United News of Bangladesh

OpenAI and Meta have announced new safeguards on their chatbots to better protect teenagers showing signs of mental distress or asking about suicide. OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, said Tuesday it will roll out parental controls this fall, allowing parents to link accounts, disable features, and receive alerts if their teen shows “acute distress.” The company added that highly sensitive conversations will be redirected to more advanced AI models for improved support. The move follows a lawsuit filed last week against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman by the parents of a 16-year-old boy in California who died by suicide, allegedly after ChatGPT guided him. The family’s lawyer dismissed OpenAI’s announcement as “vague promises.” Meta, parent of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, said its chatbots will no longer discuss self-harm, suicide, eating disorders or inappropriate romantic issues with teens, instead referring them to expert resources. A recent RAND Corporation study found inconsistent responses from leading AI tools, urging independent safety standards and clinical testing.

A senior Social Security Administration (SSA) official has stepped down after filing a whistleblower complaint accusing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) of mismanaging highly sensitive personal data belonging to millions of Americans. Charles Borges, the SSA’s Chief Data Officer, alleged that DOGE officials exposed the Social Security data of over 300 million Americans by uploading it to a cloud platform that lacked proper oversight. He submitted his complaint to the Office of Special Counsel on Tuesday. In his resignation letter addressed to SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano, Borges said that, since filing the complaint, his ability to carry out his responsibilities in a “legal and ethical” manner has been compromised. He cited emotional, physical, and mental distress, along with a hostile work environment marked by isolation, retaliation, and fear. “After raising internal concerns and alerting regulators about significant risks to our citizens' most sensitive information, I have faced exclusion and internal conflict, making my work environment unbearable,” he wrote. The Project Government Accountability Office, which represents Borges in the whistleblower case, published his resignation letter online Friday. Borges did not speak to the media, but his lawyer Andrea Meza stated that he resigned because he could no longer, in good conscience, remain at the SSA. She added that he plans to continue cooperating with oversight authorities. In his complaint, Borges warned that the data compromised by DOGE could include medical records, income details, banking information, family relationships, and other personal identifiers.He stressed the potential consequences:“If bad actors were to access this cloud system, Americans could face widespread identity theft, loss of crucial health or food benefits, and the government might be forced to reissue Social Security numbers to everyone — a move that would be extremely costly.” Borges had held the Chief Data Officer role since January. The Social Security Administration did not comment on his resignation or the accusations outlined in his letter. Under former President Donald Trump, DOGE was granted expanded access to vast amounts of personal data as part of its mission to root out waste, fraud, and abuse. The department has been criticized for overreach, and earlier this year, labor and retiree organizations sued the SSA for giving DOGE access to private data. A divided appeals court recently ruled in favor of DOGE, allowing continued access.

Japanese officials have unveiled AI-generated simulations showing how a violent eruption of Mount Fuji could impact Tokyo, as part of Volcanic Disaster Preparedness Day activities. The videos, released this week, aim to alert the 37 million residents of the greater Tokyo area to the risks of an eruption. Though the iconic peak has not erupted since 1707, experts warn it remains an active volcano. One video depicts central Tokyo, located about 100 kilometers away, blanketed in volcanic ash within hours, disrupting transportation, food and power supplies, and causing respiratory problems. The clip ends with a reminder for families to stockpile food, water and first-aid kits, urging: “We need to arm ourselves with facts and prepare for disaster in our daily lives.” Officials stressed there are no current signs of eruption. “The simulation is designed to equip residents with accurate knowledge and preparedness measures,” the Tokyo Metropolitan Government said. Hongkong Land unveils city’s first AI-powered facility management platform Still, the imagery unsettled some. “Are there really signs of eruption? Why are we suddenly hearing that even Tokyo could see 10 centimeters of ash?” asked Shinichiro Kariya, a hospital worker. Others, like Mishima City resident Hiromi Ooki, said the warning was useful: “Nature’s power is so great that maybe it’s better if it scares us a little.” Experts emphasized that the timing has no special significance, but Japan remains highly disaster-prone. With 111 active volcanoes, the country continues its tradition of detailed preparation for earthquakes, typhoons, floods and eruptions. Source: Agency 

