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Steven Pressfield spent 27 years writing before his first novel was published — enduring 21 jobs, living in 11 states, and at times out of his car. Finally, at age 52, Steve finally, what Joseph Campbell calls, “Seized the Sword”.Since then, he's written over 20+ books and sold millions of copies. His most famous works are: The War of Art, Turning Pro, Gates of Fire (Gates is on the US Marine Corps commandant's mandatory reading list), and he also wrote the 2000 Oscar-nominated film, The Legend of Bagger Vance. His newest book, The Arcadian, was just released May 26th.Steven comes on Men Talking Mindfulness to talk about the inner war every man is fighting — against Resistance, and the risks of actually Turning pro.IN THIS EPISODE:What Resistance is — and why it wants to kill you, not just stop youThe one question Steven asks at the end of every day — and why it changes everythingWhy warrior virtues and artist virtues are identicalThe Muse — what it is, where it comes from, and how to tune inAmateur vs. pro: the mindset shift that separates people who do from people who mean toThe authentic swing — Bagger Vance, the Bhagavad Gita, and your true callingRELATED EPISODES:Overcoming ProcrastinationThe Shadow Holds Your Power, Not Your Pain with Connor BeatonFinding Your PurposeCuriosity Is Key to Breaking Men Free from Judgment and RuminationPRE-ORDER THE ARCADIAN BOOK &FOLLOW STEVEN PRESSFIELD:stevenpressfield.comGET MORE FROM MTM:Text MTM to 33777 — free weekly newsletterSubscribe: mentalkingmindfulness.comA2A COURSE:Change is Possible, this is where it starts - 12 modules on attention, presence & performance. Self-paced.https://focusnowtraining.com/a2a-course- Maps to Module 2 of A2A: Observing Your Inner World Without Being Owned By ItBRING FNT TO YOUR TEAM:focusnowtraining.com/contactCo-produced by Robert Lopez cratesaudio.comHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
France boards a sanctioned Russian oil tanker in the Atlantic, accusing it of flying a false flag. Colombia heads for a presidential runoff election after the right-wing candidate wins the first round. The U.S. Supreme Court weighs two cases which could reshape the midterms. U.S. population growth slows. And Taiwanese BTS fans pray to the Taoist god of love for concert tickets. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast here. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter here. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast here. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Soulmate Seized: Coast Guard Investigation Update Investigators launched a new search for Lynette Hooker after analyzing GPS coordinates recovered from her husband's phone. The location data identified an area of interest that had not been thoroughly examined during earlier efforts, prompting search teams to return with updated information and resources. Authorities hope the renewed search will uncover evidence that could provide answers about Hooker's disappearance and help move the investigation forward. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Soulmate Seized by Coast Guard: New Evidence Changes Everything Bill Cannon from Police Off The Cuff brings breaking news on the Lynette Hooker missing case, which has taken a significant turn. This true crime story continues to develop, offering critical updates for those following the investigation into what happened to Lynette Hooker, who is missing at sea. The USCG seized their sailboat, the Soulmate, under a search warrant, which is now part of the ongoing coast guard investigative service and fbi investigation into this incident. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
What happens when someone helps pioneer financial freedom outside the traditional banking system — only to find themselves targeted by the very institutions they believed they were escaping? In this powerful and deeply personal episode, Joby Weeks joins Michael Jaco to discuss his journey as an early Bitcoin pioneer, his belief in decentralized financial systems, and the shocking reality of having assets and systems he helped build become entangled in government actions and legal battles. The conversation centers around a growing concern shared by many people around the world:
Today we'll be talking about a fatal ambush by gunmen in disguise against a police officer and his family, then, a prison sentence of more than 1,600 years has been handed down to an Austrian for abusing his own child, then, the new popular contraband to be smuggled in Thailand? Would you be surprised to hear that it is weight loss injections?, also, the Singha heir saga continues as new family abuse allegations emerge, in ASEAN News, Thai rescue teams have been dispatched to Laos to aid in the search for 7 workers trapped in a cave, in economic news French President Macron host Thai PM Anutin in order to strengthen ties between the two countries, and finally in some feel good news a Chinese woman's money was recovered by helpful locals after it was scattered on a busy road.
Southwest Michigan's Morning News podcast is prepared and delivered by the WSJM Newsroom. For these stories and more, visit https://www.wsjm.com and follow us for updates on Facebook. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Southwest Michigan's Morning News podcast is prepared and delivered by the WSJM Newsroom. For these stories and more, visit https://www.wsjm.com and follow us for updates on Facebook. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Seized ship taken toward Iran as Trump and China's Xi agree Strait of Hormuz "must remain open." Ukraine says Russia launches "massive and virtually nonstop" strikes on Kyiv, killing at least 12. Hero pilot recounts crash landing, rescue in Atlantic Ocean: "My first thought was, 'We didn't die'." To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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, and YouTube
AP correspondent Karen Chammas reports on the latest in the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.
AP correspondent Ed Donahue reports on rising tensions around the Strait of Hormuz.
SOULMATE SEIZED! Coast Guard Hunting Digital Evidence in Lynette Hooker Mystery The U.S. Coast Guard has seized Brian Hooker's sailboat, the Soulmate, in international waters. This critical development impacts the disappearance of Lynette Hooker, especially given the vessel's role in their shared "boat life." We're examining the implications of this seizure, particularly concerning maritime law and the operation of a yacht on the high seas. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
A Hollywood Reporter story looks at renewed buzz around UFO files tied to Donald Trump, as supporters claim major revelations are coming. The article examines what has actually been released so far, what remains classified, and why expectations around UFO disclosures often outpace the evidence. A Clovis man was arrested for possessing illegal fireworks, according to authorities. Police say the seizure comes amid stepped‑up enforcement ahead of fire season, warning that illegal fireworks pose serious risks to public safety and wildfire danger in the Central Valley. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
A Hollywood Reporter story looks at renewed buzz around UFO files tied to Donald Trump, as supporters claim major revelations are coming. The article examines what has actually been released so far, what remains classified, and why expectations around UFO disclosures often outpace the evidence. A Clovis man was arrested for possessing illegal fireworks, according to authorities. Police say the seizure comes amid stepped‑up enforcement ahead of fire season, warning that illegal fireworks pose serious risks to public safety and wildfire danger in the Central Valley. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Soulmate Seized? Coast Guard Tows Brian Hooker's Sailboat to Florida Brian Hooker's sailboat Soulmate and its towing to Fort Pierce, Florida as the Lynette Hooker investigation intensifies. We examine the timeline, what investigators may be looking for on the vessel, the Coast Guard's expanding role, and why this reported move could become a major turning point in the case. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Jim MacKay reports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Justice Department can hold onto the 2020 election ballots seized in Georgia as it looks for evidence of fraud. The AP's Jennifer King reports.
Every Saturday, we revisit a story from the archives. This originally aired on June 11, 2025. None of the dates, titles, or other references from that time have been changed. The seizure of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla in international waters has not deterred other aid convoys from heading towards Gaza. Palestinian-American writer Ahmad Ibsais explains how humanitarian aid has become a politically charged weapon of war. In this episode: Ahmad Ibsais, Writer of ‘State of Siege’ Episode credits: This episode was updated by Chloe K. Li. The original production team was Amy Walters, Sonia Bhagat, Chloe K Li and Haleema Shah, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Sarí el-Khalili, Mariana Navarette, Kisaa Zehra and our guest host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Noor Wazwaz. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our engagement producers are Adam Abou-Gad and Vienna Maglio. Andrew Greiner is lead of audience engagement. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer.
Rachel McNicholl joins Pat to talk about her husband Fiach O Braolain who was aboard the latest Flotilla to be seized by the Israeli military as they sailed to Gaza
Acts 21:27-29 | 04.26.2026
Rifles and grenade launchers were caught on their way to Mexico.
Iran seizes two ships in the Strait of Hormuz as Trump's “indefinite” ceasefire faces its first real test. We break down the attacks, IRGC power, nuclear stakes, oil markets, and whether Trump can find an off‑ramp with Tehran.
Iran says it seized two ships in the Strait of Hormuz, while the US boards another Iranian ship. This, as President Trump extends the ceasefire after Iranians were a no-show for peace talks. So, where do negotiations stand? Also on today's show: The FBI is now investigating at least 10 cases of scientists who have died or disappeared in recent years, all of whom had ties to sensitive nuclear and aerospace research ... Virginians approve a new congressional district map that may give Democrats a major boost ahead of the November midterm elections. We go live with Governor Abigail Spanberger. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
08:00 — John Nichols, Executive Editor of the Nation 33:00 — Jessica Pishko is an independent journalist and lawyer covering the criminal legal system. Her book “The Highest Law in the Land,” examines how the unchecked power of sheriffs threatens democracy. Her latest piece for Calmatters is co-written with investigative reporter, Anat Rubin. The post Virginia Redistricting; Plus, CalMatters Investigation Shows Chad Bianco Seized 650,000 Previously Cast Ballots appeared first on KPFA.
Cuban exiles are hoping that President Donald Trump's threat of military action on the island will mean compensation for the homes and businesses taken from them after Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution. AP correspondent Donna Warder reports.
The Fog of Peace and the Strait of Hormuz: The US and Iran are currently in a "fog of peace," where a ceasefire is complicated by a US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Tensions escalated after the US seized an Iranian cargo ship attempting to run the blockade. Negotiations in Islamabad face a massive diplomatic chasm regarding nuclear and missile programs. Bill Roggio (1)1519
FBI Director Kash Patel is suing The Atlantic for $250 million, calling their reporting a defamatory “hit piece” and saying anonymous sources were used to push false claims about his conduct . Joe Pags breaks down why he supports the lawsuit and what it could mean for media accountability. He also dives into the latest on the Iran ceasefire as the deadline approaches — whether President Trump will extend it, where negotiations stand, and if Vice President JD Vance is heading back for another round of talks. Plus, the situation with seized Iranian ships and what that means for leverage in the ongoing conflict. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ryan talks with ABC News Law Enforcement Contributor Don Mihalek who discusses the U.S. military's seizure of an Iranian cargo vessel and how drones are reshaping modern warfare.
Ryan talks with ABC News Law Enforcement Contributor Don Mihalek who discusses the U.S. military's seizure of an Iranian cargo vessel and how drones are reshaping modern warfare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The U.S. fired on and seized an Iranian cargo ship that tried to break through the naval blockade. Iran calls it piracy and vows to retaliate with the ceasefire set to expire Wednesday. Iran is back to blocking the Strait of Hormuz as both sides accuse each other of violating the ceasefire and a new round of talks in Pakistan have yet to be confirmed by Tehran. And businesses can finally start applying today for refunds on $166 billion in tariffs the Supreme Court ruled were collected illegally, in what could be a scramble for hundreds of thousands of importers.Correction: A previous version of the story "Iran reacts to ship seized" incorrectly said the death toll in Lebanon was more than 1,000. It is more than 2,000.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today's episode of Up First was edited by Anna Yukhananov, Ruth Sherlock, Rafael Nam, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Lindsay Totty.It was produced by Ziad Buchh and Nia Dumas.Our director is Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Stacey Abbott. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange.(0:00) Introduction(01:55) Trump and Iran Talks(05:34) Iran Reacts to Ship Seized(09:30) Tariff RefundsSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy
U.S. forces seized an Iranian ship in the Gulf of Oman. Michelle Price of the Associated Press assesses what it means for potential peace talks between the U.S. and Iran. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s term is up in May. The Wall Street Journal’s Nick Timiraos explains the political tug-of-war over his successor. The portal for businesses to claim refunds for tariffs the Supreme Court ruled illegal goes live Monday. Tim Aeppel of Reuters joins to discuss why some businesses are wary about complications that may arise. Plus, a gunman killed eight children in Louisiana, why the DOJ is trying to obtain 2024 election ballots from a Michigan county, and how a robot shattered the human half-marathon record. Today’s episode was hosted by Yasmeen Khan.
In recent weeks, a growing number of news outlets have picked up the mysterious story of missing scientists, contractors, and government officials associated with some of the United States' most secretive technologies who have vanished or died under unusual circumstances. As the web of incidents continues to expand, current theories claim that nearly a dozen scientists may be involved, all with possible links to UFO secrets. So what is really going on? This week on The Micah Hanks Program, we examine the latest UFO conspiracy theory to gain traction in the mainstream media, which has even led to purported briefings at the White House. What does a closer examination of the situation reveal about these claims and the ideas driving such beliefs in the UFO community today? Want to advertise/sponsor The Micah Hanks Program? We have partnered with the AdvertiseCast to handle our advertising/sponsorship requests. If you would like to advertise with The Micah Hanks Program, all you have to do is click the link below to get started: AdvertiseCast: Advertise with The Micah Hanks Program Show Notes Below are links to stories and other content featured in this episode: NEWS: 'Resumption of hostilities': Seized ship, vessel attacks push U.S.-Iran ceasefire toward brink Major 7.7-magnitude earthquake strikes off Japan, prompting tsunami alerts UFO DISCLOSURE UPDATE: Trump says UFO files will be released MISSING SCIENTISTS: Peter Doocey asks Karoline Leavitt about "missing scientists" Lawmaker Says Missing Scientists Looks like a "Foreign Operation" Trump is asked about 'missing scientists' during White House press event METRO: White House under pressure after 10 scientists vanish or die in mystery cases FLASHBACK: Sheriff's Office Issues Update on Missing USAF Official: Here's Everything We Know About the Disappearance of Neil McCasland - The Debrief 911 AUDIO: 911 call of Susan Wilkerson, wife of missing Major General Neil McCasland BECOME AN X SUBSCRIBER AND GET EVEN MORE GREAT PODCASTS AND MONTHLY SPECIALS FROM MICAH HANKS. Sign up today and get access to the entire back catalog of The Micah Hanks Program, as well as "classic" episodes, weekly "additional editions" of the subscriber-only X Podcast, the monthly Enigmas specials, and much more. Like us on Facebook Follow @MicahHanks on X. Keep up with Micah and his work at micahhanks.com.
