United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has directed all mobile phone operators to provide 1GB of free Internet to users on 18 July, in observance of "Free Internet Day." The decision was made during a BTRC meeting on Tuesday, 8 July, chaired by the commission’s vice chairman, according to the BTRC order. As per the directive, the BTRC approved this initiative following instructions from the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, aimed at reflecting public aspirations and promoting digital freedom. To ensure smooth implementation, operators have been instructed to notify users in advance via SMS and to extend full cooperation in observing the day. The order included a sample SMS message: “No one will take away the freedom to use the internet. On the occasion of July Uprising Day, you will receive 1GB of data on 18 July, valid for 5 days.”

A “click-to-cancel” rule, which would have required businesses to make it easy for consumers to cancel unwanted subscriptions and memberships, has been blocked by a federal appeals court just days before it was set to go into effect. The Federal Trade Commission's proposed changes, adopted in October, required businesses to obtain a customer's consent before charging for memberships, auto-renewals and programs linked to free trial offers. The FTC said at the time that businesses must also disclose when free trials or other promotional offers will end and let customers cancel recurring subscriptions as easily as they started them. The rule was set to go into effect on Monday, but the US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit said this week that the FTC made a procedural error by failing to come up with a preliminary regulatory analysis, which is required for rules whose annual impact on the US economy is more than $100 million. Impostor uses AI to pose as Rubio, contact US and foreign officials The FTC claimed that it didn't have to come up with a preliminary regulatory analysis because it initially determined that the rule's impact on the national economy would be less than $100 million. An administrative law judge decided that the economic impact would be more than the $100 million threshold. The court decided to vacate the rule. “While we certainly do not endorse the use of unfair and deceptive practices in negative option marketing, the procedural deficiencies of the Commission's rulemaking process are fatal here,” the court wrote. The FTC declined to comment on Wednesday.

Jack Dorsey, the guy behind Twitter and now running Block, just dropped something wild called Bitchat. He called it a "weekend project" where he geeked out on Bluetooth mesh networks, encryption, and message relaying tech. Bitchat’s not like your usual messaging apps—it works without Wi-Fi or data. It uses Bluetooth Low Energy to connect devices directly, so your chats stay private and don’t touch the internet. No big servers or data grabs like WhatsApp or Telegram. It’s built to keep things simple, secure, and totally off-grid. It’s already out in beta for iPhone users through TestFlight, and Dorsey just announced it’s hitting Android too. This could be a total game-changer for staying connected when the internet’s down or in places where access is spotty. What is Bitchat? Bitchat’s this cool messaging app Jack Dorsey cooked up that lets you chat using Bluetooth, so you don’t need internet or cell signal. Forget WhatsApp or Telegram, which need servers and your phone number. Bitchat connects your phone directly to others nearby, like within 30 meters or so. And if your buddy’s a bit farther, it can bounce messages through other devices to reach them. It’s super hard to kill this thing, which is awesome for places with bad connections or where someone’s trying to block communication. Read more: Impostor uses AI to pose as Rubio, contact US and foreign officials Dorsey said on X, It’s got this retro IRC feel, like those old chat rooms from the early internet days. Bitchat’s super focused on privacy; you don’t need to give up your email or number, and your messages are totally secure with encryption. Your chats don’t hang around forever either; they’re just on your phone and then gone, so no one’s snooping through old messages. You can send private texts or make group chats, throw in some hashtag names, and even lock them with passwords. If your friend’s too far or offline, Bitchat holds your message and sends it when they’re close again. It’s all about keeping you connected anywhere; no fancy tech is required. What Makes It Stand Out - No Central Control: It doesn’t need servers, so