Podcasts about Beijing

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report: Russia's war economy is starting to crack. Deep Ukrainian strikes and tough new U.S. sanctions have pushed Moscow's oil revenues to their lowest point in two years. We'll explain what's driving the pressure and why it matters. Eddie Fishman of the Center for a New American Security joins us for more. In Japan, a single off-the-cuff remark from new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has triggered the most serious diplomatic clash with China in years. We'll break down what she said and how Tokyo and Beijing are reacting. Author Gordon Chang stops by to give his insight. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.  YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Mando: Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code PDB at https://shopmando.com! #mandopod Ridge Wallet: Upgrade your wallet today! Get 47% Off @Ridge with code PDB at https://www.Ridge.com/PDB #Ridgepod Lean: Visit https://BrickhouseSale.com for 30% off GUESTS: Edward Fishman: Author of CHOKEPOINTS: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/726149/chokepoints-by-edward-fishman/ Gordon Chang: Follow Gordon on X - https://x.com/GordonGChang Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode covers a lot of ground, from China's death penalty and corruption, to persecution, to it's cult-like protection of the "one-China" policy, to its war against religion, and much more... Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post new/unique Chinese city prayer profiles every single day. Also, you can email me any questions or comments (bfwesten at gmail dot com) and find everything else, including my books, at PrayGiveGo.us! Speaking of my books, I had a bit of an issue with Amazon Publishing this past week… but my books are back online at PrayGiveGo.us! We ran out of time on today's show, but check this coming week's PrayforChina.us cities… Pray for China (Nov 24-30): https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-nov-24-30-2025 Here are Chinese news articles that I discussed this week: China’s Former Agricultural Minister Sentenced to Death for… https://www.rte.ie/news/world/2025/0928/1535756-china-minister-death/ China’s Posh Subway Systems Dragging Cities Into Debt https://www.lemonde.fr/en/economy/article/2025/06/20/chinese-cities-are-facing-the-financial-abyss-of-their-subway-systems_6742523_19.html# Hong Kong Drops in Asian English Rankings https://www.thestandard.com.hk/hong-kong-news/article/317394/Hong-Kong-drops-in-English-rankings-falling-behind-Malaysia-and-the-Philippines Japan on Beijing’s Strategic Distortion of Reality https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2025/11/18/japan/beijings-strategic-distortion-of-reality/ Why China Still Can’t Tolerate Christians and Other Believers https://www.wsj.com/world/china/china-christianity-religion-pastor-ezra-jin-ff56fe12 China’s War on Christians https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/china-war-christians-zion-church Subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) and send any questions or comments to (bfwesten at gmail dot com). You can find everything else, including my books, at PrayGiveGo.us! Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk again soon!

China cuenta con unos 36 millones de vehículos eléctricos circulando por sus carreteras. Pero sus baterías no duran eternamente. Con la primera generación de vehículos eléctricos llegando al final de su vida útil, Beijing se enfrenta ahora a un nuevo problema: ¿cómo reciclar y reutilizar las miles de baterías de vehículos eléctricos que se encuentran dispersas por todo el país? Nuestros corresponsales Jan Camenzind Broomby y Eudeline Boishult, nos informan.

In this episode, mining and commodities expert Mikhail Zeldovich joins host Constantin Kogan for a rare deep dive into the real engines of the global economy — critical minerals, geopolitics, and the future of resource investing.From BCG to Rio Tinto to negotiating in Beijing and analyzing assets in remote mining camps, Mikhail brings nearly two decades of on-the-ground experience across metals, energy transition, and global supply chains.He breaks down:⚒️ How he “accidentally” entered mining at BCG — and why he never left

There's mounting evidence from the United Nations and others that Chinese organized crime syndicates are moving more of their operations from countries in Southeast Asia to Africa. These groups are contributing to a surge in illicit crypto mining, scam centers, illegal wildlife trafficking, and black market weapons sales. African countries with already weak governance systems are particularly vulnerable. Géraud speaks with Adam Rousselle, a researcher and author who tracks the illicit arms trade, about his recent article on the topic published by the Jamestown Foundation. Adam explains how all of the different Chinese illegal trade networks in Africa are interlinked with one another. SHOW NOTES: United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime: Inflection Point: Global Implications of Scam Centres, Underground Banking and Illicit Online Marketplaces in Southeast Asia Jamestown Foundation: Illicit PRC-linked Finance Enables Arms Diversion in Africa by Adam Rouselle CHAPTERS: The Illicit Underworld – How illegal mining, logging, and weapons flows shape China–Africa debates Individuals vs the State – Why Chinese nationals abroad are often mistaken for Beijing's agents South Kivu Gold Trail – What the recent court case reveals about Chinese smuggling networks Governance Gaps – How weak enforcement and political protection fuel illicit economies Cryptocurrency Networks – The rise of Chinese-linked crypto operations in Nigeria and beyond Weapons on the Move – Why Chinese-made guns keep appearing in Africa's conflict zones The UAE Hub – How Dubai became the transit point for arms and illicit finance The Leaky Bucket – Why illicit flows don't imply coordination or state intent Local Complicity – The real role of African politicians, militaries, and brokers Reputational Risks for Beijing – Embassy frustrations and the cost of unmanaged actors Media Distortions – How U.S. and European narratives simplify complex realities JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @christiangeraud Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH & SPANISH:  French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

Anna Ansari is a former New York international trade and customs attorney and now lives in East London. She's written a fascinating debut cookbook, Silk Roads: A Flavor Odyssey with Recipes from Baku to Beijing. It covers Anna's life growing up in an Iranian American family in Michigan and traveling throughout Asia from a young age on what she describes as the many silk roads. And, at the top of the show, it's the return of Three Things, where Aliza and Matt talk about what is exciting them in the world of restaurants, cookbooks, and the food world as a whole. On this episode: Matt visits the great Guamanian restaurant Family Friend in Seattle, and makes stops for Korean coffee at Park at Kims and there's a new pita shop in town at Shifka in New York. Aliza celebrates her birthday at World Spa, Si n'shpi, and dinner at Strange Delight. And we shout out Zola Gregory's latest column and a recipe for a Nutella pie worth celebrating. Subscribe to This Is TASTE: ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠, ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠, ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

China is likely to extend the consumer goods trade-in program into 2026, as analysts said there is still substantial, unmet demand among Chinese households to upgrade home appliances and digital devices, as well as ample fiscal headroom to underpin the consumption campaign.分析人士表示，由于中国家庭对家电和数码设备升级的需求仍有较大缺口，且有充足的财政空间支持这项消费刺激举措，中国可能会将消费品以旧换新政策延续至2026年。The initiative, proven effective in driving big-ticket item spending and delivering tangible benefits to households, is expected to enable China to begin the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) period on a sound footing, they added.他们补充称，该举措已被证实能有效拉动大额商品消费，并为家庭带来切实利益，有望助力中国在“十五”规划（2026-2030年）开局之年奠定良好基础。China's trade-in program is a government-backed initiative to boost domestic consumption by providing subsidies for consumers who trade in outdated items like white goods, automobiles and electronics for new, more efficient models.中国的以旧换新政策是一项政府支持的举措，通过为消费者提供补贴，鼓励其将家电、汽车和电子产品等老旧物品置换为新型、高效的产品，从而提振国内消费。Although an official announcement has not yet been made, multiple policy signals and clear market trends — particularly the shift toward smart and green products — suggest an extension is possible.尽管官方尚未发布正式通知，但多项政策信号和明确的市场趋势——尤其是向智能、绿色产品的转型——表明该政策有望延续。This likelihood was reinforced by the State Council, the country's Cabinet, which set explicit targets for aging vehicles and outdated appliance recycling volume through 2027 in a March 2024 document that launched the current trade-in round.2024年3月，国务院（中国内阁）发布文件启动本轮以旧换新工作，并明确设定了截至2027年的老旧车辆和废旧家电回收量目标，这进一步强化了政策延续的可能性。In addition, the 2024 Government Work Report pledged to issue ultra-long special treasury bonds "over each of the next several years". These bonds have served as the funding mechanism of the trade-in initiative.此外，2024年《政府工作报告》承诺“在今后几年每年”发行超长期特别国债。这些债券已成为以旧换新举措的资金保障机制。These policy statements, coupled with Beijing's emphasis on boosting household consumption in its recommendations for the next five-year blueprint released last month, indicate that policymakers are likely to extend the trade-in program into 2026, according to market watchers.市场观察人士指出，这些政策表述，加之北京上月发布的下一个五年规划建议中对扩大居民消费的重视，表明政策制定者可能会将以旧换新政策延续至2026年。Wang Wei, former director of the Institute of Market Economy at the Development Research Center of the State Council, told China Daily in an exclusive interview that while stimulating consumption has been top economic priority this year, it will also remain crucial in 2026 — the inaugural year of the 15th Five-Year Plan.国务院发展研究中心市场经济研究所前所长王微在接受《中国日报》独家采访时表示，尽管刺激消费是今年的首要经济任务，但在2026年——“十五”规划的开局之年，这一任务仍将至关重要。Maintaining a pro-consumption macroeconomic orientation is essential, which requires a further scaling-up of targeted fiscal spending in this regard, Wang said, adding that the mechanism of ultra-long special treasury bonds, deployed for the trade-in program in 2024 and 2025, should be extended into next year.王微称，保持有利于消费的宏观经济导向至关重要，这需要进一步加大相关定向财政支出力度。2024年和2025年用于以旧换新政策的超长期特别国债机制，应延续至明年。Yu Xiangrong, chief China economist at Citi, said that the funding pool for the trade-in program in 2026 is expected to remain at around 300 billion yuan ($41.3 billion), unchanged from the levels seen in 2025.花旗集团首席中国经济学家余向荣表示，2026年以旧换新政策的资金规模预计将维持在3000亿元人民币（约合413亿美元）左右，与2025年持平。Yu said the policy emphasis will shift from sheer scale to smarter allocation by expanding the range of eligible products and extending the program's reach into rural communities.余向荣指出，政策重心将从单纯追求规模转向更合理的资源配置，具体包括扩大补贴覆盖产品范围，并将政策推广至农村地区。A faster-than-expected issuance of national subsidies for consumer goods trade-ins in the first half of the year has tightened availability in recent months, leaving a pool of unmet demand that analysts say will help make the case for extending the program into 2026.今年上半年，消费品以旧换新国家补贴的发放速度超出预期，导致近几个月补贴额度紧张，市场上仍存在一批未得到满足的需求。分析人士认为，这将为政策延续至2026年提供有力支撑。Looking into next year, Xu Dongsheng, vice-chairman of the China Household Electrical Appliances Association, said that policymakers could consider setting differentiated incentive rates based on a product's price bracket and technological profile.展望明年，中国家用电器协会副理事长徐东升表示，政策制定者可考虑根据产品的价格区间和技术特性，设定差异化的补贴比例。Premium products, particularly those with AI integration, higher-efficiency and environmentally friendly features, could receive a higher subsidy proportion. These categories, seen as drivers of future industry trends, align with national priorities for technological advancement and carbon neutrality. Meanwhile subsidies for basic, functionally straightforward products would be scaled back appropriately, Xu said.徐东升称，高端产品，尤其是集成人工智能、能效更高且具备环保特性的产品，可能会获得更高比例的补贴。这些品类被视为未来产业发展趋势的驱动力，与国家技术进步和碳中和的核心目标相契合。同时，针对基础款、功能简单产品的补贴将适当缩减。According to an executive meeting of the State Council on Friday, industrial upgrading must be guided and propelled by consumption upgrading, where high-quality supply better satisfies diverse demand.国务院周五召开的常务会议指出，必须以消费升级引领和推动产业升级，通过高质量供给更好满足多样化需求。It is essential to deploy new technologies and business models, deeply integrate AI to enhance their capabilities, and concentrate efforts on key sectors to introduce novel products and value-added services, thereby expanding new consumption frontiers, as noted during the meeting.会议强调，要运用新技术、新模式，深度融合人工智能提升产品和服务能力，聚焦重点领域推出新产品和增值服务，拓展新消费空间。trade-in program以旧换新政策ultra-long special treasury bonds超长期特别国债fiscal spending财政支出big-ticket item spending大额商品消费white goods白色家电（特指冰箱、洗衣机等大型家电，政策补贴品类）

Episode DescriptionChina's intelligence activity in the West is no longer limited to traditional spying. From political influence networks and cyber penetration of critical infrastructure to economic espionage and online manipulation, Beijing uses a multi-layered approach designed to operate in the shadows — and deny everything. In this episode, Jeremy breaks down recent cases across the UK, the United States, Ukraine, and Europe to reveal how these different threads connect into one strategic system. A clear, accessible overview for listeners interested in security, geopolitics, and the evolving nature of modern espionage.It aims to introduce and explain important terms for English learners, especially those intending to do the Level 3 Stanag 6001 Exam. More info can be found on the Battleplan website: Battleplan Blog www.stanagbattleplan.com

Tokio aprobó un paquete de estímulo de unos 135.000 millones de dólares para enfrentar la inflación y reactivar el crecimiento, mientras crecen las dudas del mercado y se intensifica una nueva disputa diplomática con China por el supuesto rearme japonés, que señala China, y las declaraciones de la primera ministra sobre defender a Taiwán ante un posible ataque de Beijing.

We analyse the renewed tensions between China and Japan, who have been locked in an escalating diplomatic row. The spat was set off by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's suggestion earlier this month that Japan could respond militarily in the scenario that China attacks Taiwan. The dispute has led Beijing to cancel Japan-bound flights, suspend concerts and ban imports of Japanese seafood.

