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.

Bangladeshi short film 'Scarlet Echoes' (Bengali title 'Raktim') has been officially selected for the main competition of the 56th Tampere Film Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious film events. Directed and written by young filmmaker Hemonto Sadik, the film is set against the backdrop of the historic July 2024 mass uprising. Out of 7,125 international submissions, only 60 films from 44 countries were chosen, with 'Scarlet Echoes' being the sole entry from Bangladesh.

The docu-fiction blends real footage from the 2024 July movement with fictional storytelling centered on Adnan, a photographer and single father, capturing the streets of Dhaka and the spirit of the people. Producer Dilruba Hossain Doel stated that the film was made without institutional support, shot mostly within the movement using a smartphone, and created entirely through voluntary collaboration.

Dedicated to late photographer Tahir Zaman Priyo, who was killed during the movement, the film will have its world premiere at the festival in Tampere, Finland, from March 4–8, 2026.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has extended the deadline for submitting proposals for government-funded full-length and short films for the 2025–26 fiscal year. According to a recent notice signed by Deputy Secretary Mosha. Sharmin Akhter, applicants can now submit complete package proposals until March 1. The previous deadline for submitting stories, scripts, and overall production plans was January 29.

The ministry’s notice invited producers, directors, filmmakers, film professionals, related institutions, writers, and screenwriters to submit proposals for story and script selection under the government grant program. The initiative aims to promote the film industry and encourage creativity and talent. For the 2025–26 fiscal year, the ministry plans to provide grants for up to 12 full-length and 20 short films, totaling 32 projects.

According to the notice, applicants must submit 12 sets of complete package proposals, including one original copy, for both full-length and short film categories.

Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has won his first Grammy Award in the audiobook, narration, and storytelling category. The award was announced at the Grammy ceremony held in Los Angeles, recognizing the audio version of his book 'Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama'. Currently living in exile in India, the 90-year-old leader expressed gratitude, calling the honor a recognition of shared human values rather than a personal achievement.

In a social media message, the Dalai Lama said he accepted the award with humility and gratitude, emphasizing peace, compassion, care for the environment, and unity as essential for the collective well-being of humanity. The audio project featured artists including Rufus Wainwright and Maggie Rogers, with Wainwright accepting the award on his behalf.

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 after a Chinese military crackdown and has since lived in India. The Chinese government labels him a separatist and claims authority over his succession, a claim he rejects, asserting that the decision rests solely with his office in India.

As Bangladesh’s national election approaches, cybersecurity analysts warn of heightened risks of cyberattacks targeting voter databases, the Election Commission’s infrastructure, government websites, and political parties’ digital platforms. Experts say the pre-election period is the most vulnerable, with threats including DDoS attacks, data breaches, coordinated misinformation, and deepfake videos aimed at disrupting information flow and public trust.

Recent incidents, such as the hacking of the Jamaat-e-Islami leader’s verified social media account, have underscored the immediacy of these threats. The government claims to have strengthened digital defenses, with the ICT Division, Election Commission, and law enforcement cyber units monitoring suspicious activity. However, independent specialists argue that gaps remain between official preparedness and actual capacity, citing weaknesses in data protection, rapid response, and coordination with social media platforms.

Officials from the national cyber response team, BGD e-Gov CIRT, confirm that alerts have been issued and preventive measures are underway. Yet experts caution that limited skilled manpower, outdated systems, and policy shortcomings could leave Bangladesh’s digital infrastructure exposed during the election period.

Bangladeshi television actor Tousif Mahbub has called on political leaders to honor their election promises even after the upcoming 13th National Parliamentary Election, scheduled for February 12. Speaking as a concerned citizen, he emphasized that whoever wins should prioritize the people's welfare and ensure that commitments made during campaigns are fulfilled.

Tousif stated that in the current national context, citizens have many expectations across different sectors. He clarified that he is not affiliated with any political party but wants elected representatives to act responsibly toward the public. Reflecting on past experiences, he mentioned that people have often felt deceived by unfulfilled promises, leading some to lose faith in the country or move abroad.

Reaffirming his patriotism, Tousif expressed unwavering love for Bangladesh and optimism that the nation will achieve a stronger global position through progress in politics and culture.

The 12th Dhaka International Mobile Film Festival (DIMFF) 2026 began today under the outreach program of the Media Studies and Journalism Department of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB). The two-day event, presented by Infinix Mobile Bangladesh and supported by Star Cineplex, will conclude tomorrow. From 131 film submissions across 24 countries, 25 films have been selected for screening in six categories.

Details of the festival were announced at a press conference held at ULAB’s permanent campus. The categories this year include Short Film, One Minute, Vertical Film, Open Door, Citizen Journalism, and Outstanding Talent Award. The first day’s screenings will take place at the ULAB campus, while the second day’s events will be held at Star Cineplex (Shimanto Shambhar).

For the first time, the Citizen Journalism category will feature films highlighting social justice, climate change, real-life issues, and stories of marginalized communities. The Outstanding Talent Award will recognize a skilled crew member behind the scenes. The jury board includes filmmakers and writers from Nepal, Bangladesh, France, and the UK.