On February 16, 2026, China Media Group (CMG) hosted the annual Chinese Spring Festival Gala, broadcast in 85 languages across more than 200 countries and regions. The event, themed around the Year of the Horse, symbolized perseverance and progress, inspiring audiences worldwide. It featured a blend of traditional performances and cutting-edge technology, including AI-generated content that brought digital horses and ancient art to life on stage.

The gala showcased humanoid robots from four Chinese companies—Galaxy General, Songyan Dynamics, Yushu Technology, and Magic Atom—demonstrating China’s rapid progress in robotics. Additional venues included Harbin’s ice-built stage and a light show on Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, symbolizing cultural exchange between China and the Arab world. The event also received greetings from global leaders, including those of Russia, Brazil, and Pakistan, highlighting China’s growing international influence.

Experts described the 2026 gala as a convergence of technology, culture, and diplomacy, reflecting how Chinese traditions are evolving into a global celebration that bridges innovation and heritage.

Asian MotorspeX Limited, the sole distributor of Chery vehicles in Bangladesh, recently celebrated Valentine’s Day through a special event titled ‘Delivering Loves’ at the Chery showroom. The event aimed to reinforce customer relationships while highlighting Chery’s commitment to innovation and service excellence. Managing Director Dewan Sajedur Rahman attended as the chief guest, emphasizing the company’s dedication to enhancing the Chery brand experience in Bangladesh.

In his remarks, Rahman stated that Chery seeks to be part of customers’ special life moments, reflecting the brand’s focus on creating meaningful experiences beyond vehicle sales. Popular digital influencers Iftikhar Rafsan, Rakin Absar, and Shaumik joined the celebration, interacting with guests and showcasing Chery’s appeal to younger audiences.

The showroom was decorated with a Valentine’s Day theme, offering visitors a warm and comfortable environment to explore Chery’s advanced technology and premium features. A specially designed Chery Tiggo 8 Pro was also displayed across several Dhaka neighborhoods, underscoring the brand’s goal of building a close-knit customer community in Bangladesh.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that the US military used the artificial intelligence model Claude, developed by Anthropic, during an operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. According to unnamed sources cited in the report, the AI system was integrated into the mission through a partnership between Anthropic and Palantir Technologies, a contractor for the US Department of Defense and federal law enforcement agencies.

Following the operation, an Anthropic employee reportedly asked a Palantir official how Claude had been used in the mission. This marks the first known instance of Anthropic’s technology being deployed in a classified US defense operation. However, the exact role of Claude—capable of tasks ranging from PDF analysis to autonomous drone control—remains unclear.

An Anthropic spokesperson neither confirmed nor denied Claude’s involvement but stated that all uses of the model, whether in private or government sectors, must comply with the company’s usage policies. The report has sparked renewed debate over the ethics of using AI technologies in military operations.

The Vietnamese government has granted a license to Elon Musk’s satellite internet company Starlink to operate in the country, according to the national radio frequency regulator. The local unit, Starlink Services Vietnam Co., has been authorized to set up four gateway stations and deploy up to 600,000 terminal devices. Under the license terms, Starlink must ensure that its operations do not interfere with existing radio communication networks.

Officials said the move is expected to play a key role in expanding Vietnam’s satellite-based internet connectivity. About 80 percent of the country’s 100 million people currently use the internet, but rural and mountainous areas still face service gaps. Starlink, a subsidiary of SpaceX, provides high-speed internet through thousands of low-orbit satellites and has indicated on its website that service in Vietnam will launch soon.

The development comes as Vietnam and the United States continue trade negotiations following a 20 percent U.S. tariff on Vietnamese goods last year. Vietnam’s top leader To Lam is scheduled to visit Washington this week for a meeting of the U.S. “Board of Peace” led by President Donald Trump.

Booker Prize–winning Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy has declined an invitation to the Berlin International Film Festival after expressing outrage at comments made by jury members regarding the situation in Gaza. In a statement on Friday, Roy said she was deeply hurt and disturbed by remarks from jury president Wim Wenders and others during a Thursday press conference, where they suggested filmmakers should stay away from politics.

The controversy arose when a journalist asked the jury about the German government's support for Israel and its stance on human rights. Wenders responded that filmmakers should not engage in politics, emphasizing that their work is for the public, not politicians. Roy condemned these comments as “conscience-less,” describing the Gaza situation as genocide by Israel against Palestinians. She argued that artists and filmmakers have a moral duty to speak out against such atrocities.

Roy’s 1989 film “In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones” was scheduled to be screened in the festival’s classics section from February 12 to 22, but she has now withdrawn her participation.

