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Careful phasing-out of fossil fuel subsidies can be a low-cost way to meet part of the targets announced following the U.N. climate conference in Copenhagen. According to new OECD analysis based on data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), ending fossil fuel subsidies could cut global greenhouse gas emissions by 10% from the levels they would otherwise reach in 2050 under business as usual.

According to the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey results released by Manpower Inc. employer optimism in the global labor market is gradually improving, with employers in 30 of 36 countries and territories indicating stronger hiring plans compared to 12 months ago and 23 reporting improved quarter-over-quarter hiring plans. Despite uncertainty in the European market, fewer employers are reporting negative forecasts for the quarter ahead. Meanwhile, employers in China and Taiwan indicate their most robust hiring plans since the Manpower survey began in these markets in 2005, and the forecast from U.S. employers is similar to three months ago but notably improved from last year at this time.

More than 719 million pay-TV subscribers are expected to sign up in 2010 as the economic recovery continues to gain momentum, according to latest forecasts from ABI Research. Digital Home industry analyst Michael Inouye notes, “ABI Research estimates that worldwide pay-TV subscriber numbers will surpass 719 million by the end of 2010 as novel solutions such as Google TV move from trial to commercial launch.”

Organizations across the financial services, healthcare, retail and public sectors are failing to align their IT and business priorities, according to a survey by market research company Vanson Bourne and sponsored by Micro Focus.

Discontent may be brewing as workers become increasingly frustrated by what they perceive as employer indifference, according to MRINetwork®, one of the world’s largest search and recruitment organizations. Good communication – the kind that keeps employees focused and committed – may be a casualty of the recession, and employers who want to keep their best people need to get back on track.

Consumer prices in the OECD area rose by 2.1% in the year to April 2010, unchanged from March. Energy and Food prices rose at slightly higher rates in April compared with March (12.2% and 0.7% respectively, compared with 11.3% and 0.2%). But excluding food and energy, consumer prices increased by 1.2% only in April, the lowest rate on record.

Gross domestic product (GDP) in the OECD area rose by 0.7% in the first quarter of 2010, the fourth consecutive quarter of growth for the area.

The push by financial services and insurance companies to establish new offshore operations leveled off in 2009. At the same time, firms seeking cost reductions show greater interest in contracting with large international service providers to benefit from their economies of scale and scope, rather than creating fully owned offshore subsidiaries.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for Mexico increased 1.3 percent and The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) increased 0.5 percent in March.

The Conference Board Leading Economic Index® (LEI) for Australia increased 0.3 percent and The Conference Board Coincident Economic Index® (CEI) increased 0.1 percent in March.