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.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced that the company has reached an agreement with the United States Department of Defense to provide its artificial intelligence technology for use within a classified network. The deal follows the withdrawal of Anthropic, the Pentagon’s previous contractor, which had raised ethical objections to the military’s use of AI. Altman said the Defense Department demonstrated a “deep respect for safety” and agreed that OpenAI’s technology would not be used for domestic mass surveillance or autonomous weapon systems, emphasizing that humans would retain responsibility for the use of force.

The announcement came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump ordered federal agencies to stop using Anthropic’s technology, citing disagreements with the company’s leadership. Anthropic had refused to remove safeguards that prevented its AI from being used for surveillance or autonomous weapons. Reports also alleged that Anthropic’s Claude AI had been used by the U.S. military in the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro earlier this year.

Human rights advocates have expressed concern about the unregulated use of AI in military operations, referencing similar systems reportedly deployed by the Israeli army in Gaza.

United States President Donald Trump announced on Friday that all federal agencies must immediately stop using technology from artificial intelligence company Anthropic. The directive includes a six‑month phaseout period for the Department of Defense and other agencies where Anthropic’s systems are already embedded. Trump issued the order on Truth Social, saying the government would no longer do business with the San Francisco‑based startup. The move came during an escalating conflict between the Pentagon and Anthropic over the military’s use of AI in warfare.

The dispute centers on a $200 million Pentagon contract and disagreements about safeguards on Anthropic’s AI model, Claude. Anthropic had sought assurances that its technology would not be used for mass surveillance or fully autonomous weapons, but said new contract language undermined those protections. The Pentagon had threatened to classify the company as a supply‑chain risk, while Trump warned of civil and criminal consequences if Anthropic failed to cooperate with the phaseout.

The decision drew criticism from Senator Mark Warner, who questioned whether national security policy was being guided by analysis or politics. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman publicly supported Anthropic’s stance, reflecting broader unease in Silicon Valley over government pressure on AI firms.

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.

Amazon is planning to launch a 'content marketplace' aimed at supplying materials for artificial intelligence (AI) training, according to The Information. The initiative would allow publishing houses to provide their news, articles, and other materials to AI companies under specific licensing terms. The company has reportedly held meetings with senior executives from several publishing firms to discuss the creation of such a marketplace or hub.

Market analysts cited in the report suggest that a dedicated marketplace for licensed content could enable technology companies to legally access reliable information in exchange for payment. This approach would formalize the process of obtaining training data for AI models, potentially reducing disputes over content usage.

However, Amazon has not yet provided any definitive details or timeline regarding the launch of the content licensing marketplace.

Scientists under Microsoft’s Project Silica have developed a revolutionary method to store massive amounts of data in a small piece of glass. According to a report published in the journal Nature titled “Laser Writing in Glass for Dense, Fast and Efficient Archival Data Storage,” the team has used a special laser to encode information inside glass by creating three-dimensional pixels called voxels. A 12-square-centimeter glass piece, only 2 millimeters thick, can hold up to 4.84 terabytes of data—equivalent to about two million books or five thousand 4K movies.

The Independent reported that this glass-based storage can endure temperatures up to 290°C and remain intact for around 10,000 years, potentially even longer at room temperature. However, it may be vulnerable to mechanical stress or chemical corrosion. Researchers Feng Chen and Bo Wu noted that large-scale implementation of this silica technology could mark a milestone in the history of knowledge preservation, comparable to ancient scripts, parchment, or modern hard drives.

If successfully scaled, this innovation could transform how humanity preserves cultural and scientific knowledge for millennia.