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 / November 16, 2010, 5:41 am

AstraZeneca wrings out value with spin-off plan

LONDON, Nov 16 (Reuters) - AstraZeneca ( AZN.L ) is stepping up a drive to wring value out of the business with plans to sell its Astra Tech dental implants and medical devices unit for some $2 billion. Industry analysts said the move demonstrated ... (Source: Reuters 2010-11-16T13:13:03Z)

Retailers respond to leaks of Black Friday deals

- 2010blackfridayads.com:  Offers ad scans and features a countdown clock. Has contests, links to store hours and online specials and articles. - blackfriday.gottadeal.com: Posts text versions of ads, linked to scanned versions of ad items featured ... (Source: Florida Times-Union 2010-11-16T09:31:08Z)

Dynegy, Blackstone Defend Deal Against Activist Shareholders

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Dynegy Inc.'s (DYN) board of directors reaffirmed its support for the buyout offer from Blackstone Group L.P. (BX) Monday, saying that Carl Icahn's credit offer doesn't resolve the power company's liquidity issues. Blackstone also ... (Source: Wall Street Journal 2010-11-15T13:42:52Z)

BHP Withdraws $39 Billion Offer for Potash

Geoff Howe/Bloomberg News5:51 p.m. | Updated BHP Billiton on Sunday withdrew its $39 billion offer for Potash after the Canadian government refused to endorse the highly contentious takeover offer. BHP will instead reinstate a $13 billion share buyback ... (Source: Yahoo Finance 2010-11-15T00:06:49Z)

Microsoft Windows Phone 7 devices go on sale

Smart phones running Microsoft's new software are now available for AT&T Inc. and T-Mobile USA customers. They phones will compete with Apple Inc.'s iPhone and an expanding number of phones with Google Inc.'s Android system. The first batch of handsets are ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-11-08T23:38:09Z)

Mob in Athens abuses Muslims as they celebrate Eid

ATHENS (Reuters) - Dozens of far-right activists and local residents threw eggs and taunted hundreds of Muslim immigrants as they gathered to pray in a central square for Eid al-Adha surrounded by a protective cordon of riot police. Greece, which has ... (Source: Reuters 2010-11-16T12:37:15Z)

Greece: Muslims mark Eid with outdoor prayers

Thousands of Muslim immigrants attended outdoor prayer services across Athens Tuesday to mark the festival of Eid-al-Adha, while police clashed with a small group of protesters from an extreme right group at one of the sites. The services at eight public ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-11-16T10:57:02Z)

Sexual businesses still challenging Mo. law

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Attorneys for sexually oriented businesses are still pushing to block tougher regulations in Missouri, more than two months after they took effect. At a court hearing Monday in Cole County, they argued that lawmakers violated both ... (Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2010-11-16T00:41:26Z)

Officials: Gaza-bound ship in harbor off Greek coast

Athens, Greece (CNN) -- Greek commandos boarded a Gaza-bound aid ship -- whose mission went awry and turned into a hostage situation after a dispute with the ship's captain -- in a harbor off the country's coast Friday, an official with the activist ... (Source: CNN 2010-11-12T12:56:19Z)

Bucyrus sale unlikely to cost blue-collar jobs

The pending sale of Bucyrus International Inc. will likely result in the loss of some senior management jobs, but company officials say the blue-collar workforce will remain intact in the Milwaukee area. In a blockbuster deal, Caterpillar Inc. ( CAT ), the ... (Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel 2010-11-16T05:56:23Z)

Sale of AstraZeneca unit could raise $2bn

AstraZeneca is seeking a buyer for its Astra Tech business, which makes dental implants and other medical devices. The unit could fetch $2bn. JPMorgan has been appointed to help AstraZeneca manage the sales and has started contacting potential buyers. The ... (Source: Financial Times 2010-11-16T01:17:13Z)

Wal-Mart to open most stores at midnight on Black Friday, plans $298 laptop, $198 TV deal

NEW YORK - Wal-Mart plans to open most of its stores at midnight on Thanksgiving night, the company said Monday, becoming the latest in a series of retailers to expand hours to lure in shoppers who want to get a head-start on holiday bargain shopping. The ... (Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune 2010-11-15T14:47:17Z)

Industry Canada Min:Canadian Government Concerned BHP Bid Wouldn't Improve Marketing of ...

TORONTO -(Dow Jones)- Industry Canada had objected to BHP Billiton's Ltd. (BHP, BHP.AU) $38.6 billion bid for Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (POT, POT.T), concerned it wouldn't bring new mining techniques to the country or boost sales of the crop nutrient ... (Source: FOXBusiness 2010-11-15T00:49:46Z)

Best Buy 2010 Black Friday Sale Features Aggressive Package Pricing

Electronics giant Best Buy is looking to make their mark on this year's Black Friday sale with package deals on their items. From digital camera and HD camcorder packages, Best Buy is making their move against their bigger rivals. One of Best Buy's biggest ... (Source: Associated Content 2010-11-14T18:37:32Z)

Israeli government seen accepting new settlement freeze

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will probably win narrow approval from his coalition government for a U.S. proposal to extend a freeze on West Bank settlement building, Israeli political sources said Sunday. The Palestinians halted peace talks after ... (Source: msnbc.com 2010-11-16T12:22:56Z)

Will Israel Accept America's Offer?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to convince his right-wing coalition to support a 90-day settlement construction freeze in exchange for security incentives. The Israeli security cabinet would have to give final approval. A vote could ... (Source: FOXNews (blog) 2010-11-16T07:22:17Z)

Bucyrus CEO on Caterpillar Takeover: "A Great Day"

A Milwaukee-area company is being purchased by the world's largest maker of construction and mining equipment. Caterpillar explained it would put its mining business headquarters in South Milwaukee. SOUTH MILWAUKEE - "It's a great day for both Caterpillar ... (Source: msnbc.com 2010-11-16T11:39:59Z)

Walmart expands Black Friday hours, deals

NEW YORK - Walmart plans to open most of its stores at midnight the day after Thanksgiving, the company said Monday, becoming the latest in a series of retailers to expand hours to lure in shoppers who want to get a head-start on holiday bargain shopping ... (Source: AZCentral.com 2010-11-15T20:23:44Z)

Windows Phone 7 goes on sale in the U.S.

The moment of truth is here for the Windows Phone 7 , which finally goes on sale in the U.S. on Monday. With the new OS, Microsoft is hoping to shrug off its dowdy image and finally emerge as a viable late-bloomer in the booming -- and tightly packed ... (Source: Los Angeles Times 2010-11-08T19:13:17Z)

Mo. judge dismisses solar power rebate lawsuit

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- A Missouri judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed over a renewable energy law that would require utilities to offer rebates to customers who install solar power systems. Voters approved the renewable energy law in 2008, which included a ... (Source: Forbes 2010-11-15T22:11:06Z)

Caterpillar agrees to buy Bucyrus

Caterpillar, the world's largest construction and mining equipment maker, moved aggressively to capitalize on demand in emerging markets Monday with a $7.6 billion buyout of Bucyrus International. Bucyrus makes surface mining equipment used for coal ... (Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch 2010-11-16T04:59:07Z)

Marcy's joins early Black Friday lineup

Macy's stores nationwide will open at 4 a.m. on Black Friday -- the day after Thanksgiving when shoppers clamor for discounts -- as other area retailers announce their own early hours and specials. The Macy's opening is one hour earlier than last year, but ... (Source: Chicago Sun-Times 2010-11-15T19:40:47Z)

Poetic justice for BHP

Jac Nasser and Marius Kloppers were quite vague at today's BHP Billiton annual meeting about their reasons for abandoning the $US39 billion bid for Potash Corp. Meanwhile, in Canada, BHP's spokespeople were far more expansive. Kloppers told the meeting ... (Source: Business Spectator 2010-11-16T05:42:04Z)

AstraZeneca Said to Seek $2 Billion Sale of Astra Tech Business

Nov. 16 (Bloomberg) -- AstraZeneca Plc is seeking to sell Astra Tech, a Swedish unit that makes dental implants and medical devices, for about $2 billion, according to three people with knowledge of the matter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. is helping find a buyer ... (Source: BusinessWeek 2010-11-15T23:58:29Z)

Blackstone Confirms $4.50-a-Share Dynegy Offer Price

(Updates with Icahn filing in fifth paragraph and JPMorgan note in 10th.) Nov. 15 (Bloomberg) -- Blackstone Group LP said it isn't raising its $540 million, or $4.50-a-share, agreement to buy Dynegy Inc. in response to opposition from the company's two ... (Source: BusinessWeek 2010-11-15T21:06:41Z)

Israel Weighs U.S.-Backed Settlement Freeze

The Israeli Cabinet is considering a U.S. offer of incentives aimed at reviving Mideast peace talks. The Obama administration has offered military hardware and political backing in exchange for a new 90-day moratorium on Israeli settlement building in the ... (Source: NPR News 2010-11-16T05:42:04Z)

Missouri trial judge dismisses lawsuit over utility rebates for solar power systems

JEFFERSON CITY, MO. — A Missouri judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed over a renewable energy law that would require utilities to offer rebates to customers who install solar power systems. Voters approved the renewable energy law in 2008, which included ... (Source: Washington Examiner 2010-11-15T21:42:28Z)

Icahn Grabs More Dynegy To Fight Off Blackstone's Embrace

Carl Icahn has offered $2 billion in credit to Dynegy , rather than see it acquired by The Blackstone Group . Icahn, as well as Dynegy shareholder Seneca Capital, oppose the takeover, saying Blackstone's $543 million offer is too low. (Source: Forbes 2010-11-12T21:24:33Z)

Which grills fastest: iPhone 4, HTC 7 Surround, or T-Mobile G2?

In what is very reminiscent of  Will It Blend? , where various items are tested to see if they will blend (and they generally do), we have a YouTube test to see which smartphone platform will grill better. Tested are Windows Phone, iOS, and Android. For ... (Source: Examiner 2010-11-14T23:52:30Z)

Wal-Mart expands Black Friday hours, unveils deals

Wal-Mart plans to open most of its stores at midnight the day after Thanksgiving, the company said Monday, becoming the latest in a series of retailers to expand hours to lure in shoppers who want to get a head-start on holiday bargain shopping. The world ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-11-15T14:54:27Z)

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