Podcasts about Japan

He once wore a ninja mask on our show. Now, he's back, unmasked, unapologetic, and wielding ancient energies like a multidimensional Jedi. In this mind-expanding episode of The Skeptic Metaphysicians, we welcome back Benton Ryer, a shamanic energy healer, occult practitioner, and author of The Shores of Eternity. But this time, he's stepping out of the shadows to talk openly about his powerful healing work, and even leads us through a live on-air healing session you'll feel through your speakers. From purging unseen energies to confronting hidden trauma stored in the body, Benton explains the mysterious Japanese system of Ko Shinto, a long-forgotten spiritual tradition that clears energetic impurities at a depth most modalities can't touch. He opens up about how he helped Will during his cancer journey, how most people won't accept healing when it's offered, and why skepticism often masks deeper spiritual resistance. Whether you're curious, skeptical, or already a believer in the unseen realms, this is one episode you won't forget. Who Is Benton Ryer?Author of The Shores of Eternity: A Memoir of SorceryKo Shinto practitioner specializing in purification ritesFormer masked guest known for nightly energy healing sessions on InstagramMartial artist with a background in Judo and Japanese esotericismNow based in Japan, continuing his spiritual studiesWhat You'll Discover in This EpisodeWhy Benton hid his identity during his first interview, and why he's now ready to be seenHow he works with ancient Japanese spirits (the kabi) to clear dense, parasitic energiesWhat really happens in a Ko Shinto purification, and why it's not the same as ReikiThe dangers of spiritual arrogance and why most “healers” aren't doing the real workThe energetic parasites that attach to gifted people, and why Benton says even your spirit guides may not be what they seemHis thoughts on “occult” being misunderstood as “evil”, and why his work is anything butA deeply moving moment: Benton shares how he worked on Will during cancer, and how the results stunned his doctorsThe truth about why so many people reject healing, even when they're in painWhy This Episode Matters This isn't your typical energy healer story. Benton Ryer bridges mysticism and martial discipline with raw honesty, biting humor, and zero sugarcoating. He doesn't just talk about healing, he demonstrates it, live. If you've ever been curious about the real mechanics of energy clearing… If you've felt like you've done “all the things” but still feel stuck… If you're ready to explore spiritual truths that don't fit into neat boxes… Then this episode will shake your assumptions, and maybe even clear your field. Bonus Alert! The full healing session Benton performed live during this episode will be released as a BONUS standalone episode on Monday! Be sure to subscribe so you don't miss it, and carve out time to fully receive the transmission. You will feel it.Connect with Benton Ryer BentonRyer.comYouTube: Live healings nightly at 8:30 PM PacificLove the Show? Help Us Grow! If this episode moved you, sparked your curiosity, or gave you chills (the good kind), please: ✅ Leave a 5-star review✅ Share the episode with a friend✅ Subscribe for more mind-blowing interviews every week Together, we're raising the vibration of the planet...one skeptic at a time.Subscribe, Rate & Review! If you found this episode enlightening, mind-expanding, or even just thought-provoking (see what we did there?), please take a moment to rate and review us. Your feedback helps us bring more transformative guests and topics your way! Subscribe to The Skeptic Metaphysicians on your favorite podcast platform and YouTube for more deep dives into spiritual awakening, consciousness, spirituality, metaphysical science, and mind-body evolution.Connect with Us: 

NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN - English News at 14:00 (JST), October 22

The Japanese parliament elects the new leader of the Liberal Party, Sanae Takaichi, as the country's first female prime minister. She holds conservative views and is not known to push for women's rights. Also, the US Vice President JD Vance arrives in Israel, just two days after the Gaza ceasefire was tested by deadly clashes, and how deep brain stimulation helped a woman with Parkinson's regain her ability to play the clarinet. 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

Robach and Holmes cover the latest news headlines and entertainment updates and give perspective on current events in their daily “Morning Run.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Takaichi Sanae, Japan's new prime minister, rode motorbikes and plays heavy-metal drums. Will her political ambitions be as bold? America, a nation of immigrants, is turning against new arrivals. Our correspondent explains the consequences. And a fast-growing chain of coffee shops creates a stir in Germany.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris and Pete have been struck down by the lurgy, so here's a slice of 2018 from the archives - back when Chris couldn't do links to save his life! AbroadInJapanPodcast@gmail.com if you've ever set off a Roomba for a laugh. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Takaichi Sanae, Japan's new prime minister, rode motorbikes and plays heavy-metal drums. Will her political ambitions be as bold? America, a nation of immigrants, is turning against new arrivals. Our correspondent explains the consequences. And a fast-growing chain of coffee shops creates a stir in Germany.Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—Subscribe to Economist Podcasts+For more information about how to access Economist Podcasts+, please visit our FAQs page or watch our video explaining how to link your account. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robach and Holmes cover the latest news headlines and entertainment updates and give perspective on current events in their daily “Morning Run.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robach and Holmes cover the latest news headlines and entertainment updates and give perspective on current events in their daily “Morning Run.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the BBC World Service: Japan elected its first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, and the Nikkei 225 index surged to a record high. But the conservative leader, who models herself after former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, will have to tackle a range of economic challenges: a falling population, a rise in the cost of living, and sluggish growth. Plus, a federal green tech funding pullback in the U.S. is hitting Vice President JD Vance's hometown.

After a brutal flash crash and a week of weak trading, many in the crypto world are asking if the cycle is done. Bitcoin has held above $100K, but altcoins have been crushed, sentiment has cratered, and major voices like Chris Burniske and Ansem are turning bearish. Still, some analysts think we're just seeing the most hated rally in history. Plus: Stripe's $5B Tempo blockchain raises big questions about the future of institutional crypto—and China clamps down on tech giants issuing stablecoins while Japan's banks push forward. Enjoying this content? SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast: https://pod.link/1438693620 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBreakdownBW Subscribe to the newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://blockworks.co/newsletter/thebreakdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Join the discussion: https://discord.gg/VrKRrfKCz8 Follow on Twitter: NLW: https://twitter.com/nlw Breakdown: https://twitter.com/BreakdownBW

In this episode, I sit down with Ken Honda—Japan's bestselling author, speaker, and “Zen Millionaire”—to explore how money carries energy and how you can shift from scarcity to abundance with peace and joy. Ken, the internationally acclaimed author of Happy Money and True Wealth, shares how to heal your relationship with money, create emotional freedom around your finances, and cultivate what he calls stress-free wealth. We dive into:

Masako Togawa (1931-2016) was a crime novelist, singer, and club owner. She created a chanson salon called the Blue Room, which catered to LGBTQIA+ artists and music enthusiasts during a time of legal discrimination, violence, and prejudice against queer people in Japan. For Further Reading:“Memories of Masako Togawa”The Master Key by Masako TogawaThe Lady Killer by Masako TogawaFor the past six years, we've been telling the stories of women you may or may now know– but definitely should. This month, we're bringing back our favorite Womanica episodes from across our back catalog. These are women throughout time and around the world who made their mark. History classes can get a bad rap, and sometimes for good reason. When we were students, we couldn't help wondering... where were all the ladies at? Why were so many incredible stories missing from the typical curriculum? Enter, Womanica. On this Wonder Media Network podcast we explore the lives of inspiring women in history you may not know about, but definitely should.Every weekday, listeners explore the trials, tragedies, and triumphs of groundbreaking women throughout history who have dramatically shaped the world around us. In each 5 minute episode, we'll dive into the story behind one woman listeners may or may not know–but definitely should. These diverse women from across space and time are grouped into easily accessible and engaging monthly themes like Educators, Villains, Indigenous Storytellers, Activists, and many more. Womanica is hosted by WMN co-founder and award-winning journalist Jenny Kaplan. The bite-sized episodes pack painstakingly researched content into fun, entertaining, and addictive daily adventures.Womanica was created by Liz Kaplan and Jenny Kaplan, executive produced by Jenny Kaplan, and produced by Grace Lynch, Maddy Foley, Brittany Martinez, Edie Allard, Carmen Borca-Carrillo, Taylor Williamson, Sara Schleede, Paloma Moreno Jimenez, Luci Jones, Abbey Delk, Adrien Behn, Alyia Yates, Vanessa Handy, Melia Agudelo, and Joia Putnoi. Special thanks to Shira Atkins.Follow Wonder Media Network:WebsiteInstagramTwitter Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As US tries to shore up the ceasefire in Gaza, humanitarian groups warn of continuing disruption in aid supplies.Prominent Israeli writer, David Grossman, gives us a rare interview - with a bleak assessment of the land his country has become.Also in the programme: Japan has its first female prime minister, but what does the change tell us about the place of women in Japan; and the former French president Nicolas Sarkozy begins a five year prison sentence.(Photo shows a member of the Palestinian Civil Defense walking next to a fire truck surrounded by destroyed buildings in Gaza City on 20 October 2025. Credit: Ebrahim Hajja/Reutersj

From the BBC World Service: Japan elected its first female prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, and the Nikkei 225 index surged to a record high. But the conservative leader, who models herself after former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, will have to tackle a range of economic challenges: a falling population, a rise in the cost of living, and sluggish growth. Plus, a federal green tech funding pullback in the U.S. is hitting Vice President JD Vance's hometown.

