United News of Bangladesh

As Iranian missiles hit Israel, some Android users received text messages promising real-time updates on nearby bomb shelters. But instead of helpful information, the links installed spyware, giving hackers access to cameras, location data, and personal information. The attack, linked to Iran, shows how cyber operations are now a key part of modern warfare. Experts say Tehran and its allied groups are using digital tactics to make up for military disadvantages, combining hacking, disinformation, and artificial intelligence. Gil Messing, chief of staff at cybersecurity firm Check Point Research, said the texts were timed to coincide with missile strikes, creating a “digital-physical” attack. “This was sent to people while they were running to shelters,” he said. “The exact timing is unprecedented.” Even if a ceasefire is reached, cyberattacks are expected to continue because they are cheap, fast, and focus on spying, theft, and intimidation rather than outright destruction. High-volume, low-impact attacks Most attacks so far have caused little direct damage but forced U.S. and Israeli companies to patch security weaknesses. DigiCert, a Utah-based cybersecurity firm, has tracked nearly 5,800 attacks by about 50 Iran-linked groups targeting networks in the U.S., Israel, and Gulf countries. Many attacks aim to intimidate rather than inflict major damage. Recently, a pro-Iranian group claimed responsibility for breaching an account of FBI Director Kash Patel, posting old personal documents. Such attacks are often designed to boost supporters’ morale and unsettle opponents. Hospitals and data centers under threat Iran is likely to target weak points in U.S. infrastructure, including hospitals, supply chains, and critical data centers. Recent strikes included Michigan-based medical company Stryker and another unnamed healthcare firm, hit with ransomware that aimed to disrupt rather than demand money. Cynthia Kaiser of Halcyon said, “There is a deliberate focus on the medical sector, and targeting is expected to increase.” AI’s role in cyber warfare Artificial intelligence is speeding up attacks and spreading false information, including deepfakes. One fake image of sunken U.S. warships received over 100 million views. Iranian authorities also control internet access to shape domestic perceptions of the war, sometimes labeling real footage as fake. In response, the U.S. created a Bureau of Emerging Threats last year to counter risks from new technologies. AI also helps defenders respond faster, according to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. While Russia and China remain the largest cyber threats, Iran has shown it can target American systems, including political campaigns, water plants, military networks, and online movements opposing Israel.

Yahoo is turning to artificial intelligence with its new answer engine, Scout, in a fresh attempt to regain its position in online search. The AI-powered tool provides direct answers along with links to supporting sources. In a response to an AP query, Scout said Yahoo’s decline showed how early success can fade without constant innovation. Yahoo CEO Jim Lanzone hopes to use AI to tap into the company’s global base of about 700 million users who still rely on its finance, sports, news and email services despite years of setbacks. Lanzone took charge after Apollo Global Management acquired Yahoo for $5 billion in 2021, far below its peak value of $125 billion during the early 2000 dot-com boom. Before that, Verizon had bought Yahoo’s core business in 2017 but failed to integrate it successfully with AOL. Years of missteps under multiple leaders weakened Yahoo’s standing, though it managed to survive, unlike some former tech giants, analysts say. Since taking over, Lanzone has focused on cutting underperforming units, selling assets like TechCrunch and shutting down AOL’s dial-up service. He says Yahoo is now profitable and generating billions in revenue. The company has also upgraded key products, including its fantasy sports platform and email service, which remains the second largest after Gmail. With Scout now rolled out to 250 million users in the US, Yahoo aims to offer simpler and more personalised search results. However, it faces tough competition from Google and AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude and Perplexity. Yahoo is currently using AI technology licensed from Anthropic to run Scout. Lanzone said the tool is designed to deliver answers without mimicking human conversation. Founded in the 1990s as a web directory, Yahoo lost its edge after shifting focus away from search, allowing Google to dominate the space.

