Podcasts about Chinese

Max Pearson presents a collection of the week's Witness History episodes including the story behind Mick Jagger and David Bowie's duet for Live Aid in 1985 and the Chinese artist who was jailed for his art inspired by the Sichuan earthquake in 2008. He speaks to music journalist Alice Austin to explore other concerts in world history that have had a political impact. Also, the American politician who first coined the phrase "drill, baby, drill" in 2008, the making of Back To The Future in 1985 and the trophy killing of Cecil the Lion in Zimbabwe in 2015.Contributors: Bernard Doherty - former Live Aid press officer. Alice Austin - music journalist. Ai Weiwei - artist. Prof Andrew Loveridge - zoologist who studied Cecil the lion. Michael Steele - the former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, who came up with the slogan "Drill, baby, drill!" Bob Gale - the co-writer and producer of the Back to the Future.(Photo: Mick Jagger and David Bowie performing Dancing In The Street. Credit: Brian Cooke / Redferns)

聊中西文化，也聊很多东西！ 第七十六期，大家每年去体检吗？从安吉丽娜朱莉切掉乳腺和卵巢开始聊起，谈一谈对癌症预防的小小想法。 00:37 安吉丽娜·朱莉因于2013和2015年分别切除乳腺与卵巢 03:38 不同国家的体检差异 07:00 2022年WTO癌症数据 12:00 呼吁关注健康 欢迎给我们来信： ttmiChinese@gmail.com Have online class with Candice, please email candicex2018@gmail.com YouTube: Candice X Chinese Mandarin Instagram: CandiceXMandarin2022 免费学习资料 Free study materials please visit Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/candicex PDF full script for episode 76: https://www.patreon.com/posts/133444274 Full subtitles with Pinyin for episode 76: https://youtu.be/RDudz2IXYAQ

Last time we spoke about the Oyama Incident and decision to fight at Shanghai. In July 1937, escalating tensions between Japan and China erupted into war after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. As conflict spread, Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek, believing in his nation's resilience, called for unity to resist Japanese aggression. A pivotal moment occurred on August 9 at Hongqiao Airport, where a violent confrontation left several Japanese soldiers dead. The circumstances remained murky, with both sides blaming each other, further inflaming hostilities. Despite attempts at negotiation, the military standoff intensified, leading to a consensus that war was imminent. Chiang mobilized troops to Shanghai, a crucial city for both strategic and symbolic reasons, determined to demonstrate that China could defend its sovereignty. The Chinese forces, under Generals Zhang Fukai and Zhang Zhizhong, faced logistical challenges but aimed to strike first against the increasingly aggressive Japanese military. On August 12, both nations prepared for conflict, leading to a drastic escalation.  #157 The Battle of Shanghai Part 2: Black Saturday and Operation Iron Fist Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. On Friday, August 13 of 1937, the residents of Shanghai began enduring the sounds of rifle fire and machine gun salvos, punctuated by the distant booms of artillery.  Members of the Japanese marines, disguised in civilian clothes and posing as rowdy thugs, boisterous ronin, arrived at barricades manned by the Peace Preservation Corps at the northern edge of Yangshupu around 9:15 a.m. They began to provoke the Chinese guards with loud taunts and jeers. When the Chinese fired a warning shot into the air, the Japanese retaliated with deadly intent. The Chinese responded in kind, resulting in a lethal exchange. From that moment on, the situation was beyond control. As the day progressed, nervous skirmishes continued throughout the northern part of Shanghai. Chinese commanders dispatched patrols to conduct probing attacks, hoping to identify weak points in the Japanese defenses and push them back wherever possible. Meanwhile, their Japanese counterparts rushed to occupy key positions outside their main line of defense, aiming to gain an advantageous position should their adversaries launch a larger offensive. Small bands of soldiers from both sides maneuvered along narrow alleys to minimize the risk of detection; however, whenever they encountered each other, the results were deadly. In the western sector of the front line, where the Chinese Army's newly arrived 88th Infantry Division was preparing its positions, the center of activity was the headquarters of the Japanese marines near Hongkou Park. This location resembled a fortress, featuring a massive four-story structure shielded from air and artillery bombardment by a double roof of reinforced concrete. The building, which encompassed a large inner courtyard, occupied two city blocks and could accommodate thousands of troops at once. Highly visible, it represented both a significant military threat and a symbol of Japan's presence in Shanghai. The Chinese were acutely aware of their objective: they had to eradicate it. The Sichuan North road lies south between the marine headquarters and the Japanese section of the International Settlement. This road became the scene of frantic activity from the first day of battle. Japanese armored cars and motorcycle patrols, with machine guns mounted on sidecars, sped up and down the otherwise deserted street, while trench mortars positioned along the pavement lobbed grenades into Zhabei to the west. As columns of smoke rose into the sky from buildings in the Chinese district, Japanese officers squeezed into a narrow conning tower atop the marine headquarters, watching the bombardment's results through field glasses. Reports of Chinese snipers stationed in the upper floors of buildings along the road prompted Japanese squads, led by sword-wielding officers, to carry out door-to-door searches. Suspects were unceremoniously dragged away to an uncertain fate. Not a single civilian was visible in the area; everyone stayed indoors, behind closed windows and drawn curtains. On the afternoon of August 13, the Eight Character Bridge, located west of the marine headquarters, became the site of one of the battle's first major engagements. The bridge, measuring just 60 feet in length and spanning a minor creek, was deemed by both sides to have significant tactical importance. The Chinese commanders viewed it as a crucial route for advancing into the Hongkou area, believing that if the bridge fell into Japanese hands, it would be like a "piece of bone stuck in the throat." At around noon, Major Yi Jin, a battalion commander of the 88th Infantry Division, led a couple of hundred men from around the North Railway Station toward Eight Character Bridge. When the soldiers reached their objective at about 3:00 p.m., they spotted a small Japanese unit that had just arrived across the creek and was setting up defensive positions. The Chinese opened fire and managed to secure the bridge, prompting the Japanese to launch a brief artillery bombardment that resulted in several Chinese casualties. Gunfire near the bridge continued intermittently until 9:00 p.m., when a fragile silence fell over the area. Further to the east, in the 87th Infantry Division's sector, the day was also characterized by frantic maneuvering, punctuated by lengthy bursts of violence. Chinese reconnaissance parties infiltrated enemy-held areas, making their way to the Japanese Golf Club near the Huangpu River, where they began shooting at workers busy preparing the makeshift airfield. As the first volleys from the Chinese snipers rang out, clouds of dust filled the air, causing the workers to hastily seek cover. Japanese soldiers stationed in the clubhouse immediately returned fire, throwing off the snipers' aim. After about an hour, two Japanese vessels moored in the Huangpu River, the destroyer Run and the gunboat Seta were called in to assist the Japanese marines facing the 87th Infantry Division on land. Four- and six-inch shells screamed across the sky, exploding in the Chinese districts to the north. Shanghai University was also shelled, as the Japanese troops on land believed it had been occupied by Chinese soldiers. Ultimately, the last remaining staff members, two Americans, were forced to flee the campus. The naval artillery had come to the aid of the beleaguered infantry onshore, a scene that would be repeated continually in the days and weeks to come. Late that evening, Chiang Kai-shek finally ordered his military commanders to “divert the enemy at sea, block off the coast, and resist landings at Shanghai” Even before the mobilization of troops began, panic swept through Shanghai. Meanwhile, the city's waterfront took on an increasingly ominous tone. The China Daily News wrote “Arms, ammunition, and supplies streamed from several Japanese cruisers and destroyers onto the O.S.K. wharf in what appeared to be an unending flow. Additionally, a large detachment of soldiers in full marching gear disembarked, while a cruiser, the Idzumo, two destroyers, and nine gunboats arrived shortly before.” Zhang Zhizhong, the commander of the left wing, finally received the orders he wished to hear. Zhang intended to deploy all available troops in a bold effort to eliminate the Japanese presence once and for all, following the strategy recommended by the Germans. However, the plan had a significant weakness. The assault was to focus on the marine headquarters and the rest of the Hongkou salient while deliberately avoiding combat within the formal borders of the International Settlement. This decision was made as a concession to international public opinion and was politically sound. However, from a military perspective, it was nearly suicidal and greatly increased the risks associated with the entire operation. The Hongkou area represented the most heavily fortified position along the entire front. The marine headquarters was at the center of a dense network of heavy machine gun positions, protected by barbed wire, concrete emplacements, and walls of sandbags. On Saturday, August 14th, the Nationalist military command decided to target one of the most significant Japanese naval assets in Shanghai: the Izumo, anchored with support ships on the Huangpu River in the city center. Shortly before 11:00 a.m., five Chinese planes appeared over the rooftops, flying toward the river and the Japanese vessels. The aircraft released their bombs, but all missed their target, with several detonating on the wharves, demolishing buildings and sending shrapnel flying through the air. In response, the Japanese battleships unleashed a massive barrage, further endangering those unfortunate enough to live or work in the area as shell fragments rained down with deadly force. At 11:20 a.m., another Chinese air raid occurred, this time involving three planes, once again targeting the Izumo. However, for two of the pilots, something went horribly wrong. “From one of the four monoplanes, four aerial torpedoes were seen to drop as they passed over the Bund, far from their intended target... Two others fell on Nanking Road.” Either the pilot misjudged the target, or there was a malfunction with the release mechanism. Regardless of the cause, the bombs landed in one of the city's busiest civilian areas, where thousands were walking, shopping, and enjoying a hot August Saturday. At 4:46 p.m., the public health department's work diary noted, “Palace Hotel hit! Many injured and dead in street! Nanking Road opposite Cathay Hotel.” A reporter vividly captured the horror of the scene: “A bomb arced through the air, struck the Palace Hotel with a glancing blow, and unleashed indescribable carnage. As the high explosive fumes slowly lifted, a scene of dreadful death emerged. Flames from a blazing car danced over distorted bodies. Bodies wrapped in coolie cloth lay in shapeless heaps at the entrances to the main doorways and arcades of the Palace and Cathay hotels, their heads, legs, and arms separated from smashed masses of flesh. The corpse of a Chinese policeman lay dead in his tracks, shrapnel lodged in his head, and a disemboweled child was nearby.” To make matters worse, another pilot mistakenly released his bomb over Avenue Edward VII, another major shopping street. When the numbers were finally tallied, over 1,000 people, both Chinese and foreign had been killed. The bombs struck the International Settlement, a zone that was politically neutral and presumed safe. Hundreds of civilians were killed culminating in what would soon be referred to as “Black Saturday” or “Bloody Saturday.” By the time these tragedies unfolded, the Battle of Shanghai had already entered its second day.  Zhang Zhizhong's men prepared their positions for most of the day, then launched their attack late in the afternoon. Intense fighting erupted in the few hours before sunset, and it quickly became clear that the 88th Infantry Division was encountering resistance that was tougher than expected. In addition to the direct fire from entrenched Japanese positions, the attackers were bombarded by the Third Fleet's powerful artillery, which was awe-inspiring even when it employed only a fraction of its total strength of 700 pieces. However, the Chinese infantry lacked proper training in the use of heavy weaponry against fortified enemy positions. Their heavier guns, which could have made a significant difference, were held too far in the rear and missed their targets too easily, as inexperienced crews used flawed coordinates from observers who were not close enough to the action. Additionally, some of the Japanese positions had such thick defensive walls that it was questionable whether even the most powerful weaponry in the Chinese arsenal, the 150 mm howitzers, could do more than merely dent them. These tactics resulted in extraordinarily heavy losses for the Chinese, including among senior ranks. Around 5:00 p.m., Major General Huang Meixing, the 41-year-old commander of the 88th Infantry Division's 264th Brigade, was leading an attack near the marine headquarters. His divisional commander, Sun Yuanliang, attempted to reach him via field phone, but he was forced to wait. When he finally managed to get through to Huang, he cracked a rare joke: “It took so long, I thought you were dead.” Just minutes later, as if fate wanted to punish Sun Yuanliang for his black humor, Huang Meixing's command post was struck by an artillery shell, killing him instantly. Shock spread through the ranks as the news circulated, recalled Wu Ganliao, a machine gunner in the 88th Division. “Brigade Commander Huang was a fair-minded person, and he showed real affection for his troops. It was sad new”. Huang was by no means an exceptional case; Chinese officers died in large numbers from the very first day. One regiment lost seven company commanders in a single short attack. Several factors contributed to the high incidence of death among senior ranks. One reason was the ethos among some officers to lead from the front in an effort to instill courage in their men. However, leading from the rear could also be highly risky in urban combat, where opposing forces were often just yards apart, and the maze-like environment created by multi-story buildings and narrow alleys led to a fluid situation where the enemy could be just as likely behind as in front. Moreover, soldiers on both sides deliberately targeted enemy officers, perhaps more so than in other conflicts, because rigid leadership hierarchies placed a premium on decapitating the opposing unit's command. However, the massive fatality rates among officers, and even more so among the rank and file, were primarily the result of Chinese forces employing frontal assaults against a well-armed, entrenched enemy.The men who were dying by the hundreds were China's elite soldiers, the product of years of effort to build a modern military. They represented the nation's best hope for resisting Japan in a protracted war. Nevertheless, on the very first day of battle, they were being squandered at an alarming and unsustainable rate. After just a few hours of offensive operations with minimal gains, Chiang Kai-shek decided to cut his losses. In a telegram, he commanded Zhang Zhizhong: “Do not carry out attacks this evening. Await further orders.”In the weeks leading up to the outbreak of the battle of Shanghai, Chiang Kai-shek received a parade of leaders from various provinces eager to participate in the upcoming fight. After years of the Warlord nonsense , a new sense of unity began to emerge among them for the first time. All of these factions proclaimed they would lend their troops to his leadership if he pledged them against Japan. As a sign of his sincerity, Chiang decided to appoint the position of overall commander in Shanghai to one of his longest-standing rivals, our old friend, the finger nails inspector, Feng Yuxiang. This was a political savvy move directed at the Communists, trying to earn their favor.  Feng Yuxiang did not hesitate when offered the command. “As long as it serves the purpose of fighting Japan, I'll say yes, no matter what it is.” His appointment was announced just as the first shots were fired in Shanghai. Feng was about a decade older than his direct subordinates, which Chiang considered an advantage. He desired someone who was both composed and prudent to counterbalance the fiery tempers of the frontline commanders, as Chiang put it“ The frontline commanders are too young. They've got a lot of courage, but they lack experience.” Feng moved his command post to a temple outside Suzhou in mid August. Almost immediately afterward, he visited Zhang Zhizhong, who had established his command near the Suzhou city wall. At that time, Zhang was just beginning to realize how formidable the Japanese resistance in Shanghai truly was. His staff started to notice troubling signs of his deteriorating health, sensing that sickness and exhaustion were taking a toll on his ability to stay upright and effectively lead the battle. Perhaps this feeling of being overwhelmed was why he failed to undertake basic tasks, such as providing adequate protection from air attacks. Meanwhile, Shanghai society responded to the sudden outbreak of war. In July, the city's residents worked, ate, drank, and played as they had for decades. Beginning in August, however, they had to entirely remake their lives. Local institutions began to relocate; by late September, it was announced that four local universities would open joint colleges with institutions in China's interior. In the country's premier commercial city, business was being devastated. “Like a nightmare octopus flinging cruel tentacles around its helpless victims,” the North-China Daily News reported, “the local hostilities are slowly strangling Shanghai's trade.” A shopkeeper lamented, “We obtain a lot of business, of course, from tourists who visit Shanghai. What tourists are there these days?” For the foreigners in Shanghai, the war was seen as a violent diversion, but nothing truly dangerous, at least, that's what they thought. For the Chinese, however, life was unraveling. As the fighting intensified around the Japanese district, thousands of refugees poured into the streets, heading for Suzhou Creek and the Garden Bridge, the only link to the International Settlement that remained open. It was a chaotic and merciless stampede, where the weak were at a severe disadvantage. “My feet were slipping… in blood and flesh,” recalled Rhodes Farmer, a journalist for the North China Daily News, as he found himself in a sea of people struggling to escape Hongkou. “Half a dozen times, I knew I was walking on the bodies of children or old people sucked under by the torrent, trampled flat by countless feet.” Near the creek, the mass of sweating and panting humanity was nearly uncontrollable as it funneled toward the bridge, which was a mere 55 feet wide. Two Japanese sentries were almost overwhelmed by the crowd and reacted as they had been trained, with immediate, reflexive brutality. One of them bayoneted an old man and threw the lifeless body into the filthy creek below. This act of violence did not deter the other refugees, who continued to push toward the bridge, believing they were heading toward the safety of the International Settlement. Little did they know, they were moving in the wrong direction, towards the horrific slaughter of innocent civilians that would mark the entire Shanghai campaign. The American advisor Claire Chennault had been in the air since the early hours of August 14. After only a few hours of sleep at his base in Nanjing, he jumped into a lone, unarmed fighter to observe the Chinese air raid as a neutral party. The night before, he had been at the Nanjing Military Academy, in the company of Chiang Kai-shek and his wife Soong Mei-ling. That night, as war loomed, Soong Mei-ling in tears said “They are killing our people!” Chennault asked “what will you do now?”. She replied “We will fight,”. Chennault was the one who suggested bombing the ships on the Huangpu River because of the artillery support they provided to the Japanese infantry. Since there was no Chinese officer with the expertise to prepare such an operation, Soong Mei-ling had asked Chennault to take over. Although he was completely unprepared for this new role, he felt a growing affinity for China, fueled by excitement at the prospect of contributing to their fight. Eleanor B. Roosevelt, the wife of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was in Shanghai at the time of the bombing and was horrified by the loss of innocent life. She sent a letter to Japan's premier, Prince Konoye, urging him to seek ways to minimize the risk of Chinese air raids, which she argued were caused by the presence of Japan's military in the Shanghai area. The Japanese did not respond. However, the day after her letter, the Izumo was moved from its anchorage near the Japanese Consulate to the middle of the Huangpu River. The cruiser remained close enough to contribute its artillery to the fighting inland, but far enough away to significantly reduce the danger to civilians in the city. The 15th was surreal, even after thousands had been killed in battle, the fighting in China remained an undeclared war as far as the Japanese government was concerned, and it committed forces only in a piecemeal fashion. The Japanese Cabinet continued to refer to events in Shanghai and further north near Beijing as “the China Incident.” However, euphemisms were not enough to disguise the reality that Shanghai was becoming a significant problem. In the early hours of the 15th, a Japanese Cabinet meeting decided to send army reinforcements to the hard-pressed marines in Shanghai, leading to the deployment of the 3rd and 11th Divisions. The two divisions were to form the Shanghai Expeditionary Force, a unit resurrected from the hostilities of 1932. Many of the soldiers sent to war were reservists in their late twenties and early thirties who had long since returned to civilian life and were poorly disciplined. In their habitual disdain for the Chinese, Japanese leaders figured that this would be more than enough to deal with them. Underestimating the foe would soon prove to be a mistake they would repeat again and again in the coming weeks and months. To lead the force, the Japanese leaders brought out of retirement 59-year-old General Matsui Iwane, a veteran of the 1904-1905 Russo-Japanese War. Matsui was a slight man, weighing no more than 100 pounds, with a large 19th century mustache and a palsy affecting his right side. He was not an accidental choice; he knew China well and had been an acquaintance of Sun Yat-sen.  Hongkou or “Little Tokyo” had become an area under siege. Surrounded by hostile Chinese troops on three sides, its only link to the outside world was the dock district along the Huangpu River. From the first day of the battle, the area was bombarded with Chinese mortar shells, prompting an exodus among Japanese residents, some of whom had lived in Shanghai for years. An increasingly common sight was kimono-clad women carrying heavy loads as they made their way to the wharfs to board ferries taking them back to Japan. Hongkou, said visiting Japanese correspondent Hayashi Fusao, “was a dark town. It was an exhausted town.” Those who remained in “Little Tokyo,” mostly men forced to stay behind to look after their businesses, tried to continue their lives with as little disruption to their normal routines as possible. However, this was difficult, given the constant reminders of war surrounding them: rows of barbed wire and piles of sandbags, soldiers marching from one engagement to another, and the sounds of battle often occurring just a few blocks away. “Every building was bullet-marked, and the haze of gunpowder hung over the town,” wrote Hayashi. “It was a town at war. It was the August sun and an eerie silence, burning asphalt, and most of all, the swarm of blue flies hovering around the feet.” It seemed Vice Admiral Hasegawa Kiyoshi, the commander of the Japanese 3rd Fleet, had bitten off more than he could chew in aggressively expanding operations in the Shanghai area. August 16th saw repeated Chinese attacks, placing the Japanese defenders under severe pressure, stretching their resources to the limit. Rear Admiral Okawachi Denshichi, who headed the Shanghai marines, had to hastily commit reserves, including irreplaceable tanks, to prevent a Chinese breakthrough. That day Hasegawa sent three telegrams to his superiors, each sounding more desperate than the last. After his second telegram, sent around 7:00 pm,  warning that his troops could probably hold out for only 6 more days, the Naval Command ordered the marine barracks at Sasebo Naval Base in southern Japan to dispatch two units of 500 marines each to Shanghai. Following Hasegawa's 3rd telegram later that night, the navy decided to send even more reinforcements. Two additional marine units, consisting of a total of 1,400 soldiers waiting in Manchuria for deployment at Qingdao, were ordered to embark for Shanghai immediately. The Chinese, however, did not feel that things were going their way. The battle continued to be much bloodier than anyone had anticipated. Throwing infantry en masse against fortified positions was the only feasible tactic available to an army rich in manpower confronting an adversary with a clear technological advantage. Yet, this approach turned the battle into a contest of flesh against steel, resulting in tremendous loss of life. Chiang Kai-shek was losing patience. After several days of fighting, his troops had still not succeeded in dislodging the Japanese from the streets of Shanghai. The Japanese marines entrenched in the Hongkou and Yangshupu areas proved to be a harder nut to crack than he or his generals had expected. At a meeting with his divisional commanders, Chiang ordered a massive attack to be launched in the early morning of August 17. The troops were to utilize more firepower and be better prepared than they had been for the assault three days earlier. Codenamed Operation Iron Fist, it was the most ambitious Chinese offensive in the first critical week of the Shanghai campaign. Colonel Hans Vetter, the advisor assigned to the 88th Division, played a key role in planning the offensive. He aimed to employ “Stosstrupp” or “stormtrooper” shock troop tactics that the Germans had effectively used during the Great War. After an intense artillery bombardment, a small, elite group of determined, well-armed men was to punch through the Japanese lines and fight their way deep into the enemy camp before the defenders had a chance to recover from the initial surprise. This procedure was to be followed by both the 88th Division moving in from the west, targeting the area south of Hongkou Park, and the 87th Division conducting a parallel operation from the east. Zhang Zhizhong recognized a window of opportunity while he still enjoyed a significant, but likely temporary, advantage against the Japanese. This opportunity had to be seized before reinforcements arrived. However, the odds were not favorable. Urban combat with modern weaponry of unprecedented lethality was a costly affair, especially when the enemy had the upper hand in the sky. Japanese airplanes constantly threatened the Chinese positions, carrying out relentless sorties throughout the day. The Chinese Air Force remained a factor, but it was uncertain how much longer it would hold out against the more experienced Japanese pilots and their superior, more maneuverable aircraft. The growing Japanese presence overhead, supported by both shipborne planes and aircraft based on airstrips on Chongming Island in the Yangtze Delta, greatly complicated any major movements on the ground. Despite these challenges, the Chinese Army continued its troop build-up in the Shanghai area. The 98th Infantry Division arrived on August 15 and placed one brigade, half its strength, at the disposal of the 87th Infantry Division, ensuring that the division's rear area was covered during Operation Iron Fist. Operation Iron Fist kicked off as planned at 5:00 am on the 17th. Utilizing all available firepower, the 87th and 88th Infantry Divisions launched simultaneous assaults against stunned and bewildered Japanese defenders. In line with the Stosstrupp approach of rapid penetration, Zhang Zhizhong introduced a new tactical principle, prompted by the severe losses during the first few days of fighting. Forces under his command were to identify gaps in the Japanese defenses and exploit them, rather than launch massive, costly, and most likely futile attacks on heavily fortified positions. Once an enemy stronghold was spotted, the main forces would circumvent it and leave just enough troops to keep it pinned down. Chen Yiding, a regimental commander of the 87th Infantry Division, played a pivotal role in the assault. His soldiers, each equipped with provisions for two days, made good progress during the first hours of Iron Fist, leveraging their local knowledge and moving with the slippery dexterity of alley cats. They would enter a building on one street, knock down the wall inside, and exit onto the next street, or they would throw down beams from rooftop to rooftop, sneaking as quietly as possible from one block to another without being noticed by those on the ground. They proved elusive targets for the Japanese, who expected them to come from one direction, only to be attacked from another. Nevertheless, changing the tactical situation from the previous days was not enough. The attackers encountered well-prepared defenses that sometimes could not be circumvented, resulting in significant losses from the outset of the assault. An entire battalion of the 88th Division was wiped out while trying to take a single building. Despite their sacrifices, there was no major breakthrough anywhere along the Japanese defense lines. This was partly due to strong support from Japanese naval artillery stationed along the Huangpu River and partly a reflection of poor coordination between Chinese infantry and artillery.Equally detrimental to the Chinese cause was their careful avoidance, during the first days of combat in Shanghai, of fighting inside the International Settlement or even in the predominantly Japanese part of the settlement, in order to avoid angering the outside world and swaying international opinion against them. This approach frustrated their German advisors. “It was obvious that the attacking troops had been told to engage only enemies standing on Chinese territory, not the ones inside the international areas,” the Germans wrote, with an almost audible sigh of regret in their after-action report. This frustration was shared by several Chinese officers at the frontline. “We are much handicapped by the demarcation of the foreign areas,” the adjutant to a divisional commander told a Western reporter. “We could have wiped out the enemy if it had not been for orders from the Central Government and our commander to avoid causing damage to foreign lives and to give them adequate protection.” The presence of the large foreign community primarily played into Japanese hands. Many of Chiang Kai-shek's officers believed that if the Chinese had been able to move through the French Concession and the International Settlement to attack the Japanese from the rear, they could have won easily. Zhang Fakui would later say “Without the protection provided by the foreign concessions, they would have been wiped out,”. At the end of the day, the Japanese emerged victorious. Their defense proved stronger, as it had for four long years on the Western Front during the Great War. The challenge facing the Japanese was tough, but at least it was straightforward and uncomplicated: they had to hold on to Hongkou and Yangshupu while waiting for reinforcements to arrive. They proved adept at this task. In many cases, Chinese soldiers found themselves fighting for the same objectives they had targeted when the battle for Shanghai began several days earlier. By August 18, the Chinese attack had been called off. Operation Iron Fist had proven to be a costly endeavor for the Chinese, who endured heavy casualties in the vicious urban fighting. The Japanese, on the other hand, suffered approximately 600 casualties, of which 134 were fatalities, according to the Official Gazette. The Japanese marine units dispatched from Manchuria on August 16, the day of crisis for their compatriots in Shanghai, arrived in the city during the morning of August 18 and were immediately thrown into battle. A few hours later, the Japanese Cabinet announced the formal end of its policy of non-expansion in China, which, by that time, had already been a hollow shell for several weeks. “The empire, having reached the limit of its patience, has been forced to take resolute measures,” it stated. “Henceforth, it will punish the outrages of the Chinese Army, thereby spurring the Chinese government to self-reflect.” I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. On August 13, Japanese marines, disguised as civilians, provoked Chinese guards, leading to mutual gunfire. The fierce urban fighting escalated, especially at the strategically vital Eight Character Bridge. Despite determined Chinese assaults, heavy losses ensued as they struggled against well-fortified Japanese positions. As artillery and air strikes rained down, civilian casualties soared, culminating in the infamous "Black Saturday," followed by the failed Operation Iron Fist.    

