Russia’s first domestically produced AI-powered humanoid robot, named AIdol, fell during its public debut at a Moscow tech showcase, highlighting the country’s struggles in robotics amid Western sanctions. The robot, developed by startup Idol, lost balance shortly after walking onstage and was quickly removed by event staff. CEO Vladimir Vitukhin attributed the mishap to calibration issues caused by lighting interference with the robot’s stereo cameras. Despite the fall, AIdol reportedly sustained no damage and later stood upright with assistance. The robot can walk, manipulate objects, and communicate for up to six hours autonomously, with 77% of its components made in Russia. Idol aims to increase domestic content to 93% in future production. The incident underscores Russia’s lag behind global leaders like the U.S. and China in advanced robotics and AI development.

A Bangladeshi robotics team named 'Team BengalBoat' is set to represent Bangladesh at the prestigious 'RoboBoat 2026' competition in Florida, USA, organized under the supervision of the US Navy. The team, comprising 34 members including mentors from KUET and RUET, has developed an autonomous surface vehicle named 'Tori 1.0'. The innovation aims to highlight Bangladesh’s growing technological capabilities and its potential in the blue economy. Ahead of the competition, a robotics workshop was held at Victoria High School in Sreemangal with participation from 200 students, focusing on hands-on learning about circuits, sensors, and autonomous navigation. The initiative reflects the increasing interest of Bangladeshi youth in robotics and marine technology, with hopes of positioning the country as a future leader in ocean-based innovation.

Yann LeCun, Meta’s chief artificial intelligence scientist and a pioneer in deep learning, is reportedly preparing to leave the company to start his own AI-focused venture, according to the Financial Times. LeCun, who joined Meta in 2013 to lead its Facebook Artificial Intelligence Research (FAIR) unit, is said to be in early talks to raise funds for the new startup. His planned departure comes as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg restructures the company’s AI initiatives under a new division called Superintelligence Labs, led by Alexandr Wang, former CEO of Scale AI. LeCun, a Turing Award winner and professor at New York University, is known for inventing convolutional neural networks, a foundational technology in modern AI. Meta has recently pledged to invest $600 billion in U.S. AI infrastructure over the next three years.

Bangladesh has introduced a simplified online process that allows citizens to verify land ownership using only the owner’s name. Through the government website eporcha.gov.bd or the mobile app ‘ekhatian’, users can check land records by selecting the relevant division, district, and mouza, then entering the owner’s name. The system displays details such as plot numbers and land area if records exist. If no results appear, searches can be conducted using the plot number. Users can also obtain a certified copy of the land record online for a fee of 100 taka, payable via mobile banking. Authorities advise verifying all documents directly at the land or registry office before finalizing any property transaction to ensure authenticity and prevent fraud.

Bangladesh is set to launch a landmark digital transformation of its land registration system, bringing all deeds registered since 1908 into a centralized online platform by 2025. The initiative aims to eliminate corruption, prevent land fraud, and make property records easily accessible to owners worldwide. Through this system, landowners will be able to search, verify, and download their deeds online for a nominal government fee. Missing records from 1947 and 1971, lost during wartime, will require owners to submit copies for inclusion. Legal experts say the move will end long-standing bribery practices at registry offices and ensure transparency in land ownership. The government will introduce a dedicated website for online verification and certified digital copies, which will be legally valid even if original documents are lost.

Bangladesh has introduced a comprehensive online land mutation (name transfer) system to make property ownership transfers more transparent and accessible. Citizens can now apply for mutation through the land.gov.bd portal, completing registration, document submission, and fee payment digitally. Three types of mutation are available: joint ownership, individual ownership after partition, and automated mutation, which is being piloted in 21 upazilas. The process includes verification, hearings, and issuance of the final record (khatian). Applicants can track progress online and pay fees via mobile wallets or internet banking. Authorities advise citizens to use their own mobile numbers, verify land boundaries, and remain alert to fraudulent fee demands. Appeals are allowed if applications are rejected, ensuring a structured legal remedy. The initiative aims to reduce corruption, disputes, and dependency on intermediaries.

The United Arab Emirates has taken a major step toward futuristic urban mobility as Dubai successfully tested a passenger air taxi capable of carrying four people. Built in collaboration with US-based Joby Aviation, the electric, noise-free aircraft flew from Margham to Dubai World Central (Al Maktoum Airport). It can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h and cover 160 km on a single charge. Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) informed Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who praised the innovation. Authorities plan citywide trial flights before launching the service to the public next year. Skyports Infrastructure is already building the first vertiport near Dubai International Airport. The initiative is part of broader transport projects, including metro expansion, new roads, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure to enhance urban mobility.

Portugal is participating in Web Summit 2025 with 115 startups selected under the 'Road 2 Web Summit' program, which has already raised around €40 million in funding. The initiative aims to enhance international visibility and attract investment for local entrepreneurs. Startup Portugal, the national platform, supports startups through programs such as Startup Voucher and Startup Visa, helping new ventures and skilled talent thrive. According to project manager Carolina Valinho, Portugal is being celebrated as a European hub for entrepreneurship, offering a dynamic environment for innovation and expansion. Analyst Carolina Soja noted that Portugal serves as a central gateway to the European market, backed by accelerator programs and investment incentives. With seven unicorns, including Tekever recently joining the list, Portugal’s startup ecosystem continues to grow, positioning the country as a leading destination for digital entrepreneurs.

