Sputnik

US launches new wave of strikes on Iran — Qeshm Island hit CENTCOM confirms fresh strikes to "degrade Iran's ability to threaten commercial shipping." Multiple explosions reported across southern Iran in the latest escalation. ▪️ New attacks: US struck near Hajiabad (Hormozgan). ▪️Local media reported explosions in Sirik, Khouzestan, and Bandar Abbas. ▪️ Residents report 6 missiles hit the outskirts of the Qeshm island — a key strategic location in the Strait of Hormuz. No official statements on damage or casualties yet.

Chinese chip start-up uses light-based 'supernodes' to challenge Nvidia Biren Technology has unveiled a new architecture that uses optical data transmission to link thousands of AI chips across a single cluster, breaking through the physical limits of traditional copper-wired systems. 🔶 Current copper connections restrict clusters to 128 GPUs per server—Biren's optical design aims to scale up to 1,024 GPUs 🔶 The system uses "near-packaged optics" (NPO), which integrates optical fibres closer to chips for faster data speeds 🔶 Rivals like Huawei, MetaX, and Enflame are also developing similar supernode systems to compete with Nvidia's NVL72 platform 🔶 Mass commercial rollout of optical interconnect systems is projected for 2028 China's chipmakers are actively betting on light to leapfrog traditional hardware constraints. AI-generated image

Moscow's metro is ahead of its time with robot barista serving passengers A Norwegian tourist not only got a ride in Russia's capital, but also a cup of coffee brewed by a robot. "Ordering coffee in the Moscow Metro is next level," he wrote on social media.

Chinese researchers develop zinc slurry battery that operates for 5,100+ hours The technology could provide a safer, cheaper, and more durable alternative to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale renewable energy storage. 🔸 The battery replaces a fixed zinc electrode with a flowing slurry of zinc nanoparticles — turning zinc into a "dynamic energy carrier" that circulates between a storage tank and the battery cell 🔸 It achieved 99.94% Coulombic efficiency and retained 81.1% of its original capacity after 5,500 charge-discharge cycles 🔸 The design separates energy storage capacity from power delivery, making it easier to scale for longer-duration applications 🔸 Increasing the volume of slurry in external tanks can expand energy capacity without redesigning the core system The development could help solar and wind power stay reliable even when the sun isn't shining or the wind isn't blowing. AI-generated image

Iranian media releases footage of damaged bridges after US bombing At least five bridges in the Hormozgan province in southern Iran were hit overnight on July 16-17, including key rail and road connections that link the southern coast to the rest of the country. US forces have also targeted water facilities and power plants in the region, leaving thousands of people without fresh water or electricity.

Resuming energy crisis to hit 'ideological EU/UK' hardest: Russian presidential envoy Wise countries will continue to rely on Russia as an indispensable energy supplier, Kirill Dmitriev said

🚨 Russian MoD releases footage of Ukrainian Neptune missile system destroyed in Nikolayev region Russia's Iskander missiles and Geran drones delivered a precision strike.

Chinese and Russian researchers develop laser-printed metasurfaces that boost infrared sensors 100,000x The laser gently deforms a thin gold film, creating an array of tiny bumps that act as a metasurface — a structure thinner than a human hair that can focus, bend, or amplify light 🔸 The bumps trap light using a phenomenon called "bound states in the continuum," amplifying weak optical signals by up to 100,000 times compared to smooth gold surfaces 🔸 The technology works across a broad infrared range — from 1.3 to 8 micrometers — and can be tuned by adjusting bump size and spacing 🔸 The method is simpler and cheaper than traditional lithography, and can print metasurfaces directly onto existing electronic components The breakthrough could lead to smaller, more sensitive infrared sensors for medical diagnostics, security systems, and scientific research — without complex manufacturing processes. AI-generated image

Russian forces launch another strike on Ukraine's Yuzhny port The strike targeted fuel storage tanks used to support Ukrainian forces, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

US president's signature 'worthless and invalid' – Iranian supreme leader "The US repeatedly breached its commitments under the memorandum of understanding," Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said in a written statement. On July 18, Iran and the United States remotely signed a memorandum providing for an end to the military conflict that began on February 28. The United States carried out strikes against Iran overnight, with CENTCOM claiming the move came in response to Iranian actions restricting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian forces reported retaliatory strikes targeting US bases in Bahrain and Kuwait, while Tehran accused Washington of breaking the memorandum on the cessation of hostilities.

