Podcasts about Estonia

In this week's episode of Energy Transition Today, we talk about a first-of-its-kind financing for battery storage in Estonia, a clear sign of lenders' confidence in storage-only revenues.In the UK, Ørsted's 2.9 GW Hornsea 3 project gets a $6.5 billion boost from Apollo Infrastructure Funds, one of the largest equity investments ever made in renewable energy, reviving optimism in offshore wind.Poland's PGE prepares its 896 MW Baltica 1 project for the country's upcoming offshore wind auction, while in the Netherlands, the government faces a setback after its latest auction closed without bids.Finally, we discuss NextWind's €1.8 billion debt financing to repower German onshore wind farms, highlighting how capital is now driving large-scale repowering and hybrid renewable models across mature markets.Reach out to us at: podcasts@inspiratia.comFind all of our latest news and analysis by subscribing to inspiratiaListen to all our episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other providers. Music credit: NDA/Show You instrumental/Tribe of Noise©2025 inspiratia. All rights reserved.This content is protected by copyright. Please respect the author's rights and do not copy or reproduce it without permission.

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 189-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 27,906 on turnover of 8.8-billion N-T. The market took a beating on Wednesday, led by large cap artificial intelligence-related stocks on the back of heavy losses by tech stocks on Wall Street overnight amid investor concerns of an A-I bubble. MOFA still in talks with Estonia over opening reciprocal offices Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung says the government is still in talks with Estonia on the "name and legal status" related to setting up reciprocal (互惠的) representative offices. Speaking during a legislative hearing, Lin said the ongoing talks are focusing on issues such as the title of the representative offices, their legal status, and other concerns related to diplomatic immunity and privileges. The statement follows reports that the government is hoping the office will follow the formula of its counterpart in Lithuania, called the "Taiwanese Representative Office in Lithuania." However, Estonia is reportedly insisting on using the title "Taipei" due to concerns about a backlash from China. DPP claims 'most' people oppose opposition pension proposals The D-P-P legislative caucus says a recent survey shows a majority (多數) of people oppose bills proposed by the K-M-T to end annual cuts to civil servant pensions. The survey was conducted by the D-P-P. According to D-P-P lawmaker Wu Si-yao, it found that 59.7-per cent of respondents supported continuing pension reforms initiated by the D-P-P in 2016, while only 31.7-per cent thought they should be stopped. Wu says stopping reforms will exacerbate inequality between active and retired workers, civil servants and workers receiving labor, farmer and national pensions. The K-M-T legislative caucus has placed the bills at the top of its priority for the current legislative session. Philippine Typhoon Death Toll Rises Philippine officials say the death toll from flooding and damage caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi has risen to at least 114. They say 127 others are reported missing, with many of them in a hard-hit province still recovering from a deadly earthquake. The Philippine government says most of the deaths were reported in the central province of Cebu, which was struck by Kalmaegi on Tuesday, setting off flash floods and causing a river and other waterways to overflow (溢出). Kalmaegi moved away from western Palawan province into the South China Sea before noon Wednesday and was heading toward Vietnam. Supreme Court skeptical of Trump tariffs The US Supreme Court appeared skeptical of President Donald Trump's power to unilaterally impose tariffs during a three-hour hearing. It comes after Trump used a law designed for national emergencies to justify his sweeping (廣泛的，全面的) economic agenda Nick Harper reports from the Supreme Court in Washington DC. Interpol Launches Campaign to Fight Illegal Deforestation Interpol and partners have launched a global law enforcement effort to fight illegal deforestation in tropical areas. Wednesday's announcement says it's aimed at dismantling (拆解) criminal networks behind illegal logging, timber trafficking and gold mining. They drive large-scale deforestation and generate billions in illicit profits each year. The effort was announced ahead of the U.N. COP30 climate summit in Brazil. It will focus mainly on tropical forests in Brazil, Ecuador, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Peru. Interpol is working with with the U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime on the new effort. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

The party for Vienna 2026 is getting bigger! Moldova, Romania, and Bulgaria have officially confirmed their return to the contest. After a year or a few away, we can look forward to three familiar flags on stage next year. What kind of acts will they bring back? We're eager to find out!The race for Vienna is also finally heating up as Luxembourg and Estonia have revealed the first glimpses of their hopefuls by announcing their national finalists! The song reveals can't come soon enough!We also chat about the reports circulating regarding Jamala's take on the current quality of submissions for the Ukrainian national selection. Let's just say the legendary winner isn't mincing words about what it takes to compete on the big stage this year.

Taiwan’s ongoing battle for resignation has stalled in Estonia over the naming of its representation. Plus: The director of Dubai Design Week, Natasha Carella; and OK Go frontman Damian Kulash on why the music video lives on.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I've written 11 books, but I didn't have a 10-year plan. I just got tired of my fearful mindset dictating my entire life. In my mid-30s, I threw my first bottle into the ocean—and it changed everything. In this episode, I'm sharing why you need to throw yours too. Here's the metaphor: You're on an island called "My Life," and the things you create are tiny notes you shove into bottles. When you throw them with courage and conviction, they float away to shores you've never seen—bookshelf, Spotify, Etsy, Amazon, maybe even Estonia. Someone opens that bottle and says, "This was made for me." You've never met them. You've never been to their city or country. That's the magic. When we make things, we change. When we share them, other people change. I don't know what your bottle is—a book, album, business, podcast, painting, or something else entirely—but I know it's time to throw it. We're all waiting.In This Episode:Grab your very own Soundtracks: The Conversations Card DeckMake sure to follow me on Instagram and share with your friends!Keep up with my book list on GoodReads!Sign up for my newsletter, Try This!Book me to speak at your event or to your team!My new book All It Takes Is a Goal is available! You can grab a copy from your favorite bookstore or at atgbook.com.Grab my books, Soundtracks and Finish, today!Episode Artwork Photo by A R on UnsplashHave me speak at your next event!

La diseñadora Paula Frenegal viene a contarnos su experiencia estudiando un master de diseño de interacción y servicios en Estonia. Todas las referencias del episodio en: pildorasux.com/193Apúntate a la newsletter en: pildorasux.com/newsletter/

In this episode, we explore alongside Ott Velsberg, Government Chief Data Officer, Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, how Estonia—a global pioneer in digital transformation—is redefining what's possible with data and artificial intelligence. As one of the most digitally advanced nations in the world, Estonia is moving beyond e-governance to integrate AI across its economy, public services, and daily life. With a firm commitment to transparency, ethics, and citizen trust, the country is building a future where innovation and accountability go hand in hand. Listeners will discover how Estonia's forward-thinking policies, infrastructure, and investments are powering its data economy, driving smarter governance, and setting a global standard for responsible AI adoption. From real-world examples of AI disrupting traditional systems to actionable insights for enhancing competitiveness, this episode offers a roadmap for any organisation looking to harness data and innovation the Estonian way. Ott Velsberg, Government Chief Data Officer, Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications For more great insights head to www.PublicSectorNetwork.co      

What does cybersecurity look like beyond Earth's atmosphere? That's the question at the heart of this conversation with Kristiina Omri, Vice President of Special Programs at CybExer Technologies, and Aare Reintam, the company's COO. We met in Tallinn on the eve of the Software Defined Space Conference to explore how Estonia, in collaboration with the European Space Agency, is helping define the future of space cybersecurity through the world's first Space Cyber Range. The story begins unexpectedly—with a childhood memory of marmalade in a tube, the same kind sent to Soviet astronauts in orbit. For Aare Reintam, that small detail became the first spark of fascination with space, one that decades later evolved into CybExer's partnership with ESA. Together they've created a digital testing environment where satellites, ground stations, and communication protocols can be stress-tested for cyber resilience long before launch.  It's a bold move in an era when satellites underpin everything from GPS and precision farming to air travel and climate observation, yet often rely on decades-old technology vulnerable to attack. Kristiina Omri explains how the Space Cyber Range replicates real-world missions, allowing engineers and analysts to train under simulated attack conditions that feel indistinguishable from their actual control systems. The range combines the precision of digital twins with the competitive intensity of cyber exercises, preparing teams for threats that can ripple from orbit to everyday life on Earth. The conversation covers everything from the growing space-debris crisis to the global shortage of cybersecurity professionals, and the urgent need to blend space engineering with cyber education. We also discuss the deeper strategic implications. What happens when quantum computing enters the battlefield? How should Europe prepare for the convergence of cyber and kinetic threats in orbit? And what lessons can be learned from Estonia's leadership in NATO cyber defense as it extends that expertise to the stars? By the end of the discussion, one theme stands out clearly: the future of cybersecurity is no longer confined to our planet. From digital twins to orbital trust networks, CybExer Technologies and the European Space Agency are proving that the next frontier for cyber readiness lies in space itself.

Once confined to the tropics, dengue is spreading via its vector, the Aedes mosquito, to more temperate regions, causing increases in global morbidity, mortality and cost. In 2019, the WHO recognised dengue as one of the top ten global health threats alongside climate change and antimicrobial resistance [1]. In this episode of Communicable, Annie Joseph and Nav Narayanan welcome two dengue experts, André Siqueira of the non-profit Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative based in Geneva, Switzerland (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), and Steven Lim of the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (Ipoh, Malaysia). Together, they discuss the epidemiology, clinical presentation and management of dengue including comparisons to other arboviral infections like zika and chikungunya, and the heightened risk of disease for vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and those with comorbidities. The conversation also highlights innovative vector-control strategies and candidate therapeutics currently under investigation. This episode was edited by Kathryn Hostettler and peer reviewed by Loora Grünvald of the University of Tartu, Estonia. Resources:Drug for Neglected Diseases (DNDi), https://dndi.org/ Dengue Alliance, https://dndi.org/global-networks/dengue-alliance/ Qdenga vaccine information: https://travelhealthpro.org.uk/news/763/qdenga-dengue-vaccine-guidanceDengavaxia vaccine information: https://www.cdc.gov/dengue/hcp/vaccine/index.html References: World Health Organization, Ten threats to global health in 2019.Further reading: Treating a feverish planet: The Dengue Alliance, a video

The 12 books of the prophets are the last books of the Old Testament.  The prophets were the ones who spoke for God in this time, to the people. They were a call for God's people to repent, and turn back to the Lord.  And they also spoke of the Messiah who would come be the deliverer and savior of Israel. 

In this episode, I sit down in Tallinn with Madis Võõras, Head of the Estonian Space Office at Enterprise Estonia, to unpack how Estonia is carving out a real role in the European space sector through brains, code, and smart partnerships. Madis explains how his team connects Estonian companies with the European Space Agency, brings public investment back into the local economy, and uses space projects as a launchpad for globally competitive products and services. He shares why Estonia's sweet spot is software, how the country's digital public infrastructure became a reference point for European programs, and why the next wave of value will come from data, cybersecurity, and rapid deployment rather than rockets alone. We also talk about what it takes to build a space economy in a market of 1.3 million people. Madis walks through lessons from early contracts, the rise of an Earth observation data hub, and a business incubator that has already helped dozens of founders move from idea to revenue. He is candid about the gaps too, including the need for more hardware depth and the reality that international cooperation is the fastest route to scale. From optical communications between Tallinn and Helsinki to the practical use of AI inside satellite programs, you will hear a pragmatic roadmap rather than hype. If you want a grounded look at how space policy meets startup grit, and why collaboration with the European Space Agency is a catalyst rather than a finish line, this conversation is for you. What should Estonia prioritize next to punch above its weight in the global space economy, and where do you see the biggest opportunities for software and AI in space services? Share your thoughts and join the discussion.

