Podcasts about Government Accountability Office

On March 29, 2023, we released an episode titled, “The 4 PCOS Phenotypes”. That was in 2023! Now, on 29 October 2025, in the journal Nature Medicine, researchers have published, “Data-driven (FOUR) subtypes of polycystic ovary syndrome and their association with clinical outcomes”. PCOS is not ONE condition: is a constellation of metabolic, endocrine, and ovulatory dysregulation. We covered these 4 phenotypes back then. Is this what the “new data” found? Or what it something else? And how does these affect IVF or pregnancy outcomes? Listen in for details!1. Gao, X., Zhao, S., Du, Y. et al. Data-driven subtypes of polycystic ovary syndrome and their association with clinical outcomes. Nat Med (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03984-12. Mar 29, 2023; SPOTIFY: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/dr-hector-chapa/episodes/The-4-PCOS-Phenotypes-e217vv0/a-a9ipgjsSTRONG COFFEE PROMO: 20% Off Strong Coffee Company https://strongcoffeecompany.com/discount/CHAPANOSPINOBG

In this episode of This Week in AML, Elliot Berman and John Byrne dive into the latest global developments in anti-money laundering and financial crime compliance. They unpack the EU's 19th sanctions package against Russia, discuss the GAO's critique of U.S. sanctions effectiveness, and explore FATF's October plenary outcomes—including new guidance on asset recovery and AI-related risks. The conversation also covers AMLA's growing role in EU-wide crypto oversight, the regulation of law firms, elder financial exploitation initiatives from the OCC, and the impact of government shutdowns on FinCEN operations.

All Chapters AI Contribution: Courtesy of Google NotebookLM

All Chapters AI Contribution: Courtesy of Google NotebookLM

All Chapters AI Contribution: Courtesy of Google NotebookLM

Curious how AI is shaking up federal bid protests? In this episode hosts Kat Shamapande and Mark McCallum talk with attorney David Timm about GAO Federal Bid protests, and AI pitfalls like hallucinated citations. Tune in for expert insight, real-world examples, and strategies to stay compliant and credible. Check out the Surety Bond quarterly articles mentioned during this episode, Togiak Case Redefines Bid Bond Enforcement Standards and GAO Warns Protesters of AI Sanctions. Its important to note that when this episode was recorded, there hadn't been any sanctions, but that changed on September 25th, 2025, when the GAO sanctioned a pro se protester. With special guest: David Timm, Associate, Burr & Forman LLP Hosted by: Kat Shamapande, Director, Professional Development, NASBP and Mark McCallum, CEO, NASBP Sponsored by Liberty Mutual Surety!

Between 1988 and 2002, the quiet city of Baiyin, Gansu, lived in fear. Over a dozen women were found brutally murdered — their bodies mutilated in ways that shocked even seasoned investigators. But what's even more terrifying and mystifying, is that the killer seemed to vanish after each attack, leaving only whispers in the wind. Part 1 - We explore the background of the Baiyin Butcher, Gao Chengyong, and how he managed to terrorize various parts of China. Part 2 - We follow investigators as they finally piece together the puzzle, and put a stop to one of the most brutal criminals that China had ever seen. Join your fellow Heinous fans and interact with the team at our website or through our socials (IG, TikTok) @heinous_1upmedia. - Love Heinous? But feel its getting too dark for you? Check out:

All Chapters AI Contribution: Courtesy of Google NotebookLM

All Chapters AI Contribution: Courtesy of Google NotebookLM

All Chapters AI Contribution: Courtesy of Google NotebookLM

China and the United States have reached "preliminary consensus" on key issues, including tariff suspension, trade in agricultural products and export controls, after two days of "constructive" trade talks in Malaysia over the weekend.上周末，中美在马来西亚举行了为期两天的“建设性”贸易会谈。会谈后，双方就关税暂停、农产品贸易、出口管制等关键议题达成“初步共识”。A statement released on Sunday following the conclusion of the fifth round of trade talks since May said that officials representing China and the US held "frank, in-depth and constructive" exchanges on key trade issues of mutual concern.自5月以来的第五轮贸易会谈于周日结束，会后发布的声明称，中美双方代表就共同关注的关键贸易议题进行了“坦诚、深入且富有建设性”的交流。China and the US gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation, Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng said after meeting with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday and Sunday.中国国务院副总理何立峰于周六和周日在吉隆坡同美国财政部长斯科特・贝森特、美国贸易代表贾米森・格里尔会面后表示，中美合作则两利，对抗则两伤。He noted that when economic and trade frictions appear, both countries should uphold the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation to properly address each other's concerns through equal-footed dialogue and consultation.何立峰指出，当经贸摩擦出现时，两国应秉持相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢的原则，通过平等对话协商妥善解决彼此关切。The US should work with China toward the same direction, to further build up trust, manage differences, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote bilateral economic and trade relations to a higher level, the vice-premier added.副总理补充道，美方应与中方相向而行，进一步增进互信、管控分歧、扩大互利合作，推动双边经贸关系迈向更高水平。The talks addressed various issues, including the US' Section 301 measures targeting China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors, extension of the reciprocal tariff suspension, fentanyl-related tariffs and law enforcement cooperation, trade in agricultural products, and export controls, the statement said.声明称，会谈涉及多个议题，包括美方针对中国海事、物流和造船行业的“301条款”措施、相互关税暂停期限延长、芬太尼相关关税及执法合作、农产品贸易以及出口管制等。A preliminary consensus was reached about arrangements to address each other's concerns, with both sides agreeing to further work out the specifics and follow their respective domestic approval processes.双方就解决彼此关切的安排达成初步共识，并同意进一步细化具体内容，同时履行各自国内审批程序。Li Chenggang, China's international trade representative at the Ministry of Commerce, told a news conference on Sunday that while the US presented its position firmly, China remained resolute in safeguarding its interests.中国商务部国际贸易谈判代表李成钢周日在新闻发布会上表示，尽管美方坚定地表达了自身立场，但中方在维护自身利益方面同样立场坚定。Li said that China has strictly followed the consensus reached in multiple phone conversations between the two heads of state, earnestly implementing the outcomes of economic and trade consultations, and carefully safeguarding the "hard-won relative stability" in bilateral relations. "The recent fluctuations and disruptions are not what China wishes to see," he added.李成钢指出，中方严格遵循两国元首多次通话达成的共识，认真落实经贸磋商成果，悉心维护双边关系“来之不易的相对稳定局面”。他补充道：“近期出现的波动和干扰并非中方所愿。”The latest round of trade talks took place at a tense time when Washington's imposition of new restrictions prompted resolute countermeasures from Beijing, shattering months of relative calm.最新一轮贸易会谈召开之际，局势本就紧张——美方实施新的限制措施，引发中方采取坚决反制措施，打破了数月来的相对平静。The two countries had reached a trade truce in May, agreeing to roll back triple-digit tariffs, which was later extended to Nov 10.两国曾在5月达成贸易休战协议，同意取消三位数关税，该协议后来延长至11月10日。However, at the end of September — mere weeks after the fourth round of trade negotiations in Spain yielded progress in stabilizing ties — the US expanded its export controls on advanced technology to China. This was followed by imposition of additional port fees on Chinese-built and Chinese-operated ships earlier this month.然而，9月底——距双方在西班牙举行第四轮贸易谈判、在稳定双边关系方面取得进展仅几周后，美方扩大了对中国先进技术的出口管制。本月早些时候，美方又对中国建造和运营的船舶额外征收港口费。The administration of US President Donald Trump, in retaliation for Beijing's tightened restrictions on rare earth exports for military applications, also vowed to impose 100 percent additional tariffs on Chinese goods and export controls on "any and all critical software" effective next month.针对中方收紧军用稀土出口管制的举措，美国总统唐纳德・特朗普政府还誓言将于下月对中国商品额外征收100%的关税，并对“所有关键软件”实施出口管制，以此作为报复。Gao Lingyun, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of World Economics and Politics, said that consensus cannot last if the US continues to weaken the trust it is built upon with its unilateral and protectionist actions.中国社会科学院世界经济与政治研究所研究员高凌云表示，若美方继续通过单边主义和保护主义行径削弱共识所依赖的互信基础，那么共识将难以维系。It's crucial for the US to work with China to take concrete actions and faithfully honor their commitments made during these talks, thereby creating conditions for further dialogue and cooperation that will benefit the two countries and the world at large, Gao added.高凌云补充道，美方与中方共同采取切实行动、切实履行会谈期间作出的承诺至关重要，唯有如此，才能为进一步对话与合作创造条件，这不仅有利于中美两国，也将惠及全世界。Observers are also closely watching to see whether the two economic heavyweights extend their "tariff truce", which is set to expire on Nov 10, while hoping to see broader cooperation between the two countries.观察人士也在密切关注这两个经济大国是否会延长将于11月10日到期的“关税休战”，同时期待两国开展更广泛的合作。Sean Stein, president of the US-China Business Council, told China Daily that he hoped that both sides would agree to further extend the tariff truce. Stein cautioned that it was better not to have high expectations from the China-US dialogue in the short term. "It should set us up for a better, longer-term trade relationship," he added.美中贸易全国委员会主席肖恩・斯坦因在接受《中国日报》采访时表示，他希望双方能同意进一步延长关税休战。斯坦因提醒称，不应对短期的中美对话抱有过高期望。他补充道：“此次对话应为建立更良好、更长期的贸易关系奠定基础。”"The US and China are the world's two largest economies, the world's two most technologically advanced economies, and the world's two most dynamic economies," he said, adding that "there are a lot of things that we need to get right on the economic front".他表示：“美国和中国是全球前两大经济体，也是全球技术最先进、最具活力的两个经济体。”他还补充说，“在经济领域，我们有许多事情需要处理妥当。Former US treasury secretary Robert E. Rubin said that the better way would be to have "an open trading system" between the US and China, as well as involving the rest of the world. "Chinese people have a very strong history of technological innovation, and in time they'll get where they need to be," Rubin said on the sidelines of the 2025 Bund Summit in Shanghai earlier this week.”美国前财政部长罗伯特・鲁宾表示，更好的方式是中美之间建立“开放的贸易体系”，同时让世界其他国家也参与其中。本周早些时候，鲁宾在上海举行的2025年外滩金融峰会上表示：“中国人民在技术创新方面有着深厚的历史积淀，假以时日，他们一定能实现自己的目标。Rubin said that if the two countries can work together on artificial intelligence in an open trading system, the results would be "advantageous".”鲁宾指出，若两国能在开放的贸易体系下就人工智能领域开展合作，所产生的成果将“颇具益处”。Despite the recent escalation in tensions between the two countries, many US businesses remain optimistic about their future in the Chinese market. "The Chinese market remains our No 1 priority in the Asia-Pacific region," said Steven Sare, managing director for the Asia-Pacific of US apparel and accessories retailer Abercrombie & Fitch.尽管近期两国紧张局势升级，但许多美国企业对其在中国市场的未来仍持乐观态度。美国服装配饰零售商阿贝克隆比&费奇亚太区董事总裁史蒂文・萨尔（音译）表示：“中国市场仍是我们在亚太地区的首要关注点。”preliminary /prɪˈlɪmɪnəri/adj.初步的；预备的reciprocal /rɪˈsɪprəkl/adj.相互的；互惠的；对等的unilateral /ˌjuːnɪˈlætrəl/adj.单方面的；单边的；片面的

