Podcasts about Steel

Last time we spoke about the end of the battle of khalkin gol. In the summer of 1939, the Nomonhan Incident escalated into a major border conflict between Soviet-Mongolian forces and Japan's Kwantung Army along the Halha River. Despite Japanese successes in July, Zhukov launched a decisive offensive on August 20. Under cover of darkness, Soviet troops crossed the river, unleashing over 200 bombers and intense artillery barrages that devastated Japanese positions. Zhukov's northern, central, and southern forces encircled General Komatsubara's 23rd Division, supported by Manchukuoan units. Fierce fighting ensued: the southern flank collapsed under Colonel Potapov's armor, while the northern Fui Heights held briefly before falling to relentless assaults, including flame-throwing tanks. Failed Japanese counterattacks on August 24 resulted in heavy losses, with regiments shattered by superior Soviet firepower and tactics. By August 25, encircled pockets were systematically eliminated, leading to the annihilation of the Japanese 6th Army. The defeat, coinciding with the Hitler-Stalin Pact, forced Japan to negotiate a ceasefire on September 15-16, redrawing borders. Zhukov's victory exposed Japanese weaknesses in mechanized warfare, influencing future strategies and deterring further northern expansion.   #192 The Soviet–Japanese Neutrality Pact Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Despite the fact this technically will go into future events, I thought it was important we talk about a key moment in Sino history. Even though the battle of changkufeng and khalkin gol were not part of the second sino-Japanese war, their outcomes certainly would affect it.  Policymaking by the Soviet Union alone was not the primary factor in ending Moscow's diplomatic isolation in the late 1930s. After the Munich Conference signaled the failure of the popular front/united front approach, Neville Chamberlain, Adolf Hitler, and Poland's Józef Beck unintentionally strengthened Joseph Stalin's position in early 1939. Once the strategic cards were in his hands, Stalin capitalized on them. His handling of negotiations with Britain and France, as well as with Germany, from April to August was deft and effective. The spring and summer negotiations among the European powers are well documented and have been examined from many angles. In May 1939, while Stalin seemed to have the upper hand in Europe, yet before Hitler had signaled that a German–Soviet agreement might be possible, the Nomonhan incident erupted, a conflict initiated and escalated by the Kwantung Army. For a few months, the prospect of a Soviet–Japanese war revived concerns in Moscow about a two-front conflict. Reviewing Soviet talks with Britain, France, and Germany in the spring and summer of 1939 from an East Asian perspective sheds fresh light on the events that led to the German–Soviet Nonaggression Pact and, more broadly, to the outbreak of World War II. The second week of May marked the start of fighting at Nomonhan, during which negotiations between Germany and the USSR barely advanced beyond mutual scrutiny. Moscow signaled that an understanding with Nazi Germany might be possible. Notably, on May 4, the removal of Maksim Litvinov as foreign commissar and his replacement by Vyacheslav Molotov suggested a shift in approach. Litvinov, an urbane diplomat of Jewish origin and married to an Englishwoman, had been the leading Soviet proponent of the united-front policy and a steadfast critic of Nazi Germany. If a settlement with Hitler was sought, Litvinov was an unsuitable figure to lead the effort. Molotov, though with limited international experience, carried weight as chairman of the Council of Ministers and, more importantly, as one of Stalin's closest lieutenants. This personnel change seemed to accomplish its aim in Berlin, where the press was instructed on May 5 to halt polemical attacks on the Soviet Union and Bolshevism. On the same day, Karl Schnurre, head of the German Foreign Ministry's East European trade section, told Soviet chargé d'affaires Georgi Astakhov that Skoda, the German-controlled Czech arms manufacturer, would honor existing arms contracts with Russia. Astakhov asked whether, with Litvinov's departure, Germany might resume negotiations for a trade treaty Berlin had halted months earlier. By May 17, during discussions with Schnurre, Astakhov asserted that "there were no conflicts in foreign policy between Germany and the Soviet Union and that there was no reason for enmity between the two countries," and that Britain and France's negotiations appeared unpromising. The next day, Ribbentrop personally instructed Schulenburg to green-light trade talks. Molotov, however, insisted that a "political basis" for economic negotiations had to be established first. Suspicion remained high on both sides. Stalin feared Berlin might use reports of German–Soviet talks to destabilize a potential triple alliance with Britain and France; Hitler feared Stalin might use such reports to entice Tokyo away from an anti-German pact. The attempt to form a tripartite military alliance among Germany, Italy, and Japan foundered over divergent aims: Berlin targeted Britain and France; Tokyo aimed at the Soviet Union. Yet talks persisted through August 1939, with Japanese efforts to draw Germany into an anti-Soviet alignment continually reported to Moscow by Richard Sorge. Hitler and Mussolini, frustrated by Japanese objections, first concluded the bilateral Pact of Steel on May 22. The next day, Hitler, addressing his generals, stressed the inevitability of war with Poland and warned that opposition from Britain would be crushed militarily. He then hinted that Russia might "prove disinterested in the destruction of Poland," suggesting closer ties with Japan if Moscow opposed Germany. The exchange was quickly leaked to the press. Five days later, the first pitched battle of the Nomonhan campaign began. Although Hitler's timing with the Yamagata detachment's foray was coincidental, Moscow may have found the coincidence ominous. Despite the inducement of Molotov's call for a political basis before economic talks, Hitler and Ribbentrop did not immediately respond. On June 14, Astakhov signaled to Parvan Draganov, Bulgaria's ambassador in Berlin, that the USSR faced three options: ally with Britain and France, continue inconclusive talks with them, or align with Germany, the latter being closest to Soviet desires. Draganov relayed to the German Foreign Ministry that Moscow preferred a non-aggression agreement if Germany would pledge not to attack the Soviet Union. Two days later, Schulenburg told Astakhov that Germany recognized the link between economic and political relations and was prepared for far-reaching talks, a view echoed by Ribbentrop. The situation remained tangled: the Soviets pursued overt talks with Britain and France, while Stalin sought to maximize Soviet leverage. Chamberlain's stance toward Moscow remained wary but recognized a "psychological value" to an Anglo–Soviet rapprochement, tempered by his insistence on a hard bargain. American ambassador William C. Bullitt urged London to avoid the appearance of pursuing the Soviets, a view that resonated with Chamberlain's own distrust. Public confidence in a real Anglo–Soviet alliance remained low. By July 19, cabinet minutes show Chamberlain could not quite believe a genuine Russia–Germany alliance was possible, though he recognized the necessity of negotiations with Moscow to deter Hitler and to mollify an increasingly skeptical British public. Despite reservations, both sides kept the talks alive. Stalin's own bargaining style, with swift Soviet replies but frequent questions and demands, often produced delays. Molotov pressed on questions such as whether Britain and France would pledge to defend the Baltic states, intervene if Japan attacked the USSR, or join in opposing Germany if Hitler pressured Poland or Romania. These considerations were not trivial; they produced extended deliberations. On July 23, Molotov demanded that plans for coordinated military action among the three powers be fleshed out before a political pact. Britain and France accepted most political terms, and an Anglo-French military mission arrived in Moscow on August 11. The British commander, Admiral Sir Reginald Plunket-Ernle-Erle-Drax, conducted staff talks but could not conclude a military agreement. The French counterpart, General Joseph Doumenc, could sign but not bind his government. By then, Hitler had set August 26 as the date for war with Poland. With that looming, Hitler pressed for Soviet neutrality, or closer cooperation. In July and August, secret German–Soviet negotiations favored the Germans, who pressed for a rapid settlement and made most concessions. Yet Stalin benefited from keeping the British and French engaged, creating leverage against Hitler and safeguarding a potential Anglo–Soviet option as a fallback. To lengthen the talks and avoid immediate resolution, Moscow emphasized the Polish issue. Voroshilov demanded the Red Army be allowed to operate through Polish territory to defend Poland, a demand Warsaw would never accept. Moscow even floated a provocative plan: if Britain and France could compel Poland to permit Baltic State naval operations, the Western fleets would occupy Baltic ports, an idea that would have been militarily perilous and diplomatically explosive. Despite this, Stalin sought an agreement with Germany. Through Richard Sorge's intelligence, Moscow knew Tokyo aimed to avoid large-scale war with the USSR, and Moscow pressed for a German–Soviet settlement, including a nonaggression pact and measures to influence Japan to ease Sino–Japanese tensions. On August 16, Ribbentrop instructed Schulenburg to urge Molotov and Stalin toward a nonaggression pact and to coordinate with Japan. Stalin signaled willingness, and August 23–24 saw the drafting of the pact and the collapse of the Soviet and Japanese resistance elsewhere. That night, in a memorandum of Ribbentrop's staff, seven topics were summarized, with Soviet–Japanese relations and Molotov's insistence that Berlin demonstrate good faith standing out. Ribbentrop reiterated his willingness to influence Japan for a more favorable Soviet–Japanese relationship, and Stalin's reply indicated a path toward a détente in the East alongside the European agreement: "M. Stalin replied that the Soviet Union indeed desired an improvement in its relations with Japan, but that there were limits to its patience with regard to Japanese provocations. If Japan desired war she could have it. The Soviet Union was not afraid of it and was prepared for it. If Japan desired peace—so much the better! M. Stalin considered the assistance of Germany in bringing about an improvement in Soviet-Japanese relations as useful, but he did not want the Japanese to get the impression that the initiative in this direction had been taken by the Soviet Union."  Second, the assertion that the Soviet Union was prepared for and unafraid of war with Japan is an overstatement, though Stalin certainly had grounds for optimism regarding the battlefield situation and the broader East Asian strategic balance. It is notable that, despite the USSR's immediate diplomatic and military gains against Japan, Stalin remained anxious to conceal from Tokyo any peace initiative that originated in Moscow. That stance suggests that Tokyo or Hsinking might read such openness as a sign of Soviet weakness or confidence overextended. The Japanese danger, it would seem, did not disappear from Stalin's mind. Even at the height of his diplomatic coup, Stalin was determined not to burn bridges prematurely. On August 21, while he urged Hitler to send Ribbentrop to Moscow, he did not sever talks with Britain and France. Voroshilov requested a temporary postponement on the grounds that Soviet delegation officers were needed for autumn maneuvers. It was not until August 25, after Britain reiterated its resolve to stand by Poland despite the German–Soviet pact, that Stalin sent the Anglo–French military mission home. Fortified by the nonaggression pact, which he hoped would deter Britain and France from action, Hitler unleashed his army on Poland on September 1. Two days later, as Zhukov's First Army Group was completing its operations at Nomonhan, Hitler faced a setback when Britain and France declared war. Hitler had hoped to finish Poland quickly in 1939 and avoid fighting Britain and France until 1940. World War II in Europe had begun. The Soviet–Japanese conflict at Nomonhan was not the sole, nor even the principal, factor prompting Stalin to conclude an alliance with Hitler. Standing aside from a European war that could fracture the major capitalist powers might have been reason enough. Yet the conflict with Japan in the East was also a factor in Stalin's calculations, a dimension that has received relatively little attention in standard accounts of the outbreak of the war. This East Asian focus seeks to clarify the record without proposing a revolutionary reinterpretation of Soviet foreign policy; rather, it adds an important piece often overlooked in the "origins of the Second World War" puzzle, helping to reduce the overall confusion. The German–Soviet agreement provided for the Soviet occupation of the eastern half of Poland soon after Germany's invasion. On September 3, just forty-eight hours after the invasion and on the day Britain and France declared war, Ribbentrop urged Moscow to invade Poland from the east. Yet, for two more weeks, Poland's eastern frontier remained inviolate; Soviet divisions waited at the border, as most Polish forces were engaged against Germany. The German inquiries about the timing of the Soviet invasion continued, but the Red Army did not move. This inactivity is often attributed to Stalin's caution and suspicion, but that caution extended beyond Europe. Throughout early September, sporadic ground and air combat continued at Nomonhan, including significant activity by Kwantung Army forces on September 8–9, and large-scale air engagements on September 1–2, 4–5, and 14–15. Not until September 15 was the Molotov–Togo cease-fire arrangement finalized, to take effect on September 16. The very next morning, September 17, the Red Army crossed the Polish frontier into a country collapsed at its feet. It appears that Stalin wanted to ensure that fighting on his eastern flank had concluded before engaging in Western battles, avoiding a two-front war. Through such policies, Stalin avoided the disaster of a two-front war. Each principal in the 1939 diplomatic maneuvering pursued distinct objectives. The British sought an arrangement with the USSR that would deter Hitler from attacking Poland and, if deterred, bind Moscow to the Anglo–French alliance. Hitler sought an alliance with the USSR to deter Britain and France from aiding Poland and, if they did aid Poland, to secure Soviet neutrality. Japan sought a military alliance with Germany against the USSR, or failing that, stronger Anti-Comintern ties. Stalin aimed for an outcome in which Germany would fight the Western democracies, leaving him freedom to operate in both the West and East; failing that, he sought military reassurance from Britain and France in case he had to confront Germany. Of the four, only Stalin achieved his primary objective. Hitler secured his secondary objective; the British and Japanese failed to realize theirs. Stalin won the diplomatic contest in 1939. Yet, as diplomats gave way to generals, the display of German military power in Poland and in Western Europe soon eclipsed Stalin's diplomatic triumph. By playing Germany against Britain and France, Stalin gained leverage and a potential fallback, but at the cost of unleashing a devastating European war. As with the aftermath of the Portsmouth Treaty in 1905, Russo-Japanese relations improved rapidly after hostilities ceased at Nomonhan. The Molotov–Togo agreement of September 15 and the local truces arranged around Nomonhan on September 19 were observed scrupulously by both sides. On October 27, the two nations settled another long-standing dispute by agreeing to mutual release of fishing boats detained on charges of illegal fishing in each other's territorial waters. On November 6, the USSR appointed Konstantin Smetanin as ambassador to Tokyo, replacing the previous fourteen-month tenure of a chargé d'affaires. Smetanin's first meeting with the new Japanese foreign minister, Nomura Kichisaburö, in November 1939 attracted broad, favorable coverage in the Japanese press. In a break with routine diplomatic practice, Nomura delivered a draft proposal for a new fisheries agreement and a memo outlining the functioning of the joint border commission to be established in the Nomonhan area before Smetanin presented his credentials. On December 31, an agreement finalizing Manchukuo's payment to the USSR for the sale of the Chinese Eastern Railway was reached, and the Soviet–Japanese Fisheries Convention was renewed for 1940. In due course, the boundary near Nomonhan was formally redefined. A November 1939 agreement between Molotov and Togo established a mixed border commission representing the four parties to the dispute. After protracted negotiations, the border commission completed its redemarcation on June 14, 1941, with new border markers erected in August 1941. The resulting boundary largely followed the Soviet–MPR position, lying ten to twelve miles east of the Halha River. With that, the Nomonhan incident was officially closed.  Kwantung Army and Red Army leaders alike sought to "teach a lesson" to their foe at Nomonhan. The refrain recurs in documents and memoirs from both sides, "we must teach them a lesson." The incident provided lessons for both sides, but not all were well learned. For the Red Army, the lessons of Nomonhan intertwined with the laurels of victory, gratifying but sometimes distracting. Georgy Zhukov grasped the experience of modern warfare that summer, gaining more than a raised profile: command experience, confidence, and a set of hallmarks he would employ later. He demonstrated the ability to grasp complex strategic problems quickly, decisive crisis leadership, meticulous attention to logistics and deception, patience in building superior strength before striking at the enemy's weakest point, and the coordination of massed artillery, tanks, mechanized infantry, and tactical air power in large-scale double envelopment. These capabilities informed his actions at Moscow, Stalingrad, Kursk, and ultimately Berlin. It is tempting to wonder how Zhukov might have fared in the crucial autumn and winter of 1941 without Nomonhan, or whether he would have been entrusted with the Moscow front in 1941 had he not distinguished himself at Nomonhan. Yet the Soviet High Command overlooked an important lesson. Despite Zhukov's successes with independent tank formations and mechanized infantry, the command misapplied Spanish Civil War-era experience by disbanding armored divisions and redistributing tanks to infantry units to serve as support. It was not until after Germany demonstrated tank warfare in 1940 that the Soviets began reconstituting armored divisions and corps, a process still incomplete when the 1941 invasion began. The Red Army's performance at Nomonhan went largely unseen in the West. Western intelligence and military establishments largely believed the Red Army was fundamentally rotten, a view reinforced by the battlefield's remoteness and by both sides' reluctance to publicize the defeat. The Polish crisis and the outbreak of war in Europe drew attention away from Nomonhan, and the later Finnish Winter War reinforced negative Western judgments of Soviet military capability. U.S. military attaché Raymond Faymonville observed that the Soviets, anticipating a quick victory over Finland, relied on hastily summoned reserves ill-suited for winter fighting—an assessment that led some to judge the Red Army by its performance at Nomonhan. Even in Washington, this view persisted; Hitler reportedly called the Red Army "a paralytic on crutches" after Finland and then ordered invasion planning in 1941. Defeat can be a stronger teacher than victory. Because Nomonhan was a limited war, Japan's defeat was likewise limited, and its impact on Tokyo did not immediately recalibrate Japanese assessments. Yet Nomonhan did force Japan to revise its estimation of Soviet strength: the Imperial Army abandoned its strategic Plan Eight-B and adopted a more defensive posture toward the Soviet Union. An official inquiry into the debacle, submitted November 29, 1939, recognized Soviet superiority in materiel and firepower and urged Japan to bolster its own capabilities. The Kwantung Army's leadership, chastened, returned to the frontier with a more realistic sense of capability, even as the Army Ministry and AGS failed to translate lessons into policy. The enduring tendency toward gekokujo, the dominance of local and mid-level officers over central authority, remained persistent, and Tokyo did not fully purge it after Nomonhan. The Kwantung Army's operatives who helped drive the Nomonhan episode resurfaced in key posts at Imperial General Headquarters, contributing to Japan's 1941 decision to go to war. The defeat of the Kwantung Army at Nomonhan, together with the Stalin–Hitler pact and the outbreak of war in Europe, triggered a reorientation of Japanese strategy and foreign policy. The new government, led by the politically inexperienced and cautious General Abe Nobuyuki, pursued a conservative foreign policy. Chiang Kai-shek's retreat to Chongqing left the Chinese war at a stalemate: the Japanese Expeditionary Army could still inflict defeats on Chinese nationalist forces, but it had no viable path to a decisive victory. China remained Japan's principal focus. Still, the option of cutting Soviet aid to China and of moving north into Outer Mongolia and Siberia was discredited in Tokyo by the August 1939 double defeat. Northward expansion never again regained its ascendancy, though it briefly resurfaced in mid-1941 after Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union. Germany's alliance with the USSR during Nomonhan was viewed by Tokyo as a betrayal, cooling German–Japanese relations. Japan also stepped back from its confrontation with Britain over Tientsin. Tokyo recognized that the European war represented a momentous development that could reshape East Asia, as World War I had reshaped it before. The short-lived Abe government (September–December 1939) and its successor under Admiral Yonai Mitsumasa (December 1939–July 1940) adopted a cautious wait-and-see attitude toward the European war. That stance shifted in the summer of 1940, however, after Germany's successes in the West. With Germany's conquest of France and the Low Countries and Britain's fight for survival, Tokyo reassessed the global balance of power. Less than a year after Zhukov had effectively blocked further Japanese expansion northward, Hitler's victories seemed to open a southern expansion path. The prospect of seizing the resource-rich colonies in Southeast Asia, Dutch, French, and British and, more importantly, resolving the China problem in Japan's favor, tempted many in Tokyo. If Western aid to Chiang Kai-shek, channeled through Hong Kong, French Indochina, and Burma could be cut off, some in Tokyo believed Chiang might abandon resistance. If not, Japan could launch new operations against Chiang from Indochina and Burma, effectively turning China's southern flank. To facilitate a southward advance, Japan sought closer alignment with Germany and the USSR. Foreign Minister Yosuke Matsuoka brought Japan into the Tripartite Pact with Germany and Italy, in the hope of neutralizing the United States, and concluded a neutrality pact with the Soviet Union to secure calm in the north. Because of the European military situation, only the United States could check Japan's southward expansion. President Franklin D. Roosevelt appeared determined to do so and confident that he could. If the Manchurian incident and the Stimson Doctrine strained U.S.–Japanese relations, and the China War and U.S. aid to Chiang Kai-shek deepened mutual resentment, it was Japan's decision to press south against French, British, and Dutch colonies, and Roosevelt's resolve to prevent such a move, that put the two nations on a collision course. The dust had barely settled on the Mongolian plains following the Nomonhan ceasefire when the ripples of that distant conflict began to reshape the broader theater of the Second Sino-Japanese War. The defeat at Nomonhan in August 1939, coupled with the shocking revelation of the German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact, delivered a profound strategic blow to Japan's imperial ambitions. No longer could Tokyo entertain serious notions of a "northern advance" into Soviet territory, a strategy that had long tantalized military planners as a means to secure resources and buffer against communism. Instead, the Kwantung Army's humiliation exposed glaring deficiencies in Japanese mechanized warfare, logistics, and intelligence, forcing a pivot southward. This reorientation not only cooled tensions with the Soviet Union but also allowed Japan to redirect its military focus toward the protracted stalemate in China. As we transition from the border clashes of the north to the heartland tensions in central China, it's essential to trace how these events propelled Japan toward the brink of a major offensive in Hunan Province, setting the stage for what would become a critical confrontation. In the immediate aftermath of Nomonhan, Japan's military high command grappled with the implications of their setback. The Kwantung Army, once a symbol of unchecked aggression, was compelled to adopt a defensive posture along the Manchurian-Soviet border. The ceasefire agreement, formalized on September 15-16, 1939, effectively neutralized the northern front, freeing up significant resources and manpower that had been tied down in the escalating border skirmishes. This was no small relief; the Nomonhan campaign had drained Japanese forces, with estimates of over 18,000 casualties and the near-total annihilation of the 23rd Division. The psychological impact was equally severe, shattering the myth of Japanese invincibility against a modern, mechanized opponent. Georgy Zhukov's masterful use of combined arms—tanks, artillery, and air power—highlighted Japan's vulnerabilities, prompting internal reviews that urged reforms in tank production, artillery doctrine, and supply chains. Yet, these lessons were slow to implement, and in the short term, the primary benefit was the opportunity to consolidate efforts elsewhere. For Japan, "elsewhere" meant China, where the war had devolved into a grinding attrition since the fall of Wuhan in October 1938. The capture of Wuhan, a major transportation hub and temporary capital of the Nationalist government under Chiang Kai-shek, had been hailed as a turning point. Japanese forces, under the command of General Shunroku Hata, had pushed deep into central China, aiming to decapitate Chinese resistance. However, Chiang's strategic retreat to Chongqing transformed the conflict into a war of endurance. Nationalist forces, bolstered by guerrilla tactics and international aid, harassed Japanese supply lines and prevented a decisive knockout blow. By mid-1939, Japan controlled vast swaths of eastern and northern China, including key cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Nanjing, but the cost was immense: stretched logistics, mounting casualties, and an inability to fully pacify occupied territories. The Nomonhan defeat exacerbated these issues by underscoring the limits of Japan's military overextension. With the northern threat abated, Tokyo's Army General Staff saw an opening to intensify operations in China, hoping to force Chiang to the negotiating table before global events further complicated the picture. The diplomatic fallout from Nomonhan and the Hitler-Stalin Pact further influenced this shift. Japan's betrayal by Germany, its nominal ally under the Anti-Comintern Pact—fostered distrust and isolation. Tokyo's flirtations with a full Axis alliance stalled, as the pact with Moscow revealed Hitler's willingness to prioritize European gains over Asian solidarity. This isolation prompted Japan to reassess its priorities, emphasizing self-reliance in China while eyeing opportunistic expansions elsewhere. Domestically, the Hiranuma cabinet collapsed in August 1939 amid the diplomatic shock, paving the way for the more cautious Abe Nobuyuki government. Abe's administration, though short-lived, signaled a temporary de-escalation in aggressive posturing, but the underlying imperative to resolve the "China Incident" persisted. Japanese strategists believed that capturing additional strategic points in central China could sever Chiang's lifelines, particularly the routes funneling aid from the Soviet Union and the West via Burma and Indochina. The seismic shifts triggered by Nomonhan compelled Japan to fundamentally readjust its China policy and war plans, marking a pivotal transition from overambitious northern dreams to a more focused, albeit desperate, campaign in the south. With the Kwantung Army's defeat fresh in mind, Tokyo's Imperial General Headquarters initiated a comprehensive strategic review in late August 1939. The once-dominant "Northern Advance" doctrine, which envisioned rapid conquests into Siberia for resources like oil and minerals, was officially shelved. In its place emerged a "Southern Advance" framework, prioritizing the consolidation of gains in China and potential expansions into Southeast Asia. This pivot was not merely tactical; it reflected a profound policy recalibration aimed at ending the quagmire in China, where two years of war had yielded territorial control but no decisive victory over Chiang Kai-shek's Nationalists. Central to this readjustment was a renewed emphasis on economic and military self-sufficiency. The Nomonhan debacle had exposed Japan's vulnerabilities in mechanized warfare, leading to urgent reforms in industrial production. Tank manufacturing was ramped up, with designs influenced by observed Soviet models, and artillery stockpiles were bolstered to match the firepower discrepancies seen on the Mongolian steppes. Logistically, the Army General Staff prioritized streamlining supply lines in China, recognizing that prolonged engagements demanded better resource allocation. Politically, the Abe Nobuyuki cabinet, installed in September 1939, adopted a "wait-and-see" approach toward Europe but aggressively pursued diplomatic maneuvers to isolate China. Efforts to negotiate with Wang Jingwei's puppet regime in Nanjing intensified, aiming to undermine Chiang's legitimacy and splinter Chinese resistance. Japan also pressured Vichy France for concessions in Indochina, seeking to choke off aid routes to Chongqing. War plans evolved accordingly, shifting from broad-front offensives to targeted strikes designed to disrupt Chinese command and supply networks. The China Expeditionary Army, under General Yasuji Okamura, was restructured to emphasize mobility and combined arms operations, drawing partial lessons from Zhukov's tactics. Intelligence operations were enhanced, with greater focus on infiltrating Nationalist strongholds in central provinces. By early September, plans coalesced around a major push into Hunan Province, a vital crossroads linking northern and southern China. Hunan's river systems and rail lines made it a linchpin for Chinese logistics, funneling men and materiel to the front lines. Japanese strategists identified key urban centers in the region as critical objectives, believing their capture could sever Chiang's western supply corridors and force a strategic retreat. This readjustment was not without internal friction. Hardliners in the military lamented the abandonment of northern ambitions, but the reality of Soviet strength—and the neutrality pacts that followed—left little room for debate. Economically, Japan ramped up exploitation of occupied Chinese territories, extracting coal, iron, and rice to fuel the war machine. Diplomatically, Tokyo sought to mend fences with the Soviets through the 1941 Neutrality Pact, ensuring northern security while eyes turned south. Yet, these changes brewed tension with the United States, whose embargoes on scrap metal and oil threatened to cripple Japan's ambitions. As autumn approached, the stage was set for a bold gambit in central China. Japanese divisions massed along the Yangtze River, poised to strike at the heart of Hunan's defenses. Intelligence reports hinted at Chinese preparations, with Xue Yue's forces fortifying positions around a major provincial hub. The air thickened with anticipation of a clash that could tip the balance in the interminable war—a test of Japan's revamped strategies against a resilient foe determined to hold the line. What unfolded would reveal whether Tokyo's post-Nomonhan pivot could deliver the breakthrough so desperately needed, or if it would merely prolong the bloody stalemate. 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 1939, the Nomonhan Incident saw Soviet forces under Georgy Zhukov decisively defeat Japan's Kwantung Army at Khalkin Gol, exposing Japanese weaknesses in mechanized warfare. This setback, coupled with the Hitler-Stalin Nonaggression Pact, shattered Japan's northern expansion plans and prompted a strategic pivot southward. Diplomatic maneuvers involving Stalin, Hitler, Britain, France, and Japan reshaped alliances, leading to the Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact in 1941. Japan refocused on China, intensifying operations in Hunan Province to isolate Chiang Kai-shek.   

