Podcasts about New Caledonia

France makes a bid to rescue a political agreement that would redefine New Caledonia’s status with broad new powers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Percussion Discussion Podcast - Episode 168 - Stan Bicknell. Joining me today is Stan Bicknell. New Zealand born Stan Bicknell has worked with Kimbra, Miami Horror, Ecca Vandal and his own band The New Caledonia, he is currently touring the UK and Europe with Natasha Bedingfield. He has worked hard to develop a very strong online presence, this was noticed by Jared Falk the owner and creator of the mighty Drumeo, the quite remarkable Canadian based drum education platform where he spent two days creating online content with them . Earlier this year Stan was one of the drummers given the opportunity to audition for Primus in a hugely entertaing and beautifully filmed and edited documentary that has been viewed hundreds of thousand of times. Stan and myself spoke about all this and much more in our Late Night /Early Morning conversation, including how his day starts at a ridiculously early time to ensure that his drumming doesnt affect his family life too much! Stan - Thank you for giving up your time so freely, it was a pleasure talking to you. Huge thanks to  @wincentdrumsticks for sponsoring this episode - please visit their website www.wincentdrumsticks.com and check out all of the wonderful products that they make and the incredible roster of artistes that play them! Facebook @Wincent Drumsticks - Official Instagram @wincentdrumsticks

The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

Monica and John discuss independence movements in New Caledonia and Bougainville, deep sea mining in the Pacific, and regional news and developments.  

Acknowledgement of Country// Headlines//Russia Tsunami update (will check updates later tonight - Wednesday - as I've written it as the news is just coming in)Gaza updateVic gov bail reforms, inquiry into death in custody of Heather CalgaretSA algae bloom protests and potential inquiryUnions say a more diverse economy is needed to boost productivityPart two of Race Matters' Kanaky Rising special, which originally aired on FBi Radio on 23 Feb 2025. Ethan and Shareeka spoke to Roscoe, a special rapporteur for Radio RATA, a decolonial media, culture and mutual aid network operating across the Pacific. Roscoe has been pivotal in establishing networks and connections with the Indigenous people of Kanaky (so-called New Caledonia) in the fight against the French occupation to reclaim their land. Through his work we learn that colonial systems are not the only thing that can duplicate and expand borders -- so can Indigenous knowledge and solidarity. A special thank you to Ethan Lyons and Shareeka Helaluddin for making this episode possible. Listen back to part 1 of Ethan and Shareeka's conversation with Roscoe at 3cr.org.au/thursday-breakfast.// We listen to part of a panel discussion accompanying last Saturday's Open House event at the Victorian Quaker Centre, which was a sonic collaboration between Homeless in Hotels and audiovisual artists Sonia Leber and David Chesworth. The panel, ‘Security, Surveillance, and the Street: The recent criminalisation of homelessness,' featured Meg Fitzgerald from Fitzroy Legal Service, Greg Denham from Cohealth, Pat ‘Spike' Chiappalone from Homeless in Hotels, Craig, also known as ‘Turtle', who is currently homeless and was interviewed for Homeless in Hotels, and David Boarder Giles from Deakin University. In this excerpt you'll hear interviews between Pat and members of Melbourne's homeless community, followed by a segment of the panel discussion featuring the voices of David, Pat, Craig and Greg. Our thanks to Amy Ciara from 3CR's Kill Your Lawn and Kick Your Fence for sharing this recording with us.// Last week, Palestine solidarity activists and human rights advocates gathered in Canberra for a three-day national protest, demanding the Australian Government end its complicity in the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Rallies were held at Parliament House as well as multiple self organised actions aimed at calling out the government's continued supply of weapons to Israeli forces. Autonomous protestors held actions at the 48th Opening of Parliament Ceremony, the US-Australia War Memorial, and shut down operations at two of Canberra's weapons manufacturers - Electro Optical Systems and Northrop Grumman. Today we are joined by activist, furniture maker and proud CFMEU member Jas Bell, from grass roots collective ‘Stop Arming Israel' to give us more details about the convergence, and why weapons manufacturer Northrop Grumman is under scrutiny.// Palestinian advocate Nour Salman joins us to talk about this coming Sunday's rally to block the city for Gaza. Palestinian activists and supporters have committed to protesting weekly until the siege on Gaza is lifted, Israel is internationally sanctioned, and until there is a true end to the genocide. The rally will begin on Sunday the 3rd of August at 12PM outside the State Library of Victoria, and attendees are asked to bring pots and utensils to make some noise so that demands to end the genocide are impossible to ignore. Find out more on Instagram at @freepalestinecoalition.naarm.//Michael Poland, Campaign Director for the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, speaks with us about the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice last week on states' legal obligations in the face of climate change. The ICJ's landmark ruling has provided unprecedented clarity on the binding legal duty that states have to take action on climate change, including with respect to the production, licensing and subsidy of fossil fuel production. Read the full advisory opinion here, and find out more about the case here.//

Acknowledgement of Country HeadlinesProtests against public housing redevelopmentSuburban Rail Loop East criticised on housing impactsGippsland communities demand mining companies pay for Latrobe River waterEelam Tamils rally for genocide accountabilityUpdates from GazaDeclassified Aus releases more evidence of Labor supplying weapons for genocide  We listen to Inez's live reporting as well as rally speeches and chants from the Toll Holdings - Stop Driving Genocide Rally, which occurred last week Thursday 17th of July. During the rally, a small group of protestors spoke about how the military supply chain supporting israel's genocide in Palestine includes numerous 'australian' logistics firms. Multiple ‘australian' companies, including Toll Holdings, have been identified transporting weapons for export to the United States where they are used to drive the genocide in partnership with weapons manafacturers such as Thales. Toll has also been a key partner in supporting the Australian Federal Police, fossil fuel companies' destruction of Indigenous land, and in the logistics apparatus enabling human rights abuses in offshore detention on Manus Island and Nauru. Find out more about Toll's complicity by visiting https://tolldeath.noblogs.org/, For Autonomy Destroy Australia on Instagram, and via this post. The track you can hear in the background of the rally recordings is Tahiyati by acclaimed Palestinian lyricist Haykal. We play part one of Race Matters' (FBI Radio) Kanaky Rising episode, which originally aired on 23 Feb 2025. In this episode, Ethan and Shareeka spoke to Roscoe, a special rapporteur for Radio RATA, a decolonial media, culture and mutual aid network operating across the Pacific. Roscoe has been pivotal in establishing networks and connections with the Indigenous people of Kanaky (so-called New Caledonia) in their fight against the French occupation to reclaim their land. Through his work we learn that colonial systems are not the only thing that can duplicate and expand borders -- so can Indigenous knowledge and solidarity. A special thank you to Ethan Lyons and Shareeka Helaluddin for sharing this audio with us. Listen to Race Matters from 10-11AM on Sundays on FBI, and follow them on Instagram.Race Matters played some of our Beyond the Bars programming last week - listen to 'Radio for Alchemy' here. Race Matters also broadcast a more personal interview with Thursday Breakfast's Inez last year - listen to 'The Sacredness of Anger and Uprising' here. Content note: this interview includes discussion of experiences of mandatory offshore detention, which may be distressing to some listeners. For support, you can call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Callback Service on 1300 659 467. Laura John, an Associate Legal Director at Human Rights Law Centre, and Leila, who spent years detained in Nauru while seeking asylum in Australia, discuss the ongoing injustice of mandatory offshore detention upheld by the Albanese government. This regime has affected thousands of people seeking asylum, subjecting them to both the trauma of offshore processing and the violence of indefinite visa uncertainty. Leila, who fled to Australia with her mother, is using a pseudonym in this interview to protect her identity. Jorge Jorquera joined us to discuss community resistance against the punitive, anti-homeless 'Melbourne Model' that has just been adopted by the City of Maribyrnong. The 'Melbourne Model' involves the use of bylaws and local laws officers to remove people deemed "undesirable," and has been described as a "war on the poor." Jorge is Coordinator of Borderlands Cooperative, a lifelong socialist activist, and a former City of Maribyrnong Councillor. Stay up to date with the fight against the ‘Melbourne Model' in Maribyrnong by following Jorge on Instagram. Songs All My Life - J-MILLA

The latest news from Melanesia.

Headlines1. New colonial accords finalised in the French parliament to push their colonial project in Kanaky forward.2. Women and girls at the centre of the worsening homelessness crisis.3. The Handala Freedom Flotilla is intercepted by the Israeli military in international waters.Segments1. We played a segment from the Tuesday Hometime show of July 15th. 3CR presenter Jan Bartlett interviewed Nic Maclellan, a journalist with Islands Business, as he pulled apart Macron's so-called historic agreement regarding New Caledonia and the Accords which have recently been passed in French Parliament and will be put to a referendum in so-called New Caledonia in 2026.2. We played a speech from the Kanaky uprising anniversary held at Camp Sovereignty in May this year. The speaker is Rosco from Radio-Rata, who spoke to the reality of the Indigenous Kanak people on the ground in so-called New Caledonia, and their experience and voice of resistance against France's ongoing colonial rule.    3. We played a speech from Samim Moslih at yesterdays Free Palestine rally held outside the state Library. Samim is a community advocate and former independant canididate for the seat of Calwell.     4. We played another speech from yesterdays Free Palestine rally. The next speech is from Angelica Panopoulos, a former Greens Mayor and Councillor at Merri-Bek Council.Songs1. Tiken Jah Fakoly - Plus rien ne m'étonne2. SOVEREIGN (K-OTIC 1, DARAH, FELON, TEILA, TRIKS, KAIYU)3. Kuzich - Innervisions4. Juman - Pearl

The latest news from Melanesia.

