Podcasts about China

Media coverage over the economic impact of President Trump's tariffs has been robust,but not a ton of attention has been paid to the actual legality of them. So that's where Andrew and Mary begin, after two court decisions in the last week questioned the merits and where jurisdiction lies. Then they turn to the president's significant use of the pardon power to commute sentences and override convictions of some friends and allies, and what it says about maintaining a belief in blind justice. And after some great reporting from the New York Times, Mary and Adnrew detail some changes happening within Director Kash Patel's FBI, as bureau leaders are taken down a peg and emphasis on public corruption is dialed back.Further reading: Here is the New York Times reporting concerning the FBI: Unease at F.B.I. Intensifies as Patel Ousts Top OfficialsWant to listen to this show without ads? Sign up for MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts. 

Elon Musk set off a grenade in conservative circles this week, trashing the one big, beautiful bill Trump has staked so much on. He didn't just throw shade — he called it a “disgusting abomination,” backed Rand Paul's $5 trillion deficit claim, and waved the American flag emoji as punctuation. This wasn't a random tweet. This was Musk choosing to detonate right as Speaker Mike Johnson is working the Senate hard to shepherd this bill into law. Johnson, for his part, did respond, claiming he had a 20-minute phone call with Musk where the topic never came up. But c'mon — that silence says a lot. Either Johnson's not telling the whole story, or Musk baited him. Neither looks great.The timing is brutal. Musk has been a reliable MAGA ally — hosting DeSantis's launch, reshaping Twitter into a free speech battleground, becoming a key donor and message amplifier. When he turns on your signature policy, it signals open season. And it's not just personal. Elon hates the EV credit phase-outs in the bill. He's furious about the AI regulatory overrides that strip individual from states like California. And his businesses, from SpaceX to Starlink, all have reasons to be wary of the bill's broader tech oversight. So what looked like a united conservative front just fractured — and it fractured loudly. This is the part of the process where fights get public. And loud. And weird.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Iowa and the 2024 RemapIt's moments like this that make me appreciate the Iowa caucus even more. Say what you will about the process — yes, it's clunky, yes, it can be exclusionary — but nobody works harder at retail politics than Iowans. I've been in diners, VFW halls, and school gyms across that state. These are folks who grill candidates, push policy details, and actually pay attention. Compare that to South Carolina, which Biden bumped to the front of the line for the Democratic primary. That move was clearly strategic — to avoid an early embarrassment — but it came at a cost. The engagement just isn't the same. You can walk into a bar in Manchester and get into a policy debate with a random guy sipping Busch Light. That's not happening in Columbia.Now, there's a window to fix it. With 2024 settled, both parties could realign the primary calendar — and they should. Let Iowa go first. Let New Hampshire follow. Put South Carolina third, Nevada fourth. Let people earn it. The current process is dominated by consultants who don't want surprises. But surprises are good. They shake things up. They reveal flaws. They test candidates in real-time, not just in sanitized TV town halls. If you want to know who can campaign in a blizzard, let 'em face a real one. Bring back the vetting. Bring back the grit.Deal Deadlines and Tiers of ImportanceThen there's the global chessboard. June marks the end of the 90-day tariff pause Trump announced on Liberation Day — his dramatic trade reset. That pause gave negotiators time to cut new deals, to defuse tensions. But with just weeks left, where are the deals? Trump hasn't sealed anything. Not with China. Not with India. Not with Vietnam, or Mexico, or even Taiwan. Instead, he's hosting white paper summits and showing off 2017 flashbacks. The branding is tight, but the substance is lagging.Look at the scoreboard. Ukraine was inching toward peace talks — then dropped a drone strike that disabled a third of Russia's bomber fleet. That doesn't scream “diplomatic breakthrough.” Gaza? The American-backed aid initiative is collapsing under mutual mistrust and unconfirmed shootings. We're left trying to guess which footage is real and which claims are propaganda. And while all this plays out, the trade environment remains stuck. Japan, South Korea, Australia — they're locked into frameworks that don't need rewriting. The real action would be a comprehensive tariff reset with Mexico or Vietnam, or a groundbreaking semiconductor pact with Taiwan. But so far, we're getting press releases, not treaties.So here's how I see it. You've got three tiers of trade potential. Tier 1: countries that matter symbolically — Canada, UK, the Netherlands. Deals here look good but don't move markets. Tier 2: mid-size powerhouses like South Korea, Japan, and Germany. All three matter for automotives, while South Korea and Japan both matter for their tech sectors. Finally, Tier 3 is where it counts: China, Mexico, Vietnam, Taiwan, India. If Trump can close one deal there, he regains the upper hand. If he can't, he enters the summer with big talk and no wins — just in time for Senate Democrats to go on offense. Time is ticking.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:03:10 - Elon Trashes the BBB00:08:09 - Iowa Caucus 00:11:24 - Trump Trade Tiers00:22:14 - Interview with Michael Cohen00:49:52 - Update00:50:33 - Big Beautiful Bill Senate Discussions00:53:05 - Jaime Harrison Comments00:55:08 - Trump China Trade Talks00:57:23 - Interview with Michael Cohen, con't.01:35:36 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

The US will begin revoking visas for Chinese students, including those in “critical fields” or with connections to the Chinese Communist Party. The US State Department has said this is to stop the exploitation of US universities and protect national security. Who is losing out in this latest development in US-China tensions? In this episode: Zichen Wang (@ZichenWanghere), Research Fellow & Director for International Communications at the Center for China and Globalization Episode credits: This episode was produced by Sarí el-Khalili, Sonia Bhagat, and Chloe K. Ki, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Remas Alhawari, Mariana Navarrete, Kingwell Ma, Kisaa Zehra, Khaled Soltan, and our guest host, Natasha del Toro. It was edited by Kylene Kiang. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editor is Hisham Abu Salah. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube

When journalist Cheng Lei was detained by Chinese state security agents, she thought would be freed within the week. Instead, she was held on absurd espionage charges for more than three years, much of that time spent in isolation.When Cheng Lei moved back to the country of her birth after the dramatic opening up of China to the world, she was a part of something exciting and historic.That all changed after Xi Jinping came to power, and Australia's relations with China deteriorated.In this first episode of a two-part series, Lei explains how eventually, she found herself detained on bogus espionage charges, and held for more than three years in a Chinese detention centre.For the first six months of her detention, Lei was isolated and alone except for the rotating female guards who stood over her 24 hours a day.Lei was not allowed to speak to these guards, she was forced to sit on the edge of her bed for 14 hours a day, she had to ask permission to do anything, she was not allowed to close her eyes and intermittently she was taken to a room, tied down in a chair and interrogated about allegedly sharing state secrets with foreigners.Lei learned how to ration books, she practised German vocabulary, wrote scripts in her head and thought of her two children to stay sane under torturous conditions.Further informationCheng Lei: A Memoir of Freedom is published by HarperCollins.Cheng Lei: My Story is a documentary made by Sky News Australia. It is available to stream at SkyNews.com.au.Conversations' Executive Producer is Nicola Harrison. This episode was produced by Meggie Morris.Find out more about the Conversations Live National Tour on the ABC website.This episode of Conversations explores CCP, Covid, propaganda, communism, paranoia, Marise Payne, Scott Morrison, family separation, career changes, jail, justice system, Chinese Communist Party, embassy, diplomatic relations, CCTV, state broadcaster, media, television, news anchor, single mothers, trade, tariffs, books, writing, motherhood, parenting, Tiananmen Square, personal stories, origin.

Nigel Ng is a comedian, content creator and restaurateur originally from Malaysia. He's known for his viral character “Uncle Roger” who roasts celebrity chefs and bad cooking.  Nigel joins Theo to talk about some of the big differences between eastern and western cultures, how his viral food content led to him opening a restaurant of his own, and the joke that might have put him on China's watchlist… Nigel Ng: https://www.instagram.com/mrnigelng/  ------------------------------------------------ Tour Dates! https://theovon.com/tour New Merch: https://www.theovonstore.com ------------------------------------------------- Sponsored By: Celsius: Go to the Celsius Amazon store to check out all of their flavors. #CELSIUSBrandPartner #CELSIUSLiveFit https://amzn.to/3HbAtPJ Manscaped: Go to https://manscaped.com and use code THEO to get 15% off your entire order.  ESPN+: Go to https://plus.espn.com/theo to buy now and tune-in to UFC 316 on Saturday, June 7 at 10 PM ET. Better Help: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp - go to http://betterhelp.com/theo to get 10% off your first month.  Rocket Money: Download the Rocket Money app and enter our show name - This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von - in the survey so they know I sent you!  ------------------------------------------------- Music: “Shine” by Bishop Gunn Bishop Gunn - Shine “N****s Can Be Gay Too” by YVES https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2bkhRBHE2Q ------------------------------------------------ Submit your funny videos, TikToks, questions and topics you'd like to hear on the podcast to: tpwproducer@gmail.com Hit the Hotline: 985-664-9503 Video Hotline for Theo Upload here: https://www.theovon.com/fan-upload Send mail to: This Past Weekend 1906 Glen Echo Rd PO Box #159359 Nashville, TN 37215 ------------------------------------------------ Find Theo: Website: https://theovon.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/theovon Facebook: https://facebook.com/theovon Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thispastweekend Twitter: https://twitter.com/theovon YouTube: https://youtube.com/theovon Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheoVonClips Shorts Channel: https://bit.ly/3ClUj8z ------------------------------------------------ Producer: Zach https://www.instagram.com/zachdpowers Producer: Trevyn https://www.instagram.com/trevyn.s/  Producer: Nick https://www.instagram.com/realnickdavis/ Producer: Andrew https://www.instagram.com/bleachmediaofficial/    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dave Rubin of “The Rubin Report” talks about White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt telling Fox News' John Roberts the shocking new details of how the Biden administration granted Boulder Colorado terror attack suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman a work authorization despite his being here illegally; Scott Jennings telling CNN's Jake Tapper how the dangers of the “Free Palestine” movement in America are now clear after the Colorado terror attack; Elon Musk's farewell speech after officially leaving the DOGE; MSNBC's Symone Sanders-Townsend making clear the plans that Democrats have to punish Elon Musk once they regain power; Scott Bessent pushing back on “Face the Nation's” Margaret Brennan with the facts about the US trade war with China and the mystery of the non-existent price hikes that mainstream media keeps warning about; Greta Thunberg's latest plan to break Israel's blockade and bring humanitarian aid to Gaza via the Freedom Flotilla Coalition; and much more. WATCH the MEMBER-EXCLUSIVE segment of the show here: https://rubinreport.locals.com/ Check out the NEW RUBIN REPORT MERCH here: https://daverubin.store/ Today's Sponsors: Home Title Lock - Ensure that your home title is safe from thieves. Sign up today and you'll get a FREE Title History Report plus a FREE trial of their Million Dollar TripleLock Protection—that's 24/7 monitoring of your title, urgent alerts to any changes, and if fraud should happen they'll spend up to ONE MILLION dollars to fix it. Go to: http://hometitlelock.com/rubinreport and USE promo code RUBIN Shopify - Turn your big business idea into money with Shopify on your side. Shopify is the commerce platform behind millions of businesses around the world from household names to brands just getting started. Go to Shopify and sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at Go to: http://shopify.com/rubin CBDistillery.com- Struggling with poor sleep or aches and pains? Take the advice of our over 2 million satisfied customers. Use CBD after physical activity for reductions in stress and pain. Order now and save up to 25% on everything! Go to: http://CBDistillery.com and enter PROMO CODE: RUBIN 

