United News of Bangladesh

Artificial intelligence firm OpenAI has signed a chip supply and infrastructure partnership with semiconductor maker AMD, marking a major step toward expanding its computing capacity to meet surging global AI demand, the companies announced Monday. Under the agreement, OpenAI will purchase AMD’s latest high-performance graphics chips, the upcoming Instinct MI450, which is set to debut next year. The partnership will deliver 6 gigawatts of computing power for OpenAI’s next-generation AI infrastructure, with the first batch—worth 1 gigawatt—scheduled for deployment in the second half of 2026. As part of the deal, AMD granted OpenAI a warrant to purchase up to 160 million shares, or about 10% of AMD’s common stock, based on the company’s 1.6 billion outstanding shares. The warrant will vest upon meeting milestones tied to the amount of computing power deployed and certain share price targets. The agreement also gives OpenAI the option to acquire as much as a 10% stake in AMD, according to a joint statement. Following the announcement, AMD’s shares surged nearly 24% on Monday, while Nvidia’s shares slipped 1% after months of record highs. “This partnership is a major step in building the compute capacity needed to realize AI’s full potential,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in a statement. “AMD’s leadership in high-performance chips will enable us to accelerate progress and bring the benefits of advanced AI to everyone faster.” The deal represents a major boost for Santa Clara, California-based AMD, which has trailed its rival Nvidia amid the ongoing AI chip boom. It also reflects OpenAI’s strategy to diversify its chip supply chain and reduce reliance on Nvidia, whose dominance in the AI computing sector has made it the world’s most valuable company. Last month, OpenAI and Nvidia announced a $100 billion partnership to expand data center capacity by at least 10 gigawatts. Hundreds of Nvidia’s high-powered GB200 systems are already being installed at OpenAI’s flagship Stargate data center under construction in Abilene, Texas. Analysts at Barclays said the AMD deal underscores the sheer scale of AI’s computing needs rather than competition between chipmakers. “The infrastructure required to meet AI demand largely doesn’t exist today,” Barclays analyst Tom O’Malley wrote in a note to investors. “But this is further proof that the ecosystem is desperate for more compute.” Source: AP

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to block a lower court ruling that forces Google to significantly revamp its Android Play Store, following a jury decision that found the tech giant had operated an illegal monopoly. In a brief, one-line order, the Supreme Court rejected Google’s request to pause a mandate issued nearly a year ago by U.S. District Judge James Donato. The judge's ruling requires Google to make sweeping changes to how it operates its app marketplace on Android devices — which dominate the smartphone market outside of Apple’s iPhones. Key among the changes: Google must open up its entire catalog of Android apps to competing app stores, and allow these rivals to be accessed and downloaded directly through the Play Store. Google warned in a recent filing that this requirement would put over 100 million U.S. Play Store users at risk, claiming it could open the door to malicious or pirated apps. The company also said it would be forced to begin complying with the order by October 22 unless the Supreme Court intervened. Despite its objections, Google said it will begin implementing the required changes while continuing to challenge the ruling. “We believe the District Court's order compromises user safety,” the company stated. Google had previously managed to avoid implementing the changes while it appealed both the monopoly verdict and the judge’s order. But that strategy hit a wall two months ago when the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Google’s bid for a stay. In its Supreme Court petition, Google argued the ruling unfairly compels it to act as a distribution platform for its competitors. However, Judge Donato said Google's exclusive grip on the Play Store — and particularly its control of in-app payments — gave it an unfair advantage and resulted in billions of dollars in annual profits. At the heart of the legal battle is the 15–30% commission Google collects on in-app transactions. This fee structure was a central issue in a 2020 antitrust lawsuit brought by Epic Games, creator of Fortnite. That case led to a month-long trial in federal court and ultimately a jury verdict against Google. While Epic lost a similar legal fight against Apple — with a judge ruling that the iPhone App Store was not a monopoly — Apple was still ordered to permit developers to link to other payment methods. That move led to further legal conflict, including Apple being held in contempt of court earlier this year. Epic CEO Tim Sweeney praised the Supreme Court's decision on Monday, saying it would give consumers the freedom to choose different payment options “without fees, scare screens, and friction.” Though the changes may reduce Play Store revenue, Google’s primary earnings come from its massive digital advertising business, built around its dominant search engine. That part of its empire is also under pressure: the U.S. Justice Department has declared both Google Search and segments of its ad tech operations illegal monopolies. In one DOJ case, a judge earlier this year rejected a proposal to break up Google’s search business — a decision widely seen as a temporary win for the company. Meanwhile, a separate case focused on Google's ad tech is ongoing, with final arguments set for November 17 in Alexandria, Virginia.

