Podcasts about Beijing

In this episode of The PDB Situation Report: Oil tankers are returning to the Strait of Hormuz, and with them, confidence is slowly returning to global energy markets. Daniel Turner, Executive Director of Power The Future, joins us to discuss what the recovery means for oil prices, shipping, and the broader geopolitical picture. China is quietly surrounding Taiwan, transforming what were once temporary military exercises into a near-constant naval presence around the island. Steve Yates of the Heritage Foundation joins us to examine Beijing's long-term strategy and what it means for regional security. 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 Fox One: Sign up at https://fox.com to watch The PDB show and more on-demand with FOX One. Acre Gold: Turn your pocket change into physical 24-karat gold and enter to win a limited-edition Hot Wheels gold bar at https://GetAcreGold.com/PDB Sundays for Dogs: Upgrade your dog's food without the hassle—try Sundays for Dogs and get 50% off your first order at https://sundaysfordogs.com/PDB or use code PDB at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Russian state isn't just collapsing; it's being quietly appraised for a corporate buyout. In Episode 2.41, we dive into the terminal loop of the imperial engine. While British Storm Shadows vaporize the Voronezh Semiconductor Plant and the 31st Air Defense Division gets systematically wiped off the map in Crimea, the Kremlin elite are complaining about diplomatic visas and banning the word "restriction" at the gas pump. All Hail Hypnotoad.We break down the visceral, physical reality of the Russian fuel death spiral, where farmers are paying double for diesel and civilian cars are dying on the highway from toxic "Euro-3" sludge. We track the $103 billion federal budget crater, the 1.5 million empty concrete apartments dragging down the Russian middle class, and the terrifying realization among Z-patriots that Beijing is quietly deploying unmarked corporate armies into Siberia to foreclose on the empire. From nineteenth-century Maxim guns mounted on pickup trucks to $65 payouts for amputee veterans, the social contract is dead. The rats aren't just fleeing the ship—they're negotiating with the iceberg.Become our patron:https://www.patreon.com/theeasternborderMerch store + another option for memberships:https://theeasternborder-shop.fourthwall.com/Follow what's going on here in the very border of Eastern Europe:https://bsky.app/profile/theeasternborder.lvDownload all episodes for free on our website; pictures accompanying certain episodes can be found there as well!http://theeasternborder.lv/Car4Ukraine Eastern Border Summer Campaign!https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/summer-sunshine-trucks-2026-eastern-borderSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/theeasternborder. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: China is quietly surrounding Taiwan. New reporting reveals Beijing now maintains a near-constant naval presence around the island, transforming what were once temporary military demonstrations into the new normal and raising fresh questions about China's long-term intentions toward Taipei. The U.N.'s nuclear watchdog says inspectors are expected to visit Iran's enrichment facilities as negotiations between Washington and Tehran move into their next phase. We'll explain why international verification remains one of the most important—and potentially contentious—elements of any future agreement. Russia is accusing the Trump administration of drifting away from peace negotiations and closer to Ukraine. We'll examine what's behind the Kremlin's frustration and what it could mean for efforts to end the war. In today's Back of the Brief—Iran's banking sector is dealing with the fallout from a cyberattack that disrupted services at three of the country's largest financial institutions, raising new concerns about the resilience of Tehran's financial infrastructure. 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 Poncho Outdoors: Gear up for summer with Poncho and grab $10 off plus free shipping at https://ponchooutdoors.com/PDB Sundays for Dogs: Upgrade your dog's food without the hassle—try Sundays for Dogs and get 50% off your first order at https://sundaysfordogs.com/PDBor use code PDB at checkout. Acre Gold: Turn your pocket change into physical 24-karat gold and enter to win a limited-edition Hot Wheels gold bar at https://GetAcreGold.com/PDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Forbes warns that with the serious strategic failures of the Iran War, China has never been closer to seizing Taiwan, and explains what the U.S. must do to stop Xi Jinping from achieving his imperial aims. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Bain is joined by Nga Pham in Jakarta and Carsten Brzeski in Frankfurt to take stock of the week's business stories.They discuss the economic impact of heatwaves around the world, as extreme temperatures affect productivity, energy demand, and economic growth. The panel also examines Germany's plans to reform its pension system and what they could mean for Europe's largest economy.Plus, a dispute over fruit imports is raising fresh tensions between China and Taiwan, as Beijing's purchases of custard apples spark concerns on the island. And after a volatile week for technology shares, including sharp movements in SpaceX stock, the panel asks whether investors are becoming more nervous about the future of the tech sector.Presenter: Will Bain Producer: David Cann Executive Producer: Justin BonesYou can email the team: businessdaily@bbc.co.ukPhoto: People cool off in the Trocadero fountain in front of the Eiffel Tower as temperatures rise in Paris during a heatwave affecting a large part of France, June 23, 2026. Credit: REUTERS/Abdul Saboor)

As a global power, China faces a growing tension between its ambitions to reshape the international order and its disinterest in bearing the costs of upholding that new system. In this episode of Pekingology, CSIS Senior Fellow Henrietta Levin is joined by Sam Chetwin George, Senior Fellow at the Asia Society's Center on U.S.–China Relations and Research Fellow at China Heritage, to explore Beijing's evolving perspectives on the post-World War II order and what comes next. They discuss China's vision for global governance, the ideological foundations of its international strategy, how its domestic economic challenges may shape its international priorities, and how it approaches the conflicts in Ukraine, Iran, and Myanmar.   To learn more about Sam's perspectives on Chinese foreign policy, you can read his new Foreign Affairs article, China Was Ready for the Age of Anarchy: Why Turbulence Will Make Beijing More Assertive. https://www.foreignaffairs.com/china/china-was-ready-age-anarchy

Last week in Brussels, EU leaders held their first sustained debate on China policy in three years, and were so wary of Beijing's reaction they wouldn't print the word “China” on the agenda. The trigger: a goods-trade deficit closing in on 360 billion euros, and, for the first time ever, all 27 member states in the red. Recorded at Summer Davos in Dalian, I sat down with economic historian Adam Tooze to ask why the panic, and why now. Polanyi, the Plaza Accord, “glut shaming,” a $1.2 trillion surplus, and what Europe and China each most need to understand about the other.04:26 – Why the alarm now? Imbalances are decades old, so what changed—and the shift from China slotting into Western supply chains to climbing the value chain07:04 – Karl Polanyi, the “double movement,” and how the European working-class question becomes the politics of right-wing populism11:21 – Autos as the core of the fight—12 million jobs—and why the Ukraine alignment gives the whole thing its moral charge for von der Leyen14:14 – “Glut shaming”: the accusation of illegitimacy baked into the Western framing, and how it lands on a Chinese ear18:16 – Wěiqu (委屈)—the swallowed sense of being wronged and why the EU should exercise a bit of cognitive empathy20:14 – Merz reaches for the 1985 Plaza Accord, and the empathy gap that lets a German politician miss what that signals in Beijing22:00 – The currency-manipulation argument, Germany's own history with the euro, and why Switzerland is the real manipulator25:49 – The $1.2 trillion surplus—”nothing we've ever seen before”—and the consumption China refuses to do26:12 – Sorting the sectors: solar, batteries, and EVs where resistance is futile, versus steel and shipbuilding as “Polanyi double-movement as cosplay”32:04 – The Draghi report and the house of mirrors: is China the cause of Europe's malaise or just the thing exposing a homegrown one?36:27 – If Tooze had von der Leyen's ear: investment-linked talks, phased protection with a clear exit, and “investment, investment, investment”41:16 – The October clock on the U.S.–China truce, and why this autumn could get very ugly43:09 – Closing advice: what Europe and Beijing each most need to understand if this ends in managed rebalancing rather than a trade warSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

