United News of Bangladesh

The next time you schedule a medical check-up, you might receive a call from someone like Ana—a reassuring voice ready to help you prepare for your appointment and answer any urgent queries. With a soothing, friendly manner, Ana is designed to put patients at ease, much like many nurses across the U.S. However, unlike them, she is available round-the-clock and can communicate in multiple languages, from Hindi to Haitian Creole. Baidu unveils new AI models, claims superiority over DeepSeek That’s because Ana isn’t a person but an AI-powered programme developed by Hippocratic AI, one of several emerging companies focused on automating time-consuming tasks traditionally handled by nurses and medical assistants. This marks the most visible integration of AI into healthcare, where hundreds of hospitals are increasingly relying on advanced computer systems to monitor patient vitals, identify emergencies, and initiate detailed care plans—responsibilities that were once solely managed by nurses and other healthcare professionals. Hospitals argue that AI is enhancing efficiency among nurses while also tackling issues like burnout and staff shortages. However, nursing unions contend that this technology, which is not fully understood, is undermining nurses’ expertise and compromising the quality of patient care. “Hospitals have long been waiting for a tool that seems credible enough to replace nurses,” said Michelle Mahon of National Nurses United. “The entire system is being shaped to automate, deskill, and eventually replace caregivers.” National Nurses United, the largest nursing union in the U.S., has led over 20 protests at hospitals nationwide, demanding the right to influence AI implementation and protections against disciplinary action if nurses choose to override automated recommendations. Concerns escalated in January when Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the incoming health secretary, suggested AI nurses, "as good as any doctor," could be deployed in rural areas. On Friday, Dr. Mehmet Oz, nominated to oversee Medicare and Medicaid, expressed confidence that AI could “free doctors and nurses from excessive paperwork.” Initially, Hippocratic AI advertised its AI assistants at $9 per hour, significantly lower than the approximately $40 per hour paid to registered nurses. The company has since removed this pricing from its promotional materials, instead focusing on demonstrating its capabilities and assuring customers of rigorous testing. The company declined requests for an interview. Can technology help more sexual assault survivors in South Sudan? AI in Hospitals Can Trigger False Alarms and Risky Advice For years, hospitals have been testing various technologies aimed at improving patient care and reducing costs, incorporating tools like sensors, microphones, and motion-detecting cameras. Now, these devices are being connected to electronic medical records and analysed to predict medical conditions and guide nurses—sometimes even before a patient is examined. Adam Hart, an emergency room nurse at Dignity Health in Henderson, Nevada, encountered this first-hand when the hospital’s AI system flagged a new patient as potentially having sepsis, a serious infection-related complication. According to protocol, he was required to administer a large dose of IV fluids immediately. However, upon further examination, Hart realised the patient was undergoing dialysis, meaning excessive fluids could strain their kidneys. When he raised the issue with the supervising nurse, he was told to follow the protocol as instructed. It wasn’t until a nearby doctor intervened that the patient instead received a controlled IV fluid infusion. “Nurses are being paid to think critically,” Hart said. “Handing over our decision-making to these systems is reckless and dangerous.” While nurses acknowledge AI’s potential to assist in monitoring multiple patients and responding to emergencies swiftly, they argue that, in practice, it often results in an overwhelming number of false alerts. Some even mistakenly classify basic bodily functions—like a patient having a bowel movement—as emergencies. “You’re trying to concentrate on your work, but you keep getting all these notifications that may or may not be significant,” said Melissa Beebe, a cancer nurse at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. “It’s difficult to determine which alerts are accurate because there are so many false ones.” Albanian opposition protests TikTok ban claiming election-related censorship Can AI Be Beneficial in Hospitals? Even the most advanced AI systems will overlook subtle signs that nurses instinctively notice, such as changes in facial expressions or unusual odours, noted Michelle Collins, dean of Loyola University’s College of Nursing. However, human nurses are not infallible either. “It would be unwise to dismiss AI entirely,” Collins stated. “We should leverage its capabilities to enhance care, but we must also ensure it does not replace the human touch.” An estimated 100,000 nurses left the workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic—the largest decline in staffing in four decades. With the aging population and more nurses retiring, the U.S. government projects over 190,000 nursing vacancies annually through 2032. Given these challenges, hospital administrators view AI as a crucial support system—not to replace human care but to assist nurses and doctors in gathering information and communicating with patients. ‘Sometimes Patients Are Speaking to a Human, Sometimes They’re Not’ At the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences in Little Rock, staff make hundreds of calls each week to prepare patients for surgery. Nurses confirm prescription details, heart conditions, and other concerns—such as sleep apnea—that must be addressed before anaesthesia. The challenge is that many patients are only available in the evenings, often during dinner or their children’s bedtime. “So, we need to contact several hundred patients within a two-hour window—but I don’t want to pay my staff overtime to do that,” explained Dr. Joseph Sanford, the hospital’s health IT director. Since January, the hospital has been using an AI assistant from Qventus to handle calls, exchange medical records, and summarise information for human staff. Qventus reports that 115 hospitals currently use its technology to improve hospital efficiency, reduce cancellations, and alleviate staff burnout. Each call begins with a disclaimer identifying the programme as an AI assistant. “We prioritise full transparency so that patients always know whether they are speaking to a person or an AI,” Sanford said. While Qventus focuses on administrative tasks, other AI developers are aiming for a broader role in healthcare. Israeli startup Xoltar has created lifelike avatars capable of conducting video calls with patients. In collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, the company is developing an AI assistant to teach cognitive techniques for managing chronic pain. Additionally, Xoltar is working on an AI avatar designed to assist smokers in quitting. During early trials, patients spent an average of 14 minutes interacting with the programme, which can detect facial expressions, body language, and other cues. Nursing experts studying AI believe these tools might be effective for relatively healthy individuals who proactively manage their health. However, that doesn’t apply to the majority of patients. “It’s the seriously ill who account for most healthcare needs in the U.S., and we need to carefully assess whether chatbots are truly suited for those cases,” said Roschelle Fritz of the University of California Davis School of Nursing.

