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Communities across China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan celebrated the Dragon Boat Festival yesterday as competing teams paddled colorful, long dragon-shaped boats through rivers and harbors before crowds of spectators. See photos here. The holiday dates back more than 2,000 years; it's traditionally linked to a poet and government official named Qu Yuan, who, according to legend, drowned himself in China's Miluo River after his kingdom of Chu fell to the rival state of Qin. Villagers raced out in boats to search for him and tossed rice into the river to protect his body from fish, inspiring today's races and the festival food zongzi, a sticky rice dumpling wrapped in leaves. Dragon boats can stretch more than 40 feet long and require crews of up to 20 people paddling in sync to the beat of a drum. The dragon symbolizes power and good fortune in Chinese culture. Watch how the boats are built here.

‘A kind of massive rave’: Paris braces for 2m revellers as Fête de la Musique returns amid heatwave warnings Officials expand safety measures as French capital prepares for huge annual street celebration https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/20/paris-braces-tourist-influx-street-festival-fete-de-la-musique?

Cabinet loyalists tell Starmer he has the weekend to set out timetable for exit Ministers say PM faces being forced out by party if he does not act, with one calling his departure inevitable https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/19/keir-starmer-pressure-andy-burnham-wes-streeting-allies-not-fight-leadership-challenge?

‘It’s Russian roulette’: alarm as Europe backs critical minerals mines in water-stressed regions Exclusive: European Commission planning to rewrite key law to allow water-intensive mines in regions suffering from drought https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/20/europe-backs-critical-minerals-mines-water-stressed-regions?

‘It’s a big mistake’: Israelis feel betrayed and angry after Iran peace deal In ‘middle Israel’ there are fears Iran could rebuild stronger – and there is particular ire for Donald Trump https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/20/israelis-betrayed-angry-after-iran-peace-deal-donald-trump? ps:And don't forget your own PM he's as much to blame as trump!! Trump hails Iran deal that fixes nothing except a problem his war caused Deal will leave things almost exactly as they were before feckless war of choice started https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/15/analysis-us-iran-peace-deal-nuclear-talks-resume? ps:Exactly!!!!!!!!!!

We’ve been here before, and we know what comes next White supremacy has always been used to usher in massive economic inequality https://www.epi.org/blog/weve-been-here-before-and-we-know-what-comes-next-white-supremacy-has-always-been-used-to-usher-in-massive-economic-inequality/? Trump unveils new Air Force One, a converted Qatari 747 New craft, called VC-25B Bridge, had provoked protest since $400m jet wildly exceeds limit on unsolicited gifts https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jun/19/trump-air-force-one-qatar?

Nicodemus and Jesus have the famous John 3:16 conversation in this episode. The writers of The Chosen have both Matthew and Nicodemus struggling to understand what the miracles of Jesus mean. The two characters are coming from opposite ends of the religious spectrum. Nicodemus is a highly respected scholar among the Pharisees. Matthew is a tax collector who has sold his soul to Rome and willingly cooperates with them to oppress Israel. Two distinct reactions take the two characters on two different paths to the light their eyes have been opened to. Matthew immediately accepts the invitation to follow Jesus. He abandons everything. He is drawn to Truth. This is an example of a sudden conversation. The writers of The Chosen have Jesus invite Nicodemus to follow Him and that is not in the Bible. However, it does represent a class of people that hear the gospel and are slow to respond. This type of conversion is what the psychologist, William James, called the educational variety. The person approaches truth as a skeptic but with a willingness to learn and give up previous beliefs they held as true. The complete conversion of Nicodemus does not happen until much later in the ministry of Jesus. However, at this point we see the wheels begin to turn. I identify with the educational variety of conversion because that is how I came to Christ. I was raised in a back-slidden Seventh-day Adventist home. I quit attending church on a regular basis after 8th grade. I had doubts not only about Adventism but about Christianity itself. Statistically it was highly unlikely that I was born in the "true" religion and if I was, it was even more unlikely that I was born into the denomination with the most "light". I started on a spiritual quest in college that eventually brought me to the Adventist church which was not where I expected it to take me. Matthew was the great sinner. His conversion was sudden. Nicodemus was the religious scholar. His conversion took time. God is patient and His love is never ending. Both types of conversions are authentic and probably have a lot to do with the person's cognitive development in childhood and the young adult years. Those that convert suddenly need the support of friendship and to be given responsibilities in the church. They can fall away. Those that experience the educational variety of conversion need church members not to give up on them. Once their conversion happens, they do not fall away often and are very loyal believers.

