The most substantial part of the Merrill settlement is the firm's agreement to not tie analysts' pay to their generation of investment banking fees.

FORBES: Settlement Leaves Merrill In Shade

Democrats truly could tie the Senate in knots, since most Senate business requires unanimous agreement to proceed.

NPR: In the Senate, Fireworks Over the 'Nuclear Option'

Shortly after the Rosneft-ExxonMobil tie-up was finalised in April, Rosneft and Italy's Eni announced an agreement to explore the Kara Sea.

ECONOMIST: Resources: Hidden treasure | The

Mr. Hevesi's agreement to cooperate could put pressure on others to plead guilty as Mr. Cuomo tries to tie up his investigation before leaving office at the end of the year.

WSJ: New York's Alan Hevesi Pleads Guilty