Macau's firecracker free-for-all sparks joy for New Year celebrants
Excited crowds pose with lengthy red chains of firecrackers hoisted on towering tripods along Macau's waterfront, revelling in the final hours of the Lunar New Year holiday before igniting the fuses.
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Bangkok says work from home as pollution blankets city
Bangkok city employees have been told to work from home to avoid harmful air pollution, as a layer of noxious haze blanketed the Thai capital on Thursday.
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Asian markets mostly up, tracking Wall Street gains
Most Asian markets rose Thursday, tracking a rebound in Europe and New York and following positive remarks from a senior Federal Reserve official that inflation was headed in the right direction.
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South Africa extend lead past 200 as Bedingham eyes maiden century
South Africa's David Bedingham was approaching a maiden Test century as the Proteas extended their lead over New Zealand to 217 at tea on day three of the second Test.
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Before dawn at the Vatican Museums, the key keeper unlocks history
It's still dark outside when Gianni Crea pushes open the imposing entrance door to the Vatican Museums, a heavy ring of keys in his hand.
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Japan's humble 'onigiri' rice balls get image upgrade
Wrapped in seaweed and stuffed with delicious fillings, "onigiri" rice balls are shaking off their reputation as a cheap and uninspiring snack in Japan -- and enticing hungry converts abroad.
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Germany overtakes Japan as third-biggest economy
Once forecast to become the world's biggest economy, Japan slipped below Germany last year to fourth place, official data showed Thursday, although India is projected to leapfrog both later this decade.
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Cillian Murphy opens Berlin film fest with Irish scandal
Oscar nominee Cillian Murphy will open Berlin's international film festival Thursday with the world premiere of a drama about Ireland's notorious laundries used as prison camps for "fallen" young women.
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Groundwater upsurge floods homes in Libyan coastal town
Much of Libya is bone-dry desert but one Mediterranean coastal town is suffering the opposite problem -- its houses and fields have been inundated by a mysterious upsurge of groundwater.
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French LAFC star Lloris 'always thought about coming to MLS'
French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris said Wednesday that he had always thought of playing in Major League Soccer as he was introduced by his new club, Los Angeles FC.
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