Stray Dog Unintentionally Makes History as First To Cross New Romania-Hungary Border

The milestone was celebrated with the opening of a new checkpoint barrier at the Romania-Hungary border in Petea. However, the event recently gained viral attention thanks to an unexpected participant. The intrepid pooch timed its entrance into Romania flawlessly, strolling through just as the checkpoint barrier lifted. One border guard started clapping, and soon the rest joined in, celebrating the now-famous dog. The clip is made even more amusing by the dog’s responseslightly confused but completely unbothered....

January 28, 2025 · 1 min · 143 words · Carrie Baldwin

Striking Winners of the 2024 Travel Photographer of the Year Contest

Piper Mackay, USA. She holds a calabash, a symbol of nourishment and abundance, with graceful poise. TheTravel Photographer of the Year(TPOTY) competition has unveiled the winners of its 2024 contest. Piper Mackay, USA. Overall Winner, Travel Photographer of the YearLocation: Loiyangalani, Northern Kenya“A Rendile girl, adorned in elaborate traditional attire, is covered in beads and ornaments, symbolizing her readiness for marriage and attracting a husband. Her dress, rich in cultural significance, features layers of intricately woven beads, cowhide, and other handcrafted elements....

January 28, 2025 · 14 min · 2836 words · Maria Crawford

Artist Paints Traditional Portraits With a Distorted Twist Reflecting the Disruption of Art [Interview]

The London-based creator has long studied the work of the Old Masters. To Ashton, portraiture is familiar, running deep as part of our earliest and easiest encounters with art. That’s why seeing it challenged results in a shocking, unexpected distortion for viewers. “Or You Could Panic,” 2025 We had the opportunity to talk to the artist about his visual work and process. Read on for My Modern Met’s interview with Ben Ashton....

January 27, 2025 · 4 min · 838 words · Sarah Perez

Incredible Beetle Battle Wins 2024 Close Up Photographer of the Year Contest

Clash of the Titans by Svetlana Ivanenko (Russia). PhotographerSvetlana Ivanenkowas named the overall winner for her fascinating photo of two stag beetles battling for dominance. Seemingly emerging from the shadows, their horns lock as they clash. “Clash of the Titans” by Svetlana Ivanenko (Russia). Overall Winner and 1st Place, InsectsTwo stag beetles (Lucanus cervus) battle for dominance in the Voronezh region of Russia. These elusive creatures inhabit oak forests, making them difficult to find....

January 27, 2025 · 5 min · 1006 words · Frank Gray

Indian Official Offers $1 Million Reward to Anyone Who Can Decode an Ancient Script

The Indus Valley Civilization appeared 5,300 years ago in present-day northwest India and Pakistan. Populated by farmers and traders, the city flourished for centuries. The Indus script is made up of a mix of signs and symbols. Photo: ALFGRN viaWikimedia Commons(CC BY-SA 2.0) Researchers have turned to machine learning, hoping newer technologies can help them solve this mystery. Our understanding is that the script is structured and there is an underlying logic in the writing....

January 27, 2025 · 1 min · 85 words · Bethany Cole

This Artist Is Drawing Over 1,000 Free Portraits of Homes Destroyed in LA Fires

Bingham started drawing houses over the holidays as heartfelt gifts. Her first drawing was for a close friend who had lost her home in the fires. I didnt know how to say sorry sufficiently, she explains. So I drew it. Bingham then shared a reel onInstagram, asking if others might want a free portrait of their lost home. The response was overwhelming, with requests pouring in immediately. The more I draw the more I realize what we have collectively lost, shereflects....

January 27, 2025 · 1 min · 138 words · Christina Johnson

TikToker Stops Random Stranger on Street for a Chat Who Turns Out To Be Willem Dafoe

But aviral TikTok videoreveals that the actor is just as humble as anyone else. Content creatorKhanis known for approaching people on the streets of New York City and asking them about their jobs. Still, Dafoe takes the time to answer the questions. Photo: DenisMakarenko/Depositphotos When asked what he loves most about his job, Dafoe reveals, It’s always different. Nothings ever the same. But when it comes to giving career advice, the modest actor says, I don’t give advice....

January 27, 2025 · 1 min · 196 words · Kristen Dominguez

35,000-Square-Foot Butterfly Mural on Miami Rooftop Adds Pop of Color to the City Skyline

Curated byJustkids Art Consulting, the mural is located on the roof of the Southeast Financial Center. The piece took over 400 hours to complete and used 200 gallons of paint. Butterflies have been a central subject in my work over the past years, Mantra tells My Modern Met. Photo: Justkids.art They reflect my fascination, attachment, and love for what we call nature. After all, Mantra’s work draws from observations that are then translated into art....

January 26, 2025 · 1 min · 153 words · Cynthia Taylor

Vibrant Paintings Reimagine Greek Goddesses Into Complex Symbols of Empowerment and Resilience

Kristel Bechara, Persephone, from the Heart of Chroma series. These themes appear throughout the paintings as contrasts, most commonly revealed through Becharas color choices. [This] ground[s] them in their divinity. Kristel Bechara, “Persephone,” from the “Heart of Chroma” series. Pattern and texture also play significant roles within the series. For Bechara, both contain a certain force and immediacy that enliven each painting. Its about making the painting feel alive, Bechara claims....

January 26, 2025 · 2 min · 424 words · Tyler Woodward

Artist Paints Desert Scenes Interrupted by Enchanting Glitch and Pixel Effects

El Espejo En El Desierto For an artist, the desert must resemble a canvas. It has also served as a rich source of inspiration forAlexis Mata. As with his predecessors, the Mexico City-based artist also prioritizes abstract imagery in his desert scenes. “El Espejo En El Desierto” His mode of abstraction, however, differs in how remarkably responsive it is to contemporary technology. Over time, I realized this would become the main thread running through my work....

January 25, 2025 · 2 min · 379 words · Benjamin Jackson

Portland’s Expanded Airport Terminal Celebrates Oregon’s Forested Landscape

Photo: Ema Peter Out of all construction materials, concrete is undoubtedly the most popular. Its durable, versatile, and cost-effective and adorns countless buildings across the globe. As its centerpiece, its only fitting that the terminals roof is as sustainable as it is impressive. Photo: Ema Peter Indeed, its unsurprising that the PDX redesign owes so much to Oregons environment. Thats what makes this project so special. This phase is anticipated to be completed in 2026....

January 25, 2025 · 1 min · 179 words · Bruce Schneider

CES 2025: Smart Self-Watering Planter Keeps Your Plants Alive With Help From AI

Having a plant die is something that gardening novices (and even some experts) experience. The transparent inner pot lets you watch root development in real time. LeafyPod works with an app, which helps to monitor your plants' health. LeafyPod works with an app, which helps you monitor your plants' health. LeafyPod made its debut at CES 2025, and is now available for pre-order.

January 24, 2025 · 1 min · 63 words · Maria Mitchell

Christian Bale and His Wife Are Building a Unique Village in California To Keep Siblings in Foster Care Together

A post shared by Entrepreneurship | Business (@entrepreneurshipquote) Not all heroes wear capesexcept for Christian Bale. The Together California village is estimated to cost $22 million and is expected to be completed in 2025. Children will be looked after by full-time Together California foster parents who will provide custom care for each child. And so, we will be the hub for that. These are our children, and we must help our children....

January 24, 2025 · 1 min · 190 words · John Lewis