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Sep 8, 2024International Literacy Day

"Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope." These words by former secretary-general of the United Nations Kofi Annan capture the essence of International Literacy Day, celebrated every September 8. Established by UNESCO in 1966, this observance not only celebrates those who can read but also highlights the ongoing battle against illiteracy. With approximately 775 million people worldwide still lacking basic literacy, this day resonates powerfully within the hallowed walls of the Stockholm Public Library in Sweden, or "Stadsbiblioteket" as it is known to locals, featured in today"s image.Desktop Version

Mar 28, 2025Black-naped monarch

Watch closely; you might catch a glimpse of the black-naped monarch. This bird is part of the monarch flycatcher family, which also includes shrikebills, magpie-larks and paradise flycatchers. Found across tropical southern Asia, from Iran and Sri Lanka to Indonesia and the Philippines, this feathered creature prefers dense forests and other lush, wooded spots.Desktop Version

Straight out of a fairytale

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Nov 11, 2024Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

Featured in today"s image is a winter wonderland in Alberta, Canada. Banff National Park is the perfect place for those seeking a refreshing escape. Established in 1885, it became the first national park in the country following the discovery of hot springs near Sulphur Mountain. Over time, Banff"s boundaries expanded, and it became part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site. Spanning over 6,600 square kilometres, this national park transforms into a snowy playground during the winter, attracting visitors eager to for skiing, snowshoeing, curling, skijoring and wildlife tours that offer plenty to explore. Despite the cold, life thrives in the park: it"s home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, grizzly bears, mountain goats and wolves. Lodgepole pines and spruces also stand resilient against the harsh weather. Banff"s flora and fauna are closely monitored, ensuring that this balance remains intact.Desktop Version

Jul 11, 2024World Population Day

In 1987, the world population reached the five-billion mark, a milestone so significant that it spawned an international observance: Five Billion Day. Back then, the United Nations recognised the need to address the burgeoning issues tied to our global footprint. Thus, World Population Day was established in 1989. Today, it"s not just a day—it"s a call to action. Overpopulation stretches our planet"s resources thin, urging us to confront urgent matters like family planning, an increase in waste and pollution or a lack of infrastructure. While metropolitan areas struggle with overcrowding, smaller places face the problem of decreasing population, leading to an imbalance. One such example is the Italian town of Gangi, Sicily, seen in today"s image. This village had about 16,000 residents in the 1950s, but today, it is home to a little more than 6,000. Keen on revitalisation, Gangi attracts attention by gifting abandoned houses to those committed to their restoration.Desktop Version

Jul 10, 2024Collared aracari

Black and yellow plumage, bright eyes and an oversized bill—meet the collared aracari, a fascinating tropical bird. Gracing the forests from Mexico through Costa Rica, where today’s image was taken, to Colombia and Venezuela, this member of the toucan family gets its name from the red collar on the back of the neck. Measuring 38 to 40 centimetres long and tipping the scales at a mere 175 to 249 grams, this bird is a wonder of nature"s design. Both male and female aracaris share the same dazzling appearance. These birds circle through the air in groups of 6 to 15, and at night, they snuggle together in tree cavities. Their song is as unique as their look—a sharp "seek" or a whimsical "pink," sometimes a purring sound or even a raspy "grhhrr." Although deforestation and hunting pose threats to these birds, they are currently classified as a least-concern species. For now, collared aracaris remains a captivating sight, a splash of colour and a burst of life amidst the sprawling branches.Desktop Version

Nap your worries away

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Jun 30, 2025Asteroid Day

Each scar on Earth from a meteorite impact tells a story—from the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs to the lesser-known craters that dot the planet. Asteroid Day highlights ongoing research into asteroids and the potential threats they pose. Started in 2015 and backed by the United Nations, this day marks the anniversary of the Tunguska event—a massive explosion that occurred in Siberia on June 30, 1908. This explosion flattened over 2,000 square kilometres of Siberian forest near the Tunguska River. The blast released energy equal to 10–15 megatons of trinitrotoluene (TNT), a standard measure of explosive force. Since then, craters like United States" Barringer, Canada"s Manicouagan and others have helped scientists study what happens when space rocks hit Earth.Desktop Version

Why are blackbirds tied to winter?