It's a quiz on important sports history! This episode's topic: SPORTING EVENTS BY DECADE THIS MONTH TRIVIA WITH BUDDS IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY ZERO SLOPE EVENTS! For the ultimate events-hosting company, look no further than www.ZeroSlopeEvents.com  Fact of the Day: In the 30s, dance competitions were extremely popular, and couples would dance with only fifteen minute breaks each hour, sometimes for months. Triple Connections: Bug, Pork, Tweet THE FIRST TRIVIA QUESTION STARTS AT 01:18 SUPPORT THE SHOW MONTHLY, LISTEN AD-FREE FOR JUST $3 A MONTH: www.Patreon.com/TriviaWithBudds INSTANT DOWNLOAD DIGITAL TRIVIA GAMES ON ETSY, GRAB ONE NOW! GET A CUSTOM EPISODE FOR YOUR LOVED ONES: Email ryanbudds@gmail.com Theme song by www.soundcloud.com/Frawsty Bed Music: "Laser Groove" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ http://TriviaWithBudds.comhttp://Facebook.com/TriviaWithBudds http://Instagram.com/ryanbudds Book a party, corporate event, or fundraiser anytime by emailing ryanbudds@gmail.com or use the contact form here: https://www.triviawithbudds.com/contact SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL MY AMAZING PATREON SUBSCRIBERS, INCLUDING: Samantha Wheeler Boomer Cates Mark Kloppenburg Cadi Snow-Brine Amber Shiels Alan Kreisel Rich Sommer Joe Heiman Waqas Ali Logan Booker Bringeka Sam Nathan Stenstrom Brooks Martin Robyn Price Gee Brian Clough Charles Glanville IV Lauren Schuette Evan Lemons AnneMarie Mattacchione Yves Bouyssounouse Kenny Zail York yates Gay Geek Fabulous Mollie Dominic Nathalie Avelar Natasha raina leslie gerhardt Diane White Youngblood Trophy Husband Trivia Lynnette Keel Lillian Campbell Jerry Loven Jamie Greig Gail Lancman Jeremy Yoder Adam Jacoby rondell Adam Suzan Tiffany Poplin Bill Bavar Sarah Daniel Hoisington Keith Martin Sue First Steve Hoeker Jessica Allen Lauren Glassman Brian Williams Brett Livaudais Linda Elswick Carter A. Fourqurean Justly Maya Brandon Lavin Kathy McHale Chuck Nealen Courtney French Nikki Long Mark Zarate Laura Palmer  JT Dean Bratton Kristy Erin Burgess Trenton Sullivan Jen and Nic Michael Redman Timothy Heavner Jeff Foust Richard Lefdal Myles Bagby Jenna Leatherman Vernon Heagy Albert Thomas Kimberly Brown Tracy Oldaker Sara Zimmerman Madeleine Garvey Jenni Yetter Patrick Leahy Dillon Enderby James Brown Christy Shipley Clayton Polizzi Alexander Calder Ricky Carney Paul McLaughlin Willy Powell Robert Casey Matthew Frost Brian Salyer Greg Bristow Megan Donnelly Jim Fields Mo Martinez Luke Mckay Simon Time Feana Nevel Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Photographer of 9 Olympic Games — How to Capture the Thrill of Victory and Agony of Defeat on the World StageJeff Cable has photographed the last nine Olympic Games for Team USA, from Beijing to Tokyo, Paris, and Milan. But he didn't start there. For over 25 years he was a marketing executive, shooting on the side until 2016, when the side passion became the whole career.In this episode, Jeff joins Richard to talk about the evolution of his photography career, making pictures on one of the largest stages in the world when the moment is unrepeatable and there's no second chance to get the shot, and leading travel, nature, and wildlife photo tours around the world, from Costa Rica to Africa.Notable Links:Jeff Cable WebsiteJeff Cable BlogJeff Cable InstagramThis episode is brought to you by:Muench Workshops - Photography workshops and expeditions to the coolest places on the planet.Kase Filters - My listeners can get 10% off the Kase Filters Amazon page when they visit. beyondthelens.fm/kase and use coupon code BERNABE10 Follow Richard Bernabe:Substack: https://richardbernabe.substack.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/bernabephoto/Twitter/X: https://x.com/bernabephotoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bernabephoto

Beijing Life | Efficient Errands & City ViewsDescription:A realistic look at my day-to-day life in Beijing. From the surprising speed of a local bank run to catching views of the city skyline from the bus window, this is how I navigate the capital's pace.Banking in Beijing: Experiencing the high-tech efficiency of a local branch—no more long waits.Bus Views: A slow ride through town to soak in the mix of ancient alleys and modern skyscrapers.

This week, NüVoices podcast cohost Chenni Xu interviews M Lin, author of the recent short story debut, Memory Museum, out everywhere where books are sold. Chenni met M at her NY book tour stop at McNally Jackson Seaport where she read to a packed audience of friends, family, and new fans.The Beijing-born, US-based writer joins NüVoices Chair Chenni Xu to discuss how distance (from home, from language, from certainty) became the engine of her fiction. They also get into writing characters whose lives look nothing like your own, what "daughter" and "mother" mean for Chinese women today, and writing techniques.

“We will not let Communist Party of China define who we are,” said Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, who has been sanctioned by Beijing and labeled a “separatist.”Despite Beijing's ever-growing hostility toward Taiwan, she is not deterred.In recent years, the Chinese Communist Party has escalated its “gray zone” operations, naval aggression, large-scale encirclement drills and missile tests, and aircraft incursions into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has promised to seize Taiwan—including by force if necessary.Beijing has also aggressively sought to isolate Taiwan internationally and peel away its allies. Only 11 countries and the Holy See still maintain official diplomatic relations with Taiwan as of 2026.“China's cognitive warfare, psychological warfare, political warfare, legal warfare, and very aggressive interventions in our domestic society and politics [have] become an increasingly serious problem,” Hsiao said.Born to a Taiwanese father and an American mother, Hsiao previously served in Taiwan's legislature and as the island's top representative in Washington, where she became known for her “cat warrior diplomacy.”Although Taiwan is only about the size of Maryland, it plays a pivotal role in the global economy, producing more than 90 percent of the world's most advanced semiconductors—the chips that power artificial intelligence, smartphones, cars, and much of tomorrow's technology.It is also America's fourth-largest trading partner, and nearly half of all global container ships—dwarfing even shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—sail through the narrow Taiwan Strait, carrying trillions in trade.“Everything we're doing today in strengthening Taiwan is to prevent an invasion, to prevent that scenario from happening,” Hsiao said.Recently, Taiwan's National Security Bureau established a secure information-reporting channel for Chinese nationals to submit intelligence tips—a unprecedented move for Taiwan.In this episode, I sat down with Hsiao in the presidential office of Taiwan to understand what's really at stake here and how Taiwan is working to strengthen its whole-of-society resilience and deter a greater conflict.Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