 His Week That Was – Kevin Healy, Former National Director of Veterans For Peace in the US, Mike Ferner talking about his activist life culmination in the recent 40 day fast for Palestine, Nic Maclellan, journalist with Islands Business pulls apart Macron's so-called historic agreement regarding New Caledonia, James Hita, Communications and Advocacy Coordinator with Deep Sea Mining Campaign talking about the latest push for DSM, and Part 4 of the webinar with Palestinian activist Ahmed Alabadla, journalists Wendy Bacon and Yakov Aaharon explaining the role of the Zionist lobby in Australian media and politics (Find Ahmed's discussions on the Palestine Justice Movement YouTube channel, and his radio program Pulse of Palestine on Radio Skid Row). Head to www.3cr.org.au/hometime-tuesday for full access to links and previous podcasts

The latest news from Melanesia.

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/786 Presented By: Fish The Fly, Stonefly Nets, On DeMark Lodge, Visit Idaho.  BoneFishing in Hawaii might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of saltwater adventures, but for Marine veteran Mike Bressler, it's become both a calling and a way of life. In this episode, we head to the island of Oahu to uncover what makes Hawaii's flats fishery so unique—and so challenging. From bonefish (known locally as ō‘io) to golden trevally, Mike shares what it's like to guide in one of the Pacific's toughest but most rewarding destinations. Whether you're planning a DIY trip or dreaming of landing a 10+ pound bone, his insights are packed with practical value. We talk about everything from how to master casting in Hawaii's relentless trade winds to how moon phases affect bonefish behavior.  Mike also opens up about building his homegrown “Bone Lodge” for guests, the cultural realities of fishing in local waters, and why he takes veterans out monthly for healing on the flats. This episode is more than a fishing guide—it's about patience, local respect, and finding purpose through saltwater fly fishing. Notes with Mike Bressler on Bonefishing Hawaii 2:03 - Mike Bressler explains that while bonefish are active year-round in Hawaii, spring and summer bring peak action. The largest fish stay on the flats during the winter spawning season, starting around November's full moon. Still, Hawaii is a tough fishery—constant trade winds and challenging conditions make it a true test for any angler. As Mike puts it, “If you can get good out here, you can be good anywhere.” 3:15 - Mike Bressler is based on the island of Oahu, Hawaii's most visited island, known for its iconic Waikiki, but also home to quieter country towns like Hau‘ula, where Mike lives. He explains that bonefish—locally called ‘ō‘io (pronounced "oyo")—can be found all around the island, from beaches to flats. While flats fishing is preferred, Mike notes he has even spotted bonefish from the shoreline. In addition to bonefish, the waters also host various trevally species, including bluefin, golden, and the rare giant trevally, though bonefish remain the main attraction for visiting anglers. Click here for more information. 5:46 - Retired Marine Mike Bressler discovered Oahu's bonefish flats during a COVID quarantine on Ford Island. Now based in Hauʻula, he guides anglers year-round, with peak season from October to December. Windy conditions and remote flats make boat access and strong casting skills essential. 09:06 - Mike Bressler emphasizes that handling Hawaii's wind starts with mastering the double haul and sidearm cast. He recommends aiming for at least a 40-foot cast under the wind and leading the bonefish, not landing the fly on their head. Sometimes, a short flip of the fly is all that's needed, as long as it's placed ahead of the fish's path. 9:49 - Mike Bressler explains that Hawaii's largest bonefish are most active from October to December, as they begin their deep-water spawning cycle around full moons. He advises avoiding fishing three days before and after a full moon since fewer fish are found on the flats during that time. 12:29 - Mike Bressler and his wife host guests at their private rental, the Bone Lodge, a freestanding Airbnb-style unit that comfortably accommodates couples, small families, or fishing buddies. He offers customizable half-day and full-day guided trips, often using his 18-foot Kayo Boatworks skiff—weather permitting—to pole clients across the flats in search of bonefish. Click here to learn more. 16:36 - Mike Bressler explains that while fall offers peak conditions, big bonefish are still catchable in May. These “home guard” fish are older, resident fish that tend to stay shallow and fight with brute weight rather than long runs. Hawaii's bonefish can reach impressive sizes—Mike has landed 12-pounders and knows of fish near 14, with the state record sitting at 15.7 lbs on conventional tackle. He also notes rumors of even larger bonefish—up to 20 pounds—coming from remote areas like New Caledonia. 18:17 - Mike Bressler shares that while bonefish populations are improving globally, Hawaii faces unique conservation challenges. Bonefish are considered a local delicacy, and with no regulations against harvesting them, locals often use nets or hook-and-line to catch them. Although enforcement is limited due to resource constraints, Mike hopes increased awareness will lead to better stewardship of the fishery. 20:51 - Mike Bressler starts most guided trips around 6:30–7:00 AM, timing for sunlight to spot fish while walking the flats and watching for signs of life like turtles or goatfish that indicate bonefish are nearby. Rather than tailing fish, anglers are taught to look for “Heineken backs”—a green shimmer just under the surface as bonefish move in with the incoming tide to feed. 24:31 - Mike Bressler shares that many first-time anglers struggle to spot bonefish, as their green shimmer is often mistaken for similarly colored reef fish. He recommends multi-day trips to learn proper sight-fishing technique—walking slowly, pausing often, and watching for subtle signs like nervous water, much like stalking prey in a hunt. 26:40 - Mike Bressler explains that while guiding, he positions himself based on the angler's casting hand and wind direction, often spotting bonefish 10 to 50 feet—or even 50 yards—away. He coaches clients to observe the fish's movement like a grazing animal, place the cast ahead of it, and use a slow strip to trigger a bite, reminding them never to trout set, but to keep stripping steadily for a clean hookup. 29:16 - Mike Bressler explains that a trout set often pulls the fly out of a bonefish's mouth, while a strip set keeps the fly in the zone, allowing the fish to hook itself through steady tension. He adds that Papio, or juvenile trevally, sometimes rush in and steal the fly mid-strip, earning their nickname as “thieves” on the flats. 31:24 - Mike Bressler shares that while bonefish are the main target, golden trevally are considered the “unicorn” of Hawaiian flats—rare, elusive, and highly prized. Unlike their aggressive GT cousins, golden trevally feed on crabs, mantis shrimp, and baby octopus, making them a challenging and exciting catch that can grow to over 15 pounds. 32:53 - Mike Bressler emphasizes using a slow, smooth two-foot strip to keep the fly close to the bottom, imitating natural prey like crabs and mantis shrimp. He teaches anglers to let the fly sink fully, clear slack for direct connection, and make gentle, quiet adjustments—since bonefish, like snipers, will spook if prey behaves unnaturally or the line is moved too aggressively. 37:00 - Mike Bressler prefers a 12–14-foot leader built from 40-30-20 pound sections, finishing with a Rapala loop knot and adjusting to 16-pound tippet on calm days to reduce visibility. For gear, he recommends a 9-foot 8-weight rod paired with a sealed drag reel, 150 yards of backing, and Cortland's Redfish Tropical fly line, which he trusts for its durability against coral-heavy flats. 39:46 - Mike Bressler prefers natural, flash-free flies for Hawaii's bonefish, favoring subtle patterns like his variation of the “Spam and Eggs” fly, heavier Crazy Charlies, and shrimp-style flies made from materials like Arctic fox, raccoon, and EP fibers. He believes the key to success is imitating local prey like mantis shrimp and crabs, which have no reflective qualities, reinforcing his philosophy that “less is more” when it comes to fly materials. Watch this for more information. 43:08 - Mike Bressler shares that the most effective fly colors for Hawaiian bonefish are browns, tans, blacks, and occasionally a translucent orange, matching the natural hues of local mantis shrimp on the flats. While some mantis shrimp in other regions show vibrant rainbow-like colors, Mike notes that the shrimp in Hawaii's flats are smaller, subtler, and adapted to their muted, sandy environment, reinforcing the importance of natural tones when fly tying. 44:59 - Mike Bressler advises that while Oahu is ideal for DIY bonefishing with walkable flats and public shoreline access, islands like Moloka‘i should be approached cautiously due to cultural sensitivities—locals may challenge visitors fishing near their homes. For Maui or Kaua‘i, DIY anglers should use satellite imagery to identify promising flats and focus on incoming tides, which provide better access and more time on the water without needing a boat. Enjoy a breathtaking view of Moloka‘i. 48:35 - Mike Bressler notes that while bonefish are present on the Big Island, it's the one place in Hawaii he hasn't personally landed one, and he primarily guides out of Oahu, where conditions and access are more reliable. He encourages anglers to book at least a half-day with a guide—not just for learning spots, but to understand the local waters, tides, and fishery culture—emphasizing that for him, guiding is a passion rather than a livelihood, unlike many full-time guides who depend on it to make ends meet. 51:21 - Mike Bressler highlights a major step forward in Hawaiian conservation with the new non-resident fishing license requirement, which began in April and helps fund efforts like coral restoration through DLNR. While no major bonefish-specific conservation group currently operates in Hawaii, Mike stresses the importance of ethical fish handling, reef awareness, and hopes for future support from organizations like Bonefish & Tarpon Trust to expand research and protection efforts in the islands. Get more information here. 55:04 - Mike Bressler reflects on the historical weight of living and guiding near Pearl Harbor, noting its deep connection to his 24 years of service in the Marine Corps. As part of giving back, he offers free monthly guided fly fishing trips to fellow veterans, believing strongly in the mental clarity and healing that comes from time on the water—something he says benefits anyone going through stress, not just those who've served. 59:20 - As the episode wraps up, Mike Bressler offers heartfelt encouragement to new and seasoned anglers alike, reminding them that the real reward in Hawaii isn't just the bonefish but the experience of being on the water in such a stunning place. He expresses support for Project Healing Waters, offers to help veterans get out and fish, and leaves listeners with a simple message: come out, enjoy the island, and if you catch a fish, that's just the bonus. You can find Mike Bressler on Instagram and visit their Website here. Top 8 Bonefishing Tips from Hawaii Guide Mike Bressler 1.  Hawaii's constant trade winds make it essential to learn the double haul and sidearm casting techniques to effectively reach bonefish in tough conditions. 2.  Approach the flats like a hunter—move slowly, pause often, and avoid sudden steps that could alert fish via vibrations in the water. 3. Bonefish in Hawaii often appear as a glowing green shape, like a Heineken bottle, moving through the water. Training your eyes to spot them is key. 4. Mike recommends fly patterns with no flash, using natural materials like Arctic fox, raccoon, and EP fibers to mimic mantis shrimp and crabs. 5. Strip Set—Never Trout Set. When a bonefish eats, maintain a steady, long strip to hook the fish. Lifting the rod (a trout set) often pulls the fly right out of their mouth. 6. Mike's go-to leader build includes 40-30-20 pound sections, prioritizing strength to manage coral-heavy flats and powerful runs from big fish. Bonefishing Hawaii Videos Noted in the Show Conclusion with Mike Bressler on Bonefishing Hawaii Mike Bressler's journey is more than one of saltwater success—it's about service, purpose, and patience on the flats. Through the relentless wind, subtle bites, and shimmering backs of elusive fish, he teaches us what it means to listen to the ocean, move with intention, and respect the waters that feed our souls. What's your biggest challenge when sight-fishing on the flats? Tell us in the comments or on Instagram. Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/786

The latest news from Melanesia.

