Dhaka’s theatre scene is set for a vibrant celebration on May Day, with two major troupes organizing daylong events. Aranyak Natyadal will begin its program at 10 a.m. at the Central Shaheed Minar, featuring May Day songs, recitations, Baul music, and a discussion session. The discussion will include Bangladesh Mahila Parishad president Dr. Fauzia Moslem. The troupe will also stage Mannan Hira’s street play “Murkh Loker Murkh Kotha.” Later, at 6:30 p.m., the second session will be held at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy’s Experimental Theatre Hall, featuring music performances and Aranyak’s acclaimed play “Rarang,” written and directed by Mamunur Rashid. As in previous years, a special publication titled “May Dayer Kagoj” will be released.

Meanwhile, theatre group BotTola will present two shows of its children’s play “Bonyatherium” at the Nilima Ibrahim Auditorium of Bangladesh Mahila Samity on Bailey Road, at 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Directed by Evan Riaz and adapted from Sukumar Ray’s “Hesoram Hushiyarer Diary,” the play explores human greed, commercialism, and environmental destruction through the story of a mysterious creature, offering both entertainment and moral reflection for audiences of all ages.

Perplexity has announced major updates to its 'Computer' platform for enterprise users, following a meeting with business and finance leaders in New York City. The company introduced new integrations, including support for Microsoft Teams, where users can message Computer directly or add it to channels. Computer in Excel has entered beta as a native side panel, allowing analysts to request assistance without leaving their spreadsheets. The update also launches 'workflows,' pre-built task templates that bundle prompts, context, and output formats for repetitive enterprise processes.

Perplexity’s latest release adds data connectors for Snowflake and Databricks, enabling teams to query internal data securely without transferring it between systems. A new partnership with 1Password enhances identity security, allowing Computer to act on behalf of users while keeping credentials protected. The company also unveiled 'Computer for Professional Finance,' which integrates licensed data from providers such as Morningstar, PitchBook, Daloopa, and Carbon Arc to generate finance-specific deliverables.

Perplexity described these developments as part of a broader shift toward objective-based computing. Its 'Personal Computer' model aims to run continuously across devices, coordinating local files, apps, and web tasks for enterprise users.

Renowned South Asian singer Runa Laila will receive India’s prestigious ‘Minar-e-Delhi’ honor at the 15th Delhi International Film Festival on May 4. The event, confirmed by Laila herself, will be held at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts and Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in Delhi, continuing until May 8. The festival will feature 175 films from 60 countries, with a focus on women’s empowerment, social and child-related issues, and encouraging female filmmakers. The event is supported by India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Culture, and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.

Runa Laila expressed her joy at being selected for the award, thanking festival president Ram Kishore and the organizing institutions. The Minar-e-Delhi honor has previously been awarded to figures such as former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Russian actress Xenia Rebekkanna, and Indian artists Sharmila Tagore and Tigmanshu Dhulia. The letter sent to Laila highlighted her decades-long contribution to music and film, describing her work as a cultural bridge between India and Bangladesh.

The festival will also feature prominent participants including Sharmila Tagore and Rituparna Sengupta.

A new film based on the life of global pop icon Michael Jackson has cast his nephew Jafaar Jackson in the lead role, raising questions among fans about why the singer’s own sons were not chosen. The mystery was clarified in a recent interview, revealing that Michael’s sons, Prince and Bigi, prefer to remain behind the camera rather than in front of it.

Prince has stated that he does not consider himself skilled enough in singing or dancing to play his father, focusing instead on social work. Bigi, meanwhile, is more interested in directing and producing than acting. Jafaar, the son of Michael’s brother Jermaine Jackson, has trained in music and dance since childhood and reportedly shares a striking resemblance to Michael’s voice and movements.

According to the film’s director, Jafaar’s natural ability and years of preparation made him the best choice to capture Michael’s iconic dance and vocal style. He trained intensively for several years and even kept the casting decision secret from his family for nearly a year.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) has launched nine new digital services incorporating artificial intelligence and modern technology to enhance crime prevention and policing efficiency. The initiative was inaugurated on April 29, 2026, at the DMP headquarters in Dhaka by Inspector General of Police Md. Ali Hossain Fakir. He stated that the new systems would advance modern and citizen-friendly policing as part of adapting to the technological changes of the fourth industrial revolution.

Among the new tools, the AI-based Road Transport Act Violation Detection System will automatically identify traffic law violations using cameras installed at 25 key city points, aiming to reduce accidents and improve road discipline. The Hotel Boarder Information System will collect real-time guest data from all residential hotels to strengthen national security. The “Hello DMP” app will allow citizens to file complaints directly from home, monitored centrally by DMP headquarters.

