Talking Biz News Today – Oct. 9, 2015

Some of Friday’s top business news stories:

The Wall Street Journal

Blackstone to buy BioMed Realty Trust for $4.84 billion, by Lisa Beilfuss

Volkswagen U.S. CEO says he didn’t know in 2014 of emissions defeat devices, by Mike Spector and Amy Harder

The Associated Press

Holiday sales seen rising 3.7 percent, by Anne D’Innocenzio 

Airlines post better on-time rate but get more complaints

Bloomberg

Netflix raises price of most popular plan by $1 per month, by Lucas Shaw

Ferrari said to push for $12.4 billion valuation in IPO, by Tommaso Ebhardt, Manuel Baigorri and Ruth David

Reuters

Jobless claims fall to near a 42-year low, by Jason Lange 

Fed awaiting evidence global chill not knocking U.S. off track: minutes, by Jason Lange and Howard Schneider 

Quartz

Facebook is supplementing the “like” button with six emoji reactions, Mike Murphy

Thought the TPP was a big deal? China’s rival free trade pact covers half the world’s population, by Richard Macauley 

News about business journalism:

WSJ reporter Williamson joins NY Times editorial board

WSJ’s Pensiero to retire after 31 years at paper

When CEOs complain about negative business coverage

Adler of Reuters named chair of CJR board

Newsweek hires tech reporter

How Bloomberg bridges data, TV and terminals

CNNMoney places journalist in India

This date in business journalism history:

2007: Fiorina to be Fox Business Network contributor

2008: Is Portfolio in trouble?

Business journalism birthday:

Oct. 9: James Ledbetter of Inc.