Mayan Riviera witnesses construction boom

CANCUN, Mexico: Mexico's Caribbean coastline is glowing, one-and-a-half years after the devastation wrought by Hurricane Wilma.

Life Health

A budding mom's highs and lows

Heavily pregnant Chongqing policewoman Liu Liu leaves office for a yoga institute nearby. Although Liu's husband offers her a lift, the 30-year-old insists on getting there by foot. After changing, she strokes her ball-like belly tenderly, saying: "Hi, my little baby, let's do yoga together."

Yoga's quite a stretch for some pregnant women

In China, the first prenatal yoga class was launched in October 2003 by the pregnancy gym at Shanghai's No 1 Women and Infants' Health Center, focusing on 16 to 37 weeks moms-to-be.

Herbal medicines may hinder IVF treatment, says study

LONDON: Infertile women who supplement their fertility treatment with alternative medicines may be harming their chances of becoming pregnant, according to controversial research by psychologists.

IN BRIEF (Page 19)

Life Culture

Brushing up on tradition

In 1856, Lady Yehenara was confronted with the question of what to give Qing Emperor Xianfeng for his 25th birthday. So, the learned and ambitious concubine, who would later be known as Empress Dowager Cixi, ordered the creation of a top-quality writing brush.

Tale of the goat, rabbit and hair

The Helianqing writing brush belongs to the broad category of hubi - a type of writing brush produced in Huzhou of East China's Zhejiang Province, says Lin Zhenyu, who strives to revive the ancient tradition.

Look who's tipping the scales in favor of skinny suits

Among Beijing University of Clothing Technology's immense collection of ethnic costumes, one outfit stands out.

Life Expat

Global village

What's in a name