Dr Ilan Dwek

PhD. #education re #Deaf #employability. Lecturer. Award-winning actor (#Diagnonsense, 2022). And happily wedded to lovely Marcella

[ArchaeoHistories @histories_arch]

Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing's last photo together in 1994....

The careers of Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing were closely intertwined for decades, particularly through their work with Hammer Films in the late 1950s through the 1970s. Together, they helped redefine modern horror cinema—Lee most famously as Dracula and Cushing as Baron Frankenstein and later Van Helsing. Their on-screen chemistry became a defining feature of British gothic horror during that era.

Both men brought disciplined, classical training to roles that might otherwise have been dismissed as pulp. Cushing’s meticulous preparation and Lee’s commanding presence elevated the genre, contributing to Hammer’s international success at a time when British studios were competing with Hollywood dominance. Between them, they appeared in over 20 films together, a rare level of repeated collaboration in the industry.

Off-screen, their friendship endured long after Hammer’s decline in the 1970s. They remained in contact even as their careers diverged, Cushing facing personal loss after his wife’s death in 1971, and Lee expanding into mainstream roles including major franchise films later in life.

Despite their association with horror, both actors appeared in major Star Wars films, Cushing in 1977 and Lee decades later, linking their legacies across generations of cinema.

© History Pictures

#archaeohistories

[cinesthetic. @TheCinesthetic]

Francesca Scorsese says her father, Martin Scorsese, sometimes watches his films as though he’s never seen them before:

“Something will happen and he’ll be like, ‘Ha! That’s great.’ And I’m like, ‘You literally made this.’”

[Math Files @Math_files]

Ukrainian mathematician Maryna Viazovska solved a problem that had puzzled mathematicians for over 400 years. Even Johannes Kepler and Isaac Newton couldn’t crack it.

We live in a three-dimensional world, but Maryna solved a puzzle in an eight-dimensional space—something that’s very hard even to imagine.

She was born in Kyiv, studied at Taras Shevchenko University, worked in Bonn and Berlin, and at just 33 became a professor in Lausanne.

So what was the problem? It’s about how to pack identical spheres as tightly as possible in space. This question was first asked by Kepler back in 1611. Over time, scientists found answers for two and three dimensions—but not for eight.

Maryna proved that in eight dimensions, the densest packing is formed by a special mathematical structure called a lattice. What’s even more amazing is that she did it in just 23 pages, while earlier attempts took hundreds.

In 2022, she was awarded the Fields Medal, the most prestigious prize in mathematics. She became only the second woman in history to receive it.

Today, Maryna Viazovska works in Lausanne, supports Ukrainian mathematicians, and brings pride to Ukraine with her achievements.

[lula @lularobs]

why isn’t woman grandmaster just called grandmistress

[Olena Rohoza @OlenaRohoza]

⚡️Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, has been killed, the Israeli side reports.

[🇨🇭🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿InLucysHead🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇨🇭© @InsideLucysHead]

One of my favourite jokes... 🤣😂🤣😆

A Husband goes to a police station...

“My wife is missing! She went out yesterday and has not come home”

Sergeant at Police Station: “What is her height?”

Husband: “Gee, I'm not sure. About my shoulder height''

Sergeant: “Weight?”

Husband: “Don't know. Not slim, not really fat.”

Sergeant: “Colour of eyes?”

Husband: “Sort of brown, I think. Never really noticed''

Sergeant: “Colour of hair?”

Husband: “Changes a couple times a year. Maybe dark brown now. I can’t remember.”

Sergeant: “What was she wearing?”

Husband: “Could have been jeans, or maybe a skirt or shorts. I don't know exactly.”

Sergeant: “What kind of car did she go in

Husband: “She went in my Audi”

Sergeant: “What kind of Audi was it?”