China and Japan’s tensions have deepened dramatically, following Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s parliamentary remark that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a Japanese military response. Although Tokyo insists the comment did not reflect a policy shift, Beijing has interpreted it as a fundamental challenge to the political foundations of the bilateral relationship. China’s reaction has moved quickly from diplomatic displeasure to concrete economic signals. Advisories urging Chinese citizens to cancel travel to Japan, halts on seafood imports, and warnings of broader trade restrictions have reminded Tokyo of Beijing’s proven willingness to deploy economic coercion. On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Denny Roy, Senior Fellow at the East-West Center, to examine how China-Japan tensions have escalated and what this means for regional stability.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Part 1 of our in-depth conversation with Spinotron, one of the most respected high-end collectors in the hobby, we explore the origins, mindset, and philosophy behind building a world-class collection. Spino shares how his journey began in Beijing in the late 90s, how Kobe Bryant shaped his early collecting identity, and why his approach today blends passion with strategic asset management. We discuss what truly defines rarity, how serial numbers and print eras influence long-term value, and why story, context, and cultural significance of a card often matter far more than hype. The episode builds toward one of the most talked-about transactions of the year: Spinotron's acquisition of the Shohei Ohtani Logoman 1/1. He explains his reasoning, his price expectations, how he analyzed market history, and what was happening behind the scenes on auction night. A must-listen for collectors who want to understand how elite PCs are built with intention, patience, and vision. Part 2 will follow in 2 weeks.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, Bryan breaks down President Trump's one trillion dollar deal with Saudi Arabia, the political risk created by the lingering 9/11 lawsuit, the White House's continued push for foreign labor, and new polling that shows major headwinds for Republicans. The global brief then moves to Russian sabotage across Europe, Chinese made vehicles spying on Western militaries, and new research from Australia on autism and prenatal nutrition. Trump Signs One Trillion Dollar Saudi Deal: President Trump and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman agreed to sweeping partnerships that span nuclear energy, rare earth mining, financial services, liquified natural gas, advanced AI chips, and the sale of up to forty eight F-35 fighter jets. The deal promises major job gains in states like Texas, Pennsylvania, Wyoming, Arizona, and Louisiana. Bryan notes that Congress must still approve the fighter sales and that Israel will require a guaranteed technological edge before any jets reach Riyadh. He also warns that the 9/11 families' lawsuit against the Saudi government could disrupt everything. Court filings allege that two Saudi linked men assisted the first hijackers upon arrival in the United States, and a judge has ruled that the evidence is strong enough to move forward. Foreign Labor Controversy and Political Fallout: Trump defended his plan to use H-1B workers for new chip and battery factories, arguing that American workers are not trained for these roles. He acknowledged that the stance is hurting his poll numbers but insisted that "smart people" support his position. Bryan outlines why many conservatives see this as a repeat of past Big Tech abuses and why Silicon Valley's financial support could become a liability for the White House if working class voters feel sidelined. Polls show two thirds of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track, Trump's approval rating sits around thirty eight percent in public surveys, and Democrats hold a fourteen point lead on the congressional generic ballot. Economic Signals Remain Mixed: The trade deficit fell twenty four percent as Americans purchased more U.S. made goods, suggesting the tariffs are strengthening domestic manufacturing. Construction data shows modest growth in housing but weakness in commercial projects. Foreclosures are rising, and Zillow reports that homeowners now face sixteen thousand dollars in annual upkeep on average. Bryan cautions that unless working families feel real relief by summer, the midterms could be difficult for Republicans. Russia Sabotages European Rail Lines: Poland confirmed that Russian intelligence directed two sabotage attempts on rail lines used to deliver weapons and aid to Ukraine. Explosives were placed to derail a passenger train, and investigators arrested two Ukrainian men recruited through online channels. Bryan connects this attack to a wider hybrid war across Europe directed by the GRU, including recent attempts to set off explosives in air cargo shipments. Italy's defense minister declared that Europe is under attack, although Bryan notes that European militaries are too hollowed out to respond meaningfully for years to come. China's Electric Cars and Buses Act as Spy Platforms: The United Kingdom warned that Chinese made hybrid and electric vehicles can record conversations and transmit data back to Beijing. Norway found that Chinese electric buses can be hacked and remotely controlled even in deep underground environments. Israel seized seven hundred Chinese government vehicles after discovering data gathering sensors. Bryan reminds listeners that he first warned of this surveillance threat years ago and says Western governments are only now catching up. Australia Links Prenatal Nutrition to Lower Autism Risk: Researchers found that prenatal supplements containing folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iodine, and other micronutrients are associated with a thirty percent reduction in autism risk. Scientists suspect a connection to the mother's gut microbiome and its influence on fetal development. Bryan notes that similar gut based treatments have shown promise in Europe and the United States and encourages listeners to remain open to emerging science.   "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32     Keywords: Trump Saudi one trillion dollar deal, F-35 sale approval Congress, Saudi 9/11 lawsuit al-Bayoumi al-Thumairy, Trump H-1B foreign workers battery factories, U.S. trade deficit drop tariffs, Poland Russia rail sabotage Ukraine, Chinese electric vehicle spying UK Norway Israel, prenatal vitamins autism Australia study

This week on Sinica, I welcome back Finbarr Bermingham, the Brussels-based Europe correspondent for the South China Morning Post, about the Nexperia dispute — one of the most revealing episodes in the global contest over semiconductor supply chains. Nexperia, a Dutch-headquartered chipmaker owned by Shanghai-listed Wingtech, became the subject of extraordinary government intervention when the Netherlands invoked a Cold War-era emergency law to seize temporary control of the company and suspend its Chinese CEO. Finbarr's reporting, drawing on Dutch court documents and expert sources, has illuminated the tangled threads of this story: preexisting concerns about governance and technology transfer, mounting U.S. pressure on The Hague to remove Chinese management, and the timing of the Dutch action on the very day the U.S. rolled out its affiliate rule. We discuss China's retaliatory export controls on chips packaged at Nexperia's Dongguan facilities, the role of the Trump-Xi meeting in Busan in unlocking a temporary thaw, and what this case reveals about Europe's agonizing position between American pressure and Chinese integration in global production networks.4:34 – Why the "Europe cracks down on Chinese acquisition" framing was too simple 6:17 – The Dutch court's extraordinary tick-tock of events and U.S. lobbying 9:04 – The June pressure from Washington: divestment or the affiliate list 10:13 – Dutch fears of production know-how relocating to China 12:35 – The impossible position: damned if they did, damned if they didn't 14:46 – The obscure Cold War-era Goods Availability Act 17:11 – CEO Zhang Xuezheng and the question of who stopped cooperating first 19:26 – Was China's export control a state policy or a corporate move? 22:16 – Europe's de-risking framework and the lessons from Nexperia 25:39 – The fragmented European response: Germany, France, Hungary, and the Baltics 30:31 – Did Germany shape the response behind the scenes? 33:06 – The Trump-Xi meeting in Busan and the resolution of the crisis 37:01 – Will the Nexperia case deter future European interventions? 40:28 – Is Europe still an attractive market for Chinese investment? 41:59 – The Europe China Forum: unusually polite in a time of tenterhooksPaying it forward: Dewey Sim (SCMP diplomacy desk, Beijing); Coco Feng (SCMP technology, Guangdong); Khushboo Razdan (SCMP North America); Sense Hofstede (Chinese Bossen newsletter)Recommendations: Finbarr: Chokepoints by Edward Fishman; Underground Empire by Henry Farrell and Abe Newman; "What China Wants from Europe" by John Delury (Engelsberg Ideas) Kaiser: The Three Musketeers: D'Artagnan and Milady (2023 French film adaptation)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, our hosts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dave Bittner⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joe Carrigan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Maria Varmazis⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (also host of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠T-Minus⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Space Daily show) are sharing the latest in social engineering scams, phishing schemes, and criminal exploits that are making headlines. We start with some follow up on China sentencing five members of a violent Kokang-based gang to death for running brutal scam compounds in Myanmar. And in related news, China has also extradited alleged scam kingpin She Zhijiang, a major figure behind one of Southeast Asia's largest fraud hubs, as Beijing intensifies its crackdown on global cyber-fraud networks. Listener Jon reports a new twist on sextortion, where scammers used an unsolicited FaceTime call to capture an image, generate an AI-manipulated obscene photo, and then extort an employee using publicly scraped contact lists. Joe's story is on Anthropic's claim that attackers jailbroke its Claude model to carry out what it calls the first AI-orchestrated cyber-espionage campaign, a narrative now being challenged by researchers like Dan Goodin and Dan Tentler, who argue the attack was far less “autonomous” than advertised and comparable to long-standing hacking tools rather than a breakthrough in offensive AI. Dave's story is on a new phishing scam where attackers use the contact info displayed on a lost iPhone's lock screen to send fake “Find My” texts claiming the device was found, luring victims to a spoofed Apple login page to steal their Apple ID and bypass Activation Lock. Maria has the story on Zimperium's Mobile Shopping Report, which shows that during the holiday season mobile threats surge across mishing, fake retail and payment apps, and app-level vulnerabilities—making this the peak time for scammers to exploit shoppers with spoofed texts, malicious apps, and insecure SDKs hidden inside legitimate shopping tools. Our catch of the day comes from the phishing subreddit as someone is impersonating a woman who is sick with cancer asking for the victim to take care of their money. Resources and links to stories: ⁠⁠⁠⁠China sentences 5 to death for building, running criminal gang fraud centers in Myanmar's lawless borderlands Man Accused of Running Southeast Asia Scam Compound Is Extradited to China Disrupting the first reported AI-orchestrated cyber espionage campaign Researchers question Anthropic claim that AI-assisted attack was 90% autonomous Lost iPhone? Don't fall for phishing texts saying it was found ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have a Catch of the Day you'd like to share? Email it to us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hackinghumans@n2k.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

As Pakistanis and Indians struggle with hazardous air quality, in Beijing – a city once notorious for its smog – the air quality is currently rated as good.Ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Chinese government was so concerned about pollution that it introduced temporary restrictions on cars, shut down factories and work on some construction sites. It would take a few more years before the Chinese government implemented a clean air action plan in 2013. Since then, China has achieved a dramatic improvement in its air quality.In this episode, we speak to Laura Wilcox, a professor at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science at the University of Reading in the UK, to understand how China managed to clean up its air pollution. But Wilcox's recent research uncovered some unintended consequences from this cleaner air for the global climate: the pollution was actually helping to cool the atmosphere and by taking it away, it may have accelerated global warming.This episode was produced by Mend Mariwany, Katie Flood and Gemma Ware. Mixing by Michelle Macklem and theme music by Neeta Sarl. Read the full credits for this episode and sign up here for a free daily newsletter from The Conversation.If you like the show, please consider donating to The Conversation, an independent, not-for-profit news organisation.Solar geoengineering: the risks and distractions of trying to reflect sunlight to cool the Earth – podcastDelhi: how weather patterns and faraway mountains made this the world's most polluted megacityCleaner air in east Asia may have driven recent acceleration in global warming, our new study indicates

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Dr. Elizabeth Economy examines the key outcomes of China's Fourth Plenum and what they reveal about Beijing's evolving economic priorities and push for technological self-reliance ahead of the release of the 15th Five-Year Plan. She discusses China's strategy in the U.S.-China trade war, including its expanding retaliatory toolkit, rare-earth export controls, and the global pushback triggered by China's industrial overcapacity. She concludes by assessing how domestic pressures and external frictions will shape China's policy direction and its economic engagement with the United States over the next few years. Dr. Elizabeth Economy is the Hargrove Senior Fellow and co-chair of the Program on the US, China, and the World at the Hoover Institution. From 2021 to 2023, she served as the senior advisor for China in the Department of Commerce. Dr. Economy was previously at the Council on Foreign Relations, where she served as the C.V. Starr Senior Fellow and director for Asia Studies for over a decade.

