CULTURE AND SPORT

Culture

Sport

Afghan clowns raise laughs in war-torn Kabul

Two Afghan policemen stand paralysed by fear in front of a plastic cup. But this is not some farcical scene from the battle against the Taliban -- it is a sketch from a new clown show in Kabul.

Macau gaming revenue hits record in 2010

Macau's gaming revenue hit a record 23.5 billion US dollars in 2010, according to official figures released Monday, cementing the city as the world's biggest gaming hub.

Mister Vietnam 2010 crowned, will represent nation in Mister International

Le Khoi Nguyen is now Mister Vietnam 2010 and will attend Mister International 2011 in the Philippines.

S.Korea president holds out hope of N.Korea talks

South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak reached out to North Korea, saying Seoul was open to talks and offering closer economic ties despite high tensions on the peninsula.

iPhone alarm glitch leaves users fuming

The bells weren't ringing for many iPhone users this New Year's weekend, when thanks to a glitch the alarms on Apple's iconic mobile phones failed to go off.

Top badminton player to compete at BWF Super Series 2010

Top Vietnamese badminton player Nguyen Tien Minh will compete at the BWF Super Series, the most reputable championship, with seven other world’s top players.

Magnitude-7.1 quake shakes southern Chile

A magnitude-7.1 earthquake shook southern Chile on Sunday, prompting tens of thousands to flee the coast for higher ground.

New smoking laws takes force in Spain

Smokers took a last legal puff in tapas bars and restaurants across Spain on Sunday as one of Europe's strictest anti-tobacco laws came into force.

'Biblical' floods threaten thousands of Australian homes

Flood waters swept through vast areas of northeastern Australia in a disaster one official said was of "biblical proportions".

Brazil bids goodbye to Lula, hello to female president

Brazil's hugely popular President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is to step down in a lavish ceremony ushering in his successor and protegee, Dilma Rousseff.

Millions gather worldwide to ring in new year

Dazzling fireworks lit up Australia's Sydney Harbor and Vietnam held a rare countdown to the new year as the world ushered in 2011.

China's top leaders try to ease price concerns

China's central bank chief vowed on Friday to keep prices stable in 2011.

Mister Vietnam 2010 contest this weekend

Mister Vietnam 2010 contest will announce their winner at the Vung Tau Sporting Hall on January 1, 2011.

China orders land hoarding freeze as prices rise

China has ordered local officials to fine property developers as Beijing cracks down on hoarding that has been blamed for driving up real estate prices.