World-Business/Business-Finance news

Thermotechnology division plans to acquire all the shares in Köhler & Ziegler Anlagetechnik GmbH, a German manufacturer of combined heat and power plants. Agreements to this effect were signed on December 18, 2009.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. today announced it is seeking to merge with Samsung Digital Imaging Co., Ltd. as part of a move to become a global leader in the digital camera business. The merger, expected to be signed on Jan. 22, 2010, will go into effect from April 1, 2010, once the transaction is approved at the shareholders meeting, according to a resolution made after a board of directors meeting on Dec. 15.

The sale of certain Enterprise Solutions assets held by Israeli subsidiaries remains subject to court approval in Israel and Nortel will continue to work diligently to obtain such approval. All other closing conditions have been satisfied.

Boeing (NYSE: BA) issued the following statement today after 125 members of Congress released a letter urging the administration to ensure European compliance with a ruling against massive illegal subsidies provided to Airbus

A new California law, sponsored by the Collateral Loan and Secondhand Dealers Association of California (CLSDA), will make it legal for the use of the Matricula Consular as valid identification for the purposes of pawn transactions.

Acting as an independent third party, J.P. Morgan holds assets in escrow and disburses them when a performance or commitment is delivered upon. The service also includes document preparation, which can be customised to meet the specific needs of a transaction. J.P. Morgan already offers Escrow services in Australia, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, India and Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The NASDAQ OMX Group Inc., the world’s largest exchange company, has extended its cooperation with Verizon Business. Through the two companies’ new agreements, NASDAQ OMX is reinforcing its global open connectivity strategy as well as supporting the expansion of its world-leading co-location services offering for its U.S. exchanges and markets.

Logitech International (SIX: LOGN) (Nasdaq: LOGI), today announced that it has completed the acquisition of LifeSize Communications, a global leader in high definition (HD) video communication solutions, with more than 9,000 video conferencing customers across 80 countries in large enterprises, small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) and public healthcare, education and government organizations.

Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its Israel based Motorola Integrated Radio System (MIRS) to the Altice Group, a European investor in media and telecommunications. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.

Sprint Nextel (NYSE:S) has named Matt Carter, 48, as President - 4G, to oversee the company's continuing roll-out of fourth-generation broadband wireless services. The appointment will be effective January 11, when Carter moves from his current role as Vice President - Sprint Prepaid.

ST-Ericsson today announced its proposed plan to further improve financial performance and increase its competitiveness in the market. This plan follows the reorganization announcement made in July this year.

Frankfurt am Main, Deutsche Bank AG (XETRA: DBKGn.DE / NYSE: DB) today announced the completion of its acquisition of Dresdner Bank’s Global Agency Securities Lending business from Commerzbank AG (XETRA: CBK GY), pursuant to the agreement entered into by the parties in May 2009.

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI) today announced that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has accepted a proposed consent order for public comment relating to Watson's pending acquisition of privately held Arrow Group and has granted early termination of the Hart Scott Rodino waiting period, thereby permitting the parties to close the transaction.

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Arrow Group for a combination of cash and stock.

BAE Systems acquired VT Group’s 45% shareholding in BVT Surface Fleet Limited on 30 October 2009. The business is now wholly owned by BAE Systems and has been renamed BAE Systems Surface Ships Limited.

Bloomberg L.P., the world's most trusted source of information for businesses and professionals, has completed the acquisition of BusinessWeek from The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

ING announced that it has closed the sale of its life insurance and wealth management venture in Australia and New Zealand to ANZ, its joint venture partner.

BP announced today that a consortium led by its joint venture VICO - owned jointly by BP and ENI - has signed a production sharing contract (PSC) with the Government of Indonesia for the exploration and development of coalbed methane (CBM) resources on the Sanga-Sanga block in East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

IBM today announced it has acquired Guardium, a market leader in real-time enterprise database monitoring and protection.

Today in Paris and in the presence of Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister of France François Fillon Gazprom Management Committee Chairman Alexey Miller and EDF СЕО Henri Proglio signed a Memorandum of understanding on the possibility of EDF participating in the construction of the offshore section of the South Stream pipeline.