Global private sector activity grew at its fastest pace in a year last month as a strong improvement in the United States offset a drag from the euro zone, survey data showed on Tuesday.

The Global Total Output index, produced by JP Morgan with the input of research and supply management organisations, was 55.5 in February, up from 54.5 in January, comfortably above the 50-mark that divides growth from contraction.

Six world powers have accepted an Iranian offer for talks on its disputed nuclear programme, the European Union’s top diplomat said on Tuesday, after a year’s standstill that has increased fears of a slide into a new West Asian war.

The announcement by EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton came shortly after Russia called for a resumption of face-to-face dialogue as soon as possible, saying an Iranian letter last month showed it was now ready for serious negotiations.

Germany reiterated support on Monday for EU law making all airlines pay for carbon emissions, underlining the bloc's determination not to bow to international pressure to scrap the scheme.

German company will also invest . 350 cr by 2014 in its Pune facility

Plans by Germany to cut solar power subsidies by up to 30 percent will be postponed to April 1 from March 9 and may be watered down for large-scale power plants, according to members of parliament

EU officials said Sunday they will negotiate with international partners angry at what they see as a climate tax on airlines, but refused to change hotly disputed legislation despite fears in Germa

The price of European Union emissions permits could rally to double their current value by the end of the year if a plan to withhold permits is passed, Portuguese Espirito Santo Investment Bank sai

Contrasting lessons from Germany's 20-year pursuit of solar and wind power shows how other countries might create industrial champions to develop new energy technologies.

Members of parliament in Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right coalition have demanded delaying cuts in solar power incentives to April 1 from March 9, according to a position paper by centre-rig