United News of Bangladesh

China’s military announced Wednesday that it has wrapped up two days of large-scale exercises near Taiwan, concluding a show of force that heightened regional tensions as 2025 drew to a close. In a statement released late Tuesday, the People’s Liberation Army said the drills, dubbed “Justice Mission 2025,” were completed successfully and served to test the military’s joint combat capabilities. The announcement, delivered through a short video accompanied by patriotic music, did not provide operational details or specify the exact time the maneuvers ended. According to earlier notices, the exercises were conducted Monday and Tuesday in waters surrounding Taiwan, though it remained unclear whether some activities extended into Wednesday. Senior Capt. Li Xi, spokesperson for the PLA’s Eastern Theater Command, said Chinese forces remain on heightened alert and will continue to boost combat readiness through intensive training. He said the military would firmly counter what Beijing calls “Taiwan independence” movements and outside interference, while safeguarding China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Taiwan remains Beijing’s most sensitive diplomatic and security issue. China claims the self-governed island as part of its territory and has vowed to reunify it with the mainland, by force if necessary. Taiwan separated from China in 1949 following the Chinese civil war and has since maintained its own democratic government. China routinely sends military aircraft and naval vessels near the island and has expanded the frequency and scale of such operations in recent years. President Xi Jinping alluded to Taiwan in his New Year’s Eve address, saying people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait share close ties and asserting that national reunification is inevitable. The latest drills drew criticism from several countries. Japan’s Foreign Ministry said the exercises increased tensions in the Taiwan Strait and urged Beijing to resolve disputes peacefully. The Philippines also expressed concern, warning the actions could destabilize the broader Indo-Pacific region. The United States recently announced a major arms package for Taiwan, prompting sharp criticism from Beijing. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed the drills, saying China has conducted naval exercises in the area for decades. Source: AP 

Meta has acquired artificial intelligence startup Manus as the Facebook and Instagram parent intensifies efforts to expand AI capabilities across its platforms. The California-based tech company did not reveal the financial terms of the deal, though The Wall Street Journal reported that the acquisition was valued at more than $2 billion. Manus, headquartered in Singapore with links to China, introduced its first general-purpose AI agent earlier this year. The platform provides paid subscription services that allow users to deploy its AI tools for research, coding and other professional tasks. In a statement issued Monday, Meta said Manus already supports millions of users and businesses globally and that the company plans to scale the technology across its consumer and business products, including Meta AI. Manus CEO Xiao Hong said the acquisition would help the company grow on a stronger and more sustainable footing without altering how the platform operates or how decisions are made. He confirmed that Manus will continue offering subscriptions through its own app and website. The startup has seen rapid growth, announcing earlier this month that it had surpassed $100 million in annual recurring revenue just eight months after its launch. Manus previously received backing from investors including China’s Tencent Holdings, ZhenFund and HSG. The platform was initially launched by Butterfly Effect, also known as monica.im, a company founded in China before relocating to Singapore. Meta said there will be no remaining Chinese ownership in Manus following the transaction, and that the platform will shut down its services and operations in China. Manus confirmed it will continue operating in Singapore, where the majority of its workforce is based. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been seeking to reinvigorate the company’s AI strategy amid stiff competition from rivals such as Google and OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT. In June, Meta invested $14.3 billion in AI data firm Scale and brought in its CEO, Alexandr Wang, to help lead efforts to develop advanced artificial intelligence systems.  

