UK Column Radio

In this episode of the Silk and Steel Chinese History Series, host Carl Zha and perpetual guest JJ explore the political intrigue at the Qin imperial court, where the man who helped build the Qin dynasty, Prime Minister Li Si, was destroyed by the very system he created.
🔍 What you'll learn:
• Emperor Hu Hai's philosophy: "Why rule if you have to work like a slave?"
• How Li Si twisted Legalist philosophy to justify the emperor's hedonism
• The "strict accountability" policy – and why it backfired
• Zhao Gao's rise – how a eunuch became the most powerful man in the empire
• The trap that destroyed Li Si (and his son Li You)
• Li Si's tragic last words: "We can no longer hunt with our yellow dog"
• The five-stage execution method (tattoo, nose, hands/feet, castration, bisection)
• Why Li Si couldn't see the betrayal coming (hubris + institutional loyalty)
• The Battle of Julu setup – next episode's epic showdown

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This UKC banter between Mike, Charles, and Jerm analyses the potential for a high-speed rail network in Africa and examines how this intersects with economic development, globalisation, and foreign influence.
This also highlights the necessity of media literacy to assess societal challenges and to frame news with regard to the development of nations.
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Brian Gerrish and Ben Rubin present today's UK Column News.
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00:00 Introduction01:18 Common Good: Westminster at your front door18:35 Ukraine: Carnage and killing goes on. Funded by you28:30 UK Column 20th Anniversary31:10 Dandelions: Blowing into your mind37:35 Russia War: The Never Ending Story49:00 Democratic Resilience: Social media indoctrination via ‘official channels’59:22 Burnham CSA: Authorities looking other way

In this conversation with artist Jake Fern, lifelong peace activist Chris Coverdale opens up about the experiences that shaped him — a strict boarding school that left him wary of blind obedience, the anti-Vietnam War protests that first pulled him into activism, and the family business he unexpectedly inherited that taught him how people really work together (and why that matters for changing the world). He discusses the legal side of his work: how Britain has broken its own promises to renounce war since 1928, how few people actually hold the power to send the country into conflict, and how the UK's own laws define genocide — laid out plainly, using the Iraq War as an example. But mostly this is a personal story about why he's spent 60 years refusing to look away from war, why he believes protest alone doesn't change anything, and why he's chosen to fight through the courts and his own tax refusal instead.
To keep abreast of all things A Thousand Words go to https://substack.com/@jakefern
For more information on Jake Fern's art, go to https://www.jakefern.co.uk/
https://www.therighteousbrothers.uk/
Jake Fern Portrait Artist
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Has China's latest wave of open-source AI models fundamentally changed the global artificial intelligence race?
In this episode of the Silk and Steel Podcast, Carl Zha welcomes back economist and geopolitical analyst Dr. Warwick Powell to examine why China's newest AI breakthroughs send shockwaves through Silicon Valley and Wall Street.
The discussion explores how models released by Chinese companies including Z.ai (formerly Zhipu AI) and Meituan challenge the proprietary business model that has driven massive investment in America's AI industry.
Warwick argues that the traditional Silicon Valley approach—to build expensive, closed AI systems that are protected by technological "moats"—has become increasingly difficult to sustain as powerful, low-cost open-source alternatives emerge from China.
The conversation also examines:
• Why investors question America's AI business model • The rise of open-source AI ecosystems • Competition between Chinese and U.S. AI companies • Export controls and technology restrictions • The future of AI commercialisation • Whether the global AI race has fundamentally shifted
If China's AI ecosystem continues to innovate faster while it makes cutting-edge models openly available, what does that mean for the future of Big Tech?
► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news
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Mike Robinson, Charles Malet, and Basil Valentine present today's UK Column News.
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00:00 Introduction00:37 State Threats: Terrorism legislation. With special guest Jessey Winney, Organiser, No2NATO11:41 Devolution: Cross party conference for centralisation of power16:42 Tehran: Special on the ground report from Patrick Henningsen26:09 High North: Artic operational theatre28:39 Palantir Data: Technocratic digital panopticon With special guest, investigative journalist Johnny Vedmore38:41 Palantir Spain: Massive pushback 40:39 FOI: Rearrangement of deck chairsFreedom of Information Statistics | UK Government45:48 BMJ Trade: Mismanagement of public finances51:02 Enoch Burke: Out of prison, still campaigning56:00 In Case You Missed It: Stories spotted by out UKC sleuths

Roger Cunningham advocates for ethical skepticism in archaeology. He argues that pyramid origins predate mainstream estimates due to evidence of advanced technology and geological indicators of past submersion.
His analysis challenges conventional historical timelines by highlighting the potential suppression of data regarding cyclical history and construction methodologies.
https://theethicalskeptic.com
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Following her appearance on UK Column News, Pat Thomas details the relentless and irresponsible pushing of genetically modified organisms into the food system.
A High Court legal challenge, led by Beyond GM, found that the UK Government failed to understand the significant consequences of removing transparency and labelling for gene-edited crops and foods.
This is something which has the potential to affect everyone — farmers, businesses, consumers, and the organic sector.
The judicial review fought by Beyond GM showed just how cavalier the UK Government’s approach to regulation and process really is.
Much more information can be found on Beyond GM, and you can help with their legal fees at crowdjustice.
► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news
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PD Lawton explains the African Integrated High-Speed Railway Network — a 2013 project to electrify and connect all of Africa by rail. Ethiopia and Tanzania are already building; China partners genuinely on a win-win basis, whilst the West pushes a "debt trap" propaganda narrative to block development and keep Africa extracting minerals rather than industrialising. Western media ignores it almost entirely, and the main missing ingredient is political will.
https://africanagenda.net
► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent newsFollow #UKColumn on:► X► Telegram► Facebook► Instagram

Mike Robinson, Charles Malet, and Vanessa Beeley present today's UK Column News.
► Join UK Column Live every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1pm UK time or watch previous live recordings here► [UK Column Website] Explore all our written and video content on the official UK Column website► [Support UK Column] Please donate to support our independent journalism & investigative journalism► [UK Column YouTube] Please subscribe to the UK Column News YouTube channel for more alternative news and independent news
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00:00 Introduction00:36 Defence Spending: War policy investment09:52 Black Cube: Israeli intelligence in full flow20:43 State Threats: Rushed Bill could see journalists jailed28:26 UK Column 20th Anniversary30:22 Debanked: Independent media under threat33:48 Data Centres: Devon countryside destroyed39:50 DSTL: Secretive security service celebrates 25 years49:08 Lebanon: Update54:04 Whose Money: Customs duties confusion57:23 Fertility: Collapsing conception rates