United News of Bangladesh

The flagship smartphone market in 2024 was filled with cutting-edge innovations, as top brands unveiled their most powerful and stylish models. These high-performance devices set new benchmarks in design, technology, and user experience, redefining what premium smartphones can offer. From groundbreaking camera systems to next-gen processors, last year’s launches introduced some of the most future-ready smartphones yet. If you’re looking for the best flagship devices and budget isn’t a concern, here are the top pick smartphones from 2024 that are still worth considering. Best Flagship Smartphones Released in 2024 . Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra was launched on Jan 17, 2024. It is a 232g titanium-built flagship smartphone that measures 6.39 by 3.11 by 0.34 inches in dimension. Beyond an overhaul over its predecessor in key areas like design and performance, the phone is a leap forward in its lineup. As the first of the series, it integrates several AI functionalities in an attempt to dwindle competition and empower loyal consumers. The phone comes with a 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset 4nm and a 1 GHz Adreno 750 GPU that ensures streamlined operations and maneuvers. For cameras, Samsung keeps the prior version’s 200MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto and adds a 50MP extra-zoom telephoto lens, making a quad camera system. The battery, S Pen Stylus, and major functionalities remain almost the same as in the previous version. Awaiting official launch in Bangladesh, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 12/256GB variant is available unofficially at a starting price of BDT 2,43,999. Read more: Honor 300 Review: New Contender in Midrange Smartphone Segment Xiaomi 14 Ultra Released on February 22, 2024, Xiaomi 14 Ultra manifests Xiaomi’s fight-back effort in a Flagship market ruled by giants like the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, Google Pixel 9 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S24. With a dimensional measurement of 6.35 by 2.96 by 0.36 inches, the phone bolsters the essence of a true flagship.  Drawing performative alignment to that essence, the phone uses a 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 4nm chipset, and a combined version of Android 14 OS and Hyper OS. However, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra distinguishes itself in the market with its exclusive vegan-leathered back panel and a powerful lens squad. A massive, circular quad camera module on the back engraves four 50MP lenses, featured by the German brand Leica. Installing a battery beyond the provided 5000mAh and a front camera beyond 32MP would give the phone a better competitive edge. The unofficial version of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s 16/512GB is available in Bangladesh at a price of BDT 1,35,000. Read more: itel A80 Review: Smartphone under Tk 10k with Standard Features Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Motorola expands its horizons with the release of Motorola Edge 50 Ultra on May 15, 2024. Confined to a 6.34 by 2.85 by 0.34-inch dimension, the mainframe is a sandblasted aluminum panel with glass on the front. Components like a P-OLED display, an 8s gen 3 Qualcomm 4nm chipset, an Adreno 735 GPU, and a 4500mAh battery attest to Motorola’s effort to manage the best within budget.  However, the phone hasn’t misered away from employing powerful lenses. The main camera module houses a 50MP wide, 64MP periscope, and 50MP ultrawide lens trio, while the front engraves a whooping 50MP wide selfie shooter.  Motorola Edge 50 Ultra’s 12/512 variant is unofficially available at 74000 TK in Bangladesh. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 Samsung marches forward with its foldable multipane smartphone series, dropping its 6th iteration on  July, 2024. Its 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipse 4nm chipsett, 1GHz Adreno 750 GPU, and Android 14 operating system each mark the top of their lines by version upgrade and performance. When folded, the 153.5 by 132.6 by 5.6 mm screen reduces to 153.5 by 68.1 by 12.1 mm. Its firm armour aluminum frame takes extra advantage of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 to provide better resistance against drops and tears. Read more: Colmi P78 Smartwatch Review: A Feature-Packed Budget Wearable Worth Considering Samsung employs LTPO AMOLED screens for panes and a triple-lense rear panel for cameras, featuring a 50MP wide, a 10MP telephoto, and a 12MP ultrawide lens on the panel, a 4MP wide lens on the cover, and a 10MP wide lens on the front display. A brief 4400mAh battery provides day-long support while confining the phone’s weight to 232g.  The unofficial version of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6’s 12/256 GB variant is priced at BDT 1,58,000. Google Pixel 9 Series Launched in August 22, 2024, the Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL conciliates users with a knack for a big screen that Google’s usual iterations lack. However, its 6.41 by 3.02 by 0.33-inch dimension may still strive a little to make it as a Giant amid other taller flagships. The phone bestows users with a distinctive design perfectly aligned with the original thematic expression of Pixel phones. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL reflects its premium qualities, boasting a 4nm Google Tensor G4 chipset, which runs without lagging and heating, Android 14 that supports up to 7 upgrades, a flat LTPO OLED display, and a few great photo shooters.  Read more: realme 14 Pro+ Review: Know the Pros and Cons The horizontally pill-shaped camera bar on the back holds a 50MP wide, 48MP periscope telephoto, and a 48MP ultrawide lens. The frontal shooter is a 42MP lens. A 5060mAh battery backup runs long and allows for multiple wired and wireless charging access.  Users can buy the unofficial version of the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL’s 16/256 GB variant at BDT 1,15,000. Much smaller than the Pixel Pro XL, measuring only 6.02 by 2.83 by 0.33 inches, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is a noteworthy Flagship contender manifested by its high-end hardware. Size apart, the phone embodies all the components featured in the Pro XL, including a 4nm Google Tensor G4 chipset, Android 14, an LTPO OLED display, and the same lens range. The Google Pixel 9 only comes short in its scale and battery capacity. However, the 4700mAh battery offers all the changing options as well.  The unofficial version of the phone (12/256 GB) is available at BDT 1,20,000. Read more: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: A Game-Changer or Overpriced Flagship? Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple’s latest and largest-ever smartphone, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, was launched on September 9, 2024. Bolstering a dimension of 6.42 by 3.06 by 0.33-inch, the phone outstretches not only its predecessors but also all the major flagships currently available. The phone comes with the same LTPO Super Retina display as its previous model. Other similarities include a 48MP wide, a 48MP ultrawide lens, and 12MP periscope lens in the primary setup, a 12MP frontal lens, and the graphical processing unit. Apart from its increased scale, the phone distinguishes itself with an upgraded 3nm A18 Pro chipset, iOS version 18, and AI-assisted apps.  Catering to the demand of premium smartphone users, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 256 GB variant is unofficially available at BDT 2,26,999. ROG Phone 9 Pro Since the ROG Phone 8 series, Asus has shifted towards becoming an all-rounder leaving its niche-focused design. The ROG Phone 9 Pro, launched on November, 2024, further emphasizes that shift offering more to general users at the expense of some gaming features. It strips off bezels around the display and removes the front speakers used in the previous models. However, the 6.45 by 3.02 by 0.35-inch aluminum frame sandwiched by Gorilla glasses doesn’t fall far from the original theme.  Read more: Smartphones Launching in February 2025: Top Flagship and Mid-Range Releases The 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED screen now spreads throughout the frame in landscape view, housing the 32MP front lens in a dark punch spot. On the back, a square camera module houses a 50MP wide, a 32MP telephoto, and a 13MP ultrawide lens.  The 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite 3nm chipset coupled with the Adreno 830 GPU provides an optimal gaming performance. The battery has also seen substantial improvement, boasting a capacity of 5800mAh and multiple charging systems.  The unofficial version of the ROG Phone 9 Pro is available in Bangladesh for BDT BDT 1,70,990. Conclusion The smartphone industry is rapidly shifting, making room for futuristic design and functionalities. The revolutionary advancements in the AI sector have opened a whole new world for exploring and innovating customer-centric possibilities. Top brands are competing with each other, increasing their abilities to tame the power of AI technology and use it to sharpen existing tools and create new ones. The 2024 flagship smartphone market shows a gradual upgrade in all aspects while demonstrating the influence of AI. Read more: Xiaomi 15 Review: Specs, Features, and Price in Bangladesh

A group of investors led by Elon Musk is offering about $97.4 billion to buy the nonprofit behind OpenAI, escalating a dispute with the artificial intelligence company that Musk helped found a decade ago. Musk and his own AI startup, xAI, and a consortium of investment firms want to take control of the ChatGPT maker and revert it to its original charitable mission as a nonprofit research lab, according to Musk’s attorney Marc Toberoff. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman quickly rejected the unsolicited bid on Musk’s social platform X, saying, “no thank you but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.” Musk bought Twitter, now called X, for $44 billion in 2022. Musk and Altman, who together helped start OpenAI in 2015 and later competed over who should lead it, have been in a long-running feud over the startup’s direction since Musk resigned from its board in 2018. Advertisement Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the company last year, first in a California state court and later in federal court, alleging it had betrayed its founding aims as a nonprofit research lab that would benefit the public good by safely building better-than-human AI. Musk had invested about $45 million in the startup from its founding until 2018, Toberoff has said. Related Stories The sudden success of ChatGPT two years ago brought worldwide fame and a new revenue stream to OpenAI and also heightened the internal battles over the future of the organization and the advanced AI it was trying to develop. Its nonprofit board fired Altman in late 2023. He came back days later with a new board. Now a fast-growing business still controlled by a nonprofit board bound to its original mission, OpenAI last year announced plans to formally change its corporate structure. But such changes are complicated. Tax law requires money or assets donated to a tax-exempt organization to remain within the charitable sector. Advertisement If the initial organization becomes a for-profit, generally, a conversion is needed where the for-profit pays the fair market value of the assets to another charitable organization. Even if the nonprofit OpenAI continues to exist in some way, some experts argue it would have to be paid fair market value for any assets that get transferred to its for-profit subsidiaries. Judge says Elon Musk's claims of harm from OpenAI are a 'stretch' but welcomes possible trial Lawyers for OpenAI and Musk faced off in a California federal court last week as a judge weighed Musk’s request for a court order that would block the ChatGPT maker from converting itself to a for-profit company. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers hasn’t yet ruled on Musk’s request but in the courtroom said it was a “stretch” for Musk to claim he will be irreparably harmed if she doesn’t intervene to stop OpenAI from moving forward with its planned transition. But the judge also raised concerns about OpenAI and its relationship with business partner Microsoft and said she wouldn’t stop the case from moving to trial as soon as next year so a jury can decide. “It is plausible that what Mr. Musk is saying is true. We’ll find out. He’ll sit on the stand,” she said. Advertisement long with Musk and xAI, others backing the bid announced Monday include Baron Capital Group, Valor Management, Atreides Management, Vy Fund, Emanuel Capital Management and Eight Partners VC. Toberoff said in a statement that if Altman and OpenAI’s current board “are intent on becoming a fully for-profit corporation, it is vital that the charity be fairly compensated for what its leadership is taking away from it: control over the most transformative technology of our time.” Musk’s attorney also shared a letter he sent in early January to the attorneys general of California, where OpenAI operates, and Delaware, where it is incorporated. SoftBank and OpenAI launch joint venture in Japan to expand AI collaboration Since both state offices must “ensure any such transactional process relating to OpenAI’s charitable assets provides at least fair market value to protect the public’s beneficial interest, we assume you will provide a process for competitive bidding to actually determine that fair market value,” Toberoff wrote, asking for more information on the terms and timing of that bidding process.

Released on December 2, 2024, the Honor 300 aims to contend in the mid-range smartphone segment. Let’s dive into the pros, cons, and pricing of Honor 300 in Bangladesh. Key Features of Honor 300 . Design and Build Quality The Honor 300 boasts a sleek and lightweight design, measuring 161 mm by 74.2 mm by 7 mm and weighing 175g, making it thinner and lighter than the Honor 200 (187g) and Xiaomi Redmi K80 (206g). Its IP65 rating ensures dust and water resistance. But it falls short compared to the IP68 rating of the Xiaomi Redmi K80 and Vivo T3 Ultra, which offer better water resistance. While the Honor 300’s color choices (Black, White, Green, Purple, and Gray) provide variety, the glass build of the Vivo T3 Ultra adds a more premium touch. Read more: itel A80 Review: Smartphone under Tk 10k with Standard Features Display Quality The Honor 300 sports a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 4000 nits, ensuring an ultra-smooth experience and excellent visibility under sunlight. Featuring 1200 by 2664 resolutions Honor 300’s display quality appears similar to the ancestor Honor 200. The rival Vivo T3 Ultra, with its 1260 by 2800 pixel AMOLED display protected by Schott Xensation Alpha and a peak brightness of 4500 nits, surpasses the Honor 300 in clarity and brightness levels. The Xiaomi Redmi K80's OLED panel protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 7i offers a sharper resolution (1440 by 3200 pixels) and more immersive visuals.  Camera Performance The Honor 300 features a dual-camera setup that includes a 50MP (f/2.0) main sensor and a 12MP (f/2.2) 119-degree ultrawide sensor, whereas the Honor 200 offers a triple-camera system (50MP main + 50MP telephoto + 12MP ultrawide), making the older model more versatile, especially with 2.5x optical zoom.  