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EU probes Apple, Google, Meta under new digital law
Deutsche Welle
25 Mar 2024, 19:25
European Union regulators have opened investigations into the tech giants in the first application of the new Digital Markets Act. The tech lobby has criticized the move, saying it was "rushed."
US tech giants Apple, Google and Meta were targeted by European Union regulators on Monday, as the bloc opened its first investigations into "non-compliance" with its new Digital Markets Act (DMA).
The sweeping DMA legislation was passed into law earlier this month.
The law aims to prevent big tech companies from cornering digital markets while creating a fairer digital space by curbing how the biggest companies act online, including ensuring they give users more choices.
"We are not convinced that the solutions by [Google parent company] Alphabet, Apple and Meta respect their obligations for a fairer and more open digital space for European citizens and businesses," said the EU's internal market commissioner, Thierry Breton.
If found guilty of failing to comply with the new law, the EU Commission, the bloc's executive arm, can impose fines of up to 10% of a company's total global turnover, rising to 20% for repeat offenders.
The DMA is an accompaniment to the EU's Digital Services Act groundbreaking legislation to put in force measures to moderate illegal content and prevent, for example, the promotion of hate speech on their online platforms.
What have been the reactions?
The Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA), a leading international tech lobby group, criticized the move, which it said sent a "worrying signal."
"As we all know, data takes time to collect. What we see now, however, sends a worrying signal that the EU might rush into investigations without knowing what they're investigating," said the head of CCIA Europe, Daniel Friedlaender, as reported by AFP news agency.
Google said that it has already made "significant changes" to the way its services operate in Europe to comply with the DMA – including recent changes to its Google Maps service.
"We will continue to defend our approach in the coming months," Google's director of competition, Oliver Bethell, said.
Apple said it is confident that its move to allow iPhone users to switch web browsers more easily complies with the DMA, and that it will "continue to constructively engage with the European Commission as they conduct their investigations."
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Special Weather Bulletin on Cyclone Fengal
A deep depression located in the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjacent areas is moving further north-northwestwards. If the deep depression develops into a cyclone, it will be named Fengal. It may cross the north Tamil Nadu coast by Saturday (November 30) morning.
This information was revealed in the special weather bulletin (serial number 08) on Friday (November 29).
The Meteorological Department said that a deep depression located in the southwest Bay of Bengal and adjacent areas is moving further north-northwestwards and is located in the same area (10.5° north latitude and 82.6° east longitude).
It was located 1,655 km southwest of Chattogram Seaport, 1,600 km southwest of Cox's Bazar Seaport, 1,540 km southwest of Mongla Seaport, and 1,535 km southwest of Payra Seaport at 6 am today. It is likely to move further northwestwards and cross the north Tamil Nadu coast by Sunday morning.
The maximum sustained wind speed within 48 km of the center of the deep depression is 50 kmph, increasing to 60 kmph in gusts or squalls. The sea is rough in the area near the deep depression.
The seaports of Chattogram, Cox's Bazar, Mongla, and Payra have been asked to hoist distant warning signal number 1. All fishing boats and trawlers in the north Bay of Bengal and deep sea have been asked to proceed with caution near the coast until further notice.
SSC Form Fill-up Fee Increased
The form-filling fee for students appearing for the 2025 SSC and equivalent examinations has been increased. According to the new decision, the fee for each category (Science, Commerce, and Humanities) has increased by Tk100 compared to last year (2024).
The form-filling process will start from next Sunday (December 1). This process will continue until December 9 without a late fee.
This information was revealed from the complete form-filling notification recently published by the Dhaka Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board. The same fee has been fixed for other general education boards as well.
According to the notification of the education boards, students will be able to fill out the form online from December 1 to December 9 without a late fee.
The last date for submitting the online fee without a late fee is December 10. If the form cannot be filled within this period, the candidates will be able to fill the form by December 14 by paying a fine of Tk100. The last date for submitting the late fee is December 15.
