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☆ Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce choose opposite ends of the fashion field for the Super Bowl
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-12 | by ( Leah Dolan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The 14-time Grammy winner and 3-time Super Bowl champion arrived at Allegiant Stadium on Sunday in looks that were designed to achieve different things. Taylor Swift arrived in a decidedly more muted look, finished off by lashings of sentimental jewellery – including her '87' necklace in honor of Kelce's jersey number. While this was his fourth Super Bowl game in four years, he must have felt the additional eyes — mainly of the Swifties and the style press — on him. “We were thinking, this is the first Super Bowl in Las Vegas, so why not really let it represent that entertainment feel that Vegas is known for, and let him shine a bit.” Perhaps more crucially, it’s also his first Super Bowl as the boyfriend of a global superstar. Rapper Ice Spice, Donna Kelce, NFL player Jason Kelce, singer Taylor Swift and actress Blake Lively watch the game from Allegiant Stadium.

Persons: David, Victoria Beckham, Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, Swift, Blake Lively, Lana del Rey, Miles Teller, Dion Lee, Stephanie Gottlieb, “ Taylor, Travis ”, Harry, “ Travis, ”, Mike Amiri, “, it’s, Donna Kelce, Jason Kelce, Rob Carr, won’t, Lil Nas X, Ghali, Loewe, Ezra Shaw, la, David Koma, Queen Elizabeth II’s Organizations: CNN, Bowl, TNT, British Vogue, Allegiant, Sanremo Music, Chelsea, MTV Locations: LA, British, Las Vegas, cardigan

☆ Paris 2024 Olympic medals to feature iron from the Eiffel Tower
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The medals at this year’s Olympics in Paris were not only inspired by the Eiffel Tower — they each contain an original piece of the 19th-century landmark. The design was overseen by French jeweler Chaumet, whose parent company LVMH signed a major sponsorship deal with Paris 2024 last summer. The Paralympics medal, meanwhile, is decorated with a graphical representation of the Eiffel Tower, as if viewed from below. From right: Tony Estanguet, president of the Paris 2024 Olympics organising committee on the Eiffel Tower with French cyclist Marie Patouillet, fencer Sara Balzer and athlete Arnaud Assoumani holding Olympic and Paralympic Games medals. In a statement announcing the designs, Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet said the decision represented a “coming together” of the two events.

Persons: Chaumet, LVMH, Benoit Tessier Benoit Tessier, Clémentine Massonnat, Schaller, ” Massonnat, Tony Estanguet, Marie Patouillet, Sara Balzer, Arnaud Assoumani, Benoit Tessier, ”, Massonnat, Mathieu Lehanneur’s, Louis Vuitton, Moët Hennessy Organizations: CNN, Eiffel, Paris, Nike, Paralympic Games, Chaumet’s, Paralympic, Reuters, Olympic, Olympics, Dior Locations: Paris, Athens, French

☆ New sanctions on Russian diamonds will change the global trade in gems
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Sarah Kent | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

But as of the start of January, EU and G7 countries have banned the direct purchase of non-industrial diamonds from Russia. This move will be followed by further restrictions on the import of Russian diamonds processed in third countries starting in March. Industry groups including the World Diamond Council, Antwerp World Diamond Centre, the Gem and Jewellery Export Council of India and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) have been working together to develop an effective solution. What does this mean for the diamond industry? LVMH-owned Tiffany and Richemont both said they stopped sourcing Russian stones shortly after the war in Ukraine broke out.

Persons: Russia’s, Pavel Alekseevich Marinychev, ”, Paul Zimnisky, Russia they’ll, Andrey Rudakov, Morgane Winterholer, De Beers, Tiffany, Richemont Organizations: CNN, European, Bloomberg, Getty, EU, Industry, World Diamond Council, Diamond Centre, Jewellery Export, of India, Gemological Institute of America, “, ”, GIA Locations: Ukraine, Canada, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Antwerp, Belgian, Russia, Europe, Moscow, “

☆ Watches of Switzerland shares plunge 30% after guidance cut
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Elliot Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

An employee arranges a display of Omega SA watches in the window of a Watches of Switzerland Group Plc store on Regent Street in London, UK, on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. One of Watches of Switzerland Group Plc's biggest investors cut its stake in the UK-listed timepiece retailer less than 24 hours after Rolex SA decided to buy a rival, Bucherer AG. Photographer: Jose Sarmento Matos/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesWatches of Switzerland shares plummeted 30% on Thursday at 08:46 a.m. London time, after the luxury watch retailer cut its guidance for the 2024 fiscal year. Despite the market panic, analysts at both Jefferies and Investec reiterated their "buy" ratings on Watches of Switzerland stock in flash notes on Thursday. "However, the extent of the adjustments to the guidance range will be painful to navigate in the near term."

Persons: Jose Sarmento Matos, WOSG, —, Brian Duffy, Duffy, Investec Organizations: Omega SA, Switzerland Group, Switzerland Group Plc's, Rolex SA, Bucherer AG, Bloomberg, Getty, Switzerland, U.S, Rolex, Jefferies Locations: London, U.S, Switzerland

☆ Richemont digital strategy goes back to square one
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Lisa Jucca | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The logo of the luxury goods company Richemont is pictured at its headquarters in Bellevue near Geneva, Switzerland, June 2, 2022. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Acquire Licensing RightsMILAN, Nov 29 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Johann Rupert’s digital strategy may be heading back to the drawing board. But even if Rupert can extricate himself from the Farfetch situation, Richemont’s digital plans will still be unclear. In August 2022 Richemont agreed to sell a 47.5% stake in its digital platform, Yoox Net-A-Porter, to Farfetch. Shares in Richemont were up 1.5% by 1100 GMT on Nov. 29.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Johann Rupert’s, Porter, Cartier, Rupert, Farfetch, José Neves, Richemont, Financiere Richemont, Peter Thal Larsen, Oliver Taslic Organizations: REUTERS, Reuters, The Telegraph, Financiere, Telegraph, Thomson Locations: Bellevue, Geneva, Switzerland, Swiss, U.S, YNAP, New York, Richemont

☆ Richemont monitoring situation at online luxury retailer Farfetch
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The logo of the luxury goods company Richemont is pictured at its headquarters in Bellevue near Geneva, Switzerland, June 2, 2022. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Acquire Licensing RightsZURICH, Nov 29 (Reuters) - Cartier-jewellery owner Richemont (CFR.S) on Wednesday said it was "carefully monitoring" the situation after Farfetch's FTCH.N founder said he was considering taking the online luxury retailer private. Richemont, which also owns several Swiss watch brands, said it has no financial obligation to Farfetch and does not envisage lending or investing into the company. "Richemont is carefully monitoring the situation, including reviewing its options in respect of its arrangements with Farfetch, announced on 24 August 2022, which remain subject to certain terms and outstanding conditions," the company said. Richemont's brands, which also include watchmakers IWC and Jaeger-LeCoultre, have been working on transferring their online businesses to Farfetch's technology.

Persons: Denis Balibouse, Farfetch's FTCH.N, Farfetch, Richemont, Porter, John Revill, Miranda Murray Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Cartier, watchmakers IWC, Jaeger, Thomson Locations: Bellevue, Geneva, Switzerland, U.S, YNAP, Farfetch

A woman picks a gold earring at a jewellery shop in the old quarters of Delhi, India, May 24, 2023. While India's gold demand has been solid so far in 2023, matching strength in the domestic economy, it appears that some momentum may be coming out of the market. The high price of gold for consumers in China may further crimp demand in the fourth quarter, after the World Gold Council reported a decline in third. The recent price rally is likely to trim demand growth in India in the current quarter. But countering the positive drivers are signs that high prices are undermining demand growth in the key markets of China and India.

Persons: Anushree, they're, Hong Kong, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Federal Reserve, Hong, Hong Kong Census, Statistics Department, Gold, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Delhi, India, Rights LAUNCESTON, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Hong, Central

☆ Angola's new diamond mine opens against backdrop of weak demand
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Miguel Gomes | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

An employee looks at a rough diamond at "Flanders Manufacturing", as the G7 weighs a ban on Russian diamond imports to reduce revenues for Moscow's war in Ukraine, Antwerp, Belgium, October 30, 2023. Angola's state-controlled diamond miner Catoca found the Luele diamond deposit at the project, previously known as Luaxe, in 2013 in one of the largest discoveries in the diamond industry in more than half a century. De Beers, the world's largest rough diamond producer by volume, estimates 2022 global rough diamond production at 121 million carats. Demand for rough diamonds has been weak in recent months with India - cutter and polisher of 90% of the world's rough diamond - asking the global miners to stop selling it the gemstones to manage accumulated stocks. Catoca, in which Russia's sanctions-hit Alrosa (ALRS.MM) owns 41%, currently holds a 50.5% stake in the Luele project.

