SYDNEY: Alumina producer Alcoa Corp has entered exclusive takeover talks with Australian joint-venture partner Alumina Ltd, after making a US$ 2. 2bil offer. Alcoa has proposed a deal offering 0. 02854 of its shares for each of Alumina’s, the company said yesterday, marking a 13.1% premium to its share price on Feb 23. The Australian company’s board said it plans to support the offer if the sides get to a definitive agreement following further discussions. Alcoa also agreed to buy a 19.9% stake

There's still some areas where it's just too smoky, ” said fire spokesman Edwin Zuniga. Burning through bone-dry trees, brush and grass, the fire by Tuesday had destroyed nearly 900 homes and other buildings.... Gavin Newsom on Tuesday declared a state of emergency for northern Shasta, Trinity and Tehama counties.... The fires across the West come as parts of Europe are also fighting large blazes spurred by tinder-dry conditions. Northwest of the Dixie Fire in the Shasta-Trinity National Fores