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Jason Kottke's weblog, home of fine hypertext products

Americans Are Leaving the U.S. in Record Numbers (free...

Americans Are Leaving the U.S. in Record Numbers (free WSJ piece at MSN). “Last year the U.S. experienced something that hasn’t definitively occurred since the Great Depression: More people moved out than moved in.”

The Osaka Castle adorned with illuminated Cherry Blossoms

Shakyasom Majumder has added a photo to the pool:

The Osaka Castle adorned with illuminated Cherry Blossoms

Silent Prayers

Pstrey has added a photo to the pool:

Silent Prayers

Japanese Plum(Ume) Blossoms

Jon Siegel has added a photo to the pool:

Japanese Plum(Ume) Blossoms

These were in bloom around Tokyo, incredibly vibrant colours and a delight to see. Shot with an antique Nikkor 35mm f1.4 ai-s lens on my D850.

VK: Voorpagina

Volkskrant.nl biedt het laatste nieuws, opinie en achtergronden

Real Madrid zegt nee tegen racisme terwijl eigen fan op tribune de Hitlergroet brengt

Kom op, toon moed, en verlaat nou eens X

Ede komt na drie kerk­branden in een week met de schrik vrij: ‘Niemand hier die vijanden heeft’

Een AI-studiedag voor leerkrachten, want sommigen hebben ‘nog nooit ChatGPT geopend’

Digitale geletterdheid is een basisvaardigheid die kinderen op school moeten leren. Terwijl leerlingen AI-tools als ChatGPT volop gebruiken, proberen docenten en bestuurders de technologische ontwikkelingen bij te benen. „Je moet geen dataslaaf worden.”


Het normaal van de VVD

Nederland keert terug naar normaal. Een kabinet met dezelfde regeringspartijen met mensen uit dezelfde talentenklasjes, die al decennia in verschillende samenstellingen aan de…

The Guardian

Latest news, sport, business, comment, analysis and reviews from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice

Igor Tudor admits Spurs salvage job is biggest challenge and harder than expected

  • Interim manager: ‘Now it’s a question of life and death’

  • Fulham clash is ‘not time to think about performance’

Igor Tudor says the salvage operation he has taken on at Tottenham is tougher than he envisaged and is most likely his hardest job in management.

The interim coach, who is preparing for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Fulham, has worked with his new squad since the beginning of last week, having replaced the sacked Thomas Frank. Tudor lost his first game 4-1 at home to Arsenal on Sunday, which left Spurs four points above the relegation zone.

Continue reading...

Scream 7 review – nostalgic slasher sequel settles for solid over seminal

Neve Campbell, Kevin Williamson and Courtney Cox return for another Ghostface whodunnit that is messy but mostly entertaining

Whether you love or hate the Scream franchise, it’s hard at this stage not to at least respect it. Even without the subterranean bar set by other lazy slasher sequels (stalk, stab, repeat, yawn) it’s a series that has now been around for 30 years and tasked itself with extending an ongoing narrative of insanely convoluted soap, finding new ways to comment on the horror genre and appealing to a savvier generation of younger fans (the sixth film managed to be the highest-grossing in the US). If nothing has rivalled the 1996 original, it’s still hard to argue that there’s been an objectively bad Scream movie, even at the franchise’s less effective moments, there’s been a buzz of effort and energy present.

The run continues, albeit with perhaps more notes than usual, with Scream 7, a scrappy, passably entertaining new chapter that limps to the screen with wounds on show. The original plan had been to continue the story of the Carpenter sisters, introduced in 2022’s hit relaunch, but after the shameful firing of star Melissa Barrera who dared to speak out about Israel-Gaza, it was back to the drawing board. Said drawing board was then just a headshot of Neve Campbell, the original Scream queen, and a bunch of dollar signs next to it as the actor had rightfully turned down the sixth film over what she said was a lowball offer. Some seven million reasons to rejoin later (according to reports) and she’s back front and centre, along with many amusing “why weren’t you in New York?” references, and with some familiar, and confusing, old friends.

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Netflix to release four-part series about Rupert Murdoch’s family drama

‘Dynasty: The Murdochs’ will debut on the streamer on 13 March

The real-world drama that is said to have inspired the hit HBO show Succession is set for its own four-part series when Netflix debuts Dynasty: The Murdochs on 13 March.

The docuseries, based on thousands of pages of documents, emails and text messages, presents an exhaustive history of Rupert Murdoch’s rise while homing in on the tensions that have built for decades between him, his chosen heir Lachlan, and Rupert’s three other adult children: James Murdoch, Elisabeth Murdoch and Prudence MacLeod.

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Wel.nl

Minder lezen, Meer weten.

Jetten zegt niet of Sjoerdsma op handelsmissie naar China kan

DEN HAAG (ANP) - Minister-president Rob Jetten (D66) heeft niet expliciet gezegd dat minister van Buitenlandse Handel en zijn partijgenoot Sjoerd Sjoerdsma naar China kan voor handelsmissies. De vraag is relevant, omdat Sjoerdsma in dat land nog op een sanctielijst zou staan. "Hij kan een belangrijke rol vervullen", zei Jetten.

"Het voltallige kabinet zet zich in voor een goede relatie met China. Als er sprake is van handelsmissies, zullen leden van het kabinet daarbij aanwezig zijn", bleef Jetten vaag, nadat Joost Eerdmans (JA21) specifiek had gevraagd of Sjoerdsma naar China zou kunnen.

De minister is in 2021 op de Chinese sanctielijst gezet, omdat hij als toenmalig Tweede Kamerlid een motie indiende waarin wordt uitgesproken dat in China genocide plaatsvindt tegen de Oeigoeren. Volgens Eerdmans is dat een te grote belemmering voor Sjoerdsma om handelsminister te worden.


Rusland wil Telegram mogelijk begin april blokkeren

MOSKOU (ANP/RTR) - De Russische autoriteiten willen de populaire berichtenapp Telegram mogelijk vanaf begin april blokkeren, meldt het Russische nieuwsmedium RBC. Het land noemt de app een platform voor illegale en extremistische inhoud.

Telegram zelf ontkent en zegt dat de regering burgers dwingt om berichtenapp MAX te gebruiken, die in handen is van de staat.

Volgens RBC zal Telegram vanaf april alleen nog beschikbaar zijn aan het front in Oekraïne. Militaire bronnen gaven aan dat de Russische troepen afhankelijk zijn van de app. Niet alleen om met hun familie thuis te communiceren, maar ook voor operationele doeleinden.

De Russische inlichtingendienst claimde eerder dat buitenlandse inlichtingendiensten, inclusief die van Oekraïne, berichten kunnen zien en gebruiken voor onder meer militaire doeleinden. Het land kondigde dinsdag aan onderzoek te doen naar oprichter Pavel Doerov vanwege terrorismebeschuldigingen.


5 veelgebruikte medicijnen met verborgen risico's

Wie zonder recept een doosje tabletten in het winkelmandje legt, gaat er al snel van uit dat het veilig is. Toch is 'vrij verkrijgbaar' geen synoniem voor onschuldig. Achter ogenschijnlijk alledaagse middelen schuilt soms een reëel risico op afhankelijkheid, verkeerd gebruik of lichamelijke schade, zeker wanneer je ze langer of in hogere dosering inneemt dan bedoeld.

Hieronder vijf soorten middelen waarvoor je een beetje moet uitkijken.

1. Codeïne: kleine pijnstiller, grote gevolgen

Pijnstillers met codeïne zijn zonder recept verkrijgbaar, vaak gecombineerd met paracetamol of ibuprofen. In het lichaam wordt codeïne omgezet in morfine, wat de pijn dempt maar ook sufheid, misselijkheid en verstopping kan veroorzaken. In hogere doseringen dreigt ademhalingsonderdrukking.

Een kleine groep mensen zet codeïne extra snel om in morfine. Bij hen kunnen zelfs normale doses al gevaarlijk uitpakken. Bovendien treedt bij herhaald gebruik tolerantie op: dezelfde hoeveelheid werkt minder goed, waardoor gebruikers geneigd zijn meer te nemen. Stoppen kan ontwenningsklachten geven, zoals onrust en slaapproblemen.

2. Neussprays: van verlichting naar vicieuze cirkel

Verkoudheidssprays met xylometazoline of oxymetazoline vernauwen bloedvaten in de neus, waardoor zwelling afneemt. Wie ze te lang gebruikt, kan echter te maken krijgen met ‘rebound’-verstopping: zodra de spray wordt gestopt, zwelt het slijmvlies extra op. Dit fenomeen – medisch bekend als rhinitis medicamentosa – kan leiden tot afhankelijk gebruik.

