Tycoon takes a stake in Ford

Kirk Kerkorian, the billionaire investor who tried to overhaul General Motors Corp three years ago, said he has bought a 4.7 percent stake in Ford Motor Co and plans to buy more.

IN BRIEF (Page 17)

Special Supplement

Self-developed car brand winning wider recognition

Market research shows that China's self-developed automobile brands are gaining wider recognition due to their competitive prices and improved products and services.

Tianjin FAW reaches overseas through Mexico joint venture

Building on their strength in the rapidly growing domestic market, China's self-developed auto brands are now increasing the pace of their international expansion.

China-South Africa Friendship

Leaders hail 10th anniversary

On January 1, 2008, Chinese President Hu Jintao and his South African counterpart Thabo Mbeki exchanged messages to mark the 10th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Ambassador: Bilateral relations are vibrant and fruitful

Over the 10 years since formal ties between China and South Africa were established, bilateral relations have witnessed all-round and in-depth development that has brought both countries fruitful cooperation in bilateral and international affairs, South African ambassador to China Ndumiso Ndima Ntshinga tells China Daily.

Business International

RBS stock slumps on writedown

Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc, the United Kingdom's second-biggest lender, will sell 12 billion pounds of new shares to investors to boost capital depleted by writedowns.

AT&T rings up $3.5b profit

AT&T Inc, the biggest US phone company, said first-quarter profit rose 22 percent on sales of mobile handsets such as the iPhone and savings from the $86 billion purchase of BellSouth Corp.

Will Kurer become whipping boy?

Switzerland's biggest bank UBS, the worst hit of its global banking peers by the US subprime home loan crisis, faces a stormy shareholders' meeting today when a new chairman could emerge as the whipping boy.