Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, had a rough start to his time in office, but now he’s rising in the latest option polls. “Things have been pretty busy in German politics since May 6, when Merz, of the center-right Christian Democratic Union (cdu), took office,” wrote Deutsche Welle over the weekend. “Since then, Germany’s new head of government has made surprising statements and bold announcements nearly every week.”

Germany is waking up, and it has a leader who is making things happen. How does this new man fit in to Bible prophecy? Our main story today explains.

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Mostly peaceful protests? Tell it to the marines. Over 700 marines were mobilized yesterday to deal with the protests in Los Angeles. Another 2,000 National Guard troops joined the 2,000 already deployed. “Harrowing scenes overnight saw demonstrators torch cars [and] attack authorities with fireworks, bricks of cement and tear gas while destroying infrastructure—even as state officials tried to maintain the 6,000 protesters were primarily peaceful,” wrote the Daily Mail.

Authorities got a better handle on the riots overnight with rioters zip-tied and loaded into lapd buses.

Meanwhile, California is suing the Trump administration, saying his activation of the National Guard without a request from the governor is illegal.

The marines can be used to defend federal property and personnel, but before they can quell the riots more broadly, the president must invoke the Insurrection Act.

Small protests also kicked off in other cities, especially near ice facilities.

Who is funding the riots? With masked groups handing out riot shields and gas masks, and many holding preprinted signs, it’s clear someone is investing in unrest. The California state government is one major source of the funds. The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (chirla) is one of the most visible supporters; its executive director held a press conference calling for demonstrations. In the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, chirla took in $45 million; $34 million of that came from the state of California in the form of government contracts. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass has even boasted about sending government money to chirla.

The Party for Socialism and Liberation (psl) is another organizer of the riots. One of its backers is billionaire Neville Singham, once profiled in a New York Times article titled “How a U.S. Tech Mogul Used Nonprofits to Sow Chinese Propaganda.” The psl made the news recently because the terrorist who murdered two Israeli Embassy staffers had ties to the group.

The Chinese Communist Party and the California Democrats, united by a common enemy, are funding the destruction of America’s major cities. It’s a sad reflection on how radical many have become. Yesterday’s Trumpet Daily was a great exposé of the riots and how they fulfill prophecy that we’ve proclaimed for years. You can watch it online here.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog called on the nation’s rabbis to declare a day of prayer and fasting. “I propose that you do everything in your power, first and foremost, to declare a general day of fasting and prayer for our brothers and sisters held by murderers,” Herzog said. Sephardic Chief Rabbi David Yosef responded, “We accept the president’s request and will announce this in the coming days.”

This past weekend’s Key of David program, titled “If Americans Can’t Find Lincoln, We Are Lost,” focuses on Abraham Lincoln’s history of pointing the nation to God and calling for days of fasting and prayer. Israel, the United States and the whole world need to know that God can save them. Pointing the nation to God is a wonderful move by Israel’s president.

However, he also said: “May it be the will of God that such actions also help pave the way for the necessary diplomatic efforts, and that our brothers and sisters be brought swiftly from anguish to relief, from darkness to light, and from captivity to redemption.” He clearly wants God to answer the nation’s prayers by blessing the “necessary” negotiations with Hamas.

As Neville Chamberlain traveled to Germany to negotiate with Hitler in 1938, the British people also held an official national day of prayer. But God did not bless those diplomatic efforts. God requires repentance—for us to look to Him and await His instructions, rather than asking Him to bless our preferred course of action. The day of prayer in Israel is a good step—now the nation needs to submit to God and His laws. Nations, and individuals, require not just prayer, but repentance.

IN OTHER NEWS

Ten people were killed in a school shooting in Graz, Austria, this morning. The suspected shooter was a 22-year-old former student, who is believed to have killed himself. President Alexander van der Bellen said the attack has hit Austria “right in the heart.” The last major shooting was five years ago, when four were killed in a terrorist attack in Vienna.

A French teaching assistant was stabbed to death by a 15-year-old student during a bag check in France, police announced today. Concerns over violence led the Education Ministry to institute bag checks at some schools: 186 knives have been confiscated over the last few months. Rising violence in Europe is just one trend fueling demand for a strong leader.

Iran carried out critical nuclear tests over 20 years ago, meaning it could speed attain a nuclear bomb more quickly than previously realized, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported over the weekend. Our In Brief has more.

Houthi terrorists are stocking up on Chinese weapons, Qatari newspaper Al-Araby al-Jadeed reported over the weekend. They’ve used these weapons against America. Russia’s and China’s willingness to deal with this Islamist group shows their hostility to the U.S.

Could President Trump be gearing up for war with Iran? The president and his top foreign-policy team and several generals and admirals gathered at Camp David over the weekend. Axios reported yesterday that they were discussing “U.S. strategy on the Iran nuclear crisis and the war in Gaza,” citing anonymous officials. Trump told reporters after the meeting that Iran’s demands to be allowed to enrich uranium were “just not acceptable.” He warned: “So far, they’re not there. I hate to say that, because the alternative is a very, very dire one.” Unsurprisingly, Iran continues to push for a nuclear weapon.

Japan and South Korea pledged to work together more closely after a 25-minute phone call between their top leaders, our In Brief reports.