Meta has announced a new safety framework for its AI chatbot that will alert parents if a teenage user’s conversation indicates signs of suicide or self-harm. The company said that when its artificial intelligence system detects such signs, the content will first be reviewed by Meta’s internal team. Depending on the assessed level of risk, parents will receive an immediate alert, and in severe cases, emergency services may also be contacted.

Meta emphasized that the protection of teenagers will take precedence over perfect accuracy. This means that alerts may be sent even when the system is not fully certain about the message’s meaning, to avoid potential risks. Although this could lead to some unnecessary notifications, Meta stated it will not compromise on safety.

Initially, the feature is being rolled out to families in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada who use Instagram’s parental supervision tools. Meta plans to expand the feature to other countries later this year. The company has also tightened content controls to prevent its AI chatbot from responding to sensitive or inappropriate questions from teenagers.

Oscar-winning filmmaker Christopher Nolan’s latest film, “The Odyssey,” is currently dominating theaters worldwide. In an interview with U.S. outlet Today, Nolan revealed that the physically and mentally demanding production has left him exhausted, prompting him to take a three-year break before starting his next project. The film, based on the Greek epic, explores themes of love, war, homecoming, and destiny on a grand cinematic scale.

Nolan described the filming process as extremely challenging, citing sequences such as the Cyclops’ cave and stormy sea voyages that tested the entire crew. He shot the entire movie on IMAX 70mm film for the first time in his 25-year career, aiming to immerse audiences directly into the world of Odysseus. The cast includes Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, and Tom Holland.

Following the success of “Oppenheimer,” the three-hour epic is projected to earn around $200 million globally in its opening weekend. Nolan said he now plans to rest and recover from the intense filmmaking experience before returning to the big screen.

Concerns are rising over Meta’s new AI-powered smart glasses, which experts say could pose serious risks to child privacy and safety. The device allows users to record photos and videos hands-free, raising fears that children could be filmed without consent and that such footage might be misused through artificial intelligence. Meta’s Vice President of Wearables, Alex Himel, said he used the glasses to record his daughter’s performance, highlighting their convenience. However, critics warn that the same technology could enable covert recording by malicious users.

Although Meta’s glasses display a small LED light when recording, most people remain unaware of this signal. Experts and child rights advocates warn that AI-generated fake content using children’s images is becoming a growing threat. The Internet Watch Foundation has cautioned that such material could normalize violence and increase real-world abuse. Some nurseries and schools have already banned the glasses over safety concerns.

Specialists are urging stronger privacy laws, clearer recording alerts, and accountability for misuse. They also recommend regulatory frameworks similar to those used for drugs or food to assess potential social harm before launching new technologies.

Pakistani singer Atif Aslam has confirmed through a video message that he will perform live in Dhaka this Friday. The announcement was shared on the social media pages of the organizing company Main Stage, where Atif expressed excitement about meeting his fans and performing at the Cricketers Academy on 300 Feet Road. The concert, titled “Main Stage Featuring Atif Aslam,” will take place in the capital, with gates opening at 2 p.m. and closing at 6 p.m. The main show will run from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The event will also feature performances by Bangladeshi bands Meghdol and Level Five. Organizers stated that Atif Aslam will arrive in Bangladesh tomorrow. The concert was originally scheduled for December 13 last year but was postponed due to security clearance issues. Fans who retained their tickets from the postponed event can use them for the new date, while those awaiting refunds may reclaim their tickets by withdrawing refund requests.

The confirmation video has sparked excitement among Dhaka’s music lovers, ending months of speculation about the concert’s rescheduling.

Bangladeshi filmmaker Adnan Al Rajib, whose short film ‘Ali’ won an award at the Cannes Film Festival, is set to make his debut as a feature film director. The film is scheduled for theatrical release next year. Although the cast has not been officially announced, speculation suggests that actor Siam Ahmed may play the lead role. Rajib confirmed that discussions with Siam are ongoing but nothing has been finalized yet.

Rajib, known for his work in short films, advertisements, and television dramas, said he has long been searching for a distinctive romantic story for his first full-length project. He described the story as one that evolved slowly over time, reflecting his personal creative journey. The director is currently focused on finalizing the screenplay, revising multiple drafts, and selecting the cast.

If Siam Ahmed is confirmed, he will appear in a romantic role contrasting his recent action-oriented performances. Filming is expected to begin later this year, with the female lead yet to be chosen and announced officially.

