Optical materials

After the removal of the polycarbonate sheets, the problems of wear and tear due to the aging of the materials are reduced to a minimum, according to the 3rd report of the Technical Inspectorate for OAKA

A sapphire-and-diamond brooch and matching ear clips which once belonged to Russia's Romanov imperial dynasty were snapped up at a Sotheby's auction on Nov. 10 for nearly $900,000.

A jewelry set worn by French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte's adopted daughter sold for $1.65 million in Geneva on May 12, soaring way above the pre-auction estimate.

Marking the 200th anniversary of Napoleon's death, Christie's auction house sold the nine imperial jewels adorned with sapphires and diamonds, which were from the collection of his adopted daughter Stephanie de Beauharnais.

60 people have been examined in the Pirgov Hospital for the last 24 hours, about half of them have injuries due to slippery ice, reported the medical institution.

Experts advise people to be careful and avoid icy streets.

Today is expected to warm up, so in the afternoon hours the snow and ice will probably start to melt.

Quick, what temperature does water boil or freeze at? You probably know this like the back of your hand, 100 and 0 degrees Celsius or 212 and 32 Fahrenheit. Well, now we can freeze water above the boiling point. If you feel like your head’s about to explode with that image, don’t worry. We’ll explain.

As of Tuesday, traffic of diesel cars will be banned in the Norwegian capital Oslo.

The measure is taken in an attempt to stop severe pollution of the air in the city, reported BTA.

The ban will be in force until Thursday. It will be valid for municipal roads, as well as national roads crossing the capital.

The city of Harbin in China’s frigid northeast is hosting one of the world’s largest festivals featuring ice sculptures of animals, cartoon characters and famous landmarks. The festival, which officially opened last Thursday and last year drew more than a million visitors, showcases the region’s tradition of snow and ice carvings as well as ice swimming in the Songhua River.

Turkey has welcomed the arrival of winter with the appearance of the first snowflakes, opening the season for activities ranging from ice sliding to winter trekking

The first snow covered the Petrohan mountain pass early on Tuesday morning, reports tribali.info.

Şişecam, Turkey’s biggest glassmaker, has said its Paşabahçe unit, which makes tableware and home furnishings, has started talks to acquire shares in Arc International, a French household goods maker.

In a filing to the Istanbul Stock Exchange, Şişecam stated that Paşabahçe had signed a non-disclosure agreement regarding the non-binding talks.