G7 digital ministers struggled to reach consensus on regulating Big Tech and addressing the environmental impact of AI, with the US reportedly refusing to compromise. Meanwhile, tech firms are pitching AI to Pope Francis ahead of his first encyclical.
India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare now requires a doctor's prescription to buy cough syrups and other syrup medicines, ending over-the-counter sales. This move aims to prevent misuse, recreational drug use, and accidental poisoning, especially among adolescents and young adults, and addresses a history of contaminated Indian-made medicines causing child deaths globally.
Bitcoin's recovery is linked to a potential US-Iran peace deal, with on-chain metrics showing weak momentum. Meanwhile, the CFTC has hired a former SEC crypto task force adviser, and MicroStrategy purchased 1,587 BTC, increasing its holdings to 846,842.
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, mandates that real estate agents dealing with registered property projects must register with the respective state RERA authority. This aims to enhance transparency and accountability in property transactions by regulating intermediaries.
Sri Lanka is becoming a hub for transnational cybercrime as Chinese-run scam operations relocate from Southeast Asia. Police report an alarming increase, with nearly 700 foreigners arrested this year. Recent raids in Colombo uncovered fake documents and large sums of money.
Big Tech's push for federal AI preemption legislation is complicated by a child safety bill (KOSA). Reports suggest the White House may back Sen. Blackburn's version, bypassing House Republicans and sparking confusion among stakeholders about which child safety provisions will be included.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk urged international regulation of autonomous weapons like drones due to rising war crime risks. He highlighted their use in Ukraine, Sudan, DR Congo, Myanmar, and the Middle East, noting mass casualties and terrorized civilians. Sudan has seen a significant increase in drone attacks, with over 1,000 civilian deaths this year.
A new bill in Congress aims to establish a Federal Cryptocurrency Theft Task Force within the Justice Department, months after the disbandment of the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team (NCET). The proposal seeks to improve coordination for investigating and prosecuting crypto theft while keeping market regulation separate.
Hong Kong transport authorities are exploring secure data storage for ride-hailing platforms to comply with new regulations taking effect in August, emphasizing data privacy and national security. Operators must obtain user approval for data use and adhere to strict privacy rules.
Hong Kong introduces a two-tier vetting system for its labour importation scheme, effective Tuesday. The new regulations aim to protect local jobs by requiring employers to hire more local staff and face stricter penalties for non-compliance.
Environmentalists and First Nations groups argue a new SA government agreement with BHP inadequately addresses water extraction from the Great Artesian Basin, citing insufficient consultation and potential long-term damage to mound springs.
Amateur fishermen in Queensland are split on whether to relax laws that limit the size and number of bull sharks they can catch. While some want easier access to larger sharks, others, including experts, are concerned about the ecological impact of removing apex predators and potential health risks from consuming larger fish.
Bengaluru police registered a criminal case against US-based The Timothy Initiative and six individuals for allegedly funding over Rs 95 crore towards Naxalism and conversions, bypassing Indian financial regulations using foreign debit cards.
Despite President Trump's warnings against state-level AI regulation, numerous states are advancing targeted legislation. These laws focus on AI's interaction with children, employer use, and preventing AI-caused catastrophes, filling a perceived federal regulatory vacuum.
Senator Josh Hawley is pushing a worker-centric vision for AI regulation within the GOP, challenging the party's alignment with Big Tech and donor class interests. This ideological rift highlights growing conservative concerns over AI's societal impact, job displacement, and potential existential threats, setting the stage for future political battles.
Populist conservatives within the Republican Party are increasingly advocating for AI regulation, diverging from Donald Trump's deregulatory stance. Figures like Josh Hawley and Ron DeSantis are positioning AI as a key issue, emphasizing worker protection and national security over unfettered industry growth, potentially shaping future GOP platforms.
Russia will implement a new regulation for the procurement, storage, and use of agents for proactive weather modification starting September 1. The rules aim to protect harvests from hail, prevent snow avalanches, and induce rain or disperse clouds, applying to specialist organizations with special licenses.
Audi F1 CEO Mattia Binotto has questioned the FIA's ADUO regulations, suggesting that basing power unit convergence solely on kilowatt measurements might not be the most effective approach. He proposes an alternative system similar to chassis regulations, where past performance influences development opportunities, aiming for a more equalized grid.
Saudi Arabia's Qiwa labour platform has introduced new regulations for Premium Residency holders, requiring a dedicated work permit for SR100. The platform also clarified rules on employee resignations, training contracts, and visa amendments, aiming to guide employers and employees on digital labour procedures.
The UK government has announced a £1.1bn investment in AI hardware, aiming to foster domestic chip companies. Alongside this, new measures will compel big tech firms like Apple and Google to block child nudity online, with potential criminal liabilities for non-compliance. Future actions may include an under-16 ban on high-risk social media apps.
Artist David Hockney, who died at 88, was a vocal defender of smoking, viewing it as a matter of personal freedom and artistic expression. His painting "Play within a Play within a Play and Me with a Cigarette" sparked controversy with Paris Metro authorities over advertising regulations, highlighting his lifelong stance against "bossiness." Hockney often drew parallels between the societal tolerance of homosexuality and the intolerance shown towards smokers, advocating for smoking as an inalienable right.
Artist David Hockney, who died at 88, was known for his lifelong love of smoking and his vocal opposition to smoking bans. His painting 'Play within a Play within a Play and Me with a Cigarette' sparked controversy with Paris Metro authorities, and he frequently wrote to newspapers advocating for smoking as an inalienable right. Despite health issues, including a mini-stroke, Hockney continued to paint, with his final works reflecting warmth and dignity.
An environmental campaign group, Fighting Dirty, is taking legal action against the UK government over new chemical safety regulations. The group claims the proposals could allow the fast-tracking of chemical hazard classifications from countries with lower standards into UK law, potentially weakening protections against carcinogens.
China's entertainment industry has introduced new regulations to end the long-standing dispute over actor name order in TV and film productions. Effective July 10, 2024, actor credits will be standardized based on surname stroke count, using real names, and limited to three categories: "Lead Actor," "Special Appearance," and "Appearance." Violators face industry blacklisting.
