Italy fines Apple $115m over App Store privacy practices
Italy’s competition authority has imposed a $115 million (€98.6 million) fine on Apple, accusing the tech giant of exploiting its dominant positio...
First Lady of the United States Melania Trump has unveiled the 2025 White House Christmas decorations under the theme “Home Is Where The Heart Is”. Around 1,500 volunteers helped Mrs. Trump deck the halls of the Presidential Residence with kilometres of ribbon and thousands of ornaments.
The White House is accessorised by 75 of Mrs. Trump’s signature wreaths with red bows, more than 50 Christmas trees, around 213 metres of garland, approximately 7.6 kilometres of ribbon, and 10,000 butterflies according to the statement.
Introducing the theme, the First Lady reflected that “the constant movement has taught me that home is not merely a physical space.”
“Rather, it is the warmth and comfort I carry within, regardless of my surroundings,” she added.
The First Lady says she urges the nation to “celebrate the love we hold within ourselves and share it with the world around us” this Christmas.
“After all, wherever we are, we can create a home filled with grace, radiance, and endless possibilities,” she concluded.
In a White House press release, it says the decorations adorning the Executive Mansion also emphasise transformation, tradition, and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States with patriotic red, white and blue displays in the East Room.
At the centre of this year’s design is “Fostering the Future Red Room”, dedicated to the themes of belonging, resilience, and national character according to the White House.
The state parlour is illuminated with blue butterflies which the White House says symbolises “transformation and renewal,” reflecting the First Lady’s ongoing advocacy for the foster-care community, a cause she has supported since 2021.
The Blue Room’s official Christmas tree— an about 5.5-metre (18-foot) white fir—honours Gold Star Families, the immediate families of U.S. service members who lost their lives in the line of duty.
The ornaments on the tree represent every U.S. state and territory.
Two presidential portraits reside in the Green Room — one of George Washington, Founding Father and the first president of the United States, and one of the current President, Donald Trump. Both portraits are made up of 6,000 Lego pieces.
This year’s gingerbread house—made from more than 54 kilogrammes (120 pounds) of gingerbread—depicts the South Portico and a view of the Yellow Oval Room.
Renowned designer Hervé Pierre oversaw the décor and produced a limited-edition tour booklet capturing the holiday theme.
It is the second time Melania Trump has taken charge of the White House holiday decorations. She last did so in 2016, during President Trump’s first presidential term.
The death toll from Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades has risen to 161, after forensic analysis confirmed one more victim among the charred remains at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po, more than three weeks after the blaze began, authorities said on Saturday.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet President Donald Trump on 29 December in Florida, where he is expected to present a package of military options regarding Iran, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported on Saturday.
The United States has proposed a potential new format for peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, which could include American and European representatives, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Saturday, December 20.
A major power outage swept across San Francisco on Saturday, leaving up to 130,000 customers without electricity, disrupting traffic and forcing some businesses to close temporarily, officials said.
The United States and Venezuela have been jamming GPS signals in parts of the Caribbean, raising safety concerns for civilian air and maritime traffic, as tensions between the two countries escalate, according to The New York Times.
Director James Cameron has shared the key reasons behind the global success of Avatar: Fire and Ash, the third installment in one of the highest-grossing film franchises of all time. In an interview with China Media Group in Hainan Province, Cameron spoke about the universal appeal of the film.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk has become the world’s richest individual, with a net worth of US$749 billion, after the Delaware Supreme Court reinstated $139 billion in stock options that were voided last year, according to Forbes’ billionaires index.
A rare pair of bright-green Nike “Grinch” sneakers worn and signed by the late NBA legend Kobe Bryant have gone on public display in Beverly Hills, ahead of an auction that could set a new record for sports memorabilia.
The Games of the Future 2025 kicked off with an opening ceremony, merging physical sports and digital e-sports to create a unique "phygital" category.
In a ground-breaking development, artificial intelligence (AI) is taking on new forms in Japan, where it has extended to a more personal and intimate domain being romantic relationships.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment