PARIS (AFP) ― Dior designer Raf Simons on Friday conjured up a tropical hanging garden as the backdrop for his spring/summer 2014 collection, as Paris fashion week reached its half-way point.The vast flower-filled set was described by Dior as the “experimental habitat of the new flower woman ... an ordering of the artificial and real ... the manmade and artificial.”Looped, pleated lantern dresses stood out and were according to the fashion house the only designs to have been inspired by the Dior

The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, one of the most influential groups of Presbyterian churches in the country, on Friday passed a motion banning church leaders from passing down their position to family. After four days of marathon discussions, the motion was passed 209 to 49, banning member churches from inviting or appointing a person to an elder or pastor position should his or her blood relatives or spouse be already serving the duty at the same institution. The PCRK is the th

The Korea Tourism Organization announced the start of a foreigner-only DMZ Tour Bus on Wednesday that will allow individual tourists access to the border area. Previously, because of the complicated procedures associated with going to the DMZ, only larger groups were able to go on tours. There will be guides that speak English, Chinese and Japanese to offer guidance and assistance to tourists. Buses will leave every day at 8 a.m. from in front of the Korea Tourism Organization headquarters. The

Four Seasons Resort in Koh Samui, Thailand, is offering a special Blue Moon Dinner Package for couples wanting to indulge in a private beach-side dinner. Only one couple will be chosen per night to enjoy an exclusive four-course menu prepared by chef Alex Gares that will include a Thai or Western option with complementing wines. Couples will be able to complete the romantic night by releasing a “Khom Loy” traditional paper lantern into the night sky. The price for the private candlelit dinner ru