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White House tours resume in time for Christmas
WASHINGTON (AP) — US president Donald Trump’s decision to build a big ballroom where the East Wing once stood has significantly altered the visitor experience at the White House. Tourists enter through a different door now, and the tour is shorter because there are fewer historic rooms to see. But some people who took the self-guided tour on Wednesday were just happy to glimpse the White House all decked out in its Christmas glory by first lady Melania Trump. Tours resumed Tuesday after being su
Dec. 4, 2025 -
Print of Blake 'Tyger' poem blazes path to auction record
London (AFP) -- A print of English poet William Blake's most famous poem "The Tyger" sold at auction for 228,600 pounds ($304,519) Wednesday, British auction house Christie's said. The "exceptionally rare" print comes from the first issue of Blake's "Songs Of Experience," dating from around 1794. The fee far exceeded its pre-sale estimate of 80,000-120,000 pounds and set a new record at auction for a Blake print, Christie's said. It was snapped up by an anonymous buyer after more than two minute
Dec. 4, 2025 -
Doctor in Matthew Perry overdose case gets 2-1/2years in prison
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -- A California doctor was sentenced to 2-1/2 years in prison Wednesday for illegally supplying "Friends" sitcom star Matthew Perry with ketamine, the powerful sedative that caused the actor's drug overdose death in 2023. Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 44, who operated an urgent-care clinic outside Los Angeles, pleaded guilty in federal court in July to four felony counts of illegal distribution of the prescription anesthetic. He surrendered his medical license in September. He co
Dec. 4, 2025 -
![[Graphic News] Seoul ranks 5th among world’s richest cities](gif/news-p.v1.20251203.575d176c061549dab1a68d8825a763c8_t13496.gif)
[Graphic News] Seoul ranks 5th among world’s richest cities
Seoul has ranked fifth among the world’s richest cities for 2025, according to CEOWorld magazine, with Tokyo topping the list at a gross domestic product of $2.55 trillion, narrowly ahead of the New York metropolitan area at $2.49 trillion, based on a survey of 300 major metropolitans worldwide. Tokyo’s strength comes from decades of technological innovation, automotive engineering and precision manufacturing. The city combines innovation with infrastructure, making its transportation, networks
Dec. 4, 2025 -
Trump says any country trafficking drugs into US could be attacked
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said any country trafficking illegal drugs into the US could be attacked. "Anybody that's doing that and selling it into our country is subject to attack," Trump told reporters during a cabinet meeting at the White House, after raising the issue of cocaine from Colombia. Colombian President Gustavo Petro shot back at Trump in a post on X, arguing the South American nation destroys a drug-producing laboratory every 40 minutes -- "withou
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Peru presidential hopeful bloodied but safe
LIMA, Peru (AFP) -- Peruvian presidential hopeful Rafael Belaunde escaped bloodied but not seriously hurt Tuesday from an attack by gunmen on his car south of the capital Lima, police said. Gunmen on a motorbike fired several shots at the SUV the 50-year-old politician was driving. Bullets shattered the front window, leaving Belaunde with blood stains on his face and shirt from cuts caused by broken glass, according to TV images. In a statement on X, police said Belaunde was not badly injured in
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Pope Leo XIV shares his thoughts on the conclave, reflects on spirituality and future travels
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) -- Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday shared for the first time what he was thinking when the votes started going his way during the conclave that elected him, saying he resigned himself to the inevitable and put the rest in God's hands. "I took a deep breath. I said 'Here we go Lord. You're in charge and you lead the way,'" Leo told reporters during a wide-ranging airborne press conference coming home from his inaugural trip to Turkey and Lebanon. Leo fielded questions for a ha
Dec. 3, 2025 -
US to expand travel ban after shooting
The Trump administration is expected to expand its travel ban to include around 30 countries, a bid to more aggressively curtail migration to the US following the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington. A list of the countries being added to the ban is expected to come soon, according to a Department of Homeland Security official. The administration already has in place a full block on travelers from 12 countries, with partial restrictions on seven others. Meanwhile, the US Citizen
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Israeli forensics experts examine remains handed over in Gaza
Israel on Tuesday said it had received remains handed over by Palestinian militants in Gaza to the Red Cross. They were believed to be one of the two hostages still in the territory: an Israeli and a Thai national. Israel’s government said the “findings” were taken for forensics testing. Palestinian media said they were discovered in Gaza’s northern town of Beit Lahiya. The remains of 26 hostages taken in the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack that triggered the war have already been returned since
Dec. 3, 2025 -
HK leader: Fire probe 'must uncover truth'
Hong Kong will set up an independent committee headed by a judge to determine the cause of a deadly high-rise fire that shocked the city and to recommend changes to prevent a future tragedy, its leader said Tuesday. John Lee, the chief executive of the southern Chinese territory, pledged to overcome vested interests and bring about systemic change in the construction industry. Police said Tuesday afternoon that more bodies had been found, raising the death toll to at least 156 with about 30 peop
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Trump will block SNAP funds from states that don't share data
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s administration warned Tuesday that it will withhold money for administering SNAP food aid in most Democratic-controlled states starting next week unless those states provide information about people receiving the assistance. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said at a Cabinet meeting Tuesday that the action is looming because those states are refusing to provide data the department requested such as the names and immigration status of aid recipients.
Dec. 3, 2025