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    Market to Market - Market Plus
    Market Plus with Jeff French and Chad Hart

    Market to Market - Market Plus

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2025 12:00


    Jeff French and Chad Hart discussed corn, beans, wheat, cattle, hogs, tariffs, China and Brazil.

    Market to Market - Market Analysis
    Market Analysis with Jeff French and Chad Hart

    Market to Market - Market Analysis

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2025


    Jeff French and Chad Hart discussed corn, beans, wheat, cattle, hogs, tariffs, China and Brazil.

    On with Kara Swisher
    The Long Game with Jake Sullivan and John Finer

    On with Kara Swisher

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2025 78:24


    Happy Holidays from the On with Kara Swisher team! To celebrate, we're gifting you a recent episode of a new national security podcast from the Vox Media Podcast Network. “The Long Game” is hosted by Jake Sullivan, President Biden's National Security Advisor, and Jon Finer, his Principal Deputy — both senior aides who sat in on the classified Presidential Daily Brief each morning and translated raw intelligence into policy advice. On this episode of The Long Game, Jake and Jon cover: - The fast-escalating U.S. pressure campaign against the Maduro regime in Venezuela — including the growing American military buildup and Trump's post calling Venezuela a “foreign terrorist organization.” - President Trump's decision to allow the sale of Nvidia's advanced H200 AI chips to China — announced on the same day that the DOJ called the chip a cornerstone of “AI superiority.” - A Red Team/Blue Team exercise on the U.S.-backed peace proposal for the Ukraine–Russia war, with Jake and Jon stepping into the roles of advisers to Zelensky and Putin. Follow The Long Game so you never miss an episode. New episodes drop on Fridays. Show notes and a transcript of the episode are available here.Watch the video of this episode on Youtube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    FLF, LLC
    The Missionary's Family Talks Christmas on the Mission Field + The Millionaire Missionary's Last Christmas [China Compass]

    FLF, LLC

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2025 50:41


    Merry Christmas from China Compass! After a few minutes to talk about The Millionaire Missionary's Last Christmas, my wife and youngest daughter join me to (mostly) talk about Christmas overseas, but also hit the following topics (and more)... Eating Chinese fish (or not) Internet Cafes on Christmas Eve Chinese Christian Christmas Talent Show Christmases long ago, including our first in China I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I present a new Chinese city or county to pray for every day. Also, I’m now set up on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/chinacompass), which not only allows for donations, but also lets me sort podcast episodes into various collections, making it easier to find all the episodes on a certain topic or region, like Tibet, North Korea, or Hong Kong. Send any questions or comments to chinacompass@privacyport.com. Everything else can be easily found at PrayGiveGo.us! Now Available on Amazon (+ free PDF): The Millionaire Missionary (BordenofYale.com) The Millionaire Missionary's Last Christmas The Millionaire Missionary, William Borden, of all people(!) could have stayed home an extra week to be with his family (his mother!) for Christmas. But he boarded his ship in New York on December 17th, determined to land in Egypt by New Year’s Day to begin his life overseas. https://chinacall.substack.com/p/a-mothers-final-farewell-part-i https://chinacall.substack.com/p/mothers-final-farewell-part-ii Kevin Belmonte’s biography of William Borden, Beacon-Light, which mostly borrows from early Borden biographies by close friends, as well as Mary Taylor’s Borden of Yale (the unabridged version of The Millionaire Missionary), provides a few more details from the trip (pgs 227-230). Christmas for Missionaries https://mailchi.mp/radiusinternational/was-the-great-commission-only-for-the-original-apostles-9217919?e=baba53761c As an adult, I’ve spent far more Christmases overseas than at home. Looking back, there is some sadness in what I missed, especially with loved ones who have since passed away. But there are no true regrets. And there are many happy memories, especially when God provided for loved ones to visit us and spend Christmas (or Thanksgiving) with us on the mission field! Thank you for listening! Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Don’t forget to follow me on X (@chinaadventures) or email chinacompass@privacyport.com with any questions or comments. Also, I've finally set up Patreon, but my favorite thing isn't the (potential) support. There’s also a Paypal link at PrayforChina.us if you’d like to give to our China ministry. Last but not least, for (almost) everything else we’re doing visit PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, vs 2: the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, therefore ask the Lord for more. Talk again soon!

    The WorldView in 5 Minutes
    U.S. to Support Faith-Based Health Care Providers in Nigeria, LA Governor to Lead Envoy to Greenland, Abortion Mills Decline for 4th Year in a Row

    The WorldView in 5 Minutes

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2025


    It's Christmas, Thursday, December 25th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes written by Jonathan Clark and heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  Filling in for Adam McManus I'm Ean Leppin (contact@eanvoiceit.com) Millions of Christians Persecuted at Christmas Time Millions of Christians around the world must celebrate the birth of Christ in secret or face persecution this year. For example, China bans children from Christmas church celebrations. In Iran, Muslim converts to Christianity who attend unregistered house churches face arrest at this time of year. Christmas worship and displays are banned in North Korea. And Somalia completely bans Christmas observances. International Christian Concern noted, “For those of us blessed with the freedom to celebrate Christmas publicly, let us also remember and lift up our brothers and sisters in Christ who cling to him, regardless of the cost.” 1 Corinthians 12:26-27 says, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” U.S. to Support Faith-Based Health Care Providers in Nigeria The United States agreed to support faith-based health care providers in Nigeria on Saturday. The U.S. committed over two billion dollars to the five-year bilateral health agreement. Two hundred million dollars of the funding will go to 900 Christian health care facilities. Christian clinics represent about 10% of providers in Nigeria, but they serve nearly a third of the country.  Nigeria is one of the most dangerous places in the world for Christians with tens of thousands of believers being killed there in the last decade.  LA Governor to Lead Envoy to Greenland President Donald Trump named Louisiana Republican Governor Jeff Landry as the United States Special Envoy to Greenland on Sunday.  The president expressed interest in buying the territory from Denmark during his first term. Listen to his recent comments. TRUMP: “We need Greenland for national security. And if you take a look at Greenland, you look up and down the coast, you have Russian and Chinese ships all over the place. We need it for national security. We have to have it. And he wanted to lead the charge, so we're making him [inaudible] a special envoy to Greenland. Greenland's a big deal.” The leaders of Greenland and Denmark continue to reject efforts to make the territory part of the U.S. Rand Paul Releases Report on Government Waste Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky released his annual “Festivus Report” on government waste. The report shows $1.6 trillion in waste up from one trillion dollars last year. Dr. Paul identified most of the waste with the $1.2 trillion spent on interest payments for the U.S. debt.  Highlights from the remaining $400 billion in waste included funneling money to social media influencers, drug experiments, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Abortion Mills Decline for 4th Year in a Row Operation Rescue reports the number of abortion mills declined for the fourth year in a row. There were 657 abortion mills in operation this year, down from 718 in 2021. Meanwhile, the number pro-life pregnancy centers is growing. Heartbeat International is the largest network of pregnancy help organizations. The network reached 4,000 locations globally last month. Gallup Releases New Survey on How Americans Celebrate Christmas Gallup released a new survey on how Americans celebrate Christmas. Most U.S. adults still celebrate the day, but fewer do so religiously. The majority of people who celebrate Christmas participate in activities like exchanging gifts, gathering with family and friends, and decorating their homes. However, only half of Americans display religious decorations or attend religious services for Christmas. That's down from two thirds of the population in 2010. Anniversary of Baptism of 1000s of Brits And finally, today is the anniversary of when thousands of people in Britain received baptism. Augustine of Canterbury was a Christian monk who arrived in Britain in the year 597 A.D. He is known as the “Apostle to the English.” Augustine preached to the local ruler, King Æthelberht who led the Kingdom of Kent. The king converted to Christianity from Anglo-Saxon paganism. He allowed Augustine and his missionaries to evangelize the people.  On Christmas Day in 597, Augustine reportedly baptized thousands of people who turned from paganism to Christ. John 3:16-17 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”  Close And that's The Worldview on this Christmas, Thursday, December 25th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com.  Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. Filling in for Adam McManus I'm Ean Leppin (contact@eanvoiceit.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

    Falun Dafa News and Cultivation
    1944: Cultivation Story: The 22nd China Fa Conference on Minghui (9)

    Falun Dafa News and Cultivation

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2025 37:42


    A Falun Dafa practitioner in Hebei Province shares her cultivation journey of overcoming thought karma interference. By diligently studying the Fa, rejecting improper thoughts, and looking inward for attachments, she experienced breakthroughs in her cultivation, including improved focus during Fa study, longer periods of tranquility during exercises, and a significant reduction in illness symptoms. This and other experience-sharing from the Minghui website. Original Articles: 1. China Fahui | Solidly Cultivate, Eliminate Thought Karma2. China Fahui | My Husband Survived a Serious Accident and We Overcame Many Difficulties To provide feedback on this podcast, please email us at feedback@minghuiradio.org

    World Alternative Media
    BREAKING: SOCIAL CREDIT NOW MANDATED? - Pentagon Enters Agreement With xAI As Digital IDs Mandated

    World Alternative Media

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2025 34:56


    GET HEIRLOOM SEEDS & NON GMO SURVIVAL FOOD HERE: https://heavensharvest.com/ USE Code WAM to save 25% plus free shipping! GET YOUR WAV WATCH HERE: https://buy.wavwatch.com/WAM Use Code WAM to save $100 and purchase amazing healing frequency technology! BUY TICKETS HERE! https://anarchapulco.com/ Use Code WAM & Save 10%! BUY GOLD HERE: https://firstnationalbullion.com/schedule-consult/ Avoid CBDCs! Get Your SUPER-SUPPLIMENTS HERE: https://vni.life/wam Use Code WAM15 & Save 15%! Life changing formulas you can't find anywhere else! Josh Sigurdson reports on the breaking news regarding the Pentagon's official agreement with xAI at the Department Of War, utilizing AI for militarism worldwide. This agreement comes months after President Trump signed an AI militarism deal with Saudi Arabia and Qatar alongside Palantir's Alex Karp and Peter Thiel, Sam Altman, Larry Fink of BlackRock, Elon Musk and many other technocrats. As we've warned for decades, social media was always meant to be the surveillance Trojan Horse to bring in social credit. Where people voluntarily give up their private information for a large database which is then used to determine via machine learning what kind of person you are. China did this with Sesame Credit years ago via WeChat. Now, it's being done for the Great Reset agenda which is rapidly being put into place both by the left and the right. XMoney which claims to be anti-establishment works in collaboration with Visa. X is being registered as a bank. Its algorithm is based in social credit. Elon Musk wants to put chips in your brain attaches to a Pentagon funded mesh network. He says AI will destroy humanity, yet he's the main person developing it. He says AI will take over most jobs, but don't worry, you can have UBI (Universal Basic Income) which is exactly what the WEF is pushing. He's creating a hive mind with Starlink. Now he's integrating xAI with the Pentagon. Do you understand what's happening yet? This all happens the same week that the US puts forward plans to demand 5 years of social media history to enter the US alongside 10 years of emails, biometrics and photo metadata? The same month that the US government announces it is putting facial recognition and license reading cameras on all highways and within all cities to track all drivers all the time to "track suspicious activity?" The same month that multiple states mandate a digital ID for internet usage? All the while, the government is attesting to demand age verification checks for VPN usage. This isn't a coincidence. With RealID among digital IDs mandated worldwide to fix problems the state created in the first place as well as Basel 3 bail in policies at 63 central banks, the digital prison is becoming more inescapable. On top of this, Chicago and New York City are pushing government run grocery stores and want to push food rations based on your digital fingerprint. Don't live in fear, reject this and prepare yourselves accordingly so you aren't dependent on banks and grocery stores or you will quickly be left behind. Stay tuned for more from WAM! HELP SUPPORT US AS WE DOCUMENT HISTORY HERE: https://gogetfunding.com/help-keep-wam-alive/# Get local, healthy, pasture raised meat delivered to your door here: https://wildpastures.com/promos/save-20-for-life/bonus15?oid=6&affid=321 USE THE LINK & get 20% off for life and $15 off your first box! DITCH YOUR DOCTOR! https://www.livelongerformula.com/wam Get a natural health practitioner and work with Christian Yordanov! Mention WAM and get a FREE masterclass! You will ALSO get a FREE metabolic function assessment! GET YOUR APRICOT SEEDS at the life-saving Richardson Nutritional Center HERE: https://rncstore.com/r?id=bg8qc1 Use code JOSH to save money! SIGN UP FOR HOMESTEADING COURSES NOW: https://freedomfarmers.com/link/17150/ Get Prepared & Start The Move Towards Real Independence With Curtis Stone's Courses! GET YOUR FREEDOM KELLY KETTLE KIT HERE: https://patriotprepared.com/shop/freedom-kettle/ Use Code WAM and enjoy many solutions for the outdoors in the face of the impending reset! PayPal: ancientwonderstelevision@gmail.com FIND OUR CoinTree page here: https://cointr.ee/joshsigurdson PURCHASE MERECHANDISE HERE: https://world-alternative-media.creator-spring.com/ JOIN US on SubscribeStar here: https://www.subscribestar.com/world-alternative-media For subscriber only content! Pledge here! Just a dollar a month can help us alive! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=2652072&ty=h&u=2652072 BITCOIN ADDRESS: 18d1WEnYYhBRgZVbeyLr6UfiJhrQygcgNU World Alternative Media 2025

    Cats at Night with John Catsimatidis
    Gordon Chang: China's President Xi Would Not Invade Taiwan Under President Trump. | 12-24-25

    Cats at Night with John Catsimatidis

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 25, 2025 7:16


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The John Batchelor Show
    S8 Ep235: AUSTRALIA'S DEFENSE AND CHINA Colleague Grant Newsham. Grant Newsham warns about Australia's lack of defense capabilities and the erosion of its influence in the Pacific islands due to Chinese political warfare. NUMBER 6

    The John Batchelor Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 8:20


    AUSTRALIA'S DEFENSE AND CHINA Colleague Grant Newsham. Grant Newsham warns about Australia's lack of defense capabilities and the erosion of its influence in the Pacific islands due to Chinese political warfare. NUMBER 6 1894 PERTH

    The Jillian Michaels Show
    DEJA VU or Dominance? Sean Spicer on Trump's Second Term -Wins, Losses & Scandals

    The Jillian Michaels Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 75:26


    As America approaches a pivotal 2026, leadership matters now more than ever. With key issues like fair trade, strong borders, and economic independence all dominating the President's agenda, attention has shifted to America's national security as Trump looks to reshape U.S. relations with China, Ukraine, and the Middle East. In this all-encompassing conversation, Jillian Michaels and Sean Spicer dissect President Trump's America First strategy — from securing the border and strengthening the economy to tackling healthcare reform and restoring stability on the global stage. The discussion revisits the defining moments of 2025, highlighting the President's biggest wins, toughest challenges, and the lessons shaping the year ahead.

    The Yard
    Ep. 231 - Christmas Has Been a Disaster…

    The Yard

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 96:07


    This week, the boys talk about their nightmarish few days before Christmas, making the Mogul Moves Wagyu Ice Cream™, and how Ludwig might go to China to act in a video game! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Facts Matter
    Another Chinese Researcher Arrested for Sneaking Hazardous Biological Material Into US

    Facts Matter

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 12:41


    Within the last three months, we already discussed: a Chinese woman, from Wuhan of all places, who was smuggling in roundworms through the mail—while studying at a lab in Michigan; a couple, boyfriend and girlfriend (both Chinese nationals, also working at that Michigan lab) who were smuggling in a dangerous fungus—a type of deadly fungus that can target crops; and now, the FBI just arrested another Chinese national—this one studying for his doctorate at Indiana University—and he was allegedly smuggling plasmid DNA derived from E. coli bacteria from China hidden inside women's underwear. Let's go through the details of this new case together.

