Susan Sontag revises her viewpoint (NYT registration required) from 1977, originally presented in On Photography, in her latest book, Regarding the Pain of Others (via consumptive).

PDN Online features dispatches from the Gulf by photographers covering the war in Iraq and the surrounding regions. The first installment contains updates by New York Times photographer Vincent Laforet, Agence-France Presse's Patrick Baz and Newsday's Moises Saman.

Photojournalist Molly Bingham, on assignment for World Picture News and Esquire, has been missing for six days in Iraq. She may have been expelled from Iraq with several Newsday journalists, but her whereabouts is still not known.

Genyosha publishes the latest photography trade news from Japan in English, including updates on new camera models and lenses introduced into the Japanese market (subscription required).

Right now, for the next ten or so days, the cherry blossoms or sakura in Tokyo are in full bloom, and the entire city is awash with pink candyfloss. Jeremy Hedley waxes lyrical on their fleeting splendour and "voluptuous exhibitionism", calling them the "Mae West of trees". Tokyo Shoes' Nadine is lucky enough to live right next to the beautiful Aoyama Cemetery, a favourite spot for hanami revellers.