Krystal and Marshall discuss China's popularity soars as US declines, Steve Bannon demands Trump abandon Ukraine after drone swarm, Zohran surges in NYC poll against Cuomo, Krystal debates abundance neoliberal rebrand, Trump taps Palantir for sweeping surveillance of Americans, Biden spox admits he lied to cover Israeli crimes. Marshall Kosloff: https://the-realignment.simplecast.com/ To become a Breaking Points Premium Member and watch/listen to the show AD FREE, uncut and 1 hour early visit: www.breakingpoints.com Merch Store: https://shop.breakingpoints.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“ I marvel at every little freedom that we have. Because for three years and two months, it was all brutally taken away from me,” says Australian journalist Lei Cheng. In 2020, Lei was wrongfully detained in China after being falsely accused of leaking state secrets. Several years after her release, she took the stage at TED2025 to share her perspective on the meaning and value of freedom. Following her talk, Lei sat down for a special conversation with TED Talks Daily host Elise Hu to discuss her experience and how it's shaped her vision for a freer future.Want to help shape TED's shows going forward? Fill out our survey!Become a TED Member today at ted.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Accused of leaking state secrets, journalist Lei Cheng was imprisoned in China for more than three years, where she was detained in tight quarters and kept under constant supervision. “Freedom is wasted on the free,” she says, recounting how she and fellow inmates found joy in the smallest of moments: the smell of rain, a poem delivered in secrecy, kindness where it seemed undeserved. She distills the unexpected lessons that confinement taught her — and challenges us to rethink what freedom really means.Want to help shape TED's shows going forward? Fill out our survey!Become a TED Member today at ted.com/join Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I'm often asked, as the Chair of the Intelligence Committee, if the threat from China is as bad as it seems. And my answer is always no, it's much worse." Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) joins Trey to discuss how spending over a decade in the Senate has led him to see just how critical of an economic and military threat China is to the United States. He shares why informing the American people of this threat is so important and ultimately drove him to write his new book, 'Seven Things You Can't Say About China,' which further explores why China's rapid military buildup, growing nuclear arsenal, and cyber capabilities should not be ignored. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kara and Scott discuss Senator Joni Ernst's callous comments about Medicaid cuts, Texas's new law requiring app stores to verify ages, and Taylor Swift's blockbuster deal to get the rights to her masters. Then, Elon leaves The White House with a literal black eye, and denies a New York Times report about his ketamine use. Plus, Trump raises tariffs yet again, and lashes out at China. Watch this episode on the ⁠Pivot YouTube channel⁠. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at ⁠@pivotpodcastofficial⁠. Follow us on Bluesky at ⁠@pivotpod.bsky.social⁠ Follow us on TikTok at ⁠@pivotpodcast⁠. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or at ⁠nymag.com/pivot⁠. Help us plan for the future of Pivot by filling out a brief survey: ⁠⁠⁠voxmedia.com/survey⁠⁠⁠. Thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tom Bilyeu sits down with Andrew Bustamante, former CIA officer and founder of Everyday Spy, to uncover the hidden systems powering global politics, economics, and high-stakes decision-making. With his unique intelligence background, Andrew sheds light on why the world's power truly runs on leverage—not morality—challenging everything you think you know about secrets, national interest, and survival in the geopolitical arena. In Part 1, Tom and Andrew pull back the curtain on the international leverage game. From the true function of secrets like the Epstein and JFK files, to the mechanics of economic warfare and media manipulation, they explore how the powerful wield information to maintain dominance. The discussion dives deep into real-world examples, like the China spy balloon incident, and explores why governments only release classified documents when it serves their purposes. This episode will alter your perspective on government actions, international conflict, and the moral constructs imposed on society, arming you with a profound understanding of the “outcomes, not morality” worldview that drives the people in charge. SHOWNOTES 00:00 – Andrew Bustamante's CIA background and Tom's introduction07:42 – The consequences and strategic withholding of the Epstein files15:37 – Moving from a “right/wrong” model to an “outcomes” model28:44 – The fundamental difference between defending a country and defending its people30:19 – Intelligence matrices: probability vs. reliability in decision-making FOLLOW ANDREW BUSTAMANTE:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@EverydaySpyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/everydayspy/Twitter: https://twitter.com/everydayspyWebsite: https://everydayspy.com/ CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ and entering promo code IMPACT at check out ButcherBox: New users that sign up for ButcherBox will receive their choice between steak tips, salmon, or chicken breast in every box for a year + $20 off their first box at ⁠https://butcherbox.com/impact⁠ Monarch Money: Use code THEORY at ⁠https://monarchmoney.com⁠ for 50% off your first year! Netsuite: Download the new e-book Navigating Global Trade: 3 Insights for Leaders at ⁠http://NetSuite.com/Theory⁠ iTrust Capital: Use code IMPACTGO when you sign up and fund your account to get a $100 bonus at ⁠https://www.itrustcapital.com/tombilyeu⁠  Jerry: Stop needlessly overpaying for car insurance - download the Jerry app or head to ⁠https://jerry.ai/impact⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 While markets showed slight gains across the board, tensions between the U.S. and its trading partners -- particularly China -- continue to rise. Then, how growing U.S. debt could make a volatile bond market even more unstable and what that means for all Americans. Plus, the real-world consequences of proposed Medicaid cuts and -- how artificial intelligence could upend the job market.    Luke Broadwater, Susan Glasser, David Drucker, Bharat Ramamurti, Liz Hoffman, Matthew Dowd, and Gary Rivlin join The 11th Hour this Monday. 

A.M. Edition for June 3. The OECD is warning the U.S. and global economies are likely to face slowing growth this year and next, amid tariff-related uncertainty and the prospect of higher-for-longer inflation. Plus, chief China correspondent Lingling Wei profiles Beijing's new trade negotiator and his mandate from Xi Jinping not to cater to Washington. And FEMA scraps its new hurricane plan as storm season kicks off. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In order to become rich, powerful, and prestigious in the pre-modern world, nothing mattered more than horses. They were the fundamental unit of warfare, enabling cavalry charges, and logistical support. They facilitated the creation of the Silk Road (which could arguably be called the “Horse Road”) since China largely built it to enable the purchase of millions of horses to fight its nomadic neighbors to the north. The term "caballero," meaning a gentleman or knight in Spanish, derived from the Latin "caballus" (horse), reflecting how wealth, status, and the skilled ability to ride a horse defined chivalric ideals in medieval society. From the windswept Eurasian steppe to the royal stables of Persia and the warpaths of Genghis Khan, today’s guest, David Chaffetz, author of Raiders, Rulers, and Traders traces the story of how horses changed the world—not just in warfare, but in statecraft, commerce, and culture. Chaffetz makes the case that the so-called “Silk Road” might more accurately be remembered as the Horse Road. Horse-driven mobility shaped empires from Assyria and the Achaemenids to the Mughals and the Soviets. Just as we rely on the Internet today, ancient societies depended on the horse as a transformative technology that shaped everything from warfare to governance.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome back to 'Sports Are Fun!' presented by Amazon Business. SoccerGrlProbs joins Kelley O'Hara, Greydy Diaz, and intern BJ to discuss the USWNT's win against China, Emma Hayes' search for a new core, who has a shot to make the next World Cup roster, and which NWSL star might be heading to Europe next. The crew also breaks down the Liberty's early season dominance and the Fever's struggles without Caitlin Clark. They also cover the WCWS, French Open, Grand Slam track, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Story #1: Last night, Border Czar Tom Homan sounded the alarm on a major potential terror attack within the United States due to the failed policies of the Biden Administration. As violence rises in America from the Left, are we forgetting about the threat that China could impose on the U.S. internally? Story #2: 'Catch Me Up': Will is joined by Attorney Lexie Rigden to catch him and the Willitia up on what's going on with the trials of Diddy and Karen Read. If you can't keep track of the fire hose of news coming out of these trials, Lexie helps break it all down. Story #3: As most major corporations shift on their virtue signaling for Pride month, the NFL doubles down, much to the dismay of former star player Dez Bryant. Tell Will what you thought about this podcast by emailing WillCainShow@fox.com Subscribe to The Will Cain Show on YouTube here: Watch The Will Cain Show! Follow Will on X: @WillCain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this week's episode of Economic Update, Professor Wolff delivers updates on U.S. vs Chinese wheelbarrows, the Cold War error against China, the lasting effects of terminated U.S. federal workers, how tariffs alone won't bring manufacturing back to the U.S., further declines in U.S. coal mining, McDonald's hamburgers in the U.S., and the rapid economic decline in Europe.   The d@w Team Economic Update with Richard D. Wolff is a DemocracyatWork.info Inc. production. We make it a point to provide the show free of ads and rely on viewer support to continue doing so. You can support our work by joining our Patreon community: https://www.patreon.com/democracyatwork Or you can go to our website: https://www.democracyatwork.info/donate   Every donation counts and helps us provide a larger audience with the information they need to better understand the events around the world they can't get anywhere else. We want to thank our devoted community of supporters who help make this show and others we produce possible each week.1:01 We kindly ask you to also support the work we do by encouraging others to subscribe to our YouTube channel and website: www.democracyatwork.info

