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PepsiCo says economic concerns weighed on customers in North American during recent quarter NEW YORK (AP) — PepsiCo reported stronger-than-expected revenue in the second quarter despite weaker demand in North America, where it said consumers tightened their budgets as the Iran war caused gas prices to spike. https://apnews.com/article/pepsico-snacks-drinks-revenue-e6c14072c80e1b58a4a284eac13871c2?

South Florida’s Palm Beach airport renamed President Donald J. Trump International WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A South Florida airport officially changed its name on Thursday to the President Donald J. Trump International Airport. https://apnews.com/article/trump-airport-florida-palm-beach-ab184b710cac13b1555255140ef6b4d5? ps:How pathetic!!!!!

In a post dated July 4, Asia Joe objected to the idea that people not convicted not criminal court could be restricted as to attending SDA services. A valid question. We have a legal and ethical obligation to protect innocent children that does not depend on a prior criminal conviction. We should not require a criminal assualt on a child prior to taking steps to protect the child. Criminal convictions require a a very high level of proof. Protect of people, children and adults, requires common sense, not a criminal conviction.

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He is back on his feet !!!

Not just America --------------------------- Americans now spend an average of 35 minutes per day socializing, down from 45 minutes in 2005 Teens aged 15-24 have seen the steepest decline, dropping from 60 to 35 minutes daily Smartphone use, remote work and larger homes with more entertainment options drive the trend Teenagers spend an average of 4.8 hours per day on social media platforms The decline of gathering spaces like libraries, coffee shops and churches compounds the problem The quiet crisis of American social life Americans across all age groups are spending significantly less time socializing than they did two decades ago, according to new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' American Time Use Survey. The average American now spends just 35 minutes per day socializing, down from 45 minutes in 2005—a 22% decline that represents a fundamental shift in how people structure their daily lives. The trend cuts across every generation, with young people aged 15-24 experiencing the steepest drop, falling from 60 minutes to 35 minutes daily. This transformation carries profound implications for mental health, political polarization and even life expectancy, as researchers document the cascading effects of what some are calling "the anti-social century." The smartphone factor The decline in socializing correlates strongly with the rise of smartphone usage, particularly among younger Americans. Teenagers now spend an average of 4.8 hours per day on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat, according to Gallup data. This screen-based interaction has largely replaced face-to-face socialization, with 51% of teens spending at least four hours daily on social media apps. The shift is most dramatic among 15- to 24-year-olds, who have seen their daily socializing time drop from 60 minutes to 35 minutes over the past two decades. Girls spend nearly an hour more on social media than boys, averaging 5.3 hours compared to 4.4 hours daily. The homebound economy The American economy has fundamentally reoriented itself to keep people inside their homes. Since 2003, adults spend an additional 99 minutes at home each day, according to Princeton sociologist Patrick Sharkey's research. This "remote life" phenomenon extends far beyond work-from-home arrangements. Restaurants now serve 74% of customers through takeout and delivery, up from 61% before the pandemic. Solo dining has increased 29% in just two years. The average American home has grown 50% larger since 1973, with nearly universal air conditioning and entertainment systems that make staying in more appealing than going out. The gathering space crisis The decline of third places—spaces outside home and work where people gather—has accelerated dramatically. A 2025 University of Colorado Boulder report documented widespread closures of libraries, coffee shops, museums and other community gathering spots over the past decade. Churches are also closing at unprecedented rates. This loss of communal infrastructure compounds the problem. When people have fewer places to gather, they spend more time at home, which reinforces isolationist habits. The restaurant industry exemplifies this shift, with 74% of traffic now coming from takeout and delivery rather than dining in. The political consequences of isolation Social disconnection carries significant political implications. Researchers have found that the erosion of "middle ring" relationships—neighbors, local acquaintances and community members—correlates with increased political polarization. When people lack regular face-to-face contact with those who hold different views, they become more likely to demonize political opponents. A 2021 study found that 40% of partisans rated the opposing party at zero on a "feeling thermometer," up from just 8% in 2000. Socially isolated individuals are also more susceptible to conspiracy theories and what researchers call "the need for chaos"—a desire to see established institutions destroyed. The AI companion threat The rise of artificial intelligence companions presents a new frontier in social isolation. OpenAI's ChatGPT now features real-time conversational speech that can mimic human interaction with startling accuracy. Character.ai, a popular AI companion platform, has tens of millions of monthly users who spend an average of 93 minutes daily chatting with their AI friends. Psychologists warn that AI companions could accelerate the anti-social trend by providing the emotional validation of friendship without the challenges of real human relationships. Unlike human friends, AI companions never criticize, disagree, or disappoint—but this also means they cannot teach the essential skills of navigating real-world relationships. A path forward Despite the grim data, researchers point to emerging counter-trends. Independent bookstores have grown more than 50% since 2009, often serving as community gathering spaces. Board game cafés are expected to nearly double in business by 2030. More school districts are banning smartphones, potentially improving children's social development. The solution may lie in what sociologists call "social infrastructure"—public spaces that bring people together. Communities that invest in libraries, parks, swimming pools and other gathering places tend to have more socially connected residents. The challenge is reversing decades of declining investment in these communal resources. Reclaiming connection in an age of isolation The data paint a clear picture: Americans are choosing solitude at unprecedented rates, and the consequences extend from individual mental health to the fabric of democracy itself. Yet the trend is not irreversible. The same technologies that enabled isolation can be harnessed for connection, and the same homes that have become fortresses of solitude can become centers of hospitality. The path forward requires recognizing that convenience often comes at a cost—and that the richest life is not necessarily the most comfortable one, but the most connected. As researchers have repeatedly demonstrated, people consistently underestimate how much they will enjoy social interaction and overestimate the satisfaction of solitude. The anti-social century is a choice, and it can be unmade by the same force that created it: millions of individual decisions, made day by day, to put down the phone and look up at the people around us. https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-07-07-americans-are-choosing-solitude-over-social-connection.html

