vlado
@mmjs86.bsky.social
Brooklyn, NY
Bikes, buses, trains and the Balkans. I build things with computers and networks. I write about cities, transit and bikes. he/him.
Bikes, buses, trains and the Balkans. I build things with computers and networks. I write about cities, transit and bikes. he/him.
Pinned
vlado
@mmjs86.bsky.social
· Oct 11
BalCCon2k25 - Vlado Vince - Speedrunning Balkan railways, hacking your way through disconnected land
YouTube video by BalCCon - Balkan Computer Congress
youtu.be
A few weeks ago I had the great privilege to speak at BalCCon in Novi Sad. Listen to me talk about taking trains in the Balkans and check out the other great talks!
youtu.be/C4bhHxtu7dI?...
youtu.be/C4bhHxtu7dI?...
Reposted by vlado
this was basically Russia’s original plan in Ukraine they just couldn’t make it to Kyiv
BREAKING: Donald Trump, on his Truth Social account, claims that the US has captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as part of an operation that involved "large scale strikes" on Caracas
January 3, 2026 at 9:40 AM
this was basically Russia’s original plan in Ukraine they just couldn’t make it to Kyiv
Bleak
I have spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and our Ambassador in Caracas. The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuela.
The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. (1/2)
The EU has repeatedly stated that Mr Maduro lacks legitimacy and has defended a peaceful transition. (1/2)
January 3, 2026 at 11:21 AM
Bleak
Reposted by vlado
Marco Rubio is reportedly saying Maduro will stand trial in US courts.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
January 3, 2026 at 10:52 AM
Marco Rubio is reportedly saying Maduro will stand trial in US courts.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
Which means it’s now the US administration’s position that US courts can hold foreign presidents, but not the US president, accountable for crimes.
Reposted by vlado
trump('s generals) correctly recognise that there is absolutely no benefit in even pretending to hide behind the fake rules of the liberal world order anymore, and as climate collapse accelerates this kind of smash and grab take what we want imperialism is america's only viable future
January 3, 2026 at 7:14 AM
trump('s generals) correctly recognise that there is absolutely no benefit in even pretending to hide behind the fake rules of the liberal world order anymore, and as climate collapse accelerates this kind of smash and grab take what we want imperialism is america's only viable future
Reposted by vlado
Reposted by vlado
The U.S. has no business changing any regimes anywhere. It has no right to do that, even if the regime is terrible, and historical evidence shows it tends to lead to more chaos, not resolution.
Whether attempting regime change in Venezuela is smart or just is not the question. Many will try to make it the question.
The question is whether the President can start wars without the authorization of Congress. The question is whether the armed forces are still loyal to the Constitution.
The question is whether the President can start wars without the authorization of Congress. The question is whether the armed forces are still loyal to the Constitution.
January 3, 2026 at 8:20 AM
The U.S. has no business changing any regimes anywhere. It has no right to do that, even if the regime is terrible, and historical evidence shows it tends to lead to more chaos, not resolution.
Reposted by vlado
Cancel the LA Olympics, scrap the World Cup, the United States cannot be a trusted part of the international community so long as the White House operates this violently and with impunity.
January 3, 2026 at 7:13 AM
Cancel the LA Olympics, scrap the World Cup, the United States cannot be a trusted part of the international community so long as the White House operates this violently and with impunity.
Reposted by vlado
Venezuela will be for Tr°mp like Ukraine for Putin or Afghanistan to Putin's predecessors: costly, unpopular, delegitimating, inhuman.
January 3, 2026 at 8:26 AM
Venezuela will be for Tr°mp like Ukraine for Putin or Afghanistan to Putin's predecessors: costly, unpopular, delegitimating, inhuman.
Reposted by vlado
I know I’ve said this many times before, but it’s my contention that buses have benefited *far* more from the advent of digital rider tools than trains have.
One thing I wrote about here is how technology has made buses *way* more convenient while techno-futurists were obsessed with flying taxis and self-driving cars.
January 2, 2026 at 3:48 PM
I know I’ve said this many times before, but it’s my contention that buses have benefited *far* more from the advent of digital rider tools than trains have.
Happy Bulgaria in eurozone day to all who celebrate
January 2, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Happy Bulgaria in eurozone day to all who celebrate
Reposted by vlado
It's official: Bulgaria is in the euro-zone.
An excerpt from an atypically emotional NYE address by the Central Bank governor:
"Thank you, friends. We are home.
This is not a protocol. It is a feeling.
In this sense, the euro is not just an economic solution...
www.bnb.bg/AboutUs/Pres...
An excerpt from an atypically emotional NYE address by the Central Bank governor:
"Thank you, friends. We are home.
This is not a protocol. It is a feeling.