Melania Trump drew attention at a recent education and technology summit in Washington, but this time she shared the spotlight with a humanoid robot. On Wednesday, the former first lady attended the final day of a global summit held in the White House East Room, organized under her “Fostering the Future Together” initiative. The event brought together international representatives to explore how education, innovation, and technologies like artificial intelligence can help empower children. Melania Trump entered the venue walking alongside the robot, both moving slowly down a red carpet. Just before entering the East Room, she paused while the robot continued forward, circling a table of panelists before stopping at the center of the room. After briefly scanning the audience, the robot introduced itself as “Figure 03,” a humanoid created in the United States. It expressed gratitude for being invited and highlighted its role in supporting efforts to advance children’s education through technology. The robot also greeted attendees in multiple languages before exiting the room the same way it had entered. Melania Trump later thanked the robot, joking that it was her first American-made humanoid guest at the White House. The robot, developed by California-based Figure AI, was unveiled in October 2025 as a third-generation model designed to assist with everyday household chores such as cleaning, laundry, and dishwashing. Figure AI’s CEO, Brett Adcock, said he was proud to see the robot become the first of its kind to appear at the White House. The company is among several competitors—including Boston Dynamics, Tesla, and firms in China working to develop advanced human-like robots capable of performing practical tasks.

A court in New Mexico has ordered Meta Platforms to pay $375 million in damages after a jury found the company misled users about the safety of its platforms for children. The verdict followed a lawsuit brought by New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez, who described the ruling as “historic” and said it marked the first successful case by a US state against Meta over child safety concerns. The jury concluded that Meta — which owns Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp — violated the state’s Unfair Practices Act by misleading the public about the risks faced by young users. Jurors found that the company’s platforms exposed children to sexually explicit content and contact with predators. The case was heard over seven weeks, during which jurors reviewed internal company documents and heard testimony from former employees indicating that Meta was aware of such risks. Among them was whistleblower Arturo Béjar, who told the court that his internal experiments showed underage users on Instagram were being served sexualised content. He also said his own daughter had received inappropriate sexual advances from a stranger on the platform. Prosecutors also presented internal research suggesting that at one stage, 16% of Instagram users reported encountering unwanted nudity or sexual activity within a single week. Meta, led by chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, rejected the findings and said it plans to appeal the decision. A company spokesperson said Meta continues to invest in safety measures and acknowledged the challenges of identifying harmful content and bad actors online, while maintaining confidence in its efforts to protect young users. The total penalty of $375 million was calculated after the jury determined there had been thousands of violations, each carrying a potential fine of up to $5,000. Meta argued that it has taken steps in recent years to improve user safety, including launching “Teen Accounts” on Instagram in 2024 to give younger users greater control, and introducing a feature last month to alert parents if their children search for self-harm-related content. The company is also facing a separate trial in Los Angeles, where a woman alleges she became addicted to platforms such as Instagram and YouTube — owned by Google — during her childhood due to their design. Thousands of similar lawsuits are currently pending across US courts. New Mexico filed the case in 2023, accusing Meta of directing young users towards sexually explicit material, child abuse content, and even solicitation and trafficking-related risks through its recommendation algorithms. “Meta executives knew their products harmed children, ignored warnings from their own staff, and misled the public,” Torrez said, adding that the jury’s decision reflects growing concern among families, educators and child safety advocates. #From BBC

A senior vice president of and two associates have been charged in the United States with conspiring to smuggle billions of dollars’ worth of computer servers equipped with advanced chips to in violation of U.S. export control laws. Federal prosecutors said the defendants diverted large quantities of high-performance servers assembled in the U.S. to China between 2024 and 2025. Investigators allege they used fabricated documents, staged equipment to pass audits and relied on a pass-through company to conceal their activities and true customers. The accused include Yih-Shyan “Wally” Liaw, 71, a U.S. citizen and senior vice president and board member of Super Micro Computer; Ting-Wei “Willy” Sun, 44, a company contractor; and Ruei-Tsang “Steven” Chang, a Taiwan-based sales manager who remains at large. Liaw was arrested in California and released on bail, while Sun was held pending a bail hearing. According to court papers, Liaw and Chang directed a Southeast Asian firm to place about $2.5 billion in server orders from the California-based company, with at least $510 million later diverted to China. Super Micro said the alleged conduct violated company policies and that it is cooperating with investigators. Nvidia said it maintains strict compliance measures and does not support systems diverted in breach of export regulations.

