United News of Bangladesh

Instagram users under 16 won't be able to livestream or unblur nudity in direct messages they've received without parental approval, owner Meta Platforms said Tuesday as it widened its safety measures for teenagers. The social media company also said it was extending safeguards for users under 18 to Facebook and Messenger. Meta launched its teen account program for Instagram in September to give parents more options to supervise their children's online activity amid a growing backlash against how social media affects the lives of young people. The latest changes will roll out first to users in the United States, Britain, Canada and Australia, before going out to global users in the following months. Under the changes, teens under 16 are blocked from using Instagram Live unless parents give permission. They also need permission to “turn off our feature that blurs images containing suspected nudity” in direct messages, Meta said in a blog post. In another major update, Meta said it's extending the teen account safeguards to its Facebook and Messenger platforms, Microsoft fires employees protesting AI technology contracts with Israel These will include protections already in place for teen Instagram users, including setting teen accounts to private by default, blocking private messages from strangers, strict limits on sensitive content like fight videos, reminders to get off the app after 60 minutes and notifications that are halted during bedtime hours. “Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger will offer similar, automatic protections to limit inappropriate content and unwanted contact, as well as ways to ensure teens’ time is well spent,” Meta said. The company said at least 54 million teen accounts have been set up since the program launched in September.

Microsoft has dismissed two employees who interrupted the company's 50th anniversary event to protest its provision of artificial intelligence technology to the Israeli military, according to a workers' advocacy group. In a termination letter issued on Monday, Microsoft accused one of the employees of engaging in misconduct "intended to gain attention and create maximum disruption" at the highly anticipated event. The other employee had previously announced her resignation but was instructed to leave five days earlier than planned on Monday. The protest began on Friday when Microsoft software engineer Ibtihal Aboussad approached the stage where an executive was discussing new product features and Microsoft's long-term AI vision. Aboussad shouted, "You claim that you care about using AI for good, but Microsoft sells AI weapons to the Israeli military. Fifty thousand people have died, and Microsoft powers this genocide in our region," forcing the executive, Mustafa Suleyman, to pause his talk during the livestreamed event from Microsoft's Redmond, Washington campus. The event was attended by co-founder Bill Gates and former CEO Steve Ballmer. Microsoft said Suleyman attempted to calm the situation, thanking Aboussad for her protest and acknowledging her message. However, Aboussad continued shouting that Suleyman and "all of Microsoft" had blood on their hands. She also threw a keffiyeh scarf, a symbol of support for Palestinians, onto the stage before being escorted out. A second protester, Vaniya Agrawal, interrupted the event later. Aboussad, who is based at Microsoft's Canadian headquarters in Toronto, was invited to a meeting on Monday with a human resources representative, during which she was informed of her immediate termination, according to the advocacy group No Azure for Apartheid, which has protested Microsoft's Azure cloud services being used by Israel. Earlier this year, an Associated Press investigation revealed that AI models from Microsoft and OpenAI were used in an Israeli military program to select bombing targets during recent conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. The report also highlighted a 2023 Israeli airstrike that mistakenly hit a vehicle carrying members of a Lebanese family, killing three young girls and their grandmother. Microsoft's termination letter to Aboussad stated that she could have raised her concerns privately with a manager but instead made "hostile, unprovoked, and highly inappropriate accusations" against Suleyman and the company. The letter also mentioned that her actions were so disruptive that security had to escort her out. Agrawal had already submitted her resignation, scheduled for April 11, but on Monday, a manager informed her that her resignation would be effective immediately. This protest was the most public, but not the first, against Microsoft's work with Israel. In February, five Microsoft employees were removed from a meeting with CEO Satya Nadella for protesting the company’s contracts. Microsoft issued a statement on Friday, saying, “We provide many avenues for all voices to be heard,” but emphasized that protests should not disrupt business. The company also reiterated its commitment to maintaining high standards in its business practices. While Microsoft had not commented on additional actions following the protest, both Aboussad and Agrawal noted that they lost access to their work accounts shortly after the incident. Last year, dozens of Google employees were fired after internal protests regarding a contract with the Israeli government. Employees at Google offices in New York and Sunnyvale, California, had protested the $1.2 billion Project Nimbus, a deal providing AI technology to Israel. The Google workers later filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board to try to regain their jobs.

Renowned Chinese smartphone company itel has earned a reputation by offering robust handsets at an affordable price. On March 10, 2025, it released a super affordable handset, the itel Power 70, in Bangladesh. Here is a detailed feature-by-feature review of the smartphone compared with its rivals. Key Features and Specs of the itel Power 70 While the low-end smartphone market is brimming with options from reputed brands, given its unique features and specifications, the itel Power 70 has become a part of a lineup comprised of phones like the Xiaomi Redmi A5 4G and the vivo Y04. Design The itel Power 70 looks premium at its price, showcasing a minimal and modern design. It is a plastic-built handphone that feels sleek due to its polished edges and slim at a 7.9mm thickness. Both the Xiaomi Redmi A5 4G and the vivo Y04 offer minimal design, but they are thicker than the itel Power 70. Read more: Samsung Galaxy A36 5G Review: A Mid-range marvel with standard features On the rear, three circular lens holders are placed vertically by the side-mounted fingerprint sensor and volume rockers. The phone’s aesthetic is set up by delineating a few slant and horizontal lines on the glossy-finished back panel. It creates a resemblance to the look of the Nothing Phone, excluding a few features like light diodes and transparent panels. Among additional design aspects, the IP54 water splash and dust resistance and a 3.5mm audio jack are notable. Users may find the phone a little heavy, as it weighs 192.4g, which is kind of similar to its peers from Xiaomi and Vivo. Display The itel Power 70 features a 6.67-inch IPS LCD with a 120Hz refresh rate, noticeably fluid during scrolling and basic gameplay. With a peak brightness of 700 nits, the display handles indoor lighting comfortably, though it may require a hand shade in harsher sun. Read more: ZTE Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro Golden Saga Special Edition Review While the resolution remains HD+ at 720 by 1600 pixels with a pixel density of around 263 PPI, the visuals appear reasonably sharp for everyday usage like messaging, web browsing, and video streaming. The 20:9 aspect ratio adds a tall, immersive feel to content consumption. When compared to its rivals, the Redmi A5 4G edges ahead with its larger 6.88-inch panel and a higher 1500 nits peak brightness, making it more suitable for outdoor visibility. On the other hand, the vivo Y04 offers a slightly bigger 6.74-inch screen but with a lower 90Hz refresh rate and 570 nits brightness, which falls behind the Power 70 in terms of smoothness and brightness clarity. Cameras The itel Power 70 is equipped with a single 13 MP rear camera, supported by LED flash, HDR, and panorama features. It captures reasonably clear photos in daylight, with balanced exposure and decent detail for casual photography. The 8 MP front camera delivers passable selfies, suitable for social sharing and day-to-day video calls. Read more: realme P3 5G Review: Is it a value-for-money smartphone When stacked against the competition, the Redmi A5 4G offers a higher-resolution 32 MP main sensor. Its front-facing 8 MP camera is similar in resolution to the Power 70 but benefits from a wider aperture. The vivo Y04 matches the Power 70 with a 13 MP main sensor but adds phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and a secondary 0.08 MP auxiliary lens. While the extra lens offers minimal real-world improvement, the PDAF aids in quicker focus locking. However, the front camera drops to 5 MP, which might result in slightly softer selfies compared to the itel and Xiaomi offerings. Hardware, Software and Performance The itel Power 70 runs on Android 14 with itel OS 14 layered on top. Under the hood, it’s powered by the MediaTek Helio G50 Ultimate chipset paired with an octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU clocked at 2.2 GHz. The PowerVR GE8320 GPU handles graphics duties. Read more: Home Safety Digital Lockers and Vaults: Popular Models with Price Ranges in Bangladesh Comparatively, the Xiaomi Redmi A5 4G holds a performance edge with its newer Unisoc T7250 chipset based on a 12nm process. The combination of Cortex-A75 and Cortex-A55 cores ensures smoother app transitions and more capable multitasking than the itel’s older CPU setup. It also runs Android 15 (Go edition) and promises up to two major Android upgrades, making it a better pick for long-term software support. On the other side, the vivo Y04 comes close to Xiaomi’s configuration with a Unisoc T7225 processor and a stronger octa-core setup including Cortex-A75 cores clocked up to 2.0 GHz. Its performance feels more responsive than the Power 70 during app launches and lightweight gaming. It runs Android 14 with Funtouch OS 14, offering smooth transitions and a more refined UI than earlier versions. Memory The itel comes with several variants: 128/4GB, 128/8GB, 256/6GB, and 256/8GB. The RAM power ranges from 4 to 8 GB, while the internal storage reaches up to 256 GB, starting from 128GB. Read more: Samsung Galaxy F15 5G Review: Decent budget-friendly smartphone with large battery The redmi A5 and Vivo Y04 offer 128/6 GB and 256/4GB configurations, respectively, at maximum. Battery and Charging The itel Power 70’s battery and charging system set it apart even from many high-end phones by combining a 6000mAh cell with a customised back cover that stores up to 4000mAh charge, offering users the experience of having a 10000mAh giant battery.  At this price range, the vivo Y04 offers a 5500mAh battery, and the Xiaomi Redmi A5 4G offers a 5200mAh battery, which is less than the basic cell capacity of the itel Power 70. Read more: Honor X9c Review: What’s special about this midrange smartphone To cement its fame as one of the most energy-efficient phones in the low-budget segment, the itel Power 70 features a reverse charging system and an 18W fast charger. It takes around 6 to 7 hours to fully recharge a depleted phone. What’s more, the reverse-wired charging feature makes the itel Power 70 a more attractive deal. Pros and Cons of the itel Power 70 Pros - Sleek, premium-looking design with slim 7.98mm profile- 6.67" IPS LCD with 120Hz refresh- Decent brightness at 700 nits- 6000mAh battery with additional 4000mAh backup via custom back cover- Reverse charging support- 18W fast charging included- Android 14 with clean itel OS 14- Affordable pricing. Read more: OnePlus 13 5G Review: Flagship Killer with high-end features Cons - Plastic build- Heavier than competitors at 200g- Outdated CPU architecture (Cortex-A53)- Single 13 MP rear camera- Display resolution is only HD+, not Full HD Price of itel Power 70 in Bangladesh The itel Power 70 is available in a single 6GB of RAM and 256GB of ROM variant in Bangladesh at BDT 10,990. Conclusion The itel Power 70 stands out as a strong, budget-friendly contender in the low-end smartphone market with a mix of modern design and long-lasting battery life. Its standout 6000mAh battery—expandable to a massive 10000mAh with a custom back cover—alongside a 120Hz refresh rate and clean Android 14 experience make it a smart pick for users prioritising endurance and daily usability over raw performance. Read more: OPPO A5 Pro 4G Review: Can it fulfil the expectations? While its camera setup and processing power may trail behind the likes of the Redmi A5 4G and vivo Y04, the Power 70 compensates with its unmatched battery innovation and generous storage offering at a competitive price. For users who want extended power, a smooth screen, and modern essentials on an entry-level smartphone, the itel Power 70 delivers real value.