it’s not at the mercy of some big network. - Keeps You Private: No need to share personal info, and your chats are encrypted. - Messages Don’t Linger: Your texts vanish after a bit, so there’s less chance of a data leak. - Group Vibes: Make group chats with hashtag names and optional passwords. - Works Offline: Saves your messages and delivers them when your friend’s back in range. Read more: Tesla shares plunge 7% as Trump-Musk feud reignites, sparking investor concerns How Does Bitchat Work? Bitchat’s magic is all about using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) in a clever way called a mesh network. Here’s the deal: every phone running Bitchat can send a message and also pass one along, like if you tell your friend something and they tell someone else. Bluetooth usually only works for about 30 meters, but Bitchat lets your message hop from phone to phone, so it can travel much farther, like 300 meters or even more if there are enough people nearby using the app. If your buddy’s out of range, your message just hitches a lift through other Bitchat phones to get to them. The app’s got some smart tricks under the hood to make it work smoothly and keep your chats private: - Message Hopping: It uses a system that limits messages to seven hops so they don’t get stuck bouncing around forever. This keeps things fast and efficient. - Hold for Later: If your friend’s offline, Bitchat saves your message and sends it when their phone’s back in range. - Locked Down Chats: Your messages are super secure with fancy encryption (think top-level stuff like X25519 and AES-256-GCM for private chats and Ed25519 to make sure it’s really you). Group chats get extra protection with passwords turned into keys using something called Argon2id. - Breaking Up Big Messages: If your message is too long (over 500 bytes), Bitchat chops it into smaller bits to send it reliably. - Battery and Speed Tweaks: It compresses messages with a tool called LZ4 to save data and has modes that ease up on your battery when you’re running low. Read more: Tecno Spark 40 Pro Review: Budget Brilliance or Just Another Buzz? Moreover, Bitchat incorporates advanced privacy features. It sends fake “cover” messages to hide your real ones and mixes up the timing of when messages go out, so no one can snoop on your patterns. All this tech makes Bitchat not just a cool way to chat without internet, but also a fortress for keeping your conversations private and reliable. Where Bitchat Really Rocks Bitchat’s knack for working without internet makes it a total lifesaver in all sorts of situations. Here’s where it shines: - Music Fests and Packed Events: You’re at a crazy festival, no bars on your phone. Bitchat lets you fire off a text to your pals to pick a meetup spot, and it hops through other folks’ phones to reach them. - Protests and Rallies: When the government kills the internet, like back in Hong Kong in 2019 and Bangladesh in 2024, apps like Bitchat keep everyone connected so they can stay safe and make plans right then and there. - Disaster Zones: If a hurricane or earthquake wipes out cell service, Bitchat helps firefighters, paramedics, and locals chat with each other to get help where it’s needed quickly. - Off-the-Grid Spots: Out in the middle of nowhere with no Wi-Fi? Bitchat lets people in the area text each other, keeping everyone in the loop. - Privacy Buffs: If you’re not cool with big apps snooping on your data, Bitchat’s got your back with a private, no-personal-info-needed way to chat. Read more: OpenAI pauses operations for a week amid Meta’s billion-dollar talent battle What’s Next for Bitchat? Jack Dorsey’s got some big ideas for where Bitchat’s headed. He’s talking about adding Wi-Fi Direct, which could make the app way faster (think speeds over 250 Mbps) and let it reach farther, like 100-200 meters. That’d make it even handier for all sorts of situations. They’re also messing around with wild stuff like ultrasonic communication for short, low-key chats when you’re super cclose nd LoRa for sending messages long distances, especially in emergencies like disasters. Plus, there’s a plan to tie in something called Nostr, which could link up separate Bitchat networks so your messages can travel across bigger areas, even if they don’t arrive right away. Since Bitchat’s open-source and up on GitHub, anyone can jump in, suggest tweaks, or check the code to make sure it’s legit. That keeps things transparent and lets the community help make it better. Dorsey just dropped on X that Bitchat’s now on Android, which shows they’re moving fast, with tons of folks in the open-source world pitching in to keep the momentum going. Bitchat’s a game-changer for how we stay in touch without leaning on the usual internet setup. Using Bluetooth mesh networks, it’s a super secure and tough-to-break way to chat that doesn’t need Wi-Fi or cell service. With its open-source vibe and Jack Dorsey’s push for communication that can’t be silenced, Bitchat is shaping up to be a go-to for anyone who cares about privacy. Whether you’re at a packed music fest, organizing during a tough situation, or just want a low-key way to talk with friends, Bitchat lets you connect on your terms, no strings attached. Read more: Best Smartphones Releasing in July 2025