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he breaks down today's biggest stories shaping America and the world. Supreme Court Greenlights Trump's Deportation Plan – The Court rules that President Trump can end humanitarian parole for over 500,000 migrants brought in under Biden's CBP One App system. This reverses a lower court ruling requiring case-by-case reviews and sets the stage for widespread deportations—and economic fallout for employers who hired parolees. Democrat Judges Undermining Deportation Efforts – From Boston to Phoenix to San Francisco, Democrat judges are blocking or delaying removals, whether it's dismissing “failure to register” charges or resisting legal tactics meant to expedite deportations. ICE and DOJ are developing workarounds, including surprise courthouse arrests. Adults Posing as High School Students Spark Outrage – A 24-year-old Venezuelan man enrolled as a sophomore in Ohio, and a 20-year-old in NYC attended school with official backing. Both cases reveal failures in Biden-era migrant vetting and reignite debate over ICE presence in schools. Iran Nuclear Deal at Risk as Trump Reconsiders Red Lines – Axios reports Trump may allow limited uranium enrichment in Iran. Israel is furious, especially after a UN watchdog confirms Tehran has enough material for nine bombs and was conducting secret nuclear work at multiple sites. Australia Exposes China's Debt Trap Diplomacy – 75 poor nations face $22B in debt repayments to Beijing this year. Bryan outlines how the U.S. could use covert ops and financial diplomacy to counter China's global leverage, especially in rare earth hotspots like Myanmar. Poland Elects Conservative President Amid Migration Backlash – Voters reject the liberal ruling party in favor of Karol Nawrocki, a nationalist backed by Donald Trump. His win mirrors growing European discontent with open borders, and echoes rising tensions in U.S. states like Colorado, where a migrant recently attacked a pro-Israel march. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." – John 8:32

