Podcasts about Task force

Majority Leader and Member of Parliament for Bawku Central, Mahama Ayariga, has expressed concern over two pilgrims under his care who participated in this year's Hajj, stating that they are missing. However, the Hajj Taskforce has denied the claims, insisting that all pilgrims have been accounted for

The Police Minister is defending the focus of a new anti-corruption taskforce. The Serious Fraud Office will aim to understand threats to the public sector. The six-month pilot will be limited to six Government agencies - Inland Revenue, ACC, Corrections, MSD, Land Information NZ, and Sport NZ. Mark Mitchell told Ryan Bridge that globally, some of the biggest recent corruption issues - relate to sporting codes. He wants to ensure there's best practice to maintains the country's low-corruption reputation. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stephen Grootes speaks to Bulelani Balabala, Business Speaker -Media Contributor -Township Entrepreneur TEA, about serving on the Startup20 Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Taskforce under South Africa's G20 Presidency, highlighting his honor in contributing to shaping policies for inclusive, sustainable economic development through Startup20, the G20's engagement group focused on startups and entrepreneurship. The Money Show is a podcast hosted by well-known journalist and radio presenter, Stephen Grootes. He explores the latest economic trends, business developments, investment opportunities, and personal finance strategies. Each episode features engaging conversations with top newsmakers, industry experts, financial advisors, entrepreneurs, and politicians, offering you thought-provoking insights to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape.    Thank you for listening to a podcast from The Money Show Listen live Primedia+ weekdays from 18:00 and 20:00 (SA Time) to The Money Show with Stephen Grootes broadcast on 702 https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj and CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show, go to https://buff.ly/7QpH0jY or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/PlhvUVe Subscribe to The Money Show Daily Newsletter and the Weekly Business Wrap here https://buff.ly/v5mfetc The Money Show is brought to you by Absa     Follow us on social media   702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702   CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/Radio702 CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

02:48 Task force uncovers Secret Service failures in Trump attack investigation29:55 Knife-wielding man fatally shot after advancing on cop38:29 Suspect on rooftop with rifle shot by officer43:42 Good Samaritan helps officer detain armed suspectLEO Round Table (law enforcement talk show)Season 10, Episode 142 (2,481) filmed on 07/16/20251. https://www.rvmnews.com/2025/07/task-force-drops-a-bombshell-report-on-attempted-assassination-of-donald-trump-watch/ 2. https://rumble.com/v6w7sau-dallas-police-release-911-call-bodycam-footage-of-officer-fatally-shot-knif.html?e9s=src_v1_upp_a3. https://rumble.com/v6vpe5d-kern-county-sheriffs-deputies-shoot-man-wielding-rifle-on-top-of-a-roof.html?e9s=src_v1_upp_a4. https://www.wrdw.com/2025/07/15/good-samaritan-helps-georgia-police-officer-arrest-armed-person/Show Panelists and Personalities:Chip DeBlock (Host and retired police detective)Rich Staropoli (former Secret Service agent)Frank Loveridge (retired Secret Service agent)Mark Crider (Sheriff - Walla Walla County in WA)Chris Noeller (Chief of Police at Pueblo Police Department)Related Events, Organizations and Books:Retired DEA Agent Robert Mazur's works:Interview of Bryan Cranston about him playing Agent Robert Mazur in THE INFILTRATOR filmhttps://vimeo.com/channels/1021727Trailer for the new book, THE BETRAYALhttps://www.robertmazur.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Betrayal-trailer-reMix2.mp4Everything on Robert Mazurhttps://www.robertmazur.com/The Wounded Blue - Lt. Randy Sutton's charityhttps://thewoundedblue.org/Rescuing 911: The Fight For America's Safety - by Lt. Randy Sutton (Pre-Order)https://rescuing911.org/Books by panelist and retired Lt. Randy Sutton:https://www.amazon.com/Randy-Sutton/e/B001IR1MQU%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_shareThey're Lying: The Media, The Left, and The Death of George Floyd - by Liz Collin (Lt. Bob Kroll's wife)https://thelieexposed.com/Lt. Col. Dave Grossman - Books, Newsletter, Presentations, Shop, Sheepdogshttps://grossmanontruth.com/Sheriff David Clarke - Videos, Commentary, Podcast, Shop, Newsletterhttps://americassheriff.com/Content Partners:Red Voice Media - Real News, Real Reportinghttps://www.redvoicemedia.com/shows/leo/ThisIsButter - One of the BEST law enforcement video channelshttps://rumble.com/user/ThisIsButterThe Free Press - LEO Round Table is in their Cops and Crimes section 5 days a weekhttps://www.tampafp.com/https://www.tampafp.com/category/cops-and-crime/Video Show Schedule On All Outlets:http://leoroundtable.com/home/syndication/Syndicated Radio Schedule:http://leoroundtable.com/radio/syndicated-radio-stations/Sponsors:Galls - Proud to serve America's public safety professionalshttps://www.galls.com/leoCompliant Technologies - Cutting-edge non-lethal tools to empower and protect those who servehttps://www.complianttechnologies.net/Blue To Gold - training that is relevant and relatable to every street officerhttps://bluetogold.com/The International Firearm Specialist Academy - The New Standard for Firearm Knowledgehttps://www.gunlearn.com/MyMedicare.live - save money in Medicare insurance options from the expertshttp://www.mymedicare.live/

Individuals and Task Force who engage in galamsey will be arrested and dealt with - Mark Oliver Kevor. Listen for an engaging interview with Dr. Mark Oliver Kevor, Director-General of NITA and Eastern Regional Minister for the NDC, as we dive into interesting political and national issues.

Primary & Secondary ModCastThe panel discusses Task Force 70, a new nonprofit focused on providing needed foundational training to police.Host: Matt LandfairPanel:John "Chappy" ChapmanErick GelhausSteve ShieldsWarren WilsonEpisode sponsors:Lucky Gunner - https://www.luckygunner.com/Phlster - https://www.phlsterholsters.com/​Walther Arms - https://www.waltherarms.com/Our Patreon can be found here:https://www.patreon.com/PrimaryandSecondaryPrimary & Secondary:YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/PrimarySecondaryNetworkWebsite: https://primaryandsecondary.com/Facebook: https://facebook.com/primaryandsecondary/Forum: https://primaryandsecondary.com/forumComplete Audio Podcasts: https://spreaker.com/show/primary-secondary-podcastBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/primary-secondary-podcast--2585240/support.

DPS' Arizona Vehicle Theft Task Force Detective Charlie Warner joined the show to tell you about which cars were the most stolen in Arizona. 

Gale Blomenkamp, Support Services Bureau Director, Boone County Fire Protection (the headquarters for Missouri Task Force 1) joins Megan Lynch as flood recovery efforts continue along the Guadalupe River in Central Texas.

Dr. Laura welcomes Kirkland Shave, co-founder of the Mountain Trek health reset retreat, and Dr. Kelly Tremblay, neuroscientist and certified coach, to Where Work Meets Life™to explore the connection between holistic health, burnout prevention, and the mind-body connection. Kelly and Kirk discuss the prevalence of stress and burnout in today's society and our lack of meaningful connection to nature and our own bodies and minds. Dr. Laura investigates these issues from a neurological perspective and a practical wellness approach with both Kelly and Kirk, learning what can be done to reset our healing.Forest bathing, flow trekking and sensory health practices that involve engaging with sound, scent, and visual natural experiences are all part of the conversation. Connecting with our senses and the reality of nature while separating ourselves from screens and demands can dramatically reduce stress and enhance brain function. While Kelly shares neuroscience research linking stress to actual structural brain changes, Kirk offers transformative stories from Mountain Trek, where guests can unplug from digital overload. Dr. Laura highlights the importance of understanding the causes of our burnout and how we can take control to heal our body and mind.“You've probably heard about it's Shinrin-yoku, a Japanese-researched way of being moment to moment, mindful of the sensorial information that's coming through our sense organs into the brain. And you're doing that in nature, and you're in a state of flow… where you're not thinking about other things. You're paying attention to what do I see? Or what do I see in motion in front of me? Or what do I hear out of this ear versus this ear? Or what do I smell as I go by the bark of this tree? Or which direction is the sun landing on my skin? These moment-to-moment awarenesses have been proven to lower the stress hormone cortisol. The Japanese researched this, and the main reason why they did this research is because in the 80s, as the tech industry took off in Japan, people were working 12-hour days already that we're working now, and the work burnout was through the roof.” - Kirkland ShaveAbout Kirkland Shave:Kirkland Shave, founder and president of the world-renowned Mountain Trek program, now offers off-site interactive and eye-opening workshops — grounded in anthropological health science — to help professionals integrate lasting steps in reaching optimal wellness. With an inspiring, practical, and actionable message, Kirkland helps people see their own health through a fresh and practical lens.With half- and full-day interactive health workshops and keynote presentations — designed specifically for a corporate audience — held at your company's headquarters, Kirkland's life-changing interactive presentation can be tailored to meet a number of health issues: Fitness, Nutrition, De-Stressing, Sleep Hygiene, Physical and Digital Detoxification, Habit Formation, Mindfulness.His proven approach increases energy, productivity, and establishes long-lasting health habits. The program incorporates scientific anthropology blended with a distinctly mountain-centric approach to health. With 18 years' experience as president and founder of Mountain Trek's holistic health and vitality program, Kirkland brings more than 40 years of health-focused lifestyle expertise, with experience as a fitness instructor, lead hiking guide, wellness coach, Wilderness Park Manager, yoga instructor and meditation practitioner.Kirkland's off-site workshops for executives and employees have been hosted by leading organizations, such as Google, Young Presidents Organization of Western Canada, Fortis Gas, the CEO Network, European Entrepreneurs Organization, and more. Contact Kirkland Shave and Mountain Trek:Website: MountainTrek.com  https://mountaintrek.com/Instagram: @mountaintrek https://www.instagram.com/mountaintrek/Facebook: @mountaintrek https://www.facebook.com/mountaintrekInstagram: @mountaintrek  https://www.instagram.com/mountaintrekLinkedIn: Mountain-Trek  https://www.linkedin.com/company/mountain-trek/YouTube: YouTube.com/MountainTrek  https://www.youtube.com/mountaintrekKirkland Shave on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirkland-shave-66865b29/TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g499116-d223075-Reviews-Mountain_Trek_Fitness_Retreat_Health_Spa-Ainsworth_Hot_Springs_Kootenay_Rockies_British.htmlAbout Dr. Kelly Tremblay, MSc PhD CEC-ACC:Dr. Trembly is committed to making aging better by innovating in the areas of health, tech, and education through leadership, research, and advocacy.She is a consultant, neuroscientist and clinical audiologist who has worked in healthcare, tech, and higher education for 25+ years. As a tenured professor, Dr. Tremblay's NIH-funded research shed light on how we can capitalize on the brain's plasticity to promote perceptual and behavior changes well into our later years. Her work in the areas of communication neuroscience, person-centred care, and digital health technology has been recognized with invitations to serve on many committees at the National Institutes of Health, the American Federation for Aging Research's National Scientific Advisory Council, Mitacs Canada, and the World Health Organization. She leads advocacy initiatives and serves on many boards, including the Hearing Loss Association of America, where she was a Board Trustee and Co-Founder and Chair of the Task Force for Accessible, Inclusive Employment.Because work and health are social determinants of quality of life and healthy aging, Dr. Tremblay also works with leaders in all sectors, as an ICF-certified executive coach, to promote healthy, accessible, multi-generational workplaces where people can flourish. She's certified by the International Coaching Federation and a Fellow of the McLean Institute of Coaching (an affiliate of Harvard Medical School), who loves helping people rewire and inspire!Contact Dr. Kelly Tremblay: Website: DrKellyTremblay.com  https://drkellytremblay.com/LinkedIn: Dr-Kelly_Tremblay  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kelly-tremblay  Resources:Website: MountainTrek.com“Nature and human well-being: The olfactory pathway” Science Advances | May 2024 | Vol 10 Issue 20Parks Canada Health and WellnessShinrin-yoku“The Myth of Normal” by Gabor Mate“When Things Fall Apart” by Pema ChödrönLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.liveFor more resources, look into Dr. Laura's organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology

A 29-year-old motorcycle rider, identified as Kwasi Isaac, has tragically died after allegedly being severely beaten by members of an illegal mining (galamsey) taskforce

The recent shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses have brought to the forefront the issue of safety at the state Capitol. For two years, a state task force has been working on a plan to improve safety and quality of life in the surrounding neighborhood. The legislature approved $3 million this year to help pay for the plan, which includes public safety and programs for youth. Lawmakers who represent the area are hosting an event for this initiative Monday afternoon outside the Capitol. Rep. María Isa Pérez-Vega, DFL-St. Paul, and Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher joined Minnesota Now to talk about the effort.

In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Hilary Rantisi speaks with Dr. Yasser Abu Jamei, psychiatrist and Director General of the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP), Gaza's leading mental health organization. They discuss the how GCMHP has continued to serve Gazans, train mental health providers, and offer critical services and knowledge even in these genocidal conditions. They discuss what it means to "cope" with the horrors and deprivations of genocide, as well as the hope for a ceasefire and what outsiders can do to support the survivors in Gaza.  For more on the GCMHP's work, see their website; Dr. Yasser's June 2025 article, "Living Through the Unimaginable: a Testament from Gaza;" GCMHP's report "Caring for survivors: New report reveals mental health Impact on Gaza" (August 2024); the website & resources of the Gaza Mental Health Foundation;  Yasser Abu-Jamei is a Palestinian psychiatrist who heads the Gaza Community Mental Health Programme (GCMHP), the leading independent Palestinian non-governmental organization providing mental health services to the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip and training for mental health professionals.   He became Director General of GCMHP in January 2014, following the death of its founder, Dr. Eyad El Sarraj. In 2012, he obtained a MSc in Clinical Neuropsychiatry (with distinction) from the University of Birmingham in the UK, Dr. Abu-Jamei is a member of the Task Force which developed the National Mental Health Strategy 2015-2019 in Palestine. He co-led the Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Technical Working Group in Gaza Strip and in 2020 co-founded the Palestine Global Mental Health Network.  His interests include capacity building, neuropsychiatry, and advocacy.  In addition to his research and authorship or co-authorship of some twenty academic papers, he has been certified as a Trainer of Trainers in the field of supervision and care for caregivers by the Free University of Berlin. Dr. Abu-Jamei has received several honors, including the Best Alumnus Award from the Said Foundation (2015), the Alumnus of the Year award from the University of Birmingham (2016) and the Community Resilience Award from the Rebuilding Alliance (2021).   Hilary Rantisi grew up in Palestine and has been involved with education and advocacy on the Middle East since her move to the US. She is a 2025 Fellow at FMEP and was most recently the Associate Director of the Religion, Conflict and Peace Initiative (RCPI) and co-instructor of Learning in Context: Narratives of Displacement and Belonging in Israel/Palestine at Harvard Divinity School. She has over two decades of experience in institution building at Harvard, having been the Director of the Middle East Initiative (MEI) at Harvard Kennedy School of Government prior to her current role. She has a BA in Political Science/International Studies from Aurora University and a master's degree in Middle Eastern Studies from the University of Chicago. Before moving to the US, Hilary worked at Birzeit University and at the Jerusalem-based Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center. There, she co-edited a photo essay book Our Story: The Palestinians with the Rev. Naim Ateek. She has been involved with community leadership efforts and served on many boards to build multifaceted support for Palestinian rights and a more nuanced understanding of people's lives in the Middle East region. Among them are The Gaza Mental Health Foundation, LE.O Foundation, Friends of Mada al-Carmel, Tawassul Palestinian Art and Culture Society, Friends of Sabeel North America, Palestine Program for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University and Research and Education Collaborative with Al-Quds University.  She has also served as a Board Trustee at Aurora University. Original music by Jalal Yaquoub.

  Early childhood education. Across much of the rest of the world, free, public early childhood education is a basic right. At a time in which it's necessary for almost all parents to work in order to make ends meet, these nations have long recognized that there's no good reason to hold off on providing […]

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Tom Taylor, Phoenix Fire Captain and FEMA coordinator for AZ Task Force 1, joined the show to talk about the team sent to Texas to help with rescue efforts. He says he is making sure his team's mental health is being taken care of as they work with other first responders to find missing people.

The Project Prison Reset task force considered 14 sites for the new men's prison. After weighing costs and the public's input, the committee recommends prison placement in Sioux Falls.

On today's show, we hear that lawmakers and citizens are collaborating on the Autism Task Force in Arkansas. Plus, we take a tour of the Nelms Dyslexia Center. Also, we interviewed a longtime nonprofit leader who is retiring.

The Government's reluctant to give work opportunities to beneficiaries outside of emergencies. It's activated a beneficiary task force in Tasman and Marlborough, with beneficiaries able to get paid for helping clean up debris and slush. Social Development Minister Louise Upston says the initiative is just for Civil Defence emergencies at this stage. But Upston told Heather du Plessis-Allan she's open to suggestions about how to reduce the number of people on the Jobseeker benefit. She says this takes a significant amount of funding, and the Government's coffers aren't a bottomless pit. Upston told du Plessis-Allan it's estimated 30 people are needed for the work. She says there'll be three clean-up crews, and understands there were 10 people interested within a few hours of putting the message out. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Task Force Movement works with the private sector, military, academia, and government and nongovernment organizations to help identify and solve problems that our military and veteran families face when it comes to finding civilian employment AND to help create smoother civilian career pathways for the military community. Learn more from our discussion with Elizabeth Murray-Belcaster, the Executive Director of Task Force Movement.

Since 2022, New York has experienced more than 800 fires sparked by lithium-ion batteries, leading to 30 deaths and more than 400 injuries. The sudden explosion of battery incidents led FDNY in 2023 to form the Lithium-Ion Task Force, a specialized unit dedicated to addressing the growing threat of fires caused by batteries, particularly those used in e-bikes and e-scooters. Today on the podcast, we talk to John Orlando, the FDNY fire marshal who led the Lithium-Ion Task Force until recently. We chat about the causes and scope of New York City's battery problems, the work of the task force, and how other departments and jurisdictions can work together to achieve similar results, even without FDNY's considerable resources.  LINKS:  See FDNY videos, campaign resources, regulations and more related to lithium-ion batteries See NFPA resources related to lithium-ion batteries Read NFPA Journal articles on: The growing concern about lithium-ion consumer products in homes;  The copious amounts of research happening now to better understand and mitigate battery hazards; The growing concerns about the fire safety of e-bikes and other micro-mobility devices; The lessons from the Surprise, Arizona energy storage system explosion.  

Dr. Jennifer Weaver speaks with Dr. Yasha Gupta about the origins, structure, and impact of the RSNA Medical Student Task Force. They discuss the task force's initiatives, including scholarships, mentorship, and outreach programs, to engage and support medical students interested in radiology. RSNA Medical Student Task Force:A Success Story in MedicalStudent Initiatives. Anderson and Chang et al. RadioGraphics 2025; 45(7):e240253.  RSNA Volunteer Opportunities Directory 

I chat with Robin Lin Miller (https://www.safersexmsu.com/) about the book she wrote with George Ayala, "Breaking Barriers: Sexual and Gender Minority-Led Advocacy to End AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean (https://global.oup.com/academic/product/breaking-barriers-9780197647684?cc=us&lang=en&)." We discuss MPact (https://mpactglobal.org/), Project ACT, and the evaluation of the initiatives. About Robin Lin Miller Robin Lin Miller, PhD (https://www.safersexmsu.com/) is Professor of Psychology, director of doctoral training in ecological-community psychology, and associate director of training in program evaluation at Michigan State University. She served as lead evaluation specialist for Gay Men's Health Crisis in the early years of the HIV epidemic and established its first Department of Evaluation. She specializes in evaluating community-led programs, including human rights and advocacy initiatives. Her evaluations – principally conducted in the United States, Africa, and Caribbean – focus on adolescent and Black gay and bisexual men, bisexual girls, transgender women, and male sex workers. She served as lead scientist on the American Psychological Association's Task Force on Therapeutic Approaches to Sexual Orientation Distress, which is routinely cited in legislation banning conversion therapy practices. Awards include the 2023 Alva and Gunnar Myrdal Evaluation Practice Award from the American Evaluation Association for substantive cumulative contributions to the development of LGBTQ evaluation practice, and the 2022 Exemplary Project W. K. Kellogg Foundation Community Engagement Scholarship Award for evaluating human rights advocacy for LGBTQ people in Africa and the Caribbean. She a member of the Academy for Community Engagement Scholarship, and a fellow of the American Psychological Association and Society for Community Research and Action. She is author of more than 100 scholarly publications, including Breaking Barriers: Sexual and Gender Minority-led Advocacy to End AIDS in Africa and the Caribbean, published by Oxford University Press, co-authored by activist-scholar George Ayala. Past funders include AmFAR, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institute of Drug Abuse, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Development, and the U.S. Department of State. Contact information: mill1493@msu.edu

Upping the cadence here as the backlog is growing again and I need to get things out whilst they're fresh. Today we've got BigGeo on the chopping block, a Canadian cloud based geospatial company. Brent Lane, CEO, was an inspiring speaker because (showing my bias here) he had another story about ringing the bell at the NYSE to tell us about. This is the second time we've had someone on that's done this, the first was Gillian Mollod regarding The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). To be precise, in Brent's case it was the closing bell. So it's inspiring to be working through the roster of people in geospatial who've walked the hallowed halls of this institution. Who knew they existed!What is BigGeo? Datalab: A workspace to prepare, manage, and optimize data for analysis, visualization and delivery. Marketplace: A hub designed to showcase, explore, and seamlessly source a wide range of datasets. Datascape: A tool for geospatial visualization, data transformation, and interactive analysis. It is interesting to see Felt there, a prior guest on the show. We finished off with an idea on how to apply it all - a global parking lot dataset sold via their marketplace that can be used as the basis for predicting quarterly earnings for shops like Dunkin Donuts where car presence, detected via earth observation, provides insight on income.Thanks Brent for coming on and showing us another way to ring the bell!

