It's a virtual printing press for carbon certificates that its backer, Sumitomo, can sell or use to offset its obligations under Kyoto.

FORBES: When Pigs Fly

After EMCC lost its backer, American Totalisator Vice President Henry Strauss, near the end of 1949, it was forced to court suitors who might acquire the firm.

CNN: Genesis of the computer

Some reports have cast the breakdown of the talks as mutual, while others have said it was the Beast and its backer, Barry Diller, that left the table first, possibly at the urging of former GE chairman Jack Welch.

FORBES: Tina Brown on Newsweek Talks and Jack Welch's Role

But he already had one big backer among its shareholders: Norilsk Nickel, a Russian firm with over 20%.

ECONOMIST: Tempers fray as a hostile bid rolls on

Getco sought to combine with Knight using its existing structure as a public company, giving Getco and its private-equity backer General Atlantic LLC, immediate access to shareholders.

FORBES: Getco Gets NYSE Listing Via Reverse Merger With Knight Capital

Linux backer IBM will introduce its first two Linux-based thin clients at this week's show and will host a forum in which users can exchange information about IBM's Network Station series of thin clients.

CNN: Linux vendors think small

China, North Korea's main backer, has not yet given its official reaction to Kim Jong-il's death.

BBC: Kim Jong-il death triggers swift regional reaction

America, its most important ally (and the deal's biggest backer), has taken Armenia's side.

ECONOMIST: Relations are growing frosty again

The Series attracted criticism for its poor floodlights and slow wicket, as well as American backer Sir Allen Stanford's conduct.

BBC: Burnham 'uneasy' about $20m match

New Cardiff backer Dato Chan Tien Ghee paid tribute to the team for its achievements, despite "hard" financial struggles.

BBC: Thousands of fans watch Cardiff City lose at Wembley