The Samsung Galaxy 'A' series has long been celebrated for delivering premium features at accessible prices, striking a balance between performance and affordability. Continuing this legacy, the A36 was first released on March 10, 2025. Let’s delve into the key specs, pros, cons, and pricing of the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G in Bangladesh. Key Features of Samsung Galaxy A36 5G . Design and Build Quality The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G impresses with its sleek, premium look and feel. At 7.4mm thick and weighing 195g, it is slightly lighter and thinner than the Galaxy A35, which measures 8.2mm in thickness and weighs 209g. The A36 also features Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back with a plastic frame, mirroring its predecessor but in a more refined form. Both phones sport IP67 water and dust resistance, which adds to their durability.  Compared to the realme 14 Pro and vivo Y300 Pro+, the A36 falls somewhere in between. The realme model is lighter at 179g and features a MIL-STD-810H rating along with IP68/IP69 certification, making it more rugged. Meanwhile, the vivo Y300 Pro+ offers an elegant form but only IP64 splash resistance. Overall, the A36 strikes a balance between elegance and robustness, with modern colours like lavender, lime, and white. Read more: ZTE Nubia Red Magic 10 Pro Golden Saga Special Edition Review Display Quality Samsung's Super AMOLED display in the A36 is a highlight, offering 6.7 inches of vivid display with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1900 nits peak brightness. It is a solid upgrade from the A35’s 6.6-inch panel that maxes out at 1000 nits. The jump in brightness and screen-to-body ratio (86.5% vs 84.8%) makes for a more immersive viewing experience, especially under sunlight. When stacked against the realme 14 Pro and vivo Y300 Pro+, the A36 still holds its own. realme boasts a 6.77-inch OLED panel with a whopping 4500 nits peak brightness, the highest in the category, which is impressive for outdoor usage.  Vivo’s Y300 Pro+ is not far behind with 5000 nits peak brightness and AMOLED technology. Despite slightly lower peak brightness, Samsung's colour tuning, sharpness, and Always-on Display feature give it an edge in everyday usability and visual appeal. Read more: realme P3 5G Review: Is it a value-for-money smartphone Like the ancestor A35, the latest A36 features a resolution of 1080 by 2340 pixels with ~385 ppi density, which is close to the realme 14 Pro and vivo Y300 Pro+, featuring 1080 by 2392 with ~388 ppi density. Camera Performance The Galaxy A36 features a triple camera setup: a 50MP (f/1.8) main shooter with OIS, an 8MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, and a 5MP (f/2.4) macro lens. This setup mirrors the A35’s cameras, but the A36 benefits from improved image processing thanks to the newer Snapdragon chipset. It captures better detail in low light and handles HDR more effectively. Against competitors, the realme 14 Pro offers a dual setup with a similar 50MP sensor and a depth lens. It lacks an ultrawide camera, which limits its versatility. The vivo Y300 Pro+ also has a dual setup with a 50MP primary and 2MP depth sensor. While both realme and vivo benefit from solid hardware, the absence of a dedicated ultrawide limits their camera flexibility. Read more: Home Safety Digital Lockers and Vaults: Popular Models with Price Ranges in Bangladesh Selfie performance gets a slight bump in the A36 with a 12MP (f/2.2) sensor featuring 10-bit HDR, better than the A35’s 13MP selfie cam with no HDR. The Vivo Y300Pro+ does stand out here with its 32MP front-facing camera. Capable of 4K recording with the front sensor, the Samsung Galaxy A36 outperforms the realme 14 Pro and Vivo Y300 Pro+, limited to 1080p video. Processor Performance Under the hood, the Galaxy A36 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, a 4nm octa-core processor that brings considerable improvements over the 5nm Exynos 1380 in the A35. Multitasking, app launches, and AI tasks feel noticeably faster and smoother. It is a much-needed boost and helps the A36 stay relevant through future Android updates (6 major upgrades promised vs. 4 in the A35). Compared to the Dimensity 7300 of the realme 14 Pro and the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 of the vivo Y300 Pro+, the A36 offers good competition. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 matches realme’s chip in efficiency but slightly lags behind vivo’s newer 7s Gen 3 in raw benchmarks. However, the A36 delivers stable thermal performance and handles day-to-day tasks without stutters, keeping it highly competitive. Read more: Samsung Galaxy A56 5G: Know the pros and cons Gaming Performance Gaming on the A36 is a treat for casual and semi-heavy gamers. The Adreno 710 GPU and 120Hz refresh rate offer fluid gameplay in titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Genshin Impact at medium-high settings. It maintains frame rates well without significant heating, unlike the A35, which struggled during extended gaming sessions due to its older GPU. The realme 14 Pro, with its Mali-G615 GPU, delivers marginally better frame rates in graphics-intensive titles, while the vivo Y300 Pro+’s Adreno 710 clocked at 940MHz offers similar performance with a bit more efficiency thanks to better thermal handling. In real-world usage, all three phones deliver respectable gaming performance, but realme edges out slightly for hardcore gamers. Battery Life Battery life is a strong suit of the Galaxy A36, thanks to its 5000 mAh cell and efficient processor. It easily lasts a full day with moderate to heavy use. Samsung has also improved charging with 45W wired support, filling the battery to 66% in 30 minutes and a full charge in just over an hour. Read more: Honor X9c Review: What’s special about this midrange smartphone This is a major leap over the A35’s 25W charging, which feels sluggish in 2025.  Still, the realme 14 Pro and vivo Y300 Pro+ outperform the A36 in this department. realme supports 45W charging but has a 6000 mAh battery that delivers more screen time. Vivo takes the crown here with a massive 7300 mAh battery and 90W fast charging that powers the phone in record time. For power users and frequent travellers, vivo clearly leads. However, the Samsung Galaxy A36 lacks demanding features like reverse charging and wireless charging features, which many competitors like the vivo Y300 Pro+ are offering in similar price ranges. Read more: OnePlus 13 5G Review: Flagship Killer with high-end features Software and User Interface Samsung's One UI 7, based on Android 1515, offers a smooth, intuitive, and feature-rich user experience on the A36. Samsung has committed to 6 major Android updates, which is outstanding and surpasses even some flagship brands. The interface is bloat-free, customisable, and integrates features like Circle to Search and enhanced virtual proximity sensing.  In contrast, the A35 ships with One UI 6.1 and Android 14 with only 4 years of updates. The realme 14 Pro runs realme UI 6.0, which is clean but slightly behind Samsung in polish and support. The Vivo Y300 Pro+ uses OriginOS 5, which is vibrant and feature-packed, though a bit cluttered for first-time users. In terms of longevity and overall software experience, the A36 is the clear winner. Storage Options Samsung offers a wide range of configurations for the A36, starting at 128GB with 6GB RAM and going up to 256GB with 12GB RAM. However, there is no microSD card support, which might disappoint some users. The A35 does offer expandable storage, which gives it a niche advantage. Read more: OPPO A5 Pro 4G Review: Can it fulfil the expectations? realme and vivo also skip the SD card slot but offer higher internal storage variants—up to 512GB with 12GB RAM. Power users and media hoarders might lean toward those options, but for average users, the A36 provides enough flexibility in its current options.  Pros and Cons of Samsung Galaxy A36 5G Pros  - Large 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.- Bright screen with up to 1900 nits peak brightness.- Powered by Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 for smooth performance.- Available in 6GB, 8GB, and 12GB RAM options.- Triple rear camera setup with 50MP main lens.- 12MP selfie camera supports 4K video and HDR.- Stereo speakers for better audio experience.- In-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking.- 45W fast charging, 100% in about 68 minutes.- IP67 rated for dust and water resistance.- One UI 7 with Android 15 and long software support. Read more: Tecno Phantom V Fold 2 Review: Pros, Cons and Price in Bangladesh Cons - Plastic frame, not as premium as metal.- No 3.5mm headphone jack.- FM radio not supported.- No microSD card slot for storage expansion.- Slightly higher price compared to rivals with similar specs- No wireless charging option- No reverse charging option. Price of the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G in Bangladesh The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G is priced at approximately BDT 37,000 for the base variant.  Final Words The Samsung Galaxy A36 5G shines with its AMOLED display, strong performance, and fast charging. However, the plastic build and lack of a headphone jack may disappoint some. Ideal for users seeking a balanced mid-range phone with reliable performance and camera quality. Not recommended for those needing expandable storage, a wireless or reverse charging option, or a more premium build.  Read more: Top Smartphones Launching in March 2025: Flagship & Budget Models to Watch