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WBZ's James Rojas reports.

Jewish leaders call for a national taskforce to tackle antisemitism Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu hold ceasefire talks at the White House; And in sport, Alex de Minaur goes down to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon quarter final.

After a weekend of allegedly anti-Semitic attacks in Melbourne, the Victorian government is launching a new anti-hate taskforce... but what will it actually achieve? Plus, we explain Alligator Alcatraz, Trump's latest migrant detention facility in the Florida Everglades that's surrounded by swampland, alligators and controversy. And in headlines today Erin Patterson has spent her first night in prison as a convicted murderer, now potentially facing spending the rest of her life behind bars; The findings of the inquest into the death of Aboriginal man Kumajayi Walker has been handed down, the coroner finding the officer who shot him was racist and that couldn't be ruled out as contributing to his death; The search continues for ten girls and a camp councillor after their camp site was hit by flash flooding in Texas; Qantas says they have been contacted by a hacker claiming they are behind the theft of millions of customers personal details THE END BITSSupport independent women's media Check out The Quicky Instagram here Hear more about the origins of anti-semitism here GET IN TOUCHShare your story, feedback, or dilemma! Send us a voice note or email us at thequicky@mamamia.com.au CREDITS Hosts: Taylah Strano & Claire Murphy Guests: Dennis Altman, Vice Chancellor's Fellow and Professorial Fellow for the Institute for Human Security and Social Change at La Trobe University.Audio Producer: Lu Hill Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria launches an anti-hate taskforce, following the latest attack on a Melbourne synagogue. Will it ease social division?

Victoria launches an anti-hate taskforce, following the latest attack on a Melbourne synagogue. Will it ease social division?

Bongani Bingwa speaks to forensic investigator Paul O’Sullivan and Gareth Newham, Head of Justice and Violence Prevention at the Institute for Security Studies, about the serious allegations made by Commissioner Mkwanazi against the Minister of Police and the broader security cluster. Bongani makes sense of the news, interviews the key newsmakers of the day, and holds those in power to account on your behalf. The team bring you all you need to know to start your day Thank you for listening to a podcast from 702 Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 06:00 and 09:00 (SA Time) to Breakfast with Bongani Bingwa broadcast on 702: https://buff.ly/gk3y0Kj For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/36edSLV or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/zEcM35T Subscribe to the 702 Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/v5mfetc Follow us on social media: 702 on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TalkRadio702 702 on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talkradio702 702 on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkradio702/ 702 on X: https://x.com/Radio702 702 on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@radio702See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victoria launches an anti-hate taskforce, following the latest attack on a Melbourne synagogue. Will it ease social division?

On this week's episode of Women Speak — a segment on Northeast Newscast — hosts Northeast News Editor-in-Chief, Julia Williams and former Missouri House Representative for District 19 Ingrid Burnett sat down with Chair of Gender Equity Task Force of Kansas City Human Rights Commission Alice Kitchen to wrap up our series on women who influence policy.This marks the 10th and final episode of the women who influence policy series for Women Speak. Following this episode, this segment will introduce a new series where Burnett and Williams highlight the history of women in their fields.  Throughout this episode, Kitchen delves into the Gender Equity Task Force Commission in Kansas City, how she got involved and how the commission has evolved over the years into what it is today. She discusses policies and resources the Task Force has worked on and is currently working on including hosting an upcoming listening session in October, which will include data collected from the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office on domestic violence prevention. Kitchen also shares important women in her life who have inspired and motivated her along the way. Burnett, Williams share final conversations on happenings in the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City. Burnett discusses the Missouri Ethics Commission and its lack of quorum, which has remained since January when former Missouri Gov. Mike Parsons withdrew two appointed Ethics Commission Members. Now Gov. Kehoe has yet to fill those vacancies, but has begun interviews with potential candidates. Kitchen goes on to mention that the Missouri Ethics Commission is not the only commission in Missouri that has vacant seats. This includes various spots in Kansas City to which many people have applied, but appointments have yet to be made. *This episode was recorded on June 24. The Missouri Ethics Commission has six seats, which are appointed by the Missouri Governor. To have a quorum, four of those six seats must be filled. While on June 16, 2025, Governor Mike Kehoe appointed five new members to various boards and commissions throughout Missouri, he has not yet appointed any additional members to the Missouri Ethics Commission.*Music used within this Women Speak episode is a song called “I Wish I Knew You Then” by Kansas City local artist Honeybee and the group's lead female vocalist, Makayla Scott. “I Wish I Knew You Then” is a recent single, which Honeybee released in March 2025.  Honeybee's latest single “Lindenlure,” was released on May 30 and is now available on its streaming platforms. 2025 singles “I Wish I Knew You Then,” “Charmed Life” and “Lindenlure” as well as additional Honeybee tracks are available on Spotify, Apple Music, Youtube, TIDAL and Youtube Music. *Disclaimer* I Wish I Knew You Then and any previous or future Honeybee songs used by The Northeast News within the Women Speak podcasts are courtesy of and approved by Makayla Scott and Honeybee under proper copyright law. Honeybee songs are not royalty free nor subject to free use and should not be used by additional publications or organizations without proper consent. This podcast as well as all Women Speak episodes are made possible by The Northeast News, Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and Independence Avenue Community Improvement District. 

The genesis of the podcast show we are releasing today was an article written by Nick Bourke titled “America Can Fix Its Scam Problem. But We Keep Gifting Billions to Transnational Criminals Because It Feels Too Hard” published on April 12, 2025 in Open Banker. We learned from that article about the great work being done by Aspen Institute's National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention. The purpose of the podcast is to describe the work of this Task Force  The Aspen Institute states the following about the Task Force: Every day, criminals steal $430 million from American families, with total fraud proceeds reaching $158 billion annually. They are a critical funding source for transnational criminal organizations, fueling drug cartels, human trafficking, and terrorism. Fraud losses reported to the FBI increased 15-fold over roughly the last decade, and the rise of new technologies like AI has made scams more sophisticated and easier to perpetuate to harm American families. The Aspen Institute Financial Security Program launched the National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention in 2024 to develop the first coordinated U.S. national strategy aimed at stopping financial fraud at its root. The guiding purpose of the Task Force is to bring together all parties with an interest in protecting consumers and restoring trust in our financial system. This is the first time such a broad collection of leaders from across government, law enforcement, private industry, and civil society are coming together to develop a nationwide strategy aimed at helping prevent fraud and scams. Our guests on this podcast are: Kate Griffin, Director of Programs, Aspen Institute Financial Security Program and Nick Bourke, Senior Policy Adviser, The Aspen Institute. Our guests covered the following topics: 1.  What is the Aspen Institute's Financial Security Program and how did the Aspen Institute come to launch the National Task Force on Fraud and Scam Prevention?  Who is participating in the Task Force?  Why is such a cross-sector (industry, consumer advocates and government) very important?  What is standing in the way of more robust, secure, cross-sector data-sharing today? 2.  How big is the fraud and scams problem in the United States right now? How has it changed over time?  3.  What are some of the implications of this problem? How should we be thinking about this beyond the consumer-level financial impacts? Where is all this money going, and what does that mean for our national security?  How do fraud/scams compare to other forms of organized crime? Why is it so difficult for victims to recover their financial losses? Are there any efforts ongoing in Congress to alleviate this?  Despite all the anti-fraud measures, educational resources, and even public media coverage, why do scammers still seem to be gaining ground?  What are some of the biggest gaps or weaknesses in the U.S. system that scammers exploit? Are there promising models from other countries or sectors the U.S. can learn from?  How is AI changing the landscape of scams — both in how they're perpetrated and how we might stop them? 4. What's the right balance between imposing duties on companies and offering legal safe harbors so they're not afraid to act?  5.  Some people still feel a stigma around sharing when they have been the victim of a scam. How do we shift the environment away from victim-blaming and toward support? 6.  The Task Force is driving toward developing a "national strategy" for fighting fraud and scams. What are some of the necessary components to make this truly effective?  What do you mean by the need for a "national front door for reporting”?   7.   Consumer education has to continue playing a role here. What kinds of public awareness campaigns or interventions have proven effective? What kinds of leadership or investment are needed from Congress, the White House, or federal agencies?  8.  Are there any incentives that could better align corporate interests around fraud and scam prevention? Are there examples of companies that are leading the way on this issue?  9.  What are the Task Force's next steps? When should we expect to hear more about the national strategy that's coming together? Alan Kaplinsky, founder of and former Chair for 25 years of the Consumer Financial Services Group, hosted the podcast show.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-sixth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.' Hosted by CSM Bill Gallant, the Command Sergeant Major of Ops Group (CSMOG). Today's guests are four seasoned infantry task force command sergeants major. CSM Lucas Young is the TF CSM for Task Force 2 (IN BN) with ten rotations as an Observer – Coach – Trainer and four rotations as a rotational training unit. CSM Bryan Jaragoske is the TF CSM for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) with three rotations as an OCT and five rotations as RTU. CSM Edwards Cummings is the TF CSM for Task Force 3 (IN BN) with nineteen rotations as an OCT and four rotations as RTU. And CSM Robert Absher is the TF CSM for Task Force 1 (IN BN) with four rotations as an OCT and eight rotations as RTU. In this episode of ‘The Crucible,' the conversation centers on the evolving and enduring role of noncommissioned officers (NCOs) in infantry warfighting during large-scale combat operations (LSCO). The discussion highlights how NCOs are stepping up in planning processes—especially in course of action development—providing ground truth from the field, validating feasibility, and integrating fire and maneuver. NCOs' battlefield experience enables them to shape planning guidance, refine timelines, and ensure plans account for realistic sustainment, movement, and transition conditions. The panel underscores the importance of rehearsals and timelines, the application of fieldcraft, camouflage, deception, and understanding terrain—not just through mapping, but through hands-on analysis and feedback. The episode also explores how infantry NCOs are central to managing the fight during transitions, supporting fire planning, and leading security zone operations.   A recurring theme is the necessity of blending technological advancement with mastery of fundamentals. The speakers caution against overreliance on tech like ATACs or drones without maintaining proficiency in basic soldiering skills such as map and compass navigation or patrolling under load. The conversation moves through sustainment challenges, especially medical evacuation, logistics discipline, and terrain management, offering best practices like rehearsing casualty evacuation and involving junior leaders in sustainment planning. Ultimately, the discussion affirms that well-trained, thinking NCOs—those who know the commander's intent and can adapt when the plan breaks—are vital to combat effectiveness. Leadership, initiative, and the ability to bridge modernization with the realities of the battlefield form the cornerstone of successful infantry operations in LSCO.   Part of S03 “Lightfighter Lessons” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we'd like to thank our guests for participating. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