On a wet October afternoon in Beijing, a group of teenage students gathered around a mediation table to discuss a potential court case. Some scrutinized "evidence bags" and debated "property allocation", while others consulted the Civil Code to confirm the validity of "wills".在一个阴雨绵绵的十月午后，北京的几名青少年学生围坐在调解桌旁，讨论一起潜在的法庭案件。有人仔细检查“证据袋”，有人争论“财产分配”，还有人查阅《民法典》来确认“遗嘱”的有效性。This was not an actual trial but an immersive legal workshop where students took on the roles of plaintiffs, defendants and judges to navigate an inheritance dispute.这并非真实审判，而是一场沉浸式法律工作坊，学生们分别扮演原告、被告和法官的角色，共同处理一起遗产纠纷。The session, centered on wills and property division, was part of an innovative initiative by Haidian District People's Court to make the law more relatable and accessible to young people.本次以遗嘱与财产分割为主题的讲座，是海淀区人民法院推出的一项创新举措，旨在让法律更贴近年轻人生活，更易于理解。Under the guidance of Sun Jiayun, who assists judges in case handling at the court, the students from Beijing 101 High School completed the workshop within an hour, learning not only about the legal validity of wills, but also judicial procedures such as court investigation, evidence exchange and statements.在北京一中学生的参与下，在法院协助法官处理案件的孙佳韵指导下，学生们仅用一小时便完成了工作坊课程。他们不仅学习了遗嘱的法律效力，还了解了法庭调查、证据交换和陈述等司法程序。Legal education in China is undergoing a transformation, and it now offers customized courses for different participants, according to Sun.孙佳韵指出，中国的法律教育正在经历转型，如今为不同参与者提供定制化课程。This transformation is a result of the implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, which emphasizes the need to focus on the effectiveness of legal education, particularly by strengthening law education for young people.这一转变源于习近平法治思想的贯彻实施，该思想强调必须注重法律教育的实效性，特别是加强青少年法律教育。On Monday and Tuesday, at a central conference on work related to overall law-based governance in Beijing, President Xi Jinping instructed that efforts should be intensified on advancing the rule of law across various sectors in the nation's modernization drive.周一和周二，在北京市召开的关于全面依法治国工作的中央会议上，习近平主席指示，要加大力度推进各领域依法治国工作，为国家现代化建设提供有力保障。Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for across-the-board efforts to ensure society-wide observance of the law.习近平同时担任中共中央总书记和中央军事委员会主席，他呼吁全社会共同努力，确保法律得到全面遵守。Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, also underscored the priority of law-based governance, stressing the need to deepen the endeavor to build a law-abiding society.全国人大常委会委员长赵乐际也强调了依法治国的优先地位，指出必须深化依法治国、依法治党、依法治国、依法治民的实践。The meeting coincided with the fifth anniversary of the introduction of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, which requires upholding a people-centered approach in advancing the building of the rule of law, and continuously enhancing the legal awareness and literacy of the entire public.此次会议恰逢习近平法治思想提出五周年。习近平法治思想要求坚持以人民为中心推进法治建设，不断提高全社会的法律意识和法律素养。激发兴趣Sparking interestHan Chu, a sophomore from the high school, played the role of a "judge" that afternoon.该校高二学生韩储当天下午扮演了“评委”的角色。During the workshop, he listened carefully to the statements of classmates playing the plaintiff and defendant, verified the various items of evidence they provided, and frequently consulted the provisions related to wills in the Civil Code.在研讨课上，他认真聆听了扮演原告和被告的同学们的陈述，核实了他们提供的各类证据，并频繁查阅《民法典》中关于遗嘱的相关条款。The script, adapted from real cases, revolved around three siblings who brought their deceased parents' handwritten, printed and audio-recorded wills to court, with each claiming sole inheritance.该剧本改编自真实案例，围绕三兄妹展开——他们将父母生前手写、打印及录音遗嘱带至法庭，各自主张获得全部遗产继承权。Han, guided by Sun, concluded that all three wills had legal flaws in accordance with the code, ruling that the family's assets should be divided equally among the three children.韩储在孙佳韵的指导下认定，根据该法典，三份遗嘱均存在法律瑕疵，裁定该家族资产应由三名子女均分。"Not only was this activity incredibly interesting, but it truly helped me grasp legal concepts. I've gained a much deeper understanding of the law by taking part in the workshop," Han said.韩储说：“这项活动不仅极其有趣，更让我真正掌握了法律概念。通过参与研讨会，我对法律有了更深入的理解。”His classmate Hu Shihan said: "The activity felt much more real than just reading textbooks. By stepping into a character's shoes, I experienced the courtroom process firsthand, which let me understand what I learned in class."他的同学胡世涵（音译）说：“这次活动比单纯读教科书真实得多。通过扮演角色，我亲身体验了法庭流程，这让我真正理解了课堂上学到的知识。”Sun beamed with satisfaction at the students' engagement. "For young people, such an immersive method is key to providing legal education," she said. "Reading law books and observing trials used to feel distant. By becoming the judges and litigants involved, their engagement and understanding deepen."孙佳韵对学生们的投入感到十分满意。“对年轻人而言，这种沉浸式教学法是开展法律教育的关键，”她说道，“过去阅读法律书籍和旁听庭审总让人觉得遥不可及。而当他们亲身扮演法官和诉讼当事人时，参与度和理解力都会显著提升。”"Our primary goal was never just to teach them laws, but to ignite a genuine interest. After all, interest is the best teacher, and that's the most important foundation for any learning," Sun added.孙佳韵补充道：“我们的首要目标从来不只是传授法律知识，而是要点燃他们真正的兴趣。毕竟，兴趣是最好的老师，这也是任何学习最重要的基础。”简明语言Easy languageHowever, when educating the elderly, Sun uses a different set of materials — large fonts and case studies without legal jargon or complex provisions.然而，在为老年人提供教育时，孙佳韵采用了一套不同的材料——大字体和案例研究，避免使用法律术语或复杂条款。"The key of offering legal education to older people lies in plain language and everyday cases," she said after sharing the topics of a will and property allocation with seniors at Yanyuan community in Beijing's Haidian district.她在北京市海淀区燕园社区向长者讲解遗嘱与财产分配相关话题后如是说：“向老年人提供法律教育的关键在于使用通俗易懂的语言和日常案例。”Sun compared "making a will" to "cooking your own meal" in her course, explaining: "If you want to distribute your house and money according to your own ideas, you need to specify in the will who gets what and how much. It's like cooking for yourself — you decide what to eat and how much."孙佳韵在课程中将“立遗嘱”比作“自己做饭”，解释道：“若想按自己的想法分配房产和财产，就需要在遗嘱中明确指定谁获得什么以及多少份额。这就像自己做饭——你决定吃什么以及吃多少。”For statutory inheritance, she compared it to "ready-made meals", saying: "If you don't have specific ideas, the Civil Code will help you. It prepares 'meals' for you, which means your assets will be divided equally."对于法定继承，她将其比作“现成的套餐”，表示：“若无具体安排，民法典将为你提供指引。它为你准备了‘套餐'，意味着你的资产将被平均分配。”Zhang Dejun, 66, welcomed these comparisons. "They make it easier for me to understand the legal issues," she said. "At my age, it's natural to start thinking about making a will and distributing assets. The legal course is exactly what I need, and I've learned a lot."66岁的张德君（音译）对这些类比表示欢迎。“它们让我更容易理解法律问题，”她说，“到了我这个年纪，开始考虑立遗嘱和分配资产是很自然的。这门法律课程正是我需要的，我学到了很多。”Sun highlighted that when educating seniors, it is crucial to use language that they can easily understand. "They don't need the legal definition of a 'legacy support agreement', but they must understand the risks of not planning ahead."孙佳韵强调，在为老年人提供教育时，使用他们容易理解的语言至关重要。“他们不需要‘遗产支持协议'的法律定义，但必须明白不提前规划的风险。”定制化教育Tailored educationThanks to the tailored education, Qian Shuo, another judges' assistant from the Haidian court, said the public's overall legal awareness has been enhanced.海淀法院另一名法官助理钱硕表示，通过定制化教育培训，公众的整体法律意识得到了提升。"Many people coming to us are more knowledgeable. Instead of saying 'I don't know the law, but this is unfair', they can cite specific legal provisions and fight for their legitimate rights," she said.钱硕表示：“现在来找我们的人普遍更有法律知识。他们不再说‘我不懂法律，但这太不公平'，而是能援引具体法律条款来维护自身合法权益。”Official data shows that since 2021, the court's staff have visited more than 100 communities, schools and enterprises across the district, providing in-person legal education nearly 600 times.官方数据显示，自2021年以来，法院工作人员已走访全区100多个社区、学校和企业，开展现场法律宣讲近600次。The staff have stimulated the public's interest in the law through short videos, and helped build legal education centers in parks, libraries and technological compounds.工作人员通过短视频激发公众对法律的兴趣，并协助在公园、图书馆和科技园区建立法律教育中心。"Legal education is not a one-way street; it's a two-way interaction," said Fang Xu, who works for the court's litigation service center. "Through this process, I've learned to see things from the residents' perspectives and empathize with their conflicts, with deeper understanding about their legal demand."法院诉讼服务中心工作人员方旭（音译）表示：“法律教育不是单向灌输，而是双向互动。通过这个过程，我学会了站在居民角度看待问题，体察他们的矛盾冲突，对他们的法律诉求有了更深的理解。”In addition to face-to-face interactions, legal-based television dramas and films have also found audiences over the past few years, attracting millions of viewers and encouraging judicial workers to interpret legal issues on the screen.除面对面交流外，近年来以法律为主题的电视剧和电影也吸引了大量观众，数以百万计的观众通过荧幕了解法律问题，这促使司法工作者开始在影视作品中解读法律议题。Zhang Tongyu, from Beijing's Chaoyang District People's Court, has interpreted the laws involved in the relevant cases in No More Bets, a film about telecom fraud, providing an analysis of these related legal issues to the public.北京市朝阳区人民法院的张彤宇（音译）法官，就电信诈骗题材电影《别再赌了》中涉及的相关案件所适用的法律进行了阐释，向公众剖析了这些关联法律问题。According to a law on publicity and education regarding the rule of law, which took effect on Nov 1, legal education, as a lifelong education for citizens, should be incorporated into the national education system.根据11月1日生效的《法治宣传教育法》，法律教育作为公民的终身教育，应当纳入国家教育体系。The law stipulates that schools and internet platforms should provide stronger legal education for young people.法律规定，学校和互联网平台应加强对青少年的法律教育。Civil Code《民法典》judge and litigant法官和诉讼当事人legacy support agreement遗产支持协议

CONTINUED MARY KISSEL. China dilemma involves whether to treat Beijing as a legitimate trading partner or an enemy narco-terrorist state responsible for exporting fentanyl precursors, with Kissel suggesting current US policy is confused and benefits the CCP.

Mary Kissel Mary Kissel addresses three foreign policy dilemmas: regarding Venezuela, the US military buildup is seen as leverage to force dialogue with Maduro following a successful playbook used against North Korea; in Europe, she notes a dichotomy between committed Eastern European states and "weaker lazier" Western powers regarding support for Ukraine; and the China dilemma involves whether to treat Beijing as a legitimate trading partner or an enemy narco-terrorist state responsible for exporting fentanyl precursors, with Kissel suggesting current US policy is confused and benefits the CCP.

SHOW  11-18-25 CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR 1894 "THE ANGEL OF THE REVOLUTION" THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT GAZA. FIRST HOUR 9-915 Liz Peek Liz Peek discusses the "AI bubble," noting the Magnificent Seven stocks are priced to perfection amidst concerns that massive investments may not yield adequate returns, observes that although the market is "risk off" the US economy seems "okay" according to data points, and expresses alarm about New York Mayor-Elect Mamdani, a socialist without management expertise who is surrounding himself with ideologues, including Hassan Sheheryar, his transition director, who is "clearly anti-Semitic" and anti-Israel, raising significant concerns for the city.E 915-930 CONTINUED 930-945 Judy Dempsey Judy Dempsey addresses the rising costs and future decline of the global cocoa crop, linking it to transcontinental climate change caused by Amazon deforestation, criticizes the EU and NATO for reacting too slowly and lacking strategic vision concerning the Ukraine war and defense, notes European military infrastructure is inadequate for rapid deployment forcing reliance on ships instead of trains, and observes that while the Russian threat is understood by most member states, political fumbling in Germany is allowing the anti-NATO, pro-Russia AfD party to gain significant ground. 945-1000 Gregory Copley Gregory Copley discusses the US military presence off Venezuela, noting President Trump seeks a negotiated outcome with Maduro to avoid long-term intervention, covers Mohammed bin Salman's influence in the Abraham Accords and the challenge posed by Turkey-backed Hamas, analyzes the symbolic rail sabotage in Poland questioning Russian involvement, and addresses the declining viability of NATO's Article 5 and the potential for King Charles III to intervene in UK political chaos. SECOND HOUR 10-1015 Charles Burton Charles Burton discusses his book, The Beaver and the Dragon, illustrating China's fundamental untrustworthiness and statistical manipulation, which has intensified under centralized leadership, noting Canada's past cooperation with China's National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) failed as officials often falsely reported data, and despite historical deception and security risks, there is a push in Canada to increase trade with China to offset trade issues with the United States, with Burton cautioning that trusting the Chinese Communist Party has always "gone badly wrong." 1015-1030 CONTINUED. 1030-1045 Jonathan Schanzer Jonathan Schanzer discusses Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), calling him a deeply flawed but essential leader driving Saudi modernization and normalization with Israel, with a "pathway to a Palestinian state" as the current diplomatic objective, emphasizing that resolving the Gaza situation and achieving broader peace hinges on eliminating Hamas, while the region faces long-term challenges from Iran and Turkey, the latter complicating Israel's security operations in chaotic Syria, with the UN endorsement of the Trump 20-point plan for Gaza reconstruction considered a landmark win. 1045-1100 CONTINUED CONTINUED KING CHARLES THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 Gregory Copley Gregory Copley discusses the US military presence off Venezuela, noting President Trump seeks a negotiated outcome with Maduro to avoid long-term intervention, covers Mohammed bin Salman's influence in the Abraham Accords and the challenge posed by Turkey-backed Hamas, analyzes the symbolic rail sabotage in Poland questioning Russian involvement, and addresses the declining viability of NATO's Article 5 and the potential for King Charles III to intervene in UK political chaos. 1115-1130 CONTINUED MBS 1130-1145 CONTINUED KING CHARLES 1145-1200 CONTINUED FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Mary Kissel Mary Kissel addresses three foreign policy dilemmas: regarding Venezuela, the US military buildup is seen as leverage to force dialogue with Maduro following a successful playbook used against North Korea; in Europe, she notes a dichotomy between committed Eastern European states and "weaker lazier" Western powers regarding support for Ukraine; and the China dilemma involves whether to treat Beijing as a legitimate trading partner or an enemy narco-terrorist state responsible for exporting fentanyl precursors, with Kissel suggesting current US policy is confused and benefits the CCP. 1215-1230 1230-1245 oseph Sternberg Joseph Sternberg analyzes the BBC political bias scandal, which is significant because the BBC is "omnipresent" and arranges the "mental furniture for British society," noting the BBC, funded largely by a mandatory license fee, faced allegations ranging from deceptive editing of President Trump's remarks to the Arabic service pushing Hamas propaganda potentially fueling anti-Semitism, while domestically discussing the UK Labour Party's dilemma over controversial immigration policies to control illegal channel crossings, a crisis that has strengthened Nigel Farage's Reform party. 1245-100 AM

This week, NüVoices host and co-founder Joanna Chiu joins China human rights researcher Maya Wang to discuss the current state of China human rights advocacy amid Beijing's growing transnational oppression and the US cut of international aid. Joanna and Maya also discuss China's latest approach to Xinjiang and other ethnic minorities, and the global rise of extremism and political polarization. In a world of chaos, unreliable leadership and rising technological authoritarianism, what is the future of China human rights advocacy?

