And the bit of PwC in the UK that remained attached to PWC's overseas network would still have a massive advantage over competitors, because PWC's British-based multinational clients - the likes of Barclays, Tesco and BT - would presumably stick with the international network able to audit all their subsidiaries and branches, rather than employing a British firm without global capability.

BBC: Can the stranglehold of Big Four auditors be broken?

The Center for Security Policy today questioned the Bush Administration's failure to put a proposed acquisition by the Japanese firm Komatsu of a unique American high technology capability on hold, pending a thorough investigation of its national security implications and appropriate decisions concerning steps needed to ensure that such a capability remains available to the United States.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Center For Security Policy

In October, Internet service Earthlink (nasdaq: ELNK - news - people ) announced a deal with Trellix, a unit of Web-hosting firm Interland (nasdaq: INLD - news - people ), to offer Web-log capability to Earthlink's small business customers.

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