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DeepSeek banned from Apple and Google app stores in Germany
Apple and Google have been asked to remove DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, from their German app stores due to data privacy concerns. This follows similar actions elsewhere. In a Friday statement, Meike Kamp stated that she made this request because DeepSeek transfers personal data of users illegally to China. She added that the two U.S. technology giants will now have to review the request and decide if they want to block the app on German soil. Her office hasn't set a specific timeframe. Google confirmed that it received the notification and is reviewing it. DeepSeek has not responded to an inquiry for comment. Apple did not respond to a request for comment immediately. DeepSeek's privacy policy states that it stores a variety of personal information, including requests for its AI program or uploaded files on computers in China. Kamp stated that "DeepSeek was unable to provide my agency convincing evidence that German user's data in China is protected to a similar level to that of the European Union." She added that "Chinese authorities enjoy extensive access rights to data on individuals within the influence sphere of Chinese companies." She said that she made the decision because DeepSeek had refused to comply with the EU's requirements on non-EU data transfer or voluntarily remove its app in May. She added that DeepSeek had not complied with her request. DeepSeek shocked the tech world in January when it claimed to have developed an AI model that rivaled those of U.S. companies such as ChatGPT creator OpenAI, at a much lower price. Its data security policies have been scrutinized in the United States of America and Europe. Italy banned it earlier this year from their app stores, citing the lack of information about its use of data. The Netherlands also prohibited it for government devices. The Belgian government has advised officials to refrain from using DeepSeek. A government spokesperson stated that "further analyses" are being conducted to assess the approach to follow. In Spain, in February, the consumer group OCU requested that the data protection agency of the government investigate the possible threats posed by DeepSeek. However, no ban was enacted. The British government stated that "the use DeepSeek is a choice made by the public." A spokesperson for the British technology ministry stated that "we continue to monitor all national security threats from all sources to UK citizens, and their data." We will take all necessary steps to safeguard our national security if we receive evidence of threats. U.S. legislators plan to introduce legislation that will ban U.S. agencies from using AI models developed by China. Exclusively reported this week, DeepSeek aids China's intelligence and military operations. Hakan Ersen and Miranda Murray reported by Charlotte van Campenhout and David Latona. Alistair Smout contributed additional reporting from London. Matthias Williams wrote the article. Mark Potter, Louise Heavens, and Mark Potter edited it.
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In Pakistan, a flash flood has killed nine people as it sweeps away a family group
Officials said that at least nine members of one extended family were killed when floodwaters washed away children from a river in the north of Pakistan, and their relatives tried to save them by jumping into the water on Friday. District administrator Shehzad Mahaboob revealed that the family was having a picnic by the Swat river and the children had been taking pictures in the water when the flash flood struck. He added that relatives rushed to help but were overwhelmed by a monsoon deluge. Mahboob said it was too early to know how many children or adults died. He said that nine bodies had been recovered. Four family members are still missing, while four others were rescued. Shahid Ali Khan, the local mayor, said that a family group was on a visit to the beautiful and mountainous Swat Valley. Rescue official Shah Fahad stated that locals and over 80 rescue workers are searching for survivors. They went to take selfies. At that time, there was little water. The floodwaters swept the children away. It looked as if a dyke was breached, said a family member who refused to give his name on TV. Residents reported that victims had to wait more than two-hours for rescue services. Shiraz Khan, a local eyewitness and local resident, said that the two-hour cry for help was accompanied by screams and cries. He said that by the time the police and rescue personnel arrived, four people were already swept away. The current was so strong, even the rescuers found it difficult to get into the water. The provincial government has suspended several officials from the administrative and rescue services for their negligence. Later, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority issued an alert warning of high flood levels. Every year, during the summer, tens of thousands, mostly from the rest of Pakistan, travel to the north of Pakistan's peaks. In a press release, the office of Prime Minister Shehbaz sharif said that Sharif had "expressed his sorrow over the deaths of tourists." (Reporting and writing by Mushtaq Al; editing by Andrew Heavens, Hugh Lawson and Asif Shahzad)
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London Climate Week receives a boost as Trump policies weigh down on New York event
London's Climate Week attracted a record number of attendees, which was boosted by the cloud that hung over its sister event held in New York last September. The U.S. Government has turned its back on global warming efforts and tightened entry requirements. London Climate Action Week, which concludes on Sunday, has more than doubled its size compared with the 2024 edition. It now hosts 700+ events, and over 45,000 participants. Two dozen sources from business, politics and civil society said that the UK's stronger stance on climate change and its support for visitors coming from developing countries helped. "We are putting in a lot more effort this year than we have done before. We're hosting multiple events and putting in a lot more time." Alexis McGivern is the Head of Stakeholder engagement at Oxford Net Zero. She said that if we send anyone to New York it will most likely be a member of our team who is an American citizen. Under Donald Trump's presidency, the United States left a global agreement to reduce climate-damaging CO2 emissions, reduced development aid, tightened environmental standards, and slashed support for green technology. The British government, on the other hand, was at multiple events throughout LCAW. Energy secretary Ed Miliband said he wanted Britain "to be a clean energy superpower", and "to get