Podcasts about unable

In this episode of My Miniature Obsession, Rachel sits down with the incredibly talented Bleaus Custom, a standout voice in the world of modern miniatures.What began as a simple fix to a childhood dollhouse turned into a full-blown creative business. Unable to find the siding they needed, they made their own and never looked back. Now, their bold, modern aesthetic and stunning attention to detail have earned them three features in American Miniaturist magazine and a devoted following of makers and collectors.You'll hear about:How Bleau's business started and why it stands outTheir creative process and approach to modern designThe launch of their own miniature subscription boxTips for miniaturists looking to break the moldWhether you're deep into dollhouse design or just starting to explore the hobby, this episode is packed with inspiration, insight, and creative encouragement.

Welcome to Season 4, Episode 30 of The Vaguely Vaping Related Podcast - Unable to Process There are a few new products out this week, so we do have some new vapes to talk about. The new tank from Ambition Mods, the Revorie, the new NeXlim Go Vape Kit form Oxva and the Gemini pod kit from Vandy Vape. We also take a look at the new Salt range from Pixie juice (available at The Alchemists Cupboard), a new range of Salts from Zeus Juice and some EZPZ Cotn from Coilology. It's also warm, so we do complain about the weather, hw very British of us! Enjoy Chandler, Jimmy & Dave

Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” — Matthew 19:27 Often in life we are taught that we will be rewarded for certain behaviors and actions—especially if we try hard and work at something with all our heart. In our reading for today, Peter speaks for the others around him and asserts that they've given up everything to follow Jesus. Can they expect a reward? In his teaching here, Jesus indicates that there is a cost in following him. When a rich young man asks how he can “get eternal life,” Jesus speaks of keeping God's commandments, and he calls on the young man to give up his wealth to the poor and to follow him. Unable to do that, the rich young man turns away disappointed. Jesus explains to his disciples how hard it can be for a rich person to be saved. In fact, he says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle” than for a rich person to enter God's kingdom. Gaining salvation for ourselves is impossible, but, thankfully, God has provided a way for us. If we turn to Jesus, he will save us and give us new life. Like Peter and the other disciples, we should turn to Jesus, recognizing that all that we have has been given by God. And we should seek to honor God first by serving him and others. Though our rewards in this life may not include wealth or status, the Lord will bless us with all we need and with the assurance that we will have eternal life with him “at the renewal of all things.” Help us, Lord, to follow where you lead, serving you and others as we await full life in your presence. Amen.

Unable to step off the ship, tensions are rising amongst the crew of the Avontuur and coping mechanisms begin to emerge. When the dry store is raided and boxes of biscuits go missing, ship's cook Giulia is forced to turn detective.15 people, 188 days at sea, one extraordinary ship: how the Avontuur was locked down at sea during the Covid-19 pandemic.Narrated by Siobhán McSweeney Produced by Christina Hardinge Sound and music by Noémie Ducimetière Artwork by Joe Magee Narration written by Laura Thomas For Lives Less Ordinary, the series producer is Laura Thomas and the editor, Munazza Khan.Lives Less Ordinary is a podcast from the BBC World Service that brings you the most incredible true stories from around the world. Each episode a guest shares their most dramatic, moving, personal story. Listen for unbelievable twists, mysteries uncovered, and inspiring journeys - spanning the entire human experience. Step into someone else's life and expect the unexpected.Got a story to tell? Send an email to liveslessordinary@bbc.co.uk or message us via WhatsApp: 0044 330 678 2784 You can read our privacy notice here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/5YD3hBqmw26B8WMHt6GkQxG/lives-less-ordinary-privacy-notice

Hey Friend, In today's conversation you'll get a peak behind the curtain on my life. I resonated SO much with the story and work of today's guest that I couldn't help but share how I struggle with a lot of the things she helps mom's overcome.   If you're like me, you might be in a season of chaos with your kids, trying to juggle it all and keep your head above water. It can feel like you've lost yourself and that it's a daily challenge to be the mom you want to be, let alone get in a workout or care for your own well being.   I don't think I'm alone on this and I'm grateful that God has people like Aubree who have gotten His direction and strategy on how to step into an intentional mom life.    In His Grace, Robin *** Aubree Felderhoff is a Spark Coach for Moms, a mom of three spirited boys, and host of the top-ranked Mom Intentional podcast. After a sudden, life-altering illness left her bedridden and completely disconnected from who she was, Aubree faced a hard truth—she had spent so long taking care of everyone else, she no longer recognized herself. That breaking point became the start of her mission.   Now, she helps overwhelmed moms who feel lost in motherhood rediscover their identity, rebuild their confidence, and create a life they love. Through coaching designed to help women reclaim their spark, Aubree guides moms from burnout to purpose—so they can stop running on empty and finally feel alive again.   As she often says: You're not broken—you're buried. Let's uncover you.   More from Aubree: Take the Assessment on her site: www.momintentional.com Join her free Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1BeTiFTWR7/ Follow Aubree on Instagram: @momintentional   *** When you're ready, here are 4 ways I can support you in your health journey:    1. Grab my free 5 Day Sugar Fast Devotional In this 5 Day Devotional you have the opportunity to drop weight and sugar cravings while gaining a totally new approach to health that is grounded in Jesus. Download it here: https://madewellhealth.com/sugarfast   2. Join my free Facebook group  In this group you'll have access to years of resources I've shared along with the new content I put out weekly. Additionally, you'll be in good company with fellow Jesus loving ladies looking to live a sustainable healthy lifestyle. Join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/RobinRhineMcD/   3. Take the Healthy Cooking Made Easy Mini Course  This short course will show you how to enjoy healthy cooking with confidence by saving time, cooking less, and loving what you make! Sign up here: https://go.madewellhealth.com/cooking   4. Work with Me Directly Whether it's joining my 6 week course, the Healthy Weight Loss Academy or getting 1-1 coaching, I am all about SIMPLIFYING healthy weight loss and providing the tools and resources you need to create healthy habits you'll keep by partnering with God and following my proven Sustainable Health process. For more info and to apply, click here: https://www.visiondrivenhealth.com/get-coaching  

Ron March is a once vital man suffering from debilitating Lupus. Unable to work, he lucks out with subsidized housing in a Burnaby, British Columbia apartment building, and soon befriends his neighbor across the hall, Loray Rayne. Loray is a cancer survivor still in precarious health, who receives care from her roommate, Lance Standberg. But Lance is gone for long spells working in the oilfields, so Loray comes to rely on Ron when he's away. Ron ends the friendship when Loray's demands become overbearing, enraging his neighbor and igniting the violent fury of her roommate – who will stop at nothing to avenge the insult to Loray's honor. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John Lees returns to the podcast to discuss his newest comic from Mad Cave Studios: ORLA! John has partnered with Sally Cantirino, Dearbhla Kelly, and Lucas Gattoni for this tale of love and monsters, well, one monster in particular, The Ick. John and Jimmy discuss some of the terrible men Orla finds herself dating, the wonderful visual jokes the incredible Sally Cantirino added to the story, and the fun of making a comic with all the tropes of a romantic comedy. John also talks about the current Kickstarter campaign for Grawlgore & Shanks that he worked on with Joe Mulvey being published by ComixTribe. It's Lord of the Rings meets Knives Out, and it looks incredible. John is a fantastic storyteller who is so passionate about the collaboration of making comics and it's great to have him back on the podcast.  From the Publisher Love is a monster. Orla Bard is an antique restorer, romance novel enjoyer and keen birder. She also believes in true love, continuing to navigate Seattle's singles scene despite repeated disappointment. But Orla has a secret. She is afflicted with The Ick, a man-eating monstrous entity dwelling inside her, who violently emerges whenever she gets too angry or afraid. Unable to rid herself of this curse, Orla uses The Ick to save other women by removing the scummiest men from the dating pool…permanently. Hearts (and bodies) will be broken in this offbeat romcom/creature-feature mashup! Order ORLA Check out Grawlgore & Shanks #1 on Kickstarter Follow John on Bluesky Follow Comic Book Yeti

Elias Makos Andrew Caddell, a town councillor in Kamouraska, and President of the Task Force on Linguistic policy, and Paul Gott, Lead singer and guitarist for Montreal Punk Rock band the Ripcordz and a journalism professor at Concordia. Prominent Canadian pundit Paul Wells is pulling no punches in his latest column, under the headline “Let’s Admit It: Canada is losing the trade war with Trump.” Unable to get any important meetings with officials in Washington, D.C., Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and Foreign Minister Anita Anand headed to Mexico and met with President Claudia Sheinbaum. Mark Carney is thinking of changing the Online News Act, or getting rid of it all together. This, two years after Meta “banned” news on its platforms. 42 giant 18-metre gold masts put up on Pierre-De Coubertin Avenue in front of the Big O are causing a lot of conversation. What do you say? Ugly or not?

I'm a digital cartographer by trade, and honestly, the last two, three, four presentations have been incredible. Maps, historically, they do really two things, and we've really seen an amazing amount of the first: understanding our world. But historically, maps weren't just about understanding. They were also about creating, about building, about shaping the built environment around us. They help us plan cities, do trade, fight wars and maintain peace. And as we've digitized these maps, you've seen them fit into our pocket. Things that used to take entire libraries, reams of paper, are now in our pocket or in our eyes.我的职业是数字制图师，说实话，过去两三四场的演讲都令人惊叹。历史上，地图主要有两个作用，我们刚刚看到的大部分内容都集中在第一个：帮助我们理解这个世界。但从历史上看，地图并不仅仅是用来理解的，它们也是用来创造、建设以及塑造我们周围的人造环境的。它们帮助我们规划城市、发展贸易、打仗与维持和平。随着地图的数字化，它们已经从纸张变成了装进口袋的东西。曾经需要整座图书馆和成堆纸张的内容，如今就在我们的口袋里，甚至就在我们眼前。But as we move from the information age into the cybernetic age, an era dominated by the application of robotics and artificial intelligence to the physical world, cartography needs to change. It's not enough to collaborate in a digital world. The challenge in front of us is really to take those technologies and to use them to build physically. And for the first time in history, we have the remote sensing capacity on orbit and the technology to process all of the data into a dynamic, living replica of the physical Earth inside of a computer -- what we call the “Living Globe.” You can think of this as a sandbox, a place where you can take the digital representation of our Earth and combine it with a physical representation on the ground, and go back and forth so that sensors can show you what's actually happening in real-time.但当我们从信息时代迈入控制论时代——一个以机器人和人工智能应用于物理世界为主导的时代——制图学也必须随之改变。仅在数字世界中协作已经不够了。我们面临的真正挑战，是将这些技术用于现实世界的物理建设。历史上第一次，我们拥有了在轨遥感能力，以及处理所有数据的技术，能在计算机中构建一个动态、活生生的地球复制体——我们称之为“活地球”。你可以把它想象成一个沙盒，一个能将数字地球与地面实景相结合、并实现实时互联的空间，让传感器告诉我们现实中正在发生什么。Let's make that real. Earlier this year, the Los Angeles wildfires devastated Southern California. Many of us were personally impacted or know someone who was. Satellite imagery and mapping played a critical role in understanding the impact of that devastation, guiding first responders and shining a spotlight on the destruction that happened. But it's not enough just to look, to observe, to react. What's been nagging me since then is that what LA needed, it wasn't satellite imagery, it was water. Large-scale infrastructure projects, megaprojects, rapid response systems with firefighting robots that would be able to take out the fire before it started.让我们回到现实。今年早些时候，洛杉矶的野火重创了南加州。我们当中许多人都受到影响，或认识受灾的人。卫星图像和地图在理解这场灾难的破坏程度、引导救援人员、聚焦受灾区域方面发挥了关键作用。但仅仅观测、记录、反应是远远不够的。从那时起，一直让我耿耿于怀的是：洛杉矶真正需要的不是卫星图像，而是水。是大型基础设施项目，是可以在火灾爆发前就扑灭火势的消防机器人组成的快速响应系统，是超级工程。This used to be how we thought. 200 years ago, we were a civilization of builders with a culture of action. We built the Erie Canal, the transcontinental railroad, the Hoover Dam -- megaprojects that fundamentally reshaped our Earth, our physical world. But these projects had devastating ramifications. Unable to predict their impact and know what the results would be, we retreated into the virtual world, a world of iPhones and personal computers dominated by individualism. The problem is: the problems of the 21st century, they're fundamentally physical. They're problems of moving atoms. When you think about climate change, energy abundance,housingaffordability, global security, these are problems that require regaining a builder's spirit and starting to act upon the physical world once again.过去我们就是这样思考的。200年前，我们是一个建设型文明，拥有行动至上的文化。我们修建了伊利运河、横贯大陆的铁路、胡佛大坝——这些超级工程从根本上改造了地球和物理世界。但这些工程也带来了毁灭性的后果。由于无法预测它们的影响和后果，我们退缩到了虚拟世界，一个被iPhone和个人电脑主导的个人主义世界中。问题是：21世纪的问题本质上是物理性的，是关于如何移动原子的难题。无论是气候变化、能源充足、住房可负担性，还是全球安全，这些问题都需要我们重新找回建设者的精神，重新在现实世界中采取行动。What we've done is we've taken dozens and dozens of different data sets. We've fused them together into a dynamic and living representation of the Earth. By pulling these into an ontology so that computers and people can interact with them together, we can programmatically start identifying patterns so that we can delegate the monitoring of those patterns to a computer.我们所做的是把几十种不同的数据集合并在一起，融合成一个动态的、活生生的地球表示。通过将这些数据整合进一个本体系统，让计算机与人类共同理解和交互，我们就可以通过程序识别出其中的模式，并将这些模式的监测任务交由计算机完成。

