Podcasts about spurred

This week, Victor Hwang tells us that his organization, Right to Start, has big plans for America's upcoming 250th birthday. Spurred largely by the widespread sense that the American Dream has lost some of its luster, Victor and Right to Start are launching a campaign to turn our semiquincentennial into a celebration of America's entrepreneurial roots and a push to remove the barriers that make it harder than it should be to start and build a business. One key focus: finding ways to make it easier for businesses to raise capital. You can learn more here.

Reading Prester John: Cultural Fantasy and its Manuscript Contexts by John Eldevik During the Middle Ages, many Europeans imagined that there existed a powerful and marvel-filled Christian realm beyond the lands of Islam ruled by a devout emperor they called “Priest John,” or “Prester John.” Spurred by a forged letter that mysteriously appeared around 1165 and quickly “went viral” in hundreds of manuscripts across Western Europe, the legend of Prester John and his exotic kingdom was not just a utopian fantasy, but a way to bring contemporary political and theological questions into sharper focus. In this new study, John Eldevik shows how the manuscripts that transmitted the story of Prester John reflect the ways contemporary audiences processed ideas about religious conflict and helped them imagine a new, global dimension of Christianity. It includes an appendix with a new translation of the B recension of The Letter of Prester John. John Eldevik is Professor of History at Hamilton College in Clinton (New York State), and has previously published on medieval social and religious history. Morteza Hajizadeh is a Ph.D. graduate in English from the University of Auckland in New Zealand. His research interests are Cultural Studies; Critical Theory; Environmental History; Medieval (Intellectual) History; Gothic Studies; 18th and 19th Century British Literature.   YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/a48266/videos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Dark with Hosts Rob & Andrew – Violent antisemitic incidents have surged on U.S. campuses and beyond, fueled by anti-Israel protests and radical rhetoric. Attacks at Columbia, UCLA, and Michigan highlight escalating threats to Jewish students, while arson at Pennsylvania's governor's residence and fatal shootings of Israeli diplomats underscore nationwide dangers. Authorities continue actively investigating these...

Spurred by the boredom of post-COVID life and the lifelong desire to learn how to pitch a baseball. Johnnie Occ, under the tutelage of his Dad and his Uncle Ronnie's Wisdom, takes on the course of what it takes to be a pitcher and finds a better course of life along the way...and possibly an opportunity of a lifetime.

After Dark with Hosts Rob & Andrew – Violent antisemitic incidents have surged on U.S. campuses and beyond, fueled by anti-Israel protests and radical rhetoric. Attacks at Columbia, UCLA, and Michigan highlight escalating threats to Jewish students, while arson at Pennsylvania's governor's residence and fatal shootings of Israeli diplomats underscore nationwide dangers. Authorities continue actively investigating these...

Have you ever started something with fire in your soul—only to find that same fire dimming over time? Today’s devotional explores what it means to press on in our faith journey even when the road gets rough, the passion fades, and everything in us wants to give up. Whether you're in a spiritual slump or simply tired, this episode reminds you: your race isn't over. Jesus is worth every step.