Canada's tax problem isn't just slow phones at the CRA—it's a century of bolt-on rules that made filing confusing, subjective, and expensive to administer. A new review found CRA contact centres gave accurate answers only 17% of the time during the 2025 tax season window, echoing long-standing issues flagged by earlier audits (including millions of dropped and blocked calls). This complicated tax system creates unnecessary bureaucracy, wasted money, unpaid taxes, and a subjective audit process that means you can pay more (or less) taxes depending on how well your auditor slept the night before.Hiring more agents won't fix a tax law that's impossible to interpret. Simpler rules will. In this episode, I sketch a path to simpler, fairer, faster taxes. First, a quick history lesson on why we have income taxes, and how they became a Frankenstein's monster of laws that no one can understand. This will show us that the problem is getting worse, and will keep getting worse until we have a major system overhaul. Then I'll get into solutions.I explore proven options from abroad:Pre-populated / return-free filing (pioneered by Denmark; now used in most OECD countries) to slash time, phone calls, and errors—already being piloted in Quebec for simple returns. Flatter, broader bases with minimal carve-outs (think Estonia's ultra-simple system) and NZ's broad-base/low-rate GST—models that raise revenue with less friction. Withholding-as-final for straightforward T4 earners, so most people don't file at all unless their situation is complex—borrowing design cues from the Nordics. Look, nobody wants to talk about tax until they have to. But when they do - and they have to every year - they hate everything about our tax system. It creates unnecessary frustration and anger. Nobody wants to deal with the CRA, and nobody wants to work for the CRA either. Why would they?Many people who don't pay taxes do it out of frustration - they just give up. They're not evil; they're just overwhelmed. Tax filings have become a game.I'm not anti-tax; I'm anti-waste. My companies happily pay millions of dollars in corporate taxes annually. Its employees add another 1M in income taxes to our society, and you can add HST on top of all of it. What I want is less money burned collecting taxes and more money spent on services. If Canadians want better healthcare, safer streets, and a clearer deal with citizens, we should push for tax simplification, not just bigger call centres.Sources:CRA call centres: 17% accuracy (Feb–May 2025); prior audits on access/accuracy. Investment Executive+1Canada's income tax history (1917 “temporary” tax). The Canadian EncyclopediaProvincial/territorial corporate tax—CRA administers most; exceptions Quebec & Alberta. Canada.caPre-populated returns (Denmark origin; 28 OECD countries). Tax Policy CenterQuebec simplified / pre-filled return pilot (2025 filing for 2024 year).

In this episode, our co-hosts Gabriel Hedengren (@ghedengren) and Javid Ibad (@javidibad) navigate a turbulent autumn across European politics. They recap Czechia's shift rightward as populist ANO forms a controversial coalition with far-right parties and Moldova's re-election of a pro-European government in the face of Russian interference. The hosts also preview upcoming elections in the Netherlands, Ireland and Estonia. Produced by Europe Elects. You can support this podcast and Europe Elects on our GoFundMe or by joining our Patreon. All proceeds go to improving our services. https://www.patreon.com/EuropeElects https://www.gofundme.com/f/europe-elects-empowering-european-citizens

What role does cybersecurity play when the battlefield extends beyond Earth's atmosphere? In this special episode recorded live in Tallinn for the fifth anniversary of the Software Defined Space Conference, I sit down with Kalev Koidumäe, CEO of the Estonian Defence and Aerospace Industry Association, to explore how software and security are transforming the future of space and defense. Kalev shares how Estonia, a nation of just 1.3 million people, has built global credibility through innovation, collaboration, and cyber resilience. From the lessons of the 2007 state-level cyberattack to the country's integration of space technologies within NATO's defense framework, Estonia has developed a model that combines agility with strategic foresight. Our conversation spans everything from the evolution of Estonia's space sector to its growing ecosystem of AI-driven defense technologies, autonomous systems, and satellite solutions. Kalev also explains how lessons from the war in Ukraine are reshaping Europe's defense landscape and accelerating the need for resilient, software-defined systems. What makes this discussion particularly fascinating is the balance Estonia maintains between national sovereignty and international cooperation. Kalev explains how the country's reserve army model, cyber education initiatives, and public-private partnerships have created an ecosystem where innovation is both strategic and deeply rooted in civic responsibility. It's a blueprint for how smaller nations can play a meaningful role in global security through ingenuity and collaboration. As the world navigates an era of heightened geopolitical tension and rapid technological advancement, this discussion offers a glimpse into how small nations can make a big impact in securing both cyberspace and outer space. So what can larger nations learn from Estonia's approach to innovation, readiness, and cyber defense? And how might software continue to redefine the future of space security? Share your thoughts after listening.

In Part 1, Lee sits down with Virslīga President Maksims Krivunecs in Riga for an inside look at the Latvian football landscape. What is Latvia's unique claim to fame within the 55 UEFA countries? Why have five of the country's nine different champions since independence gone out of business? What does the average Virslīga footballer earn per month? And why is he in favour of setting up a Baltic League along with Lithuania and Estonia?In Part 2, Lee returns to the virtual studio to dissect Maksim's grand plan for a Baltic League and tell Paul all about the live experience at the Latvian Cup final. What format for the Baltic League take and how would the three stages of the competition work? What is the likelihood of it ever happening? Why was the Skonto Stadium in Riga only 14% full for the big match? And what exactly is the strange relationship between Riga FC and Auda FK?*There is NO official proof on paper of an official relationship between Riga FC and Auda FK. Our source regarding their curious connection is Baltic Football News: balticfootballnews.comChapters00:00 – Intro01:10 – The good and bad of Latvian football04:23 – The vanishing champion problem12:11 – Memorable European nights20:05 – The Baltic League grand plan28:08 – Format, strengths & weaknesses37:37 – The 2025 Latvian Cup final47:20 – On The Spot

حلقة خاصه - لقاء مع اللاعبة كايا كانيبي من استونيا ضمن تواجدي في مؤتمر مدربي التنس العالمي في ليتوانيا - تحدثنا عنها بعد اعتزالها التنس وكيف تخطط ان تكون جزء من عالم التنس مجددا كمدربة او كمساعدة لتطوير الرياضة داخل بلدها استونيا كايا كانيبي واحدة من أنجح اللاعبات في تاريخ إستونيامعروفة بقوتها وهدوئها داخل الملعب، وبقدرتها على مفاجأة الكبار في البطولات الكبرى.وصلت إلى ربع نهائي جميع بطولات الغراند سلام - سبع مراتافضل تصنيف لها  15 عالميا وفازت بأربعة ألقاب خلال مسيرتهامجموع الجوائز المالية: أكثر من 7 ملايين دولارتُلقّب أحيانًا بـ “القاتلة الهادئة” لأنها كانت تتغلب على نجمات الصف الأول بدون ضجيج إعلامي كبير.من بين ضحاياها في البطولات الكبرى: سيرينا ويليامز، كيربر، كفيتوفا، وهاليب. Special Episode - Interview with Estonian former Tennis player Kaia Kanepi - We talked about her after her retirement from tennis and how she plans to return to the tennis world as a coach or to help develop the sport in her home country of Estonia.Kaia KanepiOne of the most successful players in Estonian historyKnown for her power and composure on the court, and her ability to surprise the big names in major tournaments.She reached the quarterfinals of every Grand Slam tournament - seven timesHer highest ranking was 15th in the worldShe won four titles during her careerTotal prize money: Over $7 millionSometimes nicknamed "The Quiet Killer" because she defeated top-tier players without much media fanfare.Among her victims in Grand Slam tournaments: Serena Williams, Kerber, Kvitova, and Halep. بتمنى الحلقة تعجبكموما تنسوا تتابعوا  بودكاست الارسال على كافة منصات التواصل الاجتماعيhttps://linktr.ee/servevolleypodhttps://www.instagram.com/alersalpod/ / alersalpod  https://www.tiktok.com/@alersalpod?_t... Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Eurostat, institutul european de statistică, are bunul obicei de a publica de două ori pe an un tablou de bord al Uniunii Europene. În el sunt incluse datele bugetare, de PIB și datorie publică ale fiecărui stat membru. În felul acesta publicul larg poate face o comparație între țările Uniunii Europene, poate să observe evoluția în timp, pentru că datele se referă la ultimii patru ani, și poate vedea țările care respectă standardele financiare și câte sunt în afara lor. Să le luăm pe rând și să începem cu deficitul bugetar, cel mai sintetic indicator al finanțelor publice. România este de departe campioana europeană la deficit, cu un nivel de 9,3% din PIB. Din păcate, este un titlu nu doar lipsit de glorie, ci de-a dreptul rușinos. Pe locurile următoare, de asemenea, nedorite, se află Polonia, 6,5%, și Franța, 5,8% din PIB. Se poate face și un clasament al statelor membre aflate la polul opus, cu excedent bugetar și deci cu o bună sănătate a finanțelor publice. Pe primele locuri la excedent sunt Danemarca, 4,5%, Cipru, 4,1% și Irlanda, 4% din PIB. De subliniat este că Grecia a încheiat anul trecut cu excedent bugetar, 1,2% din PIB, o performanță demnă de remarcat după anii mulți și dificili în care Grecia înregistra cel mai ridicat nivel al deficitului din Uniunea Europeană. În total, 12 state membre au avut anul trecut un deficit bugetar mai mare de 3% din PIB, standardul european pentru acest indicator. În ceea ce privește nivelul datoriei publice avem și aici ierarhii europene. Cele mai mari datorii le înregistrau anul trecut Grecia – 154%, Italia – 134% și Franța 113% din PIB. La polul opus, se aflau Estonia și Bulgaria, cu 23% și Luxemburg, cu 26% din PIB. Tot 12 state, ca și în cazul deficitului, au depășit limita de 60% din PIB considerată optimă în Uniunea Europeană. România se află sub limită, la aproape 55% din PIB, un nivel rezonabil dacă luăm în calcul că media Uniunii Europene era anul trecut de 80% din PIB, iar cea a zonei euro de 87% din PIB. Statistica europeană prezintă și datele referitoare la nivelul veniturilor și, respectiv, cheltuielilor bugetare ca procentaj din PIB. Cei doi indicatori arată, pe de o parte, eficiența colectării fondurilor la buget și, pe altă parte, indică gradul de responsabilitate al guvernelor în sensul construirii unui buget echilibrat, în concordanță cu nivelul veniturilor. Statele cu cele mai reduse încasări bugetare, în termeni procentuali, sunt Irlanda, 26%, România și Malta, 34% din PIB. Țările din Uniunea Europeană cu cele mari venituri bugetare sunt Finlanda, 53,4%, Danemarca, 51,8%, Franța, 51,4% și Austria, 50,5%. Interesant este că trei din patru state cu cele mai mari încasări bugetare procentuale (Finlanda, Franța și Austria) au și deficite care depășesc 3% din PIB, ceea ce arată că nu este obligatoriu ca țările cu încasări solide, peste media europeană (de 46%), să aibă și un comportament fiscal echilibrat. Veniturile bugetare mari nu garantează și un deficit redus, pentru că în ecuație intră și cheltuielile. În ceea ce privește cheltuielile, statele europene cu cel mai redus nivel sunt Irlanda 22%, Malta 37% și Cipru, 38%. Irlanda este un caz special la nivelul UE și o arată și cifrele bugetare, iar Malta în pofida nivelului redus de cheltuieli a avut anul trecut un deficit care a depășit 3% din PIB. Tot pentru comparație să spunem și statele care au reușit în perioada 2021-2024 scăderi importante ale deficitului bugetar, tocmai pentru a arăta că se poate. Este vorba despre Cehia, scădere de la 5% la 2%, Irlanda, de la minus 1,3% la plus 4%, Grecia de la deficit de 7,2% la excedent de 1,2%, Spania de la minus 6,7% la minus 3,2% sau Italia de la deficit de 8,9% la 3,4%. Să remarcăm și contraperformanța Poloniei care de la un deficit de 1,7% a ajuns la minus 6,5%. Tabloul de bord european este util, pentru că arată că unele state pot progresa vizibil, iar altele pot să aibă evoluții financiare dezastruoase.

FRANCE 24 secured an exclusive interview with Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, at the Paris Peace Forum. At this year's edition, there was fretting about violence that undermines the international order, but also a renewed call for global cooperation. Kallas, who has been in the job for about a year after being prime minister of Estonia, tells us that her "big goal is to make Europe a geopolitical power; that we would matter on the world stage."

