Podcasts about Caucasus Mountains

A Walk In the Park  & Aya's Finest Hour.Book 3 in 18 parts, By FinalStand. Listen to the ► Podcast at Explicit Novels.Professional, conscript, or volunteer, they all have run away from battle.A Note on terminology and the metaphor of Cael's WorldThe terms Weave of Fate and 'Weave ' are interchangeable. Weave expresses the intersection ~ the sieve that all the possible futures entered to create what we perceive as this 'now'. Fate is the keeper of the sieve. The Present is what is happening right now. It is that infinitesimal which we interpret as Reality.The Legend is what happens when the present is pulled back through the weave and becomes the past. It is called the Legend because, as the former presents fade into the past, they blur; each becomes less precise and more open to interpretations. (It is as if you were looking at one thing through a prism; as you shift your stance, what you see appears to change.) Within the Legend exist mystic creatures, divinities, demons, spirits, all the Paradises and Hells.The Endless Black Sands is the final resting place for all failed legends. It is the place where all is forgotten until even former realities break down into the Black Sands. That Alal found a way to cheat this doom and retrieved Shammuramat, was truly remarkable; even though Fate 'balanced accounts' with him by sending Ajax and his war band along that path as well.If you wonder how that was a balancing, consider this:The only people Alal cares for (in his own brutal fashion) are Shammy, now Sakura, and his only true offspring in 5,000 years, Cáel.Fate sent Ajax.With Ajax available to test Cáel, how could Alal resist the temptation to place one of the planet's greatest killer on a collision course with both of his loves in order to test Cáel?The Veil is a function of the Weave that protects sentient perception from perceiving the Weave and disguises the otherness of creatures of legend, unless they willingly allow themselves to be seen, which they usually do only so they can 'physically' interact with the Present. Some sentient minds, through horrific trauma such as the Augurs' self- poisonings, through the quirks of Fate via Holy Men, Mad Prophets and Doomsayers such as Temujin, or through the touch of legends such as Ishara, can sense the fluctuations in the Veil and the things behind it. Cáel, in truth, has been shaped by all three vehicles (Ishara, the Augurs and Temujin's legend.)Oblivion is what awaits Reality if the Weave ever fails beyond its ability to heal itself. This threat is what keeps the creatures of legend from constantly traversing the Weave. They have to weaken the Weave to do so or to use powers in Reality, the greater the distortion they create, the greater the weakening that occurs.End Note(Two days ago, with thirty days left)"That was fantastic, Lady Yum-Yum," I sighed."What did you just call me?" she panted softly. We were naked in one of our Task Force bedrooms that was actually used for sleeping, and now sex. I was still pressed against her reposed body, despite our recent exertions. She was on her stomach, arms stretched down her sides.She was sweaty and short of breath. She still had her wits about her and an awareness of our situation: victory sex, me still aroused and her fingernails scratching my thighs and buttocks. My equally sticky body was pressing down on her, even though I supported my weight with outstretched hands placed on either side of her shoulders."Lady Yum-Yum," I mumbled as I kissed the back of her head. "That was the first thing that sprang to mind when you introduced yourself." I could see her working that through her highly complex mind."When writing your memoirs, please remember to me refer to me that way," she began to flex her thighs and abdominal muscles, so that her ass was pumping against my hips."Only if this helps persuade you to give me a repeat performance.""I'll consider,," she purred, then paused to catch her breathe. "You are in phenomenal shape, young man. Do any of your other lady-loves have pet names?""Nope," I grunted as I withdrew.She had teased me with anal sex hints repeatedly, yet never delivered. She liked the game and the power she wielded. My body being on top of hers was only an illusion of a tactical advantage. She knew me pretty well already. I wasn't the kind of guy who would use physical strength to overwhelm her vulnerable position. This being so, a cerebral skirmish only excited her more.We waged a war that was based on intakes of breath, the shimmying of muscles and the trembling of fatigued flesh. The prize for me was the winning. Lady Fathom Worthington-Burke played tricky-clever, but I was better. And at times like this, she admitted it. She gave me what I wanted. I rolled her.Straight, face-to-face fucking. The Lady's pulsar gaze trapped my vision. She smiled, grudgingly at first, then more and more sensually as my glans returned to her g-spot that it had scouted out earlier. This was 'surrender by the Fathom method'. She gave me what I wanted, so I took what I wanted, and pleasured her at the same time."Mmm, you are a bad, bad boy," she lapsed into her trashy West-End Londoner accent. It was perfect and an erotic whiplash when added to her native, refined manner of speech. This wasn't a trick this time, it was a treat. It was a gift, reciprocated. The tactile sensation of her cervix becoming a soft, spongey chalice for my final penetrations was icing on an all-so-luscious cake.I tendered her a tribute worthy of my first love, Dr. Kimberly Geisler. It was strange to find a woman like her. Outside of Kimberly, I had found only one other woman who graciously offered her ultimate pleasure paean to the hundreds of lovers who had become before. That other woman, it still floored me, was Buffy Du, no, Buffy Ishara, First of my House."Oh!" and several heartbeats later, "Cáel!" several hissed series of breathes and then, "Goddess! You are better than good!"Two thoughts collided within me:A) I had never seen a more controlled orgasmic explosion in my life. I was going to have to tell Buffy about this, once we were safely in bed. If it was office talk, she'd punch me through a window and that would make Aya cry. I couldn't have that.B) Goddess? I thought she was Anglican. This needed further study. This treatment was really nice. I leaned in, kissed her. Lady Yum-Yum smiled. "Take me to the shower. Play time is over, Cáel," and she was back to all business."You are treating me like a fleshy vibrator," I pointed out."But you are a very finely-trained, fleshy vibrator, you wonderful boy," she stroked my cheek. "Shower! Now!" So, like a Good Boy, International Merchant of Death and Chosen Son of a Divine Amazon Goddess, I slid off her, then cradled her in my arms as I rose from our totally trashed mattress.I didn't smile when it was confirmed that I wasn't carrying her out of any romantic after-coitus gesture. She couldn't walk. Woot! It took a bit of effort to get us into the walk-in shower and to get the water just perfect, all while keeping her cradled. She helped out by keeping her arms tightly around my neck."Cheeky bastard," she whispered in my ear. "You are gloating." Then she nibbled on my earlobe for good measure."Damn right," I did gloat as I let her slide down to her feet. "You are pretty sweet for an Old Chick." She wasn't angry, oh no."If you were trying to get me to say, 'I'll get you next time," she licked, nipped and sucked on my nipple as if I was the one with the mammaries in this relationship, "it worked." Double-Woot! I was going to get that damn four-way! I did coax a vigorous shower-quickie out of my Lady. Afterward, she shifted herself so she could get under one of the steaming showerheads."Cáel, why didn't you use a condom," she mused. Gak!"You aren't on Birth Control?" I panicked. She laughed at me."No. I've never been a fan of hormones replacement. I like the way I am. Do you expect the women to do all the anti-pregnancy measures?""No," I gulped."Don't' be so worried," she laughed. "We had unprotected sex one time. The odds are astronomical that an 'oops' happened, right?" Yes, it was a single sexual encounter, but included three firings of the one-eyed hydra, sigh."You are asking a man who has five children on the way, Fathom," I cautioned her."Oh, I'll update my files and make an appointment to seen a local, reliable O B G Y N," she slipped back into her unflappable British resolve. "Get along. I need to get cleaned up," she cupped my scrotum, ", again. So scoot." I scooted.I had updated my condom supply despite the forbiddance Dot Ishara, my Matron Goddess, beamed to me from the Other Side. She could only complain so much. I'd upped my selection of fortune cookies and added a fresh raisin chocolate brownie for my next visit with her. I had to get over to the other side of the floor to get a fresh shirt, and boxers.Yum-Yum had ripped off my shirt (a little kinky) and boxers (a little painful). I wasn't going commando, so I decided to quick step it before something important happened that required me to yank yet another solution out of my sexually-fueled creative imagination.How Lady Yum-Yum and I ended up in bedThe Secret Societies' long awaited war had begun in Africa and in India. The Amazons couldn't effectively reinforce these two homeland regions. No, my people's edge came from my stupid stunts (e.g., the fight outside that club in Chicago), the judicious application of a few kind words and a whole lot of targeted killing on my part along with that of my Amazons.Those actions convinced the Booth-gan (aka the Thuggee, but we no longer say that because it irritates them) and the Coils of the Serpent to toss in their lot with their local Amazons. They did the whole 'hostage exchange' thing as well. Two children from each side. That was a no-brainer on my part. All three concerned parties were willing to let their adults die if necessary. Their children were another matter.In Asia, the Seven Pillars had made only minimal progress. We now suspected the 7P had planned to roll over the three of the 9 Clans that were in their Sphere of Influence, the now 6 Ninja Families, the Black Lotus and the Booth-gan in rapid succession. A preemptive strike against both the Khanate and the Ninja were supposed to cripple those two factions.Against the Khanate, that had been a dismal failure. In Nippon, the Ninja were in dire straits and would be decades recovering from the original 7P blitz. But the combination of US black ops help and the infusion of Amazons and Okinawans had staved off extinction for the moment. Strategically, these failed actions were tying down 7P resources that the largest Secret Society had planned to move elsewhere.In China, the Black Lotus exhibited the same resilience and deceptiveness they'd shown in combating the Seven Pillars by themselves for the past 65 years. The chaos gripping the PRC was a blessing from the Ancestors, the four sacred spirits (lung/dragons, phoenix, unicorn and tortoise), and the nine entities (I now really had to know this stuff.) Word that a 'dragon' had appeared in the West had only heightened their desire to aid in our new alliance.Those factors meant a reprieve for India. As the 7 Pillars began ramping up their operations; increasing racial tensions, minor terrorist action and military and industrial sabotage; the Booth-gan and Amazon united resources and purpose. The Booth-gan would assassinate 7P operatives and pawns while the Amazons would hit 7P front companies and businesses based out of the People's Republic of China. (This activity also helped ratchet up India-PRC tensions and anti-PRC public sentiment in India.)In Africa, the Condotteiri had squandered precious hours reallocating resources before launching their assaults. Like everyone but the 7P, they had been caught flat-footed by the renewal of the Secret War. The Coils of the Serpent had never been overly antagonistic toward the Condos, since their interests rarely collided. The same went for the Coils and the Amazons.Two factors inspired a deep Amazon-Coil bond. They were both groups with deep African roots and a shared Central-Western African spirituality. Added to that was the growing power of the Coils of the Serpent in the past fifty years. Their main opponents had been the Illuminati who had a Eurocentric view. Pan-Africanism was in the Coil's best interest, but ran contrary to European economic interests.Long term, allying with the African Amazons was a good investment for the Coils. The 9 Clans relationships had already proved to be advantageous on multiple occasions in the past. The leaders of the Coils knew their power was rising with the fortunes of Sub-Saharan Africa. To them, the rise of the PRC and the Seven Pillars was a looming threat in the East.They had been handed a golden opportunity to deal with this enemy before the enemy was ready to deal with them. They had been 'gifted' with over 2000 highly-skilled, fanatical Amazon warriors as stealthy muscle to add to their own, more subtle arsenal. For the Amazons, it was access to continent wide clandestine intelligence network that could unmask their enemies' hiding places.The Condotteiri wiped out an Amazon freehold in Cameroon and a few Coils safe houses in Lagos, Nigeria. In the Republic of Mali, over 250 Condo mercenaries were slaughtered at a 'secret' installation and their armory was looted. Ebola kept breaking out in the West. The dominant regional powers, the Republic of the Congo and Nigeria, were tottering as a result of decades of economic mismanagement, civic, ethnic, tribal and religious strife, corruption and unreliable militaries.The scene was ripe for a secret conflict as well as public carnage. For the Joint International Khanate Interim Taskforce (JIKIT), this presented a dilemma. They were involved with a growing global struggle that went far beyond the Khanate and Central Asia. Their secret society allies strenuously objected to bringing any more 'outsider' people into the group.Handing over covert intelligence to other governmental agencies in the US and UK, then telling them they wouldn't divulge their sources went over like scuba diving with cement goulashes. Explaining to upper level bigwigs that they had a 'trust-based' team went nowhere. Those officials didn't care about a bunch of domestic/international criminals' sensibilities.They wanted names and faces. They wanted addresses, phone taps and bank account numbers. It would all be 'Secret', 'Top Secret', or 'Eyes Only'. It would all be vulnerable to all kinds of governmental subpoenas too. No threats were made from 'my' side. They'd killed more people than the Black Death and the lives of a few thousand bureaucrats (and their families) in London and Washington D.C. didn't mean shit to them.Selena did offer to kidnap some family members to get the message across. Javiera put her hands over her ears and began singing 'la-la-la' as she stormed out of the room. Lady Fathom suggested that we arrange a private meeting with the UK Prime Minister and the US President. It took a few seconds for Mehmet and Javiera to realize she wasn't kidding.That was a nearly impossible task, which on this taskforce meant we had to give it a shot. Let's just say that the US Attorney General, Eric Holder and Chairman John Jay of the British Joint Intelligence Committee thought their respective representative had lost her God-damn mind. I went to the Khanate for help.Twenty-four hours later Azerbaijan, Turkey, Tajikistan, Armenia and Georgia (yes, two tiny Christian nations) joined the Khanate. The integration of the first two nations had been in the works since the formation of the Turkic Council in 2009. For me, Temujin upped the time table strictly for our benefit. Turkey and Azerbaijan became the two newest states within the Khanate.The third, Tajikistan was different and the shakiest addition. The unoccupied title of 'Khwarazm Shah' was created, suggesting the Iranian Tajiks had a special status inside the Khanate. 'Khwarazm' referenced the Khwarazmian dynasty that ruled the last of the great, Persian-led, Iranian Super-States and dated back to the 13th century AD. 'Shah' was Persian for King.The announced status of Armenia and Georgia was quite a bit different. They become 'Protectorates', i.e., semi-autonomous states within the Khanate who were 'vassal' states, responsible only to the Great Khan and his personal representative in the region (ah, that would be me.)So, the first three entries made sense, strong geographic, ethnic and/or religious ties, plus this was part of the Khanate's agenda anyway. But Armenia and Georgia? That was the doing of the other regional secret society, the Hashashin.The Caucasus Mountains were the backyard of the Hashashin. They knew who to blackmail, pinch and kill to make the 'take-over' possible. The main stumbling block was the long Khanate-Hashashin history: the Mongols had destroyed the historical stronghold of the Hashashin, Alamut, in 1256 CE. In a way, that disaster had transformed the sect, making it move away from their strict Nizārī Ismaili roots and into a more ethnically and religiously diverse group that was centered in the Caucasus region.Temujin made it clear to this group that he was making a deal under my auspices. Both Armenia and, Georgia (as well as the future Kurdistan, his plans for the creation of that last state were told to me under condition of secrecy) would be part of my palatinate principality (along with Hungary, if we ever got there). Riki Martin defined the terms for me: I was the voice of those three regions in the Khan's court.They wouldn't have to deal with Muslim Khanate officials. They would deal with me and 'my officials'. If the Khanate had a problem with my principality, they came to me to resolve the issue. That translated to me giving a nod to the existing regimes ruling in Armenia and Georgia (along with the infusion of a few Hashashin supporters.)Publically the future of those three political and ethnic entities would be confirmed later. The existing governments knew three things.1) I was that madman who had led the charge in Romania, clearly a man of bravery and humility. The odds were good that I was going to be a man they could rely on to adequately represent their interests with the government that currently mattered the most (aka The Khanate.)2) The Great Khan thought the world of me and in this nascent New World Order that meant way more than membership in NATO, or begging the United Nations to apply sanctions of dubious value.3) There would be a change of leadership by about 2040. Children of excellent ethnic parentage would succeed me in this ceremonial role in the region. These new princes and princesses would be the scions of the line of Nyilas and representatives of the various states (translation: I was going to be sexing it up with Georgian, Armenian and Kurdish members of the Hashashin).That would establish the three 'cadet' branches of House Ishara (Nyilas) (which I've listed because all three alphabets are so freaking beautiful) that could weave the Amazons, 9 Clans and the varying ethnic identities into a quilt that could stand together as a force in the Great Khan's inner circle. This new spate of aristocratic, 'Archer'-themed lineages would be:1.       Moisari, in Georgia.2.       Aġeġnajig, in Armenia.3.       Ram- alsham, in Kurdistan.This fiction made the key named entities happy. The combination of all these events applied another jolt to the heart of the global power structure (after all, Turkey was in NATO) and made the US and UK governments back off.By tidying up the world map, we'd brought our governmental chiefs to the chilling revelation that their sole conduit for insider information regarding the ongoing global calamity had reacted to their intransience by simply letting them be blind-sided by events. After the fact, Javiera and Lady Fathom relayed that message very clearly.

Greg is telling us about a true mystery in the Caucasus Mountains of a 350ft shaft at the top of Khara Hora mountain that appears to be a supernatural anomaly. Constructed by polished megalithic stones weighing over 200 tons no one knows it's true purpose or who made it.... but one thing appears obvious - it was not naturally formed so what exactly is the Khara Hora Shaft See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join me for a discussion all about kefir, its origins, its benefits, how to make it and HOW TO USE IT!Sponsor 1: Permies.com FUNDLE $45: https://permies.com/wiki/223017f495/Fundle-fungi-bundle Sponsor 2: AgoristTaxAdvice.com Shout out: Canary Cry Radio! https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=XK4bqtxb1PA  Tales from the Prepper Pantry Bacon Week Slicing Like a Mad Woman Ground Lamb The Carnivore Scotch Egg Test Operation Independence No more TAHOE 1. Why Kefir Matters More than just a probiotic – Kefir is a living ecosystem of bacteria and yeast, offering benefits beyond typical fermented foods. Gut health & digestion – Restores microbiome balance and may help with IBS. Immune system support – Contains natural antibacterial and antifungal compounds. Bone health & longevity – High in calcium, magnesium, and vitamin K2, supporting bone density. Why it beats store-bought probiotic drinks – No added sugars, no preservatives, and a wider range of beneficial microbes. The Mysterious Origins of Kefir No one knows! Ancient legends – Believed to have originated in the Caucasus Mountains, with stories linking it to nomadic herders or religious figures. Some claim kefir grains were a gift from the Prophet Muhammad to Orthodox Christians. Others suggest they evolved naturally in animal skins used for storing milk. Why scientists can't recreate it – Unlike yogurt cultures, kefir grains cannot be artificially synthesized, making them a true biological mystery. Kefir grains are a complex symbiotic community (SCOBY) that must be propagated from existing grains. Attempts to isolate and recreate them in labs have failed, suggesting a unique co-evolution with traditional dairy farming. 4. The Science Behind Kefir Fermentation Bacteria vs. Yeast – A Perfect Partnership Bacteria (Lactic Acid Bacteria - LAB) – Convert lactose into lactic acid, lowering the pH and thickening the milk. Yeasts – Break down sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide, adding mild effervescence and contributing to flavor complexity. Acetobacter species – Convert ethanol into acetic acid, giving kefir its subtle tang. How fermentation transforms milk Lactose breakdown – Kefir becomes more digestible for lactose-intolerant individuals. Nutrient enhancement – Increases B vitamins, calcium, and K2, making nutrients more bioavailable. Probiotic boost – Contains up to 50+ strains of beneficial bacteria and yeast, making it superior to yogurt in microbial diversity. How to Make Kefir at Home Basic Steps: Add kefir grains to whole milk (raw or pasteurized, but avoid ultra-pasteurized). Cover loosely and let ferment 12-24 hours at room temperature. Strain the grains, store finished kefir in the fridge, and repeat the process. Troubleshooting Common Issues: Too sour? Shorten fermentation time or use cooler temperatures. Too thin? Use higher-fat milk or ferment longer. Off flavors? Check milk quality and ensure grains are healthy. 6. Ways to Use Kefir Beyond Drinking It Culinary Uses: Smoothies & flavored kefir – Blend with fruit, honey, or spices. Salad dressings & dips – Use as a tangy base for ranch or tzatziki. Kefir cheese & butter – Strain whey to make a spreadable cheese. Second Fermentation for More Flavor & Fizz: How to do it – Store strained kefir in an airtight bottle with fruit or honey for another 12-24 hours. Why it works – Yeasts consume remaining sugars, boosting carbonation. Best add-ins: Citrus peel, ginger, berries, vanilla bean. Make it a great week! GUYS! Don't forget about the cookbook, Cook With What You Have by Nicole Sauce and Mama Sauce.  Community Follow me on Nostr: npub1u2vu695j5wfnxsxpwpth2jnzwxx5fat7vc63eth07dez9arnrezsdeafsv Mewe Group: https://mewe.com/join/lftn Telegram Group: https://t.me/LFTNGroup Odysee: https://odysee.com/$/invite/@livingfree:b Resources Membership Sign Up Holler Roast Coffee Harvest Right Affiliate Link  

