Vivendi to Buy Seagram for 34 Billion and Merge Media
Vivendi, a Paris based utilities and media group, will acquire Canadian Seagram Co. for 34 billion dollars. The merger creates Vivendi Universal combining Seagram film and music with Vivendi cable TV satellite and Internet distribution. The new company aims to rival AOL Time Warner, with annual revenues over 55 billion and no debt.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Paris
Vivendi
Seagram Co
Seagram
Vivendi Universal
Canal Plus
AOL Time Warner
America Online
Time Warner
Pfizer Warner-Lambert merger approved by FTC
The FTC approved a 90 billion merger between Pfizer Inc and Warner-Lambert Co creating a global leader in medicines and consumer health products. The deal combines brands like Halls Benadryl Sudafed Listerine Schick Visine Ben Gay Lubriderm Zantac and Cortizone with top prescription drugs Viagra Lipitor. Pfizer chair William C. Steerer called it defining moment for the company.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Pfizer Inc
Warner-Lambert Co
Federal Trade Commission
Benadryl
Schick
Lubriderm
Zantac
Taiwan leader urges China for historic summit talks
President Chen Shui-bian, in his first news conference since inauguration, appeals for a first ever Taiwan China summit to resolve five decades of dispute. He cites international trends and references the Kim Dae-jung and Kim Jong Il meeting as inspiration for reconciliation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Taipei
Taiwan
China
Chen Shui-bian
Kim Dae-jung
Kim Jong I
Pyongyang
Chen
Brockovich extortion case delayed over venue fight
In Ventura California three men accused of trying to extort 310000 from Erin Brockovich and Ed Masry had an arraignment postponed as lawyers clash over trial venue. The defense seeks to move the case citing local hero status for Brockovich. A hearing is set for July 14.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Winslow
Ariz
Erin Brockovich
Government in spotlight again at Davidian trial
The wrongful death lawsuit over the 1993 Waco siege seeks to use a 1988 FBI memo citing concerns over force and potential liability. Plaintiffs claim excessive force during the ATF raid and the use of tanks, while government lawyers invoke the discretionary function privilege to shield liability. The case consolidates nine civil suits seeking $675 million, with a trial expected to last about a month in US District Court.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Waco
Texas
Branch Davidians
FBI
Peter Smerick
Jeffery Jamar
Jamar
Branch Davidian
Jim Brannon
Walter Smith
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
Janet Reno
David Koresh
ATF
Michael Caddell
State budget panel breaches open meetings rule evidence
The Columbia conference committee members met briefly behind closed doors in a Grossette building conference room, forming a quorum and prompting criticism from the South Carolina Press Association. Separately, Charleston County and Rock Hill districts report teacher shortages hinder summer school with at least five math teachers needed and no shows despite $23 hourly pay.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Columbia
State Budget Conference Committee
South Carolina
John Land
D-Mann
Rick Quinn
R-Columbi
Mark Kelley
Myrtle Beach
Clearwater
Tom Moore
Grossette
Bill Rogers
The
South Carolina Press Association
Rogers
Charleston
Mitted
Teach
Marlene Seaborn
Rock Hill
Gas price surge sparks blame game and probing calls
WASHINGTON talks of price gouging and broader probes rise as gasoline costs jump up to 50 cents a gallon in parts of the Midwest. Officials cite oil price swings, supply constraints, and regulatory factors while campaigns duel over responsibility in an election year.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Washington
Midwest
Clinton
Tration
Federal Trade Commission
al Gore
George W. Bush
GOP
Gore
Clinton-Gore
Bush
Scott McClellan
Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
Legislative stalemate delays South Carolina budget talks
Lawmakers return to finish a $6 billion budget as LIFE Scholarship funding remains blocked by Senate House disputes. Negotiators report slow progress on the budget conference, with drunken driving law changes also deferred to next week. Senate and House Republicans clash over LIFE Scholarships while tax and securitization provisions edge forward.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Columbia
Senate
Bobby Harrell
Charleston Republi
House
Ways and Means
Harrell
Tom Moore
D-Clearwater
Moore
Also Mentioned on This Page
Global Media
FTC
Winslow High School
Winslow, Ariz
Entertainment
Charles
Wilberforce, Ohio
Wilberforce University
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson Foundation For
Hearing Disorders
Jagger
New York
Mick Jagger
David Kirshblum
England
John Ve
Ekovich
U.S
Michael Bradford
Charleston County
Associated Press
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