Persons: Johanna Geron, Catoca, Paul Zimnisky, De Beers, Luele, Richard Chetwode, Zimnisky, Miguel Gomes, Polina Devitt, Felix Njini, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Antwerp, Belgium, Rights LUANDA, Angola, U.S, China, India

☆ Almost half of US consumers bought something via social media this year, according to a new survey. Here are the big takeaways on who's buying what and where.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Marta Biino | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Almost half of American consumers have bought something on social media this year, a new survey has found, as tech companies push for people to buy and sell products on their platforms. The Influencer Marketing FactoryBeauty products and clothes are the most popular items bought on social mediaOver 25% of the respondents who did buy products on social media said they bought apparel on social media, while 19% purchased beauty products. Over a third of those who bought on social media spent more than $100A total of 35% of those who bought something said they'd spent more than $100. Almost 10% of those who bought something on social media did so weekly. This discovery aspect is a big focus for social platforms.

Persons: Bridget Dolan, Douyin, Patrick Nommensen, TikTok, they'd, Alessandro Bogliari, execs, Instagram Organizations: influencer, Influencer, Factory, Business, YouTube, Intelligence, Facebook Locations: Los Angeles, China

☆ LVMH heir Antoine Arnault in spotlight after management shuffle
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Antoine Arnault, 46, is also in charge of image and environment at LVMH, and credited with negotiating a high-profile deal for the company to sponsor next summer's Paris Olympic Games. He will remain chairman of Berluti, which he has managed since 2012, as well as another LVMH fashion brand Loro Piana. Jean-Marc Mansvelt, CEO of historic jewellery label Chaumet, will become CEO of Berluti, while Charles Leung, CEO of jewellery label Fred, will become CEO of Chaumet. The group will seek a successor for Leung, who recently created buzz by introducing high-end jewellery featuring lab-created diamonds. Reporting by Mimosa Spencer; editing by Jason Neely and Jane MerrimanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Antoine Arnault, Du, Bernard Arnault, Berluti, Maison, Toni Belloni, Jean, Marc Mansvelt, Charles Leung, Leung, Bernard Arnault's, Delphine Arnault, Dior, Mimosa Spencer, Jason Neely, Jane Merriman Organizations: LVMH, Olympic, Thomson Locations: Paris, PARIS, LVMH

REUTERS/Thomas Peter/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSHANGHAI/PARIS, Nov 17 (Reuters) - The world's biggest luxury brands seeking growth in their second-largest market China are all courting the likes of wealthy entrepreneur Diana Wang. "Luxury brands offer you this event experience, this personal experience and it makes you feel privileged," Wang told Reuters. This week, Burberry (BRBY.L) also flagged low double-digit growth due to a slowdown in luxury spending globally, and in China. FEEDING THE LUXURY HABITEven as they narrow their focus, luxury brands remain optimistic about the potential in China, which is forecast to account for almost 40% of global luxury sales by 2030, according to consultants Bain. Luxury consultant Mario Ortelli said several luxury firms are hedging their bets on China by also expanding their global footprint.

Persons: Thomas Peter, Diana Wang, Wang, Tiffany, Chopard, Jacques Roizen, Cartier, Richemont, It's, Jean, Marc Duplaix, Versace, Donatella Versace, Gucci, Chanel, Dior, Cyrille Vigneron, LVMH, Louis Vuitton, Bain, Eric du Halgouet, Birkin, Mario Ortelli, Ortelli, it's, Mimosa Spencer, Casey Hall, Miral Organizations: Tiffany, REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Burberry, HSBC, Digital Luxury, Chanel, Shanghai, Capri Holdings, Tapestry, Bund, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, PARIS, Shanghai, Cartier, Shenzhen, South Korea, Japan, Thailand

REUTERS/Francis Mascarenhas/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBENGALURU, Nov 16 (Reuters) - India's central bank on Thursday tightened norms for personal loans and credit cards, raising the risk of slowing loan growth. Reuters GraphicsRBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said last month the central bank was closely monitoring some fast-growing personal loan categories for signs of stress. Subsequently, Reuters reported that the RBI was particularly concerned with the surge in small personal loans and was considering tighter rules for such borrowings. Unsecured personal loans increased 23% from a year ago as of Sept. 22, 2023, while outstanding amounts on credit cards jumped nearly 30%, central bank data shows. "In particular, limits shall be prescribed for all unsecured consumer credit exposures," the central bank said.

