Indonesia’s future cars

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s first fully plant-fuelled car has successfully completed a 3,200-kilometre road trip. Now its backers are hoping the triumph may herald a new era of sustainable energy in the archipelago nation. Tanto Bangun, editor of Indonesian National Geographic, one of the major sponsors of the trip, says he was not sure the Mitsubishi Strada would survive the arduous journey from West Timor’s Atambua to the capital Jakarta. — AFP

BP reviews activities

LONDON: Following the latest in a series of major setbacks in the United States the oil giant BP said last week it planned to embark on a major review of its global operations. The group’s US woes continued last week with the announcement of a fourth delay to its new Thunder Horse platform in the Gulf of Mexico, which is not now likely to begin operating until mid-2008. The group said all underwater welding on the platform’s structure needed to be checked. — AFP

Hungarian economy

BUDAPEST: Uncertainty over the future of embattled Hungarian prime minister Ferenc Gyurcsany and his economic reforms sent the country’s markets into a spin this week in the wake of the worst unrest since the end of communism. Anti-government protests, which degenerated into street riots on three nights, caused the stock market’s main BUX index to plunge by some 6.6 percent in one week, losing 1,500 points to close at 21,355 points on Friday.—AFP

Lone Star’s KEB deal

SEOUL: US investment fund Lone Star, which is under investigation by South Korean investigators, denied Sunday it had done anything illegal in a controversial acquisition deal three years ago. John Grayken, chairman of Lone Star Funds, said in a statement misunderstandings were behind the “endless accusations” against Lone Star over its 2003 acquisition of the Korea Exchange Bank (KEB). “Lone Star has done nothing wrong and we remain confident that the ongoing investigations will confirm that. —AFP

NDBL’s Visa card

KATHMANDU: Nepal Development Bank Ltd (NDBL) is starting to distribute NDBL Visa Debit Cards beginning September 24 to customers, which can be used in India and Nepal, says the bank’s press statement. The new consumer instrument is being introduced in the market to meet changing demands from consumers. The debit card can also be used for purchasing goods, which is of international standard. — HNS

Trisa toothpastes

KATHMANDU: Trisa of Switzerland has introduced Trisa clinical toothpaste in the Nepali market. According to Trisa Company, the Trisa toothpaste is developed with the help of Swiss University, after a research of six years, says the press statement. Trisa has launched five varieties of toothpaste in the market such as Trisa clinical fresh gel, Trisa clinical herbal, Trisa clinical white, Trisa clinical active and Trisa clinical 6 in 1, stated the company press statement. — HNS