    Thoughts on the Market
    Special Encore: 2026 Global Outlook: Slower Growth and Inflation

    Thoughts on the Market

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 10:53


    Original Release Date: November 17, 2025In the first of a two-part episode presenting our 2026 outlooks, Chief Global Cross-Asset Strategist Serena Tang has Chief Global Economist Seth Carpenter explain his thoughts on how economies around the world are expected to perform and how central banks may respond.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley.----- Transcript -----Serena Tang: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I'm Serena Tang, Morgan Stanley's Chief Global Cross-Asset Strategist. Seth Carpenter: And I'm Seth Carpenter, Morgan Stanley's Global Chief Economist. Serena Tang: Today, we'll focus on [the] all-important macroeconomic backdrop. Serena Tang: It's Monday, November 17th at 10am in New York. So, Seth, 2025 has been a year of transition. Global growth slowed under the weight of tariffs and policy uncertainty. Yet resilience in consumer spending and AI driven investments kept recession fears at bay. Your team has published its economic outlook for 2026. So, what's your view on global growth for the year ahead? Seth Carpenter: We really think next year is going to be the global economy slowing down a little bit more just like it did this year, settling into a slower growth rate. But at the same time, we think inflation is going to keep drifting down in most of the world. Now that anodyne view, though, masks some heterogeneity around the world; and importantly, some real uncertainty about different ways things could possibly go. Here in the U.S., we think there is more slowing to come in the near term, especially the fourth quarter of this year and the beginning of next year. But once the economy works its way through the tariffs, maybe some of the lagged effects of monetary policy, we'll start to see things pick up a bit in the second half of the year. China's a different story. We see the really tepid growth there pushed down by the deflationary spiral they've been in. We think that continues for next year, and so they're probably not quite going to get to their 5 percent growth target. And in Europe, there's this push and pull of fiscal policy across the continent. There's a central bank that thinks they've achieved their job in terms of inflation, but overall, we think growth there is, kind of, unremarkable, a little bit over 1 percent. Not bad, but nothing to write home about at all. So that's where we think things are going in general. But I have to say next year, may well be a year for surprises. Serena Tang: Right. So where do you see the biggest drivers of global growth in 2026, and what are some of the key downside risks? Seth Carpenter: That's a great question. I really do think that the U.S. is going to be a real key driver of the story here. And in fact – and maybe we'll talk about this later – if we're wrong, there's some upside scenarios, there's some downside scenarios. But most of them around the world are going to come from the U.S. Two things are going on right now in the U.S. We've had strong spending data. We've also had very, very weak employment data. That usually doesn't last for very long. And so that's why we think in the near term there's some slowdown in the U.S. and then over time things recover. We could be wrong in either direction. And so, if we're wrong and the labor market sending the real signal, then the downside risk to the U.S. economy – and by extension the global economy – really is a recession in the U.S. Now, given the starting point, given how low unemployment is, given the spending businesses are doing for AI, if we did get that recession, it would be mild. On the other hand, like I said, spending is strong. Business spending, especially CapEx for AI; household spending, especially at the top end of the income distribution where wealth is rising from stocks, where the liability side of the balance sheet is insulated with fixed rate mortgages. That spending could just stay strong, and we might see this upside surprise where the spending really dominates the scene. And again, that would spill over for the rest of the world. What I don't see is a lot of reason to suspect that you're going to get a big breakout next year to the upside or the downside from either Europe or China, relative to our baseline scenarios. It could happen, but I really think most of the story is going to be driven in the U.S. Serena Tang: So, Seth, markets have been focused on the Fed, as it should. What is the likely path in 2026 and how are you thinking about central bank policy in general in other regions? Seth Carpenter: Absolutely. The Fed is always of central importance to most people in markets. Our view – and the market's view, I have to say, has been evolving here. Our view is that the Fed's actually got a few more rate cuts to get through, and that by the time we get to the middle of next year, the middle of 2026, they're going to have their policy rate down just a little bit above 3 percent. So roughly where the committee thinks neutral is. Why do we think that? I think the slowing in the labor market that we talked about before, we think there's something kind of durable there. And now that the government shutdown has ended and we're going to start to get regular data prints again, we think the data are going to show that job creation has been below 50,000 per month on average, and maybe even a few of them are going to get to be negative over the next several months. In that situation, we think the Fed's going to get more inclination to guard against further deterioration in the labor market by keeping cutting rates and making sure that the central bank is not putting any restraint on the economy. That's similar, I would say, to a lot of other developed markets' central banks. But the tension for the ECB, for example, is that President Lagarde has said she thinks; she thinks the disinflationary process is over. She thinks sitting at 2 percent for the policy rate, which the ECB thinks of as neutral, then that's the right place for them to be. Our take though is that the data are going to push them in a different direction. We think there is clearly growth in Europe, but we think it's tepid. And as a result, the disinflationary process has really still got some more room to run and that inflation will undershoot their 2 percent target, and as a result, the ECB is probably going to cut again. And in our view, down to about 1.5 percent. Big difference is in Japan. Japan is the developed market central bank that's hiking. Now, when does that happen? Our best guess is next month in December at the policy meeting. We've seen this shift towards reflation. It hasn't been smooth, hasn't been perfectly linear. But the BoJ looks like they're set to raise rates again in December. But the path for inflation is going to be a bit rocky, and so, they're probably on hold for most of 2026. But we do think eventually, maybe not till 2027, they get back to hiking again – so that Governor Ueda can get the policy rate back close to neutral before he steps down. Serena Tang: So, one of the main investor debates is on AI. Whether it's CapEx, productivity, the future of work. How is that factoring into your team's view on growth and inflation for the next year? Seth Carpenter: Yeah, I mean that is absolutely a key question that we get all the time from investors around the world. When I think about AI and how it's affecting the economy, I think about the demand side of the economy, and that's where you think about this CapEx spending – building data centers, buying semiconductors, that sort of thing. That's demand in the economy. It's using up current resources in the economy, and it's got to be somewhat inflationary. It's part of what has kept the U.S. economy buoyant and resilient this year – is that CapEx spending. Now you also mentioned productivity, and for me, that's on the supply side of the economy. That's after the technology is in place. After firms have started to adopt the technology, they're able to produce either the same amount with fewer workers, or they're able to produce more with the same amount of workers. Either way, that's what productivity means, and it's on the supply side. It can mean faster growth and less inflation. I think where we are for 2026, and it's important that we focus it on the near term, is the demand side is much more important than the supply side. So, we think growth continues. It's supported by this business investment spending. But we still think inflation ends 2026, notably above the Fed's inflation target. And it's going to make five, five and a half years that we've been above target. Productivity should kick in. And we've written down something close to a quarter percentage point of extra productivity growth for 2026, but not enough to really be super disinflationary. We think that builds over time, probably takes a couple of years. And for example, if we think about some of the announcements about these data centers that are being built, where they're really going to unleash the potential of AI, those aren't going to be completed for a couple of years anyway. So, I think for now, AI is dominating the demand side of the economy. Over the next few years, it's going to be a real boost to the supply side of the economy. Serena Tang: So that makes a lot of sense to me, Seth. But can you put those into numbers? Seth Carpenter: Sure, Serena totally. In numbers, that's about 3 percent growth. A little bit more than that for global GDP growth on like a Q4-over-Q4 basis. But for the U.S. in particular, we've got about 1.75 percent. So that's not appreciably different from what we're looking for this year in 2025. But the number really, kind of, masks the evolution over time. We think the front part of the year is going to be much weaker. And only once we get into the second half of next year will things start to pick up. That said, compared to where we were when we did the midyear outlook, it's actually a notable upgrade. We've taken real signal from the fact that business spending, household spending have both been stronger than we think. And we've tried to add in just a little bit more in terms of productivity growth from AI. Layer on top of that, the Fed who's been clearly willing to start to ease interest rates sooner than we thought at the time of the mid-year outlook – all comes together for a little bit better outlook for growth for 2026 in the U.S. Serena Tang: Seth thanks so much for taking the time to talk. Seth Carpenter: Serena, it is always my pleasure to get to talk to you. Serena Tang: And thanks for listening. Please be sure to tune into the second half of our conversation tomorrow to hear how we're thinking about investment strategy in the year ahead. If you enjoy Thoughts on the Market, please leave us a review wherever you listen and share the podcast with a friend or colleague today.

    Marketplace All-in-One
    China puts the brakes on driverless taxis

    Marketplace All-in-One

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 8:01


    From the BBC World Service: Plans to mass-produce and sell self-driving vehicles in China have been delayed after news spread of a crash involving one earlier this year. Chinese regulators gave narrow approval to just two out of nine companies to operate autonomous taxis on highways. We learn more. Then, we hear why 2025 was a mixed picture for commodities. And later, Martha Stewart joins her friend Snoop Dogg as she invests in the U.K. soccer team, Swansea.

    FLF, LLC
    Christmas in Room #4 (The Death Room)│Prison Pulpit #62 [China Compass]

    FLF, LLC

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 24:18


    Christmas in Room Number Four: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/christmas-in-room-number-four-the Just as we did on Thanksgiving a few weeks ago, today I want to read a special story from Richard Wurmband’s book In God's Underground (https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf). Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network (and the Christian Podcast Community)! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I present a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day. Please send any questions or comments to a new, secure email: chinacompass@privacyport.com. Everything else can be found at PrayGiveGo.us! One last thing: I’m now set up on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/chinacompass), which now only allows for donations, but also lets me sort podcast episodes into various collections, making it easier to go back and find all the episodes on a certain topic or region, like Tibet, North Korea, or Hong Kong. Now Available: The Millionaire Missionary (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G94FKJJW/) For those who aren’t familiar with Richard Wurmband, here's a brief intro: Lutheran minister in Romania. 14 years in prison, including 3 in solitary confinement. After “escaping” abroad, published ”Tortured for Christ" in the 60s and testified to Congress. Founded Voice of the Martyrs with his son, but Michael Wurmbrand doesn’t trust VOM today. Michael Wurmbrand’s VOM letter: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html Free books (PDF) by Richard Wurmbrand: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/ Follow China Compass Thank you for listening! Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) or email chinacompass@privacyport.com with any questions or comments. There’s also a Paypal link at PrayforChina.us if you’d like to support our China ministry. For everything else, visit PrayGiveGo.us. Hebrews 13:3: Remember those who are in prison, “as bound with them”! Feliz Navidad

    Marketplace Morning Report
    China puts the brakes on driverless taxis

    Marketplace Morning Report

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 8:01


    From the BBC World Service: Plans to mass-produce and sell self-driving vehicles in China have been delayed after news spread of a crash involving one earlier this year. Chinese regulators gave narrow approval to just two out of nine companies to operate autonomous taxis on highways. We learn more. Then, we hear why 2025 was a mixed picture for commodities. And later, Martha Stewart joins her friend Snoop Dogg as she invests in the U.K. soccer team, Swansea.

    Gravy
    Southern caviar is wild, nutty, and...sustainable?

    Gravy

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 25:42


    In “Southern caviar is wild, nutty, and...sustainable?” Gravy producer Irina Zhorov takes us to the Tombigbee River, where valuable paddlefish swim, and makes a case for caviar as an ingredient with a Southern pedigree. Every mature female fish makes roe—that's the term for their clusters of unfertilized eggs. But caviar, for purists, comes from an ancient fish called sturgeon. There are more than two dozen species of sturgeon, but the best-known caviars come from a handful of species native to Russia and Central Asia: Beluga, Sevruga, Kaluga and Osetra. These fish are diadromous, which means they can live in both rivers and seas. And historically they were caught in the wild, their roe processed into caviar, and eventually sent around the world. Though fish roe started out as poor people's food in Russia, it evolved to be synonymous with luxury, royalty. However, sturgeon were so overfished that it is now illegal in most places to import their wild-harvested caviar. In the U.S., too, several species of sturgeon were once dense along the eastern coast, in the Great Lakes, in California, and elsewhere. Indigenous tribes and white settlers alike consumed Atlantic sturgeon before a caviar rush in the 1800s diminished their numbers. It's illegal to fish for most domestic sturgeon. Today, more than 99 percent of caviar globally comes from farms, mostly in China. There are a few exceptions to this rule in the U.S. Small shovelnose sturgeon can still be harvested in some areas for caviar.  And paddlefish—which is not a sturgeon, but its close cousin—is fair game in some states, too. The fish live in the Mississippi River and its tributaries. While the U.S. has an available supply of wild-caught, high-quality caviar, it lacks a clear cultural context for how to enjoy this decadent treat. In this episode, Zhorov speaks to Mike Kelley of Kelley's Katch, a Tennessee caviar producer, and biologist Steve Rider, who studies paddlefish populations in Alabama, to learn about a food that's from the South but, paradoxically, not at all associated with Southern cuisine. Some people and companies are trying to educate American consumers about caviar and to modernize the way domestic consumers eat the food. That can include parties with caviar tutorials and introducing new, American ways to indulge, like with a dollop of caviar on Doritos. Christine Lemieux, one-half of the company Caviar Dream, explains how this delicacy can be for everyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Bret Baier's All-Star Panel
    All-Star Panel: Latest Epstein File Release Raises More Questions Than Answers

    Bret Baier's All-Star Panel

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 22:54


    America is known across the globe for its military might, but in terms of the number of ships in the United States Navy, it has been overtaken by China in recent years, who now holds the largest naval fleet in the world. This may not remain the case for long however, after President Trump announced on Monday that the military would begin construction on a new line of massive warships. Co-Founder of South & Hill Strategies, Colin Reed, CEO of Schoen Cooperman Research, Carly Cooperman, and FOX News Chief Congressional Correspondent Chad Pergram discuss what President Trump's announcement of a new line of warships means, the state of healthcare legislation on the hill, and whether last week's lackluster Epstein file release could be considered Contempt of Congress. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    DH Unplugged
    DHUnplugged #783: Santa Is That You?

