Country in East Asia
POPULARITY
Categories
We start with the latest developments on the Minneapolis school shooting yesterday. A massive attack by Russian drones on Kyiv has left multiple people dead. The CDC is now leaderless after its director was ousted. New footage reveals more information on Israel's deadly strikes on a hospital in southern Gaza. Plus, why the leaders of Russia, North Korea and China are set to meet next week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On this episode, scholar Joseph Torigian joins the podcast to discuss his new biography of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's father and Xi senior's delicate diplomacy with North Korea in the 1980s. Torigian explores Xi Zhongxun's role in rebuilding ties, navigating the DPRK's succession politics and nudging Pyongyang toward reform. He also talks about how China and North Korea influenced each other's policies during this pivotal period, and how those interactions still shape Beijing-Pyongyang relations today. Joseph Torigian is a research fellow at Stanford's Hoover History Lab, an associate professor at the School of International Service at American University, and a center associate of the Lieberthal-Rogel Center for Chinese Studies at the University of Michigan. He is the author of “The Party's Interests Come First” from Stanford University Press. About the podcast: The North Korea News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Jacco Zwetsloot exclusively for NK News, covering all things DPRK — from news to extended interviews with leading experts and analysts in the field, along with insight from our very own journalists. NK News subscribers can listen to this and other exclusive episodes from their preferred podcast player by accessing the private podcast feed. For more detailed instructions, please see the step-by-step guide at nknews.org/private-feed.
It's Thursday, August 28th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus International plea to release 7 pastors in Eritrea, Africa A consortium of charities is calling for the release of seven pastors in Eritrea who have been imprisoned for over 20 years. Since 2002, the East African nation outlawed many religious practices. Thousands of people have subsequently faced imprisonment, including Protestants. A country expert told Open Doors, “Anything done by any churches or its members [which is] seen as a threat to the absolute control currently in place will be subjected to punishment.” Eritrea is known as the “North Korea of Africa.” The government infamously holds some prisoners in shipping containers. Eritrea is ranked sixth on the Open Doors' World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian. Evangelical churches in Spain on the rise Evangelical Focus reports that Evangelical churches are the most numerous of “minority” religions in Spain. Evangelical churches now account for 56% of non-Catholic places of worship in the Catholic-majority country. The second most numerous minority religion is Islam. Muslims have the most places of worship in smaller municipalities with less than 5,000 inhabitants. Meanwhile, Evangelical churches are more numerous in municipalities with 5,000 to 100,000 people. Twisted trans killed 2 Catholic school students, injures 17 Tragically, a twisted transgendered psychotic, 23-year-old Robert Westman, who pretended to be female, shot and killed two children yesterday morning at 8:30am at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, reports The Blaze. The dead kids were 8 and 10 years old. Another 17 people were injured, including 14 children between the ages of 6 and 14, and three adults who ere all parishioners in their 80s. 10-year-old Weston Halsne, a fifth grader, described the deadly school shooting he witnessed at the beginning of the Catholic mass. HALSNE: “Yeah, it was like, maybe, like three minutes in, the first shot fired. … They shot through the stained glass windows, I think. And it was really scary. It was, like, right beside me. I was, like, two seats away from the stained glass windows. The shots were, like, right next to me. I think I got, like, gunpowder on my neck.” REPORTER: “When you heard the shots, what went through your head?” HALSNE: “The first one, I was, like, ‘What is that?' And when I heard it again, I just ran under the pew, and then I covered my head. My friend Victor, like, saved me, though, because he laid on top of me. My friend got hit in the back. He went to the hospital.” REPORTER: “What went through your mind when you saw that?” HALSNE: “I was super scared for him, but I think now he's okay.” REPORTER: “What do you want to say to your friend who helped protect you?” HALSNE: “He's really brave, and I hope he's good in the hospital. I'm praying for you.” The man, who legally changed his name from Robert to “Robin” in 2020, then killed himself. President Donald Trump responded immediately on Truth Social. He wrote, “I have been fully briefed on the tragic shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The FBI quickly responded and they are on the scene. The White House will continue to monitor this terrible situation. Please join me in praying for everyone involved!” Earlier yesterday morning, Robert Westman allegedly released a deeply disturbing 11-minute-long YouTube video which I watched in its entirety. Amidst the profanity, he featured a picture of Jesus in the middle of a shooting target and a crudely drawn map of the church where the mass would take place. Westman revealed a massive amount of ammunition and long guns displayed on the bed, which were covered in his own white sharpie graffiti. As he narrated the video in a series of almost demonically-driven voices, he panned guns with the words “Where is your God?” and “For the children” and “No remorse” and “Rip and tear” scrawled across the guns. Other egregious messages include “6 million wasn't enough” and “Kill Trump now.” The shirt which he planned to wear during his forthcoming shooting rampage said, “Let's do this before the anxiety kicks in.” Isaiah 59:7 says, “Their feet rush into sin; they are swift to shed innocent blood. They pursue evil schemes; acts of violence mark their ways.” West Virginian parents allowed to opt kids out of vaccines West Virginia's Republican Governor Patrick Morrisey signed an executive order earlier this year to protect religious freedom and parental rights. The order allows parents to opt out of schools' vaccination requirements on religious grounds. Not surprisingly, the leftist American Civil Liberties Union issued a legal challenge. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced his support for the order on Monday. He wrote on X, “I urge state legislators to support the Governor's leadership and protect these fundamental rights. At @HHSgov, we will enforce conscience protections and defend every family's right to make informed health decisions.” Texas public schools will display Ten Commandments On Monday, Texas Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton ordered public schools in the state to display the Ten Commandments. A recent court order blocked some school districts from displaying the Ten Commandments. But Paxton has ordered all districts not affected by the litigation to have the displays up by next week. Paxton wrote, “From the beginning, the Ten Commandments have been irrevocably intertwined with America's legal, moral, and historical heritage. … The woke radicals seeking to erase our nation's history will be defeated. I will not back down from defending the virtues and values that built this country.” In Deuteronomy 6:6-9, God said, “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. … You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Cracker Barrel keeps logo but pushes sexual perversion And finally, Cracker Barrel announced Tuesday it will keep its classic logo after significant backlash. The restaurant chain planned to sanitize its logo by removing the famous “old timer” figure leaning against a barrel. The drawing is based on Uncle Herschel McCartney, the real uncle of Cracker Barrel founder Dan Evins. The company's stock dropped nearly $100 million last week in response to the rebranding. President Donald Trump praised the decision to keep the classic logo. So did U.S. GOP Congressman Byron Donalds, a Republican representative for Florida. He wrote on X, “In college, I worked at @CrackerBarrel in Tallahassee. I even gave my life to Christ in their parking lot. Their logo was iconic and their unique restaurants were a fixture of American culture. No one asked for this woke rebrand. It's time to Make Cracker Barrel Great Again.” D.C. Draino tweeted, “Oh, and keep the original interiors. We want to eat in Grandma's home, not Grandma's nursing home.” And Brandon Wilinkson, who featured screenshots of Cracker Barrel's LGBTQ+ Alliance logo, tweeted, “You want us to come back? Scrap the woke DEI-pandering policies and fire the CEO. Until that happens, my family won't be coming back. You forget who your customers are. They aren't woke liberals in the cities. It's regular, working-class Americans that still hold traditional American values!” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, August 28th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
A Chinese official says 26 foreign leaders will attend the events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. The attending leaders are from countries like Russia, North Korea, Cambodia, Belarus and Cuba.
MeidasTouch host Ben Meiselas reports on Donald Trump showing accelerating signs of his body decomposing at the same time his administration is decomposing after making the United States look more and more like a failed state like North Korea. Visit https://meidasplus.com for more! Remember to subscribe to ALL the MeidasTouch Network Podcasts: MeidasTouch: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/meidastouch-podcast Legal AF: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/legal-af MissTrial: https://meidasnews.com/tag/miss-trial The PoliticsGirl Podcast: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-politicsgirl-podcast The Influence Continuum: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-influence-continuum-with-dr-steven-hassan Mea Culpa with Michael Cohen: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/mea-culpa-with-michael-cohen The Weekend Show: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/the-weekend-show Burn the Boats: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/burn-the-boats Majority 54: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/majority-54 Political Beatdown: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/political-beatdown On Democracy with FP Wellman: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/on-democracy-with-fpwellman Uncovered: https://www.meidastouch.com/tag/maga-uncovered Coalition of the Sane: https://meidasnews.com/tag/coalition-of-the-sane Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this week's episode, a golf back-off challenge happened and Scotty likes North Korea? Cracker Barrel changes their logo, and then changes it back. Is it overrated or underrated to pay a large fine in cents, and whose names are we changing because of their looks? What percentage of the world's population are idiots, and what is your favorite thing about Canada? Who are your favorite fictional baseball players, and could you die by an avalanche porn? Enjoy an episode from the OGIII, and keep on laughing!
[01:00:44] Trump as Thin-Skinned TyrantOpening highlights Trump's push to censor media networks with heavy fines, compared to North Korea–style dictatorship; Judge Napolitano warns these are unconstitutional power grabs disguised as “safety.” [01:05:53] MAGA Cheerleaders & Martial LawCriticism of MAGA supporters backing Trump's martial law tactics, despite clear violations of liberty. Even petty charges, like “assault with a sandwich,” are used to inflate arrest stats. [01:10:59] War on Drugs + Immigration = Federal Police StateAnalysis of how Trump is merging the war on drugs with immigration enforcement, escalating toward militarized federal policing and false flag justifications for martial law. [01:34:03] Lisa Cook Mortgage Fraud FightTrump attempts to fire Fed Governor Lisa Cook for mortgage fraud; sparks legal battles over “for cause” removal and potential market turmoil, with race and politics weaponized on both sides. [01:47:46] Painted Border Wall MythStory on Trump's claim that painting the border wall black would make it “untouchable.” A local test showed no temperature difference, exposing the gimmick. [01:55:27] Klobuchar Demands CensorshipSenator Amy Klobuchar pushes her “No Fakes Act” after an unflattering AI parody video, using it as justification for federal speech policing. [01:59:55] Tyson Exec Controls USDA LabelsTrump appointee Justin Ransom, formerly of Tyson, put in charge of USDA food labeling—sparking conflict-of-interest concerns over fake “climate friendly” beef. [02:05:26] CDL Bribery Scandal in MassachusettsTwo state troopers convicted for falsifying commercial driver's license tests in exchange for bribes, tied to broader government corruption themes. [02:07:28] DOJ Coercion of J6 WitnessesSworn affidavit alleges DOJ coerced Proud Boy Jeremy Bertino to deliver coached testimony, raising questions about seditious conspiracy convictions. [02:11:20] UK Civil War WarningsBritish security experts warn ethnic division and mass migration could ignite civil war in the UK, with governments complicit in fueling collapse. [02:17:40] Authoritarianism & LockdownsComparison of pandemic lockdowns to looming authoritarian controls; Trump floats renaming Defense Department back to “War Department.” [02:22:03] Harris Campaign Debt ScandalReports reveal DNC secretly paying off Kamala Harris's massive campaign debts after her failed billion-dollar run, angering donors. [02:40:07] Church Shooting in MinneapolisBreaking news on an attack at a church, framed as part of rising hostility toward Christians. [02:42:37] Gates & Infant Tissue HarvestingBill Gates funds projects embalming newborn corpses for AI surveillance, sparking outrage over a “culture of death.” [03:05:26] Peter Thiel's AI ChristianitySilicon Valley elites embrace Thiel's distorted Christianity, mixing end-times rhetoric with AI deregulation. [03:38:20] Trump's Revenge PoliticsTrump's raid on John Bolton and threats against Chris Christie cast as vendetta-driven assaults on the rule of law. Follow the show on Kick and watch live every weekday 9:00am EST – 12:00pm EST https://kick.com/davidknightshow Money should have intrinsic value AND transactional privacy: Go to https://davidknight.gold/ for great deals on physical gold/silverFor 10% off Gerald Celente's prescient Trends Journal, go to https://trendsjournal.com/ and enter the code KNIGHTFind out more about the show and where you can watch it at TheDavidKnightShow.com If you would like to support the show and our family please consider subscribing monthly here: SubscribeStar https://www.subscribestar.com/the-david-knight-showOr you can send a donation throughMail: David Knight POB 994 Kodak, TN 37764Zelle: @DavidKnightShow@protonmail.comCash App at: $davidknightshowBTC to: bc1qkuec29hkuye4xse9unh7nptvu3y9qmv24vanh7Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-david-knight-show--5282736/support.