Good and bad unintended consequences.By FinalStand. Listen to the Podcast at Explicit Novels.The highest cost of losing a war is the rage of your children."Maybe the Canadian is not so much an 'ex' girlfriend?" Orsi leered. It was the old 'if he is so good that she still wants him back after a colossal screw up, I wanted a taste' expression."Do you think she will help you?" Katalin inquired."She'll help," Pamela huffed playfully. "My grandson has plenty of ex-girlfriends. Most of them want him back, despite his colorful lifestyle. It is one of his more amusing qualities.""Let's get something to eat," I tried to turn the conversation away from my past sexcapades."You are engaged?" Jolan didn't miss a beat."It is complicated," I sighed. "Let's just say I really like her, but she's seven years older, divorced with one young daughter and has a father who hates that I live and breathe.""Do you have any male friends?" Monika joined the Cáel Quiz Bowl."Yes," I replied with confidence. "My roommate Timothy and I are great friends.""He's gay," Pamela pierced their disbelief. "He and Cáel are true brothers-in-arms, I'll give Cáel that much.""Do you have any straight male friends?" Orsi was enjoying taunting me."Do Chaz or Vincent count?" I looked to Pamela."They are straight males, but they don't really know you yet," Pamela failed to be of much help. "I think Vincent insinuated he'd shoot you if you dated any of his three daughters. It was friendly of him to warn you. I supposed that could be construed as liking you.""Are all your acquaintances violent?" Anya seemed worried."Vincent isn't violent. He's with the US FBI," I retorted. Pause. "Okay, he carries a gun and shoots it, he's a law officer. They can do that.""You seem to be stressed," Orsi put an arm around my waist. "Let us ease your worries." Hallelujah!Note: One of History's LessonsIn the last 75 years of military history, airpower had been a decisive factor in every major conflict, save one. Most Americans would think the one exception was US involvement in Vietnam and they'd be wrong: right country, wrong time. Indochina's War of Independence against France was the exception. There, the French Air Force was simply inadequate to the task.Yes, the United States and its allies eventually lost the struggle in Vietnam. But it was their airpower that kept the conflict running as long as it did. For the most part, the Allied and Communist military hardware on the ground were equivalent. While the Allies had superior quantities of supplies, the Communists countered that with numbers, and therein lies the rub.Airpower allowed the Allies to smash large North Vietnamese formations south of the Demilitarized Zone and thus prevented the numerical advantage from coming into play. The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong made one serious stab at a conventional militarily challenge to the Allies, the Tet Offensive, and after initial successes, they were crushed.With the NVA unable to flex their superior numbers, the Allies were able to innovate helicopter-borne counter-insurgency operations. The North Vietnam's Army (NVA) was forced to operate in smaller units, so the Allies were able to engage them in troop numbers that helicopters could support. The air forces didn't deliver ultimate victory, but air power alone had never been able to do so on land. It was only when the US lost faith in achieving any positive outcome in Viet Nam and pulled out, that the North was finally able to overrun the South 20 months later. But every major power today understands the lesson.End of Note(Big Trouble in Little China)The military importance of airpower was now haunting the leadership of the People's Republic of China (PRC), the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). Their problem wasn't aircraft. Most of their air fleet consisted of the most advanced models produced during the last two decades. The problem was that 80% of their pilots were dead, or dying. Their ground crews were in the same peril. Even shanghaiing commercial pilots couldn't meet the projected pilot shortfall.Classic PLA defense doctrine was to soak up an enemy (Russian) attack and bog down the aggressor with semi-guerilla warfare (classic small unit tactics backed up with larger, light infantry formations). Then, when the invaders were over-extended and exhausted, the armored / mechanized / motorized forces would counter-attack and destroy their foes. This last bit required air superiority through attrition.The twin enemies of this strategy were the price of technology and the Chinese economic priorities. With the rising cost of the high-tech equipment and a central government focus on developing the overall economy, the Chinese went for an ever smaller counter attack striking force, thus skewing the burden of depth of support far in favor of their relatively static militia/police units.So now, while the PLA / PLAAF's main divisions, brigades and Air Wings were some of the best equipped on the planet, the economic necessities had also meant the militia was financially neglected, remaining little more than early Cold War Era non-mechanized infantry formations. To compensate, the Chinese had placed greater and greater emphasis on the deployment capabilities of their scarcer, technologically advanced formations.When the Anthrax outbreak started, the strike force personnel were the first personnel 'vaccinated'. Now those men and women were coughing out the last days and hours of their lives. Unfortunately, you couldn't simply put a few commercial truck drivers in a T-99 Main Battle Tank and expect them to be anything more than a rolling coffin. The same went for a commercial airline pilot and a Chengdu J-10 multi-role fighter. The best you could hope for was for him/her to make successful takeoffs and landings.A further critical factor was that the Khanate's first strike had also targeted key defense industries. The damage hadn't been irreparable. Most military production would be only a month to six weeks behind schedule. But there would be a gap.It was just becoming clear that roughly 80% of their highly-trained, frontline combatants were going to die anyway. Their Reserves were looking at 30~40% attrition due to the illness as well. In the short term (three months), they would be fighting with whatever they started with. Within the very short term (one week), they were going to have a bunch of high-priced equipment and no one trained to use it. With chilling practicality, the Chinese leaders decided to throw their dying troopers into one immediate, massive counter-offensive against the Khanate.Just as Temujin predicted they would. Things were playing out according to plan.Note: World Events SummaryRound #1 had seen the Khanate unite several countries under one, their, banner. Earth  and  Sky soldiers had rolled across the Chinese border as their Air Force and Missile Regiments had used precision strikes to hammer Chinese bases, sever their transportation network and crippled their civilian infrastructure.Next, the frontier offensive units had been obliterated, the cities bypassed and the Khanate Tumens had sped forward to the geographic junctures between what the Khanate wanted and from whence the PLA had to come. In the last phase of Round #1, the Khanate prepped for the inevitable PLA / PLAAF counter-strike.Round #2 had now begun:Step One: Declare to the World that the Khanate was a nuclear power. As history would later reveal, this was a lie, but no one had any way of initially knowing that. Hell, the Khanate hadn't even existed 72 hours ago. Satellite imagery did show the Khanate had medium-range strategic missiles capable of hitting any location in the People's Republic. In Beijing, a nuclear response was taken off the table.Step Two: Initiate the largest air-battle in the history of Asia. Not just planes either. Both sides flew fleets of UCAV's at one another. It wasn't really even a battle between China and just the Khanate. Virtually all of the UAV technology the Khanate was using was Japanese, South Korean and Taiwanese in origin, plus some US-Russian-shared technology thrown into the mix.When the South Korean design team saw the footage of their bleeding-edge dogfighting UCAVs shooting down their PRC opponents, they were thrilled (their design rocked!), shocked (what was their 'baby' doing dominating Chinese airspace?) and anxious (members of South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration, DAPA, were rushing over to chat with them).Similar things were happening in Japan, Taiwan, Russia and the United States. The Communist Party leadership in Beijing were beginning to seriously consider the possibility that everyone was out to get them. Of course, all the Ambassadors in Beijing were bobbing their heads with the utmost respect while swearing on the lives of their first born sons that their nations had nothing to do with any of this.These foreign diplomats promised to look into these egregious breaches of their scientific integrity and were saying how sorry they were that the PLA and PLAAF were getting ass-raped for the World's viewing pleasure. No, they couldn't stop the Khanate posting such things to the internet, something to do with freedom. Paranoia had been creeping into the Potentates' thoughts since the Pakistan/Aksai Chan incident.As they watched their very expensive jets and UCAV's being obliterated, distrust of the global community became the 800 pound gorilla in the room. To add habaneros to the open wounds, the United States and the United Kingdom began dropping hints that they had some sort of highly personal communication conduit with the Khanate's secretive and unresponsive leadership. Yes Virginia Wolfe, the Western World was out to get the People's Republic.'Great Mao's Ghost', all that claptrap their grandfathers had babbled on about (1) the Korea War, (2) the Sino-Soviet grudge match, (3) the Sino-Vietnamese conflict and (4) the persistent support for the renegade province of Formosa all being a continuous effort by the liberal democracies and post-colonial imperialist to contain Chinese communism, didn't sound so crazy anymore.Step Three: Plaster all those PLA ground units that had started moving toward them when the air war began and the Chinese envisioned they would control the skies. The T-99 was a great tank. It also blew up rather spectacularly when it was stuck on a rail car (you don't drive your tanks halfway across China, it kills the treads).As Craig Kilborn put into his late night repertoire:"What do you call a Khanate UCAV driver who isn't an ace yet? Late for work.""What's the difference between me coming off a weekend long Las Vegas bender and a Khanate pilot? Not a damn thing. We've both been up for three days straight, yet everyone expects us to work tonight."Some PLA generals decided to make an all-out charge at the Tumens. Genghis's boys and girls were having none of that. They weren't using their Russian-built Khanate tanks to kill Chinese-built PLA tanks. No, their tanks were sneaking around and picking off the Chinese anti-air vehicles.The Chinese tanks and APCs engaged the dismounted Khanate infantry who, as Aksai Chin had shown, possessed some of the latest anti-tank weaponry. In the few cases where the PLA threw caution to the wind, they did some damage to the Khanate by sheer weight of numbers. For the rest, it was death by airpower.With their anti-air shield gone, the battle became little more than a grisly, real-life FPS game. It wasn't 'THE END'. China still had over 2,000,000 troops to call upon versus the roughly 200,000 the Khanate could currently muster. The PLA's new dilemma was how to transport these mostly truck-bound troops anywhere near the front lines without seeing them also exterminated from the air.After the Tumens gobbled up the majority of the PLA's available mobile forces, they resumed their advance toward the provincial boundaries of Xinjiang and Nin Mongol. There was little left to slow them down. The Chinese still held most of the urban centers in Xinjiang and Nei Mongol, yet they were isolated. And Khanate follow-up forces (the national armies they'd 'inherited') were putting the disease-riddled major municipalities under siege.All over the 24/7 World Wide News cycle, talking heads and military gurus were of two minds about the Khanate's offensive. Most harped on the fact that while the Khanate was making great territorial gains, it was barely making a dent in the Chinese population and economy. Uniformly, those people insisted that before the end of November, the Khanate would be crushed and a reordering of Asia was going to be the next great Mandate for the United Nations.A few of the braver unconventional pundits pointed out the same thing, but with the opposite conclusion, arguing:1.There were virtually no military forces in the conquered areas to contend with the Khanate's hold on the regions.2.Their popularity in the rural towns and countryside seriously undercut any hope for a pro-PRC insurgency.3.Driving the Khanate's forces back to their starting points would be a long and difficult endeavor that the World Economy might not be able to endure.When the PLAAF was effectively castrated after thirty-six hours of continuous aerial combat, a lot of experts were left with egg on their faces. One lone commentator asked the most fearful question of all. Where was the Khanate getting the financing, technical know-how and expertise to pull all of this off? There was a reason to be afraid of that answer.And while I was entertaining my six sailor-saviors, there were two other things of a diplomatic nature only just revealing themselves. Publically, Vladimir Putin had graciously offered to mediate the crisis while 'stealthily' increasing the readiness of his Eastern Military District. If there was any confusion, that meant activating a shitload of troops on the Manchurian border, not along the frontiers of the former nations of Mongolia and Kazakhstan.After all, Mongolia was terribly poor. Manchuria/Northeastern China? Manchuria was rich, rich, rich! From the Kremlin, Putin spoke of 'projecting a presence' into the 'lost territory' of Manchuria, citing Russia's long involvement in the region. By his interpretation of history, the Russians (aka the Soviet Union) had rescued Manchukuo (the theoretically INDEPENDENT Imperial Japanese puppet state of Manchuria) from the Japanese in 1945. They'd even given it back to the PRC for safekeeping after World War II was concluded.Putin promised Russia was ready and willing to help out the PRC once again, suggesting that maybe a preemptive intervention would forestall the inevitable Khanate attack, thus saving the wealthy, industrialized province from the ravages of war. Surely Putin's Russians could be relied on to withdraw once the Khanate struggle was resolved? Surprisingly, despite being recent beneficiaries of President Putin's promises, the Ukraine remained remiss in their accolades regarding his rectitude.In the other bit of breaking news; an intermediary convinced the Khanate to extend an invitation to the Red Cross, Red Crescent and the WHO to investigate the recently conquered regions in preparations for a humanitarian mission.That intermediary was Hana Sulkanen; for reasons no one could fathom, she alone had the clout to get the otherwise unresponsive new regime to open up and she was using that influence to bring about a desperately needed relief effort to aid the civilians caught up in that dynastic struggle. A Princess indeed. No one was surprised that the PRC protested, claiming that since the territory wasn't conquered, any intervention was a gross violation of Chinese sovereignty.End of Note(To Live and Die in Hun-Gray)Orsi may have been the troupe leader, but Anya needed me more, so she came first."I need a shower before we catch some dinner," I announced as we meandered the streets of Mindszent. My lady friends were all processing that as I wound an arm around Anya's waist and pulled her close. "Shower?" I smiled down at her, she was about 5 foot 7. It took her a few seconds to click on my invitation."Yeah, sure, that would be nice," she reciprocated my casual waist hold. Several of her friends giggled over her delay. We were heading back to the Seven Fishermen's Guest House."Do you do this, picking up strange girls you've barely met for, you know?" she said in Bulgarian, as she looked at me expectantly."Yes and no," I began, in Russian. "I often find myself encountering very intriguing women, for which I know I am a fortunate man. I embrace sensuality. That means I know what I'm doing, but I'm not the 'bring him home to meet the parents' kind of guy.""What of your fiancée? Do you feel bad about cheating on her?" Anya pursued me."Hana is wonderful. I've met her father and it went badly both times," I confessed."How?" Anya looked concerned for me."Would you two speak a language the rest of us can understand?" Monika teased us."Very well," I nodded to Monika, and turned back to Anya, "The first time, his son raped a girl and I threatened the young man's life," I revealed. "Jormo, Hana's father, wasn't happy when I did so. The second time, he hit me twice, once in the gut and once in the head," I continued."Why did he hit you?" Orsi butted in."I'd rather not say. You may think less of me," I confessed. Pamela gave me a wink for playing my audience so well. I'm glad she's family (kinda/sorta)."The boy, he is dead?" Magdalena guessed. "Hana's brother?""I really shouldn't talk about that," I evaded. "It is a family matter." That's right. The family that my grandmother had brought me into as her intern / slayer-in-training. There is no reason to create a new lie when you can embellish a previous one."Do you ever feel bad about what you do?" Katalin asked Pamela. We love movies."As I see it, if I show up looking for you, you've done something to deserve it," Pamela gave her sage philosophy behind being an assassin."Are you, bi-sexual?" Jolan murmured. Pamela smacked me in the chest as I laughed. "Did I say something wrong?" Jolan worried. Pamela was a killer."No, you are fine," Pamela patted Jolan's shoulder. "I'm straight and happily so. It just so happens that most of my co-workers are women. Day in, day out, nothing but sweaty female bodies working out, sparring and grappling together, and afterwards, the massages."That was my Grandma, poking all the lesbian buttons of the women around me. Best of all, she did it with the detached air of a sexually indifferent matron. She was stirring up the lassies while keeping them focused on me. We walked into the courtyard of our guest house."Don't take too long, you two," Orsi teased us."Ha!" Pamela chuckled. "That's like asking the Sun to hurry up and rise, the Moon to set too soon, or the sea to stay at low tide forever.""Anya," I whispered into her ear. "How many orgasms do you want?" Anya's eyes expanded. Her eyes flickered toward her friends, then back to me. She held up one finger, I grinned speculatively. Anya held up two fingers. I kissed her fingers.

Send us a textTo tell the story of the third successor state that popped up after the Sack of Constantinople, The Empire of Trebizond, we must take a deep dive into the History of the Kingdom of Georgia. The reason for this is that the Kingdom of Georgia, under their leader Queen Tamar, financed and organized the two grandchildren of Andronicus into capturing the city of Trebizond. Georgia is a kingdom in the Caucasus Mountains... with fertile plains, rich mines, thick forests, and access to both the Black Sea and the Silk Road. The Monarch of this story is a fantastic woman who rose to power and was crowned King... not Queen... but the King of Georgia. She wasn't messing around and did not let her husbands restle the power bestowed upon her.The History of Modern Greece Podcast covers the events from Ancient Greece, the Roman Empire, and the fall of Constantinople in 1453, to the years under the Ottoman Empire, and 1821 when the Greeks fought for independence... all the way to the modern-day.Website: www.moderngreecepodcast.comMusic by Mark Jungerman: www.marcjungermann.comCheck out our 2nd Podcast: www.antecedors.com

SpaceTime Series 27 Episode 135*Could Uranus Moon Miranda Have a Subsurface Ocean?A new study suggests that Uranus' moon Miranda may harbour a liquid water ocean beneath its peculiar jigsaw-like surface. The findings, published in the Planetary Science Journal, challenge existing assumptions about Miranda's history and composition, potentially placing it among the select few worlds in our solar system with environments that could support life. The study highlights the intriguing possibility of a vast ocean beneath Miranda's icy crust, kept warm by gravitational tidal forces.*NASA Discovers Weird Red Rocks with Green Spots on MarsNASA's Mars Perseverance Rover has stumbled upon strange red rocks with green spots on the Martian surface. As the rover continues its journey towards the rim of Jezero Crater, it has uncovered a new geological puzzle featuring red and green rocks. Scientists are intrigued by the green spots, which could suggest past water activity, but their exact composition remains a mystery due to the rover's current limitations.*First Humans on Mars by 2035?NASA is planning to send humans to Mars as early as 2035. The mission would be part of the Artemis programme, with a journey that could take up to 14 months, including a 500-day stay on the Martian surface. This ambitious plan hinges on the successful deployment of the Lunar Gateway Space Station and other key technologies.The Science ReportNew research finds that children exposed to cannabis in the womb are more likely to exhibit behavioural issues. Meanwhile, ancient DNA studies reveal two genetically distinct populations north and south of the Caucasus Mountains, and a study links Airbnbs to increased crime rates. Plus, a fact-based conversation with AI might help some conspiracy theorists reconsider their beliefs.www.spacetimewithstuartgary.comwww.bitesz.com

Today, I have the immense privilege of walking with one of the most influential thinkers, authors and teachers of our time, Seth Godin. Seth is the author of 21 best-selling books that have transformed how we think about marketing, leadership, and the power of creative work. His books have been translated into over 35 languages, helping readers across the globe learn to challenge the status quo and make a lasting impact. In addition to his writing, Seth is the founder of several successful businesses, including the groundbreaking altMBA, an online workshop that has revolutionized the way people learn to lead and create meaningful change. He also invented email marketing, so we can thank him for that. Above all, Seth is a teacher. He's taught at some of the most renowned business schools, founded one of the most successful online learning platforms, and spends his time sharing wisdom on everything from business strategy to life philosophy.  In this episode, Seth shares his insights from his new book, This is Strategy, on how to embrace systems, time, empathy, and games to create change—not just for business, but in any aspect of life. As Seth says in the intro to the book, this is for someone who wants to make things better—which I know is all of us. --  Big thanks to our partners at Brooks Running. For over a century, Brooks has been propelled by a never-ending curiosity with how humans move. It drives their every decision and every innovation. Because they believe movement is the key to feeling more alive. And we're all moving towards something. It could be the top of a mountain, a first-ever 5K, or peace of mind after a stressful day.  So… let's run there.   With gear and experiences specifically designed to take you to that place. Whether it's a headspace, a feeling, a finish line, a cure for Parkinson's, more ethical treatment of animals, or even a stormy day on the New York City Aqueduct. Let's run there.  Head to BrooksRunning.com to learn more. -- Also big thanks to our partners at Lifeway Foods. Lifeway is more than just a company that makes delicious, probiotic-rich kefir—it's a forward-thinking brand committed to improving the health and well-being of people around the world.  Many of you are well familiar with Lifeway Kefir.   But in case you're not, Kefir Kefir is an ancient healing superfood from the Caucasus Mountains that has provided microbiome support for over 2,000 years. The villagers who consumed it often lived past 100 years of age and attributed their longevity to their consumption of kefir. It's like a tart and tangy cultured milk smoothie that's packed with probiotics and bioavailable nutrients like high-quality protein, calcium, and Vitamin D to help you feel your best inside and out. Lifeway's commitment to making a positive impact is part of their DNA. Their CEO, Julie Smolyansky, is someone who I think embodies the spirit of what Seth talks about in this interview. She has a deep passion for social causes, from advocating for wellness to tackling issues like the maternal healthcare, hunger and social justice. Julie was also one of the first people to take a chance on Charity Miles, after we met at SXSW over ten years ago. It's safe to say that we wouldn't be where we are today without their support.  So huge thanks to Julie and Lifeway for being such an important part of the Charity Miles story.

