German community opts to go car-less

Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday said they were working out final details of a climate change bill, as they announced new breaks for industry that they said would also minimize the potential impact on consumers' energy bills.

"We have reached agreement on most key matters," said Representative Rick Boucher, who represents the coal-producing state of Virginia.

beaches Littered: Litter dumped on UK beaches has more than doubled in the past 15 years, a study said. The Marine Conservation Society

Eradicating greenhouse gases from power stations and cars, trucks and aviation must be Europe's next policy move to tackle climate change, European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said on Wednesday.

The statement gives the first glimpse of what the 27-country bloc might do next as it moves towards a greener economy.

The World Bank approved on Wednesday a $62.2 million credit to help Bangladesh to control urban air pollution through cutting emissions in key polluting sectors such as transport and brick-making.

The level of air pollutants in the capital Dhaka and other major cities has steadily increased in recent years, with an annual average well exceeding World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.

An internal government memorandum that came to light on Tuesday challenged the scientific and economic basis of a proposed Environmental Protection Agency finding that climate-altering gases are a threat to human health and welfare.

Naveen S Garewal

LUCKNOW: At least 500 buses plying in Lucknow are awaiting CNG conversion. Close to 30,000 kg of CNG is left un-used everyday. Going by the fact that a single bus runs on 60 kg of CNG, 30,000 kg is sufficient to run 500 buses everyday.

New York Times Posted: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 0058 hrs IST

VAUBAN: Residents of this upscale community are suburban pioneers, going where few soccer moms or commuting executives have ever gone before: they have given up their cars.