Podcasts about Beijing

Last October, Pastor Wang Lin, one of the leaders in Zion Church in China, was arrested and imprisoned under false charges of "fraud" and "illegal business practices." Sarah Su (Su Ziming in Chinese), wife of Pastor Wang, recounts the day her husband was arrested and the Christian persecution they faced even before he was imprisoned. Sarah will share about her husband's role in Zion Church's leadership and in training other leaders, how the church continues to reach many people despite persecution from the Chinese Communist Party, and recent updates about Pastor Wang's condition in prison. "The moment I married Wang Lin, I have decided to face all this together," Sarah says. "I knew that his mission was to train and disciple more Christians in China…I knew something like [this] would happen one day." You'll hear from Sarah how she continues to face this persecution with courage, faithfully enduring times of worry and loneliness. She will share how she and her husband both are committed to serve the Lord—no matter the cost. Zion Church made international headlines during President Trump's visit to Xi Jinping in Beijing in May and with the release of Zion senior pastor Ezra Jin from prison during America's July 4 celebrations. Sarah thanks God for Jin's release, and says the case against Zion Church continues, with eight church leaders remaining in prison. She asks that we pray for their release, the dismissal of charges, for their physical and spiritual health, and for her and her children, along with family members of the other persecuted Christians from Zion Church. Visit Prisoner Alert to write an encouraging letter to Pastor Wang Lin, and letters to other Christians imprisoned for their faith in Iran, Eritrea, and China.  

When Chinese policeman Dong Guangping wrote an article commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 1989 military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing, it kicked off a chain of events that led to him serving jail time and losing his job. But it also sparked the beginning of a deep desire to live more freely. So Dong began planning how he might escape China. Just a few weeks ago, back in late May, he finally achieved his dream, having taken the huge risk of crossing China's Yellow Sea in a dinghy to reach South Korean waters. Phoebe Kong, based in the BBC's Hong Kong bureau, explained how rare Dong's achievement really is. Yemen has faced decades of economic hardship and war, but the khat industry is thriving. Khat is a plant, and when chewed it acts as a stimulant. It is estimated to consume one-third of Yemen's groundwater and occupy much of the country's agricultural land. Dalia Haidar of BBC Arabic has been looking into Yemen's relationship to khat and the problem it can cause.The Fifth Floor is at the heart of global storytelling on the BBC World Service, bringing you the best stories from journalists in the BBC's 43 language services. We're here to help you make sense of the stories making headlines around the world; to excite your curiosity and to get to grips with the facts. Recent episodes have investigated Russia's youth armies and how they make soldiers of Ukrainian children; featured the BBC team who were the first journalists to the site of the Nigerian school kidnappings and reflected the effects of internet blackouts in Iran, Uganda and India. If you want to know more about Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, and the legacy of Hugo Chavez; or how Vladimir Putin's network of deep cover spies operates; or why Donald Trump signed an executive order granting white South Africans asylum in the US, we have all those stories and more.This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world. Presented by Faranak Amidi. Produced by Laura Thomas and Caroline Ferguson (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)

** Do you want to talk about this episode with us? Come to Macro ‘n Chill, our online gathering. Tuesday, August 4, 8pm ET/5pm PT. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nLks4k8gQWKQzTAn0CEsoAAshwin Shantha joins Steve for a discussion challenging Western narratives on China – particularly the all-too-common opinions that dismiss its socialist character. This episode makes the case that China is a genuine socialist project where the state disciplines capital rather than being governed by it.Ashwin illustrates how China's green industrial revolution—driven by rapid progress in electric vehicles and renewable energy—marks a qualitative break from capitalist development paths. Unlike the Global North's extractive model, China's centrally planned approach prioritizes use-value objectives (clean air, energy self-reliance, and technological independence) over exchange-value maximization. The state constructs markets strategically, using mechanisms like the dual-credit policy to force both domestic and foreign automakers toward sustainable production targets.While the episode isn't focused on MMT, it highlights how China's monetary sovereignty enables fiscal space for long-term industrial planning. The nation's ability to issue its own currency and direct credit toward clean development highlights a crucial distinction from Global South countries trapped in IMF-imposed structural adjustment programs. This self-determined policy space, which is denied to nations like India and much of Africa, allows Beijing to absorb neoliberal shocks while maintaining state control over the economy.China's sustainable growth model is anti-imperialist in two key ways. First, energy independence reduces reliance on imported fossil fuels that expose the country to geopolitical leverage through choke points like the Malacca Strait. Second, technological autonomy focuses on developing indigenous productive forces that break the Western monopoly over clean technology.By keeping private capital subordinate to state priorities, China shows that socialist modernization offers a workable alternative for the Global South, avoiding the de-development and resource plunder that characterizes Western industrialization.China's model may still have some contradictions, but it continues to show what is possible when state power is wielded in the interests of the working class.Ashwin Shantha (they/them) is a doctoral student whose research focuses broadly on the political economy of sovereign development in the global South, focusing specifically on China and South Asia. Some of their existing work has researched South-South development cooperation between China and Pakistan through the Belt and Road Initiative, as well as, more recently, China's state-led green industrial revolution in the electric vehicles and renewable energy sectors. Ashwin is also the host of the International Solidarity Podcast, which focuses on the politics of anti-imperialism and socialism in the global South.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@journalofintlsolidarityInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/journalofintlsolidaritySubstack: https://intlsolidarity.substack.com/

A.M. Edition for July 31. Earnings from AI hyperscalers this week showed rising demand for their cloud services, with Amazon's CEO forecasting corporate AI use was still in its ‘early stages.' But as EY's Dan Diasio tells us, rising token costs are leading many businesses to question their broader AI approach. Plus, the U.S. says Hamas has agreed to a broad plan to disarm in exchange for an eventual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. And WSJ reporter Margherita Stancati describes how the arrival of thousands of migrants into the Spanish territory of Ceuta from neighboring Morocco is piling political pressure on the center-left government in Madrid. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Plus: Anthropic says software it was testing got onto the internet and hacked three unsuspecting companies. And Tesla weighs the sale of its China business to pave the way for a potential merger with SpaceX. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

-Rob kicks off the hour by recounting the emotional "kidnapping" of his beloved Bronco, Buck, only to discover it was sitting in an impound lot after being towed for parking over the line—prompting a dramatic reunion worthy of a Hollywood romance. -Rob returns to Anthony Fauci, blasting the media's continued defense of the former health official while revisiting lockdowns, masks, school closures, and a satirical Jim Gossett musical parody about Fauci pleading the Fifth. -Gordon Chang joins Rob to discuss China's handling of COVID, alleged gain-of-function research, biological security concerns, Chinese influence operations in American media, and reports of Chinese weapons shipments to Iran, while urging a tougher U.S. stance toward Beijing. Today's podcast is sponsored by : PARAMOUNT PLUS - Don't Miss “Lioness” - all episodes streaming August 2nd on Paramount Plus RELIEF FACTOR - You don't need to live with aches & pains! Reduce muscle & joint inflammation and live a pain-free life by visiting http://ReliefFactor.com  GHOSTBED - I used to think a mattress was just furniture, until I got my GhostBed! GhostBed is offering my audience their lowest prices of the season, plus an extra 10% off. Go to http://GhostBed.com/CARSON and use promo code CARSON To call in and speak with Rob Carson live on the show, dial 1-800-922-6680 between the hours of 12 Noon and 3:00 pm Eastern Time Monday through Friday… Musical parodies provided by Jim Gossett (http://patreon.com/JimGossettComedy) You can now WATCH and chat with The Rob Carson Show LIVE on Newsmax's social media channels (Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube, Rumble) Listen to Newsmax LIVE and see our entire podcast lineup at http://Newsmax.com/Listen Make the switch to NEWSMAX today! Get your 15 day free trial of NEWSMAX+ at http://NewsmaxPlus.com Looking for NEWSMAX caps, tees, mugs & more? Check out the Newsmax merchandise shop at : http://nws.mx/shop Follow NEWSMAX on Social Media:  -Facebook: http://nws.mx/FB  -X/Twitter: http://nws.mx/twitter -Instagram: http://nws.mx/IG -YouTube: https://youtube.com/NewsmaxTV -Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsmaxTV -TRUTH Social: https://truthsocial.com/@NEWSMAX -GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/newsmax -Threads: http://threads.net/@NEWSMAX  -Telegram: http://t.me/newsmax  -BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/newsmax.com -Parler: http://app.parler.com/newsmax Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The US has moved to block new foreign-made robots from its market over national security concerns, with Chinese manufacturers expected to be hit hardest. Beijing says it could retaliate. We also examine the health of the US economy, as growth disappoints and inflation remains stubbornly above the Federal Reserve's target. And Australia's internet regulator takes legal action against Telegram over its alleged failure to remove terrorist content.

