“The US is launching its first relief airlift to cyclone-hit Burma after prolonged negotiations with the country’s military rulers. In what is seen as a huge concession by the junta, the US finally got the go-ahead to send a C-130 cargo plane packed with supplies to Rangoon, with two more air shipments scheduled to land on Tuesday. The official death toll from Cyclone Nargis jumped to nearly 29,000 on Sunday. The military junta has been sharply criticised for its handling of the May 3 disaster, from failing to provide adequate warnings about the pending storm to responding slowly to offers of help.” (05/12/08)