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Nov 23, 2024Fibonacci Day

On Fibonacci Day, mathematicians and scientists honour one of their own: Leonardo Bonacci. More commonly known as Fibonacci, the medieval mathematician is notable for popularising the Hindu-Arabic numeral system, with its use of zero, decimal points and 10 numbers instead of the ponderous Roman numeral system. He"s most famous, however, for his sequence of numbers: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8... By adding the first two numbers, you arrive at the third, and adding the previous two numbers, you arrive at the next number and so on. Disregarding the zero, the first four numbers correspond to today"s date, 11/23.Desktop Version

A puzzle for giants

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Apr 26, 2025Indian Head Cove, Bruce Peninsula National Park, Canada

Carved by time and water, Bruce Peninsula National Park protects a breathtaking stretch of the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario, Canada. Designated in 1987, it safeguards a landscape of towering limestone cliffs, hidden caves, dense forests and untouched shorelines. As part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, it"s a haven for species that have adapted to its rugged terrain, like black bears, massasauga rattlesnakes and white-tailed deer.Desktop Version

May 24, 2024Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, Huesca, Spain

Today"s image showcases Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park, which is situated in the Pyrenees Mountain range of northeastern Spain. The park"s name, Monte Perdido, meaning "Lost Mountain", reflects the grandeur of its second-highest peak, which is often covered in mist. This national park was established with the primary aim of preserving the high mountain landscape of the surrounding region. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, the area predominantly has rugged terrain, limestone formations and a plethora of karst features including sinkholes and caves.Desktop Version

Let there be lights!

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Jun 24, 2024Kelimutu, Flores, Indonesia

You might have seen lakes with some unique colours before, but Indonesian island of Flores, with its volcano Kelimutu, may steal the show. Home to three lakes, each with its own hue and folklore, this natural wonder attracts travellers seeking an otherworldly experience. Volcanic vents deep within the Earth release steam and gas, which alter the lakes" mineral compositions, causing reactions that transform their appearance periodically.Desktop Version

Mar 15, 2025Ides of March

As Shakespeare wrote in his play "Julius Caesar," "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears." Today is the Ides of March, a day steeped in Roman history and tradition. The term "Ides" referred to the midpoint of the month in the Roman calendar, often marking the full moon. It was a time of celebration, with festivals and public gatherings. However, in 44 BCE, the Ides of March became synonymous with political upheaval, betrayal and an event that would trigger the fall of the Roman Republic. On that fateful day, Julius Caesar, Rome"s powerful dictator, was assassinated by a group of senators. The conspirators, including his close ally Brutus, believed they were saving the Republic from Caesar"s growing authority. Caesar was attacked near the Theatre of Pompey, but the tension of that moment echoed through the Roman Forum—the beating heart of Rome"s political and social life.Desktop Version

Jan 1, 2025Happy New Year!

Happy New Year"s Day! Humans have celebrated the new year since at least 2000 BCE, but various cultures have chosen different days coinciding with equinoxes or lunar cycles. The Romans established January 1 as the beginning of the year in 153 BCE, but this fell out of favour throughout Europe during the medieval era. Since 1582 and the widespread adoption of the Gregorian calendar, however, much of the world now celebrates the new year today. In addition to watching fireworks, drinking champagne and making resolutions in the wee hours of the morning, other global traditions include making noise, eating lucky foods and giving gifts.Desktop Version

Feb 9, 2025Alstrom Point, Lake Powell, United States

If you"re chasing sunsets and jaw-dropping views, come to Alstrom Point. Located in southern Utah"s Kane County, this spot in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area stands at an impressive height of over 1,400 metres. Made mostly of Entrada Sandstone, it has the same geological roots as nearby sites like Romana Mesa, its parent peak, and Gunsight Butte, another sandstone summit to the east. Part of the Lake Powell region, Alstrom Point extends southward into the vast waters of the lake, in between Padre Bay and Warm Creek Bay. When the lake is full, Alstrom Point towers nearly 300 metres above the water, offering views of the surrounding canyons. Lake Powell, spanning across Utah and Arizona, attracts around 3 million visitors every year.Desktop Version

