Snippets

• Russia is witnessing widespread protests against its government's new reform initiative, which converts most 'in-kind' social benefits to cash payments. The move has led to a rise in prices of electricity and other utilities.

• Nepal's government has announced a 30 per cent student concession in kerosene prices following student protests against petroleum price hike. But students call the move a "ploy".

• A severe drought and an outbreak of blue tongue disease (a viral disease that can be fatal for cows), has made Portugal's government provide its livestock farmers US $32.5 million in aid. But the government refused to declare the hard-hit Baixo Alentejo province a disaster area.

• Hungary has become the first EU member to ban the import and production of MON 810 variety of genetically modified (GM) maize.

• Kazakhastan's government is buying half of British Gas's (BG's) stake in the country's Kashagan oil field. It is not clear who will get the other half.

• A State Biofuel Authority has been formed in Chhattisgarh to increase bio-fuel production. Ratanjot and Karanj plants will be grown in the state with the help of 400,000 farmers to be used as an alternative to diesel.

• The US is facing sharp criticism for a nuclear waste deal with Australia. The deal provides for sending spent nuclear fuel rods from Australia's Lucas Heights nuclear reactor in Sydney to the US for the next 10 years.• Russia is witnessing widespread protests against its government's new reform initiative, which converts most 'in-kind' social benefits to cash payments. The move has led to a rise in prices of electricity and other utilities.

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