United News of Bangladesh

Chinese scientists have developed a new artificial intelligence (AI) method to forecast the rapid intensification of a tropical cyclone, shedding new light on improving global disaster preparedness. Recently, researchers from the Institute of Oceanology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences published this study in the journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The rapid intensification of a tropical cyclone, which refers to a dramatic increase in the intensity of a tropical storm over a short period, remains one of the most challenging weather phenomena to forecast because of its unpredictable and destructive nature. According to the study, traditional forecasting methods, such as numerical weather prediction and statistical approaches, often fail to consider the complex environmental and structural factors driving rapid intensification. While AI has been explored to improve rapid intensification prediction, most AI techniques have struggled with high false alarm rates and limited reliability. Meta set to introduce Ray-Ban smart glasses in 2025 To address this issue, the researchers have developed a new AI model that combines satellite, atmospheric and oceanic data. When tested on data from the tropical cyclone periods in the Northwest Pacific between 2020 and 2021, the new method achieved an accuracy of 92.3 percent and reduced false alarms to 8.9 percent. The new method improved accuracy by nearly 12 percent compared to existing techniques and boasted a 3-times reduction in false alarms, representing a significant advancement in forecasting, said the study. "This study addresses the challenges of low accuracy and high false alarm rates in rapid intensification forecasting," said Li Xiaofeng, the study's corresponding author. "Our method enhances understanding of these extreme events and supports better defenses against their devastating impacts," Li added. 

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday instructing the U.S. government to initiate the development of a state-owned investment fund, which he suggested could be used to generate profits from TikTok if he succeeds in securing an American buyer, reports AP. On his first day in office, Trump issued an order granting TikTok until early April to find an approved buyer or partner, while expressing his intent for the U.S. to acquire a 50% stake in the widely popular social media platform. Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, he pointed to TikTok—currently owned by China-based ByteDance—as a potential asset for the proposed U.S. sovereign wealth fund. SoftBank and OpenAI launch joint venture in Japan to expand AI collaboration “We could place that in the sovereign wealth fund—whatever we generate—or establish a partnership with highly affluent investors. There are numerous possibilities,” Trump stated regarding TikTok. “But TikTok is an example. There are plenty of other assets we could incorporate into the fund.” Sovereign wealth funds typically invest in stocks, bonds, and real estate, often financed by budgetary surpluses—something the U.S. currently lacks. Trump observed that many other countries operate such funds and predicted that the U.S. could eventually surpass the size of Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. “Eventually, we’ll surpass it,” he asserted. Globally, more than 90 sovereign wealth funds collectively manage assets exceeding $8 trillion, according to the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds, a London-based organisation comprising around 50 such entities. Within the U.S., over 20 sovereign wealth funds operate at the state level, as noted by the Center for Global Development, a Washington-based nonpartisan think tank. The largest state-level funds—located in Alaska, New Mexico, and Texas—are sustained by revenues from oil, gas, and mineral proceeds, with funds allocated to in-state programmes, including education. While these funds are state-owned, they generally function as independent entities with dedicated investment strategies and personnel, according to the think tank. Trump has tasked Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Howard Lutnick, his nominee for commerce secretary, with spearheading the initiative to establish the fund, a process that will likely require congressional approval. The executive order mandates that a detailed plan—including recommendations for investment strategies and governance structure—be presented to Trump within 90 days. During his tenure, former President Joe Biden’s administration explored the concept of a sovereign wealth fund for national security investments, but the idea was not pursued further before he left office last month. Bessent stated that the administration aims to launch the fund within 12 months, while Lutnick suggested that another potential use for the fund could be government-held, profit-generating stakes in vaccine manufacturers. “The immense scale of the U.S. government and its economic dealings should yield benefits for American citizens,” Lutnick remarked. Under a federal law enacted in April with bipartisan support and signed by Biden, TikTok was slated to be banned in the U.S. last month unless ByteDance divested its ownership. In response, both the company and some users took legal action against the statute, which the Supreme Court ultimately upheld. Upon assuming office, Trump—who had attempted to ban TikTok during his first term—directed the Justice Department to delay enforcement of the law for 75 days. The extension has provided ByteDance with additional time to negotiate a deal with U.S. authorities. Several investors, including billionaire Frank McCourt and former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, have publicly expressed interest in acquiring TikTok’s U.S. operations. Trump has indicated that “many people” have also approached him privately regarding the matter. Last week, he noted that Microsoft was among the U.S. companies considering the purchase. WhatsApp accuses Israeli spyware firm of targeting journalists, activists Last month, San Francisco-based artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI submitted a proposal to ByteDance that would allow the U.S. government to own up to 50% of a new entity merging TikTok’s U.S. platform with Perplexity’s business, according to a source familiar with the discussions. If implemented, the proposal would grant the U.S. government a substantial stake in the entity once it conducts an initial public offering of at least $300 billion.

