Podcasts about Beijing

This week on Sinica I'm joined by Robert Wright, author of The Moral Animal, Nonzero, and The Evolution of God, for a conversation that runs a little outside our usual beat, though China sits closer to its center than you'd expect. The occasion is his new book The God Test: Artificial Intelligence and Our Coming Cosmic Reckoning, which reads the AI revolution as the latest turn in a story going back billions of years. We get into the French Jesuit paleontologist Teilhard de Chardin's "noosphere," Bob's argument that we evolved large language models rather than engineered them, the cognitive empathy we've both long preached, and the two-word talking point — "But China!" — that Bob thinks is most likely to lead us astray.6:56 – Teilhard de Chardin, the noosphere, and why a planetary "global brain" has become necessary14:49 – Directionality without the mysticism: complexification, teleology, and the "cell's-eye view" worry21:57 – The God Test: is moral progress really the price of governing AI, and is that hopeless on a short clock?28:33 – Why Bob says we evolved large language models rather than built them, and the sycophancy problem that follows35:19 – Open weights and open source: a real safety argument, or competitiveness in safety's clothing?40:03 – Cognitive empathy as the master key, and the same capacity as an engine of deception48:06 – Arms-race fatalism and its limits: cheetahs, gazelles, and the rival who can pick up the phone53:40 – "But China": fear of Beijing, Anthropic and Amodei, Jeff Ding, and the chip-control backfire1:10:48 – Nonzero: game theory, common threats, and the takeoff scenarios that worry Bob most1:23:22 – Attribution error and projection, Ed Fredkin's old warning, and the actual first movePaying It Forward: Garrison Lovely, author of the forthcoming Obsolete (Nation Books) and the Substack of the same name on the AI race.Recommendations:Bob: Pantheon, the animated series on uploaded minds and emergent superintelligence; and the Crowded House song "Don't Dream It's Over."Kaiser: Kyle Chan's High Capacity podcast, especially his episode with Carnegie's Matt Sheehan, "Is China Getting Worried About AI?"; and Patrick O'Brian's Aubrey-Maturin novels.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Unfiltered Waters, Katie Hoff sits down with Rebecca Adlington, one of Great Britain's most accomplished swimmers. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, former world record holder, broadcaster, entrepreneur, and mother of three, Becky reflects on the journey that took her from Olympic glory in Beijing to building a life and legacy beyond the pool.The conversation explores Becky's unique relationship with swimming and competition. While many athletes thrive on race day, Becky reveals that she never loved competing and instead found her joy in the daily process of training. She opens up about the anxiety she felt leading into major competitions, the disappointment she carried after London 2012 despite winning two Olympic bronze medals, and how she learned to separate her identity from results.Katie and Becky also dive into motherhood, pregnancy loss, IVF journeys, and the realities of balancing family with a meaningful career. Becky shares her experience navigating multiple miscarriages, the anxiety that followed during pregnancy, and the lessons she has learned about resilience, trust, and giving herself grace through life's most challenging moments.Today, Becky's passion is transforming swimming at the grassroots level through her growing network of swim schools across the United Kingdom. She discusses her mission to improve water safety, expand access to swimming lessons, and create opportunities for future generations to develop confidence in the water. For Becky, the impact of swimming extends far beyond medals and records. It is about changing lives.From Olympic memories and career transitions to motherhood, purpose, and the power of trusting your path, this is an honest and inspiring conversation with one of swimming's most beloved champions.-----Subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform, and follow us on social media (https://linktr.ee/unfilteredwaters) for clips, bonus content, and updates throughout the week.-----FOLLOW KATIE ON:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kthoff7/-----SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSIM8health.com/discount/unfiltered for 10% offGO TO strava.com/challenges/6023 to join the Challengeendlesspools.com/unfiltered to unlock $1,000 offVisit speedo.com to shop suits, apparel and equipmentdreamrecovery.io use code UNFILTEREDTHIRTY for 30% off-----#UnfilteredWaters #Swimming #RebeccaAdlington

A record 242 U.S. cities have entry-level homes priced at $1 million or more and just under half of the cities are in California, a new report from Zillow found. CBS News business analyst Jill Schlesinger breaks down housing market prices, mortgage rates and more.U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a near-total social media ban, which will take effect next year, for kids under the age of 16. Similar bans are already in place in Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia. Leigh Kiniry reports.Oprah announces "Little Wonder" by Sophie Chen Keller as her latest book club selection. In the book, a mother and her son are separated in a busy train station in Beijing. The novel follows their new lives as they spend years searching for each other.The FDA has issued a warning letter to Happiest Baby Incorporated, the maker of the SNOO, for a number of violations. The FDA alleges the company sold some unauthorized products and also cited unsanitary conditions. Shanelle Kaul reports.CBS News contributor Arthur C. Brooks explains why he thinks a political candidate's infidelity should be a red flag for voters. Recently, high-profile candidates, including Senate hopefuls Graham Platner and Ken Paxton, have faced allegations about their personal conduct.The New York Knicks starting center Karl-Anthony Towns speaks to "CBS Mornings" about his team winning the NBA championship.Harlan Coben talks about casting for the Netflix adaptation of his 2023 bestselling novel "I Will Find You." The series stars Sam Worthington, who describes how fatherhood impacted him in his role and how he sees his character.

Healing That Ends in Beauty: Plant Medicine & Conscious Integration with Dr. Richard Grossman, LAc, OMD – Episode 452   Ayahuasca doesn't hand you a cure; it unlocks the healer already inside you. The visions may fade, but the capacity for pure, unconditional love remains. In this episode, host Peter Fenger sits down with Dr. Richard Grossman, a licensed acupuncturist, Doctor of Oriental Medicine, and author of “Trust and Forgive: The Medicine of Your Life”. Dr. Grossman's lifelong dedication to the healing arts began in the wake of profound early trauma, sparking a fascination with the interconnected power of plants and the human mind. After training in Los Angeles and studying in Beijing under a World Health Organization program, he spent decades weaving together Oriental medicine, functional medicine, and deep spiritual practice. His extensive work with Ayahuasca and sound healing, shaped by years of study alongside indigenous shamans in Ecuador and Peru, has evolved into a unique synthesis of Amazonian shamanism, energy medicine, and multisensory ceremony. Today, Dr. Grossman guides individuals toward profound emotional, physical, and spiritual transformation, always rooted in a singular, core intention: helping others step out of suffering by discovering the source of joy within. Join us as we explore his journey from early trauma to a lifetime of healing, diving deep into the therapeutic dimensions of plant medicine, the role of sacred music, the integration of ceremonial insights, and how personal transformation ultimately contributes to collective healing.   For more information about “Trust and Forgive: The Medicine of Your Life” by Dr. Richard Grossman, please visit: https://www.amazon.com/Trust-Forgive-Medicine-Journey-Starts/dp/B0DCD87XN6 For more information about Dr. Richard Grossman and his work, please visit: https://heartfeather.com If you would like to subscribe to The Medicine of Your Life newsletter, please visit: https://heartfeather.substack.com/subscribe