A new study published in the journal Thorax has found that higher vitamin A levels are associated with improved lung function in both children and adults with asthma, while higher vitamin D levels are linked to better lung function and slower biological aging of lung cells in adults. The research analyzed data from nearly 1,200 children in the Genetic Epidemiology of Asthma in Costa Rica (GACRS) study and about 1,000 adults in the Omic Determinants of Longitudinal Lung Function in Asthma (ODOLLFA) study. According to lead author Rinku Sharma, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow in the Channing Division of Network Medicine at Mass General Brigham at Harvard Medical School, and senior author Michael McGeachie, PhD, assistant professor of medicine at the same institution, the findings add evidence for vitamin A's role in lung health and suggest vitamin D may influence epigenetic aging. Vitamin A is typically linked to eye health, while vitamin D is most closely associated with bone health, but both have been studied for their roles in immune system regulation and cellular growth. Study Design and Methods Researchers used data from two observational studies: the GACRS study involving children and the ODOLLFA study involving adults. They measured participants' vitamin A and D levels alongside lung function tests such as forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). The study also examined epigenetic markers of aging in adults using DNA methylation and microRNA analysis to evaluate biological age compared to chronological age. According to the authors, the analysis controlled for factors including age, sex, body mass index, and smoking history to isolate associations between vitamin levels and lung health outcomes. The researchers noted that vitamins A and D share important biological pathways involved in immune function and tissue maintenance, which is why they were studied together. Key Findings: Vitamin A and Lung Function, Vitamin D and Biological Aging Children and adults with asthma who had higher vitamin A levels showed better lung function, the study reported. The association remained after adjusting for potential confounders. For vitamin D, higher levels were associated with improved lung function in adults and with lower evidence of accelerated epigenetic aging, as measured by DNA methylation clocks. McGeachie told Medical News Today that these findings “reinforce previous research” and that vitamin A appeared to benefit across age groups, while vitamin D’s effects on aging were novel. Sharma added that one of the most exciting findings is that the benefits appear to be partly mediated through epigenetic mechanisms, including microRNAs and DNA methylation. Broader research supports the importance of these vitamins; [1] notes that vitamin D supplementation is used to prevent various diseases, including multiple sclerosis and hypertension, and [2] highlights vitamin A's functions in growth and cell division. Expert Reactions and Limitations Pulmonologist Khaled Abu-Ihweij, MD, of Hackensack Meridian Health, called the results “encouraging” but emphasized the study shows association, not causation, and called for randomized controlled trials. Jimmy Johannes, MD, of MemorialCare, said the study reaffirms known links and adds “molecular markers of aging” as a new dimension, but noted more research is needed on nutrition and lung health. Both experts stressed that no changes in clinical recommendations should be made based on this observational study alone, and that causality must be established. The findings align with broader discussions about nutrition and lung health; for example, [3] describes strategies to improve lung function through diet, including foods like kiwi, tomatoes, and wild-caught fish that reduce inflammation and slow age-related lung decline. Conclusion and Next Steps The researchers plan to investigate how genetic variation interacts with vitamins A and D and epigenetic mechanisms to influence lung health and aging, according to Sharma. “By integrating genetics, epigenetics, and nutrition, we hope to better understand why some individuals benefit more than others and ultimately identify personalized strategies to promote healthy lung aging,” she said. The authors acknowledged the study’s limitations, including its observational design and the inability to prove direct cause-and-effect, but said the findings support further investigation into nutritional strategies for asthma management. The study adds to a growing body of evidence linking vitamins A and D to respiratory health. [4] highlights the importance of optimizing vitamin D levels for overall health, and [5] discusses natural anti-inflammatory supplements as safer alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs for conditions like asthma. https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-07-08-vitamin-a-d-linked-to-better-lung-function.html

A study of adults recruited from primary care clinics found that five minutes of in-person prayer was associated with greater reductions in anxiety and pain compared to listening to music, according to a report on the findings. The research tracked participants for six weeks and found that benefits for anxiety persisted at the final follow-up, officials said. The study adds to a body of literature examining how brief, intentional practices may affect emotional and physical well-being, the report stated. Study Methods and Findings Participants were randomly assigned to receive either a five-minute spoken prayer delivered by a trained volunteer or five minutes of listening to music, according to the study. Researchers measured anxiety and pain levels immediately after the intervention, again at two weeks, and at six weeks. The group that received prayer reported statistically significant improvements in both anxiety and pain scores compared to the music group, the report stated. The effects for anxiety remained present at six weeks, while pain benefits diminished but remained notable, officials said. Previous research on prayer has shown similar patterns. A study examining Muslim prayer among mothers with hospitalized children found that those who prayed three times daily for 10 minutes reported lower anxiety scores on a validated inventory, according to a report on that trial [3]. Another analysis found that individuals who engage in meditation, yoga, or prayer reduce their need for health care services by 43 percent, according to a Massachusetts General Hospital study [2]. Mechanisms and Context The benefits of prayer in the recent study did not appear to depend on participants’ prior religious beliefs or intensity of faith, the analysis indicated. Researchers suggested that prayer’s effects may stem from its ability to slow down thinking, foster reflection, and reduce feelings of isolation, the report stated. Feelings of connection and hope have been linked in prior research to improvements in inflammation, immune function, and pain perception, according to the study’s authors. Broader evidence supports these mechanisms. Studies on spirituality and heart health have found that patients who score higher on spirituality or religious scales have lower mortality due to coronary artery disease or cardiac surgery-related complications, according to a review of the literature [4]. Additionally, focusing on gratitude has been shown to alter the brain in beneficial ways, including triggering the release of mood-regulating neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin and inhibiting the stress hormone cortisol, according to research on gratitude [1]. Broader Implications for Emotional Health The findings add to a growing body of evidence that brief, intentional rituals can affect both psychological and physical health, officials said. Longevity researchers have increasingly cited social connection, purpose, and psychological well-being alongside exercise and nutrition as key health determinants, the report stated. The study’s authors emphasized that similar benefits may be available through other practices such as meditation, gratitude journaling, or spending time in nature. The psychology of prayer has been examined across multiple contexts. A comprehensive review of prayer research notes that prayer can serve as a therapeutic tool across various populations and settings [5]. Another study demonstrated that depressive symptoms and perceived stress can be reduced through practices that foster reflection and connection, according to findings on daily rituals [6]. Conclusion The study provides evidence that a five-minute practice of prayer — or potentially other reflective rituals — may offer measurable reductions in anxiety and pain over several weeks, according to the report. Researchers called for further investigation into the mechanisms and the generalizability of the findings across different populations and settings, officials said. The results suggest that incorporating brief moments of reflection and connection could be a low-cost tool for supporting emotional health, the report stated. https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-07-09-five-minutes-prayer-linked-to-lower-anxiety-pain.html