-

-

-

-

Husband: (sobbing)

“Audi A4 Black Edition, Advance Virtual Cockpit, 360 cameras, Bang & Olufsen Speaks, Ambient Lighting pack, Front heated seats, Valcona leather - Lunar silver + super sport seats, 3 spoke heated sports leather multifunction steering wheel with paddle shift, LED Matrix headlights with high beam assist, Pearlescent paint, Audi drive select, Audi parking system plus with front and rear sensors, Audible and visual fasten seat belt warning - front and rear, Cruise control, Driver's information system, MMI SD card Navigation, Mobile telephone preparation, PAS, Service interval indicator, 3 point seatbelts on all seats, ABS-EBD, ASR traction control, Curtain airbags, Driver and passenger airbags, Driver-front passenger side airbags, Electromechanical parking brake, Electronic stability control, Front passenger airbag deactivation, Hill hold assist, Tyre pressure monitoring system, Warning triangle and first aid kit, Anti theft alarm, Anti-theft wheel bolts, Immobiliser, Keyless Start, Remote central locking, Audi music interface, Auxiliary input socket, DAB digital radio module, MMI Radio with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, SD card slot, USB connection, 12V power in rear centre console, 4 way electric lumbar support, 4 zone climate control, Aluminium door sill trims, Black cloth headlining, Double cargo floor, Electric front seats + driver memory, Front centre armrest, Front head restraints, Front-rear floor mats, Height adjustable front seats, Isofix front passenger and rear seat preparation, Jack and tool kit, Perforated leather gearknob, Rear headrests, Split folding rear seat, Auto dimming rear view mirror, Automatic headlights + automatic windscreen wipers, Body coloured bumpers, Body coloured door mirrors and handles, Body coloured roof spoiler, Door sill trims with S line logo, Electric front-rear windows, Headlight washers, High gloss black door mirrors, High gloss black finish B pillar, High gloss black triangular aperture at rear door, LED daytime running lights, LED rear lights, Light sensor, Platinum grey front lip spoiler, Privacy glass (to rear of B post), Rain sensor, Rear wiper, Alcantara door trim, Piano black finish inlay, Space saver spare wheel, Black Styling pack - A4 Avant, Non smoking pack - A4, Diesel particulate filter”

(At this point, the sobbing has turned into a full cry.)

Sergeant: “Don't worry, Sir. We'll find your Audi”

[Angelica Shalagina🇺🇦 @angelshalagina]

russia calls us “Nazis”
Because it has nothing else left to call us.
But graves don’t lie.
Archives don’t lie.
History remembers who invaded whom.

We were never russian.
We were colonized, silenced, starved -
And we still survived.

I’m Ukrainian.
And that truth scares them.
#ukraine #ukrainians #UkraineRussiaWar️

[Melissa Lee @Melissa08721845]

@WW3finalboss

[Taina🎗️ @TainatoSir]

@rshereme Today He represents values and honor in a world that is sleeping in shit. A president, a man who loves his people and his country.
Slava Ukraini 🇺🇦

[Roman Sheremeta 🇺🇸🇺🇦 @rshereme]

Zelenskyy was supposed to disappear within a few days — through assassination or flight.

Russian agents rented apartments near Bankova Street with orders to eliminate him. And he posted a selfie: “We are here.”

Removing him was a central element of moscow’s plan. Kill him or capture him — and let panic do the rest.

When the United States offered evacuation, Zelenskyy delivered his legendary line: “I need ammunition, not a ride.”

Zelenskyy survived around a dozen assassination attempts, but the greater threat became political problems.

A corruption scandal brought down close allies, sparked rare wartime protests, and forced the public to dramatically reconsider its stance on anti-corruption reforms.

Zelenskyy’s power is based less on ideology and more on communication.

Daily selfie videos. Direct addresses. After he chose to remain in Kyiv, his approval rating jumped from 37% to 90%.

He is Ukraine’s most unexpected wartime leader.

A comedian who played the president on television in “Servant of the People” — and then won 73% of the vote in real life. Show business taught him how to operate within oligarchic systems and dominate on camera.

But the war changed his image. From a clean-shaven entertainer to a weary wartime figure.

Briefings at 3-4 a.m. Not a single full night’s sleep for years. Olena Zelenska: “There has not been a single moment of complete happiness.”

Strategically, 2022 was a year of survival. Kyiv, Sumy, and Chernihiv held. Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia stood firm. Kharkiv and Kherson were liberated.

The years 2023–2025 were difficult. The counteroffensive stalled. Zaluzhnyi was dismissed in 2024. The incursion into Kursk boosted morale — but only briefly. russia resumed its slow war of attrition along a 1,200 km front line.

