Podcasts about Britain

Hark! Gather now and heed the tale of the wicked King Lot, who would deny the crown of the King of Britain! Hear now of the hooves and blades and arrows of his ill-placed fury. Hear now of the knights who opposed him with valor and with love and with passion. Hear now what became of them… Watch the video here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://youtu.be/5TSZXvo4cBA⁠ This episode originally aired in April of 2025. It has been remastered as part of the new Pendragon: Under an Iron Sky series. Season 2 of the campaign premieres on May 18th, 2026. For a limited time, save 15% on all Pendragon products with code "PENCANNON3" at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://chaosium.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Access ad-free episodes, exclusive podcasts, and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠jointhenaish.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Come see us LIVE in a city near you at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.glasscannonnetwork.com/tour⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Britain's King Charles III met with Trump at the White House amid fraying United States and United Kingdom relations due to the Iran war. We bring you all the latest updates and planned events surrounding the monarch's four-day state visit.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It is soft, common, and something most people wear almost every day. Yet behind this humble fabric lies one of the most dramatic stories in human history.  Cotton connected ancient civilizations, built global trade networks, fueled the Industrial Revolution, enriched empires, and helped sustain slavery.  Few plants have had a greater impact on the modern world. From fields in India and Peru to factories in Britain and plantations in America, cotton changed everything it touched.  Learn more about the remarkable history of cotton on this episode of Everything Everywhere Daily. Sponsors Samsara Don't wait for the next accident to take action. Head to Samsara.com/EVERYTHING ButcherBox Get your choice between chicken breast or top sirloin for a year OR ground beef for life, PLUS $20 off when you go to ButcherBox.com/everything Quince Go to quince.com/daily for 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Mint Mobile Save 50% on Unlimited premium wireless plans starting at $15/month at MintMobile.com/EED Audible Listen to Project Hail Mary Audible.com/hailmary Fast Growing Trees Get 20% off your first purchase when using the code DAILY at checkout at fastgrowingtrees.com/daily Subscribe to the podcast!  https://everything-everywhere.com/everything-everywhere-daily-podcast/ -------------------------------- Executive Producer: Charles Daniel Associate Producers: Austin Oetken & Cameron Kieffer   Become a supporter on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/everythingeverywhere Discord Server: https://discord.gg/Ds7Rx7jvPJ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingeverywhere/ Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/everythingeverywheredaily Twitter: https://twitter.com/everywheretrip Website: https://everything-everywhere.com/  Disce aliquid novi cotidie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the beginning of the 20th century, most of the territory that we call the Middle East- including Syria, Iraq, Israel and Turkey- were part of the Ottoman Empire. The Ottoman alliance w/ Germany and Austria-Hungary during World War I provided Britain and France w/ the opportunity to divide the once-great empire into many states based on European imperial ambitions. In this episode Bob and Ben speak w/ Eugene Rogan to learn more about why the Ottoman Empire was divided, how that process shaped the Middle East, and how this history helps us understand the world today. Dr. Eugene Rogan is a Professor of Modern Middle Eastern History at St Antony's College, University of Oxford. He is author of The Arabs: A History (Penguin, 2009, 3rd edition 2018), which has been translated in 18 languages and was named one of the best books of 2009 by The Economist, The Financial Times, and The Atlantic Monthly. His new book, The Fall of the Ottomans: The Great War in the Middle East, 1914-1920, was published in February 2015. We'd also like to say a special thanks to the family of Roscoe L. Strickland Jr. for providing the support that brought Dr. Rogan to MTSU as part of the Strickland Scholars Program. Additional thanks goes to Dr. Susan Myers-Shirk for her work in arranging for MTSU's Strickland Scholars to appear on our podcast. This is a rebroadcast of episode 112 which originally aired on November 19th, 2018. This rebroadcast was edited by Ben Sawyer.

The Lebanese president, Joseph Aoun, accuses Israel of deliberately targeting journalists, a day after another reporter, Amal Khalil, was killed in an Israeli attack. Also: a UN official tells the BBC that even if the Iran war ends tomorrow, at least 32m people around the world will be pushed back into poverty. The UK and France sign a new three-year deal to try to stop migrants crossing into Britain on small boats. For the first time the Tanzanian authorities admit hundreds were killed in protests after the presidential election last October. A South African court blocks the repatriation of the body of the former Zambian president Edgar Lungu - halting plans for a state funeral in his homeland. Pope Leo ends his 11-day trip to Africa, visiting Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea, highlighting reconciliation, migration and inter-faith dialogue. The International Criminal Court says the former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte will face trial for crimes against humanity over war on drugs. And artificial intelligence experts at the Sony corporation have built a table tennis robot that's defeated elite players.The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight. Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment. Get in touch: globalpodcast@bbc.co.uk

We welcome author and academic Joanna Williams to discuss glaring cultural shifts in Britain, including attacks on national symbols, the repurposing of churches, constraints on free speech, and efforts to "decolonize" history and curriculum. How do these developments connect to broader concerns for the United States, and why is it important that we continue to push for renewed civic engagement, defense of Western cultural heritage, and protection of free expression? Show Notes British Culture Under Attack—by Its Curators It's Not Too Late, BRITANNIA iCatholic Mobile The Station of the Cross Merchandise - Use Coupon Code 14STATIONS for 10% off | Catholic to the Max Read Fr. McTeigue's Written Works! "Let's Take A Closer Look" with Fr. Robert McTeigue, S.J. | Full Series Playlist Listen to Fr. McTeigue's Preaching! | Herald of the Gospel Sermons Podcast on Spotify Visit Fr. McTeigue's Website | Herald of the Gospel Questions? Comments? Feedback? Ask Father!

A Pakistani-born UK minister strips a British-born citizen of his citizenship for the first time in history, as Dominik Tarczyński calls out Britain's collapse, debates kielbasa vs bratwurst, and pitches a live PBD podcast event in Warsaw.

In the last several years, the fighting strength of Britain's Royal Navy has not just eroded — it has collapsed. What was once a thousand-ship fleet and the envy of the world can now barely put a handful of vessels to sea. And one will never understand the soul of Great Britain without fully grasping the mythological power of the Royal Navy in that island nation's national consciousness.

"I would trust my baby in Lucy Letby's care."  Amanda Knox—who spent four years in an Italian prison for a murder she didn't commit—joins Andrew Gold to explain why she believes Britain is making a catastrophic mistake with Lucy Letby. SPONSORS: Go to https://surfshark.com/heretics for 4 extra months of Surfshark  Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily data plans! Use code andrewgold at checkout. Download Saily app or go to https://saily.com/andrewgold   Check Plaud UK: https://bit.ly/40Gzdh1  | US: https://bit.ly/475MQKe Notepro: https://bit.ly/479tWSR Organise your life: https://akiflow.pro/Heretics  Earn up to 4 per cent on gold, paid in gold: https://www.monetary-metals.com/heretics/  Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at https://mintmobile.com/heretics  In this explosive conversation, Knox draws chilling parallels between her own wrongful conviction and the case of the neonatal nurse. From "intentionally misleading" evidence to the psychological phenomenon of the "spidey sense," we dive into the details the British media won't touch. Are we witnessing a modern-day witch hunt, or is the truth even more disturbing? Listen to the full episode to uncover: The "damning" note: Why a confession isn't always what it seems. The Statistician: Why the prosecution "removed" a key expert who didn't fit the narrative. The NHS Crisis: How a failing system may have found its perfect scapegoat. The "Hero" Doctor: Why the star witness's testimony doesn't match his own notes. #LucyLetby #AmandaKnox #TrueCrime #WrongfulConviction #AndrewGold #Heretics #NHS #BritishJustice #Psychology Join the 30k heretics on my mailing list: https://andrewgoldheretics.com  Check out my new documentary channel: https://youtube.com/@andrewgoldinvestigates  Andrew on X: https://twitter.com/andrewgold_ok   Insta: https://www.instagram.com/andrewgold_ok Heretics YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewgoldheretics Chapters 00:00 – The "Surreal" Accusation: A Serial Killer Nurse?  02:40 – Amanda Knox: The Echoes of a Modern Witch Hunt  05:15 – The Playbook: Why We Blame the Nearest Woman  08:50 – "I Am Evil": Breaking Down the "Confession" Note  11:45 – The Prison Mind: Why Innocent People Think They're Bad  15:45 – The NHS in Crisis: An Aspirational System Under Fire  18:50 – The Mortuary Scandal: Retaliation in the Same Hospital 21:10 – The Medical Evidence: What the Jury Didn't See  24:35 – The Insulin "Smoking Gun": Is the Test Accurate?  26:55 – Would You Trust Lucy Letby With Your Child?  30:00 – Young, Attractive, and "Heinous": Why the Media Is Obsessed  33:20 – The Netflix Effect: How Documentaries Shape Guilt  37:10 – The Legal Nightmare: Why Italy Is Still Not Over Knox  42:15 – Removed Experts: The Statistician They Didn't Want You to Hear  45:10 – The "Superhero" Doctor: Rewritten Memories & Reality TV  51:40 – The Price of Truth: Why Journalists Are Afraid of This Case  58:20 – The Downrated Unit: Why the Deaths Actually Stopped  1:01:25 – What Happens Next: The Fight for an Appeal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now Jimmy Saville is at the top of the world: he's become a radio and TV star and found his way into the Royal family's good graces. Now we see what he does with power and access.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim Cook is stepping down after overseeing 15 years of spectacular growth. We take a look at his successor. Japan's rural women are disproportionately heading to cities, and their home towns are working hard to lure them back. And a historical examination of boredom, and why Britons have perhaps less of it than they should.Guests and host:Tom Lee-Devlin, business editorMoeka Iida, Japan reporterCatherine Nixey, culture correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Apple, technology, CEO, John TernusJapan, demographicsBritain, boredomGet a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tim Cook is stepping down after overseeing 15 years of spectacular growth. We take a look at his successor. Japan's rural women are disproportionately heading to cities, and their home towns are working hard to lure them back. And a historical examination of boredom, and why Britons have perhaps less of it than they should.Guests and host:Tom Lee-Devlin, business editorMoeka Iida, Japan reporterCatherine Nixey, culture correspondentRosie Blau, co-host of “The Intelligence”Jason Palmer, co-host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Apple, technology, CEO, John TernusJapan, demographicsBritain, boredomGet a world of insights by subscribing to Economist Podcasts+. For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three of Screen Drafts' favorite Wild Cards, Clark Collis (Screaming & Conjuring) Piya Sinha-Roy, and Billy Ray Brewton (Antenna Releasing) gather at the Draft Table at the behest of Official Sponsor Benjamin Butcher to competitively / collaboratively rank the 11 best INDEPENDENT FILMS made in BRITAIN in the 21st CENTURY. Note: This Draft was originally announced as having slightly different parameters, but... well, you'll hear! *With One Possible Exception Want more Screen Drafts? Become a Booster! For just $5 a month get ad-free Main Feed episodes, plus monthly installments of The Franchise mini-Super Draft, The Marathon, Speed Drafts, and the Cool Kids Criterion Club Corner. Visit www.patreon.com/screendrafts to join the Club and support independent media!