Humanoid robots took center stage at a major Silicon Valley gathering this week as advances in artificial intelligence renewed investor interest, though doubts remain about how soon humanlike machines will become a practical reality. More than 2,000 people, including engineers from Disney, Google and dozens of startups, attended the Humanoids Summit to showcase emerging technology and debate how to speed up development of robots designed to move and work like humans. Summit founder Modar Alaoui said many researchers now see humanoids or other physical forms of AI as inevitable, with the main uncertainty being how long it will take. The recent boom in AI, fueled by systems such as ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini, has injected fresh momentum into a field long considered too complex and expensive for investors. Supporters argue that the same breakthroughs that improved language-based AI are also helping robots better understand their surroundings and perform tasks using vision and language models. Disney highlighted its progress with a walking robotic version of the “Frozen” character Olaf, which is expected to roam independently in Disneyland parks in Hong Kong and Paris early next year. While such entertainment-focused machines already exist, experts said truly general-purpose robots capable of contributing meaningfully in homes or workplaces are still years away. Skepticism was evident even among conference participants. Cosima du Pasquier, co-founder of Haptica Robotics, said the humanoid sector still faces major scientific and engineering hurdles, noting that much research remains unresolved. According to consultancy McKinsey, around 50 companies worldwide have raised at least $100 million to develop humanoid robots, with China leading the race. Government incentives, a push to build a full humanoid ecosystem by 2025 and strong manufacturing capacity have given Chinese firms an edge, reflected in their dominance at the summit’s exhibition area. In contrast, U.S. efforts have been driven largely by private investment and excitement around AI. High-profile skeptics remain, including robotics pioneer Rodney Brooks, who has argued that current humanoids are unlikely to achieve true dexterity despite massive funding. Some practical deployments are already under way. Agility Robotics recently announced that its warehouse robot Digit is being tested at a Texas distribution center run by Mercado Libre, showing how robots with limited humanlike features are entering workplaces. Industry leaders said competition between countries is intensifying. Jeff Burnstein, head of the Association for Advancing Automation, said the United States has strong AI expertise but acknowledged that China currently has greater momentum in humanoid development, leaving the question of global leadership still open.

North Korea on Monday said it launched long-range strategic cruise missiles into the sea as part of efforts to verify the effectiveness of its nuclear deterrent, days after revealing apparent progress in building its first nuclear-powered submarine. The missile launches on Sunday marked Pyongyang’s latest show of military strength ahead of an upcoming congress of the ruling Workers’ Party scheduled for early next year. The rare party meeting, the first in five years, is expected to draw close international scrutiny over whether leader Kim Jong Un will set new directions for relations with the United States and respond to Washington’s calls to revive stalled nuclear talks. According to the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim observed the launches off the country’s west coast and expressed strong satisfaction with the results. He was quoted as saying that verifying the reliability of North Korea’s nuclear deterrence and demonstrating its power were legitimate acts of self-defense and deterrence against external threats. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff confirmed that it had detected multiple cruise missile launches from the Pyongyang area on Sunday morning, adding that Seoul remains fully prepared to counter any potential provocations through its alliance with the United States. While UN Security Council resolutions ban North Korea from testing ballistic missiles, cruise missile launches are not prohibited. However, analysts warn they still pose a serious threat to South Korea and the United States because such missiles can fly at low altitudes and maneuver to evade radar systems. In a conflict, they could be used to target US naval vessels, including aircraft carriers. In recent days, North Korea also test-fired new anti-aircraft missiles and released images suggesting that the hull of a nuclear-powered submarine under development is nearing completion. North Korea shows progress in nuclear-powered submarine The country has hinted that the submarine would be capable of carrying nuclear weapons. A nuclear-powered submarine is among several advanced weapons systems Kim has pledged to develop, citing what he calls US-led security threats. Some analysts believe North Korea’s closer military cooperation with Russia, including support for Moscow’s war in Ukraine, may have helped it gain access to key technologies. Pyongyang has continued weapons testing since nuclear negotiations with former US President Donald Trump collapsed in 2019. However, Kim signaled in September that talks could resume if Washington abandons its push for denuclearization, with experts suggesting he may view his expanded nuclear arsenal as leverage in any future negotiations. Source: AP 

