Podcasts about Hong Kong

Nick is joined by Cornelius Lysaght to look at today's racing headlines. Top of the bill today is the revelation that Lord Allen has taken on the racecourses over the ownership of data rights that are currently sold as part of RMG and TRP brokered packages to bookmakers. Where will this end for all parties? Also today, Gordon Elliott talks Romeo Coolio and that Ryanair entry, plus why he'll have more DRF entries. Clerks at Naas, Kempton and Warwick assess their chances of racing, while at the last-named venue, Classic Chase contenders Lucinda Russell (Myretown), Sara Bradstock (Mr Vango) and Mel Rowley (Val Dancer) all discuss their intentions for the weekend and beyond. Karl Burke brings us news of his Dubai squad and also has news on Clifford Lee, while JA McGrath has the latest from Hong Kong.

Stijn Schmitz welcomes Marc Faber to the show. Marc Faber is Contrarian Investor and Publisher of the Gloom, Boom, & Doom Report. Their discussion centers on global economic trends, monetary policy, and the impact of continuous money printing by central banks. Faber, a proponent of the Austrian school of economics, critically examines the current financial landscape, highlighting how central banks and financial institutions are incentivized to continuously print money, which leads to uneven price increases across various assets. Faber argues that money printing fundamentally distorts economic systems, with financial institutions benefiting first from monetary expansion while average workers experience declining real wages. He points out that while nominal GDP might show growth, real purchasing power for most people has actually decreased. The conversation explores the historical context of economic cycles, with Faber referencing economists like Kondratiev and discussing how societies rise and decline. The discussion shifts to geopolitical dynamics, particularly the changing global power balance between the United States and emerging powers like China and Russia. Faber suggests that the US is no longer in the dominant position it held post-World War II, with potential competitive challenges emerging from other global powers. Regarding investment strategies, Faber recommends diversification across assets like real estate, precious metals, stocks, and cash. He sees particular potential in gold, silver, and platinum as alternative currencies, and believes these metals can serve as protection against monetary devaluation. He’s especially bullish on platinum, suggesting it might eventually surpass gold in price. Faber’s investment philosophy emphasizes understanding price dynamics over specific company details, advocating for purchasing assets below their intrinsic value. He remains skeptical of government interventions and central bank policies, viewing them as potentially destructive to long-term economic stability. Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:00:51 – Precious Metals Bull Run 00:01:25 – Gold Market History 00:02:31 – Money Printing Effects 00:05:33 – Financial Industry Incentives 00:07:15 – Austrian Economics Overview 00:09:10 – Keynesian Policies Critique 00:14:40 – Economic and War Cycles 00:20:25 – Geopolitical Tensions Rise 00:22:47 – Global Financial System Risks 00:24:00 – Safe Currencies Gold Silver 00:27:12 – Approaching Economic Crises 00:33:02 – Portfolio Diversification Advice 00:35:49 – Silver Platinum Investment Benefits 00:42:05 – Newsletter and Personal Reflections 00:45:44 – Concluding Thoughts Guest Links: Website: https://www.gloomboomdoom.com/ X: https://x.com/gloomboomdoom Dr. Marc Faber was born in Zurich, Switzerland. He went to school in Geneva and Zurich and finished high school with the Matura. He studied Economics at the University of Zurich and, at the age of 24, obtained a Ph.D. in Economics magna cum laude. Between 1970 and 1978, Mr. Faber worked for White Weld & Company Limited in New York, Zurich, and Hong Kong. Since 1973, he has lived in Hong Kong. From 1978 to February 1990, Marc was the Managing Director of Drexel Burnham Lambert (HK) Ltd. In June 1990, he set up his own business, publishing a widely read monthly investment newsletter, “THE GLOOM BOOM & DOOM,” a report highlighting unusual investment opportunities. Dr. Faber is also the author of several books, including “TOMORROW’S GOLD – Asia’s Age of Discovery,” first published in 2002 and highlighted future investment opportunities. “TOMORROW’S GOLD” was on Amazon’s bestseller list and translated into Japanese, Korean, Thai, and German. Marc is also a regular contributor to several leading financial publications around the world. In addition, Dr. Faber is a frequent speaker at various investment seminars and is well known for his “contrarian” investment approach.

Cracked Racquets Editor-in-Chief Alex Gruskin offers his thoughts on Wednesday's action from across the professional tennis world. He shares his takeaways from a testy day for the top Women's seeds in Brisbane, an exceptional day of tennis in Hong Kong, plus SO much more!! Don't forget to give a 5 star review on your favorite podcast app! In addition, add your twitter/instagram handle to the review for a chance to win some FREE CR gear!! Episode Bookmarks WTA Brisbane - 4:55 United Cup - 21:46 ATP Hong Kong - 35:00 ATP Brisbane - 43:06 WTA Auckland - 48:21 ATP Challengers + WTA 125K - 52:27 _____ Laurel Springs Ranked among the best online private schools in the United States, Laurel Springs stands out when it comes to support, personalization, community, and college prep. They give their K-12 students the resources, guidance, and learning opportunities they need at each grade level to reach their full potential. Find Cracked Racquets Website: https://www.crackedracquets.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/crackedracquets Twitter: https://twitter.com/crackedracquets Facebook: https://Facebook.com/crackedracquets YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/crackedracquets Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nick is joined by Cornelius Lysaght to look at today's racing headlines. Top of the bill today is the revelation that Lord Allen has taken on the racecourses over the ownership of data rights that are currently sold as part of RMG and TRP brokered packages to bookmakers. Where will this end for all parties? Also today, Gordon Elliott talks Romeo Coolio and that Ryanair entry, plus why he'll have more DRF entries. Clerks at Naas, Kempton and Warwick assess their chances of racing, while at the last-named venue, Classic Chase contenders Lucinda Russell (Myretown), Sara Bradstock (Mr Vango) and Mel Rowley (Val Dancer) all discuss their intentions for the weekend and beyond. Karl Burke brings us news of his Dubai squad and also has news on Clifford Lee, while JA McGrath has the latest from Hong Kong.

The Transformation Ground Control podcast covers a number of topics important to digital and business transformation. This episode covers the following topics and interviews:   IT's Having Its Best Year Since 1996, Q&A (Darian Chwialkowski, Third Stage Consulting) The 2025 ERP Awards (Greg Benton, CSO at Third Stage Consulting) How Your ERP System Is Making You Weaker We also cover a number of other relevant topics related to digital and business transformation throughout the show.  

In this special Year In Review episode, Through a Therapist's Eyes looks back at a year of growth, connection, and meaningful conversations in mental health. We celebrate reaching 58,462 all-time downloads, surprising platform shifts (hello Firefox!), and listeners tuning in from across the U.S. and around the world—from Brazil, Hong Kong, and Europe to Japan, Africa, and beyond. The episode has a special "Down the Rabbit Hole" challenge pitting Adam vs Kyle, and highlights chosen by the team. With Kasie's return and honest reflections from the team on what they love—and struggle with—about being therapists, this wrap-up blends insight, humor, and gratitude while setting the stage for what's ahead in 2026. Tune in to see the 2025 Year in Review Through a Therapist's Eyes  

Self-Declaration in the Legal Recognition of Gender (Routledge, 2023) is a socio-legal study that offers a critique of what it means to self-declare with regard to legal gender. Based on empirical research conducted in Denmark, the book engages in some of the most controversial issues surrounding trans and gender diverse rights. The theoretical analysis draws upon legal consciousness, affect theory, vulnerability and governmentality, to cross jurisdictional boundaries between law and medicine. The book reflects on the limits of progress that legislative reform may make, and the way that increased regulation can actually limit access to rights protections. Broadly transferrable beyond its specific field, this book will be useful to socio-legal scholars, feminist scholars, trans scholars, policy makers and practitioners. Dr Chris Dietz is a Lecturer at the Centre for Law & Social Justice at The University of Leeds.  Jane Richards is a doctoral student at the University of Hong Kong. You can find her on twitter where she follows all things related to human rights and Hong Kong politics @JaneRichardsHK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In the sixteenth century, Queen Elizabeth I tried to send several letters to her Chinese counterpart, the Wan Li Emperor. The letters tried to ask the Ming emperor to conduct trade relations with faraway England; none of the expeditions carrying the letters ever arrived. It's an inauspicious beginning to the four centuries of foreign relations between China and what eventually became Britain, covered by Kerry Brown in his latest book The Great Reversal: Britain, China and the 400-Year Contest for Power (Yale University Press: 2024) Kerry's book covers incidents like the MacCartney embassy, the East India Company, the Anglo-Chinese wars, the Communist takeover in 1949, and the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Kerry Brown is professor of Chinese studies and director of the Lau China Institute at King's College London. He is the author of over twenty books on modern Chinese politics, history, and society. You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of The Great Reversal. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at @nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/history

