Bangladesh

June 24 – July 6 Tournament Includes National Cricket Teams from India, Pakistan, UAE, Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka

June 23, 2008 -- ESPN has reached an agreement to provide exclusive, live coverage of the 2008 Asia Cup Cricket Tournament on ESPN360.com in the U.S. and its territories. The six-team, 13-match biennial tournament features several of the world’s powerhouse national teams – including one of cricket’s fiercest international rivalries, India and Pakistan - and will be played June 24 through July 6 in Pakistan.    » read more »

03/09/2008, TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Los Angeles Angels on Saturday reassigned the following 12 players to Minor League camp in an announcement made by club general manager Tony Reagins.

RHP Stephen Marek
RHP Sean O'Sullivan
RHP Fernando Rodriguez
RHP Rafael Rodriguez
RHP Jordan Walden
INF Peter Bourjos
C Tim Duff
C Ben Johnson
INF Adam Pavkovich
INF PJ Phillips
INF Nate Sutton
INF Mark Trumbo

The Los Angeles Angels now have 49 players in Major League camp, including 10 non-roster invitees.

Source: MLB

Tuesday, January 22, 2008 -- From political headlines to interviews with policymakers and economists, musicians and Bollywood royalty, "South Asia NOW" examines the latest in news, politics and culture of South Asia. "South Asia NOW" is America's first network show all about South Asia -- Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka - that includes reporting from ABC News correspondents based in the region and news and interviews with South Asia's most fascinating people.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, January 10, 2008 — The World Bank today approved IDA financing totaling US$247 million to help Bangladesh recover from the dual shocks of the August flooding and November cyclone, which caused significant loss of life and enormous social, human, and economic costs. Of this total, US$170 million takes the form of additional credits, and US$52 million consists of reallocation of funds within ongoing projects toward flood restoration. Another US$25 million is being made available for cyclone recovery through existing projects.    » read more »

04 December 2007 -- The United Nations says the devastation caused in Bangladesh by Cyclone Sidr last month is far worse than previously thought.

The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says nearly 2.6 million Bangladeshis across nine districts still need emergency assistance.

The total number of people affected by the cyclone was about 8.5 million, 1.5 million more than initially thought.

The U.N. says property damage is also more severe than first reported. Nearly 564,000 homes were destroyed, up from initial estimates of 200,000.    » read more »

21 November 2007 -- Aid continues to pour into Bangladesh, as relief workers struggle to reach survivors of last week's cyclone who now face the threat of disease and starvation.

Government officials said Wednesday they have reached the last remaining pockets of the country devastated by Cyclone Sidr, which killed over 3,500 people and impacted nearly 4 million others.

The military is flying helicopters and cargo planes to deliver badly needed food, medicine, tents and clean water to survivors who have received little or no supplies in nearly six days.    » read more »

WASHINGTON, November 20, 2007 ─ The World Bank has offered up to US$250 million in the aftermath of Cyclone Sidr to help millions of Bangladeshis recover and to strengthen the country’s disaster mitigation systems.    » read more »

19 November 2007 -- Washington -- The United States is sending naval ships and $2.1 million in emergency relief supplies to Bangladesh to help the victims of Cyclone Sidr, which ravaged the country's southern coast.

President Bush and first lady Laura Bush, as well as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, have expressed their condolences and sympathies to the victims while the USS Essex and USS Kearsarge, each carrying 20 helicopters for relief-and-rescue operations, steam toward the coast of Bangladesh. The ships are scheduled to arrive off the coast of Bangladesh by November 24.    » read more »

Aid Pours In

20 November 2007 -- A United Nations agency says it has joined forces with Bangladesh's Air Force to airdrop emergency supplies to hundreds of thousands of people devastated by last week's Cyclone Sidr.

The World Food Program says it has delivered high-energy biscuits to more than 650,000 Bangladeshis so far.    » read more »

16 November 2007 -- A powerful cyclone has battered Bangladesh, causing the evacuation of hundreds of thousands. Local media reports say as many as 1,100 people were killed. As Anjana Pasricha reports from New Delhi, officials say advance preparation saved many lives, in a country accustomed to natural disasters.

Officials say the cyclone crashed into the country's southern coast Thursday night with winds of up to 240 kilometers an hour, triggering huge waves.    » read more »

November 17, 2007 -- President and Mrs. Bush offer condolences to the victims of Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh, especially those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods in this tragedy. The United States Government has provided an initial contribution of 2.1 million dollars for emergency relief.    » read more »

23 September 2007 -- Officials in Bangladesh say more than 100 fisherman are missing after a severe storm hit the country's southern coast.

Authorities in the coastal Barguna district said Saturday the men were aboard at least 12 fishing boats in the Bay of Bengal when the unexpected storm brought high winds and strong waves.

Surviving fishermen said they witnessed several boats sink. About 50 fishermen managed to swim ashore or were rescued by other trawlers.

Maritime officials say coast guard patrol boats are continuing their search for the missing vessels and crew members.    » read more »

Innovative Backstopped Facility Allows BRAC to Leverage on Citibank's Strength

August 28, 2007, Bangladesh – BRAC, the world's largest national NGO with over five million borrowers, has entered into a backstopped facility with Citibank, N.A. Bangladesh and its partner banks to avail financing for rural development specially supporting its post-flood rehabilitation programs. The BDT 1.23 billion backstopped facility, coordinated by Citibank, is the first such facility ever done for a microfinance institution globally.    » read more »

August 22, 2007, Dhaka, Bangladesh – In response to the recent devastating floods that have engulfed Bangladesh, Citi Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Citigroup, has donated a support grant of USD 25,000 to BRAC, the world's largest NGO.

The contribution will be used by BRAC to mobilize emergency relief services for areas affected by the recent heavy rains and flooding.    » read more »

23 August 2007 -- Bangladeshi troops have moved to enforce a curfew on the streets of the capital and five other cities following student protests demanding an end to emergency rule.

The usually bustling streets of Dhaka were mainly deserted Thursday, although some pedestrians and bicycle rickshaws have been seen making short trips. Some journalists report receiving warnings from authorities.

The curfew was briefly relaxed in the evening.    » read more »