Life

Egg-preserving hysterectomy raises heart risks later: study

by Kerry Sheridan Agence France Presse MIAMI, United States (AFP) — Women who undergo hysterectomy before age 35 may face significantly higher long-term heart risks, even if their ovaries are preserved, a study found Wednesday. The research by experts at Mayo Clinic focused on more than 2,000 US women who had their uterus removed but left their ovaries intact — widely considered the most desirable option if possible because it prevents a woman from entering […]

Computer chip ‘flaw’ sparks security debate amid scramble for fix

by Rob Lever Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Technology giant Intel acknowledged a vulnerability Wednesday that could allow hackers to access stored data on most modern computer systems, but said the security risks were minimal. The computer chipmaker issued a statement amid a flurry of concerns voiced after researchers discovered what was described as a “flaw” which could allow privately-stored data in computers and networks to be leaked. Intel labelled as “incorrect” the […]

BlackBerry, Baidu announce autonomous vehicle partnership

MONTREAL, Canada (AFP) — Canadian telecommunications software company BlackBerry and China’s web giant Baidu on Wednesday announced a partnership for autonomous and connected vehicles. “The two companies will collaborate to accelerate the deployment of connected and autonomous vehicle technology for automotive OEMs and suppliers worldwide,” they said in a statement. BlackBerry’s operating system will be “the foundation for Baidu’s Apollo autonomous driving open platform,” the statement said. In September, Baidu announced a $1.5 billion investment […]

Race for ‘smart’ hits fever pitch at electronics show

by Glenn Chapman, Julie Charpentrat with Rob Lever in Washington Agence France-Presse SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Giving gadgets brains will be a hot theme at the Consumer Electronics Show set to open in Las Vegas, with device makers big and small touting hardware with “smarts.” Whether it’s a doorbell or refrigerator, a TV set or a toothbrush, chances are it will be connected to digital assistants powered by artificial intelligence aiming to anticipate […]

Natural therapy: Hong Kong’s mountain warriors

by Laura Mannering Agence France Presse HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Wooded hillsides, craggy ridges and wheeling birds of prey are a world away from Hong Kong’s famous skyscrapers but the city’s country parks are a necessary balm for its stressed out residents. With some of the world’s highest property prices, many can only afford tiny apartments, some living in infamous “cage homes” big enough only for a bed. Hong Kong’s fast-paced lifestyle and long […]

Israel finds 2,700-year-old ‘governor of Jerusalem’ seal

JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israeli archaeologists unveiled on Monday a 2,700-year-old clay seal imprinted with images and Hebrew words that may have belonged to a biblical governor of Jerusalem. The round button-sized seal was found in a building in Jerusalem’s Old City near the Western Wall and dates back to the 7th century BC, from the time of the First Jewish Temple, said the Israel Antiquities Authority. The artefact bears an engraving showing two men wearing […]

Nepal bans solo climbers from Everest

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AFP) — Nepal has banned solo climbers from scaling its mountains, including Mount Everest, in a bid to reduce accidents, an official said Saturday. The cabinet late Thursday endorsed a revision to the Himalayan nation’s mountaineering regulations, banning solo climbers from its mountains — one of a string of measures being flagged ahead of the 2018 spring climbing season. “The changes have barred solo expeditions, which were allowed before,” Maheshwor Neupane, secretary at […]

Swimming with whale sharks in Mexico

LA PAZ, Mexico (AFP) — They may be called whale sharks but there’s nothing to fear encountering one of these giant fish in the ocean — so much so that tourists in northwestern Mexico can swim alongside them on organized tours. “These are tropical animals, very gentle, that you can swim with, and which go along at a maximum eight kilometers (five miles) an hour,” explained Fabricio Mujica, who handles these up-close sessions in La […]

Russia restores contact with Angolan satellite

MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — Russian specialists on Friday said they have restored communication with Angosat-1, the first national satellite it launched for Angola, days after they lost contact with it. “Specialists of Energia rocket and space corporation have received telemetry information from Angosat,” Energia said in a statement. “All parameters of the spacecraft systems are normal.” Energia is the maker of the satellite which Russia launched from its Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Tuesday evening. […]

Cold Canada cancels some New Year’s events

OTTAWA, Canada (AFP) — Canadians pride themselves on living with cold weather — but sub-zero temperatures proved too much even for them Friday, with concerts canceled and ski hills closed for safety reasons during an extreme year-end cold snap. Temperatures almost reached -58 F (-50 C) in two central Canadian cities, Regina and Winnipeg. In the capital Ottawa, meanwhile, authorities announced the cancelation of some shows marking the end of Canada’s 150th anniversary celebrations held this year. […]

Apple apologizes for slowing iPhones, offers discounted batteries

SAN FRANCISCO, United States (AFP) — Apple on Thursday apologized to its customers for slowing down the performance of older iPhone models and said it would discount replacement batteries for some of its handsets. The move by Apple responded to an uproar from iPhone users — and a series of lawsuits — after news of the battery problems stoked concerns the company was unfairly nudging consumers to upgrade. “We know that some of you feel […]

Top Italian chef to open community kitchen in Paris

PARIS, France (AFP) — Top Italian chef Massimo Bottura, whose Osteria Francescana was named the world’s best restaurant last year, is in talks to open a community kitchen in Paris that would serve the homeless and other people in need. “Discussions are underway to set up a canteen in the basement of the Madeleine Church,” Jean-Francois Rial, chief executive of the group Voyageurs du Monde, told AFP Thursday. “It is still just a project, nothing […]