The board of General Motors (GM

) approved further talks with News Corp. (NWS

) regarding a proposal to combine Hughes Electronics (GMH

) with a News Corp. unit.

Sodexho Alliance will buy all Sodexho Marriott (SDH

) shares for $32 per share cash.

The board of Il Fornaio (ILFO

) approved an amended pact whereby Manhattan Acquisition Corp. will buy the company for $12 per share in cash.