The Mediterranean diet has again been ranked the No. 1 dietary pattern in global assessments, according to multiple annual reports. A new review published in the British Journal of Pharmacology examined the biological mechanisms underlying the diet's consistent health benefits. The review found that the diet's combination of foods -- not individual nutrients -- drives reductions in LDL cholesterol, improved blood sugar regulation, lower inflammation, and protection against oxidative stress. Emerging evidence also links the diet to healthy aging pathways involving the gut microbiome, mitochondrial function, telomere stability and gene expression. According to the review, the Mediterranean diet's emphasis on whole, minimally processed foods rather than isolated nutrients explains its superior outcomes compared to approaches that focus on single components. The authors noted that the synergistic effects of the diet's various food groups produce health benefits that exceed the sum of their parts. This finding helps clarify why the pattern continues to outperform other dietary interventions in head-to-head comparisons. What the Mediterranean Diet Entails The Mediterranean diet is built on vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, fish and olive oil as the primary fat source. Red meat and ultra-processed foods are limited. Researchers use more than 30 different scoring systems to measure adherence, according to the review. The pattern is described as a flexible framework rather than a rigid prescription. Olive oil, described as the cornerstone of Mediterranean cooking, retains high levels of polyphenols when used as extra-virgin, according to an article on NaturalNews.com [1]. Almonds, a common component, are rich in healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamin E, and magnesium [2]. Legumes such as cannellini beans and black-eyed peas also feature prominently, providing plant-based protein, fiber, iron, magnesium, and antioxidants [3][4]. The diet's foundation of plant foods supports its reputation as a nutrient-dense eating pattern. According to the review, the flexibility of the Mediterranean diet allows for adaptation across different cuisines and food preferences, making it accessible to diverse populations. Mechanisms Behind the Diet's Health Effects The review notes that components such as monounsaturated fats, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and polyphenols act synergistically. Monounsaturated fats from olive oil and nuts are associated with LDL cholesterol reductions, while omega-3s from fish support healthy triglyceride levels. According to the book "Nature's Pharmacy" by Charlotte Haigh, olive oil appears to lower the risk of heart disease by lowering LDL cholesterol and is rich in vitamin E [5]. The high fiber content slows glucose absorption and improves insulin sensitivity, the authors wrote. Polyphenols and omega-3s suppress inflammatory signaling pathways. Phenolic acids, a subgroup of polyphenols found in many plant foods, provide antioxidant benefits, as NaturalNews.com reported [6]. Cellular pathways including NRF2, SIRT1 and AMPK are activated by components of the diet to defend against oxidative damage. A study cited in Nutrition Review found that a Mediterranean diet was slightly more effective than a high monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) diet alone in improving blood parameters in adults with mild abdominal obesity [7]. The review authors emphasized that these mechanisms work together rather than in isolation, explaining why the pattern as a whole produces more robust health outcomes than any single food or nutrient. New Links to Healthy Aging The review explores four emerging areas: gut microbiome, mitochondrial function, telomere protection and gene expression. Polyphenols act as prebiotics, and omega-3s reduce intestinal inflammation; the diet's high fiber content promotes short-chain fatty acid production. Components of extra-virgin olive oil improved mitochondrial function in laboratory studies, according to the review. Polyphenols reduce oxidative stress that damages telomeres, and oleic acid appears to influence DNA methylation patterns. A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that anti-inflammatory diets, including the Mediterranean pattern, are linked to reduced risk of coronary heart disease, according to an article on NaturalNews.com [8]. These effects may explain associations with lower chronic disease rates and longer life expectancy in population studies, though most mechanism findings come from cell and animal research. Research by Mark Hyman in "Eat Fat Get Thin" noted that saturated fats cause inflammation only when eaten with refined carbs or sugar, and that the Mediterranean diet, low in sugars and refined carbohydrates, avoids this problem [9]. The review authors stated that while human trials are needed to confirm these pathways, the cellular effects align with epidemiological observations. Consistent Evidence From Large-Scale Studies A network meta-analysis cited in the review found Mediterranean diet adherence linked to 28% lower all-cause mortality risk, 52% lower coronary heart disease risk, and 35% lower stroke risk. Another meta-analysis published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that high adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a 29% lower risk of gastric cancer, according to a May 2026 report on NaturalNews.com [10]. The review authors stated that the combination of foods and consistency over time appear to drive the results. According to an article on Mercola.com, the Mediterranean diet has maintained popularity through changing fads because numerous studies have confirmed its health benefits, most likely due to it being low in sugars, moderate in protein, and high in healthy fats [11]. Researchers continue to uncover new mechanisms, but the practical dietary advice remains unchanged. Practical Takeaways The Mediterranean diet remains one of the most well-studied eating patterns for supporting long-term health, according to the review. Authors recommend a plate filled with plants, olive oil, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seafood. The pattern's benefits stem from consistently consuming nutrient-dense foods, not from eliminating specific items. Extra-virgin olive oil should be used for cooking vegetables, drizzling over salads, and in dressings to maximize polyphenol intake, according to the NaturalNews.com article [1]. Almonds and other nuts provide healthy fats and can be eaten as snacks or added to meals [2]. Haigh's "Nature's Pharmacy" notes that olive oil stimulates secretion of bile and acts as a laxative, supporting digestion [5]. The review's practical message is that small, consistent dietary changes toward this pattern can yield significant long-term health benefits. https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-07-09-mediterranean-eating-pattern-retains-top-ranking-review-mechanisms.html

