The EU has imposed a €550 million fine on online retailer AliExpress for allowing the sale of illegal products, including unsafe toys and cosmetics, that failed to meet the bloc’s environmental and safety standards. This is the largest fine under the Digital Services Act.
Europe has the potential to lead in global AI safety standards, according to David Kehr of Humanoid Robotics. However, the continent faces challenges including heavy regulation and a lack of European representation at industry events.
The US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) proposed new rules on radiation exposure, maintaining the LNT scientific model while replacing the subjective ALARA principle with a graded approach. The changes aim to clarify terminology and are expected to save the industry minimal amounts annually.
Malaysia received a completed food safety standards questionnaire from Thailand, a key step towards potentially lifting its ban on five species of Thai shrimp imposed on June 1. The ban was a response to Thailand's increased inspections of Malaysian sea bass.
Canada's new digital safety bill proposes banning social media for children under 16, with exemptions for platforms meeting safety standards. It also aims to regulate AI chatbots and establish a digital regulator.
India's major cities are seeing a rise in skyscrapers, but safety concerns are paramount. The National Building Code mandates fire safety, structural integrity, and electrical safety for buildings over 15 meters, with implementation by municipal bodies and fire services.
The US military knew for years that enemies could track troops via phone location data but failed to implement cheap fixes, now leading to soldiers being targeted in a war.
China has released 1,750 national food safety standards with over 20,000 indicators, covering 340+ food categories. These standards ensure safety from raw materials to consumption, focusing on risk management, raw material control, and production processes.
A US doctor infected with Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is being treated at Berlin's Charite university hospital in a high-level isolation unit. Germany was chosen due to shorter flight distances and high medical standards. The case highlights the need for global preparedness and better distribution of high-security isolation facilities.
UK campaigners are urging Keir Starmer to implement strict safety standards for social media apps accessed by under-16s, rather than a blanket ban. They propose vetting platforms and features before children can use them, citing concerns over infinite scrolling and disappearing messages.
FTC aims to stamp out brand-safety standards that hurt Breitbart and Musk's X.
A pivotal year for self-driving cars has begun in China, with the first “hands off” models approved to ply public roads, carmakers gearing up to mass-produce them and the first mandatory safety standards for autonomous vehicles out for public comment. The first carmakers were given the go-ahead in mid-December to build electric vehicle (EV) models with Level 3 (L3) autonomous driving capability. On an international scale from L0 to L5, an L3 autonomous vehicle can operate independently under...