Apr 5, 2025Gaztelugatxe islet at sunset, Basque Country, Spain

Gaztelugatxe is a stunning islet located on the coast of Biscay in the Basque Country, Spain. It"s famous for its dramatic scenery and the small hermitage, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, dedicated to John the Baptist at its peak. The hermitage, which dates back to the 10th century, has been rebuilt several times due to damage from battles and fire. Today"s building is perched atop the islet and is accessible by a narrow path that includes 241 steps. It"s a popular pilgrimage site, and visitors often ring the church bell three times and make a wish. According to legend, John the Baptist himself set foot on the islet. The views from the top offer panoramic vistas of the rugged coastline and the Cantabrian Sea.Desktop Version

Where we go to play

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Dec 18, 2025Virupaksha Temple, Hampi, Karnataka

Hampi has a way of telling its story without saying much. The valley is filled with massive granite boulders that look untouched by time, and between them rises the gopuram of the Virupaksha Temple, the tall gateway tower that defines its skyline. The rocks are far older than the empire that once ruled here, shaped by natural forces long before a city ever existed. The gopuram, pale and geometric against the rugged terrain, gives the landscape a clear point of focus. Together they form a view that is both stark and striking, the kind that stays with you even after a quick glance.Desktop Version

Nov 17, 2024Red deer stag in Glen Affric, Scotland

Striking appearance, strong presence and impressive antlers—meet the red deer, photographed in the ancient forests of Glen Affric, one of Scotland"s most beautiful valleys. Found across Europe, Asia and parts of North Africa, this species is Britain"s largest land mammal and an integral part of the Caledonian pinewoods. From featuring in cave art found throughout Europe to medieval hunting traditions, red deer have always held a special place in the human imagination. In many parts of the world, their image is synonymous with the wild, free spirit of nature. Glen Affric, with its lochs, moorlands and mountains, provides the perfect habitat for these magnificent creatures. The area is a national nature reserve, making it a haven for hikers, climbers and nature enthusiasts.Desktop Version

Jun 4, 2025Cala Luna beach, Sardinia, Italy

The island of Sardinia in Italy, with its rugged cliffs, secret beaches and endless shades of blue, is undeniably a Mediterranean treasure. On the island"s eastern coast lies Cala Luna, featured here—a beach in the Gulf of Orosei. Rising at the mouth of Rio Illune, this beach is at the end of the Codula di Luna canyon. It is a haven of golden sand, surrounded by white cliffs that rise more than 250 metres into the sky—perfect for rock climbing. Here, the waters are shallow at first, before deepening into crystal-clear depths ideal for snorkelling, diving and fishing. In the local Nuoro dialect, the word for "Luna," meaning "moon", is rendered as "elune," a name that perfectly captures the essence of this enchanting cove. Adding to the mystique, the beach"s crescent shape echoes its lunar inspiration. For centuries, shepherds from the village of Baunei would embark on an eight-hour walk to reach this secluded spot, considering it a journey as far as the moon itself.Desktop Version

Oct 21, 2024Cypress trees in George L. Smith State Park, Georgia, United States

Ever seen the sturdy, swamp-loving and always stylish cypress? These trees can grow to over 30 metres and usually have a pyramid-like shape when they"re young. In today"s image, we"re transported to the George L. Smith State Park, which spans 6.61 square kilometres in Emanuel County, Georgia. The park"s centrepiece, seen in today"s image, is a 1.6-square-kilometre mill pond, a favourite spot for fishing and canoeing. Out of its waters grow pond cypress and bald cypress trees, two varieties that are native to the US. Winding through the park are over 11 kilometres of nature trails, leading visitors through sandy landscapes past a bird sanctuary and tortoise habitat. The hardwood trees here are a haven for woodpeckers and other birds, while the soft soil provides ideal burrowing ground for tortoises. No matter the season, this park promises a peaceful retreat for all.Desktop Version

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