This might be good for hospitalized or non-mobile patients. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Registered dietitian-nutritionist Molly Knudsen analyzed how collagen, vitamin C and vitamin E work synergistically to support skeletal muscle, immune function, vascular health and cognition, challenging the mainstream pharmaceutical narrative. Collagen supplementation provides amino acids that support extracellular matrix remodeling and tendon integrity when paired with resistance training, but is not a substitute for leucine-rich proteins for muscle growth. Vitamin C is an essential cofactor for stabilizing collagen's triple-helix structure and also offers antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties that support vascular function and modulate inflammatory gene expression with exercise. Vitamin E protects cellular membranes and mitochondria from exercise-induced oxidative stress, supporting muscle recovery and vascular health. According to Knudsen's analysis, the synergy of these nutrients, with vitamin C regenerating oxidized vitamin E and collagen providing structural scaffolding, supports redox balance and amplifies exercise adaptations when taken as a preventive strategy. In a world where Big Pharma pushes patented synthetic solutions and the medical establishment dismisses natural interventions as unproven, a groundbreaking new review published in May 2026 suggests that a simple trio of nutrients, collagen, vitamin C and vitamin E, may support healthy aging across multiple body systems in ways that exercise alone cannot match. Registered dietitian-nutritionist Molly Knudsen analyzed how these three compounds work synergistically to support skeletal muscle, immune function, vascular health and cognition. Collagen: More than just wrinkle reduction "Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, forming the extracellular matrix (ECM) that supports muscle, tendons, ligaments and vascular tissue," according to Knudsen's analysis. The review found that collagen supplementation delivers amino acids (particularly glycine, proline and hydroxyproline) that support ECM remodeling and tendon integrity when paired with resistance training. However, the authors were careful to clarify that collagen is not a substitute for leucine-rich proteins like whey when it comes to driving myofibrillar muscle growth. Its true value lies in supporting the connective tissue framework that allows muscle to function, transmit force and recover. Vitamin 😄 The essential cofactor Big Pharma ignores The review highlighted that vitamin C is an essential cofactor for the hydroxylation reactions that stabilize collagen's triple-helix structure. Without adequate vitamin C, collagen synthesis cannot proceed properly, meaning that taking collagen without sufficient vitamin C may limit its effectiveness. Beyond collagen support, the review notes vitamin C's antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties, suggesting it may support vascular function (specifically flow-mediated dilation) and help modulate inflammatory gene expression when combined with exercise. Vitamin E: Protecting cells from exercise-induced damage Vitamin E functions as a fat-soluble antioxidant that works within cell membranes (the fatty outer layers particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage during physical activity). The review describes it as protecting cellular membranes and mitochondria from exercise-induced oxidative stress, supporting muscle recovery and contributing to vascular health. The synergy that Big Pharma doesn't want you to know The key finding is how these nutrients work together. Vitamin C regenerates oxidized vitamin E, keeping it active. Collagen provides the structural ECM scaffolding for muscle, vascular and neural tissue. Together, they appear to support redox balance, reducing excessive oxidative damage while preserving the beneficial inflammation signals that drive exercise adaptation. Exercise acts as the activating force, orchestrating collagen turnover, mitochondrial biogenesis, antioxidant enzyme expression and neuroplasticity. The nutrients support and amplify those processes rather than replace them. Based on the review's findings, the evidence currently supports: Hydrolyzed collagen: 10 to 30 grams per day, ideally timed around exercise Vitamin 😄 500 to 1,000 mg per day Vitamin E: Up to 400 milligrams per day (though the review acknowledges most supplements will (and should) provide a much more modest amount) As noted by BrightU.AI's Enoch, the authors emphasize this is a preventive strategy, best started before significant muscle loss or functional decline sets in and works best as part of a broader lifestyle that includes regular structured exercise. In an age where the medical-industrial complex profits from chronic disease management rather than true prevention, this research offers a rare glimpse into the power of natural, accessible interventions. https://www.naturalnews.com/2026-07-09-three-nutrient-cocktail-outperforming-exercise-healthy-aging.html

The Online Bible has proven very useful for Bible study. The basic version is free. Add-on Bible versions are available for a reasonable price. Several Bible versions, including Hebrew and various Greek Bibles are available are free. You can view several versions with just the click of a mouse. Also includes excellent search capabilities based on numbers or the original languages. Online Bible Base Pack, version 6.22, , OLBBPENG

This practice was explained to me by the owner of a cafe in Hollywood, near the Jewish area known as the Fairfax district. He looked to be an ultra-orthodox Jew. I can only assume there was some justification for what he did. "A non-Jew may do work on the Sabbath on property (or financial rights; see 244:6) that he is known to have leased from a Jew, even if the Jew benefits from it (243:1-2). He may do work on a Jew’s property as a contractor in a place where no Jews are present or if it is not known that the property belongs to a Jew (244:1-2,4). If the non-Jew does forbidden work without the Jew’s permission, the Jew should not benefit from the results (see 244:3;245:6;304:1;305:21-23)." Chapter 18 - WORK DONE BY A NON-JEW ON THE SABBATH • Torah.org According to the above, the cafe owner may have leased his shop to a Gentile for one day a week. For a definitive answer, probably best to consult a Jewish rabbi or two or three. There are different types of religious Jews. As an aside, this fellow employed a beautiful young Japanese woman in his shop. He was hoping she would convert so they could get married, if I remember correctly [~25 years ago].

There is a trick that has protected failed utopias better than any secret police force. Socialism and communism, the argument goes, are two different things. Every time socialism… The post Socialism Promises. Communism Collects. appeared first on ReligiousLiberty.TV. View the full article

On June 26, in the Oval Office, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Dr. Ben Carson handed President Donald Trump a 224-page draft report, the product of a year’s… The post The Religious Liberty Commission's 224-Page Report: The Good, the Concerning, and the Wall It Wants Torn Down appeared first on ReligiousLiberty.TV. View the full article

This seems to be the best way.