SoftBank and OpenAI have strengthened their AI collaboration by forming a 50-50 joint venture called SB OpenAI Japan, reports AP. At an event in Tokyo, SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman discussed their partnership and encouraged Japanese businesses to get involved. WhatsApp accuses Israeli spyware firm of targeting journalists, activists Son, holding a blue crystal ball as a symbolic gesture, explained that the AI service "Cristal" could be used by businesses for tasks like planning, marketing, email management, and analysing old source codes. Initially, Cristal will be implemented across SoftBank's own companies, including Arm, a semiconductor and software firm, and PayPay, a digital payment service. SoftBank has committed to investing $3 billion annually to integrate Cristal into its operations. “This will bring super-intelligence to the company. I’m thrilled,” Son shared with reporters and event attendees at the Transforming Business through AI conference. Altman discussed the new “deep research” feature, which allows ChatGPT to perform more complex tasks, such as generating reports by browsing the web and sourcing information much faster than a human could. The deep research feature will be available in Japanese for the Japanese market. “This partnership with SoftBank will fast-track our mission to deliver transformative AI to some of the world’s most influential companies, beginning with Japan,” Altman stated. In addition to their joint venture, SoftBank, OpenAI, and Oracle are part of the Stargate project, backed by President Donald Trump, which aims to invest up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure within the United States. Elon Musk's DOGE commission gains access to sensitive Treasury payment systems: AP sources Son mentioned that the Stargate project would expand into Japan and other countries. The technology sector has been unsettled by the recent announcement from the Chinese company DeepSeek, which claims to have developed highly intelligent yet cost-effective AI.

The Samsung Galaxy S series has long been synonymous with cutting-edge technology and premium design, setting benchmarks in the smartphone industry. Continuing this legacy, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is officially releasing this month. Let’s go over the specs, standout features, limitations, and pricing of the S25 Ultra in Bangladesh. Key Features of Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra  . Design and Build Quality The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra retains the premium build quality that the Ultra series is known for, featuring Corning Gorilla Armor 2 on both the front and back, along with a grade 5 titanium frame. This makes it more durable than the S24 Ultra, which uses grade 2 titanium. Additionally, weighing 218g, the S25 Ultra appears a bit lighter (232g) than its predecessor S24 Ultra, improving comfort for long-term use. Compared to its competitors, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Huawei Mate X6 feature foldable designs, which make them bulkier but offer a different experience for users who prefer a larger, expandable display. The Huawei Mate X6, for instance, has an aerospace-grade aluminum frame and is IPX8 water-resistant, making it more resistant to water damage than the S25 Ultra's standard IP68 rating. Read more: Smartphones Launching in February 2025: Top Flagship and Mid-Range Releases Display Quality The S25 Ultra comes with a 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a standard 2600 nits peak brightness.  