Introducing The Wave Card with @felixbillert $ BTC 111,430 Block Height 921,341 Today's guest on the show is founder Felix Billert, who joins mt to talk about the launch of The Wave Card in Europe! Discover the ultimate Bitcoin debit card that spends BTC directly from your self-custody wallet and also connects with your LN wallet via NWC and spend Bitcoin globally across 150M+ merchants! Is this the unlock that you have been waiting for? Are you shorting Bitcoin without realising it? Find out more about the Wave Card here: https://www.wave.space/ Key Topics: WAVE Card Functionality Challenges and Blockers Living on a Bitcoin Standard Partnerships and Regulation Business Growth and Model Customer Use Cases Future Plans and Collaboration Thank you, @felixbillert, for coming on the show and building on Bitcoin for Bitcoiners! ---- Check out my book ‘Choose Life' - https://bitcoinbook.shop/search?q=prince ALL LINKS HERE - FOR DISCOUNTS AND OFFERS - https://vida.page/princey - https://linktr.ee/princey21m Pleb Service Announcements: Join 18 thousand Bitcoiners on @orangepillapp https://signup.theorangepillapp.com/opa/princey Support the pod via @fountain_app -https://fountain.fm/show/2oJTnUm5VKs3xmSVdf5n The Once Bitten YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Princey21m The Bitcoin And Show: https://www.bitcoinandshow.com/ https://fountain.fm/show/eK5XaSb3UaLRavU3lYrI Shills and Mench's: CONFERENCES 2025: BITFEST - MANCHESTER - ENGLAND - 21st - 23rd November 2025. https://bitfest.uk/ - USE CODE BITTEN - 10% BTC JAPAN - TPKYO - 23rd - 24th November. https://btc-jpn.com/en USE CODE BITTEN - 10% PAY WITH FLASH. 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AI SUMMARY: Summary: Felix from WAVE.space discusses their innovative Visa debit card, WAVE card, which allows users to spend Bitcoin anywhere Visa is accepted. Launched in February as a virtual card, they're working towards a physical card, facing delays due to partnerships with various entities, including banks and Visa/MasterCard. These partnerships are essential as WAVE.space outsources regulatory licenses to focus on product development. A key hurdle is getting card designs approved by Visa and MasterCard, who are cautious about brand association. WAVE.space is transitioning from Visa to MasterCard for better control over card settings within their platform. The card currently supports euros, with plans to expand to other currencies by partnering with entities in different regions, such as Estonia, to handle regulatory aspects. Users can create an account on the WAVE.space web app, complete KYC verification, and deposit Bitcoin to start using the card. Users can also connect self-custodial wallets via NostriWallet Connect to spend Bitcoin directly. WAVE.space aims to enable users to live on a Bitcoin standard, offering an instant swap feature for buying and selling Bitcoin between wallets and bank accounts. This service is facilitated through a partnership with a virtual assets service provider, which is also applying for MiCA licensing. Felix highlights that the company is using other Bitcoin focused companies to leverage themselves off of. The company charges a 1% fee on conversions, whether buying, selling, or spending Bitcoin. Customer feedback reveals unexpected use cases, including Bitcoin beginners using the card to understand Bitcoin better and buying Bitcoin with euros to spend via the card. Some users leverage the platform for reliable and private Bitcoin sales, as WAVE.space issues IBANs in the user's name, ensuring that transfers to their bank accounts appear as internal transfers, avoiding scrutiny from banks. Felix shares a story of someone in the UK struggling to buy a house after selling Bitcoin and recommends people use WAVE.space in Europe to avoid those issues. Felix says the company has a thousand users and is growing 70-80% each month. The company was bootstrapped by three co-founders and then had investment from angels, one of which was one of the first angel investors in Relay. Felix is looking for investors who understand the goals of the company. There are plans for loyalty and rewards programs, potentially integrating with platforms like Satsback, and expanding partnerships with airlines like EasyJet and accommodation providers like Airbnb. Felix shares that the company has a blog post talking about people shorting Bitcoin without realizing it. The WAVE card lowers people's time preference because it causes them to ask the question, "Is this worth 30,000 sats?" Felix recommends people check out the Telegram group, website, and Twitter account for the latest information. He plans to be at Bitcoin Forum in Bavaria and Lugano's Plan B conference. Felix jokes that if he had one orange pill left, he would give it to Christine Lagarde.

Presa internațională a reacționat imediat la aflarea veștii că Statele Unite își vor reduce o parte din trupele desfășurate pe flancul estic al Europei. România este afectată direct de această decizie, observă comentatorii. Ei amintesc faptul că administrația Trump a invocat în mai multe rânduri că își va muta atenția principală din Europa în Pacific. Trump a promis-o. Statele Unite își vor reduce treptat prezența militară în Europa, care a crescut semnificativ de la invazia Rusiei în Ucraina, pe 24 februarie 2022, sintetizează Le Figaro.  BBC transmite că ”de la preluarea mandatului, în ianuarie, președintele american Donald Trump nu și-a ascuns dorința de a muta accentul angajamentului militar american de la Europa la regiunea indo-pacifică. El a îndemnat în repetate rânduri membrii europeni ai NATO să își asume o mai mare responsabilitate pentru apărarea continentului. Citeste siCongresul SUA se opune deciziei Pentagonului de retragere a trupelor americane din România Însă anunțul retragerii trupelor americane din România va fi îngrijorător pentru țările est-europene, multe dintre ele considerând că au motive să se teamă de un atac rusesc în viitor. Decizia a venit după ce drone rusești au intrat în spațiul aerian polonez, în cel mai grav incident de acest fel de la începutul războiului în februarie 2022. Câteva zile mai târziu, România a raportat că o dronă rusească i-a încălcat spațiul aerian, iar Estonia a declarat că avioanele de război rusești i-au încălcat și ele spațiul aerian”. Colonelul în retragere al armatei americane, Richard Williams, a declarat că nu există motive tactice clare pentru retragerea elementelor unei brigăzi NATO din România, potrivit Kyiv Post. Ziarul ucrainean reamintește, de asemenea, că președintele american Donald Trump l-a asigurat pe președintele Poloniei, Karol Nawrocki, că nivelurile trupelor americane din Polonia nu vor fi reduse, un mesaj care „într-o oarecare măsură” a liniștit Varșovia. Citeste siSUA retrage trupe militare din România | Decizia vulnerabilizează continentul european (Analist) Potrivit Associated Press, ”între 80.000 și100.000 de soldați americani sunt de obicei prezenți pe teritoriul european, în funcție de activități și exerciții. Aliații NATO și-au exprimat îngrijorarea că administrația Trump ar putea reduce drastic numărul acestora și ar putea lăsa un vid de securitate, pe măsură ce țările europene se confruntă cu o Rusie din ce în ce mai agresivă. The Irish News citează un oficial NATO care a spus că „ajustările la postura forțelor americane nu sunt neobișnuite”. Potrivit acestuia, chiar și cu această nouă ajustare, despre care NATO a fost informată în prealabil, „postura forțelor americane în Europa rămâne mai mare decât a fost în ultimii ani, cu mult mai multe forțe americane pe continent decât înainte de 2022”. Oficialul a minimalizat orice îngrijorări legate de securitate, spunând că NATO își păstrează capacitatea robustă de descurajare și apărare”. AFP a discutat cu George Scutaru, fost consilier pe probleme de securitate națională al președintelui României, care vede „un semnal prost transmis Rusiei” în ceea ce privește regiunea Mării Negre. „Rusia ar putea considera că Marea Neagră nu este atât de importantă pentru interesele americane în Europa”, a declarat el, adăugând că Rusia ar putea fi „încurajată să exercite mai multă presiune, în special asupra României, folosind drone și incursiuni în spațiul său aerian”.

In this podcast episode with Dr. Lili Milani, Head of the Estonian Biobank and Professor of Pharmacogenomics at the University of Tartu, we discuss how Estonia's national biobank has become a trusted platform where science, ethics, and personal agency meet. The Estonian Biobank began as a research initiative focused on the genetics of disease, but over time, its purpose has deepened and broadened. “The original goal was to understand how genes relate to diseases so we could improve care,” Milani explains. As more participants joined and the scope of available data expanded, the Biobank grew into a national tool for real, tangible benefits to people's personal lives. Tune in! 

When Stewart Johnson staged a one-man No Kings Day protest in front of the U.S. Embassy in Estonia, his image went viral. Stewart tells the story, and paints a picture of a the country he's fallen in love with. He also discusses government by oligarchs, the Singing Revolution, humor as an educational tool, and spins tales of being the first person to ever do stand-up comedy in a country. The creator of Estonia's first cancer comedy and first movie in English (*The Chuck Band Show"), Steward is also the author of the book Tales from Estonia. Find the full audio library of Blue Vote Café episodes at http://bluevotecafe.com. Register and request your ballot every year at votefromabroad.org.

Three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered the Estonian skies ‘without permission and remained there for a total of 12 minutes', as the Estonian government reported on September 19th. It is the latest example of the threat of Russian aggression. We speak with Toomas Hendrik Ilves, the former president of Estonia, who, during his presidency (2006-2016), faced increasing Russian cyberattacks and efforts to destabilize the region.After Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, eyes have also been turned towards the Baltic states. Will Putin risk invading Estonia, Latvia, or Lithuania? Twenty-four years after the fall of the Soviet Union and the restoration of independence, the Baltic states have become frontline nations between Russia and the West. How do Russia's neighbors, who have endured years of Russian oppression, view Europe's security challenges now that Russia is increasingly testing the borders of Nato-territory?"Losing democracy happens in much the same way as a character goes bankrupt in Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises: “gradually, and then suddenly" Toomas Hendrik Ilves, in The EconomistToomas Hendrik Ilves, President of Estonia from 2006 to 2016, has been a key figure in shaping Estonia's post-Soviet transformation and its role in Europe. Born in Sweden to Estonian refugee parents who fled Soviet occupation and mass deportation to Siberia, Ilves was deeply influenced by their experience of displacement. Before becoming president, he served as Estonia's Ambassador to the United States and played a pivotal role in Estonia's accession to the European Union and NATO in 2004. Durign his presidency he focused on Estonia's digital innovation and cybersecurity and European integration.Programme editor: Veronica BaasModerator: Yoeri AlbrechtSupported by: NATOZie het privacybeleid op https://art19.com/privacy en de privacyverklaring van Californië op https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

3. Kievan Rus Assimilation and the Unsolved Mystery of the Salme Ships Eleanor Barraclough Embers of the Hands: Hidden Histories of the Viking Age In the east, Rurik and his company founded what became Kievan Rus, shifting their power base south from Novgorod (862) to Kiev. Although people of Norse heritage controlled the area initially, they were a minority who mastered cultural assimilation with Slavic groups. Norse names like Ingvar and Helga became Slavicized as Igor and Olga, demonstrating extensive cultural mixing. The text also covers the mystery of the Salme ships in Estonia, recently discovered. These two ship burials, dated around 750 AD and predating Lindisfarne, contained the remains of dozens of high-status individuals from Sweden who died violently, likely on a diplomatic mission. One leader was buried with the king piece of the popular board game Hnefatafl placed in his mouth—an intentional act of storytelling.

By the end of the thirteenth century, the Teutonic Order has established Prussia and Livonia, new Catholic states running from Poland to Estonia.

For review:1. While in Malaysia - President Trump Oversees Peace Agreement Between Thailand & Cambodia; Next Stop Japan.2. Israel Allows Egyptian & Hamas Search Teams Access Beyond the Yellow Line.3. Kirill Dmitriev, Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for investment and economic cooperation, said Friday that Russia, US, & Ukraine are “quite close” to reaching a diplomatic solution to end the war.4. Russia Tests Nuclear-Powered Skyfall (NATO) Cruise Missile. A video released by the Kremlin showed Russian President Putin receiving a report from Gen. Valery Gerasimov, Russia's chief of general staff, who told the Russian leader that the Burevestnik Missile (NATO designation Skyfall) covered 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles) in a key test Tuesday.5. The Chinese Communist Party has named a veteran (Zhang Shengmin) who has overseen anti-corruption efforts in the military to be the country's second highest ranking general, just days after nine generals were expelled in a major purge.6. On Friday, South Korea's unification minister- Chung Dong-young- said he believed there was a “considerable” chance that President Trump will meet with N. Korean Leader Kim Jong Un, during his visit to the peninsula next week.7. Estonia inked a deal to purchase K239 Chunmoo rocket launchers, made by Hanwha Aerospace of South Korea, for its next tranche of launchers (press release). The release did not disclose how many Chunmoo systems Estonia will receive, nor how much the deal is worth.8. An F/A-18F Super Hornet and an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) crashed in the South China Sea on Sunday in two separate incidents in the Pacific.All crew are safe and in stable condition and the incidents are under investigation.

