Canada: Recovery increasing pace, latest data shows
18 March 2010 - Canada's economic recovery is picking up pace with January manufacturing sales higher than expected and labour productivity rising for the first time in more than a year, official data showed on 16 March. Analysts enthused about the figures, saying it showed Canada was well over the worst of the recession. (more)

Europe shares to 17-month closing high
18 March 2010 - European shares hit a 17-month closing high on Wednesday, gaining from the US Federal Reserve's pledge to keep interest rates near zero for an extended period. The pan-European FTSEurofirst 300 index of top shares rose to its highest close since early October 2008. The European benchmark is up more than 65 per cent from its lifetime low of 9 March 2009. (more)

Global fund company Fidelity says decades of potential in solar, wind
18 March 2010 - Demand for power from China and other big countries with strong economic expansion is going to sustain the earnings growth of renewable energy companies, a Fidelity fund manager said on 17 March. (more)

Italy: Solar power project for Central region of Marche
18 March 2010 - US SunPower Corp will supply photovoltaic panels for a 5.23 megawatt solar power project in Italy, expanding in Europe's third-biggest solar market, its Italian partner Energy Resources said on 17 March. The project in the central Italian region of Marche will cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 3,300 metric tonnes a year, it said in a statement. (more)

Japanese automaker Nissan to build electric car in UK plant from 2013
18 March 2010 - Nissan Motor Co said on 18 March it would begin building the Leaf electric compact car at its Sunderland plant from early 2013, making Britain its third global production site for the zero-emission vehicle. Nissan said in a statement it would start with annual production of about 50,000 Leaf cars in Sunderland. (more)

Sudan and Darfur rebel group sign ceasefire
18 March 2010 - Sudan's government and a collection of Darfur rebel groups signed a ceasefire Thursday -- the second such deal in less than a month with a key rebel faction -- opening the way for political negotiations ahead of a full peace agreement. (more)

US: California considers smoking ban at all state parks
18 March 2010 - California lawmakers on Thursday will consider what is believed to be the nation's most far-reaching smoking ban in state parks as a way to get unsightly cigarette butts off the beach, eliminate second-hand smoke, and reduce the threat of wildfires. Maine banned smoking at its state beaches last year, but groups that track such legislation say no state prohibits lighting up throughout its entire park system, as the California bill proposes. (more)

US: Dow hits 17-month high on energy, financials
18 March 2010 - Stocks gained on Wednesday, pushing the Dow to a 17-month high, after a benign February inflation reading supported the Federal Reserve's renewed pledge of low interest rates. On Tuesday, the Standard %26 Poor's 500 rose above the 1,150 level that analysts had targeted as a critical resistance point, which once surpassed, could push the market higher. (more)