In this conversation, Dr Austin Tay explores the significance of humour in leadership and its impact on workplace dynamics. He discusses the different styles of humour, the strategic use of humour to foster team cohesion, and how humour can serve as a diagnostic tool for understanding organisational challenges. The conversation emphasises the importance of context, trust, and appropriateness in using humour effectively, ultimately highlighting how leaders who leverage humour can create a more engaging and resilient workplace culture.TakeawaysHumour can unveil deeper organisational problems. Positive humour boosts team performance and cohesion. Understanding humour styles is vital for effective leadership. Humour can serve as a diagnostic tool for organisational health. Trust is crucial for humour to be impactful. Timing and context are essential when applying humour. Inappropriate humour can harm leadership credibility. Leaders should monitor humour patterns within their teams. Self-deprecating humour promotes psychological safety. Humour can help manage workplace tensions and contradictions.REFERENCESHatch, M. J., & Ehrlich, S. B. (1993). Spontaneous humour as an indicator of paradox and ambiguity in organisations. Organisation Studies, 14(4), 505-526. https://doi.org/10.1177/017084069301400403Holmes, J., & Marra, M. (2006). Humour and leadership style. Humor: International Journal of Humor Research, 19(2), 119-138. https://doi.org/10.1515/HUMOR.2006.006Mao, J. Y., Chiang, J. T. J., Zhang, Y., & Gao, M. (2017). Humour as a relationship lubricant: The implications of leader humour on transformational leadership perceptions and team performance. Journal of Leadership & Organisational Studies, 24(4), 494-506. https://doi.org/10.1177/1548051817707518Vetter, L., & Gockel, C. (2016). Can't buy me laughter—Humour in organisational change. Gruppe. Interaktion. Organisation. Zeitschrift für Angewandte Organisationspsychologie (GIO), 47(4), 313-320. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11612-016-0341-7Mesmer-Magnus, J., Glew, D. J., & Viswesvaran, C. (2012). A meta-analysis of positive humour in the workplace. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 27(2), 155-190. https://doi.org/10.1108/02683941211199554Martin, R. A., Puhlik-Doris, P., Larsen, G., Gray, J., & Weir, K. (2003). Individual differences in uses of humour and their relation to psychological well-being: Development of the Humour Styles Questionnaire. Journal of Research in Personality, 37(1), 48-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0092-6566(02)00534-2Lee, D. (2015). The impact of leader's humour on employees' creativity: The moderating role of trust in leader. Seoul Journal of Business, 21(1), 59-86. https://doi.org/10.35152/snusjb.2015.21.1.003Tremblay, M. (2017). Humour in teams: Multilevel relationships between humour climate, inclusion, trust, and citizenship behaviours. Journal of Business and Psychology, 32(4), 363-378. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-016-9445-xRosenberg, C., Walker, A., Leiter, M., & Graffam, J. (2021). Humour in workplace leadership: A systematic search scoping review. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 610795. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.610795Bitterly, T. B., Brooks, A. W., & Schweitzer, M. E. (2017). Risky business: When humour increases and decreases status. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 112(3), 431-455. https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000079Decker, W. H., & Rotondo, D. M. (2001). Relationships among gender, type of humour, and perceived leader effectiveness. Journal of Managerial Issues, 13(4), 450-465.Yue, X., Jiang, F., Lu, S., & Hiranandani, N. (2016). To be or not to be humorous? Cross-cultural perspectives on humour. Frontiers in Psychology, 7, 1495. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01495 

A stunning amount of wealth is pouring into the streets with much more to come ahead of next years elections. That's what Seamus Bruner - Director of Research at the Government Accountability Office told us he's discovered in a deep dive of just who's behind rally's like this past Saturday's "No Kings" nonsense. The shutdown continues, but doesn't seem to be sticking to Republicans or President Trump. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters is here to explain the political shape Republicans are in at this hour. Prices at the pump and some groceries are coming down, but we're not where we need to be yet. Steve Moore breaks down a HUGE development yesterday with the Australian government, and why we're subsidizing six-figure earners on Obamacare. -For more info visit the official website: https://chrisstigall.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisstigallshow/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisStigallFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.stigall/Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/StigallPodListen on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/StigallShowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Between 1988 and 2002, the quiet city of Baiyin, Gansu, lived in fear. Over a dozen women were found brutally murdered — their bodies mutilated in ways that shocked even seasoned investigators. But what's even more terrifying and mystifying, is that the killer seemed to vanish after each attack, leaving only whispers in the wind. Part 1 - We explore the background of the Baiyin Butcher, Gao Chengyong, and how he managed to terrorize various parts of China. Part 2 - We follow investigators as they finally piece together the puzzle, and put a stop to one of the most brutal criminals that China had ever seen. Join your fellow Heinous fans and interact with the team at our website or through our socials (IG, TikTok) @heinous_1upmedia. - Love Heinous? But feel its getting too dark for you? Check out:

Great news! Endgame Podcast meraih peringkat ke-4 dari 100 podcast terbaik Indonesia versi FeedSpot. Lihat daftarnya di sini: https://podcast.feedspot.com/indonesi...Terima kasih telah membantu kami mendemokratisasi gagasan di tengah riuhnya informasi.

In this episode, we are going to be donning our high pressure suit and diving into another single Chinese herb: gǎo běn, Ligustici Rhizoma or Chinese lovage root. This herb is in the Chinese medical sub-category of warm, acrid herbs that release the exterior. In addition to helping treat external attacks or colds, it can be helpful in treating pain and wind-dampness. As usual, we will explore all the intricacies of this herb as well as an explanation of its category. And as always, we will look at something a little different…we are going to look at the microbiome and pre- and post- biotics. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. Please join us in this exciting episode exploring  gǎo běn, Ligustici Rhizoma or Chinese lovage root!

Dr. Ilia Shumailov - Former DeepMind AI Security Researcher, now building security tools for AI agentsEver wondered what happens when AI agents start talking to each other—or worse, when they start breaking things? Ilia Shumailov spent years at DeepMind thinking about exactly these problems, and he's here to explain why securing AI is way harder than you think.**SPONSOR MESSAGES**—Check out notebooklm for your research project, it's really powerfulhttps://notebooklm.google.com/—Take the Prolific human data survey - https://www.prolific.com/humandatasurvey?utm_source=mlst and be the first to see the results and benchmark their practices against the wider community!—cyber•Fund https://cyber.fund/?utm_source=mlst is a founder-led investment firm accelerating the cybernetic economyOct SF conference - https://dagihouse.com/?utm_source=mlst - Joscha Bach keynoting(!) + OAI, Anthropic, NVDA,++Hiring a SF VC Principal: https://talent.cyber.fund/companies/cyber-fund-2/jobs/57674170-ai-investment-principal#content?utm_source=mlstSubmit investment deck: https://cyber.fund/contact?utm_source=mlst— We're racing toward a world where AI agents will handle our emails, manage our finances, and interact with sensitive data 24/7. But there is a problem. These agents are nothing like human employees. They never sleep, they can touch every endpoint in your system simultaneously, and they can generate sophisticated hacking tools in seconds. Traditional security measures designed for humans simply won't work.Dr. Ilia Shumailovhttps://x.com/iliaishackedhttps://iliaishacked.github.io/https://sequrity.ai/TRANSCRIPT:https://app.rescript.info/public/share/dVGsk8dz9_V0J7xMlwguByBq1HXRD6i4uC5z5r7EVGMTOC:00:00:00 - Introduction & Trusted Third Parties via ML00:03:45 - Background & Career Journey00:06:42 - Safety vs Security Distinction00:09:45 - Prompt Injection & Model Capability00:13:00 - Agents as Worst-Case Adversaries00:15:45 - Personal AI & CAML System Defense00:19:30 - Agents vs Humans: Threat Modeling00:22:30 - Calculator Analogy & Agent Behavior00:25:00 - IMO Math Solutions & Agent Thinking00:28:15 - Diffusion of Responsibility & Insider Threats00:31:00 - Open Source Security Concerns00:34:45 - Supply Chain Attacks & Trust Issues00:39:45 - Architectural Backdoors00:44:00 - Academic Incentives & Defense Work00:48:30 - Semantic Censorship & Halting Problem00:52:00 - Model Collapse: Theory & Criticism00:59:30 - Career Advice & Ross Anderson TributeREFS:Lessons from Defending Gemini Against Indirect Prompt Injectionshttps://arxiv.org/abs/2505.14534Defeating Prompt Injections by Design. Debenedetti, E., Shumailov, I., Fan, T., Hayes, J., Carlini, N., Fabian, D., Kern, C., Shi, C., Terzis, A., & Tramèr, F. https://arxiv.org/pdf/2503.18813Agentic Misalignment: How LLMs could be insider threatshttps://www.anthropic.com/research/agentic-misalignmentSTOP ANTHROPOMORPHIZING INTERMEDIATE TOKENS AS REASONING/THINKING TRACES!Subbarao Kambhampati et alhttps://arxiv.org/pdf/2504.09762Meiklejohn, S., Blauzvern, H., Maruseac, M., Schrock, S., Simon, L., & Shumailov, I. (2025). Machine learning models have a supply chain problem. https://arxiv.org/abs/2505.22778 Gao, Y., Shumailov, I., & Fawaz, K. (2025). Supply-chain attacks in machine learning frameworks. https://openreview.net/pdf?id=EH5PZW6aCrApache Log4j Vulnerability Guidancehttps://www.cisa.gov/news-events/news/apache-log4j-vulnerability-guidance Bober-Irizar, M., Shumailov, I., Zhao, Y., Mullins, R., & Papernot, N. (2022). Architectural backdoors in neural networks. https://arxiv.org/pdf/2206.07840Position: Fundamental Limitations of LLM Censorship Necessitate New ApproachesDavid Glukhov, Ilia Shumailov, ...https://proceedings.mlr.press/v235/glukhov24a.html AlphaEvolve MLST interview [Matej Balog, Alexander Novikov]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vC9nAosXrJw

Preview: Rick Fisher describes Victor Gao as a "Han envoy" used in China's "cognitive warfare" to spread propaganda, including the claim that China has the world's most powerful military. Gao falsely claimed China possesses a "super weapon," the DF-61, armed with 61 nuclear warheads, capable of reaching any global point in 20 minutes. Fisher also analyzes the propaganda surrounding the new Fujian aircraft carrier, noting that claims of its superiority over the USS Ford are easily refutable. 1942

CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR THE SHOW BEGINS IN THE DOUBTS ABOUT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S PLANS FOR THE DOD 10-1-25 FIRST HOUR 9-915 Colonel Jeff McCausland observes that Europe is preparing to deal with Russia's hybrid warfare (drones, cyber, incursions) independently, driven by the belief that the Trump administration is prioritizing homeland defense. European leaders are discussing a "drone wall" and achieving 5% GDP defense spending. McCausland also analyzes the 20-point Gaza peace plan, which involves an immediate hostage release, phased Israeli withdrawal, and a multinational peacekeeping force, noting Russia would likely gain from regional stabilization. 915-930  Colonel Jeff McCausland observes that Europe is preparing to deal with Russia's hybrid warfare (drones, cyber, incursions) independently, driven by the belief that the Trump administration is prioritizing homeland defense. European leaders are discussing a "drone wall" and achieving 5% GDP defense spending. McCausland also analyzes the 20-point Gaza peace plan, which involves an immediate hostage release, phased Israeli withdrawal, and a multinational peacekeeping force, noting Russia would likely gain from regional stabilization. 930-945  Andrew McCarthy and Thaddeus McCotter discuss James Comey potentially being a target of the Trumpadministration, focusing on charges of lying to Congress under the broader false statements statute (1001), rather than traditional perjury. Proof of "willfulness" is required, which signifies a heightened mental state and understanding of illegality. They also analyze the Supreme Court's delay in ruling on President Trump's effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, deferring oral arguments until January.Preview: Andrew McCarthy and Thaddeus McCotter discuss James Comey potentially being a target of the Trumpadministration, focusing on charges of lying to Congress under the broader false statements statute (1001), rather than traditional perjury. Proof of "willfulness" is required, which signifies a heightened mental state and understanding of illegality. They also analyze the Supreme Court's delay in ruling on President Trump's effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, deferring oral arguments until January. 945-1000  Andrew McCarthy and Thaddeus McCotter discuss James Comey potentially being a target of the Trumpadministration, focusing on charges of lying to Congress under the broader false statements statute (1001), rather than traditional perjury. Proof of "willfulness" is required, which signifies a heightened mental state and understanding of illegality. They also analyze the Supreme Court's delay in ruling on President Trump's effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, deferring oral arguments until January.Preview: Andrew McCarthy and Thaddeus McCotter discuss James Comey potentially being a target of the Trumpadministration, focusing on charges of lying to Congress under the broader false statements statute (1001), rather than traditional perjury. Proof of "willfulness" is required, which signifies a heightened mental state and understanding of illegality. They also analyze the Supreme Court's delay in ruling on President Trump's effort to remove Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, deferring oral arguments until January. SECOND HOUR 10-1015  Colonel Grant Newsham assesses South Korea's leftist President Yoon Suk Yeol, describing him as pro-China and anti-US, despite his vow to increase defense spending. Newsham views this spending partly as a tactical ploy to avoid reliance on US troops. Separately, he highlights Chinese influence and rampant corruption in the US territory of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), which is brazenly seeking $100 million from the USdespite $1.6 billion having vanished. 1015-1030  Colonel Grant Newsham assesses South Korea's leftist President Yoon Suk Yeol, describing him as pro-China and anti-US, despite his vow to increase defense spending. Newsham views this spending partly as a tactical ploy to avoid reliance on US troops. Separately, he highlights Chinese influence and rampant corruption in the US territory of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), which is brazenly seeking $100 million from the USdespite $1.6 billion having vanished. 1030-1045 Brandon Weichert analyzes the growing threat of space warfare, referencing Russia's satellites shadowing German intelligence satellites and the Sino-Russian "no limits partnership." He explains that co-orbital satellites can render ground forces "deaf, dumb and blind." Weichert suggests developing small, cheap "bodyguard satellites" alongside France to protect sensitive US military constellations, acknowledging that space technology is inherently dual-use. 1045-1100 David Maxwell discusses South Korea's military spending increase, the largest in over 15 years, which supports the goal of developing independent warfighting capabilities and transitioning operational control (OPCON). He clarifies that the complexity of OPCON transfer is often misunderstood as a sovereignty issue. Maxwell notes that North Korea is thriving due to growing support from China and Russia, making Kim Jong-un less motivated to normalize relations with the United States. THIRD HOUR 1100-1115 Preview: Professor John Yoo examines US missile attacks on alleged Venezuelan drug boats, differentiating military force (war) from law enforcement (crime). He suggests that if the Maduro regime is using drug cartels like Tren de Aragua as instruments of attack against the US, it constitutes a state of war, justifying military action. Yoo argues that the president can use force defensively without seeking a declaration of war if the US is attacked first, even unconventionally. 1115-1130 Professor John Yoo examines US missile attacks on alleged Venezuelan drug boats, differentiating military force (war) from law enforcement (crime). He suggests that if the Maduro regime is using drug cartels like Tren de Aragua as instruments of attack against the US, it constitutes a state of war, justifying military action. Yoo argues that the president can use force defensively without seeking a declaration of war if the US is attacked first, even unconventionally. 1130-1145 Preview: Bob Zimmerman details SpaceX's target of October 13th for the next Starship Super Heavy orbital test flight, which will focus on testing various engine firing configurations during the Super Heavy booster's return. He reports significant setbacks for competitors, including an explosion during a Firefly Alpha static fire test and NASA canceling the cargo contract for Sierra Space's Dream Chaser due to over a year of unexplained silence and delays. 1145-1200 Bob Zimmerman details SpaceX's target of October 13th for the next Starship Super Heavy orbital test flight, which will focus on testing various engine firing configurations during the Super Heavy booster's return. He reports significant setbacks for competitors, including an explosion during a Firefly Alpha static fire test and NASA canceling the cargo contract for Sierra Space's Dream Chaser due to over a year of unexplained silence and delays. FOURTH HOUR 12-1215 Patrycja Bazylczyk defines the Golden Dome as a reorientation of US missile defense policy to counter next-generation threats from near-peer adversaries, Russia and China. The defense, which involves a space component (HBTSS), supports the nuclear triad by strengthening deterrence through both denial and punishment. She notes that critics argue the program is unaffordable (estimated $175 billion) and destabilizing, but stresses the need for sustained, bipartisan funding to build the necessary architecture. 1215-1230 Patrycja Bazylczyk defines the Golden Dome as a reorientation of US missile defense policy to counter next-generation threats from near-peer adversaries, Russia and China. The defense, which involves a space component (HBTSS), supports the nuclear triad by strengthening deterrence through both denial and punishment. She notes that critics argue the program is unaffordable (estimated $175 billion) and destabilizing, but stresses the need for sustained, bipartisan funding to build the necessary architecture. Preview: Patricia Scialabba defines the Golden Dome as a reorientation of US missile defense policy to counter next-generation threats from near-peer adversaries, Russia and China. The defense, which involves a space component (HBTSS), supports the nuclear triad by strengthening deterrence through both denial and punishment. She notes that critics argue the program is unaffordable (estimated $175 billion) and destabilizing, but stresses the need for sustained, bipartisan funding to build the necessary architecture. 1230-1245 Preview: General Blaine Holt discusses the Pentagon's push to double missile production for potential conflict, noting that US weapon stocks were depleted following aid to Ukraine. He emphasizes the critical need for procurement reform and securing domestic supply chains for materials like steel and aluminum. Holt also addresses the military's shift back to a "warrior ethos" away from "woke" culture, suggesting this change is already leading to honorable resignations and retirements among senior officers. 1245-100 AM Preview: Rick Fisher describes Victor Gao as a "Han envoy" used in China's "cognitive warfare" to spread propaganda, including the claim that China has the world's most powerful military. Gao falsely claimed China possesses a "super weapon," the DF-61, armed with 61 nuclear warheads, capable of reaching any global point in 20 minutes. Fisher also analyzes the propaganda surrounding the new Fujian aircraft carrier, noting that claims of its superiority over the USS Ford are easily refutable.

Preview: Rick Fisher discusses Victor Gao, a Chinese national, Yale Law graduate, and "agitprop" likened to Tokyo Rose, who delivers deniable threats for Beijing. Referred to as a "Han envoy," Gao recently claimed on Chinese state television that China now possesses the world's most powerful military. 1959

Emory University is launching its global Compassion Shift initiative this week. It’s all part of Emory’s “Year of Compassion.” Ryder Delaloye, the associate director of Social, Emotional, and Ethical Learning at Emory, talked more about the compassion initiatives, SEE Learning, and compassionate training. He also explained the difference between empathy and compassion, and talked about research that shows compassion is a skill that can be trained. Additionally, a new report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office reveals that more than $54.2 million in federal and state taxpayer dollars has been spent on administrative costs for the Georgia Pathways to Coverage program. That’s twice as much as what’s being spent on health care costs for Georgians. Margaret Coker, the co-founder and editor in chief at The Current, talks with show host Rose Scott about her coverage of the GOA report, plus the past and present state of health care in Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Recent hurricanes, wildfires and floods have overwhelmed federal disaster response systems, with FEMA operating at a fraction of its staffing capacity. The GAO warns that workforce reductions and undertrained surge responders could jeopardize future recovery efforts. Here to explain the risks and what needs to change is director of Homeland Security and Justice at GAO, Christopher Currie.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike Lindell is having a bad day in court, and Alex Jones is about to. The Supreme Court decides that Trump can steal Congress's power over the budget, Constitution be damned. And Justin Baldoni returns to teach us all how NOT to do civil procedure.   Links:   Oregon v. Trump Docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/71481149/state-of-oregon-v-trump   Smartmatic v. Lindell Docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/62605230/smartmatic-usa-corp-v-lindell   Alex Jones Bankruptcy Docket https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/66583024/alexander-e-jones-and-official-committee-of-unsecured-creditors   YouTube to Pay $24.5 Million to Settle Lawsuit Brought by Trump https://www.wsj.com/us-news/law/youtube-to-pay-24-5-million-to-settle-lawsuit-brought-by-trump-808f6823   Lively v. Wayfarer https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69510553/lively-v-wayfarer-studios-llc/?order_by=desc   SCOTUS ruling in State v. AIDS Vaccine Coalition motion for stay https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/25a269_bp7c.pdf   AIDS Vaccine Coalition v. State (trial court docket) [Docket via CourtListener] https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.dcd.277333/gov.uscourts.dcd.277333.145.0_4.pdf   White House “pocket rescission” announcement (Aug. 29, 2025) https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2025/08/historic-pocket-rescission-package-eliminates-woke-weaponized-and-wasteful-spending/   Impoundment Control Act of 1974 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CPRT-114HPRT96107/pdf/CPRT-114HPRT96107.pdf   GAO opinion on Ukraine impoundment https://www.gao.gov/assets/710/703909.pdf   GAO Opinion Letter B-330330 (December 10, 2018) https://www.gao.gov/products/b-330330   White House EO Designating Antifa as a Domestic Terrorist Organization https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/designating-antifa-as-a-domestic-terrorist-organization/   NSPM -7 https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/countering-domestic-terrorism-and-organized-political-violence/ Show Links: https://www.lawandchaospod.com/ BlueSky: @LawAndChaosPod Threads: @LawAndChaosPod Twitter: @LawAndChaosPod  

Cybersecurity has been on the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) high-risk list since 1997. Federal agencies struggle with issues like cyber hygiene, cyber workforce shortages and strategic execution. While agencies put strategies in place to secure their systems, the implementation and execution can be ineffective, according to GAO Managing Director of IT and Cybersecurity Nick Marinos. Marinos says that evolving threats have reshaped the cybersecurity landscape over the years in government, making evolution a moving target. Agencies are adjusting their workforces accordingly, he says, but is is difficult to keep pace with emerging technology. He underscores the urgency of streamlining federal hiring processes to prevent losing top talent to faster-moving private sector opportunities.

As the federal government races to adopt AI, many agencies are looking to buy and build the same exact solutions. Recognizing this, the General Services Administration earlier this year launched USAi, a platform that offers agencies access to leading commercial AI models that they can deploy in a streamlined manner, eliminating redundancy across government and leading to greater efficiencies at scale. Zach Whitman, chief data scientist and chief AI officer for the GSA, recently joined me for a discussion at the Agentic AI Government Summit and Jamfest in Washington, D.C., to highlight the USAi effort, how it's progressing, the challenges GSA faces and what's next. The Department of Health and Human Services has tapped DOGE affiliate Zachary Terrell to be its chief technology officer, sources told FedScoop. Terrell's CTO title was confirmed by three officials, who were granted anonymity to be more candid. Taking on the role of CTO comes after his involvement in Department of Government Efficiency work at both HHS and the National Science Foundation, including the cancellation of grants at the science agency. One of those sources told FedScoop that Terrell has been in the technology chief role since the beginning of this month and is still at the NSF as well. While his leadership role is new, Terrell has previously been involved in work at HHS, including as a member of the department's DOGE team, according to a recent legal filing by the government. Per that document, Terrell was listed as one of the 10 team members given access to at least one sensitive system as part of the DOGE work. Specifically, Terrell was one of five team members who weren't directly employed by the U.S. DOGE Service — the White House home for the group. Congress is poised to make yet another run at legislation to reform agency software purchasing practices, with the reintroduction in the House last week of the Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act. The SAMOSA Act, which passed the House last December, would require federal agencies to comprehensively assess their software licensing practices, a move aimed at curbing duplicative tech, streamlining future purchases and reducing IT costs. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., chair of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation, said in a press release: “The GAO has found the federal government spends more than $100 billion annually on information technology and cybersecurity, including software licenses. Far too often, taxpayer dollars are wasted on these systems and licenses agencies fail to use.” The SAMOSA Act, Mace goes on to say, “requires agencies to account for existing software assets and consolidate purchases: reducing redundancy, increasing accountability, and saving potentially billions for American taxpayers.” Also in this episode: Salesforce Global Digital Transformation Executive Nadia Hansen joins SNG host Wyatt Kash in a sponsored podcast discussion on how Agentic AI is reshaping the way government teams work and why agencies need top-level sponsorship, transparent governance and workforce training to realize its potential. This segment was by sponsored by Salesforce. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

Everyone's favorite podcast covering decades old American Football manga is back with more Eyeshield 21 content! In this episode, hosts Derek and James finish reading volume 29 of Eyeshield 21, "Second Quarterback".Hakushu Vs. Deimon continues, and a shocking injury places Sena even more in the spotlight. Can anyone stop the monsterous Gao??TimestampsChapter 255: 00:06:45Chapter 256: 00:22:55Chapter 257: 00:35:16Chapter 258: 00:50:45Chapter 259: 00:58:30Special thanks to everyone listening! Show support for the show by following our Twitter at @devilbatpod, becoming a monthly supporter on Spotify for Podcasters, or by sending in questions to be read on air by Twitter, Email (Devilbatpod@gmail.com), or by using Spotify for Podcasters audio messaging system linked in this description.

Everyone's favorite podcast covering decades old American Football manga is back with more Eyeshield 21 content! In this episode, hosts Derek and James start reading volume 29 of Eyeshield 21, "Second Quarterback".It's Hakushu Vs. Deimon in full force! Can Kurita's vigorous training slow down the vicious Gao for even a second? Or will Gao get to hiruma like he has every other QB? (pay no attention to the volume title) TimestampsChapter 251: 00:04:50Chapter 252: 00:33:00Chapter 253: 00:49:50Chapter 254: 01:06:00Special thanks to everyone listening! Show support for the show by following our Twitter at @devilbatpod, becoming a monthly supporter on Spotify for Podcasters, or by sending in questions to be read on air by Twitter, Email (Devilbatpod@gmail.com), or by using Spotify for Podcasters audio messaging system linked in this description.

About: Is someone watching? Waiting in the darkness? An air of mystery lingers for the third time. Artwork: Danganronpa 00:00 - Freezing Shadow [Ys V: Lost Kefin, Kingdom of Sand] by Mieko Ishikawa, Naoki Kaneda, Satoshi Arai, Atsushi Shirakawa, Masaru Nakajima > 02:40 - Tension [Skies Of Arcadia] by Yutaka Minobe, Tatsuyuki Maeda > 04:08 - Welcome Despair School [Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc] by Masafumi Takada > 07:03 - Stolen Dream, Lost Light [Octopath Traveller] by Yasunori Nishiki > 10:12 - Daily Life [Shin Megami Tensei V] by Ryota Kozuka, Toshiki Konishi, Kenichi Tsuchiya, Tsukasa Masuko, Shoji Meguro > 11:20 - Memory Of The Village [Professor Layton and the Curious Village] by Tomohito Nishiura > 14:23 - Kuja's Theme [Final Fantasy IX] by Nobuo Uematsu > 16:43 - Fairy's Dance [Chaos;Child] by Takeshi Abo > 19:32 - Creeping Dread [Octopath Traveller] by Yasunori Nishiki > 22:39 - Desire For Execution… [Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc] by Masafumi Takeda > 26:15 - The Azran Sanctuary [Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy] by Tomohito Nishiura > 29:58 - Train Graveyard [Final Fantasy VII Remake] by Masashi Hamauzu > 33:26 - He Loves You [The House In Fata Morgana: A Requiem For Innocence] by Gao > 36:36 - Stagnation [13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim] by Yoshimi Kudo > 38:52 - From The Edge Of Despair [Final Fantasy VII] by Nobuo Uematsu > 43:04 - Chaos Mind [Steins;Gate] by Takeshi Abo > pixelbeatpod@icloud.com > 

Software developers combine Artificial Intelligence with IT Operations and have produced a new acronym called AIOps. Today, we explored some of the best practices for making software development more productive with AIOps.   Legacy systems are an excellent application for AIOps, but Kevin Walsh from the GAO notes that it may be more economical to maintain legacy systems in place.   Christopher Clark from the U.S. Marine Corps suggests listening to users through starting AI Task Forces. They can help identify the use cases that would validate the expense of moving to AIOps.   One obvious win might be minimal risk, high-impact activities. Clark mentions preventative maintenance as a potential target. ROI from reducing costs can be apparent. Furthermore, a help desk can pose a negligible risk and have a relatively high impact on servicing needs of Marines.   One likely candidate for applied AIOps is managing the changes in a code set that takes place. BMC's Katie Tierney states that in a typical DevSecOps environment, there could be thousands of changes a day, which exceeds human capability.   The overview is apparent:  ensure appropriate oversight, governance, and transparency measures are in place when deploying agentic AI systems.        

In this follow-up to his interview with Senator Joni Ernst, Evan dives into the legislative weeds of government efficiency reform with FAI scholars Dan Lips and Lars Schönander. While DOGE grabbed headlines with federal worker layoffs and chainsaw imagery, the real lasting impact may come from less flashy but more fundamental fixes: stopping the Treasury Department from sending checks to dead people, preventing Chinese-linked companies from exploiting small business research programs, and codifying anti-fraud measures that could save tens of billions annually.The conversation reveals how Ernst's decade-long crusade against government waste has created a legislative roadmap for the Trump administration's efficiency agenda. From strengthening the Treasury's "Do Not Pay" database to reforming the compromised Small Business Innovation Research program, these aren't partisan talking points but bipartisan solutions with Obama-era origins that have been stalled by bureaucratic inertia and special interests. With Ernst's retirement creating a 15-month window and SBIR authorization expiring next week, the episode captures a pivotal moment when policy wonk proposals might finally become permanent law—or get lost in the political shuffle once again.

Bad weather can snarl air travel, and aviation meteorologists are the ones helping air traffic controllers make fast, informed decisions to keep flights safe and efficient. But a new GAO report finds that staffing at FAA's Center Weather Service Units has dropped to critical levels, adding to the stressors already challenging the airspace system. Here with more details on their findings and recommendations is Director, Physical Infrastructure Team, at the Government Accountability Office, Derrick Collins.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Robert and Adam are sailing solo on this special episode of the GovNavigators Show, featuring an in-depth discussion of recent developments from OPM, OMB, GAO, and more. With the end of the fiscal year fast approaching, the GovNavigators are here to make sense of the storm. Hold on tight!Show Notes: OPM: New Guidelines for Performance ReviewsOMB: Updates to A-11GAO: New VideoEvents on the GovNavigator's RadarSeptember 24-25, 2025: AGA's Internal Controls & Fraud Conference  October 9, 2025: FedInsider / Carahsoft Innovation Summit 

Randel and Owen talk with Elhanan "Henan" Magidovich, a dedicated practitioner of Bagua, Xingyi, and Taiji, to discuss his experiences training Kung Fu. Henan shares insights from his time studying Gao Bagua with Han Feng Rui, a student of Liu Feng Cai, Gao Yi Shengs senior student. As well as his experiences in the Taiwan branch of the Gao system.From Facebook: "Doing BGZ for the last 20 years, which in 1999-2003 I have trained in China and accepted as part of the BGZ linage of our style. I'm the 6th generation at the general BGZ linage and 4th generation at the Gao Yi Sheng style. The creator of the style was a well known master named Gao Yi Sheng and the style named after him.Other background:6 years FCS Kali, instructor and Israeli representative.2 years of Pambuan Arnis."YouTubeFacebookArticle about Han Feng Rui#kungfu #teaching #podcast #gongfu #taiji #taichi #Tianjin #martialarts #wushu #kungfuconversations #china #bagua #gaostylebagua #liufengcai

America's Government Accountability Office says the Pentagon employs more than 70,000 cyber personnel, hackers steal SonicWall firewall configs, DeepSeek returns insecure code for groups China doesn't like, and two Scattered Spider members arrested in the UK. Show notes Risky Bulletin: Pentagon has +70K cyber staff, and a lot of overlap

This week on “Off The Cuff,” Melanie, Karen, and Hugh discuss several pertinent September deadlines impacting higher education. First, Hugh catches listeners up on where things stand with the annual appropriations cycle and how Congress is faring with the September 30 funding deadline. Then Karen explains how the upcoming negotiated rulemaking (NegReg) session could be impacted should there be a federal funding lapse, and goes on to talk about two institutional reporting deadlines for gainful employment (GE) and financial value transparency (FVT). Melanie then wraps things up, highlighting a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report with key takeaways concerning the FAFSA system.

Did you know that the service workers who load baggage, clean cabins, assist passengers with disabilities, and help avert safety risks on the tarmac generate 30% of airport revenue? They're not pilots or TSA agents—but they're essential to every airport's rhythm. A new GAO report profiles how well this group is doing economically. Here to break down the findings is Acting Director in GAO's Physical Infrastructure team, Danielle Giese.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

A government watchdog found that the Department of Defense's Transportation Command did not have sufficient and comprehensive data about its Global Household Goods contract, which was canceled in June. The Government Accountability Office found that TRANSCOM officials were aware of the contractor's capability constraints, but had limited information and could not verify whether the company could handle the volume of moves. The watchdog also said the Defense Department did not gather or track comprehensive feedback from service members going through military moves, which limited contractor performance assessment. In addition, TRANSCOM did not have full information regarding costs associated with the contract transition.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Government Accountability Office has found that a decades old pay adjustment cap on the federal wage system pay rates is still the most consequential challenge to the Defense Department's efforts to recruit and retain blue collar workers. Even if all the other challenges get addressed, little will change for the recruitment and retention of those workers, as long as the pay adjustment cap remains in effect. Federal News Network's Anastasia Obis joins me with more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Get the full DOE report on Substack: https://federalytics.substack.com/p/the-186-billion-small-business-roadmapGovernment Contracting 101: https://www.govclose.comFull DOE Intelligence Report (Federalytics): federalytics.substack.comDOE Contracts: Two Markets, One Oligopoly — Where Small Businesses (and Investors) Actually WinThe Department of Energy awarded $186B in contracts in recent years — but $79B is concentrated in a nuclear-weapons oligopoly dominated by five M&O primes. If you're a small business (or investing in one), the play isn't to storm the wall — it's to navigate the $100B+ opportunity zone where competition is lower, vehicles are direct, and outcomes are repeatable. This briefing shows: which offices to target, which NAICS to favor, why GSA MAS barely matters at DOE, how to leverage subcontracting pathways into the Big Five, and how the GAO's $1.1B compliance finding creates a verification edge for disciplined firms.Who this is forFounders and BD leaders selling to DOE/NNSAPE/VC investors & boards pressure-testing pipeline quality, CAC to CLV, and competitive moats in federal marketsCorporate strategy teams evaluating inorganic roll-ups in R&D, engineering, and EM servicesWhat you'll learn:DOE's “two-economy” reality: no-entry M&O vs. accessible direct-award ecosystemOffice-level and NAICS-level tactics to avoid high-bidder bloodbathsHow to use subcontracting to wedge into the nuclear complex supply chainWhy the GAO small-business audit (~$1.1B) signals tighter verification — and how to capitalize on itTimestamps (SEO-optimized for YouTube + AI search)00:00 DOE $186B overview00:20 Federalytics report00:40 NNSA M&O no-entry01:00 The Big Five labs01:20 $107B opportunity zone01:40 Target offices to win02:00 Competition math (offers)02:20 Vehicles that work at DOE02:40 NAICS picks to target03:00 Rule of 5 filter03:20 Subcontracting paths03:40 GAO $1.1B compliance04:00 GovClose playbook04:20 Next steps + dataLinks• Full DOE Intelligence Report (Federalytics): federalytics.substack.com• Learn to sell to government & build multiple revenue streams (GovClose): govclose.comConnect with Rick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/govclose/Notes & context“Offers per award” is a proxy for competition. Lower is better for small businesses and for investors modeling win-rates and BD efficiency.Figures reflect recent DOE awards where competition data is reported; incomplete records are excluded for accuracy.This content is for market intelligence and strategy; it's not legal advice.

Federal pay caps are contributing to ongoing recruitment and retention challenges in the Defense Department's blue-collar workforce. A new report from the Government Accountability Office has found that multiple DoD installations are struggling to keep employees in the Federal Wage System, due to longstanding pay limitations set by Congress. GAO also pointed to evidence that the pay rates for blue-collar federal employees have deviated from pay rates in the larger labor market, making it even harder for DoD to compete with the private sector. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Oversight Hearing entitled “Unleashing Indian Energy – Examining Federal Programs at the U.S. Department of Energy” Date: September 10, 2025 Time: 2:30 PM Location: Dirksen Room: 628 Witnesses Panel 1 Mr. David Conrad Acting Director and Deputy Director Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs, U.S. Department of Energy Washington, DC Dr. Anna Maria Ortiz Director Natural Resources and Environment, U.S. Government Accountability Office Washington, DC Ms. Jocelyn Fenton Director of Programs Denali Commission Anchorage, Alaska Committee Notice: https://www.indian.senate.gov/hearings/oversight-hearing-entitled-unleashing-indian-energy-examining-federal-programs-at-the-u-s-department-of-energy/