Andrés Calvachi, Andrés Sicard, Angélica Flechas, Asier Perez, Bernardita Brancoli, Christian Ullmann, Coppelia Herran, Debora Kajt, Denis Toledo-Nieto, Diana Saimovici, Diego Rodriguez Martín, Eduardo Mercovich, Eliana Sanchez-Aldana, Francisco Martinez, Johanna Zarate Hernández, Kevin Fonseca Laverde, Leoncio Soler, Lorena Guerrero Jiménez, Lorena Paz, Lucrecia Piatteli, Maria Fernanda Chamorro, Malena Pasin, Marcelo Zambrano, María Ledesma, María Sanchez, Mariana Pittaluga, Martín Groisman, Martín Szyszlican, Monica Forero Díaz, Omar Mendoza, Ramón Rispoli, Renée Harari Masri, Ricardo Amasté, Roberta Barban Franceschi, Ruben Vazquez, Santiago Bustelo, Sebastián Zelonka, Uqui Permui Martínez y Yuri Mayerli Salinas son las voces que escuchamos en este episodio. Este episodio es parte de las listas: Diseño ux, diseño industrial, diseño gráfico, diseño feminista, diseño con perspectiva de género, educación en diseño, niñez y diseño, Colombia, Francia, Argentina, España, Chile, Ecuador, México y Estonia.  Hicimos una llamada abierta a hablar del tema. Contamos que queriamos hacer un episodio especial y mandamos al aire las siguientes preguntas: "¿Crees que el diseño puede ser malvado? ¿O simplemente es una herramienta neutral?" (Referencia a la frase de Papanek: "Hay profesiones más dañinas que el diseño industrial, pero muy pocas") ¿Qué ejemplo de diseño 'demoníaco' se te viene a la cabeza?  ¿Alguna vez has diseñado algo que luego te hizo sentir incómodo/a? ¿Por qué?El resultado fue increíble.  Nos llegaron muchas más respuestas que las que esperábamos. Nos podían mandar audio. Armar este episodios fue demoniacamente trabajoso. Recibimos 3hs de audio y las hilvanamos para poder tener este episodio. Estoy también super agradecida de saber que hay una comunidad grande con ganas de compartir. Muchísimas gracias a todos los que contribuyeron, esperamos haber hecho un trabajo respetuoso con todos sus mensajes. Nos dejaron algunas recomendaciones: Martín Szyszlican⁠ recomienda: AI, Mars and Inmortality: Are we dreaming big enough?(video)  Diana Saimovici recomienda: Satanismo, de Ocultonas (podcast)Renée Harari Masri recomienda: Un manifiesto Leoncio Soler recomienda: En caso de amor, de Anne DufourmantelleArte y cosmotecnia, de Yuk Hui Sobre la violencia de Slavoj ZizekMateria Vibrante de Jane BennettAndrés Sicard recomienda: Diseño y delitoRamón Rispoli recomienda Kuang, C. & Fabricant, R. (2019). User Friendly: How the Hidden Rules of DesignAre Changing the Way We Live, Work, and Play. WH Allen.Eyal,N. (2020). Enganchado (Hooked): Como Construir Productos y ServiciosExitosos Que Formen Habitos. Sunshine Business Dev.Fogg, B.J. (2003). Persuasive Technology. Elsevier.Schüll,N.D. (2014). Addiction by Design: Machine Gambling in Las Vegas. Princeton University Press.     

For the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, a NATO member has formally invoked Article 4 of the alliance's founding treaty after a major airspace breach. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna tells Talk to Al Jazeera why repeated Russian provocations are more than isolated incidents - they're a test of NATO's credibility. As United States President Donald Trump questions the value of collective defence, Tsahkna warns that Europe's security consensus is fraying and hesitation could invite danger.

The Wisdom Books should be our daily source for help in every situation of life.  They teach us what to do in our: relationships, finances, work-ethic, anger, speech,  time, who you listen to in life.  From Job to Song of Solomon, these books give us everything we to live a godly life, and be wise in the decisions we make.  

In this episode of The Korea Pro Podcast, Jeongmin, John and Joon Ha break down how South Korea is tightening monetary and strategic discipline ahead of next week's high-stakes APEC meetings. They begin with the Bank of Korea's decision to keep interest rates at 2.5% — a move to anchor the won and curb housing risks while signaling fiscal restraint before President Donald Trump's visit and final trade talks with Washington. Next, they turn to Seoul's expanding defense diplomacy at ADEX 2025, including Estonia's move toward the K239 Chunmoo and Poland's submarine project, and the launch of the KSS-III Batch-II submarine that underscores Seoul's maturing deterrence posture. The team then examines Foreign Minister Cho Hyun's push to revise the U.S.-ROK 123 Agreement, granting Seoul more flexibility in nuclear-fuel processing and deepening its quest for energy sovereignty. Finally, they preview the APEC week in Gyeongju — from Trump's one-night stop and Xi Jinping's industrial diplomacy to the APEC CEO Summit where Nvidia's Jensen Huang joins Korea's chaebol leaders — as Seoul braces for a defining moment in global diplomacy. About the podcast: The Korea Pro Podcast is a weekly conversation hosted by Korea Risk Group Executive Director Jeongmin Kim, Editor John Lee and correspondent Joon Ha Park, diving deep into the most pressing stories shaping South Korea — and dissecting the most complicated ones for professionals monitoring ROK politics, diplomacy, culture, society and technology. Uploaded every Friday. This episode was recorded on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2025. Audio edited by Lina Park

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Michelle is the Founder and Managing Partner of Clearhaven Partners, which she founded in 2019 to build a private equity firm grounded in focus and shared values. She sets the firm's strategy and direction and chairs Clearhaven's Investment Committee. Under her leadership, Clearhaven manages more than $1 billion in AUM across multiple funds, investing in growth-oriented software and technology businesses. Michelle is responsible for firm leadership, investment origination, execution, and portfolio management.   Prior to founding Clearhaven, Michelle was a member of the investment teams at Thoma Bravo and Riverside Partners; at Riverside she served as a General Partner and member of the Investment Committee. She began her career in investment banking at Morgan Stanley. Michelle holds an MBA, with distinction, from Harvard Business School and a BBA, magna cum laude, from the University of Notre Dame. She also studied at l'Université Catholique de l'Ouest in Angers, France, and taught at Erakommertzkolledz in Tallinn, Estonia. Michelle has been recognized by The Wall Street Journalas one of private equity's most influential women and by Buyouts as one of ten “Rock Stars of Private Equity's Future.” She serves on the Advisory Board of 51 Vets.   Michelle lives in the Greater Boston area with her husband, two children, and their golden retriever. Michelle is a Christian, a music lover, and a proud alumna of the St. Charles, Illinois state champion dance team (go Saints!). She's also a novice fly fisher, having recently discovered an unexpected passion for the sport.  

Listen, we all love the Eurovision Classics: Waterloo, Love Shine A Light, etc. But sometimes these songs get a little overexposed, and that's when they need a few years to cool off in the Eurovision Vault. We take a look at a few songs that could use a rest as interval acts or medley choices, and offer up some replacements that might sound a little fresher to the ears of the discerning ESC fan. Jeremy's making a good living on the wages of love, Dimitry reveals his all-time Eurovision crush, and Oscar's shouting Hallelujah. Watch our vault selections on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd2EbKTi9fyWjWuRIDXj_NAbhr1Yqj-tsThis week's companion playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3XMmDhfDhsVMsyjke7tRGL The Eurovangelists are Jeremy Bent, Oscar Montoya and Dimitry Pompée.The theme was arranged and recorded by Cody McCorry and Faye Fadem, and the logo was designed by Tom Deja.Production support for this show was provided by the Maximum Fun network.The show is edited by Jeremy Bent with audio mixing help was courtesy of Shane O'Connell.Find Eurovangelists on social media as @eurovangelists on Instagram and @eurovangelists.com on Bluesky, or send us an email at eurovangelists@gmail.com. Head to https://maxfunstore.com/collections/eurovangelists for Eurovangelists merch. Also follow the Eurovangelists account on Spotify and check out our playlists of Eurovision hits, competitors in upcoming national finals, and companion playlists to every single episode, including this one!

In this episode of Power Talks, recorded live at their Nairobi event, host Ssuna Ronald sits down with Kai Isand, a key organizer and Head of Programs for Latitude59. Dive into the story of why this premier European tech conference, born in the "startup nation" of Estonia, is making a strategic home in Africa. Kai reveals the mind-blowing reception they received in Kenya, drawing parallels between the hunger of today's African entrepreneurs and the early days of Estonia's own tech miracle.We explore Latitude59's unique role not as a direct investor, but as a high-quality connector and community builder, facilitating serendipitous moments between African startups, global investors, and policymakers. Kai discusses the success of their first investor day, the vital partnership with Smart Africa, and their ambitious goal to become the biggest and most impactful tech conference on the continent. If you're building a startup, looking to invest, or curious about the bridges being built between Africa and Europe, this conversation provides an essential insider's perspective.(00:00:46) - The Latitude59 Mission: Kai introduces her role and the success of their first investor day in Nairobi.(00:01:17) - The Estonian Story: Why the "startup nation" is looking to Kenya and what the ecosystems have in common.(00:02:49) - Building Bridges, Not Dictating: How Latitude59 fosters inclusive, co-creative communities between Africa and Europe.(00:04:34) - The "Serendipity" Model: Explaining Latitude59's role as a platform and connector, not a direct funder or incubator.(00:06:12) - The African Ambition: Latitude59's goal to become the biggest and highest-quality tech conference in Africa.(00:07:47) - Government & Policy: The crucial role of partnerships with entities like Smart Africa in shaping a thriving startup ecosystem.(00:08:54) - Advice for Startups: How founders should use events like Latitude59 to build relationships and secure funding.Power Talks is your front-row seat to the conversations shaping the future of business and technology in Africa. Host Ssuna Ronald brings you face-to-face with the most dynamic founders, investors, and ecosystem builders driving progress across the continent. From deep-dive interviews with startup founders to insights from top VCs and event coverage from hubs like Nairobi and Kigali, we unpack the big ideas, the bigger opportunities, and the game-changing conversations you need to hear.Subscribe to stay updated on Africa's innovation revolution.Enjoyed this episode? Please subscribe, rate us, and share it with a friend, a founder, or anyone who believes in the power of African innovation.Executive Producer: Ssuna RonaldSound Engineer: Gumisiriza RichardArt Direction: Abdu Latif OkalangPowered By: Latitude 59
Connect via: ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠For Inquiries: ⁠⁠⁠emailpowertalks@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we discuss how the war in Ukraine has not altered Moscow's threat perceptions, but amplified and reinforced them. Guest Biographies Gabriela Iveliz Rosa-Hernandez is an Associate Research Analyst at the CNA Russia Studies Program. Her research centers on security orders, deterrence issues, and Russia's security policy, supplemented by her significant in-country experience living in Russia, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, and other countries in the region. Further Reading CNA Report: The Shooting Party: Russia's Evolving Threat Perceptions Since 2022  

