Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Digest

In brief

By TIMES WIRES
Published October 12, 2006

Google making an assault on Microsoft

Just days after announcing its $1.65-billion buyout of YouTube.com, it announces a competitor for Microsoft Corp.'s Office.

Jacuzzi Brands agrees to a $990M buyout

Jacuzzi Brands Inc., maker of whirlpool baths and plumbing products, said Wednesday it agreed to a $990-million buyout offer from the private equity firm Apollo Management LP. Under terms of the deal, Jacuzzi stockholders will get $12.50 per share in cash, a premium of 21 percent over Tuesday closing price of $10.35. Apollo will also assume $260-million in debt in the deal.

Bush takes bow for falling federal deficit

The federal deficit fell to a four-year low in the budget year that just ended, a result President Bush pointed to Wednesday in claiming Republicans are better stewards of the economy than are Democrats. The administration said the deficit dropped to $247.7-billion - welcome news for Republicans struggling to keep control of Congress. Democrats said the improvement in the 2006 federal deficit was a temporary blip.

OSI restaurants claim mall forced them out

Bonefish Grill and Cheeseburger in Paradise, both part of Tampa chain OSI Restaurant Partners, sued Fashion Mall at Plantation last week, accusing owner, US Capital Holdings, of letting the property deteriorate to run off tenants, the Miami Herald reported Wednesday. The restaurants claim the mall owner wants to make way for redevelopment. The restaurants closed Sept. 3. Each seeks more than $10-million in damages.

McAfee scandal ousts two top executives

McAfee Inc., the second-biggest maker of anti-virus software, replaced its top two executives and will restate 10 years of results by as much as $150-million to account for backdated stock options. President Kevin Weiss was fired, and chairman and chief executive officer George Samenuk stepped down, McAfee said in a statement.

R.J. Reynolds to ban flavored cigarettes

R.J. Reynolds has agreed to a domestic ban on flavored cigarettes such as "Twista Lime" and "Mocha Taboo" that critics say are marketed to youths. But a deal struck with 40 states - Florida's not among them - allows the company to sell flavored cigarettes in the future if the packaging doesn't emphasize candy or sweet imagery, officials said Wednesday.

A guide in the maze of federal regulation

For business owners whose heads are spinning from trying to obey the mandates of multiple federal agencies, a new Web site might offer a reason to chuck the Excedrin. The Small Business Administration officially launches business.gov today. The Web site is the first that compiles regulations, forms and contact information from all major federal agencies that regulate or serve businesses, saving users from surfing multiple sites.

[Last modified October 11, 2006, 23:45:27]