31.   An international investment group plans to acquire debt-laden Long-Term Credit Bank of Japan Ltd. in what would be the first foreign acquisition of a major Japanese bank.

32.   Hobert is the first major acquisition made by the Bills since Dan Henning became offensive coordinator.

33.   If the deal goes through, it will be the first acquisition of a Japanese life insurer by a foreign company.

34.   The deal is believed to be the first acquisition of a major U.S. brand by a South Korean company.

35.   The first acquisitions could come as early as this year, Pleschakov told a news conference, according to the Interfax news agency.