The U.S. State Department has issued a warning to all embassies and consulates after an impostor, using artificial intelligence, tried to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio and contacted foreign and American officials, according to two senior officials and a diplomatic cable dated July 3. At least three foreign ministers, a U.S. senator, and a state governor were reportedly targeted through texts, Signal messages, and voicemails in the fraudulent campaign. The identities of the recipients were not disclosed. “This incident is being actively monitored and addressed,” said State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce. “We continue to strengthen our cybersecurity to prevent future incidents.” She declined further comment, citing security concerns and an ongoing investigation. While the attempts were described by one official as “not very sophisticated” and ultimately unsuccessful, the other official noted that it was still “prudent” to alert U.S. personnel and international partners given the growing threat posed by foreign actors using AI to compromise information security. The cable emphasized there was no direct cyber threat to the department but warned that any information shared with compromised individuals could be exposed. This incident mirrors a similar case in May involving President Donald Trump’s chief of staff Susie Wiles, where AI-generated messages and calls, possibly crafted using data from her personal contacts, were sent to public officials and business figures. Some of those calls reportedly featured a voice that sounded like Wiles, though they didn’t come from her number. OpenAI pauses operations for a week amid Meta’s billion-dollar talent battle Rubio himself was also targeted by a deepfake earlier this year, when a manipulated video falsely claimed he wanted to cut off Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service — a claim the Ukrainian government later dismissed. Experts have warned that AI-generated deepfakes are becoming harder to detect as technology advances. “The level of realism and quality is increasing,” said Siwei Lyu, a computer science professor at the University at Buffalo. “It’s an arms race, and right now the generators are getting the upper hand.” The FBI had already issued warnings earlier this year about AI-driven impersonation schemes targeting senior U.S. officials, stressing the potential risks to associates and institutions. Microsoft to cut thousands of jobs, including gaming division To counter such threats, proposals have ranged from stronger laws and penalties to media literacy campaigns and AI-powered tools to detect deepfakes — though those detection systems are now struggling to keep up with ever-improving fake content. Source: Agency 

Tesla shares dropped 7% on Monday amid a renewed public feud between CEO Elon Musk and former U.S. President Donald Trump, alarming investors already wary of the electric carmaker’s political entanglements and slumping sales. The fallout began after Musk, once a key Trump ally and donor, announced over the weekend that he would launch a third political party in protest against a recently passed Republican spending bill. Musk criticized the bill for threatening jobs and stalling innovation in key industries. In response, Trump accused Musk of going “off the rails” in a post on Sunday, escalating tensions between the two influential figures. The political clash has raised fears that Musk’s companies—including Tesla, SpaceX, and social platform X—could face more scrutiny or hurdles, particularly as they rely heavily on federal subsidies and government contracts. OpenAI pauses operations for a week amid Meta’s billion-dollar talent battle “With the autonomous future and the AI revolution ahead, Musk/Tesla don’t need to keep poking the bear,” said Dan Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities. “Trump could create significant roadblocks for