Day: September 16, 2025
Israeli media had reported nation had been asked to step aside or compete under a neutral symbol due to controversies over Gaza war
-
Get our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcast
SBS has indicated it will not follow the lead of a growing number of European Union countries and boycott next year’s Eurovision song contest if Israel is permitted to compete.
The decision on Israel’s inclusion will be made by the contest’s governing body in December, but SBS told the Guardian on Tuesday it intended to participate in the 2026 event in Vienna, regardless of December’s decision.
Framer
- Jorn van Dijk is the cofounder of AI website builder Framer.
- Before Framer, van Dijk worked as a product designer at Meta.
- Van Dijk said designers still need to hone their hard skills even with the rise of AI design tools.
It has never been easier to make a website or graphic with AI tools, but Jorn van Dijk, the cofounder of AI website builder Framer, says designers still need to put in some grunt work to stand out in the field.
Van Dijk told Business Insider that designers must nurture their sense of taste as they develop their careers.
“Taste and quality go hand in hand. With AI, it’s super easy to make something sloppy very fast. That’s why it’s called AI slop,” he said.
“A way to stand out is to focus on quality and making something unique to yourself, to the individual, and to the brand,” he added.
This is critical for businesses, which rely on their designers to develop a brand that “people like to engage with and get excited about,” van Dijk said.
“That is increasingly hard and not easy to do,” he said.
To refine one’s taste, van Dijk said designers should go back to the basics and “hone your hard skills.” That involves getting practice with tools to create good design and producing more work.
“Do a lot of exploration, make a lot of mock-ups, make a lot of icons, draw a lot of logos,” van Dijk said.
“What worked 10 years ago is probably still true today. It’s just that the tools have changed, and we can leverage AI to do better work,” he added.
Van Dijk started Framer in 2014 with his cofounder, Koen Bok. The company has over 130 employees and is based in Amsterdam, per PitchBook. In August, Framer raised $100 million at a $2 billion valuation in its Series D funding round.
Van Dijk and Bok cofounded Sofa in 2006, a software company that made apps for Apple’s MacBooks. Meta acquired Sofa in 2011, and the pair worked as product designers at the social media giant between 2011 and 2013.
Van Dijk told Business Insider that AI can benefit many creative fields, such as graphic design and film, but it hasn’t leveled the playing field between professional artists and the average person.
“It’s never been easier to create good video, but I haven’t really seen the amount of amazing videos or ads skyrocket because of that,” he said.
Death Penalty Sought for Suspect in Political Activist’s Murder
Utah County District Attorney Jeff Gray announced plans to pursue the death penalty against Tyler Robinson, the main suspect in the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The announcement comes in the wake of evidence presented that links Robinson to the shooting, reports 24brussels.
Robinson, 22, is alleged to have shot Kirk during an event at Utah Valley University. Gray stated that his decision to seek capital punishment was made independently, driven by the evidence and severity of the crime. “This decision reflects a thorough assessment of the facts and circumstances surrounding this tragic case,” Gray said.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi indicated that Robinson could face execution by firing squad, a method permitted in Utah County. She emphasized that both state and federal authorities aim to achieve the maximum possible punishment for the suspect.
On the same day, Gray provided further details regarding the investigation, revealing text messages between Robinson and his roommate, alongside witness statements. He noted the recovery of crucial evidence from both the crime scene and additional locations that contributed to establishing Robinson’s role in the murder.
Utah Governor Spencer Cox reported that the suspect has been uncooperative during the investigation and has consistently denied guilt. However, information surfaced from The Washington Post indicating that Robinson confessed to the crime through chat messages shortly before his arrest. One message allegedly read, “Hey everyone, I have some bad news… It was me yesterday at Utah Valley University. I’m so sorry.”
The shooting occurred during a Q&A session held outdoors at the Sorensen Center, where Kirk suffered a gunshot wound to the neck, prompting chaos among the attendees as they fled the scene upon hearing the gunfire.
Charlie Kirk, aged 31, was a prominent figure known for his ultraconservative viewpoints, particularly his contentious stance against the LGBTQ+ community and immigration issues. His social media following exceeded 12 million across platforms like X and TikTok, where he was notorious for his inflammatory rhetoric and controversial opinions.
Throughout his career, Kirk propagated various conspiracy theories, including the Great Replacement Theory, which alleges a deliberate attempt to replace the native population through immigration. His statements regarding immigration and ethnic groups have drawn substantial criticism for being factually inaccurate and racially charged.
In addition, Kirk was an outspoken supporter of policies perceived as discriminatory towards the LGBTQ+ community, challenging protections established under law and promoting harmful slurs against transgender individuals. His inflammatory comments extended to many social issues, including those surrounding geopolitical conflicts, where he frequently sided with one party’s actions while disregarding humanitarian implications.
The investigation continues as authorities piece together the full circumstances surrounding Kirk’s murder, underscoring the ongoing dialogue about political violence in the United States amidst a climate of increasing polarization.