Honor 300 can capture 4K video footage at maximum with both the front and rear shooters. It has a gyro-EIS feature. Read more: Colmi P78 Smartwatch Review: A Feature-Packed Budget Wearable Worth Considering The Xiaomi Redmi K80 also outshines the Honor 300 with a 50MP primary camera with f/1.6 aperture and an 8MP ultrawide lens, capable of 8K video recording, a feature missing in the Honor 300. The Vivo T3 Ultra provides comparable camera performance with a (50MP + 8MP) dual setup, but its Ring-LED flash offers better night photography. On the selfie side, the Honor 300 and Honor 200 both have a 50MP (f/2.1) front camera, outperforming the 20MP shooter on the Redmi K80, ensuring sharper selfies and better video calls. However, the Vivo T3 Ultra’s 50MP front camera with autofocus provides added clarity for vloggers. Processor Performance The Honor 300 runs on the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset (4nm), the same as the Honor 200. While this processor handles daily tasks smoothly, it falls behind the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip in the Xiaomi Redmi K80, which offers better AI processing and efficiency for heavy multitasking.  The Vivo T3 Ultra's MediaTek Dimensity 9200+ (4nm) processor is a strong competitor, providing slightly better CPU and GPU performance than the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 but still trailing behind the Xiaomi Redmi K80. Read more: realme 14 Pro+ Review: Know the Pros and Cons Gaming Performance With the Adreno 720 GPU, the Honor 300 can handle most modern games like PUBG and Genshin Impact at high settings with smooth frame rates. However, the Xiaomi Redmi K80’s Adreno 750 GPU and Vivo T3 Ultra’s Immortalis-G715 MC11 GPU deliver far superior performance, allowing smoother gameplay at higher frame rates. If gaming is a priority, the Redmi K80 is the best choice in this price range. Battery Life The Honor 300 packs a 5300mAh battery, offering all-day usage, with 100W fast charging reaching 53% in 15 minutes. This is a slight improvement over the Honor 200’s 5200mAh battery, but the charging speed remains the same.  Xiaomi Redmi K80 leads in battery life with a massive 6550mAh battery, though its 90W wired charging is slightly slower than Honor 300. Meanwhile, the Vivo T3 Ultra’s 5500mAh battery with 80W charging offers a good balance between capacity and charging speed. Honor 300 offers a 5W reverse wired charging facility. However, the provision of wireless charging could make it a better deal. Read more: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: A Game-Changer or Overpriced Flagship? Software and User Interface The Honor 300 ships with Android 15 and MagicOS 9, delivering a clean and feature-rich UI with better AI-powered optimizations compared to MagicOS 8 on the Honor 200. The Xiaomi Redmi K80 features HyperOS 2, providing deep customization but comes with bloatware, while vivo T3 Ultra’s Funtouch OS 14 is a lightweight and smooth alternative. Storage Options The RAM capacity of Honor 300 ranges from 8 GB to 16 GB. Its internal storage capacity reaches up to 512 GB starting from 256 GB. The Honor 300 offers several variants 8/256GB, 12/256GB, 12/512GB, and 16/512GB which is almost similar to the Honor 200. However, the Xiaomi Redmi K80 outperforms the Honor 300 with its 1TB storage option.  On the other hand, the Vivo T3 Ultra offers more limited (128 to 256GB) internal memory options with 8 to 12GB RAM variants, making the Honor 300 a better choice for users who need higher storage flexibility.   Read more: Smartphones Launching in February 2025: Top Flagship and Mid-Range Releases Pros and Cons of Honor 300 . Pros - 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate.- Bright 4000 nits peak brightness with 1B colors.- Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset ensures smooth performance.- Powerful RAM for video gaming and multi-tasking.- Dual rear cameras with a 50MP selfie camera.- 4K video recording with OIS and gyro-EIS support.- 5300mAh battery with 100W fast charging.- Stereo speakers with immersive sound.- In-display fingerprint sensor for quick unlocking.- IP65-rated dust and water resistance.- NFC, infrared port, and BDS satellite messaging support.- Supports 5G connectivity for fast internet. Read more: Xiaomi 15 Review: Specs, Features, and Price in Bangladesh Cons  - No 3.5mm audio jack.- No information about the display screen protector- No microSD card slot for expandable storage.- Lack of Telephoto lens.- Lacks 8K video recording support.- Lack of IP68 dust and water resistance.- Lack of wireless charging option.- Lack of 1TB internal memory storage option.- No FM Radio support. Read more: realme Neo7 Review: Is This Mid-Range Gaming Powerhouse Worth Buying? Price of Honor 300 in Bangladesh The Honor 300 is available in Bangladesh at an unofficial price of BDT 48,499 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant. However, the price may vary depending on the sellers. Final Lines The Honor 300 is a great choice for users who want a vibrant AMOLED display, solid performance, good cameras, and fast charging at a mid-range price. However, power users and gamers may prefer the Xiaomi Redmi K80 for better performance, and those needing expandable or higher storage, an audio jack, wireless charging, 8K video recording, etc. may look for other options. Read more: Honor Magic7 Pro Review: A Flagship Killer or Just Another Premium Phone?

