The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has acknowledged buying location data of ordinary citizens from commercial vendors. The disclosure came during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing, where FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the practice in response to questions from Democratic Senator Ron Wyden. Patel said the agency collects commercially available data within legal boundaries to support intelligence operations.

The revelation contradicts a 2023 statement by former FBI Director Christopher Wray, who had said such purchases were halted. Senator Wyden criticized the practice as a serious violation of the Fourth Amendment, arguing that buying personal data without a warrant endangers civil liberties, especially given the analytical power of artificial intelligence. Current U.S. law requires court approval to obtain data directly from telecom companies but not from private data brokers, prompting calls to close this legal loophole.

Republican Representative Warren Davidson also condemned the practice and introduced a bipartisan bill to prevent intelligence agencies from purchasing citizens’ personal data. Analysts say the controversy is intensifying the ongoing tension between civil rights and surveillance policy in the United States.

Chinese AI startup MiniMax has released its new proprietary large language model, MiniMax M2.7, which can autonomously manage 30 to 50 percent of its own reinforcement learning research workflow. The model, designed for powering AI agents and third-party tools such as Claude Code and OpenClaw, marks a major step toward self-improving AI systems. MiniMax reports that M2.7 can autonomously debug, analyze metrics, and optimize its own code through iterative loops, achieving a 66.6 percent medal rate in machine learning competitions and matching performance levels of leading global models.

Compared to its predecessor M2.5, M2.7 shows significant improvements in software engineering, professional office tasks, and hallucination reduction. It matches top-tier benchmarks like GPT-5.3-Codex while maintaining one of the lowest operational costs among frontier AI models. The model is available through the MiniMax API and integrates with over 11 major developer tools, including Cursor, Zed, and Kilo Code.

MiniMax’s move toward proprietary models aligns with a broader industry trend among Chinese AI firms shifting from open-source to closed systems. The company positions M2.7 as a cost-efficient, production-ready model for enterprises seeking AI-driven automation and self-optimizing agent workflows.

The United Kingdom and Ukraine are moving toward a new defense partnership aimed at addressing security risks from low-cost drones. Downing Street announced the initiative ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to London. According to AFP, the agreement seeks to strengthen global defense capabilities against the spread of affordable yet advanced military technologies, particularly drones.

Under the deal, Ukraine’s battlefield experience in countering drones during its prolonged war with Russia will be combined with the UK’s industrial capacity. The partnership plans to expand production and supply of drones and other innovative defense technologies. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that drones, electronic warfare, and rapid battlefield innovation have become vital to national and economic security, a significance heightened by recent Middle East conflicts.

As part of the agreement, the UK will provide about £500,000 to establish an “AI Center of Excellence” in coordination with Ukraine’s defense ministry. Zelensky’s visit comes amid his concern that Middle East tensions could divert global attention from the Ukraine-Russia war, though European allies have reaffirmed their continued support for Kyiv.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has released a new video showing him walking in Jerusalem and interacting with locals. In the footage, he is seen greeting people, commenting on the weather, and asking about a dog’s breed, which a woman identifies as a Canaanite-Israeli. Netanyahu also speaks about secure shelters, expressing confidence that the Israel Defense Forces will prevail and protect the nation.

The release follows controversy surrounding an earlier video in which Netanyahu appeared to show five fingers, which the Grok chatbot labeled as AI-generated. That earlier clip had sparked debate after claims that Netanyahu’s hand showed six fingers. On Sunday, he had already posted another video from a Jerusalem café to dismiss rumors about his death, humorously addressing the finger-count issue.

The new video appears to be part of Netanyahu’s ongoing effort to counter online misinformation and reaffirm his public presence amid growing scrutiny of AI-generated political content.

Nvidia Corp. launched the Groq 3 language processing unit (LPU) at its GTC 2026 developer conference in San Jose, introducing a dedicated inference chip designed for multi-agent AI workloads. The chip follows Nvidia’s $20 billion licensing deal with Groq Inc. in December, which included hiring Groq’s founder Jonathan Ross and President Sunny Madra. Groq 3 focuses on AI inference rather than training, offering faster memory performance to support low-latency and large-context agentic systems that automate human tasks.

The Groq 3 LPU is deployed in Groq 3 LPX server racks containing 256 LPUs, 128 gigabytes of solid-state random access memory, and 40 petabytes per second of bandwidth. It is engineered to work alongside Nvidia’s new Vera Rubin NVL72 rack, which integrates Rubin GPUs and Vera CPUs to handle trillion-parameter models and million-token contexts. Nvidia said the combined systems deliver 35 times higher throughput per megawatt and 10 times greater revenue potential.