In this episode of The Radio Vagabond, we explore the breath-taking nature of Georgia and dive deep into its ancient winemaking tradition. You'll learn why Georgia is called the "Cradle of Wine" and how its rich wine culture began thousands of years ago. We also visit the stunning Gergeti Trinity Church, perched high in the Caucasus Mountains, and enjoy the incredible Georgian hospitality along the way. Don't miss this mix of history, nature, and unforgettable stories. Links: Visit theradiovagabond.com/348-georgia for pictures and so much more. Listen to the previous episode about Tbilisi and Georgian culture: theradiovagabond.com/347-georgia Wine Tasting: RostomaantMarani.ge

Every Sunday, I'll post a quick video -- and podcast -- about an indie film from at least a year ago. Today's film: THE LONELIEST PLANET (2011).Director: Julia LoktevScreenplay By: Julia LoktevCast: Gael Garcia Bernal; Hani FurstenbergSYNOPSISAn incident on the trail tests two lovers' (Gael García Bernal, Hani Furstenberg) relationship as they take a guided hiking tour through the Caucasus Mountains.Watch the episode on YouTubeSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow us on LetterboxdFollow us on InstagramFollow us on XFollow us on FacebookFollow us on TikTokFollow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our YouTube channelSupport the Podcast Through MembershipSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/first-time-go/exclusive-content

In this episode of The Radio Vagabond, we head to the Caucasus Mountains and experience breathtaking landscapes, almost run out of gas, and visit a tiny ancient village. But things take a dramatic turn when Cynthia gets hit by a car in Baku, breaks her arm, and we have to flee the country to avoid police troubles. Listen to this gripping adventure in the final part of our Azerbaijan series. Read more and see pictures on TheRadioVagabond.com/344-Azerbaijan.

This week we're excited to present an archival conversation from 2011 at the 49th New York Film Festival with The Loneliest Planet director Julia Loktev and lead actress Hani Furstenberg. Acclaimed artist and filmmaker Loktev returns to the New York Film Festival this fall with the NYFF62 Main Slate selection My Undesirable Friends: Part I — Last Air in Moscow. Single tickets to the festival will go on sale on Tuesday, September 17! Learn more at filmlinc.org/nyff. In The Loneliest Planet, Julia Loktev crafts an intimate relationship film starring Gael García Bernal and Hani Furstenberg as young fiancés backpacking through the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia. The two characters are joined by a mountaineer, forming a trio that quietly treks across dramatic landscapes, where there is just as much said as left unsaid. Loktev dramatically expands her scope with The Loneliest Planet and in the gorgeously filmed mountains has found the perfect setting for isolated, at times suffocating drama. The conversation was moderated by Richard Peña.

Kate Adie introduces stories from Sudan, Calabria in southern Italy, Japan, the Californian city of Oakland and Tbilisi in Georgia.The war in Sudan between its army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces has torn the country apart for more than 500 days. Civilians are bearing the brunt of the suffering as aid agencies have had their access blocked in many areas. Leila Molana Allen has seen how Sudanese volunteers are bringing food and medicine to communities now full of hungry, displaced and often traumatised people.The countryside of Calabria, in southern Italy, may look like a rural idyll. But much of its fertile agricultural land has been infiltrated by the local mafia network known as the Ndrangheta. Francisco Garcia met and talked to farmers trying to resist the organised crime groups which want to muscle in.There's a record number of abandoned homes or 'akiyas' in Japan. Over 9 million houses are standing empty, as the population ages and shrinks, and younger people move to the cities. Particularly in rural areas, many heirs aren't prepared to take on the costs of emptying, demolishing or rebuilding old family homes. Shaimaa Khalil stepped into a couple of period properties now being restored by their new owners.The city of Oakland, in northern California, once had a reputation for its political militancy and cultural inventiveness. These days it's known for bitter disputes over gentrification, homelessness, and public fear of crime. Lindsay Johns recently visited the city across the bay from San Francisco with of one of its most famous sons, author Ishmael Reed.And in the shadow of the Caucasus Mountains, Beth Timmins attends not one, but three Georgian weddings - occasions full of heritage, music, poetry and toasts of thick red wine. Producer: Polly Hope Editor: Tom Bigwood

Weeds are the bane of every gardener's existence.  They pop up, uncontrolled and unwelcome, and must be tediously managed time and time again.  But in some cases, weeds are more than just a nuisance.  Some are a public health hazard.  Meet giant hogweed.  Native to Europe's Caucasus Mountains, giant hogweed belongs to the carrot family. […]

Join Meg and Tom in this NEW episode of The Tbilisi Podcast, as they return after a year-long hiatus! This time, they dive deep into the enchanting town of Signagi, Kakheti. Discover why Signagi is known as the City of Love, explore its rich history, stunning views, and of course, its incredible wine culture. Perfect for anyone planning to visit Georgia or simply curious about this charming region.Show Notes:Welcome Back!Introduction by Meg and Tom.Updates on the busy tour season.Appreciation for listener messages and support.About Signagi:Overview of Signagi's unique charm and historical significance.City walls: panoramic views of the Caucasus Mountains.Signagi's transformation over the years, from a small town to a tourist hotspot.Historical Highlights:Brief history of Signagi and its establishment by King Erekle II in 1762.The significance of the city walls and its strategic importance.Things to Do in Signagi:Walk the City Walls: Enjoy breathtaking views.Visit the Signagi Museum: Featuring works by Niko Pirosmani.Wine Tasting:Kerovani: Known for small-batch natural wines.Cradle of Wine: Experimental wines by Paul, an American winemaker.Okros Wine: Great wines with a restaurant offering stunning views.Beyond Wine:Lost Ridge: A microbrewery offering great beer and boutique accommodations.Dining in Signagi:Amo and The Terrace: Both offering amazing views and delicious Georgian cuisine.Nearby Attractions:Bodbe Monastery: Historical and religious significance, final resting place of Saint Nino.Kardanakhi Wine Factory: A bit of dark tourism with its old Qvevris.The City of Love:The story behind Signagi's 24-hour wedding chapel and its romantic charm.Practical Tips:Best times to visit for spectacular views.Various travel options to reach Signagi (tours, hire a driver, Marshutkas).Recommended accommodations from guest houses to boutique hotels.Final Thoughts:Encouragement to explore Signagi and experience its unique offerings.Acknowledgment of listeners and a tease of future episodes.Resources and Links:Eat This ToursBook tours to Signagi and other Georgian destinations.Food Fun TravelArticles and guides about Georgian food, wine, and travel.Getting Married in GeorgiaSighnaghi GuideSighnaghi Winter Wine TourConnect with us at tbilisipodcast.com for all relevant social media links, join our email newsletter, and discover more about travel, tours, and expat services in Georgia. This show was brought to you by

You know how everyone's heard of Everest and the Mariana Trench, right? But there are these other spots that are like, next-level remote. Like Tristan da Cunha, for starters - it's in the middle of nowhere in the South Atlantic, good luck getting there without a serious boat. Then there's the Sahara Desert, I mean, it's massive and seriously harsh, not exactly a walk in the park. And let's not forget about Veryovkina Cave, tucked away in the Caucasus Mountains, it's the deepest cave on the planet. Getting to these places? It's like playing an extreme version of hide and seek, except the hiding spots are seriously hardcore. Credit: Nordic Gene Bank: Dag Terje Filip Endresen from Oslo, Norway, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... Svalbard: Einar Jørgen Haraldseid from Gjøvik, Norway - https://flic.kr/p/rPrBac, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Svalbard: Dag Endresen, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... Svalbard Global Seed Vault: 黃逸樂（世界首窮）, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... Svalbard: Banja&FransMulder, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... Thridrangar Lighthouse: voilier.evidence@gma…, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... Polar bear: Sprok, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Polar bear: AWeith, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... Longyearbyen unterwegs: Zairon, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... Seed Vault: Subiet, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... Pitcairn-anleger: Balou46, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... Michal Guba: NikyValt, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... Zusical / Reddit Svalbard: Mari Tefre, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... Animation is created by Bright Side. #brightside ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Music from TheSoul Sound: https://thesoul-sound.com/ Listen to Bright Side on: Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0hUkPxD... Apple Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our Social Media: Facebook -   / brightside   Instagram -   / brightside.official   Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@brightside.of... Snapchat -   / 1866144599336960   Stock materials (photos, footages and other): https://www.depositphotos.com https://www.shutterstock.com https://www.eastnews.ru ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For more videos and articles visit: http://www.brightside.me Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel Wilson, Founder and CEO of XRI Global, joins SlatorPod to talk about the company's focus on low-resource languages and its efforts to bring digital equality to communities lacking online language support.With a background in linguistics and research on endangered languages in the Caucasus Mountains, Wilson's journey led him to establish XRI Global to address the challenge of building AI tools for languages with limited data availability.The CEO highlights the importance of domain-specific data collection and the need to tailor solutions based on the specific needs of each community, ranging from humanitarian organizations to governments and religious groups.The company's approach includes leveraging large language models and machine translation to provide conversational AI capabilities even for offline communities or areas where internet access is limited. Wilson also touches on the legal and ethical considerations involved in data collection, emphasizing the importance of complying with data laws and obtaining proper consent.Looking ahead, XRI Global plans to expand its language support to over 50 languages in 2024 and continues to explore advancements in on-device AI capabilities for broader accessibility.

Against the relentless tide of the USSR's state atheism stood Abbas Antonina, a figure whose story of resistance and faith we explore in our latest episode. Her tale begins with the Bolsheviks' desecration of a holy convent, the sorrowful demise of her sisters, and the GPU's ominous bounty on her head. We follow Antonina's journey of narrow escapes, including a betrayal that could have sealed her fate, and the divine twist that left her pursuers grasping at shadows. But the heart of this episode lies in the unbreakable spirit of a woman who, amidst the clandestine existence and messages from the enigmatic Mother Anastasia, remained a pillar of hope for those who dared to believe in Christ.With her fate intertwined with the destiny of a secret community of nuns hidden away in the Caucasus Mountains, Antonina's story of sacrifice reaches its peak. Under Mother Anastasia's guidance, Antonina's surrender to the GPU is a paradoxical triumph, resulting in her release and the rekindling of a clandestine flame of faith. Yet the somber reality of their sacred mission comes crashing down as GPU agents, disguised as forest rangers, extinguish the lives of the devout. Our episode narrates the tragic yet inspiring end of Antonina's life in exile and the indelible mark she left behind—a beacon of Christian fortitude in an era of darkness and oppression.Please visit out Patreon!https://www.patreon.com/CloudofWitnessesRadio/postsAlso on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@cloudofwitnessesradioThank you for journeying w/ the Saints with us!

You might not know much about Azerbaijan - but after today's episode, you'll be booking your flights for this small yet incredibly culturally rich country. Azerbaijan contains a wealth of history, culture, and geography, boasting  cities old and new as well as soaring mountain ranges, brightly colored lakes, and mossy forests. From doing a homestay with a family in a Silk Road village to taking horses out across the Caucasus Mountains, there's so much to do in this gem of the Caspian Sea.  And in today's episode, host Aaron Millar will interview travel writer Mark Elliott, who's been visiting and writing about Azerbaijan for over 25 years. He'll guide us from the vibrant city of Baku through the High Caucasus, through Silk Road country and into the Lesser Caucasus and the lush greenery of the south. Along the way, you'll discover everything from Turkish food in Baku to the little-known area of Nakhchivan, which you can only reach by plane.  You can find more of Mark's work on Amazon or the Caspian Post, or look for his articles in Wanderlust. Find more of Wanderlust and subscribe at wanderlustmagazine.com. Wanderlust: Off the Page is produced by Armchair Productions, the audio experts for the travel industry. Find more at armchair-productions.com. 

Dr. Chuck Herring | Ezekiel 38:1-9Without a doubt, this is the time to study Ezekiel 36-39.  Tonight, Jewish families are still dealing with the brutal and evil attack that took place on October 7th.  Many are mourning the deaths of loved ones.  Others are nursing physical and emotional wounds that have left them devastated.  The IDF has moved into Gaza searching for Hamas terrorists while at the same time giving innocent Palestinians multiple warnings and opportunities to move their families to safety.  Even now, Israel has agreed to a cease fire and Palestinian prisoners are being swapped for innocent captives.  Russia, Iran, and Turkey seem to be forming a new axis of evil.  All three of them literally hate Israel.  In fact, a new wave of antisemitism is sweeping through America, Europe, and the world.  Israel has a target on its back and the Middle East appears to be a ticking time bomb that could detonate at any moment.John F. Walvoord commented…If Ezekiel 38-39 is studied carefully, it reveals a future invasion of the land of Israel by the armies of Russia (and its allies).  Though sometimes confused with the battle of Armageddon, which will be a world conflict before the second coming, this war will be distinct in its objectives, its character, and its outcome.  According to Scripture, the invaders will be completely destroyed.  Undoubtedly this will have an effect on the world power struggle in which Russia is now a major factor.  As this prophecy was written over 2500 years ago, the question remains whether this has ever been fulfilled in the past.  A search of history finds no such battle or outcome….Though it may leave some questions unanswered, the study of these two chapters supplies an important segment of prophecy as it relates to the end-time period leading up to the second coming of Christ.[1]What did God reveal to Ezekiel about Israel and the nations in the last days?  Here are a few prophecies that we've already discovered and discussed.  §  God's plan for the nation of Israel in the last days§  The restoration of the nation of Israel (May 14, 1948)§  God will make His name known to Israel and the nations in the last days§  The Gog and Magog war with Israel that is sure to comeThis war will occur at some point between Israel becoming a nation again and the second coming of Jesus.  As we shall see, the nations involved in this war are seriously moving into postion right now.  Okay, let's get into the text itself…Ezekiel 38:1–2… And the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2 “Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him.These first six verses lay out the players in this end-time prophetic drama.  Let's examine these unusual names and see if we can identify exactly who these players are in today's terms…GogIn all likelihood, this is not a personal name.  It is more likely a title, like czar or prince.  In the future, we should not expect a man named Gog to suddenly rise to prominence as a world leader.  Whoever is leading Magog at the time of the invasion will be this 'Gog'. He is addressed several times in Ezekiel 38-39 such as 38:2, 38:14, 39:1.MagogFirst, let's look at the Geographical Evidence.  What does the Scripture reveal about the location of this “land?”  Ezekiel 38:14–15… “Therefore prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “On that day when My people Israel are living securely, will you not know it? 15 “You will come from your place out of the remote parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great assembly and a mighty army…”A quick check of a world map shows that there are only 5 countries that are due north of Israel.  These include Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia.  The one farthest north is Russia.  This is the geographical evidence for assuming that the major player in this last days war will probably be Russia and the leader of Russia will be one spoken of here as Gog.  Now, let's take a close look at the Historical Evidence.  Let's go back to the time of Noah and his descendants.Genesis 10:1–2… Now these are the records of the generations of Shem, Ham, and Japheth, the sons of Noah; and sons were born to them after the flood. 2 The sons of Japheth were Gomer and Magog and Madai and Javan and Tubal and Meshech and Tiras. You can see from verse 2 that Magog, mentioned in Ezekiel, was the second son of Japheth, the son of Noah.  So, he was the grandson of Noah. You see Tubal and Meshech mentioned, they are the fifth and the sixth sons of Japheth.§  Josephus, the first century AD historian and scholar, assures us that the descendants of Magog migrated to an area north of Palestine.  Even before Josephus wrote those words, the famous Greek historian spoke about this matter…§  Herodotus in the fifth century BC, wrote that Meshech's descendants settled north of Palestine.  §  Jerome, who was an early Church Father, a prominent leader from AD 345 to AD 420, declared that Magog was located north of the Caucasus Mountains—that's the Caucasian Mountains that we know are in Russia.In my research, I discovered that Voltaire (an avowed atheist) was intrigued with solving this mystery of Gog and Magog.  Through his own research he became convinced that Magog was Russia, and this was 150 years before Russia rose to the level of being a major world power.  In The Philosophical Dictionary, he wrote…There is a genealogical tree of events of the world….It is incontestable that the inhabitants of Gaul and Spain are descended from Gomer, and the Russians from Magog, his younger brother.  Voltaire, The Portable Voltaire (paperback), ed. Ben Ray Redman (New York: Viking Penguin, 1977), 101.Here's what's fascinating.  Voltaire studied Noah's genealogy.  He then compared it to the histories of these different continents to determine where each of Noah's descendants finally settled.  Joel C. Rosenberg, Epicenter: Why the Current Rumblings in the Middle Eat Will Change Your Future. p. 84Finally, let's consider The Linguistic Evidence.  William Gesenius, the father of modern Hebrew lexicography, concluded that the Rosh to which Ezekiel refers is a proper name.  He also concluded that Rosh is “undoubtedly the Russians, who are mentioned by the Byzantine writers of the tenth century, under the name Ros, dwelling to the north of Taurus [in Turkey].”  William Gesenius, Gesenius' Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon to the Old Testament (Boston, [n.d.]), quoted in Tim LaHaye, The Coming Peace in the Middle East (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984), 123.Joel Rosenberg concluded…Based on the textual, linguistic, and historical evidence, we can, therefore, conclude with a high degree of confidence that Ezekiel is speaking of Russia and the former Soviet Union in chapters 38 and 39.  We can also be confident that the figure known as Gog will be a powerful political leader who commands a vast amount of territory, people, natural resources, and armies.  This leader will use his time in office to get his military forces and alliances prepared for the coming war with Israel. [2]Looking at the current conditions, one must ask themselves this question—Could Vladimir Putin be Gog?  Rosenberg acknowledged the possibility when he wrote the following summary…Putin is certainly perceived as a rising czar.  He speaks fondly of Russia's historic monarchy.  He is centralizing political power and control to himself.  He is rebuilding Russia's military for offensive purposes.  He speaks of the collapse of the Soviet Evil Empire as a catastrophe and talks of restoring the historical glory of Mother Russia.  He is operating in a social and political climate that increasingly desires a leader along the lines of Joseph Stalin.  What's more, he is steadily building political, economic, and military ties with the very countries Ezekiel described in his vision of the future…. [3]He could very well be Gog, but at this point no one can say for sure that he is.  Ezekiel 38:3… ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal.”  It's a scary thing when God says He is against you (Jer 51:25; Ezek 26:3; 28:22; 29:3; 35:3; 39:1; Nah 2:13; 3:5).  The timeless truth of Rom 8:31, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” appears in opposite form here. If God is against us, who can be for us?  The obvious point of v. 3 was that God held no hope for the success of Gog.[4]Ezekiel 38:4… “I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords… God Himself would ultimately draw Gog and his massive army into this conflict with Israel.  Ezekiel described the army with the terms that made sense to him and were relevant to most of human history. This was a large, fast, well-equipped army, ready for conquest.  So, who will join Russia in this invasion of Israel in the last days?Ezekiel 38:5-6… Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6 Gomer with all its troops; Beth-togarmah from the remote parts of the north with all its troops—many peoples with you.  PersiaPersia is well known in the Bible and history.  It was renamed Iran in 1935 and it is ruled by Islamic fundamentalists. Even now it is building a significant military power, which includes the development of nuclear weapons.  Please don't forget that it has openly declared its commitment to the annihilation of the Jewish people and the Jewish state. EthiopiaThe ancient historian Josephus traced the Cushites to the land of Ethiopia.  But the land once known as ancient Ethiopia included far more territory than the Ethiopia we know today.  Many believe Sudan will possibly join this unholy alliance led by Russia.  At this very moment, Sudan in Africa is dominated by an Islamic fundamentalist government that is using brutal means to try and establish a pure Islamic state.PutThis is Libya and possibly Algeria and Tunisia.  Libya is also an Islamic country today. It is strongly anti-Western and anti-Israel.  GomerThis could be the central part of Turkey or even Germany.  Beth-togarmahJosephus identified it as the Phrygians who settled in Cappadocia, which is now Eastern Turkey. Certainly, Turkey will be involved in one way or another. As we speak, the present government of Turkey is threatened by Islamic fundamentalists who are wanting to make Turkey into a nation like Iran. If this comes about, it means that every single nation that we have listed in this passage will be led by Islamic fundamentalists that hate Israel to the core!Rosenberg wrote…Bible scholars generally believe that Beth-togarmah refers to the people of Turkey and Armenia and the Turkic-speaking peoples who spread out over time across central Asia, including those in modern-day countries of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan.[5]Ezekiel 38:7–9… “Be prepared, and prepare yourself, you and all your companies that are assembled about you, and be a guard for them. 8 “After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them. 9 “You will go up, you will come like a storm; you will be like a cloud covering the land, you and all your troops, and many peoples with you.” 38:7— Since Gog would come with great armies against Israel, they must prepare and be ready, because they are drawn by God (Ezekiel 38:4) and would serve His purpose.38:8— Use of phrases such as “after many days” and “in the latter years,” were used nowhere else in Ezekiel and clearly mark this passage as an eschatological reference to end-time events. The future is suggested again in the expression in v. 16, “in the last days.” [6]  Ezekiel envisioned a future time when Israel will have recovered, regathered in the land, and will be dwelling in security (v. 8; cf. 36:33–36).  They will be unprepared for this massive attack.38:9— The armies of Gog would advance like a “storm” and a “cloud” covering the land (v. 9). Gog at that time would come against the “mountains” of Israel (cf. 36:1).[7]  This is what it might look like…[1] Walvoord, Every Prophecy of the Bible, p. 185[2] Joel C. Rosenberg, Epicenter: Why the Current Rumblings in the Middle Eat Will Change Your Future. p. 84[3] Ibid, p. 102[4] Lamar Eugene Cooper, Ezekiel, vol. 17, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 333.[5] Joel C. Rosenberg, Epicenter: Why the Current Rumblings in the Middle Eat Will Change Your Future. p. 130.[6] Lamar Eugene Cooper, Ezekiel, vol. 17, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 334–335.[7] Lamar Eugene Cooper, Ezekiel, vol. 17, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994), 335.

Com fem sovint, triem un punt d'arrencada, que avui situem al Caucas, aquesta zona que pivota al voltant d'unes muntanyes que coronen Arm

SynopsisIn 1941, as the German Army was overrunning Russia, the Soviet government evacuated important artists to remote places of safety. Composer Sergei Prokofiev, for example, found himself in the little town of Nalchik, nestled in the foothills of the northern Caucasus Mountains about 1000 miles away from the front.Prokofiev was intrigued by the region's folk music, and, taking a break from a big project to turn Tolstoy's novel War and Peace into an opera, composed his String Quartet No. 2, based on local tunes. The new work was, as he put it, "a combination of virtually untouched folk material and the most classical of classical forms, the string quartet."Its three movements are all based on local songs and dances, and Prokofiev took care not to smooth out any roughness in the original material.Prokofiev's new string quartet received its premiere performance back in Moscow in April of 1942, at a concert given by The Beethoven Quartet. A later performance on today's date that same year was delayed due to a German air raid. The new music was well-received, and Prokofiev, perhaps with the air raid in mind, supposedly called the premiere "an extremely turbulent success."Music Played in Today's ProgramSergei Prokofiev (1891 - 1953) String Quartet No. 2 in F, Op. 92

Hear about a road trip in Armenia as the Amateur Traveler talks to John from JohnTheTraveler.com  about his recent visit to this former Soviet country in the Caucasus Mountains.

Has it ever crossed your mind if our God, the one who formed a deep covenant of love with us, has abandoned His chosen people, Israel? Today's political, moral, and economic conditions might lead one to question the state of the divine promises of restoration and rejuvenation of His covenant nation - Israel. Let's delve into the Book of Micah, Chapter 5, Verse 2, penned in the King James style. It talks about a ruler's birth in Israel, prophesying, "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." To interpret, it foretells the birth of a ruler in Judea who wouldn't rule the Jews, as they refused him, despite the prophetic sign of his star. Herod, disturbed by this news, sought information about Christ's birthplace. The chief priests and scribes responded, Bethlehem of Judea. They quoted the Prophet, confirming that the ruler would govern His people, Israel, not just Judah. The prophecy envisioned a future where this ruler would govern Israel. However, when Micah's prophecy was delivered, where was Israel, the Northern House, Ephraim, or the House of Joseph? Referencing Matthew 10:5-6, Jesus sends forth the Twelve, instructing them to go to the lost sheep of the House of Israel, affirming the scattered Israelites' existence. In Matthew 15:24, Jesus reasserts His mission, "I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel." He consistently refers to this scattered house, signifying His divine mandate to reach them. Matthew 9:36 portrays Jesus's compassion for the weary and scattered masses, akin to shepherdless sheep. Contrary to some beliefs, these sheep weren't lost or amalgamated among the nations. Jesus perceived His sheep, affirming His role as their shepherd. John 10:11-12, and verse 14, feature Jesus asserting His role as the Good Shepherd. He insists His sheep are present and that He knows them. He speaks of other sheep not present that day but who belong to His fold, highlighting His role to bring them together as one fold under one shepherd. Jesus spoke of another fold of sheep scattered throughout the Mediterranean, across the Caucasus Mountains, and dispersed in northwestern Europe and the British Isles. These are His scattered house, His other fold, who He must also gather. His mission was to unite all under His guidance as one shepherd. It's important to note that the House of Judah, the tribe of Judah, are the true Judeans. The real Israelites have already been united by Jesus Christ's blood. John 7:28 recounts Jesus asserting His divine mission and origin. Even though some sought to seize Him, they couldn't because His time had not come. Many believed in Him, signaling that there were Israelites other than Jews during Jesus's time.

On this episode of ScaleUp Radio, we go all the way across to the Caucasus Mountains in Georgia via Glasgow and we talked to Maia Gigiberia who is the founder of Lebarde luxury, health and beauty.  This is a story all around creating a premium multi award winning health and beauty brand with those roots in the Caucasus Mountains and the Georgian honeybee.  And it's all about the challenges faced by Maia, in a young business trying to find its way in a really crowded marketplace.  Maya is clearly very passionate about the business and her products and she's created beautiful luxury product. Maia has done all of the design and the packaging herself right from formulation through design and packaging.  We talk about those struggles as to how to breakthrough into making this a scalable product. Clearly getting your positioning right and finding out what your source of competitive advantage is or how you're going to really make sustainable long term profits is really key for Maia but also for all of us. And if you'd like to level up your strategic thinking, you might like to take our strategic thinking checklist here. https://strategicthinking.scoreapp.com/   Maia can be found here: linkedin.com/in/maia-gigiberia-1a498622 https://www.lebarde.co.uk/ lebardeskincare@gmail.com @lebarde7 on Instagram   Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.   If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here: https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/apply   You can get in touch with Kevin here: kevin@biz-smart.co.uk   Kevin's Latest Book Is Available!    Drawing on BizSmart's own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brentexplores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up.    More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/  

As an illustration of the extraordinary plasticity of our species, we examine the story of Zana, whose genetics, described in a 2021 paper, establish her as a member of a modern human population. Zana, who was captured living wild in the Caucasus Mountains in the 19th century and held in captivity for forty years, was two meters tall, covered in hair, superhumanly strong, lacked speech, slept naked outside all winter, could crush bones with her teeth, swam in rivers during their full spring flood, and could outrun a horse. She was described by the many locals who were familiar with her as an Almasty, or Sasquatch. Building on early biological descriptions of two species of human and the contemporary evidence on feral children, we postulate that our own developmentally delayed, self-domesticated form of humanity has—as is the case among other species for whom developmental change has been central to their evolution—a developmentally accelerated, wild form, induced by a lack of care in early development, and that reproducing populations of such individuals are what we know as Sasquatch. 

This week we talk with Giorgi, a Mountain Guide in Georgia about beauty of the Caucasus mountain range, including the Svaneti region.  Georgia is at the meeting point of Europe and Central Asia, and brings unique culture, great food, and deep history.   Explore these wonderful Georgia Tours, like Hiking the Caucasus Mountains, Trekking in Svaneti,   Canyons and Mountains of Georgia, Tbilisi to the Black Sea, and Trekking the Caucasus to the Black Sea

Welcome to the Instant Trivia podcast episode 644, where we ask the best trivia on the Internet. Round 1. Category: Fabrics And Textiles 1: Gauze is named for this Palestinian city where it's thought to have originated. Gaza. 2: In 552 Emperor Justinian sent 2 monks to China to discover the secret of this fabric. Silk. 3: The chief hair fiber used in textiles today comes from this kind of animal. Sheep. 4: A true Donegal type of this fabric will have flecks of many colors in the weave. Tweed. 5: Count Hilaire de Chardonnet is considered the father of this regenerated cellulose fiber. Rayon. Round 2. Category: Mountains 1: Air Force photos from 1949 show what some believe are the ruins of Noah's Ark on this Turkish mountain. Mount Ararat. 2: Though only 3 degrees south of the equator, this African mt.'s Kibu Peak is permanently covered in snow. Mount Kilamanjaro. 3: This Sicilian volcano has over 200 subsidiary cones. Etna. 4: This country's highest peak, Mount Elbrus, lies in the Caucasus Mountains on the Georgian border. Russia. 5: An Austrian and Italian portion of this system is called the Tyrol. the Alps. Round 3. Category: October Fest 1: This U.S. university was founded October 28, 1636. Harvard. 2: In late October 1922, he became premier of Italy. Benito Mussolini. 3: Martin Sheen played Bobby Kennedy in this 1974 TV movie about a crisis in Cuba. The Missiles of October. 4: This Middle Eastern president was assassinated while reviewing a military parade October 6, 1981. Anwar Sadat. 5: On October 21, 1520 this sailor entered the Chilean strait that today bears his name. Ferdinand Magellan. Round 4. Category: I Did It! 1: Florence Chadwick was the first woman to swim this in both directions; Gertrude Ederle swam it one way. the English Channel. 2: 13-year-old Rebecca Sealfon won it in 1997 by knowing euonym,E-U-O-N-Y-M. the National Spelling Bee. 3: Check it out! In 1972 he became the first American chess player to win the world championship. Bobby Fischer. 4: In 1957 this future astronaut set a speed record flying from L.A. to NYC in 3 hrs., 23 min., 8.4 sec.. John Glenn. 5: In 1884, the year of his death, he published the memoir "30 Years a Detective". (Allan) Pinkerton. Round 5. Category: The Computer Age 1: According to Moore's Law, named for a founder of Intel, these double in power roughly every 18 months. computer chips. 2: Dan Bricklin developed VISICALC, the first of these programs, similar to an accounting ledger. spreadsheet. 3: Coherent and Xenix are 2 of these, part of the abbreviation in the better-known MS-DOS. operating systems. 4: This programming language was named for calculating-machine inventor Blaise. PASCAL. 5: Among Internet users, the World Wide Web has surpassed the system named for this burrowing rodent. gopher. Thanks for listening! Come back tomorrow for more exciting trivia! Special thanks to https://blog.feedspot.com/trivia_podcasts/

We know the late Bronze Age world eventually collapsed, but what made it a world in the first place? The answer lies in the intense connections - trade, politics, and culture - that tied together a vast area of the ancient world, from Mycenaean Greece to Elamite Iran and the Caucasus Mountains to the Upper Nile in Nubia.Patrick's book is now available! Get The Verge: Reformation, Renaissance, and Forty Years that Shook the World in hardcopy, ebook, or audiobook (read by Patrick) here: https://bit.ly/PWverge Listen to new episodes 1 week early, to exclusive seasons 1 and 2, and to all episodes ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/tidesofhistory.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome back to the Salty Hunter Podcast. Today we have Craig Van Arsdale, a die-hard hunter who has recently moved to Alaska. Craig moved to Alaska from Eastern Washington to start chasing his hunting adventures up here. In the meantime, Craig has spent time in Kazakhstan and the Caucasus Mountains of Russia chasing ibex. International hunting does not typically fascinate me, but chasing and Altai Argali in Mongolia, and a Marco Polo Sheep in Tajikistan are my top two hunts that I would leave North America for. Craig was chasing ibex in Asia and racking up many adventures along the way; mainly logistical nightmares turning into funny stories and wacky experiences. Craig's done everything from being an electrician, to becoming an investor to give himself more free time to hunt. Roll in that he's a hell of a photographer and you can see why Craig has no problem finding adventure. You guys are going to enjoy this episode, I enjoyed the hell out of this interview. Thank you all for listening, I love every damn I'm one of you. Here's to the hunt. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Poth Mayor Pro Tem Steven Wiatrek presents Elmaddin Dovlatli of Azerbaijan with a certificate recognizing him as a citizen of Poth at a Jan. 24 meeting of the Poth City Council. Elmaddin, 17, has been staying in Poth with Shelly and Russell Weilbacher and attending Poth High School as a senior on a scholarship from the Future Leaders Exchange program, funded by the U.S. State Department. He will return at the end of May to his home in Sumgayit, Azerbaijan. The country is located in the Caucasus Mountains that form a junction between eastern Europe and southwestern Asia.Article Link

Today we find out the FAA can issue a ground stop order for the entire West Coast and the conspiracy theory community just doesn't care, and then we travel to Caucasus Mountains to meet a man who gets stretched out of reality!   Patreon  https://www.patreon.com/user?u=18482113 MERCH STORE!!! https://tinyurl.com/y8zam4o2 Amazon Wish List https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/28CIOGSFRUXAD?ref_=wl_share   Help Promote Dead Rabbit! Dual Flyer https://i.imgur.com/OhuoI2v.jpg "As Above" Flyer https://i.imgur.com/yobMtUp.jpg “Alien Flyer” By TVP VT U https://imgur.com/gallery/aPN1Fnw   Links: EP 89 - YouTube Shutdown: Proof Of Reptilians? https://deadrabbitradio.libsyn.com/ep-89-youtube-shutdown-proof-of-reptilians EP 704 - Is It Time To Melt The Conspiracy Theory Iceberg? https://deadrabbitradio.libsyn.com/ep-704-is-it-time-to-melt-the-conspiracy-theory-iceberg EP 87 - Mormon Bigfoot https://deadrabbitradio.libsyn.com/ep-87-the-mormon-bigfoot EP 733 - The Void Awaits Us All (Barbara Bolick episode) https://deadrabbitradio.libsyn.com/ep-733-the-void-awaits-us-all Mystery Surrounds FAA Order To Halt All West Coast Air Traffic After North Korean Missile Launch (Updated) https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/43832/mystery-surrounds-faa-order-to-halt-all-west-coast-air-traffic-after-north-korea-fired-missile Well, that was weird. https://www.reddit.com/r/ATC/comments/s0xbvu/well_that_was_weird/ Flights Briefly Grounded at West Coast Airports Over Suspected North Korean Missile Test https://www.newsweek.com/faa-grounds-flights-all-us-west-coast-airports-following-apparent-n-korean-missile-test-1667801 Ground Stop https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_stop Weird Deaths Iceberg (Interactive Iceberg) https://icebergcharts.com/i/Weird_Deaths The Iceberg Database http://icebergdb.com/ Mormon Bigfoot https://icebergdb.com/mormon-bigfoot/ Think About It Docs (Russia Stretch Disappear Man Barbara Bolick Follow Up story) https://www.thinkaboutitdocs.com/1980-june-ufo-alien-sightings/ Disappearance of William Tyrrell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disappearance_of_William_Tyrrell   Listen to the daily podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts! ------------------------------------------------ Logo Art By Ash Black Opening Song: "Atlantis Attacks" Closing Song: "Bella Royale" Music By Simple Rabbitron3000 created by Eerbud Thanks to Chris K, Founder Of The Golden Rabbit Brigade Dead Rabbit Archivist Some Weirdo On Twitter AKA Jack YouTube Champ Stewart Meatball The Haunted Mic Arm provided by Chyme Chili Special Thanks to Fabio N. Pintrest https://www.pinterest.com/basque5150/jason-carpenter-hood-river/ http://www.DeadRabbit.com Email: DeadRabbitRadio@gmail.com Twitter: @DeadRabbitRadio Facebook: www.Facebook.com/DeadRabbitRadio TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@deadrabbitradio Jason Carpenter PO Box 1363 Hood River, OR 97031 Paranormal, Conspiracy, and True Crime news as it happens! Jason Carpenter breaks the stories they'll be talking about tomorrow, assuming the world doesn't end today. All Contents Of This Podcast Copyright Jason Carpenter 2018 - 2022

The Science & Story Behind Kefir Kefir originated in the Caucasus Mountains region where Julie Smolyansky's ancestors lived. When her family left the Soviet Union in 1976 they were refugees and immigrated to Chicago. A couple of years later, Julie's mother opened the first Russian deli in Rogers Park. In 1985 while attending a trade show in Germany, Julie's father bought some kefir and realized that the delicious dairy beverage was not available in the United States. The rest is history! Tune in to this episode with Lifeway CEO Julie Smolyansky to learn about: Lifeway Kefir's story – from the basement to NASDAQ What is kefir and what products are available in store Key physical and health benefits associated with kefir A variety of ways to incorporate kefir into sweet or savory recipes The Kefir Cookbook Full shownotes and resources at www.SoundBitesRD.com/200  

Have you heard of the Caucasus Mountains? Nestled amongst them are an ancient people called the Avars. WADUP producer Mahammad Kekalov is of the Avar people. In his episode Mahammad shares with us the struggle of trying to preserve the culture and traditions of his people. ------------------------------ Episode production: Mahammad Kekalov Special thanks to: Könül Aliyeva, Shahru Shabanov and Sevinj Usullayeva Story coaching: Lisa Taylor Hosted by: Ekram Esmael Mixing: Laura Brierley Newton Theme music: James Taylor and the SoundMix team with Yousef Essa at the UK Refugee Council Episode art: Ehtiram Jabí Episode music: Highlander Avar: Хадис Сабиев - "магıарулал" - Горец Release date: 25/11/2021

The Trip from Roads & Kingdoms and host Nathan Thornburgh is back, with a tight new format, plus lots of distilled alcohol and Soviet helicopters in Georgia's Caucasus Mountains. The Light of the Caucasus: Photographs by Yuri Kozyrev Georgia: Q&A with Photographer Natela Grigalashvili Abkhazia: Paradise Lost Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Trip from Roads & Kingdoms and host Nathan Thornburgh is back, with a tight new format, plus lots of distilled alcohol and Soviet helicopters in Georgia's Caucasus Mountains. The Light of the Caucasus: Photographs by Yuri Kozyrev Georgia: Q&A with Photographer Natela Grigalashvili Abkhazia: Paradise Lost Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this podcast we chat to Nazrin Garibova, who is leading a project to implement the Transcaucasian Trail - an over 3,000km-long hiking route spanning the South Caucasus - in Azerbaijan. Nazrin shares her recent experiences of scouting for routes in the Caucasus Mountains and the dazzling diversity she encountered there.