Last time we spoke about the first battle of Changsha. Japanese forces under General Okamura Yasuji, including the 6th, 13th, and 33rd Divisions, launched a multi-pronged offensive, crossing the Xin Qiang River and capturing Yingtian amid brutal fighting. Chinese defenses, commanded by Xue Yue in the Ninth War Zone, employed gradual resistance strategies, with units like the 195th Division under Qin Yizhi holding key positions such as Bijia Mountain and Fulinpu, inflicting heavy losses. Battalion Commander Luo Wenlang recaptured Dongtang in a midnight assault, grieving his fallen brother amid Mid-Autumn moonlight. Chiang Kai-shek, from Chongqing, oversaw operations while hosting a festive banquet, buoyed by international support like U.S. loans. By October, Japanese advances stalled; Okamura ordered a retreat on October 2, exposed by a downed plane yielding critical documents. Chinese forces pursued, reclaiming lines by October 8, annihilating over half the invaders per Chiang's commendation. #198 The Battle of South Guangxi Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. In January 1939, the Japanese General Headquarters, responding to naval needs, ordered the 21st Corps to seize Hainan Island. The goal was to establish a base for air operations against southwestern China and to enforce blockade measures. Supported by the Japanese Navy, the Corps deployed the Taiwan Brigade, which landed at Haikou on February 10. After initial defeats, Chinese peace preservation units withdrew to the island's interior and conducted harassment operations. Japanese troops soon occupied northern counties including Qiongshan, Wenchang, Ding'an, Qionghai, and Chengmai, followed by the port of Yulin, which positioned them for southward advances toward Guangxi. This invasion was part of a broader strategy to disrupt Chinese supply lines and secure a foothold in southern China. Although Chinese resistance on Hainan ultimately failed to repel the invaders, it highlighted the resilience that would define regional fighting. After the costly Battle of Wuhan, the Sino-Japanese War reached a stalemate in central China, despite ongoing large-scale conflicts and Japanese strategic bombings that caused heavy casualties without breaking the deadlock. Politically, Japan's alignment with the Axis powers and the start of World War II in Western Europe led European nations to bolster ties with China. With major coastal ports under Japanese control, the Nationalist government's main overseas supply route became the Haiphong-Kunming railway in French Indochina, which transported four times more war materials in 1938 than in 1937, including heavy equipment purchased abroad. The Hainan occupation negatively impacted Japan's war efforts, though diplomatic pressure on Britain and France proved ineffective. Meanwhile, the Imperial Japanese Navy proposed a southward advance: invading from Nanning to Longzhou County in Guangxi by sea to establish an airfield for strategic bombing. An April 15, 1939, Navy Department assessment deemed large-scale inland army operations challenging, recommending instead that the army and navy collaborate to occupy Shantou—the largest trading port on the South China coast—before pushing into Guangxi to seize Nanning and sever China's vital Indochina supply line. In June, the Japanese General Staff's "Military Geography" emphasized that occupying Nanning would provide convenient transportation in all directions, reaching Guangdong, Hunan, Guizhou, and Yunnan. The Nanning-Lang Son road had become a major artery for Chiang Kai-shek's regime to connect with the southwest. To cut it off directly, Nanning must be captured first. Once occupied, heavy troops near Tokyo Bay would not be needed to achieve the operation's purpose. This idea gained considerable support both politically and tactically. The Army's northward policy had been defeated by the Soviet Union in the Battle of Khalkhin Gol in September 1939. Major General Tominaga Kyoji, the newly appointed head of the First Department of the General Staff, sought to avoid further embarrassments. Supporting the proposal involved transferring the 5th Division of the Kwantung Army, originally intended for Khalkhin Gol, to the south. This prevented front-line units from misjudging higher-ups' positions and allowed implementation without affecting existing troops. In September, the European war broke out. The Japanese General Headquarters ordered the 21st Army to capture the vicinity of Nanning, cut off the international passage between Guangxi and Vietnam, and obtain a base for air operations in southwest China. Japan aimed to completely sever China's most important supply route. According to Japanese intelligence, the French Indochina line accounted for 85% of China's foreign aid in late 1939, with 12,500 tons transported in September alone. On September 1, 1939, Germany attacked Poland; on September 3, Britain and France declared war on Germany, igniting World War II. Japan, eager to resolve the China issue and free up troops to seize Western colonies in Asia and the Pacific, stated through Prime Minister Nobuyuki Abe on September 4: "At the outbreak of the European war, the Empire will not intervene and has decided to focus on resolving the China Incident." In Nanjing, the China Expeditionary Army Headquarters was established, with General Nishio Hisazo as Commander-in-Chief and Lieutenant General Itagaki Seishiro as Chief of Staff, overseeing the North China Area Army, the 11th Army, the 13th Army, and the 21st Army. On September 23, the Japanese General Headquarters issued an order to prepare for a swift response to the China Incident. On October 16, "Continental Order No. 375" directed the Commander-in-Chief of the China Expeditionary Army to swiftly cut off enemy supply routes from Nanning to Longzhou with a portion of the navy. Also on October 16, "Continental Order No. 582," a central Army-Navy agreement, aimed to cut off enemy routes along the Nanning-Longzhou line and strengthen naval air operations against the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway and the Burma Road. The operation was scheduled for mid-November. On October 19, Nishio Juzo issued orders for the Guangxi operation, involving the 5th Division, Taiwan Mixed Brigade, supporting units, the 5th Fleet (renamed the 2nd Expeditionary Fleet in mid-November), and the 3rd Combined Naval Air Group. Total strength: about 30,000 men, over 70 warships, 2 aircraft carriers, and about 100 aircraft. Tominaga Kyoji announced: "This is the last battle of the China Incident." Politically, the Guangxi Army was a key pillar of the National Government after retreating to Sichuan. Attacking Guangxi could impact the Guangxi clique's stance on continuing the war. Cutting off the Nanning-Longzhou line would affect Vietnam-China transportation security and allow actions against French Indochina amid Europe's distractions. With tactical and political alignment, the plan was approved. In September 1939, the Chinese repelled the Japanese attack on Changsha. In October, the National Government held the Second Nanyue Military Conference in Hengshan, summarizing the First Changsha Campaign and deciding on a new offensive. On October 29, Chiang Kai-shek announced: "Our future strategic application and the mentality of officers and soldiers must be completely transformed. We must start to turn defense into offense, turn stillness into movement, and actively take offensive measures." On November 5, after the meeting, intelligence indicated Japan's intention to invade the south. U.S. and British agencies reported the Japanese fleet gathering in Tokyo Bay, signaling an imminent operation against Nanning. Chiang flew from Hengshan to Guilin to arrange defenses. At this time, coastal defense was guarded by the 16th Army Group under Xia Wei (transferred, with Cai Tingkai taking over), a Guangxi clique force comprising the 46th and 31st Armies. Bai Chongxi, director of the Guilin Headquarters, was in Chongqing for the Sixth Plenary Session of the Fifth National Congress of the Kuomintang, while Chief of Staff Lin