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S&P futures are trending higher following a strong Asia session. Japan pared earlier losses to close in the green. South Korea posted solid gains with the KOSDAQ up +6%. Mainland China gained momentum late in the session on policy support rumors, but Hong Kong underperformed. European markets are also broadly higher this morning.
Red, White & Blues FC | Mudryk Is Back, Infantino Tried to Sell the World CupChelsea have been made whole again. Also, the president of FIFA attempted a legal bribe in broad daylight and it blew up in his face.Big things happening, big people back, old people here, and Infantino is an asshole — that's the episode in one line. Mykhailo Mudryk is finally cleared and back at Chelsea after twenty months away, which sends Daniel into a full state of rapture and Jason into a state of mild concern about it. Then we get into a preseason loss to ten-man Tottenham that neither of us can confirm actually happened, two deals that went official today, and the small matter of FIFA nearly spinning the World Cup off into a private equity vehicle. There's no transfer deep-dive here — that's Thursday, and we've got an announcement about Thursday at the end.Welcome Back, KingMudryk is back for two more years and Daniel is not being ironic about how happy he is — well, mostly not. The man everybody puts their hopes and dreams into, who constantly disappoints us, and whom we love anyway, butterfly tattoos and all. The infuriating part is the timing: the rules changed after he got popped, and if the same result came in today no charge would have been brought at all. He lost twenty months of his career to a process that dragged. So, some house rules going forward — don't leave your drinks unattended, don't take supplements, fire the virtual doctor, become a vegan, get it straight from the source. The training photo of Mudryk and Estêvão together in Hong Kong is Daniel's new favorite Chelsea picture ever, and on the strength of it alone he has decided we're winning the league. Peak Eden Hazard season. Then the Strasbourg loan rumor surfaced and the joy curdled instantly: send Gittens for the reps, Mudryk doesn't need them. Over/under on a red card in his first match remains open.A Loss to Ten-Man Tottenham That May or May Not Have OccurredNeither of us watched it, so neither of us can confirm nor deny. Let Tottenham have it — it's preseason, and God knows they need something. Estêvão scored, other people spent the afternoon trying to take our players out, and the only thing that actually matters is that we came out of Australia without injuries. The pitches on this tour have been rubbish, no Ed Sheeran required this time. Lavia played and did not get hurt, which we're treating as a minor miracle, and Jason would like Estêvão laying healing hands on the entire locker room for the full season. Wednesday's Juventus match is at Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong, and Daniel's faith in a decent surface rests entirely on the theory that the hosts won't want to look bad — unlike whatever repurposed rugby pitch we were playing on in Australia.The Bushwhackers Are Officially Chelsea PlayersDanny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson have both been formally announced, which prompts several minutes of the two of us doing the Bushwhackers arm-swing at each other. Careful, lads, you'll sprain something. The mental image we can't shake is Welbeck and Henderson coming off the bench while Estêvão and Mudryk heckle them from the sideline — Henderson, don't use your arms to break your fall, your bones are brittle. He's going to concede a handball and break his arm doing it. Elsewhere: Geovany Quenda is with the squad now and we're hoping to see his Chelsea debut, two deals went official today with Trevoh Chalobah joining Como and Valentín Barco finally being confirmed as a Chelsea player — a signing we're fairly sure was announced two months ago, and one that even Rory apparently missed, given he quote-tweeted his own World Cup post about what a little shit Barco was to Bellingham to ask whether the guy is a Chelsea player now. One of the foremost Chelsea pundits in the world, everybody.Infantino Tried to Sell Shares in the World CupThe main event. FIFA's plan was to spin the commercial side into a standalone company — FIFA Forward Enterprises, valued around $20 billion — sell shares to private equity, and distribute the proceeds to member federations, with FIFA itself staying a nonprofit handling the sport. Call it what it is: a legal bribe. Infantino's pitch was effectively “vote no and you get $2.7 billion, vote yes and you get ten,” plus a rumor he'd personally clear about $30 million if it went through. The man ran on transparency and, to be fair, he's being extremely transparent about the bribery. What's new isn't the corruption — we know FIFA, we remember Blatter and the brown envelopes and how Qatar got a World Cup, and we get into how confederations quietly print money reselling allocated tickets at multiples of face value. What's new is the brazenness. CONCACAF and UEFA came out against it, UEFA threatened an outright boycott without mincing words, the plan leaked before it could even be pitched, and by the time we're recording Infantino has scrapped it. Now the question is whether he survives it. He's currently running unopposed ahead of the March 2027 election, and if UEFA and CONCACAF can agree on a single challenger, the math gets very interesting. This is the Super League all over again: fans will tolerate a lot, but not a small group openly centralizing the money and taking the whole pie.What We're Actually Looking Forward ToWe close on the honest question, and both answers come back to the same man. Jason's is Xabi Alonso — the first time since Tuchel was fired that he's been excited to watch a coach cook. After Potter, after Lampard going through the motions, after Pochettino shitting the bed until the last six matches, after Maresca abandoning us for City, this is a manager who can command a locker room and has the résumé to back it. He'd rather have European football, but no Wednesdays and no Thursdays means a low-pressure season, and after four relentlessly negative years the prospect of just watching Chelsea play without the BlueCo drama is its own reward. Daniel's answer is simpler: he's excited to be excited. Quenda and Estêvão, Palmer, João Pedro, Mudryk back in the building, Xabi in charge. Still holes at goalkeeper and in defense, still no idea how a back four is going to work, still question marks about locker-room management. And when Daniel asks how long before it all comes crashing down, Jason gives him three months — because December is coming, and December always comes.One More ThingStarting this Thursday, the transfer episode goes live. 6:15pm-ish on YouTube and X, questions and opinions welcome in the chat. Bring your bell notifications. Tonight's episode is brought to you by the tilde, which means approximately. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit redwhitebluesfc.substack.com
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.