off the rollercoaster of fossil-fuel markets". You can speak honestly Hindou Oumarou, an expert on climate change and representative of Indigenous Peoples at the U.N., says that London offers more freedom in discussing climate change, diversity, and human rights. She said, "You don't have to be afraid of being treated or targeted if you speak frankly with any government in London or the UK." She said that private investors and philanthropists can also speak out more freely without fear of being targeted or damaging their business interests. She said, "This year's New York Climate Week will be very challenging." Not only for indigenous peoples but also to governments. "There are so many barriers, that people are saying let's take action now in London." London saw governments push for better protection of indigenous peoples land rights and encourage businesses to purchase more carbon credits. The main concern of civil society representatives about New York was that they might not be able to get in. Travel Bans The U.S. has banned travel to countries such as Afghanistan, Congo Republic, and Somalia, which are all affected by extreme weather and need the most assistance. They may add more. Ibrahim, whose native country Chad appears on the list as well, said that she would use her diplomatic passport to travel but she was unsure if she would get in - a concern raised by half a dozen LCAW participants. Helen Clarkson, CEO at Climate Group (which runs New York Climate Week), said that she understood how difficult it would be for certain countries to participate, but many businesses, governments, and civil society planned to come to New York and were "super excited for New York." She said that "is shaping up like other years." "This is the critical moment before the COP." The COP30 meeting will be held in Brazil in November.
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Putin: OPEC+ Projects Rising Oil Demand, Especially in Summer
Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, said that the OPEC+ bloc of major oil producers includes Russia and projects a rising global demand in particular in the summer months. In April, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies led by Russia shocked the oil markets by agreeing to a larger-than-expected increase in output for May, despite low prices and a slowing of demand. OPEC+ decided to increase prices above the planned levels. The growth in the global economy is causing the consumption of crude oil and petroleum products to increase. This was Putin's statement at a meeting with journalists on televised. He said, "The production is only increasing in the volume we agreed on within the framework of OPEC+ and it's designed to increase demand, especially during the summer." Putin also spoke about Europe's plans for tightening sanctions against Russia. This includes cutting the price of Russian oil from $60 per barrel to $45 per barrel. Putin stated that sanctions would have little impact on Russia and the more sanctions they imposed, the worse it will be for the people who introduced them. He also said that Russia's oil could not "be shut down". On July 6, a group of eight OPEC+ nations, including Saudi Arabia, Russia and Kuwait, will discuss their policy on production online. (Reporting and editing by Alex Richardson, Aiden Lewis, and Aiden Lewis).
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China's rare Earths are flowing freely again, but at a price
Chinese rare earth magnets are now flowing into the automotive supply chain, reducing the threat of mass closures. However, automakers and suppliers still say that production plans face uncertainty and there is a risk of shortages. Nils Poel is the head of market affairs for supplier association CLEPA. He said that European suppliers received enough licenses to prevent widespread disruptions earlier this month. However, hundreds of permits are still pending. He said that the rate of issuance has "accelerated" from 25% to 60%, but in cases where end users are located in the United States or products are transported through third countries such as India, it takes longer or is not given priority. He said that he felt that production would probably continue in July, and the impact of the shutdown will be manageable. "We have managed to avoid that at the moment." Volkswagen stated in a press release that its supply of rare-earth components is stable, while Stellantis claimed to have addressed immediate production concerns. In April, China restricted the exports of magnets and rare earths. Even three months after the announcement, there is still a lot of uncertainty regarding how the government intends to enforce its complex and opaque export licensing system. Since the restrictions, exports of rare earth magnets from China are down by about 75%. This has forced some automakers to stop production in Asia, Europe, and the United States. From 'Full Panic' to 'Bare Minimum' The White House announced on Thursday that it had reached an agreement with China in order to expedite rare earth approvals, but did not provide any details. Beijing announced that both parties confirmed the details of the agreement struck in London in early this month. The deal was intended to resolve the issue with rare earths. It would then process export licenses according to the law. The existing system of export licenses was not altered by either party. In an interview with Fox Business Network, U.S. Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent stated that under the agreement announced Thursday, all companies who have received rare earth shipments from China on a regular schedule would receive them expedited. Bessent stated, "I'm confident that the magnets are going to flow." This is a deescalation. According to a senior executive of a major U.S. auto supplier and an expert in the supply chain of a major European carmaker, the industry was in "full panic" two weeks ago. However, the approvals of licences from China have increased and the threat of a sudden halt is lessened. The two declined to be identified due to the sensitive nature of the matter. Unnamed European official said that China approves the "bare minimal" of licenses critical to European firms in order to prevent production stops. Kash Mishra, CEO of Dexter Magnetic Technologies in the U.S., said that only five licenses have been issued to this magnet manufacturer since April. These were for sectors other than defence. He said, "It is a long delay." It takes 45 days to complete the paperwork for the supplier and another 45 days before the licences are issued. (Reporting from Christina Amann, Giulio Pieovaccari, Laurie Chen, Beijing, and Vidyarajagopal, with additional reporting from Kalea, Hall, Guillaume, Nick Carey, in London, Paris, and Ann Arbor; editing by Jason Neely).