You’re listening to American Ground Radio with Stephen Parr and Louis R. Avallone. This is the full show for July 29, 2026. We open with Anthony Fauci's appearance before the Senate Homeland Security Committee — where he invoked the Fifth Amendment 111 times over nearly four hours, refusing to answer questions about COVID-19, gain-of-function research, federal records, and his role in shaping the pandemic response. He even invoked the Fifth when asked whether a red folder was sitting in front of him. We walk through the constitutional tension at the heart of the hearing: Biden's sweeping preemptive pardon covers Fauci for any federal offense between 2014 and January 19, 2025 — and under an 1896 Supreme Court ruling, a pardoned witness can no longer claim Fifth Amendment privilege because the danger of prosecution has been removed. Fauci's lawyers are apparently betting the autopenned pardon might be invalidated. We also point out that the Fifth Amendment does not protect a witness from future perjury — meaning the only real jeopardy Fauci faced was if he lied again. His diaries, which he confirmed are his, already prove he lied to Congress about school closures and gain-of-function. Biden may have given him immunity from punishment. He may also have given Congress the power to compel the truth. In our Top 3 Things You Need to Know, Fauci's Senate testimony — 111 Fifth Amendment invocations, a contempt vote expected next week. Then the Trump administration officially banned gain-of-function research globally — expanding last year's China-specific ban to all foreign nations and the United States itself, with HHS and the State Department issuing a joint statement on biosafety standards. And the Senate confirmed Jay Clayton as the new Director of National Intelligence on a party-line 51-47 vote — in part because Clayton refused to tell Democrat senators that he believed Joe Biden won the 2020 election fairly. We also cover President Trump's ban on importing humanoid robots manufactured in China — framing it as a national security issue rather than a tariff. We explain why this is correct: Chinese robotic firms have been pouring money into R&D, producing advanced prototypes that can lift, run, climb stairs, and mimic human gestures. Importing them would stifle American domestic robotics manufacturing and potentially introduce devices receiving overnight software updates from servers in Beijing. Our American Mamas Teri Netterville and Kimberly Burleson take on the trend of celebrity children dropping their fathers' last names when they turn 18 — specifically Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's daughter, and Tom Cruise's daughter Suri. Teri makes the case that this isn't really about the name — it's about what happens when a parent loves winning more than they love their children's relationship with their other parent. She shares a story from their own extended family where a mother kept her children away from their father for 20 years based on lies — and when the truth came out as adults, the son found his father, the father died shortly after, and the son's relationship with his mother was shattered permanently. The data on children without fathers is not ambiguous. The children who are protected from the bitterness of divorce are the ones who grow up most whole. We dig into Zoran Mamdani's pied-à-terre tax — a second-home tax he promised would affect 13,000 properties. When the city published the list of people subject to the tax, it contained more than 960,000 names and their addresses — effectively doxxing nearly a million New Yorkers, including celebrities who campaigned for Mamdani like Cynthia Nixon, plus Anna Wintour and Woody Allen. It also included people who have lived in their homes as their primary residence for 27 and 30 years respectively, now being billed $43,000 in additional annual taxes on top of their existing property taxes. One resident compared it to a command and control government like Cuba or China. We call it exactly what it is — a communist mayor who said he was going to tax the rich and is now taxing anyone he can find an address for. We also cover the co-owner of the Seattle Storm WNBA team allegedly approaching two teenage girls holding pro-Sophie Cunningham signs at a game — girls wearing XXXY t-shirts in support of women's sports — and unleashing an expletive-filled rant that left one of them in tears. The team apologized. We note that these girls bought tickets, spent money on parking and concessions, and chose to spend their evening at a Storm game. The ownership treated them as political opponents. We also note that the same signs held at a Fever game in Indianapolis would have received a very different reaction. For our Bright Spot, Missouri Senator Eric Schmitt introduced the Boasberg Act — named after the Washington D.C. federal judge who has repeatedly blocked Trump administration actions before being overruled by the Supreme Court. The bill does three things: requires fully randomized case assignments so plaintiffs can't judge-shop, implements transparency measures to verify the randomization is actually being followed, and removes a judge from a case if the Supreme Court overrules them in that same case. We call it exactly what it is — a structural fix to a systemic problem that has cost taxpayers time and money and allowed activist judges to function as a one-person veto over the will of the American people. We also cover Chicago's government grocery store experiment — where Mayor Brandon Johnson gave a company called Yellow Banana $13 million in subsidies to reopen seven Save-A-Lot locations in food deserts, promising $26 million over ten years. Yellow Banana closed all seven stores in less than two years. The reason: you cannot sustain a grocery store selling at below-market prices. New York City is now launching the same experiment. We suggest they call Chicago first. We also cover Nancy Sinatra's claim on X that the founding fathers would have banned firearms if they'd known about automatic weapons — and explain why this is historically illiterate. The founders specifically ensured colonists could own the weapons of war of their era. The Battle of Lexington and Concord was triggered by the British attempting to confiscate cannons. And the Second Amendment says arms — not muskets. And we close with 14-year-old Jory Thomas, who brought his lariat camping along the Yellowstone River because he'd been practicing roping every day after school. While camping, he heard cries from the middle of the rushing river — a man clinging to a cooler after his raft hit a bridge upstream. Jory waded in, threw his lariat, roped the man on the first try, and pulled him to shore. He said God was basically putting him in place. May your pursuit of happiness bring you joy. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, visit AmericanGroundRadio.com, and join the conversation at 866-AGR-1776!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When people hear the words “trade war,” they usually think of one person: Donald Trump. But while everyone has been watching Washington and Beijing, another potential trade war has been developing much more quietly—and this one could be even more disruptive than most people realize. And for one of its participants, a key line has just been crossed. Eurodollar University's Money & Macro Analysis----------------------------------------------------------------------------------What if your gold could actually pay you every month… in MORE gold?That's exactly what Monetary Metals does. You still own your gold, fully insured in your name, but instead of sitting idle, it earns real yield paid in physical gold. No selling. No trading. Just more gold every month.Check it out here: https://monetary-metals.com/snider----------------------------------------------------------------------------------If you want to see The Four Economic Regimes, and How to Position Your Portfolio for Each One, sign up here https://eurodollar-university.com/home-page----------------------------------------------------------------------------------https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-28/germany-maps-china-s-weaknesses-in-preparation-for-a-trade-warhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmaOMHPQR1Ahttps://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/china-slaps-export-controls-14-eu-entities-retaliation-135045129https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fml0iDKyNaEhttps://www.n-tv.de/politik/Vier-von-fuenf-Deutschen-sind-unzufrieden-mit-der-Bundesregierung-id31083833.htmlhttps://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-27/german-industry-warns-energy-price-shock-is-crimping-investmenthttps://www.eurodollar.universityTwitter: https://twitter.com/JeffSnider_EDUI'll also be active on Bravais Social - a new AI-centered social network designed for professionals and knowledge workers. The platform aims to bring together a wider range of tools and functionalities tailored specifically for professional interaction, research, and knowledge exchange in one place. You can find me here: https://bravais.social/profile/edu

Alice Han and James Kynge break down Xi Jinping's pitch at the World AI Conference in Shanghai: free, open-source Chinese AI models for developing nations shut out by expensive U.S. systems. They dig into WAICO, the new 29-member intergovernmental AI organization China just launched, how it echoes (and diverges from) the Belt and Road and Digital Silk Road playbooks, and whether China's open-source generosity can actually last. Then: mathematicians Yu Deng and Hong Wang just became the first two Chinese nationals to win a Fields Medal in the same year — only the second and third Chinese nationals ever to win math's highest honor. Alice and James discuss why it's being celebrated as a milestone for Chinese science, and what it says about talent flow between China and the West. Plus: Amy Lyons — known online as @BlondieinChina — joins to talk about a decade of covering Chinese food and culture, what most people get wrong about Chinese cuisine outside Beijing and Shanghai, and how the creator economy is reshaping global perceptions of China. 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

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: First—China is quietly preparing for a future beyond Vladimir Putin, cultivating relationships throughout the Russian political establishment as Moscow becomes increasingly dependent on Beijing. Once viewed by Xi Jinping as a model of strength, Putin now finds himself leading the junior partner in an increasingly unequal relationship. Later—a Gulf-backed proposal offers a possible path toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The plan calls for shared regional management and voluntary shipping fees, but would require Iran to abandon its demand for sole control over the critical waterway. 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 QUO: Make this the season where no opportunity slips away. Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://Quo.com/PDB 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 Pendulum: Ditch the afternoon crashes and naturally curb your cravings with 20% off the doctor-recommended Pendulum Metabolic Daily at https://pendulumlife.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The long-term drivers for the commodity cycle are intact. The rally that we've seen over the last 24 months, it's just like a teaser of what's coming when you look at broad sort of like landscape ideas in terms of like the exposure of global markets to mining and metals and to energy as well, it's less than 1% in some cases. If that only gets back to long-term averages of 5 to 10%, we're looking at trillions of dollars that are going to roll into our space. We live in a world where companies have trillion-dollar valuations. Why can't our companies [miners] have trillion-dollar valuations?" explains Resource Fund Manager Samuel Pelaez in this MSE episode. Samuel Pelaez is the President, CEO and CIO of Olive Resource Capital Inc. He has dedicated the past decade to financing natural resource projects while serving as Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager at Galileo Global Equity Advisors, and as an analyst at US Global Investors. Mr. Pelaez has been an early investor in numerous resource discoveries and has been an active participant in Canadian resource corporate transactions. Samuel graduated from the Schulich School of Business with Distinction. He also holds a Masters in Finance degree from The University of Cambridge. He was a scholar of the Financial Leaders of Tomorrow Program at the PBOC Graduate School at Tsinghua University in Beijing. Samuel is a CFA charter holder and member of the Toronto CFA Society where he resides. Sam's website: https://olive-resource.com/ 00:00 Intro 00:47 Market Outlook and Fed 02:41 Gold Pullback Opportunity 04:12 Liquidity Spreads to Commodities 07:04 Whales Media and Charts 08:29 Copper Capex and Juniors 13:54 Project Quality and Water 17:13 M&A Drivers Permitting 19:46 Fast 41 and Policy Tailwinds 21:50 Portfolio Construction Focus 24:21 Position Sizing Concentration 28:37 Benchmarking and Learning 34:10 Top Picks to Watch 36:45 Olive Resource Capital Thesis 39:23 Cost of Living Philosophy Sign up for our free newsletter and receive interview transcripts, stock profiles and investment ideas: http://eepurl.com/cHxJ39 This interview was not sponsored. Mining Stock Education offers informational content based on available data but it does not constitute investment, tax, or legal advice. It may not be appropriate for all situations or objectives. Readers and listeners should seek professional advice, make independent investigations and assessments before investing. MSE does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of its content and should not be solely relied upon for investment decisions. MSE and its owner may hold financial interests in the companies discussed and can trade such securities without notice. MSE is biased towards its advertising sponsors which make this platform possible. MSE is not liable for representations, warranties, or omissions in its content. By accessing MSE content, users agree that MSE and its affiliates bear no liability related to the information provided or the investment decisions you make. Full disclaimer: https://www.miningstockeducation.com/disclaimer/

