Every year, over a billion Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains worldwide observe Diwali. Also known as Deepavali, or the Festival of Lights, the celebration dates back over 2,500 years. It is a time of joy, unity, and spiritual reflection. The five-day event usually falls in October or November. In 2025, Diwali will be celebrated from October 18 to 22....

India, like many countries, faces ongoing challenges with poverty and plastic waste. As of 2023, about 5 percent of its population — roughly 73 million people — lived below the $3.00 per day poverty line. The country also produces nearly 29,000 tons of plastic daily. Much of it ends up in landfills. A small cafe in the central Indian city of Ambikapur has found a unique way to tackle both problems....

Dr. Jane Goodall, who transformed our understanding of chimpanzees, passed away peacefully in her sleep on October 1, 2025, at age 91. She was on a speaking tour in California, sharing her lifelong love for wildlife and conservation....

In the early hours of September 16, 2025, thieves launched a daring heist on the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France. They made off with native gold specimens worth about $700,000 from the museum’s geology and mineralogy gallery....

Super Typhoon Ragasa swept across parts of Asia this past week, leaving behind widespread flooding and destruction. Ragasa began as a small weather system on September 17, 2025, and quickly grew into the year’s largest typhoon. By September 21, it had reached Category 5 strength, with top winds of 177 miles per hour (285 km/h)....

Since 2020, young Iberian orcas from a critically endangered subpopulation of fewer than 40 individuals have been ramming, and even sinking boats in the Atlantic Ocean. These incidents typically occur off the coasts of Spain, Portugal, and France during spring and summer. This is when the killer whales migrate to the area in search of food....

Every day, the United Kingdom (UK) loses about three billion liters of water due to leaks in its aging pipe network. That is enough to fill over 1,200 Olympic-sized swimming pools or supply nearly 20 million people. Currently, the only way to check underground pipes is by digging up roads. This process take days and costs billions of dollars. It also disrupts nearby businesses and homes....

In the world of designer toys, few characters have taken off as quickly as Labubu. With its wild hair, jagged little teeth, and cheeky grin, this elf-like creature has become the unlikely star of a booming collectibles craze....

Climbing Mount Fuji, Japan's tallest mountain, is no small feat, even for experienced hikers. The ascent involves a grueling 12,388-foot (3,776 m) climb, challenging terrain, and rapidly changing weather. The descent can be just as demanding, with loose rocks and gravel making every step wobbly. But none of that could stop Kokichi Akuzawa. On August 5, 2025, the 102-year-old Japanese man became the oldest person ever to reach the summit, setting a new Guinness World Record....

On July 3, 2025, archeologists in Peru unveiled the ancient city of Peñico. The settlement, founded between 1800 and 1500 BC, lies 124 miles (200 km) north of Peru's capital, Lima. It was once a bustling trading hub connecting Pacific coastal communities with those in the Andes and the Amazon. This was around the same time early civilizations thrived in the Middle East and Africa....

The streets of Buñol in eastern Spain turned into a sea of red on August 27, 2025, as thousands of revelers gathered for La Tomatina, the world’s most famous food fight. This year’s festivities were extra special, marking 80 years since the tradition began....

At just five years old, Alec Van Khajadourian has become the youngest performer ever at New York City’s Carnegie Hall. On July 20, 2025, the piano prodigy took the stage during the NY Classical Debut Awards Gala Concert. The annual event brings together some of the most talented musicians from around the world....

Researchers at the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) have painstakingly reconstructed a stunning collection of ancient Roman frescoes. These decorative wall paintings once adorned a building in Londinium, the ancient Roman settlement that would later become London. Dating back over 1,800 years, the colorful fragments represent one of the largest finds of painted Roman plaster in the city....

BTS fans, rejoice! After nearly three years away from the stage, the global K-pop sensation is preparing for a long-awaited comeback. The group shared the news on Weverse, a platform where K-pop artists connect directly with fans. During the July 1, 2025 live broadcast, they revealed that work on a new album will begin later this summer. Even more exciting, the group has plans for a world tour in 2026....

On August 7, 2025, the United States increased tariffs on products from more than 30 countries. The new taxes affect many items, including cars, electronics, and clothing. The rates vary depending on the product and the country from which it comes. For example, imports from Brazil now face a 50 percent tariff, while those from Europe will be taxed at 15 percent. Below is a breakdown of what this means and how it may impact Americans....

A team of engineers in China has accomplished a remarkable feat. They have moved and returned a 7,500-metric-ton historic building complex in Shanghai — with the help of tiny robots....

Barbie's Fashionistas line celebrates diversity and self-expression through a wide range of dolls. Launched by Mattel in 2009, the collection includes dolls with different body types, skin tones, and medical conditions. This includes dolls who are blind, have Down syndrome, and use a wheelchair or hearing aids. On July 8, 2025, the lineup welcomed a powerful new addition: a Barbie with Type 1 diabetes (T1D)....

Every June, thousands of cyclists gather in Motala, Sweden, to participate in one of the world's longest and most iconic bike races — the Vätternrundan. This event, held on June 13 and 14 in 2025, requires riders to complete a staggering 196-mile (315 km) loop around Lake Vättern, Sweden's second-largest lake....

On May 13, 2025, Christopher Thuss headed out for an evening on Lake Michigan, hoping to catch a fish or two. Instead, he discovered the wreck of a storied tugboat that had remained hidden beneath the surface for over a century....

A runaway zebra threw a Tennessee community into chaos in early June. Less than a day after arriving as a new pet, the zebra broke free, triggering a weeklong search. The elusive animal, soon nicknamed Ed, was finally captured and returned to his owners on June 8, 2025....

School may be out for the summer, but the astronomical start of the warm season in the Northern Hemisphere will not be until June 20, 2025. Known as the summer or June solstice, this is when the North Pole is tilted closest to the Sun. As a result, those in the Northern Hemisphere will enjoy the longest day of 2025. Meanwhile, the Southern Hemisphere will welcome the start of winter with the shortest day of the year....

Cori "Coco" Gauff stunned the tennis world on June 7, 2025, by defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at the French Open. With this win, she became the first American woman to claim the title since Serena Williams in 2015. At 21, Gauff is also the youngest American winner since Williams, who was 20 when she first won the tournament in 2002. The victory marks Gauff’s second Grand Slam singles title, following her US Open win in 2023....

For most climbers, summiting Mount Everest is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement. But for Kami Rita Sherpa, it is just another day at work. On May 31, 2025, the 55-year-old Nepali climber stood atop the world’s highest peak for the 31st time. He broke his own world record for the most ascents of Everest....

At first glance, Reginald (Reggie), the world's tallest living dog, and Pearl, the world's smallest dog, seem like an unlikely pair. The seven-year-old Great Dane from Idaho Falls measures 3.3 feet (1 m) tall, while the four-year-old Chihuahua from Florida stands just 3.59 inches (9.1 cm) high. But a recent playdate showed that when it comes to friendship, size does not really matter....