Northern Explorer

NASA's Perseverance rover has reached its 2,000th Martian day, or sol, on the Red Planet, a milestone dated around October 5, 2026. The rover is currently working in the Northern Rim campaign area of Jezero Crater, continuing its exploration of ancient terrain. Space enthusiasts and researchers are sharing images and congratulations to mark the occasion.

Scottish writer Ken Lussey has released a new novel, 'Bridge of Sighs', a fast-paced contemporary murder mystery set in Edinburgh and northern Scotland. To mark publication he is highlighting real locations featured in the book, including Balnakeil Bay in Sutherland, the Black Isle hamlet of Kilmuir and the village of Plockton in Wester Ross. The recurring question, whether a place can be loved to death, frames the book's exploration of scenic Scottish settings.

A profile piece examines what motivates Northern Ireland manager McArdle, highlighting family, football and the influence of Kenny Dalglish. The feature explores the manager's background and personal drivers, drawing on the example of the Liverpool and Scotland legend as a touchstone for his approach to the game and leadership.

Radio station KAXE is airing a special program highlighting four families in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, whose musical traditions have been passed down through multiple generations. The feature explores how local music heritage endures within family lineages, celebrating the community's cultural roots in the northern Minnesota town.

Travellers preparing for a cruise down to the Canary Islands are highlighting A Coruña in Galicia, northern Spain, as a return stop on their route next month. The port city is being praised as lovely, easy to explore on foot, and welcoming to visitors looking to spend time and money there.

Travel writer Tim Richards has made his article freely available describing the new Scenic Plus dining class on New Zealand's long-distance Northern Explorer train, which he experienced on a journey from Wellington to Auckland. The piece covers the premium restaurant service now offered aboard the country's flagship scenic rail route.

The New York Times explores ways to profit from the autumn leaf fall, looking at how leaves can be repurposed rather than simply bagged and discarded. The piece points to practical uses such as compost, mulch and leaf mould, which gardeners and landscapers value, and suggests there is real economic potential in what many households treat as yard waste each season.

A new review in Alta Journal examines 'Friends and Family,' a work by Natalie Baszile set in San Francisco. Baszile, best known as the author of 'Queen Sugar,' explores themes of kinship, community and Black life in Northern California. Early coverage highlights her sharp portrait of the city and its changing neighborhoods, drawing interest from literary readers.

Travellers are describing Oulanka National Park in northern Finland as a maze of forest paths winding through spruce and pine. Some routes are narrow and root-covered, others broad and well worn, making the park a popular destination for hikers exploring the Finnish wilderness near Oulu and the Scandinavian north.

A Northern Virginia author is being featured in local news for encouraging people to travel as a means of personal growth. The author argues that exploring new places helps people develop confidence, perspective, and self-understanding. The story is part of a series highlighting people in the DC, Maryland and Virginia region doing notable things.

Outdoor enthusiasts are highlighting the Gorges de Saint-Aubert, an exceptionally protected site in the Suisse Normande area of Normandy, northern France. The gorge can only be explored on foot, via steep and uneven paths, making it a destination for experienced hikers seeking wild, restricted-access landscapes. Walkers are sharing tips and impressions of the site's rugged trails and protected natural setting.