Podcasts about Wuhan

  Last time we spoke about the Xi'an Incident. In December 1936, tensions in China erupted as Nationalist General Chiang Kai-shek faced a revolt led by his commanders, Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng. Disillusioned by Chiang's focus on battling communists instead of the Japanese invaders, the generals swiftly captured him in a coup. Confined in Xi'an, Chiang initially resisted their demands for a united front against Japan but eventually engaged in negotiation with Zhang and the Chinese Communist Party. As public sentiment shifted against him, Chiang's predicament led to urgent discussions, culminating in an unexpected alliance with the communists. This pact aimed to consolidate Chinese resistance against Japanese aggression, marking a critical turning point in the Second Sino-Japanese War. By December 26, Chiang was released, and this uneasy collaboration set the stage for a more unified front against a common enemy, though underlying tensions remained between the factions.   #152 China Prepares for War Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Before we jump into the Second Sino-Japanese War of 1937-1945, which I honestly have no idea how long will take us, I thought it would be a good idea to dedicate two episodes to how both China and Japan prepared themselves for war.  Going all the way back to the 1910s, Chinese intellectuals began to view an outright conflict between Japan and China was inevitable. In the discussions about China's strategic options, Jiang Fangzhen pioneered a strategy of protracted warfare, a concept that would later shape China's approach during the Sino-Japanese War. Having studied in Japan during his youth, Jiang developed a keen understanding of the Japanese government and military. As early as 1917, he predicted that China and Japan would become embroiled in a long-term conflict, with the battleground likely to be west of the Peiping–Wuhan and Guangzhou–Wuhan railways. In his work titled "Guofang Lun" or “On National Defense”, Jiang reiterated the importance of protracted warfare as a means to thwart Japan's aspirations for a swift victory. He argued that China should leverage its vast population and extensive territory to extend the conflict, gradually wearing down Japanese strength and turning the situation to its advantage. Jiang recommended that China not focus on defending its coastal regions but instead confront the enemy west of the Peking–Wuhan Railway.   Chiang Kai-shek would eventually come to share Jiang's belief that “the longer the war drags on, the more advantageous it will be for China.” Despite significant public criticism, both the Nationalist government and General Zhang Xueliang, decided against military resistance when Japan invaded Manchuria in September 1931 and attacked Shanghai in 1932. Chiang was particularly hesitant to engage Japan directly, as he was also dealing with a Communist insurgency in central China. He feared that Chinese forces would suffer quick defeat, predicting that Japan would capture key coastal areas and critical infrastructure within just three days, crippling China by dismantling its military and economic lifelines. Following the invasion of North China Chiang was forced to adopt a firmer stance. The Nationalist government proposed a dual strategy of pursuing peace and security while simultaneously preparing for war. If peace proved impossible, China would mobilize its resources for ultimate victory through prolonged conflict. This approach was formalized in the National Defense Plan, which China adopted by prioritizing protracted warfare as its core strategy. After the Sino-Japanese clash in Shanghai on January 28, 1932, the Military Affairs Commission devised a plan that divided China into four defense areas along with a preparation area. While some troops were assigned local security, commanders were directed to concentrate their remaining forces for potential confrontations with Japan. That year, the Military Affairs Commission issued General Defense Guidelines that outlined two strategic responses to a potential Japanese invasion. The first, conservative approach focused on maintaining key positions and utilizing protracted warfare to impede the enemy. The second strategy advocated for decisive battles in key regions to thwart Japan's ambitions and protect China's territorial integrity, prioritizing disengagement from Japanese forces along the Yangtze River and coastline. In August 1935, German military adviser General Alexander von Falkenhausen provided recommendations to Chiang Kai-shek based on his predictions of Japanese advance routes into China. He identified three main routes: one from northern Hebei to Zhengzhou, the second from Shandong toward Xuzhou, and the third crossing the Yangtze River to Nanjing and onwards to Wuhan. He suggested treating the Yangtze River as the primary combat zone and highlighted Sichuan as a possible retreat area. Taking all of this into consideration. in 1936, a draft of a new National Defense Plan divided the country into four zones: a war zone, a defense zone, an internal security zone, and a preparation area. The war zone encompassed ten provinces and established strategies for retreating to predetermined defensive positions when necessary, with Sichuan designated as the main base for the war. In January 1937, the Chinese General Staff Department introduced its annual War Plan, outlining three possible military conflict regions between China and Japan. It proposed two main strategies: Proposal A emphasized sustained combat and retreat to fortified positions if the situation became unfavorable, aiming to eventually go on the offensive against Japan. Proposal B focused on repelling Japanese invasions along the coast and from the north, prioritizing counter offensives against Japanese units stationed near key locations. To prepare, the NRA completed several critical projects outlined in its plans, establishing military supply depots in Nanjing, Bengbu, Xinyang, Huayin, Nanchang, and Wuchang to manage logistics for supplies across various strategic railways. These depots were equipped to sustain the military, with ample ammunition and provisions, including 60 million rounds of small-arms ammunition and food for hundreds of thousands. Despite these preparations, not all projects were completed by the time war broke out in July 1937. In contrast to the Japanese military's tactics, Chinese forces prioritized defensive strategies. For example, at the Mount Lushan Military Officer Training Camp in July 1934, Chiang Kai-shek outlined four possible approaches against Japan, favoring a defense-as-offense strategy. Other options included building fortifications, tenaciously defending key positions, and employing guerrilla warfare through irregular forces to constrain enemy advances. Chiang stressed the importance of national mobilization for the war effort.  There was a significant disparity in equipment between the Japanese and Chinese armies. To give you an idea, each Japanese division included a mechanized group featuring thirty-nine light military vehicles and 21 light armored cars, supplemented by 6,000–7,000 horses, 200–300 automobiles, and specialized troops such as poison gas teams. In contrast, Nationalist divisions lacked any of these capabilities, a typical nationalist division theoretically had an armored regiment, but this unit was equipped with fewer than 72 armored vehicles. Another major weakness of the Nationalist forces was their insufficient artillery. In 1936, a division was officially assigned one artillery battalion, which was divided into three batteries totaling twelve guns. It also included a mechanized cannon company with four direct-fire weapons. By comparison, a Japanese division boasted four infantry regiments and one mountain artillery or field artillery regiment, with each artillery regiment comprising three field artillery battalions and one howitzer battalion. The infantry regiment itself included a mountain artillery section with four mountain guns, while the infantry battalion had one Type 70 mountain gun section with two guns. In total, a Japanese division possessed sixty-four artillery pieces of various calibers, four times the number of a Chinese division and of significantly higher quality. In reality, in 1936, twelve of the twenty elite Chinese “reformed divisions” still lacked artillery battalions. The ordnance available in the “reformed divisions” mostly consisted of the outdated Type 60 mountain gun. Nationwide, very few of the 200 divisions were equipped with any artillery, and those that did often used obsolete field artillery pieces or mountain artillery provided to local forces. Some units even relied on trench mortars as a makeshift solution. The artillery weapons came from various countries, but they frequently lacked necessary observation and signal components, and were often low on ammunition. The majority of mountain guns and field artillery were of the Type 75, which, while capable of providing fire support, had limited range and inflicted minimal damage. To give you an idea of the striking inadequacy of the Chinese artillery, during the Shanghai fighting in 1937, the mountain artillery of the Guangxi 21st Army Group could only reach targets within 1,200 yards, while Japanese field artillery had an effective range of 8,000 yards. Chinese-made mountain artillery suffered due to inferior steel-making technology; the gun shields were constructed from low-quality steel, and the barrels often overheated after firing just a few rounds, increasing the risk of explosions. Additionally, the equipment of local forces varied greatly in quality. In fact, some local units had superior equipment compared to Nationalist units. For example, before the Sino-Japanese War, troops from Yunnan were equipped with French antitank guns and heavy machine guns, which were better than the German water-cooled machine guns used by the Nationalist forces. However, the majority of local troops relied on inferior equipment; the 122nd Division under Wang Mingzhang from Sichuan, noted for its brave defense of Tengxian County during the Xuzhou Battle, was armed with locally produced light and heavy machine guns that frequently malfunctioned, and their Type 79 rifles, also made in Sichuan, were often outdated, with some dating back to the Qing Dynasty. These weapons had limited range and sometimes malfunctioned after fewer than one hundred rounds. Now before the war, both Nationalist and local forces acquired weaponry from diverse foreign and domestic sources. Even domestically produced weapons lacked standardization, with those made in Hanyang and Manchuria differing in design and specifications. Arms manufactured in Germany, France, Russia, Japan, and Italy were similarly inconsistent. Consequently, even within a single unit, the lack of uniformity created significant logistical challenges, undermining combat effectiveness, particularly in the early stages of the war. Despite Nationalist ordnance factories producing over three million rounds of small-arms ammunition daily, the incompatibility of ammunition and weapons diminished the usable quantity of ammunition. Chinese communications infrastructure was inadequate. In the Nationalist army, signal units were integrated into engineering units, leading to low-quality radio communications. In emergencies, telegrams could remain undelivered for days, and orders often had to be dispatched via postal services. By 1937, the entire country boasted only 3,000 military vehicles, necessitating heavy reliance on horses and mules for transport. To effectively equip twenty Nationalist divisions, 10,647 horses and 20,688 mules were needed, but by the end of 1935, only 6,206 horses and 4,351 mules were available. A statistic from 1936 indicated a 5 percent mortality rate among military horses, with some units experiencing a rate as high as 10 percent. The distribution of weaponry led to disputes during army reorganization efforts following the Northern Expedition. Although Chiang Kai-shek's forces were part of the regular army, the quality of their equipment varied significantly. Domestic production of weapons was limited, and imports could not close the gap. Priority was given to small arms; through army reorganization, Chiang aimed to diminish the influence of forces less loyal to him. Nationalist army staff officers observed that troops loyal to Chiang received the best weapons. Northwest and Northeast forces, having cultivated good relations with the KMT, were similarly better equipped, while Shanxi troops received inferior supplies. Troops associated with the Guangxi Clique were given even poorer quality weapons due to their leaders' stronger political ambitions. Troops regarded as “bandit forces,” such as those led by Shi Yousan, Li Hongchang, and Sun Dianying, were naturally assigned the least effective weaponry. This unequal distribution of arms increased some local forces' inclination to align with the KMT while alienating others, which inadvertently led to additional turmoil in the aftermath of the Northern Expedition. Logistical accounting within the Nationalist military was severely lacking. Military expenditures accounted for a significant portion of government spending, roughly 65.48 % in 1937, with personnel costs being the largest component. However, military units prioritized boosting their own resources over accurate accounting. Surpluses were not returned but rather utilized to reward military officers and soldiers for merits in battle, care for the wounded, or to create a reserve. Conversely, if deficits arose, troops would resort to “living off vacancies,” a practice in which they would fail to report desertions promptly and would falsely claim new soldiers had arrived. Military leaders typically appointed their most trusted subordinates to serve as accountants and logistic officers. As the war commenced, these issues became readily apparent. During the Battle of Shanghai in 1937, frontline soldiers sometimes went days without food and went months without pay. Wounded soldiers and civilians had to search tirelessly for medical treatment, and when main forces relocated, they often abandoned grain, ammunition, weapons, and petroleum along the way. General Chen Cheng, the commander in chief during the Battle of Shanghai, noted, “This phenomenon clearly revealed our inability to supply frontline troops, indicating that China remains a backward country with poor management.” Many logistical shortcomings severely impacted troop morale and combat effectiveness. In a 1933 speech, Chiang Kai-shek acknowledged that poor food, inadequate clothing, and ineffective logistics contributed to widespread desertion. Soldiers were further demoralized by reduced or embezzled salaries. A lack of professional medical staff and equipment hampered healthcare efforts, leading to high disease and mortality rates. According to official statistics from 1936, approximately 10 percent of soldiers fell ill annually, with a mortality rate as high as 5 percent. Japanese military authorities reported that one in three wounded Japanese soldiers died, while a Dutch military officer present during the early stages of the Sino-Japanese War observed that one in every two wounded Nationalist soldiers perished. Due to inadequate equipment and limited transport options, Nationalist forces were compelled to recruit farmers and rent vehicles, as they lacked essential facilities such as tents. This reliance on local resources inevitably led to frequent conflicts between military personnel and civilians. China is clearly a vast nation with an extensive coastline, requiring the construction of several significant fortresses during the modern era. These included Wusong, Jiangyin, Zhenjiang, Jiangning, and Wuhan along the Yangtze River, as well as Zhenhai, Humen, and Changzhou along the seacoast. Except for the Wuhan fortress, built in 1929-1930, all other fortifications were established during the late Qing Dynasty and featured uncovered cannon batteries. These fortresses suffered from inadequate maintenance, and many of their components had become outdated and irreplaceable, rendering them militarily negligible. Following the January 1932 Shanghai Incident, the Japanese military destroyed the Wusong forts, leaving the entrance to the Yangtze River completely unfortified. Consequently, there were no defenses along the coastline from Jiangsu to Shandong, allowing the Japanese to land freely. In December 1932, the Military Affairs Commission established a fortress group tasked with constructing fortresses and defensive installations, seeking assistance from German military advisers. After the North China Incident in 1935, the Nationalist government accelerated the construction of defensive structures in line with national war planning, focusing particularly on Nanjing. The Nationalists prioritized building fortifications along the seacoast and the Yellow River, followed by key regions north of the Yellow River. The government also ordered a significant quantity of heavy artillery from Germany. This included several dozen pieces of flat-fire antiaircraft and dual-purpose heavy artillery, which were installed at fortifications in Jiangyin, Zhenjiang, Nanjing, and Wuhan. By the summer of 1937, the construction of nine fortified positions was complete: Nanjing, Zhenjiang, Jiangyin, Ningbo, Humen, Mawei, Xiamen , Nantong, and Lianyungang. In total, China had established 41 forts and equipped them with 273 fortress cannons. Some defensive installations were poorly managed, with many units assigned to their perimeters lacking training and access to proper maps. The barbette positions in the fortresses were not well concealed and could hardly store sufficient ammunition. Troops stationed at these fortresses received little training. Despite these shortcomings, the fortresses and fortifications were not entirely ineffective. They bolstered Chinese positions along the defense line stretching from Cangxian County to Baoding and from Dexian County to Shijiazhuang, as well as in southern Shandong.  Before the war, China's political and economic center was situated along the seacoast and the Yangtze River. As Japanese influence expanded, the Nationalist government was compelled to establish bases in China's inner regions, very similar to how the USSR pulled back its industry further west after Operation barbarossa.The Japanese attack on Shanghai in 1932 prompted the Nationalists to relocate their capital to Luoyang. On March 5, during the Second Plenary Session of the KMT's Fourth Congress, the Western Capital Preparation Committee was formed to plan for the potential relocation of all governmental bodies to Xi'an in the event of full-scale war. In February 1933, the Central Political Conference approved the Northwest Development Bill, and in February 1934, the National Economic Commission set up a northwestern branch to oversee development projects in the region. On October 18, 1934, Chiang Kai-shek traveled to Lanzhou, recording in his diary that “Northwest China has abundant resources. Japan and Russia are poised to bully us. Yet, if we strengthen ourselves and develop northwest China to the fullest extent, we can turn it into a base for China's revival.” Interestingly, it was Sichuan, rather than the northwest, that became China's rear base during the 2nd Sino-Japanese War. In October 1934, the Communist army evacuated its Soviet base in southern China, initiating the Long March that would ultimately end in the northwest. By this time, Chiang Kai-shek had decided to designate Sichuan as the last stronghold for China. In January 1935, the Nanchang Field Headquarters of the Military Affairs Commission, responsible for combatting the Communists and serving as the supreme military and political authority over most provinces along the Yangtze River and central China, dispatched a special advisory group to Chongqing. Following this, the Nationalist army advanced into Sichuan. On February 10, the Nationalists appointed a new provincial government in Sichuan, effectively ending the province's long-standing regionalism. On March 2, Chiang traveled to Chongqing, where he delivered a speech underscoring that “Sichuan should serve as the base for China's revival.” He stated that he was in Sichuan to oversee efforts against the Communist army and to unify the provincial administration.  After the Xinhai revolution, the Republic of China was still suing the Qing Dynasty's conscription system. However, once in power, the Nationalist government sought to establish a national military service program. In 1933, it enacted a military service law, which began implementation in 1936. This law categorized military service into two branches: service in the Nationalist army and in territorial citizen army units. Men aged eighteen to forty-five were expected to serve in the territorial units if they did not enlist in the Nationalist army. The territorial service was structured into three phases: active service lasting two to three years, first reserves for six years, and second reserves until the age of forty-five. The Ministry of Military Affairs divided China into sixty divisional conscription headquarters, initially establishing these headquarters in the six provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Jiangxi, Henan, and Hubei. By December 1936, approximately 50,000 new soldiers had been drafted. The military service law disproportionately favored the middle and upper classes. Government personnel were exempt from enlistment, allowing privileged families to register their children with government agencies. Similarly, students in middle and higher education were excused from service, while youth from poorer backgrounds often felt compelled to enlist due to financial constraints that limited their educational opportunities. Village and town leaders were responsible for executing the recruitment process and frequently conspired with army recruiters. Recruitment principles often favored wealthier families, with guidelines stating that one son should be drafted for every three sons, two for five sons, but no drafts if there was only one son. Wealthy families could secure exemptions for all their male children, while poor families might see their only son conscripted if they were unable to provide the requisite bribe. Town and village heads wielded significant power in recruitment. This new recruitment system also created numerous money-making opportunities. Military personnel assigned to escort draftees to their units would often allow draftees to escape for a fee. Additionally, draftees could monetize their service by agreeing to serve as substitutes for others. For some, being drafted became an occupation. For example, in 1936, 600 individuals were drafted in the Wuhu area of Anhui province, and accounts from regional administrators indicated that every draftee had either been traded, replaced, or seized. Beginning in 1929, the Nationalist government also instituted military training for high school students and older individuals. Students were required to participate in one theoretical class and one practical class each week, totaling three hours. Starting in 1934, students had to complete a three-month military training program before graduating. Graduates of military academies were employed as military instructors. By the end of 1936, over 237,000 high school students had undergone military training. This student military training was overseen by the Society for the Implementation of the Three People's Principles of Sun Yat-sen, which also provided political education and sometimes gathered information on students' political beliefs.  Although the Nationalists made significant efforts to improve the military training of both officers and troops, they inherited deep-seated challenges that they were unable to completely overcome. A lack of facilities, outdated training manuals, low regard for military instructors, and the ongoing influence of regionalism and warlordism hindered progress. The Japanese would also later exploit these shortcomings of the Nationalist army. The Central Military Academy, which evolved from the Whampoa Military Academy established in 1923 in Guangzhou to train officers for the Northern Expedition, became the primary training institution for junior military officers. The academy offered a basic course, lasting eighteen months, which included general education, specialized training in various subjects, and field practice. This was followed by a two-year cadet training program focused on developing the skills necessary for junior military officers. Seventeen classes were admitted before the outbreak of war. Admission to the academy was highly competitive, with military officers receiving attractive salaries. For instance, in 1935, the academy received 10,000 applications for the twelfth class, but only 7% were accepted. Upon graduation, cadets were typically assigned to divisions within the Nationalist army loyal to Chiang Kai-shek. Their training, influenced by German advisors, resulted in a high-quality cadre. In modern China, most sergeants were veterans. While some units provided training for sergeants, a lack of formal education led to their diminished status. Truly qualified sergeants were rare. During his tenure as Minister of Military Training, General Bai Chongxi proposed establishing a sergeant school and creating a professional noncommissioned officer system; however, the Ministry of Military Affairs opposed this on financial grounds. While commanding officers enjoyed rapid promotions, military instructors did not. Furthermore, there was no system for transferring instructors to field commands or assigning commanders to military academies for extended periods. Despite minor updates to cover modern warfare concepts such as tank warfare and machine guns, Qing Dynasty military manuals were still in use at the Central Military Academy at the start of the war. Yeah, 1937 they were still rocking the old Qing books. Following the establishment of the Ministry of Military Training, a bureau for military translation was set up to evaluate existing course materials and translate military manuals, but its contributions were limited. Another significant shortcoming of military instruction focused on theory at the expense of practical application.  To enhance the quality of military officers, the Nationalist army instituted specialized schools for artillery, infantry, transport, engineering, and signals starting in 1931. These institutions were considered to have high-quality administrators and facilities. The Nationalists adopted German military training models, replacing the previously used Japanese models. They appointed German advisors to oversee instructor training at military academies and established three instructional divisions. By the onset of the Sino-Japanese War, 15,000 students had graduated from programs with a German military influence, resulting in the creation of about fifty combat divisions from these instructional units. However, the progress of other Nationalist army units was limited because their training was not aligned with contemporary battlefield realities. Before World War I, troops operated in close formations due to limited firepower. The widespread introduction of machine guns after World War I necessitated a shift to dispersed formations. Although a new drill manual issued by the Ministry of Military Training in 1935 introduced small-group tactics, few units adopted these methods. General Chen Cheng highlighted another underlying issue in 1938, commenting on the outmoded focus on parade ground drills and formal military manners. He noted, “We have paid too much attention to stereotypical formality and procedures of no practical use. Sometimes, even though soldiers could not get a haircut or take a bath for several months, their camps had to be in order. They underwent intensive training in close-order drill but learned little about gun handling, marksmanship, or maneuvering. This was inappropriate in peacetime, yet we continued this practice even after the Sino-Japanese War started, even using it on highly educated youth.” In contrast, the Communist army simplified training, emphasizing two essential skills: live-fire exercises and physical endurance, which significantly enhanced troop effectiveness in the challenging terrain characteristic of the Sino-Japanese War. Ultimately, the Nationalist army's training did not reach all soldiers. Only about half of all combat soldiers received adequate training, while the rest were neglected. According to statistics from the time, there were approximately five million military personnel during the Sino-Japanese War, with three million serving in logistics. Most of these logistics personnel had received little training, leading to disastrous consequences for overall combat effectiveness. As warfare has become more complex, the role of highly trained staff officers has become increasingly important. Napoleon developed operational plans close to the front and communicated orders via courier. During World War I, military commanders collected information at their headquarters and utilized telephones and automobiles to relay orders to the front lines. In World War II, with the battlefield expanding to include land, sea, and air, senior commanders often made decisions from headquarters far from the action, relying on a significant number of staff officers with specialized skills to keep them informed. In China, however, the staff officer system was underdeveloped. By 1937, only about 2,000 commanders and staff officers had received training. Prior to the Sino-Japanese War, most commanders managed staff work themselves, with staff officers serving primarily as military secretaries who drafted orders, reports, and maps. Many staff officers had no formal military training, and as a whole, the branch lacked respect, causing the most talented officers to avoid serving in it. The situation was even more dire for staff officer departments within local forces. For example, in March 1937, Liu Ziqing, a graduate of the Whampoa Military Academy, was appointed as the director of political instruction in the Forty-fourth Army, a unit under Sichuan warlord Liu Xiang. Liu Ziqing's account illustrates the dysfunction within the ranks: “The commander in chief was not supposed to manage the army and even did not know its whereabouts... But he could appoint relatives and former subordinates—who were officials and businessmen as well—to the army. Each month they would receive a small stipend. At headquarters, there was a long table and two rows of chairs. Around ten o'clock in the morning, senior officers signed in to indicate their presence. Those with other business would leave, while the remaining officers sat down to leisurely discuss star actresses, fortune-telling, business projects, mah-jongg, and opium. Occasionally they would touch on national affairs, chat about news articles, or share local gossip. In the afternoons, they primarily played mah-jongg, held banquets, and visited madams. Most mornings, the commander usually presided over these activities, and at first, I reported for duty as well. But I soon realized it was a waste of time and came very rarely. At headquarters, most staff members wore long gowns or Western-style suits, while military uniforms were a rare sight.” Most senior military personnel were trained at the Baoding Military Academy during the early republic. 2/3rds of commanders in chief, 37 %of army commanders, and 20 % of division commanders were Baoding graduates. Higher-ranking officers were more likely to have launched their careers there. In contrast, only 10 % of division commanders and a few army commanders were graduates of the Whampoa Military Academy. Additionally, commanders trained in local military schools and those with combat experience accounted for 1/3rd of all commanders. While the prevalence of civil war provided opportunities for rapid promotion, it also hindered officers' ability to update their training or gain experience in different military branches. German advisors expressed their concerns to Chiang Kai-shek, emphasizing that officers should first serve in junior roles before taking command. During one battle in 1938, Chiang noted, “Our commanders in chief are equivalent only to our enemy's regiment commanders, and our army and division commanders are only as competent as our enemy's battalion and company commanders.” Despite not viewing high-ranking Japanese officers as great strategists, Nationalist officers respected them as highly competent, diligent, and professional commanders who rarely made critical errors. The infantry was the primary component of the Nationalist army, with middle and junior infantry officers constituting over 80 %of all army officers. A 1936 registry of military officers listed 1,105 colonels and 2,159 lieutenant colonels within the infantry, demonstrating a significant outnumbering of Baoding graduates at ranks below lieutenant colonel. However, the quality of middle and junior infantry officers declined during the Sino-Japanese War; by 1944, only 27.3 % of these officers were from formal military academies, while those promoted from the ranks increased to 28.1 %. In 1937, 80 % of officers in an ordinary infantry battalion were military academy graduates, but this percentage dropped to 20 % during the war. Its hard to tell how educated soldiers were before the war, but it is generally believed that most were illiterate. In 1929, sociologist Tao Menghe surveyed 946 soldiers from a Shanxi garrison brigade and found that only 13 percent could compose a letter independently, while the rest had either never learned to read or were unable to write. In contrast, in August 1938, General Feng Yuxiang found that 80 percent of a regiment in Hunan were literate. Regardless, during the Sino-Japanese War, the quality of recruits steadily declined. More than 90 percent of soldiers were illiterate, and few possessed any basic scientific knowledge, which hindered their ability to master their weapons. On the battlefield, they heavily relied on middle and junior officers for guidance.  In autumn 1933, General Hans von Seeckt, the architect of the post World War I German army, visited China at the personal invitation of Chiang Kai-shek. In his recommendations for military reform, he identified China's greatest problem as its excessively large forces drawn from diverse backgrounds. He stated, “At present, the most pressing goal is to... establish a small, well-equipped army with high morale and combat effectiveness to replace the numerous poorly armed and trained forces.” He suggested forming an army of sixty divisions and recommended the establishment of a training regiment for military officers to equip them with the skills needed for modern warfare. Chiang Kai-shek accepted von Seeckt's proposals, and on January 26, 1935, he convened a National Military Reorganization Conference in Nanjing. On March 1, the Army Reorganization Bureau was established in Wuchang, under the leadership of General Chen Cheng. In the same month, General Alexander von Falkenhausen took charge of the German Military Advisors Group. Before war broke out, around nineteen divisions, roughly 300,000 troops received training from German advisors and were equipped with German-style weapons. At the onset of the Sino-Japanese War, the forces stemming from the First Army of the National Revolutionary Army and the Whampoa cadets, who had fought in the Northern Expedition, held the highest reputation and were referred to as the “core central forces” by the Japanese. Other notable forces included the Guangxi Army, Northwestern Army, Northeastern Army, some Uyghur units, the Guangdong Army, and the Shanxi Army. In contrast, provincial forces such as the Yunnan Army and Sichuan Army were viewed less favorably. Nationalist forces were generally far inferior to those of the Japanese enemy. In 1937, General He Yingqin noted that Nationalist forces had failed to prevail in 1932 and 1933, even when outnumbering the Japanese by 4-1.  In November 1937, during a national defense conference, Chiang Kai-shek stated, "In recent years we have worked hard, prepared actively, and achieved national unification. By the time of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, we were in a better domestic situation and had improved military preparedness compared to before. Since 1935, our strength has doubled. It increased by more than two to three times since January 1932 or September 1931 [when Japan attacked Shanghai and Mukden]. If peace had been achievable, we should have delayed the war for two or three years. Given an additional three years, our defensive capabilities would have been drastically different... Now, if we merely compare the military strength of China and Japan, we are certainly inferior." However, such assessments were overly optimistic, as Chiang failed to recognize that Japan's military capabilities would not have stagnated. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek certainly was dealt a difficult hand of cards for the upcoming poker match he was to play. Yet the Chinese were resilient and they had to be for the absolute horror that would be inflicted upon them from 1937-1945. Until this point, their enemies had been far more lenient, the Empire of Japan would show no mercy.

