Deals of the Hour

Trying to find out what's the deal with the world, tracking what's on sale and who's talking about it on Twitter. Update hourly.

Deals of the Hour / August 18, 2010, 3:40 am

Nationals give Harper $9.9M deal

NEW YORK (AP) -- Just like last year, the Washington Nationals and agent Scott Boras agreed to a contract for baseball's top draft pick with just a few seconds to spare. Bryce Harper and the Washington ... (Source: Frederick News-Post 2010-08-18T05:55:45Z)

Barclays, ENRC, Shire, Henderson: U.K., Irish Equity Preview

Aug. 18 (Bloomberg) -- The following is a list of companies whose shares may have unusual price changes in U.K. and Irish markets. Stock symbols are in parentheses and prices are from the last market close ... (Source: BusinessWeek 2010-08-18T06:53:01Z)

BHP Billiton Makes Hostile Bid for Potash

BHP Billiton , the world's largest mining company, said Wednesday that it would take its nearly $40 billion cash offer for the Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan directly to the shareholders, a day after the Canadian ... (Source: New York Times Blogs 2010-08-18T08:18:55Z)

Telegraph: Julia Gillard wants Australia to become a republic at end of Queen's ...

Sydney. Ms Gillard, who was born in Wales and moved to Australia with her parents aged five, acknowledged that many Australians had "deep affection" for the Queen, but said that the status quo could not remain, the ... (Source: Focus Infomation 2010-08-18T03:32:35Z)

San Francisco 49ers sign running back Brian Westbrook, trade defensive lineman ...

The twists and turns continued at 49ers training camp Monday, with longtime Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook signing a one-year deal hours after defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer was traded to ... (Source: FOXSports.com 2010-08-18T03:39:45Z)

BHP Billiton, Barclays, ENRC, Shire, Henderson: U.K., Irish Equity Preview

The following is a list of companies whose shares may have unusual price changes in U.K. and Irish markets. Stock symbols are in parentheses and prices are from the last market close. Barclays Plc (BARC LN): A ... (Source: Bloomberg 2010-08-18T07:00:11Z)

Orioles get their man, agree to deal with 3rd overall pick Manny Machado

Mere minutes before the midnight deadline, the Baltimore Orioles agreed to terms late Monday with Florida high school shortstop Manny Machado, the third overall pick in this year's amateur draft. A deal was reached 3 ... (Source: COX.net for San Diego 2010-08-17T06:18:25Z)

49ers sign Brian Westbrook

The San Francisco 49ers have signed veteran free agent running back Brian Westbrook (notes) , the team announced. It's a one-year deal worth $1.25 million. Westbrook is a former Philadelphia Eagles star who ... (Source: YAHOO! 2010-08-18T00:19:19Z)

Judge Not Ready to Decide on Citigroup Settlement With S.E.C.

The judge, Ellen Segal Huvelle of United States District Court in Washington, asked for additional information on the written proposal, said Matthew Miller, a lawyer for a Citigroup shareholder. Lawyers are to ... (Source: New York Times 2010-08-17T04:23:53Z)

Judge Rejects $75M SEC, Citigroup Deal

Law360, New York (August 16, 2010) -- A judge has reportedly refused to sign off on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's $75 million settlement with Citigroup Inc. over the bank's alleged failure to fully ... (Source: site.law360.com 2010-08-17T00:27:39Z)

Gay rights group: Target won't offer olive branch

By STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press Writer MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Target Corp. has decided against giving money to gay-friendly causes to quiet the uproar over a $150,000 donation that helped support a Minnesota governor ... (Source: msnbc.com 2010-08-16T22:18:48Z)

Pactiv, Maker of Hefty Bags, to be Acquired by Reynolds

Pactiv Corp. is to be bought by Reynolds Group Holdings Ltd., a company that makes packaging for food and storage markets, Pactiv announced on Tuesday. The deal is worth approximately $6 billion and may be finalized this ... (Source: The Epoch Times 2010-08-18T01:23:44Z)

Pactiv sale in the bag

Pactiv Corp., the Lake Forest-based maker of Hefty bags, will be acquired by Chicago-based global packaging company Reynolds Group Holdings Ltd. in a $6 billion cash and debt deal, the companies announced ... (Source: Chicago Sun-Times 2010-08-18T08:54:43Z)

Taliban attack Afghan official's home, killing him and his wife

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Taliban attacks and NATO raids are being reported in southern Afghanistan. Afghan authorities say insurgents broke into the home of an official in Zabul province, killing him and ... (Source: kgw.com 2010-08-18T09:59:08Z)

Elizabeth should be Australia's last queen, says PM

Queen Elizabeth should be Australia's last monarch and the country should become a republic when she dies, according to its prime minister. Julia Gillard, who was born in Wales and moved to Australia with her parents ... (Source: Independent 2010-08-18T03:54:04Z)