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Beyond the Dragon Boats: A Journey of Courage and Change Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-06-16-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 北京首都国际机场的夏天，一个忙碌的早晨。En: A summer morning at Beijing Capital International Airport, bustling and busy.Zh: 在高高的天棚下，空气中飘着粽子的香味，正在庆祝端午节。En: Beneath the high ceiling, the air carries the scent of zongzi, as everyone is celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival.Zh: 这里人来人往，大家都有自己的目的地。En: People come and go, each with their own destination.Zh: 有的人匆匆忙忙，有的人轻装简行。En: Some are rushing, others travel lightly.Zh: 五月是个特殊的日子，她要离开家人，去国外读书。En: For May, it is a special day; she is leaving her family to study abroad.Zh: “姐，你真的要走吗？”玲抬头看着她的姐姐，眼中是难以掩饰的失落。En: "Sis, are you really leaving?" Ling looks up at her sister, unable to hide the sadness in her eyes.Zh: “是的，我要去一个新的地方学习。”五月微微一笑，试图安慰妹妹，也安慰自己。En: "Yes, I'm going to a new place to study." May smiles gently, trying to comfort her sister and herself.Zh: 离别总是难过的，尤其是在端午节。端午节时，大家应该围坐在一起，吃粽子，看赛龙舟。En: Parting is always hard, especially during the Dragon Boat Festival, a time when everyone should gather to eat zongzi and watch the dragon boat races.Zh: 但五月决定，这一次她要抓住这个机会，去看看外面的世界。En: But May has decided to take this opportunity to see the world beyond.Zh: “孩子，到了那边后，要记得每天吃饭，好好学习。”陈握着女儿的手，声音有些沙哑。En: "Child, remember to eat every day and study well once you're there," Chen says, clutching his daughter's hand, his voice slightly hoarse.Zh: 作为父亲，他为自己的女儿自豪，却也担心远方的未知。En: As a father, he is proud of his daughter yet worried about the unknown far away.Zh: 五月转过身，望着忙碌的候机大厅。心中有一万个不舍，但她知道这是一个成长的必经之路。En: Turning towards the bustling waiting hall, May feels a deep reluctance, but she knows this is a necessary step in her growth.Zh: 不远处，是一片热闹的商店与餐馆，人们忙着为即将出发的家人买些小礼物。En: Not far away, shops and restaurants buzz with activity, as people buy small gifts for family members about to depart.Zh: 而她的家人，为她精心准备了一个小型的送别仪式。En: Her family has prepared a small farewell ceremony just for her.Zh: “好啦，我们去那边坐一会儿吧。”五月提议道，轻轻拉起妹妹的小手，走向他们家的小聚会场地。En: "Alright, let's go sit over there for a while," May suggests, gently pulling her sister's small hand, leading her toward their little family gathering spot.Zh: 她知道，这次分别，可能是很长一段时间内最后的欢聚。En: She knows this farewell might be their last joyful time together for quite some time.Zh: 时间渐渐逼近登机的时刻，五月的心跳渐渐加快。En: As the time for boarding nears, May's heartbeat quickens.Zh: 她站在登机口，紧紧抱住父母和妹妹。En: Standing at the boarding gate, she hugs her parents and sister tightly.Zh: 玲趁此机会，将一个小巧的龙舟挂件塞进她的手中。En: Ling, seizing the moment, slips a small dragon boat trinket into her hand.Zh: “姐，希望这个能给你带来好运。”玲嘟囔着。En: "Sis, I hope this brings you luck," Ling murmurs.Zh: 五月低头看看那精致的挂件，感受到家人的祝福。En: May looks down at the delicate trinket, feeling her family's blessings.Zh: 她眨了眨眼睛，努力控制住涌上来的泪水。En: She blinks, trying to hold back the tears welling up.Zh: 随着广播中传来登机的通知，五月知道，是时候开始新的旅途了。En: With the boarding announcement over the speakers, May knows it's time to start her new journey.Zh: 她深吸一口气，感到肩上的责任和期望。En: She takes a deep breath, aware of the responsibilities and expectations on her shoulders.Zh: 终于，五月轻轻松开家人的手，一步步走进登机口。En: Finally, May gently releases her family's hands and steps toward the boarding gate.Zh: 她回过头，挥手告别，脸上带着微笑，就算眼中有泪。En: She turns back, waves goodbye, and smiles, even with tears in her eyes.Zh: 飞机起飞时，天空中的白云渐渐隐去北京的地平线。En: As the plane takes off, the white clouds gradually obscure the horizon of Beijing.Zh: 五月心中充满了对未来的期待。En: May's heart fills with anticipation for the future.Zh: 她知道，家人的爱会伴随她一起去远方，也会给她继续勇敢前行的力量。En: She knows her family's love will accompany her to distant places and give her the strength to continue moving forward bravely. Vocabulary Words:bustling: 忙碌的beneath: 在...下面scent: 香味destination: 目的地rushing: 匆匆忙忙parting: 离别opportunity: 机会clutching: 紧握reluctance: 不舍farewell: 送别passionate: 热闹的ceremony: 仪式gathering: 聚会quickens: 加快seizing: 趁此机会trinket: 小挂件murmurs: 嘟囔delicate: 精致的welling: 涌上来announcement: 通知anticipation: 期待obscure: 隐去strength: 力量accompany: 伴随beyond: 之外gently: 轻轻hoarse: 沙哑reluctant: 不愿enchanting: 迷人的courage: 勇敢

Chinese President Xi Jinping has held talks with President of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing in Beijing, calling on both sides to steadily advance the construction of key projects to help Myanmar develop its economy and improve livelihoods.

Terug naar het Koude-Oorlogscenario | Anthropic en de strategische toegang tot AI | Xi's beleid niet goed voor China zelf Rusland houdt ondanks een stagnerende economie de mogelijkheid van prikacties tegen NAVO-landen nadrukkelijk open. Arend Jan Boekestijn en Rob de Wijk leggen uit hoe Moskou met relatief goedkope operaties de westerse eensgezindheid probeert te breken, terwijl NAVO-landen juist miljarden investeren in afschrikking die idealiter nooit wordt ingezet. Europese defensiepolitiek schuift daarmee terug naar een Koude-Oorlogsscenario, waarin het ontbreken van oorlog het bewijs van succes moet zijn. Poetin verhoogt tegelijk de nucleaire druk wanneer Oekraïne militair succes boekt, maar reageert opvallend laconiek op droneaanvallen op Russisch grondgebied. De Wijk herinnert aan 2022, toen Amerikaanse diensten de kans op Russische kernwapeninzet rond Cherson op vijftig procent inschatten en Washington via geheime kanalen ingreep. De combinatie van druk op het slagveld en Poetins afhankelijke positie maakt de nucleaire drempel de komende jaren eerder brozer dan steviger. Xi Jinping verdubbelt intussen zijn strategische gok op Rusland, ondanks een verzwakkende Chinese economie en toenemende westerse handelsbelemmeringen. Boekestijn en De Wijk schetsen hoe Beijing via technologie en grondstoffen de wereldorde wil kantelen ten gunste van China, terwijl de Europese Unie reageert met technologisch protectionisme, een eigen AI-strategie en nauwere banden met India. De vraag hoeveel speelruimte Europa overhoudt tussen Washington en Beijing, hangt nu af van Xi’s bereidheid om Poetin ooit echt te laten vallen. [Samenvatting geschreven door AI en gecontroleerd door mens] Over de Podcast Arend Jan Boekestijn en Rob de Wijk gaan onder leiding van Hugo Reitsma op zoek naar de nieuwe wereldorde. Wat betekenen oorlog, machtspolitiek en economische verschuivingen voor Europa en Nederland? In elke aflevering duiken zij in de geopolitieke actualiteit. Genomineerd voor de Zilveren Reissmicrofoon 2026, winnaar van de Dutch Podcast Awards 2022 in de categorie Nieuws & Politiek. Reageren? Op X: @ajboekestijn en @robdewijk Bluesky: @hugoreitsma.bsky.social Mail: boekestijnendewijk@bnr.nl Over de makers: Arend Jan Boekestijn is een Nederlands historicus en voormalig politicus. Hij studeerde geschiedenis en politieke wetenschappen aan de Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam. Boekestijn is voormalig Tweede Kamerlid (tot 2009). Sinds 1989 is hij verbonden aan de vakgroep geschiedenis van de Universiteit Utrecht en sinds 2016 lid van commissie Vrede en Veiligheid van AIV. Rob de Wijk studeerde eigentijdse geschiedenis en internationale betrekkingen, promoveerde op kernwapenstrategieën, werd hoogleraar in Leiden en richtte in 2007 het Den Haag Centrum voor Strategische Studies op. Hugo Reitsma studeerde rechten en politicologie. Hij werkte eerder als politiek verslaggever en vanuit verschillende conflictgebieden. Hij is auteur van het boek ‘Boekestijn en De Wijk voorspellen de toekomst’ (november 2023).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump attended the G7 summit Monday, after announcing the previous day the completion of a historic U.S.–Iran peace deal. Oil prices fell to their lowest level since March, and global stocks have risen since the deal with Iran was announced.Trump told reporters at the summit that he will now focus on Ukraine and that he "had a very good conversation yesterday" with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt joins Kenneth Bass, LA Mayor Karen Bass's brother, in a lawsuit suing the city for "reckless negligence that led to the destruction of our homes," Pratt wrote in an X post.Google reports a Beijing-linked hacking group was secretly stealing data from U.S. and Canadian academic, medical, and military research institutions for over a year before being detected.

【欢迎订阅】 每天早上5:30，准时更新。 【阅读原文】 标题：The world comes to ChinaForeign officials have flocked to China's leader this year, boosting Beijing's efforts to portray itself as a pillar of stability正文：World leaders have been beating a steady path this year to see China.Through the first five months of 2026, 21 heads of state or government visited the country,according to Financial Times calculations based on foreign ministry data and state media. They included the leaders of Turkmenistan,Uruguay and Mozambique, as well as Germany's Friedrich Merz, Spain's Pedro Sánchez, Canada's Mark Carney and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin also held back-to-back summits with China this month,underscoring the diplomatic weight now concentrated in Beijing.知识点：beat a path v. phr. /biːt ə pæθ/to rush to get somewhere or see someone, often in large numbers 争相前往；络绎不绝地赶去• Fans beat a path to the stadium to watch the championship final. 球迷们争先恐后涌向体育场观看冠军决赛。• If you build a better mousetrap, the world will beat a path to your door. 你若造出更好的捕鼠器，世人自会踏破门槛来找你。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。

US and Iranian officials have confirmed an agreement on a framework to end the war, halt the US blockade on Iranian ports, and reopen the Strait of Hormuz (01:01). Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing is in Beijing for a state visit to China (13:57). The number of confirmed Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has surpassed 780, including over 170 deaths (22:08).