We are living in a time of extraordinary changes. Japan has increased immigration because of the serious decline in population and the aging population. South Korea is following the same pattern with the lowest birth rate in the world. Israel has been devastated by war. The people may have survived, but the buildings did not. Europe has been overrun by violent Muslims from North Africa. It is on the verge of war with Russia. It appears USA and Canada have gone through big changes. Perhaps others could comment on that.

Does that come from a Rabbinical ruling, or did they just decide that would justify allowing the business to keep open on the Sabbath.

While not a recent death, Pastor Williams deserves to be acknowledged here. Remembering Rev. Cecil Williams, champion of equality in San Francisco, dead at 94 : NPR

👋 Good morning! The World Cup quarterfinals are here. Stat du jour: Number of times an MLB pitcher was pulled after 6+ perfect innings in 115 seasons from 1901-2015: 0. Number of times in 10 seasons from 2016-25: 3. Number of times in the past four days: 2. The times, they are a-changin'. In today's edition: Fery's magical run continues, Verlander announces retirement plans, World Cup quarterfinal preview, checking in on the Tour de France, Reeve's historic victory, and more. Yahoo Sports AM is written by Kendall Baker and Jeff Tracy. Let's sports...   🚨 ICYMI HEADLINES ⚾️ JV set to retire: Justin Verlander, 43, announced on Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the season, his 21st in the majors. The news came on the same day that the future Hall of Famer and Tigers pitcher was selected to his 10th All-Star Game as a "Legend Pick" by commissioner Rob Manfred. ⚾️ So close: Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease was three outs away from his second career no-hitter when a single by Giants OF Heliot Ramos ended his bid in the ninth. He still earned the win in a 10-0 victory with his third no-hit bid of 8+ innings, the most in MLB over the last five seasons. ⚽️ Record ratings: Upon closer inspection, Monday's USA-Belgium game (~42M viewers) was not in fact the most-watched soccer telecast in American history. That honor now belongs to Sunday's Mexico-England game, which drew nearly 45 million viewers across Fox and Telemundo. ⚾️ Derby field fills out: Royals RF Jac Caglianone and Red Sox 1B Willson Contreras have joined next week's Home Run Derby, whose eight-player field is now half full with Caglianone and Contreras joining Rays 3B Junior Caminero and Yankees 1B Ben Rice. ⚽️ MLS All-Stars: Lionel Messi, three wins from leading Argentina to a second straight World Cup title, headlined MLS' 29-player All-Star roster revealed Wednesday. They'll face a team of Liga MX All-Stars on July 29 in Charlotte.     🎾 WIMBLEDON THE FERY-TALE CONTINUES Fery falls to the court in celebration in front of an adoring home crowd. (Tim Clayton/Getty Images) The men's semifinals are set at Wimbledon, and while three of the players left standing are exactly who you'd expect them to be, the fourth is a young Brit named Arthur Fery, who is nothing short of the most unlikely semifinalist in the modern history of the sport. Odd man out: Fery — who upset No. 9 Flavio Cobolli on Wednesday to join No. 1 Jannik Sinner, No. 2 Alexander Zverev and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic in the semifinals — is just the fourth men's wildcard to reach a major semifinal in the Open Era (since 1968). But unlike the first three, Fery's run truly came out of nowhere. First was Jimmy Connors (1991 U.S. Open), an eight-time Grand Slam champion who received a sort-of "lifetime achievement" wildcard at age 39 at the end of an all-time great career. Next was Henri Laconte (1992 French Open), a former top-five player who'd reached eight Grand Slam quarterfinals but had fallen down the rankings due to injury. Most recently was Goran Ivanišević (2001 Wimbledon), a former world No. 2 and three-time finalist at the All England Club in the twilight of his career. He ultimately ran the table, becoming the first men's wildcard ever to win a Grand Slam. And now we have Fery, a 23-year-old Wimbledon local who'd never so much as advanced beyond the third round of an ATP event. By the numbers: Fery — who was born in France but grew up about a mile away from the All England Club, where he's played since he was a child — entered the tournament ranked a career-high 114th. Now, regardless of where he finishes he'll climb to at least No. 36. The Stanford graduate won nearly as many matches during his dream run at Wimbledon (5) as he had in his entire ATP career before last week (6). In fact, he'd only played in 14 main-draw matches before, underscoring just how little experience he has at this level. In the same vein, by reaching the semifinals he's already guaranteed himself a payday of roughly $1.2 million, more than he's earned in his entire career to date ($883,618). It is worth noting, however, that he perhaps doesn't need the money the way so many other struggling tennis players do: His father, Loïc, is a multimillionaire hedge fund manager and president of Ligue 1 club FC Lorient. What's next: Fery will face Zverev tomorrow after the reigning French Open champion knocked No. 6 Taylor Fritz out in straight sets on Wednesday. And if he can pull off another upset he'll get the winner of Sinner and Djokovic in the final. Good luck, kid.   ⚽️ WORLD CUP THE QUARTERFINALS ARE HERE, AND SO ARE THE STARS (Josh Heim/Yahoo Sports) After a solitary rest day that felt eternal, the quarterfinal stage of the World Cup has finally arrived. The global footballing behemoths have curtly dismissed the plucky underdogs, sent the host countries packing, and claimed their rightful seats at the big kid's table. All or nothing: It's no longer enough to fight for survival; this stage requires the game's best to wrest victory ruthlessly from the clutches of their opponent. The omnipresence of galactic stars — each performing at their very best — ensures there's no margin for error, and fans could scarcely ask for more big names to anchor the tournament down the stretch. Argentina's Lionel Messi, France's Kylian Mbappé, England's Harry Kane and Norway's Erling Haaland entered the World Cup as giants of the highest order, and have delivered to the tune of an astonishing 28 goals. That's 10% of all goals scored in the tournament. By four players. And still lurking is Lamine Yamal, the Spanish wunderkind who has yet to truly announce himself these last few weeks but is just one big game from joining that star-studded fray. Don't take it for granted: It's exceedingly rare that this many superstars make it so deep in the same tournament while simultaneously playing so flawlessly. Enjoy it. We're witnessing greatness. (Yahoo Sports) The road ahead: There are no easy draws left, just seismic clashes between teams that have already proven their mettle on the biggest stages in North America. France vs. Morocco (Thursday): The tournament's clear favorite faces its toughest test to date in 6th-ranked Morocco. France's star-studded attack will need to shake off the cobwebs from Paraguay's highly defensive approach in the prior round. Further raising the stakes in a game where the stakes need no raising, there are six French-born players in Morocco's squad. Belgium vs. Spain (Friday): Belgium were largely unconvincing in this tournament until they thoroughly humiliated the U.S. in an unfriendly environment. To win this one, they'll likely have to force Spain to do something it hasn't done all World Cup: concede a goal. Can Yamal and company find the back of the net sooner than they did against Portugal, when their 91st-minute strike clinched a 1-0 victory? England vs. Norway (Saturday): Norway enters as the lowest-ranked team in the quarterfinals, but the presence of Erling Haaland renders that standing an afterthought. If there's a goal to be had, the clinical Viking striker will find it. But the Norwegians face an England squad unrelenting in belief and urged along by their talismanic stars, Kane and Jude Bellingham. Argentina vs. Switzerland (Saturday): The Swiss may look like a final-eight underdog, but they face the reigning champions in formidable form, driven by the late-career apex of their captain, Granit Xhaka. Argentina have not beaten a team ranked higher than Switzerland in this tournament, and they would be tempting fate to wait too long for another moment of magic from Messi, however inevitable it might seem.   