Doyle Dane mulls merger

Doyle Dane Bernbach is talking merger, but industry analysts arein the dark about who its partner might be. Speculation centers oncompanies outside the advertising business.

Doyle Dane Bernbach Group Inc. said yesterday it is involved indiscussions "involving an exchange of securities," leading analyststo conclude the suitor is another publicly held company.

Yesterday afternoon, trading was stopped on the company's stockat $27.75, which was up $4.50 from the previous day's close.

Industry analysts were calling this deal "the mystery merger,"in contrast with the many rumors that surround most ad agencyacquisitions.

The major advertising agency …

Abbas Overhauls Palestinian Election Law

RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday announced changes in Palestinian election law aimed at bolstering his Fatah party against the rival Hamas group.

It was the latest step taken by Abbas meant to marginalize Hamas since the Islamic militant group violently seized control of the Gaza Strip in June.

Abbas has kicked Hamas out of the Palestinian government and announced plans for new elections. No date for the vote has been set.

Under the new law, Palestinians will vote solely for party lists, while district voting will be eliminated. In the last legislative election in early 2006, half the seats were chosen on a national list and the …

Ore. man accused of trying to burn post office

A man accused of trying to burn down a post office to protest the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan has been charged with attempted arson. The Register-Guard newspaper reported a 45-year-old man was arrested Tuesday in front of the post office holding a beer, a hammer and a propane torch.

Police found the front door smashed and saw a garbage can and …

FTC Launches Crackdown // Charges Hit Infomercial Pitchman

The infomercial industry has found out the hard way that magicwands and crystal power won't help it get respect.

Program-length TV commercials have come under fire in a FederalTrade Commission investigation leading Thursday to charges that TVpitchman David Del Dotto made false and deceptive claims.

The latest charges come just as infomercials are beginning toattract Fortune 500 companies excited by the industry's marketingpower but still wary of its reputation for bilking consumers withbogus products.

How bogus are the products involved?

Del Dotto is accused of peddling a get-rich-in-real-estatescheme that supposedly shows consumers how to take …

Chicago's Ben One ready for spring release

Chicago native recording artist Ben One is ready to go big time.

After 14 years of singing and performing with his brothers in the forming with his brothers in group, Strong, Ben One is set to group, Strong, Ben One is set to his self-entitled album to listeners spring.

The 23-year-old artist talked his music life with the Defender.

CD: Are you more comfortable in a CD: Are you more comfortable in a group or solo?

BO: I'm more comfortable solo because just being in a group is a huge responsibility, and I can focus more on my craft (as a solo artist) than what I was able to a long time ago because I was basically the leader of (Strong).

CD: What made you …

17 Tibetan exiles arrested in northern India during march to Tibet

Indian police arrested 17 Tibetan exiles Saturday as they attempted to march from a remote Himalayan region in northern India into Tibet, officials said.

The group was arrested in Ladakh, an area that borders Tibet and is home to about 7,000 Tibetan exiles, said M.K. Bhandari, a senior local official.

The group was arrested for violating a law that prohibits entry into sensitive border areas, Bhandari said.

The arrests came amid reports of ongoing unrest in China's Tibetan areas.

Police fired on hundreds of protesters in a Tibetan area of western China, killing eight people, overseas activist groups said. State media reported one …

Fixtures

Saturday, July 7

SATURDAY CONFERENCE

Division 1: Combe Down v Dyrham & Hinton; Stratton on the Fosse vExiles (Bath); Wrington v Bath 3rd; Bath Hospitals v Bear Flat ;Brislington 3rd v Stanton Drew

Division 2: Churchways v Knowle West; Grendel v GWR Bristol; OldBristolians Westbury 3rd v Old England & Bristol Sikhs; Bath 4th vHarptree Villages; Larkhall v Bristol 3rd

Division 3: Saltford Fairway v Ston Easton CC; Shoscombe Villagev Weston Super Mare 3rd; Whitchurch 2nd v Midsomer Norton 3rd; Dyrham& Hinton 2nd v Nailsea 3rd

Division 4: Old Park v UBH; Oldfield Park v Easton Cowboys;Stratton on the Fosse 2nd v Old Bristolians Westbury 4th; …