Today's Headlines: Twelve people were severely injured in Boulder, Colorado, after Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national, attacked a weekly pro-hostage-release walk with a homemade flamethrower; the FBI charged him with a federal hate crime after discovering he had planned the attack for a year. In Ukraine, officials say they destroyed 40 Russian nuclear-capable bombers in a drone strike, a move some Russian commentators likened to Pearl Harbor. Trade tensions with China are escalating after mutual accusations of violating last month's handshake agreement, with China vowing retaliation. In Poland, conservative Karol Nawrocki narrowly won the presidency in a record-turnout election. Meanwhile, new reporting reveals the Trump administration is using Peter Thiel's Palantir to centralize massive amounts of citizen data across federal agencies. Despite this, newly uncovered data shows the U.S. knowingly deported Venezuelans with no criminal records to El Salvador's CECOT prison under dubious terrorism claims—while quietly admitting more white South African refugees. Lastly, law firms that cooperated with Trump are now losing corporate clients like Oracle and McDonald's, who question whether these firms can be trusted to defend their interests. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: AP News: What we know about the man charged in the attack in Boulder, Colorado AP News: Ukraine's drone attack on Russian warplanes was a serious blow to the Kremlin's strategic arsenal Axios: China accuses U.S. of violating trade truce, vows "forceful measures" Reuters: Polish nationalist Nawrocki wins presidency in setback for pro-EU government NY Times: Trump Taps Palantir to Compile Data on Americans ProPublica: Trump administration knew most Venezuelans deported from Texas to a Salvadoran prison had no U.S. convictions AP News: More white South Africans arrive in the US under a new refugee program WSJ: The Law Firms That Appeased Trump—and Angered Their Clients Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Thematics and U.S. Economics analysts Michelle Weaver and Arunima Sinha discuss how American consumers are planning to spend as they consider tariffs, inflation and potential new tax policies. Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Michelle Weaver: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Michelle Weaver, U.S. Thematic and Equity strategist.Arunima Sinha: And I'm Arunima Sinha from the Global and U.S. Economics Teams.Michelle Weaver: Today – an encouraging update on the U.S. consumer.It's Tuesday, June 3rd at 10am in New York.Arunima, the last couple of months have been challenging not only for global markets, but also for everyday people and for individual households; and we heard pretty mixed information on the consumer throughout earning season. Quite a few different companies highlighted consumers being more choiceful, being more value oriented. All this to say is we're getting a little bit of a mixed message.In your opinion, how healthy is the U.S. consumer right now?Arunima Sinha: So, Michelle, I'm glad we're starting with the sort of up upbeat part of the consumer. The macro data on the consumer has been holding up pretty well so far. In the first quarter of [20]25, consumer spending has actually been running at a similar pace as the first quarter of [20]24. Nominal consumption spending grew 5.5 percent on a year-on-year basis. Goods were up almost 4 percent. Services were up more than 6 percent.So, all of that was good. What our takeaway was that we had a lot of strength in good spending, and that did probably reflect some of the pull forward on the back of tariff news. But that pace of growth suggests that there is an aggregate consumer. They have healthy balance sheets, and they're willing to spend.And then what's driving that consumption growth from our point of view. We think that labor market compensation has been running at a pretty steady pace so far. So more than 5.5 percent quarterly analyzed. PCE inflation has been running at just over 3 percent. And so even though equity markets did see some greater volatility, they didn't seem to impact the consumer at least in the first quarter of data. And so, we've had that consumer in a pretty good shape.But with all of this in the background, we know, tariffs have been in the news, and tariff fears have weighed heavily on consumer sentiment. But then tariff headlines have also become more positive lately, and consumers might be feeling more optimistic. What's your data showing?Michelle Weaver: So that really depends on what data you're looking at. We saw a pretty big rebound in consumer sentiment if you look at the Conference Board survey. But then we saw flat sentiment, when you look at the University of Michigan survey. These two surveys have some different questions in them, different subcomponents.But my favorite way to track consumer sentiment is our own proprietary consumer survey, which did show a pretty big pickup in sentiment towards the economy last month. And we saw sentiment rebound significantly for both conservatives and liberals.So, this wasn't just a matter of one political party, you know, having a change of opinion. Both sides did see an improvement in sentiment. Although consumer sentiment for conservatives improved off a much higher base. The percent of people reporting being very concerned about tariffs also fell this month. We saw that move from 43 percent to 38 percent after the reduction in tariffs on China. So, people are, you know, concerned a little bit less there. And that's been a really big thing people are watching.Arunima Sinha: Feeling better about the news is great. Are they actually planning to spend more?Michelle Weaver: So encouragingly we did also see a big rebound in consumers short term spending outlooks in the survey. 33 percent of consumers expect to spend more next month and 17 percent expect to spend less.So that gives us a net of positive 16 percent. This is in line with the five-year average level we saw there, and up really substantially from last month's reading of 5 percent. So, 5 percent to 16 percent. That's a pretty big improvement.We also saw spending plans rise across all income groups. though we did see the biggest pickup for higher income consumers and that figure moved from 12 percent to 31 percent. Additionally, we saw longer term spending plans – so what people are planning to spend over the next six months – also improve across all the categories we look at.Arunima Sinha: And were there any specific changes about how the consumers were responding to the tariff headlines?Michelle Weaver: Yeah, so people reported pulling forward some purchases, due to fear of tariff driven price increases. So, people were planning for this, similarly to what we saw with companies. They were doing a little bit of stockpiling. Consumers were doing this as well. So, our survey showed that over half of people said they accelerated some purchases over the past month to try and get ahead of potential tariff related price increases.And this did skew higher among upper income consumers. The categories that people cited at the top of the list for pull forward are non-perishable groceries, household items. So, both of those things you need in your day-to-day life. And then clothing and apparel as well, which I thought was interesting. But that's been one thing that's been in the news a lot that's heavily manufactured overseas.So, people were thinking about that. And this does align overall with our March survey data, where we asked what categories people were most concerned about seeing price increases. So, their behavior did line up with what they were concerned about in March.Arunima, your turn on tariffs now. The reason tariffs have been on consumer's minds is because of what they might mean for price levels and inflation. Throughout earning season, we heard a lot of companies talking about raising prices to offset the cost of tariffs. What has this looked like from an economist's perspective? Has this actually started to show up in the inflation data yet?Arunima Sinha: So not quite yet, and that's something that, as you might expect, we're tracking very, very closely. So, one of the things that our team did was to think about which types of goods or services were going to be impacted by inflation. And so, we think that that first order effects are going to be on goods. And we think that the effects could start to show up in the May data, but we really see that sequential pace of inflation starting to step up starting June. And then in our third quarter inflation estimate, we see that number peaking for the year. So, in the third quarter, we think that core PCE inflation number is going to be about 4.5 percent Q1-Q analyzed.Michelle Weaver: And then aside from tariffs and inflation, how are people going to be affected by a fiscal policy, specifically the tax bill that just passed the house?Arunima Sinha: So, the house version of the bill has government spending reductions that can be quite regressive for different cohorts of the consumer. So, we have, reductions around the Medicaid program, cuts to the SNAP program as well as possible elimination of the income driven loans repayment plans. So, all of these would have a pretty adverse impact on the lower income and the middle-income consumers.This could be – but will likely not be fully offset by the removal of taxes, on tips and overtime. And then on the other side, the higher income consumers could benefit from some of that increase in SALT caps. But overall, the jury is still out on how the aggregate consumer will be affected.Michelle Weaver: So, taking this all into account, the effects of fiscal policy, of tariff policy, of labor market income – what's your overall outlook on U.S. consumption for the rest of the year?Arunima Sinha: So, we recently published our mid-year outlook for U.S. economics and our forecast for consumption spending over 2025 and [20]26 does see the consumer slowing. And this is really due to three factors. The first is on the back of those greater tariffs and the uncertainty around them and the fact that we have slowing net immigration, we're going to be expecting a slowdown in the labor market. As the pace of hiring slows, you have a slower growth in labor market income. And that really is the main driver of aggregate consumption spending. And then as we talked about, we are expecting that pass through of higher tariffs into inflation, and that's going to impact real spending. And then finally the uncertainty around tariffs, the volatilities and equity markets could weigh on consumer spending; and may actually push the upper income cohorts, the big drivers of consumption spending in the economy, to have higher precautionary savings.And so, with all of that, we see our nominal consumption spending growth slowing down to about 3.9 percent by the end of this year.Michelle Weaver: Well a little unfortunate to wrap up on a more negative note, but we are seeing, you know, mixed messages – and some more positive data in the near term, at least. Arunima, thank you for taking the time to talk.Arunima Sinha: Thanks so much for having me, Michelle.Michelle Weaver: And thank you for listening. If you enjoy Thoughts on the Market, please leave us a review wherever you listen to the show and share the podcast with a friend or colleague today.

The world will see lower economic growth due to tariffs and tariff uncertainty, according to the OECD. Global economic growth will fall below three percent this year, and the slowdown is expected to be most concentrated in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and China. Also on the program: how steel and aluminum tariffs could drive up grocery prices, and the economic pros and cons of a small-market NBA Finals.