சுதந்திர நாடாக அறிவிக்கவேண்டும் என்று கோரிக்கை விடுத்துவந்த New Caledonia பிராந்தியத்திற்கு புதிய அதிகாரங்களை வழங்கப்போவதாக பிரான்ஸ் அரசு அறிவித்துள்ளது. இந்த பின்னணியில் New Caledoniaயின் வரலாற்றையும், அது எதிர்கொள்ளும் பிரச்சனைகளையும் விளக்குகிறார் ஊடகத்துறையில் பல ஆண்டுகளாக பணியாற்றும் இரா.சத்தியநாதன் அவர்கள். அவரோடு உரையாடுகிறார்: றைசெல்.

Our resident constitutional expert Bruce Fein joins to make the case for impeaching the Supreme Court AND the President, and what we—as citizens—can do to make it happen. Then we welcome Lori Wallach of Rethink Trade to evaluate Trump's tariff policy. Are these trade deals bringing manufacturing back to the US? Or is Trump just using tariffs as a cudgel to punish countries that annoy him?Bruce Fein is a Constitutional scholar and an expert on international law. Mr. Fein was Associate Deputy Attorney General under Ronald Reagan and he is the author of Constitutional Peril: The Life and Death Struggle for Our Constitution and Democracy, and American Empire: Before the Fall.This has real consequences for you people all over the country because one of their shadow docket decisions (without explanation or hearing) briefs just very recently said that Trump can fire all these people in the IRS or the Education Department or EPA and get away with it. And, in fact, paralyze the workings of his (statutorily-established-by-Congress) Cabinet Secretary and Department…So this is devastating to your health, economic safety, environment, workplace safety, education, all kinds of things that are being ridden into the ground.Ralph NaderIn my judgment, the court has basically abandoned its role as a check on executive power…It's actually become an appendage of the executive branch. Nothing placing any kind of serious or material handcuff on what the President can do on his own. And the President is taking full advantage of that.Bruce FeinLori Wallach is a 30-year veteran of international and U.S. congressional trade battles— starting with the 1990s fights over NAFTA and WTO when she founded the “Global Trade Watch” group at Public Citizen. She is now the director of the Rethink Trade program at the American Economic Liberties Project, and a Senior Advisor to the Citizens Trade Campaign.What these guys are doing [with Trump's tariff policy] it's basically trying to build a house with just a hammer—we are against saws; we are against screwdrivers; we do not actually believe in nails, no other tools; we will just hammer a bunch of wood. And as a result, we're going to make some noise and we're definitely going to break some things, but we're not actually building a new redistributed trade system—which we could.Lori WallachBest that we can tell, the dynamic is something like: Trump is so engaged in the fun and chaos—fun (from his perspective) and chaos of throwing tariff news around like a lightning bolt that he really is not taking advice about it from people who know how you could use tariffs to try and ostensibly achieve the things he promised. He's just enjoying throwing around tariffs.Lori WallachNews 7/18/25* Last week, Elon Musk's pet AI program – Grok – began identifying itself as “MechaHitler,” and spitting out intricate rape threats and sexual fantasies directed at individuals like liberal pundit Will Stancil and now-ex X CEO Linda Yaccarino. This week, Musk rolled out Grok's new “sexy mode” which includes a visual avatar feature depicting the artificial entity as a quasi-pornographic anime-esque character who can flirt with users, per the Standard. So, naturally, the Trump Defense Department awarded xAI, the parent company behind Grok, a $200 million contract. According to CNN, “The contracts will enable the DoD to develop agentic AI workflows and use them to address critical national security challenges.” It is unclear how exactly the entity calling itself MechaHitler will accomplish that.* In local news, a special election was held in Washington DC's Ward 8 this week, seeking to replace corrupt councilmember Trayon White. White was implicated in an FBI bribery investigation and was expelled from the council in February. Yet, because of the splintered opposition, White pulled out a narrow victory on Wednesday, winning with 29.7% of the vote compared to his opponents' 24.3%, 23.7% and 22.3% respectively, per WTOP. In 2024, DC Voters approved a ballot measure to implement ranked-choice voting, which could have helped prevent this outcome, but it has yet to take effect. The DC Council could vote to expel White again more or less immediately; if not, they would likely wait for his trial to commence in January 2026.* Turning to foreign affairs, Israel has bombed the Syrian capital of Damascus, killing three and wounding 34, in strikes primarily targeting the Syrian Defense Ministry headquarters, per NPR. Israel's attack comes amid tensions between the new, post-Assad Syrian government and the Druze minority in the Southern Syrian city of Sweida. The government claims the Druze violated a ceasefire reached earlier in the week and Syrian troops responded; a new ceasefire deal has been reached and the office of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a statement reading, the “rights [of the citizens of Sweida] will always be protected and…we will not allow any party to tamper with their security or stability.” Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, said in a statement that the U.N. chief “condemns Israel's escalatory airstrikes,” as well as reports of the Israeli military's redeployment of forces in the Golan Heights. As journalist Séamus Malekafzali notes, “Damascus is now the 4th Middle Eastern capital to be bombed by Israel in the past 6 weeks, alongside Tehran, Beirut, and Sana'a.”* In more news from Israel, the Knesset this week sought to expel Palestinian lawmaker Ayman Odeh, leader of the Hadash-Ta'al party. According to Haaretz, “The vote was triggered by a Likud lawmaker after Odeh published a social media post in January, saying that he ‘rejoices' over the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.” However, the motion failed to reach the 90-vote threshold, meaning Odeh will remain in the legislature. Six members of Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid party voted for the motion, but not Lapid himself. The United Torah Judaism party did not back the motion. Haaretz quotes Hassan Jabareen, an attorney, director of the Adalah Legal Center and legal counsel for Odeh, who said, “The overwhelming support for this initiative – from both the coalition and the opposition – reveals the state's intent to crush Palestinian political representation...This was not a legitimate legal process, but rather a racist, fascist incitement campaign aimed at punishing Odeh for his principled stance against occupation, oppression and Israeli violence.” Senator Bernie Sanders celebrated the failure of the motion, writing “Israel's far right tried to expel Ayman Odeh, an Arab Israeli opposition leader, from the Knesset because of his opposition to Netanyahu's war. Today, they failed. If Israel is going to be considered a democracy, it cannot expel members of parliament for their political views.” This from the Middle East Eye.* Sanders also made news this week by declaring that “Given the illegal and immoral war being waged against the Palestinian people by Netanyahu, NO Democrat should accept money from AIPAC – an organization that also helped deliver the presidency to Donald Trump,” per the Jerusalem Post. Sanders posted this statement in response to a video by Obama foreign policy advisor Ben Rhodes, who said “AIPAC is part of the constellation of forces that have delivered this country into the hands of Donald Trump…These are the wrong people to have under your tent...The kind of people that they are supporting, Bibi Netanyahu and Donald Trump, I don't want my leaders and my political party cozying up to these people.” Bernie's statement is perhaps the strongest stand taken by any American politician against AIPAC, Israel's front group in American politics and one of the biggest special interest groups in the country. AIPAC throws around eye-popping sums of money to members of both parties; to name just one example, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has accepted over $1.6 million from the group, according to Track AIPAC's Hall of Shame.* In a similar vein, last week we discussed the National Education Association's vote to suspend its ties with the Anti-Defamation League due to the ADL's shift in focus from Jewish civil rights to laundering the reputation of Israel. Since then, the ADL has sought to mobilize their allies to demand the NEA reject the vote. To this end, the ADL has sought the support of J Street, a liberal Jewish group critical of Israel, per the Forward. J Street however has rebuffed the ADL, refusing to sign the group's letter. Though they oppose the NEA resolution, J Street President Jeremy Ben-Ami issued a statement reading in part, “charges of antisemitism must not be wielded to quash legitimate criticism of Israeli policy...the NEA vote can[not] be dismissed as being driven by fringe ‘pro-Hamas' antisemitic activists.” Hopefully, more Jewish groups will follow the example of J Street and break with the Zionist orthodoxy of the ADL.* In other foreign policy news, the Guardian reports French President Macron has reached a deal with the leadership of the French “overseas territory” New Caledonia to grant the island statehood and more autonomy within the French legal system. New Caledonia is one of several UN-designated ‘non-self-governing territories.' France has exerted rule over the Pacific Island – over 10,000 miles from Paris – and its nearly 300,000 inhabitants since the 19th century. Last May, riots broke out over France's decision to grant voting rights to thousands of non-indigenous residents. This violence “claimed the lives of 14 people, [and] is estimated to have cost the territory…$2.3 bn... shaving 10% off its gross domestic product.” However, the Times reports indigenous Kanak independence activists reject the deal outright. Brenda Wanabo-Ipeze, a leader of the Co-ordination Cell for Actions on the Ground, who is currently detained in France, said, “This text was signed without us. It does not bind us.” The Times adds that, “The conservative and hard-right French opposition accused Macron of failing to ensure security in the territory. The left accused the president of imposing colonial tactics on a people who should be allowed self-determination.” It remains to be seen whether this deal will prove durable enough to weather criticism from so many angles.* Much has been made of Attorney General Pam Bondi's decision last week to not release any more information related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. A Department of Justice memo reads, “it is the determination of the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation that no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted.” This has created a firestorm in the MAGA world, with many Trump supporters feeling betrayed as the president implied he would declassify these files if reelected. Now, Congressmen Thomas Massie and Ro Khanna have introduced the Epstein Files Transparency Act which would “force the House of Representatives to vote on the complete release of the government's files related to Jeffrey Epstein,” according to a press release from Massie's office. This resolution specifically states the files cannot “be withheld, delayed, or redacted” should they cause “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary.” The resolution is attracting support from some Republicans, but it is unclear how far this will go under Speaker Johnson, who maintains there is “no daylight between his position and that of Trump,” per the Hill. The position of congressional Republicans has been further complicated by a bombshell report in the Wall Street Journal documenting previously unknown details of the intimate relationship between the late pedophile financier and the president.* Meanwhile, the Trump administration is once again torching America's reputation abroad – this time literally. The Atlantic reports “Five months into its unprecedented dismantling of foreign-aid programs, the Trump administration has given the order to incinerate food instead of sending it to people abroad who need it. Nearly 500 metric tons of emergency food—enough to feed about 1.5 million children for a week—are set to expire tomorrow, according to current and former government employees with direct knowledge of the rations. Within weeks…the food, meant for children in Afghanistan and Pakistan, will be ash.” This cartoonishly evil decision paired with the “Big Beautiful Bill”'s provisions cutting food assistance for children in poverty, point to one inescapable conclusion: the Trump administration wants children to starve.* Finally, on the opposite end of the spectrum, Mexico News Daily reports the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum is debuting a healthy, domestically produced and affordable staple for Mexican consumers – chocolate bars. “This ‘Chocolate de Bienestar' is part of the government's ‘Food for Well-Being' strategy, which aims to bring nutritious and affordable food options to consumers while supporting national producers, particularly those in the southern states of Tabasco and Chiapas — a region that has historically lagged behind other regions in several social and economic indicators.” The Sheinbaum administration is stressing the health benefits of chocolate, noting that, “Studies have shown that chocolate improves cardiovascular health via its antioxidants, provides energy, helps control blood pressure, improves cognitive capacity, satisfies hunger and lifts mood.” At the same time, the administration is seeking to minimize the sugar content “striking a supposedly healthier balance between natural cane sugar and the cacao itself.” This chocolate will be available in three forms:“Chocolate bar containing 50% cacao, and priced at…less than $1.Powdered chocolate with 30% cocoa, priced...$2Chocolate de mesa or tablet chocolate, with 35% cacao, priced at …$5”This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

