Latest news with #Sirius
The Sun
19 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Battle of Black Sea erupts as Russia and Ukraine strike biggest resorts after peace talks fail to deliver ceasefire
A NEW front in Vladimir Putin's bloody war erupted as Ukraine and Russia traded deadly Black Sea strikes after peace talks collapsed. The tit-for-tat attacks were the fiercest in months and marked a chilling escalation in a war showing no signs of ending. 11 11 11 11 In the Russian resort city of Sochi - Putin's glittering showcase to the world and personal playground - massive Ukrainian drones tore through vital infrastructure. Explosions rocked oil depots, ignited railway warehouses, and tore apart road links in Sirius Federal Territory, where elite schools, luxury developments, and whispers of Putin's own children echo. In an embarrassing blow to the Kremlin, a Russian S-400 missile system misfired during the chaos, smashing into a residential block and killing at least two civilians. One woman was among the dead, and another 11 people were wounded. Tourists at Sochi's five-star beachside hotels were seen cowering in underground car parks as their luxury summer breaks were shattered by war. This was the first major Ukrainian strike on Sochi in almost two years - and the symbolism couldn't be clearer. The city is home to Russia's most elite gymnastics academy run by Alina Kabaeva, Putin's long-time secret lover. It's also just a stone's throw from the palace Mad Vlad is building after razing his last one - and only a mile from the Sirius school where he once held private talks with Donald Trump. Ukraine used Lyutyi‑196 long-range drones in the daring raid that lit up the night sky with fireballs. The Lukoil-Yugnefteprodukt oil depot exploded in flames as local officials scrambled to control the chaos. Warped Russian state TV parades 'drone death factory' packed with kamikaze killing machines after Ukraine blitzes Moscow Sochi airport was also shut down, delaying more than 100 flights. While Sochi burned, the heart of Odesa bled. The historic Ukrainian port city, often described as the soul of the nation, suffered yet another hellish night under a hail of Russian drones. A nine-storey residential building was torn apart from the fifth to eighth floors, and the city's beloved Privoz Market - a cultural landmark since 1827 - was engulfed in flames. Regional governor Oleh Kiper said: "There is damage to architectural monuments in the historic centre of Odesa, which is under UNESCO protection." Russia also launched drone strikes on Mykolaiv and a missile assault on Cherkasy, injuring seven people and a child. Fires raged across Ukrainian industrial sites as sirens screamed through the night. All this, just hours after peace talks in Istanbul collapsed into bitter recriminations. 11 11 Kremlin negotiator Vladimir Medinsky admitted the two sides were "quite far from each other". Ukraine's Rustem Umerov demanded an immediate ceasefire and face-to-face negotiations. He warned: "We emphasise that the ceasefire must be real. "It must include a complete halt to strikes on civilian and critically important infrastructure." 'Prepping for nuclear war' As the bloodshed on the ground escalates, Putin's propaganda machine turns even more apocalyptic. Leading Russian media outlets - or Kremlin mouthpieces - have begun preparing their citizens for nuclear war. Newspapers such as Komsomolskaya Pravda ran chilling features warning that war with the West could come before the end of the decade, fuelled by what they claim is Nato aggression. Accusing the West of wanting to "dismember" Russia to access its resources, Russian military analyst Andrei Klintsevich warned: "The aim is to provoke Russia… and launch direct confrontation." He called for a nuclear test in the Arctic - the first since the Cold War - in a move meant to terrify Western powers. The warnings coincided with threats from Putin's infamous crony Dmitry Medvedev, who claimed World War Three has already begun, and urged Russia to bomb the West. Medvedev, deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, raged that Nato and the West are effectively already at war with Russia as he pushed the Kremlin's view that his country is the victim. That's despite it being Russia who invaded Ukraine and is continuing to wage a bloody war. 11 11 The Kremlin's fury was further stoked after US General Christopher Donahue declared Nato could capture Kalinigrad - the strategic fortress Russia clings to in the heart of Europe - "faster than we've ever done before." It comes after Trump threw his own firepower to the mix. He pledged to arm Ukraine with advanced defence systems and slap Russia with brutal 100 per cent tariffs - unless Putin strikes a peace deal within 50 days. Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelensky has found himself facing a new kind of battle - not with Putin, but with his own people. The Ukrainian leader is under intense fire after signing a controversial anti-corruption bill that critics say hands him near-absolute power over previously independent watchdogs. Thousands poured into the streets of Kyiv in the biggest anti-government protest since the war began. "We chose Europe, not autocracy," read one handmade placard. Another one read: "My father did not die for this." Zelensky insisted the law was needed to purge Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies of Russian infiltration, claiming: "We all share a common enemy: the Russian occupiers… "Those who work against Ukraine must not feel comfortable or immune to the inevitability of punishment." But his assurances did little to calm protesters, which included Kyiv's mayor and former heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, who said bluntly: 'Sapo and Nabu must remain independent institutions.' The protests have now spread to Lviv, Dnipro and even battle-hardened Odesa, adding political turmoil to an already exhausted nation. 11 11
Zawya
a day ago
- General
- Zawya
UAE educators join specialised training programme in Russia to advance teaching skills
United Arab Emirates: As part of its ongoing efforts to upskill educators and adopt global best practices in education, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has announced that a group of Emirati educators is participating in a specialised training programme at the Sirius Education Centre in Russia. Held until 28 July 2025, the training programme is being held as part of the existing partnership with the Talent and Success Educational Foundation in the Sirius Federal Territory, Her Excellency Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education, stated that sending top Emirati educators to leading international training programmes aligns with the Ministry's strategic vision to enhance the UAE's educational competitiveness by investing in teaching talent and forging global academic partnerships. Her Excellency Al Amiri said: 'As the world continues to evolve, we remain committed to equipping our educators with the tools they need to create future-ready learning experiences. We value global knowledge exchange and the adoption of innovative, research-driven practices that strengthen our education system.' With the aim of helping build an engaging educational environment that nurtures critical thinking, creativity and collaborative learning, the programme offers over 60 hours of training covering modern STEM lesson design, activity-based learning, project-based learning, educational transitions and authentic assessment in primary education. It also includes interactive workshops and daily sessions for sharing experiences and practical insights. The comprehensive programme empowers participants with a deep understanding of interactive, research-driven education. It also focuses on honing their skills in designing personalised learning programmes, fostering student independence, mastering diagnostic tools to identify gifted learners, adapting teaching methods to different learner needs and enhancing feedback mechanisms. This programme is a key part of the Ministry's strategy to develop a highly skilled teaching workforce capable of advancing the UAE's educational vision. It underscores the Ministry's commitment to enhancing teaching capabilities, embracing modern teaching methodologies, and integrating global best practices in a manner that is responsive to the UAE's unique educational landscape.