President Donald Trump submitted a nomination Tuesday for Ryan Cote to serve as assistant secretary of information and technology and CIO of the Department of Veterans Affairs. If confirmed by Senate vote, it would be Cote's second run as a CIO under Trump. He served in the IT chief role at the Department of Transportation during the first Trump administration. Cote started his career as a U.S. Marine but went on to hold jobs in technology at firms like HP, Northrop Grumman, Gartner and IBM, before he entered federal service in 2019 at Transportation. Since leaving government at the end of Trump's first term, Cote has served as a board adviser for a company called Nubeva and as a so-called “private” global CIO, according to his LinkedIn profile. The VA has been without a Senate-confirmed CIO since the Trump administration took office. Kurt DelBene held the role during the previous administration. Eddie Pool, the agency's deputy CIO for connectivity and collaboration services, has been serving as the acting CIO. The Department of Defense is standing up a joint interagency task force to tackle drone threats, according to a senior officer. “We recently did a session with the secretary of defense and we are going to stand up a joint interagency task force” focused on thwarting drones, Gen. James Mingus, vice chief of staff of the Army, said during an event Wednesday co-hosted by AUSA and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), as it is known in DOD parlance, is a key challenge for the military. Commercial technology has evolved in recent years such that drones on the civilian market are extremely cheap to buy and simple to operate. It has also become less challenging to 3D print parts and devices that can fly. This has made it significantly easier for nation-states and terrorist groups to procure these types of systems and strap bombs to them, allowing adversaries to level the playing field against higher-tech combatants such as the U.S. military. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

6 Years into his job he finally wants to tackle a major issue? Seems kinda sketchSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elias Makos is joined by Andrew Caddell, a town councillor in Kamouraska, and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy and Neil Drabkin, is a lawyer who served as federal prosecutor and a political commentator who was a chief of staff in the Harper government on The Big 5. Over the past 11 years, more than 17,500 foreigners with criminal records have been cleared to enter Canada. Five years after protestors brought down the statue of John A. Macdonald in Dominion Square/Place du Canada, the city of Montreal has still not begun restoration work on it. The Legault government is launching a pilot project which will last 12 months, allowing stores in Laval, Gatineau and Saint-Georges-de-Beauce to stay open until 8 PM on weekends instead of 5PM.

Ryan Zinke is a fifth generation Montanan who serves as Representative for Montana's First Congressional District covering 16 counties in western Montana including the cities of Bozeman, Butte, Missoula, Kalispell. First elected to Congress in 2014, and serving as U.S. Secretary of the Interior between noncontiguous terms, Zinke has built a track record of accomplishments in energy, conservation, tribal and military issues. Now in his third term, Zinke is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, focusing his legislative agenda on restoring accountability to federal spending, restoring American energy dominance, and bolstering national security at our borders and beyond. Ryan began public service in 1985 when he joined the U.S. Navy and graduated from Officer Candidate School. He was recruited to join the U.S. Navy SEALs where he went on dozens of deployments targeting terrorist cells in Asia, war criminals in Bosnia, and combatting the rise of radical Islamic terrorists in the middle east. During his military career he held a number of leadership positions including as Ground Forces and Task Force commander at SEAL Teams SIX oversaw the U.S. Navy SEAL BUD/S training after 9/11, and was Deputy/Acting Commander of Joint Special Forces during the Iraq war. In 2006 he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service. Commander Zinke retired from active duty in 2008 after serving for 23 years. Following his military service, Ryan was elected to the Montana State Senate and was twice elected as Montana's sole member of the U.S. House of Representatives. During his first two terms as Congressman, Zinke served on the House Armed Services Committee and Natural Resources Committee. As a leading member of the Natural Resources Committee, Ryan challenged the Obama Administration on their policies that locked Montanans out of public lands and introduced legislation to strengthen public access and conservation. In December 2016, Congressman Zinke was nominated to be the United States Secretary of the Interior by President Donald J. Trump and later confirmed by a bipartisan vote in the Senate.

