IBT Staff Reporter

Stock indexes rose at the open on Friday ahead of a European Union debt-crisis summit on the weekend that could go some way in removing one of the biggest overhangs for markets and allow investors to focus on corporate results.

German business sentiment slid for the fourth month in a row in October, dipping to its lowest level since mid-2010 and compounding fears the euro zone debt crisis could push Europe back into recession if a solution is not found soon.

Yue Yue, the two-year-old toddler who was hit by two vans and left ignored on the street in China, has died on Friday according to reports amidst the worldwide outpouring of rage and debate.

Oct. 21 has come and gone in New Zealand and Australia, making Doomsday predictor Harold Camping incorrect, once again.

Schlumberger Ltd , the world's largest oilfield services company, posted a lower-than-expected third-quarter profit and said financial turmoil had cut oil demand, sending its shares lower in pre-market trading.

Verizon Communications Inc wireless subscriber growth was slower than expected in the quarter before the latest Apple Inc iPhone launch but it was still well ahead of its biggest rival.

A former Wall Street banker of Japanese descent has emerged as a key figure in the scandal engulfing Japanese blue-chip firm Olympus Corp, according to documents provided by the firm's ex-CEO.

Wall Street stocks were set to open higher on Friday ahead of a European Union debt-crisis summit on the weekend that could go some way in removing one of the biggest overhangs for markets and allow investors to focus on corporate results.

General Electric Co reported an 18 percent rise in quarterly profit that met Wall Street's expectations, as revenue rose across its big energy, aviation, healthcare and transportation arms.

Sony Pictures and Ubisoft are close to producing a movie based on the popular game franchise Assassin's Creed.

A new camera technology could revolutionize the way we interact with photographs.

China may be the first country to own land on the moon.

After the passing away of Apple genius Steve Jobs, a lot of speculation about whether he worked on the iPhone 5 surfaced. Finally, one analyst seems to confirm that Jobs was in fact part of the project.

In Mauna Kea, Hawaii, astronomers have just discovered a forming planet called LkCa 15. The star is made up of gas and dust, much like the sun.

Apple received criticism this week as iPhone 4S customers realized that Siri - the wise-cracking voice-controlled personal assistant - has been leaving the keys in the door. The feature, whose hands-free element has been a selling point for drivers, is programmed to respond to commands even when the phone is locked with a passcode.

Honeywell records strong performance, with aerospace seeing 8% sales growth from higher volume, favorable product mix and improved productivity.

McDonald's Corp reported a higher-than-expected quarterly profit on Friday, helped by stronger-than-expected sales at established restaurants in September, and its shares rose 3 percent.

Sprint announces its new business-minded smartphone.

Apple stores around the country closed their doors on Wednesday to allow employees to watch a live webcast of the employee-only service for Steve Jobs that took place at the company's Cupertino headquarters. Hundreds of employees converged on the campus in Northern California Wednesday morning, crowding into the outdoor amphitheater where the likes of former Vice President Al Gore, Coldplay, and Norah Jones paid tribute to Jobs.

Gamers get preview of upcoming Battlefield 3 multiplayer.

That's right. Rapper MC Hammer has launched a new Internet search engine called WireDoo. The search service will function as a deep search and relationship search in order to add value and relevance to the inputted terms.

Verizon Communications Inc wireless subscriber growth was slower than expected in the quarter before the latest Apple Inc iPhone launch but it was still well ahead of its biggest rival.

Australia grabbed the third spot in the 2011 Rugby World Cup after a 21-18 victory over Wales in the third-place play off.

Canada's annual inflation rate remained above the central bank's traditional comfort zone in September as consumers were hit by higher gasoline and food prices, according to Statistics Canada data on Friday.

Canada will be contacting its allies in the next few days and arranging for the early end of its Libyan military mission, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Thursday.

Stock index futures rose on Friday ahead of a European Union debt-crisis summit on the weekend that could go some way in removing one of the biggest overhangs for markets and allow investors to focus on earnings.

German firms are cautious as moves to solve the euro zone crisis enter a critical phase, Ifo economist Klaus Abberger told Reuters on Friday, adding that businesses were braced for a phase of weakness, but did not expect sudden, sharp decline.

Stock index futures edged higher on Friday ahead of a much anticipated European Union weekend summit on the region's debt crisis and as results from General Electric Co did little to undermine hopes for a robust earnings season.

A growing number of News Corp shareholders with voting rights are considering sending a strong message of discontent to Chief Executive Rupert Murdoch by voting against several long-standing board members including his sons James and Lachlan.