A stark new review has found that Britain is not ready for war, warning landing on the same morning the Government unveiled fresh plans to boost the nation's defences.This morning, Defence Secretary John Healey unveiled a major £1.5bn investment in 13 new UK munitions factories, a bid to ramp up Britain's defence industry as global threats escalate. The announcement came as Healey revealed that a Russian intelligence-gathering ship, the Yantar, has been skirting the edge of UK waters north of Scotland, allegedly firing lasers at RAF surveillance pilots and mapping Britain's undersea cables. “My message to Russia and to Putin is this: we see you… and we are ready,” he said.All this lands as MI5 issues fresh warnings about Chinese espionage. Following the collapse of the case against two men accused of spying for Beijing, security officials have now named two Chinese state-linked ‘recruiters' using LinkedIn to target Westminster insiders.Camilla and Tim discuss the future of Britain's defence with the former head of MI6, Sir John Sawers, as they ask him about China, the failure of the Prevent anti-terrorism scheme programme and why he thinks Russia is the greatest threat to this country.Producer: Georgia CoanSenior Producer: John CadiganVideo Producer: Will WaltersStudio Operator: Meghan SearleExecutive Producer: Charlotte SeligmanSocial Producer: Nada AggourEditor: Camilla Tominey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

George Bellshaw grasps the reins as James Gray takes a week off. He is joined by Calvin Betton, fresh from ATP World Tour Finals victory with Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara. Here are six bullet points summarizing this podcast episode: Henry Patten and Harry Heliövaara's ATP Finals triumph: Calvin reflects on their dominant week in Turin, where they became the only pair not to lose serve all tournament and capped off a phenomenal end to the season with victories in Beijing, Paris, and the year-end finals in Turin, all after winning the Australian Open in January. Sinner's indoor dominance continues: Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz 7-6, 7-5 in the ATP Finals, extending his remarkable indoor winning streak to 31 matches (fourth-longest in history) and demonstrating his superiority in fast court conditions. Felix Auger-Aliassime poised for breakthrough: Calvin's bold prediction: FAA will establish himself as the world's third-best player in 2026, citing his newfound confidence, consistent results, injury-free status, and superior talent compared to players like Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz. Zverev's coaching concerns: Despite being world number two, Calvin criticises Zverev's practice sessions as lacking proper structure and technical coaching, suggesting he needs to hire a proven coach rather than relying solely on family members if he wants to win majors. ATP calendar controversy intensifies: Calvin and George discuss Andrea Gaudenzi's plans to expand Masters events and focus on "premium products," with Calvin arguing passionately against taking tennis away from passionate fanbases in places like South America and Italy in favour of lucrative but atmosphere-lacking Middle Eastern venues. Djokovic's reality check: George and Calvin reflect on Novak Djokovic's interview with Piers Morgan, in which he admits the rise of Sinner and Alcaraz has forced him to re-evaluate his goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

【欢迎订阅】 每天早上5:30，准时更新。 【阅读原文】 标题：What a hit memoir reveals about work in China正文：NO COUNTRY ON Earth is as mad for online shopping as China. In 2024 consumers there bought 15.5trn yuan ($2.2trn)-worth of goods online—more than anywhere else in the world. Chinese e-commerce is ubiquitous, quick and easy. But that convenience comes at an onerous cost, as Hu Anyan details in his memoir “I Deliver Parcels in Beijing”, a bestseller in China recently translated into English.知识点：ubiquitous adj /juˈbɪkwɪtəs/present, appearing, or found everywhere 无处不在的；随处可见的• The brand has become so ubiquitous that you can see it on every street. 这个品牌变得无处不在，你在每条街上都能看到。• Fast-food restaurants are ubiquitous in most big cities. 快餐店在大多数大城市都随处可见。获取外刊的完整原文以及精讲笔记，请关注微信公众号「早安英文」，回复“外刊”即可。更多有意思的英语干货等着你！ 【节目介绍】 《早安英文-每日外刊精读》，带你精读最新外刊，了解国际最热事件：分析语法结构，拆解长难句，最接地气的翻译，还有重点词汇讲解。 所有选题均来自于《经济学人》《纽约时报》《华尔街日报》《华盛顿邮报》《大西洋月刊》《科学杂志》《国家地理》等国际一线外刊。 【适合谁听】 1、关注时事热点新闻，想要学习最新最潮流英文表达的英文学习者 2、任何想通过地道英文提高听、说、读、写能力的英文学习者 3、想快速掌握表达，有出国学习和旅游计划的英语爱好者 4、参加各类英语考试的应试者（如大学英语四六级、托福雅思、考研等） 【你将获得】 1、超过1000篇外刊精读课程，拓展丰富语言表达和文化背景 2、逐词、逐句精确讲解，系统掌握英语词汇、听力、阅读和语法 3、每期内附学习笔记，包含全文注释、长难句解析、疑难语法点等，帮助扫除阅读障碍。

George Bellshaw grasps the reins as James Gray takes a week off. He is joined by Calvin Betton, fresh from ATP World Tour Finals victory with Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara. Here are six bullet points summarizing this podcast episode: Henry Patten and Harry Heliövaara's ATP Finals triumph: Calvin reflects on their dominant week in Turin, where they became the only pair not to lose serve all tournament and capped off a phenomenal end to the season with victories in Beijing, Paris, and the year-end finals in Turin, all after winning the Australian Open in January. Sinner's indoor dominance continues: Jannik Sinner defeated Carlos Alcaraz 7-6, 7-5 in the ATP Finals, extending his remarkable indoor winning streak to 31 matches (fourth-longest in history) and demonstrating his superiority in fast court conditions. Felix Auger-Aliassime poised for breakthrough: Calvin's bold prediction: FAA will establish himself as the world's third-best player in 2026, citing his newfound confidence, consistent results, injury-free status, and superior talent compared to players like Alexander Zverev and Taylor Fritz. Zverev's coaching concerns: Despite being world number two, Calvin criticises Zverev's practice sessions as lacking proper structure and technical coaching, suggesting he needs to hire a proven coach rather than relying solely on family members if he wants to win majors. ATP calendar controversy intensifies: Calvin and George discuss Andrea Gaudenzi's plans to expand Masters events and focus on "premium products," with Calvin arguing passionately against taking tennis away from passionate fanbases in places like South America and Italy in favour of lucrative but atmosphere-lacking Middle Eastern venues. Djokovic's reality check: George and Calvin reflect on Novak Djokovic's interview with Piers Morgan, in which he admits the rise of Sinner and Alcaraz has forced him to re-evaluate his goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zaur Antia – your mission is complete. You created universal boxers and delivered medals by the bucketload. Ten Olympic medals came Ireland's way during your time in charge of the boxing team. As news filters through that the Georgian guru has stepped down as Irish boxing's head honcho, The Rocky Road spoke with Beijing 2008 Olympian John Joe Joyce, who was there on his first day in Ireland 22 years ago, to hear the incredible, remarkable story of Zaur. How a man with no English could command a room of young boxers. How he convinced them to back themselves, trust their skills, dedicate themselves and keep improving via the skills he was imparting, and the discipline he demanded from them. How he led the way as Ireland won an astounding ten Olympic medals during his time with the team. John Joe takes us from the early days to the current ones, as it's turned full circle now and his club boxer, Patsy Joyce, recently bagged one of Antia's final medals as Ireland's king of the cornermen. He reckons the Georgian is Irish boxing's Jack Charlton. But we know there's only one Zaur Antia – and we salute you. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of China Decode, hosts Alice Han and James Kynge break down how China is quietly building the “Android of AI” while the U.S. is pouring billions into the ultra-premium iPhone equivalent. As American firms chase ever-bigger, pricier models, Chinese competitors are going lean, open-source, and dirt-cheap — and U.S. startups are already switching to them. They unpack why Chinese models are suddenly dominating Hugging Face, how an AI price war could spark a market correction, and whether U.S. export controls are backfiring. Plus, a diplomatic firestorm between China and Japan is raising tough questions about the future balance of power in East Asia. With Tokyo taking an unusually hard line on Taiwan — and Beijing responding with fury — Alice and James examine what's driving the escalation, what it means for U.S. strategy, and how historical grievances still shape the region's security map. Finally, China's coffee wars are heating up — and Starbucks is blinking. After losing ground to aggressive local rivals like Luckin and Cotti, Starbucks is selling off majority control of its China business. They explore why Western brands keep struggling in China's hyper-competitive consumer market — and whether Starbucks can claw back relevance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

China has been on a giant global shopping spree. Since 2000, Chinese state banks have fuelled investments and acquisitions at a surprisingly rate - some four times what was previously thought. Brand new data, shared exclusively with the BBC, reveals that many of Beijing's state-backed spending has targeted rich countries. Such deals are strictly legal, though not always easy to trace. Observers in the United States, Europe and elsewhere are alarmed at the potential for Beijing to dominate key technologies and turbo charge its technological might. Celia Hatton investigates the sometimes murky ways in which Chinese state money can be traced to sensitive industrial sectors. But she also discovers that shutting out Chinese influence is not easy or desirable.

For decades, California-based engineer Chi Mak quietly stole secrets on war-fighting technologies. He and his family members shared the intelligence with spies in China, giving Beijing astounding insights they hadn't earned. Former FBI Special Agent James Gaylord takes us back to the elaborate investigation in 2004. Evidence gathered by his squad, call sign “SARA-4,” broke a string of FBI failures in the courtroom. Chi went to prison, but new problems arose. Jim's account is documented in his book, Chasing Chi. Subscribe to Sasha's Substack, HUMINT, to get more intelligence stories: https://sashaingber.substack.com/ And if you have feedback or want to hear about a particular topic,  you can reach us by E-mail at SpyCast@Spymuseum.org,  This show is brought to you from Goat Rodeo, Airwave, and the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new war games study of China says Beijing doesn't need to invade Taiwan to bring it to its knees. A cyber-enabled economic siege and a blockade of shipping routes targeting Taiwan's energy imports could do it in just weeks with massive consequences for the world's economy. FOX's John Saucier speaks with Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of Foundation for the Defense of Democracies' Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI), who breaks down the threat and suggests what the United States could do to counter such an attack. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of the Big Shot Bob Podcast, Robert Horry, aka Big Shot Bob, broadcasts live from Beijing, China! Join Rob and his co-hosts, B-Dog Brandon Harper and Rob Jenners, as they dive into Rob's experiences in China, including touring the Winter Olympics site and participating in events for China Mobile. The team also discusses NBA updates, including Draymond Green's recent controversies, the performances of various NBA teams, and the playoff prospects of the Lakers. Plus, enjoy some fun segments like College Football Picks and Where in the World is Robert Horry?   00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:44 Rob's Experience in Beijing 03:54 NBA Events and AI in China 08:28 Draymond Green's Recent Controversies 14:39 NBA Team Performances and Player Injuries 24:38 Western Conference Highlights 35:31 Measuring the Lakers' Performance 36:31 LeBron's Impact and Lakers' Future 37:15 Debating LeBron's Ranking on the Team 39:42 Struggles of Western Conference Teams 40:29 Mavericks' Injury Woes and Trade Speculations 44:15 Pelicans' Coaching Change 46:46 Steph Curry's MVP Case 50:08 College Football Picks 56:32 Big Shot of the Week 58:25 Game: Where in the NBA World is Robert Horry?

Notes and Links to Kaila Yu's Work       Kaila Yu is a singer, songwriter, former model, and freelance journalist for Rolling Stone, CNN, Glamour, and more.    She was formerly the lead singer for the all-Asian-American, female rock band Nylon Pink. Yu is also one of the founders of the jewelry/fashion line "Hello Drama" which is affiliated with the Nylon Pink band and style. Buy Fetishized: A Reckoning With Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty   Kaila's Instagram   Review of Fetishized for The New York Times   At about 1:10, Kaila responds to Pete's questions about feedback she has gotten on the book, and how she sees the book now, post-publication  At about 3:15, Pete asks Kaila to share background information on her reading and language life At about 4:45, Kaila talks about how writing as a profession developed and shouts out Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong and Melissa Febos and Roxane Gay's greatness At about 7:05, Kaila talks about the catalysts for her writing her book, largely around the beginning of the Covid pandemic At about 10:20, Kaila talks about distinctions, or lack thereof, between “fetish” and preference  At about 11:45, Kaila and Pete discuss the book's opening and hurtful and harmful comments towards Kaila, some in recent years  At about 13:20, Kaila reflects on “mainstreamed objectification” and an observation from the book that “objectification was better than invisibility” At about 16:35, the two discuss halting attempts at Asian representation in the 90s and early 2000s At about 18:10, Kaila discusses the evolution of Asian and Asian-American stars and their ability to “make their own lane” At about 19:05, Kaila talks about ideas of personal “diminish[ment]” growing up in comparison to media portrayals  At about 20:30, Kaila responds to Pete's questions about the effects of Memoirs of a Geisha and perpetuation of harmful tropes At about 22:30, more examples of problematic representation of Asian women in pop culture and in Kaila's schooling are discussed At about 23:00, Kaila talks about the evolution of “ABGs” At about 25:30, Kaila talks about the “groundbreaking” Joy Luck Club and also ways that it could have been better in minimizing stereotypes At about 26:30, Kaila gives background on the start of her pinup model, as well as how rife the industry is with sexualization and sexual crimes At about 27:45, Kaila gives background on a contemporary San Diego “modeling gig” agency that led to sexual crimes, showing how her experience was sadly not unique  At about 30:05, Kaila responds to Pete's question about online and in-person hateful and misogynistic comments and how she and bandmates  At about 31:50, Kaila talks about she didn't connect at the time, but does now, about how she dealt with traumas  At about 33:00, Shoutout to Allen Carr and his anti-smoking books At about 33:45, Pete asks Kaila about the pitfalls of fame, and her ceaseless battle to remove a defamatory video At about 35:35, Kaila talks about ideas of a "separation" and the impetus for her name change At about 36:40, The two discuss ideas of interchangeability and the history of blepharoplasty At about 38:50, Afong Moy and other exoticism and inhumane conditions for Asian women are discussed, and how this led to a sexualization of these women  At about 41:15, Kaila and Pete discuss some acting and entertainment highlights and struggles; included is some reminiscing about MySpace! At about 43:50, Kaila responds to Pete's questions about the end of her music career and performing in multiple ways At about 45:15, Kaila talks about recent iterations of KPop and patriarchal and feminism in more current music  At about 46:55, Kaila reflects on positive feedback and the legacy involving Nylon Pink At about 47:10, Kaila talks Guns n Roses and “classic” songs and concerts At about 49:15, Kaila forecasts what she will be writing about in the future       You can now subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts, and leave me a five-star review. You can also ask for the podcast by name using Alexa, and find the pod on Stitcher, Spotify, and on Amazon Music. Follow Pete on IG, where he is @chillsatwillpodcast, or on Twitter, where he is @chillsatwillpo1. You can watch other episodes on YouTube-watch and subscribe to The Chills at Will Podcast Channel. Please subscribe to both the YouTube Channel and the podcast while you're checking out this episode.       Pete is very excited to have one or two podcast episodes per month featured on the website of Chicago Review of Books. The audio will be posted, along with a written interview culled from the audio. His conversation with Hannah Pittard, a recent guest, is up at Chicago Review.     Sign up now for The Chills at Will Podcast Patreon: it can be found at patreon.com/chillsatwillpodcastpeterriehl      Check out the page that describes the benefits of a Patreon membership, including cool swag and bonus episodes. Thanks in advance for supporting Pete's one-man show, DIY podcast and extensive reading, research, editing, and promoting to keep this independent podcast pumping out high-quality content! This month's Patreon bonus episode features an exploration of flawed characters, protagonists who are too real in their actions, and horror and noir as being where so much good and realistic writing takes place. Pete has added a $1 a month tier for “Well-Wishers” and Cheerleaders of the Show.     This is a passion project, a DIY operation, and Pete would love for your help in promoting what he's convinced is a unique and spirited look at an often-ignored art form.    The intro song for The Chills at Will Podcast is “Wind Down” (Instrumental Version), and the other song played on this episode was “Hoops” (Instrumental)” by Matt Weidauer, and both songs are used through ArchesAudio.com.     Please tune in for Episode 310 with Stephanie Elizondo Griest, a globetrotting author from the Texas/Mexico borderlands. Her six books include Around the Bloc: My Life in Moscow, Beijing, and Havana; Mexican Enough; All the Agents and Saints; and Art Above Everything: One Woman's Global Exploration of the Joys and Torments of a Creative Life. The latter will be the main conversation piece. This episode airs on November 20. Please go to ceasefiretoday.org, and/or https://act.uscpr.org/a/letaidin to call your congresspeople and demand an end to the forced famine and destruction of Gaza and the Gazan people.  

