Author: Redoy K

A 65-day nationwide ban on fishing at sea commenced from last midnight due to the breeding season of various fish species. During the ban until July 23, over 1 lakh fishing vessels will be barred from entering the sea. The government will provide 56kg of rice to each of the 3.11 lakh affected fishermen under the Vulnerable Group Feeding programme. Fishermen and trawler owners have urged the authorities to be vigilant and take further steps to support them during this period. Photo: Rajib Raihan

Babar Ali, a 33-year-old physician from Chattogram, has conquered Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. He reached the summit at 8:30 am (Nepal time) on Sunday, raising the Bangladeshi flag. Babar undertook the Everest expedition with his mountaineering club Vertical Dreamers. An avid traveler and adventurer, he has previously cycled across India and walked across all 64 districts of Bangladesh to promote environmental awareness. Collected

The commercial generation of electricity from Bangladesh’s first nuclear power plant at Rooppur has been deferred due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. While the first unit was originally scheduled to start production in December 2023, it may now begin operations by the end of 2025, with the second unit following in 2025. The project’s deadline has been extended by two years to December 2027.

A recruitment company in Malaysia faces Industrial Court proceedings for failing to pay RM1,035,557.50 in salary arrears to 733 Bangladeshi workers as directed by the Human Resources Ministry. The company had 45 days to settle the amount but did not comply. If convicted, it could be fined RM50,000 per offence besides paying the arrears. The workers were legally brought in but did not get jobs initially. However, 692 have since found employment through a special process. The ministry vowed strict action against labour law violations to protect workers’ welfare.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the 22nd biennial conference of the Bangladesh Economic Association (BEA) in Dhaka. She urged economists to design policies and programs considering local realities instead of relying on foreign advice. Hasina said her goal is to make Bangladesh developed by improving people’s lives. Despite obstacles, she expressed confidence in overcoming challenges and continuing the country’s progress. BEA President Prof Abul Barkat presided over the opening session of the two-day conference.

Three students from BRAC University secured the top positions at the 14th National Undergraduate Mathematics Olympiad. Atonu Roy Chowdhury, Soumitra Das, and Nian Ibne Nazrul secured the first, second, and fourth positions respectively. Students from BUET, IUT, and SUST also secured positions in the top 10. The olympiad, jointly organized by Bangladesh Mathematics Society and AF Mujibur Rahman Foundation, was held at Dhaka University on May 10, showcasing the mathematical prowess of undergraduate students nationwide.