Chinese artificial intelligence startup Moonshot AI has temporarily paused new subscriptions for its Kimi K3 model after overwhelming demand strained its computing capacity. The company announced the suspension on Sunday, saying it would prioritize existing paid users while allocating limited resources. The pause follows the release of Kimi K3, a 2.8 trillion-parameter open-weight model that Moonshot describes as the world’s largest of its kind. The surge in user activity over 48 hours exceeded forecasts, prompting the company to plan separate membership tiers, including one focused on coding, to better manage computing resources.

The capacity crunch comes as Moonshot seeks up to $2 billion in new funding and prepares for a potential Hong Kong initial public offering. The firm, founded in 2023 by AI researcher Yang Zhilin, has raised more than $5.5 billion to date, with investors including Meituan, China Mobile, and CPE. It has engaged Goldman Sachs and China International Capital Corp as advisers for the IPO, though the timeline remains uncertain.

Moonshot’s situation reflects broader challenges for Chinese AI developers facing surging demand and limited access to advanced computing hardware due to U.S. export restrictions.

Israel has launched a large-scale campaign using artificial intelligence to improve its image and influence public opinion in the United States, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal published on Saturday. The report claims that more than $45 million has been spent on the initiative, which sent millions of AI-generated messages to U.S. citizens under names such as “Emma,” “Sarah,” and “John.” These messages appeared to come from a group called “Friends for Peace,” though no such organization was found to exist.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the campaign is part of a contract led by Brad Parscale, former campaign manager for U.S. President Donald Trump. The AI messaging firm Sparkfire reportedly received $6.5 million by mid-May. Parscale’s team also created pro-Israel websites and online content aimed at generating more favorable responses about Israel on AI platforms like ChatGPT and Claude.

The report added that at least six firms were hired for the operation, and about three dozen individuals registered as foreign agents working for Israel. The Israeli Foreign Ministry did not respond to the newspaper’s request for comment.

Registration has begun for the new reality show 'Shaheen Education Family–Channel i Spelling Star 2026', aimed at improving English language and spelling skills among Bangladeshi students. The competition, jointly organized by Shaheen Education Family and Channel i, is open to fourth and fifth grade students from Bangla and madrasa mediums across the country. Registration will continue until August 14, 2026.

The launch event was held at a press conference attended by State Minister for Education and Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj, Shaheen Education Family Chairman Masudul Amin Shaheen, and Channel i Executive Director Harun Rashid. Organizers said the initiative is designed to inspire students and enhance their learning interest. The preliminary selection will take place at 35 venues nationwide, followed by divisional rounds featuring 350 to 400 students. From these, 100 finalists will compete in the main televised round on Channel i.

According to the organizers, the primary goal of the competition is to develop English language and spelling proficiency among primary-level students from an early age.

A four-day World Artificial Intelligence Conference began last Friday in Shanghai, where China announced the formation of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) with 29 founding member countries. Chinese President Xi Jinping urged participating nations to strengthen collaboration in artificial intelligence and warned against any single country establishing dominance in the field. The conference, themed “AI Partnership for a Brighter Future,” showcased China’s latest AI technologies aimed at matching US capabilities.

WAICO, headquartered in Shanghai, aims to enhance international cooperation and develop safe and beneficial AI governance frameworks. Founding members include Indonesia, Brazil, Malaysia, South Africa, Senegal, Russia, and Pakistan. Analysts believe Beijing could use the alliance to influence AI policymaking at the United Nations and promote its state-centric governance model.

The initiative comes amid intensifying US-China competition over semiconductors and AI leadership. Washington has imposed export restrictions on advanced chips to China, while Beijing has responded with its own curbs. By leading WAICO, China seeks to shape global AI standards and expand its influence among Global South nations.

Google has failed to release its much-anticipated new artificial intelligence model within the promised timeframe, prompting widespread speculation in the technology sector. The company had announced during its annual developer conference in May that an advanced version of its AI model would be made publicly available in June. However, by July, no official announcement had been made. CEO Sundar Pichai had earlier stated that the model was already being used internally and would be released after necessary testing.

According to Bloomberg, the delay has caused frustration among some Google engineers, AI researchers, and managers, who fear it could affect the company’s competitive position in the rapidly evolving AI market. Mashable reported that Google said the model is still being tested with partners, with additional models and safety checks underway to ensure reliability and security before public release.

Analysts suggest the delay may stem from the time needed to integrate the new AI technology across Google’s products and from the company’s cautious approach to ensuring competitiveness against rival models recently launched by Anthropic, OpenAI, and a Chinese firm.

Chief reporters from various national newspapers, news agencies, and online media outlets in Bangladesh have called for the professional development of journalists, expansion of welfare activities, implementation of the wage board, and modernization of the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU). The appeal was made on Sunday during a views-exchange meeting at the DRU’s Shafiqul Kabir Auditorium, presided over by DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and conducted by General Secretary Mainul Hasan Sohel. Participants emphasized the need for effective DRU action to protect journalists’ rights and dignity, and to build skilled manpower in artificial intelligence (AI) and technology-driven journalism.

Speakers including M Abdullah of Amar Desh, Siddiq Islam of Financial Express, and others stressed aligning journalists’ pay with the new government pay scale, ensuring retirement benefits and free healthcare, and providing AI-based training. They also urged maintaining DRU’s non-political image and strengthening coordination among journalist organizations. The DRU leadership announced plans to establish a modern mosque complex, health corner, and the Dhaka Reporters Unity Training Institute to offer training in AI, data journalism, and digital security.

The DRU’s upcoming training institute will also provide language and technology courses for members and their children, aiming to enhance professional and digital skills.

Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus participated in the Global Nobel Laureates Assembly on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear War, held at the Vatican’s Borgo Laudato Si’ in Castel Gandolfo. The three-day conference concluded on July 16, 2026, at Rome’s Capitoline Hill with the signing of a declaration titled “Humanity at the Crossroads.” Nobel laureates including Romano Prodi, Jody Williams, Maria Ressa, Denis Mukwege, and Juan Manuel Santos joined Yunus in endorsing the statement.

The declaration warned that the convergence of artificial intelligence and nuclear weapons poses an unprecedented threat to humanity’s future. It compared the dawn of the nuclear age with the current AI era, cautioning that the world is entering an AI arms race that could intensify existing nuclear tensions. The document further noted that AI weakens human decision-making in nuclear command systems, increases cyber threats to critical infrastructure, and fuels information warfare that undermines international trust.

The event also featured addresses by senior Vatican officials and scientific leaders, including Cardinal Fabio Bazzio and Professor Daniel Holz, emphasizing the urgency of global cooperation on AI and nuclear safety.

The European Union has issued a binding directive requiring Google to provide equal access for rival artificial intelligence (AI) applications on its Android operating system. The order also mandates Google to share certain search-related data with competing search engines and qualified AI chatbots in anonymized form. According to the EU, Google’s own AI assistant, Gemini, currently enjoys privileged access to key Android features, limiting fair competition in the digital market.

Under the new rules, Android users will be able to choose their preferred AI assistant, similar to selecting a web browser. Google must ensure that chosen AI apps can be activated via voice commands and integrated with smart features. The company is required to start sharing search data by January 2027 and open Android functionalities to competitors by July of the same year. Data protection measures will be independently evaluated by a third party.

Google has opposed the decision, arguing it could endanger user privacy and device security. Apple has expressed similar concerns, warning that such obligations may increase risks to personal data protection. The EU maintains that the directive aims to foster fair competition, innovation, and user choice in the digital market.

Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus participated in the Global Nobel Laureates Assembly on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear War, held at the Vatican’s Borgo Laudato Si’ from July 16 to 18, 2026. The three-day conference concluded at Rome’s Capitoline Hill with the signing of a joint declaration titled “Humanity at the Threshold,” endorsed by Nobel laureates including Romano Prodi, Jody Williams, Maria Ressa, Denis Mukwege, and Juan Manuel Santos.

The declaration warns that the convergence of artificial intelligence and nuclear weapons poses an unprecedented threat to humanity. It draws parallels between the dawn of the nuclear age and the current AI era, cautioning that an AI-driven arms race could intensify existing nuclear rivalries. The signatories emphasized that AI is undermining human decision-making in nuclear command systems, heightening cyber risks to critical infrastructure, and eroding trust essential for global peace.

The document outlines six principles, calling for restraint in AI and nuclear arms development, responsible technology governance, exclusion of AI from nuclear decision-making, creation of international oversight bodies, youth leadership in addressing global challenges, and verifiable nuclear disarmament within set timelines.

Bangladesh’s Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, Information and Communication Technology, and Science and Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, stated that the government is updating its digital policies and laws to make them more timely and effective. Speaking on Saturday at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 in Shanghai, he said the reforms aim to use artificial intelligence for public welfare while ensuring effective governance to manage potential risks.

Anam noted that under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s leadership, Bangladesh is advancing work on a comprehensive and inclusive national AI policy. The government is also strengthening personal data protection and cybersecurity, formulating AI usage guidelines for the public sector, promoting responsible data management, expanding AI-based education, and implementing decentralized institutional initiatives across the country.

He outlined four global governance priorities—security, equity, adaptability, and international cooperation—and urged the international community to collaborate on technology transfer, capacity building, data sovereignty, and fair access to technology. The WAIC 2026, held from July 17 to 20 in Shanghai, focused on accelerating sustainable development and strengthening global AI governance.