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Totally Thames Festival, London
Totally Thames Festival, London
Welcome to the Totally Thames Festival in London, England. Each year, it brings together communities, artists and nature enthusiasts in a month-long tribute to the river. Highlights for 2024 include the annual boat marathon, Great River Race and the Clean Thames Challenge.Desktop Version
Ancient town of Sorano, Tuscany, Italy
Ancient town of Sorano, Tuscany, Italy
The Sorano is a serene medieval village perched atop a cliff in the Italian province of Grosseto, southern Tuscany. Walking through the age-old cobblestone streets, one can explore the Fortezza Orsini, a fortress-turned-museum that dates to the 11th century. Visitors engage with centuries-old tales of power and defence with each step they take inside the fort. Near Poggio San Rocco and Poggio Croce hills lies a necropolis—a large, ancient burial site—with well-preserved Etruscan tombs that hint at the area"s long history.Desktop Version
World Penguin Day
World Penguin Day
Why fly when you can slide? Happy World Penguin Day! These flightless birds primarily inhabit Antarctica, with species varying from emperor penguins to today"s image star, Adélie penguins. In 1840, the French adventurer Jules Dumont d"Urville discovered the Adélie penguins and honoured his wife, Adèle Dorothée, by naming them after her. Despite their small size, Adélie penguins are sleek swimmers and can dive as deep as 175 metres in search of shrimp-like krill or fish. They are social animals which gather in small colonies for foraging, hunting and protection. While it may seem mischievous, Adélies steal pebbles from nearby nests to strengthen their own, safeguarding their eggs and chicks from Antarctica"s harsh conditions and predators.Desktop Version
Death Valley National Park, California, USA
Death Valley National Park, California, USA
Stretching for miles below the desert sun, the salt flats of Badwater Basin shine in Death Valley National Park, California. This sweltering spot is the lowest point of elevation of North America, 282 feet below sea level. In this otherworldly landscape, the hardened, mineral surface glistens like a mirror as the scorching heat dances upon it, creating rippling waves in the air. Composed of sodium chloride, borax and other minerals, the flats" brittle crust conceals a treacherous mud layer beneath. For those who venture beyond the flats and up a mountainside, Dante"s View reveals a panoramic view of Badwater Basin from a height of nearly 515 feet. With its surreal landscapes, Death Valley National Park offers a truly unique experience where an odd beauty thrives despite the harshest of conditions.Desktop Version
City Hall, London, England
City Hall, London, England
In London"s City Hall, where politics and policies meet cutting-edge design, the helical staircase makes its mark as more than just a set of steps. Designed by the renowned architect Norman Foster, this twisting masterpiece adds a dramatic flair to the glassy building that opened in 2002 and served as the headquarters for the Greater London Authority until 2021. The 500-metre walkway follows the curve of the building to reduce noise pollution and echoes. This spiral structure ascends through the entire ten-storey building, offering visitors an immersive architectural experience. With each curve, the staircase allows people to see across different levels, which is not just a structural feature but was a symbol of government transparency and openness. So, next time you"re in the area, take a spin on this helix of history and marvel at how it elevates the everyday into the extraordinary.Desktop Version
Spring equinox
Spring equinox
Spring has officially sprung! Today marks the spring or vernal equinox, the official beginning of springtime in the Northern Hemisphere. Starting today, regions north of the equator will have more daylight hours than darkness throughout the day.Desktop Version
Castell Coch, Wales
Castell Coch, Wales
Castell Coch, Welsh for "Red Castle," is perched on a wooded hill in Wales. Designed by the renowned architect William Burges, the castle is a symphony of opulence, featuring lavish interiors adorned with intricate carvings, vibrant stained glass and sumptuous furnishings. Its external features and high Victorian interiors stand as a witness of the brilliance of its designer. Melding together remnants of the mediaeval fortress with 19th-century innovations, its design achieves a synthesis that is hailed as the glory of the Gothic Revival in Britain. The surrounding beech forest contributes to the fairytale-like background, and they contain geological features of limestone and sandstone, and rare plant species such as the butterfly orchid, bird"s-nest orchid and dog"s mercury. These woods are recognised and protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.Desktop Version
International Zebra Day
International Zebra Day
It"s time for some black-and-white thinking. January 31 is International Zebra Day, a day to honour these stripey creatures. While all zebras have the iconic black-and-white stripes, there are actually three different species of zebras: plains, mountain and Grévy"s zebras. Today"s snapshot shows Burchell"s zebras, a subspecies of the plains zebra, in Rietvlei Nature Reserve, South Africa. Found across eastern and southern Africa, zebras thrive in savannas, shrublands, woodlands and even mountain regions. They spend most of their time eating—grasses, leaves and shrubs are their favourites—and have been known to travel hundreds of miles in search of food and water. Sadly, all three varieties of zebra are under threat from hunting and habitat destruction, so events like International Zebra Day that draw attention to their plight are more necessary than ever.Desktop Version
Discovery Day in Yukon, Canada
Discovery Day in Yukon, Canada
It"s Discovery Day in Yukon, Canada, a day to commemorate the 1896 discovery of gold at Bonanza Creek. The event set off the Klondike Gold Rush, which attracted thousands of prospectors to the region in search of gold, leading to significant economic and social changes. The population increase led to Yukon separating from the Northwest Territories and the formation of Yukon Territory in 1898.Desktop Version
