Ukraine Takes Out 1/3 of Russian Air Fleet With Open Source Toy Plane Controller, Quantum Internet Breakthrough, and Germany's Digital Sovereignty Push

In this episode of Hashtag Trending, host Jim Love covers three captivating stories. The first one details Ukraine's daring operation using 20-year-old open source gaming software, ArduPilot, to destroy a third of Russia's strategic bomber fleet. The attack involved 117 drones launched across five Russian air bases, highlighting the unprecedented use of hobbyist technology in modern warfare. The second story explores a groundbreaking achievement in quantum internet, where researchers in Germany successfully transmitted quantum messages using standard fiber optic cables. Although practical applications are still limited, this marks a significant step towards integrating quantum technology into everyday infrastructure. Finally, the episode delves into Germany's efforts to achieve digital sovereignty by reducing dependence on US tech giants. Germany's new digital minister, Karsten Wildberger, aims to create a unified IT infrastructure based on European values, emphasizing open standards and open source technology.

00:00 Ukraine's Audacious Drone Attack on Russia
03:29 The Rise of Quantum Internet
07:53 Germany's Push for Digital Sovereignty
10:38 Show Wrap-Up and Listener Engagement