India Plans Bio-Gas Plants to Tackle Toxic Pollution, But Experts Skeptical

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India is planning to set up more than 100 bio-gas plants and provide thousands of farmers with machines to dispose of crop stubble in a bid to halt the choking crop-burning pollution that blights the country every winter.A major source of the smog that engulfs vast swathes of northern India, including the capital New Delhi, is the burning the straw and stubble of the previous rice crop to prepare for new planting in October and November.New Delhi is regularly judged to be one of the world's most polluted major cities.Government-backed Indian Oil Corp Ltd will invite private companies to apply to set up 140 bio-gas plants that will use rice stubble as feed stock, said two government officials, who didn't wish to be identified in line with official policy.FILE -…
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Trump Unveils Plan to Import Cheaper Foreign Drugs

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Donald Trump's administration unveiled a plan Wednesday to allow for importation of lower-price prescriptions from Canada and other countries, a cost-saving goal championed by both the US president and Democratic rivals on the 2020 campaign trail."No president in history has ever had an FDA willing to open the door to safe importation of drugs from Canada," Health Secretary Alex Azar said in a conference call with the press.The Department of Health and Human Services published proposed rules and guidance Wednesday outlining two pathways to formalize the president's plan, first laid out at the end of July.Under a first pathway, U.S. states would be allowed to propose importation programs for drugs already authorized in Canada, subject to approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). States bordering the United States'…
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French Strikers Angry About Pension Reform Cut Power to Homes, Companies

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France's warring trade unions on Wednesday defended their decision to cut power to thousands of homes, companies and even the Bank of France to force a weakened government to drop a wide-ranging pension reform.The power cuts added to a sense of chaos in the second week of nationwide strikes that have crippled transport, shut schools and brought more than half a million people onto the street against President Emmanuel Macron's reform.Asked on French radio whether the power cuts, illegal under French law, weren't a step too far, Philippe Martinez, the head of the hardline CGT union, said the cuts were necessary to force Macron to back down."I understand these workers' anger," the mustachioed union leader said. "These are targeted cuts. You'll understand that spitting on the public service can make…
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European Planet-Studying Mission Launches from South America

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A European spacecraft launched from South America Wednesday on a three-year mission to study planets in other solar systems.The Characterizing ExOPlanets Satellite (CHEOPS) mission blasted off from Kourou, French Guiana at 0854 GMT (3:54 a.m. EST) atop a Russian Soyuz rocket. The launch came 24 hours after a first attempt was delayed shortly before liftoff because of a software problem in the upper stage of the rocket.The European Space Agency says the satellite is the first mission dedicated to studying bright nearby stars that are already known to have planets, and will focus on "planets in the super-Earth to Neptune size range.'' The agency hopes that the data sent by the mission will enable the bulk density of those planets to be calculated, a first step toward understanding them better.Its…
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Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot Sign Deal for 50-50 Merger

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The boards of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA Peugeot on Wednesday signed a binding merger deal creating the world's fourth-largest auto company with the scale to confront the challenges of stricter emissions regulations and the transition to new driving technologies.The companies said in a joint statement the new group will be led by PSA's cost-cutting CEO Carlo Tavares, with Fiat Chrysler's chairman John Elkann as chairman of the merged company. Fiat Chrysler CEO Mike Manley will stay on, but it was not announced in what capacity.No name for the new company has been decided, executives said in a conference call, but both Tavares and Manley insisted that it was not a "touchy subject."The deal, which was unveiled in October, was announced as a 50-50 merger, but PSA has one extra…
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Gunmen Kill 2 Policemen Escorting Polio Team in Pakistan

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Gunmen in Pakistan shot and killed two policemen on Wednesday who were part of the most recent anti-polio drive in the country's rugged and volatile northwest, officials said.The gunmen opened fire as the policemen were heading on foot to the town of Lower Dir in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, bordering Afghanistan, said local police official Saeedur Rehman. He said the attackers fled the scene and a search was underway to find them.The policemen were to escort a team of medics going house-to-house to vaccinate children against the crippling disease. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the shooting.Pakistan regularly carries out anti-polio drives, despite threats from the Taliban who claim the campaign is a Western conspiracy to sterilize children. Polio teams and security forces escorting them are often targeted in deadly…
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Did It Keep Its Flavor? Stone-Age ‘Chewing-Gum’ Yields Human DNA