It's not clear which states are involved, but they're asking about everything from OpenAI's ad policies to its handling of health data. Also, Meta started dismantling its $2 billion Manus acquisition after Beijing ordered the deal reversed. And, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy may have been the source of security concerns that led Anthropic to cut off worldwide access to two models on Friday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The National Security Hour with LTC Sargis Sangari – China's military corruption weakens combat readiness as Beijing faces mounting pressure from energy insecurity, demographic decline, debt, surveillance expansion, and technological rivalry. The United States and its allies gain a rare opportunity to strengthen supply chains, defend Taiwan's semiconductor edge, counter authoritarian exports, and shape a safer global balance order...

The National Security Hour with LTC Sargis Sangari – China's military corruption weakens combat readiness as Beijing faces mounting pressure from energy insecurity, demographic decline, debt, surveillance expansion, and technological rivalry. The United States and its allies gain a rare opportunity to strengthen supply chains, defend Taiwan's semiconductor edge, counter authoritarian exports, and shape a safer global balance order...

【欢迎订阅】 每天早上5:30，准时更新。 【阅读原文】 标题：Nvidia chief Jensen Huang to join board at prestigious Beijing universityChipmaker boss's move to join Tim Cook-chaired board underlines push to maintain ties with China正文：Jensen Huang has agreed to join the advisory board of a prestigious Chinese university that counts Apple's Tim Cook as chair, as the Nvidia chief pushes to maintain ties with Beijing. Huang, who accompanied US President Donald Trump on his recent visit to China, has accepted an invitation from Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management to join its advisory board, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. The appointment has not yet been formally announced by either Nvidia or the university. Huang was one of several tech luminaries who joined Trump on the trip for diplomatic talks.知识点：advisory /ədˈvaɪzəri/（形容词）本义为“咨询的、提供建议的”，外刊机构与治理语境核心义为顾问的、咨询的（特指为机构、组织提供专业建议和战略指导的，是描述各类顾问委员会、咨询机构的标准形容词）核心搭配：advisory board、advisory committee、advisory council、advisory role、advisory panel・The government established an advisory board to provide expert advice on climate change policies. 政府成立了一个顾问委员会，为气候变化政策提供专业建议。・Jensen Huang has agreed to join the advisory board of Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management. 黄仁勋已同意加入清华大学经济管理学院的顾问委员会。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。

Major cities report sharp increases in departure tax refund transactions各大城市离境退税业务量大幅增长Chinese-made drones, smartphones, action cameras and designer toys are increasingly replacing tea, porcelain and panda-themed gifts on foreign tourists' shopping lists in China, as they increasingly seek innovative, higher-value products offering strong value for money, advanced features and models often unavailable abroad, according to customs authorities across the country.全国海关表示，外国游客在华购物清单中，国产无人机、智能手机、运动相机、潮流玩具正逐步取代茶叶、瓷器、熊猫周边礼品。如今他们更青睐创意足、附加值高的商品，这类产品性价比出众、功能先进，且很多款式在海外难以买到。Bolstered by the "Shopping in China" campaign and the growing popularity of the "China Travel" trend, customs authorities in major cities have reported sharp increases in departure tax refund transactions during the first five months, and expect the momentum to continue throughout the year.依托“购在中国”活动以及“中国游”热度持续攀升，各大城市海关数据显示，今年前五个月离境退税业务量大幅上涨，业内预计这一势头将贯穿全年。Customs officials at Nanjing Lukou International Airport in Jiangsu province verified 1,171 departure tax refund applications during the January-May period, covering tax-refundable goods worth 26.67 million yuan ($3.94 million), up 173.6 percent and 32.42 percent year-on-year, respectively, said Nanjing Customs.南京海关介绍，今年1至5月，江苏南京禄口国际机场海关共审核通过1171笔离境退税申请，退税商品总值达2667万元人民币（折合394万美元），同比分别增长173.6%和32.42%。Zhang Qian, a customs official at the airport, said that as departure tax refund transactions continue to rise, new trends are emerging in shopping preferences of foreign visitors.该机场海关工作人员张茜表示，随着离境退税业务不断增多，外国游客的购物偏好也出现了新趋势。"Chinese-made smart electronic products and trendy domestic cultural and creative goods have become increasingly popular among foreign travelers, attracting growing interest with their quality, innovation and distinctive Chinese appeal," said Zhang.她说道：“国产智能电子产品、新潮文创商品深受外国游客喜爱，凭借优良品质、创新设计和浓郁的中国特色收获了越来越多关注。”Hong Yang, another customs official at Ningbo Customs' airport branch in Zhejiang province shared similar views.浙江宁波海关机场办事处工作人员洪洋也持相同看法。"Fashion apparel, beauty products and premium lifestyle goods are also gaining traction among foreign travelers departing from Ningbo," she said.她表示：“时装、美妆产品以及高端生活日用品，也越来越受到从宁波离境的外国游客青睐。”Guan Lixin, a researcher specializing in marketing and consumption at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing, said the shift in foreign visitors' purchasing patterns reflects how Chinese brands are moving up the value chain and gaining recognition among consumers worldwide. Many products also offer better value and a wider selection of models than those available overseas.北京商务部国际贸易经济合作研究院流通与消费研究所的研究员关利欣认为，外国游客消费偏好的转变，体现出中国品牌正迈向价值链高端，获得全球消费者认可。不少国产商品性价比更高，款式选择也比海外市场更丰富。Guan said the trend also highlights the growing appeal of shopping as part of the travel experience in China, with foreign visitors seeking unique products that combine practical value, cultural elements and memorable experiences.关利欣称，这一趋势也说明，购物已成为中国旅行体验中极具吸引力的一环，外国游客偏爱兼具实用性、文化特色且能留下美好回忆的特色商品。To further enhance the shopping experience for foreign visitors, the Shanghai municipal government recently rolled out a new departure tax refund program, introducing new measures such as upgraded end-to-end digital tax refund services and improved digital verification services at ports of departure.为进一步优化外国游客购物体验，上海市政府近期推出全新离境退税方案，升级全流程线上退税服务，并完善口岸线上核验等多项举措。Shanghai Customs processed 201,000 departure tax refund verification forms between January and May, with refund-eligible purchases totaling 1.92 billion yuan, up 300 percent and 62 percent year-on-year, respectively, underscoring the growing popularity of tax-free shopping among foreign visitors.今年1至5月，上海海关共审核20.1万份离境退税单据，退税消费总额达19.2亿元人民币，同比分别增长300%和62%，足以体现免税购物在外国游客中愈发受欢迎。In the Chinese capital, Beijing Customs verified 87,906 departure tax refund applications during the first five months, involving refund-eligible purchases worth 758 million yuan, up 612.42 percent and 53.13 percent year-on-year, respectively.首都北京方面，北京海关前五个月共审核通过87906笔离境退税申请，退税商品总额7.58亿元人民币，同比分别上涨612.42%和53.13%。In a further move to encourage spending by international travelers, the Ministry of Commerce and several other government departments unveiled a new departure tax refund program in May aimed at optimizing departure tax refund services and expanding inbound consumption.为进一步提振境外游客消费，商务部等多部门于5月发布全新离境退税相关方案，旨在优化退税服务、扩大入境消费规模。The policy package includes broader coverage of departure tax refund stores, paperless processing, enhanced refund-upon-purchase services and more efficient verification procedures.该系列政策包括扩大退税商店覆盖范围、推行无纸化办理、优化即买即退服务以及简化核验流程。The measures will make refund-upon-purchase services more convenient by enabling travelers to complete tax refund procedures at any eligible port of departure, said Yang Mu, director of the department of market operation and consumption promotion at the Ministry of Commerce.商务部市场运行和消费促进司司长杨沐表示，新规允许游客在任意合规离境口岸办理退税，将大幅提升即买即退服务的便捷度。transaction /trænˈzækʃn/交易；业务办理momentum /məˈmentəm/势头；发展趋势verification /ˌverɪfɪˈkeɪʃn/核验；审核premium /ˈpriːmiəm/高端的；优质的underscore /ˌʌndəˈskɔː(r)/强调；凸显unveil /ʌnˈveɪl/公布；推出（政策、方案）