OpenAI announced on Thursday that it is acquiring Astral, a prominent Python toolmaker, as part of its strategy to expand its AI coding offerings and compete more effectively with Anthropic. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition will integrate Astral’s suite of developer tools into OpenAI’s AI coding platform, Codex, which was launched last year and has grown to over 2 million weekly active users—a threefold increase in users and a fivefold rise in usage since the start of the year. Astral has established itself as a key player in the Python community, offering tools that enhance speed and reliability in Python development. Astral CEO Charlie Marsh stated that the company will continue supporting its open-source tools after the acquisition. This move comes as OpenAI seeks to strengthen Codex, especially in light of growing adoption of Anthropic’s Claude Code among software developers. Earlier this year, OpenAI also launched a desktop app for its coding tools to further support developers. #From Indian Express

India’s massive outsourcing industry, valued at around $300 billion, is facing growing uncertainty as artificial intelligence (AI) threatens to reshape its traditional business model. In recent weeks, Indian technology stocks have fallen sharply, with the Nifty IT index dropping about 20% this year and wiping out billions of dollars in investor wealth. The decline began even before fresh geopolitical tensions, largely driven by concerns that AI could disrupt the labour-intensive services that underpin the sector. For over three decades, India’s IT industry has created millions of white-collar jobs and helped build a strong middle class, boosting demand for housing, cars and lifestyle services in cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Gurugram. However, fears intensified after new AI tools—such as one launched by Anthropic—claimed they could automate key tasks in legal, compliance and data management. Industry leaders have since warned that AI could significantly reduce demand for entry-level jobs, with some predicting up to half of such roles may disappear. Despite the concerns, major Indian IT firms say the risks are being overstated. They argue that while AI will change how services are delivered, it will also open new opportunities, especially in consulting and system modernisation. Analysts say the industry is likely to shift away from routine maintenance work toward higher-value advisory roles, which may reduce steady revenue streams. Some forecasts suggest slower growth in the coming years, with potential stagnation after 2031 in a worst-case scenario. Others remain optimistic. Firms like JPMorgan and HSBC believe IT companies will play a key role in helping businesses adopt AI, rather than being replaced by it. Infosys also says AI could create more jobs than it eliminates, particularly in emerging fields like AI engineering. Still, the transition may be difficult. AI-related revenue remains relatively small, and overall industry growth is expected to stay modest. Hiring is also likely to slow. Additional challenges include rising US visa costs and ongoing global uncertainties, which could increase operating expenses for Indian firms. Experts say while AI will bring long-term benefits, the sector is likely to face short-term disruptions as it adapts to a rapidly changing technological landscape. With inputs from BBC

Pro-Iranian hackers are increasingly targeting sites in the Middle East and the United States amid the ongoing war, raising concerns that American defense contractors, power stations, and water facilities could face digital disruptions if Tehran’s allies join the campaign. Hackers aligned with Iran claimed responsibility for a cyberattack Wednesday on U.S. medical device company Stryker. Since the conflict began on Feb. 28, they have also attempted to access cameras in Middle Eastern countries to aid Iran’s missile targeting, while striking data centers, industrial sites in Israel, a Saudi school, and a Kuwaiti airport. AI-generated misinformation about Iran war spreads widely online as creators profit from new technology Iran has invested heavily in cyber warfare and cultivated ties with hacking groups, previously infiltrating U.S. political campaigns, military networks, and defense contractors. Analysts say the attacks aim to disrupt the U.S. war effort, inflate energy costs, strain cyber resources, and target companies linked to the defense sector. Groups like Handala, claiming the Stryker attack, focus on data destruction rather than financial gain, according to cybersecurity experts. Pro-Iranian hackers openly discuss targeting U.S. military networks and critical infrastructure, including hospitals, ports, water plants, and power stations, on online forums. Experts warn that weaker systems, such as local water or healthcare facilities, are likely targets, with tactics ranging from denial-of-service attacks to hack-and-leak operations. While Iran lacks the scale of countries like Russia or China, it compensates with ingenuity, previously impersonating U.S. activists online and attempting to infiltrate political communications. Cybersecurity specialists caution that Western organizations remain on high alert, as pro-Iranian hackers, sometimes supported by Russian groups, continue operations aimed at creating chaos and undermining U.S. efforts.