Other digital services include online training, leave management, residence allocation, traffic duty distribution, employee performance evaluation, and a traffic news archive. Senior DMP officials expressed optimism that these initiatives will bring greater transparency, efficiency, and faster public service delivery across Dhaka.

Pop superstar Taylor Swift has filed trademark applications in the United States to protect her voice and image from artificial intelligence (AI)-generated deepfakes. The filings, submitted on Friday to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, include two audio clips of Swift’s voice and a stage photograph showing her in a sequined outfit holding a pink guitar. The applications list her company, TAS Rights Management, as the owner, though neither Swift’s representatives nor her lawyers have commented publicly.

Trademark attorney Josh Gerben explained that while existing publicity rights laws offer some protection, trademarks could provide additional security. He noted that registering a voice as a trademark is a relatively new concept and remains largely untested in court. Previously, artists relied on copyright law to protect their work, but AI’s ability to mimic voices without using original recordings has created new legal gaps.

Experts cited in the report said Swift’s move follows a surge in AI-generated fake videos, ads, and misleading content using her likeness, and could set a precedent for digital identity protection among celebrities.

Meta has introduced a new feature in its ‘Teen Account’ supervision system that allows parents to see the general topics their children discuss with AI assistants. The information will appear in a separate ‘Insights’ tab, showing categorized subjects such as education, entertainment, writing, health, and mental well-being. The feature will operate across Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, summarizing conversations from the past seven days without revealing specific messages.

The update comes as Meta faces growing scrutiny over child and teen safety. The company recently lost two major child protection lawsuits alleging that its products were designed to be addictive and lacked adequate safety measures. Internal documents revealed in court suggested Meta’s AI-driven virtual companions sometimes engaged in inappropriate conversations. Meta said it would appeal the rulings.

Alongside the new feature, Meta is collaborating with the Cyberbullying Research Center to create parental guidance on AI use and has formed an ‘AI Wellbeing Expert Council’ including university and suicide prevention specialists. However, advocacy group Fairplay criticized the move, arguing it shifts responsibility to parents instead of making the platforms safer.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmier announced that OpenAI has been included in a criminal investigation following the murders of Bangladeshi students Jamil Limon and Nahida Sultana Brishti at the University of Florida. The main suspect, Hisham Abugarbiyah, allegedly used ChatGPT before committing the crime. Local media Tampa Bay 28 reported that the attorney general confirmed new charges would be filed against OpenAI as part of the ongoing probe.

According to court documents cited by CBS News, Hisham asked ChatGPT several questions about hiding bodies and other suspicious topics in the days leading up to the killings. His phone location was later traced to the site where Limon’s body was found. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation, and Hisham has been charged with premeditated murder.

The attorney general previously linked ChatGPT to a separate 2025 Florida State University attack plan, and this new case has now been added to that broader investigation.

Bangladesh’s Education and Primary and Mass Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan met with Pakistan’s High Commissioner Imran Haider and his delegation at the ministry office on Monday. The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between the two countries in education and cultural development.

During the discussion, the Pakistani High Commissioner stated that Pakistan is offering scholarships to Bangladeshi students in fields such as biotechnology, business administration, artificial intelligence, computer engineering, and fashion design. He also mentioned ongoing collaboration under the Pakistan Technical Assistant Program and training for civil service officials. Both sides expressed optimism about expanding cooperation in education, sports, and technology.

The education minister highlighted opportunities to enhance teacher training and exchange programs between Bangladesh and Pakistan. Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner Md. Wasif was also present at the meeting.

The big-budget biopic 'Michael', based on the life of pop icon Michael Jackson, has stormed the box office despite negative reviews and a complex production process. Released in North America, the film earned 97 million dollars in its first week and 217 million dollars worldwide, setting a new record for the highest-grossing biopic opening in history. Starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, the film grossed 120.4 million dollars internationally, surpassing the opening records of 'Oppenheimer' (2023) and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (2018).

Critics have accused the film of downplaying controversial aspects of Jackson’s life, reflected in a 38% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences gave it a 97% rating. The production faced legal and creative hurdles, including reshooting scenes related to the Jordan Chandler case at a cost of about 50 million dollars, limiting the story to events before 1988. Despite family opposition and legal restrictions, the film’s success has prompted producers to consider sequels.

The film, produced by Lionsgate and distributed internationally by Universal, is yet to release in Japan, where Jackson has a large fan base. Its release there is scheduled for June.

