Farkhondeh*, Kurosh and their two daughters were betrayed. While they were on vacation, the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution broke into her house in Tehran and found figures of angels and crosses. Evidence. As Christians, they would have been immediately arrested upon entry. A smuggling truck was their salvation – but first, it was nearly their end.

If you love skiing or could at least imagine to do so, this El Niño winter is your chance. There hasn’t been more snow in the Sierra Nevada and the Cascade Range for a long time. Mount Shasta and Lassen Peak can even help you extend the season, as these outstanding northern mountains are often covered in snow until late May.

Leaving into the unknown in Death Valley? Outsmarting nature by carrying gallons of water on our backs? The idea sounded outlandish, excitingly so. At least until the second evening, when we realized that our hike had led us towards an impasse in the middle of a desert canyon.

Eleven million people live as undocumented migrants in the United States, constantly afraid of deportation. By working off the books and off-hours, they allow the middle class to maintain their American way of life.

Sumatra and Papua are paradises for certain investors. The indigenous villages aren’t prepared for corporate deception strategies. Now that Sumatra’s rainforest is mainly destroyed, corporations have a go at Papua. Meet a village whose entire land has just been leased to the sugar industry. Or sold? No villager knows for nobody was able to read the contract.