Last time we spoke about the breakthrough on Okinawa. Despite relentless attacks on critical positions like Sugar Loaf Hill and Wana Ridge, American Marines encountered heavy casualties. Yet, they persisted, inching forward against tenacious resistance. As mid-May approached, the situation for Japanese commanders deteriorated. Encircled and suffering significant losses, they began plotting a retreat to more defensible positions. On the ground, Marines battled through mud and enemy fire, showcasing incredible resolve amidst dire circumstances. Communication crumbled, supplies dwindled, and morale waned, yet the determination of both sides was undeniable. By late May, the tides shifted further in favor of the Allies, marking pivotal breakthroughs despite the challenges. Amidst ruin and chaos, the relentless struggle for control over Okinawa symbolized the brutal nature of war and the unwavering spirit of those fighting on both sides, setting the stage for an eventual Allied victory.  This episode is the Fall of Shuri 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.  As we last left off, the battle for Okinawa was reaching a critical juncture. General Buckner's 10th Army had made significant gains, successfully breaking through the fortified Japanese defenses on both flanks. The 6th Marine Division, under General Shepherd, had effectively established control over the Naha area, while General Arnold's 7th Division achieved an impressive penetration at Yonabaru. However, despite these advancements, the remainder of the American forces faced formidable obstacles. They were grappling with relentless rain, fierce enemy resistance, and severe supply shortages, which left them effectively stalled in front of Shuri. In response to the encroaching American forces, General Ushijima had dispatched General Fujioka's 62nd Division to launch a counter-offensive aimed at driving the invaders out of Yonabaru. Meanwhile, Ushijima was preparing his 32nd Army for a strategic withdrawal south to the Kiyamu Peninsula. Fortunately for the Americans, they had caught wind of the defenders' intentions. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, on May 27, General Buckner ordered his troops to apply strong and unrelenting pressure on the enemy. The goal was clear: keep the Japanese forces off balance and prevent an easy transition to new defensive positions. Although the continuing downpour hindered the possibility of a large-scale, coordinated army-wide attack, it did not deter Buckner's strategy. Instead, he initiated a series of strong combat patrols along the front lines, which immediately encountered stiff resistance from Japanese troops that had not yet begun their withdrawal. On the west coast, as patrols from Colonel Roberts' 22nd Marines scouted the area, they discovered that the Japanese had largely abandoned Naha. This news spurred the 2nd Battalion into action. They crossed the Asato River, moved through the lines established by Shepherd's Reconnaissance Company, and pressed deeper into the western part of Naha. Simultaneously, Colonel Shapley's 4th Marines made their last desperate push to extend American control into eastern Naha, fighting valiantly against the entrenched enemy. Farther east, Colonel Finn's 32nd Regiment once again faced fierce resistance from the hastily committed 62nd Division, which staunchly defended its position. However, not all was lost; patrols from Colonel Green's 184th Regiment managed to reach Inasomi, meeting only scattered resistance. This breakthrough provided a crucial indication that the enemy had no intention of withdrawing into the Chinen Peninsula. As the clocks struck midnight, a significant yet largely unnoticed transition occurred in the waters off Okinawa: Admiral Halsey's 3rd Fleet relieved Admiral Spruance's 5th Fleet. For the troops ashore, this change in command went by without a hint of recognition. The same ships and task groups continued their crucial support for ground operations, now operating under new numerical designations and leadership. However, Halsey faced an immediate challenge as Admiral Ugaki launched an extensive Kikisui attack, a large-scale kamikaze assault involving 110 enemy aircraft. The day of May 27 proved costly, with three destroyers, one destroyer minesweeper, two transports, one subchaser, and two auxiliary ships all suffering damage. The following morning brought clear skies, which only heightened the danger for American naval forces. Several kamikaze aircraft succeeded in sinking the destroyer USS Drexler, while also inflicting damage on a transport ship, three freighters, and a landing craft throughout the day. Meanwhile, on land, Colonel Whaling's rehabilitated 29th Marines took over from the battered 4th Marines along the west coast. The 1st Battalion executed a concerted attack alongside the 22nd Marines, advancing successfully by 250 yards through the rubble-strewn city of Naha. In an impressive display of momentum, Roberts' men pushed forward unopposed toward the Kokuba estuary, eventually encountering resistance near Ono-Yama Island. To the east, the improvement in weather allowed Colonel Mason's 1st Marines to launch a coordinated offensive. The 2nd Battalion fought valiantly, climbing to the peak of 110 Meter Hill. The forward elements of Company E gained the hill crest but were forced to withdraw by vicious enemy fire which raked their positions. Lieutenant Colonel Magee felt that his depleted battalion, down to a total strength of 277 men in the rifle companies, might recapture the hill, but "it could not possibly hold it against a strong enemy counterattack." Although new replacements were available to regiments for training or other use, a division order prevented their being sent to front line units during a battle situation that called for the utmost in skill and knowledge of veterans. Throughout most of the morning and all of the afternoon, 2/1 concentrated the fire of its supporting weapons on the reverse slopes of 110 Meter Hill and engaged the Japanese in a fierce and continuous fire fight. Nightfall brought no cessation of enemy resistance, and many infiltrators were killed in the battalion's lines. In contrast, the 3rd Battalion experienced relatively little opposition, allowing some patrols to penetrate into Wana Draw. At the same time, Colonel Griebel's 3rd Battalion effectively moved its front line to the Asato River, while his 1st Battalion achieved a significant milestone by capturing Beehive Hill. However, despite the break in the rain, the conditions on the ground rendered large-scale movements impractical, stalling further advances across the battlefield. Despite Arnold's determined efforts to push west through Fujioka's blocking positions, progress was minimal. Nevertheless, he was able to consolidate his grip on the Ozato hill mass as Green's 2nd Battalion advanced to a position within 1,000 yards of Shinazato, strategically located at the neck of the Chinen Peninsula. The lack of success from the 62nd Division in driving back the breaching American forces reinforced General Ushijima's resolve to evacuate Shuri while the opportunity still existed. In light of this, he ordered the withdrawal to commence the following evening. On May 29, while the 7th Reconnaissance Troop managed to scout a significant portion of the Chinen Peninsula without incident, the 7th and 96th Divisions faced fierce resistance as they attacked toward the road network south of Shuri. The enemy's resolute defense resulted in only minimal gains for the American assault units. General Bruce's 77th Division, after what can be described as "a day almost entirely spent in hand-to-hand combat," found itself unable to penetrate the intense cordon of defensive fire that protected the Japanese positions. In stark contrast, to the west, Griebel's 1st Battalion made a rapid advance, quickly gaining the crest of Shuri Ridge. They launched a bold assault on Shuri Castle. On May 25, as part of the final stages of the Okinawa campaign, the American battleship USS Mississippi bombarded the castle for three days, and by May 27, it was engulfed in flames. That night, the Japanese forces retreated, abandoning Shuri while US troops pursued them southward. The 1st Battalion of the 5th Marines had started its attack on 29 May with Companies B and C in assault and Company A following in trace of Company C. The Marines quickly gained the crest of Shuri Ridge and Lieutenant Colonel Shelburne requested permission for one of his companies to storm Shuri Castle which commanded his position. Although the castle was in the zone of action of the 77th Infantry Division, General del Valle gave his assent to the request in view of the great danger of enemy action from the strong point. The 1st Marine Division commander felt that "at that time the position of the 77th Division was such that it would have taken several hard day's fighting through enemy resistance" before the castle could be taken. Company A drove east along the muddy ridge line, overwhelming the few Japanese in its path, and by 1015 the castle, core of the Shuri bastion, had been secured. The Marine unit entered Shuri through a gap in the covering forces caused by the withdrawal of the 3d Battalion, 15th Independent Mixed Regiment of the 44th Independent Mixed Brigade, in the course of the Japanese retreat from Shuri. This seems to have been the only notable instance of confusion and mistake in the Japanese withdrawal operation as a whole. Everywhere else around Shuri the Japanese still held their covering positions in the front lines. The 77th Division, which had scheduled air strikes and a heavy artillery bombardment on the castle heights for 29 May, received little prior warning of the Marines' assault and "was barely able to avert [its] called strikes in time." Without taking any credit away from Company A of the 5th Marines for its feat of capturing Shuri Castle, its success was clearly the result of the combined effort of all the assault and support troops of Tenth Army which had maintained relentless pressure on the enemy defenses and paved the way for the breakthrough.  Capitalizing on this momentum, General Del Valle swiftly reorganized his forces to bypass Wana Draw and consolidate these crucial gains. Meanwhile, Griebel's 3rd Battalion maneuvered down the division boundary, reaching a position just 2,000 yards from the village of Kokuba, prompting Whaling's 3rd Battalion to push their lines forward by approximately 600 yards. In a coordinated effort, the 29th Marines executed a wheeling assault on 29 May with 1/29 pivoting on 3/29 and attacking south and then east to bring the regiment on line with the 22d Marines. The ultimate objective of the 1st Battalion's attack was the high ground northwest of Shichina. The approach to the objective was over low and open terrain which drew the comment from regiment that it was "about as suitable to fighting as a billiard table." Fire from strong points in tombs and caves on the small hills and ridges to the front kept the advance to a slow pace, and the assault companies, A and C, dug in slightly to the left rear of the positions of the 22d Marines at nightfall. On another front, Roberts' 1st Battalion successfully crossed the Kokuba River and advanced toward Telegraph Hill in east Naha. However, despite their efforts, intense fighting erupted throughout the day without yielding any significant gains. Back at sea, the threat of kamikaze attacks returned with ferocity, yet this time, American defenses held strong, resulting in only a single destroyer and one transport sustaining damage. As night fell, the Japanese began their long-anticipated withdrawal. General Amamiya's 24th Division commenced disengagement, moving southward while leaving a small force, including the 22nd Independent Battalion, to cover their retreat at Shuri. Meanwhile, General Suzuki's 44th Independent Mixed Brigade held their defensive lines outside Naha, and the 62nd Division maintained its positions near Chan and Karadera. By dawn on May 30, the bulk of the 32nd Army had successfully evacuated the Shuri lines, slipping away from the flanking maneuvers of Buckner's 10th Army. Thanks to a continuous curtain of rain, General Ushijima executed a meticulously planned "properly deft withdrawal." His covering forces were strategically positioned to provide him with the necessary time to organize a defensive stance on the Kiyamu Peninsula. However, the Americans, ever vigilant, were quick to capitalize on the enemy's disarray, maintaining relentless pressure on the faltering Japanese front. On the west coast, Roberts' 2nd and 3rd Battalions crossed the canal, seamlessly moving through the 1st Battalion to take up the assault. They pushed forward tenaciously until they captured the entire area encompassing Telegraph Hill and Hill 27. A network of Japanese machine gun positions hidden in the clusters of tombs on the low hills to the Marines' front made progress slow and costly. Enemy machine guns emplaced in burial tombs on Hill 27 in east Naha temporarily checked the infantry. Heavy sniper fire whipped the lines and killed Lieutenant Colonel Woodhouse of 2/22 who was forward controlling his battalion's attack. Major John G. Johnson, the executive officer, took command immediately and continued a steady pressure. During most of the day tanks were unable to reach the position, but in the afternoon three worked their way along the road north of the hill, and their direct fire enabled the marines to seize it. The advance consisted of a series of local assaults and mop-up actions that brought the battalion to secure hill positions overlooking the Kokuba Estuary and the rail line leading to the north by nightfall. Lieutenant Colonel Shisler's 3d Battalion passed through 1/22 during the morning's attack and behind a screen of artillery, mortars, naval gunfire, and rockets drove onto the high ground at the eastern outskirts of Naha. By means of a series of holding attacks and flank assaults, Shisler was able to move his companies into the maze of enemy defenses where close quarter grenade and small-arms exchanges decided the issue. Once the dominating ground was won, the battalion was subjected to intense artillery and mortar fire. At the same time, Whaling's 1st Battalion joined the offensive, encountering fierce resistance as they pressed through 600 yards of enemy territory. To the east, the Marines under Del Valle shifted their focus to vigorous patrolling, as the supply situation gradually improved thanks to dedicated carrying parties and aerial air drops. Despite their efforts, the 306th Regiment's assault on 110 Meter Hill encountered heavy opposition once again. However, Colonel Hamilton's 307th Regiment finally achieved a breakthrough, seizing the strategic Three Sisters. Dorothy Hill, a fortress directly east of Shuri and a tower of strength in the enemy's inner line for the past two weeks, was attacked by the 3d Battalion, 307th Infantry, 77th Division. The first platoon to reach the base of the hill was pinned down by heavy fire, the platoon leader and all noncommissioned officers being wounded. Other platoons maneuvered into position and finally one squad reached the crest at the right end. This entering wedge enabled two companies to reach the top, from which they discovered three levels of caves on the reverse slope. They went to work methodically, moving from right to left along the top level, burning and blasting each cave and dugout, the flame-thrower and satchel-charge men covered by riflemen. When work on the top level was finished, the second level of caves and tunnels received similar treatment, and then the third and lowest level. That night fifteen Japanese who had survived the day's fighting crawled out of the blasted caves and were killed by Americans from their foxholes. A great amount of enemy equipment, including ten destroyed 150-mm- guns and twenty-five trucks, was found on the south (reverse) side of Dorothy Hill, testifying to the enemy fire power at this strong point. On 30 May, the 77th Division also took Jane Hill on its left flank and then almost unopposed took Tom Hill, the highest point of ground in the Shuri area, by 1700. This critical victory paved the way for Colonel Smith's forces to advance into the northern outskirts of Shuri through Ishimmi. In a remarkable display of coordination, Colonel Dill's 382nd Regiment finally secured the strategic Hen Hill and Oboe Hill areas, while also capturing Hector Hill on their left flank. For nine days elements of the 96th Division had been stalemated at the base of Hen Hill, just northeast of Shuri. On the 30th, Company F and one platoon of Company G, 382d Infantry, resumed the attack on Hen Hill. Pfc. Clarence B. Craft, a rifleman from Company G, was sent out ahead with five companions to test the Japanese positions. As he and his small group started up the slope, they were brought under heavy fire from Japanese just over the crest, and a shower of grenades fell on them. Three of the men were wounded and the other two were stopped. Craft, although a new replacement and in his first action, kept on going, tossing grenades at the crest. From just below the crest he threw two cases of grenades that were passed up to him from the bottom, those of the enemy going over his head or exploding near him. He then leaped to the crest and fired at point-blank range into the Japanese in a trench a few feet below him. Spurred by Craft's example, other men now came to his aid. Reloading, Craft pursued the Japanese down the trench, wiped out a machine gun nest, and satchel-charged the cave into which the remaining Japanese had retreated. Altogether, in the taking of Hen Hill as a result of Craft's action, about seventy Japanese were killed, at least twenty-five of whom were credited to Craft himself. This daring action won him the Congressional Medal of Honor. To the left (east), Company F at the same time engaged in a grenade battle for Hector Hill, using ten cases of grenades in the assault on the crest. It was finally won after a satchel charge was hurled over the top and lit in the enemy trench on the other side, parts of Japanese bodies and pieces of enemy equipment hurtling into the sky in the blast. Hen and Hector Hills had fallen by 1400. Southeast of their position, Colonel May's 2d Battalion, 383d Infantry, reached Love Hill and dug in, although scattered fire was still received from a machine gun in a nook of Charlie Hill and there were a few live Japanese on Love itself. In the afternoon the 3d Battalion, 383d Infantry, left its foxholes on Oboe, where it had experienced so great an ordeal, and proceeded down the reverse slope of the hill, finding only a few scattered Japanese. That night the 383d Infantry expressed a heartfelt sentiment when it reported "infinite relief to have Conical Hill behind us." Although there had been suicidal stands in a few places by the last of the holding force, the advances had been rapid. Simultaneously, Colonel Halloran's 381st Regiment effectively reduced the Conical Hill-Cutaway area and seized Roger Hill, both regiments then advancing toward the vital Naha-Yonabaru road. At the same time, the 32nd Regiment launched a coordinated offensive that allowed them to successfully capture Oak, Ella, and June Hills. This advance brought Finn's troops directly into confrontation with Mabel and Hetty Hills, facing the formidable defenses of Chan. Meanwhile, strong patrols from the 184th Regiment ventured into the Chinen Peninsula's strongholds, encountering only light enemy resistance, a turn of events that buoyed American morale. As night fell, the 44th Independent Mixed Brigade and the 24th Division began their long-anticipated evacuation from Shuri. They pulled back behind the second line of blocking positions north of Tsukasan, executing their withdrawal amidst a progressively decreasing barrage of artillery and mortar fire. Consequently, when Buckner's assault troops launched their offensive against the Shuri positions on the morning of May 31, they were met with an eerie silence, the stillness only interrupted by sporadic sniper fire and the distant crack of machine guns.The 77th Division swiftly took 110 Meter Hill and advanced into Shuri with little to no resistance. Concurrently, Mason's units surrounding Shuri Castle moved north unopposed, aiding in the occupation of the battered ruins and the troublesome Wana Draw.  Shuri, the second town of Okinawa, lay in utter ruin. There was no other city, town, or village in the Ryukyus that had been destroyed so completely. Naha too had been laid waste. Certain villages which had been strong points in the enemy's defense, such as Kakazu, Dakeshi, Kochi, Arakachi, and Kunishi, had been fought over and leveled to the ground. But none of these compared with the ancient capital of the Ryukyus. It was estimated that about 200000 rounds of artillery and naval gunfire had struck Shuri. Numerous air strikes had dropped 1000-pound bombs on it. Mortar shells by the thousands had arched their way into the town area. Only two structures, both of concrete, the big normal school at the southwestern corner and the little Methodist church, built in 1937, in the center of Shuri, had enough of their walls standing to form silhouettes on the skyline. The rest was flattened rubble. The narrow paved and dirt streets, churned by high explosives and pitted with shell craters, were impassable to any vehicle. The stone walls of the numerous little terraces were battered down. The rubble and broken red tile of the houses lay in heaps. The frame portion of buildings had been reduced to kindling wood. Tattered bits of Japanese military clothing, gas masks, and tropical helmets-the most frequently seen items-and the dark-colored Okinawan civilian dress lay about in wild confusion. Over all this crater of the moon landscape hung the unforgettable stench of rotting human flesh. To  the west, Griebel's 1st Battalion built upon Mason's gains, but it was the 3rd Battalion that led the main effort, successfully pushing to the hills just north of Shichina.Meanwhile, General Bradley's advancing battalions moved rapidly toward their assigned objectives, spending much of the day mopping up isolated enemy holdouts. This relentless advance effectively pinched off the 77th Division, further consolidating American control in the region. On the extreme left flank, Halloran's 1st Battalion faced enemy forces defending the Tsukasan line, marking the only area where the 96th Division failed to reach the corps boundary. However, the Shuri area had now been completely secured, and contact was made with Del Valle's Marines in the center. On the flanks, though, Buckner's units continued to encounter fierce resistance from the tenacious Japanese defenders. The 32nd Regiment, battling bravely through a series of heavily fortified strongpoints held stubbornly by Fujioka's troops, managed to seize Duck Hill, consolidate its positions on Turkey Hill, and capture the forward face of Mabel. Ultimately, they halted their advance just short of Chan. Meanwhile, on the west coast, Shepherd's Marines pushed forward with support from tanks and artillery, targeting the strategic high ground west of Shichina and Kokuba. However, their advance was stalled by intense enemy fire emanating from Hill 46. During the night, the battered 44th Independent Mixed Brigade executed a withdrawal southeast towards the Kiyamu Peninsula, covered by the 62nd Division, which quickly established a new defensive line along the Kokuba River and around Tsukasan. With the fall of Shuri and the withdrawal of Japanese forces, Buckner's troops had emerged victorious in one of the most difficult and bloody battles of the Pacific War. By the end of May, reports indicated that approximately 62,548 Japanese soldiers had been confirmed killed, with another estimated 9,529 thought to have perished, 64,000 of whom were believed to have fallen in the fierce fighting within the Shuri fortified zone alone. While these casualty figures may be somewhat exaggerated, there is little doubt that Japanese forces, especially their infantry combat units, had suffered severe depletion. In contrast, General Geiger's 3rd Amphibious Corps recorded significant losses of its own, with 1,718 killed, 8,852 wounded, and 101 missing during the fighting around Shuri. Additionally, the losses for General Hodge's 24th Corps over two months of combat totaled an alarming 26,044 casualties. On June 1, the American forces faced surprisingly little opposition from the enemy. A frustrated General Buckner, who had hoped to trap the defenders at Shuri, ordered his troops to advance rapidly in pursuit of the retreating Japanese units. With the 77th Division methodically mopping up remnants in the Shuri zone, General Hodge made a strategic decision. He shifted the 7th Division toward the east and ordered the 96th Division to move south to relieve the 32nd Regiment, taking up the western end of the Corps line. This strategic relief enabled Arnold to immediately push south with both the 17th and 184th Regiments in assault, managing to advance approximately 1,100 yards toward Okota and Batan despite increasingly stiff resistance from smaller enemy units. To the northwest, a coordinated attack by the Marine divisions successfully secured all high ground overlooking the primary east-west road in the Kokuba Valley. The 5th Marines anchored their position on the hills east of Shichina, while Shepherd's regiments seized the dominating heights north of Kokuba. Recognizing the strategic importance of the Oroku Peninsula, General Geiger planned a shore-to-shore landing there. To gather intelligence, Shepherd dispatched his Reconnaissance Company to conduct an amphibious reconnaissance of the peninsula that evening. Their findings confirmed that the peninsula was not fortified with significant enemy strength. The following day, Colonel Snedeker's 7th Marines advanced to relieve the 6th Marine Division on the west coast. The 2nd Battalion continued the momentum by crossing the Kokuba River, moving into the hills on the south bank. Meanwhile, to the east, the 5th Marines also crossed the upper branch of the river and pressed forward to secure the ridgeline that controlled the approaches to Tsukasan. This maneuver effectively placed the entire Naha-Yonabaru road firmly in American hands, further tightening their grip on the battlefield. That evening, Shepherd dispatched his Reconnaissance Company to conduct an amphibious reconnaissance of the Oroku Peninsula. Their mission revealed that the peninsula was not heavily defended, opening up opportunities for American forces. Further east, the 383rd Regiment successfully cleared out Chan and seized the high ground just north of Tera and Kamizato. Meanwhile, the 381st Regiment conducted repeated assaults on hill positions that impeded its advance, ultimately managing to penetrate to Karadera. The 7th Division maintained relentless pressure on the retreating garrison of the Chinen Peninsula, advancing its lines by 2,400 yards toward Itokazu and Kerabaru. Now, it's time to shift our focus away from Okinawa and examine the latest operations of General LeMay's 21st Bomber Command. Since the invasion of Okinawa, Admiral Nimitz had requested that the B-29 Superfortress heavy bombers assist his naval forces in countering the deadly kamikaze attacks. In response, LeMay dispatched 53 bombers to target airfields at Kanoya on April 8, although the city of Kagoshima ended up being bombed instead. On April 17, 134 B-29s were sent against Kyushu, successfully neutralizing enemy airfield operations for 18 hours. However, as we've observed, the Japanese continued to launch both scattered and mass kamikaze attacks. To address this ongoing threat, the 21st Bomber Command, bolstered by the arrival of Brigadier General Roger Ramey's 58th Bombardment Wing, dedicated 75% of its combat effort to providing direct tactical support for the Okinawa campaign up to May 11. During this period, they flew a total of 2,104 sorties against 17 airfields in Kyushu and Shikoku. Although they did not fully neutralize these targets, significant damage was inflicted on enemy storage, maintenance, and repair facilities. The bombers also served to keep the Japanese off balance, significantly disrupting their ability to plan and execute large, coordinated attacks. In total, 24 B-29s were destroyed and 233 damaged during these operations, while 134 enemy interceptors were shot down. Between the strikes on Kyushu, General LeMay managed to fit in several medium-strength precision attacks against the Japanese aircraft industry, along with two large-scale night incendiary missions in the Tokyo Bay area. The first of these missions took place on April 13, when 327 B-29s dropped an impressive 2,139 tons of ordnance on the arsenal district of Tokyo, located northwest of the Imperial Palace. The resulting fires consumed 11.4 square miles of this crucial industrial zone, destroying arsenal plants responsible for manufacturing and storing small arms, machine guns, artillery, bombs, gunpowder, and fire-control mechanisms. Just two nights later, on April 15, 303 bombers executed another incendiary attack, dropping 1,930 tons of explosives with equal success. This raid devastated 6 square miles in Tokyo, 3.6 square miles in Kawasaki, and 1.5 square miles in Yokohama, which suffered collateral damage from the fire spills. Cumulatively, these two raids resulted in the destruction of 217,130 buildings in Tokyo and Yokohama and 31,603 in Kawasaki. On April 24, 131 B-29s conducted a highly successful precision strike against the Tachikawa plant of the Hitachi Aircraft Corporation. Although the next planned attack was thwarted by inclement weather, 148 B-29s struck Kure on May 5, delivering devastating damage. After being relieved from support for the Okinawa operation on May 11, LeMay initiated a month of heavy fire raids to complete the campaign that had begun in March, while also addressing top-priority precision targets as opportunities arose. Accordingly, on May 14, 529 B-29s were dispatched to strike northern Nagoya, with 472 successfully dropping 2,515 tons of munitions, resulting in the burning of 3.15 square miles and inflicting significant damage to Mitsubishi's No. 10 engine works. Just two nights later, 522 bombers returned to Nagoya, with 457 of them effectively delivering 3,609 tons over the dock and industrial areas in the southern part of the city, burning 3.82 square miles and causing extensive damage to Mitsubishi's No. 5 aircraft works. These two incendiary attacks finished Nagoya as an objective for area attacks. Good targets remained in the city, and the command was to return six more times for precision attacks before V-J Day. But the industrial fabric of the city had been ruined in the earlier precision attacks and in the fire raids that had burned out twelve square miles of a total built-up urban area of about forty square miles. In all, 113460 buildings had been destroyed, 3866 persons had been killed and 472701 rendered homeless. The displacement of workers aggravated the difficulties caused by physical damage and had an important effect on civilian morale.  After a week of respite, temporarily interrupted by a 318-plane precision attack on the Tachikawa Aircraft Company, 562 B-29s were dispatched to strike Tokyo once more on May 23. Out of these, 520 bombers reached their target, dropping an impressive 3,646 tons of explosives over the district stretching southward from the Imperial Palace along the west side of Tokyo Harbor. Despite encountering strong opposition, this attack resulted in the destruction of 5.3 square miles of area. Two nights later, 502 B-29s returned to Tokyo, targeting the area just north of their previous hit. They faced heavy resistance again, dropping 3,262 tons of incendiaries on the city, which resulted in the destruction of 16.8 square miles, marking the largest area devastated in a single Tokyo raid. In light of the heavy casualties suffered during these last two strikes, General LeMay decided to assign P-51s from Iwo Jima to escort future attacks. As a result, on May 29, 517 B-29s were escorted by 101 P-51 fighters during an assault on Yokohama. These bombers successfully dropped 2,570 tons of munitions, burning out 6.9 square miles while the escorting fighters engaged in fierce battles against about 150 aggressive interceptors. Meanwhile, General Whitehead's 5th Air Force was conducting an extensive program of area bombing against Formosa, experimenting with various types of bombs and tactics in preparation for future attacks on the Japanese mainland. Taihoku, the capital and political and financial center of Taiwan, was subjected to constant aerial bombardment. The largest strike against modern-day Taipei, known as the Taihoku Air Raid, occurred on May 31, when units of the Fifth Air Force consisting of 117 Consolidated B-24 Liberator heavy bombers were sent to conduct the largest air raid ever on Taiwan. The bombing began from around ten o'clock in the morning and lasted until one o'clock in the afternoon, during which the attack was non-stop. The Americans met virtually no resistance from the Japanese, mainly due to the attrition the Japanese air forces had suffered in the Aerial Battle of Taiwan-Okinawa, which completely exhausted Japan's fighter units in Taiwan. They successfully dropped approximately 3,800 bombs targeting military units and governmental facilities. The Office of the Governor-General of Taiwan suffered a direct hit, in spite of the building being heavily camouflaged to avoid being targeted. The building suffered extensive damage from fire caused by the bombs and almost collapsed on itself; it was rendered unoccupiable and was not repaired until the Nationalist Chinese takeover. Other facilities hit during the bombing included the residence of the Assistant Governor-General, Taiwan Railway Hotel, Office of Governor-General Library, Army Headquarters, Taihoku Imperial University, Taihoku Station, Bank of Taiwan, Taihoku High Court, Taihoku New Park, and many other facilities. Many civilian installations were damaged, including Taihoku Prefectural Taihoku First Girls' High School, Huashan Catholic Church of Taihoku, and the famous Lungshan Temple of Manka, which was hit in the main building and the left corridor; many precious artifacts and art works in the temple were lost in the ensuing fire. As a result of the extensive bombing campaigns, more than 3,000 civilians lost their lives. Tens of thousands were displaced or left homeless, and countless buildings were destroyed, either directly by the attacks or by the fires they ignited. This devastation left a profound impact on the local population and infrastructure, marking yet another tragic chapter in the toll of 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 the midst of the brutal Battle of Okinawa, American Marines faced relentless resistance as they pushed towards Shuri. Despite heavy casualties and daunting conditions, the tide turned when General Buckner ordered aggressive assaults that outmaneuvered the encircled Japanese forces. After days of relentless combat, they captured the stronghold, leading to the collapse of Japanese defenses. As the dust settled, Shuri lay in ruins, marking a pivotal moment in the Pacific War and showcasing the indomitable spirit of both American and Japanese soldiers.