Wei was in Rong County mourning Xia Wei's mother. The headquarters was essentially deserted. Zhang Fakui, commander of the Fourth War Zone, and Chief of Staff Wu Shiyuan were in Shaoguan, Guangdong. The three-tiered command structure—headquarters, war zone, army group—was practically non-existent. The Chinese forces north of the pass were commanded by Bai Chongxi's Guilin Headquarters, with Lin Wei as Chief of Staff; they included the Fourth War Zone under Zhang Fakui and the 16th Army Group under Xia Wei. They commanded: the 31st Army (Commander Wei Yunsong; 131st Division under He Weizhen; 135th Division under Su Zuxin; 188th Division under Wei Zhen); the 46th Army (Commander He Xuan; 170th Division under Li Xingshu; 175th Division under Feng Huang; New 19th Division under Huang Gu); and a portion of the 200th Division of the 5th Army (Commander Dai Anlan). Together with the 1st-4th Independent Infantry Regiments of the Guangxi Training Corps, total strength was approximately 60,000 men. After the Japanese landing, Bai Chongxi was stationed in Qianjiang, while the 16th Army Group headquarters in Xiawei was at Heishiyan near Binyang. In early November 1939, the Japanese 5th Fleet and the aircraft carrier Kaga escorted the 5th Division and the Taiwan Brigade to concentrate in Haikou. Japanese aircraft bombed important cities in Guangxi. At that time, the Chinese army defended the coast from Nanning to Qinzhou Bay and Fangcheng with part of the 16th Army Group of the Fourth War Zone. The 46th Army was responsible for the coastline of Fangcheng, Qinxian, Hepu, and Liankou, and the 31st Army for key points along the Xijiang River. On November 9, Japanese troops assembled at Sanya Bay on Hainan Island. Lieutenant General Ando Rikichi, commander of the 21st Army, personally commanded from Sanya. On the 13th, the fleet set sail. On the 14th, vanguard ships feinted at Beihai with over ten ships. A battalion of the 175th Division retaliated and was ordered to destroy Beihai, but Commander Chao Wei of the 524th Regiment believed no landing was intended, avoiding complete destruction. That night, Japanese ships turned toward Qinzhou. To safeguard the international communications link between Guangxi and Indochina, the Chinese Generalissimo's Headquarters in Guilin assigned defensive missions. The 46th Corps of the 16th Army Group was tasked with defending the coastline from Fangcheng to Qinzhou, Hepu, and Lianjiang. The 31st Corps was responsible for key positions along the Xi River. Defensive positions were prepared in advance, and communications infrastructure was sabotaged to facilitate gradual resistance, aiming to attrition Japanese forces before a decisive engagement along the Yong River. On November 15, under air and naval fire support, the Japanese 5th Division and Taiwan Brigade executed a forced landing on the west coast of Qinzhou Bay. Following intense resistance, the Chinese New 19th Division withdrew to Pancheng and Shangsi. After capturing Qinzhou, the Japanese 5th Division advanced north along the Yong-Qin Highway, while the Taiwan Brigade moved along Xiaodong–Baiji–Bujin Road. On November 17, the Japanese army captured Qinzhou and Fangcheng. The 5th Division immediately split into three routes along the Yongqin Highway, while the Taiwan Brigade advanced north along Xiaodong-Baekje-Pujin. On the 18th, they attacked Xiaodong, the headquarters of the New 19th Division. Division Commander Huang Gu fled alone in the face of battle. His troops were routed, and the Japanese continued northward. Meanwhile, bandits from the Shiwan Mountains formed numerous plainclothes teams to lead the Japanese advance, accelerating their northward movement. By November 21, they approached the south bank of the Yu River. On December 1, they occupied Gaofeng Pass. On December 4, they occupied Kunlun Pass and then adopted a defensive posture. On November 16, Chiang Kai-shek summoned Bai Chongxi in Chongqing, ordering him to return to Guilin immediately to command the battle, without attending the plenary session. Bai requested full command without intervention from Zhang Fakui, and that all armies obey the Headquarters directly. Chiang approved and transferred his elite Fifth Army and other units to Bai's command. Bai telegraphed Du Yuming to lead troops by train from Hengyang to southern Guilin and reinstated Xia Wei as commander of the 16th Army Group, with Cai Tingkai awaiting orders. The 16th Army Group assembled, and Deputy Commander-in-Chief Wei Yunsong arrived in Nanning on the 19th. Units rushed to block Japanese advances. Bai flew to Guilin on the 19th and Qianjiang on the 21st, establishing the command post. Thus, as Japanese arrived in Nanning, Chinese reinforcements like the 170th Division reached Yongning on the 22nd, two regiments of the 135th Division entered Nanning on the 23rd, and the 600th Regiment of the 200th Division arrived at Ertang on the afternoon of the 24th. Other armies assembled in Liuzhou and Binyang. On November 21, Japanese troops approached the south bank of the Yu River. Wu Zongjun, commander of the 405th Regiment of the 135th Division, arbitrarily ordered his regiments to abandon positions and retreat. Wei Yunsong ordered Su Zuxin to intercept, but Wu disobeyed. No troops defended Nanning's front lines. At dawn on the 24th, the 170th Division fought fiercely in Yongning. In the morning, the Japanese 21st Regiment crossed the river. By afternoon, Nanning had fallen. Over the next two days, they swept surrounding positions. On the morning of the 25th, the 600th Regiment of the 200th Division fought alone against Japanese regiments at Ertang. Under air cover, Japanese attacked, but Chinese resisted stubbornly. Regiment Commander Shao Yizhi and Adjutant Wu Qisheng were killed. Given the situation, Division Commanders Li Xingshu and Dai Anlan retreated to Gaofeng Pass after dusk. Though they failed to stop the advance, this was the fiercest resistance since the landing, lasting two days and nights. On November 25, Japanese attacked the 175th Division near Luwu from Xiaodong and the highway. The division moved to Nalong, assembling in villages there. The 175th attacked key points along the Yongqin Highway, including Datang, Naxiao, Dongya, Nabian, Xincheng, Xiaodong, Dadong, and Bancheng. On November 20, the 21st Army opened its headquarters in Qinzhou. On November 26, Ando Rikichi announced the formation of the Yongqin Corps under Imamura Hitoshi. Ando left for Guangzhou on the 27th. Starting on the 26th, Japanese attacked Gaofeng Pass with aircraft cover. Despite fierce resistance, Chinese lost Gaofeng Pass on December 1. On the 4th, Japanese occupied Kunlun Pass, then adjusted deployment. The two sides confronted each other along the Kunlun Pass mountainous boundary. According to statistics up to December 1, Japanese suffered 145 dead and 315 wounded; Chinese had 6,125 dead bodies and 664 prisoners (but Japanese casualties were underreported; the 41st Infantry Regiment received 727 replacements on January 19, likely matching killed and wounded sent back). Seized in Nanning: 300 tons lead, 200 tons coal, 500 bundles cotton, 321 tons cotton thread, 30 tons iron, 60 tons tin. On December 2, the Japanese 5th Cavalry Regiment and Morimoto Battalion were attacked by about 1,500 Chinese with four tanks at Batang. Japanese dispatched the 21st Brigade (Nakamura Detachment), repelling a mixed force of the 200th and 188th Divisions. Japanese occupied Kunlun Pass but left only a battalion to defend it, withdrawing the rest to Nanning. Bai Chongxi, director of the Guilin Headquarters and deputy chief of staff, proposed a counter-offensive plan, which was approved by Chiang Kai-shek. On November 24, when Japanese had just occupied Nanning, Bai Chongxi demanded an immediate counterattack while Japanese were unstable and weak. After failing to gain approval, Bai asked Du Yuming to submit a request. Du sent a telegram on December 1: "The enemy occupying Nanning is less than two divisions. They succeeded by exploiting our dispersed forces, but lack heavy weapons and supplies. Our army should gather