The Spanish High Court has ruled in favor of pop star Shakira in a long-running tax dispute, canceling a €55 million fine and ordering the Spanish tax authority to return approximately €60 million to her with interest. The court found that the amount had been collected following a 2011 tax disagreement. According to court documents, the dispute centered on whether Shakira qualified as a tax resident of Spain that year.

Under Spanish law, an individual must reside in the country for at least 183 days in a year to be considered a tax resident. Reports cited by the court indicated that Shakira spent only 163 days in Spain in 2011, meaning she was not legally required to pay Spanish taxes for that period. The ruling, issued in mid-April, became public on April 18.

Shakira’s lawyer, José Luis Prada, said the decision came after eight years of hardship, highlighting flaws in the administrative process. The case had drawn attention due to similar tax issues previously faced by her former husband, ex-footballer Gerard Piqué.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to mark a major technological shift, with artificial intelligence (AI) at its core. Hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the 48-team tournament will begin on June 11 and feature 104 matches. Each team will have its own AI model capable of analyzing opponents’ strategies through video clips, 3D avatars, and real-time data. Coaches will be able to preview potential outcomes of tactical changes, while players will receive detailed performance analyses.

Developed by Lenovo, the “Football AI Pro” system processes hundreds of millions of FIFA data points across more than 2,000 indicators. Analysts suggest this could reduce the technological gap between rich and smaller teams, making competition more balanced. AI will also enhance offside decisions through instant 3D body scans, improving VAR accuracy and transparency for fans.

Beyond the pitch, each stadium will feature a digital twin to monitor crowds, safety, and player health in real time. The tournament is expected to generate over 90 petabytes of data, with autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots assisting in transport and stadium operations.

Renowned South Asian singer Runa Laila and Bangladeshi musician, composer, and director Bappa Majumder have released their first Bengali ghazal titled 'Anayase'. Written by Galib Hasan and composed by Bappa Majumder, the song was published on May 16 at 9 p.m. on Bappa Majumder’s YouTube channel. The music video was also directed by Bappa. A launch event was held the same evening at a club in Banani, Dhaka, hosted by National Film Award-winning singer Konal.

Originally intended to be a solo performance by Runa Laila, the ghazal became a duet at her own request. Bappa Majumder expressed deep gratitude and emotion for the opportunity to sing alongside Runa Laila, describing it as a dream come true. Runa Laila praised the lyrics, composition, and Bappa’s dedication to perfection, extending her best wishes to him and lyricist Galib Hasan.

The release follows Runa Laila’s recent recognition at the 15th International Film Festival in Delhi, where she received the 'Minar-e-Delhi' award. She is also scheduled to perform on BTV’s 'Ananda Mela' during the upcoming Eid celebrations.

Bangladesh continues to rely on outdated security systems while many countries integrate artificial intelligence, smart sensors, and radar technologies into their safety infrastructure. Experts say limited technical skills, lack of modern equipment, and weak cybersecurity have prevented the country’s bomb detection and security systems from becoming fully modernized. In contrast, advanced nations use AI-based scanners, explosive sensors, drones, and automated radar systems to identify threats quickly.

Recent bomb scares at key sites, including Shahjalal International Airport, have exposed the limitations of Bangladesh’s manual inspection methods. Analysts emphasize that modern security depends on technology-driven surveillance rather than manpower alone. Reports also warn of rising risks from technology-based explosives and cyber vulnerabilities.

Experts recommend immediate investment in AI-enabled scanners, smart cameras, and drone surveillance at airports, seaports, and government facilities. They stress the need for skilled technologists and internationally trained security personnel to build long-term capacity. Without such modernization, Bangladesh’s security infrastructure may face increasing technological risks.

Karina Kaiser, a content creator and actress who passed away in India, was laid to rest in Abdullahpur village of Gazaria upazila, Munshiganj, on Monday morning. Her final funeral prayer took place at 7 a.m. behind Bhoberchar bus stand, followed by burial in the garden of her grandmother’s house. She was the daughter of former national footballer Kaiser Hamid and Lopa Kaiser.

According to family sources, after public tributes and funeral prayers in Dhaka, her body was brought to Gazaria late Sunday night. Although her maternal home is in Puran Bausia, the burial was arranged at her grandmother Dr. Zohra Khanam Parul’s residence in Abdullahpur. Local announcements invited residents to bid farewell to the beloved local figure.

The family kept the funeral private, restricting media and mobile access at the site. Karina’s brother Sadat Hamid told reporters that the decision aimed to avoid publicity and large gatherings. Karina had died last Friday in a Chennai hospital following prolonged liver complications, and her body arrived in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon before being taken to Gazaria.

Bangladesh celebrated World Telecommunication and Information Society Day in Dhaka under the theme “Stability through connection, strength through resilience.” The event, held at the BTRC headquarters in Agargaon, featured a seminar where ICT Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam said the government considers the information and communication technology sector a major engine for national growth and employment. He highlighted initiatives in AI, hardware, semiconductors, cybersecurity, data centers, startups, and digital services to strengthen Bangladesh’s position in technology production and exports.

Adviser to the Prime Minister Rehan Asif Asad emphasized developing world-class 5G and nationwide fiber infrastructure within five years and mentioned plans for a national data bank and unified digital identity. Other speakers stressed digital safety for women and children, combating misinformation, and expanding AI and IoT use in public services. Officials also underscored digital sovereignty, cybersecurity, and paperless administration.

The two-day event included a telecom and technology fair with 30 participating organizations and an online essay competition. The International Telecommunication Union’s Secretary-General, in a video message, called for stronger digital infrastructure and global cooperation.

A daylong cybersecurity workshop was held on Saturday at the Bangladesh Army University of Science and Technology (BAUST) campus in Saidpur. The event, organized by the university’s Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) Department in collaboration with the Institutional Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) and Creative IT Institute of Dhaka, was attended by 60 students from the CSE department.

The workshop aimed to raise awareness about cybersecurity, provide practical knowledge on network security, and enhance students’ skills to address modern technology-based security challenges. Rafsan Anwar, CEO of the Networking and Cyber Security Department at Creative IT Institute, served as the keynote speaker, while Shihab Hossain Rafat, a senior faculty member and cybersecurity specialist, conducted hands-on training sessions.

The program, chaired by Professor Dr. Nakib Hayat Chowdhury, head of the CSE department, featured four sessions covering computer and network security fundamentals, web application security, ethical hacking, social engineering, incident response, and career opportunities in cybersecurity. Certificates were distributed to participants, and organizers reported strong enthusiasm and positive feedback from students.

OpenAI and the Government of Malta have announced a partnership that will provide every citizen and resident free access to ChatGPT Plus for one year. The initiative, unveiled on Saturday, marks OpenAI’s first collaboration with a national government. Access will be granted through a government-led AI literacy program, with participants required to complete a free online course titled “AI for All,” developed by the University of Malta. The first phase of the program is scheduled to launch in May, and the Malta Digital Innovation Authority will oversee the distribution of subscriptions.

According to the Malta Digital Innovation Authority, the course aims to help people understand what artificial intelligence is, its capabilities and limitations, and how to use it responsibly in daily life and work. Malta’s Minister for Economy, Enterprise and Strategic Projects, Silvio Schembri, said the initiative combines education with access to advanced digital tools to make AI practical for families, students, and workers. George Osborne, head of OpenAI for Countries, described the partnership as a model for how nations can empower citizens to benefit from AI’s transformative potential.

The announcement places Malta among a growing number of governments exploring ways to integrate AI into public education and services, following similar initiatives in Iceland, Greece, and the United Kingdom.

Popular Bangladeshi content creator and actress Karina Kaiser has died in Chennai, India, after suffering from liver complications and other health issues. Her body was flown to Dhaka on Friday afternoon via a US-Bangla Airlines flight. According to family sources, three funeral prayers were scheduled in the capital: the first after Maghrib at Banani DOHS Jame Mosque, the second at 8 p.m. at Banani Darbar Sharif Mosque, and the third at 10 p.m. at the Central Shaheed Minar, where fans and colleagues could pay their respects.

A fourth funeral prayer will be held on Monday morning in Abdullahpur, Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj, followed by burial at the family graveyard. Karina gained wide popularity among young audiences through her lively social media presence and realistic content. She also worked in OTT productions and television dramas, earning recognition as both an actress and screenwriter. Her notable works include the web series “Internship” and the film “36-24-36.”

Her untimely death has cast a shadow over the cultural community, with colleagues, directors, and fans expressing grief and condolences online.

Bangladesh-based technology company Bitspearhead has entered into a new partnership with Canada’s AIR Media-Tech, announced on May 17, 2026. The collaboration aims to provide South Asian content creators with international technology support and opportunities to increase global revenue. Both companies stated that the initiative will help overcome language and geographic barriers that have limited regional creators’ access to international audiences.

Under the partnership, three main services will be launched for creators: distribution of existing video content through Microsoft platforms, continuous live broadcasting, and multilingual translation with AI-assisted voice integration. The companies claim these tools will allow creators to reach new audiences without producing additional content, while also increasing viewer engagement and watch time.