Spurred on by the power outage in Spain, Russian cyber attacks on M&S and meeting an unemployed Prepper in the boozer, Glesga Da prepares for the apocalypse. From filter straws to samurai swords, we prepare for the worse. Fingers crossed we don't have to eat the dug. Visit https://glesgada.com/ for tickets to our next show! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the American Revolution broke out in New England in the spring of 1775, dramatic events unfolded in Virginia that proved every bit as decisive as the battles of Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill in uniting the colonies against Britain. Virginia, the largest, wealthiest, and most populous province in British North America, was led by Lord Dunmore, who counted George Washington as his close friend. But the Scottish earl lacked troops, so when patriots imperiled the capital of Williamsburg, he threatened to free and arm enslaved Africans—two of every five Virginians—to fight for the Crown. Virginia’s tobacco elite was reluctant to go to war with Britain but outraged at this threat to their human property. Dunmore fled the capital to build a stronghold in the colony’s largest city, the port of Norfolk. As enslaved people flocked to his camp, skirmishes broke out. “Lord Dunmore has commenced hostilities in Virginia,” wrote Thomas Jefferson. “It has raised our countrymen into a perfect frenzy.” With a patriot army marching on Norfolk, the royal governor freed those enslaved and sent them into battle against their former owners. In retribution, and with Jefferson’s encouragement, furious rebels burned Norfolk to the ground on January 1, 1776, blaming the crime on Dunmore. The port’s destruction and Dunmore’s emancipation prompted Virginia’s patriot leaders to urge the Continental Congress to split from Britain, breaking the deadlock among the colonies and leading to adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Days later, Dunmore and his Black allies withdrew from Virginia, but the legacy of their fight would lead, ultimately, to Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. Chronicling these stunning and widely overlooked events in full for the first time is today’s guest, Andrew Lawler, author of A Perfect Frenzy: A Royal Governor, His Black Allies, and the Crisis that Spurred the American Revolution. He offers a new perspective on the American Revolution that reorients our understanding of its causes, highlights the radically different motivations between patriots in the North and South.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What ONE insight will either make or break your life as a Christian, or even as a non-Christian? If followed, it will help your marriage, parenting, business, job, friendships, politics, and most importantly, your eternity and your relationship with Jesus.Spurred by recent political and cultural events surrounding President Trump's first 100 days in office and comments made by Vice President J.D. Vance during a recent interview about protecting the interest of American citizens, Frank reminds listeners of the doctrine of "Ordered Loves". Originally articulated by Augustine over 1,600 years ago, this classic school of thought seems to be totally lost among our culture today. Tune in as Frank answers questions like:What is the Doctrine of "Ordered Loves", why is it so important, and how does it affect every single area of your life?What are the negative consequences when we get the order wrong?What did Jesus have to say about getting our priorities in the right order?What did Dr. Erwin Lutzer mean when he said "love can be evil"?Why did Vice President J. D. Vance recently cause a stir during an interview and what did Pope Leo XIV have to say about it?Why do so many people (including some who claim to be Christians) reject the idea of hierarchies and an ordered world?What's the difference between true and false compassion?Is character in politics only about personality?What are 15 things that the Trump Administration has done policy-wise during the first 100+ days in office that all Christians should support?What is the primary purpose of government?Is idolizing politics really a problem among conservative Christians?In his article, 'Why Progressive Christians Reject the Doctrine of "Ordered Loves"', Michael Clary writes, "Whether we like it or not, God's world is ordered and hierarchical. We can embrace it and enjoy the blessings of living according to God's design, or we can reject it and live a life of bitterness, like so many progressives." The choice is yours!Resources mentioned during the episode:Toxic Empathy by Allie Beth Stuckey - https://www.toxicempathy.com/Why Progressive Christians Reject the Doctrine of "Ordered Loves" - https://bit.ly/3GQJeBzWhen Jesus Insulted People: A Comprehensive List - https://bit.ly/41eLolcResurge Podcast: Four Megachurch Pastors Debrief White House Visit - https://youtu.be/BXX4L1c4S3g How The After Party Curriculum Is Sowing Political Confusion in the Church - https://bit.ly/3BevfTt

In this vAuto Quarterly Quick-Takes video, strategic planning director Bethany Johnson shares operational priorities for dealers coming off a strong pace of tariff-spurred sales in the first quarter of 2025. Bethany shares pointers to help you minimize age and maximize your new vehicle inventory mix; merchandise used vehicles to capture buyers who can't afford a new vehicle; and align your used vehicle acquisition strategy to in-demand price points and segments.

On August 10, 1977, the NYPD arrested David Berkowitz for the Son of Sam murders that had terrorized New York City for over a year. Berkowitz confessed to shooting sixteen people and killing six with a .44 caliber Bulldog revolver, and the case was officially closed. Journalist Maury Terry was suspicious of Berkowitz's confession. Spurred by conflicting witness descriptions of the killer and clues overlooked in the investigation, Terry was convinced Berkowitz didn't act alone. Meticulously gathering evidence for a decade, he released his findings in the first edition of The Ultimate Evil. Based upon the evidence he had uncovered, Terry theorized that the Son of Sam attacks were masterminded by a Yonkers-based cult that was responsible for other ritual murders across the country. After Terry's death in 2015, documentary filmmaker Josh Zeman (Cropsey, The Killing Season, Murder Mountain) was given access to Terry's files, which form the basis of his docuseries with Netflix and a companion podcast. Taken together with The Ultimate Evil, which includes a new introduction by Zeman, these works reveal the stunning intersections of power, wealth, privilege, and evil in America—from the Summer of Sam until today.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

On August 10, 1977, the NYPD arrested David Berkowitz for the Son of Sam murders that had terrorized New York City for over a year. Berkowitz confessed to shooting sixteen people and killing six with a .44 caliber Bulldog revolver, and the case was officially closed. Journalist Maury Terry was suspicious of Berkowitz's confession. Spurred by conflicting witness descriptions of the killer and clues overlooked in the investigation, Terry was convinced Berkowitz didn't act alone. Meticulously gathering evidence for a decade, he released his findings in the first edition of The Ultimate Evil. Based upon the evidence he had uncovered, Terry theorized that the Son of Sam attacks were masterminded by a Yonkers-based cult that was responsible for other ritual murders across the country. After Terry's death in 2015, documentary filmmaker Josh Zeman (Cropsey, The Killing Season, Murder Mountain) was given access to Terry's files, which form the basis of his docuseries with Netflix and a companion podcast. Taken together with The Ultimate Evil, which includes a new introduction by Zeman, these works reveal the stunning intersections of power, wealth, privilege, and evil in America—from the Summer of Sam until today.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

The Commentary is back — and we're on a mission to recover the generational mindset of the Church, something we might call “Cathedral Thinking.” Spurred by an essay on this topic, Cameron and Mark ask what lessons the cathedral builders of old can teach us, not just about ecclesiastical architecture, but about investing our time and gifts in work that won't come to fruition in our lifetimes. Read Jonathan Thompson's “The Rise and Fall (and Rise?) of Cathedral Thinking.” THE COMMENTARY is an in-depth conversation about vision, worship, and life at Grace Presbyterian Church.Subscribe on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts or Spotify

Come and join the conversation with award winning actress, writer and producer AND Director of Soho London Independent Film Festival (Soho LIFF)- Liz Farahadi!Liz talks me through her journey from the very beginning, becoming an actress and the inspiration behind starting SohoLIFF. Such an interesting and colourful life she had led, and started to notice that as an actress, the scripts she was being sent didn't really fit the narrative of the reality that she was living, and it was then that she knew that something had to change.Spurred on by the lack of representation of women like herself on our screens, Liz started writing her own material, however quickly came up against a number of stumbling blocks... The glaring ageism that she was facing really stopped her in her tracks.Not one to back down from a challenge, Liz tells me that if anything this lit even more of a fire under her and she set about creating a safe space for all voices to be heard and stories to be told. Determined to pave the way for creatives that may have been overlooked, may have not been in a financial position to enter the industry, Liz's work on this passion project soon became the beginnings of SohoLIFF. Offering mentoring for people, support, access to opportunities, SohoLIFF began to gain momentum. We chat about the inspiring ways in which it's helping creatives no matter what background they have or previous experience.We talk about her brand new film- "Keep Young & Beautiful", delving into the darker world of beauty, and the pressure on women to keep looking young at all costs. Liz excitedly tells me about the process of getting the crew together, and the instant bond they had over their shared experiences of the script. And whilst it's hard hitting in terms of subject matter, she wanted to give it a humourous edge, to allow for education and for it to resonate in a positive way!With a super impressive cast and crew for "Keep Young & Beautiful" , from an Emmy nominated Director who worked on Game Of Thrones, stars of TV shows like Eastenders, Law & Order and Dr Who, the list is amazing!We both share our thoughts on the enormous pressure for our younger generation of girls, the struggles they face, dilemmas on us as mothers and how important it is for us to make a change to allow for the next generation to benefit.Liz is passionate about also highlighting even deeper rooted issues in the beauty industry such as testing on animals, child labour, and the dark underbelly of what really goes into some of our beauty products.We chat about the lack of representation of older women on TV, how age is actually a massive advantage, having had more life experience, space to grow as a woman, and actually to be able to bring so much to the table in roles, and especially in terms of stories to tell!With the film freshly finished and the cast and crew private screening imminent, Liz has had so much support for Keep Young & Beautiful. With a shared sense of camaraderie and lived experience, she is keen to really get the message out there in the most beautifully creative way, knowing that so many others can resonate with the story. Liz hopes that people feel empowered after watching the film, and that it's the start of a huge catalyst for change.What an amazing lady, doing amazing things!You can follow Liz's journey here on her Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/lizfarahadi/Find out more about the Soho London Independent Film Festival Here:https://www.soholiff.co.uk

Before her career switch to researching environmental politics, Prof. Judith Shapiro spent a whirlwind decade teaching, writing, and living in and about China as it awakened from the Mao era. Get full access to Peking Hotel at pekinghotel.substack.com/subscribe

AP correspondent Ben Thomas reports an FAA review spurred by a midair collision in Washington has raised concerns about air space in Las Vegas.

