Bruker makes $914m acquisition
NEW YORK - Bruker BioSciences Corp. , the maker of X-ray and research equipment, will buy closely held Bruker BioSpin for $914 million in cash and stock. The disclosure drove the price of the acquiring company to the highest in more than seven months on the Nasdaq Stock Market. (Boston Globe, 12/4/07)

Patrick invokes historic link to China
BEIJING - On his first foreign trade mission, Governor Deval L. Patrick yesterday told a Beijing audience Massachusetts and China have had a "special trade relationship" that spans more than two centuries. Patrick noted the first US merchant ship to sail for China - in 1784 - had Boston owners. (Boston Globe, 12/4/07)