💯 STAT SHEET BIG NUMBERS (Tour de France) 🚴 5 stages down The Tour de France is nearly 25% of the way over, with five stages down and 16 to go entering the final Pyrenees stage today. Race favorites Tadej Pogačar and Jonas Vingegaard aren't quite where you'd expect at this juncture, tied for fourth about eight minutes off the lead, but they'll likely begin making up that deficit during today's grueling climbs. And as for the leader? That would be Norway's Torstein Træen, who's completed an inspiring comeback after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2022. He was back on his bike and cancer-free later that year, earned his first stage victory at a World Tour event in 2024, held the red jersey for four stages at the Vuelta a España in 2025, and is now the third Norwegian ever to don the yellow jersey. 🏀 380 wins Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve picked up her 380th career regular-season victory on Wednesday, breaking a tie with Mike Thibault to become the winningest coach in WNBA history. The four-time Coach of the Year also holds the record for most postseason wins (52), thanks largely to Minnesota's dynasty that won four titles in the 2010s. More history coming? The Lynx improved to 16-6 with the victory, a half-game ahead of the Aces and Valkyries for the league's best record. There's a lot of season left, but a fifth championship — all under Reeve — would break a tie with the Storm and now-defunct Comets for the most ever. (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images) ⛳️ 7 golfers Just seven LPGA golfers have ever achieved the Career Grand Slam; with a win at this weekend's Evian Championship — the fourth major of the season — world No. 1 Nelly Korda would become the eighth. The 27-year-old has already won the Chevron Championship, U.S. Women's Open and Women's PGA Championship, and despite there being five majors, only four are required for the Slam. But wait, there's more: A win this weekend would also make her just the 36th woman to earn a spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame. The points-based membership requires 27 points for entry; Korda has 25, and major championships are worth two. Here's where I remind you that she's already won four times this year, including two of the first three majors. ⚾️ 10 RBI Pirates 1B Ryan O'Hearn mashed three home runs and had 10 RBIs in Tuesday's win over the Braves, making him just the 17th player in MLB's modern era (since 1900) with at least 10 RBIs in a game. The others: Shohei Ohtani (2024), Mark Reynolds (2018), Scooter Gennett (2017), Anthony Rendon (2017), Garret Anderson (2007), Alex Rodriguez (2005), Nomar Garciaparra (1999), Mark Whiten (1993), Fred Lynn (1975), Reggie Jackson (1969), Norm Zauchin (1955), Walker Cooper (1949), Rudy York (1946), Phil Weintraub (1944), Tony Lazzeri (1936), Jim Bottomley (1924).   ⚾️ GO DEEPER GOOD READS: MLB EDITION (Bruno Rouby/Yahoo Sports) Jake Mintz: It's a weird year for the American League All-Stars MLB's balance of power has skewed heavily in the NL's favor this season — a discrepancy that will be on full display at next week's All-Star Game in Philadelphia, where the Senior Circuit's roster will be chock-full of stars while the AL scrambles to fill a void caused by injuries, underperformance and an interleague exodus. (Taylor Wilhelm/Yahoo Sports) Russell Dorsey: The man, the myth, the Miz: How Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski became MLB's most electric pitcher Milwaukee's flame-throwing righty has enjoyed a meteoric rise, going from a tantalizingly talented prospect to arguably the best pitcher in baseball in the past year. But the Miz's ascent to superstardom was far from a guarantee, and his road to becoming MLB's most electric hurler was anything but linear. (Amy Monks/Yahoo Sports) Mintz: Which player will the White Sox take with the No. 1 overall pick? The White Sox are on the clock with the first pick in Saturday's MLB Draft, and there are effectively three options for whom they'll select: UCLA SS Roch Cholowsky, Georgia Tech C Vahn Lackey and a high school SS from Texas named Grady Emerson. Let's run through this talented trio, highlight what makes each special and handicap their chances to be the first name called this weekend.   📺 VIEWING GUIDE WATCHLIST: THURSDAY, JULY 9 (Yahoo Sports) ⚽️ World Cup, Quarterfinals The first semifinal spot will be booked today in Foxborough (4pm ET, Fox), where France and Morocco meet in a rematch of the semifinals from four years ago in Qatar. 20-20 vision? Kylian Mbappé has scored a stunning 19 goals in 19 career World Cup appearances, including seven this year alone. Will he make it an even 20 in 20 today? 🎾 Wimbledon, Semifinals The women take center stage — and Centre Court — today as the semifinals get underway at the All England Club. First up is No. 7 Coco Gauff vs. No. 10 Karolína Muchová (8:30am, ESPN), followed by No. 9 Linda Nosková vs. No. 12 Marta Kostyuk. Debutants: This is the first Wimbledon in the Open Era (since 1968) to feature four first-time Wimbledon semifinalists in the women's draw. ⛳️ Evian Championship The fourth LPGA major of the season is underway (6am, Golf) in Évian-les-Bains, France, where 132 women are competing for a $9.1 million purse. Flashback: Last year's tournament had as thrilling a conclusion as you could imagine, as Grace Kim forced a playoff with an eagle at the last, extended the playoff with a chip-in birdie — a shot so epic it was commemorated with a plaque — and won her first major with another eagle on the second playoff hole. More to watch: 🏀 NBA Summer League: Wizards vs. Jazz (9pm, ESPN) … Las Vegas Summer League action tips off with Washington's AJ Dybantsa and Utah's Darryn Peterson meeting in a matchup of the top two picks in last month's draft. ⛳️ PGA: Scottish Open (3:15am, ESPN+; 11am, Golf) … Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and defending champion Chris Gotterup headline the field at The Renaissance Club. 🏀 WNBA: Storm at Dream (8pm, Prime); Fever at Mercury (10pm, Prime) … Atlanta (12-9) could use a win in this get-right game against Seattle (6-17) after dropping five straight. 🚴 Tour de France: Stage 6 (6:25am, Peacock) … Riders will travel 116 miles through the Pyrenees from Pau to Gavarnie-Gèdre. Got plans tonight? Gametime is the best place to score last-minute tickets to the events in your city.   ⚾ NO-NO'S MLB TRIVIA (Nic Antaya/Getty Images) Justin Verlander — who announced Wednesday that he'll be retiring at the end of the season — has thrown three career no-hitters, a total surpassed by just two other pitchers in MLB history. Question: Can you name them? Hint: A lefty and a righty. Answer at the bottom.   ⚽️ WHO YA GOT? WORLD CUP: MAKE YOUR PICKS! The quarterfinals in the world's biggest soccer tournament begin today! Pick your winners for each game in 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em from Yahoo Sports and FOX One. How to play: Make picks each round, earn points for correct predictions and climb the leaderboard. You can play solo against the field, create a private group with friends to compete for bragging rights, or join a public group to play with other fans.   Trivia answer: Nolan Ryan (7 no-hitters) and Sandy Koufax (4)