Authoritarian Markets explores the political foundations of China's banking boom and its far-reaching impact on the Chinese economy. In 1978 China had no commercial banks. Today it commands the world's largest banking system, with assets equal to 40 percent of global GDP. In Authoritarian Markets: The Politics of China's Banking Explosion (Cornell University Press, 2026), Dr. Adam Y. Liu argues that this rise was not the product of market reforms but of political bargains and bureaucratic mobilization. In the 1990s, Beijing issued bank licenses as bargaining chips—securing cooperation from local governments as it pushed through painful reforms. The result was a sprawling, competitive banking market built not in spite of authoritarian rule but because of it. Drawing on interviews, spatial data, census records, surveys, and experiments, Dr. Liu reveals how local state banks became both engines of China's growth and incubators of its current economic risks. Eye-opening and persuasive, Authoritarian Markets offers fresh insight into the political logic of market development in China and authoritarian states worldwide. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Authoritarian Markets explores the political foundations of China's banking boom and its far-reaching impact on the Chinese economy. In 1978 China had no commercial banks. Today it commands the world's largest banking system, with assets equal to 40 percent of global GDP. In Authoritarian Markets: The Politics of China's Banking Explosion (Cornell University Press, 2026), Dr. Adam Y. Liu argues that this rise was not the product of market reforms but of political bargains and bureaucratic mobilization. In the 1990s, Beijing issued bank licenses as bargaining chips—securing cooperation from local governments as it pushed through painful reforms. The result was a sprawling, competitive banking market built not in spite of authoritarian rule but because of it. Drawing on interviews, spatial data, census records, surveys, and experiments, Dr. Liu reveals how local state banks became both engines of China's growth and incubators of its current economic risks. Eye-opening and persuasive, Authoritarian Markets offers fresh insight into the political logic of market development in China and authoritarian states worldwide. This interview was conducted by Dr. Miranda Melcher whose book focuses on post-conflict military integration, understanding treaty negotiation and implementation in civil war contexts, with qualitative analysis of the Angolan and Mozambican civil wars. You can find Miranda's interviews on New Books with Miranda Melcher, wherever you get your podcasts.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/finance

Here at The Remnant, our hate list is rather long: Woodrow Wilson, electoral primaries, German romanticism … the list goes on and on. But if there's one we hate that doesn't get enough air time, it's Chinese communism. We hate Chinese communism. That's why we've recruited from the ranks of America's foremost anti-CCP institution—that's the American Enterprise Institute, for those of you who live under rocks—to bring you the latest on Chinese grand strategy. AEI's Audrye Wong joins Jonah Goldberg to discuss Beijing's international investment, Chinese diaspora, influence operations, Taiwan, bribery, Chinese culture, American investment in Asia, Orbán's Hungary, Russia-China relations, democracy, Han supremacy, and how Americans should think about countering the threat across the Pacific.  Show Notes: —Subversion and Seduction: China's Economic Statecraft —Zach Cooper in Foreign Affairs: “Asia After America” —Jonah's last book The Remnant is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including the Saturday Ruminant, audio versions of all our articles and newsletters, and Jonah's twice-weekly G-File—⁠click here⁠. Instructions on how to set up your members-only feed can be found here, and if you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 491 of Hidden Forces, Demetri Kofinas speaks with trade economist Chad Bown—a former chief economist at the U.S. State Department, host of the popular Trade Talks podcast, and co-author of the recently published How to Win a Trade War—about what international policymakers, companies, and individuals need to understand about America's ongoing trade war, what victory would look like for the various parties involved in the conflict, and most importantly, how to win. The first hour lays the intellectual groundwork for understanding the modern trading system, examining the unique role played by the dollar and capital recycling in concentrating the gains from trade among the owners of capital, and stress-testing the theory of weaponized interdependence through the ongoing case studies of Russia's war against Ukraine and America's latest war with Iran. The second hour turns from the motivations behind the current trade war and what's at stake to the players themselves, their incentives, and what it means to wage a trade war in the first place—the weapons at each nation's disposal, the defensive measures to be taken, the strategies to be deployed, and the various time horizons and end games to be considered when fighting one. They close with an assessment of American industrial policy, including the CHIPS Act and the semiconductor export-control regime, Beijing's willingness to weaponize its dominance in rare earths and permanent magnets, and three scenarios for how this new and likely durable era of economic conflict could ultimately unfold. 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 07/23/2026

Nicholas Burns is a veteran diplomat who served as President Biden's ambassador to China during a crucial period in U.S.-China relations. We caught up at the Aspen Security Forum in July for a wide-ranging conversation about Chinese foreign policy, including Beijing's evolving diplomatic role in the conflict with Iran, what Xi Jinping hopes to gain from upcoming summits with Donald Trump, and whether China is really seeking to supplant the United States in international institutions.

Nationwide protests against data centers and even demands to stop the AI race constitute a significant glimmer of hope as Artificial Intelligence colonizes every sphere of human existence with terrifying rapidity. The movement, however, faces potential pitfalls that could be fatal. The emergence of stochastic attacks on the AI bosses represents counter-productive adventurism seemingly informed by an ugly primitivism. An equal but opposite threat is exploitation of the movement by elements that really have no critique of the technology at all, but only seek to see it advance under Chinese rather than American techno-oligarchs—specifically the cultish and reactionary "Party for Socialism & Liberation" (sic). PSL is indeed an instrument through which the rulers of China (and Russia) are attempting to groom oppositional forces in the US. This provides convenient fodder for propganda that would portray any opposition to the AI economy as a tool of Beijing's ambitions to global dominance of the industry. As struggles against data centers now emerge in places like the Philippines, it is critical that we take a Neither East Nor West position and repudiate the global divide-and-rule racket that is the essence of the state system. In Episode 338 of the CounterVortex podcast, Bill Weinberg continues to make the case for an uncompromising abolitionist position on Artificial Intelligence. Listen on SoundCloud or via Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/countervortex Production by Chris Rywalt We ask listeners to donate just $1 per weekly podcast via Patreon -- or $2 for our new special offer! We now have 61 subscribers. If you appreciate our work, please become Number 62!

The biggest oil shock in modern history came and went without the catastrophe everyone expected. When Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, analysts warned that oil could hit $200 a barrel, but the global economy avoided that fate. The Trump administration has argued that the crisis was contained thanks to their aggressive action, but they may be taking the wrong lessons from the avoidance of that apocalyptic scenario. What happened was the largest unexpected swing in global oil balances: China quietly cut crude oil imports by more than five million barrels a day. Yet there was no corresponding collapse in economic activity, no obvious drop in mobility, and no official explanation from Beijing. Somehow, China stopped buying oil from the rest of the world and started drawing from stockpiles we can't fully observe. That single decision may have done more to prevent a global energy crisis than anything Washington or OPEC accomplished. This matters because it demonstrates that China likely has a stronger discretionary policy lever than the West does. The West is really good at market-driven, private-sector oil production. But through this crisis, we've seen that Washington does not have the scale of discretionary policy control that China or OPEC does. This time, China cooperated and did the good thing, at least for the broad economic picture — but we cannot rely on that in the future, and that tool can be used against the West as easily as for it. Western governments must grapple with that discretionary gap and not rest on their private-sector bona fides to get through the next crisis. Arnab Datta, managing director of policy implementation at Employ America, and Rory Johnston, oil analyst and founder of Commodity Context, join ChinaTalk to discuss: Why Rory's own prediction of $200 oil never happened and why J.D. Vance is thanking the wrong people. How China quietly cut crude imports by five million barrels a day with zero visible impact on domestic mobility, and the detective work analysts use to peer into Beijing's black-box inventories. Competing theories for why Beijing backstopped the global oil market — self-interested altruism, a backroom deal during the state visit, or a dry run for a Malacca blockade in the event of a Taiwan contingency. What India, the Gulf states, and the rest of the world learned from the Iran War and why strategic reserves are suddenly back in fashion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Captain James Fanell reports China is escalating physical violence against Philippine Navy personnel at Second Thomas Shoal, including "poking, prodding, and beating" sailors. Fanell explains this "petulant" behavior coincides with the 10th anniversary of a Hague ruling that invalidated China's maritime claims. Simultaneously, China and Russiaconducted joint live-fire drills in Japan's exclusive economic zone. These coordinated actions signal Beijing's intent to ignore international law and forcibly challenge the sovereignty of its neighbors. (13)LA

