Monday, February 29, 2016

In Vietnam, an unlikely haven for gays - and a lucrative market

HANOI (Reuters) - If it had been in business a decade ago, Nguyen Anh Thuan's restaurant would have been a target for late-night police raids to arrest lawbreakers and stamp out "social evils".

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Young Pakistani female boxers knock down social barriers

Young female boxers practice their jabs, hooks and upper cuts during a training session at the Pak Shaheen Boxing club in the Lyari ward of the city with the hope of becoming national and...

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Oscar winners celebrate at Vanity Fair party

Hollywood big names celebrated this year's Academy Awards at Vanity Fair's annual party in Beverly Hills on Sunday.Best actor Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio arrived at the event clinching his...

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Armani's black velvet, Missoni's knits wrap Milan fashion

MILAN (Reuters) - Giorgio Armani wrapped Milan Fashion Week on Monday with a fall collection for his main line dedicated to luxurious black velvet.

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Gaza audiences enjoy first night out at the movies in 20 years

GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are enjoying their first night out at the movies since political tensions led to the torching of cinemas in the enclave 20 years ago.

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Oscar winners celebrate at star-studded after party

The winners at Sunday's Oscars ceremony took their little gold men out to play at the Governors Ball.

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Yosemite landmarks set to lose famous names in 'ugly divorce'

On Tuesday, more than 125 years after the Scottish-American naturalist's advocacy helped inspire the creation of Yosemite National Park, some of its most hallowed sites are set to be stripped of...

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In Pakistan, young female boxers punch through gender barriers

KARACHI, Pakistan (Reuters) - In a dense and dusty neighborhood in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi, eight young girls lined up against a cement wall, touching their hands to their faces in...

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Chris Rock transforms Oscars into biting racial commentary

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Comedian Chris Rock launched his return stint as Oscar host on Sunday by immediately and unabashedly confronting the racially charged elephant in the room - the furor over the...

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Sunday, February 28, 2016

Fashion watchers dish on best, worst on Oscars red carpet

(Reuters) - Fashion watchers gave Reuters their top fashion hits – and faux pas – on the Oscar red carpet, as stars took a twirl down the world's most watched runway on Sunday.

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Plunging necklines and camera-ready pouts on Oscar red carpet

(Reuters) - The world's most-watched stretch of red carpet seized the spotlight in Hollywood on Sunday as stars in luxurious gowns, glittering sequins and daring necklines strutted and twirled on...

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At Milan Fashion Week, Cinderella goes to Dolce & Gabbana

MILAN (Reuters) - It will be a fairytale wardrobe for Dolce & Gabbana fans next winter, with the Italian fashion brand presenting enchanting fantasy creations for its latest womenswear line at Milan...

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Saturday, February 27, 2016

Blumarine, Ermanno Scervino unveil furs, craftsmanship in Milan

MILAN (Reuters) - Fur took center stage at Milan Fashion Week on Saturday with Italian brands Blumarine and Ermanno Scervino presenting plenty of it in their luxurious womenswear creations for next...

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Dognapping on the rise in petloving Brazil

SAO PAULO (Reuters) - While Brazil's economy is in the doghouse, one underground business is bucking the trend -- dognapping.

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Versace eyes glam urban look for next winter

MILAN (Reuters) - Italian designer house Versace pictured a bold and energetic urban look for women next fall, presenting strong tailored pieces and plenty of luxurious coats for fashionistas'...

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Monarch butterflies rebounding but population still well off highs

AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - North America's monarch butterflies are on a rebound and the number of the plucky orange and black creatures, which gather in Mexico before flying north to Canada, could...

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Friday, February 26, 2016

Pope answers kids' tough questions in first book for children

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis, who has penned weighty encyclicals and decrees, has taken a stab at the simpler side of his job with a book for children to answer such questions as "What did...

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Thailand's infamous tiger temple fights to keep big cats

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's controversial Tiger Temple, dogged for years by talk that it supplies the black market and mistreats its animals, is fighting to keep the big cats after wildlife...

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Thursday, February 25, 2016

Prada offers 'see now, buy now' bags straight off the Milan catwalk

MILAN (Reuters) - Italy's Prada blended military, nautical and 1940s looks for women next fall at Milan Fashion Week and joined in on the "see now, buy now" retail model by offering two new styles of...

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Graffiti artist turns gritty Jerusalem market into colorful canvas

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - A smell of spray paint drowns out the odor of fresh fish and meat as night falls on bustling Mahane Yehuda, a food market that is one of Jerusalem's most popular shopping...

