Reuters: South Asia News

Two more U.S. aid flights set to fly to Myanmar

Tue, 13 May 2008 07:10:48 +0530

YANGON (Reuters) - Two more American aid flights were due to leave for cyclone-hit Myanmar on Tuesday where the reclusive military government is keeping most foreign aid workers away from the devastated Irrawaddy delta.

Sharif's party quits Pakistan government

Mon, 12 May 2008 22:53:34 +0530

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif pulled his party out of Pakistan's six-week-old coalition government on Monday, plunging the volatile Muslim nation back into political uncertainty.

U.N. frustration grows at Myanmar's junta over aid

Tue, 13 May 2008 06:34:21 +0530

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon ratcheted up the pressure on Myanmar on Monday, saying he was extremely frustrated by the junta's slow delivery of aid to more than 1.5 million victims of Cyclone Nargis.

Bangladeshis told 'eat potatoes' as rice prices soar

Tue, 13 May 2008 06:55:06 +0530

DHAKA (Reuters) - Potatoes are not traditionally high on the menu for Bangladesh's 140 million people, but a surge in rice and wheat prices has prompted the government to popularise the humble spud as a substitute food.

Bangladesh to hold general election in December

Mon, 12 May 2008 23:17:58 +0530

DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh will hold a parliamentary election in December and will start talks from May 22 with political parties about how the vote is to be held, the head of the interim government said on Monday.

FACTBOX - Key facts about Myanmar

Mon, 12 May 2008 23:46:31 +0530

Reuters - The first U.S. military aid flight landed in Myanmar on Monday, but relief supplies continued to just dribble into the reclusive state nine days after a devastating cyclone.

Tsunami-style aid effort awaits Myanmar green light

Mon, 12 May 2008 23:52:56 +0530

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The ships, aircraft, money and people are slowly getting into place for a 'tsunami-style' international aid operation for cyclone-ravaged Myanmar.

Bangladesh says eases ban on political gatherings

Mon, 12 May 2008 23:48:23 +0530

DHAKA (Reuters) - Bangladesh's army-backed interim government relaxed a ban on indoor political gatherings on Monday, allowing parties to hold meetings of their leaders and members, the Home Ministry said.

U.N. frustration grows at Myanmar aid problems

Tue, 13 May 2008 00:09:10 +0530

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Monday he was extremely frustrated by the Myanmar government's slow delivery of aid to some 1.5 million victims of the recent Cyclone Nargis.

Nepal king makes animal sacrifices to power goddess

Mon, 12 May 2008 20:44:51 +0530

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Nepal's King Gyanendra, facing imminent ouster from the throne, made perhaps his last royal public appearance at a shrine outside Kathmandu on Monday and offered annual prayers to Kali, the Hindu goddess of power.