superior forces and launch a counter-offensive quickly (before December 10) to defeat them and restore international transportation." Chiang decided on a counter-offensive on December 7. On the 8th, Bai conveyed the objective: "capturing Kunlun Pass and then recovering Nanning." By mid-December, assembly was complete. Chiang dispatched Chen Cheng and Li Jishen to supervise, and Zhang Fakui arrived in Qianjiang. In the early stages, Guangxi lacked heavy armored forces for counterattacking beyond Guangxi clique troops. The fall of Kunlun Pass prompted Chongqing to deploy the reorganized Fifth Army and its armored corps for a strong attack. The Fifth Army was the main force at Kunlun Pass, with the National Revolutionary Army providing cover while launching a full-scale counterattack in Nanning. To recapture Kunlun Pass and Nanning, Bai Chongxi dispatched approximately nine armies and twenty-seven divisions, totaling 300,000 troops: Xia Wei of the 16th Army Group, Ye Zhao of the 37th Army Group, Deng Longguang of the 35th Army Group, and Cai Tingkai of the 26th Army Group (31st, 5th, 64th, 46th, and 43rd Armies, etc.) to attack Kunlun Pass. The Japanese, with the Nakamura Brigade as main force and special forces, had strong fortifications. Xu Tingyao of the 38th Army Group, with Li Yannian of the 2nd Army, Gan Lichu of the 6th Army, Yao Chun of the 36th Army, and Fu Zhongfang of the 99th Army. The 5th Army, plus the 1st Honorary Division (Zheng Dongguo), New 22nd Division (Qiu Qingquan), and all armored, cavalry, artillery, and engineer regiments, arrived. The Japanese forces consisted of the 5th Division (Lieutenant General Hitoshi Imamura; 9th Brigade under Major General Genichiro Ogawa; 21st Brigade under Major General Masao Nakamura; Taiwan Mixed Brigade under Major General Sadashiro Shiota), Marine Corps (over 70 warships), and Air Force (100 aircraft), totaling about 30,000. Later reinforcements: Imperial Guard Division and a brigade from the 18th Division. Total about 100,000, but only 45,000 fought. After a traitor reported over 100,000 Nationalist troops north of Kunlun Pass, Imamura dismissed it as "impossible." Higher Japanese ranks hoped to instigate rebellion by the Guangxi clique. On December 10, Imamura issued a telegram "Letter to Generals Li and Bai," expressing respect and stating the attack on Nanning was to cut off Chiang's lines, hoping for Japan-China cooperation. If insisted, the Japanese garrison would win. Finally: "The more than 4,200 brave soldiers who died in Nanning have been buried in Zhongshan Park and solemnly offered sacrifices. Please rest assured." On December 15, Bai Chongxi took a decisive step in the escalating conflict by issuing the first counter-offensive order, setting the stage for a coordinated push against enemy positions. He organized the forces into three main route armies, with additional reserves held back for support. The Northern Route Army, under Xu Tingyao's command, focused its efforts on Kunlun Pass. The 5th Army led the direct assault there, while the 92nd Division from the 99th Army skirted around Lingliwei to strike at Qitang, effectively flanking the pass and adding pressure from the side. Meanwhile, the Western Route Army, led by Xia Wei, split into two columns to cover multiple fronts. The First Column, commanded by Zhou Zuhuang, targeted Gaofeng Pass in a bold advance. The Second Column, under Wei Yunsong, positioned itself at Suwei to block any reinforcements heading toward Nanning, cutting off potential enemy supply lines. On the eastern flank, Cai Tingkai's Eastern Route Army aimed to disrupt key logistics. The 46th Army moved against Luwu and Lingshan, intent on severing the vital Yongqin Highway. At the same time, the 66th Army joined the assault on Kunlun Pass before pushing onward to Gula and Gantang. To bolster these efforts, the remaining two divisions of the 99th Army were kept in reserve, ready to reinforce wherever needed. The very next day, on December 16, Du Yuming—now serving as army commander—gathered his officers for a critical conference within the 5th Army. There, they crafted a clever encirclement strategy dubbed "close the gate and fight the tiger," designed to trap and overwhelm the opposition. The plan's core involved the 200th Division, led by Dai Anlan, and the 1st Honorary Division under Zheng Dongguo launching the primary attack on Kunlun Pass. Flanking from the right, Qiu Qingquan's New 22nd Division would seize Wutang and Liutang, then turn to intercept any incoming reinforcements. On the left wing, Peng Bisheng commanded two regiments in a daring bypass of Gantang and Chang'an, aiming to strike at Qitang and Batang and seal off the enemy's retreat routes. The enemy at Kunlun Pass was the Matsumoto Sozaburo Battalion of the 21st Brigade. Its 42nd and 21st Regiments were along Jiutang-Nanning. On December 16, Imamura ordered Major General Kawai Genshichi of the 9th Brigade to lead thousands in a surprise attack on Longzhou and Zhennan Pass, departing on the 17th. At 8 p.m. on December 17, the Battle of Kunlun Pass began. On December 18, Chinese forces began their attack and captured Kunlun Pass and Jiutang on the same day. On December 19, it captured Gaofeng Pass. On December 20, Gaofeng Pass, Jiutang, and Kunlun Pass fell into the hands of the Japanese army again. At dawn on December 18, the artillery of the 5th Army opened fire. After extension, the 200th and 1st Honorary Divisions attacked. Hundreds of Japanese planes bombed. By night, the 1st Honorary captured Fairy Mountain, Laomaoling, Wanfu Village, Luotang, and Hill 411; 200th captured Hills 653 and 600, taking Kunlun Pass. At noon on the 19th, massive Japanese air raid. Imamura dispatched the 21st Regiment under Colonel Miki Yoshinosuke, recapturing it. Positions were contested repeatedly. The New 22nd occupied Wutang and Liutang; Wutang recaptured by Japanese, but Liutang held, blocking reinforcements. When Imamura ordered Taiwan Mixed Brigade reinforcement, they were blocked at Liutang by Qiu Qingquan. Du Yuming ordered Zheng Dongguo to send Zheng Tingji's 3rd Regiment to encircle Jiutang from the right. They captured high ground west of Jiutang at night. On December 20, enemy at Kunlun Pass weakened, sending urgent reports. Imamura ordered Nakamura Masao with 42nd Regiment to reinforce, but blocked at Wutang for two days, reaching Qitang on the 22nd, blocked again. Nakamura was wounded on the 23rd morning. At 1:30 pm, Miki reported: "If the brigade cannot arrive before dusk, the front line will be difficult to secure." Imamura ordered Colonel Lin Yixiong's 1st Regiment and Colonel Watanabe Nobuyoshi's 2nd Regiment of the Taiwan Mixed Brigade to reinforce, but blocked by 175th Division on Yongqin Road. Watanabe's regiment blocked at Luwu by 524th Regiment (Chao Wei), and after three days, couldn't pass. Watanabe was killed, remnants fled to Qin County. On the 20th, Imamura ordered the 9th Brigade's 3rd Battalion of Ito's unit back in 105 vehicles to reinforce. The Japanese confirmed the attack and Imamura ordered Nakamura Detachment rescue. Over two weeks, encirclement and breakout battles occurred on the Nanning-Kunlun Pass highway. On the 18th, the 170th Division launched the Battle of Gaofeng Pass, capturing a hill on the 19th but ambushed that night. On the 20th, the pass fell, retreating to Gewei. Bai inspected but no improvement; failed to capture Gaofeng Pass or block reinforcements. Ito's unit on Yonglong Road intercepted by 131st at Xichangwei. On the 22nd, Imamura sent two companies from Nanning, intercepted by 188th near Suwei. Ito's battalion besieged in Xichangwei for three days, spared because 131st avoided close combat. Under air cover, both broke through to Nanning on the 26th. On November 21, Chiang was dissatisfied with Kunlun Pass progress, ordering: "If front-line troops and artillery fail to attack or complete tasks, they shall be punished for cowardice." By the 23rd, two divisions of 5th Army had over 2,000 casualties; Japanese over 1,000. Six days yielded no results, with reinforcements arriving. Du changed tactics to concentrate