International News
Australia Bans Chinese AI Chatbot DeepSeek Over Security Fears
Australia has banned the use of DeepSeek, a rapidly emerging Chinese AI chatbot, from all government devices, citing security and privacy risks.
The move, announced on Wednesday by government cyber security envoy Andrew Charlton, follows similar concerns raised by countries like South Korea, Italy, and France.
Charlton emphasized that the ban was not symbolic but a necessary step based on advice from security agencies.
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“We don’t want to expose government systems to these applications,” he told ABC News. The primary risks, according to Charlton, include potential exposure to malware and concerns that data uploaded to DeepSeek may not remain private.
The Department of Home Affairs issued a directive requiring all non-corporate Commonwealth entities to immediately identify and remove all instances of DeepSeek from government systems and mobile devices.
Secretary Stephanie Foster stated that the AI application posed an “unacceptable level of security risk” and mandated government agencies to prevent any further access, use, or installation of DeepSeek products.
This ban marks one of the most stringent actions taken against DeepSeek globally, underscoring Australia’s growing concerns about Chinese tech influence.
It follows past measures such as the 2018 ban on Huawei from Australia’s 5G network and the 2023 prohibition of TikTok on government devices.
China’s foreign ministry swiftly rejected Australia’s security concerns, condemning the “politicisation of economic, trade, and technological issues.”
In a statement, Beijing reiterated that it does not require companies to illegally collect or store data, pushing back against claims that DeepSeek’s data handling poses a national security threat.
Cybersecurity experts, however, support Australia’s caution. Dana McKay, a researcher from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, pointed out that Chinese companies are legally obligated to store data in China, where it is subject to government inspection.
She also raised concerns about DeepSeek’s ability to collect keystroke data, which could potentially be used to track users and compromise security.
DeepSeek, developed by a China-based startup, has taken the AI industry by storm since its release last month, with claims that its R1 chatbot rivals top US AI models at a fraction of the cost.
However, accusations of reverse-engineering US technology and concerns over its data practices have triggered scrutiny from multiple governments.
With Australia joining the list of countries imposing restrictions on DeepSeek, the AI program is becoming the latest flashpoint in ongoing tech and trade tensions between China and Western nations.
While Australia and China recently saw a thaw in relations after a years-long trade war, the DeepSeek ban signals that cybersecurity and data privacy remain contentious issues.
International News
Miracle in Venezuela: Toddler Rescued Alive Six Days After Deadly Earthquakes
A three-year-old child has been rescued alive from beneath the rubble in Venezuela, six days after two powerful earthquakes devastated parts of the South American nation, offering a glimmer of hope amid a worsening humanitarian crisis.
The remarkable rescue took place in La Guaira, one of the areas hardest hit by the twin earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitudes, which struck less than a minute apart on June 24.
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Rescue workers have continued round-the-clock search operations despite the challenges posed by repeated aftershocks.
The United Nations described the rescue as a powerful reminder that every life matters as emergency teams continue combing collapsed buildings for survivors.
According to Venezuelan authorities, the earthquakes have claimed nearly 2,000 lives, while more than 6,400 people have been rescued since the disaster struck.
Tens of thousands of survivors remain without adequate shelter, with humanitarian agencies warning that urgent needs continue to grow.
The UN refugee agency said the scale of the disaster has left thousands of families in desperate need of emergency assistance, while the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) confirmed that national and international rescue teams remain active in the affected communities.
UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) teams are also assessing the extent of the destruction and identifying communities most in need of humanitarian support.
Officials said about 1,000 buildings, including hospitals, have either been damaged or completely destroyed.
More than 400 schools and water systems have also been severely affected, worsening living conditions for residents.
To support relief efforts, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has delivered an initial 47-tonne shipment of humanitarian supplies, including emergency medical kits, water purification materials, safe birth supplies, wheelchairs, child-friendly tents and educational materials. The shipment follows an earlier consignment that arrived from Panama.
UNICEF said the combined aid will support more than 100,000 children and their families over the next three months.
Speaking from La Guaira, UNICEF representative Gabriel Vockel said the organisation is working around the clock to reach as many children and families as possible, while appealing for more donations to expand its life-saving operations.
UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Roberto Benes, said many affected families are sleeping outdoors for fear of continued aftershocks and remain in urgent need of clean water, healthcare and safe shelter.
The agency estimates that about 680,000 children across six affected states require humanitarian assistance following what has been described as Venezuela’s most significant earthquake disaster in more than a century.
Authorities also reported that more than 600 aftershocks have been recorded since the initial earthquakes, increasing concerns over further damage and risks to survivors.
UNICEF is seeking $52 million to respond to the earthquake emergency as part of its broader 2026 Humanitarian Action for Children appeal for Venezuela, which remains significantly underfunded.
International News
Panic in Europe as France Records First-Ever Ebola Case
France has confirmed its first-ever case of Ebola virus disease, triggering concern across Europe as health authorities move swiftly to contain the deadly infection.
The French Health Ministry announced on Wednesday that a doctor returning from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is currently battling a major Ebola outbreak, tested positive for the virus after arriving in France.
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According to officials, the patient was immediately isolated upon arrival, even before laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis, helping to reduce the risk of transmission.
In a statement, the ministry confirmed the identification of “a first positive case of Ebola virus disease on national territory,” marking the first time the virus has been detected in France.
The development also represents the first confirmed Ebola case recorded outside Africa during the current outbreak, which has affected both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
French authorities disclosed that the case was detected in mainland France, while Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu is closely monitoring the situation as health agencies intensify surveillance and response measures.
The current outbreak in the DRC was officially declared on May 15 following a series of unexplained deaths in the eastern Ituri Province.
The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment.
Despite growing concerns, public health experts have stressed that the risk of widespread global transmission remains low because Ebola is less contagious than many airborne infectious diseases.
The virus spreads through direct contact with infected bodily fluids and contaminated materials.
Ebola is a severe and often fatal haemorrhagic fever that can cause symptoms including high fever, weakness, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, and in severe cases, internal and external bleeding.
French health authorities have assured the public that all necessary precautions are being taken to contain the case and prevent any further spread of the disease.
The announcement has nevertheless sparked anxiety across Europe, given the deadly nature of the virus and its emergence outside the African continent during the ongoing outbreak.
International News
“He Failed Badly” — Trump Says Starmer Will Step Down as UK PM
U.S. President Donald Trump has predicted that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will step down from office, accusing the Labour leader of failing on two critical issues — immigration and energy policy.
Trump made the remarks on Sunday in a post on his Truth Social platform, where he claimed Starmer’s leadership had fallen short in addressing challenges facing the United Kingdom.
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“Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of The United Kingdom,” Trump wrote. “He failed badly on two very important subjects — IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well!”
The U.S. president did not provide any evidence to support his claim, nor did he reveal the basis for his prediction that Starmer would leave office.
Starmer, who leads the Labour Party, became Prime Minister after securing victory in the UK’s general election.
Since taking office, his government has faced criticism over a range of issues, including migration policies, energy security, and the cost-of-living challenges confronting many Britons.
Trump’s comments come as debates over immigration and energy continue to dominate political discussions in the UK.
However, there has been no official statement from Starmer, his office, or the British government suggesting that he plans to resign.
As of the time of filing this report, Starmer remains in office and continues to lead the government despite the claims made by the American president.





