United News of Bangladesh

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Wednesday defended China's rapid technological advancement, saying the country's innovations should be viewed as an opportunity for the world rather than a threat. Speaking at the opening session of the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as the "Summer Davos," in the northeastern Chinese city of Dalian, Li said growing concerns over China's technological rise were misplaced. He acknowledged that some countries have described China's high-tech expansion as "China Shock 2.0," seeing it as a challenge to advanced economies. Instead, Li said it should be regarded as "China Opportunity 2.0." "From the global development perspective, 'China Opportunity 2.0' means there'll be broader access to advanced technologies and more widely shared benefits," he said. "China's emerging technologies and products are bringing to the world not shocks, but opportunities; not threats, but empowerment," he added. China's growing exports of electric vehicles, solar panels, semiconductors, batteries, artificial intelligence technologies and robotics have provided affordable products to global markets, but they have also sparked criticism from governments concerned about overcapacity and unfair competition. Li also rejected claims that China's technological rise has been driven primarily by extensive state subsidies. The United States and European countries have repeatedly accused Beijing of giving unfair advantages to its industries through state support. Earlier this month, a report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said massive government subsidies, including those in China, can distort global markets and create unfair competitive advantages. "There are some people who say that Chinese products are competitive mainly because of the Chinese government's subsidies. That's not true. The Chinese government is not that wealthy," Li said. He argued that China's vast domestic market of 1.4 billion people, which enables the rapid adoption of new technologies, along with strong corporate investment, has been a major driver of the country's technological progress. Li cited Chinese technology giant Huawei and robotics firm Unitree as examples of the country's innovation success. Both companies have recently faced increased scrutiny from the United States. Earlier this month, the Pentagon expanded its list of Chinese companies allegedly linked to the military, adding Unitree and several other technology firms. The designation bars the companies from securing US defense contracts. Huawei is also included on the list. Beijing has strongly opposed the move, saying it unfairly targets Chinese companies.

As people increasingly rely on artificial intelligence in everyday life, chatbots are now becoming unexpected assistants in the search for love—acting as digital dating coaches, profile editors, and message writers. Marie Lansley, who recently moved to San Francisco for a new job while also looking for a partner, says she has been “trying everything” in her dating life, including AI tools. She uses chatbots to help initiate conversations on dating apps, something she finds challenging despite being comfortable talking in person. AI tools, she said, are widely becoming informal relationship advisers for her and many others. “I am open to AI finding me the love of my life, but I’m also not fully convinced that it can,” Lansley said. While she sees AI as useful for making dating more efficient, she believes attraction and chemistry remain fundamentally human. “AI is great at making dating more efficient. But the chemistry — that’s always going to be analog.” Across dating platforms, users are turning to AI in different ways. Some use matchmaking services powered by algorithms, others rely on tools to improve their profiles, while many use chatbots to draft messages or decode replies from potential partners. Lansley alternates between OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Anthropic’s Claude, while others experiment with tools like Grok, Gemini, and similar systems. Dating apps and AI companies have also begun promoting these uses, with social media content showcasing chatbot-generated dating advice. Dating coach Carey Gaynes compared the trend to the classic story *Cyrano de Bergerac*, where one person writes romantic words for another. “Claude is the new Cyrano,” she said, adding that users are often “using a voice that isn’t yours.” Gaynes said she has seen people of all ages experimenting with AI in dating but warned against becoming too dependent on it, even as she acknowledges its usefulness. Opinions about AI’s role in romance vary widely, ranging from enthusiasm to deep skepticism. Lansley said she has been surprised by how emotionally aware chatbots can appear, noting that an AI matchmaking app she tried asked surprisingly thoughtful, layered questions. However, she said it did not necessarily improve results, as her first match was not ideal. Others see AI as helpful mainly for early-stage conversations. Los Angeles student Mason Naung said he could see its value for crafting opening lines on apps like Hinge, but would consider anything beyond that a “small red flag.” AI is also being used in less expected ways, including writing breakup messages. San Diego business owner Dani Cohen said she would prefer receiving an AI-written goodbye over being “ghosted,” arguing that any tool that improves communication is beneficial. However, concerns about overreliance are growing. Some users say they would reject partners who rely too heavily on AI-generated messages, arguing it undermines authenticity and creativity. A 2025 Pew Research Center survey found that 53% of U.S. adults believe AI will reduce creative thinking, while half said it could weaken people’s ability to form meaningful relationships. Despite concerns, AI is rapidly becoming embedded in the dating industry. Apps like Tinder now use AI-powered features to suggest matches, while Hinge offers AI-generated prompts and profile feedback. Bumble has also signaled a shift toward AI-driven matchmaking, moving away from its traditional swipe model. Still, some users insist love should remain unmediated. Others argue that while AI can reduce effort and improve communication, it may also dilute authenticity in relationships. New York-based content creator Jake Clay described the shift as a “Catch-22,” noting that while AI helps people manage awkward dating tasks, it also risks replacing parts of human connection that should remain personal. “It’s kind of a sad commentary,” he said.

Rising global fuel prices, driven in part by disruptions in the Middle East, have accelerated demand for electric vehicles (EVs) worldwide, giving Chinese automakers a stronger foothold in developing markets even as charging infrastructure struggles to keep pace. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route, disrupted the shipment of around one-fifth of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas, first affecting Asia and later spreading to Africa. The shock pushed fuel prices higher and strengthened the shift toward electric mobility. As a result, global exports of Chinese EVs jumped sharply. In April alone, shipments reached a record $9.4 billion, according to analysis of Chinese customs data by the think tank Ember. Exports surged to countries including Australia, Brazil, Southeast Asia and East Africa. China exported about 435,000 passenger EVs and plug-in hybrids in May, more than double the same period last year, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers. Governments from Laos to Ethiopia are also promoting electrification to reduce fuel import costs and subsidies, while consumers increasingly turn to EVs to cope with rising transport expenses. However, the rapid expansion in EV adoption is exposing a major weakness: underdeveloped charging networks. Experts say the mismatch between rising EV numbers and limited charging points has created a “chicken-and-egg problem.” Paul Gong, head of China automotive research at UBS, said government support is crucial to overcome the gap. “Government support for infrastructure could help accelerate adoption,” he said. Rising EV demand across Asia and Africa In Southeast Asia, imports of Chinese EVs have surged, particularly in Thailand, Laos and the Philippines. Laos recently announced a ban on fuel-powered vehicle imports for the rest of 2026 as part of its shift toward electric transport. Africa imported about 44,000 Chinese EVs in 2025, a 130% increase from a year earlier, according to Chinese trade data. Transport costs account for a large share of household spending across many developing countries, making consumers highly sensitive to fuel price volatility. In South Africa, transport makes up nearly one-fifth of household expenses, according to a 2024 Stellenbosch University study. Global EV adoption is also rising rapidly. One in four new cars sold worldwide last year was electric, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), which projects sales could reach 23 million in 2026, or nearly 30% of global car sales. Chinese automakers currently supply around 60% of global EV sales, the IEA said, with growing expansion into Europe, Africa and Latin America. “In the next five years, we will accelerate our overseas expansion,” said Jerry Gan, CEO of Geely Auto, at a company event in March. In Vietnam, domestic EV maker VinFast has also seen strong growth, supported by rising demand in Southeast Asia. One rider in Hanoi said switching to an electric motorbike has significantly reduced his fuel expenses. “Before, so much of my income went into fuel. Now, I can actually save some money,” he said. Charging infrastructure falling behind Despite strong sales growth, charging infrastructure remains limited in many countries. Thailand, for example, has about 4,600 public charging locations serving more than 424,000 EVs and plug-in hybrids, according to the Electric Vehicle Association of Thailand. That is roughly one charging location for every 92 vehicles. Some drivers say the shortage creates daily challenges. Others continue to rely on hybrid solutions, keeping fuel-powered vehicles for longer trips. In Malaysia, public fast-charging stations increased by more than 70% in 2025 after government incentives. Indonesia has also expanded its network to more than 4,500 charging stations through its state utility PLN. But in contrast, Ethiopia, which has banned imports of non-electric vehicles, had only around a dozen charging stations as of mid-2025, despite estimating a need for more than 1,170. “In developing markets, affordability can accelerate the shift, but infrastructure, power reliability and usage patterns remain key constraints,” said Chris Liu of research firm Omdia. Governments and utilities step in Across Africa and parts of Asia, state-owned utilities are increasingly taking the lead in building EV charging infrastructure. Experts say utilities see EVs as a future source of electricity demand and are positioning themselves accordingly. Kenya Power, for example, plans to build 44 charging stations in the coming year. Africa currently has about 2,000 public charging stations, with South Africa accounting for the largest share. However, challenges remain, including grid capacity, maintenance and investment costs. Analysts say large automakers have limited incentive to build charging networks abroad, making government-backed utilities a key driver of future expansion. “You need charging infrastructure to support an even larger fleet size,” said UBS analyst Paul Gong.