Nina Tickaradze is the founder and CEO of NADI, an organic juice and specialty foods company with social impact. Motivated by the more than 250,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Nina's native country of Georgia, she launched NADI to provide jobs and economic opportunities to IDPs and refugees. NADI, which means “collective work effort” in Georgian, employs IDPs in the Caucasus Mountains to help produce the first and only USDA Certified Organic Wild Rosehip Juice. NADI is certified as a women-owned business by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council and was recently named the 2020 winner of the Stacy's Rise Project™ by PepsiCo. We will speak with this inspirational woman in business and learn about NADI and the amazing work Nina is doing for our world today. Connect with Nina... Online: GetNADI.comEmail: DrinkNadi@Gmail.comFacebook: www.Facebook.com/GetNadiInstagram: www.Instagram.com/GetNadi Like the show? Be sure to click the “Like” button and share it to your favorite social media! Are you a female entrepreneur who would like to join our amazing group of ladies and be featured on the Women Entrepreneurs show? Or are you an expert in your field and would like to be considered as one of our Expert Members? Then reach out to Julie Anderson for more information at Info@WomenEntrepreneursExtraordinaire.com or our group liaison Kelli Cooper at Kelli@WomenEntrepreneursExtraordinaire.com Join the revolution! Join our Facebook group and like the page to stay connected with all the exciting announcements and the incredible women in our group. Page: www.Facebook.com/WomenEntrepreneursExtraordinaireGroup: https://www.facebook.com/groups/179750735473364Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we.extraordinaire  

Nina Tickaradze is the founder and CEO of NADI, an organic juice and specialty foods company with social impact. Motivated by the more than 250,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Nina's native country of Georgia, she launched NADI to provide jobs and economic opportunities to IDPs and refugees. NADI, which means “collective work effort” in Georgian, employs IDPs in the Caucasus Mountains to help produce the first and only USDA Certified Organic Wild Rosehip Juice. NADI is certified as a women-owned business by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council and was recently named the 2020 winner of the Stacy's Rise Project™ by PepsiCo. We will speak with this inspirational woman in business and learn about NADI and the amazing work Nina is doing for our world today. Connect with Nina... Online: GetNADI.comEmail: DrinkNadi@Gmail.comFacebook: www.Facebook.com/GetNadiInstagram: www.Instagram.com/GetNadi Like the show? Be sure to click the “Like” button and share it to your favorite social media! Are you a female entrepreneur who would like to join our amazing group of ladies and be featured on the Women Entrepreneurs show? Or are you an expert in your field and would like to be considered as one of our Expert Members? Then reach out to Julie Anderson for more information at Info@WomenEntrepreneursExtraordinaire.com or our group liaison Kelli Cooper at Kelli@WomenEntrepreneursExtraordinaire.com Join the revolution! Join our Facebook group and like the page to stay connected with all the exciting announcements and the incredible women in our group. Page: www.Facebook.com/WomenEntrepreneursExtraordinaireGroup: https://www.facebook.com/groups/179750735473364Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/we.extraordinaire 

Our Guest, Mukhran Guliashvili Private Tour Guide in Georgia - rcscentri@gmail.com https://private-guide-georgia.business.site (https://private-guide-georgia.business.site) Turkish Airlines (common way to travel to Tbilisi via Istanbil) https://www.turkishairlines.com/ (https://www.turkishairlines.com/) Tbilisi - Capital of Georgia  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tbilisi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tbilisi) Narikala (Hilltop fortress) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narikala (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narikala) Old Town Tbilisi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Tbilisi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Tbilisi) Avlabari (district to stay) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avlabari (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avlabari) Restauraunt (Restaurant with dancing every night at 8 pm) https://mravaljamier.ge/English.html (https://Mravaljamier.ge/English.html) Kazbegi (Mountain region in the north of Georgia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazbegi_Municipality (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kazbegi_Municipality) Wine Region https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakheti (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kakheti) Georgian Military Road https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian_Military_Road (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgian_Military_Road) Sachkhere (Mukhran's hometown for authentic local experience)  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sachkhere Tamada https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamada#:~:text=A%20tamada%20(Georgian%3A%20%E1%83%97%E1%83%90%E1%83%9B%E1%83%90%E1%83%93%E1%83%90),person%20who%20introduces%20each%20toast. Batumi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batumi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batumi) Svaneti (cultural capital with mountains and defensive towers in green meadows) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svaneti (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svaneti) Vardzia (cliff dwellings in hills) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vardzia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vardzia) David Gareja Monastery Complex in the Hills https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Gareja_monastery_complex (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Gareja_monastery_complex) Georgia's Oldest Cable Car Complex in Chiatura https://georgianjournal.ge/discover-georgia/33888-forgotten-town-georgias-oldest-cable-cars-in-chiatura.html?fbclid=IwAR1jtszBZFwbRVHJq3POR-IQ6-ZUjougbFJaE-5NdvtXHTWx3Ddocd6rGq0 (https://georgianjournal.ge/discover-georgia/33888-forgotten-town-georgias-oldest-cable-cars-in-chiatura.html?fbclid=IwAR1jtszBZFwbRVHJq3POR-IQ6-ZUjougbFJaE-5NdvtXHTWx3Ddocd6rGq0) Uplistsikhe (Ancient rock hewn town by Gori)  https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uplistsikhe?fbclid=IwAR34Ic8K97CzUCovNC2fE6qWOQEtKXyM1YXVcT_eIqK0__ye4JwygTLhaJU (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uplistsikhe?fbclid=IwAR34Ic8K97CzUCovNC2fE6qWOQEtKXyM1YXVcT_eIqK0__ye4JwygTLhaJU)

Next up, located in the Caucasus Mountains, with a population of 10 million and functioning as a Presidential democracy, is Azerbaijan See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

While Mesopotamia and even the Indus Valley get the lion's share of the attention, sophisticated and long-lasting societies inhabited the lands fringing the Caspian Sea for thousands of years. The people of the Kura-Araxes Culture, the Oxus Civilization, and Elam left their mark everywhere from Anatolia to Mesopotamia to South Asia, shaping future cultures for millennia to come.I wrote a book, and it comes out on July 20! You can preorder (in hard copy, e-book, or audiobook) The Verge: Reformation, Renaissance, and Forty Years that Shook the World here.Listen to new episodes 1 week early, to exclusive seasons 1 and 2, and to all episodes ad free with Wondery+. Join Wondery+ for exclusives, binges, early access, and ad free listening. Available in the Wondery App https://wondery.app.link/tidesofhistory. Support us by supporting our sponsors! Better Help - Get 10% off your first month at betterhelp.com/tides.Indeed - Get started RIGHT NOW with a $75 dollar sponsored job credit to upgrade your job post at indeed.com/TIDES.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Gather around a warm fire in the Caucasus Mountains, because we are back for our first season of new/old Wie is de Mol recaps! Over these nine weeks, two guys who are trying to avoid being on a podcast talking about podcasts - Logan & Michael - are looking back on the season with the biggest twist in Mole history - Wie is de Mol: Georgia (et al.), continuing with the third episode this week and elimination of Bella. In this episode, we already start the celebrations for Logan's birthday next week, Michael has a huge compliment, Logan gets a quick driving lesson, Australian Ken gets a big surprise, Emilio wins no friends, there's monetary snobbery, the third challenge gets a subtitle, we prove how successful the Mole has been so far, nobody plans for cold weather and we discuss what the Mole actually did this week. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube or you can tweet Michael & Logan directly! We will see you next week! Please note: This season is intended on being spoiler-free, so please watch the episodes along with us. As with our Belgian Mole recaps from last year, there is also a small spoiler-filled section at the end of the podcast - this can be found from 47:05 onwards. This episode also contains a small spoiler for UK Mole 1 and Australian Mole 1. Additional note: Only nine days separate Logan and his 30th birthday! What will we have planned? Don't ask us - we recorded this in April!

There's so much more to Asia than backpacking around Southeast Asia. From the Great Wall of China to the Caucasus Mountains and ancient Silk Road, this region is steeped in history, Buddhist temples and colourful traditions. In this episode find out how to travel through the continent and what to expect from each country. If you've ever wanted to travel to Asia this is the episode for you. Resources: Solo Travel in Asia https://www.girlabouttheglobe.com/solo-travel-in-asia/ Subscribe to Girl about the Globe and receive 101 Solo Travel Tips to help you on your solo travels: https://www.girlabouttheglobe.com Subscribe to our Girl about the Globe Podcast: https://anchor.fm/girlabouttheglobe

The Duchess has served the royals a dish, and it is not one they wish to partake of. Racism is a dish served from the Caucasus Mountains by way of Britain and North America. Thanks to the inter webs, we are uncovering the lies. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/phyllis-ruff/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/phyllis-ruff/support

AN INTENSE THRILLER FULL OF DANGER, DEATH, AND FEAR MI6 spies, Russian FSB, Chechen terrorists, Abkhaz Separatists, the 1992 Georgian war. This breathtaking and brutal novel is a gripping tale set in the magnificent Caucasus Mountains during Georgia's ill-fated invasion of Abkhazia in 1992. The Caucasus Cauldron gives a vivid focus to a historical moment left out of the history books, a world ripping itself apart and ravaged by never-ending hatred and blood feuds. Can our hero, Mac, trust the attractive Russian FSB officer, Kris, who befriends him? How will she react to Doctor Anna, a Separatist rabble-rouser who holds the key to his secret mission? And what about the mysterious Sergei, a former British agent, who seems to have disappeared? How will Mac cope with the Chechen terrorist who has vowed to kill him? 'You are a dead man, English. We know who you are. You are spying on our people. Now you die.' The result is an intense action-packed thriller full of danger, death, and fear but a story full of quiet humor and surprising twists and turns. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

With our updated goal of: “spend the right amount of time on each chapter”, we cover chapters 2 and 3. In chapter 2 we move to Geidi Prime, the home planet of the Baron Harkonnen; nemesis of the Atreides. We learn that the Harkonnen plot to take out the Atreides and resume control of the spice trade on Arrakis features turning the Atreides family doctor against them through treachery. However, there is also a secret twist- the Emperor is in on the plot and will be sending his specialized super troops, the Sardaukar, in Harkonnen uniforms to ensure success. Surprisingly the feud between the Harkonnens and Atreides is legally sanctioned with rules and forms of the Emperium- this is called “kanly”, a word rooted in the sort of blood feuds common amongst the tribes of Earth’s Caucasus Mountains, circa the 19th century. Jeff fills us in on how Herbert was heavily influenced by a book called Sabres of Paradise, whose topic is the Caucasian war of Independence between Caucus mountain tribes and Russia.   In Chapter 3 we’re back on Caladan where Reverend Mother Helen Mohiam and Jessica discuss her forbidden son, Paul, in more detail, as well as the Bene Gesserit’s ultimate agenda. We get a glimpse of Paul’s special abilities- can he predict the future? Do his dreams have meaning?   Delving further into the Bene Gesserit, we discuss “the voice” and the pop science behind it.  We’re not an anti-Star Wars podcast, but the “Jedi mind trick” that is the equivalent of the voice is pretty lame. Also, Gandalf uses “the voice” effectively in LOTR several times.   Speaking of Star Wars, we hear a very interesting story of how Jeff saw Star Wars in theatres for the first time in 1977. Mike foreshadows Paul’s father Duke Leto’s fate by calling him Ned Stark and that he sucks playing the game of thrones/kanly.  The hosts ramble about their Jiu jitsu styles and we realize it’s time to end.     Kanly: https://dune.fandom.com/wiki/Kanly#:~:text=Kanly%20was%20the%20enactment%20of,days%20of%20the%20Old%20Imperium.    Sabres of Paradise: https://www.amazon.com/Sabres-Paradise-Conquest-Vengeance-Caucasus/dp/0993092721    Phoenix Jones mutual combat: https://www.youtube.com/user/ThePhoenixJones/videos  Rumi poem: https://allpoetry.com/Who-makes-these-changes-

James Panero, the Executive Editor of The New Criterion, sits down with Isaac Sligh, the 2020–21 Hilton Kramer Fellow, to discuss Isaac's travels in the Russian Arctic and in the Caucasus Mountains of Georgia.

The Vikings who travelled the furthest away from home, reached Muslim lands around the Caspian Sea and in the Caucasus Mountains. There, they encountered men who didn't wear pants, but rather caftans or tunics, so naturally the Vikings called the place Serkland—or “Gown Land”. Many a Scandinavian trader made a fortune selling furs and slaves in Serkland. Many others lost their lives fighting local armies.

Nestled in the Caucasus Mountains and surrounded by neighbours Georgia, Iran, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, Armenia is famous for wine production. Ani Mouradian, a wine expert from Armenia, shares with VOV some key facts about Armenian wine. Vineyards and the sleeping volcanic mountain Ararat behind. (Photo courtesy: Facebook Van Ardi wine) https://vovworld.vn/en-US/cultural-rendezvous/what-you-need-to-know-about-armenian-wine-902413.vov --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cultural-rendezvous/support

Phoebe takes us to the Caucasus Mountains mountains in Russia to tell us a truly unforgettable tale about Zorbing. You’re gonna wanna strap in good and tight for this one! Later, Ashley tells us about one woman’s search for her sister, who goes missing during their visit to an Ayurvedic center in Kerala. Intro music: "Airplane, Seat Belt Beep, A.wav" by InspectorJ (www.jshaw.co.uk) of Freesound.org

In 1941, as the German Army was overrunning Russia, the Soviet government evacuated important artists to remote places of safety. Composer Sergei Prokofiev, for example, found himself in the little town of Nalchik, nestled in the foothills of the northern Caucasus Mountains about 1000 miles away from the front. Prokofiev was intrigued by the region’s folk music, and, taking a break from a big project to turn Tolstoy’s novel War and Peace into an opera, composed his String Quartet No. 2, based on local tunes. The new work was, as he put it, "a combination of virtually untouched folk material and the most classical of classical forms, the string quartet." Its three movements are all based on local songs and dances, and Prokofiev took care not to smooth out any roughness in the original material. Prokofiev’s new string quartet received its premiere performance back in Moscow in April of 1942, at a concert given by The Beethoven Quartet. A later performance on today’s date that same year was delayed due to a German air raid. The new music was well-received, and Prokofiev, perhaps with the air raid in mind, supposedly called the premiere "an extremely turbulent success."

In 1941, as the German Army was overrunning Russia, the Soviet government evacuated important artists to remote places of safety. Composer Sergei Prokofiev, for example, found himself in the little town of Nalchik, nestled in the foothills of the northern Caucasus Mountains about 1000 miles away from the front. Prokofiev was intrigued by the region’s folk music, and, taking a break from a big project to turn Tolstoy’s novel War and Peace into an opera, composed his String Quartet No. 2, based on local tunes. The new work was, as he put it, "a combination of virtually untouched folk material and the most classical of classical forms, the string quartet." Its three movements are all based on local songs and dances, and Prokofiev took care not to smooth out any roughness in the original material. Prokofiev’s new string quartet received its premiere performance back in Moscow in April of 1942, at a concert given by The Beethoven Quartet. A later performance on today’s date that same year was delayed due to a German air raid. The new music was well-received, and Prokofiev, perhaps with the air raid in mind, supposedly called the premiere "an extremely turbulent success."

Suggested drivesRussia, Caucasus Mountains in Chechenia up to “Jew of the Caucasus”From Oxford to Yankee Stadium in NYCMillion Dollar Highway: Silverton to Ouray, Colorado US 550Blue Ridge ParkwayCades Cove in Great Smoky MountainsNatchez Trace ParkwayHwy 1 south from San FranciscoBeach Hwy, 90 along MS’s coastSeeing the flooded area around Memphis from interstate bridgeTaos, New MexicoItaly Stelvio pass driveKit Carson ForestWolf Creek PassToledo to Lansing MichiganPort Gibson to RodneyAnd we had a call about brake pads and strutsHere are the recalls for the week2013-2018 Nissan Altima: Dealers will replace the hood latch with a new one for free.2016 Land Rover Range Rover, Range Rover Sport: Dealers will update the software and inspect the KV latches, replacing them if necessary, for free.2019 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell, Electric and Plug-In Hybrid: Dealers will inspect the rear seat belt assembly production dates and replace the assemblies, as necessary, for free.2019-2020 Bentley Bentayga: Dealers will replace the fuel line and quick connector for free.2020 Mercedes-Benz, Mercedes-AMG Cars and SUVs: Dealers will replace the left rear seatback for free.You can find out if your car has a past recall by going to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website: https://www.nhtsa.gov/recallsand inputting your VIN number.Consumer Reports rounded up the poorest used models of the past decade.Today, we’re going to caution you aboutChrysler Town & Country - reliability has been very bad with Chrysler minivans in the past. Models from 2008 through 2012 rated much worse than average.Please consider reading up on the reliability of this car before purchasing it as a used car, suggests Consumer Reports. https://www.carcomplaints.com/ is another resource for unreliable car lists.Friend of the show, Casey Williams, doesn’t have any new reviews this week but you can watch his video reviews at Auto Casey on You Tube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMmlfIR8Yx9VyqRery5yPHQWhat’s in the news: National Automotive Service Professional Week - June 7-13, 2020 (Week with June 12th in it) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Located in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains, Khareba Winery in the Republic of Georgia encompasses over 4,000 acres located in prime growing regions. Khareba Winery employs both traditional Georgian winemaking techniques and modern European methods to make its wines, working with more than 24 indigenous and international grape varieties. The wines have achieved international acclaim. Chief winemaker, Vladimer Kublashvili, discusses Khareba's wines. www.winery-khareba.com

