United News of Bangladesh

Japanese officials have unveiled AI-generated simulations showing how a violent eruption of Mount Fuji could impact Tokyo, as part of Volcanic Disaster Preparedness Day activities. The videos, released this week, aim to alert the 37 million residents of the greater Tokyo area to the risks of an eruption. Though the iconic peak has not erupted since 1707, experts warn it remains an active volcano. One video depicts central Tokyo, located about 100 kilometers away, blanketed in volcanic ash within hours, disrupting transportation, food and power supplies, and causing respiratory problems. The clip ends with a reminder for families to stockpile food, water and first-aid kits, urging: “We need to arm ourselves with facts and prepare for disaster in our daily lives.” Officials stressed there are no current signs of eruption. “The simulation is designed to equip residents with accurate knowledge and preparedness measures,” the Tokyo Metropolitan Government said. Hongkong Land unveils city’s first AI-powered facility management platform Still, the imagery unsettled some. “Are there really signs of eruption? Why are we suddenly hearing that even Tokyo could see 10 centimeters of ash?” asked Shinichiro Kariya, a hospital worker. Others, like Mishima City resident Hiromi Ooki, said the warning was useful: “Nature’s power is so great that maybe it’s better if it scares us a little.” Experts emphasized that the timing has no special significance, but Japan remains highly disaster-prone. With 111 active volcanoes, the country continues its tradition of detailed preparation for earthquakes, typhoons, floods and eruptions. Source: Agency 

Nvidia reported another surge in AI chip sales in its latest quarter, but the results fell just short of sky-high expectations, renewing concerns that the artificial intelligence boom may be cooling. The Silicon Valley chipmaker — the first publicly traded company to hit a $4 trillion market value — has become a key gauge of the two-year-old AI frenzy that has driven stock markets to record highs. Yet recent reports and cautionary remarks from industry leaders have raised fears the sector’s growth may not be sustainable. For the May–July quarter, Nvidia’s data center division, which houses its AI processors, generated revenue of $41.1 billion, up 56% from a year earlier but slightly below Wall Street forecasts of $41.3 billion, according to FactSet. Overall revenue jumped 56% to $46.7 billion, while net profit reached $26.4 billion, or $1.08 per share — both topping analyst estimates. Looking ahead, Nvidia projected revenue of $54 billion for the August–October period, signaling continued confidence in AI demand. CEO Jensen Huang told analysts the world is “at the beginning of the buildout,” predicting $3 trillion to $4 trillion in AI investment by the decade’s end. US to receive 15% share of Nvidia and AMD chip sales to China under rare new deal Still, Nvidia’s stock slipped 3% in after-hours trading, a sign investors were underwhelmed given the company’s meteoric rise — more than tenfold in just over two years. Analyst Thomas Monteiro of Investing.com noted the stock “was priced for perfection,” making any letdown hard to avoid. Adding to the pressure, Nvidia has faced sales restrictions in China after President Donald Trump temporarily banned its AI chip exports, a move estimated to have cost $8 billion last quarter. Earlier this month, Trump lifted the ban in exchange for a 15% cut of Nvidia’s China sales — a deal that could restore $2 billion to $5 billion in revenue, according to CFO Colette Kress. While AI has been a powerful driver of tech and stock market gains — with the S&P 500 up 69% since late 2022 — some analysts warn of echoes of the late-1990s dot-com bubble, which ended in a painful Silicon Valley crash. Source: Agency 

HID, a global leader in trusted identity and access control solutions, has introduced a new line of FIDO-certified credentials alongside its Enterprise Passkey Management (EPM) platform, aimed at helping organizations deploy and manage passkeys at scale. The announcement comes as new research from the FIDO Alliance shows 87% of enterprises are adopting passkeys, though nearly half of those yet to implement them cite complexity and cost as key barriers. HID says its new offering addresses these challenges by simplifying passwordless authentication. The expanded portfolio includes the Seos® FIDO-Enabled Card, which supports secure access to both physical facilities and business applications, and the MIFARE DESFire EV3 FIDO-Enabled Card, integrating DESFire EV3 smart card technology with FIDO 2.1 authentication. According to HID, the new subscription-based EPM solution gives IT and identity access management teams centralized visibility, full lifecycle management, and the ability to remotely provision and revoke credentials, reducing IT support needs while supporting compliance. Read: UL Solutions launches first commercial and service robot testing lab in South Korea “As the line between physical and logical access continues to fade, organizations are increasingly seeking trusted partners to help streamline credential management across both domains,” said Jerry Wang, Head of Physical Access Control Solutions, North APAC at HID. “We are well-positioned to help organizations make that transition securely and efficiently with HID’s one-card solution.” HID said the new FIDO-enabled credentials provide phishing-resistant, passwordless authentication with enterprise-grade scalability, making adoption more accessible for organizations of all sizes. Source: Agency 

