London, Oct 28 : A new study has said that the world could eliminate fossil fuel use by 2090, saving 18 trillion dollars in future fuel costs and creating a 360 billion dollars industry that provides half of the world’s electricity.

According to a report in New Scientist, the study was undertaken by the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) and environmental group Greenpeace.

The study is one of few reports to look in detail at how energy use would have to be overhauled to meet the toughest scenarios for curbing greenhouse gases outlined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

“Renewable energy could provide all global energy needs by 2090,” according to the study, entitled “Energy (R)evolution.”

Frankfurt - European stocks rebounded Tuesday in the wake of a rally in Asian shares.

Amsterdam - The share value of Dutch insurer Aegon increased by more than 6 per cent at the opening of the Dutch stock exchange on Tuesday.

Traders were responding to a statement released by Aegon and the Dutch Finance Ministry shortly before trading began that the company would receive 3 billion euros (3.7 billion dollars) in support from the Dutch state.

In exchange, the Dutch state receives Aegon shares at a value of 4 euros per share, above the 3.38 euros Aegon was worth at closing time on Monday.

The Dutch state is to receive 8.5 per cent interest on its investment and will also appoint two people to Aegon's board.

Berlin - Despite the deepening economic gloom, German consumer confidence posted a surprise but modest rise, a key survey released Tuesday showed.

But the Nuremberg-based GfK market research institute's survey showed German consumer expectations about the economic outlook dropping to a five-year low.

The institute's forward-looking consumer confidence index edged up to 1.9 for November from 1.8 in October, helped along by an increase in income expectations on the back of falling inflation.

"Consumers have kept a level head amid the sometimes dramatic developments on the international financial markets, and this is particularly true of their income expectations," the GfK said, releasing its latest survey.

Washington, Oct 28 : Virginia Republican Party Chairman Jeff Frederick has said that John McCain''s campaign dismissed his input on his state’s historically conservative voters, even as the Republican presidential candidate slid in polls and the state unexpectedly became a battleground. 

“They act as if, ‘How could you tell us to change our plan?’” said Frederick, who had offered advice on how to minimize losses in the state’s liberal-leaning northern region. 

Washington, October 28 : A positive outlook, lower stress levels, moderate alcohol consumption, abstention from tobacco, moderate to higher income and no chronic health conditions are some of the factors that underlie exceptional health in old age, according to a study.

Researchers from Portland State University, the Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research, Oregon Health & Science University, and Statistics Canada surveyed 
2,432 older Canadians about their quality of life.

The few who maintained excellent health over an entire decade were considered "thrivers".