Episode 4144 │ June 13, 2026 Xi named America's decline. Trump called it an honor to be his friend. China has been building to this moment since the first panda sent West in 1869. WHAT THIS EPISODE COVERS Part Five of the Panda Gambit series delivers the series finale — and the series close Scott Kesterson has been building toward since La Pine, Oregon said no to a data center. The episode opens with an honest corrective: this series has documented Western imperial actions against China and China's strategic return to global power, but the evidence does not support a simple story of deserved Western punishment. Mao Zedong killed between 40 and 80 million of his own people — one of the largest self-inflicted death tolls in human history — and the question of what the Han resistance networks did or did not do to stop it remains unresolved and must be asked plainly. Scott then delivers the Iran campaign weapons math that explains why Trump flew to Beijing rather than the other way around: 45% of Precision Strike Missile stockpile burned, half of THAAD interceptors gone at a production rate of 96 per year, over 1,000 Tomahawks expended representing ten years of production — all while a $50,000 Iranian drone forced a $3.4 million THAAD intercept at a 68-to-1 cost ratio that emptied American magazines. The Beijing summit of May 13-15, 2026 is examined in full: Xi's opening sentence naming the Thucydides Trap and framing China as Athens and America as Sparta, Trump's response calling it an honor to be Xi's friend, the Truth Social post six hours later in which Trump accepted Xi's framing of American decline, the room full of US corporate titans whose primary interests are already shaped toward accommodation with Beijing, and an outcome Goldman Sachs described as deal momentum becoming managed coexistence — with no rare earth deal, no AI framework, a Boeing announcement China never confirmed, and a beef agreement reversed within hours. The 157-year arc from the panda's 1869 Western introduction through the Beijing summit is mapped through the Pixiu cosmological lens. The episode closes with the sharpest distinction the series can offer: China's Mandate of Heaven flows downward from emperor to people — the American republic was founded on the structurally opposite principle that rights flow from God to each individual person, and governments are instituted to protect what each person already holds. The oligarchs operating across all three systems — Chinese, Russian, and American — are behaving as if they hold a mandate the American founding never granted them. La Pine gets the last word. KEY QUESTIONS ADDRESSED What does the Iran campaign weapons math reveal about why Trump flew to Beijing — and what does it mean that the US military cannot rebuild Tomahawk and THAAD inventories without Chinese rare earth materials? What did Xi say in his opening sentence at the Beijing summit — and what did Trump's response, both in the room and on Truth Social six hours later, reveal about the negotiating position America arrived with? Who was in the room with Trump in Beijing — and when Elon Musk sat across from Xi with Tesla's primary manufacturing base on Chinese soil, who exactly was he representing? What is the 157-year arc from the panda's 1869 Western introduction to the May 2026 summit — and how does the Pixiu cosmology explain what actually crossed the border after two days of summit diplomacy? What is the sharpest distinction between China's Mandate of Heaven cosmology and the American founding principle — and why does it matter that concentrated oligarch power is claiming a mandate the republic never granted? ABOUT BARDSFM BardsFM is a daily independent podcast covering faith, liberty, history, and information warfare. Hosted by Scott Kesterson — combat veteran, documentary filmmaker, and rancher. Over 4,100 episodes and 50 million lifetime downloads. New episodes every weekday. bards.fm

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Forbidden Conversations: Art, History, and New Beginnings Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-06-13-22-34-01-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 北京的午后阳光洒在紫禁城的古老墙壁上，温暖而祥和。En: The afternoon sun in Beijing poured over the ancient walls of the Forbidden City, warm and peaceful.Zh: 正值端午节，一年中最忙碌的时节之一，人们纷纷涌入故宫博物院，欣赏其中的艺术展览。En: It was the Dragon Boat Festival, one of the busiest times of the year, and people flocked to the Palace Museum to admire its art exhibitions.Zh: 连是个大学生，对历史和艺术充满热情。En: Lian is a university student with a passion for history and art.Zh: 她带着记事本，努力寻找灵感，希望为她的明朝艺术论文增添一抹独特的色彩。En: Armed with her notebook, she was eager to find inspiration, hoping to add a unique touch to her paper on Ming Dynasty art.Zh: 然而，人群拥挤，嘈杂声让她有些失去专注。En: However, the crowded and noisy environment made it hard for her to concentrate.Zh: 与此同时，陈身着整齐的导游制服，正在引导一群游客。En: Meanwhile, Chen, dressed in a neat tour guide uniform, was leading a group of tourists.Zh: 他对中国历史有着深厚的了解，讲解时口若悬河。En: With a deep understanding of Chinese history, he was eloquent in his explanations.Zh: 然而，他心底渴望的是一个不被固定行程限制的自由生活。En: Yet, deep down, he longed for a life not confined by fixed itineraries.Zh: 陈注意到，坐在一旁的连目光时不时地从人群上移开，专注于她的笔记本。En: Chen noticed Lian occasionally looking away from the crowd, focusing on her notebook.Zh: 在人们渐渐离开博物馆走向外面的热闹，连决定留下。En: As people gradually left the museum for the bustling outside, Lian decided to stay.Zh: 她期盼在更多静谧的环境中找到原始的艺术灵感。En: She hoped to find raw artistic inspiration in a more tranquil environment.Zh: 陈结束了他的导游工作，看到这个还在逗留的女孩。En: Chen finished his tour guide duties and noticed the girl who lingered behind.Zh: 他看见她坐在博物馆的长椅上，目光温柔且专注。En: He saw her sitting on a museum bench, her gaze gentle and focused.Zh: 陈走上前，轻声说道：“你似乎对这里很感兴趣。”En: Chen approached and softly said, “You seem very interested in this place.”Zh: 连抬起头，微微一笑：“是的，这里的每一件艺术品都有它自己的故事。”En: Lian looked up and smiled slightly, “Yes, each piece of art here has its own story.”Zh: “你是在为论文收集素材吧？”陈问，语气中带着些许好奇。En: “You're collecting material for a paper, aren't you?” Chen asked, a hint of curiosity in his tone.Zh: 两人开始了愉快的交谈。En: The two engaged in a pleasant conversation.Zh: 他们聊起中国的艺术与历史，谈起在明朝时期所创造的辉煌作品。En: They talked about Chinese art and history, discussing the magnificent works created during the Ming Dynasty.Zh: 空旷的博物馆回响着他们的语声，像是一场年华的交汇。En: Their voices echoed through the spacious museum, like a convergence of eras.Zh: 不知不觉，有好几个小时过去了。En: Before they knew it, several hours had passed.Zh: 连发现自己对论文的方向有了更多的灵感，而陈则感受到一种从未有过的鼓励与理解。En: Lian found herself with more inspiration for the direction of her paper, while Chen felt a new sense of encouragement and understanding.Zh: 陈看着连，心中升起一种想要追求更自由生活的决心。En: Chen looked at Lian, a resolution to pursue a freer lifestyle rising within him.Zh: “我想我该试着自由发挥我的历史知识，”陈说道。En: “I think I should try to freely express my knowledge of history,” Chen said.Zh: “也许我可以成为自由文化故事讲述者。”En: “Maybe I can become a freelance cultural storyteller.”Zh: 连微笑着回应：“我等着看到你为这个梦想所做的一切。”En: Lian smiled in response, “I look forward to seeing all that you do for this dream.”Zh: 他们在紫禁城的出口处互道再见，并约定再次相见。En: They bid farewell at the exit of the Forbidden City, promising to meet again.Zh: 太阳余晖洒在他们的背影上，将未来的期许和现在的欣喜投射在这古老而鲜活的城市。En: The setting sun cast its glow on their retreating figures, projecting the expectations of the future and the joys of the present onto this ancient and vibrant city. Vocabulary Words:poured: 洒ancient: 古老flocked: 涌入admire: 欣赏exhibitions: 展览passion: 热情inspiration: 灵感unique: 独特的crowded: 拥挤concentration: 专注eloquent: 口若悬河confined: 限制itineraries: 行程tranquil: 静谧linger: 逗留gaze: 目光occasional: 时不时地conversation: 交谈magnificent: 辉煌spacious: 空旷convergence: 交汇expression: 发挥freelance: 自由storyteller: 讲述者farewell: 再见expectations: 期许retreating: 背影vibrant: 鲜活encouragement: 鼓励resolution: 决心

