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WORLD NEWS

Beijing Bound

President Trump heads to China today for two days of meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

It’s Air Force One’s first China landing since 2017, and Trump is bringing a brigade of 16 business leaders—including Apple’s Tim Cook and Tesla’s Elon Musk—in hopes of gaining more access to the world’s second-largest economy. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang wasn’t invited, amid the countries’ ongoing AI chip stalemate; China won’t buy what Uncle Sam’s willing to sell, and Uncle Sam won’t sell what China wants.

To be discussed: China purchasing American farm goods and Boeing jets, rare earth agreements, Iran, and Taiwan. As Iran’s largest trade partner, China could be key in resolving the U.S./Iran conflict, and Beijing’s hoping to soften Washington’s Taiwan policy and press Trump to stop sending arms to the world’s semiconductor hub.

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PRAY WITH US
Wonderful Counselor, while the far-reaching implications of these meetings are beyond our comprehension, they are not beyond Yours. So as two earthly powers meet, we pray for an abundance of wisdom as difficult problems are discussed and for resolutions that increase justice and human flourishing. 

Where there are dead ends, provide resolutions. Where there are irreconcilable differences, bring reconciliation. Give all those in the room grace to desire the right things, courage to pursue them, and Your favor to execute them. Amen.

WORLD NEWS

Rising Pressures and Prices

The month-old U.S.-Iran ceasefire may be nearing its expiration date. 

On Tuesday, President Trump said the temporary truce is on “life support” after rejecting Iran’s latest proposal. Tehran wants Washington to loosen its sanctions and control of the Strait of Hormuz—threatening to “teach a lesson” to anyone who strikes. 

A day earlier, Trump said he’d suspend the national gas tax “for a period of time” to relieve some war-induced pump pressure. If paused—pending congressional approval—it could save gas-guzzlers ~18¢/gallon. According to AAA, gas prices are averaging $4.52/gallon—a ~50% increase since the war started. 

Meanwhile, federal reports have confirmed what Costco receipts have been suggesting: gas isn’t the only pricier product. The consumer price index rose 0.6% in April and 3.8% year-over-year (0.1% higher than economists’ expectations and the highest since May 2023).

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ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Even if peace unravels and the economy collapses, God will remain in control. In the midst of uncertainty on earth, set your hope on the everlasting security and abundance we will enjoy with Christ when he comes. 

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” 
1 Peter 1:3-4 (CSB) (read full passage)

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U.S. NEWS

Come On, Eileen

Arcadia, California’s mayor, plans to plead guilty to acting as an illegal agent for Beijing.

From 2020-2022, Eileen Wang, 58, and her then-fiancé and campaign treasurer Yaoning “Mike” Sun—now serving four years for the same offense—ran U.S. News Center, a site reportedly posing as Chinese-American local news.

Directed by Chinese officials via WeChat, the duo posted articles denying allegations of forced labor or genocide in Xinjiang, China, often within minutes of receiving handoffs from Beijing. In one 2021 message, Wang allegedly told PRC intel: “This is what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs wants to send.” 

Wang resigned Monday and faces up to 10 years in federal prison. FBI Director Kash Patel has vowed to “root out” foreign influence in American institutions; city officials called the case “deeply troubling” and said city funds weren’t compromised.

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A verse to consider when you feel let down by the corruption of man…“God is not a man, that he might lie, or a son of man, that he might change his mind. Does he speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?” 
Numbers 23:19 (CSB) (read full passage)

British PM Keir Starmer’s in hot tea. Over 85 Labour Party lawmakers have called for the party leader to step down, including four lower-level ministers who’ve resigned in protest; the resignation calls come amid recent Labour-Party election losses and nationwide economic woes. Starmer says he’ll “get on with governing,” and ~100 parliament members have reportedly signed a statement backing him.
 

The redistricting wars landed on the Supreme Court’s doorstep twice Monday. Virginia Democrats asked the Supremes to reinstate a voter-approved map their own Supreme Court struck down last week—costing four potential blue House pickups. The Court also cleared Alabama to use a map eliminating one of its two majority-Black/Democratic districts following the Court’s April decision narrowing the Voting Rights Act.
 

The man accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump at last month’s Correspondents’ dinner pleaded not guilty Monday. Meanwhile, his lawyers are seeking to disqualify both U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro and acting AG Todd Blanche, arguing they have a conflict of interest after making public statements representing themselves as victims of the attack. Next up: a June 29 hearing.
 

The hantavirus saga continues. The outbreak aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship has grown to 11 cases—three fatal—after Spain confirmed a passenger evacuated to a Madrid military hospital tested positive Tuesday. Stateside, 15 Americans are being monitored at Nebraska’s National Quarantine Unit. WHO says no “larger outbreak” is in sight—but cases may grow given the virus’s long incubation period.
 

Sunday’s NBA draft lottery was magical for the Washington Wizards. The Wiz (17-65) became the first last-place team to win the ping-pong ball championship and land the top pick since the NBA tweaked the lottery in 2019 to de-incentivize intentional losing. BYU’s AJ Dybantsa and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson lead a talented top-4 all vying to go #1 on June 23.

WHIPPED CREAM ON TOP

Breaking news: She just discovered her tail.

What We’re Using
The Dwell App*

Last weekend, I managed to soak in 11 chapters of Scripture… almost unintentionally!

I was heading out to walk the dog and decided to open the Dwell app. I chose the Book of Mark, narrated by Austin, at 1.25x speed and let the calming sounds of piano and cello fill the air. Before I knew it, I was back home making coffee and breakfast, and I’d gone through 11 chapters!

There’s something irreplaceable about sitting down with a physical Bible, but Dwell has been a game-changer for me when I can’t sit down and read. I can still spend quality time in the Word by listening.

Jason Woodruff | Founder