This Wednesday is International Wetlands Day. Worldwide, wetlands cover 12.1 million km². But more than 30 percent have been lost over the past 50 years, despite them playing a crucial role in mitigating the impact of climate change. One example is the Mangroves National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It’s the only marine park in the country and it’s home to a wide variety of plants and rare animals, including sea turtles. But the park is increasingly threatened by poaching and illegal logging. The construction of a deep water port in the vicinity has also sparked controversy. Our correspondents report.
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Views: The Woodlands Of East Lothian, Scotland
East Lothian, Scotland has some beautiful forests and woodlands. This film was shot at Binning Memorial Wood, Gosford Estate, Pressmennan Woods and Tynninghame Estate.
The Royal Burgh of Haddington is a town in East Lothian, Scotland. It is the main administrative, cultural and geographical centre for East Lothian, which as a result of late-nineteenth century Scottish local government reforms took the form of the county of Haddingtonshire for the period from 1889 to 1921.
Preview: Times Literary Supplement – February 4
Morning News: NATO’s Resurgence, Italy Elects A President, Nuns On TikTok
Our correspondent speaks with Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s secretary-general, who says the alliance’s involvement in de-escalating Russia tensions is a sign of its resurgent relevance.
After tortuous votes, Italy’s lawmakers elected a president: the incumbent who did not want the job. No posts have changed, but the political balance surely has. And we meet the nuns racking up followers on TikTok.
Front Page: Wall Street Journal – February 2
Train Views: The Fanciest Sleeper Cars In The World
Venice Simplon-Orient-Express: London to Venice
The Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is one of the most well-known luxury train companies in the world — and for good reason. Its train cars are opulent, with plush velvet furnishings in rich jewel tones, dark wood walls, and top-notch service that can’t be beat. Though all of its journeys look epic, the London-to-Venice route may be the best for first-time train travelers. Guests will board the company’s British Pullman train, where they can enjoy a cocktail in the bar car, snag a bite in the dining car, or take in the picturesque countryside views from their room.
Science Visuals: The Top Illustrations From 2021
City Timelapse: Amsterdam In The Netherlands (4K)
Amsterdam is the Netherlands’ capital, known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facades, legacies of the city’s 17th-century Golden Age. Its Museum District houses the Van Gogh Museum, works by Rembrandt and Vermeer at the Rijksmuseum, and modern art at the Stedelijk. Cycling is key to the city’s character, and there are numerous bike paths.
Swiss Views: The Winter Beauty Of Zermatt (4K)
Zermatt is the most luxurious scenic resort town in the swiss alps, lies at the foot of the Matterhorn – Symbol for Switzerland. The town’s touristic development is closely linked to what is most probably the world’s most famous mountain. The vacation destination is a car-free zone, has preserved its original character and offers nearly unlimited possibilities as far as excursions are concerned. The location of Zermatt at the foot of the Matterhorn and in the middle of an enormous hiking and ski region makes it one of the world’s most attractive vacation villages. The ski region encompasses 54 mountain railways and lifts as well as 360 kilometers of pistes. The region called “Matterhorn glacier paradise” is Europe’s largest and highest lying summer skiing region. Numerous national ski teams train here in the summer.
Morning News: Beijing Olympics Advertisers, Commodity Price Rise
A.M. Edition for Feb. 1. Four years ago, Coca-Cola, Visa and Procter & Gamble loudly promoted their sponsorship of the Winter Olympics.
Now, sponsors of the coming Beijing Games are keeping a lower profile. WSJ’s Stu Woo explains why that is, and why other coming international competitions present a similar challenge. Luke Vargas hosts.
