OTHER NEWS - Oct. 6, 1995

The Federal Trade Commission said it gave final approval to a consent agreement permitting the $3-billion merger of the nation’s two largest hospital chains, Columbia-HCA Healthcare Corp. and Healthtrust Inc.-The Hospital Co. As a condition for approval, the commission said Columbia-HCA agreed to sell seven hospitals and end a joint venture at another hospital. . . . United HealthCare Corp. has completed its $1.65-billion purchase of MetraHealth Cos., creating the nation’s largest health-care management services company. . . . Domino’s Pizza International said it is launching its first major push into Africa with an agreement to develop 164 stores over the next 10 years in South Africa. Domino’s signed a Master Franchise Agreement with New South Africa Pizza Co., a partnership with investors in Detroit and Johannesburg. New South Africa Pizza will in turn be the franchiser of Domino’s Pizza stores in South Africa, paying a royalty to Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Domino’s.