BRICS has expanded to 20 countries - 10 members and 10 partners - after adding Vietnam. BRICS+ now makes up 43.93% of world GDP (PPP) and 55.61% of the global population. Ben Norton explains how the US failed to divide China and Vietnam in the Second Cold War. VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZUeShGMarI Sources, links, and downloadable charts here: https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2025/07/04/brics-expansion-population-gdp-vietnam Asia is uniting, creating a new post-West global order: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRGkCw-Sqk0 Topics 0:00 Vietnam joins BRICS 0:42 History of BRICS expansion 1:01 BRICS membership 1:21 Map of BRICS+ 1:30 BRICS: 44% of global GDP (PPP) 1:50 BRICS: 56% of world population 2:26 Cold War and Non-Aligned Movement 3:33 USA tries to divide Vietnam & China 5:07 Vietnam's foreign policy is non-aligned 5:53 Timing of Vietnam's decision 6:47 Trump's tariffs 7:39 China improves relations with Vietnam 8:32 Complex history of China-Vietnam relations 10:47 Vietnam's "Four Nos" 11:48 China's non-alignment 12:17 Similarities of Chinese & Vietnamese socialist system 13:36 Vietnam's economic development 15:32 Incomes in Vietnam & China 16:40 Socialist market economy 17:22 Life expectancy in Vietnam & China 18:38 Popularity of Vietnamese & Chinese governments 19:34 Western capitalist oligarchy 21:11 Global South alternatives 21:57 The ASEAN Way 22:37 ASEAN-GCC-China Summit 23:16 Outro

In this episode on Speaking Out of Place podcast Professor David Palumbo-Liu talks with M. E. O'Brien and Eman Abdelhadi about their dazzling and challenging book, Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune, 2052 to 2072. They imagine a world haunted by genocide, ecocide, disease, fascism, and viral capitalism, but rather than writing a dystopian novel, O'Brien and Abdelhadi create a complex mosaic of oral histories, in which they each play the part of interviewer. The result is a story that far exceeds New York, and the twenty years noted in the title. The histories cover generations across the globe, and reach into the deep sources of trauma, and the kinds of mutual care we will need to not only survive, but also to thrive in these frightening times.Eman Abdelhadiis an academic, organizer and writer based in Chicago. She is co-author of "Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune, 2052-2072," a revolutionary sci-fi novel published in 2022 with Common Notions Press. She is an assistant professor and sociologist at the University of Chicago, where she researches American Muslim communities, and she is a columnist at In These Times magazine where she writes on the Palestine Liberation movement and American politics. Eman organizes with the Salon Kawakib collective, Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine at the University of Chicago, Scholars for Social Justice, and other formations.M. E. O'Brien writes and speaks on gender freedom and capitalism. She has written two books: Family Abolition: Capitalism and the Communizing of Care (Pluto Press, 2023) and a co-authored speculative novel, Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune, 2052–2072 (Common Notions, 2022). She is a member of the editorial collective of Pinko, a magazine of gay communism. Her work on family abolition has been translated into Chinese, German, Greek, French, Spanish, Catalan, and Turkish. Previously, she coordinated the New York City Trans Oral History Project, and worked in HIV and AIDS activism and services. She completed a PhD at NYU, where she wrote on how capitalism shaped New York City LGBTQ social movements. She currently works a psychotherapist in private practice and is a psychoanalyst in formation.www.palumbo-liu.comhttps://speakingoutofplace.comBluesky @palumboliu.bsky.socialInstagram @speaking_out_of_place

In this episode on Speaking Out of Place podcast Professor David Palumbo-Liu talks with M. E. O'Brien and Eman Abdelhadi about their dazzling and challenging book, Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune, 2052 to 2072. They imagine a world haunted by genocide, ecocide, disease, fascism, and viral capitalism, but rather than writing a dystopian novel, O'Brien and Abdelhadi create a complex mosaic of oral histories, in which they each play the part of interviewer. The result is a story that far exceeds New York, and the twenty years noted in the title. The histories cover generations across the globe, and reach into the deep sources of trauma, and the kinds of mutual care we will need to not only survive, but also to thrive in these frightening times.Eman Abdelhadiis an academic, organizer and writer based in Chicago. She is co-author of "Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune, 2052-2072," a revolutionary sci-fi novel published in 2022 with Common Notions Press. She is an assistant professor and sociologist at the University of Chicago, where she researches American Muslim communities, and she is a columnist at In These Times magazine where she writes on the Palestine Liberation movement and American politics. Eman organizes with the Salon Kawakib collective, Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine at the University of Chicago, Scholars for Social Justice, and other formations.M. E. O'Brien writes and speaks on gender freedom and capitalism. She has written two books: Family Abolition: Capitalism and the Communizing of Care (Pluto Press, 2023) and a co-authored speculative novel, Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune, 2052–2072 (Common Notions, 2022). She is a member of the editorial collective of Pinko, a magazine of gay communism. Her work on family abolition has been translated into Chinese, German, Greek, French, Spanish, Catalan, and Turkish. Previously, she coordinated the New York City Trans Oral History Project, and worked in HIV and AIDS activism and services. She completed a PhD at NYU, where she wrote on how capitalism shaped New York City LGBTQ social movements. She currently works a psychotherapist in private practice and is a psychoanalyst in formation.www.palumbo-liu.comhttps://speakingoutofplace.comBluesky @palumboliu.bsky.socialInstagram @speaking_out_of_place

Rico from Talking Roosterz returns to Paranoi Radio for a no-holds-barred convo on Chinese androids, underwater train rails, robotic fish, and the AI arms race shaking the global stage. From deep-sea espionage to military-grade tech, this episode dives into the future of warfare and the truth beneath the waves. Happy 4th of July—freedom isn't free, and neither is this intel.

