Diving into DeepSeek: inside the 7 February Guardian Weekly
It's been a tale of technology and tariffs this week as a Chinese-developed chatbot delivered the first shock to stock markets after appearing to have stolen a march on US tech supremacy. For our big story, technology editors Robert Booth and Dan Milmo dived into the implications of DeepSeek, a cheaper and less energy intensive AI tool than Silicon Valley rivals such as OpenAI's ChatGPT.
Within days of DeepSeek's stealth launch, it had raced up the download charts but equally as fast, its limitations when questioned on tricky subjects such as contentious Chinese history were pointed out by testers. With the help of typical Turing test questions we, however, report that all chatbots on the market have their limitations. And, as commentator Kenan Malik writes, the real shock of the new pretender owes more to economics than technical developments.
Meanwhile, barely recovered from their tech tremors, the markets reeled again as Donald Trump unveiled his promised tariff tactics. While Mexico and Canada won a month's reprieve after agreeing to shore up their borders against Trump's claims of migrants and illegal drugs coming into the US, China stood up to the White House by imposing its own tariffs on US imports. In a week when the news, seemingly, never had a moment to draw breath, this edition of Guardian Weekly is a chance to reflect on these two globally significant events.
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Spotlight | My home was crushed and buried Gaza-based reporter Malek A Tantesh records her family's arduous walk back to Beit Lahia in northern Gaza, the joy of making her way home but the sorrow of the destruction she saw
Environment | Why icebreakers are a hot topic in the Arctic?While Donald Trump seems intent on securing Greenland, our Nordic correspondent Miranda Bryant speaks to local experts, who explain that it will be no mean feat to control shipping routes through the prized Northwest Passage
Feature | My inside storyImprisoned for her part in the UK's Just Stop Oil protests, Louise Lancaster reflects on prison conditions and what she has learned from her time in jail
Opinion | Labour is sacrificing everything to the god of GDPThe government is committing environmental vandalism via chancellor Rachel Reeves' push for growth at all costs and is no better than its Tory predecessors, says George Monbiot
Culture | Bridget Jones is back As the ultimate singleton returns, older and wiser after 25 years, the star and creator of the new movie, Renée Zellweger and Helen Fielding, tell Hollie Richardson why her appeal hasn't dimmed
Wider fears about the direction of artificial intelligence were allayed somewhat by this sweet tale of an 'AI granny' chatbot named Daisy, designed to frustrate telephone fraudsters with a stream of befuddling inquiries about cups of tea, knitting and how computers work. Graham Snowdon, editor
Audio | Alice Weidel: the far-right banker Elon Musk wants as German chancellor
Video | How immigration is used as a political weapon
Gallery | Marianne Faithfull – a life in pictures
We'd love to hear your thoughts on the magazine: for submissions to our letters page, please email weekly.letters@theguardian.com. For anything else, it's editorial.feedback@theguardian.com
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The Independent
15 minutes ago
- The Independent
LA protests live: Curfew enforced in parts of Downtown as Trump claims ‘paid agitators' targeted police with bricks
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has announced a curfew in the city in response to vandalism amid the protests against ICE raids. The curfew will be enforced from 8 p.m. local time Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday, and anyone who breaks the curfew will be arrested, Bass warned. Donald Trump flirted with invoking the Insurrection Act, which allows the domestic use of the military, in remarks on Tuesday in the Oval Office. The president has already deployed thousands of federalized National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests over his immigration raids. The total cost of the deployment to date has been disclosed as $134 million, with Trump claiming that without them, the city 'would be burning to the ground right now.' Bass has dismissed those claims, given that the Guard is protecting two federal buildings and local law enforcement has been quelling civil unrest triggered by ICE raids. She has vowed to pursue vandals and looters to the fullest extent of the law after more stores were looted on Monday. California Governor Gavin Newsom, who claims the presence of troops exacerbates tensions, has asked a judge for an emergency injunction regarding the troop deployment, arguing it is 'unlawful,' as well as 'excessive and unnecessary.' A hearing is set for Thursday. Speaking to soldiers at Fort Bragg on Tuesday afternoon, Trump accused the mayor and governor of paying 'agitators' and 'insurrectionists' who he claimed came ready with bricks to throw. Trump has since seemed to walk back his claims, saying, 'I didn't say the governor or the mayor. I said, somebody's paying them, I think.' Pinned What you need to know so far... President Donald Trump deployed 4,000 federalized National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests over immigration raids, costing $134 million to date. Mayor Karen Bass refuted Trump's claim that the city would be 'burning to the ground' without the troops, noting the Guard is protecting federal buildings while local law enforcement handles unrest. California Governor Gavin Newsom sued the Trump administration and sought an emergency injunction, deeming the troop deployment 'unlawful,' 'excessive,' and 'unnecessary.' A judge rejected Newsom's emergency injunction and allowed the Trump administration more time to respond to the governor's court filing. Democrats in Congress said that the militarization seen in Los Angeles was a warning to other Americans. After Trump claimed he spoke to Newsom about the unrest on Monday, the governor said the president doesn't even know who he is talking to, as the call didn't happen. Mayor Bass said that the solution to the violence gripping the city is an end to the raids by ICE. Oliver O'Connell10 June 2025 15:32 Over a dozen looters arrested in Los Angeles The Los Angeles Police Department said that they made 14 arrests after several businesses in the city's Jewelry District were looted, per The Associated Press. The LAPD didn't say if the suspects were part of the ongoing protests against ICE raids in the city. Nejdeh Avedian, a general manager at one of the stores that wasn't broken into, told the AP that the demonstrators had already left at that point. 'These guys were just opportunists,' Avedian said. Rachel Dobkin11 June 2025 04:30 LA protesters disperse before curfew kicks in People protesting against the ICE raids in Los Angeles dispersed ahead of curfew. Jesus Jimenez, a New York Times reporter based in Los Angeles, wrote shortly before 7:20 p.m. local time, 'Downtown Los Angeles already seems much quieter than yesterday. 'There are still small pockets of protesters in some areas, but streets that were packed with demonstrators 24 hours ago are almost clear.' Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has announced a curfew from 8 p.m. local time Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday. She warned those who break curfew will be arrested. 11 June 2025 04:10 LA protesters hold prayer vigil Watch LIVE: Prayer vigil held in Los Angeles for peace and solidarity with immigrants Rachel Dobkin11 June 2025 03:50 More than 200 people arrested amid LA protests: Newsom California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a Tuesday night address that more than 220 people have been arrested so far amid the protests against ICE raids in Los Angeles. 'If you incite violence or destroy our communities, you're going to be held to account. That kind of criminal behavior will not be tolerated. Full stop,' Newsom said. The governor said that officials are reviewing footage to build more cases, 'and people will be prosecuted.' Most protesters have been peaceful, but there have been some bad actors. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Tuesday night that 23 businesses were looted last night and 'graffiti is everywhere.' Rachel Dobkin11 June 2025 03:30 Newsom takes jab at Trump, telling Americans 'do not give into him' California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken another jab at President Donald Trump in their ongoing feud over the Los Angeles protests against ICE raids in the city. Newsom said in a major address Tuesday night, 'I know many of you are feeling deep anxiety, stress and fear. But I want you to know that you are the antidote to that fear and that anxiety. What Donald Trump wants most is your fealty. Your silence. To be complicit in this moment. Do not give in to him.' In an unprecedented move, Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops and 700 Marines to Los Angeles without Newsom's permission in response to the protests. Newsom claimed the move was illegal and a 'brazen abuse of power' Tuesday night. The governor said that the 'situation was winding down' in Los Angeles before Trump deployed the military. 'But that's not what Donald Trump wanted,' Newsom claimed. Trump has claimed that without deploying the military, Los Angeles 'would be burning to the ground right now.' Rachel Dobkin11 June 2025 03:02 LA mayor announces curfew amid protests Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced a curfew Tuesday night amid the protests against ICE raids. Bass said the curfew will be from 8 p.m. local time Tuesday to 6 a.m. Wednesday, and those who break curfew will be arrested. The curfew only covers one square mile, and there are exceptions for residents, people traveling to and from work and credentialed media. Before announcing the curfew, Bass said that 23 businesses were looted last night and 'graffiti is everywhere.' It's unclear when the curfew will be lifted. 'I will consult with elected leaders and law enforcement officials tomorrow on the continuation of the curfew but we certainly expect for it to last for several days,' Bass said. LA officials enact curfew for part of downtown following days of protests The curfew is expected to last for several days, the mayor said Rachel Dobkin11 June 2025 03:03 Kim Kardashian speaks out in support of LA immigrants Kim Kardashian has shared a message of support on Instagram Tuesday night for immigrants in Los Angeles amid mass protests against the Trump administration's ICE raids in the city: 'When we're told that ICE exists to keep our country safe and remove violent criminals-great. But when we witness innocent, hardworking people being ripped from their families in inhumane ways, we have to speak up. We have to do what's right. Growing up in LA, I've seen how deeply immigrants are woven into the fabric of this city. They are our neighbors, friends, classmates, coworkers, and family. No matter where you fall politically, it's clear that our communities thrive because of the contributions of immigrants. We can't turn a blind eye when fear and injustice keep people from living their lives freely and safely. There HAS to be a BETTER way.' Kardashian has praised President Donald Trump in the past, saying she was 'very grateful' after he commuted the sentence of Alice Johnson, a woman serving life in prison for a nonviolent drug offense, in 2018. 