United News of Bangladesh

Apple is releasing a free software update that will inject its first dose of artificial intelligence into its iPhone 16 lineup as the trendsetting company tries to catch up with technology's latest craze. The upgrade to the iOS 18 operating system on Monday arrives more than a month after four iPhone 16 models equipped with the special computer chip needed to power the AI features went on sale at prices ranging from $800 to $1,200. Last year's premium models — the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max — also possess a processor that will enable the AI technology after the software update is installed. Recent versions of Apple's iPad and Mac computer also can be updated with the software. Countries outside the U.S. won't be getting the AI software for their iPhones until next year at a date still to be determined. Apple spent the past five weeks testing the AI software among an audience of iPhone owners who signed up to help the company fine tune the technology. The AI infusion is supposed to transform Apple’s often bumbling virtual assistant Siri into a more conversational, versatile and colorful companion whose presence will be denoted by a glowing light that circles the iPhone’s screen as requests are being handled. While Apple is promising Siri will be able to perform more tasks and be less prone to becoming confused, it won’t be able to interact with other apps installed on the iPhone until another software update comes out at a still-unspecified date. Other AI features included in this software update will handle a variety of writing and proofreading tasks, summarize the content of emails and other documents. The AI also will provide a variety of editing tools to alter the appearance of photos and make it easier to find old pictures. Other AI tricks still to come in future software updates will include the ability to create customized emojis on the fly or conjure other fanciful imagery upon request. Apple also plans to eventually enable its AI suite to get a helping hand from OpenAI’s ChatGPT when users want it. Most of the AI features Apple introduced Monday are already available on Android-powered smartphones that Samsung and Google released earlier this year. In an effort to distinguish its approach from the early leaders in AI, the iPhone’s suite of new technology is being marketed as “Apple Intelligence.” Apple is also promising its AI features will do a far better job protecting the privacy of iPhone owners by either running the technology on device or corralled in a fortress-like data center when some requests have to be processed remotely. Because most iPhones currently in use around the world don’t have the computer chip needed for Apple’s AI, the technology is expected to drive huge demand for the new models during the holiday season and into next year, too. That’s the main reason why Apple’s stock price has soared 18% since the Cupertino, California, previewed its AI strategy at a conference in early June. The run-up has increased Apple’s market value by about $500 billion, catapulting it closer to becoming the first U.S. company to be worth $4 trillion. Apple will give investors their first glimpse at how the iPhone 16 is faring Thursday when the company posts quarterly financial information for the July-September quarter — a period that includes the first few days the new models were on sale. Demand for the high-end iPhone 15 models ticked upward as prices for them fell and the excitement surrounding Apple’s entrance into the AI market ramped up, according to an assessment of the smartphone market during the most recent quarter by the research firm International Data Corp. Apple’s iPhone shipments rose 3.5 percent from the same time last year to 56 million worldwide during the July-September period, second only to Samsung, according to IDC. The question now is whether Apple’s gradual release of more AI will cause owners of older iPhones to splurge on the new models during the holidays, “future-proofing their purchases for the long term,” said IDC analyst Nabila Popal. Also on Monday, Apple said that with the software update some AirPods wireless headphones can be used as hearing aids. An estimated 30 million people — 1 in 8 Americans over the age of 12 — have hearing loss in both ears. Millions would benefit from hearing aids but most have never tried them, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

Indonesia has officially banned the sale and use of the iPhone 16 series. According to Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry, Apple’s delayed contributions to local infrastructure and sourcing have prevented the tech giant from meeting essential regulatory requirements. Indonesia’s Industry Minister, Gumiwang Kartasasmita, emphasized the ban: “If there is an iPhone 16 that can operate in Indonesia, that means it is illegal. Do report it to us.” The warning underscores the government’s intent to ensure compliance from foreign tech firms operating in the country. Apple initially committed to a $109 million (1.7 trillion rupiah) investment in Indonesia to boost infrastructure and support local sourcing initiatives. However, the Indonesian government reports that Apple has invested only 1.48 trillion rupiah ($95 million) to date, leaving a shortfall of 230 billion rupiah ($14.75 million). This shortfall has effectively blocked Apple from obtaining the crucial International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) certification, a mandatory requirement for legally selling devices in Indonesia. Minister Kartasasmita explained, “We, the Ministry of Industry, are yet to issue permits for the iPhone 16 because there are still commitments that Apple must realize.” Reports also indicate that Indonesia’s ban extends beyond the iPhone 16 to include the newly launched Watch Series 10, which debuted alongside Apple’s latest smartphone. Both devices currently lack approval for legal sale within Indonesian borders.

