Chittagong University of Engineering & Technology has permanently expelled student Rubaiyed Ferdous Alvi following allegations of making offensive comments about the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Alvi, a 2020-21 Electronics and Telecommunication department student, sparked outrage among peers after posting objectionable remarks on social media, prompting student protests. An investigation confirmed the allegations, leading to his temporary suspension and subsequent permanent expulsion. Alvi may appeal the decision within 15 days. He had prior disciplinary issues related to misconduct and drug use.

OpenAI is set to introduce a new AI-powered web browser within the coming months, aiming to compete with the widely used Google Chrome. According to sources, this browser will incorporate an AI agent named ‘Operator’ to enhance browsing by keeping some user interactions within ChatGPT. The move reflects OpenAI’s strategy to offer a browsing experience less dependent on Google’s control, similar to other AI browsers like Perplexity’s Comet. The launch is planned for 2024, marking a significant step in AI-driven web technology.

Students at Rajshahi University staged a protest march condemning the brutal beating and stabbing murder of a businessman at Mitford Hospital in the capital city. The demonstrators rallied against terrorism and extortion, raising slogans denouncing violence.

Leaders of the anti-discrimination student movement declared that no matter which political party terrorists belong to, they must not be shielded. Similarly, the Democratic Student Alliance held a march and assembly demanding swift justice for the killing.

Speakers at the protests urged authorities to ensure a speedy trial and pledged to prevent any political party in the country from resorting to acts of terrorism.

The Ganosamhati Andolon has strongly condemned the brutal murder of scrap dealer Md. Sohag in Old Dhaka’s Mitford area. The party criticized the government’s failure to maintain law and order and called for immediate and exemplary punishment of the perpetrators. Leaders stressed that such acts of terror and political violence cannot be allowed to persist in Bangladesh and must be addressed urgently.

According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), nearly 150,000 Rohingya have fled to Bangladesh in the past 18 months due to ongoing violence and persecution in Myanmar’s Rakhine State. This marks the highest influx since 2017, with the majority being women and children. Overcrowded Rohingya camps in Cox’s Bazar now face severe funding shortages for essential services such as food, healthcare, and education. As a result, health services risk suspension from July to September, and food aid could be cut off by December. UNHCR has called for peace in Rakhine to ensure the safety of Rohingya refugees.

Illegal sand extraction has resumed at night along the Meghna River in Kodalpur Union, Gosairhat Upazila, Shariatpur, causing significant land erosion. Around 100 acres of farmland and riverbank areas have already been washed away, threatening local homes and agriculture. Despite a recent promise by sand miners to halt operations, activities restarted three weeks ago. Residents live in fear of further damage and violence when reporting the issue. Authorities, including the army and police, have been alerted and plan to take strict action soon.

Heavy monsoon rains and river erosion have triggered fresh flooding in Feni, submerging villages and damaging embankments at 15 points. Over 27 villages are affected, and water levels in rivers like the Muhuri have crossed danger marks. Roads, schools, and fish farms are inundated, while relief efforts are underway. Experts blame poor embankment maintenance. There is an urgent call for coordinated action, emergency shelters, food, and medical aid. The government is urged to take proactive steps before the situation worsens.

OPEC's latest World Oil Outlook 2025 projects global crude oil demand will grow by 7.9% over the next five years, reaching 113.3 million barrels per day by 2030. While demand forecasts for China have been revised downward due to slower economic growth and increased EV usage, OPEC expects rising consumption in developing regions like India, Africa, and the Middle East. The organization also called for $18.2 trillion in global energy investment by 2050 to meet future demand.

In an ambitious effort to combat environmental degradation, Savar Upazila Administration has launched a landmark initiative titled “Let Savar Thrive in Green, Let Thousands of Dreams Fly in the Blue Sky”, aiming to plant 100,000 trees in a single day.

The program includes planting fruit-bearing, medicinal, and forest trees across 12 unions, educational institutions, roadsides, and private lands. Senior government officials, including the Environmental Adviser, Divisional Commissioner, and District Commissioner, will attend the event. The initiative is expected to play a critical role in addressing deforestation, pollution, and climate change in the area. A mobile environmental team will oversee maintenance and raise awareness, while mobile courts will be used to crack down on illegal brick kilns and polluting factories. A long-term environmental action plan is also in development.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has pledged to modernize Bangladesh’s broadcasting systems—including cable TV digitization, TRP services, and OTT platforms—with public interest at the core of its efforts.

At a ministry meeting, Adviser Md. Mahfuz Alam emphasized the need for coordination between the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology. He stressed the importance of a comprehensive tech evaluation plan to guide licensing, monitoring, and monetization of digital media. Additional remarks from Faiz Ahmed Tayyab echoed the urgency of creating a technology assessment framework that keeps broadcasting systems up-to-date and public-friendly.

Human rights activists, two civic organizations, and members of the BNP staged a human chain protest in Tongi, Gazipur, demanding justice for the murder of garment worker Mahfuzur Rahman.

The protesters called for immediate arrest of the perpetrators and highlighted the lack of safety on public roads. Mahfuzur was fatally stabbed by unidentified assailants on Wednesday night near the Abdullahpur flyover on the Dhaka-Mymensingh highway, while heading toward the Sena Kallyan Bhaban link road in Tongi.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged that Bengali-speaking individuals are being labeled as illegal immigrants and Bangladeshis in several BJP-ruled Indian states. She expressed grave concern over a recent incident in Delhi’s Jai Hind Colony, where the electricity and water supply of Bengali-speaking residents was cut off before forced eviction. Banerjee highlighted the significant contributions of Bengali laborers to the development of Delhi and stressed that rights should be based on citizenship, not language. She accused the BJP of inciting hatred against Bengalis and carrying out targeted oppression across various states.

At least 798 people have been killed while attempting to collect humanitarian aid in Gaza, the UN Office for Human Rights has reported.

As of July 7, 615 of the reported deaths occurred near distribution centers operated by the U.S.-Israel-led Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), with the remaining casualties taking place around UN and other aid centers. The UN has raised concerns that the GHF's operations are bypassing its own humanitarian aid distribution system, calling it a violation of humanitarian principles. While the GHF denies any fatalities occurred at its centers, the UN's report contradicts that claim.

During the second day of discussions between Bangladesh and the United States on tariff-related matters, both sides reached a general consensus on several aspects concerning current and future trade dynamics, though some issues remain unresolved, according to Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser.

A post from the Chief Adviser’s official Facebook page stated that Bangladesh Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin engaged in a constructive dialogue with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. The discussions focused on tariffs and other trade-related interests. Bangladesh reiterated its commitment to improving both exports and imports, and expressed hope for U.S. cooperation in ensuring fairness and a competitive trade environment. Further talks are scheduled in the coming days.

Continuous rainfall and upstream surges have flooded over 100 villages in Feni after river embankments broke, while water from the Teesta and other northern rivers is rising rapidly. Crops across 21 districts have been submerged, affecting over 72,000 hectares of farmland. Military rescue and relief operations are underway in the worst-hit areas. Coastal districts like Bagerhat are also experiencing severe waterlogging. Authorities expect slight improvement as rainfall decreases, but vulnerable areas remain at risk of further flooding and damage.