It is now known that the Covid 19 epidemic of early 2020 resulted from an accidental release of the virus from the Wuhan lab funded by the US Defense Department and Tony Fauci through the EcoHealth Alliance. Join our Happy Warrior community www.WeHappyWarriors.com But eminent scientists wrote in Lancet Magazine and in Nature Medicine magazine early in 2020 that Covid came from the so-called Wet Market in Wuhan and thinking otherwise is crazy conspiracy theory. Take a look at the wonderful Tower of Power course:  https://www.wehappywarriors.com/offers/L6KwuaXh?coupon_code=MEMORIAL15 .  As late as October 2023 the New York Times was still insisting that the Wuhan Virology Lab escape story was nonsense. For Memorial Day, America's Real War eBook – only $10. America's Real War (Paperback) – now just $15  Wuhan was operating with the same biosecurity levels you'd find at your dentist instead of hi level security needed for lethal viruses.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu. In this special live episode, I'm joined by my incredible co-host (and wife), Lisa Bilyeu, for a deep-dive on the intersection of politics, world affairs, and what's really threatening democracy today. We tackle some heavy news—like Biden's shock cancer announcement and the implications of Bernie Sanders admitting Democrats can be a threat to democracy. Of course, with Lisa in the studio, we also bring an unfiltered relationship lens to these societal issues, exploring why humans double down on dogma, how our childhood shapes genius, and if wisdom can ever outrun calcified beliefs. Plus, we get personal on the abuse of power, MeToo fallout, female agency, and where the law should (or shouldn't) intervene in manipulative relationships. SHOWNOTES 00:00 – Lisa joins Tom for a live hybrid show: politics, world affairs, and relationships 01:54 – NIH controversy: Covid origins, Wuhan, and walking out on tough truths 04:31 – The tragic story of Ignaz Semmelweis & the problem with “experts” 15:05 – Why social innovation often falls on the young 24:00 – Deep dive preview: Jekyll Island and conspiracy vs. incompetence 30:07 – Weinstein, Diddy, MeToo, and navigating moral nuance 34:31 – Abuse, power, and the line between legality and morality 1:07:00 – Why parental bias clouds judgment—and why you must think clearly 1:14:00 – Incentives, compassion, and the "final boss" of human nature 1:17:06 – New show format: how to engage deeper and where to watch live FOLLOW GUEST (Lisa Bilyeu): Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lisabilyeu/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lisabilyeu Website: https://www.lisabilyeu.com/ CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ and entering promo code IMPACT at check out Monarch Money: Use code THEORY at ⁠https://monarchmoney.com⁠ for 50% off your first year! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠https://shopify.com/impact⁠ Netsuite: Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at ⁠https://NetSuite.com/THEORY⁠ iTrust Capital: Use code IMPACTGO when you sign up and fund your account to get a $100 bonus at ⁠https://www.itrustcapital.com/tombilyeu⁠  Mint Mobile: If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Shop plans at ⁠https://mintmobile.com/impact.⁠  DISCLAIMER: Upfront payment of $45 for 3-month 5 gigabyte plan required (equivalent to $15/mo.). New customer offer for first 3 months only, then full-price plan options available. Taxes & fees extra. See MINT MOBILE for details. What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here: If you want my help... STARTING a business:⁠ join me here at ZERO TO FOUNDER⁠ SCALING a business:⁠ see if you qualify here.⁠ Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox:⁠ sign up here.⁠ ********************************************************************** 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. ********************************************************************** LISTEN TO IMPACT THEORY AD FREE + BONUS EPISODES on APPLE PODCASTS:⁠ apple.co/impacttheory⁠ ********************************************************************** 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

It is now known that the Covid 19 epidemic of early 2020 resulted from an accidental release of the virus from the Wuhan lab funded by the US Defense Department and Tony Fauci through the EcoHealth Alliance. Join our Happy Warrior community www.WeHappyWarriors.com. But eminent scientists wrote in Lancet Magazine and in Nature Medicine magazine early in 2020 that Covid came from the so-called Wet Market in Wuhan and thinking otherwise is crazy conspiracy theory. Take a look at the wonderful Tower of Power course:  https://www.wehappywarriors.com/offers/L6KwuaXh?coupon_code=MEMORIAL15 . As late as October 2023 the New York Times was still insisting that the Wuhan Virology Lab escape story was nonsense. For Memorial Day, America's Real War eBook – only $10. America's Real War (Paperback) – now just $15. Wuhan was operating with the same biosecurity levels you'd find at your dentist instead of hi level security needed for lethal viruses.