From the BBC World Service: The global economy is losing steam, according to the OECD, which now forecasts growth to fall to just 2.9% this year and next. The Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development — which represents most of the world's advanced economies — issued its warning as trade tensions between the U.S. and China continue to grow.

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse are joined by FOX Sports Insider Doug McIntyre to break down which USMNT players could (or should) be on the move this summer. From Matt Turner's limited minutes to Gio Reyna's stalled momentum and Johnny Cardoso's Atletico Madrid links — the guys dig into who needs a fresh start ahead of the 2026 World Cup. They also dive into the USMNT Training Camp roster updates. Walker Zimmerman, Nathan Harriel, and Paxten Aaronson will join the squad, as Folarin Balogun and others step out due to injuries. Is it still “Title or Bust” for the United States, or have the expectations shifted? The show continues with a look around the global game. The Nations League Final Four is set with Germany facing Portugal and Spain taking on France, while South America gets heated in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying. On the women's side, the USWNT rolled past China in a 3–0 win led by Catarina Macario and Sam Coffey, with another friendly coming up against Jamaica.Mosse breaks down the latest club results, including PSG and Cruz Azul's domination in their respective continental titles matches. Back stateside, LAFC clinched a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup with a comeback win over Club América. Messi put on a clinic in the MLS as Inter Miami crushed the Crew, LA Galaxy snapped a 17-match winless streak, and D.C. United pulled off a big road upset over Cincinnati. Listeners chime in during #AskAlexi, with questions about Alexi's coaching aspirations and 1994 hairstyle promises. To wrap the pod, Alexi shares a surprise with Mosse from his weekend event with USSF. Intro (0:00) Doug McIntyre Joins the Pod: Transfer News & Gold Cup Preview (6:21) International Window Preview (26:04) USWNT 3-0 Win (33:30) UCL & CCC Final Recap (35:01) Messi Brace & Galaxy Winless Streak Ends (51:45) #AskAlexi (56:26) One for the Road (1:00:34) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The economic fortunes of the Southern Africa country of Botswana were transformed back in the mid 1960's when shortly after gaining independence from Britain, its first diamond mine was discovered. A partnership with the world's biggest diamond firm DeBeers ensured Botswana's diamonds gained global attention and with some of the world's biggest diamonds been mined in the country, it now ranks just below Russia in terms of its importance in the industry. But post pandemic, the global market has seen a shift in demand for mined diamonds, with consumers in countries like China, who accounted for around thirty percent of global demand, falling away. Another reason for this shift is the emerging popularity of lab grown diamonds. Originally used in industrial machinery, lab diamonds are now been refined for the jewellery market at a fraction of the price of mined diamonds, with the majority of consumer interest coming from the United States. Botswana has been trying to ride this wave with a policy of diversification, to allow it to generate more export revenue. But its new Government, who have only been in power since October last year, are dealing with a large budget deficit not helped by the low level of diamond revenues. It faces a hard task in trying to revive demand for mined diamonds across the global market. So, on this week's Inquiry, we're asking ‘Are diamonds forever in Botswana?' Contributors: Dr Gloria Somolekae, Executive Director, BIDPA, Botswana Jessica Warch, Co-founder, Kimai, London Edahn Golan, Diamond Industry Analyst, Israel Dr. Keith Jefferis, Managing Director, Econsult Botswana Presenter: Charmaine Cozier Producer: Jill Collins Researcher: Maeve Schaffer Editor: Tara McDermott Technical Producer: Craig Boardman Production Co-ordinator: Tammy SnowImage: Karowe diamond in Botswana Credit: Photo by Lucara Diamond Handout/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock (14653888c)

From the BBC World Service: The global economy is losing steam, according to the OECD, which now forecasts growth to fall to just 2.9% this year and next. The Paris-based Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development — which represents most of the world's advanced economies — issued its warning as trade tensions between the U.S. and China continue to grow.

The world will see lower economic growth due to tariffs and tariff uncertainty, according to the OECD. Global economic growth will fall below three percent this year, and the slowdown is expected to be most concentrated in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and China. Also on the program: how steel and aluminum tariffs could drive up grocery prices, and the economic pros and cons of a small-market NBA Finals.

President Trump just hit pause on some China tariffs ‘til August — because he negotiates, not surrenders. China's sweating. We're sipping sweet tea and talking facts. Tune in before the libs try to spin it.

Derek Grossman, senior defense analyst at RAND and professor of policy analysis at the RAND School of Public Policy, sits down with James M. Lindsay to discuss the confrontations between China and the Philippines over their competing claims in the South China Sea and the consequences for the United States. For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President's Inbox at: https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/tpi/china-philippines-standoff-derek-grossman

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may end up having to take serious repercussions for the drone attack on Russia. Ratings are tanking for CNN and MSNBC. Speed Cameras are being taken more seriously to catch speeders in parts of New York State. Today is the first day of early voting in NJ, for the primary election. A ruling has happened in Washington that allows Judges on a small scale to make rulings in their districts. Mark Interviews Streaming Host Bill O'Reilly. Bill recaps his recent trip to China. The Chinese and other countries should try to understand how President Trump rolls. If they don't understand him there will be consequences. Bill has some interesting situations with his personal belongings when he got to China's airport security. The Government in NYC should worry about getting the potholes fixed first before starting a possible ban on nonstick cookware. The defense will rest their case today for the Harvey Weinstein trial. Late TV Host Johnny Carson's son Chris Carson has passed away at the age of 74. Mark Interviews Fox News legal Analyst Gregg Jarrett. Mark and Gregg break down how the more killings Illegals do to US Citizens, the more trouble Dems get into. Sunday's Colorado attack was another Biden illegal. The Auto Pen isn't illegal to use it, however the way Former President Biden did was questionable. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bill recaps his recent trip to China. The Chinese and other countries should try to understand how President Trump rolls. If they don't understand him there will be consequences. Bill has some interesting situations with his personal belongings when he got to China's airport security. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may end up having to take serious repercussions for the drone attack on Russia. Ratings are tanking for CNN and MSNBC. Speed Cameras are being taken more seriously to catch speeders in parts of New York State. Today is the first day of early voting in NJ, for the primary election. A ruling has happened in Washington that allows Judges on a small scale to make rulings in their districts. Mark Takes Your Calls! Mark Interviews Streaming Host Bill O'Reilly. Bill recaps his recent trip to China. The Chinese and other countries should try to understand how President Trump rolls. If they don't understand him there will be consequences. Bill has some interesting situations with his personal belongings when he got to China's airport security. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe's Premium Subscription: www.standardgrain.comGrain Markets and Other Stuff Links-Apple PodcastsSpotifyTikTokYouTubeFutures and options trading involves risk of loss and is not suitable for everyone.0:00 Rain on the Radar2:58 Monday Selloff4:38 Crop Progress & Conditions11:11 Weaker US Dollar?13:02 Crude Rally14:21 Grain Shipments