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Danish scientists have managed to extract a complete DNA sample from a piece of birch pitch more than 5,000 years old, used as a kind of chewing gum, a study revealed Tuesday.The Stone-Age sample yielded enough information to determine the source's sex, what she had last eaten and the germs in her mouth. It also told them she probably had dark hair, dark skin and blue eyes.And genetically, she was more closely related to hunter-gatherers from the mainland Europe than to those living in central Scandinavia at the time, they concluded."It is the first time that an entire ancient human genome has been extracted from anything other than human bones," Hannes Schroeder of the University of Copenhagen, told AFP.Schroeder is co-author of the study, which was published in the review…
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Europe Postpones Launch of Planet Mission, Seeks Soyuz Fix

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European space officials on Tuesday postponed the launch of a three-year mission to study planets in other solar systems shortly before it was due to blast off.The European Space Agency announced that the launch from Kourou, French Guiana, of the Characterising ExOPlanets Satellite (CHEOPS) mission would be delayed by at least a day. It had been scheduled for 0854 GMT (3:54 a.m. EST).ESA Director of Science Guenther Hasinger tweeted that "a software error in the Fregat upper stage" of the Soyuz rocket was responsible for the postponement."With this complex mission, we will not take any risks," he added, advising people to "keep fingers crossed for [a launch] tomorrow" at the same time.Europe's Arianespace, which has been operating Russian Soyuz rockets from Kourou since 2011, said during the countdown that "the…
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‘Obamacare’ Sign-Up Deadline Extended Following Glitches

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People will get more time to sign up for "Obamacare" health insurance, the Trump administration announced Monday, following a spate of computer glitches over the weekend.The new HealthCare.gov deadline is 3 a.m. Eastern time on Wednesday, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said in a statement. Coverage takes effect Jan. 1.It was the second round of problems with online sign-ups for the agency in weeks. Senior lawmakers of both major parties are urging the administration to publicize the availability of a redo for seniors who got inaccurate or confusing results using the Medicare Plan Finder. A redesign of the Medicare site produced search results that didn't automatically rank the prescription drug plan with the lowest total cost first.The problems with HealthCare.gov happened Sunday, which was the original sign-up deadline.…
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Study: Vaping Raises Lung Disease Risk, but Less So Than Smoking

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A new U.S. study has concluded that the use of e-cigarettes, called vaping, increases the risk of developing chronic lung diseases, but less so than smoking.The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, surveyed 32,000 American adults between 2013 and 2016 who had no signs of lung disease when the study began.Scientists found that those who used e-cigarettes were 1.3 times more likely to develop chronic lung diseases such as asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.For people who used both e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes, the risk nearly tripled. Senior author Stanton Glatz, a University of California San Francisco professor of medicine, noted that many smokers did not abandon conventional cigarettes when they began using e-cigarettes.But the study noted that even for those who switched completely to…
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UN AIDS Agency Fires Whistleblower After Misconduct Probe

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The United Nations' AIDS agency has fired two staffers for financial and sexual misconduct, including a whistleblower whose allegations of being sexually assaulted sparked months of turmoil at the organization. Last March, Martina Brostrom publicly accused a senior UNAIDS director of forcibly kissing her and trying to drag her out of a Bangkok elevator in 2015. She also said he had sexually harassed her on other occasions. But before those allegations became public, Brostrom herself and a supervisor were being investigated by U.N. officials for their own sexual and financial misconduct, as revealed in an Associated Press story  in April. Internal documents obtained by the AP showed U.N. officials had "evidence" Brostrom and a supervisor had taken part in "fraudulent practices and misuse of travel funds." Among other charges, the…
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HOW TO SHOP IN THE UK AND SHIP WORLDWIDE – ULTIMATE GUIDE

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We know that many of our customers (that’s you!) are pretty savvy when it comes to cheap online shopping. The fact they you use a parcel forwarding service for your UK online shopping means that you know the tricks of the trade – putting you one step ahead. But being a savvy shopper doesn’t end there. HOW TO SHOP IN THE UK AND SHIP WORLDWIDE – FORWARD2ME’S ULTIMATE GUIDE To help you make the most of your UK online shopping experience, and to ensure you pay the best price, we’ve put together a guide to help you get the best out of your forward2me account. Select from one of three warehouses Forward2me’s parcel forwarding service has three warehouse options for customers to choose from – so you can pick the…
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Регулярная публикация ваших рекламных статей сразу на 200 информационных сайтах

