Stellar journeys: Every year, young astronomy enthusiasts gather for the International Astronomical Youth Camp, a travelling event uniting participants worldwide since 1969. Participants embrace an unusual schedule, starting their day with a noontime breakfast and continuing through afternoons of arts, sports, and teamwork. As night falls, stargazing takes centre stage, with veterans guiding newcomers in using telescopes and observing the cosmos. The camp has visited over 15 countries, offering hands-on astronomy experiences alongside cultural exchange. Many campers leave with skills and friendships that last far beyond their time under the stars.
Timeless innovation: The ingenious mitre lock, often attributed to Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century, revolutionized waterway engineering and remains a foundational element in canal systems like the Panama Canal. Da Vinci's concept used V-shaped gates that naturally sealed under water pressure, with valves to manage levels and reopen the gates efficiently. Modern advancements like motors and hydraulics have enhanced the design, but its fundamental principles remain unchanged. This invention allows massive ships to navigate waterways that Leonardo da Vinci could never have imagined, proving that great ideas endure far beyond their time, sometimes even reshaping the world centuries later.
Desert greenery: In Inner Mongolia, China, Yi Jiefang transformed barren desert into thriving forests, fulfilling a promise to her late son. After he tragically passed away, Yi channeled her grief into a mission inspired by his love of nature. Selling their homes and using compensation funds, in 2003 Yi and her husband launched Green Life, a nonprofit that planted thousands of trees in the vast Alxa Desert. Once lifeless sand, the area now houses rows of flourishing greenery, a testament to their dedication. Yi found solace in helping grieving families join her tree-planting efforts, turning personal loss into symbols of renewal. Her belief was simple while money doesn't follow anyone beyond life, trees remain a lasting gift to the Earth.
Noodle fusion: In Hanoi, Vietnam, a restaurant is stirring curiosity with its peculiar culinary experiment bubble tea beef noodles. This dish merges fresh milk, black tea, thick noodles, tapioca pearls, and tender beef slices in a vegetable broth, aiming to reinvent a beloved tea trend. The unusual combination has sparked heated debates online, with critics labelling its taste as puzzling. Some say it resembles milk tea but without its signature sweetness, while others argue the tapioca pearls clash with the overall texture. Despite the mixed reviews, clever marketing has made it a social media sensation. For the adventurous eater, it's a dish you try not for the taste but for the tale you'll tell afterward.