When life unravels—through loss, illness, or uncertainty—can we really believe that God works all things together for our good? In this honest and hope-filled devotional, Lynette Kittle wrestles with Romans 8:28 and what it means to trust God when life doesn’t make sense. From unexpected hospital visits to life-threatening moments turned miraculous, this episode reminds listeners that God’s plans are always good, even when our circumstances aren’t. Whether you're facing job loss, grief, or simply feeling crushed under life’s weight, this devotional encourages you to cling to God’s promises and believe that He’s working behind the scenes for your good and His glory. Highlights (What You’ll Learn) What it really means to believe Romans 8:28 in the middle of suffering Why God’s goodness isn’t limited by our understanding of “good” A real-life story of how an unexpected illness led to a life-saving intervention Encouragement to shift from fear and worry to trust and peace How to lean into God’s promises during personal trials and heartache

After months of intensive negotiations, the US tariff deadline has finally arrived. Unable to reach a deal at the final hour, Switzerland is reeling from 39% tariffs. We look at how this will affect Swiss businesses, and if it's likely to stick. Elsewhere, we get the reaction from two other countries that were able to strike a deal - Taiwan and Lesotho. And the 78th Edinburgh Festival Fringe gets under way, with millions of visitors expected across the festival. We see how local business is booming.

Lisa Marchiano is a Jungian analyst and is the co-host of This Jungian Life podcast.------------Keep Talking SubstackSpotifyApple PodcastsSocial media and all episodes------------Support via VenmoSupport on SubstackSupport on Patreon------------(00:00) Finding Jung Feels Like a Native Tongue(02:10) Early Memories: Mother and Jung's Mysterious Books(04:35) The Story of Jung's Bell and the Paranormal(06:20) From History and Humanitarian Work to Inner Crisis(08:15) A Breakup Sparks a Deep Depression(10:50) The Columbus Avenue Bookstore Ritual(13:10) Stumbling Upon “On the Way to the Wedding”(15:35) Reading the Book That Changed Everything(18:10) Writing Down Dreams and the Rabbit Hole Begins(20:25) Realizing Suffering Has Meaning(22:50) Deferring Law School for Work in Bosnia(25:05) Growing Doubt About Her Career Path(28:15) The Phone Call to the Jung Institute(31:10) Refusing the Call but Unable to Let It Go(34:20) Wrestling With Persona and Prestige(38:15) Choosing Social Work Over Law(41:40) The Calling Becomes Stronger in Bosnia(45:05) Returning to New York and Social Work School(48:20) Balancing Training With Motherhood(50:40) Why Jung's Ideas Are So Beautiful and Expansive(55:20) The Rise of Jung's Popularity and the Podcast(60:15) Depth Versus Ideology: Why Jung Resonates Today(64:10) Jungian Work as a Container for Meaning(67:50) Defining Synchronicity and Its Significance(70:00) Her Mother's Legacy and Final Reflections

Q:I watched your YT session on "If Christians should use AI".   I have a dilemma currently with music. I only listen to Faith/Christian music and recently have found some new music that I am very much enjoying.  I always do research on the band/music/song to ensure it is morally within the context of Scripture and the message is directed about Jesus. However, I found out that this new Christian/Faith music that I was listening to was AI created.  The publisher of the music on social media has openly admitted that the songs are AI created.  The messages in the songs are (in my belief) to be strong Christian messages.  I do have some reservations with AI creating songs like this.  I am not sure if I am over-reacting to this, but it scares me somewhat. One day we may not know what AI created and passed as someone's work.  Would it be wrong to let AI help us create something that we feel are unable to express?  It seems that we are cheating in some way by using AI. Summary: In this episode, Dr. E tackles a question about whether or not it's wrong to let AI help us creatively. AI isn't inherently evil. It's a tool—like electricity or a microwave. It can help us find information, speed up tasks, and even assist in medicine. But when it starts replacing our thinking, our creativity, or our worship, we need to pause. MIT research shows that relying on AI can actually reduce how our brains function. That's not just a tech issue. That's a spiritual issue. We're image-bearers of a creative God. We're meant to struggle, to think, to wrestle with truth and beauty. Taking shortcuts with something as sacred as worship or prayer robs us of the growth God intended. AI might be efficient, but it's not inspired.  Takeaways: AI is a tool, not a substitute for the God-given work of creativity and discipleship. Outsourcing creative labor to AI can undermine spiritual formation. AI-generated messages, even with good theology, lack the soul of human wrestling. MIT studies show AI use diminishes brain activity and engagement over time. Christians should be cautious about “cheating” their way through expressions of faith. We are image-bearers of a Creator—designed to think, feel, and create, not copy. Links Mentioned: Should Christians Use AI?  The Kerby Anderson interview Michael mentions will come out on 8/5. We'll update this with the link once it's live but you can subscribe here to keep an eye out.  Kerby Anderson on AI use John Piper ChatGPT Prayer  Find more episodes of Ask Dr. E here. If you've got a question for Dr. Easley, call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at question@michaelincontext.com.

With the new season of Platonic dropping next week, we had to bring in Seth Rogen and proud Aussie Rose Byrne to give us a sneak peek at what’s in store before Rose opens up about a surprising injury of her own... Platonic season two premieres Wednesday, 6 August on Apple TV+ Watch the trailer here!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A single compromised password led to the collapse of 158-year-old UK logistics firm KNP, after hackers—suspected to be the Akira gang—used it to gain access, encrypt systems, and demand a £5 million ransom. Unable to pay, the company lost all its data and folded, putting 700 employees out of work. The breach underscores how weak access controls can have catastrophic consequences.To counter massive botnets, Google is now combining technical defenses with legal action. Its lawsuit against the “BadBox 2.0” operators marks a major shift: targeting criminals behind malware that infected over 10 million Android devices. Google's strategy includes leveraging the CFAA and RICO Act to not just stop malware but dismantle the entire criminal infrastructure—signaling a more aggressive, litigation-driven cybersecurity era.Meanwhile, a new malware delivery method is exploiting DNS—a common but often under-monitored network function. Attackers hide malware in DNS TXT records, break it into chunks, and reassemble it on target systems using standard DNS queries. Since DNS traffic is rarely scrutinized, this technique bypasses traditional defenses, making DNS monitoring essential for comprehensive protection.Travelers to China face serious privacy risks. Authorities are using malware like “Massistant” to extract sensitive data from mobile phones during inspections. Developed by Chinese firm Meiya Pico, the software accesses encrypted texts, location history, and even Signal messages upon installation. Though evidence of compromise may remain, the intrusion happens before detection, raising concerns for anyone bringing devices into the country.China has also shifted its cyberattack strategy by outsourcing operations to private firms. These companies now discover and sell zero-day vulnerabilities to government agencies. This model, which evolved from loosely affiliated hacker groups, blurs the line between state and private enterprise, making attribution difficult. As a result, China-linked hackers increasingly infiltrate U.S. critical infrastructure while masking their origins, and exposure alone no longer seems to deter them.In response to national security concerns, Microsoft has removed China-based engineers from U.S. military cloud projects. A ProPublica investigation revealed their prior involvement, prompting a Pentagon ban on such support. Previously, Chinese engineers worked under U.S. supervision, a practice now deemed too risky for defense-related systems.Microsoft's SharePoint is also under siege. Chinese state actors exploited a critical flaw dubbed “ToolShell” to compromise at least 54 organizations, including those in critical infrastructure. The attack allowed for deep system access, extraction of encryption keys, and installation of web shells—despite prior patches. The incident stresses the need for rapid patching and vigilance, even on widely used enterprise platforms.Cyberwarfare is influencing real-world military dynamics. Ukrainian cyber operatives claim to have digitally crippled a major Russian drone manufacturer, deleting 47TB of production data and disabling access systems. Allegedly backed by military intelligence, the attack highlights how digital sabotage can directly disrupt military production and reshape conflict outcomes. Code is now as consequential as conventional weapons on the modern battlefield.

Do glazed earthenware vessels absorb, and if so, to what extent? Can they be kashered? Meriemar appears to issue contradictory rulings regarding this topic, particularly vessels that contained wine of idol worshippers versus the kashering of vessels for Pesach. How is this contradiction resolved? Rabbi Akiva was asked three questions, one of which pertained to clay jugs previously owned by non-Jews. Unable to provide answers on the spot, he went to the beit midrash, where he ultimately discovered the correct rulings. The jugs can be used after twelve months of not having been used for wine.  Grape seeds, grape peels, and fish stew (morayis) mentioned in the Mishna are discussed in detail, along with the halachic issues they raise. Different sages mention items that can be used after twelve months without undergoing any kashering process.  Why are cheeses from Onaiki forbidden? Reish Lakish proposes an explanation, but his answer is challenged based on a seemingly contradictory statement he made in a different context. The resolution of this difficulty involves a clarification of his original statement.  Feces from an ox that gored and was sentenced to be stoned are not forbidden, even though the ox itself is. However, feces from an animal that was used for idol worship are forbidden. The distinction between these two cases is clarified through logical reasoning and supported by verses from the Torah. Rava adds that our Mishna can also serve as a textual basis for these rulings.

Do glazed earthenware vessels absorb, and if so, to what extent? Can they be kashered? Meriemar appears to issue contradictory rulings regarding this topic, particularly vessels that contained wine of idol worshippers versus the kashering of vessels for Pesach. How is this contradiction resolved? Rabbi Akiva was asked three questions, one of which pertained to clay jugs previously owned by non-Jews. Unable to provide answers on the spot, he went to the beit midrash, where he ultimately discovered the correct rulings. The jugs can be used after twelve months of not having been used for wine.  Grape seeds, grape peels, and fish stew (morayis) mentioned in the Mishna are discussed in detail, along with the halachic issues they raise. Different sages mention items that can be used after twelve months without undergoing any kashering process.  Why are cheeses from Onaiki forbidden? Reish Lakish proposes an explanation, but his answer is challenged based on a seemingly contradictory statement he made in a different context. The resolution of this difficulty involves a clarification of his original statement.  Feces from an ox that gored and was sentenced to be stoned are not forbidden, even though the ox itself is. However, feces from an animal that was used for idol worship are forbidden. The distinction between these two cases is clarified through logical reasoning and supported by verses from the Torah. Rava adds that our Mishna can also serve as a textual basis for these rulings.

