Iran says its missiles downed a Ukranian plane. The admission came hours after Ali Abedzadeh, head of Iran’s national aviation department, denied that any missile hit the Ukrainian plane.
Author: Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY
France blocks export of rare, $26 million painting discovered in elderly woman’s kitchen
Minister of Culture Franck Riester said France will have 30 months to raise the funds to purchase “Christ Mocked,” which sold for $26.6 million.
Barge carrying 600 gallons of diesel sinks off Galápagos Islands, prompting emergency
Emergency crews put up containment barriers and absorbent cloths off San Cristóbal Island after the Orca barge, carrying 600 gallons of diesel, sank.
Colorado teen suffers brain damage after breast augmentation surgery goes wrong, lawsuit says
Emmalyn Nguyen, 18, has remained in a “minimally conscious” state since breast augmentation surgery Aug. 1, the lawsuit says.
Mom at domestic violence shelter found son’s letter to Santa. He asked for a ‘good dad’
In an image that has gone viral, SafeHaven of Tarrant County, Texas, shared a letter to Santa by a 7-year-old who has been at the shelter for weeks.
World’s oldest fossil forest, 385 million years old, uncovered in New York, study says
At a fossil site in Cairo, New York, researchers found the extensive root system which shows evidence of leaves and wood during the Devonian Period.
The original red Solo Cup? This disposable cup was likely used once for wine 3,500 years ago
The clay cup, crafted 3,500 years ago on Crete by the Minoans, is part of an exhibit at London’s British Museum examining waste throughout history.
11 people injured after shoplifting van crashes into a Ross, landing in the clothing aisle
The King County Sheriff’s Office said of the 11 injured, three people were in critical condition Tuesday. The driver and passenger were also arrested.
‘No signs of life’ on White Island amid rescue efforts after New Zealand volcano eruption
A volcanic eruption on White Island killed at least five people Monday. More are missing as search and rescue crew cannot yet return to the island.
Flesh-eating bacteria tied to black tar heroin use kills 7 in San Diego, health officials say
Between Oct. 2 and Nov. 24, nine people who had injected black tar heroin were admitted to San Diego County hospitals with severe myonecrosis.