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France records 1,000 excess deaths during record-breaking heatwave
The public health agency announced on Sunday that France had recorded 1,000 "excess" deaths due to the heatwave sweeping Europe. It warned, however, that the true number was likely higher. Sante Publique, which has compiled a preliminary list of deaths, said that the majority of deaths involved elderly people. It also predicted that the mortality rate would rise as more information becomes available on deaths in residential care and homes. Europeans are suffering through a scorching heatwave, which has been linked to at least dozens of deaths. The heatwave has also caused power disruptions and damaged infrastructure. Scientists said that the heatwave which began on?June 20 was the?worst recorded in Europe where climate change is faster than global average. FRANCE EXTREME HEAT EASES Heatwaves are moving east. While France's weather agency reported that the extreme heat had decreased in most areas of the country some areas in northeast still had a heatwave warning. Stephanie Rist, Health Minister, told La 'Tribune that the effects of the heatwave may linger as long as 10 days after it has subsided. She told BFM that the episode was not over. Sante Publique reported that the majority of deaths were among people 65 and older. However, the heat's effects affected the entire population. (Reporting and editing by Helen Popper; Makini Brice)
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Ukraine strikes two Russian oil refineries in the early hours
Ukraine has hit two Russian oil refineries overnight in the regions of Krasnodar & Yaroslavl, said President Volodymyr Zelenskiy 'on Sunday. Kyiv is increasing pressure on Russia fuel supply by using its drone fleet. Fuel shortages have been caused by Kyiv's increasing frequency of drone attacks in Russia, which is one of the world's largest oil producers. Queues and rationing are seen at petrol stations. Zelenskiy posted on social media that "we continue our operations to weaken Russia's?ability to wage this war", adding that the refineries are?about 300km and 700km (190 miles and 430miles) from Ukrainian territory. Veniamin Kodratiev, the Krasnodar Region Governor, said in a Telegram statement that an fire broke out at a refinery in Slavyansk na Kubani. One person was killed and another was injured in a village nearby. Unverified social media footage showed a large fire at the refinery. Slavyansk is a private refinery with a daily capacity of approximately 100,000 barrels. It provides fuel for both domestic use and export. The governor of Yaroslavl, east of Moscow, said that the area had been?drone attacked and that there had been?temporary restrictions on movement along some roads leading to the Russian capital. Max Hunder in Moscow and Andrew Heavens, Editors.
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Heatwave Watch: Smart tech keeps Rome's elderly safe
Dina Gazzella is an 85-year old Roman widow who has no company in her home after losing her husband and cat. She is not alone, thanks to the smart technology. A team of social workers keeps tabs on her remotely through an electronic wristband that monitors heart rate and sleep patterns, as well as allowing her to call for assistance in an emergency. The device is part a EUR400 million ($456 millions) scheme of support for the elderly that was introduced by Rome's municipal with EU post COVID funding last year, and currently covers around 700 people. Local authorities hail the device as an important health prevention tool. This is especially true in the middle of a deadly heatwave that has been raging in Europe. Rome's temperatures have reached the upper 30s. Piera Pomente, clinical psychologist, said that the bracelet was crucial for older people in hot weather, because their blood pressure falls, and their heart rate is lower than normal. They really suffer. The black plastic bracelet is worn as a watch and has motion sensors to detect falls. It also tracks Gazzella’s movements inside and outside of her home in the eastern suburbs of the Italian capital. Gazzella said, "If I'm feeling unwell, it is a lifesaver." PEACE OF MIND The octogenarian was a sprightly old lady as she pottered around her apartment, preparing coffee, showing photos of her grandchildren and talking about the visit to an World War Two bunker that a community group had made with her on the previous day. She said that the bracelet brought her peace of mind. They convinced me to get it because they said it was essential, because if anything happens, or if I fell, no one would pick me up. Instead, this one beeps and someone will come. The psychologist Pomente runs a support desk at the local pharmacy where she and her colleagues process the applications for joining the bracelet scheme and monitor the subscribers' data on a computer. Some people are concerned about privacy and have a reservation regarding the bracelet. Pomente stated that only 45 of the 70 people who originally?joined in at the pharmacy have remained, and she hopes to?win them back. She said, "It is not as if we are spying on them with cameras inside their homes." Her team is available from Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 7 pm, and on weekends and nights, notifications are sent to family members via an app. Pomente has experienced two emergency situations in the last year. One man fell on the street, and the other slipped from his wheelchair. Both were solved by alerting family members who came to help. On normal days, it is mainly about chitchat. Social workers from the municipality call every day to check on people, whether they have taken their medicine, if the heat is too much, or if they just want a friendly listen if they're bored or lonely. Pomente explained that the goal was to help people share their feelings, their day and their excessive heat.