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Flying Scotsman steam train puffs again, thrilling enthusiasts

YORK, England (Reuters) - Legendary British steam train The Flying Scotsman returned to the tracks on Thursday after a 10-year, 4.2-million-pound ($5.9-million) refit, billowing smoke over train...

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Snake-hunting secretary bird has killer kick

Scientists in the UK have found that a bird of prey native to sub-Saharan Africa can deliver precise and powerful kicks with a force five times its own body weight; enough to kill venomous snakes in...

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Milan fashion week opens with eclectic, embellished looks

MILAN (Reuters) - Six days of catwalk shows began in Milan on Wednesday with Italian luxury brands Gucci, Fay and Roberto Cavalli among the first to show the creations their designers hope will fill...

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Mansion sales and discount dining: oil rout hits Houston's rich

HOUSTON (Reuters) - Prices for mansions in Houston's swankiest neighborhood have tumbled in lock step with crude prices. The Houston Opera has offered free season tickets to patrons who lost their...

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Wednesday, February 24, 2016

Jackpot! Remote South Korea casino cleans up as China gamblers fold

JEONGSEON, South Korea(Reuters) - Asia's best performing casino won't be found on Macau's Cotai Strip, Singapore's waterfront or even the shores of Manila Bay, but tucked away at the end of a winding...

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Bird brain? Dodos were not so dumb after all

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The dodo is an extinct flightless bird whose name has become synonymous with stupidity. But it turns out that the dodo was no bird brain, but instead a reasonably brainy bird.

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Liv Tyler among honorees at Elle Style Awards

LONDON - Hollywood actress Liv Tyler was among the winners at the Elle Style Awards in London on Tuesday night, picking up the TV Actress of the Year award.

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Classical Indian dance helps trafficking victims to heal, study shows

MUMBAI (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Classical Indian dance could be an effective form of therapy for victims of human trafficking and sexual violence, helping them to overcome their traumatic...

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University of Oklahoma transfers title of painting looted by Nazis

OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) - A fight over an impressionist painting at the University of Oklahoma that was looted by the Nazis during World War Two came to an end when the university announced a...

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Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Cuban tourism boom seen slowing, but finding a room still hard

HAVANA (Reuters) - Cuba's tourism boom continues at a record pace but is expected to cool off during 2016 with the government forecasting nearly 6 percent growth this year after a 17 percent increase...

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Israeli woman cares for injured, orphaned bats in her home

TEL AVIV - Injured or orphaned bats hang from the ceiling or cling to stuffed animals in a small Israeli apartment that has been converted into a rescue shelter for the flying mammals.

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London's new rail line to be named after Queen Elizabeth

LONDON (Reuters) - London's new railway link, the largest infrastructure project in Europe which will connect east and west London, is to be named after Queen Elizabeth, the British capital's mayor...

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Airbnb offers rooms with a view in Israeli settlements

DOLEV, West Bank (Reuters) - Overlooking picturesque villages, the rental property listed on Airbnb is nestled in what seems like a peaceful setting of birdsong and sunshine.

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Ahead of Oscars, fashion brands flock to Hollywood spotlight

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Celebrities might be flocking to the front rows of this week's London Fashion Week shows, but some designers are swapping the runway for Hollywood's awards season red carpets...

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Burberry sparks 'see now, buy now' debate at London Fashion Week

LONDON (Reuters) - British designer Burberry sparked a debate at this year's London Fashion Week by skipping the usual six-month gap between putting its designs on the catwalk and into shops,...

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Once more, Vienna ranked world's nicest city and Baghdad worst

VIENNA (Reuters) - Vienna, Austria's grand capital on the Danube river, offers the highest quality of life of all cities in the world, while the Iraqi capital Baghdad, once more took its place at the...

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Swiss tourism reports fewest European overnights since 1958

ZURICH (Reuters) - Overnight stays in Switzerland fell 0.8 percent in 2015 as European demand plummeted to its lowest since 1958 amid a strong Swiss franc, data released on Tuesday showed.

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Ice-water chess tournament tests players' stamina, endurance

YEKATERINBURG, Russia (Reuters) - Russian swimmers braved the icy water and freezing temperatures of Lake Shartash in the Ural mountains to hold a chess tournament.

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Monday, February 22, 2016

Thousands celebrate Buddhist pageant in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (Reuters) - Elephants in decorated costumes ambled through the  streets of Sri Lanka on Sunday accompanied by dancers and musicians during the annual Buddhist pageant in the capital.