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has expressed concerns over the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, cautioning that while the technology holds immense potential, it could also lead to unforeseen disruptions in industries and employment. During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on February 4, Gates highlighted both the benefits and uncertainties of AI. Bill Gates says he is stepping down from Microsoft board He noted that in the coming decade, intelligence would no longer be a rarity but widely accessible, enhancing fields such as healthcare and education. However, he also warned that such progress could bring significant changes. One of Gates’ most striking predictions involved AI’s potential to reshape the traditional work structure. He questioned whether people might eventually work only two or three days a week as AI takes over complex tasks previously handled by humans. While this shift could offer more flexibility, it also raises concerns about widespread job displacement. Acknowledging the unpredictable nature of AI’s evolution, Gates admitted that many people find the situation unsettling, describing it as "completely new territory." Bill Gates says he has COVID, experiencing mild symptoms Despite his concerns, Gates recognizes AI’s transformative impact on industries like healthcare and education. As AI-powered diagnostics and tutoring become more accessible, these essential services could become both more efficient and affordable. However, the bigger challenge remains—can humanity steer AI’s development before it begins shaping society in unforeseen ways? Source: With input from Economic Times

Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook, has started a series of performance-based layoffs today, targeting approximately 5% of its global workforce. This move is part of CEO Mark Zuckerberg's strategy to "raise the bar" on performance and streamline operations. Layoff Details Affected employees are being notified via their work and personal emails, detailing severance packages. Access to company systems is revoked within an hour of notification. In the United States, notifications began at 5 a.m. Pacific Time. Due to local labour regulations, employees in Germany, France, Italy, and the Netherlands are exempt from these immediate cuts and will follow local performance management processes instead. Meta to invest up to $65 billion in AI projects in 2025 Global Impact While the initial notifications are concentrated in the U.S., employees in other regions, including parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa, are scheduled to receive their notifications between 11 and 18 February. The layoffs are expected to affect nearly 4,000 employees worldwide. Strategic Shift Towards AI Concurrently, Meta is expediting the hiring of machine learning engineers and other critical engineering roles. This accelerated hiring process is set to take place between 11 February and 13 March, aligning with the company's strategic priorities for 2025. Employee Sentiment The layoffs have generated anxiety among Meta's workforce. Some employees have expressed concerns about a culture of fear and the potential negative impact on morale. There is apprehension that the performance-based cuts could unfairly label departing employees, affecting their future job prospects. Meta abandons diversity programmes amid shifting US policy Industry-Wide Trend Meta's decision mirrors a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies are reassessing their workforce in response to economic pressures and the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. Other tech giants, including Google and Microsoft, have also implemented layoffs and restructured their operations to focus on AI-driven initiatives. As Meta navigates this transition, the company emphasizes its commitment to maintaining a high-performance culture while investing in future technologies that will shape the next era of digital interaction. Source: Agencies 

The geopolitics of artificial intelligence will be in focus at a major summit in France where world leaders, executives and experts will hammer out pledges on guiding the development of the rapidly advancing technology. It's the latest in a series of global dialogues around AI governance, but one that comes at a fresh inflection point as China's buzzy and budget-friendly DeepSeek chatbot shakes up the industry. U.S. Vice President JD Vance — making his first trip abroad since taking office — will attend the Paris AI Action Summit starting Feb. 10, while China's President Xi Jinping will be sending his special envoy, signaling high stakes for the meeting. Here's a breakdown: Summit basics Heads of state and top government officials, tech bosses and researchers are gathering in Paris for the two-day summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event aims to address how to harness artificial intelligence’s potential so that it benefits everyone, while containing the technology’s myriad risks. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is attending, along with company officials from 80 countries, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Microsoft President Brad Smith and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Tesla chief Elon Musk, who attended the inaugural 2023 summit at former codebreaking base Bletchley Park in England, and DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng have been invited, but it’s unclear if either will attend. Panel talks and workshops at the Grand Palais venue on Monday will be followed by a dinner at the Elysee presidential palace for world leaders and CEOs. Leaders and company bosses are expected to give speeches at Tuesday’s closing session. What's at stake? More than two years after ChatGPT 's debut, generative AI continues to make astounding advances at breakneck speed. The technology that powers all-purpose