Last time we spoke about liberation of Luzon.. American forces, led by General Eichelberger and supported by General Krueger's armies, relentlessly advanced against the entrenched Japanese defenders of General Yamashita's 14th Area Army. Amid thick jungle and treacherous terrain, battles raged through the northern mountain ranges, as American troops aimed to restore the Filipino government. Facing overwhelming odds, the Japanese forces displayed extraordinary resilience, temporarily halting American progress. Remarkable efforts from General Swift's 1st Corps across Routes 9 and 11 led to significant breakthroughs as American forces captured critical positions, including Sablan and Baguio. However, the Japanese command, complacent and misjudging the American strategy, fell into disarray. As the tide turned with relentless American assaults, key Japanese positions were systematically dismantled. By late April, most of Luzon was liberated, restoring hope and autonomy to the Filipino people.  This episode is Invasion of Balikpapan Welcome to the Pacific War Podcast Week by Week, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about world war two? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on world war two and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel you can find a few videos all the way from the Opium Wars of the 1800's until the end of the Pacific War in 1945.  The battles for Okinawa and Luzon just closed up, and today we are going to be venturing back to the Dutch East Indies. As we left off in mid-May, the tides of war were shifting dramatically on the island of Luzon, with General Krueger's 6th Army celebrating significant victories across the region. In the north, General Swift's 1st Corps had successfully secured the scenic Baguio area, known for its lush mountains and cool climate, a stark contrast to the tropical heat that engulfed much of the Philippines. Yet, the fighting was far from over, as fierce battles continued on three major fronts. Colonel Volckmann's guerrilla 121st Regiment was making strides, snagging much of the strategically vital Bessang Pass, a crucial artery connecting northern Luzon to the central regions. However, their success came at a cost, leaving them overextended amidst fierce Japanese resistance. Meanwhile, General Gill's weary 32nd Division managed to claim dominance over the rugged terrain of Salacsac Pass along the historic Villa Verde Trail, known for its breathtaking views and treacherous paths that had challenged both soldiers and their supply lines. General Mullins' 25th Division achieved a remarkable breakthrough by capturing the key Balete Pass, opening the way for further advances. Not stopping there, the 25th Division pressed onward, quickly redirecting their focus northward towards the town of Santa Fe. By May 24, the 27th Regiment had cleared the Sawmill River valley, an area teeming with dense foliage and rugged hills, a significant accomplishment that paved the way for the next objectives. From there, the 1st Battalion expertly maneuvered eastward against the imposing Kanami Ridge. On May 22, the 161st Regiment dealt a heavy blow to Japanese positions in a stronghold on Mount Haruna, a location known for its steep, challenging slopes. Following this triumph, they began their descent down the northern slopes of Haruna Ridge, gearing up for a critical junction with the Villa Verde Trail by May 27. Meanwhile, the 35th Regiment launched a vigorous assault from Balete Pass, systematically clearing out the remaining Japanese caves and fortifications by May 26, culminating in the capture of Santa Fe the very next day. At Salacsac, the Japanese forces, led by General Iwanaka, initiated a limited counteroffensive, presumably to buy time for a strategic evacuation of their increasingly tenuous positions. If delay was indeed Iwanaka's intention, he executed it well; it wasn't until May 19 that the American supply line was finally deemed secure again. The 2nd Battalion of the 128th Regiment resumed its push east from Hill 525, but the progress was slow. By May 22, the 1st Battalion had only managed to advance a mere 500 yards east from Hill 508, while the 3rd Battalion commenced a southward and southeastward advance from Hill 516 on May 16. It was not until May 24 that the relentless fighting in the region bore fruit, leading to the eventual clearing of the area, and Salacsac Pass was officially declared secured. On that pivotal day, General Iwanaka began the difficult task of withdrawing the remnants of his battered forces northward, retreating up the winding valley of the Imugan River. This river, which flows through a lush, verdant landscape, would serve as a vital sanctuary, albeit one fraught with danger for the disheartened Japanese troops. Meanwhile, the American forces were gaining ground. The 2nd Battalion aggressively seized control of Hill 527, a position that provided a commanding view of the surrounding area, crucial for planning further advances. The 126th Regiment took decisive action, utilizing trucks to transport troops swiftly along Route 5 to Balete Pass before launching an assault toward Imugan from the east and southeast. Concurrently, the guerrilla 1st Battalion of the Buena Vista Regiment embarked on a northward push from Valdez, culminating in the hard-fought capture of Hill 528 on May 28. This hill, commanding and steep, presented a formidable challenge but also promised a vantage point critical for any further operations in the region. The very next day, Imugan finally succumbed to the relentless pressure of the advancing American forces, marking a significant milestone as the Villa Verde Trail came firmly under American control. This development effectively concluded the arduous operations of the 32nd Division. It was a costly campaign for General Gill; the division suffered approximately 825 men killed, 2,160 wounded, with an alarming 6,000 classified as non-battle casualties. In stark contrast, the Japanese defense was decimated, with at least 5,750 of the 8,750 troops they had deployed to defend the trail lying dead. As we gaze northward, we find Colonel Volckmann's guerrillas, who had extended themselves too thinly across Bessang Pass and into the challenging terrain of Yubo Ridge. The aftermath of their overreach saw them facing fierce Japanese counterattacks that swiftly pushed them back across Lamagan Ridge in the latter part of May. However, a small contingent managed to hold tenaciously onto the eastern slopes of Langiatan Hill, a strategic position that allowed them to maintain some level of influence in the region. Additionally, a robust force from the Japanese 76th Regiment assembled south of Butac, planning an offensive northward. However, this advance was met with fierce resistance from the guerrilla 15th Regiment, who successfully repelled the attack. Seizing the momentum, Volckmann directed the 15th Regiment into a new offensive eastward, and by the end of May, they had successfully re-secured their foothold up to Lamagan Ridge. Meanwhile, elements of the 121st Regiment executed a remarkable retaking of both Langiatan Hill and Yubo Ridge, gradually restoring control over this strategically vital area. Looking south, we find General Hall's 11th Corps vigorously engaged in two crucial offensives aimed at capturing Ipo Dam and Wawa Dam, both essential water reservoirs located east of Manila. The strategic importance of these dams cannot be overstated; they were vital not only for securing fresh water but also for controlling the flow of operations in the region. However, the relentless heavy downpours that characterized the season rendered air support missions impractical, exacerbating an already challenging supply situation for the advancing troops. As a result, General Wing's 43rd Division was forced to pause its offensive late on May 14 to reassess and devise new attack plans.  As of late May 14, the 43rd Division found itself in a precarious situation, necessitating a halt to operations to devise new attack plans. To this point, the division had made limited progress toward securing Route 52, a crucial supply line vital for their mission to capture Ipo Dam. Recognizing the urgency, General Wing decided it was essential to commit the 169th Regiment to a targeted attack to clear this road, as it would serve as a critical route for both supply and evacuation in the coming days. The adverse weather conditions had created a significant operational hindrance. For nearly the entire duration of their offensive, intermittent rains had severely disrupted ground and aerial supply chains, as well as evacuation and the crucial air support operations necessary for a successful advance. Ground conditions had become challenging, and division engineers struggled to construct and maintain supply roads at a pace even close to that of the infantry's advances. Consequently, supply drops and hand-carried provisions were just sufficient to keep combat units barely above the minimum required levels, but the evacuation of sick and wounded soldiers remained a pressing issue that plagued the division. By May 14, the situation worsened significantly. For the first time since May 6, the 5th Air Force was completely grounded, unable to conduct any air support or supply missions due to the worsening weather conditions. This represented a troubling turning point for the 43rd Division. Moreover, intelligence reports indicated that sizable groups from the Japanese Tomono and Hanabusa Detachments had shifted their focus away from their defenses along Route 52, moving instead to confront the 103rd and 172nd Regiments attacking from the south. General Wing recognized that this presented a timely opportunity for the 169th Regiment. Striking directly along Route 52 would likely be far easier and less costly than it would have been just a week prior. Furthermore, a successful offensive by the 169th could not only expedite the capture of Ipo Dam but also prevent further eastward redeployments of Japanese forces. This would be a vital maneuver, potentially relieving pressure from Fork Ridge, where the left flank of the 172nd Regiment was currently bogged down in fierce fighting. Time was of the essence, and decisive action was required to turn the tide in favor of the 43rd Division. The situation was critical; delay would allow Japanese forces to fortify their defenses further. In response, Wing mapped out a robust plan: he directed the 103rd Regiment to capture the Route 52 terminus at Ipo Dam itself, which was crucial for any further advances. Their orders included not only taking control of the dam but also clearing the high ground north of the road and west of the dam to ensure a secure position against any possible counterattacks. Additionally, he tasked the 172nd Regiment with seizing Hill 804, a vantage point that could provide vital intelligence and support to the offensive, while the 169th Regiment was directed to eliminate the last Japanese defenders in the Bigti area before advancing eastward along Route 52 to connect with the 172nd. A break in the weather finally came on May 17, allowing the 43rd Division to launch their offensive with much-needed air support. Aircraft successfully dropped napalm and strafed Japanese defensive positions, a strategy that proved devastatingly effective. General Kawashima, facing mounting losses, ultimately ordered the remnants of his command to withdraw to an assembly point on the western slopes of Mount Maranat, a retreat that revealed their deteriorating ability to hold the line. With the air support providing a critical advantage, the 103rd Regiment advanced boldly and swiftly cleared the last Japanese holdouts from Hill 860, securing an essential position. However, it was the guerrilla forces, under the command of Colonel Augustin, from the Marking Regiment who achieved a historic victory by capturing Ipo Dam shortly after noon. His patrols descended the slopes of Hill 803, crossed the Angat River at the dam, and triumphantly raised the American flag over the powerhouse on the south bank, a potent symbol of liberation and resistance. Simultaneously, the 172nd Regiment seized control of Fork Ridge, further tightening the noose around Japanese forces, while the 169th Regiment secured strategic ground from Hill 535 to Osboy Ridge, pushing forward with relentless determination. In the following four days, the 43rd Division, supported by the fearless Marking guerrillas, meticulously mopped up the area west of Ipo Dam. Their efforts culminated in the successful opening of Route 52 from Bigti to Ipo on May 19, a critical milestone that allowed for the unhindered movement of troops and supplies. By May 21, they completed the operation by clearing out the last pockets of organized resistance in the region west of the dam and south of the Angat River, a crucial waterway that would play a significant role in sustaining American operations. With the capture of Ipo Dam intact, General Wing achieved his primary objective, making a significant contribution to addressing Manila's pressing water supply problems. This success would have lasting implications for the civilians and military alike, as the dam was key to ensuring a reliable water supply in the region. The 43rd Division maintained its momentum, continuing mopping-up operations through May 31. They patrolled eastward across the Ipo River, pressed northeast up the Angat from the dam, and scoured the areas that had witnessed some of the most intense fighting during the campaign. The cost of these operations was notable; Wing's forces suffered losses of 120 killed and 515 wounded, while the Kawashima Force endured devastating casualties, with over 2,700 men killed and approximately 115 captured during the grueling battle. Meanwhile, General Chase's 38th Division pressed forward with its offensive against Wawa Dam, following the failure of General Yokoyama's most recent counteroffensive. The 145th Regiment found itself holding a precariously exposed salient at Mount Binicayan, which severely hampered their ability to launch an effective attack toward Wawa Dam. Japanese positions on the high ground to the north of the dam dominated the narrow, winding road with artillery, mortar, and machine-gun fire, making any advance perilous. In response to this daunting challenge, General Chase decided to launch an offensive with the 151st Regiment in the area north of the Marikina River, targeting the formidable Mounts Pamitinan and Hapanong-Banoy. This bold maneuver was contingent upon the 152nd Regiment gaining momentum in its attack to clear Woodpecker Ridge. As such, on May 19 and 20, the 152nd Regiment executed enveloping maneuvers centered on Woodpecker Ridge, ultimately breaking through enemy lines on May 21. The breakthrough was dramatically supported by the introduction of medium tanks and flamethrower tanks, powerful assets that helped turn the tide of battle. The following day, what began as a breakthrough rapidly escalated into a rout of Japanese defenders. By May 25, the 152nd Regiment had established control over the strategic junction of the Marikina and Bosoboso Rivers, a key position that not only bolstered their operational capabilities but also positioned them for further advances in the ongoing campaign. As Japanese resistance began to dissipate under the relentless pressure from the advancing American forces, the 149th Regiment, which had successfully relieved the 145th at Mount Binicayan, launched a bold strike toward Wawa Dam on May 27. Encountering little to no opposition, they secured the dam intact the following morning, marking a significant victory. It was on May 27 that General Yokoyama ordered a general retreat, recognizing the untenable position of his forces. Acting on these instructions, General Kobayashi's remaining troops fell back, pursued by vigilant patrols from the 38th Division. With Wawa Dam secured, General Chase shifted his strategy; rather than launching direct assaults against organized Japanese lines, he opted to focus on mopping up operations and pursuing the retreating enemy. The human cost of the campaign was significant. Chase's forces sustained losses of 160 killed and 590 wounded, while the Kobayashi Force suffered catastrophic losses, with over 10,000 men killed since the onset of the offensive.  Shifting focus southeast, the 7th Cavalry and Lieutenant Colonel Bernard Anderson's guerrillas converged on the coastal town of Infanta in late May. Faced with overwhelming pressure, the Japanese naval garrison retreated westward into the Sierra Madre mountains, a rugged and dense area that posed challenges for both sides. Infanta ultimately fell on May 25, and by the evening of the following day, the reinforced 7th Cavalry had successfully cleared the entire flat, rice-rich region surrounding the town, encountering only scattered and ineffective resistance. In a strategic move bolstered by overwater supply movements, the 7th Cavalry implemented an aggressive patrolling program to the southwest, seeking out any remaining enemy forces. Meanwhile, the 8th Cavalry focused its efforts on clearing the northern section of Santa Maria Valley, advancing northward into the Sierra Madre. By the end of May, the Shimbu Group, once a significant Japanese fighting force, was rendered ineffective. Its main units began to disband, breaking into small groups in a desperate bid to forage for food or to navigate their way to safety in northern Luzon. At the end of May, the Shimbu Group still boasted a strength of nearly 26,000 men, over half of its total personnel as of February 20. However, the remaining survivors were not the elite forces they once were. The relentless campaigns by the 11th and 14th Corps had decimated the best-trained and most well-equipped units, leaving behind a shell of what had once been a formidable fighting force. Of the approximately 13,000 survivors still organized into units, their combat effectiveness had deteriorated so significantly that it's worthy of mention only in passing. Meanwhile, about 13,000 others were struggling to survive without proper organization; roughly 5,000 of these were receiving whatever limited medical treatment the Shimbu Group could provide. The remaining 8,000 men had essentially lost all structure, scattering into small groups to forage for food or attempting to make their way north to Luzon, where they hoped to find safety and sustenance. The supply situation faced by the Shimbu Group at the end of May was even more dire than its personnel situation. They had been unable to transport significant portions of their vast stockpiles of supplies into the Sierra Madre mountains, a shortfall that would prove catastrophic for their survival. The only supplies they still possessed in any quantity were ammunition for small arms and machine guns, alongside medical materials for treating combat wounds. The most pressing issue, however, was a critical lack of food. The early loss of several key agricultural regions, including the Bosoboso Valley, the shores of Laguna de Bay, the Santa Maria Valley, and the fertile Infanta region, had deprived the Shimbu Group of expected food stocks. Most of the supplies brought out of Manila had already been consumed. For instance, the organized remnant of the Noguchi Force could currently allocate a meager two ounces of rice per day for each man—a portion that would undoubtedly vanish by mid-June. The Kobayashi Force fared little better, while the Kawashima Force managed to issue slightly more, around six to eight ounces of rice daily. The troops were gradually reduced to scavenging for survival, resorting to eating roots, bark, grass, and whatever food they could find in long-abandoned Filipino gardens. It's worth noting that after just a few days in June, there wasn't a single pig, carabao, or dog left alive within sight of the remnants of the Shimbu Group. Recognizing that mere existence was the overarching challenge, General Yokoyama hoped to regroup his organized units and move them into areas where they might have some chance to cultivate food, scattering them through the challenging terrain of the Sierra Madre. This desperate strategy highlighted the dire straits faced by the Shimbu Group as their chances for survival dwindled. Meanwhile, the Noguchi Force received orders to transfer its main strength to the mountainous region along the eastern shore of Laguna de Bay, where some of its elements were already positioned. This shift aimed to gather their forces in a more favorable terrain, potentially allowing for better access to resources. The Kobayashi Force was tasked with establishing a defensive sector in the area north of Mount Purro and east of Wawa. In a coordinated effort, the 31st Infantry, minus its 3rd Battalion, along with various miscellaneous troops from the 8th Division, were ordered to occupy positions north of the Lenatin River, enhancing their defensive capabilities in a strategic location. The remnants of the Kawashima Force, already in the process of withdrawing from the Ipo Dam area, were instructed to relocate to the mountains east of San Miguel, approximately 22 miles northwest of Ipo. This area was believed to have more abundant food supplies, crucial for the survival of their forces. However, as circumstances unfolded, this transfer later proved impossible. Unable to move effectively, the bulk of the Kawashima Force remained entrenched in the area surrounding Mount Inuman, where they faced mounting challenges in sustaining their troops. In the following month, General Hall directed the 38th Division and Major Edwin Ramsey's 2nd Provisional Regiment to pursue the remnants of Yokoyama's forces as they moved eastward toward Santa Iñez. Meanwhile, the 112th Cavalry employed various mountain and river valley trails to mount a converging attack from the south. They encountered light opposition and successfully captured the town on June 9, further consolidating their gains in the region. At the same time, patrols from the 43rd Division reported no signs of organized resistance north and east of Ipo Dam. The 2nd Cavalry Brigade, alongside Anderson's guerrillas, effectively dispersed the last organized remnants of the Kogure Detachment and the remaining Japanese naval units at Lamon Bay. By the end of June, the only indication of organized Japanese resistance in an area extending five miles north and ten miles east of Wawa Dam was found in the Lenatin River valley, approximately three miles north of Santa Iñez. This development forced the remnants of Yokoyama's forces into trackless and only partially explored wilderness, significantly complicating their ability to regroup or launch further operations. The operations throughout June were costly for Hall, resulting in approximately 110 men killed and 370 wounded. In contrast, Japanese losses during the month were staggering, amounting to 7,540 killed or found dead, alongside 1,105 captured.  Looking back north, General Yamashita aimed to avoid a similar fate for his northern forces. Ever since the fall of Baguio, he had been meticulously planning for the ultimate withdrawal of the Shobu Group deep into the Cordillera Central.  