Elon Musk has unveiled Grokipedia, an artificial intelligence-based online encyclopedia designed to rival Wikipedia. Developed under his AI startup xAI, Grokipedia operates through Musk’s AI chatbot Grok, which verifies and compiles all content without human editors or volunteers. According to Musk, this new encyclopedia is “vital for civilization” and offers information that aligns more closely with his right-leaning worldview.

Reports from The Guardian suggest that much of Grokipedia’s content draws heavily from Wikipedia but reframes topics through a conservative perspective. For instance, articles discussing the January 6 Capitol Hill riot describe it as a “controversial protest” against alleged election irregularities, downplaying former President Donald Trump’s role in the violence.

Critics have accused Grokipedia of spreading misleading or biased information, such as claims that pornography worsened the AIDS epidemic—an assertion widely disputed by journalists. Musk attributes the concept of Grokipedia to David Sacks, a former Trump administration official involved in AI and cryptocurrency policy.

This launch reflects Musk’s ongoing criticism of mainstream media and Wikipedia’s editorial stance, promoting his social platform X as an alternative hub for “free thought” and information.

Russia has successfully conducted a test of its nuclear-powered intercontinental cruise missile Burevestnik, President Vladimir Putin announced on Sunday. The test, completed on Tuesday, marks a major milestone in Russia’s advanced weapons program. According to Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, the missile covered approximately 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles) and stayed airborne for 15 hours. Putin hailed the missile as a “truly unique weapon” that no other nation possesses, highlighting the country’s growing technological and military prowess. Burevestnik, known to NATO as SSC-X-9 Skyfall, first drew attention in 2019 after a failed test caused fatalities in the Arctic. Analysts say the latest success strengthens Russia’s long-range strike capability and advances its nuclear modernization efforts amid rising global tensions.

Amazon Web Services (AWS), the cloud computing arm of Amazon, experienced a massive global outage that disrupted online services across multiple industries. The outage caused significant downtime for popular platforms including Fortnite, Snapchat, and Duolingo, as well as several major banks. AI startup Perplexity, cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, and trading app Robinhood all reported service interruptions, citing AWS’s technical failure as the main reason. AWS confirmed that it was gradually restoring operations after identifying the issue. As one of the world’s largest cloud infrastructure providers, AWS powers the backend of countless apps, websites, and corporate systems. The incident highlighted the world’s heavy dependence on a few major cloud providers like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. Analysts noted that such outages can have ripple effects across global digital ecosystems, temporarily halting essential services, business operations, and user access to online platforms.

Pakistan has successfully launched its first hyperspectral satellite, H-1, from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, calling it a “significant milestone” in the country’s space program. Hyperspectral satellites can detect subtle chemical and material changes on Earth’s surface, making them invaluable for monitoring crop quality, managing water resources, and assessing natural disaster damage. SUPARCO Chairman Muhammad Yousuf Khan stated that the satellite’s data will revolutionize agricultural productivity, enhance climate resilience, and optimize the management of vital natural resources. The launch reflects Pakistan’s growing space capabilities and its long-standing peaceful cooperation with China. This year alone, Pakistan has successfully deployed three satellites, with EO-1 and KS-1 already fully operational, signaling a strong push forward in its national space ambitions.

OpenAI has introduced a new affordable version of its popular AI chatbot, ChatGPT Go, in Bangladesh and 17 other Asian nations, following successful trials in India and Indonesia. The subscription plan aims to meet long-standing user demand for a cost-effective option while providing access to the latest GPT-5 model. Users will enjoy all free-version features plus additional benefits such as image generation, file uploads, advanced data analysis, and higher usage limits. The service is priced as the company’s most affordable plan, with India at INR 399/month and Indonesia at IDR 75,000/month. OpenAI’s CEO Nick Tarle emphasized the goal of bringing AI capabilities to more people. According to OpenAI, usage growth in lower-income countries has outpaced wealthier nations by over four times, reflecting the growing global demand for accessible AI tools.

Elon Musk has unveiled plans to create Grokipedia, a new open-source digital encyclopedia designed as an alternative to Wikipedia. Built on XAI’s chatbot Grok, the platform aims to provide “more neutral, intelligent, and limitless” knowledge, according to Musk. He invited users on the X platform to contribute, promising a collaborative space where information is free from political bias. Musk has often criticized Wikipedia for left-leaning tendencies and even offered $1 billion to acquire it in 2023. The announcement comes amid renewed controversy around Wikipedia, as co-founder Larry Sanger called it “a propaganda machine” and accused administrators of censoring conservative and libertarian perspectives. With Grokipedia, Musk seeks to position his platform as a major competitor in the global knowledge and technology space, sparking curiosity and debate among tech enthusiasts and information seekers alike.

Chinese researchers have created a new medical adhesive called “Bone-02” that can join broken bones in just three minutes. The glue stabilizes bone fragments and is naturally absorbed by the body after healing, eliminating the need for implant removal surgery. Inspired by how mussels cling underwater, it works even in blood-soaked conditions. Tested on over 150 patients, the glue shows strong bonding and compressive strength, potentially replacing metal plates and screws while reducing complications and infection risks.