God is the greatest designer, so it makes sense to look to his creation for inspiration and for yet another reason for us to join with creation and glorify God.

In today's FreightWaves Morning Minute, we look at the escalating geopolitical conflict that has sent crude oil prices surging to $110 a barrel, creating a major shock for small carriers and owner-operators. We also cover Mexico's sweeping cancellation of permits for 350 steel importers, and Senator Mark Kelly's push for the SHIPS for America Act to rebuild U.S. maritime dominance. ⁠Follow the FreightWaves NOW Podcast⁠ ⁠Other FreightWaves Shows⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Will Steel joins Resilience Unravelled and shares a business lesson from investing £50,000 in a shirt venture that failed after the designer overcharged and manipulated import paperwork, which Steele links to Keith Cunningham's idea that leadership failures stem from lack of courage.He introduces himself as a coach for business owners and entrepreneurs, helping them grow while reducing time spent working in the business, after a 27-year background leading transformational programs and a prior career as an Air Force and airline pilot.Steele distinguishes his ontological coaching from curriculum-based mentoring, illustrating with a client avoiding a pay conversation with his brother/employee. He discusses limiting beliefs and confirmation bias, gives a personal spelling example, and explains writing his book, Free To Lead, to support leadership programs in the Middle East—especially for women—framing leadership as speaking up in the moment. He notes the book's availability via Amazon and his website.00:00 Intros00:26 Shirt Business Betrayal00:59 Courage and Leadership Lesson02:32 Working With Creative Egos03:50 Meet Will Steele04:44 From Pilot to Transformation Work05:38 Pandemic Pivot to Coaching06:56 What Real Coaching Is08:00 Brother Employee Breakthrough09:53 Limiting Beliefs and Bias11:33 Spelling Story Mindset Shift13:06 Why He Wrote Free to Lead16:34 Leadership for Everyone18:24 Where to Get the Book19:33 Closing ThanksYou can contact us at info@qedod.comResources can be found online or link to our website https://resilienceunravelled.com

Week 10 of 2026 brings major geopolitical disruption to the global shipping and ship recycling markets as escalating conflict in the Middle East sends shockwaves through energy markets, trade routes, and demolition pricing across the Indian Subcontinent. Following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and rising regional instability, oil prices surged sharply above USD 110 per barrel, driving higher operating costs across global shipping. War risk premiums, vessel rerouting, and energy price volatility are beginning to influence ship recycling sentiment across key demolition destinations, including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Turkey. In this episode, Ingrid and Henning analyze how geopolitical tensions, fuel market volatility, steel price movements, and currency fluctuations are shaping buyer behavior and demolition pricing across the global ship recycling industry. Despite increasing uncertainty, the recycling markets remain disciplined, with buyers maintaining cautious bidding strategies and limited fresh tonnage entering the market. Key Market Developments This Week • Escalating Middle East conflict impacting global shipping routes and energy markets • Strait of Hormuz disruption driving sharp oil price increases • Rising vessel operating costs and insurance premiums • Bangladesh maintaining top demolition pricing position • India steel plate prices jumping nearly USD 28 per ton amid supply concerns • Pakistan maintaining competitive pricing with stable steel fundamentals • Turkey facing regulatory developments following EU yard certification changes • No reported demolition sales this week as buyers remain cautious Bangladesh continues to lead pricing levels across most vessel categories, while India shows improving steel fundamentals and Pakistan remains competitively positioned for regional tonnage. Turkey continues to trail pricing levels amid softer European scrap demand. The broader tone of the market remains cautious but stable. While geopolitical instability is creating short-term disruption across global shipping markets, longer-term implications may eventually influence vessel supply into the recycling sector. This episode provides strategic insights into demolition pricing trends, steel market movements, subcontinent recycling fundamentals, and the macroeconomic forces influencing ship recycling markets in 2026. For shipowners, brokers, cash buyers, recycling yards, and maritime investors, this weekly update provides essential intelligence on the evolving global ship recycling landscape.

New rock discoveries and classic 1976 hard rock collide on RadioBypass Episode 412.RadioBypass Episode 412 – New Rock from Black Swan, Crimson Glory, Wings Of Steel + 1976 Classics from Nazareth and ScorpionsRadioBypass Episode 412 is here with another round of Rock and Roll music that DESERVES to be heard.Every week RadioBypass is all about music discovery — helping rock fans find incredible new bands while still celebrating the legendary artists that built the foundation of rock and roll.This week's episode delivers brand new rock music from:Dazr, Black Swan, Crimson Glory, Kingsmash, The FA, SuckerTrap, Wild Society, Wings Of Steel, Scarhaven, Black Stone Cherry, Bad Marriage, and Big Band Of Boom.These artists represent everything that keeps rock music alive today — powerful vocals, huge riffs, and songs that deserve a place on every rock fan's radar.But RadioBypass also loves to celebrate the classics.For Episode 412 we go 50 years back to 1976, spotlighting two albums that helped shape hard rock history:NazarethScorpionsThese classic tracks remind us where the sound of modern rock came from while the new artists carry that spirit forward.Featured Playlist – RadioBypass Episode 412Nazareth – Somebody To RollScorpions – Virgin KillerDazr – Another LieBlack Swan – I'm ReadyCrimson Glory – Chasing The HydraKingsmash – The War Of The AngelsThe FA – Scarlet LetterSuckerTrap – Science Of MacabreWild Society – Forever 19Wings Of Steel – Lights Go OutScarhaven – DrownedBlack Stone Cherry – I'm FineBad Marriage – Match Made In HellBig Band Of Boom – Big Bad VoodooRadioBypass continues its mission of bringing listeners new rock music, hidden gems, and classic album moments every single week.If you're a fan of hard rock, melodic rock, classic rock, and the next generation of rock bands, this episode is packed with music you need to hear.Turn it up and discover the Rock and Roll that DESERVES to be heard.Listen to RadioBypass Episode 412 now and keep supporting independent and emerging rock artists.

Why Fire & Steel Is Coming to an EndThis episode marks the end of the Fire & Steel Podcast.What started nearlyfive years ago as a solo project, with Toby interviewing guests from across theworlds of blacksmithing, craft, and beyond, gradually evolved over time.Eventually Onur joined the show, and later Chris came on board as well,creating a three-person format that allowed the conversation to flow morenaturally and made it easier to keep episodes going even when one personcouldn't make it.The podcast changed shape a few times, as many long-running shows do. Like mostindependent podcasts, it was always something done alongside work, life, andeverything else, which sometimes made schedules difficult and episodes harderto keep consistent.About ten weeks ago weattempted a bit of a relaunch — aiming to make the show more structured andintentionally positive, with the goal of putting something constructive outinto the world rather than simply reacting to whatever was happening in the newscycle.But despite thatintention, the conversations often drifted back toward the same place:discussing the problems and negativity that seem to dominate so much of publicdiscourse.For Toby inparticular, that raised a bigger question about what the podcast wascontributing to the world. A big personal goal is to create things thatultimately honour God and bring something positive into people's lives. When itbecame clear that the podcast was continuing to lean toward discussing thenegative side of things, it started to feel like the right time to step awayrather than continue down that road.So after five years,this will be the final episode of Fire & Steel.Thank you to everyonewho has listened along the way — from all of us, and very much from mepersonally. Through the podcast I've had the chance to speak with so manyinteresting and thoughtful people, and I've been fortunate enough to turn manyof those conversations into genuine friendships. I'm incredibly grateful forthe kindness people have shown me over the years, the things people have donefor me, and the opportunities I've had to help others as well. While I can'tname everyone, it's been an absolute privilege to connect with so many peoplethrough this show, and I'll always be thankful for that.A huge thank you aswell to the Patreon supporters who backed the show and helped keep it going.Some of you have been supporting us for years, and we're incredibly gratefulfor that support. In particular, thank you to: Alex Greenaway, WorkingHands Podcast, Keith Colby (Knifematerial.at), Refined by James,KraftyMan Forge, Fingal, Mike Nigh, Tim Kingsford, Timfrom TurgWorks, AJ (Ajmal Inayat Khan Afridi), Donny Dulevich,Sharman Knives, Coppertop Customs, OnlyFans@BenCuttsKnifeworks, Triple-T Podcast, Brigham Kindell, NorthernIron Forge, Joey Atilano, Ginger – Team Onur, Bob Gore –Metalstorm Forge, Hobby Hawk Knives, and Bryan Hunt (Hidden RoseForge).Your support genuinelymeant a lot to us.And of course, aspecial thank you to Chris and Onur. Not just for being part of the podcast,but for their friendship as well.P.S. If you've already ordered shirts or stickerpacks, don't worry — they haven't been forgotten. We will still be having themprinted and posting them out. And if anyone would still like to grab one, youcan do so through the links over the next week. After that, we'll be closing itdown and that will be the final run.  Support us at Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/fireandsteelpodcast or buy our merch tshirts stickers  Find us athttps://www.instagram.com/fireandsteelpodcast/ https://www.instagram.com/murrillforge/          www.murrillforge.com Email info@murrillforge.co.uk Onur  https://www.instagram.com/diesineveryfilm/YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/user/DiesineveryfilmChris https://www.instagram.com/full_steam_designs/Youtubehttps://www.youtube.com/chrispowellfsd

This week we return to the post-coma Dead of early 1987 - this show took place on March 3, 1987 at the Kaiser Convention Center in Oakland. I happen to think the band, and Garcia, shows a real rebound here and hope you agree. The opening 'Quinn the Eskimo' is a perfect way to elevate the crowd's mood, and Jerry does a fine job on the vocals.. it flows into a nice 'Greatest Story Ever Told ' and Jerry again hits it with a fine 'Loser'. 'Minglewood and 'Tons of Steel' are both well performed, and Bobby does some nice jamming on a fine version of 'Cassidy'  The highlight of this set has to be fhe 'Mississippi Half-Step'. I think you'll agree that this one reaches a high note, and the set closing 'Promised Land' finishes things off with some great energy.     Grateful Dead Henry J. Kaiser Convention Center Oakland, CA 3/3/1987 - Tuesday One The Mighty Quinn (Quinn The Eskimo) [4:32]  Greatest Story Ever Told [3:59]  Loser [7:08]  New Minglewood Blues  [7:05]  Tons Of Steel [5:14]  Cassidy [6:10]  Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo [9:15] > The Promised Land [4:15] You can listen to this week's Deadpod here:  http://traffic.libsyn.com/deadshow/deadpod030626.mp3     thank you for your kind support..   ..."may the four winds blow you safely home.."   

Ben is Back with big news! Very exciting for him and you'll have to listen to find out what it is. We covered the weird news of bone smashing and where all those World War I ordinances end up. Follow Ben on IG:https://www.instagram.com/bensnure?igsh=OGZoaTgyaTg1cHhpFollow Flat Land Forge for updates:https://www.instagram.com/flatland_forge?igsh=MTlpZHRxeDFmc2t6YQ==Follow Full Blast on Instagram and join the party pal:https://www.instagram.com/thefullblastpodcast?igsh=Nm5jbmFqYXJ2eHJoIf you want to support Full Blast Support  Feder Knives - ( go buy a shirt )https://www.federknives.com/Go to CMA's website and check out the opportunities: https://centerformetalarts.org/Take a class: https://centerformetalarts.org/Follow CMA on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/centerformetalarts/?hl=enPlease subscribe, leave a review and tell your friends about the show. it helps me out a lot! Welcome aboard Phoenix Abrasives!Phoenixabrasives.com Phoenix abrasives supplies superior abrasive products for every application. Knifemaking, Metal fabrication, glass fab, floor sanding and Crankshaft! Belts, grinding and cutting discs, Flap Discs, surface conditioning FB10 at checkout gets 10% off your order at Check out.Welcome back! Nordic Edge:@nordic_edge on IG Nordicedge.com.auNordic Edge is about the joy of making something with your own hands. our one stop shop for tools, supplies and help when it comes to knife making, blacksmithing, leatherworking, spoon carving and other crafts where you get to take some time out for yourself and turn an idea into something tangible. Nordic Edge also holds hands-on workshops in the “lost arts” of blacksmithing, knife making and spoon carving. Come spend a day with us and go home with new skills and something you made with your own hands. They have the  guidance to help accelerate your creativity and the  Tools, products, supplies to help you manifest your ideas. NordicEdge.com.auThank you Baker Forge & Tool for your beautiful Steel. Go to Bakerforge.com to see all the incredible steels they offer. ‘FullBlast' gets you 10% off your order. CHECK OUT THE NEW ADDITIONS TO THE GATOR PISS LINE - GATOR PISS MAX & GATOR PISS HEAVYWelcome to our new Sponsor- EVENHEAT- Manufacturers of the best heat treating ovens available.  To find your next oven go to Evenheat-kiln.comFollow them on Instagram: Welcome aboard Texas Farrier Supply! For all your forging and knife making supplies go to www.texasfarriersupply.com   and get 10% off your order with PROMOCODE Knifetalk10Brodbeck Ironworks Makers of an Incredibly versatile grinder, with Many different attachmentsLeather sewing equipment and even abrasives Check out Brodbeck Ironworks for yourself:https://brodbeckironworks.com/“Knifetalk10” gets you 10% off Follow Brodbeck Ironworks on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/brodbeck_ironworks/Trojan Horse Forge Get your THF Stabile Rail knife finishing vise at https://www.trojanhorseforge.com/And when you use the promo code “FULLBLAST10 you get 10%off everything on the site.Follow them on instagram:https://www.instagram.com/trojan_horse_forge/ TotalBoatAdhesives, paints, primers and polishing compounds.Go to http://totalboat.com/FULLBLASTTo support the podcastG.L. Hansen & Sons On Instagramhttps://instagram.com/g.l._hansenandsons?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Gcarta.bigcartel.comG-Carta is unique composite of natural fibers and fabrics mixed with epoxy under pressure and heat Boofa, ripple cut, Tuxini, by Mikie, Mahi Mahi, Radio worm g-cartaPheasant by MikieColorama by MikieHoopla by MikeAmazing colors and razzle dazzle for your project. MARITIME KNIFE SUPPLIESMaritimeknifesupply.CAAll your knifemaking needs, belts abrasive, steals, kilns forges presses, heat treating ovens anvils and everything you need to get started or resupply. Including Dr. Thomas's book:“Knife Engineering”They're in Canada but ship to the US with ease and you can take advantage of the exchange rate The steel selection is always growing and Lawrence just got 3900 lbs. of steel in.10% off on abrasive belt packs of 10 get a hold of https://www.instagram.com/maritimeknifesupply/ and see what the fuss is about.Welcome Tormek as a sponsor to the show. Take your sharpening to a new level. I love these sharpening machines. Waterfed, easy to use. Jigs included. Definitely check out what they have to offer. If you need it sharpened, Tormek is definitely something for you:https://tormek.com/en/inspiration/woodworking--craftsVisit Tormek's website: https://tormek.com/enFollow Tormek on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tormek_sharpening/?hl=enFollow Tormek on TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@tormek_sharpening?lang=enGo look at the course curriculum at CMA:https://centerformetalarts.org/workshops/** Taking classes from some of the best in forging at one of the best facilities in the country is an excellent opportunity to propel yourself as a blacksmith. Not to be missed. And with housing on the campus it's a great way to get yourself to the next level. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Finally, Pedro Pascal is getting some work. We're watching The Fantastic Four: First Steps this time on Harmless Phosphorescence! Support the show and get early access and exclusive content at https://www.patreon.com/harmlessentertainment https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEDmdtUAW_pJYCJfaZV7Unw/live https://www.reddit.com/r/harmlessentertainment Buy some Merch! https://www.teepublic.com/stores/attention-hellmart-shoppers Check out Executive Producer Michael Beckwith's movie website at https://upallnightmovies.com/ Ranked: #67 RANKINGS 1 Endgame 2 Spider-Man No Way Home 3 Infinity War 4 Superman 2025 5 Logan 6 Deadpool & Wolverine 7 Captain America: Civil War 8 The Avengers 9 The Dark Knight 10 THE Suicide Squad 11 Thor Ragnarok 12 Guardians of the Galaxy vol 3 13 Black Panther 14 Iron Man 15 Captain America: The Winter Soldier 16 Guardians of the Galaxy vol 2 17 Guardians of the Galaxy 18 Batman Begins 19 Batman 89 20 Spider-Man 2 21 Spider-Man Homecoming 22 Spider-Man Far From Home 23 Black Panther: Wakanda Forever 24 Thunderbolts* 25 Thor: Love and Thunder 26 Deadpool 2 27 Deadpool 28 The Batman 29 Captain America: The First Avenger 30 Spider-Man 31 X-Men: Days of Future Past 32 Dr Strange in the Multiverse of Madness 33 Shang-Chi 34 Joker 35 Captain Marvel 36 Ant-Man 37 Blue Beetle 38 Black Widow 39 Ant-Man and the Wasp 40 Eternals 41 Avengers: The Age of Ultron 42 Birds Of Prey 43 Wonder Woman 1984 44 Wonder Woman 45 Iron Man 3 46 The Dark Knight Rises 47 Superman 1978 48 The Marvels 49 Dr Strange 50 Thor 51 Kick-Ass 52 X-Men First Class 53 Hellboy 54 X2 55 Darkman 56 Iron Man 2 57 Swamp Thing 58 Hellboy II: The Golden Army 59 Watchmen 60 X-Men 2000 61 Batman Returns 62 Blade 63 Defendor 64 Unbreakable 65 The Crow 66 Batman 66 67 The Fantastic Four: First Steps 68 Orgazmo 69 Superman II 70 Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania 71 Shazam! 72 Thor: The Dark World 73 The Wolverine 74 Superman Returns 75 Blade II 76 Mystery Men 77 Super 78 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 79 Venom: The Last Dance 80 Chronicle 81 Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance 82 Man of Steel 83 Venom: Let There Be Carnage 84 The Green Hornet 85 The Incredible Hulk 86 Sky High 87 The Mask 88 Constantine 89 The New Mutants 90 The Rocketeer 91 Superman III 92 Buffy the Vampire Slayer 93 The Return of Swamp Thing 94 The Flash 95 Shazam! Fury of the Gods 96 Superhero Movie 97 Blade Trinity 98 Batman V Superman: Dawn of justice 99 Venom 100 Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom 101 Captain America: Brave New World 102 Black Adam 103 Fantastic Four: The Rise of Silver Surfer 104 Hancock 105 Fantastic Four 106 Madame Web 107 Blankman 108 Supergirl 109 The Crow 2024 110 Hellboy 2019 111 Power Rangers 112 The Meteor Man 113 Justice League 114 X-Men Last Stand 115 Van Helsing 116 Spiderman 3 117 The Amazing Spider-Man 118 TMNT2 119 Superman and the Mole Men 120 Green Lantern 121 Ghost Rider 122 TMNT3 123 Hero At Large 124 Push 125 Jumper 126 Condorman 127 Howard The Duck 128 Aquaman 129 Punisher: War Zone 130 Toxic Avenger Part II 131 TMNT: OOTS 132 TMNT14 133 Hulk 134 Bloodshot 135 Daredevil 136 The Crow: City of Angels 137 The Punisher 04 138 The Punisher 89 139 Batman Forever 140 Kick Ass 2 141 Steel 142 Glass 143 The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen 144 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 145 X-Men: Apocalypse 146 Split 147 Suicide Squad 148 Brightburn 149 X-Men Origins: Wolverine 150 The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl 151 Sgt Kabukiman NYPD 152 The Phantom 153 Toxic Avenger 154 The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 155 The Shadow 156 The Toxic Avenger Part III 157 Spawn 158 Batman and Robin 159 Elektra 160 Morbius 161 My Super Ex-Girlfriend 162 Zoom 163 Underdog 164 Catwoman 165 The Spirit 166 Jonah Hex 167 Fant4stic 168 Max Steel 169 Superman IV: The Quest For Peace 170 Dark Phoenix 171 Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV 172 Fast Color 173 Joker Folie a deux 174 Kraven The Hunter 175 Archenemy 176 Son of the Mask 177 The Crow: Wicked Prayer 178 Super Capers 179 All Superheroes Must Die