An opinion piece by Md. Mahin Uddin, published on February 14, 2026, argues that individuals are unknowingly surrendering vast amounts of personal data—such as names, locations, preferences, and behaviors—in exchange for so-called free digital services. The article highlights that major technology companies, including social media, search engines, and e-commerce platforms, are turning user data into a commodity for targeted advertising and profit. Algorithms now influence what information people see, shaping opinions and even political views.

The author warns that both corporations and governments are benefiting from this data economy, often at the expense of user privacy. State surveillance and administrative data use blur the line between security and intrusion, while users have little control over how their data is stored or shared. The lack of transparency and awareness leaves citizens vulnerable, especially those less informed or technologically literate.

The article concludes that digital data has become as valuable and risky as oil, urging the creation of transparent policies, accountability mechanisms, and public awareness to protect digital rights and prevent growing inequality in data control.

A 17-second AI-generated video showing Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shooting at images of Muslims has triggered widespread outrage in India. The video, shared last Saturday from the verified X account of the Assam unit of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), appeared to incite violence against Muslims. Following public anger and criticism from opposition politicians, the Assam BJP deleted the video. Local media reported that one of the targeted images resembled a local Congress MP, and the footage ended with the slogan 'Foreign-free Assam.'

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Annie Raja has petitioned the Supreme Court seeking action against Sarma, while the Assam Congress filed a police case in Guwahati’s Dispur station. Earlier, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen chief Asaduddin Owaisi lodged a complaint with Telangana police. BJP leader Ranjib Kumar Sharma declined to comment, saying only that the video had been deleted.

The incident comes ahead of Assam’s provincial elections due in March–April, with observers linking the video to the BJP’s ongoing anti-Muslim campaign. Sarma has recently made inflammatory remarks targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims, accusing them of crimes and demographic changes.

A new documentary titled 'Sobar Age Hasimukh' highlighting the humanitarian and compassionate side of BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman was released in Dhaka. The film portrays his quiet acts of kindness toward people and animals, showing how he has supported underprivileged families and neglected creatures without seeking publicity. The premiere show took place on Saturday evening at Star Cineplex in Mohakhali, where party leaders and guests attended.

BNP leader Nazrul Islam Khan said the documentary reveals Rahman’s long-standing welfare work for humans and animals that he never publicized. Advisory Council member Md. Ismail Jabiullah noted that he initially thought it was a political film but later realized it beautifully depicted a man’s humanity. Director Jubayer Babu emphasized that the film is not political propaganda but a story of a person striving to bring smiles to others.

After the screening, guests praised the documentary’s production and content, calling it a timely and significant record. The film has also been released on social media platforms.

India and Malaysia have pledged to deepen cooperation in trade, security, and technology, with a particular focus on advancing their partnership in the semiconductor industry. During his first visit to Malaysia in more than ten years on February 8, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The two leaders signed several agreements covering renewable energy, healthcare, and artificial intelligence.

Following the meeting, Modi stated that the partnership between the two countries would expand further in artificial intelligence, digital technology, semiconductors, health, and food security. Anwar Ibrahim said the discussions would make bilateral relations more strategic and robust. Official data show Malaysia ranks sixth globally in semiconductor exports, contributing about 25 percent of its GDP. India’s foreign ministry noted Malaysia’s 30–40 years of experience in the sector and expressed Indian companies’ interest in collaboration on research, production, and testing facilities.

Trade between the two nations remains significant, with India exporting goods worth $7.32 billion to Malaysia last year and importing $12.54 billion. Modi also highlighted the role of Malaysia’s 3 million people of Indian origin as a vital bridge in bilateral relations.

Internationally acclaimed Bangladeshi actress Bobita is set to receive the 2026 Ekushey Padak, one of the country’s highest civilian honors. The announcement was made at a press conference following an advisory council meeting on Thursday. Bobita expressed deep gratitude to the state and those who selected her, calling it a blessing to receive such recognition during her lifetime. She has been receiving congratulatory messages from fans and well-wishers across Bangladesh and abroad since the news broke.

Bobita began her film career under the direction of the late filmmaker Zahir Raihan, to whom she has dedicated her upcoming award. Over her career, she has acted in nearly 300 films and produced several under her banner “Bobita Movies.” She has previously won multiple National Film Awards, including Best Actress for “Noyonmoni,” “Boshundhora,” and “Badi Theke Begum,” and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016. Bobita gained international recognition for her role in Satyajit Ray’s “Ashani Sanket.”