The Samsung Galaxy 'A' series has consistently delivered quality smartphones at accessible prices, blending essential features with innovative technology. The latest in this lineup, the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G, was first released on March 10, 2025. Let’s take a look at the key specs, pros, cons, and pricing of the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G in Bangladesh. Key Features of the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G . Design and Build Quality The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G maintains the premium feel of the A-series, featuring a glass front and back (Gorilla Glass Victus+) with an aluminum frame. Its 7.4mm thickness makes it sleeker and lighter (198g) than the A55 5G (213g, 8.2mm thick), improving comfort for long usage. The IP67 dust and water resistance ensures durability. Looking into the competitors, the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro offers an IP65 rating, making it less water-resistant, while the vivo S19 Pro features IP68/IP69K, providing better protection against high-pressure water.  The rival vivo S19 Pro's plastic frame is a downside compared to the A56’s premium aluminum. Read more: Honor X9c Review: What’s special about this midrange smartphone Display Quality Samsung continues its legacy of high-quality displays with the 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel, boasting 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and a peak brightness of 1900 nits. This makes it a significant upgrade over the A55 5G’s 1000-nit brightness, offering better visibility in sunlight. However, OnePlus Ace 3 Pro and vivo S19 Pro outshine the A56 5G in display quality. The Ace 3 Pro features an LTPO AMOLED panel with 4500 nits peak brightness, delivering richer colors and smoother adaptive refresh rates. Similarly, the vivo S19 Pro’s AMOLED display offers 4500 nits peak brightness, providing an ultra-bright viewing experience.  The A56 5G holds its ground in color accuracy and contrast, though its brightness levels are not the highest among its competitors. Camera Performance The triple-camera setup on the Galaxy A56 5G consists of a 50MP (f/1.8) main sensor (OIS), 12MP (f/2.2) ultra-wide, and 5MP (f/2.4) macro. It delivers detailed shots with AI enhancements like ‘Best Face’ and improved HDR. The A55 5G has the same setup but lacks AI-assisted photography, giving the A56 an edge in image processing. Read more: OnePlus 13 5G Review: Flagship Killer with high-end features When comparing with rivals, the vivo S19 Pro is the winner in photography, featuring a 50MP main sensor, 50MP telephoto lens (2x optical zoom), and an 8MP ultra-wide sensor. The addition of optical zoom makes it superior for portrait and long-range shots. On the other hand, the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro includes a weaker 8MP ultra-wide and a 2MP macro sensor, making it less versatile. For selfies, the A56 5G has a 12MP (f/2.2) front camera, which is a downgrade from its ancestor, the A55 5G sporting a 32MP sensor. The vivo S19 Pro dominates with its 50MP selfie camera, offering the best front-facing camera performance. The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro's 16MP selfie shooter is decent but falls behind in detail and clarity. Samsung Galaxy A56 5G can shoot 4K footage at 30fps at maximum with rear and front sensors, which is similar to Galaxy A55 and vivo S19 Pro. On the other hand, the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro can shoot 4K video with the rear sensor, but its front sensor falls behind the rivals with 1080p shooting capacity. Processor Performance The A56 5G is powered by Samsung’s Exynos 1580 (4nm) chipset, delivering better power efficiency and performance compared to the A55’s Exynos 1480. With an octa-core CPU (1x2.9 GHz & 3x2.6 GHz & 4x1.9 GHz) and an Xclipse 540 GPU, the A56 handles multitasking, streaming, and light gaming smoothly. Read more: OPPO A5 Pro 4G Review: Can it fulfil the expectations? However, when comparing performance to the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) and vivo S19 Pro (Dimensity 9200+), the A56 5G falls behind. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Ace 3 Pro is a flagship-grade chipset capable of handling high-end gaming and demanding apps effortlessly. The vivo S19 Pro’s Dimensity 9200+ also offers superior performance over Samsung’s Exynos 1580, making it a better choice for power users. Gaming Performance Gaming on the A56 5G is smooth, thanks to the Xclipse 540 GPU and 120Hz refresh rate. Popular games like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and Genshin Impact run decently at medium to high settings, but thermal management and sustained performance over long sessions could be better. The A55 5G struggled with frame drops due to the weaker Exynos 1480, so the A56 offers noticeable improvements. However, for hardcore gaming, the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro and vivo S19 Pro are far superior. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (Ace 3 Pro) and Dimensity 9200+ (vivo S19 Pro) are optimized for high-refresh-rate gaming. The Adreno 750 GPU in the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro enables ultra-smooth gameplay with ray tracing support, while the vivo S19 Pro’s Immortalis-G715 GPU handles demanding graphics well. If gaming is a priority, these two are better choices than the A56 5G. Battery Life The A56 5G comes with a 5000mAh battery, the same as the A55 5G, but with better efficiency due to its upgraded chipset. The 45W fast charging (0-65% in 30 mins, 100% in 68 mins) is a significant improvement over the A55 5G’s 25W charging. Read more: Tecno Phantom V Fold 2 Review: Pros, Cons and Price in Bangladesh While the A56 5G provides around a whole day of battery life on moderate use, competitors offer bigger batteries and faster charging. The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro’s massive 6100mAh battery and 100W charging (full charge in 36 mins) far exceed the A56 5G. Likewise, the vivo S19 Pro’s 5500mAh battery and 80W charging are superior, making them better options for users who need ultra-fast charging and extended usage. However, in this price range, the provision of reverse wired and wireless charging options could make the Galaxy A56 a better deal. The vivo S19 Pro offers a reverse charging feature, which makes it more user-friendly than Galaxy A56 and Ace 3 Pro. Software and User Interface The Galaxy A56 5G runs Android 15 with One UI 7, providing a clean, feature-rich experience with extended software support (6 major Android updates). The A55 5G, in comparison, launched with Android 14 and gets only 4 major updates, making the A56 a better long-term investment. The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro (ColorOS 14) and vivo S19 Pro (OriginOS 4) offer different Android skins. ColorOS is known for customization, but it has ads and bloatware. OriginOS is visually appealing but lacks the deep optimization of One UI. If long-term software updates matter, the A56 5G is a better choice over these Chinese brands. Read more: Samsung Galaxy M16 5G: Elevating the budget-friendly experience Memory and Storage Options The A56 5G’s RAM capacity ranges from 8 to 12GB, while internal storage reaches up to 256GB starting from 128GB supported by UFS 3.1 technology. It comes in 3 variants: 128GB/8GB RAM, 256GB/8GB RAM, and 256GB/12GB RAM. Unlike the A55 5G, it does not include microSD card support, which could be a drawback for some users. Compared to rivals, the vivo S19 Pro and the OnePlus Ace 3 Pro offer significantly larger storage capacities (up to 1TB), and more powerful RAMs (up to 16GB and 24GB), making them better for users who need extra space and power. The OnePlus Ace 3 Pro steps ahead in the race with the UFS 4.0 mechanism.  However, Samsung’s software optimizations and One UI’s storage management make the A56 5G efficient even with its limited options. Pros and Cons of Samsung Galaxy A56 5G . Pros - Aluminum frame- Gorilla Glass Victus+ back.- 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display- 120Hz refresh rate- Stereo speakers- In-display fingerprint sensor- IP67 water and dust resistance- Android 15 with One UI 7- 6 years of software updates. Read more: Top Smartphones Launching in March 2025: Flagship & Budget Models to Watch Cons - No 3.5mm headphone jack, requiring wireless or USB-C headphones.- No expandable storage, unlike the A55 5G.- NFC is region-dependent, so not available in all markets.- No telephoto lens, limiting optical zoom capabilities.- USB Type-C 2.0 instead of 3.0, making data transfer slower.- Lack of 1TB internal storage option- Lack of high RAM capacity options- No wireless charging option.- No reverse charging option. Price of Samsung Galaxy A56 5G The unofficial Samsung Galaxy A56 5G is priced at approximately BDT 55,000 in Bangladesh. However, the price may vary depending on sellers. Final Words The Galaxy A56 offers a premium design, a 120Hz Super AMOLED display, solid performance, long battery life, and a fast charging capacity. It also provides stereo speakers, an in-display fingerprint sensor, IP67 water resistance, long-term software updates, etc.  However, it lacks expandable storage, and NFC in some regions. Those who prefer top-tier gaming performance, a 3.5mm jack, 1TB memory, 16 or 24GB RAM, reverse/wireless charging, or a telephoto camera, may look for the other options.  Read more: vivo Y29 4G Review: What’s special about this budget-friendly phone? Overall, the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G is a balanced choice for everyday users looking for a reliable, durable, and feature-rich mid-range smartphone.

