Monday Papers: Vimpelcom near $7bn telecoms merger - tips, comment and bids

Financial Times

* Vimpelcom, Russia’s second largest mobile phone operator, is close to finalising a $7 billion deal to combine with most of the telecoms assets of Naguib Sawiris, the Egyptian telecoms entrepreneur.

* Premier Foods, the maker of Hovis bread and Mr Kipling cakes, is in talks to sell its meat-free businesses including Quorn in a bid to drive down debt.

* The number of companies to leave Aim, the junior market, shot up 25% during the three months to October, with mergers and acquisitions the dominant cause of delisting.

* Allianz generates €1 billion annually that it has earmarked for acquisitions and is likely to target general insurers as soon as the regulatory environment becomes more settled, says Michael Diekmann, chief executive.

The Lex Column

* Brazil: the Silva chalice - Lula da Silva is a tough act to follow for incoming president Dilma Rousseff.

* US drug policy - Cash shortfalls are proding policy towards legalising and taxing drugs.

Other Comments

* Ireland: The long hangover.

* Democrats concede Tarp is no vote winner.

* Voters will rebuke Washington itself - Angry and even despairing, the US is about to vote for paralysis.