In Pacific Waves today: New Caledonia deal: 'We need time'; Pacific health and police address drugs and HIV crisis; Back to the future for Tonga's Health Data; Deep sea mining continues to be scrutinised in Tonga. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In Pacific Waves today: Still a lot of work to do following New Caledonia's 'historic' deal; NZ PM to be a no-show at the Cook Islands 60th celebrations; Australia hosts military exercise 'Talisman Sabre'. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

 His Week That Was – Kevin Healy, Author Dr Tim Anderson speaking about the recent history of conflicts in the Middle East and the role of the US and Israel in these conflicts. Nic Maclellan, journalist with Islands Business focusing of the meeting in Paris and the future of French colony New Caledonia. Also Sitiveni Rabuka's proposal for an Ocean of Peace for the Pacific and the 40th anniversary of the French bombing of the first Rainbow Warrior in Auckland Harbour, Part 2 of the country profile of Uruguay in South America with academic and broadcaster Sasha Gillies-Lekakis. Head to www.3cr.org.au/hometime-tuesday for full access to links and previous podcasts

In Pacific Waves today: New Caledonia signs 'historic' deal with France; Bougainville MP switching from women's reserved seat to Atolls constituency; Western Australia celebrates heritage listing; Free medicine on offer in PNG's East Sepik. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The latest news from Melanesia.

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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Threads and YouTube.

Hello and welcome to the Monday Breakfast show for Monday the 14th of July 2025. On today's show: Headlines: French parliament recognises 'New Caledonia' as its own state despite Indigenous Kanak resistance. NDIA admits to removing participant from scheme following participant's alleged criticism of scheme on social media Last Monday members of the Allan government met with what's called the 'anti-hate task force' in response to a number of events around so-called Melbourne, including an attack on a synagogue and continued protest against genocide in Palestine and ties to Israel. Both the Allan government and multiple media outlets such as The Age, the Herald Sun and the ABC were quick to conflate these events as anti-Semitic in yet another attempt to stifle criticism of Israel, the Victorian government, and other entities which have partnered with the Zionist settler-colony. The Monday Breakfast show was joined by Ohad Kozminsky, executive member of the Jewish Council of Australia, an independent Jewish voice supporting human rights and opposing antisemitism and racism, to speak about the task force and the false conflation of anti-genocide protest with anti-Semitism. Edmi spoke with Ian Hamm about the Yoorrook Justice Commission report and its findings, the responsibilities of First Nations people and settlers alike in pushing for First Nations sovereignty and land back, as well as using a framework of looking to the future when taking part in the struggle. Ian is a Yorta Yorta man who has been actively involved in the Victorian Indigenous community in a personal and professional capacity for over 30 years. He has had a wide exposure to, and led, policy reform and program implementation for both the State and Federal Governments at executive level, mostly notably in Aboriginal Affairs. Since 2000, Ian has been a board member of a range of NFP's, including a number as Chair. He has led some of these organisations through change and adaption to ensure they are well placed for the challenges of improving the lives of people in a rapid changing environment. Ian is Chairperson of the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, First Nations Foundation, and President of the Community Broadcasting Foundation up until a couple of weeks. He is also a Board Director on The Healing Foundation, Yarra Valley Water, and Aboriginal Housing Victoria. Ian is also a sessional panel member on the Australian Financial Complaints Authority and Planning Panels Victoria. We play a segment from the Earth Matters show, providing Sasha Mainbridge's perspective on what she's learnt from life after a flood and the need to build back better after extreme weather events. Sasha is a resident of Mullumbimby, in the flood-prone Northern Rivers region of NSW, She is the founder and president of Mullum Cares, a non-profit organisation that focuses on resource conservation. Listen to the full episode and more from the Earth Matters crew at 3CR.org.au/earthmatters or listen live on Sunday from 11 to 11:30AM. The show ends with a conversation between Edmi and Emily, one of the editors from Dissolution Magazine, a local radical print publication. (Dis)solution creates and publishes work to unravel the knots of injustice in the post-end-of-history Anthropocene. It turns a critical eye to the machinations of exploitation at the intersections of politic, culture, and ecology, and the crisis and contradiction that follows. (Dis)solution believes in work that analyzes our world without insularity, work that informs our everyday-political movement through the eroding topographies of the 21st century—not merely to understand it, but to change it. Read more about Dissolution mag here.  Community announcements: Sri Lanka's tea industry – the second-biggest source of tea imports to Australia – is at a turning point. Plantation workers, who already work to unfair quotas in unsafe conditions, have been facing a shift from permanent, full-time employment to casualisation – losingincome, benefits, leave, job security and the right to unionise. On Saturday 19 July at Balam Balam Place, join Ceylon Workers' Red Flag Union activist Menaha Kandasamy to learn about their struggle for a fairer life, and find out how you can support them. Balam Balam Place is wheelchair accessible, masks are encouraged. Read more about the event here.   Songs played: SONGS PLAYED:'I Care' - Turnstile [https://lajuardi7.bandcamp.com/track/i-care]'Let Love Rule' - Archie Roach [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdHHL_kOEW4]'Forging On' - Turnstile [https://outright-hc.bandcamp.com/track/forging-on]'All For One' - Caution [https://mobcaution.bandcamp.com/track/all-for-one]

The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

RNZ Pacific Editor Koroi Hawkins on New Caledonia, Fiji offers troops and cybersecurity warning.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BATTLES THE PRC FOR OCEANIA.  4/4: Voyagers: The Settlement of the Pacific by  Nicholas Thomas  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Voyagers-Settlement-Pacific-Nicholas-Thomas/dp/1541619838/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TWNZZ00KO4TU&keywords=NICHOLAS+CLARK+VOYAGERS&qid=1674136652&sprefix=nicholas+clark+voyagers%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1 The islands of Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia stretch across a huge expanse of ocean and encompass a multitude of different peoples. Starting with Captain James Cook, the earliest European explorers to visit the Pacific were astounded and perplexed to find populations thriving thousands of miles from continents. Who were these people? From where did they come? And how were they able to reach islands dispersed over such vast tracts of ocean?  In Voyagers, the distinguished anthropologist Nicholas Thomas charts the course of the seaborne migrations that populated the islands between Asia and the Americas from late prehistory onward. Drawing on the latest research, including insights gained from genetics, linguistics, and archaeology, Thomas provides a dazzling account of these long-distance migrations, the seagoing technologies that enabled them, and the societies they left in their wake. 1873 NEW CALEDONIA

The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

Iran strikes Israel following a second round of Israeli strikes, Nigeria grants a posthumous pardon to activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, A French court frees a New Caledonia independence leader, A report suggests that Israeli spyware was reportedly used to target European journalists, Sen. Alex Padilla is forcibly removed from a Kristi Noem press conference, Kilmar Abrego Garcia pleads not guilty to human smuggling charges, A court of appeals allows Donald Trump to regain control of the National Guard in LA, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth confirms the U.S. has Panama and Greenland invasion plans, Credit Suisse reportedly ignored early warnings about its Greensill partnership, and scientists grow human hearts in pig embryos for 21 days. Sources: www.verity.news

The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

France's overseas territory of New Caledonia is facing a growing crisis. The number of healthcare workers has dropped dramatically, particularly since the unrest of May 2024. In response, authorities are offering incentives – such as annual contracts and free accommodation – to attract doctors and nurses back to the island. But in the meantime, volunteers are stepping in to train locals in basic medical care, as clinics and hospitals across the island remain closed due to staff shortages. Our France 2 colleagues report, with FRANCE 24's Guillaume Gougeon.