However, it is quite disappointing that in the market a bunch of mid-range smartphones are offering higher refresh rates and peak brightness levels. For instance, the realme Neo7 offers 6000 nits peak brightness and iQOO Neo10 boasts a 144Hz refresh rate for much lower price tags. It can be a deal breaker for flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. S25 Ultra features a resolution of 1440 by 3120 pixels. Compared to the S24 Ultra, the screen-to-body ratio has increased from 88.5% to 92.5%, offering a more immersive experience. Read more: Xiaomi 15 Review: Specs, Features, and Price in Bangladesh When compared to competitors, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers an 8-inch foldable OLED display, making it great for multitasking but with a lower peak brightness of 2700 nits. Meanwhile, the Huawei Mate X6 has a 7.93-inch foldable LTPO OLED display with Kunlun Glass 2 protection, which is a great alternative for those who prefer foldable devices. Camera Performance Samsung has made notable improvements to the S25 Ultra's camera system. It retains the 200MP (f/1.7) primary sensor, but the ultrawide camera has been upgraded to 50MP (f/1.9) from 12MP in the S24 Ultra. Its quadruple rear camera setting also boasts a 10MP (f/2.4) telephoto lens and a 50MP (f/3.4) periscope telephone lens. Additionally, Samsung has optimized AI-powered enhancements such as Best Face, which helps improve group photos. Against competitors, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold only has a 48MP primary camera, but it leverages Google’s AI algorithms to produce outstanding images. On the other hand, the Huawei Mate X6 boasts a 50MP primary camera with a variable aperture (f/1.4-f/4.0), allowing for better control over depth of field and low-light photography. Read more: realme Neo7 Review: Is This Mid-Range Gaming Powerhouse Worth Buying? What’s more, the S25 Ultra outshines both in video recording, offering 8K at 30 fps. However, the S25 Ultra bears a 12MP (f/2.2) front sensor that maxes out at 4K like the S24 Ultra. Processor Performance The S25 Ultra features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm chipset), which offers a 37% faster CPU and 30% improved GPU performance compared to the S24 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. With an octa-core configuration, including two high-performance 4.47GHz cores, this processor makes the S25 Ultra one of the most powerful smartphones available. The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes with the Google Tensor G4 chipset, which is designed for AI-based computing but is not as powerful as Qualcomm’s flagship chip. Similarly, the Huawei Mate X6 runs on Kirin 9020, which performs well in general tasks but falls short in gaming and high-intensity applications compared to the S25 Ultra. Read more: Honor Magic7 Pro Review: A Flagship Killer or Just Another Premium Phone? Gaming Performance The S25 Ultra has significantly improved gaming performance due to the Adreno 830 GPU and real-time ray tracing support, making it ideal for high-end mobile gaming. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset also enhances power efficiency, allowing longer gaming sessions without excessive heating. In comparison, the S24 Ultra, while still excellent for gaming, lacks the same level of GPU optimization and AI-driven gaming features. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Huawei Mate X6 are less gaming-focused, as they are optimized for multitasking and productivity rather than high-performance gaming. Battery Life Like the ancestor S24 Ultra, the latest S25 Ultra comes with a 5000mAh battery. However, the new 3nm chipset in the S25 Ultra allows for better power efficiency. Samsung claims that the S25 Ultra lasts up to 10% longer than its predecessor on a single charge. Read more: Honor X5b Plus Review: Powerful Contender in the Budget-friendly Segment While charging speeds remain unchanged at 45W wired, the wireless charging speed has increased from 15W to 25W (Qi2). In contrast, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a smaller 4650mAh battery with 21W wired charging, making it less efficient than the S25 Ultra. However, the