Fairuz Tahasin Anika

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of Bangladesh has recently authorised the registration of nine online news portals and eight online newspapers across the country, according to two circulars issued by the ministry on November 20. 

ShareTrip, an online travel agency in Bangladesh, has launched a new financial service called ST Pay (ShareTrip Pay). A new round of investment in ShareTrip from Startup Bangladesh was also announced alongside the new feature.

X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, has recently launched the 'X Job Search' tool. The tool enables users to explore job opportunities and facilitates direct recruitment by organisations verified by the platform.

In recent years, an increasing number of consumers have encountered frustration due to limited repair options for their electronic devices, sparking a global movement known as ‘right-to-repair’. This movement contends that individuals should have the autonomy to repair their products or choose their preferred technician.

The government has recently launched a 'real-time air quality index' program, which will provide up-to-the-minute information on the air quality across the country. The initiative, led by the Department of Environment, aims to inform the public about the health implications of varying pollution levels while fostering proactive measures to control and mitigate air pollution.

The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has initiated a project to monitor and maintain newly planted trees across the DNCC jurisdiction using General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology. This initiative was inaugurated at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium on November 18.

Startup Bangladesh Limited, a government-backed venture capital firm, is set to inject Tk 100 crore into 46 selected startups, aiming to strengthen the country's startup ecosystem. Since its establishment in 2020, the company has actively approved investments totaling Tk 73.50 crore across 28 companies, dispersing Tk 64 crore. These investments span critical sectors such as healthtech, agritech, edtech, logistics, fintech, e-commerce, and renewable energy.

Samsung has unveiled its inaugural generative AI model, Samsung Gauss, at the Samsung AI Forum 2023. Developed by Samsung Research, the company's research arm, this AI model is poised to make a substantial impact in the field of artificial intelligence. Samsung Gauss comprises three distinct tools—Samsung Gauss Language, Samsung Gauss Code, and Samsung Gauss Image—each designed for specific applications.

A Bangladeshi robotics team, 'Robonium Bangladesh,' has clinched the 5th position in the World Robot Olympiad 2023 held in Panama. The young team consisting of Israfil Shaheen Arannya of Cantonment Public School and College, Rangpur, and Qazi Mostahid Labib and Tafsir Tahrim cof Sunnydale competed in the 'Future Innovators (Senior)' category and bagged the 5th position, competing against 451 teams from 77 countries.

Steve Wozniak, co-founder of the tech giant Apple, has recently been hospitalised in Mexico City, following what was initially suspected to be a possible stroke. The news has garnered attention and raised concerns among his followers and the global tech community.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has undergone knee surgery following an injury sustained during his martial arts training. Zuckerberg tore one of his anterior cruciate ligaments, or ACLs while preparing for an upcoming MMA fight scheduled for early next year.

MommyKidz is a Bangladeshi community-based app that provides an interactive social platform for expectant mothers and parents. They aim to offer vital tools and support to empower everyone, including fathers, caretakers, and other male family members, to promote inclusivity in the world of parenting.

TakaPay is Bangladesh's inaugural local currency card, recently unveiled by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. But what exactly is TakaPay? Let's explore this payment system and its potential benefits, including the card's practical aspects and an overview of what it is and how it works.

Seven Bangladeshi firms have secured a place on Bloomberg's sustainability list, joining over 16,000 global corporations. These firms were placed on the highly prestigious list based on their strong performance in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) areas. The firms are: Grameenphone, British American Tobacco (BAT) Bangladesh, Marico Bangladesh, BRAC Bank, IDLC Finance, Square Pharmaceuticals, and Walton Hi-Tech Industries.

In a world where goldfish-like attention spans prevail, businesses that prioritise short-form content and reels are poised to surge ahead of the competition. To many, embracing short video marketing is no longer a choice but a necessity to conquer the digital realm. Let's take a closer look into the intricacies of the short video revolution that has proven to be a highly effective marketing tool for Bangladeshi businesses in recent times.

There's no denying the fundamental role of public speaking in elevating workplace performance and ensuring you rise above the rest. Yet, a remaining fear of the spotlight often casts shadows on this professional prowess. If you are seeking to nurture this crucial skill to unlock more career opportunities, here are some essential tips and tricks to consider.

In just four days, using only ChatGPT and a modest US$185 (about BDT 20k) investment, Sal Aiello and Monica Powers transformed a side hustle into a highly profitable AI startup. Fast forward to last month, the duo successfully sold their venture for a whopping $150,000 (about BDT 16 million).

WhatsApp has introduced a passkey feature to safeguard users' information. The new system mandates using a face, fingerprint, or PIN number to access designated accounts. Consequently, only the intended individual will access the information stored within the WhatsApp account. This feature aims to give users security in safeguarding data, adding an extra layer of strong security to their WhatsApp accounts.

The Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority is launching 'University Innovation Hubs' in 10 universities to support startups and youth entrepreneurship. As a part of the 'Digital Entrepreneurship and Innovation Ecosystem Development' (DEIED) project under the Hi-Tech Park Authority, three universities—Chittagong University, Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, and United International University—are already actively involved in this venture.

Prada, the famous Italian luxury fashion house, has partnered with Axiom Space, a Texas-based private space company, to craft advanced spacesuits for NASA's upcoming Artemis mission. The collaboration aims to provide cutting-edge gear for astronauts on lunar expeditions.