Australia and Canada have entered into a landmark $1.75 billion defense agreement to deploy an Australian-developed long-range radar system across Canada, strengthening military cooperation between the two nations. The agreement’s first phase was signed in Canberra by Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles and Canadian Secretary of State for Defense Procurement Stephen Fuhr. The project will establish an early-warning radar network extending from the Canada–U.S. border into the Arctic region. Marles described the deal as a significant step in the strategic partnership between the two countries, emphasizing that Australia and Canada would now collaborate closely on the future development of Over-the-Horizon Radar technology. Fuhr highlighted the longstanding relationship between the two Commonwealth nations, noting their history of cooperation and shared membership in the Five Eyes intelligence alliance alongside the United States, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. He said Australia is a trusted partner as Canada adapts to evolving global security and economic challenges. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney selected the Australian radar system over competing U.S. alternatives shortly after taking office last year. In March, he became the first Canadian prime minister in more than a decade to visit Australia, where he and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed to deepen cooperation in areas including defense technology, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals. Defense contractor BAE Systems Australia will assist both governments in developing the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar project. The technology, refined over four decades, uses high-frequency radio waves reflected off the ionosphere to detect aircraft, ships, and other objects at vast distances beyond the reach of conventional radar systems. The contract represents the largest defense export in Australia's history. It surpasses the country's previous record, a $700 million agreement signed in 2024 to supply Germany with 100 Australian-manufactured Boxer armored vehicles.

An appeals court has restored Ohio’s law requiring children under 16 to obtain parental approval before using social media platforms, handing a setback to major technology companies challenging the measure. A divided three-judge panel of the US Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday that the law does not violate constitutional protections and sent the case back to a lower court to remove a previous block on enforcement. Kansas City plan to use facial recognition on buses sparks privacy debate The ruling came after NetChoice, a trade group representing platforms including TikTok, Snapchat and Meta, challenged the law in 2024, arguing that it was too broad, unclear and restricted free speech rights. The group said the decision contradicted rulings in other states and vowed to continue its legal fight. Judge Eric Clay, writing the majority opinion, said the parental consent requirement placed only a limited burden while addressing concerns over children’s unsupervised access to online platforms. Judge Alice Batchelder also supported the decision, saying a law is not unclear simply because it allows broad interpretation. Known as the Social Media Parental Notification Act, the law was signed by Republican Governor Mike DeWine in 2023 as part of an $86.1 billion state budget package. Officials said the measure aimed to protect children’s mental health. The law requires social media and gaming companies to obtain parental permission and disclose privacy policies. Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson welcomed the ruling, saying parents, rather than technology companies, should oversee what children access online.

