The long-awaited fuel loading process officially began today at the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, marking a major milestone in Bangladesh’s nuclear energy development. The process involves placing uranium-based nuclear fuel into the reactor, initiating the gradual preparation for electricity generation. Experts describe fuel loading as one of the most sensitive phases in nuclear power operations, typically taking 40 to 45 days to complete.

According to Professor Md. Shafiqul Islam of Dhaka University’s Nuclear Engineering Department, the plant operates through nuclear fission, where uranium nuclei split to produce heat. This heat converts water into high-pressure steam that drives turbines to generate electricity. Following fuel loading, multiple tests and a Final Safety Analysis Report will be conducted and reviewed by the regulatory authority. The pilot operation phase may last six months to a year, during which synchronization and emergency systems will be tested.

Before commercial operation begins, another round of approval will be required. Once fully operational, the reactor is expected to run at 90 percent capacity for 18 months before undergoing maintenance and fuel replacement.

Bangladesh has officially begun uranium loading at the first unit of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Pabna, marking its entry into the global community of nuclear power-producing nations. The ceremony took place on Tuesday inside the plant, attended by Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam, ministry officials, and representatives from Russia’s Rosatom. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi congratulated Bangladesh through a video message, calling it a historic day for the country.

The uranium fuel, which arrived in September 2023, is being loaded into the reactor pressure vessel under strict safety measures. The process is expected to take about 45 days, with trial electricity generation of around 300 megawatts planned by July or August. The plant uses advanced VVER-1200 Generation 3+ reactors, designed for high safety and efficiency. The project, decades in the making, overcame delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war.

Once fully operational, the Rooppur plant will supply 1,200 megawatts per unit, strengthening Bangladesh’s energy security, supporting industrial growth, and contributing to low-carbon sustainable development.

Fuel loading of uranium officially begins today, Tuesday, at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Ishwardi, Pabna. The event marks a major milestone as the country’s first nuclear power facility moves toward test production of electricity. The ceremony will be attended by Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam as chief guest, along with ministry officials and Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Russia’s Rosatom.

According to a senior official from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Bangladesh received a license on April 16 to load nuclear fuel after meeting all safety and monitoring requirements set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The fuel loading process for the first unit is expected to take at least 45 days.

The ministry official added that test electricity generation from the first unit could begin in early August, initially supplying 300 megawatts to the national grid. Full-capacity generation of 1,200 megawatts is targeted by January 2027.

The University of Chittagong has decided to enable online payment for all types of student fees and bills, including admission-related charges. The decision was made on Monday morning during a meeting at the registrar’s office attended by university administrators, leaders of the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Chaksu), and officials from Sonali Bank PLC. The initiative aims to reduce long queues at banks, save time, and ease the payment process for students.

Acting Registrar Professor Dr. Mohammad Saiful Islam stated that students had long demanded an online payment option for admission and other fees, and the university had been working toward fulfilling that request. Chaksu office secretary Abdullah Al Noman said that introducing an online payment system was one of their election pledges, which has now been achieved. He added that the university is also working to automate other administrative processes.

The new system is expected to simplify financial transactions for students and enhance administrative efficiency at the university.

The Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief in Bangladesh has initiated a Tk 9.5 crore software project titled Integrated Disaster Management System (IDMS) to enhance transparency and accountability in disaster response. The system will operate through mobile and web applications and a website, aiming to verify beneficiary data, ensure fair distribution of relief allowances, and prevent duplicate benefits. Reliable ministry sources confirmed that the project is part of the government’s broader digital transformation in disaster management.

According to project details, about Tk 5 crore will be spent on software development, while the rest will cover training, piloting, and related activities. The system will be linked to the national ID database to verify information, with a memorandum of understanding planned between two agencies. Pilot implementation will begin in 18 upazilas, including Shyamnagar, Koyra, and Sharankhola, with user training provided. Officials said third-party testing will assess the software’s effectiveness.

While proponents see IDMS as a step toward reducing waste and improving transparency, some senior officials expressed concern over its high cost and implementation challenges, warning that it could invite controversy if not executed properly.