    DH Unplugged

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 59:02


    Patriot games are coming. Larry Ellison in the spotlight. Hi Ho Silver and away! PLUS we are now on Spotify and Amazon Music/Podcasts! Click HERE for Show Notes and Links DHUnplugged is now streaming live - with listener chat. Click on link on the right sidebar. Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter Warm-Up - CTP Cup - All systems go! 9 participants! - ELON gets his $$$ - Kids account challenge - Patriot games are coming... Markets - Not much headwinds - EOY approaching - Analysts predicting SP500 for 2026 - 7,500 (12% upside) - More Oracle back and forth - Gold and Silver Elon - Elon Musk's net worth surged to $749 billion late Friday after the Delaware Supreme Court reinstated Tesla stock options worth $139 billion that were voided last year - He also recently received a $1T pay plan approval - Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jensen Huang combined - His fortune exceeds the GDP of nations like the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland. - He is richer than every country in Africa by GDP - He is projected by some reports to become the world's first trillionaire by 2027 When did Larry Ellison and Oracle become newsworthy? - Every day in the news.... - Larry Ellison NOW Personally Guarantees Paramount Bid for Warner Bros. - The announcement of Mr. Ellison's personal guarantee is meant to address concerns that the Warner Bros. Discovery's board had expressed about Paramount's original offer. - Helping out sonny-boy? More Oracle - Oracle stock slid after a report that Blue Owl Capital won't back a $10 billion data center for OpenAI. (Michigan) - Oracle has $248 billion in lease commitments for data centers and cloud capacity commitments over the next 15 to 19 years. - Oracle later responded to the FT report, saying the project was moving forward and that Blue Owl was not part of equity talks. EVEN MORE! - Multiple media outlets, including the Associated Press, reported that ByteDance has reached an agreement with Oracle ORCL, Silver Lake, and Abu-Dhabi-based MGX to set up a joint venture for TikTok's US operations. Oracle will hold a 15.0% stake in the new entity, while ByteDance will retain a 19.9% stake. - The important thing her is that TikTok stays as a major tenant of OCI as ORCL needs this cash flow... - Of all of the items, this may be why ORCL stock has bounced te last few days. Congressional Ban - A vote on legislation banning members from owning or trading stocks could get a vote in the new year, according to House leadership and Republican members. - President Donald Trump has said he supports a congressional ban but has pushed back on versions that include the executive branch. - Basically this bill would prohibit the ownership of individual stocks by congress Over to Japan - Bank of Japan raises benchmark rates to highest in 30 years, lifting 10-year JGB yield past 2% - Yen still VERY weak - trading at 157/USD - (problematic) - The BOJ said that real interest rates are expected to remain “significantly negative,” adding that accommodative financial conditions will continue to firmly support economic activity. - The yen weakened 0.25% against the USD after the decision - therefore still dovish and stimulative Economic Numbers - Estimates, partial numbers and best guesses. OH, 2-month averaging as well - The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the annual headline inflation rate and core CPI rate for last month were 2.7% and 2.6%, respectively, well below expectations. - Due to government shutdown, BLS to make certain methodological assumptions about the prior month's inflation levels. - Those assumptions in the methodology were not clear to economists and were not fully explained in the release. - Here is a big issue: The price changes in October for the OER (owners equivalent rent) appear to have been “set to zero.”  Sports Prediction Markets - Sports is fueling the growth and is forecasted to make up 44% of volume as prediction markets mature. - According to one expert: the fundamental elements of consumer demand and an array of diverse brands looking to meet that demand are clearly in place - Sportsbooks are getting a bit nervous.... First Dell, then... - Billionaire hedge fund manager Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates and his wife, Barbara, committed to seed Trump accounts for approximately 300,000 children in Connecticut. - Following the Dells' pledge, the funds will be aimed at kids who live in a Connecticut ZIP code where the median income is less than $150,000. - The Dalio grant will fund $250 per child for approximately 300,000 children in Connecticut. This applies to children who live in a ZIP code where the median income is less than $150,000. About 87% of Connecticut ZIP codes meet that criteria, according to a CNBC analysis of Census Bureau data. - “Ray has joined what we are calling the 50-state challenge,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a press conference on Wednesday. - A growing number of companies have announced they would match contributions to Trump accounts for their employees, including BNY and BlackRock. Patriot Games (Hunger Games?) - Trump announced: The Washington Monument will be illuminated with festive lights, a triumphal arc will be constructed and the “Patriot Games” will commence. The games are an “unprecedented four-day athletic event featuring the greatest high school athletes: one young man and one young woman from each state and territory. - Uhhhhhh "And so it was decreed that, each year, the various districts of Panem would offer up, in tribute, one young man and woman to fight to the death in a pageant of honor, courage and sacrifice. (Hunger Games 2012) - What next - PURGE NIGHT? Fed Pick - Now it seems as if it is a 4 person race... - President Trump says "Nowadays, when there is good news, the market goes down because everybody thinks that interest rates will be immediately lifted"; says "I want my new Fed Chairman to lower interest rates if the market is doing well"; says "Anybody that disagrees with me will never be the Fed Chairman!" San Fran Blackout - Alphabet-owned Waymo resumed its robotaxi service in the San Francisco Bay Area Sunday evening after pausing it amid widespread blackouts that had affected their vehicles' behavior. - Waymo said it worked with city officials throughout the blackout and had “proactively” initiated a temporary suspension of its service. - Interesting point there - what happens when grid disruptions for internet with self-driving Angry Shareholders (For a minute) - Tricolor CEO Daniel Chu directed a deputy to send him $6.25 million in bonuses in August, weeks before the company filed for bankruptcy, U.S. prosecutors alleged. - Subprime autofirm that had alleged fraud - This happens all the time - Big issue to keep alert to is the news about "Subprime" WEED - Trump's executive order shifts cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III, easing research, banking and tax restrictions and marking the biggest federal cannabis policy change in decades. - Shares of cannabis conglomerates were down following the announcement, likely from worries of new competition from international companies. - NOT legalization - NOT for recreational use... - Banking, Institutional capital ..... OpenAi - Beggars cup continues - OpenAI is in initial discussions to raise at least $10 billion from Amazon.com Inc. and use its chips, a potential win for the online retailer's effort to broaden its AI industry presence and compete with Nvidia Corp. - The deal under discussion could value OpenAI north of $500 billion and see it adopt Amazon's Trainium chip, a person with knowledge of the matter said, asking to remain anonymous to describe private negotiations. - Talks, however, are at a preliminary stage and terms could change, the person added. High Ho Silver and Away! - Silver up 135% YTD - Gold up 70% - Best year since strongest annual performance since 1979 for Gold - 1970's was inflation, USD weakening, Energy crisis. - What is similar/different now? (Big difference is buying up (China, Poland, Turkey, India) Light menu - Darden Restaurants will roll out a new lighter portion entrées menu at all Olive Garden locations in January, the company announced during its quarterly earnings call last Thursday. - Citing affordability: "Olive Garden has seen a double-digit increase in affordability perceptions from guests who order from the lighter portions menu and an increase in frequency among these guests, which should help build traffic over time," Cardenas said. - Sooooo 0 due to high costs, Americans are cutting back on food? - If it were for weight loss, no need for Oliver garden to cut back on portions as most inedible anyway... Copper - Copper prices topped $12,000 a ton for the first time, extending the metal's recent bull run as mine outages add to concerns about supply. - The threat of US import tariffs on the metal has also been an important factor pushing up prices this year, with copper piling up in American warehouses. - Industry analysts have said that much of the richest and most easily accessible mining resources are now exhausted, and experts are warning that the market is on the cusp of a major deficit. Jim Beam - Bourbon maker Jim Beam is halting production at one of its distilleries in Kentucky for at least a year as the whiskey industry navigates tariffs from the Trump administration and slumping demand for a product that needs years of aging before it is ready. - Jim Beam said the decision to pause bourbon making at its Clermont location in 2026 will give the company time to invest in improvements at the distillery. The bottling and warehouse at the site will remain open, along with the James B. Beam Distilling Co. visitors center and restaurant. - The percentage of U.S. adults who say they consume alcohol has fallen to 54%, the lowest by one percentage point in Gallup's nearly 90-year trend. Love the Show? Then how about a Donation? THE CLOSEST TO THE PIN 2025 Winners will be getting great stuff like the new "OFFICIAL" DHUnplugged Shirt! CTP CUP 2025 Participants: Jim Beaver Mike Kazmierczak Joe Metzger Ken Degel David Martin Dean Wormell Neil Larion Mary Lou Schwarzer Eric Harvey (2024 Winner) FED AND CRYPTO LIMERICKS See this week's stock picks HERE Follow John C. Dvorak on Twitter Follow Andrew Horowitz on Twitter

    The WorldView in 5 Minutes
    Record Number of Investigations, Censorships of Students in 2025; Belief in God Growing Among Finnish Youth; Trump Administration Bans Abortions by the VA

    The WorldView in 5 Minutes

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 7:00


    It's Wednesday, Christmas Eve, December 24th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes written by Jonathan Clark and heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. Filling in for Adam McManus, I'm Ean Leppin. (Contact@eanvoiceit.com) Christians Arrested in Mass in China A large police force in China carried out mass arrests of Christians over the last two weeks. On December 13, over a thousand police officers, SWAT units, and anti-riot forces descended on Yayang Town in China's eastern province of Zhejiang. The operation led to the arrests of several hundreds of Christians. The arrests came after the local church known as “Yayang Assembly” opposed government intrusion into their practices. ChinaAid warned, “Amid tightening policies and information blockades, a campaign to purge faith communities may be unfolding in a more systematic and covert manner.” Belief in God Growing Among Finnish Youth Evangelical Focus reports a new survey found belief in God continues to grow among young people in Finland. The study evaluated young people in confirmation classes. Seventy-five percent of Finnish youth attend such classes. Sixty-seven percent of boys from this year's classes believe in the existence of God, up from 36 percent in 2019. Fifty-six percent of girls believe in God, up from 35 percent over the same time period. Jouko Porkka, Doctor of Theology, analyzed the research. He noted, “Today, boys in confirmation preparation are much more religious than girls. This has been the case for five years.” More Adults in the U.K. Attending Church this Christmas A new survey by Tearfund shows more adults in the U.K. are going to church this Christmas. The poll found 45 percent of U.K. adults plan on attending a church event this year, up from 40 percent last year. This church attendance is driven by younger generations. Gen Z is the largest generation to say they plan to attend church this Christmas. Psalm 122:1 says, “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the LORD!'” British Pro-Life Woman Charged for Praying Outside Abortion Mill Police in the U.K. charged a pro-life woman last week for praying silently outside an abortion mill. Isabel Vaughan-Spruce, Director of the March For Life UK, is the first person in Britain to face charges under the new abortion buffer zone law. A spokesman for the U.S. State Department spoke to The Telegraph about the case. The spokesman said, “The decision to prosecute a woman engaged in silent prayer is not only concerning in terms of its impact on respect for the fundamental freedoms of expression and religion or belief, but is also an unwelcome departure from the shared values that ought to underpin U.S.-U.K. relations.” Trump Administration Bans Abortions by the VA In the United States, the Trump administration banned the Department of Veterans Affairs from performing abortions last week. This reverses a Biden-era policy that allowed the VA to kill unborn babies of pregnant veterans. Josh Craddock is Deputy Assistant Attorney General in the Office of Legal Counsel at the U.S. Department of Justice. He wrote the memorandum opinion on the issue for the VA. He noted that existing law “unambiguously commands that VA may not provide abortions when furnishing medical care.” U.S. Economy Grows During Third Quarter The U.S. economy saw unexpected growth during the third quarter of this year. U.S. gross domestic product from July through September grew at an annual rate of 4.3 percent. That's up from 3.8 percent during the April-June quarter. It's also the fastest economic growth in two years. The growth was driven by consumer spending despite inflation remaining elevated. Record Number of Investigations, Censorships of Students in 2025 The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression reports a record number of campus incidents involving attempts to investigate, censor, or otherwise punish students for protected expression in 2025. It documented 273 efforts this year in which students and student groups were targeted for their constitutionally-protected expression. This breaks the previous record of 252 set back in 2020, the first year of the Students Under Fire database, during the unrest prompted by COVID-19 lockdowns and the murder of George Floyd. Researcher Logan Dougherty said, "These findings paint a campus culture in which student expression is increasingly policed and controversial ideas are not tolerated. College is supposed to be a place where ideas are freely shared, not where students should be concerned about whether their comments will be subject to university scrutiny.” Pew Research's Study on Americans' Childhood Religion And finally, Pew Research released a new study on Americans who leave their childhood religion. The study found 56 percent of U.S. adults still identify with their childhood religion. Thirty-five percent left their childhood religion, and 9 percent said they were never religious. Of those who left their childhood religion, 20 percent said they no longer have a religion. Ten percent said they switched religions, and three percent said they had no religion as a child, but now identify with a religion. The study found adults who were raised in highly religious households were very likely to remain in their childhood religion. Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Wednesday, December 24th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Plus, you can get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. Filling in for Adam McManus I'm Ean Leppin (Contact@eanvoiceit.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

    Falun Dafa News and Cultivation
    1943: Falun Dafa News – December 24, 2025

    Falun Dafa News and Cultivation

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025


    – World News Briefing– Persecution in China– German Newspaper Reports on Forced Organ Harvesting in China– Political Leaders from Multiple Countries Condemn the CCP for Harvesting Organs from Falun Gong Practitioners– Inspired by Fellow Practitioners in China, Practitioners Worldwide Deepen Their Understanding of Cultivation To provide feedback on this podcast, please email us at feedback@minghuiradio.org

    美轮美换 The American Roulette
    071 | 纽约折叠:一座社区花园的死与生 The Death and Life of Elizabeth Street Garden

    美轮美换 The American Roulette

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 59:30


    【聊了什么】 一座占地仅三分之一街区的小花园,为何能让纽约的政客们冲突、登上纽约时报、还惊动马丁·斯科塞斯和罗伯特·德尼罗等名流亲自站台? 2025年11月,刚刚当选纽约市长的马姆达尼还没上任,即将离任的Eric Adams就抢先签署行政令,将伊丽莎白街花园永久划为公园用地——这被外界解读为一枚"政治毒丸"。这座花园的命运,折射出纽约乃至美国城市治理中的一个核心的矛盾:我们到底应该建更多房子,还是保护现有社区?谁有权决定一个街区的未来? 本期节目,我们邀请到纽约城市规划师罗雨翔老师,从一座社区花园的十年争议出发,聊聊纽约政治中那些看不见的博弈。罗雨翔此前也做过两期纽约相关的节目《纽约的房价到底为什么这么高》和《纽约地铁为什么这么破》,两期播客都发布在我们的友台《选修课》上,也欢迎大家前去收听,并关注这档播客。如果你对这期节目内容感兴趣,欢迎购买罗雨翔的新书《创造大都会——纽约空间与制度观察》,国内各大平台均有销售,海外用户请使用此链接购买。 【支持我们】 如果喜欢这期节目并希望支持我们将节目继续做下去: 也欢迎加入我们的会员计划: https://theamericanroulette.com/paid-membership/ 会员可以收到每周2-5封newsletter,可以加入会员社群,参加会员活动,并享受更多福利。 合作投稿邮箱:american.roulette.pod@gmail.com 【时间轴】 03:45 马姆达尼当选与Eric Adams的"政治毒丸" 05:40 伊丽莎白街花园的前世今生 09:40 社区的阶层分化:SOHO富人区vs唐人街低收入社区 12:57 花园之争背后的市议会选战 16:01 公园异化法:为什么正式公园用地几乎无法改变 21:17 Adams给马姆达尼的台阶? 23:41 社区规划与NIMBY现象 30:24 政府的复杂角色:豪华公寓与保障房的平衡术 35:04 Eric Adams的另一面:区划法改革与垃圾革命 42:31 纽约的小政府传统 51:14 Robert Moses vs Jane Jacobs 54:25 为Robert Moses翻案?丰裕议程与当代回响 【我们是谁】 美轮美换是一档深入探讨当今美国政治的中文播客。 我们的主播和嘉宾: 小华:媒体人 罗雨翔:美国注册城市规划师,哈佛大学与伦敦政治经济学院建筑与经济双硕士。现居纽约,参与以及主持北美20余地区的地产开发、区域经济政策与公共领域投资项目。 【 What We Talked About】 How can a tiny garden—barely a third of a city block—spark political battles in New York, make headlines in the New York Times, and rally celebrities like Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro to its defense? In November 2025, just days after Zohran Mamdani won the New York City mayoral race but before he could take office, outgoing Mayor Eric Adams signed an executive order permanently designating Elizabeth Street Garden as parkland—a move widely seen as a "political poison pill." The fate of this garden reflects a core tension in urban governance, not just in New York but across America: Should we build more housing, or protect existing communities? And who gets to decide the future of a neighborhood? In this episode, we're joined by Yuxiang Luo, an urban planner based in New York, to explore ten years of controversy surrounding a single community garden—and the invisible power struggles that shape New York City politics. Yuxiang has previously appeared on two episodes about New York: "Why Is Housing in New York So Expensive?" and "Why Is the New York Subway So Run-Down?", both available on our sister podcast Mo Electives (选修课). We encourage you to check them out and follow that show. If you're interested in this episode's topics, consider picking up Yuxiang's new book, Creating the Metropolis: Observations on Space and Institutions in New York, available on major platforms in China. Overseas readers can purchase it here. 【Support Us】 If you like our show and want to support us, please consider the following: Join our membership program: https://theamericanroulette.com/paid-membership/ Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/americanroulette Business Inquiries and fan mail: american.roulette.pod@gmail.com 【Timeline】 03:45 Mamdani's Election and Eric Adams' "Political Poison Pill" 05:40 The History of Elizabeth Street Garden 09:40 Class Divide: Wealthy SoHo vs. Low-Income Chinatown 12:57 The City Council Race Behind the Garden Battle 16:01 Parkland Alienation Law: Why Official Parkland Is Nearly Untouchable 21:17 An Off-Ramp for Mamdani? 23:41 Community Planning and NIMBYism 30:24 The Government's Balancing Act: Luxury Condos vs. Affordable Housing 35:04 The Other Side of Eric Adams: Zoning Reform and the Trash Revolution 42:31 New York's Small-Government Tradition 51:14 Robert Moses vs. Jane Jacobs 54:25 Rehabilitating Robert Moses? The Abundance Agenda and Its Echoes Today 【Who We Are】 The American Roulette is a podcast dedicated to helping the Chinese-speaking community understand fast-changing U.S. politics. Our Hosts and Guests: 小华 (Xiao Hua): Journalist, political observer Luo Yuxiang: U.S. Registered Urban Planner, holding dual master's degrees in Architecture and Economics from Harvard University and the London School of Economics. Currently residing in New York, he has participated in and led over 20 real estate development, regional economic policy, and public domain investment projects across North America.

