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At least 189 dead and hundreds missing after catastrophic floods in Western Europe
German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the disastrous floods that have ravaged Western Europe “terrifying” as the death toll continues rising
Huge floods across Western Europe have killed at least 189 people, with hundreds more still missing. Tens of thousands of people remain displaced, with many still without power and drinking water, and many other still unable to return home.
Germany’s Chancellor described the flooding event as “the worst natural disaster” the nation has seen in over a century. She said, “it is shocking – I can almost say that the German language doesn’t have words for the devastation”.
Chancellor Merkel says the floods are an indication that Europe needs to ramp up their efforts against climate change. This comes days after after Europe outlined a package of steps towards net zero emissions by the middle of the century.
As the death toll climbs, Germany pledges aid
The German government is in the process of fast-tracking disaster relief packages to help areas across Europe affected by the floods. Merkel promised over $300 million Euros in financial aid after visiting one of the areas worst affected by the floods.
“There is huge damage and that much is clear: those who lost their businesses, their houses, cannot stem the losses alone,” said Finance Minister Olaf Scholz. There is also a short term payment of 10,000 Euro for businesses.
The floods have killed at least 157 people in Germany alone. About 37,0000 household in Belgium don’t have access to electricity, with the supply of clean drinking water also a major concern.
The European floods mainly hit the German states of Rhineland Palatinate, North Rhine-Westphalia and parts of Belgium. Entire communities are without power and internet. In North Rhine-Westphalia at least 46 people have died. The death toll in Belgium climbed to 31 on Sunday.
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Russia bans WhatsApp and promotes state-backed messaging app
Kremlin blocks WhatsApp, urging citizens to use state-backed MAX; critics warn of surveillance, prompting protests in Moscow.
Kremlin blocks WhatsApp, urging citizens to use state-backed MAX; critics warn of surveillance, prompting protests in Moscow.
The Kremlin has officially blocked WhatsApp, urging Russians to switch to MAX, a state-backed messaging app. This move comes after Meta refused to comply with local regulations, sparking debates over digital freedom in the country.
Critics warn that MAX could be used for government surveillance, though authorities deny these claims. The ban highlights Russia’s growing control over foreign tech platforms and its push for locally regulated alternatives.
Activists in Moscow have staged protests calling for an open and unregulated internet, while the public reacts with a mix of concern and resignation.
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U.S. secretly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran after protests
US covertly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran amid protests, aiding internet access despite government shutdowns and crackdown violence.
US covertly sent 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran amid protests, aiding internet access despite government shutdowns and crackdown violence.
U.S. officials report that the Trump administration covertly sent around 6,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran following widespread protests. The move was designed to bypass strict internet blackouts imposed by authorities in Tehran.
The terminals reportedly enabled activists and dissidents to reconnect with the outside world during periods of severe digital restriction, raising fresh questions about foreign involvement and cyber strategy.
As geopolitical tensions simmer, the revelation underscores how connectivity has become a powerful tool in modern conflict.
#Iran #Starlink #DonaldTrump #MiddleEast #GlobalPolitics #TechNews #InternetFreedom #BreakingNews
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Anthropic secures 30 billion in fresh funding as valuation surges
Anthropic raises $30B, doubling valuation to $380B, boosting global AI race with support from GIC, Coatue, Microsoft, and Nvidia.
Anthropic raises $30B, doubling valuation to $380B, boosting global AI race with support from GIC, Coatue, Microsoft, and Nvidia.
Anthropic has secured a staggering $30 billion in fresh funding, catapulting its valuation to $380 billion and cementing its place among the most valuable AI companies in the world. The raise marks the second-largest private technology funding round ever, trailing only OpenAI’s $40 billion deal.
Major backers in this latest round include Singapore’s GIC and Coatue Management, alongside existing heavyweight partners Microsoft and Nvidia. The scale of the investment underscores intensifying global competition in artificial intelligence as capital continues to flood into the sector.
Anthropic’s valuation has more than doubled in just five months, fuelled by rapid enterprise growth. The company now works with eight of the Fortune 10 and boasts more than 500 customers spending over $1 million annually, highlighting surging demand for advanced AI tools across corporate America.
#ArtificialIntelligence #AI #Anthropic #TechNews #VentureCapital #BigTech #Innovation #Startups
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