In addition, the fee for all categories has been increased by Tk100 compared to last year. Like every year, separate fees have been fixed for the Science, Humanities, and Business Education departments.
The maximum fee for students in the science department will be Tk2,240 this year. Last year, the maximum fee set for students in this department was Tk2,140. Similarly, the fee for the humanities and business education departments has been set at Tk2,120. Last year, i.e., in the 2024 SSC examination, this fee was Tk2,020.
The boards have informed us that this fee for filling out the form also includes practical tests and center fees. Moreover, no matter when the examination is held, no more than 24 months of salary and session charges can be charged to students in combined classes of 9 and 10.
Dengue Claims 47 Lives in A Week
The dengue outbreak in the country is not decreasing in any way. Along with the deaths, the number of infected people is also increasing. The pressure of patients in hospitals increasing.
According to the dengue report of the Department of Health, 47 have died of dengue this week (November 23 to November 29) and 5,968 have been admitted to hospitals.
According to the statistics of the last seven days,
November 23: 10 died, 886 hospitalized
November 24: 11 died, 1,079 hospitalized
November 25: 2 died, 934 hospitalized
November 26: 10 died, 990 hospitalized
November 27: 4 died, 888 hospitalized
November 28: 7 died, 837 hospitalized
November 29: 3 died, 354 hospitalized.
So far this year, 90,793 people have been hospitalized due to dengue. Of these, 87,281 have been discharged. 485 died.
Atiqur Rahman, a specialized doctor at DMCH said that dengue is no longer seasonal, it occurs throughout the year. It increases when it starts raining. In addition to using mosquito repellents to prevent dengue, the city corporation must also conduct campaigns everywhere. At the same time, everyone must be aware of it.
Entomologist Dr Manjur Chowdhury says that not only public awareness will work to control mosquitoes. Appropriate measures must be taken by conducting proper surveys and using skilled manpower.
It is worth noting that in 2023, the highest number of dengue patients in the country's history was 3,21,179, and 1,705 people died.
Cyclone Fengal Moves Northwestwards Over Bay
Cyclone Fengal, which is located in the southwest Bay of Bengal and its vicinity, is gradually moving northwestwards.
The maximum sustained wind speed within 54 km of the cyclone center is 62 km/h, which is increasing to 88 km/h in gusts or squalls. The weather forecast says that the cyclone will hit the Tamil Nadu coast of India by midday today (November 30).
Meanwhile, the cyclone's impact is also being observed in the country's maritime region. The sea is very rough in the area near the cyclone center. As a result, maritime ports in Bangladesh have been instructed to keep distant warning signal number two hoisted as Cyclonic Storm Fengal intensifies over the Southwest Bay of Bengal.
This information was given in a special notice issued by meteorologist Md. Omar Faruk on Saturday (November 30).
According to a special bulletin from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD), as of 6 am today (30 November), Fengal was positioned approximately-
1,650 kilometres southwest of Chattogram port,
1,605 kilometres southwest of Cox's Bazar port,
1,505 kilometres southwest of Mongla port, and
1,515 kilometres southwest of Payra port.
The storm, which has sustained winds of around 62 km/h near its centre, with gusts reaching up to 88 km/h, is moving in a north-westerly direction.
In this situation, all fishing boats and trawlers in the North Bay of Bengal and deep sea have been asked to move with caution near the coast until further notice.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said in its latest update that Cyclone Fengal will cross the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast. During its passage, the wind speed will be 70 to 80 km/h in and around Karaikal and Mahabalipuram, which may exceed 90 km/h with gusts.
Bangladesh Reports Highest AIDS-Affected Patients This Year
In the last year, 195 people have died of AIDS in the country. This year, 1,438 people have been newly infected with AIDS. This is the highest number of AIDS cases since the first HIV (AIDS virus) positive case was identified in Bangladesh in 1989. Of these, 55 percent are married.
