SpaceX’s Starship spacecraft, developed by U.S. entrepreneur Elon Musk’s company, crashed into the Indian Ocean after a test flight and subsequently exploded. The launch took place at 5:30 p.m. local time on Friday, marking the first major test of the third-generation version of Starship. Live footage showed the spacecraft reaching space and completing several planned maneuvers before catching fire and exploding during a controlled descent over the ocean.

According to the source, SpaceX considered the test a success despite the explosion, as the main objective was to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new design. During the flight, Starship executed a maneuver to flip from an inverted position and reignite its engines to regain control. Although one engine failed, the remaining engines allowed the spacecraft to maintain stability.

The test provided SpaceX with data on the performance of its redesigned systems, which the company views as a step forward in its ongoing development program.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, announced that all digital services will be designed to ensure accessibility for persons with disabilities. Speaking on May 21, 2026, at an event marking Global Accessibility Awareness Day at the BIDA Auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, he said accessible websites and apps have already been developed so that no one is left behind. He emphasized that accessibility is a right, not charity, and that technology must align with human needs, abilities, and diversity.

The minister added that new technologies will help integrate persons with disabilities more actively into mainstream society, turning them into valuable assets for the nation. The ICT Division will take all necessary initiatives to ensure their dignified participation. State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin said the government will fully support public and private initiatives promoting digital accessibility. ICT Division Secretary Kazi Anwar Hossain noted that Bangladesh’s digital progress will be complete only when every citizen can use digital services with dignity, freedom, and equality.

The event was attended by officials from a2i, Sightsavers, Friendship, and CRP, among others.

Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology’s (RUET) rover research and innovation team, Team Agrodut, has achieved 13th place globally in the Anatolian Rover Challenge 2026 (ARC 2026). The team also earned one of the highest design scores, securing 48.59 out of 50. The main phase of the competition will be held from July 29 to August 2 at the Middle East Technical University (METU) campus in Ankara, Turkey, where rover teams from around the world will participate.

Founded in 2017, Team Agrodut has consistently represented Bangladesh in international rover and space robotics competitions. It previously ranked sixth in the 2018 Indian Rover Challenge, 27th in the 2019 European Rover Challenge, and 11th globally in the 2023 International Rover Design Challenge, where it was Bangladesh’s top team. The group also reached the semifinals of IRDC 2025 and the finals of IRC 2025.

Beyond competitions, the team developed a bomb disposal robot for the Bangladesh Army in 2024, reflecting its practical engineering expertise. Team Agrodut aims to advance autonomous rover technology and inspire young innovators while preparing for future global contests.

Bangladesh will celebrate two decades of high-speed internet and digital transformation on May 21, marking the 20th anniversary of the country’s first submarine cable, SEA-ME-WE 4, inaugurated in 2006 at Cox’s Bazar by then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (BSCCPLC) reaffirmed its pledge to safeguard national data infrastructure and digital sovereignty on this milestone occasion.

Before 2005, Bangladesh’s international communication relied entirely on satellites, resulting in slow internet speeds and high costs. The launch of SEA-ME-WE 4 connected Bangladesh to a global network stretching from Singapore to France, initially offering 22 Gbps capacity. Through successive upgrades, the cable’s capacity has reached about 4,650 Gbps by 2024. The project spurred rapid growth in freelancing, e-commerce, mobile banking, and digital public services across the country.

Following the success of SEA-ME-WE 4, the second cable SEA-ME-WE 5 was launched in 2017, and the third, SEA-ME-WE 6, is nearing completion. Together, these systems will raise total capacity to about 38 Tbps, exceeding projected national demand for 2027. BSCCPLC has also initiated plans for a fourth cable to further strengthen Bangladesh’s digital infrastructure.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, stated that the government has never treated space, satellite, and drone technologies as luxuries. Speaking on Monday at a seminar titled ‘Satellites, Drones and the Future of Space Technology in Bangladesh’ at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Dhaka, he said these technologies have become essential for national development, disaster management, agriculture, fisheries, communication, and security. He highlighted the 2018 launch of Bangladesh’s first satellite as a major milestone, noting its role in broadcasting, telecommunications, and emergency communications.

Anam added that the government is planning a new low-earth orbit satellite to enhance data accuracy for agriculture, coastal security, and environmental monitoring. He emphasized that satellite data can improve weather forecasting and safety for coastal fishermen. The minister also underlined the growing importance of drone technology in border security, land surveys, infrastructure monitoring, and disaster response.

