ASEAN nations call for more alternative energy

Laos joined the chorus of Asean nations calling for increased use of alternative energy amidst skyrocketing oil prices.

Asean will meet this week to discuss the regional energy situation and focus is expected on biofuels and other forms of alternative energy.


Malaysians in traditional dress display flags of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries during the 39th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Kuala Lumpur July 25, 2006. REUTERS/Bazuki Muhammad photo via Yahoo News.

Laos has invested much of its resources in hydroelectirc energy including the new Nam Theun II project due for completion in about four years.

Among Asean nations, Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines are the most oil dependent. All nations in the region having been looking closely at biofuels made from coconut and palm oil.

China becomes third-largest food donor

China became the world's third-largest food aid donor in 2005, the U.N. World Food Program agency said Thursday.

Donations from China tripled to 636,000 tons with most of the aid going to ally North Korea. Guinea Bissau, Liberia and Sri Lanka were among the other countries that recied donations, the World Food Program said in its annual report.

Although China still has major portions of undeveloped countryside it has mostly solved its own once-dire food shortages for which it received World Food Program aid itself.


A Chinese worker prepares relief goods bound for Pakistan at a Beijing airport Monday, in this Oct. 10, 2005, file photo. The goods were intended for victims of a massive earthquake in Pakistan. AP Photo, Pool, File via Yahoo News.

Four detained over Mumbai train bombings

India detained three suspects Friday and another was arrested in Kenya in connection with the Mumbai train attacks.

Kenyan police said they detained Abdul Karim Tunda, one of India's most wanted men and a suspected leader of the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba.


Special policemen escort two of the three arrested Mumbai train bombing suspects in black hoods. AFP/Sebastian D' Souza photo via Yahoo News.

A Kenyan police official said the suspect would be turned over to India as he was not wanted in Kenya.

Lashkar-e-Taiba, which is fighting against Indian control in Kashmir is suspected to have carried out the train bombings.