Taking place on this day in 2001, Russian forces in Alkhan-Kala undertook a special military operation known by the above euphemism as зачистка, the equivalent of “mopping up” as part of the Second Chechen War to eliminate insurgent separatists and organised crime. 
Chechnya (the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, named after tje river that was the line of demarcation) had secured de facto independence from Russia in 1996 but Moscow found the arrangement increasingly less acceptable, accusing Georgia of foment unrest, when the gauged the country as ungovernable, overrun by armed gangs and ultimately proclaiming itself as a Islamic republic and accused of invading neighbouring Dagestan. The siege of the small town, the door-to-door slaughter of civilians in search of the warlord is characteristic of suppression of rebel elements and ethic cleansing and has been repeated in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Ukraine and in other breakaway republics, all territories along the Caspian corridor annexed from the Persian Empire under Peter the Great.
Thursday, 25 June 2026
zachistka (13. 556)
the green mile (13. 555)
In the forest near the settlement of Klevan, Rivne Oblast, in northwestern Ukraine there is a leafy green corridor referred to as the Tunnel of Love (Тунель Кохання), a favourite spot for couples to take a romantic stroll, a section of industrial railway as their walk is only interrupted by freight trains three or four times a day. The verdant arches owning their existence to these routine crossings rather than the design of any intentional Edward Scissorhands landscaping—the track’s shoulders of this three-kilometre section not maintained relying on the locomotives to do the trimming of any errant growth blocking the path. More impressions from Kuriositas at the link above.
synchronoptica
one year ago: a stroll along the beach (with synchronoptica)
two years ago: a visit to a historic hermitage
three years ago: Belarusian intervention halts march to Moscow, the struggle to keep journalism solvent, The Firebird (1910) plus the primary confessions of the Lutheran faith (1530)
four years ago: assorted links worth the revisit
five years ago: jimoto Starbucks, McDonaldland and other trippy ads plus word jazz
six years ago: demonyms, Rhode Island renamed, Blade Runner (1982), butterfly spotting plus a repatriated painting
Wednesday, 24 June 2026
day one-hundred fifteen (13. 554)
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard rejects the proposed route by its Omani partners through the Strait of Hormuz, saying that safe passage can only be guaranteed for the lanes issued by Tehran and any deviation would pose a risk to traffic. 
The Department of War requests an addition eighty-eight billion dollars in funding related to the Iran conflict and the Ebola outbreak in Africa. Meeting with NATO secretary-general Rutte, Trump boasts that Iran has conceded to everything that he has asked for and revived old grievances with allies, ahead of the annual summit to be hosted in Ankara, which the US president plans to attend. IDF insists it will remain in Lebanon, potentially undermining the peace process.
jónsmessa (13. 553)
The celebration coinciding with the Feast of John the Baptist, this second night of Mid-Summer, according to Icelandic tradition when the midnight sun returns, barely dipping below the horizon and never setting, is one of the four miraculous eves when magic happens, the others occurring during Yuletide with Christmas, New Years and Twelfth Night. 
Wishing stones may be found as well as healing herbs and grasses mature and are at the height of their potency. The evening due heavy, rolling around in it naked guarantees a year’s inoculation from all ailments. Cows gain the capactiy for human speech, though their utterances can drive the hearer mad so it is best not to listen. Lore also states that sitting at a crossroads with all paths leading to a church invites elves, who will attempt to seduce one with food and gifts.
cómo hace el pequeño cocodrilo (13. 552)
Having made the acquaintance of singular artist and writer Leonora Carrington (see previously here and here) through her surreal paintings informed by Celtic and Mesoamerican folklore and her own lived experience, we were excited to discover a special exhibition that curates Carrington’s works in other media—chiefly through large scale bronze figures sculpted using the lost-wax casting technique, her mythic and primordial figures walking off the canvas but also jewellery and vases and platters. 
Though many of these characters are untitled and pass unnamed, whose story was only known to their creator, one is pressed to give a narrative and lore to these apparitions and wonder what they portend. Much more from Colossal at the link above including the departed artist's personal website, lovingly maintained by her estate, and more details on showings and public art, like the title fabulist, monumental sculpture gifted to Ciudad de México depicting the Lewis Carroll (previously) poem, Alice reciting the parody as she attempts to memorise the Isaac Watts’ moralistic litany “Against Idleness and Mischief”—how doth the little busy bee improve each shining hour...
pause for station identification (13. 551)
Via Swiss Miss, we are invited to tune in to a range of virtual televisions that host programming by decade from the 1950s though the aughts with thousands of channels on the dial. There is a guide to consult and one can select from a list of genres, soap operas, cartoons, drama, trailers, commercials, music, sitcoms, news, talk shows, game shows, etc—though those modern day luxuries does not factor into the nostalgia and we think it’s much more rewarding to sit with the random shuffle as one surfs to see what’s on already in progress. 
The ads alone make this worthwhile. It’s of course saturated with mostly North American broadcasts but I think there’s some UK shows as well—the individuals behind this project seem to have crafted it with care and new media is being added on a regular basis. Let us know what forgotten gems you find.
8x8 (13. 550)
add to dictionary: a remembrance of the departed Tony Krueger, the software engineer that introduced red squiggles to word-processing to indicate a potential error
seen by the machine: AI scores one’s relative importance by billions of datapoints called “the weights”—please consider the environmental impact before googling oneself—via MetaFilter
drain the swamp: a meme roundup on the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool
reading the room: a moment of silence observed before interviews with filmmakers to take in the room tone as a supercut from Criterion
a la carte: US history told in early restaurant menus—see previously
able mabel: a robotic maid from 1966
usa a-ok: more than amplifying random statistical noise, an interesting look at Americans’ misspellings mapped
synchronoptica
one year ago: the Carnac Stones (with synchronoptica) plus a trip to Belz
two years ago: exploring Maccagno
three years ago: artist and freedom fighter Willem Arondéus, a revolt and march toward Moscow plus the last Emperor
four years ago: Germany legalises abortion plus a work cruise on the Rhein
five years ago: artist Robert Rotar, the goddess of luck, the bells of Bad Hersfeld, assorted links to revisit plus Cubist cars
six years ago: an orchestra for houseplants, the Battle of Bamber Bridge (1943), tourists not welcome plus the Pontiac Ghost Car
Tuesday, 23 June 2026
day one-hundred fourteen (13. 549)
US senate narrowly votes to halt conflict in Iran without congressional authorisation, though Trump is expected to veto the war powers resolution. 
The US president announces that IAEA nuclear inspectors will go to Iran at “an appropriate time”—Tehran countering the claims on commitments made earlier by Trump and Vance, whilst secretary of state Rubio maintains that Hormuz must remain toll-free as UN takes action to evacuate sailors stranded in the Strait. Russia puts the annexed territory of Crimea under lockdown as a swarm of drones approaches. Belarus strives to remain neutral after Kiev issues an ultimatum and warms of consequences.