Chinese tech giant Baidu has introduced two new artificial intelligence (AI) models, positioning them as superior to those of DeepSeek and OpenAI based on certain benchmarks, amid the intensifying competition in large language models (LLMs). On Sunday, Baidu released its multimodal foundational model, Ernie 4.5, and its first multimodal reasoning model, Ernie X1, making them freely available on its website. According to Baidu, Ernie 4.5 outperformed OpenAI’s GPT-4o in several benchmark tests, including CCBench and OCRBench, with its multimodal capabilities covering images, audio, and video. The text performance of Ernie 4.5 also surpassed DeepSeek V3 on multiple benchmarks, while being comparable to OpenAI’s GPT-4.5. Can technology help more sexual assault survivors in South Sudan? Baidu, which launched China’s first LLM in March 2023 following the launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT, has faced growing competition from other Chinese tech giants in the AI sector. The latest move aims to maintain its foothold in China’s AI market, especially as competitors like DeepSeek, Alibaba, Tencent, and Bytedance have been rapidly gaining business and consumer users. While Baidu did not provide benchmark results for Ernie X1, the company claimed it performs similarly to DeepSeek’s R1 reasoning model but at half the price. The pricing for business access to Ernie X1’s API is set at 2 yuan (US$0.28) per million token inputs and 8 yuan per million token outputs. In comparison, DeepSeek charges US$0.55 per million token inputs and US$2.19 per million token outputs for its reasoning model, R1. The Hangzhou-based startup recently raised its API prices in response to growing demand. Baidu’s founder, chairman, and CEO, Robin Li Yanhong, revealed last month that Ernie 4.5 would become open source by June 30, marking a shift from his previous stance on closed-source AI development. “One thing we learned from DeepSeek is that open sourcing the best models can greatly help adoption,” Li said during an earnings call with analysts in February. “When the model is open source, people naturally want to try it out of curiosity, which helps drive broader adoption.” Despite these advancements in AI, Baidu’s business is still being impacted by weak ad revenue. The company reported a 2% year-on-year decline in total revenue for the fourth quarter, with its full-year revenue down by 1%. Source: South China Morning Post

Leading smartphone brand Honor launched the Honor X9c globally on November 5, 2024, expanding its mass-acclaimed midrange lineup, the Honor X series. In Bangladesh, pre-booking started on March 13, 2025, soon after Honor announced the phone becoming available for the local market. Let’s find out the key features, pros, cons, and pricing of the Honor X9c. Key Features of the Honor X9c The Honor X9c cuts right into the middle of the saturated midrange market. To make a statement, the phone must outshine or throw close competition to segment dominators like the Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro, Samsung Galaxy A55, and Oppo Reno13 F. Here is a comparative overview of the phone's key features and functionalities. Design The Honor X9c’s design is a far cry from the minimal and flat appearance of most same-priced phones. Though the phone is sleek and super slim in hand, it features an unprecedentedly strong build quality and extends the Honor X series’ legacy of building tough smartphones. The phone's titanium finish, combined with Honor’s Ultra-Bounce Anti-Drop Technology 2.0, withstands rough drops, tears, and scratches. It also offers an IP65M water and dust resistance, which manifests the minimum dust impact and 360-degree safety against water splashes. The phone can survive extreme heat as high as 50 degrees Celsius.  Read more: OnePlus 13 5G Review: Flagship Killer with high-end features The phone has a plastic back with no glass protection and is curved on the sides, both from the front and back. The rear panel shimmers in a polished gradient aesthetic yet accumulates sharp fingerprints from slight touches. A circular camera module uses a black central stage to house two primary lenses and a flash. Around the stage is a peripheral rim styled with engravings and bevels that give a fine finish to the overall camera panel’s design. Without deviating from its thematic approach, Honor offers the phone in three color variations: Titanium Purple, Titanium Black, and Jade Cyan The phone measures 6.41 inches by 2.97 inches by 0.31 inches in dimension and weighs around 189 g. While the Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro and the Oppo Reno 13 F come at a similar height, weight, and depth, the Samsung Galaxy A55 comes shorter, bulkier, and heavier. Display The Honor X9c has a 6.78-inch curved AMOLED display that renders visuals at a 1224 x 2700 pixel resolution. Cramming 437 pixels per inch, the display gleams with crisp and vibrant colors detailing accurate references