In this sense, the euro is not just an economic solution...
www.bnb.bg/AboutUs/Pres...
December 31, 2025 at 11:30 PM
It's official: Bulgaria is in the euro-zone.
An excerpt from an atypically emotional NYE address by the Central Bank governor:
"Thank you, friends. We are home.
This is not a protocol. It is a feeling.
In this sense, the euro is not just an economic solution...
www.bnb.bg/AboutUs/Pres...
An excerpt from an atypically emotional NYE address by the Central Bank governor:
"Thank you, friends. We are home.
This is not a protocol. It is a feeling.
In this sense, the euro is not just an economic solution...
www.bnb.bg/AboutUs/Pres...
Reposted by vlado
Starting tomorrow, these go into circulation. I can't wait to see them. Congratulations to Bulgaria.
December 31, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Starting tomorrow, these go into circulation. I can't wait to see them. Congratulations to Bulgaria.
Reposted by vlado
Nice touch - the trans announcer from the subway (“Stand clear of the platform edge”) is doing the announcing
January 1, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Nice touch - the trans announcer from the subway (“Stand clear of the platform edge”) is doing the announcing
Nećete u Kopenhagen niste niprije!
December 31, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Nećete u Kopenhagen niste niprije!
Reposted by vlado
It's the end of the year - an annus horribilis for Europe.
It should be a moment of reflection on the root causes of the humiliation this continent had to endure at the hands of Donald Trump this year.
And it's time to reimagine what Europe can be.
It should be a moment of reflection on the root causes of the humiliation this continent had to endure at the hands of Donald Trump this year.
And it's time to reimagine what Europe can be.
Europe's choice in 2026: join, or die
As we start the new year, Europeans face a crucial decision. Will they allow themselves to be dictated to by Washington and Moscow, or will they unite to achieve independence?
davekeating.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 6:35 AM
It's the end of the year - an annus horribilis for Europe.
It should be a moment of reflection on the root causes of the humiliation this continent had to endure at the hands of Donald Trump this year.
And it's time to reimagine what Europe can be.
It should be a moment of reflection on the root causes of the humiliation this continent had to endure at the hands of Donald Trump this year.
And it's time to reimagine what Europe can be.
Reposted by vlado
Happy Last Day of the Eric Adams administration to all who celebrate!
December 30, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Happy Last Day of the Eric Adams administration to all who celebrate!
Aaaand with almost 3 hours delay, welcome to EC 1172 en route from Hamburg Hbf. to Copenhagen.
After freezing on a platform for hours listening to "verspätung im Ausland" (delay outside Germany) alerts, many passengers are now standing because they didn't get a reservation 🫠
After freezing on a platform for hours listening to "verspätung im Ausland" (delay outside Germany) alerts, many passengers are now standing because they didn't get a reservation 🫠
December 30, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Aaaand with almost 3 hours delay, welcome to EC 1172 en route from Hamburg Hbf. to Copenhagen.
After freezing on a platform for hours listening to "verspätung im Ausland" (delay outside Germany) alerts, many passengers are now standing because they didn't get a reservation 🫠
After freezing on a platform for hours listening to "verspätung im Ausland" (delay outside Germany) alerts, many passengers are now standing because they didn't get a reservation 🫠
Reposted by vlado
putin’s notion that we are a great powerful civilization but also we are constantly helplessly victimized by the west -- it’s the same combination of entitlement plus victimhood that you find in the US far-right. No wonder they like him
December 30, 2025 at 4:22 PM
putin’s notion that we are a great powerful civilization but also we are constantly helplessly victimized by the west -- it’s the same combination of entitlement plus victimhood that you find in the US far-right. No wonder they like him
Reposted by vlado
The congratulations to our newest billionaire articles are wild. Please applaud the newest member of the class of people that wrecked your air, or your water, or your wages, or your right to walk down the street.
December 30, 2025 at 5:04 PM
The congratulations to our newest billionaire articles are wild. Please applaud the newest member of the class of people that wrecked your air, or your water, or your wages, or your right to walk down the street.
No BB discourse can beat that of the Slovenian Railways, which just celebrated the combo of BB dying and the 50th anniversary of their "Brižita" locomotives
December 30, 2025 at 7:13 AM
No BB discourse can beat that of the Slovenian Railways, which just celebrated the combo of BB dying and the 50th anniversary of their "Brižita" locomotives
My train brain was socialized in north America and cannot comprehend this
December 30, 2025 at 6:41 AM
My train brain was socialized in north America and cannot comprehend this
Reposted by vlado
Decades of the white nationalist movement evolving to adapt to current political trends has brought them to this moment.
December 30, 2025 at 5:44 AM
Decades of the white nationalist movement evolving to adapt to current political trends has brought them to this moment.