Tabletten met pseudo-efedrine hebben daarnaast een licht stimulerend effect en staan daarom op de dopinglijst bij sportwedstrijden.

3. Slaapmiddelen van de drogist

Antihistaminica zoals promethazine en difenhydramine worden verkocht als tijdelijke slaapoplossing. Ook hier ligt tolerantie op de loer: na verloop van tijd is een hogere dosis nodig voor hetzelfde effect. Sommige gebruikers melden hevige slapeloosheid zodra zij stoppen. Promethazine duikt bovendien op in recreatieve mixdrankjes, wat kan leiden tot gevaarlijke ademhalingsonderdrukking.

4. Hoestsiroop met een bijwerking

Dextromethorfan (DXM), een veelgebruikt middel tegen hoest, geldt als veilig bij normale dosering. Maar in grote hoeveelheden kan het dissociatieve effecten geven, vergelijkbaar met die van ketamine. Onder jongeren wordt het middel daarom soms misbruikt.

5. Laxeermiddelen: hardnekkige misverstanden

Laxeermiddelen worden geregeld oneigenlijk gebruikt door mensen met eetstoornissen of sporters in bepaalde gewichtsklassen. Ze voorkomen echter geen calorieopname. Wel kunnen ze uitdroging en verstoring van elektrolyten veroorzaken, met risico’s voor hart en nieren.

Schijnveiligheid

De rode draad is niet dat deze middelen per definitie gevaarlijk zijn, maar dat hun risico’s vaak worden onderschat. Zeker bij online aankoop ontbreekt geregeld professioneel advies. Bewustwording is daarom cruciaal: bij een middel dat zonder recept verkrijgbaar is, is nog steeds voorzichtigheid geboden.

Bron: Science Alert


Kabinet komt niet meer met toegezegd extra geld voor Oekraïne

DEN HAAG (ANP) - Oekraïne zou volgens een aangenomen motie van de Tweede Kamer dit jaar 2 miljard euro extra steun krijgen. Maar dat gaat niet meer gebeuren, bleek donderdag tijdens het debat over de regeringsverklaring. Het geld is "opgelost" in steun voor de komende jaren, aldus premier Rob Jetten.

De Tweede Kamer besloot in december op initiatief van GroenLinks-PvdA dat Oekraïne 2 miljard euro extra moest krijgen. Daarvan is door het vorige kabinet nog 700 miljoen toegezegd en de rest zou bij de voorjaarsnota worden geregeld. In het coalitieakkoord is over de resterende 1,3 miljard niets afgesproken.

Waar is het geld, vroeg Jesse Klaver (GroenLinks-PvdA) aan de premier. "Dat is dus eigenlijk in een breder perspectief opgelost", antwoordde Jetten. Hij verwees naar de 90 miljard euro die de EU aan Oekraïne heeft toegezegd en de meerjarige steun die in het coalitieakkoord is opgenomen.

Klaver neemt geen genoegen met deze oplossing. Hij wil het geld nu regelen bij de behandeling van de defensiebegroting volgende week.


Rijnmond - Nieuws

Het laatste nieuws van vandaag over Rotterdam, Feyenoord, het verkeer en het weer in de regio Rijnmond

Vader van doodgeschoten Marlous probeert leven op te pakken na drama met Erasmusschutter

28 september 2023 staat te boek als een gitzwarte dag in Rotterdam. Erasmusschutter Fouad L. doodt drie mensen, onder wie zijn buurvrouw Marlous (39) en haar dochter Romy (14). 2,5 jaar na het drama probeert de vader van Marlous, Toine Timmers, het leven samen met zijn vrouw weer voorzichtig op te pakken.

Colossal

The best of art, craft, and visual culture since 2010.

Whimsical Beaded Sculptures by Amy Gross Meditate on Our Planet’s Tiniest Life Forms

Whimsical Beaded Sculptures by Amy Gross Meditate on Our Planet’s Tiniest Life Forms

After more than two decades as a commercial textile designer, often working digitally, Amy Gross was drawn to making something that felt more immediate and tactile. “I started making beaded jewelry, something I could hold and feel,” she tells Colossal.

The beading techniques gradually merged with canvases, which over time became more three-dimensional. They were “less about adornment and more about personal stories I felt I needed to tell,” she says. These eventually became sculptural objects, representative of the natural world that has long been a source of wonder and curiosity for the artist.

An intricate sculpture inside of a glass dome vitrine by Amy Gross of imaginative flora made from paper and beads
“Aggregating Vivarium”

Gross’ imaginative compositions of flora, fungi, and sometimes even fauna tap into her fascination with scale. In her practice, it’s “not about size, it’s about what is most important to you,” she says. “It’s how we see and think and remember.” Beads, thread, yarn, and paper transform into otherworldly, miniature biomes.

The artist focuses on mushrooms, roots, leaves, blossoms, and tiny critters as a meditation on our planet’s smallest denizens. She also incorporates motifs evocative of elements we typically can’t comprehend with the naked eye, such as spores, pollen, viruses, molecules, and cells. “To my mind’s eye, they are of equal importance,” she says. “The health of the world we see is deeply dependent on the health of the tiniest elements.”

Gross’ work is currently on view in two shows at Momentum Gallery in Asheville, which also represents the artist. In late 2027, her work will be included in a group exhibition at the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, Massachusetts, and one of her sculptures will be featured in a forthcoming book published by Phaidon about fungi. See more of the artist’s work on Instagram.

An intricate wall sculpture by Amy Gross of moss and pink flora made from paper and beads
“Evada Dolor”
An intricate sculpture inside of a glass dome vitrine by Amy Gross of imaginative flora made from paper and beads
“Taraxa Contineo”
A series of intricate wall sculptures by Amy Gross of imaginative flora and fungi made from paper and beads
“Mycorrhiza Web”
An intricate sculpture inside of a glass dome vitrine by Amy Gross of imaginative flora and honeycomb made from paper and beads
“Broodnest Vivarium 2”
An intricate wall sculpture by Amy Gross of imaginative flora made from paper and beads
“Towhee”

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Whimsical Beaded Sculptures by Amy Gross Meditate on Our Planet’s Tiniest Life Forms appeared first on Colossal.

MODE by Flickr: The World’s Photography Festival

For decades, photography has shaped fashion, music, journalism, sports, activism, and the internet itself. Yet the people behind the lens have never had a festival built for them.

Until now.


What is MODE?

You know those mysterious emails we’ve been sending? The cryptic hints, the “something big is coming” energy? Well, the wait is over. Welcome MODE by Flickr—an immersive three-day photography festival coming to Minneapolis September 18-20, 2026.

For over 20 years, Flickr has connected photographers around the world — sharing work, building community, and proving that the lens is one of humanity’s most powerful tools. But there’s something that only happens when we’re together in person. Call it energy. Call it a vibe. The kind of spontaneous, face-to-face moment that can’t be recreated behind a keyboard.

So we did something never done before. We built MODE. MODE isn’t a conference. MODE isn’t a meetup. It’s a photographer’s playground — where you’ll rub elbows with your heroes, make new friends, and improve your craft all at once. Think live music, hands-on workshops, photowalks, darkroom sessions, lectures with your heroes, and so much more. MODE brings photography from behind the screen and into the scene.


Why Minneapolis?

Over the past year, we’ve had the privilege of spending meaningful time in Minneapolis while working alongside local partners to bring MODE festival to life. Throughout that time, this community has shown us what resilience, creativity, and togetherness look like. The city continues to navigate complex and defining moments in its history, and what we’ve witnessed is an unwavering commitment to connection, culture, and care for one another.

Every visit, every introduction, and every conversation reinforced why Minneapolis felt like the right home for MODE. There is a warmth here that is unmistakable, an enthusiasm for the arts, a spirit of collaboration, and a belief that creativity can help bring people closer together. Together with the city and its creative community, we’re building something bigger than a festival: a gathering place for artists, photographers, storytellers, and curious minds in one of the most culturally alive cities in the country.

MODE by Flickr

And yes, Minneapolis in September is chef’s kiss. The city pulses with a thriving arts scene, incredible historic venues across downtown, and a community that knows how to celebrate creativity with heart and authenticity. With the support of Mayor Jacob Frey and city leaders, MODE will take over multiple iconic spaces throughout the weekend, bringing artists and audiences together across the city.

