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Jun 29, 2024Tour de France 2024

It"s time to get pedalling. The Tour de France, the world"s most famous bike race, is starting today. Beginning in Florence, Italy, the 2024 Tour will cover a total distance of over 3,490 kilometres. This year"s course will be a little different from the other races in the Tour"s history. The final finish line has always been in Paris; however, because the French capital will be busy getting ready for this year"s Olympic Games, the race will end in Nice on France"s Mediterranean coast.Desktop Version

Nov 9, 2023Birch trees, Drammen, Norway

Norway is home to many beautiful natural features, and birch forests are one of them. Surrounded by the "silver forests" and situated within the embrace of the fjords, Drammen, a city in Norway, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Birch trees flourish at high altitudes, making them a natural fit for the mountainous region. When summer passes and autumn takes over, birch leaves transform into a mosaic of gold and crimson in stark contrast to the slender trunks and pale bark. This striking seasonal change may be part of why birch trees are associated with new beginnings and renewal. These trees aren"t just for looks, they provide habitat and sustenance for wildlife, and can be used for firewood and in construction.Desktop Version

Aug 28, 2023Dubrovnik, Croatia

Though you might instinctively watch out for invading fleets or dragons overhead, you"re more likely to encounter a tourist than a Lannister in the Croatian city of Dubrovnik. As you may know, "Game of Thrones" filmed here frequently throughout the run of the show, and you can scarcely blame them; Dubrovnik"s Old Town is one of the best-preserved mediaeval cities in the world. For centuries it flourished as the Republic of Ragusa, maintaining independence through diplomacy and robust trade networks. This "Pearl of the Adriatic" has withstood military bombardments and devastating earthquakes, yet the city has always rebuilt and persevered. While pop culture, history and UNESCO World Heritage Site status are all big draws, they might be too effective: A recent report estimated that in 2019 there were 36 tourists for every resident.Desktop Version

Aug 22, 2023Amphitheatre of El Jem, Tunisia

The Amphitheatre of El Jem is a fascinating historical site located in the Tunisian town of El Jem, known as Thysdrus in Roman times. Constructed in the 3rd century CE during the Roman Empire, the Amphitheatre of El Jem is renowned for its impressive architecture. It was built using stone blocks, had the capacity to accommodate up to 35,000 spectators and is still one of the largest amphitheatres in the world today. The amphitheatre has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979 and is considered one of the best-preserved examples of Roman amphitheatres in the world, almost equal in grandeur and architecture to the Colosseum in Rome.Desktop Version

Dec 11, 2024International Mountain Day

Today, we celebrate International Mountain Day, an event to honour the towering giants of our planet. Among them are the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, or the "Three Peaks of Lavaredo," seen on the right in today"s image. A part of the Sexten Dolomites in northeastern Italy, they"re one of the most famous mountain groups in the Alps. These three peaks—Cima Grande, Cima Ovest and Cima Piccola—are a UNESCO World Heritage Site that captivates adventurers and nature lovers alike. Much like these, India"s northern region is home to awe-inspiring mountain ranges like the Himalayas and Karakoram. In these mountains you"ll find some of the tallest peaks on the planet, including Mount Kangchenjunga, which holds the title of the world"s third-highest peak.Desktop Version

Sep 22, 2023World Rhinoceros Day

Keep the five alive! That is the mission of World Rhinoceros Day, the International Rhino foundation, rhino specialists, and fans around the globe. Those five species are the Javan, Sumatran, greater one-horned, black and white rhinoceros, the latter which can be seen here today and identified by its two horns and square lip. The global rhino population is estimated to be under 27,000. While there have been successful conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of these amazing animals will likely be a perpetual challenge. Habitat loss is a common issue for many animals globally, but rhinos are particularly targeted by poachers. Parks like the Shamwari Game Reserve, the site of our photo, employ anti-poaching squads to keep these rhinos safe.Desktop Version

Sep 24, 2023World Rivers Day

If you are a nature enthusiast, an environmental advocate, or just simply enjoy listening to the sound of rumbling rivers, you might like to know that today is World Rivers Day. Following the United Nations" "Water for Life Decade" movement between 2005 and 2015, Mark Angelo, a Canadian River conservationist, teacher, author and speaker, proposed a global event to celebrate rivers. World Rivers Day dedicates the fourth Sunday of September each year to waterways, to increase awareness of the many benefits that rivers provide to people and the planet.Desktop Version

Rebels of the owl world

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Mar 22, 2024World Water Day

It"s World Water Day, a 31-year-old annual tradition that ripples across the globe, reminding us of the importance of this essential resource. Water is a force that quenches thirst and irrigates harvests, and in its absence, it can derail prosperity and stability. The World Economic Forum lists the water crisis among the top global risks, and with 2.2 billion people still lacking access to clean water, this United Nations observance is a call to action to address the crisis. From educational forums to local cleanups, each action, big or small, contributes to the wave of change. This year"s theme, "Water for Peace," invites us to reflect on the universal solvent"s power to foster unity. So, are you ready to dive into a current that flows deeper than New Zealand"s Blue Spring at Te Waihou Walkway? With about 70% of the country"s bottled water coming from here, this spring mirrors the clarity and serenity we yearn for in the world.Desktop Version

