Free Republic

Coton Orchard, near Cambridge, is a designated habitat of principal importance The decision was voted in despite 2,300 opponents signing a petition Plans to chop down 500 mature trees in an orchard to make way for a guided busway have been approved by councillors on the grounds it will help reduce climate change. Coton Orchard, near Cambridge, has around 1,000 trees producing 26 varieties of apples, as well as plums and pears, and is a designated habitat of principal importance. But county councillors voted 33 to 26 in favour of the new bus-only route which will link the university city...

WASHINGTON, March 4 (Reuters) - The newly independent state of Kosovo will need an estimated $2 billion dollars in foreign aid over the next few years, about half of which should be provided by Europe, a senior U.S. official said on Tuesday. The rest of the money could come from the United States and such institutions as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, Assistant Secretary of State Dan Fried said. He was testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Helping the fledgling state, which declared independence from Serbia on Feb. 17 with strong backing from Washington, will require top-level...