Thursday August 6, 2009, Johannesburg, South Africa

Soccer fever in Africa

African youths play soccer in the township of Diepsloot, north of Johannesburg. South Africa is preparing to host the World Cup finals in 2010. Diepsloot is the fastest growing township in Johannesburg. Many people arrive here from all over Africa in the hope of gaining employment but instead find only unemployment, alcoholism, drug abuse, violent crime, and a soaring HIV/AIDS rate.

A boy grasps a soccer ball

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Friday May 7, 2004, Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, Malaysia

The dying art of Chinese Opera in Malaysia

Contemporary Chinese Opera has its history dating back over 900 years. It's a heady mix of acrobatics, martial arts, dance, and poetic arias and a single opera can sometimes last as long as five or six hours. It first arrived in Malaysia in the mid 16th century, brought there by early Chinese traders. However, in Malaysia today traditional performances are few and far between, they are mainly reserved for New Year celebrations, local festivals and marriages, and sometimes at funerals and ancestral ceremonies. They are mainly performed by traveling troupes, whose numbers are dwindling these days. A good time to catch a live performance is during the Hungry Ghost festival held during the month of August to atone for the sins of the dead.

An actor comes off stage after his scene is over during a live Opera performance.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Monday April 24, 2006, Narathiwat, Narathiwat, Thailand

Ethnic tension continues in southern Thailand

Ethnic tension between the Thai majority and the Muslim, mostly Malay, minority continues to claim lives in southern Thailand. The conflict, waged only a few hundred miles from Thailand's beach resorts, is now in its sixth year and has killed nearly 4,000 people and with no end, or solution in sight the death toll is set to continue.

Young Muslim boys during evening prayers at a private Islamic school in Thailand's deep south.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Tuesday December 2, 2008, Bangkok, Thailand

Thai airport siege over after Prime Minister ousted by court

The anti-government PAD (Peoples Alliance for Democracy) siege of Bankok's Suvarnabhumi airport, which began on November 27, ends as the Thai constitutional court ousted Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and banned him from politics for five years over a case of voting fraud. The siege stranded hundreds of thousands of passengers and officials claim will cost Thailand billions of dollars in lost revenue.

Pro-Government supporters from the UDD (United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship) protest outside the Administrative Court in Bangkok after Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat was banned from politics for five years

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Wednesday May 20, 2009, Narathiwat, Narathiwat, Thailand

Ethnic tension continues in southern Thailand

Ethnic tension between the Thai majority and the Muslim, mostly Malay, minority continues to claim lives in southern Thailand. The conflict, waged only a few hundred miles from Thailand's beach resorts, is now in its sixth year and has killed nearly 4,000 people and with no end, or solution in sight the death toll is set to continue.

Members of a militia unit haze a new recruit at a Thai Army camp outside the town of Narathiwat in Thailand's deep south. Militia units such as these, which are trained and armed by the Royal Thai Army, have in the past been accused of gross human rights violations by rights groups.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Friday August 29, 2008, Bangkok, Thailand

Anti government protest in Bangkok

Protesters with the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) scuffle with police who entered the grounds of the Government House amid rising tension. Thousands of protesters, defying a court order to end their siege, are camped out near the Government House, waving Thai flags and yellow banners representing the monarchy. Protesters have barricaded themselves inside the government complex, saying they will remain until the coalition government lead by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej steps down, accusing Samak of being a figurehead for ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Anti-Government protesters take to the streets in Bangkok to demand the government resign.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Thursday May 22, 2008, Wufu, Sichuan Province, China

Thousands killed In Sichuan Province earthquake

Grief-stricken parents hold portraits of their children who died when their school building collapsed during the massive earthquake which struck Sichuan province in China. The parents, many of whom dug through the rubble with their bare hands, say corruption is to blame for the death of their children as the school building was substandard. Tens of thousands of people remained buried in collapsed buildings from the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck May 12, and the death toll of over 51,000 was expected to climb as relief operations spread into the mountains of Sichuan province with well over 130,000 military troops and relief workers mobilized.

