LONDON (Reuters) - Poor countries will soon receive billions of dollars from a new World Bank fund to help them cut pollution, save energy and fight global warming, the international organization said.

Developing countries such as India and China are already trying to reduce their carbon emissions, mainly to save on energy, but have baulked at doing more without technological help from Europe, Japan and the United States.

Current conventionally powered vehicles, gasoline-electric hybrids, natural gas vehicles, biofueled vehicles as well as rechargeable battery electric, plug-in hybrid and fuel cell vehicles all have something in common: They’re refueled by way of a “tether” that links them to a stationary energy source. A hose is used to replenish a supply of gaseous or liquid fuels, or a cord is used to supply a flow of electrons.

I would never do this kind of thing to those Moby Grape and Savoy Brown lps I’ve got in storage but it is a good use for my Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks collection. To make them really utilitarian, the discs are sealed so moisture won’t seep through to the surface. Come in a set of six assorted labels packed in a clear, round case. Made in scenic Brooklyn.

Madrid -- Oceana, the international marine conservation organisation, is engaged in a campaign to end of the use of shark liver oil, known as squalene, in cosmetics products. Europe is a major force in the production and trade of squalene, and the campaign has included investigative visits to fishing ports and cosmetics shops, and discussions with cosmetic companies and squalene manufacturers, to gather information about uses, trade and markets for this product and the sharks it comes from.

OAKLAND, CALIF.—A new guide offer hotels simple energy-saving tips that can cut costs while increasing aesthetics and comfort. Flex Your Power, California’s energy efficiency marketing and outreach campaign, has released its Hotels Best Practices Guide. Tips come from all aspects of hotel operations, covering lighting, water, HVAC, windows, roofs, restaurants, laundry, vending and ice machines, office equipment, exercise rooms, pools, saunas, hot tubs and demand response programs.