Santa Claus’ house: Take a tour of his North Pole estate valued at $1M

Santa Claus’ house on Zillow is estimated at more than $1 million, and the online real estate marketplace is offering a tour of the North Pole property.

US will lift travel ban on southern African countries on Dec. 31

The Nov. 29 ban barred nearly all non-U.S. citizens who had recently been in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.

James Webb Space Telescope: How to watch launch of Hubble's successor

The James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble’s more powerful successor, is scheduled for liftoff on Christmas morning. Here’s how to watch.

Biden signs bill blocking Chinese goods made by forced labor

The Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act is the latest in a series of intensifying U.S. penalties against China for alleged abuses.

McDonald’s rolls out exercise bikes for dine-in customers in China

Two restaurants in China are testing out a new experience where customers can dine, exercise and charge their electronic devices all at once.

Velociraptor's ancient relative: Fossils from 125M years ago discovered in UK

Fossils of the velociraptor’s ancient relative from more than 100 million years ago were unearthed in the U.K. and detailed in a new study.

WHO chief: Blanket COVID booster drives risk prolonged pandemic

The head of the World Health Organization warned Wednesday that blanket booster programs in rich countries risk prolonging the world's battle with COVID-19 and said that “no country can boost its way out of the pandemic.”

‘Baby Yingliang’: Preserved fossilized dinosaur egg discovered in China

“Baby Yingliang” is a well-preserved fossilized dinosaur egg that has given scientists another link between prehistoric creatures and modern birds.

South Africa's COVID-19 case drop may show its omicron peak has passed

South Africa's noticeable drop in new COVID-19 cases may signal that the country's omicron-driven surge has passed its peak, medical experts say.

AP source: NHL to withdraw from Olympics after COVID surge

The NHL will withdraw from the Winter Olympics after the regular-season schedule was disrupted by coronavirus outbreaks, a person with direct knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday.

FBI: Pan Am Flight 103 bombing still under investigation 33 years later

FBI officials believe they have not captured all of the people responsible for the Pan Am bombing that killed 270 people, including 190 Americans in 1988.

NHL shutting down from Wednesday through Saturday due to COVID: AP source

A person with direct knowledge of discussions said the NHL is beginning a league-wide shutdown Wednesday amid an increase of positive COVID-19 test results among players across the league.

Swedish company showcases microchip that can download COVID-19 passport status

A microchip technology introduced in recent years by the Stockholm-based startup, Epicenter, is being presented as a means to store one's COVID-19 vaccine passport under the skin, according to a video from the South China Post that went viral Friday.

Israel to ban travel to US, Canada due to omicron variant concerns

Israel will ban travel to the United States, Canada and eight other countries amid the rapid, global spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

New snake species discovered thanks to Instagram post

Oligodon churahensis is the newest snake species after a university student unknowingly posted a picture of it on Instagram in June 2020.

Missionaries freed from captivity in Haiti last week made daring overnight escape to elude kidnappers

Captive missionaries in Haiti found freedom last week by making a daring overnight escape, eluding their kidnappers and walking for miles over difficult, moonlit terrain with an infant and other children in tow, according to the agency they work for, officials said Monday.

NHL halts cross-border games through Dec. 23; mulls Olympic participation

The NHL is postponing 12 games between U.S.-based teams and Canadian squads through Dec. 23. And officials are mulling participation in the Beijing Olympics.

Christmas light displays from around the world

While it seems to be an age-old tradition, electric Christmas lights didn’t really catch on until the early twentieth century. Here’s a look at displays nowadays from around the world.