Send a textThese are our "Steel Core Moments." Daily devotionals to the Power of Man Principles designed to help you start your day with the right attitude, the right mindset, and position yourself to live a more powerful life.  Tune in every day for these foundation building moments.  Believe it!Contact US:  Rumble/ YouTube/ IG: @powerofmanpodcastEmail: powerofmanpodcast@gmail.com.Twitter: @rorypaquetteSTART YOUR OWN MEN"S MOVEMENT!  WE need more men to LEAD!  Join us here to learn how!   https://www.facebook.com/groups/490821906341560/?ref=share_group_linkYou have VALUE!  You are WORTH IT!  BELIEVE IT!

This week on Men of Steel, Case and Jmike are joined by Jay McKiernan to explore the Legends of Dead Earth annual for Superman: The Man of Steel from 1996. Written by Kurt Busiek, this issue delivers a sweeping space opera full of big ideas, bold heroism, and some seriously strong artwork to match. Spoiler alert: we all love this one. Support us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/CertainPOVMedia Men of Steel Full Episode Originally aired: March 6, 2026 Edited by Sophia Ricciardi Scored by Gen Moonen Certain Point Of View is a podcast network brining you all sorts of nerdy goodness! From Star Wars role playing, to Disney day dreaming, to video game love, we've got the show for you! Learn more on our website: https://www.certainpov.com Join us on Discord: https://discord.gg/wcHHer4 PODCAST SHOWS: ▶ Men Of Steel - https://www.certainpov.com/men-of-steel​ FOLLOW US: ▶ Twitter: @certainpovmedia @menofsteelpod ▶ Instagram: @certainpovmedia  Notes   Story Overview and Setting The Legends of Dead Earth Superman Annual delivers a tight, space opera story set far in the future, featuring a new Superman analog named Caleb on the water planet Hydros (04:34). Caleb is introduced as a fisherman whose community is attacked by the Empire, triggering his journey with freedom fighters and discovery of his potential powers from absorbing stellar radiation. The story takes place substantially further in the future than the Legion of Superheroes, with hints suggesting several thousand years ahead, involving a cyclical rebirth of Superman-like figures. The setting and plot borrow heavily from classic sci-fi tropes, especially Star Wars, with Empire-like antagonists and clone troopers, making it easy for readers to engage with familiar themes while exploring a fresh character. Character and Costume Design Caleb's design and costume stand out as a major positive, combining classic Superman elements with a unique space barbarian aesthetic (09:52). The costume features a red belt breaking up the silhouette, inspired by Chris Prowse's Legion era designs, which help avoid the "columnar" look typical of Superman's outfit. The only notable design critique was the oversized bracers and a 90s-style hairdo, which some felt clashed with the otherwise sharp look. Caleb's character design matches his personality and setting, with long hair and a rugged vibe fitting the spacefaring, water-world environment, enhancing his appeal as a heroic figure. Plot Developments and Key Conflicts The narrative efficiently covers Caleb's rise and battles against the Empire, culminating in his confrontation with Lex Luthor the 60th (35:00). Caleb's powers develop over time, including space-time warping and remote sensing abilities, which provide a fresh take on traditional Superman powers adapted for a sci-fi setting. The Empire's force, led by a long-lived Lex Luthor using cloned armies and Kryptonian technology, creates a formidable adversary, deepening the story's stakes and enhancing the space opera feel. The story ends on an open note, with Caleb and his love interest Lang expecting a child on a remote planet named Solitude, leaving the final battle unresolved and inviting reader imagination. Creative Team and Storytelling Quality The story benefits from the involvement of veteran creators Kurt Busiek, Paul Ryan, and Joe Rubenstein, resulting in a well-crafted and engaging narrative (13:32). Busiek's experience shines through with a concise yet dense script that balances action, character development, and world-building without unnecessary filler. The art consistently supports the story's energy, with Paul Ryan's layouts and finishes providing clear, dynamic visuals that highlight the vast space battles and intimate character moments. The use of water metaphors and first-person narration by Caleb adds depth and a unique voice, enhancing the immersive quality of the story. Strategic and Thematic Insights The annual explores themes of legacy, cyclical rebirth, and moral responsibility in a far-future setting, positioning Caleb as both a fighter and a moral center (45:16). Caleb's ethical decision to protect a newly discovered Krypton-like world instead of exploiting it for military gain underscores his role as a leader with a strong moral compass. The story embraces the idea of multiple Superman-origin planets, enriching the DC Universe's multiverse concept and allowing fresh storytelling avenues. The Empire's conquest and use of cloned soldiers and stolen technology reflect classic villain archetypes, reinforcing the narrative's deliberate homage to space opera traditions while keeping the tone accessible. Audience Reception and Legacy Potential Hosts expressed high regard for this annual, considering it one of the best in the Legends of Dead Earth line due to its clear storytelling, strong art, and compelling character (49:10). The story's straightforward approach and well-paced plot make it highly recommended and enjoyable even for readers less familiar with extended Superman lore. Despite its quality, Caleb's story appears to be a one-off with no known follow-ups, though the hosts expressed hope that the character and concept could be expanded in future multiverse or alternate universe tales. The annual's blend of familiar sci-fi elements with a fresh Superman iteration creates potential for inspiring new stories that merge classic superhero themes with space opera drama.

North American Iron will be the United States' first domestic producer of merchant pig iron, says CEO Jim Bougalis. Bougalis spoke to Mining Stock Daily's Michael McCrae at PDAC 2026 convention in Toronto. North American Iron plans to enter the U.S. merchant pig iron market, which currently relies on imports. North American Iron, alongside its sister company Calumet Reclamation Company, intends to reclaim legacy iron ore from the Hill Annex Mine in Minnesota without initiating new mining operations. This material will be transported by rail to a proposed facility in Minot, North Dakota. The North Dakota plant is designed to use a Tenova hydrogen-based reactor to produce 2 million metric tonnes of pig iron annually. According to the company, this process is projected to reduce carbon emissions by 96% compared to conventional blast furnaces. North Dakota was selected as the processing site to utilize the region's natural gas resources and carbon sequestration capabilities. With permitting underway, the company is preparing for detailed engineering and construction, targeting production by 2029.

Our party makes plans with Captain Dormain. They also partake in a bit of rest and relaxation as they prepare for the next leg of their journey.If you want to contact us then send us an email at: thetavernoftales@gmail.comIf you want your review to be read on the show then leave us a five star review.

In this episode of the Explaining History Podcast, we turn our attention away from the Western Front and towards a often-neglected combatant of the First World War: the Austro-Hungarian Empire.When we think of military incompetence in the Great War, our minds typically turn to the Western Front—to Haig, to Passchendaele, to the "lions led by donkeys" thesis. But the Habsburg army, which fought the Russians and the Italians across vast and challenging theaters, offers an even starker case study in structural weakness and strategic fantasy.Drawing on Alexander Watson's superb *Ring of Steel*, we examine the multiple deficiencies that plagued the Dual Monarchy's forces in July 1914. The problems began with manpower. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was a patchwork of nations and ethnicities, and loyalty to the Habsburg crown varied dramatically. In the German-speaking west, draft evasion stood at just 3%. In the Czech lands, it rose to 6-7.3%. Among Hungarians—still nursing grievances from 1848—over a quarter ignored their summons. And in Galicia and the South Slav lands, where illiteracy was high and irredentist movements simmered, more than one third of men failed to present themselves for service. Many had simply emigrated to America.But the deficiencies went far deeper than manpower. The army was desperately short of modern artillery. Its divisions had fewer guns than their Russian counterparts, and two-thirds of those were obsolete—bronze-barrelled pieces without recoil mechanisms or protective shields. Ammunition stocks were around half those of other great powers. The logistical infrastructure—barracks, depots, railways—was wholly inadequate for the expansion war would require.Perhaps most fatally, the army's tactical doctrine was frozen in the nineteenth century. The Chief of Staff, Conrad von Hötzendorf, was regarded as a genius within the officer corps. His 1890 manual on tactics remained gospel a quarter of a century later. He believed that "energy, decisiveness and action" could overcome firepower, that infantry could win "even without support from other weapons" through "unbendable steadfastness of will." Foreign observers watching pre-war manoeuvres were appalled: officers standing upright behind firing lines, troops advancing in close formations, a complete obliviousness to terrain. The German military attaché's verdict was damning: mere cannon fodder.The Central Powers' war plan demanded the impossible of both Germany and Austria-Hungary. The Germans were asked to defeat France in six weeks. The Austro-Hungarians were asked to hold the Russian army while simultaneously invading Serbia. Neither task was remotely achievable with the forces and doctrine available.**Topics covered:**- The multi-ethnic challenge of Habsburg recruitment- Draft evasion rates across the empire- Emigration and the loss of potential soldiers- Material shortages: artillery, ammunition, infrastructure- Conrad's tactical doctrine and the cult of the offensive- Comparisons with Russian military incompetence- The gap between strategic ambition and operational realityExplaining History helps you understand the 20th Century through critical conversations and expert interviews. We connect the past to the present. If you enjoy the show, please subscribe and share.▸ Support the Show & Get Exclusive ContentBecome a Patron: patreon.com/explaininghistory▸ Join the Community & Continue the ConversationFacebook Group: facebook.com/groups/ExplainingHistoryPodcastSubstack: theexplaininghistorypodcast.substack.com▸ Read Articles & Go DeeperWebsite: explaininghistory.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

She built it. It worked. And then God asked her to let it go.In this episode, we sit down with Joleen Steel — minister, former music studio owner, and co-leader of Camping Stick Kids — to talk about what it really means to build something that grows God's Kingdom while also stretching your faith and your creative gifts. You'll learn how to create a purpose-filled brand without tying your identity to it, thinking bigger for the Kingdom without chasing fame, and trusting God when the next step feels larger than your comfort zone.If you've ever felt the tension between what's working… and what God may be asking you to build next, this conversation is for you.Learn more about Camping Stick Kids here - campingstickkids.orgTap to send us a text! Don't Build Your Creator Lifestyle Alone. Join the Community! In our 360 Creator Community, you get focused encouragement, guidance, and training on how to thrive as a God-centered creator. Joining gives you access to our app, workshops and community conversations, so you can stop being isolated and frustrated and start enjoying creative confidence! Join today!GodandGigs.com/membershipSupport the showPODCAST MERCHGet God and Gigs themed gear, clothing and accessories HERE! GOT VALUE FROM THIS PODCAST? If so, please share your: TIME: Send this episode to someone who you know would enjoy it TALENT: Email your art or music to add to our community to allen@godandgigs.com TREASURE: Tap HERE to help support God and Gigs with a donation! Want to be a guest on The God and Gigs Show? Send us a message on PodMatch, here!