Is Vietnam quietly drifting into China's orbit, and what does that mean for the United States and the future of Southeast Asia? Dr. Nguyễn Khắc Giang explains why Hanoi is hedging harder than ever because, as the Vietnamese saying goes, "when the buffaloes and oxen lock horns, the mosquitoes and flies suffer."In this episode, Ray Powell and Jim Carouso sit down with Dr. Giang, Visiting Fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, to unpack his provocative Carnegie essay, "Why Vietnam Is Swinging in China's Direction." Giang argues that Vietnam isn't becoming pro-China, it's hedging in a world where US policy feels unpredictable and China is offering concrete benefits: market access, infrastructure, technology, and political reassurance.The conversation moves from geopolitics to economics: US tariffs, transshipment concerns, Vietnam's export boom, and the risk of being crushed between Washington and Beijing. Giang explains Vietnam's delicate formula: stay close enough to China to manage the relationship, but distant enough to preserve its independence.Ray and Jim also dig into Vietnam's defense strategy and its slow move beyond Russian weapons, then go inside Vietnamese politics under General Secretary Tô Lâm, whose consolidation of power is making foreign policy faster, more personal, and more ambitious.In this episode:Why Vietnam is one of Asia's most important "swing states"US tariffs, transshipment, and Vietnam's export boomChina's high-speed rail and technology offerVietnam's arms diversification beyond RussiaTô Lâm's consolidation of power and the "Blazing Furnace" anti-corruption campaignVietnam's reaction to the Trump-Xi summitSubscribe for weekly Indo-Pacific analysis from a former US military officer and a former US diplomat who've spent their careers in the region.Follow Dr. Nguyễn Khắc Giang on LinkedIn or on X, @khacgiangFollow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast, LinkedIn, or FacebookFollow Ray Powell on X, @GordianKnotRay, or LinkedIn, or check out his maritime transparency work at SeaLightFollow Jim Carouso on LinkedInSponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: From Rooftop Lanterns to New Beginnings: A Duanwu Festival Tale Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-06-12-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 北京的中央商务区，傍晚时分，微风轻拂。En: In Beijing's Central Business District, during the evening, a gentle breeze blew.Zh: 写字楼的屋顶花园上，挂着传统的花灯。En: Traditional lanterns were hung in the rooftop garden of an office building.Zh: 节日的气息弥漫在空气中，带着粽子和糯米的香味。En: The festive atmosphere filled the air, carrying the scent of zongzi and glutinous rice.Zh: 今天是端午节，公司举办了一个屋顶聚会。En: Today was the Duanwu Festival, and the company was hosting a rooftop party.Zh: 魏，一个内向的金融分析师，总是梦想冒险，却很少有勇气走出自己的舒适区。En: Wei, an introverted financial analyst, always dreamed of adventure but rarely had the courage to step out of his comfort zone.Zh: 他站在一角，望着城市的天际线，心中隐隐有些期待。En: He stood in a corner, gazing at the city's skyline, feeling a subtle sense of anticipation.Zh: 旁边的梁正在轻松地和同事笑谈，但偶尔，她的目光也会扫向花园的另一端。En: Beside him, Liang was effortlessly chatting and laughing with colleagues, but occasionally, her eyes would glance to the other end of the garden.Zh: 天色渐暗，花灯的光晕变得愈发迷人。En: As dusk fell, the glow of the lanterns became increasingly enchanting.Zh: 魏终于鼓起勇气，决定靠近那个看似热情却也显得有些独立的女人。En: Wei finally mustered up the courage to approach the woman who seemed warm yet somewhat independent.Zh: 当他穿过人群时，两人不期而遇。En: As he walked through the crowd, the two accidentally met.Zh: 他局促地笑了笑，“你好，我是魏。”En: He gave a slightly awkward smile, "Hello, I'm Wei."Zh: 梁微微一愣，但很快笑着回应：“你好，我是梁。”En: Liang was momentarily surprised but quickly smiled and responded, "Hello, I'm Liang."Zh: 两人攀谈起来，从节日习俗聊到诗歌。En: They began to chat, discussing festival customs and poetry.Zh: 正当谈论到他们最爱的传统诗词时，一阵风吹来，屋顶装饰的一只纸风筝飘进了他们的手中。En: Just as they were talking about their favorite traditional poems, a gust of wind blew, and a paper kite from the rooftop decorations drifted into their hands.Zh: 两人相视一笑，感受到一种微妙的联系。En: They exchanged smiles, feeling a subtle connection.Zh: 魏心里一动，鼓起勇气建议：“这个周末有龙舟赛，你愿意一起去看看吗？”En: Encouraged by a feeling in his heart, Wei suggested, "There's a dragon boat race this weekend. Would you like to go watch it together?"Zh: 梁思索片刻，点头答应，“好啊，我也很喜欢看龙舟赛。”En: Liang pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement, "Sure, I also enjoy watching dragon boat races."Zh: 夜色渐浓，聚会接近尾声。En: As the night deepened, the party neared its end.Zh: 魏和梁互换了电话号码，约定周末再见。En: Wei and Liang exchanged phone numbers, agreeing to meet again over the weekend.Zh: 那一刻，魏感觉到一种久违的自由和勇气，而梁则仿佛在策马奔驰中找到了稳定的节奏。En: In that moment, Wei felt a long-lost sense of freedom and courage, while Liang seemed to find a steady rhythm in a galloping ride.Zh: 风继续吹拂，带走了一些温暖。En: The wind continued to blow, taking away some warmth.Zh: 北京的夜空，星星在高楼之间闪烁。En: In the night sky of Beijing, stars twinkled between the tall buildings.Zh: 端午节在触手可及的距离内为两人展开了一个新的开始。En: The Duanwu Festival laid the groundwork for a new beginning between the two.Zh: 魏不再是那个害怕迈出第一步的人，而梁也开始相信，承诺并不一定意味着束缚。En: Wei was no longer afraid to take the first step, and Liang began to believe that commitment doesn't necessarily mean restriction.Zh: 屋顶花园的会话，是魏和梁故事的开始，而未来，是一段新的诗篇慢慢展开。En: The conversation in the rooftop garden marked the beginning of Wei and Liang's story, while the future unfolded like a new poem. Vocabulary Words:gentle: 轻breeze: 微风lanterns: 花灯festive: 节日的glutinous: 糯米introverted: 内向的courage: 勇气anticipation: 期待subtle: 隐隐dusk: 天色渐暗enchanting: 迷人mustered: 鼓起independent: 独立awkward: 局促customs: 习俗gust: 阵风decorations: 装饰pondered: 思索rhythm: 节奏galloping: 策马奔驰twinkled: 闪烁commitment: 承诺restriction: 束缚groundwork: 展开venture: 走出corner: 一角glanced: 扫decorations: 装饰kite: 风筝steadfast: 稳定

We talk moves by Beijing to claim ownership of waters east of Taiwan, possible stricter export controls on AI chip sales to China and guidelines on AI-generated content in the media. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Imagine hopping on a train and reaching another continent in just minutes—sounds like science fiction, right? Well, scientists are working on a futuristic vacuum tube train that could make it possible! This concept, called hyperloop or vactrain, would use airtight tunnels with super-low air resistance, allowing trains to travel at nearly the speed of sound. That means a trip from New York to London or Paris to Beijing could be faster than a regular plane ride! The technology is still in development, but if it works, it could change travel forever—no long flights, no jet lag, just smooth, ultra-fast rides. Who knows? In the future, your next vacation might start with a train ride across the ocean!

Participants at the two-day Forum on Global Human Rights Governance in Beijing have discussed how to balance green development with human rights protection (07:17). US President Donald Trump says he called off strikes against Iran scheduled for Thursday night, again claiming a deal is near completion (15:19). A UN report says conflict, violence and persecution displaced more than 117 million people by the end of 2025, the first decline in forced displacement in a decade (24:13).

Can Trump and Xi’s new ‘constructive’ framework bring stability to the US-China dynamic? Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 45 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests. In this episode, host Ravi Velloor speaks with Wang Xiangwei, the eminent Hongkong-based China scholar and former editor-in-chief of South China Morning Post. Wang, who is soon heading to the Harvard Kennedy School of Government as a Senior Visiting Fellow, offers a Chinese perspective on the changing dynamics of the US-China relationship, with Beijing now treated as a near-peer by Washington, and increasingly able to set the agenda. US President Donald Trump, he says, is the most China-friendly person in his Cabinet and the days when even Chinese garlic was treated as a national security risk are long over. In an odd way, China does not wish to see the US retrench from Asia entirely. Highlights (click/tap above): 1:26 How things have changed in US-China ties 5:20 ‘G-2’ is in place now, and China a peer equal 8:55 Goodbye, Indo-Pacific 13:20 Up ahead, long period of stability 16:17 For the first time, China sets the agenda 20:36 Boards of trade, investment 26:22 Surprise, Surprise…China wants US to stay in Asia! Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz Host: Ravi Velloor (velloor@sph.com.sg) Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani Executive producer: Ernest Luis Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg --- Follow more ST podcast channels: All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7 Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa --- Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section: The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX --- #STAsianInsiderSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria Coates highlights Taiwan's indispensable role in the global AI revolution through TSMC's high-end chip production, which the U.S. and China currently cannot replicate. She emphasizes that Taiwan's engineering "super workers" are a state secret. Coates also discusses the political friction in Washington regarding arms sales and the need for Taiwan to increase its own defense spending. (3)1904 BEIJING