The Taiping Army commits to one of its most audacious acts yet – an assault on the Qing throne itself, a thousand miles north in Beijing. To reach it, it will launch its great Northern Campaign: a single spear-throw that, if its aim holds true, might end the entire war before the teeth of winter bite down.Time Period Covered:May 1853 – March 1855 CE Major Historical Figures: Taiping Heavenly Kingdom:Hong Xiuquan, the Heavenly King [1814–1864]Lin Fengxiang, co-commander of the Northern Expedition [d. 1855]Li Kaifang, co-commander of the Northern Expedition [d. 1855]Li Xiucheng, future Loyal King [c. 1823–1864] Qing Dynasty:The Xianfeng Emperor (Aisin-Gioro Yinzhu) [r. 1850–1861]Prince Senggelinqin [c. 1811–1865]Other:Theodore Hamberg, Swedish missionary, Hong Kong; author of the first European account of the Taiping [1819–1854] Major Sources Cited:Hamberg, Theodore. The Visions of Hung-Siu-tshuen, and Origin of the Kwang-si Insurrection. Michael, Franz, and Chang Chung-li. The Taiping Rebellion: History and Documents, Vol. I.Platt, Stephen R. Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom.Spence, Jonathan D. God's Chinese Son: The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom of Hong Xiuquan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jason Blitman talks to newly minted Oprah's Book Club author Sophie Chen Keller about her new novel, Little Wonder. Conversation highlights includeHow becoming a parent helped shape the storySocial inequalities as added context for the bookCapturing the leaps in technology in China Sophie Chen Keller is the author of The Luster of Lost Things, which was also released in Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Her first publication came at the age of fifteen, with a short story in Glimmer Train literary magazine. A classically trained pianist, she was born in China and raised in California; after graduating from Harvard, she lived in New York City and Beijing before moving to Germany, where she currently resides with her husband and two children.Sign up for the Gays Reading Book Club HERESUBSTACK! MERCH! WATCH! CONTACT! hello@gaysreading.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when you leave everything familiar behind and start over in a place where you can't read the signs, speak the language, or even confidently order lunch? For many people, immigration is not an abstract political topic—it's a daily reality filled with uncertainty, adaptation, frustration, discovery, and growth. In this episode, I'm joined by award-winning author and educator Janet Flaugher to discuss her acclaimed memoir Two Bottles of Water. The book chronicles the three years Janet and her husband spent living in Beijing after she accepted a position as superintendent of an international school in 2002. Through humor, honesty, and sharp observation, she explores culture shock, language barriers, identity, belonging, unconscious bias, and the surprising lessons Americans can learn from Chinese culture. This is a fascinating conversation about what it truly means to become a stranger in a foreign land—and how that experience can fundamentally change the way you see the world.

On today's episode of the China Global Podcast, we're going to discuss the South China Sea. The past year has been marked by four intersecting dynamics: First, a sharp escalation of Chinese Coast Guard and maritime militia operations, especially against the Philippines. Second, a resumption of large-scale Chinese island construction after nearly a decade-long pause; Third, increasingly sophisticated Chinese legal and administrative moves to consolidate and institutionalize its claims; And fourth, a deepening of the US-Philippines military partnership and the emergence of a broader network involving US allies and partners from Europe and the Indo-Pacific. To discuss these trends, I'm delighted to have as my guest today, Dr. Collin Koh, who is a senior fellow at the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies in the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies based in Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Timestamps: [00:00] Introduction [01:33] Beijing'sObjectives in the South China Sea [06:24] Changes in China's Strategy  [09:13] A Revival of Island Building in Antelope Reef [16:11] Increased Activity in Scarborough Shoal  [20:13] Violating the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct?  [24:21] Pros and Cons to Finalizing the Code of Conduct [28:58] China's Response to US-Philippines Security Cooperation [33:15] Claimant Perceptions of US Policy 

00:00 Intro00:54 Taiwan Begins Drill Simulating War Scenario02:16 China Sanctions U.S. Rare Earth, Defense Firms04:03 Senators Urge FCC to Probe China-Made Health Wearables05:06 President Trump to Visit China Again05:48 Beijing's New Law Threatens U.S. Citizens07:10 China Implements ‘Ethnic Unity Promotion' Law10:01 Cuban Intel Facilities Show Possible Links to China11:20 U.S. and Uzbekistan Launch Joint Investment Platform12:09 How Taiwanese People Are Preparing for a Chinese Attack12:52 Returning From Wall Street to Taiwan15:27 How China's Rise Put Taiwan in the Crosshairs17:31 Protecting Democracy Through Resilient Societies18:35 Why the World Can't Ignore Taiwan

https://youtu.be/B4L-5KNiqNo Recorded: June 21, 2026 In Episode 159 of the PetroNerds Podcast, Trisha Curtis, CEO of PetroNerds and host of the PetroNerds Podcast, delivers a wide-ranging market update on oil, natural gas, geopolitics, China, strategic petroleum reserves, inflation, and monetary policy. Recorded on Father's Day and ahead of America's 250th Fourth of July celebration, the episode focuses on the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, the Strait of Hormuz, global crude oil flows, China's oil imports, and the Federal Reserve's renewed emphasis on inflation. Trisha examines why oil prices moved lower despite heightened geopolitical tensions, how more crude continued reaching the market through Hormuz and alternative export routes, and why physical oil flows matter more than headlines. Key Takeaways Oil prices softened as crude continued flowing through and around the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia and the UAE's export infrastructure helped reduce supply risks during the latest Middle East tensions. China's crude import decline does not necessarily indicate collapsing demand and must be viewed alongside stockpiling, refinery activity, and energy-security priorities. The debate between the IEA and OPEC reflects competing views of future oil demand and supply balances. Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh signaled a stronger focus on inflation and price stability. AI-driven investment and rising electricity demand may contribute to future inflationary pressures. Oil Flows, Hormuz, and Energy Security A major theme throughout the episode is the disconnect between market sentiment and physical oil realities. Trisha walks listeners through the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, disputed claims surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, and the market reaction to evolving events in the Middle East. The conversation examines how Saudi Arabia's East-West Pipeline and the UAE's Fujairah pipeline provide critical export capacity outside the Strait of Hormuz, helping maintain crude flows during periods of disruption. Trisha also reviews Strategic Petroleum Reserve releases, U.S. crude exports, tanker traffic, and the importance of understanding actual barrel movements in a 100-million-barrel-per-day global oil market. Why China Remains the Most Important Energy Story One of the central themes of the episode is China and its long-term energy-security strategy. Trisha challenges the narrative that declining Chinese crude imports are solely the result of electric vehicle adoption. Instead, she examines China's stockpiling activity, refinery runs, strategic reserves, domestic production, and energy-security priorities. The discussion highlights why understanding China remains critical to understanding global oil markets, particularly as Beijing balances economic challenges with long-term strategic planning. The IEA, OPEC, and the Future of Oil Demand The episode also explores the growing divide between the International Energy Agency and OPEC. Trisha reviews the IEA's June Oil Market Report and the possibility that restored production and normalized Hormuz flows could create a future supply overhang. She contrasts that outlook with OPEC's World Oil Outlook 2026, which projects continued growth in global oil demand through 2050. The discussion raises important questions about energy security, investment, and whether current market forecasts are adequately accounting for future demand growth. Inflation, the Federal Reserve, and AI In the second half of the podcast, Trisha shifts to macroeconomics and monetary policy. She breaks down the June Federal Open Market Committee meeting, Chairman Kevin Warsh's first press conference, inflation data, Treasury yields, housing, and the Federal Reserve's balance sheet. Trisha also discusses the potential inflationary effects of rising investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure, semiconductors, data centers, and electricity demand. The episode concludes with a broader discussion on inflation, energy prices, housing, and the economic forces likely to shape markets through the remainder of 2026. Whether you're an energy executive, investor, policymaker, or industry professional, Episode 159 provides a timely and data-driven examination of the forces shaping oil markets, inflation, energy security, and the global economy.