TUNE IN TO https://www.karmicevolution.com/astrologically-speaking PODCAST AS SHERI HORN HASAN discusses the Sun's entrance into Taurus April 19, the Taurus Sun's fixed square to Mars in Leo, & the Aquarius Moon's opposition to Mars & conjunction with Pluto—all at the third-quarter waning lunar square on April 20.And not only that! The Taurus Sun will go on to perfect its exact square to Pluto in Aquarius April 23, as we gear up for the exact Mars/Pluto opposition from Leo to Aquarius April 26.This podcast discusses how this coming week promises to be an intense one, especially since it will be followed by the Taurus New Moon on April 27 when both luminaries are still in orb of squares to both Mars & Pluto as Mars & Pluto still oppose each other. Can you say “under pressure?” Such pressure is clearly being felt, especially in the U.S. right now, as we've arrived at a constitutional crisis point. Spurred by President Trump's refusal to abide by a unanimous Supreme Court decision, followed by a failed appeal of that decision, we wait to see whether the Sun's move into dependable, practical, predictable Taurus means he will capitulate to the court's authority—or not.This is all part of the potential breakdown in order to break through of the U.S. Pluto return, which was first triggered on February 22, 2022, when transiting Pluto returned to its natal position in the 2nd House in Capricorn. This podcast look at how history has shown that the energies of this return will mimic those from the time of the U.S. Revolutionary War & the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, until the U.S. seated its first president & Supreme Court justices in 1789. And how a larger & larger portion of the American citizenry is beginning to wake up to this reality.So, between 2022 & 2035, we're looking at the potential recurrence of these energies as we wait to see if we have a U.S. president hellbent on becoming a dictator. Pluto says “change or be changed,” and he doesn't care if you want change or not—he's the archetypal energy of the process of evolution. And evolution requires adaptation if we don't want extinction to follow. So the message is: Evolve we must.However, if we want to have some measure of control over what course this evolutionary process will take, we'll have to fight to preserve our democracy's original intent while acknowledging that we must jettison the portions of it that have become rotten. If not, our current democratic system will become extinct. And then it will be reborn in some other fashion.So, we gear up now for a chaotic, potentially violent week as we head toward the third-quarter crisis in consciousness fixed square of the Aquarius Moon (the people) to the Taurus Sun (an intractable stubborn leader) as they both square Mars in Leo. The Aquarius Moon conjoins Pluto in Aquarius at this lunation, while the Sun perfects its square to the god of the underworld on April 23. Will President Trump's defiance of the high court's authority spark some sort of violent action by the time Mars exact opposes Pluto on April 26? And will new revolutionary seeds be planted at the April 27 Taurus New Moon? We wait to find out…however, first we look at how the energies of the U.S. Pluto return have begun to reveal the rot in our current governmental system. And how a capitalist nation has morphed us from our original constitutional intent “of the people, by the people, & for the people” into one run by and for oligarchs such as unelected billionaire Elon Musk. We look at Trump's chart, specifically at where he came into this lifetime as a wounded soul in the area of justice, fairness, & equality as these principles relation to his concept of partnership. We analyze his naturally Venus-ruled 2nd House Jupiter/Chiron/Juno stellium in Libra & put this together with his current demonstrations of how such wounds have manifested in the Jupiterian realm of law, higher education, immigration, & religion. More importantly, though, this is a perfect illustration of how expectations of fairness on the part of Trump' partners has once again been proven wrong, given his 2nd House Juno/Chiron/Jupiter conjunction in Libra wounds to partnership, equity, & fairness. Particularly in the area of law, but no means limited to the legal system's structural concept  of “justice.”For all of this & more Astro News You Can Use tune in to https://www.karmicevolution.com/astrologically-speaking starting today at 11 a.m. PT & 2 p.m. ET or any of your favorite podcast stations! See you then! Namaste…

Our analysts Vishy Tirupattur and Martin Tobias explain how the announcement of new tariffs and the subsequent pause in their implementation affected the bond market.Read more insights from Morgan Stanley. ---- Transcript -----Vishy Tirupattur: Welcome to Thoughts on the Market. I am Vishy Tirupattur, Morgan Stanley's, Chief Fixed Income Strategist.Martin Tobias: And I'm Martin Tobias, from the U.S. Interest Rate Strategy Team.Vishy Tirupattur: Yesterday the U.S. stock market shot up quite dramatically after President Trump paused most tariffs for 90 days. But before that, there were some stresses in the funding markets. So today we will dig into what those stresses were, and what transpired, and what investors can expect going forward.It's Thursday, April 10th at 11:30am in New York.President Trump's Liberation Day tariff announcements led to a steep sell off in the global stock markets. Marty, before we dig into that, can you give us some Funding Markets 101? We hear a lot about terms like SOFR, effective fed funds rate, the spread between the two. What are these things and why should we care about this?Martin Tobias: For starters, SOFR is the secured overnight financing rate, and the effective fed funds rate – EFFR – are both at the heart of funding markets.Let's start with what our listeners are most likely familiar with – the effective fed funds rate. It's the main policy rate of the Federal Reserve. It's calculated as a volume weighted median of overnight unsecured loans in the Fed funds market. But volume in the Fed funds market has only averaged [$]95 billion per day over the past year.SOFR is the most important reference rate for market participants. It's a broad measure of the cost to borrow cash overnight, collateralized by Treasury securities. It's calculated as a volume weighted median that covers three segments of the repo market. Now SOFR volumes have averaged 2.2 trillion per day over the past year.Vishy Tirupattur: So, what you're telling me, Marty, is that the, the difference between these two rates really reflects how much liquidity stress is there, or the expectations of the uncertainty of funding uncertainty that exists in the market. Is that fair?Martin Tobias: That's correct. And to do this, investors look at futures contracts on fed funds and SOFR.Now fed funds futures reflect market expectations for the Fed's policy rate, SOFR futures reflect market expectations for the Fed policy rate, and market expectations for funding conditions. So, the difference or basis between the two contracts, isolates market expectations for funding conditions.Vishy Tirupattur: So, this basis that you just described. What is the normal sense of this? Where [or] how many basis points is the typical basis? Is it positive? Is it negative?Martin Tobias: In a normal environment over the past three years when reserves were in Abundancy, the three-month SOFR Fed funds Futures basis was positive 2 basis points. This reflected SOFR to set 2 basis points below fed funds on average over the next three months.Vishy Tirupattur: So, what happened earlier this week is – SOFR was setting above effective hedge advance rate, implying…Martin Tobias: Implying tighter funding conditions.Vishy Tirupattur: So, Marty, what actually changed yesterday? How bad did it get and why did it get so bad?Martin Tobias: So, three months SOR Fed funds tightened all the way to -4 basis points. And we think this was a reflection of investors' increased demand for cash; whether it was lending more securities outright in repo to raise cash, or selling securities outright, or even not lending excess cash in repo. This caused dealer balance sheets [to] become more congested and contributed to higher SOFR rates.Vishy Tirupattur: So, let's give some context to our listeners. So, this is clearly not the first time we've experienced stress in the funding markets. So, in previous episodes – how far did it get and gimme some context.Martin Tobias: Funding conditions did indeed tighten this week, but the environment was far from true funding stress like in 2019 and certain periods in 2020. Now, in 2019 when funding markets seized, and the Fed had to intervene and inject liquidity, three months SOFR fed funds basis averaged -9 basis points. And that compares to -4 basis points during the peak macro uncertainty this week.Vishy Tirupattur: So, Marty, what is your assessment of the state of the funding markets right now?Martin Tobias: Right. Funding conditions have tightened, but I think the environment is far from true funding stress. Thus far, the repricing has occurred because of a higher floor for funding rates and not a scarcity of reserves in the banking system.Vishy Tirupattur: So, to summarize, so the funding stress has been quite a bit earlier this week. Not as bad as the worst conditions we saw say in 2019 or during the peak COVID periods in 2020. but still pretty bad. And relative to how bad it got, today we are slightly better than what we were two days ago. Is that a fair description?Martin Tobias: Yes. That's good. Now, Vishy, what is your view on why the longer end of the bond market sold off.Vishy Tirupattur: So longer end bond markets, as you know, Marty, while safe from a credit risk perspective, do have interest rate sensitivity. So, the longer the bonds, the greater the interest rate sensitivity. So, in periods of uncertainty, such as the ones we are in now, investors prefer to be in ultra short-term funds or cash – to minimize that interest rate sensitivity of their portfolios. So, what we saw happening in some sense, we can call it dash for cash.I think we both agree that this demand for safety will persist, and we will continue to see inflows into money market funds, which you covered in your research. So, your insights Marty will be very helpful to clients as we navigate these choppy waters going forward.Thanks a lot, Marty, for joining this webcast today.Martin Tobias: Great speaking with you, Vishy,Vishy Tirupattur: And thanks for listening. If you enjoy the show, please leave us a review wherever you listen and share Thoughts on the Market with a friend or colleague today.DisclaimerVishy Tirupattur: Yesterday all my troubles were so far away. I believe in yesterday.

This episode is a LONG time coming! Ryan and Khalilah wanted to make sure this one got its due. Spurred by a calling in, the duo invite Dr. Emily Grullón and Dr. Alondra Ammon to discuss complex racial identities. History, age, geopolitics, and learning are the hot topics of this episode, unpacking Latinidad, Blackness, and the relationship between the two. Highlights include: Emily giving historian realness, Ryan challenging clients, Alondra bringing the data, and Khalilah proposing a situationship.Content Warning: This episode discusses violence against Black people

In Cleveland, large parcels of land for development or redevelopment are hard to come by. But a new project may be a rare opportunity to reimagine a current industrial brownfield site and bring people back to the city. Spurred by state and city funding, the former National Acme building on East 131st Street will be demolished and the newly vacant land remediated. Combined with an adjacent parcel of 22 acres acquired by the city and once occupied by Republic Steel, the combined plot will offer 37 acres to attract businesses and jobs back into the city. The Acme site in its heyday was a national leader in the manufacture of machine tools but has been shuttered for decades. On the “Sound of Ideas” we will talk to the stakeholders on the remediation project including the Cuyahoga Land Bank and the Site Readiness for Good Jobs Fund. 

Hugh Capet has spent a long time answering the pilgrim Dante's first question: who were you? He now turns to the pilgrim's second question: why did I only hear your voice on this terrace?In doing so, Hugh begins to sing antiphonally . . . or at least, he begins to list off those who have been done in by avarice, the quickest and tightest list of figures in PURGATORIO.Why is this list so full of figures yet so curt in its style? And why does Hugh seem to come to the end of his speech so abruptly?Join me, Mark Scarbrough, as we try to answer these and other questions at the conclusions of Hugh Capet's monumental monologue.If you'd like to make a contribution to underwrite the many fees for this podcast, you can do so as either a one-time donation or through a small monthly stipend. To do either, please go to this PayPal link right here.Here are the segments for this episode of WALKING WITH DANTE:[01:31] My English translation of the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XX, lines 97 - 123. If you'd like to read along or continue the conversation with me, please find this episode among those for WALKING WITH DANTE on my website, markscarbrough.com.[04:01] Hugh's abrupt transition from one answer to his second.[08:46] Our questions about glossing and polyphony.[12:29] Hugh Capet's brief list of the tragic figures of avarice.[22:18] Spurred to what? Your own choice?[26:26] Two rationales for the shortness of these lines about the greedy figures.[30:11] Rereading the passage: PURGATORIO, Canto XX, lines 97 - 123.

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1007: Consumers hit showrooms ahead of tariff hikes, juicing March sales and making record months and Q1s. Dealers like Rhett Ricart and Zac Kinch fielded a flood of buyers with questions and Amazon dropped Nova Act—an AI agent that shops, browses, and books like a pro.Spurred by tariff fear, consumers flooded showrooms in late March, giving the U.S. auto market a surge just in time for Q1 closings. The urgency sparked record performances for brands and sent retail sales soaring.Ford was up 19%, with Hyundai (+15%) and Kia (+25%) posting their best ever March and Q1. GM posted a 17% Q1 jump, with Buick leading at +39%.Inventory shortages, especially in hybrids, are expected in Q2 as a result of early Q1 pull-forwards.The average March retail price hit $44,849, up $637 YoY.Randy Parker, CEO of Hyundai and Genesis North America: “It's probably the best weekend that I've seen since Cash for Clunkers… Lots of people rushed in this weekend, especially, to try and beat the tariffs.”The looming reality of sweeping import tariffs sent ripple effects through the auto retail landscape over the weekend, as dealers fielded a surge of questions and customer visits. While many came to buy, others came simply to understand what's coming.Dealers are racing to educate consumers: inventory levels ticked up as brands rushed vehicles into the U.S. before the deadline.The Trump administration's 25% import tariff is set to hit over 7 million vehicles starting April 3.Automakers are taking a mixed approach to pricing ahead of the tariffs—some, like BMW, are temporarily holding prices steady on imported models, while others are reducing incentives despite rising inventory, anticipating that tariffs will naturally drive prices higher. Rhett Ricart, CEO, Ricart Automotive Group said “One out of four of the people who called in were talking about tariffs—‘Does this car have a tariff on it? A Hyundai? A Kia? A Nissan?' That's what they wanted to know about.”Zac Kinch, GM, Bob Rohrman Toyota said “This is gonna be, ‘Learn and fly by the seat of our pants'... I think the auto industry is going to have to figure it out.”Amazon is diving deeper into AI with Nova Act, a semi-autonomous agent designed to operate both online and in the real world. With capabilities like browsing, shopping, and task execution, Nova Act is aiming to be your new digital helper.Nova Act can complete tasks like finding rentals, placing orders, or filling out forms.Nova Act SDK lets developers build bots for hotel bookings, food orders, and more.It comes in text-generation tiers (Micro, Lite, Pro) and supports image (Canvas) and video (Reel) creation.“Nova.amazon.com puts the power of Amazon's frontier intelligence into the hands of every developer,” said Rohit Prasad, SVP of Amazon AGI.Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, sHosts: Paul J Daly and Kyle MountsierGet the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/ Read our most recent email at: https://www.asotu.com/media/push-back-email

Dr. Melissa Robinson-Winemiller is an author, speaker and leadership coach. Spurred on by personal experience and a deep love of learning, Melissa has conducted in-depth research into the use of empathy in leadership and how that connects to emotional intelligence for better profit, productivity, and innovation. Her groundbreaking findings and compelling stage presence delight and inspire audiences in the US and abroad. Driven by a passion for sharing what she has learned, Melissa is on a mission to change the world of leadership for the good of humanity.

