United News of Bangladesh

 Hackers gained access to personal data on the majority of the 1.4 million customers of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, the company confirmed Saturday. Minneapolis-based Allianz Life, a subsidiary of Munich, Germany-based Allianz SE, said the data breach happened on July 16 when a “malicious threat actor” gained access to a third-party, cloud-based system used by the company. “The threat actor was able to obtain personally identifiable data related to the majority of Allianz Life’s customers, financial professionals, and select Allianz Life employees, using a social engineering technique,” Allianz Life said in a statement. "We took immediate action to contain and mitigate the issue and notified the FBI." The company said its own systems were not accessed, just the third-party's platform. Allianz Life said its investigation is ongoing and that the company has begun reaching out to the impacted individuals. It said the incident involves only Allianz Life in the U.S., not other Allianz corporate entities. Tea app suffers data breach, thousands of user photos exposed In the case of data breaches, a “social engineering technique” usually involves using trickery to gain access. Spokesman Brett Weinberg said he couldn't provide details because they are still investigating. Allianz Life also reported the breach to multiple other authorities, including the Maine Attorney General's Office. A filing on the agency's website said the company discovered the breach the day after it happened, and that it will be offering those affected 24 months of identity theft protection and credit monitoring. Allianz Life was known as North American Life and Casualty until it was acquired by German conglomerate Allianz SE in 1979 and changed its name to Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America. It has nearly 2,000 employees in U.S., with the majority working in Minnesota, according to its website. It is one of five North American subsidiaries of the Munich-based global financial services group Allianz SE, which says it serves more than 125 million customers worldwide.

Tea, a popular app designed for women to safely discuss men they date, has suffered a data breach exposing thousands of user photos and IDs, the company confirmed on Friday. According to Tea, approximately 72,000 images were leaked online, including 13,000 selfies or selfies combined with photo identification submitted during account verification. Additionally, another 59,000 images from posts, comments, and direct messages, which were publicly viewable within the app, were accessed without authorization. The company assured that no email addresses or phone numbers were compromised and the breach only affected users who signed up before February 2024. Intel slashes workforce, trims spending in bid to regain market footing “Tea has engaged third-party cyber security experts and is working around the clock to secure its systems,” the company said in a statement. “At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that additional user data was affected. Protecting Tea users’ privacy and data is our highest priority.” Tea markets itself as a safe platform for women to anonymously vet men they might meet on dating apps like Tinder or Bumble to ensure their dates are genuine and not involved in other relationships. Earlier reports by 404 Media revealed that users on the forum 4Chan discovered an exposed database that allowed unrestricted access to the leaked materials. However, access to the database has since been restricted. Tea announced on Instagram this week that its user base has grown to 4 million.

Pakistan on Friday called on major global social media companies to block hundreds of accounts it claims are operated by banned militant organizations. Officials say these accounts are being used to spread extremist propaganda and glorify violent acts within the country. Deputy Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry said militant groups like the Pakistani Taliban (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP) and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) — both banned in Pakistan and listed as terrorist organizations by the U.S. — are exploiting platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram to promote violent ideologies. Speaking at a press conference, Chaudhry urged tech firms to shut down not only the accounts run by these groups but also those operated by their supporters. Deputy Law Minister Aqeel Malik, who also addressed the media, said Pakistani authorities had identified 481 social media accounts linked to the TTP and BLA. He stated that these accounts were being used to incite violence and spread hateful content. So far, none of the platforms have publicly responded to Pakistan's request. Pakistan itself has previously restricted access to platforms like X, citing the need to curb online dissent — especially from backers of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan and other opposition voices. The government’s appeal comes amid a recent spike in violence across the country, much of which is attributed to the TTP, BLA, and Islamic State group. While the TTP is a separate entity from the Afghan Taliban, its operations have intensified since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. Militant groups frequently use social media to claim responsibility for attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians.

U.S. chipmaker Intel is laying off thousands of employees and scaling back projects as part of an aggressive restructuring drive under its new CEO, aimed at regaining lost ground in a competitive semiconductor market. In a memo to employees on Thursday, CEO Lip-Bu Tan said Intel plans to end the year with 75,000 “core” employees—down from 99,500 at the end of last year—through a combination of layoffs and attrition. The company had previously announced a 15% workforce cut. “These are difficult but essential steps to streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and reinforce accountability across the company,” Tan said. The chipmaker is also cancelling planned expansions in Germany and Poland and will relocate its assembly and testing operations from Costa Rica to larger facilities in Vietnam and Malaysia. Costa Rica will continue to host key engineering and corporate teams, according to the memo. In the U.S., Intel said it will further delay construction of its new semiconductor plant in Ohio. Founded in 1968 and once a pioneer of the personal computing era, Intel has struggled to keep pace with rivals like Nvidia and AMD, especially amid the recent AI boom. Nvidia, once a smaller competitor, now dominates the market for AI chips and boasts a market valuation of $4.24 trillion—dwarfing Intel’s $98.71 billion market cap as of Thursday's market close. Apple iPhone 17 Series: Leaks, Rumours and Probable Release Date Tan emphasized that Intel is prioritizing its core products and AI development. “There are no more blank checks. Every investment must make economic sense,” he wrote. For the second quarter, Intel posted a net loss of $2.9 billion, or 67 cents per share—widening from a $1.6 billion loss a year earlier. Excluding special items, the adjusted loss was 10 cents per share. Revenue held steady at $12.9 billion, slightly above analysts' expectations of $12 billion, according to FactSet. Source: Agency 

