Photo Essays

Jesus, born a Jew, spent his days in the region now known as Israel. He was born in Bethlehem and lived by the Sea of Galilee. Christians believe that he was crucified at Golgotha outside Jerusalem – only to rise from the dead three days later

The United Arab Emirates is known for its oil production and extravagant architectural projects. However, many are unaware that Dubai exports camel milk and chocolate. By Michael Marek

The people in the remote Toraja region on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi are predominantly Christians, but they are sticking to the old animistic traditions of their ancestors. This also includes the fact that death does not mean the end of a human being. By Darren Whiteside

With fighting around Damascus having ceased, everyday life is slowly returning to the Syrian capital. While the people there enjoy a touch of normality, life in the immediate surroundings could hardly be more different. By Rahel Klein and Marko Djurica

A city of some 20 million people combining charm and squalor, Cairo may soon witness an exodus by well-heeled residents, state employees and foreign embassies to the New Administrative Capital. By Hamza Hemdawi

Since the start of 2018, a Chinese-run train is taking people and goods from landlocked Ethiopia to the Red Sea port in Djibouti. Reporter James Jeffrey made the journey from Addis Ababa

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's presence can still be felt in a landscape increasingly dominated by President Tayyip Recep Erdogan. Bradley Secker travelled through Turkey to find secular iconography of the republic's founder

Widely perceived as a Hindu spiritual practice, yoga was not officially permitted for decades in Saudi Arabia, the cradle of Islam where all non-Muslim worship is banned. But the Kingdom did finally recognise yoga as a sport, despite the risk of hardline opposition.

More than half a million refugees of Syrian origin currently live in Istanbul, carving out a niche for themselves in a new country under often difficult conditions. Initiatives such as "Small Projects Istanbul" help them in their search for housing, health care and school education. By Marian Brehmer

The Bangladeshi government is looking to task a controversial paramilitary force with monitoring social media as the country gears up for a general election in December 2018. Many fear the move will further muzzle free speech. By Arafatul Islam