Keynote speaker Dr. Muhammad Imadur Rahman of Bangladesh Satellite Company Limited said space technology is a driving force of the fourth industrial revolution and vital for economic growth, security, and climate resilience in developing countries like Bangladesh.

The government has launched free Wi-Fi service at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka, enabling around 37,000 passengers to access high-speed internet simultaneously. The service was inaugurated on Sunday by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita, with other senior officials from the telecommunications and ICT ministries present. According to the ministry, the network covers approximately 94,000 square meters, including Terminals 1, 2, domestic, VIP, VVIP, and parking areas.

The ministry stated that the system operates with a maximum bandwidth capacity of 40 Gbps, supported by 250 access points, 48 kilometers of optical fiber and Ethernet cables, and 37 access switches. Each access point can serve up to 150 users at once, ensuring stable and fast connectivity throughout the airport. Since the trial phase began on April 26, about 20,000 passengers have used the service, consuming roughly 2.3 terabytes of data.

Officials said the initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to providing fast and reliable internet for all citizens, enhancing digital access and communication for both domestic and international travelers.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has appointed his First Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, as the head of the country’s special cyberspace headquarters. The presidential directive emphasized establishing an integrated governance system in cyberspace, curbing divergent narratives, and preventing overlapping activities among responsible institutions.

The appointment comes amid the 75th consecutive day of widespread internet disruptions and restrictions across Iran. On February 28, the Iranian government cut off international internet connections, coinciding with attacks involving Israel and the United States. Telephone communications with foreign countries have also been severely affected.

The move signals the administration’s focus on tightening control over digital communications and coordination among state agencies during a period of heightened cyber and connectivity challenges.

The European Union is preparing to present a plan this summer to ban social media use for minors, according to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. She announced the initiative on Tuesday, citing growing pressure from several member states to strengthen child protection online. The proposal aims to address concerns about the impact of addictive online platforms on children.

Support for stricter regulation has increased in recent months, with France, Spain, Greece, and Denmark leading calls for stronger measures. Von der Leyen made the remarks at the European Summit on Artificial Intelligence and Children in Copenhagen, where she highlighted the rapid pace of technological advancement and its deep influence on childhood and adolescence.

Several EU countries are already moving toward national legislation on this issue. The European Commission has also formed an independent expert panel on online child safety to assess potential measures to combat addiction and social anxiety among minors. Similar restrictions have already been implemented in Australia and Indonesia.

Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (BSCCPLC) has stated that there is no shortage in international bandwidth supply, rejecting recent media reports suggesting risks from geopolitical tensions or cable capacity issues. In a press release issued on Tuesday, the state-owned company under the Posts and Telecommunications Division said it operates two trusted submarine cable systems, SEA-ME-WE-4 and SEA-ME-WE-5, with a combined capacity of about 7,200 Gbps. Of this, 4,100 Gbps is currently supplied domestically, while 3,100 Gbps remains available for future use.

According to BSCCPLC, only 1.34 percent of total capacity passes through the Red Sea, and none through the Strait of Hormuz, making claims of potential disruptions from regional conflicts unfounded. The company clarified that SEA-ME-WE-5 still has 712 Gbps unused capacity and a lifespan until 2037, while SEA-ME-WE-4 remains operational with capacity until 2030. A new system, SEA-ME-WE-6, is under implementation and expected to add 30,000 Gbps by early 2027.

BSCCPLC assured that it is fully prepared to meet current and future bandwidth demand and urged operators and citizens not to be misled by inaccurate reports.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman rode a specially designed smart car created by physically disabled college student Wakimul Islam and praised his innovative initiative. The event took place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, Dhaka, where the Prime Minister inspected the vehicle and encouraged the young inventor.

According to Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Roni, several senior officials, including Chief Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Roni, Mostafa Zulfiqar Hasan, and Shahadat Hossain Swadhin, were present during the occasion. The Prime Minister’s engagement highlighted official recognition of Wakimul’s technological creativity and his contribution as a differently abled innovator.

The event underscored the government’s interest in supporting youth-led innovation and inclusive technology development, as reflected in the Prime Minister’s personal encouragement to the student inventor.

