Raccoons are cute—feeding them is not

In this week’s newsletter we learn about the 7 principles of Kwanzaa, find out why feeding raccoons is dangerous, and take a look at our Photos of the Century.

How Kwanzaa came to be

December 26th is the first of seven days of Kwanzaa, the African American holiday that was born amid the tumult of the 1960s. The celebration is rooted in principles that anyone can adopt and practice year-round. What are the 7 principles of Kwanzaa– and why do they matter? (Above, friends and family join in blessings at a South Florida home).

Even if you think raccoons are cute, feeding them is not

You may have seen viral videos of people feeding wild raccoons everything from marshmallows to hotdogs. While it may seem helpful, feeding wild raccoons may be ensuring their untimely deaths, experts say.

Nat Geo's most compelling images of the 21st century (so far)

Photos of the century: Speedy and agile, leopard seals are skilled at hunting prey. But with humans, they’re more curious than dangerous, as photographer Paul Nicklen discovered when a 12-foot-long female approached him in the sea of Antarctica in 2006. Dropping her catch, a penguin chick, the seal instead briefly engulfed Nicklen’s camera—and most of his head—in her mouth.

Where in the world

People have been navigating the stormy waters of this sea (pictured above) for millennia. It has a reputation for being formidable and dangerous, with waves that have recently gone viral on TikTok. Which sea is it?

A. North Sea

B. Bering Sea

C. Weddell Sea

D. Greenland Sea

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