She stated that she would only return to acting if offered a story centered on her character and one that genuinely appeals to her.

Rock legend Ayub Bachchu has been posthumously awarded the 2026 Ekushey Padak, Bangladesh’s highest civilian honor, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Bangla band music. The announcement came seven years after his death, moving his wife Ferdous Akhtar Chandana, who expressed her emotions on social media on Thursday evening.

Chandana stated that the award is not only an honor for Ayub Bachchu as an artist but also a state recognition of Bangla band music. In her post, she reflected on Bachchu’s lifelong dedication to music and expressed gratitude to the jury board and all involved in granting the honor. She emphasized that Bachchu’s presence endures across Bangladesh and among Bangla-speaking communities worldwide.

The government announced the names of the 2026 Ekushey Padak recipients for contributions in various fields, including actress Farida Akhter Bobita, Ayub Bachchu, nine distinguished individuals, and one band.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has unveiled its election manifesto ahead of the upcoming national polls, emphasizing the theme 'Bangladesh First' as its guiding philosophy. Party Chairperson Tarique Rahman announced the plan at a ceremony in Dhaka’s Hotel Sonargaon on February 6, 2026, pledging to create one million new jobs in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and freelancing sectors to address youth unemployment and revive the fragile economy.

The manifesto outlines several ICT-focused initiatives, including transforming Bangladesh into an international hub for AI, software, and hardware production. It promises free high-speed internet in key areas, a national cybersecurity center, and a 'Made in Bangladesh' program to promote local tech products globally. The BNP also plans to introduce digital payment systems such as PayPal, establish AI-driven data centers, and support startups with tax exemptions, subsidized loans, and a national crowdfunding platform.

According to Tarique Rahman, these initiatives aim to build a technology-driven, employment-oriented, and innovative economy if the BNP forms the next government.

British scientists from the British Antarctic Survey have introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) system designed to identify and track icebergs as they drift and fragment in the ocean. The announcement, reported from Paris by AFP on Thursday, marks the first use of AI for this purpose. The technology aims to help scientists understand climate change and improve future predictions by monitoring icebergs from their formation to their eventual melting.

According to the researchers, the AI system captures the unique shape of an iceberg the moment it detaches from a glacier or ice shelf. When the iceberg later breaks apart, the system can match the smaller fragments back to the original structure, creating a complete “family tree” of icebergs. This allows scientists to analyze the origins, movements, and climate impacts of entire iceberg systems rather than just a few individual ones.

Researchers noted that the technology could also enhance maritime safety in polar regions. They cautioned, however, that while iceberg calving is a natural process, the rate of ice loss in Antarctica is increasing alarmingly due to climate change.

The United Nations has announced the formation of a 40-member expert panel to evaluate the global impact of artificial intelligence. The panel includes Nobel Peace Prize-winning Filipino journalist Maria Ressa and Canadian AI researcher Yoshua Bengio. According to AFP, the three-year panel also features Joelle Barral, Senior Director at Google DeepMind, and Girmaw Abebe Tadesse, Principal Research Scientist at Microsoft Labs, who focuses on AI applications in sustainable development, humanitarian work, and health.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the panel will be the first fully independent global scientific body dedicated to addressing knowledge gaps about AI and assessing its real effects on economies and societies. Members will serve in their personal capacities, not as representatives of governments or organizations, and their appointments will be submitted to the General Assembly for approval.

The panel, decided by the UN General Assembly in August 2025, will include experts in machine learning, data governance, cybersecurity, public health, child development, and human rights. Its first report is expected during the upcoming UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in July.

Education Adviser Professor Dr. C R Abrar stated that the world has entered the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by artificial intelligence, robotics, big data, the Internet of Things, and automation, which are rapidly transforming global economies and societies. He emphasized that the primary goal of education should not be limited to awarding degrees but to developing skilled, innovative, and technology-aware human resources. He made these remarks on Thursday at the inauguration of the 'NWPGCL-BUET Robo Carnival 2026' held at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) campus.

Dr. Abrar described the carnival as more than a technology exhibition, calling it a timely platform for shaping Bangladesh’s future development. He noted that the event would enhance students’ innovative thinking and research capacity while bridging the gap between academic research and industrial application. He praised the collaboration between BUET and the state-owned NWPGCL as a model partnership.

He further highlighted that using AI and robotics in the energy and power sectors could improve efficiency, strengthen safety, and ensure sustainable growth. He urged reducing dependence on foreign technology through domestic research and innovation and called for stronger collaboration among students, teachers, researchers, and industry.