While the World Cup has delivered excitement on the field, many fans have been left disappointed after tickets purchased through online resale platforms failed to arrive or were canceled at the last minute. Among them was Bina Ramroop, who broke down in tears after learning she would not be able to attend a World Cup match in Atlanta with her grandson Elijah Gomes on his 13th birthday. Ramroop had bought two tickets through resale platform StubHub months earlier for $485 each. But despite spending hours speaking with both StubHub and FIFA representatives outside Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium before Spain's match against Cape Verde, the tickets could not be transferred to FIFA's official ticketing app. Although StubHub offered her a refund, Ramroop said she was devastated. "I didn't want a refund. I wanted to go to the game," she said. Her case is one of many reported by fans on social media and at stadiums during the tournament. Complaints include tickets never arriving, orders being canceled shortly before matches and difficulties resolving issues between FIFA's ticketing system and third-party resale platforms. Most complaints have involved StubHub, although some fans who bought tickets through other resale websites, including SeatGeek and Vivid Seats, have also reported problems. FIFA has advised supporters to buy resale tickets through its official marketplace, where transactions are guaranteed. However, many fans continue to use other platforms because they are familiar with them, offer lower prices or are easier to use. An Associated Press reporter saw more than a dozen frustrated fans outside the Spain-Cape Verde match who faced similar issues. StubHub blamed FIFA's ticket transfer system, saying technical problems, last-minute restrictions and the late launch of FIFA's ticketing app contributed to the difficulties. FIFA, however, reiterated that tickets purchased through its official resale platform are guaranteed to be delivered. Industry experts say the problems may have several causes. Some could be linked to technical glitches, while others may involve speculative sellers who list tickets before actually securing them.   According to ticket industry consultant Scott Friedman, some sellers gamble on buying tickets later at lower prices. But rising World Cup ticket prices have left some unable to fulfill orders, forcing cancellations. "This is not new," Friedman said, noting that similar issues have occurred at other major events, including Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. StubHub says sellers must prove they possess tickets before listing them on the platform. Another disappointed fan, Pape Ndaw of Texas, said tickets he bought for himself and his son to watch the Netherlands play Japan never arrived. Ndaw purchased the tickets for about $550 each as a high school graduation gift for his son. Just two days before the match, StubHub informed him that the seller could not provide the tickets. He accepted store credit, hoping to buy replacements, only to find that last-minute ticket prices had surged to more than $1,500 each. Breaking the news to his 17-year-old son was difficult. "He literally cried," Ndaw said. Not all affected fans had the same outcome. Patrick O'Neil and his family traveled from North Carolina to Atlanta after purchasing five tickets through StubHub. While two tickets were successfully transferred, the other three never arrived. As a result, O'Neil's son and another relative attended the match, while O'Neil, his wife and a family member watched from a nearby bar. After local media highlighted their situation, StubHub contacted the family and offered tickets for another match. The family instead requested that the tickets be donated to a local nonprofit organization so others could enjoy the tournament. "StubHub is not evil, but it's part of a system that makes it difficult for ordinary people to attend these matches," O'Neil said. StubHub later confirmed it would honor the family's request and provide tickets to the nonprofit group.

Officials in Kansas City, Missouri are planning to install facial recognition cameras on some public buses to identify passengers who may match lists of banned riders or missing persons, triggering a heated debate over security and privacy. Supporters say the system could improve public safety by helping detect wanted individuals or missing people in real time. But critics warn it could open the door to expanded surveillance in everyday public spaces. “The idea of running face recognition on a camera pointed at live public spaces is something that has not really been crossed in the last 25 years,” said Jay Stanley of the American Civil Liberties Union, calling it a major shift in public surveillance practices. The project, led by Kansas City transportation authorities, is moving forward with local and federal funding after the state of Missouri declined to support it due to concerns over the technology. Officials argue that buses already use surveillance cameras and that the new system is simply an upgraded version using artificial intelligence. “We’ve always had cameras on our buses. It’s just new technology,” said Tyler Means, chief mobility and strategy officer at the Kansas City Transportation Authority, adding that people may eventually feel little difference in daily use. The technology, developed by SafeSpace Global, will scan faces captured on bus cameras and immediately compare them with active alerts, including missing persons or individuals on law enforcement watch lists set by transit authorities. If no match is found, the facial data will not be stored. Regular video footage will be kept for up to five years after buses return to depots. Company CEO Scott Boruff said the system is designed to be limited in scope and not continuously store biometric data. However, privacy advocates argue that such systems tend to expand over time and become harder to control. “It may be used for a very narrow watch list today, but there are very good reasons to think it will expand over time,” Stanley warned. Opponents, including civil liberties groups, say public transport should not become a testing ground for new surveillance technologies, raising concerns about bias and misuse. Similar technologies have been used in other US cities in the past, often facing backlash or legal challenges over privacy violations and misidentification issues, particularly involving minority communities.   The Kansas City project has also faced delays. Initially expected to launch this spring, it was postponed due to technical upgrades needed for transit systems and a lack of state funding support. City officials now say the rollout could still happen this year and may expand from nine buses in the pilot phase to as many as 30 buses. While the technology is not ready in time for current World Cup-related transit security needs, officials say additional police patrols have been deployed at bus stops and transit centers as a temporary measure. “I think they need to take their time and do it right,” said city council member Ryana Parks-Shaw, adding that any use of such technology must include strong safeguards and transparency.

