Fab Friday News
- 11 hours ago
- 4 min read
Ensuring the week ends on a positive note with today's global round up of uplifting news nuggets.
"Daliesque Quality"
The Pure Street Photography Awards stand among the world’s most respected international honours dedicated exclusively to the art of street photography. Created to celebrate photographs defined by honesty, observation and humanity, the Awards recognise work that transforms ordinary moments into enduring visual stories. The Grand Prize winner of the 2026 competition was taken in Chantilly, France, with one of the judges saying: “I was really drawn to the abstract nature of this image of reflection. It’s a complex, atmospheric clash of activity and the band of clouds captured at the top of the frame gives it a surreal, Daliesque quality.”
New to Science
Say hello to Spea labreae! The tiny spadefoot toad is a newly discovered species of ice age amphibian recently found in a collection at the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. It’s the first extinct amphibian found in the city and only the second-known ice age amphibian discovered in North America (the first was a tree frog from Florida). And while it’s small in size, it could have an outsized impact on our understanding of the climate at the end of the last ice age. The find is also worth celebrating because amphibians don’t often make it into fossil records due to their fragile skeletons. “It’s a great example of how we’re still finding new things at La Brea Tar Pits, even after a century of ongoing excavation and research,” says Emily Lindsey, a curator at the site. “There’s definitely more to come.”
Have You Got One?
During the 1940s and ’50s, stylish ladies across Britain dazzled in the playfully patterned, brightly coloured dresses of Horrockses Fashions. It counted Queen Elizabeth II among its fans, but its prices were also within reach of ordinary women searching for a beautiful, high-quality frock. On September 19, England's Harris Museum will launch an exhibition celebrating Horrockses’ contributions to ready-to-wear fashion during Britain’s post-war period. But first, the museum is hoping to track down one of Horrockses’ unique designs: a housecoat patterned with a map of the British Isles. It was included in Horrockses’ first collection, which made its debut in a fashion show in 1946. Today, only two examples of the garment are known to experts and both are in other museums. Horrockses’ also made a dress in the same pattern. Have you got one? “The Harris is keen to hear from anyone who may own or know the whereabouts of one of the dresses, as well as anyone with information about the housecoat.”
Perfect Timing
Some photographs don't just happen. They're the result of planning, patience, and perfect timing. Photographer Matt Ley captured this remarkable image as the full moon aligned with the lantern room of Highland Light Station, at Cape Cod National Seashore. For a brief moment, the moon appeared to shine from inside the lighthouse itself, creating a photograph that feels almost magical. Commissioned by George Washington and established in 1797 as the 20th light station in the United States, Highland Light has guided mariners along the Outer Cape for more than two centuries. Today, more than 700 historic lighthouses still stand across the country, serving as enduring reminders of America's rich maritime heritage.
‘One-Wing’ Plane
JetZero’s windowless Z4 aircraft could be carrying up to 250 passengers as early as 2030, according to The Wall Street Journal, as the company secured a loan of up to $3bn. At first glance, a single wing on a plane does not sound particularly reassuring but the California-based start-up’s Z4 intends to make it the envy of all the olde-worlde two-wingers. Engineers, though, prefer the term “blended wing” and, if it is successful, the Z4 would be the world’s first commercial blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft. A blended wing allows lift across the entire wingspan and reduces drag. The big advantage of this is a whopping 30-50 percent fuel-efficiency improvement compared with aeroplanes currently in service.
Ring Watch
Watchmaker Casio is taking its tiny Ring Watch into the world of wearable technology. The new device retains the playful design of the company’s original miniature digital watch while adding health and fitness tracking, Bluetooth connectivity, and smartphone notifications. Users can view their health and fitness data through the accompanying smartphone app. A built-in vibration motor also delivers discreet alerts for incoming calls and messages, along with alarms and reminders. This latest gizmo retains the original's functioning digital watch display, plus stopwatch, alarm, calendar, and LED backlight. Its full-metal construction gives the unusual accessory the look of a tiny traditional watch worn on the finger.
"When a thoughtless or unkind word is spoken, best tune out. Reacting in anger or annoyance will not advance one’s ability to persuade." Ruth Bader Ginsburg
On This Day
14 August 1880: Ceremony to celebrate the completion of Cologne Cathedral attended by Emperor Wilhelm I, first begun in 1248, now the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe. Reaching 157.38 meters (516.3 ft), it was briefly the world's tallest building.
Today's Articles
First Time Ever: Researchers have captured the first-ever footage of dolphins using seashells to help them catch fish.
Lucky Strike: Not one but three "spectacular" 1,000 year-old gold torcs discovered in northern England.
Mood Boosting Video
Rescued Baby Elephant: Cared for by Sheldrick Wildlife Trust until ready to be wild again.