In this week's episode of China Insider, Miles Yu tracks the backlash over statements made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Japan's defense policy regarding Taiwan, and what motivates Beijing's unique outrage. Second, Miles follows up on the KMT party elections last month in Taiwan where former KMT lawmaker Cheng Li-wun took over party leadership, and unpacks what this means for the KMT party platform moving forward. Lastly, Miles comments on recent political analysis from the New York Times addressing the duality of the Chinese state - one that appears outwardly strong, but faces internal struggles that may tell us a different story from the perspective of individual Chinese citizens. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute's China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world's future.

Hello again Pacific War Week by Week listeners, it is I your dutiful host Craig Watson with more goodies from my exclusive patreon podcast series. This is actually going to be a two parter specifically looking at the failure and responsibility of Emperor Hirohito during the 15 year war Japan unleashed in 1931. Again a big thanks to all of you for listening all these years, you are all awesome.   Hello everyone, a big thanks to all of you who joined the patreon and voted for this to be the next episode, you all are awesome.    Now I realize very well when I jumped into my former patreon episode on Ishiwara Kanji, I fell into a rabbit hole and it became a rather long series. I wanted to get this one done in a single episode but its also kind of a behemoth subject, so I will do this in two parts: this episode will be on Hirohito's failure and responsibility in regards to the China War from 1931-1941. The next one will cover Hirohito's failure and responsibility in the world war from 1941-1945.   I am not going to cover the entire life of Hirohito, no what I want is to specifically cover his actions from 1931-1945. Nw I want you to understand the purpose of this episode is to destroy a narrative, a narrative that carried on from 1945-1989. That narrative has always been that Emperor Hirohito was nothing more than a hostage during the war years of 1931-1945. This narrative was largely built by himself and the United States as a means of keeping the peace after 1945. However upon his death in 1989 many meeting notes and diaries from those who worked close to him began emerging and much work was done by historians like Herbert P Bix and Francis Pike. The narrative had it that Hirohito was powerless to stop things, did not know or was being misled by those around him, but this is far from the truth. Hirohito was very active in matters that led to the horrors of the 15 year war and he had his own reasons for why or when he acted and when he did not.   For this episode to be able to contain it into a single one, I am going to focus on Hirohito's involvement in the undeclared war with China, that's 1931-1941. For those of you who don't know, China and Japan were very much at war in 1931-1937 and certainly 1937 onwards, but it was undeclared for various reasons. If you guys really like this one, let me know and I can hit Hirohito 1941-1945 which is honestly a different beast of its own.   For those of you who don't know, Hirohito was born on April 29th of 1901, the grandson of Emperor Meiji. Hirohito entered the world right at the dawn of a new era of imperial rivalry in Asia and the Pacific. According to custom, Japanese royals were raised apart from their parents, at the age of 3 he was placed in the care of the Kwamura family who vowed to raise him to be unselfish, persevering in the face of difficulties, respectful of the views of others and immune to fear. In 1908 he entered elementary education at the age of 7 and would be taught first be General Nogi Maresuke who notoriously did not pamper the prince. Nogi rigorously had Hirohito train in physical education and specifically implanted virtues and traits he thought appropriate for the future sovereign: frugality, diligence, patience, manliness, and the ability to exercise self-control under difficult conditions. Hirohito learnt what hard work was from Nogi and that education could overcome all shortcomings. Emperor Meiji made sure his grandson received military training.   When Emperor Meiji died in 1912, Hirohito's father, Yoshihito took the throne as emperor Taisho. Taisho for a lack of better words, suffered from cerebral meningitis at an early age and this led to cognitive deficiency's and in reality the Genro would really be running the show so to say. When Taisho took the throne it was understood immediately, Hirohito needed to be prepared quickly to take the throne. After Meiji's funeral General Nogi politely told the family he could no longer be a teacher and committed seppuku with his wife. He wrote a suicide letter explained he wanted to expiate his disgrace during the russo japanese war for all the casualties that occurred at Port Arthur, hardcore as fuck. Hirohito would view Nogi nearly as much of an iconic hero as his grandfather Meiji, the most important figure in his life.   Hirohito's next teacher was the absolute legendary Fleet Admiral Togo Heihachiro who would instill national defense policy into him. Hirohito would be taught Admiral Alfred Thayer Mahans theories as all the great minds were taught at the time. Now I know it sucks but I cant delve deep into all this. What I want you to envision is a growing Man, instilled with the belief above all else, the Kokutai was most important. The Kokutai was the national essence of Japan. It was all aspects of Japanese polity, derived from history, tradition and customs all focused around the cult of the Emperor. The government run by politicians was secondary, at any given time the kokutai was the belief the Emperor could come in and directly rule.   If you are confused, dont worry, I am too haha. Its confusing. The Meiji constitution was extremely ambiguous. It dictated a form of constitutional monarchy with the kokutai sovereign emperor and the “seitai” that being the actual government. Basically on paper the government runs things, but the feeling of the Japanese people was that the wishes of the emperor should be followed. Thus the kokutai was like an extra-judicial structure built into the constitution without real legal framework, its a nightmare I know.    Let me make an example, most of you are American I imagine. Your congress and senate actually run the country, wink wink lets forget about lobbyists from raytheon. The president does not have actual executive powers to override any and all things, but what if all Americans simply felt he did. Thus everyone acted in accordance to his wishes as they assumed them to be, thats my best way of explaining Japan under Hirohito.    Emperor Taisho dies in 1926, and Hirohito takes the throne ushering in the Showa Era. He inherited a financial crisis and a military that was increasingly seizing control of governmental policies. Hirohito sought to restore the image of a strong charismatic leader on par with his grandfather Meiji, which was sorely lacking in his father Taishos reign. He was pressured immediately by the Navy that the national sphere of defense needed to be expanded upon, they felt threatened by the west, specifically by the US and Britain who had enacted the Washington Naval Treaty. Hirohito agreed a large navy was necessary for Japan's future, he was a proponent of the decisive naval battle doctrine, remember his teacher was Togo.    From the very beginning Hirohito intensely followed all military decisions. In 1928 the Japanese covertly assassinated the warlord of Manchuria, Zhang Zuolin. The current prime minister Tanaka Giichi had performed a thorough investigation of the incident and presented his report to Hirohito on December 24th of 1928. He told Hirohito he intended to court martial the criminals, purge the army and re-establish discipline. However the rest of Tanaka's cabinet wished to allow the army to deal with the matter and quiet the entire thing down. Hirohito responded by stating he had lost confidence in Tanaka and admonished his report. Hirohito allowed the army to cover up the incident, he sought to have it hushed up as well. Thus Hirohito had indulged the army in its insubordination and the kwantung army officers now felt they could take matters into their own hands.   Also in 1928 the Tanaka cabinet failed to endorse the international protocol banning chemical and biological warfare. The next year the privy council, pressured by the military, failed to ratify the full geneva convention of prisoners of war. Hirohito in response began doing something Emperor Meiji never had done, he began to scold officials to force them to retire from positions. Tanaka Giichi was bullied out. Hirohito then stated his endorsement of Hamaguchi Osachi as Tanaka's successors.   Just a few months after Hamaguchi cabinet formed, Hirohito overrode the advice of his naval chief of staff and vice chief of staff, Admiral Kato and Vice Admiral Suetsugu. The Americans and British were hinting they might form a naval alliance against Japan if she did not abide by the Washington Conference mandates on naval tonnage. Kato and Suetsugu refused to accept the terms, but prime minister Hamaguchi stood firm against them. The navy leaders were outraged and accused Hamaguchi of signing the treaty without the support of the Navy General Staff thereby infringing upon the “emperor's right of supreme command”. Two months after signing the treaty, Hamaguchi was assassinated and upon learning of this Hirohito's first concern apparently was “that constitutional politics not be interrupted”. The military felt greatly emboldened, and thus began the age of the military feeling “its right of supreme command”. Generals and Admirals fought back against arms reduction talks, discipline within the officer corps loosened, things spiraled out of control. Alongside this came the increasing cult of the emperor, that they were all doing this in his name.   When rumors emerged of the emerging Mukden Incident in 1931, Hirohito  demanded the army be reigned in. Attempts were made, but on September 18th of 1931, Kwantung army officer detonated an explosion at Liut'iaokou north of Mukden as a false flag operation. The next day the imperial palace were given a report and Hirohito was advised by chief aide de camp Nara Takeji “this incident would not spread and if the Emperor was to convene an imperial conference to take control of the situation, the virtue of his majesty might be soiled if the decisions of such a conference should prove impossible to implement”. This will be a key theme in Hirohito's decision making, protect the kokutai from any threats.   As the Mukden incident was getting worse, the Kwantung officers began to demand reinforcement be sent from the Korea army. The current Wakatsuki cabinet met on the issue and decided the Mukden incident had to remain an incident, they needed to avoid a declaration of war. The official orders were for no reinforcements of the Korea army to mobilize, however the field commander took it upon his own authority and mobilized them. The army chief of staff Kanaya reported to Hirohito the Korea army was marching into Manchuria against orders. At 31 years of age Hirohito now had an excellent opportunity to back the current cabinet, to control the military and stop the incident from getting worse. At this time the military was greatly divided on the issue, politically still weak compared to what they would become in a few years, if Hirohito wanted to rule as a constitutional monarch instead of an autocratic monarch, well this was his chance. Hirohito said to Kanaya at 4:20pm on September 22nd “although this time it couldn't be helped, [the army] had to be more careful in the future”. Thus Hirohito accepted the situation as fait accompli, he was not seriously opposed to seeing his army expand his empire. If it involved a brief usurpation of his authority so bit, as long as the operation was successful. Within two weeks of the incident, most of Japan had rallied being the kwantung army's cause. Hirohito knew it was a false flag, all of what they had done. Hirohito planned the lightests punishments for those responsible. Hirohito then officially sanctioned the aerial strike against Chinchou, the first air attack since ww1.   A message had gone out to the young officers in the Japanese military that the emperors main concern was success; obedience to central command was secondary. After the Mukden incident Prime Minister Wakatsuki resigned in december after failing to control the army and failing to contain the financial depression. The new Priminister Inukai took to action requesting permission from Hirohito to dispatch battalions to Tientsin and a brigade to Manchuria to help the Kwantung army take Chinchou. Hirohito responded by advising caution when attacking Chinchou and to keep a close eye on international public perception. Nevertheless Chinchou was taken and Hirohito issued an imperial rescript praising the insubordinate Kwantung army for fighting a courageous self defense against Chinese bandits. In a few more years Hirohito would grant awards and promotions to 3000 military and civil officials involved in the Manchurian war. When incidents broke out in Shanghai in 1932 involved the IJN, Tokyo high command organized a full fledged Shanghai expeditionary force under General Shirakawa with 2 full divisions. But within Shanghai were western powers, like Britain and America, whom Hirohito knew full well could place economic sanctions upon Japan if things got out of hand. Hirohito went out of his way to demand Shirakawa settle the Shanghai matter quickly and return to Japan.   And thus here is a major problem with Hirohito during the war years. On one end with Manchuria he let pretty much everything slide, but with Shanghai he suddenly cracks the whip. Hirohito had a real tendency of choosing when he wanted to act and this influenced the military heavily. On May 15th of 1932, young naval officers assassinated prime minister Inukai at his office. In the political chaos, Hirohito and his advisors agreed to abandon the experiment in party cabinets that had been the custom since the Taisho era. Now Hirohito endorsed a fully bureaucratic system of policy making, cabinet parties would no longer depend on the two main conservative parties existing in the diet. When the diet looked to the genro as to who should be the next prime minister, Hirohito wrote up “his wishes regarding the choice of the next prime minister”. Loyal officials backed Hirohito's wishes, the cult of the emperor grew in power. To the military it looked like Hirohito was blaming the party based cabinets rather than insubordinate officers for the erosion of his own authority as commander in chief. The young military officers who already were distrustful of the politicians were now being emboldened further.    After Manchuria was seized and Manchukuo was ushered in many in the Japanese military saw a crisis emerge, that required a “showa restoration' to solve. There were two emerging political factions within the military, the Kodoha and Toseiha factions. Both aimed to create military dictatorships under the emperor. The Kodoha saw the USSR as the number one threat to Japan and advocated an invasion of them, aka the Hokushin-ron doctrine, but the Toseiha faction prioritized a national defense state built on the idea they must build Japans industrial capabilities to face multiple enemies in the future. What separated the two, was the Kodoha sought to use a violent coup d'etat to do so, the Toseiha were unwilling to go so far. The Kodoha faction was made up of junior and youthful officers who greatly distrusted the capitalists and industrialists of Japan, like the Zaibatsu and believed they were undermining the Emperor. The Toseiha faction were willing to work with the Zaibatsu to make Japan stronger. Hirohito's brother Prince Chichibu sympathized with the Kodoha faction and repeatedly counseled his brother that he should implement direct imperial rule even if it meant suspending the constitution, aka a show restoration. Hirohito believed his brother who was active in the IJA at the time was being radicalized. Chichibu might I add was in the 3rd infantry regiment under the leadership of Colonel Tomoyuki Yamashita.   This time period has been deemed the government by assassination period. Military leaders in both the IJA and IJN and from both the Kodoha and Toseiha began performing violence against politicians and senior officers to get things done.    A enormous event took place in 1936 known as the february 26 incident. Kodoha faction officers of the IJA attempted a coup d'etat to usher in a showa restoration. They assassinated several leading officials, such as two former prime ministers and occupied the government center of Tokyo. They failed to assassinate the current prime minister Keisuke Okada or take control over the Imperial palace. These men believed Japan was straying from the Kokutai and that the capitalist/industrialists were exploiting the people of the nation by deceiving the emperor and usurping his power. The only solution to them was to purge such people and place Hirohito as an absolute leader over a military dictatorship.    Now the insurrectionists failed horribly, within just a few hours they failed to kill the current prime minister, and failed to seize the Sakashita Gate to the imperial palace, thus allowing the palace to continue communicating with the outside, and they never thought about what the IJN might do about all of this. The IJN sent marines immediately to suppress them. The insurrectionists had planned to have the army minister General Kwashima who was a Kodoha backer, report their intentions to Hirohito who they presumed would declare a showa restoration. They falsely assumed the emperor was a puppet being taken hostage by his advisers and devoid of his own will.   At 5:40am on February the 26th Hirohito was awakened and informed of the assassinations and coup attempt. From the moment he learnt of this, he was outraged and demanded the coup be suppressed and something I would love to highlight is he also immediately demanded his brother Prince Chichibu be brought over to him. Why would this be important? Hirohito believed the insurrectionists might enlist his brother to force him to abdicate. Hirohito put on his army uniform and ordered the military to “end it immediately and turn this misfortune into a blessing”. Hirohito then met with Kwashima who presented him with the insurrectionists demands to “clarify the kokutai, stabilize national life and fulfill national defense, aka showa restoration”. Hirohito scolded Kwashima and ordered him to suppress the mutiny. On the morning of the 27th Hirohito declared administrative martial law on the basis of Article 8 of the Imperial Constitution, pertaining to emergency imperial ordinances. Formally he was invoking his sovereign power to handle a crisis. Hirohito displayed an incredible amount of energy to crush the mutiny as noted by those around him at the time. Every few hours he demanded reports to be given to him by top officials and at one point he was so angry he threatened to lead the Imperial Guard division himself to go out and quell it. Hirohito met with Chichibu and its alleged he told his brother to end any relationships he had with the Kodoha members. By february 29th, Hirohito had firmly crushed the mutiny, most of the ringleaders were arrested. In april they were court martialed secretly without even given a chance to defend themselves in court and 17 were executed by firing squad in July. As a result of it all, the Kodoha faction dissolved and the Toseiha faction reigned supreme.    