Authorities in Taiwan will block the Chinese social media and shopping app RedNote for a year following a surge in online scams linked to the platform. Officials report that more than 1,700 fraud cases have been linked to the app since last year, resulting in losses exceeding NT$247 million.
Regulators report that the company failed to meet required data-security standards and did not respond to requests for a plan to strengthen cybersecurity.
Internet providers have been instructed to restrict access, affecting several million users who now see a security warning message when opening the app.
Concerns over Beijing’s online influence and the spread of disinformation have added pressure on Taiwanese authorities to tighten oversight of Chinese platforms.
RedNote’s operators are also facing scrutiny in mainland China, where regulators have criticised the company over what they labelled ‘negative’ content.
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England’s preparations for next summer’s World Cup increasingly rely on AI systems designed to sharpen decision-making both on and off the pitch. Analysts now utilise advanced tools to analyse vast datasets in hours rather than days, providing coaches with clearer insights before matches.
Penalty planning has become one of England’s most significant gains, with AI mapping opposition tendencies and each player’s striking style to ease pressure during high-stakes moments.
Players say the guidance helps them commit with confidence, while goalkeepers benefit from more detailed and precise information.
Player well-being is also guided by daily AI-powered checks that flag signs of fatigue and inform training loads, meal plans, and medical support.
Specialists insist that human judgement remains central, yet acknowledge that wealthier nations may gain an edge as smaller federations struggle to afford similar technologies.
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Researchers at the University of Bradford are preparing to pilot an AI-enabled wildfire detection system that uses robotic dogs, drones, and emerging 6G networks to identify early signs of fire and alert emergency services.
The trial, set to take place in Greece in 2025, is part of the EU-funded 6G-VERSUS research project, which explores how next-generation connectivity can support crisis response.
According to project lead Dr Kamran Mahroof, wildfires have become a ‘pressing global challenge’ due to rising frequency and severity. The team intends to combine sensor data collected by four-legged robotic platforms and aerial drones with AI models capable of analysing smoke, vegetation dryness, and early heat signatures. High-bandwidth 6G links enable the near-instantaneous transmission of this data to emergency responders.
The research received funding earlier this year from the EU’s Horizon Innovation Action programme and was showcased in Birmingham during an event on AI solutions for global risks.
While the West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service stated that it does not currently employ AI for wildfire operations, it expressed interest in the project. It described its existing use of drones, mapping tools, and weather modelling for situational awareness.
The Bradford team emphasises that early detection remains the most effective tool for limiting wildfire spread. The upcoming pilot will evaluate whether integrated AI, robotics, and next-generation networks can help emergency services respond more quickly and predict where fires are likely to ignite.
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At an event hosted on 2 December by VIKAND in partnership with the United States Coast Guard (USCG), 30 UK maritime companies were awarded for their continued commitment to safety at sea through the AMVER system.
In total, 255 vessels under their operation represent 1,587 collective years of eligibility in AMVER. However, this reflects decades of voluntary participation in a global ship-reporting network that helps coordinate rescue operations far from shore using real-time vessel-position data.
Speakers at the ceremony emphasised that AMVER remains essential for ‘mariners helping mariners’, enabling merchant vessels to respond swiftly to distress calls anywhere in the world, regardless of nationality.
Representatives from maritime insurers, navigational-services firms and classification societies underscored the continuing importance of collaboration, readiness and mutual support across the global shipping industry.
This recognition illustrates how safety and solidarity at sea continue to matter deeply in an industry facing mounting pressures, from regulatory change to environmental and geopolitical risks. The awards reaffirm the UK fleet’s active role in keeping maritime trade not only productive, but also ready to save lives.
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Europe is building a laser-based ground station in Greenland to secure satellite links as Russian jamming intensifies. ESA and Denmark chose Kangerlussuaq for its clear skies and direct access to polar-orbit traffic.
The optical system uses Astrolight’s technology to transmit data markedly faster than radio signals. Narrow laser beams resist interference, allowing vast imaging sets to reach analysts with far fewer disruptions.
Developers expect terabytes to be downloaded in under a minute, reducing reliance on vulnerable Arctic radio sites. European officials say the upgrade strengthens autonomy as undersea cables and navigation systems face repeated targeting from countries such as Russia.
The Danish station will support defence monitoring, climate science and search-and-rescue operations across high latitudes. Work is underway, with completion planned for 2026 and ambitions for a wider global laser network.
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The UAE unveiled a scholarship programme to nurture future leaders in AI at MBZUAI. The initiative, guided by Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, targets outstanding undergraduates beginning in the 2025 academic year.
Approximately 350 students will be supported over six years following a rigorous selection process. Applicants will be assessed for mathematical strength, leadership potential and entrepreneurial drive in line with national technological ambitions.
Scholars will gain financial backing alongside opportunities to represent the UAE internationally and develop innovative ventures. Senior officials said the programme strengthens the nation’s aim to build a world-class cohort of AI specialists.
MBZUAI highlighted its interdisciplinary approach that blends technical study with ethics, leadership and business education. Students will have access to advanced facilities, industry placements, and mentorships designed to prepare them for global technology roles.
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Pope Leo XIV urged global institutions to guide younger generations as they navigate the expanding influence of AI. He warned that rapid access to information cannot replace the deeper search for meaning and purpose.
Previously, the Pope had warned students not to rely solely on AI for educational support. He encouraged educators and leaders to help young people develop discernment and confidence when encountering digital systems.
Additionally, he called for coordinated action across politics, business, academia and faith communities to steer technological progress toward the common good. He argued that AI development should not be treated as an inevitable pathway shaped by narrow interests.
He noted that AI reshapes human relationships and cognition, raising concerns about its effects on freedom, creativity and contemplation. He insisted that safeguarding human dignity is essential to managing AI’s wide-ranging consequences.
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AI adoption in manufacturing is accelerating as generative tools are reshaping frontline roles. Many firms see connected worker platforms as a response to labour shortages and a draw for younger recruits. GenAI is emerging as a support layer that boosts productivity without displacing staff.
Operators face mixed training needs, language gaps and stricter safety demands. GenAI supports tailored instructions and smoother knowledge transfer, cutting documentation effort.
Retrieval is becoming more critical as factories digitise. Frontline teams need fast access to clear guidance across text, image and video formats. AI-enabled search interprets intent, reducing delays caused by navigating large content libraries.
Video-based guidance is rising in prominence as short-form media becomes a preferred way for younger workers to learn. AI can convert lengthy procedures into concise visual steps, while multilingual transcription expands accessibility for diverse teams across global operations.
The growing use of AI tools marks a shift toward more adaptive factory operations. Manufacturers view connected worker platforms as vital to competitiveness, with AI integration offering gains in engagement, safety and performance.
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Ireland’s online safety regulator has agreed a new partnership with Australia’s eSafety Commissioner to strengthen global approaches to digital harm. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reinforces shared ambitions to improve online protection for children and adults.
The Irish and Australian plan to exchange data, expertise and methodological insights to advance safer digital platforms. Officials describe the arrangement as a way to enhance oversight of systems used to minimise harmful content and promote responsible design.
Leaders from both organisations emphasised the need for accountability across the tech sector. Their comments highlighted efforts to ensure that platforms embed user protection into their product architecture, rather than relying solely on reactive enforcement.
The MoU also opens avenues for collaborative policy development and joint work on education programs. Officials expect a deeper alignment around age assurance technologies and emerging regulatory challenges as online risks continue to evolve.
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A significant shift in property law has occurred in the United Kingdom, as digital assets are gaining formal recognition as personal property.
The Property Digital Assets Act has received Royal Assent, giving owners of cryptocurrency and non-fungible tokens clearer legal rights and stronger protection. Greater certainty over ownership aims to reduce disputes and strengthen trust in the sector.
The government aims to boost the country’s position as a global centre for legal innovation, rather than merely reacting to technological change. The new framework reassures fintech companies that England, Wales and Northern Ireland can support modern commercial activity.
As part of a wider growth plan, the change is expected to stimulate further investment in a legal services industry worth more than £ 40 billion annually.
Traditional law recognised only tangible items and legal rights, yet digital assets required distinct treatment.
The Act creates a new category, allowing certain digital assets to be treated like other property, including being inherited or recovered during bankruptcy. With cryptocurrency fraud on the rise, owners now have a more straightforward path to remedy when digital assets are stolen.
Legal certainty also simplifies commercial activity for firms handling crypto transactions. The move aligns digital assets with established forms of property rather than leaving them in an undefined space, which encourages adoption and reduces the likelihood of costly disagreements.
The government expects the new clarity to attract more businesses to the UK and reinforce the country’s role in shaping future digital regulation.
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