2025.12.02

A rare freshwater jellyfish the size of a quarter was spotted in Taft Lake in Richfield this past October, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. “According to the DNR, most years pass without a single verified sighting.” Via MinnPost
https://www.startribune.com/richfield-freshwater-jellyfish-taft-lake/601534536?utm_source=gift

Review
Prime Minister review – portrait of Jacinda Ardern shows a fully human being in charge for once
Documentary about New Zealand’s former leader records a shrewd but likable premier who did without the usual politician’s defences
Peter Bradshaw
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/02/prime-minister-review-portrait-of-jacinda-ardern-shows-a-fully-human-being-in-charge-for-once

Review
Marty Supreme review – Timothée Chalamet a smash in spectacular screwball ping-pong nightmare
Following every dizzying spin of Chalamet’s table tennis hustler, Josh Safdie’s whip-crack comedy serves sensational shots – and a smart return by Gwyneth Paltrow
Peter Bradshaw
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2025/dec/01/marty-supreme-review-timothee-chalamet-ping-pong-table-tennis

Shells found in Spain could be among oldest known musical instruments
Conch-shell trumpets discovered in Neolithic settlements and mines in Catalonia make tone similar to french horn, says lead researcher
Sam Jones in Madrid
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/dec/02/neolithic-conch-like-shell-spain-catalonia-discovery-musical-instruments

Hole in Antarctic ozone layer shrinks to smallest since 2019, scientists say
EU’s Copernicus monitoring service hails ‘reassuring sign’ of progress observed this year in hole’s size and duration
Ajit Niranjan
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/01/hole-in-ozone-layer-antarctica-smallest-since-2019-scientists-copernicus-eu

Dutch king says he ‘will not shy away’ from slavery history on rare royal visit to Suriname
The king and queen’s visit to the former colony is the first by members of the Dutch royal family in nearly five decades
Agence France-Presse
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/02/suriname-slavery-royal-visit-dutch-king-willem-alexander