On the morning of July 8th of 1937 came the Marco Polo Bridge incident, a nearly identical false flag operation to what occurred at Mukden in 1931. Hirohito's reaction was first to consider the possible threat of the USSR. He wondered if the communists would seize the opportunity to attack Manchukuo. This is what he said to Prime Minister Konoe and army minister Sugiyama “What will you do if the Soviets attack us from the rear?” he asked the prince. Kan'in answered, “I believe the army will rise to the occasion.” The emperor repeated his question: “That's no more than army dogma. What will you actually do in the unlikely event that Soviet [forces] attack?” The prince said only, “We will have no choice.” His Majesty seemed very dissatisfied.    Hirohito demanded to know what contingency plans existed. After this he approved the decision of the Konoe cabinet to move troops into Northern China and fixed his seal to the orders of dispatch. The emperor had tacitly agreed to it all from the start. With each action taken for the following months, Hirohito would explicitly sanction them after the fact. In his mind he kept thinking about a fight with the USSR, he believed he had no choice in the China matter. All of his top ranking officials like Sugiyama would tell him “even if war with China came… it could be finished up within two or three months”. Hirohito was not convinced, he went to Konoe, to imperial conferences, to other military officials to get their views. None convinced him but as Hirohito put it  “they agreed with each other on the time factor, and that made a big difference; so all right, we'll go ahead.”     Two weeks into the conflict, the kwangtung army and Korean army were reinforced by 3 divisions from Japan and on July 25th were reaching Beijing. What did the man who was not responsible in such decision making say? On July 27 Hirohito sanctioned an imperial order directing the commander of the China Garrison Force to “chastise the Chinese army in the Peking-Tientsin area and bring stability to the main strategic places in that region.” Hirohito wanted a killing blow to end the war, and thus he escalated the incident. Historian Fujiwara Akira noted “it was the [Konoe] government itself that had resolved on war, dispatched an army, and expanded the conflict,” and Hirohito had fully supported it”   Chiang Kai-shek abandoned northern China pulling into the Interior and unleashed a campaign in Shanghai to draw the Japanese into a battle showcased in front of western audiences. Chiang Kai-shek tossed the creme of his military all into Shanghai to make it as long and explosive as possible to try and win support from other great powers. On August 18 Hirohito summoned his army and navy chiefs for a pointed recommendation. The war, he told them, “is gradually spreading; our situation in Shanghai is critical; Tsingtao is also at risk. If under these circumstances we try to deploy troops everywhere, the war will merely drag on and on. Wouldn't it be better to concentrate a large force at the most critical point and deliver one overwhelming blow? Based on our attitude of fairness, Do you, have in hand plans for such action? In other words, do we have any way worked out to force the Chinese to reflect on their actions?”   The chiefs of staff returned 3 days later with an aerial campaign to break China's will to fight and strategic cities needed to be seized. Hirohito gave his sanction and on August 31st gave the order “for the Dispatch of the North China Area Army. [D]estroy the enemy's will to fight and wipe out resistance in the central part of Hepei Province,” Over the course of weeks Hirohito sanctioned 6 troop mobilizations to the Shanghai area where the fighting had bogged down. Then he sanctioned 3 divisions from Taiwan to Shanghai, but for units in northern Manchuria to stand guard firmly in case the USSR attacked. The entire time this was happening both China and Japan referred to it as an incident and not a real war lest either of them lose the backing of their great power allies. Japan needed oil, iron and rubber from America, China was likewise received materials from the USSR/America/Britain and even Germany.    By november the war was not going well and Hirohito had the Imperial Headquarters established within his palace as a means to exercise his constitutional role as supreme commander, the army and navy would act in concert. For a few hours in the morning a few days every week, the chiefs of staff, army and navy ministers and chiefs of operations would meet with Hirohito. At these imperial conferences Hirohito presided over and approved decisions impacting the war. This was Hirohito's device for legally transforming the will of the emperor into the will of the state. Hirohito not only involved himself, sometimes on a daily basis he would shape strategy and decide the planning, timing and so on of military campaigns. He even intervened in ongoing field operations. He monitored and occasionally issued orders through commanders to subordinate units. Now I can't go through the entire 1937-1945 war and showcase all the things he did but I will highlight things I think we're important.    On November 9th, the Shanghai battle was finally falling apart for the Chinese as they began a withdrawal to the Nanking area some 180 miles away. The Japanese forces chased them and for the first time were really coming into direct contact with Chinese civilians, when it came to Shanghai most had evacuated the areas. The Japanese burned, plundered and raped villages and towns as they marched towards Nanking. On december 1st, Hirohito's imperial HQ ordered the 10th army and Shanghai expeditionary force to close in on Nanking from different directions, a pincer maneuver. Prince Asaka took command of the Shanghai expeditionary force and General Matsui commanded the Central China Area Army consisted of the Shanghai force and 10th army. Asaka led the forces to assault the walled city of Nanking with a population estimated to be 4-5 hundred thousand and it would fall on December 13th. Was there an order to “rape Nanking”, no. The Imperial HQ did not order the total extermination of the Chinese in Nanking, they had ordered an encirclement campaign. However, the standing orders at this time were to take no prisoners. Once Nanking fell, the Japanese began to execute en massage military prisoners and unarmed troops who surrendered willingly. There was a orgy of rape, arson, pillage and murder. The horror was seen in Nanking and the 6 adjacent villages over the course of 3 months far exceeding any atrocities seen during the battle for Shanghai or even the march to Nanking. General Nakajima's 16th division on its first day in Nanking was estimated to have murdered 30,000 POWs. Estimate range insanely, but perhaps 200,000 POW's and civilians were butchered over the course of 6 weeks.   Prince Asaka the 54 year old grand uncle to Hirohito and other members of the Imperial Family commanded the attack on Nanking and supervised the horrors. 49 year old General Prince Higashikuni chief of the army air force alongside Prince Kan'in knew of the atrocities occurring. Army minister Sugiyama knew, many middle echelon officers of the Imperial HQ knew. Hirohito was at the top of the chain of command, there is no way he was not informed. Hirohito followed the war extensively, reading daily reports, questioned his aides. It was under his orders that his army “chastise China”, but did he show any concern for the breakdown of his army's discipline? There is no documented evidence he ordered an investigation, all we are met with as historians is a bizarre period of silence. Hirohito goes from supervising the war with OCD precision, to silence, then back to normal precision. Did Hirohito show anything publicly to show angry, displeasure or remorse, at the time he energetically began spurring his generals and admirals on their great victories and the national project to induce “Chinese self-reflection”.    On November 24th Hirohito gave an after the fact sanction to the decision of General Matsui to attack and occupy Nanking. Hirohito was informed the city was going to be bombarded by aircraft and artillery and he sanctioned that as well. That was basically him removing any restrictions on the army's conduct. On December 14th the day after Nankings fall, he made an imperial message to his chiefs of staff expressing his pleasure at the news of the city's capture and occupation. Hirohito granted General Matsui an imperial rescript for his great military accomplishments in 1938 and gave the order of the golden early to Prince Asaka in 1940. Perhaps Hirohito privately agonized over what happened, but publicly did nothing about the conduct of his armed forces, especially in regards to the treatment of POW's.   Emperor Hirohito was presented with several opportunities to cause cease-fires or peace settlements during the war years. One of the best possible moments to end it all came during the attack on Naking when Chiang Kai-sheks military were in disarray. Chiang Kai-shek had hoped to end the fighting by enticing the other great powers to intervene. At the 9 power treaty conference in Brussel in november of 1937, Britain and the US proposed boycotting Japan. However the conference ended without any sanctions being enacted upon Japan. The Konoe government and Imperial HQ immediately expanded the combat zone. Chiang Kai-shek in desperation accepted a previous offer by Germany to mediate. Oscar Trautmann, the German ambassador to China attempted to negotiate with Japan, but it failed. China was offered harsh terms; to formally recognize Manchukuo, cooperate with it and Japan to fight communism, permit the indefinite stationg of Japanese forces and pay war reparations.    On January 9th of 1938, Imperial HQ formed a policy for handling the China incident which was reported to Hirohito. Konoe asked Hirohito to convene an imperial conference for it, but not to speak out at it  “For we just want to formally decide the matter in your majesty's presence.” Konoe and Hirohito were concerned with anti expansionists within the army general staff and wanted to prevent German interference in Japanese affairs. On January 11th, the policy was showcased and adopted, there would be no peace until Chiang kai-shek's regime was dissolved and a more compliant regime followed. Hirohito presided over the conference in full army dress uniform and gave his approval. He sat there for 27 minutes without uttering a word, appearing to be neutral in the matter, though in fact he was firmly backing a stronger military policy towards China.    The Konoe cabinet inaugurated a second phase to the China incident, greatly escalating the war. By this point in time Japanese had seen combat casualties at 62,007 killed, 160,000 wounded. In 1939 it would be 30,081 killed, 55,970 wounded, then 15,827 killed and 72,653 wounded in 1940. Major cities were under Japanese control ranging from the north east and south. Chiang Kai-shek fled to Chongqing, the war was deadlocked without any prospect of victory in sight.    On July 11 of 1938, the commander of the 19th division fought a border clash with the USSR known to us in the west as the battle of Lake Khasan. It was a costly defeat for Japan and in the diary of Harada Kumao he noted Hirohito scolded Army minister Itagaki “Hereafter not a single soldier is to be moved without my permission.” When it looked like the USSR would not press for a counter attack across the border, Hirohito gave the order for offensives in China to recommence, again an example of him deciding when to lay down the hammer. Konoe resigned in disgrace in 1939 having failed to bring the China war to an end and being outed by his colleagues who sought an alliance with Germany, which he did not agree with. His successor was Hiranuma a man Hirohito considered a outright fascist. Hiranuma only received the job because he promised Hirohito he would not make enemies of Britain or the US by entering in a hasty alliance with Nazi Germany. However his enter prime ministership would be engulfed by the alliance question.   In May of 1939 there was another border clash with the USSR, the battle of Khalkhin Gol. This one was much larger in scale, involving armored warfare, aircraft and though it seems it was not used, the Japanese brought biological warfare weapons as well. The Japanese had nearly 20,000 casualties, it was an unbelievable defeat that shocked everyone. Hirohito refrained from punishing anyone because they technically followed orders based on a document “outline for dealing with disputes along the manchurian soviet border” that Hirohito had sanctioned shortly before the conflict arose.   In July of 1939, the US told Hiranuma's government they intended not to renew the US-Japan treaty of commerce and navigation. Until this point Roosevelt had been very lenient towards Japan, but now it looked to him war would break out in europe and he wanted Japan to know they could expect serious economic sanctions if they escalated things. Hirohito complained to his chief aide de camp Hata Shunroku on August 5th “It could be a great blow to scrap metal and oil”. Then suddenly as Japan was engaging in a truce with the USSR to stop the border conflict, Germany shocked the world and signed a nonaggression pact with them. This completely contravened the 1936 Japan-German anti-comintern pact. Hiranuma resigned in disgrace on august 28th.    Hirohito was livid and scolded many of his top officials and forced the appointment of General Abe to prime minister and demanded of him “to cooperate with the US and Britain and preserve internal order”. Then Germany invaded Poland and began a new European War. Abe's cabinet collapsed from the unbelievable amount of international actions by January 14th 1940. Hirohito appointed Admiral Yonai as prime minister  and General Tojo to vice army minister. As we have seen Hirohito played a active role appointing high level personnel and imposed conditions upon their appointments.    Hirohito dictated what Yonai was to do, who he was to appoint to certain positions so on and so forth. When a large part of the military were calling for an alliance with Germany, Hirohito resisted, arguing Japan should focus on the China war and not ally itself to Germany unless it was to counter the USSR. Three months passed by and Germany began invading western europe. Norway fell, Denmark fell, Luxembourg, Belgium, the netherlands and then France, it was simply stunning. While Japan had been locked in a deadlock against China, Germany was crushing multiple nations with ease, and this had a large effect on asia. Britain, France and the Netherlands could not hope to protect their holdings in asia. But Hirohito kept pressuring Yonai not to begin any talks of an alliance, and the military leaders forced Yonai's cabinet to collapse.    So Hirohito stood by while Hiranuma, Abe and Yonai met each crisis and collapses. He watched as the China war went nowhere and the military was gradually pushing for the Nanshin-ron doctrine to open a southern war up with the west. Not once did he make a public effort on his lonesome to end the war in China. Japan's demands of China were unchanged, relations with the west were getting worse each day. The China war was undeclared, hell it was from the Japanese viewpoint “chastising China”. Japan was no respecting any rules of war in China, atrocities were performed regularly and for that Hirohito shared responsibility. For he alone was free to act in this area, he needed to act, but he did not. He could have intervened and insisted on respecting the rules of war, especially in regards to POW's and the results could have been dramatically different. Hirohito bore direct responsibility for the use of poison gas upon Chinese and Mongolian combatants and non combatants even before the undeclared war of 1937.    Then on July 28th of 1937 Hirohito made his first directive authorizing the use of chemical weapons which was transmitted by the chief of the army general staff prince Kan'in. It stated that in mopping up the Beijing-Tientsin area, “[Y]ou may use tear gas at suitable times.” Then on September 11th of 1937 he transmitted again through Kan'in the authorization to deploy special chemical warfare units in Shanghai. Gas weapons were one weapon the imperial HQ, aka Hirohito held effective control over throughout the China war. Front line units were never free to employ it at their own discretion, it required explicit authorization from the imperial HQ. During the Wuhan offensive of August to October 1938, imperial HQ authorized the use of poison gas 375 separate times. Hirohito authorized on May 15th of 1939 the carrying out of field studies of chemical warfare along the Manchukuo-soviet border.  In 1940 Hirohito sanctioned the first experimental use of bacteriological weapons in China, though there is no documented evidence of this, given the nature of how he micro managed everything it goes without saying he would have treated it the same as the poison gas. He was a man of science, a person who questioned everything and refused to put his seal on orders without first examining them. Imperial HQ directives went to unit 731 and as a rule Hirohito overlooked them. There again is no documents directly linking him to it, but Hirohito should be held responsibility for strategic bombing campaigns performing on cities like Chongqing. Alongside such horror Hirohito sanctioned annihilation campaigns in China. Such military campaigns were on the scale of what occurred at Nanking. Take for example the Hebei offensive which saw the infamous “three alls policy, burn all, kill all, steal all”.    Before Pearl Harbor and the ushering in of the war against the west, look at the scene that had unfolded. China and Japan were not officially at war until December of 1941. Not to say it would have been easy by any means, but look at the countless opportunities the man, emperor, so called god if you will, held in his hands to stop it all or at the very least stop escalating it. Why did he not do so? To protect the Kokutai. Above all else, the role and survival of the emperor's divinity over the people of Japan was always at the forefront of his mind. He did what he thought was always necessary to thwart threats internal and external. He allowed his military to do horrible things, because they did so in his name, and likewise they were a threat to him. I know its abrupt to end it like this, but for those of you who perhaps say to yourself “well he really was powerless to stop it, they would have killed him or something”, who chose suddenly to intervene in 1945 and made the decision to surrender?

