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Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc took a big step on Monday in its plan to expand into energy, when Plains Exploration & Production Co shareholders approved the miner's $6 billion takeover deal, sweetened by two special dividends. The world's largest listed copper producer's bid to buy Plains, unveiled in December, ran into strong headwinds in recent weeks when prominent investors and proxy advisory firms said Freeport's offer was too low. But the companies shored up support by announcing the dividends on Monday morning, hours before shareholders were set to vote. The payouts will provide Plains shareholders with about $470 million in cash and stock on top of the $6 billion deal already on the table.   The dividends effectively increase the amount Plains shareholders would receive by $3.65 in cash and stock, bringing their haul in line with Freeport's original $50-a-share bid. A decline in Freeport shares since December lowered the payoff and fanned o

Jack Wilshere has revealed the new England kit with the help of a student at his old school in Hertfordshire. The Arsenal midfielder took to Twitter to show the world the anticipated Three Lions strip - the first manufactured by Nike - having been impressed by one particular lad's skills at The Priory in Hitchin. Wilshere tweeted just before lunchtime on Monday: 'Like this kid, my England dream began here, so he was first in #theshirt – England’s new kit from @NikeFootball'. Scroll down for video New era: England stars helped reveal Nike's first Three Lions strip Fan reaction was mixed at the unveiling with many stating on Twitter that the kit looked too German with its very dark collar, but there was also praise for the simple design. The kit will make its first appearance against the Republic of Ireland on May 29, and then again in Brazil later that week. The picture shows a pure white strip, with what appears to be a dark blue classic crew neck collar.

U.S. investor Royalty Pharma raised its offer to $12.50 per share for Irish drugmaker Elan on Monday, representing a premium of 45 percent to Elan's enterprise value, it said. _0"> The company said it was offering $4.6 billion for Elan's Tysabri Royalty, a 42 percent premium to the $3.25 billion price at which Elan sold half of its interest in Tysabri to its U.S. partner Biogen Idec. The increased offer is now all cash.   Royalty said the new offer was conditional on Elan shareholders voting against a $1 billion drug royalties deal with U.S. firm Theravance, which it said was pursued "in haste and without critical confidential information." Royalty said it believed Elan had "dramatically overpaid" in the transaction.

A Russian soldier has cheated death after footage emerged of him having a bullet removed from his forehead with a pair of pliers. The soldier, who has been dubbed the Russian ‘Terminator’, was reportedly caught in AK-47 crossfire between Russian and Chechen militants. In the video, the man seems undaunted by what is happening, and remains calm as the procedure take place. Scroll down for video Incredible: The soldier turns to the camera to show the bullet that has been lodged in his head Cleansing: The soldiers friend cleaned the area with fluid before attempting to remove the bullet The bullet, which is lodged in his forehead close to the eyes, is removed with a pair of pliers.   More... 'Nazi Town': The German village whose inhabitants are all expected to hold far-Right beliefs and live among murals depicting Aryan families A final salute to HMS Ark Royal: Former crew and wellwishers wave goodbye as Navy flagship is towed from Portsmouth at start of sad final

Deborah Turness, a former top news editor in Britain, will take over as NBC News' president in August, replacing Steve Capus who left the network in February after eight years. She will report to Pat Fili-Krushel, chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, an executive who oversees the news unit's business operations. NBC is owned by Comcast Corp . Turness, 46, was previously the editor of ITV News, the news division of Britain's biggest commercial free-to-air broadcaster. NBC is not the first U.S. news organization to look to the UK for its next leader. The New York Times Co appointed Mark Thompson, a director-general of the BBC, to be chief executive last year. NBC said in a statement that Turness will be responsible for all of NBC News, including breaking news coverage at its bureaus as well as shows including "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams," the "Today" show, "Meet the Press" and "Dateline." Turness will join NBC News at

David Cameron today refused to confront Google’s tax avoidance at a meeting with the web firm’s executive chairman today. The Prime Minister briefed business advisers on his plans for tackling global tax dodging but did not directly criticise Eric Schmidt over Google's arrangements which were last week branded ‘evil’ by MPs. In bizarre scenes Mr Schmidt was driven to the door of Number 10 Downing Street for the meeting, but later left via the back entrance. In and out: Google boss Eric Schmidt arrived for a top level meeting with David Cameron through the front door of Number 10, but later left via the back entrance All smiles: Mr Schmidt (centre) seemed relaxed as he stepped from his car after being driven into Downing Street Silence: Mr Cameron briefed his Business Advisory Group on his clampdown on tax avoidance but did not challenged Mr Schmidt over revelations about Google's low corporation tax bill Last year the search engine firm paid on

Spain's largest department store, privately held El Corte Ingles, said on Monday it had started talks to restructure debt totalling 5 billion euros ($6.43 billion). _0"> In a statement, the chain said the new debt could take the form of a syndicated loan and could also involve securitising consumer loans from its finance arm. The bank Morgan Stanley is leading the refinancing talks, a financial source said.