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As of December 2025, UK and US retailers report mixed financial results amid subdued consumer confidence and economic uncertainty. Watches of Switzerland sees robust US demand and tariff relief, while Frasers Group faces UK sales declines despite international growth. Walmart raises forecasts on strong e-commerce and affluent shoppers. Target and home improvement chains report sales challenges, prompting investments and cautious outlooks.
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California lawmakers and Gov. Gavin Newsom support legislation allowing gig drivers to unionize as independent contractors. The bills aim to empower drivers with collective bargaining rights and reduce insurance costs, potentially lowering fares. The legislation still needs legislative approval amid ongoing industry disputes.
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Jack Ma has returned to Alibaba’s campuses, taking a more active role than in years, amid a broader push into AI and local services. Meanwhile, Alibaba is expanding its super-app ecosystem with new AI-powered features, competing fiercely with Meituan and others in China’s digital economy.
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Zoox, an Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle company, has launched a free robotaxi service in Las Vegas, limited to five designated locations on the Strip. The service is a test phase, with plans to expand and eventually charge fares comparable to traditional taxis. The launch marks Zoox's entry into a competitive market with Waymo and others.
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Uber is integrating Blade's helicopter and seaplane routes into its app, with plans to include electric air taxis from Joby Aviation. The move aims to make urban air mobility more accessible globally, starting in New York and Dubai, pending regulatory approval.
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The US Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Uber, accusing the ride-sharing company of discriminating against passengers with disabilities. The lawsuit alleges drivers refuse service, impose illegal fees, and fail to accommodate riders with service animals or mobility devices. Uber denies the allegations, citing policies and training.
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Waymo has launched 'Waymo for Business,' a new service allowing companies to manage autonomous robotaxi rides for employees and clients in cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Nashville. The service offers corporate control over ride programs, with plans to expand further in 2026.
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California has enacted new laws allowing Uber and Lyft drivers to unionize while reducing insurance requirements. The legislation aims to improve driver rights and lower costs for riders, amid ongoing safety concerns and legal challenges following a high-profile assault case. The laws are part of a broader industry and political deal.
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Tesla reported a record 497,099 vehicle deliveries in Q3 2025, a 7.4% increase year-over-year and a 29% jump from Q2, driven by a rush to claim the expiring $7,500 US federal EV tax credit. Rivian also saw quarterly delivery growth but lowered its 2025 forecast. Tesla's European sales fell 22.5%, while China deliveries included a new Model Y variant. Munro EV in Scotland plans to create 300 jobs to scale production of its all-terrain electric vehicle.
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Hong Kong's legislature passed a bill establishing a licensing framework for ride-hailing services, expected to start in late 2026. The law requires platforms and drivers to meet specific standards, aiming to regulate the industry and balance competition with taxis. Industry stakeholders express cautious optimism amid unresolved details.
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On Monday, 20 October 2025, Amazon Web Services (AWS) experienced a significant outage in its US-EAST-1 region, causing widespread disruptions to numerous popular websites and apps including Perplexity AI, Robinhood, Snapchat, Fortnite, and Amazon's own services. AWS engineers are actively working to resolve the issue and restore normal operations.
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The US transportation safety regulator has launched a preliminary investigation into a Waymo autonomous vehicle that failed to stop for a school bus in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 22. The incident involved the vehicle passing a stopped bus with flashing lights and deployed stop arm, raising safety concerns. No safety operator was present, and Waymo has committed to software improvements. The investigation covers about 2,000 Waymo vehicles and follows multiple prior reviews of the company's self-driving systems.
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Industry leaders from Waymo, Aurora, and Uber discuss progress in autonomous vehicles, emphasizing safety, scaling challenges, and industry transparency. Companies report significant safety improvements, but incidents and regulatory scrutiny persist as they expand operations across the US and abroad.
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Uber is advancing its autonomous vehicle plans, deploying Lucid-based robotaxis in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2026, and developing AI training gigs for drivers. The company emphasizes safety, profitability, and new job opportunities amid industry shifts toward automation.
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Tesla opposes new regulations requiring ride-hailing data disclosures, while Waymo and Zoox expand their autonomous vehicle services in California. The regulatory landscape is shifting as companies race to deploy fully driverless cars, with Tesla emphasizing safety concerns and others pushing for broader rules.
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Tesla has completed self-certification for its robotaxi in Nevada, allowing deployment pending regulatory approval. The company is expanding testing and operations across several states, including Arizona and California, amid ongoing regulatory and safety concerns. Elon Musk aims for broad deployment by year's end.
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Recent developments include proposed enforceable standards for gig workers in Australia, such as minimum hourly pay and accident insurance, and legal actions against Uber's AI-driven pay systems in Europe. These moves aim to improve worker conditions amid market shifts and regulatory scrutiny.
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Timothy Shane, a 52-year-old inmate with a history of fleeing, escaped from an Atlanta hospital after a suicide attempt. He stole a SUV, crashed it, then stole a car near Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He was later captured in Covington after knocking on doors and hiding in an abandoned home. No injuries reported.