Ancient Asian art of origami gains following in WestHundreds gathered in New York over the weekend for a convention celebrating origami, the ancient Asian art of paper folding, as the craft gains increasing recognition as serious art in the West.
24 June 2013 14:30
Isn't it cute? Chilean farm exports tarantula petsAs pets go, they are low maintenance. No muss, no fuss, nice and quiet, and even a bit furry. So, how about snuggling up with a giant, non-biting tarantula?
07 June 2013 14:31
Swiss democracy in its purest form in AppenzellSteffan Millius grips his sword and makes his way through the throngs of people crowding into Appenzell's central square to take part in Switzerland's famous direct democracy in perhaps its purest form.
24 May 2013 13:56
Hong Kong struggles to overcome mountains of wasteAn army of road sweepers and refuse collectors keep the streets clean in the heart of Hong Kong -- but on the outskirts, growing mountains of waste are testament to what campaigners say is an environmental crisis.
In Spain's Canaries, cannabis club thrives discreetly In the garden of the cannabis smoking club in the town of Mogan on Spain's Canary Islands, lush green marijuana leaves with serrated edges bask in the sun before being harvested, dried and processed to be consumed on site.
19 April 2013 13:29
High hopes for Japan's wine in the old worldA thousand years ago, a vine that had travelled from the Caspian Sea coast along Asia's Silk Road arrived in Japan, where its fruit was heralded as having unique medicinal purposes.
08 April 2013 14:08
Tourists fight the flab at Thai boxing campsIn a sweltering training camp on a tropical Thai island, sweaty tourists wearing oversized gloves and baggy shorts slam their fists, knees,
02 April 2013 14:17
Chavez: Leftist firebrand who divided nation, vexed 'US'Former paratrooper Hugo Chavez led a self-styled revolution that redistributed Venezuela's oil wealth, earning the devotion of the long-neglected poor while provoking foes at home and abroad.
Right move: Chess gives Ugandan slum children hopeSitting in a dimly lit room in the run-down Kampala suburb of Katwe, Phiona Mutesi stares fixedly at the chessboard in front of her as she ponders the next move in her improbable journey.
06 February 2013 13:05
In El Salvador, from busting heads to breaking breadAfter a life of crime in one of Central America's most fearsome gangs, a group of Salvadoran street toughs, some tattooed from head to toe, have now found a way out: making bread.
Paris's favourite Dame turns 850Quasimodo only had eyes for Esmerelda but the famous hunchback's fellow Parisians have always had another special lady in their lives.
12 December 2012 12:46
Bedouins brave elements to attend bamboo schoolIt takes a certain kind of dedication to be a pupil at the Jahalin primary school, where children often walk for hours across tough desert terrain just to get there.
Morocco's 'liquid gold' enriches Berber women In the heart of Essaouira's medina, Khadija, 21, runs a small shop selling bottles of the golden liquid on behalf of five women producer groups, one of many argan oil outlets in the historic port city targeting the tourist trade.
14 November 2012 11:57
Fly-by art? Gagosian opens Paris airport galleryIn a globalised art market, what better place for a gallery than an airport? Thus reasoned US art mogul Larry Gagosian, who this week opens a cavernous new art space right inside Paris's main private air hub.
16 October 2012 11:26
Taiwan showgirls strip for the dead Dressed in mini skirts barely covering their hips, the two girls took to the neon-lit stage and moved vigorously to the loud, pumping pop music. Their job: to appease the wandering spirits.