11 June 2025 02:50 ICE raid protests erupt across the US Protests against the ICE raids in Los Angeles have spread across the U.S. with demonstrations popping up in Seattle, Austin, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Activists are planning more and even larger demonstrations in the days to come, including nationwide 'No Kings' protests on Saturday to coincide with President Donald Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C. The Trump administration said it would continue its ICE raids and deportations despite the protests. Read more from Jim Vertuno. Rachel Dobkin11 June 2025 02:30 Trump team may cut education funding to California The Trump administration is considering cutting federal education funding to California amid rising tensions between the president and Governor Gavin Newsom over the Los Angeles protests. In an unprecedented move, Donald Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops and 700 U.S. Marines into Los Angeles amid mass protests over ICE raids in the city. Newsom has called on Trump to rescind the order and return control of the National Guard to the state. Now, Trump's team said the Education Department may stop the disbursement of 'formula funds' to California, according to Politico. This could dramatically impact the state's education system, as schools receive $8 billion from the federal government each year.
BBC News
17 minutes ago
- BBC News
Americans react to Trump sending military into Los Angeles
US President Donald Trump has sent thousands of National Guard troops and hundreds of US Marines to Los Angeles as protests take place against the administration's ramped-up immigration enforcement. While the president's allies cheer him on, both the governor of California and the mayor of Los Angeles say Trump is overstepping his authority and stoking Americans are no less divided over the issue. But do they feel it is the president or the protesters who have gone too far? Here's what six voters had to say about the news. Eric Kaiser, 46, Independent This Indiana man worries about the precedent Trump is setting by sending the National Guard into Los Angeles.I've seen some different takes on the legality of it, but it feels to me like the federal government is being very, very heavy-handed on this, which is concerning to me since protest is a protected form of expression in this country. I'm concerned that this sets Americans against Americans, and specifically American military against American citizens. The Trump administration is going about [the ICE raids] in an interesting manner... While making unilateral raids like these, they're making a lot of mistakes and those mistakes are costing people their freedoms. [The Trump administration] is not admitting to their mistakes and they're not following due have laws in this country for a reason. Demesio Guerrero, 70, Republican This Mexico-born Texas resident - a naturalised US citizen - supports the deployment of troops to put down "shameful" protests in a shame that people who have come to this country to set themselves up are doing this, the riots.I tend to think that many of the rioters are people with criminal histories. Violent protesters. People that want to be here to create a future and have a family in this generous country would not be doing that. Many are even waving Mexican flags. That's so shameful.I respect the president in so many ways. He is a guy who knows how to get things done. He's the law-and-order president. What was he supposed to do? Let them burn trash? Let them destroy Los Angeles? Lori Gregory, 62, Democrat This California woman is distraught over what she sees in Los Angeles and an "attack" on immigrants by the Trump administration. When I saw they called on the National Guard, I just started crying because he's weaponising everything he possibly can. There's no free speech, there's no dissent - it's Hitler's playbook all over again. It's heartbreaking, really. I just feel for the people he's targeting. It's wrong, it's so un-American. It's so against what this country was founded for. I'm just shocked. I probably shouldn't be, but I just can't believe it's happening. I can't believe the military and the National Guard are supporting this. How protests erupted after rumours of immigration raidAnalysis: This is a political fight Trump is eager to have Jim Sullivan, 55, Republican This Indiana man wants the violence to stop, but also worries about what deploying the military in response to protests means for the goes far beyond just protest, in my view. This is an attack on our sovereignty and our civil society. We can debate immigration policy, but violence and chaos should not be tolerated. [But Trump is] the one who's going to push the envelope to the legal limit, and if he can get by with more, he will, I think. That's one of my concerns about this whole thing. I'm not 100% on board with it, but at the same time, I think something has to be done. It's not getting taken care of. My trepidation is about precedent...I feel like everything we do, when we set new precedents, it will become new norms and not the exception. Devynn De Velasco, 22, Independent This Nebraska woman says she's likely to get involved with protests happening in her town because she's upset with what she sees Trump doing in watching clips, I saw some mostly peaceful protests. It seems like Trump is just mad that they're happening, rather than trying to prevent them from being violent. More and more, he's become a president who uses his power to enforce his will [rather] than the will of the people. I wonder to what extent is he going to keep doing this. It's extremely valid that people are protesting ICE, because in all honesty there is very little proof of due process for people who have been taken by ICE and wrongfully detained. Ross Barrera, 59, Republican A 29-year veteran of the US Army who retired as a colonel, this Texan - from the overwhelmingly Latino Rio Grande City on the border - believes that it is the protests that have gone too state and local governments fail to support federal law - in this case deportation orders - the military deployment is necessary to protect lives, property and the movement of protesters are blocking major highways, disrupting commerce, destroying and burning police cars, and interfering with police orders to disperse in certain has the right to protest, but you don't have the right to make me or others listen to violence so I can have your attention comes with consequences. Everything we know about the demonstrationsTrump's deportation drive is perfect storm in city of immigrantsLA's chaotic weekend of protests in maps and pictures
BBC News
17 minutes ago
- BBC News
LA protests: Trump vows to 'liberate' city as mayor imposes curfew
The mayor of Los Angeles has imposed a night-time curfew for part of downtown as a fifth day of clashes over President Donald Trump's immigration raids erupted in America's second-biggest Bass said she was declaring an emergency as businesses were being vandalised and looted. Nearly 200 people were arrested in the city on defended his decision to deploy 4,000 National Guard troops and 700 Marines to LA, vowing to "liberate" the city and prevent it being "conquered by a foreign enemy".The immigration raids that triggered the protests last Friday are continuing with National Guard troops now protecting border control agents on enforcement operations. Chaotic protests also sprung up on Tuesday night in cities around the country, from Seattle to Chicago:Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent National Guard troops to San Antonio, where immigration rallies are being plannedIn Atlanta, Georgia, riot police used tear gas on protesters who fired fireworks towards officers at a demonstration attended by hundreds Several thousand anti-Trump protesters took to the streets of New York City, marching into lower ManhattanLA's mayor told reporters earlier: "I have declared a local emergency and issued a curfew for downtown Los Angeles to stop the vandalism, to stop the looting."The order affects one-square-mile of LA where the protests have been concentrated and will be in effect beginning on Tuesday night from 20:00 PST (04:00 GMT) until Wednesday morning at 06:00 PST. Live updates from the protestsLos Angeles police responding to the protests made 197 arrests on Tuesday, up from 114 on Monday, 40 on Sunday and 27 on Saturday, Bass told Tuesday's press conference. The mayor said 23 businesses had been looted on Monday night, though she did not provide an estimate of financial losses to the city from all the at-times violent disorder. "We reached a tipping point," she said of her decision to impose a unrest has been restricted to pockets of the sprawling city. For much of Los Angeles it was a normal Tuesday as tens of thousands of children went to school, commuter traffic choked the streets and tourists strolled Hollywood police chief Jim McDonnell said the curfew was "not about silencing voices", but was a necessary measure to save lives and safeguard property. Bass also said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had provoked the unrest by conducting raids on Latino areas in the city in recent days. "If [the raids are] going to go on for 30 days, and that's what the rumour is, and, if we want to see our city peaceful again, I will call upon the administration one more time to end the raids," she said. On Tuesday, National Guard troops, who were previously guarding federal buildings, began assisting ICE agents with their "daily enforcement operations", a spokesperson for the agency told the BBC. Marines were guarding federal officials and property on Tuesday, Marines Corps General Eric Smith said. They do not have arrest authority. Everything we know about the demonstrationsTrump's deportation drive is perfect storm in city of immigrantsCould Trump invoke the Insurrection Act?The military deployment to the LA area will cost $134m (£99m), the Pentagon said. Addressing troops at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Trump described the protests as a "full-blown assault on peace and public order".The Republican president said he plans to use "every asset at our disposal to quell the violence and restore order right away".In televised remarks on Tuesday night, California's Governor Gavin Newsom hit back at Trump's unusual deployment of the military for a domestic law-enforcement matter."This brazen abuse of power by a sitting president inflamed a combustible situation, putting our people, our officers, and even our National Guard, at risk," he in the day a federal court denied an emergency request from California to block the use of troops sent to Los Angeles. District Judge Charles Breyer scheduled a hearing on the motion for Thursday.