Apple has officially announced the highly anticipated rollout of its M4 Macs, set to begin next week. Following the release of the iPad Mini 7 on October 15, all eyes are now on the next-generation Macs. Rumours surrounding Apple’s upcoming launches have been circulating for some time, particularly regarding the much-discussed Apple Intelligence features. In a bid to quell speculation, Apple’s Greg Joswiak took to X, stating, “Mac your calendars! We have an exciting week of announcements ahead, starting on Monday morning. Stay tuned.” While Apple has yet to confirm the exact rollout date for the first wave of Apple Intelligence, speculation suggests that the eagerly awaited features will debut on 28 October. The upcoming iOS 18.1 update is expected to introduce several new AI-powered functionalities, alongside various customisation upgrades. OpenAI’s Whisper invents speech creating phrases no one said M4 Macs: What to Expect Rumours indicate that Apple will unveil multiple M4-powered Macs, including an entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro, as well as higher-end 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models equipped with M4 Pro and M4 Max chips. Besides, a new Mac Mini in M4 and M4 Pro variants is anticipated, alongside an upgraded iMac featuring the M4 processor. These updates promise to deliver significant performance enhancements across Apple’s desktop and laptop lineup. The upcoming MacBook Pro and iMac are expected to focus primarily on performance upgrades through the M4 processors, with no substantial design changes. In contrast, the Mac Mini is rumoured to undergo a major redesign, shrinking its footprint to become Apple's smallest desktop computer to date. The new Mac Mini is expected to be roughly the size of an Apple TV, offering a compact and space-efficient form factor. This redesign aims to cater to users seeking a powerful yet minimalist desktop solution. The M4 processor upgrades are set to enhance performance throughout the Mac lineup, while the familiar designs of the MacBook Pro and iMac remain intact. The revamped Mac Mini, however, will provide an exciting new option for those prioritising compact design without compromising on processing power. Moreover, the upcoming entry-level M4 Macs are anticipated to come equipped with upgraded RAM of 16GB, up from the previous 8GB, facilitating improved performance for the new Apple Intelligence features. Elon Musk promises daily $1 million award Looking Ahead: MacBook Air M4 in Early 2025 In related news, Apple is reportedly planning to launch a new MacBook Air featuring the latest M4 chip by early 2025. According to Bloomberg, production of these updated models is expected to commence soon, with a launch likely scheduled between January and March next year. The previous MacBook Air was updated in March 2023 with the M3 chip, while a 15-inch variant powered by the M2 chip was introduced in June 2023. As the launch date approaches, anticipation builds for the latest advancements in Apple's Mac lineup, promising to elevate both performance and user experience.

Tech behemoth OpenAI has touted its artificial intelligence-powered transcription tool Whisper as having near “human level robustness and accuracy.” But Whisper has a major flaw: It is prone to making up chunks of text or even entire sentences, according to interviews with more than a dozen software engineers, developers and academic researchers. Those experts said some of the invented text — known in the industry as hallucinations — can include racial commentary, violent rhetoric and even imagined medical treatments. Experts said that such fabrications are problematic because Whisper is being used in a slew of industries worldwide to translate and transcribe interviews, generate text in popular consumer technologies and create subtitles for videos. More concerning, they said, is a rush by medical centers to utilize Whisper-based tools to transcribe patients’ consultations with doctors, despite OpenAI’ s warnings that the tool should not be used in “high-risk domains.” The full extent of the problem is difficult to discern, but researchers and engineers said they frequently have come across Whisper’s hallucinations in their work. A University of Michigan researcher conducting a study of public meetings, for example, said he found hallucinations in 8 out of every 10 audio transcriptions he inspected, before he started trying to improve the model. A machine learning engineer said he initially discovered hallucinations in about half of the over 100 hours of Whisper transcriptions he analyzed. A third developer said he found hallucinations in nearly every one of the 26,000 transcripts he created with Whisper. The problems persist even in well-recorded, short audio samples. A recent study by computer scientists uncovered 187 hallucinations in more than 13,000 clear audio snippets they examined. That trend would lead to tens of thousands of faulty transcriptions over millions of recordings, researchers said. Such mistakes could have “really grave consequences,” particularly in hospital settings, said Alondra Nelson, who led the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy for the Biden administration until last year. “Nobody wants a misdiagnosis,” said Nelson, a professor at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. “There should be a higher bar.” Whisper also is used to create closed captioning for the Deaf and hard of hearing — a population at particular risk for