PALERMO, CA – An officer with the Oroville office of the California Highway Patrol (CHP) has received California’s highest honor for bravery after his rapid response helped save the lives of two kindergarten students wounded during a shooting at Feather River Adventist School, according to a report by Hannah Gutierrez of KRCRTV News. https://atoday.org/chp-officer-receives-californias-highest-valor-award-for-response-at-feather-river-adventist-school/ ps:So after posting this article it seems that there's a problem clicking on the link: "according to a report by Hannah Gutierrez of KRCRTV News. Not sure if they've changed something or the article was deep 6ed??

Statues of Mysterious Classical Figures Found Near Caesarea A spectacular discovery has emerged near the town of Binyamina along the coast of Israel. Archaeologists uncovered two marble statues, known as protomes, depicting the head and upper torso of Greco-Roman figures. The statues date to around 1,700 years ago and were found in an unusual context: buried face down inside the wine pit of a Roman-Byzantine winepress. Oddly, the statues were deliberately placed there, face down, when the winepress went out of use. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-artifacts/artifacts-and-the-bible/statues-of-mysterious-classical-figures-found-near-caesarea/? Did Jesus Exist? Searching for Evidence Beyond the Bible After two decades toiling in the quiet groves of academe, I published an article in BAR titled “Archaeology Confirms 50 Real People in the Bible.”a The enormous interest this article generated was a complete surprise to me. Nearly 40 websites in six languages, reflecting a wide spectrum of secular and religious orientations, linked to BAR’s supplementary web page.b Some even posted translations. https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/jesus-historical-jesus/did-jesus-exist/?

In Trinidad and Tobago Erton Köhler calls Adventists to be available for God to use them. https://adventistreview.org/news/be-part-of-gods-miracle-gc-president-tells-mission-leaders-and-hopefuls/

In general, the SDA Church welcomes all at their worship services who come in peace and do not disrupt the services. Yes, I have attended SDA Churches where such a homosexual couple came in peace and was welcomed to worship, but not to become members. Ther is an exception to the above. People convicted, or perhaps charged, with criminal activity, such as sexual crimes, may be highly restricted from worshiping in a SDA congregation. They may be allowed to attend if certain restrictions are followed. They may be restricted from all contact with children. They may be required to have an adult monitor with them at all times while on church property. They may be required to agree that their past history can be made public to all to are interested it. I agree with the above.

These people are either stupid or diabolical. In Laos, there are posted signs warning of the danger foreigners pose to young children. Years ago, in Malaysia there was a young person who identified as an ESL teacher and a Christian missionary. He thus gained the confidence of people. In turn, he molested children. He was so proud of himself, he prepared a book on child molesting in Asia for publication on the dark web. He returned to his home in Great Britain for some reason. He was promptly arrested, convicted, and sent to prison. He was killed in prison by other inmate/s. There was an SDA prison inmate, convicted of child molesting. His lawyer told him he could beat the case if he just kept his mouth shut. He felt so guilty and ashamed of what he had done, he spoke about it too freely, disclosing information which got him convicted. Very charming and grandfatherly type man. Upon his prison arrival, he was escorted by a couple of inmates to a private place and given the beating of his life. Not killed, he was lucky. Not all pedophiles are ashamed. They have the forehead of a harlot (Jeremiah 3:3). Not all survive the beating.

Correction: Protecting Young people who are not actually same sex attracted but long for companionship can easily be identified by older, more experienced predator types. Pathfinders should be warned of the dangers these individuals pose.

Recently a secular fashion magazine decided to do an article on the health benefits of being a Seventh-day Adventist. They invited me to weigh in as an “expert witness”. I share below the question the reporter asked and my answer. I thought you might find it worth your time to read: (Reporter’s Question)What are ten […] The post Adventist Principles and Health appeared first on Jon Paulien's Blog. View the full article

Very interesting. Mrs white never addressed this. However, she might have been too early for it. I can tell you, in this side of the world it is forbidden. However, it is slowly working its way into social gatherings. I find this funny : https://www.ldsdaily.com/entertainment/church-publishes-updated-guidelines-on-beverage-consumption/

China executes 3 convicted of sex crimes against minors China executes 3 convicted of sex crimes against minors - People's Daily Online Although most were young girls, one boy was a victim. Likely in the future, more homosexual pedophiles will have the opportunity to experience a bullet to the back of the head. There won't be any "pride" protests over this, either. Some years ago a gay man murdered his mother because she would not give him money. She disapproved of his homosexual lover. He was arrested. Prior to his execution, he was interviewed for a television program. As he was being led to the place of execution, his last words to the interviewer were ~ 我会去天堂吗 [Will I go to heaven?].