Today - A Sierra Vista couple says they’re stuck in place, caught between Arizona’s rent laws and a park policy they say is blocking the sale of their home. Read more: https://www.myheraldreview.com/news/sierravista/rent-hike-leaves-sv-couple-unable-to-sell-mobile-home/article_50d9704b-fa1c-433a-8283-87af516e6287.htmlSupport the show: https://www.myheraldreview.com/site/forms/subscription_services/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emma Unson Rotor took leave from her job as a math teacher in the Philippines to study physics at Johns Hopkins University in 1941. Her plans were disrupted when the Imperial Japanese Army invaded and occupied the Philippines. Unable to access her Philippine government scholarship to attend Johns Hopkins, she joined the Ordnance Development Division at the National Bureau of Standards. It was here that she did groundbreaking research on the proximity fuze, the “world's first ‘smart' weapon,” in the words of physicist Frank Belknap Baldwin, who also helped develop the technology. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

The breathtaking design of the heavens and the foundations of the earth point unmistakably to a Creator whose hands shaped it all—and whose presence gives meaning to our own existence.

In this first of two episodes on Sarah Updegraff Murray, I explore the profound lessons of courage I've learned from her remarkable example. Next episode, we'll hear directly from Sarah in an interview. Last spring, Sarah slipped on black ice, sustaining a spinal injury that led to paralysis. Here, I reflect on her inspiring embodiment of virtue: courage in action.We'll discuss Victor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning and a Marcus Aurelius quote about finding encouragement. I'll also share our connection through Nordic Choir at Luther College. Sarah's story is one of inspiration. Her Facebook page, Hope is a Strategy, could just as fittingly be called Hope is a Choice. Unable to change what happened, Sarah chose to respond with hope. Grateful that she shared her time with me. This was one of the best interviews that I have done on the RockneCast!

Join Premium! Ready for an ad-free meditation experience? Join Premium now and get every episode from ALL of our podcasts completely ad-free now! Just a few clicks makes it easy for you to listen on your favorite podcast player.  Become a PREMIUM member today by going to --> https://WomensMeditationNetwork.com/premium As the moments pass,  I find myself wound tight, Unsure of what's up or down.  Much needs my attention, My decisions, my time, To organize the chaos around.  PAUSE Walls start to cave, Surroundings turn dark, My mind can't take any more.  I find myself frozen, Unable to move, Twisted thoughts are at war.  PAUSE One more fork in the road, One more decision to make, Mental lists of pros and cons.  The weight is getting heavy, Because up ahead I know, Another fork awaits my response. Join our Premium Sleep for Women Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Sleep podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here --> https://bit.ly/sleepforwomen  Join our Premium Meditation for Kids Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Kids podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here → https://bit.ly/meditationforkidsapple Hey, I'm so glad you're taking the time to be with us today. My team and I are dedicated to making sure you have all the meditations you need throughout all the seasons of your life.  If there's a meditation you desire, but can't find, email us at Katie Krimitsos to make a request. We'd love to create what you want!  Namaste, Beautiful,

In today's episode of the Atheist Experience, Secular Rarity and JMike dive into various arguments for belief, including personal, historical, and philosophical claims, challenging callers to define their terms and defend their positions against logical scrutiny and internal contradictions. They also explore the practical applications of critical thinking in constructing a secular moral framework.Marianne in NJ calls in to present personal experience, scientific, and historical evidence for Christianity, focusing on the Bible's supposed singular narrative written over 1500 years by 40 writers. The hosts challenge this idea with the Documentary Hypothesis, noting the Bible's internal contradictions, and quickly identify her reasoning as circular. They question the utility of her "Google this" approach and dismiss her car crash analogy as not representative of the Gospels' discrepancies. Why does the God of the Bible continue to be described as loving when his actions are anything but?Sam in AZ initially seeks to discuss scientific and historic arguments for God, but quickly pivots to advocating for a "general theism" and then the ontological argument. The hosts challenge the coherence of arguing for a God about whom nothing is known, using a "bare designer" analogy to highlight the lack of predictive power in such a vague concept. They press him to provide a specific version of the ontological argument, which he struggles to articulate clearly. What distinguishes a "general theism" from other unsubstantiated claims?  Unable to actually carry on an intelligent conversation, Sam resorts to racial and anti-lgbtq+ slurs before rage quitting, but thanks to the magic of editing, you won't hear the slurs! We did however leave in the hosts justified ridicule of this immature tactic.  You're welcome!Rich in CT questions the Council of Nicaea, believing it's where "the whole Jesus bullshit started" and wonders why it isn't discussed more. Hosts explain that while the Council does not inherently disprove Christianity, its historical context should invite skepticism. They note that many self-professed Christians are not knowledgeable on this history and recommend Bart Ehrman's work for deeper insight. Can historical skepticism lead to a more honest understanding of religious origins?Watcher in PA presents life, love, and goodness as evidence for God. Focusing on "God is love" from 1 Corinthians 13:4, the hosts construct a modus tollens argument, contrasting this definition of love with God's actions in the Bible, such as commanding the slaughter of innocent infants. They highlight the special pleading involved in Watcher's justification of such acts as "judgment," challenging him to admit the contradiction inherent in his definition of love. Does the Bible's portrayal of God align with any consistent definition of love?Lord in CA introduces his secular moral framework called "compression logic," which aims to ethically remove contradictions from systems by focusing on reducing suffering, recognizing all variables, preserving existence, and allowing mobility. The hosts question the foundational basis for these four moral pillars, discussing the long-standing debate between moral realism and anti-realism. They also push for a more precise definition of "collapse" in his framework, differentiating between tangible and conceptual failures, and suggest exploring the works of Immanuel Kant and constructivism. Can a moral framework truly avoid collapse if its foundational principles are not universally accepted or clearly defined?Thank you for joining us this week! We will see you next time!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-atheist-experience--3254896/support.

Hours before the game between St Kilda and Sydney, the roof at Marvel Stadium is unable to completely shut. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 1999, Swedish medical student, Anna Bågenholm, was skiing in Norway with friends when she fell through a frozen stream and became trapped under a thick layer of ice. Unable to free herself, and forced to wait for rescue, her body temperature quickly fell to 13.7°C (56.7°F) and she fell unconscious. 80 minutes later, Bågenholm was brought to the surface by rescuers, clinically dead. But that is not the end of Anna's story... Sources: -Aftonbladet- Her temp was down to 13.8 degrees -Swedish-Norwegian co-operation in the treatment of three hypothermia victims: A case report, Scandinavian Journal of Trauma Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine - Tjugofyra7, Clinically dead but Anna survived – My story can help others -Another Day: Cheating Death To advertise on this podcast please email: ad-sales@libsyn.com    Or go to: https://advertising.libsyn.com/Marooned 

Facilitator:  MariaTopics:  How find the edit to delete contact;  Issues with volume focus changing while switching apps;  ssues finding the "OK" button;  Calling Accessibility support;  Inconsistency with accessibility with updates, i.e. Netflix;  Sometimes driving mode accidentally getting turned on;  Do we want screen recognition on or off by default;  Where to find Screen Recognition;  How to Label certain buttons;  Unable to download need software for V.O. Screen Recognition;  Setting speech rate;  Issues with Voice Stream Reader stops reading in Kindle or Bookshare;  Using or not using Unspoken Content;  Does Spoken Content interfere with Voice Over?;  Email not showing up on Ipad but it's still on Iphone;  iBUG Bytes:  Maria:  Calling Phone Number from Voicemail Transcriptions

This show has been flagged as Explicit by the host. Overview Several years ago I wrote a Bash script to perform a task I need to perform almost every day - find the newest file in a series of files. At this point I was running a camera on a Raspberry Pi which was attached to a window and viewed my back garden. I was taking a picture every 15 minutes, giving them names containing the date and time, and storing them in a directory. It was useful to be able to display the latest picture. Since then, I have found that searching for newest files useful in many contexts: Find the image generated by my random recipe chooser, put in the clipboard and send it to the Telegram channel for my family. Generate a weather report from wttr.in and send it to Matrix. Find the screenshot I just made and put it in the clipboard. Of course, I could just use the same name when writing these various files, rather than accumulating several, but I often want to look back through such collections. If I am concerned about such files accumulating in an unwanted way I write cron scripts which run every day and delete the oldest ones. Original script The first iteration of the script was actually written as a Bash function which was loaded at login time. The function is called newest_matching_file and it takes two arguments: A file glob expression to match the file I am looking for. An optional directory to look for the file. If this is omitted, then the current directory will be used. The first version of this function was a bit awkward since it used a for loop to scan the directory, using the glob pattern to find the file. Since Bash glob pattern searches will return the search pattern when they fail, it was necessary to use the nullglob (see references) option to prevent this, turning it on before the search and off afterwards. This technique was replaced later with a pipeline using the find command. Improved Bash script The version using find is what I will explain here. function newest_matching_file { local glob_pattern=${1-} local dir=${2:-$PWD} # Argument number check if [[ $# -eq 0 || $# -gt 2 ]]; then echo 'Usage: newest_matching_file GLOB_PATTERN [DIR]' >&2 return 1 fi # Check the target directory if [[ ! -d $dir ]]; then echo "Unable to find directory $dir" >&2 return 1 fi local newest_file # shellcheck disable=SC2016 newest_file=$(find "$dir" -maxdepth 1 -name "$glob_pattern" \ -type f -printf "%T@ %p\n" | sort | sed -ne '${s/.\+ //;p}') # Use printf instead of echo in case the file name begins with '-' [[ -n $newest_file ]] && printf '%s\n' "$newest_file" return 0 } The function is in the file newest_matching_file_1.sh , and it's loaded ("sourced", or declared) like this: . newest_matching_file_1.sh The '.' is a short-hand version of the command source . I actually have two versions of this function, with the second one using a regular expression, which the find command is able to search with, but I prefer this one. Explanation The first two lines beginning with local define variables local to the function holding the arguments. The first, glob_pattern is expected to contain something like screenshot_2025-04-*.png . The second will hold the directory to be scanned, or if omitted, will be set to the current directory. Next, an if statement checks that there are the right number of arguments, aborting if not. Note that the echo command writes to STDERR (using '>&2' ), the error channel. Another if statement checks that the target directory actually exists, and aborts if not. Another local variable newest_file is defined. It's good practice not to create global variables in functions since they will "leak" into the calling environment. The variable newest_file is set to the result of a command substitution containing a pipeline: The find command searches the target directory. Using -maxdepth 1 limits the search to the chosen directory and does not descend into sub-directories. The search pattern is defined by -name "$glob_pattern" Using -type f limits the search to files The -printf "%T@ %p\n" argument returns the file's last modification time as the number of seconds since the Unix epoch '%T@' . This is a number which is larger if the file is older. This is followed, after a space, by the full path to the file ( '%p' ), and a newline. The matching file names are sorted. Because each is preceded by a numeric time value, they will be sorted in ascending order of age. Finally sed is used to return the last file in the sorted list with the program '${s/.\+ //;p}' : The use of the -n option ensures that only lines which are explicitly printed will be shown. The sed program looks for the last line (using '$' ). When found the leading numeric time is removed with ' s/.\+ //' and the result is printed (with 'p' ). The end result will either be the path to the newest file or nothing (because there was no match). The expression '[[ -n $newest_file ]]' will be true if $newest_file variable is not empty, and if that is the case, the contents of the variable will be printed on STDOUT, otherwise nothing will be printed. Note that the script returns 1 (false) if there is a failure, and 0 (true) if all is well. A null return is regarded as success. Script update While editing the audio for this show I realised that there is a flaw in the Bash function newest_matching_file . This is in the sed script used to process the output from find . The sed commands used in the script delete all characters up to a space, assuming that this is the only space in the last line. However, if the file name itself contains spaces, this will not work because regular expressions in sed are greedy . What is deleted in this case is everything up to and including the last space. I created a directory called tests and added the following files: 'File 1 with spaces.txt' 'File 2 with spaces.txt' 'File 3 with spaces.txt' I then ran the find command as follows: $ find tests -maxdepth 1 -name 'File*' -type f -printf "%T@ %p\n" | sort | sed -ne '${s/.\+ //;p}' spaces.txt I adjusted the sed call to sed -ne '${s/[^ ]\+ //;p}' . This uses the regular expression: s/[^ ]\+ // This now specifies that what it to be removed is every non-space up to and including the first space. The result is: $ find tests -maxdepth 1 -name 'File*' -type f -printf "%T@ %p\n" | sort | sed -ne '${s/[^ ]\+ //;p}' tests/File 3 with spaces.txt This change has been propagated to the copy on GitLab . Usage This function is designed to be used in commands or other scripts. For example, I have an alias defined as follows: alias copy_screenshot="xclip -selection clipboard -t image/png -i \$(newest_matching_file 'Screenshot_*.png' ~/Pictures/Screenshots/)" This uses xclip to load the latest screenshot into the clipboard, so I can paste it into a social media client for example. Perl alternative During the history of this family of scripts I wrote a Perl version. This was originally because the Bash function gave problems when run under the Bourne shell, and I was using pdmenu a lot which internally runs scripts under that shell. #!/usr/bin/env perl use v5.40; use open ':std', ':encoding(UTF-8)'; # Make all IO UTF-8 use Cwd; use File::Find::Rule; # # Script name # ( my $PROG = $0 ) =~ s|.*/||mx; # # Use a regular expression rather than a glob pattern # my $regex = shift; # # Get the directory to search, defaulting to the current one # my $dir = shift // getcwd(); # # Have to have the regular expression # die "Usage: $PROG regex [DIR]\n" unless $regex; # # Collect all the files in the target directory without recursing. Include the # path and let the caller remove it if they want. # my @files = File::Find::Rule->file() ->name(qr/$regex/) ->maxdepth(1) ->in($dir); die "Unsuccessful search\n" unless @files; # # Sort the files by ascending modification time, youngest first # @files = sort {-M($a) -M($b)} @files; # # Report the one which sorted first # say $files[0]; exit; Explanation This is fairly straightforward Perl script, run out of an executable file with a shebang line at the start indicating what is to be used to run it - perl . The preamble defines the Perl version to use, and indicates that UTF-8 (character sets like Unicode) will be acceptable for reading and writing. Two modules are required: Cwd : provides functions for determining the pathname of the current working directory. File::Find::Rule : provides tools for searching the file system (similar to the find command, but with more features). Next the variable $PROG is set to the name under which the script has been invoked. This is useful when giving a brief summary of usage. The first argument is then collected (with shift ) and placed into the variable $regex . The second argument is optional, but if omitted, is set to the current working directory. We see the use of shift again, but if this returns nothing (is undefined), the '//' operator invokes the getcwd() function to get the current working directory. If the $regex variable is not defined, then die is called to terminate the script with an error message. The search itself is invoked using File::Find::Rule and the results are added to the array @files . The multi-line call shows several methods being called in a "chain" to define the rules and invoke the search: file() : sets up a file search name(qr/$regex/) : a rule which applies a regular expression match to each file name, rejecting any that do not match maxdepth(1) : a rule which prevents the search from descending below the top level into sub-directories in($dir) : defines the directory to search (and also begins the search) If the search returns no files (the array is empty), the script ends with an error message. Otherwise the @files array is sorted. This is done by comparing modification times of the files, with the array being reordered such that the "youngest" (newest) file is sorted first. The operator checks if the value of the left operand is greater than the value of the right operand, and if yes then the condition becomes true. This operator is most useful in the Perl sort function. Finally, the newest file is reported. Usage This script can be used in almost the same way as the Bash variant. The difference is that the pattern used to match files is a Perl regular expression. I keep this script in my ~/bin directory, so it can be invoked just by typing its name. I also maintain a symlink called nmf to save typing! The above example, using the Perl version, would be: alias copy_screenshot="xclip -selection clipboard -t image/png -i \$(nmf 'Screenshot_.*\.png' ~/Pictures/Screenshots/)" In regular expressions '.*' means "any character zero or more times". The '.' in '.png' is escaped because we need an actual dot character. Conclusion The approach in both cases is fairly simple. Files matching a pattern are accumulated, in the Bash case including the modification time. The files are sorted by modification time and the one with the lowest time is the answer. The Bash version has to remove the modification time before printing. This algorithm could be written in many ways. I will probably try rewriting it in other languages in the future, to see which one I think is best. References Glob expansion: Wikipedia article on glob patterns HPR shows covering glob expansion: Finishing off the subject of expansion in Bash (part 1) Finishing off the subject of expansion in Bash (part 2) GitLab repository holding these files: hprmisc - Miscellaneous scripts, notes, etc pertaining to HPR episodes which I have contributed Provide feedback on this episode.