The expansion of home- and community-based services has been an important milestone in the tenure of Margaret McDonald, associate vice president for the Center for Home Care Policy and Research at VNS Health. More work needs to be done to enforce the Omstead decision, a landmark case that found that people with disabilities have a right to receive supports in the community under certain conditions, said McDonald, one of this year's McKnight's Pinnacle Award winners. On the week of the 2025 Pinnacle Awards event, McDonald talked to McKnight's Home Care for a Newsmakers podcast about HCBS and her research. Notes: In her role at VNS Health, Margaret McDonald works on conducting investigations to improve home- and community-based services (HCBS) and oversees the administrative functions of the Center for Home Care Policy and Research. Some of the center's current research focuses on speech recognition to find out if audio recordings can be translated to help reduce the burden of caregiver documentation and explore whether the data collected can identify people who have early-onset of cognitive impairment. The rebalancing of long-term services and supports to HCBS and away from institutions means HCBS has to staff properly, she said. It also means HCBS needs to implement evidence-based practices of care in the home. Physician and nurse practitioner oversight may limit the move toward advanced services, such as hospital-at-home, into the home, she said. The federal government's move to cut scientific research may affect the center's work. But she is hoping that since her research informs clinical practice and healthcare policy including developing strategies to reduce rehospitalizations and delay nursing home admissions that the center will continue to receive support for her work. Follow us on social media: X (formerly Twitter): @McKHomeCare Facebook: McKnight's Home Care LinkedIn: McKnight's Home Care Instagram: mcknights_homecare Follow VNS Health on social media: X (formerly Twitter): @vnshealth Facebook: VNS Health LinkedIn: VNS Health Instagram: @vnshealth Show contributors: McKnight's Home Care Editor Liza Berger; Margaret McDonald, Associate VP for Center for Home Care Policy and Research, VNS Health

pWotD Episode 2867: International Women's Day Welcome to Popular Wiki of the Day, spotlighting Wikipedia's most visited pages, giving you a peek into what the world is curious about today.With 327,957 views on Saturday, 8 March 2025 our article of the day is International Women's Day.International Women's Day (IWD) commemorates women's fight for equality and liberation along with the women's rights movement. International Women's Day gives focus to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. Spurred by the universal female suffrage movement, International Women's Day originated from labor movements in Europe and North America during the early 20th century, with the modern holiday, March 8, being declared by Vladimir Lenin.The earliest version reported was a "Woman's Day" organized by the Socialist Party of America in New York City on February 28, 1909. In solidarity with them, communist activist and politician Clara Zetkin proposed the celebration of "Working Women's Day" approved at the 1910 International Socialist Women's Conference in Copenhagen, albeit with no set date; the following year saw the first demonstrations and commemorations of International Women's Day across Europe. Vladimir Lenin declared March 8 as International Women's Day in 1922 to honour the women's role in the 1917 Russian Revolution; it was subsequently celebrated on that date by the socialist movement and communist countries. The holiday became a mainstream global holiday following its promotion by the United Nations in 1977.International Women's Day is a public holiday in several countries. The UN observes the holiday in connection with a particular issue, campaign, or theme in women's rights.This recording reflects the Wikipedia text as of 01:55 UTC on Sunday, 9 March 2025.For the full current version of the article, see International Women's Day on Wikipedia.This podcast uses content from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License.Visit our archives at wikioftheday.com and subscribe to stay updated on new episodes.Follow us on Mastodon at @wikioftheday@masto.ai.Also check out Curmudgeon's Corner, a current events podcast.Until next time, I'm generative Olivia.

This Podcast offers a pathway to continuing education via this CMEfy link: https://earnc.me/mhp2xn In this episode of "Life-Changing Moments," we delve into the demanding journey of residency training, a period often filled with intense challenges and overwhelming pressure. Renowned figures in the medical coaching domain, Dr. Tyra Fainstad and Dr. Adrian Mann, share their experiences and insights into the critical need for mental wellness support for medical trainees. They shed light on the perils of burnout, imposter syndrome, and moral injury that are unfortunately prevalent among resident physicians due to the grueling demands of their training. Addressing these pressing issues requires innovative solutions beyond traditional methods such as employee assistance programs. Dr. Fainstad and Dr. Mann have pioneered a unique group coaching approach called "Better Together," a fully digital, four-month program tailored specifically to the needs of resident physicians. Throughout this enlightening conversation, they explain how this program not only promotes well-being but actively combats the rise of distress associated with training in the medical field. The discussion transitions into their individual journeys that led them to develop this impactful coaching program. Dr. Fainstad opens up about her encounters with burnout, sharing the struggles she faced balancing her career alongside the pressures of motherhood. Her experiences underscored the urgent need for support systems within the medical training framework. Dr. Mann shares a similar narrative and reflects on her own transformative relationship with coaching, emphasizing the importance of redefining success and learning to trust oneself amidst external pressures. The structure of the “Better Together” program is one of its standout features. Offering both asynchronous learning materials and live group coaching sessions, participants can engage in a way that suits their busy schedules. Each week, residents join virtual calls where they can share their challenges, glean insights from their peers, and engage in lively discussions that typically see between 5 and 30 attendees. The camaraderie and shared vulnerability foster an environment where residents feel safe and encouraged to explore their mental health challenges and triumphs. Dr. Fainstad and Dr. Mann are keen to share the results of their research, which illustrates the effectiveness of this program. In their preliminary studies, they demonstrated significant reductions in burnout and moral injury among participants, leading to a notable increase in self-compassion and overall wellness. Spurred by their initial successes, they expanded their work to include a larger, multi-centered trial, solidifying “Better Together” as a model with the potential for nationwide impact. As the conversation unfolds, both speakers emphasize their commitment to making these coaching resources accessible to medical trainees. By partnering with institutions, they have created a program that allows residents to benefit from coaching without the financial burden, ensuring that all participants can engage in a healing journey that ultimately enhances their personal and professional lives. Listeners can expect not only to grasp the profound impact of such support systems on medical professionals but also to gain insights into the broader implications for patient care. As Dr. Fainstad and Dr. Mann eloquently express, reducing healthcare professionals' distress results in better patient outcomes, thus creating a ripple effect throughout the healthcare ecosystem. Their ongoing research aims to elevate the understanding and accounting for mental health in medical training, paving the way for future generations of healthcare providers to thrive. Tune in for an intimate exploration of resilience, coaching, and the transformative power of community in mitigating the struggles faced by medical trainees. Join us in this vital conversation that aims to change the landscape of medical education and well-being for future healthcare professionals. -+=-+=-+=-+= Join the Conversation! We want to hear from you! Do you have additional thoughts about today's topic? Do you have your own Prescription for Success? Record a message on Speakpipe   Unlock Bonus content and get the shows early on our Patreon Follow us or Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Amazon  | Spotify --- There's more at https://mymdcoaches.com/podcast Music by Ryan Jones. Find Ryan on Instagram at _ryjones_, Contact Ryan at ryjonesofficial@gmail.com Production assistance by Clawson Solutions Group, find them on the web at csolgroup.com

Intuition: Equal parts wisdom and instinct.This Sunday join Liv as she dives into a new spiritual exploration on the topic of intuition. Spurred by changes in her mediumship, listen along as she discusses the spiritual mechanics between your spirit guides and you coupled with ideas on intuition and reflections from both spiritual and scientific standpoints.FOR MORE CHECK OUT THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL: https://www.youtube.com/@MetaPsycKicksOR READ THE BLOG: https://www.metapsyckicks.com/journalOR JOIN OUR PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/metapsyckicks——-BOOK A PSYCHIC MEDIUM READING:Olivia the Medium: https://www.metapsyckicks.com/liv-readings-----CHAPTERS:0:00 - Intro11:15 - What is Intuition?17:45 - Reflection vs. Intuition23:29 - Identifying Intuition?32:48 - Intuition is Hindsight38:38 - Embracing Intuition47:04 - Thanks for Listening!-----RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS:Our YouTube Setup ►► https://kit.co/metapsyckicks/meta-psyckicks-youtube-setupOur Podcast Setup ►► https://kit.co/metapsyckicks/meta-psyckicks-podcasting-setupOther Divination Tools: ►► https://kit.co/metapsyckicks/other-divination-toolsDISCLAIMER: This description might contain affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video and support the channel at no cost to you. While this channel may earn minimal sums when the viewer uses the links, the viewer is in NO WAY obligated to use these links. Thank you for your support!-----ARE YOU A PSYCHIC QUIZ: https://www.metapsyckicks.com/extrasTELL US YOUR PARANORMAL STORIES HERE: https://www.metapsyckicks.com/extrasCHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AND BLOG:www.metapsyckicks.comEMAIL US: metapsyckicks@gmail.com——-SAY HI ON SOCIAL:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-Np1K0QH8e-EDHhIxX-FaAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/metapsyckicksTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@metapsyckicks?lang=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Meta-PsycKicks-107812201171308Olivia The Medium:Instagram -  https://www.instagram.com/oliviathemedium/Threads -https://www.threads.net/@oliviathemedium?invite=4Email - oliviathemedium@gmail.com——-Sources:https://youtu.be/vGo7i7gtO8w?si=2ULZ7Sp5u8iY7yOPhttps://open.spotify.com/episode/6MuvacqsUnGym0hYU9DZQI?si=xvClilL0R1SaEokUrSzCTghttps://youtu.be/W9Fw-YpHoU8?si=_4RcRK_AcETOofZ3https://youtu.be/VKdaSblJ2rI?si=z3wwCTcUlslIfaQNSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/meta-psyckicks/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dr. Partha Nandi, a gastroenterologist and internal medicine doctor, delves into this intricate relationship between our gut and our brain in his book, "Heal Your Gut, Save Your Brain." Spurred by his father's stroke, he explores how gut health can influence brain function. Through his five pillars of health, Dr. Nandi offers practical steps for improving both gut and brain health. Key Questions Answered 1. What motivated Dr. Nandi to write his book on gut health? 2. How are the gut and the brain connected? 3. What are Dr. Nandi's five pillars of health outlined in his book? 4. How does the gut health contribute to depression? 5. What impact does purpose-driven living have on health, according to Dr. Nandi? 6. Why does Dr. Nandi prefer the term “food plan” over “diet”? 7. What role does movement with purpose play in gut health? 8. How does having a supportive community impact health? 9. What are the benefits of incorporating spirituality into one’s lifestyle? Timestamped Overview 00:00 Gut-Brain Connection Discovery 05:27 Purpose Driven Living: The Why 06:14 Purpose-Driven Living Reduces Stress 11:20 Purposeful Movement for Better Health 14:29 "Become a Health Superhero" 18:40 "Turmeric and Fermented Foods: Benefits" 20:43 Preventive Gut Health Benefits 23:05 "Against Instant Gratification" 26:54 Nature's Breathing: Stress Relief Subscribe to Let’s Talk About Your Breasts on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, and wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    New numbers show the U.S. has made some encouraging progress in recent years in curbing homelessness among military veterans. Since 2009, the official count of homeless vets has fallen by more than half, and the reasons behind this trend are not hard to find. Spurred on by lobbying from veterans groups like the […]

Stasis, Part 1. Spurred on by his visions, Gabe decides to do a little digging of his own into the Host's fate. The Witch Who Came in from The Cold is a Realm production created by Max Gladstone and Lindsey Smith, and written by Max Gladstone, Lindsey Smith, Cassandra Rose Clarke, Michael Swanwick, Ian Tregillis, and Fran Wilde. Listen away. Listen to this episode ad-free by joining Realm+ on Apple Podcasts. Subscribers also get early access and exclusive bonus content! Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. Want to chat about your favorite Realm shows? Join our Discord. Visit our merch store: realm.fm/merch Find and support our sponsors at: www.realm.fm/w/partners

Luke Edwards is joined by Nick Andrews-Gauvin from the Wolves Women's Podcast and Allie Heppell from Since 71 Blog. Arsenal getting it right on and off the field, should WSL club market themselves better? Despite Manchester United being second their are still concerns over Marc Skinner. Bunny is back, Undewhelming Brighton and Villa, Championship madness and Nick looks at the big game in the National League between Nottingham Forest and Wolves Plus lots more s subscribe, like and leave a review Produced by Leo Audio Productions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Spurred on by the Einstein theorem of “Spooky Action at a Distance,” the gang runs its own quantum mechanics test by combining the famous double-slit experiment and Keno, the legalized-betting game favored in bars. Also, the ups & downs of tarantula sex. Special guest: Dr. Simeon Hein

Spurred on by the Einstein theorem of “Spooky Action at a Distance,” the gang runs its own quantum mechanics test by combining the famous double-slit experiment and Keno, the legalized-betting game favored in bars. Also, the ups & downs of tarantula sex. Special guest: Dr. Simeon Hein.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/paranormal-uk-radio-network--4541473/support.