A pro-Palestinian protest by Microsoft employees interrupted the company’s 50th anniversary celebration Friday, the latest backlash over the tech industry’s work to supply artificial intelligence technology to the Israeli military. The protest began as Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman was presenting product updates and a long-term vision for the company's AI assistant product, Copilot, to an audience that included Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and former CEO Steve Ballmer. “Mustafa, shame on you,” shouted Microsoft employee Ibtihal Aboussad as she walked toward the stage and Suleyman paused his speech. “You claim that you care about using AI for good but Microsoft sells AI weapons to the Israeli military. Fifty-thousand people have died and Microsoft powers this genocide in our region.” “Thank you for your protest, I hear you,” Suleyman said. Aboussad continued, shouting that Suleyman and “all of Microsoft” had blood on their hands. She also threw onto the stage a keffiyeh scarf, which has become a symbol of support for Palestinian people, before being escorted out of the event. New Jersey criminalizes deepfake media under new law A second protester, Microsoft employee Vaniya Agrawal, interrupted another part of the celebration during which Gates, Ballmer and current CEO Satya Nadella were on stage — the first public gathering since 2014 of the three men who have been Microsoft's CEO. An investigation by The Associated Press revealed earlier this year that AI models from Microsoft and OpenAI had been used as part of an Israeli military program to select bombing targets during the recent wars in Gaza and Lebanon. The story also contained details of an errant Israeli airstrike in 2023 that struck a vehicle carrying members of a Lebanese family, killing three young girls and their grandmother. In February, five Microsoft employees were ejected from a meeting with Nadella for protesting the contracts. While the February event was an internal meeting, Friday's protest was far more public — a livestreamed showcase of the company's past and future. Some employees also rallied outside the event Friday. “We provide many avenues for all voices to be heard," said a statement from the company Friday. “Importantly, we ask that this be done in a way that does not cause a business disruption. If that happens, we ask participants to relocate. We are committed to ensuring our business practices uphold the highest standards.” Microsoft founder Bill Gates reminisces about a 50-year-old computer code that transformed technology Microsoft declined to say whether it was taking further action. Aboussad told the AP she hasn't yet heard anything from the company but she and Agrawal both lost access to their work accounts after the protest and have not been able to log back in, a possible indication that they were being fired.

President Donald Trump said Friday he is signing an executive order to allow TikTok to continue operating in the U.S. for another 75 days, giving his administration more time to finalize a deal to bring the platform under American control. The White House had been close to striking a deal to separate TikTok’s U.S. operations into a new company majority-owned by American investors, with ByteDance retaining a minority stake, a source familiar with the talks said. However, progress was abruptly halted Thursday when Beijing reacted to Trump’s announcement of sweeping new global tariffs, including against China. ByteDance informed the White House that China would not approve any deal until broader negotiations on trade and tariffs take place, the source added. While Congress had set a January 19 deadline for TikTok’s divestment on national security grounds, Trump extended it unilaterally to this weekend to keep negotiations alive. Several U.S. firms had expressed interest in investing in TikTok. The potential deal, months in the making, was being finalized with help from Vice President JD Vance’s team and included support from current and prospective investors, ByteDance, and U.S. officials. It included a 120-day period to finalize details. Trump’s team was confident of Beijing’s support until the new tariffs shifted the political landscape. On Friday, Trump said the deal is still achievable during the