A hundred or so years ago, writers could be pretty certain that most of their readers wouldnt know the first thing about the place being described. Had many of the first readers of King Ottakars Sceptre any familiarity with Albania or Romania, the fictional Syldavias likely neighbours? It was published in 1938, just as Czechoslovakia was being described by the British prime minister as a "faraway place of which we know nothing".

Protests initially were sparked by a 10-cent hike in bus and subway fares this month. But demonstrations have spread throughout Brazil and added grievances over poor government services, high taxes and corruption.

"Et bien, tout ?a m'a l'air pas mal"

Malam itu tepat pukul 12 tengah malam dan hanya berbaju kurung kain cotton rona biru dan bertudung bawal rona yang sama aku dinikahkan dengan Encik Adam Yusuf. Tiada apa yang indah. Tiada pelamin, tiada barang hantaran yang cantik-cantik, tiada busana pengantin yang anggun tersarung di badanku. Adakah hanya begini saja pernikahan yang selayaknya untuk aku. Gadis yang sudah ditebuk tupai ini.

"nothing la. Its part of my job" baklas dr hariz.