Self-Declaration in the Legal Recognition of Gender (Routledge, 2023) is a socio-legal study that offers a critique of what it means to self-declare with regard to legal gender. Based on empirical research conducted in Denmark, the book engages in some of the most controversial issues surrounding trans and gender diverse rights. The theoretical analysis draws upon legal consciousness, affect theory, vulnerability and governmentality, to cross jurisdictional boundaries between law and medicine. The book reflects on the limits of progress that legislative reform may make, and the way that increased regulation can actually limit access to rights protections. Broadly transferrable beyond its specific field, this book will be useful to socio-legal scholars, feminist scholars, trans scholars, policy makers and practitioners. Dr Chris Dietz is a Lecturer at the Centre for Law & Social Justice at The University of Leeds.  Jane Richards is a doctoral student at the University of Hong Kong. You can find her on twitter where she follows all things related to human rights and Hong Kong politics @JaneRichardsHK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/gender-studies

Andy sits down with Kanny Lee, CEO and co-founder of SecondSwap, to explore one of crypto's most under-discussed structural problems: liquidity for locked and vested tokens. With a background spanning two decades in Big Four forensic accounting and early institutional crypto OTC trading in Hong Kong, Kanny brings a rare blend of TradFi discipline and on-chain realism to the conversation. Why you should listen Kanny explains why crypto's evolution now demands proper secondary market infrastructure—something traditional finance has always relied on, but Web3 has largely ignored. SecondSwap is building a decentralized, on-chain marketplace that allows locked token positions to be traded without breaking vesting schedules, inflating supply, or undermining token integrity. By operating directly at the smart-contract layer, SecondSwap enables partial exits, discounted entry for new investors, and real liquidity where none previously existed. The discussion digs into "mid-life markets," token dump cycles, and the difference between superficial liquidity driven by short-term speculation versus sustainable liquidity built on conviction and patience. Kanny makes the case that healthy secondary markets could be a missing piece behind the stalled altcoin cycle—and that better liquidity design benefits founders, early investors, and new entrants alike. The conversation wraps with rapid-fire hot takes on Bitcoin maximalism, real-world assets, AI, privacy chains, and whether another alt season is still possible.  Supporting links Stabull Finance SecondSwap Andy on Twitter  Brave New Coin on Twitter Brave New Coin   If you enjoyed the show please subscribe to the Crypto Conversation and give us a 5-star rating and a positive review in whatever podcast app you are using.

Sean Calvert and Nigel Seeley break down Brisbane and Hong Kong tennis matchups. Winners To Start The Season - 00:00 ATP Brisbane Conditions - 04:02 Kamil Majchrzak vs Reilly Opelka - 05:35 Alex Michelsen vs Learner Tien - 10:44 Quentin Halys vs Brandon Nakashima - 15:45 Coleman Wong vs Gabriel Diallo - 19:28

Traditional therapy ends at the office door — but mental health crises don't keep business hours.When a suicidal executive couldn't wait another month between sessions, ChatGPT became his lifeline. Author Rajiv Kapoor shares how AI helped this man reconnect with his daughter, save his marriage, and drop from a 15/10 crisis level to manageable — all while his human therapist remained in the picture.This episode reveals how AI can augment therapy, protect your privacy while doing it, and why deepfakes might be more dangerous than nuclear weapons.You'll learn specific prompting techniques to make AI actually useful, the exact settings to protect your data, and why Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker's AI therapy ban might be dangerously backwards.Key Topics Covered:How a suicidal business executive used ChatGPT as a 24/7 therapy supplementThe "persona-based prompting" technique that makes AI conversations actually helpfulWhy traditional therapy's monthly gap creates dangerous vulnerability windowsPrivacy protection: exact ChatGPT settings to anonymize your mental health dataThe RTCA prompt structure (Role, Task, Context, Ask) for getting better AI responsesHow to create your personal "board of advisors" inside ChatGPT (Steve Jobs, Warren Buffett, etc.)Why deepfakes are potentially more dangerous than nuclear weaponsThe $25 million Hong Kong deepfake heist that fooled finance executives on ZoomChatGPT-5's PhD-level intelligence and what it means for everyday usersHow to protect elderly parents from AI voice cloning scamsNOTE: This episode was originally published September 16th, 2025Resources:Books: AI Made Simple (3rd Edition), Prompting Made Simple by Rajeev Kapur----GUEST WEBSITE:https://rajeev.ai/ ----TIMESTAMPS0:00 — The 2 AM mental health crisis therapy can't solve1:30 — How one executive went from suicidal to stable using ChatGPT5:15 — Why traditional therapy leaves dangerous gaps in care9:18 — Persona-based prompting: the technique that actually works13:47 — Privacy protection: exact ChatGPT settings you need to change18:53 — How to anonymize your mental health data before uploading24:12 — The RTCA prompt structure (Role, Task, Context, Ask)28:04 — Are humans even ethical enough to judge AI ethics?30:32 — Why deepfakes are more dangerous than nuclear weapons32:18 — The $25 million Hong Kong deepfake Zoom heist34:50 — Universal basic income and the 3-day work week future36:19 — Where to find Rajiv's books: AI Made Simple & Prompting Made Simple

Nick is joined by Mirror man David Yates to discuss the latest from around the racing world. First up today, ARC Commercial Director David Leyden Dunbar joins the show to tell us what we can expect from the new Friday Night Live series, set to be screened on ITV4 over 5 fixtures and beginning this weekend. Plus, Martin Dwyer on his boss and mentor Ian Balding, David Redvers on acquiring new stallion King of Change, ex-jockey-turned-Hong Kong based entrepreneur Joe Lodder on his monumental 3,000 km run from the Great Wall of China, and Tony Lacy - Keeneland Sales VP - on what's on offer next week. Nick and Dave also pose the question: is Nicky Henderson soft-launching Constitution Hill's likely appearance in the Champion Hurdle with his quotes in the Sun today?

