VNU and IMS Health Join Forces

VNU and IMS Health announced that they have decided to merge in a stock and cash transaction, which is valued at about 5.8 billion euros or $7 billion.

National Zoo Receives Special Guest: Panda Birth

The National Zoo in Washington D.C. announced Mei Xiang is the proud new mother of a baby giant panda and that the mother and child are doing fine. The birth occurred at 3:41 a.m. EDT and will make a fine addition to the only 1700 or so left in the entire world.

Oil Prices Change Direction As Dennis Projection Shifts

August contract light sweet crude dropped its rally on Friday aft Hurricane Dennis projections moved the storm away from oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. The prices closed at $59.63 a barrel after climbing to $61.90 during the day. Brent crude traded in the IPE in London dropped $1.10 to $58.20.