faulty transcriptions. That's because the Deaf and hard of hearing have no way of identifying fabrications are “hidden amongst all this other text," said Christian Vogler, who is deaf and directs Gallaudet University’s Technology Access Program. OpenAI urged to address problemThe prevalence of such hallucinations has led experts, advocates and former OpenAI employees to call for the federal government to consider AI regulations. At minimum, they said, OpenAI needs to address the flaw. “This seems solvable if the company is willing to prioritize it,” said William Saunders, a San Francisco-based research engineer who quit OpenAI in February over concerns with the company's direction. “It’s problematic if you put this out there and people are overconfident about what it can do and integrate it into all these other systems.” An OpenAI spokesperson said the company continually studies how to reduce hallucinations and appreciated the researchers' findings, adding that OpenAI incorporates feedback in model updates. While most developers assume that transcription tools misspell words or make other errors, engineers and researchers said they had never seen another AI-powered transcription tool hallucinate as much as Whisper. Whisper hallucinationsThe tool is integrated into some versions of OpenAI’s flagship chatbot ChatGPT, and is a built-in offering in Oracle and Microsoft’s cloud computing platforms, which service thousands of companies worldwide. It is also used to transcribe and translate text into multiple languages. In the last month alone, one recent version of Whisper was downloaded over 4.2 million times from open-source AI platform HuggingFace. Sanchit Gandhi, a machine-learning engineer there, said Whisper is the most popular open-source speech recognition model and is built into everything from call centers to voice assistants. Professors Allison Koenecke of Cornell University and Mona Sloane of the University of Virginia examined thousands of short snippets they obtained from TalkBank, a research repository hosted at Carnegie Mellon University. They determined that nearly 40% of the hallucinations were harmful or concerning because the speaker could be misinterpreted or misrepresented. In an example they uncovered, a speaker said, “He, the boy, was going to, I’m not sure exactly, take the umbrella.” But the transcription software added: “He took a big piece of a cross, a teeny, small piece ... I’m sure he didn’t have a terror knife so he killed a number of people.” A speaker in another recording described “two other girls and one lady.” Whisper invented extra commentary on race, adding "two other girls and one lady, um, which were Black.” In a third transcription, Whisper invented a non-existent medication called “hyperactivated antibiotics.” Researchers aren’t certain why Whisper and similar tools hallucinate, but software developers said the fabrications tend to occur amid pauses, background sounds or music playing. OpenAI recommended in its online disclosures against using Whisper in “decision-making contexts, where flaws in accuracy can lead to pronounced flaws in outcomes.” Transcribing doctor appointmentsThat warning hasn’t stopped hospitals or medical centers from using speech-to-text models, including Whisper, to transcribe what’s said during doctor’s visits to free up medical providers to spend less time on note-taking or report writing. Over 30,000 clinicians and 40 health systems, including the Mankato Clinic in Minnesota and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, have started using a Whisper-based tool built by Nabla, which has offices in France and the U.S. That tool was fine tuned on medical language to transcribe and summarize patients’ interactions, said Nabla’s chief technology officer Martin Raison. Company officials said they are aware that Whisper can hallucinate and are mitigating the problem. It’s impossible to compare Nabla’s AI-generated transcript to the original recording because Nabla’s tool erases the original audio for “data safety reasons,” Raison said. Nabla said the tool has been used to transcribe an estimated 7 million medical visits. Saunders, the former OpenAI engineer, said erasing the original audio could be worrisome if transcripts aren't double checked or clinicians can't access the recording to verify they are correct. “You can't catch errors if you take away the ground truth,” he said. Nabla said that no model is perfect, and that theirs currently requires medical providers to quickly edit and approve transcribed notes, but that could change. Privacy concernsBecause patient meetings with their doctors are confidential, it is hard to know how AI-generated transcripts are affecting them. A California state lawmaker, Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, said she took one of her children to the doctor earlier this year, and refused to sign a form the health network provided that sought her permission to share the consultation audio with vendors that included Microsoft Azure, the cloud computing system run by OpenAI’s largest investor. Bauer-Kahan didn't want such intimate medical conversations being shared with tech companies, she said. “The release was very specific that for-profit companies would have the right to have this,” said Bauer-Kahan, a Democrat who represents part of the San Francisco suburbs in the state Assembly. “I was like ‘absolutely not.’” John Muir Health spokesman Ben Drew said the health system complies with state and federal privacy laws.

