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Dec 8, 2024Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, France

In the heart of Paris stands one of the city"s most enduring icons: Notre-Dame Cathedral. Built between the 12th and 13th centuries on the Île de la Cité—an island in the Seine—Notre-Dame has witnessed centuries of French history, from the Hundred Years" War to the French Revolution, and beyond. Although it was chosen by Napoleon as the site of his coronation as emperor in 1804, by the early 19th century, the cathedral was in a state of disrepair. However, one novel changed its fortunes: "The Hunchback of Notre-Dame" by Victor Hugo. The popularity of this book helped encourage a restoration project that renewed the cathedral"s former beauty.Desktop Version

Apr 6, 2024Himeji Castle, Himeji, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan

Today"s snapshot features the largest and most visited castle—Himeji Castle! Dating back to 1333, this UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts an advanced defensive design and five National Treasure structures. The castle has also withstood time and nature"s fury, surviving the bombings of World War II and the Great Hanshin earthquake in 1995. The castle"s design embodies the quintessential characteristics of Japanese castle architecture, boasting a formidable array of defensive features intertwined with exquisite craftsmanship. In addition to the nearly 700 years of glory, local legends and ghost stories reverberate through the 83 rooms of this hilltop fortress. Would you care to explore?Desktop Version

Dec 16, 2023Guild houses of Grand-Place, Brussels, Belgium

Located in the heart of Belgium, Brussels is a vibrant capital city that combines rich history with a modern, cosmopolitan feel. Famous for its architecture and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grand-Place of Brussels exudes an air of grandeur with its ornate guildhalls and centuries-old buildings.Desktop Version

Apr 16, 2024Union Square, Manhattan, New York, USA

"These streets will make you feel brand new, big lights will inspire you." Alicia Keys sure knows how to serenade the vibrant, bustling life of the Big Apple. Today"s homepage image takes us to a spot in the City that Never Sleeps—Union Square in lower Manhattan. At this historic intersection, you can find statues of George Washington—the oldest statue in any park in NYC—and Abraham Lincoln, crafted by the sculptor Henry Kirke Brown. In 1882, workers exercised their rights to free speech and assembly, organising the first Labour Day parade in Union Square. In 1997, United States Department of the Interior recognised this park as a National Historic Landmark due to its importance in US labour history. These days, you"re more likely to see street chess players, musicians, skateboarders, dance crews and vendors of all types in the square.Desktop Version

Nov 27, 2023Río Negro, Amazon basin, Brazil

The Río Negro, originating in Colombia, is one of dozens of tributaries that flow into the massive Amazon River. Its name, which means black river, comes from its dark appearance when viewed from a distance. As a result, the water can reflect the colourful hues of the sky overhead, such as the vibrant blue and partial rainbow seen here. The colour of the river comes from the high concentration of humic acid, thanks to decomposing organic matter that seeps from nearby swamps. As one of the largest northern-bank tributaries of the Amazon River, the Río Negro plays a crucial role in the complex Amazon basin ecosystem. The river is home to many plants and animals, including the critically endangered Brazilian barefaced tamarin, the giant river otter and nearly 700 species of fish.Desktop Version

Mar 8, 2024International Womens Day

Happy International Women"s Day! We celebrate IWD with London"s famous Tate Modern art gallery, lit up in purple. Why purple? The colour associated with IWD symbolises dignity, justice and dedication to the matter. This event celebrates women"s achievements in politics, culture and society. Every year on March 8, educational and cultural activities, demonstrations, campaigns and discussions highlight the importance of gender equality and women"s rights.Desktop Version

Jan 8, 2024Bernina Pass, Graubunden, Switzerland

Awe-struck by this white winter expanse? That"s exactly what visitors feel when they witness the Bernina Pass in the Alps, in the Graubünden region of Switzerland. It attracts winter sports enthusiasts from all over the world and stands tall at an elevation of 2,328 metres. This pass may be home to ski areas now, but it was a vital trade route during the Middle Ages. Fun fact: The first evidence of skiing dates to around 6000 BCE in Russia. Boasting excellent snow conditions from November to March, the Bernina Pass is a must-visit spot on every skier"s bucket list!Desktop Version

