Telangana Day
At midnight, a map shifted—and a region found its rhythm. On 2 June 2014, Telangana became India"s youngest state, carved from Andhra Pradesh, with Hyderabad as its capital. Telangana Day marks that moment—and the momentum since.
At midnight, a map shifted—and a region found its rhythm. On 2 June 2014, Telangana became India"s youngest state, carved from Andhra Pradesh, with Hyderabad as its capital. Telangana Day marks that moment—and the momentum since.
Your average route to work might not resemble the one in today"s image, but it shouldn"t stop you from pedalling. World Bicycle Day invites us to rethink what"s possible on two wheels—whether the ride cuts through city streets or remote terrain. Observed every 3 June, the United Nations–backed day recognises cycling as a practical way to move, supporting health, lowering emissions and making mobility more accessible.
Poetic name, poetic appearance. Meet the snowy egret, whose all-white plumage and bright yellow "slippers" on black legs give it a striking look. Once nearly wiped out by demand for its delicate breeding-season feathers—soft, lacy plumes prized for fashionable hats—conservation efforts saved its plumage.
If nature had a "do not disturb" sign, it would hang over Sarek National Park, often called "the last European wilderness." On World Environment Day, this remote corner of Swedish Lapland reminds us what the planet looks like when humans take a step back—and let the wild take the lead.
Today"s image features the Natchez Trace Parkway near Tupelo, United States. Long before modern maps, bison and other large animals carved the first paths here, later followed by Native Americans and, much later, "Kaintuck" traders walking hundreds of kilometres home after selling goods along the Mississippi. The route reflects around 10,000 years of human history and even links to Andrew Jackson, who travelled it during the War of 1812.
At Dunseverick Castle, history hangs on—literally. Wall fragments cling to a basalt stack above the Atlantic, proving that even ruins can hold their ground. Two thousand years ago, it marked the end of the Slige Midluachra, one of Ireland"s five great roads, linking travellers to the royal seat at Hill of Tara. In the 5th century, Saint Patrick is said to have visited and baptised a local man, Olcán, here. Tradition holds that the Lia Fáil (Stone of Destiny), used for crowning Irish kings, was taken from this shore for Scotland.
Today is World Oceans Day, so follow the lead of a creature that goes wherever the water takes it. Want to spot a lion"s mane jellyfish? Look in cold northern seas. Its bell is split into eight lobes, and beneath it hang long tentacles and oral arms. As it drifts with the current, stinging cells snare plankton and small fish. For humans, the sting can be painful. Reactions vary, and even a washed-up tentacle can still hurt. The rule is simple: admire it, then leave it alone. Some lion"s manes in Arctic waters have bells more than 1.8 metres across, but most sightings are smaller animals near shore after storms or strong currents.
Vernazza is a small seaside town in Cinque Terre, in Italy"s Liguria region. Built around the area"s only natural harbour, it has long been tied to the sea. First recorded in 1080 as a fortified settlement and maritime base, it later became part of the Republic of Genoa"s coastal defences. To this day, the village preserves its past in the ruins of Doria Castle and the watchtowers overlooking the bay. At the water"s edge stands the Church of Santa Margherita d"Antiochia, first mentioned in 1318 and expanded in later centuries, with a bell tower overlooking the port. Above the houses and narrow lanes, steep terraces support vineyards and olive groves, shaped by generations of stonework in a landscape protected within Cinque Terre National Park, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Picture an aperitivo here: a glass of local white wine, the harbour in view and Ligurian favourites like focaccia and basil pesto—basically a postcard you can taste.
From above, the lake"s smooth surface contrasts sharply with the rugged ground surrounding it. Hnausapollur crater lake—also known as Bláhylur—lies in the heart of Fjallabak Nature Reserve, a remote area of Iceland"s highlands shaped more by volcanic activity than by human settlement. The crater formed when magma met groundwater, triggering an explosion that carved out the circular basin visible today.
Tucked away beneath steep cliffs near Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe, Praia da Ursa feels like the edge of the continent. Reached by a narrow, rugged trail, this secluded beach along Portugal"s Atlantic coast is shaped largely by wind, stone and powerful waves. When the tide recedes, the shoreline briefly widens. Smooth rocks emerge, and with them, small signs of life. Limpets cling tightly to the exposed stone, holding fast where the ocean usually breaks.
A streak of colour glides past a blur of wildflowers as a European bee-eater cuts through the air. Turquoise, gold and chestnut shimmer across its wings as it hunts in flight, snatching insects mid-air with swift turns. Bees and wasps are among its favoured prey, and the bird often removes the stinger before feeding—a behaviour that reduces the risk of injury.
Layered ridges stretch across Badlands National Park in South Dakota, United States. Their bands of pink, grey and gold shift with the light as eroded peaks and valleys come into view. Wind and water continue to shape this terrain, steadily wearing away soft sedimentary rock and exposing millions of years of Earth"s history in layers formed by ancient rivers, volcanic ash and periods when shallow seas covered the region.
At daybreak, the mallard glides over the still water like a brush across a canvas. Its shimmering plumage—emerald-green head in the male, speckled brown coat in the female—catches the first light. It can be seen from the marshes of the Camargue to the urban canals of Amsterdam, a faithful companion of Europe"s aquatic landscapes.
These mountains were shaped over time long before they became a protected landscape. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee and North Carolina, United States covers more than 2,000 square kilometres. The park takes its name from the natural smoky haze drifting over its ridgelines. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, these peaks are over 300 million years old.
Sea Turtle Day highlights some of the ocean"s most ancient mariners—reptiles that have existed for over 100 million years. Observed each year on 16 June, it raises awareness of their ecological importance and the growing threats they face. Sea turtles play a vital role in maintaining healthy seagrass beds and coral reefs, ecosystems that support diverse marine life. Long migrations between feeding and nesting areas are central to their life cycle. Despite their resilience, all species are threatened by habitat loss, plastic pollution, climate change and accidental capture in fishing gear.
Follow the glowing ribbon of switchbacks and you"ll find one of Switzerland"s most legendary drives: Tremola Road, the historic southern approach to the Saint Gotthard Pass, above Airolo. Built in the early 1800s and largely shaped by a 1951 reconstruction, this route is celebrated as Switzerland"s longest monument to historic road construction. Its showstopper stretch climbs about 300 metres in just 4 kilometres, curling through 24 named hairpin bends on granite cobblestones, with sturdy retaining walls edging the way. Overall, it runs about 11 kilometres and features 37 bends in total. Take it slow—every curve feels like a step back in time, trading speed for sweeping mountain scenery and big views towards the upper Leventina Valley. Whether you"re driving, cycling or pulling over for photos, look for the Grand Tour of Switzerland photo spot framing those iconic zigzags.
Set high above Cusco in Peru, Sacsayhuamán reveals the ambition of the Inca Empire in stone. Built in the 15th century, this vast complex once formed part of the sacred capital of the Incas. From above, the layout becomes clear: terraces, open plazas and the remains of towers forming a carefully planned citadel. The largest walls, built from enormous blocks, still stand strong today. Some stones rise more than 8 metres tall and were fitted together so precisely—without mortar—that the structure has endured centuries of earthquakes.
Perched at the far edge of Piazza Bovio in Piombino, Tuscany, Italy, is the Piombino Lighthouse. Locally, it is known as "Faro di Piombino" or "La Rocchetta Lighthouse." It overlooks the point where the Tuscan coast faces the island of Elba.
A sculpted arch of ice rises from the Southern Ocean along the Antarctic Peninsula, one of the fastest-warming regions on Earth. This formation began as compacted snow that turned into glacial ice over thousands of years. Eventually, part of a glacier or floating ice shelf fractured and broke free—a process known as calving—creating a drifting iceberg.
At sunrise, parks around the world become giant stretching sessions as mats roll out and millions practice balance, breathing and poses that sometimes wobble more than they flow smoothly. That is the spirit of the International Day of Yoga, celebrated every year on 21 June.