Life
#EBCphotography: A mountain park in Shizuoka City in Japan
Zuckerberg acknowledges ‘mistakes’ as Facebook turns 14
SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Mark Zuckerberg offered fresh self-criticism Monday, acknowledging making numerous mistakes in building the world’s biggest social network as Facebook marked its 14th birthday. “Over the years, I’ve made almost every mistake you can imagine,” the Facebook co-founder said on his personal page. “I’ve made dozens of technical errors and bad deals. I’ve trusted the wrong people and I’ve put talented people in the wrong roles. I’ve missed important trends […]
Trappist planets have water, may be ‘habitable’: researchers
by Mariëtte Le Roux Agence France Presse PARIS, France (AFP) — Seven planets recently spotted orbiting a dim star in our Milky Way galaxy are rocky, seem to have water, and are potentially “habitable”, researchers studying the distant system said Monday. Though much remains unknown about the planets’ surfaces and atmospheres, the new measurements have not ruled out the possibility that they may harbour even rudimentary life, the scientists reported. “So far, no sign allows […]
SpaceX poised to launch ‘world’s most powerful rocket’
by Kerry SHERIDAN Agence France Presse MIAMI, United States (AFP) — SpaceX is poised for the first test launch Tuesday of its Falcon Heavy, which aims to become the world’s most powerful rocket in operation, capable of ferrying people to the Moon or Mars some day. The launch is the most ambitious yet for SpaceX, and has been hailed by industry experts as a game-changer because of its potential to propel the California-based company to […]
Singapore to amend law after ‘showbiz pastor’ case
SINGAPORE (AFP) — Singapore will amend a law that allowed a megachurch pastor to escape a harsher prison term for fraud despite funnelling millions in church funds into his wife’s music career, a senior official said Monday, following a public backlash. In a case that fascinated Singapore with a heady mix of religion, showbiz and fraud, Kong Hee and five other church leaders were convicted in 2015 of spending Sg$24 million ($19.8 million) from a […]
#EBCphotography: Icy Moscow on a freezingly cold Monday morning
Dubai airport retains top international spot in 2017
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AFP) — Dubai airport was the world’s busiest for international passengers in 2017 for the fourth year running, with 88.2 milion travellers, the United Arab Emirates’ state news agency WAM said Monday. International traffic at the UAE airport increased by 4.6 million passengers compared to the previous year, WAM said, despite a laptop ban temporarily imposed on its long-haul flights to the United States. A major transit hub situated on transcontinental air routes, […]
A visit to Heidelberg Castle in Germany
The Heidelberg Castle is said to be the top attraction of the romantic Old Town of Heidelberg, Germany. The oldest parts of the castle date back to the 12th century. With the passing of time, the castle expanded. The architecture shows the development from Gothic to Renaissance eras. The Heidelberg Castle became the prince elector’s residence. However, lightning, fires and wars destroyed parts of the castle. But even then, it has remained to this time […]
Ice instruments ring out coolest music in Norway
by Ilgin Karlidag Agence France-Presse FINSE, Norway (AFP) — Inside a giant igloo in a snowy Norwegian village, the sound of a horn rings out, warming the mood of a freezing audience, huddled together in -24 Celsius. But the four musicians performing are even colder: the instruments they are playing are all made of ice. The xylophone, claves and wind instruments have been painstakingly carved from ice blocks extracted from a frozen lake, and are […]
Waymo vs Uber trade secrets trial at starting line
by Glenn Chapman Agence France-Presse SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — A billion-dollar trial pitting Alphabet-owned autonomous driving unit Waymo against Uber starts Monday, in what could be a blockbuster case between two technology giants over the alleged theft of trade secrets. The San Francisco courtroom battle will take place as Waymo and Uber race to perfect self-driving cars that people could summon for rides as desired in a turn away from car ownership. The […]
High pollution shuts schools in Tehran
TEHRAN, Iran (AFP) — Primary schools will be closed on Monday in Tehran as thick fog caused by pollution smothers the Iranian capital and most of the surrounding province, local authorities said. They also announced Sunday they would impose traffic restrictions in Tehran, home to 8.5 million inhabitants, allowing cars onto the streets in alternating shifts, depending on their number plates. Similar measures were taken in December when primary schools in Tehran and most of […]
