Thai monks built an entire temple complex using over a million recycled glass bottles. Thailand’s Wat Pa Maha Chedi Kaew, known as the “Million Bottle Temple,” began in 1984 as an effort by Buddhist monks and local residents to reduce waste. Today, more than 1.5 million recycled glass bottles decorate its buildings, while discarded bottle caps have been turned into colourful mosaics. What began as a cleanup effort became an extraordinary example of turning waste into art and architecture.

Three supermassive black holes found in one ancient galaxy. Astronomers have discovered three actively feeding supermassive black holes in a single galaxy more than 12.5 billion light-years away. Two of the black holes are surprisingly close to each other, separated by just 620 light-years. The third lies farther away in the same galaxy. Known as J0148-4214, the galaxy is seen as it was when the universe was only about 1.2 billion years old. Using the James Webb Space Telescope, researchers spotted signs of fast-moving gas that helped them identify the three black holes. The two central black holes could eventually merge, potentially forming an even more massive black hole.

Birds flee sooner when approached by women, study finds. A study of 37 bird species across five European countries found that birds tended to fly away sooner when approached by women than by men. On average, they took off about a metre earlier when a woman approached. Researchers aren’t sure why this happens. Differences in walking style, physical appearance or other subtle cues could play a role, but more research is needed to understand what makes birds react differently.

This giant machine creates artificial surfing waves. Located in Yeppoon, Australia, Surf Lakes uses a massive central plunger to send waves outward across a lake. The machine was designed to create four separate surfing peaks at once, allowing multiple surfers to catch waves simultaneously. Its industrial appearance has earned it the nickname “Mad Max wave pool.” The facility is currently used for research and testing.

A rare primate thought to be lost to science has been rediscovered after nearly a century. The Bangka slow loris, a small, nocturnal primate native to Indonesia’s Bangka Island, had not been scientifically documented since the 1930s. The remarkable rediscovery came to light through a wildlife rescue centre, which encountered more than 90 individuals over a period of ten years. Slow lorises are known for their large eyes, slow movements and an unusual defence mechanism: they can deliver a venomous bite. Despite their gentle appearance, they are among the few venomous mammals in the world. The discovery offers new hope for understanding and protecting this elusive primate, although its long-term survival still depends on conservation efforts and protecting its habitat.

Thailand’s “hairy croissant” looks like it’s covered in black hair. Created by Saiwan Bakehouse in Pattaya, this unusual pastry gets its hairy appearance from fat choy, also known as black moss, an ingredient traditionally used in Chinese cuisine. The bakery adapted the idea from a similar hairy cake, creating a croissant that has caught the internet’s attention. Would you try it?

A Labrador that sniffs out “sea vomit” wins Animal of the Year. A Labrador named Sgiath has won a 2026 Animal of the Year award for her unusual role in marine conservation. Originally trained for mountain rescue, Sgiath now helps scientists detect an invasive marine organism known as Didemnum vexillum, often called carpet sea squirt or “sea vomit.” The organism forms thick, spreading mats on underwater surfaces and can threaten native marine life. Using her powerful sense of smell, Sgiath helps conservationists locate colonies that might otherwise go unnoticed. Her work highlights how dogs can make a valuable contribution to protecting the natural world. Her achievement was recognised by the International Fund for Animal Welfare at its 2026 Animal Action Awards.

Polar bears have taken over an abandoned Arctic weather station on Kolyuchin Island, off Russia’s northeastern coast. The Soviet-era station was abandoned in the early 1990s, leaving behind empty structures in the remote Arctic wilderness. The bears were seen resting inside and around the deserted buildings, with some sitting on porches and others interacting with one another. The unusual gathering comes as the bears spend time on land while waiting for sea ice to return, which they rely on to hunt seals.

The Diaphania indica, also known as the cucumber moth or pumpkin caterpillar, is a small moth found across tropical and subtropical regions. It has translucent white wings bordered by dark brown markings. One striking feature is the orange-brown tuft at the tip of its abdomen. Both males and females have this structure, but it is much more prominent in females, who spread and move it to disperse pheromones, chemical signals that help attract mates. Despite its delicate appearance, its caterpillars can damage cucumber, pumpkin, gourd and melon crops by feeding on their leaves and fruits.

A fake AI bear photo triggers a real wildlife search and a fine. A woman in Russia reportedly learned the hard way that an AI-generated prank can have real-world consequences after a fake bear sighting sent authorities searching for an animal that never existed. The woman allegedly created an AI-generated image showing a bear roaming a local street and shared it as a prank. The image alarmed residents, who contacted authorities, prompting a wildlife investigation. The incident reportedly resulted in a fine of 15,000 roubles after the woman admitted creating the image using AI.