In Pacific Waves today: Questions remain over voting eligibility in New Caledonia; Locals near Manawanui sinking still seeking answers; Moana Pasifika regroup after brutal loss to Chiefs. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

This week on Tagata o te Moana: No solution yet to New Caledonia's political impasse. Polio is again on the rise in Papua New Guinea. The New Zealand Budget delivers substantial cuts to the Ministry of Pacific Peoples and work is underway to improve the response to ciguatera poisoning. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

In Pacific Waves today: PNG polio outbreak 'no cause for panic' - expert; Conflict in West Papua intensifies; New Caledonia's political future remains unclear; Tonga kava growers look for solutions. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

One year after deadly violence broke out in New Caledonia, there's still no solution in sight for the French territory's political future. Lydia Lewis reports.

The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

The latest news from Melanesia.

In Paul's absence, Producer Tom joins Lee to talk about their five-a-side football match on the German-Swiss border and their Alpine groundhopping challenge to watch live games in three countries in the space of seven hours – using only public transport! Join Lee and Tom to find out how they almost lost a football in international waters, why they might face repercussions from the ‘Groundhop Police', whether they were mugged by young children in a micro-state and what happened when they dared to ask a sausage seller for a plate. That is followed by a round-up of the best headlines from the first international window of the year. New Caledonia, Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Sudan and Venezuela are all chasing their World Cup debuts – but who stands the best chance of making it and could a Trump travel ban stop them entering the USA? Do Australia regret joining AFC now that OFC gets an automatic World Cup qualifying berth? And what is with South American nations calling up players to make their international debuts before appearing professionally at club level? Join us on Patreon for:- Bonus episodes, including an interview with James Montague about his time spent with ultra groups around the world- Blog posts about football in the likes of Africa, the Faroe Islands, Japan and Mongolia- Access to our Discord chat community containing hundreds of Sweeper listeners- Weekly newsletters with a FIFA+ match recommendation of the week- And much more besides!The Blizzard: Get 10% off subscriptions to The Blizzard by entering the code 'sweeper10' at checkout. Editor: Ralph Foster Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nick and Ciarán talk to Nic Maclellan about New Caledonia, imperialism in the Pacific and France's strategy in the region Nic Maclellan is a correspondent for Islands Business magazine (Fiji) and a contributor to Pacnews and other Pacific islands media. He has published widely on French policy in the Pacific and is co-author of 'La France dans le Pacifique – de Bougainville à Moruroa' (Editions La Découverte, Paris) and 'After Moruroa – France in the South Pacific' (Ocean Press, New York and Melbourne). His latest book 'Grappling with the Bomb' (ANU Press) – a history of British nuclear testing in Kiribati – was shortlisted for the EPAA “Scholarly Book of the Year” in 2019. Find our guest on https://x.com/maclellannic HOW TO SUPPORT US: https://www.patreon.com/cornerspaeti HOW TO REACH US: Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/cornerspaeti.operationglad.io Twitter https://twitter.com/cornerspaeti Instagram https://www.instagram.com/cornerspaeti/ Julia https://twitter.com/KMarxiana Rob https://twitter.com/leninkraft Nick https://bsky.app/profile/lilouzovert.bsky.social Uma https://bsky.app/profile/umawrnkl.bsky.social Ciarán https://bsky.app/profile/ciaran.operationglad.io

Welcome in for another edition of the Morning Espresso from the SDH Network, brought to you by Oglethorpe University, Atlanta's premier undergraduate learning experience and soccer powerhouse.The USMNT finished fourth in the Concacaf Nations League after losing 2-1 to Canada in the consolation match in Los Angeles on Sunday. The team did not improved their performance from the semifinal loss to Panama and now the Gold Cup is far more important this summer for Mauricio Pochettino and this group. Canada was the better team in this match, which is even more impressive considering that they lost Alphonso Davies to injury early on. Alistair Johnston was outstanding, Jonathan David was excellent throughout, and they took control after a strong USMNT start and played with a chip on their shoulder throughout. The USMNT did not have that chip on their shoulder and they're in this weird spot where they are good enough to see teams do what Panama did to them on Thursday, sit back deep and soak up pressure and put numbers behind the ball. However, they're not good enough to straight up outplay teams on their level. And yes, Canada is on their level. No idea how they will fare as the underdog against teams that are among the best in the world. They'll see all of these sorts of teams in the World Cup next summer and there's a lot of work to do between now and then. Plenty more thoughts in the video.Atlanta United earned a draw on the road in Cincinnati in a gritty performance during the international break. Losing Tristan Muyumba to injury made it even more difficult, as did conceding twice in quick succession in the second half. However, they battled back and created an opportunity that led to an own goal. The 2-2 felt fair, even if Atlanta will feel like they were good enough to win on the day. Nashville and Chicago have won three in a row in MLS after slow starts in the first couple of matches. Austin won yesterday, even if they were extremely wasteful in front of goal and let San Diego hang around. New Zealand qualified for the World Cup by defeating New Caledonia 3-0 in the Oceania qualifying final. They're back in the tournament for the first time since 2010. New Caledonia will have one chance to reach their first World Cup via the inter-confederation playoffs next year. Information is coming out about the U.S. bid for the 2031 Women's World Cup and it could see multiple games being played in multiple Concacaf countries. Great article from Henry Bushnell of Yahoo Sports over the weekend with the latest. Excited to see how everything comes together with the bid. Plenty more stories from a jam-packed Espresso in the video. Enjoy!More Espresso on Wednesday on the SDH Network, presented by Oglethorpe University.

Welcome in for another edition of the Morning Espresso from the SDH Network, brought to you by Oglethorpe University, Atlanta's premier undergraduate learning experience and soccer powerhouse.Disappointing night for the USMNT who lost 1-0 to Panama on a stoppage time goal from Cecilio Waterman. Panama's 5-4-1 gave the US fits, and there wasn't enough urgency to find answers or take risks. Mauricio Pochettino said afterwards that the US shirt wasn't enough in games like this, he said you could feel the difference in the hunger shown by the two sets of players, and he said the US needed to take more risks going forward. That's not easy to change overnight, and I'm really curious to see the response in the third place game against Canada on Sunday. Mexico will face Panama in the Nations League championship match on Sunday after a 2-0 win over Canada on two goals from Raul Jimenez. The top six teams in South American World Cup qualifying should be fine to qualify. Paraguay is unbeaten in 7 after their 1-0 over Chile. Brazil needed a stoppage time winning deflected goal from Vinicius Junior to beat Colombia. Then, Raphinha needed to prevent Vini from getting a time-wasting yellow card as he was subbed out which would have had him suspended from the Argentina match on Tuesday. Was he trying to get suspended? It looked bizarre.South Korea, Iran, and Australia should be the next teams from Asia to earn qualification to the World Cup after their results yesterday. New Zealand will face New Caledonia for the Oceania qualifying spot after both won their semifinals. Denis Bouanga scored twice for Gabon in their win in African World Cup qualifying. The door has cracked open for Nigeria who has struggled mightily so far after Benin could only manage a draw, Nigeria faces Rwanda and can pull to within two points of qualifying with a win. Mozambique moved into a qualification spot with a win, but Algeria could jump them with a win today. The New York Pancyprian Freedoms became the 6th team to pull off a cupset in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, winning a penalty shootout with FC Cincinnati 2. England starts their World Cup qualifying journey today, hosting Albania. England are unbeaten in their last 31 World Cup qualifiers and have never dropped points to Albania. The highlight of the qualifiers is tonight as Uruguay hosts Argentina in one of the world's oldest rivalries. More Espresso on Monday on the SDH Network, presented by Oglethorpe University.