2025-10-21 | Silicon Wafers 036 | DAILY UPDATES | Is Russia's Hybrid War on Europe a precursor to a full incursion on European territory, or even the invasion of a European country? This is Silicon Wafers. Today: why Russia is probing and testing Europe, how hybrid attacks work, and what happens if the Kremlin pushes further escalating to a full invasion — and how we can deter it.Why the probing is intensifying - Moscow is stress-testing Europe's seams, pulling at the threads to see if the fabric of our institutions and resilience will unravel. But it is conducting this below the threshold of open war — because hybrid pressure is cheap, deniable, and strategically useful. Sub-threshold does not trigger a direct armed response but can also achieve Russia's strategic objectives without direct confrontation. It's a war sandbox, for testing and learning. Think of it as a toolkit of rolling lab experiments in limited aggression: sabotage, arson, cyber, GPS jamming, “grey fleet” shenanigans at sea, drones in NATO airspace, and influence operations that launder Kremlin narratives through local proxies, compliant channels and criminal networks.----------Partner on this video: KYIV OF MINE Watch the trailer now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arJUcE1rxY0'Kyiv of Mine' is a documentary series about Ukraine's beautiful capital, Kyiv. The film production began in 2018, and much has changed since then. It is now 2025, and this story is far from over.https://www.youtube.com/@UCz6UbVKfqutH-N7WXnC5Ykg https://www.kyivofmine.com/#theprojectKyiv of Mine is fast paced, beautifully filmed, humorous, fun, insightful, heartbreaking, moving, hopeful. The very antithesis in fact of a doom-laden and worthy wartime documentary. This is a work that is extraordinarily uplifting. My friend Operator Starsky says the film is “Made with so much love. The film series will make you laugh and cry.” ----------SOURCES: IISS — The Scale of Russian Sabotage Operations Against Europe's Critical Infrastructure* (research paper, Aug. 2025). Council of the EU — Statement condemning Russia's persistent hybrid campaigns (July 18, 2025); EU hybrid-threats sanctions framework (Oct. 8, 2024; prolonged Oct. 3, 2025)Reuters — Poland/Romania foil exploding-parcel plot (Oct. 21, 2025); Spanish minister's jet GPS interference near Kaliningrad (Sept. 24, 2025); German CHOD: 5–8 year window (Apr. 18, 2024); Hybrid threat to Europe's energy (Oct. 13, 2025)AP News — Arrests tied to parcel-bomb plot in Poland and Romania (Oct. 21, 2025)The Guardian — Sikorski on drone incursion: “tactically stupid and counterproductive” (Oct. 15, 2025)The Insider — Inside Russia's Latvian Sabotage Squad (July 10, 2024)Meduza - ‘There has to be a cost' — Russian sabotage spiked in Europe last year (Mar. 21, 2025)RFE/RL — Admiral Rob Bauer warning (NATO readiness) (Jan. 19, 2024); IISS sabotage overview (Aug. 20, 2025)UK Government — Condemnation of “malicious cyber activity by the Russian Intelligence Services” (May 3, 2024); UK/US advisory on Star Blizzard spear-phishing (Dec. 7, 2023)ACLED — Suspected Russia-linked hybrid incidents across Europe (2022–Apr. 2025)Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service — International Security and Estonia 2025 (threat horizon)----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

Today on The Travel Diaries we're revisiting a very special conversation from the archives with national treasures Si King and the late, much-loved Dave Myers, better known to millions as The Hairy Bikers.Si and Dave were my very first duo on the podcast, and what a joy they were. For more than two decades, they entertained Britain with their infectious humour, foodie expertise and shared love of motorbikes. Their travel and food shows from Asian Adventure to Mediterranean Adventure and Route 66 inspired countless viewers to see the world through flavour and friendship.When I spoke to them, Dave was in the middle of undergoing cancer treatment. He joined me the night before a round of chemo, having travelled down to London especially, which made their generosity of time and spirit all the more moving. Listening back now, after Dave's passing earlier this year, it feels particularly poignant to hear his warmth, wit and passion for life come through so vividly. This episode is a celebration of both Bikers' deep love of travel, of each other, and of the extraordinary journeys they shared with us all.In this archive chat, we travel together from Namibia to India, Argentina to Estonia, with countless adventures in between.Destination Recap:Bamburgh Beach, Northumberland, EnglandIsle of Man, EnglandPortugalNamibiaMadurai, IndiaSouthern ItalyBuenos Aires, ArgentinaPatagonia, ArgentinaValdes Peninsula, ArgentinaGrossglockner High Alpine Road, AustriaAtlas Mountains, MoroccoMexicoThe Ghats, IndiaJapanLithuaniaRiga, LatviaTallinn, EstoniaFinnish ArchipelagoSouthern TurkeyMachu Picchu, PeruNigeriaPan-American HighwayWith thanks to...Titanic Belfast - Discover the world's most authentic Titanic story at Titanic Belfast - where history, heritage and experience come alive.Thanks so much for listening today. If you want to be the first to find out who is joining me on next week's episode come and follow me on Instagram I'm @hollyrubenstein, and you'll also find me on TikTok - I'd love to hear from you. And if you can't wait until then, remember there's the first 15 seasons to catch up on, that's over 160 episodes to keep you busy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tusentals människor vilar på havets botten, offer för historiens många fartygsförlisningar. Andra har hamnat där frivilligt och valt havet som grav. Lyssna på alla avsnitt i Sveriges Radio Play. Titanic, Estonia och ubåten Ulven. Vad är det som lockar och skrämmer oss med historierna om fartygskatastrofer och varför vill vi se resterna av fartygsvrak på museum? Tobias Svanelid träffar etnologerna Simon Ekström, Hanna Jansson och Claes-Göran Wetterholm på Sjöhistoriska museets scen för att samtala om vårt förhållande till havet som grav, om utställningarna om Hansakatastrofen och Ghost Ships och om det faktum att allt fler människor väljer att frivilligt låta begrava sig i havet.

After doing the first podcast about Estonia a few days ago, I thought of a few more things.  Give a listen to this 9 minute microcast. 

Kristen Ghodsee reads Cathy Porter's translation of an excerpt from Alexandra Kollontai's autobiography. Reflecting on a visit to Narva, Estonia in March of 1896, when she was just 24-years-old, Kollontai describes the event that radicalized her forever. Recent Writings from Kristen Ghodsee:“Clima y Utopía,” El País Semanal, October 17, 2025“Materialists skewers the dating market – but stops too short,” Jacobin Magazine, July 12, 2025“From Democracy to ‘Safety',” Los Angeles Review of Books, July 3, 2025Recent Interviews with Kristen Ghodsee:Meagan Day, “How Manosphere Content Placates Disenfranchised Men,” Jacobin Magazine, May 1, 2025 (Also in Spanish, French, and German)“Der Sozialismus behandelte Frauen besser,” Konkret Magazin, May 2025: 52-52Meagan Day, “Tradwives are a Harbinger of Systemic Breakdown,” Jacobin Magazine, April 27, 2025 (Also in Spanish)Recent writings about Kollontai:Cathy Porter, Alexandra Kollontai: Writings from the StruggleMaria Wiesner, Radikal selbstbestimmt – Ihrer Zeit weit voraus. Was wir von Alexandra Kollontai lernen könnenMridula Manglam, “Across Struggles and Time: If I Could Speak to Alexandra Kollontai.” If you can stomach social media, please request to follow @prof_kristenSend us a textThanks so much for listening. This podcast has no Patreon-type account and receives no funding. There are no ads and there is no monetization. If you would like to support the work being done here, please spread the word, share with your friends and networks, and consider exploring the following links.Check out Kristen Ghodsee's recent books: Everyday Utopia Red Valkyries Why Women Have Better Sex Under Socialism Second World, Second Sex Subscribe to Kristen Ghodsee's free, episodic newsletter at: https://kristenghodsee.substack.comLearn more about Kristen Ghodsee's work: www.kristenghodsee.com Kristen R. Ghodsee is the award-winning author of twelve books and Professor of Russian and East European Studies at the University of Pennsylvania.

Welcome to the first episode of Beauty for Ashes - in conjunction with Rhema Newcastle we are putting out a weekly radio programme and then this podcast.  It will follow the same pattern as Quantum of the Wee Flea - looking at news, culture, religion,  sport and music from throughout the world.    This week we look at Trump's Gaza piece;  Drugs in Estonia; Indoctrination in a Dorset school;  JK Rowling on Changing her mind and God; Senator Clare Chandler and Andy Cody; Country of the Week - Indonesia;   the Ashes; and the Final Word from Isaiah 61 with music from the Who;  the Verve;  Fun Boy Three; Iwan Fals-Bongkar; Ku Nyanyi Haleluya; Booker T and the MGs;  and Hillsong; 

These are my personal observations from my 60th Feast of Tabernacles.  This one was in Estonia, a country between Russia, the Baltic Sea, and the Nordic countries.  70 of us had a wonderful experience the first two weeks of October 2025.  

John asks why socialism is resonating with younger voters and whether proposals like city-run grocery stores actually fix affordability. Matthew Mitchell (senior fellow, Fraser Institute Center for Human Freedom) breaks down where centrally planned systems fail—incentives, control, and knowledge—with case studies from Poland and Estonia, plus how zoning and supply constraints drive housing costs more than people think. Then, the phones light up: listeners share real-world insurance write-off stories—from minor rear-enders to catalytic converter theft—raising questions about repair estimates, valuations on older vehicles, and why “total loss” can happen so fast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2025-10-15 | Silicon Wafers 029 | DAILY UPDATES | Tonight: the Kremlin's intimidation tour—veiled threats to Moldova, unmarked Russian troops skirting Estonia's border, and Vladimir Putin's extraordinary admission that Russian air defense fired near an Azerbaijani passenger jet in 2024. We connect the dots: coercion, deniability, and the authoritarian habit of pushing the boundaries of the rules-based order. For those that say the rules-based order is not real, here is the evidence of what happens in its absence or when it breaks down. Drone incursions, sabotage, threats, borders violated, and in the worst-case scenarios, murder as Russia shots down a civilian Azerbaijani airliner. ----------Partner on this video: KYIV OF MINE Watch the trailer now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arJUcE1rxY0'Kyiv of Mine' is a documentary series about Ukraine's beautiful capital, Kyiv. The film production began in 2018, and much has changed since then. It is now 2025, and this story is far from over.https://www.youtube.com/@UCz6UbVKfqutH-N7WXnC5Ykg https://www.kyivofmine.com/#theprojectKyiv of Mine is fast paced, beautifully filmed, humorous, fun, insightful, heartbreaking, moving, hopeful. The very antithesis in fact of a doom-laden and worthy wartime documentary. This is a work that is extraordinarily uplifting. My friend Operator Starsky says the film is “Made with so much love. The film series will make you laugh and cry.” ----------Autumn Harvest: Silicon Curtain (Goal €22,000)This is super important. We'll be supporting troops in Pokrovsk, Kharkiv, and other regions where the trucks are needed the most. There are so many Battalions in Ukraine, fighting to defend our freedoms, but lack basics such as vehicles. These are destroyed on a regular basis, and lack of transport is costs lives, and Ukrainian territory. Once again Silicon Curtain has teamed up with Car4Ukraine and a group of wonderful creators to provide much-needed assistance: https://car4ukraine.com/campaigns/autumn-harvest-silicon-curtain----------SOURCES: Ukraine: The Latest by The Telegraph team ---https://open.spotify.com/show/6cnkk1J0I1UqtxTYVUL4Fe?si=fb9c151d2f21405a In Moscow's Shadows, hosted by Mark Galeotti ---https://open.spotify.com/show/1NKCazxYstY6o8vhpGQSjF?si=4215e2d786a44d64 Russian Roulette hosted by Max Bergmann and Dr. Maria Snegovaya ---https://podcasts.apple.com/tw/podcast/russian-roulette/id1112258664?l=en-GB Hosted by Michael Naki ---https://www.youtube.com/@MackNack Faygin Live channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@FeyginLive Hromadske channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@hromadske_ua Hosted by Vitaly Portnikov ---https://www.youtube.com/@portnikov Hosted by Vladimir Milov ---https://www.youtube.com/@Vladimir_Milov Sternenko channel ---https://www.youtube.com/@STERNENKO The Power Vertical with Brian Whitmore https://www.powervertical.org/ ----------SILICON CURTAIN FILM FUNDRAISERA project to make a documentary film in Ukraine, to raise awareness of Ukraine's struggle and in supporting a team running aid convoys to Ukraine's front-line towns.https://buymeacoffee.com/siliconcurtain/extras----------

Italy wins 3-1 vs Estonia but this performance raised more questions than answers.