    La ContraCrónica
    Las cartas de China

    La ContraCrónica

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 59:28


    El gobierno chino cierra el primer año del segundo mandato de Donald Trump con un notable optimismo. La decisión de Trump de replegarse de ciertos compromisos, especialmente en Europa, para centrarse en Hispanoamérica, ha sido interpretada en Pekín como una oportunidad estratégica. La creciente brecha entre EEUU y sus aliados europeos refuerza la convicción china de que el futuro les sonríe. Muchos analistas sitúan el punto de inflexión en la reciente guerra comercial. Las restricciones chinas a la exportación de tierras raras obligaron a Trump a retroceder, consolidando así un cambio estructural en la relación bilateral: la Casa Blanca reconoce la importancia de China y adopta una actitud más realista y respetuosa. Pero esta euforia podría ser prematura. El crecimiento económico chino se desacelera desde hace años, persiste la burbuja inmobiliaria, el consumo interno se debilita y el desempleo juvenil aumenta. Ante estas tensiones internas el nacionalismo sirve como válvula de escape. El repliegue estadounidense hacia las Américas y el aparente desinterés de Trump por defender Taiwán reducen las perspectivas de supervivencia de la isla. En Pekín, la reunificación ya no es un “si”, sino un “cuándo”, posiblemente antes de 2030. Xi Jinping prefiere una anexión pacífica para evitar los altos costes de una guerra similar a la de Ucrania. La influencia china en Taiwán es cada vez mayor y parte de la población no se opondría. Esta confianza se refleja en respuestas agresivas, como las sanciones a Japón tras la declaraciones de su primera ministra sobre una posible intervención en Taiwán, o roces fronterizos con la India. Algunos medios oficialistas incluso reclaman la isla de Okinawa. El desorden en Occidente, la inacabable guerra de Ucrania y la presión sobre sus aliados abre una oportunidad económica y política para China. Estados Unidos y China poseen una serie de cartas estratégicas. EEUU cuenta con los aranceles y las restricciones a semiconductores avanzados. China, por su parte, controla el 70% de la tierras raras y una porción significativa de la cadena farmacéutica global. La escalada comercial comenzó con Trump elevando aranceles y endureciendo controles sobre los chips avanzados para inteligencia artificial. China respondió restringiendo el suministro de tierras raras, lo que les llevó a la mesa de negociaciones y a la firma de un acuerdo en la cumbre APEC de octubre. Xi Jinping levantó las restricciones a cambio de una reducción en los aranceles y la relajación temporal de controles sobre semiconductores. Ambos lados trabajan para neutralizar las ventajas del otro. Occidente busca desesperadamente ganar autonomía en lo relativo a las tierras raras. Están dispuestos a relajar su exigente normativa medioambiental e incluso a poner fondos públicos. China no quiere quedarse atrás y ha acelerado los desarrollos propios de semiconductores avanzados. La carta farmacéutica china es especialmente poderosa y compleja. Los chinos gozan de una posición dominante en medicamentos genéricos, principios activos, antibióticos e instrumental médico de cierta relevancia. Durante la pandemia ya se pudo ver la importancia de China en este aspecto. En Pekín aún no han utilizado aún esta palanca ya que son conscientes de la agria reacción que provocaría en todo el mundo, pero representa una ventaja difícil de contrarrestar en el corto plazo. En La ContraRéplica: 0:00 Introducción 3:59 Las cartas de China 33:47 "Contra el pesimismo”… https://amzn.to/4m1RX2R 35:51 Los límites de la IA 46:40 Divisas en Cuba 55:20 ¿Por qué hay un monumento a Bolívar en Madrid? · Canal de Telegram: https://t.me/lacontracronica · “Contra el pesimismo”… https://amzn.to/4m1RX2R · “Hispanos. Breve historia de los pueblos de habla hispana”… https://amzn.to/428js1G · “La ContraHistoria del comunismo”… https://amzn.to/39QP2KE · “La ContraHistoria de España. Auge, caída y vuelta a empezar de un país en 28 episodios”… https://amzn.to/3kXcZ6i · “Contra la Revolución Francesa”… https://amzn.to/4aF0LpZ · “Lutero, Calvino y Trento, la Reforma que no fue”… https://amzn.to/3shKOlK Apoya La Contra en: · Patreon... https://www.patreon.com/diazvillanueva · iVoox... https://www.ivoox.com/podcast-contracronica_sq_f1267769_1.html · Paypal... https://www.paypal.me/diazvillanueva Sígueme en: · Web... https://diazvillanueva.com · Twitter... https://twitter.com/diazvillanueva · Facebook... https://www.facebook.com/fernandodiazvillanueva1/ · Instagram... https://www.instagram.com/diazvillanueva · Linkedin… https://www.linkedin.com/in/fernando-d%C3%ADaz-villanueva-7303865/ · Flickr... https://www.flickr.com/photos/147276463@N05/?/ · Pinterest... https://www.pinterest.com/fernandodiazvillanueva Encuentra mis libros en: · Amazon... https://www.amazon.es/Fernando-Diaz-Villanueva/e/B00J2ASBXM #FernandoDiazVillanueva #china #eeuu Escucha el episodio completo en la app de iVoox, o descubre todo el catálogo de iVoox Originals

    Geek News Central
    The End of Deadzones and Japan’s new Laser Gunship #1854

    Geek News Central

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 40:14 Transcription Available


    In this episode, Ray covers December Tech News! T-Mobile’s groundbreaking Starlink satellite beta promises to eliminate dead zones using your regular phone with no special equipment needed. Also discussed: Japan’s ship-mounted laser weapon with unlimited ammo, China’s record-breaking 387 mph maglev train, Rivian challenging Tesla’s camera-only approach with LiDAR, Google’s Gemini-powered smart glasses, and physicists 3D printing ice sculptures just in time for Christmas. -Want to be a Guest on a Podcast or YouTube Channel? Sign up for GuestMatch.Pro -Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use my link to support the show. Subscribe to the Newsletter. Email Ray if you want to get in touch! Like and Follow Geek News Central’s Facebook Page. Support my Show Sponsor: Best Godaddy Promo Codes $11.99 – For a New Domain Name cjcfs3geek $6.99 a month Economy Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1h $12.99 a month Managed WordPress Hosting (Free domain, professional email, and SSL certificate for the 1st year.) Promo Code: cjcgeek1w Support the show by becoming a Geek News Central Insider Get 1Password Full Summary Cochrane kicks off episode 1854 with a major announcement from T-Mobile. The carrier opened registration for its Starlink satellite beta service. This technology lets regular phones connect directly to satellites. As a result, dead zones could become a thing of the past. T-Mobile and SpaceX plan to begin beta tests in early 2026. Initially, the service will support texting only. Voice and data will follow later. Notably, the service is free for postpaid customers and prioritizes first responders. It has already proved its value during recent hurricanes. Next, Cochrane covers Japan’s 100-kilowatt laser weapon test. The system was installed on the JS Asuka test ship. It combines ten fiber lasers into a single powerful beam. The weapon offers unlimited ammo as long as there’s electricity. Japan plans to deploy this technology on destroyers by 2032. The episode then shifts to high-speed rail innovation. China’s T-Flight Maglev train recently hit 387 miles per hour. That already beats Japan’s current record. However, the goal is 600+ mph using magnetic levitation and low-vacuum tubes. Cochrane also discusses Rivian’s approach to self-driving cars. The upcoming R2 model will feature LiDAR in addition to cameras and radar. This directly challenges Tesla’s camera-only strategy. The added sensors improve safety in fog, snow, and darkness. Additionally, he explores Google’s Android XR announcement. This new operating system powers AR glasses and mixed reality headsets. Samsung is building the first headset. Meanwhile, the Gemini AI integration allows real-time assistance based on what you see. The show touches on running AI locally as well. More users are choosing local hardware over cloud services. Benefits include better privacy, no subscriptions, and offline access. Furthermore, Cochrane highlights major computer science breakthroughs from 2025. An MIT researcher discovered that memory is more powerful than previously thought. Google’s AI earned a gold-medal performance at the Math Olympiad. However, researchers also found that AI trained on bad code exhibits alarming behaviors. Japan’s fabric speaker innovation gets attention, too. The technology weaves conductive fibers into textiles. The entire surface vibrates to produce sound. This could transform how we integrate audio into everyday objects. Finally, Cochrane covers several science stories. A new imaging technique captures flu viruses invading cells in real time. Africa’s forests have flipped from absorbing carbon to releasing it. On a lighter note, physicists 3D printed tiny ice Christmas trees using clever pressure tricks. Cochrane wraps up by wishing listeners happy holidays. T-Mobile Opens Registration for Starlink Satellite Beta Japan Tests 100-Kilowatt Laser Weapon That Can Cut Through Drones Mid-Flight China’s T-Flight Maglev Train Hits 387 MPH, Aims for 600+ Rivian Shows Why Autonomous Vehicles Should Have LiDAR Google Unveils Android XR: Gemini-Powered Smart Glasses and Headsets Why You Should Consider Running AI Locally The Year in Computer Science: 2025’s Biggest Breakthroughs Japan’s Fabric Speakers Turn Any Textile Into Audio Scientists Capture How Flu Viruses Invade Cells in Real Time Africa’s Forests Have Flipped From Carbon Sink to Carbon Source Physicists 3D Print a Tiny Christmas Tree Made of Ice The post The End of Deadzones and Japan’s new Laser Gunship #1854 appeared first on Geek News Central.

    The Space Show
    The Space Show Presents Noted Space Attorney, Michael Listner on a legal & policy wrap discussion for Space 2025.

    The Space Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 100:29


    The Space Show Presents Michael Listner, Sunday , 12-21-25Quick SummaryOur program focused on analyzing the newly released Trump Space Policy Executive Order and its implications for NASA's moon return mission by 2028, with discussions around commercial space initiatives, infrastructure challenges, and geopolitical considerations. The Wisdom Team explored NASA's current plans, leadership changes, and the evolving role of private investment in space exploration, while examining international reactions and regulatory challenges. The conversation concluded with discussions about space governance, technological advancements, and future policy directions, including the potential for reduced launch costs and the importance of spectrum management in space policy.SummaryThe Wisdom Team discussed the newly released Trump Space Policy Executive Order, which Michael noted pushes for commercial space initiatives rather than the expensive rocket version, aiming for a moon return by 2028. David expressed skepticism about meeting this timeline without radical program changes, and mentioned Dr. Mike Griffin's upcoming appearance to share his perspective. David and Michael discussed the newly released executive order on space policy, which aims to return humans to the moon by 2028. Michael explained that the order emphasizes a sustainable and cost-effective lunar presence, including greater commercial space involvement. He noted that while the order is significant, its reception and implementation may face challenges, particularly due to potential conflicts with previous legislation. David raised concerns about the feasibility of the 2028 timeline, citing skepticism about current infrastructure and project delays. Michael acknowledged these concerns but suggested that the administration's focus on achieving this goal before the end of the president's term could drive progress.We continued talking about NASA's plans to return to the moon, with Michael emphasizing that the Space Launch System (SLS) is currently the only viable option for achieving this goal within a reasonable timeframe, despite its limitations and high costs. The group discussed the potential influence of lobbying by contractors with stakes in SLS, as well as the geopolitical considerations of competing with China's lunar ambitions. John Jossy mentioned the recent executive order requiring NASA to review major space acquisition programs, potentially opening the door to cuts or cancellations, though Michael suggested that SLS would likely continue until at least Artemis 3 or 4 due to political realities and geopolitical interests.Our Wisdom Team discussed the implications of recent changes in NASA leadership and broader space policy, with Michael sharing insights about the challenges faced by former NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine and others. They explored the future of space exploration, with Michael predicting that private investment would become more important than government funding over the next 10-15 years, leading to the formation of large space-focused conglomerates. The discussion concluded with an analysis of international reactions to U.S. commercial space initiatives, noting that many countries, particularly Russia and the European Union, are resistant to the commercialization of space and have implemented restrictive regulations to limit private sector involvement.Next, we focused on the shift towards national sovereignty in space governance, highlighted by recent conferences on regulating lunar activities and space resources. Michael noted that while the U.S. participated in these conferences, it aimed to influence rule-making rather than comply fully. Marshall brought up Elon Musk's plans for AI data centers in space, including a potential IPO and a Pentagon proposal for a $4 billion AI center. Michael clarified that regulatory hurdles, rather than legal ones, would be the main challenge for such initiatives, while also cautioning about the potential for overhyped expectations similar to those seen with space resource laws. David inquired about efforts to extend environmental protection laws to space, to which Michael responded that while such attempts occur, they often lack specific legislative backing and have faced setbacks in recent court decisions.The Wisdom Team discussed tax incentives for space investment, with Michael noting that Florida had considered such measures and federal proposals existed previously. Marshall raised concerns about SpaceX's potential market dominance following its IPO, which Michael addressed by explaining that antitrust considerations would require government approval for monopolistic behavior, though he noted SpaceX's competition with other launch companies. Michael predicted that 2025 would be a transition year for space policy, moving commercial space to a higher priority, and anticipated continued steady progress in 2026, with over 100 launches expected from Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg that year. John Jossy mentioned the upcoming 60-day timeline for issuing guidance on American space nuclear power initiatives.Michael discussed the challenges of developing nuclear propulsion systems, citing the example of DARPA's project being abandoned. He explained that the new nuclear power directive from the administration aims to move initiatives forward, with multiple agencies involved in authorization processes. David raised concerns about Congress potentially being a stumbling block to space exploration efforts, given its current focus and past legislative conflicts. Michael noted the ongoing competition between NASA authorization acts and the CHIPS Act, suggesting that the White House might find a way to align these directives.Michael went on to explain that space settlement lacks regulatory infrastructure and requires a national space policy prioritizing it, which currently does not exist. He noted that the FAA's 2015 Commercial Space Launch Act was not fully implemented, particularly regarding space resources, and highlighted the need for Congress to provide clear authorization for such activities. Marshall raised a question about the relationship between SpaceX's Starlink revenue and NASA's budget, to which Michael responded that this shift aligns with Reagan's vision for commercial space, emphasizing private innovation surpassing government capabilities.Nearing the end of our program, we focused on the current state and future of national space policy, commercial space initiatives, and technological advancements. Michael noted that the Trump administration's first-term national space policy remains in effect. The Biden administration did not replace it. The Trump pro-commercial space stance continues to influence the industry. The team discussed the potential for reduced launch costs due to increased competition, with Rocket Lab's success highlighted as a significant player in the market. They also explored the implications of the Golden Dome initiative, emphasizing its potential geopolitical and defense implications, as well as the challenges it may face in the future. The conversation concluded with an examination of upcoming technologies, such as SpaceX's Starlink and its potential impact on global communication, and the importance of spectrum management in space policy.Special thanks to our sponsors:Northrup Grumman, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Helix Space in Luxembourg, Celestis Memorial Spaceflights, Astrox Corporation, Dr. Haym Benaroya of Rutgers University, The Space Settlement Progress Blog by John Jossy, The Atlantis Project, and Artless EntertainmentOur Toll Free Line for Live Broadcasts: 1-866-687-7223 (Not in service at this time)For real time program participation, email Dr. Space at: drspace@thespaceshow.com for instructions and access.The Space Show is a non-profit 501C3 through its parent, One Giant Leap Foundation, Inc. To donate via Pay Pal, use:To donate with Zelle, use the email address: david@onegiantleapfoundation.org.If you prefer donating with a check, please make the check payable to One Giant Leap Foundation and mail to:One Giant Leap Foundation, 11035 Lavender Hill Drive Ste. 160-306 Las Vegas, NV 89135Upcoming Programs:Broadcast 4477 Zoom: To Be Determined | Friday 26 Dec 2025 930AM PTGuests: Dr. David LivingstonZOOM: To Be DeterminedBroadcast 4478: Zoom: TOM OLSON | Sunday 28 Dec 2025 1200PM PTGuests: Thomas A. OlsonZoom: Tom returns for his annual year in review program. Always exciting and fun. Don't miss it. Get full access to The Space Show-One Giant Leap Foundation at doctorspace.substack.com/subscribe

