MANUFACTURING

Did you know that fireworks date back even farther than the first Independence Day celebration? Here's a history and slideshow of pictures the best firework displays over the years in honor of the 4th of July.

Subaru, the automotive manufacturing arm of Japanese industrial company Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. (Tokyo: 7270), reported June U.S. car sales rose 40 percent over the year before.

June U.S. car sales rose across the board, surging above the 14 million unit seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) of sales after a lackluster May, indicating a continued recovery for the industry that will likely carry through the second half.

GSK targeted the antidepressant Paxil to patients under age 18 when it was approved for adults only, and it pushed the drug Wellbutrin for uses it was not approved for, including weight loss and treatment of sexual dysfunction, according to an investigation led by the U.S. Justice Department.

Renesas Electronics Corp (TYO: 6723), a leading Japanese semiconductor manufacturer, said that it is letting go 5000 employees in an effort to restructure the organization and bring the company back to black.

Asian stock markets advanced Tuesday as weak economic reports from around the world boosted hopes for stimulus measures from major central banks globally.

The U.S. labor market has lost a step since spring and the trend of lackluster job growth will likely continue into June.

The rocky relationship between the Chinese government and the Western media is changing, as Chinese-language editions multiply. Meanwhile, Chinese media are eyeing the West too.

U.S. stock index futures point to a mixed opening Tuesday amid hopes that the Federal Reserve will announce stimulus measures to tackle the faltering economy and revive growth.

Crude oil futures advanced Tuesday on fears that growing tensions between Iran and the West may threaten crude supplies from the Middle East.

European markets rose Tuesday amid expectation that central banks around the world would coordinate to announce stimulus measures to rejuvenate the global economic growth.

Asian markets rose Tuesday as investor confidence was boosted by expectation for stimulus measures from central banks globally.

China's services sector expanded at its fastest pace in three months in June, an official survey showed on Tuesday, but left intact market expectations that Beijing will deliver more policy measures to support growth in the near future.

Asian shares inched up on Tuesday as manufacturing data around the world highlighted the drag on growth from the protracted euro zone debt crisis, raising expectations for the Federal Reserve to take further steps to underpin the fragile economy.

The whirlpool created by the European financial crisis is finally dragging American down. That?s the conclusion of some economists, after disappointing manufacturing activity data showed a slight contraction in June.

U.S. manufacturing contracted in June for the first time since July 2009 as demand fell amid the euro zone crisis, according to Institute for Supply Management data released Monday.

The Institutional Revolutionary Party is back in power, with a fresh face. Now it must convince observers that it has abandoned its old, corrupt ways.

Unemployment in the euro zone rose to a new record high in May, while manufacturing activities fell for the 11th consecutive month in June. The numbers increase the likelihood the European Central Bank will cut its key interest rate when its governing council meets Thursday.

Sprint has kept its promise. After some holdup due to inventory issues, the carrier finally made available Samsung's latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S3, for in-store purchasing starting Sunday, while Verizon Wireless will reportedly ship its variant starting next week.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a higher open Monday as investor sentiment turned positive with indications of improvement in business conditions in Asia and also continued optimism on the measures taken at the EU summit.

Asian Stock markets ended flat Monday as the optimism over Europe's moves to tackle the region's debt crisis faded and lackluster data from China also weighed.