World Jellyfish Day
World Jellyfish Day
Drifting along our shores and into our calendar, it"s World Jellyfish Day! Jellyfish may be observed in all the world"s oceans in an array of shapes and sizes. There are about 2,000 different species of jellyfish, and they all lack hearts, bones, and brains. Pacific sea nettle jellyfish, seen here, are known for their vibrant golden-brown bell and long tentacles, and inhabit the coastal waters of California and Oregon. Moon jellyfish are pale and have short tentacles, and in an unexpected but somewhat appropriate twist, they ventured into space aboard the space shuttle Columbia in 1991 to help scientists study their unique biology. No matter the species, jellyfish play a vital role in the ocean"s food chain, as they are the primary food source for many seawater animals, including sea turtles. Jellies are threatened by climate changes, marine pollution, and overfishing, and damage to their populations has reverberating effects on the sea life that depends on them.Desktop Version
Bản Giốc – Detian Falls, Vietnam
Bản Giốc – Detian Falls, Vietnam
Welcome to a spot where rivers meet borders in the most stunning way: Bản Giốc – Detian Falls, featured in today"s image. Tucked between the karst hills of Daxin County in China and Trùng Khánh district in Vietnam, these falls tumble along the Quây Sơn River. Over 25 metres tall and nearly 300 metres wide, it holds the distinction of being the widest waterfall in Vietnam. Located just 169 miles north of Hanoi, this waterfall has gradually worn away its crest over the years, inching upstream. For most of the year, they flow as two distinct cascades, but come summer, when the rains swell the river, they merge into one big fall.Desktop Version
Notting Hill Carnival
Notting Hill Carnival
Music, glitter, flavours, masquerade dancers and colourful feathers—Notting Hill Carnival is back in London. This annual carnival, now in its 58th year, began in 1966 as a small community event to ease racial tensions and celebrate Caribbean heritage. Fast forward to 2024, and it has grown into one of the largest street festivals in the world, drawing around a million visitors eager to soak up the carnival atmosphere. This year, the main action happens on August 25 and 26 when the parade takes place. However, there"s an extra event, the Panorama Steel Band Competition, today. So, dust off your dancing shoes, ready your taste buds and prepare to paint the town red.Desktop Version
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Another occasion to celebrate America"s cultural diversity! Cinco de Mayo or "Fifth of May," makes us rejoice in the Mexican American culture. The story of Cinco de Mayo goes back to 1862, when Mexico triumphed over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla. The event is not to be confused with Mexico"s Independence Day, held on September 16. The celebration, which is still observed in its native land, gained recognition in the US in the 1980s thanks to advertising campaigns promoting tequila, beer and wine. No wonder that modern-day Cinco de Mayo has become a boozy holiday in the US. But Mexico has much more to offer than excellent beverages and culinary delights. Mexican culture is truly colourful, whether it is architecture—like the streets in the city of San Miguel de Allende in today"s image—history, art or landscapes.Desktop Version
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
In the spring of 1862, a horticultural event began that would go on to become world famous—the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show. Formally known as the Great Spring Show, it has flourished through the years, even surviving wartime interruptions. Today, it continues to be a symbol of excellence in the world of gardening. Starting today and running until May 25, a symphony of colours, textures and scents will greet people from all walks of life, including British royalty at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The event spotlights the planet"s premier garden designers, plant specialists and visionary florists. 2024"s theme champions the heart of environmentalism, with displays emphasising sustainable beauty. So, are you "growing" to the fest?Desktop Version
Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile
Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile
Wildlife roams freely in one of Chile"s most stunning protected areas, where towering peaks and ancient glaciers shape the land. Established on this day in 1959, Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia turns 66 years old today and covers over 448,000 acres. Originally called Grey Lake National Tourism Park, it was renamed in 1970 and later designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1978. Its most recognisable feature—the three massive granite peaks known as the Torres—stands over 2,500 metres tall. These formations took shape through magma intrusion and uplift, followed by millions of years of glacial erosion, leaving behind the jagged spires seen today.Desktop Version
Farewell Ma’am
Farewell Ma’am
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Festivus
Festivus
Sometimes when stuck with family around the holidays, it might be tempting to give them an earful, like this chinstrap penguin is doing here on the South Sandwich Islands. If that sounds appealing, or if you want a break from mandatory seasonal joy, Festivus might be the holiday for you. The secular holiday was popularised in a "Seinfeld" episode in the show"s final season. The Costanza family has a collection of odd traditions, including putting up an aluminium Festivus pole—for its high weight-to-strength ratio—and airing their year-end personal grievances. Since the episode debuted, the holiday has taken on a life of its own both among fans and people looking for an alternative way to celebrate the season. Those who love Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanzaa are welcome to them, and Festivus is for the rest of us.Desktop Version