Isaac Stone Fish, author of America Second: How America's Elites Are Making China Stronger, investigates how American political, corporate, and cultural elites have become deeply entangled with the Chinese Communist Party(CCP) since the 1970s. He identifies Henry Kissinger as the most influential figure in this relationship, alleging that Kissinger's consulting model prioritized personal profit and CCP interests over American national security. The book also critiques the Bush and Clinton families for their roles in romancing Beijing and facilitating China's entry into the WTO. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the self-censorship of Hollywood, where studios now reflexively avoid critical portrayals of China to maintain market access. Stone Fish details how the CCP uses "psychological manipulation" to force apologies from executives like Michael Eisner and to silence stars like Richard Gere. This influence extends to sports, highlighted by LeBron James' criticism of Daryl Morey for supporting democracy in Hong Kong. Stone Fish argues that while trade was initially sold as a means to democratize China, it has instead empowered a more authoritarian regime under Xi Jinping. He warns that the CCP's success in using American "interlocutors" and "friends" has allowed it to pursue genocide in Xinjiang and aggressive "wolf warrior" diplomacy with minimal resistance from the West's most powerful institutions. He urges a new consensus to address the national security and ethical risks posed by these ties. (4)1935 Beijing
Mark Clifford, author of Today Hong Kong, Tomorrow the World: What China's Crackdown Reveals About Its Plans to End Freedom Everywhere, documents the collapse of freedom in Hong Kong, describing the CCP's strategy as an "anaconda in the chandelier" that exerts control through subtle intimidation and sudden, lethal strikes. He traces the city's struggle for democracy from the 2014 Umbrella Movement to the massive 2019 protests against a proposed extradition bill. Clifford highlights the role of Jimmy Lai, the courageous media mogul behind Apple Daily, who was eventually imprisoned for his commitment to nonviolent opposition. The book explores how Beijing systematically dismantled Hong Kong's "high degree of autonomy" by bypassing local laws and imposing a draconian National Security Law in 2020. Clifford argues that this was not just a local event but a demonstration of the CCP's broader plan to use economic weapons, surveillance technology, and co-opted elites to silence dissent globally. He notes that the CCP successfully used Hong Kong's legal and administrative systems as tools of repression rather than protection. Clifford concludes with a warning that the tactics used to crush Hong Kong are being exported worldwide. He cites instances of Chinese diplomats threatening foreign politicians and activists in the diaspora, emphasizing that eternal vigilance is the only defense against the CCP's expansionist authoritarianism. The death of liberty in Hong Kong, he argues, serves as a chilling preview of the CCP's vision for the rest of the world. (7)1930s
Jim Hill and guest co-host Drew Taylor explore the newly updated version of “Zootopia: Better Zoogether” at Disney's Animal Kingdom, including fresh dialogue designed to make the show's storyline easier to follow. They also examine the water-pressure failure that temporarily disrupted operations across Disneyland and Anaheim, along with Disney's long history of conserving and recycling water inside its parks. Then Jim completes his history of “Turtle Talk with Crush,” tracing the interactive show from EPCOT and Disney California Adventure to cruise ships and children's hospitals. NEWS • “Zootopia: Better Zoogether” receives new introductory dialogue from Mayor Winddancer. • Judy Hopps' closing lines are revised to clarify Dawn Bellwether's role in disrupting Zootopia Day. • The changes may help prepare the attraction for a possible future home at Disney California Adventure. • A citywide water-pressure drop temporarily closes Disneyland restaurants and restrooms. • Universal Studios Hollywood begins soft-opening “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift.” FEATURE • “Turtle Talk with Crush” evolves from an unrealized Columbia-based attraction into a global Disney favorite. • The interactive show expands from EPCOT and Disney California Adventure to Hong Kong, Tokyo and Disney Cruise Line. • Disney adapts Crush's conversations for cruise-ship dining rooms and smaller audiences. • A Children's Hospital of Orange County installation gives young patients a more intimate opportunity to interact with Crush. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter and Instagram: @JimHillMedia - jimhillmedia.com • Drew Taylor - X/Twitter: @DrewTailored - Instagram: @drewtailored - drewtaylor.work FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube: @jimhillmedia • TikTok: @jimhillmedia • Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia/ SUPPORT Support the show and access bonus episodes and additional content at https://www.patreon.com/jimhillmedia. PRODUCTION CREDITS Edited by Dave Grey Produced by Eric Hersey - https://strongmindedagency.com SPONSOR The Disney Dish news is sponsored by BeOurGuestVacations.com. Their vacation-planning team can help make your next Walt Disney World trip a little more magical. If you would like to sponsor a show on the Jim Hill Media Podcast Network, reach out today. https://www.jimhillmedia.com/sponsor/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I sat down with human rights advocate Benedict Rogers to examine the Vatican's controversial agreement with the CCP, the persecution of China's underground Church, the crackdown in Hong Kong, and the ongoing allegations of forced organ harvesting. We also discuss what Catholics—and all people of goodwill—can do to stand with those suffering under communist repression.
Just hours before Juventus players and coaches boarded a plane from Turin to Hong Kong to begin their preseason tour, the club announced deals for the return of Randal Kolo Muani and the surprising signing of Bosnian teenager Kerim Alajbegović. 00:00 Introduction 02:02 Kolo Muani finally returns to Juve! 04:41 Juve sign Alajbegović out of nowhere! 20:20 Yildiz, Alajbegović and the new Juve attack 24:36 Discussing the Kolo Muani deal in detail 30:26 Do Juve actually have money to spend? 42:38 Questions from the Socials You can follow us — or send us questions — on Bluesky @bwrao.bsky.social, Twitter @JuventusNation or on Facebook as well as the Fans First Sports Network @FansFirstSN on Twitter. You can also follow us on our Instagram page, too! Get all of our match coverage, transfer rumors and much more at our website, blackwhitereadallover.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Investors hoping August will bring a summer lull may be disappointed. Michel Dilmanian, Portfolio Strategist at the BlackRock Investment Institute, explains why a world shaped by supply is keeping pressure on long-term yields and creating opportunities to build durable income. 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.BII0726-5803751-EXP0727
Is Hong Kong Still Safe for Business? | The International Risk Podcast with Megan KhooHong Kong has long been regarded as one of the world's safest and most attractive places to do business. But following the introduction of the National Security Law, growing geopolitical tensions between China and the West, and increasing scrutiny from international governments, many organisations are reassessing the risks of operating in the territory.In this episode, we explore how Hong Kong's changing political and legal landscape is reshaping the business environment, what international companies should understand before investing or expanding in the region, and how geopolitical risk is becoming a board-level issue.We discuss:Is Hong Kong still a safe place for international business?How the National Security Law has changed Hong Kong's legal and political environmentThe impact of US-China strategic competition on international companiesBusiness confidence, sanctions, and reputational riskHuman rights concerns and their implications for multinational organisationsThe future of Hong Kong as an international financial centreHow organisations can better prepare for geopolitical uncertainty in AsiaThe international risks that concern Megan Khoo mostAbout the guestMegan Khoo is Policy Director at Hong Kong Watch, where she leads the organisation's policy and advocacy work on Hong Kong, China, human rights, and international affairs. Before joining Hong Kong Watch, she worked in communications and policy roles across the UK and United States, including at the US Department of Defense and the US House of Representatives in Washington, DC. Megan holds an MSc in Contemporary Chinese Studies from the University of Oxford and degrees in International Studies and Modern Languages (Mandarin Chinese and Spanish) from Georgia Southern University.About the hostDominic Bowen is Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms. He advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives on crisis management, geopolitical risk, operational resilience, and strategy, drawing on decades of experience across government, humanitarian operations, and corporate leadership.