I found true love while participating in one of my hometown's little known, but deeply cherished local traditions.Based on a post by SquattingEagle. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels. Island folklore.Hi, I'm Jethro, I'm nineteen years old and I live with my parents and two younger sisters on one of the small islands off the east coast of Ireland. Although, to be truthful, that's where I used to live, as I'm currently spending most of my days on the mainland, attending university. But the island will always be home to me and once I've graduated, I'll surely go back. There's just something special about life on a small, isolated island like ours that simply can't be found anywhere else.Until the day I'll return to the island for good, I can only try to visit home as often as I could, which is nowhere near as often as I wanted. You see, merely driving from the campus to the harbor would take at least four hours. If traffic was heavy, five or six hours was more likely. And that was just the first part of the journey. From there on, the only way to the island was by a three-hour boat trip. Weather permitting, this boat shuttled back and forth three times a day. Bad weather, however, was liable to keep the ferry moored at the harbor for days at a time, especially during the stormy autumn and winter months.While this remoteness was a bit of a pain to me now, the isolation was also what made our island unique, and is therefore essential to the story I am about to tell you.As you can imagine, our community is largely self-reliant and very much independent of the mainland. It's been like that for centuries, and even modern technology had not been able to change that. According to the tourist board, our 'picturesque island' houses about 19,000 people, and over 50,000 sheep that roam the fields and forests. Apparently, we are ‘known for our own unique and age-old traditions', most of which are in some way connected to our ‘long lineage of brave fishermen' and dedicated to ‘the men who sailed stormy seas to bring home nothing but the finest fresh fish'.While most of our local festivities do indeed involve the sea and its bounties in one way or another, one was quite unlike all the others. That particular day is known as Linus Day, and it is probably the most cherished of all our traditions. Linus Day is celebrated each year on the day of the first new moon in spring and got its name after a nobleman that featured in one of the local legends. It was because of this holiday that I had decided to skip my classes and visit home for a couple of days.The Legend of Linus.A long time ago, there lived on the island a man named Linus. As the story goes, he was a wealthy nobleman who had everything his heart could desire. Good looks, lots of money, a luxurious home and scores of friends. His good fortune seemed complete when he met a beautiful girl with a smile that brought sunlight to a rainy day. He quickly fell in love with her and within weeks of their first meeting, he asked her to be his wife. She gladly accepted his proposal and a huge wedding feast was announced. Everyone on the island was invited.Unknown to Linus, his fair young fiancée wasn't the only one who had fallen for his handsome looks and charming personality. There was another woman, one who was deeply scorned when she learned of his betrothal. On the evening before the wedding, this other woman paid the nobleman an unannounced visit. She warned him that his fiancée was not his true love, and that he should marry her instead. When Linus replied that she was mistaken and that there was nothing she could do to change his mind, the woman burst out in anger. In a fit of rage, she summoned the ancient spirits and put a curse on the bride-to-be.Before storming out the door, the enraged woman swore that if Linus did not call off the wedding, his bride would be turned into a sheep and be cursed to roam the island among the other animals for the remainder of her life. Only if Linus could prove his love for the girl was true, would he be able to lift the curse.Linus was a judicious man and in too good a mood to let the woman's angry ravings ruin his day, and quickly forgot the entire incident. However, the next morning, on the day of the wedding, the young bride was reported missing. The townsfolk searched the whole island and left no stone unturned, but the girl was nowhere to be found. It was then that Linus recalled the woman's angry words, and fear struck his heart. He ran into the fields and scrutinized every herd on the island, desperately looking for his lost fiancée among the sheep. He searched all day, but the animals all looked and sounded the same. Devastated, he returned home.Before long, people started talking about the nobleman's increasingly eccentric behavior. He hired a dozen huntsmen and ordered them to shoot all the wolves and wild cats on the island. Once that was done, he had all his lands converted into pastures and bought many acres more, only to let them lay unoccupied, except for a few flocks of sheep. He subsequently declared that no-one on the island was to ever lay a finger on the animals and assured the people he would repay all damages caused by them.Even his friends and family believed he had lost his mind when Linus then sold his wealthy home and became a shepherd, living in a wooden shed. The years went by and the nobleman spent a fortune doing everything he could to protect the island's ever-growing population of sheep. His resources were diminishing fast, but still he managed to feed and shelter the animals throughout one of the longest and harshest winters the people on the island had ever witnessed. At last springtime arrived, and on the night of the first new moon he lay in his shack, alone, cold and hungry. He had lost absolutely everything, every penny he owned, his mansion and his scores of friends. Everything but his looks and the thousands of animals he cared so deeply for.On that first moonless night in spring, though he himself was starving, he gave his last piece of bread to one of the sheep that took refuge with him in the shack. Then, as he watched the animal devour the dry morsel of bread, it suddenly shed its thick coat and from under the layer of wool emerged a beautiful young woman. It was none other than his long-lost fiancée, his one true love. By sacrificing absolutely everything he had, Linus had finally managed to lift the curse.Reunited at last, Linus and his fiancée were married the very next day. The news quickly spread throughout island and the townsfolk now arranged to host a feast for the impoverished nobleman and his beautiful bride. Together they built them a new house in the fields, where the couple lived happily ever after. Linus and his wife had six children, all beautiful girls with blonde, curly hair like that of a newborn lamb, a trait that was still prevalent on our island to this day.As the story goes, it was this legendary wedding feast that the people hosted for the nobleman and his wife that evolved into the local holiday now known as Linus Day, and it is still dedicated to that ancient couple's true love.Although you won't find it mentioned in any of the tourist board's leaflets, the legend of Linus was also linked to another, more obscure, but equally cherished tradition. This tradition was commonly referred to as Sheep-shaggin'.On the evening before Linus Day, all the young and unmarried women would dress up as sheep and hide in the woods or fields. Then, as soon as the sun had set, the men would go out as well. If they were in a relationship, it was their task to find their girlfriends and if they did, their love was supposedly destined to be true.The festival of sheep-shaggin' was arguably even better for those who were not in a committed relationship. If you were a single guy, tradition allowed you to go into the forest and have sex with as many dressed-up girls as you could find. All night long, all single and willing females were considered fair game. And better still, the complete darkness of the new moon and absence of electric lights practically ensured complete anonymity, if that's what you desired. It was understood that even a total loser could get lucky on sheep-shaggin'.Me, I was not a total loser and furthermore, I was in a serious, albeit waning, relationship. This night, like every other sheep-shaggin' for the last three years, my girlfriend Amanda was somewhere out there waiting for me, but tonight I had not been able to find her. I had been searching the dark woods and desolate fields for ages and looked for her in all the places that used to mean something to us, yet I was still wandering alone. I had run into several dressed-up girls in various locations, but none of the lambs proved to be my true love.In a way, it was indicative of our relationship; I just did not know what Mandy was thinking anymore. After we finished high school almost a year ago, I left the island to attend college while she chose to stay behind and find a job. Although we telephoned almost every day and I did my best to be with my girlfriend as much as possible, our relationship had been going downhill ever since. Especially over the last few months she had changed, becoming more and more detached from me. Whatever remained between us now was purely physical. I mean, the sex we had was still great, but at times it felt more like she was an escort than a girlfriend.A month ago, my friend Dave told me that he had heard that Mandy was making new friends and seeing other guys. A few days later I had confronted her, and we had a big fight, during which she vehemently denied the accusation. The subsequent make-up sex was spectacular, and maybe I was a bit too eager to believe her after that. But it didn't seem so far-fetched to me now. In fact, it would explain a lot.It was pitch dark. The only light around was from the few ships far away on the ocean and the millions of tiny stars above me. A gentle breeze rolled in from the sea, dragging thin, ghostly shards of fog into the valleys. I was shivering. Although the vast stretches of water surrounding the island provided us with moderate temperatures all year round, it was quite chilly tonight. It was unlikely anyone would be hiding here on these inhospitable beaches, least of all Mandy, who absolutely despised the cold. I left the dewy shores behind me and directed my search more inland. As I moved on to higher grounds, the climate improved greatly, but still I couldn't seem to shake off the cold.It wasn't the weather though, that caused my discomfort. The duffle coat I was wearing was thick enough to keep me warm, but no amount of wool could keep the chill from my heart. What I really needed to fend off the cold were a loving pair of arms around me, and a supple, warm body to cuddle and caress. Unfortunately, apart from those few twinkling lights far away on the ocean, there wasn't a single sign of human life around.As I strode on, the dead silence of the night was broken by the sound of church bells tolling in the distance. It was twelve o'clock, which meant I had fruitlessly traversed the fields and forests for some two hours now. Who knows what would happen tonight. Spending this much time searching the island was proof of my love for Mandy, right? And maybe when I finally kissed her lips, she'd turn back into the girl I used to know and forever be my true love.On the other hand, if it didn't happen tonight, we might as well break up. Part of me was already willing to accept that I wasn't going to find her and take it as a sign that Mandy was not my true love after all. Though the idea of going home surely was tempting, it wasn't in my nature to quit this easily. I could not give up the search until I had examined every place that had some kind of special meaning or memory to us, no matter how insignificant. I pushed my hands deeper into my pockets and walked on, feeling more and more morose and pessimistic with every step I took.Another hour later, I was just about to throw in the towel. I had checked every site I could think of that had some memory attached to it, and for the last twenty minutes I had been wandering around aimlessly. I knew it was time give up, go home and seriously rethink our relationship. But which way was home? Looking around, I had to admit that I was lost. All I knew was that I was in the middle of a large hayfield, surrounded by a vast, empty darkness. With no recognizable landmarks anywhere in sight, the only thing I could do was to keep walking and hope to eventually stumble across some point of reference to point me home.As I cut across the field, my path was blocked by one of the old rock wall borders that haphazardly divided up the fields. With no particular direction to go, I walked along the border to wherever it was leading. A couple of hundred yards further on, I saw something moving in the darkness, something grey or white. By now, most of the girls would have been taken home by their lovers, whether old or new, and only a girl who was truly dedicated to her love would still be around. The figure seemed to be a little too big to be a stray sheep, it could be a dressed-up girl. Who knew, maybe this time I was lucky.As I closed in on the creature, the sound of my footsteps alerted it to my presence. The way it moved was like a girl, not like a sheep. With new hope, I walked toward the girl. A soft, hesitating bleat soon confirmed my suspicion as she greeted the stranger approaching her from the dark. I was still a couple of feet away, but I already knew this girl wasn't Mandy. She had the right kind of curly blond hair, but her girlish figure was too small, too lithe and her voice too soft and kind. I bend over and kissed her anyway. Her lips were soft and warm. Her scent and the touch of her lips made me thirst for more. Sadly, our kiss ended all too soon.I held the girl in my arms, delaying the moment I had to let go of this little lamb and head back into the cold and lonely darkness. I really wished this lamb was the girl I was looking for. Though I had no idea who she was, I felt a strange connection with her. If I wasn't supposed to be looking for someone else, I would have loved to stay. The girl must have thought the same thing, because as I was hesitating to let her go, the blonde pressed her lips once more against mine and gave me another kiss. A little shy she opened her mouth and licked my lips. Knowing I shouldn't, I opened my mouth anyway.Had that first kiss merely been a traditional and rather impersonal greeting, this second kiss was something completely different. Tender. Intense. Playful. Inquisitive. Sensual.It is hard to describe how much I enjoyed kissing this girl. But, although our second kiss lasted a whole lot longer than the first, it too had to end sometime, whether I wanted it to or not. When our lips disconnected, my head was spinning and my search for Amanda suddenly seemed a lot less important than before. Before she released me from her embrace, the girl gave me one last peck on the lips. Then she got down on all fours again, and went back to her role as a sheep, like she was supposed to.“Little lamb, could you be my true love?” I asked the customary question.I was unsure of how she would react. I didn't even know how I wanted her to react. Had she been my true love, she would now get on her feet and take off her costume, then whisper “yes” and kiss me once more. If she was waiting for someone else, then she'd look away and bleat again. Secretly, I was hoping for option number three. If this girl was single and willing, she would now present me her rear for some more anonymous, casual fun.The girl remained silent. Still on all fours, she hesitated for a few moments and then, finally, she moved. My heart rejoiced as she turned around; not only was the girl still single, she was single and willing. Even though I couldn't accept what she had to offer, it was a relief to know that somewhere on this island there was a sweet girl that wanted me. She brushed impatiently against my leg, like a playful lamb. As if her intentions weren't clear enough, she then grabbed my hand and placed it under her skirt, between her legs.I wavered. The smooth skin of her inner thigh was soft and warm, and it felt dangerously good. The only thing that kept me from ravishing this lovely little lamb on the spot was a deep-rooted moral obligation to my girlfriend. For a guy in a relationship, kissing other girls was permissible during sheep-shaggin', but anything beyond that was still considered cheating. But what if I wasn't in a relationship anymore? It would be a shame if I passed up this lovely lamb because of a misplaced sense of loyalty to a girlfriend who was nowhere to be found tonight. A girlfriend who I was just about finished with anyway, and who in all likelihood had been cheating on me for weeks, if not months.I was fighting a losing battle with myself. The frustrations of this long, lonesome night and the doubt that had grown over the last months got the better of me. I knew the right thing was to stay faithful to Mandy and leave before I did something I'd regret later, but no matter how hard my conscience was ordering me to stop, I simply couldn't. There was something about this sexy little lamb that held me captivated. It was like the spirit of Linus was whispering to me, telling me that this girl and I belonged together.While my conscience was still battling my carnal desire for this girl, my hand had begun moving on its own, drawn like a magnet towards that wonderful place high up between her legs. I was so close to her pussy now, I could feel the heat radiating from it. The lamb bleated impatiently and spread her legs even more, granting me full access to her fiery sex. As she was moving, I felt something tickle my wrist. I knew it was something other than her skirt, but didn't have the time to find out what it was, because an instant later my fingers encountered a downy patch of hair and then a very, very aroused pussy. She gasped as my thumb slid between the slick and delicate female petals and traced her little treasure from the tiny bead of her clit to the tight hole beneath her puckered ass.She pushed back against my hand and gently rocked her hips as I played with her pussy. While my hand moved up, her ass moved down and the tip of my thumb lodged itself into her opening. While I was still hesitating, she immediately pushed back, and her vagina hungrily accepted the intruding digit. She was tight but wet, and I entered her smoothly. My thumb was enveloped by her moist heat. I pulled it out a little and then pushed back in, gently squeezing her juicy peach between my fingers.The girl groaned sexily as I explored and played with her pussy. Getting her this horny was in itself very gratifying, but I knew it was only a prelude to what the night held for us. By now, there was only one thing on my mind, and that was bringing this nightly encounter to a mutually satisfying end. I was determined to give us a good start by making her cum first. Guided by her reactions, I quickly learned what excited her most. When I slowly pushed my thumb in and out of her pussy and rapidly rubbed her swollen clit with my finger at the same time, I knew I had struck gold. Her moaning quickened and then she bucked her hips as her orgasm took control of her body.The way her tight pussy had been squeezing my thumb when she came was unreal. I could only imagine how incredible it would feel to have those muscles work on my cock. I could take her right now if I wanted, while she was still in the throes of her climax. All I had to do was drop my pants, aim for penetration, and we'd be fucking. As much as I looked forward to doing exactly that, something was holding me back. It wasn't my girlfriend. It was the notion that this girl was special, someone who deserved much more than a rushed, anonymous shag in the dark. While I couldn't do much about the anonymous part, there was nothing that could stop me from taking my time with this girl.Knowing I was going to have sex with the lamb in due course, I first sought to taste her kiss again. I kneeled down next to her and pulled her into my arms. She was still panting when our lips met, but as my tongue slipped between her lips, it was eagerly greeted by her own. She truly was a great kisser. She displayed a tenderness and enthusiasm that I just couldn't get enough of, and despite us being complete strangers, her kisses had the distinct taste of something I had been missing for a long time; genuine desire and sincere affection.After another lengthy and passionate kiss, I was starved for air and feeling drunk on the little lamb's lips. I opened my eyes, half expecting to be greeted by the most beautiful girl with the sweetest smiling face, but all I could see was the faint silhouette of a girl with blonde curls and wearing what most likely was a pair of sheep's ears. She still had her arms draped around my neck and her face was mere inches from mine, yet almost invisible in the moonless night. I was staring deeply into her eyes, trying to establish what color they might be. She was gazing back into mine, possibly wondering the same thing.She leaned forward again and tenderly placed another one of those soft pecks on my lips. Though still passionate and intense, the message behind this kiss was again completely different than before. With this kiss the girl told me that she was ready to move on.“I want you” she whispered, in case her kiss had failed to deliver its message.Despite the obviousness of her statement, my heart skipped a beat when I heard her say those words. I grabbed her ass and lifted her in my lap. Without wasting another second, she moved her hands down my chest and began to work on my pants. Regardless of the rather awkward position and the lack of visual guidance, she managed to undo my belt buckle and open my fly. She reached into my boxers and pulled my penis out of my pants.She closed her fingers around my engorged cock and ran her hand up and down the shaft. An appreciative moan escaped her lips as she felt up my manhood. My cock was as big and hard as it had ever been, and I was glad I lived up to her expectations. I lifted my ass off the ground and she worked my pants a little further down my legs. She then re-straddled my lap and sat down with her hot, naked buns on my bare legs. With her arms wrapped around my back she scooted forward until her firm breasts were pressed against my chest. We kissed again.While the girl was seated in my lap, she unzipped her pleated skirt and took it off. She hugged me even tighter and pressed her pussy against the underside of my cock. My hands were holding her naked ass, cradling and fondling the firm round buttocks. I was fully aware that if I lifted her just an inch or two into the air, my cock would be poised for penetration, and that I would only have to lower her again to be inside her. From the impatient way she was dry-humping me, I knew she must be thinking something similar. The downy fur on her cushiony mound tickled my shaft as she rubbed against my throbbing erection. Every now and then she would tilt her hips a little and her pussy would give my cock and balls a hot, wet kiss.It was around that time that I discovered what had been tickling the back of my hand earlier¬. Tied around the girl's slim waist was a small ribbon, and attached to it was a woolen tail, a sheep's tail to complement the ears on the headband in her hair and the black make-up on the the tip of her nose and upper lip. I let the soft, furry tail run tail through my fingers. It was only a little detail, but I liked it. While I was wondering what other surprises this girl had in store for me, she grabbed my hand and slipped something in it. It was a square wrapper with jagged edges and a flexible, ring-shaped object inside. I easily recognized what it was; a condom.Thinking straight had become an impossibility, it was like my body had already chosen for me. The blood had drained from my brain and inflated my cock, which by now was so hard, it felt like it was going to explode if I didn't get inside this girl soon. With trembling hands, I tore open the package and pulled out the condom. I could hardly see my own hands, but I managed to put it on. Nothing was gonna stop us now.The girl rose onto her knees and wrapped her arms around my neck to steady herself as she lowered herself down onto my lap. My cock needed no guidance to find its goal. Like a heat-seeking missile, it homed in on its target and pierced her smoldering pussy. She inhaled sharply as the tip of my cock parted her lips and penetrated her inner sanctum.She held still for a moment with my cock an inch or so inside her pussy. I could feel her struggle to take me in. I know I'm no porn star, but I have nothing to complain about when it comes to size, particularly in circumference. The girl discovered this when she reached inside my boxers earlier and now she knew what it was like to feel it inside her. She was very tight, but I don't think I was hurting her too much, and if I did, it didn't stop her.Finally, the girl was sitting in my lap, having accepted every inch I had to offer. She sat still for a moment as she needed a little time to get used to having her intimate tissues stretched by my cock. Her pussy was deliciously hot and wet, and incredibly tight. I could feel the muscles of her vagina ripple and twitch, trying to contract around my cock. Even without moving, being inside her was nothing short of sensational. Finally, she sighed contently and kissed me again. It was only a quick kiss, merely a nonverbal way of conveying her appreciation. I wanted to kiss her back and return the compliment, but she was gone again.The girl rose onto her knees, taking nearly all of her weight off my lap and started to move. At first she was only rocking her hips, but it wasn't long before she progressed to moving her entire body up and down along the length of my cock. Each time she went up, the muscles in her already tight vagina grabbed my shaft, as if her body was reluctant to let me go. Then she'd come down again, and the silky tissues eagerly yielded and sucked me back in, making soft squishy noises as she dropped in my lap. I renewed my grip on her butt and thrust up into the delightful depths of the horny little lamb on each downward movement. Our bodies instinctively found the right tempo and soon we were truly fucking. The memories of my missing girlfriend were fading fast, hopefully to be replaced with new memories the girl and I would make tonight.Having sex with this stranger filled a need inside me I didn't even know I had. It is difficult to describe, but it was beyond mere animal lust, it somehow transcended my physical needs. I know it sounds cliché, but it was like our souls were meant to be together, like she was a part of me, and I was part of her. Until tonight I would never have guessed I was incomplete, but now I suddenly was whole, and it felt good.After riding my cock for some time, it became evident the girl began to tire. She tried to continue at the same pace, but inevitably had to slow down and ultimately stopped moving altogether. She draped her arms around my neck and moved in for another hot kiss. I could hear and feel her rapid breathing as her lips sought mine. Then, as our lips met, she leaned back and pulled me along with her until she was lying on her back on the ground, and I was on top of her.Now that we were lying in a missionary position, it was up to me to do most of the work, but she wasn't just lying there. She had her ankles locked behind my back and pushed her pussy up at me with every thrust. I was penetrating her much deeper now. My cock regularly bumped into the end of her pussy, but she didn't show any signs of discomfort. All she did was beg me to go harder, faster and deeper as she raced towards another orgasm.I gladly complied. Spurred on by her whimpered pleas I fucked her as hard as I dared. A minute later her supple body stiffened, and with a loud gasp, she came. She tightened her arms and legs around me, clutching me with all her might. Her hips bucked as a series of powerful tremors chased through her body. It was a good thing she had made me wear the condom, or else I would have blown my load that instant. It was only because of the slightly reduced sensitivity that I was able to keep fucking her throughout her entire orgasm, stretching and intensifying it until she couldn't handle any more and fell on the ground, begging me to stop.I held the girl in my arms while she kept cumming. She had both her arms around my back and was holding me tightly. Even without me fucking her, her orgasm seemed to go on, as ever diminishing series of contractions continued to milk my cock for over a long time after that first powerful wave of contractions. All this time I lay on top of her, cuddling and caressing her while she slowly regained her senses. The girl's lithe body was so much smaller than mine that I was afraid I'd crush her underneath my body, but every time I tried to move, she clung onto me and pulled me back.Finally, her eyes opened, and she giggled apologetically, as if she was embarrassed for letting herself go like that. She nuzzled my face and sought my lips wit hers. Our mouths met, and she slipped her tongue slipped between my lips. Once again, I was struck by how great a kisser this girl was. Her tongue led the dance in our mouths in a way that was unlike any girl‘s I had ever met. Compared to her I was sluggish, slow and inept, but if I in any way failed to meet her expectations, she didn't show. Her kiss and the taste of her lips were like a drug, and I was becoming hopelessly addicted.With our lips pressed together and locked in intimate embrace, we rolled around on the ground. I hardly noticed the painfully sharp little rocks and sticks that littered the cold, hard soil, absorbed as I was by her smell and taste and the feel of her body. When we finally had to break off our kiss, I was lying on my back and she was on top again.The girl sat upright and held me pinned down with one hand on my chest as she slowly moved her hips back and forth. After about a dozen of those movements, she moved back a little too far and I slipped out of her pussy. The night air felt cold on my cock as it swung free and slapped wetly against my belly. The girl didn't put me back in, but moved even further down on my legs, reached for my cock and wrapped her hand around the shaft. She grabbed it rather firmly, almost painfully. Despite being an incredible kisser and a wonderful sex partner, the girl wasn't great at giving a handjob. As a matter of fact, it was almost like she didn't know how to jack a guy off at all; she just kind of dug her fingers into the skin and pulled. I was just about to take her hand and guide her movements, when I felt the condom slip. She renewed her grip and then pulled the rubber all the way off.Now that the girl had gotten rid of the thin layer of protective latex that had separated us before, she moved over my lap again and guided my cock back between her silky lips. Her already deliciously hot and tight pussy felt a thousand times hotter and tighter without the protective condom. Its velvety tissues now kissed and cherished every inch of my cock and I could feel the muscles in her tight canal work on my shaft.The girl gave me another quick peck on the lips and whispered, “Better?”I had lost the power to talk. All I could do was grunt. She giggled again and then started to move. Although it was her who was fucking me now, I was in no way just an instrument she used for her own gratification. As she gracefully moved her body up and down, she seemed to intuitively know exactly what gave us both the most pleasure. She alternated long slow strokes with short, quick rocking motions of her hips, steadily building up the pressure, but always slowing down again whenever she sensed I was getting too close to ejaculating.Before long, I could feel she was going to orgasm again. Her breathing quickened, and the graceful movements became more erratic until she stopped bouncing up and down altogether and sat down in my lap, rapidly rocking her hips back and forth. Wet noises sounded as she ground her clit into my pubic bone. Then she froze and with another loud groan she came. She shook and bumped her pussy against my pubis a couple of times and then she fell into my arms, limp and lifeless like a rag doll.Her lips sought mine as she recovered from another exhaustive climax. She was shivering, and I could feel the goosebumps on her damp skin of her back as the tips of my fingers traced the series of bumps of her spine, wandering upwards under her thick sweater. By the time I reached her neck, I realized this lamb wasn't wearing a bra. I retraced my steps and felt her sides, from her arms to her waist, confirming my suspicions. Moving back up via the front, my wandering hands were treated to a delicious pair of firm, naked breasts. I cupped my hands around the two perfectly shaped little orbs. Like everything on her, her breasts were quite petite, barely a handful, but they were delightfully firm and soft and smooth. I could only dream of what these beauties would look like. Were they pale or tanned, did she have small areolas or large? One thing was sure; whatever her breasts looked like, I bet they were spectacular.It was like she was reading my mind, because as I was caressing and exploring her hidden feminine treasures, she grabbed the hem of her sweater and casually pulled it over her head. She flung the thick woolen garment in the air where it disappeared in the darkness. Although I still couldn't see much of her, I now had a naked girl in my lap. I silently cursed the darkness, as I knew I was missing out on a spectacular view. This girl had to have a pair of magnificent tits, perhaps the most beautiful pair ever created, but all I could see was a faint silhouette swaying in my lap.Even though I couldn't see her breasts, fondling them was just as thrilling and there were many more things I could do without sight. My mouth was watering as I envisioned sucking on them. I leaned forward and closed my lips around one of her nipples. I flicked my tongue across the sensitive nub and was rewarded with a sexy groan. Biting softly, I pulled back until the nipple slipped from my mouth and then I latched onto the other one. I spent a lot of time thoroughly teasing and tasting each nipple, the sensitive areolas and the smooth skin surrounding them.All this time my anonymous lover was steadily rocking her hips, and even though her movements were small and subtle, the constant stimulation of my cock pushed me increasingly towards an inevitable orgasm. The feel of her body, the taste of her lips and nipples was simply too intense, too good. My balls drew tight and I whispered I was going to cum. She just whispered ‘yes' and grabbed my shoulder. Like before, she pulled me on top of her and folded her legs around my waist. I thrust into her with all my might as we both raced towards orgasm. The moment I felt the first blast of semen race up my shaft, my mystery lover came too. For an instant, time ceased to exist, and the girl and I were one being, one single body in our own universe made of pure pleasure.We remained together until long after out orgasms ended, locked in a passionate embrace while we were coming down from our sexual high. For what seemed like an eternity I could feel her pussy twitch and clench around my cock, still trying to draw every last drop of semen from my balls. Finally, she relaxed her grasp and opened her eyes. Her lips found my mouth and we exchanged another sweet, tender kiss. I was falling in love with this girl, and I could not stop it. Suddenly, I felt a pressing need to know who she was.There was one big rule at sheep-shaggin'; anonymous sex was anonymous. Until the break of dawn, you did not reveal your identity. It was the one rule you simply were not allowed to break. Telling the girl my name, or asking for hers could possibly offend her, which was the last thing I wanted. The only accepted way to circumvent this taboo was to spend the night together and get properly acquainted in the morning. There was only one problem. I couldn't possibly spend the night with this girl, no matter how much I would have loved to. Not as long as I technically still had a girlfriend.Half an hour ago, I had all but decided to give up the search for Amanda, but now I was once again determined to find her. Although the goal was the same, my motives had changed drastically since I met the girl. Had I first hoped to find Amanda and be reunited with my true love, now I only wanted to make sure there was nothing left to salvage, and then quickly move on with my life, preferably together with this girl.To be continued in part 2, based on a post by SquattingEagle for SexStories.

