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 / September 28, 2010, 9:42 pm

Wal-Mart offers $4bn for South Africa's retailer

Wal-Mart is in talks to buy South Africa's Massmart, a $4 billion deal that would give the U.S. retailer a big presence in fast-growing Africa and boost its emerging markets strategy. The world's largest retailer has been hit by weakness in the United ... (Source: NEXT 2010-09-28T15:37:03Z)

Colts president says 18-game schedule 'fait accompli'

INDIANAPOLIS -- Bill Polian says an 18-game NFL season is a done deal. During his weekly radio show Monday night, the Indianapolis Colts team president called it a "fait accompli" and said the debate is over. Polian is a member of the league's competition ... (Source: Sporting News 2010-09-28T01:46:42Z)

Sabres resume contract talk with rookie Kassian

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- The Sabres have resumed talks with rookie forward Zack Kassian, leading his agent to express hope that Buffalo's 2009 first-round draft pick could have a deal as soon as this week. Paul Krepelka told The Associated Press by phone ... (Source: CNN Sports Illustrated 2010-09-27T19:12:59Z)

Lea Michele Wants Justin Bieber on Glee

Glee star Lea Michele knows who she wants the show's next guest to be— Justin Bieber ! In a recent interview with E! Online , Michele talked about the possibility of the Biebs appearing. "I don't know about Justin Bieber coming on the show, but he ... (Source: Hollyscoop.com 2010-09-28T16:12:51Z)

NFL plan to expand schedule bad idea, MLB has better grip

The perpetual arm wrestle between traditionalists and visionists is taking center stage in the professional sports world again. Who would have guessed that Major League Baseball would have a firmer grip on updating its sport than the NFL? Baseball ... (Source: AZCentral.com 2010-09-29T04:23:00Z)

IBM Scooping Up Companies; Buys Switch Maker Blade Network

International Business Machines Corp. (IBM) is continuing its buying spree with its agreement to acquire Blade Network Technologies Inc., a maker of Ethernet switches. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. With $30 million in equity financing from Garnett ... (Source: Smart Money 2010-09-27T23:37:51Z)

Lea Michele: Justin Bieber would be 'awesome' on 'Glee'

The brunette beauty is excited about upcoming celebrity cameos in the U.S. musical drama series but would love producers to approach the teenage singing sensation about a role in the show. She told E! Online: "I don't know about Justin Bieber coming on the ... (Source: AZCentral.com 2010-09-28T15:58:32Z)

NATO official cautious about Afghan reconciliation

WASHINGTON— NATO's top civilian representative in Afghanistan said Tuesday that "significant leaders" of the insurgency seem interested in striking a political deal with the government. Britain's Mark Sedwill told reporters in Washington on Tuesday that ... (Source: Boston Globe 2010-09-29T00:12:27Z)

Fla. set to donate nearly 30,000 acres to feds

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The state is set to donate nearly 30,000 acres in South Florida to the federal government for the Big Cypress National Preserve. The deal is on the agenda Tuesday for approval by Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet. It also calls ... (Source: Herald Tribune 2010-09-28T15:37:03Z)

State to donate nearly 30,000 acres to feds

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — The state is set to donate nearly 30,000 acres in South Florida to the federal government for the Big Cypress National Preserve. The deal is on the agenda Tuesday for approval by Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet. It also ... (Source: St. Augustine Record 2010-09-28T12:30:56Z)

Southwest deal could mean more flights in Oklahoma

It means passengers should have more options for flights and connections, which could reduce delays and cancellations. "I think it will open up a lot of opportunities to Oklahoma City ," said Will Rogers spokeswoman Karen Carney . "We've talked to AirTran ... (Source: Daily Oklahoman 2010-09-29T03:11:25Z)

Lea Michele Wants Justin Bieber To Appear On 'Glee'

Lea Michele, the brunette beauty is excited about forthcoming celebrity cameos in the US musical drama series but would love producers to approach the teenage singing sensation about a role in the show. She told E! Online: "I don't know about Justin Bieber ... (Source: Post Chronicle 2010-09-28T15:08:25Z)

Agent: Veteran Carney to kick again for Saints

NEW ORLEANS -- Veteran kicker John Carney is returning to the New Orleans Saints . Carney's agent, Jack Mills, confirmed in an e-mail Tuesday to the Associated Press that his client would be signing with his former team. Terms of the contract weren't ... (Source: CBS Sports 2010-09-29T04:08:41Z)

Windy City Times Marks 25th Anniversary

Windy City Times , the LGBT newspaper for Chicago, will mark its 25th anniversary with a special issue Wednesday. According to the Associated Press, "The issue will feature front pages from the weekly paper's first year and columns from writers who ... (Source: Advocate 2010-09-28T15:22:44Z)

Chicago's Oldest Gay Newspaper Celebrates 25 Years

Chicago's oldest gay-oriented newspaper is celebrating its 25th anniversary. The Windy City Times will mark the occasion with an anniversary issue Wednesday. The issue will feature front pages from the weekly paper's first year and columns from writers who ... (Source: CBS 2 Chicago 2010-09-28T15:37:03Z)

Polian: NFL's 18-game season is ``fait accompli''

Bill Polian says the 18-game NFL season is a done deal. During Monday night's weekly radio show, the Indianapolis Colts team president called it a "fait accompli" and said the debate is over. Polian is a member of the league's competition committee and has ... (Source: Chicago Tribune 2010-09-28T00:27:57Z)

Southwest-AirTran deal will change travel for many

Southwest Airlines agreed to buy AirTran this week for $1.4 billion. When the combination is complete, fliers — especially those used to AirTran — will notice plenty of changes, from the way they book to the way they board. Here's a look at four ways ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-09-29T04:08:41Z)

Wal-Mart plans Africa expansion

Wal-Mart is in talks to buy South Africa's Massmart, a US$4 billion ($5.44 billion) deal that would give the US retailer a big presence in fast-growing Africa and boost its emerging markets strategy. The world's largest retailer has been hit by weakness in ... (Source: Stuff 2010-09-27T20:17:25Z)

Wal-Mart offers $4bn for Massmart

JOHANNESBURG/LONDON: Wal-Mart is in talks to buy South Africa's Massmart, a $4 billion deal that would give the US retailer a big presence in fast-growing Africa and boost its emerging markets strategy. The world's largest retailer has been hit by weakness ... (Source: Arab News 2010-09-27T21:29:00Z)

Our view on airline mergers: Southwest-AirTran deal reflects a healthy shakeout

Opinions expressed in USA TODAY's editorials are decided by its Editorial Board , a demographically and ideologically diverse group that is separate from USA TODAY's news staff. Most editorials are accompanied by an opposing view — a unique USA TODAY ... (Source: USA Today 2010-09-29T02:14:09Z)

Agent: Sabres resume talks with rookie Zack Kassian

B UFFALO, N.Y. — The Sabres have resumed talks with rookie forward Zack Kassian, leading his agent to express hope that Buffalo's 2009 first-round draft pick could have a deal as soon as this week. Paul Krepelka told The Associated Press by phone ... (Source: Boston Herald 2010-09-27T23:59:19Z)

Agent: Carney to sign one-year deal to again kick for Saints

Unhappy with Garrett Hartley 's recent performance, the New Orleans Saints have agreed to terms with 46-year-old kicker John Carney, his agent confirmed Tuesday. The agent, Jack Mills, said in an e-mail Tuesday to The Associated Press that his client would ... (Source: NFL 2010-09-29T00:12:27Z)

Sabres, first-rounder Kassian resume talks, agent says

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Buffalo Sabres rookie forward Zack Kassian's agent has told the Associated Press the team has resumed contract talks with their 2009 first-round pick. Paul Krepelka said by phone Monday that he's hopeful of a deal being reached as early as ... (Source: CBS Sports 2010-09-27T21:07:31Z)

News: Sharks, Glee, Kellan Lutz, Mark Zuckerberg

The Q! Film Festival, the only one of its kind in the Muslim world , hopes to pull in 15,000 participants. Did the BP oil spill displace whale sharks in the Gulf ? "The Gulf oil spill fouled a vital stretch of feeding habitat for whale sharks, possibly ... (Source: Towleroad 2010-09-24T23:55:43Z)

IBM buys Nortel spinoff for estimated $400 million

IBM is buying Blade Network Technologies, a California startup with Ottawa operations, to gain technology in the race to power data centre operations and advanced cloud computing networks. The deal, estimated to be worth about $400 million, will be good ... (Source: Calgary Herald 2010-09-28T02:43:58Z)

AP: Fla. set to donate nearly 30,000 acres to feds

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- The state is set to donate nearly 30,000 acres in South Florida to the federal government for the Big Cypress National Preserve. The deal is on the agenda Tuesday for approval by Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet. It also ... (Source: Associated Press 2010-09-28T11:26:31Z)

Taliban contacts still at embryonic stage: NATO envoy

Some senior Taliban leaders appear to be open to reconciliation with Afghan President Hamid Karzai's government, but contacts are in the embryonic stage and not likely to bear fruit soon, NATO's top civilian in Afghanistan said on Tuesday. Mark Sedwill ... (Source: msnbc.com 2010-09-29T01:52:40Z)

NATO official says 'significant leaders' of Afghan insurgency are 'weary of the fight'

WASHINGTON (AP) — NATO 's top civilian representative in Afghanistan said Tuesday that "significant leaders" of the insurgency seem interested in striking a political deal with the government. Britain's Mark Sedwill told reporters in Washington on ... (Source: Los Angeles Times 2010-09-29T02:35:37Z)

IBM to buy Blade to compete with Cisco, HP in data center switching market

IBM intends to acquire Blade Network Technologies, a privately held Santa Clara company whose technology routes data to and from servers in data centers. Financial terms of the deal announced Monday weren't disclosed, but IBM said it expects the ... (Source: San Jose Mercury News 2010-09-28T03:34:04Z)

Agent: PK John Carney will return to the Saints

NEW ORLEANS -- Veteran kicker John Carney is returning to the New Orleans Saints . Carney's agent, Jack Mills, confirmed in an e-mail Tuesday to The Associated Press that his client would be signing with his former team. Terms of the contract were not ... (Source: ESPN.com 2010-09-29T02:49:56Z)

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