Oaktre pays GBP165 million for Countryside. Oaktree Capital Management LLC, the world's largest distressed debt investor, has purchased Countryside Properties Plc through debt provided by former owner Lloyds Banking Group.

Sinopec gets sweetheart deal according to analysts. The US$1. 02 billion deal entered into China Petrochemical for Chesapeake Energy Corp shale oilfield interests is just one third of its actual value.

Keith Rabois, who had served Square as chief operation officer since 2010, will join Khosla Ventures in March.

The government of Japan is making plans for the sale of Japan Tabacco's 17% stake. Japan's government has been in preparation to make sale of almost 17% of long-held state asset Japan Tobacco, expected to fetch up to about %10 billion, according to sources.

New job cuts in the offing for JP Morgan Chase. JP Morgan Chase has announced that it would be undertaking another round of layoffs, numbering between 3,000 to 4,000 employees in its consumer bank operations by 2013.

Potash Corp takeover bid for ICL still ongoing. Saskatchewan based Potash Corporation is serious in its bid to wrest majority control over Israel Chemicals Limited.

TPG purchases Assisted Living shares for US$278 million Investment firm TPG has reached an agreement with Assisted Living Concepts Inc for the sale of its senior living residence operations for US$278 million.

AT&T expands into Europe with wireless technology applications. The largest US phone company, AT&T would be expanding to Europe through licensing of its mobile home watchdog products.

Rosneft expects to get EU approval of TNK-BP takeover. An unnamed source familiar with the deal has intimated that Rosneft, the Russian oil conglomerate would get unconditional European Union regulatory approval of its takeover of TNK-BP.

Potash Corp. has been looking to boost its stake at the world's sixth largest producer of potash.