On May 5, less than two weeks following the fall of Baguio, General Yamashita disseminated an outline plan for future operations to the major components of the Shobu Group throughout northern Luzon. His strategy was built on three fundamental premises: Estimation of Enemy Actions: Yamashita assessed that the 6th Army would concentrate its main effort on a northward drive along Route 5, anticipating that General Krueger would only launch secondary attacks toward Bontoc via Routes 4 and 11. This understanding allowed him to anticipate the flow of enemy movements and allocate his resources more effectively. Timing for Resource Stripping: He calculated that the Shobu Group would have approximately three months during which it could strip the Cagayan and Magat Valleys of the essential food and military supplies needed for a protracted stand in the mountains. During this period, the group aimed to transport this matériel into the Cordillera Central through the junction of Routes 4 and 5, located near Bagabag, 25 miles north on Route 5 from Bambang. Control of Key Routes: Yamashita recognized that the success of his planned withdrawal and future delaying actions hinged on maintaining control over the Routes 4-5 junction for as long as possible. He estimated that his defenses south of Santa Fe would be robust enough to hold until mid-June. Additionally, he planned to construct new defensive positions across Route 5 between Santa Fe and Bambang, enabling him to contain the 1st Corps south of Bambang until the end of June. Most crucially, he believed that he would be able to retain control of the Junction of Routes 4 and 5 until the end of July, which was essential for his operational strategy. His initial perimeter encompassed the vital Route 11 terminus of the Baguio-Aritao supply road, as well as key locations such as Bessang Pass, Bontoc, Banaue, Oriung Pass, and Santa Fe In his May 5 plan, Yamashita outlined the necessity of holding the Salacsac Pass-Balete Pass line until mid-June while constructing additional defenses between Santa Fe and Bambang. After mid-June, the Japanese forces were to withdraw to a second perimeter, extending through Ambuclao, Mankayan, Sabangan, Bontoc, Oriung Pass, and Bambang, strategically positioning themselves for potential future engagements. Yamashita understood that these defenses would need to hold until July, when the defenders would be expected to retreat to his last-stand positions centered around Bokod, Mankayan, Polis Pass, the Rayambugan Farm School, and Bambang. He anticipated that the Shobu Group would be compelled to hold their ground until annihilation at these key locations. On April 27, the 103rd Division received orders from the Area Army to transfer its main strength to the Cauayan-Cabagan area, leaving behind only the Yuguchi Detachment 80th Brigade Headquarters in Aparri, which comprised a meager two battalions of nuclear infantry. Yamashita's plans called for virtually abandoning the Cagayan Valley, temporarily retaining only the 103rd Division, which was significantly outnumbered and equated to less than two American Regimental Combat Teams (RCTs), particularly since the Araki Force was stationed in the Cervantes area. The primary duty of the 103rd Division would be to gather all available resources in the valley, including rice and livestock such as carabaos, and dispatch these supplies into the Cordillera Central through Bagabag. Once this crucial task was completed, the division would also withdraw into the mountains, aligning with Yamashita's broader strategic objectives. Yamashita's decision to abandon the Cagayan Valley made logical sense. He realized that the forces he had remaining could not hold the valley for much longer. Additionally, there seemed little necessity to maintain a strong presence there any further. Initially, he had kept units in the valley to harvest and gather food, deny the Allied Air Forces of the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA) the use of airfields for strikes against Formosa and Okinawa, and hold onto Aparri in the hope that supplies and reinforcements might still reach Luzon. However, by early May, Yamashita concluded that the situation at Okinawa was largely resolved, negating any strategic purpose behind holding the valley airfields. The hope for reinforcements had long since faded, and crucially, his troops had already gathered the early rice harvest from the valley. With no new crop expected to come in until late September, Yamashita recognized that he would not be able to harvest this future crop, further solidifying his decision to withdraw. Yamashita also ordered the 79th Brigade to take over the defense of Banaue, while directing the 105th Division to defend both the Magat Valley and the Bato Bridge area against potential airborne attacks. However, by the end of May, the situation deteriorated significantly: Santa Fe had fallen, and the retreat of the 10th Division had devolved into a chaotic rout. This development put the defenders at risk of allowing the enemy to reach Bambang before they could establish any strong delaying positions south of the town. In response, Yamashita ordered the 10th Division and the 2nd Tank Division to assemble for a defensive stand across Route 5 at Bato Bridge. He also repositioned the 105th Division to the Rayambugan Farm School and directed the 103rd Division to occupy the vacated defenses at Oriung Pass. Despite these strategic maneuvers, time was not on their side. General Krueger wasted no time launching an aggressive pursuit northward, immediately sending the relatively fresh 37th Division to drive straight up Route 5 from Santa Fe to Bagabag. This force was then to swing east through Oriung Pass into the Cagayan Valley, continuing its advance north along Route 5 toward Aparri. To prepare for a larger offensive, Krueger also intended to use the 25th and 33rd Divisions in the initial assault against the Japanese home islands. To this end, he directed the 32nd Division to take over operations in the Baguio area, while the 6th Division was tasked with relieving the 25th at Santa Fe before striking northwest up Route 4 into the deep Cordillera Central, pursuing the Japanese forces further into the mountainous terrain. Finally, Swift was ordered to execute limited attacks up Route 11 from Baguio, maintain the guerrilla offensive against Cervantes, and deploy the Connolly Task Force to follow Route 3 around the northwest tip of Luzon to secure the Aparri region. Leading the charge, the 129th Regiment of the 37th Division advanced north from Santa Fe on May 31, quickly encountering a reinforced provisional anti-tank unit just south of Aritao. This unit managed to delay the town's capture until June 5. However, the following day, Bambang fell without resistance, and the 129th faced only token opposition at Bato Bridge before ultimately reaching Bayombong on June 7. On June 8, the 145th Regiment took over the lead, and by nightfall, they had seized the crucial junction of Routes 4 and 5 near Bagabag without a fight. Advancing further, the 145th crossed the Magat River on June 9 and pressed toward Oriung Pass, where they rapidly engaged the reinforced 179th Independent Battalion. Although the outgunned and outnumbered defenders valiantly delayed the advance, the 145th pushed through the pass along Route 5 and secured it late on June 12. This breakthrough prompted the bulk of the 103rd Division to decide on a strategic retreat toward the Bontoc-Natonin area, while the remnants of the 4th Air Division abandoned Echague to join this withdrawal. By the evening of June 13, the 145th finally halted its advance at Santiago, while the 148th Regiment worked to neutralize the remaining Japanese positions at Oriung Pass. With these positions secured, the offensive resumed, resulting in the fall of the Echague airbase on June 14, followed by the occupation of Cauayan two days later. As we can see, neither the 10th Division nor the 2nd Tank Division managed to reach Bagabag in time to impede the American advance; the latter was assembling along the Bambang-Pingkian road. On June 12, the 20th Regiment initiated a southwest drive along this road from Bambang. Two days later, elements of the 126th Regiment began pushing west toward Pingkian from Aritao, thereby applying significant pressure on Iwanaka's beleaguered troops. Meanwhile, the 10th Division had become hopelessly cut off east of Route 5 and had retreated to the Old Spanish Trail south of Aritao. On June 11, the 25th Division launched a two-pronged attack against this isolated group, forcing General Okamoto's remnants to retreat eastward deep into the Sierra Madre. In the meantime, General Clarkson dispatched the 130th Regiment up Route 11, where they encountered the 58th Independent Mixed Brigade, which was only capable of weak resistance. Poor weather conditions hindered the 33rd Division's operations in the following days, but by June 15, elements of the 130th Regiment had swung east along the Baguio-Aritao supply road and reached Ambuclao on the Agno River. To the north, Volckmann continued his offensive throughout June, deploying the 121st Regiment to clear Route 4 and secure the northern half of Lamagan Ridge. The 15th Regiment was tasked with advancing to seize Upper Cadsu Ridge and then moving generally northeast along the south side of Route 4. Additionally, the still-arriving 66th Regiment aimed to secure the area south of Butac and swing to the east on the 15th's right flank. As a result, both Lamagan Ridge and Lower Cadsu Ridge were cleared by June 5, with the 15th Regiment then turning its focus toward Upper Cadsu while the 121st Regiment advanced directly toward Bessang Pass. Volckmann's Provisional Battalion launched an attack on Magun Hill and, after a series of minor setbacks, succeeded in clearing much of the area by June 10. On that day, the 121st Regiment initiated a final assault toward Bessang Pass, advancing from the west and southwest. The following day, the Provisional Battalion began pressing in from the north and northeast. Meanwhile, the 15th Regiment overran the last organized resistance on Upper Cadsu on June 12, just as the 66th Regiment was reaching the southwestern corner of the ridge. Supported by artillery, the 121st finally overcame the last organized defenses at Bessang Pass on June 14, establishing contact with the Provisional Battalion east of the pass. On the same day, the final pockets of opposition crumbled before the 15th and 66th Regiments south of the pass. Consequently, the remnants of Japanese forces fled east along Route 4 toward Cervantes, pursued by elements of the 15th and 121st Regiments, which successfully secured the town before dark on June 15. During this final offensive, the guerrillas suffered losses of 119 men killed and 120 wounded, while exaggerated estimates placed Japanese losses at around 2,600 killed. At the same time, by mid-June, the guerrilla 11th and 14th Regiments had cleared almost all the valley west of the Cagayan River, stretching from Cauayan north to Aparri. They also gained complete control over Route 11 from Bontoc to the valley, effectively preventing the 103rd Division from joining Yamashita's last-stand positions. Meanwhile, the Connolly Task Force, after a largely uneventful march, approached Aparri and began an attack on June 11 to clear the last Japanese forces from the area. The last event forcing Yamashita to alter his plans came on 13 June, when the 6th Division's 63d Infantry began probing northwest up Route 4 from Bagabag. The reconnaissance foreshadowed a push that Yamashita especially feared, since Route 4 provided direct access to the deep Cordillera Central. The 105th Division, with defenses across Route 4 at the Rayambugan Farm School, did not have sufficient strength to hold the highway, Yamashita knew. Recognizing that he could not hope to maintain control along any of the three perimeters he had established in May, Yamashita issued new orders for a strategic withdrawal to a last-stand area. This new perimeter would be set up along the inhospitable valley of the Asin River, positioned between Routes 4 and 11. Accordingly, the orders were as follows: The 105th Division was to retreat from Route 4 to the Pacdan-Antipolo line. The 2nd Tank Division was to move north and hold the line from Tubliao to Antipolo. The 23rd Division was tasked with defending along the Adaoay-Bokod line. The 58th Independent Mixed Brigade was to hold the Agno Valley from Buguias south to Adaoay. The 19th Division was to consolidate the bulk of its forces into the Agno Valley, defending the river line from the Loo Valley south to Buguias. The 79th Brigade was assigned to defend Route 390 at Hapao. Once this last-stand perimeter collapsed, Yamashita planned for all remaining forces to retreat into the barren Asin Valley between Toccucan and Kiangkiang, prepared to fight to the death. The area behind this new last-stand perimeter boasted excellent defensive terrain, and Yamashita estimated that most of his units had sufficient ammunition for machine guns, mortars, and small arms to hold their positions for an extended period. However, the Shobu Group faced dire challenges: they were virtually out of medical supplies, had no clothing stocks, and their food reserves would be completely exhausted by mid-September. If they were not annihilated by the advancing Filipino-American forces, the Shobu Group could only anticipate a slow death by starvation and disease. Now, it's time to shift focus from the Philippines and head to Borneo to cover the preparations for the invasion of Balikpapan, codenamed Operation Oboe II. As the 9th Australian Division completed its tasks in North Borneo, General Milford's 7th Australian Division was assembling at Morotai for the upcoming invasion scheduled for July 1. Milford's plan entailed an amphibious assault on a two-brigade front between the Klandasan Besar River and Klandasan town, where the Japanese had established their strongest defenses.  In June, it was estimated that approximately 3,900 troops were stationed around Balikpapan, composed of: 1,500 in mobile units. 2,400 in anti-aircraft, air force, and base units. Additionally, there were 1,100 Japanese workers, 2,400 Indonesians, and 1,000 Formosans present. Near Samarinda, it was believed there were about 1,500 troops, plus possibly a battalion that had recently arrived from Tarakan. Experience had demonstrated that when estimating the strength of the enemy's resistance, every Japanese and Formosan, whether part of a fighting unit, base unit, or civilian labor group, had to be regarded as a combatant. Key defensive features included: At least 18 coast-defense guns, primarily located on ridges overlooking the sea. 26 heavy dual-purpose guns and 78 medium and light anti-aircraft guns. Offshore, between Klandasan and Manggar, rows of stout poles were driven into the seabed, horizontally braced with timber, and protected with barbed wire. An almost continuous anti-tank ditch, from 12 to 14 feet wide, extended above the beach from Stalkudo to Sepinggang. Extensive trench systems, with many tunnel openings, were detected on the ridges overlooking Klandasan. Numerous concrete strongpoints and a continuous line of bunkers lined the beach's fringe. This area was among the most strongly fortified that the Australians had encountered during the war. Indeed, Air Vice-Marshal Bostock, responsible for air support of the landing, cautioned the Prime Minister in a letter that these meticulously prepared defenses might result in Australian casualties comparable to those experienced during the landing at Gallipoli. It appeared that the Japanese had established their main defenses on the slopes overlooking the beaches from Klandasan to Stalkudo. The Australian staff believed the Japanese would attempt to contain the invaders within their beachhead area for as long as possible, before withdrawing inland, either south to Bandjermasin or overland to Bintulu in Sarawak. Additionally, it was anticipated that the enemy would direct burning oil onto the beach unless the oil tanks were destroyed during the preliminary bombardment. Brigadier Ivan Dougherty's 21st Brigade was to land with one battalion on Green Beach, while Brigadier Frederick Chilton's 18th Brigade would go ashore with two battalions on the Yellow and Red Beaches. Once a beachhead was secured, the 18th Brigade would seize the high ground dominating the town and clear the harbor for use, while the 21st Brigade would advance along the coast to capture the airstrips. Additionally, Brigadier Kenneth Eather's 25th Brigade, held in reserve, was set to land on July 2 with the likely objective of thrusting inland along the Milford Highway. Although Admiral Barbey favored a landing site farther east, possibly at Sepinggang, where their ships could be positioned more safely and further from Japanese coastal defense guns, Milford countered with sound reasoning: “Why land up the coast and have to fight miles through jungle, which suits the enemy, when you can go straight in under heavy supporting fire, which the enemy can't withstand, in comparatively open and favorable country?” Supported by General Morshead, this plan received approval, and by June 16, the 7th Division was successfully assembled at Morotai. Admiral Noble's Task Force 78 would once again transport the Australian troops to the landing area, supported by Rear-Admiral Ralph Riggs' cruiser group and Rear-Admiral William Sample's escort carriers. Against the Japanese defenses, Admiral Kamada's 22nd Special Base Force consisted of approximately 3,900 troops, with 1,500 in mobile units and 2,400 in anti-aircraft, air force, and base units, in addition to an estimated 4,500 laborers. In preparation for the invasion, aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force and the 5th and 13th Air Forces began bombarding enemy defenses and storage tanks on June 4. These attacks intensified a week later as they specifically targeted Japanese gun positions. On June 15, Noble's minesweepers arrived to clear the sea around Balikpapan of magnetic mines, but faced losses, with three ships sunk and three damaged during the operation. Ten days later, American underwater demolition teams began working to locate and breach the underwater obstacles, often under heavy gunfire. To further confuse the enemy, efforts were made to create the impression that the landing would occur at Manggar. This included spreading rumors, landing a reconnaissance party in that area, and demolishing underwater obstacles at both Manggar and Sepinggang. Finally, on June 26, Noble's convoy set sail from Morotai. After an uneventful voyage, they reached Balikpapan unmolested just before dawn on July 1. During the morning, Riggs' cruisers and Noble's destroyers shelled the landing beaches and the defenses behind them, continuing the bombardment until the first waves of landing craft were within 1,300 yards of the shore, at which point the fire shifted to the flanks and rear of the enemy positions. About an hour before the landing, a combined rocket barrage and low-level airstrike were executed, followed by a second rocket barrage just ten minutes before the troops hit the beaches. In total, during the 20 days leading up to the assault, the Balikpapan-Manggar area received 3,000 tons of bombs, 7,361 rockets, 38,052 shells, and 114,000 rounds from automatic weapons, all aimed at crippling the formidable Japanese defenses. Covered by a successful bombardment, the assault waves finally hit the beaches just before 09:00. However, due to navigation errors, the troops were put ashore at the wrong locations. The 2/27th Battalion landed on Yellow Beach instead of Green Beach and quickly captured the Ration, Romilly, Rottnest, and Charlie's Spur positions. The 2/12th Battalion landed on Red Beach instead of Yellow, necessitating a northeast swing to take over Ration and reduce the remaining Japanese defenses in the area. A platoon was also detached to push inland along Vasey Road to seize Portee, while other elements secured Parkes, Plug, and Blyth's Junction. The 2/10th Battalion, correctly landing on Red Beach, rapidly seized the high ground in front of them. Patrols found Prudent and Petersham Junction to be unoccupied. The 2/10th then assembled at Petersham Junction and captured the lower slopes of Hill 87, successfully taking the hill under assault by noon. Meanwhile, Dougherty landed his reserve units, which also came ashore further west than expected on Yellow Beach. The 2/16th Battalion quickly assembled at Ravenshoe and captured Record, Pigeon, and Mount Malang. By 11 a.m. the battalion was on Ravenshoe, whence Malang and Pigeon were visible. Advancing under sharp fire Captain Madigan's company on the left took Record about 4 p.m., killing 46 Japanese. At 4.5 Captain R. H. Christian's company launched a concerted attack on Malang, sup-ported by the fire of artillery, mortars and machine-guns, and using a flame-thrower. The hill was taken and 40 Japanese were killed. The Australians lost four killed, including the leading platoon commander, Lieutenant Armstrong, and 14 wounded. By nightfall the 2/16th held a line through Malang, Pigeon and Record. It had lost 6 killed or died of wounds in the day and 24 wounded; 86 Japanese dead had been counted.  The 2/14th Battalion advanced swiftly to secure a bridgehead over the Klandasan Besar and seized the Stalkudo ridge. The 2/5th Commando Squadron passed through this bridgehead and attacked northeast but encountered heavy opposition. Returning to Hill 87, the 2/10th Battalion assaulted and captured Parramatta in the afternoon, aided by artillery and tanks, while patrols further secured Newcastle and the Cracking Plant by dusk. A patrol led by Sergeant A. A. Evans was sent out from Davey's platoon towards Newcastle. They silenced a bunker with a flame-thrower, and came to a house from which Japanese were firing. They overcame this position with grenades and small arms fire and then moved on to New-castle. As Evans reached Newcastle he saw the surviving Japanese making off towards Portee. Davey's platoon now occupied Newcastle and the other platoon took up positions on Parramatta. The seizure of Parramatta gave the 2/10th observation over the low ground to the north and the northern end of the town, and tied the battalion in with the 2/12th on Portee; the Japanese were now in a very poor position to counter-attack from the western end of the beach-head. Lieutenant Russack of Sanderson's company led a patrol to the Cracking Plant where it silenced a Japanese pill-box. This patrol was strafed by American aircraft, but worse was to follow. At 4.55 American carrier-borne aircraft made a run over Parramatta from the west and dropped bombs and fired rockets across Hill 87, which had then been in the hands of the 2/10th for four hours and a half. Much of this fire landed in the area into which Captain Brocksopp's" company ("D") had moved and where Daly's command post was established. Three were killed, including Lance-Sergeant Hackett, a veteran of several cam-paigns, and 14 wounded, including Major G. R. Miethke and two other officers. Air panels were displayed in all platoon areas after this. Daly decided to hold that night as far forward as Newcastle, on which he placed two platoons plus a platoon of the 2/1st Machine Gun Bat-talion, all under Captain Bowie. In the day the battalion had lost 13 killed and 30 wounded, but 216 Japanese dead were counted. That night 24 more Japanese were killed while trying to penetrate the Australians' positions and no Australian was hit. All night there were fires round about where houses were burning, and the blazing oil tanks on the Tank Plateau 600 yards to the west of the Parramatta ridge lit up the landscape. Finally, Brigadier Chilton also landed the reserve 2/9th Battalion on Red Beach and sent it west in the afternoon to occupy Klandasan town, leading to the capture of Santosa Hill by nightfall. Thus, the Australians successfully landed at Balikpapan and secured a sizable beachhead, marking the beginning of what would become a fierce and challenging battle. 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 June 1945, American forces, led by Generals Eichelberger and Krueger, fought fiercely against Japanese troops in Luzon, achieving significant victories despite heavy resistance. The tide turned as they captured key positions, restoring hope to Filipinos. Meanwhile, preparations for the Balikpapan invasion intensified. The 7th Australian Division readied for an amphibious assault on July 1 against well-fortified Japanese defenses. Despite facing strong opposition, the Australians successfully landed at various beaches, seizing vital ground.