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On both sides of the Russia-Ukraine Border, drone and artillery strikes kill civilians
Local officials reported that drones and artillery killed civilians on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine frontier Saturday. Yegor Kvalchuk, acting governor of the region, said that a Ukrainian drone struck killed two people who were in a car near the border in the Russian border area of Bryansk. Russian news agencies reported that the Russian Defence Ministry said that 124 Ukrainian drones were 'downed' over Russian regions between 8 am and 8 pm (0500-17:00 GMT). Sergei Sobyanin, the Moscow mayor, made a 'long series' of statements regarding Ukrainian drones headed for the capital. The informal count kept by Russian media agencies puts the number of drones at 24 for the day. Oleksandr Gánsha, governor of Ukraine's southeastern Dnipropetrovsk Region said that a total of over 40 drone attacks and?artillery fired had killed and injured a person?near Nikopol. The town, located on the other side of the Dnipro River, from the Russian-held nuclear power plant in?Zaporizhzhia, is a?frequent Russian target. Denis Pushilin, the Moscow-appointed leader of Russian-held regions in Ukraine's Donetsk Region, announced on Telegram that two people had been?killed by Ukrainian drone attacks in the major towns Horlivka and Makiivka. Reporting by Ron Popeski, Editing by Rod Nickel and Alistair Bell
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On both sides of the Russia-Ukraine Border, drone and artillery strikes kill civilians
Local officials reported that drones and artillery?killed civilians on both sides of the russia-ukraine border?on Saturday. According to the acting governor of the 'Russian border region' of Bryansk, two Ukrainians were killed in their car by a drone strike in a nearby village, according to a Telegram post from the region. According to a report by Russian news agencies, the Russian Defence Ministry said that 124 Ukrainian drones were shot down over Russian regions between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm (0500-17:00 GMT). Sergei Sobyanin, the Moscow mayor, made a series of long-winded statements regarding Ukrainian drones intercepted on their way to the capital. A Russian news agency's informal count put the number of drones intercepted at 21 for the day. Oleksandr?Ganzha, the Governor of the southeastern Dnipropetrovsk Region in Ukraine, stated that a combined total of more 40 drone strikes and artillery fire had killed and injured a person near Nikopol. This town is often a Russian target. It lies on the opposite bank of the Dnipro River to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, which is held by Russia. (Reporting and editing by Rod Nickel.)
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Ambassador Carney says that China's Geely will ship the first Lotus EVs in Canada to Canada by July, under Carney-Xi agreement.
Wang Di, China's ambassador in Canada, said that Geely Holding Group Lotus electric vehicles would arrive in Canada within the next month as a result of an agreement reached between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Chinese president Xi Jinping. The vehicles will be the first Chinese owned and manufactured cars to be sold under an agreement that allows for up to 49,000 Chinese electric vehicles to enter Canada at a reduced rate every year, as Carney attempts to diversify Canada’s trade away the United States. Wang stated that "Geely EVs are coming to Canada next month, and there will be a ceremony in Montreal when the cars arrive." Lotus Cars has not responded to a comment request. The Department of Global Affairs at Canada's Global Affairs said that it will not comment on specific shipments due to reasons of commercial confidentiality. Wang stated that other Chinese brands such as Chery, BYD and others are working with Canadian government agencies in order to finish the necessary steps to ship their products to Canada. Canadian officials previously said that some cars were delivered earlier to allow the companies to test them in Canadian conditions. Wang, through an interpreter, said: "I hope that in the autumn of this year, other Chinese brands EVs will finish the procedures and be able to get into the Canadian market." Stella Li, BYD's Executive Vice President, recently said that the company was likely to start selling next year. Tesla, based in the United States, has already imported Chinese made vehicles into Canada. Canada also hopes to attract joint ventures and investment into its EV supply chain. Wang said Chinese EV manufacturers were interested in establishing joint ventures but would focus first on building sales. Carney's decision to allow Chinese EV imports was criticized by some U.S. officials. Trade expected to spike Carney said that Canada will increase its exports by 50% to China by 2030 during his visit to China in January. Wang Yi, China's minister of foreign affairs, said that exports to China could grow by 100 percent last month. Wang stated that to double Canadian exports in China, they will need to increase by nearly 15% per year for the next five. Wang also noted that Canadian exports are already up 27.5% since Carney’s visit. He said: "I think we could go beyond 100% and maybe even reach 200% as we move forward with our economic and trading cooperation." Wang said Canada can supply more than 22 million metric tonnes of crude oil annually to China, up from the 15.5 million tons it supplied last year. He did not elaborate on his statement that he thought China had "great potential" to purchase liquefied gas from Canada. Wang stated that Canada, as a major exporter of beef, canola and peas, only supplies 2% of Chinese agricultural products, which highlights the vast market Canada could tap. He said: "As long we stay on the right track at the right speed, in the right direction, there is a lot of opportunity for us to grow our business." China reduced tariffs on some Canadian products in March, but kept duties at 100% for canola oil and 25% for pork. The tariff relief for products such as canola meal and peas expires by the end of this year, causing uncertainty to?exporters. Wang refused to confirm whether China would continue the tariff suspension on pork or canola oil. "As long as the two countries maintain the principles of reciprocity, equality and mutual respect, there is nothing we can't resolve." He warned Carney that his government must adhere to the principles of mutual trust, find common ground and seek mutually beneficial outcomes. He said that if these principles were not followed there would be negative consequences. Reporting by PromitMukherjee and Maria Cheng; Editing by Caroline Stauffer & Rod Nickel
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French city dwellers switch from stifling apartment to cool hotel rooms
The heatwave in France this week was one of the worst ever recorded. Many city dwellers sought any refuge they could find. They checked into hotels for air conditioning and pools. On Wednesday, temperatures in 'Paris' reached a record of?40.9° Celsius (105.62° Fahrenheit), a day after France had its hottest recorded day since records began. Few private apartments, especially in the capital with its dense population, have air conditioning. Around three-quarters (75%) of Paris roofs are made of sheets of zinc. This material is a heat-absorber and conductor. This has caused a rush for hotels in both cities and outside. Residents?Veronique savoye said that air-conditioned hotels in the historic city Tours, in western France, were almost full this week. She said she was "unable to think straight" because of the heat at home, and so checked into a?hotel in the area for a 4-night stay until Friday. She said, "It is about sleeping better and being more comfortable." Matthieu Evrard said that he was inundated by requests. It is an extraordinary phenomenon. "I get between five and 10 people per day contacting me directly through different connections in order to book rooms at our hotels," said he. "With the heatwave everything has been filled in just two weeks." His group operates Les Maisons de Campagne, a countryside hotel brand with two properties in the Yvelines department, roughly 45 minutes from Paris -- the ?Chateau de Villiers-le-Mahieu, set in a 12-hectare park, and the Maison du Val ?in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The two are now fully booked, despite the fact that neither have air conditioning. Instead, they rely on ceiling fans, and the natural cooling of thick stone walls. He said that the surrounding countryside, as well as the pools, at both locations, added to the appeal of Parisians who were eager to leave their apartments. Many had children with them whose schools closed due to the heat. Savoye said that a hotel stay is not for everyone. However, she decided to spend a portion of her vacation budget on the room. It was what I would call a "staycation." It was well worth it for me." (Reporting and editing by Sanjeev miglani, Jan Harvey and Mathieu Patton)
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China's industrial profits remain resilient despite the economy's reliance on exports and factories
In May, profits at China's industrial companies grew at a slower pace but still in double digits. This highlights a widening divide within an economy that relies on factory output and exports to offset a weak domestic demand. The economy is still fragile due to a long-term property slump and structural imbalances which continue to weigh down on the domestic market. Companies that are trying to avoid the increasing competition in their home market face new uncertainty due to the prolonged Iran conflict. National Bureau of Statistics data showed that the profit growth of the industrial firms of the country in May was 21.1% compared to a year earlier, down from 24.7% in the month of April. The profits for January-May rose 18.8% over the same period last year, compared to an increase of 18.2% in the first four month. Zhaopeng Xing is a senior China strategist with ANZ. She said that the price increase was the primary driver for corporate profit 'growth. The earnings trends of different sectors have been very divergent. The profits of manufacturers of computers, communications and electronic equipment increased by 103.9% between January-May. This accounted for 43.1% growth of all industrial companies. Profits from non-ferrous ore mining, processing and exporting rose by 93.9%. Contrastingly, automakers' profits dropped 19.8%, despite strong exports. Furniture makers' profits plummeted 58.4%. TianchenXu, senior economics at Economist Intelligence Unit said that the differentiation highlighted the importance of de-escalation?of the Iran Conflict. As shipping through the Strait of Hormuz is resumed and oil prices drop internationally, we will see a gradual increase in profits. The U.S. Military attacked Iran on Friday as a response to an Iranian drone attack on a cargo vessel in the 'Strait of Hormuz. Each country accused the other of breaking the terms of the ceasefire agreement last week. Analysts expect Chinese policymakers will step up targeted assistance to stabilise corporate profitability, especially as consolidation accelerates within sectors that are grappling with excessive capacity and fierce competition. People familiar with the situation said that China's central banks had instructed certain commercial banks to increase lending in this month. This is the latest indication that the demand for credit is still weak, as the economy struggles with slow domestic consumption. China's factory gate inflation increased to a near four-year-high in May. Cost pressures squeezed corporate profits. The figures for industrial profit are based on firms that have annual revenues from their primary operations of at least 20,000,000 yuan (2,95,000,000 dollars). $1 = 6.7783 Chinese Yuan (Reporting and editing by Qiaoyi Li; Ellen Zhang, Shuyan Wan, Ryan Woo, and Ryan Woo)
Thai family grieves for teen girl who was found dead in a suitcase by an Australian
A 17-year old Thai girl's?body? was found in an unlocked suitcase in Pattaya. Her family said that they were devastated. An?Australian? man has since been arrested and charged with murder.
Thai police said they arrested a 40-year-old Australian at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport early Saturday morning in connection with the murder in Pattaya. Pattaya is located about 150km (93miles) east of Bangkok.
Simon Peter Carman is the suspect. He faces charges for murder, concealment of a corpse, moving or destroying one, and stealing a minor to use sexually.
Thai police reviewed CCTV footage showing Carman entering the condominium with a?girl and then leaving hours later alone carrying a suitcase.
Police posted a message on their official Facebook page saying that he had loaded the suitcase onto his motorcycle and ridden to a grassy area near an old railway line. Carman was arrested at the airport by police after they issued an arrest warrant.
Carman sent a message to his victim's family in the investigation room of the police station before being transferred to Pattaya Provincial Court.
I?feel sorry for what happened to her. He said, "It was beyond my control."
Thongchai Dohomla, 46, the victim's father said that he is struggling to accept his loss.
"I'm deeply saddened. "My daughter was raised by a single mother. She would always find a solution for herself and she helped me as well," he said.
Her stepmother, 'Oradee Bussarakum', said that she wanted to see the suspect punished harshly.
"I told police that I wanted him executed. "I don't know what else to say as a (step-)mother... I just want him face the full consequence," she said.
The police have not stated when Carman is scheduled to appear in court for the first time.
(source: Reuters)