Fluent Fiction - Mandarin Chinese: Rainbows After Rain: A Tale of Trust and Team Spirit Find the full episode transcript, vocabulary words, and more:fluentfiction.com/zh/episode/2026-06-23-22-34-02-zh Story Transcript:Zh: 炎炎夏日，北京的颐和园热闹非凡。En: On a scorching summer day, Beijing's Summer Palace was bustling with activity.Zh: 明和连，两个同事，正在筹备一个办公室团队活动。En: Ming and Lian, two colleagues, were organizing an office team event.Zh: 他们希望利用端午节这个特别的日子，在传统与现代之间找到一个完美的平衡。En: They hoped to find a perfect balance between tradition and modernity during the special occasion of the Dragon Boat Festival.Zh: 明是个勤奋且野心勃勃的职员。En: Ming is a diligent and ambitious employee.Zh: 她希望通过这次活动赢得上司的赞赏。En: She hoped to earn her boss's appreciation through this event, meticulously planning every detail.Zh: 对于活动的每一个细节，她都精心计划。En: The event was to be held by Kunming Lake, where the stunning scenery and ancient corridors would serve as a backdrop.Zh: 活动应该在昆明湖边举办，那里可以看到壮丽的景色，还有古老的长廊为背景。En: Everything was arranged meticulously.Zh: 这一切都安排得井井有条。En: However, Lian is a calm person.Zh: 然而，连却是个沉得住气的人。En: He likes to go with the flow and prefers improvisation.Zh: 他喜欢随遇而安，更愿意现场发挥。En: He suggested adding some relaxed activities, like flying kites by the lake or chatting under a pavilion.Zh: 他提议增加一些轻松的活动，比如在湖边放风筝或者在亭子下聊天。En: Ming was somewhat dismissive of this, thinking such activities might make the preparations look inadequate.Zh: 明对此有些不以为然，她觉得这样会显得准备不足。En: The sun hung high, waves of heat rolled through the air, and the weather forecast predicted possible thunderstorms.Zh: 太阳高挂，热浪滚滚，天气预报说可能会有雷阵雨。En: Ming felt a twinge of anxiety, worried that the rain might ruin her well-laid plans.Zh: 明心中一紧，担心计划好的一切会被雨水冲散。En: Meanwhile, Lian smiled and said, "Don't worry, the fun of events lies in their unpredictability."Zh: 与此同时，连则笑着说：“放心，变化才是活动的乐趣。En: Time flew by, and the event day arrived as expected.Zh: ”时间飞快，活动当日如期而至。En: The team members lined up by Kunming Lake, ready to enjoy a pleasant holiday.Zh: 团队成员在昆明湖畔排成一排，准备迎接一个愉快的假日。En: Ming was busy directing everyone in setting up, while Lian chatted and joked with the others.Zh: 明忙着指挥大家布置，连则在一旁和大家说笑。En: Suddenly, the sky darkened with clouds, and a torrential downpour began.Zh: 突然，天空乌云密布，顷刻之间大雨倾盆而下。En: Everyone hurriedly sought shelter in an ancient-style pavilion.Zh: 所有人都赶忙躲进了一个古色古香的凉亭。En: Ming was instantly flustered, but Lian remained composed.Zh: 明顿时慌了，但连却显得从容不迫。En: "Don't worry, everyone!"Zh: “大家别担心！En: Lian exclaimed, "We can play a little game here and see who can come up with the most amusing story."Zh: ”连高声说道，“我们可以在这里做个小游戏，看谁能编出最有趣的故事。En: His suggestion engaged the colleagues, who quickly joined in, filling the pavilion with laughter.Zh: ”同事们被他的提议吸引，纷纷参与其中，欢声笑语充满了凉亭。En: Ming's initially tense mood gradually eased.Zh: 明本来紧张的心情慢慢舒缓，她看到同事们在连的带领下笑得那么开心，心里豁然开朗。En: She saw her colleagues laughing happily under Lian's lead, and her mind opened up.Zh: 或许，计划之外的惊喜也是一种成功。En: Perhaps, surprises outside of the plan are a kind of success too.Zh: 雨过天晴，彩虹挂在湖面上，仿佛在向他们微笑。En: After the rain passed, a rainbow hung over the lake, seemingly smiling at them.Zh: 活动虽然出乎意料，却意外圆满。En: The event, despite being unexpected, turned out to be wonderfully fulfilling.Zh: 明意识到，适当放手与相信团队的力量，同样能创造美好。En: Ming realized that letting go appropriately and trusting in the team's strength could also create beauty.Zh: 这次活动，不仅让同事们更加亲密，也让明学会了信任和灵活应对的价值。En: This event not only brought the colleagues closer but also taught Ming the value of trust and flexible responses.Zh: 有时候，完美并不代表成功，开放心态能带来更多的美好体验。En: Sometimes, perfection does not equate to success; an open mind can lead to more beautiful experiences. Vocabulary Words:scorching: 炎热的bustling: 热闹非凡colleagues: 同事ambitious: 野心勃勃appreciation: 赞赏meticulously: 精心地improvisation: 即兴发挥dismissive: 不以为然torrential: 倾盆的flustered: 慌乱的composed: 从容的amusing: 有趣的tense: 紧张的unexpected: 出乎意料的fulfilling: 圆满的flexible: 灵活的harmony: 和谐unpredictability: 变化无常apprehension: 担心perfection: 完美earnest: 认真backdrop: 背景corridors: 长廊shelter: 避雨exclaimed: 高声说道engaged: 参与laughter: 欢声笑语gradually: 逐渐realized: 意识到trusting: 信任

