Media Digest 9/18/2008 Reuters, WSJ, NYTimes, FT, Bloomberg

According to Reuters, Morgan Stanley (MS) is in merger talks with several firms.

Reuters says HSBC (HBC) may be a possible buyer for Morgan Stanley.

Reuters reports that Washington Mutual (WM) is being auctioned off.

Reuters reports that the Fed is not likely to change rates this year.

Reuters reports that the SEC is tightening rules on short sales.

Reuters reports that the head of Wells Fargo (WFC) is looking for acquisitions.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Fed and European central banks will announce a coordinated effort to shore up money markets.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Washington Mutual got the green light from its largest investor to restructure or sell the bank.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Samsung faces challenges for its bid for Sandisk (SNDK) even if the US company accepts the offer.

The Wall Street Journal reports that home building fell to 1991 levels.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Nortel (NT) sharply lowered its forecasts.

The Wall Street Journal says that United (UAUA) is underwater more than $500 million on its full hedges.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Yahoo! (YHOO) is testing a new homepage.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the current crisis is the worst since the 1930s and there is no end in sight.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Russia announced a $70 billion aid package to help its free-falling markets.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Thomson Reuters putting a hire freeze on in its markets division.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the first Google (GOOG) cellphones will sell for $199.

The Wall Street Journal reports the ad spending may fall due to the current financial crisis.

The Wall Street Journal reports the CNBC ratings are up during the credit crisis.

The New York Times reports that federal aid for Detroit seems likely.

The New York Times reports that a House committee wants to interview Lehman (LEH) CEO Fuld on the collapse of his firm.

The New York Time reports that Asia companies and countries are rethinking investing in the US.

The New York Times writes that JP Morgan (JPM) is being questioned by a Senate committee on its oil trades.

The New York Times says that Google (GOOG) will not delay its Yahoo! (YHOO) deal even if regulators need more time to examine it.

The FT reports that Russian shares have lost $700 billion in value in recent months.

Bloomberg writes that the SEC will require hedge funds to disclose their short positions.

Bloomberg reports that Morgan Stanley is losing hedge fund clients

Douglas A. McIntyre