Hong Kong - Hong Kong has been named many things: Asia's world city, former British colony, the place where East meets West, and Special Administrative Region of China. 

Now it can lay claim to a new title - Asia's Halloween capital. 

For the first time, Hong Kong is being promoted as the place to celebrate Halloween in Asia. 

In the months leading up to Halloween night, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has ploughed much effort into luring in short-haul tourists form Asia with the promise of Hong Kong-style Halloween tricks and treats. 

Lusaka - Zambians went to the polls Thursday to elect a successor to deceased president Levy Mwanawasa in a tense contest between a government veteran promising stability and a charismatic populist. 

Although there are four candidates vying to replace Mwanawasa, who died in August after suffering a stroke, however, ruling Movement for Multi-Party Democracy (MMD) candidate, acting president Rupiah Banda, and opposition Patriotic Front leader Michael Sata are deemed to be the only serious contenders. 

Bangkok - A bomb, thrown early Thursday among anti-government protestors gathered at Makkahawan Bridge in Bangkok, injured at least nine people, one of them seriously, radio reports said.

The bomb was thrown at members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who have been staging anti-government protests at Makkahawan Bridge since May, this year.

PAD core leader Chamlong Srimuang blamed the attack on the government.

He said that the attack would not stop the PAD from marching on the British Embassy in Bangkok Thursday to demand the extradition of former premier Thaksin Shinwatara.

The PAD is a loose coalition of conservative groups fanatically opposed to a return to power by Thaksin and his political allies.

Sydney - As study after study has shown, more money, either for countries or for individuals, doesn't make for more happiness. 

What does affect our sense of wellbeing, according to researchers in Australia, is disparity in income. 

"Income doesn't seem to be affecting people's happiness, but comparative income does," said Satya Paul, an economist at the University of Western Sydney. "We compare ourselves to our peer group - sex, education, age - and if someone does better then our happiness declines." 

Professor Paul tracked the income of over 8,500 Australians in the four years to 2005 and found no correlation between the rise in incomes and a rise in happiness. 

Munich - The ski pistes this year again will be lit up by colour. Skiers and snowboarders wearing the latest fashion will be sporting bright colours and their outfits will include elements borrowed from street clothing. 

In addition to striking, ski suits in uniform solid colours, patterns in plaid, comic strip design and photographs that dot the snow scene colourfully are set to hit stores this season. The designers seem to be looking back; for some, they are reminiscent of the 1980s.