Surely, you have heard of the phrase ‘rags to riches,’ indicating the rise from abject poverty to untold wealth? You may be interested in its 13th century equivalent, ‘rags to ruler of Eurasia.’ I hope you are interested because this is the story you’re about to hear, of a boy who lost everything but by the end of his life, he conquered an empire larger than Rome. An Empire which continued to expand decades after his death to incorporate most of Eurasia. An Empire which would leave his name etched into the fabric of history. It is time for the rise of Chinggis Khan, founder of the Mongol Empire.       The previous episodes in our series should have provided you with the foundation for this episode, demonstrating Mongolian nomadism, the politics and tribes of mid-12th century Mongolia, and the relationship with China. So cozy up in your ger with a nice cup of airag, and let’s get into it. I’m your host David and welcome to Ages of Conquest: a Kings and Generals Podcast.  This is the Mongol conquests.       It is 1162, Mongolia. The Khamag Mongol Confederation, the brief military alliance of the Mongol tribes of the Borjigon, Taychiud and others, has collapsed under the assaults of the Tatars, supported by their masters, the Jurchen ruled Jin Dynasty in China. In a raid against the Tatar, a young relation of the Khamag Khans named Yesugei Ba’atar captures a Tatar chief, Temujin-Uge. Returning to his own camp, he finds his second wife, Hoelun, recently stolen from her Merkit husband, has just given birth. The boy is born clutching in his tiny fist a blood clot the size of a knucklebone, an omen foretelling of future greatness or bloodshed. To celebrate the birth of the boy, Yesugei sacrifices the Tatar chief Temujin-uge, giving his name to the boy: Temujin, meaning, ‘blacksmith,’ denoting strength and iron. The man who would be known to posterity as Chinggis Khan has just been born.        We can assume Temujin was raised like any other Mongol, learning to ride a horse before he could walk; to make and shoot a bow, the prized weapon of the Mongols; the skills of herding the animals necessary for survival; how to hunt and track prey; and he would have been familizared with the grudges of his people, most notably the Tatars, the sworn enemies of the Khamag Mongols, and the Tatars’ masters, the Jurchen Jin Dynasty. Temujin was the eldest child of Yesugei’s second wife Hoelun, with three brothers and a sister following. Yesugei’s first wife, Suchigel, had two sons, one of whom, Begter, was slightly older than Temujin. The only other detail that comes to us from these early years is that Temujin, the future conqueror of cities and master of war, was afraid of dogs.        Our main source for Temujin’s early life is the Secret History of the Mongols, a Mongolian epic chronicle written sometime after his death in 1227 for the imperial family and records most of the main events of his life. While the broad course of events and general flow is probably accurate, for these early years it is sometimes hard to say what details are based in fact, which are half-truths or which are simply legends.       The first recorded event of young Temujin’s life occurred when he was about 9 years old in the early 1170s. His father Yesugei took the young lad to choose a bride, intending one from the Olqunuut, the tribe of Temujin’s mother, but on the way came into the camp of the Onggirat. The chief of this camp, Dei Sechen, greeted Yesugei, and was impressed by his son. He told Yesugei of a dream he had the night before, wherein a white gerfalcon brought him the sun and the moon in its talons. Obviously, this was a powerful omen, but since the Secret History of the Mongols is full of these, we should wonder if they were added retroactively by the Secret History to demonstrate Heaven’s support for Chinggis Khan. Of course, another option is that Dei Sechen pulled this move on every traveller coming by to marry off his daughters.       Whatever the answer, Yesugei agreed to marry Temujin to Dei Sechen’s daughter, a slightly older girl named Borte. Yesugei left Temujin in Dei Sechen’s camp and returned home, on the way stopping in a camp of the Tatars. Traditionally, guest rights were highly valued on the steppe. A hungry traveller could, if he came unarmed and bearing no ill will, expect to be fed and provided shelter for the night. In an era without photographs, it would be easy for someone to go about unrecognized. Unfortunately,Yesugei was recognized as the captor of Temujin-uge, and poisoned. He survived long enough to make it back to Hoelun and his family, but by the time Temujin arrived, Yesugei was dead.       You may recall from a previous episode our mention of the distinction between the Borjigon and Taychiud lineages of the Mongols. Yesugei was a lead representative of the Borjigon. The Taychiud maintained their grudge from when the leadership of the Khamag Mongol had moved from their representative, Ambaghai, back to the Borjigon. The Taychiud in Yesugei’s camp,  including widows of Ambaghai and the nefarious Targutai conspired against Yesugei’s widows and his young sons. At a feast which soon followed, Hoelun was excluded from taking part in the ceremonial sacrificial meal, signalling their isolation. Despite Hoelun’s impassioned efforts, the Taychiud killed a servant who tried to stop them, and Hoelun, Suchigel, and seven children were left abandoned on the steppe with no herds or supplies. Surely, they would not have been expected to survive the winter.       Yet, survive they did. Hoelun showed that her will was as strong as the mountains. She organized her family, gathering roots, berries, and even fishing, seen as a lowly activity by the Mongols. Through her determination, not one child was lost to hunger, not even her infant daughter Temulun. Hoelun could protect Yesugei’s children from starving, but not however, from each other. Temujin and Suchigel’s eldest son Begter, Temujin’s half-brother, were at odds. Begter stole food from the others, bullied them, making the stress of their situation worse. As Yesugei’s oldest child, Begter had the legal right to inherit Hoelun, his step-mother, as his wife, which would have cemented his authority, meager as it was, over Temujin. Felt pushed to the edge, Temujin made a decision. With his younger brother Khasar, the best archer among them, the two of them ambushed and killed Begter. Before his death, Begter only asked that they not harm his own young brother, Belgutei. Hoelun was furious; after all they had suffered that they still chose to fight amongst each other.        Shortly after Begter’s death,  Targutai of the Taychiud came hunting. Perhaps having heard of Begter’s death through the few families they must have been in contact with, Targutai came and captured Temujin. Placed in a cangue, a sort of wooden neck brace trapping the hands and neck of the prisoner, Temujin was paraded around the Taychiud camp and humiliated. The prisoner was moved to the ger of a different family every night, but some of these families showed him kindness, even removing the cangue at night to allow him to sleep. When he found an opportunity to escape, one of these families, that of Sorqan Shira of the Suldus, even provided Temujin a horse and a bow so he could make it back to his family.  This is often emphasized as a major turning point in the life of the young Temujin. Routinely, he had been showed nothing but cruelty from people who were his relations: the Taychiud under Targutai and Ambaghai’s widows, and his own half-brother Begter. But humble herdsmen, former servants of his father and people of no direct relation to him showed him mercy and kindness.        A few years after the escape, Temujin returned to Dei Sechen to claim Borte, a joyous reunion. Borte’s mother sent a gift of a black sable coat for Hoelun, which Temujin took, travelling south to the court of Toghrul, Khan of the Kereyit. Toghrul, you may recall, had been blood brothers with Temujin’s father Yesugei, who had helped him secure his throne. A powerful and wealthy lord, having him as an ally would make the Taychiud think twice about raiding Temujin. Toghrul was delighted by the fine gift, and happily took Temujin into his retinue.       This was the late 1170s, and things were looking up for Temujin. They had a small but loyal group of comrades building around them, Temujin had his wife and the protection of an overlord. Temujin likely envisaged living out his days as a minor chieftain, perhaps in time leading small raids against the Tatars but with little hope of achieving power comparable to Toghrul. Fate, however, often has little interest in our expectations.       What put Temujin on a collision course with humanity occurred around 1180.  You may remember that Yesugei had stolen Hoelun from her Merkit husband. Well, the Merkits remembered that too. Learning of the marriage of Yesugei’s oldest surviving son, the brothers of that Merkit, the tribe’s leaders, led a raid against Temujin. Temujin and his brothers fled but Borte, Suchigel and their servants were captured and carried off north to Merkit territory. Temujin, seeking refuge on Burkhan Khaldun, was distraught: he had struggled so hard to build himself back up from the death of his father, and again everything was ripped away.    Once he cleared his head, with his brothers in tow he traveled to the court of Toghrul, and demanded his justice. Toghrul, his mouth watering at the thought of loot from Merkit camps, agreed, and reintroduced Temujin to a childhood friend, a fellow Mongol named Jamukha of the Jadaran, now an ambitious warchief in Toghrul’s service. For the first time in his life Temujin was now a part of an army: they took the Merkit by surprise, their forces dissolving before them. Borte was rescued, but pregnant, or had already given birth.        It never will be known if the child Borte carried was Temujin’s or a Merkit’s. For his part, Temujin always treated him as fully legitimate son, but the shadow of doubt hung over the boy his entire life, with huge consequences for the Mongol Empire. He was named Jochi, meaning ‘guest,’ and would become the father of the Khans of the Golden Horde, who would rule Russia for centuries. Temujin and Jamukha renewed their oaths of anda, blood brothers, and enjoyed a blissful year and a half together.     Under Jamukha, Temujin began to be taught the ways of war, something his own father never had the chance to do. But in time, the friendship frayed. Temujin grew unsure of his friend, and Borte warned Temujin that Jamukha was fickle and tired of his friends easily. They may have feared that should they remain in Jamukha’s retinue, he’d spend his life a follower rather than come into his own. And so Temujin and his small group of followers went their own way, but surprisingly, some of Jamukha’s men and their families joined them, supposedly due to a vision of Temujin’s future greatness- though we might wonder if Temujin had not been encouraging some of these defections.        A year or two after this, a steady stream of followers and an emerging reputation for fairness to his men and their families regardless of their status made Temujin the most influential Borjigon. The surviving sons of the Khamag Khans, Temujin’s various uncles and relations, held a quriltai, a tribal meeting, and elected Temujin as Khan of the Borjigon. He sent his emissaries to Toghrul and Jamukha: Toghrul sent his congratulations, whereas Jamukha laid the blame for his separation with Temujin on the sons of the Khamag Khans.    Jamukha’s concerns were realized when he learned that his younger brother Taichar had been killed by Temujin’s men. That Taichar had also been stealing horses from Temujin’s men mattered little. Jamukha saw this as an act of war.  They met in battle around 1186 at Dalan Baljut, or seventy marshes. For the first battle he is known to have commanded, Temujin was soundly defeated. Outnumbered by Jamukha, who had more military experience, Temujin’s army was broken and dispersed: his men taken prisoner by Jamukha were, according to the Secret History of the Mongols, boiled alive in cauldrons, and a leading prince was beheaded, Jamukha then tying his severed head to a horse’s tail.   Now, as I am sure most of us can attest, there is no teacher like failure. One of Temujin’s skills was his ability to learn from both his own failings and those of his enemies. In this case, Jamukha had failed to finish off Temujin, allowing him to escape and to continue to be a threat, a rallying point for his army to gather around. According to the Secret History of the Mongols, Jamukha’s exceptionally harsh treatment of the prisoners encouraged defections from his force, which taught Temujin another lesson: Jamukha’s men were uneasy with the level of cruelty of the punishments, and with Temujin still alive, he served as a beacon for discontents to flock to. A staple of Temujin’s future strategies would be the relentless hounding of enemy leaders, preventing them from becoming such rallying points, weakening the enemy’s ability to resist and discouraging defections.   The next ten years or so of Temujin’s life are not covered in the sources, and he next shows up in 1196. Possibly, he spent that time just rebuilding his forces, essentially repeating the previous ten years and nothing of interest was there to be recorded. We’re also assuming the Secret History is accurate with chronology. However, there is a third option. This theory goes that after his defeat at Dalan Baljut, Temujin fled to the Jin Empire in the south. Fled to his enemies, you might say? How unlikely! But there is both precedent, and evidence for this. Precedent, in that steppe leaders sought shelter with sedentary powers when out on their luck- Toghrul in the same period was pushed from power and went to the Tangut Xi Xia and the Qara-Khitai.    Not having Toghrul to fall back onto, Temujin had few options other than the Jin. When Temujin shows back up on the scene in the Secret History of the Mongols, he is fighting alongside both a Jin army and Toghrul against the Tatars, who were revolting against the Jurchen- an example of Chinese dynasties employing steppe tribes against each other when they got too rowdy. So if Temujin had spent part or all of the previous 10 years in Jin company, looking for a chance to win their support for his entrance back into steppe politics, that would explain why he was fighting beside them in the mid 1190s.     Anyways, the Tatars were defeated, Temujin and Toghrul each got loot, followers, and Chinese titles were awarded to them-  Toghrul earned the title wang, meaning ‘king’ in Chinese. In Mongolian this became ong, and hence, he is often known as the Ong Khan. Both of them were now considered vassals by the Jin. With a boost to their positions, Temujin and Toghrul were very busy over the remainder of the 12th century: they campaigned against the Merkit tribes in the north, the Naiman in the west, and defeated vassal tribes who proved unreliable.    Their reputations and power grew immensely in these years: Temujin in particular showed himself a skilled student of war, and a keen organizer. Defeated tribes were not slaughtered, but absorbed and spread among his people, increasing his numbers. Followers who showed loyalty and ability were amply rewarded and given higher commands. While blood ties were not ignored and a number of these commanders were Temujin’s relations, blood was not the only factor as it often was for his rivals.   Speaking of rivals, Temujin and Toghrul’s actions created a swath of enemies across Mongolia. Merkits, Naimans, Tatars, Taychiud and other minor groupings were now all seeking revenge. In 1201 they elected a military leader to defeat Temujin once and for all, choosing a certain Jamukha. At Koyiten in 1201, the armies met and despite Jamukha’s shamans allegedly summoning a snowstorm, this time Temujin had the better of the engagement, and Jamukha’s coalition fractured. In the collapse, to offset his own losses Jamukha looted the camps of his allies before he fled. Toghrul was sent after him, while Temujin avenged himself against the  Taychiud. The Taychiud did not go quietly: Temujin, not only had a horse shot out from under him but also suffered a grievous neck wound which nearly cost him his life.    Yet he was victorious, and the Taychiud were defeated and absorbed, their vassal tribes also submitting. Sorqan Shira and his family, who had helped Temujin escape as a captive, were welcomed with honours. The man who shot Temujin’s horse came forward, admitting what he had done. He urged Temujin to spare him: if he was allowed into his retinue, he would lead armies for him. So the man was renamed Jebe, meaning ‘arrow,’ and brought into Temujin’s service. He became one of Chinggis Khan’s top commanders, leading armies in China and Qara-Khitai, pursuing the Shah of Khwarezm to his death and, alongside Subutai, marched through the Caucasus Mountains into southern Russia. All for his honesty about shooting the Khan’s horse.       In 1202 he had his revenge against the Tatars, defeating them and killing all of their men taller than the lynchpin of a cart. Before the battle began, he sent an order to his forces that there would be no looting until the enemy was totally defeated. Men breaking rank to pillage allowed the enemy a chance to escape: by forbidding this, not only was the total defeat of the enemy ensured, but it allowed a more organized looting. Loot was even provided for families who lost loved ones, which strengthened the loyalty of Temujin’s followers to him, knowing he would provide for their families. None of his followers would suffer the abandonment he had. Fortifying Mongol discipline was always one of his top priorities, and he considered the laws applicable to everyone. Thus when the Khamag princes who had elected him Khan broke rank to loot early, they were harshly punished and their loot confiscated. The princes felt this was a violation of their rights as nobles and split with Temujin, fleeing to Toghrul Ong Khan.       Toghrul was by now perhaps in his late 60s, and not as decisive as he had once been. The vultures were circling, awaiting to succeed him as Kereyit Khan. Temujin, who had closely worked with Toghrul for years, seemed an obvious choice, and indeed, he proposed a marriage alliance between their families, Toghrul’s daughter to wed his son Jochi, and for his daughter Qojin (Ko-jin) Beki to marry Toghrul’s son, Senggum (seng-gum) Ilkha (Ilk-ha). Senggum Ilkha baulked at this. He wanted his father’s throne and saw Temujin’s proposal as a brazen ploy. On the insistence of Senggum Ilkha, Toghrul declined the offer. With this gap in the Toghrul-Temujin alliance, the vultures flew in. The Khamag princes and Jamukha now whispered into Senggum Ikha’s ears, and in turn, he urged the Ong Khan to betray Temujin. Toghrul gave in, and a plan was made. A message was sent to Temujin informing him that Toghrul had agreed to the marriage proposal, and that Temujin should come at once. When Temujin and his small entourage arrived, the trap would spring on the unsuspecting Mongol.       While Temujin seemed to believe Toghrul had come to his senses and happily agreed, his followers had their doubts, and convinced Temujin to send envoys ahead to learn more. This brief pause gave time for sympathetic herders in the Kereyit camp, Badai and Kishlik, to overhear the plotting and warn Temujin. Alerted to the betrayal, Temujin fled and when Toghrul and the others realized the plot was found, they pursued.     The army caught Temujin and his hastily assembled force at Qalqaljit Sands in eastern Mongolia, and despite a ferocious engagement-  Temujin’s third son Ogedai was wounded in the neck, a top commander was fatally injured, and Toghrul’s son Senggum took an arrow to the cheek- Temujin’s forces were defeated, and he withdrew. But there was infighting in the enemy command- Toghrul showed himself unable to take leadership,and  a frustrated Jamukha sent warnings to Temujin- meant the coalition could not pursue and finish off Temujin.        Temujin and the survivors fled to Lake Baljuna in 1203, and drinking the muddy waters, those who stayed with him swore their loyalty, an event famous among the Mongols as the Baljuna Covenant. Though he had lost once again, Temujin had his allies, and he had those sympathetic to him, such as Central Asian Muslim merchants, come with supplies and sheep  to feed Temujin’s forces as they trickled in. Meanwhile, the enemy coalition disintegrated: the vultures wanted Toghrul’s throne, no one could assert leadership over the various factions, and there were assassination attempts. Temujin encouraged this division by sending messengers to the various leaders, reminding them of past loyalties and promises, or making threats, sowing dissension and mistrust.   As the enemy splintered, Temujin saw his opportunity.  Under cover of night in 1203, Temujin’s army fell upon the Kereyit while they were feasting. Though they put up stiff resistance, Toghrul and his son fled in the chaos. With their leadership gone, the Kereyit surrendered to Temujin Khan. Toghrul fled west to the Naiman, but a patrolman saw the poor wretch and, refusing to believe him to be the mighty Ong Khan, killed him. Thus ended Toghrul, Khan of the Kereyit.    Strengthened by the absorption of the Kereyit, Temujin now controlled eastern and central Mongolia. His enemies flocked together one last time, to the Tayang Khan of the Naiman in the west: Jamukha, the Merkit under Toqto’a Beki who had captured Borte so many years prior, Kereyit and other disaffected remnants of former tribes gathered for the final stand. Even still, as fate was on the knife’s edge, infighting weakened the coalition’s leadership. Tayang Khan’s  brother, Buiruk, refused to supply forces from his branch of the Naiman. Tayang Khan, his son Kuchlug, wife Gurbesu and top commanders fought over strategy. In an effort to outflank Temujin, Tayang sent messengers to the Onggut tribes to Temujin’s south. Wary of the new power on their north, the Onggut warned Temujin of the Tayang’s plans.    Temujin’s preparations were careful: he reorganized the army into its famous decimal composition, units of 10, 100, 1,000 and 10,000, appointing new commanders and strengthening discipline. They would not fight based in their tribes, but in their units, strengthening the chain of command. He set out early in spring 1204, while the horses were still thin from winter- the Naiman would not expect a campaign so early in the year. He allowed a Mongol scout on a particularly lean horse and poor saddle to be captured, causing the Naiman to underestimate the quality of the Mongol forces and their horses. Deeper into Naiman territory, when they knew they would be spotted by Naiman scouts, at night each man lit five fives. The Naiman watchmen returned with over exaggerated reports of the size of the Mongol army, telling Tayang Khan the Mongols were as numerous as the stars.    Tayang Khan panicked, and was unsure of what to make of the Mongols, who seemed to be growing in size each day. His instinct was to withdraw, drawing them deeper into Naiman territory and wearing them down. His son and commanders accused him of cowardice. Tayang Khan was now forced to confront the Mongols to save face.  “A life means to die, a body means to suffer: it is the same destiny for all! That being so,  let us fight!” he said, as he marched to his doom.        At Naqu Cliffs came the final battle. Tayang’s command was weak; Temujin was thoroughly prepared, his battle lines and commanders ready. Naiman forces were pushed back. Jamukha, seeing the battle could only end one way, frightened Tayang with tales of Temujin’s ferocity: “My sworn friend Temujin is indeed drawing near, slavering thus like  a greedy falcon. Have you seen him? You Naiman friends used to say that if you saw the Mongols, you would not leave them even the skin of a kid’s hoof. Behold them now!”   Jamukha then took his men and abandoned the Tayang to his fate. When night fell, many of the Naiman tried to flee, only to fall off the cliffs to their deaths. Whatever resistance remained when morning broke was finished off by Mongol troops, the Tayang killed, and the survivors incorporated into the Mongols. Temujin took the Tayang’s wife as his own, and the Naiman’s Uighur scribes were taken: their writing system became the basis for the first written Mongolian.   1204 sealed Mongolia’s future.  Though there were minor holdouts, none in Mongolia could now defeat Temujin. The son of Tayang fled to the Qara-Khitai, where he would usurp power in 1211, and Mongols came for him in 1217. The surviving sons of the Merkit chief fled to the Qipchaq-Qangli tribes in the far west, but not even that was far enough to protect them from the Mongols. Jamukha himself was betrayed in 1205 by his final five followers: for betraying their master they were killed, and Temujin offered Jamukha a chance to rejoin him. In a famous, emotional scene in the Secret History of the Mongols, Jamukha declined, asking Temujin to provide him a bloodless death, and that his soul would watch over his friend’s family. In Mongolian tradition, Temujin buried his sworn friend with the golden belts they had once given each other. In the account of the Persian Historian Rashid al-Din, writing a century later, Jamukha was instead cut to pieces while shouting his revenge at Chinggis Khan. This less romanticized version is much less often included in retellings of the story."       In 1206, a great quriltai was held, and Temujin was proclaimed as ruler of all the steppe tribes: no longer were they Kereyit, Naimans, or Tatars, but Mongols. Temujin took a new title, Chinggis Khan: fierce or stern ruler. And now the whole of the world would tremble at what he was about to accomplish.         In the next episode we will begin the Mongol Conquests, so be sure to hit subscribe to the Kings and Generals podcast and to continue helping us bring you more outstanding content, please visit our patreon at www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. Thank you for listening, I am your host David and we will catch you on the next one!  

