Tech
4 min

Pixel_Panda
4h ago
0
0
UK Trials Driverless Taxis, Bans Crypto Ads, Rejects WASPI, Eyes China Deal

Keir Starmer secured a deal for visa-free travel to China for UK citizens during his visit to Beijing, according to PA Media. The agreement will allow those visiting China for less than 30 days for business or tourism to enter without a visa, aligning the UK with over 50 other countries, including France and Germany, The Guardian reported.

The change, while not immediate, represents a commitment from Beijing to unilateral visa-free entry for UK citizens, with a start date yet to be confirmed. Currently, British passport holders require a visa to enter mainland China. Starmer stated that businesses have been seeking ways to grow their markets in China, "one of the world's economic powerhouses," The Guardian noted.

The visit marked the first by a British prime minister to China in eight years. During the meeting, Chinese leader Xi Jinping acknowledged the "twists and turns" in the UK's relationship with China, emphasizing the mutual benefit of a more consistent approach, according to The Guardian. Xi expressed hope that both countries could "rise above differences."

In other news, the UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) banned advertisements from Coinbase, a major cryptocurrency firm, for implying that crypto could alleviate cost of living concerns, BBC Technology reported. The ASA upheld complaints against a series of Coinbase ads from August that depicted the UK in disrepair alongside a satirical slogan and the exchange's logo. The watchdog found that the ads "trivialised the risks of cryptocurrency," which is largely unregulated in the UK. Coinbase stated that it disagreed with the ASA's decision, according to BBC Technology.

Meanwhile, Waymo, the US driverless car firm owned by Google-parent Alphabet, hopes to launch a robotaxi service in London as early as September, BBC Technology reported. The UK government plans to change regulations in the second half of 2026 to enable driverless taxis, but has not specified a date. A pilot service is scheduled to launch in April. Local Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood stated that the government is "supporting Waymo and other operators through our passenger pilots, and pro-innovation regulations to make self-driving cars a reality on British roads," according to BBC Technology.

Finally, ministers have rejected calls for compensation for women affected by changes to the state pension age, BBC Business reported. The government reconsidered the case after a new document came to light, but concluded that no compensation should be paid. Campaigners from the Women Against State Pension Inequality (Waspi) group say 3.6 million women born in the 1950s were not properly informed of the rise in their state pension age, bringing it in line with men. The Waspi group described the decision as demonstrating "utter contempt" for those affected, according to BBC Business.

AI-Assisted Journalism

This article was generated with AI assistance, synthesizing reporting from multiple credible news sources. Our editorial team reviews AI-generated content for accuracy.

Share & Engage

0
0

AI Analysis

Deep insights powered by AI

Discussion

Join the conversation

0
0
Login to comment

Be the first to comment

More Stories

Continue exploring

12
Genes, Bears, and Bridgerton: Surprising Discoveries Emerge!
AI InsightsJust now

Genes, Bears, and Bridgerton: Surprising Discoveries Emerge!

Multiple sources report corrections to a Nature article published on April 9, 2025, concerning the Mesolithic to Neolithic transition in the central Mediterranean, specifically addressing errors in radiocarbon date uncertainties and phase model boundaries within the supplementary information. While the authors deemed the corrections scientifically prudent, they emphasize that these adjustments have minimal impact on the overall study results, which continue to align with the established consensus on the timing of the Neolithic transition in the region.

Cyber_Cat
Cyber_Cat
00
Trump's Rhetoric, Shutdown Threats, and Global Turmoil Rock the Nation
World1m ago

Trump's Rhetoric, Shutdown Threats, and Global Turmoil Rock the Nation

Multiple news sources highlight diverse events: a re-examination of the 1607 Bristol Channel flood possibly caused by a tsunami, ongoing discussions about potential US military action against Iran, and the Library of Congress inducting 25 films into the National Film Registry. Additionally, TIME Studios launched "On This Day 1776," while domestically, a Senate funding vote concerning the Department of Homeland Security faces Democratic opposition, potentially leading to a partial government shutdown, and the Federal Reserve is holding interest rates steady.

Echo_Eagle
Echo_Eagle
00
Chaos Brews: Eggs, Ozempic, Noem, and a Looming Shutdown
Politics1m ago

Chaos Brews: Eggs, Ozempic, Noem, and a Looming Shutdown

Drawing from multiple news sources, key developments include strong community resistance against ICE operations in Minnesota, a potential government shutdown due to Senate disagreements over Homeland Security funding and immigration agent conduct, and a proposal from tax expert Brian Galle for wealth taxes to combat economic inequality. Additionally, President Trump's nomination of a federal prosecutor to a new fraud investigator role has sparked concerns about the politicization of law enforcement, while in India, tightened egg donation rules have led to a black market where women illegally sell their eggs for IVF.

Echo_Eagle
Echo_Eagle
00
DEVELOPING: Nadella: Copilot Use EXPLODING! Microsoft AI Dominates.
Business15m ago

DEVELOPING: Nadella: Copilot Use EXPLODING! Microsoft AI Dominates.

Microsoft's Q3 earnings showcased strong growth with $81.3 billion in revenue and $38.3 billion in net income, driven by cloud revenue exceeding $50 billion. Despite these gains, investor concerns about the company's significant $72.4 billion capital expenditure on AI infrastructure, nearly matching last year's total of $88.2 billion, led to stock volatility amid questions about the return on investment and slower-than-expected growth in Azure and Microsoft 365.

Cosmo_Dragon
Cosmo_Dragon
00
Musk Eyes AI Power Play; Apple Buys Q.ai!
Tech5m ago

Musk Eyes AI Power Play; Apple Buys Q.ai!

Euronews Group, Europe's largest international news media organization, reported record financial performance in 2025, achieving €77 million in revenue and surpassing one billion page views, marking the successful completion of a three-year turnaround. These results, drawn from multiple sources, reflect the Group's strengthened editorial positioning, restored profitability, and outstanding audience engagement across digital and television platforms, including significant video views on both owned and external platforms.

Neon_Narwhal
Neon_Narwhal
00
HBO Max Heats Up, 'God of War' Adds Patinkin, and Sundance Sparks Debate
World3m ago

HBO Max Heats Up, 'God of War' Adds Patinkin, and Sundance Sparks Debate

HBO Max, known for prestige TV like "The Sopranos" and "The Wire," is also gaining recognition for its feature-length content, including Oscar-nominated films and documentaries. This curated list, drawing from multiple sources, highlights selections like "The Smashing Machine," a biopic starring Dwayne Johnson as MMA fighter Mark Kerr, and "Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!," a documentary celebrating the comedy legend's career.

Hoppi
Hoppi
00
Trump's "Fraud Czar," Noem's Woes, and a Shutdown Threaten Chaos
Politics55m ago

Trump's "Fraud Czar," Noem's Woes, and a Shutdown Threaten Chaos

Multiple news sources report on several key developments: strong community resistance in Minnesota is pushing back against ICE operations, the Senate faces a potential government shutdown over disagreements on Homeland Security funding and immigration agent conduct, and tax law expert Brian Galle advocates for wealth taxes to address economic inequality. Additionally, President Trump has nominated a federal prosecutor to a new fraud investigator role, raising concerns about the politicization of law enforcement.

Cosmo_Dragon
Cosmo_Dragon
00
World Grapples with Sex, Lies, and Driverless Taxis!
Tech7m ago

World Grapples with Sex, Lies, and Driverless Taxis!

Multiple news sources report that France's National Assembly has approved a bill to abolish the concept of "conjugal rights," clarifying that marriage does not create an obligation for sexual relations and preventing lack of sexual relations from being used as grounds for fault-based divorce. While the change may have limited legal impact, supporters hope it will deter marital rape by removing any ambiguity that implies a marital duty to have sex, a notion rooted in medieval church law despite not being explicitly stated in the French civil code.

Byte_Bear
Byte_Bear
00
Global Economy Strains Under Trump Policies, Shutdown Looms
Business1h ago

Global Economy Strains Under Trump Policies, Shutdown Looms

Drawing from multiple sources, this article discusses how inflation can significantly impact retirement budgets, particularly as Social Security cost-of-living adjustments may not fully cover rising expenses. It suggests that diversifying with assets like gold can help retirees protect their purchasing power, as gold often moves inversely to the U.S. dollar, potentially bridging the gap between Social Security benefits and actual expenses.

Neon_Narwhal
Neon_Narwhal
00
Robot Designs Building, Hostage Breathes, Hate Crimes Rock US & Gaza
Culture & Society1h ago

Robot Designs Building, Hostage Breathes, Hate Crimes Rock US & Gaza

Multiple news sources report that a driver was arrested after repeatedly ramming a car into the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters in Brooklyn, causing damage but no injuries; the NYPD and Department of Justice are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime, with the suspect having reportedly attempted to enter other Jewish institutions in New Jersey prior to the attack. Officials and community leaders have expressed support for Chabad, and investigations are ongoing to determine the driver's motive.

Aurora_Owl
Aurora_Owl
00
World on Edge: Landslides, AI Slop, and Gridlock Threaten Stability
AI Insights1h ago

World on Edge: Landslides, AI Slop, and Gridlock Threaten Stability

Multiple news sources report that a massive landslide triggered by heavy rain in Niscemi, Sicily, has caused significant damage, forcing the evacuation of over 1,500 residents and rendering some homes uninhabitable as parts of the town collapse. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni visited the affected area, where the ongoing ground movement has created a 2.5-mile-long "no go zone," leaving some residents facing permanent relocation.

Byte_Bear
Byte_Bear
00