In our news wrap Friday, Republican lawmakers signaled they're not backing down as the government shutdown extended to a 21st day, the jewels stolen in a heist at the Louvre are worth an estimated $102 million, former French President Sarkozy reported to prison to begin serving a five-year sentence and Japan's parliament elected Sanae Takaichi as the country's first female prime minister. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

An appeals court has decided whether to allow the Trump Administration to deploy the National Guard in Portland. President Donald Trump's meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin could be put on ice. We tell you why the nomination of a controversial Trump pick is dead on arrival. Japan has just made political history. Plus, a former NFL player has died after a reported struggle with police. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Renowned BJJ blackbelt Roy Dean came onto The Strenuous Life Podcast to talk about his research into how BJJ got started in North America, martial arts culture in Japan, the power of Judo in self defense situations, the importance of role models in shaping one's conception of masculinitym and more. If you get a chance, please give this show a rating in Spotify or Apple Podcasts.  That really helps! Also, you can order Roy's new book "Groundswell" here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bjjpioneers/groundswell-the-rise-of-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-in-america And check out "The Kimura Roadmap" here: https://www.grapplearts.com/kimura Cheers, Stephan Kesting

From myth and legend to cider-fuelled revolutions, from Johnny Appleseed's frontier orchards to the Victorians' quest for the perfect pippin, the story of the apple has been anything but ordinary. In the final part of this five-part series, John and Patrick follow the fruit onto the world stage - when refrigeration, global shipping, and empire transformed it into an international commodity. From Tasmania's “Apple Isle” and Cecil Rhodes's Cape orchards, to Japan's remarkable embrace of the fruit that would one day give us the Fuji, the apple became both a tool of empire and a symbol of modernization.But world war would shake that story, stripping Britain of its imported fruit and forcing farmers to dig for victory. The apple rallied in service of king and country - only to face a peacetime collapse that saw Britain's orchards vanish in the shadow of supermarket shelves and European imports. Yet the apple endures, still shaping landscapes, economies, and everyday diets around the globe.Join John and Patrick as they conclude the saga of the world's most storied fruit - a tale of empire, war, decline, and resilience - that leaves us with the apple we know today.----------In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business-----------Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community.Support us!Share this episode with your friendsGive a 5-star ratingWrite a review -----------Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak peek of upcoming episodes and more.-----------Step into history - literally! Now is your chance to own a pair of The History of Fresh Produce sneakers. Fill out the form here and get ready to walk through the past in style.-----------Instagram, TikTok, Threads:@historyoffreshproduceEmail: historyoffreshproduce@gmail.com

Russia; Gaza; Japan; GOP Racists; Tariffs; JD Vance; Food Advice; San Francisco | Yaron Brook ShowOctober 21, 2025

We're getting closer to Halloween. How about another ghost story? Ame-onna, the rain woman - a haggard looking thing, soaked to the bone, wandering rainy nights. There's lore about her, rumors, theories... but she doesn't have her own ghost story. So I fixed that. First, I'll tell you the fascinating history: from Toriyama Sekien's 18th century yokai art (where she secretly represented courtesans) to the evolution into a grief-stricken mother searching for her stolen child. The Chinese literary connections. The "morning clouds, evening rain" idiom. The transformation from ephemeral beauty to child-stealing spirit. Then I'll read you my original story, "Rain for Days" - because Ame-onna deserved her own complete ghost tale. A middle child named Jiro. A mother's warning. Rainy days in old Japan. And the moment when the rain woman appears in his room, reaching out with bony fingers... [Please Note: Some of the links are affiliate links (both Amazon and other). This means that at no cost to you, if you use and purchase through them I receive a small compensation. This is paid by the retailer. It also helps support me and my artistic endeavors. Thank you.] Follow Uncanny Japan Patreon Uncanny Japan Website Thersa Matsuura Website Books on Amazon YouTube Facebook Instagram Buy Me a Coffee (one-time contribution) Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Credits Music by Julyan Ray Matsuura About SpectreVision Radio SpectreVision Radio is a bespoke podcast network at the intersection between the arts and the uncanny, featuring a tapestry of shows exploring creativity, the esoteric, and the unknown. We're a community for creators and fans vibrating around common curiosities, shared interests and persistent passions. spectrevisionradio.comlinktr.ee/spectrevisionsocial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

European governments have rallied behind Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and are rushing to secure a deal on the use of Russia's frozen assets, a coalition deal in Japan paves the way for Sanae Takaichi to become the country's first female prime minister, and Amazon Web Services experienced a major outage on Monday. Plus, Marc Rowan, chief executive of Apollo Global Management, has said Europe is “at war with itself” over financial regulation. Mentioned in this podcast:Europeans rush to Volodymyr Zelenskyy's defence after tense Donald Trump meetingApollo's Marc Rowan says ‘at war with itself' over finance regulationAmazon says cloud services recovering from widespread outageJapan coalition deal paves way for Sanae Takaichi to become first female PMToday's FT News Briefing was produced by Fiona Symon, Sonja Hutson, and Marc Filippino. Our show was mixed by Kent Militzer. Additional help from Michela Tindera, Gavin Kallmann and David da Silva. The FT's acting co-head of audio is Topher Forhecz. The show's theme music is by Metaphor Music.Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

//The Wire//2300Z October 21, 2025////ROUTINE////BLUF: JAPAN ELECTS NEW PRIME MINISTER. DISSENT IN IRELAND AS HIGH-PROFILE MIGRANT CRIME STRIKES DUBLIN.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Japan: Last night Sanae Takaichi was selected to be Japan's first female PM following the striking of a new coalition deal in Parliament.Analyst Comment: Things might get rather interesting in Japan as Takaichi is the most politically conservative PM (by Japanese standards) that Japan has had since Shinzo Abe. Japanese internal politics is often strange to observe from a western perspective, however this election does signal a desire to shift to the political right for the Japanese.Ireland: Authorities are allegedly investigating the assault of a child at a migrant center in Dublin. A 10-year-old girl was found on the grounds of the Citywest Hotel in Dublin after being assaulted by an African migrant. The migrant in question had an active deportation order since March, but had not been deported. Following the revelation of this story, locals protested outside this migrant facility this afternoon. These protests rapidly turned into a riot, and at least one police vehicle was set on fire outside the facility.-HomeFront-Georgia: Yesterday a man was arrested after threatening to conduct a small arms attack at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta. Billy Cagle was arrested after he livestreamed his attack plans on social media, before traveling to the airport to conduct the attack. His family members saw the livestream and notified law enforcement immediately, which led to his arrest in the South Terminal before he was able to conduct the attack.Analyst Comment: This appears to be more of a mental illness situation rather than the standard terror attack. Granted, bullets don't discriminate so in the heat of the moment this was still a very clear and present danger regardless. He was detained at the scene with a rifle in his vehicle, so his threats were probably not idle.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: Regarding the situation in Ireland, anytime Irish authorities are this forthcoming with details involving migrant crime, the situation is very serious. This migrant center has been turned into permanent housing for migrants (to the tune of €148 million), and has been the source of scandal following months of locals being terrorized by the inhabitants of this hotel. This facility is also under the protection of the Gardai, as this housing center has been the target of protests by ethnic Irishmen. This has led many to question how a migrant was able to kidnap a child and drag her to the facility, which was being protected by private security guards as well as police. Considering the gravity of the situation at hand, this might be yet the latest catalyst in keeping tensions hot in Ireland.Analyst: S2A1Research: https://publish.obsidian.md/s2underground//END REPORT//

