Environmentalists and space experts have warned that proposed orbital data centers backed by major technology companies, including SpaceX and Blue Origin, could pose severe risks to Earth’s atmosphere. A petition has been filed with the US Federal Communications Commission seeking an independent review of the potential harm and calling for a pause on licenses for new space data-center projects, according to a report published on July 24, 2026.

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, Earthjustice and DarkSky International jointly submitted the petition. They say emissions from satellite launches and atmospheric re-entry, including black carbon, rare metals, aluminum oxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury and chlorine gas, could accumulate in the stratosphere. Scientists fear this pollution could damage the ozone layer, increase exposure to ultraviolet radiation and worsen the global climate crisis. The report says the number of active satellites has risen from about 1,400 in 2015 to about 15,000 currently, while companies have not presented a satisfactory plan to address combined pollution, collisions and debris.

Bangladesh is set to host the National Semiconductor Symposium and BEAR (Bangladesh Emerging Advanced Research) Summit on July 25 and 26 in Dhaka. The event will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister on Saturday morning at the Novo Theatre. The announcement was made by Science and Technology Secretary Anwar Hossain at a press briefing in Gulshan Club, Dhaka. The two-day summit is jointly organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Bangladesh Semiconductor Industry Association (BSIA), and the Silicon River Bangladesh program.

According to the organizers, the summit aims to position Bangladesh as a globally connected hub for semiconductor and deep-tech innovation. Policymakers, global semiconductor executives, researchers, entrepreneurs, university representatives, investors, and expatriate Bangladeshi experts will participate to help formulate the country’s long-term semiconductor and deep-tech strategy. The event will feature 11 plenary sessions and exhibitions showcasing biotechnology, engineering, artificial intelligence, and robotics.

The Science and Technology Ministry emphasized that technology-driven economies are key to prosperity and reaffirmed its commitment to building Bangladesh into a high-tech capable nation and promoting the commercialization of research.

Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt has expressed her support for the ongoing student protests in Delhi against exam paper leaks and irregularities. In an emotional message shared on social media on July 23, 2026, she praised the students’ courage and determination in demanding a fair and transparent education system. Bhatt said the recent days had been both painful and inspiring, acknowledging the sacrifices and dreams behind each protesting student.

She emphasized that the movement for accountability reminds society to listen to the voices of the younger generation. Bhatt described the students’ resilience as a mirror reflecting a question to all—whether the nation truly hears those shaping its future. Her message concluded with the sentiment that the future belongs to the students themselves.

Earlier, actor Salman Khan had also expressed solidarity with the protesters but voiced sorrow that the initially peaceful demonstrations had turned violent. He called the exam paper leak a serious issue and extended sympathy to affected students and their families.

WASHINGTON, July 22 (Reuters) – The United States has accused China's Moonshot AI of stealing technology from Anthropic's advanced large language model, Fable, to develop its latest K3 model. Michael Kratsios, a top Trump administration technology official, said Moonshot engaged in large-scale industrial distillation to extract proprietary U.S. technology. He added that the company had also obtained Nvidia GB300 chips and used them in Thailand to train its models. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he was considering adding Moonshot AI to a trade blacklist and imposing sanctions.

The accusations come amid escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing over artificial intelligence and technology security. A Chinese embassy spokesperson in Washington dismissed the claims as unfounded, asserting that China respects intellectual property rights. Anthropic’s public policy executive Sarah Heck warned that such alleged theft poses serious national security risks for the United States.

The dispute follows earlier reports that several Chinese AI firms, including Moonshot, used Anthropic’s Claude model through fake accounts to enhance their own systems. Moonshot recently launched its Kimi K3 model, claiming it is the world’s largest open-weight AI system, rivaling Anthropic’s Fable.

Star Cineplex will release four internationally notable big‑budget films simultaneously in Dhaka starting July 24, offering a diverse cinematic lineup for local audiences. The slate includes the sixth installment of the Evil Dead franchise, the psychological horror Passenger, the animated sci‑fi family adventure Time Hoppers: The Silk Road, and a 3D concert film featuring Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard and Soft tour’s Manchester show.

Evil Dead Burn, directed by Sebastian Venichek and produced by Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, follows a young woman who seeks solace with relatives after her husband’s sudden death. Passenger, directed by André Øvredal and starring Jacob Sipio, Lu Lobel and Melissa Leo, centres on a young couple whose van‑life road trip turns terrifying after a supernatural presence follows them. Time Hoppers is a Star‑Kinekor animated family film about four students who travel to 9th‑century Baghdad, while the Billie Eilish concert film is produced by James Cameron and Paramount Pictures.