Did Israel and the U.S. win the battle but lose the war? Israel and the United States achieved what many would consider a remarkable military success against Iran. But the agreement that followed has left many Israelis wondering whether battlefield gains translated into strategic victory. Dan Senor is joined by Wall Street Journal columnist and Hudson Institute senior fellow Walter Russell Mead to discuss the paradox at the heart of the new U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding, what it reveals about President Trump's approach to power, and how leaders across the Middle East are recalculating their assumptions about America, Israel, and the future of the region. ____ Call Me Back is made possible by our subscribers. If these conversations are where you turn to understand Israel and the Jewish world, consider joining them. It's what keeps this show going. Become a Subscriber - Inside Call me Back ____ In this episode: - The paradox: military success vs. political disappointment - Why so many Israelis think Israel lost - What was President Trump actually betting on? - Does the 60-day deal mean anything? - Why sanctions rarely deliver regime change - What this war reveals about the future of warfare - How Riyadh, Ankara, and Beijing are reading the moment - Israel's growing dependence on President Trump More Ark Media: Want to join Ark Media? Check out our careers page for new openings. Explore Israel Votes Listen to Ark News Daily Listen to For Heaven's Sake Listen to What's Your Number? Newsletters | Ark Media | Amit Segal | Nadav Eyal Instagram | Ark Media | Dan X | Dan Dan Senor & Saul Singer's book, The Genius of Israel Get in touch Credits: Ilan Benatar, Beth Pearlman, Brittany Cohen, Ava Weiner, Martin Huergo, Mariangeles Burgos, and Yuval Semo

To discuss, we have Farrell Gregory, a researcher at the Foundation for American Innovation and winner of ChinaTalk's Economic Security essay competition, and Joris Teer, a policy analyst at the EU Institute for Security Studies who authored Beijing's critical raw material weapon – and how to dismantle it. Co-hosting is ChinaTalk's Aqib Zakaria. Our conversation covers... China's critical mineral weapon — How Beijing turned its dominance over rare earths into a tool of economic coercion and why the West is struggling to respond. 25 minerals that actually matter — Why policymakers should focus on the specific materials China can weaponize rather than spreading resources across broad critical mineral lists. Why subsidies alone won't fix the problem — How China's industrial policy, overcapacity, and ability to flood markets make it nearly impossible for Western supply chains to compete without coordinated action. Reshoring the industrial base — The tradeoffs behind rebuilding domestic capacity: higher end-product costs, environmental NIMBYism, skilled labor shortages, and the need for deeper US-European cooperation. The next resource race — How defense, AI, robotics, and energy demand are intensifying competition for critical materials and what the future of allied industrial power might look like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway stays for round two on the Marc Cox Morning Show — and the revelations keep coming. First, a bombshell warning every Missouri parent needs to hear right now: Lorex baby monitors have a Chinese military backdoor feeding your family's audio and video straight to Beijing. Get them out of your house. Then — a synthetic opioid called 708, derived from kratom and sold over the counter at gas stations, has killed 161 Missourians in four years and is being marketed to kids in recovery as a safe supplement. Katherine's office has already shut down the five largest sellers. She's also taken down a company selling THC-laced products disguised as Skittles and Chips Ahoy targeting children. And in one of the most stunning statistics of the morning — when she took office, Missouri had 25,000 illegal slot machines running a billion-dollar untaxed cash operation. She's shut down 18,000 of them. Catherine Hanaway isn't just Missouri's Attorney General — she's the enforcer, and the Marc Cox Morning Show is proud to give her the megaphone. HASHTAGS: #MarcCoxMorningShow #CatherineHannaway #MissouriAG #LorexMonitors #ChineseSurveillance #Kratom #IllegalSlotMachines #MissouriCrime #THCProducts #FoldsOfHonor #ConservativeRadio #STLConservative #MarcCox #PatriotVoices

To discuss, we have Farrell Gregory, a researcher at the Foundation for American Innovation and winner of ChinaTalk's Economic Security essay competition, and Joris Teer, a policy analyst at the EU Institute for Security Studies who authored Beijing's critical raw material weapon – and how to dismantle it. Co-hosting is ChinaTalk's Aqib Zakaria. Our conversation covers... China's critical mineral weapon — How Beijing turned its dominance over rare earths into a tool of economic coercion and why the West is struggling to respond. 25 minerals that actually matter — Why policymakers should focus on the specific materials China can weaponize rather than spreading resources across broad critical mineral lists. Why subsidies alone won't fix the problem — How China's industrial policy, overcapacity, and ability to flood markets make it nearly impossible for Western supply chains to compete without coordinated action. Reshoring the industrial base — The tradeoffs behind rebuilding domestic capacity: higher end-product costs, environmental NIMBYism, skilled labor shortages, and the need for deeper US-European cooperation. The next resource race — How defense, AI, robotics, and energy demand are intensifying competition for critical materials and what the future of allied industrial power might look like. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2022, Freedom House released a report titled “Beijing's Global Media Influence 2022”, highlighting the numerous ways in which the Chinese government seeks to influence media across the world. They stated that China's main tactics were the mass distribution of content, harassment and intimidation of outlets that publish negative news, disinformation campaigns, and training for media workers and officials in different locales.The provision of free or subsidised training for local journalists in the Global south is a foundational aspect of China's efforts to ‘tell China's story well' through legitimate means. By co-opting local voices, China is able to disseminate its own message through local partners in an organic way and free of charge.But what does this training look like? Who is participating and what are they learning? And how does China ensure that after journalists return home, they continue to talk about China in the right way? Today's guest is here to discuss this and more.Dr Emeka Umejei is currently Senior Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg. He has a PhD in Journalism and Media Studies and has taught in institutions across Africa including the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa, the American University of Nigeria, and the University of Ghana. Prior to this he worked as a journalist in Nigeria for leading national newspapers and served as an African correspondent for U.S.-based media outfit LNG Publications.He has written two books on Chinese influence on African journalism: Chinese Media in Africa: Perception, Performance, and Paradox (2020) and China in African Media: Between Influence Operations and Decolonization which came out this year.Buy bookclub books here            Buy me a coffeeLatest Substack postLinks to everythingSupport the showSign up for Buzzsprout to launch your podcasting journey: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=162442Subscribe to the Sinobabble Newsletter: https://sinobabble.substack.com/Support Sinobabble on Buy me a Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Sinobabblepod 

At the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan, Megan Oldham captured Olympic gold for Team Canada in the women's freestyle skiing big air event. She also earned an Olympic bronze medal in women's slopestyle, marking a remarkable performance at her second Olympic Games following her Olympic debut in Beijing in 2022.Megan made history at the 2023 X Games when she landed the first-ever triple cork performed by a female athlete in competition, across both skiing and snowboarding. Throughout her professional career, she has established herself as one of the sport's most accomplished athletes, winning two Olympic medals, four World Championship medals, and three X Games titles.Before discovering freestyle skiing, Megan competed in artistic gymnastics and figure skating. It was her older brother, Bruce Oldham, who first introduced her to the sport that would ultimately change her life.Since becoming an Olympic champion, Megan has enjoyed a range of unique opportunities beyond the slopes, including invitations to Formula 1 events as a Monster Energy athlete.From a young girl chasing her dreams in multiple sports to an Olympic gold medallist and trailblazer in freestyle skiing, this is the story of Megan Oldham.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that he will resign as Labour Party leader and will step down as Prime Minister once a successor is chosen (00:59). Mediators say Iran and the US have agreed on a roadmap to reach a final peace deal within 60 days (07:46). The fourth China International Supply Chain Expo is underway in Beijing, featuring six major supply chain exhibitions and a supply chain services zone (36:43).