Elon Musk has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple and OpenAI, accusing them of colluding to block competition in artificial intelligence. The 61-page complaint, filed in Texas federal court by Musk’s companies xAI and X Corp., follows his earlier claims that Apple unfairly boosted OpenAI’s ChatGPT in iPhone app store rankings while pushing down rivals like his own Grok chatbot. Musk is seeking damages and a court order to stop what he calls illegal tactics. The lawsuit describes Apple and OpenAI as “two monopolists” working together to protect their dominance during a major AI revolution. It claims Apple sees AI as a threat to the iPhone’s success and struck a deal with OpenAI to give ChatGPT an unfair advantage. Musk has previously accused OpenAI of betraying its nonprofit mission and prioritizing profit over safety. OpenAI dismissed the new lawsuit as part of Musk’s “ongoing pattern of harassment.” Apple has not yet commented. At the center of the case is Apple’s decision to use ChatGPT as the iPhone’s AI-powered “answer engine,” which Musk says gives OpenAI exclusive access to valuable user data while sidelining competitors like Grok, DeekSeek, and Perplexity. The filing also notes that former Apple designer Jony Ive has joined OpenAI to develop a new AI-powered device that analysts believe could one day rival the iPhone.

Dynamic Map Platform (DMP), a global leader in high-definition mapping and software for the automotive industry, has announced that it has extended its North American coverage to more than 950,000 miles (1.5 million km) across the top four road classes. Each mile has been mapped with features designed to support safe and reliable automated driving. Since 2023, DMP’s Mobile Mapping Systems have added 400,000 miles of secondary and other roads in the US and Canada, using precision LiDAR and imaging. These secondary roads, often maintained by state and local governments, play a vital role in linking small towns and cities to the major highway network. From this data, the company extracted key road elements such as lane dividers, crossings, and roadside objects, and augmented them with virtual features including turn trajectories, virtual edges, and light-to-lane assignments. Such detailed LiDAR mapping, DMP says, is essential to enable confident autonomous driving on busy, non-divided roads. “Our exceptional road coverage and accuracy provide a critical foundation for innovation in the automotive industry as AI evolves,” said Shuichi Yoshimura, CEO and President of DMP. “We are progressing on our mission to model the Earth.” Read more: W Energy returns AI Energy forecasting to Australia with simble partnership Chris Thibodeau, CEO and President of DMP North America, added that the expansion demonstrates the company’s commitment to offering precise maps to enhance user experience. “The ability to safely operate hands-free driving on non-divided roads essentially unlocks the vast majority of roads in any country,” he said. DMP also noted that 99% of the 28,000 car dealerships in North America are within one mile of a DMP-mapped road, ensuring easier test drives and broader adoption of advanced driver assistance systems. About DMPDynamic Map Platform is a leading geospatial measurement and mapping company, providing HD maps and software for advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous vehicles, with the goal of building a high-precision digital infrastructure worldwide. Source: Agency 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the test-firing of two newly developed antiair missiles, state media reported Sunday, in a show of advancing military capabilities as South Korea and the United States conduct joint exercises. According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Saturday’s test demonstrated the missiles’ effectiveness against aerial threats, including drones and cruise missiles. Kim reportedly gave defense scientists unspecified “important” assignments ahead of a major political conference set for early next year. The report did not disclose details about the types of missiles tested or the location of the launch, nor did it cite any direct comments from Kim toward Washington or Seoul. The test coincided with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung’s visit to Tokyo for talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. The two leaders pledged closer bilateral ties and stronger trilateral cooperation with the United States to counter shared challenges, particularly North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. Lee is scheduled to travel to Washington on Sunday for a summit with U.S. President Donald Trump. Despite repeated calls from Seoul and Washington to resume nuclear talks, Pyongyang has focused on deepening its partnership with Russia. Since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, Kim has sent thousands of troops and large consignments of weapons — including artillery and ballistic missiles — to bolster President Vladimir Putin’s war effort. North Korea slams South for ‘serious provocation’ after border warning shots South Korean assessments suggest around 15,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia since last fall, with some 600 killed in combat. Pyongyang has also agreed to dispatch construction workers and deminers to Russia’s Kursk region, a move South Korean intelligence believes could take place soon. Last week, Kim presided over a ceremony in Pyongyang honoring soldiers returning from Ukraine, awarding state “hero” titles to survivors and laying medals beside 101 portraits of the dead, hailing them as “great men, great heroes and great patriots.” Source: Agency 

