing to sell or export lethal biological agents capable of killing thousands of people—in one case for as little as $1,000.

Posing as representatives of a medical lab in Africa, these undercover men were offered samples of anthrax and brucella by a lab in Indonesia. This Asian plant made no check on their identities or even asked how the lethal products might be used. Another group of Sunday Times reporters was offered lethal botulinum bacteria by a plant in the Czech Republic. These two labs—one in Eastern Europe and one in the Far East—are among about 450 germ collectors worldwide. Some 50 offer anthrax; about 35 trade in botulinum.

Undercover British reporters contacted about 20 of these plants, including three in Mexico, Brazil and China. The latter did at least ask for an export license before approving the sale.

What are the implications of these discoveries? Microscopic amounts of these germs can quickly kill hundreds of people if inhaled or consumed in contaminated food products. Rogue countries such as North Korea and Iraq, along with terrorist cells around the world, are suspected of buying and storing these lethal agents. Several British politicians are clamoring for tighter international controls.

A feature article concluded: "The CIA has warned that biological and chemical weapons represent the most urgent long-term threat to the West. There are fears that anyone with a basic scientific knowledge and a backroom laboratory could use the bugs to make biological weapons." (Source: The Sunday Times[London].)

One sixth of world illiterate

A United Nations report from New York stated that nearly one sixth of the world's population is illiterate. It also said that women and girls make up nearly two thirds of the 855 million people who have not learned to read or write. Small wonder that in recent years population programs have tended to center their efforts on women's education. (Source: The Washington Times.)

Growing German power and influence

"The ambition of the Germans knows no bounds." So said Otto von Bismarck, the architect of the new Germany after the unification of Prussia, Bavaria and other principalities in 1871. Nearly 130 years have since passed, encompassing German redivision into two states in 1945 followed by official reunification four decades later on Oct. 3, 1990.

Some members of the British press have traditionally concerned themselves with German ascendancy in Europe. Reported Philip Sherwell from Bonn: "Two weeks after the launch of the Euro, Germany's left-wing leaders are unveiling their blueprints for a federal Europe built on the back of the single currency."

In reacting to German aspirations through a feature editorial, The Daily Mail bluntly stated: "What Germany wants, Germany will get. This is the clear message. And anyone who still has not realised who will rule the roost in the fast-developing European superstate should take note."

Meanwhile Berlin is in the beginning steps of replacing Bonn as the German capital. A British paper noted that "one of the defining symbols of the millennium is the rebirth of Berlin." A massive architectural program is meeting the progressive needs of the burgeoning capital.

These developments in Central Europe have reawakened British concern. Said Tom Bower in a two-page Daily Mail feature article: "As Germany takes up the presidency of the European Union, strengthened by the birth of the Euro, unease has spread that the country's powerful influence could resurrect its historical bid for domination."

The shadow of two world wars hangs heavy over Europe. Britain in particular is manifesting unease about German intentions in spite of the nation's visible efforts during the last 50 years to live down the past. (Sources: The Times [London]; The Daily Mail [London].)

Leaders forsake the arms race

For decades many nations have spent billions of dollars on bigger and better guns, tanks and military aircraft in a constantly escalating arms race. But the arms race may be over in Ecuador and Peru, whose presidents recently reached an agreement in a century-old border dispute and declared they would no longer spend their countries' resources on weapons. Instead, they hope to raise $3 billion to build and improve roads, bridges and housing.

Ecuador's president, Jamil Mahuad, has pledged to cut the country's military draft by 60 percent and convert a fourth of his country's 57,000-member armed forces into policemen. "Maybe if God permits I will be the first Ecuadorian president to have a full term without buying arms," he said.

Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori canceled plans to spend $1.5 billion on additional jet fighters, saying he would earmark the money for housing, education and improving the country's infrastructure. "Instead of an arms race, we are [starting] a disarmament race," he announced. (Source: Knight Ridder News Service.)

Nordic nations least corrupt

Berlin-based Transparency International reports that the 1998 "Corruption Perceptions Index" indicated Denmark, Sweden and Finland were the least-corrupt nations. This fact-finding group centers on public-sector corruption, including bribes to officials and embezzlement of public funds. It bases the rankings on surveys by other groups including the World Bank and Gallup International. (Source: The Washington Times.)

—John Ross Schroeder and Scott Ashley