Thailand approves $2.74 billion investment in 18 projects

(Reuters) - Thailand's investment agency said on Friday it had approved applications for 18 projects worth 89.7 billion baht ($2.74 billion), many of them involving the automobile sector and renewable energy.

Analysis: Energy costs keep Japan's focus on nuclear, despite risks and use of renewables

TOKYO — Japan will once again be without atomic energy as its only operating nuclear reactor goes offline Sunday for refueling and maintenance, and other plants remain closed for intensified safety checks following the 2011 meltdowns at the tsunami-stricken plant in Fukushima.