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U.S. worker safety standards are reviewed in extreme heat
Hearings held by the Worker Safety Agency for the first national standard In the U.S., 69 millions people are at risk from extreme heat. States and cities fill in gaps left by federal regulations By Carey L. Biron She said that her father had suffered a heat stroke 10 years ago but still needed his construction job, despite the scorching temperatures in Phoenix, Arizona. "Everyday he leaves for the office is a day that we hope we won't get the same call - anxiety, despair, and worried that he wouldn't pass out again on the job," Moreno Dominguez, 24, said. She was due to testify in hearings held by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) from early July onwards, just as the extreme heat of the United States has gripped many parts. She said that Moreno-Dominguez’s father is a 65-year-old Mexican immigrant who has worked in construction for over 30 years without any mandatory breaks, water breaks, or shade requirements. For the first time ever, a national heat standard for workplaces is being considered in an effort to protect worker's health and reduce heat-related illnesses that cost $1 billion in hospitalizations every year. WORKERS AT RISK According to the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health, a network worker safety organizations who launched their heat campaign last summer, more than 69 millions U.S. employees are at risk of extreme heat when summer arrives. Brittney Jenkins is a COSH Coordinator who has helped workers prepare for their testimony. She said, "You are in the fields and in the warehouses." You don't have to be a famous person to describe what it is like to work at 103 degrees. Extreme heat can cause a variety of health problems, including kidney and cardiovascular disease. It also increases the risk of workplace accidents. The Trump administration has cut funding for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the agency whose research was the basis of the proposal. Meanwhile, top heat experts were fired or laid off. In an email, a spokesperson for the Department of Labor said that the agency would "take into account everything and make a final decision" after the hearings. RISE IN GLOBAL THERMAL TEMPERATURES OSHA, the agency that oversees workplace safety requires employers to provide a safe work environment, but does not have any specific standards regarding heat. Heat is rising. The United States saw almost 120,000 emergency room visits due to heat related illnesses in 2023, the hottest year ever recorded. According to the American Medical Association, heat-related deaths increased 119% from 1999. Jill Rosenthal is the director of public policy at Center for American Progress in Washington. She said that efforts to quantify the impact of workplace heat issues are hampered by incomplete data and the assumption of underreporting. According to the Center for Climate and Energy Research, heat-induced decreases in labor productivity cost the U.S. $100 billion each year. By 2050, this loss is expected to be $500 billion. Rosenthal said the proposed standard was strong. It requires employers to have heat illness prevention programs, identify potential risks, prepare emergency response plans and allow employees to adapt to high temperatures. The National Association of Home Builders, for example, has objected to the mandates on rest breaks and acclimatization. They have warned that it could impact housing affordability. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce asked OSHA to withdraw its proposal and replace it with one that allows employers to "tailor" their protections according to their workplaces, their environment, their workers, or their geographic location. Rosenthal noted that, amid uncertainty about federal action, cities and states have stepped in to set their own standards of protection. At least seven states have done so in the last three years. Texas and Florida, for example, have prohibited local governments from setting their own heat standards. David Chincanchan is the policy director at the Workers Defense Action Fund. He said that in Texas, a few cities had adopted heat protections in 2010. However, the state stopped them in 2023. He said that the state government "went from not taking any action to outright blocking heat safety protections." He said that the issue is especially difficult for immigrants, as many fear retaliation should they raise it. Veronica Carrasco is a mother of 3 who immigrated to America in 2010. She works in Dallas in construction and has said that she feels weak and nauseous when it's hot. "I have never received a positive response from my bosses whenever I asked for anything to allow me to work in heat. Carrasco said that they don't need to provide these items because the law doesn't require them.
