The USD 130 billion price tag for the recently-concluded deal between Verizon and Vodafone was agreed over an exercise session and breakfast between the firms' two CEOs.

According to tycoon Naguib Sawiris, he is interested in purchasing a stake in Telecom Italia but may opt not to in light of the Italian press' preference for Telefonica.

Reuters reported that that the ruling governments of Australia and Norway would face possible defeat in polls set for this month.

Serena Williams routed Li Na to reach the US Open Finals this Sunday. Serena Williams breezed through the semifinals of this year's US Open. In the first game today, she defeated Li Na, 6-0, 6-3, despite the latter's heroic effort near the end of the match.

Good Morning America unveiled the rules for its "ROAR with Katy Perry" contest. Good Morning America announced the rules for their recently-launched "ROAR With Katy Perry" Contest on their website.

President Uhuru Kenyatta's office said Africa's richest man Aliko Dangote would invest in a USD 400 million cement factory in Kenya.

Startup firm BoostCTR had announced it had raised USD8 million in Series B funding and hired a new CTO for the firm.

Keval Shah had announced resignation from the company as its co-head of FIG syndicate and would take a post at Lloyds Bank.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally said he would remain as the company's head at least through 2014 following reports that Microsoft Corp. had recruited him.

The untimely demise of Zurich Insurance Group AG's CFO Pierre Wauthier was pushed into the spotlight after the insurer's CEO exited the company.