extension period. “My Administration has been working very hard on a Deal to SAVE TIKTOK, and we have made tremendous progress,” Trump wrote on his platform, explaining the need for extra time. ByteDance confirmed it has been in talks with the U.S. but said no agreement has been finalized and any deal must be approved under Chinese law. TikTok, headquartered in Los Angeles and Singapore, has reiterated its commitment to user safety. Meanwhile, China’s Foreign Ministry insists it does not require companies to provide data from abroad. This marks the second time Trump has delayed enforcement of the 2024 law requiring TikTok's divestment, a law supported by Congress and upheld by the Supreme Court on national security grounds. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a co-author of the TikTok bill, criticized the delay, urging immediate compliance with the law. “Bidders are lined up, and the clock is ticking. No more excuses,” he said. Although the executive order to delay enforcement has raised concerns, legal experts say a lawsuit is unlikely due to the challenge of establishing legal standing to sue. Cornell University’s Sarah Kreps said maintaining the status quo is legally less vulnerable, though concerns persist. Experts like cybersecurity CEO Chris Pierson warn that if ByteDance retains control of TikTok’s algorithm or data, the security risks remain unchanged. The law allows one 90-day delay if a deal is pending and Congress is notified, but Trump’s move doesn’t meet those conditions, said legal scholar Alan Rozenshtein. He argues Trump’s extension is effectively a refusal to enforce the law, not a legal extension. Public opinion on TikTok remains divided. A recent Pew survey found one-third of Americans support a ban, down from 50% in 2023, with concerns about data security driving most of the support. For creators like Terrell Wade, who has 1.5 million TikTok followers, the uncertainty is wearing. “Each new deadline feels less serious,” he said, though he continues building his presence on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook. “I just want clarity,” he said, “so we can move on from the constant uncertainty.”

The US Department of Energy said it has identified 16 federal sites, including storied nuclear research laboratories such as Los Alamos, where tech companies could build data centres in a push to accelerate commercial development of artificial intelligence technology. The sites are “uniquely positioned for rapid data centre construction, including in-place energy infrastructure with the ability to fast-track permitting for new energy generation such as nuclear,” the agency said in a statement Thursday. The move follows an executive order signed in January by outgoing President Joe Biden that sought to remove hurdles for AI data centre expansion in the US while also encouraging those data centres, which require large amounts of electricity, to be powered with renewable energy. While President Donald Trump has since sought to erase most of Biden's signature AI policies, he made clear after returning to the White House that he had no interest in rescinding Biden's data centre order. “I’d like to see federal lands opened up for data centres," Trump said in January. "I think they’re going to be very important.” The lands identified as potential sites include a number of national laboratories, such as the New Mexico-cantered Los Alamos and Sandia laboratories and Oak Ridge in Tennessee. Trump admin to halt $500M federal funding to Brown University While the tech industry has long relied on data centres to run online services, from email and social media to financial transactions, new AI technology behind popular chatbots and generative AI tools requires even more powerful computation to build and operate. A report released by the Department of Energy late last year estimated that the electricity needed for data centres in the US tripled over the past decade and is projected to double or triple again by 2028 when it could consume up to 12 per cent of the nation’s electricity. The United States, under both presidents, has been speeding up efforts to license and build a new generation of nuclear reactors to supply carbon-free electricity. While Biden's executive order focused on powering AI infrastructure with clean energy sources such as “geothermal, solar, wind, and nuclear,” Thursday's statement from Trump's energy department focused only on nuclear. But in a lengthy request for information sought from data centre and energy developers, the agency outlines a variety of electricity sources available at each site, from solar arrays to gas turbines.

New Jersey has made it a criminal offense to create and distribute deceptive media generated using artificial intelligence, under a new law signed by Governor Phil Murphy on Wednesday. The legislation targets the production and circulation of “deepfake” content—AI-generated images, videos, or audio that falsely portray individuals doing or saying things they never did. Those convicted under the law could face up to five years in prison. The law also allows victims to file civil lawsuits against perpetrators. New Jersey joins at least 20 other U.S. states that have adopted similar laws, particularly focusing on AI-generated media that could affect elections. Additionally, more than a dozen states have passed legislation aimed at curbing digitally altered child sexual abuse content, according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. This law gained momentum after Francesca Mani, a student at Westfield High School, became a victim of a deepfake video two years ago. She said the person responsible only received a brief school suspension because no law addressed such offenses at the time. Meta hit with fines by Turkey after refusing to restrict content “Doing nothing is no longer an option,” said Mani, who stood beside the governor at the bill signing. Recognized by Time magazine as an anti-deepfake activist, she was instrumental in advocating for the law. Under the measure, deepfakes are defined as any video, audio, or image that would appear realistic to an average person but falsely represents someone's actions or words. The law introduces both criminal and civil consequences for offenders. Source: With input from agency 

  Despite the passage of time, Gates still cherishes the groundbreaking code he printed on a teletype machine—a piece of work that, though rudimentary compared to modern artificial intelligence, played a crucial role in launching Microsoft in April 1975. The company, headquartered in Redmond, Washington, marks its 50th anniversary on Friday. In a blog post, the 69-year-old Gates reminisced about how he and his late high school friend, Paul Allen, embarked on a mission to build the world’s first “software factory.” Their journey began after reading a January 1975 Popular Electronics article about the Altair 8800, an early minicomputer powered by a small chip from Intel, which was relatively unknown at the time. Inspired by the article, Gates—then a freshman at Harvard—and Allen contacted Micro Instrumentation and Telemetry Systems (MITS), the company behind Altair. They assured its CEO, Ed Roberts, that they had developed software to operate the hardware. However, there was one major problem: the code they promised had yet to be written. To meet the challenge, the duo turned to BASIC, a programming language created at Dartmouth College in 1964. They had to make it compatible with the Altair despite not having a prototype of the machine. After two months of intense work and little sleep, Gates completed the program, which became the Altair’s first operating system. “That code remains the coolest I’ve ever written,” Gates noted in his blog post, which also includes an option to download the original program. This code laid the foundation for a company that revolutionized personal computing, introducing software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as the Windows operating system, which continues to dominate the PC market. “That was the revolution,” Gates said in an accompanying video. “That was the moment that brought personal computing to life.” Gates’ reflection on this milestone is part of a broader wave of nostalgia as he approaches his 70th birthday in October. This year, he released a memoir detailing his early life as a misunderstood child with few friends. He also marked the 25th anniversary of the philanthropic foundation he established after stepping down as Microsoft’s CEO in 2000. While Microsoft initially struggled post-Gates, it has flourished under current CEO Satya Nadella, now boasting a market value of around $2.8 trillion. In his memoir, Gates also revisited his complex relationship with Apple’s late co-founder Steve Jobs, whose company will celebrate its 50th anniversary next year. “Fifty years is a long time,” Gates reflected. “It’s incredible that the dream became a reality.”

Nintendo has revealed that the Switch 2 will launch on June 5, 2025, and will introduce new features aimed at enhancing connectivity for gamers, including interactive chat and screen-sharing functions. During its 60-minute Nintendo Direct event, the company showcased a brighter, larger display on the Switch 2 and announced a range of games that will be available at launch. Meta hit with fines by Turkey after refusing to restrict content A key update is the new “C” button on the Joy-Con controller, which will activate a “GameChat” feature, enabling players to communicate with friends and family during gameplay and share their game screens. The system will also include a built-in microphone for chatting with others online. Another notable innovation is the ability to use the Joy-Con controllers like a computer mouse. The developers demonstrated how this feature could be used in various games, such as adjusting a golf club’s angle in a golf game. Bitcoin investor buys an entire SpaceX flight The presentation also featured a first look at a new Mario Kart game, where in-game characters performed flips, tricks, and rail grinds. Additionally, Nintendo unveiled a new James Bond game, Project 007, inspired by the classic Nintendo 64 first-person shooter loved by fans. The Switch 2 will support backward compatibility, allowing it to play both physical and digital Switch games. However, users will need to purchase a new type of SD memory card, as standard SD cards will not be compatible with the system. Data from the original Switch can still be transferred to the new console. To promote the launch, Nintendo will host “Switch 2 Experience” events in several cities, including Los Angeles, New York, London, and Paris, starting this month.