The broadband market in Ireland has experienced significant evolution over the past two decades. Once characterised by limited choice, slow speeds, and high costs, the landscape has transformed into a dynamic and increasingly competitive industry. Spurred by governmental policy, infrastructural upgrades, and growing consumer demand, broadband has become an essential utility on par with electricity and water for most households and businesses. Today, broadband is integral to everyday life - enabling remote work, distance learning, telehealth services, and the consumption of streaming media. The COVID-19 pandemic further underscored the importance of reliable high-speed internet, with large swathes of the population requiring consistent access for work and education from home. Meanwhile, the Irish government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure that even the most remote rural areas have access to quality connectivity so that all citizens can benefit from digital opportunities. This article delves into the current landscape of the Irish broadband market, examining its major providers, infrastructural developments, regulatory environment, and ongoing challenges. We will also look at emerging technologies, consumer trends, and the prospects for Ireland's continued progress toward a fully connected society. Background and Historical Context The evolution of broadband in Ireland is closely tied to the country's broader economic development and digital transformation efforts. In the early 2000s, internet access in Ireland was predominantly dial-up. Speeds were slow, and the market was largely controlled by the incumbent provider, Eircom (now known as Eir). Around that time, broadband began to roll out more widely, although initial coverage was patchy, and consumer choice was limited. Throughout the 2000s, the Irish government recognised that the digital divide - between those who had access to high-speed internet and those who did not - posed a risk to Ireland's competitive edge in the global marketplace. The government launched a series of initiatives and programs to stimulate infrastructure development in underserved areas. Notably, the National Broadband Scheme (NBS), which preceded the current National Broadband Plan, aimed to subsidise broadband deployment in rural and remote regions. Competition slowly increased during this period as new providers entered the market with alternative technologies. Cable networks, for instance, offered faster speeds in certain urban areas, and satellite broadband solutions emerged for extremely remote locations where terrestrial infrastructure was not feasible. The rollout of mobile broadband became another important factor, with 3G and later 4G networks providing a wireless alternative to fixed-line services. The mid to late 2010s brought further shifts. Ireland, in line with most of Europe, began focusing on fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) and fibre-to-the-cabinet (FTTC) solutions, aiming to significantly boost bandwidth capacity and future-proof networks for the data-intensive services that consumers and businesses increasingly required. This era also saw a swell of investment from private telecommunications companies, supported by a regulatory framework designed to encourage competition and protect consumer interests. As Ireland's technology sector flourished - attracting big names like Google, Facebook (Meta), and Microsoft to establish European headquarters - broadband infrastructure became even more critical. From supporting data centres to fostering remote work opportunities, high-speed and reliable connectivity emerged as a cornerstone of Ireland's continued economic success. Today, while there is still a divide between urban and rural broadband speeds and reliability, the overall state of the broadband market is far more robust and competitive than it was a decade ago. The current challenge is to ensure that upgrades continue apace, especially in rural areas, while maintaining comp...