2025 was a unique year for markets. Natalie Gill, Portfolio Strategist at the BlackRock Investment Institute, unpacks the three key lessons we see for 2026.General disclosure: This material is intended for information purposes only, and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation or an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any securities, funds or strategies to any person in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. The opinions expressed are as of the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the reader. Investing involves risks. BlackRock does and may seek to do business with companies covered in this podcast. As a result, readers should be aware that the firm may have a conflict of interest that could affect the objectivity of this podcast.In the U.S. and Canada, this material is intended for public distribution.In the UK and Non-European Economic Area (EEA) countries: this is Issued by BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: 12 Throgmorton Avenue, London, EC2N 2DL. Tel:+ 44 (0)20 7743 3000. Registered in England and Wales No. 02020394. For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded. Please refer to the Financial Conduct Authority website for a list of authorised activities conducted by BlackRock.In the European Economic Area (EEA): this is Issued by BlackRock (Netherlands) B.V. is authorised and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. Registered office Amstelplein 1, 1096 HA, Amsterdam, Tel: 020 – 549 5200, Tel: 31-20- 549-5200. Trade Register No. 17068311 For your protection telephone calls are usually recorded.For Investors in Switzerland: This document is marketing material.In South Africa: Please be advised that BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Limited is an authorised Financial Services provider with the South African Financial Services Board, FSP No. 43288.In Singapore, this is issued by BlackRock (Singapore) Limited (Co. registration no. 200010143N). This advertisement or publication has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. In Hong Kong, this material is issued by BlackRock Asset Management North Asia Limited and has not been reviewed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. In Australia, issued by BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited ABN 13 006 165 975, AFSL 230 523 (BIMAL). This material provides general information only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation, needs or circumstances. Before making any investment decision, you should assess whether the material is appropriate for you and obtain financial advice tailored to you having regard to your individual objectives, financial situation, needs and circumstances. Refer to BIMAL's Financial Services Guide on its website for more information. This material is not a financial product recommendation or an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any financial product in any jurisdictionIn Latin America: this material is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice nor an offer or solicitation to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any shares of any Fund (nor shall any such shares be offered or sold to any person) in any jurisdiction in which an offer, solicitation, purchase or sale would be unlawful under the securities law of that jurisdiction. If any funds are mentioned or inferred to in this material, it is possible that some or all of the funds may not have been registered with the securities regulator of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Uruguay or any other securities regulator in any Latin American country and thus might not be publicly offered within any such country. The securities regulators of such countries have not confirmed the accuracy of any information contained herein. The provision of investment management and investment advisory services is a regulated activity in Mexico thus is subject to strict rules. For more information on the Investment Advisory Services offered by BlackRock Mexico please refer to the Investment Services Guide available at www.blackrock.com/mx©2026 BlackRock, Inc. All Rights Reserved. BLACKROCK is a registered trademark of BlackRock, Inc. All other trademarks are those of their respective owners.BII0126-5094604

Was the use of violence on January 6th Capitol attacks legitimate? Is the use of violence morally justified by members of Extinction Rebellion or Just Stop Oil campaigners? Justifying Violent Protest: Law and Morality in Democratic States (Routledge, 2023) addresses these issues head on, to make a radical, but compelling argument in favour of the legitimate use of violence in protest in liberal democracies. Grounded in theories of constitutional morality, the book makes the case that when states make illogical or unjust laws, citizens have morally justifiable reasons to disobey. Violence can act as moral dialogue - both expressively and directly - to denounce unjust laws, particularly in cases where civil disobedience does not go far enough. This book considers recent protest movements, of which the use of violent protest has been central to citizens demands. It examines the activism of the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests, Extinction Rebellion, Black Lives Matter movement, and other contemporary international movements.  This book could not be more timely. In a world where citizens' rights to protest are being increasingly curtailed, and climate destruction is becoming an increasing matter of urgency, Greenwood-Reeves addresses the legitimacy of violent protest and ultimate importance in upholding liberal democracy.  Dr James Greenwood-Reeves is a Lecturer in Law at The University of Leeds. One of his current projects @lawsadrag Jane Richards is a doctoral student at the University of Hong Kong. You can find her on twitter where she follows all things related to human rights and Hong Kong politics @JaneRichardsHK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Was the use of violence on January 6th Capitol attacks legitimate? Is the use of violence morally justified by members of Extinction Rebellion or Just Stop Oil campaigners? Justifying Violent Protest: Law and Morality in Democratic States (Routledge, 2023) addresses these issues head on, to make a radical, but compelling argument in favour of the legitimate use of violence in protest in liberal democracies. Grounded in theories of constitutional morality, the book makes the case that when states make illogical or unjust laws, citizens have morally justifiable reasons to disobey. Violence can act as moral dialogue - both expressively and directly - to denounce unjust laws, particularly in cases where civil disobedience does not go far enough. This book considers recent protest movements, of which the use of violent protest has been central to citizens demands. It examines the activism of the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests, Extinction Rebellion, Black Lives Matter movement, and other contemporary international movements.  This book could not be more timely. In a world where citizens' rights to protest are being increasingly curtailed, and climate destruction is becoming an increasing matter of urgency, Greenwood-Reeves addresses the legitimacy of violent protest and ultimate importance in upholding liberal democracy.  Dr James Greenwood-Reeves is a Lecturer in Law at The University of Leeds. One of his current projects @lawsadrag Jane Richards is a doctoral student at the University of Hong Kong. You can find her on twitter where she follows all things related to human rights and Hong Kong politics @JaneRichardsHK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

El exjugador internacional con la selección española atiende a la Cadena SER para contar cómo vive la nueva experiencia en Hong Kong a sus treinta y cinco años. Además, valora la situación actual de los dos clubes españoles en los que ha jugado, la Real Sociedad y el Real Madrid. 

El recibimiento del Bernabéu a Vinicius Júnior marca las dudas en el Real Madrid antes de la vuelta del parón navideño y en plenas negociaciones para la renovación del brasileño. Además, Marruecos da por hecho que organizará el Mundial de Clubes 2029. También hablamos con Alfonso Pedraza tras el gol que ha premiado su brillante actuación en el Elche-Villarreal y con Asier Illarramendi sobre su nueva aventura en el fútbol de Hong Kong.

El recibimiento del Bernabéu a Vinicius Júnior marca las dudas en el Real Madrid antes de la vuelta del parón navideño y en plenas negociaciones para la renovación del brasileño. Además, Marruecos da por hecho que organizará el Mundial de Clubes 2029. También hablamos con Alfonso Pedraza tras el gol que ha premiado su brillante actuación en el Elche-Villarreal y con Asier Illarramendi sobre su nueva aventura en el fútbol de Hong Kong.

El exjugador internacional con la selección española atiende a la Cadena SER para contar cómo vive la nueva experiencia en Hong Kong a sus treinta y cinco años. Además, valora la situación actual de los dos clubes españoles en los que ha jugado, la Real Sociedad y el Real Madrid. 

Nigel Seeley and Sean Calvert discuss ATP tournaments in Brisbane and Hong Kong. Plus, thoughts on the men's tennis betting landscape as the season launches. 2026 Season Starts Now - 00:00 Season Futures & Players To Watch In 2026 - 03:00 ATP Brisbane Key Trends - 07:10 ATP Brisbane Previous Winners - 09:20 ATP Brisbane Draw Breakdown - 11:02 ATP Brisbane Winner Market - 12:48 Raphael Collignon Vs Denis Shapovalov - 20:00 Daniil Medvedev Vs Marton Fucsovics - 24:12 ATP Hong Kong Preview - 28:25 ATP Hong Kong Draw Breakdown - 30:48 ATP Hong Kong Winner Market - 31:42 Marin Cilic Vs Adrian Mannarino - 36:08 Alexandre Muller Vs Miomir Kecmanovic - 39:45

FAMINE AND FLIGHT TO FREEDOM Colleague Mark Clifford, The Troublemaker. Jimmy Lai was born into a wealthy family that lost everything to the Communist revolution, forcing his father to flee to Hong Kong while his mother endured labor camps. Left behind, Lai survived as a child laborer during a devastating famine where he was perpetually hungry. A chance encounter with a traveler who gave him a chocolate bar inspired him to escape to Hong Kong, the "land of chocolate," stowing away on a boat at age twelve. NUMBER 9 1920 WAYMO