Recently, my friend turned me onto Dr. William Li and his book “” – a really great book that delves into the research-based healing powers of a variety of foods. Over two decades, Dr. Li’s leadership in the field of angiogenesis and its clinical translation has brought to the world 30 paradigm-shifting treatments for cancer, vision loss, and wound healing. His vision, expertise, and global multidisciplinary networks are focused on conquering disease, and improving quality of life and the human condition through diet, lifestyle, and judicious use of medicines that optimize health throughout aging. Dr. Li’s work engages the White House, the Clinton Global Initiative, National Institutes of Health, Fortune 500 companies, and leading universities and medical institutions across North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Dr. Li’s work has impacted more than 50 million people worldwide, and he is a TED Conference speaker. ” Dr. Li received his undergraduate degree with honors from Harvard College, his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, and his clinical training in Internal Medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital, a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. He has authored over 100 peer-reviewed scientific and clinical articles, book chapters, and abstracts, including publications in leading journals such as Science, Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine, and Nature Reviews. Dr. Li has held faculty appointments at Harvard Medical School, Tufts University, and Dartmouth Medical School. He serves on the board of directors of the , the , and , as well as public and private companies focused on health and life sciences innovation. A few of my big takeaways from his book included: – Regarding stem cells: Some foods like , , and beer can mobilize them and help us regenerate. Other foods, like purple potatoes, can kill deadly stem cells that spark cancer growth. – We all have cancer growing in our body. Every single one of us, even you. Over time, however, some tiny nests of cancer can overwhelm the defense system and overcome antiangiogenic countermeasures by releasing huge amounts of the same growth factor signals involved in wound healing. In lab experiments, once new blood vessels sprout into the small cluster of cancer cells, a tumor can grow exponentially, expanding up to sixteen thousand times in size in only two weeks after angiogenesis starts. – Even as little as thirty minutes of exposure to tobacco smoke exhaled by someone else is enough to stun your stem cells. – Not surprisingly, air pollution is similarly damaging. Researchers have found that in people living in communities with major air pollution problems, exposure to fine particulate matter during pollution flares lowers the number of endothelial progenitor cells in their blood. – Among the Malmo participants, researchers found that those with the highest levels of stem cell factor had a lower risk of heart failure by 50 percent, a lower risk of stroke by 34 percent, and a lower risk of death from any cause by 32 percent compared to those participants with the lowest levels of stem cell factor. – During the cholera epidemic of 1892 in France, Metchnikoff mixed bacteria together in a petri dish and found that some bacteria could stimulate cholera growth, but to his surprise found that other bacteria hindered it. This led him to speculate whether swallowing some types of helpful bacteria might be useful for preventing deadly diseases. He was also struck by the fact that some people lived to a ripe old age despite harsh rural conditions and poor hygiene associated with poverty. In Bulgaria, he noted, there were peasants in the Caucasus Mountains who lived beyond one hundred years. He observed that the oldest villagers were drinking fermented yogurt containing the bacteria . Metchnikoff suggested that one secret to longevity is consuming healthy bacteria. – A study of 1,095 “ridiculously healthy people” who have no health issues or family history of serious disease across all age groups (from age three to more than one hundred years old) showed that a common denominator in both young and old is an almost identical microbiome. – The scientists concluded that some healthy bacteria are resilient and can bounce back from a dietary insult, while others cannot. They called the persistent defect a “scar” left on the microbiome due to diet. Here’s where it gets interesting in this study. The microbiome scar became larger over generations when the researchers began breeding the mice and exposing each generation of mice to the high-fat, low-fiber Western-style diet. With each generation, more and more of the original bacteria from the healthy human disappeared from their microbiome. By the fourth generation (great-grandchildren of the original), a sobering 72 percent of the microbes from the initial healthy mice were no longer detectable. Generations of eating the same unhealthy high-fat, low-fiber diet killed off healthy gut microbes permanently. – But wound healing was only the beginning. In the lab, L. reuteri also reduced abdominal fat and obesity in mice, even if they ate a junk food diet of potato chips. L. reuteri can stimulate the growth of thick, shiny, healthy hair; improve skin tone; boost the immune system; and prevent the growth of tumors in the colon and in the breast. And that’s not all. Experiments have shown that in male mice, L. reuteri in drinking water increases testicular size, testosterone production, and mating frequency. A truly fascinating finding was that L. reuteri stimulates the brain to release the hormone oxytocin, which is the social bonding neurochemical that is released from the brain during a hug or handshake, by close friendship, during kissing, breast feeding, and orgasm. The depth of research conducted with this one bacteria is so impressive it led to an article in Needless to say, this is a probiotic worthy of taking because of the scientific evidence for its actions and potential benefits. – Do you wear sunscreen every time you get on a flight? You should. A 2015 study by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco published in the journal JAMA Dermatology showed that pilots flying for just one hour at thirty thousand feet altitude receive the same amount of UV radiation through the cockpit window as they would from a twenty-minute session in a tanning salon. – Solvents off-gassing from carpets, new cars, and chemicals in ordinary household products like nail polish remover, shampoo, and paint damage DNA, too. If you drive a car that uses gasoline, when you fill up the tank, you are breathing in fumes containing benzene, which damages DNA. It is wise to stand upwind of the vapor while you are at the gas station. – Other epigenetic changes from exercise can block harmful genes. These are seen after swimming, sprinting, interval training, and high-intensity walking. – A study by researchers at University of California, San Francisco showed that breastfeeding improved the length of telomeres in the child. In a group of 121 children, those who were exclusively breastfed when they were infants had longer telomeres by the time they were of preschool age (four to five years old) compared to children who were formula fed. This shows the durability of the telomere effect—that the benefits of breastfeeding remain years after a child is weaned and eating solid food.  – Scientists from the University of Southern California showed that fasting cycles can be used to build a fresh immune system. Remarkably, they showed that fasting two to four days in a row forces the human body to go into a recycling mode, which gets rid of the older, worn-out immune cells. Then, when food is started again, it jump-starts the hematopoietic stem cells in your bone marrow to start regenerating fresh immune cells thus rebuilding the immune system. – Soyfoods represent dozens of different kinds of foods made from soybeans, an ancient legume that originated in eastern China three thousand years ago. From fresh soy products, such as edamame, soymilk, and soy nuts, to soyfoods that are fermented, such as soy sauce, tofu, miso, natto, tempeh, and more, soy is encountered in many forms. Asian markets will often have fresh soybeans, but you can also often find them in the frozen section of the grocery store. Fresh tofu is versatile and is a common food in Asia. In Western countries, the best sources to find tofu varieties are Asian markets. Look at the menu of a Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, or Vietnamese restaurant, and you’ll find many soy offerings. Soy contains antiangiogenic bioactives known as isoflavones, specifically genistein, daidzein, equol, and glyceollins. Fermented soy products have higher concentrations of them. – Research has revealed that chicken thighs and drumsticks are especially healthy choices. Dark chicken meat contains , or menaquinone, a naturally occurring fat-soluble vitamin. – At the , we began studying teas for their biological properties using lab testing systems originally designed to evaluate antiangiogenic cancer drugs. We found that tea extracts had really exceptionally potent angiogenesis inhibitory effects, ied comparable to that of drugs. What was interesting was that different varieties of tea exhibited different potencies. We found Chinese jasmine tea to be more potent than Japanese sencha tea, and  was even more potent than jasmine tea. The most remarkable finding was that when we crossed cultures and mixed nde with  tea, the resulting tea blend had a synergistic effect on blood vessel growth that was more than twice as potent against angiogenesis than either one alone. – At the , we conducted research on the antiangiogenic activity of six different wines made by different grape varietals from the same winery (Vintage Wine Estates) and the same vintage, grown on the same terroir. Among the six, we identified the most potent antiangiogenic  as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. – At the end of the study, the researchers compared bloodwork from before and after the experiment. Amazingly, participants who drank the high-flavanol hot had twice as many stem cells in their circulation compared to the people who drank the low-flavanol cocoa. – Scientists at the University of Montreal discovered that a diet rich in fish oil increases production of endothelial progenitor stem cells that can regenerate oxygen-deprived muscles. – Squid ink, which actually usually comes from cuttlefish, contains bioactives that not only inhibit angiogenesis, but also can protect stem cells. – Scientists at the University of Warsaw in Poland examined endothelial progenitor cells in the blood of healthy young individuals and found that exposing them to  could protect the stem cells against stress. The exposure to chokeberry also improved the ability of the stem cells to migrate and participate in regenerating blood vessels. – is a bioactive known as a carotenoid. It is a pigment that gives corn and saffron their yellow-orange color, but it’s also common in leafy green vegetables, like , , , , , , and . The results of this study suggest that eating zeaxanthin-containing foods may help the performance of our stem cells for organ regeneration. – The ellagic acid of the activates stem cells. – The leaves, stalks, and seeds of are all edible and contain a number of health-promoting bioactives, including a tongue twister: 3-n-butylphthalide (NBP). NBP is important because it was approved as a pharmaceutical drug in 2002 by regulatory agencies in China for doctors to use as a neuroprotective treatment in patients who have suffered a stroke. NBP, also found in supplements containing celery seed extract, improves brain circulation, lowers brain inflammation, grows nerves, and limits brain damage from stroke. Researchers from Soochow University in China studied how NBP helps patients recover from a stroke. They recruited 170 individuals who had suffered an acute ischemic stroke, meaning a blood clot caused an interruption of blood flow and killed part of the brain. – While these results are from a drug form of NBP, it shows that a bioactive present in has stem cell–activating properties that may help heal and regenerate organs after a medical catastrophe like a stroke. –  has many well researched health benefits, and now among them is activating the regenerative system. This has been studied in people who smoke. Cigarette smoking chemically scorches the blood vessel lining, which leads to increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Cigarette smoking is also damaging to stem cells, and reduces the number of circulating stem cells. People who smoke have 60 percent fewer stem cells in their bloodstream compared to nonsmokers—another reason not to smoke. Researchers from Chonnam National University Hospital in Korea and the Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan examined the effects of drinking green tea on the stem cells of smokers. They enrolled twenty young men in their late twenties who had smoked for six years and gave them four cups of green tea to drink each day for two weeks (a total of 56 cups). Their blood was drawn at the beginning and at the end of the study to count the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells present. The results showed that drinking green tea increased the number of circulating stem cells by 43 percent over two weeks. The health of the smokers’ blood vessels was also improved by green tea over the study period. Their vascular dilation response was improved by 29 percent. In the lab, scientists have discovered that green tea and its catechins can stimulate regeneration of brain, muscle, bone, and nerves and can promote wound healing. – They found that one strain of L. reuteri in a sourdough starter that had been handed down from one baker to another since 1970 had actually evolved to live and thrive in bread dough. To dominate in their new turf, some L. reuteri strains in the starter actually developed the ability to produce a natural antibiotic called reutericyclin that kills other harmful bacteria growing around it. While the bacteria itself does not survive the high oven temperatures used for baking, scientists from Massachusetts Institute of Technology have shown that the benefits may not require live bacteria at all when it comes to L. reuteri. In the lab, scientists completely pulverized the bacteria so no live L. reuteri survived, but they found that substances coming from the particles of dead bacteria could create the same benefits as the live bacteria. This is a complete surprise, because it’s always been assumed that the benefits of gut bacteria require them to be alive. – The , renowned for its culinary and medicinal properties, was the subject of a study by scientists at Jiangnan University in China to test its effects on the microbiome. In the lab, they fed mice with severe gut inflammation the human equivalent of one tablespoon of Lion’s mane mushroom. The results showed that Lion’s mane could decrease the symptoms and the proteins associated with gut inflammation by as much as 40 percent. The mushroom increased the healthy bacteria Akkermansia while decreasing the harmful sulfur toxin-producing Desulfovibrio. – In a study called the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), researchers documented coffee and caffeine consumption in 5,826 adults and showed that . – drinking was associated with increased telomere length, but only in elderly men, not women. When the amount of tea consumed by men was analyzed, those who drank three or more cups of tea per day had longer telomeres compared to those who drank less than a third of a cup of tea. The difference in telomere length was equivalent to a calculated difference of five years of additional life between high-and low-level tea drinkers. No other food group was associated with any telomere lengthening in this elderly population. The study did not specifically ask which type of tea, but green tea and oolong tea are the most commonly consumed teas in China. – At the end of six weeks of eating , the participants did a 2.5-hour treadmill run. First, researchers drew their blood before the run. Then, an hour before exercise, the blueberry eaters ate a larger than usual amount of blueberries (375 grams, or 2.7 cups worth of fresh blueberries). Immediately after the participants’ run, researchers took another blood sample. One hour later, blood was drawn one final time to see what happened to their immune cells and what the effect of eating blueberries was. The blood samples were analyzed for different immune cells, including T cells, B cells, and natural killer (NK) cells. The results were eye opening. Blueberry eaters had almost double the number of NK cells before exercise compared to those who did not eat blueberries. Normally, NK cells would be expected to rapidly decline after intense exercise. But in the group that consumed blueberries, the NK cells remained elevated for at least one hour after exercise ceased. – Most cephalopods (squid, cuttlefish, octopus) squirt a black ink to escape predators. This ink is collected by fishermen from a sac in the creature’s body and is a flavorsome delicacy used to make rice and pasta dishes in the seaside cuisine of the Mediterranean. Some famous dishes featuring the ink include Spain’s black rice (arroz negra), Venice’s risotto di nero di seppia, and black spaghetti known as pasta al nero. Lab research on the ink has shown it can have antioxidant, antiangiogenic, stem cell–protecting, and immune-enhancing effects. Squid ink can even protect the gut microbiome against In my , some of the biggest audience reactions came when I showed the results of a study where we did a head-to-head comparison of the potency of different foods versus drugs on angiogenesis. We examined four cancer drugs, seven other common medications (anti-inflammatory drugs, statins, a blood pressure medication, and an antibiotic), and sixteen dietary factors from foods associated with lowering the risk of various cancers. Remarkably, fifteen of the dietary factors were more potent than one of the cancer drugs in the experiment we did. As you can see, there's plenty to be gleaned from this book. So in today's podcast, I take a deep dive with author Dr. William Li on the nitty gritty details of how we truly can eat to beat disease. During our discussion, you'll discover: -What Dr. Li means when he says that "we all have cancer"...8:53 We need to be more aware of how an individual body responds to cancer, rather than the "weapon" used to fight it Microscopic cancers (genetic mutations) are bound to occur in our bodies, which contain over 39 trillion cells (like a factory makes a few mistakes when operating at full power) The body spots these errors and corrects them A study revealed that men, women of various ages had trace amounts of cancer in their bodies upon autopsy It takes just one mutation to not be killed off by the immune system to become problematic Angiogenesis: the physiological process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels, formed in the earlier stage of vasculogenesis. Difference between a harmless microscopic cancer and a harmful one is whether they can hijack blood vessels in order to feed themselves -How drugs stack up versus a diet targeted at cancer prevention...16:33 Cancer research isn't up to speed on how food affects microscopic cancers in us Many foods are equal to cancer to drugs in cutting off the blood supply; some are more powerful Soy extracts were particularly efficacious Soy is oft misunderstood Has a phytoestrogen Soy estrogen side by side with chemical structure of human estrogen is completely different It blocks estrogen against breast cancer Study on 5000 women w/ breast cancer who ate more soy had lower risk of mortality and higher rates of remission Fermentation destroys most of the anti-nutrients in soy The dose is the difference between the poison and the cure -Microbiome and ingesting healthy bacteria for longevity...31:25 It's not the food, it's how our body responds to the food Microbiome is more important than previously thought Elie Metchnikoff found that growing bacteria that contained cholera, some bacteria killed the cholera Human body contains over 39 trillion bacteria; more than there are cells contains ellagitannins, which prompt the colon to secrete mucus -Biochemical individuality: why one food may be good for one and bad for another...42:47 There's no "magic bullet" Ellagitannins are metabolized very differently from one person to another   Communicated from mother to child in utero Boosts immune system Speeds healing Makes hair shinier Shown to prevent tumors from growing Can be taken as a supplement -Foods that can control the growth of cancer within us...50:24 Berries - tartness is important (aronia) Indigenous, farmers markets are good resources Parsley has anti-angiogenic activity Add to a smoothie Beverages: (Chinese jasmine tea more powerful than Japanese) has more power than green tea All red are not created equal Chocolate: Anti-angiogenic Kills lymphoma cells Dutch chocolate had twice the anti-angiogenic as Swiss tea Nose to tail diet Collagen is found in the cartilage, not the meat and peptides -And much more... Resources from this episode: - - -L Reuteri Ben uses: - - - - - - - - - - (code: BEN will save you 15%) - - - Episode sponsors: -: Ben Greenfield's new book is now released in both print and audio! This book makes an excellent Christmas gift for kids, and a great bedtime story for parents to read to their children. Order your copy at . -: Building blocks for muscle recovery, reduced cravings, better cognition, immunity, and more. Get 10% off your order of Kion Aminos, and everything at the Kion site when you use discount code "bgf10" at checkout. -: Achieve your health goals easier and faster with Pique Tea. My mental clarity is through the roof and energy levels have never been better since I've been drinking Pique Tea. Get 15% off your entire order when you use code: GREENFIELD -: Organic brands you love, for less. Your favorite organic food and products. Fast and free shipping to your doorstep. Receive a gift card up to $20 when you begin a new membership using . -: It’s cloud accounting software that basically does your invoicing for you and on top of that gets you paid 2x faster. Try it out for a free 30-day trial of FreshBooks right now. Go to Freshbooks.com/Ben and enter "The Ben Greenfield Fitness Podcast" in the how did you hear about us section. -: Whether you’re an insurance expert or a newbie, Policygenius created a website that makes it easy for you to compare quotes, get advice, and get covered. Do you have questions, thoughts or feedback for Dr. Li or me? Leave your comments below and one of us will reply!

By Davy Crockett  During the very late 1800s, people from various countries started to attempt to walk around the world for attention, money, and fame. In Part 2 of this series on walking around the world, I shared many stories of “fakes” who took advantage of the American public by traveling around the midwest United States claiming to be on treks around the world, but making little or no effort to actually leave the States. However, others at that time made more sincere attempts and successfully did extended walking on multiple continents, accompanied by newspaper stories confirming their presence in different countries. Several walkers were well-educated and certainly not the typical tramps and drunks that were highlighted in Part 2. Some of the individuals covered in this article became famous as explorers and were given credit for conducting valid walks around the world. But did they actually do it? What was their motivation for spending months and years in this activity? What did they do with their lives after their walk? Here are five intriguing stories of individuals who became very famous.  They were a Russian, a Frenchman, a Greek. and two Americans. Konstantin Rengarten – Russian walker - 1894 Konstantin Konstantinovich Rengarten (1864-1906) was born in the Baltics in the Minsk province (today in Belarus). His father was a district overseer of a tax department. He became a ship boy and was an athlete in high school. He was fond of traveling and at an early age went to Western Europe, Asia, and Africa. He longed to walk around the world and spent ten years preparing for the journey. Rengarten started a walk around the world west to east from Riga, Russia (capital of present-day Latvia) on August 15, 1894. He was highly educated, rich, well-funded, and represented ten German newspapers and magazines, five that were published in Russia including the St. Petersburg Herold. He would regularly write columns to be published. He would also ship back home "all manner of specimens, rare and interesting, that are duly arranged and classified by his wife, who is an ardent scientific student." He spoke German, French, Russian, and a little English. He expected to walk for three years. Nikolai Greinert volunteered to go with him. Unlike most of the other globetrotters of the time, Rengarten did not travel due to a wager and paid he his own way instead of expecting locals to always support him. When they crossed through Ukraine, the rainy season slowed them down terribly. Greinert gave up and returned to Riga. Rengarten continued alone. In his backpack he carried climbing equipment, woolen underwear, a camel-wrap, a gun, a large hunting knife, a cooking pot, a camera, and a small supply of food. More than a year later, on October 9, 1895, he arrived at Tashkent in present-day Ubekistan, about 4,000 miles to the east. His pace was about 10 miles per day average. He had taken a route through South Russia, to the Black Sea, across the Caucasus Mountains (in Georgia), across Persia (Iran). At Armenia, the Kurds believed that he was a great physician. The lame, halt and blind flocked to him for treatment. “Rengarten wears only woolen clothes, and for the most part adopts the foot-wear used in the countries through which he passes. During the whole journey he has not once had to call in the advice of a doctor, but he has lost a good deal of weight." During Rengarten’s  walk through Persia (Iran), he observed terrible conditions and he found their customs abominable. He said, “all women and girls from 10 years up are absolute slaves, while the male part are lazy, filthy, vile barbarians. The Persian prisons are veritable hells, where the government takes no responsibility except to incarcerate the victims.” His pace through Persia was faster, where he walked 1,100 miles in 70 days, 110 miles per week. He had to spend several nights sleeping in sheds and stables.

42 BC Marcus Junius Brutus, a leading conspirator in the assassination of Julius Caesar, dies by suicide after his defeat at the second battle of Philippi. Two years before, Brutus had joined Gaius Cassius Longinus in the plot against the Roman dictator Julius Caesar, believing he was striking a blow for the restoration of the Roman Republic. However, the result of Caesar's assassination was to plunge the Roman world into a new round of civil wars, with the Republican forces of Brutus and Cassius vying for supremacy against Octavian and Mark Antony. After being defeated by Antony at a battle in Philippi, Greece, in October 42 B.C., Cassius killed himself. On October 23, Brutus' army was crushed by Octavian and Antony at a second encounter at Philippi, and Brutus took his own life. Antony and Octavian soon turned against each other, and in 27 B.C. the Roman Republic was lost forever with the ascendance of Octavian as Augustus Caesar, the first emperor of Rome. 1641 Irish Rebellion of 1641 starts as an attempted coup d'état by Irish Catholic gentry, who tried to seize control of the English administration in Ireland to force concessions for Catholics. The coup failed and the rebellion developed into an ethnic conflict between the Gaelic Irish and old English Catholics on one side, and both ethnically English Protestants and Scottish/Presbyterian planters on the other. This began a conflict known as the Irish Confederate Wars. The Irish Confederate Wars, also called the Eleven Years' War would end in English victory and a crushing of Irish Catholic power in Ireland that would last for nearly two centuries. The death toll of the conflict was huge. William Petty, a Cromwellian who conducted the first scientific land and demographic survey of Ireland in the 1650s, concluded that at least 400,000 people and maybe as many as 620,000 had died in Ireland between 1641 and 1653. The true figure may well be lower given Petty's outmoded methodology, but the lowest suggested is about 200,000. It is estimated that about two thirds of the deaths were civilian; at the time of the conflict, the population of Ireland stood at around 1.5 million people, putting casualties at around 1/5 - 1/3 of the total population. 1983 A suicide bomber drives a truck packed with explosives into the U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, killing 241 U.S. military personnel. That same morning, 58 French soldiers were killed in their barracks two miles away in a separate suicide terrorist attack. The U.S. Marines were part of a multinational force sent to Lebanon in August 1982 to oversee the Palestinian withdrawal from Lebanon. A terrorist plowed his bomb-laden truck through three guard posts, a barbed-wire fence, and into the lobby of the Marines Corps headquarters in Beirut, where he detonated a massive bomb, killing 241 marine, navy, and army personnel. The bomb, which was made of a sophisticated explosive enhanced by gas, had an explosive power equivalent to 18,000 pounds of dynamite. 2002 About 50 Chechen rebels storm a Moscow theater, taking up to 700 people hostage during a sold-out performance of a popular musical.The second act of the musical “Nord Ost” was just beginning at the Moscow Ball-Bearing Plant's Palace of Culture when an armed man walked onstage and fired a machine gun into the air. The terrorists—including a number of women with explosives strapped to their bodies—identified themselves as members of the Chechen Army. They had one demand: that Russian military forces begin an immediate and complete withdrawal from Chechnya, the war-torn region located north of the Caucasus Mountains. The siege lasted for about 3 days and ended after Russian security forces released a chemical gas in the theater. All of the rebels and about 170 hostages died during the siege.

On this episode Sebastian Kawa from southern Poland Joins us to tell his story. He holds 31 medals in World and European competitions and is the most titled glider pilot in history! He is a second generation glider pilot and is also known for his book "Sky Full of Heat". His achievements include the first in history to ascent in engineless flight over the Himalayas and the Caucasus Mountains and flying in wave in the Ukrainian Gorgan mountains.  Sebastion shares with us that very memorable flight in wave over the Himalayas. Join us now to hear more of his story ,advice and future goals on Soaring The Sky ! 