Elon Musk's xAI is launching a $300mn share sale that values the group at $113bn, and China's property sector woes are compounded by tariff worries. Plus, Poland's new president is going to make life hard for the country's prime minister, and the FT's Amelia Pollard explains why US president Donald Trump wants to take mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac private. Mentioned in this podcast:EU companies more concerned about China slowdown than tariffsDonald Trump's plans for Fannie and Freddie would mean payday for hedge fundsNationalist candidate Karol Nawrocki wins knife-edge Poland presidential electionElon Musk's xAI seeks $113bn valuation in $300mn share saleToday's FT News Briefing was produced by Sonja Hutson, Ethan Plotkin, Kasia Broussalian, Fiona Symon, Mischa Frankl-Duval, and Marc Filippino. Additional help from Blake Maples, David da Silva and Gavin Kallmann. Our intern is Michaela Seah. Topher Forhecz is the FT's acting co-head of audio. The show's theme song is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Willie talks about the changing political landscape in Kentucky with Commonwealth Attorney Rob Sanders. Also how China is undermining American interest abroad with Greg Rabidoux. Finally as the Democrats continue to wander in the wilderness, Jeff Crouere breaks down the Republican plan to maintain power in Washington.

How did China become our biggest geopolitical enemy? How do they effect our everyday lives? Willie talks with Greg Rabidoux to explain how China games the rules to try and overthrow American dominance in the world.

North Korea's new warship remains submerged on its side more than 10 days after the embarrassing failure to side-launch the vessel last month, despite DPRK experts' confidence that they could right the ship. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made only a passing mention of North Korea at the Shangri-La Dialogue over the weekend, even as officials talked behind the scenes about wanting U.S. Forces Korea to play a bigger role in countering China. And Lee Jae-myung appears poised to claim the South Korean presidency in Tuesday's snap election, setting up potential changes in inter-Korean policy. This week, NK News CEO Chad O'Caroll and Lead Correspondent Shreyas Reddy join the podcast to discuss all these events during a busy week on the peninsula, as the ROK prepares to finally fill a monthslong leadership vacuum since Yoon Suk-yeol's ill-fated declaration of martial law and subsequent impeachment. They also talk about why North Korea will likely do little in response to a new president in Seoul and explore why Kim Jong Un should worry about Ukrainian drones following Kyiv's stunning attack on Russian assets far from the front lines. About the podcast: The North Korea News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Jacco Zwetsloot exclusively for NK News, covering all things DPRK — from news to extended interviews with leading experts and analysts in the field, along with insight from our very own journalists.

A suspect in the Colorado attack on Israeli hostage advocates has been charged with attempted first-degree murder. Also, the latest on escalating tensions between the White House and China over tariffs, as President Trump proposes a 50% tax on steel and aluminum imports. Plus, a sudden eruption of Mount Etna — Europe's most active volcano — forces tourists to flee the area. And, a closer look at chain restaurant nostalgia and how modern TikTokers are reviving classics like Chili's.

Producer Ella is back from her honeymoon in China and is saying some outrageous things...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

(June 03,2025)China's grip on the global pharmaceuticals industry is exposed by the Trump administration's tariff threat. Mosquitos could be driven to extinction with gene editing, but is that a good thing? 

This week, I'm joined by Patrick McGee, a journalist and author of Apple in China: The Capture of the World's Greatest Company. I recommended this book on LinkedIn as a MUST READ, and stand by it.Apple in China is an in-depth corporate history which examines one of the most important symbioses in economic history. It explains Apple's meteoric rise in market capitalization/revenue, as well as China's newfound dominance in precision manufacturing. McGee argues convincingly that neither outcome would have happened without this relationship.Too back up this extraordinary claim, McGee closely maps how Apple systematically sent top engineers from around the world to train up hundreds of factories in China, pressed for demanding specifications at “ridiculously high yield,” and invested sums directly into China that made the post-WW2 Marshall Plan look small. The result? China now leads in 57 of 64 critical technologies, as measured by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, dominating everything from smartphones to electric vehicles.As Trump threatens iPhone-specific tariffs and Tim Cook promises impossible reshoring timelines, Apple finds itself captured by the very system it helped create. Having accidentally armed its greatest competitor, there is no clear pathway for the U.S. to regain the lead it helped China take. Find transcripts, extended shownotes, and more on our Substack.

“I do believe we're in a strategic competition. I believe it's fine to describe it that way analytically. But if it's a competition that is purely strategic, what's the goal? What's the endpoint?” U.S. strategic competition with China is a cornerstone of our Indo-Pacific policy. However, this suggests that the U.S.-China relationship is always a zero-sum game when the reality is much more complicated. Dr. Tom Christensen, Columbia University professor, former White House official, and new CSIS Pritzker Chair, joins the podcast to discuss U.S. strategic competition with China and how we should reframe our thinking about it.

A Saharan dust cloud is heading towards the the United States. It costs around $1,500 a year for a dog. A new trend in China includes pretending you have a job. Uber Eats driver admits that they've eaten some of their customers food while their delivering it. Environmental activists are looking for a replacement for toilet paper.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What happens when your life changes in a moment—and you turn the pain into purpose?In this powerful episode of I Am Refocused Radio, we sit down with Chancellor K. Jackson, author of the #1 Amazon bestselling book 14 Days in Beijing. Chancellor shares his gripping real-life story of being arrested and detained in China—and how that experience sparked a global movement through his writing.From former college football player to published author and publishing mentor, Chancellor opens up about:⚡ The truth behind those 14 days in a Beijing jail⚡ Life abroad, cultural shock, and inner transformation⚡ Turning trauma into a bestselling book⚡ How he helps others write and self-publish their stories⚡ Why he's being called “The Spike Lee of Books”Don't miss this inspiring, real, and raw conversation.Hit that subscribe button, and share this story with someone who needs to hear it.