Russia Today
a day ago
- Russia Today
Ukraine attacks southern Russian cities with drones
Ukrainian drones targeted the Black Sea resort city of Sochi and the nearby Sirius educational hub in southern Russia early Thursday, local officials said. The UAVs struck Sochi, the site of the 2014 Winter Olympics, located east of Crimea. Debris from one drone fell onto a street, killing one woman and seriously injuring another, regional emergency services reported. Another drone hit an oil terminal in the Sirius federal territory, according to Mayor Dmitry Plishkin. The district, established in 2020, serves as a technological and educational hub as well as a training center for young athletes. Telegram news channels reported that students and tourists were evacuated to shelters and underground parking lots. Locals described hearing air raid sirens and up to 20 explosions across different parts of Sochi. DETAILS TO FOLLOW
CBS News
6 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
The Dog Days of Summer
The "Dog Days of Summer". It is a phrase you probably have heard before. When you think of the "dog days", it conjures an image of hot and humid weather coupled with long, summer days. So, why is this part of the summer season even mentioning dogs? Is it because it is so hot that we're "doggin'" it? That is a good guess, and we certainly do "dog it" in the heat and humidity, but the name has more to do with something in space than it does with the hot weather here on Earth. We must look 8.7 light years away to find the namesake for our summer's "Dog Days". This hot stretch of weather is named after the star Sirius. According to NASA, Sirius is the brightest star in the night sky, 20 times brighter than our Sun and over twice as massive. Obviously, since it is almost nine light years away, to us the Sun appears brighter since it is closer. Sirius is the brightest star in the constellation Canis Major. This gives it the nickname "the Dog Star." The National Weather Service says the Dog Days of summer run from July 3 through August 11, which is 20 days prior to and 20 days after the star Sirius rises and falls in conjunction with the sun. While the name "Dog Days" deals with a star, we still "dog it" this time of year!
Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Pfizer COVID vaccine may cause serious eye damage, new study reveals
A recent study has raised concerns that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine may cause subtle but potentially serious effects on the eye's cornea, particularly its innermost layer, the endothelium. Conducted by scientists in Turkey and published in the journal Ophthalmic Epidemiology, the research examined changes in the corneas of 64 patients before and after receiving both doses of the vaccine. While no immediate vision loss was reported, the study found that the vaccine led to thicker corneas, a reduced number of endothelial cells, and structural changes that could affect eye health over time. According to the Daily Mail, experts caution that while these changes may be harmless in the short term, they could pose risks for those with pre-existing eye conditions or corneal transplants. Pfizer COVID vaccine linked to corneal cell loss, swelling and altered structure Researchers found that the average thickness of the cornea increased from 528 to 542 micrometers after two Pfizer doses, a roughly 2 percent rise. The endothelial cell count, responsible for keeping the cornea clear, dropped by about 8 percent, from 2,597 to 2,378 cells per square millimeter. Though this remains within a safe range for healthy individuals, such a decline could pose serious risks for those with a low baseline count due to aging, eye surgeries, or diseases like Fuchs' dystrophy. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Hear better, live easier Amplifon Book Now Undo In addition, the study noted an increase in cell size variation (coefficient of variation), rising from 39 to 42, suggesting the corneal endothelium was under stress. The number of cells maintaining a healthy hexagonal shape also dropped from 50 percent to 48 percent. As Daily Mail reported, these signs may not immediately affect vision but could compromise the cornea's long-term clarity and function if they persist. Scientists urge caution but do not oppose vaccination The study, which analyzed 128 eyes using Sirius corneal topography and Tomey EM-4000 specular microscopy, does not recommend halting vaccination efforts. Rather, it calls for ongoing monitoring of corneal health in individuals with known eye vulnerabilities. The researchers emphasized that the changes observed might be temporary responses to stress or inflammation and could resolve over time. Still, they warned that 'the endothelium should be closely monitored in those with a low endothelial count or who have had a corneal graft,' especially if future studies confirm long-term damage. According to Daily Mail, this adds to existing concerns over rare side effects of mRNA vaccines, including myocarditis and pericarditis, particularly in younger men. The researchers plan to continue tracking participants to determine if these early corneal changes progress or stabilize over time.