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Athens residents and tourists seek shade in the heat
The Greek capital was sweltering in temperatures of over 40 degrees Celsius on Friday. Greece, located at Europe's southernmost point in the Mediterranean Sea has always experienced hot and dry summers. Climate change has caused heatwaves to be longer and more intense, and also led to wildfires and devastating floods. Authorities warned against unnecessary travel and banned outdoor activities on Friday for construction and delivery staff between 0900 and 1400 GMT. The elderly were offered air-conditioned facilities to help them avoid heat exhaustion. Maro Marneri, 80, said in a community center in Athens: "It's a nice temperature here." Tourists are less comfortable. "We're all from Pennsylvania, and we've never experienced a heatwave this intense before," Antonia Lassen told. The Acropolis was very hot, with a lot of cement. It was almost like a cement forest. (Reporting from Angeliki Koutantou, TV in Athens) Ivana Skularac wrote the article; Barbara Lewis edited it.
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Heatwave threatens to scorch the start of Wimbledon Tennis
Wimbledon is preparing for the hottest start in its history. A searing heatwave is expected to reach its peak on Monday, when play at the All England Club begins. After a long weekend of heat, Monday is expected to be a very hot day for everyone: players, organizers, ticket-holders and queue-goers. In 2001, 29.3C reached the previous record for the start temperature of the Grand Slam grass court event. The expected heat wave on Monday could surpass the 2015 tournament record of 35.7 degrees, when temperatures on court were much higher. Wimbledon's Heat Rule will most likely be in force. This rule allows a 10-minute stoppage of play when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature is above or equal to 30.1 degrees Celsius. The WBGT will be taken at the beginning of play, then again at 1400, and finally 1700. It takes into consideration a number of factors, including temperature, humidity and wind. After the second set, all matches of best-of-three set will be governed by the rule, and all matches of best-of-5 set will be governed by the rule. Players may leave the court, but they cannot receive medical or coaching treatment. 'LESS INTERESTING' Chris Tyler, environmental physiology research at the University of Roehampton said that the heat can affect the quality of the matches. He said: "It is good that the rule uses the Wet Bulb Globe temperature, but it does not factor in what the players do." The majority of heat risks for athletes is due to the increase in their actual body temperatures. 80% of body temperature is a result of what they are doing. "Many players would change their style of play if the game was so warm. The points might be shorter and less exciting for the fans. "Top players are used to the heat, and have been conditioned to do so. They will be fine. The real problem are players who don't know how to adapt. He said that iced towels placed on the back of the head during the changeover are not the best method for players to cool off. He said: "It is like a team of footballers giving their star player a painkiller injection before a cup-final, it makes him feel better but the damage remains." The towels won't do much to lower your core body temperature. The groin, where the femoral arterial is located, has a large number of blood vessels. This makes cooling them down a very effective method for heat exchange. 'COMPREHENSIVE PLANS' Wimbledon organizers have taken precautions for the protection of the public, staff and ball girls, as well as elite players, who are expected to deal with the heat. A club statement stated that "adverse weather is an important consideration in our planning of The Championships. We are prepared for the hot weather predicted, with comprehensive plans for guests, players and staff, as well as the BBGs." The tournament website and big screens will broadcast real-time weather updates and alerts. The staff shifts will be changed to reduce the heat, while the'shade mapping' technique will allow people to get out of the sun. After the extreme heat of Monday and Tuesday, the temperatures will drop to low to mid-20s with rain showers possible. (Reporting and editing by Ken Ferris; Martyn Herman)
The Russian rouble is flat against the US dollar following central bank's announcement of forex sales
On Friday, the Russian rouble was flat against the U.S. Dollar and slightly lower against Chinese Yuan after the central bank decided to increase its forex purchases in the second half.
According to LSEG, based on quotes over the counter, by 1335 GMT the rouble was trading at 78.37 US dollars. Since the beginning of the year, the Russian currency has gained 45% on the dollar.
The Russian central banks announced on June 26th that they will increase their foreign currency sales from 8.86 billion to 8.94 billion (113.53 millions) per day for the remainder of the year.
Analysts at Alfa Bank said that the continued sale of foreign currencies by the regulator would limit any potential weakening in the rouble. This is something the markets are expecting. The majority of analysts think that the rouble's current value is too high.
The rouble was trading at 10,96 per Chinese Yuan on the Moscow Stock Exchange, a 0.3% decline. (Reporting and editing by Nick Zieminski.
(source: Reuters)