In Kansas, 15-year-old high school student Kayla Chege regularly turns to artificial intelligence for a wide range of everyday questions. From back-to-school shopping and makeup suggestions to healthy smoothie options and planning birthday parties, she uses ChatGPT as a personal assistant. While Kayla avoids using chatbots to complete her homework and tries to keep her interactions limited to routine topics, she acknowledges that AI has become a constant presence in the lives of many teens. In interviews with the Associated Press and findings from a recent study, teenagers revealed that they’re increasingly treating AI like a companion—seeking advice, emotional support, and guidance for daily decisions. Experts share tips to help teens navigate the rise of AI companions “Everyone uses AI for everything now. It’s really taking over,” Kayla said, reflecting on how AI tools are shaping her generation. “I think kids use AI to get out of thinking.” Although early discussions around AI and youth largely focused on academic cheating, teenagers say its influence now extends far beyond the classroom. AI has become a trusted tool for solving personal problems and navigating everyday life.

Kioxia Corporation has announced a major leap in storage technology with the launch of the world’s first 245.76 terabyte (TB) NVMe solid-state drive (SSD), aimed at meeting the intense performance and efficiency needs of generative AI systems. The new SSD, part of the KIOXIA LC9 Series, is available in 2.5-inch and EDSFF E3.L form factors and complements the earlier 122.88TB version. It features a 32-die stack of 2-terabit BiCS FLASH™ QLC 3D flash memory and innovative CMOS Bonded to Array (CBA) technology, delivering exceptional speed and density. Designed for environments such as data lakes and AI training workloads, the SSD offers compact, high-capacity storage that can replace multiple traditional hard drives—cutting down power use, cooling needs, and total cost of ownership. Microsoft halts digital film and TV sales without warning Supporting PCIe 5.0, NVMe 2.0, and advanced security protocols, the LC9 Series is now being sampled to select customers and will be showcased at the Future of Memory and Storage 2025 conference in August. Kioxia’s breakthrough marks a key milestone in enterprise data storage evolution. Source: Agency 

Jake Larson, fondly known as “Papa Jake,” a D-Day veteran who captured hearts worldwide by sharing stories of World War II and honoring his fallen comrades on TikTok, has died at the age of 102. Larson, who survived German gunfire while landing on Omaha Beach during the 1944 D-Day invasion, passed away peacefully on July 17, his granddaughter McKaela Larson announced on his social media accounts. “He went peacefully,” she wrote, adding, “As Papa would say, love you all the mostest.” Despite his harrowing wartime past, Larson was known for his charm, warmth, and humor. His storytelling endeared him to a younger generation, amassing 1.2 million followers on TikTok through his “Story Time with Papa Jake” series. Tributes poured in from across the United States and towns in Normandy, where he remained a beloved figure. Born on December 20, 1922, in Owatonna, Minnesota, Larson lied about his age to join the National Guard at just 15. He was deployed to Northern Ireland in 1942 and later became an operations sergeant, helping to plan the Allied invasion of Normandy. European Union accuses TikTok of breaching digital rules its ad database falls short On June 6, 1944, Larson was among the 160,000 Allied troops who stormed the beaches of Normandy. He landed on Omaha Beach under heavy German machine-gun fire but survived without injury and reached the bluffs above — then heavily fortified with German emplacements. Speaking to the Associated Press during the 81st D-Day anniversary this past June, Larson reflected on his duty: “We are the lucky ones. We are their family. We have the responsibility to honor these guys who gave us a chance to be alive.” He also fought in the Battle of the Bulge, one of the war’s most grueling campaigns, and was later awarded the Bronze Star and France’s prestigious Legion of Honor. In recent years, Larson returned regularly to Normandy for D-Day commemorations. He was always met with admiration and gratitude — and countless selfie requests, to which he responded with heartfelt hugs. In a memorable moment in 2023, he embraced fellow D-Day veteran Bill Gladden, then 99, saying, “We were meant to meet.” Gladden passed away the following year. Larson’s TikTok videos blended light-hearted jokes with sobering reflections on the cost of war. “I’m no hero,” he once said. And in a message to global leaders in 2024, he urged: “Make peace, not war.” He often marveled at his fame late in life. “I’m just a country boy. Now I’m a star on TikTok,” he told AP in 2023. “I’m a legend! I didn’t plan this — it came about.” Across Normandy, local museums and remembrance groups paid tribute to Larson, whom they described as an “exceptional witness” to history. “He came every year to the museum, with his smile, his humility, and his tales that touched all generations,” read a post from the Overlord Museum. “His stories will continue to live. Rest in peace, Papa Jake. Thanks for everything.” Source: Agency  