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Napa Valley winemaker Peter Mondavi dead at 101

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Peter Mondavi Sr., a pioneer of wine in California's famed Napa Valley who ran his family's Charles Krug Winery, has died, the winery said. He was 101.

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UK cathedral moves statue to avoid texting mishaps

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A British cathedral sought to reassure visitors on Monday that they could still view a massive sculpture following a Facebook post by the statue's creator saying the church had...

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Family-friendly Labrador retriever still America's top dog

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Labrador retriever retained the title of America's most popular dog breed for the 25th consecutive year, even as the upstart French bulldog stole the limelight in New York...

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London designers call upon Shakespeare, nature for inspiration

LONDON (Reuters) - London's fashion designers on Sunday drew inspiration ranging from nature to William Shakespeare, presenting oversized coats and embellished dresses while reassessing how to sell...

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Sunday, February 21, 2016

Thousands marry in mass ceremony in South Korea

GAPYEONG, South Korea (Reuters) - About 3,000 couples from 62 countries tied the knot in South Korea on Saturday, in a mass wedding ceremony conducted by the Unification Church founded by the late...

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Saturday, February 20, 2016

[20160220] Existing point radio sources merged

Friday, February 19, 2016

Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren drive Fashion Week social chatter

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Michael Kors Holdings Ltd and Ralph Lauren Corp were among the top-mentioned brands by social media users during New York Fashion Week, the result of a push by fashion houses to...

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Owner of 'Big Lebowski’ house hopes to inspire with LA museum gift

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The owner of a luxury house featured most notably in the 1998 film comedy "The Big Lebowski," is donating it to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art with the hope that people...

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Lady Gaga struts down catwalk for Marc Jacobs show

NEW YORK - - Singer Lady Gaga swapped the stage for the catwalk on Thursday as she walked down the runway for Marc Jacobs' fashion show.

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London kicks off fashion shows amid catwalk shake-up

LONDON (Reuters) - London picked up the fashion baton from New York on Friday with five days of catwalk shows and presentations amid an industry shake-up as designers strive to sell their creations...

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Treats for official Oscar after party unveiled

LOS ANGELES - The team behind the annual Governors Ball have offered a first glimpse at what food treats Hollywood stars will be eating at this year's official Oscars after party.

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Bangkok’s Chinatown: a night at the opera

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Battles, a search for love and justice, all set in China. Hired by local Chinese shrines, opera companies in Bangkok’s Chinatown perform mythical stories in Mandarin to round off...

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Painting by numbers? China art trading house promises investors sound platform

HONG KONG (Reuters) - As China's economy wheezes to a 25-year low, investors who once collected stocks and property are turning to what they are willing to believe will become a new safe haven market...

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Calvin Klein stresses tailoring for fall 2016

NEW YORK - Calvin Klein added to its spring 2016 "The morning after" narrative with a fall collection entitled "The night before the morning after" as New York Fashion Week: The Shows wrapped up on...

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Owner of 'Big Lebowski’ house hopes to inspire with LA museum gift

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The owner of a luxury house featured most notably in the 1998 film comedy "The Big Lebowski," is donating it to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art with the hope that people...

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Aston Martin made for Bond 'Spectre' film sells for $3.5 million

LONDON (Reuters) - An Aston Martin DB10 car designed for the latest James Bond film "Spectre" has sold for some $3.5 million at auction, far exceeding its reserve price.

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Thursday, February 18, 2016

Tech entrepreneur sparks outrage online with blog on homelessness

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A technology entrepreneur is facing the wrath of Twitter after writing a blog post seen by many as insensitive and even hostile toward San Francisco's homeless...

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Philippines sees opportunity in wealthy neighbors' golden years

MANILA (Reuters) - Japanese housewife Noriko Iwamoto is clear on the reasons that led her to retire in the tropical Philippines, leaving behind a stagnant economy, deflation and a rigid Japanese...

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Australian tumbleweed buries homes

"Hairy panic", a fast-growing tumbleweed, took over a street in the Australian rural town of Wangaratta on Wednesday, engulfing homes and gardens.

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In a rare move, Japan's Panasonic gives corporate blessing to same-sex marriages

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's electronics maker Panasonic Corp said on Thursday it plans to change its company rules to recognize same-sex marriages, joining a growing trend toward acceptance in a...