Grief-stricken parents cry out while holding portraits of their lost children amid the rubble and debris.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Tuesday May 20, 2008, Mianyang, Sichuan Province, China

Chinese cope with quake disaster

Refugees line up for food at the Mianyang sport complex. Hundreds of people have taken refuge at the Mianyang sports complex after a massive earthquake in Sichuan province, China. Tens of thousands of people remained buried in collapsed buildings from the 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck May 12, and the death toll of over 35,000 was expected to climb as relief operations spread into the mountains of Sichuan province with well over 130,000 military troops and relief workers mobilised. Caring for tens of thousands of people made homeless across the disaster zone has stretched the government's resources thin. State media reported that 10 million people have been directly affected by the quake.

Refugees line up for food after quake

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Friday May 16, 2008, Beichuan, Sichuan Province, China

Search continues for China earthquake victims

A rescue worker takes a break in front of a devastated building in Beichuan city, Sichuan Province, China. A major earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale jolted Wenchuan County of southwest China's Sichuan Province May 12, killing at least 23,000 people currently. The death toll is expected to rise as there is no definite estimate of the number of people trapped beneath mounds of concrete.

A rescue worker takes a break, sitting in front of a pile of earthquake debris and rubble.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Friday July 24, 2009, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

First National Bank stadium hosting 2010 world cup final

The First National Bank stadium, otherwise known as FNB stadium or Soccer city, is located in the outskirts of Johannesburg. It will host the opening game, as well as the 2010 world cup final. The stadium is still under construction and is scheduled for completion in late 2009.

First National Bank stadium

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Wednesday November 5, 2008, New York, New York, USA

New Yorkers celebrate Obama victory in Times Square

New Yorkers celebrate Barack Obama's victory in the US Presidential election gather in Times Square to listen to his victory speech. Obama won the American Presidential election, defeating Republican John McCain, to become the 44th U.S. president.

Times Square jumbotron shows Barack Obama's victory

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Saturday May 26, 2007, Narathiwat, Thailand

Islamic insurgency in southern Thailand spurs ethnic tensions

More than 2200 people have been killed in an on going Islamic Insurgency in Thailand's restive Muslim majority south. The three southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani, and Yala have been wracked by violent attacks since 2004.

Charred timbers are all that remain of an elementary school building after it was burnt to the ground by suspected Islamic extremists in Rueso district in Thailand's restive south.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Saturday September 9, 2006, Narathiwat, Thailand

South Thailand has been wrecked by a violent Islamic insurgency

Thailand's deep South has been wrecked in recent years by a violent Islamic insurgency which had seen almost 2000 deaths. Shootings, bombings, and even be-headings have been an almost daily occurrence and with no end in sight the death toll is sure to rise on all sides, Muslim and Buddhist, Military and Civilian.

A bird calling contest, a local obsession among South Thailand's Muslim population. A winning bird is judged on the melody and the volume of their singing as well as their appearance.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Sunday November 30, 2008, Bangkok, Thailand

Anti-governmant protesters seize Bangkok International Airport

Royal Thai Police in full riot gear stand off with Anti-Governmant protesters from the PAD (Peoples Alliance for Democracy) near the main terminal building of Bangkok's International Airport. Anti-government protesters stormed the departure terminal at Suvarnabhumi airport on November 27. Thousands of passengers are stranded after Suvarnabhumi Airport had been ordered closed because of anti-government protesters. The closure is preventing all in-bound and out-bound flights.

Royal Thai Police in full riot gear

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Friday June 26, 2009, Johannesburg, South Africa

Poverty and crime overwhelm Johannesburg townships

The downtown area of Johannesburg had become one of the most dangerous areas in South Africa with violent crime, rapes, and drug related abuse at an almost hourly occurrence. However, the government has recently embarked on a massive regeneration campaign to try to encourage the return of big business to the downtown area. The townships of the city also have their problems as well. Unemployment, alcoholism, drug abuse, violent crime and HIV/AIDS overwhelm the areas. Soweto the oldest and most established township in Johannesburg is famous for uprisings in the 1980's with Alexandra following as another old township home to many musicians and artists in the 1950's. Diepsloot is the fastest growing township in Johannesburg. All suffer from poverty and crime.

