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Rob and Kelvin tell us why they have a big problem with the way the Dominican Republic players conducted themselves after they got eliminated in the World Baseball Classic, discuss whether the ABS system would have prevented such a controversial ending to the DR-USA game, and take a trip out to Shekel City for Rob's nightly bets. Plus, FOX Sports Radio NBA analyst Ric Bucher swings by to discuss the San Antonio Spurs' championship ceiling, how big of a threat the Los Angeles Lakers are to win the Western Conference, the Detroit Pistons' recent swoon, and much more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.Today's Host: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin) and Co-Host: (ronthe3manweav)Subscribe to the Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-sports-with-ben-criddle/id99676

As the overwhelming majority of North Carolinians are well aware, the economic news of late remains a mix of good and bad news. On the hopeful side, the official unemployment rate remains comparatively low. What's more, there are some important ways in which our state remains better situated than many others. On the other hand, however, there are several areas in which things are trending in a negative direction. Perhaps most notable here, is the ongoing affordability crisis that continues to keep prices for several basics of life – housing, health care, groceries – beyond the reach of many average households. Now add the failure of state and national policy leaders to tackle these matters effectively and it's no wonder that concerns are running high – both among experts and average citizens. And recently NC Newsline caught up with North Carolina Budget and Tax Center Policy Analyst Alex Campbell to learn more. Click here to listen to the full interview with North Carolina Budget and Tax Center Policy Analyst Alex Campbell. 