This week on BS with Brian Simpson, Brian dives into the wild world of AI chatbots, tech lawsuits, and society's obsession with smartphones. From shocking headlines about AI gone wrong to Japan's proposed screen-time limits, Brian delivers his signature mix of comedy, cynicism, and sharp perspective.Plus: the Fermi Paradox, Mars colonization, and why humans are experts at messing things up. Stick around for emails, relationship advice, and plenty of laughs.0:28 – AI Chatbot Headlines3:28 – Lawsuits Against AI Companies8:20 – Relationships with Chatbots?12:26 – Technology vs. Humanity15:06 – The Fermi Paradox Explained18:13 – The Future of AI & Misuse24:05 – Japan's Smartphone Ban Proposal29:25 – Teen Power & Social Media36:00 – First U.S. Case of Screw Worms?!39:00 – Brian Back on Tour40:14 – Email: Living with a Narcissist47:20 – Divorce, Advice & Moving On48:29 – Closing ThoughtsCall the VoicemailVoicemail: 323-451-1980 – We'll listen to them all and play some of the good ones on the show.Email the show: bswithbriansimpson@gmail.comTour Dates & Tickets: briansimpsoncomedy.comFollow Brian: @BScomedian Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Tuesday, October 21st, 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                    Xi Jinping fired 9 Chinese military commanders China's communist system is in turmoil, as the defense ministry announces the removal of nine very senior military commanders from duty, including a number two general, He Weidong. Since 2023, the communist leader, Xi Jinping, has administered the removal of dozens of senior officers. These moves signal a factionalism from within the party and the Chinese military. Experts question whether Jinping will survive in his position. This week, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China is holding its Fourth Plenary Session where leaders will work out a Five-Year Plan. The outcome of this meeting will reveal Jinping's standing in party politics. Keep in mind: God is in control. Haggai 2:22 says, “The word of the Lord came unto Haggai … I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms. … I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, everyone by the sword of his brother.” Pakistani pastor survives murder plot A Pakistani pastor survived a murder attempt in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, on the morning of Sunday, September 21, reports Barnabas Aid. Pastor Kamran Naz had been traveling by bus, accompanied by his mother, from his home in Gujranwala to lead a church service in Islamabad when he was attacked by two unidentified gunmen. One bullet wounded the pastor in the right leg. A second bullet narrowly missed his head. The attackers then fled on a motorcycle as some church members who were present swiftly came to the pastor's aid and contacted emergency services. Pastor Kamran had previously notified the police of numerous death threats. He was warned to stop ministering at the church or face the consequences.  Pastor Imran Amanat, leader of the Christian advocacy group LEAD Ministries Pakistan, said, “We will not be intimidated or silenced. We demand that the authorities immediately ensure the protection of Christian leaders and hold the criminals accountable. If the government continues to ignore these threats, it becomes complicit in the persecution.” According to Open Doors, Pakistan is the eighth most dangerous country worldwide for Christians. Swedish parents lost custody over kids' required church attendance Certain European nations have now been recognized for their systemic violation of parental rights, especially if the parents happen to be Christian.  Alliance Defending Freedom International is working on a case in Sweden, where parents have lost custody of their children under charges of “religious extremism.” The parents had simply restricted the phone use of their teen children and required attendance at church meetings. After three years of attempts to regain custody, Daniel and Bianca Samson are appealing their case to the European Court of Human Rights. Recently, the High Court has already condemned countries like Spain, Portugal, Italy, Croatia, and Romania for systemic violations in family separation and child welfare cases. Iran threatens Israel Iran's Ayatollah Ali Khamenei took to social media (X) yesterday, effectively taunting the American government, threatening Israel, and asserting independence for the nation's nuclear program. He asked, “What authority do you, Americans, have to dictate what a country should or shouldn't do if it possesses nuclear industry? What position do you hold in the world? How is it any of America's business whether Iran has nuclear capabilities and nuclear industry or not? .. . The U.S. President boasts that they've bombed and destroyed Iran's nuclear industry. Very well, in your dreams!” Trump urges Putin and Zelenskyy to end the war President Donald Trump is urging Ukraine's leader, Volodymyr Zelenskyy to end the war on Russia's terms.  He warned Zelenskyy of Russian President Vladimir Putin's threat to “destroy” Ukraine it there is no agreement.  The Financial Times described the meeting as a “shouting match”, with Trump throwing maps in the room, and “cursing all the time.” Japan greenlights Morning After Pill Japan has just approved the abortifacient drug known as the over-the-counter “morning after” pill. Japan also approved the RU-486 abortion kill pill back in April 2023. Japan recorded 686,000 births in 2024. That's down from 762,000 in 2023, and down from 2,000,000 in 1975. Jeremiah 32:35 speaks of this child sacrifice.  “They built the high places of Baal in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to offer up their sons and daughters to Molech, though I did not command them, nor did it enter into my mind, that they should do this abomination.” Day 21 of U.S. government shutdown The U.S. government shutdown is rounding its 21st day. With 900,000 employees furloughed, the shutdown represents the most severe in American history.  Indeed, 7,850 flights were delayed due to air traffic control staffing shortages on Sunday.  According to TheHill.com, 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 TSA agents are presently working without pay. Housing bubble has burst The housing bubble has burst in multiple cities across the United States. The median house values in Oakland, California and Austin, Texas have dropped by 24% since the peak in 2022. Significant declines have also been reported in New Orleans, San Francisco, Fort Myers, Florida, and Denver, Colorado, reports WolfStreet.com. Gold and silver hit new record highs Metals continued their journey upwards and onwards in Monday's market activity. Gold hit $4,350 per ounce and silver hit $52 and change per ounce, reports Reuters. Trump's Education Dept. funds conservative ideology at colleges The Trump Education Department is offering preferential funding for those universities willing to bend more conservative. Only Vanderbilt, the University of Arizona, and the University of Texas at Austin have embraced to the idea out of the nine universities approached with the proposal, reports Breitbart.  MIT, Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Southern California have all rejected the Trump administration's encouragement to abolish their departments opposed to conservative ideas.  Major jewel heist at Louvre in Paris, France And finally, a team of four thieves broke into the Louvre Museum in Paris over the weekend. They stole priceless jewels dating back to the 19th Century, reports Reuters. Among the stolen items were a tiara and brooch belonging to Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, an emerald necklace and a pair of emerald earrings from Empress Marie Louise, Napolean's second wife, and a tiara, a necklace, and single earring from the sapphire set that belonged to Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense. (Also a brooch known as the "reliquary brooch” was taken). Close And that's The Worldview on this Tuesday, October 21st, 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.

Can you build great projects without first building great people? In this powerful follow-up to Respect for People, Jason explores the heart of Lean's second pillar, Hitozukuri, the Japanese concept of “making people before making things.” Drawing from post-war Japan, the Toyota Production System, and the hard lessons of modern construction, Jason shows why the world's most successful companies  and nations invest in humans first. You'll hear: The incredible story of how post-WWII Japan rose from ashes through training, not punishment. Why the U.S. construction industry keeps repeating the same mistakes by hiring skills instead of developing people. What happens when leaders spend more time with their teams than managing over them. How DPR and Toyota embody the “build people, build things” philosophy and how you can too. The simple truth: Without training, standardization, and care, Lean collapses. If you've ever wished your crews were more capable, your leaders more confident, or your culture more united, this episode is your blueprint. Listen now and rediscover the power of building humans before buildings. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two

What if the problem with construction isn't your process but your culture? In this first episode of Jason's Japan Reflections & Lean Series, Jason takes you inside what he learned studying Lean culture at its source and how Japan's quiet principle of respect for people changes everything. From jet lag to cultural shock, from U.S. “just figure it out” grit to Japan's “shoulder-to-shoulder” mentorship, Jason unpacks the biggest leadership shift our industry needs. This isn't another buzzword about empathy, it's a blueprint for transforming teams, training, and trust. You'll hear: Why “Respect for People” is the beating heart of Lean. How Japanese teams train side-by-side instead of blaming mistakes. The difference between improving chaos and building standards. Why Western management still carries the scars of Frederick Taylor. And how you can start leading like Japan without ever boarding a plane. If you've ever wondered why Lean thrives in Japan but stalls elsewhere, this episode gives you the answer. Listen now and learn how to build a culture that truly respects people. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two

What if the secret to world-class quality isn't technology but pride? In this episode, Jason unpacks the Japanese concept of Monozukuri - the deep pride and craftsmanship that drives excellence in every detail of work. From the story of Japan's Seven-Minute Miracle cleaning crews to the engineering perfection of the Shinkansen bullet train, Jason reveals how love for the customer, pride in your craft, and acknowledgement of people create unstoppable performance. You'll hear: How one leader turned a team of burned-out cleaners into national heroes through Kaizen. Why “acknowledging your people” might be the single most powerful productivity tool. How friction, frustration, and lack of respect destroy craftsmanship on U.S. job sites. The simple daily practices that can reignite pride and quality in construction. And why every worker deserves to give their hands, head, and heart, not just their labor. If you want to lead teams that love their work and deliver excellence worth clapping for, this episode is your blueprint. Listen now and rediscover what pride in craftsmanship really looks like. If you like the Elevate Construction podcast, please subscribe for free and you'll never miss an episode.  And if you really like the Elevate Construction podcast, I'd appreciate you telling a friend (Maybe even two

NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN - English News at 18:00 (JST), October 21

NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN - English News at 14:00 (JST), October 21

NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN - English News at 03:00 (JST), October 22

NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN - English News at 23:00 (JST), October 21

EScientists worry about biggest CO₂ spike ever recordedMontana Court Dismisses Youth-led Lawsuit Challenging Trump Executive Orders Boosting Fossil FuelsWhile the court found it plausible that the Trump administration's efforts to increase the extraction and use of fossil fuels and other actions that suppress climate science and undermine renewable energy would cause grave harm to the health and wellbeing of children, it determined that it is powerless to stop them, as that would tread into the realm of policymaking reserved for CongressInternational deal to cut shipping emissions falters under U.S. pressureThe world's largest maritime nations had been deliberating on adopting regulations to move the shipping industry away from fossil fuels to slash emissions. But U.S. President Donald Trump, Saudi Arabia and other countries vowed to fight any global tax on shipping emissions.SBillionaire boss of South Korean construction giant is encouraging his workers to have children with a $75,000 bonusIn addition to the childbirth incentive, Lee Joong-keun, the founder and chairman of Booyoung Group is reportedly already trying to ease the financial burden on parents by helping out with college tuition for employees' children, medical expenses for direct family members, and child allowancesNestlé is laying off over 16,000 employees under its new CEO—and says a key motivator is ‘automation'Gen Z's misery is real: Most workers in this economy lack a voice and are stuck in low-quality jobs, a massive Gates-backed study findsMarc Benioff Says Trump Should Send Guard Troops to San Francisco Salesforce Offers Its Services to Boost Trump's Immigration Force GGlass Lewis to end shareholder vote recommendations amid ESG criticism CEOs are turning into influencers Sanae Takaichi elected as Japan's first female prime minister ‘Sad, if not damning': Cathie Wood blasts the proxy firms who say Elon Musk's $1 trillion pay package is just too rich“Index funds do no fundamental research, yet dominate institutional voting. Index-based investing is a form of socialism. Our investment system is broken.”AI Speed RoundOpenAI Blocks Videos of Martin Luther King Jr. After Racist Depictions Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian says ‘so much of the internet is dead'—and the rise of bots and ‘quasi-AI, LinkedIn slop' killed itSex could become the next big business opportunity for AI companiesSora might have a 'pervert' problem on its handsMeta Employee Creates AI App That Deepfakes the Dream Vacation You Couldn't AffordWalmart's deal with ChatGPT should worry every ecommerce small business: Your website is living on borrowed time in the age of AIMeta is asking Facebook users to give its AI access to their entire camera rollJPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon says AI will eliminate jobs and ‘people should stop sticking their head in the sand' The real danger of AI in education isn't cheating--it's dependency on Big Tech algorithms, a business professor warns An ex-OpenAI researcher's study of a million-word ChatGPT conversation shows how quickly ‘AI psychosis' can take hold—and how chatbots can sidestep safety guardrails