Members of the Z Christian Church kneel and stand as they pray for redemption with the Johannesburg skyline in the background

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Monday February 18, 2008, Loh Khi Lar, Tak Province, Burma

Funeral of assassinated Karen rebel leader

The funeral of Padu Mahn Sha La Phan the Secretary General of the Karen National Union (KNU). He was assassinated by two unidentified gunmen at his home in the Thai town of Mae Sot on the Thai/Burma border on February 14th. The Karen National Union (KNU), is considered the strongest threat to the military junta controlling Myanmar, formerly Burma.

Member of Padu Mahn Sha La Phan's rebel army in camouflage smoking with AK-47

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Thursday March 8, 2007, Chiang Mai, Thailand

U.S. based company Terramai specializes in the reclaiming of used wood

Erika Carpenter sources reclaimed wood from all over the world, in this case she is sourcing Teak in Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand. Erika works for U.S. based company Terramai who specialise in the reclaiming of used wood from all over the world.

Erika Carpenter

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Friday May 7, 2004, Tanjung Sepat, Selangor, Malaysia

The dying art of Chinese Opera in Malaysia

Contemporary Chinese Opera has its history dating back over 900 years. It's a heady mix of acrobatics, martial arts, dance, and poetic arias and a single opera can sometimes last as long as five or six hours. It first arrived in Malaysia in the mid 16th century, brought there by early Chinese traders. However, in Malaysia today traditional performances are few and far between, they are mainly reserved for New Year celebrations, local festivals and marriages, and sometimes at funerals and ancestral ceremonies. They are mainly performed by traveling troupes, whose numbers are dwindling these days. A good time to catch a live performance is during the Hungry Ghost festival held during the month of August to atone for the sins of the dead.

A female actor playing the part of a male character. This tradition goes back to when mixed sex opera performances were forbidden by law.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Thursday January 25, 2007, Narathiwat, Narathiwat, Thailand

Ethnic tension continues in southern Thailand

Ethnic tension between the Thai majority and the Muslim, mostly Malay, minority continues to claim lives in southern Thailand. The conflict, waged only a few hundred miles from Thailand's beach resorts, is now in its sixth year and has killed nearly 4,000 people and with no end, or solution in sight the death toll is set to continue.

School girls in traditional Islamic head scarves study at a private school outside the town of Narathiwat.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Friday September 22, 2006, Bangkok, Thailand

Troops loyal to army chief staged coup d'etat in Thailand capitol

Troops loyal to army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin staged a coup d'etat in Thailand's capitol to oust caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was in New York and due to address the United Nations General Assembly. The coup makers called themselves the Democratic Reform Council, led by Gen Sonthi. In an announcement flashed across national television, they said they comprised the commanders of the three armed forces and the national police chief.

A student from the Royal School of engineering dons a Hitler mask in mockery of former Thai PM Thaksin.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Friday September 22, 2006, Bangkok, Thailand

Troops loyal to army chief staged coup d'etat in Thailand capitol

Troops loyal to army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin staged a coup d'etat in Thailand's capitol to oust caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was in New York and due to address the United Nations General Assembly. The coup makers called themselves the Democratic Reform Council, led by Gen Sonthi. In an announcement flashed across national television, they said they comprised the commanders of the three armed forces and the national police chief.

Nuns pray in front of the Rama V statue for a peaceful resolution to the political situation in Thailand.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Wednesday May 14, 2008, Dujiangyan, Sichuan Province, China

Devastating China earthquake claims thousands of lives

Huang Pan, 13, and his sister Huang Pan, 14, sift through the rubble of their home in a bid to try and salvage what they can after it was destroyed in a devastating earthquake. A major earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale jolted Wenchuan County on May 12, killing at least 12,012 people currently. The death toll is expected to rise as there is no definite estimate of the number of people trapped beneath mounds of rubble.

