Alcoa overtaken

Pending regulatory approval of a massive merger plan, Russia's OAO Rusal soon could surpass Alcoa Inc. as the world's biggest aluminum producer. The new company -- which will absorb Russian rival Sual as well as the alumina assets of Swiss-based commodities trader Glencore -- will produce nearly 4 million tons of aluminum per year. That would eclipse the 3.55 million tons that Alcoa reported in 2005. Company officials said they hoped the deal would be completed by April.

Northwest reaches deal

Northwest Airlines Corp. and its striking mechanics announced a tentative agreement yesterday that would end the 14-month-old strike, but would give few workers their jobs back. If the agreement is accepted, the roughly 4,400 striking workers would be able to get up to 10 weeks of severance pay.

Comair to cut wages

Comair, a subsidiary of Delta Air Lines Inc., said yesterday it will impose wage cuts and changes in work rules for the regional airline's 970 flight attendants beginning Nov. 15. The action comes more than two months after a federal bankruptcy judge gave Comair permission to throw out its contract with the flight attendants.

All in the family

The Dolan family is again trying to take its company private, offering to buy out shareholders of Cablevision Systems Corp. in a deal that values the cable TV operator at $7.9 billion plus the assumption of $11.3 billion in debt. A separate bid from the Dolans last year ran into objections from the board. The news sent Cablevision's shares soaring 10.74 percent, to close at $26.50 yesterday.

Time to pay the piper

Time is almost up for taxpayers who requested the automatic six-month extension to file their 2005 federal income tax return. The deadline is Oct. 16.

Gateway goes west

Gateway Health Plan Inc. has received approval to offer a new Medicare Special Needs Plan in Mercer County and four counties in Ohio. Gateway Health Plan Medicare Assured will be available Jan. 1.

Glaxo catches its breath

GlaxoSmithKline PLC said yesterday it has agreed to buy CNS Inc., the U.S.-based manufacturer of Breathe Right nasal strips and FiberChoice fiber supplements, for around $566 million. Glaxo said it expects to complete the purchase by early next year. The company also is seeking regulatory approval to sell its breast cancer drug Tykerb in Europe.

Also in business...

U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum received the National Association of Manufacturers Award for Manufacturing Legislative Excellence.