1.   Analysts and merger specialists say the proposal is already spurring banks to dust off potential merger plans.

2.   And New England Mutual Life Insurance Co. and Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. are discussing a potential merger.

3.   And rumors continued to swirl about potential mergers or alliances to come.

4.   And speculation is rife about a potential merger or takeover of Mirant by a European utility or big oil company.

5.   Apple has retained the investment bank Morgan Stanley to represent it in the talks with Sun and to gauge the interest of other potential merger partners.

6.   Any potential merger plans with Cox Communications would certainly fizzle without the backing of Cox Enterprises, said East.

7.   As we look at the potential merger between Tyson, we want to make sure that we can continue on that course to increasing demand.

8.   Attention was also drawn to banks after Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim said he received a proposal on a potential merger between MBf Capital Bhd. and Suria Capital Bhd.

9.   Bindas also confirmed that the IUE has discussed a potential merger with the United Auto Workers and the United Steel Workers of America.

10.   Both suspended their bids while U.K. regulatory authorities considered the implications of a potential merger but a ruling issued late last month allowed them to proceed.