Zelenskyy’s political instinct is confrontation.

He pushed Germany to supply weapons by appealing directly to the public. Adviser Lytvyn: “He began speaking to the people, not only to leaders.”

It worked in Europe, but it did not work with Trump.

The clash in the Oval Office was broadcast worldwide. Trump accused Zelenskyy of ingratitude.

European diplomats warned him not to go — he went anyway. One diplomat: “He is stubborn and convinced that he knows better.”

But humiliation abroad boosted his standing at home. His approval rating rose to 74% and never fell below 58%.

Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko: “He defended the position of the Ukrainian people.” Foreign Minister Sybiha: “He knows how to take a punch.”

The real vulnerability is corruption. Protests in July forced a reversal on weakening anti-corruption institutions.

Scandals touched his closest circle, including long-time ally Yermak. Chykhotskyi: “I thought it was the end for him.” But it wasn’t.

Four years later, he is exhausted but remains at the center of events.

61% trust him, but only half want a second term. Most Ukrainians oppose elections during wartime.

Zelenskyy was supposed to disappear within days — but instead became an unbreakable wall in the war.

Source: translated and adopted from Tymofiy Milovanov

[Wholesome Side of 𝕏 @itsme_urstruly]

Is it just me or is this staircase actually a stone brontosaurus hiding in plain sight? 🤔

[Dr Ilan Dwek @IlanGDwek]

Do you remember when you joined X? I do! #MyXAnniversary

[Physics In History @PhysInHistory]

February 10, 1891 – Remembering Sofia Kovalevskaya ✍️

A trailblazer in mathematics and physics, Sofia Kovalevskaya was the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in mathematics in modern Europe. Her groundbreaking work on partial differential equations, mechanics, and celestial mechanics paved the way for future generations of women in STEM.

[Fascinating @fasc1nate]

Visiting the cafes in Paris in the 1920s.

Anything catch your eye?

Colorized photos that bring the past to life: https://t.co/vNT0jZ4WZK

[Dr Ilan Dwek @IlanGDwek]

@DavidPacquette Yes, some days are more difficult than others! Oh well! At least wordle keeps us sane ;-)

[Dr Ilan Dwek @IlanGDwek]

Wordle 1,686 6/6

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[Fascinating @fasc1nate]

Lyudmila Pavlichenko, nicknamed "Lady Death", was a famous sniper in the Soviet Union's Red Army during World War II.

She was born in Ukraine and was athletically competitive during her childhood. She participated in shooting clubs, earning a marksman certificate.

In 1941, while she was a 24-year-old university student, Germany invaded the USSR. Pavlichenko decided to join the infantry, resisting suggestions to become a nurse.

She instead became a sniper, joining a rifle division that included 2,000 women snipers, only 500 of whom would survive the war.

Her resolve to fight the Germans intensified when a dying comrade gave her his rifle during the Siege of Odessa, allowing her to kill two enemy soldiers. While in Odessa, she killed 187 enemy soldiers.

There, she met fellow sniper Alexei Kitsenko, whom she married but sadly lost when he was hit by a mortar bomb.

Pavlichenko was later moved to Sevastopol on the Crimean Peninsula, where she killed many more enemy soldiers. Her total confirmed kills reached 309, including 36 enemy snipers.

After the war, she toured America and Canada for diplomatic relations and graduated from university with a history degree.

Pavlichenko passed away at the age of 58 in 1974 due to a stroke. Post-war, she struggled with depression and PTSD, triggered by her husband's death, and developed an alcohol problem, which likely led to her stroke. She was recognized as a Hero of the Soviet Union for her courage.

Amazing WW2 photos: https://t.co/98CKIeGyE9

[The Nobel Prize @NobelPrize]

Remembering physicist Lev Landau who was born 118 years ago #OTD.

He received the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physics for his development of a mathematical theory of superfluidity that accounts for the properties of liquid helium II at a temperature below 2.17 K (−270.98°C).

[Dr Ilan Dwek @IlanGDwek]

Wordle 1,663 2/6

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[DepressedBergman @DannyDrinksWine]

Daisies (1966)
Director: Věra Chytilová