Police Confirm BigfootIn July 2010, a city police officer in Spencer County, Indiana, experienced an unsettling encounter while staying alone at a friend's house on a large, forested property. Late at night, while unpacking on his day off, he felt an eerie sense of being watched. Dismissing it initially, he continued his tasks with his sidearm on. However, the situation escalated when a rock struck the front window, prompting him to grab his shotgun and step onto the porch, suspecting trespassers. There, he spotted a large silhouette at the tree line, roughly 40 yards away, standing nearly eye-level with him despite the elevated porch. As a seasoned officer, he was accustomed to high-pressure situations, but this figure left him frozen and unnerved.The encounter lasted only seconds, with the figure snorting loudly before retreating into the woods, its departure marked by the sound of breaking branches. The officer felt no direct threat and chose not to aim his weapon, sensing the figure's curiosity rather than hostility. Unable to sleep, he later drove to his station and met a county deputy who casually mentioned reports of a large figure in a ghillie suit in the area, referring to it as a recurring presence. The officer learned of similar sightings nearby, including reports four and six miles from his location, suggesting the mysterious figure was known in the region, possibly a local legend or unexplained phenomenon.Join my Supporters Club for $4.99 per month for exclusive stories:https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/what-if-it-s-true-podcast--5445587/support

More than 1000 households have been left without internet or mobile coverage in Golden Bay during today's wild weather, with residents even unable to dial 111. So far, the weather doesn't appear to have been as bad as was feared for the already-sodden Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough regions still recovering from the weekend's floods. But wild weather has battered the rest of the country, thunderstorms ringing out in Taranaki, as the region experienced widespread surface flooding, with emergency operations centres being set up in New Plymouth and Hawera. Nelson Tasman Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group controller Alec Louverdis spoke to Lisa Owen.

The HSE is unable to provide a reopening date for 12 nursing home beds currently closed at St Joseph's Hospital in Ennis. The beds are all located in the short stay unit and are currently out of use pending infrastructural works and the recruitment of additional staff. In a statement to Clare Fine Gael TD Joe Cooney, the HSE says the refurbishment of the unit and staffing will be "included for consideration as a priority" in the 2027 National Service Plan. Deputy Cooney says a firm commitment is needed.

Local legend Tim Tszyu dropped by the studio today to size up Fitzy for a fight! With his upcoming bout against Sebastian Fundora on the horizon, Tim gave us a glimpse into life growing up in a boxing family, shared what he gets up to after a big fight — and even threw a few cheeky test punches at Fitzy...See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

Dennis Jurgens was a chubby, joyful, and active toddler when Harold and Lois Jurgens adopted him in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Unable to have children of their own, Lois and Harold adopted several children over the years. Dennis wasn't their first or last. From the very beginning, case workers from the adoption agency had their […] The post The Terrible & Totally Preventable Death of Dennis Jurgens appeared first on Tiegrabber.

 Former barrister turned philosopher and writer, Aedamar Kirrane experienced a spontaneous mystical awakening that began in 2015 and continues to unfold. Unable to find any support or understanding within her own Christian tradition she embarked on a deep enquiry to understand the inner dynamics and telos of awakening. She came to believe in life as an original blessing rather than the doctrine of original sin that she thinks has destroyed our sense of ourselves as sacred beings. Her spiritual autobiography is Light on Fire: Waking Up to Divine Love, published 2021. Through ongoing reflection and curiosity she has developed her own threefold mystical cosmology that understands creation in the pattern of exodus and return; that recognises all of life as sacred, described through the concept of panentheism; and that the purpose of human life is deification or the return to our divine state while still in human form. All this is set within the context of the Great Awakening we are living through now, of which the human experience is a micro version. She has come to recognise that spontaneity is characteristic of the human experience of an evolutionary shift in consciousness. Aedamar's awakening is mediated through her mystical and spiritual writing and she recognises sacred writing as its own spiritual path that she calls The Via Scriptoria. Aedamar's visions are published on aedamarkirrane.com. She blogs at The New Scriptorium. Aedamar will be opening a wisdom school called "The Mystical Birth of the True Self" in September. It will be a nine month programme to support awakening to our inner divinity. If you would like to be notified when it is formally announced please visit her website to sign up for her newsletter or sign up here. Discussion of this interview in the BatGap Community Facebook Group Interview recorded June 21, 2025

"It was terrifying. The effect was paralysis. I was fully conscious, in pain, but unable to move, speak, or see. I could not even open my eyelids. The only one I could truly communicate with was God." ---------- What if the only thing you could do was feel pain—and hear? That became Robert Koonce's reality after an autoimmune attack left him completely paralyzed. He couldn't move, speak, blink, or even clear his throat. All he could do was endure—and pray. In this episode, Robert, a man of deep faith, working within the Diocese of Cleveland, recounts his yearlong journey through suffering, silence, and supernatural encounters. Unable to interact with the world, his only true conversation was with God—and that dialogue went deeper than ever before. From spiritual consolation to demonic deception, Robert's story reminds us that even when the body is bound, the soul is free to rise. ---------- Share Your Story If you have a Touched by Heaven moment that you would like to share with Trapper, please leave us a note at https://touchedbyheaven.net/contact Our listeners look forward to hearing about life-changing encounters and miraculous stories every week. Stay Informed Trapper sends out a weekly email. If you're not receiving it, and would like to stay in touch to get the bonus stories and other interesting content that will further fortify your faith. Join our email family by subscribing on https://trapperjackspeaks.com  Become a Patron We pray that our listeners and followers benefit from our podcasts and programs and develop a deeper personal relationship with God. We thank you for your prayers and for supporting our efforts by helping to cover the costs. Become a Patron and getting lots of fun extras. Please go to https://patreon.com/bfl to check out the details. More About Trapper Jack Visit Our Website: https://TrapperJackSpeaks.com Patreon Donation Link: https://www.patreon.com/bfl Purchase our Products ·       Talk Downloads: https://www.patreon.com/bfl/shop ·       CD Sales: https://trapperjackspeaks.com/cds/  Join us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/TouchedByHeaven.TrapperJack Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trapperjack/ Join us on X/Twitter: https://x.com/TrapperJack1  

Carl and Mike get back into some Braves talk as they share thoughts on how the team was not able to take advantage of the Braves bullpen after their starter pitcher went down with an injury. As they discuss, they agree there are too many players coming up short at the plate. They then get into some Georgia football talk and share thoughts on how well Kirby Smart and his staff have been doing in recruiting in-state.