Persons: Francis Mascarenhas, Dhananjay Sinha, Shaktikanta Das, Transunion, Systematix, Sinha, Siddhi Nayak, Ira Dugal, Shinjini Ganguli, Dhanya Ann Thoppil Organizations: Bank of India, REUTERS, Rights, Reserve Bank of, NBFCs, Systematix Research, Reuters, Siddhi, Sethuraman NR, Thomson Locations: Mumbai, India, Reserve Bank of India, Bengaluru

☆ UN Human Rights Chief ‘alarmed’ by reported abuse of Afghan refugees in Pakistan
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Akanksha Sharma | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said he is “alarmed” by reports that Afghan refugees are being abused in Pakistan as the country carries out its policy of forced mass deportation. Pakistan, which is home to more than a million registered Afghan refugees, launched a mass deportation drive asking them to voluntarily leave the country by November 1. “Arbitrary arrests and detentions are contrary to Pakistan’s obligations under international law,” Türk added. As of the end of 2022, Pakistan hosted more than 1.3 million registered Afghan refugees and 427,000 people in “refugee-like situations” from Afghanistan, according to the United Nations’ refugee agency. But their presence in Pakistan has long been controversial, with police crackdowns and threats of deportation in previous years.

Persons: Volker Türk, ”, Türk, ” Türk Organizations: CNN — United Nations Human, ” CNN, UN, Pakistan police, UN Human, Taliban, United Nations ’ Locations: Pakistan, Islamabad, Afghanistan, Soviet, Kabul, United States

☆ Cartier owner Richemont sees growth easing as economic worries rise
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Richemont's constant currency sales growth eased from a 19% rate in the April to June period to a 5% rate in the following three months. The company posted a profit of 1.51 billion euros, worse than the 2.17 billion euros forecast by analysts in a consensus cited by Zuercher Kantonalbank. "Growth eased in the second quarter as inflationary pressure, slowing economic growth and geopolitical tensions began to affect customer sentiment, compounded by strong comparatives," said Chairman Johann Rupert in a statement. "Consequently, we have seen a broad-based normalisation of market growth expectations across the industry." While jewellery - traditionally more resilient to economic swings - continued to shine with constant currency sales up 9%, watch sales fell 4%.

Persons: Regis, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, LVMH, Zuercher Kantonalbank, Johann Rupert, Kepler, Jon Cox, John Revill, Mimosa, Miranda Murray, Shri Navaratnam, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Cartier, Vendome, REUTERS, Rights, IWC, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Swiss, United States, Europe, China

The entrance to JPMorgan Chase's international headquarters on Park Avenue is seen in New York October 2, 2012. It is the bank's third-biggest city in the European Union in terms of staff with 900 people, coming after Warsaw (1,200) and Dublin (more than 1,000). In the wake of Britain's exit from the European Union, JPMorgan bought a seven-storey building near its historic headquarters in the first arrondissement to house more employees. JPMorgan will commit $50 million of the $60 million investment and Bpifrance will provide 10 million euros ($10.66 million). The aim is to raise between 150 million euros to 200 million euros by the end of 2024, the U.S. lender said.

Persons: Shannon Stapleton, Bpifrance, Cartier, Louis Vuitton, JP Morgan, Jamie Dimon, Mathieu Rosemain, Anousha Sakoui, Louise Heavens Organizations: JPMorgan Chase's, REUTERS, Rights, JPMorgan, U.S, European Union, Gardens, Justice, Ritz Paris Hotel, Spark, JPMorgan Asset Management, Thomson Locations: New York, France, London, Paris, Europe, Warsaw, Dublin, U.S, Vendome, Spark France

REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBE'ERI, Israel, Nov 8 (Reuters) - In a now-roofless, burnt-out house in kibbutz Be'eri, Israeli archaeological teams are sifting through ashes and rubble. They're looking for human remains, hoping to identify victims still missing a month on from the deadly Hamas attack. Be'eri is one of the communities hardest hit by the Hamas gunmen who burst through the Israel-Gaza border on Oct. 7, killing around 1,400 people and taking more than 240 hostage, according to Israeli tallies. Twisted, mangled cars still line the paths of the kibbutz, some houses stand gutted by fire, others are pierced by bullets. So far they have helped identify 10 victims, they say, leaving an estimated 25 people still unaccounted for.