The open source community heads off a major npm supply chain attack. The Treasury Department sanctions cyber scam centers in Myanmar and Cambodia. Scammers abuse iCloud Calendar invites to send callback phishing emails. Researchers discover a new malware variant exploiting exposed Docker APIs. Phishing attacks abuse the Axios user agent and Microsoft's Direct Send feature. Plex warns users of a data breach.  Researchers flag a surge in scans targeting Cisco ASA devices. CISA delays finalizing its incident reporting rule. The GAO says federal cyber workforce figures are incomplete and unreliable. Our guest is Kevin Magee, Global Director of Cybersecurity Startups at Microsoft Security, discussing cybersecurity education going back to school. AI earns its own Darwin awards.  Remember to leave us a 5-star rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Miss an episode? Sign-up for our daily intelligence roundup, Daily Briefing, and you'll never miss a beat. And be sure to follow CyberWire Daily on LinkedIn. CyberWire Guest Today we are joined by Kevin Magee, Global Director of Cybersecurity Startups at Microsoft Security discussing cybersecurity education going back to school. Selected Reading Hackers hijack npm packages with 2 billion weekly downloads in supply chain attack (Bleeping Computer) Open Source Community Thwarts Massive npm Supply Chain Attack (Infosecurity Magazine) US sanctions companies behind cyber scam centers in Cambodia, Myanmar (The Record) New Apple Warning, This iCloud Calendar Invite Is Actually An Attack (Forbes) New Docker Malware Strain Spotted Blocking Rivals on Exposed APIs (HackRead) Axios User Agent Helps Automate Phishing on “Unprecedented Scale” (Infosecurity Magazine) Plex Urges Password Resets Following Data Breach (SecurityWeek) Surge in networks scans targeting Cisco ASA devices raise concerns (Bleeping Computer) CISA pushes final cyber incident reporting rule to May 2026 (CyberScoop) US government lacks clarity into its infosec workforce (The Register) AI Darwin Awards launch to celebrate spectacularly bad deployments (The Register) Share your feedback. What do you think about CyberWire Daily? Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us by completing our brief listener survey. Thank you for helping us continue to improve our show. Want to hear your company in the show? You too can reach the most influential leaders and operators in the industry. Here's our media kit. Contact us at cyberwire@n2k.com to request more info. The CyberWire is a production of N2K Networks, your source for strategic workforce intelligence. © N2K Networks, Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's Defense & Aerospace Report Business Roundtable, sponsored by Bell, Dr. “Rocket” Ron Epstein of Bank of America Securities, and Richard Aboulafia of the AeroDynamic advisory consultancy join host Vago Muradian to discuss a Wall Street rally despite weaker than expected jobs numbers and hiccups with their disclosure; Chinese leader Xi Jinping's hosts Vladimir Putin and Narenda Modi in Beijing as three decades of US effort to woo India and drive wedges between Beijing and Moscow collapse; Russia's targeting of EU President Ursula von der Lyen's plane with GPS jamming signals as French President Emmanuel Macron brought together Ukraine's allies to craft a plan to support the country; reports of a TNT shortage because of Russia's war on Ukraine and the global rearmament drive it's sparked; whether the Fitch ratings agency's decision to downgrade Poland over fiscal concerns could undermine the country's role and ambition as a European defense leader; Norway's decision to pick Britain's Type 26 frigate by BAE Systems over Fincantieri's Constellation-class, Naval Group's Admiral Ronar'c, and Thyssen Krupp's Type 127 ships, joining Australia and Canada as export customers for the new antisubmarine warship; Babcock Marine's investor day; the US Navy taps Anduril, Boeing, General Atomics, and Northrop Grumman move head in the service's program for an autonomous strike aircraft as Lockheed Martin is tapped to develop the command system for the new planes; Government Accountability Office's latest report criticizing late deliveries of the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter; Peru's interest in Saab's Gripen fighter and Global Eye radar plane; GE Aerospace's $300 million investment in electric aircraft-maker Beta Technologies; and what to expect at the 2025 edition of DSEI tradeshow next week in London.

Episode 202: BPA OverviewWritten by Cameron Carlisle, MSIV, Ross University School of Medicine. Comments by Hector Arreaza, MD.You are listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast, your weekly dose of knowledge brought to you by the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program from Bakersfield, California, a UCLA-affiliated program sponsored by Clinica Sierra Vista, Let Us Be Your Healthcare Home. This podcast was created for educational purposes only. Visit your primary care provider for additional medical advice._____________________Arr: Welcome to another episode of Rio Bravo qWeek. My name is Hector Arreaza, I'm an associate program director and faculty in the Rio Bravo Family Medicine Residency Program. Today my co-host is Cameron Carlisle, who is a 4th-year medical student finishing his last rotation of med school. Welcome, Cameron, please introduce yourself.Arreaza: What are we talking about today, Cameron?Cam: Dr. Arreaza, did you know you're probably carrying around a chemical in your body that mimics estrogen? In fact, a 2004 CDC study found over 92% of Americans had detectable levels of Bisphenol A (BPA) in their urine. Today's topic is BPA.BPA is everywhere: receipts, water bottles, canned foods, baby bottles, and even our dental fillings. It's one of the most ubiquitous endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which interferes with the body's hormone systems. That's why today's episode is about making the invisible visible. Our goals for today's podcast:Break down what BPA isShow how it affects the human bodyExplain how you and your patients can limit exposureEmpower both clinicians and the public with real, practical informationArreaza: Thanks for clarifying BPA today. It seems like we always have to learn about a new carcinogen or toxic substance that we are exposed to. I remember when I was a child, Yellow #5 became very concerning for the general public but it is still being used in our foods. So, it's good you are talking about this. What Is BPA?Cam: Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used since the 1950s, primarily in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It makes plastic clear, and is often found in:Water bottlesCanned food liningsBaby bottles (pre-2012)Takeout containersCash register receiptsDental sealantsArreaza: So, I've seen the “BPA-free” labels many times, and today I'm glad you are going to shed some light about it.Cam: What's alarming is that BPA leaches out of these products, especially when exposed to heat, acidity, or repeated use. A Harvard study found that people who drank from plastic bottles for just one week had a 69% increase in urinary BPA levels (Carwile & Michels, 2009).Arreaza: That's a lot of people 69%. Section 3: What happens when BPA gets into our body? How BPA Works in the BodyCam: BPA is classified as an endocrine disruptor, meaning it can bind to estrogen receptors and mimic or block natural hormone functions.It affects:Reproductive systems (both male and female)NeurodevelopmentThyroid signalingPancreatic β-cell functionMetabolism and fat storageEven low-dose exposure can disrupt cellular function. BPA acts as a xenoestrogen (foreign estrogen) and has been shown to alter DNA methylation, leading to epigenetic changes that persist across generations (Manikkam et al., 2013).Arreaza: So, BPA can cause epigenetic changes that can be inherited. BPA can persist for generations in your offspring.BPA's Health Impacts – What the Research SaysHere's where it gets serious. Let's go system-by-system:1. Reproductive HealthFemales: Linked to PCOS, infertility, and early puberty (Peretz et al., 2014).Males: Reduced sperm count and motility; altered testosterone levels.2. Pregnancy and Birth OutcomesIncreased risk of preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and low birth weight (Snijder et al., 2013).Studies show BPA crosses the placenta, directly affecting the fetus.3. Neurological DevelopmentAssociated with ADHD, anxiety, and impaired executive function in children exposed in utero (Mustieles et al., 2015).4. Metabolism and DiabetesBPA exposure is linked to insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes, even at low doses (Lang et al., 2008).5. CancerAnimal and human data link BPA to increased risk of breast and prostate cancer via estrogenic mechanisms.6. MortalityA 2020 JAMA study found individuals with higher BPA levels had a 49% increased risk of all-cause mortality compared to those with lower levels (Gao et al., 2020).Arreaza: You are scaring me. I wonder what my BPA level is in my blood. Actually, BPA can be detected in urine. This is the most common approach for population-level biomonitoring, because BPA and its metabolites are mostly excreted in urine. Studies have found that BPA is present in most people, even up to 85–99% in large cohorts. Cam: That's literally everyone. Sources of BPA ExposureLet's talk about things we use every day:Thermal receipts (like from Target or Starbucks): BPA can transfer onto your skin and be absorbed, especially if your hands are wet or lotioned.Canned soups: One study showed that eating canned soup daily for five days led to a 1000% increased urinary BPA levels (Carwile et al., 2011).Plastic water bottles left in the car on hot days or plastic food trays for microwaving = chemical leaching.Baby bottles and pacifiers (pre-2012): primary concern for newborns.Arreaza: So, Cameron, you were exposed to BPA as a baby.Cam: Here's the jaw-dropper: We ingest up to 5 grams of plastic per week, roughly the weight of a credit card (WWF, 2019; University of Newcastle). This includes microplastics like BPA, which enter through food, water, and air.Arreaza: So, it translates into 40 lbs of plastic in a lifetime, by age 70. What can we do as family physicians?Family Medicine and Preventive CareAs family physicians, we are at the frontlines of prevention. Our role includes:Anticipatory guidance: during prenatal visits, well-child visits, and chronic disease managementScreening opportunities: ask about storage habits, microwave use, and receipt handlingEnvironmental health counseling: AAFP recommends addressing endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) when relevant to a patient's concerns.It's not just about treating diabetes or obesity. It's about recognizing that environmental exposure may be a root cause.Arreaza: Prevention is my favorite topic!Cam: One helpful clinical practice:Arreaza: What else can we do to reduce BPA exposure?Practical Steps to Reduce BPAHere's what patients and doctors alike can do today:Switch to BPA-free products, but be careful, as replacements like BPS or BPF may also be harmful (Rochester & Bolden, 2015).Avoid microwaving or dishwashing plastic containers.Use digital receipts.Filter tap water using carbon filters, which can reduce microparticle ingestion.Choose fresh produce over canned goods when possible.Also, wash your hands after handling receipts, especially before eating or touching your face.Arreaza: What is our government doing to protect us?Public Health and Policy UpdatesRegulations are slowly catching up:The FDA banned BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups in 2012.The European Union has stricter limits, and France banned BPA in all food packaging in 2015.California's Proposition 65 requires BPA warning labels.Arreaza: Proposition 65, passed by direct voter initiative in 1986, “WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.”Arreaza: The FDA is planning to phase out petroleum-based food dyes (certified color additives) from the American food supply – marking a significant milestone in the efforts to protect the public. Cam: Many products still contain BPA analogs (BPS, BPF), which are not yet well-regulated.This is where clinician advocacy matters, where we can guide public opinion and support legislative change.Arreaza: So, millions of pounds of toxic substances are produced by many industries in the US. As physicians, we have to stay informed and update our patients.Cameron: How can we wrap up this episode?Conclusion and TakeawaysBPA is a hormone disruptor hiding in plain sight.People are exposed to BPA every day, but small lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce it.Family medicine has a role in education, prevention, and advocacy.Let's all be part of the solution for our health and future generations. Stanley (tumblers) are not sponsoring this episode, and we did not receive any money from them. Arreaza: That's it for today's episode of Rio Bravo qWeek. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a colleague or medical student who may need to know about BPA. I'm Dr. Arreaza, signing off.Cameron: Hopefully, in the future I will talk to you about more endocrine disrupting chemicals. Thanks for listening._____________________Even without trying, every night you go to bed a little wiser. Thanks for listening to Rio Bravo qWeek Podcast. We want to hear from you, send us an email at RioBravoqWeek@clinicasierravista.org, or visit our website riobravofmrp.org/qweek. See you next week! _____________________References:Carwile, J. L., & Michels, K. B. (2009). Urinary bisphenol A and obesity: NHANES 2003–2006. Environmental Research, 111(6), 825–830.Carwile, J. L., et al. (2011). Canned soup consumption and urinary bisphenol A: A randomized crossover trial. JAMA, 306(20), 2218–2220.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2004). Fourth National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals.Gao, X., et al. (2020). Urinary bisphenol A and mortality risk. JAMA Network Open, 3(8), e2011620.Lang, I. A., et al. (2008). Association of urinary bisphenol A with medical disorders and laboratory abnormalities in adults. JAMA, 300(11), 1303–1310.Manikkam, M., et al. (2013). Epigenetic transgenerational inheritance of disease. PLOS ONE, 8(1), e55387.Mustieles, V., et al. (2015). Bisphenol A and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children. Environmental Health Perspectives, 123(7), 689–695.Peretz, J., et al. (2014). Bisphenol A and reproductive health. Environmental Health Perspectives, 122(8), 775–786.Rochester, J. R., & Bolden, A. L. (2015). Bisphenol S and F: A systematic review. Environmental Health Perspectives, 123(7), 643–650.Snijder, C. A., et al. (2013). Fetal growth and prenatal exposure to bisphenol A. Environmental Health Perspectives, 121(3), 393–398.World Wildlife Fund (WWF). (2019). No Plastic in Nature: Assessing Plastic Ingestion from Nature to People.University of Newcastle (Australia). (2019). Human Consumption of Microplastics.Theme song, Works All The Time by Dominik Schwarzer, YouTube ID: CUBDNERZU8HXUHBS, purchased from https://www.premiumbeat.com/.