The witness described a man in his 20s, just shy of six feet tall, with a gaunt face and light-coloured hair. Though uneasy, the passerby—out for a quiet walk along the River Aire—was quickly reassured. The man, standing over a pale woman crumpled in the grass, said she had simply fallen. The man offered his name and explained that he knew where the woman lived. Perhaps out of politeness and a desire not to pry, the witness continued on her journey. Unable to shake the feeling that something was not right, she raised the alarm. However, by then it was too late…*** LISTENER CAUTION IS ADVISED *** This episode was researched and written by Eileen Macfarlane.Edited by Joel Porter at Dot Dot Dot Productions.Script editing, additional writing, illustrations and production direction by Rosanna FittonNarration, additional audio editing and mixing, and script editing by Benjamin Fitton.To get early ad-free access, including Season 1, sign up for They Walk Among PLUS, available from Patreon or Apple Podcasts.More information and episode references can be found on our website https://theywalkamonguspodcast.comMUSIC: Violent Delights by Cody Martin Creeper by Hill Memories Of Future Events by Hill Against The Odds by Cody Martin Artisan Craft by Cody Martin Dark Night by Cody Martin Final Moments by Cody Martin Loaves & Fish by Cody Martin Realm Of Men by Cody Martin Sabotage by Cody Martin Storms Coming by Cody Martin Tesseract by Cody Martin The Fall by Cody Martin The Arctic by Gold Coast Undernight by Lincoln Davis Endless Night by Moments Steadfast by Moments Reconciliation by Wicked Cinema SOCIAL MEDIA: https://linktr.ee/TheyWalkAmongUsSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/theywalkamongus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're continuing our series on the films of David Lynch this week with what is arguably his most unusual entry: THE STRAIGHT STORY. Lynch had built a reputation on bizarre works like Eraserhead and Lost Highway. His films were often filled with graphic sex and violence as in Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, or even Wild at Heart. So, when his gentle, elegant, G-rated Disney film was released, it turned more than a few heads and earned him some of the most broadly universal acclaim of his career.The Straight Story tells of Alvin Straight, an elderly and ailing man who learns that his brother has suffered a stroke. Unable to drive a car, he determines to set out on a nearly 400-mile journey to visit his brother on a riding lawnmower, embarking upon an episodic journey filled with interesting characters and beautiful landscapes. It is a remarkably spiritual journey of potent wisdom and uncommon grace, offered up with a degree of humanity that perhaps could have only been expressed by the late David Lynch.We're joined by Andrew Nelson and Matt Murray to discuss the film's finer details as well as debate the wisdom of Alvin Straight's quest and explore just how far we might go in order to put things right. It's a thoughtful, funny, and vulnerable conversation that we really hope you'll enjoy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Unable to control himself any longer, Joseph sends out every Egyptian and reveals himself to his brothers. "I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?" Terror grips them—the brother they sold into slavery now holds their lives in his hands. But instead of vengeance, Joseph offers theological perspective: "Do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life." Three times he emphasizes that God, not they, sent him to Egypt. This stunning declaration of divine sovereignty and human forgiveness becomes one of Scripture's most powerful pictures of reconciliation. Joseph weeps, embraces his brothers, and sends them to bring Jacob to Egypt with Pharaoh's full blessing.  The Rev. Jacob Hercamp, pastor of Christ Lutheran Church in Noblesville, IN, joins the Rev. Dr. Phil Booe to study Genesis 45.  To learn more about Christ Lutheran, visit www.clc-in.org. Genesis isn't just the start of the Bible; it's the foundation of everything. Creation, sin, judgment, grace, covenant, and promise all take root in this remarkable book. The stories are ancient, but their truths are eternal. In this new series from Thy Strong Word, Pastor Phil Booe and his guests walk verse by verse through Genesis, exploring how God reveals Himself as Creator, Judge, and Redeemer. From the grandeur of the cosmos to the struggles of ordinary families, Genesis introduces us to a God who speaks, acts, and keeps His promises. So, whether you've read it a hundred times or are just now cracking it open for a serious look, this series will help you see Genesis with fresh eyes—and a deeper faith. Thy Strong Word, hosted by Rev. Dr. Phil Booe, pastor of St. John Lutheran Church of Luverne, MN, reveals the light of our salvation in Christ through study of God's Word, breaking our darkness with His redeeming light. Each weekday, two pastors fix our eyes on Jesus by considering Holy Scripture, verse by verse, in order to be strengthened in the Word and be equipped to faithfully serve in our daily vocations. Submit comments or questions to: thystrongword@kfuo.org.

Joshua Taylor, founder of the Facebook page Disabled, Not Unable, shares his personal journey with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which led him from being a commercial truck driver to a full-time wheelchair user and passionate disability advocate. He speaks candidly about the grief of losing abilities, career, and long-held aspirations—but also how those shifts opened doors to new purpose, especially through adaptive sports and his involvement with Ainsley's Angels.Joshua discusses his proactive work with local government in Michigan, including speaking at a City Council meeting (post-medical procedure!) to defend Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts amid political pressures to remove them.The episode ties everything back to movement, advocacy, and dignity, spotlighting inclusion as a right—not a luxury—and how the smallest changes, like adaptive playgrounds or pop-up privacy tents, can shift someone's entire world.Interested in applying for the Ally Development Program? Click https://ainsleysangels.org/adp/. Want to run with the Marines in our nation's capital? Click, https://ainsleysangels.org/runwiththemarines/Audio version of the Together, We Shall Podcast can be found on Buzzsprout (link below), on the Apple Podcast app, as well as on Spotify, Amazon, and the Ainsley's Angels YouTube channel for those seeking closed captioning or just like to watch vice listen to podcasts. https://twspodcast.buzzsprout.com  Together, We Shall Podcast is hosted by Kim ‘Rooster' Rossiter, President and Co-Founder of Ainsley's Angels of America, and Joe Orth, Executive Vice President of Ainsley's Angels. This inclusive podcast takes you into a world of tangents and thoroughfares, focusing on a conversation to be determined. Highlighting current events, insightful antidotes and life lessons with banter, sit back and listen to a little bit of humor and a few emotional deep dives during each episode. Let's roll! If you would like to join us on the podcast, place to share/tell stories and connect, or nominate someone to join us on the podcast, email us at Podcast@AinsleysAngels.org

Send us a textWhat happens when life's darkest moments lead to unexpected creative awakening? In this engaging conversation with Juicy Julio (JJ), we explore how a simple family trip to Morocco planted the seeds for a passionate journey into photography that would later become his salvation during the isolation of COVID lockdowns.JJ shares the deeply personal story of how photography emerged as his emotional lifeline after losing family members during the pandemic. Unable to attend funerals or say proper goodbyes, he discovered that his camera became the channel through which he could transform grief and negativity into creative expression. This accidental photographer, who is also a chemical engineer by profession, draws fascinating parallels between his scientific work and his artistic pursuits.The conversation takes us through JJ's varied experiences - from flipping burgers at a local restaurant (mainly for the free food!) to his current work in chemistry. His thoughtful approach to Web3 reveals a commitment to security (maintaining two separate hardware wallets) and community building that extends to his creative practice. Despite being relatively new to the NFT space, JJ offers valuable insights for artists entering the ecosystem: take time to understand the technology, build genuine connections beyond simple transactions, and remember the humans behind the profile pictures.What makes this episode special is the vulnerability and authenticity JJ brings to the table. His father's advice - "don't make emotional decisions" - has shaped his approach to both art and investment. Looking ahead, JJ shares his plans for giving back to supporters through special drops and a carefully curated standalone collection, embodying the community-first ethos that makes Web3 a unique space for creators.Whether you're an aspiring photographer, NFT enthusiast, or simply someone looking for inspiration on turning personal challenges into creative opportunities, JJ's journey offers valuable lessons on patience, intentionality, and finding light in unexpected places. Subscribe now and follow along as we continue to spotlight the stories of creators redefining their creative paths through Web3.https://x.com/Julio_tnimSupport the show

Diddy's $150K Gifts to Trafficking Victim - Why She'd Return Every Dollar The Sean "Diddy" Combs federal trial reached a breaking point during June 12-16, 2025, with five earth-shattering moments that could determine whether the hip-hop mogul spends life in prison or walks free. In this comprehensive breakdown, we expose the most crucial testimonies, evidence reveals, and courtroom drama from what legal experts are calling the most pivotal week of the entire trial. Federal prosecutors unveiled devastating evidence including six firearms with defaced serial numbers found near alleged "freak off" supplies at Diddy's Los Angeles mansion. Homeland Security Agent Marc LaMon's testimony revealed AR-15 rifle parts stored alongside lubricants and drugs allegedly used in sex trafficking operations. The defense argued these weapons were properly secured by professional staff, but prosecutors painted a disturbing picture of a criminal enterprise where violence and coercion were always within reach. The week's most emotionally charged moment came when key witness "Jane" concluded six days of harrowing testimony about alleged forced sexual encounters. In an unprecedented courtroom scene, she hugged both prosecutor Maurene Comey and defense attorney Teny Geragos before glaring directly at Combs. Jane testified she would return over $150,000 in gifts and financial support to never participate in what Combs allegedly called "hotel nights" again, revealing the true cost of her alleged victimization. Jonathan Perez, Combs' former personal assistant, delivered immunity testimony that could make or break the prosecution's racketeering case. He detailed procuring cocaine, ketamine, molly, Adderall, and Xanax from dealers nicknamed "Guido" and "Babygirl," presenting text messages showing $700 payments for drugs. However, the defense scored a crucial victory when Perez admitted these activities represented only 1% of his job duties, potentially undermining the government's criminal enterprise theory. The trial took an unexpected turn when Kanye West made a surprise 40-minute courthouse appearance, arriving in a black Mercedes-Maybach wearing all white. Unable to enter the main courtroom, Ye watched proceedings from the overflow room before departing without comment, adding celebrity spectacle to an already high-stakes legal drama. Judge Arun Subramanian's controversial decision to dismiss Juror #6, a Black corrections officer, sparked accusations of racial bias from the defense team. The dismissal over alleged residence deception could provide grounds for appeal if Combs is convicted, highlighting how jury composition issues continue to complicate high-profile cases involving prominent Black defendants. #DiddyTrial #SeanCombs #SexTrafficking #FederalTrial #TrueCrime #JusticeSystem #HipHop #KanyeWest #LegalAnalysis #BreakingNews Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video?  Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872  

Diddy's $150K Gifts to Trafficking Victim - Why She'd Return Every Dollar The Sean "Diddy" Combs federal trial reached a breaking point during June 12-16, 2025, with five earth-shattering moments that could determine whether the hip-hop mogul spends life in prison or walks free. In this comprehensive breakdown, we expose the most crucial testimonies, evidence reveals, and courtroom drama from what legal experts are calling the most pivotal week of the entire trial. Federal prosecutors unveiled devastating evidence including six firearms with defaced serial numbers found near alleged "freak off" supplies at Diddy's Los Angeles mansion. Homeland Security Agent Marc LaMon's testimony revealed AR-15 rifle parts stored alongside lubricants and drugs allegedly used in sex trafficking operations. The defense argued these weapons were properly secured by professional staff, but prosecutors painted a disturbing picture of a criminal enterprise where violence and coercion were always within reach. The week's most emotionally charged moment came when key witness "Jane" concluded six days of harrowing testimony about alleged forced sexual encounters. In an unprecedented courtroom scene, she hugged both prosecutor Maurene Comey and defense attorney Teny Geragos before glaring directly at Combs. Jane testified she would return over $150,000 in gifts and financial support to never participate in what Combs allegedly called "hotel nights" again, revealing the true cost of her alleged victimization. Jonathan Perez, Combs' former personal assistant, delivered immunity testimony that could make or break the prosecution's racketeering case. He detailed procuring cocaine, ketamine, molly, Adderall, and Xanax from dealers nicknamed "Guido" and "Babygirl," presenting text messages showing $700 payments for drugs. However, the defense scored a crucial victory when Perez admitted these activities represented only 1% of his job duties, potentially undermining the government's criminal enterprise theory. The trial took an unexpected turn when Kanye West made a surprise 40-minute courthouse appearance, arriving in a black Mercedes-Maybach wearing all white. Unable to enter the main courtroom, Ye watched proceedings from the overflow room before departing without comment, adding celebrity spectacle to an already high-stakes legal drama. Judge Arun Subramanian's controversial decision to dismiss Juror #6, a Black corrections officer, sparked accusations of racial bias from the defense team. The dismissal over alleged residence deception could provide grounds for appeal if Combs is convicted, highlighting how jury composition issues continue to complicate high-profile cases involving prominent Black defendants. #DiddyTrial #SeanCombs #SexTrafficking #FederalTrial #TrueCrime #JusticeSystem #HipHop #KanyeWest #LegalAnalysis #BreakingNews Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video?  Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Diddy's $150K Gifts to Trafficking Victim - Why She'd Return Every Dollar The Sean "Diddy" Combs federal trial reached a breaking point during June 12-16, 2025, with five earth-shattering moments that could determine whether the hip-hop mogul spends life in prison or walks free. In this comprehensive breakdown, we expose the most crucial testimonies, evidence reveals, and courtroom drama from what legal experts are calling the most pivotal week of the entire trial. Federal prosecutors unveiled devastating evidence including six firearms with defaced serial numbers found near alleged "freak off" supplies at Diddy's Los Angeles mansion. Homeland Security Agent Marc LaMon's testimony revealed AR-15 rifle parts stored alongside lubricants and drugs allegedly used in sex trafficking operations. The defense argued these weapons were properly secured by professional staff, but prosecutors painted a disturbing picture of a criminal enterprise where violence and coercion were always within reach. The week's most emotionally charged moment came when key witness "Jane" concluded six days of harrowing testimony about alleged forced sexual encounters. In an unprecedented courtroom scene, she hugged both prosecutor Maurene Comey and defense attorney Teny Geragos before glaring directly at Combs. Jane testified she would return over $150,000 in gifts and financial support to never participate in what Combs allegedly called "hotel nights" again, revealing the true cost of her alleged victimization. Jonathan Perez, Combs' former personal assistant, delivered immunity testimony that could make or break the prosecution's racketeering case. He detailed procuring cocaine, ketamine, molly, Adderall, and Xanax from dealers nicknamed "Guido" and "Babygirl," presenting text messages showing $700 payments for drugs. However, the defense scored a crucial victory when Perez admitted these activities represented only 1% of his job duties, potentially undermining the government's criminal enterprise theory. The trial took an unexpected turn when Kanye West made a surprise 40-minute courthouse appearance, arriving in a black Mercedes-Maybach wearing all white. Unable to enter the main courtroom, Ye watched proceedings from the overflow room before departing without comment, adding celebrity spectacle to an already high-stakes legal drama. Judge Arun Subramanian's controversial decision to dismiss Juror #6, a Black corrections officer, sparked accusations of racial bias from the defense team. The dismissal over alleged residence deception could provide grounds for appeal if Combs is convicted, highlighting how jury composition issues continue to complicate high-profile cases involving prominent Black defendants. #DiddyTrial #SeanCombs #SexTrafficking #FederalTrial #TrueCrime #JusticeSystem #HipHop #KanyeWest #LegalAnalysis #BreakingNews Want to comment and watch this podcast as a video?  Check out our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenkillerspod Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hiddenkillerspod/ Tik-Tok https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddenkillerspod X Twitter https://x.com/tonybpod Listen Ad-Free On Apple Podcasts Here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-crime-today-premium-plus-ad-free-advance-episode/id1705422872

Book a class in June and July and get 50% off! ⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Classes⁠⁠ Tony cannot say no. So he eats food he doesn't like, does a job he hates, and goes on holidays where he almost dies. But when his friend asks him to marry her, will he still say yes? Go to ⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Yes⁠⁠ for the full transcript. Get episodes without adverts + bonus episodes at ⁠⁠⁠EasyStoriesInEnglish.com/Support⁠⁠⁠. Your support is appreciated! Level: Pre-Intermediate. Genre: Comedy. Vocabulary: Salmon, Give a speech, Allergy, Spot (body), Squeamish, Faint (verb), Bowling, Health condition, Terrible, Horse-riding, Unable. Setting: Modern. Word Count: 2308. Author: Ariel Goodbody. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unable to meet this week, the Pugcast decided to share an episode from the 2019 archives. Tune in for this blast from the past! Perhaps the most controversial character in all of Tolkien's writing is Tom Bombadil. People seem to either love him or hate him. But regardless how you feel about him, most people can't figure out why he's even in the Lord of the Rings. What's the point of the man in the blue jacket and the yellow boots? Certainly Peter Jackson thought he was expendable. He isn't even in the film version of the story. Was he inserted to make Tolkien's children happy? Was Tolkien providing a little filler to buy time because he was still working out the plot? Chris thinks that Tolkien was up to far more than people give him credit for when it comes to Bombadil. Chris actually thinks that you don't really understand Tolkien, or the Lord of the Rings, until you receive Bombadil into your heart. Listen in as Chris, Tom, and Glenn discuss the meaning of the mysterious Tom Bombadil! Order In the House of Tom Bombadil by CR Wiley, released 2021: https://canonpress.com/products/in-the-house-of-tom-bombadil?srsltid=AfmBOooq7248sFOcSr4AN7DXIDcAH0efflvAA8EcY6WSJcm3K-Ulg-zG Support the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Unable to meet this week, the Pugcast decided to share an episode from the 2019 archives. Tune in for this blast from the past!Perhaps the most controversial character in all of Tolkien's writing is Tom Bombadil. People seem to either love him or hate him.  But regardless how you feel about him, most people can't figure out why he's even in the Lord of the Rings. What's the point of the man in the blue jacket and the yellow boots? Certainly Peter Jackson thought he was expendable. He isn't even in the film version of the story. Was he inserted to make Tolkien's children happy? Was Tolkien providing a little filler to buy time because he was still working out the plot? Chris thinks that Tolkien was up to far more than people give him credit for when it comes to Bombadil. Chris actually thinks that you don't really understand Tolkien, or the Lord of the Rings, until you receive Bombadil into your heart. Listen in as Chris, Tom, and Glenn discuss the meaning of the mysterious Tom Bombadil!Order In the House of Tom Bombadil by CR Wiley, released 2021: https://canonpress.com/products/in-the-house-of-tom-bombadil?srsltid=AfmBOooq7248sFOcSr4AN7DXIDcAH0efflvAA8EcY6WSJcm3K-Ulg-zGSupport the Pugcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thetheologypugcast?fbclid=IwAR17UHhfzjphO52C_kkZfursA_C784t0ldFix0wyB4fd-YOJpmOQ3dyqGf8

Hey, it's Katie and I want to welcome you to this special bonus episode. It'll be here for you completely ad-free for the next week so you can get a feel of what it's like to be a PREMIUM member. If you'd like an easy ad-free experience for all of our podcasts - that's over 200 episodes each month, then JOIN PREMIUM today at https://WomensMeditationNetwork.com/premium As the moments pass,  I find myself wound tight, Unsure of what's up or down.  Much needs my attention, My decisions, my time, To organize the chaos around.  PAUSE Walls start to cave, Surroundings turn dark, My mind can't take any more.  I find myself frozen, Unable to move, Twisted thoughts are at war.  PAUSE One more fork in the road, One more decision to make, Mental lists of pros and cons.  The weight is getting heavy, Because up ahead I know, Another fork awaits my response. Join our Premium Sleep for Women Channel on Apple Podcasts and get ALL 5 of our Sleep podcasts completely ad-free! Join Premium now on Apple here --> https://bit.ly/sleepforwomen I'm so glad you're taking the time to be with us today. My team and I are dedicated to making sure you have all the meditations you need throughout all the seasons of your life.  If there's a meditation you desire, but can't find, email us at hello@womensmeditationnetwork.com to make a request. We'd love to create what you want!  Namaste, Beautiful,