On this week's show Patrick Gray and Adam Boileau discuss the week's cybersecurity news, including: Australia expels Iranian ambassador Hackers sabotage Iranian shipping satcoms APT hacker got doxxed in Phrack. Kind of. They're probably Chinese, not DPRK? Trail of Bits uses image-downscaling to sneak prompts into Google Gemini The Com's King Bob gets ten years in the slammer It's a day that ends in -y, so of course there's a new Citrix Netscaler RCE being used in the wild. This week's episode is brought to you by Corelight. Chief Strategy Officer Greg Bell talks through how they've been implementing AI for sifting through your network data. A model-context-protocol server that can rummage in all those packet logs for you while you keep investigating? Yes please. This episode is also available on Youtube. Show notes Embassy staff flee Canberra in dead of night | news.com.au — Australia's leading news site for latest headlines Swedish security service says Iran uses criminal networks in Sweden | Reuters Risky Bulletin: Hackers sabotage Iranian ships at sea, again - Risky Business Media Microsoft scales back Chinese access to cyber early warning system | Reuters Microsoft Didn't Disclose Key Details to U.S. Officials of China-Based Engineers, Record Shows — ProPublica .:: Phrack Magazine ::. Uncovering the Chinese Proxy Service Used in APT Campaigns Weaponizing image scaling against production AI systems -The Trail of Bits Blog FBI, Cisco warn of Russia-linked hackers targeting critical infrastructure organizations | Cybersecurity Dive CrowdStrike warns of uptick in Silk Typhoon attacks this summer | CyberScoop Kevin Beaumont: "There's a bunch of new Netscal…" - Cyberplace US charges Oregon man in vast botnet-for-hire operation | Cybersecurity Dive South Korea arrests suspected Chinese hacker accused of targeting BTS singer and other celebrities | The Record from Recorded Future News SIM-Swapper, Scattered Spider Hacker Gets 10 Years – Krebs on Security Chinese national who sabotaged Ohio company's systems handed four-year jail stint | The Record from Recorded Future News Nevada state offices close after wide-ranging 'network security incident' | Reuters DSLRoot, Proxies, and the Threat of ‘Legal Botnets' – Krebs on Security Russia weighs Google Meet ban as part of foreign tech crackdown | The Record from Recorded Future News Kremlin-Mandated Messaging App Max Is Designed To Spy On Users Иеромонах РПЦ Макарий призвал помолиться за мессенджер MAX
Today, we're taking you on a journey through one of the most fascinating and dynamic countries in the world—South Korea. From the bustling streets of Seoul to tranquil temples and breathtaking peaks, South Korea offers a rich tapestry of experiences that blend ancient history with cutting-edge pop culture. Whether you're a foodie eager to discover authentic Korean cuisine, a history buff fascinated by the deep past, or someone looking for spiritual enlightenment in the mountains, this episode has it all. Joining me today are David Mason, a renowned expert on Korean culture and spirituality; Joe McPherson, a food lover and founder of ZenKimchi; and James Jin, an incredible guide who knows how to craft the perfect Korean adventure. We'll explore everything from Korean spirituality to the latest in K-pop, share some unforgettable food moments, and uncover the real Korea, far beyond the typical tourist paths. Thank you to our sponsor for this episode, Luggage Forward. Looking to book a luxury hotel? Get special perks and support the podcast by booking here: https://www.virtuoso.com/advisor/sarahgroen/travel/luxury-hotels If you want our expert guidance and help planning a luxury trip with experiences you can't find online, tell us more here and we'll reach out: https://bellandblytravel.com/book-a-trip/ Learn more at www.luxtravelinsider.com Connect with me on Social: Instagram LinkedIn
Today, Jess, Les, and Bishop unpack South Korean President Lee's first visit to Washington and his meeting with President Trump. The two leaders struck a warm rapport, with Trump raising ideas about engagement with North Korea and Lee casting Trump as potential peacemaker on the peninsula. But as Seoul works to balance relations with both Washington and Beijing, Trump's out-of-the-box, business-style approach may add unpredictability to one of the world's most sensitive regions.Will Trump's style strengthen—or strain—the U.S.–South Korea alliance? Can engagement with Kim Jong Un move forward without a real strategy? Does Trump's deal-making style translate into real policy, or just make for good headlines?Check out these stories that helped shape our Fellows' discussion: https://apnews.com/video/trump-repeatedly-touts-great-relationship-with-north-korean-leader-kim-jong-un-da5084139a49459cb61f6dbe5567b13a https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/08/25/trump-south-korea-president-visit/ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5pdlgl64zo @NotTVJessJones@LesterMunson@BishopGarrisonLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @faultlines_pod and @masonnatsec on Twitter!We are also on YouTube, and watch today's episode here: https://youtu.be/jLyczvHunH0 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
EASY LISTENING DEP'T.: On the front of this morning's New York Times, all the way down at the bottom of the page is a little referral box directing the reader to page C2 to read about the news that Taylor Swift and Travis Kelsey are engaged to be married. If you do a search for Taylor Swift on Google, or at least when I just did one, it sets off a cascade of animated confetti and some kind of floating glyph that kind of looks like the Sacred Heart of Jesus with an animated bubble above it that is shooting off hearts and seems to be saying that something, maybe the animation itself, has 93.64 million likes. Please visit, read, and support INDIGNITY! https://www.indignity.net/
Because brainwashing affects both the world and our observation of the world, we often don't recognize it while it's happening―unless we know where to look. As Rebecca Lemov writes in her new book The Instability of Truth, “Brainwashing erases itself.” What we call brainwashing is more common than we think; it is not so much what happens to other people as what can happen to anyone. In her work, Lemov exposes the myriad ways our minds can be controlled against our will, from the brainwashing techniques used against American POWs in North Korea to the “soft” brainwashing of social media doomscrolling and behavior-shaping. Rebecca Lemov is a historian of science at Harvard University and has been a visiting scholar at the Max Planck Institute. Her research explores data, technology, and the history of human and behavioral sciences. Her new book is The Instability of Truth: Brainwashing, Mind Control, and Hyper-Persuasion.
Illinois' Governor is telling President Donald Trump to stay away, as the president expands his so-called crackdown on crime. News organizations have condemned a Gaza hospital attack by Israel that killed five journalists. Trump says he's firing a Federal Reserve governor, but can he? Meanwhile, Trump's meeting with South Korea's president was overshadowed by North Korea. Plus, a wall of dust has descended on parts of Nevada and Arizona. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this week's episode, NK News Deputy Managing Editor Alannah Hill breaks down President Lee Jae-myung's first summit with U.S. President Donald Trump, where Lee appealed for Trump to take on a “peacemaker” role with Pyongyang. She also discusses the flood of newly released state media footage showing North Korean troops in combat in Russia's Kursk region, which have provided a rare look at battlefield tactics, drone warfare and how official propaganda is framing the war. About the podcast: The North Korea News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Jacco Zwetsloot exclusively for NK News, covering all things DPRK — from news to extended interviews with leading experts and analysts in the field, along with insights from our very own journalists.
It's Tuesday, August 26th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 140 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Kevin Swanson Women in India raped, murdered, and secretly buried A temple maintenance man in India is under arrest, after he testified of hundreds of women who were allegedly raped, murdered, and secretly buried around the small religious town of Dharmasthala. The BBC reports that nearly 100 bone fragments of human remains have already been found at two spots the man identified. The employee says he worked for the temple administration between 1995 and 2014, when he was allegedly coerced into burying the bodies. In 2025, 950 attacks on Christians in India For the first five months of 2025, Open Doors reports 950 attacks on Christians in India, which accounts for a rate of 2,300 per year. According to this reliable source, “These incidents included attacks, threats to abandon the Christian faith, excommunication, social boycotts, halting prayer services and church closures. Throughout India, 200 cases have been filed against pastors and believers based on fabricated conversion allegations.” India rated as the worst in The Worldview's international morality index -- or the Evil Index -- released last month. India rated high in persecuting Christians, corruption perceptions, as well as supporting abortion and homosexuality. Most evil nations vs. Best behaved nations The highest rated nations for immorality were India, North Korea, Mexico, Columbia, Vietnam, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar, Somalia, Nicaragua, China, and Nigeria. Best nations on the list were Armenia, Eastern European nations, Israel, Japan, and Singapore. Among European nations, Russia, Greenland, and Belgium were rated poorly. Switzerland and Ireland rated best on this International Morality Index. The nation of Chile lost the most ground over the last eight years. The country was rated at the top of the morality index eight years ago, and has dropped to the 66th position, due largely to approving abortion in 2017, and adopting homosexual faux-marriage in 2022. The International Morality Index considers nations on the basis of the sixth, seventh, and eighth commandments of God's law as well as the persecution of Christians. John 1:29 says, “But let us remember, this is why Jesus came. . . John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!'” Kenyan pro-lifers object to Bill Gates' abortion kill pills Kenyan pro-lifers have issued a petition addressed to Kenya's Ministry of Health, complaining of IPAS Africa Alliance's distribution of abortion kill pills throughout the country. The petition accuses IPAS of breaking Kenya's laws, and flooding schools and pharmacies with the kill pill. The Citizen Go petition notes that “Kenya's laws protect unborn life, but IPAS is exploiting loopholes. They hand out abortion pills without scans, prescriptions, or medical supervision.” IPAS Africa Alliance is reportedly funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Mexican drug cartel leader pled guilty “Be sure your sins will find you out.” That's what Number 32:23 warns. The founder of the largest drug cartel in the world, Mexican cartel kingpin Isamel “El Mayo” Zambada, pled guilty to federal charges yesterday, reports the Associated Press. He is charged with organizing a drug smuggling operation into the US, called the Sinaloa cartel. His partner Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was found guilty of similar charges in 2019. The Mexican Sinoloa cartel is known for assassinations, tortures, and kidnappings — terrorizing parts of the southern border areas of Mexico and Texas. Today, first time home purchase costs double rent For the first time in almost 20 years, the price of buying an entry-level home is double the expense of renting. Austin, Denver, Las Vegas, and Phoenix are some of the worst places for unaffordable properties for first-time buyers. 5% of Canadian deaths due to euthanasia Canada's Doctor Assisted Deaths now account for 5% of total deaths for the nation — more than the deaths attributed to diabetes and Alzheimer's combined. Persons suffering solely from some sort of mental illness will be able to gain state medical help to kill themselves on March 17, 2027. In related news, the United Kingdom Bill on euthanasia has passed the House of Commons, and now has been presented to the House of Lords. United Kingdom legislature to dismiss jail time for violent offenders And finally, the United Kingdom government has come up with a plan to reduce prison overcrowding by dismissing jail time altogether for thousands of sex offenders, drug dealers, and violent criminals. The Sentencing Bill will be considered next month by parliament, reports The Times. Exodus 22:1 provides God's wisdom in such matters. “If a man steals an ox or a sheep, and slaughters it or sells it, he shall restore five oxen for an ox and four sheep for a sheep.” Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, August 26th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Follow us on X or subscribe for free by Spotify, Amazon Music, or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.
Last time we spoke about the Battle for South Sakhalin and the Kurile Islands. In August 1945, as Japan teetered on the edge of destruction following the atomic bombings, a desperate situation unfolded. The Soviet Union launched a sudden invasion of Manchuria, catching Japanese forces off guard. On August 14, Japan's decision to surrender was made, announced to the world the following day. However, the Kwantung Army resisted fiercely, engaging in frantic evacuations. In South Sakhalin, Japanese defenders clashed with advancing Soviet troops, facing overwhelming odds. By August 18, chaos reigned on the Japanese side, with forces surrendering and civilians in panic. As the Soviets pushed forward, the situation became increasingly dire for Japan. Despite valiant resistance, the imminent defeat became clear. In a moment of critical decision, Emperor Hirohito accepted the surrender terms, officially sealing Japan's fate and marking the end of the Pacific War. However the Soviets had not yet stopped their onslaught. This episode is the Soviet Victory in Asia Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, 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 world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two 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 you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945. We are drawing near to the real conclusion of this series! Japan has officially surrendered, however the Soviets are not done just yet. East asia is a delicious piece of cake, laid wide open and Stalin intends to take every piece he can grab before the curtain falls. Now as we last left off it was August 18, and General Yamada's Kwantung Army had surrendered to the Soviet forces led by Marshal Vasilevsky, who were advancing rapidly through Manchuria. Yet, some Japanese units, like those at Kalgan, continued to resist occupation until the month's end. On August 19, following Yamada's announcement that all military operations had ceased, a Soviet delegation arrived at Hsinking. A daring operation took place, where a 225-strong detachment from the 6th Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade, part of the 5th Guards Tank Corps, was airlifted to the city's main airfield. This mission, along with others, was carried out under orders from Marshal Vasilevsky on August 18, following the commander's initial offer of surrender from the Kwantung Army. Vasilevsky's directive was urgent: “The Japanese resistance is broken, and the challenging road conditions hinder the swift advance of our main forces. We need to deploy specially formed, fast-moving, and well-equipped units to capture Changchun, Mukden, Jilin, and Harbin immediately. These units should remain flexible for future missions, regardless of their distance from the main forces.”The push to accelerate operations came directly from Stalin himself. In Kulichkin's biography of Marshal Vasilevsky, he recounts a pivotal phone call on August 15. Stalin was informed that the Japanese had “lost command and control” and were unable to mount a strong defense, with their forces divided into several fragmented groups. Vasilevsky confidently stated, “Even a miracle cannot save the Japanese from total defeat,” stressing the need to maintain the momentum of the offensive. Stalin's response was straightforward: “Good. We need to increase the pace. What proposals do you have?” Vasilevsky revealed plans to use airborne assault forces against larger cities like Harbin, Changchun, Jilin, and Mukden, alongside advanced mobile units across all combined arms armies. These units, consisting of tanks and assault guns, were fully equipped with desantniki, ready to engage firmly in the ongoing operations. The landing at Shenyang revealed a remarkable twist of fate. Waiting at the airfield for evacuation to Japan was none other than the recently abdicated Emperor Puyi of Manchukuo. On August 15, 1945, Puyi tuned in to the radio and listened to Emperor Hirohito's address announcing Japan's surrender. In this historic speech, the Showa Emperor referred to the Americans' use of a "most unusual and cruel bomb," which had just devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki. For Puyi, this was the first revelation of the atomic bombings, information that the Japanese had conveniently withheld from him until that moment. The aircraft carrying Major Chelyshev's force, escorted by fighter planes, landed at 1:15 PM without any opposition and captured him. This small unit's survival hinged on remaining unchallenged, and they successfully secured the airfield. They also freed several Allied personnel held at the nearby Hoten prisoner-of-war camp. As soon as the landing was secured, additional reinforcements were airlifted in later that day, led by General Kravchenko, the commander of the 6th Guards Tank Army. He formally accepted the city's surrender, and the Soviets then transported Puyi to the Siberian town of Chita. Meanwhile, Vasilevsky's ground offensive pressed on, mostly unopposed, though some resistance persisted. In the Transbaikal Front, Marshal Malinovsky's General Pliyev led his cavalry-mechanized units against the Japanese forces at Kalgan. Other units reached Jehol and accepted the surrender of the 108th Division. General Danilov's 17th Army secured the Shanhaiguan coast, while General Managarov's 53rd Army pushed towards Kailu. The main force of General Kravchenko's 6th Guards Tank Army regrouped at Tungliao and Kaitung, preparing to advance south toward Mukden. General Lyudnikov's 39th Army steadily approached Changchun, confronting the bypassed 107th Division, and General Luchinsky's 36th Army occupied Tsitsihar, accepting the surrender of the 136th Independent Mixed Brigade. At the same time, on General Purkayev's 2nd Far Eastern Front, General Teryokhin's 2nd Red Banner Army continued its siege of the Aihun fortified region. Meanwhile, a forward detachment moved slowly south through the Lesser Khinghan Mountains. General Mamonov's 15th Army began capturing and processing prisoners from the many retreating Japanese units after a successful amphibious assault secured Sansing. The Amur Flotilla supported the army's push towards Harbin, while General Pashkov's 5th Rifle Corps finally reached Poli, which had already been occupied by other Soviet units. In Marshal Meretskov's 1st Far Eastern Front, forward detachments of General Zakhvatayev's 35th Army began arriving at Linkou, focusing on the surrender of Japanese units in the area. Rear elements effectively eliminated the last traces of enemy resistance in the Hutou fortified area. After a challenging struggle through the wetlands and the capture of Mishan on August 12, advanced detachments of the 35th Army's main force, the 66th and 363rd Rifle Divisions, continued their advance against minimal opposition. The situation was starkly different to their rear, where the 1056th Rifle Regiment of the 264th Rifle Division, supported by the heavily reinforced 109th Fortified Region, worked to dismantle the now-isolated Hutou fortified area. Despite the dire circumstances, the garrison refused to surrender. Thus, the focus shifted to systematically eliminating their defenses, which became a painstaking task. The attackers deployed an artillery destruction group, secured air supremacy, and utilized well-trained assault formations. Their techniques included pouring kerosene or gasoline into ventilation shafts of underground structures, sometimes in alarming quantities. For instance, two tonnes of gasoline were recorded being poured into a single installation before ignition was applied. Despite the brutal and methodical obliteration of their positions, the defenders continued to ignore orders to surrender. Notably, on August 18, a Japanese prisoner was sent under a flag of truce to inform those still holding out that the war was officially over; tragically, he was hacked to death by a sword-wielding officer. Ultimately, this stubbornness led to catastrophic consequences: about 3,000 defenders were killed, blasted and burned, before a small number finally capitulated. Additionally, advanced detachments of General Beloborodov's 1st Red Banner Army reached Shangzhi before continuing towards Harbin, and forward elements of General Krylov's 5th Army pushed on toward Jilin. General Chistyakov's 25th Army commenced disarming General Murakami's 3rd Army, while the 10th Mechanized Corps advanced rapidly westward, crossing the Laoilin Mountain passes to arrive at Tunhua by nightfall. Over in North Korea, the 335th Rifle Division successfully landed in Chongjin, as General Kabanov's Southern Defense Region prepared for an assault on Gensan. In South Sakhalin, despite the surrender of the 125th Regiment and ongoing negotiations with General Mineki's 88th Division, Soviet forces opted to proceed with the planned landing at Maoka. Consequently, Admiral Andreyev's Northern Pacific Flotilla departed from Sovetskaya Gavan in the morning, carrying the bulk of the 113th Rifle Brigade along with a battalion of marines for the long and challenging voyage to Maoka. On Shumshu Island, as General Gnechko's forces were landing their artillery to renew their assault, Japanese officers unexpectedly approached the Soviets under flags of truce, carrying a letter from General Tsutsumi proposing negotiations for surrender. Representatives from both sides began discussions, and by 6 PM, the 91st Division formally surrendered the garrisons of Shumshu, Paramushir, and Onekotan. On August 20, Gnechko dispatched a small detachment on six vessels to seize control of the airfield at Kataoka. However, as they crossed the Second Kuril Strait, batteries on both sides of the narrow waterway opened heavy fire on the Soviet ships, forcing them to withdraw. This breach of the surrender agreement sparked a renewed offensive at 1 PM, coordinated with air strikes. The bases at Kataoka and Kashiwabar were bombed by 61 aircraft, which dropped over 200 bombs, enabling ground troops to push forward up to six kilometers. It was not until General Tsutsumi intervened that the Soviets were assured the Japanese would indeed lay down their arms. Meanwhile, Andreyev's convoy arrived at Maoka harbor on the morning of August 20, successfully landing the first wave of marines amid heavy fog. They quickly spread out and secured the area while the second and third waves of infantry followed behind. By noon, the port area was secured, and the marines began advancing eastward into the city, supported by infantry on their flanks. Taken by surprise, the Japanese defenders were ultimately compelled to retreat, with the 113th Rifle Brigade pursuing them through the mountains to the villages of Futamata and Osaka. In Manchuria, between August 20 and 21, Vasilevsky's units continued their advance to occupy the region's main centers. Stalin urged for greater speed, fearing that any delay might prompt President Truman to order General MacArthur's air-naval assault forces to land there. Notably, Pliyev's first column successfully captured Kalgan, while his second column moved south toward Beijing, securing Gubeikou at the border. Located in one of the passes through the Great Wall, marking the border between Manchukuo and China, the town was garrisoned by Japanese units. These forces surrendered upon the approach of the Soviet troops, who then quickly advanced toward Beijing, about 100 kilometers away. Although not the former capital itself, this area was under the control of Chinese Communist forces known as the 8th Route Army, who aligned with the Soviets. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek was acutely aware that any Japanese capitulation to the Communists in northern China would allow the latter to occupy vital territories, making their removal difficult. Consequently, he commanded the 8th Route Army not to accept any Japanese surrenders, insisting they only surrender to Nationalist forces, with dire punishments threatened for defiance. Adding to the complexity, the Soviet Union and China had signed the Sino-Soviet Treaty of Friendship and Alliance, discussed at Yalta, just six days earlier on August 14. This treaty promised mutual respect for sovereignty and non-interference in each other's internal affairs. The Soviets had also committed to providing “moral support and aid in military supplies and other material resources” exclusively to the National Government as the legitimate central authority of China. Thus, a significant political and military predicament loomed. However, the Soviets quickly extricated themselves from this situation when Malinovsky issued an order forbidding Pliyev's forces from crossing the border. As Pliyev recounted, his formations were poised just halfway between Chengde and Beijing, needing “only one 'leap' to the Chinese capital.” He noted, “I had to suspend the offensive and move north beyond the Great Wall.” Units from the 6th Guards Tank Army occupied both Changchun and Mukden, initiating a rail movement towards Port Arthur and Dairen. For those curious, at Pingfan and Changchun, General Shiro Ishii and the remaining personnel from Units 731 and 100 were captured by Soviet forces. In a tragic turn of events, all test subjects were murdered and cremated, while the Japanese attempted to destroy evidence of their facilities but were unable to do so in time. Following their capture, the Soviets launched an extensive campaign to uncover the secrets behind Units 731 and 100, leading to the Khabarovsk Trial. If you want to learn more about what I would call “japans operation paperclip”, the secret dealings between Unit 731 and the Allies after the war, I did make an episode about it over on my patreon. Its pretty gruesome stuff so big disclaimer there.' The Soviets arrived to Dairen on 24 August, although these places had surrendered to air-landed forces two days earlier. This was, no doubt, much to the relief of Stalin, as these were amongst the main locations where he most feared American intervention. Indeed, on the day of the landing he had told Vasilevsky to ‘keep in mind' the fact that any delay could mean ‘Truman will order General MacArthur to land his naval assault forces'. The long-resisting 135th Independent Mixed Brigade finally surrendered at Aihun, while advanced units of the 2nd Red Banner Army secured Nencheng and Peian before pushing towards Tsitsihar and Harbin. Forward detachments from the 15th and 1st Red Banner Armies also reached the already-occupied Harbin. Furthermore, advanced units of the 5th and 25th Armies arrived in Jilin to reinforce the air-landed detachment there. Additionally, units from the 88th Rifle Corps and the 10th Mechanized Corps began their southward movement into Korea, heading toward the 38th Parallel. In North Korea, Kabanov dispatched a marine battalion and other units, totaling around 2,000 men, to occupy the fortified port of Gensan on August 20. The following morning, the landing force arrived and disembarked without opposition. However, the Japanese garrison refused to surrender until orders from higher command were received. Meanwhile, Japanese troops began to peacefully surround the harbor area, while Soviet sailors and marines, in a similarly calm manner, took up their defensive positions. As Kabanov noted, “An incomprehensible situation arose, neither peace nor war. The enemy has numerical superiority, but he neither fights nor wants to capitulate.” Unsurprisingly, he added, “the night passed in suspense.” The surreal situation was resolved when Rear Admiral Hori Yugoro and Colonel Tado boarded the frigate EK-3 to meet with Captain Studenichnikov on the morning of August 22. During their discussions, they attempted to negotiate terms, but the Soviet captain issued a bold threat of an immediate large-scale air strike and the initiation of hostilities at the port unless they surrendered unconditionally. While the latter was likely an empty threat, the Japanese officers signed the surrender agreement nonetheless. The process of surrendering the garrison began that evening and continued until August 26. In total, the Soviets captured more than 7,000 officers and men, along with all their military equipment. Looking toward the northern Kuriles, Japanese forces on Shumshu finally began to lay down their weapons on the afternoon of August 22, as Gnechko's units spread out to secure the island. In Manchuria, airborne detachments were also landed at Dairen and Port Arthur to secure these key administrative centers before the Americans could take control. Vanguard units of the 6th Guards Tank Army arrived to reinforce them two days later. Meanwhile, in South Sakhalin, heavy fighting persisted at Futamata despite Mineki's ceasefire agreement on August 22. Soviet air strikes supported the ground forces when weather conditions allowed, and the Japanese finally surrendered by the nightfall of August 23. At the same time, Andreyev dispatched three marine battalions on a small convoy to capture Otomari. However, a fierce storm forced the flotilla to seek refuge in the port of Honto on the morning of August 24. Once the storm subsided that evening, the force left a company of marines to garrison the port and resumed their voyage to Otomari, arriving there on the morning of August 25, just as elements of the 113th Rifle Brigade reached the eastern outskirts of the city. By noon, the 88th Division surrendered, and the city was secured. Shortly after, the 214th Tank Brigade arrived at Toyohara to secure South Sakhalin's administrative center. Thus, the South Sakhalin operation concluded with nearly 18,320 Japanese soldiers taken prisoner. Yet, this wouldn't mark the end of operations for General Cheremisov's 16th Army. Stalin pushed for the 87th and 135th Rifle Brigades, along with three marine battalions, to assemble at Otomari and execute amphibious landings on the southern Kurile Islands, specifically, Etorofu, Shikotan, and Kunashiri, and the islets of the Habomai group. The failure to include the Kuril Islands in the areas designated for surrender to Soviet forces in Truman's General Order No. 1, originally issued on August 15, exacerbated Stalin's inherent suspicions regarding American intentions. Consequently, Vasilevsky was instructed to organize landings on the Kurils, ensuring that, similar to Port Arthur, Soviet occupation would manifest physically through boots on the ground. Despite Truman's subsequent correction of the omission, mistrust endured, as did the directive to occupy the islands. However, where Stalin hesitated was concerning Hokkaido. Truman's somewhat abrupt rejection of Stalin's demand for a portion of Hokkaido undoubtedly irritated the Soviet dictator, yet he chose not to take further action. Scholarly debates have arisen around the rationale behind Stalin's ‘retreat.' When viewed within the framework of his stated geostrategic goal of securing the Soviet Union's sea lines of communication in the Pacific, it becomes understandable. Churchill once likened the Soviet Union's challenges in this regard to those of a “giant with his nostrils pinched.” A look at the map reveals that control of the Kurils would significantly alleviate this pressure in the Far East, making their acquisition crucial. Similarly, occupying southern Sakhalin would allow the Soviet Union to control the northern side of the La Pérouse Strait, which connects the Sea of Japan to the Sea of Okhotsk. The strait's opposite shore is formed by the northern coast of Hokkaido, and possessing this area would undeniably enhance the security of communications and is therefore highly desirable. However, any unilateral action in this regard would incur a significant and public breach with the Americans, the consequences of which could not be easily predicted. Given that Stalin's claim to the Kurils was firmly based on the agreement reached at Yalta, an agreement which Truman honored, his choice to avoid completely rupturing relations with the U.S. was motivated by strategic self-interest. Consequently, Andreyev's flotilla, carrying these units, departed Otomari on August 27, reaching the west coast of Etorofu at 3:15 AM on August 28. The landing, conducted using small boats, went unopposed and was met by the surrender of General Ogawa's 89th Division. The occupation of the other islands was also peaceful, with the Soviets securing Kunashiri by September 2, and Shikotan and the Habomai islets by September 5. The remaining northern Kurile Islands surrendered without incident as elements of Gnechko's Kamchatka forces arrived at Paramushir on August 24, Onekotan and Shiashkotan on August 25, Matsuwa by August 26, Shimushiru on August 27, and Uruppu by August 29. In total, 63,840 prisoners were taken throughout the Kuriles. On August 24, air-landed detachments arrived at the cities of Pyongyang and Kange to secure the last administrative centers in North Korea. Two days later, units of the 25th Army reached Gensan. With this move, albeit with some geographical liberties, Chistyakov asserted that "the troops of the 25th Army, on the orders of Marshal Meretskov, reached the 38th Parallel.” In the days that followed, units of General Kushibuchi's 34th Army gradually began to surrender and disarm. Finally, in Manchuria, most of Yamada's units had surrendered and were being disarmed. However, one unit continued to resist until the end of the month. The bypassed and encircled 107th Division was engaged in fierce fighting for survival against the 94th Rifle Corps. Due to a lack of communication with Kwantung Army Headquarters, they did not receive any ceasefire orders. As a result, a staff officer from General Iida's 30th Army was dispatched by plane to locate the division and deliver the ceasefire orders. The 107th Division was found near Chalai, and the plane made a forced landing between the Japanese troops and the opposing Soviet forces. The staff officer successfully delivered the orders terminating hostilities in that sector on August 30, which the Japanese troops promptly complied with. By September 1, units of the 53rd Army occupied Kailu, Chaoyang, Fuhsin, and Gushanbeitseifu, while forward detachments secured the Chinchou area on the Liaotung Peninsula. This marked the conclusion of the Manchurian campaign, with the Soviets claiming to have captured between 594,000 and 609,000 prisoners of war across Inner Mongolia, Manchuria, and North Korea. The captured Japanese military personnel were subjected to forced labor in Siberian internment camps, as well as camps in Sakhalin, Manchuria, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Mongolia. A significant number were assigned to the construction of the Baikal-Amur Mainline. Unfortunately, the treatment of prisoners of war was deemed inhumane and mishandled. Many suffered from malnutrition, overwork, cave-ins, floods, unsanitary working conditions leading to epidemics, harsh winter weather, violent guards, and brutal suppression of even mild resistance. Disturbingly, some Japanese prisoners were even lynched by their fellow captives. Estimates suggest that between 60,000 and 347,000 Japanese died in captivity. Although 18,616 prisoners were released in 1946, the process of repatriating prisoners of war extended into the 1950s. Those who remained after 1950 were detained for various convictions. However, their release began in 1953 under different amnesties. Following Josef Stalin's death and the subsequent Khrushchev Thaw, the Soviet attitude toward the remaining Japanese prisoners shifted significantly. Accompanied by Soviet officials, they were taken on tours of cities and allowed to purchase gifts for their families. Before repatriation, a banquet in Khabarovsk, hosted by Nikolai Gagen, included high-ranking prisoners such as Jun Ushiroku as attendees. The last major group of 1,025 Japanese POWs was released on December 23, 1956. After that, some Japanese POWs were released in small groups, with some only returning in the 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Interestingly, some prisoners who had been held for decades, many of whom had married and started families during their captivity, chose not to return permanently to Japan. The Soviets committed numerous war crimes during their invasion and occupation of Manchuria and other Japanese territories. During the invasion, Soviet soldiers killed and raped Japanese civilians and looted civilian property. Following the Soviet invasion of Manchuria on August 9, 1945, a large number of Japanese citizens residing in the region sought to repatriate to Japan. The Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers supervised this mass movement and, in October 1945, delegated responsibility to Japan's Ministry of Health and Welfare. The Kwantung Army, which was meant to protect the Japanese settlers in Manchuria, quickly retreated and abandoned them. With most able-bodied men drafted into the army, the majority of those left behind were women, children, and the elderly, rendering them highly vulnerable to attacks from Soviet soldiers and local Chinese seeking revenge.In Soviet-occupied Manchuria and North Korea, the repatriation of Japanese civilians was characterized by violent expulsions, accompanied by widespread looting, mass killings, and rampant sexual violence perpetrated by both Soviet soldiers and local populations seeking retribution. Many Japanese civilians succumbed to starvation, disease, mass killings, and mass suicides. Approximately 223,000 Japanese civilians residing in the Soviet-occupied zones died, most within a year and a half after August 9, 1945. Regarding the extensive rape of Japanese women and girls by Soviet soldiers, a former Japanese soldier, Wakatsuki Yoshio, detailed these grim experiences in his memoir, The Records of Postwar Repatriation “What word can possibly describe the violence committed by the Soviet soldiers on Japanese women? I can only think of the word “hideous”. The victim could be a girl of twelve or thirteen years old or an old lady of almost seventy years old. These soldiers did not choose the sites where they raped them, in public, in broad daylight, even on snow-covered roads”. The Soviet invasion of Manchuria in 1945 left many Japanese women stranded after their male family members were either conscripted or killed. These women, including young girls, endured severe hardships, facing gang rapes by Soviet soldiers and local Chinese militia groups. In a desperate effort to survive, many were forced to marry Chinese men, either out of necessity or in exchange for assistance in repatriating their remaining family members. Disturbingly, some victims were as young as thirteen. Some women were held in groups and subjected to repeated sexual violence over extended periods. In certain instances, to ensure the safety of the group, members of the Japanese community offered women to their perpetrators. There were also reports of women voluntarily submitting themselves to protect their families, younger peers, or others in their communities. After Japan's defeat in 1945, leaders of the Kurokawa Settler Group in Manchuria offered approximately 15 young women, aged 17 to 21, to Soviet soldiers in exchange for protection. This tragic practice continued from September to November 1945, with some of the women later being offered to Chinese soldiers as well. With no protection from Japanese soldiers, Japanese women often had to devise unique strategies to avoid rape. Memoirs from female repatriates detail various escape tactics. Some women hid in attics every night, narrowly avoiding capture or even gunfire. Others managed to trap intruders in rooms before fleeing or bribed Soviet soldiers with valuables, such as wristwatches, to secure their escape. Notably, some women, particularly former geisha and bar workers, voluntarily went with Soviet soldiers to protect others. These women were referred to as tokkōtai (kamikaze) for their self-sacrifice. Additionally, it wasn't just Japanese women who suffered; Korean and Chinese women were also victims of sexual violence at the hands of various perpetrators in Manchuria. British and American reports indicate that Soviet Red Army troops looted and terrorized the local population in Shenyang, a city in Manchuria. A foreign witness described how Soviet troops, formerly stationed in Berlin, were permitted by the Soviet military to enter Shenyang for "three days of rape and pillage." In Harbin, Soviet forces ignored protests from leaders of the Chinese Communist Party regarding the widespread mass rape and looting committed by their troops. In the immediate aftermath of the war in 1945, in areas of Manchuria occupied by the National Revolutionary Army, 176 Koreans were killed, 1,866 were injured, 3,468 were detained, and 320 were raped by armed Chinese mobs. The attacks against Korean residents in Manchuria were believed to stem from a perception of Korean collaboration with Japanese colonial rule. One of the most infamous instances was the Gegenmiao massacre. On August 10 and 11, Xing'an was bombed, nearly destroying its urban functions. It is estimated that 3,000 of the 4,000 civilians. Anticipating the Soviet invasion, Xing'an had prepared an evacuation plan divided into three groups based on residential area and workplace. The Kwantung Army, however, failed to inform the General Office officials about their retreat. As a result, residents in the eastern area, many of whom were self-employed or office workers, had difficulty obtaining information and securing transportation, while those in the western area had military personnel who were first to learn of the situation. Some of the civilians with a handful of armed men had proceeded on foot towards Gegenmiao Township, about 35 kilometers southeast of Xing'an Street, to wait for a train at Gegenmiao Station and then evacuate to Baichengzi. They aimed to receive protection from the Kwantung Army in Baichengzi. Around 11:40 AM on August 14 in the vicinity of Gegenmyo Hill, where a Lamaist temple was located, they encountered an infantry unit consisting of 14 Soviet medium tanks and 20 trucks. The column reportedly stretched for two kilometers, with about a hundred survivors among them. Soviet troops launched an attack from the hilltop, deploying tanks with machine-gun fire. The tanks attacked multiple times, and when they ceased, Soviet soldiers disembarked and ruthlessly shot and bayoneted survivors. Many who escaped death from gunfire were still severely injured or witnessed family members being killed. Some were left holding their loved ones or chose to commit suicide. It is estimated that only about a hundred survivors were later confirmed, including nearly 200 schoolchildren from the Xing'an Street Zaiman National School. Kwantung Army units, which were supposed to escort the civilians and counterattack, had already retreated southward. Even after the Soviet soldiers left, sporadic gunfire continued, presumably due to suicides. Local residents began to plunder the bodies, stripping them of clothes and valuables. Others drowned in the river while attempting to escape. Reports tell of one woman who had her child killed by Soviet soldiers, only to later face an attack from Chinese militia, who stripped her of her clothes and mutilated her. Surviving mothers and children were also attacked, and those separated were often taken by the Chinese. At the time, it was common for Japanese boys to be sold for 300 yen and girls for 500 yen. Some survivors gathered together and began committing mass suicide, killing those who wished to end their lives. Others expressed intentions to form a death squad with rifles for revenge but ultimately did not resist. After the war ended on August 15, attacks on displaced persons continued. A 12-year-old girl who joined a group of about ten women after the incident reported that they were attacked and robbed, taking over a week to reach Zhenxi Station, 10 kilometers from Gegenmiao Station. The women sought shelter in an abandoned house near the station but were discovered by Soviet soldiers that night who assaulted them until midnight. Afterward, the soldiers piled dry grass into the house, setting it ablaze in an attempt to burn the women alive. The girl and her sister managed to escape through a window, but many others could not flee in time due to the fire's rapid spread. The girl was forced to live as a residual orphan afterward. Fortunately, some Chinese, Mongolians, and Koreans provided food for the survivors, with some Chinese showing kindness towards the children. Those orphaned children, whose parents had been killed, became known as residual orphans, with about 30 in this unfortunate situation. Many women were forced to become residual women as well. Tragically, around 200 students from a local school, including the headmaster and his wife, were killed during this chaos. Some historians believe the attack stemmed from Soviet soldiers mistaking the refugees for armed Japanese troops because men within the group were carrying firearms for protection. In general, displaced persons at this time often carried small weapons like rifles, and some groups were even armed with light machine guns. In the pioneer groups, women sometimes participated in fighting against bandits, and in the Sado pioneer group incident, children above the fifth grade were forced into combat, regardless of gender. There may also have been prior skirmishes with other Japanese civilian groups before the war's end, further complicating the situation as the Soviet Army, which included female soldiers, may have regarded these mixed civilian and armed groups as a threat. According to Soviet military combat records, on August 14, the Soviet 17th Guards Rifle Division, 19th Guards Rifle Division, 91st Guards Rifle Division, and 61st Tank Division were stationed northwest of Gezhne Temple, but there was no combat activity in the area. On August 15, this unit advanced toward Bai Chengzi and occupied Bai Chengzi Station, which was then taken over by tanks from the 61st Tank Division. Despite extensive documentation, nothing about this incident was revealed until 2014 during the process of perestroika. Reports from British and American sources indicate that the 700,000 Soviet troops occupying Manchuria also terrorized and looted the local population in Mukden. They were not deterred by Soviet authorities and engaged in what was described as "three days of rape and pillage," with similar atrocities occurring in Harbin and across the country. Amid the mass repatriation of Japanese civilians living in the region, Japanese women in Manchuria faced repeated sexual violence at the hands of Russian soldiers every day. In North Korea, it was similarly reported that Soviet soldiers raped both Japanese and Korean women. Additionally, Soviet soldiers looted the property of Japanese, Chinese, and Koreans residing in Manchuria and North Korea. 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. Amid chaotic surrenders, Emperor Hirohito accepted defeat, but Soviet advances continued relentlessly. As they pushed deeper, the Soviets captured key cities, including Harbin, while Japan's soldiers and civilians struggled for survival against the onslaught. War crimes committed by Soviet troops added to the tragedy, with rampant violence against Japanese civilians. Amidst political tensions, the Soviets secured territory, culminating in the surrender of remaining Japanese forces. The grim conclusion of this campaign marked a profound shift in the power dynamics of East Asia and paved the way for post-war ramifications.
August 26, 2025 - Join us for a timely discussion on the highly anticipated first meeting between US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Taking place after the agreement of a new trade framework on July 30, this meeting may address such diverse topics as: Korean investments into the US, Alliance cost sharing and modernization efforts, trilateral US-Korea-Japan collaboration, and coordination on North Korea. Expert panelists unpack summit expectations, outcomes, and implications. This discussion features Dr. Katrin Katz, The Korea Society's inaugural Van Fleet Nonresident Senior Fellow, and Josh Smith, Korea Bureau Chief for Reuters News Agency, in conversation with Korea Society policy director Jonathan Corrado and program officer Chelsie Alexandre. This program is made possible by the generous support of our individual and corporate members and the Korea Foundation. For more information, please visit the link below: https://www.koreasociety.org/policy-and-corporate-programs/2048-rapid-reaction-the-first-trump-lee-summit
Trump has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize multiple times—for North Korea talks, the Abraham Accords, Middle East ceasefires, and more. But why hasn't he won while others like Obama received it so easily? In this video, we break down the history of the Nobel Peace Prize, its controversies, Trump's nominations, and whether political bias is keeping him out—or if he's on track to finally win it.
This is Frank Gaffney with the Secure Freedom Minute. President Trump has a potentially fraught meeting today with his new South Korean counterpart, Lee Jae Myung. While the focus will be on trade relations, there will be an ominous elephant in the room: Lee is deeply hostile to the United States and dangerously aligned with our enemies, Communist China and North Korea. As my colleague, retired Marine Colonel Grant Newsham, observed recently in Asia Times, Lee has “referred to American troops in South Korea as ‘occupiers' and said China should do what it wants to Taiwan.” It is hard to overstate the strategic peril associated with the “fundamental transformation” of a key American ally now in prospect. The question is: Will Mr. Trump come to grips with Lee's longstanding hostility or try to paper it over in the interest of making “progress” on trade? Much will be riding on the answer. This is Frank Gaffney.
China Compass Sponsors: Pray for China Interceding for all the Cities of China PrayforChina.us Unbeaten The Story of My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China Unbeaten.vip The Memoirs of William Milne 200th Anniversary Edition! https://milne.my/ Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets www.BordenofYale.com The Autobiography of John G. Paton Prayer, Perseverance, and the Transformation of Tanna www.JohnGPaton.com After a brief look at our China Compass sponsors and this week’s Pray for China cities, we revisit a few exciting stories from LAST summer which didn’t get the traction I had hoped. First, we head to Jilin (Lucky Forest) and my arrest on the North Korean border in 2003 (13:25). Then we trek to Tibet where I talk about the geography and language, and my four ILLEGAL visits to the region, the last of which got a gun pulled on me (29:01). Last, we hop on the train for an epic journey across far west China’s Xinjiang Province (followed by layovers in Urumqi, Dalian, Hiroshima, Tokyo, and Okinawa on my return “flight” home to central China (45:25). Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me (@chinaadventures) on Twitter/X where I post new/unique Chinese city prayer profiles every single day. Also, you can email me any questions or comments (bfwesten at gmail dot com) and find everything else, including my books, at PrayGiveGo.us! Pray for China places of the week (Follow @chinaadventures to see which city daily) https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-aug-24-31-2025 Follow or subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. And don’t forget: Follow @chinaadventures on X, and find everything else @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk to you again soon!
Kate Adie presents stories from Alaska, Washington, South Korea, Chile and France.From the military fly-past to the grandiose entrance on the red carpet, to the press conference, without any questions, the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin drew dismay from Western governments. Steve Rosenberg was in Alaska - and reflects on the aftermath.After the pomp and pageantry of Donald Trump's meeting with Vladimir Putin, six European leaders rushed to Washington DC this week to meet with the US President in a show of solidarity with Volodymyr Zelensky. Tom Bateman followed the twists and turns and reflects on what was actually achieved at the White House.Vladimir Putin has come to rely on support from North Korea to bolster his troops in Ukraine. Pyongyang is now sending thousands of construction workers, to help fill a huge labour shortage created by the war. Jean Mackenzie has spoken to six workers who've managed to escape.In the hills of southern Chile and is an alluring tourist destination - a German-style village - but it was once home to a religious sect run by a manipulative and abusive leader. The Chilean government wants to expropriate some of its land to create a memorial for the people who were tortured and killed there during Pinochet's regime. But Grace Livingstone finds, it's proving divisive.In the Loire valley the summer months bring both extended bank holiday weekends in France and the return in the last few decades of the 'Guinguettes', waterside outdoor bars and dance halls which were once popular in the 17th and 18th centuries. Jamie Smith-Maillet went to soak up the atmosphereSeries Producer: Serena Tarling Production Coordinators: Katie Morrison & Sophie Hill Editor: Richard Vadon
Saturday, 23 August 2025 But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. Matthew 12:36 “And I say to you that every inactive utterance that if they will speak, men, they will render a word about it in judgment day” (CG). In the previous verse, Jesus referred to the things people bring out of what is stored in their hearts, good or bad. Now, He explains a truth concerning that to which His audience was expected to consider and heed, saying, “And I say to you that every inactive utterance that if they will speak, men.” A new word is introduced, argos, inactive. When one is inactive, he idles around doing nothing. As such, he will be unemployed, useless, lazy, etc. The word closely corresponds to the Hebrew word mibta, found only in Numbers 30:6 & 30:8, where a woman makes a rash vow. That word signifies hasty or thoughtless. That is derived from bata, to babble. Jesus is saying that people speak carelessly, not thinking through the ramifications of their words. However, God hears everything man says, even if it is an idle utterance. But more, not only does He hear them, but He is also accounting our idle utterances to who we are in relation to the totality of our personhood. The thought is general in nature and certainly applies to all humanity at all times, but in this case, Jesus is making a point about the utterances of the Pharisees who spoke carelessly about Jesus without thinking through the logical explanation that He then provided. He could not be casting out Beelzebul by the prince of demons. His explanation thoroughly refuted the notion. Even if they didn't fully grasp the ramifications of their idle accusation, the Lord heard and was there to render a judgment based on their words, as He next says, “they will render a word about it in judgment day.” The meaning is that they must give an account for what they spoke, meaning even their idle utterances. Understanding this, Jesus will give an overall summary of this thought in the next verse. Life application: For now, even before getting to Jesus' summary of the overarching thought presented in this discourse between the Pharisees and Him, we should heed the truth stated by Jesus in this verse. It is true that those in Christ are in a different economy than those under the law. Despite this, God doesn't change. His ears didn't suddenly turn off when the dispensation of grace came. In other words, everything we say is still known by God and will be set before us by Him when we are brought before Him. Therefore, we should consider our words carefully. In North Korea, children are executed or sent to grueling penal colonies (which may be worse than death) for speaking like South Korean children, repeating lines from their movies, and so forth. Such treatment of citizens has occurred throughout human history. An idle word or thoughtless action has led many to the gallows or firing squad. If this is how we may be treated for carelessly speaking before human leaders, how much more severe will it be for those who carelessly and casually malign the Creator? And yet, it happens innumerable times a day all over the world. People, without thinking through the logic of who God is and what He has done, flippantly ignore the evidence and arrogantly make false proclamations and accusations about Him and His nature. People challenge His word, claiming error or contradiction without considering what it may actually be saying. In doing these things, we diminish His glory in the eyes of others and place ourselves above Him or what He has done. If humanity understood the consequences of its unholy attitudes, we would be more careful and circumspect in what we say and do. But we fail to consider these things, bringing judgment on ourselves. For Christians, our condemnation has been decided at the cross of Christ, but what lies ahead still requires judgment for our words and actions now. Let us consider this and pay heed. Lord God, how often do we say things without thinking through the full scope of what we have uttered? We offend others, we demean those in authority, and we bring dishonor to Your name, even if it was not intentional. Help us to think more clearly and to be careful as we speak, knowing that our words have meaning and may result in unhappy consequences. Amen.
China Compass Sponsors: Pray for China Interceding for all the Cities of China PrayforChina.us Unbeaten The Story of My Arrest, Interrogation, and Deportation from China Unbeaten.vip The Memoirs of William Milne 200th Anniversary Edition! https://milne.my/ Borden of Yale: The Millionaire Missionary No Reserve, No Retreat, No Regrets www.BordenofYale.com The Autobiography of John G. Paton Prayer, Perseverance, and the Transformation of Tanna www.JohnGPaton.com After a brief look at our China Compass sponsors and this week’s Pray for China cities, we revisit a few exciting stories from LAST summer which didn’t get the traction I had hoped. First, we head to Jilin (Lucky Forest) and my arrest on the North Korean border in 2003 (13:25). Then we trek to Tibet where I talk about the geography and language, and my four ILLEGAL visits to the region, the last of which got a gun pulled on me (29:01). Last, we hop on the train for an epic journey across far west China’s Xinjiang Province (followed by layovers in Urumqi, Dalian, Hiroshima, Tokyo, and Okinawa on my return “flight” home to central China (45:25). Welcome to China Compass on the Fight Laugh Feast Network! I'm your China travel guide, Missionary Ben. Follow me (@chinaadventures) on Twitter/X where I post new/unique Chinese city prayer profiles every single day. Also, you can email me any questions or comments (bfwesten at gmail dot com) and find everything else, including my books, at PrayGiveGo.us! Pray for China places of the week (Follow @chinaadventures to see which city daily) https://chinacall.substack.com/p/pray-for-china-aug-24-31-2025 Follow or subscribe to China Compass and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform. And don’t forget: Follow @chinaadventures on X, and find everything else @ PrayGiveGo.us. Luke 10, verse 2, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Talk to you again soon!
North Korea has built a vast underground IT labor force that has secretly infiltrated U.S. and global companies through fraudulent job applications. Experts say nearly every Fortune 500 company has unknowingly hired a North Korean IT worker, despite efforts to prevent it. These operatives use stolen identities, fake documents, and accomplices in China and the U.S. to secure remote jobs, and the problem is only getting worse.We also discuss the growing concerns around America's water crisis.Featured Guests: Jeff Becker, general partner, Antler | Tom Ferguson, founder and managing partner, Burnt Island Ventures
Donate (no account necessary) | Subscribe (account required) Join Bryan Dean Wright, former CIA Operations Officer, as he dives into today's top stories shaping America and the world. In this episode of The Wright Report, we cover a spy war in Washington DC, the Democratic Party's collapse in registration and identity, and urgent global updates from Russia, China, North Korea, and Venezuela. From Tulsi Gabbard stripping clearances from top intel veterans to Democrats embracing socialism and Trump sending warships toward Venezuela, today's brief gives you the facts behind the headlines shaping America's future. Battle of the Spies in Washington: Trump's Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, revoked the clearances of 37 current and former intel officers, including Obama-era staff tied to the discredited Trump-Russia ICA and Steele Dossier. Gabbard warned, “Having a clearance is a privilege — not a right.” Biden's former CIA Director William Burns fired back, calling it a “retribution campaign” and accusing Trump of acting like an autocrat. Bryan reminds listeners that Burns once visited Jeffrey Epstein's home for “career advice,” raising questions about credibility. Democratic Party in Decline: The New York Times reports Democratic voter registration is collapsing nationwide, especially among Hispanics, men, and voters under 45. Analyst Michael Pruser admitted, “There seems to be no end to this… month after month, year after year.” Party leaders split over solutions, with some warning of “Trump's quest for a personal dictatorship” while Obama's Ben Rhodes insists socialism is “the future of the party.” Bryan reflects on why he left the Democrats, citing Marxism, anti-American policies, and race radicalism. Global Updates — Russia, China, North Korea, Venezuela: Putin backtracks on security guarantees for Ukraine, demanding veto power for Moscow and Beijing, while Trump's VP JD Vance insists, “Europeans are going to have to take the lion's share of the burden.” Microsoft cuts back cyber cooperation with China after Beijing abused early warnings, leading Bryan to quip, “Xiè xiè… that's Chinese for thank you, you stupid Americans at Microsoft.” New intel reveals a North Korean base near China housing up to nine ICBMs capable of striking the U.S., and Trump orders destroyers, Marines, submarines, and surveillance aircraft into Venezuelan waters to confront Nicolás Maduro's “narco-terror cartel.” "And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:32 Keywords: Tulsi Gabbard revokes clearances, William Burns Trump fascist claim, Obama Trump-Russia ICA Steele Dossier, Democratic Party voter registration collapse, Ben Rhodes socialism future, Trump Putin Ukraine peace talks, JD Vance Ukraine burden sharing, Microsoft China cyber hacks, Bill Gates China spies, North Korea secret ICBM base, Trump Venezuela destroyers Marines, Nicolás Maduro narco-terror cartel
Today's Headlines: Texas lawmakers finally got enough people in the room to move their new congressional map forward, shutting down Democratic objections along the way. Meanwhile in Mississippi, a federal judge ordered the state to ditch its decades-old gerrymandered map that diluted Black voters' power. On tariffs, Trump quietly expanded his 50% steel and aluminum tariffs to over 400 new products—everything from fire extinguishers to construction materials—hitting about $320 billion worth of imports. Border searches are also spiking: CBP combed through nearly 15,000 travelers' phones and laptops last quarter, the most ever, and they're looking for even more invasive tech to dig through people's texts. At HHS, over 750 employees blasted Secretary RFK Jr. for spreading anti-vax lies that they say are fueling violence against health workers—just weeks after a gunman attacked the CDC. Overseas, Israel is calling up 60,000 more reservists for its Gaza campaign and extending others' service, even as protests grow at home and a controversial West Bank settlement project gets the green light and a think tank says North Korea has a secret missile base near China capable of launching nukes at the U.S.—one of at least 15 hidden facilities. Lastly, in a weird twist, the White House just launched an official TikTok account on the very app Trump keeps trying (and failing) to ban. Resources/Articles mentioned in this episode: The Guardian: Texas Republicans bring redistricting bill to house floor after finally reaching quorum AP News: Mississippi Supreme Court map violates Voting Rights Act, judge rules NBC News: Trump expands 50% steel and aluminum tariffs to include 407 additional product types Wired: Phone Searches at the US Border Hit a Record High Axios: HHS workers accuse RFK Jr. of stoking violence against them NBC News: Israel enters first stage of planned assault on Gaza City WSJ: North Korea Has a Secret Long-Range Missile Base Near Chinese Border, Report Says The Guardian: White House launches official TikTok account after Trump vowed ban in 2020 Morning Announcements is produced by Sami Sage and edited by Grace Hernandez-Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Israel's Prime Minister is planning to sign off on plans for a massive assault on Gaza City. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he's open to compromise in a ceasefire deal – but there's one major condition. We tell you what Hurricane Erin's northward movement means for the East Coast. A secret nuclear base has been discovered in North Korea. Plus, a popular streamer has died during a live stream. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Gus has gone Hollywood so today we are joined by our pals Billy Langdon and Gerry Kenah. We talk horror comedy movies, pooping in North Korea, and what it means to be a juggalo. Gerry barely survived the Rose Bowl, Billy battles eye boogers, and Liam obsesses over the Grizzly Man. SUPPORT BLANDINO'S PIZZA: https://fridaybeers.shop/collections/af-pod FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS: https://www.flowcode.com/page/almostfridaypod SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Control Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get 20% off + free shipping with promo code FRIDAY at https://shopmando.com! #mandopod Shake Shack is treating you to a Free Summer BBQ Sandwich: Use code SUMMER in stores, online or on the Shack app to get your last taste of summer. https://shakeshack.com/#/ Head to https://www.squarespace.com/FRIDAY to save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FRIDAY. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Tycho van der Hoog joins the podcast to explore how North Korea forged and sustained ties with African liberation movements and governments during and after the Cold War — connections that continue to shape the country's activities on the continent today. He shares how his interest in the topic began with a trip to Namibia, where he encountered North Korean-built monuments. He also talks about his years of archival research and fieldwork across Southern Africa and the role of cultural and ideological exchange, including how North Korea used Juche ideology and its own unique aesthetics to build loyalty. Dr. Tycho van der Hoog is assistant professor of international security studies at the Netherlands Defense Academy, and the author of “Comrades Beyond the Cold War,” a new book that traces North Korea's unexpected ties with postcolonial states in Southern Africa. About the podcast: The North Korea News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Jacco Zwetsloot exclusively for NK News, covering all things DPRK — from news to extended interviews with leading experts and analysts in the field, along with insight from our very own journalists. NK News subscribers can listen to this and other exclusive episodes from their preferred podcast player by accessing the private podcast feed. For more detailed instructions, please see the step-by-step guide at nknews.org/private-feed.
[@ 5 min] Alright, this week…music critic Anne Midgette goes Inside the Huddle. As the co-author of the article that launched Classical Music's #metoo movement in 2018 AND as the former music critic of the Washington Post, today's guest is uniquely qualified to comment on just about everything we care about on this podcast. Next month, Anne Midgette is a guest speaker for the Jussi Bjorling Society's webinar “The Myth of Park and Bark,” so in addition to asking her about the Kennedy Center and what we should do with all of our Domingo recordings, we'll talk about acting for singers too! [@ 47 min] Plus, in the ‘Two Minute Drill'…Tom Cruise has to wash his hair, Ben Folds is not really into North Korea vibes, and we warned you, Peter Gelb. GET YOUR VOICE HEARD operaboxscore.com facebook.com/obschi1 operaboxscore.bsky.social
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: First—we'll have the latest updates on President Donald Trump's push to end Moscow's war in Ukraine, as the White House reportedly works to organize a face-to-face meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Later in the show—China and India's top diplomats say they are deepening cooperation in the face of threats to free trade, the latest signal that President Trump's tariff crackdown is accelerating a thaw in relations between the two eastern powers. Plus—The Democratic Republic of Congo and M23 rebels miss a critical deadline to reach a peace agreement, but Qatari mediators are hopeful they can salvage a deal to end the years long conflict. In our 'Back of the Brief—authorities bust a Chinese national living illegally in the U.S. for smuggling firearms, ammunition and other military items to North Korea at the direction of the Kim regime. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Lean: Visit https://TakeLean.com & use code pb20 for 20% off American Financing: Call American Financing today to find out how customers are saving an avg of $800/mo. 866-885-1881 or visit https://www.AmericanFinancing.net/PDB - NMLS 182334, https://nmlsconsumeraccess.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
-Gordon Chang joins on the Newsmax Hotline, analyzing China's economic decline, U.S. manufacturing shifts back home, and the broader geopolitical challenges Beijing faces -The conversation expands to North Korea, with Chang warning about Kim Jong Un's nuclear ambitions and capabilities, including the potential to strike the U.S. mainland. Today's podcast is sponsored by : BIRCH GOLD - Protect and grow your retirement savings with gold. Text ROB to 98 98 98 for your FREE information kit! To call in and speak with Rob Carson live on the show, dial 1-800-922-6680 between the hours of 12 Noon and 3:00 pm Eastern Time Monday through Friday…E-mail Rob Carson at : RobCarsonShow@gmail.com Musical parodies provided by Jim Gossett (www.patreon.com/JimGossettComedy) Listen to Newsmax LIVE and see our entire podcast lineup at http://Newsmax.com/Listen Make the switch to NEWSMAX today! Get your 15 day free trial of NEWSMAX+ at http://NewsmaxPlus.com Looking for NEWSMAX caps, tees, mugs & more? Check out the Newsmax merchandise shop at : http://nws.mx/shop Follow NEWSMAX on Social Media: -Facebook: http://nws.mx/FB -X/Twitter: http://nws.mx/twitter -Instagram: http://nws.mx/IG -YouTube: https://youtube.com/NewsmaxTV -Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsmaxTV -TRUTH Social: https://truthsocial.com/@NEWSMAX -GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/newsmax -Threads: http://threads.net/@NEWSMAX -Telegram: http://t.me/newsmax -BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/newsmax.com -Parler: http://app.parler.com/newsmax Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideHave you ever wondered what it's really like living under the world's most repressive regime? For citizens of North Korea, life is restrictive to say the least, where they have limited freedoms and are subject to government surveillance and propaganda. Author Barbara Demick wrote a book titled: Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, which follows and tells the real-life stories of 6 North Korean residents and all they endured over a 15-year span. Demick joined us to discuss life in North Korea as well as her latest book, an equally powerful and engaging real life story: Daughters of the Bamboo Grove: From China to America, a True Story of Abduction, Adoption, and Separated Twins?
Bradley Jay Fills in on NightSideHave you ever wondered what it's really like living under the world's most repressive regime? For citizens of North Korea, life is restrictive to say the least, where they have limited freedoms and are subject to government surveillance and propaganda. Author Barbara Demick wrote a book titled: Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea, which follows and tells the real-life stories of 6 North Korean residents and all they endured over a 15-year span. Demick joined us to discuss life in North Korea as well as her latest book, an equally powerful and engaging real life story: Daughters of the Bamboo Grove: From China to America, a True Story of Abduction, Adoption, and Separated Twins?
진행자: 박준희, Chelsea ProctorLee administration pledges complete wartime OPCON transfer by 2030기사 요약: 국정기획위원회가 8월 13일 이재명 정부의 국정운영 5개년 계획을 발표하며, 임기 내 전시작전통제권 전환 목표를 제시해 실현 가능성에 관심이 집중되고 있다.[1] The transition of wartime operational control from the United States to South Korea has been designated as a key national security priority in the Lee Jae Myung administration's five-year governance plan, unveiled Wednesday.* transition: 전환* wartime operational control: 전시작전권* key: 핵심* priority: 우선 순위[2] According to the State Affairs Planning Committee — a de facto transition team tasked with drafting the administration's long-term agenda — the government aims to establish and implement a roadmap for the OPCON transfer during Lee's term.* de-facto: 사실상의* agenda: 의제, 안건* aim: ~를 목표로 하다* term: 임기[3] The plan calls for strengthening South Korea's operational planning and command capabilities to enhance deterrence against North Korea, while reaffirming that the transition will proceed in close coordination with the South Korea-US alliance.* call for something: ~을 필요로 하다* deterrence: 전쟁 억제(력)* proceed: 진행하다* close coordination: 긴밀한 협력[4] South Korea has not held wartime operational control of its troops since the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950, when the authority was delegated to the United Nations Command. It was later transferred to the South Korea-US Combined Forces Command, which remains under the leadership of a US four-star general.* troops: 군부대* outbreak: (전쟁·사고·질병 등의) 발생* authority: 권한; 지휘권기사 원문: https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10553383[코리아헤럴드 팟캐스트 구독]아이튠즈(아이폰):https://itunes.apple.com/kr/podcast/koliaheleoldeu-paskaeseuteu/id686406253?mt=2네이버 오디오 클립(아이폰, 안드로이드 겸용): https://audioclip.naver.com/channels/5404팟빵 (안드로이드): http://www.podbbang.com/ch/6638
President Zelensky says work has already started on security guarantees for Ukraine after talks in Washington about how to end the war. European leaders have been meeting to discuss their next steps to protect Ukraine from President Putin's Russia. Also: Hamas says it has accepted a peace plan to end the war with Gaza; we're still waiting for Israel's response; the very old men who want to go home to North Korea; the US says it's made Britain drop its secret demand for access to Apple users' data worldwide; why President Maduro of Venezuela wants to mobilise millions of people against the United States; the Ketamine Queen pleads guilty; and a huge operation is taking place in northern Sweden to move a church five kilometres, to save it from subsidence. 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
In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: First—Hamas accepts an updated 60-day ceasefire proposal that would see the release of 10 living Israeli hostages. Israel is reportedly closely studying the terror group's response, but will it be enough to forestall Israel's planned offensive to occupy Gaza City? Later in the show—North Korea's Kim Jong Un calls for a rapid buildup of the country's nuclear arsenal to counter what he calls provocations by the U.S. and South Korea. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on gold TriTails Premium Beef: Don't Settle for shrink-wrapped "steak." Visit https://trybeef.com/PDB to get the real stuff. Beam: Visit https://shopbeam.com/MIKE and use code MIKE to get our exclusive discount of up to 40% off. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From the BBC World Service: Japan's SoftBank has invested $2 billion in U.S. chipmaker Intel, which has been losing ground lately in the booming AI market. It also comes as the U.S. government weighs whether to take a direct stake in the company. And, as historic White House talks spark hopes of a Putin–Zelensky summit, the war in Ukraine grinds on, with Russia turning to North Korea to plug major labor gaps.
From the BBC World Service: Japan's SoftBank has invested $2 billion in U.S. chipmaker Intel, which has been losing ground lately in the booming AI market. It also comes as the U.S. government weighs whether to take a direct stake in the company. And, as historic White House talks spark hopes of a Putin–Zelensky summit, the war in Ukraine grinds on, with Russia turning to North Korea to plug major labor gaps.
NK News Correspondent Jooheon Kim joins the podcast this week to discuss Ahn Hak-sop, a 95-year-old former North Korean soldier and so-called unconverted prisoner of war who is seeking repatriation to the DPRK after decades in the South. He also talks about the controversy surrounding ROK police investigations into defector remittances to relatives in the North, which have focused attention on legal challenges around the transfers and spurred a legislator to address the issue. About the podcast: The North Korea News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Jacco Zwetsloot exclusively for NK News, covering all things DPRK — from news to extended interviews with leading experts and analysts in the field, along with insights from our very own journalists.
A California man has been sentenced for shipping weapons to North Korea. AP's Lisa Dwyer reports.
AP's Lisa Dwyer reports on the sentencing of a California man for shipping weapons to North Korea.
$1.5 billion disappears in minutes. But what follows reveals North Korea's expanding reach — from elite hackers to soldiers on the battlefield.The audacious attack was on the ByBit crypto exchange in February 2025. Investigators say North Korean hackers the Lazarus Group are responsible – the biggest heist in the history of crypto. With our hosts Jean Lee and Geoff White, we uncover how they pulled it off.But as Pyongyang's cyber army is striking targets all over the world, North Korean soldiers have also been fighting on more traditional battlegrounds – siding with Russia in its war on Ukraine. We meet the South Korean correspondent who secured a world-exclusive interview with a North Korean POW. Does this all signify a turning point for North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, as his cyber operatives pull off increasingly daring heists and his military gain real-world combat experience fighting with the Russians against Ukraine? As Kim continues to ally with Vladimir Putin — a leader whose country possesses exactly the kind of nuclear expertise North Korea has long sought – is he more dangerous than ever? Meanwhile North Korea says it has nothing to do with the cybercrimes the Lazarus Group is accused of, saying the United States is making these allegations to try and tarnish its image.Our story is about more than money. It's about where it goes, what it buys, and who's fighting in the shadows.
"The gang declares war against a Korean restauranteur who threatens to bump Paddy's from the coveted and profitable stop on the city's annual pub crawl." -Original Air Date: 9/27/2007- This week we're talking about The Gang Solves the North Korea Situation, Lorenzo Lamas, the new season of South Park and disappointing microbreweries. This is No Hugging, No Learning, the show about one thing...watching It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia for the first time. Want more NHNL? Next week's episode drops early on Patreon! Get the first seven days FREE and then it's just $5/month after that. You'll get every episode one week early with all of the extra content that we usually clip out of each release and movie reviews from the Seinfeld Extended Universe. Join Us at patreon.com/nohugging Wanna start your own podcast? Do it with Libsyn and get up to 2 months free podcasting service with our Libsyn code HUGGING. Get a FREE No Hugging, No Learning sticker by giving us a 5 star rating and a written review wherever you listen to this! Just be sure to send us your address! Email us: nohuggingnolearningshow@gmail.com Follow us! @nohugging on X @nohugging_nolearning on Instagram @nohugging.bsky.social on Bluesky Music: "The Gang Gets Trapped" by Reed Streets
North Korea. Seriously, how did this happen?You can find Ken on ... YOUTUBE: https://m.youtube.com/@ElephantsInRoomsTWITTER: https://x.com/Elephants_RoomsSUBSTACK: https://kenlacorte.substack.com/RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/KenLaCorte
Send us a textI'm starting with the alarming Putin and Trump Alaska summit where Putin's focused speech about economic expansion into the US and his emphasis on Alaska's proximity to Russia as a former Russian territory really freaked me out, especially knowing his associate Volodin was simultaneously meeting with Kim Jong-un in North Korea which no one covered. I'll tell you why this is important. Then I'm breaking down the most shocking tea that connects Bravo's Next Gen NYC star Charlie Zakkour to one of the most disturbing crypto kidnapping cases in New York history! In this deep dive, I reveal how Charlie wasn't just friends with crypto kidnappers John Woeltz and William Duplessie - he was actually working as their recruiter, bringing models and young women to their Prince Street townhouse where the alleged torture took place for money. I expose Charlie's connection to The Box nightclub scene, how he used Riley Burruss and other Bravo kids as marks to pay expensive bottle service bills while he recruited women for these dangerous men, and why parents like Teresa Giudice and Meredith Marks should be furious their daughters were put on a show with someone involved in this world. I'm also revealing the truth behind Jacqueline Laurita's $750,000 default judgment drama that turned out to be completely misreported by the media plus Todd Nepola's unhinged 10-minute Instagram rant threatening to sue Bravo producers over claims that don't add up with what Alexia has said publicly and what I know. Plus, I'm spilling exclusive new details about the mysterious Montauk murder of bathing suit company owner Martha Nolan O'Ceallaigh, who was found dead on insurance mogul Christopher Durham's boat after a night of partying - and why her naked host running from the scene screaming raises major red flags. Also I wonder if Dorit Kemsley knew her and it was odd RHOBH was filming there when it happened. From Putin's concerning rhetoric to crypto torture dungeons to mysterious boat deaths, this episode connects all the dots you've been missing!For the Full epsodes go here for only $6.00 per month plus more show! https://www.patreon.com/c/DishingDramaWithDanaWilkeySupport the showDana is on Cameo!Follow Dana: @Wilkey_Dana$25,000 Song - Apple Music$25,000 Song - SpotifyTo support the show and listen to full episodes, become a member on PatreonTo learn more about sponsorships, email DDDWpodcast@gmail.comDana's YouTube Channel
There are few countries on earth as repressed or as militarised as North Korea. Under the military-first dictatorship of the Kim Dynasty, the Korean People's Army – or KPA - has become the central pillar of the country's government and society. It's believed that with 1.3 million active soldiers, a 5.8 million strong paramilitary force, and 200,000 reserve soldiers, it has the largest military of any country in the world. While its massive military parades show off super-disciplined men and women, a peek behind the hermit kingdom's curtain reveals a more disturbing picture. From being forced to live in squalor to starving during their service, it's time to take a look at the horrible things North Korea's soldiers really have to go through. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
America stands at a crossroads—under siege from both foreign threats abroad and deep vulnerabilities at home. On one front, Jeff Nyquist, a relentless geopolitical analyst, pulls back the curtain on the global chessboard—where Russia, China, and North Korea quietly coordinate moves that could undermine U.S. sovereignty. With decades of research, insider testimony, and a historian's grasp of strategy, Nyquist exposes the ideological warfare, deception campaigns, and moral weaknesses that hostile powers are exploiting right now. His message is not one of fear, but of urgent truth—because in war, the side that fails to see the battlefield clearly is the side that loses. On the home front, election cybersecurity and forensics expert Mark Cook brings the fight to our own backyard, revealing how opaque, machine-driven voting systems erode public trust in the very foundation of the Republic. Through his “Hand Count Road Show,” Cook has traveled county by county, uncovering vulnerabilities, training citizens in hand-count ballot procedures, and demonstrating how transparency can be restored with nothing more than vigilance, video cameras, and community action. He has one mission: to return elections to the people—and ensure that every future generation truly lives with freedom and liberty. Hosted by Joe Untamed, this powerful conversation brings together two warriors on different battlefields but fighting for the same cause—America's survival. From the shadow strategies of global adversaries to the grassroots movement to secure our ballots, this episode will challenge what you think you know, and ignite a deeper understanding of the fight for our Republic. This isn't just another discussion—it's a call to wake up, stand up, and take part in defending the nation before it's too late.
Mazel morons! Today we're kicking things off with sports talk before diving into Josh's absolutely unhinged Dennis Rodman story-complete with alien emojis, North Korea, and an on-air crime confession that mysteriously never made it to broadcast. From there, we spiral into swaddles, chowder in 100-degree heat, and Josh's first-ever allergic reaction (spoiler: expired lotion is the villain). Plus, we answer YOUR questions about camping cuisine and baby registries, and give our take on an overhyped alert. What are ya nuts? Love ya! Leave us a voicemail here!Follow us on Instagram and TikTok! Sponsors:Visit Carawayhome.com/GOOD10 to take an additional 10% off your next purchase.Goodwipes is giving away FREE wipes! Just buy a pack at Target, Walmart, Kroger-or your local store-then head to goodwipes.com/GOODGUYS, text them your receipt and get reimbursed!Applebee's iconic 2 for $25 deal is back featuring their NEW Chicken Parmesan Fettuccine and NEW Big Bangin' Burger.Visit www.functionhealth.com/GOODGUYS or use gift code GOODGUYS 100 at sign-up to own your health.Find exactly what you're booking for. Booking.com, Booking. YEAH! Book today on the site or in the app.Prolon is offering Good Guys listeners 15% off sitewide plus a $40 bonus gift when you subscribe to their 5-Day Nutrition Program! Just visit ProlonLife.com/GOODGUYSPlease note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.Produced by Dear Media.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: Beijing detains one of its top diplomats, a man once seen as a future foreign minister. Is this just another anti-corruption campaign—or evidence of growing paranoia from Xi Jinping? Lebanon signs on to a U.S.-backed plan to disarm Hezbollah—but days later, six Lebanese soldiers are killed in a blast while seizing the group's weapons. Ukraine accuses Russia of helping North Korea upgrade its nuclear weapons delivery systems. Is Moscow trading tech for troops in its war against Ukraine? And in today's Back of the Brief—an update from Haiti, where the government has declared a three-month state of emergency in the central region as gangs tighten their grip and violence surges. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com.Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Birch Gold: Text PDB to 989898 and get your free info kit on goldJacked Up Fitness: Get the all-new Shake Weight by Jacked Up Fitness at https://JackedUpShakeWeight.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices