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With help, small island states ditch diesel for cheaper, cleaner energy

By Megan Rowling BARCELONA (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – After oil prices hit a record high in July 2008, the tiny Pacific nation of the Marshall Islands was forced to declare an economic emergency since around 90 percent of its energy needs were met by imported petroleum products. The fuel price shock was a major incentive for the low-lying island country to reduce its reliance on diesel and other fossil fuels,

Brokers fume as U.S. looks to protect investors from expensive duds

By Jed Horowitz NEW YORK (Reuters) – For most people saving for retirement, buying a non-tradeable real estate investment trust that charges fees and commissions of 11 percent or more doesn’t sound like a good deal. Many brokers are fuming over a proposed U.S. Department of Labor rule that would block them from selling any investment into a retirement account in return for a commission. Instead, the DOL would restrict