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Australia's surfing dogs chase waves, not cats

Syndey (Reuters) - An Australian dog trainer and former surfing champion is using the discipline of surfing as a way of teaching owners to build healthy relationships with man's best friend.

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Rich Chinese splurge on sportswear as luxury's lustre dims

HONG KONG (Reuters) - GPS sport watches, compression leggings and hydration packs are the new must-haves for wealthy Chinese, pumping up the multi-billion dollar sportswear industry at a time when...

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Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Academy sues over $200,000 so-called Oscar gift bags

(Reuters) - A "Vampire Breast Lift." A laser skin-tightening procedure. A 10-day first-class trip to Israel.

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Academy sues over $200,000 so-called Oscar gift bags

(Reuters) - A "Vampire Breast Lift." A laser skin-tightening procedure. A 10-day first-class trip to Israel.

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Russian Orthodox Patriarch to say mass in Antarctic

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill has flown to the Antarctic to say mass at a scientific research station, a trip aides said was intended to show his church has global reach,...

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German shorthaired pointer named CJ wins Westminster dog show

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A German shorthaired pointer named CJ won "Best in Show" at the 140th Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New York on Tuesday, besting more than 2,700 contestants over the...

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UK royal Kate uses guest editor role to tackle mental illness stigma

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate would seek help for their children George and Charlotte if they had mental health problems one day, Kate wrote in a blog published on...

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Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Zac Posen attracts celebrity crowd to New York Fashion Week show

NEW YORK - Actresses Katie Holmes, Jennifer Hudson and Debi Mazar had front row seats as designer Zac Posen presented his Fall/Winter 2016 collection at New York Fashion Week: The Shows.

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New York City to get streetcar line after more than 50 years

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City has plans to build its first streetcar line in more than 50 years, and it will run along the Brooklyn and Queens waterfront where public transportation is not...

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Cast of Rodin's 'The Kiss' sells for $2.5 million at Paris auction

PARIS (Reuters) - A bronze cast of French 19th century sculptor Auguste Rodin's famous "The Kiss" was bought by a U.S. collector for 2.2 million euros ($2.5 million) at a Paris auction on...

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Wild elephant in China damages cars during stroll on tourist road

Local police in China tried to evacuate people and checked on damage after a wild elephant in the country's southwestern Yunnan province dented cars during a stroll on a tourist road.

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Czech musician performs long-lost Mozart score for first time

PRAGUE (Reuters) - A long-lost composition by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri was performed for the first time on Tuesday after a musicologist discovered the piece in the reserve...

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Czech musician performs long-lost Mozart score for first time

PRAGUE (Reuters) - A long-lost composition by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri was performed for the first time on Tuesday after a musicologist discovered the piece in the reserve...

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Italy launches task force to protect heritage from war and disaster

ROME (Reuters) - Italy launched a United Nations-backed task force on Tuesday with a mission to protect monuments and cultural sites threatened by conflict and natural disaster around the...

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Overseas tourists visiting Portugal hit record in 2015

LISBON (Reuters) - A record number of foreign tourists stayed in Portuguese hotels last year, with the number surpassing 10 million visitors for the first time and boosting hotel revenues to nearly...

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Top dogs vie for the prize at New York show final

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Four top dogs - a springy German Shepherd, a sleepy borzoi hound, a bulldog and a shih tzu - have advanced to the last round at the Westminster Kennel Club show, and will vie for...

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Monday, February 15, 2016

Thailand's January tourist arrivals up 15 percent over last year

BANGKOK (Reuters) - International tourist arrivals in Thailand rose 15 percent in January from a year earlier, government data showed, as the industry continued to expand in a sluggish domestic...

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U.S. philanthropist donates $18.5 million to restore Lincoln Memorial

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Philanthropist David Rubenstein has donated $18.5 million to restore the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, the National Park Service said on Monday, the Presidents Day holiday.

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Province in Muslim Pakistan passes landmark Hindu marriage bill

KARACHI, Pakistan(Reuters) - Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh on Monday became the country’s first region to give its small Hindu minority the right to register their marriages...

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Body Shop concocts new formula for making money while protecting the planet

BARCELONA (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Beauty brand The Body Shop is turning 40 next month and has set an ambitious goal of being "the world's most ethical and truly sustainable global...

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Thousands of purebred dogs to vie for 140th Westminster title

NEW YORK (Reuters) - From toy-sized Brussels Griffons to 200-pound Great Danes, thousands of purebred dogs are preparing to strut their stuff at this year's Westminster Kennel Club dog show in New...

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