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Unemployment rates were lower in April than a year earlier in 226 of the 369 metropolitan areas, higher in 120 areas, and unchanged in 23 areas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported.

The newly released J.D. Power and Associates 2007 U.S. Wireless Mobile Phone Evaluation Study (SM) - Volume 1 reports that SANYO ranked highest in customer satisfaction with wireless mobile phones in a tie in 2007.

CCID Consulting believes that with the saturation of the Internet IM market, mobile IM has become a new growth point for the market as a whole. Though still in its early stage, China's mobile IM market has nevertheless reached a size of 710 million Yuan, with 16 million users, thus showing good prospects for growth.

Total online job ads were 4,374,400 in May, an increase of 9,000 or 0.2 percent from April, according to The Conference Board Help-Wanted OnLine Data Series(TM). Online advertised vacancies continue to be up substantially (29 percent) over the year (May'06 - May'07). There were 2.9 advertised vacancies online for every 100 persons in the labor force in May.

The Bloomberg Eurozone Retail Purchasing Managers' Index ("PMI(R)"), an indicator based on a mid-month survey of economic conditions in the euro area retail sector and providing data one month ahead of government issued figures, recorded its steepest decline in the history of the survey in May, falling by over 6 points from April's ten-month high of 54.6 to 48.4.

The GSM Association (GSMA), the global trade association for mobile operators, is to collaborate with Microsoft Corporation on a global research programme to determine consumer user trends and the mass market potential of notebook PCs with embedded mobile.

U.S. women continue to look for more natural beauty alternatives and the fountain of youth, according to a new report from Mintel. With more than 6 percent growth reported from 2001-2006, the overall makeup category has continued to soar with strong contributions from the natural and anti-aging makeup segments. Last year, the makeup industry garnered $6 billion in food, drug and mass merchandiser (FDM) sales.

Worker confidence held steady in May, as the Hudson Employment Index(SM) inched down 0.6 points to 106.9. Financial worries alongside a modest decline in hiring expectations triggered the second consecutive downturn. Nevertheless, the latest Index is well above last May, when it registered 102.3.

The Commission has adopted the second stage consultation with workers' and employers' representatives on how to achieve a better balance between work, private and family life. Invited to express their opinions on the need for Community action on this issue last October, thirteen of the European social partners have sent contributions. All have acknowledged the importance of issues such as accessible care facilities for children and dependants, the need for men genuinely to take up reconciliation measures, equal pay, flexible working hours and the possible updating of existing legislation related to reconciliation. Although views differ on what needs to be done and at what level, the majority of the social partners consider that further action is needed in this area.

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index, which had decreased in April, bounced back in May. The Index now stands at 108.0 (1985=100), up from 106.3 in April. The Present Situation Index increased to 136.1 from 133.5 in April. The Expectations Index edged up to 89.2 from 88.2.