Huawei Mate X6 surpasses them all with a 5200mAh battery and 66W wired charging, which offers the fastest charging speeds. Nevertheless, the mid-ranger realme Neo7 wins the race against these flagships with a 7000 mAh battery. Software and User Interface The S25 Ultra launches with Android 15 and One UI 7, offering seven major Android upgrades, ensuring longevity. Samsung’s One UI 7 is known for its user-friendly design, customization options, and seamless integration with Samsung’s ecosystem. Read more: OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Is It Worth Buying? In comparison, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold also offers seven years of updates, but its stock Android experience lacks Samsung’s custom features like DeX mode. The Huawei Mate X6, running HarmonyOS 4.3/EMUI 15, does not have access to Google Play Services, which may be a dealbreaker for some users. Storage Options The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra offers multiple storage configurations, including 256GB with 12GB RAM, 512GB with 12GB RAM, 1TB with 12GB RAM, and a high-end 1TB with 16GB RAM variant. This marks an improvement over its predecessor, the S24 Ultra, which lacked a 16GB RAM option. It sports UFS 4.0 data transfer technology. When compared to its competitors, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold maxes out at 512GB with 16GB RAM, while the Huawei Mate X6 provides storage options up to 1TB with 16GB RAM, putting it on par with the S25 Ultra in terms of capacity. Read more: Top Smartphones Launching in January 2025: What to Expect Pros and Cons of Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra  . Pros  - Premium build with a titanium frame and IP68 water resistance.- 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display- Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with 12GB/16GB RAM for smooth performance.- 45W wired, 25W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wired charging.- 8K video recording with gyro-EIS stabilization.- 200MP main camera with dual 50MP ultrawide and telephoto lenses.- 5X optical zoom for detailed distant shots.- Android 15 with One UI 7 and 7 years of software updates.- Under-display fingerprint scanner for secure unlocking.- Ultra Wideband (UWB) support for better connectivity.- Samsung DeX and Wireless DeX support for a desktop-like experience.- Stylus (S Pen) support for added productivity.- Stereo speakers for immersive sound.- 5G and NFC enabled for fast connectivity. Read more: Honor GT Review: A Power-Packed Mid-range Smartphone for Gamers Cons  - No microSD card slot for expandable storage.- No 3.5mm audio jack for wired headphones.- Lacks an infrared port for remote control functionality.- No FM radio support.- No Satellite SOS feature, unlike some competitors.- Average peak brightness level- Average refresh rate.- Average battery support.- Low-powered selfie sensor. Read more: ZTE Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro Review: Is It a Value-for-money Gaming Smartphone? The Price of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra The Galaxy S25 Ultra will be available at multiple prices for different configurations. The price of the 12/256GB variant is about BDT 224,999. However, the price is subject to change. Final Words The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is perfect for power users, photographers, and gamers who want a premium display, top-tier performance, and advanced cameras. However, those needing a microSD slot, 3.5mm jack, FM radio, brighter display, higher refresh rate, or Satellite SOS may look into the other options.  On the whole, if you seek robust RAM, a versatile camera line-up, cutting-edge features, and long-term software support, this flagship is a great choice.  Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Turbo 4 Review: Is It a Value-for-money Midranger?

