All Reading articles

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US national parks are overcrowded. Some think ‘selfie stations’ will help

As crowds flood US natural landmarks, the park service is turning to clever solutions to preserve public lands.

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‘We were very blessed’: in the Cook Islands, pandemic proved a welcome respite from tourists

Covid deprived the island nation of their tourism revenue, but some islanders discovered happiness in the newfound peace.

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‘Now it’s continuous noise’: Italy’s Crusoe adjusts to life off his island

Read about one man’s solitary life on a remote Italian island and his struggle to fit in the society.

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China’s crackdown on tutoring leaves parents with new problems

The Chinese government is taking steps to ease the pressure on parents in the hyper-competitive education of their children. 

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‘Like Uber for snake emergencies’: tech takes the sting out of bites in rural India

Read about an Uber-like app saving thousands of people from venomous snake bites in India. 

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Europe’s unluckiest train station gets new lease of life as hotel

Discover the fascinating but unlucky past of the majestic Canfranc station and the efforts to bring it back to life.

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‘We need to become the solution’: older New Zealanders join climate change fight

Older New Zealanders are joining the efforts to fight climate change and reduce their carbon footprint.

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Antarctic expedition to renew search for Shackleton’s ship Endurance

A new Antarctic expedition is scheduled to renew search for Shackleton’s ship Endurance.

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‘Orchidelirium’: how a modern-day flower madness is fuelling the illegal trade

Theft of fine art items isn’t new. Now, traffickers target orchids in a wave of obsession with exotic plants.

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Cashless society draws closer with only one in six payments now in cash

The Covid crisis has accelerated the shift to a cashless society. Are coins and banknotes becoming obsolete?

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Native American tribe in Maine buys back island taken 160 years ago

The Passamaquoddy’s purchase of Pine Island is the latest in a series of successful ‘land back’ campaigns for indigenous people.

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“It’s cooler to hang Lennon’s guitar than a Picasso”: pop culture wins out at auctions

Famous paintings have always sold for top dollar at auctions. But increasingly, pop culture memorabilia are overtaking them.

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‘There is a pleasure to it’: the simple joy of eating the same meal every day

Culinary diversity has grown in popularity, but some people find joy in eating the same meal every day. 

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Dutch couple become Europe’s first inhabitants of a 3D-printed house

Is 3D printing technology about to revolutionise the construction industry? Read about the new Dutch project of 3D-printed houses.

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Stinging wasps are precious, not pointless, say scientists

What’s the point of wasps? They are far more useful than you’d think!

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‘Damn, this is a Caravaggio!’: the inside story of an old master found in Spain

Three siblings discover that the painting they inherited is worth millions.

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Thinking inside the box: the Welsh teen who tried to post himself home from Australia

Ever been desperate to get home? In 1965, a homesick Welsh man took an unorthodox route home from Australia.

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If you pay them, they will come: the US city giving tourists cash to visit

Read about how some US cities are boosting their post-pandemic tourism by giving visitors money.

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Stoked! Surfboard lost in Tasmania turns up 2,700km away in Queensland

Read about how a surfboard managed to travel 2,700km all by itself and, eventually, back to its owner.

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‘It’s radical’: the Ugandan city built on solar, shea butter and people power

Can the perfect city grow from a nut? Read how the people of Okere City are transforming their hometown.