SYDNEY, Dec. 10 --AsiaNet/InfoQuest IRAQ RECONSTRUCTION... TOKYO: On December 9th, the Japanese Cabinet made a decisionto continue the activities of the Self Defense Forces centeringon humanitarian and reconstruction assistance, by revising theBasic Plan on the measures based on the Special Measures Law onHumanitarian and Reconstruction Assistance in Iraq. http://www.kantei.go.jp/foreign/index-e.html TUBERCULOSIS RESEARCH... RARITAN, N.J.: Scientists at Johnson & JohnsonPharmaceutical Research and Development (J&JPRD) haveidentified a novel anti-tuberculosis (TB) compound that worksbetter and faster than the current standard of care in mousemodels of TB infection. http://www.jnj.com PROPOSED ACQUISITION... LOS ANGELES: A consortium comprised of Sony Corporation ofAmerica, Providence Equity Partners, Texas Pacific Group,Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) and DLJ MerchantBanking Partners, together with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.,announced Wednesday that the waiting period relating to theproposed acquisition of MGM by LOC Acquisition Company hasexpired. http://www.sony.com http://www.provequity.com http://www.comcast.com http://www.mgm.com NEW MEMBER... MADISON, Wis.: Imago Scientific Instruments, world leader inatomic-scale imaging and analytical solutions, announcedWednesday that Manny Lakios has joined the company as SeniorVice President of Field Operations. http://www.imago.com CONTRACT SIGNED... LONDON: ACP Rail International and the UK's Association ofTrain Operating Companies are delighted to announce the signingof the new contract for ACP Rail International to be theexclusive, global sales and marketing company for the worldfamous BritRail range of Passes and single journey tickets. http://www.britrail.com/ FANNIE MAE... WASHINGTON, D.C.: Fannie Mae will redeem the principalamount of 3 securities issues amounting to a total of US$225million on December 19 and 20 at a redemption price equal to100 per cent of the principal amount redeemed plus accruedinterest. http://www.fanniemae.com (AsiaNet is a consortium of leading news agenciesdistributing unedited, translated news releases for worldwideclients. Visit www.asianetnews.net for full-text versions.)