Myanmar declares disaster after cyclone leaves 241 dead

Associated Press Google::2008-05-04

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — More than 240 people were killed and thousands of homes were destroyed by a powerful cyclone that swept through Myanmar, state-run media said Sunday. Five regions of the impoverished country have been declared disaster zones following the storm, which struck early Saturday, the military-run Myaddy television station said. Read more...

Parliament will no more be a rubber stamp institution

The News::2008-05-04

Pakistan(Multan): Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said government will ensure the supremacy of Parliament along with preserving the Constitution. Addressing a self-employment scheme ceremony organized by Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal, the PM said Parliament would no more be a rubber stamp institution and political consensus from all coalition partners would be the driving force behind new government. Read more...

Afghan president escapes deadly parade attack

AFP::2008-04-27

KABUL (AFP) - Afghan President Hamid Karzai escaped unharmed Sunday after militants attacked a high-profile military parade with rockets and gunfire, killing at least one person and wounding 11 including legislators. The extremist Taliban movement claimed responsibility for the daring attack, denying however it was an assassination attempt on Karzai. Bullets apparently from sniper fire ricocheted off the top of a stage where the president and other officials had gathered to review the parade, a witness told AFP. Read more...

Over 50 Killed In Factory Blaze

Sky News::2008-04-27

It has been claimed that emergency exits were blocked in a Morocco factory where 55 people were killed in a massive fire. Another 12 were seriously injured after the blaze broke out in a mattress factory in the city of Casablanca. Read more...

Iran to discuss pipeline with India and Pakistan

Reuters::2008-04-27

TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad visits India and Pakistan this week for talks on issues including longstanding plans for a pipeline to supply Iranian gas to the two Asian states, an Iranian official said on Sunday. The three countries have discussed the pipeline for years. They have agreed in principle on a pricing formula but India dropped out of talks in mid-2007, saying it first wanted to resolve issues with Pakistan such as transit fees. Read more...

Pakistan test-fires Hatf VI missile

The News::2008-04-20

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan on Saturday successfully test-fired its long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Hatf VI (Shaheen II), said an ISPR press release issued here. The missile test was conducted as part of the process of validation and technical improvements to consolidate and verify various land-based strategic missile systems. Read more...

Zardari hints at becoming PM

The News::2008-04-20

LONDON: Co-chairman Pakistan People's Party Asif Ali Zardari has announced that he will be taking part in the coming by-elections and, if need be, he can become the prime minister. In an interview with a British news channel, Zardari said he and his sister Faryal Talpur would submit their nomination papers to contest the by-elections from Benazir Bhutto's constituency NA-270. Responding to a question, he said it was not necessary that the party chairman must become the prime minister but he could be the PM if need be. Read more...

Caterers protest over migration rules

The Times::2008-04-20

Thousands of people gathered to protest against changes to the immigration system that they believe could damage the ethnic catering business. Members of the Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani, Turkish and Chinese communities gathered in Trafalgar Square to voice fears about changes to the immigration laws. Read more...

Sharif to Contest By-Elections in June

Views News::2008-04-18

ISLAMABAD, 18 April 2008 — Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif plans to run in June for Pakistan’s Parliament, an aide said yesterday. Sharif may be joined in the National Assembly by Asif Ali Zardari, the widower and political successor of Benazir Bhutto. A Zardari candidacy would re-ignite speculation that he wants to be prime minister. Read more...

Oil prices cross 116 dollars a barrel in International market

The News::2008-04-18

NEW YORK: Crude oil prices crossed 116 dollars in the international market for the first time Friday after a pipeline attack in Nigeria, Africa's biggest oil producer, analysts said. Read more...