F.C.C. Approves Deal Giving Murdoch Control Of DirecTV
Date: 20 December 2003
By David D. Kirkpatrick
David
Federal Communications Commission conditionally approves News Corp's acquisition of control of Hughes Electronics and its DirecTV subsidiary from General Motors; imposes number of restrictions aimed at preventing Rupert Murdoch's News Corp from using DirecTV acquisition to drive up programming fees it charges to cable and satellite operators; among most controversial is requirement that News Corp accept arbitration of any disputes with cable operators over fees for its local Fox stations or Fox regional sports network (M)
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World Briefing | Middle East: Iran: Nuclear Inspections Signed
Date: 19 December 2003
By Nazila Fathi (NYT)
Nazila NYT
Islamic Republic News Agency reports that Iran has signed agreement with United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency to allow surprise inspections at nuclear sites (S)
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No Influence On Contracts, Rowland Says
Date: 20 December 2003
By Marc Santora
Marc Santora
Connecticut Governor John G Rowland holds news conference to say that he will not resign, elaborating on his denial of awarding state work jobs to contractors who did work on his private Litchfield (Conn) cottage; contends he does not have power to influence doling out of government contracts (M)
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RULING IS A SETBACK FOR U.P.S. AND FEDEX
Date: 20 December 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Burton Kolko, Transportation Department administrative law judge, rules that Astar Air Cargo, formerly DHL Airways, is not illegally controlled by overseas interests; FedEx and UPS brought suit challenging ownership of DHL Airways, arguing that it was illegally controlled by DHL Worldwide, which is owned by Germany's Deutsche Post; US Transportation Dept will make final ruling on case (S)
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COMCAST AND VIACOM IN AGREEMENT ON CABLE SYSTEMS
Date: 20 December 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Comcast Corp signs multiyear deal to continue carrying Viacom's television networks on its cable systems; financial terms undisclosed (S)
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INTERMAGNETICS IS BUYING INVIVO FOR $152 MILLION
Date: 19 December 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Intermagnetics General agrees to bu
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UNION BANKSHARES TO ACQUIRE GUARANTY FINANCIAL
Date: 20 December 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Union Bankshares Corp will acquire Guaranty Financial Corp for $54 million in stock and cash (S)
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TJX WINS BIDDING FOR BOB'S, A RETAILER IN BANKRUPTCY
Date: 20 December 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
TJX Cos wins bid to acquire bankrupt retailer Bob's Stores for $113 milion (S)
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PHARMACOPEIA TO SPIN OFF DRUG-DISCOVERY BUSINESS
Date: 19 December 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Pharmacopeia, which makes software for drug makers and develops compounds for potential medicines, plans to spin off its drug-discovery business, change its name and move to San Diego from Princeton, NJ; new company will take Pharmacopeia's name; remaining company will become Accelrys Inc; drug-discovery company will stay in Princeton (S)
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PFIZER ADDS RULES AIMED AT STOPPING COUNTERFEIT DRUGS
Date: 20 December 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Pfizer is requiring US distributors to buy directly from company or from certain wholesalers to stop flow of counterfeit drugs; effort coincides with Pfizer's fight to halt Canadian pharmaceutical sales to consumers in US (S)
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