The author, who previously worked at N + 1 on articles in chemistry and physics, now teaches these disciplines in school. He had the opportunity to realize a long-held idea—to create his own photo album made with the help of an electron microscope.
The author, who previously worked at N + 1 on articles in chemistry and physics, now teaches these disciplines in school. He had the opportunity to realize a long-held idea—to create his own photo album made with the help of an electron microscope.
By happy chance, a simple SEM was installed at the school. With a background in materials science, the author organized a small club where he and high school students conducted small scientific experiments and actively used the microscope.
Burak Özçivit is once again appearing on television with a new leading role, and the first teaser for the highly anticipated series Güneşin Doğduğu Yer presented the audience with the image of Kenan Kozan.
This new dramatic project on the ATV channel, produced by Tims&B Productions, is attracting attention ahead of the start of the new television season. Filming is taking place in Adana, and a mansion that became widely known through the series Bir Zamanlar Çukurova is being used as one of the main locations. Turkish sources confirmed that the series is being prepared as one of ATV's major projects for the new season.
Burak Özçivit plays the role of Kenan Kozan, a young heir of one of the influential Çukurova families. His character finds himself in a difficult situation, balancing the expectations of an influential family with a love that changes his life.
The plot centers around Kenan and Leyla, whose paths cross after Kenan meets a woman he falls deeply in love with in Germany. However, their relationship is far from simple. Kenan's mother, Seladet, strongly opposes this relationship and has her own plans for her son's future.
Seladet plays Sibel Taşçıoğlu, the powerful matriarch of the Kozan family. Görkem Sevindik plays Ceyhun, while Devrim Yakut appears as Devran, and Bahar Süyerg plays Gül Kozan. The cast also includes Muharrem Türkseven, Nazlıcan Demir, and İlker Yavuz.
Leyla was played by Beyza Güümülcü. Initially, it was reported that she played a character named Tina, but later Turkish media reported that the character's name was changed to Leyla following script revisions. Güümülcü's selection followed a thorough search for a leading partner for Burak Özçivit; reports indicate she was chosen after auditions with Özçivit and became the lead heroine opposite the veteran.
Another important character is Hanzade, played by Hilal Anay. Hanzade is Devran's daughter and Ceyhun's sister, and she is closely connected to the Kozan family. Seladet considers Hanzade a suitable match for Kenan, adding further complexity against the backdrop of Kenan and Leyla's developing relationship.
The series has already attracted attention due to a major change in the cast before filming began. Originally, Uğur Güneş was supposed to play Kenan Kozan, but he left production during the contract negotiation stage after reportedly failing to reach an agreement with the production company on terms. Burak Özçivit then took over the role.
This change sparked significant discussion in Turkish entertainment media, especially after Güneş posted social media updates that some interpreted as indirect hints about the casting situation. Nevertheless, it is important to distinguish between reports of changes and confirmed statements regarding the reasons for the final casting decision.
Behind the scenes, Güneşin Doğduğu Yer is written by Yıldız Tunç and directed by Çağrı Vila Lostuvalı and Cigdem Bozali. The series is produced by Timur Savcı and Burak Sağyaşar under the auspices of Tims&B Productions. The setting in Adana is also an integral part of the production's identity. The story revolves around two established families in Çukurova, their struggle for power, and a complex love story unfolding between Kenan and Leyla. The combination of family rivalry, romance, secrets, and generational expectations cements the series in the tradition of large-scale Turkish television dramas.
As filming progresses and the first teaser is released, attention shifts to Burak Özçivit's return to the small screen and his new partnership with Güümülcü. Güneşin Doğduğu Yer is shaping up to be one of ATV's notable new dramas, offering viewers many reasons to look forward to thanks to its large cast, Adana setting, and intricate family history.
The highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI), the most awaited title of the current console generation, is now available for pre-order on Mercado Livre for PlayStation 5. This offer prices the game at R$ 418.40, which represents a 7% discount compared to the official price of R$ 449.90, making it one of the rare opportunities to acquire the title for less than the suggested value by Rockstar Games.
GTA VI is the next chapter in the most profitable franchise in video game history and was developed by Rockstar Games. As the successor to GTA V, released in 2013 and which remains one of the best-selling games of all time, GTA VI is set in Vice City and the fictional state of Leonida, locations inspired by Florida. The narrative promises to focus on protagonists Lucia and Jason, in a dynamic similar to Bonnie and Clyde, marking the debut of the first playable duo protagonist and the first female protagonist in the main series.
Through the pre-order on Mercado Livre, the game can be obtained for R$ 418.40, which is R$ 31.50 below the official price stipulated by Rockstar of R$ 449.90. This version is intended for PlayStation 5, with delivery expected on the official release date. Rockstar Games has maintained a restrained promotion of the game, with few official materials released so far.
Among the main confirmed points, the setting stands out, which will take place in Vice City, a fictional city based on Miami, and the state of Leonida, a modern reinterpretation of Florida, returning to the scenery originally seen in GTA: Vice City (2002). According to initial information, the player will control two main characters: Lucia, who will be the first female protagonist in the main series, and Jason, with a dynamic portrayed as a retelling of the Bonnie and Clyde story.