President Donald Trump announced Friday that the U.S. government now owns 10% of tech giant Intel, turning $11.1 billion in government funds and commitments into a major stake in the struggling chipmaker. The deal comes just weeks after Trump publicly criticized Intel’s CEO, questioning his loyalty and leadership. Trump declared the move in a post, saying: “The United States of America now fully owns and controls 10% of INTEL, a Great American Company that has an even more incredible future.” The government acquired 433.3 million non-voting shares at $20.47 each — below Intel’s closing price of $24.80 — giving it an immediate paper profit of $1.9 billion. This investment makes the U.S. government one of Intel’s largest shareholders, just as the company is undergoing significant restructuring, including laying off over 20,000 employees, to recover from years of decline and strategic missteps. Intel’s CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, who took the helm just five months ago, faced pressure earlier this month after lawmakers raised concerns about his previous financial ties to Chinese firms. Trump initially demanded his resignation but reversed course after Tan wrote a letter affirming his loyalty to the U.S. and visited the White House. On Friday, Trump praised Tan as a “highly respected” CEO. Tan thanked Trump for the investment, calling it a vote of confidence in Intel’s future and a boost to American tech leadership. Intel’s stock has barely moved since Tan took over in March and remains over 60% below its all-time high of around $75. The company’s current market value is approximately $108 billion — far behind Nvidia, now worth $4.3 trillion. Investment Tied to CHIPS Act, Despite Prior GOP Criticism The 10% stake comes largely from funding tied to the CHIPS and Science Act, originally passed under President Joe Biden to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing. Despite Trump and his administration previously criticizing the CHIPS Act as excessive government spending, they have now used it to secure a financial stake in Intel — aiming to turn it into a profitable venture. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick justified the move by saying: “It’s obvious that it’s the right move to make. America should benefit from this investment.” Of the $11.1 billion, around $7.8 billion had already been pledged to Intel, but only $2.2 billion had been disbursed so far. Another $3.2 billion came through a different program called “Secure Enclave.” While the government will not hold voting power or board seats at Intel, critics warn the move could blur the lines between public policy and private enterprise. Some fear it could distort the market — for example, tech firms may feel pressure to favor Intel’s products to stay on good terms with the administration. Scott Lincicome of the Cato Institute warned that the deal could damage the U.S. tech sector and overall economy, calling it a “horrendous move.” The new stake may also increase scrutiny on Tan, particularly if Trump begins to focus on Intel’s performance or stock price, as he’s known for highlighting his own business successes. Nancy Tengler, CEO of Laffer Tengler Investments, expressed skepticism, saying the deal doesn’t appear beneficial to taxpayers or the chip industry. She warned against political interference in corporate affairs and emphasized the private sector should remain independent. Not Without Precedent While rare, government stakes in large corporations have happened before — notably during the 2008 financial crisis when the U.S. invested nearly $50 billion in General Motors, acquiring a 60% stake. The government later sold its shares at a loss of about $10 billion. Strategic Goals: AI, Chips, and China Trump’s move aligns with his broader effort to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. and reduce reliance on foreign chip production — a key concern amid competition with China over artificial intelligence and advanced tech. The administration has already imposed a 15% commission on U.S. chipmakers like Nvidia and AMD for sales in China, linking export licenses to compliance with the policy. Even before the Intel deal, Trump had been actively reshaping the chip sector’s global operations — and with this new stake, the government now has a more direct interest in one of America’s oldest and most iconic tech companies.

Robolink, one of Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing private companies in 2025, has teamed up with Texas Instruments (TI) Education Technology to launch a new way of teaching coding and STEM skills—allowing students to program drones directly from Python-capable TI-Nspire™ CX II graphing calculators. Starting this school year, students will be able to control Robolink’s award-winning CoDrone EDU in math and science classrooms nationwide, combining flight, physical computing, and core instruction through a tool already familiar to teachers and learners. Robolink, known for its strong presence in coding, robotics, and aerial drone education, has been the official drone partner of the REC Foundation’s annual Aerial Drone Competition for three consecutive years, engaging more than 10,800 students last season. “By partnering with Texas Instruments, we’re making hands-on drone coding accessible to tens of thousands of classrooms,” said Hansol Hong, CEO and Founder of Robolink. “This collaboration integrates the excitement of drone flight with core subjects, helping schools keep students engaged while teaching future-ready skills.” Ukrainian startup develops long-range drones and missiles to strike deep into Russia Harshal S. Chhaya, TI’s Product Manager for K-12 STEM and robotics, said the initiative will transform STEM learning. “Programming drones through the TI-Nspire CX II brings real-world applications of coding and math into classrooms in a way that’s both fun and practical,” he added. Educators can access a step-by-step guide at education.ti.com/codrone, while CoDrone EDU and required USB connectors are available at robolink.com. Source: Agency 

