5 August, 2025

Francis Agustin Hello. I've recently heard about an island chain off the coast of Norway hailed for its scenic views and perpetual summer twilight. Read our feature below about what to see in this Arctic archipelago and how it's adjusting to new levels of tourism. Also in this edition, controversies over the Statue of Liberty and the top-secret agents investigating pizza. Enjoy reading!

ESSENTIAL FEATURES 'These islands are more than just an  Arctic Disneyworld' Norway's idyllic Lofoten Islands have gone viral for their midnight summer sun – but residents are wary of the increased attention.  Keep reading

The statue at the heart of US culture wars A new painting of Lady Liberty is shining light on the transgender debate and the division over American symbols. ‌ Read more > Italy's undercover pizza detectives A group of top-secret agents is travelling the globe on espionage missions to determine what constitutes "real" pizza. ‌ Read more > A journey into the depths of the forgotten internet Though many parts of the internet are disappearing, relics of the early web still hold key lessons about our digital future. ‌ Read more > What comes next after a £7m Birkin  A frenzy has gripped venerable auction houses, leaving some to wonder if fashion sales will soon be on par with Picasso. ‌ Read more >

ESSENTIAL INSIGHTS The fight over China's new embassy in London A new embassy in the heart of London has some worried about the risk of espionage and the security of political dissidents. ‌ Keep reading > The villages threatened by melting glaciers As landslides sweep away villages, Swiss officials are re-evaluating the cost of rebuilding and protecting these towns.  ‌ Keep reading > The 'fake' weddings taking Gen Z by storm These extravagant parties have become popular among young Indians chasing new experiences. ‌ Keep reading >

ESSENTIAL WATCH LIST The return of the US Presidential Fitness Test The BBC's Bernd Debusmann dives into the fitness test for children, revived by President Donald Trump. Watch now > Can concrete go green? A Rotterdam-based startup is producing an alternative material to make concrete more sustainable. Watch now > The huge stick insect discovered in Australia A new "supersized" species of stick insect has been discovered in a remote rainforest in Queensland. Watch now >

ESSENTIAL LISTENING Podcast: Controlling nature's data Basecamp Research's genome database will help supercomputers to create new products Could AI cure cancer using nature's DNA? A London tech firm, Basecamp Research, harvests genetic information from organisms and microbes around the world. It's a bewildering new frontier, and it comes with big questions: who should own this valuable information? Who should benefit? And what could it unleash? Listen to the latest episode of The Documentary. Listen here

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