As Mayor Frey shared, MODE represents an opportunity to bring new energy to local streets, support small businesses, and create meaningful opportunities for artists, vendors, and residents alike. We couldn’t agree more. That shared belief is exactly why we’re so excited to welcome the global creative community to Minneapolis this September.

Minneapolis: Our City. Our Lens. 

Minneapolis is a city that’s practically buzzing with creative energy. Whether your scene is food, fashion, dance, or architecture, you’ll find a rich community that can’t wait to welcome you and show you what this city is made of. And among those passionate creatives are our personal faves: the photographers documenting every memorable moment.

In this film, we take you through the streets, studios, and spaces that make this city unlike anywhere else. Because before the workshops, the keynotes, and the photo walks kick off this September, we wanted you to feel what’s waiting for you here.


Seven ways to experience MODE.

We’ve organized MODE around seven thematic pillars, each representing a different expression of photography:

Change – World-shifting storytelling and photojournalism
Next – Emerging tools, technology, and the future of the craft
Money – The business side of photography
Motion – Video, moving images, and everything in between
Culture – Music, fashion, food, and the moments that define us
IRL – Analog processes, film, and tangible photography
Earth – Outdoor, environmental, and conservation photography

Whether you’re a street photographer, a landscape shooter, a portrait artist, or someone who just loves taking photos of their dog, there’s something at MODE for you.

MODE by Flickr

The lineup (so far).

Leading this year’s festival as MODE’s Artist-in-Residence is Brooke Shaden –  a fine art photographer and storyteller whose ethereal, cinematic self-portraits blur the line between photography and painting. Brooke will be embedded throughout the weekend, bringing her singular creative vision to workshops, conversations, and collaborative moments across all three days.

Taking the keynote stage are photographers who have shaped the way we see the world:  Chris Burkard, who has spent his career pushing into the planet’s most remote and extreme environments; Keith Ladzinski, an award-winning photographer and filmmaker who follows humanity’s most extraordinary pursuits; and Jimmy Steinfeldt, an iconic rock photographer and Minneapolis native whose career behind the lens spans decades and legends.

MODE by Flickr

MODE’s programming spans every genre and discipline in photography. Attendees will hear from legendary portrait and fine art photographer Sandro Miller, celebrated for his masterful command of lighting and iconic visual storytelling; Polly Irungu, founder of Black Women Photographers and a leading voice advancing equity and representation in the industry; and documentary photographer and visual storyteller Penny De Los Santos, renowned for her immersive work exploring food, culture, and identity around the world. The full lineup is growing – Check out the lineup


A festival built on our values

MODE isn’t just about photography, it’s about creating an entirely original and unrepeatable experience that reflects who we are as a community. That means:

  • Accessible venues for all attendees.
  • Diverse, thoughtfully curated programming that represents the full spectrum of photography.
  • Sustainability measures built into every aspect of the festival.
  • Comprehensive safety protocols so everyone can focus on what matters: connecting and creating.

MODE is built with the same care and intention that goes into everything we do at Flickr, and that includes the planet: MODE is 1% for the Planet certified


Get Your Pass

Early Bird passes are on sale now and availability is limited.

Flickr Pro members receive exclusive festival perks, including access to a dedicated Pro Lounge and early access to workshops throughout the event.

View pass options and pricing at modefestival.com 

More speakers, workshops, and musical acts will be rolled out in the coming months.

Follow along for updates:

On Flickr: Join the MODE group

Also, follow us on; Instagram: @modebyflickr TikTok: @modebyflickr Threads: @modebyflickr 

Slashdot

News for nerds, stuff that matters

EBay Is Laying Off About 800 Workers, 6% of Global Workforce

EBay is cutting about 800 jobs, or 6% of its full-time employees, saying the layoffs are needed to align its workforce with strategic priorities. From a report: "We are taking steps to reinvest across our business and align our structure with our strategic priorities, which will affect certain roles across our workforce," the San Jose, California-based company said early Thursday in a statement. "We are grateful for the contributions of the employees impacted and are committed to supporting them with care and respect."

EBay will continue to hire in key areas. The cuts come a week after the company said it would acquire secondhand fashion marketplace Depop for about $1.2 billion in an effort to draw younger shoppers and after it reported robust quarterly results. Revenue increased 15% to $3 billion in the fourth quarter, surpassing analyst estimates.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.