forces, tightening encirclement. On the 24th, Oikawa Detachment ordered back to Nanning, destroying captured materials and withdrawing from Longzhou and Zhennanguan. Bai learned some escaped, telegraphing Wei Yunsong: "If the second batch escapes, it affects the main force. The deputy commander-in-chief should be punished." Main force still escaped; local troops preserved strength, benefiting Japanese. On the main position, Zheng Tingji spotted Japanese officers meeting and ordered fire, inflicting heavy casualties, requiring airdropped officers. On the 25th, Second Regiment of First Division captured Luotang South Heights, annihilating over 200. From December 25, Fifth Army and 159th and 92nd Divisions occupied key high grounds. Fierce battle until December 31, capturing Kunlun Pass and Tianyin, killing Nakamura Masao, annihilating over 5,000. Following the intense clashes at Kunlun Pass, the battle's toll on the Japanese forces became starkly evident in the weeks that followed. On January 19, just a month after the fighting peaked, the Japanese rushed in 3,389 fresh replacements to replenish their battered 5th Division. This influx was distributed unevenly: 1,848 went to the 21st Infantry Regiment and 814 to the 42nd, figures that likely corresponded directly to the number of dead and seriously wounded who had been evacuated back home—though those with minor injuries weren't factored into these counts. The ferocity of the engagement was further underscored by the capture of numerous Japanese strongholds, where Chinese forces found that every defender had been killed, leaving no survivors behind. In many ways, this outcome represented a stunning annihilation for the Japanese, particularly the 21st Brigade, which was effectively wiped out. Key figures fell in the fray, including Brigade Commander Masao Nakamura, Acting Commander Sakata Genichi, Miki Yoshinosuke, along with various deputies and battalion commanders. The leadership losses were catastrophic: over 85% of officers above the squad leader level were killed. Japanese records themselves acknowledged more than 4,000 soldiers dead, painting a grim picture that their own war histories later described as "the darkest era for the army." On the Chinese side, the victory came at a heavy price, with over 10,000 casualties suffered, yet remarkably, the core officer corps remained largely intact, preserving command structure for future operations. Zooming out to the broader theater in December 1939, the Japanese 5th Division and the Taiwan Mixed Brigade found themselves holding the line against an overwhelming force of more than 150,000 Nationalist troops. At the same time, the Japanese 21st Army was shifting its focus to Guangdong Province in preparation for Operation Weng Ying, while the Oikawa Detachment—primarily composed of the 11th Infantry Regiment—pushed forward to Longzhou. They captured Zhennanguan on November 21, securing valuable stocks of fuel and arms in the process. However, these stretched deployments and insufficient troop numbers left the Japanese without adequate reserves when encirclement loomed at Kunlun Pass. Ultimately, they were forced to abandon their offensive plans in Guangdong, pulling back to consolidate defenses around Nanning. Meanwhile, from their base in Chongqing, Chinese commanders had meticulously planned the recapture, turning the tide through careful strategy and sheer determination. Shocked, Japanese dispatched Vice Chief of Staff Sawada Shigeru to Guangzhou. On December 29, 21st Army sent staff to Nanning. Failed to change 21st Brigade's defeat. Imamura planned personal charge for revenge on January 1, but Ando ordered holding Nanning for reinforcements: "The 21st Army is transferring powerful force to annihilate enemy. 5th Division secure Nanning and key locations." After capturing Kunlun Pass and annihilating two regiments of 21st Brigade, 5th Army thought to recapture Nanning. Remaining 21st Brigade and Taiwan regiments between Jiutang and Batang. At noon January 1, 1940, Oikawa's thousands arrived at Batang; Imamura ordered Oikawa replace killed Sakata. First battle on Hill 441. 1st Division held north side; Japanese south. On January 1, Japanese bombed and attacked; 1st Division reduced to hundred but held. At dawn 2nd, counterattack all day, no progress. On 3rd, Du mobilized 200th and part New 22nd; brutal fighting, heavy casualties. At nightfall, Japanese retreated to Jiutang. On 4th, Japanese abandoned Jiutang to Batang. New 22nd moved into Jiutang. 5th Army attacked Batang; by 12th, no progress. Exhausted with heavy casualties, 5th Army ordered to Silong for rest. Mission transferred to 36th Army. 5th Army withdrew. On January 7, Chiang flew to Guilin, visiting Qianjiang on 10th to discuss plans with Bai, Chen, Zhang, Xu, Lin. Bai proposed offensive with new armies to recapture Nanning. Chiang approved. On 11th, as Bai issued orders, Chiang overturned, changing to defensive. Japanese gained time for counter-offensive. To salvage defeat, Japanese transferred 18th Division and Konoye Brigade from Guangdong. Combined with existing, formed 22nd Corps under Seiichi Kuno, under South China Front Army commanded by Reikichi Ando, preparing counteroffensive. On January 25, a brigade from the Japanese 18th Division and elements of the 15th Division attacked frontally along Yongbin Road, while Konoye Brigade flanked toward Guizhou via Yongyong Road, in Binyang Campaign. Konoye crossed at Tingziwei, then Yongchun County, via Gantang, Luwei, Gula, Wuling to Binyang, cutting rear. Bai Chongxi rushed 175th Division of 46th Army north to tail Konoye. After reinforcements, 21st Army launched offensive to drive and encircle south of Binyang; accumulated supplies in Nanning. On January 22, 18th and Konoye reached attack points. 38th Army Group HQ in Binyang bombed, communications cut, independent combat. On January 28, Japanese launched offensive (Binyang Operation). On February 3, 41st Infantry of 5th Division occupied Kunlun Pass. On February 4, Ando reached captured Binyang. Nationalists lost Kunlun Pass, lines collapsed, many encircled. Battle ended with withdrawal; February 13, Japanese withdrew to Nanning, lines stalemated. In the wake of the Binyang clashes, the 18th Division was indeed shifted to Guangzhou. Japanese records from January 28 to February 13 painted a picture of their spoils: they claimed to have captured 19 tanks, 5 light armored vehicles, 30 automobiles, 20 field or mountain guns, 13 rapid-fire guns, and 41 mortars. Additionally, they reported counting 27,041 Chinese bodies on the battlefield and taking 1,167 prisoners. The Chinese forces, for their part, regrouped with their main strength positioned east of the Yongqin Highway, while some elements maneuvered west to harass Japanese rear lines and coordinate actions from the north bank. On February 21, 1940, Chiang arrived in Liuzhou, residing at Yangjiao Mountain. From February 22, he convened over 100 generals for a four-day Liuzhou Military Conference to review Guinan operations. Chiang demoted Bai Chongxi for poor supervision and Chen Cheng for poor guidance from first- to second-class generals. He also punished and rewarded other senior officers. The 46th Army and 175th Division were commended for discipline. On February 26, Fourth War Zone Commander Zhang Fakui announced: "No need for counterattack on Nanning currently." The entire Guinan Campaign ended. The defeat embarrassed Chongqing; not only disrupted Guangxi-Vietnam traffic, but massive effort ended in rout. Pre-battle, Guilin Headquarters misjudged Japanese intentions; during, both Guangxi and Huangpu clique leaders showed poor performance, infuriating Chiang. Post-battle punishments were unprecedented in the war. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. In November 1939, Japanese forces, including the 5th Division and Taiwan Brigade, landed at Qinzhou Bay, captured Nanning, and advanced to Kunlun Pass. Chinese troops, under Bai Chongxi and reinforced by the elite 5th Army, launched fierce counteroffensives, recapturing Kunlun Pass in December with heavy casualties.
