2+ min ago (675+ words) The entire production process is described as a "closely guarded trade secret" In southern Poland, a company known as GlitterLab is transforming festive fantasies into tangible Christmas decorations, earning them the moniker "the magicians of glass." Their bespoke baubles adorn the trees of discerning clients, including luxury giants like Swarovski, the French department store Galeries Lafayette, and London"s iconic Harrods. GlitterLab prides itself on its unique craftsmanship, promising on its website "the ability to create shapes and designs that glass will not normally take." The entire production process, described as a "closely guarded trade secret," is meticulously manual, ensuring each ornament is one-of-a-kind. Company owner Barbara Mostowska underscores the enduring appeal of their handcrafted items. Despite its modest appearance, GlitterLab"s workshop has been operating for more than 80 years in Cz'stochowa, a town of 200,000 in southern Poland. It was…...

14+ min ago (125+ words) Winter Olympics organisers "optimistic" ice hockey venue will be ready in time for Games - Construction of the Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan is significantly behind schedule. - Organisers have confirmed there is no back-up venue if the 16,000-seat arena is not completed on time. - A planned test event was moved, with new tests now scheduled for 9-11 January, just a month before the Games commence. - Andrea Francisi, chief games operations officer for Milan-Cortina, stated there is "no plan B" but is "optimistic" the venue will be ready. - The first Olympic hockey game is scheduled for 5 February, one day before the opening ceremony, despite new venues typically being tested at least a year in advance....

36+ min ago (143+ words) Pope Leo says Turkey has "important role" to play in Gaza and Ukraine conflicts - Pope Leo XIV unequivocally endorsed a two-state solution as the "only solution" for justice in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict during his inaugural airborne news conference. - The pontiff made these remarks while travelling from Istanbul to Beirut, confirming discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan regarding conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. - He highlighted Turkey's "important role" in both conflicts and expressed hope for continued dialogue to achieve a ceasefire. - The Holy See reiterated its long-standing support for a two-state solution, acknowledging Israel's current non-acceptance but emphasising its mediating role between both sides. - The Pope's primary reason for visiting the region was to commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, and he proposed a significant joint Christian event in Jerusalem in 2033 for unity....

40+ min ago (419+ words) Eternity" star says twin sisters were forced" to watch her perform Elizabeth Olsen has reflected on growing up with with her older sisters Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen in the spotlight. The actor, 36, said that she grew up going to television and movie sets as her twin siblings, now 39, became household names. Mary-Kate and Ashley played Michelle Tanner on the iconic sitcom Full House from 1987 to 1995, and went on to co-star in multiple movies before creating their luxury fashion brand The Row. "I was the youngest of four, and we were all born within five years," Elizabeth said in a recent interview with The Times about the siblings" upbringing in Los Angeles, adding that it was "pretty chaotic." "So now I think the idea of a calm bath and bedtime story routine is so tender and sweet because we didn"t…...

41+ min ago (198+ words) Top Trump administration officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff are meeting Ukrainian negotiators in Florida this weekend. The meeting comes after the resignation of Ukraine's top negotiator and chief of staff, Andrii Yermak, due to an anti-graft probe. FRANCE 24's Gulliver Cragg brings you the latest. Ukraine and US meet for crunch peace talks - Officials from the United States, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner, are engaged in peace negotiations with a Ukrainian delegation. - The discussions aim to refine a 28-point peace plan proposed by Trump, with Ukraine's lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, emphasising safeguarding Ukrainian interests and securing long-term security guarantees. - Speaking from Hallandale Beach, Florida, Mr Rubio expressed optimism for "more progress" from the talks, which he stated are about creating a pathway for a sovereign, independent, and prosperous…...

43+ min ago (337+ words) Flaco's Tacos food truck owner, Rafael Calvillo, who claims he was unaware of the name's trademark, is seeking new name suggestions until December 5 Sitting in a food truck court in Modesto, California, Flaco's Tacos now faces a cease-and-desist from a Chicago restaurant with three locations of the same name, which has held the trademark since 2009. Rafael Calvillo, owner of Flaco's Tacos food truck, which opened in 2022, received a cease-and-desist order just over two months ago. He has until the new year to choose a new name or risk a trademark infringement lawsuit. Changing the name will cost Calvillo around $6,000 as he needs to update his trucks, ordering apps, social media, and Google listings, and he expects business may slow until customers adjust to the new name, he told the Merced Sun-Star. Following his lawyer's advice, Calvillo is not contesting the…...

46+ min ago (355+ words) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio anticipated "more progress" from talks with Ukrainian officials Officials from the United States and Ukraine are currently engaged in peace negotiations aimed at resolving the war with Russia, it was confirmed on Sunday. Secretary of state Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the US president's son-in-law, are holding discussions with a Ukrainian delegation to refine the 28-point peace plan proposed by Trump. Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's lead negotiator and secretary of the National Security and Defence Council, shared on X: "We have clear directives and priorities: safeguarding Ukrainian interests, ensuring substantive dialogue, and advancing on the basis of the progress achieved in Geneva." Mr Umerov added that their objective is to "secure real peace for Ukraine and reliable, long-term security guarantees." The Ukrainian delegation includes Andrii Hnatov, the head of Ukraine's armed forces;…...

49+ min ago (433+ words) NBA-focused series premiered in 2024 Netflix is reportedly scrapping a popular original docuseries. Starting 5, which debuted in 2024, gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the NBA season as it followed five star players. The first edition featured LeBron James, Jimmy Butler, Jayson Tatum, Anthony Edwards, and Domantas Sabonis. Season two, released this year, followed Tyrese Haliburton, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Jaylen Brown. But the series " produced in part by Barack and Michelle Obama's company, Higher Ground " won't be returning for a third season, according to a report from Sports Business Journal. The Independent has reached out to Netflix for comment. While viewing figures for season two have yet to be released, What's on Netflix reported that season one of the series drew 4.6 million views from July to December 2024. But that figure dropped to just 1 million views in the first…...

50+ min ago (515+ words) Mikel Arteta praised his Arsenal side at the end of an "immensely difficult" week after they drew 1-1 with 10-man Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Gunners started a Premier League match with neither William Saliba nor Gabriel in defence for the first time this season, Martin Odegaard and Viktor Gyokeres only fit enough for the bench and Leandro Trossard injured, they had to come from a goal down to take a point that put them five clear at the top of the table. The sending-off of Moises Caicedo in the first half for a studs-up tackle on the ankle of Mikel Merino seemed to leave the match there for the taking, but after Trevoh Chalobah headed Arsenal in front, there was a sense of relief that the leaders had survived with a point thanks to Merino's leveller. Despite playing against 10 men…...

54+ min ago (656+ words) U.S. and Ukrainian officials to continue talks on modified version of 28-point plan before Kushner and Witkoff meet Putin on Tuesday Two of Donald Trump's allies will meet with top Ukrainian officials in Florida on Sunday as the Trump administration pursues a peace agreement under accusations of allowing Russia to dictate the terms of the war's end. A delegation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's advisers and top officials was set to meet with lead U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Miami. The meeting will precede a trip to meet with Russian leaders, including Vladimir Putin, on Tuesday. On the agenda is the 28-point peace plan proposed by the U.S. this month, which has drawn apparent skepticism from both Ukraine and its European allies, given reports that it drew heavily from a Russian-authored plan submitted to the…...