By Laura Fitch Zhang Sihao’s life might have turned out differently if his parents hadn’t taken him to a fortune-teller when he was in his early teens. Adopting the mystic’s advice, they changed his given name from Yi to Sihao, meaning “a love of poetry.” “Before that I was good at maths and science, says [...]

On a recent road-trip through Palestine, our correspondent had the opportunity to observe the intricate social nuances emanating from this region’s version of Arabic food — and to indulge, not only in the exquisite cuisine, but in stimulating conversation with locals on the social meanings of Palestinian food.

An interview with China’s most famous contemporary artist. In his home country Ai Weiwei is known for speaking his mind – which has won him a slew of followers and admirers, as well as detractors and critics.