In Tuesday's South Asia papers

06 May 2008 04:30  [Source: ICIS news]

13,000 feared dead in Myanmar cyclone
Myanmar's military junta believes at least 13,000 people may have died in a cyclone that ripped through the Irrawaddy delta, triggering a massive international aid response for the pariah southeast Asian nation.

Big B film answers MNS chief's barbs
Even as the real-life drama between Raj Thackeray and Amitabh Bachchan unfolds, so is the reel-life parallel. A couple of days after being accused of not doing enough for Maharashtra by the MNS chief, a promo of Sarkar Raj , Ram Gopal Varma’s new film, emphasises the strong commitment the characters played by the Bachchan father-son have towards Maharashtra.

Yahoo needs to convince investors
Yahoo chief executive Jerry Yang is convinced that the company he started in a Silicon Valley trailer 14 years ago is worth more than the $47.5bn that Microsoft had offered for the Internet pioneer.

TRAI seeks views on MVNOs
The country is gearing up for the entry of Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) services with telecom regulator TRAI releasing a consultation paper on Monday.

Are we in for another Mayhem?
For those who have even a remote involvement with the Indian market, May is a month to watch out for, especially when it’s an even year. In May 2004, political instability, following the fall of the BJP government, accounted for the drastic fall, while in 2006, it was a dip in commodity prices that led to the bear phase.

Private health insurers blocking payouts: US report
Indian health insurance is growing by 25% every year, it’s penetration is less than 0.02% of the GDP, yet there is no expertise on the sector, says a USAID report.

Khaleda Zia charge sheeted in Niko scam case
Detained former prime minister Khaldea Zia and ten others were Monday charge sheeted in Niko scam case. ACC deputy director SM Shahidur Rahman who investigated into the case submitted the charge sheet in the court of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate AKM Enamul Haq at 6-30pm.

AL observes token hunger strike in capital
Demanding unconditional immediate release of detained Awami League President Sheikh Hasina, the AL central leaders and activists observed a token Hunger Strike at two party offices in the capital on Monday.

BKMEA sells rice among workers in N ganj
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufac-turers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) on Monday started selling rice among garment workers under a first-ever rationing system in the country.

President for boosting BD-Austria economic cooperation
President Prof Dr Iajuddin Ahmed Monday emphasised the importance of strengthening trade and economic relations between Bangladesh and Austria, as there is ample scope to do so.

SC bans eviction of Tamils from Colombo
The Supreme Court yesterday declared the eviction of Tamil persons from Colombo or preventing them from entering and staying in any part of Colombo was an infringement of fundamental rights and should not be repeated in future unless in accordance with the law.

Ranil’s ’copter makes emergency landing
A Colombo-bound VIP helicopter carrying Opposition Leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe made an emergency landing at Mahiyangane ground at around 5.15 pm yesterday. According to sources the pilots had decided to make the landing as the aircraft developed engine trouble during the flight.

Lanka reeling back to the 70s?
Sri Lanka is reliving the 1970s when rationing and the sudden skyrocketing of oil and commodity prices prevailed. "I think the repetition of the ‘70s has already happened. We are living there now", LIRNEasia Chief Economist Dr. Harsha De Silva told the Daily Financial Times.

CB says T-bills open for foreign investors
The Central Bank yesterday said they will be opening the Treasury bills to foreign investors, upto 10% of total bills auctioned in the market. Governor Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal speaking with the Daily Financial Times stated that the bills will be opened and made available for foreign investors based on a set of conditions.

Whodunnit: red faces over poll delay
The Election Commission on Monday sent shockwaves across the political divide by postponing for two months the by-elections, slated for 18 June, in view of a deteriorating law and order situation.

Malik asked NWFP to accept poll delay: minister
It was not the law and order situation in the NWFP but a request from the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior, Mr Rehman Malik, to Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti to delay the polls, NWFP Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain said in a statement issued here on Monday evening.

KSE down 2%: no defaults, many margin calls
The KSE-100 index lost 2% of the value on Monday as investors jettisoned stocks disillusioned by the increasing uncertainty on the political and economic fronts.

Two European banks to help ease energy crisis
Two major European banks--Nordic Investment Bank (NIB) and European Investment Bank (EIB)--have agreed to provide adequate financial assistance to help minimise the growing energy crisis in Pakistan.

BUSINESS RECORDER

Front Page

EC ready to re-consider new by-election date
The new schedule of by-election can be revised if the federal government desires so, Secretary Election Commission of Pakistan Kanwar Muhammad Dilshad said on Monday.

Durrani appointed opposition leader in NWFP Assembly
Former Chief Minister NWFP and Parliamentary Leader of JUI (F) in NWFP Assembly Akram Khan Durrani was on Monday officially appointed leader of opposition in the NWFP Assembly.

'Foreign investment to be encouraged in Sindh'
The Sindh Minister for Information, Shazia Marri has said the Government will make all out efforts to encourage automobile, IT and Energy sectors of Pakistan. She was talking to a delegation of Japanese businessmen on Monday.

Korean team visits ID & BoI
A four-member Korean delegation visited Investment Division and Board of Investment (ID & BoI). Kim Kil Hwan, General Manager Sambu Pakistan (Pvt) Ltd; Erica Owen, In-House Lawyer; Choe Eyi Kyoung, Country Manager PDI and World Group LLC are the members of the delegation.

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