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The year 2008 and economic downturn have changed the way companies are going about their daily business. In response to the current recession in Europe, businesses are seeking new ways to stay productive while significantly cutting costs with the help of Web 2.0 solutions. From lower-cost versions of enterprise applications, to utilising cloud computing, 'crowd sourcing' business owners are taking advantage of what Web 2.0 has to offer.

In March 2009 the working day and seasonally adjusted current account of the euro area recorded a deficit of EUR 6.5 billion. In the financial account, combined direct and portfolio investment showed net inflows of EUR 71 billion.

London Stock Exchange Group plc reports results for the financial year ended 31 March 2009. In summary, the Group has delivered a good underlying performance against the backdrop of difficult markets, reflecting the overall resilience and diversification of the business.

Russia has been looked upon as an unfavourable market for electronics manufacturing by foreign electronics manufacturers in the past. This negative perception has been in spite of the country's cost-competitive advantages as well as its growing domestic market. However, liberalisation coupled with heightened demand from key end-user segments such as consumer electronics is aiding the growth of the electronics manufacturing market in Russia.

Gross domestic product (GDP) in the OECD area fell by 2.1% in the first quarter of 2009, the largest fall since OECD records began in 1960, according to preliminary estimates, and followed a fall of 2.0% of GDP in the previous quarter.

The pace of decline in capital values accelerated in the first quarter with countries in both Western Europe and Emerging Europe hit by price falls, says RICS' Global Property Survey.

The results of a recent consumer survey conducted in North America by ABI Research suggest that nearly half of those mobile consumers surveyed are somewhat likely or very likely to be influenced by suppliers’ green credentials when purchasing services or devices.

Fitch Ratings has commented that despite an expected decline in 2009 iron and steel selling prices, as well as declining worldwide steel production, credit ratings and Outlooks of iron and steel producers in Brazil, China, and the CIS remain relatively stable, particularly in relation to their peers in developed markets. In its special report titled, "Emerging Market Iron & Steel: Surviving the Downturn", the agency compares how declining iron ore prices in this downturn will likely impact miners and steel producers, considering their different business profiles, and examines the impact on their credit profiles and ratings.

What do tech-savvy frequent flyers want most? The desire to stay connected via Wi-Fi topped the technology requests, according to a new study conducted by American Airlines and HP.

Regional and state unemployment rates were little changed in April. Twenty-one states recorded over-the-month unemployment rate decreases, 18 states and the District of Columbia registered rate increases, and 11 states had no rate change, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported.