Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milon has directed officials of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) to ensure that teachers from different regions do not have to visit multiple offices unnecessarily to resolve administrative matters. He issued the directive while addressing a meeting with DSHE officials at the directorate’s auditorium on Thursday afternoon.

The minister emphasized the need for timely resolution of teachers’ salary, pension, leave, transfer, training, and higher education issues. He called for the introduction of digital automation and modern methods to make service delivery faster and more efficient. To ensure transparency and eliminate lobbying in transfer processes, he instructed the adoption of an artificial intelligence (AI)-based software system.

Dr. Milon also urged the creation of a digital platform to help service seekers identify the appropriate desk or officer for their issues. He encouraged open discussion and cooperation among officials to build a more effective and transparent administrative environment. DSHE officials raised some limitations of the current online systems, and the minister instructed that these be resolved promptly.

Popular television presenter and producer Hanif Sanket and renowned singer Bashir Ahmed (posthumously) have been named recipients of Bangladesh’s highest civilian honor, the Independence Award 2026. The award recognizes individuals and institutions for their distinguished contributions at the national level. The final list of awardees was approved on Thursday, March 5, during a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tareque Rahman at the Secretariat, according to Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani.

The list places A.K.M. Hanif (Hanif Sanket) at number seven and Bashir Ahmed at number eight. Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, the country’s first female head of government, will also receive the award posthumously for her contributions to independence, democracy, and women’s education. The Independence Award, instituted in 1977, is presented annually on March 26 to honor the memory of the martyrs of the 1971 Liberation War.

The recognition underscores the government’s continued effort to honor individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions to national life and development.

Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan and State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj have emphasized the need for quick resolution of teachers’ administrative problems across Bangladesh. Speaking on Thursday at a meeting with officials of the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE), the minister directed that matters such as salaries, pensions, leave, transfers, training, and higher education be settled within set timeframes to avoid unnecessary delays for teachers visiting offices.

He urged officials to ensure better coordination, open discussion, and mutual cooperation to create a more effective work environment. The minister encouraged staff to express opinions freely and logically, aiming to reduce internal distance within the administration. To ensure transparency and eliminate lobbying in transfers, he instructed the introduction of an artificial intelligence-based software system.

Dr. Milan also stressed the importance of automation and digital methods to make service delivery faster and more modern. He called for expanding online services and developing systems that allow service seekers to easily identify the relevant desk or officer for their issues.

The article discusses how algorithms on social media platforms such as YouTube and Facebook analyze user behavior to personalize content feeds. These systems track what users watch, like, and comment on, creating individualized digital environments designed to keep users engaged for longer periods. This personalization can lead to the formation of 'echo chambers,' where users are repeatedly exposed to similar viewpoints, limiting exposure to diverse perspectives.

The report highlights that algorithms also respond to emotional engagement, prioritizing content that provokes strong reactions because such posts generate more shares and interactions. As a result, emotional responses can overshadow factual information, potentially shaping public opinion. However, the article emphasizes that algorithms are not autonomous controllers but reflections of user behavior.

Experts cited in the piece call for greater digital literacy, urging users to understand how algorithms work, diversify their information sources, and customize their feeds. They also stress the need for transparency and accountability from platforms so users can recognize why certain content appears before them.

Social media has become the main source of information for people in Bangladesh and across the world, but this shift has accelerated the spread of misinformation. According to Rumor Scanner, a fact-checking organization, a record 4,195 false or misleading claims were identified in 2025, marking a 30 percent increase from the previous year. The analysis found that political and public discussions in 2026 have already generated the highest number of rumors.

The report highlights that misinformation now spreads not only through social media but also through newspapers, television, and online platforms that publish content without sufficient verification. Artificial intelligence has made it easier to produce realistic fake content, making it difficult even for experienced readers to distinguish truth from falsehood. The article emphasizes the need for new forms of media literacy that focus on verifying sources, reading beyond headlines, checking images and videos, cross-referencing multiple outlets, and recognizing emotionally charged content.

Fact-checking platforms in Bangladesh are recommended as key tools for verifying suspicious information and preventing the rapid spread of false claims online.

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered all federal agencies to stop working with artificial intelligence company Anthropic, labeling it a 'supply chain risk,' according to the Pentagon. The directive requires the Defense Department and related agencies to cease using Anthropic’s technology within six months. Trump warned that full presidential authority would be used if the company failed to cooperate during the transition.

Analysts described the move as an unprecedented setback for the U.S. AI sector. Anthropic had previously contributed to national security–related AI capabilities and counts Google and Amazon among its investors. The company announced plans to challenge the Pentagon’s risk designation in court. CEO Dario Amodei recently met with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to express concerns about limits on AI use in weapons systems and mass surveillance. The Pentagon responded that national defense policy is determined by law, not by private firms.

The decision follows earlier U.S. actions excluding Chinese tech firm Huawei from defense supply chains. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that human accountability and surveillance limits are included in its Pentagon contract, though differences from Anthropic’s proposals remain unclear.

At a ceremony held on Thursday morning at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka, nine distinguished individuals and the band Warfaze were awarded the Ekushey Padak 2026 for their outstanding contributions in various fields. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented the country’s second-highest civilian honor to the recipients. The late musician Ayub Bachchu was honored posthumously, and his wife Ferdous Akhtar Chandana accepted the award on his behalf, later expressing gratitude on social media.

Following the ceremony, a statement was released on the official Facebook page of LRB, the band founded by Ayub Bachchu. The post described the state recognition as a tribute to his lifelong dedication to music and his role in enriching Bangla rock culture. It expressed deep appreciation to the government for acknowledging his legacy and noted that such recognition honors the entire music community. The statement also voiced hope that Ayub Bachchu’s creative and patriotic contributions would one day earn him the nation’s highest civilian award.

The message concluded by affirming that although Ayub Bachchu is no longer alive, his music, courage, and dreams continue to inspire future generations of artists.

Renowned South Asian actress Bobita received the Ekushey Padak 2026 from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at a ceremony organized by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs on Thursday morning. The event took place at 11:30 a.m., where Bobita was honored for her contributions to cinema. After receiving the award, she spent time with distinguished guests and posed for photographs, accompanied by her sister Champa and other family members.

Expressing her gratitude, Bobita said she felt deeply honored to receive one of the nation’s highest civilian awards. She dedicated the award to the late filmmaker and martyr intellectual Zahir Raihan, crediting him for introducing her to the film industry. Bobita has acted in nearly 300 films and previously received multiple National Film Awards and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. She also gained international recognition for her role in Satyajit Ray’s film “Ashani Sanket.”

Bobita stated she would only return to acting if a story centers around her and genuinely appeals to her artistic sense.

The Shariatpur district administration has installed 120 modern AI-enabled CCTV cameras across the city to enhance public safety and improve law and order. Covering about 14 kilometers, the surveillance system aims to curb crime, monitor commodity prices, support anti-drug operations, and ensure overall civic security. Cameras have been placed along three major roads, key intersections, and commercial hubs including Palong, Angaria, and Monohor Bazar, as well as at educational institutions, hospitals, terminals, courts, and religious sites.

The initiative follows a series of recent crimes that raised public concern, including thefts, robberies, and a temple donation box looting incident on February 18. Cameras have also been installed along the Kirtonkhola River route to prevent riverine crimes. The district control room will monitor the feeds round-the-clock, with AI technology capable of detecting accidents, fires, traffic congestion, and suspicious movements. District Commissioner Tahsina Begum said the system was introduced after traditional operations failed to fully control incidents near schools and colleges.

Officials said similar smart surveillance systems will gradually be expanded to other municipalities in the district if effective results are achieved.

The Hollywood horror-thriller film 'Scream 7' is set for a global release on February 27, 2026, including screenings at Star Cineplex in Bangladesh. The film, directed by Kevin Williamson, continues the long-running 'Scream' franchise that began in 1996. It follows the story of Sidney Prescott, who has built a new life in Pine Grove, Indiana, only to face a new Ghostface killer targeting her daughter. The cast includes Neve Campbell, Jasmine Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard, and Courteney Cox.

'Scream 7' blends modern horror with classic slasher elements, focusing on relationships, past confrontations, and a new killer. The project underwent creative restructuring after directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, and stars Melissa Barrera and Jenna Ortega, departed in 2023. Filming took place from January to March 2025. Deadline Hollywood reported on February 5, 2026, that the film is expected to perform strongly at the box office, potentially becoming the franchise’s second-highest domestic opening after 'Scream 6'.

Fans speculate that this could be the final chapter of the series, though future sequels remain possible if the film achieves major success.

The BBC has apologized for broadcasting a racist remark made during the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA) ceremony without editing it out beforehand. The incident occurred when guest John Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome, shouted a racist comment while actors Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage. The ceremony was aired two hours after recording, but the offensive remark remained in the broadcast, prompting criticism and an apology from the broadcaster.

BBC representatives said some viewers may have heard strong and offensive language linked to involuntary verbal tics associated with Tourette syndrome, clarifying that the outburst was unintentional. The network admitted the segment had not been edited before airing and confirmed it would be removed from the BBC iPlayer version. Several Black actors and a production designer expressed anger over the unedited broadcast, leading to the BBC’s public apology.

In a separate statement, BAFTA also acknowledged the harm caused by the incident and issued its own apology, emphasizing its intent to inform audiences about what had happened and to express regret.

Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and X, announced that SpaceX is redirecting its focus from building a city on Mars to constructing a self-sustaining city on the Moon. In a recent post on X, he said the lunar city could be established in less than ten years, using lunar resources to gradually build and expand a permanent human settlement. Musk explained that frequent launches to the Moon, possible every ten days, would make the project faster than Mars colonization, which requires favorable planetary alignment every 26 months.

Experts described the plan as ambitious but not science fiction. Dr. Sangwoo Lim of the University of Surrey said producing oxygen, water, and construction materials from lunar soil is theoretically feasible, though challenges include extreme temperatures, dust, low gravity, and limited energy. MIT professor and former NASA astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman added that successful lunar landers by SpaceX and Blue Origin could enable logistics for a lunar base soon, with lessons applicable to future Mars missions.

The announcement coincides with growing U.S.-China competition over lunar exploration and Musk’s restructuring of SpaceX, including its acquisition of AI firm xAI and plans for a potential IPO.

Ukraine’s war, now in its fifth year, has been transformed by the dominance of drones and advanced communication technologies. According to AFP reports from Kyiv, drones now account for about 80 percent of battlefield losses, replacing tanks and heavy artillery as the main instruments of combat. Soldiers describe the front lines as a 20-kilometer-deep “kill zone” under constant aerial surveillance. To maintain supply lines and evacuate the wounded, Ukraine increasingly relies on ground-based robotic vehicles.

Both sides face challenges maintaining uninterrupted drone communication amid electronic jamming. Russia has turned to fiber-optic-controlled drones, while Ukraine uses Starlink satellite terminals for stable connectivity. Elon Musk recently disabled illegal Russian terminals at Ukraine’s request, temporarily disrupting communications. Analysts say this helped Ukraine advance in the Zaporizhzhia region earlier in February.

Engineers are now integrating artificial intelligence into drones to sustain operations when signals fail. Ukrainian firm The Fourth Law claims its AI-guided drones can strike targets autonomously if disconnected. Experts caution that AI currently assists rather than replaces humans, though its role in warfare continues to expand.

In a reflective essay published on February 24, 2026, writer Shubho Karmakar from Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur, described Bangladesh as standing at a technological crossroads where artificial intelligence (AI) has become deeply embedded in daily life. From students to professionals, people are using AI tools without fully understanding their implications. While AI has made knowledge more accessible, Karmakar cautioned that excessive reliance on it may erode human creativity, individuality, and critical thinking.

The article emphasized that machines can organize information but cannot replicate human experience, emotion, or social understanding. Overdependence on AI, the writer argued, risks turning people into passive users who lose their intellectual independence. Karmakar also warned of privacy threats, as AI systems may misuse personal data, leading to cybercrime and data breaches. He urged users to verify information, maintain self-awareness, and treat AI as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for human intellect.

The writer concluded that protecting freedom of thought and nurturing human intelligence are essential in the AI era, especially for the younger generation who are most engaged with technology.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva has warned that artificial intelligence (AI) could impact around 40 percent of jobs worldwide. In an interview, she described the coming transformation as a “tsunami” for the labor market, with advanced economies potentially seeing up to 60 percent of jobs affected and India about 26 percent. Entry-level positions are expected to face the highest risk as many routine tasks become automated, raising concerns among new graduates. Georgieva noted that global policy frameworks remain behind in addressing these rapid changes.

She added that if used effectively, AI could contribute an additional 0.7 percent to India’s annual GDP, helping the country achieve long-term development goals. Georgieva emphasized the need for education reform to foster adaptability and lifelong learning alongside technical skills.

In Bangladesh, where many young workers depend on freelancing, IT, and the garment sector, AI’s impact is expected to be multifaceted. Experts warn that demand for basic coding, graphic design, and data entry work may decline unless workers quickly upskill. However, AI could also bring opportunities, such as improving agricultural productivity through precision farming.