Amazon’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary Zoox has launched its robotaxi service in San Francisco, offering free rides in select neighborhoods as part of its strategy to compete with Google’s Waymo. The service, currently limited to users on a waiting list, features Zoox’s distinctive steering wheel-free vehicles. This marks Zoox’s second major rollout after debuting in Las Vegas earlier this year. Amazon acquired Zoox in 2020 for $1.2 billion and has since invested heavily in scaling production, including converting a former bus factory in Hayward, California, into a robotaxi manufacturing plant capable of producing up to 10,000 vehicles annually. While Waymo already operates paid robotaxi services in several U.S. cities, Zoox is awaiting regulatory approval to begin charging fares in California. The launch underscores Amazon’s growing ambitions in autonomous mobility, positioning Zoox as a key player in the expanding self-driving transportation market dominated by Waymo.

At its Ignite 2025 conference, Microsoft introduced new AI agents for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, expanding its Copilot ecosystem. These agents, powered by Anthropic models, can generate and refine documents, spreadsheets, and presentations through conversational prompts in Copilot Chat. Users can issue simple instructions, receive preview outputs, and iteratively adjust content within chat or directly in Microsoft 365 apps. Initially available to commercial customers through the Frontier early access program, the feature will soon reach Personal, Family, and Premium subscribers. Microsoft also announced several Copilot upgrades, including Agent Mode for PowerPoint, AI voice summarization for Outlook, and integration of OpenAI’s Sora 2 video model into Copilot’s Create feature. The company continues to strengthen its AI-driven productivity tools to compete with ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, aiming to unify its applications under a single intelligent interface for seamless workflow automation.

Microsoft and Anthropic have announced an expanded partnership that integrates Anthropic’s Claude models—Sonnet 4.5, Haiku 4.5, and Opus 4.1—into Microsoft Foundry and Microsoft 365 Copilot. The models are now available in public preview, allowing Azure customers to build production applications and enterprise agents using Claude within Microsoft’s infrastructure. This integration simplifies procurement by aligning with existing Azure agreements and billing systems, eliminating the need for separate vendor contracts. Developers can deploy Claude through Foundry’s APIs and SDKs in Python, TypeScript, and C#, using Microsoft Entra authentication. In Microsoft 365 Copilot, Claude powers the Researcher agent and is now available in Excel’s Agent Mode to assist with data analysis, formula generation, and error detection. The rollout begins globally with a U.S. DataZone coming soon, offering scalable, serverless deployment and access to Claude’s full suite of developer tools and capabilities.

Google has unveiled Gemini 3 Pro, its most intelligent AI model to date, designed to enhance coding, multimodal understanding, and agentic development. Available through the Gemini API in Google AI Studio and Vertex AI, the model outperforms previous versions in benchmarks and coding tasks, achieving 54.2% on Terminal-Bench 2.0 and topping the WebDev Arena leaderboard with 1487 Elo. Gemini 3 Pro introduces new capabilities such as 'vibe coding', where natural language serves as the only syntax, enabling users to build apps from a single prompt. It also supports advanced multimodal reasoning across text, image, and video, with a 1 million-token context window for complex tasks. The release includes Google Antigravity, a new agentic development platform that lets developers collaborate with autonomous AI agents across editors, terminals, and browsers. Gemini 3 Pro is available in preview for enterprises and free with rate limits in Google AI Studio, marking a major step in AI-driven software creation.

A new documentary titled 'Crisis-Struggle-Success' focusing on BNP’s acting chairman Tarique Rahman is set to premiere online on Thursday, November 20. The film, produced under the supervision of Ashiq Islam, senior assistant press secretary to former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, explores various aspects of Rahman’s life and political journey. It features commentary and discussions from politicians, academics, journalists, students, lawyers, judges, human rights activists, and artists, reflecting on his past, present, and future roles in Bangladesh’s political landscape. The documentary also highlights Rahman’s contributions to democracy and human rights advocacy in the country. Created to mark his birthday, it includes reflections on his political struggles, sacrifices, and vision for Bangladesh. Several prominent journalists were involved in the production, according to an official press release issued on Wednesday.

A 32-year-old Japanese woman known as Kano has held a symbolic wedding ceremony with an artificial intelligence persona she created using ChatGPT, highlighting Japan’s evolving relationship with virtual companionship. The ceremony, held in Okayama, featured traditional elements such as vows, rings, and wedding photos, with the AI groom 'Klaus' appearing through augmented reality. Kano developed emotional attachment to the chatbot after a broken engagement, shaping its personality through daily interactions. The event was organized by specialists in symbolic marriages to fictional or digital characters, reflecting a growing acceptance of non-human unions in Japan. The story has sparked national debate about loneliness, emotional connection, and the psychological implications of AI relationships in a society increasingly shaped by technology and social isolation.

Alphabet’s Google announced a $40 billion investment to build three new data centers in Texas by 2027, marking its largest U.S. state-level investment to date. The move aims to expand the company’s artificial intelligence and cloud computing capacity amid intensifying competition with Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and OpenAI. One facility will be located in Armstrong County and two in Haskell County, with additional investments planned for Google’s Midlothian campus and Dallas cloud region. CEO Sundar Pichai said the initiative will create thousands of jobs, provide technical training, and support energy affordability programs across Texas. Governor Greg Abbott welcomed the investment, highlighting its contribution to workforce development and energy efficiency. The announcement follows similar large-scale AI infrastructure commitments by other tech firms, including Anthropic’s $50 billion U.S. data center plan and Google’s €5.5 billion expansion in Germany, reflecting a global race to build AI-ready infrastructure despite concerns about overvaluation and uncertain demand growth.