For an interesting history of Mormon views on caffeinated drinks, including coffee, see this: Dialogue_V14N03_80.pdf Search "coffee" in the document.

🇮🇹 Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Italy's conservative leader, sharply rejected President Trump's reported claim to Italian broadcaster La7 that she "begged" for a photo with him at the G7 summit. "Neither I nor Italy ever beg," she said, per a translation of her video statement. Go deeper.

Israel and Hezbollah agree to halt fighting, officials say, as US-Iran talks hang in the balance JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel and the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group agreed Friday to halt the heavy fighting in southern Lebanon that had threatened to unravel an interim agreement between the United States and Iran to end their war, officials said. Neither Israel nor Hezbollah immediately confirmed the truce. https://apnews.com/article/iran-us-israel-lebanon-oil-june-19-2026-635ad6f41610df8355d24cc301a75fc4?

Juneteenth reminds us of Black Americans’ long struggle for education following end of slavery The abolitionist and writer Frederick Douglass is known for many things, but perhaps among the most significant is his views on education’s relationship to slavery. Douglass himself was born into slavery in Maryland in 1818. https://floridaphoenix.com/2026/06/19/repub/juneteenth-reminds-us-of-black-americans-long-struggle-for-education-following-end-of-slavery/?

Jaw-Dropping Cost of Trump’s War With Iran Revealed The financial impact of the president’s conflict just got worse. The Pentagon has calculated it needs $80 billion in taxpayer funds to cover the costs of Trump’s four-month war with Iran. The war, which began on Feb. 28, resulted in the deaths of 13 U.S. service members, as well as more than 3,300 Iranians, pushing up oil prices around the world and spiking inflation and mortgage rates in the U.S. An estimate from Moody’s Analytics said the war has already cost U.S. consumers and taxpayers around $132 billion. Last month, the Pentagon estimated the cost of the war in Iran was roughly $29 billion. Now, a new report says the Pentagon told lawmakers this week that it needs an additional $80 billion to cover the costs of the Iran conflict and other non-war-related bills, according to The Wall Street Journal. The publication cites people familiar with the discussions, which have been led by 66-year-old billionaire Stephen Feinberg, who has served as the deputy secretary of defense since March last year. The figure comes as lawmakers try to put a precise price tag on the war. There are fears that the U.S. military has used munitions in the Iran conflict that could be required for security threats elsewhere. Last month, the Pentagon flagged that it needs Congress to pass a new wartime spending bill in time to fund future operations, such as training exercises. The Department of Defense has funded Trump’s unplanned Iran war out of its annual operations and maintenance budget. The Pentagon’s current budget for the next year is roughly $1 trillion, with any request for extra funds required to be approved by the White House’s Office of Management and Budget before it goes to Congress. However, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is already touting his plans for a $1.5 trillion budget. The publication said Feinberg has briefed lawmakers on his plan this week, with money to be allocated to ship operations, personnel pay, and munitions. Their sources added a full U.S. supplemental request, which would fund the Pentagon as well as non-defense priorities such as farm and disaster relief, could be sent to lawmakers in the coming days. The Daily Beast has contacted the Pentagon and the White House for comment. This week Trump signed a 14-point peace plan with Iran, claiming it represented a “major win” for America despite making political and financial concessions to Iran. The president said the plan, and access to the Strait of Hormuz for global oil supplies, will prevent a “worldwide depression”. Feinberg, who founded private equity firm Cerberus Capital Management, has kept a low profile but has “far eclipsed” his boss, Hegseth, according to a report in The Guardian. “Everything is centered around Feinberg,” one veteran Pentagon bureaucrat said. “I don’t think there’s anything that goes on that he doesn’t have a stake in,” a financier familiar with his operations stated. Hegseth’s figure of $1.5 trillion faced immediate pushback from Republicans, who were wary of the impact on domestic funding ahead of the critical midterm elections. Ahead of Trump signing his peace deal, Hegseth met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Tuesday, pushing for his unprecedented $1.5 trillion budget. Hegseth met with Republican Lindsey Graham, who chairs the Senate Budget Committee. Graham posted on X that he is prepared to support extra money for the Pentagon. “We discussed the urgent need to plus up the military budget to deal with replenishing and restoring our stockpile of weapons and other one-time expenses being incurred by constant conflict,” Graham said, suggesting a figure of $355 billion. “We cannot turn our backs on an historic opportunity to help the Department of War at a time of multiple conflicts,” Graham added. https://www.thedailybeast.com/jaw-dropping-cost-of-trumps-war-with-iran-revealed/?