California tech giant Yahoo! Inc. began layoffs this week, amid rumors of a potential new chief executive officer candidate. Yahoo! CEO Jerry Yang has said he will step down from his post.

Business News In Brief TELECOMS Mobile phone giant Vodafone has promoted two directors to run its emerging markets division and appointed a new UK chief executive, in the latest move by chief executive Vittorio Colao.

VODAFONE, the world's largest mobile phone company, is expected to report a full-year profit this week because of rising sales in India and Turkey and increased demand for wireless Internet services.

Vodafone announced the reorganization of its business structure and top management Tuesday, splitting in two its emerging-markets division and appointing a new boss for Europe.

By Sarah Arnott Vittorio Colao, the new chief executive of Vodafone, has made his first big mark on the business with a package of personnel and organisational changes that include the departure of one of his rivals in the race for the top job.