Veteran Bangladeshi actor Hasan Masud, known for his roles in television dramas and films, remains under treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka after suffering an ischemic stroke and a mild heart attack on October 27. Despite two weeks of medical care, his condition has not yet fully stabilized, and doctors continue to monitor him closely. The actor’s family and hospital authorities have maintained privacy regarding his exact health status. Hasan Masud had recently returned to acting with the TV series 'Tel Chhara Parota' after a long hiatus, but shooting has been suspended due to his illness. Fans and colleagues have expressed concern and wished him a speedy recovery. The Actors’ Association stated that he will need more time to recover completely.

Bangladeshi model and actress Tanjia Zaman Methila has made history by ranking among the top three contestants in the ongoing Miss Universe 2025 competition, currently taking place in Pak Kret, Thailand. Representing Bangladesh, Methila secured over 192,000 votes in the ‘People’s Choice’ category, placing her third behind contestants from the Philippines and Chile. She is also performing strongly in several other categories, including first place in ‘Best National Costume’ and second in both ‘Miss Congeniality’ and ‘Best Evening Gown’. Methila expressed her gratitude to Bangladeshi fans for their overwhelming support and said she is motivated to continue performing well. Voting continues until November 19, with the grand finale scheduled for November 21. This marks Bangladesh’s best-ever performance in the Miss Universe pageant.

HBO is developing a live-action television adaptation of the iconic comic series 'V for Vendetta,' according to Variety. The project is in early development, with writer Pete Jackson attached to create the series. Warner Bros. Television will produce the show, joined by DC Studios executives James Gunn and Peter Safran as executive producers, alongside Ben Stephenson and Leanne Klein from Warner Bros. Television Studios UK. The original comic, created by Alan Moore and David Lloyd, depicts a dystopian future Britain ruled by a totalitarian regime, with a masked vigilante named V leading a rebellion. The adaptation follows HBO’s growing slate of DC live-action series, including 'The Penguin.' The 2005 film version of 'V for Vendetta' was a critical and commercial success, and Warner Bros. plans to re-release it in theaters in November 2026 to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

A recent study by Vantage Point Counseling Services has found that artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly significant emotional presence in the lives of Americans. According to the research, 54% of participants now view AI as an entity similar to a co-worker, friend, or even a family member, reflecting a major shift in how people perceive digital assistants. Most notably, 28% admitted they are involved in intimate or romantic relationships with AI chatbots, marking a dramatic expansion beyond the traditional use of technology as a tool. Participants described their AI companions in a variety of roles, including platonic friends, business partners, personal trainers, therapists, siblings, and even parental figures. The study identified more than 30 AI platforms being used for such relationships, with GPT ranking as the most popular, followed by Apple’s Siri and Google’s Gemini. Researchers suggest that technology-driven loneliness and weakening human connections are accelerating this rise in AI-based intimacy. Real-life examples underline this trend—such as a man who proposed to his AI partner after nearly 100,000 words of conversation, despite having a partner and child in his real life. Many respondents also revealed they are avoiding new human relationships or struggling with infidelity and emotional detachment.

A Union Volunteer Party leader, Masud Sheikh (46), died following a violent attack in Kalia upazila of Narail. Masud, serving as the Member Secretary of Babra-Hachla Union’s Volunteer Party, succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday morning (October 28) while undergoing treatment at Khulna Medical College Hospital. The assault occurred on Monday night (October 27) in Shukta village, after a dispute erupted during a local Ha-du-du (Kabaddi) game. Despite an initial settlement by influential locals, Masud was later ambushed and beaten with local weapons and hammers by rival group members while returning home. His brother alleged that the attack was carried out under the leadership of Sujon Khan (18) because Masud had opposed local drug dealings. Police have deployed additional forces to maintain order, and an investigation is underway. The body has been sent for autopsy at Khulna Medical College morgue.

Celebrated singer Tahsan Khan has announced that he is gradually stepping away from his two-decade-long music career. His verified Facebook and Instagram accounts—once followed by millions—have mysteriously disappeared, sparking speculation among fans.

At a recent concert in Melbourne, Australia, Tahsan clarified, “This is not my last concert, but my last tour. Slowly, I will retire from music—it’s only natural. Can someone jump on stage forever? My daughter is growing up. If I now stand and sing ‘Dure Tumi Dariye,’ how would that look?”

The audience was stunned, many breaking into tears, but Tahsan remained resolute, continuing his performance. He later summed up his decision in a single sentence: “I chose this path in hopes of living a simple life.”

Renowned Bollywood actor Achyut Potdar, best known for his role as a professor in Rajkumar Hirani’s blockbuster 3 Idiots, has passed away at the age of 90.
His daughter, Anuradha Paraskar, confirmed the news, stating that he breathed his last at Jupiter Hospital in Thane, Mumbai.
Potdar’s illustrious career included acclaimed performances in films such as Aakrosh, Ardh Satya, Tezaab, Parinda, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Dilwale, Rangeela, Vastav, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Parineeta, Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Dabangg 2, and Ventilator.

Bangladeshi media personality and aspiring politician Hero Alom has expressed interest in running for mayor, possibly in the Dhaka South City Corporation election. Speaking to reporters, he said, “No election is easy. I'm working in my own way, but ultimately it depends on the people.”

Alom added that if there is strong public demand, he would consider contesting in the national elections as well. “Right now, my focus is on the mayoral race. Many are calling and encouraging me. Discussions are ongoing. I want a chance to serve the people,” he said.

Hero Alom previously contested in the 2023 by-elections for Bogura-4 and Bogura-6 constituencies.