The Indianapolis Vision Zero Task Force has released an initial plan to make the city safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers. The Indiana Department of Child Services is undergoing what it calls a “transformational” reorganization of its agency. Indiana officials seek to execute a third death row inmate less than a year after the state ended its 15-year pause on capital punishment. Mothers are now able to purchase and drop off donated human breast milk at an Ascension St. Vincent site in Carmel. Want to go deeper on the stories you hear on WFYI News Now? Visit wfyi.org/news and follow us on social media to get comprehensive analysis and local news daily. Subscribe to WFYI News Now wherever you get your podcasts. WFYI News Now is produced by Drew Daudelin, Zach Bundy and Abriana Herron, with support from News Director Sarah Neal-Estes.

Continuing the EO Summit coverage, another attendee was Alex Logan, co-founder and CEO of Cecil. This is a nature data platform which began with trees. They focus on metadata, more here. It was a fascinating discussion. I am new to this space and there is a strong overlap with those in carbon credit and biodiversity markets. What I appreciate the most is the emergence of financial materiality. For example, The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) is taking care of the US. In the EU things are more advanced, Nature Restoration Regulation. There is also the EU's Regulation on Deforestation-free Products. All of this means an exciting data and app ecosystem is flourishing. For example, I was invited to join Cecil's Slack. A torrent of founders joined, one after the other introducing exciting new software facilitating the progress and insight intended by these disclosure frameworks and regulations. It is also a space filled with optimistic, conscientious people with the right future in mind. I am happy to have found them as these are my people. This is where I come from. This is the future I was brought up to build. Podcasting like this is a high paced, enticing discovery experience. I keep talking with inspiring people. Each episode is a small practice session on a possible future. Thanks for being our guide for nature data Alex, thanks also for sponsoring the Nature Data for Finance meetup on the EO Summit sidelines.

