The spin-off, announced in September, highlighted the slowing growth of eBay's traditional marketplace business.

The study's lead author is Markus Eriksen of the 5 Gyres Institute, an organization that aims to reduce plastic in the oceans.

The government said opposition leaders had incited protesters to violence and had been planning a coup against President Maduro.

"Our troops are moving towards Tripoli to liberate it," he said, claiming his forces had seized a town west of the capital.

Google maintains it obeys all copyright laws while sending more people to websites highlighted in its news services.