WITH their robotic movements and pristine uniforms, these are the sexy traffic girls of North Korea that are becoming iconic figures in the secretive state. Instead of using traffic lights to control the stop and go flow of the cross-roads, attractive women dressed in perfectly crisps and identical outfits dangerously stand along in the middle of the road on a small platform. Displaying riveting focus, they are only allowed to turn counter-clockwise, directing traffic with forceful and halting movements. They have been the subject of photographic study for many years but French photographer Eric Lafforgue, 49, captured these moments during six trips to the Marxist country.
These are the faces of orphans suffering from the horrifying effects of chemical warfare .
PICKING up a tiny tea-pot with its paws, a little red squirrel struggles to prepare its morning tea .
A mining town in Australia’s outback appears to be completely deserted, but its residents have escaped the scorching heat by living in underground caves .
A photographer from the United Arab Emirates travelled to Pakistan where he captured the lives of local people in a series of expressive portraits .
LOCATIONS bursting with vibrant greens and chestnut browns, these photographs capture the peaceful English countryside in all its glory .
Pouncing down on top of his twin brother, these two snow leopard cubs practice their kung-fu moves .
RACING through the mountain range on horseback, the Kazakh people practice their ancient tradition of hunting with golden eagles .
AIRPORT staff have been put on alert after diet pills that come in grenade shaped containers sparked security alerts .
This longhorn beetle demon-strates a dark side as it looks just like the devil .
STARING intently into the camera, a polar bear appears to be lost in thought while relaxing in the snow .