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 4, 2010, 11:45 pm

Sanofi's Genzyme Bid Turns Hostile

French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi-Aventis S.A. launched an $18.5 billion hostile takeover bid for Genzyme Corp., hoping to pressure the U.S. biotech firm to strike a deal after four months of fruitless efforts to bring it to the negotiating table. Sanofi ... (Source: Wall Street Journal 2010-10-05T00:05:20Z)

Justice Department sues Visa, Mastercard

The U.S Attorney General is accusing them of holding consumers hostage. That is why the Justice Department sued Visa, Mastercard and American Express. It says the companies are eliminating competition by not allowing merchants to offer discounts on other ... (Source: msnbc.com 2010-10-05T02:14:11Z)

Mexico's Televisa, Nextel get wireless license-govt

MEXICO CITY Oct 2 (Reuters) - Mexico's government has issued a license to Nextel Mexico and partner broadcaster Televisa that will allow them to deploy a wireless phone network in the country, officials said on Saturday. Officials issued the license on ... (Source: Reuters 2010-10-02T19:07:04Z)

U.S. sues American Express, reaches proposed deal with Visa, Mastercard

WASHINGTON -- The Justice Department on Monday sued the three largest U.S. credit card companies for anticompetitive practices and reached a proposed settlement with two of them, MasterCard and Visa. "We want to put more money in consumers' pockets, and by ... (Source: San Jose Mercury News 2010-10-04T18:43:13Z)

UPDATE: Police Find Good Samaritans in State College Assault Case

UPDATE @ 2:20 p.m. Monday: Borough police have identified the good Samaritans who helped an assault victim early Saturday morning, according to a Monday-afternoon announcement. "We are still attempting to identify involved parties or witnesses to the ... (Source: State College 2010-10-04T18:21:44Z)

Cuban human rights leader details govt offer of freedom for more prisoners

HAVANA — A Cuban human rights leader on Monday revealed the names of nine inmates apparently offered early release by the government in exchange for accepting exile, including some convicted of violent crimes such as hijacking, assault and piracy. During ... (Source: Washington Examiner 2010-10-04T15:37:06Z)

Genzyme fight escalates

T he fate of Sanofi-Aventis' proposed hostile takeover of Genzyme Corp. may well rest on the estimated value of Genzyme's potential blockbuster treatment for multiple sclerosis and other pipeline drugs. Sanofi - the giant French pharmaceutical company ... (Source: Boston Herald 2010-10-05T05:41:47Z)

UPDATE 1-Obama says US fiscal situation "untenable"

WASHINGTON Oct 4 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama on Monday said the United States was facing an "untenable fiscal situation" and would have to get serious about tackling its federal deficit. The U.S. budget deficit is forecast at a record $1.47 trillion ... (Source: Reuters 2010-10-04T18:36:03Z)

Police Looking For Good Samaritan After Attack

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Police in Centre County are looking for the good Samaritan who assisted a Penn State student with severe injuries early Saturday morning. State College Police said an 18-year-old was treated at Mount Nittany Medical Center with severe ... (Source: WJAC TV 2010-10-03T16:21:14Z)

Scobee hits long kick, downs Colts

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Josh Scobee watched the kick clear the crossbar, then ripped off his helmet and started running the other way. He cut left, then right, dodging teammates all over the field. They finally caught up with him near the sideline, setting ... (Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2010-10-05T04:44:31Z)

Hopefuls toss barbs at Georgia governor debate

ATLANTA --- Georgia's candidates for governor battled hard Sunday in a student-sponsored debate that touched on education, jobs and transportation. In their first televised debate, Republican Nathan Deal, Democrat Roy Barnes and Libertarian John Monds ... (Source: Augusta Chronicle 2010-10-05T06:31:53Z)

Obama's ex-chief of staff Rahm Emanuel to get reacquainted with Chicago ahead of mayoral run

CHICAGO - Former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel says he'll hit Chicago's grocery stores, train stops, "bowling alleys and hot dog stands" as he prepares to run for mayor of the nation's third-largest city. Emanuel announced Sunday in a video ... (Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune 2010-10-04T07:30:20Z)

Inconsistent start to season new ground for 2-2 Colts

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts would like to forget about all those missed opportunities in Jacksonville. Their 2-2 record will be a constant reminder. What the Colts will see on Sunday's game tape are two red-zone turnovers, a dropped interception ... (Source: NFL 2010-10-04T22:25:07Z)

Obama Says US Fiscal Situation 'Untenable'

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama Monday said the United States was facing an "untenable fiscal situation" and would have to get serious about tackling its federal deficit. The U.S. budget deficit is forecast at a record $1.47 trillion in the fiscal ... (Source: NewsMax.com 2010-10-05T00:12:30Z)

Sanofi Bid for Genzyme Turns Hostile, and No Sweeter

Sanofi-Aventis of France took its $18.5 billion takeover bid for Genzyme hostile on Monday, going directly to Genzyme's shareholders in an effort to advance deal negotiations. Sanofi declined to raise the price it had floated for months, keeping its ... (Source: New York Times 2010-10-04T23:22:23Z)