Musk’s ventures if this battle intensifies before the 2026 midterms.” Tesla shares, once soaring, have dropped nearly 40% since their December 2023 peak of $479.76. As of Monday, the stock closed at $289.75—down $26 since last Thursday. Adding to investor anxiety, Tesla’s sales slumped 13% in both the first and second quarters of this year, even as competitors like GM and Ford posted EV gains. Analysts attribute part of the downturn to Musk’s vocal alignment with far-right figures and controversial political parties, including Germany’s AfD. Tesla is also losing ground internationally to Chinese EV makers like BYD and Great Wall, which are offering faster-charging, more affordable electric vehicles. Musk forming new political party The reemergence of political drama now threatens to further erode investor confidence in Musk-led ventures as global competition tightens and the EV market evolves. Source: Agency   

Tecno, a brand synonymous with budget innovation, has steadily carved a niche in the affordable smartphone segment, especially in markets like South Asia and Africa. Their Spark series has long been known for offering impressive features at wallet-friendly prices. Released on 7 July 2025, the Spark 40 Pro continues this trend, promising upgrades in camera tech, processing power, and gaming experience. Let's delve into the specs, pros, cons and price of the Tecno Spark 40 Pro in Bangladesh. Key Features of Tecno Spark 40 Pro . Design and Build Quality  The Tecno Spark 40 Pro does not reinvent the wheel in terms of aesthetics, but it offers a refined look that feels more premium than its price would suggest. Its sleek curves, slim profile, and matte finish back make it comfortable to hold. You get color choices like Ink Black, Moon Titanium, Lake Blue, and Bamboo Green, which bring a fresh, youthful vibe. When compared to the Tecno Spark 30 Pro, the 40 Pro comes with a more rugged build and higher water/dust resistance at IP64 (vs IP54), which adds a bit more durability. Though both models stick to plastic frames, the Spark 40 Pro feels more solid and less creaky.  Read more: Best Smartphones Releasing in July 2025 The Huawei Nova Y73 steps behind here with a slightly bulkier body and no stereo speakers. However, it does offer drop resistance up to 1.8 m, which is a nice bonus for clumsy users. Meanwhile, the Honor X70i, at just 7.3 mm thick and weighing 178.5 g, edges out all in terms of thinness and portability while also being IP65 certified, offering slightly better water resistance. Display Quality This is one of the biggest upgrades in the Spark 40 Pro. The 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with a 144 Hz refresh rate and PWM dimming is impressive at this price point. The resolution is bumped to 1220 x 2712 pixels, which results in around 439 PPI—sharper than both the Spark 30 Pro and the Honor X70i. In contrast, the Spark 30 Pro features a similar AMOLED panel but with a slightly lower 120 Hz refresh rate and resolution (1080 x 2436), although it gets brighter with a 1700 nits peak. Still, the Spark 40 Pro edges ahead with smoother scrolling and crisp visuals. Against competitors, Huawei Nova Y73 clearly lags with its 720p IPS LCD screen. The 90 Hz refresh rate and low pixel density (264 PPI) make it feel outdated next to the Spark 40 Pro. On the other hand, the Honor X70i's AMOLED panel is brighter (up to 3500 nits), offering richer visuals outdoors, though its refresh rate stays at 120 Hz. Read more: vivo T4 Ultra Review: A Game-Changing Mid-range Flagship Camera Performance Tecno has scaled back slightly in the megapixel war with a 50MP main sensor in the Spark 40 Pro, compared to the 108MP unit in the Spark 30 Pro. However, in actual usage, the difference is not always noticeable. The 50 MP sensor on the Spark 40 Pro uses pixel binning and improved software to deliver well-exposed, detail-rich photos, especially in daylight. In low light, the dual-LED flash and HDR enhancements help, but it still shows grain in darker scenes. For selfies, the 13 MP front camera with dual LED flash performs decently, producing natural skin tones and balanced exposure. It holds up well in video calls and casual content creation. Compared to the Huawei Nova Y73, which also sports a 50MP sensor, the Spark 40 Pro offers better image clarity and more consistent colour accuracy, particularly in challenging lighting. The Nova's selfie camera, limited to 8 MP, also cannot match Tecno’s.  The Honor X70i, with its 108 MP sensor, performs better overall, especially in detail capture and sharpness. Its image processing is more mature, thanks to Honor’s superior computational photography software. However, the Spark 40 Pro still stands its ground surprisingly well in good lighting conditions. Read more: Infinix GT 30 Pro Review: Best Budget Gaming Phone with Flagship Features in 2025 Processor Performance The Spark 40 Pro runs on the MediaTek Helio G100 (6 nm) chipset—the same as its predecessor, the Spark 30 Pro. It is an octa-core processor with 2x Cortex-A76 and 6x Cortex-A55 cores. While this might seem like Tecno is playing it safe, the performance is consistent and efficient for the segment. Basic multitasking, switching between apps, and even handling multiple social media apps or browser tabs is smooth. But when compared with Honor X70i, which is powered by the more powerful Dimensity 7025 Ultra, there is a clear performance gap. The X70i opens apps faster, handles heavier tasks with ease, and simply feels snappier.  The Huawei Nova Y73, on the other hand, comes with a dated Kirin 710A (14 nm) chip, which struggles under heavy load and is less power-efficient. So, the Spark 40 Pro sits nicely in the middle ground—better than Huawei, but below Honor. Gaming Performance Gaming on the Spark 40 Pro is decent, but do not expect flagship-level performance. Popular titles like PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Free Fire run well on medium graphics with stable frame rates. Thanks to the 144 Hz refresh rate display, games feel smoother, although the GPU (Mali-G57 MC2) cannot fully utilise the refresh rate in heavier games. Read more: Basic to Flagship: Top 5 Official Smartphones Released in Bangladesh in 2025 Compared to the Spark 30 Pro, the experience is quite similar since both share the same chipset. However, slightly better thermal management and UI optimisation on the 40 Pro give it an edge in prolonged gaming sessions. Huawei Nova Y73 is not ideal for gaming—it suffers from frequent frame drops in graphic-intensive games and gets warm quickly. In contrast, Honor X70i is clearly superior in this department. The Dimensity 7025 and IMG BXM-8-256 GPU combo allows for high settings in demanding titles and better FPS consistency, offering a near mid-range experience. Battery Life The 5200 mAh battery on the Spark 40 Pro ensures all-day usage even with heavy tasks. With casual use—browsing, streaming, light gaming—it can stretch into the second day. Charging is also improved with a 45W fast charger, which takes the battery from 0 to 50% in under 30 minutes. It outpaces the 5000 mAh/33 W combo on the Spark 30 Pro and the 40W charger on the Huawei Nova Y73, despite the latter's larger 6620 mAh capacity, which takes significantly longer to recharge. The Honor X70i, although powerful, has a 6000 mAh battery and slower 35W charging, meaning it takes longer to juice up despite lasting long. Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Turbo 4 Pro Review: Can It Survive the Competition? In terms of battery optimisation, the Spark 40 Pro’s balance between display, processor, and software makes it one of the more efficient budget phones currently available. Software and User Interface Running Android 15 with HIOS 15.1, the Tecno Spark 40 Pro offers a smooth, clean user experience. Tecno has come a long way with HIOS—it is now more streamlined, less bloated, and more customisable. Features like smart panel, lightning multi-window, and gesture control improve usability. There are still a few minor annoyances—pre-installed bloatware and occasional ad prompts—but far fewer than what older Tecno users might remember. Compared to the Spark 30 Pro’s HIOS 14 and Huawei Nova Y73’s EMUI 12 (Android 12, no Google Play Services), the 40 Pro is clearly ahead in terms of OS version and long-term support. Honor X70i’s MagicOS 9, based on Android 15, is equally modern, with smoother animations and deeper system-level integration, but it is more resource-hungry. Read more: vivo iQoo Z10 Turbo Review: Is It the Mid-Range Beast You Are Looking For? Storage Options Tecno gives users flexibility here with 128GB and 256GB storage options, both paired with 8GB of RAM and additional virtual RAM support. The best part? It supports microSDXC cards, which neither the Honor X70i nor the Huawei Nova Y73 offer. This expandable storage is a win for content creators and media hoarders who do not want to rely solely on internal memory. Spark 30 Pro also offers the same configuration, but 40 Pro’s improved read/write speeds and file management enhancements make it feel faster in day-to-day use. Pros and Cons of Tecno Spark 40 Pro Pros  - Large 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate.- High-resolution screen (1220×2712 pixels) for sharp visuals.- Comes with 8GB RAM and 128GB/256GB storage options.- Stereo dual speakers deliver rich sound.- Has an Infrared port for remote control use.- Big 5200mAh battery lasts long.- 45W fast charging powers up quickly.- Android 15 with clean HIOS 15.1 software.- Expandable storage via microSD card. Read more: Motorola Edge 60 Pro Review: Know the Pros and Cons Cons  - No support for 5G network.- Same old Mediatek Helio G100 chipset.- Camera downgraded from previous model (50MP vs 108MP).- Still comes with some bloatware.- No major design upgrade over Spark 30 Pro.  Price of the Tecno Spark 40 Pro in Bangladesh The Tecno Spark 40 Pro is expected to cost around BDT 24,000 in Bangladesh for the 8GB+128GB variant.  Final Words The Tecno Spark 40 Pro is ideal for budget-conscious users seeking a sharp display, long battery life, and solid daily performance. It is great for students, casual gamers, and content streamers. However, power users, mobile photographers, or those needing 5G connectivity should consider alternatives with faster chips and better cameras.  Read more: vivo V50 Lite Review: Does it offer value-for-money

In a move sending shockwaves through Silicon Valley, OpenAI is shutting down operations for an entire week. Officially, the company cites employee burnout as the reason. However, the timing raises serious questions, especially as Meta aggressively courts OpenAI’s top talent with eye-popping offers. To many, the break feels less like a wellness initiative and more like a defensive response in the intensifying battle for AI expertise. Why is OpenAI shutting down?According to OpenAI, the week-long pause is intended to help employees recover after enduring relentless, months-long stretches of 80-hour work weeks. The decision comes amid mounting internal concerns over burnout, fatigue, and declining morale across teams. Yet, the timing of the break coincides with Meta's aggressive efforts to poach OpenAI staff, leading many to suspect the shutdown is as much about damage control as it is about employee well-being. New interstellar comet to make a distant flyby of Earth, NASA says Meta’s aggressive talent poachingMeta is making no secret of its recruitment ambitions. Reports suggest the company is offering signing bonuses as high as $100 million to attract leading AI researchers and engineers, particularly those trained at OpenAI. Several former OpenAI employees have already migrated to Meta’s FAIR division and its newly revitalized AGI research teams. With OpenAI staff grappling with exhaustion and feelings of being undervalued, Meta's lucrative offers are proving hard to resist — and Meta is fully aware of the opportunity. Internal response at OpenAILeaked internal memos from OpenAI's Chief Research Officer Mark Chen and CEO Sam Altman reveal the company’s growing unease. Chen admitted to heightened anxiety within teams and encouraged staff to "reconnect with the mission." Meanwhile, Altman has reportedly pledged to revamp compensation packages, improve internal recognition, and called for unity to resist external recruitment pressures. However, many insiders feel these promises have come too late, and Meta's offers are simply too enticing. Risks and growing fearsThere is widespread concern that Meta will use OpenAI's shutdown week to accelerate its recruitment efforts, potentially blindsiding the company. While OpenAI’s technical teams are expected to rest, Meta's recruiters remain active. Only OpenAI’s executive leadership will continue working during the break — a clear sign that management views the situation as more than a routine wellness measure. Meta’s new cloud processing feature raises privacy concerns for Facebook users Broader implications for OpenAI and the AI industryThis shutdown exposes two escalating issues: the unsustainable working conditions at AI labs racing toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), and the fierce competition for elite talent. For OpenAI, the pause marks both a moment of vulnerability and a critical cultural inflection point. How the company navigates this period could not only determine its future but also influence the broader trajectory of the AI industry itself.   #With inputs from Hindustan Times  

NASA has identified an interstellar comet that has drifted into our solar neighborhood. Spotted earlier this week by the ATLAS telescope in Chile, the fast-moving object has been confirmed as a comet originating from beyond our star system. It is the third known interstellar visitor—and poses no danger to Earth. “These objects take millions of years to travel between stellar neighborhoods, so this one has likely been traversing space for hundreds of millions or even billions of years,” said Paul Chodas, director of NASA’s Center for Near Earth Object Studies, on Thursday. “We don’t know its origin, so we can’t yet pinpoint which star it came from.” Currently about 416 million miles (670 million km) from the Sun—near Jupiter’s orbit—the comet is hurtling inward at roughly 37 miles (59 km) per second. It will reach its perihelion in late October, passing between the orbits of Mars and Earth but staying some 150 million miles (240 million km) from our planet—well beyond any risk. Designated 3I/ATLAS, astronomers worldwide are tracking the icy body to estimate its dimensions and form. Since its discovery on July 1, over 100 observations have reported a visible tail and a surrounding coma of gas and dust. Musk warns he may shut SpaceX Capsule vital to NASA The comet should remain viewable through telescopes until September as it approaches the Sun, then emerge again in December on its outbound leg. Preliminary brightness measurements suggest 3I/ATLAS may exceed the size of the first two known interstellar objects, potentially spanning several miles (tens of kilometers). Its faster speed and differing trajectory imply it may have originated closer to the Milky Way’s core. Earth’s first interstellar visitor, ʻOumuamua, was detected in 2017 and later reclassified as a comet, while 2I/Borisov was discovered in 2019 by a Crimean amateur astronomer. “We’ve anticipated interstellar objects for decades, and now we’re finally observing them,” Chodas said. “It’s a natural visitor—not artificial—yet incredibly exciting.” Source: Agency 

Japan's antitrust watchdog is set to fine the domestic unit of motorcycle company Harley-Davidson Inc. around 200 million yen ($1.4 million) for imposing excessive sales quotas on dealers in violation of the antimonopoly law, sources close to the matter have said. The Japan Fair Trade Commission will also issue a cease and desist order to Harley-Davidson Japan KK, based in Tokyo, over pressuring dealers by implying their exclusive sales contracts might not be renewed if they failed to meet the quotas, leading some to buy unsold motorcycles themselves. According to Kyodo News, the commission has already notified Harley-Davidson Japan of the proposed disciplinary measures and will make a final decision after considering the firm's response, according to sources. Harley-Davidson Japan is alleged to have unilaterally imposed sales quotas on dozens of dealers from as late as January 2023. Best Smartphones Releasing in July 2025 The firm has no directly managed stores, and only businesses that have concluded exclusive sales contracts are authorized to sell Harley-Davidson-branded motorcycles. The excessive quotas were discontinued following an investigation by the watchdog. In a similar case in 2019, the Japan unit of Germany's BMW AG was found to have imposed excessive sales quotas on dealers, forcing them to purchase unsold vehicles themselves to meet targets.

The month of July is here with its exciting deal of new smartphones for almost every budget range. From feature-heavy flagships to pocket-friendly powerhouses, the upcoming line of the best smartphones is ready to roll out the latest upgrades, futuristic designs, and innovative features to deliver more power and more freedom. Let’s have a peek at the list of the most-hyped smartphones coming in July 2025. Top Smartphones Arriving in July 2025 . Nothing Phone 3 The Nothing Phone 3, from the British manufacturer Nothing Technology Limited, is rumoured to be launched on July 1. While the company has kept silence about the phone's design, information about several of its key features has leaked. With a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display and a 50MP secondary lens on the front and a primary camera module comprising a trio of 50MP sensors on the back, the phone is suspected to be an upper mid-ranger. A Gen 4 octa-core Qualcomm SM8735 Snapdragon 8s, accompanied by an Adreno 825 GPU, hints at powerful performance. To back it, the phone will present a 5150 mAh battery with a lightning-fast 100W charging system. The design and other functionalities are supposed to be inspired by the signature NOTHING style. Read more: vivo T4 Ultra Review: A Game-Changing Mid-range Flagship OnePlus Nord 5 OnePlus Nord 5 has marked July 8, 2025, as its launch date. The phone will come wrapped in a unique design, combining a futuristically linear camera module, vertically placed at the left upper corner of the phone’s back, with a classic marble slab pattern on the flat rear panel. The primary camera module accommodates a wide 50 MP, an ultrawide 8 MP sensor, and a flashlight. The secondary camera, which is a 50 MP sensor, is punch-holed in the display, a 6.83-inch full-HD+ AMOLED screen. The operations of the phone will involve a Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 SoC processor, up to 12GB of RAM, and a maximum of 512GB of storage, catering to high-end gamers and media bingers. Enhancing the experience, there will be a 7,300sq mm vapour chamber and a 5200 mAh battery. OnePlus Nord CE 5 OnePlus’s second release, planned for July 8, 2025, will be the OnePlus Nord CE 5. By features, the phone seems to target the lower mid-range market as it will come with 8GB of  RAM, a 50MP dual primary camera setup, a 16MP front lens, and a Mediatek Dimensity 8350 processor. By compromising a few crucial features, like a macro lens, a more powerful RAM and selfie camera, the phone has strived to provide a more gaming-friendly environment. Read more: Infinix GT 30 Pro Review: Best Budget Gaming Phone with Flagship Features in 2025 With a super-responsive fluid AMOLED display and a massive 7100 mAh battery, the appeal of high-end gaming is alive in the phone. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 & Z Flip 7 To rock the world of Fold and Flip lovers, Samsung has arranged its next-to-release lineup with the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 models, coming on July 9, 2025. The Fold 7 will extend a much thinner structure, marking only 4.2 mm in thickness when unfolded. The 8.2-inch bendable LTPO AMOLED primary display and a cover display of the same panel will produce vivid visuals at higher resolutions and respond to touch at a 120Hz refresh rate. Its design will be highly focused on multitasking. Fostering that expectation, the phone will exploit a 3nm Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Cooperating with the Adreno 830 GPU and 12 GB of RAM, the processor can pull up a solid experience for gamers, too. The primary set of cameras will feature an awe-striking 200 MP wide sensor with a 10 MP telephoto and a 12 MP ultrawide lens. The Z Flip 7 will share the same primary display panel, processor, RAM, and GPU as the Z Fold 7 but differ by featuring a dual rear camera setup composed of a 50 MP wide and a 12 MP ultrawide sensor. With all these features, both phones may be really up for a great performative and visual experience, but they come up short in battery capacity, using around 4000 mAh batteries. Read more: Basic to Flagship: Top 5 Official Smartphones Released in Bangladesh in 2025 Vivo X Fold 5 and Vivo X200 FE Vivo is rolling up its sleeves in preparation for its next two big releases, the vivo X Fold 5 and the vivo X200 FE, coming between July 14 and July 19. Most about the vivo X Fold 5 is kept hidden, and no rumour seems to have gained access to it. Only through a few leaks, the possibility of an 8.03-inch LTPO AMOLED and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor is suggested. As per general expectation, the phone may have a triple 50MP camera module and a 6000 mAh battery. With X200 FE, vivo will refresh its presence in the mid-range market, and amidst the current competition in that segment, the phone will make a good entry. Its armament is heavy with powerful features, like a MediaTek Dimensity 9300+ SoC, 12GB of RAM, a 50MP trio, and a 6500 mAh battery. Motorola G96 & G86 Motorola’s aggressive domination in the budget-friendly segment grows in power as the company is all set to release two models back to back, the Motorola G96 and G86. Both phones will feature curved pOLED displays, which is extremely rare at this price. The arrangement of the primary and secondary cameras is also identical between them, comprising a 50MP wide and an 8MP macro lens on the back and a 32MP secondary camera on the front. Both phones are also designed for powerful performance delivery. The Motorola G96 will come with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 SoC, while the G86 will feature a Mediatek Dimensity 7300 chipset.  Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Turbo 4 Pro Review: Can It Survive the Competition? Conclusion The new smartphone lineup for July 2025 brings a powerful mix of innovation across all price segments, from futuristic foldables like the Galaxy Z Fold 7 to performance-packed budget options like the Motorola G96. Whether you're into style, gaming, or productivity, this month offers a smartphone that fits your needs and budget.