F.C.C. Approves Deal Giving Murdoch Control Of DirecTV
Date: 20 December 2003
By David D. Kirkpatrick
David
Federal Communications Commission conditionally approves News Corp's acquisition of control of Hughes Electronics and its DirecTV subsidiary from General Motors; imposes number of restrictions aimed at preventing Rupert Murdoch's News Corp from using DirecTV acquisition to drive up programming fees it charges to cable and satellite operators; among most controversial is requirement that News Corp accept arbitration of any disputes with cable operators over fees for its local Fox stations or Fox regional sports network (M)
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FOLLOWING UP
Date: 21 December 2003
By Joseph P. Fried
Joseph Fried
Alan Abel, who has long record of hoaxes that have fooled public and news organizations, promises more to come; Kenneth Girven, police captain shot in Harlem in August, is still not back at work; authorities say he may have prevented bloodbath because two men he stopped were on their way to rob gambling spot; photo (M)
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No Influence On Contracts, Rowland Says
Date: 20 December 2003
By Marc Santora
Marc Santora
Connecticut Governor John G Rowland holds news conference to say that he will not resign, elaborating on his denial of awarding state work jobs to contractors who did work on his private Litchfield (Conn) cottage; contends he does not have power to influence doling out of government contracts (M)
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STRONG SUPPORT IS FOUND FOR BAN ON GAY MARRIAGE
Date: 21 December 2003
By Katharine Q. Seelye and Janet Elder
Katharine Seelye
Amendment to United States Constitution to ban gay marriage has widespread support in latest New York Times/CBS News poll; poll finds 55 percent of Americans nationwide favor amendment, while 40 percent oppose it; finds support extends across wide swath of public, including majority of people traditionally viewed as supportive of gay rights, including Democrats, women and people living on East Coast; finds attitudes on subject linked to how people view marriage itself; 71 percent of people who view marriage as largely religious matter oppose gay marriage, while 55 percent of those who see marriage as largely legal matter support gay marriage; findings come after last month's 4-to-3 ruling by highest court in Massachusetts that same-sex marriage is permissable under state's Constitution; Pres Bush, who had been noncommittal about subject after that ruling, worrying that support for ban on gay marriage would alienate moderate voters, now says he would support constitutional amendment banning gay marriage; most Democratic candidates oppose gay marriage but favor civil unions; chart (M)
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RULING IS A SETBACK FOR U.P.S. AND FEDEX
Date: 20 December 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Burton Kolko, Transportation Department administrative law judge, rules that Astar Air Cargo, formerly DHL Airways, is not illegally controlled by overseas interests; FedEx and UPS brought suit challenging ownership of DHL Airways, arguing that it was illegally controlled by DHL Worldwide, which is owned by Germany's Deutsche Post; US Transportation Dept will make final ruling on case (S)
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COMCAST AND VIACOM IN AGREEMENT ON CABLE SYSTEMS
Date: 20 December 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Comcast Corp signs multiyear deal to continue carrying Viacom's television networks on its cable systems; financial terms undisclosed (S)
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UNION BANKSHARES TO ACQUIRE GUARANTY FINANCIAL
Date: 20 December 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Union Bankshares Corp will acquire Guaranty Financial Corp for $54 million in stock and cash (S)
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TJX WINS BIDDING FOR BOB'S, A RETAILER IN BANKRUPTCY
Date: 20 December 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
TJX Cos wins bid to acquire bankrupt retailer Bob's Stores for $113 milion (S)
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ATLANTIC COAST SHARES FALL AFTER BID IS BLOCKED
Date: 20 December 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Atlantic Coast Airlines's shares drop 15 percent after Federal Judge Rosemary Collyer termporarily blocks Mesa Air Group's bid to replace board and Justice Department opens probe into possible antitrust violations in proposed takeover (S)
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PFIZER ADDS RULES AIMED AT STOPPING COUNTERFEIT DRUGS
Date: 20 December 2003
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Pfizer is requiring US distributors to buy directly from company or from certain wholesalers to stop flow of counterfeit drugs; effort coincides with Pfizer's fight to halt Canadian pharmaceutical sales to consumers in US (S)
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