In a recent development, the United States government has issued a comprehensive ban on the utilization and dissemination of Kaspersky cybersecurity software. This decision comes as a result of long-standing concerns among U.S. government officials regarding the security risks associated with the software, leading to its initial prohibition on government systems in 2017. The Russian government's exploitation of access to Kaspersky systems for information gathering has further exacerbated these concerns. According to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Kaspersky software poses a huge risk to US national security, as the Russian government could use the confidential data of US citizens for its own purposes.
Software CEO Evgeny Kaspersky stated that despite the fact that the company has a low percentage of clients in the United States, the company does not agree with the decision of the American authorities, and intends to fight for its rights in order to maintain its activities in the United States. He also clarified that with the new ban, it will be more difficult for American companies to cope with cybercrime, since, according to independent tests, their program has been one of the most effective for several years.
Thousands of people protested against new tax proposals in Kenya on Thursday. The government intends to introduce new taxes for car owners, increasing taxes on fuel, some food products and on financial transactions. Protesters argue that such tax changes not only pose a threat to the country's economy but also exacerbate the financial burdens faced by many Kenyans already grappling with economic challenges.
We took this video from BBC News YouTube Channel.
The response from law enforcement was forceful, with tear gas and water cannons deployed against demonstrators. The clashes resulted in over 200 individuals sustaining injuries, with more than a hundred arrests made in connection to the protests. According to human rights activists, shell casings were also found at the site of the protests, which demonstrates the use of live ammunition by the police. The scenes of unrest compelled individuals, like a 19-year-old participant, who typically shied away from political activism to take a stand against the proposed tax legislation.
During the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, a tragic event unfolded as approximately 600 Egyptian pilgrims lost their lives due to the extreme heat in Saudi Arabia. Reports indicate that temperatures soared to a scorching 51 degrees Celsius (123.8 degrees Fahrenheit) during this year's pilgrimage.
We took this video from BBC News YouTube Channel.
Many of the deceased individuals did not possess the necessary permit required to access special tents equipped with air conditioning while traveling between holy sites. This lack of documentation has also posed challenges for authorities in providing assistance to the families of the deceased, as their names were not listed in the official Hajj database. In response to the devastating loss of Egyptian lives, the country's President has mobilized a crisis unit to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of their pilgrims. The tragic incident has also affected pilgrims from other countries, with reports indicating casualties from Indonesia, Jordan, Tunisia, and India as well.
Official data released by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj reveals that a total of 1,170 deaths and over 2,700 cases of heatstroke resulting in hospitalization were confirmed during this year's pilgrimage. Despite the challenges posed by the extreme heat, more than 1.6 million Muslims from 22 different countries successfully completed the pilgrimage to Mecca in 2024.
Beginning Thursday, the U.S. resumed aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip using a temporary pier after it was destroyed by weather conditions. Thursday's first aid delivery included 1.4 million pounds, the largest aid delivery in a single day.
U.S. officials began building the pier back in April due to the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. Nearly $230 million dollars was allocated for the construction of the pier. Since its inception, the pier has facilitated the delivery of over 120 truckloads of essential food and medical supplies. The temporary pier, initially intended for short-term use, has evolved into a significant undertaking aimed at providing aid and addressing food scarcity in the region. U.S. officials have dedicated months to devising a solution to effectively transport and distribute aid in Gaza, amidst existing challenges with airplane and border crossing logistics.
European Union regulators have filed charges against Apple accusing the company of violating the Digital Markets Act by stifling competition in the App Store. This is the first time an EU regulator is going to apply new rules to restrict Apple's activities. Under the DMA law, which came into force in March this year, developers distributing their apps through Apple's App Store must be able to inform their customers of cheaper content offers for free and allow them to make purchases.
We took this video from Reuters YouTube Channel.
The Digital Markets Act gives Apple the right to be rewarded through the App Store for helping developers initially attract a new customer, but Brussels says the company is charging excessive fees for this.
In particular, music streaming service Spotify has raised concerns about Apple's policy mandating that all subscriptions be purchased solely through iOS apps, enabling Apple to collect a commission of up to 30%. The European Commission has set a deadline of March 2025 for reaching a final decision in this case, and if Apple is found guilty the company faces a fine of 10% of its total annual revenue.
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