U.S. moves to ease rules on self-driving vehicles without driver controls

The Trump administration is taking steps that would make it easier for automakers to deploy-self driving cars without driver controls, a potential boon to the ambitions of Tesla and rivals looking to put robotaxis on U.S. roads in the near future.

Current rules require automakers that want to deploy self-driving cars designed without a steering wheel or brake pedals to seek an exemption from federal safety standards that effectively require that new cars have human driving controls. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will “streamline” that exemption process, the agency said in a letter posted to its website on Friday.

As a result of the changes, NHTSA “anticipates reaching decisions on most exemption requests within months rather than years,” NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser said in the letter.

The move takes aim at one the biggest regulatory hurdles facing Tesla’s plan to field its self-driving Cybercab in large numbers.

Delta, United suspend flights to Tel Aviv

Delta Air Lines Inc. and United Airlines Holdings Inc. suspended flights to Tel Aviv following Israel’s bombing of Iran and the closure of Israel’s airspace.

Delta has stopped flights through Aug. 31 from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, and will continue monitoring “the evolving security environment in the area,” the Atlanta-based carrier said in a statement on Friday.

Delta issued a travel waiver offering rebooking options for those holding reservations to Tel Aviv from June 12 through Aug. 31.

United didn’t say when flights between its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey and Tel Aviv might resume. It canceled one Newark outbound flight on Thursday, and another already in the air returned to the New Jersey airport.

The carrier also arranged for 26 crew members on a layover in Tel Aviv to fly out on an El Al Israel Airlines flight.

Judge blocks firing of CPSC members

A federal judge has blocked the terminations of three Democratic members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission after they were fired by President Donald Trump in his effort to assert more power over independent federal agencies.

The commission helps protect consumers from dangerous products by issuing recalls, suing errant companies and more.

Trump announced last month his decision to fire the three Democrats on the five-member commission. They were serving seven-year terms after being nominated by President Joe Biden.

The ruling will likely be appealed.

1 million power banks recalled

More than 1.15 million power banks are under recall across the U.S. after some fires and explosions were reported by consumers.

According to a Thursday notice from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, electronics maker Anker Innovations is recalling certain PowerCore 10000 power banks because the lithium-ion battery inside can overheat.

An overheating battery can lead to “melting of plastic components, smoke, and fire hazards,” Anker wrote in an accompanying announcement.

According to the CPSC, China-based Anker has received 19 reports of fires and explosions involving these now-recalled portable chargers.

Compiled from AP and Bloomberg reports.