The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has initiated a new plan to improve mobile network and internet quality inside homes across the country. The regulator is preparing to allocate spectrum from the ‘e-GSM’ band to mobile operators to enhance network capacity. Currently, about 40 percent of mobile users live in cities and 60 percent in suburban and rural areas, where weak signals, call drops, and slow internet remain major issues. BTRC has already allocated 700 MHz spectrum to Grameenphone and is now moving forward with the e-GSM band initiative.

BTRC currently holds 8.4 MHz of e-GSM spectrum, with Robi and Banglalink each requesting 3.4 MHz. Before final allocation, a one-month trial has begun to check for possible interference with the 850 MHz band near border areas. Robi stated that its infrastructure is ready for e-GSM deployment, while Banglalink said it will decide on further investment based on test results.

If successful, the initiative is expected to strengthen indoor mobile signals, reduce call drops, and improve internet speed and stability, particularly in rural and remote regions.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan stated that collective practice of technology-based modern knowledge and creative thinking will become a strategic strength for future civilization. He made the remarks on Saturday in Dhaka at a discussion organized by the Bangladesh ICT Stakeholders Association (BISA) on the Telecom, Data and Cyber Security Bill 2026. The minister emphasized transforming the nation’s creative intellect, innovative ideas, and technological skills into assets for national development.

Addressing technology experts, Swapan said their gathering represented not only attendance but also a convergence of creative thinking, which could become a national resource. He expressed hope that BISA would build an effective platform for stakeholders in the technology sector to collectively invest their knowledge, skills, and ideas. He also noted that semiconductors, rare earth materials, and communication technologies have become key strategic elements in global politics, economics, and technology.

The minister added that expert knowledge and research are vital for formulating timely and realistic policies suited to the demands of a technology-driven civilization, helping the elected government fulfill its responsibilities effectively.

The government led by Prime Minister’s ICT adviser Rehan Asif Asad announced that it is focusing on four major areas to reform Bangladesh’s telecom sector. These include developing a new telecom policy through stakeholder consultation, implementing digital ID and digital wallet systems for all citizens, formulating an AI policy, and ensuring efficient revenue management. Asad made the remarks at a roundtable titled “New Telecom Policy and Entrepreneurs’ Expectations” held in Dhaka’s Moghbazar on Saturday.

He said the government aims to bring 90 percent of the population under 100 Mbps broadband and 5G mobile networks. The digital ID initiative is expected to integrate identity and financial transactions into one platform, improving access to public and private services. The rollout is planned within 12 to 18 months. Asad also highlighted the need for fair taxation and better interconnectivity among ISPs.

BTRC Chairman Emdadul Bari emphasized the importance of foreign investment and innovation in infrastructure development. Industry leaders and journalists attending the event urged collaboration to adapt to rapid technological changes and promote a win-win approach for all stakeholders.

Bangladesh’s Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant has received a commissioning license for fuel loading from the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority, marking the project’s final preparatory stage before power generation. Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam said Prime Minister Tarek Rahman will inaugurate the fuel loading by the end of this month, with Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to attend virtually. The government expects the plant to supply 1,000 megawatts to the national grid by December 2026.

Experts, however, caution that commercial power generation may take six to twelve months after fuel loading due to required testing and safety checks. The process involves inserting nuclear fuel into the reactor and conducting phased operational tests under strict safety protocols aligned with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards. The Power Grid Company of Bangladesh has already completed grid capacity and transmission line work for the first unit.

The Ruppur project, launched in 2017 with Russian financial and technical assistance, has faced multiple delays due to safety and infrastructure challenges. Despite progress, experts emphasize that ensuring nuclear safety and emergency preparedness remains the state’s primary responsibility.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, Fakir Mahbub Anam, announced that any person recording and sharing videos of others on social media without consent, under the guise of being a 'content creator', will face investigation and trial within 90 days under the Cyber Security Act 2026. He made the statement in a written reply during the parliamentary question session on Tuesday.

The minister explained that the Cyber Security Act 2026, passed on April 10, 2026, criminalizes intentional online blackmailing, sexual harassment, revenge porn, or extortion through digital content. Offenders may face up to five years in prison or fines up to 5 million taka, depending on the severity and victim’s age. The law empowers the National Cyber Security Agency to remove harmful content, authorize emergency searches, and collaborate internationally to identify cross-border crimes.