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming China’s film and television industry, playing an expanding role in storytelling from script development to on-screen production. At Hengdian World Studios in east China’s Zhejiang Province, often dubbed “China’s Hollywood” — AI is increasingly used to create large-scale visuals that were once beyond the reach of low-budget productions. Post-production technician Zhang Shiyu said recent advances in large language models have dramatically improved efficiency, allowing complex scenes such as epic battles to be generated in minutes with greater realism and continuity. AI-generated visuals are now seamlessly integrated into editing workflows through advanced texture mapping and visual effects, blending digital elements with live-action footage. According to Lu Caijian, chairman of Dongyang Gewuzhizhi Culture Media, AI now supports nearly every stage of post-production for micro-short dramas. Industry officials say technology-driven innovation is fueling growth at Hengdian. Several tech firms have set up operations there this year, contributing to dozens of short drama productions by using AI for grand scenes, science fiction, fantasy genres and enhanced special effects. Beyond production, AI is moving upstream into scriptwriting and project evaluation. A report by the China Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers noted that AI is reshaping workflows from creative development to marketing, redefining industry practices and creative boundaries. Some companies have developed in-house AI models. Hangzhou-based Huace Group uses proprietary systems trained on decades of scripts and industry data to evaluate and optimize projects, cutting assessment time from weeks to hours and boosting efficiency by more than 50 percent. Industry experts stress that AI is a creative assistant rather than a replacement for human talent. While it lowers entry barriers for new filmmakers and frees creators from routine tasks, final artistic control remains with people. As AI accelerates content creation, it is also being deployed to protect intellectual property. Hengdian and other regions have introduced AI-powered copyright monitoring systems, helping detect infringements and recover significant financial losses, signaling a new era of AI-driven creativity and protection in China’s screen industries.

China made significant progress in industrial technology innovation in 2025, with the size of its core artificial intelligence (AI) sector surpassing 1 trillion yuan (around $142 billion), according to a national conference on industry and information technology held on Friday. The conference said that under its 2026 plans, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology will focus on nurturing and expanding emerging and future-oriented industries, while continuing to strengthen research and development in AI. The ministry plans to build new key growth sectors, including integrated circuits, next-generation display technologies, advanced materials, aerospace, the low-altitude economy and biomedicine. Officials projected that the total added value of major industrial enterprises will rise by 5.9 percent year on year in 2025. Official figures showed that from January to November, value added by large high-tech manufacturing firms and equipment manufacturers grew by 9.2 percent and 9.3 percent, respectively, compared to the same period last year. China has also fostered more than 600,000 small and medium-sized enterprises driven by technology and innovation, while the number of high-tech companies nationwide has climbed to 504,000. Industry and Information Technology Minister Li Lecheng said continued efforts are needed to maintain the industrial sector’s stable growth and further strengthen the self-reliance and resilience of industrial supply chains.  

North Korea on Thursday showcased apparent advances in building a nuclear-powered submarine, with state media images revealing a nearly finished hull, as leader Kim Jong Un criticized South Korea’s efforts to acquire similar technology. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that Kim visited a shipyard to inspect what the North describes as an 8,700-ton nuclear-powered submarine, which he has called a key step in modernizing and arming the country’s navy with nuclear capabilities. The North has suggested plans to equip the vessel with nuclear weapons, describing it as a “strategic guided missile submarine” or “strategic nuclear attack submarine.” During the inspection, Kim denounced South Korea’s nuclear submarine ambitions, supported by former U.S. President Donald Trump, as an “offensive act” violating North Korea’s security and maritime sovereignty. He said the South’s plans emphasize the need for North Korea to continue developing and arming its own naval forces, claiming the submarine’s completion would mark an “epoch-making” advance in strengthening the country’s nuclear deterrent. KCNA released photos of Kim inspecting a large, burgundy-painted submarine inside an assembly hall, marking the first state media images of the vessel since March. Experts say the largely completed hull suggests that most internal systems, including the engine and possibly the reactor, are already installed, indicating the submarine could be ready for sea trials in the coming months. The nuclear-powered submarine is part of Kim’s broader military modernization plans, which include hypersonic weapons, intercontinental ballistic missiles, multi-warhead systems, and spy satellites. Analysts warn that a stealth-capable, missile-launching submarine would pose a significant challenge for regional security. North Korea’s recent military cooperation with Russia may have aided its technological development, though some experts believe the reactor is likely domestically produced with possible Russian assistance. Meanwhile, South Korea has pursued its own nuclear submarine program, with U.S. support under discussion, though details of construction and nuclear fuel acquisition remain unclear. KCNA also reported that Kim oversaw tests of new anti-air missiles launched into the sea, prompting South Korea and U.S. intelligence agencies to assess the weapons. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have intensified in recent years as Kim accelerates his nuclear program and strengthens ties with Moscow. Source: AP 

