NATION

NATION
No new trial for Stewart
NEW YORK -- A federal judge refused Wednesday to grant Martha Stewart a new trial, dismissing claims that a juror lied to conceal a bias against the celebrity homemaker.
The decision by U.S. District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum clears the way for a hearing next month at which Stewart could be sentenced to more than a year in prison for lying about a stock sale.
Stewart contended juror Chappell Hartridge lied on his jury questionnaire. Even if the charges are true, Cedarbaum wrote, they do not meet the legal standard of showing the juror would have been excused during jury selection.
Cash buyout boostsCharter One stock 22%
CLEVELAND -- Charter One Financial Inc. stock surged 22 percent Wednesday, a day after The Royal Bank of Scotland Group announced a $10.5 billion cash buyout that is expected to create the nation's seventh-largest bank.
The deal would combine Cleveland-based Charter One with Royal's Citizens Financial Group Inc., a Providence, R.I.-based subsidiary. Lawrence K. Fish, Citizens Financial chairman, said some job cuts "in the hundreds" are likely at Charter One. Fish also said the Charter One name will remain for now in the Midwest.
The deal involves a cash purchase price of $44.50 per share. Charter One shares Wednesday closed up $7.91 at $43.86 on the New York Stock Exchange.
Associated Press