CHINA

Futures on major US stock indices point to a lower opening Tuesday ahead of economic data, which include ISM manufacturing index.

South Korea's inflation declined to a 21-month low as the exports declined for the second consecutive month in April.

Japanese stock markets plunged Tuesday as weaker-than-expected US manufacturing data and news that confirmed Spain has fallen into a double-dip recession weighed on the sentiment.

China?s manufacturing activity improved in April for the fifth straight month as economic conditions continued to strengthen, according to readings from a key gauge released Tuesday.

Nobel prize-winning Turkish writer Orhan Pamuk realizes a long-nurtured dream on Saturday with the opening of an actual Museum of Innocence - a collection of relics of a half-century of ordinary life - as depicted in his 2008 novel of the same name.

Lebanese intelligence officers are questioning crew members of a ship that set sail from Libya and was found to be carrying a cache of weapons that supposedly were intended to supply opposition forces in Syria.

Rescue workers fought heavy wind and rain to search for survivors after at least 103 people drowned on an overloaded ferry carrying about 300 people that sank at night on one of India's largest rivers on Monday, police said.

In a joint press conference with Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda of Japan, President Obama called America's alliance with Japan a bulwark of regional stability and said China must couple economic growth with human rights reforms.

Team U.S.A. will face tough challengers in Argentina, France and Tunisia in Group A.

China pushes ahead with efforts to create a regional and global alternative to GPS.

The move would nullify planned sanctions banning EU-based ship insurers and re-insurers -- who cover 90 percent of the world's tankers -- from covering vessels carrying Iranian crude, the head of China's shipowners' association.

Driverless cars are closer than ever before to hitting the market, but concerns about liability for accidents may hamper progress.

Grupa ADV (Pink: GPVSY), a fast-growing Polish media and software group, expects international sales to double this year, said CFO Adam Kuszyk.

As U.S. and Chinese leaders are set to meet in Beijing on May 3-4, a year of troubles and differences will be prominent in their minds.

Medical device maker Hologic Inc. said Monday it would acquire diagnostic test maker Gen-Probe Inc. for about $3.7 billion in cash to expand its molecular diagnostic business, international presence and cross-selling opportunities.

Australian billionaire businessman Clive Palmer announced plans Monday to build a full scale replica of the ill-fated Titanic luxury cruiser. Dubbed the 'Titanic II,' the cruiser will make its maiden voyage from London to New York sometime in 2016.

The tragic story of the Titanic has fascinated people of every generation ever since the shipwreck happened a century ago. Hundred years after the disaster, an idea of replicating the world's biggest ship that made history sounds just exciting.

Adidas increased its 2012 financial outlook based on better-than- expected sales from Asian markets, the group said in a press statement Monday announcing its first quarter reports.

Asian stock markets ended with gains on Monday as disappointing US economic activity data boosted hopes for further monetary stimulus from the Federal Reserve.

U.S. stock index futures pointed to a steady open on Wall Street on Monday, with futures for the Nasdaq 100, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones staying flat.

Germany?s retail sales rose in March compared to the previous month with the boost in purchasing power in households as unemployment declined.