Licence

Brazilians with an expired Carteira Nacional de Habilitação (CNH) are being told they may no longer face the strict 30-day rule for renewal. Reports say drivers whose licences have lapsed could gain a new deadline to regularise their status without retaking full exams. Motorists across Brazil are discussing what the change means for them, how long the grace period would last, and when it takes effect, with local outlets amplifying the news.

The UK government is considering a levy on broadband subscriptions as a way to fund the BBC, potentially replacing or supplementing the traditional television licence fee. The proposal would mean every household with an internet connection contributes to the broadcaster's financing, reflecting a shift toward digital viewing habits. The idea is likely to spark debate over whether non-BBC viewers should be required to pay for it.

American IndyCar driver Colton Herta says he still hopes to reach Formula 1 by 2028, insisting 'I still have a chance.' The Californian came close to an F1 grid spot in 2022 before a Super Licence points issue blocked a move to AlphaTauri. His renewed ambition is drawing attention from fans following the American's long-pursued path to the sport.

France's Interior Ministry is extending automatic driving licence suspensions to drivers caught using a mobile phone at the wheel, with Le Figaro reporting the policy under the banner 'there must be a real sanction'. Phone use while driving is already an offence in France, but the move makes loss of the licence a systematic consequence, signalling a tougher enforcement stance.

The French government has announced it will extend across the whole country the automatic suspension of a driving licence for using a phone behind the wheel. Officials say the measure targets ordinary drivers, not just repeat offenders, and is part of a wider road-safety push. Comment is focused on how the rule will apply to 'monsieur et madame Tout-le-Monde' — everyday motorists caught once — and on its deterrent effect.

Coinbase has secured a licence to operate in the UAE, while XRP Asia has launched in Singapore, and OpenAI is hinting at ties with chipmaker Cerebras. The roundup comes as tokenised markets gain momentum. Bitcoin sits around $84,892, roughly flat over 24 hours, with Ethereum also trading near steady levels.

Northern Ireland has introduced graduated motorcycle licence rules, creating staged access to bikes rather than direct progression to larger machines. Riders will move through categories based on age, training and tests before riding more powerful motorcycles. Motorcycling outlets are covering the change, and riders are discussing what it means for training costs, young riders and whether similar rules could follow elsewhere in the UK.

Chinese telecoms giant Huawei and US chipmaker Qualcomm have agreed a cross-licence covering patents for 5G and artificial intelligence technologies. The deal lets each company use the other's patented innovations, reducing the risk of litigation between two of the industry's biggest patent holders. Observers see it as a rare example of technical cooperation between Chinese and American firms amid ongoing US-China tech tensions.

Campaign groups say businesses supporting further North Sea oil and gas drilling are increasingly out of step, amid ongoing debate over the UK government's energy policy. The claim, reported by the Evening Standard, highlights growing tension between industry backing for new drilling licences and environmental campaigners calling for a faster shift to renewable energy.

Qualcomm has agreed to licence and acquire patents from Huawei for the first time, in a multi-year agreement covering 5G, computing and artificial intelligence. The arrangement includes cross-licensing between the two companies' patent portfolios, marking a notable step in cooperation between the US chipmaker and the Chinese technology firm despite broader trade tensions.

A parliamentary committee has recommended that the BBC licence fee should be reduced in cost and expanded beyond television viewing, according to reporting by Sky News. The cross-party group of MPs says the current funding model needs reform to reflect how audiences now consume content across streaming, online and broadcast services. The recommendations put fresh pressure on the government ahead of decisions about the corporation's future funding.

German drivers, especially pensioners, are preparing for a set of new motor vehicle regulations taking effect in 2027. Coverage from Echo24.de outlines what older drivers need to watch regarding their cars and driving licences, amid wider debate about licence renewals and health checks for seniors. Motorists are being urged to check the changes in advance.

Ukraine has introduced the option to take the theoretical driving licence exam in English. Applicants can now sit the road rules knowledge test in English instead of only Ukrainian, a change announced by Ukrinform. The move is aimed at making the licensing process more accessible to foreigners living in or arriving in the country, including those working with international organisations.

Matt Brittin, Google's president for EMEA business, has said he would like to see BBC News distributed through Netflix. His comments add to ongoing debate in the UK about the future of the TV licence fee and how the BBC should be funded and reach audiences as viewing shifts to streaming platforms, with critics and supporters arguing over whether the corporation should place its news output behind subscription services.

A resident of a CIS country was caught using a cheat sheet while taking a driving theory exam at a GIBDD testing centre in Naberezhnye Chelny. Local outlet ProGorod Chelny reports the incident, highlighting the problems examiners face with cheating during driving licence tests. The story has drawn attention in the Tatarstan city.

A wave of driving law changes is launching in October, including new licence restrictions, fuel duty cuts and car bans in certain areas. Motorists are being urged to check the rules before the month begins, as several measures could affect licences, fuel costs and where cars are allowed to drive.

Chipmakers Qualcomm and Arm have resumed their legal battle over chip technology licensing. The dispute centres on Arm's claims that Qualcomm breached its architecture licence in developing custom chips, including designs used in Snapdragon processors for laptops. The case is being closely watched across the semiconductor industry because its outcome could shape how companies license and build custom chips on Arm's technology.

Music and film collectors are buying physical media again, arguing that 'if you can't hold it, you don't own it'. The Guardian reports growing frustration with streaming platforms, where catalogues shift by licence and recommendation algorithms decide what people hear or watch. Vinyl records, CDs and DVDs are being promoted as a way to truly own media and escape curated feeds.

Bitcoin Life has been granted a life insurance licence in Guernsey, allowing the company to underwrite life insurance products from the island, a well-established captive insurance jurisdiction. The move links the crypto sector with Guernsey's regulated insurance market. Details on the company's planned products and regulatory conditions have not yet been widely reported.

Microsoft has made its disc-to-digital programme available to all Xbox users, allowing players to convert physical Xbox One and Series X discs into digital licences. The feature lets owners launch disc-based games digitally, but the licence remains tied to the disc, meaning the physical copy still must be owned and potentially inserted. Coverage from tech outlet heise highlights both the added convenience and the limitation that games cannot be fully detached from their discs.

The FIA has outlined how the Bahrain Grand Prix venue and Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia earned their Formula 1 licences through a detailed homologation process. The procedure included track safety inspections, infrastructure reviews and compliance checks, running from a final inspection in December 2025 through follow-up inspections before racing.

Qualcomm faces a decline in chip revenue from the iPhone, but the renewal of its licence agreement with Apple provides a financial cushion. The renewed deal helps offset the company's shrinking modem chip business as Apple moves toward producing more components in-house, softening the blow for the US chipmaker.