Agence France-Presse

The contributor for Republica.
news@myrepublica.com

How algorithms (secretly) run the world

Published On: February 15, 2017 11:20 PM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

When you browse online for a new pair of shoes, pick a movie to stream on Netflix or apply for a car loan, an algorithm likely has its word to say on the outcome.

Black Sabbath say last rites on touring in homecoming

Published On: February 5, 2017 11:30 PM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

Black Sabbath, the pioneers of heavy metal, ended their last-ever tour with a final concert in Birmingham, their home town where it all began nearly 50 years ago.

Toronto filmmaker disappears diving off Florida coast

Published On: February 2, 2017 09:30 PM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

The Canadian documentary filmmaker and conservationist Rob Stewart disappeared while diving off Florida’s southern coast during the filming of a movie about sharks, the US Coast Guard reported Wednesday.

Doubt over Everest's true height spurs fresh expedition

Published On: January 24, 2017 04:35 PM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

NEW DELHI, Jan 24: Scientists will take the tape measure to Mount Everest to determine whether a massive earthquake in Nepal really did knock an inch off the world's tallest peak.

Adele to return to Grammys after snafu

Published On: January 22, 2017 11:45 PM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

Adele will sing at this year’s Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy announced Friday, offering her a chance at redemption a year after her set went musically awry.

China to develop prototype exascale, super computer in 2017

Published On: January 18, 2017 11:30 PM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

China plans to develop a prototype exascale computer by the end of the year, state media said Tuesday, as it seeks to win a global race to be the first to build a machine capable of a billion, billion calculations per second.

Bikeshare cycles dumped en masse in China

Published On: January 18, 2017 11:10 PM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

More than 500 bicycles from China’s flourishing bike-sharing companies have been dumped in huge piles on the streets of the southern city of Shenzhen, reports said.

Swiss Muslim girls must take swimming classes with boys: Europe court

Published On: January 11, 2017 01:01 PM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

Strasbourg (France), Jan 11: Muslim parents in Switzerland cannot refuse to send their daughters to school-run swimming lessons with boys, Europe's top rights court said Tuesday, dismissing a challenge by a Turkish-Swiss couple claiming the rule violated their beliefs.

Globalization responsible for world’s obesity crisis: Study

Published On: December 28, 2016 03:49 PM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

An international study by the London School of Economics has highlighted the link between globalization and rising obesity levels, with authors confirming that our modern lifestyles have had a profound effect on our overall health.

India begins building world's tallest statue at cost of $530 m

Published On: December 25, 2016 03:41 PM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

NEW DELHI, Dec 25: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday laid the foundation stone for what is set to be the world's tallest statue, as its projected multi-million-dollar cost sparked criticism and an online petition against the project.

109 passengers released from hijacked Libyan plane: Maltese PM

Published On: December 23, 2016 07:52 PM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

VALLETTA, Dec 23:  Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said a total of 109 passengers had been released from the hijacked Libyan plane which landed in Malta on Friday.

Miss Puerto Rico lands Miss World 2016 crown

Published On: December 19, 2016 08:51 AM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

Stephanie del Valle of Puerto Rico was crowned Miss World 2016, edging out runners-up from the Dominican Republic and Indonesia, and beauties from around the globe.

2016, the beginning of the end of a rock era

Published On: December 17, 2016 07:13 AM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

NEW YORK, Dec 16: The year 2016 began with David Bowie releasing one of the most acclaimed albums of his vast career, a sign of new creative energy from the rock legend. Two days later, he was dead, from an undisclosed battle with cancer.

New Snapchat ‘Groups’ allow chats with up to 16 users

Published On: December 15, 2016 07:10 AM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

Snapchat rolled out a feature on Tuesday for group chats with up to 16 people as the fast-growing social network sought to broaden its services ahead of an expected share offering.

London translation firm seeks emoji specialist

Published On: December 14, 2016 09:15 PM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

A London translation agency said on Tuesday that it is advertising for its first ‘emoji translator’ to help meet the challenges posed by the world’s fastest-growing language.

Qatar abolishes dreaded ‘kafala’ labor system

Published On: December 13, 2016 02:37 PM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

DOHA, Dec 14: Qatar on Monday formally announced the end of its controversial “kafala” system, arguably the biggest ever labor reform undertaken by the host of the 2022 football World Cup.

Ronaldo awaits fourth Ballon d'Or coronation

Published On: December 11, 2016 10:16 AM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

Come 8 p.m. (1900 GMT) on Monday, what looks to be a poorly kept secret will officially be out -- Cristiano Ronaldo will bag his fourth Ballon d'Or as the world's top footballer.

Trump risks China rift with Taiwan call

Published On: December 3, 2016 11:20 AM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

NEW YORK, Dec 3: President-elect Donald Trump broke with decades of cautious US diplomacy to speak with the president of Taiwan, at the risk of provoking a serious rift with China.

Guardiola test awaits Conte's charging Chelsea

Published On: December 3, 2016 10:35 AM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

LONDON, Dec 3: Chelsea's scintillating late-year burst of form faces its biggest test yet on Saturday when Antonio Conte takes the Premier League leaders to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.

VR offers television producers ‘Hollywood in a box’

Published On: November 30, 2016 11:30 PM NPT By: Agence France-Presse

On a soundstage no bigger than a large bedroom a cameraman takes up various angles to film a helicopter that isn’t there, landing in a field that isn’t there either. Until recently, virtual reality was the preserve of the gaming crowd but producers say the technology is on the cusp of a boom which could change forever the way television is made.