Al-Jazari, a leading mechanical engineer of the Islamic Golden Age, created groundbreaking machines nearly 800 years ago that remain relevant today. His inventions, powered by water pressure and air, included automatic mechanical devices that demonstrated early principles of robotics and cybernetics. His seminal book, 'Kitab fi Ma'rifat al-Hiyal al-Handasiyya', described around 100 mechanical devices with detailed illustrations and construction methods, serving as a practical engineering guide.

Among his notable inventions were the crankshaft, segmental gear, and double-cylinder water-lifting pumps, which introduced mechanisms later fundamental to modern engines and automation. Al-Jazari also built automata such as humanoid robots, musical boats, and water clocks, showcasing advanced control and feedback systems centuries before similar European developments.

The article emphasizes that Al-Jazari’s work established the conceptual basis for modern robotics, hydraulics, and control engineering. His integration of balance, feedback, and hydro-mechanical control in devices anticipated many ideas central to today’s cybernetics and mechanical engineering.

In eastern Ukraine, remotely controlled ground robots carrying 66 pounds of explosives are being deployed toward Russian positions, supported by drones that clear paths with aerial bombs. One robot detonates near enemy lines while others remain behind to observe. The footage, recorded last summer, illustrates Ukraine’s adoption of new combat methods, according to the country’s leaders.

Facing manpower shortages, Kyiv is expanding its use of drones and automated weapons for defense. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that an attack in the Kharkiv region last year demonstrated Ukraine’s ability to seize Russian positions using automated systems alone. Although ground robots are typically used for logistics and medical evacuations, Ukraine is increasingly employing them for offensive operations.

According to the Defense Ministry, Ukrainian forces conducted over 9,000 frontline missions in March using drones equipped with explosives, machine guns, or rockets. While slower and more visible than quadcopter drones, ground robots can carry heavier explosive loads, though they remain vulnerable to enemy fire and have limited operational lifespans of about 24 hours.

US technology giants Meta and Microsoft are set to lay off around 16,000 employees to manage rising expenses linked to their expanding artificial intelligence (AI) investments, according to a Financial Times report. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, plans to cut about 10 percent of its workforce, or roughly 8,000 employees, and cancel around 6,000 vacant positions. An internal memo indicated that the layoffs will begin on May 20.

Meta is investing heavily in AI infrastructure, including new data centers and recruitment of top-tier technology experts, to compete with rivals such as Google and OpenAI. The company previously stated that its 2026 capital expenditure could reach between 115 and 135 billion dollars, with a large portion allocated to AI infrastructure and operational costs.

Microsoft, meanwhile, is offering voluntary retirement to about 7 percent of its US-based workforce, affecting more than 8,000 employees who meet specific age and service criteria. The company had already cut over 15,000 jobs in 2025 while pledging 140 billion dollars to accelerate AI development.

Israel has launched a multimillion-dollar initiative aimed at promoting a more positive image of the country on artificial intelligence platforms. According to a report by Axios cited by Anadolu, the Israeli government hired Brad Parscale, a close associate of former U.S. President Donald Trump and a Republican digital strategist, in September to lead the online campaign. Parscale, who managed Trump’s 2020 election campaign, was tasked with influencing AI systems that he believed relied heavily on critical or negative information about Israel.

The report stated that Parscale’s team began developing a project designed to make AI systems portray Israel in a more favorable light. Although the team has claimed progress, it remains uncertain how much their strategies have actually affected AI-generated outputs. Meanwhile, public opinion in the United States toward Israel has become increasingly negative. A recent Pew Research survey found that 60 percent of Americans now hold unfavorable views of Israel, up from 53 percent the previous year.

The initiative underscores Israel’s growing concern about its digital reputation and the influence of AI-driven narratives on global perceptions.

Legendary Bangladeshi singer Runa Laila is set to return to the Australian stage after nearly a decade. She will perform alongside Bengal Symphony and artist Emon Chowdhury in two grand concerts scheduled for August 1 and 8, 2026, in Sydney and Melbourne respectively. The first event, titled “Bangladesh Night,” will take place at Sydney’s Norwest Convention Centre, featuring performances by Runa Laila, Bengal Symphony, and Pintu Ghosh. The second concert, “Runa Laila and Symphony Legacy Tour,” will be held at Melbourne’s Recital Centre.

Organizers described the events as more than just concerts, promising audiences a memorable musical journey. Advance ticket sales have already begun online and are reportedly receiving a positive response. Runa Laila expressed her excitement about performing in Australia again and said she is preparing to sing audience favorites. She will travel to Sydney on July 29 with seven instrumentalists. Emon Chowdhury added that the team is enthusiastic about performing popular songs such as “Kotha Koyo Na,” “Baji,” “Sada Sada Kala,” and “Teka Pakhi.”