Healthcare AI startup Heidi has raised $65 million in a Series B funding round led by Point72 Private Investments, with participation from existing investors Blackbird, Headline, and Latitude, the growth fund of Phoenix Court. The new investment values the company at $465 million, bringing its total funding to nearly $100 million. The funds will accelerate Heidi’s goal of building an AI Care Partner designed to support clinicians by automating time-consuming administrative tasks such as clinical documentation, evidence searches, and patient follow-ups. According to research, clinicians currently spend almost as much time on administrative work as on direct patient care. In just 18 months, Heidi’s tools have saved over 18 million clinician hours by streamlining these processes. Dr. Thomas Kelly, CEO and co-founder of Heidi and a former vascular surgery resident, said: “It is untenable that healthcare demand continues to rise while clinical time continues to shrink. Building a sustainable healthcare system requires expanding clinical capacity without compromising clinician wellbeing or patient safety. That’s why I founded Heidi — to build an AI Care Partner that stands alongside clinicians, empowering them to deliver the care to which they have dedicated their lives.” Heidi now supports tens of thousands of clinicians across 200 specialties, helping facilitate more than 73 million patient consults globally. The platform currently handles over two million consults weekly in 110 languages across 116 countries. With the new investment, Heidi plans to expand its workforce and strengthen operations in the US, UK, and Canada, while deepening adoption in France, Spain, Germany, Ireland, South Africa, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Snapchat to charge users for storing old photos and videos The company is working with several major healthcare systems worldwide, including the UK’s Modality Partnership — in what is described as the largest deployment of ambient AI in British healthcare — and pilot programs with NHS Trusts in London and Lancashire. In the US, Heidi is collaborating with Beth Israel Lahey Health in Massachusetts and MaineGeneral in Maine. It is also the official AI partner of the Yukon Government in Canada, and is working with Australia’s Monash Health and Queensland Health Children’s Hospital. New Zealand’s Health Ministry has endorsed Heidi as one of two AI providers approved for public health trials. Sri Chandrasekar, Managing Partner at Point72 Private Investments, said: “We believe administrative burden is contributing to clinician burnout and capacity challenges across healthcare systems. Heidi’s platform has the potential to meaningfully improve how clinicians manage their administrative workflows. We’re impressed by their adoption rates and are excited to support their vision of expanding healthcare capacity while preserving the human touch in patient care.” Heidi also announced new leadership appointments: Paul Williamson, former Head of Revenue at Plaid, joins as Chief Revenue Officer, and Dr. Simon Kos, former Chief Medical Officer at Microsoft, becomes Chief Medical Officer. Williamson said: “During my career, I’ve worked with companies that have transformed their industries — from Salesforce to Plaid. Today, I join Heidi’s mission to redefine healthcare in the age of AI.” Dr. Kos added: “With Heidi by their side, clinicians not only improve their experience of delivering care but also enhance the patient experience. Heidi’s vision extends beyond ambient voice technology to a future where every clinician can use AI to expand their capacity while protecting the human touch in healthcare.”

