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28 Nov 2023Giving 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

23 Dec 2023Festivus

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

18 Sep 2024Gujō Hachiman Castle, Gifu Prefecture, Japan

In Japan"s Gifu Prefecture, Gujō Hachiman Castle stands majestically on Hachiman Mountain. Originally constructed in 1559, this castle has witnessed centuries of Japanese history, including the rise and fall of powerful clans. It was torn down during the tumultuous Meiji Restoration—the period that marked the return of imperial power in the country— but was rebuilt in 1933. The castle seen in today"s image is a unique wooden reconstruction, a rarity among Japan"s often concrete-rebuilt castles. This five-story structure, which includes a museum, offers a glimpse into feudal Japan while providing stunning views of the valley below. In addition to the castle, the city of Gujō is also famous for hosting the Gujō Odori, one of Japan"s oldest dance festivals. Held annually from mid-July to early September, the festival sees locals and tourists alike dancing through the night in the castle town, preserving a tradition that dates back more than 400 years.Desktop Version

25 Dec 2023Christmas 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

28 Jan 2025Short-eared owl

The short-eared owl, featured in today"s image, is a grassland-dwelling member of the owl family. Found on all continents except Antarctica and Australia, it"s one of the most widely distributed bird species. This raptor belongs to the genus Asio, whose members are characterised by feather tufts ("ears") on their head. The short-eared owl only reveals its tufts when feeling defensive.Desktop Version

2 Aug 2024Virgin Islands National Park, USA

In 1956, businessman and conservationist Laurance Rockefeller saw the beauty of Saint John, one of the US Virgin Islands in the Caribbean, and knew it had to be preserved. Fast forward to today, and we"re marking the 68th anniversary of the creation of the Virgin Islands National Park. Covering about 60% of the island and 5,650 acres (2,286 hectares) of submerged lands, this park is a living example of preservation—thanks to Rockefeller, who donated over 5,000 acres (2,023 hectares) of his land to the US government. Even after the devastation of hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, the park bounced back stronger than ever, welcoming over 100,000 visitors in 2018.Desktop Version

Puffins pucker up

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26 Nov 2023Fallow deer, Bradgate Park, Leicestershire, England

Fallow deer are known for their striking coat, which changes colour with the seasons and is often adorned with white spots in the summer. During the autumn rutting season, males spar with each other to establish their dominance. These male deer can be spotted by their palmate antlers, which have a broad, flattened surface. Fallow deer are native to Europe and parts of Asia, and are a common sight in Leicestershire, England, particularly in Bradgate Park. This 340-hectare park not only offers a sanctuary for these animals, but also features beautiful landscapes, woodlands, and the Beacon Hill Tower, which offers panoramic views of the area.Desktop Version

23 Jan 2025Sundance Film Festival

Today, the Sundance Film Festival kicks off, celebrating the magic of films against the backdrop of Utah"s mountains. As a launchpad for groundbreaking films and emerging talent, Sundance has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 1978. Now one of the film industry"s most influential events, it has introduced the world to talents like Quentin Tarantino and Steven Soderbergh, whose early works premiered here before shaping their iconic careers. With competitive sections for dramatic and documentary films, from features to shorts, the festival offers an inspiring array of storytelling.Desktop Version

27 Jan 2025Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, United States

Carved by the Colorado River, nearly 2 billion years of Earth"s history are exposed in the layers of the Grand Canyon. While geologists continue to debate parts of the formation story of the canyon, recent studies suggest the river carved its path through the region about 5 to 6 million years ago. Since then, the river has been deepening and widening the canyon while sculpting its dramatic geographic features.Desktop Version

28 Dec 202350 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

Pearl among the emeralds

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20 Nov 2023World Childrens Day

Children are the future, brimming with potential, curiosity, and dreams waiting to be fulfilled. Ensuring their well-being and protection is a fundamental necessity for a thriving society. World Children"s Day celebrates that mission and coincides with the United Nations General Assembly"s adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1959.Desktop Version

2 Oct 2023World Architecture Day

Did you know that the name Louis Vuitton is associated with much more than just fashion? The Louis Vuitton Foundation, in today"s image, is a museum and cultural centre in Paris, France, promoting art and culture. The extravagant building opened its doors to the public in 2014, thanks to the collaboration between Bernard Arnault, CEO of LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton and American architect Frank Gehry. When designing the museum, Gehry drew inspiration from various iconic buildings in Paris, including the Grand Palais and Jardin d"Acclimatation, and applied concepts from the 19th-century English landscape gardens.Desktop Version

12 Feb 2025Celebrating Charles Darwin

Today, we celebrate Darwin Day—a shout-out to Charles Darwin and his game-changing ideas about life on Earth. As an English naturalist, geologist and biologist, his theory of natural selection revolutionised our understanding of species, evolution and our role in the natural world. His work, "On the Origin of Species," published in 1859, laid the foundation for modern evolutionary biology. This day marks the birthday of Darwin and honours his genius while promoting curiosity, science and critical thinking. From thought-provoking talks to engaging exhibits, this day motivates us to keep exploring.Desktop Version

5 May 2025Brighton Festival

Every May, Brighton trades buckets and spades for beats and parades. The beach stays put, but the city transforms into a giant stage during the Brighton Festival—a three-week celebration where art spills out of theatres, dances down alleyways and occasionally juggles fire on the seafront. Started in 1967, the Brighton Festival has grown into one of England"s largest curated multi-arts festivals. This year, the fest is taking place from 3 to 26 May in venues across Brighton, Hove and Sussex, featuring 120 events, exhibitions and installations. Each year, the event hands the creative reins to a guest director, often an artist with something fresh to say. From authors to musicians to activists, these directors shape the theme and vibe of the festival. Grammy-nominated, genre-defying musician, composer, and activist Anoushka Shankar was inspired by the theme of "New Dawn" for this year"s programme.Desktop Version

28 Mar 2024Cherry blossoms in Shanghai, China

In spring, nature puts on a vibrant display, marking the start of the season with the bloom of cherry blossoms. Around the globe, from Japan to the United Kingdom, this spectacle captivates millions of hearts. In China, cherry blossoms, known as "Yinghua," bloom from late March to late April, adorning landscapes with delicate hues of pink and white. Revered for centuries by the Chinese, these fragile petals hold profound significance in their traditions, symbolising renewal, hope and the transient nature of life. There are various locations in China to view these blossoms, including Wuhan"s East Lake Cherry Blossom Park, Shanghai"s Gucun Park and Luxun Park, as well as Beijing"s Yuyuantan Park. Cherry blossoms look similar to plum blossoms, but an easy way to distinguish between the two is to look at their petals. Cherry blossom petals have split ends, but plum blossoms don"t.Desktop Version

30 Oct 2024Edinburgh Castle, Scotland

If you"re looking for a Halloween destination that combines history with a hefty dose of hauntings, Edinburgh Castle is the place to be. Positioned high on an extinct volcano, these fortress walls have seen wars, royal births, executions and plenty of other drama since the 11th century. But what really sets it apart is its reputation as one of Scotland"s most haunted spots. It"s no surprise that with more than 1,000 years of history, some have reported ghost sightings.Desktop Version

6 May 2024The ruins of an ancient monastery, Skellig Michael, Ireland

Lightsabers gleam and droids beep; let"s all geek! Today"s image flashes out a filming location from the "Star Wars" sequel trilogy, the island of Skellig Michael, off the coast of southwestern Ireland. This UNESCO World Heritage landmark houses a preserved monastery from the 6th century, founded by early monks. The site"s beehive huts and stone staircases were showcased as the backdrop of a cloistered island on planet Ahch-To, where Jedi Master Luke Skywalker sought refuge in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens." Skellig Michael"s abundant seabird population, including puffins, inspired the creation of the penguin-like porgs that roost on Ahch-To. So, grab your Wookiee co-pilot, hop in your starship and may the force be strong as you journey through this galactic Earth location not so far away!Desktop Version

27 Dec 2024Lake Bled, Slovenia

Lake Bled in Slovenia gets plenty of attention in summer, but winter? That"s when things slow down in the best way. The lake"s emerald waters take on a softer tone, and Bled Island, with its quaint church, looks straight out of a winter fairytale, as seen in today"s image. The 1.3-mile lake, surrounded by the snow-dusted Julian Alps, was formed over 14,000 years ago through glacial and tectonic activity. The first signs of settlement on Bled Island date back to the New Stone Age (10,000 BCE to 3,000 BCE). Additionally, archaeologists uncovered an Early Medieval graveyard here from the 9th century CE. Today, it houses the Church of the Assumption—built in its current form near the end of the 17th century—where visitors ring the "wishing bell" for good luck.Desktop Version

7 Feb 2025Blue hour in Trondheim, Norway

In Norway, winter isn"t just a season—it"s an experience. In the north of the country, nights stretch for 20 hours, and there are entire weeks when the sun remains hidden below the horizon. It might sound bleak, but it"s a unique time of the year. Why? Because around early afternoon, usually between 1 and 2 PM, a soft, lingering light reflects off the snow-covered ground and the deep blue sea. This forms a breathtaking, glassy blue glow that settles over the landscape. Each day, the blue hour arrives just a little later, a gentle reminder that the sun is slowly preparing to reclaim the sky.Desktop Version

16 Mar 2025Baby giant panda in China

Say hello to the giant panda. Native to China, these iconic black-and-white bears are more than just adorable. They play a crucial role in their bamboo forest ecosystem by dispersing seeds and fostering new vegetation growth, which benefits countless plants and animals.Desktop Version

3 Mar 2024World Wildlife Day

It"s time to step into the wild! World Wildlife Day is an annual event that emphasises the need for worldwide conservation efforts. This year"s theme focuses on advances in digital technology that can be used to help preserve wildlife: It can improve research, communication and DNA analysis. Digital platforms can also be a way to get younger people involved in the efforts to protect our planet"s animals.Desktop Version

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