
China bans uncertified power banks on domestic flights over fire safety concerns
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced that only power banks with an official China Compulsory Certification (CCC) mark will be allowed onboard. Devices with unclear, faded, or missing certification labels, as well as those listed in product recall notices are prohibited.
According to the CAAC, the stricter regulation is part of a broader push to enhance flight safety and prevent mid-air hazards, following a string of fire-related incidents involving lithium battery-powered devices on flights in recent months.
Major Chinese electronics manufacturers such as Anker and Romoss have recalled over 1.2 million portable chargers due to battery issues. Other brands, including Baseus and Ugreen, have had their CCC certifications suspended or revoked due to safety concerns.
Airport authorities have also been urged to install clear signage and make public announcements about the new policy. Some airports have increased access to public charging stations to reduce passengers' reliance on personal power banks.
730 million people flew domestically in China in 2024, according to the CAAC.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Dubai Eye
6 hours ago
- Dubai Eye
BRICS leaders condemn Gaza and Iran attacks, urge global reforms
Leaders of the BRICS group of developing nations on Sunday condemned attacks on Gaza and Iran, called for reforms of global institutions and presented the bloc as a haven for multilateral diplomacy amid violent conflicts and trade wars. With forums such as the G7 and G20 groups of major economies hamstrung by divisions and the disruptive "America First" approach of US President Donald Trump, expansion of the BRICS has opened new space for diplomatic coordination. In opening remarks to the summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva drew a parallel with the Cold War's Non-Aligned Movement, a group of developing nations that resisted joining either side of a polarized global order. "BRICS is the heir to the Non-Aligned Movement," Lula told leaders. "With multilateralism under attack, our autonomy is in check once again." BRICS nations now represent more than half the world's population and 40 per cent of its economic output, Lula noted in remarks on Saturday to business leaders warning of rising protectionism. The original BRICS group gathered leaders from Brazil, Russia, India and China at its first summit in 2009. The bloc later added South Africa and last year included Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates as members. This is the first summit of leaders to include Indonesia. "The vacuum left by others ends up being filled almost instantly by the BRICS," said a Brazilian diplomat who asked not to be named. Although the G7 still concentrates vast power, the diplomat added, "it doesn't have the predominance it once did." However, there are questions about the shared goals of an increasingly heterogeneous BRICS group, which has grown to include regional rivals along with major emerging economies. Stealing some thunder from this year's summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping chose to send his premier in his place. Russian President Vladimir Putin is attending online due to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. Still, several heads of state were gathered for discussions at Rio's Museum of Modern Art on Sunday and Monday, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa. More than 30 nations have expressed interest in participating in the BRICS, either as full members or partners. In a joint statement released on Sunday afternoon, the leaders assembled called attacks against Iran's "civilian infrastructure and peaceful nuclear facilities" a "violation of international law". The group expressed "grave concern" for the Palestinian people over Israeli attacks on Gaza, and condemned what the joint statement called a "terrorist attack" in India-administered Kashmir. On trade, the joint statement warned the rise in tariffs threatens global trade, continuing the group's veiled criticism of Trump's US tariff policies. The group voiced its support for Ethiopia and Iran to join the World Trade Organisation, while calling to urgently restore its ability to resolve trade disputes. The leaders' joint statement backed plans to pilot a BRICS Multilateral Guarantees initiative within the group's New Development Bank to lower financing costs and boost investment in member states, as first reported by Reuters last week. In a separate statement following a discussion of artificial intelligence, the leaders called for protections against unauthorised use of AI to avoid excessive data collection and allow mechanisms for fair payment. China and the UAE signaled in meetings with Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad in Rio that they plan to invest in a proposed Tropical Forests Forever Facility, according to two sources with knowledge of the discussions about funding conservation of endangered forests around the world.


What's On
9 hours ago
- What's On
Dubai is getting ready to launch driverless car trials ahead of 2026 rollout
Dubai is officially stepping into the driverless era. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has signed a new agreement with — a global leader in autonomous vehicle technology — to kickstart trials of self-driving cars later this year. These tests will lead up to a full commercial rollout in 2026, putting Dubai firmly on the map as one of the world's most forward-thinking cities for transport innovation. The vehicles will operate at Level 4 autonomy, meaning they can function without a human driver, although initial trials will include safety drivers in the car. These tests will assess the vehicles' ability to navigate urban environments before switching to fully autonomous mode next year. What is bringing to Dubai? is no newcomer to the autonomous game. The tech company has partnered with major global car manufacturers including Toyota, GAC, and BAIC to develop smart, sensor-driven vehicles. In China, robotaxis are already integrated into daily life via apps like WeChat and Alipay, allowing riders to book trips just like they would a standard taxi or Uber. This same functionality is expected to come to Dubai in the near future, seamlessly integrating with ride-hailing platforms in the UAE. Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a leading company specialising in autonomous driving technologies, to commence pilot trials of autonomous vehicles in the emirate. The trials are scheduled to begin later… — Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) July 6, 2025 Why it matters for commuters The introduction of driverless taxis is set to transform how residents move through the city. Initially, these autonomous vehicles will focus on 'first and last mile' connections — short trips between public transport hubs, homes, hotels, and major landmarks. This means quicker access to the Dubai Metro, less reliance on private vehicles, and smarter solutions for airport and business district travel. The initiative falls under Dubai's wider Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to see 25% of all transport trips in the city handled by autonomous vehicles by 2030. With the launch of this new partnership, that vision is already well underway. What's next for smart mobility in the UAE? The signing ceremony, attended by RTA Director-General Mattar Al Tayer and representatives from highlights the city's commitment to transforming its transport ecosystem. It also follows a wave of similar announcements: Uber is expected to launch self-driving ride options in Dubai by 2026, and Chinese companies like WeRide and Baidu's Apollo Go are also planning regional trials. Dubai's streets are set to become some of the smartest — and safest — in the world. With reduced human error, better traffic management, and more efficient commuting, driverless transport might just be the upgrade we didn't know we needed. When can we expect to see these cars? Trials of the autonomous vehicles will begin in late 2025, with full commercial service launching across the city in 2026. So while you won't be hopping into a driverless ride just yet, it's not far off — and the future of Dubai's daily commute is looking smarter by the minute. Image: Dubai Media Office > Sign up for FREE to get exclusive updates that you are interested in


Arabian Post
13 hours ago
- Arabian Post
Dubai Accelerates Driverless Trials with Pony.ai Alliance
Dubai's Roads and Transport Authority has formalised a Memorandum of Understanding with Pony. ai to commence pilot trials of self‑driving vehicles across the emirate later this year, laying the foundation for a fully driverless commercial service by 2026. The agreement marks a pivotal milestone in Dubai's Smart Self‑Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to convert a quarter of the city's journey volume into autonomous mobility by 2030. Senior figures from both organisations attended the signing ceremony: Mattar Al Tayer, Director‑General and Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors at the RTA, alongside Dr Leo Wang, Chief Financial Officer of Pony. ai. The MoU was executed by Ahmed Hashim Bahrozyan, CEO of the RTA's Public Transport Agency, and Ann Shi, Vice‑President of Strategy and Business Development at Pony. ai. The pilot phase, scheduled for global launch later this year, will deploy Pony. ai's seventh‑generation autonomous vehicles, developed through collaboration with Toyota, GAC and BAIC. Equipped with an advanced sensor array—including lidars, radars and high‑resolution cameras—these vehicles are engineered for complex urban environments and diverse weather conditions. ADVERTISEMENT The MoU signals a deeper commitment to integrating autonomous vehicles into Dubai's existing transport ecosystem. Al Tayer highlighted that driverless taxis will enhance first‑ and last‑mile connectivity, reduce road congestion, elevate safety, and seamlessly complement public transport networks. Reflecting on the strategic nature of the alliance, Pony. ai CFO Dr Wang described it as a 'foundational standard for intelligent transportation ecosystems' across the MENA region. Dubai's broader mobility agenda encompasses not only autonomous road transport but also urban air mobility, with plans for commercial eVTOL services by 2026, and a transition to hybrid and electric public transport by 2027. To support this shift, the RTA has accelerated the deployment of EV charging infrastructure, with over 300 stations currently in operation and a target of 1,000 by 2025. On a regional level, Chinese autonomous vehicle companies are expanding rapidly into Gulf states, drawn by receptive regulation and rising demand. Pony. ai and WeRide are advancing trials in Dubai and Saudi cities, with Baidu targeting Abu Dhabi. With Gulf governments committed to having around 25 per cent of transport autonomous by 2030, the region is emerging as a testing ground for next‑generation mobility. Pony. ai brings considerable operational experience to the partnership. The firm currently operates a fleet of approximately 300 robotaxis in China and has established driverless ride‑hailing services in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen, as well as ongoing trials in the United States, South Korea and Luxembourg. Its seventh‑generation kit was first showcased at Auto Shanghai in April 2025 and offers a 70% bill‑of‑materials cost reduction, optimised for both cost and performance. Dubai's regulatory environment has proven critical to attracting partnerships. The emirate's Smart Self‑Driving Transport Strategy outlines ambitious goals for sustainable, tech‑driven mobility, supported by digital governance and public‑private collaboration. Industry analysts note the region's strong infrastructure and capital availability make it fertile ground for autonomous deployment. As the pilot moves forward, several key factors will determine its success: the performance and reliability of the autonomous fleet, regulatory oversight and licensing, integration with other services, and public acceptance. Pony. ai's prior experience with fully driverless operations—with regulatory suspensions and recalls already navigated in China and California—suggests a readiness to meet such challenges. By establishing mass‑production targets in the latter half of 2025 and scaling fleet deployment over the following two years, Pony. ai aims for rapid adoption of its technology. The Dubai partnership presents a high‑profile test case that could influence adoption patterns across the Middle East and beyond. Observers say the timing is opportune: urban centres in the Gulf are grappling with taxi shortages and traffic challenges, creating demand for scalable, autonomous alternatives. Dubai's move also complements its wider sustainability ambition, including hybrid and electric fleets and flying taxis, reinforcing its position as a global mobility innovator. The RTA‑Pony. ai deal thus represents a convergence of advanced vehicle technology, bold regulatory support and strategic urban planning. Its outcome will shape public perceptions, regulatory frameworks and commercial viability of driverless transport across a region ready to lead in autonomous innovation.