The government of Cambodia announced Friday that it has prepared its first draft law aimed at cracking down on online scam centers, as authorities pledge to shut down such operations by the end of April. Cambodia has become a major base for online fraud schemes that trick victims through fake investment offers and romance scams, costing people around the world tens of billions of dollars every year. Many workers in these scam centers—often from other Asian countries—are reportedly lured with fake job offers and later forced to work in exploitative conditions resembling modern-day slavery. Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said the proposed law would serve as a key legal tool for combating online fraud and money laundering while proving that Cambodia is not a refuge for criminals. Under the legislation approved by the Cabinet, individuals who organize or manage online scam operations could face five to 10 years in prison and fines ranging from 500 million to 1 billion riels (about $125,000–$250,000). If the crimes involve human trafficking, violence, or unlawful detention, penalties could increase to 10–20 years in prison and fines of up to 2 billion riels (around $500,000). If a death is linked to a scam center, offenders could face 15–30 years in prison or even life sentences. The draft law still requires approval from Parliament before it becomes effective. Senior Minister Chhay Sinarith, who leads the government’s commission on combating online scams, told The Associated Press that authorities have targeted about 250 suspected scam locations since July and closed nearly 200 of them. During the same period, the government filed 79 cases involving 697 suspected ringleaders and associates connected to the operations. Authorities have also repatriated nearly 10,000 workers from scam centers to 23 different countries, while fewer than 1,000 individuals are still waiting to return home. Some others who managed to escape or were freed during raids have already returned independently. Pheaktra said the government has intensified efforts to fight online scams to safeguard the country’s economic reputation, which has been harmed by such criminal activities. He added that the government does not benefit financially from these operations. Despite previous crackdowns, however, scam networks have continued operating, leading some experts to question whether the new measures will succeed. Jacob Sims, a specialist in transnational crime and visiting fellow at Harvard University Asia Center, said the key issue is whether authorities will dismantle the broader systems that enable the scam industry rather than simply shutting down the buildings where it operates. He noted that past enforcement efforts in Cambodia often failed to disrupt the financial and protection networks behind the scams, allowing the operations to quickly resume.  

Meta said Tuesday it plans to acquire Moltbook, an experimental social network designed specifically for artificial intelligence agents to post updates and interact with one another. The deal comes just weeks after Moltbook drew widespread attention online as an unusual Reddit-style platform where AI systems appeared to exchange messages and share information. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said the platform had introduced innovative ideas in a “rapidly developing space” and could help create new ways for AI agents to assist people and businesses. As part of the acquisition, Meta will also hire Moltbook co-founders Matt Schlicht and Ben Parr. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed. The move highlights the growing interest across the tech industry in AI agents that can perform tasks independently, going beyond traditional chatbots by acting on behalf of users. In a related development, OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, recently hired Peter Steinberger, the creator of the AI agent OpenClaw, previously known as Moltbot. OpenClaw is the underlying technology used by Moltbook. OpenAI unveils GPT-5.4 with stronger reasoning, coding and computer-use abilities OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman said Steinberger would help develop the next generation of personal AI agents capable of interacting with each other to carry out useful tasks for users. Unlike many cloud-based systems, OpenClaw runs locally on a user’s device, allowing it to access files and manage data directly. It can also connect with messaging platforms such as Discord and Signal. Users who create OpenClaw agents can instruct them to join the Moltbook network. OpenAI also announced earlier this week that it is acquiring Promptfoo, an AI security platform that evaluates the behaviour and potential risks of AI agents. Moltbook’s rapid rise in popularity also raised concerns about the authenticity of content on the platform. Researchers from cloud security firm Wiz reported security vulnerabilities shortly after its launch, though those issues have since been addressed.