Episode 4142 │ June 10, 2026 China has used pandas as a precision geopolitical weapon for 1,400 years. The same strategy that sent bears to Nixon sent Trump to Beijing. Part Four of the Panda Gambit series moves from symbol to weapon, documenting 1,400 years of Chinese panda diplomacy as a precision instrument of state power — from Empress Wu Zetian's 658 AD deployment to Japan through Nixon's National Zoo gift to the 2023 mass global recall that mapped China's alliance structure in real time. Scott Kesterson unpacks the five mythological layers of the Pixiu — the panda's imperial name — including its roles as military sovereignty marker, wealth accumulator, cosmic axis, war-stopping authority, and legitimacy seal, and explains why the panda's black and white markings physically embody the Yin-Yang of Heaven's Mandate. The episode exposes the China Wildlife Conservation Association, the opaque nonprofit receiving $32.5 million annually in unaudited panda lease revenue from 32 countries, whose council includes executives from traditional Chinese medicine pharmaceutical companies documented using endangered animal parts, and whose illegal branches were wildlife breeding committees — not administrative offices. Scott then traces the 125-year thread from the 1901 Boxer Protocol indemnity through the founding of Tsinghua University on returned American funds to Stephen Schwarzman's personal endowment of a reverse scholarship program at the same institution — with Schwarzman seated in the Beijing summit delegation in May 2026. The episode closes by laying the rare earth fuse for Part Five: China controls 99% of global samarium, 79% of tungsten, and has tightened export controls in a calculated sequence from 2023 to 2025 — leaving the US military unable to rebuild Tomahawk and THAAD inventories without Chinese permission after the Iran campaign burned ten years of production. KEY QUESTIONS ADDRESSED What are the five mythological layers of the Pixiu — the panda's imperial name — and why does its presence or absence in a foreign capital signal peace or war under Chinese cosmological doctrine? What do the financial records of the China Wildlife Conservation Association actually reveal — and why are traditional Chinese medicine pharmaceutical executives sitting on its council? What is the 125-year thread connecting the Boxer Protocol indemnity, Tsinghua University, Stephen Schwarzman, and the May 2026 Beijing summit? How did China build a structural rare earth dependency into the US military supply chain over 30 years — and what does it cost America to rebuild after the Iran campaign? Why did an American president fly to Beijing rather than the other way around — and what did Xi say in his opening sentence? ABOUT BARDSFM BardsFM is a daily independent podcast covering faith, liberty, history, and information warfare. Hosted by Scott Kesterson — combat veteran, documentary filmmaker, and rancher. Over 4,100 episodes and 50 million lifetime downloads. New episodes every weekday. bards.fm Bards Nation Health Store: www.bardsnationhealth.com MYPillow promo code: BARDS >> Go to https://www.mypillow.com/bards and use the promo code BARDS or... Call 1-800-975-2939.  EMPShield protect your vehicles and home. Promo code BARDS: Click here Treadlite Broadforks...best garden tool EVER. Promo code BARDS26: TreadliteBroadforks.com EnviroKlenz Air Purification, promo code BARDS to save 10%: www.enviroklenz.com Morning Intro Music Provided by Brian Kahanek: www.briankahanek.com Founders Bible 20% discount code: BARDS >>> TheFoundersBible.com Windblown Media 20% Discount with promo code BARDS: windblownmedia.com White Oak Pastures Grassfed Meats, Get $20 off any order $150 or more. Promo Code BARDS: www.whiteoakpastures.com/BARDS Mission Darkness Faraday Bags and RF Shielding. Promo code BARDS: Click here If you wish to support this podcast directly you can donate here... DONATE: Click here Mailing Address: Xpedition Cafe, LLC Attn. Scott Kesterson 591 E Central Ave, #740 Sutherlin, OR  97479

In this special crossover episode between Global Dispatches and the Sinica Podcast, Kaiser Kuo and I use Xi Jinping's two-day visit to North Korea as an entrypoint to discuss how Chinese foreign policy has shifted in recent years — on the Korean Peninsula, in the Middle East, and at the United Nations. Kaiser Kuo is the founder and longtime host of Sinica, which has partnered with Global Dispatches so that paid subscribers to Global Dispatches can now get a 50 percent discount on a one-year subscription to Sinica. I'm also happy to announce that if you take advantage of this opportunity, you'll be helping not just Sinica but Global Dispatches — because the proceeds will be divided between the two of us! This partnership is part of the NonZero Network, of which Sinica and Global Dispatches are both members. Go here to take advantage of the offer.   

Ahmed Aboudouh — associate fellow at Chatham House's Middle East and North Africa Programme and head of the China Studies Unit at the Emirates Policy Center — joins Chris to assess the shifting architecture of power in the Middle East. He argues that China has no coherent regional strategy and that Washington's expectation of Chinese pressure on Tehran reflects a fundamental misreading of Beijing's interests and the limits of coercive statecraft. He traces how Egypt's diplomacy reflects a country that has traded regional leadership for crisis management, explains why Arab states want a normalized Iran rather than a weakened one, and argues that the war will intensify multi-alignment rather than force a binary choice between Washington and Beijing. With the Abraham Accords effectively dead, the United States faces a damning paradox of its own making: deeper military entanglement, eroding strategic credibility. Subscribe and share to stay ahead in the world of intelligence, global issues, and current affairs. More about Ahmed on Chatham House: https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/our-people/ahmed-aboudouh Connect with Ahmed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ahmed-aboudouh-346b1459/ Follow Ahmed on X: https://x.com/AAboudouh Read Ahmed's work for Chatham House "Why Egypt is helping to end the Iran war": https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/05/why-egypt-helping-end-iran-war "China will benefit from the Iran war, regardless of any deal between Trump and Tehran": https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/05/china-will-benefit-iran-war-regardless-any-deal-between-trump-and-tehran "China is playing the long game over Iran": https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/02/china-playing-long-game-over-iran Support Secrets and Spies Become a “Friend of the Podcast” on Patreon for £3/$4: https://www.patreon.com/SecretsAndSpies Buy merchandise from our shop: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/60934996 Buy us a coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/secretsandspies Subscribe to our YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDVB23lrHr3KFeXq4VU36dg For more information about the podcast, check out our website: https://secretsandspiespodcast.com Connect with us on social media Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/secretsandspies.bsky.social Instagram: https://instagram.com/secretsandspies Facebook: https://facebook.com/secretsandspies Spoutible: https://spoutible.com/SecretsAndSpies Follow Chris and Matt on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chriscarrfilm.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/mattfulton.net Secrets and Spies is produced by Films & Podcasts LTD: https://filmsandpodcasts.co.uk/ Music by Andrew R. Bird Photo by Bandar Algaloud/Saudi Royal Court, Chatham House Secrets and Spies sits at the intersection of intelligence, covert action, real-world espionage, and broader geopolitics in a way that is digestible but serious. Hosted by filmmaker Chris Carr and writer Matt Fulton, each episode examines the very topics that real intelligence officers and analysts consider on a daily basis through the lens of global events and geopolitics, featuring expert insights from former spies, authors, and journalists. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Market update for Thursday June 11thCheck out the Public app for incredible investing tools and to support the show (LINK)Follow us on Instagram (@TheRundownDaily) for bonus content and instant reactions.In today's episode, Zaid covers:A hot PPI inflation report and escalation with IranOracle's monster quarter that still sent the stock tumbling OpenAI weighing drastic price cuts as an AI price war brews with AnthropicNavan soars on earnings while Beijing slaps down Alibaba and JD.comWhy World Cup ticket prices are falling

On today's show Andrew and Bill begin with takeaways from Xi's visit to North Korea this week, including the conspicuous silence on North Korea's nuclearization, Kim Jong Un's assistance to Russia's war in Ukraine, Beijing as Kim's top priority, U.S.-Japan dialogue on regional nuclear threats, and an email about the PRC as a communist country. From there: CPPCC Chairman Wang Huning leads an inspection tour of Xinjiang ahead of the July 1st implementation of the national ethnic unity law, plus thoughts on Xinjiang's strategic importance generally and why Beijing sees its recent efforts as successful. At the end: China preps for an AI infrastructure buildout, the Pentagon alleges that Alibaba, Baidu and BYD are linked to the PLA, the Busan truce is being tested by both sides, and two Knicks stars wish students good luck on the GaoKao.

China has sanctioned Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his immediate family—barring them from Chinese territories and banning all domestic transactions with them—in retaliation for what Beijing describes as "irresponsible remarks" that harm Chinese-Philippine relations.

Air Date: 6/10/2026 Today we explore how Taiwan's own people are stuck between the US and China. Fewer and fewer of them want to rejoin China but their faith in America is sinking just as fast as Trump treats them as a bargaining chip. Their own leaders are split on how to respond. And the place that makes most of the world's advanced chips has almost no seat at the table where its future is being decided. Full Show Notes Transcript Be part of the show! Leave a voice message, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! Join our Discord community! TOP TAKES KP 1: Xi, Putin & Trump - Who Really Runs the World? | To the Point - DW News - Air Date 5-21-26 KP 2: Can There Ever Really Be "one China?" - Vox - Air Date 5-28-26 KP 3: How the US Is Trying to Challenge China's Critical Mineral Dominance Part 1 - The China in Africa Podcast - Air Date 5-28-26 KP 4: Why Did Trump Take Elon Musk to China? - Paul Krugman - Air Date 5-14-26 KP 5: Why This Island Could Trigger World War 3 - Johnny Harris - Air Date 12-18-25 KP 6: China Will Never Beat Taiwan, Here's Why - Maxinomics - Air Date 3-37-26 (00:53:26) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR The Stories Nations Tell Will Destroy Us_ China, Taiwan, and Trump My commentaries on YouTube - Share them! DEEPER DIVES (01:04:39) SECTION A: THE MAKING OF TAIWAN A1: The Taiwan Conflict, Explained - Ryan Chapman - Air Date 10-13-22 A2: Inside China's Plan to Take Over Taiwan "peacefully" | If You're Listening - ABC NEWS In-depth - Air Date 11-28-25 (01:24:47) SECTION B: THE MULTIPOLAR WORLDVIEW B1: China Rising Part 1: How the Unipolar World Is Ending - Beyond the Ballot Box - Air Date 2-10-26 B2: US Unipolarity Vs China's Multipolarity: Whose Vision Will Shape the New Global Order? B3: China Rising Part 2: Taiwan, Xinjiang, Sovereignty and Human Rights - Beyond the Ballot Box (01:52:00) SECTION C: TAIWAN IN THE CROSSHAIRS C1: What's Behind the Record-breaking $11 Billion US-Taiwan Arms Deal? - DW News - Air Date 12-19-25 C2: Is Taiwan Moving Away From the US? - TLDR News Global - Air Date 4-20-26 (02:09:55) SECTION D: THE SUMMIT AND ITS FALLOUT D1: Xi Warns Trump of Potential "Conflict" Over Taiwan in Beijing Summit on Iran, Trade, Tech & More - Democracy Now! - Air Date 5-14-26 D2: Trump's FAILED Meeting With China's Xi Jinping Was Humiliating - Pod Save the World - Air Date 5-21-26 D3: Strait to the Abyss - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 6-2-26 D4: Xi Hosts Putin in Beijing, Cementing China-Russia Alliance After Trump's Visit - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 5-20-26 (02:39:44) SECTION E: THE RESOURCE WAR AND AFRICA E1: How the US Is Trying to Challenge China's Critical Mineral Dominance Part 2 - The China in Africa Podcast - Air Date 5-28-26 E2: Why 3 African States Said No to Taiwan - The China in Africa Podcast - Air Date 4-23-26   Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Peter Huessy details China's growing non-strategic nuclear arsenal and dual-use delivery systems. He explains that Beijing believes it can control escalation to keep the US out of the Western Pacific. Huessy emphasizes that NATOlacks a comparable response in Asia, as the US withdrew similar theater weapons in 1991. (16)1953

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 6-9-2026.JUNE 1957.Liz Peek discusses SpaceX's $1.78 trillion IPO, questioning whether valuations for AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic are sustainable. She notes that Starlink's profitability supports Elon Musk's moonshots. Despite inflation concerns, strong domestic private investment is currently driving U.S. economic prosperity while Europe struggles with over-regulation and high energy costs. (1)Liz Peek examines the influence of the Democratic Socialists of America in blue cities like Seattle and Los Angeles. She argues establishment Democrats fail to counter radical socialist propaganda. Concerns are raised over candidates promoting the abolition of prisons, drug use without judgment, and anti-Israel positions funded by extremist-linked donor groups. (2)Jonathan Schanzer analyzes the downing of a US Army helicopter by Iran near the Strait of Hormuz. He notes Trump's focus on a potential economic siege over expensive military munitions. Schanzer discusses rumors of IRGCleadership decapitation by Israel and suggests the regime is flailing due to internal disarray and chaos. (3)Jonathan Schanzer discusses the Israeli offensive in Lebanon, noting that Iran's influence is shrinking. He highlights Qatar's role as a state sponsor of terrorism that buys American influence through massive investments, totaling hundreds of billions. Schanzer warns that Qatar and Turkey remain primary patrons for the radical Muslim Brotherhoodextremist group. (4)Mary Kissel addresses the Iranian standoff, emphasizing the threat of "impregnable" nuclear facilities at Pickaxe Mountain. She notes Iran uses the Strait of Hormuz as leverage. Additionally, Kissel praises Ukraine's innovative drone technology for creating a stalemate against Russia and fostering a burgeoning, globally sought-after military-industrial complex within the war-torn country. (5)Mary Kissel highlights a regional trend toward liberty and transparency in the Americas, citing recent elections in Peru, Chile, and Argentina. She credits voters for rejecting failed leftist policies and discusses figures like Nayib Bukele and Javier Milei, the latter implementing a conservative agenda that is successfully reducing soaring Argentine inflation. (6)Joseph Sternberg explains China's reform of the Hukou residency system, which has limited internal migration since the 1950s. By granting migrants access to urban social services like healthcare and education, Beijing aims to reduce high household saving rates and stimulate domestic consumption to revitalize its slowing, multi-trillion dollar communist national economy. (7)Joseph Sternberg describes the UK Labour Party's internal strife as it debates returning to Blairite centrism versus far-left socialism. He critiques Keir Starmer's lack of decisive leadership during an anemic economic period. Meanwhile, Nigel Farage's Reform Party is successfully poaching Labour's traditional working-class voters in various important regional British parliamentary by-elections. (8)Gregory Copley analyzes the downing of a US helicopter off Oman, noting strategic differences between American and Israeli objectives. While the US seeks a deal, Israel aims for regime change. Copley highlights the weakened state of the IRGC leadership and discusses how new global oil sources are currently mitigating Iranian threats. (9)Gregory Copley reviews the historical failure of the Jimmy Carter administration during the Iranian hostage crisis. He explains that President Trump refuses to be "Jimmy Carter," instead seeking the total collapse of the IRGC leadership. Copley argues that internal public response in Iran is far more effective than military commando raids. (10)Gregory Copley reports on a rare Ebola outbreak and jihadi threats in Central Africa. He notes that local governments fail to fund necessary healthcare infrastructure, relying instead on outside aid. Additionally, Copley details the ongoing Ethiopian civil war and the complex regional power struggle over control of the vital Red Sea. (11)Gregory Copley discusses Prince Harry's desire to return to Britain due to financial depletion. He notes the lack of trust from King Charles and Prince William, and the dissipated public affection for the Duke. Copley also references his new book on the authority and success of constitutional monarchy as practiced today. (12)Josh Blackman traces the modern history of the death penalty from the 1972 Furman case to 1976's Gregg v. Georgia. He critiques the "evolving standards of decency" doctrine used by the Warren Court, arguing it reflects the views of elites rather than the constitution or the broader American general voting public. (13)Josh Blackman examines the Atkins v. Virginia ruling, which prohibits executing individuals with low IQs. He highlights the subjectivity of IQ tests and the lack of constitutional basis for such standards. Blackman notes that defendants now have incentives to intentionally fail these tests to avoid the death penalty in federal court. (14)Peter Huessy discusses US plans to deploy nuclear-capable F-35s in Europe to counter Russian threats. He explains Russia's "escalate to win" doctrine involving low-yield battlefield nukes for "surgical" strikes. Huessy warns that Russiapossesses thousands of non-strategic weapons, far exceeding current NATO theater capabilities and its lack of transparent weaponry numbers. (15)Peter Huessy details China's growing non-strategic nuclear arsenal and dual-use delivery systems. He explains that Beijing believes it can control escalation to keep the US out of the Western Pacific. Huessy emphasizes that NATOlacks a comparable response in Asia, as the US withdrew similar theater weapons in 1991. (16)

Joseph Sternberg explains China's reform of the Hukou residency system, which has limited internal migration since the 1950s. By granting migrants access to urban social services like healthcare and education, Beijing aims to reduce high household saving rates and stimulate domestic consumption to revitalize its slowing, multi-trillion dollar communist national economy. (7)1793

On this week's episode, NK News Lead Correspondent Shreyas Reddy unpacks Chinese President Xi Jinping's first visit to North Korea in seven years and what it reveals about the future of China-DPRK relations. The conversation examines the symbolism and strategic messaging behind the two-day summit, including Xi's meetings with Kim Jong Un, visits to the Sino-DPRK Friendship Tower and the Workers' Party cadre school. Shreyas also discusses why denuclearization was notably absent from official readouts and what that suggests about Beijing's evolving approach to North Korea's nuclear program. The episode also explores whether China is seeking to reassert its influence as North Korea's ties with Russia deepen, what signs to watch for regarding trade, tourism and border reopenings, and why the composition of the Chinese delegation may offer clues about Beijing's priorities.  About the podcast: The NK News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Alannah Hill exclusively for NK News, covering the latest developments in and around North Korea. Each episode breaks down the week's news cycle with NK News journalists, analysts and expert guests.

Dan Kobayashi spent 16 years working as a U.S. diplomat focused on African issues, both at posts in Lesotho, Zambia, and Malawi, among others, and at the State Department's intelligence bureau in Washington, D.C. He had a close-up view of how U.S.-Africa policy has evolved over the years, particularly as it relates to China's expanding presence on the continent. Today, Dan is out of government and works as a geopolitical risk consultant in Geneva, where he also writes for his new Expatriach Substack. He joins Eric, Cobus, and Géraud to share an insider's perspective on the current state of U.S. policy towards Africa and why the notion that Washington is competing with Beijing for influence in the region is outdated.

In this episode, Dr. Victor Cha, Dr. Edward Howell, and Mr. Sydney Seiler discussed North Korea's relationships with the CRINK countries and examine Beijing's priorities heading into an imminent Xi-Kim summit. 

In this episode of Unfiltered Waters, Katie Hoff sits down with one of the most decorated swimmers in American history, Allison Schmitt. A four-time Olympian, ten-time Olympic medalist, Olympic champion, former world record holder, and longtime advocate for mental health, Allison reflects on the lessons, challenges, and perspective she has gained throughout an extraordinary career.From the heartbreak of missing an Olympic final by one one-hundredth of a second in Beijing to becoming one of the stars of Team USA in London, Allison shares how failure shaped her mindset and fueled her success. She opens up about learning to tune out outside noise, embracing pressure, and why her competitive switch never flipped until the moment she hit the water.The conversation also dives deep into identity, mental health, and the power of feeling understood. Allison reflects on growing up in speech therapy, finding her voice as a female athlete, and why she is passionate about helping the next generation of girls stay in sports and advocate for themselves. She shares the role her support system played during difficult moments, the importance of curiosity, and how coaches can create environments where athletes feel seen, heard, and empowered.Now retired from competition and recently married, Allison discusses life after swimming, navigating uncertainty, and finding purpose beyond medals and records. Honest, thoughtful, and full of wisdom earned through experience, this is a conversation about resilience, growth, and what it means to keep moving forward long after the races are over.Whether you are an athlete, coach, parent, or simply navigating your own next chapter, there is something in this episode for you.-----Subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform, and follow us on social media (https://linktr.ee/unfilteredwaters) for clips, bonus content, and updates throughout the week.-----FOLLOW KATIE ON:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kthoff7/-----SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSIM8health.com/discount/unfiltered for 10% offGO TO strava.com/challenges/6023 to join the Challengeendlesspools.com/unfiltered to unlock $1,000 offGet 15% off OneSkin with the code UNFILTERED15 at https://www.oneskin.co/UNFILTERED15dreamrecovery.io use code UNFILTEREDTHIRTY for 30% off-----#UnfilteredWaters #Swimming #AllisonSchmitt

Preview for Later Today: Joseph Sternberg analyzes China's policy shift allowing internal migrants to access urban social services, an effort by Beijing to maintain social stability and address income inequality as the nation's economic growth begins slowing.

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: After a weekend that raised fears of a broader Middle East war, Israel and Iran are once again observing a ceasefire. We examine what changed, why both sides appear reluctant to escalate further, and what the latest developments may reveal about ongoing diplomatic efforts behind the scenes. Chinese leader Xi Jinping is heading to Pyongyang for his first visit in years. We explain why Beijing is renewing its focus on North Korea and what the trip says about China's evolving strategic priorities in East Asia. Russian authorities in occupied Crimea are tightening fuel restrictions after a series of Ukrainian strikes disrupted supply lines. We look at how Kyiv is increasingly turning the peninsula into a logistical liability for Moscow. With the World Cup just days away, intelligence and security agencies are preparing for what could be the most complex sporting event ever staged. We examine the threats officials are monitoring and the unprecedented security measures now being deployed. 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 StopBox: Get firearm security redesigned and save 10% off @StopBoxUSA with code PDB10 at https://stopboxusa.com/PDB10 #stopboxpod Blocktrust: Move your retirement into the next generation of assets, go to https://mikebakercrypto.com now to claim your $2,500 Bitcoin bonus. Pocket Hose-Ballistic: Text PDB to 64000 for your 2 free gifts with the purchase of any Pocket Hose Ballistic hose. By Texting 64000, you agree to receive recurring automated marketing messages from Pocket Hose. Message frequency varies and data rates may apply. Text STOP at any time to opt out. Text HELP for additional Information. No purchase required. Terms apply, available at PocketHose.com/terms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plus: U.S. expands list of Chinese companies it says assist Beijing's Military. And Meta launches a free workforce academy to train construction workers to build data centers. Imani Moise hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un played host to his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping this week. It's the Chinese leader's first visit to North Korea in seven years and follows two high-profile meetings in Beijing between Xi and the leaders of the US and Russia. Also, Taliban forces in Afghanistan have fired on protesters as women face increasing arrests and detention for leaving their homes without wearing a full face and body covering. And, a look into the world of the Yahoo Boys, young Nigerian hustlers who con lonely Westerners out of their money through online scams. Plus, sticker album fever is sweeping Latin America ahead of the World Cup.Your support is critical in sustaining our nonprofit newsroom. Donate today and your gift will be matched 2:1! Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Watch the full podcast! https://chinauncensored.tv/programs/podcast-338 Donald Trump got the red carpet treatment during his meeting in Beijing with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. His predecessor, Barack Obama, was given the opposite treatment - he was forced to walk out of the "ass" of the plane because the Chinese side supposedly couldn't find stairs for him to come out the side. How did Trump get China to bend over for him?

Dr. Li-Meng Yan w/ The Voice of Dr. Yan – California voters confront mounting questions around Fiona Ma's reported connections to Beijing-linked influence networks, donor channels, and official outreach. Calls for transparency, independent review, and stricter disclosure grow as concerns intensify over foreign access, political accountability, and national security risks facing the state across California...

In this week's episode of the Black Girl Nerds podcast, we chat with the filmmakers behind the movie 'Kingston' which premiered at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival. At the prestigious Kingston College, paths collide between a first generation student, the son of a billionaire, a noncommittal situationship, and a Chinese professor. The semester will shake the identity of each, and of the university itself. Carlos Key (Writer-Director) is a 24-year-old filmmaker based in New York. Spending early childhood in China and Chile, he gained an early fascination with languages and cross-cultural narratives. He continued to develop this passion through filmmaking in the following years, and pursued East Asian Studies with a focus on Chinese at Columbia University. Carlos and his now long-term creative partner Kalijah Rowe met in their Seattle high school film club. Over the past eight years the duo have collaborated on over a dozen short films, with multiple screened at festivals including SIFF and NFFTY. Their most recent projects were the short film MARRIED TO THE GAME and the featurette MEMORIES OF MEAT, where they honed their directorial style in a longer runtime format. Now, the best-friends-turned-co-directors have completed their first feature-length film KINGSTON, where they seek to capture the trials, tribulations, and general absurdity of their generation's college experience. Kalijah Rowe (Writer-Director) Kalijah Rowe is a 24-year-old filmmaker currently based in New York. After feeling limited at his film school in Seattle, he left to develop his style on his own terms. Producing numerous experimental shorts and music videos independently, he consistently found himself drawn to imagery with a surrealist texture as a tool for expressing what words could not. Kalijah and his now long-term creative partner Carlos Key met in their Seattle high school film club. Over the past eight years the duo have collaborated on over a dozen short films, with multiple screened at festivals including SIFF and NFFTY. Their most recent projects were the short film MARRIED TO THE GAME and the featurette MEMORIES OF MEAT, where they combined their individual strengths into a style that is both introspective but also kinetic. Now, the best-friends-turned-co-directors have completed their first feature-length film KINGSTON, where they seek to capture the trials, tribulations, and general absurdity of their generation's college experience. Jenna Shen (Writer-Producer) Jenna Shen is a Beijing-born filmmaker currently based in New York. She is a rising senior at Columbia University double majoring in English and Film. Her approach to filmmaking blends academic inquiry with socio-cultural awareness, with a particular focus in low budget independent, international, and arthouse cinema. EVERYTHING YOU DON'T KNOW, the first short film she co-wrote, directed, and edited in high school, has been viewed more than 40K times online and continues to spark conversations around public education in China. In New York, she has been involved in numerous thesis projects from schools such as SVA, NYU Tisch, and Columbia School of the Arts. Some of her recent credits include co-writing and producing KINGSTON (selected to compete in the U.S. Narrative Feature category at the 2026 Tribeca Festival) and co-producing MASQUERADE (a BAFTA-Yugo Short Film Commissioning Grant winner). PERFORMANCE, an experimental feature she assistant directed, is currently in post production. Host: Jamie Music by: Sammus Edited by: Jamie Broadnax Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hagar Chemali (Former spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the UN) is back in studio with host Ron Steslow to map the widening gap between the Trump Administration's declared aims in the Iran war, and the murky reality now shaping the region and the world. First they discuss the state of the war with Iran and the supposed negotiations in which the two governments are describing opposite realities—and what it would mean for the US to “finish the job.” Then, they widen the lens to China, tracing the argument that the campaigns against Iran and Venezuela are less about those countries than about choking off Beijing's energy supply. Finally, they turn to the information domain and the Singham network, a Chinese Communist Party-aligned financing infrastructure that has funneled hundreds of millions of dollars into American left-wing protest infrastructure and the deeper question it raises: how can a liberal society defend itself against foreign information warfare without surrendering the values it is fighting to protect?  In Politicology+, they discuss Trump's appointment of Bill Pulte—a political enforcer with zero intelligence experience—as interim Director of National Intelligence and why it's essential to understand what was going on behind the scenes in the lead up to Tusli Gabbard's resignation.  POLITICOLOGY+ Not yet a Politicology+ member? Don't miss all the extra episodes on the private, ad-free version of this podcast. Upgrade now at politicology.com/plus. Watch Oh My World!: https://www.youtube.com/c/ohmyworldwithhagarchemali SPONSORS & PROMO CODES: https://bit.ly/44uAGZ8 Send your questions and ideas to podcast@politicology.com or leave a voicemail at ‪(703) 239-3068‬ Follow this week's panel on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/RonSteslow https://x.com/HagarChemali Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices