Cambodia's Khmer healers get schooled in ancient art
A lizard dipped in wine may not seem like an obvious asthma remedy, but as Cambodian traditional healers strive to turn their ancient wisdom into a professional industry.
Spain's Pamplona bull run festival set to kick off
Spain's best-known fiesta, San Fermin, a nine-day mix of round-the-clock drinking, religious processions and running ahead of a pack of sharp-horned charging bulls, kicks off.
More modern monarchs choose not to rule until death
Retirement is not traditionally on the cards for queens, kings or popes, but in recent months many are choosing to step aside instead of labouring on until death.
Pesticides tainting traditional China herbs: Greenpeace
Traditional Chinese herbs are being contaminated with a toxic cocktail of pesticides that poses a threat to consumer health and the environment.
Venezuela candidates torched in Easter effigy
Venezuela's two presidential candidates were burnt in effigy Sunday in an Easter tradition that replaces the biblical Judas Iscariot with disliked public figures.
Kazakhstan's spiritual landscape can change drastically: Lama Sharif
Kairat Lama Sharif spoke about the threats that could arise from mass transition of Kazakhstan young people to non-traditional religions.
The steamy art of Latvia's ritual saunas
Lying face down in deep snow, naked, in bone chilling sub-zero weather is enough to make anyone think twice.
Tens of thousands kick off Venice Carnival
Some 70,000 revellers, many wearing elaborate costumes and masks, thronged Venice's St Mark's Square on Sunday to watch the traditional "flight of the angel," a highlight of the annual Carnival.
Australia to go to the polls on September 14: PM
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Wednesday broke with tradition and announced the nation would go to the polls on September 14, saying she wanted to give "shape and order" to the year.
After tobacco, Turkey bans hookah in public places
After banning smoking in public places, the Turkish government has gone one step further by clamping down on an ancient tradition -- the hookah, or water pipe.
Lets's get small! Bolivians stage miniature festival
Bolivia is throwing a little party. Literally. It's a yearly festival in which street vendors hawk everything miniature -- from houses to clothes to passports -- for small bills of fake money.
Presidential inaugurations: a long, chilly US tradition
The US presidential inauguration is a centuries-old tradition, but despite the warmth and affection offered an incoming leader, the quadrennial ceremony is often a bitterly cold affair.
Thousands of Mexicans devour enormous king cake
Tens of thousands of Mexicans wolfed down a 1.9-kilometer (1.2-mile) long king cake on Thursday, polishing it off in less than half-an-hour during the traditional feast in downtown Mexico City.
Record 40,000 Dutch in New Year North Sea dip
A record 40,000 people braved icy temperatures on the Netherlands's North Sea coast Tuesday to take a cold plunge, setting a new record for the traditional New Year's Day dip.
Yemen's swap marriages: a recipe for disaster
The deal is simple: I marry your sister and you marry mine. No dowry necessary. But if one marriage fails, the other must end as well.
Millions across Philippines visit their dead
Millions across the Philippines visited cemeteries Thursday to pay respects to their dead, in an annual tradition that combines Catholic religious rites with the country's penchant for festivity.
A gender-neutral pronoun makes waves in Sweden
Sweden's tradition of gender equality has famously put more mums in the workplace while rising numbers of dads stay at home.
Thailand grapples with killer student gangs
Sweat dripping from their foreheads as they complete a set of press-ups, students at a Thai army boot camp are momentary allies, but a spate of gang shootings suggests it is an uneasy peace.
Indian Sikhs push 'turban pride'
The evening turban-tying class in the Sikh-dominated Indian city of Amritsar is packed with pre-teen boys learning a centuries-old tradition -- that religious leaders fear is under threat.
Semey streets decorated with small yurts
Production of small yurts capable of accommodating 6 people has been launched in Semey.
