Bangladeshi singer Sabrina Naushin Tushi, who was named the top performer in the 2023 Channel i Serakantha competition, is set to release a new romantic song titled 'Jan Pakhire Pran Pakhire Gan Pakhire Tui Amar'. The song was written by Shafiq Tuhin and Plabon Kuraishi, with composition and music arrangement by Shafiq Tuhin, who also performs alongside Tushi. According to Tushi, the audio production has been completed, and the music video will be released soon on a YouTube channel.

Tushi expressed her admiration for the song’s lyrics and melody, describing it as a sweet romantic piece. She previously collaborated with Shafiq Tuhin on another song featured in a television drama. The singer also shared that she has been coping with the loss of her father, Abdur Rob Tofadar, who passed away on April 21. Following his death, she declined several stage show offers due to emotional distress but now plans to return to live performances in the coming days.

Tushi hopes that listeners will appreciate her new song and that it will resonate with audiences once released.

Bangladesh’s television audience first experienced large-scale dubbing a decade ago with the Turkish series “Sultan Suleiman,” aired on Deepto TV. The show’s success, driven by high-quality Bangla dubbing, opened a new chapter for foreign series localization. Following this, several private TV channels and OTT platforms began producing dubbed content, creating a new professional field for voice-over artists.

Although dubbing existed earlier through BTV and Kolkata-based studios, Deepto TV’s 2015 initiative marked the first major domestic effort to build local dubbing teams and studios. Voice director Lata Majumdar and actor Deepak Suman described the early challenges of forming a 15-member team without prior infrastructure. Today, around 15 studios operate nationwide, with artists working in categories earning between 2,000 and 5,000 taka per shift, and experienced freelancers earning up to 600 taka per minute.

Industry figures note growing challenges, including declining quality and complex government regulations requiring censorship and time restrictions for foreign content. Without improvements, experts fear the sector could again depend on imported dubbing services.

Bangladeshi actress Pori Moni has alleged that her 2021 arrest by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was carried out unlawfully and to serve the interests of certain influential groups. In a Facebook post published late on July 10, 2026, she recalled being detained from her Banani residence and later charged under the Narcotics Control Act. She stated that the incident severely damaged her personal, social, and professional life, and questioned whether the state could ever restore her lost dignity and peace of mind.

In her post, Pori Moni thanked former RAB intelligence chief Lt. Col. (Retd.) Khairul Islam for recently acknowledging certain truths about the operation during an online talk show. She reiterated that she was unjustly arrested under the direction of then RAB chief and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun. The actress emphasized her desire for justice, accountability, and the protection of innocent citizens from similar experiences.

Pori Moni expressed hope that the court would soon grant her relief from the case but lamented that the time and respect she lost could never be recovered.

Bollywood singer, composer, and pianist Adnan Sami has released a special four-song musical project dedicated to Iran’s late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The project, unveiled on Friday, July 10, 2026, has already drawn significant international attention. Each of the four original songs explores themes of leadership, resilience, endurance, and remembrance, marking a distinctive addition to Sami’s extensive musical repertoire.

According to the official X handle of the Iranian Embassy in Australia, the Padma Shri award-winning artist created this project as a tribute to Khamenei, with one of the songs titled “Ya Allah” shared through the embassy’s post. Over his three-decade career, Sami has performed across South Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, blending Indian classical, pop, and orchestral styles to build a unique musical identity.

The new project is viewed by observers as another exceptional chapter in Adnan Sami’s long artistic journey, further expanding his creative legacy in international music circles.

Bangladeshi actress Pori Moni has publicly spoken in detail for the first time about her 2021 arrest by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). In a Facebook post published at midnight on Friday, she claimed that her detention on August 4, 2021, was completely unlawful and carried out under the direction of then RAB chief and former Inspector General of Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun. She expressed gratitude to former RAB intelligence head Lt. Col. Khairul Islam for recently acknowledging certain truths about the incident in an online talk show.

Pori Moni stated that she was falsely implicated in fabricated cases, placed on a seven-day remand, and kept in jail for 20 days, which caused severe personal and professional damage. She described the experience as a painful chapter in Bangladesh’s history, saying her dignity and character were unjustly questioned. She emphasized that she seeks truth, justice, and humanity rather than revenge, urging that no innocent person should face similar injustice in the future.

She expressed hope that the court would soon clear her of the charges and questioned whether the state could restore the honor and peace she lost.

The European Union has directed Meta to change the ‘addictive design’ of Facebook and Instagram, warning that failure to comply could result in substantial fines. The preliminary assessment, released on Friday from Brussels, accuses Meta of failing to reduce risks for children and vulnerable adults by maintaining features that keep users engaged for long periods, such as infinite scroll, personalized feeds, and autoplay videos.

EU technology chief Henna Virkkunen stated that protecting Europeans’ physical and mental health should be a priority for social media platforms. The European Commission said Meta must modify its design to disable autoplay and infinite scroll by default, introduce effective screen time breaks, and make recommendation algorithms less engagement-driven. Meta disagreed with the findings but said it would work constructively with the EU.

If the preliminary decision becomes final, the EU could fine Meta up to six percent of its global annual revenue. The move follows growing EU pressure on major tech firms to strengthen online safety for minors, similar to earlier warnings issued to TikTok.

Meta has removed Instagram’s new artificial intelligence-based image generation feature called “Muse Image” following widespread criticism. The feature, launched earlier in the week, allowed users to create new images based on publicly available Instagram photos simply by mentioning the account name. However, concerns quickly arose over privacy violations and potential misuse, as the system did not notify or seek consent from the original photo owners.

Users, artists, and talent management agencies criticized the feature, warning that it could be exploited to create fake or misleading images, particularly targeting women. In a blog post, Meta stated that the feature was intended to make creative work easier while giving users control over how their images were used. The company acknowledged that user reactions did not meet expectations and that the feature failed to achieve its intended goals.

Experts cited in reports noted that incidents of fake image generation using AI are increasing rapidly, emphasizing the need for stronger safeguards around privacy, consent, and misuse prevention before deploying such technologies.

A new artificial intelligence (AI)-based scientific application named 'Surf IT' is being developed to provide accurate storm surge forecasts up to three days before cyclones in Bangladesh. The project, currently in its experimental phase, aims to identify potential surge locations, water heights, flooded areas, and vulnerable embankments. It is being implemented under the leadership of the NGO Uttaran, in collaboration with Action Against Hunger and North South University, with technical support from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Flood Forecasting and Warning Centre, Water Development Board, and the Department of Disaster Management.

The model, developed with international cooperation and inspired by European Union and US forecasting systems, currently achieves about 92 percent accuracy, with a goal to reach 95–96 percent by December. It also integrates local knowledge to improve prediction of embankment vulnerabilities. The initiative emphasizes women’s leadership in disaster response, as many men from coastal areas work away from home for much of the year.

Officials plan to hand over the technology to the government after testing, enabling its integration into the national disaster forecasting system to strengthen Bangladesh’s coastal resilience.

OpenAI announced that its most advanced artificial intelligence model, the GPT-5.6 series, will be released to the public on Thursday. The company confirmed through a post from San Francisco that the three versions—Soul, Terra, and Luna—will be made globally available, expanding preview access worldwide. Reports indicated that the U.S. government had allowed the large-scale release following technical reviews and meetings between officials and the company.

The GPT-5.6 series follows a limited preview shared with trusted U.S. partners at Washington’s request due to national security concerns. Researchers have expressed unease that the new generation of large language models, including Anthropic’s Mythos series, could identify software vulnerabilities that hackers might exploit. Within the White House, officials remain divided over how much oversight should apply to such powerful systems.

OpenAI stated it is working with Washington to create a repeatable framework for future model releases aligned with cybersecurity directives. The company also said the Terra model will cost half as much as GPT-5.5, a move aimed at retaining customers amid growing competition with Anthropic and Google.

Two Bangladeshi multiplexes, Lion Cinemas in Keraniganj and Madhuban Cineplex in Bogura, have begun screening live FIFA World Cup matches instead of films to attract audiences. The initiative, launched amid a shortage of quality movies and declining viewership, has drawn strong public interest. Lion Cinemas has already shown several matches across its four screens, with most shows reportedly going houseful as fans buy multiple tickets to enjoy the games with friends and family.

Madhuban Cineplex started its large-screen broadcasts with the Argentina–Egypt match on Tuesday. Managing Director Sayekhuzzaman said the decision followed a sharp drop in cinema attendance, with some shows drawing as few as ten viewers and causing financial losses. To counter this, the cineplex priced tickets at 100 and 200 taka. If the current response continues, the management plans to screen the semifinal and final matches as well.

The move reflects a creative attempt by theater owners to sustain operations and reconnect with audiences through live sports entertainment.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Zahir Uddin Swapon, met with the Netherlands Ambassador to Bangladesh, Mel Joris van Bommel, at the ministry office in Dhaka on Wednesday. The ambassador congratulated the minister on assuming office and highlighted the long-standing bilateral relationship between the two countries, which has expanded across education, health, development, and trade. He expressed interest in further strengthening this partnership.

Minister Swapon said the current government is working to bring qualitative changes in its operations and expressed interest in collaborating with the Netherlands in media and communication sectors. He noted that new media, artificial intelligence, and the digital ecosystem have created emerging challenges in the information age. The minister emphasized the state’s responsibility to ensure freedom of expression while protecting citizens from misinformation and disinformation, calling for a clear strategy in this regard.

The Dutch ambassador underscored the importance of developing new frameworks to address digital challenges and briefed the minister on the Netherlands’ initiatives in this area.

Microsoft has announced plans to lay off approximately 4,800 employees, representing about 2.1 percent of its global workforce. The decision, reported by NDTV on July 6, 2026, is part of an ongoing restructuring aimed at improving efficiency and expanding investment in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The company is channeling significant funds into AI infrastructure and rapidly integrating AI across its business operations.

The move comes as global technology firms face intense competition in AI-related investments, which are expected to exceed 700 billion dollars this year. Companies such as Amazon and Meta have also implemented large-scale layoffs to manage rising costs and maintain profitability. Microsoft’s decision follows a 23 percent decline in its share price during the first half of 2026, marking its weakest performance since 2022.

Earlier in the year, Microsoft offered voluntary exit options to about 9,000 U.S.-based employees, roughly 7 percent of its workforce. Despite growth in its cloud computing business, the company faces financial pressure from heavy spending on data centers required to support AI services and rising memory chip prices.

Bangladeshi singer Asif Akbar has stirred discussion on social media after posting a political statement on his verified Facebook page on Saturday. In his post, he urged people to stay awake in July and claimed that a 'fallen fascist' has returned through three sectors: media, sports, and culture. The post quickly drew attention online, sparking debate among users who either supported or disagreed with his remarks.

The discussion comes amid renewed public engagement around the 2024 mass uprising, which has been a major topic on social media since the beginning of July. Asif, known for his outspoken views on social and political issues, frequently shares his opinions on national matters. His candid comments often attract widespread attention and mixed reactions.

Beyond his social commentary, Asif Akbar remains active in music, releasing new songs and performing in concerts both at home and abroad. His earlier works, including the hit album “O Priya Tumi Kothay,” continue to enjoy popularity among listeners.

Bollywood actor Aamir Khan is set to marry his partner Gauri Spratt on July 5 in a private ceremony at his residence in Bandra, Mumbai. The event will be a modest family gathering rather than a lavish celebration, with attendance limited to close relatives, friends, and a few well-wishers. The announcement has drawn significant attention from fans following the couple’s recent public acknowledgment of their relationship.

A notable aspect of the wedding is the expected presence of Aamir Khan’s two former wives and their children, reflecting the actor’s continued cordial relationship with his previous families. In a recent video message, Aamir emphasized that spending time with family is more meaningful to him than grand festivities, and he sought blessings and good wishes from his fans for this new chapter.

This will be Aamir Khan’s third marriage, while it is Gauri Spratt’s second. Both bring children from their previous marriages, and all four children are expected to be part of the ceremony, symbolizing a blended family beginning.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent acceptance of the ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’ award in Seychelles has sparked widespread controversy. The award, received during his official visit from June 27 to 29, was presented by Seychelles President Patrick Herminie and dedicated by Modi to nations fighting climate change. However, observers quickly noticed multiple spelling errors on the certificate, including incorrect spellings of ‘Republic’ and ‘Seychelles,’ which led to ridicule on social media and reports in international outlets such as The Guardian.

Fact-checkers later found that the certificate appeared to be AI-generated using an OpenAI image tool, with a watermark confirming the suspicion. The award had reportedly been created only three days before Modi’s arrival, making him its first and only recipient. Opposition parties, including the Indian National Congress, mocked Modi’s eagerness for awards, while the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party defended the honor as recognition of his environmental leadership. Seychelles’ foreign ministry later clarified that an unapproved draft had been mistakenly circulated and that a corrected version was issued.

The incident has reignited debate over Modi’s pattern of receiving newly created international honors during foreign visits, with critics viewing it as part of his image-driven political strategy.