Nigerian Bishop on Christian Persecution, Kidnappings, and the Spread of Islamist Violence Host Larry Alex Sta welcomes Lawrence Fox and Nigerian Anglican Bishop Juwan Zumba of Kuru to discuss alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria and Islam's growing influence in Britain. Zumba recounts how Christians and Muslims once lived peacefully in Nigeria but says rising fundamentalism has led to Fulani militia attacks, land seizures, and church communities being wiped out, including a night raid that killed 43 in his diocese and later attacks killing 33 on Palm Sunday and about 200 near Christmas 2023. He describes weekly truckloads of Muslim youths moved south, and says kidnappings target Christians, including a failed attempt to kidnap him on Nov. 2, 2024, followed by his neighbor's abduction for ransom. The group responds to a Tucker Carlson clip dismissing targeted Christian persecution as propaganda.

Over the last week, a spate of Jewish communal targets have been attacked in North London. According to its founder Theodore Herzl, Zionism was supposed to normalize the position of Jews in the world. Has Zionism failed or is a new consensus form of Zionism still the answer to these outbursts of Disorderly Antisemitism? In 2026, April 21 is Israel's Independence Day. These are tough times for the Jewish State in international public opinion. By all accounts it has made mistakes, violated international law, committed war crimes. But it has also been defending itself against an unprecedented multipronged assault.  Other states don't risk losing their international legitimacy because they have bad or immoral leadership. Support among Americans and Europeans for Israel is down and even young diasporic Jews report increasingly negative appraisals of Israel.  To investigate the situation in the Middle East, the position of Jews in Britain, and the rise of anti-semitic attacks on Britain's Jewish community, I am joined by returning Champion Phil Rosenberg. He is the President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews.  Phil is a former Labour councilor for West Hampstead and previously Director of the Faiths Forum for London. In today's episode, we wish to use this commemorative day to look at a few deeper questions:  How is Antisemitism surging globally and why? How does  Antisemitism manifest itself in the UK and Australia and how it is fascinating how differently it portrays from anti-Americanism? What is Zionism? Is it relevant in today's world? Is it part of an orderly world or is it a Disordering ideal? What is the Role of international entities and Diasporic Jews in supporting Israel's right to defend itself while criticizing certain policies?  To join our Mega Orderers Club for ad free listening, early episode releases and exclusive access to live events, visit disordershow.com/club To tell us more about Disorder, visit disordershow.com/survey  Producer: George McDonagh Subscribe to our Substack - https://natoandtheged.substack.com/ Disorder on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@DisorderShow Show Notes Links: A Partial list of the North London Arson Attacks: https://x.com/philr_r/status/2045605612072132860?s=46&t=cw4unVonh1qJ-YBPzgIl2Q Origen Story on the Meaning of Zionism : https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/zionism-part-1/id1624704966?i=1000618863154 Call Me Back Pod.. Analysts find in the Iran-Israel-America War confirmation of their pre-existing political beliefs: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-continuation-of-war-by-other-means-with-tal-becker/id1539292794?i=1000761725136  Iran directed arson attacks in Australia and ‘fanned the flames' of antisemitism, country's spy chief says: https://emea01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Faustralia-news%2F2025%2Faug%2F26%2Firan-directed-arson-attacks-in-australia-spy-chief-says-ntwnfb&data=05%7C02%7C%7C605a5ea26d9b48554e2408de9d6ca385%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639121287069184737%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=1wSJ%2BxaXICsYlRBvsu2Rbd4MJ08DRc%2BrqlbAIv%2Fv0HU%3D&reserved=0 The most recent Sunday morning April 19 attack: https://www.thejc.com/news/uk/attempted-arson-attack-at-kenton-united-synagogue-in-northwest-london-pfbikif1 And: https://x.com/philr_r/status/2045782024338768271?s=46&t=cw4unVonh1qJ-YBPzgIl2Q What is the Board of Deputies: https://bod.org.uk/  Phil's Bio: https://bod.org.uk/who-we-are/phil-rosenberg/  Phil's Article: https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/were-family-not-critical-friends-rosenberg-sets-out-boards-israel-stance/ History of Israel Independence Day: https://nationaltoday.com/israel-independence-day/ Trump and Tehran's series of mismanaged posts stall progress towards peace Patrick Wintour https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/apr/18/donald-trump-tehran-war-mismanaged-posts-progress-peace  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trap doors under toilets, hidden radio rooms in the back of wardrobes, secret bases behind waterfalls....Dan investigates an extraordinary network of secret resistance cells set up during Britain's "darkest hour".In the summer of 1940, Britain and its empire stood alone as the Nazi war machine stormed through Europe. Prime Minister Winston Churchill created something extraordinary: secret factions of men and women trained to wreak havoc behind the lines of an invading army.Dan once again joins forces with Andy Chatterton from the Coleshill Auxiliary Research Team, who are unearthing this incredible part of World War Two for another bunker hunt. What they find on this adventure is truly extraordinary.You can learn more about Britain's secret resistance in Andy's book 'Fortress Britain 1940: Britain's Unsung and Secret Defences on Land, Sea and in the Air'.With thanks to Chris Hale, Nina, Will and Martyn from CART, Andy Aust and Duncan Akers.Produced by Mariana Des Forges and edited by Dougal Patmore.You can watch our video documentary on Churchill's Secret Army! Sign up here to watch: https://access.historyhit.com/videos/churchills-secret-armyYou can also email the podcast directly at ds.hh@historyhit.com.We need your help! Let us know what you want from Dan Snow's History Hit by filling in our anonymous survey here: https://forms.gle/PvgayWLkWGjYT4St6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The British Empire didn't die — it evolved. In this episode, host John Odermatt pulls back the curtain on the invisible financial architecture that Britain built after shedding its visible empire: a tightly interlocked system of offshore banking, insurance monopolies, intelligence networks, and manufactured conflict designed to generate perpetual risk premiums. At the center of this system sits the City of London, the Federal Reserve, Lloyd's of London, and the Bank of International Settlements — all tracing back to the same banking families. John walks through how conflicts in Iran, Israel, and the broader Middle East were not accidents but products, engineered to keep Lloyd's premiums high and London's influence alive. He also examines the LIBOR scandal as documented proof of institutional collusion, not theory. Finally, John makes the case that the Trump administration's America First doctrine — from the Venezuela operation to intelligence cutoffs to the Strait of Hormuz insurance play — may represent the first serious attempt in living memory to dismantle this system, and why figures like Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene, despite their "America First" branding, may actually be playing into the very architecture they claim to oppose. Video Chapters 0:00 – Introduction: The Empire That Never Died 1:17 – Jekyll Island 1910: The Secret Meeting That Copied the Bank of England 2:24 – Welcome to Finding Freedom: What This Episode Is About 9:26 – The Architecture of Invisible Power: Four Buildings, Four Dates 15:05 – Lloyd's of London: How Conflict Became a Product 16:07 – The Strait of Hormuz and the Iran Risk Premium 21:03 – The LIBOR Scandal: Proof, Not Theory 23:37 – Trump's America First vs. the British Banking Cartel 25:40 – Operation Absolute Resolve: Venezuela and the Dollar War 32:55 – AIPAC, US Elections, and the Distraction Machine 33:33 – What This All Leads To: The System Behind the Conflict 35:37 – Wrap-Up and Where This Series Is Heading Resources & Links Mentioned Vivify Mariposa – "The Empire That Never Died" (Substack: No Filter, Just Facts): The primary source article for this episode — https://nofilterjustfacts.substack.com/p/the-empire-that-never-died-britain-conflict-money Rich Does Politics – YouTube channel John recommends for global economics and intelligence analysis: [youtube.com/@RichDoesPolitics] SUPPORT LIONS OF LIBERTY: Help keep this podcast going! We rely on listener support to continue bringing you content on freedom, political reform, and personal empowerment. Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/lionsofliberty Support us on Locals: https://lionsofliberty.locals.com/ Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen – it makes a huge difference! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A gang of experienced criminals set out to pull off what would have been one of the biggest robberies in British history - targeting a priceless diamond exhibition inside London's Millennium Dome. Armed with sledgehammers, a nail gun, and a speedboat for their escape, the plan was bold, fast, and meticulously organised.But what the gang didn't know was that detectives from the Metropolitan Police were already watching their every move. This is the story of the infamous Millennium Dome heist - an audacious plot that came within moments of success before being dramatically foiled.I release episodes of the UK True Crime Podcast every Tuesday and Friday, so please do join me for the next episode on Friday.Buy My New True Crime Content Creators Online Coursehttps://adam-s-site-be58.thinkific.com/products/courses/true-crime-content-creation-courseWatch my YouTube channelhttps://www.youtube.com/@Adam-uktruecrime/videosListen/Watch the True Crime Catch Uphttps://audioalways.lnk.to/TrueCrimeCatchUpFind Our More About Mehttps://uktruecrime.comJoin UK True Crime Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/UKTrueCrime Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last time we spoke about the first battle of Changsha. Japanese forces under General Okamura Yasuji, including the 6th, 13th, and 33rd Divisions, launched a multi-pronged offensive, crossing the Xin Qiang River and capturing Yingtian amid brutal fighting. Chinese defenses, commanded by Xue Yue in the Ninth War Zone, employed gradual resistance strategies, with units like the 195th Division under Qin Yizhi holding key positions such as Bijia Mountain and Fulinpu, inflicting heavy losses. Battalion Commander Luo Wenlang recaptured Dongtang in a midnight assault, grieving his fallen brother amid Mid-Autumn moonlight. Chiang Kai-shek, from Chongqing, oversaw operations while hosting a festive banquet, buoyed by international support like U.S. loans. By October, Japanese advances stalled; Okamura ordered a retreat on October 2, exposed by a downed plane yielding critical documents. Chinese forces pursued, reclaiming lines by October 8, annihilating over half the invaders per Chiang's commendation.   #198 The Battle of South Guangxi Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. In January 1939, the Japanese General Headquarters, responding to naval needs, ordered the 21st Corps to seize Hainan Island. The goal was to establish a base for air operations against southwestern China and to enforce blockade measures. Supported by the Japanese Navy, the Corps deployed the Taiwan Brigade, which landed at Haikou on February 10. After initial defeats, Chinese peace preservation units withdrew to the island's interior and conducted harassment operations. Japanese troops soon occupied northern counties including Qiongshan, Wenchang, Ding'an, Qionghai, and Chengmai, followed by the port of Yulin, which positioned them for southward advances toward Guangxi.   This invasion was part of a broader strategy to disrupt Chinese supply lines and secure a foothold in southern China. Although Chinese resistance on Hainan ultimately failed to repel the invaders, it highlighted the resilience that would define regional fighting.   After the costly Battle of Wuhan, the Sino-Japanese War reached a stalemate in central China, despite ongoing large-scale conflicts and Japanese strategic bombings that caused heavy casualties without breaking the deadlock. Politically, Japan's alignment with the Axis powers and the start of World War II in Western Europe led European nations to bolster ties with China. With major coastal ports under Japanese control, the Nationalist government's main overseas supply route became the Haiphong-Kunming railway in French Indochina, which transported four times more war materials in 1938 than in 1937, including heavy equipment purchased abroad.   The Hainan occupation negatively impacted Japan's war efforts, though diplomatic pressure on Britain and France proved ineffective. Meanwhile, the Imperial Japanese Navy proposed a southward advance: invading from Nanning to Longzhou County in Guangxi by sea to establish an airfield for strategic bombing. An April 15, 1939, Navy Department assessment deemed large-scale inland army operations challenging, recommending instead that the army and navy collaborate to occupy Shantou—the largest trading port on the South China coast—before pushing into Guangxi to seize Nanning and sever China's vital Indochina supply line.   In June, the Japanese General Staff's "Military Geography" emphasized that occupying Nanning would provide convenient transportation in all directions, reaching Guangdong, Hunan, Guizhou, and Yunnan. The Nanning-Lang Son road had become a major artery for Chiang Kai-shek's regime to connect with the southwest. To cut it off directly, Nanning must be captured first. Once occupied, heavy troops near Tokyo Bay would not be needed to achieve the operation's purpose. This idea gained considerable support both politically and tactically. The Army's northward policy had been defeated by the Soviet Union in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol in September 1939. Major General Tominaga Kyoji, the newly appointed head of the First Department of the General Staff, sought to avoid further embarrassments. Supporting the proposal involved transferring the 5th Division of the Kwantung Army, originally intended for Khalkhin Gol, to the south. This prevented front-line units from misjudging higher-ups' positions and allowed implementation without affecting existing troops.   