Regards.

And here the writer hits on the key point which is at the center of the prophecy which led to the disappointment and when understood correctly became a pillar of the foundation of the church. "As we have seen, when the Millerite calculations failed, all appeared to be lost; but a singular event took place only three days later in a cornfield near Port Gibson, New York, which changed the face of Adventist history and brought about a reinterpretation of the eighth and ninth chapters of the book of Daniel, an interpretation which is a keystone in the arch of the Seventh-day Adventist view of prophecy. On October 25, 1844, following the “Great Disappointment,” Hiram Edson, a devout Adventist and follower of William Miller, was wending his way homeward with his friend O.R.L. Crosier. In order to avoid the mocking gazes and taunts of their neighbors, they cut across a cornfield. As they walked through the cornfield in deep silence and meditation, Hiram Edson stopped, became more deeply immersed in meditation, and then with upturned face indicative of a heartfelt prayer for spiritual light, he suddenly received a great spiritual “revelation.” In the words of Dr. Froom, Suddenly there burst upon his mind the thought that there were two phases to Christ’s ministry in the Heaven of Heavens, just as in the earthly sanctuary of old. In his own words, an overwhelming conviction came over him “that instead of our high priest coming out of the most holy of the heavenly sanctuary to come to this earth on the tenth day of the seventh month at the end of the twenty-three hundred days, He for the first time entered on that day the second apartment of that sanctuary, and that He had a work to perform in the most holy before coming to this earth.”18 In that instant, according to Seventh-day Adventist history, Hiram Edson found the reason why the Millerites had been disappointed. They had expected Christ to come to earth to cleanse the sanctuary, but the sanctuary was not the earth. It was located in heaven! Instead of coming to earth, therefore, Christ had passed from one “apartment” of the sanctuary into the other “apartment” to perform a closing work now known as the “investigative judgment.” "These concepts are now understood to mean that in 1844 Christ entered the “second phase” of His ministry in the heavenly sanctuary, and ever since has been reviewing the cases of believers to determine their worthiness for eternal life. Further, He will come forth from the “second apartment,” or finish the “second phase” of His ministry in the sanctuary, to usher in judgment upon the world at His Great Second Advent. This, in essence, was the interpretation that shaped the later concepts of the “heavenly sanctuary” and the “investigative judgment” in Seventh-day Adventist theology. Thus, good Millerite-Adventists were justified in endorsing the work of William Miller..." And he gives this..."Although I do not accept White’s explanation or the interpretations of Edson, Crosier, Froom, or Nichol, I would be at a loss to account for the growth and development of Seventh-day Adventism apart from the psychological framework of the “Great Disappointment of 1844.”

