Thanks to the generosity of Verizon's customers who participated in the company's Check Into Literacy program, the Verizon Foundation seeks to award $341,000 to nonprofit organizations in Maryland that support literacy and learning activities for children, adolescents and adults.

Akzo Nobel NV (“Akzo Nobel”) announces that it has made a further approach to the board of Imperial Chemical Industries PLC (“ICI”) with an increased offer proposal of 650p per share in cash. However, the proposal has been rejected on the grounds that it did not reflect the full value of ICI.

Imperial Chemical Industries PLC (“ICI”) confirms that it received a further indicative proposal from Akzo Nobel NV (“Akzo”) under which it would acquire ICI for 650p per share in cash.