Coping strategies: countries adjust to all-time-high oil prices Bangladesh increased fuel prices for the first time since April 2007. The government maintained subsidies on diesel and kerosene, used predominantly by the poor. Texan motorists, in search of cheap gas, crossed the border into Mexico, which subsidizes its fuel. Indian truckers went on strike from July 2 to 4,

Subhash Narayan NEW DELHI RELIANCE Power has zeroed in on Shanghai Electric, a $7-billion electrical and engineering equipment company of China, for sourcing primary equipment for Sasan ultra mega power project (UMPP). The Chinese major, which is planning to enter India in a big way, will supply boilers, turbines and generators (BTG) to the Madhya Pradesh-based UMPP. The supply contract is likely to be signed in the next few days.

China Sunday became the latest country to declare war on plastic bags in a drive to save energy and protect the environment. Under new regulations, flimsy bags under 0.025 millimetres thick are banned and shopkeepers must charge for carrier bags. Those found breaking the law face fines and could have their goods confiscated. Shoppers in downtown Beijing and in Internet chatrooms seemed largely sympathetic to the idea. China, which goes through 3 billion plastic bags a day, is increasingly aware of the damage to the environment caused by its breakneck growth.

China Sunday became the latest country to declare war on plastic bags in a drive to save energy and protect the environment. Under new regulations, flimsy bags under 0.025 millimetres thick are banned and shopkeepers must charge for carrier bags. Those found breaking the law face fines and could have their goods confiscated. Shoppers in downtown Beijing and in Internet chatrooms seemed largely sympathetic to the idea. China, which goes through 3 billion plastic bags a day, is increasingly aware of the damage to the environment caused by its breakneck growth.

China will become the latest country to outlaw ultra-thin plastic bags, when a ban takes effect on Sunday, in a bid to cut pollution and save resources. The ban, announced by the State Council in January, halts the production of bags that are thinner than 0.025 mm and forbids their use in supermarkets and shops. It also requires retailers to charge customers for thicker plastic bags not covered by the ban. Environmentalists say plastic bags can take up to 1,000 years to disintegrate and pose threats to marine life, birds and other animals.

Pollution levels rose sharply in Beijing on Tuesday, just 2- months before the Olympic Games in the city, prompting authorities to warn residents with respiratory problems to stay inside. Air quality in the capital was rated as "heavily polluted" due to a sandstorm from Mongolia, the Beijing Environmental Protection Bureau said. The bureau advised people susceptible to particles in the air to avoid outdoor activities. Such sandstorms usually hit the city in March and April.

The Chinese centre One Telecom International Holding Limited has offered to install very low consuming and zero power search LED solar lights at different places in Karachi, especially parks under Pak-China joint venture. A delegation of the company, led by its Deputy General Manager Yu Ping, called on acting City Nazim Nasrin Jalil at her office here on Saturday. The delegation informed acting City Nazim: "The LED solar lights not only consumes very low energy, but also flashes provide sharp lighting and has a life span of 20 years."