US President Donald Trump says negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday, while Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian says Tehran must ensure the US remains committed to the Memorandum of Understanding reached by the two sides in June (01:00). AI glasses are emerging as a key focus of China's expanding tech sector (21:39). China's securities regulator has announced policy measures to strengthen cooperation between the mainland and Hong Kong (36:46).
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.
Verrassend is het niet, opvallend is het wel: weer wordt Shell een stukje minder groen. Het bedrijf neemt afscheid van alle Europese wind- en zonneparken op het vaste land. Ze verkopen de hele tak aan concurrent Total Energies. Wat dat betekent voor de Europese toekomst van Shell, bespreken we deze aflevering. Net als in hoeverre deze activiteiten bij Total Energies beter af zijn. Hebben we het ook over de Japanse yen. Na een dramatisch jaar won die munt vrijdag opeens aan waarde. Vandaag gaven de Amerikaanse en Japanse overheid het toe: de VS heeft een handje geholpen. Waarom het zover moest komen en wat dat jou als belegger uit moet maken, zoeken we ook voor je uit. Hoor je ook: Overnamegeruchten bij NXP Fusiegeruchten bij AstraZeneca Een verlies bij PostNL dat tóch wordt beloond Een nieuwe Chinees AI-model Te gast: Han Dieperink, CIO bij Auréus BNR Beurs is een journalistiek onafhankelijke productie, mede mogelijk gemaakt door Saxo. Over de makers: Jelle Maasbach is presentator van BNR Beurs en freelance financieel journalist. Zijn favoriete aandeel om over te praten is Disney, maar daar lijkt hij de enige in te zijn. Sinds de eerste uitzending van BNR Beurs is 'ie er bij. Maxim van Mil is presentator van BNR Beurs en journalist bij BNR, waar hij zich focust op de financiële markten en ontwikkelingen in de tech-wereld. Je krijgt hem het meest enthousiast als hij kan praten over ASML, of oer-Hollandse bedrijven zoals Ahold of ABN Amro. Jorik Simonides is presentator van BNR Beurs, economieredacteur en verslaggever bij BNR. Hij wordt er vooral blij van als het een keer níet over AI gaat. Je hoort hem ook in de BNR-podcast Moerdijk: dorp van de rekening. Milou Brand is presentator van BNR Beurs, freelance podcastmaker en columnist bij het Financieele Dagblad. Jochem Visser is presentator van BNR Beurs, maakt Beursnerd XL en is redacteur bij de podcast Onder Curatoren. Vraag hem naar obscure zaken op financiële markten en hij vertelt je waarom het eigenlijk nóg leuker is dan je al dacht. Over de podcast: Met BNR Beurs ga je altijd voorbereid de nieuwe beursdag in. We praten je in een kleine 25 minuten bij over alle laatste ontwikkelingen op de handelsvloer. We blijven niet alleen bij de AEX of Wall Street, maar vertellen je ook waar nog meer kansen liggen. En we houden het niet bij de cijfers, maar zoeken ook iedere dag voor je naar duiding van scherpe gasten en experts. Of je nu een ervaren belegger bent of net begint met je eerste stappen op de beurs, de podcast biedt waardevolle inzichten voor je beleggingsstrategie. Door de focus op zowel de korte termijn als de lange termijn, helpt BNR Beurs luisteraars om de ruis van de markt te scheiden van de essentie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The ASX 200 closed up 43 points at 9,020, as promising news from the Middle East over the weekend encouraged buyers back into the market. Stronger US futures helped sentiment, while a fall in the oil price added to the optimism.The banking sector shrugged off early losses, with NAB up 0.7% and WBC up 0.8%. Financials were generally firmer, with MQG edging 0.8% higher and the insurers also finishing in positive territory. The Big Bank Basket up to $294.96 (+0.3%).Elsewhere, industrials caught a bid, with QAN up 3.7% on the back of lower oil prices, SGH also performing well, and WES rising 1.5%. Retail stocks were firmer, with JBH up 0.6%, while WOW and COL also drifted higher.In the technology sector, WTC rose 1.2% and XRO gained 1.9%. Healthcare also had a better session, with CSL up 1.0% and RMD rising 1.6%.In resources, the iron ore majors were mixed, with BHP 0.7% higher, while RIO and FMG both eased. The gold sector was slightly firmer, with EVN up 1.7% and GGP gaining 1.1%. Once again, lithium stocks came under a little pressure, with PLS down 1.7% and MIN off 0.4%.Meanwhile, oil and gas stocks slipped as crude prices fell, with WDS down 1.4% and STO easing1.9%. Uranium stocks were mixed, with PDN up X%.In corporate news, SDF rose 2.9% after KKR confirmed it was proceeding with its takeover offer, having largely completed due diligence. FPR also jumped 17.3% following a non-binding indicative offer from SG Fleet.There was nothing of note on the local economic front.Asian markets were better, with the Nikkei 225 down 1.1%, Hong Kong unchanged, China down 1%, and Korea off around 5.5%. US futures were firmer, with the Dow up 294 points and the Nasdaq up 250 points. European markets are set to open around 1% higher. UK closed for August Bank Holiday.Marcus Today – Daily Market InsightsMarcus Today provides clear, practical commentary for self-directed investors – covering markets, portfolios, education, and decision-making without the noise.If you'd like to go further:Start a free 14-day trial of Marcus Today http://bit.ly/mt-trial-podcastJoin Marcus Today Use code MTPODCAST for 10% off http://bit.ly/mt-join-podcast-offerMT20 – Managed ETF Portfolio A professionally managed portfolio run by Marcus Padley and the team, using ASX-listed ETFs with active market timing. http://bit.ly/mt20-podcastPrinciples – How We Think About Investing A short video series on timing, behaviour, and decision-making. No stock tips. http://bit.ly/mt-principles-podcast—Disclaimer This podcast is general information only and does not consider your personal circumstances. It is not personal financial advice.
