Bangladesh has discovered oil in two old gas fields in the country's northeastern region with an extractable reserve worth $5.5 billion, the chairman of state-owned Petrobangla said Monday.

Hussain Monsur told AFP the two finds at Kailashtila and Sylhet contain proven reserves of 137 million barrels of low sulphur crude oil, of which 55 million barrels can be lifted commercially.

Low sulphur, or "sweet", crude oil is highly sought after and is more easily processed into gasoline than high sulphur crude.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon made a call to double global consumption of renewable energy over the next two decades in order to ensure sustainable economic development.

"It's possible if we show political leadership," Ban said about the goal that falls under a sustainable energy initiative aiming to have universal access to power by 2030. Currently, renewable energy accounts for about 16 percent of world consumption.

Lhohi council Vice-President Hussain Niyaz said that many dead fish have been gathering in the lagoon and are being washed up ashore polluting the beach for the past two days.

Councilor stated that some fish are not dead when they wash up ashore but are injured and he added that many species of dead fish are being observed out in the ocean.

“We have travelled to some nearby islands to observe, but very few amounts of dead fish are washed up the shores in other islands. Lhohi beach is completely polluted by the dead and rotting fish.” Niyaz said.

Solar panels were previously installed under the free assistance by the Japanese government. Housing ministry states that the current project is the second phase of the “clean energy promotion in Male”, assistance worth Rf 171 million by the Japanese government.

Housing Ministry official said that in the second phase of the project, solar panels will be installed in Velaanaage office complex, Kalaafaanu School, Ghiyaasuddin School, The Maldives National University central administration and Faculty of Health Sciences building.

The 'Project for Clean Energy Promotion in Male' which is a project which promotes rooftop based grid connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in Male granted by the Japanese government has been handed over to the current administration.

At a ceremony held at Hiriya School the Japanese ambassador to the Maldives Nobuhito Hobo signed the scheme over to the Maldivian government which was then accepted by President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik.

President Nasheed sent the bill to control thalassemia back to parliament for further amendments without ratification.
The bill was sent back again based on advice of the Attorney General who deemed it to be in conflict with current government policy regarding health care provided to thalassemic patients, President’s office website said today.
The website also stated that the President felt that all health care services including the medical services for thalassemic patients should be included in the social health insurance bill.

Regional collaboration is crucial to key developments in security risks related to adverse effects of climate change within the South Asian region, Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed said this morning.

Speaking at the "Security Implications of Climate Change" forum held by South Asia Network for Security and Climate Change (SANSaC) at Traders Hotel, Dr Waheed said the effects of climate change is a threat not only to the individual country but to the whole region.

The Cabinet has set the prices for the government-owned utilities companies to purchase renewable energy.

According to the policy devised at the meeting held on November 1, State Electric Company Limited (STELCO) can buy a unit for Rf3.42 while Rf4.44 per unit is set for Upper North Utilities Limited, Rf4.40 per unit for Northern Utilities Limited, Rf3.97 per unit for Central Utilities Limited, Rf5.39 per unit for South Central Utilities Limited.

Heavy rain flooded most of the areas of capital Male this morning with water level reaching a foot in some streets.

An official from Maldives Meteorological Services (MET) said the 92-milimetre rainfall recorded from 3-5am in Hulhule is unusually high.

"The heavy rainfall was experienced because of the fact that rain clouds are formed over the northern region and are moving very slowly due to the low wind speed," the official said.

The heavy rain completely flooded Ameenee Magu, Medhuziyaaraiy Magu and parts of Majeedee Magu.

The Maldives has proposed to present a joint statement by the member countries of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) at the next round of UN climate talks.

The Maldives has proposed to the SAARC Standing Committee to present a joint statement by the member countries of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) at the next round UN climate talks.