SHOW 12-2-2026 THE SHOW BEGIJS WITH DOUBTS ABOUT AI --  a useful invetion that can match the excitement of the first decades of Photography. November 1955 NADAR'S BALLOON AND THE BIRTH OF PHOTOGRAPHY Colleague Anika Burgess, Flashes of Brilliance. In 1863, the photographer Nadar undertook a perilous ascent in a giant balloon to fund experiments for heavier-than-air flight, illustrating the adventurous spirit required of early photographers. This era began with Daguerre's 1839 introduction of the daguerreotype, a process involving highly dangerous chemicals like mercury and iodine to create unique, mirror-like images on copper plates. Pioneers risked their lives using explosive materials to capture reality with unprecedented clarity and permanence. NUMBER 1 PHOTOGRAPHING THE MOON AND SEA Colleague Anika Burgess, Flashes of Brilliance. Early photography expanded scientific understanding, allowing humanity to visualize the inaccessible. James Nasmyth produced realistic images of the moon by photographing plaster models based on telescope observations, aiming to prove its volcanic nature. Simultaneously, Louis Boutan spent a decade perfecting underwater photography, capturing divers in hard-hat helmets. These efforts demonstrated that photography could be a tool for scientific analysis and discovery, revealing details of the natural world previously hidden from the human eye. NUMBER 2 SOCIAL JUSTICE AND NATURE CONSERVATION Colleague Anika Burgess, Flashes of Brilliance. Photography became a powerful agent for social and environmental change. Jacob Riis utilized dangerous flash powder to document the squalid conditions of Manhattan tenements, exposing poverty to the public in How the Other Half Lives. While his methods raised consent issues, they illuminated grim realities. Conversely, Carleton Watkins hauled massive equipment into the wilderness to photograph Yosemite; his majestic images influenced legislation signed by Lincoln to protect the land, proving photography's political impact. NUMBER 3 X-RAYS, SURVEILLANCE, AND MOTION Colleague Anika Burgess, Flashes of Brilliance. The discovery of X-rays in 1895 sparked a "new photography" craze, though the radiation caused severe injuries to early practitioners and subjects. Photography also entered the realm of surveillance; British authorities used hidden cameras to photograph suffragettes, while doctors documented asylum patients without consent. Finally, Eadweard Muybridge's experiments captured horses in motion, settling debates about locomotion and laying the technical groundwork for the future development of motion pictures. NUMBER 4 THE AWAKENING OF CHINA'S ECONOMY Colleague Anne Stevenson-Yang, Wild Ride. Returning to China in 1994, the author witnessed a transformation from the destitute, Maoist uniformity of 1985 to a budding export economy. In the earlier era, workers slept on desks and lacked basic goods, but Deng Xiaoping's realization that the state needed hard currency prompted reforms. Deng established Special Economic Zones like Shenzhen to generate foreign capital while attempting to isolate the population from foreign influence, marking the start of China's export boom. NUMBER 5 RED CAPITALISTS AND SMUGGLERS Colleague Anne Stevenson-Yang, Wild Ride. Following the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, China reopened to investment in 1992, giving rise to "red capitalists"—often the children of party officials who traded political access for equity. As the central government lost control over local corruption and smuggling rings, it launched "Golden Projects" to digitize and centralize authority over customs and taxes. To avert a banking collapse in 1998, the state created asset management companies to absorb bad loans, effectively rolling over massive debt. NUMBER 6 GHOST CITIES AND THE STIMULUS TRAP Colleague Anne Stevenson-Yang, Wild Ride. China's growth model shifted toward massive infrastructure spending, resulting in "ghost cities" and replica Western towns built to inflate GDP rather than house people. This "Potemkin culture" peaked during the 2008 Olympics, where facades were painted to impress foreigners. To counter the global financial crisis, Beijing flooded the economy with loans, fueling a real estate bubble that consumed more cement in three years than the US did in a century, creating unsustainable debt. NUMBER 7 STAGNATION UNDER SURVEILLANCE Colleague Anne Stevenson-Yang, Wild Ride. The severe lockdowns of the COVID-19 pandemic shattered consumer confidence, leaving citizens insecure and unwilling to spend, which stalled economic recovery. Local governments, cut off from credit and burdened by debt, struggle to provide basic services. Faced with economic stagnation, Xi Jinping has rejected market liberalization in favor of increased surveillance and control, prioritizing regime security over resolving the structural debt crisis or restoring the dynamism of previous decades. NUMBER 8 FAMINE AND FLIGHT TO FREEDOM Colleague Mark Clifford, The Troublemaker. Jimmy Lai was born into a wealthy family that lost everything to the Communist revolution, forcing his father to flee to Hong Kong while his mother endured labor camps. Left behind, Lai survived as a child laborer during a devastating famine where he was perpetually hungry. A chance encounter with a traveler who gave him a chocolate bar inspired him to escape to Hong Kong, the "land of chocolate," stowing away on a boat at age twelve. NUMBER 9 THE FACTORY GUY Colleague Mark Clifford, The Troublemaker. By 1975, Jimmy Lai had risen from a child laborer to a factory owner, purchasing a bankrupt garment facility using stock market profits. Despite being a primary school dropout who learned English from a dictionary, Lai succeeded through relentless work and charm. He capitalized on the boom in American retail sourcing, winning orders from Kmart by producing samples overnight and eventually building Comitex into a leading sweater manufacturer, embodying the Hong Kong dream. NUMBER 10 CONSCIENCE AND CONVERSION Colleague Mark Clifford, The Troublemaker. The 1989 Tiananmen Squaremassacre radicalized Lai, who transitioned from textiles to media, founding Next magazine and Apple Daily to champion democracy. Realizing the brutality of the Chinese Communist Party, he used his wealth to support the student movement and expose regime corruption. As the 1997 handover approached, Lai converted to Catholicism, influenced by his wife and pro-democracy peers, seeking spiritual protection and a moral anchor against the coming political storm. NUMBER 11 PRISON AND LAWFARE Colleague Mark Clifford, The Troublemaker. Following the 2020 National Security Law, authorities raided Apple Daily, froze its assets, and arrested Lai, forcing the newspaper to close. Despite having the means to flee, Lai chose to stay and face imprisonment as a testament to his principles. Now held in solitary confinement, he is subjected to "lawfare"—sham legal proceedings designed to silence him—while he spends his time sketching religious images, remaining a symbol of resistance against Beijing's tyranny. NUMBER 12 FOUNDING OPENAI Colleague Keach Hagey, The Optimist. In 2016, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, and Ilya Sutskever founded OpenAI as a nonprofit research lab to develop safe artificial general intelligence (AGI). Backed by investors like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel, the organization aimed to be a counterweight to Google's DeepMind, which was driven by profit. The team relied on massive computing power provided by GPUs—originally designed for video games—to train neural networks, recruiting top talent like Sutskever to lead their scientific efforts. NUMBER 13 THE ROOTS OF AMBITION Colleague Keach Hagey, The Optimist. Sam Altman grew up in St. Louis, the son of an idealistic developer and a driven dermatologist mother who instilled ambition and resilience in her children. Altmanattended the progressive John Burroughs School, where his intellect and charisma flourished, allowing him to connect with people on any topic. Though he was a tech enthusiast, his ability to charm others defined him early on, foreshadowing his future as a master persuader in Silicon Valley. NUMBER 14 SILICON VALLEY KINGMAKER Colleague Keach Hagey, The Optimist. At Stanford, Altman co-founded Loopt, a location-sharing app that won him a meeting with Steve Jobs and a spot in the App Store launch. While Loopt was not a commercial success, the experience taught Altman that his true talent lay in investing and spotting future trends rather than coding. He eventually succeeded Paul Graham as president of Y Combinator, becoming a powerful figure in Silicon Valley who could convince skeptics like Peter Thiel to back his visions. NUMBER 15 THE BLIP AND THE FUTURE Colleague Keach Hagey, The Optimist. The viral success of ChatGPT shifted OpenAI's focus from safety to commercialization, despite early internal warnings about the existential risks of AGI. Tensions over safety and Altman's management style led to a "blip" where the nonprofit board fired him, only for him to be quickly reinstated due to employee loyalty. Elon Musk, having lost a power struggle for control of the organization, severed ties, leaving Altman to lead the race toward AGI. NUMBER 16

THE FACTORY GUY Colleague Mark Clifford, The Troublemaker. By 1975, Jimmy Lai had risen from a child laborer to a factory owner, purchasing a bankrupt garment facility using stock market profits. Despite being a primary school dropout who learned English from a dictionary, Lai succeeded through relentless work and charm. He capitalized on the boom in American retail sourcing, winning orders from Kmart by producing samples overnight and eventually building Comitex into a leading sweater manufacturer, embodying the Hong Kong dream. NUMBER 10 1992 HK

PREVIEW APPLE DAILY COLLEAGUES IN LIMBO Colleague Mark Clifford. Clifford highlights the cruelty facing six Apple Daily colleagues who pled guilty yet remain unsentenced. Describing them as "hostages" to Jimmy Lai's trial, Clifford criticizes the Hong Kong government for denying them basic legal closure and subjecting them to indefinite uncertainty regarding their prison terms. 1930 HONG KONG