The GTA VI map is expected to be the largest ever created by Rockstar, presenting a dynamic atmosphere, realistic day and night cycles, NPCs with their own routines, and a level of graphical detail never before seen in the franchise. Development was done specifically for the current generation consoles, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, with no forecast for a PS4 or Xbox One version. Although there are no official details yet about GTA Online 2.0 or cooperative mode, it is expected that Rockstar will maintain the continuous online game structure that was successful in GTA V.
Early acquisition is recommended for GTA franchise fans who wish to play on the launch day, avoiding the risk of physical unit sell-out due to high initial demand. It is also advantageous for those seeking to secure the current price, which is below the suggested price, since Rockstar's AAA titles tend to maintain the full price for long periods after being released.
It is important to note that the official price of R$ 449.90 established by Rockstar for Brazil is considered high compared to other regions, and the expectation is that there will be no major reductions in the first months post-launch. In contrast, GTA V, released in 2013, maintained its full retail price even in 2025. For casual players without urgency, waiting for the official launch and analyzing reviews before buying is a valid alternative.
With the 7% discount on the official price, the pre-sale on Mercado Livre provides a real saving of R$ 31.50. Although not a drastic discount, in pre-sales of prestigious AAA games, any reduction from the official price is considered unusual. The pre-sale is a viable option for those certain they will play on the launch day; however, those who prefer to wait for reviews or seasonal promotions (such as Black Friday or Prime Day) should monitor the price after the launch, despite the expectation of initial stability.
Rockstar Games announced the official launch of Grand Theft Auto VI for 2026, although the exact date may change according to new official announcements. By placing a pre-order, the buyer secures a copy of the game at the current price, with shipping expected on the official launch day or shortly thereafter, depending on the seller's logistics. It is advisable to check the seller's conditions, whether they are official or an authorized distributor, and confirm stock for the pre-order.
Rockstar confirmed that GTA VI is exclusive to current-generation consoles: PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Confirmation of a PC version has not yet occurred officially, but historically, Rockstar releases PC versions months or even years after the console launch, as happened with GTA V.
The main confirmed novelties include the presence of two playable protagonists (Lucia and Jason, in a Bonnie and Clyde dynamic, different from the three alternate protagonists of GTA V), the change of setting to Vice City and Leonida (a modern reinterpretation of Florida, replacing Los Santos from GTA V), a significantly larger map promised by Rockstar, cutting-edge graphics and technology of the current generation, in addition to much more advanced AI systems and physical elements, taking advantage of the power of PS5 and Xbox Series.
The British Council is supporting the international music project Two Seas. As part of this project, British and Uzbek artists recorded sounds from the dried bed of the Aral Sea in Uzbekistan. The British Council announced that these recordings will be included in an audiovisual project dedicated to environmental changes.
During the project's implementation, participant Quinn Wallace of the British electronic duo Paranoid London visited the Aral Sea region and recorded the sounds of the transformed landscape. Field recordings include the sound of wind over the exposed seabed and the sounds of abandoned ships at the famous ship graveyard in Muynak.
According to the British Council, the Aral Sea has lost about 90% of its water volume over the last six decades. Previously, it was the fourth largest lake in the world and a center of a developed fishing industry. The receding water has changed the appearance of Muynak, which was formerly a port city.
The Two Seas project will combine recordings from Uzbekistan with materials collected in the Gulf of Finland in Finland, where ice melt is also leading to changes in the natural environment. The project creators aim to demonstrate two different types of environmental change: the disappearance of a sea and the gradual loss of ice cover.
Two Seas is being implemented in partnership with the Shambala festival, the Uzbek festival Stihia, and EarthSonic, a program of the organization In Place of War. British and Uzbek cultural organizations and artists are also participating in the project.
As a result of the collaboration, a specially prepared audiovisual performance will be created. The premiere will take place at the Shambala festival in the Data Mine venue. The new musical compositions will be accompanied by immersive visual effects created by Matt Black of Coldcut/Ninja Tune and Ben Sheppard of The Observatory.
The Shambala festival will run from August 27 to 30, 2026, at Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens in Northamptonshire. After the premiere, the music from Two Seas will be released on the EarthSonic label. The release will also be accompanied by a documentary film about the collaboration and the two natural areas.
This project is part of a broader international exchange between independent festivals and cultural organizations. Participants intend to use cultural interaction to share experiences in sustainable festival practices, engagement with local communities, and support for artists working on climate change issues.
Tom Sweet, Senior Manager for Music Industry Engagement at the British Council, emphasized the significance of cooperation between cultural organizations in Uzbekistan and the UK. He noted that the project should promote partnerships and new initiatives that use music and art to raise environmental awareness.
Odil Mukhamedov, Executive Producer of Stihia, highlighted the special importance of the Aral Sea and Muynak for the festival. He stated that transforming landscape sounds into music allows the environmental problem to be presented to audiences in different countries and contributes to cultural dialogue.
Siddharth Sharma, Creative Director of Shambala, believes that this collaboration provides an opportunity not only to create music but also to document environmental changes and discuss ways for independent festivals to adapt to the consequences of climate change.