Televisa says discussions ongoing over Nextel deal

MEXICO CITY Oct 4 (Reuters) - Mexico's top broadcaster, Televisa ( TV.N ) ( TLVACPO.MX ), is in discussions with NII Holdings ( NIHD.O ) over their planned Mexican venture, Televisa said on Monday. "Discussions are ongoing between Grupo Televisa and NII ... (Source: Reuters India 2010-10-04T12:45:18Z)

Emanuel hits Chicago streets, makes case for mayor

Last week, Afghanistan. This week, parents protesting the proposed demolition of a park field house. Former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel hit the campaign trail on Monday and got a sudden taste of the vastly different agenda he'd face as Chicago ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-10-05T05:20:18Z)

Business Critics Take Obama 'Off Script' at White House Meeting

Oct. 5 (Bloomberg) -- Corporate grievances against President Barack Obama intruded into a public meeting of the president and his outside economic advisory board as three members challenged him on regulation and tax policy. While the topic of yesterday's ... (Source: BusinessWeek 2010-10-05T04:15:53Z)

Exile deal on offer to criminals

Cuba's government has asked prisoners jailed for crimes against the state if they would be willing to accept freedom in return for quitting the island and going into exile. Around a dozen have been made the offer, the head of the Cuban Commission on Human ... (Source: Morning Star 2010-10-04T17:31:38Z)

Rights leader: More Cuban prisoners to go free

A Cuban human rights leader on Monday revealed the names of nine inmates apparently offered early release by the government in exchange for accepting exile, including some convicted of violent crimes such as hijacking, assault and piracy. During formal ... (Source: AP - msnbc.com 2010-10-04T15:22:47Z)

MLB playoffs set: Atlanta Braves' Bobby Cox not finished

Bobby Cox will get one more try in October. No tiebreaker needed. What could've turned into a real tangle of a playoff picture became clear Sunday: Cox and his wild-card Atlanta Braves will face the San Francisco Giants, while the San Diego Padres are ... (Source: AZCentral.com 2010-10-04T17:17:19Z)

Attack ads don't appear to be cutting Republican Deal's lead in Georgia

ATLANTA - Is there anything that could dissuade voters determined to elect Republican Nathan Deal the next governor of Georgia? That must be going through the minds of Democrats across the state and even in the war rooms of the Democratic Governors ... (Source: Florida Times-Union 2010-10-04T04:45:42Z)

Baseball Playoffs: Giants, Braves In; Padres Out

Bobby Cox will get one more try in October. No tiebreaker needed. What could've turned into a real tangle of a playoff picture became clear Sunday: Cox and his wild-card Atlanta Braves will face the San Francisco Giants, while the San Diego Padres are ... (Source: NPR News 2010-10-04T15:15:37Z)

Deal disagrees with Georgia toll decision

GOP gubernatorial hopeful Nathan Deal said he disagrees with last week's decision to extend tolls on Ga. Highway 400 for another decade. "Ga. 400 commuters are also taxpayers like all other drivers in our state, and I don't think it's fair to continue ... (Source: Examiner 2010-09-28T01:03:45Z)

Jaguars get a kick out of upsetting Colts

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Josh Scobee watched the kick clear the crossbar, then ripped off his helmet and started running the other way. He cut left, then right, dodging teammates all over the field. They finally caught up with him near the sideline, setting ... (Source: Lafayette Journal and Courier 2010-10-05T06:10:25Z)

Emanuel says he's preparing run for Chicago mayor

CHICAGO (AP) — Former White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel announced Sunday that he's preparing to run for mayor of Chicago, a position widely known as being one he has long desired. Emanuel made the announcement in a video posted Sunday on his ... (Source: Norristown Times Herald 2010-10-05T06:17:34Z)

Good Samaritan Takes PSU Assault Victim to Hospital

STATE COLLEGE, CENTRE COUNTY -- State College Police want to know who helped a Penn State student get to the hospital early Saturday morning after he was assaulted. Police say the victim had severe cuts on both of his arms. A good Samaritan found the 18 ... (Source: WTAJ 2010-10-04T03:55:35Z)

Justice Dept. sues Amex, reaches deal with Visa and Mastercard over credit card 'swipe fees'

The Justice Department announced Tuesday that it had filed an antitrust suit against American Express for preventing retailers from offering customers discounts for using rival credit cards with lower processing fees. Federal officials added that they had ... (Source: Washington Post 2010-10-05T02:49:59Z)

UPDATE 3-Televisa says discussions ongoing over Nextel deal

MEXICO CITY, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Broadcaster Televisa said it was in discussions with NII Holdings on a wireless venture on Monday, days after the Mexican government gave the two firms a license to use spectrum for a new network. "Discussions are ongoing ... (Source: Reuters 2010-10-04T21:42:10Z)

Cam Inman: It's an edgy playoff series, but nod goes to the San Francisco Giants over the ...

Leave it to a professional funny man to step up and put things in perspective, as San Francisco native Rob Schneider did amid the Giants' playoff-clinching hoopla Sunday. "I don't know how excited you can say, 'We beat the Padres, we beat the Padres ... (Source: Inside Bay Area 2010-10-05T06:24:44Z)

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