Welcome back to Impact Theory with Tom Bilyeu. In this episode, Drew and I take you through a whirlwind week where politics, world affairs, and tech innovation collide. We dissect Biden's shocking cancer diagnosis and what it means for the country, dig into Bernie Sanders' eyebrow-raising admission about the Democratic Party, and go deep on just how broken the government really is—and how (or if) it can ever be fixed. We tackle the big questions: What does it take to create a thriving middle class? Should we trust the government to spend more and do more, or do we need to completely rethink the machine? Are we living through a crisis of vision, where our leaders offer no North Star to inspire the country? And with news breaking on both the NIH's gain-of-function research and China's clampdown on gene editing, are we prepared for the next wave of scientific disruption? SHOWNOTES 00:00 – Biden's Cancer Diagnosis: Personal Impact & Political Fallout 03:14 – Are Our Leaders Too Old? The Real Problem with Political Power 07:08 – Lincoln's Legacy and the Ugly Truth Behind Political Narratives 10:58 – Why America Needs a New Vision (and Why We Don't Have One) 12:59 – Bernie Sanders & the Democratic Party: A Threat to Democracy? 15:39 – Can We Fix the System, or Is It Rigged Beyond Repair? 21:19 – Why Government Spending Is Broken (and How It Could Be Fixed) 27:00 – Positive Visions, Populism, and the Future of American Politics 32:03 – NIH, Wuhan Lab, and the Danger of Silencing Truth Seekers 43:31 – China, Gene Editing, and a New Age of Scientific Heresy 53:02 – Agentic AI: The Next Phase, What It Means, and How to Win 57:56 – Which Jobs Are Disappearing, and Which Will Survive the AI Revolution? 1:02:17 – Business in the Age of Hyper Turnover: What You Need to Know 1:09:36 – Ukraine, Russia, and Trump's Latest Negotiation: A Real Path to Peace? 1:10:13 – The Epstein Files: Government Secrecy and Conspiracy Theories CHECK OUT OUR SPONSORS Vital Proteins: Get 20% off by going to ⁠https://www.vitalproteins.com⁠ and entering promo code IMPACT at check out Monarch Money: Use code THEORY at ⁠https://monarchmoney.com⁠ for 50% off your first year! Shopify: Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial period at ⁠https://shopify.com/impact⁠ Netsuite: Download the CFO's Guide to AI and Machine Learning at ⁠https://NetSuite.com/THEORY⁠ iTrust Capital: Use code IMPACTGO when you sign up and fund your account to get a $100 bonus at ⁠https://www.itrustcapital.com/tombilyeu⁠  Mint Mobile: If you like your money, Mint Mobile is for you. Shop plans at ⁠https://mintmobile.com/impact.⁠  DISCLAIMER: Upfront payment of $45 for 3-month 5 gigabyte plan required (equivalent to $15/mo.). New customer offer for first 3 months only, then full-price plan options available. Taxes & fees extra. See MINT MOBILE for details. What's up, everybody? It's Tom Bilyeu here: If you want my help... STARTING a business:⁠ join me here at ZERO TO FOUNDER⁠ SCALING a business:⁠ see if you qualify here.⁠ Get my battle-tested strategies and insights delivered weekly to your inbox:⁠ sign up here.⁠ ********************************************************************** 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. ********************************************************************** LISTEN TO IMPACT THEORY AD FREE + BONUS EPISODES on APPLE PODCASTS:⁠ apple.co/impacttheory⁠ ********************************************************************** 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

Set in 2019, THE UNRESTRICTED WAR follows Jim (Dylan Bruce), a top-tier Canadian virologist working in China who believes his medical research will change the world for the better. However, when he and his wife are suddenly arrested by the military, Jim is demanded to do the unthinkable: steal a dangerous sample of his work from his own lab in Winnipeg. And, if he does not comply, his family will face the consequences. If that's not enough, things begin to spiral out of control when the population of Wuhan begin to fall ill to a new viral infection that proves fatal. In this 1on1, we speak to Ma about the power of truth and walking the line between fiction and reality.

China will work with other countries to promote the digital transformation of education through technological innovation, Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang said on Wednesday.中国国务院副总理丁薛祥周三表示，中国将与其他国家合作，通过技术创新促进教育的数字化转型。Ding made the remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2025 World Digital Education Conference, which began in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province.丁薛祥在湖北省省会武汉召开的2025年世界数字教育大会开幕式上，发表了上述讲话。Ding said that China will boost joint efforts to develop generic technologies, as well as more services and products, that meet diverse learning needs to deepen international cooperation in digital education.丁薛祥表示，中国将加强通用技术研发合作，开发更多满足多样化学习需求的服务与产品，以深化数字教育领域国际合作。"We should jointly advance the inclusive sharing of digital education achievements by supporting developing countries in their digital education efforts and helping bridge development gaps," he said.他指出：“我们应通过支持发展中国家数字教育建设，帮助其缩小发展差距，共同推进数字教育成果的普惠共享。”Ding also called for global action to strengthen ethical and security safeguards in digital education, including oversight of intelligent education tools and services.丁薛祥还呼吁国际社会采取行动，加强数字教育领域的伦理与安全防护，包括对智能教育工具与服务的监管。 In a keynote speech at the event, Education Minister Huai Jinpeng said artificial intelligence is reshaping the global education landscape, and China will pursue a human-centered and ethically guided approach to education reform.教育部长怀进鹏在大会主旨演讲中指出，人工智能正在重塑全球教育格局，中国将坚持以人为本、伦理先导的教育改革路径。 "We must never lose sight of the fundamental purpose of education," Huai said, urging a balance between innovation and preserving core educational values.“我们绝不能偏离教育的根本宗旨。”怀进鹏强调，呼吁在创新突破与坚守教育核心价值之间寻求平衡。Education, he said, should focus on cultivating young people's abilities in observation, independent thinking, rational judgment, innovation and complex problem-solving.他表示，教育应重点培养青年人的观察力、独立思考能力、理性判断力、创新力及复杂问题解决能力。Huai emphasized application-driven reform, with China's National Smart Education platform playing a central role.怀进鹏强调要以应用为导向推进教育改革，充分发挥中国国家智慧教育平台的核心作用。"AI, big data and virtual simulation should be integrated into all processes of teaching and learning," he said.他说：“要将人工智能、大数据和虚拟仿真技术融入教学全过程”。The minister also highlighted the need for ethical norms to address potential risks, including data privacy, misinformation and algorithmic bias.这位部长同时指出，需建立伦理规范应对潜在风险，包括数据隐私保护、虚假信息治理和算法偏见防范。Miao Fengchun, chief of the unit for technology and artificial intelligence in education at UNESCO Headquarters, said China has issued nearly 10 laws and regulations related to AI governance, placing it among the most advanced countries in the field.联合国教科文组织总部教育信息化与人工智能部门主任苗逢春表示，中国已出台近10部人工智能治理相关法律法规，使中国在该领域跻身全球最先进国家行列。"Looking ahead, I hope China becomes the first country in the world to officially introduce a policy or regulation that establishes a formal system for the certification and evaluation of AI systems used in primary and secondary school classrooms," Miao said.苗逢春表示：“展望未来，我希望中国能成为全球首个正式出台政策法规的国家，建立针对中小学课堂使用人工智能系统的认证评估体系。”Stephen Morgan, parliamentary undersecretary of state at the United Kingdom's Department for Education, said global cooperation is key to ensuring the safe and effective use of AI in education.英国教育部议会事务副国务大臣斯蒂芬·摩根指出，确保人工智能在教育领域安全有效应用的关键在于国际合作。"By working together, we can make sure all young people get the most out of their education and the skills that they need in the digital future," Morgan said.“通过携手合作，我们既能确保所有青少年都能充分接受教育，也能为其数字化未来储备所需技能。”摩根强调。generic technologies通用技术digital education数字教育algorithmic bias算法偏见virtual simulation虚拟仿真Department for Education教育部

An Viren forschen und sie teilweise noch gefährlicher machen – darum geht es bei der Gain-of-Function-Forschung. Hintergrund ist, dass man Gefahren vorhersehen und Gegenstrategien entwickeln will. Aber ist das sinnvoll?

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 2: 4:05pm- Justin Goodman—Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy for the White Coat Waste Project—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss President Donald Trump's executive order restricting gain-of-function research. According to the Trump Administration, the high-risk research is believed to have played a role in Covid-19—with U.S. taxpayer funded studies being responsible for producing the virus in Wuhan, China. Goodman also applauds the Trump Administration's decision to end barbaric medical testing on beagles and other dogs. 4:30pm- On Wednesday, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest of 205 suspects charged with various sex crimes—saving over 100 children from abuse in the process.

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode (05/07/2025): 3:05pm- While appearing on Fox News Tuesday night, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent revealed that he will be meeting with Chinese officials in Switzerland this weekend to negotiate a new trade agreement. Last month, in response to China's predatory trade practices, President Donald Trump placed 145% tariffs on all Chinese imports. Meanwhile, China has suspended the exportation of rare earth minerals and rare earth magnets—two components critical to modern technology. 3:15pm- Former President Joe Biden sat down for an interview with BBC and was asked if he should have left the 2024 presidential race sooner—providing Kamala Harris additional time to campaign as the nominee. He explained: “I don't think it would have mattered.” 3:30pm- According to New York Magazine's Intelligencer, staffers for Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) are voicing concerns about the state of his mental health. But are these stories being printed because Fetterman has vocally opposed the far-left recently? While speaking with reporters on Capitol Hill, Fetterman called the article a “hit piece” and noted that it only has one source. 3:50pm- In recently released audio, Kilmar Abrego Garcia's wife can be heard providing an explanation for the second protective order she filed against him in 2020. In the one-minute clip, Jennifer Vasquez claims that Abrego Garcia physically abused her on several occasions and even threatened to kill her. Video of a traffic stop has also been made public which may show Abrego Garcia involved in human trafficking. According to Fox News, the Biden Administration's FBI decided not to investigate—and he was immediately released by police. The Trump Administration deported Abrego Garcia, who was living in the U.S. illegally, to El Salvador—where he is a citizen. Are Democrats finally done defending Abrego Garcia? 4:05pm- Justin Goodman—Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy for the White Coat Waste Project—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss President Donald Trump's executive order restricting gain-of-function research. According to the Trump Administration, the high-risk research is believed to have played a role in Covid-19—with U.S. taxpayer funded studies being responsible for producing the virus in Wuhan, China. Goodman also applauds the Trump Administration's decision to end barbaric medical testing on beagles and other dogs. 4:30pm- On Wednesday, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel announced the arrest of 205 suspects charged with various sex crimes—saving over 100 children from abuse in the process. 5:05pm- Dr. Wilfred Reilly—Professor of Political Science at Kentucky State University & Author of “Lies My Liberal Teacher Told Me”—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss Dave Portnoy battling anti-Semitism at a Philadelphia bar, the Trump Administration defending Columbus Day from far-left cancelation, Rep. Hank Johnson's incredible apology for saying the “m-word,” and Vanity Fair blaming MAGA for America's “obsession with protein.” 5:40pm- Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) says he still doesn't understand why Democrats lost the 2024 election, New Jersey Democrats think it's a good idea to raise the cost of electricity right before a gubernatorial election, and The Studio on Apple TV mocks cancel culture. 6:05pm- In an interview with NBC10's Lauren Mayk, Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner defended his insistence that President Donald Trump is “fundamentally fascist” and that Trump and his followers are “bullies that need to be punched in the face as hard as possible.” Why is Krasner advocating for violence—especially after there have been several assassination attempts against the president? 6:30pm- Breaking News: A Philadelphia police officer was shot while responding to a dispute near Overbrook High School. The officer was rushed to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center. 6:50pm- Over the weekend, President Donald Trump told ...

China's inbound tourism market saw strong recovery and growth during the just-concluded May Day holiday, with smaller cities attracting more foreign visitors seeking cultural experiences, according to industry insiders.业内人士表示，在刚刚结束的五一假期期间，中国入境旅游市场强劲复苏并实现增长，不少寻求文化体验的外国游客开始青睐小城市。During the five-day break, inbound travel bookings surged 130 percent from a year earlier, said Trip.com Group, China's largest online travel agency. While top-tier cities such as Beijing and Shanghai remained popular, destinations including Chengdu in Sichuan province, Chongqing, Hangzhou in Zhejiang province, Zhuhai in Guangdong province, and Xi'an in Shaanxi province also made the list of top inbound choices.中国最大的在线旅行平台携程集团表示，在为期五天的假期期间，入境游预订量同比增长130%。虽然北京和上海等一线城市依然受欢迎，但四川成都、重庆、浙江杭州、广东珠海和陕西西安等目的地也跻身热门入境游目的地之列。China has been opening its doors wider to international travelers. In 2024, the country expanded its unilateral visa-free policy to include 38 countries, allowing visits of up to 30 days, according to the National Immigration Administration.中国持续扩大对国际游客的开放。据国家移民管理局消息，2024年中国将单方面免签政策扩大至38个国家，允许最多停留30天。Favorable tax refund policies have also boosted inbound travel. In late April, China lowered the tax refund threshold from 500 yuan ($68.80) to 200 yuan and raised the cash refund limit from 10,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan. There is no limit on refunds processed by bank transfer, according to a guideline issued by the Ministry of Commerce and five other departments.优惠的退税政策也促进了入境游的蓬勃发展。根据商务部等六部门发布的指导意见，4月下旬中国将退税起征点从500元人民币（68.80美元）降至200元人民币，并将现金退税限额从1万元人民币提高至2万元人民币。银行转账退税不受限额限制。"We encourage relevant institutions to provide tax refund services through various means such as mobile payments, bank cards and cash, and to better meet the diverse payment service needs of overseas travelers," said Sheng Qiuping, vice-minister of commerce, at a recent news conference in Beijing.商务部副部长盛秋平在最近于北京举行的新闻发布会上表示：“我们鼓励相关机构通过移动支付、银行卡、现金等多种方式提供退税服务，更好地满足境外旅客多样化的支付服务需求。”During the holiday, tourists from the United States, South Korea and Japan made up the largest share of inbound visitors. The number of travelers from Australia, Vietnam and Canada also rose significantly, according to Beijing-based travel platform Qunar.假期期间，美国、韩国和日本游客占入境游客的最大份额。据北京旅游平台去哪儿网的数据，来自澳大利亚、越南和加拿大的游客数量也大幅增长。Foreign visitors are venturing beyond major cities. Hotel bookings by foreign tourists in Zhuhai rose 70 percent year-on-year, while Qingdao in Shandong province and Wuhan in Hubei province saw increases of 60 percent and 50 percent, respectively, Qunar reported.外国游客开始深入探索非一线城市。据去哪儿网报道，珠海的外国游客酒店预订量同比增长70%，山东青岛和湖北武汉的酒店预订量分别增长了60%和50%。China's picturesque landscapes and rich culinary culture have frequently been featured in South Korean TV dramas and variety shows, piquing travel interest. The May Day holiday also coincides with a public holiday in South Korea, encouraging young travelers to visit China.中国风景如画的自然风光和丰富的饮食文化频繁出现在韩国电视剧和综艺节目中，激发了人们的旅游兴趣。五一假期恰逢韩国的公共假期，吸引了大量年轻游客赴华旅游。South Korea's leading travel agency, Hana Tour, said January trips to China rose 77 percent year-on-year, outpacing a 20 percent increase for trips to Japan. The surge was mainly driven by China's visa-free policy.韩国知名旅行社哈拿多乐表示，1月份赴华旅游同比增长77%，超过赴日旅游20%的增幅。这一增长主要得益于中国的免签政策。Major South Korean airlines have responded by expanding their international flight offerings to China to meet rising demand.韩国各大航空公司纷纷扩大赴华国际航班服务，以满足日益增长的需求。Meanwhile, more foreign visitors are seeking immersive cultural experiences in rural areas. A Trip.com resort in Zhangjiajie, Hunan province, reported a surge in bookings from tourists from the US, Italy and Spain since April.与此同时，越来越多的外国游客正在寻求乡村地区的沉浸式文化体验。据携程网报道，湖南省张家界一家度假村自4月份以来，来自美国、意大利和西班牙的游客预订量激增。"Besides sightseeing, foreign tourists have shown increasing interest in in-depth tours and diverse experiences, such as participating in farming activities and attending ethnic concerts," said Fang Zexi, a Trip.com Group researcher.携程集团研究员方泽茜表示：“除了观光，外国游客对深度游和丰富多彩的体验项目也越来越感兴趣，例如参与农耕活动、聆听民族音乐会等。”Their cultural curiosity extends into everyday life. In Chengdu, a popular southwestern city, more foreign visitors are booking culinary experiences, visits to local farmers' markets, cooking sessions, table presentations and food tasting, Trip.com said.他们对文化的好奇心延伸到了日常生活中。携程表示，在西南热门城市成都，越来越多的外国游客预订了美食体验、参观当地农贸市场、参加烹饪课程、体验餐桌演示和品尝美食等活动。In the first three days of the holiday, more than 5,700 inbound passenger trips were recorded by Chengdu's border inspection authority, a year-on-year increase of over 170 percent, according to the Sichuan provincial entry and exit bureau.据四川省出入境管理局统计，假期前三天，成都边检部门共接待入境旅客超过5700人次，同比增长超过170%。surge/sɜːrdʒ/n.激增，猛涨unilateral visa-free policy单方面免签政策immersive/ɪˈmɜːrsɪv/adj.沉浸式的culinary/ˈkʌlɪnəri/adj.厨房的，烹饪的

-Donald Trump's proposed "self-deportation" plan, offering illegal immigrants a free flight and $1,000 cash to leave voluntarily, gets likened to a "Price is Right" showcase. -Rob discusses Trump's executive order on gain-of-function research, linking it to COVID origins in a Wuhan lab, and plans for congressional hearings with Fauci and others. Today's podcast is sponsored by : BIRCH GOLD - Protect and grow your retirement savings with gold. Text ROB to 98 98 98 for your FREE information kit! TAKE LEAN – The supplement that controls your body sugar and promotes weight loss. Get 20% off by using promo code NEWSMAX20 at http://takelean.com   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 (www.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

Trump Bans Gain of Function Research, Offers Cash to Illegals for Self Deporting | 5.6.25Live show Monday-Thursday, 3pm est. SOCIALS: https://linktr.ee/drewberquist NEWS: https://DrewBerquist.com MERCH: https://RedBeachNation.com#DrewBerquist #ThisIsMyShow #TIMSTop 100 Political News Podcast with https://www.millionpodcasts.com/political-news-podcasts/Show Notes/Links:Michigan expected to suspend Sherrone Moore 2 gameshttps://x.com/bluebyninety/status/1919381524564070734Post Spring Ball CFB Top 25 by Joel Klatthttps://x.com/joelklatt/status/1919466849416212857Trump announces NFL draft going to DC in 2027https://x.com/ClayTravis/status/1919450474547212704Commanders team owner Josh Harris calls Trump the ultimate Commanderhttps://x.com/jasrifootball/status/1919458133010768264Newsom says we got crushed in the election, were we too woke?https://x.com/Breaking911/status/1919507480981221714CNN says latinos skipping Cinco de Mayo celebrations of deportation fearshttps://x.com/bennyjohnson/status/1919430014996521349Trump offering self-deporting illegals 1k eachhttps://x.com/Breaking911/status/1919464142995366231President Trump signs executive order banning federal funding for gain-of-function research https://x.com/Breaking911/status/1919504906513211748Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth explains the decision to cut the number of senior generals by 20%https://x.com/Breaking911/status/1919514524123570518

Here are the 3 Big things you need to know this hour—   Number One— After opening stores every two miles for years—Rite Aid is closing all its stores across the country—I mean how badly do you screw-up to close literally hundreds of stores after forcing thousands of pharmacies to go dark before that?   Number Two— DHS is going to be offering illegals $1000 and a plane ticket to self deport—it's a good deal is you want to get out before getting kicked out—I like it—   Number Three— We talked about the truth about Covid coming from a Wuhan lab leak again yesterday—and on Monday—President Trump did something about it!

