U.S. 'Disturbed' By Case Of Missing Hong Kong Booksellers

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States said on Friday it was disturbed by reports that five Hong Kong booksellers critical of China's leaders had disappeared. Lee Bo, 65, a shareholder of Causeway Bay Books and a British passport holder, went missing from Hong Kong last week, though his wife has said he voluntarily traveled to China and has withdrawn a missing person report. Four other associates of the publisher that specializes in selling...

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'Star Wars' Passes 'Avatar' For North America Box Office Record

"Star Wars: The Force Awakens" soared past "Avatar" on Wednesday to become the top-grossing movie of all time in North America, the Disney studio announced. Disney said the seventh film in the "Star Wars" saga had grossed $758.2 million through Tuesday, when it took in $8 million, and surpassed on Wednesday the $760.5 million earned by James Cameron's Oscar-winning futuristic sci-fi epic "Avatar." "This afternoon, with early box office results...

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Vote Opens On New Zealand Flag Referendum

New Zealanders began voting Friday to select a potential new flag as the South Pacific country considers dropping Britain's Union Jack from its national banner. Voters are being asked to choose between five flag options in a postal referendum that will continue until December 11. The winning design will then go head-to-head with the existing flag in a second referendum to be held in March next year. Prime Minister John Key has made the flag...

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University Student Pleads Guilty To Making Android SPY APP

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- A Carnegie Mellon University student who hoped to sell enough malicious software to infect 450,000 Google Android smartphones pleaded guilty Tuesday to a federal law meant to prevent hacking of phones and computers. But how many phones were actually infected by Morgan Culbertson's malicious creation remained a mystery after his court appearance before a federal judge in Pittsburgh. Infected phones could be remotely controlled...

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Bolt Stalks Gatlin In 200m As Battle Resumes In Beijing

Beijing (AFP) - Usain Bolt and fierce rival Justin Gatlin eased into the 200 metres semi-finals as middle distance greats David Rudisha and Genzebe Dibaba blazed to gold at the world championships on Tuesday. Bolt, the biggest name in athletics, returned to the Beijing track two days after pipping Gatlin to retain his world 100m title, and won his 200m heat in an easy 20.28 seconds. Gatlin topped his heat in 20.19. Sweat dripping from his beard...

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'Too Old' Gyllenhaal, 37, Sparks Hollywood Sexism Debate

AFP News - Oscar-nominated US actress Maggie Gyllenhaal was told she was too old at 37 to play the lover of a 55-year-old man, she said in comments published Thursday which went viral online. "There are things that are really disappointing about being an actress in Hollywood that surprise me all the time," she said in an interview with TheWrap Magazine. "I'm 37 and I was told recently I was too old to play the lover of a man who was 55. It was...

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Paypal's New Chief Promises New Service For A Mobile World

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- As PayPal prepares to split from its corporate parent, its new chief executive is promising to expand the popular online payment system, adding a variety of services for consumers to use when shopping on their phones or in traditional stores. PayPal will be spinning off from parent company eBay later this year at a time when it's facing new competitive challenges. Alibaba, Amazon and even Facebook are promoting online payment...

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Preakness Winner Espinoza Gets 3RD Try At Triple Crown

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Victor Espinoza couldn't wait to get off American Pharoah. His boots were water-logged, his goggles were painted with mud and a chill ran through the jockey's body as thunder roared overhead. So, forgive Espinoza for acting like a man in a hurry to get the job done after the gate burst open Saturday to launch the 140th running of the Preakness. "I was freezing," Espinoza said. "I just wanted to get it over with." The Mexican...

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