Jan 22, 2024Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California, USA

Step to the western edge of America, where Walton Lighthouse, also known as the Santa Cruz Breakwater Lighthouse, serves as a guiding beacon for passing ships. Built in 2002 in Santa Cruz, California, this 12-metre-tall modern maritime structure replaced a more modest light. The Walton Lighthouse got its name from Charles Walton, a businessman who generously contributed towards its construction costs in memory of his brother Derek Walton, a merchant seaman who tragically lost his life at sea during World War II.Desktop Version

Jun 21, 2024International Day of Yoga

Grab your mat and find your flow—it"s International Day of Yoga! Celebrated around the world on June 21 each year, this day was proposed to the United Nations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The UN adopted the day in 2014 after the initiative received unanimous support from 177 countries in the General Assembly.Desktop Version

Jan 17, 2025Brown pelican, San Diego, California, United States

Today"s image features the brown pelican, a bird that doesn"t just fly but soars, spots and dives with unmatched precision. Although it"s the smallest of the eight pelican species worldwide, it"s still a large bird, measuring about 1.2 metres in length and having a wingspan of over 1.5 metres. The brown pelican is a piscivore, meaning its diet mainly consists of fish. Dixon Lanier Merritt"s limerick famously begins, "A wonderful bird is the pelican; his bill can hold more than his belly can," and it"s spot on—its pouch can store up to three times the volume of its stomach. This versatile feature acts as a scoop, a tool for cooling off during hot weather and a feeding trough for young pelicans. The brown pelican faced near extinction twice, first due to hunting and later from the impact of pesticides like DDT. Today, it"s an Endangered Species Act and Environmental Protection Agency success story.Desktop Version

Nov 14, 2023Russell lupines, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand

This scenic view is of Lake Tekapo on the South Island of New Zealand. The lake undergoes a remarkable transformation each year from mid-November to December, when vibrant Russell lupines burst into colour, elevating the natural beauty to new heights. The plants" blooming heads, made up of pea-like flowers, can reach up to 150 centimetres. While photographers and nature lovers come to witness the varied hues of purple, blue and yellow lupins spread wide across Lake Tekapo, the Russell lupines have a somewhat controversial story. These invasive, exotic plants grow in dense stands, boxing out other flora. While these plants might be appealing to tourists, they can create a negative imbalance in the region"s ecosystem.Desktop Version

American Red Cross pioneers

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Nov 21, 2023Grey seal pup

If you happen to visit England"s Norfolk coasts around this time, you"re very likely to see some grey seal pups experiencing the world for the first time. About 3,000 grey seal babies are born on the shoreline between early November and January each year—slightly earlier than the ones living on the US coasts—making the area one of the most significant breeding regions in the United Kingdom. The seal moms feed their pups on the beach for three weeks, and their effort is noticeable. The offspring gain approximately 2 kilograms each day in those weeks! Following the feeding period, the young seals are not water-ready just yet. They stay on the beach until their pale fur darkens to a mottled grey, then head to the sea and learn to hunt themselves.Desktop Version

Alps of the sea

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Jan 19, 2024Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Why visit one lake when you can visit 16? Croatia"s Plitvice Lakes National Park, one of the largest and oldest in the country, provides that exact opportunity thanks to a unique geological feature. The slopes of the Mala Kapela, Medveđak and Plješevica mountains funnel water into the Plitvice plateau. This water carries precipitated limestone, which gradually accumulates and hardens over time, creating a series of rock barriers called tufa. These barriers form pools, with thin, lacy waterfalls leading from one "lake" to another. This majestic display of geology and hydrology draws over a million visitors to the paths and boardwalks that wind through the lakes—they are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, after all. Even in the winter, the lakes retain their beauty, with once-roaring waterfalls frozen in place.Desktop Version

A real fun guy…er, squirrel

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Dec 18, 2023Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Carved by time, wind and water, Capitol Reef National Park showcases rust-hued cliffs and the natural beauty of the American West. President Franklin D. Roosevelt recognised the park"s splendour by designating it as a national monument in 1937, and later it was elevated to a national park in 1971. The park was named after a series of Navajo sandstone domes that were said to resemble the US Capitol Building, while the Waterpocket Fold was referred to as a reef since it obstructed smooth transportation. Known as "a wrinkle in the Earth"s crust," the Waterpocket Fold was carved by eons of erosion. The 161-kilometres-long monocline—a step-like fold—was presumably formed around 50 to 70 million years ago, and is home to towering cliffs, narrow canyons and colourful rock formations.Desktop Version

Feb 25, 2024Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, Canada

Welcome to the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Located on the southern part of the island, this valley has art and history that echo through its green mountains, like Mount Prevost. The region is home to the band government of the Cowichan Tribes, the largest First Nations band in British Columbia. The city of Duncan has an impressive collection of indigenous art, including intricate carvings and paintings. While here, you must visit the collection of totem poles, which stand as towering symbols of indigenous history as they depict ancestral legends and clan symbols.Desktop Version

Colours of spring

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May 7, 2025Rabindra Jayanti

Books out, Rabindra Sangeet on loop and hearts full—because it"s Rabindra Jayanti. The day is deeply cherished by Tagore lovers across the globe. Observed annually on the 25th day of Boishakh in the Bengali calendar (usually early May), it commemorates the birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore. The celebrations are most vibrant at Santiniketan, particularly at Visva-Bharati University, founded by Tagore. Born in 1861, Rabindranath Tagore was a Bengali polymath and was revered as Gurudeb, Kobiguru and Biswokob. He reshaped literature, music and art during the Bengal Renaissance. He also became the first non-European—and the first lyricist—to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his ethereal work "Gitanjali."Desktop Version

Sep 23, 2024Sea otter in Prince William Sound, Alaska, USA

The otter featured in today"s image was photographed in Prince William Sound, Alaska, United States. Sea otters are native to the northern and eastern coasts of the North Pacific Ocean. Weighing 13–45 kilograms, they"re expert foragers, diving to the seabed to find food. These clever critters are smart as well as cute: they use rocks to crack open shellfish, making them one of the few animals that use tools. There used to be as many as 300,000 in the wild, but they were heavily hunted for almost two centuries, as their dense fur was highly prized. By 1911, it is thought that only around 2,000 were left. Thankfully, an international hunting ban, conservation efforts and reintroduction programs have helped them rebound, and they are now found in about two-thirds of their historic habitat. Despite this success, some populations are still struggling, and sea otters are still an endangered species.Desktop Version

Jun 19, 2024Reticulated giraffe mother greeting calf in Kenya

Featured here are reticulated giraffes, found mostly in Kenya, but also in parts of Somalia and Ethiopia. Giraffes have fascinated travellers from around the world for a long time. These animals were viewed as symbols of status and treasured as pets among royalty. Their coats feature large, polygonal-shaped spots that extend onto the lower legs, tail and face. Unfortunately, only around 16,000 reticulated giraffes remain in the wild, less than half of the approximately 36,000 recorded in the 1980s. Nevertheless, recent years have observed a promising trend in northern Kenya, where populations are rebounding thanks to places like the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. So, let"s pledge to protect these creatures and their habitats.Desktop Version

Mar 14, 2024Ayutthaya Historical Park, Thailand

Pictured here is a bodhi tree at Wat Phra Ngam, a temple in Ayutthaya, Thailand. Ayutthaya likely has ancient origins, with evidence of human settlement tracing back to the Mon Dvaravati period. The strategic position of the city on an island embraced by three rivers not only facilitated trade but also served as a natural fortress, shielding the city from maritime invasions. Moreover, the city"s elevated location offered protection against seasonal flooding, safeguarding its inhabitants and infrastructure from the ravages of nature. Ayutthaya Historical Park encompasses the remnants of the ancient city of Ayutthaya, founded in 1351 by King Ramathibodi I. The city planning here, reflected meticulous organisation and innovation, evident in its systematic grid layout of roads, canals and encircling moats around key structures. This well-designed scheme, documented in contemporary sources and maps, capitalised on the city"s strategic location amidst three rivers.Desktop Version

A sacred water tank in Hampi

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A magnificent place of worship

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