WhatsApp has accused Israeli spyware company Paragon Solutions of targeting nearly 100 journalists and civil society members using its sophisticated spyware, Graphite. The attacks, reportedly carried out using zero-click methods, have raised fresh concerns about the misuse of commercial surveillance tools and the lack of accountability within the industry. According to a report by The Guardian, WhatsApp has "high confidence" that around 90 users, including journalists and activists, were targeted and possibly compromised. Elon Musk's DOGE commission gains access to sensitive Treasury payment systems: AP sources The company did not disclose the locations of the affected individuals but confirmed that they had been notified of the potential breach. WhatsApp has also sent a cease-and-desist letter to Paragon and is considering legal action against the firm. Zero-Click Attack and Full Device Access Graphite, Paragon’s spyware, is reportedly capable of infiltrating a device without requiring any interaction from the victim, making it a particularly dangerous tool for surveillance. Once installed, the software provides complete access to the infected phone, including the ability to read messages sent through encrypted apps such as WhatsApp and Signal. While the identity of those behind the attacks remains unknown, Paragon Solutions is known to sell its software to government clients. A source close to the company claimed that it has 35 government customers, all of which are democratic nations. Texas Governor orders ban on DeepSeek, RedNote for government devices The source further stated that Paragon avoids doing business with countries that have previously been accused of spyware abuse, such as Greece, Poland, Hungary, Mexico, and India. Growing Scrutiny of Spyware Industry The incident has intensified scrutiny of the commercial spyware industry. Natalia Krapiva, a senior tech legal counsel at Access Now, commented on the matter, stating, "This is not just a question of some bad apples — these types of abuses are a feature of the commercial spyware industry." While Paragon had been perceived as a relatively less controversial spyware provider, WhatsApp’s revelations have called that perception into question. This development follows a recent legal victory for WhatsApp against NSO Group, another Israeli spyware maker. In December, a California judge ruled that NSO was liable for hacking 1,400 WhatsApp users in 2019, violating US hacking laws and the platform’s terms of service. Italy blocks access to the Chinese AI application DeepSeek to protect users' data In 2021, NSO Group was also added to the US commerce department’s blacklist due to activities deemed contrary to US national security interests. WhatsApp’s Response and Future Security Measures WhatsApp has not disclosed how long the targeted users may have been under surveillance but confirmed that the alleged attacks were disrupted in December. The company is now working to support affected users and reinforce its security measures to prevent future breaches. As concerns over spyware misuse continue to grow, this latest revelation underscores the need for stricter regulations and international cooperation to curb the abuse of surveillance technologies.

February 2025 is set to be an exciting month for smartphone enthusiasts, with major brands unveiling their latest flagship models and mid-range offerings. From cutting-edge innovations to upgraded legacy series, this month brings a variety of options for those looking to upgrade their devices. Here’s a look at the most anticipated smartphone launches of the month.  8 Most-hyped Smartphones Launching This February  . Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Samsung will launch the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra on February 3, 2025. The phone will introduce a much edgy-cornered, flat, and simple design. It will feature an LTPO AMOLED display, which is touch-responsive at a 120Hz rate and has a 1440 by 3120 pixels resolution. It will use the most potent 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite 3nm octa-core processor accompanied by an Adreno 830 GPU. For photography, users will get a quad-lens primary camera module that houses a 200MP wide, 10MP telephoto, 50MP periscope telephoto, and a 50MP ultrawide lens. In the front, a 12MP lens sits in a minimal punch-hole. It will feature up to 8K video recording capacity. Read more: Xiaomi 15 Review: Specs, Features, and Price in Bangladesh The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra will run on Android 15 and use a 5000 mAh battery with diverse charging options. With the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, Samsung has brought several AI-powered functionalities seen in Google Pixel 9 and other premium flagships. iQOO Neo 10R Officials from iQOO have confirmed the imminent launch of the iQOO Neo 10R, the latest and most potent member of the Neo 10 family, as it will introduce the most powerful Qualcomm processor, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, to the series. The company has chosen not to reveal detailed specs of the phone; however, several rumours have revealed a 1.5K OLED TCL C8 screen with a scalable touch sensitivity of 120Hz to 144Hz. Read more: realme Neo7 Review: Is This Mid-Range Gaming