DU JIANG CHUN VILLAGE, CHINA - MAY 14: May 14, 2008 Huang Pan age 13 (L) and his sister Huang Pan age 14

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Saturday September 9, 2006, Narathiwat, Thailand

South Thailand has been wrecked by a violent Islamic insurgency

Thailand's deep South has been wrecked in recent years by a violent Islamic insurgency which had seen almost 2000 deaths. Shootings, bombings, and even be-headings have been an almost daily occurrence and with no end in sight the death toll is sure to rise on all sides, Muslim and Buddhist, Military and Civilian.

A Dragon Boat racing team practices on the Bang Nara river in preparation for the annual Khong Dee Muang festival held every year in the Southern Thai town of Narathiwat.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Friday June 9, 2006, Bangkok, Thailand

Thailand prepares for 60th anniversary celebrations in honor of King Bhumibol Adulyadej

Thailand is swamped in a sea of yellow as it celebrates the 60th anniversary of King Bhumibol Adulyadejs' accession to the throne in the capitol, Bangkok. He is the world's longest serving monarch and from June 9th - 13th the city will be host to elaborate celebrations. Thais all over the country show their love of the King by wearing yellow, the King's birth color.

Student nurses hold candles in ceremony.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Tuesday January 4, 2005, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka

Displaced Sri Lankans in wake of tsunami disaster

A 7 year old displaced child sick from fever at the Ceylon Pentecostal Mission outside the city of Batticaloa on the east coast of Sri Lanka. The coastal areas of the Island were devastated by a Tsunami which struck on December 26, 2004.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Tuesday August 26, 2008, Pattani, Pattani Province, Thailand

Ethnic tension continues in southern Thailand

Ethnic tension between the Thai majority and the Muslim, mostly Malay, minority continues to claim lives in southern Thailand. The conflict, waged only a few hundred miles from Thailand's beach resorts, is now in its sixth year and has killed nearly 4,000 people and with no end, or solution in sight the death toll is set to continue.

16 year old Muktar Mat Ming from Bana village near Pattani was shot through the head when he was 14 by Thai soldiers in an apparent case of mistaken identity. He spent 4 months in hospital, 22 days of which were in a coma, and lost the sight in both eyes.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Thursday May 15, 2008, Beichuan, Sichuan Province, China

Thousands Killed In Sichuan Province Earthquake.

BEICHUAN, CHINA - MAY 15: May 15, 2008 Soldiers from the PLA, The Peoples Liberation Army, evacuate a survivor after has was pulled from the rubble three days after a major earthquake stuck in Sichuan Province, China. A major earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale jolted Wenchuan County of southwest China's Sichuan Province May 12, killing at least 20,000 people currently. The death toll is expected to rise as there is no definite estimate of the number of people trapped under mounds of concrete.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Johannesburg, South Africa

Poverty and crime overwhelm Johannesburg townships

The downtown area of Johannesburg had become one of the most dangerous areas in South Africa with violent crime, rapes, and drug related abuse at an almost hourly occurrence. However, the government has recently embarked on a massive regeneration campaign to try to encourage the return of big business to the downtown area. The townships of the city also have their problems as well. Unemployment, alcoholism, drug abuse, violent crime and HIV/AIDS overwhelm the areas. Soweto the oldest and most established township in Johannesburg is famous for uprisings in the 1980's with Alexandra following as another old township home to many musicians and artists in the 1950's. Diepsloot is the fastest growing township in Johannesburg. All suffer from poverty and crime.

A woman, standing next to a market stall in Diepsloot township, carries her baby on her back

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Thursday May 15, 2008, Beichuan, Sichuan Province, China

Thousands Killed In Sichuan Province Earthquake.

BEICHUAN, CHINA - MAY 15: May 15, 2008 Soldiers from the PLA, The Peoples Liberation Army, look at the remains if the city of Beichuan in Sichuan Province, China. A major earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale jolted Wenchuan County of southwest China's Sichuan Province May 12, killing at least 20,000 people currently. The death toll is expected to rise as there is no definite estimate of the number of people trapped under mounds of concrete.

Credit: Richard Humphries / Polaris

Richard Humphries