AIR Media-Tech’s global business development director Vira Slivinska said the initiative will play a key role for creators whose content has been restricted by language limitations. Bitspearhead’s managing director Rady Ahmed Chowdhury added that the partnership will open major opportunities for Bangladeshi creators to showcase their work internationally and gain financial benefits.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, announced that artificial intelligence (AI) training centers will be set up in every upazila across the country. Speaking at a seminar titled “Future of the Telecom Sector: What the Government Thinks,” organized by the Telecom and Technology Reporters Network, Bangladesh (TRNB) at Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka, he said the initiative aims to expand AI use and train youth in AI and freelancing. The government is preparing an implementation plan, with a framework expected in the upcoming national budget.

The minister said the government is executing an integrated plan to modernize the telecom sector, ensure investment-friendly policies, and expand high-speed internet access to rural areas. He emphasized the importance of 5G, AI, IoT, and cloud-based services through stronger public-private partnerships. The government also aims to create one million ICT jobs within five years and modernize state-owned enterprises to improve service quality.

Prime Minister’s ICT adviser Rehan Asif Asad added that the upcoming budget will include positive measures for the ICT sector, targeting a 10–15 percent GDP contribution and prioritizing affordable smartphones, 5G, AI, and cybersecurity.

Nihan Alam from Mirsarai secured first place in the senior group of the Cyber Security category at the National High School Programming Competition and Cyber Security Olympiad 2026. The regional round was held on Saturday morning at the conference room of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (CUET), where Nihan received a crest in recognition of his achievement.

A ninth-grade student of Maruf Model High School in Mirsarai, Nihan has been known for his academic excellence from an early age. He previously earned government scholarships in both fifth and eighth grades, marking consistent academic success. Nihan is the son of Nurul Alam, president of the Mirsarai Press Club and journalist, and Jinnat Ara Begum.

The event highlighted young talent in programming and cybersecurity across the Chattogram region, encouraging participation from high school students in technology-oriented competitions.

Cyber intrusions have been detected in automatic tank gauge (ATG) systems at gas stations across several US states, with officials suspecting Iran-backed hackers. Sources said the attackers accessed many internet-exposed, password-free ATG systems and in some cases altered displayed fuel data without affecting actual fuel levels. Investigators noted that Iran had previously targeted similar energy infrastructure, though definitive attribution remains uncertain due to limited forensic evidence.

Analysts linked the incident to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, suggesting Tehran may be using cyber operations as an alternative to direct military action. The attack could also pose political challenges for the Trump administration, as rising fuel prices and public concern over the war’s economic impact intensify. Cybersecurity researchers have long warned that internet-connected ATG systems are vulnerable to exploitation.

Experts further cautioned that Iran’s cyber activity has expanded in scope and sophistication, including disruptive operations against US energy and water systems. They warned that future US elections could face Iranian cyber and disinformation campaigns, potentially amplified by artificial intelligence tools.

Democratic lawmakers in the United States have accused President Donald Trump of corruption related to large stock transactions, particularly involving Nvidia. Senator Elizabeth Warren alleged on social media that Trump’s actions posed a national security risk, citing his approval for Nvidia to sell advanced AI chips to China and his subsequent purchase of millions of dollars’ worth of the company’s shares. Warren claimed Trump traveled to China with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang to persuade President Xi Jinping to buy the chips.

Eric Trump, who manages the Trump family’s business, denied the allegations, stating that all family assets are held in blind trusts managed by major financial institutions and that no family member engages in personal stock trading. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker also criticized Trump, calling him the most corrupt president in U.S. history.

Documents released Thursday showed Trump traded over $200 million in shares from major corporations including Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Boeing. Forbes estimated Trump’s personal wealth at $6.5 billion as of March 2026, up $1.4 billion from the previous year.

Popular Bangladeshi content creator and actress Karina Kaiser has passed away in Chennai, India, after suffering from severe liver-related complications. She was taken to Chennai for advanced treatment and was under care at the Christian Medical College (CMC) Hospital in Vellore. Her father, former national footballer Kaiser Hamid, confirmed her death. Doctors reportedly tried their best to save her after her blood pressure dropped suddenly during antibiotic treatment on Friday.

According to family sources, Karina initially developed a fever that later turned into a severe infection. She was diagnosed with liver failure caused by complications from hepatitis A and E. After her condition worsened, she was moved to intensive care and placed on life support at a private hospital in Dhaka before being flown to India by air ambulance.

Karina Kaiser was well known among young audiences for her creative social media content and acting performances. She had recently been focusing on acting and scriptwriting. Her untimely death has cast a shadow of grief over the entertainment community and her admirers.