Ben Maller talks about the forecast for the future of Kirk Cousins as the trade market dries up, Nick Chubb joining the Houston Texans, Bills RB James Cook not showing up for anything and putting his house up for sale, Maller to the Third Degree, and more!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last time we spoke about Japan's preparations for War. In late 1936, tensions soared in China as Nationalist General Chiang Kai-shek was detained by dissenting commanders who were frustrated with his focus on communism instead of the growing Japanese threat. Faced with escalating Japanese aggression, these leaders forced Chiang into a reluctant alliance with the Chinese Communist Party, marking a pivotal shift in China's strategy. Despite this union, China remained unprepared, lacking sufficient military supplies and modern equipment. Conversely, Japan, wary of Chinese modernization efforts, pushed for a preemptive strike to dismantle Chiang's regime before it could pose a serious threat. As aggressive military exercises intensified, Japan underestimated Chinese resilience. By spring 1937, both nations found themselves on the brink of war, with Japan's divided military leadership struggling to formulate a coherent strategy. Ultimately, these miscalculations would lead to the full-scale Sino-Japanese War, altering the course of history in East Asia.   #154 The Marco Polo Bridge Incident  Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Here we are at last, the beginning of the absolute cataclysm between China and Japan. Now as many of you know I run the Pacific War week by week podcast, which technically covers the second sino-japanese war, nearly to a T. So for this podcast I want to try and portray the event from the Chinese and Japanese point of view, but not in the rather dry manner of the other podcast. In the other podcast I am hampered by the week by week format and can never dig deep into the nitty gritty as they say. On the same hand I don't want to simply regurgitate every single battle of this conflict, it would be absolutely nuts. So bear with me friends as we fall down in the rabbit hole of madness together, who knows how long it will take to get out. On the night of July 7, 1937, at approximately 19:30, the 8th Squadron of the 3rd Battalion of the 1st Regiment of the Hebian Brigade of the Japanese Army, stationed in Fengtai and led by Squadron Leader Shimizu Seiro, conducted a military exercise, heading toward Lungwangmiao, approximately just under a mile northwest of the Marco Polo Bridge The exercise simulated an operation to capture the bridge. As you may have guessed it was named after the Italian explorer Marco Polo, who described it in his travels, the bridge is renowned for its intricate carvings of lions and other sculptures. However after 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge would be far less known for its history dealing with the venetian explorer and more so with an event that many would contend to be the start of WW2. At that time, troops from Japan, Britain, France, and Italy were stationed near Peiping in accordance with the Boxer Protocol of 1901. The Japanese China Garrison Army, comprising around 4,000 soldiers and commanded by Lieutenant-General Tashiro Kan'ichirō, was based in Tientsin. Its mission was to "maintain communication lines between Peiping and the seaports in the Gulf of Chihli and to protect Japanese citizens living in key areas of North China." The protocol also permitted the garrison forces of the signatory nations to conduct field drills and rifle practice without notifying the Chinese authorities, with the exception of cases involving live fire. During this period, Japanese troops were conducting nightly exercises in anticipation of a scheduled review on July 9. The night maneuver was within the army's rights under the Boxer Protocol and was not an illegal act, as later claimed by the Chinese. However, the Japanese army had courteously informed the Chinese authorities about its training plans in advance. Despite this, the atmosphere was charged with tension, and the Japanese decision to use blank ammunition during their night exercise further escalated the already volatile situation. Earlier that evening, Captain Shimizu Setsurö, a company commander, arrived at the banks of the Yungting River, where the maneuver was to take place. He noticed that the site looked different since the last exercise had occurred; Chinese troops had recently constructed new trenches and parapets from the embankment to the Lungwangmiao shelter. While eating his dinner and surveying the area, Shimizu felt a sense of unease, harboring a premonition that “something might happen that night.” After completing the first stage of the maneuver around 10:30 PM, several live rounds were fired into the assembled company from the direction of the riverbank. Shimizu immediately conducted a roll call and found one soldier missing. He promptly sent a messenger to inform the battalion commander. The exercise was then called off, and the company moved eastward to await further orders at Hsiwulitien. Battalion Commander Itsuki Kiyonaho, upon receiving the report, deemed the situation serious. Aside from the gunfire heard in the darkness from an unknown source, he expressed concern over the soldier's disappearance and sought permission from Regiment Commander Mutaguchi Renya, an absolute moron, if you listen to the pacific war podcast, well you know. Anyways to relocate the battalion to the area where the shots had been fired and to establish surveillance. As dawn approached, the troops heard several more gunshots. Within twenty minutes of the soldier's disappearance, he returned to his ranks, but Shimizu did not report this update until four hours later. Meanwhile, midnight negotiations included a Japanese request for permission to search the city of Wanping, leading both sides to believe the incident was significant. Around 11:00 PM, the Japanese forces falsely reported that one of their soldiers had gone missing during the drill and demanded permission to enter the city for a search. This request was firmly denied by Ji Xingwen, the commander of the 219th Regiment of the 37th Division of the Chinese Army. In response, Japanese troops swiftly surrounded Wanping County. To prevent further escalation, at 2:00 AM the following morning, Qin Dechun, deputy commander of the 29th Army and mayor of Beiping, agreed with the Japanese to allow both sides to send personnel for an investigation. While Matsui, the head of the Japanese secret service in Peiping, was negotiating with North Chinese authorities based on unverified reports from Japanese troops in Fengtai, Ikki Kiyonao, the battalion commander of the Japanese garrison in Fengtai, had already reported to his regiment commander, Mutaguchi Lianya. The latter approved orders for the Japanese troops in Fengtai to “immediately move out” to the Marco Polo Bridge.  On July 8, a large contingent of Japanese troops appeared at Lugou Bridge. Shen Zhongming, the platoon leader of the 10th Company of the Reserve Force of the 3rd Battalion of the 219th Regiment of the 37th Division of the 29th Army, was assisting in guarding the bridgehead. He jumped out of the trench, stood in front of the bunker, and raised his right hand to halt the advancing Japanese troops. However, the Japanese military threatened to search for their missing soldiers, pushed forward, and opened fire. Shen Zhongming was shot and died on the spot. At 4:50 AM, the Japanese army launched a fierce assault on Wanping County, capturing Shagang in the northeast of Wanping and firing the first shot of the siege. Unable to withstand the aggression, the Chinese defenders mounted a counterattack. That day, the Japanese army assaulted Wanping City three times, targeting the Pinghan Railway Bridge and the Chinese defenders at the Huilong Temple position on the left. He Jifeng, the commander of the 110th Brigade of the Chinese defenders, issued a resolute order to “live and die with the bridge” and personally commanded the front-line battle. The Chinese defenders engaged in fierce combat, fighting valiantly despite exhausting their ammunition and resorting to hand-to-hand combat with swords against the Japanese soldiers. Tragically, over 80 Chinese defenders from two platoons were killed at the bridgehead. On the same day, the Beijing authorities instructed the garrison to hold firm at the Marco Polo Bridge. Song Queyuan sent a telegram to Chiang Kai-shek to report the true events of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident. The National Government's Ministry of Foreign Affairs lodged a verbal protest with the Japanese ambassador regarding the incident. Additionally, the CPC Central Committee issued a telegram urging all Chinese soldiers and civilians to unite and resist Japanese aggression. The Japanese cabinet, in a bid to mislead global public opinion, proposed a so-called policy of “resolving the incident locally without escalating it,” aiming to paralyze the KMT authorities and buy time to mobilize additional forces. In the wake of the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, generals of the 29th Army, including Qin Dechun, Feng Zhian, and Zhang Zizhong, convened an emergency meeting. Following their discussions, they issued a statement demanding that their troops withdraw from the Marco Polo Bridge to de-escalate tensions. However, they expressed deep concerns about national sovereignty, stating, “We cannot simply back down. If they continue to oppress us, we will do our utmost to defend ourselves.” Concurrently, the 29th Army commanded the troops defending the Marco Polo Bridge: “The Marco Polo Bridge is your grave. You must live and die with the bridge and must not retreat.” Brigade Commander He Jifeng reinforced three directives for the defenders:  1. Do not allow the Japanese army to enter the city;  2. Firmly counterattack if the Japanese invade;  3. You are responsible for defending the territory and will never yield. If you abandon your position, you will face military law. On July 9, the 29th Army successfully eliminated a Japanese squadron and reclaimed control of the railway bridge and Longwang Temple. A temporary lull settled over the Marco Polo Bridge battlefield, during which the Japanese military made false claims that "missing Japanese soldiers had returned to their units" and described the situation as a misunderstanding that could be resolved peacefully. Subsequently, Chinese and Japanese representatives in Beijing and Tianjin engaged in negotiations. The Beijing authorities reached an agreement with the Japanese forces, which included:  (1) an immediate cessation of hostilities by both parties;  (2) the Japanese army withdrawing to the left bank of the Yongding River while the Chinese army retreated to the right bank; and  (3) the defense of Lugou Bridge being assigned to Shi Yousan's unit of the Hebei Security Team. However, the following day, while the Chinese army withdrew as agreed, the Japanese army not only failed to uphold its commitments but also dispatched a significant number of troops to launch an offensive against the Chinese forces. Reports on July 10 indicated that the Japanese army had arrived from Tianjin, Gubeikou, Yuguan, and other locations, advancing toward the Lugou Bridge with artillery and tanks, and had occupied Dajing Village and Wulidian, signaling that another outbreak of conflict was imminent. On July 11, the Japanese Cabinet decided to deploy seven divisions from the Kwantung Army, the Korean Army, and Japan to North China. On the same day, the Beiping-Tianjin authorities reached a localized agreement with the Japanese army, which entailed:  (1) a formal apology from a representative of the 29th Army to the Japanese forces, along with assurances that those responsible for the initial conflict would be held accountable;  (2) a ban on anti-Japanese activities conducted by the Communist Party, the Blue Shirts Society, and other resistance groups; and  (3) an agreement ensuring that no Chinese troops would be stationed east of the Yongding River. Concurrently, the Japanese army positioned their forces at strategic points in Wuqing, Fengtai, Wanping, and Changping, effectively encircling the city of Beijing and continuing to advance troops into its surrounding suburbs. Starting on July 11, the Japanese army began bombarding Wanping City and its surrounding areas with artillery, resulting in numerous casualties among the local population. Following the injury of regiment commander Ji Xingwen, residents were evacuated to safer locations outside the city. The conflict then spread to Babaoshan, Changxindian, Langfang, Yangcun, and other areas, with the 29th Army being deployed to various locations to confront the enemy. The Japanese military also dispatched aircraft for reconnaissance and strafing missions, leading to intermittent fighting. On July 13, Mao Zedong urged "every Communist Party member and anti-Japanese revolutionary to be prepared to mobilize to the frontline of the anti-Japanese war at any time" from Yan'an. By July 15, a CPC representative presented the "Communist Party Declaration on Cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party" to Chiang Kai-shek, proposing that this declaration serve as the political foundation for cooperation between the two parties and be publicly issued by the Kuomintang. Zhou Enlai, Qin Bangxian, and Lin Boqu continued negotiations with Chiang Kai-shek, Shao Lizi, and Zhang Chong in Lushan. Although Chiang Kai-shek recognized the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region, disagreements remained regarding the reorganization of the Red Army. On July 16, the Five Ministers Conference in Tokyo resolved to mobilize 400,000 Japanese troops to invade China and to enforce a policy aimed at rapidly destroying the entire country. The following day, more than 100 Japanese soldiers arrived in Shunyi and Changping, where they reinforced fortifications on the city wall of Changping. On July 18, the Japanese army invaded Changping, Tongzhou, and other counties in the pseudo-border areas by maneuvering through various passes of the Great Wall. Japanese plainclothes teams were reported to be active in the Xiaotangshan area of Changping, raising alert levels within the Chinese army. On July 20, the Kuomintang Military and Political Department became aware that the Japanese army intended to first occupy strategic locations such as the Indigo Factory, Wanshou Mountain, and Balizhuang in the Pingxi area, before cutting off the Pingsui Road and controlling the route from Beiping to Changping. On July 21, the Japanese army violated the agreement by bombarding Wanping County and the garrison at Changxindian.  On the night of July 25, a confrontation took place at the railway station in Langfang, located between Peiping and Tientsin. The clash involved Chinese troops and a Japanese company dispatched to repair telegraph lines. General Kazuki promptly sought Tokyo's permission to respond with military force, believing that the situation required immediate action. Without waiting for authorization, he ordered a regiment from Tientsin to engage the Chinese forces and issued an ultimatum to Sung Che-yuan, stating that if the 37th Division did not completely withdraw from Peiping by noon on July 28, the Garrison Army would take unilateral action. The 77th Infantry Regiment of the 20th Division was dispatched with the Gonoi Squadron to escort a repair team to Langfang Station. Stationed near Langfang were the headquarters of the 113th Brigade of the 38th Division, along with the main force of the 226th Regiment, led by Brigade Commander Liu Zhensan and Regiment Commander Cui Zhenlun. Although the leadership of the 29th Army adopted a passive stance in the war of resistance, the forces in Langfang prepared for conflict in an organized manner. They not only evacuated the families of servicemen and relocated the regiment headquarters, but also built fortifications and deployed plainclothes teams at Wanzhuang Station, Luofa Station, and Langfang Station to swiftly destroy the railway if necessary. Despite their preparations, the commanders of the 38th Division adhered to Song Queyuan's directives. When the 5th Company, stationed at Yangcun, observed Japanese supply units continually moving toward Lugou Bridge, they sought permission to engage the enemy. However, the 38th Division later reassigned this company. The Bac Ninh Line, established after the Boxer Protocol, had granted the Japanese the right to station troops, placing the 38th Division in a vulnerable position and preventing them from stopping the Japanese before they reached Langfang. Upon the arrival of Japanese forces at Langfang Station, Chinese guards initiated negotiations, requesting the Japanese to withdraw quickly after completing their mission. The Japanese, however, insisted on establishing camps outside the station, leading to repeated arguments. As tensions mounted, the Japanese began constructing positions near the station, ultimately forcing Chinese troops to retreat and escalating the conflict. The situation reached a boiling point around 11:10 pm, when fierce gunfire and explosions erupted near Langfang Station. The Japanese army claimed they were defending the station from an attack by Chinese forces armed with rifles, machine guns, and mortars throughout the night. According to Cui Zhenlun, the head of the 226th Regiment, it was the 9th and 10th companies that could no longer tolerate the Japanese