Business and political leaders are meeting this week in the South African city of Cape Town to seek ways to boost American investment in Africa. But summit delegates have heard that it is often China, and not America, that is taking the lead.

The familiar sound that is often taken for granted is the dial tone. But, during bad storms that cause power outages, our telephones often become a lifeline to the outside world. That is why AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) today announced a $24 million investment to ensure service reliability in Indianapolis.

Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) through its Motorola Ventures strategic venture capital arm, today announced that it has made an equity investment in ViVOtech Inc., an acknowledged leader in contactless and mobile phone payment technologies. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Investing Systems announced today the results of Friday's market scan for the Stock Picker RT software.

CIBC has agreed to sell to Oppenheimer Holdings Inc. its U.S. domestic investment banking, equities, leveraged finance and related debt capital markets businesses. The transaction also includes CIBC's Israeli investment banking and equities business, and certain parts of other U.S. capital markets-related businesses located in the UK and Asia.

The head of one of the world's biggest investment banks is reportedly preparing to resign, after presiding over one of the worst losses in the history of Wall Street.

It's one thing to talk about the global economy. It's another to live it. But that's exactly what Cisco System's first-ever chief globalisation officer is doing. Wim Elfrink moved to Bangalore, India, at the beginning of this year to help oversee Cisco's $1.1 billion investment in the country and the construction of the company's first "globalisation centre."

In the largest post-apartheid direct investment deal in South Africa, the state-controlled Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, ICBC, has purchased 20 percent of Standard Bank, South Africa's largest lender.

Microsoft has a strong record of making investments in digital imaging technology for Windows Vista, HD Photo, Photosynth, Digital Image Suite and other products that provide superior solutions for professional photographers and enthusiasts alike.

Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT) through Motorola Ventures, its strategic venture capital arm, today announced that it has made an equity investment in Siimpel Corporation. Siimpel is a leading developer and manufacturer of silicon MicroElectroMechanical System (MEMS) based solutions for mobile imaging applications. Financial terms of the investment were not disclosed.

Network Appliance, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTAP) today announced it is increasing its commitment to Microsoft products and technologies by increasing its investment of hardware and software data management solutions in Microsoft Technology Centers (MTCs) worldwide.

AT&T Inc. announced a total planned investment of nearly $1.25 billion in the Texas network in 2007. This will bring AT&T's two-year investment in Texas to nearly $3 billion and further demonstrates AT&T's commitment to providing Texans with more choices and quality communications services.