Latest news with #Observatory
Al-Ahram Weekly
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Syria Kurdish forces say 3 personnel dead in IS attack - Region
Kurdish security forces in northeast Syria said an IS group attack killed three personnel on Sunday, as the jihadists keep up their attacks in Kurdish-controlled areas of the war-torn country. Noting "escalating activity" by the jihadists, a statement from the Asayish security forces said an IS cell "targeted a patrol" from the force's convoy and road security department on the Raqa-Hasakeh road. Since the December ouster of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, IS jihadists have repeatedly attacked Kurdish-led forces in the country's north and northeast. The roadside blast resulted "in the death of three or our members", the statement said, adding that "sweep operations and investigations" had begun to track down those responsible. Once in control of large swathes of Syria and Iraq, IS was territorially defeated in Syria in 2019 in a battle spearheaded by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with support from an international coalition. The jihadists have continued to maintain a presence, mainly in the country's vast desert. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor also reported Sunday's attack, saying it was carried out by gunmen "believed to belong to an Islamic State group cell". The Britain-based Observatory, which relies on a network of sources inside Syria, said Kurdish forces were "accompanying an oil convoy" that was travelling through Raqa province bound for "areas controlled by Damascus". IS on Thursday claimed its first attack on Syria's new government forces since Assad's fall, the Observatory and the SITE Intelligence Group said. The Observatory said the attack on Wednesday, carried out by a remote-detonated landmine, killed one person and wounded three members of the Syrian army's 70th. Reported IS attacks in areas controlled by the new Syrian authorities since Assad's overthrow have been scarce. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
14 hours ago
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Al-Azhar Welcomes Barcelona's Decision to Cut Ties with Israel
Mohamed Mandour Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism on Saturday welcomed a decision by the municipality of Barcelona to sever all ties with Israel, describing it as a 'bold and historic stance' in protest against what it called an ongoing genocide in the Gaza Strip. In a statement, the Observatory praised Barcelona's suspension of its twinning agreement with Tel Aviv — originally signed in 1998 — and the city's decision to halt cooperation with companies linked to Israel. The municipality also pledged to review existing contracts with entities potentially involved, directly or indirectly, in supporting military operations against Palestinians. The move, Al-Azhar said, reflects 'a genuine commitment to the principles of justice and human rights' and 'a deep sense of human responsibility' in confronting 'Zionist violations against innocent civilians in Gaza.' The Observatory also commended the Spanish government's broader support for the Palestinian cause and called for increased political and diplomatic pressure to isolate what it described as a 'terrorist entity' responsible for 'crimes unparalleled in modern history.' Al-Azhar, the highest seat of Sunni Islamic learning, has been vocal in its condemnation of the war in Gaza and continues to advocate for international action to end the bloodshed. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
RTHK
2 days ago
- Climate
- RTHK
Tuen Ng festivities race off to a roaring start
Tuen Ng festivities race off to a roaring start Paddlers battle for glory in a dragon boat race in Sha Tin. Photo: RTHK Revellers erupted in cheers in tandem with the thunderous beat of drums and rhythmic slap of paddles across the city's waterways as dragon boat races ushered in early Tuen Ng Festival celebrations on Saturday with the traditional air of energy and excitement. The Observatory forecasted mainly overcast skies and one or two showers but that didn't dampen the paddlers' passion one drop. 'Are we confident about winning? Yes!," said a race participant in Stanley. "I am not worried about the rain," he said. "That's usual at Tuen Ng Festivals. "It's good for us to experience the 'Dragon Boat Water'.' Another group of paddlers said they had been practicing twice or thrice a week since December in the hope of winning their event. A woman brought her daughter back from the United States specially to watch the races. 'We are so excited because this is our first time, the first time seeing so many boats and so many people,' she said. Crowds also flocked to Tai O and Sha Tin for races, with Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho spotted among the throngs inundating the banks of Shing Mun River. In a Facebook post, Chief Executive John Lee sent his wishes for safety, health and good fortune to people in inviting everyone to watch the dragon boat races to experience the festive Tuen Ng atmosphere. More dragon boat racing action is coming next week, with the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races set to be held at Tsim Sha Tsui East Promenade.
South China Morning Post
4 days ago
- Climate
- South China Morning Post
Hongkongers feel tremors as magnitude 4.3 quake strikes Guangdong's Heyuan
Hongkongers reported feeling tremors as a magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck about 170km (105.6 miles) north-northeast of the city on Thursday afternoon. Advertisement The Hong Kong Observatory said that it had received more than 10 reports of residents experiencing earth tremors that lasted for several seconds. The forecaster said that its initial analysis 'indicated that an earthquake of magnitude 4.3 occurred at 1.17pm on Thursday in Heyuan, Guangdong'. It added that the quake's epicentre was about 170km north-northeast of Hong Kong. Last November, some residents also reported experiencing minor shaking following a magnitude 4.7 earthquake in Taiwan.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Just Askin': How does Cincinnati claim to be the Birthplace of American Astronomy?
The Enquirer's Just Askin' series aims to answer the questions that no one seems to have an answer for, except maybe Google. A hidden gem, in a building sometimes described as a jewel box, the Cincinnati Observatory, 3489 Observatory Place, celebrates 182 years of stargazing this year. Question: How does the Cincinnati Observatory qualify as the "Birthplace of American Astronomy?" Answer: The Cincinnati Observatory is known as 'The Birthplace of American Astronomy' because it is home to one of the oldest working telescopes in the world. It was the first public observatory in the western hemisphere. It's a fully functioning 19th-century observatory used daily by the public and amateur astronomers. The main telescopes at the Observatory are an 11-inch Merz and Mahler refractor from 1845 and a 16-inch Alvan Clark and Sons refractor from 1904. The observatory originally sat on four acres of land at the top of Mt. Ida, now called Mount Adams. On Nov. 9, 1843, a crowd of thousands witnessed former president John Quincy Adams preside over the dedication of the observatory and the laying of the cornerstone. The telescope moved in 1873 to a new area five miles east of the city. The area was renamed Mount Lookout in honor of the new observatory. Architect Samuel Hannaford, who later designed Cincinnati Music Hall and Cincinnati City Hall, designed the Greek revival building. Since then: In 1904: The Observatory purchased a larger telescope, the 16-inch Alvan Clark and Sons refractor, and built another building on the campus. In 1979: The Observatory formally became part of the Physics Department at the University of Cincinnati. It continued to be used for public education and research by graduate students and others at UC. In the 1980s: Both telescopes were painstakingly brought back into working order through the passion of the late astronomer Paul Nohr. In the 1990s: UC contemplated selling the land to developers interested in leveling the site and erecting condos. A coalition of neighbors, historians, preservation advocates, and amateur and professional astronomers took action to save the observatory. In 1999: The Cincinnati Observatory adopted a new mission as a center for astronomy education. The staff has grown from two to eight full-time employees and there is a committed group of 100 volunteers. Staff and volunteers reach 35,000 people on campus and through outreach to the community each year, according to the Observatory's website. There are lots of tours, day and evening activities (including Late Night Date Nights, which sell out, so reserve your spot early) and other programs at the Cincinnati Observatory. Visit the website at and look to the stars. Do you have a question for Just Askin'? Send it to us at justaskin@ This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Just Askin': How is Cincinnati the Birthplace of American Astronomy?