Dr. Li-Meng Yan w/ The Voice of Dr. Yan – Beneath the noise lies the real core: COVID-19 was not a natural accident nor a lab leak but a deliberate release of a weaponized low-fatality virus developed by the CCP. Though the high transmissibility was underestimated in the lab, and the Wuhan outbreak was a result of being “out of control,” the pandemic was designed for strategic disruption on a global scale...

In this explosive episode, Tara dives into two major revelations making waves: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. accuses the Department of Health and Human Services under the Biden administration of acting as a "collaborator in child trafficking," with 300,000 migrant children lost and potentially sold into slavery or sex trafficking. Meanwhile, Tulsi Gabbard alleges the U.S. government may have directly funded dangerous gain-of-function research abroad, tying Pentagon and USAID money to the Wuhan lab at the heart of the COVID-19 pandemic. These developments suggest deeper systemic failures — and possibly coverups — that the media refuses to confront.

Today's explosive coverage dives deep into stories the mainstream media won't touch. From massive riots erupting in China as Trump's tariffs cripple their economy, to RFK Jr.'s bombshell claim that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services acted as a “collaborator in child trafficking,” losing track of 300,000 migrant children — this episode is a wake-up call. We also hear Tulsi Gabbard raise alarming questions about U.S. funding for dangerous bioweapons research, suggesting the Pentagon and USAID played a direct role in enabling the Wuhan lab. Whether it's economic warfare, human rights abuse, or pandemic origins, the common thread is a shocking level of government complicity — and a media determined to stay silent.

Film programmer FRANK YAN returns to the show to talk about his newest and most personal rep series: WUHAN, DIFFERENT EVERY DAY. 

The UK's green zealots and a rogue U.S. billionaire plot to dim the sun with acid rain-causing chemicalsZelensky's Crimea obsession threatens to escalate the Ukraine war into global catastropheErratic tariffs tank global trade by 49%, sabotage Trump's own energy goals, pushing us toward a depressionGold soars to $3,500 as Trump's Soros-linked Treasury Secretary schemes a “New Bretton Woods” resetAI guru's Mechanize startup aims to obliterate all human jobs, and a $17 billion CO2 pipeline scam steals billions through tax subsidies, endangering lives with deadly leaksCalifornia's Gas Car Ban: Constitutional ChaosCalifornia's audacious plan to ban all gasoline cars by 2035 is backed by a dozen rogue states. Will the Supreme Court slam the brakes on this green madness? Who has the authority to stop this prohibition? 15:07 Al Gore's African Power Grab: Solar Scam or Dictatorial Depopulation Plot?Al Gore's back with a diabolical new scheme to “save” Africa by shoving unreliable solar panels and windmills down their throats, all while keeping the continent in the dark! Promising to “leapfrog” fossil fuels, Gore's plan masks a sinister agenda to de-industrialize the West and trap Africa in poverty, ensuring dictatorial control for globalist elites. 29:04 Dimwits in UK and US Plan to Block the SunGeoengineering was dismissed as a conspiracy theory until they want to go large.  The UK's radical green government pumps £50 million into a chilling plan to dim the sun and in the US its a radical entrepreneur      Even better, they're injecting a gas that they banned for causing “acid rain”.  Remove CO2 and sunlight and produce acid rain—what dimwits dreamed this up? 46:20 Yet Another Study Shows “THE VIRUS” Wasn't The Problem     As the White House pushes COVID as an “accidental lab leak” from Wuhan's gain-of-function lab, Greek researchers reveal the oft repeated truth     From Dictator Dan's brutal Australian lockdowns to Trump's vaccine push, uncover the lockstep conspiracy they want to hide by claiming “lab leak” 1:00:22 LIVE comments from audience 1:07:01 Zelensky Demands Crimea or War Continues: Did Crimea EVER Belong to Ukraine?      Tensions ignite as both Trump and Vance slam Zelensky for rejecting a peace deal to freeze the Ukraine-Russia conflict, demanding Crimea instead!     In a fiery social media clash, Trump accuses Zelensky of risking Ukraine's total collapse, while Vice President Vance threatens to pull U.S. support entirely.     What are Crimea's deep Russian roots?     Will Russia ever give up the home to its Black Sea Flee? 1:14:43 Tariff Uncertainty is Locking Down the Economy Sabotaging Trump's Stated GoalsEven Trump's “drill baby drill” agenda crumbles as energy firms predict a million-barrel-a-day drop. As Trump-aligned influencers and pundits claim China will be hurt worse in the “war”, Trump's unpredictable dictates freeze markets, sabotage nuclear projects, and threaten a depression worse than the Great Recession. 1:34:16 Gold Soars to $3,500 as Global Reset Looms: Trump Treasury Sec Wants “New Bretton Woods” with Globalist Organizations Leading      Gold skyrockets to a jaw-dropping $3,500 an ounce, markets in chaos, and the dollar crumbling!     Tony Arterburn, DavidKnight.gold, joins to expose a sinister global reset orchestrated by Trump and his Soros Treasury Secretary for “stakeholders”.     A warning of a coming depression worse than 1929 with tariffs, meme coins shenanigans at Mar-a-Lago — is Trump pulling the strings or just a pawn in a bigger game? 2:19:00 GREATER Replacement: AI Guru's Plan to Wipe Out ALL Jobs"A famed AI researcher launches Mechanize, a startup hell-bent on replacing every human worker with chatbots and robots! He promises to mechanize EVERY human worker worldwide as Google pays top AI talent to sit idle in “garden leave” schemes 2:24:05 Exposing the CO2 Pipeline Scam: Billions in Tax Subsidies Stolen are the ONLY Reason for Projects      Jeff Weiss unveils the sinister CO2 pipeline scheme—a multi-billion-dollar bipartisan heist (and how we break out of this system, co-author of Free Indeed: Ten Truths to a Life Lived Free)     From eminent domain land grabs to deadly CO2 leaks that could wipe out entire ecosystems, this is a spiritual and economic war     It's the latest twist in wealth transfer as Jeff recounts his personal experience with wind grifts and the seduction of local politicians in the pipeline of green cash. If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-show Or you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to DavidKnight.gold for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to TrendsJournal.com and enter the code KNIGHTFor 10% off supplements and books, go to RNCstore.com and enter the code KNIGHTBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-david-knight-show--2653468/support.

The UK's green zealots and a rogue U.S. billionaire plot to dim the sun with acid rain-causing chemicalsZelensky's Crimea obsession threatens to escalate the Ukraine war into global catastropheErratic tariffs tank global trade by 49%, sabotage Trump's own energy goals, pushing us toward a depressionGold soars to $3,500 as Trump's Soros-linked Treasury Secretary schemes a “New Bretton Woods” resetAI guru's Mechanize startup aims to obliterate all human jobs, and a $17 billion CO2 pipeline scam steals billions through tax subsidies, endangering lives with deadly leaksCalifornia's Gas Car Ban: Constitutional ChaosCalifornia's audacious plan to ban all gasoline cars by 2035 is backed by a dozen rogue states. Will the Supreme Court slam the brakes on this green madness? Who has the authority to stop this prohibition? 15:07 Al Gore's African Power Grab: Solar Scam or Dictatorial Depopulation Plot?Al Gore's back with a diabolical new scheme to “save” Africa by shoving unreliable solar panels and windmills down their throats, all while keeping the continent in the dark! Promising to “leapfrog” fossil fuels, Gore's plan masks a sinister agenda to de-industrialize the West and trap Africa in poverty, ensuring dictatorial control for globalist elites. 29:04 Dimwits in UK and US Plan to Block the SunGeoengineering was dismissed as a conspiracy theory until they want to go large.  The UK's radical green government pumps £50 million into a chilling plan to dim the sun and in the US its a radical entrepreneur      Even better, they're injecting a gas that they banned for causing “acid rain”.  Remove CO2 and sunlight and produce acid rain—what dimwits dreamed this up? 46:20 Yet Another Study Shows “THE VIRUS” Wasn't The Problem     As the White House pushes COVID as an “accidental lab leak” from Wuhan's gain-of-function lab, Greek researchers reveal the oft repeated truth     From Dictator Dan's brutal Australian lockdowns to Trump's vaccine push, uncover the lockstep conspiracy they want to hide by claiming “lab leak” 1:00:22 LIVE comments from audience 1:07:01 Zelensky Demands Crimea or War Continues: Did Crimea EVER Belong to Ukraine?      Tensions ignite as both Trump and Vance slam Zelensky for rejecting a peace deal to freeze the Ukraine-Russia conflict, demanding Crimea instead!     In a fiery social media clash, Trump accuses Zelensky of risking Ukraine's total collapse, while Vice President Vance threatens to pull U.S. support entirely.     What are Crimea's deep Russian roots?     Will Russia ever give up the home to its Black Sea Flee? 1:14:43 Tariff Uncertainty is Locking Down the Economy Sabotaging Trump's Stated GoalsEven Trump's “drill baby drill” agenda crumbles as energy firms predict a million-barrel-a-day drop. As Trump-aligned influencers and pundits claim China will be hurt worse in the “war”, Trump's unpredictable dictates freeze markets, sabotage nuclear projects, and threaten a depression worse than the Great Recession. 1:34:16 Gold Soars to $3,500 as Global Reset Looms: Trump Treasury Sec Wants “New Bretton Woods” with Globalist Organizations Leading      Gold skyrockets to a jaw-dropping $3,500 an ounce, markets in chaos, and the dollar crumbling!     Tony Arterburn, DavidKnight.gold, joins to expose a sinister global reset orchestrated by Trump and his Soros Treasury Secretary for “stakeholders”.     A warning of a coming depression worse than 1929 with tariffs, meme coins shenanigans at Mar-a-Lago — is Trump pulling the strings or just a pawn in a bigger game? 2:19:00 GREATER Replacement: AI Guru's Plan to Wipe Out ALL Jobs"A famed AI researcher launches Mechanize, a startup hell-bent on replacing every human worker with chatbots and robots! He promises to mechanize EVERY human worker worldwide as Google pays top AI talent to sit idle in “garden leave” schemes 2:24:05 Exposing the CO2 Pipeline Scam: Billions in Tax Subsidies Stolen are the ONLY Reason for Projects      Jeff Weiss unveils the sinister CO2 pipeline scheme—a multi-billion-dollar bipartisan heist (and how we break out of this system, co-author of Free Indeed: Ten Truths to a Life Lived Free)     From eminent domain land grabs to deadly CO2 leaks that could wipe out entire ecosystems, this is a spiritual and economic war     It's the latest twist in wealth transfer as Jeff recounts his personal experience with wind grifts and the seduction of local politicians in the pipeline of green cash.If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-show Or you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to DavidKnight.gold for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to TrendsJournal.com and enter the code KNIGHTFor 10% off supplements and books, go to RNCstore.com and enter the code KNIGHTBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-david-knight-show--5282736/support.

Last week, the website covid.gov looked very different, containing information on coping with covid and US research. This week it leads you to a White House webpage outlining lab-leak hypothesis – that the pandemic was the result of dodgy lab work at the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The scientific consensus however continues to suggest a zoonotic crossover event. And a preprint recently published by Zach Hensel of the New University of Lisbon and Florence Débarre of the Sorbonne adds new early sequences to the evidence base. As they suggest, it doesn't seal the debate, but it certainly doesn't surprise the scientists.As the Trump administration continues to rattle swords with US science, we speak with Lisa Fazio of Vanderbuilt University who found out abruptly her funding from the National Science Foundation is ending, and Don Ingber, founding director of Harvard University's Wyss Institute about the impacts they are feeling from the federal belt tightening.Finally we learn this week of an eerie species of Hawai'ian caterpillar moth. Not only is it carnivorous, but it ties small pieces of the indigestible remains of insects and bugs found in spider webs to its case, like a gruesome, camouflaged suit of armour. Why? As Dan Rubinoff of Hawai'i describes, it protects it from the hungry host spider, making it appear as the leftovers of yesterday's dinner, or perhaps the shed exoskeleton of the spider itself.Presenter: Roland Pease Producer: Alex Mansfield Production Coordinator: Josie Hardy(Image: The view of Huanan seafood market on February 9, 2021 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Credit: Getty Images)

The scientific method involves observation, questioning, forming hypotheses, testing predictions and altering theories to align with results; it is not the altering of results to align with a hypothesis.  There are three acceptable narratives about COVID-19: a wet mart (official), 5G (conspiracy), and laboratory leak (alternative). Whereas the https://www.science.org/content/article/cia-bribed-its-own-covid-19-origin-team-reject-lab-leak-theory-anonymous-whistleblower to reject the lab theory, https://apnews.com/article/covid-cia-trump-china-pandemic-lab-leak-9ab7e84c626fed68ca13c8d2e453dde1 explanation. This announcement was made just days after the former President regained the White House. As of April 2025, the https://www.whitehouse.gov/lab-leak-true-origins-of-covid-19/?fbclid=IwY2xjawJv5wdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHrhaCm1LYQx2UbG8uGLw5gkhCvB3N4a2gNrAgdarT7Z6C-XKZijSXHb3PctU_aem_hUJWc6XJ_Gfj14AvDa1VSA as “the true origins of COVID-19.”  This new official designation means that at one time or another two totally different explanations were given, ultimately with the consequence of censorship and ridicule if a person thought or said anything different. Both explanations still result in justufciaotn for past, and future, measures such as: social distancing, masking, https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/04/end-hygiene-theater/618576/ as a form of a theater, vaccines, etc.  Prior to the recent shift in narratives, undercover video reportedly proved that Pfizer was indeed conducing gain of function research in a laboratory. But that lab was not a viral facility or a Wuhan institute; instead, it was a computer lab. In fact, https://www.pfizer.com/news/announcements/pfizer-responds-research-claims stating: “With a naturally evolving virus, it is important to routinely assess the activity of an antiviral. Most of this work is conducted using computer simulations…” Such computer simulations were used to predict mass casualties from COVID, too, and are the same ones being employed for Climate Change narratives. But what is COVID-19 or the virus designated SARS-COV-2. It is a list or complex of symptoms that are classified into categories of disease. Examination of COVID's symptoms prove they are nearly identical to the common cold and flu, among others. In fact, the https://hsph.harvard.edu/news/a-sharp-drop-in-flu-cases-during-covid-19-pandemic/. According to Harvard, this was the result of “wearing masks and distancing,” though they did not explain how such measures stopped the flu but not SARS-COV-2. Consider these three sets of symptoms from the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/common-cold/about/index.html: runny nose or nasal congestion, cough, sneezing, sore throat, headache, mild body aches, fever.https://www.cdc.gov/flu/signs-symptoms/index.html: runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, headaches, muscle or body aches, fatigue, fever, and vomiting or diarrhea.  https://www.cdc.gov/covid/signs-symptoms/index.html: congestion or runny nose, cough, sore throat, headache, muscle or body aches, fatigue, fever or chills, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea.  The only distinct symptoms of COVID were “shortness of breath or difficulty breathing” and “new loss of taste or smell.” The first symptom is already https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/leading-causes-of-death.htm in the United States - chronic lower respiratory disease. Since COVID was first tested CLRD has been bumped to sixth, though many of these respiratory deaths have been listed as COVID. In other words, what would have been diagnosed as CLRD was categorized instead as COVID-19. This is the same reason flu nearly disappeared as reported cases. These breathing problems were, within the COVID diagnosis, themselves sub-categorized as COVID-Pneumonia, and https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24002-covid-pneumonia.   The second symptom of losing a senes of taste or smell varied between total loss and partial loss, something that also occurs with the common cold and flu. This distinct and often promoted https://www.healthline.com/health-news/who-is-most-likely-to-lose-their-sense-of-smell-and-taste-from-covid-19, and even so only involved some often minor or unspecified form of loss.  Thus we can determine that between 15-37% of COVID cases had “distinct” symptoms arguably different than the overall symptoms that classify cold or flu, which means at liberal estimates over two thirds of COVID cases were nothing more than a case of the cold or flu. When defining what caused these other symptoms, we know recategorized pneumonia was one. But what about other causes that resulted in loss of senses?  Other than injuries or inflammation, often caused by what we call allergies, https://www.livestrong.com/article/13731552-food-suddenly-tastes-different/ and https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27178656/, as can neurological disorders. Other than the obvious and physical, there is also the psychological. Anxiety and stress are well known to alter sense perceptions, including https://www.calmclinic.com/anxiety/signs/smell and https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10668578/. Consider how much anxiety and stress were cultivated by 24-hour coverage of cases, deaths, symptoms, videos from China, etc., and how wiling the public was to adopt any perceptually legal or even illogical dictate for the purposes of keeping themselves and others “safe.” There is a long history of such mass psychogenic pathogen.Much of this fear was generated by variant names like “KRAKEN,” a mythical monster, as was https://www.unmc.edu/healthsecurity/transmission/2023/09/19/meet-the-man-who-named-covids-new-variants/ who likewise believed this naming heightened the public's perception of a terror they should be feeling. Such fear became so intense that one analysis suggested that COVID activated “archetypes of evil” and thus “added psychological suffering.” The study suggested: “Fear and grief caused by the pandemic have produced a powerful unconscious narrative in the collective psyche that the coronavirus is driven by an https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8441919/. The resulting archetypal dimension of fear causes an extra layer of psychological suffering in individuals.”  Such mythical, theological, and even magical terms were not lost in the New England Journal of Medicine which openly declared in 2020 that masks were little more than talismans: “Masks are not only tools, https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2006372...” A spirit or demon possessing a body is an impure form that makes one sick. Items such as crosses or holy water are employed in its exorcism - to exercise/exorcise the demon and make healthy again - along with the name of the unclean. The same is done today in modern vaccine administration. The holy water is replaced by a vaccine vial, the cross is replaced by a syringe and plunger, the demon's name is replaced by the variant or virus name, and the ritual robes are replaced by white lab coats.  The pandemic was not about a virus and a distinct set of symptoms. Instead it was about inducing archetypical fear and https://www.weforum.org/stories/2020/10/the-rich-got-richer-during-the-pandemic-and-that-s-a-daunting-sign-for-our-recovery/. It was at best https://www.history.com/articles/mysterious-illnesses-mass-hysteria, in the middle a conspiracy of fraud and psychological terror, and at worst a dark magical ritual to induce trauma.  Further evidence of the fraud can be found in reports like this one from the New York Times that discuss the ultra amplification of PCR testing cycles from the low 30s to the mid 40s -“https://absa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/NYT-200829-Your-Coronavirus-Test.pdf” - “In three sets of testing data that include cycle thresholds, compiled by officials in Massachusetts, New York and Nevada, up to 90 percent of people testing positive carried barely any virus…In Massachusetts, from 85 to 90 percent of people who tested positive in July with a cycle threshold of 40 would have been deemed negative if the threshold were 30 cycles.”  Even ‘true' positive tests do not indicate symptoms or disease, or the future development of such, which brings us back to the White House website and the statement about the lab leak: “The virus possesses a biological characteristic that is not found in nature.” This may be true, as per whatever is being assumed to exist, or observed under a microscope, or played with in a computer model, yet it does not prove any disease, especially in https://abcnews.go.com/Health/covid-transmission-asymptomatic/story?id=84599810. *The is the FREE archive.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-secret-teachings--5328407/support.

Senator Johnson's bombshell 9/11 probe, and AI's staggering 99.9975% evidence debunking the Pentagon plane crash, rips apart decades of lies.White House's COVID lab leak narrative — alibiEXCLUSIVE: China's rare earth monopoly explained by industry expertYou thought the devil wore Prada? Kristi Noem's $3,000 cash-filled Gucci purse theft exposes the elitism and incompetence of government and the hypocrisy of civil asset forfeitureChina's gold-melting ATMs fuel a manic gold rushMaryland parents fight a sinister school board pushing explicit LGBTQ books on toddlers2:40 Senator Ron Johnson says “Eyes Wide Open” Now on 9/11He thinks Trump will help to get to the bottom of 9/11?  Look at the role of Trump's friends, especially Rudy Giuliani     YOU know the truth, (here's a quick recap), and it's been clear for a LONG time.  These commissions are designed to COVER UP and DEFUSE criticism 30:16 AI Can “Grok” 9/11 Pentagon Lie, Even If Some Humans Can't (Won't)     Researcher's relentless AI interrogation of Grok unveils a 99.9975% chance that no plane hit the Pentagon on 9/11!     Forget the government's lies—staged light poles, implausible witness accounts, and an intact concrete column defy the official 757 crash narrative.  The official story falls about so that even a child (or AI) can see it — unless they don't want to see it. 43:13 Kristi Noem's Stolen Purse Scandal: $3,000 Cash, Secret Service Blunder, and You Thought the Devil Wore Prada? Her Gucci purse, stuffed with $3,000 cash, was stolen from “Cosplay Cop”, Kristi Noem.  The people who work for her would steal that kind of money from you without charging you with a crime, under “civil asset forfeiture”.  So maybe she should start the theft investigation with her own employees. 46:20 Mayor's Deadly Fentanyl Plan and Klaus Schwab's Shocking ExitA California mayor's horrifying proposal to flood the homeless with free fentanyl and Klaus Schwab, the World Economic Forum's “you'll own nothing” mastermind, is ousted amid explosive whistleblower accusations 58:50 Texas Lottery Heist Shocker: $95 Million Jackpot Rigged, Exposing State CorruptionThe jaw-dropping $95 million Texas lottery jackpot was hijacked by a cunning crew of professional bettors who outsmarted the system, buying up nearly every ticket for a nearly $60 million! 1:06:40 Supreme Court Showdown: Parents Battle School Board's ‘Pagan Pedophilia' Curriculum Pushing LGBTQ Sex Stories on 3-Year-Olds      A Maryland school board's sinister plan to force pre-K kids as young as three into explicit LGBTQ-themed storybooks—like same-sex playground sex—has ignited a court challenge     The case exposes a chilling state takeover of children's minds, funded by your skyrocketing property taxes. 1:22:09 LIVE comments from audience and emails with an update on Scott Schara's fight for justice in a landmark trial, accusing a hospital of deliberately killing his daughter Grace during COVID lockdowns 1:54:26 China's Gold-Melting ATMs as Gold Mania Melts Up     China's futuristic gold-to-cash ATMs are melting jewelry in 30 minutes, fueling a frenzy of urban gold mining as prices soar—but can you trust them?     Meanwhile, Trump's erratic tariffs trigger a staggering $13 trillion Wall Street wipeout, freezing the economy and shattering foreign investors' trust in the U.S. dollar. With Goldman Sachs warning of a looming recession, the world's financial system hangs by a thread 2:06:27 China's Rare Earth Stranglehold: A Wake-Up Call for America     China's iron grip on over 90% of the world's rare earth mineral processing threatens to cripple U.S. technology, healthcare, and defense industries overnight as China's ready to turn off the tap in a high-stakes trade war in response to Trump's tariffs.     Join Josh Ballard, CEO of USA Rare Earth (USARE.com, NASDAQ:USRE), as he exposes the strategic maneuvering that gave China its monopoly, and unveils a bold plan to rebuild America's supply chain from the ground up.      How long will it take, and what happens in the interim?2:29:30 Electric Cars: China's Spy Machines Threatening National Security and Bankrupting the Green Dream!The UK government just realized electric vehicles (EVs) are China's ultimate surveillance weapons, cars into a mobile spying platform! From eavesdropping on private conversations to hacking vehicles for assassinations, Defense Chiefs warn EVs pose a catastrophic threat to national security — but they still demand they replace conventional cars. "Packed like lemmings into shiny metal boxes, contestants in a suicidal race" 2:42:08 Sun Sets on Early Solar Adopters: How “Renewable” Are They?      Forget biodegradable straws—the climate movement's hypocrisy is choking the planet with unrecyclable junk.     Cesar Barbosa, a pioneer in solar decommissioning, reveals a silent crisis: half of all commercial solar systems installed before 2016 will be dead by 2030, leaving homeowners stranded as companies go bankrupt and toxic waste mounts. Solar panels are dying, wind turbine blades are piling up as non-biodegradable waste, and lithium-ion battery plants are erupting in catastrophic infernos, exposing the green movement's dirty secrets. 2:49:34 White House's COVID Lab Leak Lie, a.k.a. “The Alibi”      The White House's new website claims COVID-19 escaped from a Wuhan lab, but it's a brazen lie to shield the real criminals — THEM!     The true pandemic? A deadly vaccine rollout that spiked excess deaths, orchestrated by the same masterminds who pushed ventilators, remdesivir, and denied life-saving treatments. From malicious hospital murders to gain-of-function research restarted under Trump, this is no accident—it's a calculated plan for control, surveillance, and depopulationIf you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-show Or you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to DavidKnight.gold for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to TrendsJournal.com and enter the code KNIGHTFor 10% off supplements and books, go to RNCstore.com and enter the code KNIGHTBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-david-knight-show--2653468/support.

Senator Johnson's bombshell 9/11 probe, and AI's staggering 99.9975% evidence debunking the Pentagon plane crash, rips apart decades of lies.White House's COVID lab leak narrative — alibiEXCLUSIVE: China's rare earth monopoly explained by industry expertYou thought the devil wore Prada? Kristi Noem's $3,000 cash-filled Gucci purse theft exposes the elitism and incompetence of government and the hypocrisy of civil asset forfeitureChina's gold-melting ATMs fuel a manic gold rushMaryland parents fight a sinister school board pushing explicit LGBTQ books on toddlers2:40 Senator Ron Johnson says “Eyes Wide Open” Now on 9/11He thinks Trump will help to get to the bottom of 9/11?  Look at the role of Trump's friends, especially Rudy Giuliani     YOU know the truth, (here's a quick recap), and it's been clear for a LONG time.  These commissions are designed to COVER UP and DEFUSE criticism 30:16 AI Can “Grok” 9/11 Pentagon Lie, Even If Some Humans Can't (Won't)     Researcher's relentless AI interrogation of Grok unveils a 99.9975% chance that no plane hit the Pentagon on 9/11!     Forget the government's lies—staged light poles, implausible witness accounts, and an intact concrete column defy the official 757 crash narrative.  The official story falls about so that even a child (or AI) can see it — unless they don't want to see it. 43:13 Kristi Noem's Stolen Purse Scandal: $3,000 Cash, Secret Service Blunder, and You Thought the Devil Wore Prada? Her Gucci purse, stuffed with $3,000 cash, was stolen from “Cosplay Cop”, Kristi Noem.  The people who work for her would steal that kind of money from you without charging you with a crime, under “civil asset forfeiture”.  So maybe she should start the theft investigation with her own employees. 46:20 Mayor's Deadly Fentanyl Plan and Klaus Schwab's Shocking ExitA California mayor's horrifying proposal to flood the homeless with free fentanyl and Klaus Schwab, the World Economic Forum's “you'll own nothing” mastermind, is ousted amid explosive whistleblower accusations 58:50 Texas Lottery Heist Shocker: $95 Million Jackpot Rigged, Exposing State CorruptionThe jaw-dropping $95 million Texas lottery jackpot was hijacked by a cunning crew of professional bettors who outsmarted the system, buying up nearly every ticket for a nearly $60 million! 1:06:40 Supreme Court Showdown: Parents Battle School Board's ‘Pagan Pedophilia' Curriculum Pushing LGBTQ Sex Stories on 3-Year-Olds      A Maryland school board's sinister plan to force pre-K kids as young as three into explicit LGBTQ-themed storybooks—like same-sex playground sex—has ignited a court challenge     The case exposes a chilling state takeover of children's minds, funded by your skyrocketing property taxes. 1:22:09 LIVE comments from audience and emails with an update on Scott Schara's fight for justice in a landmark trial, accusing a hospital of deliberately killing his daughter Grace during COVID lockdowns 1:54:26 China's Gold-Melting ATMs as Gold Mania Melts Up     China's futuristic gold-to-cash ATMs are melting jewelry in 30 minutes, fueling a frenzy of urban gold mining as prices soar—but can you trust them?     Meanwhile, Trump's erratic tariffs trigger a staggering $13 trillion Wall Street wipeout, freezing the economy and shattering foreign investors' trust in the U.S. dollar. With Goldman Sachs warning of a looming recession, the world's financial system hangs by a thread 2:06:27 China's Rare Earth Stranglehold: A Wake-Up Call for America     China's iron grip on over 90% of the world's rare earth mineral processing threatens to cripple U.S. technology, healthcare, and defense industries overnight as China's ready to turn off the tap in a high-stakes trade war in response to Trump's tariffs.     Join Josh Ballard, CEO of USA Rare Earth (USARE.com, NASDAQ:USRE), as he exposes the strategic maneuvering that gave China its monopoly, and unveils a bold plan to rebuild America's supply chain from the ground up.      How long will it take, and what happens in the interim?2:29:30 Electric Cars: China's Spy Machines Threatening National Security and Bankrupting the Green Dream!The UK government just realized electric vehicles (EVs) are China's ultimate surveillance weapons, cars into a mobile spying platform! From eavesdropping on private conversations to hacking vehicles for assassinations, Defense Chiefs warn EVs pose a catastrophic threat to national security — but they still demand they replace conventional cars. "Packed like lemmings into shiny metal boxes, contestants in a suicidal race" 2:42:08 Sun Sets on Early Solar Adopters: How “Renewable” Are They?      Forget biodegradable straws—the climate movement's hypocrisy is choking the planet with unrecyclable junk.     Cesar Barbosa, a pioneer in solar decommissioning, reveals a silent crisis: half of all commercial solar systems installed before 2016 will be dead by 2030, leaving homeowners stranded as companies go bankrupt and toxic waste mounts. Solar panels are dying, wind turbine blades are piling up as non-biodegradable waste, and lithium-ion battery plants are erupting in catastrophic infernos, exposing the green movement's dirty secrets. 2:49:34 White House's COVID Lab Leak Lie, a.k.a. “The Alibi”      The White House's new website claims COVID-19 escaped from a Wuhan lab, but it's a brazen lie to shield the real criminals — THEM!     The true pandemic? A deadly vaccine rollout that spiked excess deaths, orchestrated by the same masterminds who pushed ventilators, remdesivir, and denied life-saving treatments. From malicious hospital murders to gain-of-function research restarted under Trump, this is no accident—it's a calculated plan for control, surveillance, and depopulationIf you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-show Or you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to DavidKnight.gold for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to TrendsJournal.com and enter the code KNIGHTFor 10% off supplements and books, go to RNCstore.com and enter the code KNIGHTBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-david-knight-show--5282736/support.

Hour 1 Segment 1 Tony starts the show by talking about Chris Van Hollen travelling to El Salvador to meet with Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Hour 1 Segment 2 Tony talks about the Pope passing away of a stroke, and the Trump family will attend his funeral on Saturday. Tony also talks about how Pete Hegseth’s job is still safe. Hour 1 Segment 3 Tony talks about the army suspending a commander after President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Hegseth vanish from the command board. Tony also talks about Rosie O’Donnell getting interviewed by CNN on moving out of the country with her non-binary child. Hour 1 Segment 4 Tony wraps up the first hour of the show talking about how much money people spent on GLP-1. Hour 2 Segment 1 Tony starts the second hour of the show talking about the stock market after the tariffs, and how egg and gas prices stand. Tony also starts to play the latest White House press briefing from Karoline Leavitt, starting with the passing of Pope Francis and the latest on illegal immigration. Hour 2 Segment 2 Tony continues to play Leavitt’s White House press briefing as she answers questions on Kilmar Abrego Garcia and Pete Hegseth. Hour 2 Segment 3 Tony wraps up playing Leavitt’s White House press briefing as she talks about Earth Day. Tony also talks about Larry David writing an opinion piece on The New York Times called My Dinner with Adolf, mocking Bill Maher’s dinner with President Donald Trump. Hour 2 Segment 4 Tony wraps up the second hour of the show talking about Hamas protesters going after Byron Donalds. Tony also plays another edition of Jasmine Crockett Masterpiece Theatre as she talks about transgender athletes. Hour 3 Segment 1 Tony starts the final hour of the show talking about more of a second signal leak and how it affects Pete Hegseth. Hour 3 Segment 2 Tony talks about how COVID-19 originated as a lab leak from Wuhan. Hour 3 Segment 3 Tony talks more about the recent passing of Pope Francis and his funeral scheduled for Saturday, with the Trump family in attendance. Tony also talks about celebrating holidays in Judaism vs. Catholicism. Tony later talks about how bad the left looks with Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Hour 3 Segment 4 Tony wraps up another edition of the show about James Comer asking the DOJ to prosecute Andrew Cuomo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hour 3 Segment 1 Tony starts the final hour of the show talking about more of a second signal leak and how it affects Pete Hegseth. Hour 3 Segment 2 Tony talks about how COVID-19 originated as a lab leak from Wuhan. Hour 3 Segment 3 Tony talks more about the recent passing of Pope Francis and his funeral scheduled for Saturday, with the Trump family in attendance. Tony also talks about celebrating holidays in Judaism vs. Catholicism. Tony later talks about how bad the left looks with Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Hour 3 Segment 4 Tony wraps up another edition of the show about James Comer asking the DOJ to prosecute Andrew Cuomo. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today on The Jeff Dornik Show, I'm joined by Mary Holland, CEO of Children's Health Defense, as we expose the latest propaganda surrounding the MMR vaccine and the manufactured measles hysteria. But breaking today — the Trump administration just dropped the receipts confirming what RFK Jr. revealed two years ago in The Wuhan Cover-Up: Fauci lied, covid was engineered, and the media covered it all up. Fauci's fingerprints are all over the "natural origin" scam, and the data shows the virus came from a single lab-created introduction — not a bat at a wet market. We're pulling no punches, and trust me, you're going to want to hear every word of this.For more information about Children's Health Defense: https://childrenshealthdefense.org/ Follow Mary Holland on X: @maryhollandnycFollow Children's Health Defense on X: @ChildrensHDSign up for Pickax and experience Freedom of Speech AND Freedom of Reach! https://pickax.comThe same government that forced you to take a deadly experimental jab tried to bury the Nobel Prize-winning cure — reclaim your health with The Wellness Company's Ivermectin + Mebendazole (use code JEFF for 10% off) before they ban the truth again. https://twc.health/jeff

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comFrancis is a physician and geneticist whose work has led to the discovery of the cause of cystic fibrosis, among other diseases. In 1993 he was appointed director of the Human Genome Project, which successfully sequenced all three billion letters of our DNA. He went on to serve three presidents as the director of the National Institutes of Health. The author of many books, including The Language of God, his latest is The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust.Our conversation was entirely agreeable until we talked about trust, and his own handling of the Covid epidemic. I asked him in depth about the lab-leak theory and why he and Tony Fauci passionately dismissed it from the get-go, even as it now appears to be the likeliest source of the terrible virus. Things got intense.For two clips of our convo — intense debate on the “Proximal Origin” paper outright denying a lab leak as the source of Covid-19, and Francis finding God after decades of atheism — pop over to our YouTube page.Other topics: growing up on a rustic farm in Shenandoah; his parents creating a community theater; homeschooled until 6th grade; his amazing scientific accomplishments as a young adult; his scientism; his terminally ill Christian patients; the AIDS crisis; C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity; the First Mover question; Ross Douthat and “fine-tuning”; the multiverse; the limits to the materialist view; deism; cradle believers vs converts; evolution and sacrificial altruism; Socrates; Jesus dying for our sins; the doubting Thomas; how angels manifest; Francis Bacon; Richard Dawkins; being the NIH director during Covid; trust and mistrust in science; the early confusion in pandemics; tribalism; dismal safety standards at the Wuhan lab; gain-of-function; EcoHealth and Peter Daszak; intel agencies on lab leak; furin cleavage sites; Kristian Andersen; geopolitical fears over Trump and China; the opacity of the CCP; the Great Barrington Declaration; Trump threatening science funding at the Ivies; In Covid's Wake; and if Francis has any regrets after Covid.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy (the first 102 are free in their entirety — subscribe to get everything else). Coming up: Claire Lehmann on the woke right, Stephen Macedo and Frances Lee on Covid's political fallout, Byron York on Trump 2.0, Robert Merry on President McKinley, Sam Tanenhaus on Bill Buckley, Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson on the Biden years, and Paul Elie on his book The Last Supper: Art, Faith, Sex, and Controversy in the 1980s. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

As a handful of governments begin to ask the hard questions about contamination in the dangerous Covid shots forced on humanity and the strange origins of the pandemic as well as the documented U.S. government funding, it is time for accountability and justice, argued legendary lawyer, physicist, and medical doctor Dr. Richard Fleming.  Speaking in ... The post Contaminated COVID Shots & US Funding for Wuhan: Govts Must Act appeared first on The New American.

The National Security Hour with LTC Sargis Sangari USA (Ret.) – I investigate the alarming rise of white fibrous clots reported by embalmers, their potential link to COVID-19 vaccines, and the suppressed truth about the virus's origins. Joined by experts James Roguski and Thomas Haviland, we expose a disinformation campaign that endangers public health and conceals bioweapons activity in Wuhan.

The National Security Hour with LTC Sargis Sangari USA (Ret.) – I investigate the alarming rise of white fibrous clots reported by embalmers, their potential link to COVID-19 vaccines, and the suppressed truth about the virus's origins. Joined by experts James Roguski and Thomas Haviland, we expose a disinformation campaign that endangers public health and conceals bioweapons activity in Wuhan.

Send us a textBudget cuts disguised as “strategy.” Civilian workforce hollowed out while nobody's watching. Quiet U.S. deployments, Frankenjets getting the spotlight like it's breaking news, and the Pentagon resurrecting a 2019 Wuhan COVID report...You're not crazy—this is just the new normal.Peaches dives deep into the week's military madness, pulling no punches and dropping the kind of hot takes that make PAOs sweat. This episode isn't about shock value—it's about confirming your suspicions with a healthy dose of sarcasm, insider baseball, and some good ol' bunker energy.If you thought the dysfunction was accidental, think again.

Here are the 3 Big things you need to know this hour—   Number One— A half dozen people were killed in a bizarre fatal helicopter crash in DC—the whole machine broke into pieces before plummeting into the Potomoc River—   Number Two— Newly surfaced studies may prove that I have been right for several years on the timing of Covid— a new report says it was in Wuhan in October of 2019—and I said it was in the US before thanksgiving in 2019—   Number Three— Great news—its Free for All Friday—it's your chance to weigh in America—it's all powered by Patriot Mobile—

Tune in here to this Friday's edition of the Brett Winterble Show! Brett kicks off the program with The Hangover With Pete Kaliner. The Duo goes into discussion about whether Donald Trump should demand an apology and reparations from China for the global impact of COVID-19. Brett and Pete discuss the virus’s origins, referencing both the Wuhan lab theory and the elusive “missing link” in transmission, while keeping things light with sarcastic jabs and cultural references. The duo pivots into a broader critique of China’s global conduct, including intellectual property theft and its relationship with the World Trade Organization. Later in the show, Brett dives into breaking news surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions. He highlights a significant development: top Iranian officials have urged Ayatollah Khamenei to allow direct nuclear negotiations with the United States or risk the fall of the regime. Brett explains the historical backdrop of U.S.-Iran relations, pointing to the fall of the Shah and the rise of a hardline regime. Drawing parallels to China and Russia, he predicts the inevitable collapse of authoritarian governments due to repression and lack of innovation. Listen here for all of this and more on The Brett Winterble Show! For more from Brett Winterble check out his YouTube channel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tune in here to this Friday's edition of the Brett Winterble Show! Brett kicks off the program with The Hangover With Pete Kaliner. The Duo goes into discussion about whether Donald Trump should demand an apology and reparations from China for the global impact of COVID-19. Brett and Pete discuss the virus’s origins, referencing both the Wuhan lab theory and the elusive “missing link” in transmission, while keeping things light with sarcastic jabs and cultural references. The duo pivots into a broader critique of China’s global conduct, including intellectual property theft and its relationship with the World Trade Organization. Listen here for all of this and more on The Brett Winterble Show! For more from Brett Winterble check out his YouTube channel.. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We open with a Friday favorite and that's Tara Bull's Top 10 News stories the Legacy/mainstream media likely didn't cover for you this week. We then dive into an interesting few stories that seems to indicate several investigations are underway. DNI Tulsi Gabbard mentioned evidence of voting machine hacks and manipulation. John Solomon discusses more evidence that the Biden White House coordinated their lawfare attacks on Trump with Jack Smith. In Senate testimony, there is work underway to see if the intelligence community and/or law enforcement were behind the violence of January 6. And, Trump signed an order stripping Chris Krebs of his clearance while an investigation is taking place regarding his involvement in the 2020 election integrity work he did. Peter Navarro is curious why the Legacy/mainstream media cannot find anything good to say about the Trump tariff strategy? Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) had to admit that the strategy worked better than he could have imagined. On the flipside, elitists on the Left wonder if the upending of the world economy is worth it just to create some HVAC jobs. The Space Force base commander in Greenland, Colonel Susan Meyers has been relieved of command for flagrant insubordination. We are learning the Biden regime buried information that dozens of U.S. military personnel contracted COVID-19 while on an exercise in Wuhan in late 2019, BEFORE the virus supposedly was even released. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) says food and homes cost so much because Trump is deporting all of the migrants who do those jobs. The Left really wants to keep the slave labor class intact, don't they? Finally, Gen Z'ers discover it is cheaper to brew their own coffee at home and Donald Trump wants Congress to keep the clocks where they are. Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) has a bill to do just that. Please take a moment to rate and review the show and then share the episode on social media. You can find me on Facebook, X, Instagram, GETTR,  TRUTH Social and YouTube by searching for The Alan Sanders Show. And, consider becoming a sponsor of the show by visiting my Patreon page!!

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 4: 6:05pm- It's Time to Get Tough with China: According to a recent report from The Wall Street Journal, Chinese officials acknowledged that they were behind numerous cyberattacks against United States infrastructure. During a secret meeting in December, officials took credit for hacking computer systems related to U.S. airports and water utilities. The report suggests the attacks were in response to American support for Taiwan's independence. In an equally disturbing report, the Biden Administration allegedly buried evidence that U.S. military members contracted COVID-19 while in Wuhan, China as early as October 2019. 6:30pm- Sheriff Fredrick Harran—Sheriff of Bucks County—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss the Bucks County Commission's misguided decision to remove the Deputy serving as School Resource Officer (SRO). Weekday afternoons on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, Rich Zeoli gives the expert analysis and humorous take that we need in this crazy political climate. Along with Executive Producer Matt DeSantis and Justin Otero, the Zeoli show is the next generation of talk radio and you can be a part of it weekday afternoons 3-7pm.

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode (04/10/2025): 3:05pm- President Donald Trump has increased reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%. On Wednesday, Trump announced that he “authorized a 90-day pause” on heightened reciprocal tariffs on nations other than China—with a much lower 10% universal tariff going into effect instead. 3:10pm- It's Time to Get Tough with China: According to a recent report from The Wall Street Journal, Chinese officials acknowledged that they were behind numerous cyberattacks against United States infrastructure. During a secret meeting in December, officials took credit for hacking computer systems related to U.S. airports and water utilities. The report suggests the attacks were in response to American support for Taiwan's independence. In an equally disturbing report, the Biden Administration allegedly buried evidence that U.S. military members contracted COVID-19 while in Wuhan, China as early as October 2019. 3:30pm- On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed a budget blueprint which will extend the 2018 Trump tax cuts while reducing federal spending. Last week, the Senate passed a similar blueprint—however, the Senate's framework outlined only $4 billion in spending cuts while the House version includes $1.5 trillion. While speaking with reporters, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) explained that the reconciliation process will begin after Congress's two-week recess which begins next week. 4:05pm- According to Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick, singer Bon Jovi's nonprofit kitchen is attracting an enormous number of homeless people! The homeless from across the state, and out of state, are now flocking to Toms River to enjoy free meals—but the town doesn't have the infrastructure or resources to care for such an enormous number of people. 4:20pm- A recent Axios report notes that Democrats have their lowest favorability rating in the history of CNN polling, they have a bad 2026 Senate electoral map, and following the census in 2030—because residents of blue states are moving to red states in large numbers—Democrats will face an uphill battle in the electoral college in 2032. For example, California and New York are expected to lose a total of six House seats and, subsequently, six electoral votes. Rich notes he's not sure how the Democrat Party can turn things around—as they continue to embrace unpopular policies despite the results of the 2024 election. 4:30pm- JT Morris—Supervising Senior Attorney for The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE)—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss FIRE submitting an amicus brief on behalf of a Maine House Representative facing retaliation for protected speech about transgender athletes. 4:40pm- During a CNN town hall event with Senator Bernie Sanders, host Anderson Cooper was corrected after “misgendering” a civil rights attorney sitting in the audience. Matt notes that Cooper is by no means an adversary to the LGBTQ+ community—and now even he is getting reprimanded on television? 5:00pm- While appearing on Fox News, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that China outfitted the Panama Canal with spy equipment: "The cranes the Chinese have on both sides of the canal are full of surveillance equipment. What do you think they're doing there?" 5:10pm- While appearing on MSNBC, businessman Kevin O'Leary said China doesn't play by the rules and that President Donald Trump has “to fix the problem once and for all.” 5:15pm- On Thursday, President Donald Trump convened a cabinet meeting where Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stated that there are numerous meetings scheduled regarding tariffs and that we are likely to see deals “one after another” in the coming days and weeks. 5:25pm- During a CNN town hall event with Senator Bernie Sanders, host Anderson Cooper was corrected after “misgendering” a civil rights attorney sitting in the audience. Matt notes that Cooper is by no means an adversary to the LGBTQ+ community—and ...

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 1: 3:05pm- President Donald Trump has increased reciprocal tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%. On Wednesday, Trump announced that he “authorized a 90-day pause” on heightened reciprocal tariffs on nations other than China—with a much lower 10% universal tariff going into effect instead. 3:10pm- It's Time to Get Tough with China: According to a recent report from The Wall Street Journal, Chinese officials acknowledged that they were behind numerous cyberattacks against United States infrastructure. During a secret meeting in December, officials took credit for hacking computer systems related to U.S. airports and water utilities. The report suggests the attacks were in response to American support for Taiwan's independence. In an equally disturbing report, the Biden Administration allegedly buried evidence that U.S. military members contracted COVID-19 while in Wuhan, China as early as October 2019. 3:30pm- On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed a budget blueprint which will extend the 2018 Trump tax cuts while reducing federal spending. Last week, the Senate passed a similar blueprint—however, the Senate's framework outlined only $4 billion in spending cuts while the House version includes $1.5 trillion. While speaking with reporters, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) explained that the reconciliation process will begin after Congress's two-week recess which begins next week. Weekday afternoons on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, Rich Zeoli gives the expert analysis and humorous take that we need in this crazy political climate. Along with Executive Producer Matt DeSantis and Justin Otero, the Zeoli show is the next generation of talk radio and you can be a part of it weekday afternoons 3-7pm.

In this episode of the Happy Women podcast, hosts Jen and Katie discuss the implications of COVID-19, government transparency, and the recent revelations about military games in Wuhan. They explore the accountability of political figures and the media's role in suppressing information. The conversation shifts to student visa policies and national security concerns, particularly regarding foreign students from China. The hosts also address the protests against Elon Musk and the cultural implications of these actions. Finally, they delve into political fundraising and the potential corruption surrounding organizations like ActBlue, while reflecting on the authenticity of political figures and the media's portrayal of them. Visit today's sponsors: www.cozyearth.com https://myphdweightloss.com/ Revive from Brightcore – Heal yourself from the inside out. 25% Off with code: HAPPYWOMEN at https://mybrightcore.com/happywomen Or dial (888) 927-5980 for up to 50% OFF and Free Shipping – ONLY when you call! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:   First, Trump pumps the breaks on his global trade war, announcing a 90 day pause on most of his reciprocal tariffs. But he's not granting China a reprieve, instead hiking their tariff to an eye-watering 125 percent. Later in the show, we are learning that the Biden administration allegedly concealed a congressionally mandated report revealing that several U.S. military service members contracted COVID-19 in Wuhan, China in October of 2019, contradicting the former administration's public claims about when the virus started circulating. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief TriTails Premium Beef: Visit https://TryBeef.com/PDB for 2 Free Flat Iron steaks with your first box over $250 Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Story #1: The next 50 years will be defined by the economic stories of the past week, and no one is entirely sure how it will play out. Will makes sense of it all, especially as President Donald Trump ramps up the tariff war against China.  Story #2: Did would-be Trump assassin Ryan Routh work for the US Government? And what really happened when 7 U.S. soldiers came down with COVID in Wuhan in the fall of 2019? Will sits down with Executive Director of the Foundation For Freedom Online & Former Official with the U.S. Department of State, Mike Benz. Story #3: Kurt Russell's Top 5 competition among actors: How does he rank against the likes of Mel Gibson, Bruce Willis, Harrison Ford, and Patrick Swayze?  Tell Will what you thought about this podcast by emailing WillCainShow@fox.com Subscribe to The Will Cain Show on YouTube here: Watch The Will Cain Show! Follow Will on Twitter: @WillCain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This explosive monologue uncovers what the mainstream media and government tried to keep hidden—from early COVID cases in U.S. service members returning from Wuhan, to the Biden administration's suppression of key intelligence. It also dives into how China's influence has infiltrated our supply chains, our infrastructure, and even our pharmaceutical production. Then, a shift to domestic issues: 7 million illegal immigrants reportedly using stolen Social Security numbers, and the IRS whistleblower backlash as Trump moves to clean house. National security, economic fairness, and sovereignty are on the table—no punches pulled.

