A post template

No image available
/ 5 July 2005

Bananas among world’s new energy sources

From bananas to wind farms, alcohol and the sun, the search for alternative energy sources has taken on a new urgency as oil prices hit record levels. Ideas once seen as the preserve of fringe environmental groups are getting more attention, but flicking most switches in cars, homes or industries in Asia still means tapping into fossil fuels.

No image available
/ 5 July 2005

Exam to bring glory to Japan’s geek elite

A Japanese publisher will hold a national qualifying exam for nerds on their knowledge of comics, video games and other obsessive hobbies in a bid to smash prejudice and nurture a geek elite. Magazine <i>Elfics</i> is published every other month to offer information on the culture of the <i>otaku</i>, or men fanatic about their pastimes.

No image available
/ 5 July 2005

Former rebel group wins Burundi elections

A former rebel group in Burundi has won the majority of seats in the first parliamentary elections in the war-ravaged Central African nation in 12 years, the top election official said on Tuesday. The Forces for the Defence of Democracy won between 60% and 80% of the polling stations in Monday’s election.

No image available
/ 5 July 2005

Victory claims fly after Albanian election

Albania’s rival political leaders continued to claim victory on Tuesday after a general election at the weekend that has been criticised by European observers for failing to meet democratic standards. Official results, expected to be released on Monday, are still being compiled and no confirmed trend has emerged from Sunday’s voting.