Bolivia’s new government has lifted restrictions on international satellite internet companies, paving the way for services such as Starlink and Kuiper to operate in the country as authorities seek to improve one of South America’s slowest internet networks. President Rodrigo Paz on Tuesday signed a decree removing limits imposed by the previous administration, allowing global satellite providers to offer nationwide coverage. The restrictions had been introduced under former president Luis Arce, whose government last year denied SpaceX-owned Starlink a license, citing concerns over data protection and national sovereignty. Bolivia has long struggled to expand reliable internet access, particularly in remote areas. In 2013, the government of then-president Evo Morales purchased a Chinese-built satellite, Tupac Katari, promising it would transform connectivity. However, the satellite, which operates from a geostationary orbit about 35,000 kilometers above Earth, failed to deliver significant improvements in speed. By contrast, modern satellite networks such as Starlink operate much closer to Earth, enabling faster data transmission. A November report by connectivity firm Ookla ranked Bolivia last in South America for both mobile and fixed broadband speeds. President Paz said opening the market to international satellite companies would help “reduce the digital divide” and provide high-quality internet access nationwide. “We became spectators while the rest of the world advanced,” he said. “That is over.” The president also announced plans for foreign firms, including Tesla, Amazon, Tether and Oracle, to invest in data centers near El Alto and Cochabamba as part of efforts to attract investment and ease an economic crisis marked by dollar shortages. Source: AP 