provocation and fired first, catching the enemy off guard. As the battle intensified, reinforcements from the main force of the 77th Infantry Regiment “Li Deng Unit” arrived at the scene after receiving reports of the skirmish and gradually joined the fight after 6:30 am on July 26. When dawn broke, Japanese troops stationed at Langfang began to rush out to counterattack, seeing their reinforcements arrive. Recognizing they could not eliminate the Japanese presence at the station quickly, the 226th Regiment faced heavy bombardment from the Japanese Air Force later that morning. Consequently, the headquarters of the 113th Brigade and the primary forces of the 226th Regiment hastily retreated to Tongbai Town, suffering significant losses in equipment during their withdrawal. That night, Kazuki made the unilateral decision to abandon the policy of restraint and decided to use force on July 28 "to punish the Chinese troops in the Peiping-Tientsin area." On the morning of July 27, the army high command endorsed his decision and submitted a plan to the cabinet for mobilizing divisions in Japan. The cabinet agreed, and imperial approval was sought. At that time, the Chinese army was gathering in significant numbers in Baoding and Shijiazhuang in southern Hebei, as well as in Datong, Shanxi. They had effectively surrounded the Japanese army on all sides in the Fengtai District. Meanwhile, newly mobilized units of the Kwantung Army and the Japanese Korean Army were en route to the Tianjin and Beiping areas. The 2nd Battalion of the 2nd China Garrison Infantry Regiment, commanded by Major Hirobe, was dispatched with 26 trucks to the Japanese barracks within the walls of Beiping to ensure the protection of Japanese residents. Prior discussions had taken place between Takuro Matsui, head of the Special Service Agency, and officials from the Hebei–Chahar Political Council regarding the passage of troops through the Guang'anmen gate just outside Beiping. The mayor, Qin Dechun, had granted approval for this movement. However, when Major Tokutaro Sakurai, a military and political advisor to the Council, arrived at Guang'anmen, a famous gate to Beiping, around 6:00 pm to establish contact, he found that the Chinese troops on guard had closed the gate. After further negotiations, the gates were opened at approximately 7:30 pm, allowing the Japanese units to begin passing through. Unfortunately, as the first three trucks crossed, the Chinese opened fire on them. Two-thirds of the units managed to get through before the gate was abruptly shut, leaving a portion of Hirobe's troops trapped both inside and outside. As they faced unexpectedly heavy fire from machine guns and grenades, efforts by Japanese and Chinese advisors to pacify the Chinese troops proved futile. By 8:00 pm, the Japanese launched a counterattack from both sides of the gate. The Chinese received reinforcements and encircled the Japanese forces. Despite a relief column being dispatched by Brigadier Masakazu Kawabe, commander of the brigade in the Fengtai District, by 9:30 pm, negotiations with the Chinese yielded a proposal for de-escalation: the Chinese army would maintain a distance while the Japanese inside the gate would relocate to the grounds of their legation, and those outside would return to Fengtai. Fighting ceased shortly after 10:00 pm, and at approximately 2:00 am the following day, Hirobe's unit successfully entered the barracks in the legation. The total casualties reported for the Japanese army during these confrontations were 2 dead and 17 wounded. Both fatalities were superior privates. The wounded included one major, one captain, one sergeant, two superior privates, one private first class, seven privates second class, two attached civilians, and one news reporter. Additionally, the interpreter accompanying Tokutaro Sakurai was also killed in action. On July 27, the Japanese army launched attacks on the 29th Army garrisons in Tongxian, Tuanhe, Xiaotangshan, and other locations, forcing the defenders to retreat to Nanyuan and Beiyuan. At 8:00 am on July 28, under the command of Army Commander Kiyoshi Kozuki, the Japanese army initiated a general assault on the 29th Army in the Beiping area. The primary attacking force, the 20th Division, supported by aircraft and artillery, targeted the 29th Army Special Brigade, the 114th Brigade of the 38th Division, and the 9th Cavalry Division stationed in Nanyuan. Overwhelmed by the Japanese assault, Nanyuan's defenders struggled to maintain command, leading to chaotic individual combat. Meanwhile, the main Japanese garrison brigade in Fengtai advanced to Dahongmen, effectively cutting off the Nanyuan troops' route to the city and blocking their retreat. The battle for Nanyuan concluded at 1:00 pm, resulting in the deaths of Tong Lingge, deputy commander of the 29th Army, and Zhao Dengyu, commander of the 132nd Division. As this unfolded, elements of the 37th Division of the 29th Army launched an attack on the Japanese forces in Fengtai but were repulsed by Japanese reinforcements. On that day, the Japanese Army's 1st Independent Mixed Brigade captured Qinghe Town, prompting the 2nd Brigade of the Hebei-Northern Security Force, stationed there, to retreat to Huangsi. The Japanese also occupied Shahe. In the afternoon of July 28, Song Qeyuan appointed Zhang Zizhong as the acting chairman of the Hebei-Chahar Political Affairs Committee and director of the Hebei-Chahar Pacification Office, as well as the mayor of Beiping, before leaving the city for Baoding that evening. The 37th Division was ordered to retreat to Baoding. On July 29th, a significant mutiny broke out at Tongzhou. If you remember our episode covering the Tanggu truce, Tongzhou had become the capital of the East Hubei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government headed by Yin Jukeng. In response Chiang Kai-Shek had established the East Hebei Administrative Affairs Committee, chaired by Song Queyuan. In Tongzhou, Japanese troops were stationed under the pretext of protecting Japanese residents, as stipulated by the Boxer Protocol. Initially, a unit was intended to be stationed in Tongzhou; however, Vice Minister of the Army Umezu Yoshijiro strongly opposed this plan, arguing that placing forces in Tongzhou, far from the Beiping-Tianjin Line was inconsistent with the spirit of the Boxer Protocol. Consequently, this unit was stationed in Fengtai, located southwest of Beiping. At the time of the Tongzhou Incident, the main force of the Japanese Second Regiment, which was responsible for defending Tongzhou, had been deployed to Nanyuan, south of Beijing. Consequently, only non-combat personnel remained in Tongzhou. Japan regarded the Jidong Anti-Communist Autonomous Government Security Force as a friendly ally. Back on July 27, the primary forces of the Japanese Army stationed in Tongzhou, comprising the Kayashima Unit and the Koyama Artillery Unit, received orders to advance toward Nanyuan, Beiping, leaving Tongzhou significantly under-defended. The following day, the Japanese launched a substantial attack on Nanyuan, employing aircraft to bomb Beiping. Sensing a critical opportunity, Zhang Qingyu conferred with Zhang Yantian and Shen Weigan to initiate an uprising that very night. The insurgent force included elements from the first and second corps and the teaching corps, totaling approximately 4,000 personnel. Zhang Qingyu orchestrated the uprising with a focused strategy: the first corps was divided into three groups targeting Japanese forces in Xicang, the puppet government, and various establishments such as opium dens, casinos, and brothels operated by Japanese ronin. Meanwhile, the second corps secured key intersections and facilities in Chengguan, and the teaching corps managed defenses against potential reinforcements at vital stations. At dawn on July 29, the gunfire signaling the uprising erupted. The second unit of the first corps launched an assault on the Xicang Barracks, which housed 120 troops and non-combat personnel, including the Tongzhou Guard, Yamada Motor Vehicle Unit, a Military Police Detachment, and a host of military and police units, totaling about 500 individuals. At around 3 a.m. on July 29, the sound of gunfire filled the air as the insurgents engaged the Japanese forces. Although equipped with only four field guns, several mortars, and a few heavy machine guns, the uprising's numerical superiority enabled simultaneous attacks from the east, south, and northwest. Despite their well-fortified positions and rigorous defense, the Japanese troops struggled against the relentless onslaught. For over six hours, fierce fighting ensued. The uprising troops escalated their firepower but failed to breach the Xicang Barracks initially. More than 200 members of the Japanese security forces lost their lives in the conflict. Concerned that reinforcements might arrive and flank the uprising, Zhang Qingyu ordered artillery assaults around 11 a.m., prompting a shift in the battle's dynamics. The artillery targeted a Japanese motor vehicle convoy transporting supplies and munitions, leading to the destruction of all 17 vehicles, triggering explosions that scattered bullets and shrapnel across the area. Subsequently, nearby fuel depots ignited, engulfing the surroundings in flames and creating chaos among Japanese ranks. The insurgent infantry capitalized on this confusion, wiping out most of the remaining Japanese forces, with only a handful managing to escape. As the uprising signal rang out, another faction of insurgents swiftly blocked access to Tongzhou, disrupting traffic and occupying the telecommunications bureau and radio station. They encircled the offices of the Jidong puppet government, capturing traitor Yin Rugeng, who was taken to the Beiguan Lu Zu Temple. Despite being urged to resist the Japanese, Yin hesitated and was subsequently imprisoned. The third group then targeted the Japanese secret service agency in Nishicang. Hosoki Shigeru, residing a mere lane away from the pseudo-office, responded to the gunfire by mobilizing a contingent of secret agents to confront the uprising. However, the insurgents swiftly overtook the secret service agency, resulting in Shigeru's death and the annihilation of all secret personnel. At 4:00 p.m. on July 29, the Japanese command dispatched reinforcements, compelling the insurgents to retreat from Tongzhou. The Japanese Chinese Garrison ordered air attacks on the uprising forces, with over ten bombers targeting Tongzhou. Concurrently, the Japanese Fengtai Infantry Brigade and the Second Regiment were mobilized for a rescue operation, arriving on the morning of July 30. The Japanese headquarters issued a night defense order requiring all units to be on high alert. By 5:30 p.m., commanding officers assembled to devise a strategy. With the uprising forces still positioned around the eastern, southern, and northern walls of the barracks, Tsujimura's troops implemented strict measures: all units were instructed to fortify defenses throughout the night, with the Tongzhou Guard directly protecting the barracks and the Yamada unit securing the warehouse and supply areas. They enforced silence, prohibiting any lights at night, coordinating operations under the code name "plum cherry." As the Japanese planes repeatedly bombed the area, the insurgents, lacking anti-aircraft defenses, could only mount futile counterattacks with machine guns, leading to disorder among their ranks. Many insurgents abandoned their uniforms and weapons and fled, prompting Zhang Qingyu to make the difficult decision to evacuate Tongzhou before Japanese reinforcements arrived, regrouping in Beiping with the remnants of the 29th Army. In the late hours of July 29, the security team retreated to Beiping in two groups. Upon arrival, they discovered the 29th Army had already evacuated, forcing them to retreat to Changxindian and Baoding. En route, they encountered part of the Suzuki Brigade of the Japanese Kwantung Army near Beiyuan and Xizhimen, where they faced concentrated attacks. Officers Shen Weigan and Zhang Hanming were both killed in the subsequent battles as they led their teams in desperate fights for survival. Amid the confusion, Yin Rugeng managed to escape when the convoy escorting him was broken up by Japanese forces. In a last-ditch effort, Zhang Qingyu ordered the army to split into small groups of 50 to 60, navigating through Mentougou to regroup with the 29th Army. By the time they reached Baoding, only about 4,000 personnel remained. On the morning of July 30, over a thousand troops from the Sakai Army entered Tongzhou City. They rounded up all men they encountered, searching residences for insurgents, and exhibited intentions of massacring the local population. By 4 p.m., the Kayashima Army arrived and sealed all city gates, deploying surveillance units to oversee the city and "restore public order." The Tsujimura Army removed perimeter defenses and concentrated their forces in barracks and storage facilities. Japanese troops combed through residences based on household registries, detaining those they deemed suspicious, with many later executed. As reported by the puppet county magistrate Wang Jizhang, roughly 700 to 800 individuals were executed within a few days. This brutal retaliation instilled terror throughout Tongzhou City, leading many to flee and seek refuge, often in American churches. The pervasive atmosphere of fear lasted for two to three months. The Japanese authorities framed their violent suppression as "restoring stability to East Asia" and derided the legitimate resistance of Chinese citizens as "communist harassment" and "treason." In response to the uprising, the Japanese embassy, concerned that it could trigger a repeat of the Temple Street Incident and instigate political upheaval at home, acted without government instructions. They appointed Morishima Morito to oversee negotiations with Chi Zongmo, who had replaced Yin Rugeng as the head of the "Hebei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government." On December 24, 1937, Chi submitted a formal apology to the Japanese embassy, committing to pay a total of 1.2 million yuan in reparations, with an immediate payment of 400,000 yuan, while the remaining 800,000 yuan would be disbursed by the "Provisional Government of the Republic of China." Furthermore, the Japanese demanded that the "Hebei Anti-Communist Autonomous Government" relinquish the territories where Japanese nationals had been killed and take responsibility for constructing "comfort towers." They compelled Chinese laborers to build these structures at the former site of the Governor's Office of Canal Transport in Shuiyueyuan Hutong, Nanmenli, and the northeastern corner of Xicang Square to commemorate Japanese casualties from the uprising. Additionally, they forcibly uprooted ancient trees from the Temple of Heaven, transplanting them around the "comfort towers." The Japanese military also demolished white marble guardrails at the Confucian Temple to erect a monument honoring their soldiers, resulting in the destruction of centuries-old cultural artifacts. On the morning of July 29, the Japanese Army's 11th Independent Mixed Brigade attacked Beiyuan and Huangsi. The Hebei-Northern Security Force, stationed in Huangsi, engaged the Japanese forces until 6:00 PM before retreating. Meanwhile, the 39th Independent Brigade, garrisoned in Beiyuan, fought the Japanese before withdrawing to Gucheng, eventually returning to Beiyuan. On July 31, this brigade was disarmed by the Japanese army, while the Independent 27th Brigade in the city was reorganized into a security team to maintain public order, later breaking through to Chahar Province a few days later and being assigned to the 143rd Division. Meanwhile, the 38th Division of the 29th Army, stationed in Tianjin, proactively attacked Japanese troops in Tianjin early on July 29, capturing the Japanese garrison at Tianjin General Station and launching an assault on the Japanese headquarters at Haiguang Temple and the Dongjuzi Airport. Initially, the battle progressed favorably; however, due to counterattacks from Japanese aircraft and artillery, the Chinese forces began to retreat around 3:00 PM, leading to the fall of Tianjin. Later that afternoon, the rebel forces evacuated Tong County and advanced toward Beiping. En route, they were attacked by the Japanese army north of the city and subsequently retreated to Baoding. As the 37th Division of the 29th Army received orders to retreat southward, the 110th Brigade covered the army headquarters and the Beiping troops from Wanping to Babaoshan, eventually retreating southward through Mentougou. After completing their task, they withdrew to Baoding on July 30. By the end of the 30th, the Japanese army had occupied both Beiping and Tianjin. The Japanese Independent Mixed Brigade No. 1 and the garrison brigade occupied high ground west of Changxindian and the area near Dahuichang on the evenings of the 30th and 31st, respectively. With this, the battles in Beiping and Tianjin effectively came to a close. China and Japan were at war. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. It has finally happened, China and Japan are officially at war. From 1931 until now, it had been an unofficial war between the two, yet another incident had finally broke the camel's back. There was no turning back as Japan would unleash horror upon the Chinese people. The fight for China's survival had begun. China was completely alone against a fierce enemy, how would she manage?