Persons: Ronen, Nir Oz, Joe Uziel, Dedi Hayun, Maayan, Crispian Balmer Organizations: candlestick, REUTERS, Rescue, Israel Antiquities Authority, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Kibbutz Be'eri, Israel, Be'eri, Aza, Jerusalem

☆ Jewellery maker Pandora raises sales forecast after Q3 profit beat
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Pandora products are seen at their store at the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, New York, U.S., February 15, 2022. Pandora said it now forecasts full-year organic sales growth of 5%-6%, up from 2%-5% previously seen, and said it still expects an operating profit margin of around 25%. Operating profit fell to 920 million crowns ($132 million)from a year-earlier 978 million as costs rose, although this also beat analyst expectations for a profit of 875 million crowns in apoll published by Pandora. Improvement in like-for-like sales was driven by the U.S., as traffic picked up in the region given recent brand initiatives. The affordable luxury brand said its gross margin reached a record 79%, helped by cost savings and price hikes.

Persons: Andrew Kelly, Pandora, apoll, Alexander Lacik, Louise Breusch Rasmussen, Anna Ringstrom, Louise Heavens Organizations: Woodbury, REUTERS, Rights, Pandora, JPMorgan, Thomson Locations: Central Valley , New York, U.S

☆ Watches of Switzerland shares up 9.7% as retailer reiterates plan to double profit by 2028
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An employee arranges a display of Omega SA watches in the window of a Watches of Switzerland Group Plc store on Regent Street in London, UK, on Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023. One of Watches of Switzerland Group Plc's biggest investors cut its stake in the UK-listed timepiece retailer less than 24 hours after Rolex SA decided to buy a rival, Bucherer AG. The firm on Tuesday reported a tick up in revenue to £379 million ($467 million) from £374 million in the most recent quarter. Sales of watches rose, while jewellery declined. The stock took a particular hit in August, after rival Rolex announced a deal to buy watch retailer Bucherer, fueling fears of an industry juggernaut taking more market share.

Persons: Jose Sarmento Matos, Brian Duffy Organizations: Omega SA, Switzerland Group, Switzerland Group Plc's, Rolex SA, Bucherer AG, Bloomberg, Getty, Investors, Rolex Locations: London, Switzerland, U.S, Europe

The vivid blue diamond, known as "Bleu Royal" and set in a ring, is among the rarest ever to be unearthed. Max Fawcett, head of Christie's jewellery department in Geneva, said the diamond was unique because of its a deep rich blue colour and its unmodified pear brilliant shape. At its auction on Tuesday, Christie's sold dozens of rare jewellery pieces worth a combined total of more than $77 million. In a separate sale on Monday, Christie's sold a Rolex wristwatch worn by Marlon Brando in the 1979 movie "Apocalypse Now" for more than 4.5 million Swiss francs ($4.99 million). Two years ago, that same watch sold at auction for 2 million Swiss francs.

Persons: Carola Chiadini, Denis, Rahul Kadakia, Max Fawcett, Christie's, Fawcett, There's, Marlon Brando, Cécile Mantovani, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Geneva, Switzerland, GENEVA, America

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Afghans fleeing Pakistan to avoid arrest and deportation are sleeping in the open, without proper shelter, food, drinking water and toilets once they cross the border to their homeland, aid agencies said Sunday. Pakistan set Oct.31 as a deadline to leave the country or else they'd be arrested as part of a new anti-migrant crackdown. Afghans leave Pakistan from two main border crossings, Torkham and Chaman. The Taliban say they have committees working “around the clock” to help Afghans by distributing food, water and blankets. Concerns have risen among the humanitarian community about the impoverished country being unable to support or integrate those currently forced to leave Pakistan.

Persons: Torkham, Kayal Mohammad, Hawa, ”, “, ” Thamindri Da Silva, Arshad Malik, ” Malik, Pope Francis Organizations: Associated Press, “ Locations: ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Peshawar

☆ In diamond centre Antwerp, Russian gems are already shunned
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-03 | by ( Julia Payne | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/5] Cut diamonds are seen at the diamond exchange in Antwerp, as the G7 weighs a ban on Russian diamond imports to reduce revenues for Moscow's war in Ukraine, Antwerp, Belgium, October 30, 2023. Other diamond firms in Antwerp, the world's biggest centre of trade in rough diamonds and cutting of the biggest gems, were asked to avoid Russian stones. Now, Western powers want to make the boycott official with a formal ban on Russian stones. Imports of Russian rough diamonds are now at less than 5% of pre-war levels, the source said. Most proposals under consideration by the G7 now focus on rough diamonds of 1 carat and above initially.