SCHEDULE FOR THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 7-24-20261940 BERLINJeff Bliss reports from Los Angeles, where Mayor Karen Bass's "Inside Safe" program faces scrutiny as figures show 41% of participants returned to homelessness. Encampments have expanded significantly, with Skid Row growing from five blocks to over 50. Bliss notes that organized crime cartels reportedly rent dilapidated RVs to the homeless, profiting from government stipends. Despite rising homelessness rates and disappointing results, local politicians are criticized for a lack of accountability and for fostering a "homelessness industry." (1)Jeff Bliss notes the Oakland Athletics are preparing for a move to Las Vegas, with high-profile investor Mark Cubanjoining as a minority owner to boost the franchise's profile. Development plans include a unique heart-shaped hotel on a previously failed ferris wheel site near the future stadium. Meanwhile, Hollywood faces "creative destruction" as Pixarinitiates layoffs despite box office success. Additionally, location shoot bookings in Los Angeles have dropped 13%, signaling a shift in the film industry. (2)Richard Epstein critiques the Smithsonian's "Many Voices, One Nation" exhibit for its "woke" portrayal of American history. He argues the exhibit unfairly reduces Benjamin Franklin to an "alleged racist" while ignoring his foundational contributions. Epstein highlights the complexity of figures like Thomas Jefferson, who authored the Declaration of Independence yet held restrictive views on immigration. The discussion underscores a perceived ideological mono-culture within the history profession that prioritizes narrative over factual nuance. (3)Richard Epstein analyzes the Trump administration's reintroduction of tariffs, now targeting allies like Australia and the EU under the guise of combating "forced labor." Epstein characterizes these moves as "lawfare" and "mindless isolationism," noting that these allies often have superior working conditions compared to the U.S. He warns that such policies alienate essential partners needed to counter global threats from Russia, Iran, and China, effectively driving allies to organize independently. (4)Jim McTague reports from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where Costco gas prices have reached $4.09, causing "mind-numbing" costs for residents. While some business slowdowns are noted, local diners remain full, supported by a robust retiree demographic with "deep pockets." The real estate market is exceptionally tight, with only 200 homes available as New Yorkers continue to bid up prices for high-quality housing. McTague concludes with observations on local tourism and his upcoming road trip to Kentucky. (5)Lorenzo Fiato reports Italy is battling severe wildfires in Sicily and Sardinia amid a prolonged heatwave. Fiato reports that Italians face exorbitant fuel costs, reaching $9.50 per gallon on motorways due to heavy taxation. To avoid over-tourism in cities like Florence, he recommends visiting Ascoli Piceno, the "town of the 100 towers," known for its travertine architecture. He concludes with culinary recommendations, including the traditional Spaghetti Ascolana paired with local Pecorino or Rosso Piceno wines. (6)Bob Zimmerman reports Rocket Lab has secured major Pentagon contracts for hypersonic test launches, potentially utilizing a remote new facility in Alaska. SpaceX is rumored to be planning a massive spaceport in Louisiana, while Northrop Grumman is successfully deploying robotic satellite-servicing pods. Conversely, Zimmerman criticizes "leftist governments" in the UK and Australia for stifling their domestic space industries with excessive red tape and "meaningless bureaucratic jargon," which forces young aerospace talent to seek opportunities abroad. (7)Bob Zimmerman highlights the "bankruptcy" of modern academia, citing a study where half of social science papers failed replication tests. He discusses an upcoming Falcon 9 rocket impact on the moon scheduled for August 5th and new data from the Juno mission revealing Io's subsurface temperatures. Additionally, scientists are investigating whether a suspected asteroid is actually a failed 1980s Soviet Mars probe, although Zimmerman remains skeptical of speculative theories involving alien technology. (8)Henry Sokolski examines a proposed deal to provide Saudi Arabia with nuclear power that has sparked intense proliferation concerns. While the Department of Energy initially signaled a "green light," the Trump administration later conditioned the agreement on Saudi Arabia joining the Abraham Accords. Sokolski warns that without "Additional Protocol" inspections, the kingdom could use the technology to develop a "bomb option." This follows the Crown Prince's 2018 assertion that Saudi Arabia would seek nuclear weapons if Iran acquired them. (9)Henry Sokolski continues: the Saudi nuclear deal remains "contradictory," with the White House and Department of Energy appearing out of sync. Media criticism reportedly prompted the president to demand a "quid pro quo"—Saudi recognition of Israel—to justify the proliferation risks. Israel remains in a difficult position; while desiring normalization, it privately opposes a Saudi nuclear program that could trigger a regional arms race. The deal's progress depends on whether it is submitted to Congress by late September. (10)Peter Huessy explains "extended deterrence," the U.S. nuclear umbrella protecting allies from aggression. Huessy critiques a proposal to delegate nuclear authority to a "three-key" system involving France and the UK, arguing it would create dangerous indecision during a crisis. He notes that allies increasingly doubt U.S. resolve. Strategy has shifted toward "counterforce" targets, aiming to disable an enemy's leadership and military capability rather than destroying cities, to provide "flexible response" options. (11)Peter Huessy notes Russia holds a 20-to-1 advantage over the U.S. in "theater" or tactical nuclear weapons, which Putinuses for "nuclear blackmail" to keep NATO out of the Ukraine conflict. Huessy argues the U.S. must deploy survivable, sea-based theater weapons to restore a credible deterrent. Reflecting on the realistic horror of the 1984 film Threads, he warns that even a single tactical exchange could rapidly escalate into a global catastrophe that ends civilization. (12)Captain James Fanell reports China is escalating physical violence against Philippine Navy personnel at Second Thomas Shoal, including "poking, prodding, and beating" sailors. Fanell explains this "petulant" behavior coincides with the 10th anniversary of a Hague ruling that invalidated China's maritime claims. Simultaneously, China and Russiaconducted joint live-fire drills in Japan's exclusive economic zone. These coordinated actions signal Beijing's intent to ignore international law and forcibly challenge the sovereignty of its neighbors. (13)Captain James Fanell reports China recently conducted its first submarine-launched ballistic missile test in the South Pacific in 40 years. Fanell reports that China has shifted to a "first use" nuclear policy and is completing its triad with the H-20 stealth bomber. He uses the "boiling frog" analogy to describe China's incremental aggression, warning that the U.S.must recognize these self-evident intentions before a "shot" is taken against regional forces or allies like Taiwan. (14)Conrad Black disputes Prime Minister Mark Carney's characterization of Canada as a "middle power," arguing the term is obsolete for a G7 nation with a larger economy than Russia. He critiques Carney's attempt to foster ties with China, noting China's "tatters" economy and history of disregarding trade agreements. Black maintains that Canada should prioritize its vital relationship with the U.S. while embracing a more ambitious and patriotic view of its global influence. (15)Veronique de Rugy argues autonomous vehicles like Waymo could reduce road fatalities by 94%, yet their adoption is stalled by opposition from trial lawyers and unions. Unions fear job losses for taxi, truck, and delivery drivers, though de Rugy argues automation historically transitions workers into higher-paying, less tedious roles. She emphasizes that driverless cars would provide life-changing accessibility for rural and elderly populations who currently lack reliable transportation options. (16)

On this week’s China Compass podcast, we take a longer look at China’s Seat of Power, Beijing, and the “Son of Iron”, plus a few stories from the early days of the podcast, including the miracle of getting our son's first Chinese visa. Last but not least, I tell the story of getting my car impounded from the Beijing Airport Departure Lane. Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me (@chinaadventures) on Twitter/X where I post new Chinese city prayer profiles every single day, including amazing pics and links to more China resources.You can also also email me (bfwesten at gmail dot com) and find everything else at PrayGiveGo.us! Crosspolitic China Update: Beijing Pastor Released From Prison https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/8282/episodes/1288 “We would never rig an election.” says Chinese Dictator Xi after receiving 100% of Vote https://babylonbee.com/news/we-would-never-rig-an-election-announces-president-xi-after-again-winning-100-of-vote Beijing: China’s Seat of Power (+ Birthplace of Wang Mingdao, China’s “Son of Iron”) https://www.asiaharvest.org/beijing-china-s-seat-of-power Notes from the 2024 Beijing Episode which features in today’s podcast… https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/tabs/audio/podcasts/30293/episodes/8 Follow or subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Don’t forget: Follow @chinaadventures on X, and find everything else @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!

Nuclear Iran via China with Rick Fisher On Today's episode, The Two Mikes spoke with Mr. Rick Fisher, one of America's very best experts on China, and a man who President Trump ought to find a way to consult with. In regard to the current war with Iran, Mr. Fisher noted that the U.S. and Israel are on the cusp of turning Iran into one of the world's strategic pivot points and, eventually, a nuclear-armed-dog of China. Beijing is already arming Iran, and purchases virtually all of Iran's oil. Indeed, Mr. Fisher claimed that China will not allow Iran to be defeated and disarmed by the United States and Israel. In necessary, China will offer nuclear tactical weapons to Iran to stave off complete defeat and may even do so in unison with North Korea, or at least with its resources. If China does secede to commit itself in Iran's defense, Beijing's goal will not only be Iran's survival, but also to ensure that the U.S.-Israel war against Iran will be the action that displaces American power in the Middle East. In recent months, moreover, Beijing probably has been surprised that Washington knowingly conceded all of the wartime advantages to Iran by failing to send a substantial ground force to Iran, the lack of which makes it all but impossible to definitively defeat Iran. Looking beyond Iran for a Moment, Mr. Fisher said developments in Europe likewise are being closely watched by the Beijing regime. As Ukraine drifts increasingly closer to a clear defeat, the European states will have to decide on whether they will attack Russia in final effort to stave off the annihilation of the Kiev regime. If a Ukraine-Russian war becomes a reality, it is likely that China will stand back and watch, but if Russia loses in Europe through such a matchup, China would certainly move against Russia while it is otherwise disposed. Mr. Fishers frequent writings can be found in the Epoch Times and in the Tai Pei Times online.

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 intensifying US and Iran military operations; Washington and Riyadh strike a nuclear pact; Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee; update on the NDAA; Russia pounds Ukraine clouding the critically important Ukrainian port in Odessa; a week firing former Defense Minister Mykhailo Federov, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has fired his chief of defense staff, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi; Russia conducts live fire exercises 46miles, off Britain's key Portsmouth naval base as Andy Burnham becomes the UK's new prime minister with John Healy at the Treasury; the People's Liberation Army Daily blasts Tokyo and it's drone capabilities as China and Russia step up military exercises off the Japanese coast that included a Chinese live fire drill; Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepares for Trump's summit with Xi Jinping as he meets his Quad counterparts in Manila at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' meeting; Beijing and Manila spar over Second Thomas Shoal Incident and racist video posted by China Daily; the region braces for new US tariffs as the continuing Iran war drives energy prices up again; and the White House accused China of stealing American technology to improve its AI program.

For years, Hollywood executive Chris Fenton helped American studios chase the Chinese market — inserting pro-Beijing messaging into films, moving production offshore, and teaching China's own industry how to compete. Now he regrets it. Fenton joins Newt to explain how 60% of American film and TV production has moved overseas, costing Los Angeles alone more than 40,000 jobs, and why the US is the only major film-producing nation without a federal production incentive. His answer: Bad Counselors, a 100% American-made comedy — American cast, crew, and financing — shot in North Carolina, Tennessee, and California, hitting theaters nationwide July 22nd. Fenton also makes the economic case for a national film production incentive backed by a bipartisan congressional coalition, arguing that a simple 10% federal rebate could cut offshore production nearly in half and restore Hollywood's American identity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on Sinica, a rare treat: an in-person recording from Beijing with two dear friends who happen to be two of the very best in the business on technology and China — Samm Sacks and Paul Triolo, fresh off the exhibition floor of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai. We dig into Xi Jinping's first in-person WAIC appearance and his most extensive statement on AI to date, the launch of the World AI Cooperation Organization, Moonshot's release of Kimi K3, the Trump administration's reported push to shut Chinese open-weight models out of the U.S. market, the coming age of agents, the untranslatable problem of ānquán, and what to expect from the first U.S.-China AI dialogue in September.8:51 – The view from the floor: heat, humidity, robot boxing grandmas, WeChat-gated free water, and the "AI+" vibe — why WAIC 2026 felt less like an AI conference than a sector-by-sector snapshot of China's entire economy being supercharged with AI, with attendance swelling to some 200,000 tickets16:32 – Why Xi showed up: what the leader's first in-person WAIC appearance and his most extensive AI statement to date signal, and why domestic drivers matter as much as geopolitics18:01 – Chapter and verse: which phrases from the speech will be put to work in the system — "secure and orderly development" and the governance of agents, and Xi's strikingly extensive language on AI safety after China was frozen out of the Paris process22:26 – The ānquán problem: one word meaning both "safety" and "security," the three buckets of AI risk, and how China's safety community has moved from bias and deepfakes toward CBRN and loss-of-control concerns — Black Mirror versus Star Trek28:14 – Shanghai's baby: how WAIC's ownership structure differs from the CAC-run World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Chen Jining's very visible host duties, and whether the center of gravity in AI policy is shifting to the Yangtze River Delta30:05 – WAICO: what the new World AI Cooperation Organization with its 29 founding members is actually for, Xi's concrete deliverables for the Global South — 5,000 AI training slots, regional cooperation centers, the MAZU early-warning system — and healthy skepticism about follow-through34:39 – Kimi K3: what's technically significant in Moonshot's big new model, why it's the fourth arguably frontier-class Chinese release in a single month, the two-way traffic in distillation accusations, and what it all says about the state of the frontier gap four years into export controls40:33 – Washington reacts: the reported menu of options for shutting Chinese open-weight models out of the U.S. — entity listings, a draft executive order, supply-chain security authorities — and why none of the tools actually fit the problem49:36 – Strange bedfellows: David Sacks versus the "closed lab duopoly," the FUD strategy, why some 80% of Andreessen Horowitz portfolio companies reportedly run on Chinese open models, and how gating U.S. frontier models while Chinese weights flow freely supercharges the AI sovereignty argument worldwide54:55 – The model is infrastructure, the agent is the product: the ByteDance–ZTE agentic phone, the CAC's new initiative on agent trust and interoperability, and why agents fused into operating systems upend both super-app walled gardens and China's data protection regime1:02:27 – An exegesis of kěkòng: the many meanings of "controllable," the long history of ānquán kěkòng in Chinese tech policy, and the unanswered question of who — CAC, NDRC, or somebody new — actually owns AI safety in either system1:08:54 – The road to September: what to expect from the first U.S.-China AI dialogue, why Mythos tops the Chinese grievance list, the securitization feedback loop that starves trust-and-safety advocates of resources on both sides, and why recursive self-improvement makes this feel like a last, best chancePaying It ForwardPaul nominates Tony Peng, whose Substack RecodeChinaAI offers sharp, well-written analysis of the application side of China's AI industry — part of an impressive new generation of independent China tech writers. Samm gives a shout-out to Professor Zhu Yue of Tongji University Law School, published in Science and doing pioneering work at the intersection of disability law and AI law.RecommendationsSamm: The Land and Its People by David Sedaris — laugh-out-loud funny, especially the "Enough is Enough" chapter; Transcription by Ben Lerner, a perfect small novel about fathers, sons, memory, and technology as enabler or disabler of connection; and Didion and Babitz, on Joan Didion and Eve Babitz and the 1970s California rock scene.Paul: The Party's Interests Come First by Joseph Torigian — dense but beautifully written, and essential for understanding the current Chinese leadership.Kaiser: A fiction-only summer! Stoner by John Williams, a small life told most grandly in some of the most beautiful sentence-level writing anywhere; Gilead by Marilynne Robinson, an epistolary novel dense with distilled wisdom from a dying Iowa minister; and Wang Xiaobo's The Golden Age (黄金时代) in Yan Yan's excellent new translation — bawdy, hilarious, and super Beijing-y despite its Cultural Revolution setting.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Soultex - Legacy Beijing DNB Show Ep32 / Stepping up the wheels of steel with a fresh stack of Legacy style DNB for East Forms Drum & Bass. (follow to download) tracklist: 01) Submarine - Grounding 02) Half-Life - Ultramarine 03) Visages - Wise Decision 04) Fox, Lenzman, Satl - We Blessy 05) Alix Perez - Reminisce 06) Rueben, Freddy B - Get It Right 07) Zombie Cats - Face (Des McMahon Remix) 08) Arp XP & Was A Be - TME 09) Enei - Routine 10) NC-17 - Axe Handle (feat. Myth) 11) Enei - Stoned (Original Mix) 12) Logistics - Chant Lens & Unglued Remix 13) NC-17 - Serpent & Rainbow 14) Cutworx - Red Light 15) Phase - Test Dive 16) Submarine - Runna 17) Wingz - Crossroads 18) Bredren - Poor Lock 19) Numeric Space - Badman 20) Phase - Nadir 21) NC-17 - Death Threat 22) Voltage - Music Is The Answer 23) Rift - Sinners 24) Molecular - My Way 25) Submarine - Something Special

From running marathons to being personalised chefs, robots are redefining life in the future. Synopsis: Every fourth Friday of the month, The Straits Times will now analyse the hottest political and trending talking points, alternating between its Malaysia and Greater China bureaus. For July, host and deputy foreign editor Albert Wai teams up with ST’s senior China correspondents Yew Lun Tian and Daryl Loo. Their focus is on China’s AI and robots and what they mean for jobs, IPOs and the US-China rivalry. On the ground, Lun Tian notes that AI has become “everything, everywhere, all at once.” Everyday innovations now range from driverless robotaxis and near-unmanned factories to AI-generated microdramas. Such tech advancements have translated into a can-do spirit for China. The government has framed China’s open-source AI models as a driver of equitable global development—offering Beijing a chance to demonstrate leadership and responsible AI governance. However, skeptics argue against expanding China’s influence in setting global standards. Domestically, it has also sparked a massive capital surge in the form of IPOs. And talent is in such short supply that Chinese companies now have to look overseas. While the overall picture is a positive one, there is an underbelly in the form of social inequalities, need for regulation as well as ethical issues. There are also implications for US-China ties. AI has become yet another topic that shows how difficult it is for both sides to come together. Yet, dialogue is urgently needed for both Beijing and Washington to identify low-hanging fruits and establish basic guardrails. What do the podcasters hope to see in future? Albert and Daryl wish for a robot that can analyse, wash and fold their laundry, while Lun Tian would like a “master shifu” to answer her burning questions. Highlights (click/tap above): 7:43 AI is “everything, everywhere all at once” 10:13 President Xi lays out China’s vision 13:48 Scramble for public listings 17:25 Preparing students to thrive 22:36 Is AI missing out on women’s talent? 24:54 AI competition could be the new nuclear arms race 31:36 More harm than good? Read more: https://str.sg/4pqfj Register for Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/stnewsletters Host: Albert Wai (albertw@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 YouTube: https://str.sg/rF3qR 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 --- 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.

①How can China and the U.S. turn the consensus reached by the two heads of states during their Beijing summit into actions? (00:44) ②Does the Saudi-U.S. nuclear deal raise proliferation risks? (13:53) ③As the 2026 International Advanced Air Mobility Expo gets underway in Shanghai, we explore China's fast-growing low-altitude economy. (25:12) ④Chinese animated film 'All Wishes Come True' heads to global cinemas this summer. Can it win over audiences around the world? (36:52) ⑤How will Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery reshape the global entertainment industry? (46:30)

LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/watchdog-on-wall-street-with-chris-markowski/id570687608 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2PtgPvJvqc2gkpGIkNMR5i WATCH and SUBSCRIBE on:https://www.youtube.com/@WatchdogOnWallstreet/featured  China claims its economy is still growing, but the real numbers may point to stagnation—or even recession. Chris explains how Xi Jinping's central planning crushed China's momentum and why America should learn the same lesson before it's too late.

Alice Han and James Kynge start with Trump's claim that China ran an influence operation using voter files from over 220 million Americans, and why Beijing is calling it fabricated. They dig into what the underlying intelligence actually shows, how it lands just two months before Trump's planned visit to China, and what it means that global public opinion is now tilting toward Xi over Trump. Then, Selina Xu, head of China research for former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, joins to talk about her recent trip to China with Schmidt, where the U.S. and China each have the edge in the AI race, how culture and adoption differ between the two countries, and whether Beijing's pushback against emotional dependence on AI is a sign of things to come. 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

Stijn Schmitz welcomes back Steve Hanke back to the show. Steve Hanke is a Professor of Applied Economics at Johns Hopkins University. Hanke highlights the two major wars—the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran and the Ukraine war—as critical disruptors of global commodity flows. He notes that the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed, with Iran controlling it, and the Houthis threaten the Red Sea chokepoint, severely constricting crude and refined product supplies. Russia's cutoff of diesel exports and domestic fuel shortages compound the strain. Oil markets are in backwardation, with spot prices above futures, signaling dangerously low inventories that have cushioned prices so far but are nearing depletion. Hanke warns that once physical inventories run out, oil prices could spike dramatically, potentially later this summer. He advises going long on oil, especially major producers, as a straightforward trade for most investors. On gold, Hanke maintains a bullish outlook, projecting a peak around $6,000 per ounce based on historical ratios to real disposable income. He attributes recent pullbacks to dollar strength and rising interest rates but sees central bank buying as a fundamental driver. He also discusses the pressure on the Fed to monetize debt, which could fuel inflation and support gold. The conversation shifts to the broader commodity supercycle, fueled by deglobalization, underinvestment, and the need for larger precautionary inventories. Copper and tungsten are identified as clear bullish plays due to supply deficits. Hanke notes that high diesel prices are squeezing mining and agriculture, potentially raising output prices. He also touches on dollarization, recommending developing countries adopt the U.S. dollar to expand its use rather than de-dollarize. The interview concludes with Hanke emphasizing the importance of money supply growth as the key determinant of nominal GDP and inflation. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:01:05 – Key Developments on Radar 00:04:58 – Oil Predictions vs Reality 00:10:53 – Inventory and Flow Analysis 00:14:40 – Crack Spreads and Refining 00:16:27 – Demand Destruction Dynamics 00:20:51 – Anticipated Oil Price Spike 00:22:32 – Long Oil Opportunity 00:27:37 – Gold Bull Market Outlook 00:29:38 – Central Bank Buying Drivers 00:45:54 – Concluding Thoughts Guest Links: X: https://x.com/steve_hanke Website: https://thegoldsentimentreport.com Amazon Book: https://www.amazon.com/Making-Money-Work-Rewrite-Financial/dp/1394257260 Amazon Book: https://www.amazon.com/Capital-Interest-Waiting-Controversies-Additions/dp/3031633970 E-Mail: mailto:hanke@jhu.edu Steve H. Hanke is a Professor of Applied Economics and Founder & Co-Director of the Institute for Applied Economics, Global Health, and the Study of Business Enterprise at The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He is a Senior Fellow and Director of the Troubled Currencies Project at the Cato Institute in Washington, D.C., a Senior Advisor at the Renmin University of China's International Monetary Research Institute in Beijing, a Special Counselor to the Center for Financial Stability in New York, a contributing editor at Central Banking in London, and a regular contributor to the Wall Street Journal's Opinion pages. Prof. Hanke is also a member of the Charter Council of the Society of Economic Measurement and of Euromoney Country Risk's Experts Panel. In the past, Prof. Hanke taught economics at the Colorado School of Mines and at the University of California, Berkeley. He served as a Member of the Governor's Council of Economic Advisors in Maryland in 1976-77, as a Senior Economist on President Reagan's Council of Economic Advisors in 1981-82, and as a Senior Advisor to the Joint Economic Committee of the U.S. Congress in 1984-88. Prof. Hanke served as a State Counselor to both the Republic of Lithuania in 1994-96 and the Republic of Montenegro in 1999-2003. He was also an Advisor to the Presidents of Bulgaria in 1997- 2002, Venezuela in 1995-96, and Indonesia in 1998. He played an important role in establishing new currency regimes in Argentina, Estonia, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ecuador, Lithuania, and Montenegro. Prof. Hanke has also held senior appointments in the governments of many other countries, including Albania, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, and Yugoslavia. Prof. Hanke has been awarded honorary doctorate degrees by the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, the Universität Liechtenstein, the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, the Free University of Tbilisi, Istanbul Kültür University, Varna Free University, and the D.A. Tsenov Academy of Economics in recognition of his scholarship on exchange-rate regimes. Prof. Hanke and his wife, Liliane, reside in Baltimore and Paris.

00:00 Intro01:24 Chinese, Russian Code Found in U.S. Military Apps02:49 Taiwan President Calls to Resist China's 'Red Terror'03:14 Papua New Guinea Shuts Taiwan Office, Draws Criticism04:13 Taiwan Pushes to Secure Drone Alliance Amid China Pressure05:13 Taiwan Boosts Sea Drills Amid China Patrol Escalation05:59 Rubio in Philippines for Regional Talks06:39 Rubio to Discuss Trump-Xi Summit in Asia Meetings07:10 China Accused of Attacking Philippine Sailor07:50 Lawmakers Support Falun Gong on Anniversary of Persecution11:15 Falun Gong Marks 27 Years Since Start of Persecution12:08 Parade Marks 27 Years of Falun Gong Persecution: London14:33 China Moonshot AI Challenges U.S. Tech Lead15:52 Beijing's Religious Persecution Targets Americans: Report

In this episode of The PDB Description: Iran's government is facing a growing internal revolt as hardliners accuse President Masoud Pezeshkian of betraying the Islamic Republic, fueling fears that Tehran's own political infighting could derail any hopes for a lasting ceasefire with the United States. Taiwan is sounding the alarm after a sharp increase in Chinese coast guard and research vessels operating around the island, raising new concerns that Beijing may be expanding its pressure campaign into the Pacific. 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 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 HomeServe: Protect your home systems from expensive repairs with https://HomeServe.com/dailybriefand get 50% off your first year of coverage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You can find more from Dr Joy Kong here:Website: https://charahealth.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_joy_kong/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjoykongMemoir (Tiger of Beijing): https://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Beijing-Inspirational-Regenerative-Physician/dp/1647139546In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Joy Kong—physician, educator, and internationally recognised stem cell expert—to explore the life experiences that shaped her confidence, resilience, and unwavering self-trust.Growing up in post-Cultural Revolution Beijing, immigrating to the United States with very little, and rebuilding her life after escaping an abusive marriage, Dr. Kong shares how she learned that true confidence isn't built through external validation—it's built by taking courageous action and learning to trust yourself.This conversation isn't just about overcoming adversity. It's about discovering your authentic voice, believing in your own judgment, and creating a life that's aligned with who you truly are.In this episode, we discuss:How to build self-trust when life feels uncertainWhy confidence comes from action, not perfectionOvercoming self-doubt and the need for validationFinding your authentic voice through life's challengesLessons from resilience, adversity, and personal transformationHow to speak with conviction and lead with authenticityWhy your past doesn't have to define your futureThe mindset shifts that create lasting confidenceWhether you're a leader, entrepreneur, professional, or someone who wants to stop second-guessing yourself and start making a greater impact, this episode will inspire you to trust your voice and take the next courageous step.Because confidence isn't about knowing you'll never fail.It's about trusting yourself enough to keep moving forward.