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Tensions flare as the U.S. seizes an Iranian cargo ship, threatening a fragile ceasefire. Elon Musk has scorned “shady” loopholes, but offshore tax tricks likely saved Tesla hundreds of millions of dollars. Companies scramble to claw back cash using the tariff refund system. And Reuters sits down with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Listen to the Morning Bid podcast here. Sign up for the Reuters Econ World newsletter here. Listen to the Reuters Econ World podcast here. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Costly Love | John 13:4-11 | Jon Benzinger Watch on YouTube
“You don't have enough money to pay all the bills? Well, cut the budget for parks and rec, cut the budget for libraries, cut the budget for fixing potholes — but don't touch the police budget.” — Stuart Schrader Fifty years ago, America's local police still served at the pleasure of democratically elected politicians. Not anymore. Stuart Schrader has spent years in the archives tracing how it happened. In Blue Power: How Police Organized to Protect and Serve Themselves, Schrader begins the story in Sixties Detroit, where a young, progressive Democratic mayor found his career derailed by a police union fighting for recognition. It was the opening move of a decades-long campaign in which rank-and-file officers took advantage of the tools of American democracy — unions, lobbying, litigation, public relations — to lift policing above the law. Schrader's most counterintuitive finding is that the greatest federal champions of Blue Power were Democrats like Joe Biden. With Trump 2.0, the story gets even stranger. ICE — anonymous, paramilitary, seemingly answerable to no one — has paradoxically made local police look credible by comparison. Some police unions have tried to exploit the contrast at contract renewal time. Others have quietly welcomed the federal incursions as a way to challenge progressive city councils in Los Angeles, Chicago, and DC. It's almost as if today's democratically elected politicians serve at the pleasure of the local police. Five Takeaways • The Detroit Opening Move: The book begins in 1960s Detroit, where a young, charismatic, progressive Democratic mayor found his political career effectively destroyed by a police union fighting for recognition. That wasn't an accident. Police were simultaneously being called on to put down urban rebellions and gaining new workplace power through public sector unionization laws. They married those two things together: law and order rhetoric plus well-compensated, long-leashed officers. The Supreme Court's rights revolution — criminal defendants' rights, civil rights — felt to police like an existential threat. Blue Power was their answer. • Biden and the Bipartisan Consensus: Schrader's most counterintuitive finding: the greatest federal champions of Blue Power were Democrats. Joe Biden, as a senator, was one of the most important figures in unifying police organizations — rural versus urban, command rank versus rank and file — and ensuring legislation met their demands. The law-and-order consensus wasn't just Republican. It was built by Democrats who were terrified of the crime hysteria, and police who were expert at stoking it. Even once crime began its dramatic decline in the 1990s, police kept using the fear. We stopped the crime wave. Now pay up. • Crime Hysteria as a Political Weapon: Police learned early that crime statistics were a cudgel. Sign a good contract or crime will go up. And the tactic worked — not because the connection between police compensation and crime rates is real (Schrader says it isn't), but because the fear was real. Social scientists still can't fully explain why crime rose dramatically through the 1960s-80s and then declined just as dramatically from the mid-1990s. Police can't explain it either. But no other public sector union operates this way. Sanitation workers don't demand raises because they plowed the streets well in a heavy winter. Teachers don't point to test scores. Police do. • ICE, Blue Power, and the Trump Paradox: ICE — anonymous, paramilitary, answerable to no one, reluctant even to wear identifying insignia — has paradoxically made local police look credible by contrast. Some unions have tried to exploit this at contract renewal time: we're not ICE, so pay us accordingly. Others have quietly welcomed the federal incursions as a way to override progressive city councils in Chicago, LA, DC, and elsewhere. The Border Patrol union was one of the first to endorse Trump in 2016 and has been rewarded handsomely. Blue Power is nothing if not adaptable. • Why Defunding Failed — and What Actually Matters: Blue Power, Schrader argues, is the primary reason defunding didn't happen. Police used the same political tactics the book describes to thwart those demands from movements — the same lobbying, litigation, public relations, and contract leverage they've been deploying since the 1960s. The real question isn't defund or not defund. It's how cities allocate their resources. Over and over again in his research, Schrader found police saying explicitly: cut parks and rec, cut libraries, cut pothole repair — but don't touch our budget. That argument, made in fiscal crisis after fiscal crisis, has never really stopped. About the Guest Stuart Schrader is associate professor of history at Johns Hopkins University and director of the Chloe Center for the Critical Study of Racism, Immigration, and Colonialism. He is the author of Blue Power: How Police Organized to Protect and Serve Themselves (Basic Books, 2026) and Badges Without Borders: How Global Counterinsurgency Transformed American Policing (University of California Press, 2019). References: • Blue Power: How Police Organized to Protect and Serve Themselves by Stuart Schrader (Basic Books, 2026). • “Authoritarianism from Below,” New York Review of Books, 2026. By Stuart Schrader. • Episode 2021 [March 2021]: Rosa Brooks on Tangled Up in Blue: Policing the American City — the sympathetic counterpoint to Schrader's critique. About Keen On America Nobody asks more awkward questions than the Anglo-American writer and filmmaker Andrew Keen. In Keen On America, Andrew brings his pointed Transatlantic wit to making sense of the United States — hosting daily interviews about the history and future of this now venerable Republic. With nearly 2,800 episodes since the show launched on TechCrunch in 2010, Keen On America is the most prolific intellectual interview show in the history of podcasting. WebsiteSubstackYouTubeApple PodcastsSpotify Chapters: (00:31) - Rosa Brooks, Tangled Up in Blue, and the sympathetic take on policing (03:44) - Authoritarianism from below: how police seized political power (05:09) - Conscious strategy or structural drift? The origins of Blue Power (08:37) - What drives Blue Power: ideology, bureaucracy, or money? (09:19...