Drones are becoming the weapon of choice on today's battlefield. As police departments become increasingly militarized, it seems like only a matter of time before local governments use drones and autonomous robot dogs to control the populace. What might a future with hostile drones be like? In this episode, the boys watched three short videos (links below) and discussed what, if anything, somebody can do about Robotic Doom. Links: SlaughterBots (2017): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fa9lVwHHqg Metalhead (episode, 2017) https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6jbebk How To Defeat A Robot Dog video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MUrF_G7KlM Other links of interest: Chinese “mosquito” drones: https://interestingengineering.com/military/chinese-military-unveils-mosquito-sized-drones Black Hornet, micro drone: Black Hornet 4 Nano UAV If you were entertained by this DoomCast, consider becoming a Patron on Patreon, or a monthly member at Buy Me A Coffee, One-time coffee at Buy Me A Coffee are a great way show Mic you enjoy this podcast content.

In this episode on Speaking Out of Place podcast Professor David Palumbo-Liu talks with M. E. O'Brien and Eman Abdelhadi about their dazzling and challenging book, Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune, 2052 to 2072. They imagine a world haunted by genocide, ecocide, disease, fascism, and viral capitalism, but rather than writing a dystopian novel, O'Brien and Abdelhadi create a complex mosaic of oral histories, in which they each play the part of interviewer. The result is a story that far exceeds New York, and the twenty years noted in the title. The histories cover generations across the globe, and reach into the deep sources of trauma, and the kinds of mutual care we will need to not only survive, but also to thrive in these frightening times.Eman Abdelhadiis an academic, organizer and writer based in Chicago. She is co-author of "Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune, 2052-2072," a revolutionary sci-fi novel published in 2022 with Common Notions Press. She is an assistant professor and sociologist at the University of Chicago, where she researches American Muslim communities, and she is a columnist at In These Times magazine where she writes on the Palestine Liberation movement and American politics. Eman organizes with the Salon Kawakib collective, Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine at the University of Chicago, Scholars for Social Justice, and other formations.M. E. O'Brien writes and speaks on gender freedom and capitalism. She has written two books: Family Abolition: Capitalism and the Communizing of Care (Pluto Press, 2023) and a co-authored speculative novel, Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune, 2052–2072 (Common Notions, 2022). She is a member of the editorial collective of Pinko, a magazine of gay communism. Her work on family abolition has been translated into Chinese, German, Greek, French, Spanish, Catalan, and Turkish. Previously, she coordinated the New York City Trans Oral History Project, and worked in HIV and AIDS activism and services. She completed a PhD at NYU, where she wrote on how capitalism shaped New York City LGBTQ social movements. She currently works a psychotherapist in private practice and is a psychoanalyst in formation.www.palumbo-liu.comhttps://speakingoutofplace.comBluesky @palumboliu.bsky.socialInstagram @speaking_out_of_place

In this episode on Speaking Out of Place podcast Professor David Palumbo-Liu talks with M. E. O'Brien and Eman Abdelhadi about their dazzling and challenging book, Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune, 2052 to 2072. They imagine a world haunted by genocide, ecocide, disease, fascism, and viral capitalism, but rather than writing a dystopian novel, O'Brien and Abdelhadi create a complex mosaic of oral histories, in which they each play the part of interviewer. The result is a story that far exceeds New York, and the twenty years noted in the title. The histories cover generations across the globe, and reach into the deep sources of trauma, and the kinds of mutual care we will need to not only survive, but also to thrive in these frightening times.Eman Abdelhadiis an academic, organizer and writer based in Chicago. She is co-author of "Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune, 2052-2072," a revolutionary sci-fi novel published in 2022 with Common Notions Press. She is an assistant professor and sociologist at the University of Chicago, where she researches American Muslim communities, and she is a columnist at In These Times magazine where she writes on the Palestine Liberation movement and American politics. Eman organizes with the Salon Kawakib collective, Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine at the University of Chicago, Scholars for Social Justice, and other formations.M. E. O'Brien writes and speaks on gender freedom and capitalism. She has written two books: Family Abolition: Capitalism and the Communizing of Care (Pluto Press, 2023) and a co-authored speculative novel, Everything for Everyone: An Oral History of the New York Commune, 2052–2072 (Common Notions, 2022). She is a member of the editorial collective of Pinko, a magazine of gay communism. Her work on family abolition has been translated into Chinese, German, Greek, French, Spanish, Catalan, and Turkish. Previously, she coordinated the New York City Trans Oral History Project, and worked in HIV and AIDS activism and services. She completed a PhD at NYU, where she wrote on how capitalism shaped New York City LGBTQ social movements. She currently works a psychotherapist in private practice and is a psychoanalyst in formation.www.palumbo-liu.comhttps://speakingoutofplace.comBluesky @palumboliu.bsky.socialInstagram @speaking_out_of_place

In this special episode of Takeaway Chinese, we're going to learn how to say "stay up all night" in Chinese.

暑假 shǔ jià - summer vacation家長 jiā zhǎng - parents/guardians雙薪家庭 shuāng xīn jiā tíng - dual-income family虎爸虎媽 hǔ bà hǔ mā - tiger parents (strict or demanding parents)說長不長，說短也不短 shuō cháng bù cháng, shuō duǎn yě bù duǎn - not too long, not too short事先規劃 shì xiān guī huà - advance planning暑假作業 shǔ jià zuò yè - summer homework自律 zì lǜ - self-discipline報名 bào míng - to register/sign up夏令營 xià lìng yíng - summer camp營隊 yíng duì - camp group分組 fēn zǔ - to divide into groups輔導員 fǔ dǎo yuán - counselor (camp helper or guide)動手 dòng shǒu - hands-on/do it yourself童軍 tóng jūn - scout野外求生 yě wài qiú shēng - wilderness survival生存下來 shēng cún xià lái - to survive童軍繩 tóng jūn shéng - scout rope營火晚會 yíng huǒ wǎn huì - campfire party排斥 pái chì - to reject/resist寫作文 xiě zuò wén - to write an essay/composition爛 làn - bad/terrible (slang for poor quality)Planning to travel or move to Taiwan? If you'd like to improve your Chinese before you go, feel free to book a one-on-one lesson with me.I'll help you improve your Chinese so you can settle in more comfortably when you arrive.Book a one-on-one trial lesson with me !

Discover how to master Chinese as an adult with practical strategies from polyglot expert Lao Liu! In this insightful podcast, we explore powerful language learning techniques, including the 80/20 rule, AI-driven study tools, and immersive language exchanges. Learn how to build effective habits, embrace mistakes, and achieve fluency in Mandarin, no matter your starting point. Perfect for beginners and advanced learners alike. Subscribe, like, and share your language learning journey in the comments!

A brief message from Bob ... John's upcoming book, How States Think: The Rationality of Foreign Policy ... Is the US to blame for Russia's invasion of Ukraine? ... Is Putin less rational than John assumes? ... Why John is a Russia dove and a China hawk ... Does China pose a threat to freedom around the world? ... Why John thinks China's rise threatens American security ... Has globalization made great-power peace possible? ... Should the US defend Taiwan against a Chinese invasion? ...

ICYMI: Janice Trey, CEO at the Epoch Times, tells Shaun about her time spent in a Chinese forced labor camp, China's organ harvesting operations, and the many different names communism has used to penetrate Western civilization.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

36:43- Congressman Mike Haridopolos, Republican representing Florida's 8th Congressional District, joins Joe Piscopo to discuss the latest in the House of Representatives following the vote on Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill.” Topic: House vote 48:28- Scott Jennings, host of "The Scott Jennings Show" on the Salem Radio Network beginning July 14th, CNN contributor, and the author of the upcoming book "A Revolution of Common Sense: How Donald Trump Stormed Washington and Fought for Western Civilization" Topic: His new radio show, Big Beautiful Bill, and other news of the day 57:49- Hans von Spakovsky, Manager of the Heritage Foundation's Election Law Reform Initiative and Senior Legal Fellow at the Edwin Meese III Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, joins Joe Piscopo to discuss the recent buzz in the U.S. Supreme Court. Topic: Bryan Kohberger's guilty plea, other legal news of the day 1:26:58- Dr. Rebecca Grant, national security analyst based in Washington, D.C., specializing in defense and aerospace research, founder of IRIS Independent Research, and Senior Fellow at the Lexington Institute, joins Joe Piscopo to discuss the effects Trump had on the recent discussions with NATO. Topic: Edan Alexander to meet with Trump, "Trump lit a fire under NATO, but more needs to be done to contain the Russia-China axis" (Fox News op ed) 1:35:38- Arthur Aidala, former Brooklyn Prosecutor, star criminal defense attorney, and host of "The Arthur Aidala Power Hour" weeknights at 6 p.m. on AM 970 The Answer, joins Joe Piscopo to dig deep into the Diddy case for a complete understanding. Topic: Sean "Diddy" Combs verdict 2:02:15- Miranda Devine, columnist for the New York Post and the author of "The Big Guy", joins Joe Piscopo to discuss the CIA review of the Trump-Russia collusion report as well as the latest with Russia. Topic: "Obama’s Trump-Russia collusion report was corrupt from start: CIA review" (New York Post op ed) 2:13:31- Gordon Chang, Asia expert, columnist, and author of "China is Going to War", joins Joe Piscopo to discuss the latest in the U.S.-China trade war and what to expect from it. Topic: Latest in the U.S.-China trade war, Chinese nationals arrested for allegedly spying on the U.S. NavySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's story: In many parts of the world, buildings don't have formal, complete addresses that can be identified on a map. Locals often use landmarks to explain where they live. But these improvised systems come with inefficiencies and real-world consequences. It's hard for residents to get deliveries, access emergency services, or find brick-and-mortar businesses.Transcript & Exercises: https://plainenglish.com/787Full lesson: https://plainenglish.com/787 --Upgrade all your skills in English: Plain English is the best current-events podcast for learning English.You might be learning English to improve your career, enjoy music and movies, connect with family abroad, or even prepare for an international move. Whatever your reason, we'll help you achieve your goals in English.How it works: Listen to a new story every Monday and Thursday. They're all about current events, trending topics, and what's going on in the world. Get exposure to new words and ideas that you otherwise might not have heard in English.The audio moves at a speed that's right for intermediate English learners: just a little slower than full native speed. You'll improve your English listening, learn new words, and have fun thinking in English.--Did you like this episode? You'll love the full Plain English experience. Join today and unlock the fast (native-speed) version of this episode, translations in the transcripts, how-to video lessons, live conversation calls, and more. Tap/click: PlainEnglish.com/joinHere's where else you can find us: Instagram | YouTube | WhatsApp | EmailMentioned in this episode:Hard words? No problemNever be confused by difficult words in Plain English again! See translations of the hardest words and phrases from English to your language. Each episode transcript includes built-in translations into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, German, French, Italian, Japanese, Polish, and Turkish. Sign up for a free 14-day trial at PlainEnglish.com

How can you celebrate true freedom and equality on the 4th of July,  Independence Day?Focus on Frederick Douglass, an abolitionist and orator.In this episode, Aminata celebrates the life and legacy of Frederick Douglass in the context of the 4th of July. She converses with her son, Gabriel Anthony-Kemp, about the impact and inspiration drawn from Douglass's life. Gabriel discusses his admiration for Douglass's visionary and uncompromising spirit. The episode features a reading from Douglass's autobiography, highlighting the traumatic experiences of slavery, and underscores Douglass's dedication to not only freeing himself but also striving for the freedom of others. Check the show notes at dramandakemp.com for more information.Music is “Help Me” by Michael Jamanis (www.michaeljamanis.com)Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Purpose00:07 Frederick Douglass and the 4th of July00:53 Conversation with Gabriel02:09 Gabriel's Admiration for Douglass04:15 Reading from Douglass's Autobiography07:13 Reflections on Douglass's LegacyWho is Frederick Douglass and Why is Frederick Douglass important?This episode shows our greatest leaders have always been concerned about solidarity and linking our movement for freedom with human rights of ALL people.  Please comment or share if you want to spread this message! In 1867, only two years after the slavery ended in the U.S., Douglass spoke out against racism against Chinese and Japanese Americans.  He argued that Chinese immigrants should be allowed to become citizens just like any other immigrants.He envisioned a "Composite Nation," a multi-racial, multicultural America that recognized human rights.  You can watch the music video featuring Douglass's Composite Nation speech here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f7_Mz7lbJk&t=4sDownload my free guide: 

In this milestone four-year anniversary episode of Devolution Power Hour, Jon Herold and Burning Bright dissect the high-stakes drama surrounding Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill.” They break down the House's record-shattering procedural votes, the Senate's last-minute amendments, and why the bill's spectacle might be engineered narrative warfare rather than genuine urgency. The hosts debate whether Trump's relentless push is a trap to expose congressional dysfunction or a sincere attempt to codify his agenda, exploring “narrative shielding,” the switch theory, and the possibility of a financial reset hidden in plain sight. The show dives into the surreal optics of pajama-clad lawmakers, Elon Musk's feud with Trump over the bill, and the “pincer strategy” that may be uniting their public opposition and support into a single play. Jon and Burning Bright also connect the dots to election integrity revelations, with Chuck Grassley's bombshell on Chinese fake driver's licenses and John Ratcliffe's review of the CIA's 2016 Russian influence assessment. Packed with humor, existential frustration, and reminders not to cheerlead mindlessly, this episode challenges listeners to question every narrative, especially the ones they want to believe.

On this pre–Fourth of July episode, CannCon and Alpha Warrior kick things off with the blowout June jobs report showing 147,000 new positions, 830,000 gained by native-born Americans, and record-breaking tariff revenues exceeding $121 billion. They break down Trump's trade deal with Vietnam that imposes steep tariffs on Chinese trans-shipping and explore why corporate media is melting down over tariffs that are revitalizing American jobs. The hosts also tackle the Medicaid work requirement uproar in Trump's “One Big Beautiful Bill,” debunking CBO predictions about mass disenrollment and highlighting how Medicare fraud has ballooned to $14 billion. They dive into new court rulings blocking Trump's asylum policies, while Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's viral dissent gets roasted for sounding like a text message. Other highlights include a deep look at John Ratcliffe's bombshell CIA review exposing Brennan and Clapper's role in rigging the 2016 Russia collusion narrative and a discussion about the Pentagon's 60,000-strong clandestine “signature reduction” army operating worldwide. From USAID's shutdown sob stories to Zelensky's PR meltdown, this episode mixes humor, policy, and righteous frustration at a system running out of lies.

In this engaging conversation, we catch up on our recent anime experiences and delve into the evolving landscape of anime, including the impact of AI on animation, the challenges of live action adaptations, and the rise of WEBTOONS adaptations. We also discuss the upcoming Anime Awards, sharing our thoughts on various categories and nominees, while reflecting on the importance of staying true to source material in adaptations. Delving into various anime topics, including our picks for the best romance, comedy, action, and drama in the recent anime awards. We also touch on the rise of Chinese animation. Finally, we explore the upcoming spring 2025 anime lineup, highlighting new and returning series that we are excited about.

Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he breaks down today's biggest stories shaping America and the world. Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Clears the Senate, Faces House Backlash President Trump's sweeping Triple B spending bill advances after VP JD Vance casts the tie-breaking vote in the Senate. The bill includes tax relief on Social Security, expanded chipmaker credits, Medicaid reform with new work requirements, and $150 billion for immigration enforcement. Elon Musk blasts the bill's price tag and threatens to fund primary challengers to GOP supporters. White House Accelerates Deportations and Denaturalization Efforts Trump authorizes National Guard lawyers to serve as immigration judges at Florida's new “Alligator Alcatraz” facility. Deportations could hit 3,000 per day. Meanwhile, the DOJ launches a top-priority initiative to investigate and strip citizenship from naturalized Americans found to have lied during the process or committed serious offenses after becoming citizens. Supreme Court Fallout Reshapes Transgender Policy Nationwide In the wake of a major Supreme Court ruling, lower courts in several states must reconsider pro-transgender rulings. The Trump administration is also preparing to block Medicaid funds for hospitals providing trans care, and UPenn agrees to revoke Lia Thomas's medals and bar men from competing in women's sports. China's Spy Network Exposed in U.S. Navy Recruitment Effort Two Chinese nationals are arrested for trying to recruit Navy personnel to spy for China. They gained access to naval bases and recruitment centers. Bryan calls for a spy swap to bring home the remains of CIA officer Douglas Mackiernan, the first agent killed in the line of duty. Pentagon Still Dependent on Chinese Military Suppliers A new report shows that 10 percent of the Pentagon's top-tier contractors still rely on Chinese suppliers for critical components, including rare earth magnets. U.S. stockpiles of key munitions are running low due to support for Ukraine, Israel, and operations in Yemen. Medical Breakthrough: Cough Syrup May Help Fight Parkinson's Dementia A London-based study finds that Ambroxol, a common cough syrup ingredient, may protect against cognitive decline in Parkinson's patients. Though not yet approved in the U.S., the drug shows promise in stabilizing psychiatric symptoms and brain damage. "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." – John 8:32

Join the Kyle Seraphin Show LIVE 9:30a ET on Rumble, orfind me on Spotify for video replay: https://KyleSeraphinShow.comOur Sponsors make this program possible:http://patriot-protect.com/KYLE (15% off Protecting yourself from scams/Identity theft)https://SLNT.com/KYLE (Save 15% off everyday Faraday bags)keywords:GOP,Republicans,Big,Beautiful,Senate,FBI,Spies,Chinese,Candace,Owens,Whistleblower,Friendly,Friday

In this episode, I reflect on a whirlwind three-day visit to China - my first in over 20 years. And what I saw was remarkable. The infrastructure puts most of the West to shame. The AI isn't just hype - it's working at serious scale. And the electric vehicles? They're about to steamroll the global auto industry. Here's what really struck me during my whirlwind trip to Beijing and beyond.In this episode you'll hear:Infrastructure built at speed: Beijing's immaculate airport, 300 km/h rail to Tianjin for £17, and pristine expressways that put US infrastructure to shame.Verticalised AI in action: While Chinese labs trail US frontier models and face compute constraints, they're excelling in verticals - profitable robotaxis in Wuhan, healthcare AI analyzing 5.5 billion medical records, and Squirrel AI's $200m education platform that outperforms China's best human teachers.EV cost leadership is set: Chinese electric vehicles are absolutely remarkable. Years of vicious domestic competition have created incredible innovation and cost discipline that will hit European carmakers like a sledgehammer.The air quality transformation: Beijing at 37°C was clean enough for a morning run, thanks to widespread EV adoption.Scale that defies comprehension: Convention centers 100 times the size of Union Square, cities of 20 million people, and AI platforms serving tens of millions of users.Our new showThis was originally recorded for “Friday with Azeem Azhar”, a new show that takes place every Friday at 9am PT and 12pm ET. You can tune in through my Substack linked below.The format is experimental and we'd love your feedback, so feel free to comment or email your thoughts to our team at live@exponentialview.co.Azeem's links:Substack: https://www.exponentialview.co/Website: https://www.azeemazhar.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azhar?originalSubdomain=ukTwitter/X: https://x.com/azeemTimestamps:(00:00) Surprises at the airport(01:21) Immense scale(01:54) 3 areas of interest(02:37) Chinese infrastructure and engineering(03:22) ~180mph train, £17 fare(04:29) Multi-lane expressways built for scale(05:55) Development of AI in china(06:09) China leans into vertical AI(08:12) Apollo robotaxis: unit-cost positive(09:33) Yidu Tech: 5.5B health records(10:35) Squirrel AI outperforms top teachers(14:29) EVs & clean air(16:14) BYD x Octopus: earn by charging(18:30) EV boom improves Beijing air(19:56) Luxury Chinese EV interior(21:08) Closing thoughtsProduction by supermix.io and EPIIPLUS1 Ltd.

This is a teaser preview of one of our Radical Reads episodes, made exclusively for our supporters on patreon. You can listen to the full 122-minute episode without ads and support our work at https://www.patreon.com/posts/e106-radical-in-129688227In this episode, we speak to Eli Friedman and Kevin Lin about their new book, China in Global Capitalism: Building International Solidarity Against Imperial Rivalry. The book (co-written with Rosa Liu and Ashley Smith) does an excellent job of looking at the actions of the Chinese state from the perspective of workers and marginalised groups to produce a picture of a capitalist nation that is not simply 'the same' as other nations, but not all that different either.The full episode is out longest Radical Read yet, and covers a range of topics from the conditions and struggles of China's working class both inside the workplace and out, to women's and LGBT+ rights. We also talk about China's relationship to its "internal peripheries" of Tibet and Xinjiang, as well as its international relationships in Africa, Israel and, of course, with the US. We also discuss what building international solidarity from below might look like in the current context.Listen to the full episode here:E106: Radical Reads - China in Global CapitalismMore informationBuy China in Global Capitalism from an independent bookshopYou can also buy Eli's previous book, China on Strike: Narratives of Workers' RefusalCheck out our excellent collection of books about Chinese history and politics in our online storeListen to a three-part series about Chinese migrant worker poetry by our sister-podcast, Working Class LiteratureFull show notes for this episode, including further reading and listening, as well as sources, are available on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e106-radical-reads-china-in-global-capitalism/AcknowledgementsThanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Fernando Lopez Ojeda, Nick Williams and Old Norm.The episode image is of the G.Tech Technology Factory in Zhuhai, China. Credit: Chris (with additional design by WCH). CC BY-SA 2.0.Edited by Tyler HillOur theme tune is Montaigne's version of the classic labour movement anthem, ‘Bread and Roses', performed by Montaigne and Nick Harriott, and mixed by Wave Racer. Download the song here, with all proceeds going to Medical Aid for Palestinians. More from Montaigne: website, Instagram, YouTubeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.

Casey Rodarmor discusses Bitcoin politics, ordinals/runes development, stablecoins, and his wild new project adding Chinese numerology and divination features to Bitcoin ordinals protocol.You're listening to Bitcoin Season 2. Subscribe to the newsletter, trusted by over 7,000 Bitcoiners: https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.comCasey Rodarmor, creator of Bitcoin Ordinals and Runes protocols, joins us to talk about his frustration with Bitcoin politics, why he thinks Bitcoiners are becoming too cozy with politicians, the future of ordinals and runes adoption, his thoughts on stablecoins, and his fascinating new project to integrate Chinese numerology and divination systems into Bitcoin through SAT-based fortune telling.Subscribe to the newsletter! https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com**NOTES:**• Bitcoin currently trading at $110,000• Runes has built-in 4-year hype cycle for names• One-letter rune names unlock in final phase• Casey blames lack of creativity for runes adoption• Stablecoins expand dollar demand globally• Chinese numerology integration planned for ordinalsTimestamps:00:00 Start00:55 Tired of Ordinals & Runes?03:25 Bitcoin is feeling weird06:41 Politicians10:02 Arch Network10:34 Bitcoin & politics12:02 Stablecoins14:02 Hell Money Podcast15:20 Numerology22:04 Vaporware?23:35 Interesting stuff right now-

Watch the full podcast here! https://chinauncensored.tv/programs/podcast-301 Apple changed China in a way that was not only bad for the Chinese people, but may have destroyed the West. Joining us today is Patrick McGee. He was the Financial Times's principal Apple reporter for four years, and now he's out with a fascinating new book, Apple in China. And check out our other channel, China Uncensored: https://www.youtube.com/ChinaUncensored Our social media: X: https://www.x.com/ChinaUncensored Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChinaUncensored Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChinaUncensored #China

On today's episode of "Conversations On Dance" we are joined by award winning ballerina Yuan Yuan Tan. We cover her meteoric rise, from entering San Francisco Ballet as a soloist at 18 directly from her schooling, a nearly unheard of feat, to anchoring the company as a principal for nearly three decades, and finally becoming a leader in the arts, most recently as the artistic director for the Chinese folktale production Lady White Snake, a stirring visual blend of dance, martial arts, music and costumes. To purchase tickets to Lady White Snake, coming to the David H Koch theater at Lincoln Center this July 26 and 27th, visit davidhkochtheater.com.Tickets to Conversations on Dance at the 2025 Vail Dance Festival on sale now! https://vaildance.org/conversations-on-dance/LINKS:Website: conversationsondancepod.comInstagram: @conversationsondanceMerch: https://bit.ly/cod-merchYouTube: https://bit.ly/youtube-CODJoin our email list: https://bit.ly/COD-email Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It appears the FBI committed at least 5 felonies to hide Chinese election fraud that might have helped Joe Biden to get elected. They even lied to Congress. What are they hiding? (Please subscribe & share.) Sources: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fbi-blocked-probe-alleged-chinese-2020-election-meddling-protect-wray-from-fallout-documents-show https://x.com/ChuckGrassley/status/1940128473571316101 https://www.grassley.senate.gov/news/news-releases/grassley-releases-bombshell-records-showing-fbi-headquarters-interfered-with-alleged-chinese-election-interference-probe-to-shield-christopher-wray-from-political-blowback https://x.com/MJTruthUltra/status/1940173866426671590

How does Russia prevent uprisings, and what can other authoritarians learn from Moscow's methods of coup control? For the second anniversary of the Wagner uprising, ChinaTalk interviewed London-based historian Kamil Galeev, who was also a classmate of Jordan's at Peking University. We discuss… Why the Wagner Group rebelled in 2023, and why the coup attempt ultimately failed, How Wagner shifted the Kremlin's assessment of internal political challengers, Similarities between post-Soviet doomerism and the American right, Historical examples of foreign policy inflienced by a victimhood mentality, Barriers to Chinese hegemony. Outro Music: Султан Лагучев - Любовь беда (YouTube Link) Today's episode is brought to you by 80,000 Hours, a nonprofit that helps people find fulfilling careers that do good. 80,000 Hours — named for the average length of a career — has been doing in-depth research on AI issues for over a decade, producing reports on existential risk, scenarios for potential AI catastrophe, and examining the concrete steps you can take to help ensure AI development goes well. Their research suggests that working to reduce risks from advanced AI could be one of the most impactful ways to make a positive difference in the world. They provide free resources to help you contribute, including: Detailed career reviews for paths like AI safety technical research, AI governance, information security, and AI hardware, A job board with hundreds of high-impact opportunities, A podcast featuring deep conversations with experts like Carl Shulman, Ajeya Cotra, and Tom Davidson, Free, one-on-one career advising to help you find your best fit. To learn more and access their research-backed career guides, visit 80000hours.org/ChinaTalk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today our friend Jimmy joins us to discuss the various ways we approach our meetings - from pre-meeting chitchat to miming reactions on camera. We talk about taking on roles in meetings, like being a note taker or the jokester. Support the showFollow us on social media @eatyourcrustpod

In this episode, Tara and Lee break down an unprecedented move by Donald Trump and Linda McMahon that compelled the University of Pennsylvania to ban biological males from women's sports, restore records and titles to female athletes, and issue personal apologies to those impacted by transgender competitor Leah Thomas. Tara reflects on the broader cultural significance of this reversal, calling it a rare rollback in the culture wars—something she says we've never seen before. They also discuss how Elon Musk's takeover of X has helped create a real debate about these issues, shifting public opinion and diminishing support for transgender participation in women's sports. Finally, they touch on new allegations of FBI misconduct in covering up Chinese election interference.

In these in-depth segments, the host exposes the accelerating crisis of unsustainable government spending and the collusion between political elites and media giants to protect their power. First, Rep. Ralph Norman explains why he's a hard “no” on the Senate's massive spending bill, calling out Lindsey Graham and John Thune for adding over $600 billion in annual deficit spending—ballooning the debt toward an unthinkable $60 trillion by 2035. The discussion underscores how bloated budgets get rammed through: senators stuffing the bills with pork to buy votes, all while the public is distracted. Meanwhile, the battle over the census is heating up. Leaders like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Ron DeSantis push to redo the census to count only citizens when apportioning House seats, arguing that fraudulent counts and illegal immigration have rigged representation in blue states and stolen power from places like Florida and Texas. In the second segment, Lindsey Graham faces primary challengers like Andre Bauer, but splitting the field may ultimately help him cling to power despite polling in the low 40s. Then, an explosive story: Donald Trump has won a $16 million settlement from CBS and Paramount after “60 Minutes” was caught deceptively editing Kamala Harris's interview to cover up her incompetence on Israel policy—a case the host calls “journalistic fraud.” Finally, the broadcast breaks down staggering new evidence that the FBI hid proof of Chinese election interference, lied to Congress, and helped censor social media posts about COVID and voter fraud—actions the host says amount to collusion to install a compromised president. Together, these revelations paint a picture of a political system that is not just broken but actively betraying the American people.

This explosive broadcast dives into two parallel scandals shaking American politics. First, Andre Bauer's entry into the South Carolina Senate race could ironically help Lindsey Graham by splitting the conservative vote, even as Graham polls at a historically weak 42%. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has secured a $16 million settlement from Paramount and CBS over their deceptively edited Kamala Harris interview—proof, the host argues, of the media's coordinated efforts to protect Democrats at any cost. But the heart of this segment is the emerging evidence that the FBI not only suppressed proof of Chinese election interference—including nearly 19,000 fake IDs and covert cash funneled into campaigns—but also lied to Congress about it. Newly released records detail how the Bureau destroyed evidence and retaliated against whistleblowers to conceal a sprawling influence operation. At the same time, the FBI helped censor social media posts about election fraud and COVID, paving the way for mass mail-in ballots that ultimately reshaped the vote. The host warns this isn't just corruption—it's the partnership of America's top law enforcement agency with foreign interests to install a compromised president. From the Russia hoax to the Hunter Biden laptop cover-up, this saga paints a chilling picture of systematic deception, censorship, and fraud.

In back-to-back explosive shows, Tara reveals the scope of corruption at the highest levels of government—and the fight to take the country back. First, she details bombshell evidence that FBI Director Christopher Wray committed multiple felonies by lying to Congress about Chinese election interference and destroying records of counterfeit licenses used for fraudulent absentee ballots in 2020. Wray's pivot to the debunked Russia collusion narrative underscores the FBI's role in shaping a false reality and censoring Americans who dared question election integrity. In the second broadcast, Tara covers Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis's call to redo the U.S. Census to strip out noncitizens and correct up to 20 stolen House seats. Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller explains how Democrats depend on mass illegal immigration to inflate electoral college votes, pad congressional representation, and fuel voter fraud through unchecked mail-in ballots. Senate candidate Mark Lynch joins to discuss defunding foreign adversaries, defending life, dismantling bloated federal agencies, and supporting deportation centers like Florida's “Alligator Alcatraz.” These broadcasts lay bare a corrupt system propped up by fraud, censorship, and apathy—and spotlight the leaders willing to fight for America's survival.