Like sands through the hourglass

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Mar 3, 2025World Wildlife Day

What better time to shine a spotlight on nature than on World Wildlife Day? This day serves as a reminder that wildlife conservation is a shared responsibility. This year"s theme is "Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet." The events emphasise exchanging ideas, presenting solutions and diving into how innovative finance can help stop biodiversity loss and create a more sustainable future. Schools, conservation groups and wildlife parks host events such as nature walks, workshops, art contests, wildlife photography competitions and conservation talks to raise awareness. One species worth learning about is the southern yellow-billed hornbill, pictured here, a bird found throughout Southern Africa and commonly spotted in Kruger National Park in South Africa.Desktop Version

Aug 30, 2023Celebrating sibling bonds

Raksha Bandhan is a popular celebration influenced by Hindu traditions, held every year to honor the bond between siblings. According to Indian custom, sisters tie a thread called Rakhi on their brothers" wrists and wish for their well-being, prosperity, and happiness. In return, the brothers promise to protect and love their sisters unconditionally. In recent times, the festival has changed and progressed, and brothers also tie Rakhis on their sisters" wrists while sisters exchange the thread as a symbol of promising to protect and love each other wholeheartedly. Additionally, siblings exchange gifts and indulge in pampering each other on this occasion. Raksha Bandhan means "the bond of protection, obligation or care" in Sanskrit.Desktop Version

A light in the coastal darkness

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Oct 3, 2024Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh

Let"s explore the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. On the banks of the Yamuna River in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, this ivory-white marble mausoleum will certainly leave an impression. The Taj, seen in today"s image, was commissioned in 1631 by Shah Jahan, the fifth Mughal emperor, to honour his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal.Desktop Version

Nov 14, 2024Manarola, Cinque Terre National Park, Liguria, Italy

Known for its pastel houses cascading down to the Mediterranean Sea, Manarola, seen in today"s image, looks like a place straight out of a fairytale. Perched on the rugged cliffs of Italy"s Ligurian coast, it"s one of the five villages that make up Cinque Terre National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name "Manarola" might have evolved from the Latin "Magna rota," which became "Magna roea" in the local dialect. It means "large wheel," a nod to the village"s historical mill wheel. Believed to be the oldest village in the Cinque Terre, dating to 1338, Manarola"s history is rooted in fishing and winemaking.Desktop Version

May 20, 2024World Bee Day

We"re really buzzing: today is World Bee Day! This event is a chance to celebrate these winged insects and the vital role they play in biodiversity and agriculture. Bees come in a range of sizes, from just 0.20 centimetres all the way up to 3.9 centimetres, and there are over 20,000 known species. They are one of the most important pollinators in the world. They help keep trees, flowers and crops alive, which helps secure food chains as well as boosting biodiversity by keeping a wide range of plants alive. It"s no overstatement to say that bees are vital for humans" survival.Desktop Version

Celebrating the tropics

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Apr 2, 2024Beech trees and anemone wildflowers, Jutland, Denmark

Today"s homepage takes us to Jutland, Denmark, where the arrival of spring showcases the green hues of the European beech, a national symbol of this northern land. The young leaves of these budding trees are significant to the Danish people, as they are harvested from April to May and used in cooking—particularly in salads. In the past, Europeans would often use the smooth bark of beech trees for writings texts. In fact, in the modern Dutch language, the term for "book" directly translates as "beech tree." As the sun shines through the forest canopy, wild anemones brighten up the woodland with their white petals. These blooms, representing delicate beauty and sincerity, have even starred in masterpieces by artists such as Monet and Vincent van Gogh.Desktop Version

Apr 23, 2024World Book Day

In the heart of Ireland, amidst the storied halls of the Library of Trinity College Dublin, scrolls and tomes whisper tales of long-gone eras. Today, these silent storytellers shine for World Book Day. Established by UNESCO in 1995, the day serves as a reminder of the importance of reading, publishing and copyright. But why April 23? It marks the shared death anniversary of William Shakespeare, Miguel de Cervantes and several other literary greats.Desktop Version

Sep 25, 2023Sea Otter Awareness Week

It"s hard not to smile when you spot a sea otter. Their whiskery faces, busy paws, and thick fur give the impression of a stuffed animal that has come to life and taken to the ocean. These heaviest members of the weasel family aren"t just cute though, they also play a vital role in the kelp forest ecosystem, keeping the destructive sea urchin population in check. Sea Otter Awareness Week aims to help protect their populations, which once numbered as high as 300,000 but then dropped to fewer than 2,000 after widespread hunting. International protections were put into place in 1911 and numbers have rebounded to around 125,000, but they still remain endangered. While some habitats never recovered, others have emerged in entirely new locations, such as Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve. In 1995, five sea otters were spotted in Glacier Bay, and today there are over 8,000 that hunt, play and raise pups in the kelp-abundant waters.Desktop Version

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