Lifestyle

Peru tourism industry in 'free fall' as Machu Picchu closed by protests

Decked out in helmet, belt, gold-plated armor and sandals, Juan Pablo Huanacchini Mamani gazes out vacantly from the Ollantaytambo Inca ruins in Peru.. Situated around 60 kilometers (40 miles) from Cusco -- the old Inca capital that acts as a hub for those visiting Machu Picchu -- Ollantaytambo has its own ruins of an Inca citadel that are worth visiting, if not as spectacular as those at Machu Picchu.

Boeing to deliver last 747, the plane that democratized flying

Boeing is set to officially bid farewell to the original jumbo jet, the 747, as it makes its final commercial delivery of an aircraft that democratized flying and serves US presidents.. The plane of US presidents since 1990, the 747 is also expected to keep up its official duties for the White House for the foreseeable future, with two Air Force One aircraft currently being modified to replace jets now working. jum-jmb/st

White House says US Covid emergency status to end May 11

The White House said Monday that the national and public health emergencies declared just as the Covid-19 pandemic took grip three years ago will officially end May 11.. The remaining debate is largely political, with Republicans who control the House of Representatives preparing bills that would seek to end the national emergency on March 1 and the public health emergency on April 11.

Polish govt 'appalled' by raped girl's struggle to get abortion

Poland's health minister weighed in Monday on a high-profile sexual assault case, saying it was "unacceptable" that a mentally disabled 14-year-old girl struggled to get a legal abortion.. Since a near-total ban came into effect in 2021, abortion in Poland is legal only if the pregnancy results from sexual assault or threatens the life or health of the woman.

Ukrainian dealer goes on trial in France over art thefts

A 64-year-old Ukrainian art dealer went on trial in France on Monday, accused of stealing masterpieces worth millions from museums and auction houses in 2017 and 2018.. Huzhva is also accused of stealing a rare book of Russian gouaches, and works by artists Eugene Boudin, Giorgio De Chirico, Eugene Galien-Laloue and Auguste Renoir from museums or auction houses across France.

Bullying prompted French schoolboy's suicide: mother

The mother of a 13-year-old boy who killed himself in eastern France this month said Monday she believed homophobic bullying by classmates had "triggered" his suicide.. "For me, the bullying was the element that triggered it," the 35-year-old mother who identified herself only as Severine told reporters in Epinal.

WHO urges investment in neglected tropical diseases

The World Health Organization on Monday called for greater investment in combating neglected tropical diseases, which left more than 1.6 billion people, often in least-developed countries, requiring treatment in 2021.. - Millions 'liberated' - In 2021, around 1.65 billion people were estimated to require treatment for at least one NTD, of which 857 million were in southeast Asia and 584 million in Africa.

World 'dangerously unprepared' for next crisis: Red Cross

All countries remain "dangerously unprepared" for the next pandemic, the Red Cross warned on Monday, saying future health crises could also collide with increasingly likely climate-related disasters.. "All countries remain dangerously unprepared for future outbreaks," the IFRC said, concluding that governments were no more ready now than in 2019.

Philips cuts 6,000 more jobs after sleep device recall

Embattled Dutch medical tech maker Philips said on Monday it will slash 6,000 more jobs worldwide after fresh losses caused by a massive recall of faulty sleep respirators.. Philips announced a global recall in 2021 of its appliances to treat people suffering from sleep apnoea.

At California gun fair, few speak of recent massacres

With ammunition, rifles and bullet-proof vests on display, business is brisk at a Los Angeles area gun show -- so much so you'd never know a mass shooting unfolded nearby just days ago.. "Every time that the media talks about a mass shooting, people buy guns because they're afraid that they'll get taken away."