power failure: Bangladesh's shrimp industry in the south of the country is facing severe power shortages. Work in 39 shrimp processing factories in Bagerhat, Khulna and Satkhira districts has been hampered and they have incurred losses amounting to Rs 2 crore per day.

Factory owners complained that their factories had not received even half their power demand. Power supply from national grid has been inadequate and the situation has worsened ever since the power generation units in Khulna district's Khalishpur upazila stopped generating power. Exports of shrimps are a major source of foreign exchange in Bangladesh.

bhutan tobbaco ban: On May 15, 2007, Bhutan discussed its draft Tobacco Control legislation, which is expected to give the government the legal backing to implement its earlier ban on sale of tobacco products and smoking in public places.

The meeting discussed whether entertainment centres like discotheques, snooker rooms and bars should have a designated area for smokers. The authorities realised that effective enforcement of the ban was an uphill task especially with a thriving tobacco black market. The health ministry, which had initiated the draft bill, said that it had not been able to take any action against recalcitrant entertainment centre owners or smokers until now because they did not have any legal backing.