Asian shares gain on improving sentiment, G20 eyed

TOKYO (Reuters) - Asian shares rose on improving risk sentiment while the yen steadied ahead of the weekend meeting of G20 finance and central bank officials, whose views on global growth and differences over currencies will be scrutinized by investors. "Asian markets have extended gains with risk sentiment remaining resilient as markets continue to push to new highs. Ahead of the European...

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Pistorius involved in shooting at home, woman dead

PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — Olympic athlete Oscar Pistorius was taken into custody and was expected to appear in court Thursday after a 30-year-old woman who was believed to be his girlfriend was shot dead at his home in South Africa's capital, Pretoria.Police Lt. Col. Katlego Mogale told The Associated Press that officers received a call in the early hours of the morning that there had been a shooting...

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The Not-So-Sunny Side of This Hot Energy Source

Solar power, for good reason, has a lot of fans. “It’s hip, it’s cool, it’s trendy…and it’s green,” according to the Australian solar company Energy Matters. And it’s certainly true that producing solar power is far cleaner than fossil fuels which are one of the main causes of pollution and global warming.But like every good hero, the solar industry has its kryptonite. In this case, it’s the hazardous...

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Obama and Rubio: How did they do?

(CNN) -- CNN asked for views on President Obama's State of the Union address Tuesday night, which was dominated by domestic issues such as the economy and need to reinvigorate the middle class, gun control, minimum wage, early education and immigration. Afterward, Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida delivered the Republican response. Sutter: A night that offered no hope for the joblessJohn D. Sutter is a...

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Anxiety grows as Chicago Public Schools narrows closing list

After trimming the number of schools that could be closed to 129, Mayor Rahm Emanuel's school administration on Wednesday entered...

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South Korea unveils missile it says can hit North's leaders

SEOUL (Reuters) - South Korea unveiled a cruise missile on Thursday that it said can hit the office of North Korea's leaders, trying to address concerns that it is technologically behind its unpredictable rival which this week conducted its third nuclear test. South Korean officials declined to say the exact range of the missile but said it could hit targets anywhere in North Korea. ...

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Dollar, euro ease against yen on G7 policy doubts

LONDON (Reuters) - The yen rose against the dollar and the euro on Wednesday as investors reconsidered a G7 statement on exchange rates aimed at soothing concerns of a currency war but instead provoked a fresh bout of volatility. The G7 reaffirmed its commitment to market-determined exchange rates and said that fiscal and monetary policies must not be directed at devaluing currencies...

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No. 8 Michigan State routs No. 4 Michigan 75-52

EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan State has muddled through much of its season, finding ways to win games short on style with gritty substance.The eighth-ranked Spartans, though, showed their potential in an impressive 75-52 win over No. 4 Michigan on Tuesday night in the rivalry's first matchup of top 10 teams."The sky is the limit," guard Keith Appling said.If Michigan State can play anything...

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Emu heist baffles Australian wildlife park

SYDNEY (Reuters) – The theft of a fully-grown emu from an Australian wildlife park this week has left only a pile of feathers at the scene of the crime, and questions about the motive for snatching an ungainly bird with practically no cash value.Operating under cover of darkness, robbers are believed to have lifted the flightless bird – second only to the ostrich in size and known for its speed, powerful...

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Obama's chance to lead?

STORY HIGHLIGHTSJohn Avlon: President Barack Obama is well-positioned to help solve debt problemHe says Obama should avoid temptation favored by some Democrats to put off actionRelatively modest changes in entitlements could help ensure their survival, Avlon saysAvlon: Obama can rally his party behind deficit cuts that won't hurt economyEditor's note: John Avlon is a CNN contributor and senior political...

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