General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping has urged incessant efforts in regularizing coordinated regional development to secure solid progress in advancing common prosperity for all.Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in recent instructions on steadily advancing the cooperation between China's eastern and western regions. He highlighted the east-west cooperation program's significant role in supporting poverty alleviation efforts and promoting balanced regional development over the past 30 years since its initiation, which has demonstrated the political strengths of the Party, as well as the superiority of China's socialist system.Xi highlighted this year as the opening year of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, as well as the first year of the regular assistance efforts in the country's rural revitalization drive. He also called for efforts to summarize and apply the valuable experience gained from cooperation between Fujian province and Ningxia Hui autonomous region, further improve cooperation mechanisms, optimize cooperation methods, and expand the scopes of cooperation. The endeavors are expected to promote industrial complementarity, personnel exchanges, and mutual learning of technologies, ideas, and work styles between the eastern and western regions, and to achieve mutual benefits, win-win outcomes, and common development.Party committees and governments at all levels should earnestly fulfill their responsibilities for regularized assistance for western regions, firmly secure the bottom line to prevent any large-scale relapse into poverty or new cases of poverty, steadily advance rural revitalization across the board, and continuously enhance coordinated regional development, so as to make solid progress toward common prosperity for all.The important instructions of Xi were conveyed at a national work conference on east-west regional cooperation, which opened on June 17 in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia. Liu Guozhong, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice premier of the State Council, delivered a speech at the meeting. Liu emphasized that General Secretary Xi's important instructions are strategically insightful, profound and incisive, demonstrating strong political, ideological and guiding significance. They provide fundamental guidance for carrying out regularized east-west cooperation, and must be thoroughly studied, fully understood and resolutely implemented.Liu underscored the need to consistently uphold the political responsibility, firmly establish and practice a correct understanding of governance performance, and draw upon the successful experience from Fujian-Ningxia cooperation, among others. Efforts should be intensified to deepen industrial and labor-service coordination between the eastern and western regions, strengthen the exchange of officials and professionals, expand cooperation in science and technology, finance and other fields. It is essential to carry out work creatively in light of local conditions, continuously improve the quality and effectiveness of collaboration, and promote complementary strengths, mutual empowerment and common development.The meeting also briefed participants on the progress of east-west regional cooperation. Officials from Ningxia Hui autonomous region and Fujian province respectively introduced the experience and practices in Fujian-Ningxia cooperation. Officials from Beijing and Shanghai municipalities, as well as Jiangsu, Guangdong, Sichuan and Gansu provinces also addressed the meeting.Officials from relevant provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities undertaking east-west regional cooperation tasks, as well as those from some member departments of the Central Rural Work Leading Group, attended the meeting.

Episode Summary: Whether discussing Operation Epic Fury from a strategic, operational, or tactical vantage, there's no doubt that China watched the conflict with extreme attention. There are significant lessons that range from gaining air superiority through a system of systems approach, the value of artificial intelligence, to the importance of ensuring multi-faceted resilience--whether that be diversified command and control structures, magazine depth, air and missile defense, or factors tied to sustaining the broader economy during a conflict. Heather "Lucky" Penney sits down with Mitchell Institute's China expert Mike "JDAM" Dahm to discuss these crucial issues. They also explore broader Chinese security developments--from Taiwan defense considerations to President Trump's most recent trip to Beijing. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: J. Michael "JDAM" Dahm, Senior Resident Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Links: Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #China #AirForce

The Authentic Glimpse: "Wandering through the heartbeat of old Beijing!

Ely Ratner, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs and now a principal at the Marathon Initiative, joins Jordan, Bryan Clark, and Justin to make sense of the Iran ceasefire and where US-China competition goes next. We discuss: Why the MOU reads as a loss: the blockade comes down first, Iran keeps its missiles and its "nuclear dust," and a younger, harder regime learns it can take American firepower and wield an oil weapon The "bullshit détente" with Beijing and whether reindustrialization can carry a China-competition message without sounding hawkish Output metrics over input metrics, the seven-year force-posture problem, and what Ratner wishes he'd moved into the "break glass" category at the Pentagon RoboCom: the pros and cons of standing up a new combatant command Plus Crassus at Parthia, and why chasing parades is a bad idea unless you're the ny knicks suno song: https://suno.com/s/scu8twGj01AIOYSL Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chinese government this week unveiled a new vision for the emerging post-American-led international order. In a new white paper, Beijing argued that the existing global system does not need to be replaced or rebuilt. Instead, it called for the United Nations to remain at the center of global governance while giving developing countries a greater voice in international decision-making. Eric and Cobus discuss China's push for global governance reform and why many African countries are backing Beijing's position. Plus, Kenya becomes the latest front in the contest between China and Taiwan after Nairobi acquiesced to Beijing's pressure and blocked Taiwanese delegates from attending an oceans forum in Mombasa.

Akash Nigam has been building Genies since 2017 with a conviction that avatars will be the visual layer of the internet. As CEO of Genies, he's assembled IP partners including the NBA, MLB, Sanrio, and Kakao, with more major studios and agencies set to announce before the end of May. The pitch: every app, game, website, and celebrity is going to have an AI personality. Genies wants to be the framework that gives all of those personalities a face.What separates Genies is portability and scale. A character that took eight weeks in 2021 now takes ten minutes. Staying stylized rather than photorealistic isn't just aesthetic — it's what got Hollywood to the table. Talent doesn't want deepfakes. They want a Genie: trained on private IP data, capable of one-on-one fan relationships that make Instagram feel thin.AI XR News: Tim Cook stepped aside as Apple CEO with hardware chief John Ternus taking over. Humanoid robots ran a half marathon in Beijing while a Sony robot defeated professional table tennis players, opening a conversation about Chinese robotics capabilities and AI data infiltration risks the US is still underestimating.Key Moments:[00:06:45] Tim Cook steps aside: what the Apple leadership transition signals about wearable AI[00:12:00] Humanoid robots and table tennis: China's robotics flex[00:13:00] The data infiltration argument: open-source risk and a warning for the US[00:24:00] The IP land grab: NBA, MLB, Sanrio, Kakao, Naver Webtoon[00:28:00] From photo to avatar in 10 minutes: how Genies' generation pipeline scaled[00:32:00] Why Instagram feels thin and how Genies enables one-on-one fan relationships[00:49:00] 80 people, $150M raised, and why Bob Iger sees Genies as the future of DisneyIf AI personalities are going to be everywhere, what do they look like? Akash has been building the answer for nearly a decade. Q3 is when it goes live.Brought to you by Zappar and Mattercraft — the leading visual development environment for immersive 3D web experiences. Mattercraft now includes an AI assistant for design, code, and debugging in real time. Start building at mattercraft.io.Subscribe to the AI XR Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts, or watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/Fs8h2KcJclQ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Oddities the podcast where no topic is too *~*StRaNgE*~* This week we are heading down under to hear of the Kelly Cahill abduction...or was it? As we finish up down under we will head over to Beijing....and see what is doing on down under there....Support the showFollow along on social media:FacebookInstagramWebsiteEmail: Oddities.talk@gmail.comHuge shout out to Kyle Head for our awesome new intro! Check out his amazing Music! Thank you Mana Peach for our adorable prattling cows! Check out her designs!Check out Lindsey Bidwell's designs (merch and new logo!)Check out the Moose Cottage! Check out our merch!

