The reaction in Asia was likely to be muted given that markets in Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea were closed for holidays.

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We easily got there, but found it was on the campus of Bloomsburg University, which appeared closed for the holidays.

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Frantic efforts by local authorities and the Bulgarian embassy have seen pickers put up in schools closed for the holidays and then sent home on rented buses.

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Markets in Hong Kong, Taipei and Shanghai, among others, remained closed for the Lunar New Year holidays.

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Chinese markets will be closed all next week for the Lunar New Year holidays, while Hong Kong will be dark Monday through Wednesday.

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On Tuesday, Mr. Bloomberg, city officials have said they aren't interested in privatizing the entire system, as has been done in cities including Chicago, a move that can actually cost a municipalities if they are required to compensate a contractor for revenue lost when streets are closed during snowstorms or holidays.

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