Mobile games continue as one of the most coveted pastimes. More people are spending time playing games on their smartphones than ever. With over 3 billion players worldwide, the mobile gaming industry is thriving. Last year's (2024) 3 trillion gross revenue from the mobile-phone-gaming industry makes the current year even more optimistic. Let’s delve into 2025’s top smartphone game titles that are leading the hierarchy list with the highest downloads and revenue earned. World’s Highest Grossing Mobile Games in 2025 The top chart is always updating with new releases taking over the old ones’ places or some fallen titles regaining their positions. Both scenarios reflect what gamers are spending their time and money on over the year. Here are the top names that have collected the most appreciation and in-game purchase money from the gaming community this year. Honor of Kings The multiplayer hot arena of Honor of Kings gets the highest-grossing title in 2025. With it, the 5v5 live showdown makes it 3 times in a row. After an intense competitive run and a few drops in the mid-quarters, the game manages to reclaim the lead with a glorified momentum. Collecting over 2.5 billion and dominating the Chinese gamers, Honor of Kings proves that its strategic planning in player and event layout resonates with the expectations it set in the past years. Right now, it boasts a lifetime collection of $13.25 billion. Read more: Best Free and Paid Airplane Games for Android and iOS in 2025 Last War: Survival Last War: Survival got the US gamers glued to their phones since its launch in August 2023. What was a modest start for the game, marked by an annual collection of $1.5 billion, only accelerated in the latter year, adding another $2 billion to its total lifetime earnings of $3.5 billion. The Singapore-based developer and publisher company FUNFLY PTE. LTD. had been optimistic about their creation ever since the game hit the market. Area-specific marketing campaigns, perpetual upgrades, bug fixes, and strategic event designs have led them to satisfy the initial dissatisfactions in the gaming community and build a strong fanbase quickly. The effort has ever been lucrative. Roblox The revenue graph has been steep for Robolox since its beginning in 2023. Which, in 2025, has only become steeper. The fan-favourite virtual gaming workshop has pulled off a $4.1 billion haul, and in pursuit of even a higher total, as the year still has a few days to pass. Manufacturer Roblox Corporation seemingly has done it right this time by launching the user-generated experience, Brookhaven RP. Stirring a frenzy among gamers, it has drawn about 111.8 million users to daily sign-ins.  Whiteout Survival Strategy games prove they are still in business as Whiteout Survival makes the top chart by the number of users and in-app purchases. The timid 2023 entry, scoring only about $200M in the launch year, has leveraged casual ads and web shops to a massive $1B collection in 2025. According to analysts, the game is soaring to touch the $2B horizon before the year concludes. Read more: Top 10 Football Live Streaming Apps for iOS and Android in 2025 Royal Match Royal Match dropped jaws when it outranked Candy Crush Saga last year, hinting at its potential to become among the best in its category. The current year hasn’t moved much from the course set in 2024, propelling towards a $2B year-round collection. Creative minds at Dream Games have been successful in designing and coordinating some major boosted events and offers, driving about 61.5% paid downloads. Enticing long-term acquisitions, the game has also brought tweaks in gameplay, like room-building progression.   MONOPOLY GO! Monopoly Go, redefining the nostalgic and ever-popular FnF board game setting, has captured more audience this year. Being one of the most talked-about 2023 fresh releases, the game has reached $5B lifetime revenue quicker than any other titles in US history. The wildfire set in 2024 that compelled gamers to spend about 2.5B has dimmed a bit this year. However, the flame hasn’t stopped burning, as the game remains in the top chart, proving its worth, setting off for a $1.5B estimation.  Candy Crush Saga The Candy Crush Saga, the household name for recreation, entered its second decade of legacy in 2022, as it was released in 2012. Dominating the top charts in more than 50 countries, it has long held its position with an annual average of $1B to $1.5B. 2025 is approaching a similar output, grossing nearly 1.08M. While the loyalty of an astoundingly large fanbase has done its part. New acquisitions and constant gameplay upgrades have helped sustain income in the face of competition, like Royal Match. Read more: Assassin’s Creed Shadows Game Review: What’s New PUBG MOBILE For PUBG Mobile, 2025, instead of a smooth slippery slope, has been a roller coaster, with drops and bounces in the monthly gains. The first, third, and fifth months overperformed their consecutive months, with a minimum average margin of $100M, except for June ($94M). The game’s round-up collection has hit $1.2B, which, although not a breakout, maintains a linear progression. Wrapping Up The slots in the 2025 mobile game top chart are filled with old titles. Not a single name from the fresh releases has been up to the mark to exceed what gamers are already getting from their usual entertainers. Apart from it, the chart sets an example for developers and manufacturers, rewarding focused marketing, innovative upgrades, and regular engagements more than safe surfers. Despite the disappointment from the new entries, the gaming industry has thrived this year. The trend is ever stronger, forecasting an optimistic 2026.

Just days before Christmas, a cyberattack forced France’s national postal service offline on Monday, causing delays in parcel deliveries and disrupting online payment systems at one of the busiest times of the year. The outage frustrated customers and added pressure on postal employees already stretched by the holiday rush. By Monday evening, more than eight hours after the problem began, the disruption had still not been fully resolved. No group immediately took responsibility for the attack, though speculation circulated among workers and the public. Authorities declined to comment on who might be behind it, while Paris prosecutors opened an investigation. La Poste described the incident as a “major network failure,” later explaining it was caused by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack that made its online platforms unavailable. The company said customer data was not compromised, but services requiring tracking or access to internal systems were brought to a halt. Standard letter mail, including holiday cards, continued to operate. The cyberattack also affected La Poste’s banking subsidiary, La Banque Postale. Customers were temporarily unable to use the mobile app to authorize payments or carry out other transactions, prompting the bank to switch to text-message approvals. The bank said teams were working urgently to restore normal operations. The disruption followed a series of recent cyber incidents in France. Just a week earlier, the Interior Ministry was targeted in a separate attack that resulted in unauthorized access to sensitive files linked to police data. Authorities said human error contributed to that breach, and a suspect was detained. Prosecutors are also investigating another suspected cyber plot involving software intended to remotely control systems on an international passenger ferry. A Latvian crew member has been arrested on suspicion of acting on behalf of an unidentified foreign power. France and other European nations supportive of Ukraine have accused Russia of conducting “hybrid warfare,” alleging tactics such as cyberattacks, sabotage, disinformation, and covert operations that are difficult to trace directly back to Moscow.