Joining Audrey for this week's REELTalk -  Legal analyst for GAO, and bestselling author of Red Hot Lies, CHRISTOPHER HORNER will be here! AND, Dr. STEVEN BUCCI of the Heritage Foundation will be here! PLUS, brilliant farceur MIKE FINE will be here! AND, award-winning Country Artist CURTIS GRIMES will be here to share his latest album, What I'm Here For!  In the words of Benjamin Franklin, "If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately." Come hang with us...   

Ralph welcomes Ben Cohen (anti-war activist and ice cream entrepreneur) to discuss his new campaign, "Up in Arms," which advocates for a common-sense Pentagon budget. Then, Ralph speaks to Guardian columnist Arwa Mahdawi about her recent piece: "When will we finally admit: the Gaza death toll is higher than we've been told."Ben Cohen is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and longtime anti-war activist. He is a co-founder of the ice cream company Ben & Jerry's and a prominent supporter of progressive causes. He is co-founder of Up In Arms, a public education and advocacy campaign pushing for a common-sense approach to military budgeting. In May of this year, Ben was arrested by Capitol Police after he interrupted Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s testimony by screaming,”Congress kills poor kids in Gaza by buying bombs and pays for it by kicking kids off Medicaid.”We're up in arms because the government has taken the kindness, the heart, the soul of the American people and essentially replaced it with so many bombs that there's no rational use for them. They've turned us all into mass murderers.Ben CohenYou know, politicians starting from Reagan are fond of saying “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought.” And then they turn around and spend $100 billion a year on a nuclear arsenal that's capable of blowing up the entire world several times over. So they say one thing and they do another. I mean, a nuclear arsenal capable of blowing up the entire world several times over? That's not deterrence. That's delusion.Ben CohenI just go back to the moral issue of our time, which is Gaza—two-thirds of the American people don't support continuing to arm Israel. And we need to make our politicians pay the price for continuing to arm Israel… We have a midterm election coming up. If your guy voted to continue to essentially facilitate the genocide, vote them out.Ben CohenWhen you have more money than is needed, you tend to invite corruption, cost overruns, machinery that doesn't work, and I would advise that you look into why the GAO and the Pentagon auditors are being asked to do fewer audits of the military budget. Because there's almost a direct correlation between throwing money at a government program (especially at that scale) and corruption. And corruption is understandable to everybody. It's the number one political issue all over the world, when the pollsters poll.Ralph NaderArwa Mahdawi is a columnist for the Guardian and author of Strong Female Lead: Lessons from Women in Power. Here is her recent piece on the genocide in Gaza: “When will we finally admit: the Gaza death toll is higher than we've been told” (The Guardian, August 8, 2025)To be fair, the New York Times, Washington Post, and Wall Street Journal have published some pretty devastating reports from their reporters in that area. They've put out some devastating features on what's going on [in Gaza], but it doesn't translate into editorial denunciation by these papers. And it doesn't translate into taking the next step and doing what they would do in other conflicts around the world where there isn't so much prejudice and domestic pressureRalph NaderI'm an opinion writer, but as journalists, you're always supposed to report facts. And the fact is: we have absolutely no idea how many people are dead in the Gaza Strip. But there are plenty of studies (which I reference in the article—one Lancet peer-reviewed study, one letter to the Lancet by a highly-respected scientist, one empirical study by Michael Spagat) which show that the death count is a lot higher. So I truly believe that unless you're saying “the official figure from the Ministry of Health is around 60,000 but studies show it is probably much higher,” then that's just journalistic malpractice.Arwa MahdawiI think there's just this instinct to believe that Palestinians are lying and Israelis are telling the truth. And it also goes back to…this isn't just Israel's war, this is America's war as well. And this desire to see America as the good guys—we're the good guys, the Palestinians are the bad guys. And to have this black-and-white narrative where, obviously, we're the good guys, you know, and so if the Palestinian narrative casts doubt on that, then it must be wrong.Arwa MahdawiI always suggest that people write to the media outlets and say that they want to see more Palestinian narratives, they want the media outlets to voice their concern that foreign reporters are not being let in, that more aid workers are not being let in, that pictures are not coming out.Arwa MahdawiThere are very few pictures coming out of the scale of this destruction in Gaza, but when you see the ones that do come out, it is very, very obvious that there are more than 60,000 people dead.But there seems to be this lack of curiosity with some of my peers. Why aren't they asking, “Why aren't we seeing more pictures?” There should be nonstop outrage that their press freedom is being stifled like this and so many Palestinian journalists are being slaughtered.Arwa MahdawiNews 8/22/25* Last Thursday, during an event in her Masscusetts congressional district, Congresswoman Katherine Clark – who holds the position of House Minority Whip, making her the number two Democrat in the House – called Israel's campaign in Gaza a “genocide,” per Axios. According to Zeteo, this makes Clark the 14th member of Congress to use the “g word.” Lest she be accused of bravery however, Clark quickly walked back her comments. In a statement to the Jewish News Syndicate, Clark said “last week, while attending an event in my district, I repeated the word ‘genocide' in response to a question…I want to be clear that I am not accusing Israel of genocide.” This incident illustrates the cross-cutting pressures facing Democratic Party leaders. This divide will be on the agenda again at the DNC meeting on August 26th, where among other issues, party leaders will vote on competing resolutions to lay out the Democrats' position on Gaza. Allison Minnerly, the progressive DNC delegate sponsoring the resolution to end arms shipments to Israel, is quoted saying “Our voters…are saying that they do not want U.S. dollars to enable further death and starvation anywhere across the world, particularly in Gaza…I don't think it should be a hard decision for us to say that clearly,” per the Intercept.* Even as Democrats wrestle with their position on Gaza, the politics are clearly shifting. The Reject AIPAC coalition has released a new statement saying that among Democrats, AIPAC is now a “toxic pariah.” As evidence of this, Reject AIPAC cites the fact that only 14 House Democrats attended the AIPAC-sponsored Israel trip this year. According to Mondoweiss, “In 2023, the lobbying group brought 24 House Dems to Israel over recess. In 2019, over 40 attended.” Reject AIPAC also cites the fact that Reps. Valerie Foushee and Maxine Dexter, both recipients of millions of AIPAC dollars, voted to block arms to Israel and Foushee is even now rejecting AIPAC money. As these small victories mount, the horizon of possibility for movement within the party grows ever wider.* Last week, Tom Artiom Alexandrovich – a senior department head in Israel's National Cyber Directorate – was arrested in a “multi-agency operation targeting child sex predators,” in Clark County, Nevada according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. According to Reuters, “Alexandrovich faces a felony charge of luring or attempting to lure a child or mentally ill person to commit a sex act ‘with use of computer technology.'” Yet, inexplicably, Alexandrovich was released by U.S. authorities and is back in Israel. This set off a firestorm in the U.S., with many accusing the Trump administration of facilitating Alexandrovich's release. The State Department was forced to issue a statement denying these claims, stating that Alexandrovich "did not claim diplomatic immunity and was released by a state judge…Any claims that the U.S. government intervened are false." The AP adds that the “Israeli Embassy in Washington and the Israeli Prime Minister's Office did not immediately return messages.” Disturbingly, the mainstream media seems to be purposely ignoring this case. While it has been covered by the Guardian, the Times of Israel, and Haaretz, there has been zero coverage in the New York Times or Washington Post, or ABC, NBC, or CBS. This media blackout adds fuel to the speculation that this case is being tamped down by the administration for political reasons.* Another troubling story regarding minors on the internet comes to us from Mark Zuckerberg's Meta AI. According to Reuters, internal documents from Meta Platforms detail “policies on chatbot behavior…[permitting] the company's artificial intelligence creations to ‘engage a child in conversations that are romantic or sensual,' generate false medical information and help users argue that Black people are ‘dumber than white people.'” Former Federal Trade Commission Chair Lina Khan called these reports “disturbing” and cited a legal complaint filed by the FTC to the Justice Department against Snap in January, under her leadership, “charging that [Snap's] AI chatbot was creating risks and harms for young users.” Khan noted that the “DOJ hasn't filed the case or taken any steps to protect these kids,” and demanded that “Any lawmaker concerned about big tech's abuse of kids should ask what is going on.” The administration's lack of action on these issues indicates that despite their rhetorical inveighing against the tech industry, they are treating SIlicon Valley with the same kid gloves they use for the rest of corporate America, even when it affects minors.* In more positive news from abroad, the Washington Post reports that between 2022 and 2024, Mexico lifted a stunning 8.3 million residents out of poverty. This 18% drop in poverty includes a 23% decrease in extreme poverty and a 16% drop in moderate poverty. According to experts, this remarkable achievement is the result of the policies of former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, or AMLO, and his successor Claudia Sheinbaum, such as tripling the minimum wage and instituting a raft of social programs to aid “senior citizens, unemployed youth, students, farmers and people with disabilities.” President Sheinbaum is now plowing ahead with a new project – producing a “small, 100% electric, accessible [EV],” called the “Olinia,” to be fully manufactured and assembled in Mexico, per Mexico News Daily.* Turning to domestic politics, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik finally showed up in her district on Monday after an extended period of avoiding public appearances. At a ceremony honoring a late Clinton County clerk in Plattsburgh, Stefanik was drowned out by cries of “‘You sold us out!', ‘Shame!', and ‘Unseal the Epstein files!', along with a “steady stream of boos,” according to the Daily Beast. Stefanik “left the podium after speaking for less than a minute,” and when she returned, she was booed again. Stefanik's chronic absence and chilly reception is a bad sign for her gubernatorial aspirations. In the months since she has held a town hall, her constituents held a mock town hall where they addressed an empty chair, per WRGB, and New York Democrats AOC and Paul Tonko held town halls in her district, per the Albany Times-Union.* In more political news from New York, disgraced former Governor Andrew Cuomo is explicitly seeking to woo New York Republicans in his independent bid for Mayor of New York City. POLITICO reports that at a fundraiser at media mogul Jimmy Finkelstein's Southampton estate, Cuomo told the crowd that he agrees with President Trump that the “goal is to stop Mamdani.” To this end, he is trying to convince Republicans that they would be “wasting [their] vote on [Curtis] Sliwa,” the Republican nominee for Mayor, “because he'll never be a serious candidate.” Cuomo also implied that he is open to an alliance with Trump, telling the crowd “Let's put it this way: I knew the president very well.” Dora Pekec, a spokesperson for the Zohran campaign, is quoted saying “Since he's too afraid to say it to New Yorkers' faces, we'll make it clear: Andrew Cuomo IS Donald Trump's choice for mayor.”* In Texas, state Democrats have returned to the state, ending their attempt to defeat Governor Abbott's mid-decade redistricting scheme by denying the legislature a quorum. In a statement Gene Wu, chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, said "We killed the corrupt special session, withstood unprecedented surveillance and intimidation, and rallied Democrats nationwide to join this existential fight for fair representation — reshaping the entire 2026 landscape," per the BBC. The legislature is now expected to approve the redrawn congressional maps; the state Democrats plan to continue fighting them in the courts. California has vowed to redraw their own maps to compensate for the expected loss of five Democrat-held seats in Texas. New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire and Maryland are also considering their own redistricting plans. Vice President JD Vance was deployed to Indiana to pressure Republicans in that state to redraw their maps to favor Republicans as well, per the IndyStar. It is a sad state of affairs that American politics has been reduced to such naked power grabbing plots, but here we are.* In local news, the federal occupation of Washington, D.C. continues to deepen. CBS reports the governors of at least six Republican-led states are sending contingents from their National Guards to the capital. These include Mississippi and Louisiana, West Virginia, South Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. Just what these troops will do in Washington remains unclear. Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, who is sending 160 troops, cited “monument security” and “traffic control” among their official responsibilities. The federal agents on the ground, with little to do – the DOJ itself reports as violent crime is at a 30-year low in the District – seem to be mostly just harassing residents. The Daily Beast reports ICE tore down a banner and replaced it with a dildo. A local, Amanda Moore, posted a photo of 15 federal agents calling an ambulance for a drunk girl in Dupont Circle. And, while the Lever reports D.C. corporate lobbyists pushed for the occupation, it is wreaking havoc on local businesses; Rolling Stone reports reservations at D.C. restaurants are down between 25 and 31%, to take just one example. We can only hope that this pointless, destructive farce of quasi-fascistic political theater ends sooner rather than later.* Finally, investigative reporter and Iraq war veteran Seth Harp is out with a new book – The Fort Bragg Cartel: Drug Trafficking and Murder in the Special Forces – which details the double murder of Master Sergeant Billy Lavigne and Chief Warrant Officer Timothy Dumas, along with the “many more unexplained deaths…other murders connected to drug trafficking in elite units, and dozens of fatal overdoses,” at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Among other remarkable discoveries, Harp “describes a U.S. special forces k9 [unit] that was given titanium dentures and encouraged to feast on human brains in the field,” in the words of publisher and producer Chris Wade. Remember these titanium dentures whenever you hear that there is no money to pay for critical social programs. The money is there. The political will is not.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