Giant panda
Giant panda
Do you like scrolling through lighthearted videos of giant pandas wobbling around? These bamboo-munching creatures, with their distinctive black and white coats and playful demeanor, have captivated hearts for years. So much so that in 1961, the World Wide Fund for Nature adopted the animal as its iconic logo. In 2016, pandas were reclassified from an endangered to a vulnerable species. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and poaching have contributed to their declining population in the wild. To curb the threat, the Chinese government built approximately 50 reserves. However, with fewer than 2,000 giant pandas remaining in the wild, the fight to protect them is far from over.Desktop Version
Bohemian waxwings
Bohemian waxwings
Among their feathered friends, Bohemian waxwings, clad in their elegant greyish-brown plumage, stand out as the wandering singers of the Northern Hemisphere. Their striking appearance comes from the contrast between their velvety grey body and the vibrant, waxy red tips gracing their secondary wing feathers. If alarmed, they freeze with their bill and neck pointing upwards. In winter they feast upon cotoneaster, juniper and rowan berries—the latter is their favourite. As spring casts its spell, these nomads engage in nesting. The female waxwings craft the nests, laying 2 to 6 bluish-grey eggs. The hatchlings are fed a diet of insects and fruits by both parents. One can easily spot these sociable birds, as they often gather in chirpy flocks in North America and Eurasia.Desktop Version
Happy Holi!
Happy Holi!
It"s Holi; get ready to become a walking rainbow and sprinkle joy wherever you go! This festival of colours, spring and love is a cornerstone of Indian and Nepali culture. It is also celebrated in other countries with large Hindu populations, such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, the United Kingdom, the United States, Suriname, Indonesia and Malaysia. The festivity lasts for a night and a day. It starts on the evening of the last full moon of the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which usually falls in March in the Gregorian calendar. As the sun sets, people gather to light bonfires, a ritual known as Holika Dahan, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. The following day, the streets come alive with people splashing each other in colours, giving everyone a vibrant makeover. Are you ready for a dash of colour?Desktop Version
European river otter
European river otter
The European river otter, pictured here, is more than just an adorable face in the wild. Found across Europe, Asia, and parts of northern Africa, these otters thrive in clean rivers, lakes and wetlands, serving as an important indicator of environmental health. These semi-aquatic animals are built for agility, with streamlined bodies, webbed feet and dense fur that keeps them warm even in icy waters. A single square centimetre of their fur can hold more than 70,000 hairs, making it one of nature"s most effective insulators. River otters were once endangered due to pollution and habitat loss. Yet, thanks to conservation efforts, their populations are rebounding in many regions across Europe.Desktop Version
Single file, please!
Single file, please!
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50 years of the Endangered Species Act
50 years of the Endangered Species Act
Today is a special milestone for our furry, scaly and feathered friends: the Endangered Species Act is turning 50. This landmark US legislation, signed into law in 1973, has been lending a helping hand to species on the brink for half a decade. The act helped inspire Britain"s own Wildlife and Countryside act of 1981. Who"s that in the spotlight? A humpback whale! Known for their haunting songs and acrobatic breaches, these gentle giants are a success story of the ESA. They were once on the edge of extinction due to whaling and entanglement in fishing gear, but thanks to conservation efforts, their population is making a comeback, from around 5,000 in 1966 to an estimate of 135,000 today.Desktop Version
Christmas Day
Christmas Day
Don"t be surprised if these caribous take flight! Ever since Clement Clarke Moore assigned reindeer to be Santa"s helpers in his 1823 poem "A Visit from St. Nicholas," caribous—as they are called in North America—have eagerly contributed to the Christmas celebration. It"s no wonder that Father Christmas would pick them. Thanks to their resilient and adaptable features, like their two layers of dense fur or eyes adapted to a wide range of light wavelengths, these mammals are accustomed to diverse environments. You likely won"t see them fly, but you might find a herd migrating from tundra to forest in the North Polar Region, North America, Northern Europe and Siberia. Their hooves can expand or shrink in size depending on the season and the quality of the ground, which keeps their heavy frame, crowned with antlers, standing on stable feet. If you"re celebrating Christmas today, we wish you a merry one.Desktop Version
Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday
As we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of gift shopping and festive decorations, it"s time to remember the true spirit of times like these: generosity and kindness. That"s where Giving Tuesday comes in. This annual holiday, which falls on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, was initiated by the United Nations Foundation and New York"s 92nd Street Y—a cultural organisation and community centre—over ten years ago. Their vision was to make a difference by providing joy to everyone through acts of charity. Generosity is something we can all practise, and there are many ways to become involved, such as volunteering at a local non-profit organisation, shelter or food bank, donating to a charity or simply giving a voice to people in need in your community. So, let"s jump on board with the millions of kind souls, shake hands and share warm wishes far and wide!Desktop Version