chatbots is transforming many aspects of life with its ability to spit out high-quality text, images or video, or carry out complex tasks. The 2023 summit in the U.K. resulted in a non-binding pledge by 28 nations to tackle AI risks. A follow-up meeting hosted by South Korea last year secured another pledge to set up a network of public AI safety institutes to advance research and testing. AI safety is still on the agenda in Paris, with an expert group reporting back on general purpose AI's possible extreme dangers. US lawmakers seek ban on DeepSeek from government devices But this time organizers are expanding the discussion to more countries, and widening the debate to a range of other AI-related topics. Like previous editions, this summit won't produce any binding regulation. “The summit comes at a time when many are trying to position themselves in the international competition,” Macron told reporters, according to La Provence newspaper. “It’s about establishing the rules of the game. AI cannot be the Wild West.” The deliverables Organizers are working on getting countries to sign a joint political declaration gathering commitments for more ethical, democratic and environmentally sustainable AI, according to Macron’s office. But it's unclear whether the U.S. would agree to such a measure. A public-interest partnership named “Current AI" is to be launched with an initial $400 million investment. The initiative aims at raising $2.5 billion over the next five years for the public-private partnership involving governments, businesses and philanthropic groups that will provide open-source access to databases, software and other tools for “trusted” AI actors, according to Macron's office. Macron's team wants to shift the focus away from the race to develop better-than-human artificial intelligence through sheer computing power and, instead, open up access to data that can help AI solve problems like cancer or long COVID. “We now have this incredible opportunity to figure out not only how we should mitigate the potential harms from artificial intelligence, but also how we can ensure that it’s used to improve people’s lives,” said Martin Tisné, the summit’s envoy for public interest AI. Trump's team U.S. President Donald Trump has spoken of his desire to make the U.S. the “world capital of artificial intelligence” by tapping its oil and gas reserves to feed the energy-hungry technology. Meanwhile, he has moved to withdraw the U.S. — again — from the Paris climate agreement and revoked former President Joe Biden's executive order for AI guardrails. Trump is replacing it with his own AI policy designed to maintain America's global leadership by reducing regulatory barriers and building AI systems free of “ideological bias.” The U.S. position might undermine any joint communique, said Nick Reiners, senior geotechnology analyst at the Eurasia Group. Workday lays off 1,750 employees, or about 8.5% of its workforce “Trump is against the very idea of global governance,” Reiners said. “It’s one thing to get countries to agree that AI should have guardrails and that AI safety is something worth caring about. But they’ve widened the scope to talk about the future of work and the environment and inclusivity and so on — a whole range of concepts. So it’s hard to imagine getting a widespread agreement on such a broad range of subjects.” China's role Chinese leader Xi is sending Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, who's been elevated to the role of Xi's special representative. It's a big step up from the 2023 Bletchley meeting, when the Chinese government sent the vice minister of science and technology. It signifies that Xi wants China to play a bigger role in global AI governance as Trump pulls back, Reiners said. DeepSeek ’s release last month stunned the world because of its ability to rival Western players like ChatGPT. It also escalated the wider geopolitical showdown between Beijing and Washington over tech supremacy. Trump said DeepSeek was a “ wake-up call ” for the U.S. tech industry and his AI advisor David Sacks accused DeepSeek of training its model on stolen OpenAI data. The DeepSeek chatbot app now faces investigations, and in some cases, bans in the U.S. and a number of other countries over privacy and security concerns. Yet the rise of DeepSeek, which built its open source AI model at a fraction of the cost and with fewer chips, also puts China's interests in line with France's. French organizers said “the summit aims at promoting an ambitious French and European AI strategy" as advances in the sector have been led by the U.S. and China. Macron hopes to make room for others, including French startup Mistral, which also uses an open source AI model. “DeepSeek is being seen as a kind of vindication of this idea that you don’t have to necessarily invest hundreds of billions of dollars in in chips and data centers,” Reiners said. Transatlantic tensions Another showdown could involve Brussels, which has long been a thorn in the side of U.S.-based Big Tech companies, cracking down with antitrust penalties against the likes of Google, Apple and Meta. Trump lashed out at last month's World Economic Forum with “very big complaints” about the EU’s multibillion-dollar fines, calling them a tax on American companies. Researchers link China's DeepSeek chatbot to a state telecom, raising privacy concerns More recently, the European Union's artificial intelligence regulation has met resistance from the companies. The EU recently unveiled a non-binding "code of practice” for its AI Act but Meta's top lobbyist said the company, which owns Facebook and Instagram, won’t sign up. The EU guidelines, intended to standardize how the AI Act's regulations are applied across the 27-nation bloc, are “unworkable” and the continent’s regulatory environment is “pushing Europe to the sidelines,” Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan told a Brussels event.

Rupert Lowe, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Great Yarmouth, shared an image on his official X account of a bilingual sign at Whitechapel Station, which has sparked debate. The sign, written in both English and Bengali, has been criticized by some, including Lowe, who believes that signs at London stations should be in English alone. In his post, Lowe, a Reform UK MP, expressed his opinion that "This is London – the station name should be in English, and English only," which quickly went viral. Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of X, responded with a simple "Yes." Lowe, who has been supportive of former U.S. President Donald Trump, recently called for Nigel Farage's removal as the leader of Reform UK, while also seemingly endorsing Lowe's views. Some users supported the MP's stance, while others argued that having signs in multiple languages was not an issue. Musk’s aggressive cost-cutting tactics that shook Washington and Backfired at Twitter The Bengali signage was installed at Whitechapel Tube station in 2022 to honor the contributions of the Bangladeshi community in East London. The Tower Hamlets council funded the dual-language signs as part of broader station improvements. Whitechapel is home to the largest Bangladeshi community in the UK. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee praised the initiative, expressing pride that Bengali had been accepted as a language for signage at the station. She highlighted the global significance of the Bengali language, calling the move a "victory of our culture and heritage" and underscoring the importance of diaspora unity. Source: With inputs from agency

Chinese researchers have unveiled a novel application of the Earth science satellite SDGSAT-1 for observing offshore oil and gas platforms. The study, led by researchers from the Aerospace Information Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), was recently published in the International Journal of Digital Earth. As global demand for oil rises and the industry moves toward decarbonization, tailored monitoring of oil and gas platforms has become increasingly necessary. However, tracking these platforms in vast and dynamic oceanic regions has long posed challenges. The researchers used the SDGSAT-1's Glimmer Imager and Thermal Infrared Spectrometer to track gas flaring activities in the South China Sea. This innovative approach enabled them to map platform operations with greater precision. Chinese scientists develop new AI model for cyclone forecast The findings helped researchers identify 113 oil and gas platforms amidst the complex maritime environment of islands, vessels, and other offshore facilities in the region. "These findings highlight the competence of SDGSAT-1 in tracking the operational status of oil and gas platforms," according to the study. Launched on Nov. 5, 2021, the SDGSAT-1 is the world's first Earth science satellite dedicated to supporting the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Developed by the CAS, the satellite provides crucial space-based data to assess human-environment interactions and promote sustainable development.

While most video game adaptations fail to receive wider attention, some stand apart with their visual presentations and beyond-class performances. In recent times, experiments in this genre have given birth to several blockbusters. Here are our top picks for best video game adaptations, celebrated worldwide for their storytelling without compromising the connection with their roots. Best Movies and TV Shows Adapted from Video Games . The Witcher Another of Netflix’s successful adaptations, The Witcher, released in December 2019, a three-season-long TV series, mesmerizes fans and audiences by presenting Henry Cavil as the Geralt of Rivia, a monster-hunting mutated superhuman assassin. The series weaves its story, focusing on the romantic tension between two magical beings, Geralt and Yennefer. The latter is a witch who gained power and beauty by sacrificing fertility. Both of them are out in a dark, gory, and dangerous world to serve the purpose of their design, to kill evil creatures while protecting others they love. Read more: Best Squid Game-inspired mobile games for Android & iOS in 2025 Arcane No words can express the impact on viewers of Netflix’s evocative, high-octane TV series Arcane, the animated interpretation of the League of Legends. The show was first released on Netflix in November 2021. The story keeps two orphan sisters, Vi (Hailee Steinfeld) and Powder (Ella Purnell), at its centre and unfolds following their struggle to live up to one another’s expectations. As fate takes different routes for the sisters, it parts them by distance, moral ground, and eventually by sparking an intense everlasting rivalry. The world in Arcane matches two sisters’ struggles as the people are divided and fighting each other from different moral grounds. The beauty of its well-crafted, fast-paced storytelling and mastery in building a futuristic failed utopia full of arresting and mind-boggling characters, elements, and events make Arcane easily the greatest animated TV series to date. Mortal Kombat The cult-favourite fighting game Mortal Kombat was redefined for a new-age audience in the 2021 movie of the same title. Showing no sign of suppressing the gaming series' fatality and gore, the Mortal Kombat movie shines brighter in every aspect than its predecessors, released nearly 25 years ago. Read more: February 2025 Video Game Releases: Top Titles You Can’t Miss With gripping one-to-one fighting sequences styled with the same classic moves from the game, the movie captures the true essence of its source material. After its smashing hit at the box office, Warner Bros, the producer of the movie, announced a sequel, which will appear in October 2025. Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City Resident Evil, one of the most intriguing zombie-inspired horror games, relaunched its live-action adaptation on Nov. 24, 2021, after a four-year hiatus since the last installment of the original series. The latest take is titled “Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City,” as it draws the audience into the titular Raccoon City, the economically shambled town struggling for life just like its few alive inhabitants. The movie combines elements from the first two parts of the gaming franchise and does its best to blend them into the new setting. Viewers may not get too many memorable action sequences, but they will have a chance to dip into their favourite horrid world once more. Read more: How To Make Money Playing Video Games Gran Turismo Sony Pictures’ sci-fi, sports action Gran Turismo, released in 2023, takes inspiration from both real life and games. The plot is based on a true story, while the name and the spirit represent a popular racing video game series published by Sony Entertainment. It tells the story of a young boy, Jann Mardenborough, who has spent much of his life attending his virtual race track. Living under the shadow of his father’s dream, Jann longs to introduce himself as a serious sportscar driver and finds his opening by making it into a shortlist of the world’s best virtual drivers. It leads him to get the opportunity to join real-life drivers in the world championship. The movie wells up a good narrative and delivers it with an appealing visual representation. 

The itel A80 was launched in September 2024. This phone aims to offer a balance between affordability and functionality. Let’s dive into the key specs, pros, cons and pricing of itel A80 in Bangladesh Key Features of itel A80  . Design and Build Quality  The itel A80 features a sleek and modern design with an 8.5 mm thickness, making it comfortable to hold. Available in Sandstone Black, Glacier White, and Wave Blue, the device offers a premium look despite its budget-friendly price. The polycarbonate back panel ensures durability, though it may attract fingerprints over time.  Compared to the itel A70, which has a slightly thicker 8.6 mm body, the A80 offers a refined build with a more contemporary appeal. When placed alongside the Lava Yuva Star and Honor X5b, the itel A80 stands out with its slightly slimmer profile. However, the Honor X5b, at 8.7 mm, offers a more premium feel due to its solid build and marginally heavier frame. Read more: Honor X5b Review: Affordable Innovation or Budget Compromise? Display Quality The itel A80 sports a 6.7-inch IPS LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring a smoother scrolling and gaming experience. The HD+ resolution (720 by 1600 pixels) delivers decent color reproduction and sharpness, though it does not match the clarity of Full HD+ displays seen in more expensive devices.  Compared to the itel A70, which has a 6.6-inch IPS LCD but lacks a high refresh rate, the A80 provides a significantly improved viewing experience. However, the Lava Yuva Star, with its slightly larger 6.75-inch display, and the Honor X5b, with a 6.56-inch TFT LCD but a higher peak brightness of 530 nits, provide competition. The itel A80’s 500 nits brightness is adequate for outdoor visibility but falls behind the Honor X5b. Camera Performance One of the standout features of the itel A80 is its 50 MP main camera, which surpasses the 13 MP sensor found in the itel A70. The high-resolution sensor allows for better detail and improved color accuracy in daylight conditions. However, low-light photography remains a challenge due to the lack of advanced image processing capabilities.  Read more: OnePlus Pad 2 Review: Is It Worth Buying? The Lava Yuva Star and Honor X5b, both equipped with 13 MP cameras, fall short of the itel A80 in terms of raw resolution, though the Honor X5b benefits from a wider f/1.8 aperture for better low-light performance. The 8 MP selfie camera on the itel A80 is standard for this price segment, performing similarly to the selfie shooters found on competing devices. Processor Performance Under the hood, the itel A80 is powered by the Unisoc T603 chipset, the same processor found in the itel A70. This octa-core processor is sufficient for everyday tasks like browsing, social media, and light multitasking.  However, when compared to the Honor X5b, which features a more powerful MediaTek Helio G36 chipset, the A80 falls behind in processing power, particularly for demanding applications. The Lava Yuva Star, powered by the Unisoc SC9863A, also lags slightly behind in performance due to its older architecture. Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Turbo 4 Review: Is It a Value-for-money Midranger? The itel A80 can handle moderate usage with ease, power users might find it lacking in performance for more intensive tasks. Gaming Performance  Gaming on the itel A80 is acceptable for casual gamers, with its 120Hz display providing smoother frame transitions. However, the Unisoc T603 chipset limits its ability to run high-end games at stable frame rates. Games like Subway Surfers and Candy Crush run smoothly, while more demanding titles like PUBG Mobile and Call of Duty: Mobile experience occasional frame drops and reduced graphics settings.  In comparison, the Honor X5b, with its MediaTek Helio G36 chipset, offers slightly better gaming performance. The Lava Yuva Star, on the other hand, struggles with heavier games due to its lower-end processor. While the itel A80 is a decent choice for light gaming, users looking for a more capable gaming phone should explore alternatives in the mid-range segment. Read more: Honor Magic7 Pro Review: A Flagship Killer or Just Another Premium Phone?