Quake rebuilding bill passes

Nepal's parliament passed on Wednesday a long-delayed law to pave the way for rebuilding after April's massive earthquake, ending months of bickering that paralyzed reconstruction despite donor pledges of billions in aid.

The 7.8-magnitude quake killed almost 8,900 people and destroyed more than 500,000 homes. Thousands of victims still live in tents eight months later due to the government's failure to spend a $4.1 billion reconstruction fund.

The government vowed in June to set up a National Reconstruction Authority to oversee rebuilding and ensure that all aid went to victims, as part of its bid to attract funding from sceptical foreign donors.