0:00 US soldiers infected, had Covid symptoms at Wuhan military games before wet market! Robby Soave 10:53 Supreme Court sides with Trump admin on firing some probationary federal workers 27:32 IRS sharing illegal immigrant info with DHS to aide in deportation effort 39:27 Trump's battle with some congressional Republicans escalates over Tariffs: Burgess Everett intv 48:21 Trump's Tariffs necessary to reset global trade, bring jobs to US, Mark DiPlacito argues 1:04:52 Report: Biden admin used Signal ‘constantly' for sensitive information 1:15:23 RFK Jr says MMR vaccines most effective fighting measles, while also praising alternative 'healers' 1:25:14 Pro-Israel org asks Pam Bondi to investigate Ms Rachel, allege she's spreading ‘pro-Hamas propaganda' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CannCon and Ghost team up for a powerhouse edition of Badlands Daily, exposing the Biden regime's cover-up of the earliest known COVID cases among U.S. soldiers in Wuhan, months before China "officially" sounded the alarm. The duo lays out how this military-based viral release may have been the real origin story of the pandemic, finally confirming long-held suspicions the media and tech platforms worked overtime to suppress. They then pivot to Trump's global trade blitz: a 104% tariff against China triggers retaliation from Beijing, sparking a conversation on economic warfare, decoupling from Chinese supply chains, and the bigger play for national and global sovereignty. Ghost breaks down the Panama Canal crisis, China's influence over foreign ports, and the mysterious silence surrounding Mexico's newly operational canal project. From SCOTUS smacking down D.C. judge overreach to President Trump's trillion-dollar defense budget, the show weaves through weaponized NGOs, media manipulation, constitutional lawfare, and Iran peace backchannels, with Ghost spotlighting Steve Witkoff's quiet diplomacy tour through the Middle East. They wrap with fiery commentary on censorship, globalist psychological warfare, and the spiritual battle for America's future. Packed with facts, fire, and faith, this is Badlands Daily at its most potent.

Welcome to episode 298 of The Cloud Pod – where the forecast is always cloudy! Justin, Matthew and Ryan are in the house (and still very much missing Jonathan) to bring you a  jam packed show this week, with news from Beijing to Virginia! Did you know Virginia was in the US? Amazon definitely wants you to know that.  We've got updates from BigQuery Git Support and their new collab tools, plus all the AI updates you were hoping you'd miss. Tune in now!  Titles we almost went with this week: The Cloud Pod now Recorded from Planet Earth Wait Java still exists? When will java just be coffee and not software Cloudflare Makes AI beat Mazes Replacing native mobile things with mobile web apps won't fix your problems AWS Turn your security over to the bots The Cloud Pod is lost in the AI labyrinth  AI security agents to secure the AI… wait recursion Durable + Stateless.. I don't know if you know what those words means Click ops expands to our phones yay! The Cloud Pod is now a data analyst  Gitops come to bigquery A big thanks to this week's sponsor: We're sponsorless! Want to get your brand, company, or service in front of a very enthusiastic group of cloud news seekers? You've come to the right place! Send us an email or hit us up on our slack channel for more info.  AI Is Going Great – Or How ML Makes All Its Money   00:46 Manus, a New AI Agent From China is Going Viral—And Raising Big Questions   Manus is being described as “the first true autonomous AI agent” from China, capable of completing weeks of professional work in hours. Developed by a team called Butterfly Effect with offices in Beijing and Wuhan, Manus functions as a truly autonomous agent that independently analyzes, plans, and executes complex tasks.  The system uses a multi-agent architecture powered by several distinct AI models, including Anthropic’s Claude 3.5 Sonnet and fine-tuned versions of