The Trump administration has stepped in to support one of Elon Musk’s companies in a legal battle over alleged air pollution from a large artificial intelligence data center in the US state of Mississippi. The Justice Department has asked a court to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the NAACP and other groups, which accuse Musk’s xAI unit of operating dozens of natural gas turbines without proper permits. The plaintiffs say the facility, which powers a $20 billion AI data center, is located near homes, schools and churches and is posing serious health risks to nearby communities in northern Mississippi and Memphis. In its filing late Monday, the department argued that the power plant is essential for running an AI facility that is “critical to the economy” and important for US military needs. It also said the state of Mississippi, not the federal government, had determined that no permit was required for the plant. A senior Justice Department official said enforcing federal law ultimately rests with the executive branch, not private groups, adding that the move aims to protect national security and support American innovation and energy development. The case highlights the Trump administration’s push to prioritise artificial intelligence development as part of its broader economic and national security strategy, while easing environmental regulations on businesses. President Donald Trump has maintained close ties with Musk, who previously led a federal cost-cutting initiative and remains one of his major political and financial supporters. The legal intervention comes shortly after Musk’s space company SpaceX saw a major stock market debut, further increasing its valuation, partly driven by large federal contracts. The lawsuit, filed in April, claims that xAI has been running multiple portable gas turbines without required air pollution controls, in violation of the US Clean Air Act, which mandates permits for industrial emissions. The US Environmental Protection Agency has said it is not directly involved in the case and referred questions to the Justice Department. Environmental groups strongly criticised the government’s move, calling it an attempt to protect powerful tech companies from accountability. They argue that communities near such facilities are being turned into “sacrifice zones” due to pollution risks. The NAACP said the Clean Air Act was designed to protect communities from exactly this kind of harm, and warned it would continue legal action to defend environmental justice.   Legal experts have also raised concerns, saying the Justice Department’s intervention could set a precedent for the government to step in and shut down private lawsuits that enforce environmental law. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, a Republican, defended the project, saying the data center includes a self-sustaining power system designed to avoid raising electricity prices for residents. He said the project complies with federal commitments aimed at protecting ratepayers and boosting investment. He also said the lawsuit could delay or block what he described as the largest private investment in Mississippi’s history, which has already created thousands of construction jobs and is expected to generate hundreds of permanent positions. The Justice Department, however, said excessive regulation and private lawsuits could slow down technological progress and harm US energy independence and national security. The case comes amid growing debate in the US over the environmental impact of rapidly expanding AI data centers, which require massive amounts of electricity and water resources.

More than 100 cybersecurity experts and industry leaders have urged the Trump administration to withdraw restrictions on Anthropic’s latest artificial intelligence models, warning that the move could ultimately benefit US adversaries rather than strengthen national security. In a letter sent Sunday, executives and experts, including representatives from Adobe and Nvidia, called on the government to lift export-control directives affecting Anthropic’s advanced AI systems, Fable 5 and Mythos 5, and adopt a more transparent, science-based approach to assessing AI-related risks. OpenAI faces multistate probe over user safety concerns ahead of IPO Anthropic said Friday it had taken the models offline to comply with the directive, despite arguing that the government’s concerns over potential security risks did not justify the restrictions. The company previously limited access to Mythos 5 because of its ability to identify and exploit software vulnerabilities at a level exceeding human cybersecurity experts. The signatories acknowledged the models’ strong cybersecurity capabilities but noted that similar functions are available through other leading and open-source AI systems. They warned that restricting access to advanced defensive tools without clear justification could weaken US cyber defenses while rivals, particularly China, continue to narrow the technological gap. The dispute comes amid growing tensions between Anthropic and the Trump administration. The company has challenged Pentagon efforts to label it a supply-chain risk following disagreements over military applications of its AI technology and concerns about autonomous weapons and domestic surveillance.

China successfully launched a Lijian-1 Y14 carrier rocket on Monday, sending eight satellites into their planned orbit. The rocket lifted off at 11:44 am Beijing time from a commercial space innovation pilot zone in northwest China. According to Chinese authorities, all eight satellites were successfully deployed into their designated orbit, marking another successful mission for the Lijian-1 launch vehicle. The launch is part of China's ongoing efforts to expand its space programme and strengthen its satellite capabilities.