Microsoft has abruptly pulled out of the digital movie and TV business, ceasing all sales and rentals through its Movies & TV app without prior notice. As of Friday, users can no longer buy or rent films and shows via Microsoft.com, the Microsoft Store on Windows, or the Xbox platform. A support notice on the company’s website states, “Important: Microsoft no longer offers new entertainment content for purchase, including movies and TV shows, on Microsoft.com, Microsoft Store on Windows, and the Microsoft Store on Xbox.” A similar message also appears on Xbox’s support page. Nvidia to resume AI chip sales to China with U.S. approval No reason was provided for the sudden decision, according to Variety. Users who have previously purchased digital content can still access it on Windows and Xbox devices. However, Microsoft will not issue refunds. As per the Microsoft Store Terms of Sale, “Movies and TV shows are ineligible for refunds.” Microsoft’s venture into digital entertainment began in 2006 with its Zune media player. This later evolved into Xbox Video in 2012, before rebranding as Microsoft Movies & TV in 2015.

Although travelers are hopeful that restrictions on carrying liquids through airport security may soon be eased, many U.S. airports still haven’t upgraded to advanced scanners capable of reliably detecting liquid explosives. While it’s a common frustration to dispose of drinks or limit toiletries before boarding, the real challenge lies in distinguishing between benign substances and potentially dangerous ones. The importance of this became clear after a 2006 terror plot in the UK involving liquid explosives disguised in sports drink bottles. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently suggested that changes to current liquid restrictions may be coming, stating, “The liquids, I’m questioning. So that may be the next big announcement.” However, officials say no immediate changes are planned. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) confirmed it is constantly evaluating ways to enhance security while improving passenger experience. Earlier this month, TSA lifted the rule requiring passengers to remove shoes—originally implemented after the 2001 “shoe bomber” plot. The current liquid limits, set after the 2006 UK plot, cap carry-on liquids at 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) due to concerns over X-ray machines' inability to detect liquid explosives. While some countries like the UK have considered relaxing this limit, the move has been delayed by the slow rollout of new computed tomography (CT) scanners. Starlink officially launched in Bangladesh These advanced machines provide high-resolution, 3D images that allow screeners to better identify threats. TSA official Johnny Jones said the technology “eliminates the guesswork” and significantly improves detection capabilities. Yet, only 255 of the 432 U.S. airports currently have these machines, and full deployment may not be completed until 2043 due to high costs and the need for structural modifications at checkpoints. Experts warn that rolling out new liquid rules at only select airports could confuse travelers. Meanwhile, some aviation security professionals argue it's premature to lift restrictions without broader scanner coverage. Despite past reports highlighting TSA screening gaps, agency officials emphasize that no aircraft has been lost due to missed threats since its creation in 2002. Source: Agency 

Netflix has confirmed that it used generative artificial intelligence (AI) to create visual effects in one of its original series for the first time. Co-CEO Ted Sarandos revealed that the technology was employed to generate a scene depicting a building collapse in The Eternaut, a science fiction drama from Argentina. Sarandos explained that generative AI, which can produce videos and images from text prompts, enabled the production team to complete complex sequences faster and at significantly lower costs. He noted that traditional methods would have made such scenes financially unfeasible for a series with a modest budget. "This is the first time final generative AI footage has appeared on screen in a Netflix original," said Sarandos, adding that the show's creators were delighted with the results. Advisory board urges continued nonprofit oversight of OpenAI Netflix’s announcement coincided with its latest financial report, which showed a 16% year-on-year revenue increase to $11 billion for the second quarter, with profits rising from $2.1 billion to $3.1 billion. The success of Squid Game: The Challenge, the final season of the hit South Korean thriller, played a key role in the platform’s strong performance, drawing 122 million views so far. Despite the technological innovation, the use of AI in the entertainment industry remains a contentious issue. Critics argue that generative AI may exploit existing creative works without consent and could lead to job losses. These concerns were central to the 2023 Hollywood strikes, where actors and writers demanded clearer regulations on AI usage. Filmmaker Tyler Perry even paused an $800 million expansion of his Atlanta studio in 2024, citing fears over AI’s potential impact on employment in the industry. The release of advanced tools like OpenAI’s Sora, capable of generating high-quality footage from text prompts, further fueled both excitement and anxiety across the creative sector. Industry professionals, however, see AI as a new addition to the creative toolkit. Davier Yoon, co-founder of Singapore-based animation studio CraveFX, said Netflix’s move reflects a broader industry shift. “Generative AI allows smaller studios to create visuals that rival big-budget productions,” he said. “At the end of the day, it's the artist—not AI—who shapes the final image.” #With inputs from BBC