From London's harbors to Canton's bustling hongs and the Qianlong Emperor's Dragon Throne, Lord George Macartney's 1792-94 mission to Great Qing unveils profound cultural divides, shaping centuries of Sino-Western relations. This series explores a pivotal diplomatic clash that redefined global history. Time Period Covered: 1792-1794 CE Major Historical Figures: Qing Empire: The Qianlong Emperor (Aisin-Gioro Hongli) [r. 1735–1796] Chief Minister Heshen (1750–1799) Wang Wenxiong, mid-level imperial bureaucrat British Empire: Lord George Macartney, ambassador extraordinaire [1737–1806] Sir George Staunton [1737-1801] William Alexander [1767–1816] John Barrow, Comptroller [1764-1848] Sgt. Maj. Samuel Holmes, 11th Lt. Dragoons Major Works Cited: Berg, Maxine. The Birth of the Modern World, 1780–1914: Global Connections and Comparisons. Cranmer-Byng, John. “The Chinese Documents Relating to the Macartney Embassy.” Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 1961. Gao, Hao. Creating the Opium War: British Imperial Attitudes Toward China, 1792–1840. Hevia, James L. Cherishing Men from Afar: Qing Guest Ritual and the Macartney Embassy of 1793. Holmes, Samuel. Journal of the Macartney Expedition. Macartney, Lord George. Journal of the Macartney Expedition. Peyrefitte, Alain. The Immobile Empire: The First Great Collision of East and West. Knopf, 1992. Qing Archival Records. Tr. in Presents and Tribute: Documents on the Macartney Embassy. Staunton, George. An Authentic Account of an Embassy from the King of Great Britain to the Emperor of China. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ku and Su revisit the stage at Neuehouse Hollywood for their first ever live show, with head-turning outfits, hilarious guests and, of course, free stuff! Friends, family and fans cheer on our intrepid hosts as they cover everything from Kulap’s fierce “playsuit,” to SuChin’s husband’s dating history. Then shopping superhero Jessica Gao breaks down why Costco is her go-to spot for toilet paper, booze, sweatsuits and even fine jewelry. And finally, Jason Mantzoukas returns for the next episode of “Zouk’s Cubes” — and let’s just say there’s a lot to unpack. Please note, Add To Cart contains mature themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners. To see all products mentioned in this episode, head to @addtocartpod on Instagram. To purchase any of the products, see below. Kulap’s ferocious tiger playsuit is from LALA Jessica Gao has a Costco membership and thinks you should have one too if you want all the Kirkland Signature products Like the Kirkland Signature toilet paper, alcohol, meats and sweats LaoGanMa Spicy Chili Crisp is Gao’s go-to for authentic Chinese spicy goodness Jason is back with his Tom Bihn travel tray in hand Eagle Creek Pack-It Shoe Sac might be what Su needs for her loose shoes The Hero Clip is perfect for keeping nice bags off the dirty floor Jason loves the Evergoods CIVIC Access Pouch 1L and Evergoods CIVIC Access Pouch 2L, which unfolds and sits upright Never worry about those tangly, free airplane headphones again! Connect your own bluetooth headphones with the Twelve South AirFly Pro Bluetooth Wireless Audio Transmitter Wabuki collapsible chopsticks are perfect for eating on planes as well Don’t forget to pack an Apple TV to watch your shows on the road Jason and Su both love to travel with noise machines — Jason’s go-to is the Snooz Go travel-sized white noise machine Left Center Right dice game is a fun-for-all-ages betting game The Case of the Missing Men graphic novel is an old-school mystery with a surreal (and Canadian) twist Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium. Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows: lemonadamedia.com/sponsorsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.