Future measures include strengthening the agency’s capacity, establishing a digital forensic lab, and using advanced cybersecurity tools for real-time detection. The law also mandates transparency in content blocking and international cooperation for crimes committed from abroad.

A new Air Traffic Management Center at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka was inaugurated on Monday by Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanom. The event was attended by State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, French Ambassador Jean-Marc Serre-Charlet, ministry officials, and senior members of the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh.

In her speech, Minister Afroza Khanom said the state-of-the-art and automated air traffic management system will make Bangladesh’s airspace safer, more efficient, and aligned with international standards. She recalled the contribution of late President Ziaur Rahman, who inaugurated the airport in 1980, laying the foundation for the country’s aviation sector. The minister expressed her vision to transform the airport into a global aviation hub.

State Minister Millat added that the new system, covering a 350-nautical-mile range, will enhance regional cooperation through integrated airspace management and information sharing with neighboring countries, supporting Bangladesh’s goal of becoming a regional aviation hub.

Iran has remained largely disconnected from the global internet for nearly 50 consecutive days, according to monitoring group NetBlocks. The organization stated in a post on social media platform X that the country has been effectively cut off from international networks for about seven weeks, calling the prolonged digital blackout highly unusual in the modern world.

BBC Arabic reported that the Iranian government has begun gradually easing communication restrictions, with some media outlets noting that internet services are being partially restored. After nearly 50 days of disruption, access to various Google services has resumed, though users continue to experience significant connectivity issues.

Due to limited access, many Iranians have turned to satellite-based internet options such as Starlink, which reportedly costs around six dollars per gigabyte. With the country’s average monthly income estimated between 200 and 300 dollars, the expense has become a heavy burden for ordinary citizens.

The Ministry of Power and Energy announced that the pilot program for the 'Fuel Pass' mobile application has been expanded to six additional districts from Saturday, April 18, 2026. Initially tested at selected filling stations in Dhaka, the app aims to make the country’s fuel supply system more transparent and modern. The expansion now includes 18 petrol pumps in the capital as part of the pilot phase.

According to the ministry’s verified Facebook post, the registration process for motorcycles under the 'Fuel Pass BD' system has been opened for vehicles registered in Dhaka, Dhaka Metro, Chandpur, Chattogram, Chattogram Metro, Barishal, Barishal Metro, Khulna, Khulna Metro, Rajshahi, Rajshahi Metro, and Mymensingh. The post also mentioned that the initiative will gradually be extended to other districts across the country.

Users can install the Fuel Pass app from Google Play Store, verify their phone number, and complete registration by entering motorcycle details and setting a password.

YouTube has introduced a new update allowing users to completely turn off the Shorts feed on its mobile app. The platform now lets users set the 'Shorts Feed Limit' to zero minutes, effectively removing short-form videos from their feed. This change expands on a feature first launched in October of the previous year, when the minimum limit was 15 minutes and users were prompted to take breaks after reaching that duration.

According to YouTube, the feature was initially part of parental controls but is now available to all users. When the setting is changed, some users may still see individual Shorts even if scrolling is paused. To activate the feature, users must go to Settings > Time Management > Daily Limit > Shorts Feed Limit and select zero minutes. The update also allows users to set a maximum viewing limit of up to two hours.

The new option aims to give users more control over their viewing habits and time management within the YouTube app.

A new survey titled “Measurement of ICT Access and Use” released on Thursday at the BBS office in Agargaon, Dhaka, shows that while over half of Bangladesh’s population now uses the internet, significant disparities and skill limitations persist. The survey found that 53.4 percent of people use the internet, but most users’ digital abilities are limited to basic tasks such as copy-paste. A sharp divide remains between urban and rural areas, with 75.7 percent of city residents online compared to only 43.6 percent in villages, a gap of 32.1 percentage points.

The survey also revealed that Dhaka Division has the highest internet access, while Panchagarh lags behind. Only 11.3 percent of people use computers, though 88.4 percent use mobile phones and 64.4 percent own one. In the past three months, 64.4 percent of users searched for government job information, 49.8 percent for sports, and only 11.6 percent shopped online. While 78.5 percent said they could respond to cyberattacks, half identified viruses and malware as major threats.

High internet costs remain a key barrier to digital inclusion, with 43.6 percent of respondents citing price as the main reason for not using the internet.