Hey before I begin the podcast, I just want to thank all of you who joined the patreon, you guys are simply awesome. Please take the time to vote and comment on the patreon polls so I can best tackle the specific subjects you want to hear more about and hell it does not have to be about the Pacific War, I like ancient Rome, WW1, WW2, just toss some ideas and I will try to make it happen.   This Podcast is going to be a very remarkable story about a Korean man who fought for the IJA, the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany during the second world war.  He is also a man whom most than likely never existed.   Did that catch you off guard haha?   If you have a chance you can pull up wikipedia and search Yang Kyoungjong. The first thing you will notice is a disclaimer that states numerous historians who claim Yang Kyoungjong does not exist. Yet this man exists in some history books, there is a iconic photo of him, there is a documentary looking into him, countless Korean stories are writing loosely about him, there is a pretty decent war film and multiple youtubers have covered his so-called story. So how does this guy not exist if his story is so popular?   His story is claimed to be real by military historian Stephen Ambrose who wrote about him in his book in 1994 titled “D-day, june 6th, 1944: the Climactic battle of World War II. There is also references to him in Antony Beevor's book “the second world war” and that of defense consultant and author Steven Zaloga's book“the devil's garden: Rommel's desperate Defense of Omaha Beach on D-Day”. In 2005 a Korean SBS documentary investigated his existence and concluded there was no convincing evidence of his existence. For those of you who have ever heard of this man, I guarantee it's because of the 2011 south korean film “My Way”. That's where I found out about it by the way. Many of you probably saw the iconic photo of him, again if you pull up the wikipedia page on Yang Kyoungjong its front and center. The photo shows a asiatic man wearing a wehrmacht uniform and he has just been captured by american forces on the d-day landings.   Now I don't want to jump into the is he real or not busy just yet. So this is how the podcast will go down, very reminiscent of “Our fake History's Podcast” might I add, I am a huge fan of that guys work. I am going to tell you the story of Yang Kyoungjong, then afterwords disclose my little investigation into whether he is real or not.   So without further adieu this is the story of a man who fought for three nations during WW2.   The Story   It was June 1944, the allies had just unleashed Operation Overlord, the D-Day landings at Normandy. Lt Robert Brewer of the 506th parachute infantry regiment, 101st airborne division was overlooking the capture of Axis forces and reported to his regiment finding four Asians in Wehrmacht uniform around the Utah beach landings. Brewer nor any of his colleagues spoke the language the Asian men spoke, they assumed them to be Japanese.  The four asians were processed as POW's, listed as young Japanese and sent to a British POW camp, before he would be sent to another POW camp in the US. At some point between his capture and the POW camps, he gave his name as Yang Kyoungjong, stated he was Korean and gave an extremely incredible story. To who did he say these things, no one knows.   Yang Kyoungjong was born in 1920, in Shin Eu Joo, part of modern day North Korea. At the age of 18, Yang was forcibly conscripted into the Imperial Japanese army. Korea was one of the bread baskets of Asia and the Empire of Japan had annexed her in 1910. Japan held sovereignty over Korea, making Koreans subjects.    In 1939 the Empire of Japan faced major labor shortages and as a result began conscription of Japanese men for the military, while importing vast amounts of Korean laborers to work in mainland Japan. For the Imperial Japanese Army, Koreans were not drafted until 1944 when things were dire for Japan. Until 1944, the IJA allowed Koreans to volunteer in the army. In 1938 there was a 14% acceptance rate, by 1943 this dropped dramatically to 2%, but the number of applicants increased exponentially from 3000 per annum in 1939 to 300,000 by the end of the war. On paper it looked like Koreans were registering en masse on their on violation, but this is quite the contrary, the Japanese policy was to use force. Japanese officials began press gang efforts against Korean peasants, forcing them to sign applications, it is believed over half of the applications were done in such a manner. Other applicants registered for a variety of reasons, typically because of economic turmoil. Korea would produce 7 generals and many field grade officers. One of the most well known was Lt General Crown Prince Yi Un who would command Japanese forces in the China War.   Thus Yang Kyoungjong was forced into the IJA and would find himself stationed with the Kwantung Army. Quite unfortunately for him, he was enlisted into their service at a time where two major border skirmishes occurred with the Soviet Union. The USSR was seen as Japan's number one rival going all the way back to the Triple Intervention of 1895 when the Russians thwarted Japan's seizure of the Liaodong peninsula after they had won the first sino japanese war. This led to the Russo-Japanese war, where Japan shocked the world being victorious over the Russian Empire. When the Russian Empire fell and the Russian civil war kicked off, Japan sent the lionshare of men to fight the Red Army during the Siberian Intervention of 1918-1922.    Communism was seen as the greatest if not one of the greatest threats to the Kokutai and thus Japan as a whole. As such Japan placed the Kwantung Army along the Manchurian borderlands to thwart any possible soviet invasion. There had numerous border skirmishes, but in 1938 and 1939 two large battles occurred. In 1938 the Kwantung army intercepted a Soviet message indicating the Far East forces would be securing some unoccupied heights west of Lake Khasan that overlooked the Korean port city of Rajin. Soviet border troops did indeed move into the area and began fortifying it. The Kwantung army sent forces to dislodge them and this soon led to a full on battle. The battle was quite shocking for both sides, the Soviets lost nearly 800 men dead with 3279 wounded, the Japanese claimed they had 526 dead with 913 wounded. The Soviet lost significant armor and despite both sides agreeing to a ceasefire, the Kwantung army considered it a significant victory and proof the Soviets were not capable of thwarting them.   In theory Yang Kyoungjong would be in training and would eventually reach the Manchuria borders by 1939. Another man sent over would be Georgy Zhukov who was given the task of taking command of the 57th special corps and to eliminate Japanese provocations. What was expected of Zhukov was if the Japanese pressed again for battle, to deliver them a crushing and decisive blow. On May 11th, 1939 some Mongolian cavalry units were grazing their horses in a disputed area. On that very same day, Manchu cavalry attacked the Mongols to drive them past the river of Khalkhin Gol. Two days later the Mongols returned in greater numbers and this time the Manchu were unable to dislodge them.    What was rather funny to say, a conflict of some horses grazing on disputed land, led to a fully mechanized battle. On May 14th, Lt Colonel Yaozo Azuma led some regiments to dislodge the Mongols, but they were being supported by the Red Army. Azuma force suffered 63% casualties, devastating. June saw the battle expand enormously, Japan was tossing 30,000 men in the region, the Soviets tossed Zhukov at them alongside motorized and armored forces. The IJA lacking good armored units, tossed air forces to smash the nearby Soviet airbase at Tamsakbulak. In July the IJA engaged the Red Army with nearly 100 tanks and tankettes, too which Zhukov unleashed 450 tanks and armored cars. The Japanese had more infantry support, but the Soviet armor encircled and crushed them. The two armies spared with another for weeks, the Japanese assumed the Soviets would suffer logistical problems but Zhukoev assembled a fleet of 2600 trucks to supply his forces, simply incredible. Both sides were suffering tremendous casualties, then in August global politics shifted. It was apparent a war in Europe was going to break out, Zhukov was ordered to be decisive, the Soviets could not deal with a two front war. So Zhukov now using a fleet of 4000 trucks began transported supplies from Chita to the front next to a armada of tanks and mechanized brigades. The Soviets tossed 3 rifle divisions, two tank divisions and 2 tank brigades, nearly 500 tanks in all, with two motorized infantry divisions and 550 fighters and bombers.    The stalemate was shattered when Zhukov unleashed is armada, some 50,000 Soviets and Mongols hit the east bank of Khalkhin Gol. The Japanese were immediately pinned down, while the Soviets were employing a double envelopment. The Japanese tried to counter attack and it failed horribly. The Japanese then scrambled to break out of the encirclement and failed. The surrounded Japanese forces refused to surrender as the Soviets smashed them with artillery and aerial bombardment. By the end of August the Japanese forces on the Mongolian side of the border were annihilated. On September 15th the USSR and Japan signed a ceasefire.    The battle of Khalkhin Gol was devastating for both sides. The Japanese claim they had 8440 deaths, 8766 wounded, lost 162 aircraft and 42 tanks. Its estimated 500-600 Japanese forces were taken prisoner. Because of IJA doctrine these men were considered killed in action. Some sources will claim the real numbers for Japanese casualties could have been as high as 30,000. The Soviets claim 9703 deaths, 15,251 wounded, the destruction of 253 tanks, 250 aircraft, 96 artillery pieces and 133 armored cars. Of those tank losses, its estimated 75-80% were destroyed by anti-tank guns, 15-20% field artillery, 5-10% infantry thrown incendiary bombs, 3% mines and another 3% for aircraft bombing.   Back to Yang Kyoungjong, he alongside the other Japanese, Manchu and Korean POW's were sent to Gulags in Siberia. As the war on the Eastern Front kicked off between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, facing annihilation the Soviets did anything possible to survive. One of these actions was to create the Shtrafbats, “Penal battalions”. Stalins order No 227 created the first penal battalions, who were supposed to be around 800 men strong. The first Shtrafbat battalion was deployed to the Stalingrad Front on August 22nd of 1942.   On order was issued on November 26, 1942 “status of Penal units of the army”, it was issued by Georgy Zhukov, now deputy commander in chief who was the man who formally standardized soviet penal units. The Shtrafbats were around 360 men per battalion commanded by mid range Red Army officers and politruks. The men forced into these were permanents or temporaries. Permanents were officers, commanders, the higher ranks guys. Temporary known as shtrafniki “punishees” were the grunts, typically prisoners and those convicted of crimes. From september 1942 to May of 1945 422,700 men would be forced into penal battalions.    Typically those forced into penal military units were one of two things: 1) those convicted of dissertation or cowardice, 2) Soviet Gulag labor camp inmates. It seems Yang Kyoungjong found himself in a very awkward situation as he would be forced into one of these penal battalions and sent to fight on the eastern front. As pertaining to Order No. 227, each Army was to have 3–5 barrier squads of up to 200 persons each, these units would be made up of penal units.    So back toYang Kyoungjong, he would find himself deployed at the third battle of Kharkov. This battle was part of a series of battles fought on the eastern front. As the German 6th army was encircling Stalingrad, the Soviets launched a series of wide counter attacks, as pertaining to “operation star”. Operation star saw massive offensives against Kharkov, Belgorod, Kursk, Voroshilovgrad and Izium. The Soviets earned great victories, but they also overextended themselves. Field Marshal Erich von Manstein seeing the opening, performed a counter-strike against Kharkov on February 19th of 1943, using fresh troops of the 2nd SS Panzer Corps alongside two other panzer armies. Manstein also had massive air support from field Marshal Wolfram von Richthofens Luftflotte 4, 1214 aircraft tossed 1000 sorties per day from February 20th to march 15th. The Red army had approximately 210,000 troops who fought in the Voronezh-Kharkov offensive, the Germans would have roughly 160,000 men, but their tanks outnumbered the Soviets 7-1, they had roughly 350 of them.   The Germans quickly outflanked the Soviets, managing to encircle and annihilate many units. Whenever soviets units made attempts to escape encirclements, the German air forces placed pressure upon them. The German air forces had the dual job of airlifting supplies to the front lines giving the Soviets no breathing space. Gradually the fight focused around the city of Kharkov seeing the Soviets dislodged. The Germans caused severe casualties, perhaps 45,000 dead or missing with another 41,000 wounded. The Germans suffered 4500 deaths, 7000 wounded. The Germans took a large number of prisoners, and Yang Kyoungjong was one of them.   Yet again a prisoner Yang Kyoungjong was coerced into serving another nation, this time for Die Ost-Bataillone. The Eastern Front had absolutely crippled Germany and as a result Germany began to enlist units from just about any nation possible and this included former Soviet citizens. There were countless different units, like the Russian liberation Army, die Hilfswillige, Ukrainian collaborationists, and there were also non-Russians from the USSR who formed the Ost-Bataillone. These eastern battalions would comprise a rough total of 175,000 men. Many of the Ost-Bataillone were conscripted or coerced into serving, though plenty also volunteered. Countless were recruited from POW camps, choosing to serve instead of labor in camps. The Osttruppen were to typically deployed for coastal defense, rear area activities, security stuff, all the less important roles to free up the German units to perform front line service.   There were two different groups, the Ost-Legionen “eastern legions” and Ost-Bataillone “eastern battalions”. The Ostlegionen were large foreign legion type units raised amongst members of specific ethnic or racial groups. The Ost-Bataillone were composed of numerous nationalities, usually plucked from POW camps in eastern europe. They were tossed together into battalion sized units and integrated individually into German combat formations. Obviously the Germans did not get their hands on large numbers of Koreans, so Yang Kyoungjong found himself in a Ost-Bataillone.    In 1944, due to massive losses in the Eastern Front, and in preparation for the allies about to open a second front, the Germans began deploying a lot of Ost-Bataillone along the coastal defense line at Cherbourg. Yang Kyoungjong was enlisted in the 709th static infantry division, a coastal defense unit assigned to defend the eastern and northern coasts of the Cotentin Peninsula. This would include the Utah beach landing site and numerous US airborne landing zones. The sector was roughly 250 km running northeast of Carentan, via Barfleur-Cherbourg-Cap de la Hague to the western point of Barneville. This also included the 65 km of land just in font of Cherbourg harbor. A significant portion of the 709th were Ost-bataillon, countless were from eastern europe, many were former Soviet POW'S. There were also two battalions of the 739th Grenadier regiment whom were Georgian battalions. A significant amount of the 709th had no combat experience, but had trained extensively in the area.   The 709th would be heavily engaged on D-day meeting US airborne units and the 4th infantry division who landed at Utah beach. In the early hours of June 6th, the US 82nd and 101st airborne divisions landed at the base of the Cotentin peninsula and managed to secure a general area for the US 4th infantry division to land at Utah beach, with very few casualties compared to other beach landings. After the landings the forces tried to link up with other forces further east. By June 9th they had crossed the Douve river valley and captured Carentan. House to house fighting was seen in the battle for Carentan, the Germans tossed a few counterattacks, but the Americans held on with the help of armor units of the 13th.    The Americans then advanced to cut off the Cotentin Peninsula, now supported by 3 other infantry divisions. The Germans had few armored or mobilized infantry in the area. By June 16th the German command was tossed into chaos as Erwin Rommel wanted them to pull out and man the Atlantic Wall at Cherbourg, but Hitler demanded they hold their present lines of defense. By the 17th Hitler agreed to the withdrawal, under some provisions the men still took up limited defenses spanning the entire peninsula. On the 18th the US 9th infantry division reached the west coast of the peninsula thus isolating the Cherbourg garrison. A battle was unleashed for 24 hours with the 4th, 9th and 79th US infantry divisions driving north on a broad front. They faced little opposition on the western side and the eastern, the center held much stronger resistance. The Americans would find several caches of V-1 flying bombs and V-2 rocket installations at Brix. After two days the Americans were in striking distance of Cherbourg. The garrison commander Lt General Karl-Wilhelm von Schlieben had 21,000 men, but many were naval personnel and labor units. Schliebens 709th had performed a fighting withdrawal to Cherbourg and were completely exhausted. The trapped forces were low in provisions, fuel and ammunition. The luftwaffe tried dropping supplies on their positions but it was inadequate.    A general assault began on the 22nd and the German forces put up stiff resistance within their concrete pillboxes. Allied warships bombarded the city on the 25th of june and on the 26th a British elite force, No. 30 Commando launched an assault against Octeville, a suburb of southwestern Cherbourg. The commandos quickly captured 20 officers and 500 men of the Kriegmarine naval intelligence HQ at Villa Meurice. As the Germans were ground down, Schlieben was captured and with that a surrender was made on the 29th.   The Americans suffered nearly 3000 deaths with 13,500 wounded during the operation. The Germans suffered 8000 deaths with 30,000 captured. For the 709th who took a lionshare of the fighting they reported sustaining 4000 casualties.    Amongst the captured was Yang Kyoungjong. As I said in the beginning Lt Robert Brewer of the 506th parachute infantry regiment, 101st airborne division was overlooking the capture of Axis forces and reported to his regiment finding four Asians in Wehrmacht uniform around the Utah beach landings. Brewer nor any of his colleagues spoke the language the Asian men spoke, they assumed them to be Japanese.  The four asians were processed as POW's, listed as young Japanese and sent to a British POW camp, before he would be sent to another POW camp in the US. At some point between his capture and the POW camps, he gave his name as Yang Kyoungjong, stated he was Korean and gave the story. Apparently Yang Kyoungjob was granted US citizenship and would spend the rest of his life in Illinois until his death in 1992.   So that is the story of Yang Kyoungjong.    The truth Did Yang Kyoungjong exist? Where does his story originate? For those of you who have not guessed it yet, the story I told you was full of details, I simply added based on historical events, with zero evidence at all any man named Yang Kyoungjong was involved in them. I did this specifically to highlight, thats exactly what others have done over the course of many years, creating a sort of mythos. If you know the game broken telephone, thats what I would theorize makes up most of this mans story. But lets go through some actual evidence why don't we?   From the digging I have done, the story seemed to originate with historian Stephen Ambrose book in 1994 titled “D-day, june 6th, 1944: the Climactic battle of World War II”. While writing this book, Ambrose interviewed Robert Burnham Brewer, who served E Company, 2nd battalion, 506th parachute infantry regiment of the 101st airborne division. This same man was portrayed in Band of Brothers by the way. Brewer gave one rather ambiguous account where he spoke about capturing 4 asian men in Wehrmacht uniforms.    Here is patient zero as told to us by Ambrose's book (Page 34, no footnote on the page)   The so-called Ost battalions became increasingly unreliable after the German defeat at Kursk; they were, therefore, sent to france in exchange for German troops. At the beach called Utah on the day on the invasion, Lt Robert Brewer of the 506th Parachute infantry regiment, 101st airborne division, US Army, captured four asians in Wehrmacht uniforms. No one could speak their language; eventually it was learned that they were Koreans. How on earth did Koreans end up fighting for Hitler to defend france against Americans? It seems they had been conscripted into the Japanese army in 1938-Korea was then a Japanese colony-captured by the Red Army in the border battles with Japan in 1939, forced into the Red Army, captured by the Wehrmacht in December 1941 outside Moscow, forced into the German army, and sent to France”. What happened to them, Lt Brewer never found out, but presumably they were sent back to Korea. If so, they would almost certainly have been conscripted again, either into the south or north korean army. It is possible than in 1950 they ended up fighting once again, either against the US army or with it, depending on what part of Korea they came from. Such are the vagaries of politics in the 20th century. By June 1944, one in six German rifleman in France was from an Ost battalion.   Now digging further since there are no footnotes, it seems Ambrose took an oral account from Lt Brewer, but did not directly quote him and instead abstractly expanded upon his story. Ambrose was guilty of doing this often. As multiple historians have pointed out, Brewer was living in the 1940s and was by no means an ethnographer, he was not a person who could have accurately known the nationality of the four asian men he captured. It is plausible he or other US units around him, just came up with Korean for the four asians who could have been from nearly anywhere in central to east asia. For all we know the men found could have been from Turkestan. What was “asian” to westerners of the 1940's is extremely broad.    If you look up the Ost-Bataillone or Ostlegionen you will see they consisted of captured former soviet soldiers. During the d-day landings, 1/6th of the German forces defending the atlantic coast were made up of the Ost-battailones. They came from numerous places, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Georgia, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, India, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkestan, Mongolia and numerous parts of the USSR. Needless to say, there were a ton of people whom would be considered asian and could be mistaken to be from Korea, Japan, Burma, etc.    It seems Brewer's vague account was transformed by Amrose, but this only covers one part of all of this, the story, what about the photo?    The iconic photograph is another matter entirely. The photograph has nothing to do with Brewer's account, it is simply a random photograph taken at Utah beach of a captured asian soldier wearing a Wehrmacht uniform. The official description of the photo states “Capture Jap in Nazi uniform. France, fearful of his future, this young Jap wearing a nazi uniform, is checked off in a roundup of German prisoners on the beaches of france. An american army captain takes the Jap's name and serial number” Author Martin Morgan believes the man in the photograph is not Yang Kyoungjong, but instead an ethnic Georgian from the 795th Georgian Battalion, which was composed of Georgian Osttruppen troops or someone who was Turkistani. In 2002 word of the story became more popularized online and in 2004 the iconic photo also began to circulate heavily on the internet. The Korean media became aware of the story in 2002 and when they saw the picture the Korean news site DKBNews investigated the matter. Apparently a reader of the DKBNews submitted biographical details about the soldier in the photo, including his name, date of birth, the general story we now know, his release, life in Illinois and death. The DKBNews journalist requested sources and none were provided, typical.   So some random unknown reader of the DKBNews gave a name, place and time of birth and even where he ended up and died.  In 2005 the Seoul broadcasting system aired a documentary specifically investigating the existence of the asian soldiers who fought for Germany on d-day.   In the SBS special “The Korean in Normandy,” produced and broadcast in 2005 based on rumors of Yang kyoungjog,  they searched for records of Korean prisoners of war during the Battle of khalkhin gol and records of Korean people who participated in the German-Japanese War, and records related to the German Army's eastern unit, but could not find traces of such a person. In addition, the soldiers who served in the Soviet army, who were captured, and then transferred to the German army's eastern units were considered by the Soviet Union to be serious traitors. Accordingly, under a secret agreement between the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union, they were forcibly repatriated to the Soviet Union after the war and held in Gulags.. The SBS production team stated that the rumors that a 'Korean from Normandy' had gone to the United States and that he died in seclusion near Northwestern University under the name of 'Yang Kyoungjong', which they were unaware of, were false. The investigative team looked for any traces of a Yang Kyoungjong and found none, so they concluded although there were accounts of asian soldiers in the German army during WW2, there was zero evidence of the existence of Yang Kyoungjong or any Koreans fighting on D-day for that matter.    The 2005 SBS Special documentary sprang forth a bunch of stories by Korean authors, expanding the mythos of Yang Kyoungjong.   In 2007 author Jo Jeong-rae published a novel titled “human mask” which told the story of SHin Gilman, The story ends with Shin Gil-man, who was conscripted into the Japanese army at the age of 20, as a prisoner of war in Normandy, then transported back to the Soviet Union and eventually executed by firing squad. Another novel called “D-day” by author Kim Byeong-in was release in 2011, just prior to the film My War, the plot is extremely similar to the movie. The main characters are Han Dae-sik and Yoichi, who met as children as the sons of a Japanese landowner and the house's housekeeper, harboring animosity toward each other, and grew up to become marathon runners representing Joseon and Japan. As they experience the war together, they feel a strange sense of kinship and develop reconciliation and friendship.   And of course the most famous story would find its way to the big screen. In 2011 the film My Way came out, back then the most expensive south korean film ever made at around 23$ million.   Then in 2012 a unknown person created a wikipedia page piecing together the Ambrose story, the photo and the unknown DBK readers information. With all of this information becoming more viral suddenly in 2013, two history books hit the scene and would you know it, both have “Yang Kyoungjong” in them.    These are Antony Beevor's book “the second world war” and that of defense consultant and author Steven Zaloga in his book “the devil's garden: Rommel's desperate Defense of Omaha Beach on D-Day”. Both authors took the story, name and iconic photo and expanded on the mythos by adding further details as to how the Korean man would have gone from Korea to Cherbourg france.   So Ambrose's story spreads across the internet alongside this photo. Both spark interest in Korea and an investigation receives some random guys testimony, which quite honestly was groundless. Despite the korean documentary stating there was no evidence of a Yang Kyoungjong, it sparks further interest, more stories and a famous film in 2011. 2012 sees a wikipage, it becomes more viral and now seeps into other historians work.   And I would be remiss not to mention the bizarre controversy that broke out in my nation of Canada. A nation so full of controversies today, dear god. Debbie Hanlon a city councilor in St John Newfoundland was absolutely wrecked online in 2018 for an advertisement promoting her real estate business stating “Korean Yang kyoungjong fought with Japan against the USSR. He then fought with the USSR against Germany. Then with Germany against the US! Want an agent who fights for you, call me!” Really weird ad by the way. So it seems her ad was to point out how far she was willing to go for her real estate clients. It was considered extremely offensive, and not the first time she pulled this off, her husband Oral Mews had recently come under fire for another ad he made using a photo of the Puerto Rican cab driver Victor Perez Cardona, where the vehicle turned into a casket. That ad said “He can't give you a lift because he's dead. He's propped up in his cab at his wake! Need a lift to great service, call me!” Hanlon was surprised at the amount of backlash she received since the ads had been running for over 4 years online. She claimed to be the victim of cyberbullying and trolls. So yeah, that happened.    Did Yang Kyoungjong exist, more than likely not, was it possible some Koreans found themselves in a position his story pertains to, you know what it's quite possible. During War a lot of weird things happen. I hope you liked this episode, please let me know in the comments on the Patreon what you think, how I can improve things and of course what you want to hear about next!

