AFP - Oil giant BP said that it had abandoned efforts to forge a venture with India's state-run Hindustan Petroleum (HPCL).

AP - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso called on EU leaders Tuesday to avoid nationalist, protectionist policies, ahead of a summit this week meant to forge agreement to set out a single energy policy for the bloc.

Reuters - Their influences may be obvious, but the Living End's hard-charging music is all its own. Mixing the guitar-fueled glee of Stray Cats and melodious punk spite of Green Day with the reggae flirtations of the Clash and AC/DC arena rock, the Aussie trio manages to forge a new sound with an old soul.

AFP - Emerald rice paddies once stretched for mile upon mile alongside the road that winds through scenic Ubud on Indonesia's Bali island, but today just glimpses remain as hotels, restaurants and shops have risen up to block the view.

AFP - Vietnam's poultry sector has been ravaged by bird flu, but a lull in infections has left producers divided on whether to slow down or forge ahead and revolutionise the industry.