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China temporarily bans helium exports as US-Iran tensions flare again

China announced on Friday a temporary ban on helium exports, effective immediately, as renewed military conflict in the Middle East threatens to trigger fresh shortages of the gas, which is critical for semiconductor manufacturing. Earlier this year, the US-Israeli war on Iran caused helium shortages, disrupting companies worldwide, including in China, where the artificial intelligence industry increasingly relies on domestically produced chips to train and run AI models. Helium is essential for heat management during semiconductor production. The export ban is the latest example of Beijing seeking to prevent domestic shortages of critical materials by restricting overseas shipments. China has previously imposed similar export curbs on fuel, fertilisers and sulphuric acid. China is also seeking to expand domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity and reduce the industry's reliance on advanced Nvidia chips that are subject to US export controls. China re-exports helium ...
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France to activate extreme heat emergency plan for 1st time

The French government will activate its Extreme Heat ORSEC emergency plan for the first time on Friday in all departments placed under the highest red heat wave alert, government spokesperson Maud Bregeon announced. "We will activate today, in all departments placed under red heat wave alert, the Extreme Heat ORSEC plan. (...) We will open cooling centres to shelter the most vulnerable," Bregeon told broadcaster TF1. The plan, unveiled on July 2, aims to organise a coordinated response by all public authorities during extreme heat episodes. Read: At least 3,700 excess deaths reported during heatwave in France, Belgium, Netherlands The new civil protection mechanism is designed to mobilise additional resources during periods of exceptionally high temperatures. It also includes measures to identify and assist isolated people. Nine departments in western France will be placed under a red heat wave alert from noon on Friday, according to the latest bulletin from Meteo-France. A further 72 departments remain under an orange heat wave alert. Pour vendredi 10 juillet : 🔴9 départements en vigilance rouge canicule 🟠72 départements en vigilance orange canicule Pour samedi 11 juillet : 🔴24 départements en vigilance rouge canicule 🟠56 départements en vigilance orange canicule pic.twitter.com/lEtTcFhcBe — VigiMétéoFrance (@VigiMeteoFrance) July 10, 2026 Meteo-France said the heat wave, which has affected France since July 4, is expected to continue at least until Tuesday, with temperatures forecast to rise again on Sunday. The prolonged hot weather has also fueled wildfires, with 9,921 hectares (24,516 acres) burned during the first week of July, nearly three times the area destroyed during the same period last year. Authorities have also canceled several Bastille Day fireworks displays because of the high wildfire risk, including in the Herault and Vendee departments.

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At least 32 miners dead after bridge fails at cobalt site in southeast DR Congo

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