Audiences can expect a genre‑wide offering from horror to family animation and concert cinema when the four films open together on July 24 at Star Cineplex in Dhaka.

The United States has reported a sharp rise in Iranian cyberattacks targeting its networks and infrastructure. In response, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) jointly issued a nationwide alert to government and private organizations connected to the internet. The advisory warns of Iran-backed cyber operations affecting various connected devices and urges heightened vigilance across sectors.

Brett Leatherman, assistant director of the FBI’s cyber division, stated that Iranian cyber groups continue to target critical US infrastructure. He emphasized the FBI’s commitment to identifying those responsible, stopping their malicious activities, and ensuring accountability. The new joint directive aims to help cybersecurity professionals detect harmful online activity more quickly, strengthen defense systems, and reduce the risk of disruptions to essential services.

The agencies expect that improved detection and coordination will limit the impact of Iranian cyber operations on US citizens’ daily services and national infrastructure resilience.

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has expressed solidarity with students participating in the ongoing protests against exam paper leaks in India. In an Instagram post shared on Wednesday, he urged demonstrators to continue their movement peacefully, describing paper leaks as a serious issue that should not be politically hijacked. Khan praised the courage and awareness of the young generation, saying their commitment to education would make India proud.

He emphasized that the problem of paper leaks concerns students and the education system alone, and credited the movement’s success solely to the students. Khan also expressed hope that the government would fully support the students and strengthen the education system for the benefit of all. He concluded by calling for education to become a positive national trend that could attract international students to study in India.

Several other Bollywood figures, including Omi Vaidya, Zeenat Aman, Naseeruddin Shah, Ratna Pathak Shah, Abhay Deol, Sonakshi Sinha, and Riteish Deshmukh, have also voiced support for the peaceful protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) in New Delhi.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology and Science and Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, presented a three-point proposal to reduce digital inequality at the World Internet Conference held at the International Convention Center in Xi’an, China. His proposals focused on establishing a multilateral cyber governance framework, ensuring access to technology and knowledge, and eliminating digital disparities. The minister highlighted Bangladesh’s progress in mobile connectivity, digital financial services, and e-governance initiatives such as the national portal and e-filing system.

He emphasized that digital transformation involves not only physical infrastructure but also artificial intelligence and intellectual development. Bangladesh is investing in AI research, fintech innovation, and large-scale data center infrastructure. The country is also applying machine learning for flood forecasting and using drones for precision agriculture. Anam described the “Digital Silk Road” as an economic lifeline linking Bangladesh’s digital economy with China’s technological expertise and ASEAN’s production networks through high-speed submarine cable connectivity.

The two-day conference on July 21–22 brought together around 800 participants from 52 countries and regions to discuss AI, digital trade, e-commerce, cultural heritage preservation, smart healthcare, and global digital cooperation.

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has said that the world stands at the end of one civilization and the dawn of another. Speaking on July 16 at the Global Nobel Laureates Assembly on Artificial Intelligence and Nuclear War in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, he argued that the current civilization has failed in its fundamental responsibilities. He identified environmental destruction and growing wealth concentration as the two main causes of this decline.

Dr. Yunus challenged the belief that new technologies will solve these problems, warning instead that artificial intelligence could accelerate wealth concentration and deepen inequality. He said the real issue is not job loss but a system that reduces people to job seekers, stressing that humans are inherently creative and not born to follow orders. Calling today’s youth the most powerful generation in human history, he urged them to define the world they wish to build.

The assembly brought together Nobel laureates, former heads of state, religious leaders, and youth delegates. Participants signed a joint declaration warning that the combined development of AI and nuclear weapons poses an unprecedented threat to humanity’s future.

The Trump administration is reportedly considering new measures that could effectively ban or restrict the use of advanced Chinese artificial intelligence models in the United States. According to sources cited by Axios, internal discussions have resurfaced following the rapid rise of the Chinese open-source model Kimi. The Commerce Department, National Security Agency, and White House cyber offices previously explored actions such as adding Chinese AI labs to the Entity List, issuing advisories, or requiring U.S. companies to assume liability for hosting Chinese models. Although earlier efforts were halted to avoid stifling innovation, renewed momentum is building among national security officials.

The administration’s current approach appears to favor indirect pressure rather than an outright ban. Sources described strategies including procurement rules, public warnings about security risks, and campaigns to encourage reliance on domestic AI ecosystems. Pro-competition advocates, including outside adviser David Sacks, have warned that such measures could entrench dominant U.S. firms like OpenAI and Anthropic while undermining open-source innovation.

The debate reflects a broader struggle between national security priorities and market competition as Chinese AI capabilities advance and U.S. policymakers weigh how to respond.

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.