[Top News]

Torch relay in Russia stars

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The Beijing Olympic Torch Relay kicked off the third leg of its global journey in St.Petersburg,Russia,at 10 am local time on Saturday.The relay covers many landmark constructions in St.Petersburg,passing Victory Square,Moscow Triumphal Arch,Monument to Peter the Great,the Cruiser"Aurora"and Winter Palace.Most of the 80 torchbearers are famous athletes.

US employers cut 80000 jobs

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US employers slashed 80000 jobs in March for a third straight month,the most in five years,and the national unemployment rate climbed to 5.1%,the highest since September 2005,the US Labor Department reported Friday.It is the clearest signal that the economy might already be contracting.

Forest fire quenched

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A forest fire that broke out Friday in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region has been extinguished,local authorities said Saturday.The fire was spotted around 1 pm in the Kuizhonghe forestry farm in the Greater Higgnan Mountain.Initial investigations indicated that the fire was started by local villagers who were burning grassy areas to open up new fields.The total area affected could not be immediately confirmed.

[Celebrity]

52m paid to Clinton talks

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Bill and Hillart Clinton have earned $109m since leaving the White House seven years ago,according to their income tax returns released by the former First Lady's presidential campaign.Almost half of their income,nearly $52m,came from speech-making tours by Bill Clinton,when he can be paid up to $30000 for one appearance.

Yao back on track for Games

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The Chinese basketball star Yao Ming said in a press conference held in Beijing Friday that he is making a great recovery from injury and the chances of him missing the Beijing Olympic Games"are quite slim."The"Little Giant"arrived in Beijing Thursday to start a 10-day traditional Chinese medicine therapy hoped to hasten the healing of a bone fracture in his leftfoot.

[Gadget]

Panoramic sofa unveiled

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Panorama,a rotating sofa with space for 8 to 10 persons,is designed by Walking-Chair Design Studio,Vienna.The sofa gives a 360-degree rotation in about 9 minutes,thank to the electro-motorized system.The gorgeous rotating sofa is 270cm in diameter with a seat height of 41cm and weight of 500kg.Price at 30000 euros.

[Health]

Yoga helps slim waist

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In a joint research on 110 adults on effects of yoga,Indian researchers found yoga exercises can slim the waistine,bring down blood pressure,and reduce the level of blood sugar,while the Swedish study showed declining anxiety,stress and depression and improved optimism among yoga practioners.It is because yoga relaxes the internal nervous system and brings down stress hormone levels,researchers said.

[laughter]

Smith:Boss,we're doing some heavy house-cleaning at home tomorrow,and my wife needs my help.

Boss:We're short-handed,Smith.I can't give you the day off.

Smith:Thanks boss.I knew I could count on you!