In its 11th week available, the Xbox 360 version of Activision’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare was again the No. 1-rented videogame in the U.S., according to preliminary Rentrak Home Video Essentials data for the week ended Jan. 20.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has issued a notice announcing that on January 17, 2008, the U.S. submitted to the World Trade Organization a request for authorization to impose sanctions1 against the European Communities regarding the U.S. case2 against the EC's treatment of agriculture biotechnology (biotech) products.
Shipper's NewsWire reports that the Census Bureau and the Department of Homeland Security have resolved their standoff over the rulemaking to require the electronic filing of export information. According to the article, the rule for mandatory use of the Automated Export System is expected to be published soon in the Federal Register. (SNW, dated 01/23/08, available at http://www.americanshipper.com/SNW_story.asp?news=82393.)
The Vermont Public Service Board plans hearings Jan. 29 on Verizon’s revised proposal for the $2.7 billion transfer of its landline assets to FairPoint, expecting to make a final decision by Feb. 11. The companies sought a preliminary ruling by Jan. 30, but the board balked. The case is complex and stands to affect the entire state, so it is taking time to get the call right. The Vermont board in December rejected the transaction as filed, inviting a revised proposal. The version filed was modeled on conditions Maine regulators approved. They include a $235 million working capital infusion by Verizon, a 35 percent dividend cut and FairPoint’s commitment of $150 million more capital if it falls behind in efforts to reach a 3.5:1 debt- to-cash flow ratio by 2012. But FairPoint made other Vermont-specific commitments to invest $120 million over three years in more network improvements and to make universal broadband available in half its Vermont exchanges by 2011.
The International Trade Administration has made a preliminary affirmative antidumping duty determination that certain steel nails from China are being, or are likely to be, sold in the U.S. at less than fair value.
A court in France ordered the government to prove that its Internet gambling rules comply with EU law, the European Gaming & Betting Association said Tuesday. The decision followed a request by Didier Dewyn, former CEO of Malta- licensed company Mr. Bookmaker, to dismiss criminal charges filed against him in April on allegations of running an “illicit lottery” and “clandestine betting on horse races,” the association said. Before making a final decision, the Court of Appeal of Versailles asked for additional material from the government, including its argument supporting its position in talks with the European Commission on its gambling regulation, an association spokesman said. The case matters because the court sought no preliminary European Court of Justice ruling, but relied comfortably on precedent, the spokesman said. This is a criminal court’s first challenge to French gambling law, he said. France is eyeing a “controlled opening” of its gambling market by March, association Secretary General Sigrid Ligne said.
Sprint Nextel will lay off thousands and close 8 percent of its retail locations as it braces for continuing downward subscriber trends, revenue and profitability this year, it said Friday, releasing preliminary Q4 2007 subscriber results. Investors didn’t react well; Sprint’s stock nosedived $2.87 to $8.70, a 24.8 percent drop, in regular trading Friday. Since last January, it has fallen about $9. That could herald a buyout, analysts said.
The International Trade Administration has issued its final results of the countervailing duty administrative review of stainless steel sheet and strip in coils from Korea for the period of January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005.
The International Trade Administration has issued its final results of the countervailing duty administrative review of corrosion-resistant carbon steel flat products from Korea for the period of January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005.
The International Trade Administration frequently issues notices on antidumping and countervailing duty orders which Broker Power considers to be "minor" in importance as they concern actions that occur after an order is issued and neither announce nor cause any changes to an order's duty rates, scope, affected firms, or effective period.