    Fight Laugh Feast USA
    Christmas in Room #4 (The Death Room)│Prison Pulpit #62 [China Compass]

    Fight Laugh Feast USA

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 24:18


    Christmas in Room Number Four: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/christmas-in-room-number-four-the Just as we did on Thanksgiving a few weeks ago, today I want to read a special story from Richard Wurmband’s book In God's Underground (https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/IGU-english.pdf). Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network (and the Christian Podcast Community)! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I present a new Chinese city or county to pray for every single day. Please send any questions or comments to a new, secure email: chinacompass@privacyport.com. Everything else can be found at PrayGiveGo.us! One last thing: I’m now set up on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/chinacompass), which now only allows for donations, but also lets me sort podcast episodes into various collections, making it easier to go back and find all the episodes on a certain topic or region, like Tibet, North Korea, or Hong Kong. Now Available: The Millionaire Missionary (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G94FKJJW/) For those who aren’t familiar with Richard Wurmband, here's a brief intro: Lutheran minister in Romania. 14 years in prison, including 3 in solitary confinement. After “escaping” abroad, published ”Tortured for Christ" in the 60s and testified to Congress. Founded Voice of the Martyrs with his son, but Michael Wurmbrand doesn’t trust VOM today. Michael Wurmbrand’s VOM letter: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html Free books (PDF) by Richard Wurmbrand: https://richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/ Follow China Compass Thank you for listening! Subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform! Follow me on X (@chinaadventures) or email chinacompass@privacyport.com with any questions or comments. There’s also a Paypal link at PrayforChina.us if you’d like to support our China ministry. For everything else, visit PrayGiveGo.us. Hebrews 13:3: Remember those who are in prison, “as bound with them”! Feliz Navidad

    Headline News
    China asks Japan to clarify after leakage of nuclear-tainted water

    Headline News

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 4:45


    China has called on Japan to promptly explain a radioactive water leak at the Fugen nuclear reactor, accept international oversight, and improve safety management to protect the marine environment.

    Headline News
    China warns of countermeasures over U.S. semiconductor tariff plan

    Headline News

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 4:45


    China has voiced strong opposition to a U.S. plan to impose tariffs on the Chinese semiconductor industry starting in 2027, warning that the move would disrupt global supply chains and hurt all sides.

    Headline News
    China, Russia criticize U.S. military actions against Venezuela

    Headline News

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 4:45


    At the United Nations Security Council, member states including China and Russia have criticized the U.S. for escalating military tensions with Venezuela.

    Communism Exposed:East and West
    China's Military Buildup Leaves US Vulnerable, Pentagon Warns

    Communism Exposed:East and West

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 7:57


    World Today
    Is the US ban on new foreign-made drones based on legitimate concerns?

    World Today

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2025 53:12


    ① China has condemned the US action to add all foreign-made drones and key components to a list of untrusted suppliers. Can protectionism help the US boost its own drone technologies' competitiveness? (00:56) ② Japan is preparing to restart a major nuclear power plant that has been closed since the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster. We take a look at the safety concerns raised by this move. (13:56) ③ Israel's defense minister is engulfed in controversy after saying Israel will never fully withdraw from Gaza. What could be the consequences of a scenario like that? (24:34) ④ European countries are voicing strong support for Denmark and Greenland in the wake of renewed threat from Donald Trump to take over the autonomous territory. Why is Europe firmly rejecting any suggestion of selling the island? (33:04) ⑤ Humanoid robots have begun working at scale on CATL's factory floors. We explore how China's EV battery giants are taking automation to the next level. (42:21)

    Verdict with Ted Cruz
    BONUS POD: A Battleship Bombshell-Trump's Navy Goes YUGE!

    Verdict with Ted Cruz

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 12:01 Transcription Available


    Golden Fleet Announcement Trump unveils plans for the construction of two massive battleships, described as: The largest ever built. “100 times more powerful” than previous Iowa-class ships. Part of a new Golden Fleet to revitalize U.S. naval power. Long-term vision: expand to 20–25 ships, boosting American shipbuilding and jobs. Emphasis on national security, military supremacy, and economic benefits. Press Conference Highlights Trump positions himself as “the most transparent president in modern history”, answering questions on: China, Venezuela, Iran, and oil tanker seizures. Drug trafficking from Colombia. U.S. investment and tariffs. Healthcare insurer meetings. Epstein files and photos involving Bill Clinton. Epstein Files Discussion Trump expresses discomfort with photos of Bill Clinton being released but frames the issue as a Democratic distraction from Republican successes. Criticizes political opponents for using Epstein controversy to deflect from his administration’s achievements. Economic & Trade Themes Claims trillions in foreign investment flowing into the U.S. due to tariffs and pro-business policies. Projects $18 trillion in investments within 10 months, aiming for $20 trillion. Please Hit Subscribe to this podcast Right Now. Also Please Subscribe to the The Ben Ferguson Show Podcast and Verdict with Ted Cruz Wherever You get You're Podcasts. And don't forget to follow the show on Social Media so you never miss a moment! Thanks for Listening X: https://x.com/benfergusonshowYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@VerdictwithTedCruzSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Pivot
    The AI Dilemma with Tristan Harris – The Prof G Pod

    Pivot

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 61:30


    Tristan Harris, former Google design ethicist and co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, joins Scott Galloway to explain why children have become the front line of the AI crisis. They unpack the rise of AI companions, the collapse of teen mental health, the coming job shock, and how the U.S. and China are racing toward artificial general intelligence. Harris makes the case for age-gating, liability laws, and a global reset before intelligence becomes the most concentrated form of power in history. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    X22 Report
    [DS] Epstein Hoax Exposed, Boomerang, Another Election Protection Was Just Introduced, Pain – Ep. 3803

    X22 Report

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 85:36


    Watch The X22 Report On Video No videos found (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:17532056201798502,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-9437-3289"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureThe world is moving away from wind and solar, coal demand is up, China was never going along with the green new scam. Trump is moving carefully through the [CB] minefield economy. Gold is on the move. Trump is moving the country out of the old system. The [DS] try to get Trump with the Epstein hoax, now that the information dropped the people can now see what the [DS] was planning. Ship building is coming back to the US. Trump signs the NDAA that has additional protections for the election. Every step of the way Trump is countering the [DS] cheating system. Economy https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/2003156645388406992?s=20   consumption, or 4.95 billion tonnes. By comparison, US coal demand stands at 410 million tonnes, just ~5% of the world's total. Meanwhile, the IEA projects a gradual decline in demand over the next 5 years, to ~8.60 billion tonnes by 2030. However, past forecasts of peak coal demand have repeatedly proven wrong, as consumption continues to rise. Coal remains in high demand 23 US States Are At High Risk Of (Or In) Recession Currently  In 2025, states responsible for about a third of U.S. GDP are in recession, or face high recession risk. Another third are expanding, including Florida and Utah, based on payrolls, employment, and other key economic data. This graphic, via Visual Capitalist’s Dorothy Neufeld, shows recession risk by state in 2025, based on analysis from Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody's Analytics. In Recession/High Risk Treading Water Expanding State/District Business Cycle Status Share of U.S. GDP (%) Georgia In Recession/High Risk 3.03 Montana In Recession/High Risk 0.25 Wyoming In Recession/High Risk 0.18 Michigan In Recession/High Risk 2.44 Massachusetts In Recession/High Risk 2.73 Mississippi In Recession/High Risk 0.53 Minnesota In Recession/High Risk 1.70 Kansas In Recession/High Risk 0.80 Rhode Island In Recession/High Risk 0.28 Delaware In Recession/High Risk 0.34 Washington In Recession/High Risk 3.02 Illinois In Recession/High Risk 3.85 West Virginia In Recession/High Risk 0.36 New Hampshire In Recession/High Risk 0.42 Maryland In Recession/High Risk 1.86 Virginia In Recession/High Risk 2.66 South Dakota In Recession/High Risk 0.25 Connecticut In Recession/High Risk 1.27 Oregon In Recession/High Risk 1.14 Iowa In Recession/High Risk 0.86 New Jersey In Recession/High Risk 2.93 Maine In Recession/High Risk 0.33 District of Columbia In Recession/High Risk 0.64 Missouri Treading Water 1.54 Ohio Treading Water 3.14 Hawaii Treading Water 0.39 Arkansas Treading Water 0.65 New Mexico Treading Water 0.49 Tennessee Treading Water 1.87 New York Treading Water 7.92 Vermont Treading Water 0.16 Alaska Treading Water 0.24 Colorado Treading Water 1.92 California Treading Water 14.50 Nevada Treading Water 0.86 South Carolina Expanding 1.18 Texas Expanding 9.41 Oklahoma Expanding 0.92 Idaho Expanding 0.43 Kentucky Expanding 0.99 Alabama Expanding 1.10 Indiana Expanding 1.81 Nebraska Expanding 0.63 North Carolina Expanding 2.86 Louisiana Expanding 1.11 Florida Expanding 5.78 North Dakota Expanding 0.26 Pennsylvania Expanding 3.54 Arizona Expanding 1.88 Wisconsin Expanding 1.53 Utah Expanding 1.02 Currently, many coastal, Northeastern states are facing some of the worst economic conditions. In Maine, for instance, year-over-year GDP growth is just 0.8% as of Q2 2025, compared to the U.S. average of 2.1%. Meanwhile, Washington, D.C.'s unemployment rate was 6.4% in July, significantly higher than the 4.6% U.S. average given sweeping federal cuts. According to Zandi's analysis, New York and California are “Treading Water”, together responsible for driving over 22% of U.S. GDP. In comparison, Texas, which fuels 9.4% of U.S. economic growth is expanding. Unemployment rates of 4.0% in July remain below the U.S. average. Additionally, the Texas economy is growing faster than the nation, while income growth rose 6.3% annually as of Q2 2025, outpacing the national average.   Source: zerohedge.com (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:18510697282300316,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-8599-9832"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="https://cdn2.decide.dev/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs"); https://twitter.com/unseen1_unseen/status/2003254895143461092?s=20   caused by falling home prices while increasing the affordability of homes. Home builders aren’t going to build more homes if they are losing money. Trump can’t force them to build homes. This is where thinking outside the box comes in play and things like the 50 year mortgage, interest rate cuts, lower down-payments, salt taxes etc get proposed. With deportations and the decline of the boomer generation from old age, supply will be increasing. Prices will come down. The trick is not to allow them to go into a free fall and keep demand high enough to soak up a great deal of that supply. Trump’s proposed $2,000 tariff rebate checks depend on Congress   President Donald Trump needs Congress to take action to make good on a proposal to send some Americans $2,000 tariff rebate checks next year. Director of the National Economic Council Kevin Hassett said the U.S. House and Senate will need to take up the matter. “I would expect that in the new year, the president will bring forth a proposal to Congress to make that happen,” Hassett said on “Face the Nation” on Sunday. Details about Trump’s tariff rebate proposal remain sparse. Trump has said he wants to issue the rebate checks and use the rest of the tariff revenue to pay down the nation’s $38 trillion debt, even as the U.S. Supreme Court has not yet determined whether he has the authority to impose tariffs. Source: thecentersquare.com US Industrial Production Rises At Strongest Annual Rate Since Apr 2022 Following the much-stronger-than-expected GDP print, US Industrial Production also surprised to the upside, rising 0.2% MoM in November and pulling the YoY change up to 2.52% – the strongest annual growth since April 2022… Source: zerohedge.com Trump Boom: U.S. Economy Grows 4.3%, Fastest in Two Years, Smashing Expectations The U.S. economy grew this summer at the fastest pace in two years, far outpacing economists' forecasts. The Commerce Department said U.S. gross domestic product—the government's official economic scorecard—rose at a seasonally and inflation-adjusted 4.3 percent annual rate in the third quarter. The report on the July through September period was delayed due to the shutdown. Consumer spending grew much faster than expected, expanding at a seasonally and inflation-adjusted annual rate of 3.5 percent. That's up from 2.5 percent in the second quarter and above the 2.7 percent expected. Source: breitbart.com    FULL steam ahead — “You haven't seen anything yet!” Thank you for your attention to this matter. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! DONALD J. TRUMP PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2003149733158588868?s=20 This list is just the table setting for the coming booming economy. Wait till Trump transforms the entire fiat world debt system. A Golden Age for the world approaches. https://twitter.com/KobeissiLetter/status/2003285919668011147?s=20    good news, the Market went up. Nowadays, when there is good news, the Market goes down, because everybody thinks that Interest Rates will be immediately lifted to take care of “potential” Inflation. That means that, essentially, we can never have a Great Market again, those Markets from the time when our Nation was building up, and becoming great. Strong Markets, even phenomenal Markets, don't cause Inflation, stupidity does! I want my new Fed Chairman to lower Interest Rates if the Market is doing well, not destroy the Market for no reason whatsoever. I want to have a Market the likes of which we haven't had in many decades, a Market that goes up on good news, and down on bad news, the way it should be, and the way it was. Inflation will take care of itself and, if it doesn't, we can always raise Rates at the appropriate time — But the appropriate time is not to kill Rallies, which could lift our Nation by 10, 15, and even 20 GDP points in a year — and maybe even more than that! A Nation can never be Economically GREAT if “eggheads” are allowed to do everything within their power to destroy the upward slope. We are going to be encouraging the Good Market to get better, rather than make it impossible for it to do so. We are going to see numbers that are far more natural, and far better, than they have ever been before. We are going to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! The United States should be rewarded for SUCCESS, not brought down by it. Anybody that disagrees with me will never be the Fed Chairman! Political/Rights https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/2003309528805470611?s=20 https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/2003266300832038926?s=20 https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/2003271819705389139?s=20   interfere with immigration operations. https://twitter.com/libsoftiktok/status/2003378383862817224?s=20 https://twitter.com/BillMelugin_/status/2002573015142576350?s=20 https://twitter.com/TriciaOhio/status/2002801058897142114?s=20   This was a targeted operation to arrest Fernandez Flores, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras with a criminal conviction for making a false police report. Flores entered the United States illegally at unknown date and location without inspection by an immigration officer. He will remain in ICE custody pending further immigration proceedings. If you come to our country illegally and break our laws, we will find you, we will arrest you, and you will not return. https://twitter.com/DHSgov/status/2003130997198713329?s=20https://twitter.com/MJTruthUltra/status/2003214521419333695?s=20 https://twitter.com/MJTruthUltra/status/2003214521419333695?s=20 WATCH: Justice Department Releases Shocking Recreation Video of Jeffrey Epstein Trying to Kill Himself The Justice Department on Monday released recreation video of Jeffrey Epstein inside of his jail cell trying to kill himself. The video – which was revealed to be computer-generated – is timestamped August 10, 2019 at 4:29 am ET – Epstein was found dead at 6:30 am ET on August 10, 2019. Prosecutors previously said that the two CCTV cameras positioned outside of Epstein's cell had malfunctioned. The 10-second recreation video shows Epstein sitting on the floor of his cell attempting to kill himself. WATCH:  Source: thegatwaypundit.com  https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/2003476301970133417?s=20  “a circular line of erythema at the base of the neck” along with other marks of friction and bruising on his knee. Epstein told prison staff he didn't remember what happened but was afraid to return to the Special Housing Unit, saying it was “where he had gotten marks on his neck and he does not know why it happened.” He said he had only slept 30 minutes a night for five days due to noise and stress. His cellmate, ex-cop Nicholas Tartaglione, had reportedly been harassing him, and Epstein claimed “he tried to kill me.” Staff noted Tartaglione had been aggressive and was seen mocking Epstein with a string around his neck. Despite these signs, the incident was labeled a “possible suicide attempt.” https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/2003292687835787393?s=20  were actively tracking and attempting to contact 10 individuals connected to Epstein’s crimes. The email references attempts to contact Brunel (modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel, who later died in prison), Maxwell (Ghislaine, now serving 20 years), and mentions “Ohio contacting Wexner.” Les Wexner is the billionaire L Brands founder who gave Epstein his $77 million NYC mansion and served as his primary financial benefactor for years. A separate confidential document from law firm Debevoise & Plimpton lists SDNY matters they appeared in, including one entry: “Wexner: Epstein investigation.” 10 co-conspirators. Only Maxwell was ever charged. The names behind those black boxes are the real story here. https://twitter.com/MikeBenzCyber/status/2003358231780032675?s=20 https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/2003480729624412240?s=20  and his residence as Dammam, Saudi Arabia. Profession listed: “Manager.” It's part of a trove of thousands of Epstein-related files released overnight. https://twitter.com/MarioNawfal/status/2003436034709995730?s=20   from Epstein's properties – computers, hard drives, disks, the digital nervous system of the operation. And they can't get it. At one point, frustration boils over into honesty: “The FBI is completely fucking us on this.” That's not a tweet. That's an internal DOJ message. Translation: the prosecutors responsible for bringing cases did not have a clear, reliable accounting of the evidence in the FBI's possession. Not what was seized. Not what was imaged. Not what was searchable. Not what was missing. This isn't incompetence in a vacuum. It's structural. Evidence control is power. Whoever controls the data controls the pace, the scope, and the fallout. And remember: Epstein died before trial. Maxwell was prosecuted narrowly. No broader conspiracy case ever materialized. Prediction: this is why. Not because the evidence didn't exist- but because it never cohered into something prosecutors could safely touch without detonating their own case. The scandal isn't just who was on the tapes. It's that even the feds couldn't tell you where the tapes went. That's not a cover-up movie plot. That's a system quietly eating itself. https://twitter.com/sentdefender/status/2003457025695719784?s=20  and sensationalist claims made against President Trump that were submitted to the FBI right before the 2020 Election. To be clear: the claims are unfounded and false, and if they had a shred of credibility, they certainly would have been weaponized against President Trump already.” New: More Epstein Files Drop, and Donald Trump Appears to Be the Star This Time Around So, what incriminating evidence against President Trump is to be found in this latest drop? Apparently, an email from January 2020 in which a federal prosecutor from New York – of course – to an “undisclosed person” claiming Trump had flown on Jeffrey Epstein’s private plan at least eight times during the 1990s, and one time there was a 20-year-old woman on the flight.  Here’s more: The email, which was sent in January 2020 from a federal prosecutor in New York to an undisclosed person, says, “For your situational awareness, wanted to let you know that the flight records we received yesterday reflect that Donald Trump traveled on Epstein's private jet many more times than previously has been reported (or that we were aware), including during the period we would expect to charge in a [Ghislaine] Maxwell case.”  This big revelation is that Trump traveled a few more times than we previously knew, although this was during a time period that the president has already acknowledged having had an association with Epstein. Note the timing of the email – January 2020 is when the presidential election would be kicking into full swing. This anonymous federal prosecutor clearly thought they had a gotcha moment, but there’s a pesky little detail that puts things in perspective: “[Trump] is listed as having traveled with, among others and at various times, Marla Maples, his daughter Tiffany, and his son Eric.”  Source: redstate.com The specific document you’re referring to appears to be the complaint filed in the 2020 civil lawsuit Doe v. Indyke et al. (Case No. 1:20-cv-00484, S.D.N.Y.), which was part of the recently released Epstein files by the U.S. Department of Justice.  This lawsuit was brought by an anonymous plaintiff (“Jane Doe”) against the executors of Jeffrey Epstein’s estate (Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn) and Ghislaine Maxwell, seeking compensation for alleged sexual abuse and trafficking by Epstein.How Trump’s Name Appears in the DocumentOn page 4 of the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that during one of her encounters with Epstein (around the 1990s), he took her to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida when she was 14 years old. Epstein reportedly introduced her to Donald Trump (then the owner of Mar-a-Lago), elbowed him playfully, and asked, referring to the girl, “This is a good one, right?” Trump is described as smiling and nodding in agreement, after which they both chuckled. The plaintiff states she felt uncomfortable but was too young to understand why at the time. The document does not accuse Trump of any criminal wrongdoing or involvement in Epstein’s abuse; it frames this as part of the broader context of her grooming and exploitation by Epstein.How the Name Got Into the DocumentTrump’s name was included as part of the plaintiff’s personal allegations detailing her experiences with Epstein. The complaint is a legal filing where the victim recounts specific incidents to support her claims against Epstein’s estate and associates. It reflects her firsthand account, not a court-verified fact or evidence from other sources.  There is no mention of independent corroboration (e.g., witnesses, photos, or records) in the filing itself, and it has not been adjudicated in court as true.Source of the AllegationThe source is the anonymous plaintiff (“Jane Doe”), who claims to be a victim of Epstein’s abuse starting from age 13 or 14.  She was reportedly recruited at a summer camp in Michigan and alleges ongoing grooming and assaults by Epstein over several years. This Doe is distinct from other known accusers like Virginia Giuffre, though a similar incident (Epstein introducing a 14-year-old to Trump at Mar-a-Lago without the “good one” comment) was testified to by another accuser (“Jane”) during Ghislaine Maxwell’s 2021 criminal trial.  https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/2003236602374713557?s=20 DOGE Geopolitical https://twitter.com/BreannaMorello/status/2003196698974191914?s=20   that are protected under the Constitution. Under D.C. law, anyone wishing to own a firearm must register it with the MPD. However, the D.C. Code imposes a sweeping ban on the registration—and thus the legal possession—of a wide range of firearms. This broad prohibition, the Justice Department argues, infringes on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens who seek to keep and bear commonly owned firearms for lawful purposes. Trump's DOJ Sues Washington, D.C. Police Department Over Unconstitutional Ban on Semi-Automatic Firearms The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the District of Columbia's Metropolitan Police Department for enforcing a ban on semi-automatic firearms in violation of the Second Amendment. The lawsuit alleges that D.C.'s gun laws require registration of all firearms with the MPD; however, the D.C. Code imposes a sweeping ban on numerous protected weapons, making it legally impossible for residents to own them for self-defense or other lawful purposes. The DOJ said in a press release announcing the lawsuit: “MPD's current pattern and practice of refusing to register protected firearms is forcing residents to sue to protect their rights and to risk facing wrongful arrest for lawfully possessing protected firearms.” “Today's action from the Department of Justice's new Second Amendment Section underscores our ironclad commitment to protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. Bondi continued, “Washington, DC's ban on some of America's most popular firearms is an unconstitutional infringement on the Second Amendment — living in our nation's capital should not preclude law-abiding citizens from exercising their fundamental constitutional right to keep and bear arms.” Echoing this sentiment, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Civil Rights Division added, “This Civil Rights Division will defend American citizens from unconstitutional restrictions of commonly used firearms, in violation of their Second Amendment rights. The newly established Second Amendment Section filed this lawsuit to ensure that the very rights D.C. resident Mr. Heller secured 17 years ago are enforced today — and that all law-abiding citizens seeking to own protected firearms for lawful purposes may do so.” The case draws directly from the landmark 2008 Supreme Court decision in District of Columbia v. Heller, where the Court affirmed that the Second Amendment protects the right of law-abiding citizens to own semi-automatic weapons in their homes for self-defense. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/2003192220753723840?s=20 https://twitter.com/disclosetv/status/2003238094057955337?s=20 War/Peace https://twitter.com/WarClandestine/status/2003334956479558072?s=20 there will be no escalation into broader conflict, and the decision has already been made. However, precision air strikes on cartel assets seems like a probable outcome. Trump is neutralizing Deep State assets around the globe, and South/Central American drug cartels are assets of the Deep State. They are transnational criminal organizations responsible for the drug, weapon, and human trafficking of the Western hemisphere, and their racket feeds the Deep State machine. My guess is, that cartel drug factories and assets are going to get smoked by the US MIL via precision air strikes, and the other powerful leaders of the world have already agreed to some sort of deal with Trump and no one will interfere. Just like Iran and Syria. I think most of the leaders/nations of the world agree with Trump that these transnational criminal organizations must be eradicated, and stability must be brought to the world. President Unveils ‘Trump Class’ Of Warships, Huntington Ingalls Shares Jump    build two new “Trump-class” battleships, to acquire 20-25 of these ships in the coming years.   In his address, the President noted these 30,000-40,000 ton ships will carry a large quantity of missiles, including hypersonic missiles, and will also be outfitted with electromagnetic rail guns and directed energy lasers. Trump-class battleships will also carry nuclear-armed sea launched cruise missiles (currently under development) adding an additional element of nuclear deterrence to the Navy. Trump-class destroyers appear to be designed as the center of enhanced command and control networks at sea, as the Navy looks to field more autonomous assets and traditional vessels in the coming years.   The first “Trump-class” battleship will be named USS Defiant, and it will be even longer than the Iowa-class battleships of the World War II era. However, at 35,000 tons, it will only weigh about half as much, and have a smaller crew of between 650 and 850 sailors; the Iowa had some 2,700 sailors. The new ships — which are being called “guided missile battleships” —  are part of larger vision for a “Golden Fleet.” The Navy has rolled out a website to promote that concept. Sources tell AP that construction of the Defiant is expected to start in the early 2030’s, with another 19 to 24 Trump-class ships to follow.   Source: zerohedge.com https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2003231263520379120?s=20   that kind of money, they HAVE to build quickly!”   “We want the dividends to go into the creation of production facilities. We’ll be talking about CapEx, dividends and the pay.” “Also, buybacks…they want to buy back their stock. I want them to put their money in plants and equipment! So they can build these planes FAST, like, IMMEDIATELY!” Medical/False Flags https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/2003224842078675311?s=20  of American institutions or threats to our food supply, economy, or public safety. Protecting the homeland means vigilance: every time, no exceptions. https://twitter.com/ThomasMoreSoc/status/2003262595566850541?s=20  precedent-setting victory, a federal court has permanently blocked California AG Rob Bonta and the CA Dept. of Education from forcing teachers to lie to parents about their own children’s secret gender transitions—declaring parents have a constitutional right to know and teachers have a constitutional right to share the truth. [DS] Agenda https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/2003205278796501397?s=20  larger scale. Don't forget that the Malthusians are antihuman and that they believe that 7 out of every 8 human lives on the planet must be terminated in order to save the world. Nearly 100 Minnesota Mayors Send Panicked Letter to Lawmakers Complaining About Fraud Scandal and the Leadership of Tim Walz Almost 100 mayors in the state of Minnesota have sent a letter to state lawmakers complaining about the fraud scandal and how it is going to impact the communities they serve. They are clearly not happy with the leadership of Governor Tim Walz and his connections to the fraud scandal that has rocked the state in recent weeks. The scandal is still unfolding and it's unclear what the final tally will be, but it's looking like something in the tens of billions. FOX News reports:  You can see the full letter here. These mayors should have demanded that Tim Walz resign. Source: thegatewaypundit.com https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/2002771316345327905?s=20 Our crooked politicians have set up the biggest money laundering operation in the world and that 38 trillion in debt is almost all tied to fraud. this is the tip of the iceberg. Buckle up, its all being exposed. Your harder earned money was used to support a criminal syndicate.  President Trump's Plan  https://twitter.com/DcLidstone/status/2003338615917806050?s=20 John Brennan Lawyers Confirm Their Client is a “Target” of a Grand Jury Investigation Lawfare lawyer Kenneth Wainstein representing former CIA Director John Brennan confirmed in a proactive litigation letter to Chief Judge Cecilia M. Altonaga of the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Florida, their client is a “target” of a grand jury investigation. The word “target” is important here, because the letter specifically outlines how Brennan has received subpoenas for documents and information surrounding his construct of the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment. The letter notes that prosecutors from the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Jason Reding Quiñones, have advised Mr. Brennan that he is “a target” of a grand jury investigation.   [SOURCE] Pay attention to the footnotes being cited by Brennan's lawyers as they begin to pull in some of the commentary by voices who have publicly given opinion about the overall Trump targeting operation.  Mike Davis name appears frequently in this letter, as the Brennan defense team begins to frame the conspiratorial nature of some claims against their client. In essence, the Brennan legal team are attempting to refute the evidence by pointing to the blanket of some crazy commentary that covers it. This is exactly what I have been cautioning about {SEE HERE}. Source: theconservativetreehouse.com https://twitter.com/TheStormRedux/status/2003448097930662069?s=20  Cannon's courtroom. FANTASTIC. https://twitter.com/amuse/status/2003133420021424297?s=20   Thune objected the president would be able to adjourn Congress for ten days and get his full team on the field. https://twitter.com/DavidShafer/status/2002953961595449763?s=20 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Contains Hidden Election Integrity Gem – Could Have Huge Implications for Voting Machines    With the National Defense Authorization Act signed by President Donald Trump on December 18th, 2025, a little-known section was snuck into the 3000+ page bill:  Section 6805. Requiring Penetration Testing As Part Of The Testing And Certification of Voting Systems. This section amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 by adding a “Required Penetration Testing” section that “provides for the conduct of penetration testing as part of the testing, certification, decertification, and recertification of voting system hardware and software” by an accredited laboratory. The amendment now requires the penetration testing as a condition of certification from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) and allows consultation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology or any other federal agency on “lab selection criteria” and “other aspects of the program.” While this is still short of a legitimate attempt at ensuring election integrity, it is an effort toward scrutinizing the voting systems by finally requiring cybersecurity experts to do what Clay Parikh was restricted from doing during his time as a VSTL contractor. Hand-marked paper ballots hand-counted at the precinct level, is being utilized in Dallas County, TX for the 2026 midterm primaries, and is still the ultimate goal of the election integrity community to ensure free and fair elections in the United States. Source: thegatewaypundit.com Penetration testing, often abbreviated as “pen testing,” is a cybersecurity practice where authorized experts simulate real-world cyberattacks on a computer system, network, or application to identify and exploit vulnerabilities before malicious actors can do so. The goal is to uncover weaknesses in security measures, such as software flaws, misconfigurations, or inadequate defenses, and provide recommendations for remediation. It typically involves several stages: Planning and reconnaissance: Gathering information about the target system. Scanning: Using tools to probe for potential entry points. Gaining access: Attempting to exploit vulnerabilities to breach the system. Maintaining access: Testing how long access can be sustained without detection. Analysis and reporting: Documenting findings, risks, and fixes. In the context of Section 6805 of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which incorporates provisions from the SECURE IT Act (H.R. 6315), penetration testing is mandated as part of the testing, certification, decertification, and recertification process for voting system hardware and software. The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) must implement this requirement within 180 days of enactment, with accreditation of testing entities handled through recommendations from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This ensures that voting systems used in federal elections undergo rigorous cybersecurity assessments to detect and mitigate vulnerabilities, enhancing election security Poll: Trump's Approval Rating Lands at 50 Percent, 9 Points Above Water President Donald Trump enjoys a 50 percent approval rating, with a net approval rating of plus 9 points, according to the latest polling from InsiderAdvantage.  Source: breitbart.com (function(w,d,s,i){w.ldAdInit=w.ldAdInit||[];w.ldAdInit.push({slot:13499335648425062,size:[0, 0],id:"ld-7164-1323"});if(!d.getElementById(i)){var j=d.createElement(s),p=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];j.async=true;j.src="//cdn2.customads.co/_js/ajs.js";j.id=i;p.parentNode.insertBefore(j,p);}})(window,document,"script","ld-ajs");

    united states america american new york director california texas president success new york city donald trump china education house washington technology leadership americans pain michigan office gold home ohio elections planning predictions market dc western minnesota mom plan utah congress fbi world war ii code iran testing court target iowa supreme court buckle tx navy protecting ice maine senate columbia inflation maintaining standards fox news saudi arabia syria constitution markets ship exposed fantastic consumer analytics prices analysis rates gaining epstein flores golden age national institutes gdp jeffrey epstein honduras unemployment moody translation interest rates profession fastest hoaxes doj lago coal second amendment prosecutors cb ds tim walz justice department deep state ghislaine maxwell documenting boomerang heller cctv defiant rallies bondi jane doe northeastern mike davis southern district make america great again capex yoy fiscal year iea echoing ndaa national defense authorization act how trump virginia giuffre commerce department dhillon mpd voting systems brunel thune united states attorney dallas county treading water hassett civil rights division createelement metropolitan police department sdny technology nist cia director john brennan fed chairman case no federal district court parentnode getelementbyid plimpton national defense authorization act ndaa mark zandi debevoise zandi economy grows wexner l brands jean luc brunel marla maples election protection visual capitalist dammam uss defiant help america vote act mrandyngo ca dept intelligence community assessment
    Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu
    Breaking Down The Most Complex Ideas of 2025 - Best Of Impact Theory

    Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 109:19


    Welcome back to another powerhouse episode of Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu. In this special “Best Of IT 2025” edition, Tom Bilyeu sits down with a remarkable panel of thinkers, investigators, and insiders, including Whitney Webb, Scott Galloway, Andrew Bustamante, and Mo Gawdat. Today's conversation dives headlong into the intersections of politics, national security, technology, and the human condition. Whitney Webb unpacks the shadowy networks behind political and business power, giving us a candid look at Donald Trump's motivations, the AI arms race, and the rise of a modern technocracy. She draws bold connections from backroom deals to the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence, questioning who truly benefits from these seismic shifts. Andrew Bustamante, a former CIA operative, pulls back the curtain on intelligence operations, the Epstein scandal, and explains how global gamesmanship actually unfolds—reminding us that the truth often lies somewhere between conspiracy and incompetence. He explores the ongoing “shadow conflict” with China, the realities of modern military strategy, and what's really happening behind the headlines in hotspots like Venezuela and the Caribbean. Mo Gawdat challenges us to rethink the broader implications of global power plays—asking whether America's aggressive stance towards China may actually be hurting itself, and positing that economic diplomacy and humility could be the keys to a more peaceful future. And Scott Galloway offers his trademark candid analysis on the Trump presidency, economic malaise, masculinity in crisis, and what it will take for America's young people—especially young men—to thrive again. If you're looking for a conversation that pulls no punches and explores the uncomfortable truths behind world events, government, technology, and society, you're in the right place. Buckle up for a deep-dive into the power plays shaping our future, right here on Impact Theory. Quince: Go to https://quince.com/IMPACTPOD for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Linkedin: Post your job free at https://linkedin.com/impacttheory HomeServe: Help protect your home systems – and your wallet – with HomeServe against covered repairs. Plans start at just $4.99 a month at https://homeserve.com Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at https://shopify.com/impact True Classic: Upgrade your wardrobe at https://trueclassic.com/impact CashApp: Download Cash App Today - https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/v6nymgjl #CashAppPod Connectteam: 14 day free trial at https://connecteam.cc/46GxoTF Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code IMPACT at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/impact AquaTru: 20% off your purifier with code IMPACT https://aquatru.com What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here: If you want my help... STARTING a business: join me here at ZERO TO FOUNDER:  https://tombilyeu.com/zero-to-founder?utm_campaign=Podcast%20Offer&utm_source=podca[%E2%80%A6]d%20end%20of%20show&utm_content=podcast%20ad%20end%20of%20show SCALING a business: see if you qualify here.:  https://tombilyeu.com/call Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox: sign up here.: https://tombilyeu.com/ ********************************************************************** If you're serious about leveling up your life, I urge you to check out my new podcast, Tom Bilyeu's Mindset Playbook —a goldmine of my most impactful episodes on mindset, business, and health. Trust me, your future self will thank you. ********************************************************************** FOLLOW TOM: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tombilyeu/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tombilyeu?lang=en Twitter: https://twitter.com/tombilyeu YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TomBilyeu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    WSJ What’s News
    The U.S. Oil Blockade of Venezuela Is Pushing Cuba Toward Collapse

    WSJ What’s News

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 13:12


    A.M. Edition for Dec. 23. Cuba was already suffering from food shortages and blackouts. Now the U.S. oil blockade of Venezuela means the Communist island also faces the loss of cheap oil from Nicolás Maduro. The Journal's South America bureau chief Juan Forero explains. Plus, the U.S. bans new China-made drones from DJI and Autel Robotics, sparking outrage among pilots. And think you know business etiquette? Take our quiz and find out. Daniel Bach hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The John Batchelor Show
    S8 Ep231: 15. Trump's Security Strategy: Homeland Defense Lacks Global Clarity. John Yoo praises the strategy's focus on homeland defense and the Western Hemisphere, reviving a corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. However, he criticizes the failure to expl

    The John Batchelor Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 13:50


    15. Trump's Security Strategy: Homeland Defense Lacks Global Clarity. John Yoo praises the strategy's focus on homeland defense and the Western Hemisphere, reviving a corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. However, he criticizes the failure to explicitly name China as an adversary or define clear goals for defending allies in Asia and Europe against great power rivals. 1770 FIVE VIEWS OF NY ENTRANCEC

    The John Batchelor Show
    S8 Ep232: SHOW 12-22-25 THE SHOW BEGINS WITH DOUBTS ABOUT FUTURE NAVY. 1. Restoring Naval Autonomy: Arguments for Separating the Navy from DoD. Tom Modly argues the Navy is an "underperforming asset" within the Defense Department's corporate s

    The John Batchelor Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 9:55


    SHOW 12-22-25 THE SHOW BEGINS WITH DOUBTS ABOUT FUTURE NAVY. 1941 HICKAM FIELD 1. Restoring Naval Autonomy: Arguments for Separating the Navy from DoD. Tom Modly argues the Navy is an "underperforming asset" within the Defense Department's corporate structure, similar to how Fiat Chrysler successfully spun off Ferrari. He suggests the Navy needs independence to address critical shipbuilding deficits and better protect global commerce and vulnerable undersea cables from adversaries. 2. Future Fleets: Decentralizing Firepower to Counter Chinese Growth. Tom Modly warns that China's shipbuilding capacity vastly outpaces the US, requiring a shift toward distributed forces rather than expensive, concentrated platforms. He advocates for a reinvigorated, independent Department of the Navy to foster the creativity needed to address asymmetric threats like Houthi attacks on high-value assets. 3. British Weakness: The Failure to Challenge Beijing Over Jimmy Lai. Mark Simon predicts Prime Minister Starmer will fail to secure Jimmy Lai's release because the UK mistakenly views China as an economic savior. He notes the UK's diminished military and economic leverage leads to a submissive diplomatic stance, despite China'sdeclining ability to offer investment. 4. Enforcing Sanctions: Interdicting the Shadow Fleet to Squeeze China. Victoria Coates details the Trump administration's enforcement of a "Monroe Doctrine" corollary, using naval power to seize tankers carrying Venezuelan oil to China. This strategy exposes China's lack of maritime projection and energy vulnerability, as Beijingcannot legally contest the seizures of illicit shadow fleet vessels. 5. Symbolic Strikes: US and Jordan Target Resurgent ISIS in Syria. Following an attack on US personnel, the US and Jordan conducted airstrikes against ISIS strongholds, likely with Syrian regime consultation. Ahmed Sharawi questions the efficacy of striking desert warehouses when ISIS cells have moved into urban areas, suggesting the strikes were primarily symbolic domestic messaging. 6. Failure to Disarm: Hezbollah's Persistence and UNIFIL's Inefficacy. David Daoud reports that the Lebanesegovernment is failing to disarm Hezbollah south of the Litani River, merely evicting them from abandoned sites. He argues UNIFIL is an ineffective tripwire, as Hezbollah continues to rebuild infrastructure and receive funding right under international observers' noses. 7. Global Jihad: The Distinct Threats of the Brotherhood and ISIS. Edmund Fitton-Brown contrasts the Muslim Brotherhood's long-term infiltration of Western institutions with ISIS's violent, reckless approach. He warns that ISISremains viable, with recent facilitated attacks in Australia indicating a resurgence in capability beyond simple "inspired" violence. 8. The Forever War: Jihadist Patience vs. American Cycles. Bill Roggio argues the US has failed to defeat jihadist ideology or funding, allowing groups like Al-Qaeda to persist in Afghanistan and Africa. He warns that adversaries view American withdrawals as proof of untrustworthiness, exploiting the US tendency to fight short-term wars against enemies planning for decades. 9. The Professional: Von Steuben's Transformation of the Continental Army. Richard Bell introduces Baron von Steuben as a desperate, unemployed Prussian officer who professionalized the ragtag Continental Army at Valley Forge. Washington's hiring of foreign experts like Steuben demonstrated a strategic willingness to utilize global talent to ensure the revolution's survival. 10. Privateers and Prison Ships: The Unsung Cost of Maritime Independence. Richard Bell highlights the crucial role of privateers like William Russell, who raided British shipping when the Continental Navy was weak. Captured privateers faced horrific conditions in British "black hole" facilities like Mill Prison and the deadly prison ship Jersey in New York Harbor, where mortality rates reached 50%. 11. Caught in the Crossfire: Indigenous Struggles in the Revolutionary War. Molly Brant, a Mohawk leader, allied with the British to stop settler encroachment but became a refugee when the British failed to protect Indigenous lands. Post-war, white Americans constructed myths portraying themselves as blameless victims while ignoring their own Indigenous allies and British betrayals regarding land rights. 12. The Irish Dimension: Revolutionary Hopes and Brutal Repression. The Irish viewed the American Revolutionas a signal that the British Empire was vulnerable, sparking the failed 1798 Irish rebellion. While the British suppressed Irish independence brutally under Cornwallis, Irish immigrants and Scots-Irish settlers like Andrew Jackson fervently supported the Continental Army against the Crown. 13. Assessing Battlefield Realities: Russian Deceit and Ukrainian Counterattacks. John Hardie analyzes the "culture of deceit" within the Russian military, exemplified by false claims of capturing Kupyansk while Ukraine actually counterattacked. This systemic lying leads to overconfidence in Putin's strategy, though Ukraine also faces challenges with commanders hesitating to report lost positions to avoid forced counterattacks. 14. Shifts in Latin America: Brazilian Elections and Venezuelan Hope. Ernesto Araujo and Alejandro Peña Esclusapredict a 2026 battle between socialist accommodation and freedom-oriented transformation in Brazil, highlighted by Flavio Bolsonaro's candidacy against Lula. Meanwhile, Peña Esclusa anticipates Venezuela's liberation and a broader regional shift toward the right following leftist defeats in Ecuador, Argentina, and Chile. 15. Trump's Security Strategy: Homeland Defense Lacks Global Clarity. John Yoo praises the strategy's focus on homeland defense and the Western Hemisphere, reviving a corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. However, he criticizes the failure to explicitly name China as an adversary or define clear goals for defending allies in Asia and Europe against great power rivals. 16. Alienating Allies: The Strategic Cost of Attacking European Partners. John Yoo argues that imposing tariffs and attacking democratic European allies undermines the coalition needed to counter China and Russia. He asserts that democracies are the most reliable partners for protecting American security and values, making cooperation essential despite resource constraints and political disagreements.

    The John Batchelor Show
    S8 Ep234: REVIEW AUSTRALIA CRITICIZED FOR KOWTOWING TO CHINA DESPITE DISDAIN Colleague Grant Newsham. Grant Newsham criticizes the Australian government for "kowtowing" to China due to a dependence on raw material exports. Despite China treating

    The John Batchelor Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 2:01


    REVIEW AUSTRALIA CRITICIZED FOR KOWTOWING TO CHINA DESPITE DISDAIN Colleague Grant Newsham. Grant Newsham criticizes the Australian government for "kowtowing" to China due to a dependence on raw material exports. Despite China treating Australia with disdain—sending naval patrols and calling the nation "gum on your shoe"—Canberra continues these dealings rather than diversifying trade toward friendly allies. BOOTH BAY.

    The John Batchelor Show
    S8 Ep231: 16. Alienating Allies: The Strategic Cost of Attacking European Partners. John Yoo argues that imposing tariffs and attacking democratic European allies undermines the coalition needed to counter China and Russia. He asserts that democracies are

    The John Batchelor Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 5:50


     16. Alienating Allies: The Strategic Cost of Attacking European Partners. John Yoo argues that imposing tariffs and attacking democratic European allies undermines the coalition needed to counter China and Russia. He asserts that democracies are the most reliable partners for protecting American security and values, making cooperation essential despite resource constraints and political disagreements. 1850 FRANKLIN

    The President's Daily Brief
    December 23rd, 2025: China Crosses Nuclear Red Line & Ukraine Strikes Deep Inside Russia

    The President's Daily Brief

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 25:51


    In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Alarming new intelligence from the Pentagon suggests China is rapidly filling newly constructed missile silos with intercontinental ballistic missiles, signaling a nuclear buildup moving faster than analysts expected and raising fresh concerns about Beijing's long-term intentions. Ukraine takes the fight deep inside Russia, striking energy infrastructure, aircraft, and naval targets in a coordinated wave of attacks aimed at disrupting Moscow's war effort far from the front lines. Diplomacy delivers smiles but no substance, as White House officials describe talks with Russia in Miami as “productive,” even while the Kremlin openly admits no progress has been made toward ending the war. And in today's Back of the Brief: border fighting between Cambodia and Thailand drags into a third week, with new talks planned to revive a ceasefire once brokered by President Trump. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold Stash Financial: Don't Let your money sit around. Go to https://get.stash.com/PDB to see how you can receive $25 towards your first stock purchase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Wright Report
    23 DEC 2025: Part II: Christmas Week Q&A // Top Three Threats to the Homeland — and Why // Running a Podcast: From AI Bryan to What's Coming Next for TWR

    The Wright Report

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 34:29


    Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Day two of the Wright Report holiday series continues with unscripted answers to listener-submitted questions, beginning with a stark warning about America's greatest threats. Bryan responds to ODNI Director Tulsi Gabbard's assessment of Islamist ideology by laying out his own top three dangers to the United States: China as the foremost existential threat, followed by the Radical Left's push to "re-imagine" the Constitution, and then radical Islam, which he argues was empowered by failed immigration and assimilation policies. The episode then turns to hope and resilience. Responding to listener concerns about losing faith in the American experiment, Bryan points to the broad, multi-ethnic coalition that rejected open borders, rising crime, and economic fragility. He argues that while political battles are far from over, Americans have reclaimed their ability to speak freely, organize, and push back against forces that seek to dismantle the country's founding principles. The second half of the episode pulls back the curtain on the podcast itself. Bryan explains what differentiates The Wright Report from other shows, why he limits advertising, how foreign influence operations can target podcasters, and what drives his long-term vision. He closes with personal reflections on purpose, legacy, family, faith, and why he has no intention of returning to Washington, choosing instead to keep building something independent and mission-driven.    "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32     Keywords: Wright Report holiday series, listener submitted questions, Tulsi Gabbard national security, China threat USA, radical left ideology, radical Islam threat, American identity debate, immigration assimilation, free speech podcasting, foreign influence operations, independent media, faith and legacy

    The Brian Lehrer Show
    Offshore Wind, China and the GOP

    The Brian Lehrer Show

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 23:47


    Robinson Meyer, founding executive editor of Heatmap, talks about how in the ten years since the Paris Agreement, as he says the "climate story is the China story" now. Plus, Jael Holzman, senior reporter at Heatmap, reports on how the Republican Party has turned fully against renewable energy sources, including offshore wind projects. 

    The Newsmax Daily with Rob Carson
    Mary Walters Speaks with Gordon Chang

    The Newsmax Daily with Rob Carson

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 54:03


    -Foreign relations expert Gordon Chang joins guest host Mary Walter via the Newsmax hotline to break down China's instability, Venezuela's unraveling, Cuba's energy crisis, and why authoritarian regimes eventually crack. -Former federal prosecutor Doug Burns breaks down the latest Epstein-file fallout, DOJ credibility issues, and whether anyone in Washington will ever face consequences. He bluntly states that statutes of limitation may protect some players, but former CIA Director John Brennan remains vulnerable, especially over alleged lies tied to the Steele dossier. Today's podcast is sponsored by : BEAM DREAM POWDER - Refreshing sleep now 40% off with promo code NEWSMAX at http://shopbeam.com/newsmax BIRCH GOLD - Protect and grow your retirement savings with gold. Text ROB to 98 98 98 for your FREE information kit!WEBROOT - Live a better digital life with Webroot Total Protection. Rob Carson Show listeners get 60% off at http://webroot.com/Newsmax  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…E-mail Rob Carson at : RobCarsonShow@gmail.com Musical parodies provided by Jim Gossett (http://patreon.com/JimGossettComedy) 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

    WSJ Tech News Briefing
    TNB Tech Minute: ServiceNow to Acquire Cybersecurity Startup Armis

    WSJ Tech News Briefing

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 2:54


    Plus: China's BYD logs another month of strong sales growth in Europe. And the U.S. bans new China-made drones. Julie Chang hosts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Mac OS Ken
    Apple Reiterates Commitment to China - MOSK: 12.23.2025

    Mac OS Ken

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 10:48


    - Apple COO Pledges Continued Involvement in China - Italy Fines Apple $115M Over App Tracking Transparency - Apple Issues Minor Updates for Older iPhones, iPads, and Apple TVs - Apple Offers Fast Delivery for Last Minute Gifts in Australia, Canada, and US - One Mastodonian Says It's Safe to Watch "The Last Frontier" - Sponsored by Copilot Money: Get a two months free trial with Offer Code MACOSKEN at try.copilot.money/macosken - Catch Ken on Mastodon - @macosken@mastodon.social - Send Ken an email: info@macosken.com - Chat with us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month. Support the show at Patreon.com/macosken

    Let's Know Things
    Data Center Politics

    Let's Know Things

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 16:39


    This week we talk about energy consumption, pollution, and bipartisan issues.We also discuss local politics, data center costs, and the Magnificent 7 tech companies.Recommended Book: Against the Machine by Paul KingsnorthTranscriptIn 2024, the International Energy Agency estimated that data centers consumed about 1.5% of all electricity generated, globally, that year. It went on to project that energy consumption by data centers could double by 2030, though other estimates are higher, due to the ballooning of investment in AI-focused data centers by some of the world's largest tech companies.There are all sorts of data centers that serve all kinds of purposes, and they've been around since the mid-20th century, since the development of general purposes digital computers, like the 1945 Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer, or ENIAC, which was programmable and reprogrammable, and used to study, among other things, the feasibility of thermonuclear weapons.ENIAC was built on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania and cost just shy of $500,000, which in today's money would be around $7 million. It was able to do calculators about a thousand times faster than other, electro-mechanical calculators that were available at the time, and was thus considered to be a pretty big deal, making some types of calculation that were previously not feasible, not only feasible, but casually accomplishable.This general model of building big-old computers at a center location was the way of things, on a practical level, until the dawn of personal computers in the 1980s. The mainframe-terminal setup that dominated until then necessitated that the huge, cumbersome computing hardware was all located in a big room somewhere, and then the terminal devices were points of access that allowed people to tap into those centralized resources.Microcomputers of the sort of a person might have in their home changed that dynamic, but the dawn of the internet reintroduced something similar, allowing folks to have a computer at home or at their desk, which has its own resources, but to then tap into other microcomputers, and to still other larger, more powerful computers across internet connections. Going on the web and visiting a website is basically just that: connecting to another computer somewhere, that distant device storing the website data on its hard drive and sending the results to your probably less-powerful device, at home or work.In the late-90s and early 2000s, this dynamic evolved still further, those far-off machines doing more and more heavy-lifting to create more and more sophisticated online experiences. This manifested as websites that were malleable and editable by the end-user—part of the so-called Web 2.0 experience, which allowed for comments and chat rooms and the uploading of images to those sites, based at those far off machines—and then as streaming video and music, and proto-versions of social networks became a thing, these channels connecting personal devices to more powerful, far-off devices needed more bandwidth, because more and more work was being done by those powerful, centrally located computers, so that the results could be distributed via the internet to all those personal computers and, increasingly, other devices like phones and tablets.Modern data centers do a lot of the same work as those earlier iterations, though increasingly they do a whole lot more heavy-lifting labor, as well. They've got hardware capable of, for instance, playing the most high-end video games at the highest settings, and then sending, frame by frame, the output of said video games to a weaker device, someone's phone or comparably low-end computer, at home, allowing the user of those weaker devices to play those games, their keyboard or controller inputs sent to the data center fast enough that they can control what's happening and see the result on their own screen in less than the blink of an eye.This is also what allows folks to store backups on cloud servers, big hard drives located in such facilities, and it's what allows the current AI boom to function—all the expensive computers and their high-end chips located at enormous data centers with sophisticated cooling systems and high-throughput cables that allow folks around the world to tap into their AI models, interact with them, have them do heavy-lifting for them, and then those computers at these data centers send all that information back out into the world, to their devices, even if those devices are underpowered and could never do that same kind of work on their own.What I'd like to talk about today are data centers, the enormous boom in their construction, and how these things are becoming a surprise hot button political issue pretty much everywhere.—As of early 2024, the US was host to nearly 5,400 data centers sprawled across the country. That's more than any other nation, and that number is growing quickly as those aforementioned enormous tech companies, including the Magnificent 7 tech companies, Nvidia, Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Tesla, which have a combined market cap of about $21.7 trillion as of mid-December 2025, which is about two-thirds of the US's total GDP for the year, and which is more than the European Union's total GDP, which weighs in at around $19.4 trillion, as of October 2025—as they splurge on more and more of them.These aren't the only companies building data centers at breakneck speed—there are quite a few competitors in China doing the same, for instance—but they're putting up the lion's share of resources for this sort of infrastructure right now, in part because they anticipate a whole lot of near-future demand for AI services, and those services require just a silly amount of processing power, which itself requires a silly amount of monetary investment and electricity, but also because, first, there aren't a lot of moats, meaning protective, defensive assets in this industry, as is evidenced by their continual leapfrogging of each other, and the notion that a lot of what they're doing, today, will probably become commodity services in not too long, rather than high-end services people and businesses will be inclined to pay big money for, and second, because there's a suspicion, held by many in this industry, that there's an AI shake-out coming, a bubble pop or bare-minimum a release of air from that bubble, which will probably kill off a huge chunk of the industry, leaving just the largest, too-big-to-fail players still intact, who can then gobble up the rest of the dying industry at a discount.Those who have the infrastructure, who have invested the huge sums of money to build these data centers, basically, will be in a prime position to survive that extinction-level event, in other words. So they're all scrambling to erect these things as quickly as possible, lest they be left behind.That construction, though, is easier said than done.The highest-end chips account for around 70-80% of a modern data center's cost, as these GPUs, graphical processing units that are optimized for AI purposes, like Nvidia's Blackwell chips, can cost tens of thousands of dollars apiece, and millions of dollars per rack. There are a lot of racks of such chips in these data centers, and the total cost of a large-scale AI-optimized data center is often somewhere between $35 and $60 billion.A recent estimate by McKinsey suggests that by 2030, data center investment will need to be around $6.7 trillion a year just to keep up the pace and meet demand for compute power. That's demand from these tech companies, I should say—there's a big debate about where there's sufficient demand from consumers of AI products, and whether these tech companies are trying to create such demand from whole cloth, to justify heightened valuations, and thus to continue goosing their market caps, which in turn enriches those at the top of these companies.That said, it's a fair bet that for at least a few more years this influx in investment will continue, and that means pumping out more of these data centers.But building these sorts of facilities isn't just expensive, it's also regulatorily complex. There are smaller facilities, akin to ENIAC's campus location, back in the day, but a lot of them—because of the economies of scale inherent in building a lot of this stuff all at once, all in the same place—are enormous, a single data center facility covering thousands of acres and consuming a whole lot of power to keep all of those computers with their high-end chips running 24/7.Previous data centers from the pre-AI era tended to consume in the neighborhood of 30MW of energy, but the baseline now is closer to 200MW. The largest contemporary data centers consume 1GW of electricity, which is about the size of a small city's power grid—that's a city of maybe 500,000-750,000 people, though of course climate, industry, and other variables determine the exact energy requirements of a city—and they're expected to just get larger and more resource-intensive from here.This has resulted in panic and pullbacks in some areas. In Dublin, for instance, the government has stopped issuing new grid connections for data centers until 2028, as it's estimated that data centers will account for 28% of Ireland's power use by 2031, already.Some of these big tech companies have read the writing on the wall, and are either making deals to reactivate aging power plants—nuclear, gas, coal, whatever they can get—or are saying they'll build new ones to offset the impact on the local power grid.And that impact can be significant. In addition to the health and pollution issues caused by some of the sites—in Memphis, for instance, where Elon Musk's company, xAI, built a huge data center to help power his AI chatbot, Grok, the company is operating 35 unpermitted gas turbines, which it says are temporary, but which have been exacerbating locals' health issues and particulate numbers—in addition to those issues, energy prices across the US are up 6.9% year over year as of December 2025, which is much higher than overall inflation. Those costs are expected to increase still further as data centers claim more of the finite energy available on these grids, which in turn means less available for everyone else, and that scarcity, because of supply and demand, increases the cost of that remaining energy.As a consequence of these issues, and what's broadly being seen as casual overstepping of laws and regulations by these companies, which often funnel a lot of money to local politicians to help smooth the path for their construction ambitions, there are bipartisan efforts around the world to halt construction on these things, locals saying the claimed benefits, like jobs, don't actually make sense—as construction jobs will be temporary, and the data centers themselves don't require many human maintainers or operators, and because they consume all that energy, in some cases might consume a bunch of water—possibly not as much as other grand-scale developments, like golf courses, but still—and they tend to generate a bunch of low-level, at times harmful background noise, can create a bunch of local pollution, and in general take up a bunch of space without giving any real benefit to the locals.Interestingly, this is one of the few truly bipartisan issues that seems to be persisting in the United States, at a moment in which it's often difficult to find things Republicans and Democrats can agree on, and that's seemingly because it's not just a ‘big companies led by untouchable rich people stomping around in often poorer communities and taking what they want' sort of issue, it's also an affordability issue, because the installation of these things seems to already be pushing prices higher—when the price of energy goes up, the price of just about everything goes up—and it seems likely to push prices even higher in the coming years.We'll see to what degree this influences politics and platforms moving forward, but some local politicians in particular are already making hay by using antagonism toward the construction of new data centers a part of their policy and campaign promises, and considering the speed at which these things are being constructed, and the slow build of resistance toward them, it's also an issue that could persist through the US congressional election in 2026, to the subsequent presidential election in 2028.Show Noteshttps://www.wired.com/story/opposed-to-data-centers-the-working-families-party-wants-you-to-run-for-office/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/without-data-centers-gdp-growth-171546326.htmlhttps://time.com/7308925/elon-musk-memphis-ai-data-center/https://wreg.com/news/new-details-on-152m-data-center-planned-in-memphis/https://www.politico.com/news/2025/05/06/elon-musk-xai-memphis-gas-turbines-air-pollution-permits-00317582https://www.datacenterwatch.org/reporthttps://www.govtech.com/products/kent-county-mich-cancels-data-center-meeting-due-to-crowdhttps://www.woodtv.com/news/kent-county/gaines-township-planning-commission-to-hold-hearing-on-data-center-rezoning/https://www.theverge.com/science/841169/ai-data-center-oppositionhttps://www.iea.org/reports/energy-and-ai/energy-demand-from-aihttps://www.cbre.com/insights/reports/global-data-center-trends-2025https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/chandler-city-council-unanimously-kills-sinema-backed-data-center-40628102/https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/11/rural-michigan-fights-back-how-riled-up-residents-are-challenging-big-tech-data-centers.html?outputType=amphttps://www.courthousenews.com/nonprofit-sues-to-block-165-billion-openai-data-center-in-rural-new-mexico/https://www.datacenterdynamics.com/en/news/microsoft-cancels-plans-for-data-center-caledonia-wisconsin/https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/microsoft-ai-data-center-rejection-vs-support.htmlhttps://www.wpr.org/news/microsoft-caledonia-data-center-site-ozaukee-countyhttps://thehill.com/opinion/robbys-radar/5655111-bernie-sanders-data-center-moratorium/https://www.investopedia.com/magnificent-seven-stocks-8402262https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/technology-media-and-telecommunications/our-insights/the-cost-of-compute-a-7-trillion-dollar-race-to-scale-data-centershttps://www.mckinsey.com/industries/technology-media-and-telecommunications/our-insights/ai-power-expanding-data-center-capacity-to-meet-growing-demandhttps://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/12/19/are-energyhungry-data-centers-causing-electric-bills-to-go-uphttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_centerhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ENIAC This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letsknowthings.substack.com/subscribe

    China Unscripted
    China Is Slowly Conquering the World. But It's Not Too Late To Stop Them

    China Unscripted

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 10:03


    Watch the full podcast! https://chinauncensored.tv/programs/podcast-319 For decades, the West believed trade with China would bring peace and democracy. Instead, it brought vassal states. Former U.S. Air Force strategist Guermantes Lailari shows how economic dependence on China has reshaped global politics, decision-making, and national security—without a single shot fired. You can read his article here: https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2025/12/08/2003848493

    Breaking Down Patriarchy
    Imagining a Feminist Midrash - with writers Gloria & Bob Rees

    Breaking Down Patriarchy

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 50:21


    Amy is joined by authors and educators Gloria and Bob Rees to discuss midrash --stories we write to interpret scripture and create meaning -- exploring the endless possibilities of imagination and the radical power that women hold to write our own midrash and change the spiritual landscape.Donate to Breaking Down PatriarchyGloria Gardner Rees has taught English in the US, China, India, and Nepal. Her studies include nutrition, gerontology and adult development. Currently, she is involved in interfaith, humanitarian, and environmental work. In addition to writing midrash, she is co-editing a collection of essays by Latter-day Saints titled Pillars of my Faith.Robert A. Rees is a scholar, poet, and humanitarian. He is the author of “Toward a Mormon Feminist Midrash: Mormon Women and the Imaginative Reading of Scripture,” Sunstone (2012) and “The Midrashic Imagination and the Book of Mormon,” Dialogue (Fall 2011). His most recent book is Imagining and Reimagining the Restoration (Kofford Books, 2025).

    Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast
    Energy Policy Is Becoming Less About Utility Bills and More About The Culture War

    Brian Lehrer: A Daily Politics Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 23, 2025 23:42


    Robinson Meyer, founding executive editor of Heatmap, talks about how in the ten years since the Paris Agreement, as he says the "climate story is the China story" now. Plus, Jael Holzman, senior reporter at Heatmap, reports on how the Republican Party has turned fully against renewable energy sources, including offshore wind projects.