A new war games study of China says Beijing doesn't need to invade Taiwan to bring it to its knees. A cyber-enabled economic siege and a blockade of shipping routes targeting Taiwan's energy imports could do it in just weeks with massive consequences for the world's economy. FOX's John Saucier speaks with Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of Foundation for the Defense of Democracies' Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI), who breaks down the threat and suggests what the United States could do to counter such an attack. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Tea Traditions: Lian's Battle Against Modern Trends Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2025-11-18-08-38-20-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 北京的秋天，空气中飘着桂花香，微风轻拂。En: Autumn in Beijing carries the fragrance of osmanthus in the air, with a gentle breeze blowing.Zh: 莲的茶店坐落在繁忙的郊区，En: Lian's tea shop is situated in a bustling suburb.Zh: 虽然店外车水马龙，但一进门，茶香扑鼻，令人心情平和。En: Although outside the store is a rush of cars and people, as soon as you step inside, the aroma of tea greets you, putting your mind at ease.Zh: 整个茶店充满了传统元素，木质的桌椅，纸灯笼高高挂起，营造出一种古朴的氛围，与周围现代化的都市形成鲜明对比。En: The entire tea shop is filled with traditional elements: wooden tables and chairs, paper lanterns hanging high, creating an ancient and rustic atmosphere that sharply contrasts with the modern city around it.Zh: 莲是一位勤奋的店主，她一心扑在传统茶叶上。En: Lian is a diligent shop owner, fully devoted to traditional tea.Zh: 亲手挑选最好的茶叶，用心向客人讲解茶文化。En: She carefully selects the best tea leaves and passionately explains tea culture to her customers.Zh: 然而，面对繁多的现代营销手段，她常感无从下手。En: However, when faced with numerous modern marketing strategies, she often feels at a loss.Zh: 莲的妹妹梅总是在背后支持她，负责店里的财务。En: Her sister, Mei, always supports her from behind the scenes, handling the store's finances.Zh: 梅明白姐姐的困惑，但也希望她能有所突破。En: Mei understands her sister's confusion but also hopes she can make a breakthrough.Zh: 最近，一家新开的现代茶连锁店引起了不少年轻人的注意。En: Recently, a newly opened modern tea chain has caught the attention of many young people.Zh: 那家茶店打出的广告光鲜亮丽，各种潮流茶饮层出不穷。En: The advertisements from that tea shop are bright and flashy, with trendy tea drinks emerging endlessly.Zh: 莲感受到竞争的压力。En: Lian feels the pressure of competition.Zh: 她知道，必须想出一个好办法，在即将到来的中秋节吸引更多的顾客。En: She knows she must come up with a good idea to attract more customers for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival.Zh: 思考良久，莲决定举办一场茶品鉴会，展示稀有的茶叶和传统茶道。En: After much thought, Lian decides to host a tea tasting event, showcasing rare teas and traditional tea ceremonies.Zh: 这是个大胆的想法，不仅能吸引茶叶爱好者，还能让更多人了解茶的魅力。En: This is a bold idea, not only to attract tea enthusiasts but also to let more people appreciate the charm of tea.Zh: 梅对此表示全力支持，并帮助莲筹备活动。En: Mei fully supports this decision and helps Lian prepare for the event.Zh: 活动当天，店里早已布置妥当。En: On the day of the event, the shop is already well-prepared.Zh: 茶桌上摆满了各种名贵的茶叶，墙上挂着关于茶文化的介绍。En: The tea tables are filled with various precious teas, and the walls display introductions to tea culture.Zh: 顾客陆续进店，兴奋地品尝各种稀有的茶。En: Customers enter the store one after another, excited to taste the various rare teas.Zh: 年轻的茶叶爱好者陈也出现在人群中，他对这些传统茶叶充满好奇。En: Among the crowd is a young tea enthusiast named Chen, who is curious about these traditional teas.Zh: 随着品鉴会的进行，越来越多的人被吸引而来。En: As the tasting event progresses, more and more people are drawn in.Zh: 莲面带微笑，耐心地为每一位客人讲解茶叶的故事和泡茶的奥秘。En: Lian, smiling, patiently explains the stories of the teas and the secrets of brewing them to each guest.Zh: 欢声笑语中，顾客们纷纷称赞莲的茶叶独具韵味，称这次体验实在难得。En: Amidst laughter and chatter, customers praise the unique flavor of Lian's teas, claiming the experience is truly rare.Zh: 活动取得了巨大成功。En: The event is a huge success.Zh: 看到如此多的人感受到传统茶文化的魅力，莲不仅松了一口气，更感到一种成就感。En: Seeing so many people appreciate the charm of traditional tea culture, Lian not only breathes a sigh of relief but also feels a sense of accomplishment.Zh: 她意识到，虽然现代营销如潮水般涌来，但只要能坚持自己的热爱，与时俱进，不断尝试新方法，就能找到一种新的平衡。En: She realizes that although modern marketing sweeps in like a tide, as long as she can stick to her passion, keep pace with the times, and continuously try new methods, she can find a new balance.Zh: 茶品鉴会的结束并不是终点，而是一个新的开始。En: The end of the tea tasting event is not an endpoint, but a new beginning.Zh: 莲充满信心，她相信自己的茶店将在未来的节日里，继续为喜爱传统茶文化的人们提供一个温暖的港湾。En: Lian is full of confidence, believing that her tea shop will continue to provide a warm haven for those who love traditional tea culture during future festivals. Vocabulary Words:fragrance: 香味breeze: 微风bustling: 繁忙的suburb: 郊区rustic: 古朴的contrast: 对比diligent: 勤奋的devoted: 专注的passionately: 用心地finance: 财务breakthrough: 突破trendy: 潮流的pressure: 压力traditional: 传统的tasting: 品鉴ceremony: 茶道rare: 稀有的ethusiast: 爱好者brewing: 泡茶accomplishment: 成就感marketing: 营销手段balance: 平衡confidence: 信心haven: 港湾gentle: 轻拂emerging: 层出不穷host: 举办appreciate: 欣赏numerous: 繁多的modern: 现代化的

China has urged Japan to stop creating troubles on China-related issues and uphold the political foundation of bilateral relations. This follows a meeting in Beijing between two officials from the foreign ministries.

China has some 36 million EVs (electric vehicles) on its roads. But their batteries don't last forever. With the first generation of EVs coming to the end of their lifespans, Beijing now faces a new problem: how to recycle and reuse the thousands of EV batteries that are spread across the country? Our correspondents Jan Camenzind Broomby and Eudeline Boishult report.

Soultex - Stepping up to the decks with a straight up proppa DNB set for East Forms Drum & Bass. track list: 01) John B - Hypnotize [BETA Records] 02) Bruises - Stone Stance [[The Chikara Project] 03) Trex - In Situ [Metalheadz] 04) Ostere - Wildcard [Flexout Audio] 05) Selek - Thalassophobia [Heavy Sonics Records] 06) Bruises - Stratagies [Heavy Sonics Records] 07) Harley D - Deeper [Flexout Audio] 08) Particle & Duskee - Soul Drifting [Shogun Audio] 09) KRAEK & NickBee - Looming [Flexout Audio] 10) Enei & Envy - Badboi [Critical Music] 11) QZB & Waeys - Malicious Code [Flexout Audio] 12) Suburb - Switch Bar [[Heavy Sonics Records] 13) HEFT - Waves (Original Mix) [DNBB Rec] 14) KRAEK & NickBee - Higher Places (feat. PHAE) [Flexout Audio] 15) Ostere - Clapback [Flexout Audio] 16) Settle Down - Line of Fire [[1985 music] 17) Durazz, Mystific - Bruda [4 JUNGLE] 18) John B - Disconnected [BETA Records] 19) Kvostax - Aerosol [Data music] 20) Bruises - Cogs [Heavy Sonics Records] 21) Broma & KRAEK - Conscious [Flexout Audio] 22) Amoss & Minor Forms - Tactics [Flexout Audio] 23) Iamdoomed - Burn [DARKMTTR Records] 24) Astran - Fractal [4 JUNGLE] 25) Kvostax - Scanner [Data music] 26) Arkaik & Objectiv - Gabos [Flexout Audio] 27) BASSHUNTERZ - Ready For Time [4 JUNGLE] 28) Bruises - Menace [Heavy Sonics Records] 29) Resurgence - Phantasm [DNBB Rec] 30) Bruises - Penance [Heavy Sonics Records] 31) John B - Ageispolis [BETA Records]

What if the most important legacy you leave behind isn't money—but wisdom? Hour 1 opens with Al Smith of Golden Eagle Financial (https://goldeneaglefinancialltd.com), who joins John Rush to challenge listeners with a powerful question: Are you truly prepared for the future? This hour, with its urgent focus on generational wealth and financial planning, forces you to rethink retirement, self-sufficiency, and the responsibility we owe the next generation. But the conversation doesn't stay calm for long. As Colorado's roads crumble and the state faces a billion-dollar budget shortfall, John exposes a fiery online clash between Governor Polis and Governor Ron DeSantis. Did Colorado really collect billions in marijuana tax revenue for schools and roads—or is that claim collapsing under scrutiny? And why are residents suddenly reporting ICE sightings while extremist rhetoric spikes across social media? Just when the hour can't get any hotter, John tackles a new political battle: the future of SNAP benefits. With millions at risk of losing food assistance, is America facing a safety-net crisis… or finally confronting system abuse? Packed with financial insights, political fireworks, and complex questions, Hour 1 dares you to engage in a thought-provoking journey, rethinking what you believe—and why. HOUR 2 What happens when the American dream collides with a 50-year mortgage? Hour 2 launches with Eric Weir (https://erikweir.com), author of Who's Eating Your Pie? as he and John Rush pull back the curtain on the newest—and most controversial—tool in housing finance. Could a half-century mortgage help first-time buyers escape rising rents, or is it a financial trap doubling your lifetime interest? And is this just math… or a political maneuver aimed at the Federal Reserve? But the hour takes a sharp turn. As social media erupts with anti-Israel rhetoric and conspiracy-driven claims, John confronts the emotional chaos head-on. Why are so many Americans falling for manipulated narratives? And how is AI—now powerful enough to create chart-topping songs—reshaping what people believe? Just when the tension peaks, the conversation shifts again: back to financial stability with Al Smith of Golden Eagle Financial, and then into the world of sports, where the Denver Broncos deliver a jaw-dropping win that has fans buzzing. Plus, hear what John and Richard have to say about the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser.   Packed with financial strategy, cultural firestorms, and unexpected victories, Hour 2 dares listeners to question everything—from mortgages to media to the world we think we understand. HOUR 3 What if the next global war isn't fought with missiles—but with algorithms? Hour 3 opens with AI and national-security expert Chris Hoar of SAT123 (https://sat123.com), who joins John Rush to break down America's silent, escalating technology battle with China. From rare earth control to stolen nuclear innovations, Chris reveals how Beijing's 2030 plan to dominate AI hardware and software is closer to reality than most Americans realize. Could the U.S. lose the digital high ground simply because we're looking the other way? But the conversation goes deeper. John exposes chilling new reports of Chinese hackers using AI for autonomous cyberattacks, raising the stakes on tariffs, national defense, and America's technological vulnerability. Then he pushes further: what happens when AI becomes so advanced that people can hold full conversations with systems that think—and manipulate—like humans? The hour closes with political fire. John tackles the Epstein document battle, accusations aimed at Donald Trump, and the internal meltdown inside the GOP, from Marjorie Taylor Greene to Colorado's own party infighting. Packed with espionage, ethics, and AI-driven danger, Hour 3 asks the ultimate question: Are we prepared for a world where technology, politics, and power collide? Find out more at https://rushtoreason.com.

What if the most important legacy you leave behind isn't money—but wisdom? Hour 1 opens with Al Smith of Golden Eagle Financial (https://goldeneaglefinancialltd.com), who joins John Rush to challenge listeners with a powerful question: Are you truly prepared for the future? This hour, with its urgent focus on generational wealth and financial planning, forces you to rethink retirement, self-sufficiency, and the responsibility we owe the next generation. But the conversation doesn't stay calm for long. As Colorado's roads crumble and the state faces a billion-dollar budget shortfall, John exposes a fiery online clash between Governor Polis and Governor Ron DeSantis. Did Colorado really collect billions in marijuana tax revenue for schools and roads—or is that claim collapsing under scrutiny? And why are residents suddenly reporting ICE sightings while extremist rhetoric spikes across social media? Just when the hour can't get any hotter, John tackles a new political battle: the future of SNAP benefits. With millions at risk of losing food assistance, is America facing a safety-net crisis… or finally confronting system abuse? Packed with financial insights, political fireworks, and complex questions, Hour 1 dares you to engage in a thought-provoking journey, rethinking what you believe—and why. HOUR 2 What happens when the American dream collides with a 50-year mortgage? Hour 2 launches with Eric Weir (https://erikweir.com), author of Who's Eating Your Pie? as he and John Rush pull back the curtain on the newest—and most controversial—tool in housing finance. Could a half-century mortgage help first-time buyers escape rising rents, or is it a financial trap doubling your lifetime interest? And is this just math… or a political maneuver aimed at the Federal Reserve? But the hour takes a sharp turn. As social media erupts with anti-Israel rhetoric and conspiracy-driven claims, John confronts the emotional chaos head-on. Why are so many Americans falling for manipulated narratives? And how is AI—now powerful enough to create chart-topping songs—reshaping what people believe? Just when the tension peaks, the conversation shifts again: back to financial stability with Al Smith of Golden Eagle Financial, and then into the world of sports, where the Denver Broncos deliver a jaw-dropping win that has fans buzzing. Plus, hear what John and Richard have to say about the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser.   Packed with financial strategy, cultural firestorms, and unexpected victories, Hour 2 dares listeners to question everything—from mortgages to media to the world we think we understand. HOUR 3 What if the next global war isn't fought with missiles—but with algorithms? Hour 3 opens with AI and national-security expert Chris Hoar of SAT123 (https://sat123.com), who joins John Rush to break down America's silent, escalating technology battle with China. From rare earth control to stolen nuclear innovations, Chris reveals how Beijing's 2030 plan to dominate AI hardware and software is closer to reality than most Americans realize. Could the U.S. lose the digital high ground simply because we're looking the other way? But the conversation goes deeper. John exposes chilling new reports of Chinese hackers using AI for autonomous cyberattacks, raising the stakes on tariffs, national defense, and America's technological vulnerability. Then he pushes further: what happens when AI becomes so advanced that people can hold full conversations with systems that think—and manipulate—like humans? The hour closes with political fire. John tackles the Epstein document battle, accusations aimed at Donald Trump, and the internal meltdown inside the GOP, from Marjorie Taylor Greene to Colorado's own party infighting. Packed with espionage, ethics, and AI-driven danger, Hour 3 asks the ultimate question: Are we prepared for a world where technology, politics, and power collide? Find out more at https://rushtoreason.com.

What if the most important legacy you leave behind isn't money—but wisdom? Hour 1 opens with Al Smith of Golden Eagle Financial (https://goldeneaglefinancialltd.com), who joins John Rush to challenge listeners with a powerful question: Are you truly prepared for the future? This hour, with its urgent focus on generational wealth and financial planning, forces you to rethink retirement, self-sufficiency, and the responsibility we owe the next generation. But the conversation doesn't stay calm for long. As Colorado's roads crumble and the state faces a billion-dollar budget shortfall, John exposes a fiery online clash between Governor Polis and Governor Ron DeSantis. Did Colorado really collect billions in marijuana tax revenue for schools and roads—or is that claim collapsing under scrutiny? And why are residents suddenly reporting ICE sightings while extremist rhetoric spikes across social media? Just when the hour can't get any hotter, John tackles a new political battle: the future of SNAP benefits. With millions at risk of losing food assistance, is America facing a safety-net crisis… or finally confronting system abuse? Packed with financial insights, political fireworks, and complex questions, Hour 1 dares you to engage in a thought-provoking journey, rethinking what you believe—and why. HOUR 2 What happens when the American dream collides with a 50-year mortgage? Hour 2 launches with Eric Weir (https://erikweir.com), author of Who's Eating Your Pie? as he and John Rush pull back the curtain on the newest—and most controversial—tool in housing finance. Could a half-century mortgage help first-time buyers escape rising rents, or is it a financial trap doubling your lifetime interest? And is this just math… or a political maneuver aimed at the Federal Reserve? But the hour takes a sharp turn. As social media erupts with anti-Israel rhetoric and conspiracy-driven claims, John confronts the emotional chaos head-on. Why are so many Americans falling for manipulated narratives? And how is AI—now powerful enough to create chart-topping songs—reshaping what people believe? Just when the tension peaks, the conversation shifts again: back to financial stability with Al Smith of Golden Eagle Financial, and then into the world of sports, where the Denver Broncos deliver a jaw-dropping win that has fans buzzing. Plus, hear what John and Richard have to say about the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser.   Packed with financial strategy, cultural firestorms, and unexpected victories, Hour 2 dares listeners to question everything—from mortgages to media to the world we think we understand. HOUR 3 What if the next global war isn't fought with missiles—but with algorithms? Hour 3 opens with AI and national-security expert Chris Hoar of SAT123 (https://sat123.com), who joins John Rush to break down America's silent, escalating technology battle with China. From rare earth control to stolen nuclear innovations, Chris reveals how Beijing's 2030 plan to dominate AI hardware and software is closer to reality than most Americans realize. Could the U.S. lose the digital high ground simply because we're looking the other way? But the conversation goes deeper. John exposes chilling new reports of Chinese hackers using AI for autonomous cyberattacks, raising the stakes on tariffs, national defense, and America's technological vulnerability. Then he pushes further: what happens when AI becomes so advanced that people can hold full conversations with systems that think—and manipulate—like humans? The hour closes with political fire. John tackles the Epstein document battle, accusations aimed at Donald Trump, and the internal meltdown inside the GOP, from Marjorie Taylor Greene to Colorado's own party infighting. Packed with espionage, ethics, and AI-driven danger, Hour 3 asks the ultimate question: Are we prepared for a world where technology, politics, and power collide? Find out more at https://rushtoreason.com.

Send us a textGood morning from Pharma Daily: the podcast that brings you the most important developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. Today, we delve into a host of transformative events reshaping the landscape, from strategic acquisitions and funding infusions to regulatory maneuvers and scientific breakthroughs.Johnson & Johnson has taken a decisive step in its oncology strategy with the $3 billion acquisition of Halda's cell death technology. This acquisition, focusing on the "hold and kill" bifunctional small molecule platform, is poised to enhance J&J's prostate cancer pipeline significantly. It underscores J&J's commitment to expanding its oncology portfolio through innovative platforms designed to improve therapeutic outcomes. The move highlights a broader industry trend toward personalized medicine and targeted cancer therapies, which are becoming pivotal in improving patient care.In another domain of cancer treatment, Nuvalent has unveiled promising Phase 1/2 data for its candidate neladalkib, which could position the company as a formidable competitor to Pfizer's established lung cancer drug, Lorbrena. The promising data might expedite regulatory discussions with the FDA, potentially leading to an accelerated approval process. This development illustrates the competitive landscape in oncology, where firms strive to introduce novel therapies with improved efficacy and safety profiles.The field of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) is also experiencing significant advancements. A San Diego-based biotech has secured $120 million in funding to develop a best-in-class ADC formula, with support from Merck & Co. This initiative aims to refine the precision and efficacy of ADCs by delivering cytotoxic agents directly to cancer cells while minimizing collateral damage to healthy tissues. Such innovations are crucial as they represent a new frontier in targeted cancer therapy.In terms of financial activities, Artios Pharma's successful $115 million Series D funding round is set to bolster its clinical efforts in exploring DNA damage response inhibitors for cancer treatment. These inhibitors target cancer cells' ability to repair DNA damage, holding potential for more effective therapies against resistant cancer types. Meanwhile, Sofinnova Partners' €650 million raise for biotech and medtech investments amid a volatile economic environment underscores continued investor confidence in life sciences despite market uncertainties.Bayer is making strategic moves in China by opening an incubator in Beijing. This facility will host local biopharma companies such as Suzhou Puhe Biopharma and Beijing Youngen Technology, fostering innovation and collaboration within China's burgeoning biotech landscape. Such initiatives reflect global efforts to leverage regional strengths and foster cross-border collaborations.On the operational side, Nxera Pharma is restructuring its workforce by laying off 15% of its staff as part of a strategic pivot towards profitability. This decision mirrors broader industry trends where companies refocus resources on core projects to streamline operations and enhance financial stability.A recent study has highlighted the impact of NIH grant cuts on clinical trials across the United States. Over 383 trials involving more than 74,000 patients have been disrupted due to funding terminations under the current administration. This situation raises concerns about the sustainability of clinical research funding and its implications for ongoing medical advancements.Jazz Pharmaceuticals has reported practice-changing Phase 3 results for its HER2-targeted drug Ziihera for gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma. These findings reaffirm Jazz's confidence in positioning Ziihera as a preferred first-line treatment option for HER2-positive cancers, poSupport the show

① Chinese Premier Li Qiang is attending the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting in Moscow and deepening China-Russia cooperation—what's at stake for regional growth? (00:53) ② Japanese diplomat in Beijing as Takaichi's remarks weigh on economy—how far could the damage go? (13:12) ③ Hainan new course: What to know about the Special Customs Operation? (23:38) ④ The UN backed US's Gaza peace plan, does it genuinely advance peace, or mainly serve external powers' interests? (34:03) ⑤ Australian poll shows rising worries over US influence and trade tactics—what's driving this shift in sentiment? (43:47)

A new war games study of China says Beijing doesn't need to invade Taiwan to bring it to its knees. A cyber-enabled economic siege and a blockade of shipping routes targeting Taiwan's energy imports could do it in just weeks with massive consequences for the world's economy. FOX's John Saucier speaks with Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of Foundation for the Defense of Democracies' Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI), who breaks down the threat and suggests what the United States could do to counter such an attack. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Loyalty, Loss, and the Shadow of Mao. Joseph Turigian focuses on Mao's famous phrase about Xi Zhongxun, emphasizing his unwavering loyalty despite repeated suffering at the party's hands. Following the 1949 victory, Xi moved to Beijing, where his son Xi Jinping was born. Xi Zhongxun held complicated views of Mao, feeling gratitude for his survival but recognizing Mao's transformation into a disastrous dictator post-1957. The segment discusses Xi's 1962 purge, which foreshadowed the Cultural Revolution, and his subsequent imprisonment from 1967 to 1975, experiencing persecution earlier than most high-ranking comrades. Guest: Joseph Turigian. 1906

Shares in Japanese retail and travel-related companies have fallen sharply in Tokyo, after China urged its citizens not to visit the country. The tensions spiked after Japan's prime minister suggested Tokyo could take military action if Beijing attacked Taiwan, which China claims is its sovereign territory.Meanwhile, why has Bitcoin lost more than $600 billion in market value, just weeks after hitting a record high?And for Bridget Jones fans, the rom-com icon is getting her own statue, joining the likes of Harry Potter and Paddington Bear on a new trail celebrating 100 years of British cinema.Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Niamh Mc Dermott Editor: Justin Bones

German finance minister Lars Klingbeil travels to Beijing at a time of serious questions about just how reliant Germany’s economy is on China. Plus: Andrew Ross Sorkin on the next financial bubble, Pope Leo goes to Hollywood and Shezad Dawood on using art to profile the environment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Asian equities were mixed, while European equity markets are weaker. US equity futures are firmer with S&P up 0.5%. Bonds are firmer. US 10-year yield down 2 bps at 4.1%. Dollar firmer versus euro, Japanese yen and Aussie. Sterling little changed. Oil down, gold lower. Industrial metals weaker. Sentiment is still somewhat negative in Europe after Friday's selloff on rising uncertainty in AI complex and rotation out of high-multiple equities. In addition, hawkish Fedspeak keeping December rate cut at 50/50 odds. Markets have also been assessing rising friction between Japan and China over PM Takaichi's comments on Taiwan. Beijing urged citizens to avoid travel and study in Japan. China's Coast Guard also sent armed ships through disputed waters near Senkaku Islands. Companies Mentioned: Goldman Sachs, Affinity Equity Partners, Airbus SE, Pratt & Whitney, Flydubai, Grindr