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551
The SportsGrad Podcast: Your bite-sized guide to enter the sports industry
Meet Andrew Hawkins, Senior Researcher for the Seven Network's coverage of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, and newest member of the SportsGrad "Circle of Grad" club - from follower to member and now podcast guest.Andrew's love of sport was sealed at nearly 10, watching the Sydney 2000 Olympics from ten minutes down the road. At 19, he mailed a handwritten letter to his broadcasting hero, Bruce McAvaney, asking how to break into the industry, and Bruce wrote back. Years later, the two would finally get on a call, and today they work side by side on Seven's Commonwealth Games broadcast: Andrew building the research, Bruce using it to call the Games. His first paid gig in sport was parking cars at Rosehill Racecourse, but it was writing that took him furthest. Andrew has since built an award-winning career in international horse racing - one of the most data-heavy sports on earth, spending five years in Hong Kong reporting for the South China Morning Post and the Hong Kong Jockey Club, with work syndicated around the world.Then came the hard part - being told, again and again, that all that experience only counted for racing. When he joined The SportsGrad Method, he'd applied for 50-odd jobs and landed just five interviews. What changed everything was a single post that caught the eye of people at Channel Seven, and he hasn't looked back since.In this episode, Andrew shares the mindset that got him unstuck after 50 applications, the networking habit he's leaned on since he was 19, and the hard-won lessons every career changer needs to hear.We cover:(02:41) - Interview Begins(06:01) - Quick Fire Questions(10:03) - What led Andrew to move to Hong Kong (14:00) - What issues Andrew was facing before he joined the SportsGrad Method Program(20:05) - How the SportsGrad Method led to Andrew's role as Broadcast Researcher for the Commonwealth Games(23:38) - What a day in the life of Andrew's role looks like(26:10) - What goes into building a broadcast research strategy(34:20) - How does the archive of knowledge and research material get used across multiple events (39:20) - How AI helps with Broadcast Research(47:41) - How Andrew has had to upskill himself as modern media has evolved(53:16) - How to land a job in sport media in the next 30 days(59:33) - What life would have looked like if not a job in sport(01:00:29) - Biggest 'Pinch Me' moment working in sportIf you liked this ep, give these a go next:#252: What it's like to work on the FIFA Women's World Cup with Media Volunteer, Vi Truong https://youtu.be/-l_-ld6Pv7U#293: Careers in Sports Broadcasting with Lucy & Emma Race from Making The Call https://youtu.be/BLxvoFL41_4#356: Career journey of FIFA World Cup Commentator David Basheer https://youtu.be/Vdu4esiAhNwWant a job in sport? Click here.Follow SportsGrad on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokFollow Reuben on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTokThanks for listening, much love! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Today we're exploring what actually happens when you step fully away from your routine, and why the benefits of a real break go a lot deeper than just feeling rested.From the outside, taking time off can look like the opposite of productive. Like the ambitious thing to do is stay in motion, keep pushing, save the trip for when things calm down. But here's what I noticed on my own three weeks away this summer, a reunion in Copenhagen with friends I've known since childhood, then time in France with my own family: the pace change wasn't just restful. It was information.In this episode, I walk you through the three shifts that happen when you actually leave your routine behind. Your nervous system gets evidence, not just permission, that it's safe to downshift, and that evidence only comes from living it, not deciding it in your head. The distance gives you a reference point you don't have in the day to day, so you can finally see what's working in your life and what isn't. And stepping outside your usual roles, even for a conversation with a stranger in a foreign language, shows you who you are underneath the roles you carry the rest of the year.I also share what I was reading while I was away, and how it left me sitting with a bigger question about time, ambition, and what all of this is actually for.If you've been telling yourself you don't have time for a real break, I want you to sit with this question: what is the smallest version of time away you could actually give yourself this week?If this is resonating and you'd like a small place to begin, I have a free series called Bold Moves from Solid Ground that walks you through the foundation of this work and takes it deeper. You can find it here: siobhanbarnes.com/bold-moves-from-solid-ground. And if you're in Hong Kong and want support closer to home, come find me through Watch Her Lead: watchherlead.com. Or send me a DM on Instagram or LinkedIn.For all the show notes and links mentioned in this episode, including the books I read this summer, head over to: siobhanbarnes.com/155
Almost a third of all the food available to us is thrown away. In Hong Kong alone, 3,300 tonnes go to landfill every single day, nearly a third of everything the city bins. And most of it is perfectly good. Bakeries bake for the last customer who might walk in, hotels lay out a full buffet until closing, so ten to fifteen percent of what they make is surplus by design.In this episode we speak with Louis-Alban Batard-Dupré and Mahima Rajangam Natarajan, an HEC Paris graduate who spent a decade scaling tech companies across Europe, the US and Southeast Asia, and a growth marketer who built customer acquisition at Lazada and Eatigo.Yindii is Asia's surplus food marketplace. Shops list what they haven't sold as a "surprise bag" at 50 to 70% off, you reserve it in the app, and collect it in the last hour before closing. The merchant recovers money on food that was heading for the bin, pays nothing to join, and Yindii only earns a commission when a bag actually sells. For the customer it is the cheapest good food in the city, plus a small thrill: you don't know what's inside until you open it.1.1 million meals rescued so far across Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore, with Seoul launching. More than 1,000 merchant partners including Pret A Manger, Paul, Marriott, Accor and Circle K. Revenue has tripled three years running, and the company turned profitable in 2025.Their vision: to become the platform Asia's food businesses run all their surplus through, from the bakery on the corner to the warehouses upstream.Hosted by Maaike Doyer & Hester Spiegel, founders of Epic Angels.
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.
When Chinese policeman Dong Guangping wrote an article commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 1989 military crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in Beijing, it kicked off a chain of events that led to him serving jail time and losing his job. But it also sparked the beginning of a deep desire to live more freely. So Dong began planning how he might escape China. Just a few weeks ago, back in late May, he finally achieved his dream, having taken the huge risk of crossing China's Yellow Sea in a dinghy to reach South Korean waters. Phoebe Kong, based in the BBC's Hong Kong bureau, explained how rare Dong's achievement really is. Yemen has faced decades of economic hardship and war, but the khat industry is thriving. Khat is a plant, and when chewed it acts as a stimulant. It is estimated to consume one-third of Yemen's groundwater and occupy much of the country's agricultural land. Dalia Haidar of BBC Arabic has been looking into Yemen's relationship to khat and the problem it can cause.The Fifth Floor is at the heart of global storytelling on the BBC World Service, bringing you the best stories from journalists in the BBC's 43 language services. We're here to help you make sense of the stories making headlines around the world; to excite your curiosity and to get to grips with the facts. Recent episodes have investigated Russia's youth armies and how they make soldiers of Ukrainian children; featured the BBC team who were the first journalists to the site of the Nigerian school kidnappings and reflected the effects of internet blackouts in Iran, Uganda and India. If you want to know more about Venezuela's acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, and the legacy of Hugo Chavez; or how Vladimir Putin's network of deep cover spies operates; or why Donald Trump signed an executive order granting white South Africans asylum in the US, we have all those stories and more.This episode of The Documentary comes to you from The Fifth Floor, the show at the heart of global storytelling, with BBC journalists from all around the world. Presented by Faranak Amidi. Produced by Laura Thomas and Caroline Ferguson (Photo: Faranak Amidi. Credit: Tricia Yourkevich.)
On this week’s rather busy China Compass podcast, we begin with a quick look at Chinese state propaganda this week (no Fauci), followed by a laugh at Dictator Xi’s expense, a look-in at Hong Kong’s weak air and fierce security. Then we travel to far west China’s border with Afghanistan, before climbing up on the Tibetan Plateau to talk about the highest prison on earth. Finally, I tell a few stories related to phone security (or not), and then we finish by looking once again at the best ways to pray for China. Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me (@chinaadventures) on Twitter/X where I post new Chinese city prayer profiles every single day, including amazing pics and links to more China resources.You can also also email me (bfwesten at gmail dot com) and find everything else at PrayGiveGo.us! The Bee: Trump Gifts Xi Pot of Hunny https://babylonbee.com/news/faux-pas-trump-gifts-president-xi-with-pot-of-honey-from-white-house-beehive Hong Kongers Slam Weak (Chinese) A/C Habits https://www.thestandard.com.hk/social-buzz/article/332950/Hongkongers-slam-weak-air-conditioning-in-malls-and-public-transport-amid-heatwave Hong Kong Independent Bookstores Close After Police Raid https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/hong-kong-independent-bookstores-to-close-after-police-raid China’s Creates New County on Afghan Border https://thediplomat.com/2026/04/what-chinas-new-county-reveals-about-its-afghanistan-policy/ Communist Party Stresses Full Implementation of Tibet Policies http://www.china.org.cn/2026-07/23/content_118613495.shtml Tibetan Exiles Plummet as China Tightens Grip https://www.dw.com/en/numbers-of-tibetan-exiles-plummet-as-china-tightens-grip/a-77229131 American citizen prosecuted by the U.S. for wiping his phone during a routine search https://www.thetravel.com/us-customs-and-border-protection-faces-first-ever-type-incident-after-travelers-phone-search-goes-wrong-due-to-passcode-hack/ Follow or subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Don’t forget: Follow @chinaadventures on X, and find everything else @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551
This week on Autonomy Markets, Grayson Brulte and Walter Piecyk discuss the Waymo/Uber divorce going public, Zoox receiving NHTSA approval to charge for rides, Aurora earnings, and Qualcomm's BMW win as ADAS becomes the Trojan horse into autonomy.The Waymo/Uber relationship is unraveling in public, with The Financial Times confirming Waymo will launch its own app in Austin and Atlanta in January 2028 before the contract expires that May. Both sides are airing grievances, from dirty cars and bad routing to weather no-shows and unsustainable financial terms. Grayson goes on the record that the relationship terminates early, calling for a Waymo app in those markets by June 2027, while Walt takes the under.After 12 years and billions of dollars, Zoox can finally charge for a ride. NHTSA granted an exemption capped at 2,500 vehicles per year for two years, a ruling that also creates a potential viable deployment path for Tesla's Cybercab.In autonomous trucking, Aurora is targeting 1,000 trucks by the end of next year against 200 this year, a heavily back-end loaded ramp that depends on truck supply, Roush capacity, and unresolved questions about how the Volvo Autonomous Solutions margin split works. Meanwhile, Qualcomm's selection by BMW as lead compute for next-generation ADAS confirms the growth of the L2+ market and positions Snapdragon as the Trojan horse into autonomy compute.On the Foreign Autonomy Desk, Baidu began RT6 robotaxi testing in London with both Uber and Lyft on the outskirts of the city, received a full driverless permit in Hong Kong, and China resumed issuing robotaxi permits once again.Episode Chapters0:00 Waymo/Uber Divorce Goes Public5:45 Uber's Autonomous Vehicle Partner Problem10:28 Waymo's OEM Partner Signals12:25 Zoox Gets the Golden Ticket16:52 Advancing America's Safety and Competitiveness for the Evolution of National Deployments20:16 Aurora Q2 2026 Earnings27:43 How Big Is the OEM Risk?30:38 ADAS as the Trojan Horse Into Autonomy35:42 Ford BlueCruise Falls Short37:23 Foreign Autonomy Desk: Baidu RT6 Testing in London with Uber & Lyft41:33 Next WeekFollow The Road to Autonomy Indices--------About The Road to AutonomyThe Road to Autonomy is the leading applied intelligence platform covering the convergence of automation, autonomy, and the Autonomy Economy.™.Through our podcasts, newsletter, and proprietary applied intelligence, we set the narrative for institutional investors, industry executives, and policymakers navigating the convergence of automation, autonomy, and economic growth.Join institutional investors and industry leaders who read This Week in The Autonomy Economy every Sunday. Each edition delivers exclusive insight and commentary on the autonomy economy, helping you stay ahead of what's next.Sign up for This Week in The Autonomy Economy newsletterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
John chats with writer and journalist Simon Elegant about his third novel, a crime thriller set during the Hong Kong protests of 2019. City on Fire is published by Pegasus Crime, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. The novel follows Inspector Killian Tong's investigation of a brutal murder against a backdrop of political chaos, police tensions, and also personal conflict – Killian's half-sister is a radical protester. John and Simon also discuss the background to the 2019 protests, including the National Security Law and the earlier 2014 Umbrella Movement. Among the books mentioned were: Manchu (1980) by Robert Elegant (a swashbuckling novel by Simon's father). Gorky Park (1981) by Martin Cruz Smith Among the Braves: Hope, Struggle, and Exile in the Battle for Hong Kong and the Future of Global Democracy (2023) by Shibani Mahtani & Timothy McLaughlin Simon's book recommendations The Immobile Empire (French 1989, English 1992) by Alain Peyrefitte. This is on the 1973 Macartney mission to Peking. Apple in China (2025) by Patrick McGee, which explores Apple's deep entanglement with China's manufacturing system. Ginkgo Season (2025) by Naomi Xu Elegant, a coming-of-age novel set in Philadelphia. To learn more about Simon Elegant and his novel, visit the publisher's website here The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press . Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service. podcast service. 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
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
John chats with writer and journalist Simon Elegant about his third novel, a crime thriller set during the Hong Kong protests of 2019. City on Fire is published by Pegasus Crime, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. The novel follows Inspector Killian Tong's investigation of a brutal murder against a backdrop of political chaos, police tensions, and also personal conflict – Killian's half-sister is a radical protester. John and Simon also discuss the background to the 2019 protests, including the National Security Law and the earlier 2014 Umbrella Movement. Among the books mentioned were: Manchu (1980) by Robert Elegant (a swashbuckling novel by Simon's father). Gorky Park (1981) by Martin Cruz Smith Among the Braves: Hope, Struggle, and Exile in the Battle for Hong Kong and the Future of Global Democracy (2023) by Shibani Mahtani & Timothy McLaughlin Simon's book recommendations The Immobile Empire (French 1989, English 1992) by Alain Peyrefitte. This is on the 1973 Macartney mission to Peking. Apple in China (2025) by Patrick McGee, which explores Apple's deep entanglement with China's manufacturing system. Ginkgo Season (2025) by Naomi Xu Elegant, a coming-of-age novel set in Philadelphia. To learn more about Simon Elegant and his novel, visit the publisher's website here The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press . Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service. podcast service. 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
After more than 500 episodes of @RecordingStudioRockstars , Lij Shaw has spent countless hours exploring how other producers, engineers, and artists make great records. In this episode, we flip the script and explore the artist behind the podcast.Lij joins Nate and Neil to trace his unconventional journey from architecture school to playing blues five nights a week in Hong Kong, discovering recording engineering, and eventually building The Toy Box Studio in East Nashville. He also opens up about the growing need to create music for himself after decades spent helping other artists realize their musical dreams.The conversation explores Lij's month-long songwriting retreat in Costa Rica, the portable setup that helped him write and record on the beach, and the power of collaboration, accountability, and shared ownership. Lij also offers thoughtful advice for anyone building a home studio: decide whether you're creating a critical listening room or a space that makes it effortless to pick up an instrument and create—because those priorities don't always lead to the same room.Key Five Takeaways: 1. Helping others create doesn't replace creating for yourself2. Collaboration creates accountability—and better records3. Changing your environment can change your creative behavior4. Build your studio around what you actually want to do5. The best creative tool is the one that helps you finish musicResources and Links:More Lij:Recording Studio Rockstars - https://recordingstudiorockstars.com/The Toy Box Studio - https://www.thetoyboxstudio.com/Lij Shaw on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/493pQhEnKsrrRaJFHo1rK5Poetry Scores - https://poetryscores.blogspot.com/Lij Shaw's Nashville home-studio case - https://ij.org/client/lij-shaw/Songwriting and Music:How to Write Songs - https://howtowritesongs.org/How to Write Songs on YouTube - @htws GoHill Records - https://www.hollywoodrecordingstudio.com/gohil-recordsStudios, Education, and Media:Middle Tennessee State University Recording Industry program - https://www.mtsu.edu/program/recording-arts-and-technologies-bs-m-f-a/Mix Magazine - https://www.mixonline.com/WRVU Nashville - https://wrvu.org/Bonnaroo - https://www.bonnaroo.com/Gear Mentioned:Martin Backpacker Guitar - https://www.google.com/search?q=martin+backpacker+guitarsCarl Tatz Design and PhantomFocus - https://carltatzdesign.com/ADAM Audio D3V - https://us.adam-audio.com/products/d3vGrace Design - https://gracedesign.com/Lynx Studio Technology - https://www.lynxstudio.com/Slate Digital VSX - https://stevenslateaudio.com/vsx/Native Instruments - https://www.native-instruments.com/iZotope - https://www.izotope.com/Listen to Sound Discussion:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sound-discussion/id1727711992Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4QLiTjT6OpY3prLIL8QoqDSubscribe To Our Newsletter:https://sounddiscussionpodcast.com/newsletterShop:https://sounddiscussionpodcast.com/shopSound Discussion Is: @natekelmesmixes @benhlms @merchantaudioproductions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
John chats with writer and journalist Simon Elegant about his third novel, a crime thriller set during the Hong Kong protests of 2019. City on Fire is published by Pegasus Crime, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. The novel follows Inspector Killian Tong's investigation of a brutal murder against a backdrop of political chaos, police tensions, and also personal conflict – Killian's half-sister is a radical protester. John and Simon also discuss the background to the 2019 protests, including the National Security Law and the earlier 2014 Umbrella Movement. Among the books mentioned were: Manchu (1980) by Robert Elegant (a swashbuckling novel by Simon's father). Gorky Park (1981) by Martin Cruz Smith Among the Braves: Hope, Struggle, and Exile in the Battle for Hong Kong and the Future of Global Democracy (2023) by Shibani Mahtani & Timothy McLaughlin Simon's book recommendations The Immobile Empire (French 1989, English 1992) by Alain Peyrefitte. This is on the 1973 Macartney mission to Peking. Apple in China (2025) by Patrick McGee, which explores Apple's deep entanglement with China's manufacturing system. Ginkgo Season (2025) by Naomi Xu Elegant, a coming-of-age novel set in Philadelphia. To learn more about Simon Elegant and his novel, visit the publisher's website here The Books on Asia Podcast is co-produced with Plum Rain Press . Subscribe to the BOA podcast from your favorite podcast service. podcast service. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature
On this week’s rather busy China Compass podcast, we begin with a quick look at Chinese state propaganda this week (no Fauci), followed by a laugh at Dictator Xi’s expense, a look-in at Hong Kong’s weak air and fierce security. Then we travel to far west China’s border with Afghanistan, before climbing up on the Tibetan Plateau to talk about the highest prison on earth. Finally, I tell a few stories related to phone security (or not), and then we finish by looking once again at the best ways to pray for China. Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me (@chinaadventures) on Twitter/X where I post new Chinese city prayer profiles every single day, including amazing pics and links to more China resources.You can also also email me (bfwesten at gmail dot com) and find everything else at PrayGiveGo.us! The Bee: Trump Gifts Xi Pot of Hunny https://babylonbee.com/news/faux-pas-trump-gifts-president-xi-with-pot-of-honey-from-white-house-beehive Hong Kongers Slam Weak (Chinese) A/C Habits https://www.thestandard.com.hk/social-buzz/article/332950/Hongkongers-slam-weak-air-conditioning-in-malls-and-public-transport-amid-heatwave Hong Kong Independent Bookstores Close After Police Raid https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/hong-kong-independent-bookstores-to-close-after-police-raid China’s Creates New County on Afghan Border https://thediplomat.com/2026/04/what-chinas-new-county-reveals-about-its-afghanistan-policy/ Communist Party Stresses Full Implementation of Tibet Policies http://www.china.org.cn/2026-07/23/content_118613495.shtml Tibetan Exiles Plummet as China Tightens Grip https://www.dw.com/en/numbers-of-tibetan-exiles-plummet-as-china-tightens-grip/a-77229131 American citizen prosecuted by the U.S. for wiping his phone during a routine search https://www.thetravel.com/us-customs-and-border-protection-faces-first-ever-type-incident-after-travelers-phone-search-goes-wrong-due-to-passcode-hack/ Follow or subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. Don’t forget: Follow @chinaadventures on X, and find everything else @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few!
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-moscow-murders-and-more--5852883/support.
-Rob cheers Elon Musk's renewed political efforts, argues the Democratic Party is embracing democratic socialism at full speed, and concludes that communists never outgrow the toddler phase because they just like breaking things. -Mary Walter joins Rob to celebrate Dr. Anthony Fauci's Senate testimony, discuss media coverage of COVID, laugh about California's struggling wine industry, debate whether men or women multitask better, swap stories about modern car technology, and react with disbelief to an NYU student arguing that prison isn't the answer for rapists. Today's podcast is sponsored by : PARAMOUNT PLUS - Don't Miss “Lioness” - all episodes streaming August 2nd on Paramount Plus RELIEF FACTOR - You don't need to live with aches & pains! Reduce muscle & joint inflammation and live a pain-free life by visiting http://ReliefFactor.com GHOSTBED - I used to think a mattress was just furniture, until I got my GhostBed! GhostBed is offering my audience their lowest prices of the season, plus an extra 10% off. Go to http://GhostBed.com/CARSON and use promo code CARSON To call in and speak with Rob Carson live on the show, dial 1-800-922-6680 between the hours of 12 Noon and 3:00 pm Eastern Time Monday through Friday… Musical parodies provided by Jim Gossett (http://patreon.com/JimGossettComedy) You can now WATCH and chat with The Rob Carson Show LIVE on Newsmax's social media channels (Facebook, X/Twitter, YouTube, Rumble) Listen to Newsmax LIVE and see our entire podcast lineup at http://Newsmax.com/Listen Make the switch to NEWSMAX today! Get your 15 day free trial of NEWSMAX+ at http://NewsmaxPlus.com Looking for NEWSMAX caps, tees, mugs & more? Check out the Newsmax merchandise shop at : http://nws.mx/shop Follow NEWSMAX on Social Media: -Facebook: http://nws.mx/FB -X/Twitter: http://nws.mx/twitter -Instagram: http://nws.mx/IG -YouTube: https://youtube.com/NewsmaxTV -Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsmaxTV -TRUTH Social: https://truthsocial.com/@NEWSMAX -GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/newsmax -Threads: http://threads.net/@NEWSMAX -Telegram: http://t.me/newsmax -BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/newsmax.com -Parler: http://app.parler.com/newsmax Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sally Phillips joins Alan for one of the most epic international episodes of Life's a Beach ever. From growing up in Hong Kong and Beirut to surviving salmonella in Mexico, clown school, holiday romances and Edinburgh Fringe memories, Sally has the most intriguing travel stories. Plus, they chat The Hairdresser Mysteries, niche museums, menopausal confidence and why you should never underestimate the Herring Canning Museum. Alan almost chokes on an accidental mid-flight snack too.00:00 Welcome aboard Sally Phillips00:43 Growing up with British Airways & glamorous flying01:35 Alan accidentally swallows a fly!
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551
Ted Waitt told the House Oversight Committee that he met Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein at a Hong Kong dinner in November 2003 and began dating Maxwell the following year, remaining in a relationship with her until September 2010. Waitt portrayed his own contact with Epstein as extremely limited, saying he had only a brief introduction at the dinner, one arranged meeting at Maxwell's New York residence and two later chance encounters. He said he never communicated with Epstein by phone or email and had no business or financial relationship with him. Waitt testified that Maxwell described Epstein positively as a brilliant investor and money manager and told him that, after their romantic relationship ended, she continued working as an estate manager overseeing his properties and staff.Waitt said he wanted Maxwell to stop working for Epstein because Epstein was her former boyfriend, but claimed he had no knowledge at the time of their criminal conduct and never witnessed abuse, coercion or trafficking. He repeatedly said he could not confirm how much work Maxwell continued doing for Epstein while they dated, despite their seven-year relationship, and he denied knowing whether Epstein manipulated or abused her. Waitt also acknowledged that Maxwell had been around his four children, three of whom were girls, and said that had he known then what he knows now, he never would have befriended her or allowed her near them. His testimony largely presented him as someone who was intimately involved with Maxwell for years while remaining unaware of the reality of her relationship with Epstein and the crimes for which she was later convicted.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:GO120551Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-epstein-chronicles--5003294/support.