A series of mysterious drone flights across the airspace of several European Union nations in recent weeks has sparked widespread concern among citizens and political leaders. The unprecedented number of airspace intrusions — many suspected to be linked to Russia — has raised alarm about NATO’s readiness to respond to potential threats from Moscow. Some European officials believe the incidents could be deliberate attempts by Russia to test the alliance’s defenses. On September 10, a swarm of Russian drones reportedly entered Polish airspace, prompting NATO fighter jets to scramble and intercept the unmanned aircraft, shooting some of them down. It marked the first direct confrontation between NATO and Russia since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. A few days later, NATO jets escorted three Russian warplanes out of Estonian airspace. Since then, drone sightings have been reported near airports, military installations, and critical infrastructure across Europe, prompting EU defense ministers to propose building a “drone wall” to improve detection and interception of unauthorized flights. While Russia has been accused of involvement, it has denied any deliberate actions. European authorities have released limited details about the incidents, and in several cases, governments delayed acknowledging the overflights. In Denmark, authorities received around 500 reports of drone sightings within a single day — some of which later turned out to be false alarms, such as stars mistaken for drones. Governments across Europe are still determining how to respond to such intrusions, including whether to authorize shooting down drones in real time. Airport disruptions across EuropeGermany’s Munich Airport reopened on Saturday morning after being closed twice in less than 24 hours due to drone sightings. The shutdown caused delays affecting at least 6,500 passengers. In Denmark, drone activity over Copenhagen Airport on September 22 disrupted air traffic at Scandinavia’s busiest hub. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen called it “the most serious attack on Danish critical infrastructure to date,” adding that Russian involvement could not be ruled out. Confusion over Afghan internet outage after purported Taliban statement found false That same evening, drone activity was reported at Norway’s Oslo Airport, forcing operations to be restricted to a single runway. Authorities are investigating whether the incidents at the two major airports were connected. Drones over Danish military basesBetween September 24 and 25, drones were seen over four smaller Danish airports, including two military bases. Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen described the flights as “systematic” and likely conducted by a “professional” actor. Local media also reported drone sightings above or near Karup Air Base, Denmark’s largest military facility. However, the Defense Ministry declined to confirm the reports, citing operational security and ongoing investigations. Critical sites targeted in GermanyIn Germany, authorities are probing reports of unidentified drones flying over critical infrastructure in the northern state of Schleswig-Holstein. According to Der Spiegel, several drones were sighted on September 25 above a power plant in Kiel, as well as near a university hospital, a shipyard, and the premises of TKMS — a defense technology company. Regional Interior Minister Sabine Sütterlin-Waack confirmed that “flying objects of various types and sizes” had been detected, and prosecutors have launched an investigation. The report also mentioned drones spotted over government buildings, a refinery in Heide, and a military base in Sanitz, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Source: AP 

A coalition made up of healthcare providers, religious organizations, professors, and other groups has filed a federal lawsuit to block a newly imposed $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications. They argue the fee has caused confusion and disruption for employers, foreign workers, and government agencies. President Donald Trump signed the order on September 19, claiming the H-1B program had been misused to replace American workers with cheaper foreign labor. The policy was set to take effect just 36 hours later, leading many employers to urgently call their foreign employees back to the U.S. Filed in U.S. District Court in San Francisco, the lawsuit states that the H-1B program plays a vital role in hiring skilled workers in healthcare and education, contributing to U.S. innovation and economic development. “If the court doesn’t intervene, hospitals could lose doctors and nurses, churches may be left without pastors, schools could face teacher shortages, and key industries may lose critical talent,” said the Democracy Forward Foundation and Justice Action Center in a joint statement. The suit demands an immediate block of the order to stabilize the situation. The groups criticized the new fee as "Trump’s latest anti-immigration power grab." The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection — named in the lawsuit along with Trump and the State Department — have not responded to requests for comment. Congress originally created the H-1B visa to attract skilled foreign professionals for jobs that are hard to fill locally, particularly in the tech sector. According to the lawsuit, about one-third of H-1B recipients are in fields like healthcare, education, and religious services. Opponents of the program argue it is often used to hire cheaper foreign labor, with some workers earning as little as $60,000 a year — far below the six-figure salaries paid to many U.S.-based tech employees. H-1B visas are typically awarded through a lottery system. This year, Amazon led all companies with over 10,000 approvals, followed by firms like Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Apple, and Google. California remains the state with the highest concentration of H-1B workers. Todd Wolfson, president of the American Association of University Professors, warned that the high fee would discourage top global researchers from coming to the U.S. Mike Miller of the United Auto Workers union criticized the policy as one that “favors the wealthy and well-connected over talent and hard work.” Skye Perryman, president of Democracy Forward, argued that the steep fee is illegal, calling it a form of taxation that Trump has no authority to impose without congressional approval. The lawsuit contends that such a major policy change cannot be enacted by executive order alone.