A significant drug trafficking seizure at the Port of Long Beach, where authorities intercepted 55 tons of dicumyl peroxide, a chemical used in methamphetamine production. This shipment, which originated in China and was destined for the Sinaloa drug cartel in Mexico, was confiscated as part of an ICE initiative launched in 2019 to target suspicious chemical precursor shipments.  The podcast also provides an update on Yellow Corp.'s asset liquidation process, noting the company has filed a motion in federal bankruptcy court to sell four of its terminals valued at $6.8 million. This action represents a further step toward winding down operations, with mostly non-logistics buyers showing interest in these property assets.  Additionally, the Trump administration's announcement of $5.4 billion available for major bridge projects across the United States is covered, including $4.9 billion for the Bridge Investment Program and an additional $500 million dedicated to rural bridge repairs. A key highlight of this program is the removal of previous Biden-era approval requirements related to climate change and environmental justice considerations, aiming to streamline the process for state and local governments involved in these critical infrastructure projects.  Finally, the episode reminds listeners about upcoming FreightWaves virtual events, including the Enterprise Summit on July 23rd and the Supply Chain AI Symposium coming up quickly on July 30th in Washington D.C.. Registration for these events can be completed by visiting live.frightwaves.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reports in Washington suggest US President Trump may talk directly with China's President Xi later this week (after several days of more heated rhetoric between the US and China over trade). As Trump has been anxious for the call, and China has not, this may hint at more US retreats over trade taxes as a concession to bring China to the telephone.

The White House confirms President Trump is expected to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping soon. Amid heightened tensions, the U.S. is closely monitoring China's compliance with a recent trade agreement—one that Trump accuses Beijing of breaching.Immigration and Customs Enforcement has taken into custody the wife and five children of Boulder terror suspect Mohamed Soliman. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced the development on X.Ukraine reports it has struck a major bridge connecting Russia to the Crimean Peninsula. The strike comes just days after a Ukrainian drone attack on Russian airfields. The White House issued a response today.

S&P futures are pointing lower today, down (0.47%). European equity markets are firmer, following slightly weaker levels on Monday. Asian equity markets went mostly higher, with Hang Seng a notable outperformer. Overnight, US 2-year yield down 1 bps to 3.9% and 10-year down 3 bps to 4.4%. Dollar firmer, oil up, gold down, industrial metals lower. Renewed US-China trade tensions has spilled into public view with both sides accusing each other of reneging on Geneva deal. White House talking up prospects of a Trump-Xi call this week but no confirmation yet from China. Critical minerals remain source of tensions with China reportedly slow walking offer to relax rare earths curbs, a response to latest US tech curbs and revocation of Chinese student visas. Companies Mentioned: Snowflake, Merck, Crunchy Data, MoonLake Immunotherapeutics

Our 211th episode with a summary and discussion of last week's big AI news! Recorded on 05/31/2025 Hosted by Andrey Kurenkov and Jeremie Harris. Feel free to email us your questions and feedback at contact@lastweekinai.com and/or hello@gladstone.ai Read out our text newsletter and comment on the podcast at https://lastweekin.ai/. Join our Discord here! https://discord.gg/nTyezGSKwP In this episode: Recent AI podcast covers significant AI news: startups, new tools, applications, investments in hardware, and research advancements. Discussions include the introduction of various new tools and applications such as Flux's new image generating models and Perplexity's new spreadsheet and dashboard functionalities. A notable segment focuses on OpenAI's partnership with the UAE and discussions on potential legislation aiming to prevent states from regulating AI for a decade. Concerns around model behaviors and safety are discussed, highlighting incidents like Claude Opus 4's blackmail attempt and Palisade Research's tests showing AI models bypassing shutdown commands. Timestamps + Links: (00:00:10) Intro / Banter (00:01:39) News Preview (00:02:50) Response to Listener Comments Tools & Apps (00:07:10) Anthropic launches a voice mode for Claude (00:10:35) Black Forest Labs' Kontext AI models can edit pics as well as generate them (00:15:30) Perplexity's new tool can generate spreadsheets, dashboards, and more (00:18:43) xAI to pay Telegram $300M to integrate Grok into the chat app (00:22:42) Opera's new AI browser promises to write code while you sleep (00:24:17) Google Photos debuts redesigned editor with new AI tools Applications & Business (00:25:13) Top Chinese memory maker expected to abandon DDR4 manufacturing at the behest of Beijing (00:30:04) Oracle to Buy $40 Billion Worth of Nvidia Chips for First Stargate Data Center (00:31:47) UAE makes ChatGPT Plus subscription free for all residents as part of deal with OpenAI (00:35:34) NVIDIA Corporation (NVDA) to Launch Cheaper Blackwell AI Chip for China, Says Report (00:38:39) The New York Times and Amazon ink AI licensing deal Projects & Open Source (00:41:11) DeepSeek's distilled new R1 AI model can run on a single GPU (00:45:19) Google Unveils SignGemma, an AI Model That Can Translate Sign Language Into Spoken Text (00:47:08) Open-sourcing circuit tracing tools (00:49:42) Hugging Face unveils two new humanoid robots Research & Advancements (00:52:33) PANGU PRO MOE: MIXTURE OF GROUPED EXPERTS FOR EFFICIENT SPARSITY (00:58:55) DataRater: Meta-Learned Dataset Curation (01:05:05) Incorrect Baseline Evaluations Call into Question Recent LLM-RL Claims  (01:10:17) Maximizing Confidence Alone Improves Reasoning (01:11:00) Guided by Gut: Efficient Test-Time Scaling with Reinforced Intrinsic Confidence (01:11:44) One RL to See Them All (01:15:05) Efficient Reinforcement Finetuning via Adaptive Curriculum Learning Policy & Safety (01:17:58) Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' could ban states from regulating AI for a decade (01:24:31) Researchers claim ChatGPT o3 bypassed shutdown in controlled test (01:30:10) Anthropic's new AI model turns to blackmail when engineers try to take it offline (01:31:09) Anthropic Faces Backlash As Claude 4 Opus Can Autonomously Alert Authorities (01:35:37) Claude helps users make bioweapons (01:35:49) The Claude 4 System Card is a Wild Read