From the early to mid 1980's, Wolfgang Gullich was steadily discovering his own power. Spurred on by American and British climbers coming to the Frankenjura and establishing the hardest routes, he tapped into a part of himself that he rarely showed. With that competetive side on display, he went to America to do the hardest routes there, returned home to establish himself the best, and to Australia to establish the world's first 8b+, or 14a, Punks in the Gym.  Save Arapiles Climbing Petition: https://www.change.org/p/save-natimuk-stop-the-rock-climbing-ban-at-the-famous-mt-arapiles Save Arapiles Climbing Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_bYfeWq_Nw Check out our website for related episodes, resources and more! Join the Secret Stoners Club for FREE and get bonus episodes. ---------------------------------- Season Two is generously supported by Rab.  This episode is supported by Tension Climbing. Use code WRITTEN15 at checkout. Written in Stone is co-created with Power Company Climbing.

Plus: General Motors stock tumbles after reporting $2.9 billion loss. JetBlue shares slide after issuing tepid guidance for the first quarter. And Smithfield Foods trades into negative territory on the first trading day after its initial public offering. Danny Lewis reports. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Seth and Ken return once again to talk through the overall effectiveness and purpose of Portswigger's Top 10 Web Hacking Techniques and how it benefits the community. A short discussion on some of the current crop of techniques up for polling. Spurred by recent revelations around Snyk's approach to identifying security issues in npm packages, the duo discusses research techniques and identifying security issues without exploitation or harm. To close out, a discussion on progressing from junior to senior within the security space and challenges in the current market.

"The easiest way to sell something is to own it because you believe in it." Michael WeaverTransform your Life Insurance sales in just 5 days! HEREWhat's in this episode:In this heartfelt episode of The Insurance Buzz, Michael Weaver takes a solo moment to reflect on the importance of life insurance—not just for clients, but for the agents themselves. Spurred by a recent personal loss, Michael emphasizes the moral obligation insurance professionals have to their own families. He shares actionable advice on revisiting personal coverage, the power of owning what you sell, and how walking prospects through your own plan builds trust and confidence. This candid conversation is a powerful reminder of why life insurance is not just a product but a necessity.00:01:00] The importance of owning life insurance to believe in what you sell.[00:02:00] A heartfelt reminder: “What is your family's financial plan if something happens to you?”[00:03:00] Shifting focus: Agents have a moral obligation to protect their own families.[00:04:00] Walking clients through your personal life insurance plan builds trust and confidence.[00:05:00] A call to action: Secure your life insurance today because tomorrow is never promised.[00:06:00] Closing thoughts: Prioritize your family's protection and revisit your plan regularly.RESOURCES + LINKSNEW BOOK “Quote 3: How to Make Multiple 6 Figures in Any Sales Organization" Order HERE Watch the full episode on YouTube: HEREJoin thousands of successful Insurance Agents who have achieved over $200 million in sales FREE 7-Day Demo TRY NOWTEXT METext "BUZZ" to (816) 727-7610 to chat directly with MichaelFOLLOWWebsite: https://www.weaversa.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelweaverwsa/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@michaelweavertrainingFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/themichaelweaverInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/_michaelweaver_/

Spurred on by a hugely intriguing article in The Athletic penned last November by Episode 274 guest Pablo Maurer (as well as another by Guardian soccer writer Jack Williams back in 2016), we delve into the fascinating story of the visionary, yet controversial 1990s American pro soccer league that never was - League 1 America - with its mastermind Jim Paglia.  Born in the wake of the 1989 awarding of the 1994 FIFA World Cup to the United States, League 1 America was an ambitious attempt to reimagine a post-Cup pro soccer league for an American audience that gravitated toward fast-paced, high-scoring sports like football and basketball. Paglia's vision centered on blending traditional soccer elements with entertainment-focused innovations and dedicated mall-like facilities, aiming to build a league that prioritized marketability and fan engagement above all else. The league's format featured radical rule changes, including shootouts to resolve ties, shortened match durations, and scoring modifications to encourage more goals and continuous action. Paglia also planned to lean heavily on corporate sponsorships, creating a business model that integrated entertainment and commercial viability, with aspirations of competing against America's major sports leagues for both fans and television audiences. Despite its innovative ideas, League 1 America never materialized. The league faced a skeptical sporting landscape, with the demise of the North American Soccer League in the mid-1980s still fresh in the public's memory and doubts about soccer's viability as a mainstream American sport. Financial hurdles, coupled with resistance from soccer traditionalists and a lack of institutional support, doomed the project before it could get off the ground. Critics dismissed Paglia's vision as an overly commercialized distortion of soccer's essence, while fans of the global game balked at the Americanized rule changes. Yet, the story of League 1 America remains a fascinating “what if” in the history of U.S. soccer. A number of its ideas - especially the building of experience-driven soccer-specific stadiums - can be seen in today's Major League Soccer.  Paglia's efforts highlighted both the challenges and opportunities of growing soccer in the U.S., underscoring the tension between preserving the sport's global traditions and adapting it to local tastes. Today, as soccer continues its steady rise in America, League 1 America serves as a reminder of the bold experimentation and resilience that helped lay the groundwork for the sport's future. + + +  SUPPORT THE SHOW:  Buy Us a Coffee: https://ko-fi.com/goodseatsstillavailable "Good Seats" Merch: https://www.teepublic.com/?ref_id=35106 SPONSOR THANKS (AND SUPPORT THE SHOW!): Royal Retros (10% off promo code: SEATS): https://www.503-sports.com?aff=2 Old School Shirts.com (10% off promo code: GOODSEATS) https://oldschoolshirts.com/goodseats Yinzylvania (20% off promo code: GOODSEATSSTILLAVAILABLE): https://yinzylvania.com/GOODSEATSSTILLAVAILABLE    FIND AND FOLLOW: Website: https://goodseatsstillavailable.com/ Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/goodseatsstillavailable.com Threads: https://www.threads.net/@goodseatsstillavailable X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/GoodSeatsStill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodseatsstillavailable/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoodSeatsStillAvailable/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@goodseatsstillavailable

Barnaby brings all the latest Tottenham news including quotes from a fighty Ange PostecogluSubscribe to my Patreon account to support me making Tottenham daily content here:https://www.patreon.com/BarnabySlaterPatreonWatch on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@barnabyslater_Instagram: @barnabyslater_TikTok: @barnabyslater Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're excited to share the highlights of a memorable event that took place last Friday: The Writing Community Chat Show featured an exclusive live interview with acclaimed author Cathy Hayward, streamed live for our Substack subscribers.In this engaging three-part conversation, we explored Cathy's fascinating journey as a writer, discussed her gripping release, The Girl in the Midnight Maze, and connected with our audience through an interactive Q&A session. Cathy's career is a testament to reinvention and resilience.Beginning as a journalist for niche trade magazines, she brought stories to life on topics ranging from accounting to port logistics. But it was the birth of her third child and a life-changing decision to leave London for Brighton that marked the first major shift in her path. As a freelance PR and founder of Magenta Associates, Cathy thrived, but her creativity truly blossomed when she embarked on a two-year creative writing course in 2016. In her own words, this course transformed “random thoughts and scribbles” into what would eventually become her debut novel, The Girl in the Maze. Spurred on by the 2020 lockdown, Cathy finished the novel, submitted it to the Agora Books Lost the Plot Work in Progress prize—and won.Now, with a reissued version titled The Girl in the Midnight Maze and multiple new works underway, Cathy has fully embraced a life immersed in books and storytelling.The Interview: What We CoveredPart 1 - The Road to Writing Cathy shared her path from journalist to PR agency owner, and ultimately, to author. She recounted how personal loss, a creative writing course, and a global pandemic sparked her evolution into a novelist. Part 2 - What's the Story? We delved into Cathy's latest book, The Girl in the Midnight Maze. This deeply moving tale explores three generations of women entangled in family trauma and the struggle to connect across time and tragedy. Cathy shared the inspirations behind the book and the challenges she faced in bringing Emma Bowen's story to life.Part 3 - Community Questions As always, we brought our community into the conversation. Alongside our staple questions, Cathy answered burning queries submitted during the live show.  A Glimpse Into The Girl in the Midnight Maze Here's a preview of Cathy's newest release: Emma Bowen has never had a close relationship with her mother. After her mother's death, a series of letters reveals secrets spanning generations—secrets that may explain the emotional distance between them. Emma's journey to uncover her family's past is as haunting as it is enlightening. Traversing time and tragedy, The Girl in the Midnight Maze is a story of motherhood, legacy, and the search for understanding.The interview was a heartfelt and inspiring event, filled with insights from an author whose career is a masterclass in perseverance and creativity. Not a Subscriber Yet? Join now to unlock access to exclusive content like this interview and many more perks.Join our Substack to get exclusive access to live shows here: https://substack.com/@thewccs?utm_source=user-menuWatch the interview on our YouTube channel here: https://youtube.com/live/70kLE1pupHEWe have spent 3 years using StreamYard. You can see how much we love its features, and how we can make it look great for live streaming. We are huge fans and they are constantly improving their service. Check it out with our link, and we could earn from referrals!https://streamyard.com/pal/d/4835638006775808Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.

Spurred on by converation with the great Heather MacDonald, Ann takes a look at Trump’s remaining controversial cabinet picks (Hesgeth, Patel and Noem) and asks, “Does character still matter?” Then she throws down the gauntlet to Vivek Ramaswamy – come on the podcast and tell us what you really think instead of complaining to Ezra […]

SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Join us as we welcome Dr. Cedric Dark, an ER doctor and thoughtful author, who shares his journey in writing "Under the Gun: An ER Doctor's Cure for America's Gun Epidemic." Spurred into action by the NRA's provocative suggestion for doctors to "stay in their lane," Dr. Dark offers a compelling analysis of gun policy through the lens of his dual experiences as a physician and gun owner.Timeline.0:00 Introduction1:17 Why Dr. Cedric Dark wrote the book "Under The Gun".5:30 Losing family members to gun violence.7:14 Policy recommendations for gun violence prevention.10:20 Guns and mental illness14:17 Why is it hard to implement gun policies17:19 How the book "Under The Gun" was received by doctors18:58 Gun ownership responsibility21:55 Deaths from gun fire.24:18 Doing your part as a doctor in reducing gun violence27:40 Motivation for getting a gun28:44 Destructive capabilities of a gunFREE DOWNLOAD -  7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsLINKS MENTIONED To buy the book “Under The Gun” - https://www.amazon.com/Under-Gun-Doctors-Americas-Epidemic/dp/1421449110SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Have a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860Twitter: @drniidarkoInstagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.com

Make terror the order of the day! With news of Toulon's treason hitting a hungry capital, insurrection returns to Paris. Spurred on by the ultraradical factions, the people demand food and the means the seize it! This episode explores the last successful rising of the Parisian Sans-Culottes. From price controls to the Revolutionary Army, the popular movement scores considerable victories! Episode Extras 1.79.1 Hébertists: Leaders or Followers? What do historians make of 4 and 5 September? How should we interpret Hébertist involvement? These questions and more are explored in this episode extra examining the debates of these famous days! 1.79.2 Hébertist Questions and Answers Members' questions on the Hebertists! Why were so many to be found in the War Ministry? Where were other ultraradical strongholds? I ask your questions on the Hébertists! Early Access Don't wait! Support the show and listen to Episode 80 "The Terror Begins" now! Available for all True Revolutionaries and above! The Grey History Community Help keep Grey History on the air! Every revolution needs its supporters, and we need you! With an ad-free feed, a community discord, a reading club, and tonnes of exclusive bonus content, you're missing out! Do your part for as little as half a cup of coffee per episode! It's the best value on the internet, with the best people too! Join Now And Support the Show Make a one-off donation Contact Me Send your questions, praise, and scorn here Newsletter Sign Up for Free Bonus Episode Follow on Social Media: Facebook Instagram X Advertising Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon. All members of the Grey History Community have an ad-free version of the show. Support the show here. About Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon is a podcast dedicated to exploring the complexities of our history. By examining both the experiences of contemporaries and the conclusions of historians, Grey History seeks to unpack the ambiguities and nuances of the past. Understanding the French Revolution and the age of Napoleon Bonaparte is critical to understanding the history of the world, so join us on a journey through a series of events that would be almost unbelievable if it weren't for the fact that it's true! If you're looking for a binge-worthy history podcast on the Revolution and Napoleon, you're in the right place! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spurred on by a change to their starting lineup, the Lakers got two much-needed wins over the weekend beating the 76ers and Raptors on Friday and Sunday. Pete and Darius discuss both games, highlighting the lineup change and its implications for LeBron shifting back to playing more point guard, Cam Reddish as the defender the starting group needed, and D'Angelo Russell's move to the reserve group where his scoring and playmaking can make a real impact.  Support Pete here: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lakerfilmroom Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/lakerfilmroom For Feedback or Questions: lakerfilmroom@gmail.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

They carried torches and marched at night. Their goal: defend free speech in America. What started as a small group of young men demonstrating during the 1860 election, snowballed into a mass movement of working-class Americans marching to end slavery. They called themselves the Wide Awakes. And they're widely seen as the political force that helped elect Abraham Lincoln and spur the Civil War. So why has their story gone untold? And why is now the time to tell it?  Guests: Jon Grinspan, Curator of Political History at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. Author of Wide Awake: The Forgotten Force that Elected Lincoln and Spurred the Civil WarKevin Waite, Associate Professor of History at Durham University. Author of West of Slavery: The Southern Dream of a Transcontinental Empire

Two decades ago, only a third of Latinos believed abortion should be legal in all or most cases. Today, that number has risen to 62 percent. So why are Latino voters in this country changing their minds about abortion?For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at considerthis@npr.org.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Warning: this episode contains strong language, descriptions of explicit content and sexual harassmentA disturbing new problem is sweeping American schools: Students are using artificial intelligence to create sexually explicit images of their classmates and then share them without the person depicted even knowing.Natasha Singer, who covers technology, business and society for The Times, discusses the rise of deepfake nudes and one girl's fight to stop them.Guest: Natasha Singer, a reporter covering technology, business and society for The New York Times.Background reading: Using artificial intelligence, middle and high school students have fabricated explicit images of female classmates and shared the doctored pictures.Spurred by teenage girls, states have moved to ban deepfake nudes.For more information on today's episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.