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 19, 2010, 12:41 am

A new green battery team

TOKYO — Japanese electronics company Hitachi is tying up with a U.S. battery-maker in developing and making batteries for green vehicles, both sides said early today. The deal, signed last month with Johnson Controls Inc., based in Milwaukee, Wis ... (Source: Medford Mail Tribune 2010-10-18T09:01:06Z)

Nexans offers to buy Draka for $1 bn

French group Nexans SA, the world's largest cablemaker, offered to buy Dutch rival Draka Holding NV in a 731 million euros (USD 1 billion) deal to increase its market share and realise cost synergies. Nexans said it agreed to buy a 48.5% stake in Draka ... (Source: MoneyControl.com 2010-10-18T18:05:08Z)

Released American visits Iran blast victims

An Iranian-American businessman freed after more than two years in an Iranian prison met on Monday with survivors of a deadly 2008 mosque bombing, fulfilling a condition of his release in a scripted event that could carry propaganda value at home. The 71 ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-10-18T18:19:27Z)

U.S. reportedly asks China to stop deals with Iran

WASHINGTON — The United States has asked Beijing to do more to stop Chinese companies from providing assistance and expertise to Iran's efforts to develop nuclear weapons and more powerful missiles, The Washington Post reported Sunday. The report said ... (Source: Seattle Times 2010-10-18T05:33:31Z)

EU Tightens Finance Rules

LUXEMBOURG—European Union governments reached a deal Monday to tighten rules governing the bloc's public finances, handing more power to the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, to act against countries that violate debt and deficit limits. EU ... (Source: Wall Street Journal 2010-10-18T21:39:53Z)

Rio Tinto BHP scrap $120B deal as regulators balk

BHP Billiton Ltd. and Rio Tinto Group abandoned a plan to create the world's largest iron-ore exporter after regulators from Europe to Asia were concerned it would limit competition. The changes, including asset sales, demanded by regulators were ... (Source: Salt Lake Tribune 2010-10-18T21:25:34Z)

US Says Chinese Firms Ignoring Iran Sanctions

WASHINGTON – The United States believes some Chinese firms are helping Iran improve its missile technology and develop nuclear weapons and has asked Beijing to prevent such activity, The Washington Post reported. Citing an unnamed senior US official, the ... (Source: NewsMax.com 2010-10-18T11:38:35Z)

Bankers Take Blows from Evaporated Rio Tinto-BHP Deal

How dare Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton drop plans for their $116 billion iron-ore joint venture, which the companies did over the weekend under opposition from regulators and rivals? Won't someone please think of the bankers? The scrapped deal dents the ... (Source: Wall Street Journal 2010-10-18T21:32:44Z)

Israel resumes negotiations for soldier's release

Israel is back in contact with a mediator who is trying to broker a deal for the release of captured soldier Gilad Shalit, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday. "There was a renewal of contact with the German mediator," Netanyahu said in a radio ... (Source: CNN (blog) 2010-10-17T14:02:56Z)

Nexans Plans $1 Billion Takeover Offer for Draka

(Adds valuation and analyst comment from first paragraph.) Oct. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Nexans SA, the world's biggest maker of cables, is planning a takeover bid for Draka Holding NV that values its Dutch rival at 731 million euros ($1 billion). Negotiations ... (Source: BusinessWeek 2010-10-18T11:38:35Z)

'Chinese firms helping Iran develop nuclear weapons'

US gives Beijing list of companies violating UN sanctions; asks China to crack down on transferring restricted technology to Iran. WASHINGTON — The United States has asked Beijing to do more to stop Chinese companies from providing assistance and ... (Source: Jerusalem Post 2010-10-18T20:49:47Z)

U.S. Hikers Spend 444th Day in Prison in Iran

Fattal's brother Alex said it's a milestone the hikers and their families never expected to reach. But it's now clear they will add to it. Iranian officials tell ABC News they will face trial for spying. "It's just another heartbreaking day," Alex Fattal ... (Source: ABC News 2010-10-18T21:32:44Z)

BlueBay shares jump on £963m RBC deal

Royal Bank of Canada has struck a £963m ($1.5bn) deal to buy BlueBay Asset Management , one of the UK's most successful bond traders, as part of an ongoing expansion at the expense of rivals worse hit by the banking crisis. London-listed BlueBay's ... (Source: Financial Times 2010-10-18T18:26:37Z)

Talks on Shalit Swap Deal Resume

JERUSALEM—Israel's prime minister on Sunday confirmed that negotiations with the Palestinians about a much-anticipated swap for a captured Israeli soldier have resumed. Benjamin Netanyahu said the German mediator brokering the release of Sgt. Gilad ... (Source: Wall Street Journal 2010-10-17T10:42:31Z)

Will BlueBay Start A Financial Feeding Frenzy?

The financial firm could be just the first to be snapped up. BlueBay shareholders will be pleased with the 485p per share cash deal, which values their company just shy of £1 billion -- a 30% premium to Friday's close. They're also due a 7.5p dividend ... (Source: Motley Fool UK 2010-10-18T12:57:20Z)

china is always out of step.

WASHINGTON: The US has concluded that Chinese companies are helping Iran to improve its missile technology and develop nuclear weapons, and has asked China to stop such activity, a senior US official said. On a visit to Beijing last month a delegation led ... (Source: Salon 2010-10-19T03:30:38Z)

American visits Iran blast site under freedom deal

An Iranian-American businessman freed after more than two years in Tehran's main prison visited survivors of a deadly 2008 mosque bombing as a condition of his release in a scripted event that could carry propaganda value at home. Iranian authorities did ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-10-18T06:02:09Z)

Northeast Utilities and Nstar to create New England's biggest utility with $4.17 billion deal

NEW YORK (AP) — Northeast Utilities will buy Nstar for $4.17 billion, forming the biggest New England utility company with 3.5 million electric and gas customers in three states. The companies and industry analysts expect some of the savings from the ... (Source: Chicago Tribune 2010-10-18T19:31:02Z)

BlueBay Asset Management To Be Acquired By RBC For GBP 963 Mln - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - BlueBay Asset Management Plc (BBAY.L: News ) Monday announced that it reached an acquisition deal with Royal Bank of Canada or RBC (RY: News ,RY.TO: News ). Under the deal, RBC will acquire the entire issued share capital of BlueBay for ... (Source: RTT News 2010-10-18T06:37:56Z)

EU Governments Reach Deal On Sanctions, Possible Treaty Changes

LUXEMBOURG (Dow Jones)--European Union governments reached a deal Monday to tighten rules governing the bloc's public finances, handing more power to the European Commission, the EU's executive arm, to act against countries that violate them. EU finance ... (Source: Wall Street Journal 2010-10-18T20:06:50Z)

Netanyahu Claims Talks Resume On Israeli Soldier's Release

Tel Aviv, Israel (AHN) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claims his government has renewed contacts with a German mediator to start a fresh round of talks for the release of captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit from Hamas, a rumor the ... (Source: All Headline News 2010-10-18T16:53:33Z)

Hitachi, Johnson Controls partner in lithium-ion auto batteries

TOKYO - Japanese electronics company Hitachi is tying up with a U.S. battery-maker in developing and making batteries for green vehicles, both sides said Monday. The deal, signed last month with Johnson Controls Inc., based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, centers ... (Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune 2010-10-18T11:17:07Z)

Hitachi, Johnson Controls tie up in auto batteries

TOKYO— Japanese electronics company Hitachi is tying up with a U.S. battery-maker in developing and making batteries for green vehicles, both sides said Monday. The deal, signed last month with Johnson Controls Inc., based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin ... (Source: Boston Globe 2010-10-18T05:33:31Z)

Report: US asks China to stop deals with Iran

The United States has asked Beijing to do more to stop Chinese companies from providing assistance and expertise to Iran's efforts to develop nuclear weapons and more powerful missiles, The Washington Post reported Sunday. According to the newspaper, the ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-10-18T03:17:31Z)

Nexans Makes Unsolicited Offer To Acquire Draka NV For $1.03 Billion: WSJ

10/18/2010-French cable maker Nexans announced Monday it would offer 735 million euros (USD $1.03 billion) to acquire Dutch rival Draka Holding NV after it solidified support from the firm's largest shareholder. On the other hand, Draka fired back saying ... (Source: Comtex Smartrend 2010-10-18T18:40:56Z)

Northeast in $4.3 Billion Stock Deal for NStar

In planning a $4.3 billion merger, New England power companies Northeast Utilities and NStar have sought to learn from past utility deals that have failed. The deal, announced on Monday, is being promoted as a "merger of equals" as part of an effort to ... (Source: New York Times Blogs 2010-10-18T23:05:47Z)

EU signs off on tougher budget rules

Ending months of intense debate, EU governments on Monday agreed on tougher budget rules for euro-zone nations that can trigger fines for countries racking up big deficits and debts like the ones that have eroded confidence in the euro. The complex deal ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-10-18T23:20:06Z)

U.S.: Chinese helping Iran

The Obama administration has concluded that Chinese firms are helping Iran to improve its missile technology and develop nuclear weapons, and has asked China to stop such activity, a senior U.S. official said. During a visit to Beijing last month, a ... (Source: Lexington Herald-Leader 2010-10-18T10:41:19Z)

Northeast Utilities to buy Nstar in $4.17 bln deal as it ramps up projects tied to renewables

Northeast Utilities will buy Nstar for $4.17 billion, forming one of the nation's biggest utility companies with 3.5 million electric and gas customers in three New England states. The acquisition should help Northeast pay for large transmission projects ... (Source: Los Angeles Times 2010-10-18T14:37:33Z)

BHP Faces Pressure to Win Potash After Rio Plan Fails

(Updates with closes shares in fifth paragraph.) Oct. 19 (Bloomberg) -- BHP Billiton Ltd. Chief Executive Officer Marius Kloppers faces greater pressure to win a hostile $40 billion bid for Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. after scrapping his second deal ... (Source: BusinessWeek 2010-10-19T06:08:07Z)

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