Talk of a Middle Eastern green energy boom is likely to prove no more than a mirage with little hope of the region saving clean technology companies from the shrinking project pools of Europe.

Instead India, China and Latin America offer some hope for green energy companies struggling in a European market drowning in debt and a North American market awash with gas.

Oil prices rose modestly on Monday after the EU slapped an embargo on Iran's crude exports as part of tough new sanctions aimed at stopping Tehran from funding its disputed nuclear program.

New York's main contract, West Texas Intermediate crude for March delivery gained $1.25 to $99.58 a barrel after the widely-expected embargo was announced.

British government plans to cut subsidies for solar panels on homes were ruled legally flawed by the High Court on Wednesday.

The decision was a victory for environmental campaigner Friends of the Earth and two solar companies, Solar Century and HomeSun, who said the plans were creating economic uncertainty.

Energy Secretary Chris Huhne wants to cut feed-in tariff subsidies (FITs) -- payments made to households and communities that generate green electricity through solar panels -- on any installations completed after December 12 this year.

To bring down noise levels in the city, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has roped in an Italy-based company to conduct noise mapping study in some areas. The study, which began last week, will be conducted at five noise-sensitive spots in the city — civic-run KEM Hospital at Parel, Rajawadi Hospital in Ghatkopar, a municipal school in Hindu Colony Dadar, civic owned-Sion Hospital and Paris Gymkhana. The civic body plans to instal noise barriers in these areas after the study.

Air pollution caused more than 100 billion euros ($134.95 billion) in health and environmental damage, highlighting the need for more renewables sources of energy, a report published on Thursday by the European Environment Agency found.

Europe's 10,000 largest factories and energy facilities resulted in 102-169 billion euros in health issues, such as respiratory and cardiovascular problems, and environmental costs because of air pollution in 2009, the most recent available data.

Per citizen, the cost was between 200-300 euros.

The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) standing committee on Tuesday approved a proposal to supply water to every household in the city on 24X7 basis by appointing an Italian company as a consultant. Committee chairman Ganesh Bidkar told reporters that the tender to appoint Italian company Studio Gallery Ingeria (SGI) as a consultant at the cost of Rs18.81 crore for the continuous water supply project was approved. The proposal was approved unanimously.

Based on a recent visit to Italy, state bureaucrats have concluded that the present government resolution (GR) regarding noise levels is highly unrealistic.