Send a textOn this week's episode of The Book Fix, your hosts, Yajaira and Cheli are diving into Blood and Steel by Helen Scheuerer. This is a high stakes romantasy that blends brutal training arcs, forbidden ambition, and simmering tension that absolutely refuses to stay quiet. Our main character, Althea Zoltaire has a prophecy hanging over her head, so with her death foretold and only three years to make her mark, she's determined to become a warrior legend in a world where women aren't even allowed to touch a blade. When Althea fights her way into the elite guild sworn to protect the five kingdoms, the trials are merciless, the hazing is borderline deadly, and failure is not an option. But the real complication? Wilder Hawthorne, her gruff, unwilling warrior chaperone, whose presence turns every sparring match into something a little more dangerous than bruises and bloodshed. Join us as we discuss whether or not we would recommend this enemies to lovers romantasy! Support the showOur Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebookfix?utm_source=linktree_admin_sharebecome our Patron ♡ https://www.patreon.com/BookFixbuy us a book ♡ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thebookfixBusiness Inquiries: thebookfixpodcast@gmail.comfollow us on Tiktok! ♡ https://www.tiktok.com/@thebookfix

The Daily Quiz - Art and Literature Today's Questions: Question 1: In which book does 'Ali Baba' appear? Question 2: Which author wrote 'The Caves of Steel'? Question 3: Which book contains the character 'Seymour Glass'? Question 4: Which author wrote 'Heart of Darkness'? Question 5: Which author wrote 'Thunderball' and other James Bond novels? Question 6: What animal is Snowball in George Orwell's book Animal Farm? Question 7: In which book series does 'Sirius Black' appear? Question 8: Which author wrote 'The Diary of a Chambermaid'? This podcast is produced by Klassic Studios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last time we spoke about General Zhukov's armor offensives at Nomohan. Following heavy Japanese losses in May and June, General Georgy Zhukov arrives in June, reorganizes the Soviet 1st Army Group, and bolsters it with tanks, artillery, and reinforcements. The July offensive sees General Komatsubara's forces cross the Halha River undetected, achieving initial surprise. However, General Yasuoka's tank assault falters due to muddy terrain, inadequate infantry support, and superior Soviet firepower, resulting in heavy losses. Japanese doctrine emphasizing spiritual superiority clashes with material realities, undermining morale as intelligence underestimates Soviet strength. Zhukov learns key lessons in armored warfare, adapting tactics despite high casualties. Reinforcements pour in via massive truck convoys. Japanese night attacks and artillery duels fail, exposing logistical weaknesses. Internal command tensions, including gekokujo defiance, hinder responses. By August, Stalin, buoyed by European diplomacy and Sorge's intel, greenlights a major offensive. Zhukov employs deception for surprise. Warnings of Soviet buildup are ignored, setting the stage for a climactic encirclement on August 20.   #191 Zhukov Steel Ring of Fire at Nomohan Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. On the night of August 19–20, under cover of darkness, the bulk of the Soviet 1st Army Group crossed the Halha River into the expanded Soviet enclave on the east bank. Two weeks of nightly Soviet sound effects had paid off: Japanese perimeter troops failed to distinguish the real deployment from the frequently heard simulations. Zhukov's order of battle was as follows: "Northern force, commanded by Colonel Alekseenko—6th Mongolian Cavalry Division, 601st Infantry Regiment (82nd Division), 7th Armored Brigade, 2 battalions of the 11th Tank Brigade, 82nd Artillery Regiment, and 87th Anti-tank Brigade. Central force, where Zhukov was located, commanded by his deputy, Colonel Petrov—36th Motorized Infantry Division, 82nd Infantry Division (less one regiment), 5th Infantry Machine Gun Brigade. Southern force, commanded by Colonel Potapov—8th Mongolian Cavalry Division, 57th Infantry Division, 8th Armored Brigade, 6th Tank Brigade, 11th Tank Brigade (less two battalions), 185th Artillery Regiment, 37th Anti-tank Brigade, one independent tank company. A mobile strategic reserve built around the 212th Airborne Regiment, the 9th Mechanized Brigade, and a battalion of the 6th Tank Brigade was held west of the Halha River." The Soviet offensive was supported by massed artillery, a hallmark of Zhukov's operations in the war against Germany. In addition to nearly 300 antitank and rapid-fire guns, Zhukov deployed over 200 field and heavy artillery pieces on both sides of the Halha. Specific artillery batteries were assigned to provide supporting fire for each attacking infantry and armored unit at the battalion level and higher. In the early hours of August 20, the sky began to lighten over the semiarid plain, with the false promise of a quiet Sunday morning. The air was clear as the sun warmed the ground that had been chilled overnight. General Komatsubara's troops were in no special state of readiness when the first wave of more than 200 Soviet bombers crossed the Halha River at 5:45 a.m. and began pounding their positions. When the bombers withdrew, a thunderous artillery barrage began, continuing for 2 hours and 45 minutes. That was precisely the time needed for the bombers to refuel, rearm, and return for a second run over the Japanese positions. Finally, all the Soviet artillery unleashed an intensive 15-minute barrage at the forwardmost Japanese positions. Komatsubara's men huddled in their trenches under the heaviest bombardment to which they or any other Japanese force had ever been subjected. The devastation, both physical and psychological, was tremendous, especially in the forward positions. The shock and vibration of incoming bombs and artillery rounds also caused their radiotelegraph keys to chatter so uncontrollably that frontline troops could not communicate with the rear, compounding their confusion and helplessness. At 9:00 a.m., Soviet armor and infantry began to move out along the line while their cover fire continued. A dense morning fog near the river helped conceal their approach, bringing them in some sectors to within small-arms range before they were sighted by the enemy. The surprise and disarray on the Japanese side was so complete, and their communications so badly disrupted, that Japanese artillery did not begin firing in support of their frontline troops until about 10:15 a.m. By then, many forward positions were overrun. Japanese resistance stiffened at many points by midday, and fierce combat raged along the front, roughly 40 miles long. In the day's fighting, Colonel M. I. Potapov's southern force achieved the most striking success. The 8th MPR Cavalry Division routed the Manchukuoan cavalry holding Komatsubara's southern flank, and Potapov's armor and mechanized infantry bent the entire southern segment of the Japanese front inward by about 8 miles in a northwesterly direction. Zhukov's central force advanced only 500–1,500 yards in the face of furious resistance, but the frontal assault engaged the center of the Japanese line so heavily that Komatsubara could not reinforce his flanks. Two MPR cavalry regiments and supporting armor and mechanized infantry from Colonel Ilya Alekseenko's northern force easily overran two Manchukuoan cavalry units guarding the northern flank of the Japanese line, about 2 miles north of the Fui Heights. But the heights themselves formed a natural strong point, and Alekseenko's advance was halted at what became the northern anchor of the Japanese line. As the first phase of the Soviet offensive gathered momentum, General Ogisu, the 6th Army's new commander, assessed the situation. Still unaware of Zhukov's strength, he reassured KwAHQ that "the enemy intends to envelop us from our flanks, but his offensive effectiveness is weak… Our positions in other areas are being strengthened. Set your mind at ease." This optimistic report contributed to Kwantung Army's delay in reinforcing the 23rd Division. Some at KwAHQ suspected this might be another limited Soviet push, like Aug 7–8, that would soon end. Others worried it was a diversion prior to a larger offensive and were concerned but not alarmed about Komatsubara's position. On Aug 21–22, Potapov's southern force pierced the Japanese main defense line at several points, breaking the southern sector into segments that the attackers sealed off, encircled, and ground down. Soviet armor, mechanized infantry, and artillery moved swiftly and with deadly efficiency. Survivors described how each pocket of resistance experienced its own hellish period. After the Japanese heavy weapons in a pocket were neutralized, Soviet artillery and tanks gradually tightened the ring, firing at point-blank range over open sights. Flame-throwing tanks incinerated hastily constructed fortifications and underground shelters. Infantry mopped up with grenades, small arms, and bayonets. By the end of Aug 23, Potapov had dismembered the entire Japanese defensive position south of the Holsten River. Only one significant pocket of resistance remained. Meanwhile, Potapov's 8th Armored Brigade looped behind the Japanese, reaching southeast of Nomonhan, some 11 miles east of the river junction, on the boundary claimed by the MPR, and took up a blocking position there athwart the most likely line of retreat for Japanese units south of the Holsten. In those two days, the Japanese center yielded only a few yards, while the northern flank anchored at Fui Heights held firm. Air combat raged over the battlefield. Soviet air units provided tactical support for their armor and infantry, while Kwantung Army's 2nd Air Group strove to thwart that effort and hit the Soviet ground forces. Before Nomonhan, the Japanese air force had not faced a modern opponent. Japanese fliers had roamed largely unchallenged in Manchuria and China from 1931 to 1939. At Nomonhan, the Soviets enjoyed an advantage of roughly 2:1 in aircraft and pilots. This placed an increasingly heavy burden on Japanese air squadrons, which had to fly incessantly, often against heavy odds. Fatigue took its toll and losses mounted. Soviet and Japanese accounts give wildly different tallies of air victories and losses, but an official Japanese assessment after the battle stated, "Nomonhan brought out the bitter truths of the phenomenal rate at which war potential is sapped in the face of superior opposition." As with tank combat, the Soviet air superiority was qualitative as well as quantitative. In June–early July, the Soviet I-16 fighters did not fare well against the Japanese Type 97 fighter. However, in the lull before the August offensive, the Soviets introduced an improved I-16 with armor-plated fuselage and windshield, making it virtually impervious to the Type 97's light 7.7-mm guns. The Japanese countered by arming some planes with heavier 12.7-mm guns, which were somewhat more effective against the new I-16s. But the Soviet pilots discovered that the Type-97's unprotected fuel tank was an easy mark, and Japanese planes began to burn with horrendous regularity. On Aug 23, as Ribbentrop arrived in Moscow to seal the pact that would doom Poland and unleash war in Europe, the situation at Nomonhan was deemed serious enough by Kwantung Army to transfer the 7th Division to Hailar for support. Tsuji volunteered to fly to Nomonhan for a firsthand assessment. This move came too late, as Aug 23–24 proved the crucial phase of the battle. On Tue night, Aug 22, at Japanese 6th Army HQ, General Ogisu ordered a counterattack to push back the Soviet forces enveloping and crushing the Japanese southern flank. Komatsubara planned the counterattack in minute detail and entrusted its execution to his 71st and 72nd Regiments, led by General Kobayashi Koichi, and the 26th and 28th Regiments of the 7th Division, commanded by General Morita Norimasa. On paper this force looked like two infantry brigades. Only the 28th Regiment, however, was near full strength, though its troops were tired after marching about 25 miles to the front the day before. This regiment's peerless commander was Colonel Morita Toru (unrelated to General Morita). The chief kendo fencing master of the Imperial Army, Morita claimed to be invulnerable to bullets. The other three regiments were seriously understrength, partly due to combat attrition and partly because several of their battalions were deployed elsewhere on the front. The forces Kobayashi and Morita commanded that day totaled less than one regiment each. It was not until the night of Aug 23 that deployment and attack orders filtered down to the Japanese regiment, battalion, and company commanders. Due to insufficient truck transport and the trackless terrain, units were delayed reaching their assigned positions in the early morning of Aug 24, and some did not arrive at all. Two battalions of the 71st Regiment did not reach Kobayashi in time; his attack force that morning consisted of two battalions of the 72nd Regiment. Colonel Sumi's depleted 26th Regiment did not arrive in time, and General Morita's assault force consisted of two battalions of the 28th Regiment and a battalion-equivalent independent garrison unit newly arrived at the front. Because of these delays, the Japanese could not reconnoiter enemy positions adequately before the attack. What had been planned as a dawn assault would begin between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. in broad daylight. The light plane carrying Tsuji on the final leg of his flight from Hsinking-Hailar-Nomonhan was attacked by Soviet fighters and forced to land behind the 72nd Regiment's staging area. Tsuji managed to reach General Kobayashi's command post by truck and on foot, placing him closer to the fighting than he anticipated. Just before the counterattack began, a dense fog drifted across part of the battlefield, obscuring visibility and limiting artillery effectiveness. Using the fog to mask their movement, lead elements of the 72nd Regiment moved toward a distant stand of scrub pines. As they approached, the trees began to move away—the stand was a well-camouflaged Soviet tank force. The tanks then maneuvered to the south, jeopardizing further Japanese advance. As the fog cleared, the Japanese found themselves facing a much larger enemy force. A vastly heavier Soviet barrage answered their renewed artillery fire. Kobayashi and Morita discovered too late that their counterattack had walked into the teeth of far stronger Soviet forces. One account calls it "The Charge of Two Light Brigades."   Kobayashi's 72nd Regiment encountered the Soviet T-34, with its thick sloped armor and 76-mm gun—the most powerful tank in 1939. In addition, the improved Soviet BT-5/7 tanks, powered by diesel, were less prone to ignition. On gasoline-powered vehicles, the Soviets added wire netting over the ventilation grill and exhaust manifold, reducing the effectiveness of hand-thrown gasoline bombs. Japanese infantry regiments suffered near 50% casualties that day. Nearly every battalion and company commander was lost. Kobayashi was gravely wounded by a tank shell fragment and nearly trampled by fleeing troops. He survived the battle and the Pacific War but died in a Soviet POW camp in 1950. Morita's 28th Regiment fared little better. It was pinned down about 500 yards from the Soviet front lines by intense artillery. Unable to advance and not permitted to retreat, Morita's men dug into the loose sand and withstood the bombardment, but were cut to pieces. Shortly after sunset, the remnants were ordered to withdraw, but both regiments were shattered. Tsuji, a survivor, rejoined Komatsubara at his command post. Upon receiving combat reports from the 72nd and 28th Regiments, General Komatsubara "evinced deep anxiety." 