UN, NATO Considering Taliban's Offer To Study Afghan Casualties

Kabul, Afghanistan (AHN) - Just hours after Taliban offered to study Afghan civilian casualties with the United Nations and the NATO, the two bodies are carefully considering the proposal to establish a joint committee ... (Source: All Headline News 2010-08-18T00:33:38Z)

Mets withhold Francisco Rodriguez's salary in hopes of voiding contract

HOUSTON — The Mets are withholding injured closer Francisco Rodriguez's salary while he's sidelined, and the team wants to convert his contract to a non-guaranteed deal. The moves could be a prelude to ... (Source: Trentonian 2010-08-18T07:14:30Z)

Reynolds hoping to wrap up Hefty deal

It's the latest and and biggest in a string of acquisitions by Reynolds' parent company, Rank Group Ltd. Pactiv had revenues last year of nearly $3.4 billion, and, apart from consumer products such as trash ... (Source: Southtown Star 2010-08-18T09:09:02Z)

PM says Australia should become republic after queen's death

(CNN) -- Australia Prime Minister Julia Gillard said Tuesday she believes Australia should become a republic after Queen Elizabeth II dies. Gillard said the country has a "deep affection" for Queen Elizabeth ... (Source: CNN 2010-08-17T08:20:06Z)

Potash spurns BHP Billiton's offer

NEW YORK - Fertilizer producer Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. said Tuesday that it rejected an unsolicited takeover bid from BHP Billiton Ltd. worth about $38.49 billion as "grossly inadequate." The Potash ... (Source: AZCentral.com 2010-08-18T02:28:10Z)

Judge skeptical of Barclays deal

A federal judge said Barclays Bank ( BCS ) would be getting a "sweetheart deal" under a proposed $298 mil settlement with the Justice Dept., which accused the bank of violating U.S. sanctions against Cuba, Iran, Libya ... (Source: Investors Business Daily 2010-08-17T21:56:09Z)

Mets convert Francisco Rodriguez deal

HOUSTON -- The New York Mets placed Francisco Rodriguez on the disqualified list and do not intend to pay him until he is physically able to perform, chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon announced Tuesday ... (Source: ESPN.com 2010-08-18T05:27:07Z)

Makeshift Taliban prison found in southern Afghanistan

27 Afghan men appear to be tortured 13 insurgents were killed in fighting The compound's location is Helmand province Kabul, Afghanistan (CNN) -- Security forces in southern Afghanistan found 27 shackled ... (Source: CNN 2010-08-18T10:06:17Z)

Five San Francisco 49ers Most Impacted By Brian Westbrook's Signing

It may have taken awhile, but Brian Westbrook is no longer a free agent after signing a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers lost Glen Coffee to retirement a year after he entered the league, and finding ... (Source: Bleacherreport.com 2010-08-18T02:49:38Z)

Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez has torn thumb ligament, out for season

HOUSTON (AP) — Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez has a torn thumb ligament in his pitching hand sustained during a fight with his girlfriend's father at Citi Field and will need surgery that will sideline him ... (Source: Daily Tribune 2010-08-18T10:06:17Z)

Nationals sign Bryce Harper for $9.9M

WASHINGTON -- Bryce Harper. Stephen Strasburg . Negotiating with super-agent Scott Boras right up until the last possible second to get a deal done. The Washington Nationals are getting the hang of this whole ... (Source: ESPN.com 2010-08-17T16:19:42Z)

BHP Billiton in hostile takeover bid for Canada's Potash after board rejects offer

SYDNEY — Miner BHP Billiton has launched a hostile $38.5 billion all-cash takeover for Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan after the Canadian company's board rejected the miner's offer as "grossly inadequate." BHP says ... (Source: Washington Examiner 2010-08-18T09:37:40Z)

Gay rights group: Target won't offer olive branch

MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. has decided against giving money to gay-friendly causes to quiet the uproar over a $150,000 donation that helped support a Minnesota governor candidate who opposes gay marriage, a national ... (Source: Dallas Voice 2010-08-17T22:03:18Z)

Judge Rejects Citigroup $75 Million Settlement

Citigroup ( C ) thought it had an agreement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to pay $75 million to settle charges that the bank misled investors over the value of certain subprime mortgage instruments. Judge ... (Source: Daily Finance 2010-08-17T10:28:57Z)

Target says it won't give to gay groups to balance MN Forward donation

Target Corp. said Monday it won't give money to gay-friendly causes to quiet the uproar over a $150,000 donation that helped support a Minnesota governor candidate who opposes gay marriage. The discount ... (Source: Pioneer Press 2010-08-17T04:23:53Z)

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