Last time we spoke about the fall of Mandalay. Fierce battles raged over northern Luzon as General Clarkson's forces advanced, capturing key locations while Colonel Volckmann's guerrillas targeted enemy positions. The challenging terrain favored Japanese defenses, creating fierce resistance. Despite this, American troops steadily progressed, securing hills and towns. By mid-March, the 38th Division's relentless push led to significant Japanese losses. The brutal history of POW massacres fueled American resolve, leading to further victories in the region, American forces, led by Major-General Jens Doe were given the task of invading Palawan. Despite facing fortified defenses and rough terrain, the 41st Division advanced under artillery and air support. Meanwhile, in Burma, British-Indian forces clashed with the Japanese, capturing key positions and repelling assaults. As tensions rose in French Indochina, the Japanese executed a coup, disarming French forces and establishing puppet governments. The conflict intensified, reshaping the region's power dynamics. This episode is the Fall of Iwo Jima Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945.  Today we are picking up on Iwo Jima. By March 10, General Schmidt's Marine forces had finally breached the determined enemy defenses to reach the northeastern shore of the island. However, there were still some Japanese strongholds to eliminate in the central and southern areas. One of these was Cushman's Pocket, named after the commander of the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, and located around a devastated ridge overlooking the sea, which housed the stubborn resistance southwest of Hill 362C. The other stronghold, held by General Senda's remaining troops, was established on March 11 after General Cates initiated his final push southeast toward the sea. Consequently, while Colonel Wensinger's 23rd Marines advanced quickly to the coast, Colonel Lanigan's 25th Marines struggled to make headway, as they were quickly halted by intense rocket, mortar, and small-arms fire from Senda's pocket. Unbeknownst to the Americans, Senda had committed suicide on March 8 following the failure of his banzai counterattack, leaving the disorganized Japanese forces in the pocket without leadership. Meanwhile, General Rockey's 5th Marine Division had advanced all the way to General Kuribayashi's last line of defense in northern Iwo Jima, where the battered defenders were prepared to make their final stand. Following a 50-minute preparation involving air, naval, and artillery support on March 11, Colonel Liversedge's 28th Marines launched their attack on the left with three battalions in line, while Colonel Wornham's 27th Marines attacked on the right with four battalions. However, fierce resistance soon forced the combat to close quarters, resulting in the Marines advancing only a few yards—up to 50 yards—across the front. To the right, while the 21st Marines advanced northward to connect with the 5th Division, Colonel Kenyon's 9th Marines resumed their assaults on Cushman's Pocket. The 1st and 3rd Battalions effectively eliminated all resistance in the eastern sector, completely sealing off the area controlled by the Japanese. On March 12, these battalions launched an attack westward toward Cushman's Pocket, with Colonel Withers' 3rd Battalion serving as a holding force on the opposite flank. However, the Marines faced strong opposition and could only advance slowly against the camouflaged enemy positions. To the north, Rocky's units continued to face intense resistance, with Liversedge making no progress and Wornham achieving only minor advances. An intelligence officer with the 5th Division estimated that a minimum of 1,000 Japanese troops were defending the northern end of the island, and stated ". . . there is no shortage of manpower, weapons, or ammunition in the area the Japanese have left to defend." The entire northern tip of the island seemed to be honeycombed with caves and passageways. When a 500-pound bomb landed in the mouth of a cave near Kitano Pint, a big puff of smoke blew out the side of a cliff over 400 yards away, and another bomb landing in a cave entrance in the same area caused a ring of smoke and dust to come up through the ground for a radius of 200 yards around the point of impact. Meanwhile, to the south, the 25th Marines pressed eastward while Colonel Jordan's 3rd Battalion contained the pocket from the north. Supported by tanks, flamethrowers, bazookas, anti-tank grenades, and 60mm mortars, Lanigan's troops engaged in fierce combat with the heavily fortified Japanese forces in the pocket for four days. During this time, Jordan's 2nd Battalion cleared the beach road, allowing the Shermans to move behind the pocket. On March 13, as Withers' 3rd Battalion returned to the 21st Marines, Kenyon's 1st and 3rd Battalions continued their offensive from the east, making significant gains that reduced Cushman's Pocket to 250 yards. Meanwhile, following a successful water-borne reconnaissance of Kama and Kangoku Rocks the previous afternoon, an armored amphibian company landed on these islets without encountering any resistance. At the same time, Rocky's weary Marines maintained pressure on the ridge above the gorge, achieving only slight gains on the right. Fortunately, by March 14, it seemed that the slow, arduous progress of the past three days had enabled the 27th Marines to push through the last strong enemy positions along the northeastern side of the island. As a result, Liversedge was instructed to hold position while the 26th and 27th Marines advanced north and northwest against lighter resistance, successfully gaining up to 1,000 yards by March 15.After armored dozers hacked paths forward, tanks were able to lend support. The flame tanks were particularly effective during this phase and provided "the one weapon that caused the Japanese to leave their caves and rock crevices and run." Army planes flew the last air support missions of the operation on 14 March when five P-51's dropped fire bombs (gasoline and diesel oil mixture) and strafed in front of 3/27 from 1030 to 1100. From then on, the narrow confines of the area of operations prevented use of those planes that had performed so well in supporting ground troops. Artillery and destroyers continued to furnish limited support, firing a preparation for RCT 26 on 15 March and performing night harassing and illumination missions. Meanwhile, operations against Cushman's Pocket entered their final phase on March 14, when Kenyon's 1st and 3rd Battalions finally breached the last enemy defenses by nightfall and completed the cleanup of the pocket two days later. On March 15, Lanigan redirected the main focus of the attack on Senda's pocket to the south, ordering the two battalions in the center to engage aggressively, resulting in a gain of approximately 200 yards and a deep penetration into the left flank of the Japanese's strongest positions. During the night, enemy forces attempted to infiltrate Marine lines from the south, but each attempt was detected and thwarted. Lanigan launched his final assault on March 16, facing only small, isolated pockets of resistance that were quickly eliminated as his battalions advanced toward the beach road. That day, with organized resistance in the 3rd Division's area of operations coming to an end, the 21st Marines were deployed to relieve the 27th Marines on the right flank to continue the northwest attack. With strong naval and artillery support, Withers' 1st Battalion encountered light resistance in its sector on the right, while the 2nd Battalion faced tougher opposition from scattered enemy positions. Nevertheless, both battalions reached the coastline at Kitano Point by the afternoon and began mopping up. To the left, Colonel Graham's 26th Marines also advanced cautiously northwest, with tanks effectively neutralizing enemy positions as the Marines gained about 400 yards. Despite the presence of 500 determined enemy troops still resisting in the western section of Kitano Point and the draw to the southwest, Iwo Jima was officially declared secured by the end of the day. However, on March 17, the battle for the gorge commenced as the 26th Marines advanced under moderate rifle fire, reaching the northern coast before shifting their focus southwestward to confront the gorge in front of the 28th Marines. The gorge in which the last resisting Japanese were now cornered was rocky and steep-sided, approximately 700 yards long and between 200 and 500 yards wide. Rock outcrops cut this ravine into other minor draws that constituted major obstacles to all types of movement. The entire area was ideally suited to the type of last ditch defense the Japanese had adopted. All routes into the main gorge were swept by heavy and accurate fire from machine guns and rifles concealed in cave positions in the cliffs and outcrops. The plan for attacking this strong point called for the 28th Marines, with attached elements of the 5th Pioneer Battalion and Division Reconnaissance Company, to hold the southern rim along the steep cliffs, while the reinforced 26th Marines worked in from the north and east. For the next nine days exhausted Marines carried out a battle of attrition against the thoroughly entrenched enemy. Advances into the east end of the ravine were measured in yards as each cave had to be sealed off before further progress could be made. Flame-thrower tanks, armored bulldozers, and infantry combined operations to provide the power and teamwork necessary to penetrate the last stronghold. As they gradually pushed down the ravine, resistance concentrated around a large concrete structure built into a knoll near the eastern end. After two days of assaults that silenced the supporting positions, engineers used bulldozers to seal a door on the north side and then demolished the structure with five charges totaling 8,500 pounds of explosives. Nevertheless, the battle of attrition persisted, and it wasn't until the end of March 24 that the pocket was reduced to an area of about 50 by 50 yards at the northwest end of the draw. The following morning, units of the 28th Marines, which had taken full responsibility for the pocket, reached the coastal cliffs to finally eliminate the last remnants of resistance in the gorge. On March 20, the 147th Regiment, set to take over the defense of Iwo Jima, arrived from New Caledonia, and by March 24, it had relieved the 21st Marines to establish night ambushes and patrols. The Japanese defenders fought tenaciously until the very end, choosing death over surrender. However, Kuribayashi had one final assault planned. In the pre-dawn darkness of March 26, the final act of the tragedy was performed. Between 200 and 300 Japanese troops from Death Valley and other scattered positions on the west coast silently crept through the ravines of the 5th Division sector headed for a tented area between Airfield No. 2 and the sea occupied by a mixture of Seabees, Air Force personnel, Shore Parties and AA Gunners. Most of them were sleeping, secure in the knowledge that the battle was virtually over. In a coordinated three-pronged attack against unsuspecting Marines and Air Force ground crews, aiming to create maximum chaos and destruction. Kuribayashi and his men stealthily cut through tents, bayoneted sleeping soldiers, and threw hand grenades, resulting in the deaths of around 44 Airmen and 9 Marines. The noise soon alerted troops from the surrounding area, and Marines from a nearby Pioneer Battalion, african american troops from a Shore Party, and soldiers from the 147th Infantry joined battle in a frenzy of shooting, punching, kicking and stabbing. Once the initial surprise wore off, the defenders retaliated, engaging in a chaotic hand-to-hand combat until the 5th Pioneer Battalion quickly organized a defensive line and halted the attack. Dawn revealed the full extent of the carnage in the ruined encampment: 44 Airman and 9 Marines lay dead with a further 119 wounded; of the attackers 262 were killed and 18 captured. Lt Harry Martin of the 5th Pioneers had hurriedly organized a defense line during the attack and single-handedly killed four enemy machine gunners before dying himself. He was to be Iwo Jima's final Medal of Honor hero, bringing the total to an incredible 27.  