In these searing back-to-back segments, Tara and Lee expose the radical left's escalating assault on America's foundations. First, Tara uncovers the shocking rise of Zohran Mamdani, the openly socialist New York City mayoral candidate vowing to seize private property, create government-run housing, and end capitalism itself—policies hailed as the “future of the Democratic Party.” Drawing chilling parallels to Albania, Cuba, and Venezuela, Tara warns this communist blueprint will destroy freedom if not stopped. Next, she reveals explosive new evidence showing FBI Director Christopher Wray committed multiple felonies—destroying evidence of Chinese election interference in 2020 and perjuring himself before Congress while blaming nonexistent “Russian bots.” From massive illegal immigrant voter fraud to state-level cowardice in confronting the crisis, Tara underscores how Trump and DeSantis are virtually alone in fighting to preserve American sovereignty. Together, these reports detail a coordinated campaign to erase the rule of law, weaponize government power, and replace American values with socialist tyranny.

In this powerful back-to-back episode, Tara and Lee tackle two seismic stories reshaping America's political landscape. First, they detail Donald Trump's unprecedented move forcing the University of Pennsylvania to reverse course on transgender athletes, restoring titles, records, and dignity to female swimmers like Riley Gaines—an extraordinary rollback in the culture wars never seen before. Then, they pivot to jaw-dropping revelations from whistleblower documents exposing the FBI's deliberate cover-up of Chinese election interference designed to help Joe Biden win in 2020. Tara lays out the evidence: destruction of critical records, felony-level perjury by FBI Director Christopher Wray, and a coordinated effort to censor Americans discussing election fraud. From record July Fourth travel chaos to corruption at the highest levels, this episode connects the dots between cultural battles and deep state deception—revealing how free speech and citizen scrutiny are finally shining a light on truths long suppressed.

Today's broadcasts reveal a sweeping portrait of dysfunction at every level of American politics and media. In the first segment, Rep. Ralph Norman draws a hard line against the Senate's colossal spending package, blasting Lindsey Graham and John Thune for breaking their promises and adding over $600 billion in new annual deficit spending—fueling a debt trajectory toward $60 trillion in just a decade. The discussion shows how reckless budgets are rammed through by stuffing bills with pork to buy votes, leaving taxpayers and future generations to pay the price. At the same time, calls intensify to redo the U.S. census, as Marjorie Taylor Greene and Ron DeSantis argue that counting illegal immigrants has robbed red states like Florida and Texas of fair congressional representation. In the next segment, Lindsey Graham faces primary challenges from figures like Andre Bauer and Mark Lynch—but the host warns that splitting the opposition may ironically help Graham survive despite abysmal poll numbers. The conversation then pivots to Donald Trump's $16 million settlement against CBS and Paramount for deceptively editing Kamala Harris's interview to cover up her incoherent answers on Israel—proof, the host says, that corporate media functions as a campaign arm of the Democrats. Finally, explosive evidence emerges that the FBI not only suppressed proof of Chinese election interference and counterfeit IDs used in mass voter fraud, but also lied to Congress and destroyed records to protect Director Christopher Wray. All the while, the same FBI worked with Big Tech to censor Americans who questioned mail-in ballots and COVID policies—topics that were essential to justifying mass absentee voting and, ultimately, reshaping the election outcome. Taken together, these stories lay bare a rigged system—financially, politically, and culturally—where entrenched elites collude to maintain their power and silence dissent, leaving ordinary Americans to pay the price.

In this explosive broadcast, Tara uncovers newly released emails proving the FBI not only destroyed evidence of massive Chinese election interference—fake licenses smuggled in to produce fraudulent absentee ballots for Joe Biden—but then lied to Congress to cover it up. FBI Director Christopher Wray's own testimony under oath is exposed as felony perjury, as he denied any widespread fraud while deflecting to the debunked Russia collusion hoax. Tara walks listeners through how this corruption enabled the 2020 election cover-up, censorship of Americans, and ongoing battles over illegal immigration. She praises Ron DeSantis' bold actions building “Alligator Alcatraz,” a secure deportation facility removing illegals within 48 hours—contrasting it with Republican governors like Henry McMaster, who do nothing but golf. With Trump fighting mostly alone to save the country, Tara warns this is the defining struggle of our time: whether the United States survives the onslaught of foreign influence, mass illegal voting, and cowardly leaders who refuse to act.

This episode dives into two urgent and breaking stories: record-breaking Fourth of July travel disruptions and a stunning whistleblower-driven report alleging the FBI covered up Chinese election interference to help elect Joe Biden in 2020. Tara outlines how whistleblower documents released by Senator Chuck Grassley reveal the FBI knowingly destroyed evidence linking the Chinese Communist Party to widespread absentee ballot fraud using fake driver's licenses generated from stolen TikTok data. The revelations include claims of perjury by FBI Director Christopher Wray, retaliations against whistleblowers, and the alleged laundering of Chinese money into U.S. campaigns—felonies that Tara says reveal collusion between the FBI, Democrats, and foreign actors. From the Russia hoax to COVID cover narratives, the podcast connects the dots in what could become the largest political scandal in U.S. history. Listeners are warned: the implications are vast—and could change everything.

UL NO. 487: STANDARD EDITION: Iranian Critical Infra Attacks, Insane Recent Productivity, A Chinese Mosquito Drone, Marcus's Response to Our AI Debate, "Context Engineering" Ain't It, and more... You are currently listening to the Standard version of the podcast, consider upgrading and becoming a member to unlock the full version and many other exclusive benefits here: https://newsletter.danielmiessler.com/upgrade Read this episode online: https://newsletter.danielmiessler.com/p/ul-487 Subscribe to the newsletter at:https://danielmiessler.com/subscribe Join the UL community at:https://danielmiessler.com/upgrade Follow on X:https://x.com/danielmiessler Follow on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielmiesslerBecome a Member: https://danielmiessler.com/upgradeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dimko Zhluktenko is an ordinary Ukrainian trying to help his country. He runs Dzyga's Paw to purchase tech equipment for

What does it mean to serve God when no one else joins you? In seasons of loneliness, unanswered prayers, or quiet obedience, it can feel like your faithfulness is unnoticed. But what if your steadfast devotion is laying a foundation for something far greater—something eternal?This episode features an inspiring session from the 2025 North Florida Baptist Ladies Conference, where Abigail Medford brings a compelling message on “Serving God Alone.” Drawing a powerful comparison between the stories of Elijah and Elisha and the little-known testimony of Chinese missionary Jeanie Lawson, Abigail reveals how faithfulness—though sometimes unseen—can ripple through generations. Whether you're in a season of standing alone or simply need encouragement to press on, this message will remind you that God sees, God knows, and God uses even our quiet obedience for His glory.Mark your calendars for April 10–11, 2026, and make plans to attend the North Florida Baptist Ladies Conference! This encouraging and joy-filled event is a time for ladies to gather for uplifting messages, sweet fellowship, delicious food, and plenty of fun. We can't wait to see how the Lord will work in hearts again this year—click the link to learn more and plan your visit!If you know someone who would be encouraged by the Abundant Living Podcast, please share it with them. We love hearing from our listeners—feel free to comment on our Instagram, message us on christianladiesfellowship.com,or apply to join our private Facebook group (be sure to answer all questions and agree to the group rules).You can also reach out to Tracie directly at tburns@immanueljax.org. Thank you for being a part of this wonderful community of ladies who desire to live abundantly for the Lord!

Jon Herold packs this rapid-fire episode with updates and analysis on the biggest stories in politics and media. He opens with the frantic House negotiations over Trump's “Big Beautiful Bill,” breaking down which provisions survived, which were quietly stripped out (like tax breaks for tips and private school vouchers), and why the gambling tax amendment could cripple an entire industry. Jon also covers Trump's new 20% tariff deal with Vietnam to stop Chinese trans-shipping, and highlights the FBI bombshell from Chuck Grassley revealing they buried intelligence on Chinese election interference in 2020 to protect Chris Wray's testimony. Other headlines include Sean Diddy Combs's partial conviction, the Wisconsin Supreme Court overturning the 1849 abortion ban, and the forced reversal of UPenn's trans athlete policies. With a dose of humor, Jon closes by mocking viral meltdown videos over “Alligator Alcatraz” and restaurant staff threatening to assault MAGA customers. From debt ceiling drama to the slow death of institutional trust, this episode shows how chaos and controlled leaks are reshaping the landscape just in time for 2024.