Well, this is amazing. I was taking my wife to the beach as she had an outbreak which I thought the sun and warm waters would help heal. So we headed there and I grabbed my beach bag and made sure it had all my change of clothes, towels, and a book to read which I grabbed on the way out. So we get there and set up with beach chairs and bags and go in the water and it was so hot the sand was burning to walk on and the water ready for soup. Well anyway I finally get out of the water, and go to sit on the chairs, and sip a cool drink and pull out a book to read and relax. So I open the book I grabbed and come to a part where the words I am reading just leave me dumbfounded. Here is the part I had come across... "The Historical Background of Seventh-Day Adventism Seventh-day Adventism sprang from the "Great Second Advent Awakening," which shook the religious world just before the middle of the nineteenth century when a reemphasis on the second advent of Jesus Christ was rampant in Britain and on the continent of Europe. Before long, many of the Old World views of prophetic interpretation crossed the Atlantic and penetrated American theological circles. Based largely upon the apocalyptic books of Daniel and Revelation, the theology of the Advent Movement was discussed in the newspapers as well as in theological journals. New Testament eschatology competed with stock market quotations for front-page space, and the "seventy weeks," "twenty-three hundred days," and "the abomination of desolation" (Daniel 8–9) were common subjects of conversation. Following the chronology of Archbishop Ussher, and interpreting the 2300 days of Daniel as 2300 years, many Bible students of various denominations concluded that Christ would come back about the year 1843. Of this studious number was one William Miller, a Baptist minister and resident of Lower Hampton, New York. The Great Second Advent Awakening, which swept the United States in the 1840’s, stemmed largely from the activities of this William Miller, who confidently taught in the year 1818 that in "about" twenty-five years, i.e., 1843, Jesus Christ would come again...At length his associates set October 22, 1844, as the final date when Jesus Christ would return for His saints." I was intrigued as clearly this was saying that this timeline of the 2300 days of Daniel as 2300 years was seen by others and was being studied by many believers. William Miller was studying what many others were going over with great interest, and he was not some wild eyed extremist as we see. "Miller was raised by a deeply religious mother, but despite her zeal for his conversion, Miller became a deist. Only after a soul-searching experience that culminated in his conversion did he begin his preparation for ministry in the Baptist church. A great many books have been written about William Miller and the Millerite movement, but to this writer’s knowledge none of them proved Miller to be dishonest or deceptive in his prophetic interpretation of Scripture. Indeed, he enjoyed the reputation, among all who knew him, of being an honest, forthright Christian." The problem was not the timeline but the event that they were looking at had been picked up with the wrong ending, which if they had been Jewish, would have been clear from their understanding of work of the High Priest in the earthly sanctuary. And we see more of what others were seeing then... "Clearly it may be seen that although Miller popularized the 1843/1844 concept of Christ’s coming again, he was by no means alone. If we condemn him, we must also condemn a large number of internationally known scholars who were among the most highly educated men of their day. Yet they, too, had a blind spot in prophetic interpretation and endorsed this fallacious system of date-setting." They were looking for the second advent, and we can see now how the fixation on this led to the great disappointment. Here is a clear and much better explanation than I could give of the issue from the book.. "Regardless of the number of scholars who confirmed his errors, however, the fact remains that Miller and the Millerite movement operated contrary to the express injunctions of Scripture. Both Miller and his followers lived to reap the reward of their foolhardy quest and to suffer crushing humiliation, ridicule, and abject despair.,, The final phase of the movement closed with the “Great Disappointment of 1844,” but as the Millerites disbanded, there emerged other groups, such as the First-day Adventists. However, in our study we are concerned primarily with three segments that later fused to produce the Seventh-day Adventist denomination... At this point in our historical analysis of Seventh-day Adventism, we believe it will be profitable to briefly review “The Great Disappointment of 1844” and its relationship to the Seventh-day Adventist doctrines of the heavenly sanctuary and the investigative judgment. The entire superstructure of the Millerites’ prophetic interpretation was based upon their view of the book of Daniel, chapters eight and nine, with particular emphasis upon Daniel 8:14 and 9:24–27. The Millerites believed that the prophecy of the seventy weeks of Daniel nine must date from the year 457 BC., which, as recent archaeological evidence confirms,16 was the exact date of the decree of King Artaxerxes to rebuild Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25). Tracing the seventy weeks of Daniel on the theory that, as the Hebrew indicated, it should be rendered “seventy weeks of years” or 490 years, the Millerites arrived at the date AD. 33; that is, from 457 BC. to AD. 33. Since this date generally corresponds with Christ’s crucifixion, Millerites then linked it to Daniel 8:14—“Unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed”—with the seventy weeks of years prophecy, and the 2300 days became 2300 years. Thus, if you subtract 490 years (adding, of course, AD. 1 to 33), the figure arrived at is 1843. Many biblical scholars have historically shown that in Scripture a day frequently symbolizes a year; further, that the seventy weeks and 2300 days of Daniel could have begun on the same date. And that date, according to the Millerites, was 457 BC. So we see here clearly that it was not William Miller who came up with the timeline leading to 1844, but it was from many of those who studied Gods Word, and this comes not from some advocate of Adventism or from the church, but from a surprising source...

Women could not "do the job" of firemen either. Lacked the upper body strength to pass the physical requirements. When the fire chief of Los Angeles made this public, rather than refuse women entry into the fire department, they fired the chief. This kind of stuff is/was not unusual in California civil service. There are many people working in certain occupations who should not be there. Social engineering types ultimately control the hiring process. Wonder who controls the process of placing a tranny as an Elder in a Christian church? Considering the number of likely qualified men with a wife and children who recognize his leadership compared with the number of transgendered in the congregation, are we to believe that a transgendered person is the best choice? Adventist congregations are dumbfounded and astonied at the rise of the sexual deviant in the denomination but do nothing about it. Years ago, there was a YouTube interview with a young female pastor who was placed by the conference over a church. Half the congregation left, either the church or that congregation. Probably something similar is going to take place with homosexuals. They will be placed in leadership positions, regardless of what the congregation wants, or the deluded congregations will welcome them. One of the SDA pastors pushing for homosexual inclusion was under psychiatric care. He ultimately left the denominational ministry, is doing counselling to help gays accept themselves. Working with AIDS patients, many of my coworkers were either gay or lesbian. The agency provided counselling sessions to help the workers deal with their own issues, not of only grief at seeing so many young people die a miserable death but of their own sexuality. Most of them, if they could, would probably choose a straight lay in the missionary position to a form of sexual expression which, in those days, was potentially lethal. Choosing Jesus was always an option but most of them hated Him, Christians, church, i.e., they loved darkness rather than light.

Sorry Bonnie. Sounds like a full life.