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City Hall, London, England
City Hall, London, England
In London"s City Hall, where politics and policies meet cutting-edge design, the helical staircase makes its mark as more than just a set of steps. Designed by the renowned architect Norman Foster, this twisting masterpiece adds a dramatic flair to the glassy building that opened in 2002 and served as the headquarters for the Greater London Authority until 2021. The 500-metre walkway follows the curve of the building to reduce noise pollution and echoes. This spiral structure ascends through the entire ten-storey building, offering visitors an immersive architectural experience. With each curve, the staircase allows people to see across different levels, which is not just a structural feature but was a symbol of government transparency and openness. So, next time you"re in the area, take a spin on this helix of history and marvel at how it elevates the everyday into the extraordinary.Desktop Version
Beauty beyond imagination
Beauty beyond imagination
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Festivus
Festivus
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
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
RHS Chelsea Flower Show
In the spring of 1862, a horticultural event began that would go on to become world famous—the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show. Formally known as the Great Spring Show, it has flourished through the years, even surviving wartime interruptions. Today, it continues to be a symbol of excellence in the world of gardening. Starting today and running until May 25, a symphony of colours, textures and scents will greet people from all walks of life, including British royalty at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The event spotlights the planet"s premier garden designers, plant specialists and visionary florists. 2024"s theme champions the heart of environmentalism, with displays emphasising sustainable beauty. So, are you "growing" to the fest?Desktop Version
Farewell Ma’am
Farewell Ma’am
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Bohemian waxwings
Bohemian waxwings
Among their feathered friends, Bohemian waxwings, clad in their elegant greyish-brown plumage, stand out as the wandering singers of the Northern Hemisphere. Their striking appearance comes from the contrast between their velvety grey body and the vibrant, waxy red tips gracing their secondary wing feathers. If alarmed, they freeze with their bill and neck pointing upwards. In winter they feast upon cotoneaster, juniper and rowan berries—the latter is their favourite. As spring casts its spell, these nomads engage in nesting. The female waxwings craft the nests, laying 2 to 6 bluish-grey eggs. The hatchlings are fed a diet of insects and fruits by both parents. One can easily spot these sociable birds, as they often gather in chirpy flocks in North America and Eurasia.Desktop Version
Giant panda
Giant panda
Do you like scrolling through lighthearted videos of giant pandas wobbling around? These bamboo-munching creatures, with their distinctive black and white coats and playful demeanor, have captivated hearts for years. So much so that in 1961, the World Wide Fund for Nature adopted the animal as its iconic logo. In 2016, pandas were reclassified from an endangered to a vulnerable species. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and poaching have contributed to their declining population in the wild. To curb the threat, the Chinese government built approximately 50 reserves. However, with fewer than 2,000 giant pandas remaining in the wild, the fight to protect them is far from over.Desktop Version
Notting Hill Carnival
Notting Hill Carnival
Music, glitter, flavours, masquerade dancers and colourful feathers—Notting Hill Carnival is back in London. This annual carnival, now in its 58th year, began in 1966 as a small community event to ease racial tensions and celebrate Caribbean heritage. Fast forward to 2024, and it has grown into one of the largest street festivals in the world, drawing around a million visitors eager to soak up the carnival atmosphere. This year, the main action happens on August 25 and 26 when the parade takes place. However, there"s an extra event, the Panorama Steel Band Competition, today. So, dust off your dancing shoes, ready your taste buds and prepare to paint the town red.Desktop Version
International Zebra Day
International Zebra Day
It"s time for some black-and-white thinking. January 31 is International Zebra Day, a day to honour these stripey creatures. While all zebras have the iconic black-and-white stripes, there are actually three different species of zebras: plains, mountain and Grévy"s zebras. Today"s snapshot shows Burchell"s zebras, a subspecies of the plains zebra, in Rietvlei Nature Reserve, South Africa. Found across eastern and southern Africa, zebras thrive in savannas, shrublands, woodlands and even mountain regions. They spend most of their time eating—grasses, leaves and shrubs are their favourites—and have been known to travel hundreds of miles in search of food and water. Sadly, all three varieties of zebra are under threat from hunting and habitat destruction, so events like International Zebra Day that draw attention to their plight are more necessary than ever.Desktop Version