Last time we spoke about the January 28th Incident. In January of 1932, tensions escalated in Shanghai as anti-Japanese sentiments surged after Japan's invasion of Manchuria. Orchestrated by Yoshiko Kawashima, a Japanese spy, a provocation led to violence, sparking outrage among Japanese expatriates. Japan demanded apologies and compensation from China, threatening military action if their demands were unmet. As the Japanese military amassed forces in Shanghai, the Chinese 19th Route Army prepared to resist, igniting the conflict known as the January 28th Incident, marking the beginning of a fierce struggle for control. Amidst chaos, the Nanjing government struggled to respond to Japan's escalating aggression in Shanghai. Chiang Kai-Shek prioritized avoiding war, urging a diplomatic approach to protect Shanghai's economy. Despite pressure, the 19th Route Army was ordered to withdraw, but tensions flared when Japan attacked the Chinese garrison. The 19th Route Army fiercely resisted, leading to intense battles. As Japan sent reinforcements, Chiang faced mounting protests and criticism for his passive stance, questioning whether he could maintain his strategy against the encroaching enemy.   #144 The First Battle of Shanghai 1932 Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. In the last episode we covered the January 28th Incident. At 11:30 pm on January 28, Japan ordered 2,300 Japanese Marines to advance westward along every branch road on the west side of North Sichuan Road, without waiting for a response. This road, which crosses into the northern area of the International Settlement and has frequently been designated as a Japanese defense zone, includes Target Road (now known as Wujin Road in Hongkou District, Shanghai), Qiujiang Road, and Yokohama Road. Their objective was to seize the Songhu Railway defense line at Tiantong'an Station. They faced strong resistance from the 19th Route Army, further escalating the conflict. In the early hours of the 29th, Japanese aircraft launched from the Notoro seaplane carrier, which was moored on the Huangpu River, attacked the Chinese district of Zhabei. Both the Commercial Press located at No. 584 Baoshan Road and the Oriental Library, the largest private library in China with over 300,000 books, were completely destroyed. That same day the 19th Route Army sent a telegram to the entire nation concerning the situation: Do forgive me it's a rough translation “Urgent. Dear Sir and Madam, the Japanese have occupied our three northeastern provinces, changing the color of our territory and making our nation perish. Recently, they have killed and set fire in Shanghai, and vagrants are everywhere, doing the most despicable and violent things in the world. Gunboats are coming one after another, and the Marines are all landed. At 12:00 a.m. on the 28th, they openly invaded our defense line in Zhabei, Shanghai, and challenged us. Guang Nai and others are soldiers, and they only know that it is their duty to defend themselves and defend their land. They cannot give up even an inch of land or an inch of grass. They resist to save the country and protect the race. Even if they sacrifice only one person and one bullet, they will never retreat and lose the personality of the soldiers of the Republic of China. This thing and this ambition are exposed to the sun and the sun and are known to the world. The spirits of our ancestors in heaven are truly relying on it”. On the morning of January 29, Chiang Kai-shek met with He Yingqin and Zhu Peide to discuss countermeasures. Simultaneously Zhu Peide convened a meeting with He Yingqin, Gu Zhutong, Li Jishen, Deng Shizeng, Lin Wei, and others to address issues such as defense deployment, the security of Nanjing and the Yangtze River, and resistance against Japan. Chiang Kai-Shek established the principles going forward for negotiations with Japan, emphasizing the need to prepare for talks while actively resisting. He stated that negotiations must have a clear final line of defense and a maximum limit that would not compromise administrative and territorial integrity, undermine the spirit of the Nine-Power Treaty, or jeopardize national sovereignty. If these limits were exceeded and unacceptable concessions were made, a decisive battle would be fought, even at the cost of defeat and death.  The defense and military strategy for Beijing and Shanghai included the 19th Route Army defending Shanghai with full strength, while the front guard army consisting of the 87th and 88th divisions would protect Nanjing. He Yingqin would remain in Nanjing, overseeing all party, government, and military personnel left behind. Chiang, along with the Central Political Council of the Kuomintang, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the National Government, and Chen Mingshu, all expressed their commitment to resisting Japanese aggression. Chiang also sent a telegram to He Chengjun, director of the Hubei Province Pacification Office, and Xu Tingyao, commander of the Fourth Division, stating "Last night, the Japanese invaders attacked our 19th Route Defense Line in Zhabei, Shanghai, and the battle is ongoing. Our army is determined to fight to the death. Their naval forces in Han and Xun will likely engage in military operations. We urge you to remain vigilant and defend yourselves, never yielding to them. The Fourth Division should concentrate on strict defense in Wuhan and avoid dispersal. If military funds become scarce, local governments will need to raise them independently." The National Government Military Committee appointed Chiang Kai-shek, Feng Yuxiang, Yan Xishan, and Zhang Xueliang as members responsible for mobilizing the army and commanding the Shanghai War. Chiang Kai-Shek officially resumed power after resigning to prevent a surrender and committed to a prolonged resistance. On January 30, the Chinese Nationalist Government announced the relocation of the capital to Luoyang. Chiang Kai-shek sent a telegram urging resistance against the Japanese and dispatched the elite Fifth Army to reinforce Shanghai. That night, Dai Ji, the commander of the Songhu Garrison, took charge of military operations in Shanghai, overseeing the 19th Route Army. The commander-in-chief was Jiang Guangnai, with Cai Tingkai as the army commander and division commanders Qu Shounian, Mao Weishou, and Shen Guanghan. Chiang Kai-Shek then issued a telegram to his troops across the nation and again I apologize for the rough translation. "Since the Northeast Incident began, the Central Government has been enduring humiliation and maintaining peace in order to avoid war and protect the lifeline of the country. It hopes to use justice and fairness to awaken the Japanese pirates. Unexpectedly, the more we tolerate, the more arrogant they become. When the Shanghai Incident occurred, we accepted their demands with great pain, but the Japanese pirates still brazenly pressed on, repeatedly attacking our Shanghai Defense Force, bombing civilian houses, throwing bombs on the streets, and our compatriots were ravaged. The country is about to perish. Anyone with blood in his veins would rather endure it. Since the 19th Route Army has risen up to defend itself bravely, our entire army In this time of national destruction and extinction, when the revolutionary soldiers are facing imminent danger, they should fight for the dignity of the country, strive for the survival of the nation, fulfill their responsibilities for the revolution, and be determined to die rather than live in disgrace, so as to deal with the brutal Japan that destroys peace and despises faith and integrity... Chiang Kai-shek and his comrades have shared hardships for a long time. Although I am now in the opposition, I am willing to swear to live and die with the soldiers and fulfill my bounden duty. I am here to inform you in advance with my blood and sincerity, and ask you to be determined and work hard, share the same hatred with the enemy, do not be arrogant, maintain the spirit of sacrifice, stay ready to fight, and save the country from danger." From that day on, the various ministries, commissions and committees of the National Government began to move to Luoyang, but the Military Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remained in Nanjing . At the same time, the frontline troops were ordered to be jointly commanded by the Minister of Military Affairs He Yingqin and the Chief of the General Staff Zhu Peide.  Typically Chinese sources breakdown what is known as the First Battle of Shanghai into three phases. In the previous episode we looked through the event up until the point of the first phase. After the initial fighting, both the 19th route army and Japanese agreed to a ceasefire so they could strengthen their positions and at least allow some form of diplomacy to occur. This went into effect on the 29th. As we mentioned, immediately afterwards the Japanese rapidly began reinforcing their position in Shanghai. They first sent the Sasebo 26th Squadron on the 30th, bearing 474 troops of the Sasebo 3rd Special Marine Corps alongside supplies. The next day the aircraft carriers Kaga and Hosho came over with 30 aircraft from the 1st air fleet. Then the cruisers Naka, Yura and Abukuma alongside 4 torpedo boats came bearing another 2000 marines. On February 1st the Terukoku Maru brought over the Yokosuka 1st Special Marine corps, roughly 525 men who landed at Huishan Wharf. With all that said and done, roughly 7000 Japanese troops had been brought over. On February 1st, the IJN warships began bombarding Nanjing from the Yangtze River, prompting Yu Jishi to frantically demand Chiang Kai-Shek transfer more troops to Shanghai. That night the Japanese light cruiser Tenryu, the protected cruisers Hirado and Taima, and the seven ships of the Navy's 23rd Destroyer Squadron fired upon Nanjing using four 140mm guns, 12 152mm single-mounted rapid-fire guns, 12 120mm single-mounted guns, and 20 76mm single-mounted rapid-fire guns. The rich and officials fled the city for refuge, but the Japanese army did not land any men to follow up the attack. Simultaneously 40,000 Shanghai workers from over 20 Japanese owned cotton mills began an anti-Japanese strike, being heavily backed by Communists. The workers began aiding the 19th route army to blockade the Japanese in the factories and streets and sabotage what they could.  On February 2nd, the Japanese army attacked Wusong several times, but was repelled each time. On the 3rd the Japanese expanded their attacks against Zhabei, Baziqiao and other locations, but the Chinese defenders successfully repelled these assaults as well. On the 4th, the Japanese launched their first major offensive, which extended the conflict to Jiangwan and Wusong. Following a day of intense fighting, the Wusong fort was destroyed by enemy bombardment; however, the Japanese army was unable to land due to the determined resistance of the Chinese defenders. The anti-aircraft artillery company from the 88th Division, reassigned to the 4th Regiment of the 156th Brigade of the 19th Route Army, managed to shoot down a Japanese aircraft. After the failure of the general offensive, Yukiichi Shiozawa was dismissed and sent back to Japan. Vice Admiral Yoshisaburo Nomura, the newly appointed commander of the Third Fleet, succeeded Shiozawa. After Nomura assumed his role, the Japanese army began to bolster its forces. Japan had initially planned to deploy troops when tensions escalated in Shanghai, but the navy had opposed this move. However, as the situation deteriorated, the navy was compelled to seek assistance from the army. On February 2, the Japanese cabinet officially decided to send troops. In response to the urgent circumstances in Shanghai, they resolved to dispatch the Shanghai Dispatch Mixed Brigade, led by Brigade Commander Major General Shimomoto Kuma, along with the 9th Division, commanded by Lieutenant General Ueda Kenkichi. The Shanghai Dispatch Mixed Brigade and the Second Independent Tank Squadron were prioritized for transport. Concurrently, the Japanese Navy also sent the Yokosuka 2nd Special Marine Corps to Shanghai. The 24th Mixed Brigade landed in Wusong on the afternoon of February 7. By this time, the combined forces of the Japanese navy, army, and air force had exceeded 10,000 personnel. At dawn on February 8, the Japanese Army's 24th Mixed Brigade launched an attack on Zhanghuabang, Yunzaobang, and Wusong Town along three routes, but they were repelled by our forces. Meanwhile on February 4, the National Government Military Commission sent out a telegram that divided the country into four defense zones. The first zone, which includes the area north of the Yellow River, was assigned to Zhang Xueliang as the commander-in-chief. The second zone, covering the area south of the Yellow River, was placed under the command of Chiang Kai-shek. The third zone, encompassing the area south of the Yangtze River as well as Fujian and Zhejiang provinces, was led by He Yingqin. The fourth zone, which includes Guangdong and Guangxi, was commanded by Chen Jitang. The telegram also stated that, aside from maintaining troops for local stability, all commanders were to concentrate their forces within their respective defense zones to confront the aggressive Japanese. Additionally, a directive was issued for the provinces of Sichuan, Hunan, Guizhou, Hubei, Shaanxi, and Henan to send troops to serve as a general reserve. On February 5, upon learning that the Japanese army had been redeployed from mainland China to Shanghai, Chairman of the Military Commission Chiang Kai-shek sent a telegram from Luoyang to He Yingqin. He instructed that if the Japanese forces landed, the Chinese Air Force would engage in combat. Additionally, Chiang sent a message of condolence to Jiang Guangnai, Cai Tingkai, and Dai Ji of the 19th Route Army, stating "Brothers, you have been fighting valiantly for a week. Each time I reflect on the tremendous sacrifices made by the soldiers and their dedication, I feel a deep sadness... If necessary, Zhong (Zheng) can come to lead in person. When the Air Force enters the fray, the Army must establish various signals in advance to communicate with it and ensure coordinated efforts..." On the same day, the 88th Division arrived in Suzhou. On February 6, Chiang ordered the 261st Brigade of the 87th Division to move from Nanjing to reinforce Kunshan. The troops reached Kunshan on February 7. On February 8, Chiang directed He Yingqin to transfer an artillery battalion to support the 19th Route Army. Then, on February 9, Chiang Kai-shek mobilized the First Division, led by Commander Hu Zongnan, and the Seventh Division, commanded by Wang Jun, to prepare for reinforcement of the 19th Route Army in Shanghai. February 8th marks the second phase of the battle. On the 10th, to ensure that the 88th Division of the Central Army complied with the orders from the 19th Route Army of the Guangdong Army, Chiang Kai-shek sent a telegram to Yu Jishi insisting that "your troops must strictly follow the commands of Commander-in-Chief Chiang and coordinate their movements with allied forces." The Japanese Marine Corps, under Yukio Shiozawa, initiated a three-pronged encirclement attack from Hongkou. The National Army mounted a determined defense and ultimately repelled the Japanese forces, pursuing and destroying them, which significantly lowered their morale. On February 11, Chen Cheng, commander of the Central Army's 18th Army, sent a telegram to Chiang Kai-shek from Ji'an, Jiangxi, reporting that the troops had not been paid for nearly two months and were lacking food. At that time, the National Government was planning to redeploy the National Army that had been engaged in suppressing the Communists in Jiangxi to Zhejiang and Shanghai and to relocate the capital to Luoyang.  On February 12, following a battle at Caojiaqiao, the Japanese army's strategy to consolidate their forces was entirely disrupted. The next morning, February 13, the Japanese 24th Mixed Brigade crossed the Caojiaqiao Bridge in Zhuozaobang and engaged with the Nationalist army. Seizing the moment, the 19th Route Army Headquarters aimed to annihilate the Japanese forces. The Nationalist army surrounded the Japanese troops near the Yong'an Cotton Mill. Additionally, 60 members of a suicide squad launched a suicide attack, resulting in the complete destruction of 1,600 Japanese soldiers. The Japanese army faced significant losses, thwarting their attempt to swiftly capture Wusong. On February 14, Chiang ordered the 88th and 87th Divisions, which were already stationed in Nanxiang and Kunshan near Shanghai, to be reorganized into the Fifth Army. He appointed Zhang Zhizhong, a volunteer eager to fight against the Japanese, as the commander of the Fifth Army. This new army was placed under the unified command of the 19th Route Army and took over the defense line stretching from the northern end of Jiangwan through Miaoxing to the western end of Wusong. It served as the left-wing army, while the 19th Route Army acted as the right-wing, tasked with defending Jiangwan, the area south of Dachang, and the urban region of Shanghai. To replenish the 19th Route Army's losses, Chiang repeatedly ordered reinforcements from various locations. For instance, on February 15, Shangguan Yunxiang dispatched 500 active soldiers from Bengbu to the 19th Route Army; on February 17, Liang Guanying sent 500 unarmed soldiers from Qingjiangpu; and on February 19, Liu Zhi contributed 1,000 active unarmed soldiers from Henan. On February 16, Chiang Kai-shek communicated with Finance Minister Song Ziwen via telegram, stating, "Since the Japanese refuse to withdraw their troops from Shanghai, we must resist until the end. ... Food supplies in Jiangxi and Henan will dwindle, and assistance will be completely halted. Please arrange to deposit 10 million yuan in central banknotes in Nanchang and 20 million yuan in Zhengzhou. This will allow the government to continue functioning, the army to be sustained, and perhaps we can navigate this crisis and avert collapse. This is my final request. I hope you can find a way to assist." To prevent any friction between the Fifth Army and the Nineteenth Route Army over competing for military accolades, Chiang Kai-shek sent a telegram to Zhang Zhizhong and Yu Jishi on February 18. "The fight against Japan is a matter of national survival and is not a matter of honor for an individual or a certain unit. Our frontline officers and men should fully understand this. Therefore, the honor of the 19th Route Army is the honor of our entire National Revolutionary Army. There is absolutely no distinction between honor and disgrace. The Fifth Army's joining the front line is feared by the enemy and will also be slandered by the reactionaries (those who oppose the Nanjing Central Government). If we can continue to fight in the name of the 19th Route Army, it will be enough to demonstrate the strength of our National Revolutionary Army. We will share life and death, let alone honor and disgrace. I hope that this will be conveyed to the officers and men of the Fifth Army. They must unite and fight with our 19th Route Army and make no sacrifices to complete the revolutionary mission." Over on the other side, following reports of significant losses suffered by the Japanese army in Wusong, Tokyo received an imperial decree from Emperor Hirohito demanding the Shanghai incident get settled quick. In response, Chief of Staff Zairen urgently ordered the 9th Army Division, commanded by Ueda Kenkichi, to swiftly reinforce Shanghai. By the afternoon of February 13, the main contingent of the 9th Division had arrived at Shanghai Port, and by February 16, all personnel had disembarked in Wusong. Consequently, Lieutenant General Ueda took over command from Nomura. At this point, the Japanese invading forces comprised over 30,000 troops from naval, land, and air units, along with 60 to 70 field artillery pieces, more than 60 aircraft, and dozens of ships concentrated at the Wusong mouth. Ueda issued a statement late on the night of the 13th, asserting, "If anyone obstructs our division from fulfilling its mission, we will take decisive action without hesitation." On the 18th, he sent an ultimatum to Cai Tingkai, demanding, "Your army must immediately cease hostilities and withdraw from the following areas by 5:00 p.m. on February 20: on the west bank of the Huangpu River, retreat from areas connecting the western end of the concession, Caojiadu Town, Zhoujiaqiao Town, and Pushong Town to the north; on the east bank, withdraw from areas connecting Lannidu and Zhangjialou Town to the north, and retreat to a zone 20 kilometers away from the border of each concession Additionally, all military installations in the specified areas must be dismantled and no new ones established. If these demands are not met, the Japanese army will have no choice but to act freely against your forces, and your army will bear all resulting consequences." In response to Ueda's ultimatum, Tsai and Chiang ordered their front-line troops to fire heavily at Japanese positions as a warning. On the morning of February 20, Ueda commanded a full-scale attack across the front, employing tactics to break through the center while flanking from both sides. The 9th Division led the assault on the junction of Jiangwan and Miaohang, aiming to encircle Wusong from the north with the Kurume Brigade and Zhabei with the Marine Corps from the south. The Japanese began with artillery bombardments, followed by infantry and tank assaults on the Zhanghuabang and Yangshupu lines, both of which were successfully repelled by Chinese defenders. Over a thousand Japanese soldiers and several tanks in Zhabei were killed or wounded due to landmines. On February 21, Ueda personally directed thousands of infantry, supported by aircraft and artillery, to attack the Chinese defensive positions. Both sides incurred heavy casualties, and the battle continued until dawn on the 23rd. The Japanese forces attempted to encircle Jiangwan Town from Jiangwan Station, but the Chinese defenders fought valiantly, launching multiple charges and capturing Japanese Major Kong Sheng along with hundreds of soldiers. Ultimately, the Japanese army was unable to withstand the resistance and began to retreat. After the Japanese 9th Division arrived in Shanghai, it prepared to initiate a second major assault on the defenders of the city. The strategy involved a comprehensive attack stretching from Zhabei to Wusong to contain the Chinese army's strength, with primary forces concentrated on Jiangwan and Miaohang. The goal was to seize these two strategic points, achieve a breakthrough in the center, sever the link between the 5th Army and the 19th Route Army, and then defeat them individually. At dawn on February 20, the Japanese dispatched over ten aircraft for reconnaissance and bombing missions over the Miaohang area. Naval artillery and heavy army cannons heavily shelled the Miaohang positions. Simultaneously, Japanese artillery bombarded the Yunzaobang area in an effort to force a crossing and facilitate the Miaohang offensive.   By 9 am, part of the Japanese forces advanced towards the Xiaochang Temple and the Maijiazhai position, immediately conducting a fire search on our troops' positions. At noon, 3,000 Japanese soldiers launched an attack against our forces. The officers and soldiers of the 527th Regiment, defending the Maijiazhai and Zhuyuandun positions, mounted a counterattack, marking the beginning of the Battle of Miaohang. After three hours of intense fighting, the Japanese suffered significant casualties and were unable to continue, retreating to their original positions. Following this, over 2,000 Japanese troops attacked the Xiaochang Temple and Jinjiatang positions. The officers and soldiers of the 523rd Regiment, taking cover in the trenches, launched counterattacks and successfully repelled the Japanese forces. As dusk fell, the Japanese infantry halted their assaults, but naval and land artillery continued to bombard our positions in an attempt to weaken our defenses and personnel for a renewed attack the following day. On February 21, Japanese artillery relentlessly shelled the positions of the 88th Division of the Fifth Army in Miaohang. Following this, thousands of Japanese infantry launched an assault on the Yanjiazhai and Miaohang Town front. As the Japanese forces advanced, the officers and soldiers of the 523rd and 524th Regiments bravely counterattacked and successfully repelled them. However, a significant number of enemy troops coordinated a comprehensive assault on the Maijiazhai, Zhuyuandun, Xiaochangmiao, and Yanjiazhai lines south of Miaohang. Our 523rd, 524th, and 527th Regiments engaged in intense combat with the enemy, particularly at the Zhuyuandun front near Maijiazhai and Xu Xu, where the fighting was especially fierce. After a day of conflict, the enemy was temporarily pushed back. On February 22, the Japanese 9th Division launched a full-scale attack on the Miaohang position held by the 88th Division of the Fifth Army. Throughout the day, aircraft bombed the Chinese defenders, and thousands of artillery shells were fired at them. However, under the direct command of Zhang Zhizhong, the enemy faced a devastating defeat due to the coordinated three-pronged assault by the Sun Yuanliang Brigade, the Song Xilian Brigade, and the 61st Division of the 19th Route Army. The Miaohang position was ultimately saved from peril, inflicting heavy casualties on the elite forces of the Japanese 9th Division and the Kurume Mixed Brigade. This victory became known as the "Miaohang Victory." In the days that followed, the enemy continued their bombardment and attacks but were consistently repelled by the defenders. The Japanese army suffered significant losses, shifting from an all-out offensive to a more focused approach before ultimately halting their attacks. By the 25th, Ueda's overall offensive strategy had also failed. On February 24, the Japanese army decided to escalate the conflict once more, transferring the 11th and 14th divisions from Japan to join the Shanghai Expeditionary Force, which included troops already engaged in the war. At that time, the flagship of the Japanese Navy's Third Fleet, the Izumo, sustained damage from a bombing raid carried out by the suicide squad of the 19th Route Army, which sent shockwaves through Japan. Additionally, the large troop presence made a quick resolution to the war impossible. Consequently, on the 23rd, the Japanese cabinet decided to promptly reinforce the army. The General Staff then established the Shanghai Expeditionary Army Command, appointing General Shirakawa Yoshinori, the former Minister of War in the Tanaka Cabinet, to replace Ueda. They dispatched the 11th Division (led by Lieutenant General Atsutarou Atsuto), the 14th Division (led by Lieutenant General Naoaki Matsuki), and over 100 aircraft to China to initiate a larger-scale offensive in Shanghai. After several reinforcements, the Japanese forces in Shanghai, under Shirakawa's command, grew to over 90,000 troops, supported by 80 warships and 300 aircraft, significantly enhancing their combat effectiveness. In contrast, the total strength of the Chinese defenders was less than 50,000, with inadequate equipment. After a month of intense fighting, the Chinese forces had suffered heavy losses, leaving their river defenses in the Taicang Liuhe area vulnerable. Learning from the failures of the previous three commanders' frontal assaults, Shirakawa opted to land at Liuhe and flank the Songhu defenders. He directed the 9th Division and other units to launch a direct attack on Songhu and Shanghai while using the 3rd Fleet to escort the 11th Division into the Yangtze River estuary. They executed surprise landings at Liuhekou, Yanglinkou, and Qiyakou, quickly outflanking the defenders. On March 1, the Japanese forces initiated attacks in Naobei, Jiangwan, and Miaohang, employing heavy artillery, field guns, and aircraft for continuous bombardment. The infantry capitalized on this to engage in close-quarters combat, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. Meanwhile, Shirakawa secretly instructed the 11th Division to exploit the weakness of the Chinese troops in Liuhe, forcibly landing at Qiyakou, Yanglinkou, and Liubinkou, ultimately capturing Liuhe. The fall of Liuhe posed a significant threat to the flank and rear of the Chinese army, compelling the entire force to retreat to the second line of defense (the Jiading-Huangdu line) by the evening of March 1.  After 34 days of intense fighting, they were forced to retreat to their second line of defense. At this point, the war had entered its final phase, resulting in a stalemate between the two sides. On the 2nd, the Japanese army seized Shanghai, and by March 3, they occupied Zhenru and Nanxiang, subsequently announcing a ceasefire. Now while we have been focused on the Japanese and Chinese perspectives in this, the international community was also heavily involved in the background. After the outbreak of hostilities, the British and American consuls in Shanghai offered to mediate. However despite a ceasefire being implemented the hostilities continued. So on February 2nd, Britain, America, France, Italy and Germany sent a notice to China and Japan "proposing to stop the conflict; (1) both sides immediately stop all violent acts according to the following conditions; (2) there will be no mobilization or preparation for any hostile acts between the two countries; (3) the Chinese and Japanese combatants in Shanghai will withdraw from the contact points; (4) a neutral zone will be established to separate the combatants of both sides to protect the public concession. The area will be garrisoned by neutral military and police, and various methods will be formulated by the consular corps; (5) once the two countries accept the treaty, they will not make any demands or reservations in advance, but will quickly negotiate with the assistance of neutral observers or participants in accordance with the spirit of the Kellogg-War Pact and the December 9th League of Nations resolution to resolve all outstanding issues..." Nanjing generally accepted the terms, but Japan instead proposed non-military zones be established 20 miles around the major ports of Shanghai, Hankou, Tianjin, Qingdao and Guangzhou as a sort of counter proposal. Meanwhile at the League of Nations, Yan Huiqing was drawing attention to the Shanghai incident, obviously linking it to the Manchuria incident and advocated for Article 10 of the League of Nations Charter, which was in regards to respecting territorial integrity and political independence of league nations. The League of Nations agreed and organized a committee to investigate the Shanghai incident. On February 4th Chiang Kai-Shek would write in his diary "As long as we do not lose our national sovereignty and territory, and the Japanese invaders do not put forward unacceptable conditions, we can take advantage of the opportunity of British and American intervention to negotiate with them; we cannot take a tough stance when other countries intervene, which will lead to adverse effects." By late February US Secretary of State Henry Stimson warned Japan for the second time, that the Nine Power Treaty and other treaties had to be maintained. Then on the 23rd he sent a letter reiterating the nine-power treaty and Kellogg War Pact to the League of Nations in regards to the Shanghai situation. On the 29th, a four-point plan for mediating the Shanghai incident was adopted at the League of Nations. The objective was to swiftly establish a local ceasefire agreement with the assistance of civil and military officials from various countries present in Shanghai. Following this, a round-table meeting was to be convened with representatives from nations with vested interests in Shanghai to discuss security measures for the International Settlement, the French Concession, and the local residents, as well as to address other issues. Subsequently, representatives from Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and other nations unanimously supported the plan, with Chinese representative Yan Huiqing and Japanese representative Sato Naotake also indicating their general agreement in principle. However, on March 2, the situation escalated when the Japanese army compelled the Chinese forces to retreat to their second line of defense. The Japanese side adopted a more aggressive stance, presenting four stringent conditions and insisting that the Chinese army withdraw first before halting their attacks. The Japanese forces were only willing to withdraw to the Shanghai and Wusong areas and refused to do so under the supervision of neutral countries, which the Chinese government firmly rejected. On March 3, the Japanese army launched another offensive. On that same day, U.S. Secretary of State Stimson summoned Japanese Ambassador to the United States Idebuchi, condemning Japan for accepting the League of Nations resolution on February 29 while simultaneously escalating military operations. On March 3rd a ceasefire came into effect as a formal meeting was held at the British consulate. The Chinese delegation was led by Guo Taiqi, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with military representatives Dai Ji, Huang Qiang, and seven others. The Japanese delegation included Shigemitsu Mamoru, Minister to China, and military representatives Ueda, Tashiro, and nine others. Officials from Britain, the United States, France, and other nations also participated in the meeting. During the negotiations, numerous contentious issues arose, particularly regarding the timing and location of the Japanese army's withdrawal. It would take until May 5th for a armistice agreement to be signed. The agreement designated Shanghai as a demilitarized zone, prohibiting China from stationing troops in the areas around Shanghai, Suzhou, and Kunshan, while permitting a limited number of Japanese units to remain in the city. China was permitted to maintain only a small police force within Shanghai. According to Chinese war reports, a total of 10,254 Japanese soldiers were killed or wounded in the Battle of Shanghai on January 28. According to Japanese data, a total of 3,091 Japanese soldiers were killed or wounded in the invasion of Shanghai: 620 Japanese soldiers were killed and 1,622 were wounded in the army; 149 Japanese soldiers were killed and 700 were wounded in the navy. Another Chinese report, stated the 19th Route Army and the Fifth Army suffered a total of 14,104 casualties 4,274 killed and 9,830 wounded. Among them, the 19th Route Army suffered 8,792 casualties, while the Fifth Army suffered 5,312 casualties. Shanghai residents faced bombardments from Japanese aircraft and artillery, resulting in over 6,080 fatalities, more than 2,000 injuries, 10,400 missing persons, and property losses totaling 1.6 billion yuan. At the onset of the war, the Japanese military intentionally targeted cultural institutions in Shanghai, such as the Commercial Press and the Oriental Library, leading to the total destruction of the Commercial Press, the oldest and largest publishing house in China. The Oriental Library, which housed millions of volumes, including over 100,000 rare ancient texts from the Song and Yuan dynasties and the Sikuquanshu compiled during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty, was first devastated by artillery fire and then looted by Japanese forces. Reports from that time indicated that the Japanese army used trucks to transport the remaining books for seven consecutive days. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. Thus what became known as the first battle of Shanghai had come to a not so swift end. Was its resolvement a victory for the League of Nations? Or was it just another indicator that the League of Nations was nothing but promises and pieces of paper? One man took notice of the Manchuria and Shanghai incidents, and he would soon bring Europe into a global war.  

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