Rich Eisen reacts to TEAM USA defeating the Dominican Republic to advance to the finals of the WBC where they will face either Italy or Venezuela. ESPN College Basketball Analyst Seth Greenberg joins Rich and discusses the seeding in the regions, coach Rick Pitino and John Calipari turning around programs at St. John's and Arkansas, some upset specials in the tournament, if Miami of Ohio deserves to get the seeding that they did, Dan Hurley and UConn squaring off against UCLA and Mick Cronin, who he likes to see in the Final Four. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last time we spoke about the Soviet-Japanese neutrality pact. In the summer of 1939, the Nomonhan Incident escalated into a major clash along the Halha River, where Soviet-Mongolian forces under Georgy Zhukov decisively defeated Japan's Kwantung Army. Zhukov's offensive, launched on August 20, involved intense artillery, bombers, and encirclement tactics, annihilating the Japanese 23rd Division and exposing weaknesses in Japanese mechanized warfare. The defeat, coinciding with the Hitler-Stalin Nonaggression Pact, forced Japan to negotiate a ceasefire on September 15-16, redrawing borders and deterring further northern expansion. Stalin navigated negotiations with Britain, France, and Germany to avoid a two-front war, ultimately signing the German-Soviet pact on August 23, which secured Soviet neutrality in Europe while addressing eastern threats. Post-Nomonhan, Soviet-Japanese relations warmed rapidly: fishing disputes were resolved, ambassadors exchanged, and the Chinese Eastern Railway sale finalized. By 1941, a neutrality pact was concluded, allowing Japan to pivot southward toward China and Southeast Asia.   #193 The Chiang-Wang Divide 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. After that lengthy mini series covering the battle of Khalkin Gol, we need to venture back into the second sino-japanese war, however like many other colossal events….well a lot was going on simultaneously. I wanted to take an episode to talk about the beginning of something known as the Reorganized National Government of the Republic of China, or much shorter, the Wang Jingwei Regime. It's been quite some time since we spoke about this character and he is a large part of the second sino-japanese war.    After the fall of Tianjin and Beiping, the government offices in Nanjing entered their annual summer recess. All of GMD's senior leadership, from Chiang Kai-shek down to Wang Jingwei, gathered on Mount Lu, a picturesque resort in northern Jiangxi, south of the Yangtze, famed for cliffs, clouds, and summer villas. Although Chiang had visited Mount Lu every summer, this was the first occasion that nearly the entire central government assembled there. Analysts suspected the gathering was a deliberate move to relocate government functions inland in the event of total war. Dozens of the nation's leading intellectuals were invited to Mount Lu to discuss strategies for countering Japan's ambitions. The forum was scheduled to begin on July 15 and to last twenty-seven days in three phases. The bridge incident caught them off guard. Unlike Manchuria, Beiping had long been the nation's capital, and the shock added urgency to the proceedings. When the forum, chaired by Wang, finally opened on July 16, speculation ran as to whether this signaled another regional conflict or the onset of full-scale war. The media pressed for a resolute stance of resistance from the government. To dispel the mounting confusion and perhaps his own indecision, Chiang delivered a solemn speech on July 17, declaring that if the incident could not be resolved peacefully, China would face the "crucial juncture" of national survival and would consider military action; if war began, every Chinese person, from every corner of the country and from every walk of life, would have to sacrifice all to defend the nation.   Chiang's Mount Lu Speech was now commonly regarded as the moment when China publicly proclaimed its firm commitment to resistance. Contemporary observers, however, did not take Chiang's stance at face value. Tao Xisheng, a Peking University law professor who had been invited, recalled that after the speech, people gathered in Hu Shi's room to discuss whether a peace option remained. Chiang left the mountain on July 20, leaving Wang to chair the conference. The discussions continued upon their return to Nanjing, where a National Defense Conference was organized in mid-August. It was also Tao's first encounter with Wang Jingwei. A "peace faction," largely composed of civil officials and intellectuals, began to take shape around Wang, favoring diplomatic solutions over costly and potentially ineffective military action.   During this period, both Chiang and Wang publicly called for resistance, while both harbored hopes for a peaceful solution. Yet their emphases differed. On July 29, Wang Jingwei delivered a radio address from Nanjing titled "The Critical Juncture," echoing Chiang's slogan. He likewise asserted that after repeated concessions and retreats, the critical juncture had come for China to rise against Japan. It would be a harsh form of resistance, since a weak nation had no alternative but to sacrifice every citizen's life and scorch every inch of land. Yet toward the end, Wang's speech took on an ironic turn. He stated, "The so-called resistance demands sacrificing the whole land and the whole nation to resist the invader. If there is no weakness in the world, then there is also no strength. Once we have completed the sacrifice, we also realize the purpose of resistance. We hail 'the critical juncture'! We hail 'sacrifice'!" The sentiment sounded almost satirical, revealing his doubt about the meaning of total sacrifice.   The hope for containment was crushed by Japan's ongoing advances. On November 12, Shanghai fell. Chiang's gamble produced about 187,200 Chinese casualties, including roughly 30,000 officers trained to German standards. Japanese casualties were estimated at a third to a half of the Chinese losses, still making it their deadliest single battle to date. The battered Japanese Imperial Army and Navy, long convinced of their invincibility, were consumed by vengeful bloodlust. The army swept from Shanghai toward Nanjing, leaving a trail of murder, rape, arson, and plunder across China's heartland.   With the fall of Nanjing looming, the central government announced on November 20 that it would relocate to Chongqing, a city upriver on the Yangtze protected by sheer cliffs. Plans for Chongqing as a reserve capital had already begun in 1935, with Hankou as the midway station. To preserve elite troops for the future while saving face, Nanjing was entrusted to General Tang Shengzhi and his roughly one hundred thousand largely inexperienced soldiers. Nanjing fell on December 13. Despite this victory, Japan's hopes of ending the China Incident within three months were dashed. The carnage produced by the war, especially the Rape of Nanjing, left a profound moral stain on humanity. A mass exodus from the coastal provinces toward the hinterland began. People fled by boats, trains, buses, rickshaws, and wheelbarrows. Universities, factories, and ordinary households were moved halfway across China, step by step. The nation resolved to persevere, even in distant mountains and deserts if necessary. In Sichuan alone, government relief agencies officially registered about 9.2 million refugees during the war years.   Chiang Kai-shek, after paying respects at Sun Yat-sen's mausoleum, flew to Mount Lu with Song Meiling. The so-called Second Couple chose a more modest path: like most refugees, the Wang family traveled upriver along the Yangtze. On November 21, they left Nanjing, abandoning a recently renovated suburban home and thirty years of collected books. Coincidentally, the ship carrying Wang Jingwei from Nanjing to Wuhan was SS Yongsui, the former SS Zhongshan that had escorted Sun Yat-sen to safety and witnessed Wang's ascent and subsequent downfall from power. Ironically renamed "Yong-sui," the ship's new title meant "peace," while the compound term suijing denoted a policy of appeasement. This symbolism—Wang being carried away from Nanjing by a ship named "Eternal Peace"—foreshadowed his eventual return to the city as a champion of a "peace movement."   After the Mount Lu Forum, Hu Shi and Tao Xisheng could not return to Beiping, now under Japanese occupation. They joined the government in Nanjing. Beginning in mid-August, Japanese bombers began attacking Nanjing. Air power—an unprecedented weapon of mass destruction—humbled and awed a Chinese public largely unfamiliar with airborne warfare. By striking a target that did not serve its immediate interests, Japan demonstrated its world-class military might and employed psychological warfare against the Chinese government and people. Because Zhou Fohai's villa at Xiliuwan had a fortified cellar suitable as an air-raid shelter, a group of like-minded intellectuals and civil servants sought refuge there. They preferred a peaceful approach to the conflict, subscribing to the idea of trading space for time—building China's industrial and military capabilities before confronting Japan. Tao Xisheng and Mei Siping, old allies of Zhou Fohai, lived in his house. Another frequent guest was Luo Junqiang, an ex-communist. The former CCP leader Chen Duxiu, recently released from prison, joined their gatherings a few times. Gao Zongwu hosted another meeting site. Hu Shi, as a guest himself, jokingly called this circle the "Low-Key Club" (Didiao julebu), a label that underscored their pragmatic defiance of the government's high-flown rhetoric urging all-out resistance. Many members of this group would later become central figures in a conspiracy known as the "peace movement," with Wang Jingwei as its leader and emblem.   As Gerald Bunker noted, the peace scheme did not originate with Wang but with certain associates of Chiang, elements in Japanese military intelligence, and members of liberal-minded Japanese political circles who were linked to Konoe. Zhou Fohai belonged to the Chiang-loyalist CC faction, named for Chen Guofu and Chen Lifu. Zhou believed that resistance under current conditions was suicidal. He sought to influence Chiang through people around him, including Wang Jingwei, whom he found impressionable and began visiting at Wang's salon. Gao Zongwu, head of the Foreign Ministry's Asian Department, felt sidelined by Chiang's uncompromising stance. They shared the sense that Chiang might be willing to talk but feared the price, perhaps his own leadership. They were dismayed by the lack of a long-range war plan beyond capitulation. Their view was that China's battlefield losses would worsen the terms of any settlement, and that the war's outcome seemed to benefit Soviet Russia and undermine the GMD more than China itself. The rapid collapses of Shanghai and then Nanjing vindicated their pessimism. Chiang's autocratic decision-making only deepened their dissatisfaction. They feared China was again at risk of foreign conquest from which it might not recover.   Wang Jingwei became the focal point for these disaffected individuals, drawn by his pacifist leanings, intellectual temperament, and preference for consensus-building. After the government relocated to Hankou, he lent guidance to the Literature and Art Research Society (Yiwen yanjiu hui), a propagandist body led by Zhou Fohai and Tao Xisheng. Its purpose was to steer public opinion on issues like the war of resistance and anticommunism, and to advocate a stance that the government must preserve both peace and war as options. Many believed it to be Wang's private organization; in truth, Chiang supported its activities. For much of 1938, Chiang's belligerent anti-Japanese rhetoric and Wang's conciliatory push were two sides of the GMD's broader strategy.   Among the society's regional branches, the Hong Kong chapter flourished under Mei Siping and Lin Baisheng. In addition to editing South China Daily News, Lin established Azure Books and the International Compilation and Translation Society (Guoji bianyishe) as primary propaganda organs. Ironically, Mei Siping had himself been a radical during the 1919 student protests, when he helped set fire to the deputy foreign minister's house in protest of perceived capitulation to Japan.   Wang Jingwei also actively engaged in international efforts to broker peace between Japan and China, including Trautmann's mediation by the German ambassador. Since the outbreak of war, various Western powers had contemplated serving as mediators, but none succeeded. Nazi Germany, aligned with Japan in an anti-Soviet partnership, emerged as China's most likely ally because it did not want Japan to squander its strength in China or compel China to seek Soviet help. Conversely, Japan's interest lay in prolonging the war or achieving a swift settlement. Ambassador Trautmann met with Wang Jingwei multiple times from October 31 to early November 1937 to confirm China's preference for peace before negotiating with Japan. The proposal Trautmann carried to Chiang Kai-shek on November 5 proposed terms including autonomy for Inner Mongolia, a larger demilitarized zone in North China, an expanded cease-fire around Shanghai, a halt to anti-Japanese movements, an anti-communist alliance, reduced tariffs on Japanese goods, and protection of foreign interests in China. Although Japan did not specify territorial gains, these terms deviated significantly from Chiang's demand to restore pre–Marco Polo Bridge status. After Shanghai fell, Chiang's rigidity softened.   On December 5, at Hankou, the National Defense Conference agreed to begin peace negotiations based on Trautmann's terms, a decision Chiang approved. But it was too late: Nanjing fell on December 13, and a provisional Beiping government led by Wang Kemin was established, signaling Japan's growing support for regional separatism. On December 24, Japan issued an ultimatum for a harsher deal to be accepted by January 10. In response, Chiang resigned as chairman of the Executive Yuan on January 1, 1938, and was succeeded by his brother-in-law Kong Xiangxi. Chiang declared that death in defeat was preferable to death in disgrace and refused to yield under coercion. The Konoe Cabinet announced on January 16 that Japan would not negotiate with Chiang Kai-shek. Trautmann's mediation had failed.   After Konoe's announcement, mediation became even more precarious, as it placed the already deadly, no-win situation between the two nations in deeper jeopardy. Secret contacts between the two governments persisted through multiple channels—sometimes at the direction of their own leaders, other times at the initiative of a cadre of officials and quasi-official figures of dubious legitimacy. Many of these covert efforts were steered by Chiang himself. In late 1937, Wang Jingwei even sent Chen Gongbo to Rome to explore the possibility of Italian mediation between China and Japan. After meetings with Mussolini and Foreign Minister Ciano, Chen concluded that Italy had no genuine goodwill toward China and favored Japan. His conversations with other Western leaders (Belgium, France, Britain, and the United States) proved equally fruitless. In diaries, Zhou Fohai and Chen Kewen recorded a pervasive mood of pessimism among Hankou and Chongqing's national government factions. Although direct champions of negotiating with Japan were few, many voices insisted that China was on the brink of collapse while secretly hoping peace talks would begin soon. Gao Zongwu's mission emerged from this tense atmosphere.   