In September, the European war broke out. The Japanese General Headquarters ordered the 21st Army to capture the vicinity of Nanning, cut off the international passage between Guangxi and Vietnam, and obtain a base for air operations in southwest China. Japan aimed to completely sever China's most important supply route. According to Japanese intelligence, the French Indochina line accounted for 85% of China's foreign aid in late 1939, with 12,500 tons transported in September alone.   On September 1, 1939, Germany attacked Poland; on September 3, Britain and France declared war on Germany, igniting World War II. Japan, eager to resolve the China issue and free up troops to seize Western colonies in Asia and the Pacific, stated through Prime Minister Nobuyuki Abe on September 4: "At the outbreak of the European war, the Empire will not intervene and has decided to focus on resolving the China Incident." In Nanjing, the China Expeditionary Army Headquarters was established, with General Nishio Hisazo as Commander-in-Chief and Lieutenant General Itagaki Seishiro as Chief of Staff, overseeing the North China Area Army, the 11th Army, the 13th Army, and the 21st Army.   On September 23, the Japanese General Headquarters issued an order to prepare for a swift response to the China Incident. On October 16, "Continental Order No. 375" directed the Commander-in-Chief of the China Expeditionary Army to swiftly cut off enemy supply routes from Nanning to Longzhou with a portion of the navy. Also on October 16, "Continental Order No. 582," a central Army-Navy agreement, aimed to cut off enemy routes along the Nanning-Longzhou line and strengthen naval air operations against the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway and the Burma Road. The operation was scheduled for mid-November. On October 19, Nishio Juzo issued orders for the Guangxi operation, involving the 5th Division, Taiwan Mixed Brigade, supporting units, the 5th Fleet (renamed the 2nd Expeditionary Fleet in mid-November), and the 3rd Combined Naval Air Group. Total strength: about 30,000 men, over 70 warships, 2 aircraft carriers, and about 100 aircraft. Tominaga Kyoji announced: "This is the last battle of the China Incident."   Politically, the Guangxi Army was a key pillar of the National Government after retreating to Sichuan. Attacking Guangxi could impact the Guangxi clique's stance on continuing the war. Cutting off the Nanning-Longzhou line would affect Vietnam-China transportation security and allow actions against French Indochina amid Europe's distractions. With tactical and political alignment, the plan was approved.   In September 1939, the Chinese repelled the Japanese attack on Changsha. In October, the National Government held the Second Nanyue Military Conference in Hengshan, summarizing the First Changsha Campaign and deciding on a new offensive. On October 29, Chiang Kai-shek announced: "Our future strategic application and the mentality of officers and soldiers must be completely transformed. We must start to turn defense into offense, turn stillness into movement, and actively take offensive measures." On November 5, after the meeting, intelligence indicated Japan's intention to invade the south. U.S. and British agencies reported the Japanese fleet gathering in Tokyo Bay, signaling an imminent operation against Nanning. Chiang flew from Hengshan to Guilin to arrange defenses.   At this time, coastal defense was guarded by the 16th Army Group under Xia Wei (transferred, with Cai Tingkai taking over), a Guangxi clique force comprising the 46th and 31st Armies. Bai Chongxi, director of the Guilin Headquarters, was in Chongqing for the Sixth Plenary Session of the Fifth National Congress of the Kuomintang, while Chief of Staff Lin Wei was in Rong County mourning Xia Wei's mother. The headquarters was essentially deserted. Zhang Fakui, commander of the Fourth War Zone, and Chief of Staff Wu Shiyuan were in Shaoguan, Guangdong. The three-tiered command structure—headquarters, war zone, army group—was practically non-existent.   The Chinese forces north of the pass were commanded by Bai Chongxi's Guilin Headquarters, with Lin Wei as Chief of Staff; they included the Fourth War Zone under Zhang Fakui and the 16th Army Group under Xia Wei. They commanded: the 31st Army (Commander Wei Yunsong; 131st Division under He Weizhen; 135th Division under Su Zuxin; 188th Division under Wei Zhen); the 46th Army (Commander He Xuan; 170th Division under Li Xingshu; 175th Division under Feng Huang; New 19th Division under Huang Gu); and a portion of the 200th Division of the 5th Army (Commander Dai Anlan). Together with the 1st-4th Independent Infantry Regiments of the Guangxi Training Corps, total strength was approximately 60,000 men.   After the Japanese landing, Bai Chongxi was stationed in Qianjiang, while the 16th Army Group headquarters in Xiawei was at Heishiyan near Binyang.   In early November 1939, the Japanese 5th Fleet and the aircraft carrier Kaga escorted the 5th Division and the Taiwan Brigade to concentrate in Haikou. Japanese aircraft bombed important cities in Guangxi. At that time, the Chinese army defended the coast from Nanning to Qinzhou Bay and Fangcheng with part of the 16th Army Group of the Fourth War Zone. The 46th Army was responsible for the coastline of Fangcheng, Qinxian, Hepu, and Liankou, and the 31st Army for key points along the Xijiang River.   On November 9, Japanese troops assembled at Sanya Bay on Hainan Island. Lieutenant General Ando Rikichi, commander of the 21st Army, personally commanded from Sanya. On the 13th, the fleet set sail. On the 14th, vanguard ships feinted at Beihai with over ten ships. A battalion of the 175th Division retaliated and was ordered to destroy Beihai, but Commander Chao Wei of the 524th Regiment believed no landing was intended, avoiding complete destruction. That night, Japanese ships turned toward Qinzhou.   To safeguard the international communications link between Guangxi and Indochina, the Chinese Generalissimo's Headquarters in Guilin assigned defensive missions. The 46th Corps of the 16th Army Group was tasked with defending the coastline from Fangcheng to Qinzhou, Hepu, and Lianjiang. The 31st Corps was responsible for key positions along the Xi River. Defensive positions were prepared in advance, and communications infrastructure was sabotaged to facilitate gradual resistance, aiming to attrition Japanese forces before a decisive engagement along the Yong River.   On November 15, under air and naval fire support, the Japanese 5th Division and Taiwan Brigade executed a forced landing on the west coast of Qinzhou Bay. Following intense resistance, the Chinese New 19th Division withdrew to Pancheng and Shangsi. After capturing Qinzhou, the Japanese 5th Division advanced north along the Yong-Qin Highway, while the Taiwan Brigade moved along Xiaodong–Baiji–Bujin Road. On November 17, the Japanese army captured Qinzhou and Fangcheng. The 5th Division immediately split into three routes along the Yongqin Highway, while the Taiwan Brigade advanced north along Xiaodong-Baekje-Pujin. On the 18th, they attacked Xiaodong, the headquarters of the New 19th Division. Division Commander Huang Gu fled alone in the face of battle. His troops were routed, and the Japanese continued northward. Meanwhile, bandits from the Shiwan Mountains formed numerous plainclothes teams to lead the Japanese advance, accelerating their northward movement. By November 21, they approached the south bank of the Yu River. On December 1, they occupied Gaofeng Pass. On December 4, they occupied Kunlun Pass and then adopted a defensive posture.   On November 16, Chiang Kai-shek summoned Bai Chongxi in Chongqing, ordering him to return to Guilin immediately to command the battle, without attending the plenary session. Bai requested full command without intervention from Zhang Fakui, and that all armies obey the Headquarters directly. Chiang approved and transferred his elite Fifth Army and other units to Bai's command. Bai telegraphed Du Yuming to lead troops by train from Hengyang to southern Guilin and reinstated Xia Wei as commander of the 16th Army Group, with Cai Tingkai awaiting orders. The 16th Army Group assembled, and Deputy Commander-in-Chief Wei Yunsong arrived in Nanning on the 19th. Units rushed to block Japanese advances. Bai flew to Guilin on the 19th and Qianjiang on the 21st, establishing the command post. Thus, as Japanese arrived in Nanning, Chinese reinforcements like the 170th Division reached Yongning on the 22nd, two regiments of the 135th Division entered Nanning on the 23rd, and the 600th Regiment of the 200th Division arrived at Ertang on the afternoon of the 24th. Other armies assembled in Liuzhou and Binyang.   On November 21, Japanese troops approached the south bank of the Yu River. Wu Zongjun, commander of the 405th Regiment of the 135th Division, arbitrarily ordered his regiments to abandon positions and retreat. Wei Yunsong ordered Su Zuxin to intercept, but Wu disobeyed. No troops defended Nanning's front lines. At dawn on the 24th, the 170th Division fought fiercely in Yongning. In the morning, the Japanese 21st Regiment crossed the river. By afternoon, Nanning had fallen. Over the next two days, they swept surrounding positions. On the morning of the 25th, the 600th Regiment of the 200th Division fought alone against Japanese regiments at Ertang. Under air cover, Japanese attacked, but Chinese resisted stubbornly. Regiment Commander Shao Yizhi and Adjutant Wu Qisheng were killed. Given the situation, Division Commanders Li Xingshu and Dai Anlan retreated to Gaofeng Pass after dusk. Though they failed to stop the advance, this was the fiercest resistance since the landing, lasting two days and nights. On November 25, Japanese attacked the 175th Division near Luwu from Xiaodong and the highway. The division moved to Nalong, assembling in villages there. The 175th attacked key points along the Yongqin Highway, including Datang, Naxiao, Dongya, Nabian, Xincheng, Xiaodong, Dadong, and Bancheng.   On November 20, the 21st Army opened its headquarters in Qinzhou. On November 26, Ando Rikichi announced the formation of the Yongqin Corps under Imamura Hitoshi. Ando left for Guangzhou on the 27th. Starting on the 26th, Japanese attacked Gaofeng Pass with aircraft cover. Despite fierce resistance, Chinese lost Gaofeng Pass on December 1. On the 4th, Japanese occupied Kunlun Pass, then adjusted deployment. The two sides confronted each other along the Kunlun Pass mountainous boundary. According to statistics up to December 1, Japanese suffered 145 dead and 315 wounded; Chinese had 6,125 dead bodies and 664 prisoners (but Japanese casualties were underreported; the 41st Infantry Regiment received 727 replacements on January 19, likely matching killed and wounded sent back). Seized in Nanning: 300 tons lead, 200 tons coal, 500 bundles cotton, 321 tons cotton thread, 30 tons iron, 60 tons tin. On December 2, the Japanese 5th Cavalry Regiment and Morimoto Battalion were attacked by about 1,500 Chinese with four tanks at Batang. Japanese dispatched the 21st Brigade (Nakamura Detachment), repelling a mixed force of the 200th and 188th Divisions. Japanese occupied Kunlun Pass but left only a battalion to defend it, withdrawing the rest to Nanning.   Bai Chongxi, director of the Guilin Headquarters and deputy chief of staff, proposed a counter-offensive plan, which was approved by Chiang Kai-shek.   On November 24, when Japanese had just occupied Nanning, Bai Chongxi demanded an immediate counterattack while Japanese were unstable and weak. After failing to gain approval, Bai asked Du Yuming to submit a request. Du sent a telegram on December 1: "The enemy occupying Nanning is less than two divisions. They succeeded by exploiting our dispersed forces, but lack heavy weapons and supplies. Our army should gather superior forces and launch a counter-offensive quickly (before December 10) to defeat them and restore international transportation." Chiang decided on a counter-offensive on December 7. On the 8th, Bai conveyed the objective: "capturing Kunlun Pass and then recovering Nanning." By mid-December, assembly was complete. Chiang dispatched Chen Cheng and Li Jishen to supervise, and Zhang Fakui arrived in Qianjiang.   In the early stages, Guangxi lacked heavy armored forces for counterattacking beyond Guangxi clique troops. The fall of Kunlun Pass prompted Chongqing to deploy the reorganized Fifth Army and its armored corps for a strong attack. The Fifth Army was the main force at Kunlun Pass, with the National Revolutionary Army providing cover while launching a full-scale counterattack in Nanning.   To recapture Kunlun Pass and Nanning, Bai Chongxi dispatched approximately nine armies and twenty-seven divisions, totaling 300,000 troops: Xia Wei of the 16th Army Group, Ye Zhao of the 37th Army Group, Deng Longguang of the 35th Army Group, and Cai Tingkai of the 26th Army Group (31st, 5th, 64th, 46th, and 43rd Armies, etc.) to attack Kunlun Pass. The Japanese, with the Nakamura Brigade as main force and special forces, had strong fortifications. Xu Tingyao of the 38th Army Group, with Li Yannian of the 2nd Army, Gan Lichu of the 6th Army, Yao Chun of the 36th Army, and Fu Zhongfang of the 99th Army. The 5th Army, plus the 1st Honorary Division (Zheng Dongguo), New 22nd Division (Qiu Qingquan), and all armored, cavalry, artillery, and engineer regiments, arrived.   The Japanese forces consisted of the 5th Division (Lieutenant General Hitoshi Imamura; 9th Brigade under Major General Genichiro Ogawa; 21st Brigade under Major General Masao Nakamura; Taiwan Mixed Brigade under Major General Sadashiro Shiota), Marine Corps (over 70 warships), and Air Force (100 aircraft), totaling about 30,000. Later reinforcements: Imperial Guard Division and a brigade from the 18th Division. Total about 100,000, but only 45,000 fought. After a traitor reported over 100,000 Nationalist troops north of Kunlun Pass, Imamura dismissed it as "impossible." Higher Japanese ranks hoped to instigate rebellion by the Guangxi clique. On December 10, Imamura issued a telegram "Letter to Generals Li and Bai," expressing respect and stating the attack on Nanning was to cut off Chiang's lines, hoping for Japan-China cooperation. If insisted, the Japanese garrison would win. Finally: "The more than 4,200 brave soldiers who died in Nanning have been buried in Zhongshan Park and solemnly offered sacrifices. Please rest assured."   On December 15, Bai Chongxi took a decisive step in the escalating conflict by issuing the first counter-offensive order, setting the stage for a coordinated push against enemy positions. He organized the forces into three main route armies, with additional reserves held back for support.   The Northern Route Army, under Xu Tingyao's command, focused its efforts on Kunlun Pass. The 5th Army led the direct assault there, while the 92nd Division from the 99th Army skirted around Lingliwei to strike at Qitang, effectively flanking the pass and adding pressure from the side.   Meanwhile, the Western Route Army, led by Xia Wei, split into two columns to cover multiple fronts. The First Column, commanded by Zhou Zuhuang, targeted Gaofeng Pass in a bold advance. The Second Column, under Wei Yunsong, positioned itself at Suwei to block any reinforcements heading toward Nanning, cutting off potential enemy supply lines.   On the eastern flank, Cai Tingkai's Eastern Route Army aimed to disrupt key logistics. The 46th Army moved against Luwu and Lingshan, intent on severing the vital Yongqin Highway. At the same time, the 66th Army joined the assault on Kunlun Pass before pushing onward to Gula and Gantang. To bolster these efforts, the remaining two divisions of the 99th Army were kept in reserve, ready to reinforce wherever needed.   The very next day, on December 16, Du Yuming—now serving as army commander—gathered his officers for a critical conference within the 5th Army. There, they crafted a clever encirclement strategy dubbed "close the gate and fight the tiger," designed to trap and overwhelm the opposition. The plan's core involved the 200th Division, led by Dai Anlan, and the 1st Honorary Division under Zheng Dongguo launching the primary attack on Kunlun Pass. Flanking from the right, Qiu Qingquan's New 22nd Division would seize Wutang and Liutang, then turn to intercept any incoming reinforcements. On the left wing, Peng Bisheng commanded two regiments in a daring bypass of Gantang and Chang'an, aiming to strike at Qitang and Batang and seal off the enemy's retreat routes.   The enemy at Kunlun Pass was the Matsumoto Sozaburo Battalion of the 21st Brigade. Its 42nd and 21st Regiments were along Jiutang-Nanning. On December 16, Imamura ordered Major General Kawai Genshichi of the 9th Brigade to lead thousands in a surprise attack on Longzhou and Zhennan Pass, departing on the 17th.   At 8 p.m. on December 17, the Battle of Kunlun Pass began.   On December 18, Chinese forces began their attack and captured Kunlun Pass and Jiutang on the same day. On December 19, it captured Gaofeng Pass. On December 20, Gaofeng Pass, Jiutang, and Kunlun Pass fell into the hands of the Japanese army again. At dawn on December 18, the artillery of the 5th Army opened fire. After extension, the 200th and 1st Honorary Divisions attacked. Hundreds of Japanese planes bombed. By night, the 1st Honorary captured Fairy Mountain, Laomaoling, Wanfu Village, Luotang, and Hill 411; 200th captured Hills 653 and 600, taking Kunlun Pass. At noon on the 19th, massive Japanese air raid. Imamura dispatched the 21st Regiment under Colonel Miki Yoshinosuke, recapturing it. Positions were contested repeatedly. The New 22nd occupied Wutang and Liutang; Wutang recaptured by Japanese, but Liutang held, blocking reinforcements. When Imamura ordered Taiwan Mixed Brigade reinforcement, they were blocked at Liutang by Qiu Qingquan. Du Yuming ordered Zheng Dongguo to send Zheng Tingji's 3rd Regiment to encircle Jiutang from the right. They captured high ground west of Jiutang at night. On December 20, enemy at Kunlun Pass weakened, sending urgent reports. Imamura ordered Nakamura Masao with 42nd Regiment to reinforce, but blocked at Wutang for two days, reaching Qitang on the 22nd, blocked again. Nakamura was wounded on the 23rd morning. At 1:30 pm, Miki reported: "If the brigade cannot arrive before dusk, the front line will be difficult to secure."   Imamura ordered Colonel Lin Yixiong's 1st Regiment and Colonel Watanabe Nobuyoshi's 2nd Regiment of the Taiwan Mixed Brigade to reinforce, but blocked by 175th Division on Yongqin Road. Watanabe's regiment blocked at Luwu by 524th Regiment (Chao Wei), and after three days, couldn't pass. Watanabe was killed, remnants fled to Qin County. On the 20th, Imamura ordered the 9th Brigade's 3rd Battalion of Ito's unit back in 105 vehicles to reinforce.   The Japanese confirmed the attack and Imamura ordered Nakamura Detachment rescue. Over two weeks, encirclement and breakout battles occurred on the Nanning-Kunlun Pass highway.   On the 18th, the 170th Division launched the Battle of Gaofeng Pass, capturing a hill on the 19th but ambushed that night. On the 20th, the pass fell, retreating to Gewei. Bai inspected but no improvement; failed to capture Gaofeng Pass or block reinforcements. Ito's unit on Yonglong Road intercepted by 131st at Xichangwei. On the 22nd, Imamura sent two companies from Nanning, intercepted by 188th near Suwei. Ito's battalion besieged in Xichangwei for three days, spared because 131st avoided close combat. Under air cover, both broke through to Nanning on the 26th.   On November 21, Chiang was dissatisfied with Kunlun Pass progress, ordering: "If front-line troops and artillery fail to attack or complete tasks, they shall be punished for cowardice."   By the 23rd, two divisions of 5th Army had over 2,000 casualties; Japanese over 1,000. Six days yielded no results, with reinforcements arriving. Du changed tactics to concentrate forces, tightening encirclement.   On the 24th, Oikawa Detachment ordered back to Nanning, destroying captured materials and withdrawing from Longzhou and Zhennanguan. Bai learned some escaped, telegraphing Wei Yunsong: "If the second batch escapes, it affects the main force. The deputy commander-in-chief should be punished." Main force still escaped; local troops preserved strength, benefiting Japanese.   On the main position, Zheng Tingji spotted Japanese officers meeting and ordered fire, inflicting heavy casualties, requiring airdropped officers.   On the 25th, Second Regiment of First Division captured Luotang South Heights, annihilating over 200. From December 25, Fifth Army and 159th and 92nd Divisions occupied key high grounds. Fierce battle until December 31, capturing Kunlun Pass and Tianyin, killing Nakamura Masao, annihilating over 5,000.   Following the intense clashes at Kunlun Pass, the battle's toll on the Japanese forces became starkly evident in the weeks that followed. On January 19, just a month after the fighting peaked, the Japanese rushed in 3,389 fresh replacements to replenish their battered 5th Division. This influx was distributed unevenly: 1,848 went to the 21st Infantry Regiment and 814 to the 42nd, figures that likely corresponded directly to the number of dead and seriously wounded who had been evacuated back home—though those with minor injuries weren't factored into these counts. The ferocity of the engagement was further underscored by the capture of numerous Japanese strongholds, where Chinese forces found that every defender had been killed, leaving no survivors behind.   In many ways, this outcome represented a stunning annihilation for the Japanese, particularly the 21st Brigade, which was effectively wiped out. Key figures fell in the fray, including Brigade Commander Masao Nakamura, Acting Commander Sakata Genichi, Miki Yoshinosuke, along with various deputies and battalion commanders. The leadership losses were catastrophic: over 85% of officers above the squad leader level were killed. Japanese records themselves acknowledged more than 4,000 soldiers dead, painting a grim picture that their own war histories later described as "the darkest era for the army." On the Chinese side, the victory came at a heavy price, with over 10,000 casualties suffered, yet remarkably, the core officer corps remained largely intact, preserving command structure for future operations.   Zooming out to the broader theater in December 1939, the Japanese 5th Division and the Taiwan Mixed Brigade found themselves holding the line against an overwhelming force of more than 150,000 Nationalist troops. At the same time, the Japanese 21st Army was shifting its focus to Guangdong Province in preparation for Operation Weng Ying, while the Oikawa Detachment—primarily composed of the 11th Infantry Regiment—pushed forward to Longzhou. They captured Zhennanguan on November 21, securing valuable stocks of fuel and arms in the process. However, these stretched deployments and insufficient troop numbers left the Japanese without adequate reserves when encirclement loomed at Kunlun Pass. Ultimately, they were forced to abandon their offensive plans in Guangdong, pulling back to consolidate defenses around Nanning. Meanwhile, from their base in Chongqing, Chinese commanders had meticulously planned the recapture, turning the tide through careful strategy and sheer determination. Shocked, Japanese dispatched Vice Chief of Staff Sawada Shigeru to Guangzhou. On December 29, 21st Army sent staff to Nanning. Failed to change 21st Brigade's defeat. Imamura planned personal charge for revenge on January 1, but Ando ordered holding Nanning for reinforcements: "The 21st Army is transferring powerful force to annihilate enemy. 5th Division secure Nanning and key locations."   After capturing Kunlun Pass and annihilating two regiments of 21st Brigade, 5th Army thought to recapture Nanning. Remaining 21st Brigade and Taiwan regiments between Jiutang and Batang. At noon January 1, 1940, Oikawa's thousands arrived at Batang; Imamura ordered Oikawa replace killed Sakata. First battle on Hill 441. 1st Division held north side; Japanese south. On January 1, Japanese bombed and attacked; 1st Division reduced to hundred but held. At dawn 2nd, counterattack all day, no progress. On 3rd, Du mobilized 200th and part New 22nd; brutal fighting, heavy casualties. At nightfall, Japanese retreated to Jiutang. On 4th, Japanese abandoned Jiutang to Batang. New 22nd moved into Jiutang. 5th Army attacked Batang; by 12th, no progress. Exhausted with heavy casualties, 5th Army ordered to Silong for rest. Mission transferred to 36th Army. 5th Army withdrew.   On January 7, Chiang flew to Guilin, visiting Qianjiang on 10th to discuss plans with Bai, Chen, Zhang, Xu, Lin. Bai proposed offensive with new armies to recapture Nanning. Chiang approved. On 11th, as Bai issued orders, Chiang overturned, changing to defensive. Japanese gained time for counter-offensive.   To salvage defeat, Japanese transferred 18th Division and Konoye Brigade from Guangdong. Combined with existing, formed 22nd Corps under Seiichi Kuno, under South China Front Army commanded by Reikichi Ando, preparing counteroffensive.   On January 25, a brigade from the Japanese 18th Division and elements of the 15th Division attacked frontally along Yongbin Road, while Konoye Brigade flanked toward Guizhou via Yongyong Road, in Binyang Campaign. Konoye crossed at Tingziwei, then Yongchun County, via Gantang, Luwei, Gula, Wuling to Binyang, cutting rear. Bai Chongxi rushed 175th Division of 46th Army north to tail Konoye. After reinforcements, 21st Army launched offensive to drive and encircle south of Binyang; accumulated supplies in Nanning. On January 22, 18th and Konoye reached attack points. 38th Army Group HQ in Binyang bombed, communications cut, independent combat.   On January 28, Japanese launched offensive (Binyang Operation). On February 3, 41st Infantry of 5th Division occupied Kunlun Pass. On February 4, Ando reached captured Binyang. Nationalists lost Kunlun Pass, lines collapsed, many encircled. Battle ended with withdrawal; February 13, Japanese withdrew to Nanning, lines stalemated.   In the wake of the Binyang clashes, the 18th Division was indeed shifted to Guangzhou. Japanese records from January 28 to February 13 painted a picture of their spoils: they claimed to have captured 19 tanks, 5 light armored vehicles, 30 automobiles, 20 field or mountain guns, 13 rapid-fire guns, and 41 mortars. Additionally, they reported counting 27,041 Chinese bodies on the battlefield and taking 1,167 prisoners. The Chinese forces, for their part, regrouped with their main strength positioned east of the Yongqin Highway, while some elements maneuvered west to harass Japanese rear lines and coordinate actions from the north bank.   On February 21, 1940, Chiang arrived in Liuzhou, residing at Yangjiao Mountain. From February 22, he convened over 100 generals for a four-day Liuzhou Military Conference to review Guinan operations. Chiang demoted Bai Chongxi for poor supervision and Chen Cheng for poor guidance from first- to second-class generals. He also punished and rewarded other senior officers. The 46th Army and 175th Division were commended for discipline. On February 26, Fourth War Zone Commander Zhang Fakui announced: "No need for counterattack on Nanning currently." The entire Guinan Campaign ended.   The defeat embarrassed Chongqing; not only disrupted Guangxi-Vietnam traffic, but massive effort ended in rout. Pre-battle, Guilin Headquarters misjudged Japanese intentions; during, both Guangxi and Huangpu clique leaders showed poor performance, infuriating Chiang. Post-battle punishments were unprecedented in the war.   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. In November 1939, Japanese forces, including the 5th Division and Taiwan Brigade, landed at Qinzhou Bay, captured Nanning, and advanced to Kunlun Pass. Chinese troops, under Bai Chongxi and reinforced by the elite 5th Army, launched fierce counteroffensives, recapturing Kunlun Pass in December with heavy casualties. 

BBC Africa Eye follows Kenyans at the centre of a groundbreaking legal battle to track down their British soldier fathers using novel DNA methods. Nanyuki, Kenya, is home to one of Britain's largest overseas military training areas, where thousands of British troops train each year. Over the years, nearly 100 children have been fathered by British soldiers here. Many of their dads disappeared, without a trace. Now, in a landmark case, UK-based scientists and lawyers are helping them find answers. And how the work of one conservationist to protect endangered bat species in Nigeria has been awarded the 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize. Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Bella Twine, Ayuba Iliya and Blessing Aderogba Technical Producer: Davis Mwasaru Senior Producer: Charles Gitonga Editors: Priya Sippy and Maryam Abdalla

A special KY Three Day episode. We are joined by the amazing Max Corcoran to get a sneak peak at the field for this weekend. We all know that shopping is a major part of the KY Three Day experience and John Nunn, formally of Bit of Britain, tells us about his decades selling at the park and how it changed over the years.HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3930– Show Notes and Links:Hosts: Jamie Jennings of Flyover Farm and Glenn the GeekJamie and Glenn's Amazon StoreTitle Sponsor: WERM FlooringPic Credit: Defender Kentucky Three Day EventGuest: John Nunn of Nunn Finer ProductsGuest: Max CorcoranAdditional support for this podcast provided by: US Rider, Equine Network and Listeners Like YouTime Stamps: 00:00 - Kentucky Three-Day intro & Kentucky Horse Park history05:39 - Jamie's horses: Craigslist Carl & Amigo paddock story11:35 - Man o' War statue & horseshoe auction obsession18:00 - Guest: super groom Max Corcoran on heading to Kentucky20:00 - What makes Kentucky special & memories from early years24:45 - Horses and riders to watch this year27:41 - Course walks, shopping, food and donuts at Kentucky32:42 - History of the first Kentucky Three-Day / World Championships35:21 - “Where Are They Now?” – Guest John Nunn (Bit of Britain / Nunn Finer)43:12 - Tack of the Day origin story52:57 - Kentucky winners trivia: riders, horses, mares vs geldings

Powell argued that continued immigration would create social tension in Britain, illustrating his argument with a quotation from the Roman poet Virgil describing a vision of “the River Tiber foaming with much ...

A special KY Three Day episode. We are joined by the amazing Max Corcoran to get a sneak peak at the field for this weekend. We all know that shopping is a major part of the KY Three Day experience and John Nunn, formally of Bit of Britain, tells us about his decades selling at the park and how it changed over the years.HORSES IN THE MORNING Episode 3930– Show Notes and Links:Hosts: Jamie Jennings of Flyover Farm and Glenn the GeekJamie and Glenn's Amazon StoreTitle Sponsor: WERM FlooringPic Credit: Defender Kentucky Three Day EventGuest: John Nunn of Nunn Finer ProductsGuest: Max CorcoranAdditional support for this podcast provided by: US Rider, Equine Network and Listeners Like YouTime Stamps: 00:00 - Kentucky Three-Day intro & Kentucky Horse Park history05:39 - Jamie's horses: Craigslist Carl & Amigo paddock story11:35 - Man o' War statue & horseshoe auction obsession18:00 - Guest: super groom Max Corcoran on heading to Kentucky20:00 - What makes Kentucky special & memories from early years24:45 - Horses and riders to watch this year27:41 - Course walks, shopping, food and donuts at Kentucky32:42 - History of the first Kentucky Three-Day / World Championships35:21 - “Where Are They Now?” – Guest John Nunn (Bit of Britain / Nunn Finer)43:12 - Tack of the Day origin story52:57 - Kentucky winners trivia: riders, horses, mares vs geldings

What can the things we create, keep and bury tell us about who we are? On Radio 4's weekly discussion programme, Adam Rutherford explores material culture – the power of objects you can touch – and how they connect us to the past.Classicist Mary Beard discusses her book Talking Classics: The Shock of the Old, arguing that everyday remnants of antiquity, from bread to paint pots abandoned at Pompeii, still matter. And that Ancient Greece and Rome continue to shape how we see our own world.Theatre director Greg Doran set himself the task of tracking down the surviving copies of Shakespeare's First folio, after the death of his husband the actor Antony Sher. He recounts his worldwide quest in Walking Shadow: Love, Loss and Shakespeare, which also reveals the importance of the enduring physical presence of Shakespeare's work.Dr Sophia Adams, curator at the British Museum, discusses the extraordinary Melsonby Hoard, the largest collection of Iron Age metalwork ever found in Britain, and what its burnt and buried objects reveal about power, ritual and life before the Roman conquest. The exhibition, Chariots, Treasure and Power: Secrets of the Melsonby Hoard, will go on display at the Yorkshire Museum, York from 15th May 2026.Producer: Katy HickmanAssistant Producer: Natalia Fernandez

In a Fox News appearance, Vice President J.D. Vance sought to shift focus away from the Trump administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case by accusing Democrats of inaction. He claimed that President Biden “did absolutely nothing” while in office and suggested Epstein had strong connections with left-wing political and financial figures—asserting that "Democrat billionaires and Democrat political leaders went to Epstein island all the time" and hinting at potential involvement by Bill and Hillary Clinton. His remarks swiftly sparked social media outrage and renewed demands to “release the files,” with critics pointing out that President Trump himself had past ties to Epstein.Also...Prince Andrew is reportedly “too terrified” to set foot in the U.S. again due to fears of arrest, civil lawsuits, or being subpoenaed in connection with his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. According to recent reports, the Duke of York hasn't traveled to North America in nearly a decade and is said to believe that if he returns, he could face intense political, legal, and media scrutiny—prompting him to remain in Britain as the safest option.to contact me:bobbycapucci@protonmail.comsource:Vance calls out Democrats over Epstein, reignites push for transparency | CNN PoliticsPrince Andrew 'too terrified' to set foot back in America amid Epstein investigation, source claims - The Mirror US

Mark is joined by Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali as they discuss the Greens' breakthrough in Gorton and Denton, Labour's increasingly desperate attacks, anti-war politics, media smears, why Reform voters aren't the enemy, the case for rent caps and public ownership, and whether the Green Party can genuinely replace Labour as Britain's main opposition. They also get into Mothin's political roots, community organising, and why politics only works when people feel hope again. You can hear the second part of the interview in next week's episode – but if you can't wait, why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen or watch the whole interview straight away. www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod For media, press & guest enquiries please email mikey@carouselstudios.co.uk Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod  Follow Mark Steel @mrmarksteel   Follow Mothin @mothin.ali Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This episode explores the shipyards, political intrigue, and naval ambitions of 18th-century Spain at a pivotal moment in its emergence as a modern maritime power. Once dominant in the wake of its vast American empire, Spain by the mid-1700s faced a rapidly changing world, as Britain and France competed fiercely for control of the seas.At the centre of this transformation lay the Marquess de la Ensenada, an ambitious and influential minister determined to rebuild Spain's naval strength. His reforms reshaped the navy from the ground up: new bases rose at Ferrol, Cartagena, and La Carraca; naval administration was overhauled; officers were professionalised; and shipbuilding became a central priority of the state.Looking beyond Spain's borders, Ensenada's programme embraced foreign expertise. British shipbuilding methods were adopted, officers were sent abroad to gather knowledge, and skilled shipwrights were discreetly recruited from London—efforts that sometimes edged into espionage. The result was a bold and complex naval experiment that brought both friction, and lasting impact.Dr Sam Willis spoke with Dr Catherine Scheybeler to explore the ambitions, achievements, and limitations of Ensenada's naval revolution, and its enduring significance in the history of European sea power. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Internet personalities Alex Cooper and Alix Earle are feuding - but why might this be a good thing for both of them? Will the new Michael Jackson film be a hit, and should you go and see it? And is nonagenarian Rupert Murdoch a messy bitch? The drama between podcast mogul Alex Cooper and influencer Alix Earle has set social media alight - but is it all a PR stunt? And what are the economics behind celebrity feuds? The Michael Jackson biopic is set for a record opening. Richard Osman and Marina Hyde assess the morality of the Jackson estate. Made in Chelsea cast member Binky Felstead has ignited a row over influencer freebies after she asked for a complimentary birthday cake from a London bakery. Are influencers becoming the UK's most hated profession? The Rest is Entertainment is brought to you by Octopus Energy, Britain's most awarded energy supplier. Join The Rest Is Entertainment Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus content, ad-free listening, early access to Q&A episodes, access to our newsletter archive, discounted book prices with our partners at Coles Books, early ticket access to live events, and access to our chat community. Sign up directly at therestisentertainment.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Video Editor: Adam Thornton & James Clayden Assistant Producer: Imee Marriott Senior Producer: Joey McCarthy Social Producer: Bex Tyrrell Exec Producer: Neil Fearn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the 1870s, about ten percent of Africa had been colonised by European countries. But over the next few decades, over ninety percent of the continent was taken, occupied, divided, and partitioned by governments far away in places like London, Berlin, and Paris. We call this period in history the “Scramble for Africa.” In a remarkably short period of time, countries like Britain, France, Germany, and Belgium claimed vast territories for themselves without any input from African people. By 1914, only a handful of places remained independent, while most of Africa was ruled as colonies. How did this happen so quickly? And what were the consequences of dividing an entire continent in this way? These are the questions we'll explore in today's episode of Thinking in English! Conversation Club - ⁠https://thinkinginenglish.blog/patreon/conversation-clubs/⁠⁠ TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/04/27/the-scramble-for-africa-english-vocabulary-lesson/ AD Free Episode - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Patreon - ⁠https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube Channel -⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ INSTAGRAM - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) $10 Free Credits on iTalki (Affiliate Link) - https://www.italki.com/affshare?ref=af17506448 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ My Editing Software (50 % Discount Affiliate Link) - https://descript.cello.so/BgOK9XOfQdD Borough by Blue Dot Sessions Contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠advertising@airwavemedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to advertise on Thinking in English. Thinking in English is part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Airwave Media podcast network.⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

H.W. Brands recounts how world-famous aviator Charles Lindbergh returns to America in April 1939 amidst global tension. Known for his 1927 flight and the tragic "trial of the century," he arrives with deep skepticism of Europeancolonial wars. Franklin Roosevelt attempts to co-opt Lindbergh into his administration, recognizing the pilot's immense public influence, but Lindbergh values his independence and refuses, realizing FDR intends to move the country toward aiding Britain and France. (1)

H.W. Brands details how the Lend-Lease Act in 1941 effectively marries America's future to Britain's, while Rooseveltcovertly supports British propaganda efforts led by William Stephenson to manipulate American sentiment — even utilizing a likely forged map of German designs on Latin America to stoke fear. Lindbergh counters that the U.S. is not aiding democracy but rather British imperialism, viewing each step away from neutrality as a calculated move toward inevitable military intervention. (5)

H.W. Brands recounts how amid the 1940 Battle of Britain, FDR breaks tradition by seeking a third term, prompting Lindbergh to warn of a "presidency for life" as he becomes the star speaker for the newly formed America First Committee. Lindbergh draws massive crowds arguing that America's two oceans ensure security, while FDR masters press conferences to influence media coverage and both sides battle for the soul of the nation. (4)

H.W. Brands describes how Germany's invasion of Poland by summer 1939 prompts Lindbergh to utilize his fame to oppose American intervention. Influenced by his father's persecution for opposing World War I, Lindbergh begins broadcasting radio speeches arguing that Britain and France launched a war they cannot win, maintaining that Americaninterests are distinct from the preservation of the British Empire. (2)V

Host Jeremy Odem is BACK with a brand new episode of the chart topping, world wide sensation, Laugh with Me Podcast! This week, Jeremy welcomes the Tiger King, Joe Exotic! Joe Exotic calls into Laugh with Me from the Federal Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas where Joe is serving a 21 year sentence. Joseph Allen Maldonado, is known professionally as "Joe Exotic" and "The Tiger King". Exotic is an established American media personality, businessman, former Chief of Police, magician, musical, model, actor, minister, politician, and world-renowned animal expert. Nominated for Emmy Awards in 2020 in America and four awards in Britain, Joe Exotic also won the Social Media Superstar Award in 2021. Find out more about Joe Exotic on his website joeexoticofficial.com In this episode: -Update on Joe's Pardon attempts -Tiger King on Netflix -Does Joe know he's a pop culture icon? -Movie offers? -Music career update -Find love in Prison -Thoughts on Doc Antle's prison sentence -AND SO MUCH MORE Follow us on our socials: X @LaughwithmePod & @JOfromNebraska Instagram @laughwithmepodcast TikTok @JeremyOdem0 YouTube 'Laugh with Me Podcast' Facebook 'Laugh with Me Podcast' Apple Podcasts : Laugh With MeSpotify: Laugh With Me Podcast Our Sponsors:* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/LAUGHWITHMESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is the West trapped in a trauma bond with its own leadership? In this gripping episode of heretics., Andrew Gold sits down with world-renowned narcissism expert Richard Grannon to dissect a terrifying theory: Britain (and the wider West) is currently in an abusive relationship. Watch our bonus chat on https://andrewgoldheretics.com  SPONSORS: Go to https://surfshark.com/heretics for 4 extra months of Surfshark  Get an exclusive 15% discount on Saily data plans! Use code andrewgold at checkout. Download Saily app or go to https://saily.com/andrewgold   Check Plaud UK: https://bit.ly/40Gzdh1  | US: https://bit.ly/475MQKe Notepro: https://bit.ly/479tWSR Organise your life: https://akiflow.pro/Heretics  Earn up to 4 per cent on gold, paid in gold: https://www.monetary-metals.com/heretics/  Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at https://mintmobile.com/heretics  From the "P-Button" used to reputationally destroy anyone who steps out of line, to the "Dark Ego Vehicle" theory that explains the rise of left-wing authoritarianism, Grannon reveals how psychopathic traits are being rebranded as "woke" empathy. In this episode, we uncover: - The Shared Fantasy: How governments induce "love bombing" to control the masses. - Reputational Warfare: What is the "P-Button" and why is it the ultimate weapon of modern narcissists? - Woke Narcissism: Why "suicidal empathy" is often just a mask for self-serving grandiosity. - The Death of Manners: How the loss of politeness is leading to a total societal collapse. - Richard also shares the harrowing story of the moment his world changed—being glassed in a club—and how that "shock of evil" led him to study the darkest corners of human psychology. Are we being gaslit by the state? Watch now to find out. #Narcissism #CultureWar #heretics  Join the 30k heretics on my mailing list: https://andrewgoldheretics.com  Check out my new documentary channel: https://youtube.com/@andrewgoldinvestigates  Andrew on X: https://twitter.com/andrewgold_ok   Insta: https://www.instagram.com/andrewgold_ok Heretics YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewgoldheretics Chapters 00:00 Is Britain in an Abusive Relationship?  02:40 The "P-Button": The Ultimate Tool of Reputation Destruction  04:05 How the Government "Love Bombs" the Public  06:15 Who Are the Real Abusers? (Davos, Elites, & Systems)  08:20 Woke vs. Reality: The "Shared Fantasy" Theory  10:30 Psychopathy in Politics: The Dark Ego Vehicle Theory  12:50 Is "Woke Empathy" Just Narcissistic Masturbation?  15:15 "Communism Writ Small": The Trauma Bond of Political Correctness  20:20 The "Shock of Evil": Why Richard Grannon was Glassed  24:30 From Self-Defense to Narcissism: Richard's Origin Story  29:00 The Secret Collectivism of the Right & Individualism of the Left  33:00 Is Wokeness Filling a "Religion-Shaped Hole"?  35:40 The Rise of Islam & The Weakening of Western Individualism  42:00 Do Narcissists Need "Oppressed Groups" for Supply?  45:45 How Many People are ACTUALLY Clinical Narcissists?  49:15 The Tyranny of the Selfie: Is Society Reverting to Childhood?  53:30 Why Most "Victims" of Narcissism are the Problem  57:30 The Death of Manners & The Rise of the "Disagreeable" Hero Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The British had instigated a war in the Transvaal which fired off in early 1881, but they had already ignited another flashpoint - in Basutoland. This was a fascinating conflict, and it has modern overtones. For the new British government of Sir William Gladstone, the fact they had stimulated a simultaneous slew of conflicts in South Africa was more than irksome, it was expensive and ill-timed. While Britain was dealing with a humiliating setback against the Boers, it was struggling to enforce authority in Basutoland—highlighting how imperial control was both stretched and inconsistent in southern Africa. Following Basutoland's transformation into a British dominion on 12 March 1868, it became the target of rapid westernization efforts by the Cape Colony administration. By 1879, the Cape Parliament had extended the Peace Preservation Act to Basutoland, with the aim of disarming the people of the territory. This did not go down well. Guns, like horses, were of immense significance in Basotho society. Most Basotho who worked on the Kimberley Diamond fields bought both muskets, and later rifles, as well as Boer ponies and other horses before making their way home. What was going on in the minds of the Cape Colony, and those in the imperial colonial office? It is important for our story to understand global events of the time. For decades all of the European governments concerned with the coast of Africa, both east and west, had tacitly agreed not to allow the quarrels of their respective traders and officials to become occasions for empire. That was the theory. The ministries in Paris and London wanted nothing more than to continue their gentleman's agreement, although each suspected the other of wanting to break it. Napoleon the third had nourished a few sporadic projects for African expansion, but the catastrophe of the Franco-Prussian war of 1870 had slowed them down. The French Third Republic pulled out of the Ivory Coast and was considering renouncing all options in Dahomey. It wanted to leave Gabon as well as the Congo. But Senegal was another matter. The French colonial government in Daka had developed a local expansive programme derived mainly from the French army's influence rather than pure economics. There were plans to build a major railway line to the upper Niger River which would link Senegal to Niger. The French rulers of Senegal were expanding eastwards as well as southwards, and had begun to encircle Gambia. All of these moves in Africa must be recognized as part of our story here in South Africa. Globally speaking, the main British nightmare was the Russian advance towards the Dardanelles, Turkey, Persia, India and China. So the British maintained a navy allied with Turkish armies in the near east to protect the Indian route through the Suez against the Russians. London allied with the Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid II who ruled greater Turkey and his subordinate Khedive Ismail of Egypt. They were being schmoozed as reliable vassals who served Britain's financial and imperial interests. Britain could avoid seizing territory directly which would be expensive and politically ruinous. No boots on the ground, just deploy the one-step away approach via their the navy it was thought. The Ottoman Sultan Abdul Hamid ii however had been borrowing heavily from the English and even more from the French, while his revenues fell short of expenditure, and debt mounted so he raised land tax. Christians in Bosnia and Herzogovina revolted against Turkish rule, more loans defaulted, and the Sultan, and therefore the Turkish Ottomans, went bankrupt. With that as the backdrop, let's return to the Basutoland Gun War. Tension had been growing for many years between the Basuto and the British. The southern corner of Basutoland was settled by the Baphuthi led by chief Moorosi who had been a tributary ruler of Moshoeshoe. In 1869 he had agreed, somewhat reluctantly, to merge his territory with British Basutoland.

This week we're looking at attempts through history at mass observation; we have Britain in the late 1930s, American culture after the Great Depression and the Soviet diaspora in Europe in the 1950s.Elsewhere, is looking at a picture of a coffee every bit as good as actually drinking one? If you've got anything to add on this or anything else please send us an email: hello@ohwhatatime.comAnd from now on Part 1 is released on Monday and Part 2 on Wednesday - but if you want more Oh What A Time and both parts at once, you should sign up for our Patreon! On there you'll now find:•The full archive of bonus episodes•Brand new bonus episodes each month•OWAT subscriber group chats•Loads of extra perks for supporters of the show•PLUS ad-free episodes earlier than everyone elseJoin us at

Teams from all over the UK will face Kirsty Lang's cryptic questions across the series, with Kirsty offering support and the odd hint where it might be needed.The second match in the series is between Northern Ireland and England.As always, they'll drop points every time they need a clue from the chair to steer them towards the right solution.You can follow the questions in each edition on the Round Britain Quiz webpages.Teams: Northern Ireland - Paddy Duffy and Freya McClements England - Jenny Ryan and Stuart MaconieHost: Kirsty Lang Recorded by: Phil Booth Sound Design: Chris Maclean Production Coordinator: Caroline Barlow Producer: Carl CooperA BBC Studios ProductionQuestions set by Lucy Porter, Martin Mor and by you, the listeners!

Why are one million young people not in education, employment or training? Is the benefits system part of the problem? Are schools out of date? What's the alternative?   Steph talks to former health minister Alan Milburn – who is leading a review into NEETS -about the systemic health and structural barriers to work. They discuss the cost to the economy and the alarming stat that if a young person doesn't get a job by the time they're 24 they're unlikely ever to. Fortunately Alan thinks he has the solution. The Rest is Money is brought to you by Octopus Energy, Britain's smart energy pioneer. Email: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠restismoney@goalhanger.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheRestIsMoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@TheRestIsMoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@RestIsMoney⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Advertise with us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Partnerships@goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14. Simon Constable laments the decline of the Royal Navy, noting Britain has more admirals than warships. He criticizes Keir Starmer for resisting military budget increases despite rising threats from Russia and Iran.1865 BRAZIL IRONSIDE

13. Simon Constable. Simon Constable laments the decline of the Royal Navy, noting Britain has more admirals than warships. He criticizes Keir Starmer for resisting military budget increases despite rising threats from Russia and Iran.1870 French ironclad

SCHEDULE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 4-16-26.1871-1885 BRITISH IRONCLAD1. Tom Modly joins John Batchelor to discuss the Trump administration's 2027 Navy budget. Secretary John Felin proposes doubling ship production to 34 vessels to expand industrial capacity and secure global oceans.2. Tom Modly explains the Golden Fleet concept, featuring a potential 40,000-ton battleship. He emphasizes naval agility and drone integration on LCS platforms to counter threats from Iranian, Ukrainian, and Russian adversaries.3. Anatol Lieven analyzes Hungary's election, where Peter Magyar defeated Viktor Orbán. This victory could lift blocks on Ukrainian aid, though Hungary remains economically dependent on Russian energy and faces significant corruption.4. Anatol Lieven warns of a looming global recession fueled by oil shocks and Middle East conflict. He describes Donald Trump as a wrecking ball for American international reputation and diplomatic relations within Europe.5. Evan Ellis reports on Peru's election runoff between Keiko Fujimori and leftist Roberto Sanchez. He notes Sanchez's ties to Vladimir Cerron and Cuba, raising concerns about radical leftist governance returning to Peru.6. Evan Ellis details China's deep penetration in Peru, centered on the Chancay port controlled by Cosco. Corruption within Peruvian institutions allows Beijing to dominate strategic sectors including mining, telecommunications, and Pacific maritime routes.7. Evan Ellis discusses the Rodriguez family's control in Venezuela following Nicolas Maduro's capture. He suggests they are slow-walking democratic transitions to exploit oil deals, hoping to outlast the Trump administration's pressure and US midterms.8. Evan Ellis highlights Argentina's economic progress under Javier Milei and Luis Caputo, supported by a new IMF deal. Milei has cut spending to reactivate the economy while the Peronist opposition remains defeated.9. Andrea Stricker discusses Iran's chemical weapons program, including aerosolized fentanyl. Israel has struck research facilities at Imam Hussein University to degrade these capabilities, which Iran co-mingles with civilian academic programs.10. Andrea Stricker emphasizes targeting Iran's chemical supply chain involving China, India, and Mexico. She advocates international pressure through the Australia Group and UN 1540 Committee to prevent Tehran from restoring illicit weapons.11. Joe Pistrito and Phil Swan evaluate the Artemis 2 mission's success. They argue the space race with China drives NASA priorities, despite disagreements on the efficiency of commercial versus government architectures for lunar exploration.12. Phil Swan and Joe Pistrito envision reusable systems landing humans on Mars within a decade. They advocate for infrastructure like mass drivers and space hotels to reduce costs and build a sustainable multiplanetary civilization.13. Simon Constable reports from France on falling energy prices and rising fertilizer costs. He notes the growing popularity of Marine Le Pen as Europe faces economic uncertainty and concerns over Iranian maritime blockades.14. Simon Constable laments the decline of the Royal Navy, noting Britain has more admirals than warships. He criticizes Keir Starmer for resisting military budget increases despite rising threats from Russia and Iran.15. Mary Anastasia O'Grady debunks myths about Cuba's electricity crisis, attributing it to a lack of hard currency rather than the US embargo. The regime prioritizes power for elites and luxury hotels over ordinary citizens.16. Veronique de Rugy addresses common tax myths, explaining that the top 1% already pays 40% of US taxes. She argues that confiscating billionaire wealth would fail to eliminate the massive $25 trillion national deficit.

Subscribe now to get lots of bonus content (and no ads). Danny and Derek are considering attending the Met Gala. In this week's news: Iran talks amble along despite U.S. forces building up in the region (1:55); the U.S. blockade restricts oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz (9:49); Lebanon and Israel declare a 10-day ceasefire (12:23); Hamas meets U.S. officials in Cairo to advance the talks over Gaza (19:37); Iraq's parliament elects Nizar Ahmed as president (21:52); Sudan's war enters its fourth year as Berlin pledges aid (25:21); Libya's rival governments approve a joint national budget (27:20); Hungary's opposition defeats Viktor Orbán in parliamentary elections (30:28); Britain suspends the Chagos handover after Trump objects (33:39); Peru's election continues into a second day and heads to a runoff (36:39); Trump and J.D. Vance feud with Pope Leo over the Iran war (39:39), leading Italian PM Giorgia Meloni to distance herself from Trump (43:49); and the Trump administration prepares military plans for an operation in Cuba (46:17). Check out our Marx Prestige miniseries— new episodes drop on Tuesdays! And join our Discord. Subscribers get access to all channels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert explains how Jimmy Saville went from bike race commentator to pop music DJ and gatekeeper to the stars, and how much of Britain clamored to give him access to young girls as a reward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.On today's edition of The Briefing, Dr. Mohler discusses the resignations of Congressmen Tony Gonzales and Eric Swalwell, the push for assisted dying and abortion worldwide, and the deadly consequences of libertarianism.Part I (00:14 – 13:33)‘Sin Seizes the Opportunity': The Moral Failures of Congressmen Tony Gonzales and Eric SwalwellPart II (13:33 – 21:06)Libertarianism Across the World, Part A: The Economist Pushes for UK Legalization of Assisted SuicideSir Keir Starmer is Britain's best hope for legalising assisted dying by The EconomistPart III (21:06 – 24:13)Libertarianism Across the World, Part B: The Economist Pushes for Brazil to Legalize AbortionThere is little prospect of legalising abortion in Brazil by The EconomistPart IV (24:13 – 26:11)Libertarian Freedom is a Problem: The Theological Presupposition of Libertarian Freedom Has Deadly ConsequencesSign up to receive The Briefing in your inbox every weekday morning.Follow Dr. Mohler:X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFor more information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu.For more information on Boyce College, just go to BoyceCollege.com.To write Dr. Mohler or submit a question for The Mailbox, go here.

After six weeks of Israel's offensive against Hizbullah, Lebanon's president and Israel's prime minister are due to talk today. What can they achieve? Britain's “triple lock” pensions are unsustainable. And Uzbekistan's footballers prepare for the World Cup.Vote for The Economist at the Webby Awards: “The Last Boat” podcast, TikTok channel and language series. Guests and host:Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondentJosh Roberts, capital markets correspondentJon Fasman, senior culture correspondentRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Israel, Lebanon, Hizbullah, NetanyahuState pension, Britain, triple lock, inflationWorld Cup, UzbekistanListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After six weeks of Israel's offensive against Hizbullah, Lebanon's president and Israel's prime minister are due to talk today. What can they achieve? Britain's “triple lock” pensions are unsustainable. And Uzbekistan's footballers prepare for the World Cup.Vote for The Economist at the Webby Awards: “The Last Boat” podcast, TikTok channel and language series. Guests and host:Anshel Pfeffer, Israel correspondentJosh Roberts, capital markets correspondentJon Fasman, senior culture correspondentRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Israel, Lebanon, Hizbullah, NetanyahuState pension, Britain, triple lock, inflationWorld Cup, UzbekistanListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Iran conflict and blockades in the Strait of Hormuz are slowing supply not just of fuel, but food and fertiliser. Geophysics could worsen the approaching hunger crisis: an El Niño weather event is predicted for this year. Anti-conversion laws are resulting in horrific scenes at Christian burial sites in India. And why Britain's vets are struggling.Guests and host:Catherine Brahic, environment editorAvantika Chilkoti, global business writerKira Huju, Asia correspondentCarla Subirana, news desk editorRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran conflict, oil, food crisis, fertilisers, El NiñoIndia, Hindu nationalism, Christian conversions, ModiBritain, pets, vetsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Iran conflict and blockades in the Strait of Hormuz are slowing supply not just of fuel, but food and fertiliser. Geophysics could worsen the approaching hunger crisis: an El Niño weather event is predicted for this year. Anti-conversion laws are resulting in horrific scenes at Christian burial sites in India. And why Britain's vets are struggling.Guests and host:Catherine Brahic, environment editorAvantika Chilkoti, global business writerKira Huju, Asia correspondentCarla Subirana, news desk editorRosie Blau, host of “The Intelligence”Topics covered: Iran conflict, oil, food crisis, fertilisers, El NiñoIndia, Hindu nationalism, Christian conversions, ModiBritain, pets, vetsListen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert explores the life and times of Jimmy Savile, the face of the BBC for decades, an ally of Margaret Thatcher, and a pedophile rapist on an incomprehensible scale.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.