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 / October 1, 2010, 9:41 am

Now You'll Have To Talk To His Agent

MN Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) has signed with "noted speakers bureau" Leading Authorities "to arrange appearances after he leaves office in early" '11. Leading Authorities announced 9/29 "that it had an exclusive deal with ... This content is for subscribers of ... (Source: NationalJournal.com 2010-09-30T16:24:48Z)

Bullish Hertz Options Nearly Wiped Out by Nixed Deal

Oct. 1 (Bloomberg) -- Hertz Global Holdings Inc. options traders who snapped up bullish contracts as the company bid to buy its rival were nearly wiped out yesterday after Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group Inc. shareholders rejected the offer. Investors ... (Source: BusinessWeek 2010-10-01T14:57:42Z)

AIG to sell 2 Japanese life insurance units to Prudential Financial for about $4.2 billion

NEW YORK (AP) — AIG , which reportedly is close to a deal that would allow the U.S. government to exit its ownership interest, says it will sell its two Japanese life insurance units to Prudential Financial Inc. for about $4.2 billion in cash. The ... (Source: Los Angeles Times 2010-10-01T04:34:56Z)

Bin Laden evidence allowed at detainee's NYC trial

A New York City judge will allow jurors to see Osama bin Laden's directives that his followers kill Americans. Trial is supposed to start next week in Manhattan for the first Guantanamo Bay detainee to face a civilian court. Federal Judge Lewis Kaplan said ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-10-01T15:04:52Z)

AIG, U.S. Agree on an Exit Deal; Making It Work Will Be Tougher

The U.S. government will sell off its stake in American International Group Inc., under a plan that could end the controversial bailout sooner than many thought but that remains fraught with risk. Analysts cautioned that executing the plan, which will ... (Source: Wall Street Journal 2010-10-01T02:26:05Z)

Ahead of the Bell: Construction Spending

WASHINGTON— Construction spending likely dropped for a fourth straight month in August, reflecting significant weakness in homebuilding. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect construction activity dropped 0.4 percent in August. The Commerce ... (Source: Boston Globe 2010-10-01T12:34:32Z)

Manufacturing activity up for 14th straight month

NEW YORK—Manufacturing activity expanded in September for the 14th straight month, but at a slower rate than in the previous month, according to an industry trade group. The Institute for Supply Management said Friday that its manufacturing index read 54 ... (Source: San Jose Mercury News 2010-10-01T14:43:23Z)

Dollar Thrifty shareholders reject Hertz deal, means Avis offer still a possibility

CHICAGO (AP) — Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group shareholders have rejected a buyout offer from Hertz, giving an opening for rival bidder Avis Budget Group's offer for the car rental company. Hertz Global Holdings Inc. shares fell $1.12, or 9.7 percent, to ... (Source: Los Angeles Times 2010-09-30T19:38:04Z)

Portuguese PM: Confident 2011 Budget Will Be Approved

LISBON (Dow Jones)--The announcement of harsh new austerity measures by Portugal's government was intended to end all uncertainty the country will reach its budget deficit targets this year and next, Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Socrates said. "The ... (Source: Wall Street Journal 2010-09-30T23:05:39Z)

Groupon's next big challenge: Making babies

Just in case getting coupons for big discounts hasn't won you over to group buying site Groupon , chief executive Andrew Mason announced some extra incentive today — the company will send your kid to college. To make that happen, Groupon has launched ... (Source: Venturebeat.com 2010-09-29T17:51:53Z)

Construction spending rose in August

WASHINGTON — Construction spending rose in August as a big jump in government building projects offset further weakness in the private sector. The Commerce Department says construction spending edged up 0.4 percent in August following a 1.4 percent drop ... (Source: Oregonian 2010-10-01T15:33:30Z)

Fort Detrick to buy water from Md. county

FREDERICK, MD. — Army officials Fort Detrick in Frederick have struck a deal to obtain Potomac River water from Frederick County to ensure an adequate supply for the installation's expansion plans. The purchase agreement signed Tuesday supplements Fort ... (Source: Washington Examiner 2010-09-30T14:58:54Z)

Roads closed, flooding forecast in Md.

HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Officials in western Maryland are reporting road closures and preparing for flooding along some rivers and streams. Frederick County reports four roads fully or partially closed by high water as of 2 p.m. today. The National Weather ... (Source: Delaware Online 2010-09-30T20:49:39Z)

Bin Laden evidence allowed at detainee's NYC trial

Friday, Oct. 1, 2010 | 8:07 a.m. A New York City judge will allow jurors to see Osama bin Laden's directives that his followers kill Americans. Trial is supposed to start next week in Manhattan for the first Guantanamo Bay detainee to face a civilian court ... (Source: Las Vegas Sun 2010-10-01T15:19:11Z)

MARYLAND: Fort Detrick to buy water from Md. county

FREDERICK - Army officials Fort Detrick in Frederick have struck a deal to obtain Potomac River water from Frederick County to ensure an adequate supply for the installation's expansion plans. The purchase agreement signed Tuesday supplements Fort Detrick ... (Source: Carroll County Online 2010-09-30T14:51:44Z)

Construction spending expected to post fourth consecutive monthly decline

WASHINGTON (AP) — Construction spending likely dropped for a fourth straight month in August, reflecting significant weakness in homebuilding. Economists surveyed by Thomson Reuters expect construction activity dropped 0.4 percent in August. The Commerce ... (Source: WGNtv.com 2010-10-01T10:54:20Z)

UPDATE 1-Portugal edges closer to budget deal under EU pressure

LISBON, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Portugal's minority Socialist government edged closer to agreement with the opposition over the 2011 budget on Thursday after announcing new austerity measures, winning praise from the European Union. The measures, largely ... (Source: Reuters 2010-09-30T11:24:09Z)

Portuguese govt seeks support for austerity plan

Portugal's prime minister asked opposition parties to support his tough program of pay cuts and tax hikes Thursday, though there remained few signs of political unity to tackle the country's pressing financial problems. Prime Minister Jose Socrates ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-09-30T15:41:51Z)

Pawlenty signs deal with speakers bureau

Gov. Tim Pawlenty has signed on with a firm to arrange his speaking appearances next year after he leaves office. The company, Leading Authorities, announced today an exclusive deal to represent Pawlenty. The Republican governor is widely viewed as a ... (Source: Marketplace.publicradio.org 2010-09-29T16:40:18Z)

UPDATE 4-China's Sinopec buys Repsol Brazil stake for $7.1 bln

China's push into Latin America has focused on oil-producing Brazil, mineral-rich Peru and oil- and soy-producing Argentina. The latest deal calls for Sinopec to subscribe to a $7.1 billion capital hike in Repsol Brazil which will create one of the largest ... (Source: Reuters 2010-10-01T15:19:11Z)

Stocks edge higher to open quarter as manufacturing activity rises as slower pace in September

NEW YORK — Stocks are pulling back from their morning highs after a key reading on manufacturing showed the pace of expansion in the sector slowed last month. The Institute for Supply Management said its manufacturing index fell to 54.4 last month from ... (Source: Republic 2010-10-01T14:21:55Z)

Groupon adds 'college scholarship' to list of deals

If you're a person who tends to think ahead (waaaaaaay ahead, in fact), you might want in on the latest Groupon challenge. The Chicago-based online coupon site announced Wednesday The Grouspawn Award, a college scholarship to be awarded twice annually to ... (Source: Orlando Sentinel 2010-09-30T02:12:57Z)

Manufacturing activity rises for 14th straight month

NEW YORK — Manufacturing activity expanded in September for the 14th straight month, but at a slower rate than in the previous month, according to an industry trade group. The Institute for Supply Management said today that its manufacturing index read ... (Source: Oregonian 2010-10-01T15:33:30Z)

Repsol Sells Brazil Stake to Sinopec for $7.1 Billion

Repsol SA of Spain announced the sale of 40% of its Brazilian assets to China Petrochemical Corp. for $7.1 billion, in one of the largest Chinese oil acquisitions to date. The deal guarantees Repsol key funding to explore vast and coveted offshore oil ... (Source: Wall Street Journal 2010-10-01T14:00:26Z)

Repsol in $7.1 Billion Brazil Deal With Sinopec

Repsol , the Spanish oil company, said Friday that it had sold a 40 percent stake in its Brazilian unit to Sinopec for $7.1 billion as it prepares to develop offshore fields like those that led to the $70 billion Petrobras I.P.O. last week. The deal, which ... (Source: New York Times Blogs 2010-10-01T10:47:10Z)

Oh, baby: What a deal!

If you're a person who tends to think ahead (waaaaaaay ahead, in fact), you might want in on the latest Groupon challenge. The Chicago-based online coupon site Wednesday announced The Grouspawn Award, a college scholarship to be awarded twice annually to ... (Source: Chicago Tribune 2010-09-30T01:37:10Z)

Dollar Thrifty shareholders reject Hertz deal; Avis offer could still be in play

THE VOTE: Dollar Thrifty shareholders rejected a buyout offer from Hertz, with 11.8 million votes for the deal and 13.8 million against. THE OFFERS: Hertz was offering $43.60 in cash and 0.6366 shares of common stock of Hertz, for each share of Dollar ... (Source: Los Angeles Times 2010-09-30T20:42:29Z)

Speakers bureau handling Pawlenty

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has hooked up with a noted speakers bureau to arrange appearances after he leaves office in early 2011. The firm, Leading Authorities, announced Wednesday that it had an exclusive deal with Pawlenty. Terms weren't disclosed ... (Source: Pioneer Press 2010-09-30T04:43:17Z)

Judge: NY jury may see bin Laden evidence at Guantanamo detainee's trial

Jury selection has started in the case of an alleged Osama bin Laden aide charged in the 1998 bombings of 2 US embassies in Africa. The trial is a crucial test in the debate over whether terror suspects can be prosecuted like everyone else. (Sept. 29) FILE ... (Source: Republic 2010-10-01T14:50:33Z)

AIG reaches deal to repay government

New York -- AIG said today it reached a deal to repay the government billions of dollars in assistance it received during the credit crisis. The U.S. Treasury Department will swap debt it currently holds in AIG for common stock and then sell those shares ... (Source: Detroit News 2010-10-01T11:22:58Z)

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