The circumstances of General Kuribayashi's death have always been shrouded in mystery. Over the years various sources have suggested that he died in the fighting around Death Valley or that he killed himself in his HQ. According to General Kuribayashi's son, Taro: “It seems that it was after sunset on March 25 to the dawn of the 26th that surviving Imperial Japanese forces were obliged to stand still under the US onslaught and showering shells. Under such circumstances, he had his sword in his left hand and ordered the chief staff officer, Colonel Takaishi, who was beside him, 'Send snipers to shoot'. Sargent Oyama heard the order. Oyama, who was seriously wounded in the last combat, fell unconscious, was hospitalized by the US and after having served as a POW came back and testified the dreadful account of the night to me. My father had believed it shameful to have his body discovered by the enemy even after death, so he had previously asked his two soldiers to come along with him, one in front and the other behind, with a shovel in hand. In case of his death he had wanted them to bury his body there and then. It seems that my father and the soldiers were killed by shells, and he was buried at the foot of a tree in Chidori Village, along the beach near Osaka Mountain. Afterwards General Smith spent a whole day looking for his body to pay respect accordingly and to perform a burial, but in vain.” Following the destruction of this final force, the capture and occupation phase of the Iwo Jima operation was declared complete. Over 34 days of combat, approximately 18,000 Japanese soldiers were killed, and 216 were taken prisoner, while the American side suffered heavy losses: 6,821 killed, 19,217 wounded, and 137 tanks destroyed. On April 4, the 147th Regiment took over full responsibility for the ground defense of Iwo Jima as the Marines were departing the island. Throughout April and May, aggressive patrols and ambushes by infantrymen resulted in an additional 867 prisoners and 1,602 Japanese killed, with the Americans losing 15 killed and 144 wounded. Meanwhile, General LeMay's 21st Bomber Command continued its firebombing campaign against Japan. After the successful Tokyo Great Air Raid and a less effective attack on Nagoya, LeMay decided to send 301 B-29s on the afternoon of March 13 to strike Osaka. Despite having to use radar bombing due to cloud cover, American bombardiers achieved a denser and more uniform bombing pattern than the impressionistic methods employed in Nagoya. This resulted in the destruction of 8.1 square miles in the city's core, including commercial and industrial areas, and caused 13,129 civilian casualties, with the loss of 2 bombers and 13 others damaged. Keeping up the intensity of the firebombing campaign, LeMay dispatched 307 B-29s to attack Kobe on the night of March 16. They faced 314 enemy interceptors, which proved ineffective against the Superfortresses unleashing fire over the port. Consequently, the fire on March 17 spiraled out of control, obliterating the eastern half of the business district and devastating a significant industrial zone to the southeast, including the Kawasaki shipyards. Japanese statistics show that the destruction was appalling. About 500 industrial buildings were destroyed, 162 damaged. The loss of 65,951 houses left 242,468 persons homeless. Police reported 2,669 dead or missing and 11,289 injured. Although the destruction was devastating for the Japanese, LeMay was disheartened to find that only 2.9 square miles of the city had burned. To complete his campaign, LeMay sent 313 bombers back to Nagoya on the night of March 19, utilizing radar techniques to cover a large portion of the city. This resulted in the burning of 3 square miles, including the Nagoya arsenal, freight yards, and Aichi's engine works. With an average of 380 aircraft, the 21st Bomber Command conducted 1,595 sorties over 10 days, dropping a total of 9,365 tons of bombs. The results far exceeded expectations, as the B-29s left a trail of destruction across four major cities, decimating 32 square miles and destroying numerous critical targets. Thus, LeMay's strategy proved successful, leading to incendiary area bombing becoming standard practice in the future. The focus now shifts from the Central Pacific to the South Pacific, where we need to address the ongoing Australian operations in New Britain. Following the capture of Milim and Ea Ea in January, General Ramsay's 5th Division aimed to continue its limited advances to the north. To secure crossings over the Ip River and patrol towards Henry Reid Bay, the entire 6th Brigade began moving to the Kiep-Milim area on January 26, completing this relocation by February 11. Concurrently, the 14th/32nd Battalion had advanced beyond the Ip and was conducting patrols towards Kalai Plantation, where they faced enemy resistance. The 36th Battalion also moved forward to Mavelo Plantation, leading to retaliatory actions against the new Australian outpost at Baia. In response, Ramsay dispatched stronger patrols to the Sai River throughout February, successfully establishing a new defensive line along the Mavelo River by the month's end. Returning to Wide Bay, after a series of aggressive patrols and nighttime ambushes, the 14th/32nd Battalion managed to reach Kamandran Mission by mid-February. The Australians continued to advance, and by the end of the month, the 19th Battalion, which had replaced the 14th/32nd at Gogbulu Creek, secured crossings over the Mevelo River and patrolled east toward the Wulwut River. On March 3, Ramsay ordered the 6th Brigade to cross the Wulwut and capture the Waitavalo Ridge. Two days later, the 19th Battalion initiated the assault but struggled to push more than one company across the river due to fierce enemy resistance. On March 6, following an artillery bombardment, another company successfully crossed and quickly seized Cake Hill. The next day, Lone Tree Hill was taken following another round of artillery bombardment. By March 10, Moose Hill, Young's Hill, and Perry's Knoll had also been captured. In the days that followed, Australian artillery began to suppress enemy mortars as infantry moved toward Kath's Hill. By mid-March, the 14th/32nd Battalion replaced the 19th Battalion, and on March 16, the Australians resumed their offensive, facing fierce resistance but successfully encircling Bacon Hill. The assault continued the next day as the 14th/32nd fought to reach the summit of the hill. On 18th March the mortar fire was intensified from the few remaining enemy positions, and it seemed that the Japanese were firing off their ammunition while they could. The attack was resumed. When Corporal Martin's section was halted on the steep spur by fire from three posts he jumped up shouting, "They can't do that to me", and went on alone, firing posts, killing five, before he himself was hit. The decisive attack was launched through this foothold. By 3 p.m. all the Japanese had been cleared from Bacon Hill; and a patrol from Kath's, under Lieutenant Lamshed,3 penetrated to a knoll 800 yards to the east and found no enemy there. No Japanese now remained in the Waitavalo-Tol area. In the five days from the 16th to the 20th 4 officers and 53 others had been killed or wounded.  In the following days, patrols ventured deep into enemy territory but found few stragglers. On March 21, the 19th Battalion took over again and advanced toward the Bulus and Moondei Rivers. On March 28, Ramsay ordered the 13th Brigade to relieve the 6th Brigade, a transition that was completed by April 12. Following the capture of Waitavalo Ridge, there were four months of infantry patrolling and routine maintenance by other troops, with the 16th Battalion patrolling forward to Jammer Bay in this area. Additionally, looking west, a company from the 36th Battalion successfully landed north of the Sai on March 30 but could not proceed to the Matalaili River due to heavy rains. However, Japanese positions there were heavily bombarded by aircraft and the sloop Swan, prompting the defenders to withdraw to the Toriu River in April. Meanwhile, Brigadier King's 16th Brigade advanced to the Ninahau River by March 12, while Brigadier Moten's 17th Brigade continued its westward push through the Torricelli Mountains, aiming to capture the Japanese base at Maprik. Throughout March, the 2/7th Battalion executed several successful ambushes from their new bases at Ilahop, Balangabadabil, and Bombeta, while Hayforce advanced through Sinahau to the north of Utumugu and eastward to Tatimba. By early March, Moten had cleverly led the enemy to believe that the primary offensive would be launched by the 2/10th Commando Squadron from the north via Ami. As a result, the Japanese bolstered their forces in that area, successfully driving back Australian patrols from Chaulak, Gwanginan, and Wambak. On March 13, the commando outpost at Milak came under attack, with the Japanese gradually encircling the position in the following days but failing to overcome the defenders' steadfast resistance. Fortunately, by March 17, patrols had restored communication lines, and two days later, the enemy pressure finally subsided. During this time, smaller Japanese forces also targeted the commando outposts at Murak and Aupik, but the defenders managed to repel these attacks as well. However, as the 2/10th was completely exhausted, the 2/6th Battalion was dispatched to relieve the commandos in late March amid a new wave of Japanese assaults. Meanwhile, the 2/7th Battalion was engaged in assaults on the fortified enemy positions at Ilaheta, which fell on March 20. The Australians then turned their attention to the Aupik villages, successfully focusing their efforts on the west bank of the Ninab River by the end of March, coinciding with Hayforce's crossing of the Amuk River. In the following three days, the 2/7th Battalion cleared all opposition along the eastern side of the Ninab in preparation for the final push toward Maprik. Consequently, General Miyake's 78th Regiment was ultimately compelled to retreat toward Jamei. Looking further north, King decided to initiate his advance towards But. By mid-March, a company from the 2/2nd Battalion had crossed the Ninahau on March 14 and quickly moved through Bai and Ultan. Although the Australian advance faced a strong enemy position that delayed progress for two days, the 2/2nd ultimately broke through Manib Creek, catching the defenders off guard and swiftly capturing the But airfield on March 17. Following this, the Australians patrolled the foothills and the Old German Road towards the Dagua airfield, encountering minimal resistance. Consequently, on March 21, the 2/2nd advanced rapidly again, successfully taking Dagua while the 2/1st Battalion moved in to secure But. At this stage, Japanese resistance along the coast was light, as General Adachi had focused on the Maprik district, which could produce more food. With the main enemy forces now concentrated in the hills to the south, King directed the 2/2nd to clear the foothills south of Dagua and eliminate the enemy in the Tokoku Pass, while the 2/3rd Battalion launched a flanking attack in the Mabam River-Hamsuk-Yalaminuni area. The 2/2nd then patrolled deep towards Magahen and Wonginara Mission, facing strong resistance at the 1410 Feature. On March 24, they finally captured the feature, while another patrol reached Wonginara without encountering enemy forces. However, in the final days of March, the Australians struggled to advance against the strong resistance of the Japanese defenders on the Wonginara Track, although one patrol successfully probed towards Kauremerak Hill. On April 2, following intense air and artillery bombardments, the 2/2nd Battalion finally managed to break through to Tokoku Pass, which was secured the next day. Meanwhile, another patrol advanced south from Dagua to the Autogi-Walanduum area and then to the coast near Kofi. The 2/3rd Battalion moved south from Feature 1410 towards the Mabam River and Wonginara Mission, successfully eliminating a series of Japanese ridge positions by April 6. The 2/1st Battalion patrolled deep into the hills south and west of But, completely clearing the area by April 1 while also pushing eastward to capture Saburuman. Concurrently, the 2/3rd Machine-Gun Battalion advanced to the upper Ninahau, effectively clearing the region up to a north-south line about two miles beyond Muguluwela by the end of March. In early April, the machine-gunners successfully cleared the Marabus area and connected with the 2/1st Battalion. Finally, it was time to shift focus to Bougainville to continue covering the Australian offensives on the island. As previously noted, Brigadier Stevenson's 11th Brigade had secured the Tsimba Ridge area, while Brigadier Field's 7th Brigade was advancing south towards the Puriata River. The swift capture of Mosigetta and the unexpected secondary landing at Toko had already compelled the Japanese to retreat behind the river amid a command crisis. The Japanese policy of resisting the southward advance more strongly even if it entailed heavier casualties failed to impose the hoped-for delay of the Australians. Nevertheless the Japanese leaders considered that the 13th Regiment's "swift damaging hit-and-run tactics" were well executed. However, Mosigetta was at length abandoned and a withdrawal south of the Puriata ordered. The landing at Toko was unexpected and caused an acceleration of this withdrawal. There now occurred a major crisis in the Japanese command. The young reserve officers were highly critical of the conduct of the campaign and blamed the policies of the older professional officers for the constant reverses. This criticism became so outspoken that, in February, a number of the younger officers were relieved of their commands; perhaps partly as an outcome of this crisis, General Hyakutake suffered a paralysis of his left side. General Kanda took command of the 17th Army and Lieutenant-General Akinaga Tsutomu, Chief of Staff of the Army, succeeded him in command of the 6th Division. "This change of command was regarded favourably by the younger officers, but it soon became apparent that Kanda intended to pursue the same policy as Hyakutake. Kanda was a shrewd, hard, fussy little professional soldier of long experience. He was steeped in tradition and a ruthless commander, but even his bitterest critics admitted his capabilities. Akinaga… was a dyed in the wool militarist and a strict disciplinarian. Unused to an active command he was plunged into a situation which was a little out of his depth. One of his staff stated that he spent too much time doing a corporal's job in his forward battalions to be a good divisional commander." In late February, General Bridgeford's forces advanced toward the Puriata, facing only minor rearguard positions. The 25th Battalion captured Barara on February 22 and a five-acre garden two days later, while the 61st Battalion took control of another garden measuring 600 by 400 yards near the river on March 1. Meanwhile, the 2/8th Commando Squadron was sent to secure the Makapeka area, successfully taking Commando Ridge and a ford across the Makapeka River by March 5. With General Savige aiming to reach the Hari River next, Bridgeford promptly ordered the 7th Brigade to move to the Hongorai River line. As a result, Field planned to initiate his main advance on March 11, utilizing the 25th Battalion and the 2/8th Commando Squadron, while the 61st Battalion pushed forward toward Horinu. In response, Kanda dispatched the 23rd Regiment to bolster the 13th at the front, preparing both units for a full-scale counterattack should the Australians cross the Puriata, aiming to delay the enemy long enough to finalize preparations for a decisive battle along the Silibai-Porror Rivers. By March 5, the 25th Battalion had already crossed the river and swiftly captured Slater's Knoll, which soon came under enemy mortar fire. Patrols were sent ahead and found that the 13th Regiment was poised to fiercely contest the Australian advance. Although the northern flank of the 25th Battalion would be effectively contained along the Buin Road on March 11, two Australian companies managed to maneuver through Tokinotu to the south, reaching Hiru Hiru by the end of the day. One of these companies moved along the eastern side of the Buin Road toward Slater's Knoll, but from March 15 to 17, they faced a heavy counterattack that ultimately forced them to withdraw. In response, Field initiated a strong offensive along the Buin Road on March 19, managing to push the Japanese back to some rear positions. Following a significant air and artillery bombardment, the attack resumed on March 22, successfully overcoming all enemy resistance. Meanwhile, the commandos advanced to Nihero, where they began extensive patrols southward towards Unanai, Hari, and the Buin Road. During one of these patrols, they captured detailed orders for a large-scale Japanese offensive planned for early April. As a result, Bridegeford decided to pause his offensive and send the 15th Brigade along with a tank squadron to Toko to reinforce his perimeter. On March 28 and 29, before Akinaga's main assault, the Japanese conducted a series of raids on the Australian lines of communication and rear areas, all of which were successfully repelled by vigilant defenders. On March 30, the 13th Regiment launched several strong attacks against the 25th Battalion, all of which were costly for the attackers and repelled, while the armored squadron advanced toward Tokinotu. Just as the tanks reached the front, the Japanese initiated another wave of fierce attacks against the 25th Battalion on March 31, which were thankfully repelled with the support of the armored units. Consequently, on April 1, two companies advanced again, establishing a perimeter 1,000 yards south of Slater's Knoll. That evening, and for the following three days, Akinaga launched a series of raids to facilitate the arrival of the 23rd Regiment for a renewed assault. In the early hours of April 5, the Japanese began infiltrating the Australian perimeter, launching a vigorous two-pronged assault on Slater's Knoll later that morning. The 23rd Regiment attacked about 1,000 yards to the right of the 13th and north-east of it. The attack failed, Kawano was killed and the regiment withdrew south to the rear of the 13th. The 13th Regiment with 600 men made the main attack from north and east.  Until 6.20 a.m. wave after wave charged forward and was brought low. Some Japanese fell within four yards of the weapon-pits. The artillery sent over accurate defensive fire, registered the previous day. At dawn the surviving Japanese were heard digging in on dead ground. As the light became clearer, the Australians saw that "enemy dead lay, literally, in heaps in front of the wire", and bodies could be seen scattered over an area some 200 yards square. It was gruesome evidence of the efficient siting of weapons and choice of fields of fire in preparation for expected attack. The attackers were ordered to dig in until darkness and make full use of grenades and mortars. However, in the afternoon, tanks and artillery fire drove the Japanese from the positions they had gained, and the Japanese commander accepted defeat. All three battalion commanders in the 13th were killed. After Akinaga had reported his failure Kanda said to his Chief of Staff, Colonel Yoshiyuki Ejima: "It would not have happened if I had been in command. The enemy right flank was wide open. I would have severed his life line and controlled Toko. We could have delayed the enemy for three months."  Concurrently, around 100 Japanese troops attacked the two forward companies along the Buin Road but were similarly repelled with ease. Following the unsuccessful counteroffensive by Akinaga, Slater's Knoll received reinforcements while the remaining Japanese forces were being dealt with, resulting in 620 Japanese fatalities since March 28, compared to 189 Australian casualties. However, Bridgeford could not capitalize on this victory due to the prolonged supply line, which temporarily halted his offensive. As a result, while the 2/8th Commando Squadron moved forward along the Commando Road, the 13th Brigade began to relieve the battered 7th Brigade under Field on April 13. Meanwhile, in the northern sector of the 11th Brigade area, the 26th Battalion launched a significant advance northward on February 21, successfully overrunning the Lalum-Downs' Ridge area by March 8. Two companies then advanced further north to secure the crossing of the Nagam River. On March 13, another company landed near the southern edge of Soraken Plantation and quickly pushed the enemy back behind the Nagam. Australian patrols harassed the Japanese forces at Horseshoe Knoll until March 20, when they finally withdrew. Simultaneously, the 26th Battalion eliminated the remaining enemy positions at the Compton River and secured the Soraken Peninsula, while the Taiof and Saposa Islands were also captured off the coast. The next battalion to take over the forward positions was the 31st/51st Battalion. Perhaps the outstanding patrol leader in the 31st/51st was Lieutenant Reiter, who led out 3 patrols which killed 10 out of the 78 Japanese killed by this battalion's forays. One of these patrols was named by the battalion "the raid on Reiter's Ridge". Reiter and 15 men were given the task of harassing the Japanese occupying a prominent ridge just east of Sisivie and discovering their strength. They departed from Keenan's Ridge at 17:30 on March 27, bivouacked at a former artillery observation post and moved on at 03:00 next morning for a dawn attack. At 06:00 “the patrol moved in, and throwing grenades and firing LMG occupied a small knoll (its report stated). 2 Japanese were killed and 1 pillbox containing LMG destroyed. Patrol raced down narrow neck to a wide clearing in which several huts were sighted. Phosphorus and HE grenades were thrown. In a matter of seconds 4 more Japanese killed (2 in slit trenches, 1 as he ran and another while abluting). 2 were wounded by phosphorus grenades. 3 huts were blazing and 1 (considered to be an ammunition dump) blew up. Enemy opened up with one LMG and 15 rifles and patrol pulled out with 1 man wounded.” Instead of hastening them away Reiter assembled his men nearby in concealment and watched the enemy. At length Japanese began to move about again, and soon they were washing clothes, chopping wood and performing other tasks. There were from 25 to 30 enemy in the post. The Australians watched throughout the morning and at 12:30 opened fire with all their weapons. 2 Japanese were killed and 4 more huts set on fire. The enemy fired back, and at 01:15 Reiter withdrew his men and returned to Keenan's Ridge leaving an ambush on the enemy's track. The ambush party returned later and reported that it had seen no movement.  On the 29th, the day after Reiter's return, a platoon of the 1st New Guinea Infantry Battalion under Lieutenant Martin set out for Buritsiotorara along the Wakunai River. There they found three huts and a large garden with seven Japanese moving about unarmed. Throwing grenades and firing from the hip the native soldiers attacked and killed all seven. Three more who emerged from a hut were chased and killed. Three of the dead men were found to be lieutenants; three machine-guns were cap-tured. Next day at Aviang, 1,200 yards away, seven more Japanese were seen, of whom three including another lieutenant were killed and the others fled. 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. The battle for Iwo Jima had come to a bitter end. The lessons learnt on Iwo Jima would become guidelines for the Battle of Okinawa in April and would influence allied plans for the invasion of the Japanese home islands. The war planners would later notably take into account that around a third of the troops committed to Iwo Jima, and later again at Okinawa, had been killed or wounded and that they could expect far more in Japan.

Preview: Colleague Cleo Paskal of FDD describes the confrontation between Beijing and Paris over the New Caledonia and French Polynesian colonies. More later. 1906 NEW CALEDONIA