Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc., a leading provider of advanced imaging and networking technologies for the desktop to the print shop, announced Saturday it has completed its acquisition of Danka Office Imaging Company (Danka), one of the largest independent suppliers of office imaging equipment, software, support, and related services and supplies in the United States. Under the terms of the $240 Million agreement, the former Danka group will be known officially as Konica Minolta Danka Imaging, and will begin immediately to market Konica Minolta’s award-winning lines of office systems, production print systems, network printers, and application solutions. (businesswire.com) ********************************************

@H= AIG to Absorb $5 Billion Loss on Securities Lending
@T= American International Group Inc. plans to absorb losses for a dozen insurance units after their securities-lending accounts suffered $13 billion of write-downs tied to the sub-prime-mortgage collapse during the past year. The world's largest insurer will assume as much as $5 billion of any losses on sales of the investments, up from a previous commitment of $500 million. (Bloomberg) ******************************
@H= NEC to acquire NetCracker for $300 million
@T= NEC will acquire NetCracker, a U.S. software vendor focused on helping communication network providers roll out new services, for about US $300 million, the companies announced Friday. The acquisition will help Tokyo-based NEC to expand its offerings to providers of Internet, broadband network and large-business services, the companies said. With the acquisition, NEC will add key software and services in the area of operations support systems to its mobile and fixed infrastructure products. (networkworld.com) *********************
@H= Mercedes demonstrates twin-camera safety system
@T= Mercedes-Benz this week demonstrated a stereoscopic camera system that functions as an extra set of very sharp, lightning-quick eyes to help keep a look out for hazards. Using the latest in camera, computer and software technology, the system can pick out details and movements the driver might miss and send a series of escalating alerts to help prevent collisions or other accidents. (carcentral.com.au)