Sunny Saturday News

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What better way to start the weekend than with a collection of positive news stories?

Blue Arctic Fox

The Sony World Photography Awards has just revealed the category winners and shortlisted photographers in its Open competition 2026. The Open competition recognizes the best single images to have been taken in the last year. Unlike the other competitions within the Sony World Photography Awards, where entrants submit a series of photographs, the Open competition is all about a single image, so the photographer gets just one chance to impress. The image above is the Winner of the Natural World & Wildlife category: a blue arctic fox in the Varager Peninsula of Norway. See all 10 category winners at Sony World Photography Awards 2026)before the ultimate winner is announced in April.

Thanks to a Teenager

Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, a new state law in Illinois will require every public high school to include instruction on climate change and the impacts and causes of climate change for grades nine through 12. The law was written by two area students, alongside State Representative Janet Yang Rohr. “The legislation makes sure that people know that it’s happening, how it’s happened and, most importantly, what they can do to make a change,” Rep. Yang Rohr told NBC Chicago. The law’s journey began when Iris Shadis-Greengas, a senior at Naperville Central High School submitted a proposal to Rep. Yang Rohr as part of a capstone course. Then, her state representative decided to sponsor it.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band in a studio — Credit: BruceSpringsteen.net

New Tour For The Boss

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band have announced a string of 2026 tour dates. The 20-date Land of Hope and Dreams American Tour will launch March 31 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, with The Boss playing arenas in numerous other US cities. The tour will wrap with an outdoor show on May 27 at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. "We are living in dark, disturbing and dangerous times, but do not despair - the cavalry is coming!" says Springsteen, now aged 76.

Rendering of a garden at America’s first “dementia village" — Credit: Agrace

1st 'Dementia Village'

In Fitchburg, Wisconsin, a health care company called Agrace is launching America’s first “dementia village", where residents can grab groceries, stroll gardens, dine out, and safely return home - all while being supported by caregivers and other staff. “We want to create an environment where we restore as much autonomy and personal spontaneity as possible for those living with dementia,” Agrace told WMTV 15 News. The vision is to make the community feel more like a neighborhood than a nursing home. There is already a similar village in France.

Half of Dementia Cases Can be Prevented: There is more hope than “ever before” that nearly half of dementia cases could be prevented or delayed, experts say.

natural pearl and diamond drop earrings — Credit: M.S. Rau

Crown Jewels

Turns out you don’t need to rob the Louvre to get your hands on some of the French crown jewels. M.S. Rau, the New Orleans-based antiques dealer, has an extraordinary pair of drop earrings with ties to French royalty. The matching set has been listed for $7.95 million, underscoring the coveted and costly nature of jewels with royal provenance. The natural pearl and diamond earrings descended through the family of Queen Amélie (1782 - 1866), the last Queen of France and niece of Marie Antoinette, according to the dealer. The earrings are in the classic drop style that was favoured by queens and princesses for generations. At the centre lie large natural pearls, which were among the most prized gemstones of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, ranking even rarer than diamonds at that time. There are diamonds too, of course.

an Eastern Imperial Eagle standing on the ground

Conservation Success

With its two-metre wingspan, the flight of the Eastern Imperial Eagle is a striking sight. Equally impressive up close, it wears a regal crown of light gold upon its long brown body. Unlike most eagles, it prefers open countryside, building its nest upon a tall tree with a clear view. But this powerful predator has become the prey. After decades of persecution by humans, the Eastern Imperial Eagle is now one of Europe’s rarest raptors. In Serbia, for example, there was just one breeding pair left in 2017 but now, thanks to the relentless work of conservationists, the population of the majestic raptor is on the up. The Bird Protection and Study Society of Serbia (BPSSS) has recently recorded 19 breeding pairs.

“The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up.” Mark Twain

On This Day

Edwin Land demonstrating the first instant-developing camera

21 February 1947: Edwin Land demonstrated the first instant-developing camera, the Polaroid Land Camera Model 95, at the Optical Society of America in New York City. The camera used specialized film to produce a finished, sepia-toned print in approximately 60 seconds. It was later released for sale in November 1948 for $89.95. The camera was famously inspired by a question from Land's daughter, who asked why she could not see a photo immediately after it was taken.