Plus: 2012′s Most Creative People in Business, China’s U.S.-Inspired Shale Plan, Small Biz Owners’ Political Leanings, Why Your Consultant Might Not Like You, the Commercial Space Race’s Future, Best Nature Photography and MORE. Read more

Orders for machine tools and related equipment among U.S. manufacturers increased between February and March, although total demand was lower than in the same period last year. Read more

Plus: U.S. Trade Deficit Expands, Weekly Jobless Claims Dip and Midsize Firms Lower Hiring Outlook. Read more

Plus: Career Lessons from Disney Classics and Dial Up and Connect to Google in the ’80s. Read more

Urban areas in the U.S. contribute proportionally more to the nation’s economy than any other region in the world, with so-called “middleweight” cities in particular driving growth. Read more

Plus: Work Flexibility in Manufacturing, Become a Better Negotiator, Generate Free Publicity, a Child’s Sales Advice and Cyber Criminals Target Gas Pipelines. Read more

Last week, the National Inventors Hall of Fame inducted 10 innovators in medical, industrial and commercial fields. Among them: the creator of the laser printer and a co-founder of Apple Inc. Read more