Hong Kong Paper Cuts Newsstand Price
Date: 13 May 1997
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Oriental Press Group, publisher of Hong Kong's biggest-selling newspaper Oriental Daily News, says it will cut its newsstand price, causing concern that price war might force smaller competitors to close; Oriental Daily will cut its price to $2 from $5 (Hong Kong), or 26 cents from 65 cents (US) (S)
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Joining the New Media: ABC News Begins an On-Line Service
Date: 12 May 1997
By Steve Lohr
Steve Lohr
ABC News service on Internet is joint venture of Walt Disney Co's ABC News division and Starwave Corp, innovative new-media company owned by Paul Allen; Starwave is 300-person collection of software programmers and journalists behind series of popular Web sites including ESPNet Sportszone, most heavily trafficked new-media service on Internet after search sites like Yahoo; joint venture is being run by Tom Phillips, Starwave executive, and Jeff Gralnick, veteran television newsman; photos (M)
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Growing Latin Market Creates New Battleground of Cable TV
Date: 12 May 1997
By Larry Rohter
Larry Rohter
One of world's most contested pay-television markets is Latin America; area already has almost as many households with television as United States and is experiencing dizzying expansion as growing middle class embraces cable and satellites and news and entertainment they offer; Latin American pay-television is expected to generate at least $2.5 billion annually in advertising revenue and subscriber fees by turn of century; broadcasters say it is imperative to establish presence now; American entrants face competitors who argue they have longer track record or greater familiarity with Spanish-language news market; in addition, several companies are about to start Portuguese-language services aimed at Brazil, region's biggest country; photo (M)
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Expose on Crack Was Flawed, Paper Says
Date: 13 May 1997
By Todd S. Purdum
Todd Purdum
San Jose Mercury News executive editor Jerry Cepos acknowledges that 1996 series on rise of crack cocaine in urban America was marred by shortcomings, including sensational implication that Central Intelligence Agency countenanced drug's spread in league with Nicaraguan dealers, to help finance rebels fighting against Sandinista Government; admits implications by investigative reporter Gary Webb were not supported by facts; says although members of drug ring met with Nicaraguan contra leaders paid by CIA, there is no proof that top agency officials knew of relationship; series provoked furor among black elected and community officials and prompted multiple Federal investigations; asserted that pair of Nicaraguan drug traffickers with CIA ties started nationwide crack trade in 1980's by selling drugs in black neighborhoods; agency's probe into allegations continues; photo (M)
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Excerpts From Letter by San Jose Editor
Date: 13 May 1997
Excerpts from letter by San Jose Mercury News executive editor Jerry Ceppos admitting that 1996 series implicating Central Intelligence Agency and Nicaraguan contra rebels in spread of crack cocaine in urban America was flawed (M)
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FELCOR IN $83 MILLION DEAL FOR 4 DOUBLETREE HOTELS
Date: 13 May 1997
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Felcor Suite Hotels Inc agrees to buy four Doubletree Guest Suites hotels for $83 million from closely held master-limited partnership, PSH (S)
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QUALITY DINING BACKING AWAY FROM BRUEGGER'S BAGELS
Date: 13 May 1997
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Quality Dining Inc plans to sell Bruegger's Bagels, possibly back to co-founders Nordahl Brue and Michael Dressell, less than a year after buying it for $176 million in stock (S)
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FERRO PLANS PLANT CLOSINGS AND JOB CUTS
Date: 13 May 1997
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Ferro Corp will cut about 1,200 jobs, close 30 plants and take $100 million charge in second quarter in effor to reduce costs and improve profit margins (S)
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BANKERS TRUST REPORTEDLY DISCUSSING SALE OF CHILE UNIT
Date: 13 May 1997
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Bankers Trust New York Corp is in talks to sell its Chilean life insurance unit, Consorcio Nacional de Seguros de Vida, to local investment group led by Said and Massu families (S)
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Stocks Rise in Japan
Date: 12 May 1997
By Bloomberg News
Bloomberg News
Stocks trade higher in Tokyo on May 12; Nikkei index of 225 issues closes up 340.73 points, at 20,143.51 (S)
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