The Groq 3 LPX and Vera Rubin NVL72 are part of five new server racks unveiled by Nvidia, including the Bluefield-4 STX storage and Spectrum-6 SPX networking systems, aimed at expanding Nvidia’s data center presence amid surging demand for AI compute power.

Manus has introduced 'My Computer,' a new capability within the Manus Desktop application that extends its AI agent from the cloud to users’ local computers. The feature allows Manus to interact directly with local files, tools, and applications through command line instructions, enabling it to read, edit, and organize files or control software on macOS and Windows systems. This marks a major shift from Manus’s previous cloud-only operation, bridging the gap between online intelligence and local computing environments.

The new functionality enables users to automate repetitive tasks such as sorting photos or renaming files, and even to build complex desktop applications using local development tools like Python, Node.js, or Swift. Manus can also leverage local GPUs for machine learning tasks, turning idle devices into active AI assistants capable of remote operation. The system maintains user control by requiring explicit approval for each command, with options for one-time or always-on permissions.

According to the announcement, 'My Computer' is available immediately for macOS and Windows users, offering a new way to integrate cloud-based AI with personal computing power.

At its GTC event, NVIDIA announced new accelerated computing platforms designed to extend artificial intelligence capabilities into space. The company introduced the NVIDIA Space-1 Vera Rubin Module, which delivers up to 25 times more AI compute than the H100 GPU for space-based inferencing. Alongside it, NVIDIA’s IGX Thor and Jetson Orin platforms provide energy-efficient, high-performance AI inference and data processing for orbital environments, while the RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPU supports rapid ground-based geospatial intelligence analysis.

NVIDIA said these technologies bring data-center-class performance to size-, weight-, and power-constrained environments, enabling AI applications to operate seamlessly from ground to orbit. Industry partners including Aetherflux, Axiom Space, Kepler Communications, Planet, Sophia Space, and Starcloud are adopting these platforms to power next-generation missions, from autonomous satellite operations to real-time geospatial analytics.

According to NVIDIA, the Space-1 Vera Rubin Module and related platforms will enable orbital data centers, autonomous spacecraft, and advanced sensing systems to process data locally, reducing latency and bandwidth demands while supporting increasingly complex mission profiles.

A new video showing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordering coffee at a Jerusalem café has sparked widespread debate on social media. Many users claimed the clip was generated using artificial intelligence. The controversy follows earlier speculation about Netanyahu’s safety after another video appeared to show him with six fingers on one hand. The latest video was posted on the prime minister’s official X account, apparently mocking rumors of his death.

The AI chatbot Groq, responding to a user query on X, asserted that the video was AI-generated and described it as a deepfake with no real-world basis. Several social media users also questioned the video’s authenticity, pointing to visual inconsistencies such as the coffee cup’s movement and changes in Netanyahu’s facial shape. Groq reiterated its claim, calling the video a “100% confirmed advanced AI deepfake.”

However, the café identified as the filming location, The Sataf in Jerusalem, posted photos on Instagram showing Netanyahu drinking coffee there, stating they were honored to host the prime minister and his staff.

During the drafting of Bangladesh’s Personal Data Protection Ordinance (PDPO) 2025, Meta repeatedly pressured policymakers to reduce the legal definition of a child’s age from 18 years. The company raised this issue in multiple high-level meetings, including those involving the US Embassy and bilateral discussions. Officials clarified that defining a child’s age falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, not the ICT division. Despite this, Meta did not explain why the change was so critical.

The article notes that Bangladesh has 70–80 million Facebook users, including 6–8 million minors aged 13–17. It argues that stricter child data protection limits Meta’s ability to profile users, monetize content, and train AI systems. The PDPO aligns with GDPR principles, requiring explicit user consent for data use and reuse, including AI training. The law also restricts child profiling and targeted advertising.

The report highlights broader global concerns about social media data use, citing cases in Australia and Europe. It concludes that Bangladesh’s data protection law aims to safeguard children’s digital rights and ensure accountability from global tech platforms operating in the country.

Meta is reportedly planning large-scale layoffs that could impact 20% or more of its workforce, according to three sources cited by Reuters. The move is said to be part of efforts to offset the company’s growing artificial intelligence infrastructure expenses and to prepare for efficiency gains expected from AI-assisted operations. No date or final figure for the job cuts has been set, and Meta has not commented on the reports.

If confirmed, the layoffs would mark Meta’s most significant workforce reduction since its 2022–2023 restructuring, when it cut about 21,000 jobs in total. The company employed nearly 79,000 people as of December 31. CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been driving an aggressive push into generative AI, offering large compensation packages to attract top researchers and committing $600 billion to data center investments by 2028. Meta recently acquired Moltbook, a social platform for AI agents, and is spending at least $2 billion to buy Chinese AI startup Manus.

The reported cuts align with a broader trend among major U.S. tech firms, including Amazon and Block, which have also reduced staff while citing AI-driven efficiency improvements.

Verifick.com has introduced what it calls Bangladesh’s first AI-supported writing editor, designed to identify and disclose AI-generated content while preventing plagiarism. The platform, developed by Theorex Consulting, tracks the entire writing process, including typing speed, word count, and whether AI assistance was used or disclosed. It aims to make writing more transparent rather than simply detecting AI use.

The tool includes several features such as an AI Writing Editor that blocks cut, copy, and paste actions, an AI Detection system capable of analyzing up to 10,000 words, and a Trust Meter that monitors user behavior in real time. Users can also access a Writing Coach that provides professional suggestions and helps improve writing quality, provided AI use is disclosed. Payment for the service can be made through mobile banking, with monthly packages starting at 500 Bangladeshi taka.

According to Verifick.com, the platform seeks to promote ethical writing practices by combining AI detection with transparency tools that show how much of a text was written by a human versus AI.

Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited (BSCL) has launched a pilot program to provide high-speed satellite-based Starlink internet on three intercity trains. The service, introduced on Friday, allows passengers to access free Wi-Fi while traveling on the Parjotok Express, Upoban Express, and Bonolota Express. This initiative is part of the government’s broader plan to offer free Wi-Fi at all airports and railway stations across the country.

The trial was observed by Rehan Asif Asad, adviser to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Science and Technology. He stated that the government is taking various steps to enhance national connectivity, and the introduction of Starlink internet on moving trains is a continuation of that effort. Passengers can now connect easily by scanning a QR code. The service is currently in a testing phase and will be improved in the future.

BSCL Managing Director and CEO Imadur Rahman said the company is working to strengthen digital connectivity in line with the government’s manifesto.

Microsoft has announced the launch of Copilot Health, a new secure space within its Copilot platform designed to help users make sense of their personal health information. The service integrates medical intelligence to provide personalized, actionable insights based on users’ health records, wearable data, and medical history. Copilot Health aims to enhance doctor visits by helping users arrive better prepared with relevant questions and context. The rollout begins with a waitlist for early users in the United States.

According to Microsoft, Copilot Health consolidates data from over 50 wearable devices and more than 50,000 U.S. hospitals through HealthEx, as well as lab results from Function. It uses advanced AI, including the Microsoft AI Diagnostic Orchestrator, to identify health patterns and generate insights. The platform emphasizes privacy and security, with encrypted data storage, strict access controls, and no use of personal data for model training. It has achieved ISO/IEC 42001 certification for AI management systems.

Initially available in English for U.S. adults aged 18 and older, Copilot Health will expand to additional languages and regions in future phases. It is not intended to diagnose or treat medical conditions.

The United Arab Emirates has arrested ten foreign nationals accused of publishing misleading and fabricated video clips on social media. According to the state-run Emirates News Agency, the arrests were ordered after the videos, which depicted false attack scenes, were deemed a threat to national security and social stability. Attorney General Hamad Al Shamsi has directed that the suspects face emergency trials.

Investigations revealed that the videos included scenes of air defense systems intercepting attacks, fallen missiles, and crowds, some of which were created using artificial intelligence to simulate explosions and assaults. Certain clips falsely suggested that incidents occurring abroad had taken place within the UAE, while others used emotional imagery involving children to imply security threats.

The UAE Public Prosecution has begun interrogating the suspects and ordered their detention. Authorities warned that spreading false information or endangering national security through digital or modern technologies will not be tolerated. Convicted individuals could face at least one year in prison and fines of up to 100,000 dirhams.

Facebook Marketplace has launched new Meta AI-powered tools designed to make selling faster and more efficient for users in the US and Canada. Sellers can now upload item images and let Meta AI automatically generate draft listings, fill in details, and suggest prices based on similar local listings. The platform also enables sellers to offer shipping with prepaid labels and manage all shipped orders through a centralized dashboard.

To improve communication, Meta AI can now draft and send automatic replies to buyer inquiries using information from the listing, such as item description, availability, pickup location, and price. Sellers can preview and edit these replies during listing creation. Additionally, Meta has introduced AI-generated profile summaries that display key details about a seller’s Facebook activity, including account age, friend count, and Marketplace history, to enhance transparency and trust.

These updates mark a continued evolution of Facebook Marketplace, which has been connecting millions of buyers and sellers for a decade and now hosts over 3.5 million daily listings across the US and Canada.