OpenAI, the developer of the widely-used ChatGPT platform, has revealed plans to launch its latest AI model, codenamed Orion, by the end of 2024. According to a report from The Verge, the company aims to initially make the model available exclusively to select business partners. Following the launch of OpenAI o1, Orion is expected to be a significant step forward in artificial intelligence, building upon the advancements of previous models. Orion promises enhancements in reasoning, problem-solving, and language processing, addressing key challenges like AI hallucinations through advanced synthetic data techniques. While OpenAI’s new model is internally viewed as the successor to GPT-4, there has been no confirmation on whether it will be labelled as GPT-5 upon release. In keeping with its phased rollout strategy, OpenAI will initially provide Orion to its close business partners rather than releasing it broadly via ChatGPT. This limited-access approach will enable these partners to develop specialised products and features using the cutting-edge platform before a broader public release. Apple set to introduce Truecaller-like ID service for businesses Microsoft Collaboration on Azure Microsoft, OpenAI’s primary partner in AI model deployment, is expected to host Orion on its Azure platform as early as November. Microsoft engineers have reportedly been preparing for the rollout, which is anticipated to cater to industries where accuracy and reliability are paramount, such as healthcare and finance. This strategic collaboration allows OpenAI to strengthen its presence in the rapidly advancing AI sector, competing with other tech giants like Google DeepMind and Meta. OpenAI has been developing Orion for several months, utilising synthetic data generated by the recently launched OpenAI o1—an advanced model designed to approach human-like AI capabilities. OpenAI o1 has demonstrated substantial improvements in handling complex, multistep challenges and generating code. Notably, the model is said to perform at a level similar to PhD students in benchmark tasks within the fields of physics, chemistry, and biology. As OpenAI continues to evolve its AI offerings, the introduction of Orion aims to further push boundaries in artificial intelligence applications across various industries. Although the launch date remains tentative, with the potential for adjustments, Orion’s release is set to mark a major milestone in AI development, reflecting OpenAI’s ambitions to lead the AI landscape amid growing competition.

Looking for the best test cricket games on mobile? In 2024, cricket fans can enjoy the sport's classic format right on their Android and iOS devices. While most cricket games focus on shorter formats, a few apps provide the full test match experience. Here’s a curated list of the top test cricket games, ranked by downloads and reviews, with essential details like system requirements, game size, and direct download links for both Android and iOS. Dive into the ultimate cricketing experience on your mobile! Top 10 Test Cricket Games for Smartphones in 2024 . Real Cricket 24 Real Cricket 24, released in 2022 by Nautilus Mobile App Private Limited, offers an immersive and authentic cricket experience. With a rating of 4.0/5 on Android and 3.8/5 on iOS, the game is free to download but includes in-app purchases. It features over 500 batting shots, motion-captured fielding animations, and dynamic stadiums. The game has official licenses for Mumbai Indians, Lucknow Super Giants, Rajasthan Royals, real-time multiplayer modes, and community mods. The download size is 667 MB on Android and 1.6 GB on iOS, with live commentary enhancing the realistic cricket simulation. Read more: October 2024 Video Games: Exciting Virtual Games Scheduled for Launch Cricket League Cricket League, released in 2021 by Miniclip.com, is a fast-paced 3D multiplayer cricket game. Rated 4.5/5 on Android and 4.7/5 on iOS, the game offers quick two-over matches with easy-to-learn controls for both batting and bowling. It’s free to download, with optional in-app purchases ranging from BDT 60.00 to BDT 7,290.00. With a download size of 71 MB on Android, the game lets players build their dream team, unlock over 25 characters, and compete in global leagues. Featuring smooth gameplay even on slower networks, Cricket League takes players across iconic cricket locations worldwide. World Cricket Championship 3  World Cricket Championship 3 (WCC3), released in 2020 by Nextwave Multimedia, is a leading mobile cricket simulation game with a 4.1 rating on Android and 3.4 on iOS. It features cutting-edge gameplay with realistic motion capture, professional commentary, and dynamic AI, providing an immersive cricket experience. Read more: Pirate-themed Video Games for Android, iOS The game is free to download with in-app purchases ranging from BDT 8.00 to BDT 12,000.00. With a download size of 913 MB on Android, WCC3 offers various modes, including ODI, Test, and T20 formats, and allows players to build their own team, compete in leagues, and enjoy detailed visuals across multiple stadiums. Cricket World Champions Cricket World Champions, developed by Zapak, is a 2022 release that takes players back to relive India’s historic 1983 Cricket World Cup victory. Rated 3.6 on Android, this free-to-play game is designed with full 3D graphics and realistic animations and offers intuitive tap-and-swipe controls. With a download size of 141 MB, it allows players to participate in the 1983 World Cup tournament, face real-life player challenges, and experience matches in iconic English stadiums. The game is packed with features like custom matches, power-ups, commentary, and exciting gameplay elements inspired by the era’s cricket fashion. Read more: Exciting Virtual Games Scheduled for Launch in September 2024 Real World Cricket League 19 Real World Cricket League 19, developed by Tap Tricky Games, is a cricket simulation game released in 2019. Rated 4.4 on Android and designed for Android and iOS platforms, this free game allows players to customize teams, select opponents, and choose from various match types including T20 and ODI formats. With a download size of 52 MB on Android and 160 MB on iOS, it features 12 teams, 3 stadiums, and a realistic 3D environment. Players can engage in matches with varying overs, utilize an umpiring system, and enjoy an interactive toss feature to enhance their gaming experience.

Elon Musk, the billionaire owner of major government contractor SpaceX and a key ally of Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, has been in regular contact with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the last two years, The Wall Street Journal reported. A person familiar with the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, confirmed to The Associated Press that Musk and Putin have had contact through calls. The person didn't provide additional details about the frequency of the calls, when they occurred or their content. Musk, the world's richest man who also owns Tesla and the social platform X, has emerged as a leading voice on the American right. He's poured millions of dollars into Trump's presidential bid and turned the platform once known as Twitter into a site popular with Trump supporters, as well as conspiracy theorists, extremists and Russian propagandists. Musk's contacts with Putin raise national security questions, given his companies' work for the government, and highlight concerns about Russian influence in American politics. Here's what to know: What they talked about Musk and Putin have spoken repeatedly about personal matters, business and geopolitics, The Journal reported Thursday, citing multiple current and former officials in the U.S., Europe and Russia. During one talk, Putin asked Musk not to activate his Starlink satellite system over Taiwan as a favor for Chinese President Xi Jinping, whose ties to Putin have grown closer, the Journal reported. Putin and Xi have met more than 40 times since 2013. Elon Musk promises daily $1 million award Russia has denied the conversations took place. In 2022, Musk said he'd only spoken to Putin once, in a call 18 months earlier focused on space. The Chinese Embassy in Washington said Friday that it was “not aware of the specifics” of any requests made by Putin on China’s behalf. There was no immediate response to messages left with X and Tesla seeking Musk's comment. What the talks mean for national security Musk’s relationship with Putin raises national security questions given the billions of dollars in government contracts awarded to SpaceX, a critical partner to NASA and government satellite programs. Trump also has vowed to give Musk a role in his administration if he wins next month. Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul said it’s unusual for business leaders to be in contact with Putin without informing U.S. authorities. While CEOs may often interact with foreign leaders, Putin stands apart, given his invasion of Ukraine, McFaul said. “He’s a war criminal who is slaughtering civilians. That makes this wrong in my view,” McFaul said of Musk’s talks with Putin. “You have to decide what team you are on. Are you on the American team or are you on the Russian team?” The request from Putin on Starlink as a favor to China is likely to get attention, given U.S. support for Taiwan and concerns about the growing partnership between the Kremlin and Beijing. Musk, whose Tesla operates Gigafactory Shanghai, has developed a close relationship with China’s leaders. His remarks about China have been friendly, and he has suggested Taiwan cede some control to Beijing by becoming a special administrative region. Moscow has growing ties to other American adversaries. The U.S. has accused Russia of sending ballistic missiles to Iran and said North Korea sent troops to Russia, possibly for combat in Ukraine. On Ukraine, Musk's views have shifted since he initially supported Kyiv following Russia's 2022 invasion and provided it with his Starlink system for communications. Musk then refused to allow Ukraine in 2023 to use Starlink for a surprise attack on Russian soldiers in Crimea. Elon Musk's xAI seeks AI tutors with good offer He also floated a peace proposal that would have required Ukraine to drop plans for NATO membership and given Russia permanent control of Crimea, which it seized in 2014. The plan infuriated Ukrainian leaders. The timing of the calls reported by The Journal and Musk’s changing views on Ukraine was a “disturbing coincidence,” said Bradley Bowman, a former West Point assistant professor who is now senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based think tank. “The policy of the U.S. government is to try to isolate Vladimir Putin, and Elon Musk is directly undercutting that,” Bowman said. “What is Putin doing with Musk? Putin is trying to reduce his international isolation and impact American foreign policy.” One person familiar with the talks between Musk and Putin told The Journal that there is no evidence Musk's contact with Putin represents a security problem for the U.S. Asked about Musk’s contacts with Putin, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters Friday that he had no information to share. The Pentagon and U.S. intelligence officials declined to comment. The State Department didn't respond to an email seeking comment. Musk's close ties to Trump Musk recently appeared at a Trump rally, sporting a Make America Great Again hat and delivered a ominous warning that if Trump lost the race “this will be the last election.” Last year, Musk mocked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s request for aid and said in February that Ukraine couldn’t win the war. Trump, who has praised Putin’s leadership and criticized the NATO alliance and U.S. aid for Ukraine, has raised questions about what he would be willing to concede if he's elected in a negotiation over Ukraine's future. Family outraged as AI Chatbot mimics murdered daughter U.S. intelligence officials and private sector analysts have concluded that Russia is working to covertly support Trump with disinformation and propaganda targeting his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris. Since Musk took over X, it has become a leading online source of Russian propaganda and disinformation aimed at Americans. Trump has faced scrutiny over his own recent contacts with Putin, outlined in a new book by Watergate journalist Bob Woodward. Woodward quoted an unnamed Trump aide who said the former president and Putin may have had as many as seven conversations since Trump lost reelection in 2020. Before one of the calls, the aide said they were asked to leave Trump’s office to give the two privacy. The Trump campaign and the Kremlin have denied those calls occurred. In response to questions about Musk and Putin, Trump campaign press secretary Karoline Leavitt called Musk “a once-in-a-generation industry leader” whose ideas could benefit “our broken federal bureaucracy.” “As for Putin, there’s only one candidate in the race that he did not invade another country under, and it’s President Trump,” Leavitt said in a statement. “President Trump has long said that he will re-establish his peace through strength foreign policy to deter Russia’s aggression and end the war in Ukraine.” Russia confirms one conversation Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Friday rejected The Journal’s report as “absolutely false information.” Peskov said Putin and Musk once held a “medium-length phone conversation” prior to 2022 that was “more of an introductory nature” and focused on “visionary technologies." “After that, Musk had no contacts with Putin,” Peskov said, dismissing The Journal’s article as political. “The election has entered its home stretch, and of course the opponents stop at nothing,” Peskov said. “Remember that a week ago they were saying that Putin allegedly talks to Trump all day long. Now he allegedly talks to Musk all the time. It’s all untrue.” Ukraine’s military intelligence told the AP that they would “refrain from commenting” about communication between Putin and Musk.

Officials in Hong Kong said Wednesday they have discovered dinosaur fossils in the city for the first time on a remote, uninhabited island that's part of a geopark. Experts have initially confirmed the fossils were part of a large dinosaur from the Cretaceous period, about 145 million to 66 million years ago, the government said in a statement. They will need to conduct further studies to confirm the species of the dinosaur. Experts speculate that the dinosaur was likely buried by sand and gravel after its death before it was later washed to the surface by a large flood, and subsequently buried again at the discovery site, it said. The government said the conservation department in March informed its Antiquities and Monuments Office about a sedimentary rock containing substances suspected to be vertebrate fossils. The rock was found on Port Island in the Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark in the city's northeastern waters. The government said it commissioned mainland Chinese experts to conduct field investigations. Port Island is closed to the public from Wednesday until further notice to facilitate future investigations and excavations. The fossils will be on display at the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui, one of the city's popular shopping districts, starting on Friday. The government is also planning to open a temporary workshop for the public to observe experts' preparation of fossil specimens by the end of 2024.

Eleven major high-tech zones in China have jointly established a collaborative network to promote innovation in the country's AI industry, China Science Daily has reported. A conference on the establishment of this network held early this week in Beijing revealed that the newly-founded network features 11 major high-tech zones nationwide, including Beijing's Zhongguancun, also dubbed China's "Silicon Valley," and those in the cities of Shanghai, Nanjing, Suzhou, Hangzhou, Hefei, Qingdao, Wuhan, Shenzhen, Chengdu and Xi'an, according to the report published on Tuesday. Wu Jiaxi, deputy director of the planning department of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, expressed hope that the collaborative innovation network would cultivate fertile ground for AI innovation in China -- via an open and inclusive approach. High-tech zones are the core carriers and major hubs for AI development in China, and they have become a significant force in AI innovation, said Wu. He also emphasized the importance of building a community for AI innovation and development through shared benefits, as well as deepening the domestic AI industry layout through an innovation-driven model. During the conference, network participants announced the Zhongguancun Initiative, which aims to accelerate the development of AI technologies in areas such as chips, algorithms and models. The Zhongguancun Initiative also seeks to establish a comprehensive innovation and entrepreneurship service system for the entire AI industry chain and to build mechanisms for the exchange of technology, industry, capital and talent. The initiative encourages the establishment of open AI platforms to maximize the sharing of AI development achievements and seeks the active participation of high-tech zones in the formulation of international and national standards. Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of strengthening data security and privacy protection, as well as providing regular supervision and regulatory services for AI platform companies, to ensure the traceability and reliability of AI technologies.      

The Xiaomi Redmi 14C, released in August 2024, promises impressive features for budget-conscious buyers. But does it live up to expectations? Let’s find out. Key Features of Xiaomi Redmi 14C . Design and Build Quality The Xiaomi Redmi 14C boasts a sleek and minimalist design with an 8.2 mm slim body, making it comfortable to hold and use. The phone features a glass front, plastic frame, and either a glass or silicone polymer (eco-leather) back, offering a range of tactile experiences.  Weighing between 204 to 211 grams, Redmi 14C feels heavier than the slightly lower-priced options like the Infinix Hot 40i (190g) and Tecno Spark 30C (187g). Each of them is available at the official price of 13,999 TK.  Though both of these phones feature plastic frames and backs, they lack the eco-leather option that the Redmi 14C offers. Xiaomi’s design feels slightly more premium. Overall, the Redmi 14C’s design is practical yet elegant, suitable for smartphone users who prioritize style and durability. Read more: Vivo V40 Review: A Feature-Packed Premium Smartphone Display Quality The Redmi 14C comes with a 6.88-inch IPS LCD screen that supports a 120Hz refresh rate. This ensures smooth scrolling and a more immersive viewing experience, whether you are gaming, watching videos, or browsing.  The 720 by 1640 pixel resolution, while not full HD, offers clear and vibrant visuals, enhanced by 450 nits of brightness and 600 nits for high brightness mode (HBM). This makes the phone usable even under direct sunlight, although it falls short in sharpness compared to Full HD displays. The Tecno Spark 30C and Infinix Hot 40i feature HD+ resolution but lower display sizes than the Redmi 14C. In display performance, Redmi 14C outshines Infinix Hot 40i offering a 90Hz refresh rate. Performance Powered by the Mediatek Helio G81 Ultra chipset with an octa-core CPU, the Xiaomi Redmi 14C ensures stable and smooth day-to-day performance. It features two Cortex-A75 cores clocked at 2.0 GHz and six Cortex-A55 cores at 1.8 GHz, making it capable of handling multitasking, app loading, and other common tasks efficiently.  