UPDATE 2-Deals of the day -- mergers and acquisitions

(Adds AT&T, SkyBridge Capital, Emulex and others)

May 8 (Reuters) - The following bids, mergers, acquisitions and disposals involving European, U.S. and Asian companies were reported by 2000 GMT on Friday.

(For Reuters columns on deals, click on [DEALTALK/])

** AT&T Inc (T.N) is close to a $2.5 billion deal to acquire the bulk of Alltel Wireless assets being divested by Verizon Communications Inc (VZ.N), sources familiar with the situation said.

To read more, please double click on [ID:nN08498235]

** Medical products maker Covidien Ltd (COV.N) said it would buy VNUS Medical Technologies Inc (VNUS.O) for about $440 million, or $29 a share, in cash to expand its presence in the vascular market.[ID:nBNG348330]

** British telecoms and retail group Carphone Warehouse (CPW.L) has agreed to buy the British assets of Italian Internet services provider Tiscali (TIS.MI) for 236 million pounds ($354 million) in cash, free of debt. [ID:nL81038999]

** AB InBev said it will sell its remaining minority stake in Tsingtao Brewery Co Ltd (600600.SS) to Chinese private investor Chen Fashu for $235 million. [ID:nWEA1179]

** Healthcare-focused software maker Advanced Computer Software Plc (ASWA.L) said it has agreed with Business Systems Group (BSGL.L) to buy the technology services firm for about 15.5 million pounds ($23.4 million). [ID:nBNG261457]

** SkyBridge Capital, a firm that provides money for early-stage hedge funds said it invested $50 million in WyeTree Asset Management Ltd, a London-based fund focused on distressed mortgage securities. [ID:nN08489972]

** Shares of Cytori Therapeutics Inc (CYTX.O) jumped as much as 24 percent, after it entered into a deal with General Electric Corp's (GE.N) healthcare unit for commercialization of its StemSource stem cell product in North America. [ID:nBNG401385]

** Carphone Warehouse Plc (CPW.L) agreed to buy Internet service provider Tiscali UK (TIS.MI) in a deal making Carphone Britain's biggest residential broadband provider, overtaking Virgin Media (VMED.O). [ID:nL81038999]

** Chinese investor group Best Prospect Overseas Ltd said it was withdrawing its offer to acquire 51 percent of Hurray Holding Co Ltd (HRAY.O), a day after it raised a bid for the U.S.-listed ringtone provider. [ID:nBNG388420]

** Diageo Plc's (DGE.L) talks to buy a stake in India's United Spirits Ltd (UNSP.BO) have not made headway as both sides are unable to agree on details, a Diageo executive said, sending United's shares down 8 percent. [ID:nSIN200612]

** Shepherd Neame Ltd (SHEP.PZ) said it will buy 13 freehold pubs and associated pub-specific assets from Punch Taverns (PUB.L) for total 14.86 million pounds. [ID:nWLA3630]

** Charles Taylor Consulting Plc (CHAT.L) said it bought Axiom Holdings Ltd, a holding company of a group offering insurance support services to Lloyd's and insurance businesses in London, for a maximum of up to 7.85 million pounds ($11.86 million). [ID:nBNG373460]