from the source. Using an AMOLED display has become a norm for phones at this budget, except for the Samsung Galaxy A55, which uses a Super AMOLED panel. Read more: OPPO A5 Pro 4G Review: Can it fulfil the expectations? The display offers an unbeatable 4000 nits brightness level for effortless maneuvers in direct sunlight. Users will also get a pleasant touch responsiveness from its 120Hz refresh rate. With the curved display, bezels and chins are at their minimum and offer a 90.7% screen-to-body ratio. Cameras The Honor X9c’s camera module comprises a 108MP (f/1.8) wide and a 5MP (f/2.2) ultrawide lens, marking a notable uplift in the list of competitors that offer 50MP main shooters. However, the absence of a telephoto lens may work as a deal breaker for the phone. On the front, in a capsule hole at the top, lies a 16MP (f/2.5) selfie shooter. It’s a steep descent from the Oppo Reno13 F and Samsung Galaxy A55’s 32MP and a slight downgrade from the Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro’s 20MP lens. Apart from this, the primary lens can videograph at 4K resolution at 30 frames per second frame rate. Hardware The Honor X9c runs on a first-generation 4nm Qualcomm SM6450 Snapdragon 6 processor, which is powered by four 2.2 GHz Cortex-A78 and four 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. The Oppo Reno13 F comes with the same processor, the Samsung Galaxy A55; despite having the same core layout, it uses 2.75 GHz Cortex-A78 and 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55, and the Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro topples the competition with Mediatek Dimensity 8400 Ultra’s one 3.25 GHz Cortex-A725, three 3.0 GHz Cortex-A725, and four 2.1 GHz Cortex-A725 cores. Read more: Tecno Phantom V Fold 2 Review: Pros, Cons and Price in Bangladesh An Adreno 710 GPU chipset executes graphical instructions in the Honor X9c, offering a smooth gaming and app-playing experience. In benchmark and AnTuTu tests, the Adreno 710 performs lower scores in every category than the Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro’s Mali-G720 MC7 but does better than Xclipse 530 in most categories except  3D rendering. Paired with Qualcomm’s 4nm processor and GPU, the Honor X9c provides smooth gameplay that can last several hours without experiencing lags or heat strikes.  Software Honor introduces Magic OS 8, an AI-empowered operating system built on top of Android 14 that streamlines navigation through several cutting-edge user experience services: Magic Portal’s intuitive shortcut recommendations, Magic Capsule’s visually appealing notifications, and Magic Ring’s seamless third-party connection between devices like cars and printers. To serve users with the power of modern AI, Magic OS 8 brings a dedicated large language model, MagicLM, which provides text and speech interactions throughout different channels, such as system apps and browsers. An AI assistant called YOYO Agent will let users automate regular tasks like playing audio and videos, scheduling, taking notes and reminders, and allowing voice search. Read more: Samsung Galaxy M16 5G: Elevating the budget-friendly experience Battery and Charger The Honor X9c offers a massive 6600 mAh silicon carbon cell that runs for days with moderate use before running out of charge. Only the Xiaomi Poco X7 Pro puts up a fight by offering a 6550 mAh battery with its Indian edition. The A55 and Reno13 F run on weaker batteries. The 66W fast charger given with the phone takes only a couple of hours to recharge the fully depleted battery. The phone also supports a reversed wired charging system, aligning with the mass expectation. Pros and Cons of the Honor X9c . Pros - Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 4000 nits brightness- 90.7% screen-to-body ratio- 108MP main camera, 4K video, ultrawide lens- Snapdragon 6 Gen 1, Adreno 710 GPU- Magic OS 8 with AI features (Magic Portal, Capsule, Ring, MagicLM)- 6600 mAh battery, 66W fast charging, reverse wired charging. Read more: Top Smartphones Launching in March 2025: Flagship & Budget Models to Watch Cons - Plastic body, no glass protection, fingerprint-prone- No telephoto lens, 16MP front camera weaker than rivals- Adreno 710 underperforms vs. Mali-G720 MC7- No wireless charging Price of the Honor X9c in Bangladesh The Honor X9c is available in Bangladesh at BDT 45000. However, the price is subject to change. Conclusion The Honor X9c has stirred hype, showcasing unparalleled features like a glamorous design, a powerful processor, top-of-the-line primary lenses, an enduring battery, a curved display, and a fast charger. Yet it struggles to meet expectations in several categories, like a weak selfie shooter, touch-accumulating rear panel, and lack of audio jack. Anyone who needs a well-balanced performance and decent primary camera at a mid-range price can buy the Honor X9c. Read more: vivo Y29 4G Review: What’s special about this budget-friendly phone?

After being gang-raped while collecting firewood, a 28-year-old woman in South Sudan struggled to find medical assistance. Some clinics were closed, others turned her away, and she lacked the money for hospital care. Five months later, she lay on a mat in a displacement camp in Juba, rubbing her swollen belly. “I felt like no one listened … and now I’m pregnant,” she said. The Associated Press does not identify survivors of sexual assault. Sexual violence remains a persistent threat for women in South Sudan. Now, an aid group is using technology to locate and support survivors faster. However, low internet access, high illiteracy rates, and concerns over data privacy pose challenges in a country still grappling with instability. Using Chatbots to Bridge the Gap Five months ago, IsraAID, an Israeli humanitarian organization, introduced a chatbot on WhatsApp in South Sudan. The system enables staff to document survivors’ accounts anonymously, triggering immediate alerts to social workers who can provide aid within hours. Rodah Nyaduel, a psychologist with IsraAID, said the technology enhances case management, reducing the risk of misplaced paperwork. “As soon as an incident is recorded, I get a notification with the case details,” she said. While experts agree that technology can minimize human error, concerns remain about how such data is handled. “Who has access to this information? Is it shared with law enforcement? Could it cross borders?” asked Gerardo Rodriguez Phillip, a UK-based AI and technology consultant. Comedian Russell Brand denies allegations of sexual assault published by three UK news organizations IsraAID insists its system is encrypted, anonymized, and automatically deletes records from staff devices. During the chatbot’s first three months in late 2024, it processed reports of 135 cases. Barriers to Accessing Help For the 28-year-old survivor, timely intervention could have changed everything. She knew she had just a few days to take medication to prevent pregnancy and disease, but when she approached an aid group, her details were hastily written on paper, and she was told to return later. When she did, staff were too busy to help. After 72 hours, she gave up. Weeks later, she realized she was pregnant. IsraAID eventually located her through door-to-door outreach. Initially hesitant about having her information recorded on a phone, she agreed after learning the devices were not personal and that she could hold the organization accountable if issues arose. She is among thousands still living in displacement camps in Juba, years after a 2018 peace deal ended the country’s civil war. Many fear leaving or have no homes to return to. Women who venture out for necessities like firewood continue to face the risk of assault. Several women in the camps told the AP they had been raped but lacked access to services, as humanitarian aid has declined and government investment in health remains minimal. Many cannot afford transportation to hospitals. The Impact of Funding Cuts The situation has worsened following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent executive order pausing USAID funding for a 90-day review period. The freeze has forced aid organizations to shut down critical services, including psychological support for sexual violence survivors, affecting tens of thousands. Can More Tech Solutions Work? Most humanitarian groups tackling gender-based violence in South Sudan have yet to widely adopt technology. Some organizations believe an ideal app would allow survivors to seek help remotely. However, stigma surrounding sexual violence makes it difficult for survivors—especially young girls—to seek assistance. Many need permission to leave home, said Mercy Lwambi, gender-based violence lead at the International Rescue Committee. “They want to talk to someone quickly, without waiting for a face-to-face meeting,” she said. Yet, South Sudan has one of the world’s lowest mobile and internet penetration rates—less than 25%, according to GSMA, a global network of mobile operators. Even those with phones often lack internet access, and many people are illiterate. Netrakona govt officer stand released for alleged sexual assault “You have to ask: Will this work in a low-tech environment? Are people literate? Do they have the right devices? Will they trust it?” said Kirsten Pontalti, a senior associate at the Proteknon Foundation for Innovation and Learning. Pontalti, who has tested chatbots for sexual health education and child protection, said such tools should include audio features for those with low literacy and remain as simple as possible. A Desire to Be Heard Some survivors just want acknowledgment—whether in person or through technology. A 45-year-old father of 11 waited years before seeking help after being sexually assaulted by his wife, who forced him into sex despite his refusal and concerns about providing for more children. It took multiple visits by aid workers to his displacement camp before he finally opened up. “Organizations need to engage more with the community,” he said. “If they hadn’t come, I wouldn’t have spoken out.” Source: With input from agency

Albania’s opposition staged protests on Saturday against the government’s decision to ban TikTok, accusing the move of being a form of censorship ahead of the May 11 parliamentary elections. The Albanian Cabinet had decided last week to block TikTok for 12 months, citing concerns over the platform’s role in inciting violence and bullying, particularly among children. April 2025 Video Games: 8 Exciting Virtual Games Scheduled for Launch The centre-right Democratic Party urged citizens, especially younger users who are the main demographic of TikTok, to “protest against a corrupt government that aims to control the information available to the public,” according to its leader, Sali Berisha, on Friday. Hundreds of Democratic Party supporters gathered outside the government building in the capital, Tirana, chanting “Democracy” and Berisha’s name. Many held signs reading: “Censorship, corruption, not TikTok.” Only young party supporters delivered speeches, not senior leaders or Berisha himself. The protesters accused Prime Minister Edi Rama and his Socialist Party Cabinet of corruption, electoral manipulation, and overstepping judicial powers. The protest ended peacefully after an hour. “TikTok will return on May 12,” Berisha told reporters following the demonstration. Albania’s parliamentary elections will take place on May 11, with voters abroad being allowed to cast ballots for the first time. Recent polls suggest a strong victory for the ruling Socialists, who are aiming for their fourth consecutive term since 2013. Huawei Lobbyists barred from European Parliament amid Bribery Investigation The opposition Democrats have been divided following internal conflicts after the US and UK governments imposed entry bans on Berisha and his close family members in 2021 and 2022 due to alleged corruption. Many senior Democratic leaders went on to form their own parties, splitting opposition support. Berisha was released in November after serving 11 months under house arrest for breaching a court order. Though charged with corruption, Berisha claims the charges are politically driven. In October, Albania began EU accession talks covering issues like the rule of law, corruption, foreign policy, and defence. Rama has expressed hopes of completing the process by 2027 and for Albania to join the EU by 2030.

Like the first three months of 2025, April is packed with enthralling new titles to entertain video game lovers of diverse genres and tastes. From magnificent worlds of fantastic creatures to mysterious arcades teeming with head-clotting puzzles, riveting journeys await gamers to buckle up their gears and forget the track of time. Here is the list of the most anticipated titles to be released this April. 8 Most Hyped Video Games Scheduled for Launch in April 2025 . The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered It’s been four years since The Last of Us Part 2 had its big release on PS4, inviting gamers to the horrid and hopeless world of Ellie, a 19-year-old girl who throws herself into chaos to seek her revenge, and Abby, a fighter gone berserk after her father’s death, confronting each other from their conflicting moral grounds. The game won hearts by unfolding one of the most intriguing stories in gaming history that embarked players on an intense, action-packed, and emotionally gripping adventure. Now a remastered edition of the game is set for release on Apr 3, 2025, by Sony Interactive Entertainment—the sole publisher of the franchise. The remastered version will reintroduce the No Return roguelike mode from the first installment but a three-level additional story this time and a guitar-playing mode.  Read more: Top 10 Best Offline Android Games Under 200MB for Low-End Phones South of Midnight Compulsion Games, the famous name behind accoladed games like Contrast and We Happy Few, is all set to launch its third psycho adventure title, South of Midnight, on Apr 8, 2025. The new title extends Compulsion’s profile as a modern gothic storyteller and unpacks a few unique combat gestures, blending the elements of real and magical worlds. Gamers play as Hazel, a southern adventurous girl seeking her mother and resolving issues from her past on her journey home after being washed away by a hurricane to an unreal swamp full of sneaky monsters, foul creatures, and deadly macabre. Descenders Next Descenders Next is a treat for the sports gamers who love to suffocate out of thrills while racing down hills, evading obstacles on the course, derailing and adjusting back and forth, somersaulting in freestyle, collecting rewards and trying to save the last life until making the next stage. A map full of mountains unlocks a greater challenge every time a player reaches the finish line. Read more: Top Video Game Releases in March 2025: Must-Play Titles for Every Gamer Gripping in graphics, mesmerizing in scenic executions, and intensive with the adrenalin rushed by motivating background music, Descenders Next, developed by RageSquid, will rock the world of sprint lovers on Apr 9, 2025. Blue Prince Blue Prince, developed by Dogubomb—a freelance developer company working in Hollywood—is a head-buzzing puzzle game set in a mysterious manor of sprawling chambers. Releasing on April 10, the game confines players to their chosen room until they solve all its mysteries and choose the next. Players must make moves through 45 distinct rooms that diurnally shuffle their positions and veil under riddles. On their way to room number 46, they unburden every room of their secrets, often solving imperceptible political puzzles and murders. The depth of each puzzle will take hours to days to explore, requiring players to collect keys, pieces, and notes and connect the cues. Read more: Greatest Video Game Inspired Movies and TV Series You Shouldn’t Miss