PREVIEW JIMMY LAI: THE TROUBLEMAKER VS. BEIJING Colleague Mark Clifford. Mark Clifford details the history of Jimmy Lai, a billionaire who risked his fortune to challenge the Chinese regime. Despite Beijing closing his stores in 1994, Lai funded Apple Daily and knowingly faced imprisonment to advocate for freedom, characterizing himself as a persistent "troublemaker." 1930 HONG KONG

Plus: BYD is set to dethrone Tesla as world's biggest EV maker despite slowed growth in 2025. And Baidu's AI chip unit plans Hong Kong listing. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In mid-December 2025, the FDA approved an at home devicethat aims to treat depression by sending electric current into a part of the brain (the prefrontal cortex) known to regulate mood. This has been available in the UK since 2019 but it is new to the US. The manufacturer has stated that over 55,000 patients have used the device across Europe, the UK, Switzerland, and Hong Kong. How does this work? Is there data to support this new therapy? In this episode, we will summarize three consecutive years of data (2023, 2024,2025) to answer that question. Listen in for details. 1.     Sci Amer: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/u-s-approves-first-device-to-treat-depression-with-brain-stimulation-at-home/2.     August 12, 2023: Burkhardt, Gerrit et al.Transcranial direct current stimulation as an additional treatment to selectiveserotonin reuptake inhibitors in adults with major depressive disorder inGermany (DepressionDC): a triple-blind, randomised, sham-controlled,multicentre trial The Lancet, Volume 402, Issue 10401, 545 – 5543.     October 21, 2024: Woodham, R.D., Selvaraj, S.,Lajmi, N. et al. Home-based transcranial direct current stimulation treatmentfor major depressive disorder: a fully remote phase 2 randomizedsham-controlled trial. Nat Med 31, 87–95 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-024-4.     December 15, 2025: Moshfeghinia R, Bordbar S,Roointanpour Y, Arab Bafrani M, Shalbafan M. Efficacy and safety of home-basedtranscranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on patients with depressivedisorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.Sci Rep. 2025 Dec 15;15(1):43850. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-28648-5. PMID:41398008; PMCID: PMC12705823.

Nick is joined today by Matt Chapman as news breaks of the death of Ian Balding, founder of a dynasty and trainer of Mill Reef. His friend Brough Scott pays a moving tribute in the moments after the news was announced. Also today, Philip Hobbs and Olly Murphy on their hopes for a productive January with a number of classy prospects, while Richard Kingscote reacts to the news of the extension of his Hong Kong contract. Plus, Andrew Cooper and Tom Ryall have weather and inspection news for the weekend cards at Sandown and Wincanton, and Nick and Matt react to the Betfred/TRP picture blackout and the news that campaigners are now training their sights on bookmaker advertising.

Ian Hoch drops the 2 O'clock News Bomb! Trump trades threats with Iranian officials on the internet.

On today's podcast:1) Zohran Mamdani unapologetically promised to lead New York City as a democratic socialist during a frigid inauguration ceremony on the steps of City Hall, a warning to those who believed he might moderate his positions after taking office. The nearly two-hour long event Thursday featured speeches by two of the US’s most liberal members of Congress, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders. New York Attorney General Letitia James, a frequent target of President Trump, also had a speaking role. The ceremony served as a not-so-subtle statement of resistance to White House policies from the nation’s largest city.2) The Trump administration stepped up a pressure campaign against Venezuela’s oil exports by sanctioning companies based in Hong Kong and mainland China, along with related oil tankers it accused of evading restrictions. The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control on Wednesday added four companies with links to Venezuela’s oil industry to its specially designated nationals and blocked persons list, while also sanctioning four vessels connected with those firms. The US already has a list of vessels and companies under sanction for their connections to Venezuela’s oil trade. But targeting Chinese firms doing business there is rare, and could be a signal to Beijing to steer clear of the stand-off between the Trump administration and the regime of Nicolás Maduro. China is Venezuela’s biggest customer for oil exports, which represent about 95% of Venezuela’s revenue.3) President Trump pledged in a late night social media post that the US will come to the rescue of Iranian protesters if they are attacked by Islamic Republic authorities. The post, around 3 a.m. Washington and late morning in Iran on Friday, comes after protests erupted this week in Tehran after the currency slumped to a record low, worsening an economic crisis in a country already wracked by sanctions. Demonstrations have since spread to other parts of the country, setting off clashes between civilians and security forces. Trump didn’t provide any specifics on what actions he would consider taking.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the sixteenth century, Queen Elizabeth I tried to send several letters to her Chinese counterpart, the Wan Li Emperor. The letters tried to ask the Ming emperor to conduct trade relations with faraway England; none of the expeditions carrying the letters ever arrived. It's an inauspicious beginning to the four centuries of foreign relations between China and what eventually became Britain, covered by Kerry Brown in his latest book The Great Reversal: Britain, China and the 400-Year Contest for Power (Yale University Press: 2024) Kerry's book covers incidents like the MacCartney embassy, the East India Company, the Anglo-Chinese wars, the Communist takeover in 1949, and the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Kerry Brown is professor of Chinese studies and director of the Lau China Institute at King's College London. He is the author of over twenty books on modern Chinese politics, history, and society. You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of The Great Reversal. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at @nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

In the sixteenth century, Queen Elizabeth I tried to send several letters to her Chinese counterpart, the Wan Li Emperor. The letters tried to ask the Ming emperor to conduct trade relations with faraway England; none of the expeditions carrying the letters ever arrived. It's an inauspicious beginning to the four centuries of foreign relations between China and what eventually became Britain, covered by Kerry Brown in his latest book The Great Reversal: Britain, China and the 400-Year Contest for Power (Yale University Press: 2024) Kerry's book covers incidents like the MacCartney embassy, the East India Company, the Anglo-Chinese wars, the Communist takeover in 1949, and the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Kerry Brown is professor of Chinese studies and director of the Lau China Institute at King's College London. He is the author of over twenty books on modern Chinese politics, history, and society. You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of The Great Reversal. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at @nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/east-asian-studies

Gm! We're back with Carlos for another weekly roundup. This week we discuss recent SOL ETF inflows, payment for order flow on Solana, why JitoSOL is losing market share, our 2026 predictions & more. Enjoy! -- Follow Carlos: https://x.com/0xcarlosg Follow Danny: https://x.com/defi_kay_ Follow Lightspeed: ⁠https://twitter.com/Lightspeedpodhq⁠ Join the Lightspeed Telegram: ⁠https://t.me/+QUl_ZOj2nMJlZTEx⁠ -- PFOF on Solana: https://x.com/bqbrady/status/2005661528096436394 -- peaq, the Machine Economy Computer, proudly sponsors the Lightspeed podcast. peaq is home to 60+ apps across 20+ industries and millions of devices, machines, and onchain robots. It powers the world's first tokenized robo-farm, launching soon in Hong Kong, and has launched the Machine Economy Free Zone in Dubai as a Web3 x Robotics x AI innovation hub. For more about peaq, check out www.peaq.xyz -- Sablier is the leading onchain token distribution protocol — now on Solana. Trusted by top crypto teams, Sablier automates airdrops and vesting onchain, securely and transparently. Start in seconds at sablier.com. -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: ⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/⁠ -- (00:00) Introduction (01:01) Solana ETF Flows (09:32) Peaq Ad (09:58) Sablier Ad (10:27) Payment For Order Flow On Solana (19:20) Axiom's Revenue Model (30:38) Predictions In 2026 (47:31) Peaq Ad (47:57) Sablier Ad (48:25) Why Is JitoSOL Losing Market Share? -- Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation. Nothing said on Lightspeed is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Danny, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

In the sixteenth century, Queen Elizabeth I tried to send several letters to her Chinese counterpart, the Wan Li Emperor. The letters tried to ask the Ming emperor to conduct trade relations with faraway England; none of the expeditions carrying the letters ever arrived. It's an inauspicious beginning to the four centuries of foreign relations between China and what eventually became Britain, covered by Kerry Brown in his latest book The Great Reversal: Britain, China and the 400-Year Contest for Power (Yale University Press: 2024) Kerry's book covers incidents like the MacCartney embassy, the East India Company, the Anglo-Chinese wars, the Communist takeover in 1949, and the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Kerry Brown is professor of Chinese studies and director of the Lau China Institute at King's College London. He is the author of over twenty books on modern Chinese politics, history, and society. You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of The Great Reversal. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at @nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/world-affairs

Wishing everyone a happy New Year, Josh and Andrew purify 2026 with fellow contributor/podcast editor/synopsis writer/ZekeFilm writer Ethan Tarantella's pick, Luca Guadagnino's remake of Suspiria! Prepare to have your head explode with an extended discussion ranging from the remake's unrelenting arthouse madness, sociopolitical talk about 70s Berlin, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, witchcraft and dance, fascism, queer theory, acclaimed actor Lutz Ebersdorf, the way Dakota Johnson says “Ohio”, and much, much more. Give your soul to a movie so powerful, overwhelming, and crammed with ideas no wonder it's one of this writer's favorite movies.Complimenting this episode includes Ethan giving an impromptu Guadagnino ranking (can you guess where After the Hunt is?) and the trio having One More Thing, recommending Kinji Fukasaku's Black Lizard, Hong Kong gangster film Exiled, along with recent shows The Chair Company, Women Wearing Shoulder Pads, and Haha, You Clowns.Next week, friends of the Take-Up join Josh to discuss the best of 2025! Until then, read on at thetake-up.com and follow us @thetakeupstl on Instagram, Twitter, Letterboxd, and Facebook. Special thanks to Social Media Manager Kayla McCulloch and Contributor Ethan Tarantella. Theme music by AMP.

Lawmakers of Hong Kong's eighth-term Legislative Council have begun a four-year term after taking an oath at a ceremony administered by Chief Executive John Lee.

In the sixteenth century, Queen Elizabeth I tried to send several letters to her Chinese counterpart, the Wan Li Emperor. The letters tried to ask the Ming emperor to conduct trade relations with faraway England; none of the expeditions carrying the letters ever arrived. It's an inauspicious beginning to the four centuries of foreign relations between China and what eventually became Britain, covered by Kerry Brown in his latest book The Great Reversal: Britain, China and the 400-Year Contest for Power (Yale University Press: 2024) Kerry's book covers incidents like the MacCartney embassy, the East India Company, the Anglo-Chinese wars, the Communist takeover in 1949, and the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Kerry Brown is professor of Chinese studies and director of the Lau China Institute at King's College London. He is the author of over twenty books on modern Chinese politics, history, and society. You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of The Great Reversal. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at @nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the sixteenth century, Queen Elizabeth I tried to send several letters to her Chinese counterpart, the Wan Li Emperor. The letters tried to ask the Ming emperor to conduct trade relations with faraway England; none of the expeditions carrying the letters ever arrived. It's an inauspicious beginning to the four centuries of foreign relations between China and what eventually became Britain, covered by Kerry Brown in his latest book The Great Reversal: Britain, China and the 400-Year Contest for Power (Yale University Press: 2024) Kerry's book covers incidents like the MacCartney embassy, the East India Company, the Anglo-Chinese wars, the Communist takeover in 1949, and the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. Kerry Brown is professor of Chinese studies and director of the Lau China Institute at King's College London. He is the author of over twenty books on modern Chinese politics, history, and society. You can find more reviews, excerpts, interviews, and essays at The Asian Review of Books, including its review of The Great Reversal. Follow on Twitter at @BookReviewsAsia. Nicholas Gordon is an editor for a global magazine, and a reviewer for the Asian Review of Books. He can be found on Twitter at @nickrigordon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/chinese-studies

The Transformation Ground Control podcast covers a number of topics important to digital and business transformation. This episode covers the following topics and interviews:   The Widening IT Talent Gap, Q&A (Darian Chwialkowski, Third Stage Consulting) How Executives Are Regaining Control of Their ERP Projects (Stuart Robb, Third Stage Consulting) Why Kingfisher Said No to SAP S/4HANA   We also cover a number of other relevant topics related to digital and business transformation throughout the show.  

Welcome back to Bri Books, the podcast (and corner of the internet) where we educate, entertain, and feel our way through ideas both on and off the page. As we head toward the end of 2025 and look ahead to 2026, I'm sharing my best-of beauty and skincare favorites — the products I've loved all year and continue to reach for during the colder months. These are my true winter staples: products that prioritize hydration, warmth, glow, and comfort when the weather (and life) feels a little harsher. If you're new to the show, leave a review of Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, and listen to Bri Books on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Please tell me where you're traveling to by using #bribooks on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books newsletter at bribookspod.com/newsletter.  So cozy up with your tea, light a candle, swipe on your favorite lip gloss, and let's begin. Bri Books' Winter Beauty Philosophy I always think about winter beauty through memory. Last December, I was sipping hot cider by my Brooklyn window, watching snow fall, listening to my radiator hiss, and feeling my skin crack, peel, and protest. Late winter dryness hits me every year, so I've learned to curate intentionally. Here's how I nurture my skin and my beauty in the winter and beyond. 1. Dyson Corrale Flat Iron — $499–$539 I've used the Dyson Corrale for over five years, and it remains unmatched. Its flexing plates reduce heat damage and tugging, which is especially important when winter hair is already dry and fragile. Yes, it's an investment — but if you want salon-quality results at home, it's worth it. 2. Kérastase Nutritive Range — $40–$85 per product at Sephora For deep nourishment, the Kérastase Nutritive line is my winter hero. I use the shampoo weekly, followed by either the conditioner or the Riche mask. I always finish with the Nectar Thermique heat protectant and the split ends serum. When my scalp is dry, I add the hydrating scalp serum. If you're heat-styling more, always pair it with a mask. Winter hair loves moisture. 3. Elemis Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm — $42 at Sephora This cult favorite transforms from balm to oil to milk and melts away makeup and SPF without stripping the skin. It feels incredibly luxe — and in winter, hydration should feel indulgent. 4. Sephora Collection Overnight Hydrating Dose Mask — $10 each 2025 had me on more planes than ever — Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Mexico. Sephora's sheet masks became my travel and weekend staples. They're affordable, effective, and easy to keep in rotation when your skin feels parched. 5. Elasten Liquid Collagen — $99 on Amazon This is my only true "health" pick of the year. Collagen production declines with age, and liquid collagen supplements can help support skin elasticity and hydration — especially when paired with vitamin C. I take mine in the morning with tea. It's a small ritual with a big payoff. 6. LUSH Bath Bombs & Epsom Salts — $6–$13 per bath bomb Long soaks are my ultimate self-care reset. I love LUSH bath bombs for the sensory experience, paired with classic Epsom salts for muscle relief. There's nothing like a hot bath before diving into life admin — or after a long day. 7. Mandelic Acid + Vitamin C — $20–$100 depending on brand After years of experimenting, I've stabilized my routine with professional guidance. Mandelic acid gently exfoliates while vitamin C protects against dullness and boosts brightness — a winter glow essential. 8. SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic — $185 Still my gold-standard antioxidant serum. It protects against oxidative stress from dry air and gives the skin a true glow shield. 9. Byredo "Mixed Emotions" Eau de Parfum — $235 Fragrance sets the mood for me year-round, and Byredo has completely captured my heart. Mixed Emotions is warm, woodsy, softly sweet, and deeply comforting — like a winter hug. 10. La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 50 — $49 SPF is non-negotiable, even in winter. This lightweight, broad-spectrum sunscreen works beautifully under makeup and doesn't irritate my eyes or sensitive skin. 11. OPI Infinite Shine Holiday 2025 — $7–$15 Winter nails take a beating with constant handwashing and gloves. OPI Infinite Shine delivers gel-like durability without the commitment. I love deep reds, classics, and neutral shades all season long. These are my winter beauty favorites — the products that carried me through 2025 and will absolutely stay with me into 2026. Let me know what you've tried, what you're curious about, and what you want to explore next. I'm always here for cozy beauty conversations. If you're new to the show, leave a review of Bri Books on Apple Podcasts, and listen to Bri Books on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.Please tell me where you're traveling to by using #bribooks on Instagram and subscribe to the Bri Books newsletter at bribookspod.com/newsletter. 