With Konoe's cabinet refusing to negotiate with Chiang Kai-shek, many regarded Wang as the best candidate to carry forward a diplomatic solution. Yet Wang remained convinced of his loyalty to Chiang and to Chiang's policy. The Italian ambassador visited Wuhan to offer mediation between Wang and the Japanese government, an invitation Wang declined. Tang Shaoyi's daughter traveled to Wuhan to convey Tokyo's negotiation intent, but was similarly turned away. Even Chen Bijun, then in Hong Kong, urged Wang to join her and start peace negotiations; he again declined. Tao Xisheng remembered a quiet night when Wang confided in him: "This time I will cooperate with Mr. Chiang until the very end, regardless of how the war unfolds." His stance did not change when Gao Zongwu reported that the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff Office wanted him to head the peace talks.   Gao Zongwu's bid was brokered by Dong Daoning, head of the Japan Affairs Section in the Foreign Ministry. Shortly after Konoe's statement, Dong traveled to Shanghai to meet Nishi Yoshiaki, representative of Mantetsu, and Matsumoto Shigeharu, a Dōmei News Agency journalist. Nishi and Matsumoto then introduced Dong to Kagesa Sadaaki, head of the Strategy and Tactics Department in the General Staff Office. Kagesa introduced Dong to Deputy Director Tada Hayao and colleagues Ishiwara Kanji and Imai Takeo, who agreed that a peaceful resolution to the China crisis aligned with Japan's interests. It would be inaccurate to paint these figures as pacifists: Ishiwara, who helped build Manchukuo, also recognized that further incursions into China could jeopardize Japan's hard-won gains. They proposed a temporary resignation by Chiang to spare Konoe from having to retract his refusal to negotiate, thereby allowing Wang to lead the talks. In short, the scheme aimed to save face for Konoe.   Dong returned to Hong Kong and delivered the proposal to Gao Zongwu, who had been stationed there since February under Chiang's orders to oversee intelligence and liaison with Japan. Luo Junqiang, Gao's contact, testified that Gao was paid monthly from Chiang's secret military fund. Gao went back to Hankou twice, on April 2 and May 30. On the second trip, he personally conveyed Japan's terms to Chiang. Gao later admitted that Chiang never gave him explicit instructions, but rather cultivated an impression of tacit approval. At no point did Gao view the deal as Chiang's betrayal. As long as Chiang retained control of the military, Wang's leadership could only be nominal and temporary. Unbeknownst to Wang, Gao's personal ties to Chiang remained hidden from him; he learned of them only through Zhou Fohai. Startled, he handed the information to Chiang Kai-shek and told Tao Xisheng: "I cannot broker peace with Japan alone. I will not deceive Mr. Chiang." Given Tao's later departure from Wang's circle to rejoin Chiang, Tao's recollection could be trusted.   Two months later, Wang left Chongqing to pursue a peace settlement. A key factor may have been persistent lobbying by Zhou, Gao, Mei, Tao, and especially his wife Chen Bijun. Luo Junqiang recalled that Kong Xiangxi objected that Gao acted without him, prompting Chiang to order Gao to halt his covert efforts, an order Gao ignored. Gao and Mei Siping continued to press for a deal. Gao even spent three weeks in Japan in July, holding extensive talks with Kagesa Sadaaki and Imai Takeo. Their discussions produced the first substantive articulation of the Wang peace movement as a Sino-Japanese plot to end the "China incident." On November 26, Mei flew from Hong Kong to Chongqing with a draft of Japan's terms and Konoe's planned announcement. The proposal stated that the Japanese army would withdraw completely within two years once peace was reached, but it demanded that China formally recognize Manchukuo. Wang was to leave Chongqing for Kunming by December 5, then proceed to Hanoi. Upon Japan receiving news of his arrival in Hanoi, the telegram would reveal the peace terms. This pivotal moment threw Wang into intense inner turmoil. Zhou Fohai visited Wang daily, and Wang delayed decisively each time, much to Zhou's frustration. Ultimately, it seemed that Chen Bijun rendered the final judgment on Wang's behalf. As in earlier episodes, Wang found himself trapped by an idealized image of himself held by family, followers, and loyalists, seen by them as a larger-than-life figure who must undertake a mission too grand to fail.   Yet Wang's stance was not purely involuntary. As Imai Takeo noted, he fundamentally disagreed with Chiang's strategy of resistance. The so-called scorched-earth approach caused immense suffering. Three episodes stood out: the 1938 Yellow River flood, ordered by Chiang to impede Japan's advance, which destroyed dikes and displaced millions, yielding devastating agricultural and humanitarian consequences; the subsequent epidemics and famine that followed, producing about two million refugees and up to nine hundred thousand deaths, while failing to stop the Japanese advance toward Wuhan (which fell in October); and the Changsha fire, ignited in the early hours of November 13, which killed nearly thirty thousand people and devastated most of the city. These events sharpened Wang's doubts about Chiang's defense strategy, especially its reckless execution and cruelty. By late November, Wang began to openly challenge Chiang's approach, delivering a series of speeches advocating his own war-weariness and preference for limiting resistance to preserve national strength for future counterstrikes. He argued that guerrilla warfare burdened the people and wasted national resources that could be saved for a later, more effective defense. He urged soldiers to exercise judgment and listen to their consciences, and he attributed much of the civilian suffering to the Communists; nonetheless, with General von Falkenhausen, Chiang's German adviser, now urging a shift toward smaller-unit mobile warfare, Wang's critique of Chiang's strategy took on a more pointed, risksome tone. If resistance equaled total sacrifice, Wang was not prepared to endorse it. As Margherita Zanasi noted, Wang Jingwei and Chen Gongbo had long shared a vision of a self-consciously anti-imperial "national economy", the belief that China's economy had not yet achieved genuine nation-power and that compromising with the foe might be necessary to save the national economy.   Wang and Zhou also worried that continuing resistance would strengthen the Communists and that genuine international aid would not arrive, at least not soon. After Nazi Germany occupied Czechoslovakia, Wang briefly hoped for the formation of an antifascist democratic alliance. Yet the Munich Agreement disappointed him. Viewing Western democracies as culturally imperialist, he doubted they would jeopardize their relations with Japan, another imperial power, on China's behalf. This view was reinforced by Zhou Fohai and other China specialists who had recently joined Wang's circle; they argued that China would fall unless the international situation shifted dramatically. Their forecast would prove accurate only after Pearl Harbor.   In the end, Wang longed for decisive action. He had been sidelined since the government's move to Wuhan. At the GMD Provisional National Congress in Hankou (March 29–April 1), the party resolved to restore Chiang Kai-shek to near-total control by reasserting the authoritarian zongcai system. The Congress also established the People's Political Council as a nominal nod to democracy, but it remained largely consultative. Wang was elected deputy director and chairman of the council, yet he clearly resented the position. Jiang Tingfu described Wang's Hankou mood as "somewhat resentful," recognizing the role as largely ceremonial. More optimistic observers attributed his dismay to the return of dictatorship, and he likely felt increasingly useless. Since the Mukden Incident, Wang had prioritized party unity and been content to play a secondary role to Chiang, but inaction did not fit his sense of historical purpose. It was Zhou Fohai who urged Wang to risk his reputation for a greater cause, presenting a calculated nudge to someone susceptible to idealism. A longing to find meaning through action may have finally pushed him toward a fateful decision. As Chen Bijun bluntly told Long Yun, her husband "was merely an empty shell in Chongqing and could contribute nothing to the country; thus he wanted to change his surroundings."   Wang considered staying abroad as a serious option amid the Hanoi uncertainty. Gao Zongwu had previously told Japanese negotiators that if Konoe's stance did not satisfy Wang, he might head to France. Chongqing echoed this possibility. On December 29, Ambassador Guo Taiqi, acting on Chiang's orders, telegraphed Wang suggesting he go to Europe "to take a break." It would have offered a graceful exit. Kagesa recommended Hanoi as Wang Jingwei's midway station because, as a French colony, it offered a relatively safe environment. Only the French were armed there, and several members of the extended Wang family had grown up in France, enabling them to communicate with the colonial authorities.   After Wang departed for Hanoi, Long Yun hesitated for weeks. On December 20, he telegraphed Chiang, saying Wang had paused in Kunming on the way to Hanoi to seek medical treatment. Knowing this was untrue, Chiang replied on December 27 with a stern warning about Japan's unreliability, a message that appeared to have persuaded Long. A day later, Long urged leniency for Wang. Following Wang's publication of the "yan telegram," public anger likely pushed Long toward a final decision. On January 6, he informed Chiang of a letter from Wang delivered by Chen Changzu, and he noted that the Wangs were considering the French option, but recommended allowing Wang to return to Chongqing to show leniency and to enable surveillance.   Chiang replied two days later that Wang would be better off going to Europe. The extended Wang family resided in two Western-style mansions at 25 and 27 Rue Riz Marché, surrounded by high walls. On February 15, Chongqing's envoy Gu Zhengding brought their passports to Hanoi. Accounts differed on what happened next. One version had Wang offering to travel abroad if Chongqing accepted his proposal to start peace talks; if Chongqing remained indecisive, he would return to voice his dissent. Another version claimed Gu's primary task was to bring Wang back to Chongqing, which Wang declined, preferring France.   Although the French option was gaining favor, the Wang circle continued to explore other avenues. In early 1939, secret contacts with the Japanese government persisted, though not always in a coordinated way. Chiang's intelligence advised that the Wang group was forming networks in Shanghai and especially Hong Kong, with Gao Zongwu playing a central role. On February 1, Gao returned from Hong Kong and stayed for five days, finding Wang in a despondent mood. Wang asked Gao to pass along a few letters to Japanese leaders urging the creation of a unified Chinese government to earn the Chinese people's understanding and trust. Wang believed his actions would serve the best interests of both China and Japan. On March 18, the Japanese consulate in Hong Kong informed Gao that funding for the Wang group would come from China's customs revenues that Japan had seized.   Meanwhile, Chiang Kai-shek sensed a shift in the war's direction. On February 10, Japan seized Hainan, China's southernmost major island. The next day, Chiang held a press conference describing the development as "the Mukden Incident of the Pacific." He warned that Japan's ambitions could threaten British and French colonial interests and U.S. maritime supremacy. Gao Zongwu read the speech and concluded that Chiang's outlook had brightened.   For three months, the Wang circle met frequently to weigh options. The prominent writer and scholar Zhou Zuoren, who had already accepted a collaborationist post as head of the Beiping library, warned Tao Xisheng, saying "Don't do it," signaling his misgivings about collaborating with Japan based on his reading of Japanese politics. As Zhou observed, many young Japanese militarists did not even respect General Ugaki, let alone a foreign leader.   Then the assassination of Zeng Zhongming, Wang's secretary and protégé, abruptly altered the meaning of Wang's mission. The Wang group was deeply unsettled by Zeng Zhongming's assassination. The event came as a shock. On March 20, Gu Zhengding's second Hanoi visit concluded. Allegedly Gu delivered passports and funds for a European excursion. On a bright spring day, the entire Wang family enjoyed a lighthearted outing to Three Peaches Beach, only to be halted by a French officer who warned they were being followed. During their afternoon rest, a man posing as a painter, sent by the landlord to measure rooms for payment, appeared at the door and was turned away when he insisted on entering every room. More than twenty people in the household, none were armed.   Since January, Hanoi had been a hive of BIS activity. The ringleader was Chen Gongshu, a veteran operative under spymaster Dai Li, though Chen's recollections clashed with those of other witnesses, leaving the exact sequence unclear. Chen claimed their role was intelligence and surveillance until March 19, when an unsigned telegram from Dai Li ordered, "Severest punishment to the traitor Wang Jingwei, immediately!" The mission supposedly shifted. The Wang family was followed the next day but evaded capture in traffic, prompting a raid on the house. Reports varied: some said Wang resided on the second floor of No. 27; others suggested he lived in No. 25, with No. 27 used for day guests. The force entered the courtyard, forced open the door to Wang's room, and a getaway car waited outside. Chen, in the car, heard gunshots: initial shots toward a downstairs figure, then three shots through a bedroom door hacked open with an axe, aimed at a figure beneath the bed, believed to be Wang Jingwei. The team drove off after four to five minutes. Vietnamese police soon detained three killers who lingered in the courtyard and even listened in on a hospital call. Chen didn't realize the target had been misidentified until the next afternoon. Some BIS records suggested Wang and Zeng Zhongming had swapped bedrooms that night, a detail Chen doubted. Chen did not mention a painter's earlier visit.   There were competing accounts of the event with their numerous inconsistencies that fueled conspiracy theories. Jin Xiongbai outlined three possibilities: (1) the killers killed the "wrong person" as a warning to Wang Jingwei; (2) they killed Zeng to provoke Wang toward collaboration; or (3) the episode was always part of a broader Chiang-Wang collaboration plan.   In any case, Dai Li showed unusual leniency toward Chen Gongshu, who was never punished and later led the Shanghai station. After Dai Li's agent Li Shiqun was captured in 1941, Li not only spared Chen's life but recruited him on a double-agent basis for the remainder of the war, with Chen retiring to Taiwan. Chiang Kai-shek never discussed the case publicly or in his diary, and his silence was perhaps the strongest indication that he ordered the killing.   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. Wang Jingwei, once a key figure in China's resistance against Japan, grew disillusioned with Chiang Kai-shek's scorched-earth tactics during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Amid devastating events like the Yellow River flood and Changsha fire, which caused immense civilian suffering, Wang joined a peace faction advocating negotiation. Secret talks with Japanese officials led to his defection in 1938. He fled Chongqing to Hanoi, where an assassination attempt, likely ordered by Chiang, killed his secretary Zeng Zhongming instead.   

