MANUFACTURING

Apple has successfully managed to make each new iPhone thinner, lighter, faster and more powerful, and it looks like the iPhone 5 will be no exception. On Thursday, Sonny Dickson released a set of new photos that show an A6 processor chip sitting in the phone's logic board. A quad-core A6 would boost the speed of the phone's features, as well as help power the phone when multi-tasking applications or playing games or video.

Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT), the world's largest maker of construction and mining equipment, is confident that Beijing will step up easing efforts to drive an economic rebound and China's economic growth will probably recover this year.

China's credit risk is probably much worse than the official non-performing loan (NPL) data suggests, according to Société Générale's China macro strategist Wei Yao.

The state-controlled Air Koryo has a fleet of about thirty, mostly older Russian-made aircraft, and flies to 14 foreign airports in six countries -- including, of all places, Kuwait.

Asian stock markets declined Thursday as the disappointing Japan retail sales data and the fading hopes for fresh measure by the Fed Reserve weighed on the sentiment.

The U.S. stock index futures point to a lower open Thursday as investors continue to have concerns about the weakening global economy and worsening economic growth momentum.

Asian markets fell Thursday as investors' concerns about the weakening global economy was revived by the declining Japanese retail sales and disappointing South Korean manufacturers' confidence data.

Asian shares eased and major currencies stayed range-bound Thursday as investors avoided betting on direction before a speech by U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, with focus on whether there will be any hint about further U.S. stimulus.

Prostitution is rising to dangerous levels in Madagascar, and this has become one of the most controversial signifiers of the country's political and economic breakdown over the last three years.

General Motors Company (NYSE: GM) holding the European debuts of three vehicles at the Moscow International Motor Show on Wednesday, and a key member of the company's Russian management confirmed a $1 billion investment.

As the deepening sovereign debt crisis in Europe dampens air travel demands in the region, the world's two largest airplane makers, Boeing Co. (NYSE: BA) and Airbus S.A.S. (EPA: EAD), are now bringing their fierce competition to the Asia-Pacific skies.

Ford's Lincoln brand hasn't done well in the U.S. but the nation's No. 2 automaker aims for better luck in China where archrival GM gets a big share of the luxury car market with its Cadillac line.

Why do airlines make you turn off your "portable electronic devices" before takeoff and landing? It's a question many have asked over the years, and, while the rule is clear, the answer is decidedly foggy.

India and China pressed each other for greater market access for their products from medicines to Bollywood films at a meeting of trade ministers on Monday, seeking to expand commercial ties between the Asian giants as they battle a global downturn.

Profits at China's major industrial enterprises fell in July for the fourth successive month and by the most this year, adding to fears about a sharp slowdown in the world's second-largest economy and sending benchmark Shanghai Composite Index to its lowest level in three years.

Most of the Asian markets fell Monday as investors' concerns about the faltering global economy undermined the expectations for stimulus measures from China and the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Even as Tropical Storm Isaac managed to reschedule the Republican National Convention (RNC) to Tuesday August 28, the excitement in Tampa, Florida remains unabated as thousands gear up to host the Convention that puts spotlight on Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and vice presidential running mate Paul Ryan.

Global automakers from Renault SA (Paris: RNO) to Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) to Chinese companies like Geely Automotive are all racing to get a piece of the long-term potential promised by Africa's burgeoning automotive market. The continent's economy is on the rise, and despite very real improvements in the quality of life and standards of living in many African countries, risks for multinational manufacturers remain.

Most of the Asian markets fell in the week as investor confidence was dragged down by the lack of stimulus measures from policymakers to support the global economy and regain growth momentum.

While the second-quarter earnings season is coming to a close, investors will still see a trickle of companies reporting results next week. They include Heinz, Joy Global, Pandora Media, Splunk, and Tiffany.

The U.S. stock index futures point to a flat open Friday ahead of the Census Bureau's durable goods orders data.