Analyzing claim ICE can use Ring doorbells as mass surveillance tools
Jan. 30th, 2026 02:00 pm![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
snopes_feedOnline rumors assert that Ring's partnership with Flock, which manages systems used by law enforcement, allow ICE access to Ring videos.
snopes_feed
snopes_feedThe actual legislation requires automakers to install technology aimed at preventing drunken driving.
Posts claim this image shows Alex Pretti helping 2 disabled veterans. Here's the truth
Jan. 30th, 2026 11:00 amsnopes_feedUsers discussed an image allegedly depicting slain Minneapolis nurse Alex Pretti assisting two disabled veterans during a physical therapy session.
All the ghosts, some old, some new
Jan. 30th, 2026 01:48 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
sovayHistory, what do you mean that Folkways Records was founded by the son of Sholem Asch who, as one last trick after the scandals of Jewish lesbians and Christian novels, wrote a version of the Nativity recorded for his son's record label by Pete Seeger? What kind of concatenation is that to drop on an unsuspecting person? And is there a reason no artist is credited with the pen-and-ink illustrations depicting the story in 1963 even as the prose sticks to its historical setting, which are maddening me with their sketch-expressive familiarity, although perhaps only because my grandmother had that kind of loose, scribbly, ink-washed line? Ben Shahn at least had the decency to sign his album art. The Claibornes' "Listen, Mr. Bilbo" could have had the luck to lose its relevance since 1946. History, the other kind of convergence was more fun. Listen while I tell you that the foreigners you hate are the very same people made America great.
MS NOW shared AI-manipulated Alex Pretti photo on TV, website and YouTube. Here's what we know
Jan. 30th, 2026 01:14 amsnopes_feedThe network formerly known as MSNBC featured the AI-altered picture on TV and online as part of host Nicole Wallace's show, "Deadline: White House."
Thursday Word: Scutch
Jan. 29th, 2026 06:24 amcalzephyr posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
1word1dayScutch - verb.
The textile world is full of interesting words, and my latest TIL moment was scutch. Scutching is part of processing natural fibres like cotton, flax, or hemp. Scutching can be performed manually or mechanically. Watch the clip below to get an idea of how it works.
The textile world is full of interesting words, and my latest TIL moment was scutch. Scutching is part of processing natural fibres like cotton, flax, or hemp. Scutching can be performed manually or mechanically. Watch the clip below to get an idea of how it works.
Star Wars Fic and Meta - From All The Spaces Between Times - Chapter 69
Jan. 29th, 2026 05:53 pmelrhiarhodanTitle: From All The Spaces Between Times
Chapter: Chapter 69 — A Child Is a Missile Into the Coming Generations
Author:elrhiarhodan / ![[tumblr.com profile]](https://www.tumblr.com/favicon.ico)
elrhiarhodan / ![[archiveofourown.org profile]](https://p2.dreamwidth.org/b164c54b26e4/-/archiveofourown.org/favicon.ico)
elrhiarhodan
Fandom: Star Wars, Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, Star Wars — Obi Wan Kenobi (TV), Star Wars — Jedi Apprentice Books
Characters Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Shmi Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker, The Force as a Sentient Character, Watto, Quinlan Vos, Padmé Amidala, Sabé, Darth Maul, Yoda, Mace Windu, Adi Gallia, Quinlan Vos, Professor Huyang, The Force, Plo Koon, Vokara Che, Siri Tachi, Aayla Secura, Bant Eerin, Bruck Chun, Xanatos du Crion, Sheev Palpatine | Darth Sidious, Hego Damask II | Darth Plagueis, Komari Vosa, Bail Prestor Organa, Breha Organa, Bail Antilles Prestor, Rael Averross, Nim Piana, Ahsoka Tano, Sifo-Dyas, Reva Sevander, Lene Kostana (mentioned), Savage Opress, Pong Krell, The Traitor, Original Characters, Other Characters To Be Added
Pairings: Obi-Wan Kenobi & Shmi Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi & Qui-Gon Jinn, Padmé Amidala/Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan/Qui-Gon Jinn (yes, we’re arrived). Bail Prestor Organa/Breha Organa
Word Count: ~ 6500 this chapter
Spoilers: None
Warnings/Enticements/Triggers: Once again, non-graphic reference to child-murder, cannibalism
Summary: Obi-Wan Kenobi has never known it, but he has always been the Force’s Champion, destined to suffer infinite sadness in defense of the Light. On his last turn on the wheel, responsibility for The Chosen One, the false child of prophecy, had been thrust upon him with no warning, and Darkness held the upper hand.
But this time, the Force has marshaled its power and will protect its Champion until the time is right, no matter how long Obi-Wan has to wait and how much he has to suffer.
Or,
Obi-Wan is reborn as a twelve-year old.
He wakes up on a slavers’ ship, with all of his prior life’s memories intact, and he’s bound for Tatooine with a Force-inhibitor collar around his neck, a bomb implanted in his spine, and no way of knowing what state of the Galaxy is in.
Just another day in the life of the Force’s Champion.
