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Reports on the disclosure made by the state-run Longyan Cigarette Factory that the Philip Morris International unit of the Altria Group won approval to have its Marlboro brand cigarettes made in China.

Reports that the Altria Group Inc., parent of Philip Morris, is close to signing a deal with the Chinese government allowing Marlboro cigarettes to be manufactured and sold in China, the world's largest cigarette market. Implications of the deal for Philip Morris International, noting that China accounts for a third of the cigarettes smoked worldwide; Assessment of the tobacco industry in the United States, where cigarette consumption and sales are down; Factors leading to declining sales and profits in the U.S.; Speculation about the Chinese government's decision to open their market to foreign companies; Details of the proposed agreement, which includes a licensing agreement between Philip Morris and China's two largest state-run tobacco companies.

This section offers business-related news briefs. Cadbury Schweppes PLC announced that it has set May 7, 2008 as the deadline for completing the de merger of its drinks business in the U.S. Altria Group Inc. announced that it will address its declining cigarette sales by using the Marlboro brand, in addition to selling more smokeless products. U.S. actor George Clooney, who endorses Omega watches, one of the Beijing Olympics sponsors, is urging the Swiss watchmaker to comment on China's foreign policy in Sudan.

Presents news briefs related to world business. Expansion of Japanese carmaker Suzuki Motor in India; Statement from South Korean Samsung Electronics that it would buy back about 2 trillion won $1.75 billion) worth of shares to stabilize its share price; Approval for the Philip Morris International unit of the Altria Group to have its Marlboro brand cigarettes made in China; Others.