Nvidia reported another surge in AI chip sales in its latest quarter, but the results fell just short of sky-high expectations, renewing concerns that the artificial intelligence boom may be cooling. The Silicon Valley chipmaker — the first publicly traded company to hit a $4 trillion market value — has become a key gauge of the two-year-old AI frenzy that has driven stock markets to record highs. Yet recent reports and cautionary remarks from industry leaders have raised fears the sector’s growth may not be sustainable. For the May–July quarter, Nvidia’s data center division, which houses its AI processors, generated revenue of $41.1 billion, up 56% from a year earlier but slightly below Wall Street forecasts of $41.3 billion, according to FactSet. Overall revenue jumped 56% to $46.7 billion, while net profit reached $26.4 billion, or $1.08 per share — both topping analyst estimates. Looking ahead, Nvidia projected revenue of $54 billion for the August–October period, signaling continued confidence in AI demand. CEO Jensen Huang told analysts the world is “at the beginning of the buildout,” predicting $3 trillion to $4 trillion in AI investment by the decade’s end. US to receive 15% share of Nvidia and AMD chip sales to China under rare new deal Still, Nvidia’s stock slipped 3% in after-hours trading, a sign investors were underwhelmed given the company’s meteoric rise — more than tenfold in just over two years. Analyst Thomas Monteiro of Investing.com noted the stock “was priced for perfection,” making any letdown hard to avoid. Adding to the pressure, Nvidia has faced sales restrictions in China after President Donald Trump temporarily banned its AI chip exports, a move estimated to have cost $8 billion last quarter. Earlier this month, Trump lifted the ban in exchange for a 15% cut of Nvidia’s China sales — a deal that could restore $2 billion to $5 billion in revenue, according to CFO Colette Kress. While AI has been a powerful driver of tech and stock market gains — with the S&P 500 up 69% since late 2022 — some analysts warn of echoes of the late-1990s dot-com bubble, which ended in a painful Silicon Valley crash. Source: Agency 

SpaceX successfully conducted the latest test flight of its massive Starship rocket on Tuesday night, marking the first-ever deployment of a test payload — eight dummy satellites — into orbit. After coasting through space for just over an hour, Starship splashed down as planned in the Indian Ocean. The rocket lifted off from SpaceX’s Starbase in south Texas shortly after 6:30 p.m. This marked the 10th test of the world’s largest and most powerful rocket, which SpaceX and NASA aim to use for future lunar missions. NASA has contracted two Starships to carry astronauts to the moon later this decade, while SpaceX CEO Elon Musk envisions missions to Mars. No crew members were aboard this demonstration launch. The test also saw the successful return of Starship’s Super Heavy Booster, which landed in the Gulf of Mexico after executing a landing-burn engine sequence. Meanwhile, the Starship orbited Earth, moving from daylight in Texas through night and back into daytime, before firing its engines to flip upright and enter the water nose-first. The successful mission follows a year of setbacks. Earlier tests in January and March ended minutes after liftoff, scattering debris into the ocean. The ninth test in May ended when the spacecraft tumbled uncontrollably and broke apart. SpaceX recently redesigned the Super Heavy booster with larger, stronger fins for improved stability, the company said on X this month. The very first Starship exploded minutes into its 2023 inaugural flight. SpaceX first launched Starlink satellites in 2019 from a Falcon rocket at Cape Canaveral.

HID, a global leader in trusted identity and access control solutions, has introduced a new line of FIDO-certified credentials alongside its Enterprise Passkey Management (EPM) platform, aimed at helping organizations deploy and manage passkeys at scale. The announcement comes as new research from the FIDO Alliance shows 87% of enterprises are adopting passkeys, though nearly half of those yet to implement them cite complexity and cost as key barriers. HID says its new offering addresses these challenges by simplifying passwordless authentication. The expanded portfolio includes the Seos® FIDO-Enabled Card, which supports secure access to both physical facilities and business applications, and the MIFARE DESFire EV3 FIDO-Enabled Card, integrating DESFire EV3 smart card technology with FIDO 2.1 authentication. According to HID, the new subscription-based EPM solution gives IT and identity access management teams centralized visibility, full lifecycle management, and the ability to remotely provision and revoke credentials, reducing IT support needs while supporting compliance. Read: UL Solutions launches first commercial and service robot testing lab in South Korea “As the line between physical and logical access continues to fade, organizations are increasingly seeking trusted partners to help streamline credential management across both domains,” said Jerry Wang, Head of Physical Access Control Solutions, North APAC at HID. “We are well-positioned to help organizations make that transition securely and efficiently with HID’s one-card solution.” HID said the new FIDO-enabled credentials provide phishing-resistant, passwordless authentication with enterprise-grade scalability, making adoption more accessible for organizations of all sizes. Source: Agency 

