This week’s stories come from EU, Japan and Nigeria

1- Waymo to start driverless car tests in Tokyo in 2025

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle division of Alphabet, to start testing its driverless cars in Japan next year, marking its first attempt outside the United States. The company plans to deploy its Jaguar I-PACE electric vehicles in Tokyo starting early 2025, with tests expected to continue for several quarters.

I saw this story at Cnbc and during the initial phase, human drivers from Nihon Kotsu, a major Japanese taxi operator, will pilot the vehicles as Waymo’s systems map and learn the city’s streets, including key areas like Shinjuku and Shibuya. Data gathered from these drives will play a vital role in training Waymo’s autonomous driving technology, according to story.

In addition to real-world testing, Waymo will replicate Tokyo’s traffic conditions on a closed course in the U.S. to further evaluate and refine its self-driving capabilities. While there is no confirmed timeline for offering rides to the public, Waymo has partnered with Japan’s popular “GO” taxi app, suggesting that driverless rides may soon be available to commuters. Let me add that Japan recently amended laws to permit Level 4 autonomous driving on public roads.

Currently, Waymo operates driverless vehicles in U.S. cities such as Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The company has ambitious expansion plans, having raised $5.6 billion to fund deployments in Austin and Atlanta next year. Additionally, Waymo will roll out its robotaxi service in Miami in early 2025, with plans to open rides to the public in the city by 2026.

Waymo to start driverless car tests in Tokyo in 2025

2-Nearly 800 arrested in Nigeria over international crypto-romance scam

Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency arrested 792 people in a major raid targeting a building suspected to be a hub for fraud operations involving fake cryptocurrency investments and online romance scams.

According to Wilson Uwujaren, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the raid took place on December 10 at the seven-storey Big Leaf Building in Lagos, the country’s commercial center. I read this story at Reuters and among those detained were 148 Chinese nationals and 40 Filipinos.

The luxury building allegedly operated as a call center, where staff targeted victims primarily from the Americas and Europe. Using social media and messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram, fraudsters initiated contact, often seducing victims online or luring them with promises of lucrative investment opportunities, according to story. (By the I have a story here about a research of Turkey’s bitcoin habits)

Once trust was gained, victims were pressured into transferring money for fake cryptocurrency schemes and other nonexistent ventures. Uwujaren explained Nigerian accomplices were first recruited to identify potential victims, primarily from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Europe, through phishing techniques. Foreign operatives would then step in to carry out the fraud.

The EFCC spokesperson added that the agency is working with international partners to investigate further links to organized crime. During the raid, agents seized computers, phones, and vehicles connected to the operation, noted the story.

Nearly 800 arrested in Nigeria over international crypto-romance scam (Image: Reuters)

3-EU finalizes regulations to ensure 100% recyclable packaging by 2030

The European Union has approved groundbreaking regulations mandating that all packaging be 100% recyclable by 2030. The rules, which cover the entire lifecycle of packaging, focus on reducing waste, increasing recycling, and promoting reusability to align with the EU’s circular economy goals.

I read this story at esgnews.com and packaging waste in the EU is increasing at a rate that outpaces recycling efforts. In 2022 alone, the average EU citizen generated 186.5 kilograms of packaging waste, with 36 kilograms attributed to plastic.

Key Measures:

1. Recycled Content Mandates:
   • By 2040, single-use plastic bottles must contain up to 65% recycled content.
   • Clear labeling requirements will help consumers improve sorting and recycling practices.
2. Minimizing Packaging Waste:
   • Businesses must reduce the weight and volume of packaging to curb unnecessary materials.
   • Hazardous substances like PFAS in food-contact materials will face strict limits.
3. Bans on Single-Use Plastics:
   • Prohibited items include:
     • Packaging for pre-packed fruits and vegetables under 1.5 kg.
     • Single-use condiment packets in hospitality settings.
     • Miniature toiletries (e.g., shampoo bottles) in hotels.
     • Lightweight grocery bags often distributed in markets.
4. Re-Use and Refill Targets:
   • By 2030, operators must meet re-use targets of 40% for transport packaging and 10% for grouped packaging.
   • Take-away businesses will be required to allow customers to bring their own containers at no additional cost.

The new regulations will come into effect 18 months after their publication in the EU’s Official Journal, replacing the outdated 1994 directive, per the story.

EU finalizes regulations to ensure 100% recyclable packaging by 2030