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.
A DETERMINED great blue heron holds on tightly to its prey as the furry gopher attempts to wriggle free .
A woman with a fear of flying claims she was humiliated after an Emirates airline staff member told her she could ‘go to prison for four years’ for possessing diazepam medication .
An elegant snowy owl spreads her wings and glides effortlessly above the snow covered field .
A hungry hippo is seconds away from catching a bird in its gigantic jaws .
A loving daughter has set up a Facebook page in a desperate plea to strangers, to donate a kidney to her dying mum .
A disabled sheep is enjoying a new fleece of life after receiving a specially-designed wheelchair .
FOR TWO memory-impaired parents their new-born baby Cian is a living timekeeper .
RAISING his flipper, this two day old seal pup gives a wave to the camera .
With stunning scenery and otherworldly vistas, Iceland’s rural beauty is inescapable – especially for Hollywood .
Suspended FIFTY metres in the air, this is the last place that you would expect to find a fine dining experience .