On this week's Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, former DoD Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security, and former Pentagon Comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the appropriations process as the Senate Armed Services Committee finishes its version of the National Defense Authorization Act and the outlook for reconciliation and an Iran war supplemental; prospects for the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act after President Trump directed his nominee to become the next Director of National Intelligence, US attorney Jay Clayton, to skip his confirmation hearing clearing the way for housing chief Bill Pulte to serve in an acting capacity; Washington and Tehran's 14-point ceasefire memorandum of understanding giving the two sides 60-days to negotiate a lasting deal that reopens the Strait of Hormuz that lawmakers and Israel blast as too generous toward Iran; Vice President Vance's warning to Jerusalem; G7's support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and impose more sanctions on Russia as Britain and France organize nations for a military mission to restore traffic through the strait; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth launches another broadside at the alliance as Washington considers withdrawing key withdrawing air and naval capabilities; South Korean President Lee Jae Myung's invitation for Trump to lead a peace talks with North Korea; Beijing's ability to strike Australia; and the Pentagon's decision to change the US Indo-Pacific Command back to the US Pacific Command.

Ely Ratner, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs and now a principal at the Marathon Initiative, joins Jordan, Bryan Clark, and Justin to make sense of the Iran ceasefire and where US-China competition goes next. We discuss: Why the MOU reads as a loss: the blockade comes down first, Iran keeps its missiles and its "nuclear dust," and a younger, harder regime learns it can take American firepower and wield an oil weapon The "bullshit détente" with Beijing and whether reindustrialization can carry a China-competition message without sounding hawkish Output metrics over input metrics, the seven-year force-posture problem, and what Ratner wishes he'd moved into the "break glass" category at the Pentagon RoboCom: the pros and cons of standing up a new combatant command Plus Crassus at Parthia, and why chasing parades is a bad idea unless you're the ny knicks suno song: https://suno.com/s/scu8twGj01AIOYSL Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 483 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with Hamidreza Azizi — expert on Iranian foreign policy and international security, and author of The Axis of Resistance: Iran, Israel, and the Struggle for the Middle East — about the evolution of the US-Israeli war against Iran since the early weeks of Operation Epic Fury, the contours of the emerging peace process, and the broader transformation of the Middle Eastern order in its wake. The first hour picks up from Azizi's previous appearance and traces how the war has developed: the transformation of Iran's leadership following the assassination of Ali Khamenei and the consolidation of power within the IRGC, the memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran, whether Iran's demonstrated control over the Strait of Hormuz has negated its need for a nuclear weapon, the role of Hezbollah and Lebanon as the most volatile variable in any lasting peace arrangement, and an honest accounting of what Iran has lost — and why those losses, not just its leverage, are driving Tehran to the negotiating table. The second hour turns to the broader regional and geopolitical consequences of the conflict. They examine whether the Islamic Republic's ruling mandate has fundamentally shifted and what that means for its relationship with the United States going forward, how Netanyahu faces elections with a war record that looks nothing like the total victory he promised, and how Trump's willingness to negotiate with Iran without Israeli participation has forced a reckoning with the limits of that alliance. They also discuss what a new Middle Eastern order looks like in the face of a potential US strategic withdrawal or retrenchment — defined less by competing visions than by fluid, transactional balance-of-power dynamics — before closing with China: what Iran's foreign minister's recent comments about a new era of cooperation between Beijing and Tehran mean in practice, how China's behavior during the war signals a qualitative shift in its strategic calculus, and what three scenarios could cause the current peace process to collapse before a comprehensive deal is reached. Subscribe to our premium content—including our premium feed, episode transcripts, and Intelligence Reports—by visiting HiddenForces.io/subscribe. If you'd like to join the conversation and become a member of the Hidden Forces Genius community—with benefits like Q&A calls with guests, exclusive research and analysis, in-person events, and dinners—you can also sign up on our subscriber page at HiddenForces.io/subscribe. If you enjoyed today's episode of Hidden Forces, please support the show by: Subscribing on Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Spotify, Stitcher, SoundCloud, CastBox, or via our RSS Feed Writing us a review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify Join our mailing list at https://hiddenforces.io/newsletter/ Producer & Host: Demetri Kofinas Editor & Engineer: Stylianos Nicolaou Subscribe and support the podcast at https://hiddenforces.io. Join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @hiddenforcespod Follow Demetri on Twitter at @Kofinas Episode Recorded on 06/17/2026

Jeremy Shepherd is rich with pearls of wisdom — both literally and figuratively. Starting with a single strand of pearls that the former flight attendant purchased for his girlfriend on a layover in Beijing, Jeremy has become one of America's largest sellers of pearls and pearl jewelry. Along the way, he accumulated a treasure trove of entrepreneurial insights, drawn from both his successes and his mistakes. Jeremy, along with his wife, Hisano, are the power duo behind Pearl Paradise and a large and devoted community of pearl collectors around the world. Jeremy is president of the Pearl Association of America. Jeremy recognized a business opportunity and then had the determination to transform himself from someone who knew virtually nothing about the pearl business into one of the industry's leading experts If you're searching for profit-making advice with real luster, Jeremy's insights are genuine gems. Monday Morning Radio is hosted by the father-son duo of Dean and Maxwell Rotbart. Photo: Jeremy Shepherd, Pearl ParadisePosted: June 22, 2026 Monday Morning Run Time: 59:25 Episode: 15.1