PJ hears opinions from listeners on the idea of a taskforce for Cork to solve problems faster modelled on Dublin's taskforce. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-fifth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.' Hosted by COL Ricky Taylor, the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today's guests are four seasoned infantry task force seniors. LTC Andy Smith is the TF Senior for Task Force 2 (IN BN) with ten rotations as an Observer – Coach – Trainer and six rotations as a rotational training unit. LTC Matt Bandi is the TF Senior for Task Force 3 (IN BN) with nine rotations as an OCT and four rotations as RTU. LTC(P) Timothy Price is the TF Senior for Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) with twenty-one rotations as an OCT and seven rotations as RTU. And LTC Chuck Wall is the TF Senior for Task Force 1 (IN BN) with nine rotations as an OCT and five rotations as RTU. This episode of The Crucible centers on the raw, uncompromising realities of infantry warfighting in the LSCO environment, drawing directly from firsthand observations at JRTC. The discussion highlights how success on the modern battlefield is built on a foundation of small-unit fundamentals—movement, marksmanship, reporting, and rehearsals. Leaders emphasize that doctrinal clarity and simplicity at the squad and platoon level remain decisive, especially under pressure from drone surveillance, EW interference, and contested logistics. Units that survive and win are those that maintain discipline in their fieldcraft: they camouflage well, rehearse everything, and operate with a combat mindset that anticipates disruption rather than being surprised by it.   The conversation also underscores the importance of deliberate leadership placement, effective use of terrain, and clarity in commander's intent. Fieldcraft isn't just about staying hidden—it's about moving smart, planning for degraded comms, and sustaining yourself under fire. Leaders describe how critical it is for junior NCOs and officers to own their piece of the battlefield, from shaping local security zones to enforcing LOGSTAT discipline. The episode drives home that modernization won't compensate for a lack of tactical proficiency—and that high-tech tools like sUAS, ATAK, or digital fires architecture only matter if teams have mastered the analog skills to shoot, maneuver, communicate, and survive under stress.   Remember, Professionals train for the fight—they rehearse under pressure, refine fundamentals, and prepare for the worst-case scenario. Amateurs train until they get it right; professionals train until they can't get it wrong. In LSCO, that difference means survival.   Part of S03 “Lightfighter Lessons” series.   For additional information and insights from this episode, please check-out our Instagram page @the_jrtc_crucible_podcast.   Be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with the latest warfighting TTPs learned through the crucible that is the Joint Readiness Training Center.   Follow us by going to: https://linktr.ee/jrtc and then selecting your preferred podcast format.   Again, we'd like to thank our guests for participating. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.   “The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.

Hall Skaara, representing PHA Europe, brought the patient perspective to the forefront at the World Symposium on Pulmonary Hypertension, joining other members of Task Force 1. PHA Europe was well-represented with delegates including Eva Otter, Monika Tschida, Natalia Maeva, Tadeja Ravnik, and Nina Kobler. This prestigious event gathered over 1,500 of the brightest minds in the field of pulmonary hypertension, offering a unique opportunity for patients and professionals to collaborate and share insights, as well as for patient associations to network. This Special Edition Episode Sponsored by: Johnson & Johnson Learn more about pulmonary hypertension trials at www.phaware.global/clinicaltrials. Follow us on social @phaware Engage for a cure: www.phaware.global/donate #phaware Share your story: info@phaware.com @EuropePHA @Hall_Skaara @JNJInnovMed

Links!First, just put down your name and email here if you're interested in participating in the book group at all. I'll follow up with details. Here are the two books:Manny Teodoro's Profits of Distrust: Citizen-Consumers, Drinking Water, and the Crisis of Confidence in American Government, andAmanda Lewis and John Diamond's Despite the Best Intentions (2nd edition)2030 Task Force links:2030 Task Force websiteMedia hubOpen Records hubHow to get involvedContact/Signup

This is the morning All Local update Saturday June 21, 2025.

Eric Immesberger worked 14 years local law enforcement followed by 21 years ATF. He commanded 2 of the largest ATF Task Force Groups; Grp 4 Joint firearms Task Force in NYC and Kansas City Grp 5 Gun Squad. Eric also spent 3.5 years on the STF Special Response Team. He is a member of the NYPD Honor Legion and Gold Valor Medal recipient. Eric is the current owner of SENDit Woodworking. ProForce Law Enforcement - Instagram @proforcelawenforcement / 1-800-367-5855 Special Discount Link for TPS listeners!       http://tps.proforceonline.com   Follow Eric on Instagram @sendit_woodworking   Contact Steve - steve@thingspolicesee.com Support the show by joining the Patreon community today! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=27353055

Send us a textIn today's Daily Drop, Jared's back to walk you through a spicy buffet of government overreach, UFO shenanigans, and military budget cosplay. NORCOM's moving troops into L.A., Newsom's throwing a federal tantrum, and the Pentagon is apparently deleting Signal messages like they're hiding UFOs—because, spoiler alert: they kind of are.We've got dive-deep takes on the Air Force's nuclear glow-up, Space Force's identity crisis (again), and why the B-1B is still the king of air-dropped “nope.” Also, if you ever wanted to know how Norway hijacked a U.S. bomb mid-flight or why Gavin Newsom thinks he's still in charge of something—this one's for you.

It's the Mea Culpa Week in Review. T-minus 12 days and counting until election day and Donald Trump is clearly losing badly. While it ain't over till it's over, this one appears to be headed towards a landslide victory for Joe Biden. One of the likely reasons, suburban women have abandoned Donald Trump; defecting in historic numbers. This threatens not just the presidency for Trump but down ballot races as well; suggesting a possible blue wave that would fundamentally reorder Washington as we know it. For the main event, Michael speaks with Olivia Troye, former Homeland Security advisor to Vice President Pence and Covid Task Force member. She resigned from the White house just eight weeks ago and describes a place that was more cult headquarters than presidential home. And where facts are not facts unless they adhere to the Trumpian narratives provided. Troye endured years inside the belly of the beast; doing her best to make a difference only to be stymied by Trump's increasingly i... It's the Mea Culpa Week in Review. T-minus 12 days and counting until election day and Donald Trump is clearly losing badly. While it ain't over till it's over, this one appears to be headed towards a landslide victory for Joe Biden. One of the likely reasons, suburban women have abandoned Donald Trump; defecting in historic numbers. This threatens not just the presidency for Trump but down ballot races as well; suggesting a possible blue wave that would fundamentally reorder Washington as we know it. For the main event, Michael speaks with Olivia Troye, former Homeland Security advisor to Vice President Pence and Covid Task Force member. She resigned from the White house just eight weeks ago and describes a place that was more cult headquarters than presidential home. And where facts are not facts unless they adhere to the Trumpian narratives provided. Troye endured years inside the belly of the beast; doing her best to make a difference only to be stymied by Trump's increasingly incompetent actions. She tells Mea Culpa the whole saga. Thanks for listening... Also, make sure to check out Mea Culpa: The Election Essays for the definitive political document of 2020. Fifteen chapters of raw and honest political writings on Donald Trump from the man who knows him best. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08M5VKQ6T/ For cool Mea Culpa gear, check out meaculpapodcast.com/merch To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices