Berkshire trades near all-time high

Warren Buffett said last year that Berkshire Hathaway Inc's future will be about buying big businesses and expanding them over time. As he celebrates his golden anniversary running the company, investors are rallying behind the idea.

Technology highlights of 2014

Japanese realty continues to languish

An economic rebound and loose money policy under Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe briefly halted a long slide in Japan's commercial property market, but the benefits of "Abenomics" appear increasingly limited to Tokyo, leaving a moribund hinterland.

Online movie rollout props up YouTube

Google Inc's agreement to show Sony Corp's The Interview gave its YouTube video-streaming website a chance to show that it is more than just a destination for amusing cat videos.

Tipping point

Investment flows in and out of a country do not usually excite much interest - but in the case of China, 2014 may prove an exception.

China's evolutionary road

The growing competition for China's limited pool of highly skilled workers and the country's new stringent regulations are creating major obstacles for foreign companies in China, says Stuart Fuller, global managing partner at King & Wood Mallesons.

Shaping future global engagements

The scale of China's global engagement is astonishing. China is the key trading partner for most countries in the world and plays a central role in many international organizations and multilateral institutions.

Outbound moves set to gain more momentum

This year is a milestone for outward direct investment from China. The nation's outward investment is predicted to match or exceed the foreign direct investment flowing into China's mainland.

Anti - corruption efforts may help change business environment

China is at an odd time (or call it "the new normal"), when GDP growth is no longer seen as the single most important criteria in measuring an official's performance.

How the Boss has evolved over 50 years

Bruce Springsteen, who toured Britain last month, has given hundreds of interviews during his half century as a musician. A brilliant book published in 2013, Springsteen on Springsteen, reprints the best interviews, going back to 1973. Here is how Springsteen has evolved:

Joe Cocker: 'A volcanic eruption in pop music'

Joe Cocker was one of the great voices of the rock era. In terms of hits and statistics, he may be a minor player with a few fabulous records to his credit, but to a generation of music lovers who felt the full force of his performance, Cocker is and always will be one of the definitive singers.

Dating game

When Wu Jiamin first met Feng Feng, who attended his course on how to court girls, he was disappointed at his client's appearance - a poorly fitting sweater, ripped jeans, worn shoes and a gaudy gold necklace.