Captures

• Japan's Hayabusa2 asteroid probe captured high-resolution images of the double-lobed asteroid Torifune on July 5. • The spacecraft approached the two-headed space rock from a distance of approximately 62 million miles to document its unique structure. • This mission follows the probe's previous success in 2020, when it famously returned samples from the asteroid Ryugu to Earth.

• YouTube dominated Japan's digital Video-on-Demand (VOD) market in May, capturing over 65% of total viewing hours and reaching 72 million viewers. • The platform's growth was primarily driven by high viewership in news and baseball content, according to new data from ampd Analytics. • These insights were gathered via the ampd Vision platform, which utilizes passive behavioral panels and AI-driven qualitative interviews across nine Asia Pacific markets.

• YouTube has captured over 65% of digital Video-on-Demand (VOD) viewing hours in Japan, according to new data from ampd Analytics. • In May, the platform reached 72 million viewers in the region, with news and baseball content emerging as the primary drivers of viewership. • This dominance highlights YouTube's critical role in the Japanese media landscape, effectively competing with traditional broadcasters for high-engagement content.

• NASA astronaut Jessica Meir captured high-resolution images of towering thunderclouds while stationed aboard the International Space Station. • The photographs highlight the immense scale and dynamism of Earth's atmospheric weather systems from an orbital perspective. • These space-based observations are critical for improving global weather forecasting and deepening the scientific understanding of climate patterns.

• The James Webb Space Telescope has captured a detailed image of the Orion A region, showcasing its star-forming clouds in vibrant colors. • The image provides a unique view of the region, highlighting its intricate details and beauty. • This capture is significant as it helps astronomers study the formation of stars and planets in the Orion A region.

Over 40 years, Italy’s Il Cinema Ritrovato – or ‘rediscovered cinema’ – has evolved into an influential international gatheringBologna will be transformed into an open-air museum of cinema on Saturday as a nine-day festival dedicated to restored, rediscovered and overlooked films – some dating back more than a century – gets under way in the northern Italian city.Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, Il Cinema Ritrovato, or “rediscovered cinema”, has evolved from its niche origins into an influential international gathering captivating a new generation of cinephiles. Continue reading...

Capture of Beaufort castle near the city of Nabatiyeh comes despite a nominal ceasefire and shortly before talks due in the USIsraeli troops have captured a mountain topped with a Crusader-built castle in southern Lebanon in their deepest incursion into the country in more than a quarter of a century.The capture of Beaufort castle near the city of Nabatiyeh came after days of intense fighting and airstrikes in nearby villages where Israeli troops fought Hezbollah members in the rugged area.Israel has expanded the scope of its operations in Lebanon sending troops across the Litani River, which previously served as a de facto boundary. Israel has designated the area from the Litani up to the Zahrani River a combat zone. Some residents have already left the area due to the intense strikes in recent days, but people remain in many of the area’s towns.Hezbollah overnight claimed two attacks targeting Israeli troops and a Merkava tank in the southwestern town of Bayada near the border. In recent days, the group has said it has clashed with Israeli troops in several towns just north of the river near Nabatiyeh and the castle.The Lebanese Health Ministry said the death toll in the country since March was 3,371, including civilians and combatants. The Israeli army announced Sunday that one of its soldiers had been killed the previous day by a Hezbollah explosive drone in southern Lebanon, bringing to 25 the number of Israeli military deaths since early March.US president Donald Trump said he had secured guarantees from Iran that it would not develop nuclear weapons, as reports emerged he had sent a tougher peace proposal back to Tehran. Trump has said his priorities for any deal include stopping Iran from any nuclear weapon development and re-opening the blockaded strait of Hormuz.Benjamin Netanyahu said he has given orders to the Israeli army to seize control of 70% of the Gaza Strip in a move that threatens to torpedo an already fragile ceasefire and create catastrophic humanitarian conditions in the already devastated territory. Continue reading...