In this episode of The Healers Cafe, Manon speaks with Dr. Yun Kim and Dr. Jacques MoraMarco discussed their new book, "Walking Your Way to Vitality," which integrates walking, breath work, and mindfulness. They emphasized the importance of mindful walking, which involves coordinating steps with dynamic breathing and using a specific mudra to enhance focus. The book includes QR codes and drone footage to demonstrate techniques.  For the transcript and full story go to: https://www.drmanonbolliger.com/drs-kim-moramarco      Highlights from today's episode include:  Dr. Yun Kim explains mindful walking as a way to "check in" to the body—using breath, movement, and mudra to anchor awareness in the present.  Dr. Jacques MoraMarco talks about 5,000–7,000+ steps and about 30 minutes of walking daily can significantly reduce risk of major diseases and improve longevity. Manon Bolliger states simple rituals (conscious walking, bedtime routines, putting phones away) help the body understand you "mean business" about healing and sleep.   ABOUT DR KIM & DR MORAMARCO  Jacques MoraMarco, a doctor of traditional East Asian medicine, has been a licensed acupuncturist since 1977.  A pioneer in the field of Asian medicine, he took the first acupuncture license examination ever administered in the state of California. He apprenticed with See Han Kim, a renowned teacher of traditional Korean medicine, who was trained monastically. He completed his postgraduate work at Ecole Européene d'Acupuncture in Paris. From 1994 to 2004, he studied Sun Tai Chi with Sun Shurong in Beijing, China, and he is a fourth-generation lineage holder of Sun Tai Chi. He is a co-founder of the International Sun Tai Chi Association, along with Thomas Duterme and Eric Lee. Dr. MoraMarco has served as a clinic supervisor at Being Alive, an organization in Los Angeles that provides free wellness services to people living with HIV/AIDS and at the PTSD Clinic at the VA Greater Los Angeles Health System. He is dean emeritus at the former Emperor's College of Traditional East Asian Medicine. Yun Kim is the founder of Emperor's Wellness, a doctor of traditional East Asian medicine, a fifth-generation lineage holder of Sun Tai Chi, and has practiced mindful meditation for the past twenty years. She has learned from renowned meditation teachers, including Thich Nhat Hanh, Trudy Goodman, and Christiane Wolf. A licensed acupuncturist in the state of California, she completed her doctoral clinical rotation at the PTSD clinic at the VA Greater Los Angeles Health System and maintains an acupuncture practice in Los Angeles. She earned her Doctor of Education at the University of Southern California, Rossier School of Education. | Facebook |  Instagram |    ABOUT MANON BOLLIGER, RBHT, FCAH: As a retired Naturopath 1992-2021, I saw an average of 150 patients per week and have helped people ranging from rural farmers in Nova Scotia to stressed out CEOs in Toronto to tri-athletes here in Vancouver. My resolve to educate, empower and engage people to take charge of their own health is evident in my best-selling books:  'What Patients Don't Say if Doctors Don't Ask: The Mindful Patient-Doctor Relationship' and 'A Healer in Every Household: Simple Solutions for Stress'. and What if Your Body is Smarter than You Think?  I am the Founder & CEO of The Bowen College Inc. which teaches BowenFirst™ Therapy and holds transformational workshops to achieve these goals. So, when I share with you that LISTENing to Your body is a game changer in the healing process, I am speaking from expertise and direct experience". Mission: A Healer in Every Household! For more great information to go to her weekly blog:  http://bowencollege.com/blog.  For tips on health & healing go to: https://www.drmanonbolliger.com/tips Follow: Manon Bolliger website  | Linktr.ee | Rumble | Gettr  | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | LinkedIn | Follow: Bowen College Inc. | Facebook | Instagram  | LinkedIn | YouTube | Twitter | Rumble | Locals ABOUT THE HEALERS CAFE: Manon's show is the #1 show for medical practitioners and holistic healers to have heart to heart conversations about their day to day lives. Subscribe and review on your favourite platform: iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | Libsyn | iHeartRadio | Gaana | The Healers Cafe | Radio.com | Medioq | Audacy |   Follow The Healers Café on FB: https://www.facebook.com/thehealerscafe   Remember to subscribe if you like our videos. Click the bell if you want to be one of the first people notified of a new release. * De-Registered, revoked & retired naturopathic physician after 30 years of practice in healthcare. Now resourceful & resolved to share with you all the tools to take care of your health & vitality!

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Ships are expected to begin moving through the Strait of Hormuz once again, but the world's most important energy corridor remains far from normal. We'll examine why the recovery of global oil markets and energy supply chains could take months—or even longer. European officials are accusing China of training Russian troops for combat in Ukraine, a claim Beijing is strongly denying. We'll break down the allegations, the evidence behind them, and what they could mean for already strained China-Europe relations. Federal authorities say they disrupted an alleged plot targeting the UFC Freedom 250 event at the White House. Multiple suspects are in custody after reportedly discussing plans involving drones and a gunman. We'll have the latest details from the investigation. In today's Back of the Brief—intelligence agencies are finding a new way to gather information on potential targets: buying it. We'll explain how governments are increasingly purchasing vast amounts of consumer data from private companies and what that means for privacy and national security. 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 ZBiotics: Go to https://zbiotics.com/PDB and use PDB at checkout for 15% off any first time orders of ZBiotics probiotics. Ultra Pouches: don't sleep on @ultrapouches. New customers get 15% Off with code PDB at https://takeultra.com ! #UltraPouches #ad  Cardiff: Get fast business funding without bank delays—apply in minutes with Cardiff and access up to $500,000 in same‑day funding at https://Cardiff.co/PDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Alice Han and special guest Ed Elson break down how Chinese investors are increasingly being shut out of America's hottest IPOs — even as China pours hundreds of billions into AI, robotics, and next-generation tech. They talk about the growing financial and technological divide between the U.S. and China, the Pentagon's decision to label companies like Alibaba, BYD, and Baidu as “Chinese Military Companies” and whether Washington and Beijing are entering a new era of financial decoupling. They also look at the big Chinese companies that could be next to IPO, and who China's Elon Musk might be.  Plus: the growing worker backlash as AI transforms China's labor market. Subscribe to China Decode on Substack for weekly analysis, livestreams, and deep dives into the biggest story shaping the global economy: chinadecode.profgmedia.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.

Episode 4146 │ June 15, 2026 Trump declared victory 35 times. The Strait is still mined. The MOU isn't a peace deal. China brokered it all without putting its name on anything. WHAT THIS EPISODE COVERS  Scott Kesterson reviews the documented lies of the Iran war — the fabricated nuclear timeline, the bombed girls' school, the 35-plus false victory declarations, the suppression of Pentagon press briefings, and the removal of civilian harm safeguards before the first strike — and maps them against the MOU announced on Trump's birthday as a peace deal that Iran has not confirmed, the Strait has not opened, and the Supreme Leader has not endorsed. The episode then connects the Iran exit directly to the Panda Gambit series: Trump flew to Beijing in May without rare earth concessions, returned with a war he couldn't sustain, and three weeks later a ceasefire appeared — brokered through Pakistan and Qatar, with China's fingerprints nowhere on the document and Chinese companies positioned to capture the $300 billion reconstruction fund Iran says is in the MOU. Sun Tzu closes the analysis: the highest form of victory is the victory your opponent does not recognize as defeat. KEY QUESTIONS ADDRESSED  What is actually in the Iran MOU — and why does the absence of the Supreme Leader's statement, Iran's refusal to attend the signing, and the mined Strait of Hormuz reveal that this is an exit strategy, not a peace deal? What documented lies about the Iran war — the nuclear timeline, the girls' school strike, the War Powers clock reset — created the political space for lawless military conduct to operate unchecked? How did China broker the Iran ceasefire without appearing at the table, surrender no rare earth concessions, and position itself to win economically whether the Strait opens or stays closed? 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 This episode was researched and produced under the Sentinel Framework — the analytical methodology built by Scott Kesterson — with AI-assisted research synthesis. All analysis, conclusions, and editorial judgments are those of Scott Kesterson. AFFILIATE LINKS 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 DONATIONS: 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

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...

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

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