IRS Just SEIZED Floyd Mayweather's Las Vegas Properties Over $7.3 Million
Dave Crosland and Scott McNally break down the latest real-world bodybuilding and PED topics, including a massive Chicago steroid bust, GH effects, MENT side effects, retatrutide insights, liver health, and practical cycle strategies. This episode of DNS delivers unfiltered discussion, experience-based advice, and industry insight you won't hear anywhere else. 0:00 Support the Podcast – Shop Our Sponsors Below 1:05 Chicago Steroid & HGH Bust – 400 lbs Seized 2:35 Inside the Steroid Bust – What Really Happened 5:15 Will Trade System Changes Catch More Steroid Imports? 8:00 Are Small Packages at Risk? Customs Crackdown Explained 11:30 Controlled Delivery Stories – How Busts Actually Happen 16:00 Did Dusty Hanshaw Get Ripped Off in the UK? 25:00 China Raw Powder Issues – Latest Updates 26:20 Kickstarting Cycles with Tren Ace – Pros & Risks 30:00 Growth Hormone & Bone Growth Explained 31:30 Retatrutide Non-Responders – What's Going On? 34:30 MENT (Trestolone) & Gyno Risk 37:45 Equipoise (EQ) & Hematocrit – Is It Really That Bad? 41:45 Proviron Benefits – Should You Focus on SHBG? 44:00 Does MENT Aromatize? Breaking It Down 46:00 Cutting Cycle: Test, Mast, EQ, Tren E & GH 50:00 Retatrutide & Dopamine – Lowering Reward Response? 55:00 High AST Levels – Understanding Liver Health in Bodybuilding 56:00 Lost His Job Mid-Cycle – What Now? 59:10 How to Use Sustanon for Bodybuilding & Contest Prep 1:01:30 Best Steroid Cycles for Endurance Athletes 1:02:30 Speaking English with Dave 1:11:45 Why We Are Not on Spotify 1:17:50 Behind the Scenes – Podcast Wrap Up UK Blood Work Get your Labs done by Dave in the UK : https://evalbloodanalysis.com/home/ Support the Podcast Patreon — Help keep the show growing. Even $5/month makes a difference. https://www.patreon.com/thinkbigbodybuilding Sponsors TRUE NUTRITION — Custom supplements for serious lifters Use code THINK to save https://www.truenutrition.com/THINK STROM SPORTS — Performance supplements trusted by athletes UK: https://tinyurl.com/ydmbfa54 US: https://stromsportsus.com Supplement Source Canada — Top brand supplements with fast shipping http://www.supplementsource.ca Merch Official THINK BIG Merch — Train, represent, support the brand https://think-big.printify.me/products Merch Official THINK BIG Merch — Train, represent, support the brand https://think-big.printify.me/products
Jacob is desperately seeking to get far away from a family situation that has imploded. Seized by a mixture of guilt, shame, and fear he runs off trying to put as much distance between him and his family as possible. He lays down to sleep in the midst of a rocky wilderness feeling as desolate and lonely as his surroundings. While he sleeps, he dreams of a ladder stretching from heaven to earth and recognizes the abiding presence of God
In the 955th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway is joined by Mike Holtz and Ben Ludlow for a special episode devoted to the latest update in The Lodge saga. The popular poker room near Austin, Texas, was raided back on March 10, and authorities had a 30-day window, until April 9, to file for civil asset forfeiture. Despite not yet filing any criminal charges, authorities did file a document with the 480th Judicial District Court in Williamson County that explained why the state is holding on to over $2 million in assets. The future of The Lodge Card Club is uncertain now that the state can hold onto the money. But Thursday's outcome doesn't mean this is the end for the major poker club, nor does it ensure criminal charges will never be filed. The nine-page court document indicates the state is no longer pursuing money laundering allegations against the Texas card room and instead is focusing on the alleged illegal gambling aspect. What does this mean for the future of poker in Texas? There may be some clues in the court documents, which the crew explores in full. A new PokerNews Podcast drops every day this week at approximately 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode! Time Stamps *Time Topic* 00:00 | Welcome to the show 00:42 | Authorities file before deadline 03:00 | Focus on illegal gambling; money laundering dropped 05:30 | The Texas poker model under fire? 12:00 | Raking tournaments? 15:30 | Isn't Texas supposed to be land of the free? 19:00 | Where did the money come from? 21:27 | Could a settlement be in store? 23:17 | What are economic benefits?
A sheriff in Riverside County, California, seized over 600,000 ballots that were cast in a 2025 special election, after ballot irregularities were reported to his office. Let's discuss what that election was about, what the reported irregularities were, how the hand-count was going, and what the response has been from the California State government.
Rep. Celeste Maloy is coming for a beloved Utah monument. Host Ali Vallarta, City Cast Salt Lake contributor Kate Groetzinger, and newsletter editor Terina Ria break down a confusing bill. Plus, Ali reports out from a seized assets auction and we shout out some local badasses. Resources and references: Rep. Celeste Maloy introduces resolution to reject Biden-era management plan of Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument [ABC 4] Become a member of City Cast Salt Lake today! It's the best way to support our work and help make sure we are around for years to come. Get all the details and sign up at membership.citycast.fm. Subscribe to our daily morning newsletter. You can also find us on Instagram @CityCastSLC. Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: (801) 203-0137 Looking to advertise on City Cast Salt Lake? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads. Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Harmons Cozy Earth - use code COZYSALTLAKE for up to 20% off
Costly Love | John 13:1-3 | Jon Benzinger
Authorities have seized over half a million ballots in California as part of an investigation into alleged fraud in a recent election in Riverside County.Meanwhile, a “grand conspiracy” investigation is being launched at the federal level, with former FBI director James Comey allegedly being subpoenaed as part of the probe.We'll discuss these topics and others in this episode of Crossroads.Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
OA1244 - More election news updates. What the heck happened in Dallas? How is hunting for fraud in Georgia still a thing? Why is the DOJ trying to get non-public voter data from the states? There's smoke. There's fire. But it might not be coming from the places everyone is looking. Jenessa helps us focus our concerns in the right direction, and maybe calms our nerves just a bit. Georgia court documents Affidavit: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.gand.355087/gov.uscourts.gand.355087.22.2_3.pdf Search warrant: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.gand.355087/gov.uscourts.gand.355087.1.5_1.pdf Order to unseal documents: https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.gand.355087/gov.uscourts.gand.355087.9.0.pdf Cline, S., Swenson, A., & Riccardi, N. (Mar. 3, 2026). Change in primary voting rules leads to confusion in 2 Texas counties as voters are turned away. ABC 13. Democracy Docket (Mar. 3, 2026). Texas Dallas County polling hours extension request. Rose, S. (Feb. 3, 2026). Thousands of ballots seized in GA. Here's how it will affect voter info, how you can protect yours. Ledger-Enquirer. Fowler. S. (Feb. 11, 2026). The FBI seizure of Georgia 2020 election ballots relies on debunked claims. NPR. Duster, C. (Oct. 5, 2024). Can someone find out who you voted for? No. Here is what you should know. NPR. Sherman, A. (Feb. 1, 2022). A claim about serial numbers on ballots is misguided. Politifact. Dawsey, J., Volz, D., & Gurman, S. (Jan. 29, 2026). Spy chief Tulsi Gabbard is hunting for 2020 election fraud. Wall Street Journal. Kaplan. A. (Jan. 16, 2026). LindellTV host Emerald Robinson claims Patrick Byrne “got called in to the white house”. Media Matters for America. Clark. D.B. (Feb. 9, 2026). The conservative researcher being linked to the FBI's seizure of election records in Georgia. ProPublica. ACLU New Jersey (Mar. 4, 2026). Civil rights groups, New Jersey voters file motion to protect voters' privacy. Biryukov, N. (Feb. 27, 2026). Trump administration sues New Jersey for voters' private information. New Jersey Monitor. Check out the OA Linktree for all the places to go and things to do!
SEG 12 Scoutmaster General and the Birth of Downing StreetDowning rose to Scoutmaster General, overseeing Scotland's administration while building a massive fortune through seized properties and the trade of war prisoners. (4)1669
Senate leaders strike a short-term funding deal to keep most of the government running, but a partial shutdown now looks imminent as the House remains out until next week.Border Czar Tom Homan suggested a possible drawdown of federal immigration agents in Minnesota, only for President Trump to later say there would be no pullback at all, as arrests and protests continue on the ground.And the FBI seizes hundreds of thousands of ballots and election records from Fulton County, Georgia, as the Trump administration escalates scrutiny ahead of the midterms.Want more analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.Today's episode of Up First was edited by Anna Yukhananov, Gigi Douban, Ben Swasey, Mohamad ElBardicy, and Alice Woelfle.It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas, Ava Pukatch and Christopher Thomas.We get engineering support from Neisha Heinis. Our technical director is Carleigh Strange. Our Executive Producer is Jay Shaylor.(0:00) Introduction(01:53) Senate Funding Deal(05:38) Border Czar in Minnesota (09:51) Georgia Election Ballots CeasedLearn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy