A police official says the painting, “Les Choristes,” (or “The Chorus Singers”), was stolen overnight from the Cantini Museum in Marseille, France.

France – Edgar Degas – Les Choristes – Museums – Marseille

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Excessive drinking over New Year’s Eve could cost Britain’s National Health Service as much as 23 million pounds, according to a report on Thursday which recommends that drunks foot the bill.

New Years Eve – National Health Service – New Year – Holidays – Health

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A gunman clad in black went on a shooting rampage Thursday, killing his ex-girlfriend then slaying four workers at a suburban shopping mall near Helsinki before apparently turning his gun on himself, police said.

Finland – Espoo – Government – Shopping mall – Embassies and Consulates

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Three people have died in avalanches in the Scottish Highlands and three more in a car crash as Britain ends 2009 with icy weather.

Weather – Great Britain – Traffic collision – Kids and Teens – School Time

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Van Morrison told an Irish radio station that his official Web site was hacked and that a statement posted on the site reporting that he had fathered a child with his manager was “utterly without foundation.”

Van Morrison – Radio – Irish people – United States – New York

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Norway’s public health system fought back with an aggressive program that made it the most infection-free country in the world. A key part of that program was cutting back severely on the use of antibiotics.

Public health – Norway – Health – Public Health and Safety – Antibiotic

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Perennial champion jockey Tony McCoy ended 2009 on a high by signing off the year with a near 742-1 treble at Warwick courtesy of wins from Leo’s Lucky Star, Afistfullofpebbles and Prince Geeno.

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Newport Gwent Dragons 9 Scarlets 14

Wales star Stephen Jones gave national coach Warren Gatland an injury worry just four weeks before they play England at Twickenham as the Scarlets claimed a vital Magners League win at Rodney Parade.

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Golfer Tiger Woods lost another sponsor today when US phone company AT&T joined Accenture and Gillette in dropping him after numerous allegations of infidelities.

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