Photo of the Day (05/18/08)

by Jeremy Kressmann on

We seem to have quite a few Asian photo of the day submissions recently, so I’m going to keep the theme going. Today’s image comes to us from user LadyExpat, who took this playful shot at the Bongeunsa Temple in Seoul, Korea. The combination of the fish eye lens and the vibrant colors from the lanterns is definitely eye-catching. The fact you can also see the reflections of the lanterns in the mirrored doors only adds to the effect.

Got a great photo you would like to have featured as our Photo of the Day? Submit it to the Gadling Photo Pool on Flickr for consideration.

Photo of the Day (5-14-08)

by Jamie Rhein on

This shot taken in Seoul, South Korea by Traveling Dutch, captures what one doesn’t see every day while traveling in Asia. I never have. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a person holding a “Free Hugs” sign ever. I am wondering about the face mask. Has this person decided to not worry about germs? Is this an act of defiance? No matter. Here’s sending you a hug on this wonderful Wednesday.

If you have a photo with which you’d like to befuddle or bemuse us, send it our way at Gadling’s Flicker photo pool.

South Korea’s customs first to use cloned sniffer dogs

by Iva Skoch on

All the smugglers out there should be very, very scared. South Korea has managed to clone their best sniffer dog and got seven cloned puppies.

The puppies have been created using cells taken from a labrador sniffer dog considered by customs officials to be “their best,” BBC reports. The puppies were born last year after the country’s customs service paid a biotechnology company to reproduce a Canadian Labrador Retriever.

All puppies are apparently already showing the same high level of skill as the original dog. Only about 30% of naturally-born sniffer dogs make the grade, but South Korean scientists believe that could rise to 90% using the cloning method. The puppies were born to three surrogate mothers after scientists used the nuclei of somatic cells from a sniffer dog called Chase. Puppies should report for duty in June after completing a second round of training.

Glad to know that all the brain power that has gone into cloning will be used to make the life of customs officials easier (she said facetiously).

Photo of the Day (4/09/08)

by Jamie Rhein on

Besides the crocus and daffodils, the first flowers to burst forth in my neighborhood are the dogwood trees. They aren’t as fragrant as the magnolias in South Korea pictured here, but yesterday I could feel the sluggishness from the grey of winter disappear when I took in their beauty and promise. Sounds corny, but it’s true. My daughter who was riding with me burst out with “I love spring!,” and she is not prone to exclamations.

Thanks Lady Expat for such a glorious shot. For an up close view go to the Flickr page and scroll down. there you can really see the silky texture of the petals. Post your own beauties at Gadling’s group on Flickr.

North Korea, South Korea and a closely watched train

by Iva Skoch on

Well, it hasn’t taken a long time before the “most closely watched train” in the world may need to cut back its service.

Last month, North and South Korea started a symbolic rail service connecting the heavily fortified joint North-South industrial complex in Kaesong, just north of the border. Although the train served only to ship goods, it seemed like a start of some sort of communication. After all, it was the first train connecting the two countries since the Korean War in 1950-53.

Now, North Korea has proposed cutting the service down, citing a lack of cargo to transport. South Korea says buses are, in fact, more convenient. And that is, probably, the end of the closely watched train fairytale.