Persons: Johanna Geron, Thierry Tugendhaft, Van Cleef, Tugendhaft, De Beers, It's, Julia Payne, Elaine Hardcastle Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, European, World Diamond Council, EU, Thomson Locations: Antwerp, Ukraine, Belgium, Rights ANTWERP, Russia, Paris, Tiffany's, Cartier, Canada, Lesotho, South Africa, Botswana, India, United States, Japan, European Union, France, Antwerp . New

☆ Jailed former Malaysian PM Najib in hospital with COVID-19
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak attends a news conference at the Federal Court in Putrajaya, Malaysia August 16, 2022. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Malaysia's jailed former prime minister Najib Razak has been admitted to a hospital after testing positive for COVID-19, his spokesperson said on Thursday. Najib, 70, is in stable condition and is undergoing quarantine and treatment at the hospital, his aide, Muhamad Mukhlis Maghribi, said. U.S. and Malaysian investigators estimate some $4.5 billion was stolen from 1MDB - co-founded by Najib during his first year as prime minister in 2009 - and that more than $1 billion went to accounts linked to Najib. Since then, Najib has been in and out of hospital for several issues, including stomach ulcers and high blood pressure.

Persons: Najib Razak, Hasnoor Hussain, Malaysia's, Najib, Muhamad Mukhlis Maghribi, Rozanna Latiff, Robert Birsel Organizations: Malaysian, Federal, REUTERS, 1Malaysia Development, Thomson Locations: Putrajaya, Malaysia, KUALA LUMPUR

GENEVA, Nov 2 (Reuters) - The largest internally flawless fancy vivid blue diamond ever put up for auction could sell for up to $50 million at a Christie's sale of rare jewels in Geneva on Nov. 7, the auctioneer said on Thursday. Known as "Bleu Royal," this vivid blue diamond - which is set in a ring - is among the rarest ever to be unearthed. "What makes Bleu Royal so rare and special is its size. In 2016, Christie's sold a rare, 14.6-carat blue diamond known as the "Oppenheimer Blue" for more than $57 million. Two years ago the watch, now valued at between 1 million and 2 million Swiss francs, sold at auction for $2 million Swiss francs ($2.2 million).

Persons: Rahul Kadakia, Christie's, Oppenheimer, Kadakia, we've, Carola Chiadini, Denis Balibouse, Audrey Hepburn, Marlon Brando, Remi Guillemin, Guillemin, Gabrielle Tétrault, Farber, Cécile, Matthew Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: GENEVA, Geneva, Asia, Europe, Switzerland, Christie's

☆ Indian gold demand loses lustre in peak festive season as prices rally
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Rajendra Jadhav | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

India is the world's second-largest gold consumer, and a drop in purchases could limit a rally in global prices . Local gold prices jumped this week to 61,396 rupees per 10 grams, near the all-time high of 61,845 rupees hit earlier this year. In the December quarter, demand is expected to be lower than last year's 276.3 metric tons, Somasundaram said. From January to September, gold demand fell by 3.3% to 481.2 metric tons due to sluggish demand in the first half. In 2023, demand could fall to around 700 metric tons, the lowest in three years, down from 774.1 metric tons a year ago, he said.

Persons: Anushree, Somasundaram, Rajendra Jadhav, Miral Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Gold Council, PR, Thomson Locations: Delhi, India, Rights MUMBAI

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Finishing her class at The Julliard School of the arts in New York, Greek opera great Maria Callas gave her students a final word of advice. The City of Athens inaugurated the Maria Callas Museum in the center of the Greek capital Wednesday, marking a century since the birth to Greek parents of the legendary soprano in New York. They might know much about Maria Callas,” museum supervisor Erato Koutsoudaki told The Associated Press. “This is the first museum dedicated to Maria Callas that … combines technology with lived experience,” the mayor said. “We welcome this museum with great joy and deep respect for the great diva."

Persons: Maria Callas, Maria, Callas, Manolo Blahnik, ”, Erato Koutsoudaki, Maria Kalogeropoulos, Maria ”, Angelina Jolie, Kostas Bakoyannis, …, “ Organizations: Julliard School, Maria Callas Museum, Julliard, Associated Press, Athens Locations: ATHENS, Greece, New York, Kyrgyzstan, Congo, City, Athens, Paris

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