News Watch- (1-2-2019)

Country gets 12m new mobile users in 2018

The total number of Bangladesh's mobile phone subscribers hit about 157 million at the end of 2018, with addition of nearly 12 million new users in last year, statistics of the country's telecom regulator showed Thursday. According to data from the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the number of subscribers in the country reached 156.989 million in December 2018. — UNB

Golden Rice to be released soon

Golden rice, a new variety of rice helpful to fight Vitamin A deficiency, would be released soon, said Agriculture Minister Dr Abdur Razzak on Thursday. He came up with the information after a meeting with International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) at the secretariat on Thursday. "Golden rice is more important than the other varieties of rice as it will be helpful to fight Vitamin A deficiency. The rice variety has already got clearance in the USA, Canada and Australia," he said. A committee of the Ministry of Environment will give clearance to Golden rice for its production. — UNB

Deal signed to import uranium for N power plant

The government signed on Thursday a primary deal to import uranium for the much awaited Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant aimed at generating 2,200 MW power. "Initiatives have been taken to bring uranium from Russia for using it for the nuclear power plant at Rooppur. The plant would be completed in time," Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafes Osman said, witnessing the deal signing ceremony at his ministry conference room. — BSS