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According to the latest revisions, the EU27 external current account recorded a deficit of 17.2 billion euro in the third quarter of 2007, compared with a deficit of 24.6 bn in the third quarter of 2006 and a deficit of 16.3 bn in the second quarter of 2007.

The Conference Board announced today that the leading index for Germany remained unchanged and the coincident index decreased 0.1 percent in November.

Waste management in Europe is no longer a haulage and disposal business. The legislative shifts of the past decade have seen major moves towards the implementation of advanced technology and innovative recycling solutions. With landfill finally being truly on the way out, there are genuine opportunities for investment in value-adding solutions. In spite of the importance of waste minimisation schemes, as well as recycling and biological waste treatment, many local and regional authorities currently view waste to energy (thermal waste incineration with energy recovery) as the only viable large scale alternative to landfill

Supplementary pension schemes continue to pose obstacles to mobility for workers across Europe according to two new independent studies, presented by the European Commission today. The studies support the case for a Europe-wide initiative to improve people's access to supplementary pension rights when changing jobs or working in another EU country. The Commission's proposal for a directive on the issue – revised in October 2007 – forms part of the work programme for the Slovenian EU Presidency.

A new poll has revealed that 35% of Brits no longer want to receive printed business directories at home - preferring instead to look up information on the Internet or better still receive recommendations from friends. The results of the poll commissioned by local search website and conducted by YouGov revealed that 67% trust word of mouth more than advertising.

According to a new technical market research report, THE ADVANCED MATERIALS MARKET IN CHINA from BCC Research, the Chinese market for advanced materials was worth $30.5 billion in 2007. This is expected to increase to over $60.5 billion by 2012, a compound average annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.7%.

The Conference Board announced that the leading index for Spain increased 0.1 percent and the coincident index increased 0.2 percent in November.

In the construction sector, seasonally adjusted production fell by 0.8% in the euro area (EA13) and by 0.2% in the EU27 in November 2007, compared with the previous month. In October, production increased by 0.6% in the euro area and by 0.3% in the EU27.

The first estimate for the euro area (EA13) trade balance with the rest of the world in November 2007 gave a 2.6 bn euro surplus, compared with +5.2 bn in November 2006. The October 2007 balance was +5.4 bn, compared with +2.4 bn in October 2006. In November 2007 compared with October 2007, seasonally adjusted exports rose by 0.3% and imports by 0.5%.

Euro area annual inflation was 3.1% in December 2007, unchanged compared with November. A year earlier the rate was 1.9%. Monthly inflation was 0.4% in December 2007.