6th Army chief of staff Major General Fujimoto Tetsukuma, at Komatsubara's command post, "appeared bewildered," and announced he was returning to headquarters, asking if Tsuji would accompany him. The major declined and later recalled that he and Komatsubara could barely conceal their astonishment at Fujimoto's abrupt departure at such a time. Meanwhile, at the northern end of the line, Colonel Alekseenko's force had been hammering at Fui Heights for 3 days without success. The position was held by about 800 defenders under Lieutenant Colonel Ioki Eiichiro, consisting of two infantry companies; one company each of cavalry, armored reconnaissance, and combat engineers; and three artillery batteries (37-mm and 75-mm guns). The defenders clung tenaciously to the strongpoint created by the heights and their bunkers, inflicting heavy losses on Alekseenko's force. The unexpectedly strong defense disrupted the timing of the entire Soviet offensive. By Aug 23, Zhukov was exasperated and losing patience with the pace in the north. Some of Zhukov's comrades recall a personable chief who played the accordion and urged singing during happier times. Under stress, his harshness and temper surfaced. Zhukov summoned Alekseenko to the telephone. When the northern commander expressed doubt about storming the heights immediately, Zhukov berated him, relieved him on the spot, and entrusted the attack to Alekseenko's chief of staff. After a few hours, Zhukov called again and, finding that the new commander was slow, fired him as well and sent a staff member to take charge. Accounts record that his tirades sometimes included the phrase "useless bag of shit," though others note harsher language was used toward generals who did not meet expectations. That night, reinforced by the 212th Airborne Regiment, heavier artillery, and a detachment of flame-throwing tanks, the northern force renewed its assault on Fui Heights. The battered Japanese defenders were thoroughly overmatched. Soviet artillery fired at two rounds per second. When the last Japanese artillery was knocked out, they no longer could defend against flame-throwing tanks. From several miles away, Colonel Sumi could see the heights shrouded in black smoke and red flames "spitting like the tongues of snakes."  After Aug 22, supply trucks could no longer reach Fui Heights. The next afternoon, Colonel Ioki's radio—the last link to the 23rd Division—was destroyed. His surviving men fought on with small arms and grenades, repelling Soviet infantry with bayonet charges that night. By the morning of Aug 24, Ioki had about 200 able-bodied men left of his original 800. Soviet tanks and infantry had penetrated defenses at several points, forcing him to constrict his perimeter. Red flags flew on the eastern edge of the heights. Ioki gathered his remaining officers to discuss last measures. With little ammunition and almost no food or water, their situation seemed hopeless. But Ioki insisted on holding Fui Heights to the last man, arguing that the defense should not be abandoned and that orders to break out should come only with reinforcements and supplies. Some subordinates urged retreat. Faced with two dire options, Ioki drew his pistol and attempted suicide, but a fellow officer restrained him. Rather than see his men blown to bits, Ioki decided to abandon Fui Heights and retreat east. Those unable to walk received hand grenades with the injunction to blow themselves up rather than be captured. On the night of Aug 24–25, after moonrise, the remaining resistance at the heights was quelled, and Soviet attention shifted south. Ioki's battered remnant slipped out and, the next morning, encountered a Manchukuoan cavalry patrol that summoned trucks to take them to Chaingchunmiao, forty miles away. Russians occupying Fui Heights on Aug 25 counted the corpses of over 600 Japanese officers and men. After securing Fui Heights, the Soviet northern force began to roll up the Japanese northern flank in a wide arc toward Nomonhan. A day after the fall of Fui Heights, elements of the northern force's 11th Tank Brigade linked up with the southern force's 8th Armored Brigade near Nomonhan. A steel ring had been forged around the Japanese 6th Army. As the Japanese northern and southern flanks dissolved under Zhukov's relentless assaults, Komatsubara's command ceased to exist as an integrated force. By Aug 25 the Japanese lines were completely cut, with resistance remaining only in three encircled pockets. The remnants of two battalions of General Morita's "brigade" attempted a renewed offensive on Aug 25, advancing about 150 yards before being hammered by Soviet artillery and tanks, suffering heavier casualties than the day before. The only hope for the surrounded Japanese troops lay in a relief force breaking through the Soviet encirclement from the outside. However, Kwantung Army was spread thin in Manchuria and, due to a truck shortage, could not transport the 7th Division from Hailar to the combat zone in time. By Aug 26 the encirclement had thickened, with three main pockets tightly invested, making a large-scale breakout nearly impossible. Potapov unleashed a two-pronged assault with his 6th Tank Brigade and 80th Infantry Regiment. Japanese artillery from the 28th Regiment temporarily checked the left wing of the armored attack, but the Soviet right wing overran elements of Sumi's 26th Regiment, forcing the Japanese to retreat into a tighter enclave. Morita, the fencing-master commander who claimed to be immune to bullets, was killed by machine-gun fire while standing atop a trench encouraging his men. The Japanese 120-mm howitzers overheated under the August sun; their breech mechanisms swelled and refused to eject spent casings. Gunners had to leap from behind shelter to ram wooden rods down the barrels, drastically reducing rate of fire and life expectancy. Komatsubara's artillery units suffered a bitter fate. Most were deployed well behind the front lines with their guns facing west toward the Halha. As the offensive developed, attackers often struck the batteries from the east, behind them. Even when crews could turn some guns to face east, they had not preregistered fields of fire there and were not very effective. Supporting infantry had already been drawn off for counterattacks and perimeter defense. One by one, Japanese batteries were smashed by Soviet artillery and tanks. Crews were expected to defend their guns to the last man; the guns themselves were treated as the unit's soul, to be destroyed if captured. In extremis, crews were to destroy sensitive parts like optics. Few survived. Among those who did was a PFC from an annihilated howitzer unit, ordered to drive one of the few surviving vehicles, a Dodge sedan loaded with seriously wounded men, eastward to safety during the night. Near a Holsten River bridge he encountered Soviet sentries. The driver hesitated, then honked his horn, and the guards saluted as the sedan sped past. With water supplies exhausted and unable to reach the Halha or Holsten Rivers, the commander of the easternmost enclave ordered his men to drain radiator water from their vehicles. Drinking the foul liquid, at the cost of immobilizing their remaining transport, signaled that the defenders believed their situation was hopeless. On Aug 27 the rest of the Japanese 7th Division, two fresh infantry regiments, an artillery regiment, and support units totaling barely 5,000 men—reached the northeastern segment of the ring around Komatsubara. One day of hard fighting revealed they lacked the strength to break the encirclement. General Ogisu ordered the 7th Division to pull back and redeploy near his own 6th Army headquarters, about 4 miles east of Nomonhan and the border claimed by the enemy. There would be no outside relief for Komatsubara's forces. Throughout Aug 27–28, Soviet aircraft, artillery, armor, and infantry pounded the three Japanese pockets, compressing them into ever-smaller pockets and grinding them down. The surrounded Japanese fought fiercely and inflicted heavy casualties, but the outcome was inevitable. After the remaining Japanese artillery batteries were silenced, Soviet tanks ruled the battlefield. One by one, major pockets were overrun. Some smaller groups managed to slip through Soviet lines and reach safety east of the border claimed by the MPR, where they were left unmolested by the Red Army. Elements of Potapov's 57th and 82nd Divisions eliminated the last remnants of resistance south of the Holsten by the evening of Aug 27. North of the Holsten, during the night of Aug 28–29, a group of about 400 Japanese tried to slip east through the Soviet lines along the riverbank. They were spotted by the 293rd Regiment (57th Division), which struck them. The fleeing Japanese refused to surrender and were wiped out attempting to recross the Holsten.   Japanese soldiers' refusal to surrender is well documented. Surrender was considered dishonorable; the Army Field Manual was silent on surrender. For officers, death was not merely preferable to surrender; it was expected, and in some cases required. The penal code (1908, not revised until 1942) stated that surrender was dereliction of duty; if a commander did his best to resist, imprisonment could follow; if not, death. Stemming from Bushido, regimental colors were treated as sacred. On the afternoon of Aug 28, with much of his 64th Regiment destroyed, Colonel Yamagata saw no alternative but to burn the regimental colors and then commit suicide. Part of the flagpole had been shattered; the chrysanthemum crest damaged. Yamagata, Colonel Ise (artillery regimental commander), an infantry captain, a medical lieutenant, and a foot soldier—the last survivors of the headquarters unit—faced east, shouted "banzai" for the emperor, drenched the pennant in gasoline, and lit it. Yamagata, Ise, and the captain then shot themselves. The flag and crest were not entirely consumed, and the unburned remnants were buried beneath Yamagata's unmarked body. The medical officer and the soldier escaped and reported these rites to 6th Army HQ, where the deaths of the two colonels were mourned, but there was concern over whether the regimental colors had been entirely destroyed. On Aug 29, Lieutenant Colonel Higashi Muneharu, who had taken command of the 71st Regiment, faced the same dilemma. The regimental standard was broken into four pieces and, with the flag and chrysanthemum crest, drenched with fuel and set on fire. The fire kept going out, and the tassels were especially hard to burn. It took 45 minutes to finish the job, all under enemy fire. Afterward, Higashi urged all able to join him in a suicide charge, and the severely wounded to "kill themselves bravely when the enemy approached." Soviet machine-gun fire and grenades felled Higashi and his followers within moments. When it became clear on Aug 29 that all hope was lost, Komatsubara resolved to share the fate of his 23rd Division. He prepared to commit suicide, entrusted his will to his aide, removed his epaulets, and burned his code books. General Ogisu ordered Komatsubara to save himself and lead as many of his men as possible out of the encirclement. Shortly before midnight on Aug 30, the bulk of the Soviet armor briefly pulled back to refuel and resupply. Some of the Soviet infantry also pulled back. Komatsubara and about 400 survivors of his command used the opportunity to slip through the Soviet lines, guiding wounded by starlight to safety at Chiangchunmiao on the morning of Aug 31. Tsuji was among the survivors. In transit, Komatsubara was so distraught he needed to be restrained from taking his own life. A fellow officer took his pistol, and two sturdy corporals helped to support him, preventing him from drawing his sword. On August 31, Zhukov declared the disputed territory between the Halha River and the boundary line through Nomonhan cleared of enemy troops. The Sixth Army had been annihilated, with between 18,000 and 23,000 men killed or wounded from May to September (not counting Manchukuoan losses). The casualty rate in Komatsubara's 23rd Division reached 76%, and Sumi's 26th Regiment (7th Division) suffered 91% casualties. Kwantung Army lost many of its tanks and heavy guns and nearly 150 aircraft. It was the worst military defeat in modern Japanese history up to that time. Soviet claims later put total Japanese casualties at over 50,000, though this figure is widely regarded as inflated. For years, Soviet-MPR authorities claimed 9,284 casualties, surely an underestimate. A detailed unit-by-unit accounting published in Moscow in 2002 put Soviet losses at 25,655 (9,703 killed, 15,952 wounded), plus 556 MPR casualties. While Soviet casualties may have exceeded Japanese losses, this reflects the fierceness of Japanese defense and questions Zhukov's expenditutre of blood. There was no denying, however, that the Red Army demonstrated substantial strength and that Kwantung Army suffered a serious defeat. Knowledgeable Japanese and Soviet sources agree that given the annihilation of Komatsubara's forces and the dominance of Soviet air power, if Zhukov had pressed beyond Nomonhan toward Hailar, local Japanese forces would have fallen into chaos, Hailar would have fallen, and western Manchuria would have been gravely threatened. But while that might have been militarily possible, Moscow did not intend it. Zhukov's First Army Group halted at the boundary line claimed by the MPR. A Japanese military historian notes that "Kwantung Army completely lost its head." KwAHQ was enraged by the battlefield developments. Beyond the mauling of the Sixth Army at Nomonhan, there was anxiety over regimental colors. It was feared that Colonel Yamagata might not have had time to destroy the imperial crest of the 64th Regiment's colors, which could have fallen into Soviet hands. Thousands of dead and wounded littered the field. To preserve "face" and regain leverage, a swift, decisive counterstroke was deemed necessary. At Hsinking, they decided on an all-out war against the USSR. They planned to throw the 7th, 2nd, 4th, and 8th Divisions into the Sixth Army, along with all heavy artillery in Manchukuo, to crush the enemy. Acknowledging shortages in armor, artillery, and air power, they drafted a plan for a series of successive night offenses beginning on September 10. This was viewed as ill-advised for several reasons: September 10 was an unrealistic target given Kwantung Army's limited logistical capacity; it was unclear what the Red Army would be doing by day, given its superiority in tanks, artillery, and air power; autumn would bring extreme cold that could immobilize forces; and Germany's alliance with the Soviet Union isolated Japan diplomatically. These factors were known at KwAHQ, yet the plan proceeded. Kwantung Army notified AGS to "utilize the winter months well," aiming to mobilize the entire Japanese Army for a decisive spring confrontation. However, the Nomonhan defeat coincided with the Hitler-Stalin pact's diplomatic fallout. The push for close military cooperation with Germany against the Soviet Union was discredited in a single week. Defeated and abandoned by Hitler, pro-German, anti-Soviet policy advocates in Tokyo were furious. Premier Hiranuma Kiichiro's government resigned on August 28. In response, more cautious voices in Tokyo asserted control. General Nakajima, deputy chief of AGS, went to Hsinking with Imperial Order 343, directing Kwantung Army to hold near the disputed frontier with "minimal strength" to enable a quick end to hostilities and a diplomatic settlement. But at KwAHQ, the staff pressed their case, and Nakajima eventually approved a general offensive to begin on September 10. The mood at KwAHQ was ebullient. Upon returning to Tokyo, Nakajima was sternly rebuked and ordered to stand down. General Ueda appealed to higher authority, requesting permission to clear the battlefield and recover the bodies of fallen soldiers. He was denied and later relieved of command on September 6. A reshuffle followed at KwAHQ, with several senior officers reassigned. The Japanese Foreign Ministry directed Ambassador Togo Shigenori to negotiate a settlement in Moscow. The Molotov-Togo agreement was reached on September 15–16, establishing a temporary frontier and a commission to redemarcate the boundary. The local cease-fire arrangements were formalized on September 18–19, and both sides agreed to exchange prisoners and corpses. In the aftermath, Kwantung Army leadership and the Red Army leadership maintained tight control over communications about the conflict. News of the defeat spread through Manchuria and Japan, but the scale of the battle was not fully suppressed. The Kwantung Army's reputation suffered further from subsequent punishments of officers deemed to have mishandled the Nomonhan engagement. Several officers were compelled to retire or commit suicide under pressure, and Ioki's fate became a particular symbol of the army's dishonor and the heavy costs of the campaign. 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 August 1939, Soviet General Georgy Zhukov launched a decisive offensive against Japanese forces at Nomonhan. Under cover of darkness, Soviet troops crossed the Halha River, unleashing massive air and artillery barrages on August 20. Fierce fighting ensued, with failed Japanese counterattacks, the fall of Fui Heights, and annihilation of encircled pockets by Soviet tanks and infantry. 

The road to the outpost doesn't stay quiet for long.As the party breaks camp and pushes through the frozen woods, the echoes of Norvale still linger—howls in the distance, memories that refuse to fade. Hours into their journey, screaming cuts through the trees, pulling them off the road and straight into danger.

