SETTLEMENT

The Hollywood studio behind a film based on The Hobbit and trustees for author J.R.R. Tolkien's estate said on Tuesday they had settled a lawsuit that clears the way for what is expected to be a blockbuster movie based on the book.

The Hollywood studio behind a film based on The Hobbit and trustees for author J.R.R. Tolkien's estate said on Tuesday they had settled a lawsuit that clears the way for what is expected to be a blockbuster movie based on the book.

Palestinian leaders on Monday categorically ruled out holding any peace talks with Israel until a full and lasting freeze in Jewish settlement.

Robert McCann, former head of Merrill Lynch's wealth management unit, is in talks to settle a suit he filed August 24 against Bank of America Corp seeking to lift a noncompete clause, allowing him to join a chief rival, a source with direct knowledge of the situation said.

Robert McCann, former head of Merrill Lynch's wealth management unit, is in talks to settle a suit he filed Aug. 24 against Bank of America Corp (BAC.N) seeking to lift a noncompete clause, allowing him to join a chief rival, a source with direct knowledge of the situation said.

Bank of America Corp and the top U.S. securities regulator sought to persuade a judge to approve their $33 million settlement of a civil lawsuit over the lack of disclosure of billions of dollars of bonuses at Merrill Lynch & Co.

Switzerland is striving to settle a long-running tax evasion dispute between UBS and the U.S. government that challenges Swiss banking secrecy, before a key pre-trial conference on Wednesday.

A federal judge refused to approve a proposed settlement between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Bank of America Corp over the payment of bonuses to Merrill Lynch & Co executives, saying he was unable to determine if it was fair to the public.

A federal judge criticized on Monday a proposed settlement between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Bank of America Corp over the payment of bonuses to Merrill Lynch & Co executives.

A federal judge refused to approve a settlement between a top U.S. regulator and Bank of America Corp over executive bonuses, the latest twist in the bank's star-crossed takeover of Merrill Lynch & Co.

A U.S. federal judge has refused to approve a settlement between regulators and Bank of America Corp related to the acquisition of Merrill Lynch & Co, stating that it could be unfair to the public.

A U.S. federal judge has refused to approve Monday's settlement between the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Bank of America Corp related to the acquisition of Merrill Lynch & Co.

Merck & Co and Schering-Plough Corp will pay $41.5 million to settle class-action lawsuits over their shared cholesterol drugs Vytorin and Zetia, the companies said on Wednesday.

Switzerland's UBS will not have to pay a fine as part of the settlement of a tax evasion dispute with the United States, two Swiss newspapers reported on Sunday.

Drugmaker Merck & Co Inc announced a proposed settlement on Friday to resolve litigation challenging its planned merger with Schering-Plough Corp.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying he would not take orders over Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem, rejected on Sunday a U.S. demand to halt plans to build more homes for Jews in the disputed area.

The U.S. government and UBS AG asked a federal judge on Sunday to delay the start of a closely-watched trial, as they seek to resolve their dispute over U.S. demands for the identities of thousands of wealthy Americans suspected of using the Swiss bank to dodge taxes.

Israel's Defense Ministry said Monday it had approved construction of 50 new homes at a West Bank settlement as part of a plan for 1,450 housing units, an expansion that defies a U.S. call for a settlement freeze.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday he hoped to reach an understanding with Washington over Jewish settlements in the West Bank, but an Israeli official predicted the dispute would be hard to resolve.

A U.S. judge on Tuesday approved a legal settlement requiring a unit of Banco Santander SA , which fed billions to New York financier Bernard Madoff before his swindle was revealed, to pay $235 million.

Belgian-based financial group Fortis said on Monday it faces a legal claim for 362.5 million euros ($506 million) from a former unit now owned by the Dutch state.