AFX NEWS BRIEFING: Mergers and acquisitions highlights to 15:50 GMT.

(From AFX Europe (Focus))

2006-10-31 15:45:24 Slough Estates to buy San Diego property from Ligand for 47.6 mln usd

LONDON (AFX) - Slough Estates PLC unit Slough Estates USA ("SEUSA") said it has agreed to acquire a property in San Diego, California, for 47.6 mln usd. 2006-10-31 15:44:34 Seadrill withdraws mandatory offer for Eastern Drilling, to cut stake to 40 pct

OSLO (AFX) - Seadrill ASA said it has decided to use its right to reduce its shareholding in Eastern Drilling ASA to less than 40 pct. 2006-10-31 15:43:23 Google acquires wiki company JotSpot

NEW YORK (AFX) - Google Inc., expanding its efforts at providing software that helps users create and post their own materials on the Internet, has acquired a California startup that develops online collaboration tools known as wikis. 2006-10-31 15:39:16 Royal Caribbean gets approvals for deal

MIAMI (AFX) - Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the world's second-largest cruise company, said Tuesday it received antitrust approvals from Spain and Portugal for its acquisition of Madrid-based cruise and tour operator Pullmantur SA. 2006-10-31 15:38:48 Morgan Stanley to buy investment management …