A large-scale cyberattack has hit universities and schools in the United States, Canada, and Australia, causing major disruption during end-of-year exams. The hacking group ShinyHunters claimed responsibility for the attack, which disabled the widely used academic software Canvas, affecting an estimated 9,000 institutions. Instructure, the company behind Canvas, said most users regained access by Thursday, though some universities continued to report outages on Friday.

Mississippi State University postponed final exams to allow students to recover lost work, while several others, including the University of Sydney, Penn State, and the University of British Columbia, reported severe interruptions. Students described seeing ransom messages demanding Bitcoin payments to prevent stolen data from being leaked. Universities advised students to avoid suspicious messages and awaited further guidance from Instructure.

Cybersecurity analyst Luke Connelly told the Associated Press that the threats began Sunday and were set to continue through May 12, with ransom negotiations possibly ongoing. The incident coincided with U.S. Senate leader Chuck Schumer’s call for stronger cyber defenses amid rising digital risks in the age of artificial intelligence.

Saudi Arabia has introduced a 24-hour hotline service to assist Hajj and Umrah pilgrims in 11 languages, according to Gulf News. The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah announced that pilgrims can now call 1966 at any time to obtain information, request assistance, or lodge service-related complaints. The initiative aims to ensure that pilgrims receive timely and accurate support during their pilgrimage.

The ministry stated that trained staff will manage calls and complaints through an integrated system supported by advanced call management technology. This setup is designed to provide quick and precise responses to inquiries. Qualified personnel will regularly monitor inquiries and coordinate with relevant agencies to resolve issues efficiently.

The unified contact center operates on a modern technology-based infrastructure that enhances performance, allocates calls according to staff expertise, and ensures effective communication with pilgrims. The ministry emphasized that the system will improve service quality and operational efficiency for Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.

The Bangladesh Bridge Authority has recommended introducing a cashless, fast, and transparent toll collection system across all bridges under its jurisdiction. The proposals were presented on Thursday at the authority’s conference room under the ‘Human Resource Development and Capacity Building’ project, where three research papers were discussed. The studies focused on implementing a full electronic toll collection (ETC) system at the Padma Bridge, developing emergency communication protocols, and exploring toll payment through mobile banking.

Key recommendations include appointing a dedicated communication officer for each bridge, adding a live traffic tab to the authority’s website, reducing ETC registration steps from five to two, and enabling online registration. The research also suggested establishing a data-sharing system among BRTA, mobile financial services, and the Bridge Authority, as well as ensuring RFID reader accuracy and operator training. Another study proposed integrating mobile banking wallets with the ETC system for real-time balance checks and payments.

Bridge Secretary Abdur Rouf stated that the government is committed to implementing a fully cashless and automated toll system nationwide as part of building a self-reliant Bangladesh. The recommendations will be reviewed and implemented soon.

Jahangirnagar University’s branch of the student organization Chhatra Dal has launched a live bus tracking system to make student transportation easier, safer, and more efficient. The system was inaugurated on Thursday near the Murad Chattar area by Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan. Initially introduced as a pilot project on two university buses, the technology will later be expanded to all buses. Through the app, students can view the real-time location of buses on their mobile phones.

The system also provides notifications about bus arrival times at specific stops and alerts in case of delays. Student leaders said the initiative fulfills a long-standing demand from students for live bus tracking. They emphasized that the project aims to improve time management and ensure a more comfortable and secure commuting experience for students.

Vice-Chancellor Ahsan praised the initiative as a timely, technology-driven effort to reduce transportation difficulties and commended the student group for taking a student-oriented approach.

A roundtable discussion in Dhaka on Wednesday highlighted the growing threat of cybercrime in Bangladesh and called for coordinated efforts between the government and civil society to address it. The event, organized by Citizen Coalition under the theme 'Cyber Security and Future Challenges,' discussed issues such as website hacking, fake information, and the spread of counterfeit cards using mainstream media logos that mislead the public.

Rehan Asif Asad, adviser to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology and the Ministry of Science and Technology, said the government is actively working on cyber security to counter online propaganda and information terrorism. He noted that the Cyber Security Act enacted by the current government remains in force, and authorities are cautious to prevent misuse of the law. He also stated that the government has not pressured the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to remove any online content.

The discussion was chaired by photographer and human rights activist Shahidul Alam, with participation from BTRC Chairman Emdadul Bari, UNESCO Dhaka Office Head Susan Vize, and Swedish Embassy Political Secretary Paul, among others.