CommScope's (CTV) deal to buy Andrew (ANDW) received conditional U.S. antitrust approval from the Dept. of Justice. The combined company must sell Andrew's 30% stake in Andes Industries to prevent a duopoly from occurring in the market for coaxial cable sold to cable companies.

Tribune (TRB) shares were up 8% on news that it intends to reduce debt and a confirmation that the company believes the $34 per share buyout will close before the end of the year.

Harrah's (HET) announced that the Nevada Gaming Control Board has unanimously endorsed the buyout of the gaming company by Apollo and Texas Pacific. The Nevada Gaming Commission will take its final action on December 20, but it is expected to follow the recommendation of the Control Board.

Also, a federal judge denied a motion to dismiss a $2.8 billion claim against Harrah's by members of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe in upstate New York. The Mohawk are seeking to enforce a judgment made in a tribal court in 2001 that found Harrah's predecessor Park Place Entertainment interfered in the tribe's plans to build a casino in the Catskill Mountains. Harrah's plans to refile the motion in a different format and said it continues to believe the suit and claim have no merit.

Fiserv (FISV) completed its acquisition of Checkfree (CKFR) for $48 per share in cash, or a total of $4.4 billion.

Carlyle Group also closed its $2.4 billion purchase of Sequa Corp (SQA.A). Shareholders received $175 per share in cash in the deal.

TierOne (TONE) shareholders approved the sale of the company to CapitalSource (CSE) for $423.4 million. The deal still needs regulatory approvals.

Finish Line (FINL) said that they have recieved a subpoena asking for documents related to its proposed merger with Genesco (GCO_|, and that they are complying with the request. Finish Line has attempted to back out of the merger, and Genesco has filed suit to attempt to force the merger to close.

Chittenden (CHZ) shareholders approved their proposed merger with People's United Financial (PBCT). The $1.9 billion banking merger is expected to close around January 1, 2008.

Hexagon succesfully completed their tender offer for NovAtel (NGPS) shares, with over 93% of the outstanding shares tendered during the offer period. This will allow Hexagon to acquire the remaining shares using a compulsory acquisition to complete the merger.

No new mergers or LBOs were announced yesterday, but several pending mergers received approvals from various regulatory bodies.

The FTC approved A&P's (GAP) planned buyout of Pathmark (PTMK) with the condition that A&P sell six stores on Long Island and Staten Island. A&P agreed to the conditions.

Lighting maker Genlyte (GLYT) agreed to a buyout offer of $95.50 per share from Philips (PHG), in a $2.7 billion deal that is expected to close in the first quarter of 2008.

Genesco (GCO) received a federal subpoena for records related to buyout negotiations with The Finish Line (FINL) due to a lawsuit filed by UBS (UBS) attempting to nullify an agreement to finance the buyout of Genesco. Genesco stated that they will continue to attempt to force Finish Line to complete the merger.

On Monday, ReAble announced that it completed its merger with DJO (DJO), creating one of the largest orthopedic and vascular device companies in the world. ReAble will be renamed DJO Incorporated, and will remain a subsidiary of The Blackstone Group (BX).

Lyondell (LYO) shareholders approved their merger with Basell, a $12.2 billion deal expected to close before the end of the year, and Energy East (EAS) shareholders approved their merger with Iberdrola SA that is expected to close in the first half of 2008.

Early yesterday morning, Celgene (CELG) announced that it will buy Pharmion (PHRM) for approximately $72 per share in cash and stock in a $2.9 billion deal that is expected to close in the first quarter of 2008.

United Rentals (URI) issued a release stating that they are suing Cerberus over their merger agreement that fell apart last week. Cerberus is attempting to walk away from the deal, and United Rentals wants to force the merger to close.

ITT Corporation (ITT) and EDO Corporation (EDO)announced yesterday that ITT was buying the aerospace and defense contractor for $1.7 billion including debt. EDO shares have been rising rapidly over the past few months, mostly due to counter IED products the company makes. The offer prices shares at a 8.7% premium to the closing price before the deal was announced, but shares of EDO have risen 59.4% over the past three months, making it a fair deal in the eyes of analysts.

Steve Gaffney, president of ITT's defense business stated, "We are confident in our plan to integrate our businesses and unlock tremendous value, creating opportunity for employees, customers and shareholders."

On Monday, August 27, Whole Foods' (WFMI) tender offer for Wild Oats (OATS) ends. This is the last hurdle to the closing of this merger since the FTC's appeal of the merger on antitrust grounds was denied. The merger could close as early as Monday.

Also on Monday, Pediatric Services of America (PSAI) shareholders will vote on a $16.25 per share buyout offer from Portfolio Logic. The deal is expected to close by the end of August.

According to the terms of the merger, American Technical Ceramics shareholders will receive $24.75 per share in cash. The merger is expected to close in the third quarter of 2007, and is subject to customary closing conditions in addition to ATC shareholder approval.

This merger has been moving quickly toward completion, partially due to the lack of regulatory approvals required.

According to a SEC filing Cambridge Display Technology submitted yesterday, the companies believe that the deal does not need approval from any governmental agency, including antitrust approval.

The filing also stated that the closing of the merger is not conditioned on the receipt of the debt or equity financing, but it will not be completed until the debt marketing period has elapsed. The marketing period is a 25-day period that begins once all of the closing conditions have been met. The merger has already received antitrust approval from the FTC, but there are multiple lawsuits attempting to enjoin the proposed merger.

The $32 billion offer is the largest leveraged buyout in history, and some investors are questioning the timing of this announcement from Franklin due to the uncertainty that has emerged in the debt markets recently, and the fact that TXU completed the "go-shop" period of the deal without receiving any superior offers.

Franklin Resources owned 4.35 percent of TXU as of March 31.

This price is a 19.4 percent premium to the stock's closing price Friday. The terms of the merger agreement include a 50 day go-shop period for DJO to pursue other offers and an $18.7 million breakup fee that DJO would have to pay ReAble if the merger is not completed.

According to the press release, the merger will close in the fourth quarter of 2007 and the transaction is subject to the approval of DJO's stockholders and regulatory approvals.

Sallie Mae says that they disagree with this statement and that the company "intends to proceed towards the closing of the merger transaction as rapidly as possible and will take all steps to protect shareholders' interests." The merger, which was announced in April, has been expected to close later in 2007.

Shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 28, 2007 are eligible to vote to approve the merger.

The shareholders will receive $81.75 in cash for each ADS share that they own if the merger in completed.

According to the companies, the merger is still on track to be completed in the third quarter of this year.