Norwegian company takes stake with Evergreen Solar
THE REGION
Q-Cells AG, a German maker of solar cells that went public last month, said Norway's Renewable Energy Corp. AS will become the third partner in its EverQ joint venture with Evergreen Solar Inc. Renewable Energy will deliver 250 tons of solar-grade silicon per year to EverQ GmbH, which produces solar modules, Q-Cells said. REC will hold a 15 percent stake in the joint venture, Q-Cells a 21 percent stake, and Marlborough-based Evergreen a 64 percent stake, according to the companies. (Bloomberg)
THE NATION
Nasdaq warns Taser about possible delisting action
Taser International Inc., the world's largest stun-gun maker, said the Nasdaq Stock Market may stop trading its shares because the company has failed to file a quarterly report with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Its shares fell 90 cents, or 12.2 percent, to $6.50. Taser plans to request a hearing to appeal the decision, which will stop the delisting process until a ruling is made. Taser will file the quarterly report ''as soon as possible," said a company spokesman. The report for the quarter ended Sept. 30 has been delayed pending the completion of a restatement of financial results for the prior two periods because legal fees and some other expenses were recorded in the wrong quarter. (Bloomberg)
Krispy Kreme likely to miss filing deadline
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Inc., the doughnut chain under a federal accounting investigation, said it doesn't expect to meet a Dec. 15 deadline to release its financial statements and is in talks with its lenders about getting an extension. ''While the company is making substantial progress toward the preparation of such financial statements, it is highly unlikely they will be completed by the required date," the company said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Krispy Kreme hasn't reported earnings for four quarters as the SEC and federal prosecutors examine how the company accounted for the repurchase of franchises for its factory stores. (Bloomberg)
Radio One plans shows geared to black audience
Radio One Inc. has plans to launch the first national talk-radio network geared for a black audience, the chief executive said. ''We're in the black people business," Alfred C. Liggins III said. It is Liggins's latest effort to diversify Radio One from a pure radio company into a catchall for black consumers, who spend more than $750 billion a year. (AP)
THE WORLD
Ex-Hollinger official says he will appear for court
Fallen newspaper magnate Conrad Black says he will show up in Chicago next week to face fraud charges, which he called ''one massive smear job from A to Z." ''Absolute nonsense," Black said about accusations that he pocketed millions of dollars of money from Hollinger International. Black, who made a brief appearance at a Toronto book launch, said he'll ''definitely" show up for his scheduled court appearance Nov. 30, to face charges that he defrauded the Hollinger International publishing empire he formerly controlled out of tens of millions of dollars. (AP)
EU clears drug maker Teva for $7.3b takeover of Ivax
European Union antitrust regulators cleared Israel's Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.'s $7.3 billion takeover of US drug maker Ivax Corp. The deal is expected to create the world's largest generic drug company. Teva said the acquisition is on track to close this year or in early 2006, pending antitrust approval. (AP) 