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The black-throated loon (Gavia arctica) is a migratory aquatic bird that primarily breeds in freshwater lakes in northern Europe and Asia. It winters along sheltered, ice-free coasts of the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans. First formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, it is about 70 centimetres (28 in) long and can weigh from 1.3 to 3.4 kilograms (2.9 to 7.5 lb). In breeding plumage, it has mostly black upperparts, a grey head and hindneck, white and black sides, mostly white underparts and flanks, and a mostly black throat. The loon builds an oval-shaped nest about 23 centimetres (9.1 in) across, in vegetation on or near the breeding lake. It usually lays two eggs, brown-green with dark splotches. Chicks are fed a diet of small fish and invertebrates, contrasting with the mostly fish diet of the adult. Overall, the population of this loon is declining, but the species is not threatened. It is protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 and the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement. (Full article...)

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Did you know ...

Drawing of an aphid by Charles De Geer

... that entomologist Charles De Geer made all the illustrations for his eight-volume work himself (example pictured)?
... that the anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's 1974 speech at the United Nations has been observed as Bangladeshi Immigration Day in New York since 2019?
... that thousands of crocodiles were once farmed on Bazaruto Island?
... that the flag of North Korea has been mistakenly used by international organisations to represent South Korea?
... that Marie Breen retired from the Australian Senate to care for her husband, who had been badly injured in a car accident?
... that Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez were picked for the 2024 MLS All-Star Game but could not play?
... that Spanish bishop Josep-Lluís Serrano Pentinat is expected to be a future head of state of Andorra?
... that after becoming a religious leader of the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Slaybebtikud united the tribes and established himself as their sole leader?
... that Wolfgang Rihm said of the music of his 1987 opera Oedipus: "Sound is a weapon here – or a scalpel"?

In the news

Kasia Niewiadoma

In cycling, Katarzyna Niewiadoma (pictured) wins the Tour de France Femmes.
Doctors strike and protests occur across India after the rape and murder of a female physician in Kolkata.
Paetongtarn Shinawatra becomes Prime Minister of Thailand after Srettha Thavisin is dismissed by the Constitutional Court.
The World Health Organization declares the mpox epidemic to be a global health emergency.

On this day

August 26: Heroes' Day in Namibia; Women's Equality Day in the United States

Clashes between police and protesters at the 1968 Democratic National Convention

683 – Second Fitna: The Battle of al-Harra was fought between Umayyad forces and the rebel defenders of Medina at a lava field northeast of the city.
1748 – The first Lutheran denomination in North America, the Pennsylvania Ministerium, was founded in Philadelphia.
1914 – First World War: The German colony of Togoland surrendered to French and British forces after a 20-day campaign.
1959 – The Coatzacoalcos earthquake struck near the Mexican state of Veracruz, killing 25 people.
1968 – The U.S. Democratic Party's National Convention opened in Chicago, sparking four days of clashes (pictured) between anti-Vietnam War protesters and police.

James Franck (b. 1882)
Sue Bailey Thurman (b. 1903)
Barbara Toomer (b. 1929)
Efren Reyes (b. 1954)

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From today's featured list

Basshunter

The discography of Basshunter, a Swedish singer, comprises five studio albums, two compilation albums, 30 singles, five promotional singles and seven remixes. The Bassmachine, Basshunter's debut studio album, was released by Alex Music on 25 August 2004. In April 2006, he signed his first contract with Extensive Music and Warner Music Sweden. His single "Boten Anna" charted at number one on the Danish singles chart, where it stayed for fourteen weeks; it was certified triple platinum by IFPI Danmark. "Boten Anna" also reached number one in the Swedish singles chart and was certified platinum by IFPI Sverige. His second studio album LOL, released on 28 August 2006, charted in the top five in Sweden, Denmark and Finland. The album was certified platinum by IFPI Finland and double platinum by IFPI Danmark. (Full list...)

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Today's featured picture

George Roper was a four-masted iron barque that was built for service between England and Australia, launching from Liverpool in February 1883. On its maiden voyage, it carried 3,842 tons of cargo, including railway track for the Victorian Government, liquor, chemicals, drapery, and dynamite. It reached Australia in July, but got caught on the reef at Point Lonsdale while being towed into Port Melbourne. The ship sat there for nearly two months before breaking up and sinking on 26 August 1883. The wreck remains under 4–5 metres of water and is accessible to recreational divers. This photograph by the German-born photographer Fred Kruger shows George Roper's wreck at Point Lonsdale before it sank.

Photograph credit: Fred Kruger; restored by Adam Cuerden

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