Discovery Day in Yukon, Canada
Discovery Day in Yukon, Canada
It"s Discovery Day in Yukon, Canada, a day to commemorate the 1896 discovery of gold at Bonanza Creek. The event set off the Klondike Gold Rush, which attracted thousands of prospectors to the region in search of gold, leading to significant economic and social changes. The population increase led to Yukon separating from the Northwest Territories and the formation of Yukon Territory in 1898.Desktop Version
Spring equinox
Spring equinox
Spring has officially sprung! Today marks the spring or vernal equinox, the official beginning of springtime in the Northern Hemisphere. Starting today, regions north of the equator will have more daylight hours than darkness throughout the day.Desktop Version
Ad-Deir, Petra, Jordan
Ad-Deir, Petra, Jordan
Carved into rose-red cliffs, Petra and its crown jewel, Ad-Deir, or "The Monastery," feel like stepping into a real-life Indiana Jones adventure. Tucked in the heart of Jordan"s arid desert landscapes, this ancient city once thrived as the capital of the Nabataean Kingdom in the 2nd century BCE. It was also a hub of the spice trade, connecting distant regions like China, Egypt, Greece and India. The city was abandoned for around 500 years before being rediscovered in 1812, earning it the "Lost City" moniker.Desktop Version
Castell Coch, Wales
Castell Coch, Wales
Castell Coch, Welsh for "Red Castle," is perched on a wooded hill in Wales. Designed by the renowned architect William Burges, the castle is a symphony of opulence, featuring lavish interiors adorned with intricate carvings, vibrant stained glass and sumptuous furnishings. Its external features and high Victorian interiors stand as a witness of the brilliance of its designer. Melding together remnants of the mediaeval fortress with 19th-century innovations, its design achieves a synthesis that is hailed as the glory of the Gothic Revival in Britain. The surrounding beech forest contributes to the fairytale-like background, and they contain geological features of limestone and sandstone, and rare plant species such as the butterfly orchid, bird"s-nest orchid and dog"s mercury. These woods are recognised and protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.Desktop Version
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
Another occasion to celebrate America"s cultural diversity! Cinco de Mayo or "Fifth of May," makes us rejoice in the Mexican American culture. The story of Cinco de Mayo goes back to 1862, when Mexico triumphed over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla. The event is not to be confused with Mexico"s Independence Day, held on September 16. The celebration, which is still observed in its native land, gained recognition in the US in the 1980s thanks to advertising campaigns promoting tequila, beer and wine. No wonder that modern-day Cinco de Mayo has become a boozy holiday in the US. But Mexico has much more to offer than excellent beverages and culinary delights. Mexican culture is truly colourful, whether it is architecture—like the streets in the city of San Miguel de Allende in today"s image—history, art or landscapes.Desktop Version
Remembrance Sunday
Remembrance Sunday
Every November, Remembrance Sunday offers a chance to hit the pause button and think about those who gave everything during times of conflict. Held on the second Sunday of November, this day coincides with Armistice Day and is dedicated to honouring the armed forces and civilians who sacrificed their lives in World War I, World War II and subsequent conflicts. At 11 a.m. on the day, a two-minute silence is observed. This moment serves as a national pause to reflect and remember. The end of the silence is signalled by playing "The Rouse," a poignant bugle call.Desktop Version
World Jellyfish Day
World Jellyfish Day
Drifting along our shores and into our calendar, it"s World Jellyfish Day! Jellyfish may be observed in all the world"s oceans in an array of shapes and sizes. There are about 2,000 different species of jellyfish, and they all lack hearts, bones, and brains. Pacific sea nettle jellyfish, seen here, are known for their vibrant golden-brown bell and long tentacles, and inhabit the coastal waters of California and Oregon. Moon jellyfish are pale and have short tentacles, and in an unexpected but somewhat appropriate twist, they ventured into space aboard the space shuttle Columbia in 1991 to help scientists study their unique biology. No matter the species, jellyfish play a vital role in the ocean"s food chain, as they are the primary food source for many seawater animals, including sea turtles. Jellies are threatened by climate changes, marine pollution, and overfishing, and damage to their populations has reverberating effects on the sea life that depends on them.Desktop Version
Solo on the savanna
Solo on the savanna
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Ancient town of Sorano, Tuscany, Italy
Ancient town of Sorano, Tuscany, Italy
The Sorano is a serene medieval village perched atop a cliff in the Italian province of Grosseto, southern Tuscany. Walking through the age-old cobblestone streets, one can explore the Fortezza Orsini, a fortress-turned-museum that dates to the 11th century. Visitors engage with centuries-old tales of power and defence with each step they take inside the fort. Near Poggio San Rocco and Poggio Croce hills lies a necropolis—a large, ancient burial site—with well-preserved Etruscan tombs that hint at the area"s long history.Desktop Version
Death Valley National Park, California, USA
Death Valley National Park, California, USA
Stretching for miles below the desert sun, the salt flats of Badwater Basin shine in Death Valley National Park, California. This sweltering spot is the lowest point of elevation of North America, 282 feet below sea level. In this otherworldly landscape, the hardened, mineral surface glistens like a mirror as the scorching heat dances upon it, creating rippling waves in the air. Composed of sodium chloride, borax and other minerals, the flats" brittle crust conceals a treacherous mud layer beneath. For those who venture beyond the flats and up a mountainside, Dante"s View reveals a panoramic view of Badwater Basin from a height of nearly 515 feet. With its surreal landscapes, Death Valley National Park offers a truly unique experience where an odd beauty thrives despite the harshest of conditions.Desktop Version
Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England
Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England
Bamburgh Castle perches over a black crag of volcanic rock in Northumberland, England. The castle area and the nearby beaches are covered by the region"s distinct sand landforms, the Bamburgh Dunes, seen in the foreground of today"s image. The fortress, once a strategic Anglo-Saxon stronghold, evolved over centuries into the imposing structure seen today. The castle played a pivotal role in defending against the Viking invasion in 993. However, the Norsemen destroyed the original fortification, after which significant enhancements were made during the medieval period. The castle also served as the seat of the ancient Northumbrian kingdom—a medieval Anglo-Saxon kingdom, in present-day Northern England and south-east Scotland. After surviving its share of invasions and attacks, Bamburgh Castle has made its way to the limelight due to its impressive silhouette against the North Sea, having been featured in productions like "Macbeth," "Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny," and "Ivanhoe."Desktop Version
Toledo, Spain
Toledo, Spain
Toledo, a city situated in the Castilla-La Mancha region of Spain, is known for its unique geography. Positioned on a raised mass of land, the city is embraced by the Tagus River on three sides. This splendid city was called "The City of Three Cultures" during the Middle Ages, where Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities coexisted harmoniously. Toledo has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986, and its historical core is packed with mosques, synagogues and an impressive Gothic cathedral. The city has a strong Moorish cultural influence, left over from their arrival around the eighth century. The city was once home to the painter El Greco in the 16th century. He had an impact on Toledo, creating some of his most significant works, like the Assumption of the Virgin, which is considered one of his greatest masterpieces. Before the 16th century, Toledo"s sword-making industry was known as one of Europe"s finest.Desktop Version
Rio Negro
Rio Negro
The Rio 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 Rio 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
Totally Thames Festival, London
Totally Thames Festival, London
Welcome to the Totally Thames Festival in London, England. Each year, it brings together communities, artists and nature enthusiasts in a month-long tribute to the river. Highlights for 2024 include the annual boat marathon, Great River Race and the Clean Thames Challenge.Desktop Version
Telašćica Nature Park, Dugi Otok, Croatia
Telašćica Nature Park, Dugi Otok, Croatia
Welcome to the slice of paradise that is Telašćica Nature Park on the southeastern shores of Dugi Otok Island in Croatia. Telašćica Bay, on the country"s Adriatic coast, is encircled by 13 islands and six islets. Featured in today"s image are the bay"s cliffs. They form a stunning inlet that stretches over 6 miles with dramatic cliffs, islets and serene bays. Locally known as the "stene," these cliffs reach a height of 161 metres above sea level. Other features include the Adriatic"s safest and most expansive natural harbour, which has 25 secluded beaches, as well as the therapeutic Mir salt lake known for its healing properties. So, the next time you"re in the mood for island-hopping, come to Telašćica, where the land and sea play an endless game of tag.Desktop Version
Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia
Plitvice 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