Honor has launched its latest flagship foldable phone, the Magic V5, in Bangladesh on Monday introducing it as the world’s slimmest foldable smartphone. The foldable flagship was unveiled at an event at the Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel, attended by Honor Bangladesh officials including Country Manager Lang Guo, Business Head Abdullah Al Mamun, and Deputy Country Manager Muzahidul Islam, along with representatives from different telecommunication companies. Weighing 217 grams, the Magic V5 measures 4.1mm when unfolded and 8.8mm when folded,  setting a Guinness World Record for durability by lifting 104 kg while suspended. Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G Review: What’s New? “The Honor Magic V5 was built to combine elegance and power. With crease-free folding technology and a next-generation silicon-carbon battery, this product reflects our dedication to redefining mobile experiences,” Lang Guo said at the launch. The Magic V5 features a 7.95-inch inner display and a 6.43-inch outer display, both 120Hz LTPO OLED panels. Its hinge mechanism ensures near crease-free folding, while IP58 and IP59 ratings provide dust and water resistance. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the phone offers up to 16GB RAM and 512GB storage. It debuts the world’s first 5,820mAh silicon-carbon battery with 25% silicon content, supporting 66W wired and 50W wireless Honor SuperCharge. For photography, the Honor AI Falcon Camera System includes a 64MP periscope telephoto lens, a 50MP wide camera, and a 50MP ultra-wide camera with AI-powered imaging. Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro Plus Review: Robust processor with massive battery The Magic V5 is priced at BDT 219,999 for the 16GB RAM + 512GB storage model. Pre-order customers can buy it at a discounted price of BDT 199,999 until August 30, with gifts including Honor Choice Headphones Pro, a 100W Honor SuperCharge Wireless Charger Stand, and up to 12-month interest-free EMI facilities. Vivo Y400 4G Review: Worth It or Just Hype? Honor also launched the Pad 10, featuring 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, a Snapdragon 7 Gen chip, and a 10,100mAh battery with 35W SuperCharge support. Weighing 525 grams and measuring 6.29mm thick, the tablet is priced at BDT 39,999 and comes with a Smart Stylus Pen. More details about these devices are available at https://smart-honor.com.

UL Solutions Inc. (NYSE: ULS), a global leader in applied safety science, has opened its first commercial and service robot testing laboratory in Uiwang, South Korea, to provide testing and certification services for emerging safety risks, particularly in human-robot interactions. Located 39 kilometers south of Seoul in Gyeonggi Province, the new lab is situated in the heart of South Korea’s growing robotics ecosystem and will work closely with manufacturers to ensure the safe adoption of innovative technologies. “The robotics industry is entering a new era of growth, one where machines deliver room service in hotels, serve as companions at home, and assist shoppers in stores,” said Yun Chung, regional managing director at UL Solutions in South Korea. “Our new robot laboratory will play a critical role in addressing safety concerns while enabling businesses worldwide to harness the benefits of robotics.” The facility will focus on compliance testing under UL 3300, the Standard for Safety for Service, Communication, Information, Education and Entertainment Robots. The standard ensures that robots can operate safely alongside people in public and commercial spaces, with requirements including speed limits, object detection, and visual and audible signals. Elon Musk files antitrust case, accuses Apple and OpenAI of blocking competition The launch comes amid a surge in global demand for service robots. According to the World Robotics 2024 Service Robots report, sales of professional service robots jumped 30% worldwide last year, with nearly 80% of units sold in the Asia-Pacific region. Logistics, hospitality, healthcare, and retail industries are increasingly adopting robots to improve efficiency, address labor shortages, and enhance workplace safety. UL Solutions operates in more than 110 countries, providing testing, inspection, certification, and advisory services to support product innovation and sustainable growth. Source: Agency 

Elon Musk has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI, accusing them of colluding to block competition in artificial intelligence. The 61-page complaint, filed in Texas federal court by Musk’s companies xAI and X Corp., follows his earlier claims that Apple unfairly boosted OpenAI’s ChatGPT in iPhone app store rankings while pushing down rivals like his own Grok chatbot. Musk is seeking damages and a court order to stop what he calls illegal tactics. The lawsuit describes Apple and OpenAI as “two monopolists” working together to protect their dominance during a major AI revolution. It claims Apple sees AI as a threat to the iPhone’s success and struck a deal with OpenAI to give ChatGPT an unfair advantage. Musk has previously accused OpenAI of betraying its nonprofit mission and prioritizing profit over safety. OpenAI dismissed the new lawsuit as part of Musk’s “ongoing pattern of harassment.” Apple has not yet commented. At the center of the case is Apple’s decision to use ChatGPT as the iPhone’s AI-powered “answer engine,” which Musk says gives OpenAI exclusive access to valuable user data while sidelining competitors like Grok, DeekSeek, and Perplexity. The filing also notes that former Apple designer Jony Ive has joined OpenAI to develop a new AI-powered device that analysts believe could one day rival the iPhone.

Xiaomi’s Redmi Note series has always stood out as one of the most popular mid-range smartphone lineups, combining affordability with high-end features. The Redmi Note 15 Pro, released on 21 August 2025 in China, continues this legacy, bringing exciting upgrades in performance, display, and camera capabilities. Let's dive into the main features, pros, cons, and pricing of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro in Bangladesh. Key Specs of Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G (China Variant) . Design and Build Quality The Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G makes a strong impression with its refined design and durable build. Measuring 163.6 by 78.1 by 7.8 mm and weighing 211 g, it balances sturdiness and comfort. Xiaomi uses Dragon Crystal Glass on the front, offering premium scratch resistance while maintaining a slim profile that feels comfortable even with its massive battery. A key highlight is its IP68/IP69 rating, making it dust-tight, water-resistant against high-pressure jets, and capable of surviving submersion for up to 30 minutes at 1.5 m. The rare IP69K protection ensures durability in extreme conditions—something uncommon in mid-range devices. Available in Midnight Black, Cloud Purple, Sky Blue, and Cedar White, the phone looks stylish and modern, pushing the Redmi Note series closer to flagship territory. Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro Plus Review: Robust processor with massive battery Display Quality The device sports a 6.83-inch AMOLED display that easily stands out in its segment. Supporting 68 billion colours, a 120 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and 3200 nits peak brightness, it offers an exceptional viewing experience. Text and visuals appear sharp thanks to the 1220 x 2772 resolution (~443 ppi), while 3840 Hz PWM dimming minimises eye strain during long usage. Protected by Dragon Crystal Glass, the panel is resilient against scratches and accidental drops. Smooth scrolling, fluid animations, and vivid HDR playback make this screen comparable to flagships, offering superb clarity indoors and outdoors. Camera Performance The Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G comes with a dual rear camera setup, including a 50 MP wide sensor (f/1.5, OIS) and an 8 MP (112˚) ultrawide lens. While it lacks a telephoto lens, the main camera captures crisp photos with excellent colours, detail, and dynamic range. Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS) ensures stability in low light, and the night mode improves brightness and sharpness in darker shots. The 8 MP ultrawide lens is serviceable for landscapes and group shots but lacks fine detail.  Read more: realme P4 Pro Review: Mid-ranger gaming phone with huge battery and robust processor On the front, the 20 MP selfie camera performs well in portraits, offering HDR support for balanced lighting even in challenging conditions.  For video, the rear setup supports 4K at 30 fps and 1080p at 120 fps with gyro-EIS and OIS, keeping footage smooth. While not the most versatile camera system, it delivers reliable results for everyday users. The selfie sensor can shoot up to 1080p at 30/60 fps. Processor Performance Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultra (4 nm) with an octa-core CPU and Mali-G615 MC2 GPU, the Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G performs smoothly across tasks like browsing, multitasking, and streaming. The chipset also handles AI-driven optimisations efficiently, improving photography, voice recognition, and system responsiveness. With 5G connectivity, the phone is future-ready for high-speed networks. Combined with UFS 2.2 storage, app launches and file transfers are quick, though not as fast as flagship-grade UFS 3.1/4.0. Still, performance remains excellent for its category, delivering a fluid experience to both casual and demanding users. Read more: realme P4 5G Review: A True Mid-Range Game Changer? Gaming Performance Gaming is one of this phone’s strong suits. The Mali-G615 GPU and 120 Hz AMOLED screen ensure smooth, immersive gameplay. Popular titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and Asphalt 9 run at high settings with consistent frame rates, while the large display enhances the visual experience. Game Turbo mode intelligently manages resources, reducing lags and boosting performance, while the thermal system prevents overheating during extended sessions. The stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos add immersive sound, making gaming more engaging. For budget-conscious gamers, this phone offers excellent performance without compromise. Battery Life The Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G features a huge 7000 mAh battery, easily lasting two days of moderate use or a full day of heavy gaming and streaming. 45W fast charging powers it fully in about 90 minutes, while 22.5W reverse wired charging lets it double as a power bank for other devices. Although rivals boast faster charging speeds, Xiaomi prioritises battery health and long-term reliability. Paired with HyperOS 2’s power optimisations, the phone is perfect for travellers, heavy users, and gamers who need dependable endurance. Read more: Vivo Y400 4G Review: Worth It or Just Hype? Software and User Interface Running Android 15 with HyperOS 2, the Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G provides a refined and smooth user experience. The interface is customisable, offering themes, gesture navigation, and privacy controls. A standout feature, Circle to Search, allows quick information lookups directly from the screen. Bloatware has been reduced compared to older Xiaomi software, though a few pre-installed apps remain. Performance and power efficiency have been optimised, ensuring stability even under heavy usage. With promised updates and security patches, HyperOS 2 feels modern and polished. Storage Options The phone offers three storage variants: 256GB with 8GB RAM, 256GB with 12GB RAM, and 512GB with 12GB RAM, all on UFS 2.2 storage. While it lacks a microSD card slot, the generous options provide enough space for apps, media, and games. The 512GB model is ideal for power users who store large offline content libraries, while UFS 2.2 ensures decent read/write speeds and reliable multitasking. Though not flagship-fast, storage performance is more than sufficient for everyday use. Read more: Best 10 Smartphones Releasing in August 2025 Pros & Cons of Redmi Note 15 Pro (China Variant) . Pros - Strong IP68/IP69 water and dust resistance- Large 6.83-inch AMOLED display with Hz and HDR10+- Powerful Dimensity 7400 Ultra processor with 8GB/12GB RAM- Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support- Includes NFC and infrared port- Huge mAh battery with 45 W fast charging- Smooth performance with HyperOS 2 and Android 15 Cons - Lacks a microSD card slot- No 1TB memory option- Only dual rear camera setup- No telephoto lens for zoom shots- No 3.5mm headphone jack- UFS 2.2 storage is slower than newer standards- A bit heavy at 211 g due to the large battery.  Read more: Apple iPhone 17 Series: Leaks, Rumours and Probable Release Date Price of Redmi Note 15 Pro (China Variant) It starts at CNY 1,999 ($278) for the 12/256 GB trim and goes up to CNY 2,399 ($334) for the 16/512 GB version. The Satellite Edition (16/512GB) will cost CNY 2,499 ($348). 4 days ago The expected price of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G in Bangladesh starts at approximately BDT 28,000 for the 8 GB/256 GB model version. Final Thoughts The Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 Pro 5G's China variant is a well-rounded smartphone that blends design, performance, and endurance impressively well. Its premium build, excellent gaming capabilities, and outstanding battery life make it one of the strongest contenders in the mid-range category. While it lacks a few things, the overall package offers exceptional value. For users seeking a reliable, powerful, and durable 5G phone without breaking the bank, this device is one of Xiaomi’s best releases yet. Read more: Vivo X200 FE Review: The Compact Champion Featuring Zeiss Cameras and a Massive Battery