Dear readers, I've been a sceptic for too long. It's easy to be sceptical as a psychiatrist—the flowers will be lour'd upon you! I've been using Graymatter's Health PRISM EEG-fMRI neurofeedback system for a few years, it's true. There are EEG leads on there. I saw a lot of EEG-related technology in Beijing. It's possible I'm looking at an EEG in this very photo from my hotel room in China, below:But have I been measuring the brain with EEG regularly? Well, no, again! I've been content with my fancy fMRI scans alone, for SAINT, and giant brain healing magnets at set frequencies, like deep TMS with SWIFT.There are even videos of me talking about TMS, like this one below, with friends like Colleen Hanlon from BrainsWay, and heroic patients who chose to speak publicly, too.But one thing I haven't routinely done is measure the brain itself as part of clinical care, as companies like Firefly Neuroscience are making possible. That may need to change, is the outcome in my personal brain as a result of this interview. I speak, at length, with Dave Decaprio, their president and COO.The EVOKE system provides multimodal analysis of brain function, including Quantitative EEG and Event-Related Potentials. From the Firefly website:At Firefly Neuroscience, our technology is built to measure and interpret brain function in a clinically meaningful way. The Evoke™ system combines quantitative EEG (qEEG) and event-related potentials (ERP) to capture both baseline brain activity and cognitive response during structured tasks.This data is analyzed against a proprietary normative database of over 191,000 EEG and ERP sessions, allowing clinicians to evaluate patterns relative to age-matched expectations and track changes over time. The result is a structured, interpretable view of brain function that can be used alongside clinical evaluation to support earlier insight, more informed treatment decisions, and a clearer understanding of patient progress.I haven't used it in clinical practice yet, but Dave makes a compelling case, and at this point I think it's only a matter of time. Brain Medicine, as an emerging specialty, brings change. That change needs to be measured. EEG might be one such tool.I hope you enjoy today's podcast! And thanks to Sharena Rice, PhD, William M. Sauve, MD, along with Dave, for their guest spots.—OwenAnnouncements: * You can Join The Frontier Psychiatrists LIVE at Psych Congress 2026. Get your tickets now!* You can buy a copy of my IRL in print book on Amazon, Inessential Pharmacology. It's got a lot of good reviews, and one “one star” review, which, in the spirit of transparency, I will excerpt for you:The author has taken a collection of drug leaflets from pharmaceutical companies and woven them together with underwhelming lackluster commentary and memes. He intended to create an engaging reading experience, however, this aim should have been clearly stated, should have been made explicitly clear in the book description. He wanted to have fun writing it and wanted readers to have fun reading it. Now, having missed the return window, I find myself stuck with a book that feels more tedious than enjoyable.Don't miss the return window if you hate my work! Good advice for us all. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thefrontierpsychiatrists.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to this week's episode of the PEBCAK Podcast!  We've got four amazing stories this week so sit back, relax, and keep being awesome!  Be sure to stick around for our Dad Joke of the Week. (DJOW) Follow us on Instagram @pebcakpodcast   Please share this podcast with someone you know!  It helps us grow the podcast and we really appreciate it!   Simple 6 signup link https://simple6.co/r/CFUR98   Kalshi's flight-cancellation betting market Kalshi filed with the CFTC to let traders bet on airline flight-cancellation rates, even as the company fights insider-trading scandals and nearly 20 gambling-related lawsuits. https://www.inc.com/moses-jeanfrancois/kalshi-wants-to-make-money-off-of-canceled-flights-new-sky-trading-plan/91374679 Kalshi's self-certification filing would let users trade "yes/no" contracts on whether a set percentage of flights at a given airport get canceled in a window, using FlightAware data (DOT stats as backup); preemptive cancellations count, delays/diversions don't — this comes as Kalshi is also defending nearly 20 federal/state suits (including one joined by NY AG Letitia James) arguing its sports contracts are unlicensed gambling, and after it fined three Congressional candidates for insider trading in April.   Trump's teleprompter operator under CFTC investigation The CFTC is investigating Trump's longtime teleprompter operator, Gabriel Perez, for allegedly using advance knowledge of the president's speeches to win big on Kalshi's "mention markets." https://www.cftc.gov/filings/ptc/ptc0714269602.pdf https://apnews.com/article/trump-teleprompter-insider-trading-kalshi-ccd6d0ec68e1eb15d100ad770d91abae Perez, who's run Trump's teleprompter since 2016 and reportedly made over $100,000 (Kalshi says north of $90,000 in frozen profits) betting on "mention markets" tied to specific words Trump would say in speeches, was put on unpaid leave after Kalshi's surveillance team flagged the trades and referred the case to the CFTC — the White House called it "a disgrace," and it marks the first known case of a sitting administration employee investigated for prediction-market insider trading.   Microsoft's record-breaking July Patch Tuesday Microsoft's July 2026 Patch Tuesday fixed a record 570 flaws — including three zero-days — while a researcher dropped a new unpatched Windows PoC exploit within hours. https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-july-2026-patch-tuesday-fixes-massive-570-flaws-3-zero-days/ https://krebsonsecurity.com/2026/07/microsoft-patches-a-record-570-security-flaws/ https://thehackernews.com/2026/07/researcher-drops-new-windows-zero-day.html The 570-flaw haul (59 critical) included two actively-exploited zero-days — an AD FS elevation-of-privilege bug (CVE-2026-56155) and a SharePoint elevation-of-privilege flaw (CVE-2026-56164), both now on CISA's KEV list — plus a publicly disclosed BitLocker bypass; hours after patches dropped, researcher "Chaotic Eclipse" released a working PoC called LegacyHive targeting Windows' Profile Service that functions even on fully patched systems, continuing a months-long, increasingly public feud with Microsoft over disclosure timing.   China's AI companion chatbot crackdown China enacted rules banning "emotional reliance" on AI companion chatbots and virtual relationships with minors, part of a broader push tied to the country's fertility concerns. https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/china-wants-more-babiesso-its-cracking-down-on-chatbot-love-affairs-65cd6c82 The new rules require companion-chatbot makers to get regulatory pre-approval, alert a user's emergency contact if they detect an emotional crisis, and have already pushed ByteDance's Doubao, Alibaba's Qwen, and Tencent's Yuanbao to shut down custom AI-persona features; researchers cited by WSJ say Beijing's underlying worry is that people bonding with chatbots could "take them out of the marriage market," tying directly into China's fertility push.   UK's midnight social media curfew for teens The UK is proposing a default midnight-to-6am social media curfew for 16- and 17-year-olds, with autoplay and infinite scroll switched off by default too. https://www.reuters.com/technology/uk-plans-default-midnight-social-media-curfew-16-17-year-olds-2026-07-14/ The curfew (opt-out, not mandatory) follows last month's full under-16 social media ban and is expected to take effect by spring 2027; a government trial of 300+ teens found it delivered the most consistent sleep benefits of the options tested, though critics like Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott called an easily-switched-off curfew pointless.   Dad Joke of the Week (DJOW)   Find the hosts on LinkedIn: Chris - https://www.linkedin.com/in/chlouie/ Brian - https://www.linkedin.com/in/briandeitch-sase/

This week on The Necessary Conversation, Chad, Haley, and Mary Lou enter a brave new world in which Mary Lou said she wants to abolish ICE. Let that sink in.

In an address to the nation, President Trump accuses China of extensive interference in the 2020 elections and alleges that US intelligence covered up attempts by Beijing to damage him electorally. More than 800 wildfires are burning across Canada, with air quality alerts now extending south into multiple US states. We profile Andy Burnham who's about to become the new leader of the Labour Party and Britain's next Prime Minister. China has brought in new laws designed to stop people forming relationships with AI chatbots. The Scottish city of Glasgow is getting ready to host the Commonwealth Games. Christopher Nolan's latest blockbuster, The Odyssey, goes on release. The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk Photo: US President Donald Trump delivers an address to the nation Credit: EPA/Shutterstock

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:  First—for nearly a week, the U.S. has been targeting Iran's missiles, drones and naval forces. But overnight, Washington expanded its target list. American forces struck bridges, rail links and other infrastructure that keeps Iran's military supplied. And that could reveal how Washington intends to pressure Iran moving forward. Later in the show—President Trump is putting China at the center of the debate over the 2020 election, releasing a trove of newly declassified intelligence documents that the White House says point to Chinese election interference. We'll break down the allegations, the newly released documents, and Beijing's response. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Nobl Travel: NOBL gives you real travel peace of mind — security, design, and convenience all in one. Head to https://NOBLTravel.com for 46% off your entire order! #NOBL #ad 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. Trust & Will: Estate planning doesn't have to be complicated—create your will or trust online in minutes with Trust & Will and get 20% off at https://trustandwill.com/PDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Bernstam discusses China's "colonial" economic relationship with Russia, demanding natural gas at heavily subsidized domestic rates. Capitalizing on Russian weakness, Beijing insists Russia fund its own pipelines while China signals a shift toward supporting Ukrainian territorial integrity, effectively throwing Putin "under the bus" to pressure the West. (1)