General Blaine Holt analyzes reports of China supplying advanced shoulder-launched missiles (MANPADS) to Iran via Hong Kong and Pakistan, signaling a major geopolitical shift. Holt explains that while these weapons threaten low-flying aircraft, the supply chain is vulnerable to intelligence interdiction. Holt observes that recent Iranian escalations in Iraq and the Gulf suggest a fragmented leadership in disarray rather than a cohesive strategy. The US and Saudi Arabiaare actively striking Iranian-backed militias. (13)1930 TOKYO
Rick Fisher and Gordon Chang discuss reports that China is transferring hundreds of advanced QW-12 and FN-16 man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) to Iran via Hong Kong intermediaries. Fisher warns this poses a significant threat to US aircraft in the Strait of Hormuz. Chang advocates for reimposing sanctions on Hong Kong. The transfer, which China denies, represents a major escalation and highlights China's ongoing role in arming US adversaries like North Korea and Pakistan. (2)1944 TOKYO STATION
SCHEDULE FOR THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 7-29-26.1885 CHILE STEEL SIDED WARSHIPRebecca Grant and Gordon Chang report China is escalating provocations against the Philippines and Japan, including dangerous maneuvers near Second Thomas Shoal and firing missiles from submarines. Grant highlights the US Navy's preparedness to defend allies, noting a "red line" if Filipino sailors are killed. Despite China's permanent presence, the US maintains dominance through carrier strike groups and superior undersea warfare. The lack of operational officers on China's Central Military Commission suggests potential command risks. (1)Rick Fisher and Gordon Chang discuss reports that China is transferring hundreds of advanced QW-12 and FN-16 man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS) to Iran via Hong Kong intermediaries. Fisher warns this poses a significant threat to US aircraft in the Strait of Hormuz. Chang advocates for reimposing sanctions on Hong Kong. The transfer, which China denies, represents a major escalation and highlights China's ongoing role in arming US adversaries like North Korea and Pakistan. (2)Charles Burton and Gordon Chang note Xi Jinping broke tradition by skipping the 50th anniversary of the devastating Tangshan earthquake, sending a surrogate instead. Burton suggests this absence may signal political instability or paranoia regarding his domestic standing. The earthquake historically symbolizes a loss of the "mandate of heaven." Furthermore, vacancies on the Central Military Commission and the mysterious death of former Premier Li Keqiangindicate profound internal disarray and a lack of clear succession. (3)Charles Burton and Gordon Chang discuss how trade tensions and rhetoric from the US have led to increased disdain among Canadians toward their neighbor. Burton discusses a poll showing Canadians view China more favorably than the US due to perceived economic threats from American tariffs. While the integrated North American market remains strong, Canadian provincial governments are reportedly restricting US alcohol sales. There are even suggestions that Canada should adopt "resistance" strategies similar to Ukraine. (4)Evan Ellis reports Keiko Fujimori has been inaugurated as Peru's president, appointing a respected center-right cabinet focused on fiscal discipline and US alignment. However, she faces challenges from endemic insecurity, corruption, and significant Chinese investment. Meanwhile, the influence of Cuba remains a concern across Latin America, with accusations of espionage and interference in democratic processes. Díaz-Canel's regime is under pressure from the Trump administration, potentially facing coercive negotiations or military action. (5)Evan Ellis previews Brazil's upcoming October election, which pits the leftist Lula da Silva against Flavio Bolsonaro, son of the former president. While Lula currently leads in polls, his Workers' Party background and ties to the São Paulo Forum raise concerns about radicalism and increased engagement with China. Ellis warns that a Lula victory could lead Brazil into a recession and a state-centric social policy, potentially settling political scores while lacking necessary financial resources. (6)Evan Ellis surveys shifting political landscapes: Javier Milei is rallying support for the Bolsonaros in Brazil, highlighting a new era of cross-border political interference. In Colombia, President-elect Abelardo de la Espriella is signaling a pro-US shift by cutting ties with Cuba and Nicaragua. Conversely, Venezuela remains in a "holding pattern" under Delcy Rodríguez. Despite reports of crumbling oil infrastructure, major investment is unlikely until a legitimate government is established to address the nation's $240 billion debt. (7)Evan Ellis notes President Claudia Sheinbaum has seen success in reducing homicides and cooperating on border security, but deep-seated corruption persists. The USMCA's future is uncertain, with the Trump administration using ongoing negotiations as leverage. Additionally, China is quietly expanding its presence in Mexico's telecom and automotive sectors. Sheinbaum must navigate a delicate balance: pursuing economic diversification and relationships with China without jeopardizing critical access to the US market. (8)Michael Bernstam reports Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian refineries have severely pinched Moscow's fuel production, forcing it to import refined products from India. Bernstam argues that the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East have merged into a singular global energy crisis. With critical chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea threatened, a quarter of the world's oil supply is endangered. As governmental reserves dwindle, the US has become a primary exporter. (9)Michael Bernstam notes official statistics reveal the Russian economy has entered a state of stagnation, with GDP growth at a mere 0.2% for the first half of 2026. While weapons production remains high, the civilian economy—including agriculture and construction—is in recession. Bernstam notes that "perceived inflation" for Russian consumers is roughly 15%, significantly higher than official reports. Reckless interest rate cuts have further invited inflation, signaling a deepening commercial and fiscal crisis. (10)Sadanand Dhume observes that despite having a vast pool of engineers and data, India lags behind the US and China in developing frontier AI models. Dhume discusses the "winner-take-all" fear versus the belief that AI technology will eventually diffuse globally. While the Indian government is investing in semiconductors, many IT sector jobs in coding and back-office support are threatened by automation. The debate continues over whether India can successfully reap benefits without being a front-runner. (11)Sadanand Dhume examines India's "reservations" system, a rigid quota-based affirmative action program facing intense criticism for undermining university competitiveness. Originally intended to redress historical caste-based wrongs, quotas have expanded to cover roughly 60% of medical school seats. Dhume notes that while merit-based systems in Chinaprovide a brutal but efficient benchmark, Indian political parties fear touching the quota system would be "electoral suicide." This policy has entrenched caste identities. (12)General Blaine Holt analyzes reports of China supplying advanced shoulder-launched missiles (MANPADS) to Iran via Hong Kong and Pakistan, signaling a major geopolitical shift. Holt explains that while these weapons threaten low-flying aircraft, the supply chain is vulnerable to intelligence interdiction. Holt observes that recent Iranian escalations in Iraq and the Gulf suggest a fragmented leadership in disarray rather than a cohesive strategy. The US and Saudi Arabiaare actively striking Iranian-backed militias. (13)Mary Anastasia O'Grady reports that following a narrow election victory, center-right businessman Abelardo de la Espriella faces fierce opposition from outgoing President Gustavo Petro. Petro, a former M19 terrorist, has refused to recognize the results, alleging fraud and foreign interference. De la Espriella plans to take a hard line against illegal armed groups like the ELN and FARC. To build support, he intends to hold his inauguration at a military garrison, signaling a commitment to restoring national security. (14)Bob Zimmerman reports SpaceX's 13th Starship Super Heavy launch was a major success, demonstrating the reliability of Raptor 3 engines and the thermal protection system. Zimmerman highlights the shift toward a "capitalism model," where private companies manage missions for NASA. Meanwhile, a schizophrenic GAO report on NASA's workforce reductions suggests that budget cuts have not significantly impacted major projects, despite agency officials' claims that funding decreases are "disastrous." (15)Bob Zimmerman notes the Deep Space Network facility in Spain narrowly avoided destruction by wildfires, highlighting the fragility of planetary communication nodes. Beyond Earth, astronomers have observed a precipitous drop in star formation within the Andromeda galaxy as it moves toward an eventual collision with the Milky Way. Additionally, NASA's Dragonfly mission to Titan faces potential power shortages from its nuclear sources. Despite these risks, commercial space continues to expand into private stations. (16)Corrections applied: Rick Fisher (transcribed as "Fischer" in segment 2 — matching the spelling from your earlier batch), Delcy Rodríguez, Díaz-Canel, and São Paulo Forum with accents. Also standardized "man-pads" to MANPADS and hyphenated the QW-12/FN-16 designations. Stray double commas from the source cleaned throughout.5