 News Corp NASDAQ: NWSA is close to acquiring the consumer arm of educational publisher Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Co NASDAQ: HMHC, the Wall Street Journal reported on Sunday, citing sources familiar with the matter. What Happened: The deal, whose financial terms were not disclosed, would help Rupert Murdoch-owned News Corp add a portfolio of high-profile novels from authors such as George Orwell, Philip Roth and J.R.R. 