Read more: ZTE Blade A35 Review: Top Budget Smartphone for Everyday Use The Tecno Spark 30C, on the other hand, features the Helio G81 chipset, providing nearly identical performance in multitasking and app management. The Infinix Hot 40i, with its Unisoc T606 chipset, offers a slightly lower performance level, particularly when dealing with more intensive tasks or high-demand apps. Gaming Performance While the Redmi 14C is not marketed as a gaming phone, its Mali-G52 MC2 GPU and 120Hz display make casual gaming enjoyable. Games like Asphalt 9 and Call of Duty: Mobile run relatively smoothly at low to medium settings, though users may experience minor frame drops in more graphically intense moments. Extended gaming sessions are possible without significant overheating issues, although some heat buildup is expected. The Tecno Spark 30C offers a similar gaming performance with an almost similar chipset and the same GPU, while the Infinix Hot 40i lags behind due to its less powerful chipset. Gamers on a tight budget might prefer the Redmi 14C or Tecno Spark 30C for a more fluid experience. Read more: Samsung Galaxy A06 Review: Budget-friendly Smartphone with Impressive Features Camera Performance The Xiaomi Redmi 14C has a 50 MP (f/1.8) dual-camera system, a 2 MP (f/2.4) depth sensor, and a 0.08 MP auxiliary lens. This setup allows the phone to capture detailed photos in good lighting conditions, with decent colours and sharpness.  Its front-facing 13 MP (f/2.0) camera performs well for selfies, especially with its built-in beautification features and night mode for low-light conditions. Redmi 14C can capture maximum of 1080 footage at 30fps with both rear and front cameras. On the other hand, the Tecno Spark 30C also offers a 50 MP main camera but lacks some AI enhancements in Xiaomi’s camera software. The Infinix Hot 40i also features a 50 MP main sensor but tends to fall short in low-light conditions and photo sharpness.  However, Hot 40i offers a 32MP (f/2.2) selfie shooter which is undoubtedly more powerful than the Redmi 14C’s 13MP and Spark 30C’s 8MP front shooters. Read more: Benco V91 Plus Review: Budget-friendly Smartphone for Everyday Use Battery Life A major selling point of the Redmi 14C is its 5160 mAh battery, which provides excellent longevity. On a full charge, the phone can easily last a full day of heavy use, including gaming, social media, and video playback. The phone also supports 18W fast charging, which gets you back up and running fairly quickly. The Tecno Spark 30C and Infinix Hot 40i both come with slightly smaller 5000 mAh batteries, but the difference in capacity is minor. All three phones feature 18W fast charging, so the Redmi 14C offers a slight edge in battery life, but not by a huge margin. Software and User Interface Running on Android 14 with Xiaomi's HyperOS, the Redmi 14C provides a clean and user-friendly experience. The interface is highly customisable and comes with various features tailored to Xiaomi devices, such as battery optimisations and privacy tools. However, some users might find the bloatware a bit overwhelming, though most of it can be removed. Tecno Spark 30C sports Android 14 HiOS, while Infinix Hot 40i runs on Android 13 XOS. These skins are feature-rich but can sometimes feel bloated, making the Redmi 14C's HyperOS a more refined and smoother experience for users who prefer a lighter, more responsive UI. Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Review: Minimalist Design Meets High Performance? Storage Options With RAM options ranging from 4GB to 8GB Redmi 14C is equipped to meet the needs of most users.  It offers a variety of storage options, ranging from 128GB to 256GB with expandable storage via a dedicated microSD slot. This provides ample room for apps, photos, and videos, particularly for users who opt for the larger variant. Tecno Spark 30C and Infinix Hot 40i offer similar RAM and storage options. Pros and Cons of Xiaomi Redmi 14C Pros - 120Hz display ensures smooth browsing and gaming- 50 MP camera takes sharp images in good lighting- Long battery life with a 5160 mAh battery- Expandable storage with up to 256GB- Android 14 with HyperOS offers a customisable experience. Read more: Tecno Spark Go 1 Review: Does Affordability Compromise Quality? Cons - 720p resolution lacks sharpness on a large screen- Weak low-light camera performance- Heavier design at over 200g. Price of Xiaomi Redmi 14C The Xiaomi Redmi 14C is priced at BDT 14,999 for the 6/128GB variant, while the 8/256GB version is available at an unofficial price of BDT 19,700.  Verdict The Xiaomi Redmi 14C is an excellent choice for users who need reliable performance, a good processor, a high refresh rate, and a long battery life. It is ideal for casual users seeking a budget-friendly smartphone for daily use. However, it is not suited for heavy gamers or photography enthusiasts who need top-tier performance or low-light camera capabilities. Overall, it offers great value for everyday use at an affordable price.  Read more: Top 7 Smartphones Coming in October 2024