OGN Wednesday

Editor OGN Daily
Apr 30
4 min read

Mid-week collection of upbeat news stories from around the globe.

Steven Spielberg, filmaker, posing for a portrait — Steven Spielberg | Credit: Evan Mulling | National Portrait Gallery

Portrait of a Nation

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has announced that it will honor four prominent Americans with the prestigious 2025 Portrait of a Nation Award. This year’s recipients are Steven Spielberg, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker; Temple Grandin, a scientist and autism advocate; Joy Harjo, the first Native American U.S. poet laureate; and Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JPMorgan Chase. “Each of the 2025 honorees were selected for their ingenuity and ability to transform their respective fields, from business and science to literature and film,” says Rhea L. Combs, the gallery’s director of curatorial affairs. “By presenting their portraits, and the creativity of the artists behind them, we hope to inspire others to envision their personal power and move the needle of history in their own way.”

Chattanooga

North America is home to hundreds of national parks - and now, one National Park City. Chattanooga, Tennessee, has become the first on the continent to be named as such by the U.K. nonprofit National Park City Foundation. The third in the world, it follows London and Adelaide, Australia, which were awarded the designations in 2019 and 2021, respectively. The award acknowledges the city’s abundant green spaces and commitment to environmental stewardship. Chattanooga’s recognition was hard-earned, with the Foundation citing Chattanooga’s “remarkable story” of transformation from one of the country’s most polluted cities in the 1970s to a biodiversity hot spot and unparalleled outdoor destination. Indeed, Outside Magazine previously named it the best town in the U.S., twice.

four stone tool heads believed to be between 11,000 and 11,500 years old — Credit: University of Glasgow

Island of Skye

Archaeologists have discovered ancient tools on the island of Skye which they believe show evidence of one of the earliest human populations yet known in Scotland. The stone tool heads are believed to be between 11,000 and 11,500 years old and date from a period known as the Late Upper Palaeolithic. Experts say the find means that the west coast now represents the largest concentration of evidence for human populations anywhere in Scotland. "This is a hugely significant discovery which offers a new perspective on the earliest human occupation yet known of north-west Scotland," says Karen Hardy, Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology at the University of Glasgow.

Modern Duffel bag in cream canvas and brown leather — Modern Duffel bag

Why 'Duffel' Bag?

Whether you’re going away for a weekend or smuggling illicit goods in and out of the country, at some point, you’ve probably grabbed a duffel bag. These cylindrical totes are typically made of heavy-duty canvas or some other durable material and make for a more portable packing solution than conventional luggage. But why is it known as a duffel bag? The history of duffel bags begins with duffel, a thick woolen cloth named after the town that produced it in Antwerp, Belgium, circa the 15th century. The material was used for a variety of goods that needed to stand up to wear, making it an easy choice for storage, clothing, and work applications. There were duffel coats, duffel blankets, duffel parkas, and, eventually, duffel bags. Duffels would eventually evolve from their early laundry bag aesthetic to a bag that was oblong, zippered, and able to stand freely.

Sustainable Aviation

Finland has positioned itself at the forefront of sustainable hydrogen production with a landmark €1.4 billion ($1.5 billion) aviation fuel facility. The project will establish the country’s largest clean energy installation, transforming the Arctic region into a hub for green aviation technology. French company Verso Energy signed the agreement to construct a facility capable of producing 80,000 tons of sustainable aviation fuel annually. The plant aims to fuel approximately 160,000 medium-haul flights each year, marking Finland’s entry into the growing sustainable aviation fuel market.

Baleria's electric ferry — Credit: Baleria

Electric Ferry Link

A Spanish ferry company will establish the first completely electric ferry service between Spain and Morocco in 2027, creating a pioneering green corridor between the two continents. This innovative project, representing a €45 million investment, marks a transformative step toward sustainable maritime transportation in the Mediterranean region. Baleària will operate two custom-built electric ferries between Tarifa, Spain, and Tangier, Morocco, establishing the Spain and Morocco green corridor as the first zero-emission maritime route connecting Europe and Africa. The ships will produce no pollution and run solely on battery power for the 18-mile journey across the Strait of Gibraltar.

"Passion is what makes life interesting." Pat Tillman