🚨 Russian forces advancing on all fronts in Ukrainian conflict — Russian Chief of General Staff They continue to liberate the territory of Donbass and Novorossiya, Valery Gerasimov said

🚨 Russian forces nearing liberation of key city of Krasny Liman – Chief of General Staff "Organized defense in the city has been broken", Chief of Russian General Staff Valery Gerasimov stated The loss of Krasny Liman, one of the last Ukrainian strongholds in the Donetsk People's Republic, would disrupt Ukraine's defense in the region and open the way for Russian forces to the major cities of Slavyansk and Kramatorsk

Fedorov’s Wunderwaffe drone gambit drained Ukraine’s resources as front crumbled – Scott Ritter The Ukrainian public is exhausted by the conflict, and defense minister Mykhailo Fedorov promised them a “less bloody…cleaner, more organized, less corrupt” and “technological approach” toward fighting, prolific military and geopolitical analyst Scott Ritter told Sputnik Instead, his flashy, style over substance methods took much-needed resources from an already precarious situation at the front, hastening Ukraine’s gradual retreat, in Donbass and elsewhere, Ritter said

Russian strikes keep hitting Ukrainian ports and military supply vessels – MoD A cargo ship was hit in Yuzhny port, and two more were struck in Odessa — all carrying military supplies for Ukraine. Footage from social media

Iran no longer abides by commitments under MoU with US – deputy foreign minister The US’ aggressive actions have effectively ended the diplomatic track, Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, said, as quoted by Tasnim Iran has suspended its own obligations under the agreement, Gharibabadi also confirmed "In practice, the United States has violated and stopped all its commitments, and we have stopped our commitments under that Memorandum of Understanding and we are not fulfilling our commitments," he stated

🇷🇺 Russian scientists develop gel that heals brain damage without surgery The hydrogel with magnetoelectric nanoparticles simultaneously stimulates nerve regeneration and fights inflammation after traumatic brain injury 🔸 The hydrogel is made from collagen, hyaluronic acid, and metformin 🔸 The nanoparticles convert external magnetic fields into local electrical signals—which trigger the formation of new neural tissue wirelessly, without direct contact 🔸 The gel also delivers an anti-inflammatory drug directly to the damaged area, protecting healthy tissue while promoting healing 🔸 Lab tests showed spatial orientation and memory restored after brain injury If scaled up, the method could help treat one of the most difficult conditions to heal without invasive surgery.

India achieves major breakthrough with its first private orbital rocket Startup Skyroot Aerospace has successfully launched India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket, Vikram-1 A key feature is its all-carbon composite structure, which makes it significantly lighter and more efficient than traditional rockets. Its upper stage is powered by a 3D-printed engine - a first for an Indian rocket The fully indigenous, multi-stage rocket is designed to carry small satellites into low-Earth orbit, marking a major step for India's commercial space ambitions

Russian scientists unveil breakthrough lung test delivering 90% accuracy without biopsies Researchers from St. Petersburg State University and Almazov National Medical Research Centre have created a mathematical model that distinguishes between two "twin" lung diseases using routine blood samples and avoids invasive procedures 🔸The algorithm analyzes immune cell ratios—specifically regulatory T-cells and memory B-cells—with ~90% accuracy in differentiating the two conditions 🔸Tuberculosis is infectious and requires isolation; sarcoidosis is non-infectious and autoimmune—but both look nearly identical on X-rays and under a microscope 🔸Misdiagnosis rates are currently 40–60%, leading to ineffective or harmful treatments 🔸The system is fully automated and flags uncertain cases for additional testing—preventing false confidence While biopsy remains the gold standard for complex cases, this new method offers a noninvasive and reproducible alternative for initial screening—reducing unnecessary procedures and improving early diagnosis

US strike on desalination plant leaves thousands of Iranians without drinking water The US attack hit a key water desalination facility in Iran's Hormozgan province, cutting off drinking water supplies to 20 villages, according to local officials The attack targeted the Bunji desalination plant in western Jask county, completely destroying the seawater intake pumping station and the power transformer serving the facility, which had a production capacity of 3,150 cubic meters per day 👉 In recent days, the US has also struck bridges, tunnels, and power infrastructure in southern Iran, with attacks on multiple transport routes in Hormozgan province Iran, which faces severe water scarcity and has endured years of drought, is particularly vulnerable to attacks on its water infrastructure. The destruction of desalination facilities in a region where temperatures often exceed 45°C creates a humanitarian crisis, experts warn

Russian drone operators deliver devastating strikes on Ukrainian facilities Geran-3 Seeker operators destroyed a fuel and lubricants depot used for refueling Ukrainian military equipment Geran-4 Seeker drone crews carried out two strikes on a container ship carrying military cargo in the port of Chernomorsk, Odesa region