Former CIA analyst and bestselling spy novelist David McCloskey (“The Rest Is Classified” podcast) explains how Israel manipulated Trump to get him to attack Iran and what Netanyahu’s real plan is. The new answers on Havana Syndrome and whether there was a CIA coverup. And the tragic events of Jordanian triple-agent  Balawi. Watch Mission Implausible on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MissionImplausiblePod

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Rivian has spent four years and billions of dollars building electric vehicles that most people cannot afford. The R2 — a mid-size SUV that starts at $45,000 and tops out at $57,990 — is the company's answer to that problem. Full pricing and trim details dropped today, 12 March 2026, and deliveries of the first Performance variant begin this spring. If it works, Rivian becomes a proper carmaker. If it does not, the maths gets ugly fast.From Concept to ConcreteThe R2 platform was first announced in 2022, with production originally pencilled in for 2025 at a planned factory in Georgia. That changed in March 2024, when RJ Scaringe, Rivian's founder and chief executive, unveiled the production-ready R2 alongside the smaller R3 and R3X crossovers at a packed event at the Rivian Theater in Laguna Beach, California. Mr Scaringe also confirmed he was scrapping the Georgia plan — at least for now — and would build the R2 at the existing Normal, Illinois plant instead. That decision saved more than $2.25 billion in capital expenditure and, crucially, pulled the launch date forward.Within 24 hours of its unveiling, Rivian had taken more than 68,000 reservations at $100 apiece. By July 2024, the company's VP of manufacturing Tim Fallon said reservations had surpassed 100,000 and were still climbing. Rivian has not updated that figure publicly since.Production began in January 2026. Validation vehicles rolled off the Normal line first, and the factory is now ramping toward a target capacity of 155,000 R2 units per year — alongside the R1 models it already builds there. Each R2 takes roughly 15 hours to assemble, down from 18 hours for an R1.Why the R2 Matters More Than Any Vehicle Rivian Has BuiltThe R1T pickup and R1S SUV earned Rivian a devoted following and the top spot in Consumer Reports owner satisfaction surveys. They also bled money. Rivian posted a net loss of $3.65 billion in 2025, on top of a $4.75 billion loss in 2024. The R1S starts near $75,000 (around £59,000) — a price that limits the addressable market to a sliver of American buyers."R2 is really instrumental for driving the business to positive cash flow and overall profitability," Mr Scaringe told CNBC in February. He was not exaggerating. The bill of materials for the R2 is roughly half that of the R1. Rivian slashed the number of computing units from over 60 in a traditional vehicle to seven, and cut wiring length by about two miles (3.2 km). The result is what Mr Scaringe called "a dramatic reduction in the cost structure to build it."Rivian did scrape together a positive gross profit in the fourth quarter of 2025 — a milestone, though the margin was wafer-thin at around 2%, compared with Tesla's 17%. The R2, with its leaner architecture and lower price, is meant to close that gap at volume. Analysts expect around 15,000 R2 deliveries in 2026, though some believe Rivian could exceed that figure. By 2027, with three full shifts running, the Normal plant could produce roughly 155,000 R2s annually.Today's Pricing: What You GetThe lineup spans four trims, all sharing an 87.9 kWh usable battery and a $1,495 destination charge. Here is how they break down:The Performance trim arrives first, this spring, at $57,990 (around £46,000) including the Launch Package. It runs dual-motor all-wheel drive with 656 horsepower, 609 lb-ft (826 Nm) of torque and a 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) time of 3.6 seconds. Highway overtaking is savage: 50–70 mph (80–113 km/h) in 1.55 seconds. EPA-estimated range sits at up to 330 miles (531 km). The Launch Package bundles lifetime Autonomy+ access, a tow package rated at 4,400 lbs (1,996 kg) and an exclusive Launch Green paint option.The Premium trim follows in late 2026 at $53,990 (around £43,000). It shares the 330-mile range and dual-motor AWD layout but dials the power back to 450 hp and 537 lb-ft. Zero to 60 takes 4.6 seconds — hardly slow.The Standard RWD Long Range arrives in the first half of 2027 at $48,490 (around £38,500). A single rear motor delivers 350 hp and 355 lb-ft, reaching 60 in 5.9 seconds. Rivian estimates range at up to 345 miles (555 km) — the longest in the lineup, because rear-wheel drive is more efficient.Finally, the Standard RWD variant lands in late 2027 at approximately $45,000 (around £35,700). It uses a smaller battery pack and offers 275+ miles (443+ km) of estimated range. Rivian has shared few other details so far.All trims charge from 10% to 80% in 29 minutes via a native NACS port, which grants access to the Tesla Supercharger network. CCS adapters are supported too.Built Lighter, Built TougherThe R2 rides on an entirely new mid-size unibody platform — a departure from the R1's body-on-frame architecture. The result is a vehicle that weighs nearly 2,000 lbs (907 kg) less than its bigger sibling while sitting on a 115.6-inch (2,936 mm) wheelbase. At 185.9 inches (4,722 mm) long and 75 inches (1,905 mm) wide, it is squarely in Tesla Model Y territory.The weight savings translate directly into agility, but Rivian has kept the off-road DNA intact. Ground clearance of 9.6 inches (244 mm) is best in class — nearly three inches more than a Model Y. Approach and departure angles of 25° and 26° respectively, plus a wading depth of 19.7 inches (500 mm), mean the R2 can do more than look adventurous in a car park. The Performance trim gets semi-active suspension, eight drive modes including Rally and Soft Sand, and a low centre of gravity courtesy of the structural battery pack.Inside, the cabin seats five adults with 40.4 inches (1,026 mm) of rear legroom and headroom — enough, Rivian says, for occupants over six feet (1.83 m) tall. Total enclosed storage is 90.1 cubic feet (2,551 litres), with a front trunk that swallows a carry-on suitcase and a backpack, fold-flat rear seats that create a level loading surface, and dual gloveboxes. The rear drop glass — a powered window that lowers completely into the liftgate — is a genuine talking point, allowing surfboards and other long cargo to slide in or a breeze to sweep through. It is included on Performance and Premium trims.Materials lean sustainable: upcycled Birch wood accents, a headliner made from recycled ocean plastics and Rivian's second-generation Adventex material, which is designed to withstand muddy boots and wet dogs in equal measure.The Technology PlayRivian calls the R2 a "software-defined vehicle," and the specification sheet backs that up. The perception stack comprises 11 HDR cameras with a combined 65 megapixels and a five-radar system — hardware that comes standard on every trim.Rivian Autonomy+, the company's Level 2+ hands-free driver-assist system, covers 3.5 million miles (5.6 million km) of roads across the United States and Canada. It costs $49.99 per month or $2,500 as a one-off purchase. The Launch Package includes it for the lifetime of the vehicle. Every R2 gets a 60-day trial.On-board AI compute runs to 200 TOPS, dedicated to the in-cabin experience. This powers the forthcoming Rivian Assistant — a voice-controlled system that processes complex requests locally, even when offline. The 5G-connected architecture ensures updates arrive over the air, while the offline capability means the vehicle is not hobbled in areas without signal.At the steering wheel, Rivian's in-house Haptic Halo dials replace conventional switchgear. These context-aware controls scroll, push, pull and tilt with distinct tactile feedback for different functions — an attempt to bridge the gap between touchscreen convenience and physical control that many rivals have abandoned entirely. Two digital displays complete the cockpit: one behind the wheel for driving data, and one in the centre for everything else.The Elephant in the Room: TeslaThe R2 lands in the most contested segment of the electric vehicle market. The Tesla Model Y — the best-selling EV on the planet and briefly the best-selling car of any kind in 2023 — starts at $44,000 in the United States and delivers up to 357 miles (575 km) of range. It has a vast Supercharger network, a mature software ecosystem and years of manufacturing refinement behind it.The R2 fights back with 3 inches (7.6 cm) more ground clearance, genuine off-road hardware, a richer interior (Model Y's cabin has always divided opinion) and that distinctive outdoor-adventure identity that Rivian has cultivated since its founding. Whether that is enough to prise buyers away from Tesla — or from the Hyundai Ioniq 5, the Ford Mustang Mach-E and the Chevrolet Equinox EV — remains the central question.Why Failure Is Not an OptionRivian burned roughly $3 billion in the first nine months of 2025 alone. It ended 2024 with about $5.3 billion in cash, a figure being steadily eroded by capital expenditure and operating losses. The Volkswagen joint venture — worth up to $5.8 billion in total — provides a lifeline, as does the potential for Department of Energy loan access. But lifelines do not last for ever.The company's stock tells its own story. Rivian went public in November 2021 at $78 a share, briefly touched $170 and now trades around $15. A 90% decline from the peak concentrates the mind wonderfully.The R2 must do three things at once: attract a materially larger customer base than the R1 ever could, generate a positive gross margin per vehicle and ramp to volumes that spread fixed costs across enough units to bend the loss curve downward. At a planned capacity of 155,000 units per year from Normal alone — with a second factory in Georgia eventually to follow — Rivian has the industrial ambition. The Volkswagen partnership supplies software licensing revenue and engineering credibility.Mr Scaringe has described the R2 as "the most important thing that we've developed as a company." On the evidence of today's specification sheet, it is also the most complete. The range is competitive, the technology is ambitious, the price is within reach of mainstream buyers and the off-road capability gives it a personality that few electric SUVs can match.None of which will matter if Rivian cannot build it at scale, on time and at a cost that leaves room for profit. The company that once dazzled Wall Street with a $170 share price now needs to dazzle customers with a $45,000 truck. That is the harder trick — and the one on which everything depends.

Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.Today's Host: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin) and Co-Host: (ronthe3manweav)Subscribe to the Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-sports-with-ben-criddle/id99676

Send a textCan AI actually help you make a better podcast?This week, we break down how to use AI to analyze your podcast episodes, transcripts, titles, and back catalog so you can spot patterns, improve your content, and plan stronger future episodes.Kevin shares how he used ChatGPT to review Buzzcast's episode titles, downloads, durations, and transcripts to uncover what topics perform best, what kind of conversations create the most engagement, how each host contributes to the show, and where there are opportunities to improve. Along the way, we talk about why back catalog optimization matters, why transcript access is such a big unlock for podcasters, and how AI can be a genuinely useful tool for creators.Steps to run your own podcast analysis:1. Start with the data:Copy your episode list, including publish dates, titles, durations, and downloadsExport or collect your podcast transcriptsUpload both into an AI tool like ChatGPT inside a single project so it can reference everything together2. Then give it some context: Tell the AI that older episodes naturally have more downloads because they've had more time to accumulate plays. Ask it to account for that before comparing old episodes to new ones.3. Analysis prompts we used:Broad analysis“Look at all the episode titles, durations, and downloads. What patterns do you see?”“Based on this data, what questions should I ask if I want to improve my podcast?”Title analysis“Look at my podcast episode titles and downloads and tell me what title patterns perform best.”Transcript and format analysis“Analyze my podcast transcripts and identify patterns in the conversations.”“What types of segments appear most often?”“Which segments create the best conversations?”Host dynamics / speaking analysis“Analyze the speaking distribution across my podcast transcripts.”Future episode planning“Based on my best performing episodes, suggest new episode ideas.”Links mentioned in this episode:6 Episode Title Tips for Podcast GrowthHow to Rank Higher and Get Discovered on Apple Podcasts25+ Creative Podcast Marketing IdeasHow to Choose the Right Monetization Strategy for Your PodcastHow I Make Money Podcasting blog postContact Buzzcast Send us a text message Tweet us at @buzzcastpodcast, @albanbrooke, @kfinn, and @JordanPods Thanks for listening and Keep Podcasting!

[00:30] Terrorist Attacks Escalate (28 minutes) Authorities warn that Iran has activated “sleeper cells” in the U.S. Analysts blame the increase in terrorist attacks worldwide on Israel instead of the terrorists. [28:15] WorldWatch (4 minutes) [32:15] Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ: Repentance Toward God (27 minutes) The Bible has a lot to say about repentance, but most Christians don't understand this subject. What is true repentance?

On the March 13 edition of A's Cast Live, Chris Townsend discussed how important Spring Training games are for players battling for spots (14:10) and the players who have impressed so far for the A's (31:30) and was joined by: 1:04:25 Dallas Braden - A's Analyst on NBC Sports California 1:21:20 Ken Korach - Radio Voice of the A's Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Tannenbaum, ESPN Insider and former NFL General Manager, joins Silver & Krueger to assess the Ravens backing out of their trade for Maxx Crosby and whether that will hurt Eric DeCosta's ability to do business for future transactions. Tannenbaum also explains why the Vikings signing Kyler Murray could be the most consequential move of the entire NFL offseason and revisits his proposal from radio row that the 49ers should try to extend Mac Jones rather than trade him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Chris Cochrane dives into Apple’s $599 MacBook Neo – the cheapest Mac laptop ever made – and whether it spells trouble for Chromebook makers. He also covers Samsung’s CEO blaming AI for rising phone prices, Framework raising RAM prices for the third time in three months, Meta unveiling four custom AI chips, NVIDIA’s GTC 2026 conference preview, a billion-dollar bet against large language models, Microsoft’s game-changing Project Helix Xbox with native Steam support, Windows 11’s new Xbox Mode, and SpaceX gearing up for a critical Starship Flight 12 test. – Want to start a podcast? Its easy to get started! Sign-up at Blubrry – Thinking of buying a Starlink? Use my link to support the show. Subscribe to the Newsletter. Email Chris if you want to get in touch! Like and Follow Geek News Central’s Facebook Page. Support my Show Sponsor: Best Godaddy Promo Codes Get 1Password Apple MacBook Neo The lead story covers Apple’s MacBook Neo. It launched at $599 and marks the cheapest Mac laptop ever made. The device runs on the A18 Pro chip from the iPhone 16 Pro. Cochrane notes a solid market for students, casual users, and anyone who needs a reliable home laptop. However, he advises photographers and videographers to invest in a MacBook Air or Pro instead. The real question remains whether this kills Chromebook sales in education. Samsung CEO Blames AI for Price Hikes Cochrane tackles Samsung’s Galaxy S26 price increases. CEO TM Roh blamed AI infrastructure demand for the hikes. Meanwhile, DDR4 DRAM prices surged sevenfold in a single year. Cochrane points out the irony. Samsung manufactures memory chips, shifted production toward AI data centers, and now cites that same shortage to justify higher consumer prices. He calls the situation “a little shady” but appreciates the transparency. Framework RAM Prices Up Again The RAM crisis extends beyond phones. Framework raised RAM prices for the third consecutive time in three months. Cochrane reinforces advice from a recent episode. He urges listeners to buy now before prices climb further. Analysts project peak prices by mid-2026. The shortage could last through late 2027. Sponsor: GoDaddy Economy hosting $6.99/month, WordPress hosting $12.99/month, domains $11.99. Website builder trial available. Use codes at geeknewscentral.com/godaddy to support the show. Meta Unveils Four Custom AI Chips Cochrane reports on Meta’s four new MTIA chip generations. The company aims to reduce its dependence on NVIDIA by building custom silicon. The MTIA 300 is already in production. New generations will ship every six months through 2027. The chips are built on open-source RISC-V architecture and manufactured by TSMC. NVIDIA GTC 2026 Preview NVIDIA’s GTC conference starts Monday in San Jose. Jensen Huang promises “chips the world has never seen.” Rumored architectures include Rubin Ultra and Feynman. The keynote streams free at nvidia.com on Monday at 11am Pacific. Cochrane notes that while companies like Meta are building chips to escape NVIDIA, competition will eventually catch up. Yann LeCun’s AMI Labs Raises $1.03 Billion Former Meta AI chief Yann LeCun raised $1.03 billion for AMI Labs at a $3.5 billion valuation. It marks the largest European seed round in history for a company just four months old. LeCun is building “world models” that learn from physical reality rather than text. Backers include Jeff Bezos, NVIDIA, and Samsung. Cochrane notes both approaches to AI can coexist. Microsoft Project Helix Microsoft revealed Project Helix at GDC 2026. For the first time, an Xbox will natively support Steam and GOG. Cochrane sees it as both desperate and inevitable. The only reason to buy from the Xbox store would be exclusives. He notes this is a breath of fresh air after months of talk that the Xbox era was ending. Dev kits ship in 2027 with a consumer launch likely late 2027 or 2028. Windows 11 Xbox Mode Microsoft is rolling out Xbox Mode to all Windows 11 PCs in April. The full-screen controller-optimized interface works with Steam, Epic, and Battle.net. Cochrane sees it as the first half of Microsoft’s two-phase gaming strategy. Xbox Mode trains users now. Project Helix delivers dedicated hardware later. He asks whether Sony and Nintendo will follow in Xbox’s footsteps. SpaceX Starship Flight 12 SpaceX announced stacking complete for the next Super Heavy booster at Starbase. Flight 12 targets April and debuts V3 hardware with Raptor 3 engines. Orbital refueling remains the critical unknown for NASA’s Artemis III moon landing. SpaceX has a track record of delivering eventually, just never on Elon’s original timeline. The post Is the MacBook Neo a Chromebook Killer? #1860 appeared first on Geek News Central.

Retail earnings season just wrapped, and the headlines are telling one story while the data tells another. Consumer sentiment is dismal. Tariffs are squeezing margins. Geopolitical uncertainty looms. Yet average retail revenues grew 7-9% in Q4, and consumers keep spending. How do you reconcile these contradictions? Simeon Siegel, Senior Managing Director at Guggenheim Securities and one of Wall Street's most data-driven retail analysts, cuts through the noise with a simple philosophy: "The first thing I look at is revenues. Because it's very easy to conflate growth rates with revenue sizes."In this episode of The Retail Pilot, Ken sits down with Siegel to dissect what's really happening in retail beyond the sentiment surveys and macro doom-scrolling. From Nike's "dying" $47 billion business to Gap's viral comeback, from the D2C myth to why NPS scores should be banned from boardrooms, Siegel brings his signature contrarian analysis backed by hard numbers. This isn't about feelings—it's about what consumers are actually doing with their wallets, which stocks are positioned to win, and why the retail industry's most cherished beliefs might be leading CEOs astray.In this episode you'll learn:Why consumer spending remains strong despite abysmal consumer sentiment—and what that divergence really meansThe revenue vs. narrative disconnect: How Nike can be "dying" with $47-49 billion in salesWhich retail subsectors are winning and losing in the K-shaped economy (hint: it's a market share story, not a demographic one)Simeon's top stock picks for 2026: Why he's bullish on Nike, TJX, Ross, Birkenstock, Planet Fitness, and CapriThe real impact of tariffs on Q4 earnings: What retailers passed through vs. what they absorbedWhy Gap Inc.'s comeback under Richard Dickson is working—and whether it's sustainable beyond the hypeThe one KPI Simeon wants banned from retail boardrooms: Net Promoter Score (NPS) and why it misleads executivesWhy "D2C is not all it's cracked up to be": The data-driven case for wholesale distributionHow the Iran conflict could impact consumer spending, gas prices, and petroleum-based athleisure costsThe department store survival blueprint: What Macy's, Nordstrom, and off-price retailers are getting rightWhy TJ Maxx's lack of e-commerce is actually an asset for moving premium brand inventory "invisibly"Don't forget to subscribe to The Retail Pilot podcast for more conversations with retail industry leaders and visionaries shaping the future of commerce.If you missed our last episode, where Terry Lundgren (former Macy's CEO) and Jan Rogers Kniffen dissect the Saks Global bankruptcy, predict the future of department stores, and reveal why some retailers will survive while others won't, be sure to tune in.Connect with Ken:-Follow Ken Pilot Ventures on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

As the war with Iran continues, gas prices continue to surge and tensions in Washington increase. Political analyst Chuck Todd talks about the fears of terror attacks on U.S. soil and how politicians are handling the conflict.

JOIN SHERI HORN HASAN @ https://www.karmicevolution.com/astrologically-speaking for the latest podcast which drops today March 13!This podcast begins by reminding us that we're not in the waning stages of the monthly lunar cycle that began with the February 17 Aquarius New Moon solar eclipse that asked us to plant seeds that help solidify our humanitarian beliefs & that progressive change should benefit all humans equally.What we got, however, by the February 24 waxing first quarter square of the Gemini Moon to the Pisces Sun, was a growing curiosity & questions about why the ideologues in power have more backwards beliefs about true equality.By the March 3 Virgo Full Moon lunar eclipse, our mission was to reveal (& release) all vague, confused & confusing answers to questions seeking facts. Especially since by then the United States had joined Israel to attack Iran on February 28, shortly after the third-quarter waning square of Mars to Uranus on February 27, surprising many. However, by the March 11 third quarter waning square of the Sagittarius Moon to the Pisces Sun, tension grew from asking questions that received no straight or verifiable answers to those focused on the overall strategy & end game for this war.And, as Jupiter stationed direct at 15'05” Cancer on March 12, the energy shifts to where we stand—both personally & collectively—in terms of morals & ethics. Retrograde since last November, Jupiter tasked us to go deep about whether we've been following our heart & souls' true knowledge about what is ethical & moral, or whether we've simply acquiesced to the beliefs of those in power.VENUS IN ARIES, JUPITER DIRECT: MORAL JUSTICE FOR SEX TRAFFICKED RAPE VICTIMSMeanwhile, as more Epstein documents continue to be released, since VE entered war god Mars-ruled Aries on March 6, & as it waxed toward a sextile to PL in AQ March 9/10 there was this from the NYT March 9: “Alexander Brothers Found Guilty of All Counts in Sex-Trafficking Trial The verdict comes more than a month after the trial began in Federal District Court in Manhattan where the jury heard weeks of emotional and often graphic testimony.“Three brothers, including two who were among the country's most prominent real estate brokers, were convicted in Manhattan on Monday of engaging in a yearslong conspiracy to traffic women and girls for sex.“The brothers — Tal and Oren Alexander, who regularly closed multimillion-dollar real estate deals in New York and elsewhere, and Alon Alexander, a security executive — were found guilty on every count they each faced, and could now all face life in prison when they are sentenced on Aug. 6.The verdict comes more than a month after the trial began in Federal District Court in Manhattan, where the jury heard weeks of emotional and often graphic testimony from 11 women who had accused the Alexander brothers of rape or sexual assault. Jurors deliberated for 21 hours. In some cases, the brothers — Tal, 39, and Oren and Alon, twins who are 38 — used drugs to incapacitate their victims before raping them.” We might hope that this is a bellwether for the Epstein scandal & that it's the beginning verdicts that help quench the thirst of those seeking long deprived justice for sexual abuse via international sex trafficking crimes. And that Venus in Aries will ultimately succeed in her her fight to restore the natural order of reverence for feminist anima as sacred.MERCURY RETROGRADE'S BLASTS FROM THE PASTThis podcast also delves into the reemergence of people & events from the past rearing their heads again today. Hmm, speaking of sexual abuse, might this recent verdict be a bellwether for the Epstein case as we learn that FBI is now investigating his sprawling Albuquerque, New Mexico, “Zorro Ranch” property,” which it neglected (or bothered) to search back when. A little Mercury retrograde action again, since the FBI knew about this property a long while back…Next, of course, is the Iran attack redux since both Israel & the U.S. claimed to have obliterated this nation's nuclear capabilities after their attacks back in June of 2025. Oops, maybe not…maybe it's during Mercury's retrograde in Pisces we were able to learn we were lied to, eh? Especially when we remember that Mercury's Hermes is known as “the trickster” in Greek mythology, there's the outdated intelligence used by Defense Department to target what it thought was an Iranian military structure that turned out to be a girls school.U.S. at Fault in Strike on School in Iran, Preliminary Inquiry Says, according to the NYTs on March 11: “Outdated targeting data may have resulted in a mistaken missile strike, according to the ongoing military investigation, which undercuts President Trump's assertion that Iran could be to blame…"...Striking a school full of children is sure to be recorded as one of the most devastating single military errors in recent decades. Iranian officials have said the death toll was at least 175 people, most of them children.” And of course answers  from the U.S. Government to direct questions have been muddled & vague. Since Mercury is related to communication, we also have the reemergence of names like Kari Lake-- remember her? She's the right wing former candidate for Arizona Governor who Donald Trump last year appointed as the head of Voice of America, the international broadcast arm of the U.S. Government.There was this from AP on March 8: “Judge Voids Mass Layoffs at Voice of America…Federal judge rules Trump Administration's action to dismantle Voice of America are illegal. The ruling, which said that Kari Lake's appointment to oversee V.O.A.'s parent agency was invalid, was a major rejection of President Trump's attempts to dismantle the government-funded news group.”WATER, WATER, EVERYWHERE, NOR ANY DROP TO DRINKNext, we have the ongoing fall out of the attacks on Iranian infrastructure which seem to align with the recently begun Saturn/Neptune cycle in Aries. Numerous events, including the attacks on Iranian desalination planets, & Iranian retaliation toward nearby Gulf states have resulted thus far in destroying the ability of millions to access clean drinking water.According to the New York Times “…desalination plants in Iran and Bahrain were struck during the escalating conflict, with Iran accusing the U.S. of hitting a facility on Qeshm Island [the largest island in the Persian Gulf] that supplies water to about 30 villages, while Bahrain blamed an Iranian drone for damaging a plant there. “Analysts warned that attacking desalination infrastructure — a primary source of drinking water for millions in the Gulf — marks a serious escalation that could threaten civilian survival and broaden the war's impact beyond military targets.”Never mind the fact that this war has caused the Iranians to close their side of the Straits of Hormuz (Saturn=boundaries; Neptune=water, Aries=action), through which 20% of the world's oil transits. And that the rest of the world struggles to make up for this shortfall by releasing strategic petroleum preserves to tamp down the rise in oil prices, which may see oil rise to upwards of $200 per barrel, as per some experts estimates.And, of course there's the fact that bombing Iran has resulted in setting back the cause of preventing future damaging climate change for who knows how long, but at least decades, according to experts.PISCES NEW MOON: PLANT SEEDS OF GREATER EMPATHY FOR REAL VICTIMSAs we head toward the March 18 Pisces New Moon, which brings both luminaries together at 28'27” PI at 1:20 pm PT & 4:20 pm ET, they are also waxing toward conjunctions with Neptune at 1'42” Aries & Saturn @3'56”, as they begin to separate from now. This podcast delves into more about this lunation, & how by the time it arrives we'll also have the exact conjunction of wounded healer Chiron to chaos-inducer dwarf planet Eris. That's in addition to the March 15 conjunction of Mar & Mercury retrograde in Pisces.The Pisces New Moon chart for Washington, D.C., places the Chiron/Eris conjunction in the 7th House of partnership & partile opposite the Libra Ascendant & transiting Part of Fortune. It seems clear, imo, that America's lack of empathy for those who its actions have killed, maimed, or whose security it has destroyed--& the ensuring pain & chaos it has caused, will not be looked upon kindly by the rest of the world, either friend or foe.Learn more about the current & future Astro News You Can Use @ https://www.karmicevolution.com/astrologically-speaking when this  latest podcast drops today March 13! We look also at the Pisces New Moon's square of Venus to Uranus, its position in Donald Trump's chart & how it depicts impulsive decisions that spark trouble for our partnerships. And how, by the time we reach the April 1 Libra Full Moon, we'll be asked to release the Aries Sun's shadow side of going it alone, partnership be damned…See you later! Namaste…

Mike Tannenbaum, ESPN Insider and former NFL General Manager, joins Silver & Krueger to assess the Ravens backing out of their trade for Maxx Crosby and whether that will hurt Eric DeCosta's ability to do business for future transactions. Tannenbaum also explains why the Vikings signing Kyler Murray could be the most consequential move of the entire NFL offseason and revisits his proposal from radio row that the 49ers should try to extend Mac Jones rather than trade him.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As U.S. and Israeli forces continue to dimmish Iran's military capabilities, Tehran is moving towards more asymmetrical warfare with cyberattacks and the cutting off of the important trade route of the Straight of Hormuz. Iran's proxy groups using low end drones and speedboats to attack on U.S. and other Mideast nation's owned oil and energy infrastructures aim to damage the worked economy. Meanwhile, a U.S. medical device company, Stryker, confirmed they experienced a cyberattack focused on their Microsoft platform that shares patient information and real time data. More cyberattacks, like the one on Stryker, are feared to be coming as politically motivated hackers act like digital sleeper cells. FOX's Jonathan Savage speaks with Bill Udell, former CIA Operations Officer and Analyst, and the Chief Executive Officer, The Americas at Control Risks, bringing expertise in risk management and international operations, who says Iran's low sophisticated weaponry and attack capabilities could still cause major problems. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For an assessment of where things stand with the war in Iran, Geoff Bennett sat down with Alan Eyre and Behnam Ben Taleblu. Eyre was part of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the nuclear deal with Iran and is now at the Middle East Institute. Taleblu is at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, where he is the senior director of their Iran Program. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.Today's Host: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin) and Co-Host: (ronthe3manweav)Subscribe to the Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-sports-with-ben-criddle/id99676

NFL Matchup Executive Producer and Analyst and NFL Films Senior Producer Greg Cosell joins John Clark on the latest episode of the Takeoff podcast to share his thoughts on Riq Woolen, his expectations for Sean Mannion's offense and Jalen Hurts' fit in it, and discuss whether AJ Brown has lost a step or not. NBC Sports Philadelphia serves Philly sports fans 24/7 with the latest news on the Eagles, Sixers, Phillies and Flyers. Watch live games and insightful analysis from our experts on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Subscribe to our channel for the latest Philly sports news and highlights! » Visit NBC Sports Philadelphia: https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/ » Facebook: / nbcsphilly » Twitter: / nbcsphilly » Instagram: / nbcsphilly

Analysts are raising earnings estimates on these 3 companies trading under $10. (1:00) - Where Can You Find Strong Investments For A Deal? (5:45) - Tracey's Top Stock Picks For Your Watchlist Right Now (23:00) - Episode Roundup: CLDT, INNV, BCBP

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1291: An activist investor pushes CarMax to overhaul its digital game, Carvana accelerates same-day delivery into Los Angeles, and Lucid rolls out CarPlay and Android Auto updates while resetting its software strategy. Activist investor Starboard Value is turning up the heat on CarMax's incoming CEO, arguing the used-car giant has plenty of untapped potential, and they've got a $350 million stake to back up that opinion.Starboard sent a letter to CEO-elect Keith Barr calling out CarMax for falling short, and pushing for a streamlined online trade-in process and better digital conversion rates.The firm wants SG&A expenses capped at 70–75% of gross profit, and believes modest price cuts of $100–$300 per vehicle could restore competitiveness.Starboard is also nominating two board members, including its own CEO Jeffrey Smith, signaling this is more than a suggestion.Analysts at Truist agree there's room to improve, but warn that gaining ground on Carvana while cutting costs at the same time won't be easy."If CarMax can get its flywheel moving again as Starboard talked about, then I think the stock would be drastically higher than it is today," said Morningstar analyst David Whiston.Carvana is taking its same-day delivery service to the City of Angels, and if you thought they were already moving fast, Los Angeles is about to find out what that really means.Carvana has rolled out same-day vehicle delivery to the Los Angeles metro area, letting eligible customers go from online checkout to driveway delivery in a matter of hours.Customers looking to sell can also get same-day pickup or drop-off after completing an online appraisal — making the whole transaction, buy or sell, a same-day affair.LA joins Sacramento and San Diego, making California one of the more saturated same-day markets, with Carvana now operating the service across 20 states nationwide.Lucid Motors is delivering some good news to Gravity SUV owners just in time for its investor day. After a rough few months of software headaches, it's a welcome update.Lucid is pushing a software update to North American Gravity SUV owners Thursday that enables Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with European and Middle East owners getting it in late March.The features have been available on the Lucid Air sedan for some time, but the Gravity has had a rocky software rollout, significant enough that Lucid's interim CEO issued a public apology to owners.Lucid recently parted ways with several top software leaders and last month laid off 12% of its workforce.Today's show is brought to you by iPacket Value. From accurate MSRP validation to smarter merchandJoin Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

Louie DeBrusk joins the show to talk the Oilers with Bob. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For an assessment of where things stand with the war in Iran, Geoff Bennett sat down with Alan Eyre and Behnam Ben Taleblu. Eyre was part of the Obama administration's negotiating team for the nuclear deal with Iran and is now at the Middle East Institute. Taleblu is at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, where he is the senior director of their Iran Program. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Dive deep into today's chaotic headlines. Find out how Trump's capture of Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, U.S./Israeli strikes dismantling Iran's regime, abd the new "Shield of the Americas" coalition against cartels all fit together. This episode breaks it all down plainly with maps and real talk, explaining why these moves are America First.

As U.S. and Israeli forces continue to dimmish Iran's military capabilities, Tehran is moving towards more asymmetrical warfare with cyberattacks and the cutting off of the important trade route of the Straight of Hormuz. Iran's proxy groups using low end drones and speedboats to attack on U.S. and other Mideast nation's owned oil and energy infrastructures aim to damage the worked economy. Meanwhile, a U.S. medical device company, Stryker, confirmed they experienced a cyberattack focused on their Microsoft platform that shares patient information and real time data. More cyberattacks, like the one on Stryker, are feared to be coming as politically motivated hackers act like digital sleeper cells. FOX's Jonathan Savage speaks with Bill Udell, former CIA Operations Officer and Analyst, and the Chief Executive Officer, The Americas at Control Risks, bringing expertise in risk management and international operations, who says Iran's low sophisticated weaponry and attack capabilities could still cause major problems. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

LIVE: Boy Green is joined by Raiders analyst Moe Moton to talk about some of the biggest Jets free agency moves!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/boy-green-daily--1753389/support.

Joey Vitale joins the show to discuss the increase in Logan Mailloux ice time of late and what he has seen from him. Plus, Joey talks about the Robert Thomas injury and if he will be able to take faceoffs against the Hurricanes. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.Today's Host: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin) and Co-Host: (ronthe3manweav)Subscribe to the Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-sports-with-ben-criddle/id99676

Big Ten Network’s Bruce Weber calls into the show from Chicago to share his thoughts on where the Indiana Hoosiers and Purdue Boilermakers are at heading into the Big Ten Tournament. He gives his perspective as to why Purdue’s defense has regressed this season defensively, believes that Illinois and Nebraska are two teams that could defeat Michigan in the Big Ten Tournament, and gives his perspective on whether Miami (Ohio) should be in the NCAA Tournament if they don’t win their conference tournament.Support the show: https://1075thefan.com/query-and-company/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jake Scott & Ben Anderson Hour 1 BYU still alive but how far can AJ Dybantsa take them? Utah Jazz Analyst Mike Smith gave his thoughts on Bam Adebayo's Historic 83-Point Game and all things NBA.  Many Big 12 Players Unhappy with Glass Courts Jake Hatch & Tim LaComb Hour 2 Bam Adebayo's 83 point night Utah Mammoth insider Cole Bagley UNLV's unfair advantage  Hour 3 NFL free agency | Ravens back out of Maxx Crosby deal BYU color analyst Mark Durrant Final thoughts

NFL free agency | Ravens back out of Maxx Crosby deal BYU color analyst Mark Durrant Final thoughts

BYU color Analyst Mark Durrant

Today's episode of the Power of Zero Show sees David McKnight address one of the most important decisions you'll ever make in retirement: where you should withdraw money from first. It's important to note that the sequence in which you draw down your retirement dollars can dramatically affect how long your money lasts and how much of it you get to keep. Since the Trump tax cuts were permanently extended on July 4th, 2025, retirees have been presented with one of the most significant tax planning windows they may ever see. The national debt continues to grow – with Social Security and Medicare obligations expanding every year, and interest on the national debt taking up a larger and larger share of the federal budget. Analysts at the Congressional Budget Office and several independent economists agree that, although the 2025 extension has delayed the inevitable, it has not solved the underlying math… In or around 2035, the Government will have to raise revenue to keep pace with rising expenditures. Every dollar you withdraw from tax-deferred accounts – like IRAs, 401(k)s, 403bs, 457s – is a dollar tax rate that may be the lowest you're likely to see in your lifetime. "The goal isn't to eliminate RMDs entirely but to shrink your tax-deferred bucket to the point where these distributions are completely absorbed by your standard deduction", says David. "That means tax-free distributions from IRAs and 401(k)s. Many experts have warned people: if the U.S. doesn't right its fiscal ship of state by 2043, no combination of raising taxes or reducing spending will arrest the financial collapse of the country. You're living in a decade where taxes are as low as you've seen in your lifetime… …and even though the tax cuts were extended indefinitely, the long-term fiscal math still points in one clear direction.     Mentioned in this episode: David's new book, available now for pre-order: The Secret Order of Millionaires David's national bestselling book: The Guru Gap: How America's Financial Gurus Are Leading You Astray, and How to Get Back on Track Tax-Free Income for Life: A Step-by-Step Plan for a Secure Retirement by David McKnight DavidMcKnight.com DavidMcKnightBooks.com PowerOfZero.com (free video series) @mcknightandco on Twitter  @davidcmcknight on Instagram David McKnight on YouTube Get David's Tax-free Tool Kit at taxfreetoolkit.com

Emmanuel Acho Gets Roasted for His Kobe–Bam Adebayo Take, ESPN Analyst Accuses Bam and the Heat of Rigging a Game to Reach 83 Points, JJ Redick Admits the Lakers May Be Better Without LeBron, and Bam's Night Reignites the Jordan–Kobe 40 PPG Debate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Vitale recaps the NHL trade deadline, talks about the 4-3OTL to the Islanders, and much more!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Zo talks about the Cardinals QB situation, free agency, and more.

Georgia Bulldogs color analyst Chuck Dowdle joins Buck and Kelly to look at Georgia's road in the SEC Tournament and on to the NCAA Tournament.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ESPN's Marcus Speers and Rich discuss what the addition of Maxx Crosby means to the new-look Baltimore Ravens and what's kept the All-Pro DE from being talked about as one of the NFL's GOAT defensive players, what the Cincinnati Bengals must do to take advantage of having a talent like Joe Burrow, why Malik Willis to the Dolphins was a win-win for the player and team, reacts to LB Nakobe Dean choosing the Las Vegas Raiders over the Dallas Cowboys in free agency, and more. Jets fan Rich reacts to the return of former 2nd-round draft pick Geno Smith to New York after his rollercoaster ride of an NFL career. Patriots fan Brockman offers up some advice to New England's front office in the wake of signing free agent WR Romeo Doubs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

────────────────────────────────────────00:02:09:13 — Alleged Tomahawk Missile Strike on Iranian Girls' SchoolFootage and analysis circulate suggesting a U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile struck a girls' school in Iran, reportedly killing more than 150 civilians. The precision of the weapon raises serious questions about whether the strike was accidental or deliberate.────────────────────────────────────────00:07:58:13 — Trump Claims Iran Could Have Used a “Tomahawk” MissileWhen questioned about the strike, Trump suggests Iran or another country may have used a Tomahawk missile. Critics challenge the explanation, noting the weapon is tightly controlled and possessed by only a few U.S. allies.────────────────────────────────────────00:11:35:00 — Civilian Casualties Raise Questions About Targeting ProceduresThe school strike is cited as evidence of rushed targeting decisions and pressure to meet military strike quotas. Critics argue such practices dramatically increase the risk of catastrophic civilian casualties.────────────────────────────────────────00:21:26:21 — Experts Identify Missile in Footage as a U.S. TomahawkWeapons analysts and multiple media outlets reportedly identify the missile captured in footage as a Tomahawk cruise missile. Experts say the weapon does not resemble any system known to exist in Iran's arsenal.────────────────────────────────────────00:22:00:18 — Pentagon Pushes for AI Surveillance and Autonomous WeaponsDefense officials are described as pressuring AI companies to remove safeguards preventing domestic surveillance and autonomous lethal systems. Critics warn this could accelerate the deployment of AI-driven warfare technologies.────────────────────────────────────────00:29:27:25 — Growing Fear of Autonomous AI Weapons Making Kill DecisionsAnalysts warn that removing human oversight from weapons systems could lead to deadly errors. Concerns rise that autonomous AI could eventually select and attack targets without meaningful human control.────────────────────────────────────────00:37:54:01 — Reports Iran Quietly Reached Out to the CIA for Peace TalksSources claim Iranian intelligence officials contacted the CIA seeking discussions about ending the conflict shortly after the war began. The outreach reportedly occurred while public rhetoric remained highly confrontational.────────────────────────────────────────00:41:23:10 — Netanyahu Reportedly Pressures Trump to Avoid Iran NegotiationsReports suggest Israeli leadership confronted the White House over possible U.S.–Iran communication channels. Officials say Israel urged the administration not to pursue cease-fire discussions.────────────────────────────────────────00:55:44:12 — Strait of Hormuz Disruption Sends Oil Prices SurgingOil prices spike above $100 per barrel as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz collapses. Analysts warn that prolonged disruption could cripple global energy markets.────────────────────────────────────────01:01:18:28 — Lindsey Graham Suggests War Could Deliver Oil ProfitsSenator Lindsey Graham is quoted describing the war with Iran as a potential economic opportunity tied to control of global oil reserves. The remarks intensify accusations that strategic resources are driving the conflict.────────────────────────────────────────01:15:26:01 — Warning Iran Could Escalate Conflict Into Regional WarAnalysts warn that if Iran feels existentially threatened, it may expand the conflict across the Middle East. Retaliation against regional actors could rapidly draw multiple countries into a broader war.────────────────────────────────────────01:47:08:25 — BlackRock Restricts Withdrawals as Financial Stress EmergesA major BlackRock private credit fund limits investor withdrawals after redemption requests surge. The move raises concerns about liquidity problems and possible instability in private credit markets.──────────────────────────────────────── Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHT Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-david-knight-show--2653468/support.

I've reached a point where the marketplace of ideas feels broken. The conversation around the Iran war, especially the discussion about oil prices and the Strait of Hormuz, has been less about understanding events and more about reacting to every twitch in the market.This realization hit me last weekend when I watched otherwise smart commentators react breathlessly to oil futures spiking. Writers like Nate Silver and Derek Thompson framed the surge in prices as a potentially catastrophic moment for the Trump administration, a Rubicon that could permanently damage the president's economic credibility.That logic makes sense in theory. Gas prices are one of the most politically sensitive indicators in American life. If they rise sharply and stay elevated, the economic narrative can turn quickly against any administration. But what bothered me wasn't the conclusion. It was how little anyone seemed to know about the mechanics behind the story.Politics Politics Politics is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.The Strait of Hormuz, through which a massive share of the world's oil flows, became the center of speculation. Could Iran shut it down? Had it ever been fully closed before? What would the United States do if shipping lanes were mined?These are complex questions. Yet much of the discussion reduced them to the most basic possible analysis: oil prices go up, oil prices go down.The Problem With Market Narratives and the Age of Info SlopOver the course of a single night, I found myself obsessively researching the issue. I dug into the Iran–Iraq tanker wars of the 1980s, when both countries targeted shipping in the Persian Gulf. I looked at how mines were deployed in the Strait of Hormuz and how the United States eventually intervened to escort tankers and protect trade routes.The historical lesson was clear. Even during the worst periods of that conflict, the strait never truly closed. Oil shipments slowed and risks increased, but global energy markets adapted.By Monday morning, the markets themselves seemed to confirm the lesson. Oil prices surged, then dropped back below their previous levels. The panic narrative collapsed almost as quickly as it appeared.What replaced it was not clarity but confusion. Rumors circulated that Iran was mining the strait. Other reports suggested ships were still passing through after turning off their transponders. At one point, a claim that the U.S. Navy had escorted a tanker through the strait briefly moved markets before the White House denied it.This constant churn of speculation reveals a deeper problem: very few people actually know what is happening.In theory, the modern information environment should make us better informed. Instead, it often produces the opposite result. Analysts extrapolate sweeping conclusions from tiny fragments of data, while social media amplifies every rumor until it looks like evidence.The result is what I can only describe as “info slop.” Bits of partially verified information get passed along, combined, and reinterpreted until the original facts are almost impossible to distinguish from the speculation built around them.In a normal news cycle, that dynamic is frustrating. But in a war, it is dangerous.The Iran conflict carries enormous stakes. A prolonged fight could reshape the Middle East, disrupt global energy markets, or even trigger a wider geopolitical confrontation. Yet the public conversation about the war often resembles message-board debates rather than serious analysis.We are arguing over rumors about oil shipments and naval escorts while the broader strategic picture remains murky.Part of the problem is structural. During wartime, the actors with the most reliable information have strong incentives not to share it. Governments conceal details to protect military operations. Adversaries spread misinformation to manipulate perceptions.Even seemingly straightforward facts become difficult to confirm. Was a school struck by a missile because of a U.S. attack, an Iranian malfunction, or something else entirely? Did Iran mine shipping lanes, or were markets reacting to a rumor?In many cases, the honest answer is simply that we do not know.And yet the conversation continues as if every piece of incomplete information carries definitive meaning.Stepping Back From the NoiseFor me, the lesson is simple. If the discourse is making you feel more confident about events you barely understand, it may not actually be informing you. It may simply be feeding the human instinct to fill gaps in knowledge with speculation.The war with Iran could become one of the defining geopolitical events of this era. It could destabilize a region, reshape energy markets, or even trigger regime change inside Iran itself.But right now, much of what passes for analysis is just noise layered on top of uncertainty. The healthiest response might be the hardest one: consume less of it. Read less news that pretends to provide clarity where none exists.We don't know what's happening yet. And pretending otherwise doesn't make us smarter.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:02:18 - Thomas Massie00:06:24 - Iran Discourse00:16:59 - Kirk Bado on Iran00:32:36 - Update00:33:36 - Oil00:34:51 - SAVE America Act00:40:41 - AI Hiring00:42:49 - Kirk Bado on Iran, con't00:54:38 - Kirk Bado on Texas01:13:09 - Steelers Talk01:22:16 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

────────────────────────────────────────00:02:09:13 — Alleged Tomahawk Missile Strike on Iranian Girls' SchoolFootage and analysis circulate suggesting a U.S. Tomahawk cruise missile struck a girls' school in Iran, reportedly killing more than 150 civilians. The precision of the weapon raises serious questions about whether the strike was accidental or deliberate.────────────────────────────────────────00:07:58:13 — Trump Claims Iran Could Have Used a “Tomahawk” MissileWhen questioned about the strike, Trump suggests Iran or another country may have used a Tomahawk missile. Critics challenge the explanation, noting the weapon is tightly controlled and possessed by only a few U.S. allies.────────────────────────────────────────00:11:35:00 — Civilian Casualties Raise Questions About Targeting ProceduresThe school strike is cited as evidence of rushed targeting decisions and pressure to meet military strike quotas. Critics argue such practices dramatically increase the risk of catastrophic civilian casualties.────────────────────────────────────────00:21:26:21 — Experts Identify Missile in Footage as a U.S. TomahawkWeapons analysts and multiple media outlets reportedly identify the missile captured in footage as a Tomahawk cruise missile. Experts say the weapon does not resemble any system known to exist in Iran's arsenal.────────────────────────────────────────00:22:00:18 — Pentagon Pushes for AI Surveillance and Autonomous WeaponsDefense officials are described as pressuring AI companies to remove safeguards preventing domestic surveillance and autonomous lethal systems. Critics warn this could accelerate the deployment of AI-driven warfare technologies.────────────────────────────────────────00:29:27:25 — Growing Fear of Autonomous AI Weapons Making Kill DecisionsAnalysts warn that removing human oversight from weapons systems could lead to deadly errors. Concerns rise that autonomous AI could eventually select and attack targets without meaningful human control.────────────────────────────────────────00:37:54:01 — Reports Iran Quietly Reached Out to the CIA for Peace TalksSources claim Iranian intelligence officials contacted the CIA seeking discussions about ending the conflict shortly after the war began. The outreach reportedly occurred while public rhetoric remained highly confrontational.────────────────────────────────────────00:41:23:10 — Netanyahu Reportedly Pressures Trump to Avoid Iran NegotiationsReports suggest Israeli leadership confronted the White House over possible U.S.–Iran communication channels. Officials say Israel urged the administration not to pursue cease-fire discussions.────────────────────────────────────────00:55:44:12 — Strait of Hormuz Disruption Sends Oil Prices SurgingOil prices spike above $100 per barrel as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz collapses. Analysts warn that prolonged disruption could cripple global energy markets.────────────────────────────────────────01:01:18:28 — Lindsey Graham Suggests War Could Deliver Oil ProfitsSenator Lindsey Graham is quoted describing the war with Iran as a potential economic opportunity tied to control of global oil reserves. The remarks intensify accusations that strategic resources are driving the conflict.────────────────────────────────────────01:15:26:01 — Warning Iran Could Escalate Conflict Into Regional WarAnalysts warn that if Iran feels existentially threatened, it may expand the conflict across the Middle East. Retaliation against regional actors could rapidly draw multiple countries into a broader war.────────────────────────────────────────01:47:08:25 — BlackRock Restricts Withdrawals as Financial Stress EmergesA major BlackRock private credit fund limits investor withdrawals after redemption requests surge. The move raises concerns about liquidity problems and possible instability in private credit markets.──────────────────────────────────────── Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silver For 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHT Find out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-david-knight-show--5282736/support.

Ben Criddle talks BYU sports every weekday from 2 to 6 pm.Today's Host: Ben Criddle (@criddlebenjamin) and Co-Host: (ronthe3manweav)Subscribe to the Cougar Sports with Ben Criddle podcast:Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/cougar-sports-with-ben-criddle/id99676

New intelligence warnings suggest Iran may be attempting to activate sleeper cells beyond the Middle East, raising fears of possible attacks on U.S. soil. Reports of encrypted communications coming out of Iran after the death of its supreme leader have triggered alerts to American law enforcement. President Donald Trump says U.S. intelligence has been monitoring potential sleeper networks for years while tensions escalate in the region. At the same time, the administration argues the broader goal of the conflict is to eliminate Iran's nuclear ambitions and dismantle its expanding missile program. SUMMARY The war in the Middle East could be expanding beyond the region as U.S. officials warn about possible sleeper cell activity connected to Iran. Intelligence reports indicate encrypted messages were transmitted following the death of Iran's supreme leader on February 28, prompting alerts to law enforcement agencies about potential threats inside the United States. President Trump addressed the concerns directly, saying the government has long tracked suspected sleeper networks but continues to monitor them closely as tensions escalate. Commentators warn that Iran may attempt indirect retaliation through proxies or covert networks if the conflict intensifies. Analysts also argue that the ideological nature of the Iranian regime makes the threat particularly difficult to manage, describing the leadership as driven by religious doctrine rather than traditional geopolitical calculations. The administration says the long-term objective of the military campaign is clear: dismantle Iran's nuclear weapons capability and eliminate its long-range missile program. Supporters argue that these weapons could threaten a large portion of the global population if left unchecked. The situation remains highly volatile as the United States and its allies watch closely for retaliation while hoping the conflict does not spread into a broader global crisis. SOCIAL MEDIA POST Title: Sleeper Cell Warning: Iran Threat Could Reach the U.S. Description: Encrypted messages from Iran trigger new security alerts. Message: U.S. intelligence is warning about possible Iranian sleeper cell activity after encrypted messages were detected following the death of Iran's supreme leader. President Trump says the U.S. has been tracking potential sleeper networks for years as tensions escalate in the Middle East. With Iran's missile program and nuclear ambitions at the center of the conflict, the stakes could affect far more than just the region. How far could this crisis spread? #Iran #Trump #MiddleEastWar #NationalSecurity #SleeperCells #Geopolitics #BreakingNews HASHTAGS FOR FIRST COMMENT #WorldNews #IranConflict #SecurityAlert #ForeignPolicy #MilitaryStrategy #GlobalSecurity #DefenseNews CUSTOM LABELS Iran sleeper cells, Trump Iran policy, Middle East war, Iran nuclear threat, global security, national security, geopolitics, intelligence alerts, missile program, world conflict

10. Guests: Bill Roggio and Jonathan Sayeh Headline: Monitoring the Fog of War in Tehran Summary: Analysts examine Tehran's internal state, noting that foot soldiers are becoming increasingly alienated. They monitor the Basij and regular military for signs of defection while the regime anticipates a ground invasion. (11)1953 TEHRAN IMPERIAL BANK

On today’s episode, Jason is joined by ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla for a lengthy hoops conversation. During the interview, Fraschilla discusses the idea of expanding the NCAA Tournament, which teams he thinks are most likely to cut down the nets in March, which under-the-radar teams could make some noise in the tournament, whether Darryn Peterson's inconsistent availability at Kansas could impact his NBA Draft stock, whether guys like Cameron Boozer and AJ Dybantsa have any real shot to get selected first overall, and much more! #OddCouple Follow Jason on Twitter and Instagram. Click here to subscribe, rate and review all of the latest Straight Fire with Jason McIntyre podcasts!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.