This information was obtained from the National Tuberculosis, Leprosy, and AIDS Control Program (TB-L & ASP) of the Department of Health.
Today is December 1, World AIDS Day. On this occasion, the Department of Health will present various statistics related to AIDS in the country. The theme of this year's World AIDS Day is 'If rights are ensured, HIV/AIDS will go away'.
Thoughts on young people and two risk groups
This year, 63 percent of the newly infected people are between 25 to 49 years old. 21 percent are between 20 to 24 years old. Last year, 16 percent of young people were between 19 to 24 years old.
Among patients, 10 percent of the total infected people are Rohingya. Last year, the rate was 12 percent. Transgender people account for 1 percent of the total infections. Last year too, the infection rate among them was similar.
These three groups, including homosexuals, female sex workers, and intravenous drug users, are also considered vulnerable to HIV.
Dr Md. Mahfuzar Rahman Sarkar, Line Director of TB-L & ASP at the Directorate General of Health Services, said, "Globally, the younger population is considered vulnerable to HIV. We are no exception here. And while living in Myanmar, HIV infection was relatively high among the Rohingya. Testing has increased among Rohingya and transgender people than before. Therefore, more are being identified."
Dr Saima Khan, Country Director for Bangladesh at UNAIDS, said, the scope of identifying and providing services to HIV-infected people has increased. However, campaigning can be increased to prevent the increase in infections among the young generation. More awareness topics need to be added to the curriculum on this issue.
Infection is more common among married people, fear of death
Of those infected with AIDS this year, 55 percent are married. 40 percent are single. 5 percent are widowed or divorced.
Last year, the infection rate among married people was 60 percent. Among single people, it was 31 percent. Like last year, this year too, the Dhaka division has the highest number of HIV infections.
Last year, the number of deaths due to HIV was 266. This year, the number is 195. Although the number of deaths has decreased, it is still at an alarming level, says Nazrul Islam, former vice-chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU). This virologist said that the HIV treatment system is now quite advanced. The cause of death may be that the infected people are not taking regular and proper treatment. Again, it is necessary to pay attention to whether the drugs being given are becoming resistant or not.
Gas Supply to be Suspended in Several Areas for 2 Days
Due to emergency tie-in and pipeline maintenance work at the Monohardi off-transmission point of GTCL, gas supply will be suspended in several areas from Thursday evening (December 5).
Titas Gas Authority announced this information in a press release on Wednesday (December 4).
According to the statement, from 6:00 pm Thursday to 6:00 pm Friday, a total of 24 hours, gas supply will be suspended for all categories of customers in the Monohardi Upazila Sadar and Gotashia areas under Titas Gas, as well as in the Kishoreganj district headquarters. Additionally, there may be low gas pressure in surrounding areas during this time.
Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited has apologized for the temporary inconvenience to customers.
Jaguar Unveils Futuristic Electric Car Concept ‘Type 00’
Luxury carmaker Jaguar is making strides into the electric vehicle market with the unveiling of its bold new concept car, the Type 00. Showcased recently in Miami, the concept car offers a glimpse into the future of electric mobility, combining Rolls Royce-like elegance with the modernity of Tesla's Cybertruck.
The Type 00 is over five meters long, with a cutting-edge interior that redefines modern design. Dual large displays at the front serve multiple purposes, from providing essential driving information to offering entertainment options like music and video. Notably, the car lacks traditional rear windows or windshields, instead relying on side-mounted cameras to display rear views.
Jerry McGovern, Chief Creative Officer of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), acknowledged the unconventional design, stating, “It might feel unsettling to some, but that’s okay. Embracing change is essential to move forward.”
Available in striking “Miami Pink” and “London Blue,” the Type 00 promises an impressive range of up to 430 miles on a single charge. While Jaguar has yet to disclose pricing details, the car is expected to hit the market by the end of next year, signaling Jaguar’s ambitious leap into the electric vehicle era.