It is said that Georgia is a state of mind, but in actuality, wine in Georgia can be considered a state of confusion! The reason for this, is, of course, the American state of Georgia shares a name with the Republic of Georgia in the Caucasus Mountains, which has a very long history of winemaking going back an absolute minimum of 6,000 years. The history of winemaking in the State of Georgia, on the other hand, is decidedly recent by this timescale.  While Georgia was an important winegrowing region of the United States in the 19th century, ranked sixth in production among U.S. states by 1900, this state suffered very early on from Prohibition.  The prohibition movement in Georgia took hold in 1907, derailing the industry here until, like so many states, the early 1980's.  Today, Georgia is the leading producer of wines made from the various Muscadine grape varietals--a type of grape we will eventually meet on this podcast, I promise.  Georgia is also home to two AVAs, the Upper Hiwassee Highlands AVA, a bi-state appellation which covers parts of Cherokee and Clay counties in the southwestern North Carolina; along with Towns, Union and Fannin Counties in northwestern Georgia, and the Dahlonega Plateau AVA, (established in 2018) which covers most of Lumpkin, Dawson, White, Pickens, and Cherokee Counties. This AVA is about 133 square miles in size and includes (at last count) 7 wineries and 8 commercial vineyards totaling just over 110 acres of planted vines. The wine we are looking at today, the 2011 Propaganda from Frogtown Cellars, comes from the Dahlonega Plateau AVA itself.  This wine is a blend of 57% Merlot, 17% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Petit Verdot, and 13% Malbec.  This, as we discussed in the Idaho episode, makes this wine a Bordeaux-style blend, which are often called Meritage blends in the USA--though that's a subject for a later episode. (As a tangent, I found myself rather impressed with the list of varietals they're growing as a whole, incidentally: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese, Tannat, Touriga National, Malbec, Petit Verdot, Nebbiolo, Chambourcin, Teroldego, Norton, Chardonnay, Viognier, Marsanne, Roussanne, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Gris, Seyval Blanc, Petit Manseng, Vidal Blanc, Greco di Tufo and Muscato.  Dang.  Some of these are grapes we will visit in future podcasts, but I digress.) This bottle of the 2011 Propaganda was kindly provided by friends Aileen and John, who also form my drinking cohorts for this episode, alongside an appearance from Mark Beres, the CEO of Flying Leap Vineyards.

Vermont is the focus of our 16th episode here at the Make America Grape Again podcast.  Barely more than a stub of a Wikipedia page, Vermont so far has only seven wineries, and a very recent beginning, with the first commercial vineyard there being only since 1997.  But boy howdy, have they been running to catch up with the rest; the wine we selected for the first episode examining the viticultural industry in this state has absolutely blown me away.  It is not every day that I meet a wine that can single-handedly make me doubt my commitment to Arizona viticulture, but the 2017 Tectonic from Iapetus Wine (a label from Shelburne Vineyard) has done just that.   The 2017 Tectonic is our vintage introduction to a number of new wine concepts, as well as a continuation of some themes we explored in our last episode about Wisconsin wine. This vintage is an all-natural, skin-contact wine made from a grape called La Crescent.  We touched upon natural wines a little bit in our first California episode; to explore the idea further, these wines can be roughly defined (since there is no official legal definition as of yet) as wines that are farmed as organically as possible, and are made/transformed without adding or removing anything while in the cellar.  The idea is that these wines are fermented using the natural yeast growing on the grape, without any additives or processing aids, and that intervention in the fermentation is kept to a minimum. These wines are not fined, nor filtered, and it can be argued that the result is a wine that is "alive"--still full of naturally occurring microbiology and the truest expression of the terroir of a region possible.   Like the Seyval Blanc we examined in our last episode, La Crescent is a complex American hybrid varietal, and one which is very recent; only developed by the University of Minnesota and released in 2002.  The genetics for this grape look like something out of a Habsburg family tree: with ancestry including Vitis vinifera, riparia, rupestris, labrusca and aestivalis. Saint-Pepin, and a Muscat of Hamburg crossing feature among this grape's progenitors. (I really wish I still had the genetics diagram I referenced when recording this wine--I lost it somewhere. Alas.)  Also like Seyval Blanc, this grape is a white wine varietal; to make a Skin-contact wine such as the 2017 Tectonic (also known as Amber wines or Orange wines),  the grape skins are not removed from the must, (unlike in as in typical white wine production) and instead remain in contact with the juice for days or even months. As in red wines, these skins provide pigments and tannins to the resulting vintage. This is actually a very ancient style of wine, dating back at an absolute minimum of about 6,000 years in the Caucasus Mountains.   That, in my mind, is one of the coolest things about the 2017 Iapetus: it is made from an ancient style of production for one of the newest-developed grape varietals out there.  I look forward to hopefully trying more wines from this label: Ethan Joseph is doing some pretty cool stuff up there in Vermont. While I first encountered this wine via a #winestudio event on Twitter, this bottle was provided to me through the kindness of Elizabeth Krecker who purchased this wine for me directly from the vineyard when she visited New England earlier this year.

In this episode Poldi Wieland explores a powerful probiotic beverage called milk kefir. Milk kefir is a fermented beverage that originated in the Caucasus Mountains and has been consumed by the people in this region for hundreds of years.Overview:Milk Kefir History/LegendsMilk Kefir and HealthUses of Milk Kefir in the KitchenThank you for subscribing and sharing the show with your family and friends.Subscribe with this link:linktr.ee/yearofplentyOr subscribe directly using your podcast app. The show is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and many other platforms!Please rate and review the show in your podcast app. This always helps the show get ranked so that more curious foodies can explore real food and drink with us.Support the podcast on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/poldiwielandI want to hear from you! Take the LISTENER SURVEY: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KZW53RTDo you follow the podcast on social media yet?IG: https://www.instagram.com/poldiwieland/Twitter: https://twitter.com/theyearofplentyFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/theyearofplenty/For extended show notes and sources to this episode send me an email to theyearofplenty@gmail.com

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:10 Bob Connolly - Director of "James Randi in Australia" An interview with the award winning Australian film maker and director who in 1980 was commissioned by Dick Smith to direct the documentary, "James Randi in Australia". James Randi in Australia - video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqoYrSd94kA THE 1980 DIVINING TESTS - by James Randi https://tinyurl.com/ycur583e - (See page 2) Bob Connolly - imbd https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0175264/ 0:41:00 Skeptical movment needs your help We have learnt that the Australian government will soon be taking down a website that holds a lot of information useful to skeptics and Friends of Science in Medicine members. If you have some spare time and you have skills in the automated copying of webpages, please get in contact. fsmcomplaints at gmail dot com   0:43:16 The Diet Skeptic... with Mandy-Lee Noble Health claims for Kefir Kefir is a fermented milk drink that originated in the Caucasus Mountains made with kefir "grains", a yeast/bacterial fermentation starter. http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-31802017000600578 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4401881/ Also... Sydney Skeptics in the Pub https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/AustSkeptics/events/248315106/ http://www.skeptiCalCon.com  

Leonov opened the airlocks outer hatch He was positioned on his “back” and this orientation revealed the beauty of earth in its entirety.  His heart began to race as he pushed his upper body outside and saw the deep blue vista of the Mediterranean Sea, fringed by the easily recognizable shapes of Greece and Italy and, farther east, the Crimea, the Caucasus Mountains, and the Volga River…

Where did vitis vinifera originate? Where do we think winemaking started? We think it's from the area that is now the Republic of Georgia. Once part of the USSR, this small, beautiful nation is reemerging as a wine power so it's time for an overview!   Here are the show notes: Top level stuff...   Georgia is where Eastern Europe meets Asia. Between the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea As big as Scotland or Ireland 111,000 acres of vines ranging from the coast of the Black Sea to Kakheti, on the other side of the Caucasus mountains Outside Tbilisi, they only speak Georgian so when you go, you've gotta hire a guide   Location: Russia to the north and Turkey and Armenia to the south Primary wine region of Kakheti—according to Georgians, the birthplace of wine itself The main wine regions, from Kakheti in the east and Imereti, Racha and Samegrelo in the west, are within a few hours’ drive from Tbilisi, the capital Climate: a diverse climatic landscape that varies from temperate to subtropical An Historical Relic: Qveri (Kwhere-vree) Traditional Georgian fermentation: a clay vessel used for centuries to produce wine in Georgia. Qvervi: 1,000-liter beeswax-coated terra-cotta jar buried in the earth A qvevri is a thick-walled vessel buried deep in the ground in a marani, or Georgian wine cellar. naturally maintains wine at optimal temperature during fermentation and allows it to age for many years without spoilage. Once fermentation is complete, the wine can be racked into another qvevri, leaving the heavy sediment behind. Qvevri white wine is sharp, strong, amber. or in the case of reds, so dark it’s known as shavi gvino: black wine    Grapes: 500+ indigenous grape varietals found in Georgia, Red: Saperavi, Tavkveri and Chkhaveri plus Tavkveri, Shavkapito,  Chkhaveri and Ojaleshi. White: Rkatsiteli (r-kat-see-telly), Chinuri and Mtsvane (mits-vane) méthode Champenoise in Georgia since the late 1800s, with native grape Orange wine:  Friuli winemaker Josko Gravner makes his sought-after “orange” wines using ancient Georgian techniques/qvervri   History: Grapes and traces of wine residue have been found in archaelogical digs from 8,000 years ago. Vitis vinifera originated from the Caucasus mountains in GA Ottoman rule in west, Christianity in the east made east side of the country the wine powerhouse Georgia came under Soviet control a few decades later. Small vineyards merged into huge co-ops =CRAP Georgia declared independence in 1991 Russia's 2006 embargo on Georgian wine imports, lifted only in June 2013. Forced diversification into other, stronger markets   The wines of Georgia have a little ways to go, but they are a fascinating slice of vinous history and worth seeking out or trying if they are ever right in front of you!   

After conquering northern China the Mongols of Genghis Khan launch a campaign westwards through Persia and the Caucasus Mountains and into Europe See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On Hot Date 25, Dan and Vicky cover as much ground as the protagonists do in the 2012 film The Loneliest Planet.  In addition to their thoughts on the film, which stars Gael Garcia Bernal and Hani Furstenberg as a couple hiking through the mountains of the former Soviet state of Georgia, your hosts discuss recent celebrity deaths, their love of over pumped stars Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson, and AMC Theatres' dodgy ticket policies.   Vicky also bemoans the lack of good music in October of 2012 and tells us why she's putting off seeing Batman vs. Superman while Dan waxes nostalgic about his Saturday mornings as a kid and dissects media coverage of recent terrorist attacks.   But the focus is on the film and Dan and Vicky have lots to say about The Loneliest Planet and the troubled trio at it's center.  Shot on location in the rugged and beautiful Caucasus Mountains, director Julia Loktev cast real life mountaineer and first time actor Bidzina Gujabidze in the pivotal role of the tour guide.  He gets some love from our hosts but little else does. Lace up your boots and hoist your rucksack because Hot Date is hittin' the trails.  

Welcome the newest episode of Dark Discussions, your place for the discussion of horror film, fiction, and all that’s fantastic. So last week, Dark Discussions reviewed and discussed an English language Israeli film, JeruZalem, and one thing of note, what would seem like an unlikely place for a movie industry gave us one. Well, this week is another. The nation of Georgia, just on the coast of the Black Sea, has given us a very interesting thriller-horror film entitled Landmine Goes Click. The title alone raises eyebrows but doesn't tell the whole picture of this interesting little film. Prior to the beginning of the rest of their life, soon to be married couple Daniel and Alicia head off to the nation of Georgia with the future best man, Christopher, to hike the Caucasus Mountains with one of Daniel's old college friends. However, during an impromptu group photo, Chris steps on an old landmine left behind from an old war. By stepping off it, he would surely die. Soon major plot twists rotate the film into a different direction that changes the entire premise. Landmine Goes Click is directed by new talent Levan Bakhia, and written by Adrian Colussi, and stars relative unknowns but with an outstanding performance by Kote Tolordava as a local hunter who stumbles upon the Americans' situation. Released to VOD late 2015, the film only now is picking up buzz. Dark Discussions listed it as the eleventh best horror film of last year. To pick up on the recent buzz, your co-hosts have decided to give their opinions. As always we welcome your comments: darkdiscussions@aol.com (written email or attached mp3 files) WWW.DARKDISCUSSIONS.COM

この番組「異文化ディスカッション」では、いつも広島大学に学ぶ留学生をゲストに招き、いろいろな国の文化について英語で話してもらっています。 今回と次回登場するのは、アメリカ・テキサス出身のエミリー。今回のテーマは、彼女にゆかりの深い国「アルメニア」です。 聞き手：Joe Lauer（広島大学外国語教育研究センタ―） ＊毎月第１週は「異文化ディスカッション」をお届けします。 ＊エントリーの「スクリプトを見る」をクリックすると、番組内で使われている表現を見ることができます（スクリプトは表示されません）。 Download MP3 （中級〜上級向け）Armenia Emily = Joe's niece, his sister's daughter Armenia = a country a little larger than Shikoku, surrounded by Turkey, Iran, Arzerbaijan and Georgia. Peace Corps = an American government group which sends people to work in developing countries for two years. the Caucasus Mountains = between Russia and Turkey pressing needs that go unmet = important problems are not solved (Note: "do" on the recording here just adds emphasis) to 〜 and to 〜 alike = to both of them in the same way locals = neighbors to be aligned with = to be allies of, to be friends with to be up in the air = to be not decided yet to be conquered by = to be captured and controlled by the Mongols = the Mongolian people who conquered Armenia in the 1200s the Ottomans = the Turkish people who were very strong from the 16th to the 19th centuries to leave (one's) mark on = to have an influence on a massacre = a large number of killings to differ = to be different 1.5 million = approximately the population of Kyoto City a dialect = 方言 dolma and khorovats = two famous Armenian foods a delicacy = a high-quality food to resemble = to be similar to to mandate = to require (especially as a law) in depth = in detail to bear = to have (especially something heavy or troublesome) arm wrestling = 腕ずもう hectic = chaotic, rushed, disorderly a pedestrian = a person walking along the road to accomplish = to achieve fund raising = collecting money (for needy people, or for projects) to break down stereotypes = to change established images or ideas to be obnoxious = annoying because attracting attention to oneself, 気に障る imperialistic = 帝国主義の to be motivated = やる気がある to be upset = to be angry and frustrated to bring about change = to make changes prosperous = rich and successful to touch on (something) = to talk only a little about

この番組「異文化ディスカッション」では、いつも広島大学に学ぶ留学生をゲストに招き、いろいろな国の文化について英語で話してもらっています。 今回と次回登場するのは、アメリカ・テキサス出身のエミリー。今回のテーマは、彼女にゆかりの深い国「アルメニア」です。 聞き手：Joe Lauer（広島大学外国語教育研究センタ―） ＊毎月第１週は「異文化ディスカッション」をお届けします。 ＊エントリーの「スクリプトを見る」をクリックすると、番組内で使われている表現を見ることができます（スクリプトは表示されません）。 Download MP3 （中級〜上級向け）Armenia Emily = Joe's niece, his sister's daughter Armenia = a country a little larger than Shikoku, surrounded by Turkey, Iran, Arzerbaijan and Georgia. Peace Corps = an American government group which sends people to work in developing countries for two years. the Caucasus Mountains = between Russia and Turkey pressing needs that go unmet = important problems are not solved (Note: "do" on the recording here just adds emphasis) to 〜 and to 〜 alike = to both of them in the same way locals = neighbors to be aligned with = to be allies of, to be friends with to be up in the air = to be not decided yet to be conquered by = to be captured and controlled by the Mongols = the Mongolian people who conquered Armenia in the 1200s the Ottomans = the Turkish people who were very strong from the 16th to the 19th centuries to leave (one's) mark on = to have an influence on a massacre = a large number of killings to differ = to be different 1.5 million = approximately the population of Kyoto City a dialect = 方言 dolma and khorovats = two famous Armenian foods a delicacy = a high-quality food to resemble = to be similar to to mandate = to require (especially as a law) in depth = in detail to bear = to have (especially something heavy or troublesome) arm wrestling = 腕ずもう hectic = chaotic, rushed, disorderly a pedestrian = a person walking along the road to accomplish = to achieve fund raising = collecting money (for needy people, or for projects) to break down stereotypes = to change established images or ideas to be obnoxious = annoying because attracting attention to oneself, 気に障る imperialistic = 帝国主義の to be motivated = やる気がある to be upset = to be angry and frustrated to bring about change = to make changes prosperous = rich and successful to touch on (something) = to talk only a little about

With the entry of the Ottoman empire into the war fighting quickly begins in the Caucasus Mountains as both Russia and Ottoman troops attack each other in turn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Xiaohua: Hello and welcome to Roundtable’s Word of the Week. This week we’re talking about words and phrases related with Halloween. John: That’s right. There’re quite a few different monsters, typical costumes that you might see people wearing, so we’re just gonna go through a few of those today. So first off I want to start with the ever popular vampire. Also sometimes people dress as Count Dracula. And vampire and Count Dracula are actually 2 similar, but separate things. Xiaohua: 说到万圣节或者万圣节的装扮，很多人就会想到吸血鬼的装扮。而说到吸血鬼，大家又会想到Count Dracula，德拉库拉伯爵，但是这两者其实是有点不同的。 John: You might just look at it this way: Count Dracula is one type of vampire, one person who is also a vampire. Interestingly enough, the myth of Count Dracula as a vampire is based upon a real person from Romania, known as Vlad Tepes. And actually he ended up getting the nickname Vlad the Impaler for the cruelty in which he would treat his enemies. Xiaohua: 德拉库拉可以说是一种吸血鬼。而德拉库拉在小说中的原型是来自一个真实的人物，叫做Vlad the Impaler，穿刺王弗拉德。 John: Yeah. And the word vampire began in eastern Europe around the Balkans and the Caucasus Mountains, and its original usage has nothing to do with sucking blood, or taking a creature’s life essence or something like that. But rather it had to do with someone coming back from the dead as a spirit and just really bugging the people in the village where they were born. Xiaohua: So something like a ghost. John: Something like that. Exactly. And now we’re moving on to a werewolf, also known sometimes as a lycanthrope. So basically it’s just the ability for someone to turn from human into a wolf or dog-like creature. Xiaohua: 狼人，又叫lycanthrope，就是可以随意或是在某些场合从人变成狼的生物。 John: And then of course there is the mummy, perhaps the easiest costume to do in all history of time. All you got to do is to take some toilet paper and wrap it around your body as many times as possible. But a mummy is basically just a human or an animal whose skins and organs had been preserved due to exposure to chemicals, cold, low humidity or anything like that. Xiaohua: 木乃伊我们都知道，是来自古埃及的时候，人们对于死尸进行的一种步骤，用香油或香料涂到尸体上用来防腐。 John: And then of course there is the zombie, and I think anyone familiar or a fan of the Walking Dead will know what zombie currently means right now. Basically someone died or something died, and then it becomes reanimated, undead, and it wants to eat brains, living flesh or something like that. But actually the term zombie comes from Afro-Caribbean belief system Vodou or Vodom, wherein a shaman, a witch doctor, could actually cause someone to think they’re dead, and then bring them back to quote-on-quote life. Xiaohua: Very interesting. 现在万圣节最流行的装束应该是装成zombie，僵尸了。我们通常认为僵尸是由死人转化的生物，活人如果被它咬到也会变成僵尸，但其实在海地，zombie是巫师可以用幻觉或药物控制人，让人昏睡过去，让他们以为自己已经死去。 John: And then of course there is Frankenstein. So funnily enough, at least in English, Frankenstein, the story by Mary Shelley, the monster is never actually named. The monster has no name. It’s just called the monster. However, in popular culture, now we refer to the monster in that story as Frankenstein. So Frankenstein is a very popular character, or at least used to be, not so much anymore. But we used to see him in TV shows, or comedy shows, like satires, and things like that. But again, it has been a very popular costume during Halloween. Xiaohua: Frankenstein，科学怪人，是指的玛丽雪莱的那本科幻小说。本来是科学家的名字叫Frankenstein，但是逐渐大家就把他制造出的这个怪人叫做Frankenstein了。 John: Yes, exactly. And last but not least, we have the western conception of the witch, or sometimes known as the hag. And basically it’s just an older woman, usually with a warp on their nose, and a big crooked nose, and a big hat with a point on top. And they’re supposed to be able to do black magic and things like that. Usually they’re associated with a black cat as well. Xiaohua: 鹰钩鼻子、戴着高帽子、手拿魔杖，经常有扫帚和黑猫相伴，这就是我们常见的女巫，the witch. And that’s an easier costume as well. John: Yeah, it’s an easier costume, but also interestingly enough, the western conception of witch is very, very different from the eastern conception. The word witch is tied up in our religious history you might say what you saw during especially the medieval times but also even later on, is that women would be accused of being a witch. And what that meant was that they were having parties with Satan, the devil, and they were sleeping with the devil and using black magic and things like that in order to control other people. More than likely this was all just superstition, and people were persecuting women for being young usually, and different. Xiaohua: Exactly. 在中世纪的时候欧洲因为女巫的罪名迫害了不少女性。And that’s all we have for this week’s Word of the Week.

Passport To Adventure D04a Tabilisi And The Caucasus Mountains Republic Of Georgia

Passport To Adventure D04a Tabilisi And The Caucasus Mountains Republic Of Georgia