Uncertainty persists over Afghanistan’s internet connectivity after some networks were partially restored on Wednesday following a nationwide outage that began Monday. Earlier reports cited a statement allegedly from the Taliban denying that the blackout was deliberate, claiming worn-out fiber optic cables were being replaced. However, the statement was later confirmed as false. It had been forwarded individually to members of an official Taliban WhatsApp media group by an Afghan user whose name resembled the group’s official account. The sender’s identity remains unverified, and the same message appeared on X from a Taliban sympathizer, not the group itself. Hours later, the official Taliban WhatsApp group issued a genuine statement, saying cellphone services are gradually being restored. Officials from the telecommunications technical department said teams are working continuously to fully restore connectivity. UN urges Taliban to restore internet across Afghanistan Internet watchdog Netblocks reported partial restoration on Wednesday, noting that the blackout had disrupted banking, commerce, aviation, and humanitarian operations. Afghan carrier Kam Air halted flights since Monday but may resume later Wednesday. Aid groups, including Save the Children, urged authorities to restore reliable communications for critical operations. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said the Taliban implemented the cut “without clear explanation” and reversed it similarly without explanation, warning that such actions negatively affect economic stability, access to information, and the rights of Afghan citizens, particularly women and girls. Source: AP

The growing shift to hybrid work is transforming how offices in Singapore are designed and used. Workplaces are no longer just desks and meeting rooms but spaces that support collaboration, individual focus and flexibility. Raw Design Consultants, a Singapore-based interior design studio, has been at the forefront of this change, developing office projects that balance practical needs with cultural shifts. Rethinking the role of the officeSingapore ranks among the top adopters of hybrid work in Asia Pacific. With high rental costs and limited space, businesses must make careful choices in planning offices. A basic fit-out costs between $60 and $75 per square foot (psf), mid-range $75–100 psf, and premium $100–150 psf. Designers now focus on efficiency, flexibility and cost control while ensuring the workplace remains relevant and collaborative. Raw Design’s approachFounded over a decade ago, Raw Design Consultants set out to streamline office design by avoiding unnecessary delays. “We wanted to deliver inspiring spaces on schedule. Being self-funded gives us flexibility to act quickly and prioritise clients’ needs,” said founder Gary Teo. Nvidia invests $5 billion in Intel to boost AI and PC collaboration The studio focuses on employee well-being, using natural light, better acoustics and ergonomic layouts. Space efficiency is a key priority in Singapore’s costly property market. The firm also stresses budget transparency—directing more resources to collaborative and client-facing zones while keeping back-end areas practical. A case in practiceAt Monks Singapore’s APAC headquarters, Raw Design created a workplace around a central “social sanctuary”—a hub for seminars, team sessions and informal gatherings. Surrounding it are open workstations and enclosed rooms for brainstorming, video calls and hybrid meetings, supported by integrated technology. Looking aheadRaw Design believes Singapore’s offices will continue to evolve as hybrid models take hold. Future workplaces will blend local character with global connectivity, acting as cultural as well as functional anchors. “Every office tells a story, but it begins with the people who use the space,” said Teo. “What matters to them shapes every space we create.” Source: AP 

