The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals were reported by 1000 GMT on Wednesday:

 **Canada's junior finance minister, Ted Menzies, said on Tuesday his constituents in Alberta are split over China's state-owned CNOOC Ltd's $15.1 billion takeover bid for Canadian oil producer Nexen Inc.

** Blackstone Group LP is nearing an agreement to buy home security firm Vivint Inc, according to three people familiar with the matter, in a deal that is expected to value the company at as much as $2 billion.

** U.S. conglomerate Anschutz Co said on Tuesday it wants to sell its sports and entertainment unit, whose assets range from teams like the Los Angeles Kings hockey franchise to concert venues such as London's famous O2 arena, in a potential multi-billion dollar sale.

** The U.S. company DirecTV is considering a bid for the Brazilian phone operator GVT, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday.

** Genting Singapore Plc, a unit of Malaysia-based gambling company Genting Group unexpectedly put up for sale almost half its near 10 percent stake in Australia's Echo Entertainment Group Ltd, for about A$158 million ($165.05 million). The deal may allow rival Crown Ltd to close in on Sydney's only casino operator.

** The world's largest agribusiness company Switzerland-based Syngenta AG said it will acquire United States-based Pasteuria Bioscience Inc in a deal worth $86 million, with additional deferred payments of up to $27 million.

** Argentinian businessman Eduardo Elsztain agreed in principle to invest up to $100 million in Ganden Investments, the parent company of debt-strapped Israeli conglomerate IDB Holding Corp.

** Private equity house CVC Capital Partners has sold a 10 percent stake in the firm to a group of investors as it looks to strengthen ties with its influential backers, a person familiar with the situation said.

** Thai billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi's ThaiBev and TCC Assets Ltd agreed to support the sale of Singapore conglomerate Fraser and Neave's stake in Tiger beer maker Asia Pacific Breweries Ltd to Heineken NV.

** Private equity fund Mid Europa Partners (MEP) plans to enter the race to buy Polish grocery chain EKO Holding with an offer higher than the one proposed by rival fund Advent International, MEP's partner in Poland said. Earlier this month, Advent announced a 199 million zlotys ($63 million) tender for EKO Holding at 4.1 zlotys per share.

** Music publisher Round Hill Music is expected to announce a deal to acquire the rights to a catalog of 150 songs - including hits by Katy Perry, Flo Rida, Bruno Mars and Cee Lo Green - from Arthouse Entertainment LLC, a person close to the situation said.

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