It is our absolute pleasure to welcome distinguished conductor, Pola Benke to The Hamilton Review Podcast! Pola was was recently appointed Music Director of the Santa Monica Symphony and Assistant Conductor of the Pacific Symphony, continuing to build a dynamic and impactful presence across Southern California. In this conversation, Pola shares her story of discovering music as a young child growing up in Poland. She also talks about how she got into conducting, as well as the best ways to guide, nuture and support children in their musical journey. You'll also hear about what kinds of music that Pola listens to when she isn't working - her answers will surprise and delight you!   Don't miss this wonderful and informative discussion on The Hamilton Review.   Pola Benke is a distinguished conductor celebrated for her innovative approach to orchestral leadership and her commitment to standardizing diverse programming in the modern symphonic repertoire. She was recently appointed Music Director of the Santa Monica Symphony and Assistant Conductor of the Pacific Symphony, continuing to build a dynamic and impactful presence across Southern California. Previously, she served as Assistant Conductor for both the Long Beach Symphony and the Riverside Philharmonic, where she earned a reputation for her clarity, musicality, and ability to foster meaningful connections with musicians and audiences alike. Born in Poland, Pola's journey began with a strong foundation in performance, leading to Master's degrees in both cello performance and orchestral conducting. Her dual expertise equips her with a rare perspective—combining the analytical skills of a conductor with the empathetic understanding of a performer. Pola believes that orchestras should serve as a reflection of the diverse world we live in. She is a committed advocate for thoughtful, inclusive programming that honors a wide spectrum of voices—seamlessly integrating cherished masterworks with compositions by historically underrepresented artists. With a deep sensitivity to narrative and context, she curates programs that invite personal connection and collective reflection. Whether through imaginative repertoire choices, compelling storytelling, or fresh interpretive insight, Pola aims to create concert experiences that are artistically vibrant, emotionally resonant, and genuinely welcoming to all. Her professional path has been shaped by collaborations with leading conductors and ensembles, including Neeme Järvi, Sian Edwards, and Paavo Järvi. Her participation in prestigious programs such as the Järvi Academy in Estonia, the Dartington Music Festival in England, and the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music has further refined her craft, earning her recognition as a forward-thinking and impactful conductor. Her leadership style is marked by kindness, collaboration, and the ability to inspire musicians of all generations to perform at their best. Whether leading a large-scale symphonic work or rehearsing an intimate chamber ensemble, Pola brings energy and precision that elevates every performance. Influenced by composers like Joseph Haydn, Krzysztof Penderecki, Jennifer Higdon, and Igor Stravinsky, Pola blends a deep respect for tradition with a spirit of curiosity and openness to new ideas. At the heart of everything she does is a love for sharing music with others.   How to contact Pola Benke:   Pola Benke Official Website   Pola Benke on Instagram   Pola Benke's email address     How to contact Dr. Bob: Dr. Bob on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChztMVtPCLJkiXvv7H5tpDQ Dr. Bob on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drroberthamilton/ Dr. Bob on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bob.hamilton.1656 Dr. Bob's Seven Secrets Of The Newborn website: https://7secretsofthenewborn.com/ Dr. Bob's website: https://roberthamiltonmd.com/ Pacific Ocean Pediatrics: http://www.pacificoceanpediatrics.com/  

BONUS: Consulting is Different—How Consulting Contracts Work Against Agile Development, With Jakob Wolman and Wilko Nienhaus  In this BONUS episode, we explore the critical differences between building software as a consultant versus inside a product company. Jakob Wolman contributed an insightful article to the Global Agile Summit book examining how third-party software development operates under entirely different constraints than in-house product development. Joined by Wilko Nienhaus, CTO of Vaimo, a consulting company in Estonia, we dive into ownership dynamics, misaligned incentives, contracting challenges, and the business pressures that shape consulting—along with practical stories from the field about what really works. The Cobbler's Shoes Problem "I come back to the office from this workshop, and suddenly, with these eyes on looking for improvements in process, I just suddenly am hit by this revelation of why things are so slow here? Why are we working so inefficiently?" Jakob describes the striking paradox many consultancies face: they excel at helping clients improve their processes while their own internal operations remain inefficient. This "shoemaker's children" phenomenon reflects a fundamental challenge in consulting—the difficulty of investing in your own improvements when all energy flows toward billable client work. Digital agencies often have outdated or poorly implemented websites despite building sophisticated solutions for others, illustrating how consultancies struggle to apply their own expertise internally. Misaligned Incentives Create Antagonistic Dynamics "It's almost as if the clients are actually paying us to be slow, because our incentive is to spend more time on achieving what the client wants, because we get paid by the hour." The incentive structures in consulting create inherent conflicts that don't exist in product companies. Consultants typically bill by the hour, creating a perverse incentive to spend more time rather than deliver efficiently. Meanwhile, clients pursue business outcomes and want results as quickly and cheaply as possible. This fundamental misalignment leads to: Clients adopting a procurement mindset, treating software development like ordering from a catalog A "wall" between stakeholders and development teams that's even stronger than in product companies Antagonistic relationships where scope changes feel like financial traps rather than necessary learning Contracting processes that reinforce waterfall thinking even when both parties claim to want agility Wilko emphasizes that contracting has a huge impact on these dynamics, and companies must deliberately change their engagement models to break free from these patterns. The Budgeting Trap and Specification Overload "Because of this budgeting process where you now need to motivate what this budget does, or you need to spend that budget, you essentially create this necessity to define everything." Consulting projects often suffer from the same problem that plagued waterfall development: annual budgeting cycles that force stakeholders to cram everything into a single specification. When there's only one chance per year to secure funding, everyone stuffs the requirements document with every conceivable feature, leading to: Massive specifications that attempt to predict all needs upfront Endless discovery meetings and documentation that add cost without improving outcomes Developers working from outdated assumptions with delayed feedback Clients who don't really know what they want but feel pressured to specify everything Jakob points out the frustration that "we've already fixed this problem" in product development through iterative approaches, yet it keeps reappearing in consulting because of the separation between entities. Ownership and Quality in Consulting Environments "Skilled engineers will be frustrated if they're not allowed to do a proper job. People that have spent a lot of time in an environment where they're never allowed to do a proper job, or maybe even punished for doing a proper job, they will have given up, and not care." The difference in ownership between product and consulting development profoundly affects how engineers think about quality, technical debt, and long-term design. In product companies, developers know they'll maintain their code, creating natural incentives for quality. In consulting, the transient nature of engagements can erode quality standards. Key challenges include: Engineers knowing they won't return to the codebase, reducing long-term thinking Clients who lack technical expertise dictating approaches they don't understand Pressure to complete fixed-scope contracts regardless of quality trade-offs The role of estimates in forcing teams to "just complete this thing" even when learning suggests changes Wilko notes that teams controlled by clients versus teams managed as stable units by the consultancy show markedly different levels of ownership and engagement. Engineers want to do great work, but without real-world feedback loops, they may either overengineer based on theoretical ideals or give up on quality entirely. Breaking the Cycle: Going Live in Two Weeks "We said to them, what if we try to actually go live in a single sprint, which in most companies is 2 weeks. And they were like, nah, we're not so sure. And we said, don't worry, you're going to get everything you want in your scope by the end. But just let's try these first 2 weeks." Wilko shares a transformative story about an e-commerce project where his team convinced a client to abandon their two-year roadmap and instead focus on going live with something—anything—in two weeks. The goal: enable one existing customer to place one order for one product they already knew. This constraint forced radical prioritization. The team didn't need images, extensive product catalogs, or elaborate descriptions. They delivered a minimal but functioning system, and the results were revelatory: The client's internal discussion shifted from "we need everything" to "what should we prioritize next?" Real customer interaction revealed unexpected problems, like internal incentive conflicts where salespeople wouldn't direct customers to the website because it threatened their commissions Senior leadership embraced the iterative approach more readily than middle management The faster feedback cycle enabled genuine agility even in a consulting context This story demonstrates that iterative approaches are more likely to lead to success in consulting, and that senior leadership is often more receptive to faster feedback cycles than people expect. The key is changing the dynamic from "deliver a complete spec" to "let's go live quickly and learn." AI as a Game-Changer for Consulting Dynamics "The groundbreaking thing that's happening right now is AI, and it really feeds into this direction. Because instead of speaking, you can actually be building, you can see things, you can do stuff that you can really test in a much more real way than you could just a few years ago." Both Jakob and Wilko see artificial intelligence as a potential solution to many consulting challenges. AI tools enable rapid prototyping and visualization, allowing teams to show rather than tell. This addresses the fundamental problem that clients don't know what they want until they see it, by dramatically reducing the cost of creating tangible demonstrations that generate meaningful feedback. If you want to know more about how AI is reshaping programming, check out our AI Assisted Coding series of episodes.  Quality and Testing Should Not Be Negotiable "I just simply think it shouldn't be a choice. We have to be very firm on this is how we work. We are the experts you are paying us." When clients ask to skip testing, reduce code reviews, or cut corners on infrastructure, Jakob argues consultancies must stand firm. Quality practices shouldn't be line items that clients can negotiate away. One consulting company that works strictly with Extreme Programming principles demonstrates this approach—they don't explain every detail to clients, but they clearly establish that "this is how we do all our projects. It's not a choice." Wilko adds that testing often saves time rather than adding cost, serving as a development tool that eliminates repetitive manual verification. The challenge comes during estimation, where padding for testing can make consultancies less competitive, creating pressure to compromise on quality. Jakob emphasizes that some responsibility lies with consultancies themselves, which sometimes over-promise and underbid to win business, then struggle to deliver quality within unrealistic constraints. This "race to the bottom" hurts the entire industry. The Path Forward: Deliberate Collaboration "It is fixable in a consultancy setting as well. I've seen it. I've been part of it. But you have to be very deliberate in your collaboration with the customer." Success in consulting requires deliberately designing the engagement model to support iterative development: Working backward from customer needs, not forward from specifications Establishing short feedback loops with both client stakeholders and end users Creating stable teams rather than assembling ad-hoc groups based on client requests Changing contracting models to align incentives (as explored in Sven Ditz's article in the Global Agile Summit book on delivering incrementally) Being firm about quality practices while remaining flexible about features Using AI and rapid prototyping to generate early, concrete feedback The consulting model doesn't have to default to waterfall, but it requires conscious effort to overcome the structural forces pushing in that direction. Recommended Reading In this episode, we refer to multiple resources for further reading. Here's a list of those resources:  Secrets of Consulting by Gerald Weinberg The Global Agile Summit book, including articles by the speakers at the conference Real World Agility by Daniel Gullo The #NoEstimates book by Vasco Duarte Extreme Programming principles About Jakob Wolman and Wilko Nienhaus Jakob Wolman is an experienced engineering leader who knows how to build great software, and how to mess it up. He has worked in both product companies and consulting environments, giving him unique insight into the contrasts between these models. You can connect with Jakob Wolman on LinkedIn. Wilko Nienhaus is CTO of Vaimo, a consulting company in Estonia, where he focuses on the challenges of delivering software in a consulting environment. He concentrates on delivery mechanisms and technical solutions for challenging projects. You can connect with Wilko Nienhaus on LinkedIn.

At this moment, Jim and Amos are in Tallinn, Estonia. They talk about Greta Thunberg, a man's lost bitcoin hard drive, and the hundreds of fridge magnets Amos has purchased on the road. Jim's new special "Two Limb Policy" is out now on Netflix! SOCIALS: Jim Jefferies Website: ⁠https://www.jimjefferies.com⁠ IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/jimjefferies⁠ FB: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/JimJefferies⁠ Twitter: ⁠https://twitter.com/jimjefferies⁠ Amos Gill IG: @abitofamosgill FB: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/AmosGillComedy/⁠ Theme Song: "Rein It In Cowboy" by the Doohickeys

NATO's airspace is busy these days. And not in a good way. That's especially true for member nations on the alliance's eastern flank.It's not supposed to be that way. In recent weeks, states like Poland, Estonia, Romania, and Denmark have seen drones or other aircraft violate their airspace. In some cases, these airborne craft clearly identify they're Russian in origin.Multiple countries have called on NATO to consult about what to do next. So, what's going on? What is Russia up to?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy