Tesla's Cybercab's wheels have only just hit the asphalt for its commercial launch and the autonomous vehicle has already attracted the attention of the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The body announced an investigation into Tesla's self-certification of the vehicle at the weekend. Central to the probe is the fact that the Cybercab famously lacks conventional controls. The NHTSA says there are "clear vehicle performance requirements" – stuff like brake controls – that "in order for automakers to access the US market, they must certify that their vehicles meet these standards – subject to oversight from the agency to confirm compliance. When certified vehicles appear to not adhere to these requirements, NHTSA conducts an investigation." The NHTSA is updating the requirements for autonomous vehicles designed never to be operated by a human, but Tesla appears to have jumped the gun somewhat, prompting the agency to open an Audit Query (AQ) just hours after the Cybercab began a commercial rollout on the streets of Austin, Texas. Tesla told the NHTSA that it had certified the Cybercab "as compliant with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)." The vehicles lack permanently attached manual controls such as a brake pedal, accelerator, steering wheel, or mirrors. In the AQ, the agency wrote it intended to "examine the process and technical data on which Tesla relied when certifying the Cybercab and related issues. "Among other things, NHTSA will consider the extent to which Tesla’s certification depended on determinations that certain FMVSS are inapplicable to the Cybercab." Tesla is not the only company with autonomous vehicles ferrying passengers around on US roads without using conventional controls in the cabin. Amazon tentacle Zoox, for example, was granted a two-year exemption [PDF] at the end of July 2026, with the proviso that "not more than 2,500 exempted vehicles are introduced into interstate commerce for commercial deployment in any 12-month period." There is therefore precedent. However, the NHTSA wants to see how Tesla came up with its self-certification for the Cybercab. NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison said, "NHTSA fully supports the safe development and deployment of automated vehicles. But as the federal regulator, we need to ensure that all of our laws are followed." The agency noted, "When certified vehicles appear to not adhere to these requirements, NHTSA conducts an investigation." ®

The Chemical Brothers

Het kabinet wil 6,5 miljard euro bezuinigen op de sociale zekerheid. De bonden zijn daarop tegen. Daarom voeren ze in de aanloop naar Prinsjesdag acties door heel het land, in verschillende sectoren.

Bij een ongeluk op de A27 in de richting van Breda is maandagmiddag een motorrijder gewond geraakt. De bestuurder botste door nog onbekende oorzaak achterop een auto. De snelweg was na het ongeluk in beide richtingen afgesloten. De weg richting Gorinchem is inmiddels weer open.

UTRECHT (ANP) - Een agent die begin dit jaar een vrouw schopte tijdens een conflict bij station Utrecht Centraal, wordt daar niet voor vervolgd. Volgens het Openbaar Ministerie was het geweld rechtmatig, omdat de vrouw niet luisterde naar de agent en zich verzette tegen haar aanhouding. Daarom komt er geen strafrechtelijk onderzoek.

Het incident gebeurde op 26 januari onder het zogeheten bollendak van het station. De agent had daar een aanvaring met twee gesluierde vrouwen, zo was te zien op beelden. De agent nam een van de twee aan haar arm mee, de andere vrouw liep achter hem aan met een telefoon in haar hand. Daarop gaf de agent haar een trap. Daarna ontstond een chaotische situatie, waarbij de agent de andere vrouw sloeg met zijn wapenstok.

Omstanders filmden het conflict en zetten de beelden online. Dat leidde tot veel boze reacties. Volgens de politie werd de man ook bedreigd.

De politie oordeelde eerder dat de agent zich niet geheel aan de instructies had gehouden. Hij had geen trap moeten geven en had de wapenstok niet moeten gebruiken. Voor de agent heeft dit echter geen consequenties.

Singer has rewarded patience of hundreds waiting outside hotel with regular appearances and even some dancing

Noëlla Lamy, 52, who described herself as one of Céline Dion’s biggest fans, was preparing to spend all night on a Paris pavement without a tent but wearing a sweatshirt printed with the singer’s face for comfort.

“Céline Dion is a force of bravery and an inspiration,” she said.

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James Frith says patients may be less willing to share data as new figures show a rise in opt-outs

Concern is being raised about Palantir’s work with the NHS as new figures showed tens of thousands of patients have withdrawn their data from use in research projects.

James Frith, the health innovation minister, said he was worried about “mistrust” of the US defence and health tech company and “the impact it could have on people’s willingness to share data with the NHS”.

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The Guardian’s picture editors select photographs from around the world

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Will influencers and weed smokers bring down US Open?
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Ridicuolous athleticism from Andreeva, sliding into net to make a volley, has Potapova applauding at 0-15. But she certainly isn’t at 15-30, when a net cord leaves her one to dispatch, only for her to unload the suitcase at a ball not requiring violence, overhitting by a long way to donate two break-back points. And Andreeva only needs one; Potapova leads 2-1 in the first.

And Potapova holds to 30. She’s never been beyond round four of a major – she’s fallen at that stage twice in Paris – and will know the extent of her task today. As if to underline the point, Andreeva opens with an ace, but a forehand winner makes 15-all and we wind up at 30s. Just watching this game, I think Potapova fancies tucking into her opponent’s second serve; she attacks one, then unleashes a murderous inside-out backhand, followed by a fore to the same corner – in the process raising break point. And, though she accidentally sends over a moon ball, Andreeva swipes her attempted winner wide and trails 0-2.

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