Powerhouse Worth Buying? Rumours have also forecasted a dual-lensed primary camera module to house a 50MP Sony LYT-600 wide and an 8MP ultrawide sensor. Though information about the front camera remains secret, several sources have remarked that the phone facilitates 4K video recording at 60fps and gaming at 90fps. vivo V50 Vivo has laid the groundwork for the release of the Vivo V50 in February. The phone will be the first release in the upcoming V50 lineup, which allegedly comprises two other models: the Vivo V50e and Vivo V50 Pro. Smartphone enthusiasts are alleging the vivo V50 to be the remodelled vivo S20, which appeared in China last year. Vivo V50 is expected to equip a Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 SoC processor, a dual camera primary setup, and a 50MP wide front lens. For design, Vivo has reintroduced a look similar to the Vivo S20. It will be a flat matted body, rounded on the corners, with a rear camera module that looks like a wall clock hanging along a wall. Read more: Honor Magic7 Pro Review: A Flagship Killer or Just Another Premium Phone? realme Neo7 SE The realme Neo7 SE will hit the market in February, fostering the legacy of its ancestor’s massive battery capacity by offering a 7000 mAh battery. The phone will sport a flat 6.6-inch OLED panel. realme hasn’t said anything about the processing capacity of the phone except its octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 8400 SoC. In the camera section, the phone will bring a 50MP wide lens. ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra ASUS sets to extend its acclaimed Zenfone series by launching the ASUS Zenfone 12 Ultra on Feb 6, 2025. As per the previous announcement, the Zenfone 12 Ultra will replicate major features of the ROG Phone 9 Pro, excluding the gaming extensions. Accordingly, users can expect a FullHD+ LTPO AMOLED display with 185Hz touch responsiveness and a Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC processor. Read more: OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Is It Worth Buying? Among other features, a 50MP wide primary lens accompanied by a 32MP telephoto and a 13MP ultrawide lens can sit on the back, and a 32 MP front shooter can come as a selfie camera. The official teaser video of the phone reveals the presence of a punch-hole on the front and a 3.5mm jack at the bottom. In addition, a hint of an AI-powered call translator was also noticeable in the teaser. OPPO Find N5 OPPO seems to take a giant leap with the global launch of its tab cum smartphone model, the OPPO Find N5, in February 2025. Several boastful pictures and videos posted in X and different social media and blogging websites by the company officials have teased the phone’s super thin 3.2mm profile, IPX9-rated underwater resistibility, an 80W wired, and a 50W wireless charging system. Rumours about the phone indicate a special 7-core edition of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and a triple rear camera system exploiting a 50MP lens as the primary shooter. Another rumour suggests that the phone will be branded as OnePlus Open 2 outside China. Read more: Honor X5b Plus Review: Powerful Contender in the Budget-friendly Segment Xiaomi 15 Ultra The overly anticipated Xiaomi 15 Ultra will launch in China at any point in February. For audiences outside China, a global version of the phone will be released later in March. The official spec list for the phone has yet to be unveiled; however, several leaks have termed it a flagship with a super giant quad-shooter camera module on the back. As the latest flagship from a leading manufacturer, the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is expected to come with the Snapdragon 8 Elite SoC processor. According to several rumours, the phone may also feature a giant 6000 mAh battery and several charging options. There will be a mesmerizing power show-down in the camera section, too. 15 Ultra’s quadruple rear camera system will offer a primary camera with the Sony Lytia LYT-900 sensor, a 200MP periscope telephoto camera, a 50MP telephoto unit, and a 50MP ultrawide camera. Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Turbo 4 Review: Is It a Value-for-money Midranger? realme GT 7 realme has decided to take a step back with its GT 7 series as its new addition, the realme GT 7, a lesser version of its elder realme GT 7 Pro, is set to launch in February. As an extension of a flagship series, the Realme GT 7 will feature top-par components, like a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED touchscreen, a powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, and a robust 6,500 mAh battery. For photography, the phone will offer a 50MP primary shooter assisted by an 8MP ultrawide lens On the front will sit a 16MP selfie snapper. The phone will also pack a 120W charging wire for instantly refilling its giant battery. Conclusion February 2025 will unpack some colourful and robust smartphones. From OPPO Find N5’s innovative slim design and Xiaomi 15 Ultra’s super-enhanced camera module to realme GT 7 redefining power, smartphone lovers will find something to match their taste and demand. The flagship lovers should not miss the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. Read more: Honor X5b Review: Affordable Innovation or Budget Compromise?

The Department of Government Efficiency, run by President Donald Trump's billionaire adviser and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, has gained access to sensitive Treasury data including Social Security and Medicare customer payment systems, according to two people familiar with the situation. The move by DOGE, a Trump administration task force assigned to find ways to fire federal workers, cut programs and slash federal regulations, means it could have wide leeway to access important taxpayer data, among other things. The New York Times first reported the news of the group's access of the massive federal payment system. The two people who spoke to The Associated Press spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. The highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, Ron Wyden of Oregon, on Friday sent a letter to Trump's Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressing concern that “officials associated with Musk may have intended to access these payment systems to illegally withhold payments to any number of programs.” “To put it bluntly, these payment systems simply cannot fail, and any politically motivated meddling in them risks severe damage to our country and the economy," Wyden said. The news also comes after Treasury's acting Deputy Secretary David Lebryk resigned from his position at Treasury after more than 30 years of service. The Washington Post on Friday reported that Lebryk resigned his position after Musk and his DOGE organization requested access to sensitive Treasury data. Elon Musk’s X to launch Digital Wallet with Visa partnership “The Fiscal Service performs some of the most vital functions in government," Lebryk said in a letter to Treasury employees sent out Friday. “Our work may be unknown to most of the public, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t exceptionally important. I am grateful for having been able to work alongside some of the nation’s best and most talented operations staff.” The letter did not mention a DOGE request to access Treasury payments. Musk on Saturday responded to a post on his social media platform X about the departure of Lebryk: “The @DOGE team discovered, among other things, that payment approval officers at Treasury were instructed always to approve payments, even to known fraudulent or terrorist groups. They literally never denied a payment in their entire career. Not even once." He did not provide proof of this claim. Musk clashes with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman over Trump-supported Stargate AI data center project DOGE was originally headed by Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, who jointly vowed to cut billions from the federal budget and usher in “mass headcount reductions across the federal bureaucracy.” Ramaswamy has since left DOGE as he mulls a run for governor of Ohio.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has banned the use of Chinese artificial intelligence company DeepSeek on government-issued devices, making Texas the first U.S. state to impose such a restriction on the popular chatbot. The emerging AI platform has recently gained widespread attention in the U.S., shaking up the AI industry. Abbott also prohibited the use of the Chinese-owned social media apps Xiaohongshu—commonly referred to as RedNote—and Lemon8 on all state-issued devices. "Texas will not allow the Chinese Communist Party to infiltrate our state's critical infrastructure through data-harvesting AI and social media apps," Abbott said in a statement. "Texas will continue to protect and defend our state from hostile foreign actors." Italy blocks access to the Chinese AI application DeepSeek to protect users' data The governor's office declined to provide further comments on the matter. AI startup DeepSeek has drawn significant market interest by demonstrating its ability to compete with industry leader OpenAI. In recent weeks, Xiaohongshu has seen a surge in American users, particularly after the short-lived TikTok ban. The app is widely popular in China and neighboring countries like Malaysia and Taiwan, with around 300 million active users. Many Americans had turned to it as a TikTok alternative and a way to protest the ban. Lemon8, owned by ByteDance—the parent company of TikTok—also gained traction in the lead-up to the initial TikTok ban on Jan. 19. Texas, along with several other states and the federal government, has already banned TikTok on government devices. The app's future remains uncertain as former President Donald Trump issued an executive order granting ByteDance more time to divest TikTok’s U.S. operations. ByteDance did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Italy’s data protection authority on Thursday blocked access to the Chinese AI application DeepSeek to protect users' data and announced an investigation into the companies behind the chatbot. The authority, called Garante, expressed dissatisfaction with DeepSeek’s response to its initial query about what personal data is collected, where it is stored and how users are notified. Microsoft reports 10% quarterly profit growth as it works to show AI investments paying off “Contrary to the authority’s findings, the companies declared that they do not operate in Italy, and that European legislation does not apply to them,’’ the statement said, noting that the app had been downloaded by millions of people around the globe in just a few days. DeepSeek’s new chatbot has raised the stakes in the AI technology race, rattling markets and catching up with American generative AI leaders at a fraction of the cost.

Chinese tech behemoth Alibaba has introduced its Qwen 2.5-Max AI model, boldly asserting that it has outpaced DeepSeek’s renowned DeepSeek-V3 model, reports First Post. Unveiled on the first day of the Lunar New Year, the launch of Qwen 2.5-Max highlights the intensifying competition within China’s AI sector, reflecting the pressure DeepSeek’s rapid ascent has exerted not only on global competitors but also on domestic ones. Asian stocks rise as DeepSeek panic fades Alibaba's cloud division revealed on WeChat that Qwen 2.5-Max outperformed OpenAI’s GPT-4, DeepSeek-V3, and Meta’s Llama-3.1-405B across various performance metrics. The timing of this announcement, during the Lunar New Year festivities, underscores the urgency felt by Chinese firms to maintain competitiveness against DeepSeek, which has made waves in the AI market since its January debut. DeepSeek’s Market Disruption DeepSeek’s sudden success, beginning with the launch of its AI assistant powered by the DeepSeek-V3 model on January 10 and followed by the R1 model on January 20, has disrupted the tech industry. The Chinese startup’s cost-effective approach to developing powerful AI has raised concerns in Silicon Valley, particularly as investors question the high development costs associated with leading US companies. In response, Chinese competitors are racing to enhance their models. ByteDance, for example, updated its flagship AI model shortly after DeepSeek’s R1 release, claiming it surpassed OpenAI’s GPT-1 in the AIME benchmark test, which assesses AI’s ability to comprehend and respond to complex commands. This move highlights how DeepSeek’s swift rise has spurred action among domestic firms, with Alibaba’s latest release being a response to DeepSeek’s innovations. The Emergence of a New Competitor: Kimi k1.5 from Moonshot Complicating the race further is Moonshot AI’s new Kimi k1.5 model, which launched just days after DeepSeek’s R1. Kimi k1.5 is being regarded as a direct rival to both DeepSeek’s models and OpenAI’s GPT-4, with reports suggesting it outperforms both on key benchmarks. Unlike DeepSeek-R1, which lacks multimodal capabilities, Kimi k1.5 is a multimodal model capable of processing and reasoning across text, images, and code, giving it a substantial advantage for tasks requiring both visual and textual data. Kimi k1.5 has also been developed at a fraction of the cost compared to similar cutting-edge AI models in the US, positioning Moonshot AI as a growing force in the global AI arena. Its advanced reinforcement learning techniques further enhance its versatility, making it highly adaptable to a range of applications. How DeepSeek stacks up against ChatGPT and Gemini Shifting Dynamics in China’s AI Industry China’s rising influence in AI is becoming increasingly apparent, as companies like DeepSeek, Alibaba, and Moonshot AI challenge the longstanding dominance of US tech giants. The launch of DeepSeek-V2 last May ignited an AI price war in China, prompting Alibaba’s cloud division to reduce prices by up to 97%. This price-cutting strategy has since become common practice among Chinese firms, including Baidu and Tencent, as they strive to develop AI models that can compete with OpenAI and other US-based giants. DeepSeek, led by Liang Wenfeng, has taken a distinct approach, operating more like a research lab with a lean team of graduates and PhD students. Liang’s vision of achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI) with significantly lower overhead than larger tech companies contrasts with the more costly, hierarchical models of Alibaba and other Chinese tech giants. As China’s AI sector continues to evolve at a rapid pace, its influence on the global market grows. The competition between DeepSeek, Moonshot AI, and Alibaba marks a crucial shift in the AI landscape, with these startups and tech giants pushing the boundaries of AI development. The race for AI supremacy is underway, and China is leading the way.