In cities across Europe, officials are wrestling with a choice as energy prices have gone up because of Russia's war in Ukraine: Dim Christmas lighting to send a message of energy conservation or let the lights blaze in a message of defiance after two years of pandemic-suppressed Christmas seasons.

Italian fashion house Gucci has launched a $1.5 million US university scholarship program that is aimed at students who are "traditionally underrepresented" in the fashion industry. Students in Toronto are eligible.

While two U.S. opera houses immediately canceled performances by famed tenor Placido Domingo following sexual harassment allegations, European opera houses are taking stances ranging from supportive to wait-and-see.