The European Parliament has prohibited Huawei lobbyists from entering its premises following the arrest of multiple individuals in a corruption probe linked to the Chinese telecom giant, marking another major scandal within the bloc’s legislature. Belgian prosecutors suspect Huawei of bribing EU lawmakers. On Friday, the European Parliament announced that it had suspended the access of Huawei lobbyists as a precautionary measure in accordance with its security regulations. The decision takes effect immediately. The arrests on Thursday followed an investigation by Le Soir and other media outlets, which reported that lobbyists for Huawei were allegedly bribing current and former European Parliament members to advance the company’s business interests in the region. Approximately 100 federal police officers conducted 21 searches across Brussels, as well as in the Flanders and Wallonia regions, and in Portugal. The investigating magistrate overseeing the case also ordered that offices allocated to two parliamentary assistants allegedly involved in the scheme be sealed within the EU Parliament. Huawei stated on Thursday that it is taking the allegations seriously and intends to “urgently communicate” with investigators. The Chinese company, a leading manufacturer of mobile phones and the largest supplier of networking equipment for telecommunications carriers, has been at the center of geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China over technology and trade. Some European nations have joined the U.S. in banning Huawei’s equipment from next-generation mobile networks due to concerns that it could be used for Chinese espionage. Huawei has consistently denied these allegations. According to the prosecutor’s office, the suspected corruption dates back to 2021. This marks the second major corruption case involving the European Parliament in under three years. In December 2022, a separate scandal erupted when Qatari officials were accused of bribing EU representatives to downplay labor rights concerns ahead of the FIFA World Cup. The incident damaged the reputation of the EU’s only directly elected institution, which represents citizens from all 27 member states.    

The Federal Trade Commission has reversed its request to delay a trial against Amazon, stating that it has adequate resources to proceed with litigation. FTC attorney Jonathan Cohen initially told a federal judge on Wednesday that staffing shortages and budgetary constraints were hampering the agency’s ability to prepare for the case. He requested a postponement of the trial, which focuses on allegations that Amazon enrolled customers in its Prime program without their consent and made cancellation difficult. However, later that day, Cohen retracted his statement in a letter to U.S. District Judge John Chun, admitting his remarks were incorrect. “I want to clarify comments I made today: I was wrong,” Cohen wrote. “The commission does not have resource constraints and we are fully prepared to litigate this case.” FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson echoed this in a statement to The Associated Press on Thursday, emphasizing that the agency remains committed to taking on major technology firms. “The attorney was wrong,” Ferguson stated. “I have made it clear since Day 1 that we will commit the resources necessary for this case. The FTC will never back down from taking on Big Tech.” Amazon declined to comment on the agency’s reversal. Amazon workers in North Carolina vote against joining union Cohen’s initial request came amid broader federal budget cuts under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk. During the hearing, Judge Chun inquired whether reductions in funding and staffing at federal agencies had impacted the FTC’s ability to proceed with the case. Cohen originally cited employee departures following a January email from the administration titled "Fork in the Road," as well as hiring freezes and restrictions on purchasing court documents and travel. However, with the FTC’s clarification, the case is expected to move forward as scheduled. Source: With input from agency

Meta will begin testing its crowd-sourced fact-checking initiative, Community Notes, on March 18, following the model used by Elon Musk's X, the company announced on Thursday. Meta had previously discontinued its fact-checking programme in January, with CEO Mark Zuckerberg stating that fact-checkers had become “politically biased,” echoing criticisms long voiced by conservatives. However, media experts and social media researchers expressed deep concern over the policy change. French publishers, authors sue Meta for AI copyright infringement “The decision not only eliminates a valuable resource for users but also lends credibility to the widespread disinformation narrative that fact-checking is politically biased. Fact-checkers play a crucial role by providing essential context to viral claims that mislead millions on Meta,” said Dan Evon, lead writer for RumorGuard, the News Literacy Project’s digital tool that curates fact checks and educates people on identifying misinformation. Meta first introduced fact-checking in December 2016 following Donald Trump’s election, responding to concerns about the spread of “fake news” on its platforms. For years, the company partnered with over 100 organisations across more than 60 languages to combat misinformation. The Associated Press withdrew from Meta’s fact-checking programme more than a year ago. Community Notes will eventually replace fact checks, though not immediately. Meta stated that potential contributors in the U.S. can begin signing up for the programme, but their notes will not be visible right away. “We will start by gradually and randomly admitting people from the waitlist and will take time to test the writing and rating system before any notes are published publicly,” Meta explained. Meta emphasised that it would not determine what content gets rated or written, and notes will only be published if contributors with diverse viewpoints reach a broad consensus. Unlike the previous fact-checking system, where flagged misinformation saw reduced distribution, posts with Community Notes will not face penalties. Meta initiates layoffs to reduce workforce by 5% Fact checks will remain in place outside the U.S. for now, though Meta intends to expand Community Notes globally in the future.