Police arrested 18 people Wednesday during worker-led protests at Microsoft’s Redmond, Washington, headquarters as the company vowed an “urgent” review of the Israeli military’s use of its technology amid the ongoing war in Gaza. The demonstrations, which followed a similar protest the day before, demanded that Microsoft immediately sever business ties with Israel. Unlike Tuesday, when around 35 protesters left after being asked by the company, Wednesday’s demonstrators “resisted and became aggressive,” the Redmond Police Department said. Protesters also splattered red paint resembling blood over a landmark Microsoft sign. “We said, ‘Please leave or you will be arrested,’ and they chose not to leave so they were detained,” police spokesperson Jill Green said. Microsoft said last week it hired a law firm to investigate allegations reported by The Guardian that the Israeli Defense Forces used Microsoft’s Azure cloud platform to store phone call data obtained through mass surveillance of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. “Microsoft’s standard terms of service prohibit this type of usage,” the company said, calling the report “precise allegations that merit a full and urgent review.” Earlier, The Associated Press revealed Microsoft’s close ties with Israel’s Ministry of Defense, including a nearly 200-fold increase in military use of its AI products after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack. While Microsoft acknowledged military applications, a company-commissioned review reportedly found no evidence that Azure or its AI technologies were used to target or harm people in Gaza. Microsoft said the latest review, conducted by Covington & Burling, will be shared when completed. Israel approves E1 settlement, risking West Bank split The employee-led No Azure for Apartheid group, which has long protested Microsoft’s technology supply to the Israeli military, said Wednesday that the tools are “being used to surveil, starve and kill Palestinians.” Microsoft previously fired employees who protested CEO Satya Nadella’s speeches and the company’s 50th anniversary celebration. Tuesday, protesters called for a “worker intifada,” invoking language from the Palestinian uprisings against Israeli occupation. The Redmond Police Department said the 18 detainees face multiple charges, including trespassing, malicious mischief, resisting arrest, and obstruction. It was unclear how many are Microsoft employees. No injuries were reported. Microsoft said after the arrests that it “will continue to do the hard work needed to uphold its human rights standards in the Middle East, while supporting and taking clear steps to address unlawful actions that damage property, disrupt business or that threaten and harm others.”   Source: Agency

A Ukrainian-made drone attack on a Russian ammunition depot last September highlighted Kyiv’s ability to target deep behind enemy lines and underscored the rapid growth of its defense industry. The drones, manufactured by Fire Point, flew over 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), temporarily limiting Russia’s capacity for similar glide bomb attacks. “Air power is our main asymmetric advantage,” said Iryna Terekh, head of production at Fire Point, noting Ukraine’s resource constraints compared to Russia. She oversaw production of the “deep-strike drones” used against ammunition depots, oil refineries, and other key Russian targets. Spurred by necessity and limited Western military aid, Ukraine has emerged as a hub for defense innovation. Fire Point operates several covert factories producing FP-1 exploding drones that can travel up to 1,600 kilometers (994 miles). The company is also developing the FP-5 cruise missile, capable of reaching 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles), with plans for mass production by year-end. Ukraine now buys roughly $10 billion in domestically produced weapons annually, but officials say domestic industry could supply triple that amount, with European exports potentially boosting capacity further. Founded by a group of friends with backgrounds in architecture, construction, and gaming, Fire Point initially sought to create cost-effective drones to match Iranian-made Shahed drones used by Russia. Starting with a production goal of 30 units per month in 2023, the company now produces about 100 drones daily at $55,000 each. Delivery drones set to expand into more U.S. neighborhoods after sluggish rollout The FP-1, with a 60-kilogram (132-pound) explosive payload, accounts for about 60% of Ukrainian strikes inside Russian territory, slowing advances along the 1,000-kilometer front in eastern Ukraine. The conflict has also turned Ukraine into what defense entrepreneurs call the “Silicon Valley of defense,” with startups rapidly testing and adapting innovations on the battlefield. Fire Point, for example, developed its own software after Western navigation systems were disrupted by Russian electronic warfare. Despite security risks, the company operates partially underground, with civilian areas providing cover. Drones are delivered to the front within 72 hours. The FP-5 missile, nicknamed Flamingo, delivers a 1,150-kilogram (2,535-pound) payload with high precision, and production is expected to scale from one to seven units per day by October. Terekh said Ukraine continues to prepare for prolonged conflict, even as leaders seek diplomatic solutions. “We are preparing for a bigger, much scarier war,” she said. Source: Agency