From batik-making in Ghana to homestays in Kyrgyzstan: your top ethical trips | Ethical holidays

Crafting in Ghana Global Mamas, in the port town of Elmina, creates financial prosperity for local women through the production of handcrafted goods using traditional techniques. We joined them at a batik workshop, where Mavis Thompson showed us how to dip our chosen designs into melted wax, and stamp a length of cream cotton. After … Read more

‘They repaired the zip for free’: 12 companies that went the extra mile, according to Guardian readers | Life and style

Sometimes, things fall apart: a zip jams, a lid breaks, a seam ruptures. Unless you’re a whiz with a needle or a tube of glue – or have a brilliant repair shop nearby – it can consign the broken item to the back of the cupboard, or worse, to landfill. The Guardian’s journalism is independent. … Read more

Bad Friend by Tiffany Watt Smith review – refreshingly frank portraits of female friendship | Friendship

Falling out with a friend can feel oddly shameful. Romantic relationships are meant to have passionate highs and lows, but by the time you reach adulthood, you expect your friendships to have reached some kind of equilibrium. I have this image in my head of myself as an affectionate, devoted friend – but sometimes I examine … Read more