In this third installment of my "DharmaByte" column and "UnMind" podcast, exploring the general subject of Zen in our Times, we turn to the last of three suggested topics from Hokai Jeff Harper, Halifax-based publisher of the STO newsletter: • To everything there is a season• The wax and wane of householder zazen practice• What we are feeling right now IS impermanence manifesting itself Hokai somehow managed, perhaps unintentionally, to progressively home in on the central experience of Zen on three levels. Starting with the most universal sphere of our experience on Earth, the seasonality that is an effect of orbiting the sun for approximately 365 rotations of the planet; then down to the social sphere of our practice as householders; and finally into the realm of the intimate, up-close-and-personal sphere of consciousness itself. What I call the "singularity of Zen." As I mentioned in the last segment, we often seem to labor under a misconception that because we follow the lifestyle of householders, we cannot hope to penetrate to the fundamental meaning of the teachings of Buddhism. But Hokai's assertion puts the lie to this assumption. If the Dharma is simply pointing at the present reality that we are experiencing, lifestyle choices cannot possibly have a determinative or dispositive, causal relationship in terms of coming to realization of our buddha mind. What we are feeling now is impermanence manifesting itself, to quote the above quote. Not only what we are feeling now, but what we are seeing and hearing, smelling and tasting, as well as what we are thinking. Or reading, if you are reading this rather than listening to the podcast version. You might quibble with Hokai's construction - "impermanence manifesting itself" - as it suggests that "impermanence" is some sort of independent force capable of manifesting itself, rather than an attribute of the changing nature of the universe. But let's not let mere semantics distract from the message. We are witnessing the "endless, unremitting, unnamable, unthinkable buddha-dharma," as Master Dogen expressed it; and we bear witness to IT mainly through the dynamic of change, or impermanence. Otherwise, we would not register seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching, or even thinking, at all. If nothing were changing, there could be no awareness of it. As I mentioned in the segment on householder practice, renunciation in Zen is a matter of seeing through the delusional aspect of living, not a matter of lifestyle. Discernment in Zen is like Sri Ramakrishna's analogy that, like a swan, we need to be able to drink milk mixed with water, and drink only the milk. Or as Master Tozan analogized: A silver bowl filled with snow A heron hidden in the moonTaken as similar, they are not the sameNot distinguished, their places are known So this refined awareness of the nondual nature of reality, termed "emptiness," as opposed to "form" or appearance, is so close to ordinary reality, or perceptual duality, that it is nearly indistinguishable — like white snow in a silver bowl, or a white heron and the full moon — white on white. Buddha taught that the discriminating mind imposes a "false stillness" on reality, tamping down the uninhibited flow of sensory data to a dull roar. This enables us to maintain our balance and negotiate a dynamic, 4-dimensional spacetime environment.This is part of the natural process of "individuation" that sets in once we are born, and culminates in the conception of the independent self, which is a fundamental category error, according to Buddhism. The original alienation that is our fall from grace. It is not that Buddhism claims there is no self whatever. There is a constructed self, and there is a true self, according to this model. The prevalent perception of separation as an incarnated being is not entirely delusional. But it is incomplete — reification of a separate self ignores the rest of the story, the fact that all beings are interconnected, co-arisen and co-dependent. The Twelvefold Chain of Interdependent Arising, attributed to Shakyamuni, parses this coming-of-age story, slicing and dicing stages of development finely, like an Italian chef shaving garlic with a razorblade. This is similar to Master Dogen's fine discernment of reality — from a perspective uniting space, or existence, and time — as articulated in Uji—Being-Time, explored in some detail in a prior podcast. What he referred to as the "fine mind of Nirvana," or the "subtle mind of Nirvana." Master Sengcan, third Chinese patriarch after Bodhidharma and his successor Huike, points to something similar in Hsinhsinming—Trust in Mind: In this world of Suchness there is neither self nor other-than-selfTo come into harmony with this realityJust simply say when doubt arises: "not two"In this "not two" nothing is separate nothing is excludedNo matter when or where Enlightenment means entering this truthAnd this truth is beyond extension or diminution in time or spaceIn it a single thought is ten thousand years Believing in the fundamental bifurcation of consciousness into self-and-other, body versus mind — the "Cartesian error" — is resolved in realizing that "you can't have one without the other," or as the more contemporary trope would have it, "both things can be true at the same time." "Neither-self-nor-other-than-self" indicates the True Self of Buddhism, undivided from the very beginning. "Not-two" is the mantra we conjure whenever any doubt about this arises. At the risk of repeating myself — with the caveat that these teachings bear repetition, especially in changing contexts — the last stanza returns us to the singularity of Zen: No matter when or whereEnlightenment means entering this truthAnd this truth is beyond extension or diminution in time or spaceIn it a single thought is ten thousand years The last line of which Matsuoka-roshi would encapsulate as "The eternal moment." So it all comes down to this. Like a fish-trap, reality ensnares us in its wide reach, and as we pursue our own realization — which, after all, is, or should be, our birthright — we find the trap narrowing again and again, until there is no escape, no turning back; like the exhausted swimmer at the halfway point, it is just as far, and equally risky, to try to make it back safely to shore as it is to continue swimming to the island. If we persevere, finally finding ourselves on the "other shore," we can see clearly that we have been seeing things all wrong, all along. There never has been a separate self to embody, let alone to defend against all comers, let alone any existential annihilation. In the not-two nonduality of Zen's reality, it was all like a bad dream, one that we essentially made up — with a little help from our friends and family, of course, not to mention the entire world of benighted people who fear death and, consequently, life. This is not to insist that everyone else is wrong about everything, and that only I and my like-minded friends from the enchanted land of Zen have the inside track. In one sense, it must be true that everyone has a hunch about this — an inkling that something is missing — and that that something is worth knowing. Otherwise we would probably all commit mass suicide, in despair. Which is exactly what it looks like we are doing, with an assist from the stewards, elected or not, of our commonweal. Can anyone say "lemmings"? But Buddhism never seemed to show much concern about the survival of the species. Celibacy is the quickest way to bring down the curtain on humanity - simply not giving birth to the next generation. Of course, the coterie of those who abjure bearing children is not likely to ever encompass a majority of the population, so that kind of extinction is not going to happen. No, it is more likely that Mother Nature's balancing act will bring about the demise of humanity owing to our disruption of her sphere of influence, so carefully nurtured to bring the miracle of life to the planet in the first place, as the goddess Gaia: In Greek mythology, Gaia is the personification of the Earth and a primordial goddess, one of the first deities to emerge from Chaos. She is often referred to as Mother Earth and is considered the mother of all life. And life itself is "fleeting as an arrow" according to Buddha. What we are feeling in the present is this fleeting moment, our life passing before our very eyes, ears, nose, tongue, body and mind in a vast network of frequencies in polyrhythmic synchrony. Our heartbeat is our metronome, the rise and fall of the breathing our connection to the thin atmospheric blanket embracing the earth. On a personal basis, there is no time to waste in foolish pursuits, as the sage Jianzhi Sengcan reminds us in Hsinhsinming: Waste no time in doubts and arguments that have nothing to do with this A century later, Master Sekito Kisen says it another way, in Sandokai: I respectfully urge you who study the Mysterydo not pass your days and nights in vain So Hokai does us a great service to remind us of the evanescence of spacetime in the personal realm, embedded in our social context as householders, surrounded by the world of Nature both nurturing and threatening us, finally floating in the constancy of the universal. Let Tozan Ryokai have the last word on it, after yet another century, from his Hokyo Zammai: Within causes and conditions time and season it is serene and illuminating
So minute it enters where there is no gap so vast it transcends dimensionA hairsbreadth deviation and you are out of tune It seems that all three of the great Ch'an masters are speaking with one voice, urging us to pay attention. There is not so much to their Buddhism after all, as one sage commented upon the occasion of his insight. So Hokai's assertion that what we are feeling right now IS impermanence manifesting itself is subject to Master Dogen's repeat comment: "All things are like this." Not only what we are feeling right now — but what we are seeing and hearing, smelling and tasting and yes, even what we are thinking right now — is, in one sense, impermanence. It is not only in front of your face, it is also behind your face, penetrating your hearing with no boundary, in and out through your nose and mouth (and other orifices), and enveloping your body outside and inside, clean and clear through your original mind. Tozan says, with stunning nonchalance, earlier in the poem: You are not IT — but in truth IT is you Buddha is attributed with saying something like — that there is impermanence means that there is permanence. And his followers were overjoyed to hear that. What made them so happy? Again recalling Hsinhsinming—Trust in Mind: Change appearing to occur in the empty world we call real —only because of our ignorance So the nondual version of this insight is that IT is both changing and staying the same at the same time. This should bring about a great sigh of relief in all who realize it.

PREVIEW US ELECTRIC GRID: Colleague Jack Burnham of FDD reports recent revelation that Chinese scholars have published hundreds of articles identifying vulnerabilities in the US electric grid. More. 1940 WUHAN UNIVERSITY

Episode 616: Neal and Toby explain what the Chinese brand 'Luckin Coffee' opening in the US means for Starbucks. Next, why the US dollar value is falling. Then the WNBA announces another expansion with three new teams. Then, are men not reading novels anymore? And the headlines you need to know to start your day. Head to https://www.tacobell.com/morning-brew to learn more about Taco Bell's new Refrescas! Subscribe to Morning Brew Daily for more of the news you need to start your day. Share the show with a friend, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast app. Listen to Morning Brew Daily Here: ⁠⁠https://www.swap.fm/l/mbd-note⁠⁠  Watch Morning Brew Daily Here: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MorningBrewDailyShow 00:00 - Happy Bobby Bonilla Day 03:45 - Luckin Coffee Opens  09:00 - US Dollar Dwindles  13:20 - WNBA Expands  18:40 - Men Aren't Reading Novels 22:50 - Headlines  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Todd finds and tells stories of modern-day Christians who are being persecuted and martyred throughout the world. And while that job carries many responsibilities, Todd is adamant there are few greater honors than co-laboring with these saints and telling their stories of God's faithfulness. From a widow in Turkey whose husband was killed for his faith, to a Chinese woman imprisoned for following Christ, to a new believer in Laos who couldn't wait to share his faith with others… These are just a handful of the Christians Todd has met throughout his years supporting the persecuted church. Show notes @ https://compelledpodcast.com/episodes/todd-nettleton ++++++++++++ Compelled is a seasonal podcast using gripping, immersive storytelling to celebrate the powerful ways God is transforming Christians around the world. These Christian testimonies are raw, true, and powerful. Be encouraged and let your faith be strengthened! Want to help make new episodes? Either make a one-time gift, or become a Monthly Partner at: https://compelledpodcast.com/donate Perks of being a Monthly Partner include: EARLY ACCESS to each new Compelled episode 1 week early! FULL LIBRARY of our unedited, behind-the-scenes interviews with each guest... over 100+ hours of additional stories and takeaways! Become a Monthly Partner by selecting the "Monthly" option during check-out.  Show notes, emails, and more at: https://compelledpodcast.com Compelled is a member of the Proclaim Podcast Network: https://proclaim.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sometimes the tools that help us see clearly aren't visible at all—like magnetism, sound, and light. We feel their effects more than we can explain them, but when you start to work with these in clinic, something subtle shifts.In this conversation with Greg Bartosiewicz, we get into a layered discussion of acupuncture, magnetism, light, and biofields. Greg's background in proteomics and medical lab science blends with his acupuncture training to create a practice that's both grounded and wildly exploratory. He brings insight from decades in high-end biotech and fuses that with Chinese medicine principles in a way that might have you rethinking the tools at your disposal.Listen into this discussion as we explore how electromagnetic fields might influence healing, what red light and sound frequency can offer in a clinical setting, and why Greg uses magnetically-induced fields around needles to shift physiology and perception.This is a conversation for those who suspect there's more to the medicine than we can see—and who are curious about how principles from physics, biotech, and acupuncture might just be playing together more than we think.

The Nicene Creed was written 1,700 years ago and is one of the earliest summations of the core doctrinal beliefs of the Christian faith. We continue to recite it to this day at almost every Sunday Mass. Yet despite its foundational importance to Catholic belief and practice, the Creed remains an underutilized resource not only for catechesis but also evangelization. Today we discuss the enduring importance of the Creed and how we can employ its truths about the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Virgin Mary, the dark reality of sin, the hope of salvation, and much more to evangelize the culture.    A listener asks how he can love his neighbor as himself if he doesn't love himself. 00:00 | Introduction 01:21 | An Introduction to Prayer is now available in Chinese 03:30 | Do creeds matter? 08:55 | Relating the Apostle's Creed to the Nicene Creed 11:02 | Christianity centers around a man and an event 12:14 | Why the book What Christians Believe matters now 15:36 | The Christian creeds as defensible 19:19 | “I believe” or “we believe”? 22:48 | Faith, reason, and adventure 27:54 | God and creation 31:53 | The hardest but most important doctrine 34:33 | The Nicene Creed and the story of salvation 35:48 | Practical tips for using the Nicene Creed in evangelical work 36:58 | Listener question: How can I love my neighbor as myself, if I don't love myself? 39:20 | Join the Word on Fire Institute Links: What Christians Believe: https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/what-christians-believe-box-of-20 Word on Fire Institute: https://institute.wordonfire.org/ NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member! Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners . . . like you! So become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.