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Предложение для предпринимателей, производителей, коммерсантов! Рекламная сеть SeLLines объединяет более 200 сайтов разнообразной информационной тематики, которые ежедневно публикуют свежые, интересные и актуальные статьи. Среди них могут быть ваши рекламные сообщения, которые могут cодержать: информацию о вашем новом продукте (продуктах) или акциях компании; напоминание о ваших продуктах или услугах (анонсы, обзоры, статьи, в т.ч. видеоматериалы); информацию для укрепление репутации компании и торговой марки; информацию для увеличение узнаваемости торговой марки или бренда; информацию для повышения лояльности и доверия к бренду; информация вызывающая дополнительную стимуляцию целевой аудитории к совершению покупки. наш email: sellines@i.ua наш skype: isgnet Больше информации на сайте SeLLines
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Продаётся супер автомобиль Chrysler Prowler Roadster Candy Red в Киеве

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Продаю Chrysler Prowler Roadster Candy Red в Киеве! Финальный (последний) выпуск – всего 300 автомобилей было випущено в этом цвете!!! Единственный в мире хот-род, который выпускался серийно! Алюминиевый кузов и алюминиевая рама! Без пробега по Украине! 100% таможня в Украине! Состояние нового автомобиля! Спортивный алюминиевый двигатель 3.6л мощностью до 400 л.с. (предыдущие выпуски Prowler имели обычный железный двигатель!). Автомобиль собран вручную на заводе Conner Avenue Assembly Plant (CAAP) в городе Detroit штат Michigan в 2002 году. Расход: 11л/100км. Самая полная комплектация: спорттроник, сабвуфер, AM/FM stereo, кассетный плеер, круиз-контроль, мультируль, 20“ хромированные диски, бортовой компьютер на зеркале и т.д. Успешно используется в рекламе, шоу-бизнесе. Возможен обмен. телефоны: +38 050 3892259, +380 93 0075667 Больше информации на сайте продавца Ваша реклама в сети SeLLines
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Namibia Rhino Poaching Drops in 2019, After Sharp Rise Last Year

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Rhino poaching in Namibia dropped to 41 individuals killed in all of 2019 so far, compared with nearly 72 during the same period last year, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism said Saturday.Namibia has the second-largest population of white rhinos in the world after South Africa and, according to NGO Save the Rhino, it holds one-third of the world's remaining black rhinos.Poaching in Namibia to feed mostly East Asian markets has yo-yoed since peaking in 2015 at 95 rhinos, falling to 60 in 2016, 36 in 2017 and then going up to 72 again last year — all figures counted from January through mid-December."The public continues to assist us in arresting perpetrators of this crime," ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said by telephone. "We have also beefed up our intelligence so that we can anticipate…
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Disagreement Drags UN Climate Talks Into Second Extra Day

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U.N. climate talks in Madrid dragged into a second day of extra time Sunday, with officials from almost 200 countries unable to break the deadlock on key points of difference. The chair of the meeting, Chilean Environment Minister Carolina Schmidt, told weary delegates to examine new agreements drafted by her team and meet at 1:30 a.m. (0030 GMT) for further talks. "This has been very tough, very long," she said as the talks entered their 14th day. Still, Schmidt said some progress had been made, adding that "things are coming together." Carolina Schmidt, COP25 president and Chile's minister of environment, speaks at the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP25) in Madrid, Spain, Dec. 15, 2019. Developing countries and environmental groups warned that the drafts circulated overnight Saturday risked undoing or stalling…
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Protests Rage as US, UK Warn About Travel to Northeast India

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Protests against a divisive new citizenship law raged Saturday as Washington and London issued travel warnings for northeast India following days of violent clashes that have killed two people. Many in the far-flung, resource-rich northeast fear the new legislation will grant citizenship to large numbers of immigrants from neighboring Bangladesh, whom they accuse of stealing jobs and diluting the region's cultural identity. Several thousand protesters rallied in New Delhi late Saturday to urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to revoke the law, some holding signs reading: "Stop Dividing India." "People are not gathered here as Hindus or Muslims; people are gathered here as citizens of India. We reject this bill that has been brought by the Modi government and we want that equal treatment as is enshrined in our constitution,"…
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Frustrated Climate Activists Dump Manure Outside Madrid Summit

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Green activists dumped horse manure and staged a mock hanging outside the venue of a U.N. climate summit in Madrid on Saturday, airing their frustration at the failure of world leaders to take meaningful action against global warming. Led by grass-roots group Extinction Rebellion, the actions were timed to coincide with the closing of the COP25 summit, where negotiators have been unable to agree on how to implement the 2015 Paris climate agreement. "Just like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, this COP's fiddling of carbon accounting and negotiating of Article 6 is not commensurate to the planetary emergency we face," Extinction Rebellion said in a statement. Twelve members of the group stood on melting blocks of ice, nooses drawn tight around their necks to symbolize the 12 months remaining until the next summit, when…
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North Korea Conducts Another Test at Long-range Rocket Site

