91热爆

Pascale Harter introduces stories of life's personal and political milestones, from reporters and writers around the world. In this edition:

Monica Whitlock used to be the 91热爆's correspondent in Uzbekistan - until the regime of its late President Islam Karimov had her deported in 2005. She remembers the leader she knew - and reflects on why so many Uzbeks are sincerely mourning his death.

Much of the rest of the world is keen to know what's really going on inside North Korea. But when Roger Hearing recently blundered too close to its border zone from the Russian side, his curiosity led to some extensive bureaucratic manoeuvres.

Cyprus markets itself as "the island of love" - and it's certainly a favourite destination for 'destination' weddings. Thousands of couples travel to get married there every year. Yet many of them aren't motivated by the charms of the place - but rather their own lack of access to civil marriage ceremonies in their own countries, like Israel and Lebanon. Yolande Knell meets some of the mixed-faith couples tying the knot in Larnaca.

And in the un-touristy setting of the underground rail system of Tehran, Amy Guttman gets an unexpected lesson on feminist gains in Iran. The worlds of work and education are now open to - and, some argue, dominated by - Iranian women, and even housework is changing in response.

Photo: Mourners at a farewell ceremony for Uzbekistan's President Islam Karimov near Tashkent International Airport. (Valery Sharifulin/TASS/GettyImages)