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United-Continental to keep Cleveland operations

United and Continental Airlines agreed on Monday to maintain a hub in Cleveland for at least five more years, as Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray ended his antitrust investigation of the mega-merger.

The announcement clears one of the last remaining roadblocks to the tie-up, which will create the world’s largest carrier. The Justice Department, which had been expected to provide the closest scrutiny of the deal, concluded its antitrust probe last month.

United and Continental shareholders will vote on Friday to formally approve the financial union of the two airlines. The deal is slated to close on Oct. 1, when Continental CEO Jeff Smisek will become chief executive of the new United. Get the full story »

Genzyme to sell genetic testing unit to LabCorp

Genzyme Corp. said Monday that it is selling its genetic testing business to Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings for $925 million so it can focus on its core growth areas.

Dollar Thrifty accepts $1.4B bid from Hertz

Dollar Thrifty has accepted a new bid of about $1.43 billion from Hertz, which is battling Avis for the rental car company.

Fitch upgrades UAL and United Airlines ratings

Fitch Ratings upgraded United Airlines Inc. and its parent UAL Corp. before the closing of a tie-up with Continental Airlines Inc.

MB Financial among 17 banks named as takeover targets

Some say the wave of bank consolidation seen in the last two decades is over, but an outspoken analyst who developed a formula for identifying banks that could be takeover targets on Thursday listed 17 he says are ripe, including Chicago-based MB Financial. Get the full story »

Report: 7-Eleven bids $2B for Casey’s General

Convenience store operator 7-Eleven Inc. is the mystery bidder for Casey’s General Stores Inc. trying to top a Canadian rival, according to a published report. Get the full story »

2 Chicago companies announce acquisitions

Two Chicago-based companies – a railroad freightcar maker and an insurance brokerage – announced acquisitions Wednesday morning. Get the full story »

Abbott completes acquisition of India’s Piramal

Abbott Laboratories Wednesday said it closed the acquisition of Piramal Healthcare Ltd.’s generic drugs unit. In May, Abbott had agreed to buy Piramal’s healthcare solutions business for about $3.7 billion, Abbott Laboratories said in a statement.

EU regulators to review Sara Lee-S.C. Johnson deal

EU regulators will review a bid by bug spray maker S.C. Johnson to purchase Sara Lee Corp.’s remaining insecticide business at the request of national watchdogs, the European Commission said on Wednesday. Sara Lee announced the $200 million deal in June as part of a strategy of focusing on selling food, coffee and tea. Get the full story »

Sources: Justice Dept. probing Google deal with ITA

The U.S. Justice Department is looking into allegations that Google Inc’s  purchase of airline ticketing firm ITA Software Inc will cost rivals access to data they need to compete with the search giant as it moves into the travel market, sources familiar with the probe said. Get the full story »

Kraft names category chief of Cadbury units

Northfield-based Kraft Foods Inc. confirmed Tuesday that Mary Beth West, its chief marketing officer, has also taken on the role of chief category officer.

West has served as marketing chief for three years, and will now head the gum, candy, chocolate and business global category teams, along with Kraft’s multi-billion-dollar marketing division. She will continue reporting to chief executive officer Irene Rosenfeld.

Kraft confirmed West’s promotion, but did not provide further comment. Get the full story »

Potash chief takes to YouTube to discuss BHP bid

From The New York Times | Potash Corp. of Saskatchewanon put up several videos of William Doyle, its chief executive, on Tuesday, to explain why shareholders are better off sticking with the company than flocking to BHP’s offer.

Playboy board hires advisers to weigh Hefner bid

The Playboy Enterprises Inc. special board committee tapped to evaluate Hugh Hefner’s offer to take the company private said Tuesday it retained Raine Securities LLC and Kaye Scholer LLP as its financial and legal advisors, respectively. Get the full story »

Abbott abandons plans to sell vaccines business

Drug and medical device firm Abbott Laboratories says it has abandoned plans to sell its vaccines unit, less than three months after exploring sales talks with rival companies. Get the full story »

Hewitt completes deal to acquire EnnisKnupp

Hewitt Associates completed its acquisition of investment advisory firm EnnisKnupp, the company said Thursday.

Terms of the deal, first announced July 20, have not been disclosed.