What do you make of householders turned austere pilgrims who live in tatty canvas tents on a flood plain of a river braving regular baths in freezing water, biting cold, smoky skies and ear-splitting din for more than a month?

BBC: Does the Kumbh Mela experience improve your well being?

The horseshoe inlet at Deception Island, a live volcano, is half-frozen, and the ship breaks through ice, splitting open a lane of water, an incredibly satisfying feeling.

FORBES: Go with the Floe

The commission will assess the economic feasibility of splitting up Los Angeles, and look into tricky questions such as water supply that need general co-operation.

ECONOMIST: Troubled cities 1