Shigeko Ito joins Let's Talk Memoir for a conversation about the lasting impact of childhood emotional neglect, how invisible trauma can manifest in adult life, fragmented memories, facing a fierce inner critic, accepting limits, growing as a person and as a writer, when the back story feels as important and relevant as the front story, the often chaotic experience of managing lots of material, becoming more compassionate, the healing power of storytelling, the generational trauma we inherit, using our experience to help others, and her new memoir The Pond Beyond the Forest: Reflections on Childhood Trauma and Motherhood.   Also in this episode: -not giving up -our authentic selves -viewing our work from a larger picture   Books mentioned in this episode: -Writing Without a Parachute:The Art of Freefall by Barbara Turner-Vesselago  -Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg -The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr -Old Friend from Far Away by Natalie Goldberg -Your Life as Story by Tristine Rainer -Immersion and Emotion: The Two Pillars of Storytelling by Michelle Barker   Shigeko Ito is an author, educator, and mental health advocate in Seattle who  grew up in Japan and immigrated to the United States in her early twenties to pursue higher education. She holds an MEd in early childhood education with an integrated Montessori teaching credential from the College of Notre Dame in Belmont, California, and a PhD in Education from Stanford University.  Her articles have appeared on the CPTSD Foundation's blog and on the ADAA (Anxiety and Depression Association of America) website. She has spent many years teaching at a Montessori preschool in Seattle, where she lives with her husband of thirty years.  Her new memoir is The Pond Beyond the Forest: Reflections on Childhood Trauma and Motherhood.   Connect with Shigeko: Website: shigekoito.com Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/shigekoitomemoir Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/shigekochakoito LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shigekoito-memoir Twitter/X: x.com/ShigekoChakoIto Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/shigekoito.bsky.social The Pond Beyond the Forest: Reflections on Childhood Trauma and Motherhood is available at major retailers such as Amazon, Barnes &; Noble, and Apple Books. However, the official purchase link is: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Pond-Beyond-the-Forest/Shigeko-Ito/9781647429805   – Ronit's writing has appeared in The Atlantic, The Rumpus, The New York Times, Poets & Writers, The Iowa Review, Hippocampus, The Washington Post, Writer's Digest, American Literary Review, and elsewhere. Her memoir WHEN SHE COMES BACK about the loss of her mother to the guru Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and their eventual reconciliation was named Finalist in the 2021 Housatonic Awards Awards, the 2021 Indie Excellence Awards, and was a 2021 Book Riot Best True Crime Book. Her short story collection HOME IS A MADE-UP PLACE won Hidden River Arts' 2020 Eludia Award and the 2023 Page Turner Awards for Short Stories.  She earned an MFA in Nonfiction Writing at Pacific University, is Creative Nonfiction Editor at The Citron Review, and teaches memoir through the University of Washington's Online Continuum Program and also independently. She launched Let's Talk Memoir in 2022, lives in Seattle with her family of people and dogs, and is at work on her next book. More about Ronit: https://ronitplank.com Subscribe to Ronit's Substack: https://substack.com/@ronitplank   Follow Ronit: https://www.instagram.com/ronitplank/ https://www.facebook.com/RonitPlank https://bsky.app/profile/ronitplank.bsky.social   Background photo credit: Photo by Patrick Tomasso on Unsplash Headshot photo credit: Sarah Anne Photography Theme music: Isaac Joel, Dead Moll's Fingers

In this episode of The ABMP Podcast, Darren and Kristin are joined by Doug Nelson to discuss how collaboration between MTs and PTs can accelerate client outcomes and strengthen the continuum of care. Doug shares how to navigate professional boundaries, build effective communication systems, and offers practical advice for massage therapists looking to establish stronger referral relationships as well as the importance of a shared language between disciplines.  Resources: Douglas Nelson is Board Certified in Massage Therapy and Therapeutic Bodywork, beginning his career in massage therapy in 1977.  Seeing over 1,200 client visits annually for decades, he is also the owner of BodyWork Associates, a massage therapy clinic in Champaign, IL. with 21 therapists that was established in 1982. He is the founder of NMT MidWest, Inc., providing training in Precision Neuromuscular Therapy™ across the USA. He has personally taught more than 13,000 hours of continuing education and is the author of three books. Doug is a past president of the Massage Therapy Foundation. Hosts: Darren Buford is senior director of communications and editor-in-chief for ABMP. He is editor of Massage & Bodywork magazine and has worked for ABMP for 22 years, and been involved in journalism at the association, trade, and consumer levels for 24 years. He has served as board member and president of the Western Publishing Association, as well as board member for Association Media & Publishing. Contact him at editor@abmp.com. Kristin Coverly, LMT is a massage therapist, educator, and the director of professional education at ABMP. She loves creating continuing education courses, events, and resources to support massage therapists and bodyworkers as they enhance their lives and practices. Contact her at ce@abmp.com.   Sponsors:   Anatomy Trains: www.anatomytrains.com    Anatomy Trains is a global leader in online anatomy education and also provides in-classroom certification programs for structural integration in the US, Canada, Australia, Europe, Japan, and China, as well as fresh-tissue cadaver dissection labs and weekend courses. The work of Anatomy Trains originated with founder Tom Myers, who mapped the human body into 13 myofascial meridians in his original book, currently in its fourth edition and translated into 12 languages. The principles of Anatomy Trains are used by osteopaths, physical therapists, bodyworkers, massage therapists, personal trainers, yoga, Pilates, Gyrotonics, and other body-minded manual therapists and movement professionals. Anatomy Trains inspires these practitioners to work with holistic anatomy in treating system-wide patterns to provide improved client outcomes in terms of structure and function.                      Website: anatomytrains.com                        Email: info@anatomytrains.com             Facebook: facebook.com/AnatomyTrains                       Instagram: www.instagram.com/anatomytrainsofficial   YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2g6TOEFrX4b-CigknssKHA     

Japan's first female prime minister sends financial markets soaring as investors bet she's gonna spend big on Japan's economy. The Brazilian oil giant Petrobras says it's been given the green light to start drilling for oil near the mouth of the Amazon river off the coast of the world's largest tropical rainforest. And Coca-Cola's results pop, but at the same time, demand is fizzling out. We'll find out what's going on at the world's biggest soda brand.You can contact us on WhatsApp or send us a voicenote: +44 330 678 3033.Presenter: Leanna Byrne Producer: Victoriya Holland Editor: Shea Conduct

Your daily news in under three minutes. At Al Jazeera Podcasts, we want to hear from you, our listeners. So, please head to https://www.aljazeera.com/survey and tell us your thoughts about this show and other Al Jazeera podcasts. It only takes a few minutes! Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Wrestling icon and local Texas star Kevin Von Erich sits down to discuss the upcoming AEW Dynamite & Collision event on October 22nd at the Boeing Center at TechPort in San Antonio! With AEW on a meteoric ascent as the first true mainstream wrestling alternative in decades, Von Erich offers insights into what fans can expect on this action-packed night. He'll also share stories from his near 50-year career and speak about his sons, Marshall & Ross Von Erich, who are continuing the family's legendary path as part of the AEW roster. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from a wrestling Hall of Famer with deep Texas roots, right before AEW returns to the Alamo City!AEW Dynamite/Collision: San AntonioDate:OCTOBER 22, 2025Venue:Boeing Center at TechPortCity:San Antonio, TXTime:6:30pm CThttps://www.allelitewrestling.com/aew-event/aew-dynamite-collision-san-antonioChapters:00:00-00:28: Introduction & WelcomeWelcome to I Am Refocused Radio.Introduction of special guest: Kevin Von Erich, true Texas wrestling legend.Promoting AEW Dynamite and Collision in San Antonio at the Boeing Center at Techport on October 22nd.00:28-00:54: The Von Erich Sons & AEWMention of his sons, Marshall and Ross Von Erich, continuing the family legacy in AEW (airs on TBS, TNT, and streams on HBO Max).Thanking Kevin Von Erich for his time.How are you doing, sir?00:54-02:24: Fondest Memories & the People of TexasDiscussing nearly five decades in the business and asking which moments still stand out today.Sharing a story about a costume contest in Wichita Falls during Halloween.Recounting the moment he lifted a heavy little girl dressed as a witch into the ring, and the crowd's considerate silence to avoid hurting her feelings.Highlighting the brotherhood and consideration of the people of Texas.02:24-04:44: Personal Growth and the Importance of FamilyReflecting on lessons learned while growing and succeeding in the business.The initial focus on working "hard all out" to bring home a check for the family.The crushing loss of his brothers, David in 1984 and Mike in 1986.Realizing that family was what was important all along, not money or fame.Describing the intense work ethic—performing with fever, broken bones, and dislocations—because the fans paid their money.The motivation of being a father: willing to pay any price and the confidence his family had in him.Concluding that love is the greatest force on Earth.04:44-05:04: AEW Event PromotionReminder to tune into I Am Refocus Radio with Kevin Von Erich.Promoting AEW Dynamite and Collision in San Antonio on October 22nd at the Boeing Center at Techport.05:04-07:51: Advice for Sons and the New Era of WrestlingAsking what advice he gives his sons, Marshall and Ross, on balancing fame, pressure, and purpose.Recounting his own father's advice not to enter the business and his sons' similar defiance.Describing the brutal training in Japan ("like torture") with a thousand sit-ups and push-ups daily, sweeping, bowing, and building the ring.The sons' love for the business despite the hardship.Observing that AEW has "burst out from the pack" and is a leader.Praising modern wrestlers as fluid, decisive, and professional athletes right out of college or the NFL.Noting the absence of drugs in the current wrestling business.Lamenting that his brothers can't see this new era.Asking if he sees a glimpse of his younger self in his sons and the importance of work ethic.07:51-12:30: Work Ethic, Discipline, and The MovieStating you get out of it what you put into it; it's about paying the price and working harder than others.Discussing the discipline and hard life of an athlete.Addressing The Iron Claw movie, mentioning the filmmakers were from England and didn't consult him.Pushing back on the depiction of Texans as "rough" and his father's strict, but respectful, upbringing with a leather strap.Highlighting the Texas values: respect, punctuality, and keeping your word.Asking what sets AEW apart from other promotions.Comparing AEW to the "World-Class Wrestling" of his day: having young, hungry guys who developed organic, natural personalities.Praising AEW athletes as hard-working, devoted to the sport, and masters of their counters, reversals, and submissions.Refuting the movie's narrative that his father forced them to wrestle or that it was "money, money, money."Admitting to using numbing agents (Novocaine) on knees and back before shows, but stressing it was not for fun but to perform better for the crowd.Asserting wrestling is the purest form of entertainment.12:30-15:23: San Antonio Fans and Texas Wrestling PrideAddressing fans going to the Boeing Center on October 22nd.Remembering the incredible noise in San Antonio at the Freeman Coliseum and Hemisphere Arena—"better than Dallas."Sharing his love for San Antonio and the Texas rivers, mentioning his recent move to the country near Sisterdale.Quote: "If you want to find a way to really love Texas, try leaving it for 20 years."Asking what he's most proud of regarding Texas wrestling on a global stage.Describing the Texas style as men who will "pay the price" and "knock the heck out of each other."Expressing how the crowd noise and chanting is essential, recalling how difficult it must have been for young wrestlers during COVID in empty arenas.Stating wrestlers "feed off the crowd," and you "don't feel anything when you're flying off the turnbuckles."15:23-18:14: Final Lessons and True LegacyAsking what lessons today's wrestlers need to learn from his experience.Discussing muscle memory and the wrestler's code of ethics.Sharing a story about his friend, Bruiser Brody, and the danger of crossing someone who is "that down to hurt, to pain," leading to Brody's death.Asking what legacy means to him personally, beyond titles and fame.Reiterating that his sons and family have no curse—they are blessed.Expressing concern that the movie's narrative ("curse" and name-changing) is "a bunch of bull" and not the truth, though he knows movies are "strong things."Final thank you and good wishes for the show in San Antonio.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/i-am-refocused-radio--2671113/support.Thank you for tuning in to I Am Refocused Radio. For more inspiring conversations, visit IAmRefocusedRadio.com and stay connected with our community.Don't miss new episodes—subscribe now at YouTube.com/@RefocusedRadio

Episode 147 is live. Acefield Retro and Chad are back with a brand-new edition of Wrestling Tonight to break it all down, a massive week across AEW, WWE, and beyond. AEW WrestleDream 2025 in St. Louis felt like a complete show from start to finish. Every match had purpose, and every moment built toward something meaningful. Darby Allin finally defeated Jon Moxley in a violent but deeply emotional I Quit match that ended with Sting's return.  Hangman Page and Samoa Joe delivered the kind of world title match that rewards patience, ending with Page barely surviving before The Opps made their presence felt again. Cracks began to form in Don Callis' camp when Kazuchika Okada accidentally hit Takeshita with a Rainmaker, costing them the tag titles. Kris Statlander's win over Toni Storm was the title defense her reign needed, and Mercedes Moné continued her dominant streak by defeating Mina Shirakawa to break Ultimo Dragon's record. Elsewhere, Jurassic Express reunited to beat the Young Bucks in a fast, fun tag match that raised new questions about Kenny Omega's next move. Fletcher retained against Briscoe, Hayter and Thekla tore into each other, and The Hurt Syndicate picked up a strong win that puts them in line for gold. In WWE, Seth Rollins' shoulder injury could reshape the road to WrestleMania, but the larger story is the company's quiet rollout of an AI-driven storytelling system. Reports suggest WWE creative has begun testing artificial intelligence to help design character arcs, anticipate audience reactions, and fine-tune story pacing before scripts reach production. Whether this becomes a valuable tool or a creative crutch remains to be seen, but it marks a major shift in how wrestling stories might be told. Jacob Fatu's violent write-off and Ilja Dragunov's surprise United States Title win over Sami Zayn arrived with uncanny timing, fueling speculation that elements of the new system are already in play. Across the Pacific, AJ Styles may have wrestled his final match in Japan, closing the night with an emotional farewell speech delivered in Japanese by Shinsuke Nakamura. It was a week that balanced endings and beginnings. AEW delivered purposeful, organic storytelling while WWE stepped into uncharted territory by blending creativity with artificial intelligence. Wrestling keeps evolving, and nights like these remind everyone why they care.

Sanae Takaichi is the first female prime minister of Japan. She also claims Margaret Thatcher as a role model. Today on the show, Katie Martin and the FT's Tokyo bureau chief Leo Lewis discuss this historic election and what it might mean for markets in Japan and globally. Also, they go long shorts – for real this time. For a free 30-day trial to the Unhedged newsletter go to: https://www.ft.com/unhedgedoffer.You can email Robert Armstrong and Katie Martin at unhedged@ft.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Open The Voice Gate! Case (https://twitter.com/_inyourcase) and Mike (https://twitter.com/fujiiheya) are back with an update on the comings and goings of Dragongate.On this special episode of Open The Voice Gate, Case and Mike go deep on Masaaki Mochizuki and his candidacy for the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame. Using the Gordy List as a loose framework, they discuss the business side of the career, the immeasurable impact of Mochizuki in the Dragon System, and the incredibly deep ringwork catalog of Dragongate's Iron Man. As well, they discuss the remainder of the Japan region, Mocchy vs some of the prominent candidates, and where they are at with their ballots as the Observer voting period nears its close!Case's 30 Mochizuki Matches for 30 Years and Mike's Mochizuki business spreadsheet can be found in the Open The Voice Gate channel on the VOW discord or in this episode's show post on Voicesofwrestling.comOur podcast provider, Red Circle, offers the listeners the option to sponsor the show. Click on “Sponsor This Podcaster” at https://redcircle.com/shows/open-the-voice-gate and you can donate a single time, or set up a monthly donation to Open The Voice Gate!Please Rate and Review Open The Voice Gate on the podcast platform of your choice and follow us on twitter at https://twitter.com/openvoicegate.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

____________Podcast Redefining Society and Technology Podcast With Marco Ciappellihttps://redefiningsocietyandtechnologypodcast.com  ____________Host Marco CiappelliCo-Founder & CMO @ITSPmagazine | Master Degree in Political Science - Sociology of Communication l Branding & Marketing Advisor | Journalist | Writer | Podcast Host | #Technology #Cybersecurity #Society

Japan has a new prime minister, the next phase of the Israel-Gaza ceasefire, how Russian drones have impacted politics in Poland, L’Oréal acquires Kering’s beauty portfolio and we meet alt-pop star Allie X.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Robach and Holmes cover the latest news headlines and entertainment updates and give perspective on current events in their daily “Morning Run.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica reports LIVE from Jakarta on all the details from day one of women's qualifying. Plus who made men's finals. World Championships Headquarters  Videos, Interviews, Podcasts, Fantasy, Guides Extended Episode + Live Q&A (Members) +30 extra minutes of analysis, behind-the-scenes secret stories, plus member questions. Here's how to ask questions live. Can't make it live? Add Club bonus episodes to your favorite podcast player (instructions here). Chapters 00:00 – Show Intro & Welcome from Jakarta 03:15 – Headlines: Kaylia's Day, Nemour's 15.533 & Early Leaders 09:45 – Men's Qualifying Drama & Asher Hong Injury 13:20 – The Case for Accredited Alternates Explained 16:40 – How to Watch Worlds: Streams, Ambience Mode & VPN Tips 19:55 – Updates from Jakarta: Equipment Victims & Mixed Zone Highlights 22:45 – Coolest Skills So Far 25:10 – BTS Teaser: Fans, Bats & Club Gym Nerd Coverage Info 29:20 – WAG Podium Training Deep Dive: Subs 1–3 Highlights 38:10 – Ellie Black, Canada & NCAA Love 45:00 – Kaylia & The Schoenmaier Show – Germany's Standouts 50:10 – Men's Updates: Hashimoto, Seifert, Yulo & U.S. Status 57:40 – Listener Feedback & D-Score Inquiry Questions 01:03:20 – FIG Controversies & Artistry vs Difficulty Debate How Do I Watch the Competition? All sessions of the competition will be streamed on Eurovision Sport. Follow along here! Gymnastics Indonesia's YouTube channel will stream all qualification sessions Live scores from the FIG and Swiss Timing Check out NBC's behind-the-scenes mini-doc on the US Women's World Trials Headlines Is this Montreal all over again? The high bar COLLAPSED in the training hall Asher Hong got injured during warm-ups. Should there always be an accredited traveling alternate with the team for situations like this? Sugihara Aiko is leading the all-around standings after the first day of women's qualifications with a 54.099 Kaylia Nemour put up a casual 15.533 on bars. What did her other events look like? We do a deep dive into each subdivision from today's competition  What were the coolest/best/most fun skills we saw today? Jakarta Updates GymCastic Updates Subscribe to our YouTube Channel Coming Up 6 days of LIVE podcasts at World Championships in Jakarta Club members get extended coverage and can join us live to ask questions immediately after the meet Play our World Championships Fantasy Game! Win a Club Gym Nerd Scholarship: Go to our Forum > Show Stuff > GymCastic Scholarship We are matching every new sponsorship If you would like access to the club content, but aren't currently in a position to purchase a membership, all you need to do is fill out the form that's linked in our message board If you would also like to sponsor a scholarship, please email editor@gymcastic.com. Thank you! Support Our Work Club Gym Nerd: Join Here Become a Sponsor: GymCastic is matching all donations Nearly 50 scholarships have been awarded so far Learn More Headstand Game: Play Now Forum: Start Chatting Merch: Shop Now Thank you to our Sponsors Gymnastics Medicine Beam Queen Bootcamp's Overcoming Fear Workshop Resources Jakarta schedule & times: See our live podcast times on the Worlds HQ schedule Guides: Download the quick-reference guide on the Jakarta Headquarters page The Balance Beam Situation: Spencer's GIF Code of Points Gymnastics History and Code of Points Archive from Uncle Tim Kensley's men's gymnastics site Neutral Deductions   Unlock the Extended Episode Join Club Gym Nerd → Choose a plan Complete checkout — your site account is created. Log in here → /my-account/ Return to this page and refresh. The extended player appears automatically.

Today's blockchain and cryptocurrency news  Hackers siphon $3 million in XRP from US user's wallet Ethereum investors buy the dip' Japan mulls allowing local banks to buy and sell crypto: reports Binance bans more than 600 accounts over 'unauthorized third-party tools' ###Gemini Card Disclosure: The Gemini Credit Card is issued by WebBank. In order to qualify for the $200 crypto intro onus, you must spend $3,000 in your first 90 days. Terms Apply. Some exclusions apply to instant rewards in which rewards are deposited when the transaction posts. This content is not investment advice and trading crypto involves risk. For more details on rates, fees, and other cost information, see Rates & Fees. The Gemini Credit Card may not be used to make gambling-related purchases.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jess Hotter is the 2022 Freeride World Tour Champion and a fixture in ski movies but Jess wasn't a ski prodigy or anything like that when she was coming up. She had a ski life and future that screamed “liftie” but Jess wasn't going to settle for that. An initial push from her parents for a post high school gap year in Canada, created a ski journey that has had Jess living in more world class resorts than almost anyone on the podcast...All before she achieved her pro ski success. Jess played the long game, surrounded herself with what she loved, and it all worked out in the end. Yes, life can be that easy if you're as hard working and passionate as Jess. Australian legend Anna Segal asks the Inappropriate Questions. Jess Hotter Show Notes: 4:00: Religion, ski bum stuff, Bently, NZ Islands, club field  skiing, dropping cliffs, the Wells brothers and influences, her parents push her to move to Banff  21:00:  Therm-ic Heated Socks: The branded that invented Heated Socks Stanley:  The brand that invented the category! Only the best for Powell Movement listeners.  Check out Stanley1913.com   Best Day Brewing:  All of the flavor of your favorite IPA or Kolsch, without the alcohol, the calories or sugar. 24:00: Skiing Powder, ski patroller, her travels to both islands and Japan, competing, Alaska, world travel, and Freeride 41:00: Elan Skis:  Over 75 years of innovation that makes you better. Outdoor Research: Click here for 25% off Outdoor Research products (not valid on sale items or pro products) 43:00: Killing it in 2019,  NZ  Freeride Team, sponsors, FWT Kicking Horse, pandemic kills momentum, FWT Champion , not making the tour, and MSP 68:00: Inappropriate Questions with Anna Segal

In the mid 17th century, a brave Augustinian priest went back to his homeland in Japan to bring the hope and truth of Christ to his people. Blessed Thomas "Kintsuba" Jihyoe is remembered today for his remarkable heroism, persevering to the very end and ultimately giving his life for the truth. In 2019, Pope Francis visited Japan and said, "Let us find powerful inspiration in the story of the early missionaries and Japanese martyrs. May we never forget their heroic sacrifice! May it not remain as a glorious relic of the past, to be kept and honored in a museum, but rather, a living memory, an inspiration for the works of the apostolate and a spur to renewed evangelization in this land" With that in mind, come listen to the incredible story of Blessed Thomas Jihyoe today andlet his story inspire you on your own journey to sainthood!Parental Guidance: True to the story of Blessed Thomas, this episode contains intense themes of persecuted and martyred christians. Please screen at your discretion for little listeners Saints Alive is brought to you by the #1 Catholic Prayer App, Hallow! Sign up today with a 30-day free trial! Please rate, review and share with friends and family! Find resources on the saints, discussion questions and more about our team by visiting our website: https://www.saintsalivepodcast.com/

Last time we spoke about the flooding of the Yellow River. As Japanese forces pressed toward central China, Chiang Kai-shek weighed a desperate gamble: defend majestic Wuhan with costly sieges, or unleash a radical plan that would flood its heart. Across/Xuzhou, Taierzhuang, and the Yellow River's bend near Zhengzhou, commanders fought a brutal, grinding war. Chinese units, battered yet stubborn, executed strategic retreats and furious counteroffensives. But even as brave soldiers stalled the enemy, the longer fight threatened to drain a nation's will and leave millions unprotected. Then a striking idea surfaced: breach the dikes of the Yellow River at Huayuankou and flood central China to halt the Japanese advance. The plan was terrifying in its moral cost, yet it offered a temporary shield for Wuhan and time to regroup. Workers, farmers, soldiers, laborers—pushed aside fear and toiled through the night, water rising like a raging tide. The flood bought months, not victory. It punished civilians as much as it protected soldiers, leaving a nation to confront its own hard choices and the haunting question: was survival worth the price?   #172 The Road to Wuhan Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Following the Battle of Xuzhou and the breaching of the Yangtze dykes, Wuhan emerged as Japan's next military objective for political, economic, and strategic reasons. Wuhan served as the interim capital of the Kuomintang government, making it a crucial center of political authority. Its fall would deprive China of a vital rail and river hub, thereby further crippling the Chinese war effort. From a strategic perspective, Japanese control of a major rail and river junction on the Yangtze would enable westward expansion and provide a base for further advances into central and southern China. For these reasons, the Intelligence Division of the Army General Staff assessed that the capture of Wuhan would likely deliver the decisive blow needed to conclude the Second Sino-Japanese War.  Recognizing Wuhan's strategic importance, both the National Revolutionary Army and the Imperial Japanese Army committed substantial forces to the city and its approaches. The IJA deployed roughly 400,000 troops, while the NRA fielded at least 800,000. China began the war with an estimated regular force of 1.7 to 2.2 million men, organized into six broad loyalty-based categories around Chiang Kai-shek's command. Directly loyal troops formed the first group, followed by a second tier of soldiers who had previously supported Chiang but were less tightly controlled. The next category consisted of provincial troops that Chiang could ordinarily influence, while a fourth group included provincial units over which his sway was weaker. The fifth category comprised Communist forces, the Eighth Route Army in the northwest and the New Fourth Army forming in the central Yangtze region. The final category consisted of Northeastern or Manchurian units loyal to Zhang Xueliang, known as the “Young Marshal.” The first two categories together accounted for roughly 900,000 men, with about a million more in independent provincial armies, and roughly 300,000 in Communist and Manchurian forces. As commander-in-chief, Chiang could effectively command only about half of the mobilizable units at the outbreak of war in July 1937, which meant that military decisions were often slow, fraught with negotiation, and administratively cumbersome. Division-level coordination and communication proved particularly challenging, a stark contrast to the Japanese command structure, which remained clean and disciplined. Geographically, most of Chiang's loyal troops were located in the corridor between the Yangtze and the Yellow rivers at the start of 1938. Having participated heavily in the defense of Shanghai and Nanjing, they retreated to Wuhan at about half strength, with an already decimated officer corps. They then numbered around 400,000 and were commanded by generals Chen Cheng and Hu Zongnan. The northern regional armies, especially Han Fuju's forces in Shandong, had suffered severe losses; some units defected to the Japanese and later served as puppet troops. After six months of Japanese onslaught that cost the coastal and central regions—Peiping-Tianjin to Shanghai and inland toward Nanjing—much of the relatively autonomous, sizable armies remained from the southwest or northwest, under leaders such as Li Zongren, Bai Chongxi (Guangxi), Long Yun (Yunnan), and Yan Xishan (Shanxi and Suiyuan). Roughly 700,000 of these troops—predominantly from Guangxi under Li and Bai—were committed to the defense of Wuhan. The Communist forces, by contrast, numbered about 100,000 and remained relatively unscathed in bases north and east of Xi'an. In total, approximately 1.3 million men were under arms in defense of Wuhan. In December 1937, the Military Affairs Commission was established to determine Wuhan's defense strategy. Following the loss of Xuzhou, the National Revolutionary Army redeployed approximately 1.1 million troops across about 120 divisions. The commission organized the defense around three main fronts: the Dabie Mountains, Poyang Lake, and the Yangtze River, in response to an estimated 200,000 Japanese troops spread over 20 divisions of the Imperial Japanese Army. Li Zongren and Bai Chongxi, commanding the Fifth War Zone, were assigned to defend the north of the Yangtze, while Chen Cheng, commanding the Ninth War Zone, was tasked with defending the south. The First War Zone, situated to the west of the Zhengzhou–Xinyang segment of the Pinghan Railway, was responsible for halting Japanese forces advancing from the North China Plain, and the Third War Zone, located between Wuhu, Anqing, and Nanchang, was charged with protecting the Yuehan Railway. Following the Japanese occupation of Xuzhou in May 1938, they sought to expand the invasion. The IJA decided to dispatch a vanguard to occupy Anqing as a forward base for an assault on Wuhan. The main force would then advance north of the Dabie Mountains along the Huai River, with the objective of eventually capturing Wuhan via the Wusheng Pass. A second detachment would move west along the Yangtze. However, a flood from the Yellow River forced the IJA to abandon plans to advance along the Huai and instead to attack along both banks of the Yangtze. Despite Chinese numerical superiority on the Wuhan front, roughly a 2:1 advantage, the offensive faced several complicating factors. The NRA was a heterogeneous, fragmented force with a variety of tables of organization and equipment, and it lacked the unified command structure that characterized the IJA. Historian Richard Frank notes the broad diversity of Chinese forces at the outbreak of the war, which hindered cohesive mobile and strategic operations: “Chiang commanded armies of 2,029,000 troops of highly variegated capability and loyalty. His personal forces included an elite cadre of three hundred-thousand German-trained and eighty-thousand German armed men. A second stratum of the Chinese armies, numbering roughly 600,000 included various regional commands loyal to Chiang in the past that generally conformed to his directives. These troops were better armed and trained than the rest. The third category encompassed a million men who were neither loyal nor obedient to Chiang”. The NRA faced a significant disadvantage in both quantity and quality of equipment compared to the Japanese. The disparity was stark in artillery allocations. An IJA infantry division possessed 48 field and mountain guns, whereas a German-equipped Chinese division had only 16. In terms of regiment and battalion guns, a Japanese division had 56, while a German-equipped Chinese division possessed just 30. Of roughly 200 Chinese infantry divisions in 1937, only 20 were German-equipped, and merely eight of those met their paper-strength standards. Many Chinese divisions had no artillery at all, and those that did often lacked radios or forward-observation capabilities to ensure accurate fire. These deficiencies placed the NRA at a clear disadvantage in firepower when facing the Japanese. These equipment gaps were compounded by poor training and tactical doctrine. The NRA lacked adequate training facilities and did not incorporate sufficient field maneuvers, gun handling, or marksmanship into its program. Although the 1935 drill manual introduced small-group “open order” tactics, many formations continued to fight in close-order formations. In an era when increased firepower rendered close-order tactics obsolete, such formations became a liability. The NRA's failure to adapt dispersed assault formations limited its tactical effectiveness. Defensively, the NRA also faced serious shortcomings. Units were often ordered to create deep positions near key lines of communication, but Chinese forces became overly dependent on fixed fortifications, which immobilized their defense. Poor intelligence on Japanese movements and a lack of mobile reserves, there were only about 3,000 military vehicles in China in 1937, meant that Japanese infantry could easily outflank fixed NRA positions. Moreover, the Japanese enjoyed superiority in artillery, enabling them to suppress these fixed positions more effectively. These realities left Chinese defenses vulnerable, especially in the war's first year. The leadership deficit within the NRA, reflected in limited officer training, further constrained operational effectiveness. Chiang Kai-shek reportedly warned that Chinese commanders often equaled their counterparts in rank but did not outmatch them in competence. Only 2,000 commanders and staff officers had received training by 1937, and many staff officers had no military training at all. Overall, about 29.1 percent of NRA officers had no military education, severely limiting professional development and command capability. With the exception of the Guangxi divisions, Chinese units were hampered by an unnecessarily complex command structure. Orders from Chiang Kai-shek needed to pass through six tiers before action could be taken, slowing decision-making and responsiveness. In addition, Chiang favored central army units under direct control with loyal commanders from the Whampoa clique when distributing equipment, a pattern that bred discord and insubordination across levels of the Chinese field forces. Beyond structural issues, the Chinese force organization suffered from a lack of coherence due to competing influences. The forces had been reorganized along German-inspired lines, creating large field armies arranged as “war zones,” while Russian influence shaped strategic positioning through a division into “front” and “route” armies and separate rear-area service units. This mix yielded an incoherent force facing the Japanese. Troop placement and support procedures lacked rationalization: Chiang and his generals often sought to avoid decisive confrontation with Japan to minimize the risk of irreversible defeat, yet they also rejected a broad adoption of guerrilla warfare as a systematic tactic. The tendency to emphasize holding railway lines and other communications tied down the main fighting forces, around which the Japanese could maneuver more easily, reducing overall operational flexibility. Despite these deficiencies, NRA officers led roughly 800,000 Chinese troops deployed for the Battle of Wuhan. On the Wuhan approaches, four war zones were organized under capable if overextended leadership: 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 9th. The 5th War Zone, commanded by Li Zongren, defended north of the Yangtze to protect the Beijing–Wuhan railway. Chen Cheng's Ninth War Zone defended south of the Yangtze, aiming to prevent seizure of Jiujiang and other key cities on approaches to Wuhan. The 1st War Zone focused on stopping Japanese forces from the northern plains, while Gu Zhutong's 3rdWar Zone, deployed between Wuhu, Anqing, and Nanchang, defended the Yuehan railway and fortified the Yangtze River. Japan's Central China Expeditionary Army, commanded by Hata Shunroku, spearheaded the Wuhan advance. The CCEA consisted of two armies: the 2nd Army, which included several infantry divisions under Prince Naruhiko Higashikuni, and the 11th Army, advancing along the Yangtze's northern and southern banks under Okamura Yasuji. The 2nd Army aimed to push through the Dabie Mountains and sever Wuhan from the north, while the 11th Army would converge on Wuhan in a concentric operation to envelop the city. The Japanese forces were augmented by 120 ships from the 3rd Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy under Koshirō Oikawa, more than 500 aircraft from the Imperial Japanese Army Air Service, and five divisions from the Central China Area Army tasked with guarding Shanghai, Beijing, Hangzhou, and other key cities. These forces were intended to protect the back of the main Japanese thrust and complete the preparations for a major battle. The Kuomintang, led by Chiang Kai-shek, was acutely aware that Japan aimed to strike at Wuhan. Facing Japan's firepower and bold offensives, Chiang and his commanders pursued a strategy of attrition at the Wuchang conference in January 1938. Central China would be the primary theater of China's protracted struggle, distant from Japan's existing center of gravity in Manchuria. Chiang hoped Japan's manpower and resources would be exhausted as the empire pushed deeper into Central China. Eventually, Japan would be forced either to negotiate a settlement with China or to seek foreign assistance to obtain raw materials. The mountainous terrain to the north and south of the Yangtze presented natural obstacles that the Chinese believed would hinder large-scale concentration of Japanese forces. North of the Yangtze, the Dabie Mountains provided crucial flank protection; to the south, rugged, roadless terrain made expansive maneuvering difficult. In addition to these natural barriers, Chinese forces fortified the region with prepared, in-depth defenses, particularly in the mountains. The rugged terrain was expected to help hold back the Japanese offensive toward Wuhan and inflict substantial casualties on the attackers. The Yangtze itself was a critical defensive factor. Although the Chinese Navy was largely absent, they implemented several measures to impede amphibious operations. They constructed gun positions at key points where the river narrowed, notably around the strongholds at Madang and Tianjiazhen. Specialized units, such as the Riverine Defense Force, were deployed to defend these river fortifications against amphibious assaults. To reinforce the Riverine Defense Force, Chinese forces sank 79 ships in the Yangtze to create obstacles for potential Japanese naval advances. They also laid thousands of mines to constrain Japanese warships. These defensive measures were designed to slow the Japanese advance and complicate their logistics. The Chinese aimed to exploit stalled offensives to strike at exposed flanks and disrupted supply lines, leveraging terrain and fortified positions to offset Japan's superior firepower. On 18 February 1938, an Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service strike force comprising at least 11 A5M fighters of the 12th and 13th Kōkūtais, led by Lieutenant Takashi Kaneko, and 15 G3M bombers of the Kanoya Kokutai, led by Lieutenant Commander Sugahisa Tuneru, raided Wuhan and engaged 19 Chinese Air Force I-15 fighters from the 22nd and 23rd Pursuit Squadrons and 10 I-16 fighters from the 21st Pursuit Squadron, all under the overall command of the 4th Pursuit Group CO Captain Li Guidan. They faced a Soviet Volunteer Group mix of Polikarpov fighters as well. The 4th Group fighters claimed at least four A5Ms shot down, while the Soviet group claimed no fewer than three A5Ms. Both the Japanese fighter group commander, Lieutenant Kaneko, and the Chinese fighter group commander, Captain Li, were killed in action during the battle. A largely intact A5M downed in the engagement was recovered with a damaged engine; it was the second intact A5M to be recovered, repaired, and flight-tested in the war, following the first recovered-intact A5M credited to Colonel Gao Zhihang during an air battle over Nanjing on 12 October 1937. On 3 August 1938, 52 Chinese fighters, including 20 I-15s, 13 I-16s, 11 Gloster Gladiators, and 7 Hawk IIIs, intercepted at least 29 A5Ms and 18 G3Ms over Hankou. The Guangxi era pilots Zhu Jiaxun and He Jermin, along with Chinese-American fighter pilots Arthur Chin and Louie Yim-qun, all flying Gladiators, claimed at least four A5Ms shot down on that day. The Wuhan Campaign began in earnest when the Imperial Japanese Army's 3rd and 13th Infantry Divisions advanced north of the Yangtze River. Central China Expeditionary Army commander Hata Shunroku designated Shouxian, Zhengyangguan, and the Huainan coal mine as the objectives for the 3rd and 13th Infantry Divisions. Meanwhile, the 6th Infantry Division, part of the 11th Army, advanced toward Anqing from Hefei. The 6th Infantry Division coordinated with the Hata Detachment, which launched an amphibious assault from the river. The 2nd Army's sector saw immediate success. On June 3, the 3rd Infantry Division seized the Huainan coal mine; two days later, it captured Shouxian. The 13th Infantry Division also secured Zhengyangguan on that day. The 6th Infantry Division then made rapid progress immediately north of the Yangtze River, taking Shucheng on June 8 and Tongcheng on June 13. These advances forced the Chinese 77th Corps and the 21st and 26th Army Groups to withdraw to a line spanning Huoshan, Lu'an, and Fuyang. More critically, the Hata Detachment crossed the Yangtze River and landed behind the Chinese 27th Army Group's 20th Corps. The sudden appearance of Japanese forces in their rear forced the two Chinese divisions defending Anqing to withdraw. The fall of Anqing represented a major Japanese success, as they gained control of an airfield crucial for receiving close air support. After battles around Shucheng, Tongcheng, and Anqing, all three cities and their surrounding countryside suffered extensive damage. Much of this damage resulted from air raids that indiscriminately targeted soldiers and civilians alike. In Shucheng, the raids were reportedly aided by a Chinese traitor who displayed a red umbrella to guide daylight bombing on May 10, 1938. This air raid caused substantial destruction, killing or wounding at least 160 people and destroying more than a thousand homes. The town of Yimen also endured aerial destruction, with raids killing over 400 people and destroying 7,000 homes. Yimen and Shucheng were among many Chinese towns subjected to terror bombing, contributing to widespread civilian casualties and the destruction of livelihoods across China. The broader pattern of air raids was enabled by a lack of quality fighter aircraft and trained pilots, allowing Japanese bombers free rein against Chinese cities, towns, and villages. While the aerial assaults caused immense damage, the atrocities committed in these cities were even more severe. In Anhui, where Shucheng, Anqing, and Tongcheng were located, the Japanese brutality was on full display. The brutality can be partly understood as an attempt to destroy China's will and capacity to wage war, yet the extremity of some acts points to a warped martial culture within the Japanese Army, which appeared to encourage murder, torture, rape, and other crimes. Indeed, the Army eventually enshrined this brutality in its doctrine with the so-called “three alls”: kill all, burn all, loot all.  These acts, and more, were carried out in Anhui during the summer of 1938 as the Japanese advanced up the Yangtze River. In Anqing, the Hata Detachment killed at least 200 people without compunction. A further 36 civilians on a boat were detained and killed by Japanese marines, who claimed they were potentially Chinese soldiers. The countryside around Anqing, Shucheng, and Tongcheng witnessed continued atrocities. In Taoxi village of Shucheng County, the Japanese burned over 1,000 houses and killed more than 40 people. At Nangang, Japanese soldiers killed more than 200 people and committed numerous rapes, including many victims over 60 years old. Tongcheng also became a site of forced sexual slavery. The Japanese atrocities, intended to terrify the Chinese into submission, did not achieve their aim. Chinese resistance persisted. After a brief withdrawal, the 20th Army held stoutly at Jinshan for four days before retreating to Xiaochiyi and Taihu. These withdrawals, while costly, lured the Japanese deeper into the interior of China. As the Japanese advanced, their flanks became increasingly vulnerable to counterattack. On June 26, 1928, the Chinese 26th Army Group attacked the flanks of the 6th Infantry Division at Taihu. The 26th Army Group was supported by the 20th and 31st Armies, which attacked from the front to pin the 6th Infantry Division in place. The 6th Infantry Division was ill-prepared to respond, suffering a malaria outbreak that left about 2,000 soldiers unfit for combat. Fighting continued until June 29, when the Japanese withdrew. The focus of operations north of the Yangtze shifted to Madang, a key river fortress protected by obstacles and river batteries. Roughly 600 mines were laid in the Yangtze near Madang, and the fortress was largely manned by the Riverine Defense Force, with a small garrison; including stragglers from the 53rd Infantry Division, the Madang garrison totaled roughly 500 men. Initial expectations had Madang holding, since Japanese ships could not easily remove obstacles or suppress the batteries. On the dawn of June 24, however, news reached Madang that Xiangkou had fallen to the Japanese, enabling a land threat to Madang, and many Madang defenders, including most officers above the platoon level, were absent at a nearby ceremony when the attack began.  On 24 June, Japanese forces conducted a surprise landing at Madang, while the main body of the Japanese Eleventh Army advanced along the southern shore of the Yangtze. The Chinese garrison at the Madang river fortress repelled four assaults, yet suffered casualties from intense bombardment by Japanese ships on the Yangtze and from poison gas attacks. Compounding the difficulty, most of the Chinese officers responsible for Madang's defense were absent due to a ceremony at a local military school by Li Yunheng, the overseeing general. Consequently, only three battalions from the second and third Marine Corps and the 313th regiment of the 53rd Division took part in the defense, totaling no more than five battalions. When the 167th Division, stationed in Pengze, was ordered by War Zone commander Bai Chongxi to move swiftly along the highway to reinforce the defenders, divisional commander Xue Weiying instead sought instructions from his direct superior, Li Yunheng, who instructed him to take a longer, more navigationally challenging route to avoid Japanese bombers. Reinforcements arrived too late, and Madang fell after a three-day battle. Chiang Kai-shek promptly ordered a counterattack, offering a 50,000 yuan reward for the units that recaptured the fortress. On June 28, the 60th Division of the 18th Corps and the 105th Division of the 49th Corps retook Xiangshan and received 20,000 yuan, but made no further progress. As the Japanese army pressed the attack on Pengze, Chinese units shifted to a defensive posture. Chiang Kai-shek subsequently had Li Yunheng court-martialed and Xue Weiying executed. After the fall of Madang, the broader Wuhan campaign benefited from Madang as a foothold along the Yangtze, as the river continued to function as a dual-use corridor for transport and amphibious landings, aiding later operations and complicating Chinese defensive planning. The rapid capture of Madang demonstrated the effectiveness of combined arms, amphibious insertion, and secure supply routes along a major river, while Chinese defenses showed weaknesses such as reliance on rough terrain, underestimation of Japanese amphibious capabilities, and delayed reinforcement, which, coupled with gas warfare, produced a swift loss. The fall influenced subsequent Chinese fortifications and defensive doctrine along the Yangtze and affected decisions regarding garrison allocations and riverine operations. After Madang fell, Japan's 11th Army pressed toward its next major objectives, Jiujiang, Huangmei, and Xiaochikou. It took nearly three weeks for the Japanese to clear the waterway around Madang of mines, costing them five minesweepers, two warships, and a landing craft full of marines. Jiujiang stood out as the most important due to its status as a key river port and railway junction. To defend these targets, China deployed the 1st Army Corps to Jiujiang, the 2nd Army Corps to cover the area west of Jiujiang, and the 4th Army Corps to defend Xiaochikou. Despite these reinforcements, the Japanese continued their advance.  The Japanese initially captured Pengze but met strong resistance at Hukou, where they again deployed poison gas during a five-day battle. During the breakout, there were insufficient boats to evacuate the auxiliary troops of the defending 26th Division from Hukou, leaving only a little over 1,800 of the more than 3,100 non-combat soldiers able to be evacuated, and the majority of the more than 1,300 missing soldiers drowned while attempting to cross the Poyang Lake. On July 23, they conducted an amphibious operation at Gutang, with the Hata Detachment landing at Jiujiang shortly thereafter. These landings south of the Yangtze represented another step toward Wuhan, which lay about 240 kilometers away. The Chinese responses consisted of relentless counterattacks, but they failed to dislodge the Japanese from their bridgeheads. Consequently, the Japanese captured Xiaochikou by July 26 and Jiujiang by July 28, with a note that poison gas may have been used at Jiujiang. North of the Yangtze, the 6th Infantry Division moved forward and seized Huangmei on August 2. Despite stubborn Chinese resistance, the Japanese had gained considerable momentum toward Wuhan. Soon after the fall of Jiujiang and surrounding areas, the local population endured a renewed surge of war crimes. The Imperial Japanese Army sought to break China's will to resist and its capacity to endure the onslaught. Male civilians were executed indiscriminately, along with any POWs unable to retreat in time, while women and children were subjected to mass rape. In addition, numerous urban districts and suburban villages were deliberately razed, including the city's ceramics factories and its maritime transportation system. The widely documented “three alls” policy proved devastating in the Yangtze region: in Jiujiang alone, as many as 98,461 people were killed, 13,213 houses destroyed, and property losses reached 28.1 billion yuan. Yet numbers fail to convey the brutality unleashed in Jiujiang, Hukou, and Xiaochikou south of the Yangtze. On July 20, the Japanese confined 100 villagers in a large house in Zhouxi village, Hukou County, and erased them with machine guns and bayonets. Tangshan village witnessed similar brutality on July 31, when eight people were drowned in a pond and 26 houses burned. That September, learning that children and the elderly at Saiyang Township were taking refuge in caves on Mount Lushan, the Japanese proceeded to bayonet defenseless civilians, many beheaded, disemboweled, or amputated. These acts, among others, were carried out on a mass scale south of the Yangtze, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths around Jiujiang. Despite the enormity of these crimes, Chinese people did not surrender. Among those who resisted was Wang Guozhen of Wang Village in Pengze County. Upon learning of the Japanese approach to Pengze on July 1, Wang, a teacher, led women, children, and the elderly into mountains and forests to seek safety. However, Wang and his followers soon encountered Japanese troops who attacked them, instantly killing over 20 people. Wang denounced their actions as the Japanese took him captive and had him whipped for over an hour. They had hit him so hard his skin was peeling off and he had broken his left thigh. They then demanded he collaborate with them, but to this Wang responded “a common man cannot resist the enemy for his country and he will only die”. After hearing these words, the Japanese simply stabbed him with a bayonet in his left eye and in his chest area, ultimately killing him. Wang's small act of defiance would earn him a plaque from the KMT that states “Eternal Heroism”. Even though Wang's heroism was commendable, bravery alone could not halt the Japanese advance along the Yangtze. After securing Jiujiang, Xiaochikou, and Gutang, the 106th and 101st Infantry Divisions carried out amphibious operations further upriver. The 106th Infantry Division landed on the Yangtze's east bank, pushing south of Jili Hu. Concurrently, the Sato Detachment, two infantry battalions plus a field artillery battalion from the 101st Infantry Division, landed east of Xiaochikou and concentrated on the east side of Mount Lu. The Japanese advance soon faced firm Chinese resistance despite these early gains. The 106th Infantry Division encountered the in-depth defenses of Xue Yue's 1st Corps. These defenses formed an isosceles triangle with Jiujiang at the apex and the Jinguanqiao line at the base. Although Jiujiang was abandoned in late July, the triangle's base at Jinguanqiao remained strong, with the 8th, 74th, 18th, 32nd, 64th, 66th, 29th, 26th, 4th, and 70th Armies concentrated in the Jinguanqiao area. These forces inflicted heavy losses on the 106th Infantry Division, which saw nearly half of its captains killed or wounded during the fighting. To aid the 106th Division's breakthrough near Jinguanqiao, the 11th Army deployed the 101st Infantry Division to the area east of Xiaochikou in mid-August. From there, the division pushed toward the east side of Mount Lu, aiming to seize Xingzi in an amphibious assault via Lake Poyang. The objective was to outflank De'an and the nearby Nanxun Road. On August 19, the 101st Infantry Division executed the plan and landed at Xingzi, where they faced strong resistance from the 53rd Infantry Division. However, the division found itself isolated and thus vulnerable to being outflanked. By August 23, the 53rd Infantry Division had withdrawn to the east. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. In 1938 Wuhan stood as China's fragile beacon. Wuhan's defense hinged on a patchwork of war zones and weary commanders, while Japan poured in hundreds of thousands of troops, ships, and air power. The Yangtze became a deadly artery, with river fortresses, brutal bombings, and mass casualties. Yet courage endured: individuals like Wang Guozhen chose defiance over surrender.

Keith sits down with Jonathan Fuller to discuss family dynamics, discovering independent music, shifting music taste over the years, the beginning of Sleepytime Trio, the band's history, their early US and European tours with 400 Years, the initial hiatus of the band and the formation of Engine Down. We also discuss the history of Engine Down, band dynamics, their touring history, the formation and history of Denali and John's time with that band, the new Sleepytime Trio LP reissue "Memory Minus Plus Minus", their recent shows, their 2010 tour of Japan and more.  Intro - 0:00 - 4:41 Sleepytime Trio Interview - 4:42 - 1:29:08 Outro - 1:29:23 - 1:36:53