Un monumento situado cerca de la entrada del Canal de Panamá que conmemoraba la histórica presencia china en ese país fue demolido por orden de una autoridad local, lo que provocó críticas de Pekín y una rápida reacción del presidente panameño, quien prometió su reconstrucción. Entrevista con el profesor de Relaciones Internacionales de la Universidad de Panamá, Euclides Tapia. El monumento, que celebraba más de 150 años de presencia china en Panamá, se encontraba a un centenar de metros de la entrada del Canal, frente al puente de las Américas, que conecta el norte y el sur del continente. "China deplora la demolición forzosa por parte de las autoridades locales competentes en Panamá de un monumento a las contribuciones chinas al Canal de Panamá", indicó el Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores de China en un comunicado publicado en X. Euclides Tapia, catedrático de Relaciones Internacionales de la Universidad de Panamá, critica la forma en que se llevó a cabo la demolición del monumento, pero considera que su ubicación es problemática, al igual que lo fueron en 2018 los planes chinos de construir una embajada en la entrada del Canal. "No se podía permitir la construcción de una instalación en las riberas del Canal de Panamá por parte de China, porque daba la impresión a los barcos, a los tripulantes y a los pasajeros que entraban al Canal de Panamá de que este había sido construido por los chinos. Ese argumento finalmente se impuso y, en su momento, obligó al gobierno del señor Juan Carlos Varela, presidente de la República de Panamá [entre 2014 y 2019], a desistir de las intenciones del gobierno chino de establecer su embajada allí". Amenazas al Tratado de Neutralidad  El gobierno de China sostiene que el monumento es un testimonio de la "tradicional amistad" entre ambos países. Cabe recordar que en Panamá, un país de 4,5 millones de habitantes, al menos 300.000 personas forman parte de la comunidad chino-panameña. Para el profesor Tapia, la demolición del monumento y la reacción oficial de Pekín revelan las crecientes tensiones geopolíticas en torno al Canal, lo que pone en riesgo el Tratado de Neutralidad del Canal, vigente desde 1979. "Ese tratado ha sido objeto hasta el momento de amenazas serias por parte del gobierno de Donald Trump, que ha reivindicado el control del Canal de Panamá con argumentos fatuos, como que el Canal está controlado por los chinos. Eso es una falsedad total. [Estados Unidos] amenaza incluso con usar la fuerza. Eso constituye, evidentemente, una franca violación de lo pactado entre Panamá y Estados Unidos en el Tratado de Neutralidad". En abril, el gobierno panameño concluyó un acuerdo con la administración Trump para el despliegue de tropas estadounidenses en los alrededores del Canal, aunque continúa negándose al establecimiento de bases militares. "Desgraciadamente, esa es otra violación flagrante del Tratado de Neutralidad que consintió Panamá. En el artículo 5.º del tratado se establece taxativamente que solo la República de Panamá manejará el Canal y mantendrá fuerzas, sitios de defensa e instalaciones militares — e insisto en la palabra ‘militares'— en la República de Panamá", concluye. La administración Trump también ha promovido la adquisición, por parte de la empresa estadounidense BlackRock, de los puertos situados en las inmediaciones del Canal, actualmente en manos de una compañía de Hong Kong. El acuerdo se encuentra estancado debido a la oposición de Pekín, que busca formar un conglomerado de distintas empresas, según informa The Wall Street Journal. Un nuevo episodio en la competencia geopolítica por el control del Canal.

Kelvin Chan, an AI researcher at Google, joins Jeremy Au to unpack his unconventional path from mathematics in Hong Kong to applied AI research across Singapore and the United States. They explore how AI research differs from traditional academic work, why iteration and results often matter more than theory, and how scale has transformed research culture from small experiments to highly collaborative, compute-heavy systems. The conversation covers the rapid evolution of image and video models including Google's Nano Banana model, the push toward world modeling and embodied AI, and how AI tools are reshaping daily productivity for engineers. Kelvin also reflects on choosing AI in 2018 before it was mainstream, and why he believes the long-term future lies in AI as a trusted partner that augments human work rather than replaces it. 03:18 Image processing redirected Kelvin away from finance: Hands-on work with visual data revealed a stronger pull toward applied problem solving than abstract financial paths. 06:00 AI research prioritizes iteration over proofs: Progress comes from training models, debugging failures, and refining results rather than deriving formal guarantees. 09:16 Nano Banana reflects Google's applied AI approach: Large-scale models are used to speed up coding, debugging, documentation, and internal productivity. 11:00 Results matter more than explanations in applied AI: Kelvin focuses on whether models work in practice, not on fully understanding internal neural mechanisms. 16:12 Scaling models reshaped research culture: Moving from millions to billions of parameters forced deeper collaboration and reduced solo experimentation. 20:05 World modeling targets physical understanding: Researchers aim to teach AI how gravity, motion, and real-world constraints actually behave. 26:25 Choosing AI before it was mainstream required risk: Kelvin's decision to pursue AI in 2018 became the most defining and courageous move of his career. Watch, listen or read the full insight at https://www.bravesea.com/blog/kelvin-chan-inside-google-ai WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VakR55X6BIElUEvkN02e TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremyau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremyauz Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeremyau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bravesea Spotify English: https://open.spotify.com/show/4TnqkaWpTT181lMA8xNu0T Bahasa Indonesia: https://open.spotify.com/show/2Vs8t6qPo0eFb4o6zOmiVZ Chinese: https://open.spotify.com/show/20AGbzHhzFDWyRTbHTVDJR Vietnamese: https://open.spotify.com/show/0yqd3Jj0I19NhN0h8lWrK1 YouTube  English: https://www.youtube.com/@JeremyAu?sub_confirmation=1 Apple Podcast  English: https://podcasts.apple.com/sg/podcast/brave-southeast-asia-tech-singapore-indonesia-vietnam/id1506890464 #GoogleAI #ArtificialIntelligence #AIResearch #FutureOfAI #TechCareers #MachineLearning #DeepLearning #AITrends #AIatScale #BRAVEpodcast

It's the end of 2025, so naturally we're settling scores. The gang kicks off revisiting what we somehow rated the highest this year and arguing whether those scores still hold up. From anime to TV, movies, and games, we run through our favorite 2025 recommendations—and a few picks that definitely say more about us than the media itself.We dive headfirst into a full spoiler discussion of the Plur1bus finale, breaking down what worked, what didn't, and whether the ending actually earned its big swings.Izzy gives his take on the live-action How to Train Your Dragon, wrestling with nostalgia, shot-for-shot faithfulness, and the uncomfortable realization that it might actually work.Mox checks in with Another World, spotlighting a lesser-talked-about animated film out of Hong Kong and why it stood out visually and thematically.Gibbs unloads by suffering through—and reporting back on—a pile of truly awful Christmas movies, because someone had to do it, and it definitely wasn't going to be Izzy.Finally, we close out 2025 by diving into a full review of Battle of the Sexes as part of the ongoing Emmaverse, unpacking its themes, performances, and whether it deserves its place in our ever-growing Emma Stone–adjacent cinematic journey.End-of-year chaos, Emmaverse commitments, strong opinions, questionable rankings, and absolutely no restraint. See you in 2026.Support us on Patreon!

Plus: Octopus Energy to spin off AI utility management platform Kraken Technologies. And three Chinese tech companies plan IPOs in Hong Kong. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr Melissa Giglio and Daisy Geddes have recently published Bravery Grow and an accompanying workbook The Bravery Grows Journal & Workbook: Building Bravery in Anxious Kids with Selective Mutism and Social Anxiety Dr Melissa Giglio is a clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders. She is the director of Central Health Partners Child Development Team in Hong Kong. She created an intensive group therapy program for selective mutism "Confident Crew"'. Her coauthor, Daisy Geddes is an associate Psychologist and assoicate director of the Selective Mutism Program at CHP. In this interview I talked with Dr Giglio about the book she coauthored with Daisy Geddes. In any anxiety disorder, psychoeducation about the condition is a critical first step. Bravery Grows captures the experience of a child with selective mutism in a way that will appeal to children and their caregivers. It can be a puzzling condition for both the child and caregivers and this book will provide much needed clarification.  For more information https://bravemightyminds.com/

Charles de Boissezon is past CEO of Geneva headquartered Hinduja Bank, a Private Bank, and brings with him more than 40 years of International banking experience in London, Hong Kong, New York, Geneva, Chile, and Jersey. Charles is both French and British. He grew up in Vietnam and Hong Kong and spent his formative years in Geneva attending the College de Leman School. He then left for the USA to earn his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Boston University, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Gm! We're back with Teddy and Ian at Kairos Research for a discussion on what to expect heading into 2026. We deep dive into the behind the scenes of running a validator, Solana's inflation dynamics, the perps opportunity, are token buybacks actually positive & more. Enjoy! -- Follow Ian: https://x.com/Ian_Unsworth Follow Teddy: https://x.com/Teddy_oost Follow Danny: https://x.com/defi_kay_ Follow Lightspeed: ⁠https://twitter.com/Lightspeedpodhq⁠ Join the Lightspeed Telegram: ⁠https://t.me/+QUl_ZOj2nMJlZTEx⁠ -- peaq, the Machine Economy Computer, proudly sponsors the Lightspeed podcast. peaq is home to 60+ apps across 20+ industries and millions of devices, machines, and onchain robots. It powers the world's first tokenized robo-farm, launching soon in Hong Kong, and has launched the Machine Economy Free Zone in Dubai as a Web3 x Robotics x AI innovation hub. For more about peaq, check out www.peaq.xyz -- Sablier is the leading onchain token distribution protocol — now on Solana. Trusted by top crypto teams, Sablier automates airdrops and vesting onchain, securely and transparently. Start in seconds at sablier.com. -- Get top market insights and the latest in crypto news. Subscribe to Blockworks Daily Newsletter: ⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/⁠ -- (00:00) Introduction (02:15) Running A Validator (14:18) Peaq Ad (14:44) Sablier Ad (15:12) Solana's Inflation Rate (21:35) Crypto In 2026 (28:23) The Path Forward For Pump Fun (35:59) Lighter vs Hyperliquid (45:26) Token Buybacks (52:32) Peaq Ad (52:58) Sablier Ad (53:27) The Hyperliquid Stablecoin Strategy (57:26) Solana Perps In 2026 -- Disclaimers: Lightspeed was kickstarted by a grant from the Solana Foundation. Nothing said on Lightspeed is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Danny, and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.

After looking back at the most (and least) popular episodes from the past year or so, I share the story of almost dying when I lost my brakes (with five South African friends in tow) going down a 14,700 ft. mountain pass in Tibet. Then, we run through a few China stories that have been sitting on the backburner for awhile, followed by the final Pray for China of the year (Dec 29-Jan 4). Check out all the links/details below! Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast network (Christian Podcast Community)! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) where I share a new Chinese city or county to pray for every day. Send any questions or comments to chinacompass@privacyport.com. Everything else can be easily found at PrayGiveGo.us! Also, I’m now on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/chinacompass), which not only allows for donations, but also lets me sort podcast episodes into various collections, making it easier to find all the episodes on a certain topic or region, like Tibet, North Korea, or Hong Kong. Check out this past week’s bonus Christmas episode with my wife and daughter… Speaking of old episodes, I want to do a sort of Year-End Round Up of the episodes which received the most downloads (and which ones were listened to the least). And since I didn’t do this at the end of last year, I’ll also give the top and bottom three from 2024 (my first year): Top 3 Episodes from 2025: Dec 5: Doug Wilson Joins China Compass (2286) Sept 13: Charlie Kirk: “America Must Shape Up, or China Wins” (1745) Virtual Tie- Apr 20: Easter in a Chinese Church │"Ignorant Hillbilly" Vance Insults China's Peasants (1551) Virtual Tie- Aug 30: Are All Chinese Students Commies and Spies? (Deace Says Yea, I Say Nay) (1548) Bottom 3 Episodes from 2025: Jan 1: More Prostitutes or Pastors in China? / Near Death on New Year's (Prison Pulpit)(967) Feb 7: In the Face of a Secret Trial, What Will I Do? (Prison Pulpit)(952) July 24: Syrian Pastor/Family Massacred (They Shot Patients In Bed) (Prison Pulpit) (903) Top 3 Episodes from 2024: Aug 24: Tim Walz: China Asset? + Black Dragon River & Double Duck Mountain (1864) Aug 17: From Chinese Reality TV to NSA, Chatting with Brent in Moscow (ID) (1743) Sep 14: Millions of Unadoptable Babies + China's 3 Forbidden "Ts" (& Martyrs of Tianjin) (1680) Bottom 3 Episodes from 2024: 11-21: Wang Yi on God's Use of China's "Unrighteous Politics" (Prison Pulpit #5) (1077) 11-15: Wang Yi on God Raising Up and Deposing Dictators (Prison Pulpit #4) (1006) 12-5: Wang Yi's Pre-Arrest Family Newsletter (Prison Pulpit #7) (1005) Bonus: Top 3 States (TX, CA, VA + WA) & Nations (CA, UK, AU) (+ Bottom States (WY, RI, DE) (Obscure stats: Fiji, Vanuatu, Georgia, 100+ total, 16 in Africa, China=WY, Romania vs Bulgaria) 15 Years Ago This Week (Dec 29): Runaway Van in Tibet @ 14,000 Feet https://chinacall.substack.com/p/runaway-van-14700-feet Now Available on Amazon (+ free PDF): The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com) Borden’s Missed Opportunity? Borden had a very fruitful ministry both at Yale and Princeton during his tenure as a student, and it strikes me that student ministry in China may have been a better use of his talents than what had been planned for him among the unreached Muslims of NW China. But hindsight is 20/20, and Borden never made it back to China at all (besides his first tour as a teenager). Campus ministry in China has been very fruitful for the past 40+ years, but has become much more difficult recently. Here’s a new article from within China that explains the current situation: Chinese Campus Ministry Troubles https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2025/12/changchun-reaching-campus/ No Tibetan in Chinese Schools https://www.rfa.org/english/tibet/2025/01/02/tibet-china-enforces-restrictions-students/ Chinese Refugee Church Planters? https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2024/12/immigrant-church-in-southeast-asia/ Is China Still a Developing Country? https://www.voanews.com/a/is-china-still-a-developing-country/7244652.html Taiwan Survives Another New Year Celebration https://asiatimes.com/2025/01/note-from-taiwan-the-players-on-the-eve-of-destruction/ Finally, let's take a look at this coming week's Pray for China (PrayforChina.us) cities… Dec 29-Jan 4: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-dec-29-jan-4-2025 Thank you for listening! Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Don’t forget to follow me on X (@chinaadventures) and email chinacompass@privacyport.com with any questions or comments. Also, I've finally set up Patreon, but my favorite thing isn't the (potential) support, but the ability to create Collections of podcasts by topic, location, etc… There’s also a Paypal link at PrayforChina.us if you’d like to give to our China ministry. Last but not least, for (almost) everything else we’re doing visit PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, vs 2: the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, therefore ask the Lord for more. Talk again soon!

 This week, a special show for the festive season on art with a message. First, the king of the blockbuster, James Cameron on his new film and the horror of nuclear war. Then, a conversation about "Kyoto," a hit play on both sides of the pond, finding humor and hope in climate negotiations. Also, a punk take on feminism with artist, Linda and the Spanish master, Pedro Almodovar on delivering beauty and vibrancy in even our toughest moments. Plus how we use art to understand each other as Hong Kong staged an opera about Trump, and from the archive: a New York Opera about Nixon in China, and finally unveiling a mural with special meaning at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices