United News of Bangladesh

French authorities have launched a sweeping investigation into Elon Musk’s social media platform X, raiding its offices on February 3 as part of a probe into the company’s algorithms and its artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok. French prosecutors have summoned Musk and former X chief executive Linda Yaccarino to appear at hearings on April 20. Several other X employees have also been called to testify as witnesses during the same week. The cybercrime division of the Paris prosecutor’s office is examining X over seven separate allegations, including complicity in the distribution of child sexual abuse imagery, dissemination of content denying crimes against humanity, and fraudulent extraction of data. The details were outlined in a February 3 statement by Paris chief prosecutor Laure Beccuau, cited by The New York Times. The raid follows a year-long investigation into the alleged misuse of X’s content-ranking algorithms, alongside claims that data may have been improperly extracted by the platform or its executives. The inquiry was initially opened in January 2025 after concerns emerged about how X’s algorithm promotes and circulates content, report NDTV. Prosecutors later expanded the scope of the case following accusations that Grok had generated Holocaust denial content and sexual deepfakes. Authorities also alleged that X had discontinued a tool designed to limit the spread of child sexual abuse material, raising fears that such content was being allowed to circulate unchecked. Read More: Elon Musk tops $700bn net worth milestone after Tesla pay package reinstated In addition, investigators said Grok may have enabled users to create sexualised versions of existing images without the consent of those depicted. French officials further accused X of refusing to provide subscriber information linked to suspected criminal activity, deepening tensions between the platform and law enforcement. The raid came a day after Musk announced plans to merge his artificial intelligence company, xAI, with his rocket firm SpaceX. Responding to the action, X said it “categorically denies any wrongdoing,” describing the investigation as politically motivated and claiming it misapplies French law, bypasses due process, and threatens freedom of expression. Separately, the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office said on February 3 that it has opened its own formal investigation into Grok, focusing on how personal data is processed and reports that the chatbot was used to generate non-consensual sexual imagery, including involving children.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Tuesday said Bangladesh’s history of resilience, its commitment to democracy, and its focus on women’s empowerment are all testaments to the fact that the country will continue to move forward, despite the challenges it faces. "Rather than focusing on a few negative examples, we should recognize the broader picture of progress, resilience, and determination that defines Bangladesh today," he said. Alam noted that The New York Times article titled "As Bangladesh Reinvents Itself, Islamist Hard-Liners See an Opening" paints a troubling and one-sided view of Bangladesh, suggesting that the country is on the brink of being overtaken by religious extremism. In a post from his verified Facebook account, the press secretary said this portrayal not only oversimplifies the political and social dynamics of the country but also risks unfairly smearing an entire nation of 180 million people. "It is crucial to acknowledge the progress Bangladesh has made over the last year and the complexity of the situation, rather than relying on selective, incendiary examples that paint an inaccurate picture," Alam said. Bangladesh needs peace, says Dr Yunus seeking foreign friends' support to forge unity Furthermore, he said, the notion that the rise of extremism is an inevitable outcome of Bangladesh's political transition is far too deterministic. The country's democratic spirit and vibrant civil society are powerful forces that continue to hold back the full rise of extremist ideologies, Alam said. While challenges remain, he said, the long-term direction of Bangladesh will not be shaped solely by the actions of extremists. "The people of Bangladesh, particularly its youth and women, are determined to continue the fight for a just, democratic, and inclusive society," said Alam. He said Bangladesh is not alone in facing the challenge of religious extremism; this is a global issue that many countries confront in different forms. However, he said, Bangladesh has continuously worked to address these challenges through law enforcement, social reforms, and counterterrorism initiatives. Yunus’ China visit paved way for stronger ties: Govt The country’s commitment to protecting its diverse population—whether Muslim, Hindu, Christian, or any other community—remains steadfast, said the press secretary. "While there will always be hardliners who spew hatred at rallies and on social media, it is our responsibility to deny them the oxygen their anger requires," he said.

A high-profile podcast on terrorism from The New York Times that had been a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize was withdrawn as a contest entry in the wake of the newspaper saying the claims of a man central to “Caliphate” could not be verified.

The death of a Chinese doctor who was silenced by the police for being one of the first to warn about the coronavirus set off an outpouring of grief and anger on social media. The New York Times interviewed him last week.