In 2018, Chinese director Zhang Yimou (Hero, House of Flying Daggers) returned once again to the wuxia genre with the Shadow, a tale of court intrigue, starring Chao Deng, Li Sun, and Ryan Zheng, about a double forced to play the part of a commander in order to retake lost territory from a rival nation.  Tune in for the full review! Timestamps: [00:00] Intro + The Heroic Trio, Onward Towards Our Noble Deaths, Yan, Steel of the Celestial Shadows, Ashita no Joe, Dynasty Warriors Origins [37:45] Review: Shadow (2018)

Week 09 of 2026 shows a ship recycling market operating cautiously as steel price weakness, currency volatility, and macro uncertainty continue to influence buyer behavior across the Indian Subcontinent. Even without excessive vessel supply, demolition prices have struggled to move higher. Recyclers in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan are maintaining strict pricing discipline as local steel fundamentals remain soft and exchange rate movements increase transactional risk. In this episode, Grace and Ryan examine the core drivers shaping the global ship recycling market, including geopolitical developments, oil price movement, steel plate trends, freight sentiment, and subcontinent currency performance. Key market developments this week: Continued macro uncertainty affecting commodity and currency stability Steel price softness limiting upward movement in demolition offers Bangladesh maintaining the top position in demo pricing levels India remaining competitive but measured in its bidding approach Pakistan constrained by financial and structural economic pressures Turkey offering conservative levels aligned with European scrap markets Freight earnings preventing an immediate surge of recycling candidates Bangladesh continues to lead pricing across most vessel categories. India follows closely but remains selective, particularly on HKC compliant tonnage. Pakistan's pricing reflects ongoing banking and liquidity constraints. Turkey remains at the lower end of the pricing spectrum due to softer imported scrap fundamentals. The broader tone of the market is cautious rather than reactive. Buyers are active, but they are protecting margins. Steel direction remains the primary anchor for pricing decisions, and until stronger support develops, recyclers are unlikely to stretch significantly. This episode provides practical insight into demolition pricing trends, subcontinent steel movements, and market positioning for shipowners, cash buyers, brokers, recycling yards, maritime investors, and shipping professionals navigating 2026 conditions. For those involved in vessel recycling and ship demolition markets, this weekly update offers clear perspective on pricing leadership and the factors to monitor in the weeks ahead.

Andy Ziccarelli traded private practice for academia and has quickly become a prominent figure in studying steel members' behavior at extreme limit states.

Ben Maller talks about the Pittsburgh Steelers ranking dead last in NFLPA report cards, if there is a correlation between NFL player amenities and results on the field, the legal options the owners have to fight the NFLPA on this report card fiasco, and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Presenting... The Steam Rollers Adventure Podcast,     Season 4: "The Curse of the Glass Witch"   Episode 314, Chapter 33 "The Inspector Arrives" EARLY RELEASE (Patreon): 3 weeks ago! PUBLIC RELEASE: Friday, Feb 27th Show Notes for the Episode... Robbie is left in charge while the Storycrafter is in the hospital. Boris, of course, has issues with it. With all that's going on in Halo, what with Wharlock Lord Handon Moss having arrived with Dominique Fessler, things can only get more bizarre with Inspector Nigel Wintermann's arrival aboard a "borrowed" airship. Production... Executive Producer:            George Pecenica Producer:            Sholom West Patreon Sponsor:             Irritating Fog Cast...Storycrafter - Mike Rigg           Robbie, Boris, Nissa, and Ben - Themselves     George Pecenica as Percy Alexander     Ray Volk as Martin Barnett     Jenn Avril as Connie Ross     Rupert Faullhurst as Nigel Osbert Wintermann     Dave Murtagh as Oliver Glass     and introducing Robin as Holly the Faerie Witch and Blake Azur as Jasper Remington Hey, Spotify... Look! Music credits for creative commons licenses! Music Credits...          "Undaunted," "Almost New," "Dark Standoff," "Dark Times," "Division," "Evening of Chaos," "Hitman," Long Note One," String Impromptu Number 1," and "To the Ends" by Kevin MacLeod (Incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ . Additional music: "The Steam Rollers Adventure Podcast Theme" performed by Floof , "A Throne of Brass and Steel" and "Mayden's Theme" by RST Musek (* Floof is a fictional band. Find out more by following Whiskey Tango Furball on YouTube @WTFurball. RST Musek lyrics written by Michael J Rigg, music generated using SUNO.)

The gang is back together for another movie review in the "No So Super" super hero movie reviews. This week, the boys really tortured themselves with 1997's Steel starring Shaquille O'Neal. Support the showCatch new episodes of the Where to Stick It Podcast every Tuesday and Thursday. If you like the show, please consider supporting us on Patreon where we upload exclusive content each month for only $3 a month.

Send a textThese are our "Steel Core Moments." Daily devotionals to the Power of Man Principles designed to help you start your day with the right attitude, the right mindset, and position yourself to live a more powerful life.  Tune in every day for these foundation building moments.  Believe it!Contact US:  Rumble/ YouTube/ IG: @powerofmanpodcastEmail: powerofmanpodcast@gmail.com.Twitter: @rorypaquetteSTART YOUR OWN MEN"S MOVEMENT!  WE need more men to LEAD!  Join us here to learn how!   https://www.facebook.com/groups/490821906341560/?ref=share_group_linkYou have VALUE!  You are WORTH IT!  BELIEVE IT!

In honor of our “Steel” anniversary, we share some of our favorite suggestions, insights, hacks, and highlights from the previous year. Resources & links related to this episode: Get in touch: podcast@gretchenrubin.com Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details page in the Apple Podcasts app. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Time to Get Up with what the actual heck happened at the end of Laker game last night! We'll tell you why THIS was an example of a fatal flaw for the Lakers!!! (0:00) Then - the plot thickening - Aaron Rodgers may have his choice of Pittsburgh or Minnesota - why one of those makes much more sense than the other! (8:30) Meanwhile - more burning questions coming out of the combine. Kyler on the move? How can the Bills help Josh Allen? (14:40) And - fly AJ fly - why the most dangerous of the birds is one the verge of fleeing the nest - we'll tell you where he could be headed next! (23:00) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Charles Steele reflects on "more than two decades in private equity, banking," combined with "public service roles, including advising Tony Blair," and how these experiences led him to a late but powerful discovery: "the best way to really find purpose in life is to be creative, to make stuff." He explains that "the things I'm writing about now I am only able to write about because of what I spent the last two decades doing," and how this realization became a turning point. He describes how stepping outside traditional career paths creates "periods where you have perspective," and how "follow your curiosity" eventually brought him back to the ideas that mattered in his youth. He shares that "in the last five years, I feel like I've become a student again" and that this shift awakened a deeper understanding of work, mission, and meaning. Charles discusses the discipline behind creative work: "writing is not writing. Writing is rewriting," and how the creative act is "one of making mistakes, learning from them, getting better." He also explains the importance of reframing difficulty, saying, "if it was an easy thing to do, then everyone would do it," and why maintaining "a sense of humor" matters when navigating the inevitable "peaks and troughs." Turning to Elon Musk, Charles argues that Musk is "far more different than most people would imagine." He explains that Musk always says, "when I talk you don't need to read between the lines, just read the lines," and that understanding him requires stepping outside our assumptions: "you have to step out of your shoes and step into his shoes." Charles outlines Musk's worldview, guided by what Musk calls "a philosophy of curiosity." Musk believes "the universe is the answer," and that progress comes from learning to "ask better questions" so we can "increase our consciousness" as a civilization. Charles describes how Musk's companies, from Tesla to SpaceX to XAI, are designed as "civilizationally positive" efforts to "increase the scope and scale of consciousness." He explains Musk's use of first-principles thinking: "you need every time to go back to look at your assumptions," then "make a conjecture" and "try and prove that your theory is wrong." This mindset also shapes how Musk builds organizations: through mission, product obsession, and "the rate of innovation," a culture in which people "work extremely hard" because they believe deeply in the purpose. Charles closes by stressing the importance of alignment and risk-taking: that leaders must understand "your risk tolerance," think in "a range of different outcomes," and recognize that this discipline "really helps you to think about how much risk you're willing to take on for what return." Get Charles' book, The Curious Mind of Elon Musk, here: https://charlessteel.com/book/ Claim your free gift: Free gift #1 McKinsey & BCG winning resume www.FIRMSconsulting.com/resumePDF Free gift #2 Breakthrough Decisions Guide with 25 AI Prompts www.FIRMSconsulting.com/decisions Free gift #3 Five Reasons Why People Ignore Somebody www.FIRMSconsulting.com/owntheroom Free gift #4 Access episode 1 from Build a Consulting Firm, Level 1 www.FIRMSconsulting.com/build Free gift #5 The Overall Approach used in well-managed strategy studies www.FIRMSconsulting.com/OverallApproach Free gift #6 Get a copy of Nine Leaders in Action, a book we co-authored with some of our clients: www.FIRMSconsulting.com/gift

This week’s episode was slightly delayed due to a concert (blame Marina) but this just means that we have a lot more movies to talk about! Listen in as Steve Stebbing (Letterboxd, Website), Melissa McDowell (Letterboxd), Bill Harris (Letterboxd) and Marina Antunes (Letterboxd) touch base on an overall great few weeks of movies. Wuthering Heights Queen of Chess Dracula The Housemaid Pillion The Wrecking Crew Shell The Moment The Darkest Web Tornado The Strangers: Chapter 2 The Strangers: Chapter 3 Cold Storage Ick Dead Mail Crime 101 Elio Hamilton Iron Lung Greenland 2: Migration Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple Virdiana After hours How to Make a Killing The Book of Clarence Sirat “Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model” We can also be contacted via email – info@atcpod.ca Opening and closing credits music is “Drive Breakbeat” by Rockot. Used under CC BY License. Timecodes under Continue Reading. Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, we will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 00:00:00 – Opening credits & introduction00:01:16 – Wuthering Heights00:22:57 – What we’ve been watching01:34:22 – Coming soon01:56:50 – Closing thoughts & credits

Claxton turns five with a birthday party at the rink featuring ball pits, bouncy castles, a kids rage room, and a high energy ex-alcoholic clown named Binky. Tracy's cousin Kiera stops in and introduces Tracy and Martina to her new boyfriend Joseph. Tracy tries to cheer up her Poppy with a digital photo frame and shows him how to turn old photos of his wife into AI videos so she can come back to life. VIDEO VERSION: TPB+ for MERCH, TOUR DATES, and MORE, visit www.tracyandmartina.com

Matt Rashleigh joins Derek to dip into another double feature with 1964's The Human Duplicators and Mutiny in Outer Space (dir. Hugo Grimaldi)! Plus Mark Matzke's Beta Capsule Review (Ultraman Taro)! Voicemail: (360) 524-2484 Email: monsterkidradio@gmail.com Monster Kid Radio on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/c/monsterkidradio Monster Kid Radio on Twitch! - https://www.twitch.tv/monsterkidradio Monster Kid Radio on YouTube - http://youtube.com/monsterkidradio Follow Mark MatzkeMonster Study Group - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/monster-study-group/id1526013554 Small Town Monsters - https://www.smalltownmonsters.com Classic Horror Film Board - https://classichorrorfilmboard.com/ Executive Producer - https://www.podcascadia.com/ Deth Designs - https://dethdesigns.bigcartel.com/ "Waves of Steel" (Waves of Steel) provided courtesy of The Riptide Rats https://theriptiderats.bandcamp.com/ Bride of Monster Kid Radio is a Team Deth Production. All original content of Bride of Monster Kid Radio is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License. You can learn more about Team Deth, our other projects like Deth Merchant, Mail Order Zombie, Deth Writer, and more at www.teamdeth.com. Please rate and review Monster Kid Radio wherever you download your favorite podcasts. Next time on Bride of Monster Kid Radio: Follow us on Patreon to find out!

Find Dale:  https://lxdmusic1.bandcamp.com https://novex.bandcamp.com/album/novex-ll-side-a https://www.instagram.com/thrillpagan/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/steelpolebathtubofficial/?hl=en Find Dirk: patreon.com/vhus  

Shoot us a Text.Episode #1277: The Supreme Court narrows emergency tariffs—but most auto duties remain, reshaping pricing and payments. Lamborghini shelves its EV plans in favor of hybrids. And Gen Z is ditching smartphones for iPods, chasing simpler tech in a distracted world.In our ASOTU daily email this morning, the team broke down the recent tariff news and what they mean for dealers. While one layer of trade pressure is gone after the Supreme Court's ruling, most auto-related tariffs affecting dealers and buyers remain in place.The ruling targeted emergency tariffs under IEEPA, not those imposed under Sections 232 and 301—where most auto exposure still sits.Steel and aluminum levies remain active, keeping pressure on parts, repair costs, and supplier pricing.VIN-level data shows uneven price impact: Canada-built vehicles up nearly $4K, Japan-built up ~$3.3K, Germany-built ~$2.8K, and Mexico-built over $1.5K.Pricing is largely baked into 2026 MSRPs, so expect stabilization—not rollbacks. Incentives and allocation will move before stickers do.Bottom line for dealers: focus on payment certainty, availability, and clear next steps—not promises of price drops.Lamborghini is officially backing away from its all-electric ambitions. CEO Stephan Winkelmann says the brand's customers just aren't ready—and going all-in on EVs risks becoming an “expensive hobby.”The Lanzador EV, first shown in 2023, has been quietly canceled after internal debate stretching into late 2025. Instead, by 2030, every Lamborghini will be a plug-in hybrid.Winkelmann says the “acceptance curve” for EVs among Lambo buyers is flattening and “close to zero.”Gen Z is rediscovering the iPod—and not just for the nostalgia. With schools banning connected devices and digital burnout on the rise, Apple's discontinued music player is becoming a low-tech escape hatch from the algorithm-driven chaos of smartphones.Google Trends shows 2025 searches for iPod Classic and Nano up 25% and 20% year-over-year.Refurbished iPod sales have climbed an average of 15.6% annually since 2022, according to Back Market.Students are using iPods as a workaround in phone-restricted schools—offline music without the distraction.The vibe shift? A simpler, distraction-free tech era that “felt more hopeful”—and a reminder that sometimes less tech is more freedom.Today's show is brought to you by ESi-Q. ESi-Q measures employee satisfaction and provides actionable insight into what's driving employee engagement Join Paul J Daly and Kyle Mountsier every morning for the Automotive State of the Union podcast as they connect the dots across car dealerships, retail trends, emerging tech like AI, and cultural shifts—bringing clarity, speed, and people-first insight to automotive leaders navigating a rapidly changing industry.Get the Daily Push Back email at https://www.asotu.com/ JOIN the conversation on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asotu/

In the 382nd episode of 40 and 20, The Watch Clicker Podcast, we discuss some things that caught our attention over the last couple of weeks. Tsuyosa Shore Citizen Seconde/Seconde/ Cut Nivada Grenchen F77 Mk2 MeisterSinger Panthero Jumping Hour Camp Fieldtimer Mido Multifort 8 Two Tone Yema Wristmaster Slim Small Seconds Andrew: Chuds BBQ Everett: Send Help ***********************************  This Episode's Sponsors: Escapement Media: https://escapementmedia.com Foster Watch Co: https://fosterwatches.com Frank Affronti Photography: https://www.affrontography.com ***********************************  Check out all of Watch Clicker's content, including columns, reviews, and fantastic photography at: watchclicker.com Check out the Watch Clicker Shop with all your favorite gear, fully branded, here. Our full catalog of podcasts is at watchclicker.com/4020-the-watch-clicker-podcast/ On instagram: 40and20 (@40and20_watchclicker): https://www.instagram.com/40and20_watchclicker/ WatchClicker (@watchclicker): www.instagram.com/watchclicker/?hl=en You can support Watch Clicker and 40 and 20 here: Patreon Intro/Outro Music: Bummin on Tremelo, by Kevin MacLeod (incompetch.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License Creativecommons.org/licenses/by.3.0/

This week brought major tariff news, Supreme Court rulings, and fast-moving executive action that could directly impact steel, aluminum, and ultimately garage door pricing. In this episode of Torsion Talk, Ryan breaks down what actually happened, what it means for your business, and why most dealers are misunderstanding the headlines.The Supreme Court ruled against the use of certain emergency powers tied to sweeping global tariffs, but within hours a new tariff structure was introduced under a different law. While the news cycle made it sound dramatic, Ryan explains why steel and aluminum costs remain largely unchanged for our industry and why garage door manufacturers are unlikely to reverse recent price increases.Ryan dives into how this affects residential and commercial dealers, including LiftMaster operator increases, manufacturer price hikes, and why expecting pricing to snap back to pre-COVID levels is unrealistic. He also outlines why adjusting your price book based solely on a headline could be a costly mistake.More importantly, this episode focuses on strategy. Ryan explains why protecting open quotes is critical, why material escalation clauses should be standard in commercial and new construction contracts, and how to prepare your CSRs to confidently answer customer questions about pricing. With uncertainty around how long these tariffs may last, dealers must build flexibility into their quoting process and stay proactive rather than reactive.Ryan also shares why this moment highlights a bigger truth: the cost structure of the garage door industry has fundamentally changed. Companies that refuse to adjust pricing, margins, and sales conversations will struggle, while disciplined operators who understand their numbers and protect their margins will win.If you own or operate a garage door company and want to stay ahead of steel price volatility, tariff changes, and manufacturer increases, this episode gives you the clarity and direction you need.Stay informed. Stay profitable. Stay ready.Find Ryan at:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://garagedooru.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://aaronoverheaddoors.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://markinuity.com/⁠Check out our sponsors!Sommer USA - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://sommer-usa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Surewinder - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://surewinder.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Stealth Hardware - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://quietmydoor.com/⁠

Host Anthony Desiato and guest Lance Laster (Always Hold On To Arrow) dig into the character of John Henry Irons, aka STEEL, across time & media — including his "Reign of the Supermen" debut, 1994-1998 solo series, underrated film starring Shaq, recent supporting role on TV's SUPERMAN & LOIS, and more.Why has this character resonated for over 30 years? Which era of Steel served him best? What layers does the John Henry folklore add, and is there a place for "John Henry Jr." in current continuity? And for all of the times Steel has been adapted in other media, which absences are most conspicuous?It's HAMMER TIME!Support the show and receive exclusive podcast content at Patreon.com/AnthonyDesiato, including the spinoff podcasts BEYOND METROPOLIS and DIGGING FOR JUSTICE!Visit BCW Supplies and use promo code FSP to save 10% on your next order of comics supplies. Get your DFK merch at the podcast's TeePublic storefront!FACEBOOK GROUP: Digging for Kryptonite: A Superman Fan GroupFACEBOOK PAGE: @diggingforkryptonitepodINSTAGRAM: @diggingforkryptonitepodTWITTER: @diggingforkrpodBLUESKY: @diggingforkrpod.bsky.socialEMAIL: flatsquirrelproductions@gmail.comWEBSITE: FlatSquirrelProductions.com Digging for Kryptonite is a Flat Squirrel Production. Theme music by Dan Pritchard. Key art by Isaiah Simmons. Mentioned in this episode:Aw Yeah ComicsThis Podcast Will Never DieSingle Bound PodcastAlways Hold On To SmallvilleHang On To Your Shorts Film FestivalFat Moose Comics

Send a textThese are our "Steel Core Moments." Daily devotionals to the Power of Man Principles designed to help you start your day with the right attitude, the right mindset, and position yourself to live a more powerful life.  Tune in every day for these foundation building moments.  Believe it!Contact US:  Rumble/ YouTube/ IG: @powerofmanpodcastEmail: powerofmanpodcast@gmail.com.Twitter: @rorypaquetteSTART YOUR OWN MEN"S MOVEMNET!  WE need more men to LEAD!  Join us here to learn how!   https://www.facebook.com/groups/490821906341560/?ref=share_group_linkYou have VALUE!  You are WORTH IT!  BELIEVE IT!

Chevy Stars and Steel trucks, affordable Fords to launch with pickup, Ram brand award, Ford Bronco RTR, Hyundai truck plans, and recall news. The Truck Show Podcast is brought to you in partnership with AMSOIL, Kershaw Knives, and OVR Mag. Don't forget to check out truckshowpodcast.com for special offers from our friends and sponsors.

On this episode of the Trade Guys, Bill and Scott discuss the current status of U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum and also unpack a Senate bill proposing to revise the "First Sale" rule governing how tariffs are collected. They close with a look at the recent trade deal between the United States and Taiwan.

The chapel doors slam open—and the fire answers back.Inside the ruined sanctuary, rain pours through the shattered roof, moss slicks the floor, and the dead stand waiting. A towering skeleton crowned in flame looms at the altar, another undead crouches behind broken pews, and the fight erupts in close quarters where every step could send someone sprawling.

Send a textReady for a trade show plan that actually helps you win the year? We break down the NFBA Building Expo in Oklahoma City with a clear schedule, the best sessions to target, and a floor strategy that turns handshakes into real results. From the free contractor pass to where to find us by the entrance, you'll know exactly how to navigate three days of training, demos, and community without wasting a step.We start with the essentials: breakfast windows, breakout formats, and why the keynote economic update matters for pricing, forecasting, and hiring. Then we zero in on the tracks that move the needle—business management, sales and marketing, and safety and technical knowledge—plus shed-building demonstrations you can bring straight to the jobsite. If barn dominiums are on your plate, we highlight the sessions that tame client burnout, streamline plans, and set a predictable path from design to delivery.On the floor, we point you to integrated solutions: IdeaRoom and SmartBuild for design-to-materials workflows, Defyned SEO for lead generation, Velocity360 for CRM and AI-assisted follow-up, and trusted suppliers like Burrows, Graber, Plyco, and MWI. We also spotlight community touchpoints that build lasting relationships—Women in Post-Frame, Christians in Construction, and the Expo Social and foundation auction—plus how to use NFBA membership and archived handouts to keep learning after the doors close.We'll be at the entrance to the right—come say hi, compare notes, and leave with a punch list you can implement in 30 days. If this guide helps you prep, subscribe, share with a teammate, and leave a quick review so more builders can find it. Which session or booth is first on your list?For more information or to know more about the Shed Geek Podcast visit us at our website.Would you like to receive our weekly newsletter? Sign up on our website.Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube at the handle @shedgeekpodcast.To be a guest on the Shed Geek Podcast visit our website and fill out the "Contact Us" form.To suggest show topics or ask questions you want answered email us at info@shedgeek.com.This episodes Sponsors:Studio Sponsor: J Money LLC

Send a textThese are our "Steel Core Moments." Daily devotionals to the Power of Man Principles designed to help you start your day with the right attitude, the right mindset, and position yourself to live a more powerful life.  Tune in every day for these foundation building moments.  Believe it!Contact US:  Rumble/ YouTube/ IG: @powerofmanpodcastEmail: powerofmanpodcast@gmail.com.Twitter: @rorypaquetteSTART YOUR OWN MEN"S MOVEMNET!  WE need more men to LEAD!  Join us here to learn how!   https://www.facebook.com/groups/490821906341560/?ref=share_group_linkYou have VALUE!  You are WORTH IT!  BELIEVE IT!

Not even a Supreme Court ruling could stop US President Trump from using his second favourite 'T' word. Trump has once again threatened global tariffs on imported goods, first at 10%, then 15%, according to a Truth Social post over the weekend. But regardless of legal rulings, Canadian small business are caught in the crossfire, with sectoral tariffs still on the line. Host Caryn Ceolin speaks to Dan Kelly, President of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business to discuss how Canadian business are rethinking their strategies amid an unprecedented global market, and how the Canadian government should practice cautious optimism for future trade agreement and the negotiation of CUSMA. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky

I hate conspiracy theories. But this one is hard to dispute…. This week I explore the family tree of broadcasting and think about where all these voices came from. Couple stories and fun time recording live on Instagram. Follow Full Blast on Instagram and join the party pal:https://www.instagram.com/thefullblastpodcast?igsh=Nm5jbmFqYXJ2eHJoIf you want to support Full Blast Support  Feder Knives - ( go buy a shirt )https://www.federknives.com/Go to CMA's website and check out the opportunities: https://centerformetalarts.org/Take a class: https://centerformetalarts.org/Follow CMA on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/centerformetalarts/?hl=enPlease subscribe, leave a review and tell your friends about the show. it helps me out a lot! Welcome aboard Phoenix Abrasives!Phoenixabrasives.com Phoenix abrasives supplies superior abrasive products for every application. Knifemaking, Metal fabrication, glass fab, floor sanding and Crankshaft! Belts, grinding and cutting discs, Flap Discs, surface conditioning FB10 at checkout gets 10% off your order at Check out.Welcome back! Nordic Edge:@nordic_edge on IG Nordicedge.com.auNordic Edge is about the joy of making something with your own hands. our one stop shop for tools, supplies and help when it comes to knife making, blacksmithing, leatherworking, spoon carving and other crafts where you get to take some time out for yourself and turn an idea into something tangible. Nordic Edge also holds hands-on workshops in the “lost arts” of blacksmithing, knife making and spoon carving. Come spend a day with us and go home with new skills and something you made with your own hands. They have the  guidance to help accelerate your creativity and the  Tools, products, supplies to help you manifest your ideas. NordicEdge.com.auThank you Baker Forge & Tool for your beautiful Steel. Go to Bakerforge.com to see all the incredible steels they offer. ‘FullBlast' gets you 10% off your order. CHECK OUT THE NEW ADDITIONS TO THE GATOR PISS LINE - GATOR PISS MAX & GATOR PISS HEAVYWelcome to our new Sponsor- EVENHEAT- Manufacturers of the best heat treating ovens available.  To find your next oven go to Evenheat-kiln.comFollow them on Instagram: Welcome aboard Texas Farrier Supply! For all your forging and knife making supplies go to www.texasfarriersupply.com   and get 10% off your order with PROMOCODE Knifetalk10Brodbeck Ironworks Makers of an Incredibly versatile grinder, with Many different attachmentsLeather sewing equipment and even abrasives Check out Brodbeck Ironworks for yourself:https://brodbeckironworks.com/“Knifetalk10” gets you 10% off Follow Brodbeck Ironworks on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/brodbeck_ironworks/Trojan Horse Forge Get your THF Stabile Rail knife finishing vise at https://www.trojanhorseforge.com/And when you use the promo code “FULLBLAST10 you get 10%off everything on the site.Follow them on instagram:https://www.instagram.com/trojan_horse_forge/ TotalBoatAdhesives, paints, primers and polishing compounds.Go to http://totalboat.com/FULLBLASTTo support the podcastG.L. Hansen & Sons On Instagramhttps://instagram.com/g.l._hansenandsons?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Gcarta.bigcartel.comG-Carta is unique composite of natural fibers and fabrics mixed with epoxy under pressure and heat Boofa, ripple cut, Tuxini, by Mikie, Mahi Mahi, Radio worm g-cartaPheasant by MikieColorama by MikieHoopla by MikeAmazing colors and razzle dazzle for your project. MARITIME KNIFE SUPPLIESMaritimeknifesupply.CAAll your knifemaking needs, belts abrasive, steals, kilns forges presses, heat treating ovens anvils and everything you need to get started or resupply. Including Dr. Thomas's book:“Knife Engineering”They're in Canada but ship to the US with ease and you can take advantage of the exchange rate The steel selection is always growing and Lawrence just got 3900 lbs. of steel in.10% off on abrasive belt packs of 10 get a hold of https://www.instagram.com/maritimeknifesupply/ and see what the fuss is about.Welcome Tormek as a sponsor to the show. Take your sharpening to a new level. I love these sharpening machines. Waterfed, easy to use. Jigs included. Definitely check out what they have to offer. If you need it sharpened, Tormek is definitely something for you:https://tormek.com/en/inspiration/woodworking--craftsVisit Tormek's website: https://tormek.com/enFollow Tormek on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/tormek_sharpening/?hl=enFollow Tormek on TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@tormek_sharpening?lang=enGo look at the course curriculum at CMA:https://centerformetalarts.org/workshops/** Taking classes from some of the best in forging at one of the best facilities in the country is an excellent opportunity to propel yourself as a blacksmith. Not to be missed. And with housing on the campus it's a great way to get yourself to the next level. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mens Room Question: What else did you do during sex that wasn't sex?

The White House may roll back steel and aluminum tariffs, according to the Financial Times. Sure, President Donald Trump has announced or enacted tariffs just to reverse course many times. But the difference is steel and aluminum are crucial materials in the production of, well, just about everything. In this episode: How might such a rollback affect your wallet? Plus, market conditions make for a stronger manufacturing sector in 2026, restaurants expand menu offerings that cater to GLP-1 users, and we explain how the Fed actually changes interest rates. Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.

The White House may roll back steel and aluminum tariffs, according to the Financial Times. Sure, President Donald Trump has announced or enacted tariffs just to reverse course many times. But the difference is steel and aluminum are crucial materials in the production of, well, just about everything. In this episode: How might such a rollback affect your wallet? Plus, market conditions make for a stronger manufacturing sector in 2026, restaurants expand menu offerings that cater to GLP-1 users, and we explain how the Fed actually changes interest rates. Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.