Chapter Summary: While the kitten-shaped Avatars of the Force distract Oban from the Darkness, they don’t make him forget what has happened to him. As Obi-Wan spends time with Oban, he finds him a heartbreaking mix of typical little boy and oddly mature ghost.
For his part, Oban is just glad to be back in the Temple. He just wants to know what has happened to all of his clan mates, even though they must have grown up and become knights by now.
From All The Spaces Between Times: Chapter 69 — A Child Is a Missile Into the Coming Generations (On AO3)
( Meta — A Child Is a Missile Into the Coming Generations )
Chapter: Chapter 69 — A Child Is a Missile Into the Coming Generations
Author:
elrhiarhodan / Fandom: Star Wars, Star Wars Prequel Trilogy, Star Wars — Obi Wan Kenobi (TV), Star Wars — Jedi Apprentice Books
Characters Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn, Shmi Skywalker, Anakin Skywalker, The Force as a Sentient Character, Watto, Quinlan Vos, Padmé Amidala, Sabé, Darth Maul, Yoda, Mace Windu, Adi Gallia, Quinlan Vos, Professor Huyang, The Force, Plo Koon, Vokara Che, Siri Tachi, Aayla Secura, Bant Eerin, Bruck Chun, Xanatos du Crion, Sheev Palpatine | Darth Sidious, Hego Damask II | Darth Plagueis, Komari Vosa, Bail Prestor Organa, Breha Organa, Bail Antilles Prestor, Rael Averross, Nim Piana, Ahsoka Tano, Sifo-Dyas, Reva Sevander, Lene Kostana (mentioned), Savage Opress, Pong Krell, The Traitor, Original Characters, Other Characters To Be Added
Pairings: Obi-Wan Kenobi & Shmi Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi & Qui-Gon Jinn, Padmé Amidala/Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan/Qui-Gon Jinn (yes, we’re arrived). Bail Prestor Organa/Breha Organa
Word Count: ~ 6500 this chapter
Spoilers: None
Warnings/Enticements/Triggers: Once again, non-graphic reference to child-murder, cannibalism
Summary: Obi-Wan Kenobi has never known it, but he has always been the Force’s Champion, destined to suffer infinite sadness in defense of the Light. On his last turn on the wheel, responsibility for The Chosen One, the false child of prophecy, had been thrust upon him with no warning, and Darkness held the upper hand.
But this time, the Force has marshaled its power and will protect its Champion until the time is right, no matter how long Obi-Wan has to wait and how much he has to suffer.
Or,
Obi-Wan is reborn as a twelve-year old.
He wakes up on a slavers’ ship, with all of his prior life’s memories intact, and he’s bound for Tatooine with a Force-inhibitor collar around his neck, a bomb implanted in his spine, and no way of knowing what state of the Galaxy is in.
Just another day in the life of the Force’s Champion.
Chapter Summary: While the kitten-shaped Avatars of the Force distract Oban from the Darkness, they don’t make him forget what has happened to him. As Obi-Wan spends time with Oban, he finds him a heartbreaking mix of typical little boy and oddly mature ghost.
For his part, Oban is just glad to be back in the Temple. He just wants to know what has happened to all of his clan mates, even though they must have grown up and become knights by now.
From All The Spaces Between Times: Chapter 69 — A Child Is a Missile Into the Coming Generations (On AO3)
( Meta — A Child Is a Missile Into the Coming Generations )
Tags:
- character: aayla secura,
- character: adi gallia,
- character: agrippa aldrete,
- character: ahsoka tano,
- character: anakin skywalker,
- character: antilles prestor,
- character: bail prestor,
- character: bant eerin,
- character: breha organa,
- character: bruck chun,
- character: cin drallig,
- character: darth maul,
- character: darth plagueis,
- character: darth sidious,
- character: dooku,
- character: force kittens,
- character: hego damask ii,
- character: komari vosa,
- character: mace windu,
- character: nim pianna,
- character: obi-wan kenobi,
- character: original characters,
- character: padme amidala,
- character: plo koon,
- character: pong krell,
- character: professor huyang,
- character: quarsh panaka,
- character: qui-gon jinn,
- character: quinlan vos,
- character: rael averross,
- character: reva sevander,
- character: rori the force avatar,
- character: sabe,
- character: saja edea,
- character: savage opress,
- character: sheev palpatine,
- character: shmi skywalker,
- character: sifo-dyas,
- character: siri tachi,
- character: the force,
- character: the traitor,
- character: vokara che,
- character: watto,
- character: xanatos du crion,
- character: yaddle,
- character: yoda,
- genre: alternative universe,
- genre: angst,
- genre: hurt/comfort,
- genre: jedi culture,
- genre: padawan culture,
- genre: reunion,
- genre: slavefic,
- genre: temple culture,
- genre: time travel,
- meme: dvd commentary,
- movie: star wars,
- movie: star wars — tpm,
- type: fan fiction,
- type: longfic,
- type: meta,
- year: 2026
Nintendo Headquarters in Kyoto, Japan
Jan. 29th, 2026 04:00 pmatlas_obscura_places_feed
Nintendo is one of the world's most recognizable brands, taking up real estate in millions of houses ever since the NES came out in 1983. The colorful, imaginative, and very well-designed games of the studio draw in many children and adults alike. And it seems like their popularity is only expanding with the new amusement park and movie.
What many people don't tend to think about however is that Nintendo is a real-life company with real-life employees, which means that it has to have a real-life location. The main building of Nintendo can be found in southern Kyoto, not far from its original building.
While this gray building could be disappointing to some, it has in fact become a sort of pilgrim location for hardened Nintendo fans who come to take a photo with the sign. Don't expect anything beyond that though, as the building has no visitors center or museum and is off limits for anyone without an appointment.
Beware supposed Trump post claiming 'Melania' movie will be mandatory viewing in history classes
Jan. 29th, 2026 08:16 pmsnopes_feed"Any universities that REFUSE to teach this MASTERPIECE will unfortunately see their funding DISAPPEAR," Trump allegedly wrote.
snopes_feedIn extreme cases, sonic weapons can cause nausea, dizziness, and even permanent damage. In this case, officials used it to declare unlawful assembly.
Real videos show confrontation between Alex Pretti and federal officers days before his death
Jan. 29th, 2026 06:34 pmsnopes_feedPretti's family has confirmed the authenticity of the footage, which allegedly shows him kicking a vehicle being driven by federal agents.
Wing Lee Street in Hong Kong
Jan. 29th, 2026 02:00 pmatlas_obscura_places_feed
Sandwiched between the skyscrapers of Mid-Levels district stands Wing Lee Street, a small car-free terrace made up of a row of 11 Chinese-style tenement buildings, known locally as 'Tong Lau'.
After being destroyed in World War II, Wing Lee Street was rebuilt in the early 1950s. The terrace's elevator-less four storey tenements are one of the last places in Hong Kong where an entire row of tong laus still stands intact.
Post-war, the street became known as a hub for letterpress printing. At one point, 11 different printing shops occupied the terrace's ground floor shops. The last of these shops shuttered in 2012, by which point the Wing Lee Street tong laus had already been slated for demolition.
The terrace's unlikely reprieve came in the form of a local film called 'Echoes of the Rainbow'. Depicting the lives of a working class family in 1960s Hong Kong, Wing Lee Street provided the antiquated backdrop that served as the film's principal shooting location.
Released to critical acclaim, Echoes of the Rainbow won the Crystal Bear award for best feature film in the Generation category at the 60th Berlin International Film Festival. The movie's post-Berlin buzz and ensuing public opposition encouraged the government to abandon the redevelopment plans, and instead work to restore the tong laus and surrounding area.
With restoration now complete, the exteriors of the tong laus look more polished, and arguably more modern than their actual age. However, Wing Lee Street still exudes a nostalgic, old-world charm that is becoming increasingly harder to find in Hong Kong.
Naramachi Nepalese Window in Nara, Japan
Jan. 29th, 2026 12:00 pmatlas_obscura_places_feed
The Naramachi Historic District sits south of the famous Nara Park, lined with traditional wooden townhouses and steeped in tranquil, old-world charm. It’s a distinctly Japanese area, straight out of the mid-19th century.
But, surprisingly, a very exotic element hides in plain sight among these townhouses, blending perfectly into traditional architecture. This hand-carved Nepalese window, with intricate reliefs of flowers, lions and Garuda, once adorned the Nepal Pavilion at the 1970 Osaka Expo.
The building itself belongs to the nearby Gango-ji Temple, once used as a lodging for travelling priests, including some from Nepal. Interestingly, it has not been recorded when the window was brought to Nara – and it remains unknown what happened to the rest of the Nepal Pavilion.
Did Trump compare EU-India trade deal to 'high school science project'?
Jan. 29th, 2026 04:00 pmsnopes_feedThe claim spread online as the European Union and India reached “the mother of all deals” after nearly two decades of negotiations.
Tecumseh Sculpture in Vincennes, Indiana
Jan. 29th, 2026 10:00 amatlas_obscura_places_feed
Minooteeni (translated as “Village”) Park in Vincennes, Indiana, was created to honor the Native American people of the area. Most prominent among the park’s displays is a wood-carved sculpture of Shawnee Chief Tecumseh, created by artist Peter Toth.
Tecumseh is best remembered for attempting to unite the Indigenous peoples of the Great Lakes region of the United States. He formed a confederation of tribes known as the United Indian Nations, an effort to halt the westward expansion of the United States. Tecumseh served as the political leader, while his brother, Tenskwatawa (“The Prophet”), acted as the spiritual leader. The confederation ended with Tecumseh’s death in October 1813, when he was killed in battle in Canada.
Toth dedicated this sculpture to Vincennes in 2009 as part of his series known as The Trail of Whispering Giants. There are 74 sculptures in the series, created by Toth and located across all 50 states, as well as in Canada and Europe.
Tecumseh also features prominently in Vincennes history, having met here with Indiana Territory Governor William Henry Harrison in 1811. The city is also home to Tecumseh-Harrison Elementary School and the Tecumseh Dining Center on the campus of Vincennes University.
snopes_feedKirk's 2018 post about the Second Amendment resurfaced following the fatal shootings of citizens at the hands of federal agents in 2026.