  Google-owned YouTube has agreed to a $24.5 million settlement to resolve a lawsuit filed by former President Donald Trump. The suit stemmed from YouTube’s decision to suspend Trump’s account following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot, which occurred shortly after his loss in the 2020 presidential election. According to court documents filed Monday, $22 million of the settlement will go toward Trump's contributions to the Trust for the National Mall and the construction of a White House ballroom. The remaining $2.5 million will be distributed to other plaintiffs, including author Naomi Wolf and the American Conservative Union. YouTube is now the third major tech company to settle with Trump after similar lawsuits against Meta (Facebook’s parent company) and Twitter, now known as X following its acquisition by Elon Musk in 2022. Meta agreed to a $25 million settlement, while X settled for $10 million. Legal experts had initially predicted Trump was unlikely to win any of the cases. However, after Musk acquired Twitter and supported Trump’s successful 2024 re-election campaign, the dynamics shifted. Musk also later clashed with Trump after assisting in cutting down government payroll costs during the early months of Trump’s second term. Notably, both Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg attended Trump’s second inauguration in January, signaling a more collaborative stance from Big Tech compared to his first term. In addition to the YouTube case, Trump has reached other high-profile settlements: ABC News paid $15 million in December 2024 to help fund Trump’s presidential library, settling a defamation suit over anchor George Stephanopoulos’ false claim that Trump had been found liable for raping E. Jean Carroll. In July, Paramount agreed to a $16 million settlement over editing disputes involving CBS’ “60 Minutes.” The settlement with YouTube does not admit any wrongdoing, according to the filing. Google confirmed the agreement but declined to provide further comment. Trump’s YouTube account was reinstated in 2023. Despite the sizable payout, the settlement is minor for Alphabet, whose market value has soared to nearly $3 trillion, a $600 billion increase since Trump returned to office. Details of the settlement surfaced just a week before a scheduled October 6 court hearing before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers in Oakland, California.

Lufthansa Group announced Monday that it will eliminate 4,000 jobs by 2030 as part of a restructuring plan driven by artificial intelligence, digitalization, and greater integration across its member airlines. The company said most of the cuts would take place in Germany, primarily in administrative roles rather than operational functions. Lufthansa noted that it is assessing “which activities will no longer be necessary in the future, for instance due to duplication of work,” as it seeks closer cooperation among its carriers, which include Austrian Airlines, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, and Eurowings. The group said the “profound changes brought about by digitalization and artificial intelligence” will help improve efficiency across its business operations. The announcement came during an investor presentation in Munich, where the company highlighted strong passenger demand despite supply chain constraints affecting new aircraft and engine availability. Lufthansa said the tight market was supporting high load factors and revenue growth. Looking ahead, the airline group projected “significantly increased profitability” by the end of the decade and confirmed plans for the largest fleet modernization in its history. More than 230 new aircraft, including 100 long-haul planes, are set to join the fleet by 2030. In 2024, Lufthansa employed 101,709 people and reported revenue of 37.6 billion euros ($44 billion). The aviation group, headquartered in Cologne with operational offices in Frankfurt, runs both network airlines and point-to-point carrier Eurowings alongside other aviation services.

Elon Musk, CEO of X, SpaceX, Tesla and Starlink, met with the leadership of the BRIDGE Summit at Tesla’s headquarters in Palo Alto, California, to explore collaboration on the future of technology, media and artificial intelligence. During the meeting, Musk was formally invited to participate in the inaugural BRIDGE Summit, set to be held in Abu Dhabi from December 8-10, which is billed as the world’s largest debut gathering for media, content and entertainment. The delegation was led by H.E. Abdulla bin Mohammed bin Butti Al Hamed, Chairman of the UAE National Media Office, the UAE Media Council and BRIDGE. The discussions focused on AI, data centres and content integrity as key drivers of transformation. Musk underscored that the success of innovation will hinge on countries’ ability to provide clean and affordable energy for data centres, noting the UAE’s strong positioning in this field. Al Hamed affirmed that the UAE’s low-cost, large-scale clean energy capabilities underline its readiness to lead in AI and advanced technologies. Musk praised the UAE’s forward-looking vision under President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and acknowledged the role of His Highness Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan and the Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in strengthening the country’s global standing as an innovation hub. Tesla shares jump as Musk buys $1B stake ahead of shareholder vote on record pay package During a tour of Tesla’s Optimus robotics lab, both sides discussed balancing innovation with ethical frameworks and stressed the importance of a global framework for responsible AI use in content creation, regulation and distribution. The talks also explored opportunities for cooperation in media and technology, including youth-focused educational content, green tech-driven narratives, and initiatives linking AI innovation with media ecosystems. “The UAE believes that media is a powerful force capable of reshaping knowledge and building awareness,” said Al Hamed. “Collaboration with leading institutions accelerates innovation, fosters expertise exchange and ensures sustainable impact.” Organizers said the BRIDGE Summit will provide “an exceptional platform for testing bold and unconventional solutions” to rebuild trust in media and shape a shared future. Source: Agency