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North Korea says it successfully performed another “crucial test” at its long-range rocket launch site that would further strengthen its “reliable strategic nuclear deterrent.” The announcement on Saturday comes as North Korea continues to pressure the Trump administration over an end-of-year deadline set by leader Kim Jong Un to salvage faltering nuclear negotiations. North Korea’s Academy of Defense Science did not specify what was tested on Friday. Just days earlier, the North said it conducted a “very important test” at the site, prompting speculation that it involved a new engine for either a space launch vehicle or an intercontinental ballistic missile. <!--[if IE 9]><![endif]--><!--[if IE 9]><![endif]-->Pentagon Tests Long-Banned Ballistic Missile Over PacificThe Pentagon says it's conducted a flight test of a missile that had been banned under a treaty that…
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AP Exclusive: China Tightens up on Info After Xinjiang Leaks

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The Xinjiang regional government in China’s far west is deleting data, destroying documents, tightening controls on information and has held high-level meetings in response to leaks of classified papers on its mass detention camps for Uighurs and other predominantly Muslim minorities, according to four people in contact with government employees there. Top officials deliberated how to respond to the leaks in meetings at the Chinese Communist Party’s regional headquarters in Urumqi, Xinjiang’s capital, some of the people said. They spoke on condition of anonymity because of fears of retribution against themselves, family members and the government workers. The meetings began days after The New York Times published last month a cache of internal speeches on Xinjiang by top leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. They continued after the International Consortium…
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House Democrats Set to Impeach Trump Next Week

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U.S. House Democrats are one big step away from impeaching President Donald Trump. After 14 hours of contentious partisan debate, the House Judiciary Committee on Friday approved formal charges alleging Trump abused the power of his office and obstructed congressional efforts to investigate him. VOA’s Congressional Correspondent Katherine Gypson looks ahead to the final vote on impeachment on the House floor   ...
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US, China Near Deal That Would Suspend Planned Tariffs

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The Trump administration and China are close to finalizing a modest trade agreement that would suspend tariffs that are set to kick in Sunday, de-escalating their 17-month trade war. "We're close to a deal," said Myron Brilliant, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's head of international affairs, who has been briefed by both sides. Brilliant said the administration has agreed to suspend Trump's plans to impose tariffs on $160 billion in Chinese imports Sunday and to reduce existing tariffs, though it wasn't clear by how much. In return, Beijing would buy more U.S. farm products, increase Americans companies' access to the Chinese market and tighten protection for intellectual property rights. The deal awaits final approval from President Donald Trump. Trump took to Twitter early Thursday to declare: "Getting VERY close to…
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Judiciary Committee Restarts Marathon Debate, Before Voting on Impeachment

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The U.S. House Judiciary Committee reconvenes Friday morning to vote on articles of impeachment against U.S. President Donald Trump. The committee recessed late Thursday after 14 hours of debate. The Democratic-controlled committee rebuffed Republican attempts Thursday to weaken or throw out the allegations and instead will vote on sending them to the full House of Representatives for a vote, likely to be held next week.   Democratic lawmakers, after hours of at-times rancorous partisan claims and counterclaims with Republicans, rejected the Republican effort to eliminate the impeachment allegation that Trump abused the presidency by pushing Ukraine to investigate one of his chief 2020 Democratic election rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden.   The committee is also expected to approve a second article of impeachment, that Trump obstructed Congress by refusing…
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Republican-Led Senate Looms as Trump’s Savior

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As early as next week, President Donald Trump could become only the third U.S. president to be impeached by the House of Representatives.  If the Democratically-controlled House votes to impeach Trump for allegedly abusing his power related to his dealings with Ukraine, the case would move to the Republican-controlled Senate for an impeachment trial early next year where the political landscape is much more favorable to the president.  From Washington, VOA National correspondent Jim Malone has more on what a Senate trial would look like.   ...
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Kenyan Communities Seek Compensation for Colonial-Era Land Grab

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As Kenya marks the anniversary of the end of British colonial rule more than five decades ago (Dec 12, 1963), two communities in the Great Rift Valley want the United Nations to investigate a colonial-era land grab.  The Kipsigis and Talai communities accuse the British of collective punishment by forcefully evicting them off their land, which was turned into profitable tea farms. Mohammed Yusuf reports from Kericho, Kenya.   ...
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