World IN BRIEF : BANGLADESH : Prime Minister Asks for New Elections

Faced with growing strikes and street protests, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia gave in to demands for new elections and asked President Abdur Rahman Biswas to form a caretaker government. Zia’s request was aimed at ending a two-year standoff with opposition parties that accuse her government of corruption and election fraud. The latest strike has halted economic activity and hampered government since March 9. The opposition suspended the strike Tuesday but threatened to reimpose it unless Zia resigned. Zia did not a submit resignation letter, but she asked the president to “take immediate steps” to form a nonpartisan government until elections can be held in May.