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Crystal Faberge egg crafted for Russian royalty shatters record and sells for $30.2 million
LONDON (AP) -- A rare crystal and diamond Faberge egg crafted for Russia's ruling family before it was toppled by revolution shattered records Tuesday as it sold at auction for 22.9 million pounds ($30.2 million). The "Winter Egg," which was compared to the iconic Mona Lisa, was just one of seven of the opulent ovoids remaining in private hands, Christie's London auction house said. The 10-centimeter tall egg is made from finely carved rock crystal, covered in a delicate snowflake motif wrought
Dec. 3, 2025 -
Doctor says Trump had MRI with normal results
Donald Trump' s doctor says the president had MRI imaging on his heart and abdomen in October as part of a preventative screening for men his age, according to a memo from the physician released by the White House on Monday. Sean Barbabella said in a statement that Trump’s physical exam included “advanced imaging” that is “standard for an executive physical” in Trump’s age group. Barbabella concluded that the cardiovascular and abdominal imaging was “perfectly normal.” “The purpose of this imagi
Dec. 2, 2025 -
White House defends US attack on boat
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -- The White House on Monday defended a US admiral's decision to conduct multiple strikes on an alleged Venezuelan drug-smuggling vessel in September, saying he had Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's authorization, even as critics questioned the legality of a strike on survivors. The Washington Post had reported that a second strike was ordered to kill two survivors from the initial strike and to comply with an order by Hegseth that everyone be killed. US President Donald Trum
Dec. 2, 2025 -
Zelenskyy: US plan looks better with revisions
PARIS (AP) — Ukraine’s president spoke optimistically Monday about the progress of revising the Trump administration’s peace plan, saying “it looks better” and the work will continue during talks on how to end Russia’s nearly four-year war. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke after meeting with France’s president, the latest in discussions aimed at brokering the terms for a potential ceasefire in the largest armed conflict in Europe since World War II. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Pesk
Dec. 2, 2025 -
Congo, Rwanda to sign deal Thursday
US President Donald Trump will bring together the leaders of Rwanda and Congo in Washington Thursday to sign a peace agreement, months after an earlier US-brokered deal failed to stop violence. "President Trump will host the presidents of the Republic of Rwanda and (Congo) to sign the historic peace and economic agreement that he brokered," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Monday. Trump had met in June at the White House with the two countries' foreign ministers as the
Dec. 2, 2025 -
Trump warns Israel not to interfere in Syria
WASHINGTON (AFP) -- US President Donald Trump told Israel Monday to avoid destabilizing Syria and its new leadership, days after a deadly operation by Israeli forces killed 13 people. Trump spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and invited him for another White House visit, Netanyahu's office said shortly after Trump issued the warning. "It is very important that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria's evol
Dec. 2, 2025 -
Popularity of Japan's Princess Aiko sparks calls for change
TOKYO (AP) — Japan's beloved Princess Aiko is often cheered like a pop star. During a visit to Nagasaki with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, the sound of her name being screamed by well-wishers along the roads overwhelmed the cheers for her parents. As she turned 24 on Monday, her supporters are demanding change to Japan's male-only succession law, which prohibits Aiko, the emperor's only child, from becoming monarch. Along with frustration that the discussion on succession rules has stalle
Dec. 2, 2025 -
Melania reveals White House holiday decorations and her theme, 'Home Is Where the Heart Is'
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Melania Trump on Monday unveiled the holiday decorations for her family's first Christmas back at the White House and her theme is "Home Is Where the Heart Is." The decor also nods to next year's 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and founding of the United States of America. Several dozen volunteer decorators from across the country helped deck the halls of the Executive Mansion with 75 wreaths, 51 Christmas trees, more than 213 meters
Dec. 2, 2025 -
Shoppers scoured for deals online on Cyber Monday
NEW YORK (AP) — Shoppers scoured for deals online on Cyber Monday, delivering strong sales for retailers and capping a five-day spending spree that kicked off on Thanksgiving. Adobe Analytics reported that as of 6:30 p.m. EST Monday, US consumers had already spent $9.1 billion online for Cyber Monday, up 4.5 percent from the same day a year ago. Adobe expects that when the final tally is in, consumers will spend between $13.9 billion and $14.2 billion for the day, making Cyber Monday the biggest
Dec. 2, 2025 -
Airbus hit by new A320 quality problem after software recall
PARIS (Reuters) -- Airbus confirmed Monday it faced an industrial quality issue with metal panels on some A320-family jets, in its latest challenge after a recall to fix a computer glitch. Reuters exclusively reported earlier that Airbus had found quality problems affecting the fuselage panels of several dozen A320-family aircraft, delaying some deliveries. There were no indications that any had reached aircraft in service, but shares in the world's largest plane-maker fell as much as 11 percent
Dec. 2, 2025 -
US announces zero tariff pharmaceutical deal with Britain
The United States and Britain announced a deal Monday to secure zero tariffs on British pharmaceutical products and medical technology in return for Britain spending more on medicines and overhauling how it values drugs. Under the agreement, Britain will raise the net price it pays for new US medicines by 25 percent. In return, UK-made medicines, drug ingredients and medical technology will be exempt from Section 232 sectoral tariffs and any future Section 301 country tariffs. "The United States
Dec. 2, 2025 -
S. Korea to provide $500,000 in humanitarian aid for central Vietnam flood victims
The South Korean government will provide $500,000 in humanitarian aid to Vietnam to help those affected by severe typhoons and floods in the country's central region, officials said Monday. Since mid-November, heavy rainfall in central Vietnam has triggered widespread floods and landslides, leaving at least 90 people dead so far. The Seoul government plans to swiftly provide assistance to affected areas and residents in need, in consultation with the Vietnamese authorities, the South Korean Emba
Dec. 1, 2025 -
Hong Kong arrests suspects as fire toll hits 151
HONG KONG (AFP) -- Authorities said Monday they have made a total 13 arrests over Hong Kong's deadliest fire in decades after the blaze killed 151 people last week, a toll that could further rise. The arrests were made on suspicion of manslaughter as investigators work to piece together what led to the catastrophic fire taking hold so fast in a complex of high-rise apartments. Officials have been looking at factors including the styrofoam panels and bamboo scaffolding use in a renovation project
Dec. 1, 2025 -
Trump confirms call with Maduro
CARACAS, Venezuela (AFP) -- US President Donald Trump confirmed Sunday he had recently spoken with Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro amid soaring tensions between the two countries, while Caracas slammed what it called US preparations for an attack. The US is piling the pressure on Venezuela, with a major military buildup in the Caribbean, the designation of an alleged drug cartel run by Maduro as a terrorist group, and an ominous warning from Trump that Venezuelan airspace is "closed." Washingto
Dec. 1, 2025 -
Arms makers see record revenues as tensions fuel demand: report
STOCKHOLM (AFP) -- Sales by the world's top 100 arms makers reached a record $679 billion last year, as the wars in Ukraine and Gaza boosted demand, researchers said Monday, but production issues hampered deliveries. The figure was 5.9 percent higher than the year before, and, over the 2015-2024 period, revenues for the top 100 arms makers have risen 26 percent according to a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. "Last year, global arms revenues reached the highest leve
Dec. 1, 2025