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 7-15-261904 PERSIAMichael Bernstam discusses China's "colonial" economic relationship with Russia, demanding natural gas at heavily subsidized domestic rates. Capitalizing on Russian weakness, Beijing insists Russia fund its own pipelines while China signals a shift toward supporting Ukrainian territorial integrity, effectively throwing Putin "under the bus" to pressure the West. (1)Michael Bernstam explores Houthi threats to the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, which could drive oil prices over $100 per barrel by choking global shipping. Simultaneously, Ukrainian drone strikes have crippled Russian refining capacity and shipping in the Black Sea, leading to energy rationing, electricity shortages, and potential food crises in Crimea. (2)Bob Zimmerman provides updates on SpaceX's Starship test flight and the FAA's rapid approval process. He details the deployment of version three Starlink satellites, rumors of a massive new Louisiana spaceport, and criticizes a Texaspolitician's "irrational" investigation into Elon Musk's government grants for rural internet access. (3)Bob Zimmerman explains why AI is currently inadequate for counting lunar craters, failing to meet human accuracy standards. He also highlights the discovery of a potential black hole in Omega Centauri, discusses the desolate nature of Mars's Jezero Crater, and notes the mysterious, unexplained "spokes" appearing in Saturn's rings. (4)Steve Yates analyzes the Taiwan People's Party's (TPP) historic visit to mainland China. Originally a pro-identity youth movement, the TPP is now seeking political power through a coalition with the pro-China KMT. This shift complicates Taiwan's political landscape, as the younger demographic overwhelmingly identifies as Taiwanese, not Chinese. (5)Cleo Paskal exposes Chinese cognitive warfare in the Solomon Islands, where identical pro-Beijing propaganda appeared in separate newspapers. She details China's aggressive pressure on Palau, utilizing economic threats, triad activity, and cyberattacks to force the nation to de-recognize Taiwan before an upcoming regional forum in late August. (6)Charles Burton discusses the strained Canada-US relations regarding the Gordie Howe Bridge. Disagreements over ownership and revenue sharing led Donald Trump to claim a "victory" by coercing Canadian concessions. This dispute has fueled hostility in Canada, leading to a boycott of US travel and alcohol imports in Ontario. (7)Charles Burton criticizes the lack of transparency regarding Chinese infiltration in the Canadian government. He argues that Prime Minister Carney's administration prioritizes business interests over national sovereignty, ignoring warnings about espionage and transnational repression while pursuing empty promises of doubled trade from Beijing to counter US tariffs. (8)Evan Ellis reports on the collapse of Cuba's electric grid, marking the third major blackout in nine days. While the island devolves into ruin, the Trump administration weighs military action against potential negotiations with the Castrofamily, as China and Russia provide only minimal, symbolic economic and political support. (9)Evan Ellis details the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela following twin earthquakes. While US Southern Commandprovides tactical aid, the corrupt and inefficient Rodriguez government is unable to respond to massive destruction, including thousands of deaths and ruined infrastructure. The situation highlights the inadequacy of the current Venezuelan regime. (10)Evan Ellis examines political instability in Bolivia involving Evo Morales and the upcoming inauguration of Keiko Fujimori in Peru. He also notes unresolved tensions over the Falkland Islands as Argentina faces Britain in the World Cup, emphasizing Javier Milei's strategic shift toward collaboration with the United States. (11)Evan Ellis analyzes judicial cruelty in Brazil, where Flavio Bolsonaro is barred from visiting his ill father. In El Salvador, President Bukele is seeking an unconstitutional third term. Despite his high approval ratings and security successes, the move raises alarms about the global trend of abandoning democratic constraints. (12)Thaddeus McCotter reflects on the death of Senator Lindsey Graham and the rising global pattern of political violence, including the murder of a UK MP. He also addresses credible Iranian threats to assassinate the US President, suggesting that decapitation strikes against heads of state have become routine. (13)Thaddeus McCotter connects global energy prices to military strategy, noting how Ukrainian drone strikes on Russianrefineries impact domestic affordability. He warns that the Republican party must clarify objectives in Iran and Ukraineto address MAGA base concerns regarding "forever wars" before the upcoming midterm elections. (14)Judy Dempsey discusses the US naval blockade of Iran and European concerns over energy security. She argues that European leaders find Trump's policies unpredictable and emphasizes that the future must be built on transparency, democracy, and accountability to counter the rise of authoritarian models like communist China. (15)Judy Dempsey highlights increasing threats against European politicians, particularly in Germany from the far-right AfD. Despite the current prominence of "strong men," she maintains that authoritarian systems are unsustainable because the human spirit fundamentally requires freedom, which dictatorships cannot provide or permit in the long term. (16)Headers and affiliations omitted, tail numbers (1)–(16). Corrections applied: Thaddeus McCotter (source had Thaddius), Cleo Paskal (source had Pascal), Omega Centauri (source had Centuri), and Jezero Crater (source had Jazero).

STREAMING MAKING JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, FEATURING GORDON CHANG, STEVE YATES, CLEO PASKAL, CHARLES BURTON, 7-15-26The John Batchelor Show features discussions with experts regarding shifting political dynamics and security concerns in the Indo-Pacific and North America. Steve Yates explains the rise of Taiwan's TPP party, a former youth movement now acting as a legislative power broker that is pursuing controversial engagement with mainland China. Meanwhile, Cleo Paskal details how Beijing utilizes cognitive warfare and economic pressure to influence small island nations like Palau and the Solomon Islands. The dialogue also addresses Canadian domestic issues, including the geopolitical tensions surrounding the Gordie Howe International Bridge and concerns over Chinese interference within Canada'spolitical elite. Throughout the segments, the participants highlight a consistent pattern of Chinese efforts to divide democratic allies and expand regional dominance through both propaganda and trade promises.Formatted as a single paragraph. One correction: Cleo Paskal (source had Pascal).

Charles Burton criticizes the lack of transparency regarding Chinese infiltration in the Canadian government. He argues that Prime Minister Carney's administration prioritizes business interests over national sovereignty, ignoring warnings about espionage and transnational repression while pursuing empty promises of doubled trade from Beijing to counter US tariffs. (8)

Cleo Paskal exposes Chinese cognitive warfare in the Solomon Islands, where identical pro-Beijing propaganda appeared in separate newspapers. She details China's aggressive pressure on Palau, utilizing economic threats, triad activity, and cyberattacks to force the nation to de-recognize Taiwan before an upcoming regional forum in late August. (6)

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: American forces are now targeting three tiny islands that have become the key to Iran's ability to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. We'll explain why these little-known outposts sit at the heart of Tehran's military strategy—and why the latest U.S. strikes could signal the next phase of the conflict. China is expanding its presence across disputed waters, and now the U.S. Coast Guard is deploying to the Indo-Pacific to help push back against Beijing's growing maritime pressure campaign. Ukraine has carried out what appears to be the world's first fully robotic amphibious assault, using unmanned systems to launch a groundbreaking attack that offers a glimpse into the future of warfare. In today's Back of the Brief, the Justice Department indicts three Russian nationals accused of helping orchestrate a major cybercrime network responsible for millions of dollars in damage across the United States. 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 Ethos: Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at: https://ethos.com/PDB 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 Lifepro Fitness: Discover how to beat puffiness with the Lifepro Waver Vibration Plate—and use code PDB at https://lifeprofitness.com for $20 off plus free shipping! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: Vladimir Putin has spent decades shielding Moscow from the consequences of his wars. Now, fuel shortages, business closures, and mounting economic warning signs suggest the Russian capital is beginning to feel the strain of the conflict in Ukraine. New satellite imagery reveals China has constructed a full-scale replica of a U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer in the Xinjiang desert. We examine why Beijing is using an American warship for missile testing—and what it could reveal about China's preparations for a future conflict. 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 Lifepro Fitness: Discover how to beat puffiness with the Lifepro Waver Vibration Plate—and use code PDB at https://lifeprofitness.com for $20 off plus free shipping! Mars Men: For a limited time, our listeners get 50% off FOR LIFE, Free Shipping, AND 3 Free Gifts at Mars Men at https://Mengotomars.com Ridge: One thing to pack, five ways to power! Get 10% off @Ridge with code PDB at https://www.Ridge.com/PDB#Ridgepod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

-Rob shares behind-the-scenes stories from his first week broadcasting inside Newsmax's Washington studios, joking about handing Dr. Oz a "Don't Catch the Stupid" T-shirt while rubbing elbows with Mark Meadows, Rick Santorum and Nick Shirley without losing his "wide-eyed kid from Iowa" perspective.  -Chuck Schumer becomes the unexpected star of the show after an alleged hot-mic "Capitol Hill toot," prompting Rob to conduct a full-blown forensic audio investigation worthy of a crime lab— and far less dignified. -China expert Gordon Chang warns that America's growing socialist movement mirrors tactics used by communist regimes, discusses China's influence on U.S. politics, explains the Chinese Communist Party's persecution of Christians, and details why China's slowing economy could signal deeper trouble for Beijing. -Rob unloads on the Democratic Socialists of America, comparing their platform to a declaration of war against the Constitution while insisting America's "hillbillies, homeboys and Hebrews" aren't about to surrender the country without a fight. Today's podcast is sponsored by : RELIEF FACTOR - You don't need to live with aches & pains! Reduce muscle & joint inflammation and live a pain-free life by visiting http://ReliefFactor.com  GHOSTBED - I used to think a mattress was just furniture, until I got my GhostBed! GhostBed is offering my audience their lowest prices of the season, plus an extra 10% off. Go to http://GhostBed.com/CARSON and use promo code CARSON BIRCH GOLD - Protect and grow your retirement savings with gold. Text ROB to 98 98 98 for your FREE information kit! To call in and speak with Rob Carson live on the show, dial 1-800-922-6680 between the hours of 12 Noon and 3:00 pm Eastern Time Monday through Friday… Musical parodies provided by Jim Gossett (http://patreon.com/JimGossettComedy) You can now WATCH and chat with The Rob Carson Show LIVE on Newsmax's social media channels (Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube, Rumble) Listen to Newsmax LIVE and see our entire podcast lineup at http://Newsmax.com/Listen Make the switch to NEWSMAX today! Get your 15 day free trial of NEWSMAX+ at http://NewsmaxPlus.com Looking for NEWSMAX caps, tees, mugs & more? Check out the Newsmax merchandise shop at : http://nws.mx/shop Follow NEWSMAX on Social Media:  -Facebook: http://nws.mx/FB  -X/Twitter: http://nws.mx/twitter -Instagram: http://nws.mx/IG -YouTube: https://youtube.com/NewsmaxTV -Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsmaxTV -TRUTH Social: https://truthsocial.com/@NEWSMAX -GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/newsmax -Threads: http://threads.net/@NEWSMAX  -Telegram: http://t.me/newsmax  -BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/newsmax.com -Parler: http://app.parler.com/newsmax Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alice Han and James Kynge look at why, for the first time in decades, China's new Five-Year Plan sets no numerical target for urban job creation. With unemployment at 5.1%, producer prices at a four-year high, and AI anxiety rippling through the labor market, what does it mean when Beijing, a government that treats jobs numbers as sacred, stops setting one? Then: Tencent is in talks to become the largest shareholder in Manus, the Chinese AI agent startup Meta tried to buy for $2 billion before Beijing forced the deal to unwind. Alice and James unpack why Chinese regulators intervened, what happened to Manus's founders, and what this all signals about Beijing's grip on its AI sector. Finally: Gen Z in China is skipping the megacities. Alice and James dig into why more young people are choosing Tier 3 and Tier 4 cities over Beijing and Shanghai, and whether it's a lifestyle choice or a symptom of a tougher economy. 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