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World Mar 23, 2026

Tehran's Toxic Cloud: Satellite Images Reveal Oily Fires Burning for Days After Israeli Bombings

Satellite images show toxic fires caused by Israeli bombings on oil depots in Tehran, Iran, still b…
Satellite images of Tehran have revealed that toxic fires caused by Israeli bombings on oil depots were still burning days after the strikes, posing serious health risks to millions of residents in the Iranian capital.The bombings, which occurred on March 7, caused clouds of smoke to blanket the city with pollutants ranging from soot to oil particles to sulphur dioxide. A passing storm then showered Tehran with poisonous, oil-filled rain.Residents have reported headaches, eye and skin irritation, and difficulty breathing. Experts have warned that these symptoms could be just the beginning, with long-term risks of cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, DNA damage, and cancer.Four fuel facilities in and around the capital were hit, including the Shahran depot in the north-west, the Aqdasieh oil depot in the north-east, the Tehran refinery in the south, and the Shahid Dolati facility in the west.Satellite images taken two days after the strikes showed the Shahran depot and the Tehran refinery were still burning. Another image taken by the European Space Agency satellite on Tuesday – 10 days after the strikes – showed that those two fires had smouldered, but smoke and flames were visible at the Aqdasieh oil depot.Iran has described the attacks as “ecocide”, which is described as wanton acts of environmental destruction.The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has warned that heavy smoke from burning oil was “directly inhaled by people in Iran – including young children – raising serious concerns about long-term impacts on both human and environmental health”.
#oil #tehran #strikes
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Sports Mar 22, 2026

Newcastle United Vows to Take Action After Racist Abuse Mars Tyne-Wear Derby

The Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle United and Sunderland AFC was marred by reports of racist abu…
The Tyne-Wear derby between Newcastle United and Sunderland AFC ended in a 2-1 victory for the visiting team, but the match was overshadowed by reports of racist abuse directed at Sunderland's Lutsharel Geertruida by home fans.The incident occurred early in the second half, prompting referee Anthony Taylor to temporarily halt play in accordance with the Premier League's on-field anti-discrimination protocol. Granit Xhaka, Sunderland's captain, informed Taylor of the alleged abuse, which led to a discussion with both managers and the player involved.The Premier League has launched a full investigation into the incident, with Northumbria Police making one arrest during pre-match skirmishes between rival fans. Newcastle United has condemned the abuse and vowed to work with authorities to identify and hold accountable those responsible.In a statement, Newcastle United said: "We are aware of a report of racism made by a visiting player against someone in the crowd during our Premier League match against Sunderland. Our stance is clear – we do not tolerate discrimination of any form. We will work with the authorities to fully investigate and will ensure any individuals are identified and held accountable."Sunderland AFC also released a statement, expressing their support for Geertruida and condemning the racist abuse: "Sunderland AFC is aware of the reported incident of racist abuse directed at Lutsharel Geertruida during today's fixture at St. James' Park. We stand with Lutsharel, who has our complete backing, and we commend him for displaying bravery and leadership by reporting this incident to the match officials."The incident has highlighted the ongoing issue of racism in football and the need for clubs and authorities to take a strong stance against such behavior.
#sunderland #our #newcastle
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Sport Mar 22, 2026

Chessum Drives Tigers to Crucial Victory as Bristol Falls Short in Premiership Battle

England international Ollie Chessum returned from Six Nations duty to inspire Leicester Tigers to a…
Transitioning from the bright lights of the Stade de France to the familiar surroundings of the Crumbie Stand presents a unique mental challenge for international rugby players. For England's Ollie Chessum, however, the return to domestic competition proved fruitful as he delivered another tireless performance in Leicester's 33-19 victory over Bristol.The result not only elevates the Tigers to third place in the Premiership standings but also secured what could prove to be a crucial bonus point when playoff calculations are finalized. Bristol, who had been seeking bonus points of their own, ultimately left empty-handed and remain in fifth place following a match that maintained intensity from start to finish.The significance of this fixture was evident as Chessum and Joe Heyes were asked to immediately return to action following their Six Nations commitments, with Jack van Poortvliet also coming off the bench. This selection strategy proved effective, bolstered by another influential display from fly-half Billy Searle. The final try exemplified the Tigers' growing confidence under pressure.Even head coach Geoff Parling was urging his players to take calculated risks, shouting at Freddie Steward to kick the ball from deep rather than risk turnovers. When his players backed themselves from their own half, the decision paid dividends."I've been trying for a long time to get them to play what they see and that's what they did," Parling stated afterward, while also praising Chessum's contribution. "The Six Nations is physical but there's also an emotional toll. It's always a challenge for those guys when they come back after being away for eight weeks. Ollie was outstanding. He's a big emotional leader for us."Two decisive tries within a three-minute spell midway through the first half proved pivotal. When Leicester enters the "killing zone," they appear increasingly dangerous, as demonstrated by the close-range power of Joaquín Moro and Hanro Liebenberg, which left the Bears, missing rested Ellis Genge and dealing with injuries, with no answer.Bristol, however, proved difficult to contain for extended periods. Their industrious captain Fitz Harding, the league's top tackler this season, rewarded sustained pressure with a try, while Kalaveti Ravouvou continued his habit of scoring against the Tigers, escaping past Steward and Chessum to touch down down the right wing.The Bears' other first-half highlight came from hooker Gabriel Oghre, whose cultured left boot produced a magnificent 45-metre touchfinder from a defensive lineout. Oghre's versatility raises questions about why he isn't discussed more frequently among England's hooker options.While romantic backstories don't typically secure tight victories, the return of Scotland international flanker Hamish Watson on loan from Edinburgh added emotional significance. After 14 years north of the border, the 34-year-old relished the opportunity to run out to the traditional strains of Smoke on the Water at his boyhood club.Bristol continued to press, with Harding burrowing over for his second try, bringing Jimmy Williams' conversion to make it 20-19. Leicester needed to respond, and almost did when Searle launched an attack that might have yielded a spectacular try had Moro held the final pass.Though Izaia Perese soon crossed for Leicester's third try, the Tigers couldn't fully relax until the final moments. Steward's cross-kick initiated a daring raid up the right touchline, culminating in Hamer-Webb's exuberant dive over the line to seal the victory."We wanted to take Leicester out of their comfort zone and we did that at times," lamented Bristol's director of rugby Pat Lam. "We just need to finish more of our opportunities. You have to be at your best to win here and we weren't at our best."With seven regular-season rounds remaining, the stakes continue to rise. Bristol will host Harlequins at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, while Leicester faces Gloucester at Villa Park in the latest edition of the Slater Cup.
#bristol #tigers #but
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Commentisfree Mar 18, 2026

Revisiting the K-Pop Obsession: BTS's New Album and a Nostalgic Comeback

The author reflects on their past obsession with K-pop, particularly BTS, and how it helped them co…
The announcement of BTS's comeback album has transported me back to a bygone era, one marked by all-consuming passion and a dash of secrecy. As a teenager, I was deeply invested in K-pop, particularly BTS, but I often found myself hiding this obsession from peers due to fear of ridicule. In those days, it was uncommon for groups of girls to openly discuss or watch new music videos from popular K-pop bands like BTS or One Direction. We'd often gather in private settings, like late-night Skype calls or in the back of a classroom, to share and enjoy our favorite content. This clandestine nature of fandom was partly due to the stigma attached to being a 'fan girl.' The author recalls feeling self-conscious about their enthusiasm and downplaying it to avoid being labeled as 'crazy' or 'obsessed.' This behavior was not unique; many teenage girls have similar experiences, often softening their passions to fit in or avoid criticism. The question remains: why is it that displaying genuine emotion is frequently misconstrued as unhealthy dependence? Looking back, the author feels a sense of protection and softness towards their younger self, who found solace, connection, and belonging through BTS's music and universe. During a particularly challenging time, when the author moved to Melbourne alone at 17, BTS's extensive content provided comfort and something to look forward to. This period of intense fandom ultimately helped the author make meaningful connections and discover creative outlets like writing. The experience was pivotal in their personal development, offering a safe space to express themselves and explore their creativity through fan art, fan fiction, and more. With the release of BTS's new album, Arirang, and a world tour on the horizon, the author is eager to revisit their teenage self, embracing the excitement and joy that comes with being a fan. This nostalgia-tinged comeback is not just about the music; it's about reconnecting with a part of themselves that they had set aside.
#bts #new #back
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